Note: Natasha Abdullah is the author of this post
The journey Congresswoman Gabby Giffords has been on is nothing short of a miracle. America has been united behind her in support during her journey to recovery after she was shot in the head by a would be assassin in Tucson. It’s rare to see the two parties cross lines, but the ninety-second applause given to her when she arrived to watch the State of the Union reminds us of those times.
It was shocking to see the House pass a bill unanimously, Democrats and Republicans sitting together, and tears in the eyes of Congress people; but Gabby Giffords’ display of resilience and courage did just that. So this begs the question: why does it take the tragic shooting and resilience of a Congresswoman to show that kind of solidarity? Why is it so difficult for our government to occasionally step back and tell American voters, “We may disagree, but we still respect each other. Oh, and we won’t tweet negative comments while the other party is speaking.”
The caustic environment in Washington goes far beyond the health system of checks and balances a two party system is supposed to provide. So Washington, take a cue from your colleague. As Gabby Giffords handed her resignation to a teary-eyed John Boehner, she said, “ I will recover and return.” Her words are applicable to the State of the Union: America will recover and return to its power, dignity, and glory—regardless of the party in control of the White House.
While some pundits claim the trajectory of Gingrich’s campaign defies explanation, I think the mystery is solved.
It’s been 75 days since a group of about 100 students gathered outside the Student Life Center to pray over the Board of Trustees as it discussed Vanderbilt’s non-discrimination clause and its effects on religious organizations on campus.
Nothing has changed in the last 75 days. Beta Upsilon Chi is still under investigation. Three other groups are still considered as violating the university’s policy.
And as organizations reconvened for the new semester, Chancellor Zeppos felt the need to remind the Vanderbilt University community of what the policy entails. In an email sent last Friday, Zeppos reiterated that registered student organizations on campus must “observe our nondiscrimination policy. That means membership in registered student organizations is open to everyone and that everyone, if desired, has the opportunity to seek leadership positions.”
What Zeppos did not explain was that the policy also means that religious organizations cannot make leadership decisions based on religious reasons, such as requiring that leaders uphold the group’s core beliefs. Clinging to these core beliefs, however, is what gives a religious organization integrity. And a religious organization with integrity makes religious decisions.
The university is requesting that religious organizations sacrifice their identities in order to comply with the policy.
On Tuesday, January 31, Provost McCarty and Vice Chancellor David Williams are holding a town hall meeting at 6:15 pm in Furman 114 to discuss the policy. According to the official press release of the event, they will be taking questions. Furman 114 officially holds 203 people, so get there early to claim a seat.
By Ian Duncan
It certainly is an interesting time to be in Australia. President Obama just this month announced the opening of a new military base on the northern coast of the continent to ramp up the U.S. presence around the South China Sea and East Asia region. As North Korea’s dictatorship changes hands, China contemplates economic consquences of a European recession. Australia, with a boom commodity economy closely tied to the developing world, worries about the nightmare of a Chinese burnout.
As I watch the waves crash over Bondi Beach on the longest day of the year, December 21st, I consider a different political theme- one of health. In 2011, many prominent American scientists have come out and claimed that Diabetes- over any economic issue- is the biggest problem America faces in the 21st century. Coming into 2012, Obama will be forced to defend the 2009 Health Care package. According to the Center for Diabetes Control and Prevention (CBC), 33% of Americans are overweight. Eight states, including Tennessee, are reaching dangerous percentages over the national average. All of this coming less than 30 years since the CBC started taking obesity data- in 1985- when no U.S. state had over 15% obesity. While myself and many other students and Vanderbilt work on an almost daily basis, much of the nation doesn’t go annually.
In Australia, however, surfers flock to the shore each morning. Many pools, with swim teams (of adults!), line the eastern shore. Many parks are dedicated to physical activity, filled with middle-aged men and women. Fitness clubs by the dozens lye tucked away in the back streets. People are dedicated to their fitness, and the world goes about its daily business healthier than my America.
So while some countries have universal health care, and in some (but not all) cases it works, I want to make the politically incorrect argument that Americans are not healthy enough to fulfill the liberal dream of universal healthcare. As Clinton admitted with Welfare reform in the 90′s, even welfare programs must contain strong accountability. If Obama wants the government to provide healthcare for all, he better provide a gym membership and a personal trainer, too.
Ian Duncan is a Sophomore in The College of Arts and Sciences. He can be reached at ian.r.duncan@vanderbilt.edu
and followed on Twitter at ianduncan7
