Opinion: Guest Columns

Politics evolve in age of Twitter

Wed Feb 22, 2012

 “THIS IS WHAT I THINK. It’s a shrewd, largely-universal observation about a particular topic or society in general. Your day and life will be better because of it and, per my aptitude for educating the masses, it’s entirely probable that I’ll dispense at least one more datum ...

SGA’s legislative year in review

Tue Feb 21, 2012

Having committed this paper to a complete analysis of SGA’s activity this year, I have been conducting a review of SGA’s legislative actions and budgetary performance.
    
To give proper weight to both issues, I will first be sharing information on the organization’s recent legislative undertakings. Those of ...

Google violates users’ Internet privacy

Mon Feb 20, 2012

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal exposed Google Inc. for bypassing the privacy settings of Apple Inc.’s Safari Web browser. Utilizing a code that circumvented Safari’s default setting of blocking cookies that track users’ browsing habits, Google was able to continue its tailor-made advertising practices on many unsuspecting ...

‘Comic Book Men’ plays up stereotype

Fri Feb 17, 2012

Hey, if I created a reality show called “The TV Watchers Club,” and the cast spent half of the first episode talking about movies, not television, would that make any sense?
    
Then why does the first episode of AMC’s new unscripted show “Comic Book Men” spend so much time ...

UT needs small-school environment

Thu Feb 16, 2012

When I was in high school, I knew that my school cared.

By this, I’m not talking about my friends and how they cared about me, but rather, I mean the actual school. I knew that every day, the teachers, the advisers and, most importantly, the administration legitimately cared ...

‘Big Orange, Big Ideas’ falls flat

Thu Feb 16, 2012

You may not have noticed the shockingly enormous sign hanging off of Hodges, so in case you missed it, UT’s new so-called “brand” is “Big Orange, Big Ideas.”

The new motto is the part of our new brand that stands out the most, but there are also other extremely ...

SGA campaign 2012: Here we go again

Wed Feb 15, 2012

Another year, another SGA election.

UT’s politically motivated are preparing for the annual battle of wills that determines control of the student senate. Last Thursday, all interested parties amassed in the UC to survey the field. Around 75 students came together to discuss campaign particulars.

The election meeting was ...

Legacy of Neyland, UT sports survives

Wed Feb 15, 2012

(Foreword: I just watched the new “Things Vol Fans Say Often” video, and it got me in the mood to talk UT sports, which doesn’t happen every day. Let this be known, though — I know little to nothing about sports, American football included. This article is based on thorough ...

Disney love creates false fantasies

Tue Feb 14, 2012

 Ariel the Little Mermaid makes me want to be a man.  
    
Not because of her gorgeous, flowing red hair. Not because of her insanely perky seashells. Not because she is proof that women are willing to throw away absolutely everything just for a chance to be with some random guy ...

Vols still set to focus on passing game

Mon Feb 13, 2012

As the faxes poured in on Signing Day 2012, one thing became apparent: The Vols will continue to focus on the passing game.
   
 This doesn’t seem to be the worst idea, as quarterback Tyler Bray and receivers Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter combined to create the most lethal ...

‘Luck’ has talented actors, slow plot

Fri Feb 10, 2012

HBO’s new drama “Luck,” following the intersecting lives of people at the racetrack, is like a horse race itself. It can be exciting if you have a stake in the outcome, but otherwise, it is dull to watch the same nameless horses run again and again.
    
The main action ...