The Versatile Directing of Versailles

By: Emmett Lynch Is it possible from a small Vietnamese point-of-view film to relate to Americans on all levels of morality? If you’re wondering the answer to this question, it results with a heartwarming smile and two thumbs up. A Village Called Versailles indulges into the tragedies and aftermath of hurricane katrina, but from a much more overlooked standpoint. There are many different ways that this type of documentary can be made, and I feel that S. Leo Chang created a great body of work. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina left hundreds and thousands of Americans left with nothing. For many, this is the first time some families have experienced a such tragedy where you lost everything and had to move on. That is not the case for the citizens of Versailles.

Finkenauer, Blum Debate in Cedar Falls

By: Emmett Lynch

Lead: Democrat Abby Finkenauer and Republican Rod Blum face off in debate on health care, trade agreements, immigration, and major bill laws.

On October 5th, U.S Republican Rod Blum and his Democratic challenger, state Democrat Abby Finkenauer went face to face in Cedar Falls at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Around 7pm the theatre filled with liberals and conservatives all ready to watch this these two candidates for the Iowa 1st District House Seat. This is the first debate of two to be held this October of 2018.

Contract Killers in NCAA

By: Emmett Lynch

Over the past decade, collegiate athletics has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon. As generations pass, the pursuit to the professional league is ruthless and may even be inequitable. The college sports system is orchestrated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The NCAA defines themselves as a ‘non-profit organization’, their job is to regulate athletes of 1,281 institutions, conferences, and most importantly, individuals. This system sets rules and boundaries of everything them, as a company can gain, and everything the players cannot gain. There have been many accusations that suggest the NCAA and the college sports system takes advantage of players in many ways.

This topic is inevitably relevant and will continue be for decades to come. The U.S .culture of Collegiate Sports will always be timely and eye catching, especially since we are now living in the Digital & Social Media age. The relevance of corruption in NCAA Sports will forever be fresh because it is a cycle where new kids by the thousand are sorted out and bought by the NCAA annually. The NCAA gives the coach or owners enough money to go buy whatever player they choose and they choose them by height, weight, speed, and strength. All of the things that are beneficial to them and their brand of men and women. The player is often bought out with none other than a full ride scholarship that guarantees them carefree college & freedom from their parents.

What the "Bit" is Bitcoin?

By: Preston Jensen

People are making a lot of money from cryptocurrency especially on one, Bitcoin. 

            So, what is Bitcoin?  After asking several people, nobody really had a clear idea of what it was.  When I asked Nick Kinzebach, manager of an auto shop in Cedar Falls, who is an investor in Bitcoin, he said, “I am not really sure, I’ve done some research on it, and all I know is that is computers mining other computers.   22 year-old UNI student Miranda Koch said, “I have no idea what that even is.”  24 year-old Logan Fritz, an employee of Steege’s Meat Market, referred to Bitcoin as, “Mickey Mouse” because he doesn’t think it really exists.  22 year-old UNI student Connor Nolan student said, “It’s computer’s mining software from other computers.”

      

Human Trafficking Legislation versus Big Tech Companies

By Leziga Barikor

            On Aug. 1 of 2017, the U.S. Congress Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) sponsored the bill Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act or SESTA, and fellow Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) who is a former sex crimes prosecutor is another major cosponsor to the bill along with John McCain (R-Arizona).

Calling the Shots

By Jennifer Crumrine 

More and more students attend school every day without vaccinations. And parents have a lot of questions, including should the government be able to mandate what goes in a person’s body? Are children unprotected against illness they’ve had vaccinations for while they’re at school because of unvaccinated children? What can schools do to protect themselves against issues that could arise as a result of unvaccinated students? These are hot button issues in the world of education and parenting, and misinformation is widespread.

Being Asian in America

By Sofia Legaspi

At the 2016 Oscars, Chris Rock’s monologue about Hollywood racism provoked backlash and prompted the Academy to issue an apology. Bringing three suit-clad and briefcase-bearing Asian children on stage, he perpetuated three stereotypes about Asians and Asian Americans: STEM geniuses, child laborers, and timid immigrants.

Today is the age of political correctness—often in excess, some might argue. People tiptoe around marginalized and underrepresented groups, careful not to be labeled “offensive.” So why is it still acceptable to make fun of Asians?