05/13/10 9:09pm
These last four years may have been the most carefree, fun years of our lives, but they’re not the best ones — at least I hope not.
04/23/09 5:00am
I've always been told you can't fix stupid. Philadelphia, though, is trying to ban it.
Last week, the City Council passed a bill that would allow police to ticket motorists, bicyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and scooter riders who are caught talking or texting on handheld cell phones.
04/16/09 5:00am
Spring Fling is overrated.
. Please don't hurt me.
Somebody had to say it, though, and I know I'm not the only person on campus who feels that way. (I'm not saying it's a widely held opinion, but there are 10,000 undergrads here. There's some law of probability that says someone else agrees with me.
04/02/09 5:00am
Lately, President Obama has been all over talk shows, Sunday morning news programs and the Internet trying to sell his bloated budget. But he hasn't sold me.
Among his numerous planned tax increases on the upper income brackets is a proposal to cut tax breaks on charitable donations from 35 percent to 28 percent, effectively increasing the cost of giving.
03/26/09 5:00am
I didn't shed any tears when they shut down Koko Bongo. And when Wizzards closed, Atlantis moved in, lunch buffet and all. But forcing Philly Diner to close at 2 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. on weeknights? That's more than I can take.
It isn't even because I'll no longer have a place to go at four in the morning for a milk shake and a sampler platter - the fact that Philly Diner is closing early in response to a February shooting as part of an effort to reduce crime is what really bothers me.
03/19/09 5:00am
The recent death of Leonore Annenberg was a blow to the Penn community. While the University is not lacking in sugar daddies, Leonore and her husband Walter were different from other major donors - they gave to further a highly specific mission with a sense of purpose.
03/05/09 5:00am
Remember The Odd Couple? If you're like me, then probably not. It was a 1965 Neil Simon play (later a movie, then a TV show) about a neurotic neat freak who moved in with a shameless slob. Hilarity ensued. Every year, many freshmen unwillingly enact their own little "Odd Couple" revival, only it's not so funny for them.
02/19/09 5:00am
With meningitis, and now measles, on everyone's mind, many students are wondering: "How could this have been prevented? How can I keep myself safe?"
If you don't believe me, just look at the 3,000-plus who went to Student Health to get prophylactic treatment last week.
02/12/09 5:00am
I'll get it out there: I'm a hypocrite. I'm against income taxes but pay them. I'm in favor of the death penalty but wouldn't want to get it myself. I'm a proponent of freedom of speech but occasionally censor my Facebook wall. And I'm pro-guns despite never firing or even holding one.
02/05/09 5:00am
Is a nose job medically necessary? Sometimes. What about a sex change?
That has been the question raised recently by transgender individuals and their supporters. They contend that the University's lack of health care coverage for sexual-reassignment surgery violates Penn's non-discrimination policy.
01/29/09 5:00am
You don't need me to tell you that DRL sucks. But I'm not writing to complain about its lack of elevators, its inadequate heating and cooling or its general ugliness.
My issue with DRL isn't about what it is - it's about what the building stands for: A barrier to conquering the acme of academia, being renowned as one of the top-five institutions in the world.
01/15/09 5:00am
Biologists work in biology. Physicists study physics. Meteorologists work in meteorology. Columnists . study columns?
One of these is definitely not like the others.
The first three study for years to become experts in their respective fields. There is a measured science behind their successes.
12/02/08 5:00am
ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 29 - Down just three points at the half, Penn had reason to be optimistic about the second frame of its Saturday night game at Albany.
That was until Great Danes guard Anthony Raffa introduced himself to the Quakers.
Nice to meet you, Zack Rosen.
12/02/08 5:00am
ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 29 -
When Penn's Zack Rosen and Jack Eggleston hoisted up a combined eight shots in the final five minutes of Saturday's 73-63 loss at Albany, it wasn't a case of them being selfish or padding their stats.
They looked around and saw nobody willing or able to step up.
11/26/08 5:00am
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The men's basketball team trailed Albany by just three points at the half but couldn't keep up its strong play, ultimately losing, 73-63.
For the second time in as many games, the Quakers were overmatched by their opponent's backcourt. The Great Danes' duo of Anthony Raffa and Tim Ambrose combined for 41 points on 15-for-25 shooting from the field.
11/21/08 5:00am
With tomorrow's home opener against Monmouth looming, Penn men's basketball coach Glen Miller is keeping it close to the vest. Will the starting lineup feature seniors Brennan Votel and Kevin Egee, who are coming off strong performances? No comment. What's the status of the injured Justin Reilly, Aron Cohen, Tommy McMahon, Andreas Schreiber, Mike Howlett and Darren Smith? No comment.
11/20/08 5:00am
Penn's game against Drexel may have been featured on ESPN this week, but the Ivy League hasn't been turning any heads thus far: Ancient Eight squads have gone just 4-12 to open the men's basketball season.
That said, they looked more than respectable against some quality opponents in their season openers.
11/19/08 5:00am
The Dragons weren't more talented, more athletic or more prepared than Penn in their 66-64 home win at the Daskalakis Athletic Center yesterday.
No, the difference came down to defensive intensity - Drexel had it, and Penn didn't.
"Just disappointed in our performance tonight," senior guard Kevin Egee said.
11/14/08 5:00am
In 2005-06, it was Eric Osmundson. In 2006-07, it was Ibrahim Jaaber. Last year, it was Brian Grandieri.
For the last three seasons, the Quakers have had a clear floor general and locker room presence, a leader both on and off the court.
But this year, with five seniors - Kevin Egee, Cam Lewis, Aron Cohen, Brennan Votel and Tommy McMahon - on the Red and Blue's roster, it is unclear who will step into the captain's shoes.
