Renewing Downtown

Throughout the past several months, more and more news has surfaced about the Town of Normal's downtown renewal plan. For the most part, students are aware that the Town is embarking on some type of multi-year plan to invigorate the downtown area, but how will this plan impact Illinois State University? The Downtown Student Advisory Committee of the Student Government Association believes the plan will significantly benefit all university constituents as well as the entire community at large. We support the Town of Normal and its efforts to enrich the downtown culture through the addition of new stores and retailers and through the general enhancement of the downtown environment. The plan's vision is to create a downtown that serves the needs of all people living in the Town of Normal, and the Downtown Student Advisory Committee is convinced that it will. Since the inception of our committee, the Town Council and staff have agreed to work extensively with the student body to ensure that the plan will ultimately serve their needs. I've continued to urge all students to become actively involved with the downtown plan, as our work today will leave a lasting mark on all future student generations. [Full Article]

Renew Your Skepticism

As "Downtown Yes" and "Hotel No" signs fill up the lawns and the storefronts in Normal, voters will have an opportunity to make their views known about the renewal plans for downtown Normal in the April 1 election on Tuesday.

The initial skepticism about downtown renewal centered on plans for a "Roundabout" in the middle of the downtown, and a boulevard surrounding Constitution Trail. Citizens voiced concern at planning meetings about how cars roaring past would ruin the serenity of the trail, and feared that a roundabout would cause accidents and congestion downtown.

Although these concerns have been largely forgotten, they do pose some problems. Normal officials argue that plenty of other American cities have used roundabouts with good results when it's properly designed. However, it's doubtful that any of them decided to put a bus depot right next to the roundabout. Normal drivers may eventually figure out how the roundabout works, but it won't occur without problems. [Full Article]

Is There Such Thing as a "Just War"?

This question is one that is not answered easily. Even though I feel that war is one of the most horrendous and inhumane acts that we engage in, it still seems to be a difficult question to answer. I do not believe that I have a monopoly of truth, nor should anyone else in this world.

Knowing this, I pose to you as a reader to consider the points that I cover concerning a "just war"; whether you agree, disagree, or plausibly believe there is more to the question than I explore.

This question needs to be understood if we are to survive as a species, especially knowing war's destructive consequences. If we want to understand the present and what the possible consequences of our actions are, we must understand the past, the actions that countries make, and their consequences. This is a question that we should explore as a community if we are interested in making this world a better place. If you feel inclined to respond to this article, I would be more than happy to hear your thoughts. [Full Article]

Sexism in Advertising

Ever wondered how you might become more "alluring," "confident," or "enticing?" Do you ever wish people viewed you in a more "seductive," "captivating," or "magnetic" light? Wouldn't your life be easier if you were more "loveable," "desirable," or "in command?" Apparently Bloomington-Normal's newspaper, the Pantagraph, has the answer to all your problems. In one of the newspaper's new advertisements (appearing in the last few months), run by the Trim Spa Company, the paper outlines exactly what every individual must do to be accepted and loved. Trim Spa has a new fat fighting pill that is destined to help all the imperfect people out there finally achieve outer beauty. After all, who would want to be with someone that is ten or twenty pounds over weight anyways? Thankfully, we are lucky enough to have a paper like the Pantagraph that understands this basic truth, and is honest enough to set the record straight. [Full Article]