Articles written by Derek Graff

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About me - Derek Graff

Hi, I'm Derek. I attend the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I'm currently studying to become an electrical engineer. Someday I would like to work with alternative energy.

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Entertainment > TV Show Reviews TV show reviews: Two and a Half Men: 4 of 20
"Two and a Half Men," which first aired in 2003, is without a doubt the best comedy on CBS. It's a great family comedy that can get laughs from all ages. The acting is great. The writing is great. Everything about this show proves that it will last for a long, long time. Charlie Sheen (Charlie) and Jon Cryer (Alan) make an ... More..
Education > Education (Other) Should public school teachers get merit pay?: 6 of 22
No. A teacher should not receive pay based on the success of her students. If you want to encourage your teachers, increase their salary altogether. If a teacher will receive more pay if and only if her students do well on a certain test and then gets a class of apathetic, hopeless students, then she will be less likely to t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Immigration Undocumented and illegal immigrants should have a roadmap to US citizenship: 28 of 84
There is no question about the fact that we need stricter immigration policy in this country. There is no question that our border with Mexico needs to be more secure. The question is what to do with the millions of illegal immigrants we currently have in this country. Should we kick them out or help them on their way to citi... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Party Politics & Ideology Dictatorship is Republicanism Always: 7 of 16
Republicans don't have bad intentions. They don't go into the presidency intending to be a dictator. They just have a specific agenda they think everyone will agree with. When presidents like our current one find out the hard way that their ideas aren't perfect, they start abusing presidential powers. And if Congress is also ... More..
Home & Garden > Architecture The average salary of an architect in the US: 1 of 1
An architect's salary can be very rangy. Most of the time, however, this range is based on the sole fact of experience. Architects with more experience, obviously, make a lot more money. There are also various other positions architects can hold, such as project manager or equity parter and principals, that would give them mo... More..
Entertainment > Album Reviews Album reviews: Hip-Hop is Dead, by Nas: 4 of 7
This is what East Coast hip-hop is all about. Nas has reminded me why I've always preferred East Coast to West Coast. It's because I prefer lyrics, messages, and rappers who can just plain rap. To me, that's what true rap is. They don't get caught up in making dance songs with whack rhymes. This album has been criticized by ... More..
Entertainment > Musicians & Bands Artist profile: Flavor Flav: 3 of 5
Who doesn't love yelling "Flavor Flav" with their friends? The real question is how many people actually know why he's famous. Most people know him as the guy with the clock around his neck or the ghetto reality TV star from "The Surreal Life" and "Flavor of Love." Does anyone today remember him as a rapper in the extremely ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > News Industry Should the government control talk radio to make it more "balanced"?: 70 of 110
I'll admit, I'm all for balance. I don't want the media to choose a side for me. I made the choice back when i was little to be a democrat. I have no trouble with a conservative point of view on the radio. The only problem with government control is that it would make radio less balanced. Looking at today's president and past... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Atheism & Agnosticism Agnosticism: Why neither religion nor atheism is right: 17 of 23
Let's look at this issue logically, whether you're religious or atheist, you rely on faith. You need faith in the hope that the other one is wrong. If you're atheist, then you're royally screwed if all those "you're going to hell" fanatics are right. If you're religious, then you just made sacrifices, restricted your lifesty... More..
Entertainment > Album Reviews Album reviews: Doctor's Advocate, by The Game: 4 of 5
The Game has brought it this time. This isn't an album, this is a West Coast event. This album brings back real hip-hop. Without a doubt, I would have to say that this was the best album of 2006. This is a classic album from beginning to end. This album shows that The Game can stand on his own. He doesn't need any other rapp... More..