Elise Swanson
UW-Madison
I’m kind of a quirky person, but I don’t think that necessarily has to be a negative. I’m always down for a good adventure, which leads to lots of new experiences, some better than others. If I were to ever have free time, I would spend it either outside, reading, playing board games, or playing basketball (poorly) with friends. Most people would say that I’m Brian Williams’ groupie, but really I just recognize how amazing he is—as everyone should. Also, random trivia never fails to interest me, and I will always laugh at corny jokes and puns, no matter how bad. I love to stay up late at night debating pretty much anything, especially politics. I’m a passionate person, and I hope to be able to put that passion to work to make a difference in the world.
“Women’s Issues”- What Matters to Students?
April 13, 2012
What will decide my vote in November? I care about a lot of issues. I’m not “just” anything, and I won’t vote based on one policy dimension. Neither will other women. Politicians should acknowledge that.
How ‘The Hunger Games’ Showed Us Race is Still an Issue
March 28, 2012
The idea that watching a black Rue die is less sad than imagining a white Rue die is emblematic of our not being able to relate to a person simply because of their race. Our society certainly feeds the hateful attitudes exposed by the anger at The Hunger Games movie casting.
Just Another Raging Feminist…Because It’s Women’s Her-story Month
March 16, 2012
We need a complete overhaul in the way we, as a society, think about and treat women. Progress has been made, but the attitudes stereotyping women's rights supporters as "angry" or "rejected" women are but one example of continuing challenges to the cause.
Reaction to Romney’s Wins- From an Obama Supporter
February 29, 2012
With my preferred Republican candidate, Jon Huntsman, out of the race, I am naturally dissatisfied with the option of choosing between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. But in the end, my thoughts come down to electability.
Voting with Wisconsin’s New Voter ID Rules
February 23, 2012
Tuesday was Wisconsin’s first election to be held with the new voter identification requirements recently passed by Governor Walker. The new process for voting was extremely confusing, especially as a student who does not live at the address printed on my driver’s license.
2012 as a First Time Voter
February 9, 2012
We were engaged in the 2008 election in ways young voters were never before, and a lot of us have been let down because all hopes and expectations have not come to fruition. While that could provide a rationale for disengagement, I’m not buying into it.
“Lynching” Charges A Perversion of History, Justice
January 18, 2012
The Occupy movement is perhaps not the best organized or articulated of protests, but it is still meaningful for thousands of Americans, and they deserve to exercise their freedom of expression. It must not be silenced by underhanded legal tactics.
Dangers of an Escalating Battle of Words
January 12, 2012
The showdown over Iran's nuclear capabilities is really a classic game of brinkmanship, but that’s a dangerous game to play. The whole situation is scary, but, for me at least, it’s a bit less scary because President Obama's in charge.
