Cartoon for July 2, 2009.

Whenever disaster strikes, there needs to be an individual trained to take charge and assist others during the emergency. During the June 12 tornado, which threatened to hit campus, there was no one capable of asserting the authority, and the campers’ lives were endangered.

If I weren’t sensitive to the slang surrounding diverstiy and minority groups, I’d say that The Daily’s coverage of the OKC Pride Celebration in the June 30 edition was pretty “gay.” However, since “gay” is not a synonym for “stupid” – and because it’s mean to call someone stupid – I’ll just say The Daily’s coverage was piss poor and leave it at that.

In popular culture today, religion is seen as nothing more than a way of explaining life’s mysteries without using one’s brain. Many of society’s simplest people find it comforting to, in the words of Pontus Obama, “cling to guns or religion.” Eventually though, enough proof has lined up behind what was once a brand new idea. It is at this point that traditionalists need to accept defeat and move on.

Cartoon for June 30, 2009.

On the same day President Boren promised there would be no layoffs, OU Press laid off eight workers to meet the needs of a trim budget. In a time of poor economic situations plagued with unemployment, isn’t it a bad idea for President Boren to promise job security?

As we all know, smoking is bad for you. Although this knowledge nearly has become common sense, it still doesn’t change the minds of some smokers. But for those smokers, the area in which they are free to light up has become smaller. By banning the use of tobacco products in parks, the Norman City Council has taken a step towards better health and easier breathing for us all.

With Father’s Day just behind us, I find myself pondering over the importance of fatherhood. Driving up and down the small town streets of Norman, I could smell the sweet savory smells of a family barbecue. Going into restaurants, seeing the families celebrate their love of their father and all of the happy memories that build on Father’s Day are happening right around you. But this isn’t the case for everyone.

During the school year, thousands of kids walk around campus trying to get to class. At the same time, they are trying to avoid one thing, bicyclists. While the walkers are taking their time strolling through the South Oval, a biker is weaving between people, hurrying to class with nothing to separate the two than a painted bike lane that no one seems to obey.