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WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006
VOLUME 03, EDITION 09
FLOCK TO THE FOX
Theatre Film Festival to bring moviewatchers downtown Page 3
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WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006
CALENDAR WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9
FREE FALL
Front page photo courtesy of The Fox Theatre
DRAWING AND PAINTING
Type of Event: Youth Programs Starts: Jul 31, 2006 9:00:00 AM Ends: Aug 04, 2006 11:00:00 AM This multi-media class for 8-12-year olds will focus on drawing and painting techniques, allowing students to develop their artistic skills while enjoying a safe, fun environment on a university campus. Cost is $160. For more information, call 714-278-2796 or 714-278-5836.
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LEARN TO SWIM CAMP
Main Line: 714.278.3373 E DI TOR IA L Fax: 714.278.4473 news@dailytitan.com
Type of Event: Youth Programs Starts: Jun 19, 2006 9:00:00 AM Ends: Aug 11, 2006 7:00:00 PM
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Open to all swimmers from beginner to experienced, Learn to Swim is a water safety/group swim instruction program for children six months old and up. There are four two-week sessions Monday-Friday or one eight-week session on Saturday. For more information, call 714-278-PLAY.
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TITAN YOUTH SPORTS CAMP
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Type of Event: Youth Programs Starts: Jun 26, 2006 9:00:00 AM Ends: Aug 04, 2006 5:00:00 PM
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An FMX rider goes airborne during the Bank of the West Beach Games FMX demo in Huntington Beach.
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rlsage@fullerton.edu The Summer Titan is a student publication, printed every Wednesday from June 8 through Aug 17. The Summer Titan is a subsidiary of the Daily Titan, which operates independently of Associated Students, Inc., College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU system. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in The Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free.. Copyright � 2006 Daily Titan
Titan Youth Sports Camp is an all-day camp that offers various sport related activitites to children from kindergarten to 8th grade. Camp runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with extended care options from 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Campers can also register for morning or afternoon sessions only. Six one-week sessions available. For more information, call 714-278-PLAY.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
PRESIDENT REAPPOINTED ROTC ADVISORY GROUP
TO
Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon has been reappointed to a two-year term on the Reserve Officersʼ Training Corps Subcommittee of the Army Education Advisory Committee. Now completing his 16th year as president of Cal State Fullerton, Gordon was first appointed to the subcommittee in 2002. The Army Education Advisory Committee provides the secretary of the Army and the Armyʼs senior lead-
ership with expert advice on Army educational programs. This spring, Cal State Fullertonʼs ROTC program received the MacArthur Award as the Western regionʼs top-performing unit for 2005 in the “small schools” category. Army ROTC battalions selected for the awards are the most successful of the 272 units at colleges and universities nationwide in accomplishing their mission of training and commissioning the majority of lieutenants entering the Army each year. Enrolled in Cal State Fullertonʼs
ROTC program for the fall are 90 cadets. Participants in the program pursue bachelorʼs degrees and minors in military science. Upon graduation, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
WESTERN DIGITAL HONORS FUTURE ENGINEERS
At an awards luncheon on July 28, 2006, Western Digital, Lake Forest, Calif., will present four scholarships totaling $10,000 to top high school students who have spent the month of July participating in a special “What Is
Engineering?” class at California State University, Fullerton. The Engineering Innovations program is a partnership between the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program at CSUF and the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The purpose of the program is to expose high school students to different fields of engineering through collegelevel lectures, laboratories and handson projects. Trips to local industry sites are also part of the program.
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WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006
Courtesy of The Fox Theatre
Though many had thought the sun had set for The Fox Theatre at the corner of Chapman Avenue and Harbor Boulevard, a film festival shines a light on its rebirth.
Getting Closer to Saving the Fox
Fundraisers and film festivals help raise funds to preserve the historic theater BY JAIME CARDENAS
For The Summer Titan
Cal State Fullertonʼs Cory Reeder got his introduction to the film industry by seeing movies at Fullertonʼs Fox Theater when he was a kid. The Fox introduced him to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg through a
big screen. He watched Star Wars and Indian Jones for the first time at the Fox and knew what he wanted to do with his life. “It made me want to be a filmmaker,” said Reeder, 34, a CSUF alumnus. The Fox, which opened its doors to the public in 1925, has been closed since 1987. It was about to be tore down when the Fullerton Historic Theater Foundation saved it from demolition. The foundation has increased its
“Save The Fox” campaign in recent years with a variety of fundraisers. Last year the foundation began to show movies for free, only asking for donations, using the back of the building as the screen and a blocked-off parking lot as seating. That fundraiser has been so successful that it has continued into this summer, starting a new tradition until the Fox is restored and able to show movies in the inside. What the foundation hopes will ve another new tradition is the Fullerton
Film Festival, where Reederʼs scary movie set inside the Fox, “Trick,” is going to be premiered. Called F3 by its organizers, the festival will be held from Aug. 3 through 6 at four different sites in Fullerton — the Fox, Fullerton Collegeʼs Campus Theater, Plummer Auditorium and Wilshire Theater. “I think the (foundation) people are brilliant for doing it,” Reeder, a 1997 CSUF graduate, said. “Not only are (local filmmakersʼ) films being showcased but, itʼs a future marketing plan
for the Fox.” The festival will kickoff next Thursday at sundown with the showing of “Mary Poppins” behind the Fox. Other films being shown are Orson Wellsʼ restored version of Touch of Evil, Guess Whoʼs Coming For Dinner and The Breakfast Club at the various sites. On top of the popular films, F3 is also showcasing local and internation-
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WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006
Study Finds Students Cautious With Alcohol Many college-age drinkers actively avoid alcohol-related injuries, say researchers BY DANIEL STONE U-Wire - Daily Texan
YVONNE VILLAREAL/ For the Summer Titan
Animal activists voiced their opposition to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Animal Activists Upstage Circus Acts PETA protests what it calls the cruel treatment of Ringling Bros. elephants BY YVONNE VILLAREAL For the Summer Titan
It was a spectacle of massive proportions. The audience gazed with marvel and disbelief at the theatrics of a group of performers at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim on Saturday. Only, the audience wasnʼt anxiously watching the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus they paid to see.
Instead, they stood leering at the animal activists who were there with a mission: to voice their disapproval of the alleged inhumane treatment of animals by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Every year, thousands of doe-eyed youngsters wait in anticipation outside the Arrowhead Pond with their circus gear in hand. They anxiously await their view of exotic elephants, dressed with ornate Ringling Bros. headgear, prancing around the stage to the beat of the thunderming music that blasts from the speakers. And every year, there are dozens of
demonstrators outside voicing their outrage at the “unnatural” behavior imposed upon the animals. “Itʼs disappointing that animal activist(s) have a campaign of this information going on to the public,” said Andy Perez, Regional PR manger for Feld Entertainment, the producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. “They misrepresent what Ringling Bros. is all about.” In the Ringling Bros. performance,
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(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas - A large percentage of students who drink alcohol take precautionary measures while drinking, said researchers for the National Social Norms Research Center. The center chose 10 behaviors people perform while drinking to reduce the probability of injuries occurring, including choosing not to drink at certain times and locations, eating during and before drinking, avoiding drinking games and drinking lots of water, according to the July report. Of the more than 28,000 students surveyed in 44 colleges and universities, 73 percent take at least one protective behavior and 64 percent employ two or more techniques. “Iʼm definitely worried about what people are thinking (when I drink), so I drink in moderation,” said Sara Garrahan, a radio-television-film major. University of Texas Health Services officials recommend people know their tolerance and are always aware of the contents of their drink before they begin drinking. People should be wary of drinks they do not make because it could have large quantities of alcohol, said Chuck Roper, a coordinator for drug and alcohol education at UT. Roper also suggested keeping the
blood alcohol level at .05 percent, as many studies he has seen suggest that this is the fine line between inebriation and rationality. The legal limit in Texas is .08 percent. “Although its very subjective, people have often reported having the most fun at .05,” Roper said. When a person passes out, which can be a frequent occurrence at parties, wake the person up every 15 minutes for at least an hour, Roper said. Many times people can slip into a coma without anyone knowing, simply because people were tired of dealing with a drunk person, he said. The worst thing a person can do while drinking is to go hard and fast, said Roper. “A shot is equivalent to a beer, and people often take shots in succession, so itʼs basically equivalent to drinking multiple beers within the span of an hour,” said Roper. James Bennett, 79, a counselor for people with alcohol addictions at My Own Recovery clinic, said he doesnʼt believe any number of precautionary measures will alleviate injuries sustained later, which can only be avoided by not drinking. Although he thinks parents should educate children, Bennett is skeptical as to whether they can cause much change in a childʼs life. “Kids donʼt listen to authority figures,” Bennett said. “They oftentimes have to experience things for themselves, which can be very hazardous when it comes to drinking.”
WWW.DAILYTITAN.COM CIRCUS FROM PAGE 3 an elephant is a patron at a restaurant attended by clowns. Acrobatic stunts are performed on horses, dogs prance around on their hind legs, and another segment features elephants standing on cylinders, just big enough for one foot, as they perform their routine. We hear about them in the news: PETA activists who ambush fur-loving celebrities as they attend lavish events. On July 26, they continued their towncrier-like role at the opening performance of “the greatest show on earth” at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — is an organization that aims at “establishing and protecting the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment.” Their goal is what initially attracted Melissa Sehgal to the non-profit organization. “I wanted to get involved with an organization that takes a stand for what they believe in,” Seghal said. Thus, there she stood outside the arena on July 26 with her array of signs featuring graphic elephant images and a stuffed-animal elephant—equipped with a Band-aid across its nose—sure to garner the attention of the child passersby. Curious patrons inevitably approached the demonstrators and challenged them to provide facts of the animal abuse they are protesting. The confrontations resulted in the activists listing animal deaths, cases open for investigation, figures of elephant exercise regiments and other figures. “We encourage that they be aware of the issue before they protest,” said Matt Rice, a campaign coordinator for PETA. “There is a number they can contact directly to go over many of the points.” Some of the points include four open investigations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture into Ringling Bros. practices. They involve the deaths of two elephants, the physical abuse administered to a baby elephant by a handler, and a chaotic incident in a Puerto Rican arena resulting in the injury of an elephant.
A few cases stem back as far as 2004, said Perez, who was unsure of why they havenʼt been officially closed yet. The Animal Welfare Act, which Ringling Bros. must comply with, stands as the only federal law in place that sets a standard for the treatment in animals in research, transportation, exhibits, and by dealers. The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and Animal Care enforce its regulations. Ringling Bros. claims that the animals have “custom-made traveling cars” that provides easy access for animal handlers and trainers. They also note that food necessities are shipped locally. The weekly food stores for the animals include over 18 tons of hay; three tons of oats; five tons of carrots, apples and lettuce; over a ton of specialty mixed elephant chow; and nearly 500 loaves of bread. Yet, PETA insists, “USDA documentation proves that access to the basic necessities of food, water, and veterinary care is often inadequate,” assertions Ringling Bros. disagree with. “We meet and exceed all state, local and federal guidelines,” said Perez. Another claim of cruelty made by animal activists is the unnatural behavior forced upon the wild creatures. Perez explains that the tricks expressed by the elephants during their performances are the result of observing their natural behaviors when they are young and reinforcing the said
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behaviors through rewards and repetition. Not true, according to Julie Meskell, a board member for Orange County People for Animals, who attended Saturdayʼs demonstration where over 20 demonstrators gathered. “We talked to former elephant handlers who told us you cannot take an elephant from its natural habitat to do tricks day after day without negative reinforcement,” Meskell said. The Code of Regulations of the Animal Welfare Act prohibits the use of physical violence or deprivation of food and water when training or handling animals. “We come here to inform everybody about the cruelty,” Sehgal said. “Itʼs not fair to the animals to be taking out of their natural habitat.” During Saturdayʼs demonstration, heads slowly turned as the demonstrators, mostly part of the Orange County People for Animals organization, held their signs and a large yellow banner with rich, bold black text that read: “The Circus Hurts Animals.” Slowly a murmur emerged from the spectators as they passed. Some mumbled obscene epithets under their breath as they gazed at the demonstrators. Some shielded or pried their kids away from viewing the images on the posters. Others figured that they were only there for some family entertainment. “You have to see it from a parentʼs point of view,” said Jose Rivera, who was attending the evening performance
WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006 with his 4-year-old daughter, Olivia. Sure, the newly re-designed circus features more humans than animals performing stunts that please the crowd. However, itʼs when the animals strut out from behind the curtain that the kids in the audience gasp with awe and excitement. “I liked when the doggies were dancing,” Olivia said. However, many of the activists saw no rhyme or reason to viewing animals perform trained behaviors. “There are humane forms of entertainment,” Meskell said. Tom, 52, who wished to withhold his last name for his privacy, attended the Arrowhead Pond Saturday and stood ground in the facilities parking lot alongside the animal activists to protest their “insane” logic with his own signs in hand that read “I love animals, theyʼre delicious” and “Chow on Cow.” “Animal welfare is one thing,” Tom said. “Animal rights put animals equal to humans.” Animal rights are regarded as the belief in the humane treatment of animals; especially their rights to be free of human exploitation. Activists of animal rights view an animalʼs status to be equal to humans. Whereas, animal welfare supporter believe that animals should not suffer injustices caused by humans. This position is usually one that focuses on morality rather that political notion of rank. “These people think killing a chicken is like killing a person,” Tom said.
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“Thatʼs just insane.” It might be “insane” to some, but PETA and certain other animal activists organizations strive to attain that level of equality. Meskell went one step further and foreshadowed that animal cruelty would be “abolished like slavery.” “We work to expose and eliminate cruelty to animals in all forms,” Rice said. Most controversy over the cruelty exhibited to the animals involves a bull hook. Animal activists view it as a violent mechanism that harms the animal. According to Perez, it is an “internationally accepted elephant tool.” “It is simply an extension of a trainerʼs arm … and only used when it is too loud for an elephant to hear. He adds that the tool is “rarely used at all by our folks.” Yet, with all this humdrum about animal rights, there is a loophole. PETA and Orange County People for Animals donʼt necessarily condemn people owning pets. “There are certain considerations to look into … you have to be committed,” said Meskell, who owns one dog, Slinky. “I am opposed to people having exotic animals as pets.” As the circus continues its run at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim and across the country, the debate will undoubtedly persist. Perhaps P.T Barnum said it best, “Every crowd has its silver lining.”
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Miscommunication Could Lead to Dating Misfire
Men and women can often see even the simplest acts in wildly different lights BY JULIE ANNE INES Summer Titan News Editor
When it comes to communication between men and women, women donʼt always want what men think they do. Women say “potato,” and men think “potatoh” and bring themselves to the verge of calling it off, or so the old George Gershwin melody says. But when the fairer sex attributes
poor upbringing, the disappearance of chivalry or just plain olʻ stupidity to male brutish behavior and relational discord, the real culprit may be the fact that men and women may just be singing different tunes. What women may consider a nice outfit for a night on the town, men may consider a sign that she is ready and available, a problem that CSUF sociology major Danielle Sanders has encountered in the past. Sanders, 23, said that she wants men to understand that when she dresses up, itʼs not always for the pleasure of a male companion or for the general
viewing pleasure of men around her. She said that sometimes a woman just dresses up to feel like a woman. CSUF Sociology professor of human communications studies Richard Wiseman explained why men may take Sandersʼ natural need to feel like a woman the wrong way. “Men in general try to find as many cues as possible to indicate intimacy,” said Wiseman, who teaches a class on gender and communication.
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Birthdays a Big Deal, at Least for Half of Us Women and men often view hallmark dates differently, but we’re not sure why BY ADAM LEVY Summer Titan Asst. News Editor
Special occasions are often looked upon as a milestone for romantic relationships, and one of the quickest ways to get into a womanʼs doghouse is to forget her birthday. Many a relationship has taken a bitter turn for the worse after the beau made the unredeemable mistake of letting his ladyʼs special day pass on the calendar with nary a greeting. “I was dating this guy for three months, but he completely forgot my birthday,” said Communications major Tara Ajik, 18. “He must not care about me if he forgets my birthday, so I didnʼt bother with him after that and it ended.” So why is it that men can nonchalantly file away their significant otherʼs birthday like a piece of junk mail, women treat it as an unofficial national holiday? Experts in the field of relationships point to cultural pressures
dating back to Chuck E. Cheese that explain why men and women view birthdays differently. “Women are taught to pay attention to these events and men are not, hence they do not,” said CSUF Sociology Professor John Bedell in an e-mail interview. “We make a big deal of little girlsʼ birthdays but go for pizza for the boys, in some cases not (at) all,” Bedell said. “With regard to the emphasis that society puts on these events, I would think the media has something to do with it since these events and the way some people celebrate these events is covered in film and TV,” said CSUF Communications Professor Olan Farnall in an e-mail interview. CSUF Psychology Professor Melinda Blackman explained why the lack of roses, dinner or even a Hallmark card can leave an indelible mark on a love connection. “I think that men seem to focus more globally on their relationships, in terms of how positive or negative things are going with regard to it,” Blackman said in an e-mail interview. “Whereas women judge the status of
“Men seem to focus more globally on their relationships ... whereas women judge the status of their relationships by the little things, such as if their significant other remembers birthdays or anniversaries.” Melinda Blackman CSUF Psychology Professor their relationships by the little things, such as if their significant other remembers birthdays or anniversaries.” “Women look to relationships for emotional and romantic needs while guys view it in a sexual way,” said Child Development major Yuki Ikezaki, 22. Some CSUF students shared recol-
lections on past birthdays when they had to blow out the candles alone. “He just forgot it one year, no card or acknowledgement, that hurt,” said Human Services major Elizabeth Hansen, 22. The senior forgave her boyfriend, explaining “he was understanding” when she expressed her sadness over the slip. Sharlyn Ford, a 32-year-old Liberal Studies major, expressed a cynical attitude towards the way men will try and cover up the egregious slip. “Thereʼs no phone call, no nothing,” Ford said. “Ask them why and they make excuses, and Iʼm in a relationship (with them), my goodness!” When asked about why she felt missing a birthday was such a major faux pas, Ford said “Weʼre emotionally committed and attached, and (a birthday greeting) shows the person that you care about them.” Some men have even stuck their foot in the bear trap by getting the actual date on the calendar mixed up. “I gave her the present too early, a few days before her actual birthday,” said Computer Science major Jason
Miles, 19. “She got pretty pissed and yelled at me. I told her getting the present early was the surprise but she wasnʼt buying it.” One CSUF student takes advantage of technology as a forget-me-not. “My current boyfriend tends to forget everything, even my last name, so I programmed my birthday into his cell phone,” said Sociology major Chihhiro Morikuri, 22. All in all, it can safely summated that while forgetting your significant otherʼs birthday is a major “chink in the shining armor,” the relationship can be salvaged if the man shows a sense of remorse and understanding for his transgression. Still, women can be relatively optimistic their old man will be coming home with a pocket full of candles over time. “Men and women judge the importance of aspects to relationships very differently and I think that society socializes us in this manner,” Blackman said. “But it is not impossible to re-socialize males to add a lot of significance to important milestone dates.”
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Fight Over Morning-After Pill Intensifies Senators withold FDA confirmation until review of “Plan B” contraceptive Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bushʼs nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday “sound science” would guide the agency under his leadership. But Andrew von Eschenbach initially sidestepped any mention of the controversial morning-after pill. Von Eschenbach told his Senate confirmation hearing in his opening remarks that he was “committed to maintaining the long-standing traditions and values” of the regulatory agency. The FDA has come under fire from some congressional quarters for alleged foot-dragging on approval of the emergency contraceptive pill. Federal health officials thought that
Mondayʼs surprise announcement be sold to adult women without a prethat the agency was again consider- scription. ing allowing over-the-counter sales Two of the senators on the panel of the pill — also known as “Plan B” renewed their vow to block his nomi— would smooth von Eschenbachʼs nation until the FDA made a final decision on whether hearing. to allow Barr But there were “Fool me once. We are Pharmaceuticals early signs that just Inc. to sell Plan B the opposite effect not going to go there over the counter was underway. to women 18 and “Obviously, I again. We will hold this older. think this brings Minors would the focus back on this arena,” nomination until we have still need a docSusan Wood, the torʼs prescription a decision on Plan B.” to recieve the FDAʼs former top womanʼs health drug. official, told The Sens. Patty MurSen. Patty Murray Associated Press ray, D-Wash., and before the hearing. Hillary Rodham Wood resigned last year to protest Clinton, D-N.Y., had placed a similar the FDAʼs refusal to approve the medi- hold on von Eschenbachʼs predecessor, Lester Crawford. cation. They removed that hold more than a Lawmakers are questioning both the timing and sincerity of the FDAʼs year ago in exchange for a pledge that announcement Monday that it would the FDA would act on Barrʼs applicaagain consider allowing the pills to tion.
Crawford won Senate confirmation but then put off a decision on Plan B, earning the enmity of the two lawmakers. “Fool me once. We are not going to go there again. We will hold this nomination until we have a decision on Plan B,” said Murray, calling the timing of Mondayʼs announcement “highly suspect behavior.” Crawford resigned abruptly in September 2005, only two months after the Senate confirmed him to run the agency. Von Eschenbach has been acting FDA commissioner since then. In March, President Bush nominated the urology surgeon to lead the regulatory agency on a full-time basis. Since 2003, the Womenʼs Capital Corp. and then Barr have sought to loosen the prescription-only restriction on Plan B. Contraceptive advocates and doctors groups say easier access to Plan B could halve the nationʼs 3 million annual unintended pregnancies. Opponents say wider access to the pill could promote promiscuity. The FDAʼs own scientists say the pills are safe, and in December 2003 a panel of independent advisers overwhelmingly backed nonprescription sales for all ages. The FDA rejected that recommendation, citing concern that young teens could use the pills without a doctorʼs supervision. Barr initially had sought approval for over-the-counter sales without age restrictions, but later amended its ap-
plication to ask for permission to sell to females 16 and older. In a letter sent Monday to Barr, von Eschenbach said the company should further amend it to limit sales to women 18 and older and create separate packaging to distinguish over-thecounter and prescription versions of the pills. The FDA also wants to discuss Barrʼs plans to restrict distribution to certain pharmacies. “There is no timeline in any statement FDA put out. There is no hint the FDA is any closer to a decision,” Clinton said. Von Eschenbach has been chief academic officer of the University of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and director of the National Cancer Institute. The Philadelphia native has survived three cancer diagnoses: melanoma, prostate cancer and basal cell carcinoma.
What is the morning-after pill? The morning-after pill is a high dose of the most common ingredient in regular birth control pills. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, the two-pill series can lower the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent.
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Gay Woman Describes Experience As A U.S. Soldier Though it’s hard, the benefits of staying outweigh the penalties for leaving BY STEPHANIE SELF U-Wire - Kaleidoscope
(U-WIRE) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Sitting on her patio porch, with her gay pride rainbow necklace boldly displayed, occasionally taking a sip from her Michelob Ultra, Valerie talks about life in the military as a gay woman. “ʼDonʼt ask, donʼt tellʼ basically means you can be gay, but you canʼt let anyone know,” she says. Valerie, who wishes to conceal her identity, has been in the Marine Corps for 10 years and now faces six to 18 months in Iraq. Due to a knee injury, she was an inactive Marine before being recalled to Iraq. She will leave behind a 6-yearold son and her partner, Jennifer, who sits quietly on the deck, attempting not to become emotional. With the war in Iraq becoming increasingly controversial, there are various opinions amongst troops on the Unites Statesʼ continued presence in Iraq. “When we first went, we shouldʼve been there. But now itʼs time to get out,” Valerie says. Though she has thought of telling the Marine Corps sheʼs a homosexual in an attempt to avoid being recalled to a war she doesnʼt necessarily think the United States should still be involved in, the certain loss of benefits keeps her in. “When youʼve vested 10 years, youʼre not going to lose your benefits. Youʼve worked too hard,” Valerie says. When soldiers are discharged from
the Marines due to sexuality issues, the discharge is classified as an “other than honorable” discharge. Valerie would lose her health and dental benefits, disability pay and her rights to come on base. “Itʼs like you were never really in. They call it a ʻfailure to adapt,ʼ” she explains. The decision to be open about her sexuality in the military isnʼt a hard one. She has a son to think about. After spending 18 months in Afghanistan and one month in Iraq, the thought of leaving her son again is difficult for Valerie. “All he knows is his momma. Kids donʼt understand ʻyouʼre not going to be able to see me,ʼ” she says. “When you come back, they donʼt know who you are.” “Females have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition as men,” Valerie says. When it comes to a double minority, female and homosexual, Valerie knows all too well the result of the “Donʼt Ask, Donʼt Tell” policy enacted early in Clintonʼs administration. “Sexuality shouldnʼt matter. It has nothing to do with you doing your job,” she says. Yet as her peers talk of loved ones, taking comfort in conversation in an unfathomable situation, Valerie must remain silent. She canʼt have a personal life. “Having to hide who you are is painful,” she explained. Jennifer tries to be understanding and realistic about the implications of being a homosexual in the military. “It pisses me off, but I understand thatʼs the way it is,” she says. “No one talks about it. Weʼre the military wives no one knows about.” There are groups attempting to educate the public about issues surround-
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ing gays in the military. The Military Education Initiative is a town hall meeting, eager to educate the public on the data surrounding the contributions of the gay community to
“It pisses me off, but I understand that’s the way it is ... No one talks about it. We’re the military wives no one knows about.” Jennifer, Partner of a Military Lesbian the armed forces. Its goal is to eventually overturn the “Donʼt Ask, Donʼt Tell” policy. The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military explores
the interdisciplinary examination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender peoplesʼ sexual identities in the armed forces. Despite these attempts, gays in the military is a subject paid very little attention, even in the gay community. There are other soldiers like Valerie who have to make decisions about their lives, either to serve their country and hide who they are, or come out and be discharged and punished. Valerie has made the decision, for herself and her son, to stay the course. Sheʼs not overly worried about the military finding out about her sexuality. Fortunately for Valerie, she says the Marine Corps apparently like her. “When people want out of the military, they get out,” she says, finishing off her beer. “People shoot themselves in the foot to get out. They tell the truth about their sexuality. They say theyʼre psychotic. “If they like you, youʼre good. If they donʼt, they mess with you.”
Currently, the U.S. armed forces do not allow self-professed homosexuals or bisexuals to join or continue service. In fact, according to Public Law 103-160, Section 654, Title 10 — the homosexual exclusion law — any individual who commits any homosexual act can be disbarred from military service. Similarly, any individual who attempts to marry someone “of the same biological sex” can be immediately relieved of their duty. In the ʻ90s, then-president Bill Clinton attempted to lay out a compromise between the military and gay-rights activists. His solution was the “Donʼt Ask, Donʼt Tell” policy, in which military officials are not to investigate any individualʼs sexual preference. Similarly, gays and lesbians are not to express their sexual orientation.
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TITAN EDITORIAL Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960
He’s Not a “Mensch”
W
ho doesnʼt love a good celebrity meltdown? Entertainers can get so blinded by their own light they become a caricature of their past selves, a punchline for the Jay Leno monologue. Weʼve seen Michael Jackson morph from lighting up sidewalks in his studded glove to being the celebrity face of NAMBLA. Weʼve seen Whitney Houston transform from Top 40 diva to popʼs version of Daryl Strawberry. But no other has been as entertaining that the recent career- killing transgressions of Mel Gibson. People Magazineʼs first “Sexiest Man Alive,” Gibson parlayed a lucrative career in action films such as “Lethal Weapon” and “Mad Max” into Oscar gold, winning the coveted “Best Director” award for “Braveheart.” The overflow of hubris the Australian gained from his laudable achievements manifested itself in 2004ʼs The Passion, a film depicting the crucifixion of Jesus that, through Gibsonʼs directorial lens, directly placed blame on the Jews. Even though his father Hutton Gibson is a known figure in the Holocaust revisionist move-
ment, Gibson danced around the anti-Semitic accusations like Fred Astaire as God-fearing Christians flocked to the theatres in droves, making the movie a $600-million blockbuster on its way to becoming the eighth-highest grossing film of all time. But thanks to a drunken rant after the 50 year old was arrested for a DUI in Malibu on July 28, Gibsonʼs Jew-hating beard has been yanked off. According to entertainment website TMZ.com, Gibson shared many candid insights with L.A. County Sheriffs Deputies during his DUI arrest, including, “F--ing Jews” and “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” before asking the arresting officer, “Are you a Jew?” And with that fell swoop, Gibson has pressed the self-destruct button on his career. He has confirmed all those previous accusations of his racist leanings. No PR firm is going to able to spin their way out of this nightmare, as it looks like the Aussie will be stuck to making more self-financed, Christianpandering movies if he wants to keep his name in the theatres. And maybe thatʼs not such a bad idea, if it will keep him off the road, no?
OPINION INTIMACY FROM PAGE 6 A womanʼs way of dressing, he continued, may tell a man that she is interested in and open to his advances whether a woman intends her attire to do so or not. This works in a negative way as well. When a man and woman are in a relationship and the woman dresses enticingly, the man may get jealous because he perceives the woman as opening herself up to sexual advances, Wiseman said. If you look at it from a sociobiology standpoint, men and women both want different things from a relationship – men want to procreate and send their genes on into the next generation, and women want someone capable of protecting their offspring, Wiseman said. This perspective could explain why female body exposure has a greater effect on males than male exposure has on females. The exposure of secondary female sex organs — breasts — triggers a mating cue in the male. Because women donʼt feel the need
FOX FROM PAGE 3 al Indie Films. On Sunday, the closing day of the festival, there is an “Orange County Filmmakers Showcase.” Another highlight is “Mojados: Thought The Night,” a 2004 documentary that follows four Mexicans through their difficult and dangerous journey into the United States. For times, locations and more information visit F3FilmFestival.com.
WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006
Perceived intimacy can become a problem in service jobs as well. Breck Franklin, a CSUF sociology major, works two jobs – one as a bartender and another as a cashier in the CSUF Titan Student Union food court. She said that she wants men to understand that when sheʼs being friendly, sheʼs merely doing her job. “I donʼt want to date you,” Franklin, 22, wants most of the men who visit the cafeteria on a daily basis and know
her by name to know. Sheʼs just being nice. Wiseman said that service jobs in particular have a problem with perceived intimacy because men and women can come into close contact with each other. What women may consider a friendly gesture could be perceived as flirtation, leading to “problems at the office water cooler,” Wiseman said. Citing a study conducted at Kansas State University, Wiseman said that groups of men and women were shown a videotape of a female instructing a male at a computer. The women who watched the videotape saw a woman simply teaching the man how to use a computer. On the other hand, men who watched the video said that the woman was definitely coming on to the man. While the scenarios show that men and women arenʼt exactly singing in tune when it comes to communication, women may take some comfort in the fact that they may be able to use the mistranslation to their advantage. A touch from a woman seating a person or while giving out a menu can increase tips by 20 to 35 percent, Wiseman said, especially when the man is going solo.
F3 “helps keep awareness that we still need to save the Fox,” Fullerton Historic Theater Foundation executive director Jon Wagner said. “There is nothing like it in North Orange County.” Among the plans Wagner and the foundation have for the Fox is making the theater “a home for independent cinema.” The Fox used to be a double threat, as it had both a stage and a big screen for movies. So far the foundation, with more than 3,000 volunteer hours, has cleaned up
the building, painted the exterior and covered up all the graffiti. “Itʼs going to be a great, great destination,” Wagner, 57, said of the Fox, if reopened to the public. “It will give people (a reason) to visit downtown Fullerton, which is a very vibrant and happening place.” Reeder couldnʼt agree more. “To me, man, the Fox Theater is the crown jewel of Fullerton,” he said. “Itʼs the cornerstone of the town. This is the biggest and coolest building we have.”
to procreate, male exposure has no effect, according to the theory, Wiseman said. This may make men perceive intimacy when there really is none there in the first place.
A touch from a woman seating a man or while giving him a menu in a restaurant can increase tips by 20 to 35 percent. RICHARD WISEMAN, CSUF Human Comm. Prof.
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SPORTS
WEEK OF AUGUST 2-9, 2006
Bank of the West
BEACH GAMES
The sun and the heads were out at Huntington Beach last week for the 2006 Bank of the West Beach Games. A suiting appetizer to the upcoming X-Games, the Beach Games was an extreme sports competition that included volleyball, surfing, skateboarding, motocross and BMX. Over 350,000 spectators came out to Huntington Beach for the weeklong games. Surfing superstars, skateboarding legends and other extreme sports athletes showed their stuff on the sands of “Surf City, U.S.A.” It may have been just another reason to go the beach this summer, but the Beach Games had plenty of exciting action to watch all day.
Photos by Carlos Delgado (Above) FMX rider Jeff Tilton does a backflip during the Bank of the West Beach Games FMX Demo in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Top Right) Skateboarding trailblazers Mike Smith (bottom left) and Steve Alva collide in the Soul Bowl during the Bank of the West Beach Games Grandmasters Jam in Huntington Beach. (Bottom Right) A surfer catches some serious air during the 2006 Honda Menʼs US Open of Surfing at the Bank of the West Beach Games in Huntington Beach.