The Crisis in Venezuela: Monroe Doctrine Reconsidered

Nick Tyler Staff Writer For nearly a century, the oil industry has been the foundation of Venezuelan prosperity. In recent decades Hugo Chavez leaned heavily on oil to fund his ambitious programs for redistributing wealth. Oil production has since suffered mismanagement and neglected infrastructure as well as a fall in the price of oil. Where once there were subsidized food prices and free health care, … Continue reading The Crisis in Venezuela: Monroe Doctrine Reconsidered

Grow Up, Congress

Annie Walker Opinions Editor Our constitution is not a perfect document. Often, the passages that we wish would give us some guidance are hopelessly vague or reflective of a time when it was actually conceivable that two thirds of both chambers of Congress could agree on anything. One thing the constitution is quite specific about, however, is who gets to be a member of Congress. … Continue reading Grow Up, Congress

Poverty in Plain Sight: Ignoring the Blatant Pleas of Eastern North Carolina

Kaetlyn Dembkoski Staff Writer With the recent official start of summer, many people are taking their well-deserved vacation time and driving East to the coast for some beach time with friends and family. Rather than wake up early to head to work, they pack for the lengthy drive and head out to beat the traffic to the beach. For most, this time is to be … Continue reading Poverty in Plain Sight: Ignoring the Blatant Pleas of Eastern North Carolina

Avocadon’t Make Me Eat Your Superfoods

Annie Walker Opinions Editor Superfoods are the new superheroes – instead of comic books stalking grocery store aisles, we’re left with kale, flaxseed, and of course – avocado. For the ever hopeful self-improver, this produce renaissance has been accompanied by an explosion of access to strange vegetables, trendy fruits, and Andean grains – all of which promise clear skin, a better figure, and access to … Continue reading Avocadon’t Make Me Eat Your Superfoods

America the Beautiful?

Brianna Wilson Staff Writer Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is one of the first things we learn to do in school. We continue to recite that pledge every single school day until we graduate from high school. Every day we stand, place our hands on our hearts and speak those all too familiar words. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, allegiance is defined as loyalty … Continue reading America the Beautiful?

Compulsory Military Requirements Fight Freedom – Not Protect It

Brianna Wilson Staff Writer National military service requirements consists of compulsory enlistment of people into the military where the individuals are given no choice in their enlistment. They are prevalent in countries all over the world. Sixty-one countries have some length of required military service for the male population. Some countries require it of the female population as well. Proponents of mandatory military service have … Continue reading Compulsory Military Requirements Fight Freedom – Not Protect It

Summer Days: The Pressure to be Active

Kaetlyn Dembkoski Staff Writer Now that we are in the midst of the summer months, the days without classes or homework have given us the breaks we so duly deserve; however, we are not clear of expectations yet. In a society like ours that pressures its inhabitants in terms of physical beauty, the desire to remain active during the summer becomes our new “assignment.” We … Continue reading Summer Days: The Pressure to be Active