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?
VITW Stands Against Iraqi Sanctions
by: Tom Frieberg - printed on 11-03-2000
On Monday, November 11 the University of Portland Offices of Volunteer Services and Campus Ministry will host peace activists from the group Voices in the Wilderness. The group’s mission is to end United Nations economic sanctions currently imposed on Iraq (which have been in place for a decade, since the Gulf War). This is a valuable opportunity for the campus community to study and reflect on a critical issue involving ethics, US foreign policy, nonviolence, military dictatorhips and human rights, the merits of various ways to influence public policy, and more.
Children of Abraham Need to Return to Common Faith
by: Fr. Gary Ruzicka - printed on 11-03-2000
The situation in the Holy Lands is sad because all of the people involved consider themselves the Children of Abraham. Each considers Abraham their “Father in Faith.” As tragic as it may be, religion is the source of the conflict. For Israel, the sign of being chosen as the Children of Abraham is the sign of the Land. Therefore they cannot relinquish it. The solution to the whole problem might be to return to that common heritage as “Children of Abraham” and concentrate on what they have in common.
Golden Rice Biotechnology: A controversial approach to improving nutrition in the developing world
by: Annie Senner - printed on 02-06-2002
The Golden Rice project recently celebrated its one-year anniversary at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines. Scientists, who received the seeds in January 2001, continue to spend countless hours in the lab working to advance the project through the required testing for widespread production. At the same time, critics are working equally as hard to discourage the public acceptance of this technology.
A journey through Paris
by: Jefferson Azevedo - printed on 09-12-2001
Paris is romantic by definition, gallant by tradition, sophisticated by choice. I spent last year living, studying, and working in Paris; each day, upon exiting a metro station or turning a street corner, I came across a glamorous café or a staggering monument erected to celebrate French power. It sometimes felt like time had stopped in the bohemian life of the 20’s, as if I had been caught in a live oil canvas by Picasso or Van Gogh.
Snap-shot goes unnoticed
by: Megan Molenda - printed on 11-28-2001
While talking with an aspiring middle-aged photographer, I learned the secret to becoming successful within that field -- if one is indeed aspiring towards the kind of success in which he or she would receive genuine recognition from others.
If you are among the many who simply see something beautiful and capture it on film, then you may be complimented with a brief expresion of admiration from others, but chances are that the feeling will quickly pass and the work will soon be forgotten.
Holiday Feasts have been proven to cause cancer in rodents
by: Kelly Maggi - printed on 11-28-2001
As a college student whose daily diet consists of Taco Bell, frozen food entrees, grilled delights from the student union, and candy, I sometimes worry that I may develop a brain tumor or colon cancer from eating all of those preservatives, artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors, pesticide residues, and other synthetic substances that my diet has in abundance. When the holidays roll around, though, I breathe a sigh of relief at the prospect of eating healthy meals for a while.