Opinion
He’s been called brilliant and is said to be saving the music industry from itself by some. Others label him a blatant misogynist and homophobe. Love him or hate him, if you’re looking for some controversial music to be offended by, look no further than hip-hop artist Tyler, The Creator and his artistic collective “OFWGKTA” (“Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All,” also known simply as “Odd Future”).
Probably the biggest misconception in the study of history is the presumption of any sort of constant, though the presumption of universality is a close second. In other words, the misconception that things have always been a certain way and/or will remain so and the misconception that literally anything—an idea, an attribute, an opinion—is the same the world over.
Last year, the Portland State Bookstore partnered with HP to form the nation’s third print-on-demand program. Odin Ink, as it was called, was predicted to be a powerful program. It was designed to reduce textbook costs, increase availability and make possible for the students a low cost self-publishing and self-printing service.
I did not vote for President Barack Obama.
In retrospect, I believe he has done a far better job than McCain would have. I may vote for him in 2012. I am a registered Republican, though I consider myself a social liberal. As a president, I would rate Obama somewhere in the neighborhood of C+ or B- (Bush, I’d give a solid D). I find myself in agreement with roughly 60 percent of his policies. I like his approach of equanimity and reservedness. On the same note, I believe he wavers in his initiative to make decisions. I am fondest of his foreign policy doctrine. I am most disappointed by his priorities on the home front.
On Sept. 15, the arbitration hearing on former Portland police officer Ronald Frashour began. The hearing will determine if the police union, The Portland Police Association, is correct in requesting the reinstatement of Frashour’s job. Frashour was fired by the city primarily for the fatal shooting of Aaron Campbell, a mentally ill, suicidal black man, on Jan. 29, 2010.
Foxy Knoxy. A doe-eyed killer, wrapped up in a veil of stoicism. To most of Europe, she’s a persona non grata. Incarcerated in 2007 for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, and convicted in 2009, “Foxy Knoxy’s” story has captured the attention of much of the world.
At the end of the calendar year, Portland and Eugene high school students may have to find a new way to get to school.
City funding for the TriMet Youth Pass Program, which gave over $3 million worth of free TriMet passes to Portland students each year, is being cut, leaving Portland Public Schools with only $800,000 for the program and $2.5 million left to find.
As the Oregon educational system battles against a harsh economic decline, the high schools of Portland are utilizing various money-saving methods to stay afloat. With staff cutbacks and increasingly overcrowded classrooms, some schools have chosen to implement study halls as a way to ease financial pressures. Are the students in Portland high schools benefiting from, or struggling under, these curriculum changes?
Young adults 18–25 are gaining health care coverage through their parents’ plans faster than expected. Since this requirement of President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act (“Obamacare”) took effect a year ago, they are no longer the most uninsured age group. Analysis shows that 18–24 year olds have pulled ahead of their 25–34 year old counterparts, dipping down from 29 percent uninsured to 27.2 percent by one report, 24.2 percent by another.
For some people, the choice to have someone end your life when you are going to die anyway is a completely reasonable decision. In the eyes of others, there is a line that can be crossed over into cruel and unusual punishment. If you’re already slated to die, why not at least give you the dignity to make the decision yourself? Some would argue it is similar to physician-assisted suicide, and in some ways, it is. A choice like this would warrant some much needed thought from all parties involved. Convicted killer Gary Haugen is now faced with such a choice, and it is definitely easier said than done.
Have you ever heard of a “flavor-tripping” party? Despite what it sounds like, it has nothing to do with drugs. All it involves is a small red berry and a bunch of lemons and vinegar.
For those of you wondering what the heck this is all about, you’re not alone. Despite its effects having been known for almost 300 years, very few people know about the aptly named miracle berry. This small, tart, cranberry-like fruit is unremarkable when eaten on its own—bitter and unimpressive, even. However, if something sour is consumed after it, the moniker’s meaning becomes obvious.