Talon
February/March 2012// Volume 17.
Harry Strange
Kennesaw State University’s Feature Magazine
letter from the editor Dear Readers.
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talon
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Free Speech
On the issue of patriotism, I am the guy to come to if you want people to read your publication. But if you want people to like your publication, then you should get away from me – fast. That’s why I was surprised when Talon came to me to write about this topic for this edition of their magazine. All kidding aside, patriotism is a very complex and fascinating topic. The one thing that makes the topic of patriotism stand apart from others is that it is much more prevalent on the right than the left. Generally, much of conservative political philosophy derives from individualism, while collectivistic views tend to be more often associated with liberals. Patriotism is a very collectivistic, very nationalistic idea. Yet, on this issue, you would have to be a fool to mess with conservatives and their patriotism. I, ladies and gentleman, am a fool. I won’t take you through the entire ordeal, but needless to say there was quite a bit of uproar from the conservative community over my column “Our patriotic traditions suck,” which appeared in the KSU Sentinel on September 21, 2010. There were two basic points behind this column. First, I wanted to point out that our traditions did not necessarily reflect much of the ideas that served as the foundation for the United States of America. Second, I wanted to highlight the inconsistency of conservatives who say that they believe in “limited government” yet engage in many behaviors that show a great deal of deference
to the state – all of which fall under the guise of patriotism. Conservatives did not take too kindly to my criticisms. Here are a few things that were said about me, paraphrased of course: I hated the troops; I was a socialist: I was being brainwashed by liberal college professors; I am snot-nosed brat who hasn’t lived in the real world. The list goes on and on. I mention the response to this column because I believe it illustrates what patriotism means in this country. My attempt to shed light on logical inconsistencies and, in my opinion, meaningless traditions really struck a nerve with people. It created an emotional reaction, which far exceeded my expectations. America is a patriotic country. Immediately after September 11, 2001, you were either with us or against us – this message came as much from the left as the right. In the days following the terrorist attacks, you would be hard-pressed to find a house without an American flag flying high or a “God Bless America” bumper sticker. For a while, the nation was truly united; albeit in grief, anger, and awe over what had just occurred. Then, we went to war with the Taliban in Afghanistan. There was broad support for this mission as many, on all sides, wanted retribution from the group that orchestrated the attacks. But then we went into another war. The government began increasing its surveillance and counter-terrorist efforts at home and abroad. The lines between what constituted reasonable searches and seizures or what qualified for cruel and unusual punishment were blurred. This is when the left and the right split. This
is not to say that the left became “unpatriotic” or began to “hate America.” This was just a time when the definition of patriotism became an issue. Did patriotism mean defending the policies of the country at all costs or did patriotism mean speaking out against policies with which you disagreed? I guess it depends which side you are on. For some on the left, the Tea Party is unpatriotic and for some on the right, Occupy Wall Street is unpatriotic. Does this mean that patriotism is just subjective or in the eye of the beholder? I believe that this shows the problems with patriotism as a whole. It becomes a term used to belittle the other side, when sometimes the accusation that the other side is unpatriotic undermines your argument. One who argues for upholding “American values” or “American ideals” can never really truly use the word “unpatriotic” to describe the other side. To do so would be to completely undermine the notion that you are fighting for American ideals. America is not like other countries, which have a past based in some sort of ethnic or nationalistic identity. Being French does not mean you simply come from France. For the natives, being French means a lot more. It is a cultural identity. To dissent from this French identity is unpatriotic. America is a country that is not founded on a set religion, language, ethnicity or culture. Instead, America is a country that was founded on ideas – ideas, which transcend all of the aforementioned characteristics.
One of these ideas happens to be freedom of speech, which stems from the idea of liberty. Patriotism is antithetical to liberty in two ways. First, to use patriotism or, rather, a lack of patriotism, as the argument for distrusting the other side stifles debate, stifles dissent and taken to its most extreme, can censor anything that goes against the party in power at the time. This is not what the founders envisioned. Few on either side are truly seeking to destroy the country as a whole, so it is intellectually dishonest to claim that some sort of malicious intent motivates their ideas. Second, the traditions that we often associate with patriotism are adverse to the idea of liberty. One cannot, on the one hand, claim that a nation is a free country and, on the other, scoff at those who dare not place their hand over their heart when the national anthem is performed. In conjunction with this fact, one cannot claim that they live in a free country with a limited government and then turn around and pledge allegiance to it or its flag. You owe nothing to the United States by virtue of the fact that you were born here. Patriotism in this country is probably not going anywhere anytime soon. But it doesn’t change the fact that it still sucks.
Justin is the Opinions Editor at The Independent Florida Alligator. He received his bachelor’s in political science from KSU. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Florida.
F**K YEAH AMERICA 3
Why Our Patriotism Sucks
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Occupy 6
Are Occupy Wall Street and other “Occupy” groups the answer or the antithesis to the Tea Party?
By Richie Essenberg
The funny thing about “Occupy Wall Street” is the reaction of conservative activists such as those in the Tea Party and news organizations that defend and propagate their message. Occupy Wall Street may not be the opposite of the Tea Party, but the ambiguity and diversity of those involved in their activism often mirror the latter, if only on the political spectrum. Just as with the Tea Party, mainstream media can’t quite put their finger on the message, intent, or demands of Occupy Wall Street. Sure, ambiguity or diversity can contribute to confusion or indeterminacy of a certain group and their goals, but the conservative reaction to these demonstrations only further indicates their ideology of picking and choosing of popular political movements that serve their interests. Once, the Tea Party was crazy mad about government bailouts and now the “Occupy” groups wish to hold those who received the bailouts accountable. Still, many in the Tea Party and those that support them denounce the Occupy groups. It is this coupling of views, this cognitive dissonance that is so problematic. One group rails against the bailouts, but when another seeks to hold those that were handed them accountable, the prior recants and paints the latter as reactionary and misguided. We are all fighting for the same thing. If you are mad and aren’t going to take it anymore with government bailouts, then
you should speak up and demand that those who received the bailouts not be allowed to pay themselves absurd bonuses and swim in their own Olympic-sized pool of cash. If these companies should be given the capital in order to continuing functioning then they should accountable to those that gave them the money in the first place: you and me. Our differences are not as disparate as they may seem. Tea Party Rallies held by top officials of the Republican party railing against the Affordable Care Act and grassroots Occupy groups alike should recognize the similarity of their discontent and demands. If one should doubt the organic organizing of different, country-wide “Occupy” groups, then one should also read the numerous articles that highlight how the established political parties wish to harness and represent those diverse views expressed in the current movements. Fox News, to no surprise, wishes to portray the Occupy protests as an especially leftist and even violent movement. In the weeks, months, and years proceeding the election of Barack Obama, the Tea Party rallies backed and facilitated by those such as Michelle Bachman, Dick Armey, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and several congressmen, the Tea Party, who are and should be rightly recognized as activists, congregated to voice their own views. Occupy Wall Street and other “Occupy” groups springing
Wall St reet
up around the country have been rightly characterized as more left-of-center. Still, they should be also recognized as representative of many in the U.S. The Fox News reaction to these protests—not rallies facilitated and funded by establishment Republicans—is characteristically bent on portraying them as illegitimate and misguided, as if the beginning and continued message of the Tea Party is any were any different. Ultimately, the Tea Party, their Super PACs, their establishment supporters, could not be more different and similar to the Occupy groups. They are mad; they are activists; they wish to influence the decisions of elected officials; and they act in the ways they see fit to affect change. The only difference: the sides of political spectrum and how they are portrayed in the media. Occupy Wall Street protests are often cited as and may well be unclear in their goals, complaints, and demands, but these are characteristically indicative of a populist, democratic movement. In the earlier days, the Tea Party lacked leaders and a message; some argue they still do, but their influence on politics, elections, and congressional action shows. Are Occupy Wall Street and other “Occupy” groups the answer or the antithesis to the Tea Party? Who knows. Is it a growing and influential group of people that wish to participate in the democracy promised to us by the United States government? Most definitely.
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Features
The
Revolution in Egypt By John DeFoor
A KSU Student’s Perspective January 25, 2011 – this day was originally intended to be National Police Day in Egypt. Instead it became a day of change: the beginning of the Egyptian Revolution against the almost 30 year reign of President Hosni Mubarak, a revolution which would eventually end with Mubarak’s resignation and a drastic transformation in Egypt. Kennesaw State University Master of Business Administration student, Nader Wahba, is from Cairo, Egypt and experienced the revolution first
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hand as well its aftereffects –an increase in crime, a decrease in business opportunities, and Nader almost being carjacked. Why the President Fell According to Nader, the revolution started in retaliation to the police for being so brutal. An article during the revolution from the Guardian, a British national newspaper, cites the WikiLeaks cables in a discussion of the brutality. One cable estimated that there were hundreds of cases of torture
each day at Cairo police stations. Middle class citizens often did not report crime such as theft in fear that the police would torture all the doormen and suspects. Such torture methods allegedly included electrical shock and sexual abuse to female detainees. As for everyday life, Nader said that giving the police tip money or “tea money” was routine, even when getting or renewing a license plate. “If you didn’t pay they wouldn’t let you go home.” The police would lose
paperwork and “make your life a living hell.” As for why he paid the police: “I buy by my dignity.” Nader also said the police were known for falsely accusing people of driving under the influence and planting drugs in people’s cars. President Mubarak kept a strong Internet police force as well. Those who complained about governmental policies online could find Amn El Dawla, meaning Security of the Nation, at their doorstep. Bloggers would often disappear. “You
didn’t want to get tangled with them,” Nader said. According to the Guardian, in 2009 about 160,000 bloggers were active in Egypt, usually those between the ages 20-25. These bloggers played a major role in the demonstrations at the beginning of the revolution, which, in return, led to the Egyptian government‘s decision to temporarily cut off the internet. Nader said the president failed in developing the country and the public education
system which contributed to his fall. While public education is generally free in Egypt, the quality of the education is dismal. Many high school graduates have trouble reading their own language. Meanwhile the wealthy attend accredited international schools which teach the students English and other languages. The poor never receive the proper education needed to get a wellpaying job. Thus the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. “A typical every day image
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would be me at a stoplight, finding the newest BMW and next to it a guy on a donkey and cart picking up garbage on the street for a living,” Nader said. Dr. Samia Siha, an Egyptain and a KSU professor in Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, calls it a never ending circle: “If you have money you’ll speak English and get an international good paying job. [For example] I might be smart but my parents couldn’t send me to an international school. I don’t have language or computer skills. So I would not be hired, they would hire the rich.” Siha said that people cannot afford the high prices of the food, even those who have graduated from college. Even government jobs are often low in pay because one job is divided among 3 or 4 people. Having many people employed looks good for the government’s employment percentages. Many people cannot afford the essentials. As for Nader and his life in Egypt, “I couldn’t complain.” Nader was able to attend New Cairio British International School. Both of his parents had jobs; his dad ran his own business. But through church outreach projects Nader was able
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to see the oppression of the Egyptian people.
“Mubarak stayed too long,” Siha said. “He closed his eyes… letting people steal and be dishonest. If he had stepped down after 8 years [as president] he would have been a hero.” Instead Mubarak stayed in power almost 30 years and planned for his son Gamal Mubarak to eventually become president. These plans would never come to fruition. During the Revolution January 25 started off like any other day for Nader. He went to work. He knew there would be protests, “It wasn’t the first time there was protests.” However more and more people showed up every day. While earlier protests were mostly non-violent, violence quickly took over. Nader said the government hired thugs on horses and camels to trample protesters. Nader was glued to the TV. Al Jazira, a major
television network based in Qatar, covered the majority of the revolution in Egypt. Nader said their reporters were always there reporting and on time with the latest events. The station even kept a hidden camera in Tahrir Square, the focal point of the revolution. A curfew was imposed and the people went into a new mode, buying all the food and supplies they could. “They didn’t know what was going to happen,” Nader said. Eventually the police were pulled off the streets as the military took lead, creating a power vacuum on the street. According to Nader, neighbors had to guard their own streets throughout the night from looters and thugs. These thugs also attacked police stations and stole police cars, uniforms, and guns. “We didn’t trust anyone who said they were police.” On February 11 while at his home, Nader heard that the president was about to step down and attempted to make his way to Tahrir Square. He didn’t make it as the road was totally blocked with people singing, dancing, drinking and shooting fireworks. Many cars were parked and left in the streets. Nader sat down on the top of his car, was joined by friends and waited for the announcement. The vice president of Egypt spoke: Mubarak would step down from his role as president, giving the reins over to the country’s military leaders for the time being. Al Jazira showed the resignation while the state news showed programming they felt was more important: “The state news station had a boat sailing down the Nile talking about how Egypt was a wonderful place,” Nader said. The night ended with celebration. Almasry Alyoum, an Egyptian media organization, reported that at least 684 Egyptians were killed during the revolution – most of them being students, workers, or people from the lower class.
Post-Revolution With the regime toppled and the police ordered not to tamper with the people, crime swiftly became prevalent. During the revolution guns were very cheap and easy to buy so many purchased firearms to defend themselves. “A bunch of people were buying guns they didn’t know how to use,” Nader said. Farid Ezzat Wahba, Nader’s father, found his business broken into twice. When he reported the first robbery to the police they simply replied, “Protect yourself.” In the first robbery the thieves only took cash, in the second robbery they removed a five-ton safe. Carjacking is another problem in parts of Egypt. “You’d be driving alone at night in no traffic when a car would try to cut you off,” Nader
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Nader aimed for it and hit the gas pedal. The large man was in between Nader’s car and the gap. Hitting the scarred man was a possibility, but the man gave way and Nader’s car broke free. Nader said the men followed them for six or seven miles in the city. A few cars passed them by oblivious to what was occurring. Eventually they lost them. Nader parked his car in front of a police station and took in what happened. According to an October article in Caravan, the student newspaper of the American University of Cairo, these incidents of carjacking, theft, and other crimes are more common since the revolution. These crimes occur more frequently on deserted highways and less populated areas. Due to crime like this and the uncertainty of the region, tourism has slowed in Egypt. According to an AFP article, tourism supports 10 percent of the country’s active population. In the first quarter of 2011, tourism was down 45.7 percent and in the second quarter down 35.4 percent. Nader said there are horse grave yards; with no tourists coming to visit, horses previously used on tourist trips have become unused and unfed. Nader volunteered at an animal shelter which organized weekly horse feedings to keep the starved skeletal animal alive.
said. Armed, the men often carry a bill of sale, forcing their victims to sell the car for nothing. According to Nader, he was almost among these victims. Almost Carjacked One night around 1 a.m., Nader drove his 1975 Super Beetle with two friends. They had just visited a house a friend was constructing and were on their way home down a deserted highway. No one else was around except one car – a beaten up white Nissan Sentra. The car had three men in it. The men in the car were staring at Nader and his friends. Nader figured it was because of his car. Once off the highway, the men in the other car waved for him to stop. At this point Nader had not registered danger as he figured the men wanted to buy his car –an offer he often
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heard. He slowed down. “Stop the car,” one of the men said, still waving. “Tell me what do you want?” Nader replied. Suddenly he realized how strange and dangerous the situation was. There were no other cars around them. They were alone. Nader drove off but the men followed in their car and cut him off, Nader’s Super Beetle skidded to a stop. “I told you to stop,” said the man, exiting the car. Nader estimated the man was between six-foot-two and six-foot-three, a big man wearing a checkered shirt. A scar ran from the man’s eye to mouth. Rather than be mugged and lose his car, Nader hit the gas. There was a small space between the other car and the sidewalk, barely enough room for a Super Beetle to fit through.
On the Road to KSU While in Egypt, Nader graduated with a degree in journalism and minor in business. He never used his journalism degree, instead finding himself more interested in business. Eventually Nader began working at Heineken, a beer company based out of Amsterdam. Nader worked to market Fayrouz –a non-alcoholic flavored malt drink. Summer was generally highly selling season for Heineken but the country was still unstable. Six locations were broken into. No one wanted to risk investing in the area so budgets were cut and profits down. “I had hit a plateau in my work,” Nader said. He had experience working in marketing, now he wanted theoretical experience. A MBA would be a perfect tool. Nader decided to go back to college. However he realized that many colleges in Egypt were not the accredited from the world’s perspective so he decided to leave Cairo. His parents supported his decision. “They definitely supported me. They didn’t want me to stay in the country.” Nader said. “I’m only getting one MBA so I might as well do it right… America is a better, organized way of
learning.” Nader began applying to a variety of colleges. He wanted to stay in the Atlanta area since his family often visited Atlanta for business. After making a few calls asking people about various colleges, Nader decided to come to KSU for his MBA. The Future of Egypt “I don’t see it getting any better in the next few years,” he said. His reason: No clear leader. Right now a variety of groups have risen seeking to take leadership of the country and currently the military is in control. According to CNN, elections for Parliament begin Nov. 28. The results will be announced in January after which work will begin on a new constitution. The presidential election will follow later that year. Nader fears the election will not happen the way he believes it should. He said, either the vote will be fixed or spoiled by people trying to gain power. He believes there is no trustworthy party to insure a fair voting process. Siha agrees. “The election does not make me feel better,” she said. Assuming the vote counting is free of corruption, she said that there is still a chance politicians could go to small towns and pay people for votes. Siha said Egypt needs someone who really loves the country, an assertive individual who will make the changes that need to be done. “I don’t think there is freedom now; there is chaos.” One major part of Egypt is slowly recovering: the tourism industry. According to AFP, the industry is starting to recover, expecting the number of tourists to reach 11 million by the end of the year. This amount is 75 percent of the number of tourists that arrived in Egypt last year. Egypt launched a new promotional campaign to bring in more revenue to the industry. Will Nader go back to Egypt after getting his MBA? “Currently if I go back there, there is no reason for someone to hire me” Nader said. “If I get a good job here, it would be better for me to stay in a developed country where an individual is treated valuably and not like they are 1 among 80 million.” Regardless, Nader still loves his country and hopes for the best. “It’s a gorgeous country,” he said. “It has amazing beaches and beautiful deserts.” That is the image he likes to call home. “My heart is aching from what is happening to it.”
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what we like A Andrew Bird Break it Yourself
fter Andrew Bird’s audience fell in love with the classically-trained songwriter’s first eleven albums, a few expectations were made about his music. What expectations, you ask? Well, Bird’s songs always provide amazing instrumentals perfectly interwoven with intricate, poetic lyrics. And, of course, the whistle that puts the brightest songbirds (no relation) to shame. Break it Yourself (Bella Union Records) somehow manages to rise above these incredibly high expectations and is one of those few, rare albums that will make a permanent home in your iPod or in your CD player. Each song is a complex hybrid of distant genres and styles that mysteriously blend together in a way that only Bird could accomplish so naturally. A perfect example of this would be the third track on Break it Yourself entitled “Danse Caribe”. It begins as a humble tune that reminds listeners of old-school country (Johnny Cash/Dolly Parton-era) then suddenly the soft guitar strings are gently replaced by Caribbean drums only then to transition the song into an Irish Folk instrumental led by a solo on the fiddle. The result of Break it Yourself as an entire album is what most bands and songwriter’s try to capture in one song. Andrew Bird makes music that stays with listeners long after the song is over. Bird makes music that makes people think and his twelfth record is no exception. Break it Yourself, an early front-runner for 2012’s Best Album of the Year¸ goes on sale March 6, 2012.
By: Daniel Lumpkin
photo credit Cameron Wittig
Be sure to catch Andrew Bird at The Tabernacle in Atlanta on March 17th.
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Features In
Georgia, when the heat begins to dissipate and the leaves turn colors seemingly overnight, one thing can always be counted on: the start of the North Georgia State Fair ad campaign. Beginning in mid-September, television is bombarded with commercials for the fair, full of flashing, colorful lights and quick cuts from one ride to another. Shots of sausages and corn dogs fly past you on the screen screaming, “This is what America is all about! Come on, Georgia, let’s eat!” It had been years since I was at any kind of fair and this particular fair promised to be one of the biggest, most comprehensive fairs in the South. And I secretly hoped that maybe, just maybe, the ads would stop if I went. I couldn’t refuse. The state fair lives at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta, Ga., about 20 minutes north of Atlanta. My wife and I were directed to park in a large, dusty grass field just across the street from one entrance to the fair. Even from that distance we could hear the clanking of metal rides and the screams of the riders. The sun was still up but the thousands of lights lining the rides and food stands were already flashing and blinking and drawing you in. It’s hard to resist a fair from across the street. We left the car and joined a large crowd of families and young couples being herded toward a crosswalk manned by police officers directing traffic. The fair drew closer, the noises louder, and the screams from the rides more shrill. I tried to imagine the sight as if I were a small child—huge flashing rides, calliope music and the alluring fear of a roller coaster. My wife reminded me that, in most situations, I wasn’t too far from being a small child. I probably glared at her, but the energy from the fair makes it easier to forgive, so I continued to
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Consider the Fair By: Ryan Schill
walk with her across the street to the fair. The first thing I noticed when I walked through the entrance gate was the smell— sweet and earthy, built layer on layer by a full spectrum of food scents pushing and shoving to win your attention; the air was thick with the smells of too many fried foods, sausages and hot dogs. I was home. I was at the fair. And I suddenly very was hungry. We entered at the midway entrance and were confronted by dozens of games stands where I could try my luck at winning unnecessarily large stuffed animals. Or a pair of thong underwear with the Confederate flag splashed across its (very small) front. I had options: I could throw a dart at a balloon or throw a basketball into what appeared to be a suspiciously small hoop. The fair workers (is it considered rude to refer to them as carneys?) hollered at me to come over and give their game a shot.
When I politely declined or—after the sixth or seventh carney yelled at me—I did my best to ignore them completely, they began calling to my wife. Surely, I was not manly enough, they insinuated, to be worthy of such a fine lady. Fortunately, trying my luck at their game would afford me the chance to earn my wife’s admiration and affection. I took her hand and kept walking. As we moved along through the crowd the game stands were slowly replaced by food stands. This was more my speed. If you like to eat unhealthy food, this is the place for you. If you think deep-frying an Oreo cookie or a Snickers bar is a good idea, this is the place for you. The fair was full of food stands offering an array of culinary abominations that were, frankly, delicious. Deep-fried Oreos: Oreo cookie, batter, powdered sugar. It gets all melty inside. It was glorious. There are, of course, plenty of
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opportunities to eat classic fair foods like funnel cake and corn dogs. The corn dogs were probably a foot long. My stomach felt heavy just from looking. Other stands offered Italian sausages, gyros or nachos. Lemonade was plentiful. Every third or fourth stand offered ham-cured turkey legs the size of a full turkey. I would be frightened to ever meet the turkey that leg came from. And I believe I still could meet that turkey, because simply taking its leg would not kill anything that large. It would just get mad. Moving along past the stands and carnival workers, my wife spotted a food stand that offered something I had never heard of before, an elephant ear. “That doesn’t sound very good,” I said to her. Still nervous from the large, mutant turkey legs, an elephant ear was not the next best option. “It’s good,” she responded. She walked away from me and bought one without waiting to hear any further grumbling from me. Seriously, elephant ears? I went to sit a picnic table while she bought it. What she brought back to me certainly looked like an elephant ear, but its shape was in no way indicative of its flavor. For those unfamiliar (as I was), an elephant ear is apparently a mid-western concoction or a sheet of fried dough brushed with melted butter and sprinkled liberally with cinnamon sugar. It was amazing. It was one of the greatest things I had ever eaten. Washing it down with lemonade was the perfect lunch for a hot afternoon in Georgia. Of course, my stomach felt five pounds heavier after eating, which made the subsequent walking much more difficult. But we trekked on. Then we saw them—giant human hamster balls for children. We stood dumbfounded. Children were inserted (er, assisted?) into oversized inflatable balls and then rolled into some sort of inflatable Thunderdome where
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they competed like miniature American Gladiators, that is if they were able to hold onto the restraints inside the ball. Otherwise they would get rolled. But they were all laughing, so I think they liked it. Further in we found more slightly odd children’s attractions. There was a humongous inflatable shark (noticing a trend?) with a slide running through its open mouth. Children climbed to the top and then slid down one hundred feet into the shark’s mouth, laughing and screaming the whole way. Or there was the “World’s Largest Rat” that apparently lived in a dumpster on a stage. One dollar got you a peek. The midway behind us, we ventured into the exhibit halls. There we found emus, peacocks and goats in pens across from chickens and one very noisy rooster who kept cockadoodledoing all afternoon. The emu liked to have his picture taken but he still made you work for it, ducking just out of sight the moment you got a fix on him and focused you lens. He enjoyed the game. There was also a petting zoo. Petting zoos could only exist in a free-market, capitalist society. The owner provides animals and allows you the privilege of feeding them. All you have to do is pay for the food that he sells. So in essence, you buy food from him so that you may feed his animals for him. It’s really a brilliant business strategy. My wife and I did not ride any roller coasters or spinning teacups. We may be young at heart, but our stomachs have aged faster. Those who were on the rides enjoyed them. They screamed a lot, though. But with the night closing in and the flashing lights getting brighter as the sun set behind food stands, we decided to head for home. Our feet were sore, our stomachs begged for rest, and I was worried I would get run over by an overzealous child in an escaped inflatable hamster ball. Walking back through the midway
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what we like
Sarah Jarosz Influences of a Young Songwriter
By: Daniel Lumpkin Photos by: Cameron Wittig
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W
ith two critically-acclaimed studio albums and a Grammy nomination to her name, singer/songwriter Sarah Jarosz, 20, is kicking off the new year with a small tour before heading back to school at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Jarosz began her journey in music as a young girl growing up in Wimberley, Texas and is quick to credit the support from her parents for her career. “Probably one of my earliest influences in terms of songwriting would be my parents, specifically my mom. She has written songs and played on guitar just as a hobby her whole life. Just having someone to write down little ideas and make me think of the world in, perhaps a more poetic way than I would, that was a huge part of it.” Jarosz’s parents also encouraged her to attend local bluegrass gatherings and summer music camps to help her grow as a musician. “It came from being surrounded at an early age by people doing the traditional music, like bluegrass. I started going to a weekly, Friday-night bluegrass jam in my hometown. Also, going to these camps and festivals in the summer and getting to meet people my own age who (were) also into this music. Without (my parent’s) support, I wouldn’t have been able to go to those camps and festivals growing up that were so important to me in my life. I definitely feel fortunate they are so encouraging of what I do.” A month after graduating high school, Jarosz released her first album Song Up In Her Head (Sugar Hill Records) and moved out to Boston to study Contemporary Improvisation at The New England Conservatory of Music. Her song “Mansinneedof” received a Grammy nomination in the “Best Country Instrumental Performance” category. Two years later Jarosz released her second album Follow Me Down (Sugar Hill Records) and some of the greatest names in music made an appearance on this album, including: Shawn Colvin, The Punch Brothers, Béla Fleck, Darrel Scott, Dan
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Tyminski, Vince Gill and Jerry Douglas. One of the main differences between her freshman and sophomore releases can be heard in her lyrics. The songs are written from the perspective of a more mature artist who has transitioned from asking questions about the world to stating poetic verses based on her own experiences. “The changes I had gone through in the two years between the first and second record,” Jarosz said, discussing the differences between her two albums. “Not only the huge musical changes, but the personal changes, I think, made its way into the songs. It was a big time in my life. I moved away from Texas and came here to Boston and started school.” While the Texas native prepares for several shows in cities throughout the south, audiences can look forward to hearing her originals as well as her covers of popular artists such as Radiohead, The Decemberists, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. Jarosz pays homage to the artists and bands that she feels helped influence her as a musician.
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