Opinion

After reading John Callen’s May 7 letter to the editor, “Smoking on campus isn’t the only secondhand health problem,” arguing against a smoking ban on campus, I felt compelled to write a response to Callen’s argument.

In Ronald Dixon’s May 7 column, “STEM employment myth,” he tells us that science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors don’t necessarily pay and that there are 50 percent more engineers than there are jobs for them.

Key groups are supporting the proposed tobacco ban on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus, including the Minnesota Student Association and the University Senate. While reducing the public health risks and costs of tobacco is a merit-worthy undertaking, there are numerous questions that should be addressed before the adoption of such a policy.

Many have the incorrect assumption that people our age are too consumed by their social networks to be truly informed about the world around them. Critics lament that those who’ve grown up in the digital age are getting their news from Reddit and skimming Twitter headlines and — gasp — no longer reading newspapers or watching local news on television.

Last weekend marked the 142nd annual National Rifle Association Meetings and Exhibitions. It was held in Houston, Texas, and featured such esteemed guests as Glenn Beck, junior U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Gov. Sarah Palin.

The past couple years have seen the already heated gun control debate combust. The highly publicized mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., have inspired gun-control advocates to author and attempt to pass the most comprehensive gun-control measures in two decades, an attempt that was defeated by a minority in the U.S. Senate.

Since it’s the last issue of the semester, I wanted to go out with a bang — or at least encourage you to. Luckily, the first-ever International Clitoris Awareness Week, going on now, gives us all the perfect reason.

Let me open by saying I made a point to save this letter until after Spring Jam. As someone who owns all of Mat Kearney’s CDs, I was not one of the hundreds of angry posts on the Student Unions and Activities’ Facebook page in an uproar over the decision. SUA was put in a difficult situation and made the best of it with the resources it had. However, what did put me in an uproar was its lack of good public relations in dealing with the masses. Here’s what it should have done leading up to Spring Jam.

One of the best parts about college is supporting our Gophers sport teams. I have had season tickets to Gophers football and hockey for the past three years.

What better way to show school spirit than wearing your favorite Gophers jersey and cheering them on? Unfortunately, politicians in St. Paul are not as supportive of this as we are. The proposed budget in the Legislature includes a 13 percent tax increase on licensed, sports-related products in Minnesota.

The Republican Party is known for its war against science; whether the war involves its ignorance on global warming, evolution or same-sex rights. Some conservatives have a difficult time attempting to justify their laughable misconceptions of reality.

Recent news shows that they continue to impress.

Last Monday, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra ended a 191-day lockout when musicians agreed to the latest terms set forth by management. The Star Tribune reported April 30 that the details of the new contract agreed upon include a nearly 19 percent pay decrease for musicians and the cutting of six full-time positions in the ensemble from 34 to 28.

The lockout resulted in the cancellation of about 80 concerts, and the relationship between musicians and management remains understandably strained.