Opinion

If change is something that we desire, then change must occur in not just big ways, but small ones as well. The Putback Amendment implores us to do just that.

An old friend accidentally mows down an innocent human while driving drunk last week. At what point does the law actually try to deter this sad fate from arriving?

Cheryl considers Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Indfidel and the pragmatic implications of political flexibility.

The issue of non-violence is not a dead one, not by any means. In fact, Jesus Christ had a thing or two to say about it as well.

There are times when conservative theology gets so bad, it makes you wonder if these people need surgery to rid themselves of it. Your Humble Heretic explains.

Pastor Elaine Olson contemplates the tenuous role that compassion plays in our increasingly jaded culture.

Purdue loses, and Seth can’t sleep. Laptops in bed, losing weight, dirty clothes on the floor? Minor issues, right? They must be stopped.

Distrust of government is perfectly reasonable. Fear of government involvement in health care is not. Dan reviews the death of the public option and wonders why government and capitalism can’t just get along.

Evidently, freedom has its limits. After his last column, Your Humble Heretic was removed from his position as a choir accompanist. Here is the story, straight from the horse’s mouth.

Extolling the virtues of holiday decorations, and getting desperate for a Champaign culinary tradition, Seth gets nostalgic at the dawn of a decade.

Michael urges the movie going public not to take a movie with giant cat people in loin cloths too seriously.

Seems like there are more than a few folks out there that have taken umbrage with The Humble Heretic. Perhaps a few less meetings and a few more Bible passages might help those offended out.

Hey, we’re back from our holiday break and we have some ideas for things we’d like to see happen in the next ten years. What do you think?

So, another decade gone, and to what end? We identify some of the highlights and low points of the last ten years in Champaign-Urbana.

We’re two years old, and we’ve written quite a bit. Let us give you a quick history lesson on the alt-weekly in C-U, and allow us to recommend some of our best work.

The Carrington report was released yesterday, but while it answers many questions about the incident, it raises several more.

It’s not reasonable to expect the community to paper over our problems and move forward immediately following release of the ISP report.

Buying your holiday gifts from a resale store is not only economical, it’s also good for the planet.

Alexx breaks down the “Thanksgiving Tradition” from a teenager’s perspective.  Be warned, your grandmother probably wouldn’t approve.

The Graduate Employees’ Organization was able to come to an agreement with the University last week after a brief strike. Here’s where things stand in the aftermath.

The holidays are the most stressful time of the year for many people, so here are some tips to keep yourself sane.

Warren Buffett just bought a railroad. What in the world is going on here? And what does it have to do with C-U?

After visiting her doctor, Cheryl wonders what a girl’s gotta do to get some birth control in this town!

New columnist Jack Tatterson comes right out and lets Maine — that bitch-ass Facebook friend — have it for its pathetic showing at the polls Tuesday.

Stuart shares his thoughts on the proposed Olympian Drive extension, as well as the entire CUUATS Long Range Transportation Plan, now out for public comment.

Thanks to science, Dan can tell whether people are conservative or liberal just by looking at them.

Humility is a virtue, especially for those of us who find ourselves outside of metropolitan areas. William ruminates on how that colors our perceptions.

Rob harkens back to the hours after his mother came out of brain surgery, and puts things in a sort of perspective, as only he can.

When Amy Cohen learned that she had the “Breast Cancer Gene,” she did the most rational thing possible: she got fake ones instead. Rob McColley follows up with her on her brave choice.

Good news for Liberals:  Conservatives are now praying for their eternal souls via the Adopt-a-Liberal program.

As the discussion about possible troop escalation swirls, a recently-returned Army National Guard soldier shares her appreciation for our way of life.

Too White Crew rolls into town tomorrow night to bring old skool “hip hop” to the folks downstate. One problem: this type of event smacks of abject ignorance, otherwise known as racism. Edward Moses dishes on what’s what.

Pro and anti Chief Illiniwek forces are set to get all riled up again this weekend. Let's figure out who's right once and for all.

It is enough to have written, says P. Gregory, as he takes a six month hiatus from Smile Politely to venture into the further unknown.

Stuart ruminates on the prairie in which we live, and the tug-of-war for its purpose that was decided long ago.

Take a break from all that heavy Pygmalion reading to consider how educational inequity begins at home.

Dan discovers that his inner whiteness is in harmony with his outer whiteness.

Betsi has had enough of sillly love songs.

Gender testing in athletics isn’t about fairness, Anna writes. It’s about money.

Or, how Mr. West sets hip-hop back a few dials.

PG started small, following some twitterer during the Tony Awards. Now he’s addicted to Rick Sanchez, Rainn Wilson, and some guy named Justin.

Charity is nice and all. But don’t confuse it with Justice.

A supporter with first-hand experience of the Safe Haven homeless community responds to some misconceptions.

Dan still doesn’t understand his fellow Americans. And the polls on health care reform are not helping.

How would you sell Champaign-Urbana as a vacation destination? Rachael McMillan takes a crack at it and is reminded of why this area rules.

A few days ago I phoned a friend who just graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this past May. I wanted to wish her luck on her first day of teaching high school physics. …

P. Gregory provides four columns for the price of one, including health care spats, writer’s block, Antonioni, and Yoda.

There is finger pointing aplenty regarding the Safe Haven debate currently underway in the city of Champaign. Caleb asks that you not point, but rather, contact city manager Steve Carter.