Snodgrass situation just small part of a much bigger picture

23 days after Paul Snodgrass's deportation from the country of Israel, the Wildcat has not ceased to receive letters about him, and he has nearly achieved martyr status. It is so easy to criticize Israel in a situation like this, because we have all gotten used to viewing Israel in a negative light. This has become so mainstream in our minds that when one simply tries to point out the most subtle, positive aspect of Israel, he or she becomes the whipping post for hypocrisy. There is something very wrong here. Israel has reached a level of attention that is unwarranted (whether it be negative or positive). Paul Snodgrass, as far as I knew of him, was a decent person, although I may not have agreed with his political stance on certain issues concerning the Israeli-Arab situation. But the deportation was not about Snodgrass in the least; it was about the bigger picture that everyone has seemed to be ranting and raving about in the 13 days since his deportation. [Read article]

When Chain Gang Junior Honorary President Marc Viscardi said last week at a hazing forum, "There is a difference between capital 'H' and little 'h' hazing," he hit the nail on the head, all right. In a single sentence, he managed to illustrate the stubborn ignorance that has made hazing a steadfast tradition in all too many organizations.

If greek life weren't so fixated on saving hazing by justifying it by degrees, maybe rigid state laws protecting students [Read article]

Ask a UA student about the election in six weeks and you are more likely to get a blank stare than a well-reasoned answer. While many students are busying themselves with the week's assignments and the party scene for the upcoming weekend, not so many have taken the time to understand the important issues they could affect on Nov. 4.

Voters across the city will choose a mayor and three City Council seats and will decide whether or not to accept a transportation plan that includes money for a light rail system that would service the UA area. Democrat Tom Volgy is challenging incumbent Republican Bob Walkup for mayor, and Democrats Shirley Scott and Jose Ibarra are facing Republicans Mike Jenkins and Armando Rios for their council seats. Democratic Councilwoman Carol West is running unopposed in the general election. [Read article]