Opinion

Unfortunately, UC Irvine does not offer dental benefits as part of its student health insurance plan. In fact, it is one of only two University of California campuses whose mandatory student health insurance does not include or provide the option to add dental benefits.

Yes we can. These three words sent surges of fervor and optimism through the spines of millions of Americans last Tuesday night. Despite the excitement and celebration, anxiety lingered in the minds of many, especially the gay population in California.

It's not Sarah Palin's fault. No matter how much the media and the squishy moderates who propped up John McCain try to blame it on her, this loss falls squarely at the feet of the nominee and every other "compassionate conservative" complicit in muddying the definition of a Republican.

During the presidential campaigns, Iran's nuclear program was one of the most important issues raised. It is widely accepted that Iran's acquisition of a nuclear warhead would be doomsday, but the fear exhibited may be unwarranted. First off, Iran may not possess a nuclear weapons program, but even if it did, it would pose far less danger than it is claimed to be capable of.

Author Thomas Tusser said, "He who goeth a borrowing, goeth a sorrowing." Despite author Tusser's archaic 16th century lingo, he makes a very good point. Those who borrow often face difficulties in terms of paying off their debt, especially when the borrower happens to be in college.

Denizens of Orange County couldn't escape the barrage of yellow lawn signs that littered the landscape these past few weeks, demanding a yes vote on Proposition 8. Beneath the picture of a happy stick-figure family was the simple tagline, "Protect marriage." It's as if the "Yes on 8" camp wanted voters to envision themselves galloping to the rescue of Maiden Marriage, imprisoned in the castle of the godless sodomites—creatures of no morals, content in ravishing the modern family in between bouts of drug abuse and deviant sex.

Dmitry Medvedev; Ralph Nader; John Kerry.

UCI Registrar Office raises fee for verification request; Craigslist moves to curb ads for sex services; Sudanese government censors newspapers; NYC mayor Bloomberg proposes six-cent plastic bag tax.

Amidst the financial crisis, an imminent election and a dozen important state propositions, a proposition decriminalizing (but not legalizing) prostitution in the city of San Francisco is a rather small and contained issue.

Any activity can be an art, as long as it inspires. Lecturing is no different. Throughout one's experience as an undergrad at UC Irvine, one has the luxury of constantly being inspired by a lecture. Some lectures inspire learning and others a siesta. While inspiring mouthfuls of dripping drool can have its glory, the real heroes to any student are those professors who can make an abominable subject digestible.

Although much can be said about the problems in America's health care system, perhaps even more can be said about a huge road block in health care effectiveness the world over: pharmaceutical companies. Through a variety of minute techniques that the average person may not even think about, pharmaceutical companies are able to pluck the pockets of both the American poor and wealthy alike. Moreover, due to the citizens of some impoverished nations having no finances to sweep up, some pharmaceutical companies simply refuse to make their products available in some countries.

On our way back to our apartment after eating at Burger King, my roommate and I spotted the Irvine Republican headquarters. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to meet actual conservatives, we decided to pay a visit. As we pulled up to the headquarters, a nice old lady asked if we wanted to volunteer. We politely declined and smiled. She then asked where we were from, and we told her that we were students from UC Irvine. She paused and said, "You guys are Democrats then." Damn.