Even the most mainstream of Republicans should give Ron Paul some credit when he calls a focus on social issues a “losing position” in the upcoming election (via HotAir).

Ed Morrissey, the author of the linked article, disagrees with (or is at least ambivalent towards) Paul’s claims. And it’s quite clear why–in an election that is likely to revolve around economic issues (including, perhaps, $5/gallon-plus gasoline), the Republican primary season is the right time to quibble about social conservatism.

Rick Santorum is become an increasingly obvious choice for social conservatives voting in the remaining state primaries. That’s a bit…scary. The prospect of Candidate Santorum is hard to get excited about as it is, and I don’t reckon he’ll go over too well with independent voters come November.

Still, I’m taking a slightly longer view here–and from where I stand, social conservatism is not the future of the GOP no matter what happens later this year.

Two roads diverged...

Young voters are, by and large, unconcerned with social issues.

This is less a matter of hedonistic young libertines seeking pleasure at the expense of our nation’s moral fabric and more an issue of national priorities. Who has time to worry about gay marriage when you can’t afford to leave your parents’ house because of the job market? Is the debate on contraceptives even worth having when you’ve been stuck with the tab rung up by entitlement-loving Baby Boomers?

And yet every day, we hear about more and more primary voters throwing their weight behind big government “conservative” Rick Santorum, presumably because he is:

1. Not Mitt Romney

2. Willing to take a tough stance on social issues

3. Largely unvetted, for now

Young voters are easy to discount. But young voters grow to be old(er) voters, and a Santorum candidacy would poison likely poison the waters for the GOP for years to come. If Santorum is the candidate, the GOP deserves what it gets–and Paul’s words will once again prove to be prophetic.

The popular “most interesting man in the world” from the “XX” beer commercials has nothing on John Fairfax. Fairfax rowed a boat across a major ocean—twice—and dabbled with a bunch of other absolutely ridiculous yet uniquely bada** adventures.

I came across this article (a piece written in light of Fairfax’s recent death—at the age of 74), which also explains why Fairfax is an absolute tank) in the New York Times. His achievements speak for themselves, and although they aren’t philanthropic, they are undeniably amazing.

So here goes. Fairfax crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a rowboat—he crossed the latter with his girlfriend at the time, Silvia Cook. So, there is that.

But wait—there is more.

At the tender age of 9, he settled a dispute using a pistol (he did not shoot anyone—he simply shot up his boy scout campsite to send a message). At 13 he ran away from home to live in the jungle—he subsisted by periodically selling jaguar skins to locals. At 20 he attempted suicide…by jaguar. After that failed, he apprenticed to become a pirate, managed a mink farm for a short time, and gambled professionally.

This article struck me for two reasons. For one, Fairfax was absolutely incredible. Secondly, it is interesting to see how people like Fairfax seem to fly under the radar. People like him—although his adventures were certainly not particularly morally/ethically sound—show the power of desire and the extent human potential.

Sure, Fairfax was a pretty odd figure, but his life was noteworthy nonetheless.

The original article goes into greater detail as to how/why Fairfax did everything that he did and I would certainly recommend checking it out.

All undergraduate students worry about their future, it’s inevitable. They want to make sure their hard earned tuition dollars go to a productive education, one that secures them a job and future. It’s important that students ask the right questions, engage in the right dialogue, and get the right advice about their respective career choices.

I had the opportunity of attending the Arab Student Association’s Graduate School Panel tonight. There were many different Graduate paths represented, a PhD admit, Public Health, Medical School, an Engineer, Law School, Dentistry School, and, most interestingly, Teach for America. It was fascinating to see disciplines from all walks of life coming together and giving mutual advice on standardized entrance exams, recommendation letters, networking, and the application process. Undergraduates were able to ask questions in an open forum, get advice, and walk away with valuable knowledge and extra tools necessary to succeed in their respective fields. After the question and answer session, the panel and the undergraduates dispersed and split off into little groups for more one-on-one interaction. The mentors provided even greater personal assistance, tailoring their advice and answers more specifically to the person who was asking questions. Most importantly, the ASA Graduate Panel message was simple: grades matter but they’re not everything. Undergraduates are thrust into an environment where grades take precedence over all else–jobs, extracurriculars, sports, etc. The panel put to rest these concerns and stressed the importance of having a well rounded, unique resume as well as good contacts to get strong recommendation letters. They also emphasized the importance of applying early to programs you want to get into, procrastination is NOT something you want to affect your chances of getting into a graduate program.

In the end, the message was plain and simple–be yourself. As cheesy and cliche as it sounds, it’s the truth. Don’t try to conform to the ideal pre-Med school candidate or the ideal pre-Law candidate because, in Graduate school’s eyes, it is evident who’s truly passionate and who’s doing it for the money.

In the most recent issue of The Atlantic James Fallows takes a critical look at Barack Obama. He assess the President’s strengths and weaknesses before the coming election, which he notes will have an determinate effect on his legacy whether he wins or losses. The piece focuses more on the president’s qualities like his aloofness and inexperience rather than his policy decisions and with an array of quotes from people on both sides of the aisle it tries to form the picture of the man in the most powerful position in the world. Those who have an opinion about Obama, good or bad, will find the piece either too easy or too harsh. But, for those who have refrained from making any decisions Fallows offers an insightful look at the challenges any president faces and the weaknesses they all bring to the Oval Office. The piece runs a little long at around 6000 words, but it’s worth the time.

Last season’s night game was such a huge success for Michigan. As highlighted by by co-editor, Chris Kudialis, Everything Went Right for Michigan.  The Crowd stayed under control  all day leading up to the game. The game itself was a magical atmosphere with Desmond Howard in the opening ceremonies. The day concluded with a thriller finish and a Michigan victory, as the crowd of 114,803 erupted in fervor. The First ever Night Game at The Big House showed those traditionalist fans that we can stay under control and have a great game. It leaves us students thinking, when will the next night game be?

Dave Brandon pushed for this game as his initiative to break Michigan from some of its traditions.  He has added more pre-game festivities  to every game to create a more fan-friendly experience. When asked about adding a mascot, he claimed “We’re interested in doing a mascot but it has to be something that fans love, that children love and everyone can embrace.” This set off a storm of alumni sending notes of disgust to Brandon.  He probably never was going to get one but when he mentioned thinking about the idea, UM fans freaked out.   In regards to a night game, Brandon wants to make it something special, happening every few years. Looking at next year’s schedule, he did not see an opportunity for a “Big Game” to become a night game. The MSA sees other wise.

The Michigan Student Assembly has created a petition to make the  October 20^th game against Little Brother (MSU) a night game.  There is a facebook page titled “Petition to Make 2012 Football Game vs. MSU a Night Game (LINK BELOW)”. They further explain that the Notre Dame was a huge success and how the want to recreate it. The chances of recreating the Notre Dame game are slim in my mind but. Some posts on the Facebook wall include people saying how MSU doesn’t deserve a night game, despite them beating us four years in a row.

“It would be a great way for the city to create money because of the hype around Notre Dame but  it needs to stay special. Maybe not next year but the year after that,” said LSA Junior Rachel Jankowski in response to the idea of a MSU night game.

The event had 355 attending as of Thursday morning.  It will be interesting to see if this works against Brandon’s stance of not having one next year.

The link to the page is here: http://www.facebook.com/events/330665570310414/

I sit in front of my computer in baggy black sweats and the ubiquitous grey TCF Michigan hoodie at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14^th. People in relationships refer to this day as Valentine’s Day. I call it Showing-off-your-significant-other Day or Single & Proud Day. Last year, at the same time, I was in a relationship and we did the stereotypical Hallmark and societal conforming Valentine’s Day crap. We went to an expensive restaurant, which was actually a very great and fun experience. We walked around and talked and did what any couple “should” do on Valentine’s Day. This year, being single and busy and independent and tired, I realize this holiday is nothing more than for chocolate and card businesses and restaurants to make a few extra bucks. I never really understood why people in relationships go psycho at the mention of Valentine’s Day as if this day were any different from any other day of the month. Did the gods somehow convene in their magical sky castle with rainbow farting unicorns and decide that today all people in relationships had to be “extra” romantic? I don’t think so unless you’re part of those cult religions. What I’m trying to get at is I don’t understand why people act this way on an arbitrary day. If you’re going to do something “super” romantic, do it on your anniversary or on a date that means something to you personally. Don’t do it just because it has become the norm. And with that, I return to my textbooks and resume my average Valentine’s Day by doing what I normally do and nothing more, nothing less.

In light of the recent REVIEW article about “Sugar Daddies” and college porn films, there seems to be another obscure way for people to ease their financial burdens. The Hostetler family –from Buena Park, California– seems to be the pioneers of this interesting scheme.

Despite having to damper the initial outbursts of angst, anger, and confusion from their neighbors, the Hostetler’s are now (almost) entirely paying off their $2,000 dollar-per-month mortgage by turning the front of their home into a billboard.

Romeo Mendoza, the CEO of Brainiacs from Mars says that he plans to turn 1,000 homes across the United States into giant advertisements for his marketing firm. In each case, the homeowner will get their mortgage paid for up to a year by allowing Brianiacs and Mars to paint the front of their home—as they would a billboard. In this way, Mendoza helps to seriously abate the foreclosure crisis.

I think this idea is quite brilliant. Of course, I wouldn’t want these obtrusive billboard-homes to intrude upon otherwise picturesque neighborhoods, but those who are in need of financial aid truly have nowhere else to turn. In southern California 44 percent of homeowners owe more in mortgage payments than their homes are worth. People are in dire need of a solution, and this scheme appears to be mutually beneficial, relatively simple, and harmless.

The NBA All-Star reserves were announced earlier tonight, a week after the starters were announced last Thursday. The reserve selections seemed to blend aging veterans with young up and coming superstars. However, two players in the prime of their careers, Luol Deng and Andre Iguodala, earned All-Star selections for the first time in their careers, after being snubbed on multiple occasions in previous years.

Deng, in his 8^th season, has averaged 16 points per game for the Bulls throughout his career and is a key asset for Derrick Rose and title-contending Bulls. He is averaging 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds this season while also contending a spot on the All-Defense team. Likewise, Iguodala, who brings toughness and athleticism on the defensive end every night, is averaging 13.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists and has been the leader of the Sixers as they have surprised the league by currently occupying first place in the Atlantic Division.

They are joined by a slew of veterans for the Eastern Conference including Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams. On the Western Conference’s side, young superstars, such as Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge, are joined by veterans Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Tony Parker.

Noticeably absent from this list is Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe. He is currently averaging 16.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. The reserve center selected over Monroe, Rob Hibbert, averages 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Maybe the Pistons need to start winning before their players begin receiving recognition. This is tough for the young and talented Monroe, who should be in position for a selection in future years if he continues his strong play.

For full rosters: http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/players/index.html

Professor Juan Cole, a Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan in History, gave an enlightening lecture today at Rackham Auditorium on the Arab Spring and where it stands today. Starting with Tunisia’s role, a small country with little geopolitical clout on the world stage, Juan Cole was able to trace the remarkable upheaval in Middle Eastern domestic policy from that fateful day in 2011 all the way up to today. He then launched into Egypt. Praising the revolution as a “Youth movement,” Cole championed their admirable ability to mobilize, organize, and fuel a revolution all with the help of Facebook and other social media outlets. With Facebook alone and word of mouth, young Egyptians were able to mobilize 75,000 people in Tahrir Square to rally for change and the removal of dictator Hosni Mubarak. With the successful fall of president Mubarak, Cole affirmed that the rest of the Arab world found the inspiration they needed to move forward with their respective calls for change. Following Egypt, Cole launched into the bloody and grueling revolution in Libya, illuminating the various airstrikes on civilians carried out by the Ghadafi regime and the taxing toll it took on the inexperienced Libyan rebel fighters.

Cole not only focused on events squarely in the Middle East, he also delved into the United States’ role in the “Arab Spring.” He addressed the United States’ hesitation to support the Egyptian Revolution. Just before Mubarak fell, the United States was hesitant to upset the status quo of the region because of all the factors it could affect–US-Israeli relationships, US access to Middle Eastern resources, etc. However, as revolution reached its peak, the United States realized that their laissez-faire attitude couldn’t continue much longer, they had to get on the side of the people, and fast. Cole’s main message was simple: the revolutions are still occurring and they can’t be stopped. He hopes that Syria and Yemen will have the same fate as Egypt and Libya. The world should never turn its back on young people fighting for the freedoms many Americans take for granted. Though the Middle East has come far in radically changing its domestic policy, it still has a long way to go towards prosperity, security, and, above all, peace.

It is official, the 2013 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic will be played in the Big House. The Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 1^st . 

Rumors have been swirling the past few months that a game would be played either in Comerica Park or in Michigan Stadium. The Wings began serious talks with Michigan to get the game inside The Big House.  They saw the enormity of the success at the Big Chill back on December 11, 2010 when Michigan hosted Michigan State, setting the record for attendance at a hickey of 104,173.  It only seems fitting that a game be played in the Big House instead of Comerica because of its capacity and historical value.

The University Board of Regents approved $3 million dollar deal for the NHL to lease the stadium.  Brandon also estimates the economic benefit to the area to be around $14 million. More students will most likely stick around New Years for the game in addition to the local Detroit fans coming in.

Another benefit is that alcohol will be served at the game, something not served during Michigan football games.  Michigan state law allows the University to have 12, one day licenses. A license will be used for this game to serve the alcohol.

In addition, the game will include a series of events at Comerica Park the preceding week before the game.  The Detroit News has reports from sources that the schedule would look like this:

Thursday, Dec. 27: AHL game

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 28-29: Great Lakes Invitational games

Sunday, Dec. 30: OHL game

Monday, Dec. 31: Wings-Maple Leafs alumni game

This format would still leave Comerica Park and the City of Detroir in the mix of activities.

So let the countdown begin, less than 11 months until this epic game in the Big House.