Opinions - The Spectrum

OPINION

USC head coach Sarkisian’s drunken behavior raises questions

By Editorial Board | Oct. 13, 2015

University of Southern California (USC) Athletic Director Pat Haden fired football head coach Steve Sarkisian Monday after putting him on a leave of absence Sunday. While USC has only said Sarkisian was not healthy and was not right during a practice Sunday, it’s becoming clear through media reports that Sarkisian came to the Trojan’s practice intoxicated – and it may not have been the first time.

OPINION

The Search for Thai

By TYLER WALTERS | Oct. 12, 2015

There’s a saying about two mice stuck in a barrel of cream – one drowns but the other starts kicking and eventually churns the cream into butter. I can’t imagine that he kicked the whole time – even that hard-working mouse needs a break.

President Satish Tripathi speaks with BSU President Micah Oliver after his State of the University Address.

OPINION

UB students want more from President Satish Tripathi – and they should

By Editorial Board | Oct. 11, 2015

The Black Student Union’s (BSU) protest during and after President Satish Tripathi’s annual address Friday was yet another example of the disconnect and divide between Tripathi and the student body.

OPINION

Despite its use against the Sabres, coach’s challenge a suitable addition to the NHL rules

By Editorial Board | Oct. 11, 2015

Despite the Sabres’ goal being disallowed in their home opener, the addition of the coach’s challenge is a good one.

OPINION

Giving back: Why it’s important to donate and how you can help

By TORI ROSEMAN | Oct. 11, 2015

It’s important to remember there’s a world outside of UB – Buffalo, Amherst and the other cities that encompass the university are full of people, families and businesses. There are many struggling to get by – in 2014 there were more than 6,000 homeless people in Erie County, according to the Western New York annual report on the state of the homeless.

OPINION

UB’s lack of diversity raises hard questions

By Editorial Board | Oct. 9, 2015

The university is one of the most diverse institutions in the country when it comes to its student population. But no so much when it comes to its faculty and police. Minority students feel discomfort with the fact that UB faculty and police don’t equally represent the student body.

OPINION

No more late nights?

By Editorial Board | Oct. 9, 2015

However, the lack of specific evidence to support the legislation is troubling. Jacobs provided no statistics that demonstrated a substantial amount of crime and alcohol-related accidents occur between 2 and 4 a.m. Even if he had, such statistical evidence is hard to prove as causal. Does a person get a DWI because he or she could drink at the bar for two more hours or was the person going to get one regardless of when he or she started drinking that night?

OPINION

UB men's basketball has no reason to panic about losing Hurley, Evans and Moss

By Jordan Grossman | Oct. 8, 2015

The 2014-15 men’s basketball team entered the season without its top three players from the year before. The team wasn’t big. They didn’t have elusive scorers. They were bounced in the first round of the 2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament after some projected them to win it all. But alas, all the naysayers were silenced when the Bulls went on the shock the conference and win the MAC. Why can’t that happen again?

OPINION

Bob McAdoo is the forgotten superstar in the city of Buffalo

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Oct. 6, 2015

We’ll always remember the stars. In terms of Buffalo sports lore, you can’t have a conversation and not bring up former Bills like Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith. Same goes for the Sabres’ Dominik Hasek, Phil Housley and Ryan Miller. But there’s one player that is often overlooked in the history of Buffalo: Former Buffalo Braves forward Bob McAdoo.

OPINION

Another day, another shooting

By Editorial Board | Oct. 5, 2015

Thursday’s shooting at Umpqua Community College (UCC) in Oregon is yet another example of this stereotypical and rote incident. Stories are already circulating – a veteran tried to stop the shooting. The shooter asked if people were Christian. He committed suicide. The investigation and profiling will go one for months, even as the incident slowly slides from our memories.

OPINION

UB Bulls need to start winning against good MAC teams

By Tom Dinki | Oct. 3, 2015

It’s a new era under new head coach Lance Leipold and different circumstances but the Bulls (2-3, 0-1 MAC) came up short against Bowling Green again on Saturday, this time with a 28-22 loss at UB Stadium for homecoming. And again Buffalo showed it’s not quite ready to beat the best of the MAC.

OPINION

Boehner’s resignation is only a temporary fix to a Grand Old Problem

By William Krause | Oct. 2, 2015

Boehner’s resignation frees him from the pressure of Tea Party Republicans, who have been trying to compel him to take a harder stance against President Barrack Obama and the Democrat agenda. His speakership has been threatened on numerous occasions, and fellow Republicans had even filed motions to vote to remove him. Boehner has been known to be a dealmaker, and to alienate the president and Democrats on a consistent basis isn’t a great way to make deals. But by doing this, he had alienated part of his own party instead.

OPINION

Not exactly a ‘time to be alive’

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Oct. 1, 2015

What A Time To Be Alive clocks in at 40 minutes with 11 tracks, most of which feature beats from Atlanta up-and-comer Metro Boomin’. It’s hard to consider this a mixtape, especially based off the fact that this “mixtape” is being sold like an album – remember Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and its rollout? Calling this project a mixtape gives Drake and Future a pass in mediocrity.

OPINION

It’s a long way to the top for UB Bulls

By Jordan Grossman | Oct. 1, 2015

Saturday’s matchup against Bowling Green (2-2) will be the team’s biggest test to date and it may be its biggest all season. The Falcons have appeared in the MAC Championship game the past two years, including a victory in 2013. They defeated perhaps the most talented team in Buffalo program history in what was essentially a MAC East Championship game to get it by the way.

OPINION

Crime report shows progress, but more information would be beneficial

By Editorial Board | Sep. 30, 2015

Transparency is key for any police department. University Police have done their part under the Clery Act to annually release crime reports, but we would like to see more. While the report UPD released on Friday shows promising signs – like burglaries decreasing by 50 percent and robberies going down to just four total in 2014 – additional information on how many crimes were solved and a breakdown of what campus the crimes occurred on would be beneficial to get a real idea of crime on campus and the work being done by UPD.

OPINION

EDM and rave culture has seeped into all generations

By TORI ROSEMAN | Sep. 29, 2015

I expected to see a lot of people I know, and I did. I was glad people had the same idea as me – and the same disregard for Tuesday classes – and went into the venue ready to party. What alarmed me when I stepped onto the dance floor was the range of people who were there.

OPINION

Students have spoken about 'White Only' and 'Black Only' signs – now UB needs to listen

By Editorial Board | Sep. 27, 2015

The creation of these discussions and the strong reactions from both BSU and SA provided some reassurance that student leadership took this event seriously. Now UB needs to do their part.

OPINION

Pope Francis hits home much-needed message on global warming

By CHARLES W. SCHAAB | Sep. 27, 2015

Pope Francis visited the United States this week and met with common citizens and policy makers. He visited the nation’s capital, New York City and Philadelphia. He also stopped by jails and churches and addressed Congress and the United Nations on cultural, economic and ecological issues.

OPINION

Racism: the bold new Republican strategy

By Editorial Board | Sep. 27, 2015

Racial and religious discrimination, the last bulwark of the disenfranchised and angry, appears on the presidential scene with ugly and disgusting results.

OPINION

UB Bulls are down, but certainly not out

By Jordan Grossman | Sep. 27, 2015

A 3-1 start for the Bulls would have been a feel-good story for a historically losing program with a new inspiring head coach. But with an ill-fated throw – and tip – with less than two minutes remaining, it all simply dissolved into another .500 start for the Bulls (2-2).