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vol. LXXXIX
THURSDAY, 31 January 2013
no. 5
Gun Control
Sac to Seattle
Ski Resort Deals
By Jonathan Cook FEATURE pg. 2
By Webbo Chen SPORTS pg. 4
By Darcie Moningka OPINION pg. 6
What America is saying about weapons in the wake of the most recent mass shootings.
The Seattle skyline may become the Sacramento Kings’ view in a blockbuster move.
Check out our guide to the sweetest snow deals in the Northern California area.
Fiscal Cliff Averted: What it Means for America By Chloé Robles-Evano Jan. 1 didn’t only bring in a new year but also new policies pertaining to taxes. Three hours before the country rang in 2013, the Senate agreed on a deal that would allow the United States to avert the impending crisis known as the “fiscal cliff.” Before the deal, the new year was poised to bring an end to previous payroll tax cuts brought about during the Bush administration. This would increase tax rates on each of the tax brackets. Tax brackets are determined by how much income a person has. Each succeeding bracket has a higher tax rate. It was approximated that middle-income families would pay about $2000 more in taxes due to the phasing out of certain tax exemptions and the increasing tax rates. Additionally, approximately 1000 government Continued on pg 3.
The current financial situation has many Americans feeling like their wallets are running on empty. Scott Rhodius
Protests for Women’s Rights Spark in India
Protesters cry out after the tragic attack on a female university student in India. Ramesh Lalwani, Flickr.com
By Alex Blum Hearings began earlier this month at the trial for six men accused of brutally raping a 23-year-old New Delhi woman on Dec. 16. Protests and litigation have rocked India since the fatal December attack. The woman, recently identified as Jyoti Singh Pandey, and her friend Awindra Pandey (no relation) were taking the bus on the way home from the movies when they were attacked. They were unable to fend off the six violent abusers, who beat them into submission. After the attack, their naked bodies were thrown off the bus, which was not headed homeward. Police arrested the men soon after, a lot that included two brothers and the bus driver. Having sustained serious bodily injury, Singh Pandey, nicknamed “Damini” by supporters after the Hindu word for lightning, died in a Singapore hospital on Dec. 29. Her tragedy was immediately headlined on networks worldwide. While pundits outlined the details of the attack, women protestors in India and beyond grew enraged by some reactions to the horrific event. Leading protests are, according to India’s FirstPost newspaper, “the young middle class, the social-networking and smartphone-wielding youth.” The demonstrations promoted by these youth are daring in light of India’s sense of patriarchy. Not everyone believes that women should have the right to speak
out against injustice. “Until today I have not seen a single incident or example of rape with a respected lady,” the lawyer representing Singh Pandey’s attackers said. Statements like these and increased sanctions on women’s freedoms have furthered the fury felt in India and abroad. As one student of New Delhi’s Indraprastha College exclaimed, “Why should we [women] pay for the crimes men commit? Lock the men up. We are not the culprits!” Sentiments like these are a radical divergence from India’s long-established caste system and ideas of gender. For women to represent themselves and bring about justice is something unthinkable among traditional Indian circles. Dalit women, for example, are expected to be subordinate to their superiors—particularly males. Deemed “Untouchables,” the Dalit are powerless to those of higher classes. In abuse scenarios, they are given little credibility and are discouraged from reporting the violence they endure. Singh Pandey, however, is not a Dalit, demonstrating that “what is emerging is that middleclass women are not safe [either],” as as the British newspaper The Guardian puts it. In an International Business Times article entitled, “Delhi Gang-Rape Protests: What About The Sex Crimes Against Untouchable Women?,” Palash R. Ghosh writes that “for females at the Continued on pg 3.
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Campus Chronicle
no. 5
NEWS & FEATURE
Mass Shootings Reignite Debate A temple in Wisconsin. A movie theater in Colorado. An elementary school in Connecticut. With these and many other deadly shootings fresh in the minds of Americans, gun control has become the nation’s hot topic. By Jonathan Cook, guest writer It was a brisk December morning. A morning like many others: students arriving, going to their desks, while their teachers taught last-minute lessons before the weekend just as other teachers were doing across the country. However, in Newtown, Conn., this ordinary morning changed in just a matter of moments. Around 9:30 a.m., Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., murdering 26 people, 20 of them between six and seven years old. In the wake of this tragedy, American citizens have reignited the debate on gun control. After a series of violent mass-shootings, from a theater in Aurora, Colo., to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a sense of outrage has spread across the nation. There are two viewpoints that are on opposite ends of the political spectrum. One feels that its Second Amendment right is in jeopardy when there is any talk of gun regulation; another feels that the country should do away with guns all together.
Constitutional ambiguities and gun control: The Second Amendment states: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
According to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative, there is room within the Constitution of the United States to regulate the production and purchase of firearms and ammunition. According to him, this does not violate the Second Amendment. Just as the First Amendment protects free speech but does not allow citizens to incite violence, the Supreme Court has found that the Second Amendment has limitations. In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the Supreme Court ruled that there is no constitutional problem with laws forbidding firearms in places such as schools, or laws preventing felons and the mentally ill from carrying guns. This ruling provides people from vastly different perspectives with an opportunity to work within the confines of the Second Amendment to pass effective legislation that will reduce gun violence.
Policy issues and proposals in response to the shooting: Following Newtown, numerous proposals from across the ideological spectrum were proposed that would ostensibly make the country–and children–safer. According to a poll conducted by Gallup following the Newtown shooting, over 90 percent of Americans support requiring background checks before any gun purchase. Currently, estimates by The Washington Post suggest that between 20 and 35 percent of guns purchased in the United States are made without a background check thanks to gaps in the law, including the infamous gun show loophole and allowances for “straw purchases,” where an individual legally purchases a gun to sell to someone who would not otherwise be able to purchase one. Large majorities of Americans also favor “reinstating and strengthening the 1994-2004 ban on assault weapons (60 percent), and limiting the sale of ammunition magazines to those with 10 rounds or less (54 percent” according to Gallup. Many Americans believe that “assault weapons” designed for war, should not be in the hands of civilians. It is important to note that “assault weapons” are typically defined in these conversations as rifles that have detachable clips of ammunition. Some proposals have called for most automatic and several semiautomatic rifles to be banned. Rep. Mike Thompson, a gun owner and avid hunter who represents PUC in the House of Representatives, supports reinstating and strengthening a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. “I don’t believe that militarytype assault weapons and assault
magazines have any benefits to our neighborhoods and our societies and our communities,” he said. He adds that many gun owners, including friends of his who drastically differ from Thompson in terms of politics, support such a ban. “I’ve had friends of mine who are gun owners and hunters who, if you look at the political spectrum, if they took another step to the right, they’d fall off the edge. They don’t want assault weapons on the street. They don’t want assault clips on the street,” he said. “They want us to do something.” The shooters in Newtown, Aurora and Tucson all used semiautomatic rifles that would be the target of a new-and-improved version of the assault weapons ban that was in place from 1994 to 2004. High-capacity ammunition clips are another area of contention. In Sandy Hook, all of the victims were shot multiple times—six-year-old Noah Pozner was shot 11 times. In fact, Adam Lanza was able to shoot off close to 100 rounds from his AR-15 within a matter of minutes. California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s proposed plan would ban the sale of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, a position supported by many Americans.
A global perspective: Statistics on guns in America paint a picture of what many fear is an increasingly violent culture. In an average year, 100,000 people are shot—including over 18,000 children and teens—resulting in over 30,000 deaths according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. This is the highest rate among industrialized nations. In fact, 80 percent of deaths from gun violence in the 23 wealthiest nations happen in the United States. Of the 11 most violent shootings in the U.S., five have happened since 2007, including the tragedies at Virginia Tech, Aurora and at Sandy Hook. America also has the highest number of guns per capita: there are some 300 million in circulation.
Conclusion: Americans have the right to bear arms, while also having the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, a man with a semi-automatic rifle shooting 26 people in an elementary school is not what the Founding Fathers intended when writing the Second Amendment. American citizens are now asking themselves how to balance freedom with the public safety and well being of others. The United States has a great heritage of gun ownership and sportsmanship. Thus, the considerable task now for representatives in Congress is seeking meaningful action that balances the country’s rich heritage of gun ownership with law and order. While speaking at the vigil for the victims of Sandy Hook, President Obama said, “These tragedies must end, and to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and it is true. No single law, no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society. But that can’t be an excuse for inaction. Surely we can do better than this.”
vol. LXXXIX
THURSDAY, 31 January 2013
3
NEWS & FEATURE
PUC Further Develops Relationship with AIA By Christiana Robbins Many people do not know what AIA stands for, much less what its purpose is, but AIA is a valuable resource for PUC. AIA, or the Adventist Intercollegiate Association, is an organization that connects all Adventist colleges and universities across the United States by networking student leaders. Pacific Union College and its Student Association are working together with AIA to build closer contacts with other campuses. The AIA provides a forum where student leaders can share experiences and learn from each other’s mistakes and successes. SA regularly updates AIA on campus activities
and events, as do PUC’s neighbor schools, Walla Walla University and La Sierra University. This exchange of information allows PUC’s student representatives to keep connected and better serve the student body. As AIA develops, the Campus Chronicle will be publishing monthly articles updating students on what kinds of interesting things other campuses around the country are doing. AIA also presents a yearly conference that will be held this year, April 3-6, at La Sierra University. Its theme is “Lights, Action, Leadership.” If anyone is interested in attending, please contact the AIA representative Christiana Robbins at clrobbins@puc.edu.
Critics Speculate Over Oscar Nominees By Angelica Casas The Oscars will air Feb. 24, 2013, on ABC, and a lot of top contenders— in terms of box office numbers and powerful acting—have been nominated. Here are some of the heavy hitters that could take the Oscar home. The films “Lincoln” and “Silver Linings Playbook” are head to head for the Best Picture title. “Lincoln” could take the Oscar, according to Clayton Davis from awardscircuit.com, because of the film’s “prestigious subject matter, the 16th President of the United States.” “Silver Linings Playbook” is also a heavy contender, with nominations in four of the major categories (Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Director and Best Screenplay) and eight nominations
total. “Oh and it has the might of Harvey Weinstein in its corner, a factor that can’t be overlooked,” said movie guru website ropeofsilicon.com. Daniel Day-Lewis seems to be the favorite to win Best Actor this year for his portrayal of President Lincoln. “He really digs deep into the role and is definitely a contender,” said Davis. One cannot forget his win for “There Will Be Blood” back in 2007. As for the Best Actress title, Jennifer Lawrence could take it, as this has been a great year for her with the “Hunger Games” under her belt and the first nomination for “Winter’s Bone.” Jessica Chastain is also a contender, as she could easily take it for her “lone, female role in a film with a predominate male cast,” said Davis.
Insight From the Business Department Professor John Nunes translates the current financial situation “Our economic advisors recognize that…our economic infrastructure is becoming compromised by continued mismanagement, so a couple of things are going to need to happen in fairly short order: 1. Federal taxes are going to need to be increased. And I don’t mean just income taxes on those earning over $200K. There aren’t enough people in that income range to make a sizable difference to the deficit. Because of the public’s dislike of income taxes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a proposal for a federal value added tax (sales tax). Fact is, college students, current federal taxes are probably the lowest they will ever be in your lifetime. 2. Spending is going to have to be cut substantially. We have already seen adjustments to the Pell Grant
cap, which impacts college students. Cuts like these will continue. The challenge becomes [one of] how the government [can] ‘spread the pain’ so that no single group is too adversely impacted…. Finally, student loan underwriting standards will probably be looked at in the near future. Student loan debt stands at over $1 trillion and in 2012 surpassed total consumer credit card debt for the first time. Recent statistics show that 13.4% of loans in repayment are in default, and those percentages are expected to rise. Because of this, the game is certain [to] change. Students will need to demonstrate academic progress in a tighter time window; creditworthiness will become more scrutinized and qualifying incomes* are likely to rise. Collections activities will also become more
aggressive. If you’re not making payments, they’ll say, ‘We’re going to put a lean on your house, or on your car. We’ll make it more difficult for you to get a job.’” Nunes explained that the government spends about $12,000 a person yearly. However, with each person bringing in about $8,000, spending will have to decrease by $2,000, while taxes will have to increase by $2,000. *Minimum income necessary to be eligible for student loans
Fiscal Cliff Averted. Continued from pg 1.
Protests for Women’s Rights. Continued from pg 1.
programs would have funding significantly cut. Some of these programs include Medicare and defense agencies. The combination of funding cuts and tax increases in an already hard-hit economy could have sent the country back into another recession. The Senate managed to temporarily avoid this fiscal cliff with their late-hour decision. The deal tackled the tax side of the problem but delayed addressing the other half, funding cuts, until February. Had the 2013 law come to pass, the gross domestic product would have fallen by four percentage points. As stated earlier, that would result in another recession. Furthermore, unemployment from significant defense agency budget cuts would raise the unemployment rate by a full percentage point or more. The financial cliff has more future than immediate implications for students. The results undoubtedly would be felt by would impact graduating seniors looking for jobs and dependent students relying on their parents’ income, putting the looming legislation on funding cuts on many students’ radars.
very bottom of India’s rigidly stratified society— the Dalits (or Untouchables, as they are known in the West)—rape has long been used as method of oppression and terror by higher-caste men.” Singh Pandey’s perpetrators have been charged with rape, murder and abduction. However, to her father Badri Singh Pandey, this is not enough. He tells the BBC, “Death for all six of them. These men are beasts. They should be made an example of and that society will not allow such things to happen.” India’s protests and remembrance of Damini represent a monumental shift in the way violent crimes toward women are handled. The former medical student who hoped to marry her boyfriend in February 2013 endured something that India will be haunted by for a long time to come.
Tax Credits, Flickr.com
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Campus Chronicle
no. 5
SPORTS
Possible Move from Sacramento to Seattle Upsets Local Kings Fans By Webbo Chen A recent agreement to sell and transfer the Sacramento Kings has saddened a city and its fans. The NBA team in California’s state capital awaits an imminent move and name change to the Seattle SuperSonics. The NBA announced the agreement Monday, Jan. 21. The Maloof family, current owners of the Kings, agreed to sell ownership to a Seattle group led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The cost of ownership amounted to approximately $341 million, 65 percent of the Kings’ value of $525 million. Kings minority owner Bob Cook, the Benvenuti family, businessman David Lucchetti and Santa Clara developer John Kehriotis altogether hold the remaining 35 percent. Meanwhile, Sacramento mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson appealed to the NBA for the opportunity
to pose a counteroffer that would keep the Kings in Sacramento. A local group of approximately 20 supporters offered at least $1 million each. Johnson will reveal more potential major donors soon, hoping to trump the Seattle group’s offer. The March 1 NBA deadline to relocate a team gives the Sacramento group about a month to gather enough funds before the NBA solidifies the sale to the Seattle group. Local Kings fans find little hope with the news that the Kings may move to Seattle and sport the SuperSonics name. “The city and fans feel like we never had a real shot at keeping this team, since the owners put this backdoor deal together with Seattle and have not offered us a chance to buy the team and keep it here,” said Daniel Zurkic, PUC alum and former enrollment counselor at the school. “I think the news is horrible. As a fan, I’m very worried about losing the first pro team I have ever followed.” A fan for 16 years, Zurkic remembers
becoming a diehard fan after the Kings signed his favorite player Vlade Divac. “Some of my favorite memories are just the atmosphere at the arena; I can only describe it as electric,” Zurkic recalled. “Also, all those early playoffs battles when the Kings started making the playoffs were amazing; being a doormat team for so long, it was just exciting to finally see a playoff game.” When asked if he would support the SuperSonics, Zurkic declared, “Not in a million years. I will be a Kings fan for life and only the Sacramento Kings. I would probably tune out the NBA if we lost this team.” The Kings have a record of 16 wins and 29 losses as of Jan. 26. Fans have waited nine years for the Kings to win a title. Players like Jason Williams, Vlade Divac, Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic brought the Kings to playoff contention in 2001, meriting the Sports Illustrated cover story, “The Greatest Show on the Court.” Those same players, along with
Men’s Basketball Recap
Conference Games Begin By Devin Tinny The California Pacific Conference season has officially begun, with the Pioneers already picking up their first conference win in their third Cal Pac game. PUC’s very own Lady Pioneers started off strong last week in the Covered Wagon against Cal State Maritime. Despite their 76-42 loss, the Pioneers did not give up that ‘W’ without a fight. With few opportunities to catch her breath, senior guard Alex Gallardo played all 40 minutes while scoring a total of 17 hard-earned points on Maritime. Gallardo and teammate Dawn Arciaga, a freshman guard in her first season of Cal Pac play, averaged a combined total of 14-for-16 from the free-throw line against Maritime. Five days later, Gallardo played an outstanding 37 minutes against UC Merced. Although the Pioneers struggled to make it to the free-throw line against Merced, the points were divided evenly across the board of their seven-player squad. PUC’s first conference win came soon after: a decisive 8741 trumping of Menlo College in which sophomore forward Ali Santanello poured in 21 points and Gallardo raked in 18. The Pioneers’ schedule is stacked full of both conference and non-conference games. During the past two weeks, the players have pushed through six games, including their home game Thursday night against the Simpson Redhawks, where they were defeated by a mere 10 points, 66-56. It has been just over a month since the Pioneers’ first exhibition game. With such an intense schedule, the women have not been given an easy season this year, and with their recent losses against Cal State Maritime, UC Merced and Simpson, the team is anxious to use the parts that clicked against Menlo and make a comeback to turn the season around. After fighting the frustration from the past couple losses, Gallardo maintained a positive outlook as she stated, “anything is possible.”
Mike Bibby and Doug Christie, helped lead the Kings to winning the 2002 and 2003 division titles. The franchise won their last conference and championship title in 1951, under the name of the Rochester Royals. The Royals moved to Cincinnati in 1957, to Kansas City in 1972 (where they adopted Kings as their name) and finally to Sacramento in 1985. The Seattle SuperSonics became an NBA team in 1967. At the end of 2007-2008 season, the team moved to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. Household names for Sonics fans may include Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp and Kevin Durant before the move to Oklahoma City. Although the Thunder provided fans with division and conference titles in recent seasons, they haven’t won a championship title since 1979.
By James Shim
Guard Miranda Reyes powers down the right sideline. Allison Regan
Guard Trevor Nogueira surveys his options. Allison Regan
The month of January has not been kind to the Pioneers, as they find themselves slumping in the past few games. The men’s basketball team kicked off their long weekend on Jan. 19 with an away match against Menlo College. The Pioneers kept it close, but the difference came in the free throws PUC gave Menlo. Menlo scored 25 out of 30 free throws during the game, while the Pioneers only shot 14. Menlo’s leading scorer Keith Bowman attempted 14 free throws, while finishing with 28 points for the night. Down only nine at the half, the Pioneers’ 40-point second half was not enough as they just fell short to Menlo. Guard Will Bell led the Pioneers by scoring 22 points during his 40 minutes of play. Freshman Ben Vincent was not far behind, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds in 34 minutes of play. The Pioneers started and ended the weekend with a game. PUC hosted the La Sierra University Eagles on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Pioneers were caught up in another close match, where they led the entire first half. With a few missed shots and players hitting foul trouble, La Sierra was able to gain momentum and pull away with the win in the closing minutes. With the season nearing its end, the Pioneers look to rebound and play better basketball in February. With time closing in on the California Pacific Conference Tournament on Feb. 22, the Pioneers hope to close their season on a positive note. The Pioneers’ final home game is scheduled for Feb. 2 against UC Merced. Losing their first matchup to Merced by only single digits, the Pioneers will undoubted play with much passion on Senior Night.
vol. LXXXIX
THURSDAY, 31 January 2013
5
SPORTS
Super Bowl Preview: 49ers Will Fulfill Quest for Six By James Shim “Who’s got it better than us?!... Noooobody!” The famous phrase associated with the San Francisco 49ers originated with the Harbaugh family, but has been turned mainstream by current Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh. This motto now resonates louder than ever in the Bay Area and with Niner fans everywhere, as San Francisco enbarks “The Quest for Six,” seeking their sixth championship in franchise history; this will be their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994. What a year sports it has been for Bay Area fans, as the Giants came off their second World Series win in three years and now see their beloved Niners have a chance to win Super Bowl XLVII. It’s rare for a city to win more than one sports title in the same season, and the Niners have a chance to pull off this feat on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3. The question surrounding this highly anticipated matchup is: which Harbaugh brother—the Niners’ Jim or the Ravens’ John—will walk away with the Super Bowl (or the “HarBowl” as many now call it) championship? The Baltimore Ravens have many seasoned veterans. However, with San Francisco’s new mojo clicking on offense and their defense being stingy as usual, the Niners look scarier than ever, especially after beating two of the top offensive powerhouse teams in the NFC—the Falcons and Packers. Let’s start at the quarterback position. At age 25, second-year quarterback Colin
Kaepernick has led his team to a Super Bowl appearance with his “dual-threat” ability to dominate by both running and passing the ball. With Kaepernick as starter this season, the Niners were able to go 7-2 while averaging 28.5 points per game. Most of the Niners offensive success will depend on Kaepernick and his ability to outplay the savvy Baltimore Ravens defense. Luckily for Kaepernick, the Baltimore pass rush has not been as stout as it’s been in the past. Kaepernick’s ability to run the ball on the outside will likely open up the middle for running back Frank Gore. Gore could do some damage on this Ravens defense that has allowed 128.3 yards rushing in the playoffs thus far. Let’s not forget that Kaepernick has great ability to throw the ball downfield, passing for 233 yards (76% completion) against a talented Falcons secondary in the NFC Championship game. With Kaepernick’s ability to run the read-option, a system where the quarterback reacts to the defense scheme and either hands the ball off to a running back or makes a play himself, Baltimore’s slow defenders and stagnant run defense may have a hard time stopping the Niners offense. It will be interesting to see how the veteran Baltimore defense handles the speed of Kaepernick, as this will be the first time the Baltimore defense sees an agile quarterback in motion this postseason. However, through three playoff games this year, Baltimore has six sacks, five interceptions and three forced fumbles,
all intimidating stats for a young quarterback like Kaepernick. Despite this, San Francisco possesses one of the most dominating offensive lines in the game, which has allowed Kaepernick and his team’s rushing game to average 236 yards per game in the postseason alone. The fast, hard-hitting Niners defense also has a big task at hand—to stop the big plays of Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. The Ravens have shown that they can make the big play at any time through the playoffs, and Flacco has caught fire at the right time. Fortunately for the Niners, they have one of the best defensive lines in this league and are very capable of pressuring the quarterback . Although they have not fully shown it this postseason, the defense led by Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and Justin Smith must still be respected, as their ability to rush the passer is still deadly.
The potential and team makeup to win the Super Bowl this year has given Niner fans much to be excited about this season. With an explosive offense that can expose the old veteran Ravens defense and a tenacious defense than can force mistakes, the Niners look poised to win the Super Bowl after almost 20 years of failed championship runs. Football Schedule, Flickr.com
Super Bowl Preview: Ravens Will Win It for Ray By Austin Ngaruiya
Keith Allison, Flickr.com
The road to Super Bowl XLVII goes through Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens. If you share a difference in opinion, I invite you to take that up with Ray Lewis himself. Football has never seen a leader or motivator like Ray Lewis. Lewis could lead the Ravens through the desert for 40 years and still remain unquestioned. Leadership will be a large factor in the game because the matchup between the Ravens and Niners is fairly equal. Both teams feature an offense predicated on the run game and the ability to make big plays off play-action. Still, there are stylistic differences at the quarterback position. Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick represents the new revolutionary quarterback–a
quarterback proficient rushing the ball as well as passing. Although Kaepernick has been successful, he is only in his 10th start. A brief lapse in concentration could be the demise of the Niners. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is a traditional pocket passer with exceptional arm strength. Flacco owns the record for most road playoff victories for a quarterback. In the past seven playoff games, Flacco has 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions. It is safe to say Joe Flacco is ready for this moment. Physicality is the staple of both of these defenses. The Niners feature a volatile front seven that brings nightmares to opposing quarterbacks, which frees their secondary to make plays on the ball. The Ravens are notorious for their great defense over the past decade. However this defense is a step slower. This defense relies on their great instincts and knowledge from Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed
to put them in a position to make plays. The turning point of this game will depend on special teams or a missed play. Possessions are precious in a Super Bowl; missed field goals become the equivalent of a turnover. Inconsistent would be the polite way to describe Niners kicker David Akers this season. If the game comes down to an Akers field goal, Jim Harbaugh might go into cardiac arrest. The Ravens feature a dangerous return guy in Jacoby Jones. Jones has multiple returns for touchdowns this season. A big return in the kicking game could be the difference in a game between two evenly matched heavyweights. Ray Lewis will have the Ravens ready to play this game. The entire Ravens organization wants to send Lewis off into the sunset with a Super Bowl victory. The power of Ray Lewis is a very real thing, and I do not plan to bet against it.
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Campus Chronicle
no. 5
OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
Scouting the Slopes: Best Deals at the Local Resorts By Darcie Moningka Aside from the North Face jackets, rain boots and obnoxiously noisy dorm heaters, winter quarter is the prime time for ski season. As students and residents of a northern California institution, we have nearby access to the home of some of the top ski resorts in California. One of the most highly rated resorts in this area is Northstar California, located in Truckee. With lift tickets going between $90-110, Northstar offers 20 lifts and 87 different trails for beginner to advanced snowboarders and skiers. Spend the day ripping through the trees and in the 22-foot Superpipe designed by two-time Olympian Shaun White, or unwinding by a warm fire pit in the Village. With a variety of activities such as free skating, bungee jumping, live music and shopping, Northstar is a definite crowd-pleaser for all family trips, friend getaways and solo riding sessions. If you are like most broke college students and want something more in your price range, take advantage of $15 Fridays at Boreal. Also located in Truckee, Boreal offers all college students
Not as Engaged as the Rest By Carlo Péan
and active military $15 lift tickets every Friday with valid identification. Kick off your weekends early and ride from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through 33 different trails and 11 lifts with a wide array of terrain park features. Another resort that should not go unrecognized this season is Squaw Valley USA, the location of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Squaw is known among visitors as a top ski location with more than 3,600 skiable acres. With a solid selection of deals, Squaw offers college and military discounts for $54, free lift tickets for same-day commercial airline passengers and rates of $30 if bought through select non-profit organizations. Squaw is the preferred location for many of the campus clubs, such as the Asian Student Association. Night skiing and riding is also an option from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with an extensive and thrilling night terrain. Get out on the slopes this season and take advantage of these top resorts. For more deals, ask the resort’s local Costco or visit www.liftopia.com and www. onthesnow.com.
you see the ring. Yet, deep down inside, you don’t understand how everyone on Facebook is getting engaged, getting married and having babies—but you’re still single. Even Honey Boo Boo’s mother has a boyfriend. I really feel bad for those “just dating” couples who run into the “recently engaged couples.” If the couple is new, then the awkwardness of the idea of marriage will fall upon them like an ill-placed ACME anvil. It’s even worse for guys who have been in relationships for several years. I’ll bet, after your friends show off their rings (or watches, for those really old-school Adventists), your girlfriend will glare at you with eyes filled with the rage and impatience of a rodeo bull, saying, “Well?!” As for me, I’m just a crotchety, jealous old man whose dream of love died one day long ago. My last heart’s desire didn’t circle “yes” on the note I gave her which asked, “Do you like me?” Oh well. I’ll take comfort knowing that I’m a beautiful black man who can always find love at the bottom of a bottle of Odwalla, a Dave Matthews Band album and a long Netflix queue of chick flicks. To the couples whom all this excitement surrounds: May you claim the years of bliss left unused by Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, Taylor Swift and [insert random male’s name here] and all those skeevy politicians and their naïve yet eager interns. Congratulations!
How quaint. Valentine’s Day has yet to reach us, and already our school is riddled with couples. These aren’t your ordinary PUC couples. They’re not the kind that I used to stumble upon my freshman year while taking night walks, nor are they the loiterers whom Winning Hall desk workers have to shoo away like stray cats. No, these couples are transforming PUC from a perfectly good, rainy, bleak, depressing winter quarter into some sort of happy beautiful paradise. Ugh! We’ll be Walla Walla or Southern in no time. I am speaking of course of the engaged couples. Shiny new rings catching the light and blinding you on your way to class. Echoing “fiancé/fiancée” and “marriage counseling” across Irwin and the internet. Guys smile shyly like the lyrics of a One Direction single gone wrong. The people who are hearing this news are usually the single friends. Telling someone about your engagement is like telling someone about your kid. It’s nice to hear about, but no one is as obsessed about it as you are. First, are the friends who are genuinely happy for their newly engaged friends. However, they are boring to talk about, so I’m going to move on. What really interests me are you “ooo-ahh” girls who are all screams and giggles when For recent engagements, check next issue.
PUC students take in the sun and snow at Squaw Valley during ASA Club’s ski trip. Melissa Gage
The Gun Debate: Do Some Research Before You Decide By Daniel DeCaires Gun control has become one of the most talked about and controversial subjects in our nation today. I’d like to start off by saying that whether one is for or against the idea of gun control, the stating of an opinion without adequate knowledge on the subject is a waste of time and only adds to the pool of misinformation. It is becoming such a nuisance to watch the people of this country take fundamental issues and hastily attach their own personal misguided opinions to turn the argument into a matter of social affairs. Gun control does not mean that a corrupt government with a hidden agenda is trying to take away our constitutional right to bear arms. Gun control is an attempt to improve the flawed system in place that allows easy acquirement of certain types of weapons for which there is no logical use in a common household. I’m sorry, but no one can give a truly valid reason for why an AR-15 assault rifle is a necessity. This is not Obama’s way of taking over the country to become a powerful dictator. This is a way of controlling the variables that allow for tragic events such as Newtown, Conn., and Aurora, Colo., to occur. Any sensible individual could deduce that the complete ban of all legally owned firearms is not the answer. That is not what this is about. Stop letting yourselves be fooled into thinking so. We’ve all heard the phrase: “Guns don’t kill people. People with guns kill people.” While this is somewhat true, it is similar to saying “Alcohol doesn’t kill people. Drinking alcohol kills people.” Catch my drift? There are
dangerous things in life, and certain precautions must be set in place in order to preserve the general safety of a society. Guns should be viewed as objects that demand the utmost respect and responsibility. If one is unable to demonstrate both of these attributes when owning a firearm, then they probably should not be permitted to do so. However, there is much more involved in the big problem besides just the ownership and handling of guns. The overabundance of guns and gun-related violence in our media for example, is a huge contributing issue that gets overlooked more often than not. People are quick to blame gun companies and gun owners as the root of the ever-growing issues. Yet, somehow the thousands of violent video games, television shows and movies are exempt. When the majority of the channels on a television have at least one show or movie involving guns and the lethal use of them, it is no wonder why imbalanced individuals get these terrible ideas in their minds. I can’t remember a single movie with Denzel Washington or Jason Statham in which neither of them holds a gun at least once. My point is that our own media has turned the idea of guns into such a prevalent and normative occurrence. There hasn’t been nearly enough emphasis to the same audiences of the extreme dangers guns bring. At the rate things are going, if left unchecked, how many more public shootings will occur? Expect to see some serious action taken by the government in these next few months. Also, when you hear about it directly from someone else, do yourself a favor and do a little research before you pair your opinions with theirs.
vol. LXXXIX
THURSDAY, 31 January 2013
7
OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
Staff Intros: Meet the new additions Winter quarter has brought fresh faces to the CC team. Here’s your chance to get to know them a little better.
Compiled by Rachel Cacho. Photos by Allison Regan.
Taylor Pittenger
Janet Morales
Devin Tinny
Daniel DeCaires
Araya Moss
-Major: Comm -Class: Freshman -Staff position: Op-ed writer -Reason for joining CC: “Writing is my passion, and someday I want to be a journalist.” -Fun fact: “My New Year’s resolution...was to write a passage about my day every single day for the whole year.... So far I’ve been sticking to it.”
-Major: Comm with an emphasis in Journalism -Class: Sophomore -Staff position: Op-ed writer -Reason for joining CC: “It looked like fun, and it’s the field I want to go into in the future.” -Fun fact: “I grew up in Portland. Go Ducks and Portland Trail Blazers!”
-Major: Comm with an emphasis in Public Relations -Class: Senior -Staff Position: Sports writer -Reason for joining CC: “To use the knowledge I have for both writing and sports to help enlighten my colleagues.” -Fun fact: “Ninety-one percent of my vernacular is laced with sarcasm.”
-Major: Business -Class: Sophomore -Staff Position: Op-ed writer -Reason for joining CC: “I enjoy sharing information with people.” -Fun fact: “I’ve never been outside of the United States, but I plan on moving to another country after I finish school.”
-Major: Comm with an emphasis in Public Relations -Class: Junior -Staff Position: Writer (any section) -Reason for joining CC: “Tosh asked me; I thought it’d be fun.” -Fun fact: “I’ve collected ticket stubs – movies, theme parks, concerts, etc., since 2006. (‘Click’ with Adam Sandler is one of the firsts.)”
#NowIsTheTime to Pass Sensible Gun Policy Reforms By Giovanni Hashimoto There are always formative moments that are seared in our memories. The gun massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., is one such moment. While the horrific massacre of 20 innocent children and six teachers in Newtown might only be the latest in a constant stream of gun violence, it was the spark that has galvanized people from across the country to seek an end to the violence in a way no other event has. Following the tragedy, President Barack Obama made a statement vowing to pursue common sense solutions to America’s epidemic of gun violence. “As a country, we have been through this too many times,” the President said. “Whether it’s an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago—these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, and these children are our children.” Obviously, well-meaning individuals bring varying perspectives and solutions
to ebb the plague of gun violence. One thing is clear, however. Something must be done. We cannot condone a system that leads to an average of over 100,000 people being shot every year, including over 18,000 children and teens. “We’re going to have to come together,” Obama added, “and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.” The president is not alone. Americans of every stripe are coming together and demanding sensible solutions. A White House petition demanding that President Obama propose a plan to prevent gun violence quickly became Twitter’s most popular petition, as the #DemandAPlan campaign trended in the world of tweets. Meanwhile, residents of Newtown, Conn., including families of victims, created the “Sandy Hook Promise,” asking Americans to promise to “honor the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School” and “encourage and support common sense solutions that make my community and our country safer from similar acts of violence.” President Obama has responded to public outcry by announcing a plan to reduce gun violence while respecting the rights of the vast majority of gun owners who are law abiding and use their guns safely. His plan, which included
recommendations from a task force of stakeholders led by Vice President Joe Biden, is a commonsense proposal that Congress should pass promptly. As part of his plan, the president is calling on Congress to close loopholes that allow the sale of guns without background checks and begin requiring background checks for all gun purchases. The plan also supports a new, stronger ban on assault weapons and limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds. It also calls on Congress to ban possession of armor-piercing bullets to anyone other than law enforcement and the military. The president’s plan goes much further than can be described here. If it is passed in full, it will be an invaluable step towards making Americans safer and honoring the memories of those murdered in Newtown and other shootings across the country. Because this time, it must be different.
At least
431 Mass shootings since the assault weapons ban expired in 2005.
87% Of children killed by guns among world’s 23 wealthiest countries which occur in the United States.
Read all of the President’s proposals at wh.gov/now-is-the-time and sign the Sandy Hook Promise at sandyhookpromise.org. Giovanni Hashimoto is president of College Democrats at Pacific Union College.
Over
40%
Side stats: 4.5X Increased likelihood that a person in possession of a gun is shot in an assault.
80% Of firearm deaths among the world’s 23 wealthiest countries which occur in the United States.
Percentage of guns sold in the United States which are sold without a background check.
8
Campus Chronicle
no. 5
The Backpage Enjoy the games. Go to the events. Read up on SA’s budget.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
EVENTS Jan. 31
Feb. 2 Feb. 3
Feb. 8 Feb. 9
Feb. 23
Talent Show SA Presents: Ice Skating SNOW WEEKEND! SA Presents: Superbowl Party! (1:30 p.m.) Women’s (6:30 p.m.) and Men’s (8:30 p.m.) Basketball game Comedy Show featuring Doctor Brown (8 p.m.) SA Presents: Japanese Game Show Women’s (5:30 p.m.) and Men’s (7:30 p.m.) Basketball game
SUDOKU
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT: 2012 FALL QUARTER Want to know where SA’s money is going? Keep tabs on your SA officers and their quarterly spending habits. Courtesy of the office of Financial VP Metelleklang Kevin Iyechad.
Breakdown for each Office are as follows
Expenses
Budget
President Samantha Angeles Executive Vice President Danielle Hagood Social Vice President J.P. Tan Religious Vice President Cameron Haley Financial Vice President M. Kevin Iyechad Campus Chronicle Editor Colleen Uechi Video Yearbook Andrew Lloren Diogenes Lantern Rachel Wuerstlin Funnybook Editor Will Yoshimura Campus Center Doug Wilson World Missions Ben Speegle
$24,256.00 $1,052.17 $10,660.33 $18,602.35 $3,766.67 $7,201.35 $62.90 $2,327.84 $13,285.18 $9,360.85 $1,407.11
$57,757.29 $8,229.71 $65,081.92 $40,537.41 $5,365.18 $20,943.78 $4,492.75 $46,467.09 $26,126.08 $10,357.12 $10,263.82
42% 13% 16% 46% 70% 34% 1% 5% 51% 90% 14%
$91,982.75
$304,765.24
30.18%
Total
TIC-TAC-TOE
% Spent
INTERESTING / COOL FACTS • Despite an increase in enrollment, the SA this year saw a decrease of about $40,000 in its overall budget. This effect was appropriated between each office, and all offices saw a decrease in their budgets by 8 percent. • The PUC SA as a whole has spent 28 percent of its budget to date. By this time we should be around 33 to 35 percent.That’s a savings of approximately: $15,233.76. • President Samantha’s biggest bill was $4,407.72, which paid for the Pioneer Posse T-Shirts given during Midnight Madness. 700 shirts were given out in total, each shirt averaging $6.30. • As of Jan. 17, Financial Vice President Kevin has written more than 200 checks.
• Religious Vice President Cameron’s biggest bill was a $4,000 payment for amazing sand artist Joe Castillo. • Social Vice President J.P.’s biggest bill was the Napa Bowl. He paid $2,000 to rent the whole place where everyone got in for $1. A grand total of 270 students went. • Diogenes Lantern Editor Rachel acquired a mini photo printer available for rental, and has made 50 percent of a return on the price she paid for the printer to date. • World Missions has spent $343.78 to send out care packages to PUC’s Student Missionaries abroad.