Legendary New York City Punk Dies

The New York Times reported that the front man of the Velvet Underground, legendary punk Lou Reed died Sunday. The Velvet Underground experienced commercial failure in the 1960s, but later grew a substantial cult following. Lou also had a successful solo career, and was known for his thoughtful and often melodic rock. His death is thought to be due to a liver transplant he received earlier this year. He was 71.

We'll miss you and your wild side, Lou. Hopefully the afterlife is only the beginning of a great adventure.

Peace for U

On Oct. 15, a few weeks after an attempted rape on Plattekill Ave., this anonymous message appeared at a construction site near where the attack occurred. 

Today, on my usual walk up to campus, I noticed there had been a change. 

Pot for Potholes

Did you guys know that pot (well, medical marijuana) is now legal in 21 states in the U.S.? Pretty cool. However, some conservatives are already thinking of ways to take as much fun as possible out of the exciting acceptance of weed sweeping across the nation. 

A Michigan news website quoted Rep. Mike Callton last month: "You can tax the heck out of marijuana,” Callton says, “put it into a separate fund for Michigan roads - because it doesn’t seem like that money is going to come from anywhere else at this point in time - and it’s a cute name, 'pot for potholes.'"

On his show Wednesday night, Stephen Colbert warned that this was a dangerous idea because "you know what they'll be legalizing next to fix every crack."

Democrats and Republicans Are 'Optimistic'

The New York Times provided America with some good news today, reporting that "Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate were close late Monday to an agreement that would increase the nation’s borrowing authority and provide enough money to operate the government until the end of the year." The Times reports that a vote on a new plan, which is highly unlikely to include "any provision to delay or repeal a tax on medical devices"  but does offer the Republicans certain compromises, could occur as early as Wednesday, which would end the shutdown and avoid a debt crisis- at least temporarily. 

Not everyone was happy. 

"What goes around comes around," said Senator John McCain. "If they try to humiliate Republicans, things change in American politics."

Day 13

So, today marks the 13th day the federal government has been shut down, the 13th day Republicans and Democrats couldn't come together for the good of the American people, the 13th day Pres. Obama had little to nothing to say about it. And by the looks of it, with the debt crisis looming over Congress, things are not about to get better. CNN has the scoop.

Passion v. Fear

One teacher discusses her teaching strategy in the swampland that is the classroom in an article that is particularly poignant for those of us who are currently somewhat apathetic college students. 

Grief

Last March a photographer's walk through Arlington National Cemetery's Section 60, the burial ground for soldiers who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, culminated in the discovery that many of the graves had been desecrated. The mementos that loved ones had put on the graves were gone. It was discovered that the cemetery was enforcing a new policy. Nonetheless, it made for a shocking photo essay that captured not only the still real grief of family members who have lost people to war, but how you could rid anything of its humanity, even a graveyard.