Opinion

By Erica Eding | gargoyle@flagler.edu

One of Governor Sarah Palin’s main points during the vice-presidential debate was that she’s just an average American. I strongly disagree. I believe the average American is more qualified than Palin to be vice-president.

I’ll begin with Palin’s interview with Katie Couric, a journalist who’s known for her soft-news, morning-show style. Palin’s awkward silences and blank stares made Couric seem like an FBI interrogator.

Palin’s response to the bailout plan was so irrational and rambling that Saturday Night Live’s Tina Fey used Palin’s own words to mock her.

The ‘unlikely’ candidate raises the ‘standard’ and sets timely example

By Lindsey Williams | gargoyle@flagler.edu

There was once a time when it seemed impossible for an African-American man to capture the presidential nomination for an American political party. So much so that discussing the chances served no real purpose other than being a fun addition to the “what if” game. But today, before us, a black man stands ready to serve as this nation’s next president.

For years, blacks in this nation have stood circumspect of times to lead and times to follow. However, the option of following often seemed more feasible than that of leading. Or the option of defeat was chosen over the option of winning.

For too long have I bared witness to black men, in particular, anticipating this taste of defeat as opposed to reaching greater heights of success. I’m talking about dreams, hopes and ideas for a better life; ideas that are birthed in a nation where blacks have historically been laughed at for trying, punished for seeking change, and often gawked at for breaking the preconceived mold.

Finding history and home in Israel

By Julie Hirshan | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Photo Contributed

PHOTO CREDIT: Julie Hirshan went to Israel to explore her Jewish heritage. “We learned about life in Israel during World War II by visiting a concentration camp, the Holocaust museum and cemetery. I learned a lot about myself while I was there, and took away the knowledge that I am welcome back anytime.”

As I prepared to travel to Israel this summer, I had no idea what to expect.

I did my research and found out the basic information about the country. It’s the size of the state of New Jersey. It borders Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.

While the country is primarily Jewish, it is also considered the holy land for the Christian and Muslim religions. The diverse landscape offers deserts, mountains, farmland, cities and rural communities. None of these facts prepared me for what I was about to experience.

I was with a group of 30 young Jewish people from all around the country.

By Kathy Novak | gargoyle@flagler.edu

I attend college classes all day, but afterwards I go back to high school.

This is because I coach an incredible young women’s lacrosse team at Pedro Menendez. I feel thankful to be involved with the youth of today and to be in touch with molding the future. It will be three years ago this January that I was asked to help be an assistance coach of the team.

I had just moved from Maryland, often called “The Land of Lacrosse,” to a state where half the people here didn’t even know how to spell it.

By Danielle Marsh | dmarsh1@flagler.edu

One of my favorite moments this summer has to be when my dad and I went to Busch Gardens. I know, you’re probably thinking, “How could she have possibly enjoyed a theme park with her father?” But seriously, it was amazing. There was so much that Busch Gardens had to offer to two very different people. The theme through out the park is consistent in its effort to bring a taste of Africa to Florida.

If you aren’t into roller coasters, like me, you will not be bored. There are so many other things the park has to offer that doesn’t require you to feel like your stomach is about to come out of your mouth.

By Haley M. Walker | gargoyle@flagler.edu

At one point our lives behind closed doors, were just that: behind closed doors, where no one could see what our favorite television show was or an embarrassing ritual that we had to perform before going to bed.

However, all that has changed, and we have become a society of intrigued watchdogs. Through increased communication technology, we have learned to not only closely watch the lives of others, but to record the detailed lives of ourselves as well.

Why is it that we have become so consumed with making information that was once so personal so incredibly public?

By Eli Nuzzi | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Conversations are interesting to trace, as some psychology students might understand. I think it’s fun to trace a conversation backwards. Starting of course with the end and piecing it back together to see how it was related to the original topic.

I’m not much of a talker, because I love to listen, but whenever I feel compelled to tell a story, I will. I don’t know if it’s just me, but when I start talking about a random topic, it sometimes ends up with an injury story, or sharing other injury stories about people I know.

By Joshua Wolonowski | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Most documentaries are told as one-sided arguments.

After watching “An Inconvenient Truth” in my visual communications class, I learned this first hand.

Beauty pageant contestants endure huge challenges with every contest

By Mary Elizabeth Fair | gargoyle@flagler.edu

In February of 2006, I chose to participate in a preliminary pageant for Miss Mississippi.
I had taken part in pageants before but this particular pageant took more of my time and effort than all the others.

My reasons for choosing to participate were partially influenced by the scholarship money which was being offered, but I was mainly motivated by the fact that I wanted to challenge myself.

Myanmar monks step up and speak out against unjust military junta

By Haley M. Walker | gargoyle@flagler.edu

What have we come to when even the most peaceful people in the world begin fighting?

In an attempt to demonstrate their opposition to the country’s economic and political repression that the military junta has been the source of, the monks of Myanmar have begun to participate in severe uprisings and protests.

This issue is particularly noteworthy, not only because repression and killings are occurring, but also because the monks have begun to show just how serious the injustices of the government’s choices and actions may be in this country by ignoring their vows of peace.