Harrison Leonard has quite an opinion with regard to same sex marriage.  He talks at length about the original definition of marriage.  But he does not tell us what that definition is.  Let’s be intellectually honest.  Historically, marriage included the following: Men were allowed to marry more than one woman at the same time. Women were considered acquired property.  Marriage was not about love. If a man died, the widow was obligated marry his younger brother (in many western cultures)…. Read more

For the second consecutive year, CSUN won the first place title in the 8th Annual Nutrition College Bowl, a game-show style competition that pits 11 teams of nutrition and dietetic students from universities up and down the West Coast against each other for a series of scholarships. The event was held on Saturday, April 24, in Sequoia Hall’s Nobbs Auditorium. “It’s nice to be responsible for an event that trains their futures,”  said Dr. Joyce Gilbert, executive director of the Marilyn… Read more

By the time we as news consumers read about domestic violence it’s usually after someone was seriously injured or killed. The camera crews roll in and knock on the neighbor’s doors and we hear the same comments from the shocked neighbor “Never in a million years would I have thought…he didn’t seem like the type…what a tragedy.” Yes it is a tragedy but when we fail to look at the overall picture and focus instead on the extreme incident we… Read more

Harrison Leonard Contributing columnist I do not support same-sex marriage. This may come as quite a shock to CSUN students, many of who are likely unaware that a real live traditionalist walks among them. I am concerned that the bulk of the arguments you have heard in opposition to same-sex marriage are made in the context of religious conviction. I understand why irreligious people may be unconvinced by theological reasoning. Here, then, are seven non-religious, apolitical thoughts about same-sex marriage…. Read more

Aaron Helmbrecht Contributing reporter When I was in 5th grade my parents got divorced. My father remarried his secretary and my mother, essentially, remarried the Catholic Church. I chose to live with my mother, probably because years of watching Disney movies had programmed me to believe stepmothers were evil people who just waited for your father to die so they can usurp your family name. That was a shame because my stepmother is actually a really nice lady. The Catholic… Read more

By John Michael Simko, contributing reporter Star rating: 5 out of 5 In recent years, graphic novels and comics have captured Hollywood with successful moneymaking films like “The Dark Knight,” “Sin City,” and “300.” As a result, dozens of graphic novels have been developed into highly-anticipated films such as “The Losers” (due out April 23) and “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” (scheduled for August). However, some films have become too hyped and too artsy for mainstream audiences like last year’s… Read more

Antoine Abou-Diwan contributing reporter Like any company that wishes to stay in business, our government needs to take an inventory on a regular basis. Using a short, 10-question form that asks basic questions like the number of residents per household, names, race and ethnicity, the 2010 census will try to understand and project demographic changes. There is a lot at stake in the short term. Census data determines state representation in the House of Representatives. Census data is used to… Read more

Harrison Leonard Contributing columnist Until 1996 when she left to begin a ministry of her own, Norma McCorvey was an affiliate of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization “dedicated to ending abortion in America.” McCorvey attracted all manner of media attention when her membership with Operation Rescue was made known to the public. What was unique about her membership was that in 1973, Norma McCorvey was known by a different name: Jane Roe. Roe was the alias chosen to preserve her… Read more

Dear editor: In your March 23rd issue, Staff Writer Susan Murray suggests that specified “staff” parking spaces should be eliminated and parking given on a “first come, first served basis.” Her frustration at seeing unused staff spaces at a time when it’s difficult to find an open space to park anywhere else is understandable.  I’d like to point out a couple of issues that she may not have considered, however. First, many professors are substantially older than the average University student. Providing preferred… Read more