Public education in America is rife with problems. Methodological, pedagogical, financial, and even teleological problems cripple the system America uses to educate its future leaders. Potential solutions to these problems vary from increases in funding to creation of voucher programs that allow public school students to enroll in private or charter schools. This bleak interpretation of America’s public schools seems to spell only doom and gloom for a system whose function is of the utmost importance. Mr. Pritchett is not alone in his belief that privatization can only help but …

The question of private versus public education is not new; neither are the means I will use for examining it. I should begin by issuing a disclaimer: since third grade, I have attended private schools. After leaving Highland Park when I was seven, I started at Community School, and continued on to Community High School. I attended private arts-focused schools although I am more of a reading, writing, and ‘rithmatic specialist.
Even though my private schooling did not cater to my abilities, I actually ended up learning a great enthusiasm for …

Boxing has an established place in American culture—and it is this longevity which continues to validate it today. Like football team loyalties, an appreciation of boxing is something given by many fathers to their sons. The history of boxing in America is rich and colorful, full of not just great fights but great moments in history. Who among us has not heard “down goes Frazier!” Muhammad Ali was named the Sportsman of the Century by Ring Magazine—beating out such memorable figures of Americana as Michael Jordan and Babe Ruth. Even …

Mixed martial arts commercially, athletically superior to boxing
Americans have developed a sour taste for the sweet science. Boxing, at one time, was arguably the most popular sport in America, but Americans’ love affair with boxing has waned almost synonymously with the decline of the heavyweight division. The most notable fighters during the golden age of boxing fought in the heavyweight division, but now a look at the pound-for-pound rakings reveals that the cream of the boxing crop falls under 200 pounds, with the most note-worthy fighters falling in the 130-150 …

Abortion is not only a moral issue, but also an incredibly intricate and subtle legal issue that affects both constitutional and criminal cases. From the moral standpoint I, like Mr. Pritchett, view abortion through the same lenses with which I view the death penalty. When I say that I am “pro-life”, I mean it in the truest sense of the phrase. I am categorically against any action that results in an unnecessary loss of life. Abortion falls under my pro-life umbrella because I believe life starts at conception, thus the …

Abortion is not a topic to be viewed lightly, or as any kind of casual event. It is one of the most unpleasant mental and physical experiences any person can undergo, and I know that personally because my mother had a miscarriage when I was four. With that said, there are circumstances where abortion is necessary.
I want to put forth a disclaimer before I discuss abortion, however. My position on abortion is analogous to my position on the death penalty; we should legislate to the exception. What I mean by …

America does not need a ground presence in Afghanistan. Violence and heroin trafficking are bad, but they happen in numerous other places in the world without it provoking American intervention. Much like our efforts in Vietnam, the escalation movement is convincing, except for the fact that it desperately needs to define its terms.
What is “success” in Afghanistan? Stable, efficient governance? We enabled the most fair election we could in this country—and if we forcibly alter the results, how legitimate will this election, or any other, appear? Perhaps if we …

By itself, the escalation of violence in Afghanistan already guarantees an increased American commitment. Aside from violence, other extenuating circumstances call for an increase in American presence in Afghanistan.
Corruption in the Karzai government is rampant. According to a 2006 survey from Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA), corruption in Afghanistan is currently higher than at any time during Taliban or Soviet rule. The same IWA survey also stated that Afghani citizens believe that one out of every two government officials is corrupt; of the Afghani surveyed by IWA, 60% report having to …