Is it possible for Iranians to obtain a democratic state within a theocratic government? Experts argue that such notion is impossible. “When a government is based on religion, any religion, it cannot be democratic,” said Nayereh Tohidi, professor and chair of gender and women’s studies department at California State University, Northridge. Tohidi continues to describe how a government based on religion favors one religion over another. Therefore, it makes the state an ideological state which discriminates those who do not… Read more

Obama rushes to quell racial uproar he helped fire NANCY BENAC, Associated Press, July 24, 2009 This headline in a nutshell represents the incomprehensible stupidity of the American “news” media.  The Associated Press specializes in stories of stupidity, sensationalism and “controversies” but this one really takes the cake. The article’s misleading title would lead you to believe President Obama called John McCain a jive turkey cracker or that he gave the Reverend Jeremiah Wright a terrorist fist jab on the… Read more

At a time when unanimity is of utmost importance to Iran’s political destiny and the fate of Iranians across the globe, some are not willing to unleash their differences and acknowledge each other as members of the same organization: The Iranian Society. Separation within the Iranian community escalates, as Iranians continue to condemn each other’s beliefs and opinions in spite of all disorders and uncertainties facing Iran and its people. Statements such as: — is one of them; — is… Read more

There have been some controversies in regard to the article published on Wednesday November 19th, 2008 by the Daily Sundial on the Academic Advisement resolution passed by the Associated Students senate. The main purpose of my resolution is to help students be on track and expedite their path to graduation by having the right information provided to them by advisors. It was my only intention to request mandatory advisement for freshmen and transfer students for them to get to know… Read more

Recent events in Iran have been relentlessly compared to the 1979 Iranian revolution, overlooking a major difference between the two uprisings: involvement of the United States. Secretary of State Clinton gave a policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations recently. The United States must lead with diplomacy, Clinton said, as she outlined the administration’s approach to Iran. “We watched the energy of Iran’s election with great admiration, only to be appalled by the manner in which the government used… Read more

“Until California changes its priorities . . .we only have bad choices” Board of Trustees Chairman, Jeffrey Bleich On May 13, 2009, the California State University trustees approved a 10% increase in student fees (articles.latimes.com/2009/may/14/local/me-calstate-fees14).  Bleich, along with 16 others, voted for the increase with only 2 board members voting no. The working poor (and let’s not kid ourselves, most of us at CSUN fit into this category) struggling to afford a college education will now have to pay an… Read more

Jeffrey Braswell, Deon Tresvant, and Phannuel Gbewonyo all pleaded no contest last Thursday to burglary and grand theft for a New Year’s Day incident at Best Buy in Porter Ranch. Braswell was immediately sentenced to three years of formal probation and ordered to complete 300 hours of Caltrans service.  San Fernando Superior Court Judge Barbara Scheper reduced the felony convictions to misdemeanors after hearing the no contest plea. Tresvant and Gbewonyo received a three years of summary probation and must… Read more

Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have become the fastest and most accessible sources of news, not only for the young generation, but for anyone who desires the latest minute-by-minute updates of reports and information. We have been witnessing the gradual death of newspaper readership, forcing major publications to either cut back in order to survive, or simply fold, for quite awhile now. . .long enough that sadly we have all accepted the concept of having our morning cups… Read more

While colorful sparks dazzled the night sky, in celebration of independence and democracy in the land of free, disparity outshined the sweet ambiance of liberty. Troublesome tension in Afghanistan and Honduras, Iran’s fruitless uprisings in demand of democracy, missile show display by North Korea and uncertainties in our own nation, made this Fourth of July more meaningful than a family fun day in the sun. Contrary to previous years when Fourth of July was simply a just cause for a… Read more