The greatest health risk to us Cornellian’s is no longer over exhaustion from studying or extreme inebriation from Slope Day, but rather the Swine Flu which has led the World Health Organization to raise its global alert level and is sending the world into a panic. Mexico has shut down schools and museums, American health officials have declared a public health emergency and on Monday investors jumped heavily into drug stocks. So what is the swine flu? Is the country at risk of demise? What can we do here at Cornell to protect ourselves and survive?

As a student at one of the schools that was not off this festive week, I was left to face the challenge of observing Passover at Cornell. The most difficult challenge for me, like many, is avoiding bread products. Once a year I understand why people on carb-free diets are so miserable. Later in this article I want to express my disappointment towards Cornell dining, for I believe there are simple steps the University should be taking to help students who wish to observe the holiday. First, however, I want to raise a second challenge that I faced this Passover — explaining to people what Passover is and why I insisted on eating my hamburgers without buns.

From the looks of it, you’d think the devil was invited to speak at the University of Notre Dame’s graduation commencement ceremony. Then again, maybe some people believe he is, though I bet even Rush Limbaugh would find this a bit extreme. For commencement and graduation, most universities invite a distinguished individual to address the graduating seniors in order to provide them with words of wisdom and advice for the future. Who better for the task than the President of the United States? I am therefore bewildered that President Obama’s scheduled speech has been met with such defiance and outcry.

There I sat contemplating the news — “Mr. Charles will call you at 9:30 a.m. for your phone interview.” I had never had a formal job interview, yet alone a long distance one over the telephone. There was some upside to not having to interview face-to-face I figured; I had time to plan out exactly how I wanted everything to go. Would I dress up in a suit to put myself in the interview mind set? Would I be more comfortable and relaxed if I did the interview au naturale? What questions could I possibly be asked? How would I respond? After jotting down some brief notes, and after deciding that regular clothing would suffice, I was seemingly ready for the interview.

I can’t do what? or Unacceptable, says who? I remember it vividly: It was a blistering summer day and I drowned out the humdrum of the weatherman. My mind raced, from sandcastles to hermit crabs to ice cream.

January 20th marked a new page in American politics, as well as the equally-celebrated turning of an old one. President Obama is inheriting obstacles whose solutions well surpass the power of any one individual. If we expect a new president, new cabinet or new government to fix all of our problems and mend all of our wounds, we are simply naïve.

If there was any cold blood, it was impossible to tell. This past Monday marked another step in the symbolic changing of the guard, as President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush welcomed President-Elect Barack Obama and First Lady to be Michelle Obama to the traditional tour of the White House. Although President Bush was the focus of continual criticism by Senator Obama, and despite President Bush’s publicly announced belief that Senator Clinton would be the Democratic nominee, both men were all smiles when they posed together outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Dear Sen. McCain,

As we approach what many will call the final stretch of an historic campaign, I would like to formally commend you for your valiant effort. You may be aware, as it is widely accepted, that I posses a significant lead in all polls, to be the next President of the United States. Now let us not get ahead of ourselves; the race is far from over. However, I believe that the American people are ready for change and that I will soon be elected President of the United States of America.

To what extent is Fall Break actually a break? Sure, there are no classes Monday and Tuesday, but to what extent does the world around us pause, if even for a moment? The economic uncertainty did not cease, the presidential hopefuls continued to campaign, and for many, more prelims were around the corner. Nonetheless, I doubt anyone was complaining, and any day in which I can sleep past 9:00 a.m. is a nice digression from the norm.

Hoping to read something exhilarating, enchanting, or provocative? Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I have little to no experience when it comes to sex, drugs, or even rock ‘n’ roll. In searching for a column topic this week, I thought long and hard about which unique, intriguing, and fresh topics I could discuss. However, amongst prelims, the return of stereotypical Ithaca weather, and the statistical elimination of both the Mets and the Yankees, I came up void of creativity. If you are looking for a mystical story or a revealing memoir, I encourage you to pick up a daily horoscope, or simply take a trip to the Ithaca Commons.