Old Political Grudges Stifle New Ideas, Intellectual Progress
Humans have found many ways to govern themselves, from dictatorships to fascism, to democracy or theocracy. Any one system of law able to hold the masses under a common agreement is the recognized pillar of civilization. Now, the effectiveness of these governments remains solely dependent upon their underlying purpose, as well as where the perspective [...]
The time has come for affirmative action
Rich white males still dominate America. In its 237 years as a nation, upper-class white men still control the United States,; our politicians, our economic leaders, even our academic pioneers remain, overwhelmingly, wealthy, white and male. Though discrimination is illegal in America, not enough has been done to fix the inequality suffered by so many [...]
Golden path to stress paved with procrastination, ‘Netflix’, ‘We TV’
The clock strikes 12 a.m., and I still have an English paper to write. My computer mocks me with its overly white screen. The furthest I have gotten was a witty intro that had no relation to the topic of women’s rights. We’ve all been at the point where the amount of overdue work is [...]
Indian Supreme Court overturns Novartis’ drug patent bid for the good of humanity
On the front of it, the Indian Supreme Court’s denial of a patent for Novartis’ new anti-cancer medicine seems like a bad choice. The decision, made just two weeks ago on April 1, would logically stem any type of drug innovation in India. After all, if companies are not allowed to patent their hard work [...]
BSA proposal not helpful in addressing equal rights
Maryland rung in the New Year with the legalization of gay marriage, the ninth state to do so in the United States. It’s following the trend started by Massachusetts nine years ago, in 2004. Seeing the news segments and photo galleries on some of the first gay marriages in the United States, it was hard [...]
Boy scout charter organizations should have decision-making power
Boy Scouts of America is an organization that prides itself in its strong morals, instilling in their troops individuality, courage, leadership and honor — all qualities that are supposed to embody the core values of being an American. These are qualities which are supposed to lead members to a righteous path and a morally successful [...]
Going to prom alone outweighs having random date
Prom: the one night that many seniors look forward to. Girls search for hours and even drive hundreds of miles to find their perfect dress. On the other hand, the boys go and spend an hour maximum getting fitted for a tuxedo. In many cases, guys and girls stumble over each other, trying to find [...]
Game developers desert their devoted fanbases
Though some may see the ugly release of “SimCity 2013” as an isolated incident, it’s another example in a long line of recent and weird anti-consumer trends in the games industry. And it comes from the company voted the worst in the United States two years in a row in The Consumerist poll. “SimCity” has [...]
Physical Education credits system unfair
It is generally agreed upon that vomiting from physical exhaustion is a sign of a hard workout. For that matter, beaded sweat, a heart rate elevated to 200 beats per minute and the loss of enough salt to make a lick are also signs of improving physical fitness.
Weighted GPA would take load off AP and Honors students’ minds
Gravitational forces in history have had a mixed reception. Though they have kept us all from flinging into space, they have also led to numerous deaths by drowning, falling, dropping off rocks and, indirectly, obesity. Idiomatic expressions, however, have had a wonderful and varied time playing with weight and gravity in the fashion we as [...]
HB 163 threatens the freedom and opportunities of potential graduates
As the graduating seniors of 2013 prepare for their final days at RBHS, they leave with their freedom, their individuality and the experimentations of their senior year.
Flawed fluoride system degrades public health
Imagine ingesting a toxic chemical that slowly eats away at tissue function without even knowing you’re doing such a thing, a hidden poison that slowly pollutes the brain and the body’s senses. Consider the implications of weekly guzzling gallons of fluid laced with a substance terrifying in its potential for mental impairment. Most people would [...]
Whimsical wonderland may not be so wonderful after all
Children’s stories are classic works that are always a pleasure to look back on and read through or watch. Many provide robust and original stories that leave them a respectable permanence in the world of literature and film. These works of art, like Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the Brothers Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel and [...]
Out-of-state tuition swells fees, burdens future college attendees
For about a year now, all I’ve wanted is to get out. I’ve just wanted to leave Columbia and venture on in life. I had my sights set on the University of Arizona-Tuscon. I did not, however, know exactly what going out-of-state for college would mean for myself financially. Out-of-state tuition has skyrocketed in the [...]
Gun loophole tightening necessary to secure safe future
The cold metal of a gun used to be something to revere. It embodied the values Americans have fought for time and time again: liberty and individual rights. But then, one too many school shootings broke the smiles off faces around the nation. One too many sobbing parents graced the television screen in the family [...]
Tragedy promotes rash stereotypes
It’s a sad day in society whenever tragedy strikes. It’s an even sadder day in society when tragedy no longer surprises a nation. However, what I find truly devastating is when we blame and attribute stereotypes to groups of people in society’s time of need. On Monday, April 15, 23,000 runners and nearly half-a-million spectators [...]
Bradley Manning did not deserve Nobel Peace Prize nomination
In past years, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to influential individuals who are positively contributing to the cause of world peace. This can be done through anything from easing international relations to creating grassroots movements that advocate for the promotion of peace. Recent laureates include President Barack Obama for his “extraordinary efforts to [...]
Bruin Block provides students with a consistent family style community
Their very first year at RBHS, sophomores are given an obligatory class known as Advisory. This hour and a half serves the combined role of a high school orientation, study hall, emotional safety net and home-away-from-home. However, after their sophomore year, students are turned loose for their brand new AUT. Although they’ve certainly earned this [...]
Social media prove unreliable for breaking news
Seven out of 10 RBHS students use Twitter, according to a survey of 360 students taken by the yearbook, Flashback. While the number is dissimilar to a national statistic from Education Week that shows only eight percent of teens use Twitter, the number still shows how much impact this outlet has on RBHS. Many use [...]
By Brett StoverMay 21, 2013
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