On the Monday before Belmont University's town hall debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, Vanderbilt had the opportunity to hear from several third party candidates who are also fighting for the presidency. The Coalition for Debate Alternatives invited all presidential contenders to the Alternative Presidential Candidates Debate, which was moderated by Professor Bruce Barry of the Owen School of Management.
In an election year where the word "change" is being thrown around like confetti at a party convention, it is legitimate to ask what differences exist between the 2004 and the 2008 Democratic Party platforms when it comes to content and emphasis. The vast majority of the issues (and proposed solutions) in the 2004 platform have migrated their way into the 2008 platform. Emphasis, however, on certain key areas has changed markedly.
In a year when it is fashionable to belittle the importance of community organizations, Vanderbilt Students of Nonviolence is determined to prove the contrary. We are organizing students to resist injustice by utilizing the tactics and philosophy of ahimsa, or nonviolence.
As Democrats look to the possibility of picking up several additional seats in the U.S. Senate this fall, one of the closest races will be doubly exciting for late-night comedy and liberal media fans everywhere. In Minnesota, incumbent Republican Norm Coleman will face off against challenger Al Franken, the former Saturday Night Live writer, best-selling political satirist, and host for nearly three years of the nationally-syndicated "Al Franken Show" (originally "The O'Franken Factor") on the Air America radio network, which he was instrumental in launching.
All of the polls indicate that the economy is the number one issue in the minds of Americans, and it's not hard to see why. In the last week alone, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 18 percent. Markets the world over plummeted nearly 20 percent and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that they may take another 20 percent plunge before stabilizing.
While they might not have the name recognition of the frontrunners, here's a quick overview of some of the many third party 2008 presidential candidates.
We in the United States pride ourselves on values of freedom and democracy. Even though we pay lip service to the idea of fair elections abroad and point to voting as a symbol of our freedom, the reality is that many fellow citizens' votes are not ever counted, and in many cases are intentionally blocked by parties that are allowed to dispute the legitimacy of votes for any number of reasons.
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike were a few of the large-scale disasters this year that displaced thousands of Americans. Following natural catastrophes like these, the problem that relief organizations continually face is coordinating a timely first responder system of volunteers.
Socially responsible investing is based on the idea of making money conscientiously. Unlike divestment, socially responsible investing involves both targeting and avoiding certain stocks or funds. Investors can help promote a social cause with the contribution of much-needed capitol.
You may have already noticed some of the changes while reading the October 2008 online edition. For instance, not all of this issue's articles are displayed on the home page of the website. Please be assured that these articles can still be located and read on the website.
