Opinion

Congressmen are inarticulate, caustic and obtuse. It's their job, you understand. At least, the job we give them. The voter's interpretation of what to expect of federal legislators has been set adrift from their own interests. We'll gladly elect killers and thieves so long as they pay lip service to a few key sentiments to soothe our skepticism.

Well guys, tomorrow's Valentine's Day. And if you're anything like most men on February 13th, you're hopelessly without a plan and about ready to fake food poisoning.

Late last week, while Senate Democrats were busy letting Republicans castrate an already neutered stimulus plan, I got pretty agitated. Much of our generation's future, and the future of generations down the line, depends on this administration's response to the recession

There were a couple of notable recent turns of events that I could have touched on this week (i.e. high-profile scandals involving one of the following: Bruce Springsteen, Chris Brown, Christian Bale or Michael Phelps), but since it's a time-sensitive topic, I thought I'd devote my space to - surprise, surprise - Valentine's Day!

he religious, deists, agnostics and atheists all have trouble coming to terms with the meaninglessness of life. No matter where you stand on the spectrum, there is a troubling stigma associated with those who admit to having a meaningless life.

Wall Street's predicament is a lesson in overstretching limits. This is an institution that prides itself in creating wealth, moving and shaking markets, empowering people. At its very best traditions, Wall Street is a worldview - a belief that at its height, the possibilities of the human imagination are limitless.

Singles are always whining about how much they hate Valentine's Day, but think about how bad those with the old ball and chain have it. Retailers surely get a throbbing hard-on for the 14th of Feb.; I mean, seriously, look at all the crap there is to be bought.

Money can buy a lot of nookie, but it just can't buy love.

ASUCD elections are known for having low turnouts. Last year, there wasn't concern that students did not want to fund Unitrans with a fee increase - just that under 20 percent (the minimum to enact a fee increase) of the student body would vote.

A few years ago as a freshman experiencing my first winter quarter at Davis, I found myself writing this little piece about how the quarter system drives people insane.

e first time I heard Kirollos "Cookie" Gendi speak was at last year's Relay for Life, but his story is one you have to hear more than once. A few days ago, I sat across from him, listening in amazement as he cheerfully related his life-threatening struggle with cancer.

There is no greater thrill than the rush of snow skiing; rifling down a freshly powdered mountain, the wind in your face and adrenaline pumping.

But no pleasant experience comes without its price. Here are some things you should expect to face the next time you hit the slopes.

Considering that this Saturday is St. Despicable's Day, it's fitting that I finish going over proper Breakup Protocol. Now before anybody gets huffy, I'm legally obligated by the state of California to acknowledge that everyone is different and stereotyping is a no-no (especially when the frowny-pants guys over at the ACLU give me a call).

Student government is usually pretty harmless. Aside from the occasional overly ambitious candidate soliciting signatures for the Association's quarterly popularity contest, often loosely referred to as an election, its direct impact on student life is rather minimal. In fact, when they're not spending countless hours mesmerized by the sounds of their own voice, I'd reckon that ASUCD officials are relatively normal and competent people.

UC Davis reports the highest level of sexual assaults and violence on campus of any school in the UC system.

Due to recent budget cuts, these high offense rates could be on the rise.

The UC Davis Gender Education program will be cut following the 2008-2009 school year if it is not added to the budget of the Women's Resources and Research Center.

If you're lucky enough to have a professor who uses it and knows it well, Smartsite can be an extremely useful class resource. But for many students, the "cutting edge" courseware technology is full of problems.

Smartsite, the online course collaboration tool, was introduced on campus in 2006 and fully implemented in 2007. Since then, the tool has received mixed reviews from the students and faculty who use it.