International relations between the United States and Russia have come a long way since the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when threats of full retaliatory responses were being thrown…
The March for Life and its pro-life message
In what could be considered one of the most polarizing issues in the history of the United States, the abortion debate still rages on in our country. On the anniversary…
Florida, the death penalty, and human dignity
As of Jan. 12, The United States Supreme Court declared Florida’s death penalty system to be unconstitutional. This ruling came during the trial of Timothy Hurst, who was convicted of…
Smartphone use and your impending mortality
In today’s world, cellphones and personal electronic devices are an integral part of everyday life for many Americans. We use them for everything: from staying connected with loved ones, to…
America’s foreign language shortfalls
Foreign language in education holds more importance in Europe than America, despite its obvious benefits. As a foreign language major at Portland State, I can be fairly overzealous when I…
Faith for climate change policy
I had the pleasure of attending a panel discussion here at Portland State about climate change in the context of Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato si,” on Nov. 9. This important…
Philosophy: a subject for all ages
In the world of higher education, no subject is on the receiving end of jokes more so than philosophy. What was once a proud subject that helped shaped the modern…
Bad arguments and the gun control debate
A few weeks ago, a terrible tragedy occurred on the campus of Umpqua Community College down in southern Oregon. A shooter, whose name I don’t care to mention, shot and…
Being American is nothing to be ashamed of
Like most undergraduates, a large portion of my time spent here at Portland State has been focused on the development of self: who I am, who I want to be,…
The Pope everyone (still) misunderstands
This September, Pope Francis made history by being the first pontiff to address a session of Congress, as well as being the fourth pope to address the United Nations. Pope…
International education: The who, where, why and how
Study abroad. Every college student has heard this term at least one time or another, whether it’s from a plot device in a coming-of-age drama or from firsthand experience. For…