Michael Oplinger
Penn State University
I am a redshirt junior (I'll graduate in December 2011) at Penn State majoring in media studies and political science. I also write a weekly column for the Daily Collegian, Penn State's student newspaper. Previously at the Collegian, I covered men's tennis and volleyball and was a sports copy editor before tiring of sports cliches and "coachspeak." I still enjoy baseball, particularly the Philadelphia Phillies, and would like nothing more than for the Nittany Lions to make the NCAA basketball tournament. I'm also interested in political media and pundits so I follow all things Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, Olbermann, Maddow, Stewart and Colbert.
Government and Hurricane Irene
August 31, 2011
Unfortunately for Glenn Beck, even in the era of the Tea Party, the government still has its important roles. One of those roles continues to be supporting its people in times of uncontrollable disaster.
Voices of Our Generation: A Manufactured Crisis
July 27, 2011
The country doesn’t have time or patience for Congresspeople to show off their egos. There are times where it makes sense for politicians to hold strong ideological ground--this is not one of them.
The Real Victims of the Debt Ceiling and NFL Debates
July 21, 2011
The consequences of both the debt ceiling debate and NFL lockout have greater impacts on people who are indirectly involved, whether they rely on extra income from a job as an usher or a Social Security check.
The War on Terror’s Fiasco
June 30, 2011
Lupe Fiasco, maybe more than any rapper, sings lyrics with a social and political message, often worth pondering. Fiasco's views on the War on Terror, though controversial, may have a point. He simply states that U.S. foreign policy has led to more terrorism. This is not a hard argument to make.
The Liberal Higher Education Misconception
June 29, 2011
In a country where we hope to keep pace with the world in terms of economic and technological development, we must continue to encourage our young people to enrich their minds in every way possible. And currently, the best way we can accomplish that goal is through colleges and universities.
The GOP’s strength in messaging
May 27, 2011
The GOP is simply a better party--at least in being unified. Why do the Democrats fail to defend themselves? For whatever reason, they seem to be unable to say anything together.
The Value of Political “Elites”
May 20, 2011
A tenth grade girl's challenge to Minnesota Representative Michelle Bachmann is raising some interesting questions about what Americans should be looking for in their elected officials.
How Birthers Hurt the Modern Media
April 29, 2011
On Wednesday morning President Barack Obama held a press conference to say what most of us already knew – that he was born in the United States. This should be it. The media must move on. They must ignore these crazy birthers like they do other wild conspiracy theorists.
