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?
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 .
A pace protester reflects
by: Casey Terry - printed on 09-11-2002
Had it been any other day, the ungodly hour at which I was awoken would have caused quite a riff between mother and me. Instead, it left us huddled close together, staring at the TV screen in shock and horror. Like most Americans, I cried for the devastating loss of life.
Uniting Eco-efforts
by: Kristina Koenig - printed on 02-20-2002
No college campus is perfect from the idealistic perspective of an environmentalist. Everyday, cans and paper are thrown away instead of recycled; paper products are used in excess; people rarely use double-sided printing; annual food waste from campus food services may be enough to feed some small 3rd world countries; faucets and showerheads leak and sidewalks are watered in a way that makes water seem like a endless resource; faulty heating systems create unnecessary wintertime saunas; lights and computers are left on 24 hrs/day; harsh cleaning chemicals and fertilizers are used and fed to our rivers; heavy machinery is used for building and landscaping; students drive across the street to school; non-native species are planted for aesthetic purposes ? the list could go on forever.
Have a Self-Centered Christmas!
by: Bill Dailey, C.S.C. - printed on 11-28-2001
From time to time, crotchety cultural cranks (such as the author of this piece) lament our culture’s self-centered values, our unwillingness, in politics or personal aspirations, to consider the common good. Indeed, recent articles in the pages of this venerable publication have lamented our collective apathy and self-absorption here at UP. Where are the leaders who will challenge us to ask not what can be done for us, but what we can do for others? Not me.
Coal plant threatens lives in Thailand
by: Meghan Molenda - printed on 04-10-2002
Progression and invention are two of those highly valued American ideas that permeate our culture, right up there with wealth and power. We are always looking for better ways of doing whatever it is that we are doing, and therefore we are suckers for anything new because "new and improved" signals progression, which is valued. With this in mind, it would seem that our old methods of doing things would become outdated and not even put into question, much less practice.
Corrupt Politicians Ruining Indians’ Freedom
by: Kunal Nayyar - printed on 11-15-2000
My native country is India. I take great pride in being an Indian. The British ruled India for more than 200 years and it was not until 50 years ago that we got our independence. Mahatma Gandhi, Mahatma means great spirit, was one man who was supported by the poor and lower class people of India. With their support he drove out the British and brought India freedom. He alone, without any violence, without lifting a finger made the British leave.