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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Opinion | The RESTRICT act has consequences

Opinion | The RESTRICT act has consequences

Chris Klepach, Opinions Columnist May 3, 2023

Since I began using the internet, it has been post-Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was enacted following 911 to intercept dangerous communications.  The government has the authority to be able to...

Anti-trans conservative commentator Matt Walsh speaks during a lecture organized by the University of Iowa Chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom for Walsh’s “What Is a Woman?” documentary at the Iowa Memorial Union on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Prior to the lecture, progressive students called for the lecture to be suspended because of Walsh’s transphobic remarks and organized protests. “The gender ideology, this is a hill worth defending – a hill worth dying on because it’s the hill of basic fundamental truth,” Walsh said.

Opinion | Platforms are giving internet trolls too much attention

Gabriel Arboleda, Opinions Contributor May 2, 2023

Political commentary has strayed further than ever from factual reporting. On April 19, far-right political commentator Matt Walsh lectured at the Iowa Memorial Union. He was invited by the...

One of the three tanning rooms in Hawks Ridge is seen on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Opinion | A skin tone is not a trend

Yasmina Sahir, Opinions Columnist April 30, 2023

Skin color, features, and fashion associated with communities of color are not trends. With summer break approaching, the University of Iowa campus has entered tanning season. Students crowd...

The Burlington Trailways location on the corner of Court Street and South Dubuque Street seen on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Opinion | Local transit should be prioritized

Shahab Khan, Opinions Columnist April 30, 2023

The Iowa City City Council needs to focus on expanding the capacity of Iowa City’s local transit system. Recently, two major bussing companies in Iowa City — Megabus and Burlington Trailways...

Photo illustration by Matt Sindt

Opinion | Banned books should be kept on library shelves

Naomi Rivera Morales, Opinions Columnist April 30, 2023

Books from every perspective are essential, but a bill in the Iowa Legislature is putting these books at risk. Books with LGBTQ+ themes, characters of color, and sexual content are being taken off the...

An Iowa City Police car is seen near the Iowa City Police Department in Iowa City Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.

Opinion | Reform instead of defund

Shahab Khan, Opinions Columnist April 28, 2023

Activists concerned about police funding continue to flounder in their quest to cut police budgets because they fail to realize that their strategy is getting them nowhere. Instead, activists need to...

Opinion | AI research needs to be reined in

Opinion | AI research needs to be reined in

Peter Anders, Opinions Columnist April 26, 2023

The field of AI has gone farther than we thought was ever possible. Several prominent scientists and experts in the technology sector wrote an open letter on March 22 suggesting that until its implications...

Bullet shells are seen on the ground at the Hawkeye Wildlife Shooting Range in Amana, Iowa on March 20, 2023.

Opinion | Iowa politicians are focused on the wrong issues

Katie Perkins, Opinions Contributor April 25, 2023

On average, gun violence affects 316 lives a day in the U.S., according to Team ENOUGH. There are certain aspects of politics that should receive more care than others. There have been 173...

Cows are seen at the Blomme family farm in Ladora, Iowa on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. The farm, which produces corn, soybeans, pork, and beef, has been in the family for over 80 years.

Opinion | Raw milk provides more choice to dairy drinkers

Chris Klepach, Opinions Columnist April 24, 2023

Columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan, or other organizations in which the author may be involved. To provide more...

Junior Teresa Mora plays Black Ops 2 in her room at Currier Hall in Iowa City on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Opinion | Defending video games as an art form

Chris Klepach, Opinions Columnist April 23, 2023

Over the years, video games went from a 1958 experiment to a $195 billion industry. But currently, the video game industry problematically undermines the value of videogames as art. Blockbuster...

A protester stands on the intersection of Jefferson Street and North Madison Street during the lecture organized by the University of Iowa Chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom for conservative political commentator Matt Walsh’s “What is a Woman?” documentary held at the Iowa Memorial Union on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Opinion | Trans students aren’t an academic debate

Yasmina Sahir, Opinions Columnist April 23, 2023

Transgender people deserve to feel safe at the University of Iowa and in Iowa City. They deserve autonomy over their bodies and lives and shouldn’t have to tolerate hateful remarks and opinions that...

Photo Illustration by Jenna Galligan

Opinion | Turn off TikTok — for good

Sophia Meador, Opinions Editor April 23, 2023

For years, I spent mindless hours scrolling TikTok. In March, I deleted the app because I needed to refocus my time on other things. Initially, I thought this would be an impossible challenge. Now,...