Brandeis University's Community Newspaper — Waltham, Mass.
I enjoy watching cowboy films.
Whats not to like? We have our good guys and our bad guys. We are transplanted into a time period and setting that is presumably far simpler, more tranquil than our everyday lives. In Ang Lees Brokeback Mountain, the cowboy setting is a diversion from the hardships of the characters everyday lives.
There are movies out there that are intentionally bizarre. Movies that try to confuse you, or that are so bad, so out there, theyre almost good.
New York City. New Orleans. Detroit. Seattle. Los Angeles. History has shown that all of these cities have played a role in the development of distinctly American music, with each city offering a breeding ground to culturally magnificent and unique sounds. As time continually marches by, theres one little northwestern city that hopes to join the ranks in the pantheon of American musical birthing grounds: Portland, Oregon. The seemingly inconspicuous city in a relatively un-noteworthy state for pop culture, with the exception of everyones favorite game known as the Oregon Trail, Portland is proving to be a strong enough basin for ingenious musicians in this country. In fact, one of indie rocks most pivotal musicians of the past decade began his musical journey in the middle of a budding Portland music scene;
that musician is the widely beloved Elliott Smith.
Are you proud to be a college student? What I mean is, do you wake up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat, scratching yourself in various unsanitary places, wondering where you are and smelling like a pizza/vodka smoothie? And who IS that in my bed?
Last week, Hamas was announced as the new majority in the Palestinian legislature. Expectedly, politicians across the world were quick to denounce the landslide victory. EU lawmaker Elmar Brok would not rule out suspending aid to the Palestinian people, the Bush Administration cut all aid to Palestine, and even Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was quick to state that the victory casts a serious shadow over the prospects for peace. However, is it fair to judge the future of Palestinian-Israeli relations before Hamas even takes power?
I was born in August. Although I should appreciate my summertime birthday for the warm and commitment-less days it has afforded me to celebrate, it has always been kind of a drag. Having a so-called off-season birthday has been a let down for a number of reasons.
In my native Pittsburgh, PNC Banks TV commercials say, Every day is an opportunity to do more. Coming to Brandeis in August 2004, I had a diverse set of friends in my public high school, but I still had a lot to learn. While my friends were of various faiths, it was still a self-selected group of individuals.
To the Editor:
While I appreciate Kevin Montgomerys perspective on Brandeis political activism, and his aversion to political correctness (Self-aggrandizing extremists destroy the campus community Jan. 20), I feel obliged to correct his statements regarding the Brandeis Republicans.
Much has been rumored about the impending Student Activities Fee (SAF) Reform Amendment however very little is known publicly. Sure, a few select students in select groups have seen the latest incarnation of the amendment, but most have not been privy to it. The process to make the SAF more transparent has been anything but that.
Would you like one candy bar today, or two candy bars tomorrow?
My father used to chide my brother and me for always being the types to take one candy bar today rather than two tomorrow. He thought we were impatient that we acted on instincts instead of logic. He thought those were bad things. Thinking with your stomach is a bad idea in a world where candy bars are scarce commodities. Our world, however, is not lacking candy bars. Why wait for the second candy bar, when its likely you will be offered more candy bars tomorrow, or even later in the afternoon?
