Wise Monkey News is here to provide young people an opportunity to discuss the issues that affect their lives. We hope that, through your participation, this website serves as a forum for the development, exchange, and expression of ideas that will prepare us to assume our positions as the leaders of tomorrow's world. Have something to say?
Nuclear proliferation and the threat of nuclear war
by: Peter Andrews - printed on 03-06-2002
Since the end of the Cold War, the US has continued develop its nuclear weapons program. The funding for these programs stands at 5 billion and is scheduled to increase by one billion over the next three years. The funds will be used to refurbish existing weapons, rebuild facilities used to manufacture nuclear warheads and to step up our readiness to again conduct underground testing in Nevada. America's nuclear forces have played an important role in the military’s strategy since the end of World War II and the threat of nuclear war has acted to deter major conflicts over the last half century.
Learning with an edge
by: Melanie Gangle - printed on 04-25-2001
International study abroad experiences present great opportunities for self-growth. When you study abroad, you challenge your cultural assumptions. When you’re communicating in a new language, eating new foods, and learning a new set of cultural expectations, you can’t help but learn new things about your host culture, about your own culture, and about yourself. Cultures, although they may be different, are also universal; you’ll find culture everywhere.
The Equal Rights Amendment: Why women are still not full citizens
by: Cassie Terry - printed on 09-25-2002
Some questions on citizenship: are you a native-born American (not a green card holder)? Is your criminal record free of felonies? Can you vote? Can you run for office? Can you sue or be sued? Are you male? If you answered no to any of these questions, your rights are not being protected by the constitution. Yes, that is right, girls. The law of the land does not afford you equal rights. In fact, the only women’s right formally protected by the constitution is your right to vote. Only recently has the law recognized a woman’s right to equal protection.
Israel. Surely God is with us
by: Ryan Bemis - printed on 10-18-2000
In our safe little corner of the world, we may not be able to fathom the strange, chaotic, and hostile world in Israel and Palestine right now. How can it be that the Palestinians could reach such a violent rage and erupt through beating an Israeli soldier to death? Are these people crazy?
The situation resembles the state of unrest in India over a half a century ago when Gandhi worked for peace through non-violent tactics.
A lesson in education gaps
by: Charity Adolf - printed on 10-18-2000
When you think of the American school system, what comes to mind? Is it negative? Does it make your body become tense and your stomach turn to knots? I know this is what happens to me at times, and I am going into the field of education! Thinking about the school system in the United States provokes thoughts concerning the lack of funding for our schools, the increasing needs of students, the growing class size, the decreasing diversity of classes and opportunities and, especially, the ever-widening gap between high socioeconomic schools and poor, underprivileged schools.
American media gives soccer a red card
by: Jefferson Azevedo - printed on 04-24-2002
"Game's on midfield. João Marcos picks up the ball, makes a long pass to Roberto Carlos on the left. Roberto Carlos runs to the corner line, two defenders try to follow him, he crosses the ball over to the penalty line, Ronaldo picks it up, dribbles one, dribbles two, clears the view, heads up, he shoots? GOAALLL!!! On the far right on the net, indefensible for the goalie, completely out of reach.