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The weatherman said it was the "storm this generation has never seen." I don't know if I would be so melodramatic, but it was a catastrophe for those of us living in the country. The ice and snow of last week put my family out of power for three straight days, which was why I didn't have an article in last week's paper.… 1 Comment

Thou shalt not purchase Hallmark. The biggest problem with Valentine's Day is its inherent commercialization. In fairness, the modern incarnation of Valentine's Day has always been a for-profit scam, but it exists today as such only because we buy (into) it.… Post the First Comment

I dread seeing that little letter in the mail every month with this company's name on top: Ameren. I always open the letter, examine the bill and then become increasingly furious. Why? Because my bill, like thousands of others, is too expensive. It's not too expensive because I'm an energy waster.… Post the First Comment

Editor's Note: This letter from the editor appeared in Northern Illinois University's student newspaper Friday, less than a day after the shooting that claimed five students' lives. We rerun it today to give and receive insight into what life was like for one of the many students who not only experienced the trauma firsthand, but also did what they had to do: put out a paper.… Post the First Comment

This week finds President Bush in several nations on the African continent. His visit, ostensibly to reaffirm and to strengthen ties with those nations, is really just a visit from the world's favorite bagman. Show up, drop off the dough, and then beat it; that's what the world wants from us, and sadly we give it to them.… Post the First Comment

It was one of those quiet but persistent rumors; a piece of gossip that was traded in the secrecy of a small town café or Bible study. "The preacher's kid is an alcoholic," they said. "He's getting out of control." And as dirty little secrets like this are prone to do, it developed a life of its own until it ruined another's.… Post the First Comment

I believe I am a true-blooded American. Despite how I feel about our preempted wars, horrible international business practices and general ethnocentric attitudes, it pains me to say that sometimes, but like every true American, I could not survive without my car.… Post the First Comment

A whole pizza sat on the table. It reeked of awesomeness and begged to be devoured. My roommate ate but two pieces. Wimpy man. I rolled up my sleeves, ate the other six pieces and pounded my chest. Manly man. This scenario flashed back Tuesday morning. Two inches of snow covered the ground and .… 4 Comments

On Thursday, nearly 200 countries of the world will be celebrating International Mother Language Day, an event aimed at promoting linguistic diversity and multilingual education. Many may not believe that about half of the 6,000 languages spoken in the world are in danger of extinction.… Post the First Comment

Libraries are projected as a safe haven for anyone, especially children, seeking a quiet place to read and learn. Vigilant librarians shush patrons as they replace novels on shelves. Most voices are set to whisper. The occasional ruffle of pages or hum of air conditioning give background noise to the otherwise silent landscape.… 1 Comment

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Unfortunately to most of the students reading my column today, the news of a school shooting is nothing new. When I was in 8th grade, two teenage boys opened fire in Jonesboro, Ark., killing four students and their teacher. The next year, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went on a shooting spree at Columbine High School.… Post the First Comment

It may surprise you to know that people in healthy relationships, be they with intimate partners, family members, co-workers or friends, are happier and healthier. Scientific evidence has demonstrated unequivocally that people who are in healthy relationships are happier, physically and emotionally healthier, experience less stress and face emotional trauma with more resilience.… Post the First Comment