Some votes require courage. Challenging decisions call upon elected officials to “lead, inform, correct and sometimes even ignore constituent opinion” in order to exercise their judgment for what is best for our nation, as John Kennedy argued in his Profiles in Courage. Last Wednesday’s vote in the Senate on gun control legislation required no such courage. … Read more
The countless Facebook posts supporting former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ New York Times op-ed, which berates the Senate for its failure to pass the Manchin-Toomey Amendment, have begun. “Damn straight, Gabby,” some commented. “A courageous piece,” others called it. Yet for me there are major issues with Congresswoman Giffords’ piece. First of all, what is the Manchin-Toomey … Read more
The Manchin-Toomey amendment to U.S. Senate gun violence legislation is not perfect. Liberals argue the bill does not go far enough, while conservatives believe such legislation neglects larger issues related to gun violence. What is clear, however, is that the bill would improve public safety. Most guns used criminally are purchased legally, contrary to conservative … Read more
No one likes to be a downer. No one likes to ruin a party. I would argue that the creators of the petition, “Cancel Tyga at Yardfest,” did not have these motives in mind, and furthermore, that the approximately 2,000 members of the Harvard community (and other interested parties) who have signed the petition didn’t … Read more
John Kerry brings a wealth of experience to his new position as Secretary of State. A decorated Vietnam veteran and the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, Kerry had represented Massachusetts in the Senate for 28 years when President Obama nominated him to succeed Hillary Clinton at Foggy Bottom. As a senator, Kerry chaired the Foreign Relations … Read more
The nomination of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel sparked considerable controversy and media attention. Amid the political maelstrom, the hearings for John O. Brennan, Obama’s pick to head the CIA, could have been lost in the thunder. Thanks to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and a live feed from C-SPAN, however, the hearing garnered attention and provoked … Read more
Jack Lew has come a long way. As a teenager, the Orthodox Jew from New York was “known for his long hair, faded jeans and boots.” Today, he is President Obama’s Secretary of the Treasury, after the Senate confirmed him on a bipartisan, 71-26 vote. Lew’s term as Treasury Secretary has begun with little controversy. He … Read more
President Obama’s most controversial Cabinet appointee to date, former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, was confirmed as Secretary of Defense by the Senate on Feb. 27. After overcoming an initial filibuster by Senate Republicans—unprecedented for a Defense Secretary nominee—the Senate confirmed Hagel by a simple majority vote, 58-41. Hagel faced opposition from his former allies in Congress, including Sen. … Read more
A failure to deal with mental health problems is far from a uniquely Harvard problem. The national scrutiny and high expectations placed upon Harvard students may increase stress and make these problems worse, but in every institution of higher learning in America, mental health is a serious issue. Suicides on state college campuses don’t get … Read more
So many of us come to Harvard, because it’s Harvard. Our crest grandly inspires us to pursue truth, but ‘veritas,’ emblazoned on our crimson shield has started to seem more and more evasive. Harvard has a problem with problems. From student mental health issues, to student suicide, to #OccupyHarvard, to academic integrity, like any perfectionist … Read more