Doherty’s Democracy: JC students rise above example of respect

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
April 30, 2013
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

When I turned on the news a few weeks ago, I was appalled to see the famed neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson apologizing for a horribly controversial and poorly considered comment that he made about gay marriage. It is extremely commendable that the majority of JC students have held themselves above the horrible... Read more »

Pro V. Con: Summer school work ensures more time in class for learning

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
April 25, 2013
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con

This is the pro argument on whether or not school work in the summer is beneficial.  To read the con click here. The end of the school year marks the disappearance of stress, early mornings, and long days. The only thing left is that impending summer packet your teacher so rudely gave you on the last... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Maryland government misses the mark, puts unnecessary strain on consumers

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
April 17, 2013
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

The price of gas is undeniably considered by most to be a plague upon their existences. It is a commodity that everyone hates but can’t do without. The Maryland government knows this and they cleverly used this fact to make up for state revenue issues with a new gas tax. However, they took the tax... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Selective Service fails to keep up with modern military

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
March 15, 2013
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

There is no greater honor than to serve one’s country and to risk one’s life for the freedom of others. Personally, I would volunteer without hesitation or a second thought if my country asked or needed my service, but I shouldn’t have to sign up for the completely arbitrary Selective Service System. Men... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Minimum wage fails to provide acceptable income

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
March 12, 2013
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

The purpose of minimum wage is to make sure that businesses treat their employees fairly and don’t force them to work long hours for pennies. However, the federal minimum wage, and thus Maryland’s minimum wage, of $7.25 is not nearly enough. Sure, $7.25 an hour is great for high school kids who... Read more »

More guidance on choosing majors would benefit students

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
March 11, 2013
Filed under Op-Ed, Opinion

Choosing a college major is a quest that plagues even the most driven and academically successful students. It is perhaps even more stressful than choosing the college itself as it actually determines what you will be able to do later in life. At the moment JC gives great guidance to students about major... Read more »

Pro v. Con: Standardized test provide inaccurate judgment of students’ college readiness

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
March 11, 2013
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con

This is the con argument for whether or not the SAT is a good measure of intelligence.  To view the pro click here. The SATs are a horrible misrepresentation of the ability and intelligence of college bound students, and they receive a far greater amount of attention than they deserve. The idea that... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Dangerous sequester would negatively impact Maryland

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
February 27, 2013
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

Congress is taking a trip to Vegas with America’s livelihood. The sequester, which Congress has put off until now during the fiscal cliff debates, needs to be handled swiftly and definitively. So far they’re pathetically missing that mark. The sequester is a group of systematic budget cuts to a... Read more »

Pro v. Con: Honor Council offers opportunity to improve student life

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
February 25, 2013
Filed under Pro V Con

This is the pro argument on the Honor Council. To view the con click here. The Honor Council has been long in coming. Finally, the student body is getting what it has been so deprived of for years. Honor councils are a staple to many private schools and universities. When they are managed effectively,... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Common sense gun laws shouldn’t be attacked

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
January 25, 2013
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

This country is on the verge of a civil war. Or at least that’s what extreme  Second Amendment advocates make it seem like. In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, President Obama’s executive actions, and suggestions to Congress about improving gun laws, there has been a drastic uproar from gun... Read more »

Students lack study skills, JC should consider ‘How to Study’ course

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
January 16, 2013
Filed under Op-Ed, Opinion

When students arrive at JC as freshmen, they are done a disservice. They aren’t prepared for the amount of work and studying that high school requires. When students leave for college, they are plagued by bad study habits. Freshmen and sophomores need to be officially taught how to study through... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Congress’ fiscal cliff deal drastically fails to solve pending issues

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
January 7, 2013
Filed under Blogs, Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

As the economy prepared to take the final leap off the fiscal cliff with no parachute at the end of 2012, Congress somehow managed to snatch the economy back at the very last moment, but they lost their own footing and sent themselves tumbling down to future disasters. The Senate’s bill, which was... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Local shops deserve priority over Wal-Mart

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
December 11, 2012
Filed under Blogs, Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

Wal-Mart is coming to town. They’re making a list and checking it twice of all the profitable small businesses in the area that they can destroy. The new Wal-Mart, set to be located at the intersection of Plumtree Road and Route 924, should not be allowed the opportunity to carry out its plans. This... Read more »

Pro v. Con: Legalizing Marijuana heightens state revenue, lowers crime rate

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
December 5, 2012
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con, Uncategorized

This is the pro argument on legalizing marijuana in the state of Maryland. To view the con click here. Americans are getting addicted to the idea of legalized marijuana. The federal government should decriminalize it and states like Maryland should move towards legalization. Recreational marijuana... Read more »

Pro v. Con: Citizens rightfully petition to break up union

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
November 16, 2012
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con

This is the pro argument on secession from the United States.  To view the con argument click here. I hope you’ve held on to your Confederate money, the South is rising again. Well not even the South but thousands of dissatisfied citizens in all 50 states across the nation are pushing for secession... Read more »

Referendum questions pose economic success

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
November 13, 2012
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

As the results of the 2012 election slowly rolled in on the night of Nov. 6, it was clear that Barack Obama would be reelected President of the United States. The Obama administration was not the real winner that night - the Maryland economy was. Maryland voters cast their ballot for seven referendum... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: College tuition should cause concern

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
October 25, 2012
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

Twelve days until my future’s decided.  12 days until the biggest financial decision in my life will be made for me.  12 days until the 2012 presidential election. People ask me why I care about politics.  It’s true that politics interest me.  However, as far as this election is concerned, my... Read more »

Advisory lacks active attitude

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
October 24, 2012
Filed under Op-Ed, Opinion, Uncategorized

The replacement of homeroom with advisory at the end of 2009-2010 was a major change. Most students were skeptical, but they welcomed the change. Now in its third year, the program has become an integral part of the school day. But it could be better. The focus of advisory is to "personalize the experience"... Read more »

Pro v. Con: Gun control fixes nothing

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
October 19, 2012
Filed under Opinion, Pro V Con

This is the con argument on gun laws. To view the pro argument, click here. Pain, terror, and images of a crazed gunman walking through the halls come to mind when one mentions a school shooting. But will most people ever have to deal with this situation face-to-face? Not likely. The US Census Bureau... Read more »

Doherty’s Democracy: Debate proves disastrous for everyone

Bryan Doherty, Opinion Editor
October 12, 2012
Filed under Doherty's Democracy, Opinion

When I sat down last Wednesday to watch the first presidential debate I was amped. I felt like I was sitting down to watch a prize fight between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. What a disappointment. And this is from a guy that watches C-SPAN because he finds it interesting. Somebody needs to get President... Read more »