During the early morning hours of March 19, 2003, it was determined that American forces had a chance to “take out” (kill) a “target of opportunity” (Saddam Hussein). So, American military leaders did what one might expect of anybody who sees him or herself at “the tip of the spear.” American warships fired forty Tomahawk cruise missiles and two stealth fighters dropped four bunker-busting bombs on the location known as Dora Farms. Despite the statement by then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s on March 21 that “the strike on that leadership headquarters was successful,” Hussein was not at Dora Farms; the bunker below the site did not even exist. The bombs that did hit the target—some missed the complex altogether—landed on homes with families inside. More than a dozen civilians were killed, including one child. Continue Reading...

In conversation with a number of my fellow VACA majors, I have become rather incensed with a number of students on campus, and in explorative conversation with peers in other departments I have found my anger with a certain group of students to be valid in broad strokes across our campus. This group of students is a part of a generation of young Americans that expect things to be handed to them without earning what they want. There are students on this campus that expect a degree instead of having to work for a degree, and it is these students that are the ones to blame for the prioritization cuts that are crippling departments across campus. These students (I will refer to them as leeches from this point on) are limiting those who work to the point of exhaustion to maximize our education. Continue Reading...

This is my final semester here at EMU and for the past three and a half years I have read the Weather Vane. And, for the past three and a half years, I have weekly read at least one article by someone complaining about the President of the United States. I will be the first to say that I do not agree with all of Bush’s policies, but you don’t see me writing a weekly article about how miserable he has made my life, which by the way, he hasn’t. Continue Reading...

Excuse me, James?

I am turning 50 years old this spring, and am agonizing slightly of the thought of being “over the hill.” I was hoping that, as a young person, you could give me some advice to help ease the pain of this milestone in my life. I don’t really want to spend a lot of money during this mid-life crisis, like buying a car that is associated with young people. Do you have any thoughts?

Sincerely,
Bittersweet-Birthday Boy

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Change has rapidly begun to devour EMU’s campus one bite at a time. One new program, with plans for implementation in 2010, is the required Southern Association of Colleges Quality Enhancement Project, or QEP. This program will quantifiably measure an enhancement program over a five year span and is a requirement for reaccreditation. EMU is required to pick a project on campus that will most likely absorb the universities resources and measure how that program has enhanced the school over a five year span. Continue Reading...

Have you ever been approached by a total stranger asking you if you want to make some extra cash and if so, would you be interested in joining their marketing company? Did they proceed to tell you that you can make your own hours and that you do not have to put in many hours, but at the same time promise large profits? Sounds great, doesn’t it? I think it sounds too good to be true. Continue Reading...