Opinion

Welcome to the ‘09show. If you’re like me,you may have spent a tiny fraction of your winter break wondering why the hell you know the lyrics to “The Bad Touch” by heart but couldn’t remember shit when you sat down to take your finals.It’s sad to think that this may speak volumes about my personal priorities.

In its100-year history,UC Davis has had only five chancellors.That’s merely five opportunities to choose the person who sets the tone and direction for a campus of over30,000students.The selection procedure for the sixth chancellor has been underway since October,but the lack of transparency in the process is leaving students in the dark – and consequently apathetic.

Prominent feminist and political activist Gloria Steinem cancelled a planned speech at UC Davis in December,reportedly in recognition of the ongoing labor dispute between the University of California and members of the American Federation of State,County and Municipal Employees Local3299.

I am a big fan of Tupac Shakur. I like his music and I like his style. Don’t stop reading this just because you don’t like rap music or think Tupac was overrated. Hear me out:

Baby2009has only just been catapulted squealing into our arms and already her diaper is loaded and in need of a change.Time moves fast.Deadlines approach.Quandaries call out for resolution.Even if the problems we face haven’t changed– culture wars,environmental deterioration,undying greed– we can use this new year as an opportunity to look at them with new eyes.

“[Expletive deleted]!” This basically sums up2008.You don’t need to read this column to realize it was besmirched with hard times.It saw the tragic deaths of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (don’t worry,they’re banks).The housing bubble popped,destroying the national money market and creating a credit crunch.

Have you ever been dating someone and felt that all of a sudden,you’ve gone farther than you should have? Well I don’t really know what that feels like since I was taught to always put out on the first date and it’s been working fine for me so far (note to self:start the binge eating tomorrow).But for those who do have a problem with it,I heard it is quite a sticky situation.

For the past few weeks,this column has spent a great deal of time criticizing government institutions and officials that,in my opinion,seek to curb the presence of self-determination in our society.I have pointed the finger at over-regulation and forced altruism,stating that such forms of collectivism rob men ofthere right to self-governance.

WithUC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef’s15-year tenure coming to a close in June,the search is on for someone to take over the fifth floor of Mrak Hall. A search committee made up of students,staff,faculty,alumni and UC regents iscurrentlyworking to find a new chancellor.But what exactly does the chancellor doand should students even care?

Before I begin,let me first say“happy winter quarter!” and recommend hot chocolate,peppermint tea,and a fantastic product called the“Slanket“ to keep you warm this winter season (it‘s a blanket with sleeves…look it up now,thank me later). Now back to it.

Social networking website Facebook has come under fire recently for removing pictures from some members‘ profiles.The pictures? They show women breastfeeding.This has led to not only the obligatory anti-Facebook policy Facebook groups,but women protesting outside of Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto,Calif.,the New York Times reports.

I don‘t have cable,so when I go home on breaks and watch TV it‘s always a bit surreal to see how far gone we are.Especially the advertising.I mean,there I am,waiting to be told how to feel about myselfand suddenly I hear that if I take this one pill I‘ll be“sleepwalking and eating or driving while not fully awake with amnesia for the event.” I heard that,froze and blacked out.