The Kent Stater - Nov. 24, 2015

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015

YSU students repaint over ISIS message Bruce Walton Senior Reporter Youngstown State University students painted over their campus rock Monday after it was painted with messages in support of ISIS late Sunday night or early Monday morning. The rock, painted red, white, blue and black, originally included the messages “YSU supports ISIS,” “France deserves destruction” and “We are coming.” Students repainted the rock Monday afternoon with messages including “God bless America” and “world peace.” The Youngstown Vindicator reported university grounds crews repainted over

the rock Monday morning with white paint, and about 30 students repainted the rock later that afternoon. After a student tweeted at Kent State President Beverly Warren, she said this is a situation that should not happen at Kent State. “We are a respectful community,” she said in the tweet. “In troubling times, it is important that bonds of civility remain strong.” Kent State spokesman Eric Mansfield said in an email that Kent State’s campus rock is a venue of free speech and any messages painted on it would remain on the rock until another group repaints it.

SEE ROCK / PAGE 2

Photo courtesy of WTAE and WKYC

Photo courtesy of The Jambar

Photo courtesy of The Jambar

Santa Train: A journey of joy in Appalachian coal towns Editor’s note: Members of Kent State’s photojournalism program drove down to Kentucky to follow the Santa Train and speak with the families living along the tracks. With the sun still hiding deep below the Appalachian mountain horizon, families gathered along rows of frostcovered train tracks in Shelbiana, Kentucky, Saturday. CSX Transportation workers stood ready to place gifts into the glove-covered hands of the children eagerly anticipating the arrival of Santa on the 73rd annual Santa Train. Each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, Santa pays a special visit to the children at 14 stops along a mountainous 110-mile train route that runs through coal towns in eastern Kentucky and western Virginia before reaching the final destination of Kingsport, Tennessee. This year, “The Voice” star Meghan Linsey joined Santa on the trip as crews delivered toys, candy, school supplies and other gifts. Alex Ledet / The Kent Stater “Santa Claus” throws presents from the back of the CSX Santa Train in Shelby, Kentucky, to a crowd that gathered before dawn Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. The train has been running annually for 73 years through eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and Tennessee, delivering donated presents to children in local communities.

Student copyright challenged during local election Karl Schneider General Assignment Reporter It’s becoming more common for college coursework to be done on the Internet, and one Kent State student recently found one of his class projects used as political propaganda, which raised questions about copyright law on student work. The class, multimedia techniques, required students to put together a short video and upload it to Vimeo, a video sharing website, which is open to the public. Last semester, Joe Finley, a senior j o u r n a l i s m m a j o r, i n t e r v i e w e d members of the Lakewood (Ohio) fire department about the rumors that a hospital in the same town would be closed. As it happens, the mayor’s chair was open for election this year and the incumbent mayor’s opponent, Michael Skindell, an Ohio state senator, found Finley’s video online and began using it for propaganda for his campaign. Skindell wanted to keep the hospital open, and the firefighters were inadvertently supporting his cause. One of the firefighters interviewed in the video had seen the senator’s campaign using the video on a political website and contacted Finley. “As soon as he told me about it, I went to the site (Vimeo) and deleted it,” Finley said. “About 15 minutes later, he texted me again and told me

that someone else had saved it.” The video, and subsequent reports from local media, prompted Lakewood’s fire chief, Scott Gilman, to make a statement. The firefighters in the video, when used in the political context, could be taken to mean that the current mayor, Michael Summers, was bad for the city. Thus began a frenzy of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaints from Finley. “I went to every link I could find on YouTube and Vimeo, copied the link and sent in a DMCA,” Finley said.

Working on the Santa Train

Everette Allen, a retired CSX mechanic, worked with

the Santa Train for 41 years. He retired 16 years ago and has been volunteering his time ever since to help with the train. Allen orders the fliers, signs and banners that decorate the train and rides through the mountains each year. “I love to see the people (and) to see the kids and their faces when they get something from Santa,” Allen said. “You couldn’t help but cry when you see a kid get something.” Larry “Tub” Moorefield began working as a shop foreman on the Santa Train in 1981. After working as a foreman, he started working crowd control during each stop the train would make. As crowd control, Moorefield would string out yellow caution tape at certain stops along the route and make sure the kids were safe as the train was leaving. “I was content with (crowd control), because you didn’t have all that pressure,” he said. “You didn’t have to worry about running someone over or getting fired.” In 2003, Moorefield was honored when his trainmaster asked him to conduct the Santa Train.

SEE TRAIN / PAGE 5

Professors' union authorized to strike after online vote Matthew Merchant Senior Reporter More than 90 percent of the members of AAUP-KSU have voted to authorize a strike if a collective bargaining agreement is not agreed upon. According to information on the union’s website, results from

an online poll held last week reveal that 425 members voted “yes” in favor of the strike. The vote count was 425-30. Of non-members who responded to the vote, 80 percent were also in favor. The Executive Board of Kent State’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors now has authority to begin a strike

if a contract between Kent State and the union are not reached. According to the website, both parties are currently in the fact-finding process and negotiations are set to continue. For more information, find out what you need to know about the potential strike on Kentwired.com. mmercha1@kent.edu

Police investigating robbery at The Exchange Emily Mills Managing Editor

Photo courtesy of Facebook Michael Skindell

SEE COPYRIGHT / PAGE 2

The Kent Police Department is investigating a breaking and entering incident at The Exchange, an entertainment store at 407 E. Main St. Lt. Michael Lewis said the department received notice of an alarm drop shortly after 3:30 a.m. early Thursday morning. When officers responded, the glass in the front door was broken. Lewis said he could not comment on what was stolen, if anything. There are currently no suspects, but police have released images from surveillance video of three individuals. The Exchange said it could not comment Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kent Police Department at (330) 673-7732. emills11@kent.edu

Photo courtesy of Kent Police Department


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COPYRIGHT Student copyright challenged... Vimeo was quick to respond, deleting the videos five minutes after the DMCA was filed, said Finley. The problem was that someone had saved the video to their personal computer. Videos kept popping up from other sources. “Every time I file a DMCA complaint and the video is taken down, someone reposts it,” Finley said. Finley repeatedly contacted Skindell and his office for copyright infringement and went ignored. In one correspondence, Finley wrote, “The video was available on a public format, which it is now unavailable on. The video was shot by me , for a school project… I am formally requesting that you remove said video from all politically affiliated media.” After multiple attempts to contact Skindell, the senator was unavailable for comment. Skindell, or his campaign, continued to use Finley’s full video for campaigning purposes. Finley did not know exactly who had saved his video and was unable to completely remove it from the Internet. Finley eventually went to his professors in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication for help. They directed him to the Student Press Law Center and other resources that he may be able to use. “By university policy, students own the copyrights to their coursework,” said Cynthia Kristof, head of Kent State’s Copyright and Document Services. “The use by the politician is likely an infringement if the politician used the entire work.” Kristof further suggested, “Students and faculty alike (should) place a copyright notice on everything they do, especially if it gets placed on a site like Vimeo.” Finley contacted the Student Press Law Center for help on removing the video from the Internet, but they did not return his messages. Not only was Finley’s video plastered on Skindell’s campaigning websites, but paper fliers were distributed with direct links to the video printed on them. This prompted Finley to pursue a lawsuit if he is able to find the proper representation. Kristoff advises caution for students who must upload their work to a public website online. While hiring a lawyer can be expensive, there are other steps she recommends students take to protect their work. “(A copyright symbol, the year and your name) is frequently enough to make people think twice about infringing, or at least prompt people to reach out and ask permission,” Kristoff said. “The addition of the phrase, ‘All rights reserved’ can enhance that effect. Students can, but usually do not because it involves at least a $35 fee, register their work with the U.S. Copyright Office.” kschne21@kent.edu

The Kent Stater

Kent State professor dispels Middle Eastern stereotypes Gabrielle Woodard Arts and Sciences Reporter

Kent State East Liverpool sociology students are studying food systems and the effect food has on the health of the community. Lydia Rose, an assistant sociology professor at the East Liverpool campus, said she received a grant from Youth Service America & United Healthcare to research childhood obesity and bring awareness of the issue to East Liverpool and engage with the local youth. "East Liverpool has a high level of children living in poverty,” Rose said. “Many children were suffering from both issues of childhood hunger along with obesity issues.” Rose said researching food systems became a national and global trend when obesity issues became nationally recognized with First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiatives to fight childhood obesity. The convenience of highly processed foods is a way to provide safe food to a large number of people but has negative outcomes, including high levels of sugar and salt.

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Stacher is one of the faculty organizers for the Department of Political Science’s Safe Spaces fall 2015 speaker series. The events provide a place to talk about controversial topics and provide a safe place to discuss issues, including Native American sports mascots, Black Lives Matter, race relations and other controversial topics. “We hope the students walk away more informed and understand how things interact,” said Julie Mazzei, an associate political science professor and a faculty organizer for the events.

Stacher is a founding member of The Northeast Ohio Consortium for Middle East Studies. The NOCMES is comprised of “leading Cleveland-area secondary education and collegiate institutions (and) seeks to bring the latest scholarship on the Middle East to Northeast Ohio,” according to NOCMES’ website.

Kent State named Military Friendly School for seventh year Lauren Phillips Military and Veterans Reporter Victory Media, the publisher of G.I. Jobs, STEM Job and Military Spouse, has named Kent State a Military Friendly School for the seventh consecutive year. Kent State is in the top 20 percent of schools across the country that are recognized for their assistance of helping veterans throughout their college career. “We have about 400 veterans, an additional 100 military service members — those are National Guard students who have not been deployed,” said Dawn Plug, assistant director of Adult and Veteran Services. “Then there’s an additional probably 50 people that are dependents of veterans.” According to Military Friendly’s website, there are 64 Ohio colleges and universities listed as Military Friendly. Kent State is rated by Victory Media based on its ability to recruit and retain veterans as students. The Military Friendly advisory board evaluates other aspects before giving a college or university the distinc-

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Safe Spaces

"In terms of culture, we have to desire fresh fruits and vegetables over highly processed foods,” Rose said. "We have to have structures in place where one can access and have available healthy options." She said food systems need to undergo cultural and structural changes, and trying to change cultural practices to include healthy options takes serious commitment and resources. "I received funding to offer the healthy options but the funds may not be available at our next campus event," she said. "Social change takes a commitment by everyone to voice their opinions to make such a commitment." Rose said East Liverpool not having its own dining hall makes it difficult for students, faculty and staff to make healthy choices. There are only vending machines and packaged food in the bookstore. "It is very problematic if one forgets to pack their lunch and has a heavy schedule in which one cannot leave campus to procure a meal," she said. "The lack of food options has led my students to conclude that East Liver-

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EDITOR

Photo courtesy of Joshua Stacher

If there were a chance for reversal of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, it would have to be made in the reaction to 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Stacher said he believes problems in the Middle East began after WWI and state lines were drawn. He said he tries to get his students to look at the Middle East differently than they did before taking his class.

Wilson Center Research

The Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars is a research center in Washington, D.C., for scholars studying a multitude of topics. Stacher was a fellow at the Wilson Center from 2012 to 2013. For his book, Stacher researched Egypt’s transition after former president Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. “Writing helps you contribute something to help influence people who are on this journey,” Stacher said. Stacher also authored "Adaptable Autocrats: Regime Power in Egypt & Syria," along with several journal articles. Stacher has also done writ-

Sociology students trim down obesity Anthony Cornwell Regional/Commuters Reporter

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A political science professor who specializes in Middle Eastern studies stresses his Egyptian experience is not like the news depicts. With all of the unrest in the Middle East, associate professor Josh Stacher is trying to change people’s opinion about the region. Stacher was a resident of Egypt from 1998-2008 and said he uses his experiences there in his classes. “I spend a lot of time deprogramming students what they have absorbed in the U.S.,” he said.

United States and the Middle East

The Kent

pool is a food desert." Kristin Mercer, a senior criminology major and a student in Rose’s class, said she believes the research conducted and analyzed is critically important for the community. "Obesity leads to many other health problems like diabetes and heart disease that can take numerous years off of someone's life," Mercer said. "The more one is educated about nutrition and healthier food options, the better choices they will make that will improve their overall health." East Liverpool’s Environmental Club decided to hold meetings to provide a healthy lunch where the members, students, faculty and staff would have viable food options other than driving outside of East Liverpool to get lunch. "This decision was a direct result of the research done by the students in my Researching Society Class on Food Systems," Rose said. Rose, along with Mercer and the rest of her students, will be showcasing their research at the Undergraduate Research Conference at Salem on Dec. 11. acornwe2@kent.edu

tion of being a Military Friendly School, including military support on campus, student retention rates, veteran employment and graduation. “Our office tries to act as a one-stop shop for the veterans so we are not bouncing them all over campus to get answers to their questions, problems or concerns,” Plug said. “We do help troubleshoot a lot of issues for veterans.” Kent State’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services (CAVS) works with various departments around campus to better serve veterans, Plug said. CAVS can help connect students with departments to help with issues such as parking, classroom problems, tutoring needs and immunization records with University Health Services. According to the CAVS website, there are many programs and services Kent State offers to assist veterans at Kent State. The Kent State Veterans Club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Kent Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The CAVS office provides VA Benefit Certification and other services to assist students with their college career. “We (partner) with outside agencies for veterans, such as the Portage County Veteran Service Organization," Plug said. "We work closely with Portage Country to connect veterans with resources outside of education.” Kent State’s regional campuses also offer assistance for veterans attending regional campuses. Victory Media also recognized Kent State Tuscarawas for the fifth year and Kent State Ashtabula for the fourth year as Military Friendly Schools. “This honor indicates that as a university community, we are serving our student veterans, service members and their families at a very high level,” said Joshua Rider, director of Center for Adult and Veteran Service in a university press release. "It’s the university’s duty, but also a privilege to assist these military connected students on their path toward graduation and success.” lphill17@kent.edu

ten commentary and made media appearances with NPR, CNN, ABC and Al-Jazeera.

Egypt

“Egyptians made me understand where I came from more than America ever did,” Stacher said when talking about his experience living in Egypt. Stacher became interested in studying the Middle East his senior year of college, when he studied abroad in Egypt. Stacher was in Egypt when Islamic militants killed 60 tourists outside of an Egyptian temple. “Egypt changed how I interact with everyone…Egypt was clarifying for my life,” Stacher said. Miles Wilburn, a senior political science major, encourages others to take classes with Stacher. “I would definitely recommend others take his class,” Wilburn said. “He really makes students in his class think critically about the Middle East.” gwoodard@kent.edu

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ROCK YSU students repaint... “The university’s rock has a long history of being a place of free speech for students, employees, alumni and others to share their voice in a creative way,” he said. “Currently, there is no university policy that regulates the rock, and any message painted on the rock remains there until the next person or group paints over it.” YSU said in a statement Monday there is no threat to the university. “Messages were found painted on the rock on the Youngstown State University campus core on Monday, Nov. 23, that were found to be of concern,” it said. “YSU Police are investigating the situation. The FBI was contacted as a precautionary measure. No threats have been validated at this time. Police are continuing to look into the matter. There is no credible threat to the campus at this time.” The Youngstown Police Department and the FBI are investigating the incident at YSU. “At this point, there is no specific, credible threat to Youngstown State or the Youngstown area,” said Special Agent Todd Werth, who leads the Youngstown FBI office, according to the Vindicator. The Supreme Court ruled in the 1992 case R.A.V. v. St. Paul that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment, which would include the messages painted on YSU’s rock.

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Samantha Karam / The Kent Stater Cadets stand after participating in the color guard before the Veterans Day ceremony in the KIVA on Tuesday, Nov. 10. 2015.


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Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | Page 3


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The Kent Stater

Opinion

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EDITORIAL BOARD Editor: Hannah Armenta Managing Editor: Emily Mills Senior Editor: Jimmy Miller Opinion Editor: Neville Hardman Sports Editor: Ian Flickinger

The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily en­dorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor (email them to harmenta@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become pro­­perty of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.

THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED OPINIONS.

NATE BEELER’S VIEW

On Car strikes realty office on South Water Street

A car struck a realty office on South Water Street Monday afternoon, causing minimal damage to the building. A black, four-door Toyota Camry hit Century 21 Wilbur Realty, located at 548 S. Water St., at approximately 1:35 p.m. See the full article on KentWired.com.

Alexander Wadley / The Kent Stater

Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... scientists’ discovery of a gene called MCR-1 that could prevent the spread of bacteria. Jeers to ... Donald Trump saying a Black Lives Matter activist “should have been roughed up.”

Trump became more terrifying Ashley Atherton Columnist In 1933, Nazi Germany created the Nuremberg Laws, which prosecuted Jewish people in Germany and required them to register as Jews. The Nazis registered them in a system to make it easier to track and persecute them when they felt like doing so, even with no actual reason. Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump also likes the idea of registering an entire group of people in a system. Even scarier, he is still the front-runner of the Republican Party. I didn’t think I could despise Trump and his bid for the presidency more than I already had. I didn’t think it was possible — and then he said he’s supportive of the idea of a registry for Muslims, as well as saying he would “certainly implement that, absolutely.” He has also said he believes we — as in the U.S. — are going to have to do things we have never done, things we never thought about before. All of this is to protect ourselves from terrorism. I would say I’m surprised, but this is the same man who truly believes he knows more about ISIS than the military does. By doing this, he is being the most blatant definition of a bigot imaginable. We cannot label an entire group of people, in this case Muslims, as evil based on the actions of a few. What ISIS is doing and continues to do is deplorable, and I am not saying they aren’t a threat to U.S. national security. But what Trump is suggesting is wrong legally, politically and, most importantly, morally. The logic Trump uses is unreal. We don’t classify all Christians by the actions of the KKK, Christian extremist groups who bomb one out of every five abortion and reproductive health clinics. So why do we do it to Muslims? Because we are scared. Fear is no way to run a government and certainly not national security. By suggesting the idea of registering Muslims in a database, Trump is acting out of extreme fear and political and policy unintelligence — the same way he has run his entire campaign. It is time for the rest of the Republican Party and mainstream media to call out Trump on his horrific views, denounce and attack him with the same gusto he has been attacking them and spewing foolish lies for his vague policy plans. If the U.S. continues on this path of ignorance and bigotry toward Muslims, we become the very thing we are fighting. ISIS operates off of the fear of others and the fear of losing power. Putting Muslims into a database or even possibly making them carry an identification card in yet another Nazi-like idea — which Trump has not ruled out — is playing right into the hands of terrorism. Bigotry plays right into the hands of ISIS. Trump’s plans play right into the hands of ISIS. If this path of fear and racism does not end soon, the United States will only hurt our own chances of defeating ISIS. aatherto@kent.edu

OUR VIEW Students have right to free speech Youngstown State University’s campus rock was marked Monday with messages in support of ISIS that read “France deserves destruction,” “YSU supports ISIS” and “We are coming.” While some might find these messages disturbing, legally, students have a right to express themselves however they choose because they are protected by the First Amendment. The school also does not have guidelines on what someone can or cannot paint on the rock. However, the groundskeepers at YSU immediately painted over the rock after finding the messages. Campus rocks are considered forums for free speech and a place where graffiti is accepted and even encouraged. Depending on how important students feel the message is, the rock can remain unchanged anywhere from an hour to a week. “The rock” is a place on campus where people can anonymously express their views, whether they

are positive or negative. Kent State faced a similar situation last year when a swastika was placed on the rock and was promptly painted over. In response, the Black United Students executive board wrote a letter to the editor about racism on campus and the university administration’s lack of response. While Kent State did not release an official statement regarding the swastika, YSU released a statement regarding safety, and the campus police department is investigating the matter. We support people’s right to freely express their ideas and opinions because of the right to free speech, but we don’t support this message. If students want to paint political messages, it is their right to do so, but if the intent was to scare students, the plan backfired. Students have united in response instead. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names are listed above.

History lessons on campus Los Angeles Times Guest Column The recent protests by college students across the country are mostly about racial insensitivity and charges of discrimination and mistreatment on campuses today. But there also are complaints about what students see as symbolic vestiges of a racist past. Some of these objections are more valid than others, but even the worthy ones raise difficult questions for institutions that revere tradition but also have obligations to the current generation of students. Last week, Princeton University announced it would no longer refer to the heads of its residential colleges as “masters,” a term inspired by the ancient universities in England. Dean of the College Jill Dolan said the title “heads of college” better captures “the spirit of their work and their contributions to campus residential life.” Maybe so, but the name change also was a response to a concern, also voiced at Yale, that the term “master” is racially offensive because it could be associated with slavery. Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber seemed to allude to that fanciful theory when he said that the word “master” had “discomfited some students, faculty and the heads of college themselves.” Never mind that the title of master of a college has no more to do with a slave master than it does with a master chef. (It is more similar to master’s degrees, which presumably Princeton will continue to confer.) Much less frivolous are demands that colleges rename buildings or programs identified with historical figures who supported slavery or segregation. At Yale, some students want the university to find a new

name for Calhoun College, named after the nineteenth century politician John C. Calhoun, a Yale graduate, U.S. senator, vice president — and one of the nation’s fiercest defenders of slavery. At Princeton, a group known as the Black Justice League has called for the name of Woodrow Wilson, the twenty-eighth president of the U.S., to be stripped from a residential college and the Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs. It’s certainly understandable that African American students would feel uncomfortable residing in a college named for Calhoun, who is best known for championing the slaveholding Southern states. Wilson is a more complicated case. Historians say he harbored racist views, and note that as president he resegregated the federal workforce. Yet his legacy is much larger and includes his role on the world stage. A former president of Princeton, he is also a more significant figure in that university’s history than Calhoun was in Yale’s. We can see why African American — and other — students object to honoring historical figures who held noxious views about race. Yet the sad reality is that the United States has a long history of racism and many of its founders were slaveholders. There is no easy answer to the question of whether or when the names of racist historical figures should be removed from buildings or monuments. In some situations, an attempt to eliminate offense can amount to rewriting history. Better in those cases to acknowledge the history and learn from it. In other cases, the names should go.

Make America great again Bruno Beidacki Columnist Yes, that is Donald Trump’s campaign slogan. No, I do not believe the successful businessman would be nearly as successful as the president of the United States. However, I do believe there is a way to “Make America great again!” and it is simpler than it seems. There is no doubt that for decades, this was the greatest country in the world. The richest, the most powerful, the one with the most opportunities and yes, even freedom. That is not the case anymore. We have gotten to a point where our individualistic purposes, inexplicable selfishness and constant denial of the reality is ruining the country we live in. As Jeff Daniels’ character in “The Newsroom” said: “The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one. America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.” Now is the time to come up with solutions. Yes, healthcare and a college education are too expensive, our cities are too violent and we spend way too much money on the military. Those are major economic issues, but they have been around for decades, even when the United States was the best country to live in. The solutions are on our daily attitudes and our perspective regarding social and political issues. If we are truly invested in making America great again, we need to care more, be more empathetic and understand that our success means nothing if everyone around us has failed. The idea of the American Dream was extremely effective in the past, as every citizen worked toward achieving their goals and helping others achieve theirs. That mindset, however, has become an excuse to step on our fellow human beings and do whatever it takes in order to succeed. The greed, sense of entitlement and selfishness is the root of all of our issues. It explains the major problem in the U.S. — social inequality — which is the cause of several consequential issues, such as violence, hunger and prejudice. If we understand the American Dream can only be achieved in a functioning, organized society, we learn the power of kindness. When a whole country works toward greatness together, the individual goals also becomes easier to be achieved. A country that is divided will never be the best in the world. That leads us to the second part of the “make America great again!” process: changing our perspective. Every controversial topic in this country is only controversial because of our biased, uneducated perspective. In the last few weeks, how many who have never studied international politics and current events have expressed their “opinions” on Syrian refugees? If our perspective is focused on society and the well-being of others, we get closer to what humanity is supposed to be. It is only by empathizing with others and making an effort to understand what is unknown that we can truly turn this country around. Every single person who lives in the United States wants an improved society, so let’s work together and make America great again. Without Trump, please. bbeidack@kent.edu


Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | Page 5

The Kent Stater

Perspectives

Photos and multimedia through the lenses of Kent State students

PHOTO EDITOR: ALEX LEDET // ALEDET@KENT.EDU

A crowd gathers around the CSX Santa Train in Fremont, Kentucky. The train made 14 stops throughout Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. From Page 1

TRAIN Santa Train: A Journey... “I was apprehensive,” he said. “You knew every official that could get a seat on that train was on there.” Moorefield was asked to run the train the next year, but declined because “someone else may want the opportunity.”

Waiting for the Santa Train

In Dante — pronounced Daint by those who call it

home — Virginia, a small coal town nestled in a valley, the Taylor family has gone to the Santa Train since 1971. While the temperature drops quickly outside, the Taylor home glows with warmth. Family portraits cover the walls of the home, and a pumpkin-scented candle flickers on the kitchen table as the family gathered in the living room the night before meeting the Santa Train. Tony Taylor, 49, was five years old when he first saw Santa riding into Dante on the old coal engine.

“You could see the smoke comin’ round the bend, you know, before you even seen it,” Taylor said. “That’s what really got us tore up about it, you know, gettin’ to see the whole train like that smokin’ and the engineers on it blackfaced. They was actually feedin’ the coal in it.” Taylor ’s daughter, Kesha, was five years old when her dad first took her to see the train. “It’s not about the stuff; it’s about going to the Santa Train,” Kesha said. “It’s about the idea of being there.” Dante used to be a bustling

town and headquarters of the Clinchfield Coal Corporation. After the coal mines closed down, however, the population dwindled, and Dante became home to roughly 700 people, according to the US HomeTownLocator. Towns and families like Dante and the Taylors are sprinkled throughout the Appalachian route. The joy andaffection was apparent on each childlike face looking up at the white-bearded man in the bright red suit as he came into town. kschne21@kent.edu

Adam Fasnacht / The Kent Stater

Clint Datchuk / Kent Stater Larry Moorefield, 67, better known as “Tubs,” was the conductor of the Santa Train in 2003. A resident of Dante, Virginia, “Tubs” said he has always valued the tradition of the event and took great pride in conducting the train.

Alex Ledet / The Kent Stater Joe Letcher stands with his granddaughter Tymee Letcher watching presents getting thrown from the Santa Train during its second stop in Elkhorn City, Kentucky, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

Karl Schneider / The Kent Stater Large crowds gather in Dungannon, Virginia, on Saturday Nov. 21, 2015, where Santa and Meghan Linsey from “The Voice” tossed toys, candies and school supplies off the back of the train.

Karl Schneider / The Kent Stater The crowd begins to disperse with armfuls of gifts after the Santa Train’s stop in Fremont, Kentucky, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.

Adam Fasnacht / The Kent Stater Five-year-old Asher Engle and six-year-old Nolan Thomas Ambery wave at Don Royston dressed up as Santa Claus as the train comes to a stop on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.


Page 6 | Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Sports

The Kent Stater

Senior opposite Kelly Hutchison named to M.A.C. Volleyball Championship All-Tournament Team

SPORTS EDITOR: IAN FLICKINGER // IFLICKIN@KENT.EDU

Flashes take on rival Flashes face tough Gophers team Akron for Wagon Wheel Ty Sugick Sports Reporter

Kent State women’s basketball (1-2) is preparing for one of its toughest non-conference opponents of the season. The Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0) will travel to Kent Tuesday evening for the first game of doubleheader. The Flashes men’s team will follow playing Saint Francis. Kent State is currently on a two- game losing streak but eager to get back to winning. Freshman guard Tyra James has gotten off on the right foot this season averaging 15 points per game. But James will have her work cut out for her on the defensive end during Tuesday night's game, as she has to defend Rachel Banham, one

of the best guards in the nation. Banham is a senior guard who averages 26 points per game this season and is projected to be a top 20 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. The Gophers' offense currently averages 94.5 points per game after playing two games. Both teams will play fast, and it is clear Minnesota can put up points in bunches, which is what the Flashes would like to do as well. The Flashes will have to play stingy defense and limit their mistakes. Turnovers will be key for the Golden Flashes success in this game; if they play lack luster defense and lose the turnover battle, it will be a very long game. The tip-off for this match-up is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the M.A.C. Center. tsugick@kent.edu

Leah Klafczynski / The Kent Stater The Flashes celebrate after winning the Wagon Wheel game against Akron on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, at Dix Stadium. The final score was 27-24.

Stephen Means Sports Reporter The Kent State football team has not had a year one would call successful. Through 11 games, the Flashes stand at 3-8 and 2-5 in the Mid-American Conference. None of that matters when it comes to playing against rival Akron (6-5, 4-3 MAC). “It’s Akron week,” coach Paul Haynes said. “This is one of those game where you throw out all the records, the stats and all the rest. It comes down to who executes the best.” After taking home a 27-24 win last year, the Flashes come into the game a 10.5-point underdog going into the road game. “This isn’t one of those type of games that you have to motivate,” Haynes said. “If you have to

motivate for this one, you’re in trouble.” Sophomore quarterback Thomas Woodson leads the Zips with, 1894 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior running back Conor Hundley adds 785 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. For Haynes, this rivalry means a little bit more, seeing that he has been a part of it as both a player and a coach. “As a player, you’re preparing to go out there and actually play,” Haynes said. “As a coach, you’re making sure that they are prepared. The emotion part of it is a little bit different, but as far as in my heart and how much it means to me, there’s really no difference.” Kick-off Saturday at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field is at noon. smeans2@kent.edu

Graham Smith / The Kent Stater Redshirt junior guard Melanee Stubbs drives toward the net during Kent State’s game against Western Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 in the M.A.C. Center. The Flashes lost the game against its MAC rivals, 55-78.

Basketball competes in doubleheader Stephen Means Sports Reporter Kent States men’s (2-1) and women’s (1-2)

basketball programs will be featured in a double-header Wednesday night.

The women will take on the University of

Minnesota (2-1) and the men will follow in a contest against Francis University (2-1).

The Flashes are coming off a win over Marist

College where junior Jimmy Hall broke out of a 2 game shooting slump to lead the way with 27 points and 10 rebounds. The Red Flash are coming off a blowout 68-48 win over American led senior guard Ben Millaud-Meunier’s 19 points. The women’s game tips-off at 6:30 pm. with the men’s game following at 8:30 pm. smeans2@kent.edu

Jenna Watson / The Kent Stater (From left) Kent State red shirt senior guard Derek Jackson takes a shot, under defense from University of Akron sophomore center Isaiah Johnson, as Kent State junior forward Khaliq Spicer prepares for a rebound at the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio, on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Kent lost to Akron, 61-52.


Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | Page 7

The Kent Stater

For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Classified ads can be placed by fax at (330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at ads@ksustudentmedia.com. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.

www.KentWired.com

HOROSCOPE

THE LOFT —- KARAOKE WEDNESDAY 9pm to 1

By Nancy Black

Build your resume! Young Explorers Aurora and Twinsburg are looking for part-time and full-time teachers. 330-562-5588 Send resume to lissette@youngexplorerschildcare.com Construction/maintenance position. Flexible hours, close to KSU, pay based upon skill level. 330-547-1212 Tree City Coffee: Hiring baristas 1-yr minimum experience required Submit resume to: info@rootedinkent.com Come join our team! Now hiring full and part-time staff to work with Developmentally Disabled. We offer; flexible schedules, mileage reimbursement, paid training, paid time off, 401K, dental, vision and health insurance (if eligible), Applicants must have a reliable vehicle, valid DL, current auto insurance, HSD or GED. We fingerprint and are a drug free employer. Apply at 4123 Tallmadge Rd., Rootstown or call (330) 325-1560. Visit our website to download application at: www.Leedanortheast.com

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information. Houses for Fall 2016 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 bedrooms 330-547-1212 Available January. 2BR, 1.5BA. No pets, go to www.blacksquirrelrentals.com or call 330-835-7737. 10 bedroom house one block from campus, available August of 2016, 330-673-0650 Tired of dorm living yet? Great student house close to campus. Sleeps 4. Two bathrooms and garage. Rental price available upon request. Contact Dave at runn2u@ hotmail.com

Today’s Birthday (11/24/15) With Saturn in your sign this year, discipline applied to personal goals reaps extraordinary results. Your career status is on the rise. Home projects bloom over spring, prompting social changes. Professional opportunities after autumn could impact your home and family time. Aim for balance. Play for passion. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7. Keep digging and find the clue. Work smarter; not harder. Postpone financial discussion. You may not agree with someone in authority. A deception gets revealed. Talk to a trusted friend. Share your feelings and be heard. Take a philosophical view.

BLISS

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9. Complete an emotionally charged project. Bring in common sense and practical experience. A partner points out a fallacy. Discover trickery. Invest in home security. Get assistance from a bureaucrat. Seek help from an unusual source.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 9. Group effort pays off, big time. What comes around goes around. A friend provides just what you need. Develop a practical game plan. Try something new and different. Design the costume to suit your role. Perform a graceful exit.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8. Dream up an exotic plan. There’s business involved, but it’s not just about the money. Collaborate for mutual benefit. Take things slowly, as mistakes are expensive now. Monitor financial transactions. Live frugally and simply. Get outside and explore.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 7. Travel plans fall into place. Take care of business. Friends help you make an important connection. Let an authority figure know what’s really going on. If you break a rule, own up to it. Do what you say.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8. Defer gratification for now. Don’t argue with the rules. Focus on the job at hand. Figure out how to do it as you go along. The funding is undetermined. Love finds a way. Emotion wins over logic.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is an 8. Apply discipline to your studies, research and communications. Inhibit daydreaming for now. Take care of business first. Pass on an unrealistic offer. It’s not a good time for gambling or risky choices. Stick to basics, and relax afterwards.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8. Advance your career through a distant connection. Grab a time-sensitive opportunity. Get deals in writing. Slow down around corners and blind curves. Watch out for spills or mishaps. Work from home and get comfortable. Keep your promises.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7. Inspiration flowers. A professional opportunity entices you to make plans for the future. Invest in your career. Generate stability and forward momentum. A communications breakdown could thwart intentions. Take it easy and relax. Spread your wings tomorrow.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is an 8. Expand your horizons. Work together to realize a shared dream. Talking relieves confusion. Get help with the heavy lifting. Let your conscience be your guide. Do what seems right, even if nobody else knows.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9. Delve into unexplored regions. Learn new tricks. Work for what you want. Write down a dream. Find out what others need. Find ways to economize. Hold on to what you’ve achieved. A loved one believes in you.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8. Resist mediocrity. Vivid dreams fill your journal. Doubts and fears tempt toward complacency, but you have something to say. Learn from someone who inspires you. Practice your game, and build skills. Let your subconscious mind solve the problem.

DOT GAME

UNPLANNED PREGNANCY? Are you looking for a wonderful home and future for your child? We have been looking to share our love and lives with a child. Perhaps we are looking for each other. Kent State Graduate Please call 1-888-34-ADOPT code: 91704

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CROSSWORD


Page 8 | Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The Kent Stater


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