Soldiers of war are notpsychopathickillers – they are victims of robbery,the robbery of a human quality called empathy. With certain external forces,we have the ability to lose this basic emotion. Analyzing the Israel and Gaza conflict,I realized that the loss of empathy is the underlying cause of the controversy.My objective in this column is not to prove which side is the victim or aggressor,but to share some of my thoughts on why I think there is such a polarization of opinions in the first place.

Although I was dead-set on writing about butterflies and daisies this week,my Johnny-Depp-with-a-beard look-alike editor kindly pointed out that there is far more to a douchebag than the mere fact that they are a douchebag,as I had outlined last week. And that’s when my last two brain cells started thinking.What makes a douchebag such a douchebag? How do you deal with said douchebags?

With Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration less than a week away,and an economic collapse seemingly even closer,students are nervous to hear what challenges Obama must face and hopefully defeat.On Tuesday,over100students and community members filled the Activities and Recreation Center ballroom to attend “Challenges for the President,” where a panel of UC Davis professors discussed the social,economic,legaland foreign policy issues facing the future administration.

When Cantina del Cabo closed in June2007,many Davis residents lamented the loss of a favorite hangout.The restaurant and bar,known for its roomy digs and expansive beer selection,was demolished shortly after it closed. The hole in downtown didn’t last for long,though.A new commercial building is now nearing completion in the same location.

Teams:UC Davis at Cal State Fullerton Records:Aggies,6-10 (1-2); Titans,8-8 (2-2) Where:Titan Gym – Fullerton,Calif. When:Today at7:05p.m.

It was standing room only at Tuesday’s Davis City Council meeting as over150people clamored for a chance to speak their mind on the ongoing war in Gaza. The City Council was considering a resolution calling for peace in Gaza,where Israel and Hamas have been fighting a bloody battle for three weeks.The resolution did not lay blame on either side or seek a specific solution to the matter,but instead called for “an immediate,durable,fully respected ceasefire” and a “lasting humanitarian truce.”

On Saturday December6th2008,127students from8different fraternities and4different sororities came out and cleaned up UC Davis.In a partnership between the UC Davis Interfraternity Council,Panhellenic Council,and R4Recycling Program this event oversaw the collection of65bags of material (27bags of trash,20bags of recycling,and18bags of compost),totaling654.6pounds of material (311.8lbs.of trash,167.2lbs.of recycling,and175.6lbs.of compost).The event started in the Arboretum and covered the entire campus. This was an incredible,collaborative effort that demonstrated the pride that we UC Davis students and we Greeks take in our campus and in our environment.

If you’re looking for a great action comedy,look no further than “24.” The series,told in real-time,features Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland),a practically invincible secret agent who can kill10men in about five seconds,disarm nuclear devices and even kidnap heads of state.

Hello,Dolly! is probably the musical that most of us have heard of but few have actually seen on stage.If this describes your experience with the musical,now is your chance to see the play performed locally by the Davis Musical Theatre Company.

The Recording Industry Association of America,in an attempt to further expand its influence in the world of illegal file sharing,has decided not to file lawsuits en masse against illegal file sharers.Instead,the RIAA will work closely with Internet service providers and encourage them to increase their own role in protecting music copyrights.

TODAY Project Compost 6 p.m. 43 Memorial Union, MU Basement Learn about radical composting on campus and how to get involved.   STATS training night 7 to 9 p.m. 207 Olson Learn how to become an intern for Students Teaching AIDS To Students and present information about HIV/AIDS to high school students.   Women’s […]

A strange event is happening. The most powerful person on the planet for the last eight years has seemed almost powerless for a while now. President George W. Bush is almost an afterthought. He has been conspicuous by his absence. In truth, he has become irrelevant.