Editorial
Welcome home, finally, veterans of Iraq war
The dawning of a new year is typically a time when events of the past could be at long last let go, if not completely forgotten.
As we fade into 2012, we cannot offer our hopes and wishes for a new year without reflecting, both somberly and thankfully, on the end of the eight disconsolate years that defined our generation.
Finally, the war in Iraq has come to an end.
Opinion
Yeah, I’m that guy at the gym
Editor
Every year millions of Americans say they’re going to lose weight as their New Year’s Resolution. They go to the gym for the first two weeks of the year and then disappear like LeBron James in the fourth quarter.
Well, I’m not one of them. My reasons for physical fitness have nothing to do with keeping a promise to myself. No, dear readers, my motivation is strictly personal.
Dear society: stop bringing me down during the holidays
Staff Writer
As I regained consciousness late into New Year’s Day, I felt exceptionally happy despite having a raging headache mixed with a bad case of cottonmouth. The source of my well-being became clear when I stared at my calendar and happily proclaimed the holiday season over.
Every year seems to get progressively worse. Perhaps it’s just me getting older, but maybe it’s the world around me sucking more and more joy out of the holidays.
Voice Box
Features Editor
After eight years of warfare in Iraq, The United States military has finally begun withdrawing troops the Middle Eastern country.
Many have debated America’s presence in the country from the beginning of the occupation, and now only a few questions remain: Should they be coming back? Is the fight really over? And was it worth it?
It’s a good thing, them coming back. I mean, it’s not really over. With the whole oil thing, they’re probably gonna end up going back.Fay Wells, 22, Ann Arbor, Nursing
I’m glad they’re coming back safely. There’s probably conflict with the families of the troops. All of them want them (the troops) back. There’s a lot of controversy.Tre McAlister, 19, Detroit, Business
The withdrawal is a good thing. But we should probably leave some troops over there to train the others. They’re still having trouble like in Vietnam, it is a different animal, but they pulled out fine then. Maybe they’ll be alright. Tom Brown, 65, Ypsilanti, Retired
The conflict was over a while ago. I was an E-4 in the 82nd Airborne and we were dealing with a civil war. I saw a huge game of profiteering. We’re leaving because there is only so long that this sort of thing can be dragged out. You should look up KBR. They were the company that profited the most, owned by Haliburton. Gabriel Couch, 23, Ann Arbor, Computer Networking
I think it’s great. Anything that brings the troops back is good. Nobody needs to be over there in the first place. I personally think it’s all about the oil. Hopefully, they won’t have to go back. Chris Daniel, 26, Ypsilanti, Motor Cycle Technology
They should withdraw. It’s time to come home. They claim to have everything under control, let the people over there deal with it. Some of the guys have been over there for 2-3 years. They’ve been away from their families for too long. Sam Holsten, 42, Ypsilanti, Computer Networking
I feel like it’s good. They’re coming home to their families. Nobody wants to go to war. It seems like it should be over, but with oil, you never know. Deyanco Hardwick, 19, Detroit, Communications
I honestly don’t know why we’re there in the first place. They keep changing the reason. First we were going after one guy, to fight terrorism, then we were stopping some dictator, and now they’re claiming to be bringing democracy. There’s no consistency. I don’t think there is a real reason. Monica Wilson, 20, South Haven, Nursing
Reviews
‘The Adventures of Tintin’ deserves your time
Staff Writer
Making a movie based on a 1930s comic book series from Europe without throwing in a few Nazis is no small task. But if anybody could do it and stick to the original story, it’s Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson.
The Adventures of Tintin, directed by Spielberg and produced by Jackson, quietly hit theaters this Christmas when it was released the same day as “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” a movie that can easily overshadow anything with its name alone.
Emotionally charged ‘War Horse’ gallops into hearts
Features Editor
The tragedy of war has reared itself for centuries. The human race has always dealt with the sadness created by going to battle, rising from the ashes stronger in spirit and determination. Charging through the trials of warfare, people always manage to leap over obstacles in the way of freedom and love.
Steven Spielberg used beautiful cinematography and gracefully heavy emotions to encapsulate the wartime trials of man and the joy that follows war’s end in the metaphorically moving, “War Horse,” released on Christmas Day.
‘The Dreamer/The Believer’ dares to do less
Managing Editor
No one ever expected a rapper like Common to stay spiritual and smart for too long. However, that was the precedence that the Chicago emcee set up early on in his career. With so much riding on the burgeoning, socially responsible hip-hop scene, Common had the pressure weighing down on him to never give in to the temptations of anesthetized-minded rap music.
Sadly, the last time we heard that Common was on his 2007 release “Finding Forever,” which epitomized Common’s hip-hop self-actualization. Two albums later, coming off the heels of the mainstream failure, “Universal Mind Control,” Common is trying to rebuild his credibility as hip-hop’s Marcus Garvey with his newest release, “The Dreamer/The Believer.”
‘Friends with Benefits’ goes to the next level
Editor
We’ve all seen the romantic comedy where two people who have struggled keeping relationships swear off dating. Then they meet and decide to have a relationship based solely on sex without any relationship drama.
Thankfully “Friends with Benefits” breaks away from the dumbed-down storytelling that ignores the primal nature of such relationships.
Director Guy Ritchie hones his original adaptation
Staff Writer
The follow-up to the 2009 Sherlock Holmes is fast-paced, well-directed and purely entertaining. The direction, cast, and length make it well worth a trip (or two) to the theater.
