DVC’s ace breaks records: Vikings starting pitcher signs with Kansas and leads the state in strikeouts. See Page 6.
Festival lineup disappoints:
Outside Lands’ re-run bands: meh. See Page 8
Equal pay for equal work:
The Inquirer’s editorial board talks about equality for working women. See Page 7.
The
INQUIRER S tudent V oi ce
of
D iablo Val le y C ol le g e
Volume 85 No. 4 Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014 www.TheInquirerOnline.com
Election yields low turnout
Success on the road ahead
COLLIN JAMES News editor
Results from the latest ASDVC election are in, though the candidates are not yet ready to take office. The low turnout at this year’s elections, highlight ASDVC’s problems in recruitment and getting students involved in student government. A grand total of 183 students voted in the election held on Wed. April 9, and Thurs. April 10, despite the promise of free food and the chance for students to voice themselves in regards to student representation. There was not much of a voice to be hear from students in this election. Each candidate ran unopposed, which brought up the concerns of lack of interest in the election process. This is hardly representative of the over 15,000 students enrolled at DVC. ELECTION, Page 2
Student meeting may have violated the Brown Act RACHEL ANN REYES Editor-in-chief
When a student commission met in closed session with a college employee, it violated state open meeting laws, a media law expert said. Jim Ewert, general counsel at the California Newspaper Publisher’s Association, believes the April 8 meeting violated the Brown Act in that there was no public notice and the majority of the committee met to conduct business, which includes to hear, discuss, or deliberate issues. The Commission of Judicial Review met with Associated Students of DVC President Sam Park and Student Life Office student activities assistant Amelia Fitzgerald. The commission was formed by BROWN ACT, Page 2
Insite/WebAdvisor brings new tool to transfer planning
A
TYLER ELMORE Staff member
new tool has been added to the Insite/WebAdvisor home screen, which aids in the quickest route for transfer for DVC students. “Roadmap Planning” is a tool available for students to help streamline their degree, certificate and transfer progress through Insite/WebAdvisor. It allows students to view all the sections of a selected class, and then compile them on a visible chart where you can register for the ideal classes. This is a new tool that is still being altered and developed, according to Beth Hauscarriague, the dean of Counseling and Enrollment Services. ROAD MAP, Page 2
BENJAMIN DAVIDSON / The Inquirer
• News 1,2,3 • Opinions 7,8,9 • Sports 4,5,6 • Editorial 7 • Arts & Features 10,11,12 • Campus Buzz 7 • Calendar 2 • Police Beat 2 • Staff Information 2 • Copyright © 2014 The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
news 2
Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
ROADMAP
calendar Thursday, April 17 Baseball vs. San Joaquin Delta Baseball field, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17 to Saturday, April 19 Swimming and Diving - Big 8 Championship Away at Stockton, All day Tuesday, April 22 Baseball vs. American River Baseball field, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 A Night at the Opera Music- 101, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Track and Field - Big 8 Conference Finals Away at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, All day Tuesday, April 29 A Vocal Jazz Tribute Music-101, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
From Page 1
“We partnered with the vendor from the beginning and have played a large role in the development of the product,” Hauscarriague said. “We have slowly released it with pilot testing to small groups of students for much of this last year but didn’t want to do broad advertising until we were confident in our delivery date to all students. During this last year, the tool has gone through four iterations and releases, so it’s continuously been evolving and improving.” The link to access this application is in the left hand corner of the screen when you first log into your Insite/WebAdvisor account. When you click through it will take to you the opening page where you can see all the tabs and locations that you can navigate to within the app. Haurscarriague explains that a tutorial on how to use the Roadmap is in development.
Dennis Franco, counselor and transfer services coordinator, said that the easy registration was his favorite feature. “My favorite feature is the ability to register from the student’s educational plan,” he said. “This feature greatly reduces the amount of time it takes for students to register and is a simpler, more streamlined process.” Franco believes that the fact that this application is user friendly and can guide students in the right direction when it comes to their educational plan may heighten the traffic in the counseling office. “The tool is really designed to be used in conjunction with, not independent from counselors,” he said. “We hope that students will continue to seek out guidance from counselors when developing their ed plans and see students checking in with counselors an important step in the educational
This screenshot of the Insite Portal illustrates where students can find the new Roadmap. planning process. We anticipate that it may, in fact, increase traffic but are currently developing educational planning workshops to accommodate that increase.” Alyssa Orlikoff, 20, says, “It seems cool, I like that you can see
all the classes you piked on an actual schedule, it makes it easier for me to plan classes around my work schedule.” Contact TYLER ELMORE at telmore@TheInquirerOnline.com
BROWN ACT From Page 1
police beat Saturday, April 5 DVC PAC Quad Between 8: 15 p.m. and 9 p.m., a subject was wandering around campus looking for his residence, but had a warrant and was arrested and taken to the Martinez Detention Facility. Tuesday, April 8 DVC Parking Lot 7 Between 1:19 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., a suspect was found in possession of two small bags of marijuana after a strong smell of marijuana came from the vehicle. The suspect was given a citation and a date to appear in court. Wednesday, April 9 San Ramon Campus Admissions Office Between 12:15 p.m. and 12:25 p.m., officers responded to a student that reported that she felt faint. She refused medical assistance. San Ramon Campus Unknown Location Between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., a student lost his wallet at the SRC. When it was found, it was missing $200 in cash.
ASDVC to review complaints about club activities. Because ASDVC has to follow open meeting laws, its commissions do, too, according to Ewert. According to Park, the Student Life Office made a sudden request to speak to the Commission of Judicial Review to discuss studentsensitive issues, some of which arose from the purpose of the commission. He was called in at the last moment. However, according to the Ralph M. Brown Act, “where matters are not subject to a closed meeting exception, the Act has been interpreted to mean that all of the deliberative processes by legislative bodies, including discussion, debate and the acquisition of information, be open and available for public scrutiny.” Ewert believes this meeting violated the act, which was originally created in 1953 as a way
for the public to gain access to meetings of local government agencies. “This was a meeting established by the Student Life Office, so it wasn’t something that JRC (Commission of Judicial Review) or myself were planning to meet,” he said. “If (the commission) was planning to meet, then yes, we have to notify the public.” But student life coordinator Sara Larkin explained via email that the meeting was informational, to discusse leadership positions between a Student Life staff member and students. “It’s our understanding that this type of meeting is not subject to the Brown Act,” she said. Park interpreted the situation as meeting with students explained that the meeting dealt with student issues, which revolved around students’ rights to privacy. Commissioner Neema Monfared explained
that while he was fine with the press being at that meeting, he doesn’t feel closing it violated the Brown Act, as it was unofficial. “In regards to school policy, it was a private discussion between the Student Life Office and five individuals of the public,” he said. “So because there was no action taken... and no decision was made, to my understanding it was not a violation of the Brown Act because it was not an official meeting, it was similar to friends meeting to discuss a topic.” However according to Ewert, it is “legally irrelevant” that decisions were not made. If the majority of the commission discussed business, the meeting should have been open to public. Contact RACHEL ANN REYES at rreyes@TheInquirerOnline.com
ELECTION From Page 1
The board members were required to get a petition signed by at least 250 students before they could assume office. This is the process that they need to go through as per the ASDVC constitution. All members that are returning board members do not need to go through this process. According to ASDVC, this year’s turn out was the lowest in its history, but the student body is ready to fix this issue. The vice president of legislative
THE INQUIRER Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, H-102 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 The Inquirer is published Thursdays during the school year by the Diablo Valley College journalism students. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinions page are editorials and reflect a two-thirds majority opinion of the editorial staff. Signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Inquirer, Diablo Valley College or Contra Costa Community College District.
affairs, Kevin Tian, was not surprised by the low turnout, saying, “not many students were aware of the election.” ASDVC is determined to reverse this trend. “We need to make more students know about the student government and join us,” said Tian. Newly elected president Keith Montes expressed his determination to actively increase the number of people on the board for the current and the following semester. Getting enough members on
the board is critical to the way that ASDVC functions, by bringing in a diverse selection of views to the college governing board, according to Montes. “We put a lot of emphasis for our board members to function during meetings, by encouraging people to speak up,” said Montes. Montes and the rest of ASDVC staff is preparing to immediately boost recruitment. ASDVC will host a recruitment session from April 28 to May 1, between the hours of 12 p.m and
Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR ONLINE EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR PHOTO CHIEF COPY EDITOR
Rachel Ann Reyes Benjamin Davidson Tyler Elmore Collin James Sasan Kasravi Regina Ortanez Gustavo Vasquez Amrita Kaur
1 p.m. Montes hopes to “fill the [Student Union conference] room.” It is imperative that ASDVC gets enough members to handle the task of student governing. Its outreach program is a step in the right direction, but the student organization will face steeper challenges without enough members.
Contact COLLIN JAMES at cjames@TheInquirerOnline.com
Staff STAFF MEMBERS Andrew Barber, Josh Bradshaw, Aurora Byrne, Malachi Harris, Wesley Ihezue, Allan Kew, Keanda Lewis, Ayaka Matsuno, Vivian Natalia, Aliya Recania, Mister Simmons Jr., Tara Tashayod INSTRUCTIONAL LAB COORDINATOR Julius Rea ADVISER Mary Mazzocco
• Phone: 925.969.2543 • Email: inquirer@dvc.edu • Website: www.TheInquirerOnline.com • Printed six times per semester •
news 3
Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Clubs prep for Earth Day Elijah Zislein, 19, encourages students to sign a pledge to help the environment on April. 7. He looks on to this pledge tree, which is made out of recycled materials.
The DVC earth club is gearing up for the upcoming Earth Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22. at the Student Union courtyard with this pledge tree, made out of recycled materials.
GUSTAVO VASQUEZ/ The Inquirer
Career fair benefits Bay Area veterans
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sports 5
Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
BENJAMIN DAVIDSON / The Inquirer
Sharks face off against the Dallas Stars in a home game on Dec. 21 2013. The Sharks won this game in overtime. Both teams will be in this year’s playoff games for the prize of winning this year’s Stanley Cup. Advertisement
Sharks bite their way into their 10th straight playoff The second round is where it can get a bit confusing. Unlike previous seasons, there is no re-seeding The San Jose Sharks are headed for round 2. The bracket is set, to the Stanley Cup playoffs for regardless of who wins in the first round. their 10th consecutive season. One thing that it does give us is a Their playoff spot was attained by their 72nd game of the regular nice, clean bracket for the playoffs season – in which, one goal was since the reseeding is no longer. The bracket is the bracket, and scored by the Sharks to increase their playoff points just above the you know in advance who the threshold, thus reserving their potential opponents are in each round. 10th straight opPostseason Pending who wins portunity to obtain Notable the match-up on a Stanley Cup title. Thursday, April 17, Highlights With a total rebetween the Los Ancord of 51 wins, geles Kings and the 22 losses and nine Sharks, the winner games that went Goaltending: In a seof this match-up will into overtime, the ries that was decided face-off the winner of Sharks sit in the sevby the slimmest of the division match-up, enth spot overall for margins last year, it’s in either the top-seedthe 2013-14 regular a fact that Jonathan ed Anaheim Ducks or season, with a total Quick got the better the Dallas Stars. of 111 total points. of Niemi so hopefully The Sharks are, Even though a the home ice advanhowever, sporting a couple of days still tage won’t play a role. bench that is chalk remain in the NHL full of raw talent – and regular season, all Injuries have sub- from starters to back16 playoff berths sided and the Sharks ups, the 2013-14 team have already been returners include a looks to be one of the secured. couple starters in main contenders for The only questhat of Jason Demers, the 2014 title. tion left to answer is Adam Burish, and Despite the loss how the match-ups Brad Stuart according against the Calgary will turn out for the to SportsIllustrated. Flames in the clinch first round under game, it didn’t seem the new post-season to undermine the acformat. Along with reThe Sharks have complishment of getalignment of the home-ice advantage, ting to compete in divisions and conwhich is not insignifi- the postseason for ferences this seacant given how well a 10th consecutive year – of which, is the son, the NHL they play at home. introduced a new The crowd may be a second-longest stretch structure for the deciding factor in the in NHL history, behind the Detroit Red post-season.Each division rivalry. Wings, with a 23 seaconference,now son playoff appearance omprised of two streak. divisions, still has Since the new millennium, the eight teams qualify for the postseason, but the potential match- Sharks have been to three Western Conference Finals, won the ups are significantly different. Under the new format, the first Presidents’ Trophy in 2008-09 and three teams in each division au- have captured six Pacific Division tomatically qualified for the post- Championships. In the team’s first 20 years, San Jose has attended 14 season. The final two teams to qualify, post-season games. Detroit is the only team ahead did so as wild cards based on their of the Sharks with 779 points to record, regardless of division. Those two teams will face the our 753 points. On April 17, the two division winners in round 1 of Sharks will face off against the Kings in the playoffs. the post-season. The second and third-place teams in each division then fightt Contact BENJAMIN DAVIDSON at bdavidson@TheInquirerOnline.com for the remaining spots. BENJAMIN DAVIDSON Managing editor
sports 6
Thursday, April 17, - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
ANDREW BARBER / The Inquirer
Ben Krauth pitched eight innings allowing one earned run in DVC’s win over Cosumnes River on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.
Kansas-bound, locally renowned DVC’s ace ties all-time school record of three shutouts in a season after besting Sac State GABRIEL AGURCIA Correspondent
DVC baseball is enjoying a renaissance season. Coming off of a 2013 campaign mired by a stagnant offense and inconsistent overall play, the Vikings have returned to competitive form, compiling a 19-11 (7-8) record, as of Monday, April 14. While the team has improved as a whole, they are led by their most outstanding player, pitcher Ben Krauth. Krauth pitched very well last season, but he has stepped up to an elite level this season. In all of California community college baseball, he ranks fifth in ERA (0.65), tied for fourth in with eight wins, tied for first in complete games, second in innings pitched at 83 and two-thirds and first in strikeouts with 96. What exactly sparked this vast improvement in his game? “Coach Ward called me into his office last year at the end of the season, and told me that I needed to gain some weight, needed to get stronger,” Krauth said. “He told me to try to gain 25 pounds. He hooked me up with a trainer at Forma Gym in Walnut Creek, named Kevin Art. He really helped me a lot. (The weight gain) helped velocity, my offspeed stuff got better, and everything fed off that.” Krauth has built a solid repertoire of pitches, consisting of a two-seam fastball, change-up, 12-6 curveball and slider. But his best pitch is by far his change-up. “I used to throw a circle change. Sometimes I go through phases where I can’t throw it, so I have to have a backup. Right now I’m throwing a split change-up. It has a little more movement, a little more deception to it. And I throw it
off the same grip as my two-seam fastball, so it does basically the same thing, just a little slower.” “For full count, two outs, I’ll go to my change-up. It’s my go-to pitch.” Close friend and teammate outfielder Davis Strong said of the pitch, “His change-up is the best pitch I have ever faced. It can get hitters to swing and miss on it even if they know it is coming.” The tangibles and stats are all quite astounding, but when speaking to fellow Viking players, it seemed to be a consensus that it’s what can’t be seen that separates Krauth.
“His confidence has given him the ability to command all four pitches” ~Ronnie Lacour Pitcher
“As a pitcher, confidence is a huge factor in being successful,” stated pitcher Ronnie Lacour. “His confidence has given him the ability to command all four pitches for strikes and get in a rhythm that hitters have a very hard time keeping up with.” Pitcher Nate Simmons said that his composure is very impressive. “He could walk the bases loaded and it wouldn’t phase him,” he said. “He’s a rock out there. He makes his pitches whether we are winning or losing, and whether he’s doing good or bad.” Strong added, “He’s improved the most in the way he mentally carries himself. He knows that every time he gets
up on the mound that he’s going to beat the other team, and it shows. He also now uses his mind to get batters out, and he prides himself on simply outsmarting the hitters he faces.” Krauth has merged his physical and mental abilities to create a dominating form. He is arguably the best starting pitcher throughout California community colleges. He has received and accepted a scholarship offer to Kansas University, where he will be this coming Fall. You may think that a player with a talent level such as his would talk himself up, but Krauth deflected all praise to his teammates, especially catcher Luke Van Holten. “He puts the sign down and I throw it,” Van Holten said. “I trust him, he trusts me. I always talk to him in between innings, what’s working, what’s not. We’re pretty much on the same page at all times. I love it. He’s probably the best catcher I’ve ever thrown to.” That team-first attitude has caused his teammates to put their complete faith in him when he toes the rubber. He leads more by example than by sound waves. “I like to think those guys look up to me on the field,” Krauth admitted. “I’m not much of a vocal guy. I’ll talk if I need to, but I feel like I’m more of a captain on the field than off the field. Guys look to me for how I play, not necessarily for how I act.” “He has a casual intensity,” said Simmons. “I think most of the team has a strong belief that when Ben pitches, we win. It’s as simple as that.” Contact GABRIEL AGURCIA at inquirer@dvc.edu
opinions 7
Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
The
Buzz
“Do you expect that men and women will be paid equally in your future career?”
Editorial America’s forgotten war?
CHARNISE JONES, 21 Communications
“Depending on your skill level, I think women have the opportunity to get paid more than men.”
AKRAM AZALES, 23 Business administration
“In my field of work women will have to go through cultural barriers to get subcontracts and men will be more welcome in some cultures.”
WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer
Senate Republicans are still the biggest obstacle to income equality
Anything men can do, women can do better? NETTIE WALTON, 25 “No you can’t,” say Republicans. Kinesiology The battle over equal pay for “No, in my chosen field of women rages on between Demosports medicine/athletic train- crats and Republicans, which in iting it is dominantly an all male self shows, that as a society we truindustry and the pay scale is ly have not yet advanced enough governed by men.” from our sexist past. On April 8, the President signed an executive order, which prohibits retaliation by federal contractors against workers who discuss their pay, lifting the restrictions that keep too many workers in the dark — preventing them from advocating for fair and equal pay. He also signed a presidential PRESCOTT EDMUNDS, 23 memorandum directing the DePsychology “No. Although I would love partment of Labor Secretary to that to be a reality, the facts issue new regulations collecting summary pay data from federal are out there that women’s salaries are lower than men’s contractors. Collectively, these two actions on average.” will enhance pay transparency and give workers and investigators the tools they need to identify and remedy discrimination. On April 9, Senate Republicans blocked legislation for the third time, saying that: given the existing anti-discrimination laws, the legislation is redundant and is a transTONYA WESSMAN, 10 parent attempt by Democrats to Sociology and anthropology distract from President Obama’s “I guess in today’s society, much-criticized health care law that men and women in and to press what they see as their their respective industries electoral advantage among women in the upcoming mid-term elecare paid similarly.” tions. Interviewed and Democrats fell short of the 60 photographed by: votes needed to prevent a filibuster JOSH BRADSHAW and advance the legislation.
According to The Huffington other derangements of the nerPost from April 9, Senator Harry vous system, such as infertility.” Reid of Nevada, the majority leadHe went on to explain that a er in the floor speech said, “Are woman’s system never does two (Republicans) so repulsed by equal things well at the same time. pay for hardworking women that How is this type of attitude tothey’ll obstruct equal pay for equal wards women relevant in our sociwork?” ety today? “I’m at a loss as to why anyone According to the Department would decline to debate this im- of Labor and the Bureau of Staportant issue,” tistics, women Reid said. “One of the biggest make up almost In 1963, Presi50 percent of all obstacles to dent John F. workers in the Kennedy signed United States, combating pay the Fair Pay Act yet they earn 23 discrimination is into Law, since cents less than women in that their male counthat so many year were earning terparts for the women do not only 59 cents to same work. the dollar comThis gap reknow they are pared to men. sults in hundreds being underpaid Half a century of thousands of later, that amount dollars in lost due to has risen to 77 wages over a cadiscrimination.” cents on the dolreer. lar — a mere 18 For Africancent increase. American womThe issue faced here is entirely en, Latina women and women with relevant to the current generation, disabilities, the pay gap is even but it is a struggle that started off greater. as a war against women thousands Women-owned businesses acof years ago. count for 30 percent of all busiOver time women everywhere, nesses in the U.S and contribute were ranked down to a level of 1.8 trillion dollars to the economy, lesser value and importance by an yet they are the most underrepreever increasingly patriarchal soci- sented group in today’s labor marety of men. ket. In 1873, Harvard gynecologist One of the biggest obstacles to and author of “Sex in Education,” combating pay discrimination is Edward H. Clarke wrote: “Women that so many women do not know who went to college risked neural- they are being underpaid due to gia, uterine disease, hysteria, and discrimination.
This is where Obama’s executive order would come in if it were allowed to be enforced. Republicans fail to understand that when every single one of their party members vote against equal pay for equal work, it not only hurts their chances in the midterm elections, but it hurts families and individuals all across the country as well. The recent economic downturn created an ideal atmosphere for women to step up and bring their families out of poverty, by making up the majority of households where the woman is the sole earner. However if she is earning less than her male counterpart for the same job, the cycle of poverty becomes almost impossible to break. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, women make up approximately 57 percent of all college enrollment in the country, which will also increase their presence in the labor market — bringing them in direct competition with men. As college students are getting ready to join the workforce after graduation, it is of the utmost importance to recognize the challenges women will face without the opportunity of equal pay for equal work. It is the responsibility of the current generation to help close the pay gap and allow for pay transparency by standing up for equal rights and voicing the demand of those rights to legislators.
opinions 8 Money talks louder after Supreme Court decision Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
The world of political campaign financ- protects.” he said. “If the First Amending has changed with the striking of the US ment protects flag burning, funeral protests Supreme Court gavel. and Nazi parades — despite the profound In the recent ruling of McCutcheon v. offense such spectacles cause — it surely Federal Election Commission, the Supreme protects political campaign speech despite Court ruled that the regulation of individual popular opposition.” aggregate contribution to political parties Bradley A. Smith, an American legal and candidates in election cycles was uncon- scholar, argued in Time Magazine that the stitutional. ruling strengthens the first amendment. The court decided in a split 5-4 deci“If nothing else, the real takeaway from sion that the limits on campaign donations today’s opinion is that federal and state govby an individual impeded ernments are not permitted their ability to freely express to squelch First Amendment themselves politically under rights based on a fear that the First Amendment. monsters are under the bed,” Previously, the cap for inhe said. dividual contribution was at However, Justice Breyer, $123,200, with $2,600 being in the liberal and dissentthe maximum amount that ing opinion of the court, could be contributed directly maintained that the decision, to a limited 18 candidates per “fails to recognize the differcycle. ence between influence restLike Citizens United v. ing upon public opinion and FEC, this case breaks precinfluence bought by money edent from the ruling in the alone.” 1976 Buckley v. Valeo case, Ted Blair, a professor of which established limits on political science at DVC, ALLAN KEW the contribution powers by commented that the issue of Staff member individuals. governance in the country While the $2,600 individunow has the potential to be al candidate donation cap will continue, con- unfairly influenced. tributors are now free to donate to however “If you define governing as participation many candidates they wish, with no overall in politics, this works in the opposite direccap on their spending to each campaign they tion,” he said. “This is going to favor a very wish to contribute to. few people with great wealth, who will be The conservative bloc of the court, being able to influence the political process.” led by Chief Justice Roberts, contended that The results of the Supreme Court’s rulcontribution is a form of the first amend- ing will most likely be played out in the midment right to the freedom of speech. term election this November. “Money in politics may at times seem reWith the removal of aggregate caps, this pugnant to some, but so, too, does much election will most likely see record-breaking of what the First Amendment vigorously levels of contributions to candidates and
WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer
parties. Money is the life blood of any political venture, for it allows for those candidates who wish to win to showcase their platforms and achievements. Yet when massive spending is allowed within the election cycle, candidates who might appeal to the people are forced out because they do not have the investors. Privatization of politics is a step in the wrong direction. If we allow our politicians to be bought and sold as commodities for special interests and the interests of the select few who can afford it, then therein lays a great problem.
Our representatives will no longer be accountable to the people, but to the few who bankroll campaigns. They can be hired and fired, and by those who have only their interests in mind, not the collective society. The idea that money is a form of speech is an ethical question that all people must address. But when you meet someone who is insistent on their point and will not allow others to contribute, does that not strike you as obnoxious and unfair to the conversation? Contact ALLAN KEW at akew@TheInquirerOnline.com
Americans dismiss big ideas over small disagreements A small blog dedicated to reviewing bands by whether time while fighting in the American Revolution. they are politically, racially and sexually insensitive, recently If the movie showed Mel Gibson on a farm that had reviewed my favorite band. slaves on it, it wouldn’t matter what his character did for the On a scale of “awful or not awful” their verdict was, fight for independence from the British, none of us would “NOT AWFUL/SORT OF GREY AREA,” because a sin- like his character. gle picture showed one of the musicians wearing a shirt of a Of course, there’s nothing wrong with films doing this, band known to have extreme political views. in itself. The Finnish musician in question, reIt’s a convenient tool for screenwriters and sponded to the blog clarifying that he doesn’t it acknowledges America’s ethical shortcomshare any extreme political views with the ings while encouraging us to keep fighting band whose shirt he wore, but more interestagainst things like racism today. ingly, he fired back for even having to defend But, though it feels movies are different his band against the political views of people from reality and American films tend to rewhose music he was musically influenced by. inforce the notion that either a person manIn his attack, he criticized the blog for beages to adhere to perfect ethical standards ing, “the epitome of American inquisition.” else they’re simply a villain. The more I thought about this national More realistically, almost all people imporjab, the more I’m led to believe it has a lot tant in our history fail in some way to adhere of truth to it. to our better modern ethical standards. Americans, more than any other people Thomas Jefferson fails that test for having that I am aware of, have a tendency to look owned hundreds of slaves, but his contribufor one negative trait in a person which they tions to democracy are nonetheless worth can use to dismiss the person’s actions and praising and studying. SASAN KASRAVI ideas entirely, especially if that negative trait Mother Teresa was known to have enOpinions editor is political. dorsed various fascist dictators. Movies are a good example of how pervaEven Gandhi once led a campaign to sive this trend is. Because it’s so important to the screenwrit- cleanse India of homosexuals. ers that everyone likes and cheers for their main character, Until we learn to separate people’s actions and beliefs characters have to adhere to modern ethical standards, re- into parts we won’t have very many people left to admire, gardless of where and when they are placed. whether that means listening to their music or learning from In “The Patriot” Mel Gibson’s South Carolinian farmer their politics. character, anachronistically frees a few slaves in his down A big part of the problem is that we naturally look for
role models who we can try to style ourselves by entirely, which I don’t think would be a good thing to do even if it were easier. But I think a major reason America is uniquely affected by this trait is of its relatively short and stable political history. As it stands, American political values are similar enough currently to when they were first founded to allow Democrats and Republicans alike have an easy time believing that the founding fathers shared their same values and principles. By contrast, most non-Americans have a harder time looking at their history and believing that the people in it were just like them. Many other nations were just recently monarchical, fascist or communist, or still observe traditions before they were Christianized, Islamicized or colonized. Even looking far back in European literature, Beowulf was written by Christians who at once condemn the characters for being pagan heathens yet admire their deeds nonetheless. Non-Americans are much better practiced in admiring some aspects of a person while condemning others, simply because they have to in order to maintain much of a cultural identity. We as Americans should challenge ourselves to be slower to dismiss art, political ideas and the like because of some irrelevant thing we dislike about the person putting them forward. It would only serve to better expand the range of good ideas we’re exposed to and sharpen our skills of directly refuting bad ideas. Contact SASAN KASRAVI at skasravi@TheInquirerOnline.com
opinions 9
Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Asking for Answers:
Student veteran feels like “used gear” Dear Answers, Nine months ago, I was getting up at 0600, showering fast, and dressing for work. I had a place to be and a reason to be there. Four years I spent in the Marine Corps, and when it was over, I came home but so many of my brothers haven’t. “Hurry up and wait” is something I’ve gotten used to while getting my benefits and G.I. Bill set up, but it’s worth it... or so I thought. I’m halfway through my second semester and I’m completely miserable. I feel completely alienated from other students, my grades are suffering and I drink myself to sleep most nights. I’m sinking to the bottom and can’t seem to motivate myself. I’m thinking about dropping out and giving it a go in the real world, but I’m trying to stick it out until the end of the semester. I’m afraid if I can’t get my head in the game, I’ll be stuck on the side lines. Is the struggle really worth it? -Feeling like Broken Gear WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer
Dear Gear, You had to adjust and learn to be a soldier, now you have to adjust to being home and there is a learning process to becoming a veteran, just like there was to becoming a Marine. It sounds like you feel alone, and although your civilian peers may not be able to relate to you, there are people, such as other veterans, who understand exactly how you are feeling. Connecting with others and likeminded individuals and groups, is one of the most important coping mechanisms we have in life. Knowing that someone else has faced the same obstacles, can make all the difference. The Veterans Alliance, right here on campus, can be a great resource for you. They strive to help fellow veterans successfully adapt to academic life and the new
demands that accompany school. They provide camaraderie, as well as advice and support on practicalities, like completing forms and paperwork and help you find your way around. Many have seen the benefits of using the services and getting settled into their new lives and DVC. The Veterans Alliance meets every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union, room 101. I recently attended a Veterans Alliance meeting, to better inform myself about their services. There, I had the opportunity to hear Maurice Delmer, Marine Corps veteran and an alumni of both DVC and Cal State University, speak about the challenges you and others are facing. Delmer now serves as the Outreach Specialist at the Concord Vet Center. He wants all veterans to be aware of the essential services that
are available through the Vet Centers, which include individual and group counseling, mental health and medical services, such as substance abuse help, sexual assault therapy and treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. All of the services offered at Vet Centers are completely confidential, even from the greater Department of Veterans Affairs. The Vet Center hosts community events and get-togethers, which is another great way to connect with other vets. The Concord Vet Center also offers outdoor fitness facilities. Delmer says that his adjustment to home life wasn’t so different from most soldiers, and that one of the things that he has found most helpful for himself was getting back in shape. “Working out and getting strong again allowed me to regain
my physical identity as a soldier,” he said. “As a strong, able-bodied individual. That did a lot for my mind as well.” Exercise has many other benefits as well, such as relieving stress and depression, allowing you to sleep better, building confidence, and as Delmer mentioned, regaining your sense of identity and discipline. Chances are, if you’re feeling good and sleeping well, you are also less likely to drink. The last advice I have for you is to think of your education as a mission, your objective now is to get an education, and to make the most of it. It makes sense to take courses that interest you, as long as they still fit your educational plan. When you become interested and engaged in your studies and other activities within your college, it may make everything seem a lot
brighter. Even though many of your classmates have had different experiences than you, everyone is here to learn and at the end of the day, everyone is a student, so you are not as alone as you might think. School can be a very forgiving place to find yourself and learn to connect with people who really aren’t so different after all. Delmer offered another wise insight. “The transition home doesn’t actually end. You have to keep rediscovering yourself.” Here to answer your most pressing questions. Relationship issues? Family tension? Wondering how to get involved on campus? If you ask, I will do my best to answer. Please submit your questions to: abyrne@theinquireronline.com, with “Asking for Answers” in the subject line.
Outside Lands lineup fails to impress Outside Lands 2014 lineup is mediocre at best. lineup. Outside Lands is a music and food festival that takes place Amber Gregory of Spinning Platters says, “Every year every August in Golden Gate fields in San Francisco. the OSL lineup features 3-4 artists I absolutely LOVE. This Outside Lands is little different that other year is no exception — Arctic Monkeys, Chfestivals in the way that they typically don’t vrches, Chromeo, Holy Ghost! – but unforhave the same line up as Coachella every year. tunately it’s also no exception on the other With Coachella hosting an Outkast reside of things. union naturally people thought that they The rest of this lineup is disappointing, would headline Outside Lands as they are and that’s how I feel every. single. year.” doing for many other festivals. Jonathan Pirro, another writer from SpinOutside Lands is good at keeping you on ning Platers, says “Despite having The Flamyour toes and trying to spice up the festival ing Lips on the lineup, and a small handful circuit but this year it seems they are going a of a few other favorites, this year’s Outside little mainstream. Lands lineup seems lazy, dispirited, and In past years Outside Lands has been thrown together to fill the space. known to have classic acts in the headlinThe pop trifecta of Kanye, Tiësto and ing performers such as, Stevie Wonder, Neil Macklemore doesn’t help their case.” Young, Hall &Oates, John Fogerty and Paul I like some of Kanye’s music but to headMcCartney. line a more alternative festival, left me quite TYLER ELMORE Although they have brought back Tom surprised. Online editor Petty to headline, one of his co-headliners It seems like this year Outside Lands is rein particular was strange to me; Kanye West. ally trying to advertise for the younger genMany local Bay Area people have taken to the Internet on eration, people like Capital Cities, Grouplove and Macklsuch websites such as The Huffington Post and Spinning emore & Ryan Lewis, whom I cannot stand. Platters, a Bay Area review site to lend their opinion on the Don’t get me wrong there are people I am excited to see
such as, Jenny Lewis, Death Cab for Cutie, Disclosure and The Flaming Lips. I am just afraid of what might come of this festival. Having people like Kanye West will definitely sky rocket sales and bring in revenue but is it going to bring in the same music loving people as past dates. I am afraid that by getting people so mega-star popular for this concert can potentially change the whole dynamic of the festival. Outside Lands was always a cool place to try new food and discover new music. I am curious to see the kind of people that will be attending this year and if Outside Lands will continue to book acts that are so mega-star popular. Other than their scary choice in headliner and what I can only presume is the “opening act” for that headliner, there are some acts in which I am excited to see. Will I buy a 3-day pass? Probably not. Outside Lands will be August 8-10, 2014 you can get more information about tickets and see the full line up at sfoutsidelands.com. Contact TYLER ELMORE at telmore@TheInquirerOnline.com
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arts & features 11 Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
DVC instructor graces the film festival scene REGINA ORTANEZ Arts & features editor
World renowned San Francisco International Film Festival showcases a film by DVC film instructor Robert Richert. The Berkeley native was among the lucky few to have their films play at this year’s festival. He describes his film — “No One but Lydia” — as a “light, coming-of-age, stoner comedy with an abundance of fun, quick camera movements.” The local festival is currently celebrating it’s 57th year as being the longest-running film festival in the Americas, according to its website. T As the name claims, the festival features films from around the world. “I wrote it with the intention, of going as far, from my last film, as possible and found that, at the end of the day while both have very different tones, they have a lot in common in terms of theme,” said Richert. ”Both focused on teenage boys who become lovesick, and discover something about themselves through that process of getting over their obsessions.” In an interview, Richert spoke on the San Francisco International Film Festival, praising it for being the renowned festival that
it is. He said it was the first festival he ever attended and left a screening crying, before running into one of the filmmakers and shaking their hand. “That’s the kind of magic a festival can bring to a creator. Seeing exactly how your film connects to a complete stranger,” he said. “As long as I have been making films I have hoped to screen there.” When asked about her thoughts on Richert’s recent accomplishment, fellow filmmaking instructor, Kristy Guevara-Flanagan, who has also been featured in a film festival, said enthusiastically: “I think it’s great. Clearly, the students respond and are interested in the fact that we show our work professionally and that we are committed to our creative processes. Students are able to see how our relationships with the broader film community are and what the potentials are for their own selves.” Nick Jackson, a broadcasting communications major at DVC, shares similar sentiments about his teachers. “Rob’s really cool. He’s very enthusiastic. I love learning about making films from him,” he said. ”And because he’s had stuff Advertisement
Courtesy of DREW BECK
Robert Richert, directing his new short on location in Mendocino, CA early January 2014. in festivals, it’s like I know that he knows what he’s doing. Kristy, as well. They know what they’re doing.” Richert says, that his biggest influence are the people around him and that one of his many inspirations are his students. “I think that there is no better way to cement one’s knowledge of a subject than to teach it to another person,” said Richert in regard to how being a teacher at DVC has influenced his work. ”My students inspire me. They’re full of ideas and an enthusiasm that is a constant shot in the arm of creative energy.” When asked what he hopes to accomplish
with his work, as both a filmmaker and an instructor, Richert replied: “Empathy is what I hope to evoke in the hearts of my audience members. Empathy is also a tool we need to practice in writing our stories.” “We are forced to think about what adversities our characters need to face, that would challenge them most and what would allow them to grow and become more whole, as people.” The San Francisco International Film Festival runs from April 24, till May 8. Contact REGINA ORTANEZ at rortanez@TheInquirerOnline.com
‘Oculus’ is everything but an eye opener TYLER ELMORE Online editor
What seemed to be a promis- yet with the description, the whole ing “scary” movie ended up being movie was just a boring, repetitive like all of the rest; a bore. Oculus mess. opened on Friday April 11, 2014. You are constantly battling with The movie stars Karen Gillan what is real and what isn’t, and from Dr. Who and promising trying to figure out if any of the new-comer Brenton Thwaites, movie actually happened. Withwho will be staring in the mov- out a solid story line the whole ing adaptation of the best-selling movie gets lost in a jumble of novel The Giver coming out later flashbacks, false reality, and what this year. you think is actually the characThe movie starts out with the ter’s reality. main characters as children, hidThe scare factor of this movie ing in a closet away from their dad was also almost nonexistent. The who is carrying a gun. The kids ghosts were creepy but not somerun down the stairs where their thing you’re going to have nightdad finds them mares about. It and the dad “...the whole movie vaguely resemble morphs into the gets lost in a jumble 2010’s Insidious, son as an adult with it constant of flashbacks...” and shoots the dream-like state. little girl. ConThe movie fused? Well it doesn’t get anymore seemed promising with having a clearer than that. 92% on rottentomatoes.com on The basic synopsis of this Thursday evening, but by Sunday movie is, that a haunted mirror the rating had dropped to 71%. gets put into a home where it posFrom the beginning of the sesses the two main characters’ movie, you can guess the ending parents until they are dead. if you can manage to sit through The actual movie takes place the confusion. ten years later when the children The only thing that might keep are fully grown. The sister, Kaylie, you halfway interested in the played by Gillan, is obsessed with movie is the good-looking lead trying to find a way to destroy the actor. mirror. Tim the brother, played by I give this movie two thumbs Thwaites, had just been released down. from the state mental health facility because he killed their dad. Contact TYLER ELMORE If you are not confused enough telmore@TheInquirerOnline.com
arts & features 12 Thursday, April 17 - Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Battle of the bars
Editor’s guide to nightlife: Is BARTing worth the ride? BENJAMIN DAVIDSON Managing editor
F
or the price of a low-end Long Island iced tea, you can get a round-trip ride on BART from the Pleasant Hill station to the Embarcadero station in San Francisco. The question is — is it worth it? Whether you are a newbie or a guzzled veteran – there are some legitimate, local options near-by as well as some delicious concoctions made in the city, which may satisfy your nighttime thirst.
San Francisco Fiddler's Green Irish Pub
1333 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 Open from 9 a.m. – 2 a.m. every day of the week and weekend — this pub pours stiff drinks and stout ales. Roughly a 35 minute walk from the Embarcadero BART station, Fiddler's Green is in a more affluent part of the city, and in close proximity to Fisherman's Wharf, adding to the convenience of being able to call a cab for the way back. Kegs of Guinness, Smithwick's and Harp are readily available; combine that with a stiff Cosmopolitan or a Washington Apple and your night is set.
The Buena Vista
2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Open from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. every day of the week and weekend, this bar may be considered a preferred tourist spot at times, but is definitely worth a visit for their Irish coffee. According to an Examiner article from 2013, per the bar's lore, in the early 1950's the combined efforts of the former owner, a travel writer, a dairy owner and the mayor of San Francisco resulted in the successful re-creation of the drink first created by Irish chef Joe Sheridan in 1943. Since then the bar has fine-tuned its method for cranking out these whiskey pick-me-ups at a staggering pace. They are stiff, but if you enjoy them, the BART ticket is worth the 10 bucks. The bartender Larry Nolan, has worked at The Buena Vista for more than 40 years.
Concord Agave
1985 Willow Pass Rd. Concord, CA 94520 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Closed on Mondays, Night Club 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. Functioning as a restaurant, nightclub and bar, this local option is your one-stop-shop in terms of nighttime entertainment. You walk right into a massive bar which T's off to the left and right. The club, on the left, is open only Friday and Saturdays, and the right side is the restaurant side. Their Mojitos are made right, with fresh mint, lime wedges and Havana Club white rum. The first room offers the best of Salsa, Merengue, Rock en Español and Latin House. In the second room, you can enjoy R&B, Club Hits, House Music and more EDM type songs. The club is 18 and over on Fridays, and 21 and over on Saturdays.
Diablo Valley Bowl- Strike Zone Bar 'N' Bowl
1500 Monument Blvd, Concord, CA 94520
Monday - Sunday 9 a.m. to close. A bar within a bowling alley doesn't always work, but after 10 p.m. — Diablo Valley Bowl's nightlife lights up, literally. The best time to go is during their cosmic bowling session at 9 p.m. until closing from Fridays to Sundays. Not only can you bring your drinks with you down to the lanes, but they are pretty reasonably priced, especially if you are with a large group. Also, a pitcher of beer for $6 and a full bar and billiards tables in the 21 and over area are at your disposal until closing.
So be it an Irish coffee or a margarita type of night, weigh your local nightlife options before buying a BART ticket. Contact BENJAMIN DAVIDSON at bdavidson@TheInquirerOnline.com Courtesy of ALLAN HUTCHISON-MAXWELL through the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License