America on the edge
As the fervor of elections slowly draws to a close, early signs indicate an imminent storm of controversy — the so-called “fiscal cliff” — coming our way.
CORRECTIONS
An article published November 9 about the three month anniversary of Hubway at MIT incorrectly reported that students and other members of the MIT community were eligible for subsidized memberships. Eligibility extends only to current MIT students and employees.
A left turn off the fiscal cliff
I can think of no easier path to a Republican resurgence than the debt solution plan put forward by that darling of the progressive left, Robert Reich. In an article for the Huffington Post, Mr. Reich outlined the following:
Who’s in charge?
On Nov. 8, two days following the re-election of President Obama, General David Petraeus, director of the CIA, resigned his post over an extramarital affair. The affair would be notable on its own — a CIA director having a covert affair that may have led to a security breach is certainly newsworthy — but when viewed in the context of the ongoing investigation of the 9/11 Benghazi terror attacks it is just another example of the degree to which the administration has lost control.
CORRECTIONS
Last Friday’s Tech incorrectly misspelled the name of the meteorologist who wrote the weather. He is Roman Kowch, not Rowan Koch.
The Republican path forward
I’m usually skeptical of claims made by party faithfuls who, in the aftermath of losing an election, claim that no ideological adjustments are necessary to win the next election. When Kerry was defeated by Bush, I rolled my eyes as the surviving liberal rump of the Democratic Party blamed their loss on a lack of partisan purity. Similarly, I rolled my eyes when 2009 Republicans said the path forward was a return to conservative principles. To me, in both instances, the remedy for electoral losses was a simple application of median voter politics: moving toward the middle yields more victories than retreating to extremes. A bitter medicine for those who belong to those extremes, perhaps, but Hippocrates would recommend no other.
America deserves better than good enough
If you surf the web, watch television, or are of the rare breed that reads newspapers, you are painfully aware that we recently held a presidential election. And if you have heard any chatter on the candidates and their campaigns, I’m sure you can agree that 2012 was very different from 2008.
CORRECTIONS
Tuesday’s Tech ran a photo on p. 8 of the MIT Gangnam Style video’s three creators. The caption incorrectly stated that Ingwon Chae ’14, Richard C. Yoon ’13, and Eddie Ha ’13 were standing right to left. They were actually standing left to right.
Who will win tonight’s election?
A wise man once said, “It’s difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.” But judging by the enormous volume of guesses made in the national print, merely making a prediction seems to take no effort at all. Bewilderingly, this election cycle has predictions that run the gamut from an imminent Romney victory, to a completely tied race, to a foregone conclusion for Obama, all made with straight faces by normally reasonable people.
Giving the president his night in New York
With just a few days remaining before the election, and with the presidential candidates locked in a dead heat, polls suggest that the outcome will depend on the last-minute decisions of a handful of voters who are still undecided, especially in critical swing states. Sampling in various polls also indicates that among likely voters, the economy will be the overriding issue.
CORRECTIONS
Tuesday’s Tech ran a crossword that did not match up with the clues given. The correct crossword has been provided for the original clues, which have been reprinted on page 10 of this issue.
Deaf accessibility at MIT
Last month, I attended MIT’s presidential inauguration hoping to join the celebration and learn more about President Reif. But most of the time, I found myself left out and merely spectating. I was bombarded by incomprehensible information and I was not able to celebrate as much as I wanted. I am one of MIT’s very few functionally deaf students. Ironically, in an inaugural celebration that touted the Institute’s “diversity,” the facilities for deaf accessibility were mostly hit-and-miss.
CORRECTIONS
An article published October 26, 2012 reviewing Junot Díaz’s latest book “This is How You Lose Her,” incorrectly referred to Díaz as a Professor of Literature. He is a Professor of Writing in the Writing and Humanistic Studies program.
Mens et Manus … et Voluntas
Students coming to MIT are in for a mind-boggling exposure to volunteerism and hands on learning. Alumni have an obligation to volunteer, and thankfully, at MIT, many do so with zeal. However, volunteerism hardly stops there. It permeates every academic department, laboratory, research center, studio, and administrative program at the Institute. Furthermore, it fosters student idealism.