EDITORIALS

Why Alternative Breaks Rock
Without question, Alternative Breaks is one of the most noble programs of Xavier University. XUAB provides an opportunity for students to forgo the traditional spring or summer break debauchery in favor of participating in service opportunities. But why is XUAB so awesome? In addition to compelling students to give up seven days of reckless binge drinking and other various lewd activities that inevitably occur in warm, sandy and sunny locations,
XUAB gives students the chance to assist others. Sure, we all like to hold the door for a stranger or return a lost wallet, but how many of us would trade tanning on a beach for chopping wood on a South Dakota Native American reservation or working with inmates in a Chicago prison? The point is, not only do these students sacrifice their spring breaks, they often find themselves waking up early, doing
physical labor and *gasp* not even travelling to an exotic location - and most of them had to raise money to do so.
And so, we at the Newswire believe that XUAB truly represents the Catholic identity of our school. It is the very identity proudly trumpeted in the admissions material: that our fellow students choose to go out into the world and make a difference, even when doing so means giving up Panama City Beach or that cruise to the Bahamas.
With that in mind, we would like to commend all those that have gone on XUAB, for you truly are men and women for others.
Ohio Election Insanity
The roller coaster/disaster that has been the Republican presidential primary has come and gone in Ohio. The Buckeye state has yet again played an integral role in shaping the future of our elected officials, and Xavier students have shown little enthusiasm. One easy explanation is the combination of midterm week and spring break that alone would put the kibosh on any student involvement. We get it, students had their minds on other things. But if nothing else, the Ohio Republican presidential primary should serve as a wake up call that elections matter, and if one remembers anything from President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, it is that students have and can make a difference in a presidential election.
Recall that Obama visited this very campus, as well as many others, in 2008. Many argue that even if the student vote did not put Obama over the finish line (which is still debated), the real oomph he received was in enthusiastic support, campaigning and contagious, almost rock-star following from young people, mainly beginning with college students.
As couriers of the news, and as concerned and engaged students, we the Newswire editorial staff kindly ask that you tend to your civic duties and ensure you are registered to vote; know where to vote, carefully consider the options and cast your vote.