opinions » oped


Stuck between a block and a hard place

By Samir Paul | Dec. 9, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

Northwood freshman Cory Babazadeh can finally play on his school's JV basketball team. That's because after failing algebra and being ruled ineligible last year, he is re-taking the class and has managed to earn a high C—a grade that his parents say hasn't stopped improving. But all that may change next fall when MCPS pulls the plug on one of the best programs it has started in a long time.


Dangerous driving isn't just an accident

By Armin Rosen | Nov. 12, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

On Sept. 24, the lives of five area teenagers ended early on the roads of Montgomery County. The following week, County law enforcement officials and local policy makers made numerous calls for action, ranging from helicopter traffic surveillance to reforms in the driver's license testing process.


Military recruiting makes army of the disadvantaged

By Pria Anand | Nov. 11, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

A Navy poster sits beside a stack of PSAT practice booklets in the Career Center. Against an adjacent wall lie piles of business cards left from the many military recruiters who frequent Blair's hallways. At the front desk is a rack of glossy Army brochures bearing slogans like "the experience of a lifetime” and shining with the faces of confident, clean-cut soldiers far removed from the bloody battlefields many recruits will soon face.


Blazers' thoughts on the election

By | Nov. 7, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

The following is a compilation of quotes from Blazers regarding their thoughts on the 2004 presidential election. Please feel free to leave your own comments as well.


Silver Chips Online endorses Kerry

By | Oct. 31, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

Four years ago, this country was forced to choose between a monotonous but qualified vice president and a charismatic but inexperienced governor from Texas. Charisma won, but four years later, we find ourselves rebuilding two countries, $450 billion in debt and a country sharply divided. The Bush administration's environmental, economic and education record is weak, but even more troubling issues are the mismanagement of Iraq and the exploitation of petty but riveting positions on gay marriage and stem cell research. Although John Kerry has been thoroughly pounded for his supposed liabilities, including his anti-war demonstrations and his tendency to "flip-flop,” he presents a more specific plan for this country. Therefore, Silver Chips Online throws its support behind John Kerry and John Edwards for control of the White House come January.


A little history lesson...and the case for Bush

By Armin Rosen | Oct. 31, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

The use of historical precedent often times ignores the nuances of the event that is being used as an example. Take for instance the popular comparison of Iraq to Vietnam. The two are alike in that they are wars in which the United States fought; yet the nature of the conflicts could not be less similar.


Why Kerry should be elected

By | Oct. 26, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

John Kerry has dedicated his life to serve America. He fought valiantly in Vietnam earning a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He has served with distinction in the United States Senate. As President, John Kerry will lead the American people to a better future.


A clean sweep…for Bush

By Armin Rosen | Oct. 21, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

Let's see how well you know your presidential election history. Who won the first debate in 1996? The second debate in 1988? The third in 1980? Of course you have no idea, because debates don't really matter.


American voters should give Bush a contract extension

By Armin Rosen | Sept. 29, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

Of the American electorate, Abraham Lincoln said, "If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters." In this election our country, 26% of which is composed of people under the age of 18 according to the U.S. Census bureau, is in danger of reversing four years of progress, and instead sitting on four years of a John Kerry presidency.


"Lowering the bar" for athletes

By | May 20, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

I would like to offer a counter opinion to two articles written earlier in the school year regarding athletic ineligibility at Blair. As the varsity baseball coach, assistant athletic director and Blair alumnus (class of 1980), it pains me that our athletic teams have not been as successful recently as some of our up-county rivals, but there are understandable reasons for this, and I think the aforementioned articles are somewhat misleading in their representations of cause and effect.


Withdrawal of troops improves hopes of democracy

By | April 26, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

The newly elected Spanish government removal of Spanish troops from Iraq is an act of democracy that followed through on campaign promises. The move will protect the lives of Spanish citizens, while improving and changing the country's policy on the conflict.


In Defense of Public Education

By | March 5, 2004, midnight | In Op/Ed »

In a lecture before an audience skeptical of new and less rigid educational practices a renowned progressive educator named Dean Hollis Caswell of Teacher's College at Columbia University delivered a speech in which he claimed that:


Your thoughts: September 11

By | Sept. 10, 2003, midnight | In Op/Ed »


Past Iraq polls

By | April 7, 2003, midnight | In Op/Ed »


Discussion forum about war in Iraq

By | March 12, 2003, midnight | In Op/Ed »

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