Opinion: Context and viewpoints on issues in the news

The University of Southern California took several students as part of what prosecutors said was a sweeping conspiracy by wealthy parents to use cheating and bribery to get their children into selective colleges.

The University of Southern California took several students as part of what prosecutors said was a sweeping conspiracy by wealthy parents to use cheating and bribery to get their children into selective colleges.

On today’s page, we present a variety of opinion viewpoints on topics currently in the news.

The American Jewish Committee's Dov Wilker writes about what he sees as a common thread running through this week's shooting massacre at a New Zealand mosque as well as earlier, hate-driven murders at a Charleston church and a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Syndicated columnist Ramesh Ponnuru also offers his take on the populist sentiments now trending from more than one viewpoint on the unfolding college admissions scandal resulting from FBI arrests of those who allegedly sought to buy their children entrance into incredibly selective top colleges.

Georgia Tech's Joe Bankoff also writes his view of a U.S. Supreme Court hearing scheduled for later this month. It will examine gerrymandering of political districts. Bankoff suggests that the court can bring a bipartisan solution to a tactic that is a national problem recognized — and used — by both Republicans and Democrats.

And a Coca-Cola executive writes about a new initiative being rolled out in the city of Atlanta that's intended to dramatically increase recycling of beverage packaging. It's part of a global effort by the company to greatly reduce packaging waste in coming years.