Opinion

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.

Ilove this time of year.It’s a time for crunchy leaves,hot chocolate and rain boots,anditis generally characterized as a time to think of othersand show compassion and kindness for your fellow man.It’s hard to not get a warm,fuzzy feeling inside when you think about the season.There is no end toperfect rainy days,rest and relaxation (at least after finals are over) and most of all,family.

You can never throw an un-wadded Kleenex and still look manly.Why do foreigners have sexy English accents,but when Americans speak in a foreign language they just sound like idiots?

As the end of2008hovers,we reach the conclusion to a momentous and remarkable year.This year,events occurred and questions were asked,some left unanswered.What is undeniable,however,is their significance.This year can not be ignored.