Outside Opinions

November 19, 2012

Israel’s Right to Self-Defense

By Danielle Dankner

The state of affairs in Israel has escalated and intensified over the past several days. Since the morning of Nov. 14, more than 275 rockets targeting civilian residents and communities have been fired into Israel by Ham...

November 16, 2012

Prop 37 Fails, California Blows Chance to Stand Up to Corporate Giants

By Jason Garshfield

Four years ago, California had a chance to be the first state to vote in favor of legalizing gay marriage. We blew it. Two years ago, California had a chance to be the first state to legalize weed. We blew it. And last w...

November 15, 2012

Why the “Fucking Fag” Faces Homophobia (A Response to Last Week’s Letter, “Why A “Fucking Fag” Has Had Enough of the Homophobia in Isla Vista”)

By Scott Camus

It’s a paradox really. To have one of the most gay-friendly campuses in the UC system, with numerous programs dedicated to, and for, the support of the LGBT community and then less than a 20-minute walk away have a com...

November 6, 2012

Prop 34: A Matter of Justice, Efficiency and Morality

By Daniel Slovinsky

You’ve seen the signs and heard the arguments: vote for Lois Capps, yes on Prop 30, no on Prop 32. But what haven’t you heard? (Besides the obvious conservative argument, of course.) Where’s all the discussion on P...

November 5, 2012

Why A “Fucking Fag” Has Had Enough of the Homophobia in Isla Vista

By Andrew Farkash

Disclaimer: Imagining the following scenarios may require you to put yourself in the shoes of someone who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. If this makes you uncomfortable, please stop reading. I would...

October 29, 2012

MCC Council Urges Students to Strive for a More ‘Inclusive Campus Climate’

By The Multicultural Center Council

“Acts of intolerance, disrespect, bullying, or violence, especially regarding sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, or ethnicity, compromise our sense of community, our feelings of personal well-being, and our ab...

October 29, 2012

Echos From Last Week: Are You Registered? Are You Registered? Are YOU Regist….?

By Ben Moss

I am having nightmares of hidden registrars. I am at the urinal in downstairs Girvetz; they ambush me with a reminder of the Oct. 22 registration deadline. Other times, I am in line for Subway, and after the sandwich art...

October 26, 2012

Elected A.S. Member Expresses Concern Regarding Student Fund Allocations

By Alexandria Choate

I am not sure how many students are aware of this issue at our school, but in my humble opinion, given the history, there needs to be attention called to this. In Spring Quarter 2012, The Bottom Line — TBL — tried to...

October 24, 2012

Romney, Obama and Trees: Environmentalism for the Next Four Years

By Patrick Sheehan

Four debates — three presidential and one vice-presidential — and climate change has not been mentioned once. During their debates the closest the presidential candidates got to addressing the catastrophic ecological...

October 10, 2012

Seeing Past the Parades: Embracing a “Counter Culture” That Isn’t So Counter

By Evan Graves

As you may or may not know, tomorrow, October 11th, is National Coming Out Day. For many (like myself), this is a day for celebration among members of the queer community. For others though, being openly gay or accepting...

August 22, 2012

Freshmen, All Aboard! UCSB Housing Coordinator Offers Tips for Smooth Sailing Roommate-ships

By Maya Salmon

The warm breeze, the ocean views, the scent of salt water as it mixes with the morning fog… Ahhh yes, summer in Santa Barbara. Don’t let moving in with your new roommates become a cold, unwelcome splash in the face! ...

July 12, 2012

Why Obama’s Stimulus Package Is Not A Break From Tradition

By Chase Wilson

Despite the bothersome talking points of the Republican Party pundits and conservatives editorialists, President Obama is not a socialist with a failing economic plan of the most far-left variety. There has, in reality, ...

May 29, 2012

Student Responds to “Anti-Steve” Voter Fraud Allegations

By Rachel Kim

Do you believe everything you read or hear? With the elections coming up, it is important that we utilize our powers of independent thinking and critical reasoning. In the Daily Nexus and on campus, students have accused...

May 29, 2012

“Why Are You Here?” One Volunteer’s Experience in El Salvador

By Danny Sheinson

Using shovels, hoes and pickaxes, we dug ditches in the smoldering heat. We were somewhat out of our element, donned in work pants, gloves and wide-brimmed hats, on Don Israel’s farm in the small village of Ciudad Rome...

May 25, 2012

‘Electrosceptic’ Wow-ed by Gartner’s Performance, Despite the ‘Bleeps’ and ‘Bloops’

By PiersFibige

Electronic music seems to be taking over the airways, but I have never been able to understand the allure behind it. In fact, I hate it, and I always have. Whether it is house, techno, dubstep, trance or techno-house-ste...

May 24, 2012

The Origins of Sin: a Review of Religious History

By Steven Begakis

In his column “Why Religion May Be a Matter of Ideology, Not Theology,” Mr. Schenck claims that the Christian concept of sin originated in Old English etymology. But here’s a reality check: the Jewish religion had ...