Spring Break
Rock the vote, the knowledge
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
09/11/08 - No one needs a lecture on how important the presidential election is this year, or any year for that matter. All you need to do is turn on the television to be bombarded with what many Republicans and Democrats alike are calling "the faces of change."
But it also seems that every year, each election becomes more important, as the world grows seemingly more volatile.
Times are hard, and many are hoping the next leader of the free world will solve all of their problems. Others argue that their faith is blinded by states painted red and blue.
But this election year has changed everything. With Sen. Barack Obama peddling as Mr. Change and Sen. John McCain wreaking havoc as "the maverick," blue and red has now become a very muddled purple.
With voting comes the responsibility making sense of the mess. As the generation that is commonly marked as apathetic and disinterested in politics, now's the time to turn the stereotype sideways.
Learn about the candidates. For those who are turned off by newspapers and broadcast commentary, there's instant information at your fingertips online. Sometimes it's as easy as clicking "Issues" on the drop-down menu.
Even if you feel less inclined to learn about topics like climate change, immigration and ethics reform, you may realize that many of the issues they are passionate about directly affect students.
Obama, for example, has outlined a plan for college affordability on his issues forum - and if you're a student who's here by the grace of those lovely things called college loans, it might be something of interest to you and your wallet.
McCain also has his own ideas about education, and it might peak your interest to know what aspects of the Bush administration he plans to continue if elected president of the United States.
But even some of the most hardcore conservative Republicans have been calling for a new era after the George W.
In an interview with Bill Moyers of PBS, esteemed Boston University professor Andrew J. Bacevich, long known for his conservative views, took a shot at the Bush administration: "The United States today finds itself threatened by three interlocking crises. The first of these crises is economic and cultural, the second political and the third military. All three share this characteristic: They are of our own making."
So check the headlines and search for the sound bytes - sometimes seeing other points of view can help you discover your own.
But it also seems that every year, each election becomes more important, as the world grows seemingly more volatile.
Times are hard, and many are hoping the next leader of the free world will solve all of their problems. Others argue that their faith is blinded by states painted red and blue.
But this election year has changed everything. With Sen. Barack Obama peddling as Mr. Change and Sen. John McCain wreaking havoc as "the maverick," blue and red has now become a very muddled purple.
With voting comes the responsibility making sense of the mess. As the generation that is commonly marked as apathetic and disinterested in politics, now's the time to turn the stereotype sideways.
Learn about the candidates. For those who are turned off by newspapers and broadcast commentary, there's instant information at your fingertips online. Sometimes it's as easy as clicking "Issues" on the drop-down menu.
Even if you feel less inclined to learn about topics like climate change, immigration and ethics reform, you may realize that many of the issues they are passionate about directly affect students.
Obama, for example, has outlined a plan for college affordability on his issues forum - and if you're a student who's here by the grace of those lovely things called college loans, it might be something of interest to you and your wallet.
McCain also has his own ideas about education, and it might peak your interest to know what aspects of the Bush administration he plans to continue if elected president of the United States.
But even some of the most hardcore conservative Republicans have been calling for a new era after the George W.
In an interview with Bill Moyers of PBS, esteemed Boston University professor Andrew J. Bacevich, long known for his conservative views, took a shot at the Bush administration: "The United States today finds itself threatened by three interlocking crises. The first of these crises is economic and cultural, the second political and the third military. All three share this characteristic: They are of our own making."
So check the headlines and search for the sound bytes - sometimes seeing other points of view can help you discover your own.
