An In Depth Rundown on Making Life Easier as a Viking
Cauldron The
Volume 107 No.2 - September 2, 2008
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Lost or Lost or Confused? Confused? Tips for New CSUStudents Students CSU STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1929
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Feature
Lost or confused? Tips for New CSU Students
The first week of the 2008 Fall Semester has already been completed, but while many are merely looking ahead to the next 14 weeks of the seemingly never ending semester, some new freshman and transfer students may still be a bit lost in the transition process of coming into a new university. Don’t panic! ………Page 10
Volume 107 No.2 - September 2, 2008
The Melting Pot
Opening Statements………Page 3 Debating the merits of democracy………Page 3 Veepstakes Conclude………Page 4 Recap of the Democratic National Convention………Page 4 Democracy………Page 5 The Times…They Are-a-Changing………Page 5 The Struggle………Page 6
Nick Camino Christopher Enoch
Jayson Gerbec Sairah Zaidi Laura Krawczyk News Editor Roman Verzub Arts & Entertainment Editor Faith Larraine Sports Editor Robert Ivory Layout Editor & Web Designer Steve Thomas Cartoonists Michael Quintero Frank Grigonis Business Manager Anne Werner Contributing Writers Christina Niehaus Dan Langshaw Eric Sever Emily Ouzts
News
Don’t Wait Until Midterms to See a Tutor………Page 7 Cleveland Charter Revision Could Allow Private Discussions of Public Business………Page 7 Student Veterans of CSU Start a New Student Organization………Page 8 The Verzubian Political Notebook………Page 8 GOP Convention Promises to Rally Republicans, Others………Page 9 Cleveland Still Mourns Over the Loss of City Councilwoman………Page 9
Arts & Entertainment The Fratellis ………Page 12 CD REVIEWS………Page 12 Foodies open your mouths………Page 12 The Cauldron Mailbag………Page 13 Engaged Theatre………Page 14 One Hundred Years of Solitude Review………Page 14 Choke………Page 16 Dispatches from the Edge ………Page 16
Sports Soccer Squads Look to Reverse Misfortunes of Last Year.………Page 17 CSU Swimmer Makes a Splash in Beijing………Page 18 Familiar Face Takes Over CSU Wrestling Team………Page1 9
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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. To Submit Editorials, Articles , Etc.: cauldroneditors@hotmail.com Campus Life Releases 100 words or less: Organization name and phone number must be included. Releases are for student organizations only and should include the event date, time, and location. Letters to the Editor 800 words or less: Letters must be in response to a written article or campus issue. Student Columns 600-800 words: Columns can be submitted by students regarding campus issues, positive or negative, and will be sent directly to President Schwartz in order to bring more student awareness. Advertising Policy For advertising inquiries e-mail cauldronadvertisements@hotmail.com or call (216) 687-2270. Contact Us: Cleveland State University 4th Floor Cole Center Cleveland, Ohio 44115 (216) 687-2270 / (216) 687-5155 www.csucauldron.com
The Melting Pot
Tuesday, September 2nd
Opening Statements Debating the merits of democracy: Pakistan as a Case Study By Chris Enoch The Cauldron Managing Editor
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ith eighteen months down and about two more to go, a wave of grateful anticipation is about to sweep over the American electorate. Who will win Election 2008? Barack Obama? John McCain? From here until Election Day, nobody can truly claim to know. What can be said for certain is that sooner, rather than later, a brief pause is about to occur in the never-ending game we call American political elections. It truly has been an ugly August. Most folks can’t even turn on their televisions or listen to their radio stations without the constant bombardment of candidatecentered advertising, biased party-line half-truths, and the daily dose of political propaganda spewed out in 30 second burst-fire. It’s remarkable: Republicans sniping at Democrats, Democrats sniping at Republicans, and all the while both parties are waging war on the American attention span. This drift towards the fervent and frivolous non-stop mass media campaign tends to trouble most individuals I speak to, even self-proclaimed political junkies such as myself. This condition begs the question: how will the next President manage to get anything done when he will already be re-applying for his job and political wellbeing after mere months? Obviously enough, the never-ending campaign wasn’t always present in American culture. Flashback to 1960: John F. Kennedy declared his candidacy for United States President in January of 1960, within the same year the election was held! These days, who could even imagine? Barack Obama and John McCain announced their candidacies in February of 2006! With new technology and advancements in the realm of media communications, there isn’t much difficulty in finding out how exactly our society got to this point. It seems the only place I can escape messages on John McCain being out of touch or Barack Obama not being ready to lead is when my head is buried under a stack of pillows. Let’s shorten the campaign season. Most Western industrial democracies elect governments in a matter of weeks. Can’t we do the same? The long primary season atrophied the idealism of many Democrats, many of whom simply couldn’t keep up with the horserace and started to lose interest. Having wrapped up his nomination in March, McCain had more people yawning at the excitement of his candidacy in the months after his nomination than in the actual months he was contesting elections and debating other Republicans. For a Republican, that’s a difficult achievement to surmount. One national primary six months before the election could make our lives as citizens easier and more interesting. You might even be able to bargain me down to five separate primary dates of 10 states apiece, all taking place within a month. If we change our campaign finance laws, we might just be able to guarantee our candidates free airtime throughout the week in slots just long enough not to parch our intellect and dry our wits. Everyone complains about the corrupting nature of “special interests”. Kick them out of the process all together. If we put limits on campaign spending, we’d never be having a conversation on how a viable candidate must be able to raise $200 million dollars before the year of the election. As taxpaying individuals, these concerns should be paramount. Americans are known for willpower, determination and resolve in the face of hard challenges. This non-stop campaign season has become exactly that: a challenge worth confronting. Let’s use all of those enduring traits to change the way we do business in elections and politics. I’m Christopher Enoch and I support this message.
By Sairah Zaidi The Cauldron Copy Editor
Q: Is democracy possible and necessary in all countries, and is there ever justification for another form of government for reasons of stability, crisis, the nature/character of a particular country, etc?
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e hear a great deal these days about democracy. Whether it is our president waxing poetic about his lofty mission of spreading democratic ideals of freedom and justice throughout the world or specific examples of such supposed attempts (Iraq being the preeminent case in point), two general conclusions can be made. The first is that, setting aside the issue of whether such endeavors are in fact what they claim to be – author Arundhati Roy’s observation that “wars are never fought for altruistic reasons” comes to mind – current events demonstrate that such experiments do not work well. The second conclusion is that the conversation on democracy and corresponding attempts to spread it throughout the world is predicated upon the assumption that democracy is good for any place at any time. It is the latter that concerns me – there is no lack of criticism of the failed policies of the current administration, but such criticism does not challenge the underlying theme that democracy is what every country needs now, regardless of the context. The unwavering, blanket commitment to this apparently sacred ideology does not address fundamental questions. How can a democracy function if the electorate is not capable of making objective and educated decisions? Does a democracy generate education, prosperity, and modernization, or do these types of elements need to be put in place before democracy can be implemented? And assuming that it is unrealistic to proclaim that all nations are ripe for the picking, what is the interim solution? These theoretical questions have parallels in reality. Consider the case of Pakistan, where President Pervez Musharraf recently resigned. The country has a largely uneducated population. Its history of democracy is shaky at best. In fact, the founder of the country, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, is considered to have been the nation’s most democratic and productive leader – yet his rule was considerably autocratic. The Western media engaged in a chorus of criticism of U.S. sup-
port of Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup and remained a ‘military dictator’for much of his rule. Yet he is also in fact responsible for giving the Pakistani media historically unprecedented freedom and for cleaning up the sweeping corruption of his democratically elected predecessors. This is a far cry from the other dictators the United States has supported in history. In that sense, perhaps our press is justifiably skeptical. But again, there is a tendency to oversimplify our criticisms. The New York Times in November of 2007 argued in an editorial against U.S. support of Musharraf and encouraged a ‘democratic alliance’ between two previously exiled leaders, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Bhutto, of course, was assassinated, and her husband has now taken up her post – and for the sake of brevity, all three of these officials have been plagued by corruption scandals and/or are dangerously fundamentalist. Add to the mix an uninformed population and the shameless manipulation and maneuvering on the part of these politicians, and it’s no surprise that they were able to get elected once again. What we have here is grey area – attempting to wave a magic wand and proclaim democracy in a nation like Pakistan or Iraq can have disastrous implications. What you end up with is a thin veneer of rhetoric and pomp coupled with looting, because there is not an intelligent election process – instead we have a sort of Darwinian, ‘survival of the least fit’ phenomenon. Critics will dismiss this view as elitist, but the track record of voting and progress in uneducated democracies speaks for itself. Long-term aspirations of democracy are necessary, but the irony is that a strongly autocratic leader may have the best chance of restoring stability and progress in a historically chaotic country and laying the groundwork for such goals. Cookie-cutter, abstract principles don’t do much good in the real world, and although human freedom and popular sovereignty are noble goals, an open-minded approach towards how to best achieve this is crucial.
The Melting Pot
Tuesday, September 2nd
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Veepstakes Conclude
A Closer Look at the Choices By Sairah Zaidi The Cauldron Copy Editor
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he John McCain campaign generated fierce speculation Thursday night of the Democratic convention and the following Friday morning about his selection of a running mate. Rumors circulated that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty had been chosen after he canceled several items on his schedule, but by morning it was discovered that he was not in Dayton. Discussion then turned to former Massachusetts Gov. and Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, when reports surfaced that he was in Dayton. When presumptive Republican nominee Sen. McCain finally took the stage at a Dayton rally that afternoon, it was with neither of them. He announced 44-year-old Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska instead, and the analysts and pundits are calling it a risky choice, but one that could possibly
Recap of the Democratic National Convention By Christopher Enoch The Cauldron Managing Editor
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he Democratic Party’s formal effort to take back the White House began last Monday as the party held its 2008 national convention in Denver. The convention shortly followed the announcement by Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) that Sen. Joe Biden (D-DL) would be his running mate and vice-presidential nominee the previous Saturday. After a turbulent and tumultuous primary season which divided the party between Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Obama, the convention spearheaded efforts to reconcile the two factions, unite the party, all the while showcasing the “big tent” diversity of the party. With rock stars, celebrities, pundits and news anchors live from the scene in Denver, the Democratic National Convention featured prominent Democrats from across the nation including Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Caroline Kennedy, as well as the 10th district’s very own Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Ohio’s
attract women (especially Clinton loyalists) and evangelical Christians, an important part of the Republican base that has not embraced McCain. Sen. Barack Obama announced Sen. Joe Biden, the senior U.S. senator from Delaware, the Saturday before the commencement of the week-long Democratic Convention. After a text-message announcement of his choice to his supporters, Obama appeared alongside Biden in Springfield, Illinois, where he announced his candidacy last year. Supporters believe Biden’s experience and strong working-class background should help Obama in two of his weaker areas. The contrast between the two choices could not be starker. While Gov. Palin may help with women and the conservative base – she certainly made it clear at the Dayton rally that she would pursue the former actively, saying, “It turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all”– she is also younger than Obama, less than two years into her first term as Governor, and lacking in foreign policy credentials. In addition, there is an investigation swirling around her firing of a
state commissioner, and it is expected to conclude right around the time of the election. Palin’s stance on issues such as abortion (she is ardently pro-life) and same-sex marriage should appeal to conservatives who have doubts about McCain. Biden, on the other hand, has been called a safe choice for Obama; he is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, one of many the working-class towns and cities in America where Obama has had difficulty making headway. The selection of Biden over Sen. Hillary Clinton is what created an opening for McCain to select a woman in the first place, and while Palin and Clinton are as different as day and night in terms of political orientation, those voters who really wanted to see a woman in office may give the Republican ticket a second glance. A debate between the two vice presidential candidates is scheduled to take place on Oct. 2 at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. An in-depth profile of the two candidates will appear in The Cauldron the preceding week.
sitting junior Senator, Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The convention commenced on Monday evening. Ted Kennedy (DMA), who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer, delivered a brief speech that came as a welcome surprise to Democrats in attendance. “Nothing, nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight,” the Senator quipped in his speech. Monday night’s headliner was Michelle Obama, who delivered a speech after being introduced by her brother, Craig Robinson. Describing herself as a “Southside girl”, referencing her roots in Chicago’s South side, Mrs. Obama called on the United States to follow advice that Mr. Obama had once given her: to “fight for the world as it should be.” Mrs. Obama, who has been a frequent target of negative campaigning for statements made during the primary season, resoundingly rebuked critics with her verbal plays to patriotism Monday, declaring, “I love this country.”The first night wasn’t without its share of critics, however, Republican strategist Karl Rove claimed Michelle Obama didn’t show “adequate enough” love for her country Monday, while Democratic Strategist and prominent Clinton supporter James Carville stated, “ If this party has a message, it’s done a hell of a job hiding it tonight.” Tuesday night the DNC came as an appeal to unify fractures within the Democratic Party. Speakers like Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, AFL-CIO President Mark Sweeney and Keynote Address Speaker and Virginia Senate candidate Mark Warner stepped to the stage as 18 million Democratic Party voters eagerly awaited Tuesday for the night’s headliner: Hillary Clinton. In her speech to the convention, Clinton affirmed unwavering support for Barack Obama. Questioning supporters who would vote for McCain or stay home in the general election rather than vote for Obama, Clinton asked, ““I want you to ask yourselves, ‘Were you in this campaign just for me?” Perhaps the most appreciated segment of the speech came as Clinton uttered six words that resonated with the attitudes of many Democrats, stating, “No way. No how. No McCain,” shaking the Pepsi Center halls with applause and enthusiasm. Senator Clinton wasn’t alone in her endorsement of Barack Obama. Wednesday, after Obama was formally nominated by acclamation, former President Clinton took the reins to put doubters to rest that he too
would in fact back Obama, despite past criticisms and various confrontations between his wife’s campaign and that of Obama’s. “Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she’ll do everything she can to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us,” the former president exclaimed, proceeding to persuade the 18 million Hillary voters that Barack Obama should receive their vote. Shortly after, Vice-Presidential nominee Joe Biden took the stage to formally accept his party’s nomination. While the Democratic VicePresidential nominee waxed complimentary toward his opponent across the aisle, John McCain R-AZ, calling their friendship “beyond politics”, Biden eventually went after the Republican nominee, stating “these times require more than a good soldier; they require a wise leader, a leader who can deliver change - the change everybody knows we need.” After his acceptance speech, Biden was jointed on stage momentarily by Barack Obama, who took the time to thank Joe Biden and the Biden family, as well as the Clintons. The final night of the DNC saw a change of scene. Following in the footsteps of former presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Obama moved the site of his acceptance speech to another venue with a higher crowd capacity. At Mile High Stadium, normally home to the Denver Broncos NFL football team, the stage was set for a convention speech perhaps unlike any other in the history of this nation. Delivering a speech titled “The American Promise”, Barack Obama challenged the American people to overcome the vestiges of the last eight years. “America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future,” declared a confident Obama. With the Republican National Convention but a week away, the recent selection of John McCain’s running mate, debates scattered throughout the season and Election Day on Nov. 4, the march to the future is already taking place.
The Melting Pot The Times… They Are-a-Changing
Tuesday, September 2nd
By Christina Niehaus The Cauldron Contributing Writer
A Democracy By Roman Verzub The Cauldron News Editor
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o speak about democracy, I must first define what is and what isn’t meant by democracy. “The word democracy,” said the leader of Libya Mu’ammar Qaddafi back in 2006, “is an Arabic word meaning ‘the common people (duhama) in [Parliament] seats (karasi)’. But if the people do not take the seats,” he went on, “that’s not democracy. Call it whatever you like, call it something else, but it’s not democracy.” This shows, above all else, one of the key points in considering whether a state is truly democratic - whether the people know enough to know what democracy and freedom means. The Palestinian people, long under a corrupt Fatah government, and under threat from the Islamist terrorists in Hamas, had no choice but to elect the latter in the 2006 Parliamentary elections. That’s not democracy. Omar Karsou, a businessman originally from the West Bank, runs his political party, “Democracy in Palestine” from New York City - 5,000 miles away from home. Furthermore, the existence of democratic elements alone does not constitute democracy. “The ballot box alone does not constitute democracy,” said Sayid AlQimni an Egyptian liberal, on Al-Jazeera in July 2007, “The ballot box is just a box made of glass, and nobody knows what goes on inside. People put a piece of paper in it. By no means does the ballot box constitute democracy.” Uneducated masses, however, is no reason to say that a group of people can’t be democratic or will never be democratic. After Nazism fell in Germany, only a small minority contended that Germany could ever be a democracy - yet today it’s a full fledged one. The same can be said about Italy, Spain, Turkey, and lately, Iraq. The main difference here, is that Germany is surrounded by democracies. True, Pakistan has no democratic history, but it’s next door neighbor in India has quite a few. It’s easy to dismiss the concencept of “freedom and justice for all” as being “cookie-cutter” or America “trying to push it’s views on the world,” yet this is simply not the case. True, our President does believe greatly in the ideal of spreading democracy, but it isn’t always the stated reason for starting wars. Afghanistan was started mainly as a hunt for Osama bin Laden. The fact that that Taliban, who we all know oppressed women, didn’t allow women to be educated, and enforced strict rules on the country. Iraq was waged because Saddam Hussein, its dictator at the time, was seen as unstable and
dangerous - possibly even possessing the kinds of weapons dictatotors like he should never posses. “There are other nations with dictators,” you might argue, “so are we going to invade all of them?” Nope. Here’s an example with Iran. Iran is a nation which has democratic institutions and human rights advocates already in the country. It’s a nation, true, with a crazy leader, but a religious establishment who hates the crazy leader. Even the Vice President hates the crazy leader. And did I mention most Iranians, who are a very young population, hate the religious establishment? It’s been said that if you ask 10 Iranians whether they want a Caliphate, 4 would say “no”and 6 would say “What’s a Caliphate?” North Korea is a also a nation with a crazy leader. We know he already possesses the kind of dangerous missiles and weapons we feel he shouldn’t. Yet he’s predictable - every time he does missile tests, he is trying to get the world’s attention, so as to bring him to the negotiating table where he can be negogiated down with promises of aid, food, money, etc. Iraq and Afghanistan, however, are cases where the people just had. There was no real history of democracy in any of those nations, yet surprisingly, after their former dictators and religious fundamentalist leaders, they chose a different way for their country. Seeing that the ideals of freedom, as existing in the Western societies, can benefit them and create the stability in their lives of which they’ve always dreamed, Iraqis and Afghans decided, completely on their own, that it was time for them to start thinking about change. Yet would a push from the US and its allies, specifically helping them to push out the old regime and stabalize the country. The Bush Administration would love to take credit for the Troop Surge as the cause of the reduction in violence. While that is partially true, the real cause in reduction is that Iraqis themselves taking control. The Sahwa (“Awakening”) movement is the movement that is doing just that - fighting influence from Iran and al-Qaeda - those seeking to usurp their nation. We see that, if given a chance, and significant backing, opressed nations, even those with no history of democracy, will lean in that direction. Should we ignore these future free lands, or assume, in true Darwinian fashion, that there’s something inferior about them that says they aren’t smart enough to be free? I would choose the former.
bout 40 years ago, television was dominated by white males. At least, the talk-show aspect on television was. Johnny Carson was ruling night-time TV with The Tonight Show, Mike Douglas was busily interviewing an eclectic group of guests on The Mike Douglas Show, and a young Regis Philbin was gaining his first national exposure as a sidekick on The Joey Bishop Show. Now, however, the talk-show world is quite different. Whereas there were once white males hosting, we now have black and homosexual females. And why not? We do, after all, have an AfricanAmerican as our Democratic Presidential nominee. So it should be no surprise that our favorite talk show hosts are also minorities. The Oprah Winfrey Show premiered in 1986, almost instantaneously making Oprah a star. As a witty and compassionate woman, her show quickly became a success. Time magazine once wrote that, “few people would have bet on Oprah Winfrey’s swift rise to host one of the most popular talk shows on TV. . . [But] what she lacks in journalistic toughness, she makes up for in plainspoken curiosity, robust humor, and above all, empathy.” In 1993, Winfrey hosted a prime time interview with Michael Jackson, which became the fourth most watched event in American history, with 100 million viewers. As Oprah continues to run her production company, Harpo, as well as her cable channel network, Oxygen, there’s no telling what this talk-show host turned superstar will do next. Ellen DeGeneres started out as a stand-up comedian, then a television star, and eventually appeared in movies as well. People quickly fell in love with her undeniable humor, quirky ways, and average, approachable appearance. When she took a stab at her own talk show, respectively titled The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she quickly won over even more fans across the country. It didn’t matter that she was a homosexual, and an open one at that. Everyone loved her, and her fan base has continued to grow. In the first season alone, The Ellen DeGeneres Show was nominated for 11 Daytime Emmy Awards, winning four of them. During the next two seasons, it collectively won 21 more Emmys. With an amiable personality and sunny disposition, she has since been invited to host the Primetime Emmys in 2005 and The Academy Awards in 2007. She went on to create history of sorts on Aug. 16, when she and longtime girlfriend and actress Portia De Rossi were married in the first gay wedding in California since it became legal. Ellen is no doubt a great personality, but the amazing thing is that she is clearly just being herself - and for a great talk show host, that is a great quality. Both Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres are easily the most popular and well-liked talk show hosts of today. No one particularly cares that one is African American and the other is a gay woman. Indeed neither of those factors matter when both women remain likable, generous, and increasingly successful. They are clearly reining over daytime television, with large studio audiences and even larger audiences watching at home. The times are changing in the U.S., and rightfully so. Today, our talk show hosts, tomorrow, we may accept a black President into office.
The Melting Pot
Tuesday, September 2nd
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The TheStruggle Struggle
One ViewononInterracial Interracial Relationships One Person’s Person’s View Relationships By ByFaith FaithLarraine Larraine The TheCauldron CauldronArts Arts&&Entertainment EntertainmentEditor Editor
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t is a struggle being in an interracial relationship. There are definite consequences to being in an interracial relationship and they don’t come easy. The couple has to worry about what their parents will think. Will they be disowned from society? Are people going to stare? Are people going to whisper? Will anyone ever look at them the same again? Take it from someone who has never and has no plan of dating inside her race; interracial dating is extremely difficult. I can tolerate same race relationships because that is what society calls “the norm”, but I don’t believe in them. My mother and my stepfather don’t seem to have a problem with my boyfriend because he seems like a genuine gentleman. By my real father… he’s the type of person that uses profound language to explain how he feels about other races. Most of the people close to us don’t seem to mind, but as far as what really goes on in their heads, we are not entirely sure. Interracial relationships seem to be more popular these days, and more or less accepted by society. But people will stare, whisper, snicker, glare, etc. And I have an example. I believe it was on or around Easter Sunday. My boyfriend and I went to breakfast at a Denny’s. This was his first time in an
Elf & The Big Guy by Frank Grigonis
interracial relationship and he didn’t know what to expect, but I did. As we walked to the entrance, he asked me if he noticed the people that stare at us. I responded with a no, but with him saying that it made me look around. People were staring, but then they would jerk their heads away as if they weren’t just thinking, “What are those two doing holding hands”. It didn’t bother me…much. I had been through this before numerous times. Luckily, we didn’t get any verbal attacks. People like to think that interracial relationships are completely accepted because of how many mixed children there are in the world. These people are wrong. We are not accepted by everyone, and we will probably never be accepted by everyone. That is something that you have to live with if this is what you want your romantic side of life to be. You are going to have to deal with the questions, the looks, the gossip, and the parental reactions. The truth is, ALL interracial relationships will have this problem, and so will intercultural relationships, international relationships, etc. We all have the same problem. But what people fail to see is that no one is just one pure race or culture. Everybody has a little of this and a little of that in their system. Everyone is indeed an interracial couple. Even those people who think they are
100% something, most likely aren’t. But the hardest part of the whole thing is looking at that person that you care so deeply about and watching them become affected by the struggle. It is extremely hard to watch your partner have to deal with the brunt of what you have already been through and come to accept. Most people like to stay in their safe zone and marry inside their race because society has told us that it is the “right and proper” thing to do. If society thinks that I’m going to follow the rules and regulations of preposterous etiquette and politics…it has got another thing coming. It’s not all bad if you can get past the ignorance of some of the people who live on this earth. It’s not that bad if you can simply block them out of your mind and continue to go on about your life. It’s not that much of a struggle if you don’t care what other people think or say. And in the end, it might be worthwhile. But don’t give up on a relationship that is doing perfectly fine and going through the struggle. Don’t refuse to try to be in an interracial relationship because you are scared of what people will say to you. And most of all, don’t fall into the rest of society’s gaping hole of ignorance.
Tuesday, September 2nd
Don’t Wait Until Midterms to See a Tutor Be Proactive and Start Now By Dan Langshaw The Cauldron Contributing Writer
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he school year has commenced, and there may already be some of you who are struggling in a course or two that might require a little extra throughout the semester. We know that Math or Organic Chemistry can be very difficult, especially without any help. Don’t wait until the day before midterms to get help - be proactive and get a tutor now. Not only is it a new school year, but the TASC (Tutoring and Academic Success Center) has a brand new location in MC 110 and entirely new programs available free to all CSU students. Some may remember the old tutoring center in the University Center. It was a sight for sore eyes, inaccessible, and lacked many useful services that students desperately needed. The good news is that just as the UC lies in rubble, so does the old way of doing tutoring on campus. Rising to the needs of the student body is TASC under the new leadership of Christine Vodicka, Coordinator of TASC and Supplemental Instruction here at the university. Arriving at Cleveland State only six months ago, she truly had her work cut out for her. “I saw that the tutoring center had the potential, but it needed help,” Vodicka said. Vodicka herself began as a student in desperate need of a tutor, and after seeking help resulted in her making the Dean’s List, she was inspired. She has been a tutor for college students, veterans, and adult learners for almost 12 years. Based on both her personal and professional experience; as the new Coordinator it was her mission “…to completely transform the tutoring center”. A testament to her leadership and dedication, the tutoring center has been transformed with a welcoming environment which offers free coffee, tea, helpful resources, and a variety of new services to students. Armed with over thirty well trained, friendly, motivated, and dedicated tutors, students can receive individualized tutoring in subjects as diverse as Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, History, Languages, Physics, Psychology and Sociology. Sessions are on a first-come first-serve appointment basis. Students can now keep the same tutor throughout the semester to have someone who can uniquely understand their needs and aid in their academic success. These are one-on-one appointments. If you are in a large lecture course or are taking a foreign language, study groups and
language discussion groups are available. If individualized tutoring and study groups are not what you need, how about meeting with a Success Coach? Success Coaches can meet with you once or even all semester long to help in such areas as: goal setting, note taking, organization, reading, time management, and test taking. Finally, one last new addition to TASC and Cleveland State University is the creation of Supplemental Instruction (SI). Vodicka created the SI program entirely from scratch with the modest goal of only having three to five sessions, but was pleasantly surprised with the response. Beginning this fall on campus there will be nineteen sections that are SI supported in sixteen courses. SI is a program designed to help students taking historically difficult courses with high withdrawal rates. In each course, a highly trained SI Leader models good student behavior by attending the course and taking notes, being attentive, asking questions, etc. The leader holds regular review sessions outside of class time to allow students to review material discussed in class, add to lecture notes, apply reading comprehension strategies, get help with assignments, and prepare for tests. TASC is working with many other departments on campus including athletics, and the Office of Disability Services to continue to expand the scope of the tutoring center. “I want to get students past the stigma of tutoring and make it viewed in a more positive light,” said Vodicka. On Sept. 2-5th from 9 a.m. -6 p.m. , TASC will be holding Intake Week in which students can visit MC 110 to register for 1:1 tutoring, study groups, language discussion groups, and success coaching. These are excellent ways to overcome the negative stigma of tutoring and prepare for academic success this semester. Studies have shown that students only remember 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, and 30% of what we see. However if students participate in individualized tutoring, study groups, language discussion groups, success coaching, and supplemental instruction (SI), they can do better by 70-90% as a result. If you are unable to make Intake Week, and would like a tutor, then call 216-687-5420, email tutoring@csuohio.edu , or just come and stop by MC 110. Being proactive equals better grades and a successful fall semester.
Cleveland Charter Revision Could Allow Private Discussions of Public Business City Council Divided By Sairah Zaidi The Cauldron Copy Editor
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he Cleveland City Council is discussing the possibility of a change to its charter which would permit private discussions of specific and limited public matters, and a decision about whether the issue will be placed on the November ballot must be decided by Sept. 4th. Section 28 of the city charter currently mandates that all meetings of the council and its various committees be held publicly, but other cit-
ies in Ohio have exercised the option, known as executive session, which is permitted under the state’s Sunshine Laws. These laws, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s website, are so named because “democracy flourishes when government operates in the sunshine, available to the citizens it serves and open to public scrutiny,” with the added caveat that “the balance between openness and privacy is a delicate one.”
News Issues deemed eligible for potential private discussion include but are not limited to the purchasing and selling of property, veterans service commissions, pending or imminent court action, security matters, and actions pertaining to public employees and officials such as hiring, dismissal, and disciplinary action. There are explicit restrictions on executive sessions – for example, the option may not be exercised to consider disciplining a public official for conduct which has compromised his/her public duties. Absent from the restrictions, however, is a mechanism to prevent abuse of executive session privilege and to enforce the restrictions laid out in the Sunshine Laws. The Plain Dealer reported that various media experts have concluded that executive sessions are frequently abused, but “not always intentionally.” The council members have been considerably divided on the issue, and in an emailed response to The Cauldron, Councilmen Jay Westbrook and Michael Polensek explained their reservations. Councilman Westbrook said he would support a charter revision only within the following strict guidelines: rigidly outlined legitimate uses of the executive session, stiff penalties for abuse of the privilege, full public notice of the invocation of the session, and a required 2/3 council vote as well as approval of the Council President. “I strongly support the principle of public session,” he stressed. He also cited historical abuses of executive privilege within the council, mentioning an Ohio Supreme Court case from the 1980’s in which the Cleveland City Council was found to be in violation of executive privilege. In a reference to some of the officials who have supported the current proposal, Michael Polensek wrote, “Even though the City Administration and the President of Cleveland City Council approves of the Executive Session recommendation, I have several concerns. As the Senior member of Cleveland City Council, I have been in this Body long enough to understand why the Council was taken to task many years ago and forced to adhere to the Ohio ‘Sunshine Laws’.” There were private meetings to specifically discuss the sale of Cleveland Public Power and tax abatement issues. “Many were denied access to those meetings even though we were members of City Council,” Polensek added. The three instances in which he would approve of executive sessions included personnel, Homeland Security, and attorney-client matters – different from Westbrook’s response only in that he did not include matters of competitive public enterprises in competition with private business, something which has been mentioned frequently in reference to Cleveland Public Power and First Energy. “We collectively have paid a terrible price in this City and in this County for decisions made in private,” Councilman Polensek continued. He added that his limited acceptance of the right of executive privilege did not extend to individual standing committees. “That is extremely dangerous and will lead to abuse.”
News
Tuesday, September 2nd
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Student Veterans of CSU Start a New Student Organization By Dan Langshaw The Cauldron Contributing Writer
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hey can be seen everywhere on campus carrying their camouflage print backpacks with the insignia U.S. on it or wearing shirts that say Army, Navy, or Marines. They may even be your friend, loved one, neighbor, or even a classmate sitting right next to you in the classroom. Who are they? Well, they are the brave young men and women who have served in the United States: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. These brave young men or women are truly heroes who have fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, or even just plainly have served in defense of freedom for our great nation. As a result of the tragic events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks gave rise to an increase in national patriotism, pride, a call to duty and enlistment in the Armed Forces of the United States. Just as related with this rise several years ago is the increase in the veteran population; most importantly the student veteran population at Ohio’s many public universities and colleges. One might be surprised to learn that Cleveland State University ranks second, after Ohio State University in having the most student veteran population on campus. Student veterans today face many unique challenges or struggles as a result of their combat service in Iraq or Afghanistan. Some have to deal with physical disabilities, PTSD, a death of a battle buddy, financial difficulties, and even just feel out of place being a civilian again. Student veterans almost feel like a culture shock returning back to United States and trading in their rucksacks, M-16’s, or hummvees; for backpacks, school books, pens, and cars. Returning to the classroom may even seem to some veterans being in a weird foreign country, just like how it felt to be on the ground in Iraq or Afghanistan while in the service.
Thankfully, there is hope for our heroes here on campus with the new student organization called the Student Veterans of Cleveland State University. All it took was small group of dedicated student veterans and one very ambitious Marine Corporal named, Cindy Miller. This brave young woman is a senior here at Cleveland State and in pursuing a degree in Sociology and Criminology. However, before she was a student here at the university, she was doing a tour in Iraq with Marine Corps Air Reserve; based out Youngstown, Ohio. After returning back from a tour of duty in Iraq, Cindy one day was looking on military.com and stumbled across a group called (SVA) Student Veterans of America; which is a national organization that ties all of the individual campus veteran clubs across the country together. SVA according to Corporal Miller “are our voice in Washington” and they have made a real name for themselves. They have worked closely with the VFW on the creation of the new GI Bill that has recently been passed by Congress. Being inspired to bring a SVA chapter to CSU, she immediately contacted the Midwest regional director of SVA who assisted her in how to go about creating a new chapter here in on campus. The purpose of the Student Veterans of Cleveland State Unversity is “veterans helping veterans”, said Cindy Miller. The new student organization is non-partisan in nature because the primary focus is to advocating for student veteran issues at the university, local, state, and national level. Veterans today face so much bureaucratic red tape that this new student organization will help with the transition from soldier to college student. Membership is open to all CSU student veterans, ROTC students, National Guard, and Reserves. One might be surprised that the group is also open to students who have a family member, loved one, a friend currently serving in the military or even just students who are supportive of members of the U.S. military. Membership has grown from just five students to close twenty-five and still growing. Currently the group is in the process of being officially
The Verzubian Political Notebook
Barack Obama
recognized by the university and is holding elections for this school years officers. If you’re interested in joining the organization or want to learn more about the group; they can be contacted at csuveterans@gmail.com or 440-258-3911. Of course if you’re a MySpacer, they can be found on there as at http://www.myspace.com/csuveterans. Student Veterans of CSU help fill that void left once vets leave the military and it works as a great addition to Cleveland State’s SERV (Serving, Educating, Returning Veterans) program. The program is head by Dr. John Schupp who is both Director for the SERV program and the new faculty advisor for the new student organization. SERV is designed to assist CSU’s veterans by offering select undergraduate classes available to only veterans. These smaller classes give veterans a chance to get to know people on campus to hopefully reduce the overwhelming feeling of being in a strange new environment. “I feel the impact of the group will be that we increase the number of GI grads from a level of less than 15% to greater than 40%”said Dr. Schupp. Who knew that a group of student veterans and one very determined Marine Corporal could create such a phenomenal new student organization. If they can start and new student organization, so can you. Currently CSU has an estimated 150-200 recognized student organizations on campus. According to the Department of Student Life, in order to establish a new student organization, there needs to be five currently enrolled CSU students to serve as charter members. The members need to recruit a full-time faculty or staff member to serve as advisor. Members also have to draft a constitution that defines and describes the mission, purpose, and goals of the organization. After the creation of a constitution it must be approved by the Constitution Review Committee in Student Life and be confirmed by the Faculty Senate. So if you like to start something new, then contact Dr. Mary Myers in the Department of Student Life for questions and assistance in the process at m.c.myers@csuohio.edu. Joe Biden
By Roman Verzub The Cauldron News Editor
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ith the Democrats poised to give the nomination of their party to Democratic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the party is now turning to ways they can attract undecided voters to vote their way in November. Hillary Clinton, previously Obama’s biggest adversary, called herself a “proud supporter of Barack Obama” and has encouraged her former supporters, many of whom say they will vote for John McCain or stay home and not vote at all, to support Obama. “Whether you voted for me, or for Barack,” she said at the convention, “the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose.” Many former Clinton supporters, like Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell are filled with feelings they call “not antiBarack Obama, [but] very much pro-Hillary Clinton.” Rendell says he will vote for Obama, because Clinton gave him her support. Anticipating focus on national security at the DNC, the campaign of Republican candidate John McCain released a new ad in key states showing Obama as “dangerously unprepared” on issues of defense and national security. The ad shows quotes of Obama describing Iran as a “tiny” country that “doesn’t pose a serious threat.” “Iran. Radical Islamic government. Known sponsors of terrorism. Developing nuclear capabilities to ‘generate power’ but threatening to eliminate Israel,” says the ad. “Terrorism, destroying Israel - those aren’t ‘serious threats’?” The Obama campaign’s latest ads seek to portray McCain as weak on the economy, using McCain’s December 2007 statement that “Economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should.” The ad goes on ask if we really want “four more years of the same tune,” continuing the campaign of referring to McCain as a continuation of George W. Bush’s presidential term.
Ted Kennedy
Hillary Clinton
News
Tuesday, September 2nd
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Cleveland Still Mourns Over the Loss of City Councilwoman Questions Arise Over Intended Interim Successor By Laura Krawczyk The Cauldron Copy Editor Stephanie Howse
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efore the tragic loss of Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, another death of a female powerhouse in politics also hit close to home: Cleveland City Councilwoman Fannie Mae Lewis. She represented Ward 7, Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood, in City Council for 28 years. Lewis, 82, had been battling rheumatoid arthritis, and after being admitted to the hospital several times since last September, died at Case Western Hospice. Although raised in Memphis, Tenn., Fannie relocated to Cleveland in 1951 after her marriage to Carlee Lewis. When race riots devastated the neighborhood on June 18, 1966, Lewis took a position of leadership, and was photographed by the Plain Dealer speaking to some of the more than 1,700 National Guardsmen sent to restore order. After the incident, where four were killed, 46 injured, and millions of dollars worth of damage was done to the buildings and residences along Hough Avenue,
A Cartoon by Michael Qiuntero Welcome back, Mike!
Fannie became dedicated to urban rebuilding. She was named recruitment coordinator for the Neighborhood Youth Corps, and director of the citizens’ division of the Model Cities program. Lewis’ mission was to speak for the underrepresented population of Cleveland’s impoverished East side, roughly between Euclid and Superior Avenues from East 55th Street to University Circle, protesting the destruction of public housing, and encouraging the construction of homes, such as Lexington Village and Crawford Estates. A law passed in 2003, dubbed “The Fannie Lewis Law,” required contractors who receive an excess of $100,000 for construction projects in the city to employ city residents to make up at least 20% of the workforce. Lewis headed the school voucher program, which underwent intense scrutiny in 2002 and was finally brought to the attention of the United States Supreme Court. The plan gives impoverished families the opportunity to enroll their children in private, often Catholic, schools as opposed to public ones. She was also the focus of “No Umbrella: Election Day in the City,” a documentary by Laura Paglin, which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, and was also shown at the Cleveland International Film Festival. The film exposed several of the flaws, implicitly biased against Cleveland’s Ward 7, during the 2004 presidential election such as limited staff, no ballots, and a shortage of voting machines, which forced residents to wait hours to cast their vote. Lewis’ fame stretched beyond her hometown, inducted into the Ohio Women Hall of Fame in 1996. Governor Strickland said of her, “I am saddened to learn of the loss of Fannie Lewis, a truly great Clevelander. . . Through the turbulent times and the tranquil times, she always worked tirelessly on behalf of her community.” Even frequent political opponent George Voinovich had nothing but praise for her, saying “Fannie Lewis was a wonderful human being who took the talents God gave her and worked tirelessly for those who had no voice in Hough and throughout the city. She was unrelenting and passionate in her advocacy and she was the genesis of the rebirth of Hough. I refer to her warmly as the mayor of Hough.” Stephanie Howse was appointed on Aug. 18 to hold Lewis’ seat, which she challenged only three years earlier. The decision has received a wealth of criticism, Howse herself replying that she “was shocked and in awe,” upon being notified that she was to fill Lewis’ seat. There have been requests from a faction of Democratic Ward 7 members that more time be allowed for the selection of an appointee, and allegations have been made that Howse was not Lewis’ intended interim successor, although Lewis never publicly addressed her wishes. Much of the criticism, however, concerns the fact that some Ward members desire an interim that would not be actively campaigning, as Howse will be to retain her position until the end of 2009. A special election in November will be held, and it is anticipated that several candidates will be vying for the seat. At 28, Stephanie Howse is the youngest appointed Cleveland City Council member in history. She is the daughter of Annie Key, who was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2000. After earning her B.A. in civil engineering from Florida A&M University, she received her M.A. in environmental studies from Cleveland State. She currently holds the position of field director for the Ohio Democratic Party, and is co-founder of Footprints, a community organization for teenage girls. At Lewis’ memorial service, Howse said “I’m definitely humbled and honored that she even considered me to lead our community and to build on her legacy.”
GOP Convention Promises to Rally Republicans, Others By Roman Verzub The Cauldron News Editor
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he Republican National Convention, scheduled Sept. 1 through 4th is heating up. Like the Democratic equivalent, the convention will be streamed on the Internet and will feature long standing party members, and rising stars in the party. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, a rising star in the party, will join the likes of several former candidates, including former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney, for Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani at the convention, meant to “highlight service, reform, prosperity and peace” of the Republican party and its Senator John McCain of Arizona. In accordance with the emerging web technologies, the RNC has worked hard to have a heavy investment in the Internet, and social networking sites, like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Furthermore, Google has been named “Official Innovation Provider”for the convention. “This is a very exciting development,” said Maria Cino, the President and CEO of the convention in a video posted on its YouTube channel gopconvention2008, “and is another huge step in making our convention the most high-tech savvy in history.” The convention maintains the Grand old Blog, a play on the Grand Old Party nickname of the Republican Party. “The 2008 Republican National Convention will utilize numerous mediums – both emerging and traditional,” the blog says, “to share our nominee’s vision with the American people.” This is the second time the “blogosphere” has had a presence at the RNC. At the 2004 convention in the famed Madison Square Garden arena in New York, bloggers joined traditional media outlets to report the goings on at the convention.
Lost or confused? Tips for New CSU Students An In Depth Rundown on Making Life Easier as a Viking By Nick Camino & Chris Enoch The Cauldron’s Editor-In-Chief & Managing Editor
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he first week of the 2008 Fall Semester has already been completed, but while many are merely looking ahead to the next 14 weeks of the seemingly never ending semester, some new freshman and transfer students may still be a bit lost in the transition process of coming into a new university. Don’t panic! The following tips and helpful information should clear up any confusion or nerves one may still have during just the second week of classes:
other events, sometimes even traveling with the team. There are many groups and activities on the campus of Cleveland State that it is virtually impossible to name them all, but simply asking people on campus or looking up groups at www.csuohio.edu will answer any uncertainties that one may have about getting involved in something outside of academics.
Buying Supplies: Perhaps the biggest burden to bear as a firstyear student is the ever-rising cost of textbooks and course materials. After writing $350 checks as freshmen to the Cleveland State University Free time outside of the classroom: Obviously classes, assign- Bookstore, many consider changing their majors to Composition so that ments, and tests are most important at Cleveland State just like at any someday they rake in the big bucks these publishers and textbook auother institution, however there are many clubs, activities, and groups thors must inevitably make. While the switch of a major usually never to get involved in on campus. CSU has everything from different so- takes place, pledge to find yourself a new and affordable way to handle rorities and fraternities that students can rush for to a very competitive the economic pinch book-buying inescapably that is put on freshmen rowing team that competes against other colleges in the area. to seniors alike. For students who want to report or become involved in print media, CSU offers a student newspaper, The Cauldron (what you are readShop around: While the CSU Bookstore may have the most extening right now), two magazines, The Vindicator and Whiskey Island, and sive and all-inclusive collection of college texts, this bookstore certainly has its own student run radio station as well, WCSB 89.3. isn’t the only bookstore on campus, let alone in the Greater Cleveland Any CSU student looking to get involved in athletics can join intra- area. The most immediate alternative is only a stone’s throw away. murals by contacting the Recreation Center on campus. Many different Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, located at 2020 Euclid Avenue sports are offered including flag football and basketball. If you have (and therefore just as close as the CSU Bookstore) carries many of the enough time, dedication, and are obviously good enough, the univer- same textbooks the CSU Bookstore keeps in stock and occasionally, at sity offers club sports, but this is not just to have fun. Club sports such cheaper prices. Aside from this store, there are plenty of other regular as rowing and wrestling are highly competitive and are not just for the Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, B. Dalton and other mall and average student. outlet stores which hold books you may be in the market for. The book Other activities to get involved in include Vikettes, the CSU dance store Half Price Books is particularly useful for finding bargain college team that performs at men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as texts, and as the store’s name implies, the books they sell are typically
half off the normal on-shelf price. While the store’s selection may not be as broad, if you search hard enough, you may discover a few gems. Shop on-line: Local shops and booksellers are hardly the only option that students have to find affordable textbooks. One advantage of living in the digital age is the increased number of opportunities to find the items you’re looking for through on-line shopping services and vendors. Usually, you can find used books through these same websites too. This is an asset to many CSU students, especially those who can’t find their texts used when turning to the traditional options for purchasing books. Half.com, Amazon.com, BigWords.com and Abebooks.com are just a few options for online purchasing. While cheap prices and wide selection typically characterize the on-line shopping experience, shopping on-line doesn’t come without a few negatives. Exorbitant shipping fees can cut in to the money you initially save and the books may not arrive as expediently as you need them. Many students are hesitant about revealing their credit/debit card information online and rightly so. When buying online, be sure to check out the seller’s credentials. Typically, many sites offer reviews in the form of past customers experiences buying books from a particular vendor. Caveat emptor: be sure to read the fine print before making any moves in the wired world. Split costs with friends: Are you and a friend planning on taking some of the same general education style courses at Cleveland State but during different semesters or years? How about different courses toward the same degree or major? Split the cost of books! Incoming freshmen find themselves taking many of the same courses for their first two years of study to satisfy University requirements. If CSU can count on many of its students taking the same courses year in and year
Photography by Steve Thomas
out, there should be no reason to invest in textbooks for these courses sources to its students for the purposes of maintaining high grade point with a friend and save plenty of ‘Benjamins’ in the process. averages and finding help where assistance is needed. Whether you’re an avid researcher or a first-year student worrying about that upcoming Getting good grades: The importance of maintaining a solid grade midterm, CSU has options, free options, to help you advance your grades point average is widespread to incoming students and seasoned gradu- and scholarly stature. The Tutoring and Academic Success Center, located ates alike. Good grades at the collegiate level create positive distinctions at MC 110, is one of such resources. The center starts Intake week Sep. among job applicants entering the working world. The habits and work 2. Give them a good perusal before you start fretting about upcoming ethic you develop at the college level follow you well past your college papers and tests. The Writing Center is another area of focus for students years. So pay attention freshmen and newcomers… who feel unsure about their essays and literary work. The center maintains its own tutors who help students on their way to becoming “more Get what you pay for: Cleveland State offers a multitude of re- confident, comfortable writers.” They even carry plenty of reference
books to inspect before you submit your paper to intense professorial scrutiny, so check them out. The Math Learning Center can be found in MC 471 for advice on any range of subjects in the mathematics discipline- calculus, statistics, probabilities, you name it. Student Support Services is yet another asset for the curious mind. Located on the first floor of the Main Classroom Student Center, Student Support Services perform a number of functions, including academic skill sessions, advising and even career planning seminars. The bond that connects all of these services is that each of them are available at no cost to the student. Use them! You pay for them every time you write that tuition check to Cleveland State.
12 Arts & Entertainment
Tuesday, September 2nd
The Fratellis
What’s Up with Jon Fratelli?!? By Faith Larraine The Cauldron Arts & Entertainment Editor
Jon Fratelli
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on Fratelli is the lead singer of the band The Fratellis, formed in 2005. Even though Jon and the band are in the UK at the moment, he was kind enough to give us an interview. He did not want to answer questions about his wedding, but he did give us everything else. The Cauldron: Where are you and what are you doing right now? Jon Fratelli: I’m in Glasgow flogging the life out of a dead horse. TC: Ok. Well…all the band members have the last name Fratelli. Brothers? Cousins? Coincidence? Jon: Laziness, when you first meet and don’t know each others real surnames you figure that Fratelli will do. TC: Here We Stand just recently came out in June. How bright is the spotlight starting to show on The Fratellis from this new album?
Jon: Who knows? I don’t really ask. We’re very proud of the fact that we’ve made the album that we wanted to make and not what others wanted from us. It’s really great to play live too. TC: What was it like winning the 2007 Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act? Jon: It was pretty great. The award was voted for by the public and there’s no greater bunch of people to be given an award by. TC: What was it like playing with The Who at the Scottish Festival? Did they play the CSI theme song “Who Are You”? Jon: They didn’t but so far in our career we’ve played the Seeker with both Pete and Roger and they’re the kind of days you don’t forget. We could have played Polly Wally Doodle and been happy. TC: Henrietta? Chelsea Dagger? Were these songs from your debut album Costello Music named after some special women? Or is it just a coincidence? Jon: If that one special woman was my woman and she read the lyrics I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy. TC: Is there a band out there that you used to listen to but now wouldn’t admit to liking today? Jon: I’m ashamed of nothing! TC: So I need some advice. I see you play the guitar. I have an acoustic guitar at home that I am learning on, but I have a huge problem with switching my fingers between strings quickly. What’s a tip, trick, or technique I can use to better my finger switching? Jon: About ten years. I was a really slow learner and my fingers are still quite weak especially when it comes to playing acoustics. My advice would be to
CD Reviews
Foodies open your mouths:
By Emily Ouzts The Cauldron Staff Writer
Solange Knowles, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams If your older sister had sold over 20 million albums worldwide and had a new singles on the radio approximately every three hours, putting out your own successful album can be a somewhat difficult task. Solange Knowles, singer, actress, and sister of all but little-known recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, gives it a shot – and the result is surprisingly well done. Her second album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, is fun, jazzy, and seeped in youthful soul – a refreshing deviation from the heavy hooks and bloated vocals that make up the current R&B scene. Solange did her homework on the album, pulling samples from old-school soul, and keeping it simple with limited input from anonymous rappers. She may not be a powerhouse, but on her own two feet and nobody else’s coattails, Solange Knowles does just fine.
burn your acoustic, buy yourself an electric and an amp, turn the volume up and pretend you can play, like me! TC: What are your feelings about doing music videos? Jon: I hate doing videos. I’m not a very visual person, I only see colors when it comes to music. TC: Can I be in one of your videos? Jon: Anyone can be in our videos as long as we can stay at home. Got any ideas? TC: I’ll think of some. But…do you think that once bands start getting too much airtime and start making music videos for MTV, they have basically become a sell out? Is it almost like a point of no return since most of the real talent starts to fly out the window and be covered in mainstream stupidity? Jon: Possibly. It’s hard not to get caught up in the fun of it all though. Maybe the best thing that happens to a band is they get too much too soon, realize it’s all bollocks and not spend the rest of there lives chasing someone else’s vision of success. Music is the most important thing. TC: How do you feel about coming to Cleveland? Do you have your pepper spray ready? Jon: Is that a film reference? Sorry I don’t watch enough TV. TC: No…that was a genuine question. Jon: I love America so I am looking forward to Cleveland having never been here before. I’m going to go catch Cleveland Browns game. TC: That could be a walking disappointment. Anyways, do you have any band or personal secret you want to share with your Cleveland State University fan base? Jon: Well seeing as it’s a University, my secret would be that I lasted exactly 56 minutes in college before dropping out!
Let the debates begin… By Eric Sever The Cauldron Contributing Writer
B.B. King, One Kind Favor It’s hard to argue with a B.B. King album, and we’re certainly not about to start now. One Kind Favor, the blues legend’s first studio album in three years, brings back the sound that made him famous in the 50’s and made blues sexy every decade since. Though King has famously collaborated with U2 and Eric Clapton, One Kind Favor is just him and his beloved guitar, Lucille, once again delivering the stuff of greatness. Bluesy soul simmers off of every track, from the deep opening riffs of the title track to the somber piano notes on the closer, “Tomorrow Night.” In between, the blues are guttural yet laid-back, making each note sound exactly as authentic as it should. On One Kind Favor, romance has heart and sorrow has soul, lifting the sound from music to essence. Listen up, Alicia Keys and John Mayer – this is how it’s done.
Cleveland’s culinary world has been at the forefront of the revitalization of a metropolis that Forbes Magazine recently named “one of the nation’s fastest dying cities.” In neighborhoods previously experiencing cultural slumps, amazing eateries have popped up, as in The Warehouse District, Tremont, East Fourth, and the Detroit Shoreway. The city boasts a centuries-old traditional of fresh, artisan groceries in the West Side Market on West 25th Street, as well as any number of local farmer’s markets. Of course, then there is the national attention and epicurean pride brought to the city by Michael Symon’s continuing successes on The Food Network. To put it simply, and this may be news to many, there is fabulous food culture here in Cleveland. The challenge with restaurant and food culture is that it is largely word-of-mouth. Even more challenging is finding suggestions that fit into the college student lifestyle. Few of us have the money or time to blow on a nine course, fine-dining experience. A good culinary resource for the CSU community would also take into account sometimes finicky palate of Midwest youth.
Arts & Entertainment
Tuesday, September 2nd Though I love foie gras and beef carpaccio (look them up, people), I’m a typical college student who usually just wants a juicy burger, a wellmade pizza, or a hearty salad. Okay, okay, so I threw “salad” in there, because, again like most college students, I need to attempt better nutrition. As one of you, I want to explore and discuss the foods that satisfy our palates without draining our wallets or canceling out our daily workouts. (Okay, okay, my monthly workouts.) Of course discussion requires that all of you foodies out there send suggestions my way. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me I’m right. Tell me you think I’m wrong, but try to relate it to food somehow. I want to know what foods you love, what restaurants you frequent. Who’s got the best deals? Where is there a mouthwatering, must-have dish? Word-of mouth is how it all works. Now, let the games begin. Debate #1-Best Burgers Buckeye Beer Engine My vote for the best burgers in the Cleveland area is the Buckeye Beer Engine. No matter which of the amazing sandwiches you choose, the perfectly-seasoned, perfectly-cooked burger makes a tasty canvas for the fabulous toppings. Particularly good is the West Side Burger ($8.75), topped with caramelized onions, sour cream, and a locallymade cheddar potato pierogi. On one visit, our waitress, Jennifer, tells us the most popular burger is the Tuscan Burger ($9). With good reason — the burger is topped with applewood smoked bacon, rosemary goat cheese, roasted red peppers and carmelized balsamic onions. It is amazing! Prices range from Burger in the Buff ($7) up to the mammoth Double Sasquatch Burger ($10.75) with two of the fabulous, half-pound burgers. Yes, that’s a full pound of beef, my collegiate friends! This beast is topped with BBQ sauce, hot pepper jack cheese, and a crunchy onion ring. Be sure to ask about the burger of the month, they rarely disappoint. The cost of any burger includes homemade Buckeye Chips and another BBE specialty — a deep fried pickle. I cannot claim any nutritional value to either, but will certainly defend their deliciousness. Eat the pickle first, as they’re best hot out of the fryer. An excellent, lighter choice for a side is their exceptional fruit cup. That may sound odd, but it is an abundant helping of all fresh produce, full of color and flavor. Its light sweetness pairs well with the hearty burgers. For $.50 extra, I recommend getting their rosemary and sea salt shoestring fries instead of chips. Whichever you get, smother them in the homemade ketchup, chunky with garlicky goodness. For vegetarians, a large grilled portabella cap or a black bean burger may be substituted for any of their signature burgers. My veg friends love them. For the carb conscious, there is a Lightweight Burger, bunless and served with grilled, mushrooms, caramelized onions and a crisp side salad. In terms of holistic health, this is a rare burger joint that follows the rule of using fresh, local ingredients. I cannot say this enough, but considerations about fat and caloric intake should take a back seat to concerns about keeping foods minimally processed and preservative free. The quality and wholeness of the food, being as close to nature as
possible, is more important than the bottom line nutritional information. Though beer’s health benefits are debatable at best, it is a wonderful compliment to the burgers. With an ever-changing list of 27 premium drafts, two casks, and 100+ bottles, there should be an ale, lager, stout, porter, or cider for every beer drinker. “We are very particular about constantly rotating the drafts,” owner Garin Wright excitedly explains. He proudly points out daily changes and specialty beers. “We change the beer list up daily, for each season, for each holiday.” Wright’s dedication to local product includes many of the beers, several brewed locally at the restaurant’s sister business, the Buckeye Brewing Company. Sampler sizes are also available for their entire draft list, so try a few. Four sample glasses equals one pint. Buckeye Beer Engine keeps it fresh with excellent daily, weekly and monthly specials, often with a heavy German slant. However it is their consistency in making a juicy, flavorful burger and providing a constant flow of sophisticated beers that keeps them coming back. Buckeye Beer Engine 15315 Madison Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107 216-226-2337 buckeyebeerengine.com (Full Menu) Honorable mentions Bar Cento Better known for fabulous pizzas, rising star chef Jonathan Sawyer offers a one delicious burger on the menu of his Ohio City hot spot. With spring onions and Urgalea cheese, the flavorful burger has a refined touch, but is still a hearty hunk of meat. Be sure to pair it with their amazing fries, served with fresh rosemary springs and a trio of Belgium mayos-garlic, chile, and curry. Bar Cento also offers a Veggi Burger. Best of all, either burger is available for $6 during Happy Hour (4:30-7:00). 1948 W. 25th St. Cleveland, Ohio, 44113 ( 216) 344 - 9944 www.barcento.com Bearden’s The Bearden’s patty itself is decent; however it is the unique topping that got this hamburger on the list. The Peanutburger is covered in melted peanut butter. Amazingly though, the rich nuttiness plays nicely off of the juicy beef. The waitress advised that most people get it with sweet pickles, but it’s better without. At $3.35, the price is certainly right as well. Order it with their homemade beer-battered onion rings. 19985 Lake Rd. Rocky River, Ohio 44116 (440) 331 - 7850 www.beardens-cleveland.com Agree? Disagree? Have I missed a major contender? Let me know where your favorite burgers are. I’ll gladly try any restaurant, and will certainly admit if you’ve proven me wrong. It’ll be rough, but in the pursuit of fair reporting, I will make it my personal mission to sample all viable suggestions. If your food find beats out mine, you’ll see your name and suggestion printed in my future columns. Please send all comments to e.sever@csuohio.edu
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The Cauldron Mailbag: Concerts, Plays, & Events By Faith Larraine The Cauldron Arts & Entertainment Editor
• The CSU Library will be having an ice cream social on Thursday, Sep. 4 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy ice cream at the free event, and there will also be some library giveaways. • On Sat. Sep. 6, faculty, students, and staff are asked to volunteer at the Polish Cultural Garden. Come dressed in appropriate clothing, ready to plant and garden. Parking will be available at the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, or you can hop on the No. 1 St. Clair bus. Bring family and friends as well. To RSVP, call (216) 687-2048. Include the number of expected guests coming, so that Volunteer and Community Service can plan accordingly. In case of a cancellation due to heavy rain, you will be contacted via e-mail or telephone. This is considered a CSU Service Day. • Have some “Keyboard Conversations” with Jeffrey Siegel on Sunday, Sep. 28 at 3 p.m. His concert, which includes informative commentary on the pieces prior to his performance of them, will be held at Waetjen Auditorium and is open to the public. CSU music students receive free admission, $5 for all other students, $15 for seniors, and $20 for adults. For more information, contact the music department or call (216)-687-5018. • Team CSU will be having a Cabaret-style dinner at Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club on Friday, Sep. 12. Join them for dinner and a thrilling murder mystery that will keep you guessing. Pickwick & Frolic is located at 2035 E. 4th St. The reception is at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and includes the following: – Valet Parking at the East 4th Street Garage (enter off East 4th Street and Prospect Avenue). – Reception in Kevin’s Martini Bar which includes hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets per person. – Dinner and entertainment in the Cabaret Room. Dinner entrées are served with a salad, vegetable and starch side, along with coffee and dessert. You can select your dinner choice from one of the following 4 entrées: • Chicken Marsala • Prime Rib (8 oz.) • Baked Tilapia • Mild Chipotle Penne Pasta with vegetables, beans and marinara • Seating is limited to the first 100 guests so sign up early.
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Engaged Theatre:
A Labor of “Love” for Dramatic Arts Students ByEric Sever The Cauldron Contributing Writer
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ith its first production of the season, CSU’s Dramatic Arts department firmly places creative control in the hands of the students. Minimizing faculty involvement, “Love’s Fire” is complex, funny, and thought-provoking, due almost exclusively to the varied talents of CSU theatre majors. “I searched for a project the students could take on for themselves,” said Assistant Professor of Theatre Holly Holsinger. Holsinger developed the project with the idea that student’s would have the opportunity to direct and design their own productions. She felt “Love’s Fire” was an excellent choice because its structure. The show is a series of six short plays, ranging from comedic to philosophical, written by celebrated playwrights. Each is based on a Shakespearian love sonnet and each explores the trials of love, in its many forms, in modern settings. Aside from directing one of the short plays herself, Holsinger placed the theatrical reigns entirely in the hands of some talented student directors. Many of them pull double duty; acting as well. In fact, all cast and crew is made up entirely of students, with many taking multiple roles. Further engaging their talents, several of the plays incorporate dance, vocals, and music. While each of the pieces is unique and entertaining, highpoints in-
cluded 140 written by Marsha Norman, The General of Hot Desire written by John Guare, and Bitter Sauce written by Eric Bogosian. Director Denise Astorino cleverly adds a tragic Greek chorus to her production of 140. Bittersweet but ultimately hopeful, the story follows a chain of infidelity, until one of the betrayed lovers finally finds true, redeeming love. “I really liked how simplistic it was about human relationships and the way we connect,” Astorino said, describing what drew her to the play. Astorino specifically selected which piece she wanted to direct, as did all of the others. John Paul Soto may have taken on the most complicated of all of the plays. The General of Hot Desire is the story of a group of scholars heatedly debating Shakespeare and religion. It is an exploration of art’s ability to connect humanity with a divine power. “I thought the play reflected the evening well-what we’re trying to do here,” Soto explained. Working with the weightiest themes, multiple layers of reality, and the largest cast didn’t faze Soto as all. Excellently staged with a flair for the abstract, Soto’s brave effort proves a success. Bitter Sauce, directed by James Kosmatka, gets the most laughs as it tells the story of a young man who learns an unpleasant secret from his in-
to have similar traits to their ancestors, as recognized by the matriarch One Hundred Years of Solitude Review pear of the family household, Ursula Buendia — even to a point where two By Laura Krawczyk The Cauldron Copy Editor
twins were said to have been switched at birth because they act more like their brother’s namesake instead of their own. Although the similar family names lend to the theme of the book of hen one thinks of a fantasy book, images of early colonial South America do not readily come to mind. Granted, One Hundred the cyclical nature of time, it gets to the point of confusion by the third or Years of Solitude is not entirely a fantasy novel; it is a realistic fic- fourth generation of José’s, Aureliano’s, and Arcadio’s. You will most defition novel, with various fantastical elements to it (labeled “magical realism” nitely need to use the family tree (the author anticipated this) at the beginning of the book to follow who is who throughout the course of the novel. by those desirous of proper genre titles). The isolated town falls into crisis when invaded by members of the It is, though, brimming with stories of gypsies, alchemy, superstition, prophecy, and the possibility of ascension into heaven while doing the outside world; first, the government, and the exotic prostitutes, and finally laundry. The novel follows the development of the fictional town Macondo, the railroad. Foreigners end up taking over, and exploiting the people and their land to establish banana plantations. When the citizens attempt to and more specifically, the Buendia family. Through a total of seven generations, the reader is introduced to the stand up and return the land to their way of living, things go from bad changing, yet stagnant, people of Macondo. While new characters are to worse. A final mystery remains at the end, when the last remaining constantly introduced, and a multitude of children are born in-and-out of Buendia discovers a set of prophecies from an ancient gypsy, who had bewedlock, and in incestuous and non-incestuous relationships, they all ap- friended José Arcadio Buendía when the settlement was first established
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toxicated fiancée. Kosmatka and the cast capture some great bits of physical humor. Members of all six casts put in fine performances, with a special mention to the tricky work of the ensemble cast of The General of Hot Desire. Actor Randy Muchowski was also a standout for the distinct personalities he gives to two very different roles. One is a sultry, vulnerable performance as a passionate gay man. The other is an inspired comedic turn as an increasingly-crazed romantic who is betrayed by his raunchy girlfriend. Holsinger, who oversaw the production as Project Director, believed the shorter pieces by such great writers would provide rich material without being daunting for the student’s to undertake. It would also provide enough short productions for several students to have the opportunity to direct. In total, 25 CSU theatre majors participated to make the production an evening of intelligent entertainment. Now running from August 28-31 and September 4-7, with Thursday –Saturday shows beginning at 8 p.m. and Sundays shows at 2 p.m. All performances take place at CSU’s Factory Theatre, located on East 24th Street between Chester and Payne. Tickets are FREE for CSU students, $5 for faculty/staff, and $10 for general admission. Box office reservations can be made at (216) 687 – 2109. — was the entire history of the town preordained? One Hundred Years of Solitude is Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Nobel Prizewinning magnum opus. In many ways it fictionally represents the history of Marquez’s native country Columbia: from its founding, to the influence of inventions and religions, to its “corruption” from Western influences. True to its intent of remembering your roots, the book was first published in Spanish, in 1967, and then translated into English three years later. The idea of reading and the importance of language bring the story to its conclusion, with Aureliano’s private thoughts while translating the Sanskrit prophecies. “Before reaching the final line, however, he had already understood that he would never leave that room, for it was foreseen that the city of mirrors (or mirages) would be wiped out by the wind and exiled from the memory of men… and that everything written on them was unrepeatable since from time immemorial and forever more, because races condemned to one hundred years of solitude did not have a second opportunity on earth.”
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Choke: A Story of Lust, Love, and Lunacy By Laura Krawczyk The Cauldron Copy Editor
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o what do sex addicts, imitation colonial villages, half-clones of Jesus, and mothers who are runaway felons all have in common? They can all be found in the upcoming movie, Choke. This is the second book-made-movie of Chuck Palahniuk’s, acclaimed writer of cult classic Fight Club, which was also translated onto film. Choke premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, and was later purchased by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Victor Mancini, portrayed by Sam Rockwell (Matchstick Men, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind), is the disturbed young antagonist of this story. During his days, Victor is “the backbone of Colonial America,” working as an Irish indentured servant at a historical theme park. He splits his nights, however, between Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings (where he can usually be found getting intimate with a fellow sex addict in the bathroom), and scamming people into giving him money by posing as a choking victim at a restaurant. His remaining morals, however, force him to spend the money financing his mother’s relentless hospital bills. His mother, played by Academy Award Winner Anjelica Houston (The Addams Family, Royal Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic), was incessantly on the run from authorities throughout his childhood, kidnapping Victor and taking him on wild escapades with her. She is committed to a state hospital with an advanced case of dementia, torturing Victor during visits by
recognizing him only as her deceased lawyer, and griping unknowingly of her “failure” of a son to him. On a brighter side, it is at the hospital that Victor meets the first woman that he feels stronger emotions for than merely sexual, who happens to be his mother’s doctor, Paige Marshall. When his mother reveals, nearing her deathbed, that she has lied about the true identity of Victor’s father, it becomes a race against the clock to get her to recognize him and divulge his true origins. Enlisting the help of Paige and his best friend Denny, Victor’s search for identity is sweet, dramatic, and utterly hilarious. The film version was created by actor and screenwriter Clark Gregg, who also wrote What Lies Beneath, has been featured in such TV shows as The West Wing, Will & Grace, and Sex and the City, and also played Agent Coulson in the summer box office hit Iron Man. “It’s a tricky adaptation,” comments Gregg, “because like a lot of Chuck’s work, it operates in a heightened satirical, dark world, yet this one is one of his black romantic comedies, so getting the tone right took me some time.” If you want a romantic comedy with a sardonic, rather twisted plot line, this movie is the choice for you. Scheduled to hit theaters Sep. 28, it probably won’t turn up at the top of the box office charts, but it truly is a memorable and unique film that is sure to entertain, and with some luck, might teach us a thing or two about life.
Dispatches from the Edge
A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival By Laura Krawczyk The Cauldron Copy Editor
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nderson Cooper, America’s poster boy for crisis reporting, came out with Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival last year. The book, primarily an autobiography, chronicles his journey into the world of journalism, and also explains his penchant for covering wars and catastrophes around the globe. Host of his own primetime news show on CNN, Anderson Cooper 360º, who would have ever thought that he had once been denied an entry level position at ABC News, or had to fake a press pass to get his start as a reporter? It was amazing to read his first-hand accounts of recent international disasters, such as the tsunami in Sri-Lanka, genocide in Rwanda, the war in Iraq, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The danger of becoming numb to all of the human suffering was a major struggle for him, and he constantly strove to put situations into a human perspective, not simply reporting “casualties,” but presenting personal stories of loss. As he says on his website, “We all like to say, ‘Oh, we could never forget such a tragedy.’ But the truth is tragedies are forgotten all the time. The media moves on, and so do people’s lives.” This book gives him the opportunity to reveal the details of his experiences, at a depth that a two-minute clip on TV cannot even begin to reach. His personal attachment to the news he reports on has earned him respect among viewers and readers, as demonstrated by his confrontation with Senator Mary Landrieu during an interview after Katrina. After a laundry list of government officials she began thanking during the filming, Cooper, frustrated, interrupted her saying “for the last four days, I have been seeing dead bodies here in the streets of Mississippi and to listen to politicians thanking each other and complimenting each other… There are a lot of people here who are kind of ashamed of what is happening in this country right now… There are people that want answers, and people want someone to stand up and say: we should have done more.” With an honestly concerned and unabashedly direct newscast like that, who couldn’t love him? On a more intimate level of his, however, it was intriguing to see and understand the logic behind a boy, born into the famous Vanderbilt family and raised in Manhattan, who chooses instead to abandon the fame and retreat to the most abused and forgotten corners of the world. Struggling with identity, Cooper also dealt with coping with personal loss, first of his father to a heart attack as a young boy, and then to his brother’s suicide during his early adulthood. After graduating from the famous prep school Dalton, Cooper took a sabbatical to Kenya, which he says was “a place to forget and be forgotten in.” Although at times eloquent and insightful, it is evident throughout that this is his first venture at authoring a book, and it reads rather lackluster at times. While perhaps not the most amazing writing, Cooper certainly makes up for it with some of the most amazing stories he has been able to capture within this book.
Anderson Cooper
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Tuesday, September 2nd
Soccer Squads Look to Reverse Misfortunes of Last Year Coaches Falor and Kazemaini Look to Breakout By Robert Ivory The Cauldron Sports Editor
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he 2007 season was not a good year to be a soccer fan at Cleveland State. It was to be the breakout year for the men and the women who were still looking to solve their problems. After a competitive 2006 campaign, which included six wins and a new coach to take them forward, the men’s team regressed and fell below, winning only three games. As for the Lady Vikes, Derek Falor’s fourth year under the helm was another small step and injuries plagued the squad. Cleary more questions than answers. This is a new year and rejuvenation looks to be in the step of both of these clubs. “I think we finally have the depth and the talent to make a big step in the standings,” Coach Falor explained before their 2-1 exhibition defeat against Kent State. “The team is feeling it too, they are energized and training hard.” The women’s squad could definitely be the team to make the biggest rebound in the Horizon League. Last year was a significant year for the program. Although they were in the bottom half of the standings, the team recorded their first Horizon League victories and tie in the history of the program. In addition, the 2-1 defeat of Youngstown State in extra time gave them their first playoff win. “It’s good to think of where you have been and where you are going to go,” senior defender Abbie Kakias revealed about her last season as a Viking. Many strides have been made since their 0-20-0 record in 2004, the first year of women’s soccer program at CSU. The basis of this year’s expanded roster can be contributed to the ten incoming freshmen to the roster. “We are going to play our system,” senior forward Jennifer Wieland said of her club. “With the talent coming off the bench, we are going to play CSU’s soccer.” The team has finally grown and now looks like a competing squad. Falor has looked around the country and found the group that will make some noise in the standings. But, the most important aspect of Falor’s team is he has three starters that will be freshmen. This will allow those ahead of the curve to grow as they play, and by their senior year, be not only the best players at Cleveland Sate, but also in the entire Horizon League. “We are looking to challenging the top tier teams in the league,” Falor added. “We want to be knocking on the door.” As for the men’s squad, it looks like the Vikings are going to struggle through another tough season. But, head coach Al Kazemaini has shocked the Viking Village once with a 6-10-2 season (which was good enough for the most improved program in NCAA Division I, his first year as coach). “We hope to linger around the .500 mark and get past the first round of the playoffs,” Kazemaini stated as the team’s goals for the season. For that to happen this year, they must win four conference games and win at least a pair of home games, something they failed to do last year. “We shouldn’t have to be in the bottom of the conference,” Kazemaini described of his plans. “Really, our conference games are the ones that are most important.”
Rising Star Sophomore Goalie Nick Harpel will be a main contributor to the Men’s Squad. Nick finished last year with a 3-7-3 record with 4 shutouts
Women’s Head Coach Derek Falor looks on as his squad gets ready for their exhibition match against the Kent State.
CSU Men’s Soccer Fall 2008 Schedule
CSU Womenn’s Soccer Fall 2008 Schedule
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Sports
Tuesday, September 2nd
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CSU Swimmer Makes a Splash in Beijing Nedim Nisic Competes for Home Nation in Olympics By Robert Ivory The Cauldron Sports Editor
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or most students at Cleveland State, the summertime can bring different opportunities as they may work the summer to spend all their money on textbooks in the fall, get ahead of the game and take several summer classes, or take a little bit of their savings out and go on a nice trip to New York, Chicago, or Washington D.C. But for Senior Nedim Nisic, he took a trip that he will never forget. Nedim was fortunate enough to fly to China and participate in the XXIX Olympiad. He was the only swimming representative of his home nation of Bosnia, and competed in the second heat of 100m butterfly, as he would finish with a time of 57.16. “It was a great experience,” Nedim said of his opportunity. “I have swam in World Championships and other major competitions in Europe, but this was something special.” For Nedim, this will help him as he gears up for his final year as a
Viking, which starts October 10, as they meet the University of Notre Dame on the South Bend campus. “My teammates are just thrilled. I am just very happy to have great friends in my teammates,”Nedim said. Along the journey, Head Aquatics Coach, Wally Morton, kept a blog of their travels throughout the land (go to Cleveland State’s main athletic page to see all of Morton’s blogs from China at www.csuvikings.com), as he would accompany Nedim on the trip. On his last blog Morton would add the following, “The IOC states that it is not about the medal count but about all nations coming together in peace and representing the best of mankind.” Morton, whose men’s roster consists of more than half non-American swimmers, is correct about what the symbolic tournament that the Olympics should be.
“Nedim was there not only representing his country and him, but also Cleveland State,”Morton added.“He has always been an outstanding student as well as an outstanding athlete.” But Morton can explain the reasons Nedim was at a terrible disadvantage, and the possibilities of swimming against the greatest swimmer of all time, Michael Phelps, was not one of them. “I think his biggest disadvantage is that he was a lonely swimmer,” Morton said. “Teams make the individual better. That’s what Michael Phelps had, he had a team.” But the experiences that Nedim has gotten from this trip will no doubtingly stay with him forever. “It was something special to walk out with your countrymen during the Opening Ceremonies,” Nedim said. “It was an unbelievable feeling.”
Sports
Tuesday, September 2nd
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Familiar Face Takes Over CSU Wrestling Team Former Graduate Assistant Named New Head Coach By Nick Camino The Cauldron Editor-In-Chief
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e took over a month to find, but last week Director of Athletics Lee Reed announced that former CSU graduate assistant and Limestone College head coach Ben Stehura would take over as head wrestling coach at Cleveland State. After former head coach Jack Effner unexpectedly resigned early in July to take a counseling position in Virginia, the Athletic Department and Reed began a national search hoping to find the person who could resurrect the storied wrestling program that has struggled the past few years. Stehura is the type of guy that throughout his young coaching career has continually gotten the job done, Lee said. “His approach to wrestling has allowed his teams to be very successful,” Lee explained. “He (Stehura) started the program at Limestone just five years ago and it is already competing on the national stage. That speaks volumes about the kind of coach he is.” Limestone College, which is located in Gaffney, South Carolina is a Division II athletics program. However in that short span Stehura has already coached an NCAA Champion and three NCAA AllAmericans; something Effner was never able to do in his 10 years at Cleveland State.
Stehura, who served as a graduate assistant at Cleveland State under Effner during the 20012003 seasons, said he’s anxious to get going. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to return to Cleveland State and Northeast Ohio and become part of a great tradition that is CSU wrestling,” Stehura said. The Vikings have already begun conditioning for the 2008-2009 season. They certainly have a lot to improve on from last season’s sub-par 4-11 overall record and dismal 0-6 EWL Conference record. Stehura possess everything a Division I head coach needs both on and off the mat, Reed said. “Ben really impressed us with his work ethic, his knowledge of wrestling, and his commitment to the overall well-being of the student athletes,” Reed explained. The season officially begins on Nov. 1 at the Eastern Michigan Wrestling Open. The Viking grapplers will be prepared to begin the new era of CSU wrestling, Stehura said. “I am looking forward to working with a tremendous group of student-athletes, coaches and administrators,” Stehura explained. “And helping to write the next chapter in Cleveland State history.”