The Vanderbilt Torch

Rear-VU Mirror: A Senior's Take

As another school year comes to an end, and as my time as an undergraduate approaches its conclusion, I would like to reflect upon my experience at Vanderbilt and share some thoughts about both its past and future.

Cuba, Kosovo: A Cold War Reprise

February was marked by two historic events in international politics. The first occurred on Sunday, February 17, when the parliament of Kosovo declared its independence from Serbian rule. The second came on Tuesday when media outlets confirmed that Fidel Castro, leader of communist Cuba for nearly five decades and a staunch enemy of the United States for almost just as long, would resign his presidency.

Election 2008: National Defense

Since the events of 9/11, no issue has earned more attention in political debate than that of national security. With the Iraq conflict well into its fifth year and with the ever-growing threat of terrorism both at home and abroad, it is for many the most crucial and deciding factor of the 2008 presidential elections.

Rudy: Just Put Him in, Coach

With the Iowa primary only a month away, many voters are concerned about a largely unimpressive Republican field. Much of this unease comes from the lack of what appears to be to be a truly electable social conservative—a well-founded concern for a party that relies heavily on its Christian constituency to win elections. The Republican frontrunner in the majority of opinion polls is former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a candidate whose political record can be deemed moderate at best. As easy as it may be to discount Giuliani’s candidacy, however, conservative voters would be wise to take a second look at “America’s Mayor.” He may well be their best chance for victory next November.

'Mother of All Tax Hikes' Proves Ominous

Your wallet could be feeling much lighter in the coming years if Democrats have anything to do with it. On October 24th, Rep. Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, proposed a sweeping tax reform that Republicans have dubbed the “Mother of All Tax Hikes.” The reforms, according to Rangel, are meant to replace lost revenue from the planned 1-year “patch” on the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), a measure originally intended to prevent the nation’s highest earners from avoiding a minimum tax liability through deductions and other exemptions. Unfortunately, the scope of the AMT has expanded over its years to affect an increasing number of taxpayers including many middle-class families, and is estimated to increase taxes this year on 21 million households if Congress fails to halt it. 

The Greek Choice

I must begin by admitting to some apprehension in writing this article. When approached with the idea, I had many concerns. The debate over Greek life is a surprisingly multi-faceted one. It is also one that has caused unwarranted tension and division on our campus. I feared that there was nothing to say on the matter that had not already been said. Most of all, I wondered if the Torch was really an appropriate place for such a topic.

Frontloading Backfires

The nominating process has always been one of the most turbulent and exciting parts of the presidential election. Unusual as the system may be, the use of state primaries and caucuses to select nominees has proven effective over the years. There is, however, little regulation over the timing of these primaries. Historically, they have been spaced so as to give smaller states like Iowa and New Hampshire the most important voice in the process. Recent developments, however, are significantly disrupting the status quo.

Support Soldiers of Fortune

The war in Iraq has seen a noticeably larger use of private military companies than any war before, and the number of companies employed continues to rise. Though by no means a new phenomenon, the private military industry has grown exponentially since the end of the Cold War and has seen unprecedented use in Iraq, where a resilient insurgency and growing civilian workforce have created the need for heightened security. Already, these private soldiers are employed as bodyguards, snipers, translators, interrogators, and in other specialized positions. Approximately 100,000 contractors are currently deployed in Iraq and all signs lead to an expansion of their role as America’s War on Terror rages on.

Cara Bilotta, Perry Gragg: Take Note

As we all know, our school has recently made significant changes to its student government. What was once a rather convoluted bureaucracy, has now been streamlined to form the Vanderbilt Student Government, a merger of the former SGA and Interhall organizations.

The hope, of course, is that a single and well-defined institution like VSG will be able to better serve the student population and eliminate many of the gaps and overlaps that existed in the previous system. With this consolidation of authority and resources, however, comes a new challenge-- namely, the expectation that this new government will significantly outperform the old ones.

24 Keeps Freedom on the Edge of Its Seat

Few television programs in recent history have captivated their audience like 24, the hit action-drama from the Fox network that, for five seasons and counting, has followed federal agent Jack Bauer’s ongoing fight against terrorism on U.S. soil.

24 keeps fans on  the edge of their seats wondering what plot twists and shocking cliffhangers the show’s remarkable writing staff will throw at them. Despite the appeal of its unique presentation and storytelling, though, the biggest draw to the show is its conflicted lead character, played brilliantly by Keifer Sutherland. Every week, we wait anxiously to see the lengths Jack Bauer will go to accomplish his mission. This is what sets 24 apart from the rest: its willingness to engage viewers not only with non-stop action, but also with its depiction of the social and ethical issues involved in the increasingly difficult battle for homeland security.