by Mike Courson Often, reactions tell me more than the event that inspired the reaction. The event in question this time is Newsweek’s cover story about the three-year degree. Lamar Alexander wrote the story for last week’s edition, and readers have responded. Alexander relates college to automobile manufacturers: not adapting to the present could mean […]

by Zach Becker I took my wife to the Bob Dylan concert last night at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield and left entertained by the historic performer, but highly disappointed with the Shrine Mosque venue, staff, and the strong smell of smoke that left my wife with a migraine still this morning. I say I […]

by Mike Courson Humans ruin everything. Today at work, I chatted with a not-uneducated coworker about some of the major theories of society. She could not believe some prominent media figure suggest capitalism does not work. She is a conservative, and that is fine. Though I do not agree with most of her views, one […]

by Mike Courson As a watcher of news, and one who frequently regurgitates such, it is convenient when I sometimes stumble across a few items that tie some thoughts together. Monday’s “Larry King Live,” and an article by Daniel Lyons in last week’s Newsweek did just that. King’s show featured a discussion about the safety […]

In my opinion, Obama won because he is not Bush. The world hated the United States in December 2008 and prior to that. Even without accomplishment, one can feel the hope Obama generates.

by Mike Courson I avoid “reality” television like former President Bush avoided books and Vietnam. The Jon & Kate Plus 8 saga, however, has recently crossed over into the ‘interesting’ category. There are many allegations coming from all parties involved, and I am not hip enough to know about all of them. After watching Jon […]

The large media outlets, for a number of reasons, have never been so cozy with the people they are supposed to cover. The watchdog function of the media has been left to independent media, which is gaining in audience and importance.

by Zach Becker Like a lot of people in Springfield, I watched last night’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The episode featured the total destruction of a local family’s run-down 800 square-foot home and the construction of a brand new 3,300 square-foot home. The eight-person Hampton family seemed worthy and appreciative of the very generous gift […]

Jonathan Stratman’s Roberto and the Robot, a film produced from MSU’s Electronic Arts program in spring 2009, is released on DVD.

In a cooperative spirit of altruism, where we analyze the problems we are each facing, we can be real peace builders by addressing the causes of conflict rather than the symptoms of injustice.