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Think reduction, not rank

The Copenhagen summit starting Dec. 7, 2009 is a chance to negotiate a new international treaty addressing climate change, columnist Simon Jackson for CBC News reported Oct. 19. According to Jackson, the Copenhagen treaty is poised to effect more change than did the Kyoto Protocol given the rise in public support for environmental issues in the “new, post-Inconvenient Truth world.”

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Shrewd move for languages

Queen’s German, Italian and Spanish departments may merge into a new modern languages and linguistics department for the 2010-2011 school year if a vote this winter proceeds in favour. Spanish and Italian currently share a department, while German is separate.

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More than a word

The list of unusable words is long, but getting claustrophobic about my vocabulary won’t help anyone. Derogatory terms are facing the social firing squad, although there’s one that has yet to drop as hard as the others.

Previously in Editorials

October 20, 2009

Leaf a vehicle for concern

Japanese car company Nissan will offer its new all-electric car to Vancouver buyers if the city agrees to fund a network of charging stations, the Toronto Star reported Oct 16. The vehicle, called the Leaf, would hit Vancouver dealerships in 2011 if the government installs a series of 220-volt outlets throughout the city.

October 20, 2009

No threat from Web 2.0

Hallmarks of twenty-first century technology like blogs and social networking sites, known collectively as “Web 2.0,” have placed the once-exclusive tools of journalism into the hands of the many, CBC News reported Oct. 16.

October 20, 2009

’Tis the season

The transition into autum is a tricky one, as September has a way of lulling me into a false sense of security. Classes begin but still feel carefree because all those friends you lost to the summer months are bustling around campus once again, offering the ability to reunite everywhere you wander.

October 16, 2009

No tolerance, no logic

Six-year-old Zachary Christie has been suspended from a Newark, Delaware elementary school for bringing his camping utensil to the lunchroom, the New York Times reported Oct. 11. The school said Zachary’s utensil, which can serve as a knife, fork and spoon, violated their zero-tolerance policy on weapons. Zachary, who brought the knife to school out of excitement for joining the Cub Scouts, now faces 45 days in a district reform school while his family appeals his punishment.

October 16, 2009

Potential not prize-worthy

Last week, United States President Barack Obama was selected as the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, CBC News reported Oct. 9. The Nobel committee awarded the prize to recognize the President’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between people.”