Wright Times April 2011

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The Student News Organization of Wright College

The Wright Times

April 20011 Vol/Issue 17/7

Reinvention Funding Going Downtown

A&C

After a list of layoffs firings and new aquisitions the CCC pushes tword a more centralized System

By: C.J. Glazar Nwes Editor

Throughout the 20102011 school year Reinvention was thrown around as a word of change and increased quality of education in the City Colleges of Chicago. To accomplish such feats, the CCC district office has spent millions of dollars in hopes that the education system in Chicago will improve.

When asking many students their thoughts on Reinvention, the response is generally that of a puzzled visage, such as Wright Student Jeff Mickiewicz. Mickiewicz said, “It sounds

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FINAL FOUR WITH RAY & TIM ON PAGE 16

FEATURES

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SATIRE PULL-OUT

Jim Tyree, 53, passed away on March 16 after struggling with cancer for several months.

He grew up on the South Side of the Beverly neighborhood.

Tyree worked his way up becoming one of the city’s business leaders, becoming the CEO of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and the chairman of Sun-Times Media. He attended the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and Illinois State University.

A Chicago Sun-Times article states, “He survived a simultaneous pancreas and double-kidney transplant in 2006, and before that, went through

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By: Estefania Nicolas Reporter

INDEX

NEWS

Continued on Page 3

Former CCC Chairman Remembered For Philanthrophy, Leadership

PAGE 5 PAGE 7 PAGE 12 PAGE 14

Courtesy of Mesirowfinancial.com

GLOBAL COFFEE AND IMPORT ON PAGE 6

like a good idea but [until now] I hadn’t heard anything about it at all.”

With students left uninformed about reinvention the actions taken were done far from the students’ eyes.

To date ten separate Job Order Contracts (JOC) were posted in the CCC’s public board reports since August 2010.

They range from $60,643

four eye surgeries in his 20’s to restore his vision. Tyree’s perseverance through those tragedies inspired those who knew him.”

Vice President of Wright Cynthia Cordes said, “He cared passionately about the CCC and the spirit of his intentions was really good in terms of education.” He made significant contributions to the CCC during harsh and challenging economic times. Reportedly, he donated more than $500,000 each year to charities. Cordes said, “He was friendly and he will be missed.”

He is survived by his wife, Eve; daughter, Jessica; and sons Matthew and Joseph.

Jim Tyree

SDS Holds Forum on Mideast Issues By: Shane Dunn A&C Editor

fuels and the Mideast. American industries ranging from agriculture, technology and Global issues were debat- transportation are all depened during the Students for a dent on oil.

Democratic Society’s (SDS) The United States only Mideast forum. The discus- produces three percent of the sion took place March 14 in world’s oil, the presentation the Events building Atrium noted. This ensures that steady from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The list flow of oil from the Middle of topics referred to this year’s East, which contains 66 perrevolution in Egypt leading to cent of the world’s oil producthe overthrow of dictator Hos- tion, is vital to the American ni Mubarak, the United States’ economy. Securing the flow interest and links in the Middle of oil includes guaranteeing East and the Palestine contro- American access to the Suez versy. The forum was attended Canal in Egypt, as 2.5 milby approximately 70 people. lion barrels of black gold glide The first speaker to take through the gateway every the stage was Wright Biology year.

Professor Darlene Attiah, who The presentation concluded also gave a “Tour of Egypt” that the U.S. government’s session on March 23. She dealings with dictators such as gave background information Mubarak who ensure access on the Egyptian revolution, to the vital Suez are stains on which started on January 25. America’s reputation in the Overthrown Egyptian dictator Middle East.

Mubarak’s regime “was charThe third speaker to the poacterized by corruption, media dium was Maureen Murphy, censorship, poverty and unem- an advocate of the Palestinployment,” she said. ian movement. Murphy was Paul Leslie, another pro- one of the 23 anti-war activfessor at Wright, presented af- ists subpoenaed last year on ter Attiah. Leslie used a slide- September 24, whose numbers show as a medium to explain also included Wright instructor the complex relationship beContinued on Page 2 tween the United States, fossil

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April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

The Wright Times

Continued From Front Page can people about our plight and pressure the government to stop supporting Israel,” Abudayyeh emphasized.

The forum closed with the four speakers taking questions on the materials discussed.

SDS member Sidney Crout appeared to thank the audience for participating and attending, and encouraged donations for the Scholarship for Undocumented Students.

Photo By: Natalija Tosanic

Stephanie Weiner, as reported in the October 2010 edition of The Wright Times. Murphy said the subpoenas “have been used to imprison abolitionists, civil rights and social groups” and accused the prosecution of being “professional liars.” She elaborated that the subpoenas to appear before a federal grand jury were effectively “[the equivalent of] a secret court. No one is allowed a lawyer to defend themselves and only the prosecution is present. The entire point of a grand jury is to guarantee an indictment.”

The final orator was Hatem Abudayyeh, Executive Director of the Arab American Action Network. Like Murphy, Abudayyeh was one of the activists who was subpoenaed.

He described his experience as terrifying: “[About] eight FBI agents came in, and they confiscated everything related to Palestine. They even took a family picture of me, my wife and my daughter.”

He went on to describe the plight of the Palestinians, the infiltration of Palestinian communities by the FBI, the passage of the Patriot Act in 2001 and the lack of awareness of the issue in the United States.

“We must educate the Ameri-

The SDS hosted a debate on global issues during their Mideast forum.

Students Presented With Stipends For Service

New program grants $1,132 for 300 hours of service By: Kathlyn Talapian Managing Editor Through the new Students in Service program, eight Wright College students will receive an educational stipend after their completion of 300 hours of volunteer work this year. Among these students is Megan Coss, who has volunteered in non-profit organizations for almost six years. “I’m very grateful,” she said, “I’ve

always been volunteering and now, I’m getting a bonus for it.”

Among the Students in Service volunteers is Wright College student Lilian Paniagua.

She serves as the student intern at Wright College, promoting civic engagement among faculty professors and organizations. The eight volunteer students were chosen among the 30 applicants in Fall 2010 Semester. Before starting their service, the participants underwent personal interviews with Service Learning Coordinator Maureen Ponicki, a background check and scouting of non-profit organizations to work with. “The application process was very thorough.

The importance of commitment and reliability were emphasized to us,” Students in Service volunteer Megan Caulk shared.

Spearheaded by Ponicki, Students in Service is a parttime AmeriCorps program funded by the Federal government. Through the Illinois Campus Compact (ICC), Wright College was granted spots for the program along with other universities and colleges. “Students in Service is a terrific program that gives students who believe in social change through community service a reward that helps them pursue their education,” Ponicki said.“It gives them the benefit of getting that reward

in the end when they’re going to do that work anyways.”

The volunteer students will receive a total of $1,132 from AmeriCorps to pay for their future academic expenses. Ponicki keeps a time log to monitor the students’ service hours.

Moreover, the students hold a civic reflection session every month wherein they share their experiences and ponder on the importance of the service they are doing.

This year marks the first launch of Students in Service program at Wright College.

Ponicki is hopeful that if the government does not slash the budget of AmeriCorps, the school can acquire more spots for students next year.

By: Jason Ares Reporter

cision he has no plans to support any movement in favor of reinstating the bill. Many others in Illinois are not very pleased about Quinn’s decision such as Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez and Ill. Attorney General Lisa Madigan and tried to convince him to think otherwise. Alvarez said, “I would’ve hoped he would’ve listened to the voices of victims’ families as to what this means and so I’m a little disappointed.”

According to the same article on msnbc.msn.com, 64 percent of Americans felt that the death penalty for murderers was acceptable and only 30 percent felt the need to oppose it.

Some citizens consider it unfair that the 15 men who were on death row in Illinois get to serve life without the option of parole because of the over ten year wait to execute someone, and shouldn’t have the right to live after taking lives. Some see it as a relief considering the funds saved from the removal are used to help relocate wrongfully accused victims’ families.

Capital Punishment Terminated

On Wednesday, March 9 Ill. Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill to abolish the death penalty in the state. Quinn agreed that even though he supports the death penalty, after review and consideration, there is no way of not condemning an innocent victim to their death.

According to the article, “Illinois abolishes death penalty, clears death row” on msnbc. msn.com, Quinn said "If the system can't be guaranteed, 100-percent error-free, then we shouldn't have the system."

Many other states have already abolished the law and states that have yet to do so have declined usage over previous years.

According to the statistics on clarkprosecutor.org, Illinois hasn’t used the death penalty for 11 years. Texas, the state that used it most frequently, went from executing 48 people in 2000 to only eight in 2010.

One death penalty prosecution costs $3 million rather than the $1 million price tag on sentencing a prisoner to life.

Quinn stated that after his de-

The Wright Times

CCC Funding

for a fire security door to be installed on the 14th floor, to $497,018 spent on meeting and conference rooms for the board of trustees.

All ten of these projects are geared toward the remodeling of the District Office at 226 W. Jackson and total around $2.77 million. That is just about 20 percent of the near $13 million total spending on JOC’s for the entirety of the CCC. Contractors remodeling the building levels include Ujamaa Construction, Inc., F.H. Paschen and AGAE Contractor ’s, Inc. In addition, gratuitous amounts of money were allocated to such causes as an up to $500,000 investment in Reinvention marketing and branding to Limegreen Entertainment Group, LLC. Each CCC institution has lost their distinguished logos and unifying under one half-million dollar symbol. Wright student and SDS president Viviana Moreno said, “I think

Private Contracts Throughout CCC t h a t money should be allocated to things students actually need. A logo is not going to r a i s e gradua t i o n numbers neither is it going to help students achieve t h e i r academic goals.

Spending $500,000 on a logo also doesn’t match with the attempt to save money by mass firing CCC employees and rendering their positions as “redundant.”

Other allocations include a contract worth up to $890,000 to Crowe Horwath over the next five years to keep the Reinvention website

PTK Mired In AlphaLevel Controversy

By: Remy Spencer Reporter

Wright’s honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recently revoked a student’s officer status due to an incident that occurred on Thursday, March 3.

Aldo Pereyra, a chapter officer of PTK, was dismissed after a Board hearing conducted by PTK officers and advisor Jonathan Helwink due to what the student claims are untrue accusations.

According to Pereyra, he and another student who does not

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7 3

belong to the society were in the PTK office, located on the 3rd floor of the Arts building, eating lunch when Helwink entered the room and asked them to leave. However, according to Pereyra, Helwink began to scream when asked why. Pereyra said, “He started screaming and being very verbally violent.” When asked, PTK refused to comment on this sensitive matter. The students assert that they were not doing anything wrong, simply hanging out in the office, but no accusations have been confirmed. Pereyra was dismissed from the society a week later.

“We feel disrespected,” said Pereyra. Helwink alluded that PTK may talk once this matter is concluded, but further comments were unavailable.

Diagram By: C.J. Glazar

Continued from front page

NEWS

* Sattellite Institutions Within CCC

modern and relevant. An e-mail archiving system was also deemed worthy of the well sought-after fund allocation for the great price of a little over $335,000.

Last year, the Chicago Sun-Times article “City Colleges to lay off 225” highlighted Hyman’s guarantee that the layoffs were a plan implemented to keep costs

down. After saying that, the chancellor has created 54 new positions at the District Office as stated in the CCC board reports totaling over $5 million in annual salary.

138 reductions in force have occurred since Hyman’s arrival.

Just last month CCC officials announced that six of the seven CCC presidents were fired

from their positions and given the option of reapplying under the new terms of their job as defined by Reinvention.

These presidents were faced with little hope as another $336,000 was dedicated to The Hollin’s Group Inc. and the LaSalle Network to conduct a national search to fill their soon to be vacated seats.

FEATURES

4 April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

The Wright Times

High Flyer With High Expectations

By: Timothy Watters Reporter He can do just about everything you would want your forward to do if you were a basketball coach. His head is focused on success and he

believes he has much more to improve. Wright College Rams' player Spencer Waddell said, “If it wasn't for Michael Jordan, I wouldn't play basketball. Basketball would not be what it is today, his work ethic is something to apPhoto Courtesy of Spencer Waddell

Spencer Waddell gears up for a dunk.

preciate and respect.” As far as who his game is based on, that's something entirely different. Sitting down with the 6'5 high flyer for a couple of minutes, he let the Wright Times know the the man behind the player.

Transferring from Triton College in River Grove, he played as a red shirt for a year while raising his GPA. Waddell said, “My dad wanted me to focus on my first year of school because education is important and he didn’t want me jumping right into basketball.”

That year, while focusing on school work, Waddell made sure he was in shape for the next season. “I played at the local YMCA whenever I had time, it was great competition,” said Waddell. When asked how he kept in basketball shape he told us, “I had a lot of workout sessions at Malcolm X and Wright while still working out with Triton.”

Waddell said “I was comfortable playing with friends, it makes it easier to be on the court when you have already been to battle with some of

the players.” He believes team chemistry is something that makes any team better - even if a team has an all-star cast of players, without chemistry the success will never come.

Hard work, tournaments and open gym all played a huge role in the development of Waddell’s game. “I got my work ethic from my dad but I base my game on Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.” Waddell continued, “I know that with practice comes success and if I keep working on my game I feel I can have a great career in this sport.” For the past two seasons he has been a constant force. Averaging nearly a double double this season with 20 points and eight rebounds, his commitment is hard not to notice.

“My passion comes from past failures. When I was in high school, I didn’t get to play on the team and that let me know I had to work harder than the next guy because nobody gave me anything for free.” Since high school, Waddell has played in a number of tournaments including one in Glendale Heights. Waddell

said, “I’ve played in this tournament for years, mostly because I keep getting invited by friends.”

When speaking of this tournament Waddell says he gets to meet players from overseas.

“After school I plan on going to play in the Euro league, and probably coaching after that.”

He added, “I wasn’t really thinking about coaching until I started taking psychology, but now that I’ve gotten older I understand more about the game I want to learn as much as I can.”

This is Waddell’s second season with the Wright Rams.

He's done with the Rams after this season and will be moving on to a university that he has yet to decide at this point.

Choosing somewhere to play for is “difficult.” Waddell said.

“I’m going to figure out all of that when the time comes.

Right now I have to focus on my school work.

Without school I won’t be able to do anything.” With aspirations of playing basketball for a university, Waddell knows that his future lies solely in his hands.

season at Wright was great, having a standout moment in a huge win versus Madison.

She collected 17 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and four of four from the stripe in the 69-59 win over the Madison

Wolfpack. “We went out with a fight,” said Adejudge. As her basketball career ends, she looks forward to the future and hopes to continue her role in sports and searches for a new team to join.

The Lady Of The Hour

By: Raymel Washington Reporter

Wright Times (WT): Who and what inspired you to play basketball?

Althea Adejudge (AA): I have six brothers and grew up playing with the boys all the time. They tore down the park and rebuilt it. So, I played on a crate in

WT: Is basketball part of your plans for the future?

AA: Yeah, in a way. I’m in the process of being recruited.

WT: What is your future career?

AA: Basically, I will do anything involving sports. It’s not guaranteed I will get a job in sports management but I’m not saying I won’t. I will work anywhere from a park district to collegiate or professional and even overseas.

Basketball is what I love to do.

WT: Are there any tournaments you will be playing in this summer?

AA: I’m p l a y ing in a tournament that started two weeks ago when the

season ended. Also, I am on a women’s league that meets Sunday’s. It is pretty competitive and I have to keep my wind up. I have a few open gyms I go at North Park, Dominican, Concordia, Aurora, Lindenwood and McKendrick, which are all 4-year schools. I have to get in better shape to compete when I go to these open gyms.

Photo Courtesy of Arlena Roach

Althea Adejudge, one of Wright’s women basketball captains and go-to player, reminisces on her journey as a basketball player and her childhood. Adejudge was introduced to basketball at the age of eight when she didn’t want to jump rope with her sisters and thought of it as boring. Instead, she decided to play basketball with her brothers. By honing her skills with her brothers she became an excellent player with a well-developed jumper, physical play and love for the game.

In a recent interview with us, she said:

my backyard. All my brothers played. I felt like I was good at it and noticed I had a rhythm, most of my shots were going in and stuck with it.

WT: Which basketball player do you admire the most?

AA: Derrick Rose, who plays for the Chicago Bulls; Maya Moore, she plays for University of Connecticut, she’s a beast. Candace Parker from the Los Angeles Sparks, I expected more from her as a WNBA player.

WT: What made you grow as a basketball player, collectively and individually?

AA: I came from Sullivan High School, where the sports system wasn’t big.

The role that basketball has in Adejudge’s life is encouraging. She finished the season off averaging 12 points and 9.5 rebounds, an impressive season for her. Adejudge’s last

The Wright Times

ARTS & CULTURE

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7 5

C2E2 Animates Comic Fans

By: Jose Capetillo Reporter

offered opportunities for fans to buy copies of their books, request personalized commission art and buy printed or original art. The artists showed appreciation by meeting and

that a few of the most popular creators in “artist alley” were no-shows at their designated tables most or all of the weekend. DC writer Gail Simone (Birds of Prey) was only pres-

Photo By: Jose Capetillo

On March 18-20 the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) arrived for its second year of comic related news, events, retail and fun.

Heavyweights from around the comic book industry were in attendance.

The show floor opened with the comic book industry’s two largest publishers, DC and Marvel, presenting huge booths of toy displays, freebies ranging from pins to mini posters and autograph areas. Smaller publishers like Image, DarkHorse, Avatar, Archaia and Prism Comics were around the DC and Marvel booths.

Local retailers also set up their own booths at the show.

The diverse variety of Chicago comic book retailers such as DarkTower Comics, Challengers Comics and Chicago Comics added to C2E2’s appeal.

Chicago’s top comic shops were present and had massive selections of back issue comics, trade paperbacks and merchandise found in the center of the show room.

The “artist alley” featured a wide selection of writers and artists from around the world.

Guests such as Mahmud Asrar (Avengers: The Initiative, Shadowland: Power Man) and

Visitors crowded the Artist Alley at C2E2.

Yildiray Cinar (Dynamo 5, talking with fans. For a fan it’s ent at her table for Sunday and Legion of Super-Heroes) flew the best way to let their favor- Marvel scribe Brian Michael in from as far away as Turkey ite creator know how much Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, for the event. Other big names they love their work and for New Avengers) never apincluded Paul Cornell (Knight aspiring creators to pick the peared at his table the entire and Squire, Action Comics) brains of veterans and get ad- weekend.

“Web Comics Pavilion” and Ivan Reis (Blackest Night, vice about breaking into comfeatured veteran and up-andBrightest Day). These creators ics.

The one disappointment was coming creators offering

sneak peaks to their soon to be released online pieces such as Mike Norton’s “The Answer” and Tim Seeley’s “Jack Kraken.” Both characters will be featured in the same downloadable issues in April for only 99 cents.

Enthusiastic fans dressed up as their favorite comic book characters at C2E2 ranging from the simple costumes of PowerGirl or Zatanna, commonly found at conventions, to more complicated ones such as Mojo or Skeletor, which required multiple pieces or full body paint respectively.

Media guests like Chris Hemsworth, who will be starring as the title character in this summer’s “Thor,” Eliza Dusku of Joss Wheaton’s “Doll House” series, GhostHunter Steve Gonzalves and members of the cast of “Chuck” were also popular attraction.

Overall, this year’s show was a definite improvement compared to last year and will no doubt leave fans, organizer Reed Exhibitions, comic creators and publishers marking their calendars for next year’s show.

“Last Detective” Buddhist Monk Graces Wright with Wisdom Shadia Massoud Hooks, Snaps and Snarks By: Reporter

When times get tough, laughing is a great laxative. A good read from the humor section is John Swartzwelder’s “The Last Detective Alive,” which was released in April 2010.

Swartzwelder is a reputable humor writer who’s had his hand in writing the first season of SNL and has written 59 episodes of “The Simpsons.”

This book offers a fun and surreal storyline about a bumbling detective trying to stay in the business. The style of writing is so easily comprehensible even the most foolish of readers can have a laugh.

The eerily likable Frank Burly does a great job at screwing things up. He’s a dick (slang for detective) hired by a gullible tycoon to find Blinky, a guy who conned him into buying an antique collection of autographs. Burly sets out to find Blinky, but realizes his ID was missing and practically everyone and their mom was using his identity. Blinky tries to escape into a time-tube with Burly following him all through the past.

There, Burly interrogates cavemen, par-

ties with the America’s founding fathers and buys himself a ticket to Lincoln’s gun show at Ford’s Theatre.

One of the most prominent parts was when Frank Burly caught Blinky and they shoot back into the present: “Blinky had gotten jarred loose from my grasp when we hit the ground. I made a grab for him, but before I could catch him and beat the hell out of him, everybody started beating the hell out of me.

Beat the shit out of me too.

After a while somebody said: ‘Okay, that’s enough, he’s dead’, but since it was me that had said it, everybody just kept on hitting me.”

The story feels like time travel except that most of it is untrue. Still, the writing is meant to generate some hearty laughs, leaving the reader feeling grateful they are not Frank Burly. The style is what makes it more enjoyable. It’s written in first person and infused with sugar loads of dry wit. Plenty of wordplay also flows through the text. It’s only 131 pages long.

Have fun with yourself and don’t be the last to read “The Last Detective Alive.”

On Thursday, March 3, prominent Tibetian Buddhist Monk Geshe Thupten Dorjee visited Wright College to inform students and staff about Buddhism and the history of Tibet. Dorjee studied in Drepung Loseling Monastery University in south India where he was awarded the Geshe Lharampa Degree, the highest degree of scholarship conferred within the traditional Tibetan monastic system. Dorjee said “I have been learning for twenty years but still do not know enough to teach Buddhism.”

The Geshe Dorjee talked about Buddhism - a religion whose beliefs and practices are based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, better known as the Buddha.

Siddhartha was recognized as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help human beings and end the suffering of India. Buddhism spread to Tibet started during the 7th century and exerted influence on the nation’s conquered rival nations. Tibetans were raised in a violent culture, yet under Buddhism, Dorjee noted, they realized that violence was not the solution. Tibet remained in isolation, independent and uninfluenced by the world

Photo Courtesy of Arlena Roach

By: Mark Mocarski Reporter

until the 20th century, when China took over in 1950. Dorjee asserted about how his group of Buddhists utilizes oral tradition, which according to Dorjee is “all that matters.”

The Drepung, the studying Buddhists specializes in Tantric meditation, ritual arts and Buddhist philosophy. The major texts stud- Buddhist Monk Geshe Thupten Dorjee ied include “The Guhyasamaja,” “Chakrasam- piness can be cultivated,” he vara” and “The Mahakala.” said, “then there are teachable “The Guhyasamaja” is one of techniques can be taught to aid the most important authorita- cultivation.” He offered sevtive books in Buddhism detail- eral key points on this, such ing the three-faced, blue-black as “anger brings nothing usebeing. “Chakrasamvara” is ful,” psychologically we are about embracing sexual unions responsible and have free will that symbolizes through the and that isolation brings posicompassion and wisdom. Ma- tive feelings. Overall, he conhakala describes a deity seen cluded, Buddhists do not like standing on the corpse of two to get angry because they do human bodies; it symbolizes not wish to contribute to the the death of negativities and cycle of anger where probthe complete uprooting of neg- lems spawn. He concluded by ative patterns to such a point saying, “The ultimate way to that, like a dead body, they solve human problems is not in violence but in peace.” will not come to life.

Dorjee dedicated much of his time on the subject to attaining happiness. “If hap-

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ARTS & CULTURE

The Wright Times

An Island Of Culture In A Sea Of Despair By: Erica Harlston Layout Editor

tablishm e n t presents a setting of pure relaxation. Artwork for sale by local artists is displayed on the walls in a manner comparable to an art gallery. The abstract and brightly paletted artwork combined with elements of international road maps work to capture the establishment’s vintage aesthetic feel.

Compared to Starbucks, reasonable prices make the café a

dreams are made of. Shelves housing a variety of casual book titles and VHS cassette tapes (yes, VHS cassette tapes) provide customers with an inexpensive goldmine right at their fingertips. The slightly u s e d

and a turkey guacamole with turkey bacon, including chips and a drink for $7 or less.

Located at 2915 W. Armitage Ave, the interior has such a homey feel that it is a nice change for the surrounding Humboldt Park neighborhood.

The thrift store attached to the café embodies what hipster

clothing and artistically crafted china make it easy for anyone to participate in a vintage lifestyle.

Global Coffee and Cargo has more than just a cup of java and culture to offer to its neighborhood. The café is linked to The Sunlight of the Spirit, a non-profit organization that provides education

and support to families and individuals affected by a drug or alcohol problem. The establishment hosts Alcoholics and Cocaine Anonymous meetings.

It also hires employees that are ex-offenders and people successfully recovering from drug and alcohol addictions, offering them a chance at a new and

healthy life filled with welcoming positivity.

In an interview with the coffee shop manager, Derek Zugic said that the shop “gives [recovering addicts] the opportunity to work and learn job techniques. It is a coffee shop that gives back to the community by mentoring individuals on how to maintain healthy habits and lifestyles.”

Photos By: Michele Ocana

Walking into Global Coffee and Cargo transports patrons to a culturalized utopia. Filled with the tools needed to feed anyone’s creative inspiration, t h e es-

great hangout for students on tight budgets, offering large cups of Intelligentsia coffee or Rishi Fair Trade organic teas for no more than $3. In addition, a variety of tasty sandwiches are on the menu, such as veggie paninis

Global Coffee and Cargo boasts an elaborate, decorative interior design

Intifada: Starting A Revolution By: Sarah Hallman Reporter

Wright Times (WT): Your band’s name is Intifada, but where did you come up with that?

Noe Castro (NC): Well, first we went through a bunch of really bad cheesy ideas but then one day Alberto came

generally sucked. Favorite place, that’s much harder. In Chicago, it would probably be Ranchos Huevos because that’s where we played some

NC: It got shittier. [laughs] No, we got faster, and then we got slower and then we got more straightedge and then we flirted with grindcore for a

Photo Courtesy of Shuma Jabra

Since they formed in 2005, Intifada has been running circle pits around the underground punk scene. They’ve amused hundreds of fans with their hilariously terrible pre-show jokes and get the blood rushing and feet running with their amazing breakdowns.

The band is comprised of Noe Castro (vocals), Alberto Ramiro Ruiz (guitar), Joey Iglesias (guitar) and Varut Subchaeron (bass).

The Wright Times caught them after their March 25 concert with La Armada, Abrade, Maintenance Crew and Philip Morris at Resist on Division. Here’s what Castro shared:

up with the idea of Intifada.

We had some idea of what that meant in context to the Middle East but also that it just meant uprising, to go

Noe Castro screams while performing with co-band members. against. So we decided to call ourselves Intifada.

WT: What are your favorite and least favorite venues to play at?

NC: Least favorite would probably be anywhere in Kansas, because Kansas just

of our first shows. Also, the Beat Kitchen has always been fun to play at. Outside of Chicago, both San Diego and San Jose were great.

WT: How has your style changed since you started playing?

while and then we just kept on going with what we are.

WT: Who would you say are your major influences, both musical and non-musical?

NC: Musical influences would be Los Crudos, Scholastic Death...we’ve done

covers of both of those and just the Chicago music scene in general. Non-musical - just Chicago as a whole and being a part of the Chicago scene has influenced what and how we play.

WT: How did you all meet each other?

NC: Well we all went to Lane Tech together for high school.

I first started talking to Alberto because he was wearing a Naked Raygun T-shirt, Joey and I met through Xanga, Oak I met when I was handing out flyers for a show and I gave him one. We all got to know each other and then played our first show as a cover band before we started making out own music.

WT: What genre would you describe yourselves as?

NC: We’re hardcore punk, I don’t want to get into any more specifics than that.

WT: Who are your favorite bands to play shows with?

NC: Anyone who makes us look better. No, but this band from LA Liberate, a band from Chicago called Abrade and any local band really is fun for us to play with.

Herping On Derp Since 2005

News

April 20011 Satire Pull-Out

The Wrong Times

The Chancellor Strikes Back Photo Illustration By blablabla

By: Joseph J. Bledsoe Editor-In-Chief

Obama looks to boost approval ratings with new CBS sitcom, “Two and a Half Wars”

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Health

Hospitals seeking permits for medicinal use of Charlie Sheen Page 32B

Technology

Chancellor Cheryl Palpatine of the City College Senate disbanded the legislative body and announced herself emperor of the new CCC Empire. The actions taken against the School President Council led to a near extinction of the Presidential Order.

After a heated battle with the new Emperor, Wright College President Charles Yoda said, “Into hiding we must go, lost the education war is.” He then draped his hood across his head and returned to his home on Dagobah St. Students have attempted small rebellions throughout the city such as a press conference, which was met with quick opposition and rapid defeat as Darth Nader forced the speaker off the ground choking the fight out of him.

The CCC is also rumored

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Local

No one at SGA meeting entirely sure whats going on Page 31

to have plans for a large spherical school laser development. Student Lando Williams said, “This is a gross misuse of funds, and an unnecessary show of force in the national education battle.” In the invitation for the press conference, the student rebellion included, “Help us Rahm Windu, you’re our only hope.”

First Contact at Wright College Extraterrastrials Mistake Wright for the Place of Significance

By: C.J. Glazar News Editor

Mac Sucks, Linux Sucks

Chancellor Hyman casting Force Lightning Level 3

It was a sunny day on March 15 when Wright students were greeted with some shocking guests as a dark cloud loomed over the Learning Resource Building. What originally appeared as an excessive amount of cloud cover was soon revealed to be an extraterrestrial spacecraft that docked on top of the shining white symbol of Wright College.

“It was like nothing I’d ever seen,” recalled Wright student Johnie Doe. “One second my friends and I were smoking a cigarette and the next thing I knew I heard this loud unnatural grinding noise of a motor. It was like a nightmare.”

Shortly after the landing, a small descending ramp fluidly expanded until it reached the bottom of the pyramid.

The campus was in a state of

shock and confusion as large brutish pink aliens, their ambiguous hot pink color contradicting their grotesque nature, moved down the ramp to greet their onlookers. Police and government law agencies were quickly on the scene and it took nearly no time at all for the FBI to communicate with the aliens. The invaders’ advanced technologies allowed the two parties to communicate instantly.

According to FBI agents on the scene, the alien leader’s name was Bald Eagle. They explained that it was the closest translation in our language which expressed his title as his race’s “Bird of Freedom,” dubbed by his fellow aliens after he designed the first ship capable of intergalactic travel. Bald Eagle quickly made it known that the aliens had come in absolute peace reassuring Chicagoans they “made a wrong turn in Albuquerque,” intending to land on the Aztec ruins in Mexico.

The visitors not of this world were shocked by how technologically advanced we were for being such a young Continued on Page 8

Hope for democracy lies in the next generation of students, such as the rogue Han Murphy in his 2000 Ford Falcon and the courageous Luke Hamill who looks to seek out former President Yoda and learn the ways of the presidency.

Murphy has much to lose in this ordeal due to his overwhelming loan debt to the

Jabba Fund. Jabba has sent debt collectors to Murphy’s favorite hookah bar but Murphy quickly dispatched of the collectors claiming they “shot first.” The bar recording of the event seems modified according to the 16th storm trooper unit.

Hamill and Murphy were Continued on Page 9

Freedom of Speech Denied to Silent Majority

Squidledede was killed after being hit by a custard pie launched at point blank range.

By: Joel Sanders Reporter Mimes and clowns are in conflict resulting from disagreements on their ingrained ideological beliefs regarding entertainment methods.

Mimes prefer silent interpretative movement, while clowns use loud noise and props to convey physical comedy. This quarrel erupted last month when the funeral of Jonas Mildred Squidledede was interrupted by mime

protesters as part of their campaign, “God Hates Bozo.”

Squidledede died Febuary 30 due to a custard pie related accident. The funeral was attended by Squidledede’s friends and relatives. At first the mimes caused a minor disturbance by holding blank picket signs and gesturing as if yelling obscenities; it was a peaceful protest. However, things took a turn for the worse soon after an unnamed mime threw an imaginary rock.

Continued on Page 10

8

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

By: Fernando Pena Reporter

Long thought to be extinct weekday is rediscovered by teen sensation.

Rebecca Black is being hailed as contributing the single greatest discovery since sliced bread by single handedly finding out that Friday does in fact exist.

According to Black it turns out that Thursday does not in fact lead into Saturday, proving the long-held belief invalid. While this new information has turned the world on its heel scientists insist this nothing new. Noted Weekologist Allen Dunn states, “Friday is nothing new. Fossilized calendars dating back all the way to 2010 have shown that Friday has been in use long before Black rediscovered it.”

Analysts are showing that since the inception of Friday fun levels with Friday and the following days have increased 300 percent. Scientists are still dumbfounded by the reports.

They are unable to explain the

sudden increase in fun levels while Black offers the explanation that partying may lead to “fun, fun, fun”. Teens are quick to adapt and have already begun partying fervently on the weekends. Parents worry that this new craze may in fact be harmful to their children.

Rebecca Williams, mother of two, says “I don’t want my children having fun and socializing. It’s just not natural.”

While the song is clearly aimed at four year olds with its simplistic lyrics its uses extend to adults still confused by the concept of Friday. However, many scientists don’t agree with the findings. Evolutionary Biologist Dr. Charles Oppenheim stated, “Black’s finding are unfounded and false.

Specifically the lines ‘Today is Friday’ when it was clearly Tuesday when I listened to the song.”

At the recent meeting of the Awesome Society of Scientists (ASS) Rebecca Black was invited to defend her claims.

Throughout the conference she remained standing the entire time. When Rebecca Black was asked to comment on her claims she responded with “Which seat can I take?” As of press time, Rebecca Black has not decided which seat to take.

Continued From Front

Scientists have found irrefutable proof that one plus one does indeed equals two, ending an eight year long, $25 million project.

Dr. Pedro Einrich, Project Supervisor of the historychanging project, explains the complicated processes taken on the road to success: “We ran many tests such a putting a stapler next to another or a rock with another and then counted them. Every time we ran the tests we came back with the same results.”

The project has costed the U.S. government millions of dollars in tax dollars but Secretary of Basic Mathematics believes it to be a groundbreaking discovery, “We have already many practical applications

for these results. For example if someone states something obvious we can reply with ‘and one plus one equals two.’ This is only one example but the potential is virtually limitless.”

This project has come under harsh criticism for its lengthy run but Einrich chimes in quelling concerns, “We pretty much had the results from day one.

We spent the next eight years backing up our data to ensure without a shred of a doubt that our results were conclusive.”

The full report indicates that the scientists weren’t alone in this endeavor and were joined by experts in the field like The Count from Sesame Street which greatly improved their counting ability.

Said the Count, “How many times must the count

Epic Landing Fail

up and began shattering Molotov cocktails upon the alien ramps while yelling, “Yeah, get some! Get some!”

Enraged by such ignorant actions, both the FBI and the aliens fired upon the jeep, but the aliens weaponry far exceeded humanity’s and disintegrated them completely, leaving a near 10 foot crater in the ground to the side of the Naraganssett walkway.

Wright student Sucha Koolbrah said, “This is the best thing that ever happened at College man. Now we have a gigantic ashtray!”

Other students such as Im A.

Nidiot were not pleased, saying, “This needless destruction shouldn’t have to occur everywhere we go these days, aliens or not!”

Pleased by the justified assistance in dispatching the hillbilly threat, the extraterrestrials made good with their promise and peacefully left to go wreak havoc on less advanced planets in the nearby galaxies. Bald Eagle later said, “We have a general reputation of wiping out all other forms of sentient life… But today, we’re in a pretty good mood.”

civilization. Bald Eagle was sent into a frothing rage at a nearby students Droid Smart phone. He was angered that he did not posses technology with such ease of handling and assaulted the student to gain possession of the unknown device. Director of Security Old McDonald was immediately ready to mediate the situation. After giving the alien his own phone, the situation was avoided following a formal apology to the student demanded by the heroic McDonald.

Due to deliberations with McDonald and law enforcement agencies, the aliens agreed not to disturb the huCheck out these linked courses for Fall man race unless they were Semester 2011! acted upon with hostilStudents must register for both classes. ity. Only mere minutes after- All Leaning Community courses are IAI-approved (they’re transferable to a university). wards, a small band of vigiFor specific descriptions of each LC, go to: http://wright.ccc. lante hillbillies in a jeep rode

Groundbreaking Science Proves That 1+1=2 By: Fernando Pena Reporter

The Wrong Times Photo Illustration By: Jackie Sigaryn

Black’s Findings May Lead to Fun, Fun, Fun

SATIRE

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SATIRE

The Wrong Times

CHI-WARS Photo Illustration By: Joseph J. Bledsoe

Continued From Front Page last spotted within the lasersphere freeing the outspoken Professor Leia Fischer from Darth Nader.

Taking down the laser school is no problem according to Hamill, who claims to have taken out squirrels in his Caprice back home in the Tattooine neighborhood. The Droid C0RD32 delivered plans for the assault after a long journey through the city. Other battle plans were smuggled through on a Blackberry Smartphone.

When security searched the

smuggler they passed him through stating. “This is not the droid we are looking for.”

While the assault will consist of many other experienced drivers, it is believed many of them will perish and Hamill will save the day without breaking a sweat.

During deliberations about how to stop the laser school’s development, the always cautious Admiral Bruckert claimed that the weaknesses of the laser school may be intentional: “It’s a trap.”

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

BYU Teacher Suspended Mid-Tournament

Dave Rose Not allowed to Coach the team in NCAA tournament due to his evil coffee addiction By: Timothy Watters Reporter A few weeks ago “Brigham Young University” Basketball Coach Dave Rose, was suspended for the remainder of the season. This comes shortly after Coach Rose was caught drinking coffee in his office. The suspension has taken many players on the team by surprise. With the National Tournament approaching, this was a devastating blow to a team that has chances of moving up in the rankings. Without its leader, its possible the team could fall short of the title game.

Which means their season would come up short for the third straight year.

Coach Rose was sitting in his office on a Thursday evening drinking coffee when a player came in to speak with him. Knowing the rules of BYU the player immediately after leaving the office went

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to the president of students and told what he had seen. Upon hearing the news the members of the staff brought the situation up to President Samuelson who then called Coach Rose into his office to discuss the problem. When learning the reason he was being summoned to the Presidents office Rose didn’t hesitate defending his actions, he proposed that the rule be removed from the BYU handbook, stating “I was tired and I wanted coffee, if I had to do it again I would.” said Rose. Outside staff members said they could hear how loud Rose was through the Presidents office door. Shortly after the meeting began four men in black hoods with BYU logos on them walked into the office and shut it. Coach Rose later said that the four men “were a quartet from the schools choir. They were singing a original piece they wrote for a campaign to stop drinking coffee.”

With news reporters getting word about the suspension, it wasn’t long before they were searching for details around the BYU campus. Many people think that the punishment was too hard, but BYU stands by their decision. In a statement released to the press the University said “Coach Dave Rose will be suspended for the remainder of the school year due to his own admission of breaking school rules. The suspension will begin immediately.” Many will argue about the suspension for day’s maybe even weeks to come, but rules are rules. Coffee drinking is not an option at this school even if you are the head coach of a team that could have made history in becoming the first BYU team to win the National Tournament.

CCC Reinstitution: Where the Dollaz At? About $13 million has been spent so far on Reinstitution efforts under Chancellor Highman. Heres how some of the account expenses broke down: $2.7 Million: Lavish renovations to Secret District Base. $1.2 million: Full scholarships to sweatshop workers helped improve CCC graduation rates to current 7%. $954,764: Hiring people to stand around during registration doing nothing. $478,600: Diamond encrusted lighters for gold plated cuban cigars. $1.7 million:New job training program gives students the skills they need for entry level sweatshop positions.

... No, for real.

We need you!

rd

cke i W

$500,000: hired gilbert gottfried to leave message on the answering machine so the press would get tired

9

10 April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

SATIRE

He never really had the time for it, he was always too busy setting quarterback records or whatever white people do in Brett Favre has announced football,”said Snoop. that he will finally end his 20Minnesota Vikings coach year NFL career to focus on Brad Childress was not as other aspirations such as con- amused, blaming Favre’s sectinuing his sponsorship with ondary aspirations for a subWrangler jeans, a possible par 2010 Vikings season.

ESPN commentating gig and “At first I thought [Favre] writing and producing his de- was really committed to combut rap album “Aaron Rodgers ing up with play alterations to work with some of our less In a Bodybag.”

The album, due for a mid-sum- experienced receivers… but mer release, will be produced his notebook was just filled

by Snoop Dogg and Doggy with a bunch of jive dialects Style records. While the an- I couldn’t understand,” said Childress. nouncement is out of the blue, Snoop “His notebook was “ W h e n e v e r insisted that the we sat down project has actually just filled with a to watch game bunch of jive tape I would been under wraps for some time. dialect I couldn’t have to take his “[Brett and I] iPod away.” understand.”

Hip hop have been talking radio stations about doing something like this for a long time, and other music outlets across ever since we met on the set the country are waiting for of Doggy Fizzle Televizzle. any new information about

the most eagerly awaited sports superstar album since Shaquille O’ Neal’s “Shaq Diesel”.

Chicago radio station B96, popular among Wright students, has claimed that they will be receiving an advance copy of the album’s first single, “99 Pass Attempts But an Inno Ain’t One of Em,” which will be heavily integrated into the standard repetition of the Top 40 playlist.

“I really, really hope that this thing is halfway decent, because it’s going to get shoved down your throats either way,” said an anonymous B96 DJ. “You think we play Rihanna too much? You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Album details are scarce but a leaked track listing with song titles like “Superbowl Ring, Just Another Piece of Bling” and “Fill ‘em With Bullet Passes” imply typical rap fare consisting of glorifying impulse spending and vio-

lence.

Consequently, Favre will be surely under fire from angry parents who do not know anything about football and still hold the hilariously naive belief that children look up to athletes.

“A role model like him has the responsibility to lead the path for our children, to show them that anything is possible if you try hard enough...We don’t need another multi talented superstar showing our kids that violence is acceptable,” said Jennifer Tynes, former FCC board member and president of Mothers Against Rap Music.

“Brett Favre? Is that the guy in the Sony commercials with

proponent and chairman of People For the Entertainment and Execution of Inmates (CFEEI). “These are people that have killed, maimed and

victed serial killer and pedophile Kenneth Pharell, the fan favorite to win the contest.

In the weekly melee, participants of all ages and back-

inmates in a 16-man tournament, with the 16th slot filled by a clown. The winner will receive a pardon from their imprisonment and a check for $50,000 dollars.

Tickets have been sold out for all three events, which takes place at the AllState Arena in Rosemont.

Two have already aired, and the Nielsen rating for “Illinois DeathUltimateFinalShowdown 2: Injections of Steel” was at a 20.1 high.

The next event, titled “Illinois DeathUltimateFinalShowdown III: Electric Ecstacy,” scheduled for April 1, is expected to break TV records.

Show producer Hideki Kurzyuu is pleased with the high ratings.

“This is the type of vengeance that everyone, both Illinois citizens and Americans in general, have been clamoring for,” he said in a phone interview. “Not only have we

By: Zack Johnson E&O Editor

Promotional Photo Courtesy of Doggy Style Records

Favre’s Forray Into Hip-Hop

The Wrong Times

Justin Timberlake? I don’t really pay attention to sports,” said 8 year-old Minnessota resident Timothy Ira. “[Timberlake] helped bury Emile Hirsch in a shallow grave in that one movie, ‘Alpha Dog’.

Right after they shot him in the head! That was awesome!”

Illinois’ Solution to Violent Criminals: A Modest Proposal By: Shane Dunn A&C Editor

On March 10 in front of over 9,000 anticipating citizens, state governor Pat Quinn, with great fanfare, signed into law a bill allowing the usage of Death Row inmates for a currently airing three-episode show named “Illinois DeathUltimateFinalShowdown.”

“Often, opponents of capital punishment have cited the expenses of an inmate’s incarceration, last meal, undertaker expenses and so on,” said Quinn at a press conference.

“With this bill, however, no longer will we have to waste money on funding these deviants.”

Added Quinn, “It’s not like anyone cares, right?”

Supporters of the measure have heaped praise upon the governor’s bill. “It’s amazing,” said Tyler Bundy, a fierce

What followed was a mass riot. A veritable cacophony of silly noises echoed through the town, including squeaky shoes and synchronized battle kazoos. Witnesses reported that whipped cream and bananas were common in the crossfire, which continued for almost a half hour before police and performance critics were called to the scene to

mediate, interpret and rate the carnage.

“It was tragic and there could have been better use of the rubber chickens,” said Broadway critic Jasper Rolls.

Upon apprehension of the mime leader, he signed out references to the recent Supreme Court decision to allow protest at funerals. The officers replied, “Mimes don’t speak,” and began flogging the black-and-white man.

Numerous miniature paramedic cars arrived at the

Photo by

Continued from Front Page

Gov. Quinn rouses the inmates for a fight to the death. raped innocent people. I have grounds must battle to the death no sympathy for these heinous in an steel cage using a variety murderers. Also, it’s great of weapons. including sharpfamily fun.” He pointed at his ened toothbrushes, swords and son Barry, 8, who wore a shirt lit cigarettes through a tournaproclaiming support of con- ment involving all 15 current

constructed a solution to the financial strain inmates have placed on [Illinois’] resources but we have made it a pleasant experience for victims and everyday citizens alike. There has yet to be a lawsuit filed or any national outcry of any sort.

This is what the people of the state want.”

However, not everyone is happy with the popular show.

“This is barbarism at its worst,” said participant Jesus Correa just before the start of the first round. “Half the inmates being forced at gunpoint to play bloodsport is in violation of innumerable human rights violations. Is this really the sort of society we wish to leave our children?” Correa was then speared and crucified by tournament guards to great acclaim.

As of press time, Correa’s body had not been recovered.

conclusion of the incident.

Almost 40 of the rioters were found in play comas and both parties suffered heavy play casualties. Officer Scott Pig-

Mimes creating their idea of a ruckus

man said, “There are cream pies and invisible objects ev- neither clown nor mime will erywhere. We’re looking at al- forget. For spectators, it was a most $20 needed to clean this mildly amusing skirmish. place up.” It is a sad day that

The Wright Times

ARTS & CULTURE

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

11

Wright Students Forge Dimensional Designs By: Chloe Cohen Reporter

3-D works on display in the lobby of the Learning Resource Center.

Shakespeare Theater’s “Macbeth” Adds Contemporary Zing

Photo By: Jacky Sigaran

the theater company’s use of slow-motion actions, lighting effects and updated costumes that a cast member calls “postindustrial/post-apocalyptic.”

The most visually simulating metaphor used in this adaption was a red cloth that could at one minute engulf the stage and transforms into the king’s cloak the next.

This was used throughout the entirety of the play to symbolize blood, royal robes and power. Another unique aspect of this adaption was the fusion of live percussion music and overlaying audio tracks worthy of an epic battle, presenting an added feeling of excitement to the audience.

One of the major shockers of the production came in the first scene when a witch first appears. Initially she merely

observes the bloody battle, then slowly walks amongst the dead lying across the battlefield. She approaches two dead soldiers, bringing them back to life using her necromantic powers. Those two men be-

cheer. mangos…mangos James!”

She rambles about losing Then Graddick calls her exboyfriend reminiscing about her panties as the cab driver “the good times” with him as waits impatiently for Gradda smooth jazz song playing ick to pay her fare. Her calls that aids the seductive tone of remain entertaining as she facher voice. She asks James who es her now ex-boyfriend. Her the “sexy apple of your eye is” banter reaches the peak of hiand continues larity when firing meloGraddick dramatic lines takes the bus home and such as, “How starts a vercould you do this to me? I bal duel with loved you! I a bus driver even sent you who doesn’t know where an edible arrangement with her destinaCourtesy of vanessagraddick.com

tion is.

By the end of the CD, not only is she belligerent but outright making a complete mockery of herself. Finally, she wakes up with a hangover, in a bath towel on the kitchen floor.

Subsequently, out of desperation, Graddick asks for James to call her stating she wants to hear his voice and make sure he is okay. If you are a fan of non-stop laughter, you should check out “Drunk Dialing: A Love Story.”

By: Amanda Louise Halick Reporter “The stage should be bathed in blood, robes, ascension to power and a lot of blood is shed,” said Patrick, a cast member of The Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Macbeth” which came to Wright College on March 3.

This tragedy follows Macbeth who, after an encounter with a group of prophesying witches, sets out on a Machiavellian quest to gain power and his subsequent downfall.

Using only two-thirds of the original dialogue this cast staged their own adaption of the tragedy, adding a modern edge to an old classic. Sitting in the theater, one gets transported into a terrifying world of superstitions, betrayal, madness and death-left to ponder one philosophical question: “fate or free will?”

Adding to the new-age feel of this production was

Photo Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater

The 3-D art exhibit, located in Wright College’s Learning Resource Center, featured works of students from all of the art classes. The showcase presented the different styles of all the students and the flavor picked up from teachers. The art exhibit has been in action for over two years. The art exhibit was on display throughout the month of March. The exhibit featured a large variety of watercolors and straw 3-D pieces.

Maria Ramirez is a student at Wright College whose work was featured in the art exhibit.

When asked who her muse for creativity was, she said, “My dad was my inspiration. When I was younger, I asked him to draw for me until he told me I can draw for myself, so I started practicing.” Maria has two works of art displayed: the first one was a drawing of a girl and the second was a male.

Jorge Espenosa is another Wright college artist whose display had 11 pieces. Most are marker and some black acrylic. He started making art as a way to relax and relieve

stress. When asked what he thought of the art program, he said, “The art program is underrated and doesn’t get much attention. Most people do not know about the art program and some of the artwork is not even shown in the exhibit.

There are some amazing pieces still in the studios that no one has seen yet. Even the instructors would like to see the students’ work shown more.”

The art program has advanced this year. Before the classes were an hour and a half. The classes now run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., benefiting the students when prospecting colleges look at their art portfolios. Some of the art students were already accepted into Columbia College and the Art Institute with scholarships. Espenosa said, “Art has put me in the position that I do not have to pay for college anymore.” Jorge dreams to have his work placed in an art gallery to show his friends and family.

Many of the students have different inspirations but their artwork was definitely worth seeing.

came the double agents of the story, being both a friend to the main characters and holding within them spirits of the witchy sisters. Overall, this production presented a drama that audiences both well versed in Shakespearian knowledge or completely new to the genre would both be able to understand and enjoy.

The Sound of Laughter By: Abrahim Harb Features News Editor Combining a series of “drunk dials” into one sidesplitting comedy CD, standup comedian Vanessa Graddick’s “Drunk Dialing: A Love Story” leaves you feeling like you had a dose of nitrous oxide. Various sound effects and music are overlaid in the background as she makes her calls, adding a missing element that authenticates the setting of the onesided conversations. Graddick redefines the idea of a comedy CD. She “offers the audience

an unorthodox public service announcement” explaining by example what not to do through her drunken ranting to everyone in her phonebook.

Within the first few tracks, Graddick is talking to a bartender. The bathroom of a club, complete with a barely audible techno-beat and her voice reverberating as she calls her mother and demands she find old ski boots. Then, she wallows in an endless pool of self-loathing after her boyfriend James irritates her as the Vikings game plays in the background and the bar-goers

12 April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

Responsibility By: Joseph Chaidez

Brattitude Clownz By: Willie Lee Ikerd

Dr. Cool; M.D. By: Michael Alvarado

COMICS

The Wright Times

The Wright Times

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7 13

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OPINIONS

14 April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

The Wright Times

A Minor’s Perspective Kathlyn Talapian, 17 year old member of the Wright Times, talks about the often unnoticed yet harmful effects of pornography on young viewers These statistics prove that even at an early age, porn is part of many children’s lives. Instead of focusing on sports, music or school, many teens are distracted by the porn they see.

Wright student Ngocan Phan admitted that he By: Kathlyn Talapian first saw porn at the age of Managing Editor 7 through TV while scanning through the channels.

“When children see porn In just a single click of in the TV or internet, they the mouse, people, animals will think it’s accepted in and even cartoons engaged the society and people do in sexual activity pop out of it for fun. They might actuthe screen explicitly. These ally try it out of curiosity,” sexual contents are acceshe said. sible to anyone, young or Exposure to porn is old, Asian or Amerireflected on how teens can. They find a way 90% of teens polled think, act or speak. It to pass through fireadmitted to viewing porn is not a surprise to hear walls and other secuhigh school students rity features. Indeed, while working on exchanging dirty jokes pornography is an homework or sexual jargon in conunstoppable growing industry. It has been around viewing Internet pornogra- versations.

Many young couples since prehistoric times but phy are teens of ages 12-17.

Moreover, about 90% adwith hormones “kicking internet and videos heighten the popularity of porn mitted viewing porn while in” also act passionately today, especially among working on homework. and intimately especially

when alone. They tend to imitate what they see online and other media outlets.

MyCyberGuardian.

By: Lyanne Riveria Reporter

The windows of Best Buy lay strewn about in pieces on the ground. Within the open store display lies a shiny new laptop and no one is around. Do you take it? Many Americans would, but it’d be a different story for the more disciplined and honorable Japanese citizens.

Weeks after one of the most powerful earthquakes in recent history hit Japan, many areas are still left in rubble. Despite such devastation, looting has not been reported in the media.

What is it in this case that distinguishes Japan among the rest? Can it be that their culture has shaped how they behave in the midst of disaster, or is the media romanticizing the morality of the Japanese citizens and turning an eye?

In the recent earthquake that struck Haiti, the city of Port-au-Prince witnessed dozens of men, armed with machetes, breaking into

will live with the shame brought on by their immoral actions. At the same time good samitarians are held in high honor and status by their peers and media alike.

The world carries this view of Japan as a model citizen that they carry themselves

teens. To further reach out to the younger generations, companies and individuals alike even create porn versions of our favorite anime and cartoon characters.

Even Dora and Pokemon are no exceptions.

Many internet pranksters have even made light of this distasteful porn influx, creating the popular internet joke “Rule 34” which states: “If it exists, there is porn of it.”

According to Jerry Ropelato, Chief Executive Officer of TopTenREVIEWS, Inc., the largest group

pregnancy in the United States.

In spite of the evident pollution of pornography to children’s minds, companies and individual website owners simply do not care. Ropelato notes in an Internet Filter Review that in 2006, more than $97 billion worldwide was made out of pornography through the media. The money is in pornography. People will take advantage and continue to fuel the frenzy over porn.

Pornography is everywhere that it is almost impossible to fully protect children from exposure to adult content. Nonetheless, the government should make the access policies to these sites stricter and actually implement these rules.

More importantly, parents should communicate to their children, educating them of the great responsibility their actions entail.

In 2006, the porn industry made over $97 billion worldwide. com notes that according to a report in Pediatrics is 2006, “Youth with significant exposure to sexuality in the media were shown to be significantly more likely to have had intercourse at ages 14 to 16.”

The excitement and curiosity caused by viewing porn is too difficult to handle for many children whose minds haven’t fully matured to understand the consequences of engaging in sexual activities. Exposure to porn is one of the many factors of the increasing unwanted teenage

Japanese Culture Prevents Social Upheaval the lootings occurred over necessities such as food and gasoline, rather than luxuries. Yet, there is an obvious characteristic between the aftermath of past world disasters and the current one faced in Japan.

Japanese society is main-

a petty crime, especially when they appear reserved in manner. It ties back into the social differences experienced there and around the world.

Here in American society, people jump at the moment where law and order is at its weakest. We tend to have self-centered ideals more so than other nations, while in Japan it’s custom to see themselves apart of a greater whole and to show respect to others.

It’s a bit easy to make the simplification that the moral values taught in Japanese culture will prevent looting, but it is definitely something to make note of. They must be doing something right because this is a nation who has not only recovered, but also advanced following two atomic bombings. Reconsider the next time you happen to find a lost wallet in the hall, pick it up and return it to the security desk.

This simple act of kindness could help the nation.

Photo courtesy of BBC

and looting stores along its commercial streets. Rioting broke out and many took the law into their own hands.

After the 2004 tsunami in Phuket, Thailand, looting was so pervasive that police and Thai officials were ordered not to grant bail to looters after their capture. Now, no such stories of mass looting and chaos have been jumping into media headlines. What we are seeing, however, are reports of citizens patiently waiting in crowded lines at grocery stores.

That is not to say hard hit areas have gone without a single theft.

Yes, the Japanese are humans too. In fact the Miyagi region said 250 thefts had been reported in the 10 days since the disaster including smashed ATMs and siphoned gasoline. Most of

Disaster victims wait in line for food and supplies.

tained through consideration as a whole rather than focus of individual rights.

A common example is of how the law rewards honest actions, such as returning a lost wallet to the police.

Furthermore, a looter recognized by the community

in a respectable manner. So when reports slowly seep into the media of instances including a demolished Kirin Brewery’s facility in Sendai that had been scavenged of its goods, people’s response is of shock. It’s an unusual thought to picture

OPINIONS

The Wright Times

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7 15

Death Penalty Gets Whacked By: Natalija Tosanic Copy Editor On March 9, 2011 Gov. Pat Quinn signed the abolition of capital punishment, causing Illinois to become the 16th state to repeal the death penalty. The fact that two-thirds of Americans support this process in the first place is alarming.

But the bump off of Illinois’ death penalty is due more to a concern over accuracy than the contention of morality. “If the system can’t be guaranteed, 100-percent error-free, then we shouldn’t have the system. It cannot stand,” a grim Quinn said as he signed the bill of abolition.

Although the death penalty is not necessarily unjust, there are two other concerns.

The State simply should not have the power to execute people as a judicial punishment. It is a gateway for oppression and, frankly, it’s uncivilized. I can’t wait for this great country to renounce this

brutish remnant of a bygone era and join the rest of the Western world by doing so.

Illinois has joined its ranks, as well as 15 states before it.

Let the fanatic totalitarians of the world practice

state and federal appeals and habeas corpus proceedings – most of which is borne by taxpayers. Of course, we citizens have little choice because the alternative would allow more innocent people

“Let the fanatic totalitarians of the world practice judicial executions - but it’s just un-American.” judicial executions - but it’s just un-American. The death penalty was once necessary, as society had no other feasible way of removing a criminal. Locking someone up for life, or even just a long time, requires a well-organized society. Today we have that, as well as principles of individual rights with regard to justice and jurisprudence.

The death penalty is unacceptable under these conditions.

The cost of executing a prisoner is even greater than the cost of imprisoning him for life, once one takes into account the absolutely enormous litigation costs for the

to be executed, with many individuals having come within a few days or less of execution when new DNA evidence conclusively proved them innocent.

Former Cook County Jail death row prisoner of 15 years, Anthony Porter, was released after Northwestern University journalism professor David Protess, his students and a private investigator proved his innocence just 50 hours from execution.

Even if a case seems conclusive, juries have found innocents guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

An issue more resonant

with Illinois taxpayers is the monetary drain of keeping inmates on death row. The procedures and appeals process dragged out over the two decades prisoners can spend on death row can lead to a two to five times greater cost than just keeping the same inmate in prison for life without possibility of parole, according to the Death Penalty Information Center’s site (a nonprofit organization focused on the U.S. application of capital punishment).

Illinois Democratic State Rep. and bill sponsor Karen Yarbrough stressed that, “Illinois has spent over $100 million in ten years and hasn’t put anyone to death. It’s time to put this barbaric practice to rest.” Her bill would take funds accumulated from the death penalty and put it toward solving cold cases in the state and training law enforcement officials.

Yarbrough said, “We have a $13 billion shortfall in the budget…We want to be penny-wise and be able to put this money into something

substantial.”

Additionally, other criminals are mentally handicapped and unaware of their actions, such as the aforementioned Porter who scored 51 on an IQ test. So is it fair to kill them for actions that are not otherwise rehabilitative? According to deathpenalty.org, over 60 people with mental illness or retardation have been executed in the United States since 1983 – a violation of national and customary international law.

This really keeps the U.S. penal system in the ancient era by eradicating those with defects, much like the Spartans once did.

A life of imprisonment is a more effective punishment as it does not excuse offenders from suffering with their actions. Some prisoners perceive a lethal injection as a shortcut to freedom. A much crueler punishment would be sentencing an inmate to life without chance of parole to cope with their desecrated conscience for the remainder of their mortal existence.

Editorial Reinvention spending far from beneficial to students “Reinvent yourself!”

“It’s all about U!“ …So the lime green and blue pamphlets placed in the first floor of the Arts building say (price: $500,000). Since the launch of Reinvention, we have seen an oversaturation of shiny new advertisements splattered everywhere the eye can wander: flyers, pamphlets, a new website and on the list goes. However, while the “need for Reinvention” has been flashed to the point that it cannot be ignored and the purpose is quite vague, the steps allegedly being taken forward to progress are quite suspect.

Let’s take a look.

The first and foremost thing up for discussion is money.

Money runs the economy and puts smiles on faces. Well, in the name of Reinvention, the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) have spent money. A lot of money.

Since August 2010, CCC Job Order Contracts (JOC) found in publicly available board reports at CCC’s website (www.ccc.edu) have indicated that $2.77 million

have been spent on renovating District’s office at 226 W. Jackson. Compare this with the $13.7 million spent in total spent on the entire CCC system. That’s about 20 percent of the entire budget being spent on making an office downtown that does not directly service students at all look pretty and shiny.

At the same time, vital programs were slashed.

The Wright Times reported in the October 2010 issue that nursing programs at Olive Harvey College and Kennedy-King College have been destroyed “due to nationwide budget slashes for limited resources.”

On the opposite swing, our beloved arbiters at District have hired Hyman a chief of staff. While the position is fairly useless, said chief of staff is making generous helpings of cash at $120,000 a year according to CBS2 Chicago’s article “Controversy Brewing At City Colleges” along with all the other reindeer Hyman’s taken along for the ride. Since

her reign, several positions were filled with this former ComEd executive’s approval and almost all of them are making at least $100,000 a year.

As you can see, this ends up less Reinvention and more bringing the CCC in line with Chicago politics, which is to say, the spoils system is in full swing. After all, 54 new

similar scope and quantity.”

In other words, a background in education isn’t needed.

Why would someone without a background in education be qualified to lead a college in a district with the low numbers the people behind Reinvention has repeatedly called out?

The CCC’s July 2010 board report indicates that the City Colleges of Chicago recommends Neil Parker and NPCommunications, LLC (NPC), with project support from Marj Halperin (Marj Halperin Consulting), to provide strategic and tactical communications support for the City Colleges of Chicago reform agenda... the estimated cost for the services to be provided for up to 12 months is $200.00 per hour at an estimated 47 hours per month.” With the power of a elementary school calculator, we discovered that the total for such an expenditure would be $112,800. Why should so much money be wasted on mere communications? Coaching for public

“If this is Reinvention, we should be luddites.” positions were created under Hymen, making a total of over $5 million in salary.

On the CCC’s Jobs section, there’s a page for applicants seeking to become CCC presidents (http://projects. ccc.edu/JobList/ViewJob. aspx?jobid=2079). Requirements? “A Master’s degree from an accredited institution is required…Candidate should possess a proven track record in either an academic institution or organization of similar scope and complexity.” Note the latter part: “of

speaking? Surely Hyman’s experience as an executive at ComEd have prepared her for this?

This newspaper reported on the CCC’s purchase of the Harold Washington Cultural Center through a $1.8 million city subsidy in October 2010. As far as what plans there were for this new acquisition, Hymen only said “We’re looking at a lot of different options.” As of now, nothing has been planned for the old building.

A quote provided by the CBS2 article from John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute summed it best: “They’re spending an awful lot of money on consultants, on branding and communications, reasonable things to do, but it seems to me you gotta fix the product first.”

If this is Reinvention, we should be luddites.

But hey, it’s all about us!

16

OPINIONS

Final Four Analysis With Tim and Ray

April 2011 Vol/Issue 17/7

Butler Serves Them All

By: Timothy Watters Sports Editor

Butler University took the college basketball world by storm last year by defeating top seeds Syracuse and Kansas St. in the National Tournament. Bringing back five seniors this season, there stands no reason that this year’s team should be overlooked. Not only do they possess a balanced offensive game but they also have one of the toughest defenses to get points against. Clamping down in clutch situations Butlers defense has been

stingy and remains among the top ten in opponents field goal percentage. The last four games the Bulldogs have played were won by a combined seven points. Every game goes down to the wire, even including an overtime victory over number 2 seed Florida. When this team steps onto the court, they fight until the final tick is off the clock. With a strong push into the final round Butler looks to win the championship.

Virginia Rams into top Spot in Southwest Conference

By: Timothy Watters Sports Editor

Eleventh-ranked Virginia Commonwealth Rams have fought and clawed their way through games all season. At some points VCU would have opponents down only to end up losing by double digits.

Things have changed since the tournament has started; by defeating five high ranked schools by blowouts they are no longer drudging through games. With a group of guys

who play strategic basketball, Head Coach Shaka Smart could be putting the game net around his neck come April 4. He has turned this program into a dominating team that looks as if they are focused on winning the national title. With two games left they can possibly shock the nation.

The Wright Times

UCONN CAN

Sports reporters Tim & Ray discuss the Final Four NCAA basketball teams and who’s in it to win it

???

By: Timothy Watters Sports Editor

One name stands out at University of Connecticut: Kemba Walker. He’s probably the best point guard in college basketball right now.

With comparisons to the Chicago Bulls star guard Derrick Rose, Walker dominates the highlight reel all season and is expected to lead his Huskies to the Final Four.

While averaging 24 points and nearly six assists a game, he forces defenses to create a game plan just for him. On

the other end the defense that the Huskies have has come up huge all season, and is expected to carry this team to the big stage. No slackers are found here, just young men who are willing to sacrifice their bodies for the ultimate prize, The John Wooden Trophy. With the combination they have, it’s not too hard to believe them.

University of Connecticut to take the whole damn thing!

The Wildcats are All in This Together

By Raymel Washington Reporter

All season long, the Kentucky Wildcats were thought too young to win. Well, Kentucky was not too young when they won the SEC championship by beating Florida 70-54. They have proven everyone wrong by cracking the Final Four.

Their win versus Ohio State was a bold statement that they are coming for it all.

As John Calipari leads the charge, the shining knight

in armor, Brandon Knight, has proven himself the focal point for Kentucky’s run all season long, with his playmaking and his ability to penetrate defenses. The wildcats look forward to winning it all but have a tough task ahead as they encounter with Connecticut, with Kemba Walker leading the pack. If Kentucky does win, the title awaits them in Houston.