Temple University campus administrators have already sent out closing times and dates on campus for winter break. There are approximately 17 days until the campus officially closes. The anticipation of this date, or even prior dates, if you're lucky, is killing the student population. All over campus kids are talking about what they will do, who they will see, and when they plan on leaving for winter break. The wait feels like forever away.
With finals coming up, students have too much to worry about, not to mention study for, to be thinking about break right now. This email sent out only reminds the students of how far away their freedom from school work is. Slowly, but surely the days will pass and break will soon be here, but sadly that day is not today. So as for the administration, shame on you. What a tease.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A Canning Crisis
All school year school organizations, frats, sororities, and other groups have been canning on Liacouras Walk. The causes vary from breast cancer, to heart transplant foundations to even the homeless. Their intentions are true to a giving and caring heart, but the amount of organizations asking for money versus the amount of money students have to spare is slim to none.
A canner walks up to you and haggles you about donating money, and at first you say, " no I don't have anything on me", clearly knowing you have some spare change in your pocket. Then they proceed to tell you the money goes to families with children who need kidney transplants...your guilt suddenly appears and you give in.
The money they collect is spare change or a dollar here and there, but when you think about it, how many times do you walk on Liacouras Walk per day? Then calculate how much money you would give to that specific group, not counting any others that would be scouting for change. Not so vulnerable to guilt now are you? The cause is there, but the money isn't.
The situation becomes even more complicated when there are multiple groups asking for money every day of the week. They tell you that one penny could save a life as you burst into a steady and fast walk past all of them hoping they won't see you. Sometimes they may even call you out and say, "see he's/she's smart, he at least avoids us," in a sarcastic voice.
There is a certain role you must fill when it comes to donating money, but to every organization that reaches out a hand, there has to be some kind of compromise. In no way is this article out to ridicule the students fighting for a cause. It is simply to inform them that we're not made of money. A few cents here, a dollar there, and you feel good about yourself knowing that you've just helped someone in need. So what will you do next time a canner comes up to you? Be overwhelmed with guilt or do your share then go on with your day?
A canner walks up to you and haggles you about donating money, and at first you say, " no I don't have anything on me", clearly knowing you have some spare change in your pocket. Then they proceed to tell you the money goes to families with children who need kidney transplants...your guilt suddenly appears and you give in.
The money they collect is spare change or a dollar here and there, but when you think about it, how many times do you walk on Liacouras Walk per day? Then calculate how much money you would give to that specific group, not counting any others that would be scouting for change. Not so vulnerable to guilt now are you? The cause is there, but the money isn't.
The situation becomes even more complicated when there are multiple groups asking for money every day of the week. They tell you that one penny could save a life as you burst into a steady and fast walk past all of them hoping they won't see you. Sometimes they may even call you out and say, "see he's/she's smart, he at least avoids us," in a sarcastic voice.
There is a certain role you must fill when it comes to donating money, but to every organization that reaches out a hand, there has to be some kind of compromise. In no way is this article out to ridicule the students fighting for a cause. It is simply to inform them that we're not made of money. A few cents here, a dollar there, and you feel good about yourself knowing that you've just helped someone in need. So what will you do next time a canner comes up to you? Be overwhelmed with guilt or do your share then go on with your day?
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A Life, For A Life
Last month, Savita Halappanavar, died in Ireland because she was refused having a life-saving abortion. The bans on abortion had been in place for some time, and there were no medically safe procedures to substitute. In previous times, women had died of self-induced abortions or had them done in back alleys by uncertified "professionals".
"According to a World Health Organization report, about 47,000 women die each year around the world from unsafe abortions. This accounts for about 13% of all maternal deaths, " stated by Latanya Mapp of CNN Opinion. These statistics apply to many developing countries, though Savita was living in a highly developed country. She was miscarrying and in an immense amount of pain, but still the doctors refused to grant her an abortion.
Three days went by when the fetus died and soon after came Savita, dying of blood poisoning four days later. Her death is the result of backwards health politics in highly developed countries. The undermining evidence, that health professionals are willing to sacrifice the life of both the fetus and the woman miscarrying, is the bleak and dark truth to how health professionals value life versus their beliefs.
"According to a World Health Organization report, about 47,000 women die each year around the world from unsafe abortions. This accounts for about 13% of all maternal deaths, " stated by Latanya Mapp of CNN Opinion. These statistics apply to many developing countries, though Savita was living in a highly developed country. She was miscarrying and in an immense amount of pain, but still the doctors refused to grant her an abortion.
Three days went by when the fetus died and soon after came Savita, dying of blood poisoning four days later. Her death is the result of backwards health politics in highly developed countries. The undermining evidence, that health professionals are willing to sacrifice the life of both the fetus and the woman miscarrying, is the bleak and dark truth to how health professionals value life versus their beliefs.
Global Issues Go Domestic
Tonight pro Palestine Temple students, congregated around the bell tower in rage that the United States support and give a helping hand to Israel, while just a week earlier Gaza was bombed by Israelites. With signs in their hands and hatred in their hearts, the students shouted "5, 6, 7, 8, Israel is a racist state!" The anger was prevalent and the intent, to show that the people will be heard even a quarter way around the earth from where this event occurred.
Not too far from the pro Palestinian students, was a small group of students in support of Israel. The number of students chanting their love of Palestine was grand in comparison to that of the Israel group. There were about five students supporting Israel, while Palestine had nearly thirty. Their voices could be heard from Alter Hall to a block past Anderson and Gladfelter.
The tensions between the two groups were not so much shown tonight, but I fear, in the near future, the fight for justice by the Palestinians will become violent and hatred driven, as with the Israelites. The passion in their eyes and rage in their shouts, showed that they weren't about to back down anytime soon.
Not too far from the pro Palestinian students, was a small group of students in support of Israel. The number of students chanting their love of Palestine was grand in comparison to that of the Israel group. There were about five students supporting Israel, while Palestine had nearly thirty. Their voices could be heard from Alter Hall to a block past Anderson and Gladfelter.
The tensions between the two groups were not so much shown tonight, but I fear, in the near future, the fight for justice by the Palestinians will become violent and hatred driven, as with the Israelites. The passion in their eyes and rage in their shouts, showed that they weren't about to back down anytime soon.
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