I’m an optimist. Every time I sit down to write a column, I have every intention of writing something that adequately represents my point of view. The columns I write usually end up as a tirade against various demographics on the campus, whether it be the administration, boring teachers or students who don’t have any sort of fashion sense.

I am not the only writer facing this dilemma of negativity.

The opinion section of The Diamondback is a forum for a select few D-list celebrities to rant and rave about their negative views that only have an effect on some students. By reading the various columns and editorials, I have laughed, cried, sneezed and shouted.

On a biweekly basis, each columnist gets to have a glamour shot and his or her name printed in bold, taking baby steps toward becoming famous.

The hardest part of this dream job is brainstorming new column ideas. With few restrictions imposed upon us, columnists are allowed to speak their minds on topics that are hopefully unique and timely while relating somewhat to the student body. During this semester, I’ve read the opinion section daily, yet have encountered only a few negative, repetitive storylines, such as: Student Government Association President Andrew Rose (soon to be deposited in the “Where Are They Now?” file), racial struggles, school spirit and stereotypes.

Instead of solely scathing the wrongdoings of those around us, we should also attempt to commend certain individuals and groups for a job well done. It’s much easier to yell at someone who has messed up instead of thanking him or her for his or her help. While opinion writers are tearing apart campus groups and individuals, readers are paying close attention and the columnists are gaining some sort of localized fame for their criticisms.

Because The Diamondback is in wide local circulation, columnists need to take advantage of this opportunity and cover stories students are not otherwise aware of.

A pet peeve of mine revolves around the whole idea of having an ombudsman on this paper. With every column that he writes, Scott Goldstein rehashes old news without really adding much of anything to this publication. He discusses grudges of his, like his disapproval of Max Nova’s column (“Paper dominates football brawl coverage,” Nov. 8), in addition to his comments on the editor in chief. Most topics covered by Goldstein are previously elaborated in the numerous letters to the editor printed daily.

The Diamondback needs to maximize its page space in the opinion section. It could do this by including more guest columns, letters to the editor and editorial cartoons, rather than allowing Goldstein to gloat about his issues with the paper every two weeks.

The opinion section should be one of the first places students turn to when they pick up The Diamondback, besides the tantalizing news on the front page, because it actually represents the voice of the student body.

To ensure this will happen, columnists need to take great care in choosing topics that analyze a subject matter that is unique and relevant to most students (whether negatively or positively, although the latter will be a stretch for most). Next, these D-list celebrities need to enlighten their eager audience with opinionated insights on the stories they are writing and reporting about. The end result will be a captivating read that will tear students away from Facebook stalking and thrust their noses into opinions.

The Diamondback is a hard-hitting newspaper, covering local stories before other news outlets can. Now that The Diamondback has been able to attract media attention with stories on the Cornerstone brawl and nuclear reactor, let’s captivate both the national and local audience with an impressive offering that visually attracts them with hard-hitting columns, editorials and letters to the editor. Although we cannot compete with the “Girls of ACC” centerfold of another popular publication, we will try our best.

David Levitt is a sophomore physiology and neurobiology major. He can be reached at dlevitt@umd.edu.