Opinions
Team Roundup Page 4
Free Period Page 11
u
September 19, 2007
Visit http://anchorweb.org for articles and archives
22
Sports
Vol. 80 Issue #3
AnchoR
The The
Free Access to Ideas... Full Freedom of Expression
Mandatory Advising On The Horizon By Joe Robillard Anchor Editor Over the past two semesters, Rhode Island College has been researching possible changes to be made to academic advising for students of the school. The result is a test program currently being tried out which will mandate academic advising for each student in order to register for classes. During the last academic year, Rhode Island College formed a special committee on undergraduate academic advising, complete with student and faculty representation. “The college has been worried about retention—people disappearing after one year and people graduating in five years,” stated Dr. James Magyar, who is chairing the committee. Upon gathering information the counsel ultimately advised the school to make academic advising mandatory for students, and RIC has begun testing such a program this fall. The test program is being run in the English department and the Bachelor of Social Work program this fall. All students in these fields of study will need to see an advisor before they can register for classes. There will be a registration “lock” preventing students to enroll in classes that can be removed by their advisor after they’ve met.
Up to three weeks before student registrations begin, advisors will be available for meetings to discuss the classes students will be taking, and progress towards their degree. The pilot program will work out all the kinks in the system, and if things go well, the program will be extended to the entire college. “A big challenge is assigning every student an advisor,” explained Magyar. There are presently many students without any official academic advisor enrolled in classes at the college. So what if you don’t have an advisor right now? “We’re really emphasizing the use of RICMail,” continued Magyar. “That’s where advising information will be sent.” So if you don’t have an advisor already, keep an eye on your RICMail account. A key part of the process will be student feedback, Magyar also stressed. It’s a program meant to help students, so student input is critical. There are other problems being ironed out in the fall, particularly among the larger programs on campus. For example, the nurs-
ing major have a large number of “intended” majors that plan onn joining the nursing program when they take certain classes. Also, some programs are so large they would likely need advisors from other disciplines to do the advising. Any questions, comments, or advice can be sent to jmagyar@ric.edu.
INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: INDIA S LAWLESS STATE
By: Bienvenue Ndahiriwe Anchor Staff Obviously, enough was enough for the people of Bihar, a northern state of India. In fact, a mob in fury in the village of Dhelpurva caught and lynched ten suspected thieves last week. Following a skyrocketing rate of burglary and thefts, and fed up with governmental inefficiency in dealing with criminals, the villagers of Dhelpurva in Bihar established night patrol teams with the purpose of protecting themselves. On September 13 at about 3:30a.m., one of those teams noticed fourteen suspicious individuals supposedly coming from another strike. Seeing their evil plans about to be unveiled and thwarted, the gang members panicked and tried in vain to flee the area. The night patrol immediately raised the emergency alarm. What ensued was a quick gathering of a mob 300-strong that armed itself with anything they could put their hands on stones, sticks, metal rods before going after the alleged criminals. An unspeakable and macabre dance between the villagers and the thieves began to unfold in full public display. Even though three gang members were
able to escape, the net result of this manhunt was that eleven were caught, among which ten were beaten to death and one seriously
injured, before the police’s arrival on the crime scene. This display of raw brutality not only brought to light the leniency of the police force in that part of the world, but it also revamped Bihar’s long-standing reputation as the most lawless state of India. In fact, no later than Monday the ninth of this month, another mob in fury brandishing metal tools blinded three youths as a punishment for stealing a motorcycle. That same day, A. Tewary of the BBC reports that two youths “aged 13 and 12 were beaten up by locals…for allegedly stealing salt and detergents” from their employer. The list of similar incidents of friction between inhabitants of Bihar and criminals is forever growing. Still, villagers assert that local authorities look the other way. All that seems to be changing now as citizens of Bihar have decided to take law into their hands. As S. Gupta, an Indian social scientist, explains, “People think justice will not be delivered. So they resort to instant justice by lynching the culprit.”
F.Y.I @ RIC
Page 2
September 19, 2007
THE ANCHOR
SUDOKU 7
2
8 8 4
3
9 4
8 1
3
7
1
6
2
8
3
1
7
3
9
3 9
8
5
4
9
2 4
2
Tidbits
7
Anchor Student Newspaper Meeting Wednesday September 19th, 12:30 p.m - 2 p.m. in the Ducey Media Center Mandatory Meeting for Fall 2008 Student Teachers Wednesday September 19th, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. in Horace Mann 193. Visit www.ric.edu/ospfp for more information ~
3
Life Skills: How to Change a Flat Tire
1
Thursday September 20th, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. on the quad. Event is free, contact Steph Bailey for details at sbailey_327@ric.edu
1
3
6
~
Bienvenue Ndahiriwe Staff Member of the Week E D I T O R S Executive editor Managing editor News editor Editorial editor A & E editor Sports editor Photography editor Layout editors Copy editor Graphics editor Business editor Technology editor Public Relations Ads Manager Distribution Anchor Jr. Faculty advisor Professional advisors
Staff :
Jessica Albaum Barry Nickerson Andrew Massey Bob Kazarian Kellye Martin Casey Gaul & Joe Robillard Christine Cabral Nick Lima Alex Tirrell Marah Roach Sarah Peixoto Pete Birbuet
executive@anchorweb.org managing@anchorweb.org news@anchorweb.org opinions@anchorweb.org arts@anchorweb.org sports@anchorweb.org photography@anchorweb.org layout@anchorweb.org copy@anchorweb.org graphics@anchorweb.org business@anchorweb.org technology@anchorweb.org pr@anchorweb.org ads@anchorweb.org distribution@anchorweb.org anchorjr@anchorweb.org
Dr. Lloyd Matsumoto Rudy Cheeks
Adam Bram, Christopher E. Buonanno, Ryan Fox, Amanda Harvey, Dave Matrisciano, Bienvenue Ndahiriwe, AJ Paglia, Kim Puleo, Joe Roberge, Kameron Spaulding
The Anchor Established 1928 Free access to ideas and full freedom of expression.
Ducey Student Media Center Student Union Plaza Rhode Island College 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue Providence, R.I. 02908
RICTrip: Canoeing on the Wood River Sunday September 23rd, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. leaving from the Student Union Loop. Trip runs rain or shine, $10 for RIC students/$15 for non-student. ~ Managing Test Anxiety Wednesday September 26th, 1 p.m. 2 p.m. in Craig-Lee 152. Visit www.ric.edu/counselingctr for more details
contacts & fine print General ...............401.456.8280 Advertising...........401.456.8544 Fax.....................401.456.8792 Web ...........www.anchorweb.org General Info .info@anchorweb.org The Anchor is student-run and published weekly during the academic year. Editorial decisions for The Anchor are made by a majority vote of its student editorial board. No form of censorship will be imposed. Any material found to be unsuitable or unacceptable in the board’s opinion will not be published. The views expressed in The Anchor, unless otherwise noted, are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of The Anchor or of Rhode Island College’s faculty, administration or student body. The first copy is free. Each additional copy is $2.25. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2007, The Anchor. If you are a student organization and would like to have an event covered, please contact The Anchor at managing@anchorweb.org.
September 19, 2007
News
Page 3
THE ANCHOR
By Jessica Albaum Anchor Editor This week has a lot of interesting and fun special days. In this issue we are also highlighting National Hispanic Heritage Month. September: National Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15) There is a specific reason that Nation Hispanic Heritage Month starts in the middle of September. It is the anniversary for independence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also declared their independence after September 15. This month is celebrated by learning about Hispanic heritage not only in school, but at home as well. September 17-23: Constitution Week Constitution Week was made to honor the men who wrote the U.S. Constitution and also to uphold what the Constitution stands for. During this week citizens are encouraged to do good deeds and continue to uphold the laws and utilize rights that all citizens should. September 21: International Day of Peace This day is celebrated by inviting everyone to share their ideals of peace. On this day there is a global ceasefire. There are many other different ways that people around the world commemorate this day. Many schools do a program called Pinwheels for Peace, where students make pinwheels. There is also an event called Global Mala project, also known as “Yoga as Peace in Action”. If you are interested in other events on this day, go to www.internationaldayofpeace.org to find something going on near you. September 23: First Day of Autumn The first day of autumn occurs in the Northern Hemisphere when the Sun’s focus appears to shift south of the Equator due to Earth’s tilt on its axis and revolving around the Sun. It is also known as Autumnal Equinox. It can be celebrated by taking a walk to see the changing of the leaves. National Good Neighbor Day: This day occurs every year on the fourth Sunday of September. What’s interesting is that Rhode Island tried to have it changed to the Sunday before Memorial Day, but this law didn’t pass. Good Neighbor Day is celebrated by being friendly to your neighbor and/or having a block party.
Mail Call By Anike Akinbuiumo Anchor Contributor Did you know that all RIC students, both residential and commuter are eligible to reserve a free mailbox in the Student Union for the duration of their enrollment students at Rhode Island College? In order to sign up, students should stop by the student mailbox service window, which is located on the Student Union first floor, on Monday-Friday between 12-2 p.m. During off hours, you can visit the Student Union Welcome and Information Center on the second floor (main lobby). If you are unable to do that, you could also visit the Student Union Department, Student Union #408, M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and schedule an appointment with Assistant Director, Operations and Services, Mark M. Paolucci; or call him at 401-456-8035. Those that are interested have to fill out a mailbox card and are then assigned a mailbox and corresponding unit number. More information is located on the student mail website at www.ric.edu/studentunion/mailboxes.
Day of Atonement By Adam D. Bram Anchor Staff Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, will begin at sundown on Friday, September 21 and end the following sundown on Saturday, September 22 (the tenth day of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar). Yom Kippur occurs ten days after the New Year (Rosh Hashanna), a period known as “The Days of Awe.” The point of the holiday is to reflect on any and all sins you may have committed within the last year, and attempt to make up for them by prayer in order to have a clean slate, so to speak, for the coming year. In addition to spending most of the 25hour period in a temple praying, the main ritual of the holiday is a great fast. One eats a large meal before sundown and does not eat or drink again until after the concluding ceremony the following
night. Infants, pregnant or nursing women, and the extremely ill are exempt from having to participate in the fast. Aside from the fast, there are four other traditional prohibitions: Not wearing leather shoes, not bathing or washing, not anointing oneself in oil, and not having marital relations. The first two are sometimes unobserved in certain circles. Other community-specific rituals include not using a car unless one is too far away from the nearest temple, and not using any electricity except for what was left on before sundown. The holiday’s message is about forgiveness and repentance, and reminds the Children of Israel that, although the prayer says that the book is sealed on Yom Kippur, it never truly is until you die. So live every day as if it were your last.
Grassoʼs Service Center Inc. 1051 Chalkstone Ave. Providence, RI 02908 831-5650 rgreatcars@aol.com We offer Total car care: tires-breaks-shocks-struts batteries-alternators-starters winterizing-heating-air conditioner exhaust-catalytic converters engine/transmission service front end & wheel drive Same Day Service **10% discount for students and faculty with RIC ID** all work guaranteed CHALKSTONE AVE. MT. PLEASANT AVE
What’s Special About Today?
RIC
Sports
Page 4
September 19, 2007
THE ANCHOR
Anchormen Face Up and Down Week REMAIN UNDEFEATED AT HOME By Kameron Spaulding Anchor Editor It was an up and down week for the Anchormen. They started the week with two losses to MIT and Coast Guard. Yet, they closed the week with a great overtime win at Johnson and Wales and a blow out league win over UMass Boston. The Anchormen are now 4-3, and playing well. The MIT game was a thriller. Freshman sensation Christian Therkelsen, from Norway, emerged as MIT’s star, scoring the hat trick. MIT took a powerful lead adding two goals in the first six minutes of the second half, giving them a 3-1 lead. In the 80th minute, RIC had a shot at the tie on a penalty kick. Somehow MIT Junior goalkeeper Tom Caldwell came up with the amazing save to preserve the win. The Coast Guard game would be another loss, but the J&W game was a great win. J&W got out to an early led yet Ryan Kelly answered late in the first half. The game would go to overtime where in the 99th minute, Kelly stuck again—this time with a header set up by Josh Silva. This gave the Anchormen a 3-3 record going into their conference opener with UMass Boston. The UMass game was played through the rain and poor conditions, but nothing would slow down the Anchormen’s attack as they would win 5-2. Kelly kept up his good play with a goal and an assist. Miguel Sagastume and Jose Talavera added a goal and an assist each as well. This big win gives the Anchormen, who are undefeated at home, some momentum to start league play. This week they will host Bridgewater State on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
RIC Women Drop The Anchor On Wheaton By Jill Foreman Anchor Contributor
Another burst of energy by the Lyons, with only 16 minutes on the clock, put them by the Anchorwomen’s tough defense and landed them a volThursday evening’s RIC women’s soccer game ley shot by senior Jenna Rabesa, assisted by Lindsay against the Wheaton College Lyons was played at McManus for the Lyons’ second goal. Then again 5:50 p.m. on the Anchorwith only 3 minutes left on the women’s home pitch. The clock, a nice cross by Lyon Katie Anchorwomen came out in Watson found the head of teamthe first half with a strong mate Emily Hough to put the defense and a series of solid score 3-0 Lyons at half time. attacks. Despite the score, the RIC RIC defense moved the Anchorwomen didn’t lose team ball to feet and to the touchspirit and continued to play lines to be pushed up the with heart until the end. Senior field through the midfielddefender and Captain of the Aners. Amazing give-and-go chorwomen, Mallary Bileau sufpasses between the overlapfered a leg injury with 30 ping mids and strikers put minutes left in the game, but the RIC in position for the goal, Anchor women continued their but the Lyons held a tight fight. Wheaton College’s Barrie Photo Courtesy of Mike Shiel man to man defense that Lindsay and Bailey Edwards, wasn’t letting up. scored two more goals to make Wheaton College came right back at the An- up the final score of 5-0 Wheaton College. chorwomen with some long balls and good touches. Our Anchorwomen fought hard and were unWith still 34 minutes left, Melida Alvarez sent a bul- successful on the score board but September 15’s let of a shot on RIC keeper Krissie Pyzynski, to put Saturday 1 p.m. game at UMass Boston will be a difthem up by 1. The Anchorwomen weren’t giving up ferent story. Good Luck Ladies. and came back even stronger, with amazing feet to feet passes and moving to open space, but still couldn’t put the ball away on the Lyons.
Women’s Tennis: All Aces By Marah Roach Anchor Editor Saturday afternoon the Rhode Island College women’s tennis beat Salem State 81, improving their record to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Little East Conference. Salem State remains winless this season; RIC has won 16 consecutive matches. Salem’s Megan Cote defeated RIC’s Meg Funk in 3 sets, 6-1, 3-6, and 6-3. After that it was Anchorwomen all the way. Sasha Doonan Rodriquez defeated Sara Paunovic in 2 sets, both 6-1. Liz O’ Connell defeated Sophea Neak in 2 sets, both 6-
0. Julie Bannon defeated Alicia Poore in 3 sets, 6-2, 4-6, and 6-0. Jaclyn Eastman defeated Angela Palma in 2 sets, both 6-1. Brittany LaBarre defeated Jess Distler in 2 sets, 6-1 and 6-0. In doubles action, Funk and Rodriquez defeated Cote and Paunovic in doubles 8-2. O’Connell and Bannon defeated Neak and Poore 8-0. Eastman and LaBarre defeated Palma and Distler 8-0. In upcoming action the RIC Anchorwomen at Little East rival Western Conneticut on Tuesday, Sep. 18 and 3:30 p.m.
Volleyball team keeps rolling By Bobby Kazarian Anchor Editor The Anchorwomen started this week with a 43, record with four big matches coming up this week. They started on Tuesday by heading to Emmanuel College looking to improve on their early season record. They started fast by taking the first two games of the match 30-26, 30-27 before dropping the third game 30-22. After a battle in the 4th game RIC prevailed 30-27 on route to their 5th win of the season. Leading the attack was Kimiyo Garcia, who lead the Anchorwomen with 15 kills. Next on the agenda for RIC was at Worchester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). This turned out to be a no contest for RIC; they trounced WPI 3 straight games, taking the match and improving to 6-3 on the season. With new found momentum the Anchorwomen rolled into a double header on Saturday where they were set to match up with Eastern Connecticut
Classifieds On-Campus Housing Available! Single-person suite room in the new residence hall, fifth floor. Meal plan required. Immediate occupancy! Call Jeremy at (401)8688043 for more information.
room Duplex apartment. 1.5 baths, gas heat, stove and fridge included. Washer and Dryer hookups available. 2 Parking spots, 1.5 miles to RIC. New floors. Mikegme@hotmail.com or 401-742-1143
State University and Plymouth State University. In dominating fashion, RIC took down ECSU 3-0; in the match Sherri Heard had 18 kills, and 16 digs from Mary Kate Winter. Finding themselves in a groove they played the second match of their doubleheader against inter-conference rival Plymouth State. Trailing 2-0 and heading into the third game of the match, RIC turned it on, taking the next two games of the match and forcing a 5th and final game. Kimiyo Garcia had 31 kills leading the way for the Anchorwomen; unfortunately it was not enough as RIC falls in the 5th game 15-13. All and all it was a great week, as they went 31 and improved their overall season record to 7-4, 1-1 in the LEC. Next up for RIC is Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Wesleyan University at home.
SCG Sponsored Organizations?? Your first advertisment is free in The Anchor! Get additional advertisments at half the normal rate.
$900 Two bed-
Call 456-8544 for details
Sports
September 19, 2007
Page 5
THE ANCHOR
Film This! By Bobby Kazarian Anchor Editor Let’s breakdown the situation that happened last week to the Patriots for all you haters out there that are relishing the fact that you believe that the Patriots are cheaters and are not a good team. First off, spying and stealing of signals has been going on in all sports for a hundred years on all levels of sports across the world. As a kid, whenever I played baseball, no matter the situation if I were to get to second base, I would always look at the catcher to try to steal the sign he was giving to the pitcher so I can relay that info to my teammates at bat. Catchers know this; why do you think in the Majors and all around baseball that when a runner gets on second base, the catcher either changes his signs or gives different signals? In football you have the same thing, although they don’t want to admit it; many NFL teams look over to the signal caller and try to steal their signs to gain a competitive edge. Now with that said the Patriots last week in New York against the Jets were caught in the first quarter of the game stealing signs from the Jets in an illegal manner by videotaping the signal caller in order to steal their defensive signals. The Patriots went on to crush the Jets into submission by the score of 38-14; some say they cheated to win. Read the damn
story people before you rush to any conclusions that they are cheaters! The commissioner, Roger Goddell, stated that the video that was confiscated during the first quarter of the game was not being used to cheat in that game; the signals they were taking were for their archives to study for the next time they play the Jets. This is a high-tech and unfortunately illegal way of doing advanced scouting. So why the hell if the commissioner states that they did not cheat during the game would you question all of their victories and believe their
legacy is tarnished? I can only think of one logical explanation, and that is jealousy. All you Patriot haters out there can’t believe that a bunch of socalled average players can become a dynasty in an era of football that is supposed to prevent that. The Pats were also punished for this action by Mr. Goddell. The Head Coach of the Pats Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, the Patriots brass was fined $250,000; if they make the
ats how hey
playoffs, they will lose one of their first round picks; if they don’t make the playoffs, they will lose a second and third round pick. This is a very good punishment for the infraction committed—sure it could have been harsher, but it was fair not to lump this infraction in with those committed by others such as Pacman Jones and Chris Henry. I got to say though, the funniest thing about all this is the fact that teams that were dominated by the Pats are now saying they think they were cheated and beat in an unfair way. Here is something they should think about more: grow up! You were beaten by a superior team; even if they did steal your signs, you still have to execute the play that you were given. And they can not even be sure that they did in fact steal signs; Belichick is a mastermind for studying film and breaking down defenses and offenses—that could be a reason why they won. Stop making excuses for being beaten. The fact is the Patriots are the best team in the NFL over the past seven years and those who fell victim can finally vent their anger by accusing them of cheating. In closing, I am not condoning what the Patriots have done; it was a stupid way of advanced scouting and should never be done again. But for all you Patriots bashers out there, stop using this as a crutch; the Patriots are for real, and you will all soon find out.
re or eal
By Dave Matrisciano Anchor Staff
The New England Patriots proved tonight that you don’t need to cheat to win. Throughout the week the Patriots, more specifically Bill Belichick have been under fire about the discovery of a “spy” camera on the Patriots sidelines during the Patriots win in opening week. The Patriots have been punished by the NFL by having to pay $750,000 in fines, and could lose a first round draft pick, or a second and third round draft pick. But as Belichick said, during several press conferences this week, what was done is done; he is now raving about their game against the Chargers, and what a game it was. The Patriots started the game with a touchdown scoring drive, showing off the weakness of the Charger defense. It only got better when Philip River’s first pass was intercepted by Roosevelt Colvin, one of several picks thrown. The Patriot defense was able to shutout the Charger offense in the first half. In the sec-
ond half the Patriots were not as successful, as the Chargers were able to score in their first drive of the second half, but the Patriots came right back and score a touchdown with Randy Moss. The Chargers were able to score one more touchdown for the night. The Patriots won 38-14. Randy Moss won the Sunday Night Football Player of the game, and Bill Belichick got a standing ovation from the Patriots fans. Sunday night’s game proved a few things: the Patriots don’t need to cheat to win; Merriman’s signature move, “Lights Out”, is officially dead and played out; LT is only one player and had a very off night tonight with 18 carries, and only 48 yards; finally, Randy Moss is not a one-man team. Sunday night he ran intricate routes and behaved as a team player. Sunday night should have officially silenced all critics of Randy Moss’s move to New England: he is here to stay.
Dodgeball on Campus By Dave Matrisciano Anchor Staff Earlier this week, RIC hosted one of its first dodge ball tournaments of the year. The Student Activities group set up for a night of food, fun and dodge ball. There were eight teams, competing in a two out of three style game in the Student Union Ballroom: three rounds, five people per team, eight teams and eight rubber balls.
“The Crabs,” composed mostly of students from the wrestling team, took the top prize of $25 gift certificates to assorted stores. RIC TV gave away free t-shirts, custom license plates were handed out, and there was free Del’s, hot dogs and nachos. It was a great event for all RIC students to enjoy.
Sept 19, 2007
ComicS
Pages 6-7
By Jessica Albaum Anchor Editor
On Wednesday September 12 at 12:30 p.m. there was a
crowd of students and faculty in the quad. Why, you ask? It
was student activity day. On this day student organizations
gather to try and recruit students who are interested in joining their club.
There are over 60 active groups on campus. While not
all of them were present on activity day, a good number of them were represented with some great things to get involved
with. The Anchor, WXIN, RICTV, RIC Otaku, Jewish Community on Campus, and programming are just a few examples of
the groups that were there showing their pride for their respective organizations.
The quad was filled with the music from WXIN, and the
shouts of people trying to entice incoming freshman, transfer students, and students looking to get more involved. This
event is an excellent way to get more involved with campus life. Student activity has been difficult to garner since the major-
ity of RIC students commute and do not stay around to get involved with anything other than class.
Many clubs used games and food to draw people over
to their tables. The Anchor Newspaper played a game where the winner got a free Anchor t-shirt. WXIN offered free pizza.
Other groups offered ice cream, pens, and key chains. It was truly a show of the student’s activity fee at work.
If you missed out on student activity day you don’t have
to worry. You can still get involved. You can either just stop by
the office of the group you are interested in joining or you can check the student activity website for a list of clubs on campus with information on how to contact them.
Opinions
Page 10
September 19, 2007
THE ANCHOR
TO HONOR THE LIVING By Amanda Harvey Anchor Staff As you read this article you may think to yourself, “Why wasn’t this made for last week’s paper?” The answer is that, while it is centered on 9/11, it is meant more as a look at how our country handled the day. That day was a day where we are supposed to honor those who died in the attacks of September 11 but I have a question; when do we honor those who are still out fighting for our country? So we had a moment of silence and lowered the flags, but I wonder if there were many people who really stopped that day and realized what day it was in the midst of working and sipping coffee. A few years ago they were huddled around the nearest TV in horror as they witnessed their homeland attacked. Does anybody really realize how long it feels like it has been when it hasn’t been that long at all? All you ever see in the newspaper are reports of what the president is doing and what our troops have most recently done. Beyond that, there is always something about
those recently injured or killed in Iraq. But what about those who are still living and fighting? I know that the dead tend to get more respect than the living, but did anyone stop to think that perhaps the people who are still fighting for our country would like to feel appreciated while they’re out there dying for their country? I guess what I am wondering why it is that the people of this country only spend one day a year really recognizing the people still fighting for us and that we were attacked six years ago. Just like being proud to be an American, it is something that needs to be recognized on a regular basis. Otherwise, what is to say our county is being run the way it was meant to be? Far too many people just kick back and let life go by even after the drastic events that happened six years ago. I could tell when I was out on Tuesday. I saw some lowered flags but nothing really special. Now don’t get me wrong, the image I had in mind was probably something overly patriotic and I should have realized that it wouldn’t happen, but it would
have been nice to see something or hear something more than one moment of silence so early in the morning. It seems very much to me like people are only interested in when we are leaving Iraq and bringing everyone home and how many people have died or been injured. But what about everyone else? Does anyone remember that we still have family and loved ones in Iraq who I’m sure would like to know that the country they are fighting for backs them up and is not solely concerned about how many of their friends have died. So to all those with loved ones still fighting in Iraq, here’s to your strength and theirs while you are apart, and may they come home safe. Perhaps after reading this more people will think of the individuals still overseas and the lives that are on the line. I think that everyone should stop focusing on the dead for one moment and focus on all the people we still have. Amanda is a second year student at RIC and a Secondary Education English major.
Chivalry Is Dead?
All opinions in The Anchor are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Anchor. We urge all members of the RIC community to take advantage of The Anchor’s editorial pages and send us their opinions. We remain true to our motto “free access to ideas and full freedom of expression”. Submissions must be under or around 700 words. Since we receive so many letters each week, entries will be published based on relevancy and time sensitivity. All entries are considered and carefully read.
VERA BRADLEY: TREND ON TOP OF THE WORLD By Mary-Ellen Coppage Anchor Contributor I’m sure that nearly every student on the RIC campus, whether they like it or not, has run into an obscene amount of colorful quilted bags and accessories that belong to none other than the Vera Bradley collection. Almost every girl that I know, with a few exceptions including myself, owns at least one article from this collection. The question is: “Why?” Is it the adorable cheeky patterns, the stimulating bright colors, or the idea of individuality that is presented by identifying with one pattern as “your own”? Or is it just cool? It is obviously just another fad that will fade out in time but this is a persistent trend. I have seen the power of the quilts consume some of my closest friends. One of them can name all of the patterns, when those patterns came out or were retired, (Retired? Are they going to move to Florida with my grandparents or something?) and the names of styles of the bags. The most outrageous Vera story I heard was when my friend drove three hours and spent over three hundred dollars, because Vera was on sale; the sale being a whopping 25% off. The worst part is that this condition seems to be contagious. I find myself to be picking it up as if it were a foreign language. Phrases such as “I want the bowler in Capri melon,” “That’s cute but I just love the sherry in peacock,” and “I already have that in Nantucket navy” are invading my vocabulary. I even caught one of my good male friends saying, “No, that’s not a real Vera Bradley…my god, I can not believe I know that.” I am truly disgusted with myself at times because I have always prided myself on not giving into name brand trends and mainstream fads. This, however, does not change the fact that when I gaze upon a shelf full of Vera Bradley, I get all warm and fuzzy inside. I have come to the realization that you cannot fight Vera, for it appears to be an unstoppable force. So for those who have already proudly indulged in the phenomenon that is Vera Bradley, good for you. For those like myself who have tried desperately to fight off the temptation, I wish I could say to stick to your guns, but I would be a filthy hypocrite. Give me a break, everybody has got to be trendy once in awhile. Mary-Ellen Coppage is a sophomore at RIC and is looking into the education program.
By Greg Storozuk Anchor Contributor I often hear, on television and in reality, women saying “Chivalry is dead.” I say that this is bull. Please excuse my poor use of language but I speak from the heart. It’s true that chivalrous men are a dying breed but they are by no means dead. A trait like chivalry cannot simply die but it can fade away and become extinct with evolving social customs. Throughout time, as you may have seen, the roles of men and women have changed dramatically. In the beginning, the majority of women were completely subservient; practically slaves. Since then, the views regarding women have changed. As the centuries passed, women have been given more and more power are seen as equals to men in many countries. However, I digress from my main point: Chivalry is not dead, it is merely endangered. The question of “Why?” can be answered by a couple of things. Let me lay some psychology on you. Who is it that you see getting the girl nowadays in movies and popular television programs? That’s right, the Womanizer or the Bad Boy. Sure, the courageous hero risking his life to rescue the damsel in distress is still a popular concept but even the heroes are taking on the Bad Boy persona. Take Vin Diesel in the movie, “XXX”, for instance. He is the perfect example; saving the world and hooking up with gorgeous women along the way. Another example is Julian McMahon from the TV show “Nip/Tuck”. He is on the other end of the Bad Boy spectrum. His character is a cocky, pompous jerk and he treats his women like garbage. Even though his character has such a shallow personality and tosses women aside like trash, he gets
more than his fair share of the ladies. Glorifying personality traits like these is what is slowly killing chivalry. The sad truth, ladies, is that men will do whatever it takes to be with you. The majority of us may be pigs, dogs, or whatever other animal you wish to call us, but I think that there are just as many kind and chivalrous men out there as there are jerks. A man may be good at heart but if he sees that that approach does not work then he will change his personality and actions to what does work. When men see in movies and television that the Bad Boys get the girls, they will take on that persona if they think it necessary. These are the reasons why we are witnessing the downfall of chivalry. I do not, however, believe that chivalry is dead. I know this for a fact because I consider myself a chivalrous man. If you don’t believe me, take a trip abroad. For example, I visited Mexico this summer to take Spanish. I was only there for a month but I had a chance to view the men there and they are courteous Caballeros (Gentlemen) with their women. I even picked up a few new tricks. Chivalry may be fading away in the U.S. but know that it is thriving in other countries. To conclude, this entire article has been my plea to the ladies. Please do not say that chivalry is dead when you have observed so little of the world. Also, if you continue to seek out men of that personality type, then that is what you will find. It is always in a woman’s later years that she realizes what she really wants. By then it is too late and the majority of men have acted out that role for so long that it is hard to change. If you do not respond positively to a desired behavior, then it will not be repeated. Just treat Bad Boys how they should be treated, and you will see a change for the better.
Opinions
September 19, 2007
Page 11
THE ANCHOR
Letter to the Editor
A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO JON HAYNES
I am writing in response to a comic which ran on page 7 in the September 11, 2007 edition of The Anchor. The particular graphic says: “Jesus Christ...” in the top left then says “Great college roommate?” over a depiction of Him apparently reaching out to slap what appears to be a student hanging upside down and drinking from a sink. Additionally, there are two people in the bottom left corner, which appear to be RIC students or perhaps a RIC student and the devil one of which He is reaching back to.(sic) They both have captions over their heads, with the first saying: “All He wears are those sandals...His feet smell like ass!” and the second saying in response: “give Him a break His Dad’s a dead beat”. Also the comic states that it is was written by “T ‘n C” Is this comic indented (sic) to convey Jesus Christ as dead? If this is indeed intended to convey Jesus Christ as dead it is, at the very least, anti-religious and debasing towards the Christian faith. If that is not the indented (sic) meaning I feel it certainly appears to be very distasteful, for a large number of other rather obvious reasons. Ergo, I am requesting an explanation of this comic; including the exact intended meaning or meanings of the comic, and whether the author indented (sic) to convey that Jesus Christ is dead or not? (sic) Additionally, I am requesting an explanation of why you, the editor, feel it is in good taste. Moreover, if, upon further explanation, this comic is still found to be in poor taste I am requesting a published apology to all of the Christian faith, and a commitment not to publish such distasteful things in the future. Thank You, Jonathan Haynes
By Conor McKeon and Tony Pierlioni, “T ‘n’ C” The following is a written response, (read: not a written apology) to Jonathan Haynes. As a christian, Jon was offended by a comic that I, Conor McKeon, and my partner, Tony Pierlioni, submitted to the Anchor last week. The subject of the comic that upset our christian friend was, you guessed it: jesus. It appears that, perhaps as a christian, Jon is also offended by spell-check, as his complaint is littered with misspellings, but we digress. It seems that instead of reading the works of Bill O’Reilly, Pat Robertson and Billy Graham, we should all take a minute to peruse the writings of the framers of the Constitution, an underappreciated yet surprisingly powerful piece of literature. It is the story of how the United States is meant to be orchestrated, with such outrageous claims as, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Essentially, the Constitution says that in a public venue such as a newspaper of a
public college, the government may not inhibit the rights of citizens to speak freely on a given topic, especially religion. I think it is an incredibly relevant document, but you don’t have to take my word for it. The cartoon’s purpose was, first and foremost, to start a dialogue and inspire thought and debate. We are more than pleased that our mission was accomplished. The objective of our comic’s content was to portray jesus as a college roommate. Mr. Haynes seems to be under the impression that the Devil, or “Lucifer”, was placed in the same housing quarters as jesus, or “that guy Mel Gibson likes a lot”. I am incredulous of this idea, as the obvious differences in their roommate applications would be wide-ranging, and I’m confident the fine staff of Rhode Island College Residential Life and Housing would never allow such polarizing figures to live together. We simply intended to show that jesus’ ability to turn water into booze would surely result in nightly “faucet stands”, and his penchant for sandals and walking long distances would generate an odious odor that would not be met with great kindness from his roommates. These facts, along with sym-
pathy for a young man with a father who was never around, are compelling enough to inquire as to whether or not jesus would be a “great college roommate.” I shudder to think of the outrage that would be felt by Mr. Haynes had the comic instead read “The Prophet Muhammad: Great College Roommate?” I am confident that he would have been just as upset if the butt of the joke was the central figure of a faith other than his. In closing, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Anchor, which has been nothing but supportive of free speech for all students of public institutions. We would also like to thank any individuals who question our art, for without their contributions there is no discourse to promote knowledge and free thinking. However, for those who feel a piece of art such as ours should not be allowed in the periodical of a public institution, we have but these solutions: enroll at Providence College or move to North Korea. Sincerely, and may god strike us down if he does not approve of our comics, Conor McKeon (aka C) and Tony Pierlioni (aka T)
FREE PERIOD Not As Free As It Was Meant To Be By Barry Nickerson Anchor Editor Every Wednesday from 12:30pm - 2:00pm is Free Period, a time-slot during which classes are not scheduled so that students can get involved on campus. Many student clubs and organizations meet and many campus-wide events occur during this time.” This quote comes directly off of the website for the Office of Student Activities. At orientation, we were told that classes were not offered during the Free Period in order to encourage student involvement. However, this is not necessarily the case. While looking through the course bulletin and choosing classes for the fall semester, a friend of mine noticed that her Art 226 class would be run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. We weren’t surprised given that the Art department had run classes during that block during spring semester. It’s not just the Art department that does this though; in years past, many departments have run classes during Free Period, thus denying those students the privilege of being involved on campus and using their Student Activity fees. The Special Archives department of the Adams Library has copies of course bul-
letins dating back several years. Researching back to the year 2000, I found that some departments ran their classes during Free Period and that many continue to do so. The departments that most frequently did this were the Elementary Education and Art departments, as well as Graphic Communications. If RIC is going to offer a free period, why should departments be allowed to run classes during that time? It makes getting involved difficult for those students, and wastes their Student Activity fee. Those students don’t get to participate in any “Freebie Wednesdays”, Student Activity Fairs, most club meetings, elections for those clubs, Finance meetings and events thrown by RIC Programming during this time. How is this fair, seeing as how they pay the fees that fund these events? This is a practice that should be terminated before the spring semester; otherwise, we may as well refund those students their fees. Barry Nickerson is a Mathematics major at Rhode Island College and Vice-President of the Anchor. He is not lactose intolerant.
THE FIGHT AGAINST IGNORANCE By Andrew Massey Anchor Editor The following is a story I found online that made me both sad and proud about our future generation at the same time: In Nova Scotia, one student showed up on his first day of high school wearing a pink shirt. Well, as many would expect from the jungle hierarchy of high school society, he was immediately set upon by several older students who called him gay and threatened to beat him up. This is the part that made me sad. Why is gay such an offensive word? I’m about as heterosexual as can be and I never understood why gay was an insult. I mean, the obvious reason is that gay people are different, and with humans being the most xenophobic creatures around, demean them and insult them. but why single out gay people over other non heterosexuals? Is it because straight guys feel so threatened by homosexual men that they single them out the most? Maybe it is because they seem like the easiest target. Whatever the reason, ignorance is ignorance to me. Having feelings for someone, regardless of gender, is not a crime. If that someone in question is underage, dead, or an animal, then it is wrong. Otherwise, it shouldn’t be considered a crime against humanity. Despite this, people lash out
against gay people as they have against all minorities in the past, and anyone who isn’t heterosexual. What is worse this that these people then rant and rave about gay people and their kids pick it up and then begin using gay as an insult. This leads to kids holding ignorant beliefs and not giving anyone different than them a fair chance before they start picking on them. Most of the time, they just lash out against anyone who they don’t like; usually calling them racist and other words of prejudice without really knowing what they mean. Anyone who has had the luxury of playing any video game with multiplayer capabilities, usually involving lots of killing, and a chat feature will understand what I mean. This behavior is very disappointing to me. This kind of ignorance is what I expect from our President and his administration, not from the kids that are supposed to be our future. Thankfully, there is hope for our future. After this kid was repeatedly bullied,
two seniors worked together and used the Internet to get students to wear pink the next day. They ordered 75 pink tank tops for guys to wear over their shirts, had pink headbands, wristbands, and other pink accessories. All together, almost 900 students wore pink the next day. The bullies in question were enraged; with one throwing chairs in the cafeteria. It makes me proud that these kids weren’t afraid to stand up for this one kid. From what I’ve observed, people usually turn a blind eye to these kinds of situations because they’re too afraid. They think they’ll be ridiculed because they stand up for a minority who is currently believed to be inferior. It happened back in the 1960’s during the Civil Rights movement, in the 1910’s with women’s suffrage, and has happened with every other minority that has had to fight for its civil rights. For a country that is supposed to accept all people regardless of race, color, etc., I’m certainly finding a lot of
hypocrisy. Every time we oppress a minority, they rise up for their rights and we eventually give in and learn the errors of our ways. Yet these lessons must not be too well-learned considering that every time a new minority appears, we oppress them and history repeats itself. What is even worse is that some of the members of last generation’s minorities get in on the hate mongering. I would that the oppressed would know better than anyone what it is like and yet they act as if the situation is different this time. Many of them will hide behind God and religion, quoting the Bible on why this current minority is inferior. Allow me to let everyone in on a secret; every generation has used religion in this way when oppressing minorities. Religion was used when people said that women couldn’t vote, that black people should be segregated, and now that gay people shouldn’t marry. I think everyone should do what the kids in Nova Scotia did and stand up to ignorance and prejudice wherever it may exist in this country. If just half of the people today did that, this country’s future would look that much brighter. Andrew Massey is a third year Psychology Major. He is also the current Opinions Editor of the Anchor. He stands up against those who think they are superior to others everyday.
Opinions
Page 12
September 19, 2007
THE ANCHOR
LETTER TO AMERICA Thank You for the Soaps By Stephen Morse Senior British Correspondent It’s the soaps that I’ll remember. Miniature sculptures of anything from a freshly ripened lemon to a friendly little monkey in translucent colours that invited you to just smell them. Oh, and when you did…BANG! The pennies came out and you ended up with yet another one to take home and put in your collection, knowing that you would never actually wash yourself with it. After all, then your ‘cola bottle’ wouldn’t look like a ‘cola bottle’ anymore now would it? It would just look like soap; brown soap. Yuck. Dame Anita Roddick, one of Britain’s biggest contradictions, died this week aged only 64. Founder of The Body Shop, one of the world’s biggest ethical chains – and arguably Britain’s most recognizable. Roddick married the worlds of capitalism and left-wing activism, attracting both plaudits and criticism alike. Long before the Fair Trade movement had started to make real inroads into everyday culture, The Body Shop stood out on the high street, proudly proclaiming to be ‘Against Animal Testing’ and imploring consumers to ‘Protect Our Planet’. The first Body Shop opened in 1976 in Brighton. During the following years, the business expanded so that, by the early 80s, Body Shops appeared to be everywhere, their oh-so-green image and almost-circular logo sticking out like a sore thumb on Thatcher’s High Streets. Their opposition to unethical and unnecessary practices often found in the manufacture of cosmetics struck a chord with the hidden altruism in a generation of normal everyday women; a characteristic that was encouraged very little during 1980s Britain. Most young Britons that grew up during the decade-that-taste-forgot will have memories of visiting a Body Shop every time that they were dragged to the shops by a female family member, and I was no different. Whilst Auntie Julie was looking at ‘coconut but-
ter bum-rubs’ and ‘beeswax ‘n’ cow shit face masks’, my gaze was always diverted in the direction of the baskets of various novelty soaps. What new wonders would fulfill my desire to cleanse this time? What earthly form would they take? It was borderline obsession. In fact, between you and me, I’m a little surprised that I turned out to a) be heterosexual and b) stink so much. I think hormones may have undone all of Dame Roddick’s good work. After the company was floated on the stock market in 1984, however, there was no way back to the genuinely ethical blue-print that the brilliant entrepreneur had started with. Whilst my memories may be of a shop that, through both explicit in-store campaigning and the sources of its products, battled against inequality and fought for a slightly better world, it was a capitalist venture. Roddick, for all her hippie values and commendable protests, was a VERY rich woman. Recent obituaries tell me that by the 1990s, she was indeed the fourth richest in the country. For most, it was hard to reconcile these polar opposites. Roddick spoke the words of an animalfriendly and poverty-baiting liberal, but had the bank balance of a sultan. When Roddick sold the company to L’Oreal last year, it appeared to prove all her detractors right and outrage predictably ensued. Yet Roddick wasn’t out to cash in all her chips and move away to a life of obscurity in some Caribbean paradise – her life in business was dealt a crip-
pling blow when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2004 and developed cirrhosis of the liver, making her position untenable for health reasons. What’s more, the crowd that criticised the sale to L’Oreal conveniently ignored that she planned to give away her cut of the deal (£130million) plus her existing fortune (£50million) through her charity, The Roddick Foundation. The woman could not win. I have already described Anita Roddick as “one of Britain’s biggest contradictions”, but that is hardly a fitting epilogue to someone who managed to ban cosmetic testing on animals and show that an ethical approach to trading on Britain’s high streets was sustainable. Simply, she was one of Britain’s greatest contradictions, and I for one would like to say “Thank you.” Thank you for the soaps.
ROVING REPORTER By: Kellye Martin
:
Recently, The Anchor Newspaper ran an article about Rhode Island College’s new emergency alert system, which will notify students of an emergency by means of text message. How do you feel about this alert system? Do you think it’s a good idea? Why or why not? If you do not like it, how could it be improved?
Matt Quinn Music Education 2011 I think it’s a bad idea because I do not have texting. I’m sure that there are other students in the same situation. I don’t think we should rely on this system because many students would not receive an alert.
Dylan P. O’Leary Music Education 2009 Well, I can’t receive text messages, so for me it would be kind of pointless. All you need is a town crier! “Hear ye, hear ye!”
Nicole Dalmazzi Julie Vangyzen Psychology 2011 Music Education 2011 I think this system is awesome. It’s a very While it’s important to alert students of discreet way of letting students know what’s certain situations, I’m not sure a cell going on at school, and almost every student phone is the best way. There are times has a cell phone. The only downfalls are in class where a teacher will require those few students who don’t have cell your cell phone to be turned off, so it’d phones. If students are in class; will they be be rather difficult to contact those stuwilling to check it in front of the teacher? The dents. If a more efficient way could be teachers would have to be notifies that an sought after, it’d be much better. alert was being sent.
Do you have a question you want answered? Send your question to photography@anchorweb.org
Lifestyles
September 19, 2007
Page 13
THE ANCHOR
Health Hype: Good Fat, Bad Fat
By Casey Gaul Anchor Editor Fat has always been a pretty high profile subject in the realms of health and nutrition. As a nutrient, it’s been given a pretty nasty reputation. It is easy to forget that fat is just as essential a nutrient as any other. The problem with fat is that most foods that Americans are consuming daily are laden with much more fat than we need. The danger in this is that some types of fat increase the possibility of certain diseases. There are some fats, however, that decrease this risk. Enter the concept of the “good fat” versus the “bad fat”. “Good fat” refers to mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids while “bad fat” refers to trans and saturated fatty acids. To understand exactly why these fats are good or bad, a short lesson in organic chemistry is required. According to the American Dietetic Association’s Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, a fatty acid is comprised of a chain of hydrogen, oxy-
Campus Tips Things You Forgot By Kellye Martin Anchor Staff It’s that time again, the second full week of school, and everyone is just beginning to get back into the swing of things. This includes campus organizations. Last Wednesday was Student Activities Day and if you’re like me, you’ve probably already forgotten which clubs and organizations you’ve signed up for. While I understand that most people just write their name on the list so that they don’t feel as bad about taking the free stuff, I also know that sometimes you actually are interested in an organization. This is wonderful, provided that you know how to find the club now that they’re not standing at a table in the middle of the quad. Here are some things to consider. Most – but not all – clubs hold their meetings during the free period; Wednesday from 12:30 – 2. This does not mean that free period is the only time you can use to contact the organization of your choice. If you’re looking to get in contact with a club, one of the best places to look would be their office. Many clubs and organizations have offices on the fourth floor of the Student Union. (You know; the doors you see above you if you’re standing in the ballroom.) If you cannot find the office for the club you’re looking for, another great place to check would be with Student Community Government (SCG). Their office is on the fourth floor and they can
probably tell you the contact information for the organization you’re looking for. Speaking of things you might have forgotten, I would like to take this time to remind you of things you may have forgotten when moving on campus. One item that I’m sure everyone wished they had this past week, was an umbrella. The fact that we had not had rain since July may have tricked you but remember that this is still Rhode Island and you still cannot trust the weather. If you don’t want to carry around an umbrella all of the time, my suggestion is to go to Wal-Mart (there’s one right here in Providence) and buy a mini umbrella to keep in your backpack. The one I have cost me six dollars and it collapses small enough to fit into my jacket pocket. Finally, one item that I can’t live without on campus: Post-It Notes. If you don’t have any, go out and get some, as they come in very handy for everyday college life. You can use them to mark pages of your books, keep to-do lists, and even remind yourself what your class schedule is. I find it handy to write each day’s class schedule on a different Post-It, and then stick the notes to your wall or desk or whatever other eye-level surface you might have. Running late and can’t remember your schedule? Just glance at the day’s Post-It and you’re good to go. Until next week, stay dry and go join some clubs! And don’t forget to read next week’s column (write yourself a Post-It to remember!)
gen, and carbon. The terms “unsaturated” and “saturated” refer to whether each carbon atom of the fatty acid is holding as many hydrogen atoms as it can. When as many hydrogen atoms are attached to the carbon atoms as possible, the fatty acid is saturated, and when one (mono-unsaturated) or more (poly-unsaturated) hydrogen pairs are missing from the chain, the fatty acid is unsaturated. With that understood, it still isn’t clear to the layman why these conditions make a fat good or bad. Because the chain of an unsaturated fatty acid is lacking the hydrogen atoms to complete it, the carbon atoms create double bonds to each other to make up for the loss. The laws of chemistry tell us that the presence of double bonds in a molecule will make it more reactive. Saturated fatty acids, having completed chains with all the hydrogen atoms that will fit, are not nearly as reactive. In the simplest terms, this means that the unsaturated fatty acids are easier to react with; easier for the body to break down and use. Conversely, saturated fatty acids are harder for the body to break down and use. So where do “trans fatty acids” fit into all this? Well, according to the Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, a trans fatty acid is fat that has gone through a process called partial hydrogenation. This process makes fats even more saturated. A small amount of naturally occurring trans fatty acids can actually be healthy for you. It is the synthetic trans-fatty acids that are the major health risk. So, instead of worrying how much fat is in a food when you look at its nutrition table, worry about what kind of fat it is you’re getting from that food. Next week’s topic: Caffeine.
Online Backups By Alex Tirrell Anchor Technology Editor Wireless internet access is available to students living in the New Residence Hall as of last Tuesday. Wireless was intended to be available from move-in day, but incompatibilities with equipment from the manufacturers postponed the access. Just select a nearby router and sign in with your Apogee user name and password. This week’s tech tips focuses on backing up your computer— something that everyone intends to do, but always puts on the back burner. Here are two web backup services you might want to try. Mozy The first solution is called Mozy. It is a client-based program that runs in the background of your Mac or Windows PC. With MozyHome Free, you get 2GB of free storage, and the client program helps you select what files and settings you’d like to back up. They also offer more storage starting at $4.95 a month. You can sign up for MozyHome Free at http://mozy.com/registration/free/. Use referral code 7D99Z1 and get an extra 256MB. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) This storage option from Amazon is great if you have a lot of large files to store. With Amazon S3, you only need to pay for the space and bandwidth you actually use. Rates start at 15 cents per gigabyte per month. The service is not the easiest to use and will require experimenting before you can upload. It’s either that or you can just download a client program and start uploading. Sign up at http://aws.amazon.com/s3 — requires an Amazon account.
The Anchor Newspaper has a New Section! Lifestyles is a section made for columns that don’t fall under the normal headings. Possible column Topics: Fashion, Makeup, Dating, Writing, Homework Advice, Anything you want!
Arts + Entertainment
September 19, 2007
Page 15
THE ANCHOR
Building Up for the Fall By Robert Lefebvre Anchor Contributor Fall is coming. It is a time of change. It is the time when the leaves change color and hordes of people flock to New England to see them. It’s a time to begin getting ready for the cold weather and a time when movies begin to start taking a more serious tone. Fall is a time when more of the Oscar-worthy films start to come out. However, that does not mean that they are any less entertaining. Here is a list of some of the more promising movies that are coming out for this year’s fall season. American Gangster (Nov. 2): Based on a true story, this is looking to be the biggest crime film since The Departed. Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is the chauffer of the biggest mob boss in Harlem. After his boss is murdered, Lucas rises up and becomes the biggest crime boss the city has ever seen. Meanwhile, Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), a veteran cop, is looking to bring down Lucas and end the string of organized crime. Directed by Ridley Scott, this film most certainly has ‘Oscar Nomination’ written all over it. Michael Clayton (Oct. 12): “The truth can be adjusted.” This is a chilling slogan for what looks to be one of the most suspenseful movies of the fall. Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is a “fixer” for a corporate law firm. He makes the lies his bosses tell become the truth. But when one of them has a breakdown and starts divulging company secrets, Michael gets torn between either fixing the truth or telling it. Beowulf (Nov. 16): From the classic tale that is arguably the first work of fiction ever printed in the English language, this retelling of the story of the great warrior that must battle the fierce monster Grendel and its mother looks spectacular. Computer-animated from the artists that brought The Polar Express, and directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film could very well be one of the greatest animated spectacles ever made.
No Country for Old Men (Nov. 21): From directors Joel and Ethan Coen, who brought us Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, comes an attempt at a purer drama and more suspense. Starring James Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones, the film features a hunter in the deserts of the Southwest. Llewelyn Moss (Brolin), comes across the aftermath of a drug deal gone bad. On an impulse, he takes the money that’s been left behind. Now one of the dealers, known as the Chigger (Javier Bardem), a relentless killer, is after Moss. However, an aging Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), who has his own secrets to hide, is also looking for Moss. This seems very promising. Plus, any film with Tommy Lee Jones as a law enforcer has got to be good. Martian Child (Nov. 2): A film that somewhat follows the formula of movies like Starman and K-PAX, both of which were amazing, this movie looks very promising and possibly could be the feel-good movie of the year. John Cusack plays a science fiction novelist who wants to experience fatherhood. He decides to adopt a child and comes across one kid who seems to have a serious crisis of identity; he thinks he’s an alien sent from Mars to study “humanness”. After a few bizarre occurrences, Cusack begins to believe it just might be true. The Hunting Party (Sept. 21): “How do you find the world’s most wanted war criminal when the CIA can’t? [By actually looking]” The film is a comedy-drama starring Richard Gere and Terrence Howard about two reporters going to war-ridden Bosnia, looking for a war criminal known only as “The Fox”. Based on a true story, this movie looks to be very entertaining with what is likely to be politically-based comedy, adventure, and action. These are just a few of the films premiering this fall that look very good. Maybe not all of them will be as great as they look. Many films have over-promised and under-delivered in the past, but these look like they will fit the bill for the fall entertainment slot. Some other mentions for the season include Pathology (Nov. 30), Saw IV (Oct. 26), Bee Movie (Nov. 2), We Own the Night (Oct. 12), and Rendition (Oct. 19).
Book Review: The Other Side of Blue
Rental Raves: Drop Dead Fred
By Adam D. Bram Anchor Staff This premiere edition of Rental Raves looks at a film that, by this column’s standard, is practically new: 1991’s Drop Dead Fred. The film stars Phoebe Cates (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins) as Elizabeth Cronin, whose life is in shambles after her husband Charles (Tim Matheson of Animal House fame) leaves her for another woman. When her overbearing mother (Marsha Mason, Nick of Time) brings her home to recuperate, Elizabeth discovers an old Jack-in-the-box. Opening it, she inadvertently frees her childhood imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred, (Rik Mayall, The Young Ones) who says that he can’t go away until “Snot Face” is once again a happy camper. The problem is that when Fred is around, things have a tendency to smash and break. Though the film’s special effects are decidedly low-tech for 1991, the story is entertaining and sweet. Mayall is hilarious as Fred, perfectly meshing British wit with complete and utter anarchy. Flashback sequences pairing Fred with five-year-old Elizabeth (Ashley Peldon, Cats Don’t Dance) are especially funny and heartwarming. Many may view this as too dirty for a family movie and not dirty enough for anything else. However, it’s a must-see for those who love quirkiness or anyone who has ever had an imaginary friend.
Also starring Ron Eldard (Black Hawk Down) and Carrie Fisher (Star Wars). PG-13 Rating: 4/5
By Barry Nickerson Anchor Editor When I received air mail from Australia, I was really excited that this book had finally come. “The Other Side of Blue” by Michael Colling, a collection of short testimonials from people of diverse backgrounds that weaves together a tear-jerking read, has since become my new favorite book. In the style of the “Chicken Soup” books, author Colling steps beyond the clean-cut boundaries of typical short-story testimonials to dish out the raw, true stories of twenty Australians who had to overcome true adversity in their lives. At first, I was a little skeptical of how Australians could relate to those of us on the other side of the world, but it didn’t take more than a few pages to convince me that this book was something I could relate to beyond anything else I had ever read. “The Other Side of Blue” showed that even across the world in the Land Down Under, there are people with thoughts and feelings that go through the same hardships we do—from the story of the
young Muslim woman who was told she couldn’t participate in a soccer game because she refused to remove her hijab, to the man who grew up with a severely mentally ill mother, there were stories that my friends and I could all relate to. Reading through this story, the voices of the authors could be heard as the words blended to form the shape of their hearts and their testimonies. “The Other Side of Blue” taught me that books can still make a grown man cry and that people like me went through the same problems, but still became successful. The stories seemed to share a common theme: looking forward to a brighter future is the one thing that will carry you through the difficult times. Sometimes that means having strong faith, or having true friends and loving family members to turn to, or to continue education when you think your life has already been reduced to a small shell of what it could have been. Unfortunately for the time being to acquire this book, you have to order it online. However, it is worth the time and money spent on this powerful work. Consider checking out this wonderful read!
THE VALUE OF SIN (CITY): An Open Letter to Jodie Foster By Adam D. Bram Anchor Staff Recently, Academy Award Winning actress Jodie Foster publicly denounced the 2005 film, Sin City, directed by Robert Rodriguez and based on Frank Miller’s popular graphic novel series. She called the film “painfully cartoonish” and went on to make the statement in USA Today: “I don’t know how you enjoy or laugh about a child abduction and molestation. What part of that sentence is funny? I can’t get beyond that. I don’t know if everyone understands the impact of that movie’s message.” Now, I want to make it perfectly clear that I highly respect and admire Ms. Foster for her talent as an actress and that I think people are always entitled to their own opinion as long as it’s not hurting anyone in the long run. That being said, I have to wonder how long Ms. Foster waited before she, by her own admission, had to shut off the DVD. I’ve seen Sin City a number of times, and I don’t think child molestation is funny whatsoever and neither, I think, does Frank Miller. If one actually watches the film, this is what happens to the pedophile character: He gets his left ear, his right hand, and his private parts blown off, gets turned into a hideous yellow mutant in an attempt to regenerate said parts, and when he
still hasn’t learned his lesson, he gets his re-grown privates physically ripped off and his head pounded into goo. For anyone who has been a victim or has loved ones who have been victims, this is extremely satisfying to watch. Granted that this is all very violent and I’m normally not a fan of large quantities of it, the “cartoonishness” of it makes one able to stomach it. Sin City is, at its heart, an art movie. It is stylistically beautiful and is really a visceral experience. If it’s not your thing, then it’s not your thing. All I am saying is that one should give a whole film a chance. I’ve personally wanted to turn certain films off after the beginning, but when I stayed through the whole thing I found something worthwhile. What’s the movie’s message? If the movie has any message, it is to protect the people you care about, even if you have to sacrifice everything for it. I certainly understand the impact of that message, even if it just happens to be told with blazing guns and scantily-clad women. Adam D. Bram is a junior at RIC and a theatre major. He is a staff cartoonist at The Anchor and fully endorses the castration of rapists and pedophiles.
Arts
Entertainment You Can’t Take it With You
Photo courtesy of Mike Sheil
A Story about finding the joy in life
RIC EVENTS Annual Faculty Show Tuesday Friday Banister Gallery FREE Rhode Island Wind Orchestra Sapinsley Hall 1:00 PM Miss USA/Miss Teen USA Pageant Saturday Sunday Sapinsley and Roberts Hall 8AM - 8PM Open Performanc e by Students For the Performing Arts Sept 21st Gaige Auditorium 7:00PM FREE PAGE 16
By Jessica Albaum Anchor Editor George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart created a masterpiece when they wrote “You Can’t Take it With You”. That masterpiece will come to life on September 26 at 8pm in the Helen Forman Theatre, with the help of director, Bob Colonna. It will run September 26-30 at 8pm with a matinee on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Colonna was asked why people should come see this play. He said in response: “Number one it is very, very funny. Number two: it’s a piece of American Stage History.” This is Bob Colonna’s fourth production at RIC and he said that this is the “…only one I haven’t conceptualized because it didn’t need it.” With this production, the experience be-
gins the second the theatre doors are open. The audience surrounds the stage on three sides welcoming them into the home of the Sycamore family; a quirky, fun, and carefree family that does only what makes them happy, even if they are bad at it. Alice, played by Allison Crews, is the daughter of Penny and Paul, played by Hayley Woodbine and Kevin Martin, respectively. Alice is the only person in the family who has a real job. She falls in love with the boss’s son, Tony, who is played by Chuck Lafond. His family is the complete opposite of the Sycamores. Could this difference separate Tony and Alice forever or will the Sycamores teach everyone to relax and have some fun? The cast and crew join together in this production to make a unique experience for the
audience that will not soon be forgotten. “This play is about America,” said Colonna, “It’s the best part of being American, independent, non-conforming, joyful and just not giving a damn.” The audience will leave the theatre with a lot of things to think about if it is done correctly. Join the Sycamores in their wonderful world. Write plays with Penny, dance with Essie (Erin Sheehan), learn to play the glockenspiel with Ed (Douglas Young), make fireworks with Paul, collect snakes with Grandpa (Sean Carufel) and maybe you’ll never want to leave like Mr. De Pinna (Nicolas Thibeault). It is Bob Colonna’s hope that the audience will, “…be charmed, vastly amused, and inspired to find their own joy in life and go for it.” For more information call the box office 456-8144.
Graduation Vs Curtis By: Rui Montilla Anchor Contributor Let’s get right to the point; there is only one winner in this bout: Hip-Hop. On September 11, 2007, two of the most anticipated albums of the year were released. Kanye West invited us to his Graduation and 50 Cent let us get to know Curtis. Enough with the build up, lets get to the music. First up is Curtis. This is 50 Cent’s third album and is an improvement from his 2005 sophomore release, The Massacre. Before listening to this album, I already knew what type of music to expect. 50 Cent is known for having very “street” albums and Curtis is no different with songs like “My Gun Go Off”, “I’ll Still Kill”, “Fully Loaded Clip” and “Curtis 187”. The G-Unit president also had many more collaborations than his two previous albums. Curtis boasts monster collaborations such as; “I’ll Still Kill” featuring Akon, “All of Me” featuring R&B queen, Mary J. Blige, and the laid back “Follow My Lead” with Robin Thicke. Production-wise Curtis passed the test. It had productions from newcomers like Apex (“I Get Money”) and from the big names such as Dr. Dre (“Come & Go”, “Fire”), Timbaland (“Ayo Technology”), and Eminem (“Peep Show”). Overall, Curtis is a solid album that is better than The Massacre but not quite Get Rich or Die Tryin’. For those hip-hop fans that would like to see 50 Cent stop rapping, he gives you a line on the bonus track, “Smile.” He raps, “Smile ni**a/ My next album might be my last/ I got what I came to get/ The stacks and the cash!” Now on to Mr. West’s, Graduation. It doesn’t disappoint. As with 50 Cent, this is Kanye’s third solo album. With each subsequent album, Ye seems to switch up his style and Graduation is no exception. Kanye produced all but one of his thirteen tracks; DJ Troomp produced the track “Big Brother”. The production varies from track to track on this album. You get the vocal sampled beats like “Champion”, “The Glory”, and “I Wonder”. In
contrast to those tracks comes the slower intricate beats such as “Good Morning”, “Drunk and Hot Girls”, and “Homecoming”. Graduation shows everyone that Mr. West has improved even as a lyricist but you can still feel the rawness of his talents. That being said, Kanye manages to out-do one of hip-hop’s hottest lyricists in Lil’ Wayne. On the track called “Barry Bonds,” featuring Weezy, Ye raps: “Bow so hard till your knees hit your forehead/ And the flow just hit code red/ Top 5 MC’s you ain’t gotta remind me/ Top 5 MC’s you gotta rewind me/ I’m high up on the line, you can get behind me /But my head’s so big you can’t sit behind me”. Kanye holds his own on this album but you can never go wrong with some collaborations. Graduation features appearances from T-Pain, Mos Def, Lil’ Wayne, and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The most interesting track on the album is “Big Brother” because Kanye describes his up and down relationship with Jay-Z. On the track Kanye says “My big brother was BIG’s brother/ So here’s a few words from your kid brother/ If you admire somebody you should go ahead and tell ‘em/ People never get the flowers while they could smell ‘em/ A idol in my eyes, God of the game/ Heart of the city, Roc-a-fella chain/ Never be the same, never be another Number 1/ young Hov also my big brother”. Overall, Kanye’s Graduation is a home run that is strong all around. So back to the battle that is Graduation Vs Curtis. Both albums are worth the money but the victory goes to Graduation because Kanye’s album is deeper than 50’s; although Curtis is not too far back. The difference is definitely that Kanye still sounds like he has more to give, whereas 50 Cent seems to be winding down. Graduation gets a 4.5 out of 5 and Curtis receives 4 out of 5. It was close!