When asked about national identity in a foreign country, "I'm Canadian" has become an oft-repeated response among many a jaded American traveler and disaffected college student.

Maybe by using the phrase, we as travelers use it to escape awkward buying situations (e.g. to avoid buying cheap junk because Canadians don't have money - ha-ha!). Or maybe by repeating the phrase, we simply expound the virtues of our northern neighbor. [Read article]

Comedian Lewis Black used to say that in America, voters have two choices: We have Republicans, the party of bad ideas, and Democrats, the party of no ideas. When it comes to the Arizona governor's race in 2006, these roles appear reversed.

After barely edging out current state Republican Party Chairman Matt Salmon in 2001, Janet Napolitano's four years in office have apparently left voters satisfied, but have produced little real results for Arizona. [Read article]

Business needs cheap labor. Workers need to earn a living. Laws need to be upheld.

Mix these needs with notions of patriotism and xenophobia, and you have the mess that is U.S. immigration policy.

Illegal immigration is an impending hot-button issue in many states' primary races - none more so than Arizona, which is on the front line of increasingly heated argument on how best to stanch the torrential influx of undocumented workers. Gov. Janet Napolitano declared a state of emergency along the Mexican border in August to call federal attention to the chaos wrought by illegal immigration and the concomitant trafficking hazards, both in people and drugs - and potentially terrorism. [Read article]

'Out of Water' still not amusing

403: net laughs from Police Beat this year. 0: net laughs from "Out of Water" this year. I think Mr. Irish should start pursuing other endeavors.

Elizabeth Coppinger
undeclared sophomore

Wal-Mart employs thousands of 'happy' senior citizens

In Dan Post's column "Quit shopping at Wal-Mart," he indicates that the average employee at Wal-Mart only makes $13,861 per year. However, he failed to mention that a large number of Wal-Mart employees are working part time, and a large portion of those workers are senior citizens. [Read article]