OPINION: Young Halloween goers are dressing sexier than ever, page 8
SPORTS: Page 10 Rugby on the rise for CSUF students
Since 1960 Volume 87, Issue 34
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Daily Titan
Thursday October 30, 2008
The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
Campus Life The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offering a lecture series on the 20th century starting tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lectures will be held every Thursday in the Ruby Gerontogy Center. The center is located by the residence halls and Lot E. Lecture topics cover Shell Shock and how World War I errupted in Europe and the attempt of the United States to stay neutral. The other lecture is about how the postwar mentality emerged and old traditions that are changed and challenged. Contact the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for more information at 714-278-2446.
Double cheeseburger bumped off dollar menu for ‘McDouble’ CHICAGO (MCT) – McDonald’s Corp. said Tuesday it’s moving toward replacing its hallmark dollar menu product, the double cheeseburger, with a new burger called the McDouble, essentially the double cheeseburger, but with one slice of cheese. Although the decision is not yet final, the recommended price of the double cheeseburger the one with two cheese slices would increase to $1.19, said Greg Watson, vice president of marketing for McDonald’s USA. The switch-out stems from soaring commodity costs, which have put a crimp on profits from the dollar menu. The dollar price cap has given McDonald’s franchisees that operate about 85 percent of the company’s 14,000 U.S. outlets something to beef about in recent months as ingredient costs have soared. “It’s really hurt the profitability of the items on the dollar menu, even though it’s driving traffic to the restaurants,” said Morningstar Inc. stock analyst John Owens. Analysts have been expecting a price hike for the double cheeseburger, the company’s best-selling U.S. sandwich.
More cars get the boot The number of vehicles that get immobilized has nearly double since 2006 By Jonathan Montgomery For The Daily Titan news@dailytitan.com
Cal State Fullerton students who have more than five unpaid parking tickets risk getting slapped with a parking boot, at times stranding vehicles throughout the weekend. Thirty-three boots have been reported so far this academic year. However, this figure does not include statistics from the transportation department for October, which had yet to be calculated prior to the Daily Titan publication time Last academic year, there were 147 cars that got the boot, up from 89 the year before and nearly double the 2005-2006 reports of 75 cars. According to the parking page on the Cal State Fullerton Web site, a “boot” is a device that fits on the wheel of a car without causing damage, immobilizing the vehicle. The only way to have a boot removed is to pay all outstanding tickets in full. Fortunately for students, there is no additional cost associated with removal. Joana Gregorio, 18, a kinesiology major at CSUF was initially surprised, “They’re doing that here?” she asked. Gregorio said authorities may
A contestant from Oceanside, NY, was showing off his skills on the street while waiting to perform at a competition. He might have gotten stage fright when it was time to show off his skills that he was so proud of. Maybe the next time he decides to perform, slip-resistant shoes will probably help him a lot more. Dance competition fail!
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Photo Courtesy of CSUF Parking and Transportation Services The rate of cars getting the boot almost doubled from the 2005 academic year to the 2007 academic year.
“In those cases we have towed the vehicle and the person responsible was arrested for theft,” a parking representative said. One student had even accumulated more than $1,000 dollars in fines. “She would illegally park and then place a different plate on her car each time,” Frazier said. She was eventually caught and arrested by University
Police. She was then required to pay all her tickets. The total in parking fines added up to $1,500 to $2,000, Frazier said. Parking enforcers use a program called license plate recognition, or LPR, which “reads” license plates and identifies cars that have five or more delinquent parking violations. Robert Moran, 30, a communications major at CSUF said parking
enforcement is actually being generous by allowing students to have 5 unpaid parking tickets before getting the boot. “Good idea, if you have five parking tickets, I think that’s a little irresponsible,” Moran said. However, even with differing opinions on the parking boot, the Web site offers a little advice to students: take care of all tickets within the allotted time.
Faltering economy ups CSU applications Freshman rates increase 16 percent, transfers 24 percent, grads 32 percent By Haidong Piao
For the Daily Titan
You think you can dance, not in “Dance Fail”
not know what financial difficulties a person might be going through in their lives, such as paying for school. However, it shouldn’t be an excuse for not paying tickets, she said. According to the California Vehicle Code 22651.7, students have 72 hours to pay the penalties at the parking office, or the University Police Department in order to get the boot removed. Once an official is contacted, parking staff would then be notified and a field officer would meet with the parking violator to remove the boot. Mary Ellen Frazier, administrative analyst with the campus transportation department, along with other members of the parking staff helped explain why boots are being used, and what students can do when immobilized by the boot. “After 5 p.m. on Fridays through Saturday, and Sunday, anyone needing to have a boot paid and removed would have to wait for the next business day,” Frazier said. She said this was simply because parking enforcement does not offer those services on the weekend. For students, that means their car could remain immobilized overnight and through the weekend. However, this hasn’t stopped some students from trying to free their cars sooner. Parking representatives said there have been instances where a student attempts to manually remove the parking boot themselves.
news@dailytitan.com
The faltering economy is a big reason why applications to the 23 California State University campuses have increased this year, Teresa Ruiz, public affairs and communications specialist at the CSU Chancellor’s Office, said. During economic downturns, people get more motivated to get an education to secure jobs, and afford-
able public schools naturally become a popular choice, Ruiz said. The CSU system has received a total of 88,708 applicants as of Oct. 22, three weeks after the admission cycle opened for the fall 2009 semester. This was a 22.6 percent increase from the same time last year, according to official data from the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Among the total applicants, 62,576 were freshmen, a 16 percent increase, 24,060 were transfer students, a 42 percent increase and 2,072 were graduate students which was a 32 percent increase. “Every time the economy goes bad, there is always a trend in increasing applicants,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said college education be- Fullerton graduate student, said she comes very popular as people look hopes to enhance her employment to expand their knowledge, seek a opportunities by earning a master’s better career path degree in communiand more financations with an emcial security. phasis in advertising. While there is “A bachelor’s dean increased need gree is really a must of education for today and many emjob security, Ruiz ployers prefer a masalso said the CSU ter’s degree,” Toschi system is especialsaid. – Teresa Ruiz, CSU campuses ly attractive since Specialist affordable state such as CSUF are schools also make attractive and accesa lot of sense financially as many col- sible, while solid academic programs lege funds dwindle during times of including arts, business and comeconomic crisis. munications continue to produce Angelique Toschi, 27, a Cal State students and faculty who achieve na-
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Every time the economy goes bad, there is always a trend in increasing applicants.
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DTSHORTHAND
tional acclaim, said Chuck Moore, director of enrollment services at CSUF’s Irvine campus, in an e-mail interview. “(Our) regional reputation as a solid, not-too-glamorous, but highquality campus with tons of opportunities keeps CSUF going,” Moore said. The cost of education at state schools is a bargain compared to that of private universities. The undergraduate tuition at a CSU campus for an academic year is $3,797, while the median annual tuition for a private institution in California is $25,918, according to californiacolleges.edu, a Web site that offers career and college planning.
Obama floods the airwaves University shootings reinforce response policy SUNRISE, Fla. (MCT) – Barack Obama, presenting himself as the leader of ordinary Americans struggling to cope with the faltering economy, Wednesday used a half-hour prime-time TV pitch to gently insist that his blueprint for change doesn’t make government bigger but “grows the economy and keeps people on the job.” The program, aired on seven television networks, including CBS, NBC and Fox, was an effort to paint the Democratic nominee as a caring candidate in touch with ordinary Americans. It started with brightly lit scenes of farm fields, featured Obama speaking in a setting that closely resembled the Oval Office, and ended with live shots of the Illinois senator getting lofty as he addressed a crowd of 20,000 in Sunrise. “America,” he said, “the time for change has come.” Republican rival John McCain scoffed at the show. “When you’re watching this gauzy, feel-good commercial,” he told a Riviera Beach, Fla., audience, “just remember that it was paid for with broken promises.”
Among them, he said, was an Obama pledge to accept public financing in the general election. McCain, like every major presidential candidate since the system was first used in 1976, is taking public money, but Obama isn’t. Instead, Obama raised record private donations. Obama has countered that he said last year that if nominated, “I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election.” Public finance does remain in place. Obama chose not to use it. Remember, McCain said Wednesday, that Obama’s “word doesn’t appear to mean that much. When he tells America tonight that he’s going to cut taxes for the middle class, people wonder if he’ll keep his word because his record is supporting higher taxes on working families.” McCain kept firing away later Wednesday evening on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” insisting that “Senator Obama hasn’t told the American people the truth. So therefore he now is able to buy these half hour infomercials and, frankly, is going to try to convince the American people
through his rhetoric what his record shows that he’s not.” Obama has backed higher taxes for wealthier taxpayers, and his current plan would restore higher, pre-2001 tax rates for individuals earning more than $200,000 and families making over $250,000. Others would get a tax cut or no tax increase. In his TV commercial, Obama detailed his tax program, as well as his plans to end the war in Iraq, promote energy efficiency and revamp the nation’s health care system. He talked straight to the camera at some points and used highlights from speeches in others. The show tried to build his credibility by parading a wide array of Democratic officeholders before the camera to praise the nominee, including governors and Senate colleagues. It gave him a common touch through stories of people such as Mark Dowell, a Louisville, Ky., auto worker whose hours have been cut, and Juliana Sanchez, an Albuquerque, N.M., “widow with two children and a mortgage” trying to stay financially afloat.
CSUF Police say they are prepared in the event of an active shooter on campus By Crysania Salcido
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
Shootings at the University of Central Arkansas Sunday left two students dead, one person wounded and the campus on lockdown. Cal State Fullerton Police said they are prepared to handle such an emergency. One student died at the scene. and the two other shooting victims were taken to Conway Regional Medical Center where one student died and the other victim, who was not a UCA student, was treated and released according to a police report on the UCA Web site. The shooting, much like the April 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, are a reminders that college campuses are as susceptible to violence as any-
where else. “I think that it is a possibility anywhere,” said Jeremy Tan, a senior kinesiology major at CSUF. If such an event were to occur at CSUF, students can be assured that the University Policy Department is ready to respond. “We do have a policy and are prepared for that situation,” said Lt. Don Landers. CSUF Emergency Management Coordinator Sgt. Justin Hendee elaborated. He said that CSUF has an Active Shooter Policy that includes a Shelter in Place response and a mass notification system called Connect-Ed. The system sends out phone calls, text messages and e-mails to all students, Hendee said. It would let students know about the situation on campus, it communicates to them where to take shelter if they are on campus and even tells students who are off campus to stay away. See SHOOTING, Page 2
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For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan. Please contact executive editor David Carrillo at 714-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.
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October 30, 2008
shooting: prepare for any From Page 1
Students must be registered, with up-to-date contact information entered in the student portal, to receive the Connect-Ed notification. Hendee also said that the school would go into lockdown and that there are officers ready for the situation. “We have officers that would be dispatched to the location who would try to minimize casualties,” Hendee said.
The UCA web site reported that the campus had a similar system that immediately notified students. The UCA campus was placed under an official lockdown, classes were canceled on Monday and access to the campus was restricted with officers posted in front of buildings. The Connect-Ed system was implemented at CSUF in 2007 and according the Hendee, the University Police Department offered on-campus symposiums to reach out to the Fullerton community, letting them
know what to do in the event of an emergency, and how the notification system works. Hendee also said that this semester they are working on a more personal basis with instructors who request the presentation for their classes. Human services major Leslie Garcia said she feels safe on campus. She learned about the CSUF Shelter in Place policy and Connect-Ed notification system this summer in her freshman orientation. “It’s just like any other place, it’s
as safe as you can get,” Garcia said. Tan said that he was on campus when the Virginia Tech shooting happened, but that he doesn’t really picture anything happening here at CSUF. “Just thinking about how many colleges there are and how many universities there are in the United States, it’s really highly unlikely that it will happen here,” Tan said “There’s always that slim chance but I try not to worry about it too much … I feel pretty safe here.”
Investigation of Illinois campaign donor CHICAGO (MCT) – Big campaign donors typically come with deep pockets and influence. But in Illinois this election cycle, no one not running for office himself has given more to the nation’s federal campaigns than Shi Sheng Hao, a virtual unknown in business and political circles. Before September 2007, Hao’s name had never appeared in the 15year-old federal database of campaign contributors. Since then, however, his donations have topped $120,000 _ including $70,100 on a single June day to Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Over the same time frame, a network of Hao relatives has kicked in more. The take from this group over the last 13 months exceeds $269,000, most of it to McCain and the Republican National Committee, records show. Hao didn’t register to vote at the northwest suburban address attached to his donations until October 2007, a month after he wrote his first political check, $25,000 to the RNC. The circumstances surrounding Hao’s sudden and prolific political activism are curious and his whereabouts unclear. His name isn’t listed on property records or the mailbox at the unassuming tract home listed on his donations. Hao lives “overseas,” insisted a man who answered the door at the Roselle home re-
cently. The man declined to identify himself. The story of Hao whose varied roster of business associates appears to include a Taiwanese government investment arm as well as the mastermind of a decade-old Democratic fundraising scandal is an eyebrowraiser in the current election climate. Ethnic Chinese donors became an issue in the battle for the Democratic nomination last year because some didn’t seem to live where they claimed on contribution records. Now, Republicans are raising questions about the authenticity of many small donations Democrat Barack Obama has received from abroad. Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics, said the timing of the Hao related contributions appeared troubling, though there could be a plausible explanation. “Large contributions from people who have never given previously do generally provoke questions about who they are and what they’re up to and most importantly, what they’re looking for,” said Krumholz, whose non-partisan group closely tracks political donations. “...The public needs to be concerned because there are fraudulent donations and persons use them to gain influence and access in Washington.” McCain spokesman Brian Rogers
said Hao was not a “major donor” and “not a part of this campaign in terms of fundraising,” but declined to discuss him further or address the campaign’s procedures for vetting donors. RNC spokesman Danny Diaz said he would not respond to questions from the Tribune, contending the newspaper was biased against McCain. So who is Shi Sheng Hao and what are his means and motives for becoming a mega-donor? No one answers a telephone listed in his name in the 630 area code and there’s no answering machine. Messages left for him by phone and e-mail with several relatives went unanswered. But this much can be gleaned from public records: Donation disclosures list his occupation as a businessman with entities identified only by slightly different acronyms: ADECC, AAEC, A.A.E.C.C. On some he is also listed as president of American Chinese Entertainment Ltd. Hao and his wife, Hsin-Ning, declared bankruptcy in 1995, at the time using the Roselle, Ill., home as an address and listing as a business a firm called Asian American Environmental Control. Hao holds an Illinois driver’s license that lists his address as the Roselle home, but property records show the four-bedroom house has been owned since 1992 by Robert
and Jen Chi and their last name is on the mailbox. Contacted at the Des Plaines marketing firm where she works, Jen Chi said she didn’t want to discuss Hao, though she said she knew how to get in touch with him and would have him call the Tribune. He never did. “I don’t know anything about his business,” said Chi, who herself gave $15,000 to the RNC the week after Hao’s first donation. “I don’t want to be stuck in the middle.” Hao’s wife, Hsin-Ning, also used the Roselle address when she made a $25,000 contribution to the RNC last year. In September, however, she listed a Taipei address on a $2,300 contribution to the campaign fund of former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. There is no record in business databases of American Chinese Entertainment Ltd., the firm listed in some Hao donation records. However, an Asian American Entertainment Corp., was incorporated early this year in California with a Shi Sheng Hao as president. Government records show that firm and at least two other Hao companies have connections to the family of Gene and Nora Lum, onetime prominent Democratic fundraisers in the AsianAmerican community who were convicted in 1997 of making political donations through illegal straw donors.
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News
October 30, 2008
Ed, economy intertwined Horror is generational Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
The economic downturn’s effect on higher education is a hot-button issue for students and professors voting in the upcoming presidential elections, but some Cal State Fullerton professors say that neither candidate has a clear solution. The cost of education has dramatically increased over the last decade, Donald Matthewson, Cal State Fullerton political science professor, said. As the economic crisis continues, he said the situation also worsens for students. Not only has the financial meltdown made it more difficult for students to pay their tuition, the state budget cuts have forced the university to cut back on enrollment and classes. “With the financial bailout plan in place, are students going to be bailed out as well?” said Chuck Moore, director of the Enrollment Services Center at CSUF. “Education is the cornerstone to economic recovery.”
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Education is the cornerstone to economic recovery.
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If you commit to serving your community and your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education.
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– Sen. Barack Obama
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We must rise to the challenge and modernize our universities so that they retain their status as producers of the most skilled workforce in the world.
Highlights of Obama and McCain’s statements on higher education. Sources: johnmccain.com barackobama.com
“Obama and Biden will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form ... eliminating the need for a separate application.” “Obama and Biden will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans ... Recipients of the credit will be required to conduct 100 hours of community service.”
– Sen. John McCain
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By Bahar Taghizadeh-Ansari
Cal State San Marcos, Long Beach their local communities and ask State and San Diego State are among for information regarding available universities that are not admitting scholarships. new students in the spring semester. Both candidates’ statements on Universities’ sole purpose is not higher education focus on increasing to provide students with knowledge accessibility to financial aid by simanymore, Matthewson said, adding plifying paperwork. that CSUF has become more of a “The application process is long bureaucracy. and terrible. It is very ineffective He said that universities are be- and inefficient,” said Phil Mendoza, coming businesses and use business a junior who is a political science models to run the school. major. He added that anything that Though both candidates have makes the process move faster is for acknowledged the importance of the best. education, neither of the candidates The process itself was not that have presented difficult, but hava clear plan on ing to resubmit lost how they will documents made it be addressfrustrating, Mathew ing this issue, Smith, a civil enMathewson gineering graduate said. student, said. Despite the While the eflack of focus, ficiency of the fi– Chuck Moore, nancial aid system Moore said Director of enrollment could be called into the candidates’ management at CSUF plans for the question by some economy will Moore emphasized determine the importance of where educaallocating resources tion will be in the upcoming years. appropriately. Less money should With soaring tuition costs, be spent on energy and other things Mathewson recommends alterna- and more money spent on educative sources of money for students. tion, he said. Among many scholarships available “Do your research and vote for through schools, he recommends the candidate with the most realistic students contact service clubs in view of the future,” Moore said.
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Economy depends on education, but education needs economic support
“ Too many programs and a complicated application process deter many eligible students from seeking student aid ... Consolidating prohgrams will help simplify the administration of these programs, and help more students have a better understanding of their eligibility for aid. “ The existing tax benefits are too complicated, and many eligible families don’t claim them. By simplifying the existing benefits, I can ensure that a greater number of families have a lower tax burden when they are helping to send their children to college.”
Students weigh cost vs. benefits of college College graduates find it difficult to repay student loans in tough economy CHICAGO (MCT) – Kelly Stevens is suffering from buyer’s remorse. The 29-year-old from Fargo, N.D., took out more than $60,000 in loans to pay for a bachelor’s degree in fashion marketing from the Illinois Institute of Art. She was convinced it would allow her to open her own store or work for a major fashion company – basically, to make more money. But nearly a year after graduating, she is waiting tables at a comedy club. Every week, she gets rejected from half a dozen marketing jobs. She can no longer make payments on some of her loans. She can barely scrape by. “I can’t open my own store in this economy,” Stevens said. “Marketing jobs are among those that have been hardest hit. Sometimes it feels like I should never have gotten that degree.” Money is only one of the reasons to go to college, of course. But with college costs skyrocketing and the economy worsening, the question of whether higher education is a worthy financial investment is no longer a no-brainer. For decades, the earnings gap between college graduates and high
school graduates grew and grew. Get a bachelor’s degree, and you were almost guaranteed to be a lot better off. But the gap in income has started to shrink in recent years. U.S. Census data show that in 2007 people with a bachelor’s degree earned 90 percent more than high school graduates, down from a 96 percent gap seven years earlier. Meanwhile, more students are taking on debt. The debt levels are growing. And some graduates are unable to land jobs that allow them to pay back their loans. Most experts insist that going to college is generally worth it. College graduates still earn substantially more than high school graduates on average: $59,365 annually compared with $33,609. But they caution that some college choices are no longer a wise investment. Students destined for low-paying careers, they say, simply cannot manage certain debt levels. Loans can surpass $100,000 depending on the school and the borrower. “If you’re going to be a nursery school teacher your whole life, you should not be taking out a lot of loans,” said Sandy Baum, senior policy analyst for the College Board and an economics professor at Skidmore College. “That’s the problem. It’s an investment people make without knowing
how they will pay it off.” People in business jobs can manage $46,000, according to calculations the Chicago Tribune made with a formula created by Baum. So for Stevens, paying back nearly $65,000 in loans was almost certain to be a struggle. Now that she is stuck in a low-paying service job, it’s become impossible. Meanwhile, about one-third of college students drop out – dashing any return on their investment. Does attending an elite college make a difference? The answer is unclear. While some researchers have found that graduates of top schools earn more on average than those from less prestigious institutions, others have found no difference. Debbie Quinn, director of guidance at West Aurora High School, said she doesn’t dissuade students from going to college because of the cost. But she encourages them to think about their career path and potential earnings. Recognizing that the cost of college could steer students away from important but low-paying professions, Congress passed legislation last year that will gradually cut interest rates on certain government loans, allow borrowers to make smaller loan payments if they are earning less, and forgive the loans of students who serve in public-service careers for 10 years.
“Saw V” is the latest horror flick to petrify theater goers By Damian Kelly
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
This Friday marks the culmination of Halloween, a hotly anticipated yearly celebration for enthusiasts everywhere. Every year as soon as October hits, the countdown begins to the 31st as most people get in the spirit of spook and fright. In what has become a generational conflict between young people and alarmed parents, violent horror movies continue to be churned out by Hollywood, and Halloween 2008 looks to be no different, as “Saw V,” released Oct. 24, conjured up about $30 million on its opening weekend. The four “Saw” movies together have grossed $285 million according to The-Numbers.com, a box office data Web site. Parents continue to worry about why their children want to watch the “Saw” films to witness the latest sadistic games from “Jigsaw” aka John Kramer (played by Tobin Bell), the franchise’s mostly invisible killer. Radio-TV-Film Professor Shelley Jenkins said people simply enjoy the adrenaline rush of watching the “Saw” movies. Jenkins recalls that Wes Cra-
ven nicely summed up why people enjoy watching horror movies during his appearance at CSUF Communications Week in 2002. “I remember Wes saying that people like getting the ‘(expletive) scared out of them,’” Jenkins said. However, there is a more complex factor at work, which helps explain the reason behind the consistently high viewership of horror movies. Riccardo de los Rios, professor in the Department of Radio-TVFilm, said movies such as the “Saw” series are the latest transgression of horror films for the current generation. He said transgression of this nature occurs when teens become engrossed in something, which would be considered offensive to their parents, who are from the previous generation. This generational conflict has resulted in the “Saw” films becoming an opportunity for young people to feel dirty and rebel against parents who think the films are too graphic, de los Rios said. “The ‘Saw’ films have managed to have the perfect storm of elements that hits the right audience at the right time,” de los Rios said. The type of transgression varies for each generation, de los Rios said. For example, the generation of parents who pierced their noses and ears will have a different idea of what they consider to be transgression. “Saw” films also have been able to change the level of punishment, de los Rios said.
“The sense of retribution has been widened by the ‘Saw” films,” de los Rios said. “We now expect there to be a serial killer who goes after people who have done wrong in society.” But eventually, as with all widely popular horror films, de los Rios said, the generation who enjoyed the “Saw” films will get older and move on. Horror is a cyclical genre, which results in films not remaining for long, he said. “Franchises in the 1980s such as ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Halloween’ fizzled out as fans of those grew older and moved on from their transgression,” de los Rios said. Past horror films may no longer be the cultural phenomenons they once were but Halloween always provides an opportunity for them to be enjoyed once again. Department of Radio-TVFilm Professor Bob Engels, said he recommends watching Walt Disney’s version of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” not for scares but for fun. Jenkins, meanwhile, suggests watching vintage Halloween films such as the 1931 version of “Frankenstein”, “The Exorcist”, “Scream” and “Rosemary’s Baby.” De los Rios says he prefers the old Halloween films such as “Halloween” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” but young people today prefer watching the graphic violence of “Saw” to see how ‘twisted’ Jigsaw can get in his games of survival.
features
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October 30, 2008
Heavy drinking will lead to a hard liver By Christee Lemons
Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com
Tight and leathery are words typically not used to describe a vital organ, but many people find this to be the case when they are diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is a slow debilitating liver disease that hardens the entire organ and damages the tissue by cutting off the blood supply and killing liver cells, Rebecca Otten, assistant professor of nursing at Cal State Fullerton, said. “It basically kills the liver,” she said. As one of the largest organs in the
body, the liver takes everything we ingest and turns it into more usable forms. Almost all the blood leaving the stomach and intestines pass through it before reaching the rest of the body, the American Liver Foundation’s Web site states. Chronic alcoholism is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the U.S. and 26,000 people die from this disease each year. In addition to cirrhosis, there are many organ affecting conditions and diseases one may incur by combining heavy drinking with poor eating habits and skipping exercise. Eating hamburgers and chugging beer may sound like a balanced diet for many college students, but the long and
short-term health repercussions of these patterns could be deadly. A large amount of these behavioral based conditions are cardiovascular disease, a group of heart and blood vessels disorders that account for 30 percent of deaths worldwide, the WHO Web site (http://www.who. int) states. In 2005, CVD claimed 17.5 million lives, making it the leading cause of death worldwide. Of those, an estimated 7.6 million were due to coronary heart disease and 5.7 million were due to stroke. Excessive drinking of alcohol raises the amount of C-reactive protein, which recent studies have shown may lead to cardiovascular diseases, cardiologist and American
Heart Association spokesperson Shalizeh Shokooh said. Even shortterm drinking can increase blood pressure, which creates a high risk of stroke or heart disease. Because alcohol is very fattening, it adds a lot of calories to a diet and can predispose people to being overweight, leading to diabetes and heart attacks, Laurie Lang, a lecturer in the nursing department at CSUF, said. Students although typically young, are not exempt for getting any of these conditions. Through her experience as a cardiovascular nurse, Lang said that she has seen signs of CVD in children as young as juniorhigh age. They had high blood pres-
sure, poor diets and elevated levels of triglycerides (fats in blood), which are three leading causes of CVD. Some people may think if they do all their drinking now but stop as they get older, they will never reap the consequences of their drinking days, but this is false. Excessive drinking for a number of years can do so much damage to the liver and other organs that by the time one stops, the damage has been done. “There are some things that are irreversible and stopping will help stop those symptoms from getting worse,” Lang said. Drinking alcohol is not entirely bad for the body, but doing so in excess is. The American Heart As-
sociation advises people who do not drink not to start, but states that those who do should drink in moderation. The Web site recommends that moderate consumption of alcohol averages one or two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women, with a drink being one 12 oz. beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1.5 oz. of 80-proof hard alcohol, or 1 oz. of 100-proof hard alcohol. It is important for people to try and follow a good diet and exercise program. “If they want to drink a glass of wine or two during the week that’s fine, but beyond that it is a excessive amount of consumption” Shokooh said.
In trees vs. solar fight, solar wins The dead might still
MCT – A smackdown between Silicon Valley environmentalists that has made national news is coming to a close, with chain saws buzzing. Richard Treanor and Carolynn Bissett of Sunnyvale, Calif., were criminally prosecuted because redwood trees in their backyard cast a shadow over their neighbor’s solar panels. On Wednesday morning, they plan to have a tree trimmer chop the two redwoods that a judge ordered removed in December, in effect ending the case. “We’re out of dollars. No more money for more lawyering,” Treanor said. They’ve spent $37,000 in legal bills, he said, and can’t afford to appeal the ruling. Although they lost the battle, in the future tree owners may yet win the war. On Monday, state Sen. Joe Simitian, a Palo Alto Democrat, introduced a bill that would change California law so that anybody whose trees were planted before a neighbor’s solar panels were installed can’t be required to cut them back or chop them down. That would apply even if the trees grow up later and
cast a shadow over the solar panels, as happened in this case. Under Simitian’s bill, it would continue to be illegal for trees to cast a shadow over solar panels if the panels were installed before the trees were planted. But if the trees were there first, they have the right to stay. But with mounting concerns over global warming, and incentives for solar power growing in many states, how to balance trees with solar power’s need for sunshine is an issue that isn’t going away. The showdown began in 2001, when neighbor Mark Vargas installed a 10-kilowatt solar system on his roof and on a 10-foot-high trellis. Vargas said he first asked Treanor and Bissett to chop down eight redwoods that the couple had planted from 1997 to 1999 along the fence separating their yards. “I still think it is sad that we couldn’t have figured it out between neighbors,” Vargas said. “I offered to pay to remove the trees.” Treanor and Bissett liked the trees for privacy. They suggested Vargas move his solar panels, which make up an array that is about three
times the size of a typical residential system. He said doing so would reduce the amount of electricity they could generate for his five-bedroom home and electric car. After several years of failed mediation, Vargas filed a complaint with the Santa Clara County district attorney arguing that the trees violated California’s “Solar Shade Control Act,” a rarely used law signed in 1978 by former Gov. Jerry Brown. Prosecutors agreed and ordered the trees cut under penalty of $1,000 a day fines. In December, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kurt Kumli found the couple guilty of violating the Solar Shade Control Act. In a partial victory for each side, he ruled that six of the trees can remain and the two generating the most shade must be “altered or removed in such a way so that 10 percent or less” of the solar panels are shaded. “We’re not against solar power. We are 100 percent for it,” said Treanor. “But trees are as important for many reasons habitat for wildlife, noise reduction, storing carbon as solar. All we want is a balance.”
be alive in Hispaniola
Are there really such things as zombies? Some say they would make great friends to sit and play video games with By Andy Anderson
Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com
One small, insignificant bite on the neck, arm, back, or hand is all it takes to become one of the creeping, living dead. Minutes after being bitten, the victim is transformed from a once happy, healthy human into a brain-craving, slow-moving creature: a zombie. “No one is born a zombie, they can only be turned into one,” Ryan Alderson, 21, an electrical engineering major, said. “And scratches don’t work, you have to get bitten to become a zombie.” Zombies are exactly like us in all physical respects but have no conscious experiences, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. “It would be cool to have a zombie as a friend,” Alderson said. “You could chain him up and force him to play video games with you.” As long as one kept their distance from their new-found friend and avoided being bitten, a zombie friendship could work. They don’t say much, never eat – except for the occasional brain – and require very little entertainment. Though easily avoided due to their inability to move quickly and their lack of rational human thought, zombies still pose a threat to any human who does not wish to spend eternity on a neverending quest for fresh brains. But after being bitten, what does a zombie do to pass the time? “A zombie dies and then comes back to eat the hearts and brains of the living,” Nicole Park, 22, a communications major, said. “I wouldn’t mind becoming a zombie if I had to, I think the constant quest for brains would be delicious.” An eternal brain hunt and a new life as a zombie is not as desirable for others like Maria Mendoza, 21, a criminal justice major. “I would be much more careful with who I associated with if zombies were real and I risked becoming one,” Mendoza said. For others, the possibilities of becoming a zombie merit much more extreme measures than simply avoiding an alleged zombie. “If zombies are anything like I’ve seen in the movies, they are really creepy,” Chris Encell, 22, a communications major, said. “If I had to become one, I would try my best to kill as many other zombies as possible before killing myself. I would never want to spend eternity obsessed with eating brains.” Though most of these aforementioned zombie legends stem from folklore, researchers claim that legends of these creatures may have began because of true events in the small Caribbean country of Haiti. According to the article “How Zombies Work,” from howstuffworks.com, researchers studying Haitian culture have reported many tales of bodies brought back to life by Bokor (Haitian sorcerers).
These alleged zombies became mindless slaves upon resurrection, hardly aware of themselves at all. James Dilworth, author of “Zombies” on theymystica.com said in his article, “thousands of people in Haiti are considered to be zombies, some of which lead normal everyday lives with families, jobs and are respected citizens.” Over years of study, researchers documented many accounts of supposed zombies, but found little to no conclusive evidence to back up their theories. Many of the supposed living dead had received very little medical treatment before their deaths, which made it very hard to document their illnesses and actual causes of death. Researchers were just about to close the book on Haitian zombies when a very important man showed up in a rural Haitian village in 1980. Clairvius Narcisse, the missing link of the zombie world, made claims that he had “died” in 1962, but was brought back to life through the assistance of a Bokor, who turned him into a zombie. Narcisse could remember being paralyzed during his “death” and watching the doctor pull a white sheet over his body at Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles, Haiti, where he was pronounced dead on May 2, 1962. The hospital had retained records of his illness and death, which gave researchers a decent lead in their quest for the truth about zombies. Dr. Wade Davis, an ethnobotanist and anthropologist, was in Haiti at the time researching zombies when a colleague, Dr. Nathan S. Kline brought Narcisse’s case to his attention. Kline theorized that a drug might have been responsible for the zombie-like characteristics Narcisse displayed after his death and sent Davis to investigate. After much investigation, Davis learned that Bokors were responsible for turning people into zombies – not through sorcery or magic – but through the use of one specific drug called tetrotodoxin. By using a combination of tetrotodoxin – the poison from the dreaded fugu fish – and a dissociative hallucinogen such as datura, a drug which reduces or blocks signals to the mind from other parts of the brain, Bokors were able to induce a brief paralysis in their victims, preventing them from reacting to any stimuli. According to the howstuffworks.com article, “families would bury the victim, and the Bokor would remove the body from the grave. If all had gone well, the poison would wear off and the victim would believe himself to be a zombie.” According to Davis’s theories, a person poisoned with Haitian zombie powder regains consciousness while in the coffin, or shortly after being removed from it. This may have been what happened to Narcisse, but no conclusive evidence labeling him a true Haitian zombie has been released.
yo u r w e e k ly d o s e o f e n t e rta i n m e n t
DETOUR
October 30, 2008
October & November 30
Thursday Neil Young The Forum Los Angeles
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Friday Tiger Army The Grove Anaheim
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Saturday DJ Quick with Warran G The Grove Anaheim
05
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Wednesday The Expendables House of Blues Los Angeles Thursday TV On The Radio The Wiltern Los Angeles Friday Bouncing Souls House of Blues Anaheim
By Daniel Batalla
Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com
Goths and most certainly ghouls will find a cozy place to gather Friday when Release the Bats, an alternative to the mundane Halloween bash, celebrates its 10th anniversary. The monthly event is a Goth gala that celebrates its anniversary Halloween night at Long Beach’s Que Sera where participants will witness “death-rock debauchery, lechery and blood with 200 plus screaming ghouls,” according to club promoter Dave Bats. Que Sera sits on the corner of 7th Street and Cherry Avenue, a relatively gloomy part of town after nightfall, in Long Beach. It’s the perfect location for the event, which is expected to generate a large crowd due to the monumental occasion. Ten years in “club land” is a lifetime. “I love to spin at Que Sera” said Stephanie Saharopulos, guest DJ at the Long Beach venue. “The people who dance are always energetic and just come to have a good time. Release the Bats this year, should be great.” Most nights, at Release the Bats, include a live band performing for a crowd of boys in eyeliner and girls in platform shoes, or vice versa. “It (Release the Bats) is basically just a big party” Louanne Smith, a Que Sera bartender, said. “People come from all over to attend the event. They come from L.A., the O.C. and one guy comes from Fresno every month,” she added. For the 10-year anniversary, in-
Release the Bats celebrates a decade of goth darkness A night of death rock, debauchery and creepy, ghost white manicans await club goers at Que Sera night club in Long Beach.
stead of providing live music, the familiar with punk, glam, indusclub is opting to revert to the tunes trial and alternative music. of former DJs. “Our club “Aside from plays ‘Siouxsie the Halloweenand the Banparty theme, we shees.’ Where will be revisiting else can you the past decade hear music like with special DJ that?” Smith sets, videos of the said. “The night bands that have is very festive. performed on the These are peoBat Stage on all ple who live the the monitors and Gothic lifestyle. goodie bags filled They’re not just to the brim with dressing up for – Maribell Arce, the night.” tons of nefarious Guest surprises,” Bats Howe ve r, said. for those lookThe Goth lifeing to listen style can easily frighten people un- and reminisce about icons such as
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I’m excited to see what the night will bring. I’ve been to Que Sera millions of times but this will be my first time to experience this event.
Regime Noir stages sonic takeover Progressive rock duo delivers a blast of raw indie rock inspired by their East Los Angeles roots By Sky;er Blair
Daily Titan Staff Writter detour@dailytitan.com
The glitz and glamor of trendy Hollywood nightclubs can sometimes obscure the true musical identity within the City of Angels. It’s refreshing to uncover a genuine SoCal grassroots group who knows how to tell the truth. Regime Noir, an East Los Angeles group, has found their niche among rock fans performing their own style of flamenco-post-punk jazz fusion as described by frontman Israel Ramirez. Bassist Chris Conde says their music sounds “as if Muse grew up in East L.A. and listened to the Clash and Mahavishnu Orchestra.” Four years ago Ramirez and Conde met through Craigslist, and after going through a rotation of drummers they were able to produce their debut album, Native Stranger, in a joint label release between Beat Renegade Recordings and Gunslap Records. After listening to some of Regime Noir’s music, engineer Rob Dennler noticed that there was something interesting about their music and that it had many different elements along with strong social messages. Dennler, who has worked with a variety of artists from Built To Spill to Sheryl Crow, decided to produce, mix and engineer the album at Kingsize Soundlabs in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock. “Basically it was our label and a friend’s label that help[ed] us pay for the physical production,” Conde said. “Literally every CD, liner note,
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Que Sera, a local Long Beach haunt celebrates a decade of darkness at Release the Bats
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Live Wire
www.dailytitan.com
detour @dailytitan.com • (714) 278-5027
picture, and detail was done by hand.” You can order the album through their Myspace site: www.myspace. com/regimenoir, off of iTunes, or at any of their upcoming shows. On the album, the indie group has songs like “Salvation” which draw the listener in with a relaxed, bluesy intro giving way to a forte of flurry guitar licks beneath Ramirez’s howling vocals. Their music evokes a hostile, get-up-and-go punk feel in songs like “Struts and Blades” along with creative use of unconventional Spanish percussion instruments. Regime Noir’s album is an interesting juxtaposition; combining punk looseness and a jazz finesse as well as balancing their influences and tastes according to Ramirez. Conde said that lyrically, they strive to write tales about being Los Angeles natives, socio-political themes, and cognizance versus vapidity. Their music is also reaching out to other communities outside of Los Angeles. Regime Noir has played throughout California, as well as in Oregon and Arizona. Recently, the band has even garnered some attention from fans in Mexico, according to hits they’ve received on their Myspace page. Though the band has yet to play a show across the border, Conde expressed his gratitude for their Latino fans. “It’s nice to know that people just appreciate good music, no matter what language it’s in,” he said. They performed last weekend among the bizarre relics at the California Institute for the Abnormalarts (CIA) in North Hollywood along with a diverse group of other bands. Conde described the venue as something out of Rob Zombie movie. Regime Noir will be playing a 21+ show at Bordello Bar in Los Angeles along with The Meek next Thursday at 8 p.m.
Chris Conde and Israel Ramierez of Regime Noir
Photo By Vivace
The Damned, Bauhaus, Alien Sex Fiend, David Bowie and the Cocteau Twins, Release the Bats is the perfect environment. “I’ve never been to Release the Bats,” Maribell Arce, a frequent club hopper, said. “I’m excited to see what the night will bring. I’ve been to Que Sera millions of times but this will be my first time to experience this event.” On the other hand, those who are simply worried about not fitting in (ironic since Goths are generally pegged as the outcasts) are assured by Bats that they need not worry. “We have no fascist dress code like other places,” Bats said. “Costumes are encouraged of course since it’s Halloween but it’s your
By Daniel Batalla/Daily Titan Staff Photographer
party, be a part of it.” In addition to a cheap $10 cover (10 dollars all night) and what will probably prove to be an overabundance of glitter makeup, leather jackets, tattooed arms and pierced … everything, Que Sera also boasts “the best drinks on the planet for the least amount of cash.” Just be sure to arrive by midnight where Bats promises, “a happy sing along and a special midnight scream toast dedicated to Release the Bats and its world wide success.” “Everybody has a right to express themselves,” Smith said. “We give them an outlet to feel comfortable with a group of people who feel the same way.”
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d et o ur
www.dailytitan.com
MUSIC
By Skyler Blair
Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com
Genuine rockabilly country blues is alive and wellin the latest album by the San Diego group “Lady Dottie & the Diamonds.” Track after track offers an unrestrained mix of old-school gems to dance to. The band’s boot-stomping Alabama blues-rock rages hard enough to make a believer out of the most knowledgeable fans of American roots music. Right from the get go Lady Dottie unabashedly socks it to listeners on the first track titled “I Ain’t Mad At Ya” proclaiming exactly what’s on her mind as she belts out the words “I got the need to please you baby!” Her soulful burst of life makes it easy to see how these lyrics could spring from a lead singer still spirited in her early sixties. Songs like “Movin’ On Up” feel like you could be in full swing in the church pews, chiming along with a southern choir with Lady Dottie at the pulpit. After diving
October 30, 2008
detour@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-5027
head long into the first few tunes, even the rhythmically challenged may find themselves clapping their hands and swinging their hips like James Brown. Just make sure no one sees you unless you’re trying out for an iPod commercial. The intros with a country piano and a howling harmonica really tug at the heart strings especially on “Come Along Together,” a song perfect for a pick-me-up on those days when it feels like that pesky rain cloud is following you overhead. Even though their album might not be on the MP3 players of too many college students, we could all use a little bit of extra soul during our country’s trying times. And for more than a decade, Dottie and her five-piece band of scraggly haired bluesmen have been striking a chord in the San Diego music scene and with frequent appearances all over the West Coast, people are definitely starting to see why.
REVIEWS
GRAPHIC NOVEL
By MArco yanez
Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com
There are nothing but hilarious things to say about the punk comic anthology “Nothing Nice to Say.” A collection of comics drawn by the creator Mitch Clem from January 2005 through early 2007, takes its readers on a comedic ride through the world of punk rock. In an extremely sarcastic tone, Clem packs his comic with side-splitting humor that’s easy to follow. He is so sarcastic that it is easy for the reader to pick up and laugh along with the comic instead of being insulted by it. Clem uses his main characters Blake and Fletcher, whose lives revolve around music from the early 80’s, to tell his stories. Blake and Fletcher are best friends and roommates who have a whole lot of growing up to do. In true punk rock form Blake and Fletcher are in a two-piece band called the “Negative Adjectives.” They can’t play so they just scream
and make noise. The artwork is a perfect match for the author’s punk rock tales from the hairstyles of the characters to their ripped jeans and leather jackets. Clem is very clever and even though he’s a fan of punk, he’s not afraid to poke fun at it and he does a great job at it. Clem’s creative punch lines and strong comebacks in defense of punk culture are the driving force behind his collection of stand-alone comic strips. The only difficult thing about the book is that audience must have some knowledge of the punk scene and subculture to completely comprehend the jokes, as well as the bands and labels that he mentions. For those who care about punk music and culture, “Nothing Nice to Say” is a must read. In all honesty, the material is not to be taken personally as it is done strictly in good humor and all about fun.
MUSIC
By Crysania salcido
Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com
In their latest American release, the Japanese new wave, punk rock band Polysics live up to their album’s title. “We Ate the Machine” starts off with the catchy “Moog is Love” and proceeds to seamlessly attack the senses with quick rhythms and futuristic sounds that climax during the fourth track “I Ate the Machine.” The song is loud, fast, and fun; everything you would think of when destroying the proverbial “machine”. After listeners catch their breath with the pop-inspired “DNA Junction,” Polysics launches back into their unique, synthesized sound with “Kagayake” and strong rock guitar in “Pony and Lion.” “Arigato’s” relaxed beginning with hip-hop sounding vocals seems like it would be out of place, but its steady, synthesized beat and climatic rock ending make it a track worth listening to.
The CD doesn’t let up in its ending songs either. “Boys and Girls” is the kind of song that makes you want to jump around and dance, so it’s a good thing that “Blue Noise” allows listeners to cool off with its relaxing rhythm. The synthesized vocals make the Japanese lyrics difficult to discern, but they also give the song a surreal sound that adds to its mystique. The last song, “Dry or Wet,” ends the album with the same relentless energy that started it. “We Ate the Machine” delivers a unique mix of songs that combines new wave, rock-n-roll and other high powered sonic elements that defy explanation. But it all comes together to create the rare experience of an album that is good all the way through. Those who enjoy multi-lingual music outside the box will find a permanent favorite.
October 30, 2008
opinion
7
The editorial staff weighs in on the election With the upcoming election there is a lot of talk about the propositions and candidates. In order to let our readers know the stance of the editorial board, each editor answered a sample ballot anonymously. Of the 14 editors in the newsroom, 13 participated. All participants were given the option to abstain from voting on any and all questions. This survey was in no way meant to sway our readers votes, or change anyone’s mind going into the voting
booth. We merely want to inform our readers of who has and will continue reporting for them this semester. We encourage our readers to read up on all of the propositions and make their own educated decision. Each of these propositions had their descriptions provided by the state government Web site (www. voterguide.sos.ca.gov). For a more comprehensive look at the individual propositions and candidates, including third-party, please see on Tuesday, Nov. 4 issue.
Proposition 5
Would make five changes regarding parole, prison time, parole supervision for those in parole rehabilitation programs. Would reduce some penalties for marijuana possession.
YES 6
NO 7
Proposition 10
Would allow the state to sell $5 billion in general obligation bonds for various renewable energy. State cost of about $10 billion over 30 years. Sales tax increase in both local and state taxes.
YES 6
NO 6
Proposition 1A
Proposition 6
Proposition 11
Will permit the state to authorize the selling of a $9.95 billion general obligation bonds for a safe, reliable high-speed passenger train in California. Estimated 30 years to pay off both principal and interest costs of the bonds - about $19.4 billion. After constructed, possible costs of $1 billion per year to maintain.
Will allow several changes to current laws relating to California’s criminal justice system. Includes required spending levels for new programs, increased penalties, and changed state parole policies. Requires $965 million each year to be allocated from the state General Fund.
Would amend the California Constitution to change the redistricting process for the state Legislature, Board of Education and California State Assembly, California State Senate and Board of Equalization beginning with the 2010 census. Potential increase in redistricting costs once every ten years.
YES 6
NO 7
YES 3
NO 7
YES 6
NO 6
Proposition 2
Proposition 7
Proposition 12
Beginning January 1, 2015 this measure would prohibit, with certain exceptions, the confinement of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal and egg-laying hens in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up or fully extend limbs. Punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or 6 months jail time.
Would make a number of changes regarding the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) and the permitting of electricity generating facilities with transmitting lines. Requires utilities, including government-owned, to generate 20 percent of power from renewable energy by 2010, 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. Unknown impact on state revenue.
This measure would authorize the state to sell $900 million in general obligation bonds for the Cal-Vet program. Would provide sufficient funds for at least 3,600 additional veterans to receive loans to buy farms and homes. Costs of about $1.8 billion to pay off both the principal and interest. The cost is paid by participating veterans.
YES 10
NO 3
YES 8
NO 5
Proposition 3
Proposition 8
Would authorize the state to sell $980 in general obligation bonds for capital improvement at children’s hospitals. Specifically identifies five University of California children’s hospitals as eligible bond recipients. State cost of about $2 billion over 30 years. Will focus on children with leukemia, cancer, heart defects, diabetes, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
This measure would amend the California Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man a woman is valid and recognized in California. Notwithstanding the California Supreme Court ruling of May 2008, marriage would be limited to individuals of the opposite sex, and individuals of the same sex could not marry. Potential revenue loss for the state.
YES 8
NO 4
YES 1
Proposition 9
Would amend State Constitution to require, with certain exceptions, for a physician to notify the parent or legal guardian of a pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion involving that minor. Applies only to “unemancipated” minors. Potential state costs of several million dollars annually.
This measure would expand the legal rights of crime victims and the payment of restitution by criminal offenders, reduce the early release of inmates and change the procedures for granting and releasing parole. Net savings for state government would be in the low ten millions of dollars.
NO 11
YES 8
NO 6
Presidential Election
Sen. Barack Obama
Sen. John McCain
10
1
NO 12
Proposition 4
YES 2
YES 7
NO 5
Photo courtesy of mctcampus.com
8
Opinion
Titan Editorial Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960
The end of golden ‘chutes It seems un-American to complain about people earning too much money. In America, we do not grab at someone else’s piece of the pie; we bake a bigger pie. Americans hope that the sustained economic growth of our nation will lift everyone’s standard of living. Soak-the-rich tax proposals and nationalization of companies belong to countries with long histories of class war, poor economic management and intractable poverty – countries of people that do not have opportunity and upward mobility that is the birthright of every American citizen. The Enron scandal of 2001 started to change that. Enron was an energy company that sustained the illusion of high earnings via accounting fraud. When the company went bankrupt, financially ruining many investors, the multimillion dollar compensations of its fraudulent executives were criticized harshly. Failed brokerage house Bear Stearns’ top executives made bonuses of $9 to $12 million annually from 2002 to 2005. Much of Bear Stearns’ success was due to the sale of overvalued mortgagebacked securities. The New York Times reported that Equilar, a compensation research firm, showed that even as the number and value of performance-based bonuses dropped in 2007, the value and prevalence of bonuses not tied to performance went up.
Letters to the Editor:
MSNBC reported that CEO Stan O’Neil left Merrill Lynch with $161.5 million in stock, options and retirement benefits. O’Neil resigned after Merrill Lynch reported a quarterly loss of $2.24 billion. Similar “golden parachute” severance packages were reported for resigning Citibank and Countrywide executives. What can be done to prevent failed executives from leaving under-performing, or completely wrecked, companies with severance and retirement packages that are, apparently, bonuses for failure? Control by legislation is not necessarily the answer. Shareholders need to stand up for themselves, insisting on “clawbacks” (the return of bonuses and compensation based on incorrect financial data), linking of executive compensation to worker pay, limits on compensation by stock options and discretionary (non-performance-related) bonuses and board of directors members who are as responsible to workers and shareholders. Judging by how little progress has been made since the Enron scandal, controls of executive compensation may still be a long way off. Or maybe not. This latest round of bonuses for failures may have a greater impact than the Enron scandal. It’s one thing to ruin one company; creating a worldwide recession may have much greater consequences for America’s executives.
Any feedback, positive or negative, is encouraged, as we strive to keep an open dialogue with our readership. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Direct all comments, questions or concerns along with your full name and major to Daily Titan Opinion Editor Austen Montero at opinion@dailytitan.com.
October 30, 2008
Reality Politics By Joshua Burton
Daily Titan Columnist
Where endorsements end and you begin For some odd reason I’m mad at the Daily Titan. I’m not mad because the paper’s editors used the opinion page to express their opinions by endorsing their favorite candidate and propositions. I got mad when I found out that we disagreed on more than a few endorsements. I don’t have a problem with newspaper endorsements. I didn’t bat an eye when the New York Times endorsed Barack Obama, ending a 36-year run of refraining from endorsing candidates, yet I was infuriated when the Daily Titan staff decided upon its own endorsements. I’m going to devote this last column before the election to express why opinion and political banter really don’t make much of a difference on Election Day as much as your own personal beliefs. I’ve come to realize that just because a paper or a professor is opinionated, doesn’t mean they are unfairly biased, and it certainly doesn’t mean you need to listen to them. The Titan’s endorsements angered me because for the first time I knew what it felt like to be a reporter that
worked underneath endorsements I didn’t agree with. The thing is – it doesn’t matter. Nothing changed. Life went on the same as it did before the endorsements, and it always has. When I was younger I would always get annoyed when a celebrity or a news organization would endorse a political candidate. Conversely, I always respected a professor whose political affiliation remained a mystery to me throughout a semester, despite my attempt to figure it out. I guess I was content with believing that the majority of my information sources had no biased opinions. After a while, I realized the truth. The value of an argument shouldn’t always be defined by the source, but the validity of the argument itself. Facts matter most to an argument, and that is why credibility is important. This realization happened when I finally had a professor who was willing to express his political affiliation. He was an old news reporter, and in my opinion, a model of the best the news industry has to offer.
I watched him verbally attack politicians, celebrities and (most importantly to me) newspapers when it came to fairness. From all of his tirades I learned an important lesson: a firm grasp of the truth can only be gotten from a wide variety of sources. When it comes to professors, I know that lecture notes only go so far. The opinions of other teachers and other text books matter just as much when searching for the truth. Where one sociology professor may stress theories based on class, another may stress others based on race. While at school we are supposed to be learning. We learn not only facts, but how to process and deal with these facts. That is the value of a well-rounded education. It is only through synthesis we can find truth. A recent study done by two professors, Gordon Hewitt of Hamilton College and Mack Mariani of Xavier University, showed that out of 6,800 students from 38 schools, 60 percent remained fixed in their political opinions throughout college. We, as the internet-savvy generation we are, aren’t limited to what-
ever restricted ideologies we get from one professor or one newspaper. We have a whole world wide web of new ideas to test our beliefs on. If you don’t like what one paper says, you can always read another one. No one is at the whim of a newspaper endorsement. I can still write something critical of the Republicans. I have seen the tallies of Titan editors for and against the propositions, and let me tell you, some of the votes were pretty close. What’s more, no editor has full control. They are at the whims of reporters in many ways; they are an editor’s eyes and ears. Editors are too busy to get out much. If enough reporters think the public needs a story, then the public will get a story – no matter if it favors the right or the left. So in the end, I’m not angry. I don’t care that they endorse or don’t endorse Proposition 4 or Proposition 1A. Why not? Because I know writers have the advantage. After all, editors get one column of editorial a day. The other 99 percent of the newspaper is OURS.
Sexy costumes aren’t just for adults anymore By Morgan McLaughlin Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com
Every year the search for the perfect Halloween costume commences. And every year, the competition to be the cutest, prettiest and sexiest starts once again. Have you noticed that with every passing year the costumes get more and more sexualized? The sexy nurse or sexy angel, the muscular suits that accompany Batman or Superman costumes – all of these costumes work towards one goal: to make you the spitting image of the unrealistic sex symbol of an advertising driven society. Sure the media may not be completely culpable for the situation, and surely people still make their own decisions, but this only applies when we’re talking about adults. You might recognize the ridiculousness of the "sexy competition" – girls going out in their heels, short skirts and skimpy costumes, spending the whole night judging each other. And you might still choose to participate. But what happens when your little sister wants to be like
you? In an Los Angeles Times article Monday, Diane E. Levin, a professor of education at Wheelock College in Boston, Mass., the co-author, with Jean Kilbourne of “So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids,” gave an interview discussing the influence of marketing and media in the production of “child prostitute” costumes. The number of sexually alluring costumes available for sale in stores and on the internet for young children (from 7-years-old to tweens) has increased steadily. The message sent by deregulated marketing strategies is telling children that being sexy is what they should want. Children, from the time they are born, are analyzing symbols and identifying behaviors on how to act. They learn through observation and imitation, trying to figure out what it means to be male or female. With the costume marketing machine this translates to "sexy" for girls and "macho" or "violent" for boys. There was a time when Halloween was about creativity. It was about the imagination and the fun of figur-
ing out who or what you wanted to be, and then discovering what that meant and how you could emulate it through a costume. For children this was a great way to provide parent-child interaction, a chance to work together to think of a costume and build it. With the sexy costume market, this is becoming the case less and less. And for those who think that the whole discussion of sexy costumes is irrelevant or being blown out of proportion, consider what this pop culture is going to be telling your children years from now. What consequences will this situation have if it continues to go unaddressed? Is it appropriate to be telling young girls at the age of seven or eight that it is OK to want to be sexually desirable, when wearing sexy clothes or being sexy are concepts that should be consigned to mature, adult minds? Is it healthy to be instilling in young minds the idea that being physically attractive and alluring is most important when defining oneself? When miming what is sold as
“sexy” or “macho” becomes the ideal, then false expectations are created and an unhealthy desire to achieve and to judge become based on a shallow self-worth. Levin put it succinctly, " … it’s no surprise there’s more and more bullying between boys, especially when one doesn’t satisfy that image. There’s a similar dynamic for girls: how they look and what they buy affects their view of themselves. But it also becomes the basis for how they treat other girls … Girls learn to judge boys by how well they meet that objective definition of mindless, unfeeling machoism. And boys learn to judge girls by how sexy they are.” Perhaps it is time to put down the fishnets and stiletto heels and think. Come up with a costume that is new, unusual, or funny. Pull from politics, current events or history, but leave the “sexy” out of it. Let’s show the world that our generation is more than superficial, onedimensional and driven by media images and influences. Use your minds and get creative this Halloween. You’d be setting a better example, and you might just feel a little better about yourself in the process.
CLASSIFIEDS
October 30, 2008
Index Announcements 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100
Campus Events/Services Campus Organizations Greeks Legal Notices Lost and Found Miscellaneous Personals Pregnancy Research Subjects Sperm/ Egg Donors Tickets Offered / wanted
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Appliances Art/Painting/Collectibles Books Computers/Software Electronics Furniture Garage/Yard Sales Health Products Miscellaneous Musical Instruments Office Equipment Pets Rentals Sports Equipment
Transportation 3600 3700 3800 3900
Auto Accessories/Repair Auto Insurance Miscellaneous Vehicles For sale/Rent
Travel 4000 4100 4200 4300
Resorts/Hotels Rides Offered/Wanted Travel Tickets Vacation Packages
Services 4400 4500 4600 4700 4800 4900 5000 5100 5200 5300 5400 5500 5600 5700 5800 5900 6000
1-900 Numbers Financial Aid Insurance Computer/Internet Foreign Languages Health/Beauty Services Acting/Modeling Classes Legal Advice/Attorneys Movers/Storage Music Lessons Personal Services Professional Services Resumes Telecommunications Tutoring Offered/Wanted Typing Writing Help
Employment 6100 6200 6300 6400 6500 6600 6700 6800 6900 7000 7100
Business Opportunities Career Opportunities P/T Career Opportunities F/T Child Care Offered/Wanted Help Wanted Actors/Extras Wanted Housesitting Internship Personal Assistance Temporary Employment Volunteer
Housing 7200 7300 7400 7500 7600 7700 7800 7900
Apartments for Rent Apartments to Share Houses for Rent/Sale Guest House for Rent Room for Rent Roommates - Private Room Roommates - Shared Room Vacation Rentals
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GUITARISTS NEEDED (lead, bass) for OC band with female vocalist. 21 and over. Contact Karen at kmri22@sbcglobal.net. Promote Great Student Rates for LASER HAIR REMOVAL and other cosmetic laser services. Please send contact info to: MedSpa90210@aol.com
Part Time Tutors Needed for Math / English school aged kids, small groups 60 kids in Fullerton. MondayThursday 2:30pm-6:00pm $12$16/hour Email: amchan5@yahoo. com (562)631-4788
Administrative Assistant-Fullerton Real Estate Development / Pre School Operations. Multi Tasker Knowledge Word/Excel. Desktop Publishing must.P/T $15/Hr 714-323-9632 Sitters wanted.$10+ per hour. Register free for jobs near campus or home. www.student-sitters.com Kid’s Nite Out is hiring childcare professionals! Positions are part-time with flexible scheduling. Call 321-278-7410 to schedule an interview. Successful real estate investment professionals are looking for a few entrepreneurial minded individuals who are interested in getting involved in the industry. Complete training is available. Please contact: (949)232-3651 jonathan@westcoastinvestmetsinc. com
P R O F E S S I O N A L BABYSITTERS NEEDED/Work around your schedule. Filling Day & Night Part-Time Positions. Over 18, reliable transportation, previous experience. $9-10/hr (based on experience) Apply Online at www.seekingsitters.com. Contact (714) 788-6603. P/T Small invitation/bridal business looking for help with customer service/sales , order taking of inivtations, clerical tasks, and planning/marketing for upcoming Bridal Expo. Hours flexible - (714) 572-1363
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Humorscopes
brought to you by humorscope.com Aries (March 21 - April 19) Excellent day for standing barefoot on the lawn and wiggling your toes. Under no circumstance should you stand barefoot on the lawn and wiggle your nose. It simply isn’t done. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Today you will watch something like a hawk. Basically, you do that by having unblinking beady little eyes, and a brain the size of a peanut. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) As a joke today, you will get an alarmed expression on your face, crouch on someone’s carpet, and start making disgusting “huck, huck!” sounds. The joke’s on you, though, since they will insist that you eat some hairball remedy. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) You’ll feel like you can’t do anything right today. Unfortunately, it turns out you’re right... Leo (July 23 - August 22) This week you will feel like corn. Just not like having any. Virgo (August 23 - September 22) In a strange form of protest against the new trends in personal adornment, you will make mooing sounds whenever you see someone with a nose ring. Coincidentally, some of them will say “Hay!” Libra (September 23 - October 22) Good day to start learning the violin. Interestingly, your neighbours will volunteer to pay for lessons. It’s selfless gestures like that which really help friendships blossom. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Your neighbour thinks his dog is so smart, it’s starting to bug you. The thing to do is cover a book with a book cover that says “Quantum Physics for Dogs”, and train your dog to lay next to it, along a pad of paper covered with scribbled equations and a chewed-on pencil... Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) You will hear a strange “clicking” sound today, as you are walking through the kitchen. Time to trim the toenails, don’t you think? Capricorn (December 22 - January 20) An old nickname will surface today, much to your dismay, “Giggles”. Aquarius (January 21 - February 18) Yesterday’s bathtub mystery will be explained today. Still, you’ll have no idea what to feed the penguin. Pizza might work, I’d think. Pisces (February 19 - March 20) You will soon need to look older than you actually are. Bushy eyebrows generally do the trick. You’ll find that a little rubber cement and a pair of sleepy hamsters are just what you need.
SUDOKU
HOW TO PLAY: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9: and each set of boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
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sports
October 30, 2008
Rebuilding a program After nearly losing the sport, players and coaches are attempting to revive rugby on campus By Michal Olszewski
Daily Titan Sports Editor
molszewski@dailytitan.com
All Eric Lichtenstein needed was 16 more weeks to finish his collegiate career, but the senior put off his degree for one more chance to play the sport he loves. There are no scholarships for club teams at Cal State Fullerton. In fact, members must pay dues and have fundraisers just to keep their team alive, and for Lichtenstein, this was his way to keep his dream of playing rugby alive. “I took on another minor just to play through the rest of the year,” the 21-year-old said. Lichtenstein, however, is no ordinary rugby player. He, unlike the rest of the team full of first-timers, has played for 12 years and originally came from Hong Kong where he was a member of the 16-and-under National Team. “When I moved here, everyone was telling me to play football,” Lichtenstein said. “But rugby is just a different mindset; it’s a different
Photos By Victor Muniz/For the Daily Titan Top: Cody Chavez, left, and Eric Lichtenstein, right, practice drills that stimulate what happens after a player is tackled. Bottom: Practicing a scrum can be dangerous unless taught the right way. Lawrence Arriaga, right, explained to the men how to properly do a scrum. While Blake McMartin, center, held his ground along with his fellow teammates against the alumnus.
way of playing from other sports.” His love for the game has inspired many other players to join the team and try a new sport in which he says they have fallen in love. Lichtenstein also has assumed the role of president of the club. Freshman Brian Martinez said he is thankful for Lichtenstein’s leadership and commitment to the program. “He’s got a lot of experience under his belt,” Martinez said. “It’s like anything he tells me can’t be wrong.” However, the guidance Lichtenstein has brought to the other players on the team nearly disappeared last season. The team began its season much like this one. There was optimism and hope for the new season, but the team faltered and eventually ended with just a handful of players remaining from the original 30. With the team falling apart, Lichtenstein and newly hired coaches Phil Grieve and Matthew Terry stepped up to save the team this year. The team has increased its practices to three times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Intramural Field in order to prepare for its upcoming season, which has 14 games scheduled through the
spring semester. “It’s a lot of time out of a very busy schedule,” Grieve said. “If you’re enjoying and winning, because at the end of the day nobody likes losing, everyone involved makes it a good experience.” In over a month since recruitment began, the experience for the team is expanding as the amount of members has nearly doubled from last year’s total of 30 recruits. With the increased amount of players Terry said he believes it will make for a good, competitive season. As a former coach at CSUF from 1986-89, he said the program needs to heal the wounds of previous years. “We’re committed to make it work,” Terry said. “It’s not much different from before (86-88). There’s more younger guys, but they’re eager to learn the game.” Grieve and Terry both said they expect good things from the team this season, but added that one player does not make a team and it will take a collective effort as the sport depends on every player on the squad to make an impact. The Titans next scheduled game is Sunday at Azusa Pacific University at 3 p.m. and the next home game is scheduled for Dec. 6 at 3 p.m.
Photo By Rafael A. Delgado/For the Daily Titan