Dilemma: Water, illegal border crossing and death

Not too long ago, I was watching the news when a story came on about illegal immigrants thirsting to death while crossing over to America. Americans sent several letters to Fox News stating how inhumane this was to let these people die and that water stations should be placed all around the area close to the Mexican/U.S. border.

When I heard about this for the first time, I couldn’t believe my ears. Why in the world would we want to give illegal immigrants more incentive to try to break our laws and come into our country illegally?

I am not a racist person, in fact I have several family members who are Hispanic, so don’t assume I am playing the “race card.” All I am saying is that the fear of thirsting to death might be one of the only things that are holding thousands of other potential illegal immigrants at bay.

We shouldn’t encourage people to break the laws we have established for the betterment of our country. I believe that if anyone wants to come to America, they should work hard to achieve that goal, and then I will welcome them with open arms. Until then, don’t encourage people to break the law. What do you think?

Cody Kilpatrick

Chimeras have gone too far

It has been normal practice in recent years to use cow or pig heart valves in humans, thus creating a human with animal parts. I think that this is an acceptable practice in order to save human lives. I also don't have anything against animal testing if it is productive and improves human life by discovering new medical treatments.

What I don't agree with is the genetic creations of chimeras -- hybrids of humans and animals -- named for the Greek mythological creature. Read all about it here. It is unethical in my view to so alter stem cells to create creatures that are both and neither human and animal. Pigs with human blood? Mice with human brains? Animals that produce human sperm and egg cells?

Where does it end?

Corrine Young

Whatever happened to carpe diem?

As the semester draws to a close and teachers pile on the assignments, I find myself less and less motivated to do any actual schoolwork. Every day. I pick up my textbooks and vow to retain all the information they hold. Day after day, I run my errands, I pay my bills, I practice my networking skills. Instead, I'd much rather be lounging by the pool, partying the nights away or taking that much-needed power nap.

I don't do these things, however, because I know it would be detrimental to my GPA and therefore my future, but all the stress makes me wonder, “Why?”

And for what? For Someday.

Someday?

What about now? Whatever happened to carpe diem?

It seems like so many of us, myself included, are so focused on the future that we forget today. Our lives are overcome by the competition of grades, the who's who of TCU, and that ever-nearing light of the real world.

For me, I forget to focus on life's simple pleasures, like midnight "Will & Grace" with the girls or baking cinnamon rolls on Sunday nights with my best friend. I forget to focus on life's simple displeasures like losing my ID card or when people say hateful things about me. For me, these things seem superficial. Insignificant. For me, these things are not stable. These things are not real. These things will not help my future, but these are my memories.

I can't help but wonder, through my determination for such a perfect future, am I watching my life pass me by?

Ashley Adelman

What's the deal, TCU?

So the students at TCU pay a lot for their education, myself included. When it comes time to register for classes for the following semester, one would expect to get in classes -- wrong! It is close to impossible to get in the classes needed.

As an advertising/public relations major there is a certain order in which classes are taken, and if you don't get the class you need then you're stuck.

I spoke to the journalism class about a class that was online but "DEPT. PERMIT REQUIRED," so naturally I asked permission to get into the class, but to no avail. It turns out the department doesn't even have enough classes to get the rapidly growing student body into the classes they need.

One would think that paying all this money for school would be enough to get the necessary classes and an exceptional education.

What's the deal, TCU?

How religion causes trouble in Fort Worth

As soon as I got off at the Fort Worth downtown stop, someone asked me my religion. Then he told me how I was going the wrong way and that I should change it. All of a sudden a bunch of people surrounded me and started praying. Of course I was scared but I refused, and they told me that I'll go to hell.

The other day someone from another religion said if I don't accept her religion, I'll go to hell.

It's weird how religion, which teaches us to love and embrace peace, can become the cause of trouble and tension. It's sad but this happens all over the world. As an international student, I have dealt with students from 80 different countries at TCU. Sometimes their view offends me, and sometimes it just amuses me. Then again I have met people who would not reveal their religious identity due to awkwardness. At least that's what they've told me.

However, I know there are people who are totally open to different cultures and religions. I have a deep respect for them. It's because of these good people I have learned that it's not a religion that's wrong, it's just a person's thought. If everyone could be so open-mined, things would definitely be better.

Sona Thapa

(Editor's note: Sona Thapa is a second-year TCU student from Nepal.)

Academic steroids

Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs have recently been the talk of the town in sports. I would like to turn this issue around and talk about steroids in college, non-sports related.
Adderall is prescribed for people with attention deficit disorder, but many students without ADD are still getting the drug. I would say that most students could get their hands on an Adderall anytime of the year, except during finals when everyone is trying to get the performance-enhancing drug.
To me, Adderall is the steroids of academics. It will help you stay up all night studying for a test, almost to the point where you want to keep studying. For all who have taken an Adderall you know the effects and how it can improve your grades dramatically.
For me it is too late, for I am graduating soon, but I feel sorry for all the incoming students who have to compete in a drug-enhancing world. After they test the athletes maybe they should move to the honors program and test those students as well.

Richard Wasser

Look for the French twist

Our speaker, Julie Boyle, sent me this Wednesday, asking that it be posted on the class blog. Here it is.

I wanted your class to know how terrified I was to speak to them. I'd never tried to tell our story in public to anyone before. And I really appreciate that they didn't hurt me or anything when I was there that night. They were all surprisingly kind and articulate and wise. And good looking, too. Not one of the young men in your class had hair as long as my teenage sons and I came home and told them both that. And they, of course, didn't care in the least.

So Tommy, my 17-year-old, is in French class today, and a girl is thumbing through D Magazine. And Tommy's best friend Kris is in his class. Your student with ties to Midlothian (sorry, I'm kind of ADD, I can't remember her name), might know one of Kris' siblings -- he has a zillion of them -- Maryanne, Amber and B.J. are three of them.

Anyway, Kris speaks up and says, "HEY! You must be reading about Tommy's parents in that magazine!" And the girl says, "Tommy? I'm not reading about Tommy. My cousin is on the cover of this magazine."

She hadn't seen the story! And Tommy's trying to tell Kris to please be quiet about the blasted story, but Kris is the middle of eight kids and he doesn't know how to be quiet. And this girl and the other kids in class think Kris is kidding. So they all turn to page 76 -- and there's the story. And there's Tommy -- long hair and all -- on the next page. [Editor's note: To see Tommy, go here, and scroll down to the second photo.] And the kids in class were so impressed -- not by the story, it had nothing to do with the story -- they didn't read the story and didn't care about the story. It was just that Tommy -- long hair and all -- was in a magazine. And one guy in class says, "That is so cool! I wish I was in a magazine." Still no interest in reading the story. None.

And then Kris says: "And look at his parents! They look totally evil!" And even Tommy agrees that we, his parents -- parents who have raised him and love him and gave him life, not to mention an IPOD for Christmas -- look "freaky."

My point is -- I don't think they're doing a whole lot in French class, do you?

Julie Boyle

Students flex their power in China again

Student-led movements like the May Fourth Movement, the Cultural Revolution and the freedom bid ended by the Tainanmen Square Massacre have left an impressionable mark on the history of modern China. However, as contoversy brews in the Far East, students can finally say, "Blame it on the textbook."

As Japanese officials approved controversial textbooks that Chinese officials say gloss over many of the attrocities committed against the Chinese people during the Sino-Japanese War, a deep wound was opened between the nations.

Many world experts believe that this textbook controversy could cause the Japanese to lose their bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Whoever said students are inactive?

Bryce Romero

Companies that told deadly lies deserve no special protection

Texas is ranked fifth in the nation in deaths related to asbestos.
Two fatal diseases are linked to asbestos exposure, asbestosis and mesothelioma. The cases each year are increasing and scientists are expecting them to peak in 2016, when the people exposed to asbestos in the 1970s, when it was most heavily used, will succumb to the diseases.
People all over the country die from these diseases, but Texas legislators limit Texans’ right to sue asbestos companies for damages. Lying to workers and withholding critical health information from customers, communities and federal health officials was standard asbestos company practice. The Texas legislature has limited the number of people who can sue asbestos companies to only the gravely ill.
All people who have these fatal diseases deserve the right to seek compensation from the companies that exposured them to asbestos.

Corrine Young

All quiet on the hockey fans front

The National Hockey League has canceled their season after a long dispute between the owners and the players. Hockey has a past history of several problems involving the players association and the team owners resulting in strikes and lockouts but never canceling an entire season. As the ice rinks are melted down and put away for the year so are the fans.
The question is can the fans simply be put away for the year and come back to the game as nothing happened? No!
The cancellation of the NHL season will see the largest amount of fans not returning to the game than any other major sport in the nation. Unlike professional baseball and football, hockey does not have the power and prestige to cancel an entire season and not see devastating setbacks to the future of the sport.
The cancellation is a result of labor disputes between the owners and the players. The owners were not generating enough revenue to pay their players and produce profit. The players offered a pay cut however the decrease was not enough to come to an agreement.
Can you imagine what it will be like next season, if there is one?
The game has lost a lot of fans and it will take years to rebuild their loyalty. The players agreed to a huge decrease in salary to play this season, how much of a cut will they have to agree to now to play next season?
Owners will experience a decrease in ticket sales, merchandise and other sources of revenue really putting the game on thin ice. Unless there is a major restructuring of the NHL, you might as well kiss the game goodbye!

Matt Winter

College isn't for everyone, at least not right away

College is no longer a choice. Americans have made attending college directly out of high school such a norm, that students are no longer presented with the alternatives.

It is true that a college graduate is more likely to be successful than a less-educated person. But what is the big hurry for this so-called success?

Many students entering college in the fall, after their high school graduation, have no idea what they are there for. They don’t know what they want to do and can’t fully commit themselves to their studies. This is a waste of time and money.

In Australia, it is strongly encouraged to travel and work after high school graduation. The importance of a college education is not emphasized any less. But there is a greater emphasis on the commitment to college.

The Australian point of view is that once students do go back to school, they are ready. They can choose a major with a better view of the real world.

Also, is college the only alternative? For students who just aren’t made to be students, is their only alternative to struggle through college? I don’t think college is for everyone, and I think alternatives should be emphasized more.

Denise Daly

Graduate a little early or enjoy college a little more?

I was recently faced with the decision whether to graduate this summer or to go ahead and graduate in December. I am already graduating a semester early, but when given the chance to graduate even earlier I was stumped.
This semester has really taken a toll on me and has honestly worn me out. I am interning with a company this semester and work 25 hours a week. After working all day, I rush home to receive some kind of break from my hectic schedule with the burden of knowing my day is not done. My day is completed after I attend one of my three night classes that are part of the 15 hours I am taking this semester.
I am very ready for this semester to be over with, maybe even ready enough to graduate in the summer and be done for life. I marinated on the idea of graduating this summer for quite some time and had to weigh the pros and cons. It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make because part of me was saying to do it and the other part of me was saying not to.
After much consideration, I decided to wait until December to graduate because college is in fact a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Why should I cut short the best time of my life?
Next semester you will find me taking advantage of my life as a college student for one last semester.

Meredith Moore

My new hometown should be more tidy

Just yesterday I caught myself telling my roommate that I was on my way home. Home? It seems as if my first two years at TCU have been so wonderful that Fort Worth has subconsciously become my home. Of course my family and where I grew up will always be where my heart belongs but my comfort level has set in and I can finally say that I am home.

Since this is the case, I would like to make a plea to spruce up the area around our university. Isn’t a home a place you want to be proud of?

The TCU campus is kept immaculately clean, but my drive up Berry Street earlier this afternoon was appalling. There are empty, rundown buildings, potholes covering the street, and stores that look as if they have been neglected for decades. And this is all just within a mile of our university.

I am grateful that TCU puts a great deal of money, time and effort into the beautification of our campus, but I see this as useless if the drive to get here is so unattractive.

Laura Anderson

Louisiana should copy Texas on dual credits

Dual credit for high school courses is a great way to get a head start on college credits. Texas seems to have a good arrangement for having credit earned in high schools accepted by universities. I wish I would have had that opportunity.

Louisiana is a little behind in terms of education, I would say. I took all AP courses in high school but they did not count for dual credit. My parents could have saved a lot of money if I would have had those hours.

The Louisiana public school systems should come up with a better program so that students are not at a disadvantage when they go to college out of state.

Stephanie Helm

Were TCU athletic director remarks honest?

Eric Hyman, athletic director for TCU, has decided to accept a job with the University of South Carolina. This news came one day after another article had Hyman dismissing any rumors about leaving TCU. He was quoted saying that he was happy at TCU and had no reason to leave.

Something must have drastically occurred within a 24-hour period. If he knew he was going to leave, he should have kept his mouth shut and not led on frog fans. Though I do not blame him for his move to USC. Including potential bonuses, Hyman is likely to earn more than $500,000 annually at USC.

Chris Laverde