Opinion

In recent weeks, college students across California have been inundated with TV, radio, and Internet ads in the governor’s race. Young people have come to understand how their votes on Nov. 2 will influence higher education funding and whether California will properly prepare their generation for the new global economy. But what they might not realize is the significance of one ballot proposition that may very well have a larger impact on education than the result of the governor’s race: Proposition 25 is actually the most important vote for students.

Election day is nearly upon us and it’s time to buckle down and study the voter information guide. Last Friday while visiting home, I was contemplating how I could get in the proper frame of mind to study the guide, and I came up with an unusual solution.

Howdy, Aggies. Did you have a good Halloween? Was it positively spooky? Was it full of debauchery, drunken diatribes and dangerous drugs?

Having controlled the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate for the past two years, Democrats have little to gain and much to lose in next week’s congressional elections. Republicans in districts across the country are poised to take over dozens of seats, and political analysts say it’s all but certain that the GOP will walk away from this election with a resounding majority in the House.

The Davis College Democrats are concerned that students were left with the wrong impression after reading Tuesday’s column, “Change we didn’t sell,” by Fayia Sellu. While we don’t have any control over what goes on nationally with the Democratic Party, we can dispel the myths perpetuated about the state of California and Yolo County.

No matter what life throws at you, you can rise above.

The last time the Giants won the World Series the year was 1954; Willie Mays was the strength of the outfield, Dusty Rhodes led the offense with his clutch batting and the Giants were still in New York. That’s right, the New York Giants. Feels counterintuitive right? Like dividing by zero? Despite the fact that I can’t stand the Yankees, I encourage all you die-hard Giants fans to consider your team’s geographic roots next time you talk shit about Derek Jeter.

The TLC reality show “Sister Wives” follows Koby Brown, his four wives (Christine, Meri, Janelle and Robyn) and their combined 16 children. Basically they’re one big happy polygamist, fundamentalist Mormon family.

Remember the days when we were young and were forced to eat things we didn’t like? We’ve all been there, stubborn children refusing to do what our parents tell us because we think we know what’s best. I was four when my parents dressed me up for Halloween as a cute little clown. I cried because I thought I was ugly and I wanted so badly to be a fairy princess instead. My dad and I got as far as the edge of our front lawn before I had a meltdown and didn’t want to go any further. My friend tells a similar stubborn child story of when she was young and refused to eat what was on her plate. Week after week, my friend kept refusing to eat what her mother made for dinner, and eventually she won; her mother gave her what she wanted.

There is much to be said for the great experience of a thing we call “college.” The incredible opportunities it has to offer, the interesting people poised for encounters, the barely recollected parties. It’s pretty grand, this college life.

Last week, Davis College Democrats (DCD) featured prominently in The Aggie – from voter registration to Davis City Council engagement. I actually have been approached several times on campus by DCD, Students for Barack Obama and CalPIRG associates about registering to vote or voting for particular propositions, especially recently. This last-minute drive by the Democrats to get an apathetic base to go out and vote in the next couple days is frantic, to say the least. Two things, though: There is no national message and “lackluster” comes to mind as a description of their ground game.

Nov. 1 marks the deadline for students, faculty and staff to change their Kerberos passwords. After that they will be forced to switch from their current eight-character password to a passphrase with a minimum 12 characters.