Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons user Samvscat.

Almost all of the interview slots were taken. Students signed up and shuffled into BU Central for ten minutes one-on-one with an MTV producer. Ghita Benslimane (CGS ’15) interviewed for her chance to be made into a confident stand-up comedienne. The producer asked her questions about how supportive her family is, her confidence level, and why she felt she wanted MTV to help her achieve her dreams. “The interviewer was very nice and very personable in a sense that I was relaxed during the process even though a camera was filming me the entire time,” Ghita said. “I really like the concept of the show and after getting interviewed I got back to my dorm and started watching some of the previous MADE episodes. They really achieve people’s dreams from what I can tell and I think that’s an awesome thing to do for people.”

MTV may not end up choosing one of our own to star on a future episode. The TV channel reached out to BU in addition to many other big universities to coordinate the nation-wide casting call. In the event that a BU student is chosen, cameras will probably not enter the classroom, so you don’t have to worry about your half-asleep, drooling mug making its way onto the small screen. MTV will, however, be allowed to tape in public places around campus and potentially in dorms if given permission.

Between alumni like Howard Stern and Geena Davis and an overall all-star faculty, BU’s got more than enough star power to go around. Happenings such as this casting call, however, are a reminder of said star power and the abundant opportunities handed to us as students at a major urban university.

RockMelt + BU + Free Beta = Match Made in Social Heaven by Lauren Hockenson

Top Chef Recap: Everybody Made Soup by Joel Kahn

The Euro Meets Its Match by Evan Caughey

A black dress and high heels do not an idiot make. | Photo courtesy of xlordashx via Flickr Commons.

Biddy.

What a strange word, that. According to the ever-reliable Urban Dictionary, a “biddy” is a coupon used at McDonald’s in Australia…and a hot girl. Most BU students, though, are probably aware of the many connotations the term holds. As both a derogatory term and a label to aspire to, it refers to a type of woman with a certain look, style, and way of behaving that seems to engender alcohol-fueled mockery by both women labeled as such themselves and by many of their peers, most especially by men.

And the subgrouping “biddy”? It sucks. It really, really sucks.

If I were to break down the many reasons it sucks, I would go on for quite a while after my word count. It’s classist (the clothes it “takes” to fit the part cost quite a bit), racist (I’ve only ever seen it appeared to light skinned women), and it’s exclusionary (you’re in or you’re out, whether you embrace or eschew the label).

Worst of all, however, is that the term is unbelievably sexist.

At one time or another, we have sorted and been sorted by labels both multiple in number and variety. As much as our culture lauds individuality, labels are an easy way for our brains to sort each other. But when these labels purport a lifestyle based first and foremost on one’s gender identity, and on a highly stereotyped one at that, we start to hurt each other.

“Biddies” are most commonly mocked by men, without repercussion, which enforces the idea that women of this subset are open targets for derision. Some men love to lump all women with this style and behavior together. It’s open season, for there are plenty of women for them to label as less than intelligent or capable women who only care about partying and their physical appearance.

If you have been labeled a “biddy”, you should be pissed. You are a human who deserves to be given respect. If you are a man who mocks these women, cut it out. You are lucky enough that you can just be yourself and avoid a lot of labels, besides “bro,” which is an unspecific, often positive term. We call this a privilege, this time a stereotype privilege, and here it means that any label you receive won’t be as damaging or degrading as the term “biddy.”

Women have to deal with a lot already, like keeping themselves safe and being told they suck at a lot of things because of their gender. And if you’re just another BU student who wants to degrade other women and call them “stupid biddies,” also cut it out. It helps no one to tear each other down, and if your insults come from the bitterness of a previous hurt, address the perpetrator; don’t rob someone of their humanity and individuality by assigning them generic, insultatory traits for your own smug satisfaction.

And, if you happen to be one of the few women who feels empowered by the term “biddy”, own it. Love it. Be you. Just don’t use it as an excuse to put other women down, okay?

Please stop making memes.

Please stop making Shit ____ Say videos.

PLEASE.

Yes, some of them are funny. Some of them are very funny. Some have even made me chortle out loud and spin the computer around to share them with a comrade. But enough is enough! The Internet is supposed to be a vast stream of information, but now it is just Memeville, governed by Mayor Philosoraptor. What happened to puppy videos? Or StumbleUpon? Remember good ol’ StumbleUpon? With all that… variety? What ever happened to spending hours on Megavideo? Oh, wait; I know what happened to that. (Fun thing to do: Google search the house of the guy who created MegaUpload, and then hate yourself.)

I like to think that I’m giving a voice to the downtrodden right now, but perhaps I am part of the Memeville 1% and just pissing off all you 99%ers to the point where you will rise up against me. But this @LiquidFun tweet makes me feel like maybe I’m letting the truth rain down:

Sage wisdom from Ross Huston: The send doesn't justify the meme.

February 8, 2012 8:40 pm via Mobile WebReplyRetweetFavorite

@liquidfun

Liquid Fun

But if you do hate me for being a Class-A fun ruin-er, maybe we can compromise and you can only make memes with cute puppies and Shit Cute Puppies Say videos?

(Also, there were lots of words in all caps in this opening because I am very passionate about this topic, but my copy editor told me to cut that crap out because it sounds mean. BUT I LOVE CAPITAL LETTERS!)

I PROUDLY PRESENT…

Are you coming to "The Black-Jew Dialogues" at BU! ... or are you just going to sit in your room alone looking at BU memes all day?

February 8, 2012 3:29 pm via FacebookReplyRetweetFavorite

@BU_Hillel

BU Hillel

Oooooooh snap! @BU_Hillel has got some jokes! Welcome to #TweetCreep, guys.

ANYONE HAVE TAPE FOR MY GLASSES?

Socially awkward? Maybe. But one of the most fun-loving colleges too! http://t.co/OyfID9gk

February 8, 2012 3:09 pm via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@comugrad

BU COM

Apparently only if that fun includes Dungeons and Dragons and a can of Cheez Whiz.

FALSE ADVERTISING

Let's talk about sex! Sweet moves BU DTG and SHS #flashmob http://t.co/azeW6wdM

February 8, 2012 12:44 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@theGSU

SAO

Okay, you had me at “Let’s talk about sex!”, but then the tweet quickly lost my interest. Did Student Health Services make a sex tape or something? And if so, was it the “you’re going to get an STD” kind or the Kim Kardashian kind?

THE SHINING, BUT WITH TELEMARKETERS

What's scarier than tuition? Well, not much but...BCAP's Monster opens tomorrow night, Feb 9! http://t.co/GFFHk7fv

February 8, 2012 9:56 am via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@CFAtweets

BU CFA

Spoiler Alert: The Monster is your future student loans collector. Played by Jack Nicholson.

ALTERNATE PUNCHLINE: YOUR GLASSES ARE CROOKED

StuVi III: Because no one will notice South Campus is crooked if we build another skyscraper. Maggie Dunn reports: http://t.co/uo0QqQCF

February 7, 2012 2:30 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@butv10_TheWire

butv10's The Wire

South Campus isn’t crooked! Your gait is crooked!

WRITER’S NOTE: I debated whether to use the word “gait” or not, but I decided to go for it because I believe in your intellect. If you don’t know the word, look it up because this joke works, damn it!

AND FEWER LAXATIVES

We ask that you please refrain from making any Oliver Twist jokes in the D-Halls today.#Dickens

February 7, 2012 12:19 pm via Twitter for iPadReplyRetweetFavorite

@BUDiningService

BU Dining Services

“Please sir, I want some more… adherence to health code regulations.”

NO LOL

Roflcopter yea we do! RT @bdevit: Remember that time @theGSU paid her to come host an event? Yep, #BU. http://t.co/ycVxmtiW…

February 7, 2012 10:12 am via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@theGSU

SAO

Stop trying to make roflcopter happen! Seriously. Never again, guys. I can’t even wrap my head around what roflcopter even means. You laugh so hard, you levitate? Just… never again.

HAVE THEY BEEN WORN?

Head down to the GSU Link today to send a Panty Gram to that special someone! Just One week until Valentines Day!

February 7, 2012 11:49 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@BUDeltaGamma

Delta Gamma ZZ

Panty Grams: The Valentine’s Gift of Choice for Japanese Businessmen and Frat Boys Everywhere

WANTED: TALKING VAJAYJAYS

If your vagina could talk, what would it say? "Um, yes please", "NOT YET", "You da one"? Think of a better one? Let us know & you could win!

February 6, 2012 11:13 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@VagMo2012

BU Vagina Monologues

I’m not interested in what any vagina has to say unless it is Snooki’s vagina or that monster vagina from the movie Teeth.

BU TweetCreep: January 29th – February 3rd by Liz Breen

BU TweetCreep: February 27th-March 4th by Meghan Ross

BU TweetCreep: April 10th-15th by Meghan Ross

Sweet treats aren't the only fun part of V-Day! | Photo by Andovercookiemama via Flickr Commons

Red and pink hearts. Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Aggressively marketed lingerie. Yes, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, spawning obnoxiously romantic ads for diamonds and a flurry of sappy cards throughout every CVS. While it’s true that V-Day is mostly  a holiday that was made up by greeting card companies, it’s still a significant night for both the single and attached. Couples have their romantic fun while single ladies can have a blast with their own “Galentine’s Day” à la Leslie Knope. Sounds like a great time for all; the only question is, what to wear?

A red dress is a powerful and versatile piece for Valentine's Day. | Photo by Han Ghazi via Flickr Commons

Here are a few ideas for how to remix Valentine’s Day classics, be it for a romantic date or a wild night with the ladies. Pop in some smooth jams (we like Al Green) and vibe with us.

1. The Red Dress

Oh, the perennial V-Day favorite. A red dress is an iconic article of clothing: sexy, chic, and timeless. For a date, a red dress is best worn simply–keep accessories minimal (one statement-making necklace and a small pair of interesting studs, or shoulder-grazing danglers and a bangle) and stick to low-maintenance styling with almost-natural makeup and soft, easy hair.  For a fun Galentines’ night out, however, it’s time to make the red dress fun! Embrace all the man-repelling trends you love and layer piles and piles of gorgeousness on top. Throw on a striped Breton top, a military jacket, and every accessory you own, do your makeup crazy and bright, strap on a pair of bear-trap shoes, and hit the town like the fabulous peacock you are. In this case, before you leave the house, put one more thing on. 

2. The Lingerie

We know what you’re thinking. This one’s obvious, right? Not so much. Whether single or attached, every girl loves a good bra and panty set. And with Valentine’s Day’s emphatic advertising of all things underwear, why not incorporate some into your outfit as well? For a romantic date, it’s simple–make it pretty (whether that means delicate and pale or dark and sumptuous, that’s all personal preference) and wear it under the clothes. For the single girl, though, the options get interesting. We at The Quad love us some underwear as outerwear–think Carrie Bradshaw–and we think that, when played just right, it is utterly chic. Try a neon bustier under a sharp-shouldered blazer and pair it with a pair of slouchy pants. It’s a brilliant and totally unexpected silhouette.

3. The Makeup

The make-up ads around Valentine’s day are always a little counter-intuitive to romance. They scream “RED LIPS” to spark the mood, but lipstick marks on a glass are not cute, and who wants to kiss a sticky, crimson pout?  For a date, focus on beautiful, glowing skin and try subtly smokey eyes with a lip-balmed mouth (we love L’Oréal Colour Riche Balm). If a date is not on the menu, however, dive right into the lipstick abyss! It’s glamorous and as fun as can be. We love shades of orangey-red and hot pink this season.

Whatever the status of your romantic life, there’s no reason not to look fabulous and have a fantastic time on Valentine’s Day! Try out a few of the ideas listed above, indulge in a few of those chocolates (no matter who bought them!), and feel the love.

You can't tell me this man doesn't look like a turtle. Photo from flickr user PaisleyPittbull

The Republican primary, which looked like it was in danger of stabilizing last week, has dealt us a fresh surprise with Rick Santorum’s victories in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri on Tuesday. This primary season has resisted predictability all along, with early strong showings from Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, and Rick Perry, all of whom are almost certainly crazy. But the fact that the field is still so uncertain could have more to do with lack of inspiration than anything else.

All four remaining candidates – Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul – face serious issues that have made primary voters uncertain of their ability to face Barack Obama in November.

Ron Paul is in the somewhat unusual position of having been in public life for more than three decades and having almost never contradicted himself. He looks like he could be a grandpa. He wears orthopedic shoes on national television. It’s hard to imagine having a beer with him, but maybe a glass of warm milk. Look past his adorably turtle-like appearance and realize that he wants to abolish the federal reserve, end birthright citizenship, and might be a racist. Paul looks less like a grandpa in a suit and more like someone who should never be allowed within fifty feet of the Oval Office.

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, both of whom believe that they are the front-runner, have perhaps the opposite problem. Romney has often struggled to convince voters that he experiences human emotion, while Newt Gingrich made the unfortunate mistake of cheating on his wife while she was being treated for cancer, and then letting people find out about it. Their policies are largely in line with the Republican base, but neither has been able to create a consensus behind his candidacy despite huge campaign war chests and significant establishment support (for Romney, anyway).

Rick Santorum has gained the attention of a significant portion of primary voters, as evidenced by his victories in Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri (although, his victory in Missouri was non-binding and did not award any delegates). His sweater-vest-wearing antics lend him a relatable quality that Romney (who makes $10,000 bets) and Newt (who racked up $500,000 in debt at Tiffany’s) lack. But as soon as Santorum opens his mouth, it becomes clear that he is a single-issue candidate. And his single issue is making sure that Americans everywhere are obliged to adhere to his morals, whether they like it or not.

With such a lackluster field, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to clinch the nomination quickly. As it stands, Romney is closest to that goal with 94 of the 1114 delegates needed to secure the nomination, but his lead is far from decisive.

Far from inspiring crowds of thousands with the mere power of their words like Obama, the most serious problem for Romney and Newt is that it is unclear why they are even running. Santorum and Paul both have strong convictions (however misguided) that are the driving forces behind their campaigns. Romney and Newt both have a lot of money and really want to win. But there is nothing less inspiring than someone who wants to lead the free world just for the sheer pleasure of being able to say he’s done it, and if Obama is able to rally even a fraction of the principled hope he inspired in 2008, the eventual Republican nominee will struggle to create the same fervor with a “lesser of two evils” approach.

Everyone's looking at BU Memes! Photo courtesy of BU Memes

BU Memes, a phenomenon started by Nicole Black and David LeHouillier, has become a runaway success on Facebook and gained over 5,000 “likes” in a matter of hours. Many popular memes like Scumbag Steve and Philosraptor have been used on the page, in addition to BU Terrier Kid, a squinting Rhett against scarlet and white. A meme-ified Boromir asserts that “one does not simply find a seat in the GSU,” while Scumbag Steve gets off the elevator on the 6th floor at Warren, and the First World Problems girl laments, “I live at West, my boyfriend lives in Warren.” College-specific memes have also been spotted on other campuses, such as Duke and Boston College, and seem to be sweeping across campuses nationwide.

While BU Memes has certainly garnered attention, it has not all been positive. For BU students who browse Reddit (the birthplace and home of many of the popular memes used on the BU Memes page), the memes used have often been viewed as not clever and misused. One Redditor asserts through a “Hipster Cat” meme that he or she had been making memes “since my other freshman year.” Some of the memes on BU Memes do indeed seem to miss the point by simply expressing facts about BU without any clever or humorous slant or by making needlessly offensive statements.

Truer words were never spoken. | Photo courtesy of BU Memes.

Whatever the benefits or drawbacks of BU Memes, they have certainly made a big impact on the campus in a very short amount of time. Only time will tell whether the trend will last.

Splash into a Sea of Student Groups by Briana Seftel

“Winnebago Man” Filmmaker Makes BU Laugh Out Loud by Noah Eberhart

College Fashionista: A Splash of Vintage Denim by College Fashionista

Prop 8, officially titled “Eliminates Rights of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment,” was a ballot initiative that sought to change the California Constitution to add a new section to Article I that would read, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

February 7th saw California's Prop 8 struck down as unconstitutional. | Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

As a resident of California, I can attest to this measure’s overwhelming presence in 2008. All throughout the summer, there were countless attempts to have Prop 8 removed from the ballot on the grounds that it was a constitutional revision, which can only be put before voters by legislators or a constitutional convention. These efforts were all for naught as, in the end, the cases were dismissed and the measure remained on the ballot.

When I returned to school that September, coverage of the issue had intensified. Support for Prop 8 poured in from Republican dignitaries like Arizona Senator and then-presidential candidate John McCain, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and others. California Democrats such as then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, as well as soon-to-be President Elect Obama voiced opposition to the measure.

The atmosphere surrounding the proposition was filled with a definite religious presence as well. The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints both publicly supported Prop 8, while all six Episcopal diocesan bishops in California and numerous Jewish groups staunchly opposed it. According to the exit polls, it was clear that those who described themselves as religious were those most in favor of Prop 8.

The final vote showed 52.24% in favor of and 47.76% against Prop 8. Of California’s 58 counties, 42 voted in favor of Prop 8, including–rather surprisingly–Los Angeles County, albeit by the slimmest of margins: 50.1% to 49.9%. Counties in favor were spread throughout the state, while those against tended to be along the coasts and surrounding the Bay Area. San Francisco County was by far most opposed to Prop 8, voting 75.2% against it.

Prop 8's opposition was limited when it came to the number of counties. | Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Immediately after the results were released, mass protests took place across California, including a large gathering outside an LDS Temple in Westwood (Los Angeles) and a candlelight vigil in front of Sacramento’s Gay and Lesbian Center.

Multiple lawsuits following the vote were consolidated into Strauss v. Horton, which saw the court rule that Prop 8 was valid as voted. Resulting from this was another suit, Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), filed in a Federal District Court in San Francisco. The plaintiff, Kristin Perry, and her partner were denied a marriage license by the Alameda County clerk-registrar because they were a same-sex couple. Perry and her partner, along with a male couple from Los Angeles that had similarly been denied a license, joined together to sue their respective county clerks, then-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown, and two officials in the Department of Public Health.

Chief Judge Vaughn Walker heard closing arguments on June 16, 2010. Less than two months later, on August 4, he announced his ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, overturning Prop 8 based on the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment. What’s more, Judge Walker asserted that California had no rational basis or vested interest in denying gays and lesbians marriage licenses:

“When challenged, however, the voters’ determinations must find at least some support in evidence. This is especially so when those determinations enact into law classifications of persons. Conjecture, speculation and fears are not enough. Still less will the moral disapprobation of a group or class of citizens suffice, no matter how large the majority that shares that view. The evidence demonstrated beyond serious reckoning that Proposition 8 finds support only in such disapproval. As such, Proposition 8 is beyond the constitutional reach of the voters or their representatives.”

Judge Walker further noted that Prop 8 was drafted based on traditional moral disapproval of homosexuality, which is not a legal basis for discrimination.

Appeals were almost immediately made and eventually scheduled to be heard by Judges Stephen Reinhardt, Michael Hawkins, and N. Randy Smith. Oral arguments were heard on December 6, 2010 and, after delays regarding the validity of the appeals throughout 2011, a ruling was issued on February 7 of this year. The panel ruled 2-1 in favor of the plaintiffs, affirming Judge Walker’s decision and again deeming Prop 8 unconstitutional. Judge Reinhardt authored the majority opinion, which included the following:

“Proposition 8 therefore could not have been enacted to advance California’s interests in childrearing or possible procreation, for it had no effect on the rights of same-sex couples to raise children or on the procreative practices of other couples. Nor did Proposition 8 have any effect on religious freedom or on parents’ rights to control their children’s education; it could not have been enacted to safeguard these liberties…Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples.”

The decision may be reheard within 14 days, by a full bench of judges, if a majority of all the active judges in the Ninth Circuit vote to rehear it. Also, the legal teams who argued for Prop 8 have 90 days to directly appeal to the Supreme Court.

Regardless, the feeling at the moment is one dominated by jubilation, relief, and celebration. Dozens of celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell, have expressed satisfaction while gays, lesbians, and heterosexuals alike have joined together to celebrate.

Read Judge Reinhardt’s entire ruling here. 

By Evan Caughey

About Skeezics: So. Every week I (Evan Caughey) create a cartoon making fun of something involving politics, world affairs or something moderately related to something else.  In general, they are meant to make the world more bearable by showing that it is a silly place and that there is always something to laugh about.  Unfortunately, they are usually serious things, so you will only laugh until you realize it has to do with something like who your next president will be.  Anyway, enjoy.

Mitt Romney captured victory in the Nevada caucus with ease. | Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Repeating his 2008 performance in the Silver State, coupled with his dominant win in Florida on January 31st, Mr. Romney has again solidified himself as the clear Republican frontrunner for November’s pivotal presidential election. After being declared the winner, Mr. Romney took to the stage at the Red Rock Casino to deliver a speech. Buoyed by his recent successes, the former governor emphasized his focus on the general election in which he is sure to be participating: “This is not the first time you’ve given me your vote of confidence, and this time I’m going to take it to the White House.” Continuing with this confidence, Mr. Romney had fighting words for President Obama: “This week he’s been trying to take a bow for 8.3 percent unemployment. Not so fast, Mr. President.”

As far as delegates are concerned, Nevada has only a small portion of the amount needed to secure the Republican nomination, making Mr. Romney’s victory more of a symbolic one. Of course, this performance, quick on the heels of a similar one in Florida, ensures that for the rest of February, momentum will certainly be on the side of the former Bain CEO. This momentum could be priceless in dispatching chief rival Mr. Gingrich as the campaign travels through Colorado, Minnesota, and Maine this week. It was clear from Nevada’s final polls that Mr. Gingrich, once thought to pose the biggest threat to Mr. Romney, was slipping – Mr. Gingrich was not vying for a victory, but rather competing for a distant second-place finish with Mr. Paul.

Yet, characteristically, the former Speaker of the House was confident even in the face of defeat, placing emphasis on what he hopes to be an improved showing on “Super Tuesday” (March 6), when eleven states vote. Speaking to a room of reporters after his defeat, Mr. Gingrich struck a serious tone: “I am a candidate for President of the United States. I will be a candidate for the President of the United States. I will go to Tampa.” Speaking further, he more or less guaranteed that he will have caught up with Mr. Romney by the time of the Texas primary on April 3.

Despite all his words, Mr. Gingrich will not be pleased with the close analysis of Nevada’s votes, which show large support for Mr. Romney. The latter won the caucus with votes from a broad group that included very conservative voters, staunch Tea Party supporters, and evangelicals. Thus far, it has been Nevada that has had the largest share of self-described Tea Party supporters, who are considered a vital part of Mr. Gingrich’s base, but it was Mr. Romney who won a higher percentage of their vote.

In addition, exit polls reported that 4 out of 10 voters on Saturday claimed that the quality that mattered most in the candidates was the ability to defeat President Obama in November; almost 75% of those voters voted for Mr. Romney. Many voters listed the economy and its woes as their primary concern, and 60% of those voters supported Mr. Romney, lending credence to his “business experience” rhetoric.

Romney After Winning… by Evan Caughey

Fred Karger: The Anti-Romney by Annie White

Things Get Personal in Latest GOP Debate by Ross Ballantyne

Could be we colonizing the Moon come 2020? | Photo courtesy of NASA/Dennis M. Davidson

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stirred up an odd controversy last week after announcing his plans for a lunar base. “By the end of my second term we will have the first permanent base on the Moon,” he said to an audience in Florida shortly before the primary.

This latest scientific proposal, between his casual insistence that he would serve two terms and the sheer grandiosity of suggesting a Moon colony in such a rough economy, outshines even Gingrich’s previous scientific plans in media radar. Every critic, from fellow candidate Mitt Romney to comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, have jumped on the opportunity to ridicule Gingrich’s plans.

It certainly sounds crazy, but there might be a hint of possibility to Gingrich’s plan. Returning to the Moon is closer to reality than fantasy. In fact, building an outpost on the Moon was a U.S. plan until about three years ago. At its center, the idea is possible, but expensive.

The problem isn’t the technology, it’s the cost. The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) estimates that developing a small, four-person lunar base would cost $35 billion, not including the rocket needed to transport the lunar lander. After the station were established, the CSIS estimates another $7.35 billion a year for maintenance, which is over a third of NASA’s current budget. Especially with NASA’s recent budget cuts, no one is sure whether they will be able to afford these costs years down the road.

Gingrich is full of grand ideas, but are they realistic? | Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.

Cost aside, having people permanently stationed on the Moon isn’t complete science fiction. While 2020 might be a stretch, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) program could be ready to take people to space by the mid 2020s. After all, six crew members, three of them American, are currently on the now-finished International Space Station. With the help of international cooperation, the six trained astronauts and engineers are conducting groundbreaking research and experiments on the station.

There’s a far stretch, however, between a four-to-six person outpost and what Gingrich is proposing. He isn’t aiming for something modest. He’s talking of a permanent colony, where people could live and travel. Once the Moon reaches 13,000 people, he said, it could apply for statehood. This is where Gingrich’s idea becomes most unrealistic. If the cost of a four-person Moon base is unattainable, it’s completely unlikely that we could sustain anything close to a colony. A Moon base is a long term commitment that will need constant funding and attention, regardless of the political environment on Earth. Especially with the economy in a tumultuous state, it’s hard to believe that the US could continually devote their attention towards the Moon while people on Earth are less than happy.

In the end, it’s not the technology that’s at issue. Funded by private companies or by multinational efforts, we could have people stationed on the moon by sometime in the 2020s (or even on their way to Mars if the SLS program is a success). A 13,000 person moon colony, though, is currently out of the question. NASA’s budget cuts have left many less than hopeful about the United States’ stake in space, so it’s refreshing to see Gingrich pushing for exploration. He’ll have to think of another way to get people excited about space, however, because this Moon plan is simply too grandiose to become a reality within his two term limit.

1. Tangerine

Pantone's Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango, made waves this season on the runways. | Photo by Sharon Weissburg

It’s official: Pantone has named “Tangerine Tango,” a juicy orange with a splash of red, the Color of the Year for 2012. Tangerine is a sunny color, ripe with juice and optimism, and, as a bonus, looks incredible on virtually everyone. Wear it alone in the form of a dress, lipstick or a statement-making accessory; mix it up with neutrals; or pair it with—gasp—more color! Tangerine looks gorgeous set off against khaki and grey, especially when paired with gold accessories. For the more daring fashionista, pairing tangerine with hot pink or cobalt blue makes an arresting mix. Avoid pairing this hue with white or silver, however—this would bring a not-so-great construction-worker feel to the ensemble.

2. Pepto Pink

Pepto isn't just for your bellyache anymore. Try it in your outfit! | Photo by Sharon Weissburg

Girly girls, rejoice! Pink is having an enormous moment right now. This season’s pink is at once chalky and saturated, and it really lights up the skin. While the idea of the color may conjure up visions of Barbies and crinolines, this supremely girlish color is not being applied to similarly feminine silhouettes; instead, designers are lending the color either to sharp, modern, minimalist pieces like a beautifully cut buttonless blazer, or badass staples like a studded leather jacket. Try out the hue in this understated way, always pairing it with something to offset its Barbie reputation—a spiky cuff, black accessories, a simple, menswear-ish white top. This way, it’ll look fresh, interesting, and au courant.

3. Minty Fresh

Freshen up your palette with a dose of this cool, minty hue. | Photo by Sharon Weissburg

Lady Gaga had it right in her “Marry the Night” video when she dolled her nurses up in Calvin Klein and spearmint-green hairnets—mint is huge for 2012. This is not the preppy sort of mint green that reigned over sweaters and polos in ages past. This mint is bold in its creamy pastel brightness; it is assertive, loud and never washed out. It looks incredible set off against any neutral (or a mix of a few; mint is to die for with a striped breton top) and downright revolutionary when mixed up with more brights. Start with accessories, which will prove much more versatile than they seem, and then move on to skirts, dresses, tops—the sky is the limit! Freshen up!

4. Laser-beam blue

This blue is not afraid of anything. It’s bright, it’s saturated, and it won’t take no for an answer. Cobalt blue seems to resurface often on fashion’s radar in the form of makeup, clothes, or accessories. As of right now, cobalt is enjoying a moment in the spotlight in the form of smart, snappy pieces that work for both day and night. This strong color is unbelievably stunning on its own, but when paired with camel or white, it takes on a subtlety and grace unexpected from so bold a color. Inject a jolt of energy into almost any ensemble with a shot of this hue; it’s so shockingly bright that it almost achieves the status of a neutral.

There’s much to love about those easy, chic, neutrals like black, grey, camel, denim and white—of course, one should never forsake them. Why not inject a little whimsy into them this winter with some of the most fun, happiness-inducing colors? Be bold and brash in the application of these juicy hues, and enjoy the thrill of the unexpected and the spontaneous when getting dressed.

Soaking Up Colors And Celebrating Spring At Holi Festival by Heather Vandenengel

The Big Chill: A Lesson in Winter for Those From Warmer Climes by Sharon Weissburg

Winter Style Icons: 3 Muses To Emulate This February by Sharon Weissburg

This video went viral in just days. | Screenshot by Aria Ruggiero

This video has gotten so much attention because it speaks about some of the things at BU that are not so great–things that are sometimes unspoken but true, to put it nicely. These can include the not so subtle jabs made towards CGS, the BU guest policy, the less than stellar dining hall food, and how those of us in CAS (like myself) know that the building was designed for people to get lost on the top floors. Other items mentioned in the video are very familiar to most BU students, like the Comm Ave Guy (really known as the Comm Ave Runner), the inconvenience of having a car on campus, and as for the “Who is Dean Elmore?” reference… he’s the man, to put it simply.

Together, all of the things mentioned in this video provide decent entertainment for any BU student, providing a 1 minute and 25 second break from the daily grind.

Although the girls who made the video really nailed a lot of the things that nobody would say at BU, they did get two very crucial things wrong. Nobody, whether at BU or anywhere else, thinks that Crocs are cute or wants to order from Pizza Hut. Ever.