Opinion

Compiled by the Editorial Board.

A recent study of Duke’s admission data revealed that out of the 29,550 applicants this year, 3,416 are from California, which is by a large margin the highest number of any state. Additionally, the number of applications from California to Duke increased by 93 percent between 2008 and 2011, while total applications to Duke increased by 45 percent. Logic tells us that as more Californians apply to Duke, more will matriculate as well. In 2001, 74 California students enrolled at Duke, whereas last year, 149 or double, enrolled.

For 42 years, the people of Libya have lived as prisoners in their own home. For 42 years, Libya’s people have been suppressed, its resources and wealth squandered and its citizens threatened and killed all at the command of Muammar Gadhafi, who took power in a 1969 military coup. For 42 years, the country has been brimming with fear and repression. But this February, the people of Libya, in the same spirit that has been sweeping the region recently, stood up to their oppressor and demanded liberty and human rights in what is known as the February 17 Revolution.

I should preface this by saying that I’m not really an animal person. They smell funky, they get gross stuff in their fur, their noses are wet and they depend on you for everything. Owning a pet is like having a small, furry child, and I’m just not ready for that yet. Still, everyone knows if they are a “cat person” or a “dog person” — everyone.

The question of whether dogs or cats make better pets is a rather subjective one. Some people want certain things out of a pet, and other people want other things; there really isn’t a blanket answer that applies to everyone. But there are a number of things to explore here, and fortunately, I don’t have a dog, so I have time to explore the topic thoroughly because I don’t have to get up and walk my dog every two hours.

Wisconsin: famous all over the world for its beautiful scenery, delicious cheeses and heated political debates. That last one is a little more recent, and if you haven’t watched the news or seen the headlines or even talked to another human being, let me fill you in, dear reader.

As if owning a Facebook or Twitter account hasn’t already become enough of a norm in these technology-centered times, the idea that Facebook is capable of bringing about historical revolutions causes one to rethink the significant impact that social media has on our everyday lives. As we have learned from recent events, social networking websites aren’t just for planning the next weekend kickback with your friends anymore.

Once again, the President’s citizenship and religion are up for debate. This so-called issue has really worn out its welcome, yet it persists, a tumor that continues to eat away at the President’s legitimacy in the eyes of his detractors. One thing I don’t think anyone would call it is an example of people having a right to their own opinion. However, this is precisely what John Boehner claimed in his latest appearance on “Meet the Press.”

Letter to the Editor from Student Regent Jesse Cheng.

In October of 2010 Laya, a UC Irvine alumna, reported an attempted rape committed by UC Student Regent Jesse Cheng to the Irvine Police Department. Cheng was arrested but, despite written and verbal confessions on police record, was released with no charges pressed. Denied validation by the legal system, Laya came to the UCI Office of Student Conduct with her case in November. It is now February, and Cheng has yet to be called to any trial. The only avenue Laya has left to seek justice is through the students’ power to hold their representative accountable.

E-reader or book? That’s the question that’s becoming ever more pertinent as the e-reader market develops. And now, with the announced bankruptcy of the Borders bookstore chain, it seems that we are coming closer to an answer.

Being a college student definitely takes a toll on one’s sleep, and lack of sleep can cause more harm than just an unappealing physical appearance. A study published in Sleep Journal, a peer-reviewed scientific and medical journal, found that inadequate sleep could actually lead to premature death. A good night’s rest is extremely important, yet so many college students do not get sufficient sleep because they are too busy studying or socializing with friends. It is imperative that students realize the importance of sleep, and how their physical and mental health can be affected.