Broadside Online - Latest Comments

Re: The Buffet Rule: Good Politics, Bad Policy

Tony Lamar Ivey — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:36:54 -0000

You are seriously cherry-picking the facts. Yes the 1% pay 28% of fed taxes but that's because they make so much!,- what they pay in taxes is more then what most make in a year! Bottom line- they shouldn't pay less taxes than the middle class who are the real job creators, and actually move the economy. The rich evade taxes and keep their money high, while the middle funds and contributes to the middle economy. I.e. facebook CEO who's no longer a US citizen to evade taxes. It's not jealous or anger, its pure facts and sensibility that the rich shouldn't be able to pay a lower percentage in taxes than the rest of us.

Re: Are Meal Plans Worth the Coin?

Alex Romano — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:34:33 -0000

Well Charles not everyone wants to have a 19-week a meal because who in the world is actually going to eat that much? I know one person throughout my career here that has been on that plan, which is mostly sought out by athletes and is a plan that was just created a couple years ago.

You do make some good points, which are things no one would do because it's not convenient, but Mark Kraner (your boss's, boss's boss) and many other students agreed with us...and the equivalency got changed since the printing of this article and I think our article had something to do with that change because it sparked the discussion.

#checkthescoreboard

Re: Mason Police Department Should Re-Evaluate Priorities

TheDevine1 — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:24 -0000

I'm not sure it's fair to the PD if you complain about them doing their job. Underage drinking is illegal. That's it. If you're stupid enough to drink, you're responsible for paying the penalty. If you're stupid enough to do ridiculous things in an attempt to avoid the police, then maybe it's best for you to spend a night in jail before you really hurt someone. Perhaps the better argument would be to have a more fairly enforced policy regarding underage drinking with clear penalties for each infraction. If some officers are lenient and some are as strict as possible, that begins to feel like a violation of equal protection under the law.

I would much rather have a police force that enforces the fact that underage drinking is just plain illegal than be part of a campus that lets it slide. My undergrad school had a Safe Ride program, but they also arrested underage drinkers caught in the act. The Safe Ride program is not normally meant as a taxi for the drunk and impaired. We used it as a means for safe travel if we felt threatened at night or had to traverse the whole of the campus after the late-night classes let out at 10pm.

I applaud the GMU PD for keeping the campus safe and well informed.

Thank you for doing your jobs.

Re: Global Warming: The Falsehood Coming to a Campus Near You: The Lies and Deceptions You May Have Been Told

J. F. Mayer — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:29:50 -0000

I congratulate you on crowding more half-truths, misconsceptions and outright falsehoods into one page than you can shake a hockey stick at. Every single point you make has already been refuted soundly, so there’s little point in my doing so again. And it’s late and I have to go to work in the morning. But I’ll tackle a couple, just for fun.

First, your experiment with ice in a glass. Thanks, Mr. Wizard. But that experiment proves precisely NOTHING since the ice that concerns us is not floating in a glass or on the ocean; it is currently upon dry land. But it ain’t going to stay there for long. in direct contradiction to your claim that the melting of all this ice won’t effect sea levels, I refer you to the US Geological Service page http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs2-00.... Since it’s all sciency and would probably bore you, I’ll quote the most pertinent sentences: “Most of the current global land ice mass is located in the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Complete melting of these ice sheets could lead to a sea-level rise of about 80 meters, whereas melting of all other glaciers could lead to a sea-level rise of only one-half meter.”

As for the so-called petition project, well, it’s plain that you not only are not studying the natural sciences but, in fact, have no grounding in science at all. That piece of nonsense has no validity at all. Again, to save you lots of boring reading, here’s one problem with the thing: “[O]nly .1% of the individuals on the list of 30,000 signatures have a scientific background in Climatology. To be fair, we can add in those who claim to have a background in Atmospheric Science, which brings the total percentage of signatories with a background in climate change science to a whopping .5%.” Since the credentials of each signer are not clear, even that number is suspect. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

Too BAD you have no science background. The lack of a basic grasp of the scientific method makes people like yourself easy victims for those who seek to obfuscate the facts to advance their fortunes.

Re: Kevin Lingerman Overcomes Adversity, Aspires to Become Professional Baseball Player

elmer — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:40:16 -0000

awesome should make a movie on this GREAT KID

Re: Mason Police Department Should Re-Evaluate Priorities

Kate Marie Gray — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:33:13 -0000

Just because "everybody is doing it" doesn't make it legal. It's illegal, plain and simple. And students are BELITTLING authority by breaking the law. Don't try and make students the victims. You drink underage, YOU'RE in the wrong. Don't try and twist words. And just so you know, the cadets do more than what you see them do. They also provide escorts for the injured or for those uncomfortable walking alone. I have had several escorts by them when I've had to go back to my dorm late at night, what part of that counts as doing "nothing to help protect the general student population." Maybe you should let the police do their jobs.

Re: Mason Club Football

Jared Harris — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:58:37 -0000

Inspiring article. It's time for Mason to step up to the plate. If football is regarded as America's sport, why is there only one university within the capital's metropolitan area that can say they are an FBS school? It can't be about the money because mason is one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. It can't be about the type of student athletes football 'attracts' because there are universities out there that run quality programs which excel in their conferences and turn out quality student athletes. And lastly it can't be about eagerness for a football team because the desire among the student body and other groups at mason is there.

Re: Mason Club Football

Jack Langley — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:05:58 -0000

"Football at Mason will never be important to all students on campus. But
neither will any other number of activities that all of our tuition
costs and alumni donations go to support."

Well put Ken, Amen.

-Jack Langley

Re: Design Students Battle to Impress Potential Employers

Adey Chaplin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:51:17 -0000

Thanks for writing about our event, Vernon and Broadside! Here is my blogpost about Design Battle 2012 GMU: http://adeychaplin.com/blog/?p...

Re: Design Students Battle to Impress Potential Employers

Vinh Le — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:07:04 -0000

Official Video of the event!

http://vimeo.com/40870475

Re: Freedom of Speech Stretches Only So Far

Iliana Vazuka — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:53:16 -0000

In reply to kruszer: Placing a direct link to the organization that showed the pictures doesn't validate anything about the origins of the images. They do not list their sources from where they got their information, so everyone has to think about the validity of the information they are showing and determine for themselves whether they are portraying correct, fact-checked information or if their views on the issue has lead them to skew the information to their favor. Two examples of where they may have bent the truth: The image of the 10 week old fetus has fingers that are way too developed for that age group, supporting the idea that the fetus is older than the age they listed. Also, when talking to volunteers for the organization, they say the photographs of lynchings were from the time of the civil war during the abolition of slavery, but they were in fact from the time of the Jim Crow Laws. Point in fact: not all the information they present, either verbally or on their posters, are to be trusted.
Also, in reply to Walt: The pro-choice group on campus was more protesting against the comparison of abortion to genocide, and they were joined by multiple other student organizations such as Hillel and FSO to support the same idea. The counter-protest may have been in favor of reproductive rights, but the petition was specifically about the images shown and the comparison made, not about abortion itself.

Re: Freedom of Speech Stretches Only So Far

kruszer — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:18:15 -0000

Fact checker: Most of the pictures on that display were first trimester. Only two showed late-term abortions. See the signs for yourself:
http://abortionno.org/index.ph...

Re: Abortion Protest Stirs Controversy

Morgan Edwards — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:53:54 -0000

Cassie just summed it up. Most of the politicians who are voting for and introducing these bills that limit women's reproductive rights and access to healthcare that they need and deserve, are surprise surprise, men. It's cruel and wrong. I'm a male myself and I'm absolutely ashamed of my sex. Let women make their own choices and control their own bodies. We are being hyprocrites, if women did the same thing to us (which I doubt they would) we'd be extremely upset. So, does it make sense to do it to them? No, it does not. Also, I was disgusted by the gigantic wall of fetus pictures that the Anti-Abortion crowd put up. I know it's free speech, but it isn't working in their favor, it just makes them look more desperate and crazy. Plus, 40 feet long and 15 feet tall is too big and too obnoxious. It got in the way of people going to class, and it would've been embarrassing if any of the Mason tour groups saw it.

Re: Abortion Protest Stirs Controversy

Cassie Whalen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:17:17 -0000

My friend pointed this quote out to me, and I did not believe that any newspaper that wishes to be credible could have such an oversight: "
The demonstration was protested by Patriots for Choice, a student group that supports abortion." Wrong. So wrong. Patriots for Choice does not "support abortion". Patriots for Choice supports the right of women to choose whether or not they are physically, mentally, or financially ready and able to carry and give birth to a child. They do not support abortion. They do not promote abortion. They fight for the right to keep it a viable option for women who may be in need of it.
Even the Pro-Life term is incredibly misleading. It seems to suggest that Pro-Choice advocates are not in support of life, which is blatantly untrue. They care very much for life. They also care about the rights, not just of children (or babies, or fetuses, or zygotes as the case may be), but about the rights of women to do with their bodies what they will. This is not about being for abortion. This is about the right to choose.

Re: Freedom of Speech Stretches Only So Far

Walt Sendall — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:15:55 -0000

i agree,no one would ever see the pictures, and reality, if they weren't displayed publicly. the truth is sometimes hard to swallow. what the pictures show is what pro choicers are supporting, so why are they offended if they are pro choice. it is what they want, as long as it is not them, and they cannot see it..............why support abortion if it is so nasty they cannot look at it without being repulsed.

Re: Construction at Mason: A Double-Edged Sword

Gmu Parking Transportation — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:25:10 -0000

Alex-your points are well taken. Once some updated signage standards are finalized, you'll start to see info revolving around the neighborhoods. The concept behind changing Sandy Creek Deck to Shenandoah was to have the name of the deck be consistent with the neighborhood name(i.e. Rappahannock River Deck in Rappahannock neighborhood). It will make more sense as signage and maps are further developed.

Regarding construction, it's very complicated and most projects are too long to just be done in summers(besides summers are very busy around here too). Aquia Creek was initially meant to be done in fall to be done before WhiteTop/Rogers, but had to be delayed until spring. Not sure if you attended the town halls that were done for the Aquia Creek Project, but that work needed to be done now and can't wait til summer b/c of many other upcoming projects getting done in summer-SUB I Chick Fil-A renovation, Student Apartments fire alarms upgrades-and there are larger road projects happening this summer such as work being done on Roanoke River Rd/Braddock Rd.

While Parking & Transportation doesn't control or run the construction, we're clearly involved with most and are working with Facilities and others on better ways to communicate. For some email works but many don't read their emails-for some it's websites, for some it's Facebook and Twitter(if you follow P&T you'll definitely stay updated with what's happening).

Look for more "town halls" and other forums in the future to hopefully help bring this type info to students and also to solicit feedback-although it's important for people to participate. I have done countless town halls and more often than not, there is low attendance. Definitely having a two-way street of communication is important. While projects need to go forward for many reasons, it's also possible to make adjustments when needed to not impacts the lives of faculty,staff, and students as much. Like you said, the benefits of the construction are amazing.

Re: Fighting the Fat: Calorie Counts on Menus

Luke Faraone — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:04:12 -0000

Any new requirements for resturaunts will cause increases in costs. When business is good, this is fine. But if this happens when business is slow, then stores will end up closing.

Re: Student Senate Passes Resolution Supporting DREAM Act

Jason Von Kundra — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:35:25 -0000

Want to get involved? Check out the Mason DREAMers Website http://masondreamers.wordpress... and join our facebook group!

Re: Are Meal Plans Worth the Coin?

Charles Olson — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:34:13 -0000

First of all, students on the 19-weekly plan enjoy a GAIN of $.41 every time they eat using cash equivalency - they pay only $5.59 per meal, but receive a full $6.00 in cash equivalency! So the idea that somehow we're out to rip everybody off is not accurate. If you do the math, you can easily see what the best value is among the meal plans.

Furthermore, if you enjoy the convenience of paying for meals using your GMU ID, but don't like the block and flex Meal Plans - then get a Freedom Meal Plan and get dollar for dollar equivalency. Or better yet, if you want even more 'freedom' and still want the convenience of using your GMU ID, just load your card with Mason Money - any amount you want - and also enjoy dollar for dollar parity at any dining site.

Re: How To Get Straight A’s

Earl Sarsuelo — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:28:41 -0000

Nice list of tips. I say tip #7 will be a very helpful one specially when the topic doesn't interest you much.
How to get good grades

Re: U.S. House of Representatives passes the “Protect Life Act.”

Joseph Taylor — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:05:59 -0000

Firstly, in making a cost-benefit analysis (If you must be utilitarian) it is shortsighted to only consider the cost of raising the child and not the benefits that the child will add back. Humans are the ultimate resource and source of wealth, we have more people on earth than ever before and we are also richer than ever before, population and prosperity are positively related. Also, there's a solution to the cost side of things as well for these 18 year old welfare/food stamp mothers, its called adoption. Secondly, in regards to the crime rate: correlation does not imply causation, the decrease in crime could be attribute to many other factors and I also suggest that it is calloused and idiotic to suggest mass genocide of minority infants as a means to reduce crime. Thomas Jefferson said that "To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical", if it is unacceptable to use taxpayer money to propagate controversial ideas than how much worse is it to use that money to propagate controversial actions? Quite a bit I would say. The spending power and principles cannot be separated, the first depends on the latter for the stability of the whole.

Re: It’s Time to Stop Worshipping at the Altar of Objectivism

Antonieta Rico — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:28:18 -0000

If you are attending GMU, you are attending a public university, that means it receives government funds. You are free to opt out.

Re: Illegal Downloading a Growing Problem at Mason

Luke Faraone — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:39:46 -0000

Cutting off internet access because of *accusations* is bothersome. These agencies often make mistakes, and to remove access without some sort of internal due process seems wrong.

Re: Where’s the Pride?

Brendan Richardson — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:41:53 -0000

Higher tuition rates may factor into the lack of Mason memorabilia purchases.

Re: It’s Time to Stop Worshipping at the Altar of Objectivism

Andrew — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:51:56 -0000

Maybe. Sounds good. Randians probably wouldn't be the type to sit on their backsides. But how many Randians have you ever met? LOL