Up until about a year ago, if anyone had asked me what "flop" or "river" meant, I would have answered with straightforward definitions of the words and possibly with examples (see "From Justin to Kelly," and a dry, sandy wash, respectively).

Then I was reluctantly inducted into the world of Texas hold 'em poker by a determined roommate. Turns out I liked it, and I'm not the only one. However, poker has always been more than chips and cards, and the dangers of addiction are something to be aware of. [Read article]

There is a country with an illustrious history and rich culture but a marred past that has fascinated generations of people. This is the land where the drinks are cool and refreshing, like the Mojito and the worldly popular Cuba Libre (rum and Coke). This tropical land of beaches and spicy food, of plentiful cigars and strong drinks, is the island of Cuba, and as Americans we will never enjoy its charms. [Read article]

Scott Patterson came so close to hitting the mark with his Aug. 29 editorial, "Would you feel safe if you had a whistle?"

He starts out strong, but fails to make a rational point when he minimizes the prevalence and impact of sexual assaults. The University of Arizona Police Department statistics he cites for the number of sexual assaults reported each year are definitely low, especially compared with the department's statistics for theft. [Read article]

Who's your Papa?

With an overbooking of the residence halls, incoming freshmen were given little to cheer about until they learned of the latest meal plan development: Papa John's, the brainchild of that guy who is so conspicuously un-Italian, had been christened the official pizza pusher for the UA. For this, Papa John's gets a Pass, if only because the alternatives were somewhat unsavory (Domino's knew that its pizza tasted like it was 14 years old, and the owner of Picurro's, according to police, would have been better off if he knew a 14-year-old girl when he saw one). [Read article]

Democrats shouldn't resort to gimmicks

Political pundits say, "Democrats have no ideas." Months and months of this go by until our own pundit on campus, Matt Stone ("Dems' problem? No ideas"), also and not surprisingly declares, "Democrats have no ideas."

Then the example of Newt Gingrich's victory in 1994 is thrown in there for good measure as an example of what the Democrats should imitate. I've heard this point regurgitated enough. Gimmicks or catch phrases like Newt's "Contract with America" or the promise to balance the budget continue to have no weight years after the fact. [Read article]