____ MONDAY October

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T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F C L E V E L A N D S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y S I N C E 1 9 2 9 T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F C L E V E L A N D S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y S I N C E 1 9 2 9

ee r F VOL. 105, NO.8

The Way of the Gun “We are taught that things are supposed to be a certain way, and when they aren’t there are several choices we may make.

We can accept it.

We can not accept it.

We can ask that it be changed.

We can use violence and guns to change it.”

Full Story on Page 10

News Kick off celebration for Co-op program

Culture

SPORTS

Shakespeare play deals with sex and death

The culture of disrespect: Q & A with ESPN’s Jemele Hill

The

Cauldron

For the Students...By the Students

Editorial Staff: Francis X. Bova III, Editor-In-Chief Andrea Mitchell, Managing Editor Jayson Gerbec, Advertising Manager Jessica Erkins, Advertising Rep. Ebony Cash, News Editor Ilona Westfall, Culture Editor Nick Camino, Sports Editor Steve Thomas, Layout Designer Michael Quintero, Cartoonist Jeff “Z” Stoskus, Distribution Manager Anne Werner, Business Manager Staff Writers: David Imburgia, Mark Jablonski, Faith Larraine, Laura Dynda, Jamie DuBois, Mark Katzbach, Christopher Enoch, Reid May, Scott Arko, Andrea Cervenak, Gary Typerstone Foreign Correspondent: Amanda Richards Contributing Writers: Dave Orzechowski, Sabrina Peacock, Johntay Brown, Alex Friedman, Audrey McCrone, Roman Verzub, Charlotte Morgan Cleveland State University 2121 Euclid Avenue UC 10 Cleveland, Ohio 44115 (216) 687-2270 / (216) 687-5155 www.csucauldron.com www.myspace.com/csucauldron The Melting Pot The Cauldron reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All entries must include your name, year-in-school, and daytime phone number for verification purposes. All entries must be submitted by Friday at 5 p.m.

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Contents

Visit WWW.CSUCAULDRON.COM

The Melting Pot Climb every mountain, kids Andrea’s Anecdotes

News Kick off celebration for Co-op program GOP debate keeps Thompson on the “small screen” Jablonski’s Political Notebook

Feature The Way of the Gun

Culture For those about to rock Shakespeare play deals with sex and death Code Monkey like you…

Are They Worth a Listen?

The City is Our Campus Ticket Program

Sports An Offer You Can’t Refuse The culture of disrespect: Q & A with ESPN’s Jemele Hill

A Cauldron Comic Illustration by Michael Quintero

The Melting Pot | Page

The Cauldron | October 15, 2007

The Melting Pot Climb every mountain, kids One girl’s discovery of her inabilities and shortcomings Story by Amanda Richards | The Cauldron Foreign Correspondent

What do you think of when you hear “The Alps?” Maybe you think of your rich friend’s once-a-year ski vacations. Maybe you think of Maria von Trapp singing and twirling, surrounded by seven Austrian children with curtains for clothes. Maybe you think of the Swiss during World War II, hanging out and eating chocolate.

These are the mental images that I once possessed. But after last weekend, my view of one of the world’s most famous mountain ranges has changed completely. Now, when I think of the Alps, I will think of pain. I will think of tears. I will think of mud and sweat and falling rock and fog and certainty of death.

How could my associations change so drastically, you ask? Well, let’s start from the beginning. Here in The Germ, I take a class at my university called “Leadership.” It’s the kind of class where not only do you have to learn the theories behind leadership, but also put those theories to practical use. “Determine if you have leadership capabilities,” they say. “Do this group project and see how well you lead your team.”

For some Type A personalities, this kind of class is a goldmine, a chance to show everyone in sight what a strong and driven leader you are.

For someone like me, who enjoys as little attention as possible, it is a nightmare.

The nightmare increased ten-fold when the professor mentioned something about “Outdoor Training.” My heart dropped. I started to sweat. Surely, this couldn’t be happening. I’m not what people consider to be an “outdoor” kind of gal. I like good books and good wine, not extreme sports and water taken from streams. I hate being dirty, I don’t like to sweat or push my physical limits beyond a nice jog or maybe even a Pilates class.

But, the cruel hands of fate thought otherwise. The leadership class I was in had a mandatory outdoor training session, a weekend long event that required, as the professor said “A good pair of shoes.” The training was supposed to show us what good leaders we could be, how we can achieve anything if we put our minds to it and work as a team, yada yada yada.

I dreaded it up until the moment I got into his car to drive to the Allgau Alps, which is a stretch of the Eastern Alps located in BadenWürttemberg, Germany. When we got there I started to relax. I saw the path of gravel, which seemed to just wind around the base of the mountains. “This won’t be so bad,” I thought. “Just a little nature walk.

Maybe he’ll teach us about the leaves or something.”

Ten minutes into the nature walk, the path took a sharp right. That sharp right signified the end of the path, and the start of the mountain.

And we went up. And up. And up. It had begun.

As we got higher and higher, and I got sweatier and sweatier. The scenery even changed for the worse. The further up a mountain you go, the less greenery there is due to the high altitudes. Huge, green trees and blue skies become dust, white rock, and thick fog.

All of a sudden, I wasn’t even able to tell myself “Don’t worry about your burning calf muscles and scraped fingers, Amanda. At least the scenery is beautiful.” All of a sudden, I was no longer a girl on an overnight hike in the Alps, but rather a hobbit on her way to Mordor to cast the ring into Mount Doom.

“I’m going to die here,” I thought. “I should just stop climbing now, tell the group to go on without me, and throw in the cards. I had a nice life. It’s just too bad that I had to die on a f*$@ing mountain.”

But, of course, somehow, someway, I pressed on. After we reached the summit, there was a beautiful hidden lake inside the mountain that we took a rest by. The sky cleared up, the sunshine hit the water, and for just a minute, the whole thing seemed worthwhile. Until of course, the fog came back, the lake disappeared, and a scary black bird started circling my head. And then it was time to go back down, a long and difficult process that I have significantly blocked out of my memory.

The day after I returned home in a state that I considered to be barely alive, I woke up and tried to put my experience into perspective.

“Maybe it’s a sign,” I thought to myself. “Maybe, since I conquered those mountains, I should plan a trip to another, even higher one! I can do this! I can do anything!”

Then I tried to get out of bed. Hundreds of pulled muscles, some that I didn’t even know I had, shot waves of pain through my upper and lower body. “I guess I can’t do anything,” I thought to myself and I turned on a Law and Order: SVU marathon and reached for the candy.

“And I’m okay with that.”

Page | The Melting Pot

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

Andrea’s Anecdotes Story by Andrea Mitchell | The Cauldron Managing Editor

Cell phones.

My biggest annoyance in modern technology is these devices.

My life (like so many others) is truly dependent on the cell phone, but it amazes me how people are constantly on their phone. Cell phones truly have made their way into every single thing we do and although I have written about this before, I feel that I need to do justice to the problem.

The other day I walked onto an elevator and person “X” walked on to it too.

Now I have never met person “X” before in my life and although it was just he and I on this elevator, he proceeded to carry on a lengthy conversation with who I hope was a close friend for three floors!

Awkward elevator moments, though, are just one of the many problems with cell phones. Since mp-3 players and cell phones have mated it seems that everyone has their ears plugged into the phone when they walk around. What music is that important that you must listen to it on a two-minute walk across campus?

Bluetooth enables us to talk on our phones wirelessly.

Gee, that is something that is just swell because now we look like crazy people walking around talking to ourselves. Every time someone randomly starts talking in public I don’t know how to respond. Are they talking to me? Have they escaped from the looney bin? Where is the cockroach-ed shape thing on their ear?

Cell phones. I hate that we have to live with them. Less than a year ago I added texting and now, unfortunately I will probably not be able to get away from it. The question though that I perpetually ask myself is what do we need to talk this much about?

At the moment I’m texting my friend who lives about two hours away having the same conversation we always have – “Hey, what’s up? Not much, you?”

What has technology really led us to? We no longer talk about important things, and instead take up money and time – all the time – talking about trivial details. I wish I had an answer to my annoyance, but alas I am only one of the masses myself and so I stay “connected.”

My biggest annoyance in modern technology is these devices.

News | Page

The Cauldron | October 15, 2007

N ews Kick off celebration for Co-op program Story by Sabrina Peacock | The Cauldron Contributing Writer

The Cooperative Education program (Co-op) recently launched a In 1964, with the establishment of Cleveland State University, the kick off celebration to bring awareness to the program on Oct. 10.

Co-op program adopted all of the educational disciplines offered by The Co-op program had popcorn and “I Co-op” t-shirt booths the college and began pairing students with degree-oriented working located in various locations around campus, including the College of experiences that proved valuable in the working world.

Business, the College of Urban Affairs and the University Center.

The Co-op program even has another reason to celebrate.

The booths brought attention to the Co-op programs beginnings, As the start of the spring 2008 semester marks it’s 85th and allowed students to enter to win a drawing for an I-Pod. anniversary.

Co-op assistant director Yolanda Burt said that there was a large With it’s rich history and many students benefiting from the turn out of students. experiences gained the Co-op program goes beyond the normal scope “We had 1500 hundreds shirts at 9 a.m., and all of the shirts have of the campus-related program. been handed out to students around campus by noon,” Burt said. “It Farah Ahmed, a Co-op intern and Human Resources student, feels was a great day.” that the Co-op program offers more than what is presented.

The Co-op program started in Fenn College in 1923, allowing “The Co-op program is all about interaction with professionals in students to be paired with an organization that relates to their major. your work area, and gaining the knowledge needed to work with the On Oct. 10, the Co-op program gave students affiliated with the same professionals when you graduate,” Ahmed said.

College of Engineering, Business Administration, as well as the Arts “This is the best way to learn about your field of interest, and to and Sciences locations in which they could gain work experience and gain real working experience to use in the future.” strengthen their resume.

If you would like more information regarding the Co-op program, contact the Career Service Center at (216) 687-2233.

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

Page | News

Jablonski’s Political Notebook Story by Mark Jablonski | The Cauldron Political Correspondent Gore wins Nobel, decides to run for President

OK, so he's not really running for president. At least not yet.

But he did win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel committee named Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change co-winners of this year's prize, which comes with a medal, diploma and about $1.5 million.

In a statement, Gore said that he was "deeply honored" to receive the prize, adding, "the climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level."

"This award also thrusts a new responsibility on our shoulders," Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC, told The Associated Press. "We have to do more, and we have many more miles to go."

Between winning an Academy Award earlier this year for his film An Inconvenient Truth and now the Nobel Peace Prize, Gore hasn't done too shabby for a guy who lost the presidency to George W. Bush seven years ago.

Despite his newest accolade, Gore aides still insist that he's not going to be a presidential candidate in 2008, much to the chagrin of "Gore Whores" everywhere.

Draft Gore, an organization seeking to, well, draft Gore, placed a full page ad in The New York Times last week pleading for him to run.

"Given your experience, insight and the respect you enjoy among world leaders, you are uniquely positioned to bring this war to an end and restore America’s good name," read the ad.

Gore says he will donate 100

percent of his prize money to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a "bipartisan non-profit organization that is devoted to changing public opinion in the U.S. and around the world about the urgency of solving the climate crisis."

"Several (I'm talking five, yes you heard that right, quadruple sourced) reliable sources have passed word on to me that they've heard D.K. is considering retirement," reported The Buckeye State Blog's Jerid Kurtz last week.

Little support for border fence, torture, says Foreign Policy Association

Ohio congressman throws in the towel 16th district Congressman Ralph Regula (R-Navarre) has officially announced his muchspeculated retirement from the House of Representatives, The Plain Dealer reported last week.

Regula, 82, will have spent 36 years in congress at the end of his term, the longest continuously serving member in Ohio history.

The dean of Ohio's congressional delegation intends to return to teaching when he retires.

"I'd like to share the experience I've had and the knowledge and hopefully inspire students to get involved in public service," Regula told The Plain Dealer. "Believe me; the future of the country depends on good people in public service."

Regula began serving on the all-important Appropriations Committee when he was House Minority Leader under President Ford, a position he has used since then to steer millions of dollars to his district, helping to create the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Competition for Regula's seat next year will be fierce.

Democratic State Senator John Boccieri will battle one of four Republicans who have so far expressed interest in the race.

For more coverage, visit The Plain Dealer's political blog at: http://blog. cleveland.com/openers/ Kucinich retiring too?

While it is far from being confirmed, rumors are flying that Congressman Dennis Kucinich intends to retire the House seat he's held for over ten years.

Gov. Ted Strickland in 2010, a task he would be better placed to achieve from the Senate.

Reps. Bill Batchelder and Matt Dolan have expressed interest in succeeding Husted as Speaker.

According to Kurtz, this may explain the interest expressed by Parma Mayor Dean DePiero to jump into race.

And although DePiero still hasn't confirmed his intentions to do so, a source told The Cauldron that the Mayor's been planning to take over the 10th district seat for years, apparently just waiting for the right moment.

Whatever Kucinich does, you can expect the regular token Republican candidates to make an appearance on the campaign trail (like Jason Werner, who touts a ringing endorsement from his mother).

God bless 'em for tryin', but this seat is an easy catch for any Democrat that wins the primary.

Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted aims for Senate State Rep. and current Speaker of the Ohio House Jon Husted (RKettering) announced his intention to run for a seat in the Ohio Senate last week.

Husted, who cannot seek another House term due to term limits, hopes to replace current 6th district Sen. Jeff Jacobson who's also barred from running again.

Insiders have long speculated that Husted will attempt to oust

The 2007 National Opinion Ballot, a poll that the Foreign Policy Association has sent to presidents, members of congress, the Departments of State and Defense and college students since 1955, shows widespread support for addressing global warming and engaging diplomatically with Iran, and opposition to building a fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.

When asked how the U.S. should deal with Iran, 93 percent of respondents selected "engage diplomatically," while only seven percent chose "take military action."

On climate change, 73.4 percent of respondents classified the issue as a "planetary emergency," while five percent called it a "hoax." The remaining 21.7 percent said that there was not enough information yet to determine the threat posed by global warming.

On the issue of terrorism, only 20.7 percent of respondents supported the secret detention of detainees, while the rest opposed it.

Over 83 percent opposed sending terror suspects to their home countries where they might be tortured.

Twenty-eight percent agreed that "beefed up" border patrol, including the erection of a 700 mile long fence, was the best way to fight illegal immigration from Mexico, while 71 percent disagreed with that statement. Over 90 percent thought that working with Mexico's president to shore up the economy and improve social conditions there would be the best method to ...Continued on page 19

The Cleveland State University Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center (An Instrument of the Black Studies Program) Presents

“From Print to Press: African American Journalists in Cleveland”

A Curtis Wilson Colloquium Series Lecture By

Roger T. Jones

CSU English Department Instructor

Wednesday, October 17, 2007 6:00 PM

University Center Building, Room 103 The Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center 2121 Euclid Avenue Roger T. Jones started his journalism career at the International Herald Tribune in Paris, France. He has written numerous articles for newspapers, magazine and radio commentating.

Roger was the editor and publisher of the Cleveland Monitor, managing editor of the City News and Tab. As a former long-time columnist of the Cleveland Free Times, he wrote a weekly column “Notes on Race and Class.” He is author of the forthcoming book, Notes on Race and Class: Essays for the Advanced. He teaches composition, news writing, and media writing at Cleveland State University. Roger earned an undergraduate degree from Macalester College and a graduate degree from Indiana University.

For more information contact Prester Pickett, M.F.A., Coordinator of the African American Cultural Center/Assistant to the Director of Black Studies at (216) 687-3656 or visit www.csuohio.edu/blackstudies

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

Page | News

GOP debate keeps Thompson on the “small screen” Story by Christopher Enoch | The Cauldron Contributing Writer With Fred Thompson having entered the contest for the Republican nomination, the race has become a four-way split, that is, if you actually confide in polls.

For the poll-inclined political observer, conventional wisdom says that Rudy Giuliani leads most polls with a significant advantage over his adversaries in the running.

Reagan-Thompson comparison out the gate: both were actors who never starred in anything good, both went political, both were in their golden years (Reagan: 69, Thompson: 65) at the advent of their campaign for the presidency.

The race is on ...

So when Thompson took the stage last week at the economic forum in Dearborn, Michigan, he, like the rest of the GOP field, put on their best Reagan acts.

The debate had its moments.

Thompson, when discussing the earlier debates, that is, the ones he wasn’t present for, showed a little bit of that Reagan witticism.

“I’ve enjoyed watching these fellas. I’ve got to admit, it was getting a little boring without me, but I’m glad to be here now,” Thompson teased.

Even Romney managed to get in on that one, asserting that the GOP debates were a lot like episodes of Law & Order: with a huge cast, a schedule that goes on forever, and, “Fred Thompson shows up at the end.”

A recent Gallup poll conducted on Oct. 4 gives the former Mayor of New York 32 percent support, 10 percent over his next challenger, Thompson.

With such a large Giuliani lead, and with McCain and Romney closing in on his support, Thompson has a lot of mudslinging, insults, and most of all; Hillary-bashing to do if he hopes to overcome all opposition.

As Republicans tend to be devout committed Christians, Thompson would be well-advised to appeal to the GOP-ers religious interests and act both like their object of worship and their lauded Lord and savior.

Putting on those debate shoes and act(ing)

To be like Ronald Reagan Likening yourself to Ronald Reagan is like Spanish fly to GOP voters.

That’ll win it for him.

Of course anyone with a two minute attention span knows the

How many times did they mention Hillary?

Outside of Reagan impersonations, there is another feature you can always count on from Republican forums and

debates: the endless criticism of anything Clinton.

Hillary bashing included but was not limited to Clinton’s posture on military intervention in Iran, universal health care, $5000 baby bonds, economic proposals, etc.

Thompson get your vote: Yes or no?

For the duration of the debate it was plain to see that Thompson was comfortable in the spotlight, discussing such topics as unions, free trade, China, and the value of the dollar the large number of tier II candidates present in Dearborn played perfectly into late-entry.

With laughter in abundance and a fairly smooth (shall we say Reaganesque yet?) delivery of rhetoric, everything seemed to work out well for Hollywood Fred

this time.

Nobody watches these debates though.

Surely, the people that do watch them already have their minds made up.

For Fred Thompson, however, this forum was a good moment.

This forum, like the time Thompson spent as a character actor, proves only one idea, and we all probably knew it anyway.

Fred Thompson is pretty good guy on the small screen.

So, in the coming months America will answer important questions on the former senator: is Thompson big screen, box office material for the world to see, or just another blip that temporarily lights up the TV screen?

Plenty of actors never make that transition.

Sometimes, politicians don’t either.

GIVING AWAY

$106,000.00 Deadline 10/19/2007 Student Government Association is helping student organization at Cleveland State with their events on and off campus, helping students go to conferences, and promoting multiorganizational events.

Organizations who have received allocations: American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) American Sign Language Club (ASL) Campus Crusade for Christ Chinese Student & Scholar Union Islamic Discussion Group Muslim Student Association Society for Automotive Engineers Society for Philosophy and Literature Vietnamese Student Organization Volunteers Educating through Outreach (VETO)

Total:

$ 2,000 $ 600 $ 1,400 $ 700 $ 1,700 $ 2,925 $ 3,000 $ 1,750 $ 850 $ 1,750 $16,675

You missed the first budget hearing, don’t miss the next one.

Budget Request Form available at the Department of Student Life UC 102, Student Government Association UC 160A, and on-line at http://www.csuohio.edu/sga/allocation/ SGAFinanceCommitteeRequestPacketfall07.pdf Deadline to submit is October 19, 2007 by 5pm Turn in application to UC 102

For more information contact: Neda Abuaun, SGA Treasurer at 216-875-9812 or csu.sga.treasurer@gmail.com

Page 10 | Feature

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

Feature The Way of the Gun Story by Ebony Cash | The Cauldron News Editor

Unless you have been living under a rock or visiting your sick grandma in Timbutku, I assume you’ve heard about the terrible tragedy that took place at SuccessTech Academy on Oct.10.

But before getting into that, I have a question for you — what is the first thing you do when you get ready for school in the morning?

Answer: You hit the snooze button a couple of times, lift your head from your pillow, rub your eyes and get your mind prepared for the day ahead. Then, you take your routine tinkle break, brush your teeth and shower.

While in the shower, you may be thinking of what your wardrobe will consist of for the day — blue pants or black pants; white shirt or black shirt? Never once in your thought process do you think a bullet-proof vest would perfectly accessorize your wardrobe for what the day will soon hold.

Last Wednesday morning’s weather set the mood for what was about to take place later that day. The skies were gray, the wind was sharp and the rain was steady. The most terrifying moment that Cleveland Public

Schools has ever faced happened at approximately 1:15 p.m.

A 14-year-old boy shot up SuccessTech Academy.

His name was Asa Coon.

Preparation Around noon, Coon walked into the school building freely despite a recent suspension.

How did he get into the school? I’m glad you asked! We will get to that later.

He immediately went to the fourth floor where he stashed away a duffle bag filled with murderous material. Roughly 45 minutes later, Coon prepared himself for his upcoming mission by changing into a Marilyn Manson t-shirt and loading his .38-caliber and .22-caliber guns.

And the rampage began.

Student hit Unaware of what was going on Darnell Rodgers, a senior at SuccessTech, was walking up a stairwell when he suddenly felt a burning sensation in his arm, and quickly realized he had just been shot.

Rodgers said, “I didn’t realize a bullet hit me until I got in the classroom, was looking down and felt myself burning. I was like

Oh my God, Oh my God, I’m bleeding!”

Rodgers was eventually treated and released from Metro Health Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the elbow.

In total, Coon shot four people; two students and two teachers. One of the teachers, Michael Grassie, was shot in the chest while heroically helping the children out of the crossfire.

Coon went to the 42-year-old teacher’s classroom intentionally and had a small conversation with him before shooting him. He then asked him the whereabouts of another teacher, David Kachadourian. Per the media relations representative for Metro Health Medical Center, Grassie is in good condition but has not been released yet.

David Kachadourian, 57, was shot in the back, but was also treated and released from Metro Health Medical Center.

As police, SWAT and FBI units began to surround the building; Coon returned to his initial place and turned the gun on himself. He ended his life and the shooting spree with one fatal shot to his head.

Who was Asa?

According to classmates, he often cried for attention in many ways. At times, his physical appearance consisted of black painted fingernails, dark wavy brown hair, and pale skin. His wardrobe often consisted of Marilyn Manson t-shirts, dog collars and a trench coat. Sound familiar?

Per classmates, Coon was also loud and obnoxious at times especially when expressing his not-so-popular opinion about the existence of God, which left classmates usually angry with him. In fact, this was the argument that led to his suspension. (I told you we would get to it later). According to school reports, Coon and another classmate got into an argument over the existence of God while in class. Coon said he didn’t believe in God or respect him, and that he only worships Marilyn Manson. The classmate got mad. After school, the two kids fought and both were suspended. After apparently losing the battle, Coon warned his opponent, “I will get you.”

True to his word, Coon returned the next day for revenge. With ease, he was able to get into the building,

Feature | Page 11

The Cauldron | October 15, 2007

that the schools are safe because schools are supposed to be safe places for kids and that’s what we want in Cleveland.

Really? I wish I would have thought of that. suspended or not, because the ONLY school security guard in the school building was not in place at Coon’s arrival.

Per juvenile records, Coon has an extensive criminal record at the age of only 14. Just two years ago, he was charged with domestic violence for slapping his mother. Yes, I will type it again… FOR SLAPPING HIS MOTHER! Apparently, violence and anger runs in the Coon family as older brother Stephen Coon was just arrested Thursday morning for an apparent weapon charge.

That is still under investigation, per the Cleveland Police Department; therefore no further information can be given at this time.

Security plan Parents of Cleveland Public School students are stating that this shooting could have been avoided if better security plans were put into schools. Cleveland Municipal School District CEO Eugene Sanders and Mayor Frank Jackson will begin to put in force a new security plan which may include having all the Cleveland schools filled with metal detectors and staff and student training on how to deal with anti-social behavior.

Um, forgive me but did it have to come to this to realize that social workers are actually needed in the schools? No need to answer.

A Cleveland Teacher’s Union Representative says she wants the Cleveland community to know

What does this mean for Cleveland State?

Success Tech Academy is four minutes from the Cleveland State campus. So what are we doing to make sure this tragedy does not move down the street to Cleveland State?

Brian Johnston, Cleveland State’s director of Marketing and Public Affairs, says that enhancements and upgrades to security on campus are happening all the time.

“The safety of our students,

currently sitting on death row for killing three people: Physical Plant Superintendent Timothy Sheehan, the Reverend Horace Rickerson and student Brian Warford.

Spisak was also convicted of two attempted murders; one of the victims was shot five times but lived to identify Spisak as the attacker.

Due to this incident and other school shooting incidents surrounding the country, Johnston assures that the University police have unimpeded access to President Dr. Michael Schwartz and security measures are definitely in tact at Cleveland State.

The way of the gun Asa Coon was found dead from a self-afflicted gun shot to the head. Next to him were two revolvers, a .22-caliber and a .38-caliber, three folding knives

According to classmates, he often cried for attention in many ways...

His wardrobe often consisted of Marilyn Manson t-shirts, dog collars and a trench coat. Sound familiar? faculty, staff and visitors is this University’s top priority,” Johnston said.

In the midst of the SuccessTech shooting spree, Johnston says that university officials were quickly made aware and closely monitored the status of events as they unfolded.

“At no time was there any threats to the campus or the immediate area of the campus, nor any of our students, faculty, staff or visitors,” he said.

While SuccessTech was an isolated incident, we can’t forget what happened at Cleveland State 25 years ago?

In 1982, a serial killer by the name of Frank Spisak terrorized the campus and is

and two boxes of ammunition.

But, the question remains — how did he get these weapons? Per Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath, this is still under investigation.

However, statistics show that most school shooters get guns from home. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says nearly 38 percent of the guns involved in school shootings were from the home and more than 23 percent were from a friend or relative.

“The way of the gun” is the motto for today’s society as it seems. Kids are taught today to be demanding, take ownership of what they believe is right. But what they are not being told is to

do it with civility and tact.

A few years ago, a friend of a friend of a friend I once knew was mentally troubled. Let’s call him Moe. Moe felt that the world was literally chasing him, and he would be damned if he would lose the race. He demanded perfectionism and at times even felt that he was more righteous than God. Moe went to a technical school in Michigan which will remain nameless. He attended class one morning and saw that he got an 87 percent on his research paper. Needless to say, Moe was furious. You see, Moe began the paper two months prior to the due date, and stayed up the night before applying final touches. So, to get anything below a perfect score was unrealistic in Moe’s mind.

After receiving the graded paper, Moe disputed the grade with the teacher, and the teacher did not change the grade. Moe made up his mind that the teacher disliked him, and was doing this to him on purpose.

The following morning class, Moe decided to stay after class and try once again to convince the teacher to change his grade.

The teacher did not, so Moe shot him directly in the forehead, and then turned the gun on himself.

A note was later found in Moe’s coat pocket that said, “In the words of President Kennedy, we have to get used to living in a world where there are no perfect solutions. Unfortunately I can’t.”

Final thought We are taught in our society to be independent and demanding.

We are taught that things are supposed to be a certain way, and when they aren’t there are several choices we may make.

1) We can accept it.

2) We can not accept it.

3) We can ask that it be changed.

4) We can use violence and guns to change it.

Unfortunately, No. 4 has been a popular choice.

Page 12 | Culture

October 15 2007 | The Cauldron

Culture For those about to rock Story by Mark Katzbach | The Cauldron Staff Writer

Rock Band, the new game from Harmonix, is slated for release this holiday season.

The premise of the game is, you guessed it, to play in a band.

Players can choose from one of four positions to play in a multitude of online and offline game modes, co-operative, competitive and single-player.

The full bundle including a guitar controller, a microphone and drum kit, has been priced at $160.

In preparation for the game's release, MTV has sent a tour bus across the country with it's own fold out stage and several playable demo stations.

This past weekend, the tour made its stop in Cleveland.

On Friday, the tour bus was outside of the Wolstein Center all afternoon. Students had a chance to jump on stage and have a firsthand experience with the game and it's unique functionality.

Currently there are 45 licensed tracks spanning almost fifty years of rock and roll and more will be available as downloadable content on the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 platforms. Rock Band will also be

released on the Playstation 2, but will not feature the same online features as the next-gen versions of the game. Some of the artists featured include, Blue Oyster Cult, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Metallica, the Pixies, the Strokes, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones and many more. A full song list can be viewed at the Rock Band website at www.rockband.com.

Harmonix’s Manager of Community Development, Sean Baptiste talked with us about the game, it's controllers, downloadable content and multiplayer modes.

Mark Katzbach (MK): Does the vocal detection only use pitch, or does it detect if the player is actually singing the words as well?

Sean Baptiste (SB): It does do pitch, but regardless of octave.

For some songs we use phoneme detection. Which detects the words and not the pitch because there are some notes that most people would not be able to hit.

MK: What makes the Rock Band guitar controllers different from the Guitar Hero controllers?

SB: For one thing the extra five solo buttons. So if you get into a

guitar solo you can actually tap it out like Van Halen or something like that. It's pretty hard to get used to. We also have the five-way effects switch which, during solos and when you go into overdrive will allow you to pick an effect for your guitar such as wah-wah or flange and you can switch those on those on the fly. And of course it's a Fender Stratocaster as opposed to Gibson guitars.

MK: Will Guitar Hero controllers work with Rock Band?

SB: We are planning on supporting third party guitars. We don't want to block them, so that would be one that would work.

MK: How sensitive are the pads on the drum kit? How much abuse can they take?

SB: We've designed them to take a good amount of abuse. They are strong. They're pretty sensitive, but they can take anything from a small hit to a big hit and can register it all the time. If you're somebody who's going to break a real drum kit, you're going to break this eventually, although it'll take a little more time.

They do take punishment.

MK: What game modes will be available?

SB: Obviously, the big one is the Band World Tour, where between two and four people can form a band and play through an entire tour together. It's really exciting to play, and we play it constantly even though we work on the game. We do have competitive modes where people are on the same difficulty and play against each other. We have another one where people on different difficulties play against each other. The guitar, bass and drums also have a solo career.

There's a lot in there. And of course we're also online.

MK: During online play, how does the game compensate for lag?

SB: Years ago we made Amplitude and Frequency, which

you could play online over dial-up and there weren't any real problems.

We've found a way to limit the effect lag can have. It actually works really, really nicely.

MK: How is downloadable content being utilized?

SB: Our plan is, each week, to offer downloadable content through either the XBOX Live system that you can download directly into the game and through the Sony PS3 online system.

MK: Is a sequel on the horizon for Rock Band, to bring more tracks to the table, or will new tracks be brought in exclusively through downloadable content?

SB: Right now we're just worried about getting this one out and after that one happens we'll decide where were going, but I think Rock Band will be around for awhile.

The Dish Rock Band hits store shelves Nov. 20 on XBOX 360 and Playstation 3.

It will be released for Playstation 2 on Dec. 10.

The full bundle—including game, guitar, drum kit and microphone will cost $170 for the newer consoles and $160 for the PS2.

Individual pricing breaks down to $60 for the game, $60 for a wired guitar, $80 for a wireless, $80 for the drum kit and $30 for the microphone.

The XBOX 360 bundle also comes with a USB hub to plug all of the peripherals into.

To purchase the bundle components separately is a cost of $230, meaning the bundle saves $70. That's enough to buy another guitar controller with.

But, if you plan to play this game over winter break, you had better pre-order now, because this game is going to sell out fast.

The Cauldron | October 15, 2007

Culture | Page 13

Shakespeare play deals with sex and death Story by Reid May | The Cauldron Staff Writer William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, being performed until Oct. 21 by The Great Lakes Theater Festival, has a modern set; in a city ruled by the Duke Vincentio, who has become concerned

if she sexually appeases Lord Angelo. This misfortune would hinder Isabella’s aspiration to join a convent. Instead of yielding to Angelo’s request, Isabella unites with the disguised Duke Vincentio,

Scene from Measure For Measure with the spread of unlawfulness and immorality throughout his domain.

Attempting to stifle the spread of evil, the Duke temporarily relinquishes his power to a very strict deputy, Angelo. Feigning a business trip to Hungary, the Duke remains in the city, disguised as a friar, to stealthily observe Angelo’s rule.

Angelo brings a strict rule to the city. He relentlessly penalizes any person who should put so much as a toe out of line. In doing so he arrests a young man, Claudio, and his fiancée Juliet, for engaging in pre-marital sex. He sentences Claudio to death.

The unusual sentence is meant as an example to the city. But friends and family of the ill-fated Claudio demand to see leniency. He does intend to marry young Juliet, after all. Isabella, Claudio’s sister, comes to his aide, attempting to convince the unjust Angelo to reconsider.

After repeated pleas for his Claudio’s life, Isabella is informed that he can be freed, but only

and together they devise a plan to rescue Claudio and educate Angelo in the process.

Measure for Measure, directed by Risa Brainin, is a challenging show to present due to the audiences’ lack of familiarity, and consequently no basic understanding of plot, prior to attendance. Regardless, the company of The Great Lakes Theater Festival performs the show very well. They make the most of their set, using only necessary props and little space on stage.

The audience perceives many aspects of a vast city, even as major set pieces are only moved around, never changed out. Use of non-verbal expressions assists the audience in understanding the complex language that is Shakespeare. While a complete understanding of every word is a near impossible feat, the excellent acting assures that every audience member is able to follow a basic storyline.

Also helpful to the audience is the show’s frequent humor.

Shakespeare was a very witty

writer, filling his works with numerous sexual references. The cast of Measure for Measure is fantastic at bringing this intended humor to life on stage. Humor will make an audience feel a part of the show, and this audience responded very, very well.

W h i l e entertaining, the lengthy presentation is a lot to sit through.

With a running time of just over three hours (with intermission) the non-Shakespeare lover may have a difficult time maintaining a constant focus.

Additionally, the

ending seemed more drawn out than necessary. The audience, though attentive, was teased as the show slowly progressed through its final fifteen minutes. The show’s direction was clearly visible, and one desired to see the resolution at a faster pace than was done.

Despite frustration with the final scenes, I recommend Measure for Measure to any person searching for fine theatre. While a bit stiff from my long sit, I was extremely pleased at my experience. Those who tread carefully amongst Shakespearean works should consider the other half of this company’s fall repertory, Arsenic and Old Lace.

These actors are fantastic together, and the opportunity to experience a performance should be missed by none. cauldroneditors@hotmail.com

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

Page 14 | Culture

Code Monkey like you…

Story by Roman Verzubl | The Cauldron Contributing Writer Singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton is living his dream.

In 2005 he quit his day job writing software code to pursue music full time.

Two years later he is making his living as a musician and has achieved a level of fame on the Internet.

Quitting his steady day job was not the easiest decision for the now 36-year-old Coulton, as his daughter had just been born.

“It really made me feel my own mortality in a way I hadn’t before,” he relates, “It also suddenly seemed incredibly important to be a decent role model of a fully functioning human being, and in my case that meant being true to who I was and bringing my whole self to the table.

I consider myself very lucky that things worked out as well as they have.”

Fresh into the start of his new full-time pursuit, Coulton embarked on a creative experiment he called “Thing a Week,” the goal being to release a new song every week for a year for free as a podcast, and offer it optionally for sale.

“This seemed like an obvious way to start pretending it was my job to write music,” Coulton recalls, “set an arbitrary deadline, and make it real by declaring it on the Internet. I was also trying to challenge myself, learn the limits of my creative engine, and I’ll admit it, get a little attention.”

Much of the popularity of the series can be attributed to two songs in particular, a soft, slow, melodic cover of Six-Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back”, and “Code Monkey,” a partially autobiographical account of Coulton’s former software code job.

He knew they had become hits almost immediately after he released them, both on his website and podcast.

“That was the funny thing about Thing a Week, it was instantaneous feedback. I’d post a song, and within a couple hours I could

tell how well the song was going to do by how many people had left comments. This one went crazy with comments pretty quickly, and within a couple of days I started seeing links all over the place.”

“Code Monkey” was a hit with websites like Slashdot, and has since merited mention in the New York Times. It is also lends the title (and itself as the theme song) to the G4 television station’s show Code Monkeys.

The best indicator, according to Coulton, was when his website was so overloaded that it went down.

“That’s usually the best indication that something great is happening,” he jokes.

“Thing a Week” wrapped up in late September of 2006. Having completed his goal of 52 songs, Coulton went on tour with the duo of Paul and Storm; formerly of the similarly-internet-famous acappella group Da Vinci’s Notebook. He says his fans help him decide what cities to play.

“I watch the numbers at a site called Eventful.com, where people can sign up to demand an appearance by me in their city,” he says, “And we definitely use these numbers to figure out if it makes sense to go somewhere.”

Eventful.com has also helped Coulton branch out and play at venues he never thought he had any fans.

“I just played three cities in Texas for the first time ever, and

they were all really big crowds.

“We wouldn’t have had the confidence to try that without the numbers on Eventful.”

Eventful.com lists almost 5,000 of these “demands” for Coulton, from everywhere from LA to Tel Aviv, Israel, including nearly 100 demands for Cleveland, where Coulton last performed in November.

Coulton’s relationship with fans is also somewhat unique.

“It feels a little trite to say it because it’s what every musician says, but I owe everything to them,” he says, “Not just for being fans, coming to shows, and buying the music, but for all the ways they’ve helped to make this happen.”

Many of Coulton’s fans also take it upon themselves to make music videos for him.

“I was just looking at some of the music videos they’ve made and posted to YouTube, because one of them recently passed 200,000 views and another just passed a million,” he noted. “I find it very flattering to think that a complete stranger would care enough to spend the time making something like that, and it’s even more amazing that in doing that they help bring the music to literally hundreds of thousands of people. It’s like I have this secret invisible army of marketers, all working for free.”

Coulton’s often-whimsical subjects have attracted a large fan base. From vengeful nerds, to self-

loathing giant squids, to brain-loving zombies, to a certain Katie Holmes-loving movie star, fans can’t help but relate or feel sorry for the people in the songs. That’s no accident, Coulton says.

“A large percentage of the songs I write are about some kind of misunderstood monster, a sad loser, or a twisted personality,” he says, “I can’t tell you why that is, except to say that a little part of myself sneaks into whatever I’m writing, and somewhere deep in my brain I feel that way sometimes.” Judging from audience response, Coulton isn’t the only one who can relate to his songs.

“I’m always struck by how audiences react to “Skullcrusher Mountain” a love song sung by some kind of super villain or mad scientist - he’s a real awful person, but he’s very much in love,” he relates. “It’s amazing how many couples I see snuggling closer together when I get to the part about the half-pony, half-monkey monster.”

His oncoming fame seems assured after his most recent performance, at the Penny Arcade Expo, the largest annual convention of gamers, in Seattle. Coulton played in front of his largest crowd of 5,000 people.

“It was simply amazing,” he recalls. “I told one of the stage managers right after I got offstage that I felt like Neo at the end of The Matrix, like I could put my arms over my head and just rocket into space.”

The Cauldron | October 15, 2007

Culture | Page 15

Are They Worth a Listen?

Story by Faith Larraine | The Cauldron Staff Writer This band is bringing the ‘80s back! And they are doing it rock and roll style. Truth be told, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so happy about songs that really aren’t that jovial. It’s time to swing those hips to some rock music. We’ve finally discovered something to dance to that’s not techno, hip-hop, or pop.

But…are they worth a listen?

thing that makes me a little freaked out and yet so intrigued. You want to stop watching it, but you want to keep watching it as well. They

9. New Music: Their sophomore album This is Forever just came out on Oct. 9. So, if you aren’t too fond of their first album,

really are attention grabbers.

7. Second album is hinted to be better: The first album was great, but ovahere.com and pluginmusic. com both say that the second album might just beat it out with even darker lyrics and deeper meanings.

8. Hollywood charity show: On Oct. 2 they played a show at the Dragonfly in Hollywood dedicated to The Art of Elysium, a charity organized to support children who are battling serious medical conditions, and The Music Appreciation Program, an organization that helps musicians who are seeking recovery from drugs and alcohol.

give the next one a try. Band’s sounds change all the time; look at Papa Roach and Linkin Park.

10. Coming to Cleveland: SWR will be at the Agora Ballroom on Oct. 16. Their tickets are $18, general admission only. I might be there!

Band of Choice: She Wants Revenge 10 Reasons Why You Should Listen to She Wants Revenge 1. The Prince Marilyn Killers: She Wants Revenge sounds like a mix between The Killers, Prince, and Marilyn Manson. Justin Warfield, the lead singer of SWR, has a voice that could be a cross between Prince and The Killers’ lead singer Brandon Flowers. The catchy beat in the background is reminiscent of Manson’s somewhat demented sound.

2. Guys 1 Sound: There are only two men making these fantastic tunes. Warfield does vocals, guitar, and keyboard. His accomplice, “Adam 12” Bravin, plays bass, keyboard, synthesizer, drum machine, percussion, and does some vocals as well. I have one word for this: skill!

3.“Tear You Apart”: This single from their self-titled debut album skyrocketed. It quickly became a top five alternative radio single and was a huge hit in 2006.

4. TV specials: A band is definitely making it once they start appearing on late night television.

SWR has appeared on Conan, Letterman, Kimmel, and Leno.

5. Dark and dreary with a hint of lovin’: Every song these guys make can definitely be categorized under the creepy section.

Wikipedia confirms that the lyrics “I want to f*cking tear you apart” can be taken figuratively or literally. Dark love is where it’s at!

6. Interesting videos: Watching SWR’s music videos is another

10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Listen to She Wants Revenge 1. Mixed meanings: At first listen, it seemed like the boys were expressing women’s problems through a male point of view.

But after listening a second or third time, you start to wonder

if they are just pointing out how ridiculous some women can be.

2. ‘80s = Bad: Bringing back the ‘80s may not be the best idea.

All I can remember is those funky hairstyles and those bad clothing choices. Warfield’s hair is kind of out there.

3. Darkwave: This is supposed to be the genre that SWR is under. Darkwave is defined as dark, thoughtful lyrics with an undertone of sorrow. The fact that this genre began in the 70s doesn’t help. Makes me think of suicidal hippies.

4. “Killing Time”: This is the hidden 66th track on their debut album. It occurs after 53 blank tracks that are called “Wasted Air.” Um, how about a waste of time?

5. The album cover for She Wants Revenge seems fine at first because it just shows a woman with a hand behind her back. But, when you turn it over, what is behind the woman’s back is a large knife. She wants revenge? No, she wants you to freak out and put the CD back on the shelf.

6. Five in two?: It seems that this band has been with five different record labels since 2005.

Doesn’t sound very trustworthy.

7. Controversial topics: The band’s Web site says that their songs tend to explore the sides of male-female dynamics that are usually left unexplored and unexamined. This could include some risky business and loss of fans.

8. Married: Married men and the road don’t mix. Sorry to disappoint the Justin Warfield fans.

9. “Adam 12”: This is the name of the second man in this duo, but who is he? Information on this former DJ is scarce.

10. B.L.E: Betrayal, lies, and deceit are the basis for their songs.

May not be your forte.

Check out www.csucauldron.com for a review of the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

Page 16 | Culture

Enjoy student-only perks with The City is Our Campus Ticket Program Story by Laura Dynda | The Cauldron Staff Writer

Cleveland State students get perks that many other students from different colleges do not. One of those perks is The City is Our Campus Ticket Program. The purpose of this program, according to Tasheka SuttonYoung, Coordinator of Student Activities for the Department of Student Life, is to make arts and culture available and affordable for students.

Sutton-Young said, “[The purpose is to] educate the student body on other things out there.”

The City is Our Campus Ticket Program, is a partnership that CSU has with different organizations at such various locations such as museums, theater, and many other different venues. Places where the program is being used are the following: Cleveland Botanical Garden Visit 10 acres of award-winning, world-class gardens. These include the Hershey children’s Garden and the lovely Japanese Garden. There is also the Greenhouse, with an 18,000 square-foot crystal peaked conservatory. The Greenhouse features over 350 species of exotic plants and 50 species of butterflies, birds, and other animals. The Cleveland Botanical Gardens is Free with your CSU Student ID. For more information call 216-7211600, or go to www.cbgarden.org.

Museum of Contemporary Art This museum is the leading producer of exhibitions and has earned the reputation of a “visionary leader.” MOCA is Free with your CSU Student ID. For more information call 216-421-8671, or go to www.mocacleveland.org Cleveland Museum of Natural History A new addition to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is the Shafran Planetarium, to explore the wonders of astronomy. This Museum is Free with your CSU ID. For more information, call 216-231-4600, or go to www.cmnh. org.

Western Reserve Historical Society This museum, founded in 1867, is to preserve and present the history of the people of Northeast Ohio. It is the largest privately supported regional historical society in the United States. This museum features such diverse attractions such as the Crawford Auto Museum. There is a costume wing, and a mansion tour that includes Hay-McKinney and Bringham-Hanna Houses. The Library houses one of the best family history resources in the nation, and is the best place to research Northeast history. This experience is Free with your CSU ID. For more information call 216721-5722, or go to www.wrhs.org.

Tower City Cinemas With your CSU ID you get into the movies for $5.50...all movies, all day! This offer also includes free parking. Monday Night Special: One

movie ticket and popcorn for only $5. Free Screenings of first-run movies. For information call 440-564-2031 or go to www.clevelandcinemans.com/towercity The Cleveland Play House Get discounted tickets to plays. Enjoy new works, classics, musicals, and comedies. Discounts are valid for weeknights (Tuesday-Thursday) and all matinees; no Friday or Saturday evenings. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Cleveland Play House ticket office and are $6 for students with a valid CSU ID. Faculty and Staff can purchase one ticket half price. Visit website for current season. Call 216-795-7000, or go to www.clevelandplayhouse.com or boxoffice@clevelandplayhouse.com.

Playhouse Square Center Enjoy the second-largest arts center in the United States. CSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni can take advantage of this expanded discount ticket program. Visit their office or website www.csuohio.edu/studentlife/ to download the ticket form, or call their group sales office 216-644-6046 to order tickets.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Enjoy this 150,000-square-foot building that is the permanent home of the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. This museum features dynamic interactive exhibits and intimate performance spaces and also presents a rotation of artifact and costume displays from the Museum’s permanent collection. Show a valid CSU ID at the box office and receive $2 off an adult admission. For more information call 216-781-ROCK or www.rockhall. com.

The Department of Student Life hopes that more students get involved with this program this school year. Sutton-Young said, “Our numbers are going up every year. Fifteen-hundred students were involved last year.”

More visibility, marketing, and improvement on the department of student life’s web site should help students get easier access to these events.

Discount tickets are now available for the Nov. 27 Cavs vs. Boston Celtics basketball game. Also discounted tickets are available for The Drowsy Chaperone and the opening night of The Color Purple, which will be playing during Key Bank’s Broadway Series at Playhouse Square. The reason why tickets are so reasonable, Sutton-Young explained is because, “We [the Department of Student Life] buy them at full price, and sell at a discounted price to expose students….The tickets that the Department of Student Life purchases are out of a budget that is generously given from the president.” This program has been around for four years now, and is still going strong.

Brochures for The City is Our Campus are also available. If you have any questions about these events stop by The Department of Student Life located in UC 102. Or visit http://www.csuohio.edu/studentlife.

Sports | Page 17

The Cauldron | October 15, 2007

Sports An Offer You Can’t Refuse A list of the Top 20 Ohio fans Story by Nick Camino | The Cauldron Sports Editor Over the years professional sports franchises, college universities, and even high schools throughout Ohio have boasted some of the best sports teams throughout the country. Along with the teams, their respective fans have shown support for their favorite team’s game after game, season after season, decade after decade.

Successful teams will always be remembered, but now it’s time to recognize the Top 20 cheering sections and individual fans the state of Ohio has ever witnessed at the professional, collegiate and high school levels in the Buckeye State.

a two foot tall hat full of bones and other odd gadgets, “The Bone Lady” certainly deserves her spot in the Top 20. Not only does she attend every Browns home game with her famous outfit on, she has been seen out in public during the week in her Cleveland Browns attire.

17. “The Orange Crush”Midpark High School: Dressed in all orange, the stu-

the “Dancing Man” could not be left off the list. His real name is still unknown, but he put on a show on at every Crunch game in the Convocation Center (now the Wolstein Center). After scoring a goal, during time outs, and at halftime the chubby “Dancing Man” would get up and strut moves that would not only rally the team, but entertain the fans with comical relief.

When the team moved in 2000,

20. “Halloween Fans”Wooster High School: For almost every sport at Wooster High School in Wooster, students come out to support football, boys and girls basketball, and volleyball in an odd but fun way. They try to intimidate other teams by dressing up in various Halloween type costumes. Even parents join in on the fun. In 2005 the “Halloween Fans” cheered on the Generals volleyball team to the State Final Four in volleyball.

The Dawg Pound from www.clevelandskyline.com

19. “Charlie’s Corner”Miami (Oh.) University: Ever since Charlie Coles took over as head coach of the men’s basketball team in 1996 at Miami University in southern Ohio, “Charlie’s Corner” was created and still stands cheering on the Miami RedHawks at all their home games in Oxford, Ohio.

Most of the students that make up the section under the hoop on the home side bench dress up in red attire just like Coach Coles to cheer on their team.

dents at Midpark High School in Middleburg Heights support their boy’s basketball team similar to the “Cameron Crazies” of Duke University. With orange painted bodies and faces, the Meteor fans are one of the best public school student sections of all time. Their constant yelling, continual jumping up and down, and catchy chants helped guide the 2005 team to the Regional Semifinals.

18. “The Bone Lady”Cleveland Browns: With a brown and orange colored dress, Cleveland Browns sunglasses, and

16.

“Dancing Man”Cleveland Crunch: Although the Cleveland Crunch Indoor Soccer Club no longer exists in Cleveland,

the “Dancing Man” was never seen again.

15. “Comet Crazies”-Solon High School: My Alma Mater ranks No. 15 on the list although No. 1 in my heart; perhaps because I was a part of it. With four designated “Spirit Boys” who paint their faces, wear blue and gold wigs, and get decked out in Solon Comet gear. Before every boy’s football and basketball game, they choose and designate a theme which will be announced prior to the game and followed by all “Comet Crazies”.

The tradition began in 1999,

and continues to be passed on by the four new “Spirit Boys” each year. The “Comet Crazies” have dressed in all gold and blue, and have also encouraged fans to dress for “white-outs” and “black-outs.”

Perhaps their most creative tradition was wearing sweater vests and ties imitating former head basketball coach Todd van Reeth. Former Plain Dealer high school sports editor Eddie Dwyer claimed the “Comet Crazies” were the best he has ever seen in his 39 years of reporting on high school games. Yes, I was proud to be one of the leaders of this elite section.

14. “Dawg Pound Mike”Cleveland Browns: Although recent controversy surrounded “Dawg Pound Mike” holding Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson in the Dawg Pound after a Johnson touchdown while fans hurled beer onto him; the former member of “Charlie’s Fries” attends every Cleveland Browns game, home or away. His No. 1 jersey and dog bone hat have become a familiar sight for Browns faithful considering Mike has been attending Browns games ever since childhood. Every game he stands next to yet another famous fan that will be mentioned later on this list.

13. “Cincinnati Bengal Fans”-Cincinnati Bengals: Bearing their black, orange, and white colors these fans have enjoyed success with the Bengals in recent years, although they enjoyed two AFC Championships and appeared in two Super Bowls in 1981 and 1988. Each game is sold out at the new Paul Brown Stadium, and while roaring like a tiger when their team scores, throughout the week leading up to a game it’s common to see true Bengal fans asking, “Who Dey gonna beat, the

Page 18 | Sports

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron the nursing home out to ball games after Jacobs Field was built in 1994.

So, she not only cheered for her favorite baseball team, she converted others to become Tribe fans as well. God Bless Sister Assumpta.

Ohio State Horse Shoe from www.sports-traveler.com

12. “The Blue Bomb Squad”- Cincinnati St. Xavier High School: The St. Xavier football team is currently ranked No. 2 in the country by ESPN. com, but their student section may be No. 1 for football and basketball year after year. No matter whom they are playing this all boys high school dresses in blue and have kept the same cheers for over 15 years. Sure some minor things change each year, but the bottom line is, the teams St. Xavier fields are successful, and many believe it’s because of the strong tradition of excellence upheld each year in the bleachers with the student section.

11. “Canton McKinley BBall Fans”-Canton McKinley High School: Since the year 1900, the entire city of Canton has cheered the Bulldogs on to a record of 1,712 wins, three State Championships and 23 Final Four appearances. Tickets sell out in a matter of hours for their away regular season games, and the city of Canton literally shuts down.

Usually high schools are led by their student sections, not this team.

Everyone in Canton, Ohio loves their “Pups,” and will out-cheer anyone out of a gym before a game with their famous “Let’s Go Pups!” chant before each game. The basketball fans for Canton McKinley take a back seat to no one.

10. “Cleveland Cavaliers Fans”-Cleveland Cavaliers: There were times from 2000-2002 when the Cavalier faithful could

not handle winning 14 games in an 82-game season, however with the resurgence of successful basketball in Cleveland due in large part to the arrival of King James, the fans have returned to Quicken Loans Arena. Not only do fans pack “The Q” on a nightly basis, they wear the same colored shirts, and create excitement throughout the entire game. Cavaliers fans today are reminiscent of the Cavalier faithful at the Richfield Coliseum who witnessed some of the most exciting games in NBA history, the Miracle at Richfield.

9. “Sister Assumpta”Cleveland Indians: She may not be the loudest fan, but she is certainly the most loyal and holy Tribe fan out there. Sister Mary Assumpta of Cleveland has been to nearly every Cleveland Indians home game since 1986. The games she didn’t attend she was most likely getting things done for the Indians club while listening to the radio. Since ‘86 she has baked over 350 dozen cookies for Indians players, had a part in the classic movie Major League, and has met almost every single Indians player, member of the coaching staff and front office member of the Cleveland MLB team.

While enjoying Indians baseball win or lose, Sister Assumpta taught Catholic school at Cleveland Central Catholic and Lumen Cordium in Bedford. After teaching, she received her nursing home license, and from that point on while running the nursing home, she brought senior citizens from

8. “Cincinnati Reds Fans”Cincinnati Reds: Despite the lack of recent success, Reds fans have remained loyal to their baseball team through both good times and bad times. Some of the best years for Red fans were from 19701976 the heyday of the famous “Big Red Machine.” During that time period the Reds won two World Series titles and five West Division titles. Manager George “Sparky” Anderson encouraged the fans to wear red to all home games. From that time on, until River Front Stadium was torn down in 2002, one felt out of place if he or she was not clothed in red.

7. “Cleveland Browns Fans”-Cleveland Browns: Although their team was stolen from them in 1994, Browns fans are widely considered among the best in the NFL even today. Even though it is apparent things just will never be the same as they were in the caverns of old Municipal Stadium, Browns fans remain unconditionally loyal. The atmosphere of the demolished stadium will never be forgotten, but unfortunately may never be matched either. With opposing players fearing the Dawg Pound, flying dog bones, and loud barks on the lake today, Cleveland Browns Stadium is the place to be on a Sunday afternoon in Northeast Ohio.

6. “Morganna the Kissing Bandit”-Cincinnati Reds: Okay, perhaps a reach. In 1971, the buxom Morganna ran onto Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio during a game and kissed the all-time MLB leader in hits, Pete Rose, on a dare. From that point on until 1999 Morganna repeated the stunt over and over while attending every Reds game from the ‘71 season until ‘99. Her famed run onto the field earned her national publicity and got her a spot on all the television talk shows for years.

For two decades she did not miss a game, and is revered as the biggest Reds fans in the history of the franchise.

5. “Ohio State Buckeyes Fans”-The Ohio State University: Think of all the great high school football student sections combined with the Bengals and Browns fans; the Buckeye fan is what you get. All the faithful that root on their favorite teams on Fridays and Sundays, come together as one on Saturdays to cheer on one of the best college football dynasties in college football history.

Jumping into a lake naked, camping out the night before, and cramming the stadium with 105,000 people an hour before kick-off is what Buckeye fans are all about.

Due to the number of Buckeye fans, the Horseshoe has under gone construction seven times during its history to accommodate even more of the Buckeye faithful. With the entire city of Columbus shut down on game day; fans have been able to root on the Buckeyes to a record of 787-301-52, five national titles, and 31 conference titles.

4. “Big Dawg”-Cleveland Browns: John Thompson, a.k.a.

“Big Dawg,” leads one of the most famous cheering sections of all time, The Cleveland Browns Dawg Pound. Thompson has been with the Pound ever since it was named in 1985 by players Frank Minnifeild and Hanford Dixon. Similar to “Dawg Pound Mike,” Thompson attends every game the Browns play throughout the season with his No. 98 jersey and his famous easily recognized dog mask. Although the Browns left in 1999, “Big Dawg” was a prominent leader of an aggressive lobbyist group to return the NFL team back to Cleveland.

Now, “Big Dawg” is back heading the Dawg Pound just like old times here in Cleveland. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton as a fan.

3.

“Massillon Tigers Football Fans”-Massillon Washington High School: In Massillon Friday night football is more than just a game; it is

Sports | Page 19

The Cauldron | October 9, 2007 much more like a religion. Even with unsuccessful teams in recent years, the entire town literally shuts down to watch their high school team compete every Friday night.

The fans of Massillon not only fill the 15,000 seat Paul Brown Tiger Stadium each week, they do everything possible throughout the year to make their future gridiron players the best in Ohio.

At early ages kids in Massillon are taught the fundamentals of football and are even held back a grade to gain an athletic edge on their opponents in future years to come. When coaches do not win, they are quickly run out of town. This tradition of high school football reached California, where a movie was made about the Massillon football tradition titled “Go Tigers!” Tickets against their arch rival Canton McKinley are sold for hundreds of dollars. It’s a tradition like no other.

2. “Cleveland Indians Fans”-Cleveland Indians: In 2001 the number “455” was

retired at Jacobs Field, home of the Cleveland Indians. That number represented the amount of consecutive sellouts from the year 1994 to 2001.

After that, numerous games were sold out, but the streak unfortunately ended. But with yet another Central Division Championship under their belt this season, don’t be surprised if this streak resurrects itself once again. Every playoff game in 2007 has been a sell out, showing that Cleveland has not forgotten to support baseball. The atmosphere at Jacobs Field is electric; perhaps the best there is in all of sports hands down. Although there is nothing specific that the fans do, their dedication and positive attitude is what makes them the second best in Ohio.

1. “John Adams”-Cleveland Indians: Perhaps the best fan in Ohio is the man who has rallied the crowd at Jacobs Field with a drum since Aug. 24, 1973. Through the many joyful victories and even more heart breaking losses, Adams

has stood by the Tribe beating his drum every home game played at Jacobs Field, and before that at Municipal Stadium. In fact, he threw out the opening pitch in the 2007 ALDS representing the fans just last week. He has attended over 2,000 games with his drum, and stands as a true icon not only in Cleveland, but throughout the entire country.

Despite buying three season tickets each season, one for him, one for his drum, and one for his wife, the Indians have acknowledged Adams for his dedication to the Tribe. This season he was honored with a replica bobble-head doll given to all the fans attending a game at Jacobs Field. Adams has remained blindly loyal to the Indians, a team which has experienced numerous losing seasons, a team who last enjoyed a world title in 1948, but of late, seven central division titles, and is again in contention to win a World Series this season.

Stand up John, and with drum in hand, take a deep bow.

You earned it.

Jablonski’s Political Notebook ...Continued from page 6 prevent illegal immigration.

“Road to Freedom Bus Tour” near CSU Next Saturday, the "Road to Freedom Bus Tour" will make a stop at Trinity Commons Cathedral, right across from the Main Classroom building.

The national, year-long bus tour is a "photographic exhibit of the grassroots 'people’s movement' leading to passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)."

The tour, a project of ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights, will feature a performance by singer/songwriter Jeff Moyer at 1:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Members of Ohio's congressional delegation as well as local elected officials are expected to attend.

The event starts at 10:00 a.m.

Page 20 | Sports

October 15, 2007 | The Cauldron

The culture of disrespect: Q & A with ESPN’s Jemele Hill Story by Charlotte Morgan | The Cauldron Contributing Writer When a federal jury decided last month that New York Knicks coach and head of basketball operations, Isaiah Thomas sexually harassed former Knicks executive Anucha Browne Sanders. The ruling meant that ESPN.com Page 2 reporter Jemele Hill had won as well.

Michael Vick and Marion Jones took the lion’s share of sports media attention recently while the comments of Thomas and Knicks’ guard Stephon Mabury went unnoticed outside the New York area. Making the public aware of this controversial case was her mission. The 32-year Michigan graduate had worked her way up from the Detroit Free Press where she covered sports to ESPN the worldwide leader in sports coverage.

After hearing Miss Hill on Jim Rome’s syndicated sports program—a mostly male bastion—she made some time to talk with The Cauldron about Isaiah’s case and how the culture of disrespect has made sexual harassment easy.

Charlotte Morgan (CM): What do you want people to know about the Isaiah Thomas case, what did we miss?

Jemele Hill (JH): The main thing is we have to stop enabling the culture of disrespect in our own community. And we do it all the time. This is not just an entertainment issue, this is about how we deal and treat one another. I think that there is sort of this attitude, this mindset that white people can be more offensive to us than we can be to ourselves. I don’t think that’s true these days.

CM: So what you’re saying is that we should police ourselves?

JH: I’m saying if we draw a line in the sand, it should be for everyone. I think if we do it definitely on the black end, there should be a restoration of pride and respect. Those are two things that I see are missing.

CM: So are you alluding to things missing from Hip Hop culture?

JH: I’m not trying to wage any war against Hip Hop. I know a lot of people try to make entertainment such a focus but you can the same argument about Hip Hop as you can against the “Sopranos”. It’s kind of a pointless war anyway.

CM: Why do you think it’s pointless?

JH: Just because entertainment is driven by economics and it’s such a wide broad thing. I know everybody wants to talk about what’s going on in Hip Hop and it is such an issue, but you could make the same argument about movies.

CM: What about the power of your dollar?

Here you’ve taken on the issue of sexual

harassment, that whole mindset of male privilege, which says that you can talk to a woman any kind of way—that’s pretty big. And you as a writer have taken this issue on.

JH: Well there have always been forms of entertainment that have been provocative, shall we say? But you can definitely make the argument that no matter how we choose to entertain ourselves in the 70s, 80, or 90s, that we can make a choice about how we feel towards one another. I just think it’s more prevalent now, this culture of disrespect. You can’t really say movie or music made me do something. Certainly we get desensitized to a lot of things because we’ve allowed things to go unchecked for so long.

For so long the focus was on how mainstream America viewed us, but we’re at a point where we’ve obtained our civil rights, we’ve made gains economically—I mean more black people are in college than ever before. We’ve made a lot of progress and so now that those institutional factors have been removed which prevented us from doing things, I think we have to look at ourselves and ask what are we allowing to go unchecked?

CM: Should we be afraid of that conversation?

JH: I don’t think we should be afraid of that conversation. But I feel that we are afraid to peel the lid back to see what’s really there.

CM: One of the gains that we’ve achieved is that a black man holds the position that Isaiah Thomas has with the Knicks.

I would have never believed that a black man would be head of Basketball Operations for the New York Knickerbockers.

JH: Me either. I was born in ’75 and I was in high school when the gangster’ rap thing hit with NWA. They were a political group. We would have never known about police brutality in the black neighborhood if they hadn’t brought

it to the lexicon. Rappers are not afraid to voice their political beliefs. And all rappers do today is talk about things they don’t even have. In some ways, they’re helping to breed this materialistic culture that has taken over our youth. And this has led to the kind of disrespect avenue that I was talking about. And you can see the schism between middle class Black America and lower class Black America is bigger than it’s ever been.

CM: Do this class war is responsible for any of this disrespect?

JH: Yeah, and to bring it back to Isaiah, it’s like this old school way of thinking: It’s okay if I do it, and do as I say and not as I do. I call this the ’07 Racism. Black culture is more mainstream than it’s ever been and white America has a careful eye on everything and they’re mimicking things we do so we have to be a lot more careful.

The Knicks began their season quietly last week beating an Israeli team. According to ESPN, Isaiah Thomas was booed when he was introduced to the sellout crowd at the Garden. Thomas said, “There’s an appeals process underway.”