If one thing has shaped my journey, it's contrast. I’ve moved from the lively stadiums and busy lecture halls of a Big Ten university to the serene, thoughtful atmosphere of Cornell — from a populated college town to beautiful gorges, to the idea of learning more than I could imagine. In the midst of all this, between campus coffee shops and late-night political discussions, an idea started to emerge: The Tobin Times.
The name is a nod to one of the first news publications I ever read, The New York Times. Growing up in New York City, I was immersed in a world full of noise, energy and strong opinions. Politics wasn't just something people talked about, it was woven into the fabric of everyday life — as familiar as subway delays and local deli shops.
Eventually, life took me far from that bustling city to the small, post-Soviet nation of Georgia, a country that is still shaping its own democratic journey and rooted in a culture that stretched back to kings and queens. It was there that I encountered a different type of political spirit: passion, patriotism and a desire for change. The people and culture of Georgia introduced a different type of fight I hadn’t witnessed before.
When I came to Cornell for my master’s, I was eager to connect the idealism of youth with the tough realities of global politics. Writing for The Cornell Daily Sun felt like the right place to do it. With The Tobin Times, my aim is to explore the political landscape not as an expert, but as part of a generation that will bear the consequences of today’s decisions.
I’m not here to speak only to those who are already engaged with everyday politics. Rather, I want to reach those who cringe at the mention of “politics” or see it as noise without purpose. Because underneath all the headlines and hashtags, the choices made in boardrooms and on ballots will shape the future we all share, whether we like it or not.
Our generation is often labeled as indifferent, mindlessly scrolling past important issues. But I don’t think it’s apathy. I think it's a disconnection. And that’s where I come in.
If I can bring a human emotion back to politics — full of humor, real perspectives and true impact — maybe we’ll all start to pay a bit more attention.
From the Big Ten to the Big Red, from New York's subway to Tbilisi’s cobbled streets, I’ve realized that politics is ultimately about people: their stories, challenges and voices. Through The Tobin Times, I want to share these voices and hopefully inspire some new ones to join the conversation.
After all, every great story begins with someone who chose to speak up.
Lali Tobin MPA '27 is an Opinion Columnist and a master's student at the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. Her monthly column, The Tobin Times, explores public policy and politics through different lenses. She hopes to engage readers in hearing how politics is the most discussed topic in the media and why it is important to stay on top of current issues. She also hopes to tackle current social trends that can be connected through public policy. She can be reached at ltobin@cornellsun.com.
