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OPINION
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily
Learning on the job
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Regardless of career interests, joining a publication can be a worthwhile experience for students
S MY FIRST year at the per’s office going over revisions University heads into its in my articles before they can f i n a l w e e k s , I h a v e be published. But I know that started to look back at the I have gotten back much more opportunities I did or did not than I have given. Seeing my name in print and take advantage hearing the supof. Some of the SAM NOVACK port of friends and year is a blur — OPINION COLUMNIST family who have late nights with read my columns friends and early mornings for Navy ROTC. But has been a uniquely rewarding there is a number of experiences experience. The Cavalier Daily exposed which stand out to me. Keeping my grades up while juggling me to a different style of writNROTC was not an easy task, so ing. At the beginning, I had a I take some pride in that. Right lot to learn about eliminating up there with this accomplish- contractions. I also had to give ment is writing for The Cavalier up the oxford comma, to which Daily. If there is one choice I am I am quite attached. More than glad I made during this year, the grammar changes, I had to it is choosing to try out for this really focus my writing. My edinewspaper. And it is a choice I tors’ voices now ring in my head would encourage anyone who when I write my columns; I try, is even remotely interested to as best I can, to anticipate their criticisms before they have had make. During this year, I have con- the chance to make them. But the most intense, and for tributed almost twenty opinion articles to this newspaper, me the most fun, part of writing each the product of somewhere in the journalistic setting was between two and four hours of the criticism provided by readwork done in the middle of the ers. In one column, as more than week. I have spent another hour one commenter pointed out, I or so every week at the newspa- referred to the idea of manmade
global warming as ‘anthro- cally, socially, racially and culpomorphic global warming,’ turally diverse. I got to become which implies that the global friends with people who, like warming has human-like quali- me, call Texas their home. On ties, when really I should have the other hand, I made a good used the word ‘anthropogenic.’ number of friends from all over, and outside, A guest viewof the counpoint criticiz“Working for The Cavalier t r y. S o m e ing another c o l u m n Daily is an experience I would agreed with my posiof mine recommend to anyone. ” tion on the pointed out issues of the my “naive and moralistic self-righteous- day and validated my views, ness” and “cowboy sensibili- yet there were those who chalties,” which hurt me a little, lenged every sentence I wrote. but amused and educated me Becoming a part of The Cavalier a lot. Scathing criticisms of my Daily was, and continues to be, a opinions were even rewarding very enriching experience. The best part of writing a in a sense, because they were proof that others had read, if weekly column was the knowlnot agreed with, what I had edge that I was a part of an organization incomparable to others written. Writing for The Cavalier Daily at the University in some sense. has also given me a chance to Religious groups and intramural meet new people. I had ini- sports are great ways to pursue tially assumed, as I am certain interests and forge new ties with others do, that most people who people here at the University. But wrote for the newspaper pretty throwing the frisbee around, fun much fell into the same single- as it is, cannot rival a newspaminded, journalistic stereotype. per in terms of relevance to the But the individuals who make University itself. The newspaper up this newspaper are politi- was founded in 1890, which
makes this year its 123rd. I plan on being a part of The Cavalier Daily during my time here; but even when I graduate, I will be able to look back on this experience, so intricately tied to the University, as both a great choice and a great source of pride. Working for The Cavalier Daily is an experience I would recommend to anyone. I have played a role in getting at least one more person to join and hope to attract more with this final column of the year. Journalism is not my primary interest, and it may not be yours, but there is a lot more to be found in a daily newspaper than journalistic practice. Instead, working for newspapers in general can be a rewarding experience which will look fine on any resume; but more importantly, time at The Cavalier Daily can be a way to permanently tie yourself to the past, present and future of Mr. Jefferson’s University. Sam Novack’s column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at s.novack@cavalierdaily.com.
A friendly reminder
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Recognizing people’s worth and potential may help them avoid self-harm
INCE LAST Wednesday, standardized testing and were students at the University deemed “smart” by these stanand other institutions dards, but Zach was the sharpest across the nation have been one there by a long shot. While mourning the death of 19-year- others — including myself — would offer old Zachary Brunt. A mediocre graduate of Thomas DENISE TAYLOR examples to Jefferson High School OPINION COLUMNIST include in for Science and Techessay outnology and an engineering student at Yale, Zach was lines about why “the pen was a scientist and musician whose mightier than the sword,” Zach long, curly hair and eccentric was always able to add a valudance moves were just a couple able insight he had acquired of the many qualities which dis- from outside of school. His talents were obvious, and tinguished him from his peers. I was in Zach’s graduating class. so was his intellect and curiosI witnessed the dance moves, the ity. We would reference “Animal hair and the trademark neon Farm”; Zach would reference orange sweatshirt with duct an ancient South American war tape reflectors on it. Although which none of us had ever heard I was not a good friend of his, I of, much less read up on. Since was well aware of his stunning then, when I thought Zach Brunt, personality. More so, however, I I thought of the Renaissance man knew him as the kid everybody whose knowledge had no literal liked without him ever having bounds. Zach was not just a good stuto try. That was why for me, and for dent, but a great friend as well. hundreds of others, the news First-year College student Elizaof a suicide came as a complete beth Herbst recalls how Zach offered to drive her to school shock. Though we never had a class every morning so she would not together at school, I took an SAT have to go through the embarPrep course with Zach in the rassment of taking the bus and winter of my junior year. The would listen to both rap and course was catered toward Jef- opera music on the way. “Every ferson students who already had morning, when I was cranky and considerable experience with tired, I’d have to get in this car
with Zach, where he’d be blast- When Zach was accepted to Yale, ing this — this profanity,” Herbst most people were congratulating said at a memorial service held him with phrases like “Good for at the University Thursday. “But I Zach.” But I remember thinking, “Good did it, and it was fine, because it for Yale.” was him.” Since last Others talked “The topic of untimely about how Zach death is difficult precisely Wednesday, I wish I had said never failed to put a smile on their because it could happen that out loud. faces. “He kind to anyone, and students It is imposof reminded me are often an overlooked sible to know what Zach’s of the sun, with demographic.” final thoughts the hair and the were, and his bright clothes...” death is an said first-year Engineering student Richard extreme loss for the Yale commuGarrett. “The memories I made nity and for society as a whole. The University is full of talent with Zach — these are the kinds of memories that I will always go like Zach’s, and though it may be hard sometimes, it is important back to from my TJ experience.” What was most devastating to for everyone to recognize his me is that in spite of his skills, and own full potential. We mourned in spite of the memories, Zach’s the loss of Zach because he was loved ones will not get to see the an extraordinary person, but person he was going to become. looking around Grounds, I would When something like this hap- say the same thing about most of pens to anyone, it is easy to the people I’ve met here during remember the smiles, the laughs the course of the school year. and the cheerful moments. Those The topic of untimely death is things, however, can be looked difficult precisely because it back upon, while Zach’s con- could happen to anyone, and tribution to humanity cannot. students are often an overlooked Zach had real talents and was demographic. We can throw the owner of an invaluable mind around terms such as “impact” which would have undoubt- and “laughter” in retrospect, but edly impacted our lives beyond these phrases are not sufficient just putting smiles on our faces. to express a loss as monumental
as a human life and only clear a conscience for so long. It would be ambitious and cruel to suggest a different course of action given the strong emotions people undergo in the event of a loss, however I do believe basic communication could make a world’s difference in the prevention of suicide. It might sound like a cliche, but there have been too many instances like this one, where people come to appreciate something once it is gone and are left to wonder how the loss will affect their future and the futures of others. If words have the power to bring about tears, then surely they have the power to prevent them. And if we have the means to feel remorse for a loss, then we are more than able to be thankful beforehand. While we will never know if Zach’s death could have been prevented, we can certainly learn from the principles by which he lived. No one should lead a life thinking he or she is insignificant or undeserving, because in the words of Zachary Brunt, “Life’s too short to be afraid.” Denise Taylor’s column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at d.taylor@cavalierdaily.com.
Affordable change
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The Affordable Care Act represents a victory for patients over insurance companies
Before the signing of the ACA, N RECENT months, P r e s i d e n t O b a m a a n d those with a pre-existing condiadministration officials tion such as heart disease or have dashed across the nation other chronic illnesses were t r u m p e t i n g t h e t w o - y e a r often out of luck when seeking health insuranniversary of the REX YOUNG ance. InsurAffordable Care Act GUEST VIEWPOINT ance com(ACA), also known as panies comObamacare — a title the administration has embraced monly denied these individuals as of late. In his rhetoric, the coverage or canceled it once president has revisited the most the illness developed and the prominent theme of his 2008 patients needed coverage most. campaign for the presidency: Even if the patient maintained change. As evidence of change coverage, insurance companies you could, in fact, believe in, the often cut off payments after the president cited the 2010 health patient reached an annual or care law repeatedly. Its sweep- lifetime coverage limit. Furthering patient protections and more, the stresses on the U.S. regulation of an out-of-control health care system go deeper insurance industry will increase than simple insurance indusquality, access and affordabil- try abuses. With the cost of ity of health care in the United insurance so high, young adults States — substantive reform frequently opted to go without of medicine for the U.S. public insurance, leaving themselves vulnerable to unexpected bills according to the president. To examine Obama’s claim, they were unable to pay. After one must recall the state of all, who really anticipates a health care in the United States car crash and several weeks in just two years ago. Reviewing an intensive care unit? Those the changes already made and unpaid costs end up on everythose still to come from Obama- one else’s tab. The Affordable care, the law’s opponents have a Care Act ends discriminatory industry practices and solves difficult case to make.
In addition to the sweeping regthe latter problem by allowing dependents to stay on the health ulations above, a whopping 2.5 insurance plan of their parents million young Americans have been added to the insurance until they are 26. Since the signing of the health rolls according to the Department of reform law, the “Reviewing the changes Health and industry abuses noted above have already made and those H u m a n Services ended. No longer still to come from since the can insurance Obamacare, the law’s ACA allows companies discriminate against opponents have a difficult y o u n g people to individuals for case to make.” remain on pre-existing contheir parditions or for getents’ insurting sick — choices over which the patients had no ance until age 26. The benefits control. Insurance companies of this change are felt close to cannot impose annual or life- home at the University where time limits on the amount of cov- health insurance is a requireerage you receive. And, perhaps ment for enrollment. How many most significantly, insurers must first-year students were not now spend 80-85 percent of pre- hit with an additional costly miums on medical care rather expense for an Aetna student than on fattening company prof- health plan because they were its. The law also requires new able to stay on their parents’ insurance plans to cover basic insurance? Not only does that provision health screenings and vaccines to prevent illnesses or treat them give 2.5 million young people early rather than allow common access to health care, it reduces infections to lead to costly visits the likelihood one of them to the emergency room. None cannot pay an unexpected mediof this was true prior to Obama cal bill and has to pass the cost on to the rest of us. Further, the signing the ACA into law.
law offers health security at a time when young people often switch jobs and careers and do not maintain consistent coverage through their employers. Opponents of the law cannot ignore these substantial changes in U.S. health care. One must not only consider the above facts when debating the changes made by the Affordable Care Act but also must appreciate the historical struggle to pass national reform. Progressives spent nearly a century trying to pass universal health care legislation. Until now, the insurance industry won. The pharmaceutical industry won. Special interests, other than the patient, always won out over substantive reform of health care. With the Affordable Care Act, all of that changed. Patients won. Sweeping rules were put in place to hold insurers accountable, to expand coverage, to increase access to care and revamp the health care system in the United States. That sounds like the change I believed in. Rex Young is a fourth year in the College.
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