Written by: Isaiah Smart Americans have recently been enveloped in fierce debate over a matter of life and death−forced life, that is. When, if ever, is pulling the plug on life support the right thing to do? In November, Marlise Muñoz, a Texan resident expecting a baby, was deemed brain dead after her husband Erick found her unconscious due to ...
Read More »Minimum wage: Extra money comes with a price
Written by: Jordan Hill In the words of Kristen Wiig in the movie Bridesmaids, “Help me. I’m poor!” According to the U.S. Department of Labor website, the last minimum wage increase occurred in 2009 after Congress passed the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. This act occurred in three steps. Minimum wage increased to $5.85 per hour on July 24, ...
Read More »Beyonce speaks on gender inequality
Writtten by: Tyra Mills Beyoncé shocked the world on midnight Friday, Dec. 13th, when she dropped her newest, self-titled visual album. If you are a member of the “Beyhive,” like myself, you probably immediately pulled out your credit card and bought this album on Itunes. As for those who are not so crazed when it comes to Queen Bey, you ...
Read More »Sam sex ban gets booted in Oaklahoma
Written by: Taylor Stone Injustice occurs when the federal government tries to take away a state’s constitutional right to determine legislation on certain issues, such as same-sex marriage. Recently, Federal Judge Terece C. Kern ruled that the ban against same-sex marriage in Oklahoma is unconstitutional. The 10th Amendment of our Constitution states that “the powers not delegated to the United ...
Read More »State of the Union address Obama talks opportunities
Written by: Stephen Cavallaro President Obama had a lot to say in his annual State of the Union address Tuesday night. Obama’s speech has received considerable criticism since its delivery. This outcome isn’t much of a surprise considering the speech was riddled with fabrications, and while many Americans may like the President’s course of action, several of his plans will ...
Read More »Smoking on Campus: Pro/Con
Written by: Jordan Hill College campuses across the country are banning smoking completely. While many believe this to be a lifesaver, is it really going to work as well as everyone thinks it will? At VSU, smoking is allowed on campus but not within the facilities, such as residence halls and offices, and not within 50 feet of the entrance ...
Read More »Smoking policy over the line
Next month, the Board of Regents will vote on a proposal that would completely outlaw tobacco products on any and all University System campus grounds, regardless of what it is, or where you are. This includes inside automobiles, regardless of if the USG owns them or not. Think about that for a second, the USG plans to dictate what you ...
Read More »Labels can be used positively negatively
Written by: Taylor Stone What comes to mind when you think of a college student? Your immediate thought is most likely one recalled from personal experience; we think of staying up all night studying for finals, full class loads every semester, and, most likely, a full-time job. See what I did there? I just labeled you as a hard-working student, ...
Read More »Social media distracts students
Written by: Tyra Mills If you were to walk into an auditorium filled with college students and ask them to reveal the one thing they had to have at all times, most of them would immediately respond with a simple answer: “my cellphone.” Today, we college students are more tech savvy than our parents and ancestors could have ever been. ...
Read More »Benjamin case opens eyes
A tragedy in VSU history has finally come to a resolution. Last week, Darien Meheux was sentenced to life in prison for murdering VSU freshman Jasmine Benjamin. The two graduated from the same high school in 2012 and began attending VSU in the fall. In November, Meheux strangled Benjamin in a study room in Georgia Hall. She was left there ...
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The Spectator The independent student newspaper of Valdosta State University