Matthew Curtis

Matt Curtis is a forum editor for Student Life

Contact | 57 articles


The Ivory Soapbox: ‘Rescuing Romney’

This past week has marked two important moments in the 2012 presidential campaign. First, a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll taken between Sept. 9 and 11 shows President Barack Obama enjoying a seven-point lead in Ohio and five-point leads in Virginia and Florida.

| Forum Editor

Fake sustainability robs students

I love sustainability. I carpool, and I bike. However, I cannot support the university’s recent effort to ban plastic bags on campus. The plan – proposed by Executive Advisor of Sustainability Jake Lyonfields and Green Events Commission members Jennifer Chan and Orma Ravindranath—would harm students and reflects an elitist worldview.

The ivory soapbox: Democratic Hate Machine

The “Republican Hate Machine” is an idea that has been floated by liberals for more than a decade to describe what are perceived as slimy, Republican tactics. The idea is that a combination of right-wing media (we’re looking at you, Fox) and Republican attack ads unfairly smear Democrats on a personal level and draw voters’ attention away from the issues at hand.

| Staff Columnist

A perverted dream

In 2010, the Supreme Court broke the American democratic process. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission determined that as individual campaign expenditures were a form of constitutionally protected free speech (decided in the 1976 Buckley v.

Vote For Claire

You might not know it, but Missouri is one of the most important states in the union this election cycle. Republicans are on the cusp of seizing control of every branch of the government; the Supreme Court enjoys a conservative majority, a projected $1.

The Ryan Plan: Diamonds in the Rough

The announcement that Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) would be Mitt Romney’s running mate in the 2012 presidential elections caused a furor among Democrats.

Mahoney deserves honorary degree

Recently, Wash. U. decided to award Richard Mahoney, former chairman and CEO of Monsanto, an honorary degree. This decision has ruffled a few environmentalists’ feathers, and some are calling for this decision to be revoked.

W.I.L.D.ly inappropriate policy shift

This W.I.L.D. is witnessing a change to the University’s alcohol policy. In years past, students 21 and over have been allowed to bring a six pack of beer to the event; now, students of the legal age will be given wristbands that give them access to three cups of beer, which will be provided there.

KWUR: An apology

KWUR doesn’t have a great reputation at Washington University. To many, its DJs come across as self-serving, and it is often thought of as an insular community. At Wash. U., where a third of the student body involves itself in the Greek system, this isn’t a great façade to project, and it is the cause of some of the group’s financial woes.

| Staff Columnist

The need for self-defense on the Loop

I live north of the Loop in University Terrace. It’s an area known for its elevated crime rate, and recently, worried about the safety of myself and those I care about, I purchased a 2,500 KV “defense flashlight.” I believe it to be a great investment, and I think all students who live north of the Loop should similarly equip themselves.

| Staff Columnist

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