One moment from my time at late September's G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh has stuck in my mind: the image of about 300 police officers in full riot gear and backed up by armored vehicles sporting various non-lethal weapons, including the sonic cannon, blocking off three of the four streets of an intersection. These officers were deployed at this location to break up an unpermitted protest march, dubbed the "People's Uprising," on the first day of the summit. The officers' presence was much larger than that of the protesters, and they seemed more confident of and prepared for imminent violence than any of the marchers.
Tens of thousands of protestors marched into the streets during the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Seattle on November 30, 1999. Farmers and factory workers, students and teachers, immigrants and natives-people of all walks of life joined together to rally against a common enemy. Despite their differing origins, they were united by a common perception of the WTO as a profoundly undemocratic group with entirely too much power over the world economy.
The Obama administration convened with 10 close allies in early October to gain consensus on international sanctions against Iran. Iran has been pursuing nuclear ambitions and a possible weapons program with increased vigor for the past several years, worrying many in the international community. There has been widespread speculation on the tone and action that President Obama will take against Iran.
The year following an exciting election can be a difficult period for most political organizations. Vanderbilt College Democrats (VCD) is no exception. Following the historic election of President Obama and the attention surrounding the 2008 campaign, VCD has seen a decline in political interest, energy and activism among Vanderbilt's progressive community. Junior Ravi Singh, the organization's president, is hoping to turn this trend around.
It's not every day a congregation witnesses a reverend standing behind a podium, wearing a pink shirt and cashmere socks to match, and saying, "I'm so glad I'm a queer but-oh my God-what it took to get here." It's not every day but it was Monday Oct. 5 when Reverend Mel White gave a State of the Nation address to the Vanderbilt community in honor of National Coming Out Week.
Tammy Ray Silas followed Maria Gurrola home from a Nashville Wal-Mart, knocked on her door and introduced herself as an immigration agent, and then stabbed the 30-year-old mother nine times with a butcher knife on Sept. 29. After that, she kidnapped Gurrola's infant son Yair Anthony Carillo and fled back to Alabama, where she remained undetected by law enforcement for several tense days.
I wanted to give ACORN a chance. Really, I did. The nationwide organization campaigns to secure affordable housing, provide adequate health care, and end predatory lending, which contrasts strongly with the incessant negative coverage that Fox News and other conservative-leaning media outlets devote to the group. As a self-professed card-carrying liberal and Orbis journalist, I set off to write an informative article detailing the Nashville branch of ACORN's contributions to the community and its upcoming projects. This could have depicted a different side of ACORN not commonly shown by the media and provide a local connection for the Vanderbilt community.
What is really going on with health care reform? Many people have become increasingly confused over the country's health care debate amidst conflicting reports on the bills making their way through Congress. So what is being proposed? There are a number of bills currently under consideration, with a variety of ideas designed to reform our ailing system.
It's hard to believe that we're almost halfway through the semester. By now, freshmen have learned the art of the all-nighter and seniors are starting to worry about their post-graduation plans. I'm guessing that you're in the middle of studying for midterms now, so I appreciate you taking the time to pick up a new copy of Orbis.
