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?
Winging it Costa Rica style: studying snakes in the tropics
by: Eron Osterhaus - printed on 02-20-2002
It's not that it's overly hot-it's not. It's the humidity. A shower is required after taking the effort to walk down the hall to take a shower in the first place. If it weren't for this rickety fan over-head, this room would be unbearable. Well, I guess the liter of Ron Bacardi Superior "Gold" that is currently accompanying me aids in that end as well. Often times there is not much else to do but "talk" to the bottle-considering I don't speak Spanish and my dorm mates don't seem too interested in carrying on conversations in English.
September 11th: A lost opportunity for awakening
by: Nathan Weiss - printed on 09-11-2002
Throughout the history of the human race, destruction, death and suffering have been inextricably bound to creation, rebirth and cleansing. We can find endless examples of this, from the mythological Phoenix rising from the ashes to the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth in Hinduism and ChristianityÂ’s promise of eternal life.
It's time to stop short sighted policies
by: Ryan O'Connor - printed on 04-11-2001
The environment has no checkbook. Polar bears cannot vote. The ozone is unable to write an incensed letter to the editor.
Given this it is remarkable that two of the three major presidential canidates in last fall’s election were considered friends of the environment. A stark change from any previous election—last year’s campaign featured discussion of the Kyoto Treaty on Global Warming, tax credits for polluters, the fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the horrible symptoms of our nations addiction to fossil fuels.
UP's Own African Giant
by: Teresa Abbene - printed on 01-31-2001
At first glance, he is an intimidating tower, hovering over you at an impressive 6 feet 8 inches. This looming impression is swiftly shattered by a disarming and warmhearted smile. His name is Ghislain-Giles Sema or “Sema” for short. Sema’s mild manner contradicts his imposing exterior, though he is no softy. He is presently a forward on the UP men’s basketball team and when asked a question, he is nothing but forthright and direct in his answers.
Beer, wine, cigarettes and other dispatches from Spain
by: David Miller - printed on 02-28-2001
My flight from Portland to Madrid, Spain had a layover in Newark, New Jersey. As I had four hours to spend in Newark, I bought a premade, mushy Philly-steak-and-cheese sandwich and sat down to collect my thoughts. I was on my way to Spain to spend the next four months studying there, in Spanish, all in Spanish. It wasn’t like I hadn’t ever traveled before, I had. I wasn’t worried about that. It was the 15 credits of college courses .
The “Good Life”
by: Heather Burns - printed on 01-31-2001
“Where are you from?” People often ask me.
“I’m from here, Oregon.” I answer. It’s part of the truth.
It’s too difficult, most of the time, to explain that part of me is from Africa. I’m white and don’t have any sort of “strange” accent so I can usually pass for a typical US American (if such a thing exists). But, the truth is that I spent six years of my life before the age of 18 in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa.
