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Basketball season finally here.
Election solidifies nation.
OPINION
The dead to speak at Brown Bag.
SPORTS
NEWS
FEATURES
Student in overseas rumble.
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Fremont, California
Vol. XXXVIII No. 10
November 6, 2008
Cox, Bonaccorsi take seats on Board By Rebecca Soltau Staff writer In a closely contested race Tuesday, Teresa Cox beat out 10-year incumbent Bob Brunton for Seat 4 of the College Board of Trustees, with 53 percent of the vote. Greg Bonaccorsi also won Seat 6 with a whopping 70 percent majority. Incumbent Nick Nardolillo ran unopposed. In a phone interview Wednesday, Cox went over again what her goals and plans are now that she is secure in her position on the Board. “Well, my top priority right now is to resolve the accreditation issue that the college faces and to restore Ohlone’s reputation. I would also like to ensure that I will be able
to work closely with other Board members and the administration of the college throughout my time on the Board.” Cox, Chair of the Economic Development Commission for the City of Fremont and a high tech executive and working mother, also plans to focus on creating more jobs in the Fremont area and to generally improve the quality of life. “I think that should Ohlone College provide green technology courses, it will attract more technology-based businesses to the area and provide a great many jobs to the people who need it.” Brunton, a business owner and 10-year veteran on the Board, received only 46 percent of the vote.
Brunton was removed as Board president in 2006, the second time he was voted out of the position by fellow Board members. Brunton is the only Board member ever to be removed from the rotating position of president. Brunton did not return calls from the Monitor. In an interview on Wednesday afternoon, Bonaccorsi also discussed his future priorities with the Board of Trustees. “It’s no surprise that we’ll have to deal with the accreditation problem first, but after we have that settled, I would like to increase the capacity of our college to be a gateway to both higher education and career and vocational training.” Bonaccorsi is a science and math
Teresa Cox
Greg Bonaccorsi
teacher at Hopkins Junior High in the Fremont Unified School District and has also been elected President of the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association from 2000 to 2005. Because of this, Bonaccorsi believes that he will bring
something special to the Board of Trustees. “My experience as an educator in the Fremont District is a great asset that I could use in my position.” His opponent, David Sheen, Continued on Page 3
Election hits close to home By Rebecca Soltau Staff writer
Photos by Japneet Kaur
Math Instructor Geoff Hirsch - along with other faculty and staff - was fair game for pie-wielding students willing to donate $2 to charity at the Make-AWish Club’s ‘Pie The Professor’ event Tuesday in the cafeteria.
Teachers face creamy onslaught By Rebecca Soltau Staff writer For five whipped cream-filled hours Tuesday, the Make-AWish Club at Ohlone College hosted a “Pie The Professor” event in the cafeteria, where students could throw whipped cream “pies” at various staff members for a donation of two dollars to charity. The staff members, which included professors, coaches, counselors and even Mitch Millich the “coffee cart guy” switched off every half hour to be pelted by the sticky pastries. One faculty member, Sociology Instructor Bennett Oppenheim, was so impressed by the students’ throwing arms that he opted to pay $40 and pass on the pie-throwing. The goal on Tuesday was to raise at least $150 to give to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which uses the monetary
donations it receives to grant various “wishes” of children with life-threatening illnesses. “It’s a really great cause, and I’m proud to take a little whipped cream in my hair if it helps out,” said Counselor Anthony Bonanno. While the amount of takers was slow at first, more and more people entering the cafeteria couldn’t help but take notice and take revenge on their professors. “How can I possibly miss this? I will gladly give up a bottle of soda if I can throw a pie at a staff member,” said Kelsey Bloom, a student who promptly gave Counselor Stephanie Ramos a pie in the kisser. “I don’t know if I would ever do the pie thing again, but I’ll do what I can for this really great organization,” said Ramos after clearing her eyes of whipped cream. The Make-A-Wish Club will possibly hold another “Pie The Professor” event in December, depending on the profit the club made at Tuesday’s event.
Barack Obama’s victory Tuesday is a great step forward in American politics, but the next president of the United States will have a tall order facing him when he takes office, said Political Science Professor Alan Kirshner. Dr. Kirshner has great hopes for the president-elect, but he warned that Obama won’t have an easy task ahead. “I’m very confident that he will be successful, but the economy is no easy fix. He will have to prove himself to the entire country, regardless of how many voted for him.” There are no easy answers on foreign policy, either, said Kirshner. “The debacle in the Middle East is so complex…it will take long hours in meeting rooms with a multitude of military experts for him to even begin to try and resolve anything.” Kirshner has followed nearly every election in the last 20 years extremely closely, so it goes without saying that he paid attention to this year’s historic race between Sen. Obama of Illinois and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. As a person who witnessed the pain and ultimate victory of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s, Kirshner had a very strong reaction to Obama becoming president-elect. “Well, when I saw his speech after it was announced, I was watching the faces in the crowd and I saw Rev. Jesse Jackson, and he was sobbing. I’ve never seen that man cry, not even when Dr. [Martin Luther] King died. I was just completely overwhelmed with the gravity of the election.” Within California, Dr. Kirshner expressed his disappointment in the passing of Proposition 8. “I’m very let down by the fact that voters in this state didn’t see Prop. 8 as more of an ‘equality for all’ issue rather than a ‘protect marriage’ issue. However, I’m confident that it will be resolved in the near future judging from how close the numbers were.” He expressed his opinion that the gay marriage debate will be ingrained in every election until the debate is finished. “The gay and lesbian community, along with their supporters, will be a thorn in the public’s side until true equality is reached.” Despite his disappointment in the Californian results, Dr. Kirshner is secure in his hopes for the country’s direction. “There’s nowhere to go but up from here. This is truly an era of change and growth, and hopefully the American people can come together under that idea.”
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Opinion
monitor November 6, 2008
Associated Collegiate Press / National Scholastic Press Association All American 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Regional Pacemaker 1988 Journalism Association of Community Colleges General Excellence Fall 1994 General Excellence Fall 2000 General Excellence Fall 2004 General Excellence Fall 2005
Editor in chief: Eric Dorman News editor: Kyle Stephens Opinion editor: Nicole Johnson Features editor: Andrew Le Sports editor: Jeff Weisinger Photo editor: Japneet Kaur Graphics staff: Amanda Sheppard Staff writers: Inez Black, Jacque Orvis, Benjamin Chang, Ankita Chhabra, Suchi Gupta, Nicole Johnson, William Martin, Tomás Ortega, Ryan Richmond, Anna Biaritz Roldan, Kathy Sung, Farnoosh Vahedi Photographers: TBA Ad manager: Jacque Orvis Adviser: Bill Parks Printer: F-P Press
Offices are located in Room 5310 on campus, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont 945395884. Call (510) 659-6075. Fax: (510) 659-6076. E-mail: monitor@ohlone.cc.ca.us Opinions expressed in the Monitor are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily those of the staff, the college or the Associated Students of Ohlone College. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority view of staff members. Advertising material is printed herein for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an expression of endorsement or verification of such commercial ventures by the staff or college. The Monitor is funded by the district, by the Associated Students of Ohlone College, and through advertising revenue. The Monitor is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Journalism Association of Community Colleges, Community College Journalism Association, California Newspaper Publishers Association, College Media Advisers and Society of Newspaper Design.
Opinion
A new president, new hope for our country By Anna Biaritz Roldan Staff writer Watching from the sidelines in the near end of the campaign process and election up to the declaration of Barack Obama as the new president of the United States of America, I was very impressed by how smoothly everything seemed to have happened. I observed how every member of this nation gets all caught up in political events.
It’s amazing, this electoral process, isn’t it? How people can be so civil despite their opposing views, how those who never seem to talk about things that truly matter suddenly sound so intellectual. I never realized how great the effects of the presidential elections can be, especially its social and psychological impact on people as individuals and in groups. Politics aside, it truly is a wonder. Observing such a sophisticated process that
has been perfected throughout the years, it’s amazing how the elections can bring out the best and worst in people. Walking to my next class early in the morning, I hear faculty members talking about the presidential debates over coffee. While in class, biology teachers find themselves elaborating on the effects of nuclear power plants - how costly they can get and how much damage they may cause, along with the threats they
pose. While on my way home on the bus, I hear teenagers talking about their views on gay marriage and Proposition 8. It truly is amazing how everyone gets so hooked on the matters that are of this election season. This election has gotten everyone so enthralled. I think this was one of the best. And at this rate maybe we should have more elections. Seeing how good it is for a country, for its people being able to bend their
thoughts and direct their attention to something more than what they usually focus on, the way I see it is very healthy. Now that the election is all over and everyone is looking forward to how President Obama will turn this economy around, strangely enough I am already looking forward to the next elections. I’m hoping this new presidency will turn out a success but I’m hoping for further success on the next one as well.
A strike at the heart of freedom—unjust death By FARNOOSH VAHEDI Staff writer The Islamic Republic of Iran is currently reviewing a new law called the Islamic Penal Code under which all male citizens who convert from Islam shall receive the death penalty and all women citizens who convert from Islam shall receive life imprisonment. The punishment for apostasy - the process of conversion from Islam- previously was hard labor, imprisonment, or the death penalty. But under this law the punishment is death, the accused cannot plea to the court for mercy or hope for any other punishment. Unfortunately the Iranian parliament voted 194 to 7 in favor of this
law. Although the new law requires another vote in the parliament and the signature of the Ayatollah to become a law, the current support for the draft of the bill makes this almost certain. The right to freedom of religion is one of the most basic human rights in the modern era, written in stone in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in the European Convention of Human Rights. Fortunately, actions are being taken by various agencies; a number of governments and organizations outside Iran, including Germany, European Parliament, Amnesty International and the Baha’i International Community, have recently expressed their grave concern. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom calls on
the U.S. government and its allies to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran and to reject this so-called law. The General Assembly has been concerned as well. Chaim Weizmann, who was president of the World Zionist Organization from 1935-1946, once said “A law is something which must have a moral basis, so that there is an inner compelling force for every citizen to obey.” However, it seems that his words have fallen on deaf ears. Another important characteristic of this law is that other laws allow for leniency from the judge, where this one does not. This law is worded in a way as to take away the discretion from the judge, also taking away leniency by saying the only way to escape punishment is to renounce
your decision and convert back to Islam. The draft bill states Under Article 225-1: any Muslim who clearly announces that he/she has left Islam and declares blasphemy is an apostate. Also, under Article 255-7 punishment for an innate apostate is death.In my opinion it is important to remember that this law does not reflect the ideologies of most Muslims and that this law strikes at the heart of freedom. The fact that recanting the current religion and converting back to Islam allows the citizen to avoid the death penalty shows again that there is absolutely no freedom of religion in Iran. There are currently two Bahai’s and two Christians sentenced for apostasy who await their sentence.I think it is the duty of every human to do what they can to end this injustice
and to ensure that change will be brought about, that evil actions will not survive while there are enlightened minds to oppose it. Elie Wiesel, author of “Night,” once said, “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” So it is my humble request to each and every one of you, to write to your congressmen, write to the Iranian embassy or undertake any peaceful action you can think of to protect our fellow humans who will suffer an unjust death under this law. For more information about this law visit http://news.bahai.org/ and search for “death penalty.”
Campus Comment > > Where are we headed under Obama?
Tauheed Safi
Arvin Buenaobra
BUSINESS
Sheila Vison
Ahmad Ebtikar
PRE-MED
NURSING
NURSING
PRE-MED
“I think he’s a socialist...people voted for him because they want change.”
“In a good direction – we’ll take steps forward, not back.”
“Hopefully he keeps his word.”
“I think it will lead to good change.”
“It depends on his judgments – will he be liberal or more centered?”
Alan Benzel
News
November 6, 2008 monitor
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Talk is cheap, and useful for Ohlone alumni By Ankita Chhabra Staff writer Last Thursday the Speech and Communication Studies Department held a Careers in Communication Panel. The presentation was an overview for prospective students who were interested in jobs that involve speech. Six Bay Area professionals were present for this Panel. The presenters, who discussed their careers in communications, and served as advice links for the students who came to the panel. Among the six was a former Ohlone Monitor editor, Tony
Yang who is currently working with the Silicon Valley Business Journal as a journalist. Working at the Silicon Valley Journal, Yang stated that he realized that you tackle every job as a big project. Yang talked about his history at Ohlone and how it led to working at publications such as the Oakland Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, and presently the aforementioned Silicon Valley Business Journal. Another featured speaker was Nicole Imhoff, an event planner native to the Bay Area. Imhoff is another alumni of Ohlone and was a member of the Sigma Chi Eta
Chapter Communications Honors program. As an event planner now, she talked about the importance of presentation of self and how speech helped her through a lot of hurdles and difficult passages and got her where she is at today. She emphasized the matter of knowing how without speech skills, one’s presentation can lack personality. Other guest speakers talked about the benefit taking speech courses at Ohlone, courses that have helped them throughout their lives with the skills and experences offered therein. The speech classes offered at Ohlone prepare students
Senate stays the course By Ankita Chhabra Staff writer Wedneday night's Faculty Senate meeting began with the Curriculum Calendar, and staying on track with it. Some important dates to look out for are the following: Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, therefore the school will not be session. Nov. 11 is also the last day to drop a full term class with a W grade. Lastly, Thanksgiving break will begin Nov. 27. Bob Bradshaw talked about the
Local take on election Continued from Page 1 received only 29 percent of the vote. When asked for a statement Wednesday, Sheen, an attorney at JD Global Law firm and longtime area resident, said, “I congratulate Mr. Bonaccorsi on his win and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes.” He expressed his gratitude for the support he received from voters and from volunteers for his campaign. “We ran a good campaign…we were well organized and focused, but the Bonaccorsi campaign had an edge and won.” Not every student had been following the Board elections closely. “Honestly, I’ve been so pre-occupied with the nation- and state-wide races that I haven’t paid much attention to this one,” said Alex Roberts, a technology major attending Ohlone College part-time. “I mean, I’m glad to hear that [Cox is] concerned with restoring to the college its reputation, but I’ve just been more concerned about the direction of the country.”
Correction The article “Being a ‘mad scientist’ pays off” in the Oct. 30 edition of the Monitor had several inaccuracies. The article quoted Amanda Morrison as calling Mad Science “an over-glorified day care,” while Morrison real intent was that it was not. The caption also declared that Morrison was holding a rubber glove in the picture; she was actually holding slime. The Monitor regrets the errors.
flex minutes, which teachers have completed twice as much as done previously, for faculty and concluded with the academic calendar of 2010-'11. Rachel Sherman talked about the curriculum proposals bought up by the committee, who has been successfully been working on their promotion with the use of CurricUNET to construct new courses and programs and to review and revise. Also, Kay Harrison was proposed to be an Emeritus Speaker.
Harrison has previously been honored by Ohlone for helping the speech department grow and her contributions as a professor at Ohlone. Finally, the Senate debated whether they should bring back the “Star of the Month” program. It was felt that the program singled out single faculty members for their excellence, while in fact all staff were equally admirable in their dutues. For this reason, the program will remain inactive.
for transfer to four-year institutions and entry into careers in which effective communication skills are important, such as teaching, public relations, etc. After the panel was dismissed, students were free to obtain information about the guest speakers for more advice and more information and how to further their studies in the field of speech and communication. Coordinator of the event, Speech Instructor Brenda Ahntholz said, “It was great to have former students come back and talk to current student about the out reach of the
importance of speech”. The Panel was an overall success and offered a great opportunity for the students that made it to the event as they not only walked out of the room with more knowledge but also with guidance and reassurance that speech will take you far. For more information on future Speech Panels or events visit the Ohlone website for Speech Communications Studies and for those who are interested in more events such as this can look forward to more Panelists coming in and talking about their careers in the future”.
Brown Bag is on dead people The investigations of science and the thrill of mystery collide in this Friday’s Brown Bag Science Seminar, on the topic of Forensic Anthropology. Instructor Mark Dobbs will be explaining forensic anthropology as a career. Forensic anthropologists often make contributions to court cases, uncovering facts about individuals long deceased and beyond recognition by ordinary means. Details such as the age, sex, and cause of death can all be uncovered using forensic techniques. The seminar will be held at 1 p.m. in Room 3201.
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Features
monitor November 6, 2008
The view from here By Andrew Le Features editor
Clubs weigh in on election of Barac MEChA
MSA
GSA
No hope just fear I heard John McCain lost Tuesday night via a classmate’s text message while I was in class. Except I didn’t hear that John McCain lost, I was just told Obama won. The people in class were happy; with the “good news” passed around like an elementary school game of telephone I do not think it surprised anyone particularly; McCain’s concession was just the confirmation of a long-established expectation. Obama had offered a gospel of change that people flocked to as if it were the Eucharist. But I do not share everyone’s enthusiasm, I do not believe in his undefined hopes and dreams, I’ve seen documentaries on Jonestown and I can sense the Kool-Aid before I drink it. When McCain saw Vladimir Putin’s eyes, all he saw was KGB. Putin murders reporters and assassinates political officials; he is a totalitarian that wants to create an alternative power to America. China is growing in infleunce and is the source of 90 percent of weapons used in the Sudanese genocide. In response to this, Obama is expected to utilize the United Nations and said in 2007 that he wanted to “rededicate itself to the organization and [the United Nation’s] mission.” Theoretically the United Nations should combine the resources and intelligence of the countries involved to find a combined solution. But when Sarajevo went under siege for four years, with Bosnians being forced into rape camps and ethnically cleansed, the UN did nothing. When 800,000 Tutsis were being slaughtered by the Hutus, the UN withdrew. When the Phalangist militiamen slaughtered the Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatalia refugee camps, the UN in response…offered a casualty count. Time and again the United Nations have proved themselves unwilling to use the resources at their disposal to stop these crimes against humanity and now Obama wants to dedicate us to their mission of impotence? Our enemies are not like the Soviet Union, who at least could be reasoned with. McCain understood that our new enemies could not be “talked to;” he was a Cold War warrior who brought us through a time when we had to live with the possibility of nuclear annihilation every day. Obama does not understand realpolitik; he is an idealist. He wants to try to reason with an enemy that knows no reason, with the “support” of an impotent United Nations. With Obama’s election, it seems as if the nation has been reinvigorated with hopes and dreams. But I don’t have that; all that’s left for me is fear.
“I am ecstatic that Obama is president. His campaign was very strong and consistent. I do respect McCain, especially with his history – all those years as a prisoner of war – and his struggles. He gives people hope.” —Esmeralda Leon, President Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan
“I feel the majority for Obama. We’re in “I think we’re all really happy and ing policy, kind of lik content with Obama as President. If rich and giving to th McCain had won, the entire club would happy with him tak have been pretty upset – we’re all Iraq and Afghanista hardcore Obama supporters.” money for a better —Timothy Thu, Treasurer — Gay-Straight Alliance M
Ohlone’s ‘Muay Thai Tong’ By jacque Orvis Staff writer “It’s showtime.” That’s what was going through Leland Tong’s mind when he entered the boxing ring to fight in a reigional Muay Thai competition in Thailand during the summer of 2007. A long-time spectator of the Thai martial art similar to kickboxing, Tong not only made a trip to Thailand to train with the pros; he got the chance of a lifetime to compete alongside Thai kickboxers. Tong had always been a fan of Muay Thai, which is similar to Western kickboxing, although allowing elbow and knee strikes as well as the holding of the opponent. In high school, he played football and wrestled. “I always liked contact sports,” said Tong, I guess Muay Thai [is] just an extension.” When asked why he didn’t continue football or wrestling after high school, Tong said that he “wasn’t big enough to play football, and outside of high school it’s hard to stick with wrestling unless you go on to compete in college; I wasn’t good enough for that.” So, when Tong began his college career in Palos Verdes at Marmount College, studying psychology, before goingto Ohlone, he was happy to find a local gym that teaches Muay Thai, called Harbor Kickboxing. “It was something that I had always
wanted to do.... It was the perfect opportunity to start learning it,” said Tong. “It was just my luck that there was a good Muay Thai gym within walking distance from my dorm.” Tong was motivated. And that motivation took Tong online, where he got the idea to go to Thailand. “For me it’s a sport; a hobby. But, for the people of Thailand it’s a livelihood.” Tong had “decided to go to Thailand to get a feel for what it was like there.” In Thailand, it’s very common to begin training in Muay Thai at age 8 or 9, because the competition is intense, and many children don’t have many other choices for a future. “The country is so poor,”
said Leland. “The airfare cost more than living there for a month.” While in Thailand, Tong stayed at a Muay Thai training camp in the Phuket region called Rawai Muay Thai. Most of his time was spent training, but he did have downtime to tour the local area, try the food and to go to the beach. After some time, he was invited to fight in the Phuket regional competition. “Basically, you have to show through your training that you are fit enough to compete and that your technique is good. A matchmaker [then] comes to observe and arrange a fight between someone of equal level from another gym,” said Tong.
Then came the butt kicking. Leland performed the traditional pre-fight dance before making his way to his corner of the bowing ring at Patong Stadium in Thailand. “I did my best to project an aura of confidence,” said Tong, “and for a split second, I saw fear in [my opponent’s] eyes. “Then the first bell rang and the fight began. For three grueling rounds my opponent and I went back and forth trading punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. Each time either one of us landed a blow, I could hear the crowd roar with approval. At one point, I trapped my opponent in the corner of the ring and landed two elbows and a knee. The crowd went crazy.” According to Tong, kick boxers are trained to withstand intense fighting. Thinking that the experience is dreamlike, Leland felt little pain when stricken three times in the stomach by his opponent’s knee. “By the end of the third round I was exhausted,” said Tong, remembering his defeat as the referee stopped the fight. “I left the ring feeling really disappointed in myself. But as I walked back towards the dressing room, I noticed the crowd was applauding me.” In the next day’s newspaper, Tong was titled “highlight fighter of the night” for his performance. In retrospect, Tong said, “either way, a loss is a loss, and I will fight again to earn a win next time.”
sponded by saying that even though it’s harder to work at an educational institution, she enjoys it more than her previous jobs. Zhu said this is because of the human resource department and the natural beauty of Ohlone’s campus. When asked about how she feels about leaving her homeland at the age of 20, she replied by saying that even though she still misses China and her friends to this very day, Zhu is still glad she came to the USA.
Zhu feels that there are better opportunities here, and said she admires the American education system for offering more critical thinking that encourages the students to think outside the box. When asked about what the most interesting thing that has ever happened in her life was, she responded that it was the way she met her husband. Zhu and her future husband both went to high school together in China and one day when Bonnie
was looking up her old classmates on a Chinese education website to get in touch with them, she ended up getting back in touch with her old classmate, a man who she would later fall in love with and then marry. Due to the fact that he was in Japan at the time, they had to pursue their relationship online. In 2004 they tied the knot. Zhu is now expecting her third child with her husband in December.
Photo courtesy of Leland Mitchell Tong
Leland Tong warms up for a fight
Bonnie Zhu fufills ‘American Dream’ By Farnoosh Vahedi Staff writer Bonnie Zhu, the new payroll accountant is also the latest addition to Ohlone’s staff. Zhu was originally from Mainland China before she immigrated to the USA with her family at the age of 20. Before working for Ohlone’s human resources department, Zhu had worked at various firms. When asked about how she feels about working at Ohlone, Zhu re-
Features
November 6, 2008
ck Obama to highest office in land
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Weighing Anchor By Eric dorman Editor-in-chief
Health
Speech
monitor
New day for U.S.
of Muslims are n favor of his taxke taking from the he poor. And we’re king troops out of an and using the cause.” —Manal Bejaoui, President Muslim Student Association
“I’m happy that Obama won; that’s who I voted for. He’s the ‘change candidate.’ We’re done with Bush. If McCain had won, I would have been a little disappointed that America didn’t even have the balls to elect a black president.” –Michaela Devine, President Speech Club
“I’m really happy that Obama won. He’s leading the nation in the right direction. If McCain would have won, I would have been really disappointed.” –Khushboo Chabria, President Health Care Coalition
Farshid Namei and Cynthia Lee steal show with their professor Jian Wu By Anna Biaritz Roldan Staff writer Ohlone expounded its artistic credentials as students Farshid Namei, Cynthia Lee and their instructor Jian Wu took part in the annual exhibition hosted by the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society by mailing in their work and each won an award. Jian Wu, instructor of both winners also happened to have entered the competition. Wu won an award for “Best in Show.” This is the third time Wu has won an award for “Best Use of Light and Color” award in 2005 and 2007. Wu explained that the 2008 exhibit was NOAPS’s 18th annual national fine arts exhibit. The jury process involved five highly qualified jurors viewing about 550 slides and digital images submitted by more than 225 artists. The jury selected 80 paintings by 75 artists. The opening and awards reception were held on Sept 28 at Ella Carothers Dunnegan Gallery (Bolivar, Missouri). The competition is a nationwide event, supposedly for professional artists. Wu found out about the competition online and eventually decided to join. So far he has won four awards this year from various events. He said, “This is the top award for the event and also by far the biggest award I’ve been awarded in years. I am very proud, and encouraged. I feel that I am ready to go further and step up.” Wu won $5,000, the highest cash prize for this competition ($100 is the lowest). Awards judge for this competition was Tom Tierney, Co-Publisher of the Art of the West Magazine. The event began last July when people submitted their pieces in digital format. The competition ended in September and contestants were notified about a month after. Those accepted had to bring their pieces in to be hung and judged. Art student Lee was very happy
Photo by Anna Biaritz Roldan
Farshid Namei and Cynthia Lee stand next to their teacher Jian Wu. to have won an award for creativity for her piece entitled “Dancing Upon the Cloud.” Lee took a picture from an airplane and created a painting from that. She worked on her piece for about half a year, but claims that she did not put as much effort into it as classmate Namei did, which gave her more reason to be thrilled of the idea that she won. Lee enjoys painting landscapes and is planning to join the competition again. Namei, who has been a student here for four years now - turned away from her former life of working as a financial planner for Wells Fargo in year 2004 - said that winning felt great. Winning made her feel like she’s on the right track. Namei’s piece “Re-Birth of Venus,” a portrait of one of Ohlone’s
students (Eden Robinson) that she painted during a summer semester here at Ohlone, was awarded for excellence. Namei said that it probably took her about 30 to 35 hours to paint her painting, which is also the same number of hours she usually puts into her paintings. Namei said that it has been her goal to be a studio artist and winning made her feel like she truly has made the right decision to be an artist. At the Green House Gallery, Salon International Namei’s piece was top 50 out of 12,000 other entrees. Namei was given a $100 cash prize but according to her, “the money is not as important as the feeling of winning.” She said that there were a lot of famous artists who joined. It’s her second time entering the competition. Her piece was chosen
but didn’t make the cut. Although that piece did not win, she was able to sell it for $1,800. Namei is fond of painting faces with interesting features. She is known for her paintings of children but would also love to paint older people. Namei is looking forward to entering more competitions, and in fact last Oct. 25 Namei was informed that her piece was selected for yet another competition, this time one for American Women Artist. She’s glad she was chosen, especially because her piece was one of just 29 others. The next competition will open next year. Jian Wu said, “Get prepared for 2009. It is a very good experience for professional artists as well as beginners like students at Ohlone.”
Tuesday, the sun came out. Yes, the weather might have looked dark, but the energy in the air wasn’t the kind you can see. You could feel it, though. It was optimism, borne of the knowledge that we have chosen as a leader a man who holds a real chance at getting this country back on track. It was confidence, assurance that we have elected a leader who has the skills to lead us through these tough times. It was hope, hope that America can once again lead the world by example. Over the past eight years we’ve seen a decreasing disconnect between Main Street and Washington, a disconnect that stems from the deaf ears the Bush administration has turned to the voice of the people over the past eight years. This election, which has featured record campaign contributions and record voter turnout, could spell an end to that dangerous disconnect. It isn’t hard to imagine Americans everywhere feeling this sort of hope and optimism on Nov. 5, 1932, after choosing FDR as the next president of the United States. Times were tough economically, as they are now, and the country was being led by an unpopular president. The man they had elected was young, confined to a wheelchair and relatively untested, but the American people had enough faith in his ability to bring about positive change to elect him. The result was one of the greatest presidencies America has seen. Today, we stand as a country that faces great challenges. Abroad, we have controversial military presences in what seems to be an increasingly unstable world. At home, we face the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. As a planet, our ice caps are melting and sea levels are rising. These are extraordinary times, and no ordinary president will suffice. It’s true that our next president is untried in many ways. He’s new to Washington and new to the world of politics. But he’s experienced in areas that transcend politics and will prove ultimately more important in a complex world. Growing up in Indonesia, he knows what it’s like to live in a U.S.-occupied nation. Raised by a single mother, he understands the financial hardships of making ends meet. As a scholar, he understands the energy crisis we face. At last, we have a president who understands the challenges of today’s world and isn’t afraid to take bold steps toward fixing them. It won’t be easy, but we have elected a man who has the skills, the stamina and the determination for the job. America will not regret the choice of Barack Obama.
6 MONITOR
November 6, 2008
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Campus Events CLASSIFIEDS
JOBS
PIANO FOR SALE -- Upright, rosewood Chappell piano in excellent condition. Made in England. $1,200. Call 510-790-1139 or email souzafive@comcast.net.
For information on Jobs an Career Resources, visit the Student Success Center in Room 1403 or go online at www.ohlone.edu/org/ssc/
November
observation of Veteran’s Day
6 Men’s Baseball - Away vs. Peninsula College 2 p.m.
11 Gay Straight Alliance meeting at 2 p.m. in Room SC-116
6 Campus Tour - Join the free tour of Fremont Main Campus at 4 p.m. in Building 1.
11 Men’s Soccer - Home vs. Gavilan College at 3 p.m.
7-9 Wallace Basketball Tournament - The 5th Annual Jonathan Wallace Men’s Basketball Tournament in the Epler Gymnasium on the Fremont Campus. Friday games are at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday games are at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Sunday games are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The championship game is Sunday at 3 p.m. 7-8 Men’s Water Polo Conference Tournament at Foothill College 7-9 Women’s Water Polo - Coast Conference at Foothill College 7 LIFE Club - meeting at noon on the Palm Bosque 8 Ohlone College Flea Market - The regular flea market is held the second Saturday of each month throughout the year in Lots E and H on Fremont campus. Parking in $2.
11 ASOC - meeting at 4 p.m. in Room 6105 11 Women’s Soccer Away vs. Chabot College at 6:30 p.m. 12 College Council meeting at 3 p.m. in Room 1307
Tournament. Location TBA. 14-15 Women’s Basketball - SLCC Tournament in Salt Lake City. 14 Men’s Baseball - Home vs. Los Medanos College at 2 p.m. 14 Women’s Soccer - Las Positas College at 3 p.m.
20 Campus Tour - Join the free tour of Fremont Main Campus at 4 p.m. in Building 1. 21-22 Women’s Water Polo - State Championships. Location TBA. 21 Men’s Water Polo - State Championships. Location TBA
November 6, 2008 monitor
21-23 Men’s Basketball - Home Tournament vs. Shasta College 21 Women’s Basketball - Home vs. Butte College at 6 p.m. 21 LIFE Club - meeting at noon on the Palm Bosque 22 Men’s Soccer - First Round of Playoffs
14 Women’s Volleyball - Home vs. Cabrillo College at 6:30 p.m. 18 Academics - Last Day to drop from full-term classes with a W grade. 18 Gay Straight Alliance meeting at 2 p.m. in Room SC-116. 18 ASOC - Meeting at 4 p.m. in Room 6105 19 Faculty Senate Meeting at 3:30 p.m. in Room 1307.
12 Board of Trustees - Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Child Development Center's conference room on the Fremont campus.
19 NASA / Ohlone Science Night - Future Exploration of the Moon and Beyond seminar presented by Dr. Anupa Bajwa in the Jackson Theatre at 7 p.m.
12 Community Band - Entertainment in the Jackson Theatre at 8 p.m.
19 Faculty Senate meeting at 3:30 p.m. in Room 1307.
14-15 Men’s Water Polo - Nor-Cal Tournament. Location TBA.
19 Women’s Basketball - Away vs. Skyline College at 5:30 p.m.
14-15 Women’s Water Polo - Nor-Cal
19 Women’s Volleyball Home vs. SJCC at 6:30 p.m.
7
8 New Art Gallery Exhibit - David Tomb: The Plumed Serpent. A Show of large scale naturalist drawings of endangered birds from Mexico’s El Triunfo Wildlife Preserve will be in the Louie-Meager Art Gallery. 8 Men’s Baseball - Away vs. Los Medanos at 10 a.m. 9 Ohlone Wind Orchestra - Performance in the Jackson Theatre at 2 p.m. 11 Campus Closed in
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Thursday, November 6, 2008
The fast break By Ankita Chhabra Sports writer
Let’s stop believing With the Baron Davis trade showing its effect for both the Warriors and Clippers (I’m still having an intrapersonal debate about who I want to feel more sorry for, the Warriors for losing their “Prima Donna’’ or the Clippers for investing their money in a bad trade) and the suspension of Monta Ellis for the first 30 games of the season, not to mention a season-low shooting percentage, the Warriors don’t seem to be giving any reason for the Bay to still “believe.” With the season just under way, I was hesitant to purchase any tickets to go see the Warriors because I wasn’t sure if it was worth sitting through a game that includes a poor offense (I concluded it was due to Maggette’s injury; others conclude otherwise) or watch them get rampaged over by seven-footers like Tim Duncan and Yao Ming, because they have none of those types of players to help them out, or to see that no Monte Ellis means no one is going to give them the open lane fast breaks. But I like how the Warriors are playing it safe by inviting Rob Kurz back to the team. Impact-making move by Golden State? Hhm, not exactly. Kurz is good insurance and is considered good worth until Monte comes back. But on a positive note, rookie DeMarcus Nelson is looking like a good hope for the Warriors. In the last four games, he has proven that he is a physical competitor who can take the heat. Even with Davis gone, the drama seems to linger, and this time it’s Al Harrington in the spotlight and all he wants is out of it. So I wonder why he’d want out.Is it because he and Nellie aren’t the best of buddies, or the fact that he can see the future, which looks like the bench because Anthony Randolph will be taking his minutes as the W’s point guard. However, the season is still very young. Yet, it doesn’t look good for the infamous “We Believe” t-shirt sales. Maybe it’s time to “stop believing” the one-hit wonder that was the 2006-07 Warriors. After this season we can expect to say bye to Nelson and Mullin, Ellis most likely will be demanding a trade, Randolph becoming disillusioned, and 3-4 straight 20 win seasons staring them in the face. Better add another stocking on the mantle for the Warriors because they need all they can possibly get.
Page 8
Starting on top: #2 Ohlone tips off new season Friday By Ankita Chhabra Sports writer
After falling to Fresno City in last year’s Sweet Sixteen, the time for redemption is finally here for the Renegades. Ohlone will be hosting the fifth annual Jonathan Wallace Memorial Tournament this weekend and will make their season debut against Feather River College, Friday at 7 p.m. “We’re here to play and win,” said Ohlone’s Jamaal Blalock who, like Renegades Head Coach John Peterson, believes in this team’s strength and great potential this year. Keeping in mind the past statistics of the basketball team and their consistent game-winning streaks, the team is looking in great shape with 10 returning players from last year’s team. With the addition of Peterson nine years ago, Ohlone has won over 60 percent of their games and they are looking to improve that average this year. It became very evident that the team has one goal in mind this year and that is to go all the way through the state tournament and win the state championship. “Watch out for good offense and scoring this season,” said Renegades’ Ronnie Sawyer. The Renegades averaged just over 70 points a game last season, led by then-freshman guard Chancious Rose, who averaged about 14 points per game.
By Jeff Weisinger Sports editor
Obama’s changeup
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Ranked second in the state, the Renegades look for a strong start on the season. As of right now the team is ranked second in the state right behind Citrus College from Southern California, but is top-ranked in Northern California. Is that a sign of things to come? Let alone, can the Renegades stay atop the rankings and start strong This being the preview for the upcoming season, these will be some exciting games to come out to with some promising performances that Peterson says are worth looking out for. The Renegades’ event is named after the late Jonathan Wallace, who was a former Ohlone player who died in a car accident on Aug. 2, 2005. He was two weeks away from
heading to Adams State College on a full scholarship. Peterson has decided to hold this tournament in Wallace’s memory as a positive reinforcement toward junior college basketball. The money from this tournament goes to the Wallace scholarship. The tournament will be featuring Cabrillo, Shasta, Merritt, Sacramento City, Diablo Valley and Hartnell Colleges. Friday night’s game will start at 7:00 p.m. with admission for adults at $5 and free for kids under 12 as well as students with a valid student ID. The Renegades next home game is on Nov. 26 against DeAnza College.
Three in a row for Women’s soccer; win 2-0 vs. Vikings By Ankita Chhabra Sports writer As the season is changing and we are more accustomed with the laziness of the cold weather, seems as though the Ohlone Womenʼs Soccer team is too. Despite winning 2-0 on Tuesday against West Valley College, the intensity and the excitement of the game was somehow swept and gone with the new weather. The Lady Renegades’ formula just about went missing throughout the game, although they dominated throughout the first half offensively. Jasmine Floyd scored the first goal for Ohlone as team-leading scorer Fannie Koloko-Green faked her shot on goal, taking down the goalkeeper in the process, passing it to Floyd, who shot it in. But who knew the second half would look like someone came and sucked the life out of these girls? They still worked hard and kept control of the ball, but the sloppiness got the best of them. Alissa Henderson contributed to the scoreboard as she made the second goal for the Lady Renegades, receiving an assist from teammate Katie Henderson.
Change is here
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Fanny Koloko-Green is the leading scorer for the Lady Renegades with 14 goals this season. Goalkeeper Danielle Anderson recorded her third consecutive shutout in the win to go with her three saves on the day. The Lady Renegades looked strong in the first half of the game, but in the second half the ladies looked complacent. But with the lineups changed up, including players playing out of position due to injury and their defensive improving by the minute,
the ride to the state championship seems like a song waiting for the last verse to be put it. Lady Renegades Head Coach Larry Heslin is keeping his smile on and hopes high for the championship this year. With only three games left, the Lady Renegades must continue their strong play through Koloko-Green and Anderson in the net if they want to go far in the playoffs.
New President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign was all about change. That “change” goes from everything from politics, to the recovery of our struggling economy, to the current war in Iraq and even the sports world. “It’s not about me; it’s about people losing their home or jobs, or those looking to retire,” said Obama in an interview with ESPN’s Chris Berman. The die-hard Chicago WhiteSox fan will throw out the first pitch, left-handed might I add, on April 6, 2009 and will debate with the International Olympic committee later that year on why the “windy city” should host the 2016 Summer Olympics. His appearance is a positive thing for Chicago’s (let alone the United States’) chance to host a Summer Olympics over favored Japan. “Mr. Obama is popular and good at speeches, so things could get tough for Japan,” said Tomiaki Fukuda, a senior Japanese Olympic Committee board member said to ESPN. So, yes, that means that McCain would have a negative impact. As Bush also did… on everything. (See any similarities?) Obama also mentioned with ESPN about having an eight-team playoff between the top teams in college football and eliminating the B.C.S (mainly known as B.S.) He also plans to appoint a new chair of the Federal Communications Commission. This is significant in the dispute between the sports cable networks and cable providers. “If you take his position on the Internet one step further, you can see that Obama will support the idea that a cable TV customer should be able to choose any network he wishes to watch,” says Professor James Speta of Northwestern Law said to ESPN. His promise to raise the taxes of those who make $250,000 and more will affect both team owners and players alike. The proposed tax hike caused the MLB to change their league-minimum salary to $400,000 starting next year. MLB free agents are looking to get signed before Jan. 1 to avoid the tax raise on player signing bonuses. Obama and his attorney general will also make a decision on the Roger Clemens trial if federal authorities do not do so before he takes over office. Obama’s promise of change may lead to solutions that have challenged team owners for years. The next four years will be interesting in the sports world.