Daily Titan: Thursday, November 19, 2009

Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 40

Thursday November 19, 2009

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

INSIDE DT

AICA Saint Motel tour ends at Becker opens mic on social problems

FEATURES:

By Jamie Iglesias

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Archers of CSUF practice in stadium, Page 5

OPINION:

No chance for a fair trial in U.S., Page 6

Photo By SHRUTI PATEL/Daily Titan Photo Editor A/J Jackson (guitar/lead vocals), Aaron Sharp (guitar), Greg Erwin (drums) and Dak (bass) from Saint Motel perform their brand of indie rock on the stage of the Becker Amphitheatre Wednesday as a part of ASI Production’s free concert series.

DETOUR, Page 8

Greek influence spanning throughout CSUF Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

DETOUR:

Highs and “lows” of the Sanrio superstar, Page 10

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At a time when Cal State Fullerton is concerned with campus leadership and economic policy, the agendas of student leaders have been put under a microscope. Among the factors being examined is Associated Students Inc.’s longstanding relationship with fraternities and sororities.

While many students remain happy with the policies of ASI, some have voiced concern over the number of student government leaders involved in Greek Life.

ASI’s executive staff is comprised of six members, five of whom have been involved in Greek Life. Three of them are active members and two have served as presidents of their fraternities.

As student leaders, the executive board is involved in the process of allocating funds to ASI-sponsored

clubs. major, when told the number of Some of these organizations in- student leaders involved with Greek clude the National Pan-Hellenic organizations. “I think it’s probably Council, which has been approved more indicative of them being able for $8,465 for to get a large the 2009-10 number fiscal year; the of people Multicultural to vote for Greek Counthem.” cil, which has Fellow been approved CSUF stufor $10,880; dent Jessica the PanhellenMerriam, ic, which has 21, a health been approved science mafor $23,470; jor, also and Inter-Fravoiced conternity Councern.

– Joseph Lopez, cil, which has “I think ASI executive vice president been approved in general for $16,035, it’s hard for according to anyone not ASI’s 2009-10 involved in budget. the Greek Life to get into the stu“(ASI) would definitely favor to- dent government,” Merriam said. “I ward the Greeks for sure,” said Mi- know I’ve had friends who tried and chael Rodriguez, 23, an economics it was really difficult.”

“

If you are a member of the Greek community, you are more likely to get involved not only in just ASI but the other clubs, organizations and areas on campus.

“

By Katelin Paiz

In response, executive staffers were happy to offer their take on the situation.

“Honestly, the stuff that we do doesn’t affect one person or one group,” said Kathy Ting-Ting Yu, ASI chief administrative officer and alumna of one of the Panhellenic sororities. “The decisions we make affect the entire school. I know it sounds like we have the power to (affect policy in favor of Greek organizations), but we actually don’t.”

Executive staff members are quick to point out that there are checks and balances involved in the disbursement of funds, which are designed to prevent any misappropriation. In the allocation process, every ASI-funded organization submits a budget according to its needs.

The budget goes to various parts of ASI, including the Finance Committee, the Board of Directors, the ASI President and ultimately to See GREEK INFLUENCE, Page 2

Titans collect toys for children in need this holiday season

By Susannah Blakey For the Daily Titan

news@dailytitan.com

One way to celebrate the holidays is by giving a gift to the Titan Toy Drive, a benefit for underprivileged children.

Students can participate in the toy drive, which runs through Dec. 10, by selecting the name of a child aged 7 – 14 from the Titan Toy display in the Titan Student Union and donating a gift that is suitable for the child’s age.

The toy drive, which has been a part of Cal State Fullerton for 18 years, is coordinated by the TSU Information and Services group and Camp Titan. Each year, the goal of the drive is to collect as many gifts as possible for the children. “Last year we had 778 toys, and each child received five gifts, which was really nice,” said Pamela Skawin, the Information and Services manager.

Camp Titan, founded in 1969, happens one week every June. The camp takes about 140 underprivi-

leged children from the Orange County area to go camping in Big Bear. CSUF students, trained as counselors, volunteer their time to Camp Titan. The children are invited back to CSUF in December to celebrate the holiday season.

The toy drive is a way for students to give back to their community, said Christina Median, 22, a senior student manager of the TSU Information and Services and human services major. “It’s a way to give back to our campus. I know we are busy with our classes and we don’t have time to do community service, so it’s a way for all students to come together and serve the community as a whole.”

Students can donate money as well as gifts. Monetary donations will go toward buying bicycles to be given away during a drawing at a holiday party for the kids. Target offers the toy drive a discount on the bikes.

To make the day more festive, Camp Titan and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee wrap the gifts and throw a party to make receiving the toys memorable for the

PHOTO By Jeff lambert/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Shown are the collected toys on display in the TSU before they are gift wrapped.

children. At the party, the children open their presents in the TSU, and those whose names are drawn receive bikes.

English major Joshua Rodriguez, 21, participates in the drive because he can relate to the childrens’ situation. “I grew up in a low income neighborhood, and I like to help out people in the same situation whenever I can,” Rodriguez said.

Students who want to participate should bring their unwrapped gift to Information and Services along

with the nametag of the child they are sponsoring. Skawin said that gifts should be limited to toys; no personalized gifts or clothing should be donated.

Medina said that the main goal of the toy drive is to make the day special for the children. “We want to make their holidays better. I know that with the recession going on, they might not get as many gifts.

This way, they know we are there for them, and we want to make them smile.”

Issues of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and many others will be tackled at today’s Rally Against Hate event in the Quad from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Association for Inter-Cultural Awareness and Associated Students Inc. are sponsoring the event to bring awareness of hate crimes, discrimination and prejudice.

“We have a bunch of council members within AICA and multicultural clubs who are coming together to squash stereotypes, squash labels and bring awareness to the campus,” said Trina Tan, 19, AICA’s advocacy coordinator.

The event will start with resource fair participants from various backgrounds setting up their tables in the Quad and providing students with information about their culture or organization.

The main attraction is the Clothesline Project where people from different cultural organizations on campus write and draw on shirts to express themselves.

“Some of the stuff makes you tense, but discrimination still goes on, and different groups that you would not even think of experience it as well,” said Zohra Latif, 19, the public relations coordinator.

The shirts come in a variety of colors and will be hung around the Quad so students will have the opportunity to see them.

AICA events coordinator Sabrena McDonald, 20, attended the event last year, and her favorite aspect was the Clothesline Project.

“There were words there and certain things that you never want to see, and I appreciated the time people took to write those things and to put their emotions on the shirts,” McDonald said.

There will also be a “Wall of Prejudice” and a “Wall of Hope” where students will be able to write their experiences and comments. “The Wall of Progress” will show the advances society has made since the 1960s.

Sylvia Mendez, who was the young girl involved in the 1946 Mendez v. Westminster desegregation case, is one of the speakers who will share her experience with segregation and discrimination.

Cal State Fullerton sociology professors Angelique Harris and Carter Rakovski will discuss sociological perspectives of prejudice attitudes, and Associate Dean of Student Life Esiquio R. Uballe will discuss immigration issues.

Throughout the event, students will have the chance to speak out, write of their experiences and write a pledge on a heart-shaped piece of pink, green or yellow-colored paper.

These pledges will go up on the “Wall of Hope,” and each person will get a flower to represent their commitment, Tan said.

An open microphone will be available at the event, and students will be encouraged to come up and share their experiences dealing with discrimination.

McDonald will be on the stage most of the time to try to get students to come up and share their experiences.

“This event will open students’ eyes and show them that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the community,” Tan said.

Page Two

2

IN OTHER NEWS INTERNATIONAL Iraq’s national elections in jeopardy

BAGHDAD (MCT) – Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed part of an election law and sent it back to parliament Wednesday.

Successful national elections, which are supposed to take place in January, are a crucial milestone for the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq. President Obama wants to remove all American combat forces from Iraq by Aug. 31.

It wasn’t immediately clear how quickly the latest snag in Iraqi politicians’ tortuous effort to arrange the elections could be overcome. Parliament members are scheduled to meet Thursday to debate the changes al-Hashemi has demanded.

Gen. Raymond Odierno, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. said he had until about May 1 to decide whether to ask Obama to alter the Aug. 31 timeline. All U.S. forces are due to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

NATIONAL

Republican senators, Holder clash over terrorism trials

WASHINGTON (MCT) – Republican senators confronted Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday over his decision to try the Sept. 11 terrorism suspects in civilian court.

Holder said he foresaw no judicial obstacles to convicting the five terrorism suspects and putting them to death, though he acknowledged that prosecutors will have to persuade jurors.

President Obama suggested that death sentences will vindicate Holder’s decision.

Obama, a former law professor, appeared to realize immediately that such a statement risks harming the constitutional presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

“What I said was people will not be offended if that’s the outcome,” Obama said.

STATE Council approves smoking lounge regulations LONG BEACH (MCT) – For years, smoking lounges operated illegally in Long Beach until the City Council legalized them in February. Now, it’s the city that may be on the wrong side of the law after the council Tuesday approved the creation of smoking lounge regulations that don’t all comply with state code.

Going into the meeting, the council had two main options before it: to approve smoking lounge regulations as they had been written by city staff, or to approve the regulations with several additions from the council’s Economic Development and Finance Committee.

The problem was that some of the committee recommendations were flat out illegal, according to Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang.

On Tuesday, the full council went the same direction, approving the committee’s recommendations on a 7-2 vote.

The council’s decision to legalize smoking lounges reversed the city’s 15year-old, groundbreaking ordinance that outlawed smoking in public places and workplaces. Anti-smoking advocates have opposed the council’s revision of the law, calling it a step backwards for Long Beach.

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.

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Copyright ©2009 Daily Titan

November, 19, 2009

Human Genome Project applied WASHINGTON (MCT) – A whirlwind of activity is under way to apply the findings of the $3 billion Human Genome Project to improve health care in the United States and around the world.

Six years after scientists finished decoding the human genome – the genetic instruction book for life – they’re starting to take their new knowledge from the research laboratory to the doctor’s office and the patient’s bedside.

“We hope all this knowledge of the genome will lead to more kinds of therapies,” said Francis Collins, who ran the federal government’s Human Genome Project from 1993 to 2008.

Researchers are seeking ways to tailor treatments to individuals – they call it “personalized medicine” – in order to improve patient outcomes and to

lower costs in the overburdened U.S. health care system.

“Already some of these personalized treatments are finding their way into practice,” Collins told a recent seminar in Washington. “We want to optimize the way we practice medicine, diagnosis and risk prediction.”

For example, instead of a standard therapy to treat breast cancer, personalized medicine allows doctors to employ a treatment precisely designed to fit one woman’s specific needs. If a gene test shows that her tumor overproduces a substance called HER-2, she’s considered to be a good candidate for the drug Herceptin, which cuts her chance of a recurrence nearly in half.

If the test is negative, using the drug could be wasteful.

Advocates say that personalized

Photo courtesy Mct This 2004 photo shows a technician at the National Human Genome Research Institute preparing DNA for sequencing using a hand-held pipette, a slow but standard practice back then.

medicine also can reduce unnecessary suffering and expense by minimizing the chance of adverse drug reactions.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, there were 319,741 serious illnesses and 49,958 deaths due to unexpected reactions to drugs last year in the United States alone. A British study estimated the cost of such reactions at $847 million per year in the United Kingdom.

For instance, heart patients who have two tiny mutations in their genomes have an increased risk of serious problems, even death, if they take the popular anticlotting drug Plavix, said Rick Hockett, the chief medical officer of Affymetrix, a genetics firm in Santa Clara, Calif.

Experts caution, however, that it’s premature to say that an era of individually customized medicine Photo courtesy MCT has arrived. Major In a photo taken in September, a robot arm (foreground) collects DNA from an incubator and hands it to scientific and policy another arm (background), vastly speeding up the process of analyzing the human genome. hurdles remain be-

fore patients can benefit widely from the promises of personalized medicine.

Issues of insurance coverage, medical training, privacy and safety remain to be resolved.

Nevertheless, advances in genomic medicine are accelerating, thanks to new, high-speed sequencing machines.

Unlike the slow, painstaking methods used to decode the first sample genome, second-generation robotic machines can analyze hundreds of thousands of units of DNA in minutes.

Collins said the improvement in speed of sequencing had been “breathtaking.” Costs have come down proportionately.

In 2003, it cost an estimated $300 million to decode the first genome of an individual human. By 2007, the cost per person had come down to $100 million, and by 2008, it was $60,000.

The current cost is about $20,000, according to Clifford Reid, the chief executive of Complete Genomics Inc., a gene-processing company in Mountain View, Calif.

Collins said the goal was to be able to sequence a complete human genome for $1,000 by five years from now, making it a staple of medical practice.

People routinely will have their genomes sequenced to predict their individual risks of disease and responses to drugs, he predicted.

From Page 1

ASI President Juliana Santos, a former member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, also touted the great experience that she gained from both.

“I think that people who are involved with Greek Life want to be part of a community and want to be involved in something and Greek Life and ASI are both things that provide a community and provide a way to get involved and I think they draw a certain kind of personality in that it’s a person who feels like they want to be connected with something. They want to be part of something bigger and I think that both of those organizations offer that,” Santos said.

Greek Influence: leaders at CSUF

President Milton Gordon for approval.

“One of the great things is that there is always a conversation going on at every single point in the process at every single step so that everyone that is requesting funds does have a voice and they do have a say in what’s going on,” said Henoc Preciado, ASI vice president of finance.

In stark contrast to their counterparts, many students are in favor of the idea of Greeks in student government.

“I think it’s cool,” said Megan Tito, 18. “It seems that the members of fra-

ternities and sororities are involved in school and that’s admirable.”

Kristie Castaneda, 18, a civil engineering major, agreed.

“Sororities and fraternities have a long history of leadership,” said Castaneda. “I think the people that join are the type of people that like to be involved. Naturally they would seek out leadership opportunities.”

Some executive staff members are very involved with other activities throughout campus that have little to do with Greeks. Gregory Washington, for example, has served as a New Student Orientation Leader for the Office of New Student Programs and

as a member-at-large for Student Organizations Accessing Resources Communications Interclub Council. And, some Greek organizations encourage their members to be involved with other organizations as well.

“If you are a member of the Greek community you are more likely to get involved not only in just ASI, but the other clubs, organizations and areas on campus. My organization in particular encourages our chapter to have at least 80 percent of our members involved in another aspect on campus besides Greek Life,” said Joseph Lopez, ASI executive vice president and president of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

November 19, 2009

FEATURES

3

Drunk driving accident victims tell their stories

get mad at me because I was features@dailytitan.com just so nervous.”

We i f m u l l e r Feb. 4, 2007 started as a friend’s and her family birthday celebration for Sobuon were not as lucky as Leng when it Leng.

It ended with Leng getting hit by came to escaping injuries. a drunk driver in her car.

Her sister-inLeng, 21, a double major in anthropology and sociology at Cal State law’s scalp had Fullerton, pulled up to a four-way to be re-attached stop sign after dropping her friend at the hospital as it came off in off at home at around 10 p.m.

Her car was suddenly hit on the the crash.

New Year’s Day Weifmuller’s driver’s side by a man who had been brother had sufdrinking and driving.

Leng’s Honda Accord was hit after fered injury to Memorial Day going no more than a couple inches his abdomen, and Weifmuller from the stop.

The crash was caused by the man’s had to endure shoulder, back, Yukon SUV. Fourth of July “The guy got out of his car yelling hip and knee at me for my information because I surgery over an had hit his car. He was irate,” Leng extended period of time. said.

Labor Day Much like When police arrived at the scene, driver, the man was arrested for drink- Leng’s ing and driving and driving on a the man who Thanksgiving suspended license for a prior DUI had rear-ended We i f m u l l e r ’s charge.

Although Leng’s car was totalled, vehicle was a she suffered no serious injuries ex- multiple DUI Christmas cept back pain that began a couple offender driving on a suspended weeks after the accident.

Much like Leng, Penny Weif- license.

“I really don’t muller, an assistant professor in nursing at CSUF, was also a victim like drinking, and I think of a drunk driving crash.

While on her way to visit her fa- people should ther in Oregon for his 98th birthday be responsible,” on Oct. 28, 2006, Weifmuller, her W e i f m u l l e r “Maybe brother and sister-in-law were rear- said. you don’t care ended by a drunk driver going 100 for yourself, but mph on the freeway at 3:30 a.m.

Their car spun and rolled sev- you can cause eral times, landing upside down on such harm to the freeway while the drunk driver others.”

Lori Phelps, drove away.

Phelps said she doesn’t see mod“I didn’t even know I was up- who is involved with the Substance side down until I tried reaching for Abuse Awareness and Prevention eration being taught.

“It’s clearly heartbreaking when my car handle,” Weifmuller said. Student Association and is a fulltime lecturer an accident happens, but it seems “But when I in the human some programs are not effective,” couldn’t reach services depart- Phelps said. it, I went to ment on camWhen people are sent to alcohol undo my seat pus, doesn’t take programs, the standard of instrucbelt, and I hit a stance against tors and information that is being the roof of the drinking, but taught is up to par, Phelps said. car.” enforces mod“When people get a DUI, no Her sistereration. one is going to expect them to stop in-law, who “It’s a rite of drinking,” Phelps said. was the only passage,” Phelps Leng said she is thankful she one able to said. “Instead wasn’t seriously injured and adds climb through of a zero toler- that drinking and driving isn’t her window, ance when it the dangers that can be phoned fire– Penny Weifmuller, comes to alco- worth caused. fighters and Nursing asst. professor hol, I would “My only thing is you really paramedics. like to see other need to take a step back and think A semioptions. We’ve about drinking and driving. You’re truck driver and another vehicle stopped to help made drinking taboo, so instead of either going to be arrested for it or kids just trying it they overdo it.” become a victim of it,” Leng said. and both phoned the police.

The truck driver radioed other semis that were traveling ahead, which allowed them to make a block across the freeway to stop the 21-year-old man who hit Weifmuller and her family.

“For the first year after the accident, if I was riding in the passenger seat, I would become what some people call a ‘Nervous Nellie,’” Weifmuller said. “My husband would

By Lauren Felechner

Daily Titan Staff Writer

Middle Eastern culture celebrated at Becker Amphitheatre Tuesday

By JonathAn Montgomery Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

Plumes of smoke, scents of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and the sounds of fast, rhythmic, Arabic music filled the Becker Amphitheatre Tuesday during an event hosted by Cal State Fullerton’s Middle Eastern Student Society.

Held annually for the past few years, the event aims to inform and offer different perspectives on Middle Eastern culture. Multiple hookahs, a belly dancer and trays of food were just a few of the exciting events to see and experience.

“We are representing for all the countries of the Middle East,” said Rema Wahid, president of MESS. “Basically we just want them to have a better perception of the Middle East because right now it’s not very good.”

Tables set up around the theater provided information and artifacts from different Middle Eastern countries. This would allow others to learn to differentiate between different Middle Eastern countries, as well as gain knowledge about areas they may not be familiar with.

CSUF alumnus and MESS founder Rashad Al-Dabbagh, 28, said he started the organization due to a lack of representation. AlDabbagh said there was no Middle Eastern or Arab student organization when he was a student and that he wanted to do something to change that.

“One aspect of it is to build a sense of community with the students of Arab decent or Middle Eastern decent, and bring them together, but also to raise awareness

about cultural issues (and) political is- belly dance because of the sensual characteristics and the beauty and sues,” said Al-Dabbagh.

The line of students waiting for art of the dance,” Francisco said. food grew while others ate pita bread, She said belly dancing can inspire falafels, hummus and fresh tabouli and build a woman’s confidence, made of parsley, lemon vinaigrette and the main reason she enjoys teaching it. tomatoes.

She also men“This is probably tioned the culthe best hummus tural importance I’ve had in a while,” dance brings. said Samir Gala, 20, “You can defia sophomore radionitely learn a lot TV-film major. from events like Gala, being Inthis and gain dian, said he saw insight on differmany similarities ent cultures and between Middle how they interact Eastern culture and with each other his own – specifiand the different cally the food, the actives and tradidance and even the tions that they way people look. do,” she said.

“It’s definitely Shortly afinteresting, because ter Francisco I see a lot of things finished, music I recognize being blasted from the Indian, but it’s just a speakers, and different take on it,” a small group he said. linked hands Around 12:20 and gathered on p.m., belly dancer the cement stage Jacqueline Francisand performed co, a public relations “dabka,” a dance major, took center from the Northstage on the Becker ern Middle East.

Amphitheatre.

Al-Dabbagh She performed a said Tuesday’s sensual dance aided event was held, by her rhythm“to get a different keeping finger face of the middle cymbals. While she east; it’s usually moved, silver seassociated with quins danced and war, violence and flashed in the sun.

“The best way PHOTO By Chris PRICE/For the Daily Titan we want to show different perfor me to express Public relations major Jacqueline myself is through Francisco entertains crowds at Becker spectives.”

Amphitheatre.

even “knowI didn’t I was upside down until I tried reaching for my car handle.

“

PHOTO By Ron FU/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Students who had received henna tattoos smoke fruit-flavored tobacco from a hookah at the Middle Eastern Student Society’s event at Becker Amphitheatre Tuesday.

4

FEATURES

November 19, 2009

Student tells DUI tale to teach others features@dailytitan.com

Sitting on her couch, kinesiology major Lisa Finney gazes out of her window and sighs. She could use a drink. It’s been a boring day, and she’s about to recall a harsh memory.

“I’m trying to occupy myself; I have yoga class today,” she said.

Sober, relaxed and shyly loving another chance to tell the tale of what would lead to her most horrifying experience, Finney takes a deep breath.

On Jan. 12, 2008, Finney crashed her car into a park during park hours, just short of a children’s play structure while inebriated. She was the only one injured.

That morning, Finney and her best

friend prepared an 18-pack of beer to “ease the edge.” She would meet her then-boyfriend’s family for the first time at his grandmother’s birthday party, and she was nervous.

“So I finished a ton of beers and drove drunk to this party, where everyone was already drunk, so I continued to drink … and take shots with his grandmother,” Finney recalled.

After a couple of hours, Finney realized her boyfriend was nowhere to be found.

Surrounded by friendly strangers, Finney decided to find her boyfriend.

She got into her car and sped off toward his best friend’s house; his friend was also attending the party.

Maybe they had gone to do something.

Upon approaching the house, Finney noticed no cars graced the driveway or curb, so she headed back toward the party.

Blowing a stop sign and dipping hard into a right turn, Finney sped her car around a corner, clipping the curb and popping her front right tire.

The impact and eruption of air propelled the car left into the park.

Her car jumped a boulder, ripping most of the car’s undercarriage, before coming to a stop just short of the play structure.

“It was horrible,” Finney said.

Her purse had shattered the window, which caused her to cover her face when the air bag exploded, knocking her unconscious.

A neighborhood resident rushed to her aid. He must have heard the loud crash, Finney said. Once she was somewhat conscious, the man took her back to his house.

He offered her a place to stay and make some phone calls. Finney called her mother immediately and explained what happened.

The cops and her parents arrived on scene at the same time.

Though honest to the authorities about drinking, she was put through a series of sobriety tests.

“My parents watched me fail my sobriety tests. They gave me a breathalyzer and I blew a 0.2, which is (more than) double over the legal limit.

They arrested me on the spot,” Finney said.

“I spent 26 hours in a holding cell.”

While in the holding cell, “Silence of the Lambs” played on the TV in black and white on a continuous loop.

When Finney arrived, the cell was vacant; but during her stay 12 other women joined her in the cell which had a maximum occupancy of 28.

She had to remain in jail until she was sober and properly identified. Unfortunately, the computer systems went down during her stay. Since her prints had to be sent to Sacramento, the system crash delayed her release.

Finney appeared in court only for her sentencing, though her lawyer returned five times in her place.

On Feb. 7, 2008, Finney began the “Right On” program, a five-step series of classes designed to teach underage drunk drivers the effects of alcohol on the brain and judgment as well as society.

It took her nine months to complete the program, the length of which is dependent on the severity of the DUI, said Finney. She had to travel, usually by train, from Orange County to Los Angeles once a week to attend the classes.

“The program was designed to teach you about the different sides of your brain and on what makes you do the things you do,” Finney said.

The class taught students to, “make you more aware of the effects drinking can have on your body,” she added.

Finney learned to take responsibility for her actions.

“It’s your fault you got a DUI, no one else’s,” Finney said. “And it’s not about the amount you drink, any amount can impair your judgment.”

After the initial classes, Finney had to complete the Hospital and Morgue Program.

This LA-based program sends people convicted of DUI to a hospital and morgue for seminars. It was during this part of the program that Finney’s mentality changed forever.

“It was an eye opener for me just how many people get DUIs,” Finney said.

Around 30 others joined her at the hospital for the onetime, four hour class that is held year-round.

But it was at the morgue that Finney went through her most horrifying experience.

Like the hospital day, the morgue day began with a seminar, but also consisted of, “Actually going to view … dead bodies … and watch autopsies,” Finney said. “Over 250 dead bodies.”

As they walked from the classroom to the morgue, a fresh corpse came in on a gurney. “She died while we were in class,” Finney said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION By Jeff Lambert/Daily Titan Staff Photographer

She totalled her car, had to pay a $2,200 ticket for the DUI, $500 for the five classes and $1,000 every six months for car insurance. The insurance increase will last 10 years even with the cheapest coverage and vehicle level.

Finney also had to attend 26 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

She was left with permanent back problems, a fear of the morgue and terrible anxiety behind the wheel.

“I’ll never be the same … mentally,” Finney said.

But the best part of her DUI story involved her exboyfriend, his best friend and the best friend’s father.

“While I was getting booked ... I saw his best friend and father being booked into jail,” said Finney.

The friend’s truck suffered a “hood malfunction” one street over at the same time Finney crashed. Although the – Lisa Finney, driver instinctively applied the breaks, another driver backing Kinesiology major up did not see them coming and struck them.

The father got “confronta“I’ll never forget that image. It tional” with the responding police made it very surreal,” Finney said. officer, leading to both father and “Because that freaked me out. The son being arrested. Her ex was spared fact I could have killed, or some- because there was no more room in one could have killed me that same the squad car.

“So yeah, great family event,” night.”

After the seminar, her fifth and fi- Finney said.

Despite the harsh realities of her nal step of the program was to write a three page paper about her experi- DUI experience, Finney loves telling her story; hoping it will influence ences with HaM. In all, she lost her license for 13 people to think twice before drinkmonths and one day – one year after ing and driving.

“But I’m mentally going to be her first court date – and she ended fucked for the rest of my life,” said up paying about $30,000 for the Finney. whole ordeal.

“There’s just tables of people getting autopsied, you know, getting cut open,” Finney recalled. “That, I will never be able to forget.”

Following the HaM program, Finney had to attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving seminar where three speakers talked about their lost loved ones while holding pictures of the deceased.

One speaker had lost their son to a drunk driver the same day Finney was arrested for her DUI. He was her age.

“

So I finished a ton of beers and drove drunk to this party, where everyone was already drunk, so I continued to drink ... and take shots with his grandmother.

“

By Patrick Cowles

Daily Titan Asst. News Editor

5

FEATURES

November 19, 2009

Professor rating site, used to select classes, turns 10

By Nyree Knox and Eric Alavez For the Daily Titan

features@dailytitan.com

PHOTO By Ron Fu/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Michael Melin, 18, fires off an arrow at the Archers of CSUF practice. The archery club meets every Friday and Saturday night at Titan Stadium. The archers provide bows for beginners who don’t have their own equipment and want to participate.

Archers take aim at Titan Stadium

By Cesar Gonzalez

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

local archery range. barebow, which is the most popular.

Gurpreet Singh, a freshman bioThe archery club focuses on two facets: recreational and competitive. chemistry major, recently joined the The club’s president, Lucy Neiss, de- archery club.

He originally heard about the club cided that the group should cater to from his friend both sides, KerMindy. anen said.

“It’s quite reCompetitive laxing once you archers have ophit the target. It’s portunities to satisfying,” Singh compete in large said, adding that events next searchery helps him mester like the State Indoor – Veronica Purpura, gain control of his muscles and Tournament in Archers of CSUF helps him focus.

Tulare, Calif., member The club meets which takes place Fridays and Satin January.

A way in which the club is trying urdays on the soccer field from 6 - 9 to encourage people to join is by put- p.m.

If you are interested in joining eiting out flyers and “trying to keep a ther for recreation or for competition, high profile,” Keranen said.

Keranen gives free private lessons you can e-mail the club at Archery. to people interested in the sport at a CSUF@gmail.com.

The archer takes his place on a soccer field. About 10 yards away are five targets – his goals.

He is relaxed and focused, ready to take aim and hopefully hit a bullseye.

Archers of CSUF, Cal State Fullerton’s archery club, was started in 2005 by Brent Ferguson, the first president of the club, Laura Wakim, former secretary and barebow shooter for the club, and Veronica Purpura, a member and designer of the club’s logo and flyers.

They got people interested in the club by participating in Cal State Fullerton Day and Discoverfest.

Purpura took the initiative to start early recruitment by motivating people to join the club.

The club already had the necessary equipment; they just had to establish themselves in order to be able to practice on the soccer field.

They accomplished this by winning numerous competitions, medals and awards such as the Titan Pride Spirit Award on CSUF Day. Purpura got involved with archery in high school and took classes at Hi-Tech Archery in Fullerton.

The club’s goals for this semester are to “recruit, join and have fun,” Purpura said.

Karl Keranen, the volunteer coach for the club, has been shooting archery since 1988 and has been shooting competitively since 1994.

He said the club shoots different types of styles including: recurve, Olympic, Photo By Ron Fu/Daily Titan Staff Photographer compound bow and Coach Karl Keranen helps Brent Cone, 18, improve his stance during an Archers of CSUF club practice.

“

The club’s goals for this semester are to ‘recruit, join and have fun.’

RateMyProfessors.com turned 10 this year.

The Web site helps students search for instructors and “rate” them in order to make the student voice heard.

Students search for a professor by their last name or by the school they attend.

The results provide a scorecard that shows the professor’s number of ratings, average clarity, average easiness, how attractive they are, their Screen Capture Taken By Jeff Lambert/Daily Titan Staff Photographer helpfulness and overall quality.

Students who access the site don’t through new tools and advances. ent reasons. “Students judge profesneed to create an account to look up But the site will not change dramati- sors by what they read on the site, a professor. cally. rather than by being open-minded Students from the United States, “The site functions so well that we students who can accept any profesEngland, Canada, Scotland and are inclined to say, ‘Don’t mess with sor,” Rodriguez said.

Wales can access the site and rate it,’” DiMarco said.

He also feels the site is not accueducators.

Today, Rate My Professors is “ex- rate. “The site’s accuracy is different “Ten million comments, ten mil- panding in other ways, making it a for every student. For some, a prolion opinions and ten million rea- priority to advance,” DiMarco said. fessor can be hard, for others, they sons,” makes the Web site the most The Web site plans to create an iP- can be easy,” he said. popular professor database, accord- hone application that will give stuSenior Janet Arteaga, 23, is not a ing to the site. dents the opportunity to rate profes- registered user but admits to using The student-run site was launched sors instantly. the site. in May of 1999, and in 2007 it was Arteaga found out about the Web “What better time to rate a propurchased by Vifessor than by site as a freshman through other stuacom’s mtvU. doing it with a dents.

“Some students might think (proCarlos Dicell phone,” DiMarco, vice fessors) are hard, and I don’t think Marco said. president of Along with they are. (The site is) mostly accuMTV Networks’ the iPhone app, rate,” she said.

Check out DailyTitan.

The site has a flagging tool, aluniversity relaRate My Protions said that com/RateProfessors for fessors will let lowing users to report “ratings that the site contin- video and interviews with students rate (are) libelous or erroneous,” the site ues to do what it school campus- states, which in turn helps the Web does best – give students who use the site. es, dorms and site’s accuracy.

“There are a number of tools that college students college life in help make that the case,” DiMarco a space where general. they can voice their opinion.

The 10-year-old Web site assures said. “We make sure we check rat“Rate My Professors is driven by that the future changes will still be ings. The site helps students ... stustudent voice. There are no corpo- driven by “honest contributions,” dents need to use their own judgment, but the flagging feature has rate comments,” DiMarco said dur- DiMarco said. ing a phone interview.

Cal State Fullerton sophomore worked the best.”

This year alone 1.9 million comMTV Networks’ interest in the Javier Rodriguez, 21, was unaware ments have been made on RateMyWeb site was based on its popularity of the Web site’s anniversary. among college students.

“It’s a surprise; I didn’t know Professors.com.

The site’s goal is to continue giv“If the site has no trust (from stu- about the site turning 10. But then dents), it has no value,” DiMarco again, I was not in college 10 years ing present and future college students a voice and a space where they said. ago,” Rodriguez said.

DiMarco added that the Web site He sees the site as a tool that can read “current student opinions,” will continue to cater to students many take advantage of for differ- DiMarco said.

MultiMedia

“

OPINION

Titan Editorial

Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960

9/11 trial location not the issue Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-described outside of Southern California, unless they’re Angels mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, along with four fans. Therefore, the farther he travels away from OC, other alleged conspirators held in Guantanamo Bay, the better his chances are of getting an impartial jury were recently notified that they would be removed and, thus, a fair trial. from the Naval base and sent to New York City to But everyone in America can relate to the attacks receive a civilian trial. They will be charged by federal that terrorized the Big Apple, the Pentagon and Pennprosecutors in a federal court, according to the New sylvania. It didn’t matter where you lived or what you York Times. were doing; during the drive to work, on every news The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution channel, on every news Web site, the terrorist attacks states: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall were the story of the year, and reporters certainly foenjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an im- cused America’s attention. partial jury of the State and district wherein the crime In the days following, airport security across the shall have been committed ... ;” making the earlier nation was tighter, and former President George W. plans for a military tribunal an obvious avoidance of Bush declared war on terrorists in Afghanistan in rethe American justice system. sponse to the Sept. 11 attacks almost four weeks later.

But if the jury isn’t impartial where the crime was The USA Patriot Act was spawned to give the governcommitted, the defendant has the right to request the ment more leeway in its method of tracking terrorists trial be held in a new location in hopes that the jury while at the same time infringing on rights of privacy is objective before the trial starts. that were previously off limits.

Those who think that the accused will receive Billions of dollars have been spent every year since an unfair trial in NYC must consider the fact that then to fight terrorism abroad in the hope that it Americans across the country are unified by their hate doesn’t spread to this country or others. The governfor those who caused the Sept. 11 attacks. It doesn’t ment is even allowed to keep track of books that are matter where these men go for their trial; since it’s borrowed from a library. taking place in America, there is no guarantee of an These men potentially represent the reason why unbiased jury. thousands of people died on Sept. 11, 2001. They The Andrew Gallo case in Orange County is an could be the cause for many obligated changes in example of a change of venue being necessary. The our country, for better or worse. If they really are the Gallo case has received plenty of media coverage in masterminds behind the attacks, their actions have in North Orange County because he was involved in a some way affected our lives. fatal car crash that killed three and injured one while That is why a change of venue will not give them he was driving almost three times over the legal blood a jury any less biased than the one they’re getting in alcohol limit.

New York City.

Among the Everybody has victims was rookthe right to ie Angels pitcher a speedy and Nick Adenhart fair trial in the and Cal State U.S., no matFullerton stuter how heinous dent Courtney their crime may Stewart. People seem. And if a in OC will natufair trial warrally have a bias rants a change against Gallo, so of scenery, such his lawyer has reas in Gallo’s quested the case case, then by all be moved to a means, move the new location in trial. search of a relaHopefully tively unbiased the requested jury. change of locaGallo will have tion is denied, a better chance the Constituat a fair trial if it tion is followed were moved. His and these men crime didn’t afwill be tried in Illustration By Jon Harguindeguy/For the Daily Titan NYC. fect many people

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students or guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board.

Only the editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board.

November 19, 2009

Alien in America “From the inside looking out”

Being home for the holidays

by Isa Ghani

Daily Titan Multimedia Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

Thank you, thank you, thanks to you and terima kasih to you.

See, Thanksgiving’s coming up soon, so it’s only fitting that I give thanks to everyone in order to get into the spirit.

What? That’s not how Thanksgiving works? Oh. Pilgrims you say? I see.

Well, I’m not from around here, so excuse me.

Regardless, the holiday season is upon us. The Christmas decorations are coming up, turkeys are on sale in the grocery stores and every department store has “the perfect gift.”

Here’s a hint for no extra charge – no matter what, never give a guy socks. They are never a good present and I’m sorry, but I will never like socks for Christmas. But putting something in a sock, like money or 24-carat gold nuggets is a different story entirely.

Aside from all the heavy commercialization related to major holidays in America, Thanksgiving and Christmas appear to be the most family-friendly occasions to Americans.

Christmas has become a holiday that is celebrated worldwide (but especially in America) and has little to do with race, age or social status.

Yes, it is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ, but you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. I believe the spirit of giving is what makes the holiday appealing to people from all walks of life.

As for Thanksgiving, it’s a great holiday by my count: no presents to buy, thus, no fret of breaking the bank. And the main celebratory ac-

tivity is eating large amounts of meat and imbibing wine until nearly comatose. Lovely.

I find that among my American friends, Christmas and Thanksgiving are the holidays that no one would miss. Everyone makes a point to get out of the dorms/apartments/flats to go home and visit family.

All the siblings turn up as well as assorted cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents. Gifts are exchanged, food is cooked and comments on one’s recent weight gain are given.

As my friends say, the holidays are one of those strange times when you love and hate your family simultaneously.

It’s great being home and having your mom’s cooking again. So what if she isn’t a perfect chef or if half the food on the table is take-out from Ralph’s – it’s about the memories of the childhood years spent around the dinner table.

It’s nice seeing dad again, even though he’s still whining about his back and how the economy is worse than it was in his day. I still enjoy putting up the lights and decorations around the house with him.

It’s great to see the siblings too – we all compare who’s doing better or make fun of the new significant other brought home for the holiday awkwardness.

For me, Christmas in Malaysia was just another holiday. That’s because we just had three major holidays, each with a break of two weeks to a month.

First, we have Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Muslim holiday of New Year’s, where the tradition is to open your house up to friends and neighbors, provide delicious home-cooked food and have them return the favor by inviting you over.

Next is Chinese New Year. A ma-

jor point of this holiday is to wear red, eat Mandarin oranges and receive ang pow – little red packets of money from your relatives. No gift giving here, just cold hard cash, exactly how I like it.

Lastly, we have Christmas. In my house, my parents made it a point to make Christmas special for us children. Every year, my dad would take us to a park and help us pick out a big, dead branch. My little sister and brother would spend hours picking out the perfect branch.

We’d then spend the next couple of days decorating that branch with ornaments, tinsel and cotton wool to make it look like a a tree during a winter snow. Dress it up with lights, plop a star on top and you have yourself a great homemade Christmas tree without paying the ridiculous prices they charge at some of the Christmas tree lots they have in the U.S. As expected, the presents would appear under the decaying plant Christmas morning – but we always knew they were from mom and dad, no lies about Santa here.

I have a large family back home, and I miss every single one of them.

So whilst you guys can love or hate going back for the holidays, getting reacquainted with your mom’s home-cooked turkey or your dad’s arthritis, remember this: at least you get to go home for the holidays.

There are plenty of us aliens out there who are thousands of miles away from home, and when the holidays come around, those miles sure do seem a lot farther.

So enjoy your holidays and your families while you have them. Or better yet, invite your local “Alien in America” over for some turkey. I’m sure they’d like some.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

No fútbol night in America

By Cesar Gonzalez

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

One of the main reasons why fútbol, or soccer, has not gained prominence in the United States is because we have the NBA, MLB and the NHL – all huge organizations that pay players large sums of money. Fans are drawn to arenas and stadiums to watch their favorite superstars shine.

Soccer also has an official organization in the U.S., Major League Soccer.

MLS consists of a variety of teams from different cities competing against each other in the hopes of reaching the playoffs and winning the MLS Cup. In other words, it’s structured like any other league.

The problem is that not many people watch MLS soccer because there isn’t much publicity for players on MLS teams.

Many soccer fanatics like to focus on the big-name players and teams in European leagues like La Liga of

Spain, Serie A of Italy or the Premier League of England.

The MLS has started to bring over international players in an effort to attract an American audience.

The Los Angeles Galaxy signed David Beckham to a five-year $250 million deal.

After he signed his contract and selected his jersey number, 23, the team’s ticket prices and jersey sales skyrocketed.

“

In the case of Blanco, who signed with the Chicago Fire, the team started seeing a rise in attendance because of Blanco’s popularity with the city’s large Latino population.

Another reason why soccer isn’t as popular in the U.S. is the lack of scoring. When compared to highscoring sports like basketball and football, soccer seems boring.

Soccer in the U.S. typically only gets attention when the MLS season starts. Even so, most soccer fanatics only talk about the Champions League and the Union of European Football Associations Cup, which are based in Europe.

Every time I go to the local park and play a pick-up game of soccer, all my friends talk about is what team is going to play that night in the Champions League or the UEFA Cup and which team has better players.

I feel like the only time soccer is popular in the U.S. is when everyone tunes in to watch the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup, which is only held once every four years.

Fortunately for soccer, the next FIFA World Cup is being held in South Africa starting in June, and the whole world will be watching to see who is the best in the world.

Another reason why soccer isn’t popular in the U.S. is the lack of scoring. When compared to high-scoring sports like basketball and football, soccer seems boring.

“

6

Beckham’s move prompted a large shift in the American attitude toward soccer. People finally became interested in MLS soccer because a popular international star left a Spanish league team, Real Madrid, to come play in the U.S. This started a trend in which international and Mexican league players – such as Cuauhtémoc Blanco, a Mexican league player – came to the U.S. and signed multi-million dollar contracts to play for MLS teams.

OPINION

November 19, 2009

7

Five Across the Eyes “A slap in the face to those most deserving”

Hate based on principle

by Jeremiah Magan

Daily Titan Opinion Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

Hate is a funny thing. Everyone does it, but few people approve of it.

I, on the other hand, feel that hate has its place in this world; it’s a basic part of human nature.

Of course, I do not approve of hating people because of their race, creed or religion, but I do believe it is acceptable to hate the things people do and the things they create.

If you are going to hate something, it is helpful if you understand it; that way you don’t look foolish when you attempt to explain your feelings of contempt. Hate the sin, not the sinner, and understand both.

If you take the time to learn about the things you hate, you may find yourself capable of tolerating those things. It’s not always possible, but at least you’re making an effort.

One of the things in this world that I feel completely justified to hate is “Twilight.”

Upon hearing the premise of the film when it was released last year, I immediately shunned the idea of ever subjecting myself to the twohour, bloodless suckfest.

I don’t know much about vampires, but I do know that the sun is supposed to make them burn up like a month-old Christmas tree next to an electrical socket, not sparkle like the jewelry counter at a department store.

For two years I made fun of “Twilight” and pretty much anyone who said it was a great book/film. I haven’t read any of the books (I’m not a masochist), but by all accounts from people whose opinions I trust, they are somehow worse than the film.

A close friend, who had seen

“Twilight” and knew how bad it was, lectured me about how it was immature to hate things on principle alone – something I often did when I knew a movie, book or band was bad before ever experiencing it myself.

I ignored his lectures and continued to hate things based on principle.

I finally caved to pressure, though, when another friend approached me with the idea of watching the film.

At first I was resistant.

Actually, I wanted to run away

“

the film?”

The audio began with a blank screen and familiar voices began to debate about whether or not the vampires’ entire bodies sparkled when they were in the sun. As they discussed the possibility of a vampire having a sparkling reproductive organ, I was once again reminded that I was in good hands.

Every joke was spot-on, every character flaw was exposed and every plot hole was filled with a comment about how dull, boring and onedimensional “Twilight” creator Stephenie Meyer made her characters. But even with the humor that “MST3K” forcibly injected into every scene, it hurt to watch the film and listen to the dialogue that wasn’t drowned out by our laughter.

It took a few attempts for my friend and I to finish the film. We learned that “Twilight” was better taken in small doses and spread the viewing of the film across several days.

When we finally reached the climax of the film, which was drenched in syrup and cheese instead of blood and sinew like it should have been, we were thankful. We could finally make fun of the film with some authority, and we were able to maintain our sanity as we gained the unholy knowledge.

I never thought anything could make the film version of a teenage girl’s wet dream bearable; I was wrong.

Now if only the guys from “MST3K” could to a “RiffTrax” of Fall Out Boy music, maybe I could tell my friend with some authority why his favorite band is the worst thing to happen to music since Eddie Murphy and Rick James collaborated to create “Party all the time” … Look it up.

If you are going to hate something, it is helpful if you understand it ... Hate the sin, not the sinner, and understand both.

“

screaming and avoid her for the rest of my life because I thought she had become a “Twi-tard.”

Sensing my apprehension, she explained that the film would be accompanied by an extra audio track which included the voices of three people making fun of the film.

“RiffTrax,” as it is known, features the voice talent and comedic styling of the cast from “Mystery Science Theater 3000.”

My fears were immediately put to rest; I knew I was in good hands.

The cast of “MST3K” was going to be my guide to a world I dared not venture into alone.

As we synced the movie with the supplemental audio track, I could feel my apprehension building once again. “What if they had an off day and this track was not as funny as their past work?” I was getting nervous. “What if they actually liked

Respect the differences

By Jamie Iglesias

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

The growth of the Latino population in the United States is a source of great pride for all Latinos. However, it is also a source of strife when a community so diverse is categorized by one label.

Despite the achievements of Latinos and Hispanics, there are some who choose to refer to our entire community as “Mexican,” leaving out the fact that Latinos and Hispanics come from many other countries.

This is a reality for many other minority groups.

Minorities must face the ignorance that is often presented by people who do not take into consideration the variations between nationalities. It isn’t that these assumptions are hurtful, it’s that they occur constantly and without consideration for the truth.

Latinos and Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority population. As a result, a lot of people assume the largest Hispanic group is the Mexican American population.

This fact is what leads many to assume that all Latinos are Mexican, or not care what their actual ethnicity is.

For those who are not Mexican, it becomes a constant reminder that our country of origin and our culture is ignored.

On Tuesday, while waiting for the shuttle that transports students to the Meridian Sports Club parking lot, I had a great conversation with someone who asked what my nationality is.

I was surprised by the question.

Many people just choose to make an assumption based on what they

“

Latinos are from one country, they basically state that we are all the same to them.

In the Latino and Hispanic community, there is an understanding of the diversity that exists within our countries, and we see these differences in our traditions, characteristics and, more significantly, in the way that most of us speak Spanish.

We celebrate many of the same holidays, but our customs and traditions, while they may appear similar, are unique.

People have come to this country from all over the world.

Labeling people based on their appearance shows how ignorant and unaccepting many can be.

It only takes a simple inquiry to get beyond assumptions and actually learn about what comprises the Latino and Hispanic cultures.

We should be more conscious of the way we refer to people because even though it may seem like a simple mistake to label others without regard to their culture, it really shuns the truth.

I felt respected and acknowledged based on my personal qualities and not initial assumptions.

“

see, but there is rarely any effort made to ask about my nationality.

It was almost remarkable when I was asked. I felt respected and acknowledged based on my personal qualities and not initial assumptions.

I grew up and went to school in a neighborhood where the majority of my neighbors and friends were Mexican. My younger sister and I were among the few people who were Central American.

When people assume that all

www.dailytitan.com Letters to the Editor:

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 the Daily Titan Opinion Desk at opinion@dailytitan.com.

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

photos courtesy of Arali Melendez

November 19, 2009

detour@dailytitan.com

8

Saint Motel go marching through Fullerton

Los Angeles based rockers bring their eclectic set and energetic performance to campus while proving determination and hard work pay off By heather REst

For the Daily Titan

detour@dailytitan.com

The rhythmic melodies and playful baselines of Saint Motel echoed through Becker Amphitheatre Wednesday as part of ASI Productions’ free concert series.

Fresh off a black-and-white themed performance at The Roxy, Nov. 7, the band made their final tour stop at Cal State Fullerton to promote their debut EP ForPlay.

As students gathered, taking a break from the hectic day, the sunshine and rock ‘n’ roll was just what some spectators needed.

“This is my kind of music. I like that it is not manufactured like most pop music these days,” said Alyssa Furin, radio-TV-film major.

The album, released in September, includes six songs, each accompanied by a full-length music video.

Four out of the six films were directed and produced by the band themselves. The other two, including, “To My Enemies” and “Dear Dictator” were directed by talented Chapman film student, Carlos Lopez Estrada.

The “big” sound produced by Saint Motel carried through the Quad all the way to the parking lots.

The tunes ranged from the dark, lonesome sounds of “Eat Your Heart Out” to more playful, heartfelt toe-tapping ones, such as “Butch.” Base guitarist Dak laid it on thick throughout the performance. The halting drums, thumping base and smashing guitar demanded attention while A/J Jackson's melodic voice added a surprising twist.

Jackson and lead guitarist Aaron Sharp met while attending Chapman film school. Their passion for film has highly influenced their music and their drive to create an exciting visual experience in their performances and

Photos By shruti Patel/Daily Titan Photo Editor Saint Motel played at the Becker Amphitheatre on Nov. 18 to a fairly large crowd of CSUF students. Clockwise from top left: Greg Erwin, A Sharpe, Dak and A/J Jackson.

videos. “We try to make an epic experience in a small concert venue. Most of the nights have an idea behind them: Valentines Day, zombie prom; we constantly try to push further and further,” Jackson said.

Some highlights of their tour include the College Music Journal in New York. The five-day music and film festival features 1,200 up-and-coming artists and will be held at New York University as well as more than 75 of the city's greatest night clubs.

It will also include the previously mentioned Roxy performance and one of Jackson’s favorites, an underground all-underwear party. The band express serious gratitude for the recent catapult to success.

“It’s been a really great 5 (or) 6 months. We’ve been working really hard; we’ve gotten a lot of good press which always adds heat to the fire,” said drummer Greg Erwin.

Erwin graduated from CSUF in 2007 with a degree in communications entertainment. He seemed humbled to be back on campus doing what he loves. His obvious passion for his band and their music radiates as he talked about their sound and what he thinks is one of their strongest songs. “‘Eat Your Heart Out’ stands out a lot; I feel like sonically it’s really big,” Erwin said. Saint Motel draws inspiration from some of their favorite bands, an eclectic mash up of Petula Clark, The Who and Black Sabbath, to name a few.

“We like stuff that makes you grind your teeth, stuff that makes you smile; those are the emotions we gravitate to,” Jackson said.

A GMC Vandura Explorer, the band’s beloved van, carried them across the United States in their first tour that began in October.

With the tour coming to an end, Saint Motel hopes to have a few surprise appearances, and more importantly, can't wait to get back in the studio and make the music they believe in.

“We want to be a band that is relevant 25 years from now. We don’t want to be part of a fad,” Jackson said.

Sharp comes from a family of classically trained guitarists; both his father and grandfather were musicians. Sharp was a flamenco guitarist for years before he got into rock ‘n’ roll.

“It’s all about the energy of rock ‘n’ roll. The abrasiveness, the extreme emotion of self expression,” Sharp said.

9

DETOUR

November 19, 2009

MOVIE

By sergio cabaruvias

Daily Titan News Director detour@dailytitan.com

Having seen the powerfully dramatic previews of Precious, I expected Lee Daniels' screen adaptation of Sapphire's novel, Push, to be so emotionally ‘moving’ I’d finish the movie in a different seat.

Instead, I found myself idling in the same seat until the jarring closing scene where Mo’Nique gives an unbelievable performance, the one the audience had been waiting for.

Movie promoters have had interesting schemes in past years; but trying to get people into theaters by previewing the climax and resolution of a film gives the audience false expectations.

Despite her brilliant performance, which many critics are claiming is worthy of an Oscar, I was disappointed by Mo’Nique’s relatively temperate character in her few short scenes of the movie.

Because of the previews, I expected her to dominate the film.

Also, Mariah Carey’s unexpectedly good portrayal as a social

worker was only given a few short scenes in the second half of the film. Yet, it was those two characters who received most of the preview coverage.

Precious is a very good movie, but it would be more enjoyable if viewers weren’t enticed into seeing it by what is essentially false advertising.

Still, the account of 16-yearold Claireece Precious Jones still makes for a fresh story.

The story of a girl who is pregnant with her father’s second child and suffers at the abusive hand and mouth of her mother makes for a film that leaves viewers in sick awe of life.

Supported by an extremely talented cast that includes both wellknown faces and lesser-known actors (Paula Patton as Precious’ teacher and mentor; Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe as Precious), the movie conveys so much depth it almost sinks into reality, especially in the hands of a capable director like Daniels.

BOOK

By Ashleigh Johnson

Daily Titan Copy Editor detour@dailytitan.com

One of the problems with memoirs – especially those featuring copious drug use and mental illness – is that they often come off as overly self-indulgent, more of a therapy session for the writer than a compelling read.

While Fall to Pieces by Mary Forsberg Weiland, the estranged wife of Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland, and Larkin Warren definitely does have its fair share of self-indulgence; it’s also a book that leaves the reader caring enough about Weiland to find out what happens next.

Weiland and Warren took a raw, unflinching look from Weiland’s rocky childhood, to the stints in rehab and mental hospitals that paved the way to her regaining control of her life.

At one point in the book, Weiland writes, “I am no one’s victim.” And you know what? I believe her.

She doesn’t make excuses for her behavior, nor does she sugarcoat or overly embellish any of the events she wrote about. Rather, she’s a vic-

tim of her own self-professed need to “want more.”

As the book progresses, her need for more will both build her up from her humble beginnings as a troubled teen living in a low income, single parent home, to ultimately tearing her down, sending her torching her husband’s entire wardrobe and subsequently ending up in a psychiatric ward.

What emerges is an honest, flawed portrait of someone who the reader is able to empathize with.

Weiland is only human, and her humanity shines through the heartfelt writing.

If there is one criticism I have, it’s that the writing toward the beginning of the book is more reserved, almost as if the writer was initially self-conscious about revealing such intimate information.

The detached writing doesn’t last very long, however, and the short time it does (only about a chapter or so) does not detract from the overall power of the memoir.

It’s definitely a must-read.

MOVIE

By Katie Parker

For the Daily Titan

detour@dailytitan.com

It has been ten years since Boondock Saints, the small budget film, became a cult classic, and now director Troy Duffy is back to continue the story with the much-anticipated sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Connor and Murphy MacManus (Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus) have been living a quiet life in the Irish countryside with their father (Bill Conolly) after their vigilante spree in Boston ten years earlier.

When word arrives that a Catholic priest has been murdered, the brothers return to Boston to bring justice to those responsible. While on their way back home, they pick up a new partner, Romeo (Clifton Collins Jr.), a humorous Hispanic replacement for Rocco from the first film, who is their new contact into Boston’s criminal underworld.

Returning are Detectives Duffy, Greenly and Dolly who are contending with Special Agent Eunice Bloom (Julie Benze), who does a great job of

stepping into Willem Dafoe’s shoes with a knack for visualizing the way a murder is played out.

In the meantime, Concezio Yakavetta (Judd Nelson), the son of the mob boss killed by the brothers in the first film, is awaiting their return in hopes to enact vengeance.

All Saints Day is a combination of action, humor and rapid fire dialogue that is thoroughly entertaining. Duffy does a great job connecting the two stories together as well as adding new twists and turns.

In addition to stylized shoot-outs, flashbacks to the first film and quite a few slow motion scenes, the film goes off on an almost pointless tangent as it explores a back story about the boy’s father, a righteous murderer in his own right.

His past deeds and the brothers’ thirst for revenge on the mob conclude in a manner that most won't see coming.

Whether you are a fan of the first one, or just looking for a fun action movie, All Saints Day will definitely entertain.

Event Calendar 20 FRIDAY

21 SATurday

22 Sunday

• Snoop Dogg HOB San Diego • Deftones Avalon

• Café Tacvba Ventura Theatre • Ray LaMontagne Orpheum Theatre • Three Dog Night Grove of Anaheim • The Misfits Galaxy Theatre • Billy the Mime Upright Citizens Brigade Theater • A Tribute to Neil Young Bootleg Theater

• Peter Bjorn and John Club Nokia • Bad Religion LA Center Studios •Hollywood Undead Wiltern • Rebecca St. James The Grove •Eisley HOB San Diego • Ghostland Observatory HOB Anaheim •Friendly Fires Music Box at the Fonda • Fiery Furnaces El Rey Theatre

• Jennifer Lopez American Music Awards • B. B. King Belly Up •Tom Morello Avalon • Stick to Your Guns Karma •Lilys Spaceland • Down and Derby Glass House •Black Crowes HOB San Diego •Moneen Troubadour photo courtesy of Ani kellogg

10

DETOUR

November 19, 2009

Imported icon throws mega birthday party

By Nicole park

Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

Hello Kitty celebrated her 35th birthday at a Los Angeles bash that lasted more than three weeks.

Royal/T, an eclectic Japanese cosplay (short for costume play) café in Culver City, was home to Three Apples, a Hello Kitty exhibit, which lasted from Oct. 23 – Nov. 15.

Fans of all ages could visit the tribute to a pop culture icon free of charge.

The cute novelty convention featured original art, Hello Kitty memorabilia displays with rare, vintage and brand-new limited edition items, a display of a Hello Kitty apartment, a Sanrio “Pop-Up Shop” with limited edition items for purchase and a café with Hello Kitty-shaped treats.

Special events were also held for no additional charge.

Events included a Halloween party, Hello Kitty’s birthday party on Nov. 1, the Bats and Cats Masquerade gothic party on

Nov.13 and a fashion show finale Saturday night.

The event was the first of its kind in the United States, according to the Sanrio, Inc. Web site, which says the celebration was “like nothing America has seen before!”

The signature mouth-less Japanese kitten made her debut in 1974 on a coin purse.

Since then, Hello Kitty has expanded her line from chewing gum to diamond jewelry and a MAC cosmetics line.

Carrie Schoen, 23, proudly said she has been a fan “forever – kind of a long time.”

Nov. 14 was Schoen's third visit to the temporary Hello Kitty museum.

She said her love of “low-brow” art was what kept drawing her back to Royal/T for more Hello Kitty merchandise.

“I like the low-brow, underground stuff,” she said.

Apparently, so do a lot of other people. Schoen said there was a five and a half hour wait to get into the “Pop-Up Shop” on opening day.

“I’m surprised there are still so many people here. Wow, it’s almost been a month and there is still a huge line to buy stuff,” Schoen said.

The large glass doors of Royal/T were open to any visitors looking to browse the exhibit to see Hello Kitty rarities behind display cases, admire the Hello Kitty-inspired art pieces or enjoy a light meal in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head at the café.

However, a line was almost always seen wrapping the outside of the ivy-covered venue.

The line was strictly for entrance into the Three Apples’ “Pop-Up Shop,” where a limited number of patrons were allowed to browse the limited edition items at one time.

Schoen waited out the line in the café with her mother and enjoyed waffles in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head.

“They’re delicious. I bought a Hello Kitty waffle maker from Target, but I've just never opened it. Now I'm going to,” she said.

The “Pop-Up Shop” was set up only for the duration of the

Oscar nominees get animated By summer rogers

Daily Titan Staff Writer detour@dailytitan.com

Twenty features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 82nd Academy Awards.

The 20 submitted features for Best Animated Feature Film are: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Director: Betty Thomas (John Tucker Must Die) Cast: Jason Lee, Justin Long and Anna Faris Astro Boy Studio: Summit Entertainment Director: David Bowers (Flushed Away) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell and Charlize Theron Terra Studio: Lionsgate Director: Aristomenis Tsirbas (TankUp.US) Cast: Brian Cox, Mark Hamill and Danny Glover Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Studio: Columbia Pictures Directors: Phil Lord (Clone High) and Chris Miller (Shrek the Third) Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris and Andy Samberg Coraline Studio: Universal Studios Director: Henry Selick (Monkeybone) Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane

Disney’s A Christmas Carol Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Robert Zemeckis (Beowulf) Cast: Jim Carrey, Cary Elwes and Bob Hoskins The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Director: Eduardo Schuldt Cast: Unknown Fantastic Mr. Fox Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Director: Wes Anderson (The Darjeeling Limited) Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Director: Carlos Saldanha (Ice Age: The Meltdown) Cast: John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Ray Romano Mary and Max Studio: Icon Director: Adam Elliot (Harvey Krumpet) Cast: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Eric Bana The Missing Lynx Studio: Phase 4 Films Directors: Raul Garcia (The Tell Tale Heart) and Manuel Sicilia Cast: David Garcia, Carlos del Pino and Abraham Aguilar Monsters vs. Aliens Studio: Dreamworks SKG Directors: Rob Letterman (Shark Tale) and Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogan and Will Arnett 9 Studio: Focus Features Director: Shane Acker (The Astounding Talents of Mr. Grenade) Cast: Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly and John C. Reilly Planet 51 Studio: TriStar Pictures Director: Jorge Blanco Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel and Justin Long Ponyo Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Hayao Miyazaki Cast: Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi and Tomoko Yamaguchi The Princess and the Frog Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker (Treasure Planet) Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Oprah Winfrey and Terrence Howard

The Secret of Kells Studio: GKIDS Director: Tomm Moore Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally and Evan McGuire Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Director: Klay Hall (King of the Hill) Cast: Kristin Chenoweth, Lucy Liu and Anjelica Huston A Town Called Panic Studio: Zeitgeist Films Directors: Stephane Aubier and Vincent Patar Cast: Stephane Aubier, Jeanne Balibar and Nicolas Buysse Up Studio: Walt Disney Pictures/ Pixar Animation Studios Director: Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.) Cast: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer and Bob Peterson Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Planet 51, The Princess and the Frog, The Secret of Kells and A Town Called Panic have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run.

Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and meet all of the category’s other qualifying rules before they can advance to the voting process.

Under the rules for this category, a maximum of five features can be nominated in a year in which the field of eligible entries numbers at least 16.

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Feb. 2, 2010 in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

photos By nicole park/Daily Titan Staff Writer Fans withstand hour-long waits to get a glimpse at all the Hello Kittty goods. The almost month-long convention featured events and merchandise celebrating the birthday of the beloved Sanrio character.

exhibit, and both the shop and its wares were available for a limited-time only. Schoen bought a Hello Kitty cover for her iTouch phone and a doll set, both items that could only be found at Three Apples.

Because the event was geared toward the hardcore fans and cosplayers or those who dress in costume, the name pays tribute to the lesser known detail of Hello Kitty’s weight, which her official bio says is equal to three apples.

Melissa Mares, 18, enjoyed her second visit to Three Apples on Nov. 14. A regular cosplayer at Royal/T, Mares said her style of dress, lacy and puffy, was called “lolita” fashion.

The Hello Kitty fan said the style of dress is modeled after Marie Antoinette of the Enlightenment period, but Mares said Japanese culture adopted the style of dress in the 1980s and has updated it since.

“We’ve loved Hello Kitty since we were kids,” she said, with a group of fellow lolitas.

The girls attend Royal/T events often, Mares said.

The venue is Japanese-inspired and clean and includes a shop for

Asian toys and collectibles, a café featuring lolita waitresses and a versatile art space that changes often.

“It’s been really cool. It’s just Hello Kitty to the max. It’s awesome. Even at the Sanrio stores, there are a mix of characters, but this is all just Hello Kitty,” Mares said. Despite the common sight of frilly lolita dresses and the abundance of pink in the room, unabashed men were spotted throughout the venue.

Christian Santos-Castro, 20, was also visiting for a second time on Nov. 14.

During his first visit, he bought a limited edition Three Apples keychain that was sold out on his

return visit.

“Everything’s cool. Some of the stuff is not meant for men, but I can appreciate it for the art,” Santos-Castro said.

The final weekend included a Hello Kitty fashion show in which designers showed off their HK-inspired duds. The hip kitty herself made a strut down the runway.

Victoria Berry, 23, who was in attendance Saturday night, said, “The entire fashion show was like being inside of a HK-infused game of Candy Land. The designers’ garments inspired by her were fabulous. I would’ve worn any of them right off of the runway.”

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November 19, 2009

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Travel 4000 4100 4200 4300

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Sports

12

The Don Says...

By adan vasquez

Daily Titan Sports Editor sports@dailytitan.com

Basketball as we know it has been around for decades. Players have come and gone, some good, others great. But every now and then there comes a special individual who stands out.

It’s time for the NBA to retire Jordan’s jersey

His name is Michael Jordan.

Anyone who remembers the Jordan Era remembers the moment he burst into the national spotlight.

In the 1982 National Championship game against Georgetown and future rival Patrick Ewing, it was Jordan, not James Worthy or longarmed Sam Perkins, who sank the game-winning shot to give the University of North Carolina the NCAA title. But this was only the beginning of something extraordinary.

The former Chicago Bulls star retired from the National Basketball Association three times (in 1993, ’99 and finally in 2003), but not before earning various accolades. Jordan owns six NBA titles, five MVPs, was a 14-time All-Star and made the NBA First Team 10 times. He owns

two Olympic gold medals from 1984 and 1992’s historic Dream Team as well.

And who can forget his rivalry with the Atlanta Hawks’ Dominique Wilkins in the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk contest? Jordan soared from the free-throw line, rocked the cradle and simply magnified the crowd as everyone was accustomed to, ultimately earning him his second-consecutive dunk title.

But what Jordan is most recently remembered for is leaving Bryon Russell in the dust and sinking a picture perfect game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz to clinch the 1998 NBA Championship for the Bulls.

Like that final shot, most of Jordan’s career was a highlight reel.

Look at the guy’s body of work: From 1982 to 2003, there are thousands, and that’s being modest, of clips of Jordan making exceptionally talented basketball players look average.

In ’91 he took out Magic Johnson’s favored Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Then in ’92 and ’93, he took out the Portland Trailblazers and Phoenix Suns. In ’95 he returned to the game after giving baseball a try; and in ’96, he began his second three-peat. With the exception of Scottie Pippen, he completed two separate three-peats with two teams made up of almost completely different rosters.

This is a man who made Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Isaiah Thomas – I could go on, but the list may never end – know that they were a very distant second to him.

And the distance wasn’t close at all.

Despite the clear argument of him being the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan is the first to admit that he cannot consider himself the greatest because he never had the opportunity to go up against those before his time, such as basketball legends Jerry West, who the NBA’s trademark logo is modeled after, and Bill Russell, who owns 11 NBA titles.

Whether he is the greatest basketball player ever seen will always be a topic of debate between historians.

It’s pretty clear, but that is not what this column is about.

What should be examined is whether Jordan deserves to be recognized by the NBA in an unprecedented manner. Clearly his accomplishments deserve to be recognized, but Jordan did more than win on the hardwood: He modernized sports for athletes and brought them into

November 19, 2009 the mainstream. He was the first of to West. Changing it would take away from what West accomplished. his kind.

He is recognized nearly every- And besides, Jordan already has his where across the globe, and people of own logo with his Jordan brand, so all races have come to embrace and that would be unnecessary.

The only other athletes in sports idolize him. He was the poster-child to have their not only for number rethe NBA tired leagueduring his wide are Maera but argujor League ably for the B a s e b a l l ’s entire world Jackie Robof sports. inson, who Recently, broke the Cleveland color barrier Cavaliers as the first star LeBron black to play James came in the maout and jor leagues said that when he dethe NBA buted with should rethe Brooktire Jordan’s lyn Dodgnumber, ers on April meaning no 15, 1947, other player, and Wayne including G r e t z k y, himself, who turned would be althe Nationlowed to call photo courtesy mct al Hockey No. 23 their During his days in the NBA, Jordan was head and League into own. his own playFor some- shoulders above the rest of the competition. ground. one of James’ Both of those men revolutionized stature to publicly call for this move is surprising, especially consider- their respective sport, and so did Joring that he is known for his num- dan.

Jordan helped commercialize the ber. However, he also admitted that without Jordan, the game wouldn’t game. He brought a different attibe what it is today. He went on to tude, desire and passion that at the say that he would gladly switch to time had yet to be witnessed. Although his athleticism, scoring abilNo. 6 as early as next season.

Having followed Jordan’s career ity and improvisation were the most diligently and always admiring him known parts of his game, Jordan was with a level of respect and having also one of the leagues best defendJordan’s number retired league-wide ers and was fundamentally sound in and hanging from every team arena’s every single aspect of the game.

Without Jordan, we wouldn’t rafters would be a great call.

Some have asked to change the have the Kobe Bryants, the Dwyane NBA logo to Jordan, but that belongs Wades or the Carmelo Anthonys the way we see them today. Yes, they would still be great, but without Jordan to look up to, their approach to the game may have been vastly different.

So should the NBA retire his number? Don’t turn to him for the final decision because he might not want it, but the NBA should definitely do this, and do it soon.

Give Jordan the respect he deserves because just like his days on the basketball court, he is above and beyond the rest of his competition.