Opinions

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Letter to the Editor

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing in response to Dave Johnson's 11/19 piece on the ban of Four Loko in New York State.

U.S. Nuclear Upgrades Face Problems With Treaties

The White House and Senate Republicans continue to hash out prospects on costs and purposes involved in a new nuclear arms program, which would allow for an annual accumulation of 80 new warheads for the United States Military.

I Can Read Real Good

Sometimes we need to stop relying on others for advice and start listening to our own intuition. However, when you get such compelling advice as, "Never date a girl who can read," I can understand how one would be hesitant to pass that up. For some guys, avoiding any girl who happens to be literate might seem like a great suggestion.

Catholic Church Makes Exceptions For Condom Use

Pope Benedict XVI recently published that the Catholic Church would now make exceptions for condom use.

Top 10 NBA Draft Busts

In honor of Greg Oden's perennial season-ending injury, I have compiled the top-10 NBA draft busts of the last 10 years.

"In Controversial Screening, U.S. Marshals Break Promises"

The Transportation Security Administration has had to defend its new screening procedures, now in use in 60 major United States airports, from civil liberties groups that say the new passenger screening tests are too invasive.

The NFL's Elephant in the Room

We're officially past the halfway point in the NFL season, and we still have no idea who the best team in the league is.

Nutria Fur is Pitched As Environmentally Friendly

Nutria are more commonly known as swamp rats; until recently, they were valued only for their absence from homes and backyards.

Never Date a Girl Who Can Read

Response to 'Free AK-47 Deal is a Brilliant Contribution to Immorality'

I am writing in response to an anonymous editorial that appeared on Page 3 of this Wednesday's Spectrum.

I'm Pro Junk-Food and I Vote

Between a healthy diet of pizza rolls, regular bowls of chocolate ice cream and more doughnuts than I'd care to admit, it would be fair to say I don't eat as healthy as I could.

45-Year-Old Case Closes with Misdemeanor Manslaughter

Free AK-47 Deal is a Brilliant Contribution to Immorality

In Response to Ignorance

To the writer of the anonymous, homophobic personal in last Friday's issue of The Spectrum: There are a lot of ways I could respond to you, believe me.

Writing for the Stars Finalist asks for UB Support

I am a UB '84 graduate out of the English Department who is a finalist (actually, the only finalist from New York, Buffalo, and UB!) in Kensington Publishing's writing competition called Writing with the Stars (formerly known as American Title). This contest is the American Idol of the writing world with five rounds of competition, two finalists eliminated during each of the first four rounds, the last two finalists battling it out for the win in the fifth round, and the winner receiving a publishing contract from Kensington Publishing.

The Buffalonian's Burden

Being from Buffalo is quite the unique experience, to say the least. All of my fellow Buffalo natives know what I'm talking about.

Rocking in the Suburbs

Think of everything a kid could dream of having in life, and I had it rocking in the suburbs. Growing up in Williamsville (a.k.a.

Buffalo is Best

We never win. I mean, just take a look at the history. In the history of Buffalo sports, there has been blunder after blunder.

Buffalo Ranks No. 2 in College Town Real Estate Affordability

As many University at Buffalo students have learned firsthand, the cost of living in and around the city of Buffalo is almost unparalleled.

The Power Of My Community

I don't bleed red and blue, but I have a personal attachment to the Buffalo Bills. It reminds me of Sunday afternoons spent with my dad and imagining my mother in all of her glory in a Jills uniform in the 1980s. I barely even follow the Buffalo Sabres, but I did jump on the bandwagon when I tried to be a tomboy during their stint in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 1999 and then again in 2007. Regardless, I am a Buffalonian. Technically, I grew up in Black Rock, but by my fifth birthday, I was living in a do-it-yourself home that my dad found just a few blocks from the Elmwood Village. Growing up, I witnessed the power of a community. In 2004, my dad forbade me from eating at Pano's Restaurant when its owner announced plans to tear down the Atwater House to expand the old diner and its parking lot. Pano's may now be two stories, but at least the protests of community members stopped similar plans to knock down homes to make room for a hotel at Elmwood Avenue and Forest Avenue, showing the power of a united neighborhood. Those who inhabit Elmwood Village make it a home, a community, and unlike any other area of Buffalo.