Dec. 11, 2008 by Daily Titan

FEATURES: Letters to Santa reflect today’s rocky economy, page 3

OPINION: Page 4

Male enhancement has startling side effects

Since 1960 Volume 87, Issue 53

SPORTS: Wrestler’s rise to the top leads to a hard fall, page 8

Daily Titan

Thursday December 11, 2008

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

DTSHORTHAND Campus Life The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is hosting a lecture about how changes in the skin are distressingly evident as we age. Dr. Marina Ball will speak about appropriate skin care to maintain the largest organ in the human body. She will show a short video as part of her presentation. This lecture starts at 7 p.m. today at the Ruby Gerontology Center. For more information call (714) 278-2446.

A struggle for acceptance Satang, a support group, helps, but what is needed is family, friends and social understanding

Google to digitize Ebony, Jet archives

By Jenni Karmarkar For The Daily Titan news@dailytitan.com

(MCT) CHICAGO – For years, Johnson Publishing Co. kept past issues of Ebony and Jet in bound volumes and on microfilm. If someone needed an old article or photo, staff librarians would unearth the issue from the archives. The Chicago-based media company that was a pioneer in covering black history and pop culture made a huge digital leap Wednesday, unveiling a partnership with Google Inc. to digitize the archives of Ebony and Jet magazines, making them searchable on the technology giant’s growing database of publications. Many ethnic media outlets see a Web presence as crucial because it can draw readers from outside the community and help followers dig deeper into the issues they care about most. Moreover, publications are seeking younger, techsavvy readers to grow their readership base. “The driver is still print,” said Julian Posada, the founder of Cafe Media, which has print and digital publications catering to young, English-speaking Hispanics. “Most of our money will still come from the magazine. But to build a brand today, you have to surround the reader with all of the digital properties you have.” Posada left as general manager of the Chicago Tribune’s Spanish-language newspaper, Hoy, to launch the company. Johnson Publishing is an established media company with deep pockets, making it easier to build a brand online.

A compilation of ‘fail videos’ to enjoy PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/MCT According to a Southern California survey conducted by the South Asian Network, a community-based organization that offers various social and legal services to South Asians, and Satrang, a support group for South Asian gays and lesbians, 80 percent of self-identified homosexual Asians surveyed were out to their friends, while only 54 percent were out to their immediate family and just 17 percent were out to their community.

Coffee fix gets too expensive This video consists of a handfull of videos that were put together for an extra laugh. There are fail videos from someone getting hit in the head with wood and a dog pulling a young girl and making her fall off her skateboard. This video will give you twice the amount of laughs than just watching one fail video.

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A daily caramel macchiato purchase would add up to a nearly $199 monthly bill By Eui-Jo Marquez and Jesica Eastman Daily Titan Staff Writers news@dailytitan.com

In these tight financial times, one of the first things to go should be the daily Starbucks fix. That is unless you are a Cal State Fullerton student. With the grand opening of a new Starbucks in Mihaylo Hall on Thursday, profits will be better than ever, Tony Lynch, Director for Campus Dining Services, said. Although nationwide Starbucks’ profits are down 9 percent since September, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told Katie Couric of CBS News he wasn’t too worried. “History demonstrated to us that a downturn in the economy would not affect us, and in fact we would be recession-proof,” he said in a recent broadcast. Many CSUF students agree with Schultz that a cup of Starbucks brew will continue to be a necessity. “No matter what, if everyone is in recession, if everyone is saving every last penny, everyone still pays to buy coffee,” communications major Marina Ramos, 18, said. The most popular coffee beverage is the tall caramel macchiato,

according to political science major and Nutwood Cafe barista Aissa Canchola, 19. Assuming that students buy four $3.15 tall caramel macciatos per week for a semester, they would spend $198.45 (assuming 63 days in a semester). Getting your daily coffee costs more than a parking pass. But Ramos does not see herself cutting back to save money. “It keeps me up at night when I am studying, or wakes me up in the morning when I’m super tired and don’t feel like coming to school,” she said. The opening of the Starbucks marks the first official Starbucks on campus. The four other coffee stands located in the Nutwood Cafe, Langsdorf Hall, the campus bookstore, and the Titan Student Union are actually “We Proudly Brew” locations, offering Starbucks brand coffee, but not the complete Starbucks’ menu, Lynch said. The new Mihaylo Hall Starbucks has been growing in popularity since its opening on Nov. 19, Lynch said. One reason for this is the fact that “we’ve put a lot of thought into the location,” he said. Lynch said that the new Starbucks

has caused “lots of traffic and excitement on campus.” Craig Loftin, lecturer in American Studies, only visits Starbucks because it is “convenient and readily available.” He feels that Starbucks’ accessibility is contributing to its success. “Every campus I’ve been at has had multiple Starbucks, so I’m use to it,” Loftin said. “That’s part of the insidiousness of Starbucks. We just normalize it. We get used to it. We assume it’s part of our landscape, me included, so we just go there.” Loftin chooses Aloha Java over the five Starbucks locations on campus. “They play great music there, they have great coffee, great choices, a fun staff, I will go there any day over Starbucks,” he said. The demand at the new Starbucks, which is completely staffed by students, creates long lines and causes them to run out of their most popular items. But that is also to be expected with a new store, Lynch said. “We are learning and growing,” he said. “We’re steadily growing everyday. It is a good sign that we’ll reach our sales targets.” See STARBUCKS, Page 2

Juhi Kalra stood proudly on a corner in Artesia’s “Little India” waving a banner above her head. “Straight But Not Narrow,” her sign proclaimed in bold blue letters surrounded by pink hearts. An unlikely activist, the smartly-attired, 55-year-old mother of three joined nearly 50 protesters who paraded past the sweets shops and sari stores that line Pioneer Boulevard. “We’re Here! We’re Queer! We’re Out on Pioneer!” The chant rose from the group, prompting curious looks from shoppers and storekeepers. Cars slowed to watch the procession, some drivers jeering, some honking in support. The group was participating in the second annual rally for National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, sponsored jointly by South Asian Network, a community-based organization that offers various social and legal services to South Asians, and Satrang, a support group for South Asian gays and lesbians. Kalra, the self-proclaimed “Team Mom” of Satrang, has a lesbian daughter and a transgender son. She attended the rally to support Satrang and show the South Asian community that gays, lesbians and their allies are regular people. “It’s important for people to identify unfamiliar ‘others’ as part of their own community, part of their own race, part of humanity,” Kalra explains. “I just put a more familiar face on the taboo of being gay.” Emotions surged at this year’s rally because of Proposition 8, the controversial ballot measure that sought to ban gay marriage in California and sparked a storm of protest throughout the state. Proposition 8 later passed by a margin of 52 percent to 48 percent, putting a halt to same-sex marriages. Denial, shame and fear of alienation keep most from being open about their sexuality. In 2007, the first-ever Needs Assessment Survey of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer & Questioning South Asian community in Southern California was conducted jointly by Satrang and SAN. The survey found that while 80 percent of respondents were out to their friends, only 54 percent were out to their immediate family and just 17 percent were out to their community. “Most of our members are not out but they need the safe space that we provide. They want the support,” said Rashmi Choksey, president of Satrang. “Due to the fear of being outed, people are not willing to have their name printed or to be associated with Satrang.“ Choksey, 44, hid her sexual orientation from her family for many years, rebuffing their attempts to find her a husband with excuses of school and work. Her mother kept pushing and, tired of the lies, she decided to come clean. “We sat down in the living room and I said, ‘Mom, you See SECRETS, Page 3

CSUF open house to offer holiday wishes By Noella May Hebert

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

The Cal State Fullerton Holiday Open House, held from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Titan Student Union on Friday, will be a special time of holiday celebration for the CSUF campus family. The event is open to the entire campus community, students, faculty, staff, and even CSUF faculty who have retired. “The open house began long before I was here, CSUF President Milton A. Gordon, who has been president for the past 19 years, said. “It welcomes back all of the students, the faculty, the staff. It’s a year-end celebration and some of those who have retired come back to the university, we’ll see more that have retired. As it’s a university celebration both for those that are here and those who have retired.” The gathering will be a great way for students to meet not only the staff, but the president of the university. Robert L. Palmer, CSUF vice president for Student Affairs said, “I try to attend every year. I

think it’s very important.” Also, for some it is a time to pick up where others left off with old friends. “We see some of the faculty and staff that you don’t see everyday. Hundreds of people come, it’s an annual event on the campus right before winter break,” said Ephraim P. Smith, CSUF vice president for academic affairs. Here on the CSUF campus, students become more than friends and staff members become friendly faces. “The campus community will come out to talk to each other. I think it’s important to do, especially in the economic time that we’re going through when we can’t give salary increases. It’s important to do something like this, it offers a celebration about the university,” President Gordon said. The event gives a chance for people to gather at a social event while enjoying refreshments, Palmer said. Most importantly, the holiday open house will not only be a celebration, but a reflection of another year’s hard work.

Page Two

December 11, 2008

IN OTHER NEWS starbucks: promotional event today INTERNATIONAL

Blue streetlights may prevent crime, suicide

TOKYO (MCT) – Blue streetlights are believed to be useful in preventing suicides and street crime, a finding that is encouraging an increasing number of railway companies to install blue light-emitting apparatus at stations to prevent people from committing suicide by jumping in front of trains. Although experts are split over the effectiveness of the blue lights, railway companies that already have installed the lighting say they have played a successful role in preventing suicides. Glasgow, Scotland, introduced blue streetlighting to improve the city’s landscape in 2000. Afterward, the number of crimes in areas illuminated in blue noticeably decreased. The Nara, Japan, prefectural police set up blue street lights in the prefecture in 2005, and found the number of crimes decreased by about 9 percent in blue-illuminated neighborhoods. Many other areas nationwide have followed suit. Keihin Electric Express Railway Co. changed the color of eight lights on the ends of platforms at Gumyoji Station in Yokohama, Japan, in February. In January, a person jumped in front of a train from a deserted end of the station platform on two consecutive days.

NATIONAL

Auto bailout bill passes House

WASHINGTON (MCT) – The House of Representatives passed a $14 billion emergency plan to aid Detroit’s ailing auto industry late Wednesday but Senate Republicans’ doubts about the package put its ultimate fate in serious jeopardy. The bill’s funds could flow quickly to General Motors and Chrysler, which otherwise would face bankruptcy. The measure also would create a “car czar,” who would be appointed by the president to dole out the money, and require the companies to restructure themselves to achieve long-term viability. The bill, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in her closing argument Wednesday, is “not a life support to sustain a dying industry, but a jumpstart for an industry that is essential to our nation’s economy.” The measure passed by a 237-170 vote with bipartisan support, but in the Senate, most Republicans – as well as some Democrats – voiced a long list of concerns, headed by worry that their constituents are reluctant to provide taxpayer money to help GM, Chrysler and Ford. Ford officials have said they don’t need help immediately. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., noted that the measure would require the companies to submit a restructuring plan by March 31.

STATE

Legalizing marijuana advocates optimistic

SACRAMENTO (MCT) – Off the coast of Baja California, a Coast Guard cutter seized 137 bales of marijuana two weeks ago as they were being dumped by the crew of a speed boat. In San Francisco there are more registered pot clubs than middle schools, police stations or Taco Bells, according to the federal government. And in Sacramento, state and federal officials recently announced the eradication of 2.9 million marijuana plants being grown around California. They said it was a record haul. So, against that backdrop, how sharply does law enforcement focus on arresting marijuana users? “We don’t,” said Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness. For years, personal marijuana use hasn’t been a priority for local law enforcement. Authorities say someone caught with a joint may face a penalty equal to a traffic citation.

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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From Page 1

This is not the case for many stores, though. In a recent CBS Evening News broadcast, Couric reported that Starbucks will be closing 600 stores and cutting 1,000 jobs, but Schultz promised that Starbucks will not cut employee benefits. The students currently staffing the new Starbucks are technically employees of Auxiliary Services Cor-

poration, the university’s nonprofit organization that oversees nonuniversity enterprises on campus, so they don’t get Starbucks benefits, but they do get free textbooks their second semester of employment, Lynch said. It is apparent that the new and accessible Starbucks on campus will continue to be a success despite the economic downturn or frustrations with the Starbucks brand.

“We’re selling more than a cup of coffee, and we always have,” Schultz said. “People want a human connection and a sense of community.” At the grand opening celebration Thursday, free coffee will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Coupons for the free coffee can be printed from e-mails that were sent to CSUF students at their school email boxes and that were passed out

on Titan Walk. Coupons will also be made available within the Starbucks, according to Lynch. Students, faculty and staff can receive 20 percent off their Starbucks drink purchases from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will also include drawings for two $50 Starbucks gift cards, a Schwinn bicycle and an iPod Touch, according to the Starbucks e-mail.

Obama calls on Blagojevich to resign CHICAGO (MCT) – Presidentelect Barack Obama Wednesday ratcheted up the pressure on Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to leave office, saying the embattled governor could no longer serve effectively amid criminal allegations that he attempted to leverage Obama’s former Senate seat for personal gain. Obama’s appeal was joined by all 50 members of the Senate’s Democratic caucus, who warned that they would consider blocking any appointee from taking office who had been sent to Washington by the Democratic governor, who under state law has the power to name Obama’s successor. A day after Obama appeared reluctant to involve himself in the swirling controversy, the president-elect on Wednesday called on Blagojevich to resign, saying through a spokesman that “under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois.” Blagojevich was arrested at his Chicago home Tuesday and accused by federal prosecutors of trying to trade his power to appoint Obama’s replacement for cash or a lucrative job, and of engaging in other “pay to play”

schemes in which state jobs, funds and contracts would be traded for campaign donations. He has denied any wrongdoing. After being released from federal custody, Blagojevich went to work at his downtown office Wednesday morning, chased by reporters. He did not comment on the government’s allegations. Blagojevich, 52, and his chief of staff, John Harris, 46, have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Federal investigators obtained wiretaps on Blagojevich’s phone lines, and the governor was intercepted allegedly saying the Senate seat “is a (expletive) valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.” Meanwhile, lawmakers who were considered likely choices for Obama’s Senate seat found themselves combating speculation about their dealings with Blagojevich. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., told reporters in Washington that “I did not initiate nor authorize anyone – at any time – to promise anything to Governor Blagojevich on my behalf.” Jackson’s Chicago-based attorney said he believes the congressman is

By nancy stone/MCT Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn attends groundbreaking ceremonies for the Fisher House facility on the grounds of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Maywood, Illinois, Wednesday, Dec.10, 2008

the person identified only as “Senate Candidate 5” in the criminal complaint filed against Blagojevich. In the complaint, prosecutors allege that Blagojevich said he was approached by an intermediary for Senate Candidate 5 who offered to raise $1 million in campaign funds for Blagojevich if

the candidate received the appointment. Jackson, the son of the well-known civil rights activist, said the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago told him Tuesday that he was not a target of the investigation and was not accused of any misconduct.

Cop Blotter: Continous theft Tuesday – Dec. 2 8:00 a.m. – In College Park, police responded to a burglary. Police were unable to give specifics as to what occurred. 9:40 a.m. – In Lot A, police responded to a vehicle theft. Police were unable to give specifics as to what occurred. 1:20 a.m. – In Lot E, police put a boot on a vehicle. 5:20 p.m. – In the Nutwood

Parking Structure, police put another boot on a vehicle. 8:15 p.m. – Police put yet another boot on a vehicle in Lot E. Wednesday – Dec. 3 12:00 a.m. – In the Visual Arts Building, police responded to a property vandalism call. 12:00 a.m. – In the State College Parking Structure, police responded to a lost property call. It was reported that the property lost was over

$400. 6:00 a.m. – Police responded to a burglary call in Lot E. 5:30 p.m. – In the Nutwood Parking Structure, police put a boot on a vehicle. 6:00 p.m. – In Dan Black Hall, police responded to a grand theft. Police couldn’t give specifics as to what occurred. Thursday – Dec. 4 1:16 p.m. – At the University Police Building, police responded to an identity theft call. Police couldn’t give specifics to as to what occurred due to the case still pending. 4:54 p.m. – In Lot E, police responded to a lost property call. It was reported that the property lost was over $400. Friday – Dec. 5 3:05 p.m. – Police responded to a medical aid call at the Health Center West building. 3:53 p.m. – In the student housing area, police responded to a fire. 8:35 p.m. – In the Performing Arts Building, police responded to an assault call. Police couldn’t give any specifics as to what occurred due to the case still pending.

Saturday – Dec. 6 1:32 a.m. – On West Chapman Avenue and North Placentia Avenue, police arrested a driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 4:31 a.m. – On North State College Boulevard and East Bastanchury Avenue, police arrested another driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 10:58 a.m. – In the Nutwood Parking Structure, police responded to a medical aid call. 3:26 p.m. – In the Acacia student housing complex, police responded to a fire alarm call. Upon arrival no fires were visible. 6:45 p.m. – In the Nutwood Parking Structure, police responded to a hit and run call. It was reported that vehicle and property damage could be seen upon arrival. Sunday – Dec. 7 1:48 a.m. – On Clarke Avenue and Milton Avenue, police arrested a driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 3:11 a.m. – On Associated Road and Milton Avenue, police responded to a battery call. Police couldn’t give specifics as to what actually occurred other than an adult arrest was made.

features

December 11, 2008

secrets: 17 percent of South Asian homosexuals are out From Page 1

partment of Counseling at Cal State Fullerton, such denial is typical in know how I keep saying I don’t collectivist cultures of South Asia, want to get married? Well, it’s not which includes India, Pakistan, Sri that I don’t want to get married, but Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. “I’m a reflection of my family I don’t want to marry a man. I like women.’ My Mom looked at me and my community,” she explained. with confusion in her eyes and said, “So if there’s something wrong with ‘I have many close women friends me, there’s something wrong with the whole system. You can’t take too.’” Choksey realized there were no the individual out of the system. So words equivalent to “lesbian” in we have to pretend like everything their language so she had to find a is perfect so we don’t bring shame way to explain the concept. She had on the family and the community never even used the word “sex” in at large.” This denial, along with a lack of front of her parents. The admission of her homosexu- a support system, often leads to inality was followed by years of denial ternalized homophobia – the sense by her parents. Today, she uses hu- that they are bad or dirty – and somor to get her point across. When cial isolation, Brew said. “How do you find people like they bring up marriage she jokes, “Sure, mom, find me a nice girl and you when there is no infrastructure? There’s a sense of I’ll get married.” isolation because “And my mom you really can’t laughs!” Choksey come out to evsaid, “Which helps eryone. There’s no take this burden support system. off that I had to be no way to so serious about it – Leah Brew, There’s take pride in who all the time.” CSUF Counseling you are,” Brew Choksey’s comDepartment said. ing out was relaRates of alcotively easy comholism, deprespared with some South Asians. She compares the sion and suicide skyrocket among story of a man in Pakistan who was gays and lesbians, she added – isgiven a one-way ticket to Amer- sues are often not addressed in the ica and told to stay there until he South Asian community because of another taboo, seeking help. changed to her own experience. Sulabha Abhyankar, a Laguna “Sometimes people become stronger from it but other times it Woods licensed clinical social workleaves such scars that people don’t er, understands this taboo well. She know what to do or where to go for explained that South Asians usually help,” Choksey said. She adds that do not seek help for mental health language barriers and the stigma issues because it (treatment) is “only of seeking professional help stop for crazy people.” “It is very embarrassing to them. many South Asians from going to They think they should be able to an agency or a therapist. There is also a tendency in South solve their own problems,” she said. In the 21 years Abhyankar has Asian culture not to label a relationship as gay, lesbian or bisexual, been working in her field she has she said. “If it’s kept behind closed only handled six phone calls from doors and not talked about then it’s gay South Asians and has counseled OK. But once you put a label on it just two face-to-face. “Once they find out I am Indipeople immediately say, ‘Oh no, we an, I usually don’t hear back from don’t have that. It doesn’t exist.’” According to Leah Brew, associ- them,” she stated. “There is an asate professor and chair of the De- sumption that I will be (disapprov-

“

I’m a reflection of my family and my community.

ing) just like their parents.” The ones who do call back ask if she can convince their parents to accept their homosexuality. “I tell them no. I can explain it to them. I can answer their questions. But I can’t change them.” Abhyankar once counseled a married Indian man who, after several sessions, revealed his homosexuality. He felt trapped, unable to leave his marriage because of his children and family. In traditional Indian families, parents exert enormous power and influence over when and whom their children marry, adding to the burden of hiding one’s sexual orientation, she added. Some never shed that burden. Last March, a member of Satrang chose to end his life. “He was somebody who had friends, he had support and yet it happened,” Choksey said. “It was devastating to the members of Satrang but it allowed us to come together as a group and open up about the fact that there is depression, there is such hopelessness and that we need to work on it together to help people seek the help they need.” Not all South Asians consider homosexuality a taboo subject. Satrang “team mom” Kalra has always been open with her children about their sexuality. Her oldest daughter, 27, came out to her when she was in high school. Her youngest daughter, 20, came out last year and began the process to transition to a boy last December. Kalra said she has never hidden their sexual orientation, though she did respect their wishes about when they came out. “We told my mom. We told my siblings. Some of them had a more difficult time with it than others. And I understand that difficulty comes from the insecurity within the person who is not willing to accept and not because what is being presented to them is wrong,” Kalra said. Kalra’s husband came to accept his daughters’ decisions over time, she said. When their oldest daughter came out to him, he immediate-

Members of the Satrang organization rallied for the “Coming out in Little India” event.

ly booked a flight to Detroit for the three of them, himself, his wife and his daughter. “He had found a psychologist who was also Indian and practiced the same Vipassana meditation he did, so he had all his bases covered,” Kalra said. They were both surprised when the psychologist told them she was more concerned with their daughter’s depression than any gay issues. When their youngest daughter came out last year as transgender, her husband’s acceptance was immediate. He told her that once her transition was complete he should have all the “coming of age” rituals in which Hindu boys participate. “I thought that was just amazing,” Kalra said. Kalra understands that their attitude toward homosexuality is unusual among Indian families. She

is working on starting a chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays to bring awareness and support to South Asians who struggle with gay issues. She advises parents to accept their gay children for who they are. “If somebody says ‘but they are not normal,’ I say ‘but they are the same children you gave birth to. Nothing has changed.’” Kalra said. Kalra connected with Satrang last summer and was quickly adopted as “mom.” Through the organization, she has grown to better understand herself and has learned not only to be the nurturer, but to accept help from others as well. Meanwhile, Satrang is experiencing growing pains of its own. There are currently 420 members, 370 of which are South Asian and queer, according to Choksey, who adds that membership is still a fraction

Courtest of Satrang

of the estimated 30,000 gay and lesbian South Asians in Los Angeles County. “We’re growing as an organization and as individuals as far as how ‘out’ we are,” Choksey said. “On one hand, for us there’s the fear that if we are visible there could be backlash or people coming to our events and harassing us. But at the same time we realize that the more we go out there, the more opportunities we’ll have to talk to people and let them know what (homosexuality) really is rather than misconceptions, prejudice and misinformation that is out there.” The recent passage of Proposition 8 has fueled an already emotionally-charged issue. If demonstrators are successful, the issue of samesex marriage may soon end up in the state or even the U.S. Supreme Court.

“

Letters to Santa reflect the reality of today’s rocky economy Chicago (MCT) – When Ronisha Moseley’s stepmother gently told her the family might not have Christmas presents this year, the 10-year-old turned to the one person she believed could help: Santa Claus. Pencil in hand, Ronisha wrote him a one-page letter on poinsettia stationery left over from last year. The South Side girl explained that her stepmother had lost her job and she hoped Santa could come through with a gift for the whole family. “What I want for Christmas is for my stepmother and me and my sister to go away somewhere nice,” she wrote. For the fourth-grader, “somewhere nice” would be one of the downtown hotels she saw on a recent sightseeing trip with her stepmom. Ronisha has never stayed in a hotel and has been obsessed with them since the family outing, her stepmother, Carolyn Finley, said. “She wants to go someplace where she gets to pack a suitcase and sleep somewhere else for a night,” said Finley, who lost her job as a teaching assistant in August and is raising Ronisha and her sister on her own. “She thinks Santa will help, but I tried to explain that times are tough right now.” Her letter, like many sent through Chicago’s main post office, reflects the reality of today’s economy. In notes

addressed to the North Pole, children _ and adults _ share stories of lost jobs, home foreclosures, skyrocketing heating bills and evictions. Postal employees and volunteers log 10-hour days separating letters into piles based on gender and family size. The notes are placed in the post office lobby, so customers can read them and, if interested, select a child to help. The wish lists available for perusal at the Harrison Street location offer a heartbreaking look at childlike faith amid a faltering economy. A 10-yearold boy is sure Santa will bring diapers for his baby sister. A girl in third grade asks for slippers to keep her feet warm. Two brothers say their mom needs help making the rent. Some kids staple report cards to their letters in hopes of securing a spot on the scroll of good girls and boys. Others provide character references, urging Santa to check with teachers, grandmothers or baby sitters should he have any doubts about their behavior. “I just want what any regular girl would want,” writes 9-year-old Annisha from Chicago, promising to give Santa unlimited milk and cookies if he doesn’t skip over her house like he did last year. Brothers Crishon Kane, 7, and Christian Carter, 6, are seeking Santa’s help after a year in which their

mother lost her job and they were evicted from their Englewood apartment because the landlord defaulted on the mortgage. As part of the foreclosure process, the family’s belongings were removed from the dwelling and left on the sidewalk. Neighbors tried to save the possessions, but looters took most of them, including the boys’ toys, their mother, Christina Kane, said. “My mom doesn’t have any money this year, but we’re good boys,” Crishon wrote on behalf of himself and his brother. “We like Batman.” Christina Kane sadly mailed the letter last month, knowing her sons and their 19-month-old sister will most likely be disappointed Christmas morning. The boys talked nonstop about Santa as they decorated the family’s artificial tree in their new apartment last week, repeatedly asking their mother what she thought he would bring them this year. Ronisha Moseley isn’t aware the letter she wrote before Thanksgiving made a stop at the Chicago post office. But she’s convinced that as soon as it reaches Santa’s desk, he will make arrangements for her stay at a hotel and help her escape her rough-andtumble Ashburn neighborhood, if only for one night. “He would want us to be quiet and safe,” she says. “He knows we’re a nice family.”

COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

Ronisha Moseley, 10, left, with her stepmother Carolyn Finley, stand outside their South Side apartment, December 4, 2008, in Chicago, Ill. Ronisha wrote one of the many letters to Santa Claus that caught the eye of volunteers at the U.S. Post office in Chicago. She asked “to go away somewhere nice,” in her letter.

opinion

Titan Editorial Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960

Day without a protest Despite two strikes in California yesterday, little seemed out of the ordinary on a campus filled with students frantically preparing for finals. Although yesterday was the first “Day Without a Gay” for many students, it seemed more like a day without a strike. After the passage of Proposition 8, a number of newspaper and television pundits blamed the legislation’s success on a lack of organization amongst the “No on 8” campaigners. Although the Daily Titan supported plans for “Day Without a Gay,” in the wake of what appears to be lackluster results, it seems like perhaps it is time to once more rethink how to rally, what is in our opinion, worthy support for gay rights. Apparently "Day Without a Gay" isn't the only strike that proved to be blase. The other protest yesterday was an on-campus strike involving the United Auto Workers. The union, which represents nearly 7,000 student teaching assistants, has been negotiating a new contract with the CSU system. Negotiations have stalled over demands for tuition waivers for the 6,800 teaching assistants in the UAW. Although the Daily Titan fully supports worker’s rights and affordable education, the fact remains that the timing of the strike is terrible.

Letters to the Editor:

With both the state and the California State Universities facing massive budget shortfalls, now is the wrong time to strike over fee waivers that would cost an already strapped school system an estimated $8 million to $11 million a year. Next year, 10,000 qualified students will be denied admission to the CSU system because of budget cuts. Classes are being cut, tuition is rising, food prices have skyrocketed, jobs are being eliminated and the state of California is considering cutting funding to infrastructure projects in the coming months. As much as students on campus grumble about tough classes or a lack of parking, the reality is that all students enrolled in a CSU – including the teaching assistants – are lucky to be in school during such rough economic times. Teaching assistants play an important role on campus, and in a state with a balanced budget there is no reason they should not be given a tuition break. But as Californians continue to tighten their belts, the UAW may find it difficult to muster enthusiastic backing on campus. To the "Day Without a Gay" supporters, keep at it. If it keeps happening long enough, results will come. To the UAW, the same goes for you, but take a look around – it may not be the best time for you to be making these demands.

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.

December 11, 2008

Reality Politics Daily Titan Columnist

By Joshua Burton

The automakers don’t deserve death It’s too easy to compare the plight of the big three automakers – Ford, Chrysler and GM – to that of Britney Spears as she spiraled down into a bald, babbling mess. People are looking on in similar glee, sitting comfortably in their couches as they watch auto industry CEOs “resort” to driving 500 miles instead of flying in jets into Washington, D.C. and having to plead for loans from Congress. Didn’t anyone read “Aesop’s Fables?” I remember one about a lion and a mouse. All it took for a lion to escape from a hunter’s trap was a little mouse to gnaw through a rope. For that, the mighty lion was humbled and protected the mouse forever. Now there are three lions and we don’t want to come to their aid because of our mousely pride. What people are failing to realize is that we sit within reach of doing great things for our society – provided we make the right moves. We have had a change in political administration that, combined with a the new “Hail Mary” for our auto industry, could galvanize our people into keeping the country from be-

coming a second-stringer on the global front. What amazes me is that instead of wanting to fix the problem, 61 percent of Americans oppose the proposed bailout and want the companies to fail, according to a CNN poll. Yes, American automakers have been ignoring the pleas of environmentalists and scientists to stop emitting so much carbon into our atmosphere for years. Yes, Rick Wagoner, CEO of General Motors, made $14.4 million in executive pay in 2007, an amount that was roughly the yearly pay of 93 GM workers sweating at $73 an hour. The United Auto Workers is quick to agree that the economy is what is to blame for faltering companies, but they share part of the blame, too. In fact, almost as an admission of guilt, the union has offered to lighten the load in the coming months. This includes cutting up to 95 percent of certain workers’ salaries. Don’t feel bad, those workers had already been laid off to cut costs. That’s right, some UAW workers

were still paid after being laid off, by what was called the “Jobs Bank.” Now, many have decided to kick the companies while they are down. They chide the big three for not going greener, but I don’t see very many state laws that restrict emissions. People simply wait for the federal government to act, as if it is capable of moving swiftly without a fire licking at the steps of the White House. On the bright side, we have a president-elect who is actually asking people to start caring about progressive science again. What a notion! The last time we did this Sputnik was whizzing above our heads and we were scared of foreign dominance. Well, instead of foreign technology above our heads, we have foreign technology driving on our streets. Discard the past and move on. We need to support our country by supporting our companies. Yes, the fuel-efficient cars will take time. However, any loans made by the government now will keep the companies out of a long trip through bankruptcy courts. We don’t want

GM, Ford or Chrysler to end up like auto parts supplier Delphi, which has been going through the process since 2005. The country needs its big industry to recover quickly. Ford says it can survive its restructuring if the other two manage to limp on. With a $34 billion loan (it is a loan, mind you), GM and Chrysler will have the wiggle room they need to cut costs. I’m against this rigid ideology that demands that our markets be free from government. Our government is a business, too. We are in a world market and the United States is still the biggest company, even if its stocks have seen better days. Consider this situation as one big company helping out a smaller company (it’s strange thinking of Ford as a small company). Unfortunately, it all falls back on what we remember from our childhood. Back then, size mattered. We were small, and it took our parents to remind us – sometimes through simple stories like “The Lion and the Mouse” – that even the big and powerful need help sometimes.

The only thing that got longer was his attitude Natural male enhancement leads to an unforseen and unexpected side-effect: personal enhancement By Edgar Rascon

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

I began this journey a little over a month ago. The goal? To find out if taking a pill can really increase the size of my penis and in the process enhance my ,and my partner's, sex life. Well, my 30-day trial is up and the results are in. The first thing I saw when I tore open my supply was a letter with a message saying that these pills really take effect after using them for three to four months. I knew that meant I was probably not going to reach porno-size status by the end of 30 days. Nevertheless, I was eager to try. The experiment started out well. In the first few days after taking the pills, I felt an extra bounce in my step ... a little more swing in my thing. My lady swore she didn't notice a difference, but I just shrugged it off as her attempt to keep me

grounded. I couldn't explain it, but somehow I just felt better overall. I had a boost of confidence and suddenly everything felt like a challenge to be conquered. Big project in class? I convinced myself I could pull it off last-minute. Sign reading 30-minute parking only? I could get away with 45 minutes, or an hour and 45 minutes. Stack of dirty dishes in the sink? I'll wait until there are two stacks. I was into my second week of the trial and I felt invincible, I could do no wrong. After two weeks, I began to stumble – and it wasn't over any overgrown appendages. It was right around Election Day that I realized I needed a change. Then came the bad news – I had to drop one of my classes. A little more than a month to go and I had put myself in a hole too deep to dig out of. One more unpaid ticket and my car would have the dreaded "boot" attached. And all my procrastination

at home and subsequent fighting rendered my sex life nonexistent. I was in a mid-semester rut. My quest to find out if some pills would make my penis bigger led me to neglect the most important things in my life. I came to the conclusion that my newfound confidence was a sham. A wool that had been pulled over my eyes, not by any outside forces, but by myself. I was slacking in school, had an angry wife at home and no resolution in sight. Deciding then that it was time to take control of the situation, I began to search the Internet for a pill that would treat laziness, procrastination and a disgruntled spouse. I was convinced there were others in the same situation as me and so there had to be something available on the market. Unfortunately, no such pill exists on the market. My fruitless search did produce something unexpected though: a lesson. I realized all the negative things going on in my life were directly a

result of my own actions – or inaction. It doesn't matter what else is going on in your life. Barring any tragic circumstances, you have to always take care of home. "Home" can be the literal meaning or the things that truly matter in life. This realization became a daily reminder, which has helped me keep pushing through the final stretch of the semester. It has also helped to keep my home in order and thus keep my wife happy – and a happy wife is absolutely necessary for an enhanced sex life. Therefore, it is my conclusion that a focused mind is the most potent drug in improving one's sex life. As far as increasing your size goes, research says that surgery is the only way to permanently achieve this goal. But after taking one look at the pictures of a phalloplasty procedure (go ahead, Google it), I think most guys might just find a newfound appreciation for what they have.

New methods of campus surveillance are unacceptable Cameras in Mihaylo Hall classrooms allow Big Brother to keep a watchful eye on CSUF students By Skyler Blair

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

The battle against academic dishonesty has become a technological arms race. The newly built lecture rooms in Mihaylo Hall are equipped with discrete video cameras that are aimed at rooting out thieves and other wrongdoers with the added bonus of deterring cheaters. However, this isn’t the only place on campus where students are under a watchful eye. Hopefully you already knew that, otherwise you missed the memo where we were told that we are now under constant surveillance. I don’t want to be seen as a fearmongering anti-American; my only aim is to let you know what’s happening in our school. It can be argued that the cameras

are completely justified with the lack of social integrity in U.S. schools. A report by the Associated Press found that 30 percent of high school students have stolen from a store and 64 percent have cheated on a test, according to a survey by the Josephson Institute. Students overloaded with work and looking for a quick and easy solution to get the grade, along with the attitude of “if everyone else is doing it why shouldn’t I?” contribute to this dilemma. These cameras could be the kick in the pants we need to get our ethics in order and start doing the right thing instead of trying to cut corners. The blasé attitude of students’ views on cheating is disheartening. I just think there is a better way – a way that won’t tread over our personal privacy.

Some might see this as conjuring up Orwellian visions of Big Brother trampling over our privacy. You just have to ask yourself whether or not you are OK with the fact that you are being monitored throughout the day. I personally get a chilling feeling when I look up and see a motionless video camera pointed at me. Who is on the other side of that camera? We have to hope that the video cameras are really doing an effective job of preventing misbehavior. If it isn’t, the video surveillance is only creating the potential for schools/government to monitor ordinary people engaged in constitutionally protected behavior. Is this encroaching on our privacy? What comes next? This brings us to asking the bigger question: Is this about preventing academic dishonesty or is it just further evidence that we are losing our Fourth Amendment rights for the sake of safety? Benjamin Franklin warned that “they who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security.” I’m taking Franklin’s advice and making a statement against the use of cameras on campus. The same phenomena existed in the era of McCarthyism in the 1950s when our country was threatened by the “evil” doctrines of communism during the Cold War. We allowed our fears to get the best of us and allowed government to take away a piece of our privacy in ex-

change for the illusion of safety. Americans were black listed and subject to aggressive investigations for anything that seemed communist or leftist and faced the loss of their jobs or even imprisonment. Today we are suffering from a new McCarthyism as a result of the threat of terrorism. The 9/11 attack was a major blow to the American ego and allowed us to put ourselves at the mercy of our government to protect us from another catastrophe. Thus the USA PATRIOT Act was born. The new Act screams McCarthyism and allows law enforcement access to telephone, e-mail, medical and financial records. Cameras on campus really aren’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but if it is just another step in a nationwide effort to keep us citizens under wraps then I’ll be happy to know I was there to say no.

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

December 11, 2008

www.dailytitan.com

detour @dailytitan.com • (714) 278-5027

Live Wire December 11

Thursday Anthony Hamilton House of Blues Anaheim

Friday Tom Morello as The Night Watchman House of Blues Anaheim

Saturday Fishbone The Glass House Pomona

sunday Mike Ness and His Band The Coach House San Juan Capistrano

Tuesday Lamb of God The Glass House Pomona thursday Ozomatli w/ Chali 2na & Viernes 13 House of Blues Los Angeles

Koos comes back to Santa Ana Dennis Lluy’s revered all-ages venue offers an artistic outlet to the OC by scott Fahey

For the Daily Titan

detour@dailytitan.com

When Dennis Lluy started Koos Art Center in a house in Santa Ana in 1994 he probably didn’t foresee his vision being brought into a historic landmark with the potential to host nearly 1,000 people. Koos is a non-profit organization which has served as an independent music venue, art gallery and community center for nearly 15 years. According to the organization’s Web site, www.koos.org, the center is “making the arts accessible to all.”

Koos new home is the recently renovated Yost Theatre, which operated as a Mexican movie theater from the ‘40s until 1985. The theater is listed as a historic landmark in the National Register of Historic Places, and is located in downtown Santa Ana. In 2003, Koos moved from its original location in Santa Ana to a space in a Long Beach apartment building. However, after a five year tenure, Lluy said they just didn’t fit the mold in Long Beach. “There was not one teenager in that building,” said Lluy of the mature community that resided there. Residents complained about noise from the shows at Koos, and the venue had to restrict its music events to shows that could be performed acoustically or with very little noise.

It would have cost Koos about $250,000 to soundproof the venue, but with the lease running up and with the Yost Theatre being redeveloped, Lluy said it just didn’t make sense to stay in Long Beach. “We went from being a music venue with an art component, to an art venue with a music component,” Lluy said. But now the Yost will allow Koos to return to being heavier in music than the visual arts, he said. Kris Hewkin, a Cal State Fullerton student, recalls attending shows at both Koos locations. Hewkin said that he preferred the Santa Ana location because it was in a house, but that his favorite Koos show was the hardcore band Champion’s last Southern California show, which took place at the Long Beach loca-

tion. “It was cool because it was a nonprofit organization,” Hewkin said. “It wasn’t run by people who were trying to make money off it.” Nathan Rebolledo also attended several shows at Koos. “It always had a cool vibe,” Rebolledo said, “I loved Koo’s.” Lluy said that the community in Santa Ana has been very receptive to Koo’s, and they are working on events for the community. On Saturday, Lluy worked in conjunction with El Centro Cultural de Mexico in Santa Ana to host a lecture by Gregorio Luke on Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros. Lluy says that he is working on building a partnership between Koos and El Centro Cultural. On Nov. 15, Lluy and Koos host-

Budding music site good for fans and bands Cherrypeel.com attempts to give online music file sharing a democratic spin by allowing users to vote for which songs should be on top Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

New technology is forcing those in the music industry to find innovative ways to approach new music. Passing out demo tapes, or even your own demo CDs, is a thing of the past. And with so much competition it is difficult to have your music reach new listeners. Those of us looking for new music find it just as hard to discover talent. The “indie” revolution has turned listeners away from mainstream outlets, forcing them to drudge through thousands of digital files on Web sites to find something they like. Cherrypeel.com is now another name to add to that sea of music sites. Cherrypeel.com was started by two men who share the frustration of fans looking for new music. To create a system and a site to get new musicians heard and to provide

listeners an efficient way of finding those musicians, Cherrypeel.com was created. Launched in June of this year, the site’s business partners pit themselves against other popular virtual music sites. “MySpace is mainly a repository of music and does very little to help bands find an audience or expose listeners to new music,” said Andrew Stern, founder and operator of the site. “Bands have told me they feel as though their MySpace page is an island and the only people who see it are the ones they direct there.” Cherrypeel.com aims to build an audience for bands and provide listeners with new songs by placing the music on their homepage and popular page section of the site. The site allows you to create playlists and stream songs continuously from them without the music stopping when you click through to other pages. These playlists can be shared with others and through the “friends”

system you can see what people are Cherrypeel.com uses a formula for saying about certain bands, and find song ranking that does not allow new submissions. any one song to Voting is also stay in the top something that position for too comes into play. long. Cherr ypeel.com Scott Hyndallows listeners to man, Stern’s vote “+1 or -1” on business partsongs they hear. ner, calls this This aspect of the system the site is another way democratic muthe operators insic revolution. tend to stand out “Why should from other similar money be a services. qualifying factor “Last.fm’s charts in getting your are ranked by tomusic heard by tal plays and this an audience? creates a situation The majorwhere the rich get label-financed – Scott Hyndman, richer as listeners artist shouldn’t Cherrypeel Executive first play what is have any more on the top of the power than the chart, only increasing that song’s guys down the street recording in score,” said Stern, explaining that their basement,” Hyndman said.

“

Why should money be a qualifying factor in getting your music heard by an audience? The major label-financed artist shouldn’t have any more power than the guys down the steet recording in their basement.

“

by Morgan McLaughlin

Students merit the site for it’s differences from MySpace’s music section, but it seems the site may still get lost in the competition of so many online music services. “While MySpace provides a profile to a band, which allows users to listen to music, receive updates, etc., it is not very good with just plain getting the word out since spam is ineffective and irritating,” said Pat Devaney, a RTVF major at CSUF. “On the flip side, Cherrypeel.com offers a worldwide ranking system, which allows users to rank the music they listen to. The free of charge nature of the site also ensures that the music is free of any major label, however if I am going online to discover music, I always hit Pandora radio first.” Whether Cherrypeel.com becomes the next big thing for finding new music, we’ll have to wait and see, but for now at least it’s an avenue of opportunity for musicians and listeners.

ed the Sound Downtown Music & Arts Festival, which played host to over 60 performers at 10 venues in Santa Ana, including The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Busdriver, The Entrance Band, Mika Miko and many more. “I was surprised by the turnout, especially with the wildfires,” he said, citing the festival’s success during the Yorba Linda fire. At the Yost Theatre, Lluy said, Koos is able to host larger shows that will draw 700 to 800 people as well as smaller shows that draw 100 to 200 people, the types of shows Koos built its foundation on. “In Long Beach, we were sort of forced to sell out our idea because we weren’t allowed to do it,” Lluy said. “But we can get back to our roots now.”

Online Exclusive Check out the Daily Titan Web site at www. dailytitan.com/detour for an exclusive story on the band The Myriad. It tells the story of how their drummer, Randy Miller, came down with cancer and had to figure out how to battle his illness. His band, along with the help of others, rallied to raise money and learned a lot about each other in the process.

d et o ur

www.dailytitan.com

MUSIC

By Jennifer Tat

Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

Indie rock fans searching for the next Death Cab for Cutie without the mainstream saturation need not look further than Tigers Can Bite You’s new album, “Steve Ward Hears Voices” on New and Used Records. The Los Angeles-based group have put together a disc full of well-crafted, slightly offbeat songs that passes by far too quickly. There is nothing fancy or overthe-top about the songs, just the soft vocals of singer/guitarist Dave Woody and some satisfying electronic indie rock. The aptly titled “Opener” is an excellent opening track. Its dreamy pop melody provide a perfect backdrop for a drive on a cloudy day. Another standout track, “Anecdotes,” showcases the band’s ability to infuse guitar crunches that crash more than the drums with minimal (but effective) synth layers. Even though Woody’s singing perfectly complements the song, the lyrics seem almost like an afterthought,

December 11, 2008

detour@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-5027

providing the pretty melody to really shine. “The Wilding” calls to mind Death Cab’s “I Will Possess Your Heart,” with its delightfully repetitive melody. It is no surprise then that Woody has previously collaborated with the band. The only time the band misses is on “Chinese Checkers.” The song has the power to put one to sleep – literally. Woody’s apathetic voice darts in-and-out, emulating emotion without ever quite getting there to great effect. What makes Tigers Can Bite You stand out from the standard indie band is their use of electronic elements to flesh out their music. It is subtle yet boasts a strong presence throughout the album. Although “Steve Ward Hears Voices” will surely leave fans wondering when new songs will surface, Tigers Can Bite You have succeeded in leaving fans with just enough material to tide them over until their next indie-rock gem.

REVIEWS NOVEL

By Andy anderson

Daily Titan Assistant Web Editor detour@dailytitan.com

After seven full-length albums, an armful of EP’s and three live-releases, Eels front man Mark Oliver Everett has recently added the title of author to his list of artistic accomplishments. For fans of Everett’s music, his latest book, “Things The Grandchildren Should Know,” is a must read. For those who haven’t heard the odd, eclectic sound Eels produces, this book will leave you thirsting to listen to the band’s entire catalog, although songs about mental illness, loneliness, suicide and unrequited love may be off-putting for a first time listener. In what may be his most honest work yet, “Things The Grandchildren Should Know” follows Everett as he leaves behind his home state of Virginia to the vast wastelands of Los Angeles in search of anyone and everyone to listen to his music. For most musicians trying to break into the scene, LA can be a cruel and unforgiving mistress, as Everett details

through his experiences with cold record companies, pompous musicians, and constant discouragement. But his book is not just about music and the music industry, oddly enough. It is more a story of one man’s will and ability to survive amongst the loss of his entire extended family to cancer, suicide and a cousin killed during the Sept. 11 attacks. It is rare to find a story that is so uplifting despite an overwhelmingly dark subject matter, but Everett has pulled it off quite well. His enthusiasm for his music is uplifting to read, and a few pages in, you may realize that this man has turned a seemingly endless amount of negative events into something overwhelmingly positive. That is the beauty behind his book. Everett’s ability to remain emotionally honest helps him to vividly recount painful experiences while inspiring readers to find the good in the bad and never give up, no matter what life throws at them.

MUSIC

By Austen montero

Daily Titan Opinion Editor detour@dailytitan.com

After a complete lineup change and over a decade in the making, Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy has finally dropped. They have been plagued by delays, lawsuits and now, disappointing sales. At this point, it might be in Axl’s best interest to rekindle the original spark that made them multi-platinum selling artists. To get it out of the way: This is NOT the GNR we all knew and loved in the 80’s. And oh, how they are missed. Well, not completely missed. Axl Rose manages to demonstrate his vocal prowess throughout the album, going from crooning to his gut-wrenching trademark scream, but Slash’s unique guitar tone and style are noticeably absent. One of the main changes on this album is the overall style. There isn’t much of an 80’s influence anymore as there is newer industrial metal. As with any modern album, there are catchy riffs and searing solos,

but again, the listener is left with an empty feeling, which can only be filled by the legendary Slash. The best song on the album is the title track, which is followed by “Shackler’s Revenge,” arguably the second best song. From there on out, the album is lackluster and slow. It is not easy to find yourself immersed in these songs as you once were with the original GNR lineup. What is most shocking is that this album has been in the works for almost 15 years. Why isn’t every song on it a number-one hit? It can only make one wonder what these songs were like when they were first written in the post-grunge 90’s. If this was the debut album of an up-and-coming band, it would be skyrocketing to the top of the charts, but because it is the first GNR in far too many years, it won’t see it’s potential success. It’s good, but it’s not Guns N’ Roses good.

Sean Penn and cast pour out the passion in new film, ‘Milk’ by SHruti Patel

For the Daily Titan

detour@dailytitan.com

In a time when the nation’s debate over gay rights has reached a fever pitch, Gus Van Sant’s film, “Milk,” a harrowing portrait of social activist Harvey Milk, couldn’t be more timely. Milk was the first openly gay man to run for a state office. In 1977 he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and though it was not just for gay rights that he fought, it opened doors wider than

they had ever been for members of the gay community. In the 70s he railed against Proposition 6, an initiative to purge gay teachers from public schools along with their supporters. Milk fought against Proposition 6 in a fight similar to the current uproar over the passing of Proposition 8 to ban gay marriage. We can see from the way our nation has taken Proposition 8 and just what Milk went through to keep Proposition 6 from passing; that the struggles are far from over and a so-

ciety that is understanding is all anyone can ask for. The movie’s authentic footage of beatings, rallies and silent vigils show that unlike what some may believe, we all want love, understanding and, if nothing else, tolerance. But in the end, Milk died standing up for what he believed in, and that is the path he chose to show the world – it is OK to be different. This movie shows what occurred in the last eight years of Milk’s life. It begins in New York right before he turns 40, when he meets Scott Smith in a subway station. They be-

come lovers and decide that a “new scene” is needed to bring their relationship out in the open. They relocate to San Francisco, to the Castro District, where they start their own small business, Castro Camera. Milk and Smith get together as many gay members of the community come together and stand up for the rights they deserved, electing Milk as a runner for the San Francisco campaign. Though it took four campaigns, Milk finally wins and manages to make a few changes before fellow supervisor, Dan White, assas-

sinated him. White only received the minimal prison sentence courtesy of the now defunct “Twinkie defense,” claiming that poor diet and stress made him insane at the time of the shooting. The performances given by the entire cast were not only compelling but also felt thoroughly researched and genuine. Franco told students across the nation that he made sure to read, see and hear any kind of documentation he could find on Scott Smith. Not only did he watch the 1984 documentary, “The Life

and times of Harvey Milk,” he also did everything in his power to understand and get in touch with what his character had felt at that time. All of his efforts were clearly seen on screen because the emotion that this movie should have brought forth was achieved. Harvey Milk wanted change and was tired of the treatment he and his peers received and he decided to do something about it. He was a loving person and a fighting inspiration to many people across the nation for doing what he felt was right.

December 11, 2008

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Aries March 21 - April 19 You never thought you had a sensitive side, but the fist-sized boils down the right half of your body will soon change your mind. Taurus April 20 - May 20 No one will want to talk about the 800-pound elephant in the room. Still, whoever has been feeding him cheap take-out seriously needs to stop. Gemini May 21 - June 21 Finding just the right words to express your feelings is often difficult, which is why you’ll ultimately settle on a series of obscene hand gestures. Cancer June 22 - July 22 It’s not so much your drinking that will drive loved ones away, but your tendency to operate chainsaws, nail-guns and other industrial power tools while intoxicated. Leo July 23 - August 22 It’s true that God created you in His likeness. Unfortunately for you, God was feeling particularly shitty about Himself that day. Virgo August 23 - September 22 You’ve always been afraid of having children, but worry not: That thing inside your uterus will bear little resemblance to an actual infant. Libra September 23 - October 23 The human body is made up of 70 percent water, which helps to explain the sound you’ll make after hitting the pavement this week. Scorpio October 24 - November 21 By the time rescue workers reach you this week, not only will you have eaten all of your fellow passengers, but moved on to some of the food they had brought along as well. Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 You’ll finally get the mounted deer head you’ve always wanted, though watching the poor creature try to pull itself free from your wall will take some getting used to. Capricorn December 22 - January 19 A passing stranger will steal your heart this week, and after a few too many drinks have been consumed, your kidney as well. Aquarius January 20 - February 18 There are some things in life science can’t explain, but sadly, why your wife left you and your children refuse to call isn’t one of them. Pisces February 19 - March 20 The stars indicate this is a good week to try new and exciting experiences. See what happens when you consume a second, larger meatball sandwich.

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sports

December 11, 2008

Career-ending injury propels wrestler to new start sports@dailytitan.com

As far as wrestling careers go, many would love to have the success that former Cal State Fullerton wrestler Wade Sauer did. An All-American at Nevada Union High School, as well as a CIF and section champion his senior year, Sauer found success at every level. In 2007 he was named a collegiate All-American and placed on the second team All-Pac-10 2008 Academic Wrestling team. With each match he won he gained more national exposure, but according to him, it was all meaningless. “Personally I consider my career a complete failure because I wasn’t a national champion,” Sauer lamented. “I didn’t kill myself all those years to just be semi-successful. I was going for the top and didn’t plan on settling for anything less, so without that national championship, to me it was a failure.” After beginning the 2007-08 season ranked No. 1 in the Pac-10 and No. 3 in the nation in the heavyweight division, a national champi-

onship was the only goal for him. He was well on his way when on Feb. 17 he suffered a neck injury in a match at Northern Colorado. Sauer said that he herniated two of the disks in his neck and they were pinching his spinal cord. If he had not stopped wrestling, he could have killed himself on the mat. “What bugs me the most is that I never really got a chance to see what I could have done,” Sauer said. “I held out a little bit of hope because I thought it could have turned around.” When a spinal cord specialist told him a couple months later that his injury was career-ending, Sauer had to let go of his hope. “There was nothing I could really do but accept it. I try not to dwell on things I have no control over,” he said. It is easy to empathize with his disappointment, but it is impossible to deny his accomplishments. In his first year at CSUF, Sauer went 30-15 overall with three pins. Prior to his injury during his senior year, Sauer went an astounding 27-4 overall with eight pins. Even more impressive was his 17-1 record

in duals and 9-0 record in Pac-10 to CSUF, Sauer saw in Marttinen’s duals. media guide profile that he liked to “Whatever he did, he did to the spear fish, so Hicks wisely set up a extreme,” Titan wrestling Head trip for the two. Marttinen said that Coach Dan Hicks said of Sauer’s Sauer had never spear fished, but work ethic. “He didn’t have any could feel it and problems in the we could see it. water. He was on his “All of a sudden way to being a he waves me over champ.” and I swim over Sauer had a there and he’s got serious demeana two-and-a-half or on the mat, foot shark on the which seemed to end of his spear,” fit his intimidatMarttinen said ing stature. while laughing. Born and raised “He’s holding the in Grass Valley, spear and pullCalif., he was not – Wade Sauer ing down the tail always comfortFormer CSUF wrestler and I’m like, ‘holy able with Orange crap, why did you County life. shoot a shark? This So when the is crazy!’” program collapsed at Fresno State Spearing a shark in the head dur– where Sauer originally went af- ing his first time spear fishing is ter high school – it was difficult to just one example of Sauer’s ability convince him that Fullerton was the to master whatever it is he puts his right place for him. mind to. Luckily for the CSUF wrestling Currently, he has been spending program, Assistant Coach Risto time competitively shooting and has Marttinen shared a hobby with already been offered a position to Sauer – fishing. Prior to committing teach shooting, according to Sauer.

“

Personally I consider my career a complete failure because I wasn’t a national champion ... I didn’t kill myself all those years just to be semi-successful.

“

By David Carrillo

Daily Titan Executive Editor

But don’t let the shooting, spearing and wrestling fool you. Beyond the rough exterior is something more, or as Hicks said, a “teddy.” “He’s a character, but I think deep down inside he’s got a good heart,” Marttinen said of Sauer. Sauer may always be frustrated that he didn’t get his big shot, but there is certainly a lot for him to be proud of. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice, won a lot of matches wrestling and left the program in a better position to succeed. His success, along with that of his teammates, helps bring in recruits, which isn’t always easy given that the program receives less scholarship money than other nationally competitive schools. Coach Hicks, Sauer’s former teammates and those who follow the sport will miss him and the tenacity he brought to the sport. As for Sauer, it is not hard to imagine what he will miss the most. “The competition. When it comes down to it, the only part of it that I really enjoyed was when I was on the mat,” Sauer said. And with the success that he had, it is not hard to see why.

Wade Sauer: By the Numbers Ranked No. 3 wrestler in the nation in heavyweight division in 2007-08 Ranked No. 1 wrestler in the Pac-10 in heavyweight division in 2007-08 27-4 record with eight pins in his final season 17-1 record in duals 9-0 record in Pac-10 duals

The Fullerton Sports Guy With NBA coaches around the league dropping like flies, Los Angeles Lakers fans have to feel blessed to have the best By David Carrillo

Daily Titan Executive Editor sports@dailytitan.com

With the NFL season coming to an end and my team (San Francisco 49ers) far removed from playoff ambitions, I have turned my attention to the NBA. And for those of us who root for the hometown Los Angeles Lakers, what a good time it is to be a fan. The Lakers are currently first in the mighty Western Conference and have the second best record overall. They are ranked second in two power rankings by ESPN; behind the

Cleveland Cavaliers in John Hollinger’s projections and behind the Boston Celtics in Cal State Fullerton alumnus Marc Stein’s standings. Although I believe it is a little premature to be planning parade routes and discussing 70 wins for the season, it is not unreasonable to imagine the purple and gold as a No. 1 seed come playoff time and making their second trip in two years to the finals. But not all is well for NBA fans around the nation. Already this season, four different teams have fired their head coaches – the Oklahoma City Thunder shed P.J. Carlesimo

after a 1-12 start; the Washington Wizards gave Eddie Jordan his pink slip after a 1-10 start; the Toronto Raptors said goodbye to Sam Mitchell after an 8-9 start; and yesterday the Minnesota Timberwolves cut loose Randy Wittman after going 4-15. I realize all of these teams were struggling, but it is pretty early in the season to be firing coaches. What is this, the NHL? They may like to fire coaches during TV timeouts (only slightly joking), but the NBA is supposed to be better than that. Though the four teams have little to brag about, for the most part they

never had a chance to begin with. The Timberwolves were never going to be a .500 team, as former vice president of basketball operations and new Head Coach Kevin McHale claimed. The Thunder would be hard pressed to compete for a NCAA title, much less a playoff spot in the NBA. The Wizards have been without their best player for the entire season, and the Raptors were still in playoff contention. What bothers me the most is that the teams did not have a better alternative when letting these coaches go. It would be one thing to replace these guys with a proven winner, it

is another to replace them with an unproven assistant or fan-hated executive (McHale). Sadly, the trend looks to continue. According to ESPN’s Chris Sheridan, Marc Iavaroni of the Memphis Grizzlies, Reggie Theus of the Sacramento Kings and Maurice Cheeks of the Philadelphia 76ers all may be headed for unemployment before the new year. He also mentions the deplorable Los Angeles Clippers’ head coach Mike Dunleavy, who frankly may be the one person on this list who really deserves to get the axe. Regardless of what happens to the recently fired and soon-to-be fired,

we Lakers fans should be thankful for all our blessings. Kobe Bryant is happy, Andrew Bynum is healthy, and Lamar Odom seems to be content leading one of the strongest second units in the league. Despite letting a pair of fourth quarter leads slip away recently, Lakers fans have plenty to look forward to. Since Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson is more likely to win a Coach of the Year Award rather than get canned, maybe it isn’t too early to start planning parades after all.