Texting while driving: a deadly distraction

Published March 05, 2010

It is something parents have been telling their children for a few years now—since the age of 16—that there is only one thing people should focus on while they are behind the wheel. That one thing is driving. They should not be distracted by the other people in their car. They should not be distracted by the radio. They should not be distracted by their cell phones.

Their cell phones. When the majority of today’s college-aged people got their licenses, text messaging wasn’t quite the craze it is today so when parents would tell their kids to not let their cell phones distract them in the car, they simply meant don’t talk on them while driving.

Read more...

Cartoon

Editorial cartoon

Jon Lyksett (Courtesy of Central St. Croix News)

March Madness leaves door open for many possible outcomes, upsets

Published March 05, 2010

It is finally March, and for the college basketball fans this can only mean one thing: March Madness. Many of us, (myself included) will take the time to fill out a bracket of the 65 teams that will make the NCAA tournament, playing for a chance at the national title. For those who are new to the “system,” there are 65 teams who are seeded one through sixteen in each of the four regions. To fill out your bracket, you simply choose who you think will move on.

Columnist parodies Lent by giving up textbooks

Published March 05, 2010

Two years ago I was but the clutching seed of the tall, proud sprout I’ve become. Today I look back on my errant past, seeing both encouraging growth and the wayward blunders of youth. Danish savant Soren Kierkegaard (that grizzled thinker with feathered, existential hairbobs and a postmodern chin) once said “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” My understanding of the drifts and tides in my life’s river is sharpened whenever I pull out my old creative productions for post-game analysis. Glenn Beck often assists with his chalk board, he’s such a nice guy.

Packer fans should be very optimistic for 2010 season

Published March 05, 2010

NFL football in 2009 is all said and done with. Packer fans have long put behind them that painful loss to the Cardinals, and Viking fans are finally shutting their mouths about a “Favre Super Bowl!” In case you didn’t know, Viking fans, Favre didn’t come through, and now you get to look forward to a “will he/ won’t he” for the next few months. Personally, I hope he does come back, because it was a lot more fun to despise Minnesota fans this year than in years past.

Professors should not place great emphasis on technology

Published March 05, 2010

Since the first professor brought a VHS into the classroom, technology has created both passageways and barriers. As one of my parting gifts (this being my last semester), I give you a list of how technology has harmed me while in college.

Columnist relates 1980’s ‘miracle’ to current team USA

Published February 24, 2010

This past week of Olympic competition has been nothing short of exciting.

Weekend with friends yields awkward situations, stories

Published February 24, 2010

What happens when a small town man travels with some friends to their big city life?  Lucky for you, I have a couple answers to that question my friend. This past week, I had the pleasure of travelling Milwaukee to see my roommates’ home turf. 

Holidays such as Mardi Gras celebrate life, people

Published February 24, 2010

Somewhere deep in the human nature struggling against the urge to be unique is a dark urge to be unknown.

Winter Olympics provide chance to take pride in nation, athletes

Published February 18, 2010

The 21st Winter Olympics has begun in Vancouver, Canada. Although the Olympics started off tragically with the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Olympics will continue to bring about excitement, history and honor.

‘Fake News’ yields more influence than actual news

Published February 18, 2010

We don’t read newspapers, we don’t watch the news, and the radio isn’t our fount of current events. So where does our generation get its news?

Modern television programs offer little substance, content

Published February 18, 2010

I come back to my room after an intense 4-5 hours of lecture, and all I want to do is take an hour and watch something good on television.  It’s too bad my best choices are ‘The People’s Court’ and a movie that has run 5 times this month already on channel 10. 

Letters to the editor

Student upset over graphic theatre production on campus

Published March 05, 2010

I saw the university’s most recent theatre production on opening night, Our Country’s Good. I was shocked and repulsed by its immoral and sexually explicit nature. It should be called “Our Country’s Bad.” As a matter of fact, it should be called “Our Country’s Pornographic.”

Western Wisconsin makes generous donations benefiting Haiti victims

Published February 24, 2010

On Jan. 12, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Uponfirst hearing of the news, almost no one could imagine the devastation that had occurred or predicted the deaths of more than 200,000 people.

Student shares concern over professor accountability

Published February 18, 2010

We’ve all had that professor. Whether s/he is, said respectfully, blatantly arrogant, intolerably inadequate for educational instruction, or profoundly apathetic towards his/her personal career choice, we the students make our way to class day after day. How do we get out of this situation? Rearrange our schedules to get in with a different professor? I think that it’s safe to say that for many of us, that’s simply not plausible.

UW-River Falls Alumni runs for Pierce County Judge seat

Published February 11, 2010

I support Joe Boles for Pierce County Judge. Of the three candidates running in the primary election, taking place Tuesday February 16, Boles will be the best to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.

Students should consider voting in this week’s primary election

Published February 11, 2010

On Tuesday February 16 there will be Primary Elections for local elected offi ces across Wisconsin. In River Falls there will be a Primary Election for Pierce County Judge and for City Council District 4.

Weather

45°F

Conditions: light rain.

Skies are overcast.

Humidity is 93%.

Wind is E at 10 mph.

(Current weather data reported at New Richmond Regional Airport.)

Recent comments

Online Editor on Columnist parodies Lent by giving up textbooks: Joe, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article! Perfect mix of intelligent sarcasm…

Jon on ‘Queen’ Yu-na hightlights Olympics with medal-winning performance: It is so fitting, (1)her idol is considered the epitome of consistancy,…

Bob on ‘Queen’ Yu-na hightlights Olympics with medal-winning performance: Kim Yu-na will has really lived up to her nickname, "Queen Yuna"!

jane on ‘Queen’ Yu-na hightlights Olympics with medal-winning performance: So proud of Kim Yu-na. I always thought Michelle Kwan was the…

Download PDF

Download this week's Student Voice (PDF, 5.3 MB). Archive »