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?
When life on the streets meets the yellowbrick road
by: Erin Goodling - printed on 02-27-2002
What began as a mild interest in the homeless issues of Portland (thanks to my morning bike commute past Dignity Village, Portland's tent city), soon became a logistical understanding of homeless youth services in Portland (thanks to a term paper for Br. Stabrowski's Urban Politics class at the University of Portland). Shortly thereafter, I found out that my friend, Scott, works at Yellow Brick Road, the street outreach component of Willamette Bridge Youth Services.
A Bush fan Speaks out
by: Interview with Joe Mellon - printed on 09-11-2002
I pretty much see two different arguments for why we shouldn't invade Iraq. The first is the emotional plea, and that's complete garbage. It lacks common sense and represents an extreme inability to deal with reality.
Corser advocates a true and lasting patriotism
by: Ben Corser - printed on 09-11-2002
A tattered and torn flag raised bravely above the discord as it triumphantly reached its peak between pieces of concrete and steel on the New York City streets. As a symbol of grievance and vitality, the banner waved proudly amid death and destruction.
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.
When dealt death and tragedy: How do we play our hand?
by: Ryan O'Connor - printed on 10-24-2001
My brother has been in El Salvador since last June. A friend of his from Santa Clara University, where he is a junior, was one of the victims of the attacks on September 11. She died, valiantly so it seems, aboard the flight that went down in rural Pennsylvania.
She had volunteered with my brother once a week, for an entire year at a San Jose-area school, tutoring children. She was the girlfriend of his co-editor on the Santa Clara student newspaper.
China’s Environment versus Economy
by: Jefferson Azevedo - printed on 10-10-2001
It is impossible to talk about China without taking into account the environmental problem. With a population of about 1.2 billion people – one out of every five human beings in the world – China alone has the potential to raise the greenhouse effect to levels far beyond scientists’ worst nightmares. And this is considering that its population, four times as big as that of the United States, uses only half as much energy and resources as America does.