Single copies free The student newspaper at USF St. Petersburg
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
USFSP hosts a Student conference on starts world affairs charity
p. 2
p. 5
Zika virus spreads in Florida By Jeffrey Zanker Staff Reporter
An international crisis has entered Florida starting with a small bite. The virus known as “Zika” has spread in eight counties in the last two weeks, with 20 cases reported since Friday. On Feb. 3, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott declared a public health emergenc y in t he f irst four counties affected: Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Lee and Santa Rosa. Miami-Dade has the highest number so far, with seven cases reported. The virus is transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti after Health officials may have detected a link between the Zika virus biting a person. After the mosquiand microcephaly, a condition that causes brain damage, and other toes draw blood from an individual developmental issues in infants. Another neurological disease possibly associated with the virus is Guillain-Barre syndrome – a rare disorder that attacks the nervous system, leaving people paralyzed.
with Zika virus, it carries the virus to the next person it bites. Though further research is being conducted, spread of the virus through sexual contact and blood transfusion have been reported in isolated cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in five people infected become ill and exhibit symptoms including rash, fever, joint pain and red eyes. But researchers found the virus non-life threatening, with symptoms usually lasting about a week. All cases in Florida were reported as travel-related – the first appearing in Miami-Dade in January from two residents who traveled to Colombia the month before. One Hillsborough resident contracted the virus during a trip in Venezuela.
In a Feb. 4 press release, Scott requested the CDC provide at least 1,000 Zika antibody tests for individuals, especially pregnant women and new mothers, who have traveled to affected areas and have displayed symptoms of the Zika virus. The test allows the state to see if individuals ever had the virus – Florida currently only has the capacity to test 475 people. The governor also asked the CDC to organize a conference call to assist in training hospital workers, particularly OBGYN doctors, on how the virus is spread, its symptoms, treatments, and so on. “With over 20 million residents and 100 million tourists, we must stay ahead of the possible spread of the Zika virus and take immediate action to ensure Florida is prepared,” he said. So far in the U.S., 59 cases have
Continued on p. 2
In St. Pete, the water is just fine The city’s drinking water routinely tests within safety limit By Moriah Parish Staff Reporter Dr. Johnny Wong has been a citizen of several municipalities, both nationally and internationally. He now serves as an educator in the USF St. Petersburg Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Geography. “St. Petersburg has a real culture of environmental awareness,
and USFSP is a microcosm of that,” said Wong. “If people truly investigated the treatment and accommodations (for water), they would be impressed. The governments in the (Tampa Bay) area have done a good job creating a culture of safety.” No city is immune to the fate of a lead-polluted water supply that has recently made headlines in Flint, MI. With only two main water
sources — a contamination in one and budget cuts affecting the other — catastrophic conditions have taken cover. But in St. Petersburg, there are a number of alternative sources. Surface water streams down through the Alaf ia and Hillsborough Rivers, as well as the Tampa Bypass Canal. Groundwater is pumped through 11 well fields
t hat d raw f rom t he Flor ida n Aquifer. If a severe drought or contamination occured, St. Petersburg Water Resources has two desalination plants that can turn seawater into potable freshwater. Though achieved at a high energy expense, the process is only implemented during emergencies. “These desalination plants are so state of the art, Saudi Arabia has
sent people to see the way we operate,” Wong said. Ac cord i ng to t he c it y, St . P e t e r s b u r g ’s w a t e r i s a l s o well-treated. Chloramines, an important type of disinfectant, are added to the water at a level of 4 milligrams per liter. This is the Ma ximum Contaminant Level, the legal limit on the amount of a substance that
Continued on p. 3
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
News Briefs The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 16. This also applies to any voter information that may need to be updated (eg. county, political party). The USFSP Student Government election season is around the corner. If you would like to represent the student body for the 2016-2017 academic year as a senator or as president or vice president, stop by SLC 1500 for an information packet.
Monday, Feb. 15 FASFA Frenzy Student Success Center // 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. FASFA Frenzy is an annual USFSP event that assists with early financial aid processing. Sessions provide free hands-on support so students can beat state and USF deadlines. The process only takes about 15-25 minutes to complete. Etiquette Dinner USC Ballrooms // 5 - 7 p.m. Join special guest Patricia Rossi as she shares the do’s and dont’s of everyday etiquette ranging from proper introductions to social media, along with other topics you won’t want to miss.
Tuesday, Feb. 16 Science Cafe Dali Museum // 6 – 7:30 p.m. SciCafe St. Petersburg is a free informal discussion series created by Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium. It is intended to raise awareness and satisfy a person’s curiosity about all things scientific. Black History Showcase USC Ballrooms // 6 p.m. Come out a nd celebrate Black History Month with the Multicultural Affairs Council for a night of live performances honoring black culture.
Thursday, Feb. 18 Thinking Through… Rights Nelson Poynter Memorial Library // 4 - 5 p.m. The USFSP community is invited to participate in a conversation about “Intrinsic and Economic Values” with Dr. Katie McShane.
3rd Annual Love-A-Bull Auction rescheduled
By Angelina Bruno Crow’s Nest Contributor Logistical and planning errors resulted in the abrupt cancellation of USF St. Petersburg’s annual Love-A-Bull auction, originally scheduled for last Thursday. Student Government canceled the event on Tuesday, just two days before the initial scheduled date. The auction has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m., and will be held in front of the University Student Center.
“We felt that the event (date) was not close enough to Valentine’s,” said Laraine Ruiz, an SG senator in charge of the auction. “Thursday wasn’t an ideal date either. There were also several competing events on campus that took attendance away.” Ruiz also said the event was postponed to improve the way the auction is run and increase participation. Shani Traci, a freshman studying mass communications, volunteered for the event to help local
charities. When she found out the auction was being rescheduled, she was disappointed. “I didn’t want (the new date) to interfere with future obligations,” Traci said. The Love-A-Bull auction is an annual campus event that raises money for charities by auctioning off a date with a student volunteer. Donors may bid on a potential date with the volunteer, and funds are then donated to a charity. “The volunteer can choose to go on the date with the donor, but
none of this is promised,” said Ruiz. “We (student government) do not facilitate that part either, other than letting the donors and volunteers know that the date is not promised, or mandatory.” $1,000 was raised for charity in the event’s first year and about $2,000 was raised last year, according to Ruiz. SG members said they plan to beat last year’s total and raise over $2,000 in Monday’s auction. All proceeds will benefit three charities: Disabled America n Veterans, Power of Change and the USFSP Miracle Dance Marathon.
Continued from front cover
The pandemic poses a threat to pregnant women, with a suggested link between the infection and birth defects been reported in more than 20 states. Florida has 20 confirmed cases, the most in the country, and Texas follows with 11. CDC Director Thomas Frieden said Florida could face challenges in controlling the outbreak, since the state is known for a large mosquito population. “Florida, Texas and the southern U.S. have the mosquito that spreads this (virus) very well,” Frieden said on Jan. 28 in a U.S. Senate hearing on Zika. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 and later spread to parts of Asia. Brazil’s first case of Zika was confirmed in May 2015 and has quickly made its way to over 30 countries, causing t he World Health Organization to declare an international emergency on Feb. 1. Although researchers don’t know how the virus made the jump to Brazil, many have suggested it may have been due to the inf lux
of tourists visiting the country for the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament, or an international canoeing competition that same year. The Brazilian government estimates that more than 1.5 million Brazilians have been infected with Zika. Despite the mild symptoms, the primary concern is for pregnant women, who are at a significantly higher risk. An increased rate of newborn babies with abnormally small heads were reported in South America, indicating a condition known as microcephaly – a neurological disorder that causes severe brain damage and potentially death. On Friday, Brazil’s health ministry reported 4,314 confirmed and suspected cases of microcephaly, up from 4074 on Feb. 2. Though researchers have found evidence of the Zika infection in more than 40 of these cases, scientists have not confirmed the virus can cause microcephaly.
But on Friday, the World Health Organisation said the possible connection between the Zika virus and microcephaly, along with other birth defects, could be confirmed within the next few weeks. Health officials advise pregnant women to delay trips to Zikaaffected areas. On Feb. 8, President Obama requested more than $1.8 billion in emergency funding from Congress to combat the outbreak both domestically and internationally, which includes $355 million in foreign aid for South America. The money would be used for expand mosquito control programs, vaccine development and new public education programs, particularly for pregnant women. Senator Harry Reid, D-Nev., spoke on the administration’s response to the virus, “It is critical that we approve the funds immediately and give our government the resources it needs to fight the virus,”
Florida Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong urges people to use bug repellents and wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts outside. Most importantly, Armstrong also recommends draining any standing water, no matter how small. “A couple drops of water in a bottle cap can be a breeding location for mosquitoes.” Armstrong said on Friday. Currently, there is no vaccine for Zika, but health officials around the world are scrambling to develop one. On Thursday, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston agreed to partner with the Brazilian Ministry of Health to help develop a Zika vaccine ready for clinical testing within 12 months. For more information, call the Zika Virus Information Hotline (855-622-6735) managed by the Florida Department of Health.
St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs Over 60 speakers from across the nation and around the globe will come to the campus for the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs. The conference began in 2013 when former American diplomat Douglas McElhaney and director of the university’s honors program Thomas Smith, collaborated to create the forum. McElhaney reached out to his Washington connections and Smith tapped into his academic resources, modeling the structure off a large-scale conference of world affairs in Colorado. The St. Petersburg event had a modest start. It was held at Harbor Hall with about 300 attendees and 10 panels during its first year. Today, more than a thousand people have signed up and 30 panels are scheduled at the University Student Center.
Wednesday, Feb. 17 - Friday, Feb. 19 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. University Student Center Free and open to the public
Interested in an international career?
Check out these events at the conference: Thinking About Serving in the Peace Corps? Meet a Recruiter
Wednesday / 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
What’s It Take to Be a Diplomat? Careers in the State Department Thursday / 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Careers in Intelligence: Learn More from a 30-Year CIA Veteran
Friday / 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
For a schedule and list of speakers visit http://stpetersburgintheworld.com/conference/
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
Future Theme Park Industrialists club explores the industry behind the scenes By Tamiracle Williams Staff Reporter What started off as a dream became a reality for theme park ent husiasts Cad i n Sma l l a nd Whitney Vega. In fall 2015, the two USF St. Petersburg students started the Future Theme Park Industrialists (FTPI), an organization dedicated to the study of theme parks’ inner workings, with a focus on entertainment, food services and business. “A theme park industrialist is someone who loves theme parks and everything they have to offer,” said Cadin Small, the club’s founder and president. “They don’t necessarily want to own a theme park, but they love the experience and idea that is associated with theme parks.” FTPI has around 30 members who attend the club’s biweekly meetings, where t hey discuss
various topics associated with the industry like finances, ride operations and concert series. Another key component is called “New News,” where the executive board shares updates on what’s happening at local theme parks. “I n a re c e nt m e e t i n g , we informed our members about the opening of ‘Skull Island: Reign of Kong’ and we gave them the official date for the reopening of the Hulk ride at Universal Studios,” said Whitney Vega, cofounder and vice president. Although the club is still new, its members haven’t held back on hosting events. In October, the club organized an imitation Family Feud competition, where groups of students signed up through PeteSync to compete for prizes. To spread the word about FTPI, members surveyed numerous students to develop answers for the game. The industria lists are now
taking their theme park appreciation off campus. In April, a few students will visit Universal Studios for a day of adventure and learning. An all-access tour will give them a behind-the-scenes look at the art and science involved in the special effects used in roller coasters and feature performances.
WHEN: 7 p.m., every other Wednesday WHERE: Palm Room, University Student Center (second floor) Visit the club’s Facebook page for general information, updates and upcoming events Online story only: https://www. facebook.com/FTPI15USFSP/
Courtesy of Future Theme Park Industrialists
Continued from front cover is allowed in public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Substances detected at or below this number pose no known health risks. Antimicrobials, agents that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, are necessary to purify water sourced from surface and groundwater. The latest Water Quality Report, published in April 2015, reported that levels of lead detected in a random sampling of St. Petersburg household taps were low and well under the safety limit advised by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, the presence of lead in homes typically depends on the infrastructure of each individual
house. Since many Florida homes were built in the mid-century or later, most are safe from containing lead plumbing pipes. In spite of public information on city water supply, people continue to believe that drinking bottled water is better. However, most bottled water is sourced locally. “A lot of people drink Dasani or Aquafina or Zephyrhills, not realizing they’re all being bottled within the area anyway,” said Wong. Information on how to test a home water supply for lead content can be found at www.epa.gov/safewater.lead.
At the juncture of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties, the Hillsborough River flows 59 miles into the Tampa Bay. If the bay area ever experienced severe drought or contamination, St. Petersburg Water Resources has two desalination plants ready to make seawater safe and drinkable.
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
Podcast investigates Get ready for late ’90s murder case the job fair on campus If you are job searching or thinking about what type you may want, the 2016 Job & Internship Fair is a good opportunity to network with employers and apply for open positions. The event is open to all USF students and alumni, and will feature more than 60 employers including restaurants, nonprofit organizations and marketing firms. If you are in need of professional attire visit the Career Center’s “Career Closet” during CareerNow Hours. Monday - Thursday, noon. to 5 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m. to noon. Sizes and quantities vary. Why should you attend? - pa r t-t i me, f u l l-t i me a nd internship positions available - open to a l l students a nd alumni - opportunity to talk to individuals in your field of interest - gain real interview experience How should you prepare? - update your resume and bring copies to distribute - bring a folder to hold your resumes and any literature you collect - bring a pen - rehearse a 1-minute script about yourself - anticipate answering questions - research the employers you are interested in visiting What should you wear? -professional attire is required -clothing should be neat and clean -outfits should be color-coordinated; neutral colors are suggested -men: suits (matching dress pants and jacket), long-sleeved collared shirt and tie -women: pant/skirt suits (matching dress pant/skirt and jacket) and closed-toed shoes What should you NOT wear? -shorts or short skirts -flip flops -T-shirts or tank tops -flashy jewelry
Read about the Fair’s requirements and details by visiting http://www.usfsp.edu/ career/for-students/ engage-get-experience/ career-fairs/
Audio journalism leads officials to look into the possible wrongful conviction of Adnan Syed By Ryan Callihan Staff reporter Adnan Syed has been serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, his ex-girlfriend. But the 35-year-old may be innocent. Journalist Sarah Koenig investigated the case and reported the findings on a weekly podcast called “Serial.” Today, Syed’s defense has been granted an appeal. The hearings, which currently await the judge’s decision, took place this month and cited flaws in the original case According to t he podcast’s investigation, Syed’s lawyer for the `99 case, Cristina Gutierrez, had declined to seek out a potential witness who could account for Syed’s location at Lee’s time of death. “Seria l ” reported that Asia McClain, Syed’s high school classmate, testified as a witness in the recent hearing and claimed she talked to Syed in a public library the day of the murder. The court asked her why che
chose to speak out after more than 15 years. “I felt for justice to be served we should put all the information on the table,” McClain answered. “I just thought it was the right thing to do.” McClain connects her memory of the interaction that day with seeing Baltimore’s first snowfall of the year. Howe ver, t he pros e c ut ion pointed out there was no snow reported on the day of Lee’s death. McClain held firm to her statement that she had definitely saw him. Syed’s conviction was also based on evidence used with cell phone tower technology to track Syed’s location on the day of the murder. But according to the Baltimore Sun, Syed’s current attorney C. Justin Brown presented, for the first time, a fax cover sheet from AT&T in which the phone company raised questions about the reliability of technology at the time to pinpoint a phone’s location. T he Sun repor ted “Brow n obtained an affidavit from the state’s expert witness regarding phone technology, who said he
would have wanted to know about the disclaimer on the fax cover sheet and it could have changed his testimony.” Syed’s homicide trial was one of the first to use the technology as evidence in the Baltimore court system.
The hearing ended on Feb. 8 and the judge will determine whether to grant the defense retrial in the coming weeks. Information from the Baltimore Sun and the podcast “Serial” were used in this report.
Microsoft hosts gaming event on campus Tamiracle Williams / Crow’s Nest
By Tamiracle Williams Staff Reporter Microsoft brought the gaming experience to USF St. Petersburg on Friday. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the company took over the University Student Center lounge, The Cove, with several Xbox One consoles
to give students a chance to play “Halo 5: Guardians,” the latest addition to the Halo franchise. Microsoft also offered students a free promotional code to download “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2,” a game accessible on both Xbox and personal computer. Aside from the gaming room, Microsoft also had a technology
“petting zoo” outside of the USC ballrooms where students, staff and faculty tested out some of the company’s latest products, including various editions of the Surface Book and the new Microsoft Band. The event was held in partnership with the Bay to Bay Distance Learning Symposium “Creating a Culture of Growth, Change, and
Innovation.” In light of the many changes that are poised to take place over the next several years at USFSP, the conference featured speakers to highlight how individual commitments can help promote the growth and evolution of learning at the college.
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
Student starts nonprofit inspired by troubled past By Evy Guerra Crow’s Nest Contributor
Fourteen years ago, Sherika Dixon was homeless. She served in the navy for two years, but after getting injured, she was released on disability. But shortly after she had her first two kids, Dixon could no longer support the demands of daily life. “We were out without any place to go and a friend told my mom I could stay with her until I got back on my feet,” said Dixon. “I made a vow to my savior that if I got out of the situation I was in, I would help others.” Today, Dixon is an education student at USF St. Petersburg. She intends to create a nonprofit residential program that will support homeless female veterans, pregnant teens and women who are victims of abusive relationships.
Dixon named the new organization “Aries Angels” inspired by her astrological sign. “You think of an angel as someone who is watching over you, guiding you,” Dixon said. “So I put the two together and Aries Angels was born.” And her dream is big. Dixon said if she were to win the lottery, she would base the organization’s housing on a farm with therapy animals to help women cope during difficwult times as well as a recreation center. Although lottery odds are not in her favor, she still plans to establish the Angel house between Safety Harbor and Clearwater. “Our goal is to help them get back on their feet and provide them with a safe haven, a shelter” Dixon said. “Also helping them write resumes and (offering) food and clothing.”
Dixon raises money by working on fundraisers with her husband Deontray. “I am helping her to obtain sponsorship, as well as publish updates about the happenings revolving around Aries Angel House,” he said. “I squeeze whatever time I can in between my busy work schedule.” The couple said they hope to host a walkathon in the summer to help with the organizations’ building costs. “I believe Jesus has been talking to me ... I need to get on the road (to be) that person who helps others,” she said. “I see these (struggling) women everyday.”
Courtesy of Sherika Dixon
To contribute to Aries Angels visit http://www.gofundme.com/ ariesangels
Founder of the nonprofit organization Aries Angels, Sherika Dixon, and her husband, Deontray, have military backgrounds. “We know how it feels to be gone away from family, put in situations and then have to come back and start life all over again.”
Review: Kanye West’s first gospel album? By Devin Rodriguez Staff reporter Through numerous delays and drastic changes fans have continued to anxiously await the release of Kanye West’s new album The Life of Pablo. T.L.O.P. is West’s seventh studio album, which was finally released on Valentine’s Day. It is only available on Tidal, Jay-Z’s subscription music-streaming service. The recording process began in 2013, and the tentative name of the album was So Help Me God. The name then became SWISH, and then when West released the tracklisting he renamed the album Waves. A day before it’s scheduled release, Feb. 11, West announced the new name would be The Life of Pablo. On this album West discusses his relationship to God, his family and his wife Kim Kardashian. West stated on Twitter that h is latest relea se wou ld be a gospel album, and it feels grandiose in scale. He begins with the song “Ultralight Beam” backed by church organs and choir. The song expresses an appeal to God for direction, but throughout the album West loses his sense of purpose and sinks back into his infamous narcissistic claims. This album feels like West’s most introspective work, but it also qualifies as his most egotistical. These ideas conflict the songs
“Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 and 2.” In the first song West focuses on a relationship with a model he doesn’t love. He then switches gears in the second song to contemplate his relationship with his parents. This conflicting subject matter represents most of the album. The song “Famous” is a controversy seeped highlight on the album. He begins his verse with “I
feel like me and Taylor might still have sex, I made that b---- famous” and has since faced accusations of misogyny on Twitter, and an outcry from Swift fans. There are some low points on the album, which was increased to 18 tracks after West’s Madison Square Garden debut. Songs like “FML” and “Low Lights” have clearly been changed frequently by West,
and seem dynamic to the point of excess. On the song “Real Friends” West seems to have a moment of self ref lection when he laments about his inability to see his family, or remember their birthdays. This quickly devolves about how it’s other people’s fault for not considering how busy he is and how famous.
West’s new album may be conf licted and controversia l, but his ambition manages to shine through. As fans pour over the underlying messages in his works, only time will dictate how significant this new iteration will be in his discography.
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
crowsneststpete.com
Give us your tired, your poor but not if they’re from Syria
By Elisa Duka Crow’s Nest Contributor Editor-in-chief
SAMANTHA PUTTERMAN
Managing Editor
CAITLIN ASHWORTH
Creative Director
GABRIELA MENA
Copy editor
EMILY TINTI
News Editor
JASON SAAB
News Assistant
JEFFREY ZANKER
Arts & Life Editor
DEVIN RODRIGUEZ
Arts & Life Assistant
RYAN CALLIHAN
Staff Reporter
MORIAH PARRISH
Photo editor
TAMIRACLE WILLIAMS
Advertising/Web manager
JESSICA JAGODZINSKI
Distribution Manager
DENNIS GEYER
adviser
ROB HOOKER
Mission Statement: The Crow’s Nest is committed to providing its readers with news relevant to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and its surrounding comm unity. The Crow’s Nest abides by the highest ethical standards and focuses on stories that help readers make informed decisions on current issues. We take seriously the public’s trust in our news reporting and strive to uphold the highest standards of reporting as defined by the Society of Professional Journalists. The views expressed—both written and graphic—in the opinion section of The Crow’s Nest do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit letters to the editor to crowsnesteditor@gmail.com. The Crow’s Nest reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, day time phone number, and e-mail address. The Crow’s Nest is provided free by the Activities & Services Fee, and advertising. The Crow’s Nest neither endorses nor takes responsibility for any claims made by our advertisers. Because of high production costs, members of the USFSP community are permitted one copy per issue. Where available, additional copies may be purchased for 10 cents each by contacting the newspaper’s editor in chief or managing editor. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and/or subject to university discipline. The Crow’s Nest office is located at: Student Life Center 2400, University of South Florida St. Petersburg 140 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 873-4113 Press run: 1,000 Copyright 2014 St. Petersburg, FL
The Crow’s Nest is printed by: Web Offset Printing 12198 44th Street North Clearwater, Florida 33762
Facebook: The Crow’s Nest at USF St. Petersburg Twitter: @USFcrowsnest crowsneststpete.com
At least 30 United States governors, including Rick Scott of Florida, adamantly oppose President Barack Obama’s promise to ad m it 10,0 0 0 Syrian refugees to this country by the end of 2016. The refusal took the form of a bill the U.S. House of Representatives passed in November that would have made In early 2015, The International Organization for Migration reported that 76,000 it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refu- people -about 2,000 per day- reached Europe by sea, while 409 died trying. In gees to enter the U.S. by enforcing the first six weeks of 2016, these numbers were nearly 10 times as high. increased security restrictions. But on Ja n. 20, t he Senate support Obama’s proposal, many shooting on our own soil – which blocked the bill in a 55-43 vote, Republican politicians continue to followed several other attacks – with the number of yes votes fall- look for reasons to block certain recent polls show that a majority of Americans are hesitant to allow ing short of the 60 needed. All three refugee groups. Since t he Sy rian civ il war border access to refugees. of the Senate Republican 2016 presIn another attempt to slow idential hopefuls, Ted Cruz, Rand erupted in March 2011, approxiPaul and Marco Rubio, backed the mately 250,000 people have been admittance, some Republicans killed and over 6 million Syrians suggested granting access to only bill In repor t i ng t he decision, have been displaced both internally Christian refugees, causing further national unease with the increase Al-Jazeera English correspondent and externally. According to the Associated of religious tensions on the matter. Kimberly Halkett said that in the The U.S. has contributed more end, the Senate felt the bill unfairly Press, around a half-million Syrians were among the 1 million refugees than $5 billion in humanitarian aid targeted Syrian and Iraqi refugees. “Critics of this legislation said who entered Europe last year in the for Syria and neighboring counthat this would, in many ways, be “biggest migration the continent tries, making it the crisis’ largest contribution in the world. This is very unfair and penalize those ref- has seen since World War II.” Turkey is hosting almost 3 milin addition to the 400 U.S. soldiers ugees in comparison to others who are trying to come to the United lion Syrian refugees, and more than already protecting Syrians who are living under extreme conditions. States from other countries ... in 2,000 have entered the U.S. And 2,000, some say, is more Moreover, a new ceasefire deal that there is already extensive vetthan enough. introduced on Feb. 11 calls for dipting taking place,” she said. After the terrorist attacks in lomats around the world to agree W hi le a majorit y of t he D e m o c r a t s i n C o n g r e s s Paris and the San Bernardino
on supplying more refugee aid as well as a weeklong ceasefire. Despite opposition, some refugees have been welcomed in the U.S. In December, a Syrian scientist who settled in Michigan was personally welcomed by Obama and invited to the State of Union address by first lady Michelle Obama. In 2013, the refugee, Refaai Hamo, lost his wife, one daughter and five other relatives to a bombing of his home – which he had built himself – and now has stomach cancer. He and his three surviving daughters and son arrived Dec. 17. Among others who have entered the country include 12 families interviewed by Brandon Stanton, founder of “Humans of New York,” a well-known blog that features portraits and interviews gathered from New York City streets. Stanton interviewed another family that moved to Clearwater after waiting years to get through the vetting process. In the interview, a young boy in the family said that he hopes “there is a good tree in Florida, because I’d like to build a treehouse where we can have some adventures.”
Elisa Duka is a senior majoring in global business and international studies. She can be reached at elisaduka@yahoo.com
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
SHARE YOUR The power THOUGHTS... of perception Want to comment on a story or a campus issue? By Candice Reshef Crow’s Nest Contributor In my first class of my freshman year of college about a decade ago, the professor wrote on the board, “What we believe to be true becomes true in its consequence.” This statement follows me, still. If we believe we are victims, we are victimized. If we believe we are wronged, we feel wronged. We then act on these beliefs and feelings, and the way we act tells other people about ourselves. And so forms the narrative structure of our lives: We think, we believe, we act, we show others – and others see, think, believe, and react to reaffirm our original conviction. It is our own perception that unveils the reality we perceive. Control is an illusion. The control we have is not necessarily in how we act, because our actions are bound by social norms and conventions. The only quasicontrol we have is over the way we think, and even this is not usually true. People react. We react with our “default” programming that is designed by our experiences and surrounding culture. These are the very factors that
originally and ultimately produce our prejudices. There is so much for us to judge with our tiny and busy brains that compartmentalizing and prejudging can be necessary for survival. But, when we acknowledge these default settings, when we are at least aware of them, like the water in which the fish swim, we are then free to think outside of them. Then we finally have some control –the only control anyone really has– over at least our thoughts, at least some of the time. “When a pickpocket looks at a saint, he only sees his pockets.” This Buddhist saying, this teaching, shows how all of us only see mirrors of ourselves, wherever we look. The way we view the world is based on how we understand the world that surrounds us. To be able to learn and understand the world outside of our own prejudices, we first have to acknowledge the mirror.
Get it off your chest with a letter to the editor. The Crow’s Nest welcomes letters from students, faculty and staff. Send your letter to Ann21@mail.usf.edu. Letters which may be edited for length, clarity and taste, must include the writer’s name and telephone number (though the number will not be published).
We have to clean it, and we have to reflect on it from various angles before we can begin to understand its natural distortions.
Candice Reshef is a senior majoring in journalism and media studies. She can be reached at candicereshef@gmail.com
Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 4, Book 1
Sudoku #1
© 2013 KrazyDad.com
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." -- Bill Cosby
8 6 7 9 5 3 7 4 5 2 8 7 1 8 5 4 4 1 8 6 1 3 3 5 1 7 2 6 5 8 9 5 7 2
crowsneststpete.com
Feb 15- Feb 21, 2016 | Volume 50 | Issue 21
The victimhood society By Samantha Putterman Staff Reporter We live in a culture of crybabies. Now don’t get all offended. Just stop, for a moment, and read. I’m not saying every single person gets upset more often than a 2-year-old – it’s just that most people do, at least nowadays. We all know the world is constantly changing, morphing into t he form t hat best represents whatever it is that modern society decides to care about that day. While there are many positive changes that help make up our world in 2016, it has become almost impossible to ignore the steady growth of a particularly dangerous culture – the culture of victimhood. I knew the whole misplaced “woe is me” attitude was gaining popularity when I found myself getting more and more annoyed as it was brought up more and more often. But it wasn’t until I read a Dec. 2015 opinion piece in the New York Times called “The Real Victims of Victimhood” that I realized the issue was actually real, and not only in my head. The piece revealed this “culture” has now been identified as a widening phenomenon by sociologists. The Times’ writer, Arthur C. Brooks, summed up the problematic issue quite well. “So who cares if we are becoming a culture of victimhood? We
all should. To begin with, victimhood makes it more and more difficult for us to resolve political and social conflicts. The culture feeds a mentality that crowds out a necessary give and take — the very concept of good-faith disagreement — turning every policy difference into a pitched battle between good (us) and evil (them).” Let me be clear: These so-called victims aren’t to be confused with people who have actually been victimized, physically or emotionally,
through crime or discrimination, and so on. The individuals I’m talking about aren’t victims at all, though they think they are. They are the culprits who undermine and talk over the voices of those who deserve to be heard; those who aren’t being dramatic or selfish, those who legitimately need help. And one of the most common places this kind of behavior occurs? College campuses.
College activists view ordinary interactions as aggressive and organize “safe spaces” to protect themselves from forms of speech they find offensive. American college students have started touting a hypocritical reputation as they seek to restrict expressions they claim infringe on their emotions. T hey ca l l upon t heir First Amendment rights to, in turn, limit the First Amendment rights of others. Do you see the irony here? The series of protests that er upte d i n Novemb er at t he University of Missouri is a prime example. The movement, primarily led by a student group called Concerned Student 1950, erupted over racism at the school. The protests gained national attention and resulted in the resignations of Richard Bowen Loftin, the campus’ chancellor, and the University’s System President, Tim Wolfe. But even though their mission was largely a success, the student protesters didn’t want the media around to report it. At the height of the protests, Tim Tai, a student photographer on a freelance assignment for ESPN, tried to take photos of the group’s small encampment on a campus quad. But the student activists didn’t want reporters anywhere near their “tent city.” The protesters blocked Tai’s
view, pushed him away and, at one point, chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, reporters have got to go.” Tai responded, saying the First Amendment protected his right to be there just as much as there’s. It wasn’t much help. They continued to argue with him, claiming he was being unethical by ignoring their privacy requests. “We’re documenting historic events with our photographs, and when people are crying and hugging when Wolfe resigns, it becomes a personal issue that people all over the country can connect with,” Tai said in a Nov. 9 interview with the New York Times. “It’s my job to help connect those people to what’s going on. These examples paint a pretty clear picture: that we live in a society of overly-sensitive bullies; one that, unfortunately, only appears to be growing. Victimhood sha melessly assumes sovereignty to determine who is and who isn’t allowed to speak I do admit that most (all) of the time, I don’t want to hear anything that comes out of Donald Trump’s mouth, because it’s so outlandishly offensive – and I know I won’t be able to keep my lunch down. Maybe I’m justified to feel that way, at least when it comes to him. Maybe.
Review: St. Pete Brewing Orange Wheat By Devin Rodriguez Staff Reporter
Those are the two main ingredients for flavor.
Wheat Beer is one of my favorite styles, and drew me into drinking craft beer early on. They are good to drink in any weather, and the light taste lends itself to those bright Florida days. Today, we review the St. Pete Brewing’s Orange Wheat beer. You can now find these beers in many grocery markets, and it normally sits next to the Milo IPA, St. Pete Brewing’s other flagship beer. The brewery has been in business for over a year, and they are taking off pretty quickly.
Taste: A sip of this beer is a lot like having a Dr. Pepper for the first time in months. It has a strong carbonation-like kick. Strong notes of wheat, but they are not overpowering. The after-taste consists of oranges with f loral notes and coriander.
But, let’s get into the beer. Appearance: The Orange Wheat is a pale yellow color, but lacks a distinctive head. It is opaque or cloudy at first, but becomes clear after five minutes of sitting. Smell: A strong wheat aroma with hints of orange and coriander.
The beer leaves a pleasant sensation of wheat and oranges in your mouth afterwards. It may not come as a surprise, but I enjoyed this beer. If I were heading to the beach and needed something refreshing without being overwhelmed by the taste this beer would be a primary choice. It goes down easy, and the next sip always hits home. For more reviews on beer visit www.pintinsunshine.blogspot.com