March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

T hu r s day , M a rc h 22, 2018

Volume 86 Public Policy Lecture

Fake news and spies: Clint Watts set to talk 2016 election

BY FABBIENE BOGARDUSSTREET STAFF WRITER Clint Watts, former FBI agent and foreign policy and cyber security expert, will be on campus on Wednesday, April 4 to talk about how Russia used social media and cyberwarfare leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

Watts, an NBC News contributor, will be giving a lecture called “Russian Spies, Social Media and Fake News: An Inside Look at Russia’s Cyberwarfare Campaign Against American Democracy” in Church Street Center’s Eleanor Furst Roberts Auditorium. The lecture, part of the Public Policy lecture series funded by the Ruth Proud Charitable Trust, is free and open to the public.

“I am very excited to see what Mr. Watts has to say as this is a topic that has gotten a lot of media attention, but sometimes with a lot of hyperbole and not enough rigor,” said David Cupery, assistant professor of political

Issue 7 Women’s Center

MCLA celebrates women’s history

BY MAYA MCFADDEN STAFF WRITER

photo from mcla.edu

Clint Watts is a former FBI agent and is considered an expert on foreign policy. and social media and the science and public policy.

“Our elections are so news play an enormous role important to our democracy Watts page 2

The Susan B. Anthony Women’s Center is celebrating Women’s History Month by hosting almost 20 events on campus this March for students and faculty to honor brave women from the past and present who have made a difference.

“You cannot move forward without knowing the past,” said Amanda Beckwith, coordinator of the Women’s Center.

“Without the knowledge and understanding of our past, we have no power in the future.”

The Women’s Center was created over 20 years ago and is part of the Student Affairs Division at MCLA. “They Call Me Q” is an upcoming event arranged by the Center to bring the solo play’s writer and performer, Qurrat Ann Kadwani, to campus for a performance and Q&A open to the campus community on Tuesday, March 27.

According to its mission

statement, “the Center focuses on empowering students such as women, men, and non-binary gender individuals to stand against oppression.”

The center also provides workshops and programs to support students’ efforts for social change and personal empowerment.

“This month is important to me because women are continuously underestimated and underappreciated and now is a time to celebrate,” said sophomore Karissa Barbosa.

“We’ve been overlooked, underappreciated, and misrepresented.

Our contributions, inventions, and achievements deserve to be recognized and celebrated,” said sophomore Nia Little.

Due to weather, Beckwith said that some events, such as the Women’s Center Wednesday International Women’s Day tabling about putting women back into history with political

Women page 2

Softball and baseball start their season LAST YEAR OVERALL RECORD: 5-26 LAST YEAR FLORIDA TRIP: 0-10

Softball

THIS YEAR FLORIDA TRIP: 2-8 RETURNING MEMBERS: Kara Adams, Kaitlyn Berghela, Morgan Watson, Kayla Baker, Ashley Wilson, Francesca Belli, Erika Quackenbush, Nevada Nelsen

Photo from MCLA Athletics

NEW MEMBERS: Samantha Feinstein, McKayla Brown, Julia Parker, Trinity Shellard, Alanza Quinones, Kaylyn Holliday, L’Rae Brundige

MCLA’s softball team celebrating a run.

Baseball

LAST YEAR OVERALL RECORD: 12-18 LAST YEAR FLORIDA TRIP: 4-5 THIS YEAR FLORIDA TRIP: 6-3 RETURNING MEMBERS: Mark Morel, Bill Pulasky, Brett LaBonte, Joe DiMassimo, Logan Rumbolt, Ben Durland, Frank Rickus, Kevin Speach, Shawn James, Brendan Kelly, Christian Seariac, Kody Crosier, Sam Haaf, Antonio Archina, Bobby New, Joe Buonemani, Joe Toledo, Nick DiSanti, Liam Nolan, Schuyler Robinson, Brody Farnum NEW MEMBERS: Brandon Condon, Tyler Cowdrey, Jeff Bink, Isaac Marx, Jake Ferrara, Hayden Bird, Ryan Ruef

Photo from MCLA Athletics

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March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

Senator Baillargeon not removed from office, 3 new members to class councils

Watts from page 1 in the functioning and health of our society, so having someone with expertise to speak to all of this is a great luxury,” Cupery said. “The fact that it involves a great power rivalry (between the U.S. and Russia) is of added interest to me as a student and teacher of international relations.”

Watts is a Robert A. Fox Fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Program on the Middle East, and is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at The George Washington University. Watts serves as a consultant and researcher, working to predict, counter and eliminate threats from both state and non-state actors.

“He is one of our country’s most knowledgeable and most-respected voices on a topic that is of growing concern and national attention: cyber security as it relates to our elections, social

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sworn in during the meeting.

SGA’s spring general elections are approaching with all positions available. Nomination papers are available as of March 22 with final papers due April 5. Papers can be found at the SGA office on the third floor of the Campus Center, CC 316.

If necessary, primary elections will take place on April 12 in the Campus Center. Final elections will take place on April 17 and 18 in the same location.

SGA was visited by Chief of Police Dan Colonno and Vice President of Administration & Finance Lawrence Behan. Each spoke about the inner workings of their jobs and answered questions posed by SGA and the gallery.

According to Colonno, work is being done about solving problems with the emergency blue lights and their solar panels being blocked by snow as well as lockdown procedures in the various buildings around campus. The proposal of a “panic room” in the library was discussed in the possibility of an armed assailant.

M

This week Senator Andrew Baillargeon ’19 faced impeachment regarding a violation of Student Government Association (SGA) law.

Baillargeon is an E-board member of two separate clubs, participating as president of Debate Club and vice president of WJJW. He was also involved in SGA’s Budget Finance Committee (BFC) during time spent in planning club budgets. While one circumstance or the other is allowed, both combined goes against SGA’s constitution.

Knowledge of the violation came to the Senate’s attention with the release of several screenshots of messages exchanged between Baillargeon and other members of Debate Club’s E-board.

These were exchanged during SGA’s meeting on March 5, which concluded with the Debate Club receiving a $2,000 increase to their budget, diverted from the budget of

the Student Activities Council.

The violation of SGA’s constitution was performed with permission and in knowledge of Treasurer Katie Howe ’20 and Coordinating Vice President Kolumbia Cook ’18. Howe was not present for the meeting, but Cook explained that Baillargeon’s work on the BFC was required due to the lack of regular attendance by its members.

Parliamentarian Dean Allen Little ’21 removed himself from the position during discussions for his part regarding Baillargeon’s articles of impeachment.

In the end, the matter was settled as an example of miscommunication.

Baillargeon was not removed from office and will continue to serve on SGA’s senate.

To fill vacancies within class councils, three new members were appointed to SGA. The position for class of 2019 secretary will be taken

by Ally Thienel, class of 2018 treasurer will be Jake Boillat, and class of 2019 treasurer will be Moira Mathieu. Thienel and Boillat were both

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Behan reported on the work being done toward Mark Hopkins Hall’s renovation. He plans for the project to be along the same scope as Bowman Hall’s, costing around $16 million. Campus Center changes to the Centennial Room have been pushed back to the summer of 2019 due to obstructions with current work being done to the Campus Center pathways.

The Student Government Association meets in Murdock 218 on Mondays at 7 p.m.

Women from page 1 media relations and the quality of our democracy,” Cupery commented on why Watts was chosen to speak at MCLA. “He has been a chief witness in congressional hearings on the subject and a regular media contributor and published author,” Cupery added. “Those of us on the committee think this will be a topic that people are excited to learn more about, just as we are.”

According to the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Watts’ research focus is modeling to predict trends in terrorism. Watts uses trends to develop and implement training protocols intended to respond to anticipated problems, which can involve working with the military, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and private sector.

Watts applied his research to recent issues with Russian influence through social media.

“I think this talk is important

for all of our students, since they all use social media, consume some sort of news, and are citizens of our great yet imperfect democracy,” Cupery continued, “but I think the lecture will be of particular interest for students of communications, political science, computer science, history and any type of international studies.”

The lecture will be held at 7 p.m., but there will also be an opportunity for students to meet Watts and ask questions at 3 p.m. in Murdock 218.

“The College works very hard to get speakers of this caliber to visit MCLA. It is a luxury that students shouldn’t miss out on,” Cupery said. “Come out and check it out and feel free to ask questions.”

More information about Clint Watts can be found on the Foreign Policy Research Institute website.

science and public policy professor Samantha Petty, were cancelled and are still finding a place back into the schedule.

“It’s important for people to know these women and the effects they had on the world,” Beckwith said.

While numerous events are planned for the month, Beckwith said that the Center is struggling to achieve significant attendee turnouts for events. In hopes to combat the issue, the Center is promoting its events through Snapchat and other social media platforms.

“It’s hard to get students to

Are you an SGA Club?

Your first ad in the paper is on the house!

Contact Business Manager Mitchell Chapman at mc7368@mcla.edu for details.

come to things, but we’re up for the challenge,” Beckwith said.

Charlotte Donnelly and Jordan Baroni are students who have contributed to arranging events for the month like Women’s Center Wednesdays.

“All the students who work here in the Center have had an impact on what we’re doing,” Beckwith said.

The Women’s Center’s collaborations and events this month are dedicated to informing students of a variety of women’s successes and contributions to history.

March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

NATIONALNEWS

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Rand Paul on last-minute federal budget: ‘A rotten, terrible’ way to govern

By Lesley Clark McClatchy Washington Bureau WASHINGTON _ With Congress teetering on the brink of its third government shutdown in three months, Sen. Rand Paul still hasn’t seen the details of a new budget bill that’s likely to be 1,000 pages long _ and he’s not pleased.

That matters because it was Paul, R-Ky., who last month single-handedly prevented Congress from speedily moving ahead on a sweeping budget deal, triggering a short government shutdown as he protested his own Republican Party’s deficit spending.

This time, Paul hasn’t yet decided on whether he’ll seek to slow the measure, but he’s clearly unhappy with the closed door talks, telling McClatchy in an interview this is a “rotten, terrible, no good way to run your government.”

In two conversations with McClatchy, Paul said he’d make up his mind after he sees the $1.3 trillion spending plan,

which Republican leaders had hoped to produce last week but were working round the clock with Democrats to finish Wednesday. Details are expected to be finalized later in the day.

“You have to know what’s in it,” Paul said. “Really, should we be looking at 1,000 page bills with 24 hours to decide what’s in them? It’s really not a good way to run your government.”

Paul infuriated fellow Republicans last month when he took to the Senate floor to decry a spending bill. He told McClatchy this time he’s still incensed by his party’s willingness to bust spending caps.

“That’s why I gave them a piece of my mind the last time around. I’m upset that we’re spending like every Democrat that we criticized,” Paul said. “I ran for office because I thought the Obama spending and trillion dollar annual deficits were a real problem for our country and now Republicans are doing the same thing.

“So I’m giving them the same grief I gave Obama.”

Republican lawmakers assailed Paul last month for his decision to push the vote into the early morning hours to protest what he said was excess spending, with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, calling it “grossly irresponsible.” But Paul said this week that he’s not faced any pressure so far this time.

Senate and House leadership said they remained optimistic about reaching a deal before government funding is due to expire Friday. The House could vote as soon as Thursday, and the Senate could follow Friday.

It only takes a single senator, though, to hold up Senate proceedings. photo from Tribune News Service As for a potential blockade by Paul, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., Clint Watts is a former FBI agent and is shrugged his shoulders: “Sen. Paul, considered an expert on foreign policy. well he’s Sen. Paul.”

Trump congratulates Putin on his re-election, and gets blistered by McCain

By Noah Bierman and Tracy Wilkinson Tribune Washington Bureau WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump recounted for reporters on Tuesday his “very good call” to congratulate newly re-elected President Vladimir Putin, drawing a searing blast from Sen. John McCain, who said Trump had “insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election.”

“An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections,” McCain, R-Ariz., said in a statement and on his Twitter account.

News of the Trump-Putin call came first from the Kremlin _ foreign governments often disclose contacts with Trump before the White House, and with more information _ prompting reporters to question the president about the call during a brief session in the Oval Office.

“We had a very good call,” Trump said, “and I suspect that we’ll be meeting in the not-too-distant future to discuss the arms race, which is getting out of control.”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders offered little clarification about a future meeting of the two presidents. “There are no specific

plans made at this time,” she told reporters.

Trump spoke to reporters as an Oval Office visitor, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, looked on. His conversation with Putin came as the president is coming under increasing and widespread criticism for his refusal to confront Putin about Russia’s hacking and disinformation efforts to destabilize U.S. politics and, more recently, about its alleged assassination attempt in Britain using a militarygrade nerve agent against Russian expatriates there.

Though some Republicans have joined the criticism of Trump’s rapport

with Putin, few have been as outspoken as McCain, the longtime Senate Armed Services Committee chairman who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer.

More typical of Republican reaction was a comment from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was noncommittal on Trump’s call to Putin, saying, “The president can call whomever he chooses.”

Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, implicitly rebuked Trump on Twitter, writing: “Putin does not deserve congratulations for his sham reelection.

He made the outcome inevitable by si-

Trump page 4

This week in audio...

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENT

The sights and sounds of Cuba

TAKING COURSES AT MCLA THIS SUMMER? FINANCIAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE TO HELP!

By Jacob Vitali For Spring break, I traveled to the Republic of Cuba as part of one of the College’s spring travel courses. The experience had us spending days in Havana, Trinidad, and Playa Larga, with additional stops in Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Playa Giron.

In this week’s audio story, listen to a variety of sounds from Cuba, with a strong emphasis on street musicians, while exploring photographs I took during the course of the trip.

STOP BY THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IN ELDRIDGE HALL TO COMPLETE A SUMMER FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION. **********************

IT’S SCHOLARSHIP TIME! THE 2018-19 MCLA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW LIVE! APPLY ON-LINE AT MCLA.AWARDSPRING.COM MARCH 25TH DEADLINE DATE!!

photo by Jacob Vitali

Vintage American cars are a common scene in Cuba with a permeating scent of gasoline.

NATIONALNEWS

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March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

A week in history: Give me ‘Howl’ or death March 22nd

1621 – The Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony sign a peace treaty with Massasoit of the Wampanoags.

1765 – The British Parliament passes the Stamp Act that introduces a tax to be levied directly on its American colonies.

1972 – The United States Congress sends the Equal Rights Amendment to the states for ratification.

March 23rd

1775 – American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech – “Give me liberty, or give me death!” – at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia.

1806 – After traveling through the Louisiana Purchase and reaching the

Pacific Ocean, explorers Lewis and Clark and their “Corps of Discovery” begin their arduous journey home.

1977 – The first of The Nixon Interviews (12 will be recorded over four weeks) are videotaped with British journalist David Frost interviewing former United States President Richard Nixon about the Watergate scandal and the Nixon tapes.

March 24th

1765 – Great Britain passes the Quartering Act, which requires the Thirteen Colonies to house British troops.

1829 – The Parliament of the United Kingdom passes the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829, allowing Catholics to serve in Parliament.

Photos from WikimediaCommons

March 26th

1812 – A political cartoon in the Boston Gazette coins the term “gerrymander” to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection.

1904 – Joseph Campbell, American mythologist and author, is born.

2005 – Around 200,000 to 300,000 Taiwanese demonstraters demonstrate in Taipei in opposition to the Anti-Secession Law of the People’s Republic of China.

March 27th

March 25th

A 19th century depiction of Patrick Henry speaking before the Virginia Assembly.

1965 – Civil rights activists led by Martin Luther King Jr. successfully complete their four-day 50-mile march from Selma to the capital in Montgomery, Alabama.

1199 – Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France, leading to his death on April 6.

1584 – Sir Walter Raleigh is granted a patent to colonize Virginia.

1957 – United States Customs seizes copies of Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” on obscenity grounds.

A bit of snow and rain High: 40° Low: 28° Precip. Chance: 60%

Saturday, March 24

Mainly Sunny High: 41° Low: 28° Precip. Chance: 5%

March 28th

37 – Roman emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.

1795 – Partitions of Poland: The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, a northern fief of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, ceases to exist and becomes part of Imperial Russia.

1990 – United States President George H. W. Bush posthumously awards Jesse Owens the Congressional Gold Medal.

Olympic sprinter and American hero, Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics.

1625 – Charles I becomes King of England, Scotland and Ireland as well as claiming the title King of France.

1794 – The United States Government establishes a permanent navy and authorizes the building of six frigates.

1866 – President Andrew Johnson

Weekend Weather

Thursday, March 22

vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

His veto is overridden by Congress and the bill passes into law on April 9.

2014 – The Philippines signs a peace accord with the largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, ending decades of conflict.

Friday, March 23

Times of clouds High: 42° Low: 28° Precip. Chance: 4%

Sunday, March 25

Mostly Cloudy High: 36° Low: 24° Precip. Chance: 20%

Trump from page 3 lencing and disqualifying any credible opposition.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is McCain’s close friend but less publicly critical of Trump, echoed McCain’s critique of Putin’s re-election on Sunday without mentioning Trump. He tweeted: “Congratulations to Russian President Putin on his Fake Victory in the Fake Election.

Heaven help the 25 percent who didn’t vote for him!”

Putin was re-elected on Sunday with more than 77 percent of the vote against a weak field of opposition candidates.

Trump told reporters that he and Putin discussed matters related to North Korea, Syria and Ukraine. He made no mention of Russia’s election meddling or its alleged attack in Britain March 4.

Later, asked whether Trump raised the subject of Moscow’s U.S. election interference, Sanders said, “I don’t

believe it came up.”

Sanders sidestepped a question from reporters about whether the Russian election was free and fair.

“We don’t get to dictate how other countries operate,” Sanders said.

Asked about McCain’s criticism, Sanders said the administration is “tough when necessary” on Russia, but must maintain a dialogue with Moscow.

Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats because of the nerve-agent attack, and Putin retaliated in kind. The United States has not taken similar action against Russia for the attack, though the Trump administration last week sanctioned 19 individuals and five entities for their roles in the 2016 campaign meddling.

The administration also officially joined Britain, France and Germany to condemn the nerve-agent attack. Trump has not personally weighed in, however.

Our 45 Year Anniversary Show starts March 24th 7p.m. in Sullivan Lounge w/ SAC & TFS

March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

FEATURES

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Spring breakers around MCLA

BY MEGHAN COOK FEATURES EDITOR

LGBTQ+ movement. Students were able to see how the city has transitioned and how different genders, sexualities, and races have shaped it.

“It was really cool to see all of the people who came before me, as an LGBTQ+ person, plus the weather was beautiful,” explained Gallant. “It’s great to see academics in action. Sometimes we get lost in homework and papers and forget why we’re studying this at all.”

Back down in the Sunshine State, it was time to really start baseball season for MCLA’s team. Finally able to play outside in sun, the team had a record of 6-3 over the course of their week. Being new to the team, freshman Ryan Ruef thoroughly enjoyed his time down there.

“Florida was incredible, it was a brand-new experience doing my favorite thing every day and competing on such a high level,” Ruef explained. “The week with the guys on the team was awesome and we made some great memories down there.”

While Massachusetts was hit with another nor’easter, MCLA’s baseball team was soaking up the sun.

“It was also great to escape the cold weather for a bit and get some sun,” said Ruef. “Fantastic experience overall.”

From North Adams to Japan, MCLA students got a much-needed break from school, and made some memories too. With the end of the semester fast-approaching, students are refreshed and ready to conquer it.

After enjoying the extra cushion of a snow day or two, MCLA students took off for spring break. From embarking on travel courses to baseball down in Florida, students went all over to have fun on break.

For a classic take on spring break, Mo Robblee flew down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for some sun, sand, and a little people-watching.

“It was nuts, there were just so many people in one place,” said Robblee.

Fort Lauderdale is one of the most well-known spring break destinations. Every year during the month of March it is crawling with people from 18-22 years old. Robblee was among the college student invasion, but he still had a relaxing time on the beach.

“The time on the beach was really good for my soul, the sun for my spirit, and the waves cleansed me of all my stress,” said Robblee with an easy smile. “But even when I was having such a great time, school was always in the back of my head!”

Some students opted for a quieter time and stayed on campus tucked beneath the blanket of snow. JuPhoto provided by Bethany Fontana nior Katie Mancini spent her spring A Japanese castle located in Matsumoto with the Japanese Alps in the background. break catching up on some leisure activities.

“It was weird being on campus, Fontana. “This trip helped me kind “I got to indulge in hobbies, like sometimes it felt like I was the only of certify that belief and made me drawing, and got to do things I don’t one here,” Mancini said. “It was want to go back because of how normally have time for during the nice to relax and not have to think much I loved it.” week,” said Mancini. “It was nice to about school.

I definitely made an Prior to this she had never left the wake up and not have a schedule.” amazing pillow fort!” country, so embarking on this voyUnlike Robblee, there was less of Next stop is the Big Apple, or it age was especially significant. crowd for Mancini and she was able was for Rachel Grzelak and Mitchell “I feel like this is a spring break I to put school out of her head for a McCauley. They spent some time in will never forget and will always be while.

New York to enjoy some of the city my favorite,” Fontana said. “Even if scene. there were hard times it was great “Mitchell and I went to go see the to hang out with everyone and to Broadway show ‘The Play That Goes get to experience a culture like Wrong.’ Which turned out to be hi- this.” larious and worth it 100 percent,” Besides Japan, there were a varisaid Grzelak. “We also visited grad ety of travel courses offered this seschools we were both interested in mester, including the Civil Rights like Columbia and did a lot of shop- Bus Tour, Paris, and Cuba. Junior ping.”

Lauren Mangiardi packed her bags However, before the excitement and crossed the pond for London, could begin, Grzelak had to give England. academics her attention first. She “Going to London was an experispent a few days working on intern- ence of a lifetime,” said Mangiardi. ship applications before setting off “I made memories and friends who for the city. will last me forever and I can hon“Once the NYC trip rolled around estly say I wouldn’t change a single it was the best time! To just finally thing.” not have my computer on me and to Along with English/Communicanot touch Canvas for a few days was tions professor Rosanne Denhard amazing,” said Grzelak. “I am actu- students of the “Arts of Medieval & ally glad to be back. The break was a Renaissance Britain” travel course nice refresher and now I feel ready visited Shakespeare’s Globe Theto finish out junior year.” atre, the National Portrait Gallery, The 12-day Japan travel course, Victoria & Albert Museum, and the which was instructed by history, River Thames. political science, and public policy Lianne Gallant went on the professor Kailai Huang, brought “Queer San Francisco” travel students to cities like Tokyo, to cas- course instructed by sociology protle towns, and to the Japanese Alps. fessor Sumi Colligan.

Junior Bethany Fontana was among “It was an amazing opportunity,” the students who flew across the Pa- said Gallant. “Usually I just stay on cific. campus or go home for break, but “This trip personally impacted me Sumi is retiring and it was my last because of the fact that it’s been a chance so I went for it.”

Photo courtesy of Rachel Grzelak Photo provided by Lianne Gallant dream of mine to go to Japan and The course explores San Fran- Playbill for “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

The pride flag waving in San Francisco. even to move over there,” explained cisco’s significant history in the

6

Arts & Entertainment

‘The Shape of Water,’ del Toro win at the Oscars

BY BRIANNA LAMB A&E WRITER Director Guillermo del Toro celebrated a huge victory at the Oscars when his stunning and touching film “The Shape of Water” won Best Picture.

Del Toro’s concept of Mexican magic realism, something he includes in many of his films, is woven throughout the Cold Warera story of a mute woman named Elisa whose life is changed forever when she discovers a bond with an amphibian man kept in a laboratory and seen as disgusting by most.

The fantasy plots of del Toro’s movies often involve political or current events and “The Shape of Water” is no exception. Highlighting the acceptance of others who don’t fall into the majority and loving beyond the material and physical boundaries, this film portrays the lives of those alone, isolated, or mistreated working together for justice.

The film is full of symbolism that does not blatantly show itself, but blends it within this grown-up fairy

tale.

The characters were immediately likeable, with vibrant and defined personalities. Elisa, played by Sally Hawkins, has a daily routine of getting ready in her small apartment and going to work. She only has two friends (with whom she uses sign language to communicate), but each brings so much energy to the screen.

Zelda, played by Octavia Spencer, works with Elisa, sharing stories, gossip and a strong friendship which cements itself even more later on in the movie.

Giles, played by Richard Jenkins, is an older gay man and struggling advertisement illustrator. He and Elisa are each other’s confidants and look after one another in their small apartments above an old movie theater.

The relationships between these characters seemed remarkably relatable with quick wit, deep emotions and complexity that was established surprisingly fast.

Similarly, hating the villains was incredibly easy as their character development become bleaker and slimier.

photo from IMDB

“The Shape of Water” won three awards at the 90th Oscars on March 4.

Although the antagonist’s character was enjoyable, at times he was too obvious and almost cliché as a villain, although this aspect did lend itself to the plot well and did not stand out on its own.

The script was written to fit specific roles, and del Toro even had Hawkins in

mind when creating the character Elisa. It was then only a matter of casting her.

Spencer was also very eager to work on the film.

“The Shape of Water” is visually striking, with the overarching color scheme being multiple shades of green, whether this is represented by props and outfits or the general color palette of the scene and its setting.

Del Toro is known for using vivid colors in his works; in his film “Crimson Peak,” the theme was red. The movie is also stylistically similar to his 2006 film “Pan’s Labyrinth.”

The film’s score is haunting and has a tendency to get stuck in your head, which isn’t a bad thing. The melodies flow like water, blending with the surreal quality of the movie. Even from the opening scene, the audience knows this isn’t an ordinary tale.

Much of the inspiration for “The Shape of Water” came from the 1954 movie “The Creature from the Black Lagoon,” a movie that was one of del Toro’s favorites as a child in Mexico.

Using the idea of a monster

movie turned love story defying all odds, del Toro created a masterpiece.

While some critics have only been looking at the surface content of the movie, berating it for its seemingly childish idea or inappropriate romance, they fail to look at the message beneath the surface. It shows that prejudice is learned; people are not born with it.

The film paints a picture of compassion and gentleness across many borders and boundaries, which, in reality, the world is now divided over. This important piece of cinema highlights the need for such compassion in today’s world.

Along with winning Oscars for Best Production Design and Score, del Toro also won Best Director for the film, to which he had this to say: “I am an immigrant, like many of you. And for the last 25 years, I have been living in a country all of our own. I think the greatest thing that our industry does is to erase the lines in the sand…when the world tells us to make them deeper.”

‘Wonder Women!’ kicking off March with a look at the women of the U.S.

BY WYATT MINEAU A&E WRITER

With the start of March comes Women’s National History Month, and it only makes sense to watch a movie promoting positivity and sharing the history of women in media. The Women’s Center took the initiative with a screening on Tuesday, March 6 of “Wonder Women!

The Untold Story of American Superheroines.”

“Wonder Women!” is a 2012 documentary that examines the history of heroic women over the past several decades.

The documentary starts in the 1940s, discussing the rise of heroes such as Superman and Batman in the postdepression era in the U.S. It then transitions to Wonder Woman, from her rise during World War II to her lows

in the later 1960s after her creator’s passing.

The documentary then broadens its scope, discussing more recent depictions going back to her roots of being an icon of feminism (even though that wasn’t the outright intention of her original design) and strength for women. The film explores other women icons, like Charlie’s Angels, Ellen Ripley’s appearance in “Aliens,” and Sarah Connor.

The movie also features interviews from various sources, showing off Wonder Woman Day, a holiday many comic book shops celebrate.

Various women, both in and out of the media, talk about Wonder Woman’s impact on their lives, feminism, and how little women usually feature as prominent leaders and role models. It also

takes a look at Riot Grrrl, an underground punk music movement that promotes a pro-feminism and women’s strength outlook.

“Wonder Women!” did not have much that sticks out to criticize or admonish, as is the nature of documentaries.

The editing and presentation were both top-notch, and there was a great look at so many different aspects of pro-women culture. It was surprisingly short, clocking in at 80 minutes, which means it didn’t overstay its welcome. It was made long before the Wonder Woman live-action movie premiered and became one of the most successful movies in history.

“We picked this movie because it’s a story that a lot of people don’t actually know, and it seemed like a right thing to do to jumpstart

It Runs In the Family: Escape Act | 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.Venable Theater

March 22:

25 Years of Circus

March 23:

Popcorn Lovers Bar

Amok | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

| 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. CC

Sullivan Lounge

Marketplace

March 24:

The Gray Comma Literary Reading & Open Mic | 7 p.m. Design Lab

photo from Wyatt Mineau

“Wonder Women!” tells the story of the history of the iconic superhero. the month,” commented Sychiah Johnson, a member of the Women’s Center. “We also have a full calendar of everything going on for March on bulletin boards and in the Women’s Center on the third floor.”

Upcoming events hosted by

the Women’s Center include a performance of “They Call Me Q” at 8 p.m. in Sullivan Lounge on Tuesday, March 27 and a movie screening of “Battle of the Sexes” at 7 p.m. in Sullivan Lounge on Wednesday, March 28.

March 27:

April 9:

Movie | 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Series: Habiba

Sullivan Lounge

Nosheen | 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

“They Call Me Q”

March 28:

“Battle of the Sexes” Movie | 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sullivan Lounge

Hardman Lecture

Murdock 218

April 10:

Smores in the Quad | 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Quad

Arts & Entertainment

7

What the cancelation of shows like ‘One Mississippi’ and ‘I Love Dick’ may portend for the future

BY ROBERT LLOYD LOS ANGELES TIMES Streaming networks _ your Netflix, your Amazon Prime, your Hulu _ that once appeared to be only in the business of ordering new programs have recently begun canceling them with what seems like equal energy.

Netflix (in the original content business since 2012), recently laid off “Lady Dynamite,” Maria Bamford’s surreal refraction of her own life; “Sense8,” a globe-spanning mystical sci-fi adventure from Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski (that’s getting a movie-length finale after fan outcry); Colleen Ballinger’s Miranda Sings comedy “Haters Back Off!”; Naomi Watts’ psychological thriller “Gypsy”; Baz Luhrmann’s hip-hop epic “The Get Down”; “Girlboss,” about online fashion retailer Sophia Amoruso; and Chuck Lorre’s “Disjointed,” a three-camera workplace comedy set in a pot dispensary and starring Kathy Bates.

Over at Amazon, further seasons of the following have been nixed: Tig Notaro’s semi-autobiographical “One Mississippi,” Jill Soloway’s adaptation of Chris Kraus’ epistolary feminist novel “I Love Dick” and JeanClaude Van Damme’s meta-action-comedy “Jean-Claude Van Johnson.” “Z: The Beginning of Everything,” starring Christina Ricci as Zelda Fitzgerald, was canceled late last year, evaporating an already-ordered second season.

Hulu, meanwhile, has cut from a bench not deep the Julie Klausner-Billy Eichner buddy comedy “Difficult People,” the Hugh Laurie psychological thriller “Chance,” the psychiccon drama “Shut Eye” and the Michaela Watkins comedy “Casual.”

Apologies if I have left your favorite canceled show off this list. Many are critically approved and viewer beloved _ though not, evidently, in sufficient numbers to guarantee survival. Many have heavyweight names attached, heavyweight names being something of a feature of streaming television.

I would note that most are centered on and/or made by women, without going so far as to hazard why or what that means for the future of women in television. (As regards the present, it’s still not great.)

But let me propose that cancelation is not failure. It’s a sort of failure, given the loss of jobs and money, but not the yardstick with which to measure art or even entertainment, our national fascination with ratings and box office figures notwithstanding. “Freaks and Geeks” was a perfect thing, in spite of it lasting only a season.

“Lady Dynamite” may have had more stories to tell, but its two seasons constitute a satisfying whole.

Netflix and Amazon are themselves, of course, also studies in commercial failure, picking up scads of films that couldn’t find theatrical release _ it’s the new version of movies going “straight to video.” Indeed, these pictures, along with documentaries of varying qualities and a hodgepodge of older, more successful films, make up the bulk of what streaming services offer. Like HBO and Showtime, streaming services no longer sell themselves on the back of the theatrical features they show but on the shows they make.

Much reporting on such entertainment identifies “the business” with big business _ defining the industry by where the money is and/or the star A-list.

The Industry, with a capital I, is impressed by Oscars and Em-

mys and even Golden Globes.

But culture moves from the bottom up and from the outside in.

Like biological life, it evolves on the back of random mutations, the odd, unpredictable idea that proves to have legs.

Growth is the business most big businesses are in, and it was natural enough that, having determined to get into original, scripted content _ for some time, a kind of sign of arrival for a fledgling network passing out of its early reality-show or allreruns-all-the-time phase _ the streamers would go on spending sprees. Their aims are not modest; they want to become, even overcome, HBO _ Amazon just spent $250 million for the right to make TV out of “The Lord of the Rings,” with actual production costs reckoned to bring the cost up to $1 billion.

It was also inevitable that, after this financial dizziness, some kind of correction was coming. Success engenders conservatism in the pursuit of further success. Long-shot bets fall by the wayside. The streaming model has arrived, and having arrived is settling down.

There are other kinds of ambition, however, and if big business tends toward monoculture, there is biodiversity out on the fringes where strange creatures flourish on the forest floor. This has always been true even as the medium has grown and changed.

When Fox joined the old (and still big) three broadcast networks _ CBS, NBC and ABC _ in the mid-1980s, it offered a scrappier alternative in part out of the need to be different but also because Fox could afford to get by with fewer viewers and lower ad rates. It was the same when UPN and the WB, later united as the CW, and Showtime, HBO and all off-basic cable got into the original content business.

photo from Wikimedia Commons

Popular streaming srevices include Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

New networks could afford to be odd and original. The broadcast minors gave birth to “The Simpsons,” “In Living Color,” “Married With Children,” “Veronica Mars,” “The XFiles,” “Felicity,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Gilmore Girls.” They kept the “Star Trek” franchise alive and have carried a torch for the sort of genre series that have become, with bigger budgets, a cornerstone of contemporary entertainment. You can’t turn around now without some Marvel or DC Comics franchise smacking you in the face.

Such weirdness will continue at the margins. Still, new growth chokes out old. Skin will be shed.

Television is a heartbreaker; it will kill what you love, again and again. But there are plenty of fish in that sea, and plenty of seas, for that matter. The future is multifarious, manyplatformed; the internet makes television, like punk rock before it, available to entrepreneurial outsiders with a work ethic and not necessarily a lot of money.

You can put on a show in your uncle’s barn, to use the old Hollywood formulation, and maybe some producer will bring it to Broadway, with fancier scenery and actual paychecks _ in the

way that “2 Dope Queens,” the Jessica Williams-Phoebe Robinson podcast, was gussied up for a four-episode HBO run.

In the short run, what does all this carnage portend? Netflix probably won’t rush the next “Lady Dynamite” or “Haters Back Off!” into production, but there will be a place, somewhere, for the next “Lady Dynamite” or “Haters Back Off!.”

The only thing you can see with (mathematical) certainty is that even as the pieces of the pie grow slimmer, the television universe is still in a state of expansion.

Few would have guessed that the 500 channels the cable era promised would give way to something more multifarious and seemingly limitless; if you are not looking at YouTube and Vimeo and their kin, you are not seeing the medium whole. Platforms will come and go and new ones will take their place, and small fish may be eaten by bigger ones, but choice will remain the watchword _ even if you can’t yourself choose what lives and what dies.

In any case, many more shows will have to be canceled before, whatever your taste, there is nothing good to watch on TV.

This Is: Jason Isbell

BY JACOB VITALI A&E EDITOR John Mayer once said, “Jason Isbell is the best lyric writer of my generation.

He lives at a level where even great writers can only visit.”

Originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Isbell got his start in his early 20s playing guitar with the southern-rock band DriveBy Truckers. With the band, he sang and penned several notable songs such as the tear-jerking, lonesome ballad “Goddamn Lonely Love” and the melancholy rock anthem “Decoration Day.” After six years with the

band, Isbell was forced to leave the group in 2007 largely due to his alcoholism, which also broke up his first marriage to DriveBy Truckers bassist Shonna Tucker.

After leaving the band and some minor releases, Isbell struck a chord with his 2013 album “Southeastern,” which was recorded following a stint in rehab.

Isbell used gut-punching lyrics, relatable characters and soft acoustic melodies to describe traumatic and painful moments from his life.

The authenticity and genuineness of Isbell’s emotions make the record powerful. In 2015, Isbell

followed up and won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album with “Something More Than Free.”

The album carried the same authenticity from its predecessor, while also providing more light-hearted moments. In the album’s title track, Isbell sings an ode to blue-collar workers like his own father and the experience of being consumed by work.

On Isbell’s 2017 record, “The Nashville Sound,” he brought a fresh feel, with happier-themed songs and more expansive backing tracks. Isbell’s second wife Amanda Shires provided excellent violin work and

photo from Wikimedia Commons

Jason Isbell has won multiple Grammy Awards for his solo career. harmonies reminiscent of talks about why mortality Johnny and June Cash. is such a powerful thing in In addition, the album is love and flips the concept home to the the hauntingly of forever on its head. beautiful love ballad “If We Isbell is currently on Were Vampires” written for an international tour.

Shires. In the song, Isbell

SPORTS

8

March. 8, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 6

Trailblazers end Florida trip in dominant fashion with 12-3 Win over Beavers

BY BRADY GEROW SPORTS EDITOR The Trailblazers Baseball team ended its annual trip to the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven Florida, with a 12-3 win over the University of Maine-Farmington. The ‘Blazers improved to 6-3 to end the trip and having split the double header with the Beavers as they won the early game.

The team was led in the win by junior shortstop Jeff Bink who went 5/5 with one double, Bink recorded four RBI’s, scored four runs, and stole two bases to lead the offense.

The ‘Blazers started the game with two runs in the first frame of play. Sophomore Logan Rumbolt was the first ‘Blazer to get on base.

Rumbolt proceeded to steal second and advance to third on a wild pitch before Bink drove him in on a single to center field.

Bink was able to advance to third base after he stole second and then was able to advance on yet another wild pitch from Beaver pitcher

photo by MCLA Athletics

MCLA junior Jeff Bink loading up to take a swing at the ball in the team's annual trip to the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Florida. Bink finished the final game 5-5 with a double, four runs scored, and four RBIs in the 12-3 win.

Riley Chickering. Chickering struggled early as he then walked senior Bill Pulasky on another wild pitch that also allowed Bink to score, putting the score at 2-0 very early on.

The Beavers were able to respond with a single run of their own to cut the lead down to one, but were unable to get

a lot started.

At the start of the fourth inning, the ‘Blazers had added one run their total, off an RBI single from Brett LaBonte, to make the lead 3-1 at the halfway point of the game. The’ Blazers took the opportunity to secure the lead as they were able to put up

Aggressive start with second shutout this season

BY JABARI SHAKIR SPORTS WRITER The Trailblazers baseball team defeated the ColbySawyer Chargers in their second shutout this season to finish their extraordinary visit to the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Florida. Their record currently is 6-3, an improvement compared to last year's team's record of 4-5 at this point.

Coach Mike Gladu is impressed with the Trailblazers' start this season, winning 60 innings out of their 63 innings in the total of nine games.

"It was 63 plus innings, and we won 60 innings out of those games, so for me the team that can stay focused for that many innings this early in the season is a great thing, and it can only get better from here," Gladu said.

Gladu believes his team's greatest strength is pitching and the Trailblazers holding the Chargers scoreless for seven innings shows their improvement.

"So right now our strength is pitching. Their walk-to-innings ratio is very low, they are not putting guys on base, they are making guys hit the baseball," said Gladu.

MCLA junior Bobby New pitched a spectacular game with a new career-high of

photo by MCLA Athletics

MCLA junior pitcher Bobby New delivering a pitch in one of the nine games the team played in Florida. New pitched a complete game shutout in the 2-0 win, recording eight strikeouts and allowing only three hits and walking one batter in the win. eight strikeouts, one walk, and allowing three hits in to play.

New displayed great aggression at the mound by picking off three base runners at first.

MCLA scored the only runs of the game off two RBIs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Brett LaBonte, the senior first baseman and designated hitter, scored the first RBI single bringing home his teammate senior Bill Pulasky for the first run of the game.

In the fifth inning, junior shortstop Jeff Bink hit a double to left field, which brought home outfielder Ben Durland for the second and final run of the game.

On the other hand, the

Chargers had a good game with their pitcher Noah Yeingst. He had three strikeouts, seven hits, two walks and two errors.

Yeingst's pitching record is 0-2 while New is 2-0 after the double-header that was held on Thursday, March 15.

The Trailblazers completed with a total of 23 at-bats, seven hits, two RBIs, two walks, three strikeouts, and six left on base.

The Chargers finished with 23 at-bats, three hits, one walk, eight strikeouts, and three left on base.

The Trailblazers have a home game with a double-header against the Framingham State Rams on Friday, March 30.

four runs in the fourth inning alone.

The scoring spree started as Rumbolt drove in senior Joe Buonemani with a single to left, Rumbolt was able to advance to second base on the throw. Rumbolt was once again drove in by Bink who singled to center for the

second time in as many plate appearances.

Pulasky was able to join the surge as he was able to score Bink on his double to center field that now placed him in scoring position. With the bats hot, Labonte doubled to left field and Pulasky scored the fourth and final run of the inning putting the score at 7-1.

The Beavers responded with two runs of their own, but the ‘Blazers defense then took over for the rest of the game. The Beavers were unable to score a run for the rest of the contest, while the ‘Blazers scored 5 runs in the final two innings of play.

The win was given to ‘Blazer freshman Brandon Condon (2-0) as he pitched 1.1 innings allowing one hit and recording one strikeout after starting pitcher junior Brendan Kelly was pulled from the mound.

The ‘Blazers ended the trip with a 6-3 record and are set to play their second regular season game on Wednesday March 28 when they travel to Springfield college for an away game. The Beavers ended their trip 3-4.

First two home runs of the season secure first win of Florida trip

BY JABARI SHAKIR SPORTS WRITER MCLA's freshman Alanza Quinones and sophomore Kaylyn Holliday hit their first home runs of the season to earn the softball team's first win against the Trinity Bantams (Connecticut) at the PFX Athletics Spring Games in Clermont, Florida.

The final score was 11-6 with sophomore Morgan Watson pitching for MCLA and Rachael Smith for the Bantams.

Watson pitched seven innings with four strikeouts, two walks, four errors, six runs and 12 hits.

Smith only pitched one inning, but she had one strikeout, three runs, three hits, and one walk. Watson's record is 1-1 while Smith's is 3-2.

In the first inning, MCLA scored two runs to take the lead. Holliday hit a double to center field that brought home her teammate, junior Kaitlyn Berghela, for the first run of the game.

Watson doubled to left field, bringing home Holliday for an RBI while the Bantams scored their first run as well by Katie

Haghdan's single that moved Michelle Treglia to third and Meaghan Race home.

In the second inning, Quinones hit her first home run of the season to have her team add another run to the scoreboard, and at the beginning of the third inning, Holliday hit her tworun homer that brought in Samantha Feinstein.

The home runs the Trailblazers scored created some encouraging energy within their teammates, and they went on a six-point scoring lead with the final score of the inning 9-2.

In the sixth inning, Watson scored two RBIs to extend the lead to 11-3 and to secure the win for the Trailblazers.

The Trailblazers had a total of 35 at-bats, 13 hits, 11 RBIs, three walks, seven strikeouts and seven left on base.

The Bantams had 35 at-bats, six runs, 12 hits, five RBIs, two walks, four strikeouts and 14 left on base.

MCLA's next doubleheader home game is against the Framingham State Rams on Friday, March 30.

March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

SPORTS

Softball falls to pair of Wisconsin teams on annual Florida trip

BY BRADY GEROW SPORTS EDITOR The Trailblazers softball team faced off with a pair of Wisconsin schools on Saturday, March 17 during their annual Florida trip. The ‘Blazers fell to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds 8-0 in the first game of the day, and fell to the University of WisconsinRiver Falls Falcons 5-2.

On the first game of the day, the ‘Blazers struggled to get anything at all going offensively, while the Blugolds had the bats rolling.

The Blugolds recieved a majority of its offense from Katie Rongstad and Abbey Place who each scored twice in the win.

Place was all over the stat sheet as she went 2-3 hitting, knocked in two runs and scored two of her own. Place also did her part on the bases by recording a stolen base.

The Blugolds received three runs from Katelyn Yute who knocked in two runs with her single in the second inning, and drove in another on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning.

The ‘Blazers got little to no offense going as they were only able to generate two hits in the four and a half innings played.

9

SCORE BOARD MCLA Baseball MCLA (12), University of MaineFarmington (3) Jeff Bink (MCLA) 5-5, 4 RBI’s, 4 Runs, 2B

Chase Malloy (UMF) 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 Run

MCLA Softball MCLA (5), St. Lawrence (2) Kaylyn Holliday (MCLA) 4-4, 2 RBI’s, 2 Runs, HR photo by MCLA Athletics

MCLA softball players: (from left to right) Julia Parker (#7), McKayla Brown (#6), Alanza Quinones (#13), and L’Rae Brundige (#18) supporting their teammates at the plate alongside other team members. The Blazers had a rough start and finished their annual Florida trip with a record of 2-8.

Stephanie Wilczynski got the win for the Blugolds, allowing two hits and striking out six batters. Freshman Samantha Feinstein took the loss for the ‘Blazers after giving up seven runs in two innings.

In game two of the doubleheader for the ‘Blazers, they took on UW-River Falls. Key home runs by the Falcons were the difference in this contest.

The ‘Blazers got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning as Feinstein scored off

an error. Noelle Senour then answered for the Falcons with a two-run homer that put them up 2-1. The ‘Blazers responded in the fifth inning as sophomore Kayla Baker scored on a fielder’s choice.

The Falcons eventually put the game away, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to give the final score of 5-2.

Hannah Stegeman (6-1) got the win for the Falcons while Morgan Watson (1-2) took the loss for the ‘Blazers.

The ‘Blazers have since finished their trip to

Clermont, Florida where they finished with a 2-8 record but ended the trip on a good note with a 5-2 win over St. Lawrence University. The ‘Blazers will continue their regular season on Friday, March 30 in a home doubleheader with Framingham State.

The Falcons have also ended their Florida trip and ended with a record of 10-2 during their trip. The Blugolds are still in Clermont and have six games left to play. They are currently 6-6

Evaluating the impact of a hectic NFL offseason Even before NFL free agency 2017. officially began, moves were being Quarterbacks made at an astonishing everywhere: After Kirk rate. The entirety of the Cousins signed the first-ever NFL got a massive makefully guaranteed three-year, over as big names came $84 million deal with the away with big contract Minnesota Vikings, another signings. While not every fissure collided with the already team had strong participaunstable quarterback market in tion in the offseason, it’s Andrew the NFL (and caused the soona surefire bet that at least Baillargeon to-be free agent superstar Aaron one of their rivals did, Rodgers to salivate). That’s not The Call so everyone will feel the all, though, as former Vikings changes that a portion of Case Keenum and Sam Bradford the NFL made. got paid by Denver and Arizona Let’s have a look at how a small respectively and both should start handful of teams are looking after every game (assuming the latter all of this has blown over. doesn’t get hurt once again). Best The Cleveland Browns: Stop of all, the Jets swiped away the me if you’ve heard this before, Colts’ third overall pick this year but this is a team with a bustling, in the draft, which they will almost bold new general manager who got certainly use on a quarterback. NFL extremely ambitious this offseason. fans everywhere have had to take Incoming will be new starting quardown notes just to remember all the terback Tyrod Taylor, deadly receivnames changing uniforms and teams ing threat Jarvis Landry, stalwart changing starting quarterbacks - and bell cow running back Carlos Hyde, we haven’t even hit the draft yet. ball hawk Damarious Randall, and The New England Patrimany, many more. This team has ots: With the Buffalo Bills and a laughably bad history of ineptiMiami Dolphins shipping off star tude, but if we look past that for a players to Cleveland, the Patriots moment, these moves will help the will definitely hold down the AFC team immensely in 2018. At the very East once again, with little competileast, they ought to be good enough tion. Even with the loss of Super to win a game here and there follow- Bowl hero-to-zero Malcolm Butler, ing a historically bad 0-16 season in the Patriots immediately found his

replacement with a risk-free trade with those very same Browns, who inexplicably sent over solid cornerback Jason McCourty with a simple swap of seventh-round picks.

Perhaps the Browns decided to gift former coach Bill Belichick with an even easier path to postseason play?

Saquon Barkley: You may find it to be about as pointless predicting Barkley’s first NFL team based on draft and team needs as you may find randomly throwing darts at a map of the U.S. to predict his destination. Seriously, Barkley to the Browns for the first overall pick seemed inevitable. Then, they went out and traded for Tyrod Taylor and Jarvis Landry, seemingly cementing this status further. Wait, no, they just signed Carlos Hyde and will definitely draft Minkah Fitzpatrick. Ah, but then John Dorsey announced the team is still considering drafting Barkley anyway. Well, even if they don’t draft him, the running backhungry Colts would surely take him third overall, right? Nah, they would rather ship the pick to the Jets, who have no reason to draft Barkley.

Sooooo...what’s next? Now draft analysts believe he won’t even go top ten? Draft night definitely projects to be an interesting one for the toprated running back, debatably best player period, in the draft.

Taylor Armijo (St. L) 2-3, RBI eb, 4 Ast, 2 Blk 16 Pts, 7 Reb, 1 Stl

NCAA March Madness

#9 Florida State Seminoles (75), #1 Xavier Musketeers (70)

Braian Angola (FSU) 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST 10-12. 100 yds, 0 TD

J.P. Macura (Xavier) 17 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST

NCAA March Madness

#11 Syracuse Orange (55), #3 Michigan State Spartans (53)

Oshae Brissett (Orange) 15 PTS, 9 REB, 1 STLst, 2 Stl,

Cassius Winston (Spartans) 15 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST

NBA

Boston Celtics (100), Oklahoma City Thunder (99)

Jayson Tatum (BOS) 23 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST

Russell Westbrook (OKC) 27 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST

NHL Toronto Maple Leafs (3), Tampa Bay Lightning (4) Nikita Kucherov (Lightning) 1 Goals, 5 SOGs, 8 Ast, 2 Stl

J. van Riemsdyk (Maple Leafs) 2 Goals, 5 SOGs, 22 Reb, 3 Ast

OPINION

10

March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

Formula 1 season set to begin

For all our future and past stories make sure to check out our website: theonlinebeacon.com

I did this in spring semesters Sauber unveiled their car this past so I feel as though I should year with Alfa Romeo, an autowrite about the upcoming open- motive company based in Italy, ing to the Formula 1 seawith sights on moving son. into the middle of the Major rule changes pack. This new name and As mentioned in previinvestment may signal a ous columns, there will long-term change to a be a new safety device team that has struggled over the cockpit of evquite a bit in the past few ery car on the grid. The Joseph years. halo is here to stay for Carew Testing the season and this first We saw Sebastian VetWheelSpin race will be carefully tel (Ferrari) set the fastwatched to see if it has est all out time with a any unknown effect on 1:17.182 on the hypersoft tires the drivers.

There were restrictions made with McLaren reaching second in the area behind the driver and in that category with Fernando almost directly above the ex- Alonso behind the wheel. As haust so teams no longer have a mentioned in weeks prior, this little wing in the shape of a “T” number should be taken with a grain of salt as not all teams in that location this season.

Pirelli, the tire supplier for used this tire and the unreliabilFormula 1, announced new tires ity of testing numbers. for this season. Instead of last Mercedes ran 1040 laps at testyear’s ranking from ultrasoft to ing this year with basically no ishard tires (the former being the sues. Their reliability seems to softest and therefore fastest op- be unquestioned while the team tion), there is now an extra op- that put up the second most laps tion at each extreme. Cars have (Ferrari with 929) had some mithe option to run hypersoft, ul- nor issues. trasoft, supersoft, soft, medium, Prediction hard, and superhard tires. If all The Australian Grand Prix is this sounds insane, well, then we on March 25 and I have to make are on the same page. a bold prediction here: 1. Daniel Name changes Ricciardo (Red Bull), 2. SebasAston Martin has doubled down on its interest in Formula tian Vettel (Ferrari), 3. Lewis 1 by becoming more involved in Hamilton (Mercedes). Well, it the Red Bull Racing team. This isn’t insanely bold seeing as how season their full name reads As- Hamilton is the reigning world ton Martin Red Bull Racing and champion and Vettel finished it seems as though the automo- second last year, but it has an tive company may look into be- Australian winning his home coming an engine supplier in the grand prix. This will be the first years ahead. time that has ever happened.

Opportunity over honor is it worth it?

Last week, an interest- ten puts a large quantity of ing post graced my individuals in compescreen on Linketition with each other dIn about a nasty for a relatively small encounter an inamount of jobs and dividual had with opportunities.

This a venture capitalisn’t the case for all ist that could have fields. In some cases, opened doors to such as the field of promising opporcomputer science and Mitchell certain sectors of the tunities, but whose conduct was so Chapman medical world, there disrespectful and None of your are more jobs than arrogant (on top there are applicants, business of being nearly 40 but in the U.S. and minutes late) that the rest of the world despite the venjob competition is a ture capitalist’s Harvard crushing and ever-present degree and impressive port- reality many face. Invesfolio of businesses, the indi- tors and business owners vidual turned him away. It also face competition of brought to light an interest- sorts. This has fostered a ing topic: when is success do-more-for-less attitude in business worth going that might lead those to through this type of behav- put up with some behavior ior – if ever? that they shouldn’t, and, The current economy of- especially with wealthy in-

vestors, there can be a disconnect between them and those not as successful as them. But success does not excuse bad behavior.

In journalism, when an outlet is about to publish material that might cause harm, one question that is asked is: Is this content more helpful than it is hurtful? While this is not the only question that should be considered when embarking on a business venture with someone who exhibits bad behavior or, in the worst cases, disrespect for you and your time, it should be considered. Also consider this: If they exhibit this behavior, would they truly be a valuable partner? Would your business relationship with them be healthy? Also consider that people do have bad days, and one bad

encounter with an individual might not be representative of the quality of their business relationship as a whole.

One thing I always try to advocate for is self-respect.

If you find yourself in a situation where someone is demanding that you sacrifice your self-respect, then their venture might not be worth it, no matter how promising the returns might be.

A good starting point for any healthy relationship, business or otherwise, is the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated, and it works both ways in any type of relationship. If the golden rule is ever jeopardized, then it might be worth considering if the relationship is worth pursuing.

Check out this week’s Beacon Web News on Youtube!

OPINION

March 22, 2018 Vol. 86 Issue 7

11

Editorial

The Empowerment Lounge We decided to take a look at a recent development on campus and weigh some of the pros and cons. Feel free to decide on your own which argument is more compelling.

Pro

While some may think that this goes without saying, if students of color at MCLA don’t feel comfortable on campus, designating a specific area to serve the purpose of fulfilling this need seems to be an obvious solution.

Nobody is trying to make the argument that having one designated space for students of color on campus will solve all of the issues we have regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, but I do think that the Empowerment Lounge clearly serves an expressed need.

For an argument that claims that providing opportunities for students of color to have a shared space on campus will increase divisions, this seems unlikely as students using the lounge will not be removed from the rest of campus. Instead, this space aims to give students of color a place to feel comfortable, which could create more opportunities for a collaborative campus environment.

Disclaimer: As a white student, I don’t find my own views on a lounge geared toward students of color to be particularly useful or relevant.

Con

Having MCLA become a more welcoming and comfortable place for students of color is important and this is not an argument against that. This is an argument about whether or not this new lounge will achieve this goal.

The purpose of this lounge, as stated in an email to faculty and staff by Student Multicultural Program Coordinator Mikaela Serrano-Moore, is “to ensure a space with academic and leisurely resources that allows multicultural/students of color to feel comfortable while living on a predominantly white campus.”

The campus as a whole should be a place where students of color feel welcome and celebrated.

There shouldn’t be just specific areas where students of color feel comfortable. It begs the question: should the students be sectioning off classrooms for each identity group on campus? The goal of this college should be to unite people from different backgrounds with different ideas and to nurture open, honest, and

meaningful conversations.

Splitting sections of the student population off into different areas seems like an ineffective way of making students feel more comfortable here. It is possible that this lounge can become the impetus for greater dialogue between students and greater understanding, but it seems rather unlikely.

By separating the campus up by ethnicity and race you are simply going back to an idea prevalent in the United States over fifty years ago. Separation is not the answer for problems like this. How likely is it that a multicultural lounge will promote more conversation between people of different races and ethnicities? The College cannot become a more united and therefore comfortable place for anyone so long as students are sectioned off from one another and inter-group dialogue is limited.

While there is hope that this lounge can provide some good, it seems extremely unlikely that this will unite a campus that has had disconnects between populations. Without unity and understanding there can be no comfort.

It will most likely only further divide the students and the College into groups that do not understand one another.

Nor’easters and non-stop news: which is more annoying?

The week before spring tion had reporters all over break, Massachuthe state, from setts experienced two Worcester to nor’easters within a Boston to Plum week’s time. As I’m Island.

These writing this opinion, poor journalists the calm after storm were stuck in the number two is leavcold, with high Emma ing my small town Monahan winds pushing of North Brookfield them over and Arts & Emma snow and I’m waiting for coming the next one, which down so quickmay come the Monly you couldn’t day break starts. even see them half of the This piece may seem a time. little late, especially since I was looking at my fuwe don’t publish during ture. break (duh), but as I was Granted, I don’t know watching the news last where I’ll be working this night, the main coverage time next year, but more on every station at ev- likely than not I’ll be a ery time was this major news reporter for one of storm. Every news sta- the major stations out

in Boston. I was watching all of these channels, flipping through to see which one had some actual news, but they just had the same forecast over and over again.

My mom and I were watching TV and every half hour (yes, EVERY half hour) an update was given by the channel’s chief meteorologist.

Nothing had changed within the two hours my mom and I sat on the couch watching “Modern Family” and “American Housewife.”

So what’s the point of all of this? It’s understandably news, but allday coverage? Is that re-

ally necessary?

During winter break, when one of the first nor’easters hit the state, I remember sitting in the living room all day with my dad, waiting for the snow to stop so then we could eventually venture outside to shovel. He had a news station on, and instead of some talk shows and soap operas, the news was covering the snow from all angles. I was getting so sick of it.

The coverage we receive as viewers and consumers is necessary, but maybe not every five minutes.

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PUBLIC POLICY LECTURE

CLINT WATTS “RUSSIAN SPIES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND FAKE NEWS: AN INSIDE LOOK AT RUSSIA’S CYBERWARFARE CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMERICAN DEMOCRACY” NBC News Contributor, Former FBI Agent, Foreign Policy and Cyber Security Expert Clint Watts is a Robert Fox Fellow for the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Clint is a consultant and researcher modeling and forecasting threat actor behavior and developing countermeasures for disrupting and defeating state and non-state actors. His research predominantly focuses on terrorism forecasting and trends seeking to anticipate emerging extremist hotspots and anticipate appropriate counterterrorism responses. More recently, Clint used modeling to outline Russian influence operations via social media and the Kremlin’s return to Active Measures.

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Don’t miss the

URC Thursday, April 19, 2018

Call for papers: Abstract Submission deadline: Friday, March 23, 2018

MCLA.edu/URC

16th Annual

Undergraduate Research Conference