By Chloe Rockow
March 28, 2011: Representative Ron Paul, often controversial Libertarian, spoke in NC State’s McKimmon Center to a packed auditorium. The 2008 presidential candidate spoke on a variety of issues, from US military actions in Libya to the current financial crisis.
Rep. Paul was hosted by NC State’s Young Americans for Liberty club, who have also been spearheading a “Visualizing the Debt” campaign to bring awareness about the actual size of the national debt. Fiscal responsibility is a topic dear to Rep. Paul. A large portion of his talk …

By Aaron McGuire
One year ago, the dining plan contract fee increased $70 — from $19.50 to $90. This came at the end of a long, protracted dispute between DSG and Campus Services. The fee increase was suggested for the purpose of reducing the Duke Dining deficit, which had then ballooned to $2.2 million. Finally, after the administration allegedly agreed to adhere to a list of stipulations, the fee increase was agreed upon. The most important stipulation was that the increase was to exist for only one year.
Unfortunately, that’s not happening. …

By Joey Lauer

image courtesy of http://gal.darkervision.com
Pope Benedict XV recently approved the use of condoms in cases where their primary purpose is to decrease the risk of AIDS. This is an unusual relaxation of the absolute ban on contraceptives that the Catholic Church has had for decades. Perhaps the Pope is starting to realize that condoms can prove useful, if not necessarily for the right reasons. In the face of this theological dilemma it may be fruitful to ask: what would Jesus say about the matter?
The Pope’s decision is based on …

By Cameron Lambe
The average age of Republican congressmen and women is markedly lower than the average age of their Democratic counterparts. As a recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out, Republicans are significantly younger: 54.9 (R) and 60.2 (D) in the House, and 61.4 and 63.1 respectively in the Senate.1
While the age gap in the Senate is not especially remarkable, the over-five-year difference in the House is unusual, with the age divide normally hovering around two years. And not only is this gap strange, it also …

Our second issue of The Gothic Guardian has been distributed on West Campus, in Trent Building, and on East. Pick up a copy when the weather allows! Thanks again to everyone that contributed. Our theme for this issue was “America Back On Track,” highlighting our hope for a strong year in conservative politics. The issue is also available online here.

Here’s an interesting questionnaire from The New York Times.
Budget Puzzle: You Fix the Budget

By Lingfeng Li
Both Democratic incumbent David Price and his Republican challenger, BJ Lawson, attended the Chamber of Commerce’s town-hall styled forum in early September. The candidates largely focused on the economy and the role of government in business during the debate.
While both candidates performed adequately, Lawson seemed noticeably more comfortable and concise with his opening and closing statements, and in his responses to questions. On multiple occasions, Price implied that Lawson was relying on “sound bytes” and “buzz words,” rather than actually delivering a thoughtful reply. But …

In an effort to generate cross-campus dialogue on political issues, The Gothic Guardian has joined with other college publications to form the Alliance of Collegiate Editors (ACE). This week we interviewed 1960s political organizer Mark Rudd, most well known for his involvement with the Weather Underground.
The Gothic Guardian at Duke University
1. Your participation in the Weather Underground came during a time of diverse movement politics and a certain brand of kick-ass liberals. Today, movement politics seem to have disappeared at the same time that liberalism is becoming increasingly tied to …

The Gothic Guardian was featured in a recent story about alternative student publications in North Carolina. Read about us here, in the story written by Duke Cheston of the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy.

Our first issue of The Gothic Guardian has been distributed on East and West Campus, as well as in the Trent building. Pick up a copy today if you’d like to see our staff’s work, and thanks again to everyone that contributed! Our theme for this issue was “No Change,” highlighting failures of the Obama administration and our optimism for Election Day 2010. The issue is also available online here.