The Puyallup Post | Volume 13 | Issue 5 | February 2008

ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2008

It’s a hair-raising experience see page 11

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF PIERCE COLLEGE PUYALLUP

s P o r t s

F e a t u r e s

Band’s amazing message see page 14

Free

VOLUME 13

Carlton Canary

Pierce sees slight rise enrollment Martha Coward Reporter

For the past three years, despite the prediction of more high school graduates, the enrollment at Pierce College has been decreasing.

The drop in overall headcount of students has presented the college with a number of budgetary challenges, as decreased enrollment means reduced funding from the state.

Recent projections, however, show a 4 percent increase for winter quarter 2008 when compared to winter quarter 2007, and this boost marks a slight upturn that the college hopes will continue in the nearfuture.

College officials point to enrollment expansion in Basic Skills, General Educational Development and English as a Second Language classes as one reason for the enrollment upturn.

“This is one of the fastest growing populations who need education,” Pierce College Puyallup President Tana Hasart said.

The college’s priority for these classes is to make sure students who enroll in them have a successful experience, as well as give those students the opportunity to transition into regular college classes, said Hasart.

Another reason is expanded marketing and recruiting campaigns.

“Some of the things that we believe are turning the enrollment around (are)…we’ve really stepped up our marketing and recruiting functions,” said Hasart.

The college has increased high school recruiting efforts and recruiting for specific, high-demand areas such as nursing, construction management, and early childhood education.

Pierce has also been working with businesses, industries and community groups to “identify unmet needs,” Hasart said.

“Our College Relations office also markets (the college) through news media via public bus ads, radio ads and other such opportunities,” she added.

Internally, the college has been working on improved student support services, including offering Pierce students tutoring and supplemental instruction.

They are also working on providing support for students through financial assistance and more convenient class schedules.

Faculty and staff at Pierce also have contributed to the increased enrollment.

“The ways they interact with students, the way they care about the college, the way they represent Pierce College…they’ve done a huge amount of work to help strengthen enrollment,” said Hasart.

Travis Iverson, left, and Spencer Black complete in the Fear Factor Food Challenge that re contestants to eat a variety of disgusting foods.

College sets its sights on rope obstacle course Kendra Logston Reporter

Along with the new buildings being added to the Puyallup campus, another new project is taking root as well.

The new project is a ropes challenge course, which will be called the Pierce Challenge.

A ropes challenge course is an educational rope-obstacle course that will teach those using the course teamwork and trust.

“It’s one of those trusts that Erika Odem takes a long time to build,” Erika Odem, the Artist and Speaker/Outreach Coordinator said. “It’s a setting that forces you to build it right away.”

Pierce leaders are working to bring this to the college campus.

“What it does is provide experiences for students… to have opportunities to learn outside the classroom,” Mari Kruger, director of student life, said.

Such experiences included working as a team with people whom you might not know.

Teamwork, problem-solving, conflict resolution and

effective communication are all areas that would be influenced by using the challenge course.

It is hoped that teachers will take their classes out to the course to help build trust within the classroom and among peers.

The course will consist of “low ropes,” which are dealt with as a team and “high ropes,” which are used by individuals.

Low ropes are used more in the area of group work and affect teamwork directly.

High ropes are used to help in individual development, yet can indirectly influence teamwork as well.

Pierce College Puyallup, Washington State University and 4-H have teamed up to create the Pierce Challenge.

This state-of-the-art challenge course may soon be located in the wooded area near the HEC building.

It will also be the only “high course” between Seattle and Vancouver, Wash. WSU and 4-H once operated a course in Bonney Lake, but it was closed when the property was proposed for development.

Puyallup’s Student Programs team experienced the ropes challenge course, where they learned how to work together as a team.

“On the challenge course, we learned how it was we were going to work as a team,” Andrew Monson, the Continued on page 10

editor’scorner Sharon Coward Editorial Commentary

Hello mid-quarter Pierce, February seems to be the new season of giving.

There are three opportunities for the college community to give to the needy this month.

The Pierce College honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, is organizing a “Winter coat and shoe drive,” and are asking for gently-used clothes and shoes that will be donated to the Salvation Army. The bins are located in the College Center and Library Building.

The college deli is hosting a food drive until March 5. If you bring in a bag of non-perishable foods, the deli will reward you with a free meal.

Finally, Pierce math instructor Doug Bridges is asking for donations for a girl’s orphanage in the Ukraine.

Suggested donations include food and money, and volunteering to sponsor one of the orphanage’s 16 girls.

PiercePoll

President’smessage Lucas helping students get more out of africa Dear Pierce, If any of you have John Lucas as an instructor, you no doubt are aware of all the events this quarter surrounding the amazing continent of Africa.

If you’re not in one of his classes or haven’t been to any of the African events yet, let me just encourage everyone to please find some of the Africa events to attend.

Along with having several different lectures from different speakers and instructors, we have some other unique and exciting events.

Sonja Morgan, our Student Programs coordinator, has put together an excellent film series that has run from January through February.

The final film in the series will be “Hotel Rwanda,” a super excellent film in my opinion, and it will be shown in the middle of February.

Look for information about it at the African Vendor Fair on Feb. 12. Many of the films in the series were in some part produced by native Africans, and have brought a tremendous amount of diversity awareness to our campus.

What it means to build relationships with others For The Puyallup Post

the Puyallup Post

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um one week for the same price it was last week.

Unfortunately, economic stability literally calls for a change in culture, the mass transformation of an ancient way of life that America’s three or four centuries holds no candle to as far as longevity.

Democracy is our weapon of choice, one that has caused social tremors throughout the rest of the world since the Revolutionary War. While other successful world powers have seen fit to adopt autonomous governments, that’s a privilege shared only by other socially stable countries suited for the rigors of democracy. The Middle East—as we’ve noticed over the past several centuries—is ‘unstable’ by definition.

‘Unstable’ has been the rule of thumb for eons, generations, for ages and ages and ages and yet here’s the USA barging in and insisting everyone hold hands and be nice for the up and coming elections. This is understandably nerve-grating to other nations to say nothing of the Sunni or Shia peoples we involved.

I told Marie there was certainly a board of culturally savvy Middle Eastern to American intelligence that took one look at Operation Iraq Freedom and blew every capillary in their bodies. The cultural divide between our two countries is too vast. We don’t have the Intelligence. This is a twenty year operation at least. We’re not that rich. The word ‘infidel’ will probably come up, a lot. Jihad. Holy war. McDonald’s. It’s just not a good idea. Let’s quit while we’re ahead. This isn’t going to work.

And – obviously – we ignored them and did it anyway.

Why? I guess that’s the heart of the issue, ‘why’. Everyone knows why we did Afghanistan: two planes and a million broken hearts, weeping and screaming over a mountain of rubble, jagged headstones for thousands.

That’s why, in October 2001, Afghanistan saw fire. Al Qaeda and the Taliban burned in that country. Suture and bandage with a democratic government and, voila! Mission accomplished. That’s a wrap. Kudos. Job well done. In our long history of international meddling, this is about the time we start packing it in or didn’t we learn our lesson in 1900?

So…why aren’t we leaving?

Before 9/11 the generally accepted rule was tolerance and moral isolationism. One culture has absolutely no right to make judgments upon another culture due to outstanding misunderstandings on behalf of all parties involved. One culture can’t properly appreciate or comprehend the ethical and moral motivations of another society and should refrain from sticking their noses into other people’s business. This way, all cultures are given the utmost respect. Live and let live, etcetera, etcetera. And the termination of Operation Enduring Freedom (the war in Afghanistan) seems that the USA reached the end of it martial justification and should have

“Democracy is our weapon of choice, one that has caused social tremors throughout the rest of the world since the Revolutionary War”

America as a country is the biggest cultural freakshow the world has ever seen— and that’s not an exaggeration.

Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12% If the world is anything like high Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12% school, we are that freakishly enthusiastic Sick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12% sophomore every senior not so secretly On vacation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4% wants to punch in the mouth but can’t Just didn’t want to go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36% because (s)he’s treading lightly about the Unfinished homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8% lunchroom with an alarmingly big stick in Others included other school activities and childcare hand. duties. Some responders claim to have never That’s a funny way to look at it but funmissed a class, while another cited a “temporary damentally true nonetheless. At the turn of the new millendeath.” nium, the United States of America had been functioning as a free radical country—independent of all former super powers responsible for its birth—for roughly three hundred years. * The “Pierce Poll” question for the March issue can be For older, harder, weather-beaten old empires such as (for found on page 4. a lark) all of modern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East actually, watching us run around inflicting our fledgling will on people is really, really annoying.

Example: I was intellectual pals with a French exchange student last year and we beat each other over the head with Commentaries: The opinions expressed on the our culture justifications all year long; American hubris and commentary pages are those of the writers.

The French Puyallup Post s forum is intended to allow for a disdain being one of the many ethical bludgeons we swung at one another. diversity of expression.

By virtue of being American, upper-middle-class and essentially lazy, I was disinclined to argue. Marie, by virtue of being upper-class, French and inherently feisty, was desperate to argue. My participation was mandatory because I was, sadly, one of the few American high-schoolers willing to have any kind of objective disagreement with her that didn’t end in The Puyallup Post is produced by ‘Well, you’re French! Naaaah!’ students attending Pierce College One of our favorite topics of righteous indignation was Puyallup. probably the motivating factors behind the war in Iraq and This publication is intended as a publicAmerican presence there in the first place. Apparently Marie’s forum. Published materials are the sole (and apparently most of France’s) opinion is that George Bush is a big, dunderheaded cowboy and we should have responsibility of the editors, reporters never crossed the Atlantic period. I told her most Americans and photographers, and are not thought he was a big dunderheaded cowboy too, but would intended to represent the college s disagree with her on the latter end of France’s mass opinion. policies.

American involvement in Iraq—as seen by the French— vvv is a catastrophic moral and economical muddle stemming For information on advertising rates, from the fundamental incompatibility of culture and ecoor how to submit letters to the editor nomical imbalance.

Which ever it is, you couldn’t ask for two countries more or story ideas, call 840-8496 polar. America is to Iraq what an 8.4 Richter scale earthquake or email puypost@pierce.ctc.edu. is to nitroglycerin. Now, the economic imbalance of most The student newspaper office is in Middle-Eastern nations is an unfortunate byproduct of a culroom 218 in the College Center. ture that has been sabotaging each other’s economic pursuits vvv for quite some time. If your tribal adversary is getting too financially comfortable: blow up his oil well.

Editorial staff: Sharon Coward As in most underdeveloped countries, resources being and Brad Jones warred over makes for an unstable society. America, like Reporters: Martha Coward, Jonathan many times before, is attempting to stabilize the economy because—yes, we confess—it would be nice to buy petrole-

Question: What’s your excuse fo r missing class?

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Andrew Monson ASPCP President 253-840-8439 amonson@pierce.ctc.edu

an american freakshow Whitney Henderson

We polled students to determine....

One of my favorite events that we had was the student panel featuring three students from Uganda and one from Ghana who are currently students at the Ft. Steilacoom campus of Pierce College.

It was very interesting to learn the differences between the U.S. and some of the countries in Africa from a student perspective.

If anyone is interested in attending these Africa events, please refer to the schedule on the back of the winter events calendar.

If you don’t have an events calendar, stop by the Student Programs Office (C210), where we have plenty.

I encourage everyone to take part in the idea of wholestudent development that we try to implement here at the college and find ways to educate yourself outside the classroom.

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commentscorner Why I love my hybrid ... class Susannah Youngquist For The Puyallup Post

a week class, which can be a challenge. The rest of the class work is done online at my own pace.

Hybrid class? You might be asking yourself, “what is that? A class that saves on gas?”

Not only does it save you money on gas, as you are only attending class at the college half as much as before, but it saves time, and who doesn’t like to save money and time?

I’m a 31-year-old returning student. I have two children, two part-time jobs, a house and family members who need constant attention. I have been attending Pierce College off and on since my daughter was one. She’s now almost seven. I’ve been working toward my general associate’s degree a few classes at a time as life has allowed.

I’ve taken lecture classes in the evenings and during the day. I’ve taken online classes, some successful and some not.

This quarter is the first time I’ve taken a hybrid class. In fact, I didn’t even realize they had such a thing until I was trying to decide what classes to take for this quarter, my last one, and noticed the little black box with the H in it next to the class listing.

Most of the classes I was registering for were online classes, but I really needed a speech or public speaking class. Those classes really don’t work online. However, there was an offering for a Speech 100 hybrid class that suited my schedule. I thought that was the perfect solution.

What is a hybrid class? It’s a combination of a traditional lecture class with an online class. For my speech class, I only attend class one night a week where I am able to connect with my teacher and classmates. I can benefit from a lecture on the material, which helps to reinforce what I’ve read.

I didn’t have to rearrange my life to fit in that one night

Why is this different from an online class? Unless you have the self-discipline to create and stick to your own schedule, it’s often hard to put as much emphasis upon an online class as it is a lecture class.

Lecture classes are something you schedule into your planner and need to leave the house to attend, so there is a concentrated effort to be on time with all of the materials you need.

Online classes are sort of like dishes—you know they are there, but you think you have lots of time to get around to doing them until you realize suddenly that they are piled up so high it will take you three times as long to wash them as it would have if you had just done them in the first place.

For me, I tend to get caught up in life and the days fly by. I often realize too late that I was supposed to turn in an assignment yesterday, and then I’m faced with not only that late assignment but with whatever is due today as well.

With an online class, there isn’t an instructor telling you each week what the homework is and when it’s due, and those verbal reminders just don’t happen, so it’s easier for your work to fall through the cracks.

With a lecture class, it can be the opposite. It can often be easy to feel as though there is too much lecture when you are there more than four hours a week.

Your valuable time would be better spent crossing off the huge to-do list you have, especially when you add in commuting time.

The classes you are taking play a huge role in that situation. Sometimes there are classes where the lecture is

essential, but other times classes really could be condensed because of a variety of reasons. That is exactly where a hybrid class comes in. It’s the best of both worlds.

One of my classmates, Amanda, told me that she finds her hybrid class easier than either a lecture or online class, both of which she has taken before, because she feels she has more time and can take her time doing the work because it is on her own schedule.

Another classmate, Ella, had similar comments. She felt the flexibility it offered worked really well for her schedule and allowed her more freedom, and it also gave her the opportunity to take some classes that are only offered during the day.

Flexibility seems to be the key to why the hybrids are gaining popularity. It’s my favorite part as well. I can do my class work on the computer at 5 a.m. or 11 p.m. or anytime in between.

I can sit at my computer in my pajamas, with a hot cup of coffee and listen to music while I am ‘in class’. I also benefit from that once a week class time on campus. It resets my weekly mental schedule and gives me a physical reminder of the work I need to do, since I am preparing for it, and it also allows me to connect with the college. I can meet other people, see what extra-curricular activities are being offered and enjoy the atmosphere that only college can offer.

Ultimately, I am a hybrid fan. By combining the best features of the online class and the lecture class it’s a winwin situation The Puyallup campus is offering six different hybrid courses for spring quarter.

It might be worth checking out.

Kenya’s strife mounts with rise in violence

Tarehn Jared Wegner For The Puyallup Post

The Rift Valley in western Kenya is surely living up to its name in recent weeks.

The country of Kenya itself, which is usually characterized as the rather amicable stronghold against both African and Middle-Eastern terrorism, has as of late been stunted by an increased level of violence following the Dec. 27 presidential election of former president Mwai Kibaki.

An arena in Nairobi, Kenya which has now become a refuge for the internally displaced took in more than 1,000 people early this month. The country’s largest city tells just a small piece of the story as surrounding towns and villages located throughout the country’s fertile rift valley that reek of ash and soot from what was once rows of housing, yet has now become piles of burning rubble.

The violence initially began after what looked like the makings of a late election landslide victory for opposition leader Raila Odinga ended in a nose victory for Kibaki and his minority PNU party.

Odinga, leader of the opposition and the head of the ODM or Orange Democratic Movement, states his belief that the election was rigged and that Kibaki’s recent “aggressive” statements to both the press and neighboring Ethiopia have acted only to augment post-election violence.

The accusation, which is highly scrutinized amongst Kibaki’s PNU coalition, is at least grounds for suspect following the 2005 constitutional referendum that ended in Kibaki’s dismissal of T h E

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his entire cabinet.

The ruling PNU party, new to Kenya’s multi-party political arena, is only the predecessor to Kibaki’s original NARC (National Alliance of Rainbow Coalition) the label he ran under in his 2002 election victory.

The NARC, now merely a dormant political entity once encompassed the LDP, or Liberal-Democratic Party whom along with the rest Kibaki’s divided cabinet was entirely expelled from the administration after 2005’s referendum proved to be a legislative failure.

Many believe Kibaki’s belligerent actions were the result of his intolerance for his many moderate supporters within the NARC. The LDP, which soon after became the poster boy for the majority “No” vote toward the referendum, eventually following its alliance with other major political entities became known as the Orange Democratic Movement.

Subsequently, the orange became a nationwide symbol for disapproval of the Kibaki administration as many former cabinet members ardently joined the opposition.

Kibaki, who not only sought to discharge the opposition within his cabinet, continued in his campaign for control by electing more personally approbative constituents to his already highly partisan government.

Unfortunately, as occurs many times throughout Africa, political tensions, if left unresolved too long, often boil down to ethnic tensions; in this case it has been the basis for recent upheaval in the western part of the country.

Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi

Annan has made efforts to mediate peace talks between the rivaling factions only to have them expunged amidst a continued display of stringency amongst the two opposing leaders, along with a sustained surge in violence between the Kalenjin and Kisii ethnic groups; the death toll now exceeds 1,000.

Proponents of the opposition promise that violence will not stop until either the PNU is taken out of power, or a re-election is held. President Kibaki entertains such ideas and even recommends that leaders of the opposition take their arguments up with Kenya’s legal courts, a farfetched proposal saying as an overwhelming majority of judiciary officials within the legal system remain Kibaki appointees.

In a recent U.N. orchestrated peace summit Kibaki changed his once seemingly more passive stance and is now referring to his presidency as “nonnegotiable,” where as U.N., U.S. and British officials believe that some sort of power sharing agreement must be reached in order to quell violence and serve the long term needs of a multiparty – multi ethnic population.

Whatever the result, it is clear that such chaos stemming from what was so recently tranquil only serves to shed light on the many inadequacies of a young democracy like Kenya in serving the rights of its people.

If a consensus can be realized and tyranny avoided, hostility will not only cease, but the possibility for an even stronger government which can effectively learn from its mistakes may soon arise as a reality for a country prepared for reform.

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Kenyan dissident writer to discuss literature, society Rescheduled from last month, Pierce College will present renowned Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o, who will discuss literature’s place in society and read from his book “Wizard of the Crow” at 7 p.m. March 5 in the lecture hall.

A book signing reception will follow the program.

His work includes novels, plays, short stories, essays and scholarship, criticism and children's literature.

Ngugi, currently a distinguished professor at the University of California, Irvine, was born in 1938 into a large peasant family.

He lived through the Mau Mau War of Independence and became sharply critical of the inequalities and injustices of Kenyan society during the Moi regime.

Ngugi was arrested and imprisoned without charge in 1977 and only freed after an Amnesty International campaign secured his release a year later.

He resumed his writings and his activities in the theater and continued to be an uncomfortable voice against the Moi dictatorship, which led to a forced exile of 22 years following his release from a Kenyan prison in 1977.

Tickets are $7, and admission is free for Pierce College students. To order tickets or request more information, contact the Student Programs office at (253) 840-8416.

The event is sponsored by Pierce College Puyallup Student Programs and International Education.

To request disability accommodation, contact Access and Disability Services at least 10 days in advance at (253) 964-6468 (v), (253) 964-6228 (tty), or e-mail to dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu.

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Foes discuss varied political viewpoints Andy Cox

Virginia Owens Reporter

Above: Conservative radio host Michael Medved, left, and John Ladenburg, former prosecuting attorney, discuss the state of the nation s economy, the presidential election and the War in Iraq during a forum hosted by Student Programs. The forum was moderated by Pierce College Vice President Mary Chikwinya.

RIGHT: The audience that crowded the dining commons was encouraged to ask Medved and Ladenburg questions.

the world between the two parties is solving the job crisis in America.

Obviously, both speakers and their party’s candidates want more jobs in America.

However, their method of providing more jobs is very different.

Republicans believe in less regulation, which gives owners the opportunity to run their company more freely.

Liberals, on the other hand, tend to favor more regulation that would try to protect these businesses and their families.

In response to this question, Medved and Ladenburg took opposing sides.

“Running a business today is a nightmare.

It is a nightmare of regulation and a nightmare of litigation,” Medved said as an opening statement. He went on to criticize the U.S. legal system and said that the main culprit in

PiercePoll Our Pierce Poll topic for March concerns students’ favorite chocolate treat.

Question: How to yo u like to consume your cho co late? o candy bar o hot fudge sundae o out of the bag o hot chocolate o mocha o don’t like chocolate/can’t eat it o Other: ___________________________________

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Bring your completed Pierce Poll response to the student newspaper office in C218 before Feb. 25.

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Allie McConnell

Politicians—it seems you either hate them or you love them.

Those who enjoy them showed their support at the Pierce-sponsored political forum between Michael Medved, a conservative radio host, and John Ladenburg, a liberal Pierce County Executive.

To understand their positions on current issues, it is important to know that these two men tend to fall into two political categories.

In general, Medved identifies with conservatives—the Republican Party—who would like to see less government. Ladenburg is considered a liberal—the Democratic Party—who would like to see more government.

In their opening statements, both Medved and Ladenburg highlighted the key topics of discussion in the political world currently, from the War in Iraq to the economy. They also discussed their party’s strategy to win the presidential election.

“We want to bring back the power of the people in this country,” said Ladenburg. “We need to pull back the curtain and let America see what is going on.”

“The Republican strategy is to level with the American people,” responded Medved, who believes the Republicans must take this approach to be successful. “I am supporting, for my party, John McCain because I believe that he, more than any of the candidates in either party, is willing to tell the Americans the truth.”

The economy was a favorite topic from the audience during this debate, in part due to the current issues we face.

Ladenburg emphasized that the economical problems in this nation are due in large part to the off-shoring of jobs.

He bashed the American government for allowing this to happen and noted that, due to debt, America is allowing too many foreign countries to buy companies and corporations.

Ladenburg said that because of the current scare of a national recession, the proposed government rebate check should be sent to citizens.

“That’s why the Democrats are supporting this rebate…because it will put money in the hands of the people who will help,” he said.

In contrast, Medved simply suggested it was not an issue of politics.

“The government does not run the economy,” he said.

An area where there is every difference in

the reason private business owners cannot afford to keep their companies running is lawsuits.

In response, Ladenburg used an anecdote about capitalism in China. Most people from the Democratic Party agree, saying they believe capitalism relies on lawyers and judges to function.

“Capitalism does not work without a legal system,” said Ladenburg in his closing argument.

Another large topic was the War in Iraq.

Interestingly enough, the two did not take directly opposing sides on this issue.

Ladenburg did not give a lot of insight on his beliefs or comment much on his party’s plan for the war, but he made it clear that they did not support it.

Medved, on the other hand, put little

america Continued from page 2

pulled out.

So, that America is starting up another ‘Operation–insert name–Freedom’ debacle is biting on a couple nerves overseas and a couple last nerves on the home front.

We had smoking ruins and rage the first time, justification enough to burn through the blood of a nation. Now what do we have? To the rest of the world, we’re throwing ourselves into ‘a task that does not end’ for no other reason, it seems, than overconfidence. That we really think we can do it. We really think that we can overthrow corruption, erase racial rivalries, tribal disunity, centuries of violence, and bring peace to a warring culture just because we want it so badly.

Most elder nations would call this arrogance, American hubris. Maybe they’re right.

That our generation thinks it’s possible—right now—to unite the Iraq people and end violence for the first time in centuries and move democracy into an anarchical society and bridge the gap… is the most brilliant, stupid idea that anyone has ever concocted. It’s practically impossible. We’re arrogant. We’re amazing. We’re friggin’ idiots. Who but the world’s idiot savant could have thought this up? America is retarded and it’s kind of inspiring and the rest of the world is watching. The rest of the world is waiting. Calling us morons. Telling us ‘no’. Telling us ‘stop’ and we’re not listening.

Maybe this is why:

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emphasis on the Republican’s stance on the war due in part to varied opinions among his colleagues.

Instead, he talked about the leading Democratic candidates.

“Hilary Clinton has certified that she will keep the troops in Iraq to prevent the enemy from winning. And good for her, but then acknowledge that….Obama has said the same thing,” he said.

Neither of the debaters had extreme views.

Medved does not have complete conservative policies that he agrees with, nor does Ladenburg liberal.

Surprisingly, they agreed on many issues and the debate mentality ended after closing statements, some laughs, and a handshake.

The troubles of one place – like the very much overused domino metaphor – disrupt another and not just a little.

Rival oil wells in Africa blow the crap out of each other: gas prices across the globe go up. Third-world countries pollute oceans with outdated technology: massive ecological destruction. Cause and Effect. Dominos. Whatever you’d like to call it, one nation’s problem is not an isolated event and pretending that it is doesn’t make it so.

We don’t ignore genocide because it’s ‘just the culture over there’. The rape and death in Darfur is not a ‘nuance of culture’. It’s wrong. The Holocaust was not a ‘disagreement of moral opinions’. It was evil and we did something about it. We’re doing something now. Maybe not a smart something. Maybe not very effectively. Maybe not for the purest reasons, even, but we’re doing something. We’re moving and maybe it’s the right idea: moving. Changing. Trying. Eating the food and calling someone ‘banana’ instead of ‘boy’.

You don’t respect other cultures by ignoring them. You respect them by poking around in their history, eating their food, seeing their streets, using the wrong verbs, and making a fool of yourself because you’re willing to do that to understand. Ignoring people is easy. We do it all the time. Getting to know and respect someone is hard. It takes effort and compromise and tax dollars (seriously, several billion already). Whether or not the price will become too great, or if it already has, isn’t something I’m qualified to make a judgment on. Maybe history will look back and call this our bloodiest era, or our best, either way it’s the era we’re living in right now, so pay attention. Take it in. You may just be witT h E

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firstlooK BooKreview

musicreview

Allie McConnell More than a Carpenter

8 Diagrams

Josh McDowell

Wu-Tang Clan

This is a true account of an atheist pre-law student (Josh McDowell) who was searching for something that he couldn’t find until he meets a group of people who seemed to have it all together. As he talked to them, he learned that they were Christians and started discounting everything that they believe in.

Then, a girl stood up and challenged him to disprove whom Jesus claimed to be; he accepted this challenge and begun his journey.

For years he studied, researched and even took time out of college to gather as much evidence as he Publisher: needed to ‘easily’ disprove this hoax. Living Books To make a long story short, as he was trying to write Jesus off as just a ‘good guy’ who lived, he found irrefutable truth in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

This book is McDowell’s findings; he goes into detail with his research and disproves misconceptions about Christ’s life, death and resurrection.

If you love Jesus, inquiring about Him or don’t believe in him at all, this is still the book for you.

It is interesting and proves the life of Jesus and the heart of God based on historical truths.

Makes us smile...

Brad Jones

After waiting six years for the newest installment in the Wu-Tang legacy, the Clan drops their fifth album titled “8 Diagrams.”

8 Diagrams is the first collaboration of the Wu-Tang Clan since the death of legendary member ODB. With production mostly done by the RZA, the Wu-Tang Clan is taking back their spot in the hip-hop industry.

The album starts Label: off nicely with a sick beat Street Records Corp. from RZA and crazy verses from Ghostface Killah and Method Man on the song “Campfire.”

The album continues to improve with songs like “Rushing Elephants” and “Get Them Out Ya Way PA.” Rushing Elephants is my favorite track on the album; it really takes you back to the mid 90’s when the Wu were releasing classic songs like “Triumph” and “CREAM.” Then the RZA pulls a trick out of his creative hat with the song “The Heart Gently Weeps,” by taking elements from the Beatles’ song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Erykah Badu sings the chorus and with verses from

As we head into that most romantic of holidays, the staff of The Puyallup Post rounded up some of our favorite flicks to watch with a bowl of popcorn and a friend.

Kendra Logston (Best Movie) The Thin Man: It is a great movie for everybody. Myrna Loy and William Powell make the perfect couple as Mr. & Mrs. Charles, getting on each others’ nerves yet still loving each other the entire time.

(Worst Movie) 300: Good for another time of the year, but I personally think that blood and gore shouldn’t be watched around Valentine’s Day. Try to stick with slightly happier movies.

Jonathan Jones (Best Movie) Napoleon Dynamite: It’s lost most of its steam by now, but you have to admit, it was a hilarious movie at the time.

If I had a choice to go back and watch any movie for the first time with a date, this would definitely be my first choice.

(Worst Movie) Nacho Libre: From personal experience, this really was the worst movie to see on a date. Both my date and I thought it was a complete dud.

Sharon Coward (Best Movie) Saving Private Ryan: What’s not to like?

(Worst Movie) Titanic: Watching death and destruction isn’t very romantic.

Virginia Owens (Best Movie) Wedding Crashers: This movie is hysterical! This is one of the best movies to watch regardless of who you are with. If you have not seen it, rent it, watch it, you’ll love it!

(Worst Movie) Pet Sematary: It is written by Stephen King, so you already know it is disgusting.

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Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man, the song “The Heart Gently Weeps” is a truly amazing song.

Next, the WU calls in funk legend George Clinton, where he has the chorus on the track “Wolves,” which again shows the versatility of this group.

Although RZA is known for his production skills, he shows off his ability on the mic with his solo song “Sunlight.” Anyone who has listened to his Bobby Digital material will love this song.

As the album winds down the CD doesn’t lose momentum; with songs like “Starter,” “Windmill” and “Weak Spot,” you really get your money’s worth.

The last song on “8 Diagrams” is appropriately called “Life Changes,” which is dedicated by the WU to their fallen member ODB. “Life Changes” is seven minutes long and has every Clan member on the track to express the way they felt about Ol Dirty.

The WU continues to set the bar for any group or individual MC in the rap game. Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man earn MVP honors on the mic and RZA is definitely at the top of his game when it comes to production.

This is a five star album and has everything that’s missing in the rap industry: creativity, good production, and great lyrics. If you are a long time Wu-Tang fan like myself, you will not be upset with the end result after such a long wait.

If you’re new to the Clan, this a is a great album to jump into; you would not be disappointed.

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on the pile...

If you are an animal lover, this movie is especially appalling. I do not recommend anyone watch this movie with friends, so it is a sure loser to watch with your sweetheart.

Martha Coward (Best Movie) National Treasure: Book of Secrets: It has all the elements: humor, fun, action, travel, suspense, relationships, mystery, and American history.

(Worst Movie) Gladiator: I mean, if you can enjoy a moment with your sweetie over popcorn, drinks, and the image of a head being decapitated, then fine, but I would not recommend it.

Allie McConnell (Best Movie) Wedding Singer: Romance for the girls and dirty jokes for the boys.

Besides, you can’t go wrong with Adam Sandler in a Mullet!?

(Worst Movie) War of the Worlds: Too much action that it’s almost boring. What girl wants to sit through that while the guy is glued to the TV? Brad Jones (Best Movie) Anchorman–The Legend of Ron Burgundy: A must see for anyone who hasn’t watched it! It’s a movie that you can see a million times and will never get old, with timeless one-liners and a hilarious fight scene.

(Worst Movie) Kids: This is a crazy movie and would make the night really uncomfortable. Everyone needs to see this movie, but I would definitely choose something else to watch with your sweetie.

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shoutout

What women want … to eat

Nichole Lund Nichole Lund

It’s a special occasion, where would you like your guy/girl to take you to eat?

Joel Kady: El Gaucho

Sam Wolcott: Space Needle

Ashleigh Love: Dick’s Drive In—a burger dive—in Seattle

For The Puyallup Post

The complexity of dating can be at times ridiculous and most always filled with pressure. Most of this pressure is on the men. Ladies, whether they intend to or not, put enormous pressure on their men to meet their expectations.

Females expect males to read their minds most of the time. They need to know what to buy for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and any other random holiday that might deserve a present. They need to know where to take their special someone on those first dates.

In order to help guys out, here’s a compilation of some local restaurants that would be good first-date destinations. They range in price and type of food. All of them are pretty darn good. So for someone who can’t think of a place to take a date on that special occasion, try one of these.

Olive Garden: Olive Garden provides a romantic setting without outrageous prices. The Italian cuisine is authentic and delicious without being too exotic. This place is great for a special date on a college student’s budget.

Red Robin: Only a short walk across The South Hill Mall parking lot, Red Robin is a casual place with amazing burgers and shakes. It is very possible to walk out of there only 10 bucks lighter than when you walked in. Although famous for their burgers, bottomless steak fries and shakes, Red Robin also has great salads. Either with a group of friends on the weekend or going dutch on a Wednesday night, Red Robin is great. For a similar atmos-

review

phere try Famous Dave’s or TGI Fridays. Both restaurants are just a few doors down.

The Space Needle: This is a good restaurant for celebrating anniversaries. The observation deck is extra special. This is an expensive out-to-dinner treat, so be warned.

The quality of the food, however, is worth very penny.

The Space Needle is quiet with an ultra romantic setting and impeccable service. The best part of the meal, besides the phenomenal view, would be the dessert. Called the Orbiter, this bowl of ice cream is brought out in a dish hovering upon another dish filled with dry ice. The dry ice creates an effect of cascading smoke that lasts long enough to have a good laugh and a lot of stares.

Chevy’s Fresh Mex: It’s one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. The casual place with average prices and the food make this place a winner. Try either the flautas or the fajitas and you’ll forget any other Mexican restaurant ever existed.

Stuart Anderson’s (Black Angus): The setting is romantic with high-backed seats for a bit of privacy. The prices are typical steakhouse prices, which is the lower end of expensive. Other steakhouses to try are Claim Jumper’s, which is fairly expensive, or the Outback Steakhouse. Try their cheesy fries.

For other ideas, check out the Shoutout (at left) to learn where some other students want to go on a special occasion. Ladies, men are included in the Shoutout if it’s your turn to treat.

Beppo for food then Spaghetti Factory for spumoni

Clarence Wright: Space

Needle

Selma Collins: Anywhere alone, without the kids.

In terms of your new position, what are your plans for the 2007-08 school year? I plan on spreading information regarding environmental issues by working with our Environmental Committee to organize environmentalfocused events. Next quarter we are hoping to have an “Environmental Awareness Week” around Earth Day. What should Puyallup campus students know about you? I love Pierce College and I sincerely care about the wellbeing of our students and our campus. I am so excited to have this position and I hope students will feel comfortable to come to me with questions, concerns, or suggestions.

What do you do in your free time? Mostly I spend time with my friends and family. When I have spare time I usually play guitar, take pictures, watch movies…and I have to admit I play Guitar Hero a lot too.

What is your dream car? Probably a Noble M400…or a Lotus Elise. But for now I’ll settle for anything better than my ’92 Honda Accord.

What Krispy Kreme doughnut best describes you?

Chocolate with sprinkles. That pretty much sums up my outlook on life.

What are your pet peeves? People who think they know

everything…and people who can’t laugh at themselves. Seriously, life is better when you can fall on your face and then laugh about it!

What is your favorite band? Why? This question is impossible for me to answer! But I guess one of my favorites is Spinal Tap because they are the greatest band of all time.

Where’d you go on your last road trip? I went down the coast to California with my family…and it was really fun except for the two hours we spent in the Redwoods trying to find the place where they filmed scenes from Return of the Jedi.

What will you be doing in 10 years? Hopefully I will be teaching elementary school and starting my own family, but who knows!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? If I could live anywhere, I would probably live in a different place every year. I love to see new things and experience foreign places. I don’t think you could live a full life and be a wellrounded person if you don’t experience different perspectives and lifestyles.

Favorite sports franchise? The Mariners because the only sport I can stand to watch is baseball!

What is your favorite subject in college? I loved all my English courses but especially creative writing. It was so great to have freedom in my writing after so many years of structure and rules!

Kim Wynn

Chris Hanson: Buca di

Sydney Boyle recently was selected as the student representative for environmental concerns for Student Programs.

Here are some questions posed to her:

Sharon Coward

sydney Boyle becomes new rep

Courtney Donlin:

Love is in the aria?

Anywhere

Trista Burleigh: Chili’s

The outstanding opera Pagliacci, depicting the realism of relationships, was on the bill Jan. 27 at Seattle s McCaw Hall. Pierce students Kristen Salacka and Jeremy Duplissey strike a pose during F E B R U A R Y

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Kim Wynn

Bring in 7 or more items and get a

Bring items to the Deli

The CJ Club Presents: OPERATION ID at Pierce College PUYALLUP THIS YEAR! Mike Wynn and Rachel Wise enjoy the festivities during the city of Puyallup s Snow In at Bradley Lake Park in mid-January.

We provide identification kits (FINGERPRINTS, DENTAL IMPRESSIONS, DNA SWABS & A CD) for caregivers to be able to locate their children in case of an emergency.

student explains it’s more than just a beauty pageant Jessica Harris For The Puyallup Post

Skimpy swimsuits, killer bodies and a pretty face: many people believe that these things are what make up a pageant.

As a contestant in the Miss Pierce County pageant, let me clarify something: those things are most definitely not what make up the scholarship programs such as Miss Pierce County, Miss Washington and Miss America.

Since 1920, the Miss America Organization has had the misconception of being merely a beauty pageant, when in reality, it is one of the largest scholarship programs for young women in the nation.

Separated into sections called local, state, and national, the Miss America organization provides scholarships for all contestants that can go towards their education.

Every pageant is judged on talent, an onstage question, an interview, and physical fitness. As easy as these tasks sound, plenty of work goes into each and every one.

There are four-hour rehearsals every Sunday, work-outs in the gym every day, studying sessions on current events and forget about the late-night dates with Ben and Jerry.

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Thursday Feb 21st 2008 10am-2pm College Center 1st Floor Dining Commons

“Being in a pageant is a lifestyle, not just something you do once a week,” Charlotte Harris, a former pageant runner, said.

Personally, I can’t agree more.

If you think school is too much work, you’re in for a big surprise if you’re planning on participating in a pageant. Week after week, we are drilled on current events and understanding our platform.

A platform is a cause that you as a contestant stand for and plan to use for the betterment our community.

Yet again, it sounds easy, but it’s difficult to balance learning in class, studying current events and planing what to do in order to promote your platform.

“No matter how good you are at what you do, you need to get better,” Pageant Director Kenny Hayes says in the e-mails he sends to contestants each week.

Pageants are more than what most people assume. There’s so much more work that goes into each and every portion of a pageant, and people don’t realize that.

Come see for yourself how much work it takes to walk on that stage in front of five judges and hundreds of people with that “pageant smile” at 6 p.m. March 1 at Jason Lee Middle School.

Because of limited supplies, we need you to contact us before the event so we can keep a head count of those who will attend.

CONTACT the CJ DEPT. or TERESA CARLO 964-6357 or tcarlo@pierce.ctc.edu for more information.

All of these will be provided to the caregiver, and no records will be kept by anyone else.

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aFrICa a continent of many faces, cultures

Martha Coward Reporter

What is Africa? Who are the people of Africa? Who is the president of Africa?

To these questions, there is no one answer.

Unlike America, where there is one president and all the independent states are united under one federal government, Africa had many cultural, ethnic, religious, and economic separations.

Asking someone to describe an African is like asking them to describe a European, says Chip Churchill, history and international studies instructor at Pierce College Puyallup.

“Do you mean a French European, or a German European, or

Italian European?” Churchill said. “They are radically different.”

“There are a lot of ways to divide up Africa,” adds John Lucas, political science instructor at Puyallup.

Economically, there are countries in Africa that have become industrialized and countries that remain agricultural.

Countries that have been industrialized

usually have more wealth then countries that remain agricultural.

“Another important division is which country colonized it” Lucas said.

Most countries in Africa have been colonized by Europe.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Belgium all colonized parts of Africa.

Each European country had an impact on the region they colonized, which affected that

country’s future development.

A major dividing line in Africa is the Sahara desert.

To the north of the Sahara, the countries are more consistently similar, primarily based in Arabic culture and the Islamic religion.

“The ethnic background is basically the same…so there is a lot of unification,” Churchill said.

Below the Sahara is the sub-Saharan region, which contains most of the countries in Africa.

Most of these countries, with the exception of few such as South Africa, are poorer and more ethnically diverse.

Most of the problems that are in news about Africa come from subSaharan countries.

Facts about africa Africa is the second largest continent on earth, occupying 20 percent of the Earth’s land area.

Africa measures about 5,000 miles from north to south and about 4,600 miles from east to west.

The Nile River is the world s longest river, spanning 4,160 miles from the Mediterranean Sea in North East Africa to Lake Victoria in South East Africa.

Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe together produce nearly 50 percent of the world s gold.

The highest mountain in Africa is Mt Kilimanjaro (19,317 ft) in Tanzania.

The African continent is cut almost equally in two by the equator.

Most of Africa lies within the tropical region, bounded on the north by the tropic of Cancer and on the south by the tropic of Capricorn.

Africa’s major languages include Arabic (North), Berber (Morocco and Algeria), Bantu group of languages (central and southern Africa), Swahili (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), Akan (Ghana, Cote d Ivoire), Saharan and Maba (Chad basin), Koma (the Blue Nile basin), and Songhai (upper-middle Niger River region).

Steve Heeb

The most prevalent diseases in Africa include malaria, dysentery, tuberculosis, whooping cough, typhoid fever, gonorrhea, and AIDS.

www.globeafrica.com

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Carlton Canary

shoutout Martha Coward/Jonathan Jones

Do you care about Africa?

Maggie Julsing: “I care about it, but I don’t know enough to really do (something.)”

Exchange student Macle Nyaror talks about his life in Africa during a Student Programssponsored forum on

Panel addresses misconceptions Virginia Owens Reporter

Carlton Canary

It is a common misconception that all African nations are struggling with poverty, but some countries in Africa are very prosperous and their people lead lives not much different than mine and yours.

The Pierce College-sponsored “African Student Panel” was comprised of four students: three from Uganda and one from Ghana.

These students captured their native countries through a series of questions from the audience and the host speaker.

Their knowledge of the United States proved to be much better than the knowledge of the audience about Ghana and Uganda.

The students addressed questions about politics and how they received medical attention back home.

“In my country, prescriptions are not necessary to obtain medicine,” responded a girl from Uganda. “Other than that, it seems the same.”

She explained that their healthcare system is not much different than ours here.

“Hospitals are abundant in my home, and the government

provides some offices, while many others are private businesses,” said Macle Nyaror, a student from Ghana.

Popular culture and the media are very similar in the United States and parts of Africa.

“We have the same media sources as there are here,” said a girl on the African student Panel. “We listen to 50 Cent and (we) watch Desperate Housewives.”

These students have gotten used to commonly-held American stereotypes of Africans since arriving here four months ago.

“I was talking to the son of my house guest, (and) he thought we lived in trees and ran around with wild animals,” said one of the students. “It is not like that. We have buildings and nice cars just like here.”

The difference in why some parts of Africa are wealthier than others is explained by John Lucas, Pierce Puyallup political science instructor.

“There are a lot of ways to divide up Africa,” he said during a recent interview. “If you do it economically…in terms of country’s wealth, all the countries that have been able to industrialize tend to be wealthier, (while) the countries that are still agricultural tend to be poorer.”

Samantha Myton: “I don’t really know a lot about Africa. I don’t really watch the news. I think the news is depressing so I shelter myself from it.”

Emma Forbes: “I care. I would go over there if someone did something, like a program.”

James Collins: “Sure.

AIDS is bad.”

Jim Parker: “Yeah, but I do feel that I am as well educated as I should be, and feel that if I know more about it, I would be more concerned.”

Gansango African Dancers perform traditional songs and dances during a performance at the Puyallup campus on Jan. 17.

Travis Clark: “Well yeah, I think that they need a lot of work. With the epidemics and stuff, their lifestyle needs a lot of improvement, as far as I know.”

Gabby Bell: “Yes, I do. I think that everything going on in Africa with genocide and stuff, if we don’t give aid, what kind of morals do we have?”

Jackie McKay: “Yeah, sure.

I care about any humans who are in distress.”

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sPortsPage raiders basketball looking for improvement in new season Brad Jones Managing Editor

After placing third last year in the NWAACC Tournament, the Pierce College Raiders men’s basketball team is trying to build on last year’s success.

Two season-ending injuries before the season started, two players lost from academic ineligibility in December and the loss of last year’s standout Noble’D Shelton have caused this team to struggle mildly instead of taking that next step to win a championship.

Raiders coach Bill Mendelson took over the program when Pierce had only one winning season in the span of a decade.

Now, in the four years he’s been here, the Raiders have had three winning seasons and two tournament placings.

Mendelson has coached for 23 years and has been in the playoffs 20 of those years.

“That’s what we’re trying to do here, make the playoffs, every year,” he stated.

He’s done a great job at doing that, but this season may be the biggest test yet for him and his team.

They’re a young team with nine of 11 players being

new to Pierce. Shelton was supposed to be their go-to player, but he transferred in July to play at Point Loma University.

Injuries have plagued this team as well.

Sophomore Scott Halasz broke his hand and is in a cast, and will be out until a possible tournament appearance. Freshman Ryan Stanley has been playing with a knee injury. Other teammates are playing through pulled thigh muscles, groin pulls, and ankle sprains.

The injury bug has definitely hit the team hard this season.

But there are still positives.

Pierce now has a gym to call their own, the HEC on the Ft. Steilacoom campus.

Previously, they were playing at Lakewood Community Center, a small gym that lacked the crucial home court advantage environment.

Mendelson is thrilled with the new center.

“It’s been awesome! We’ve been able to get in a normal routine where we can lift weights and then go straight to practice,” he said. “It makes it real convenient. Also, we’re hoping the HEC will improve recruiting as well”

The HEC Center is a breath of fresh air for Pierce Athletics.

Currently, Pierce is in a dog fight every night, but they’re not close to giving up on the season.

Halasz had 24 points to defeat Gray’s Harbor, and Stanley came up with 24 points and 11 rebounds to beat South Puget Sound 88-74.

They’re a young team, and with the injuries and variations of the rotation it’s hard for a team to learn how to win on an every-night basis.

With all the adversity this team has faced this year, they could’ve easily given up on the season and looked to next year.

Instead, this young team is showing heart and are leaving it all on the court every night.

There are nine teams in the Western Division and four spots to make the playoffs.

With Mendelson’s past experiences, a great track record when it comes to making the playoffs, and a young team that doesn’t know how to quit, the Pierce Raider basketball team is looking to go on a late-season win streak.

Basketball team leader benched... for now

Virginia Owens Reporter

On the third play during a home game against Grays Harbor, Pierce College Raiders sophomore point guard and team captain Scott Halasz took a hard foul that left his arm in pain.

With enough adrenaline, though, he managed to get his hand wrapped up and finish the rest of the game with 24 points.

His injury was more serious than his team had thought.

Now with his arm in a hard cast, Halasz has been cheering his team on from the bench their last five games, where they have gone 1-4.

In a recent interview with Halasz, it was apparent why

his presence on the court is a big reason his team has been successful.

How do you feel your team has played this season? “There have been a lot of ups and downs this year.

Since I went out, the guys have been struggling, but they really stepped up tonight and got a good win (against Clark College on February 2).”

When will you be able to return to your team?

“They say I am out for the season, but if we make the playoffs, they said they will cut [my cast] off so I can play.”

Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

“Yeah, I have the same handshake…all the guys know it.

And I always listen to the same Lil’ Wayne song.”

If you could change the Raider mascot, what

would you make it?“(laughs) How about a Clam? Yeah, the Pierce Clams. I like it.”

Would you rather miss a lay-up or get dunked on?

“Dang. Neither. I would not want to get dunked on; that just hurts…It’s embarrassing.”

Have you ever seen Coach Bill Mendelson play ball? Is he any good? “Actually, I have. He has a nice jump shot….but I could still beat him (laughs).”

Would you rather play one-on-one with LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? “Kobe Bryant…he is the best player in the NBA..”

What do you think of Iran’s, some would say ambiguous, leader’s policy toward not following the United Nation’s non-proliferations treaty? “(laughs) Slow down… repeat that one more time.”

Student leaders, who were able to try a ropes obstacle course, learned how to work as a team.

Challenge Course Continued from page 1

ASPCP president, said. “We do things now as a team that we learned on the challenge course.”

“We did a lot of different activities while we were on challenge course,” Health and Wellness Coordinator Jeena Kaur said,“and a lot of them brought team and trust.”

The Pierce Challenge has received letters of support from the YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce CounF E B R U A R Y

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ty, Lighthouse Institute and the City of Puyallup, Parks and Recreation Department.

The course would not only be used by students but also by community members, groups, and companies that want to build teamwork among their members or employees.

“The course will not only be an asset for (Pierce College and WSU),” wrote Ralph Dannenberg, parks and recreation director for the city of Puyallup, “but also for public schools and community-based groups.”

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Jonathan Jones

shoutout Bill Macdonald

What makes you most stressed out at school?

Sharsti Steveson:

“When they have all the tests in the same week.”

Anthony Vierra:

“Mainly tests. I don’t get stressed out about assignments usually.”

Andy Cox

Michelle Lee McDowell: “Probably the

B-boys perform a variety of moves at the college s Break Dance Competition on Feb. 5. The most popular, and most difficult moves, include the windmill.

Another great move is the one-handed handstand, commonly used as a freeze.

fact that I don’t have as much time as I want because of work and school. I don’t have as much studying time as I wish.”

Jeena Kaur: “A lot of homework from every class, big papers and the projects that are worth a lot of points.”

Laurie Wiscavage:

“Deadlines and closed-book tests.”

Hit the slopes with new tricks Taylor Wilson For The Puyallup Post

Pierce College’s snowboarding trip on Feb. 23 and 24 is the best time to impress the cute guy or gal drifting down the mountain.

It all starts with learning a new trick or two.

Here are a few easy steps to land some hot new tricks that will be sure to make you the craziest on the mountain.

Let’s start with the basics. No one can try a trick if they can’t even strap in, right?

Step 1: find a gentle incline away from traffic so you can sit down and strap in your front foot with the binding faced down and secure it.

Step 2: Stand up and push your back leg to get momentum while you’re in line for the chair lift.

Step 3: Sit on the chairlift and don’t jump off. It does hurt when boarders attempt that.

Step 4: Getting off the chairlift can be pretty tricky.

Right before you get to the end, turn your body so the side of your front foot is facing forward. Then, put your back foot in the binding area. Now glide off and try not to fall.

Now to the fun part—tricks. Most people don’t know where to start with doing tricks, but there are a couple, that with simple steps, anyone can show off. The semiprofessionals say that not being afraid of falling is best.

Here are some aerial tricks, for those who are ready: Ollies: When starting out, find a gently slope with a wide area for you to perform your trick. Next, crouch down and shift your weight to the back foot. Now remove T h E

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all weight from your front foot, lean back and kick the front of your board to get a spring from the rear. Once you are in the air, level out your weight and bring your knees up towards your chest. Now, to land this trick, bend your knees and put the board down onto the snow.

Air to fakie: Start going down the mountain at a moderate speed. Start to twist your hips and shoulders toward the direction of the spin. Now crouch down and shift your weight to your back foot. Next lift the front of your board, then your back and turn 180 degrees. Now land both feet at the same time and you got it!

Now that you got know to do some basic tricks, let’s move on to rails and jumps, something that will really turn some eyes. These tricks are a little more difficult and remember to always have someone around you in case you get hurt when attempting these next ones.

50/50 Grind: Look for a good rail to grind, not to high. Make sure you are going straight. Have a good takeoff so that you will stay straight, crouch and Ollie onto the rail. Simply stay on the rail and ride it like you are riding on the snow. Now to get off just do a small Ollie and ride it out. Now you can say you can ride a rail.

180 Grind: Find a small rail and as you get to your approach, time it right so you can crouch slightly as you get to the rail. Turn 180 degrees and make sure you land on the rail. Simply grind just as if you were riding snow and keep your balance. To get off, just turn 180, land and ride away.

So now when you all go up on the snowboarding trip, you will have some fun tricks to show all of your friends.

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Brian Ruud: “I don’t

really get that stressed out.

I don’t really have that big of a class load. Sometimes if I’m running late, getting here on time.”

Alec Shawn Teixeira: “I don’t know. I

always sleep.”

Kendra Mamson:

“When I have a teacher who doesn’t let me communicate my thoughts and ideas!”

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Sharon Coward Editor

It started with a picture.

When John Lucas, political science instructor at Pierce College Puyallup, was an international relations undergraduate at Pomona College in 1983, he needed one quarter of foreign study before he could graduate.

“I needed to figure out where I wanted to go, so I went into the foreign study office and they had all these brochures for these different programs,” he explained.

“They had an exchange program with a country called Sierra Leone, which was a country I’d never heard of before.”

“But in the brochure it was just all these students lying on the beach, and I thought, yeah, that’s where I want to study abroad!”

Lucas spent six months in Freetown, the capital of this small nation off the western coast of Africa, as one of only four non-African students at Fourah Bay College.

“It was great because people were very interested in us,” he said of the experience.

“It wasn’t really possible to blend into the background really easily, but you could always find people who wanted to learn about you and wanted to talk with you and tell you things.”

“All of a sudden, you’re in a position where people are fascinated by you,” he smiles. “It’s kind of neat.”

When Lucas returned to the United States in 1984, he couldn’t forget Africa.

The continent had made a lasting impression on him, one that would change his life.

“Africa has a way…of getting under your skin a little bit,” he likes to say.

Lucas began studying African politics at Indiana University for his doctorate in political science, a degree he chose with the purpose of eventually returning to Africa.

The West African nation of Nigeria was his primary focus. In the summer of 1989 Lucas traveled there as part of a language program studying Hausa, a northern Nigerian language.

“Nigeria is especially interesting to me,”

Jessica Zuniga

african experience touches political science instructor instance, are generally viewed as greedy, materialistic, and individualistic. But there are exceptions to this generalization, people who are generous and giving.

“I began to realize that every time I would make some generalization (about them), I would immediately find someone who was an exception or doing something different,” Lucas said. “Every time I thought I understood things, I realized it’s a little more complex than I was thinking.”

“I think it really taught me to be humble about how much I could claim to understand other people in other situations.”

Lucas has visited other African countries—Niger, Mali, Senegal—but Nigeria remains close to his heart.

So close that, when Lucas married his wife Kate in 1994, he decided to take her to Nigeria for their honeymoon.

“That summer I got some money to do a bit of research in Nigeria,” Lucas recounted with a grin. “I loved Nigeria and so I thought this would be a great opporPolitical science instructor John Lucas is happy to share his experiences tunity to show my wife Nigeria.” and love of Africa with the students at Pierce College.

His wife had been to Africa before, studying African music in Mali for her doche says, describing his love for the oil-rich recalled. “It turns out if you tow a Vespa torate. She and Lucas met in the Indiana country of 130 million people. with a sweater for five miles, it’s no good University African program.

He returned three years later and spent anymore.”

“I thought I could do my research and a year researching business associations in The man refused payment or a new it could also be like a honeymoon in Nigenorthern Nigeria. sweater. ria,” Lucas said of the decision. “After we “I remember how nice the people were, “(He just) drove off, never saw him got married we went to Nigeria for two and how so many times people would go again, (and) it just seemed like, boy, that’s months.” out of their way for me,” he said of his really going out of your way.”

“It sounds kind of crazy, taking her experience in the country.

Nigeria is like that, says Lucas. there, but the thing about Africa is it can be He likes to tell the story of a good “The thing about Nigeria is there’d be a a very difficult place but it also can be an samaritan who asked for nothing in return lot of really terrible things that’ll happen,” incredibly wonderful place too,” Lucas when he once helped Lucas and a friend. he said. “One minute somebody would try said. “Just, these great things happening While in Nigeria, Lucas would use a to steal your wallet or something, and the and people doing these amazing things a scooter as transportation around town. next minute somebody would just do lot of times in pretty difficult circumThe scooter would constantly break down, something extremely generous and stances.” and once, while at a Chinese restaurant thoughtful for you like that (man),” he said.

The idea, however, was a terrible one, with a friend, it refused to start.

“Always something incredible there.” admits Lucas with a chuckle.

A man appeared on a motorcycle and Nigeria taught Lucas much about peo“Nigeria was right in the middle of this offered to help, volunteering to tow the ple, lessons he remembers today. political crisis, and there was this dictator, scooter back into town by using his sweater For instance, because he hadn’t spent Sani Abacha, who was trying to suppress as a rope. much time traveling prior to visiting Africa, these electoral results, and all the unions The town was five miles away, “at which like many people Lucas had formed gener- were striking to overthrow him and people Continued on page 15 point his sweater was totally ruined,” Lucas alizations about people. Americans, for

Police explorers means more than just meetings Daniel Kashporenko For The Puyallup Post

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear “volunteer service”?

Most people think of picking up trash on the side of the road, wearing one of those stylish orange and yellow ponchos or helping take care of elderly people at the local home.

One thing most people don’t think of is kicking open a door and shooting a man with simulation rounds. Or going to a firearms range to practice shooting.

For 25 young men and women in the area, that is exactly what volunteer service means to them.

They are part of Police Explorers, a group of 15- to 21-year-olds, who dedicate at least 15 hours a month helping the community.

They attend weekly meetings for training and reviewing events.

I am one of these 25 volunteers.

Becoming an Explorer Before I go into what the Explorers are, let’s see what it takes to become an explorer.

To begin the process, arrive at the Puyallup Police Department on Thursday at 5:30 pm.

When you get there, someone will ask you questions and give you new Explorer packet.

Anyone interested in applying needs at least three letters of recommendation, a personal statement and completed forms. The paperwork must be notarized.

After this is complete, a potential volunteer needs to attend three meetings, before F E B R U A R Y

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the oral board.

This can be a very nerve-racking and exciting experience. It is basically an interview with a varied amount of interviewers, including at least one police officer. After the oral board, the next week applicants find out if they have been selected.

This is when the real fun begins.

Let’s go step by step through a meeting.

The explorers arrive at the police department about 5:30 p.m. to talk with friends until they get called back to the actual department area.

The meeting beings by reviewing the various events in the community that explorers have been asked to work security for, or make an appearance at or give assistance in raising money.

After that, explorers have a class on a different aspect of police work. This can consist of anything from radio procedures, to defensive tactics, high-risk stops, warrant services, hostage negotiations or building searches.

After the class, they break up into their squads for sergeant time.

Now, some of the fun things that explorers do includes training. One of the main reasons they train is to prepare for the Federal Way Challenge, a competition for all of the Explorer Posts in Western Washington. The Explorer Posts compete for the Best Post award and various two-man team awards.

Puyallup is famous for taking the Best Post Award and placing in the top three for all events. The events cover information presented in the classes, including a PT portion

and a range competition.

Explorers train all year for the competition and even more extensively the two or three months leading up to it. The training that explorers do is created around the events for that year of the FWC. This year happens to be the “tactical” year. This entails SWAT team-like scenarios such as hostage negotiation, warrant service and for active shooter, so this is what explorers have been training.

This is where the “kick open the door and shoot the bad guy” comes in. We start in the morning with mock scenes. Some explorers are the bad guys and others go through the scene as if they are officers.

Everyone uses simulation rounds, which are like paintballs but smaller, use less paint and sting more. The explorers wear bullet proof vests. After the scene, the officer who is helping will give kudos for good work and tips to improve on mistakes.

In one day of training explorers usually will complete about 40 mock scenes, depending on the turn out of people and how many scenes can run at once.

Explorers also are required to attend an academy once per year. This is where a large portion of learning and strength training occur. All explorer posts in Washington send a group of explorers to an academy to learn about police work and to bond through the various trials.

Academy is six days long and has five levels, basic to advanced. A day at basic academy includes waking up, getting dressed, get-

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ting screamed at by the TAC for not cleaning underneath your finger nails and going to morning inspection. After inspection the explorers eat breakfast quickly so you don’t get yelled at for “EYBALLIN ME SON?” They meet their platoon outside. You go to a class on police work, get to enjoy some physical training for an hour and then attend more class.

Explorers quickly eat lunch, then run outside to begin working on their skits for evening formation. Then there’s hands-on training, more class, another meal and lining up for evening formation.

Explorers present their skits; earn different awards for accomplishments through the day, and then shower and sleep. Now as bad as academy may sound, it is truly a great experience.

I know that I have become a better person for it. You learn a great deal of information and will not forget it. You also will get a sense of accomplishment and a sense of brotherhood with your platoonmates.

The Police Explorers are dedicated to helping and serving the community and dedicated to helping each other. There is a strong sense of family in the Puyallup Police Explorer Post, which is another important environment for any human being.

There is more community service available than just picking up garbage.

There is a large subculture of Explorers that is unknown to most people, and that is why that there is definitely more to Explorers than meets the eye.

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Weathering heights...

Pierce’s school policy regarding closure due to adverse weather

Sharon Coward Editor

Reprinted from January 2007 edition Tired of all this unpredictable weather?

It was fun during winter break, but with the return to school it has fast become a nuisance. There are classes to attend, work to complete, and places to be. There isn’t any time for snow storms and icy roads.

In addition, there are all the missed class days.

Public schools are currently grappling with more than a week of school missed. In light of similar situations here at Pierce, what exactly does the college do to make up for lost time? Are days intentionally factored into the school quarter in anticipation of such conditions as those we have experienced the past month?

No, says Mike Lamka, Natural and Social Science Division chair.

“In college it’s not like that.”

Public schools are more apt to simply declare school closed and move the last day of school further back to make up for the lost days. The college, however, has no such policy. The first and last days of the quarter are set at the beginning of each year, and no amount of weird weather will move those days.

Whose job, then, is it to make up for lost time?

Your instructors.

Usually instructors, when assembling their syllabi, will make room for such unforeseen events as illness, familial duties, and weather, so if such things arise, they aren’t caught off-guard.

“It’s up to the instructor how they do their basic schedule,” says Lamka.

There are limitations to how flexible instructors can be, though.

Instructors are given a specific amount of material that they must cover in the course of the class. If there are any delays, the instructor is responsible for ensuring that the required material is covered before the end of the quarter.

Instructors handle this in different ways.

Cynthia Cowan-Grewe is a part-time psychology and sociology instructor at Pierce, and her plan is to have “a little less discussion” in the classroom.

“Probably what I’m going to do in terms of making it up…is have [my students] read extra,” she says.

Cowan-Grewe isn’t too worried about adjusting her schedule, because “we can chose what we’re going to do.”

Anthony Granata, full-time math instructor, also plans to rearrange his lesson plan slightly by spending less time going into too much detail. He recalls an instance a few years ago when “it was a lot worse then it was this time,” and he isn’t too worried about the missed days. Still, he adds: “You don’t feel [the missed days] now, you feel it at the end of the quarter…you start thinking I wish I could have those days back,” he explained.

The college takes several factors into account before deciding to close for the day, or delay classes till a certain time.

“First and foremost,” says Lamka, “are safety issues…[for] students and staff.”

Driving conditions, obviously, is the primary factor considered. School personnel will actually go out and drive the roads themselves to get a feel for the conditions and determine if they are safe to travel on. The college will also contact radio stations and work with public schools and other colleges before making a final decision.

Usually, says Lamka, “we try to make the decision early in the process.”

What about non-natural factors? Does anyone remember the bomb threat a few quarters ago, or the fire scare last quarter? What does the college do under those situations.

Both fire and bomb threats are treated as real, regardless of whether of not they truly are.

“In the post 9/11-era, people take bomb threats very seriously,” says Lamka.

Fire scares are too, and even if the college knows the reason the alarm went off, only the fire department can turn off the alarm.

Most threats and scares are false alarms, such as the time a student burnt popcorn in the microwave. Then there was the time a botany instructor attempted to decompose dirt in a lab class, and a biohazard team had to come in. Those are the kind of things that can be laughed about later, says Lamka, though they may not seem funny at the time.

shoutout Martha Coward/Jonathan Jones

What do you do during a snow day?

Gift cards: a convenient gift or financial gain for companies?

By Danielle Cavoto

Gift card sales reached an all time high for 2007 and are predicted to skyrocket in the coming year, but when people don’t redeem their gift cards, retailers receive the ultimate gain.

Gift cards continue to be the hot item on the gift market. They are convenient and the perfect gift for the person who has everything.

But when gift cards go unused by the receivers, the gift giver is essentially giving money to the store it was purchased from.

An article in Consumer Reports said Best Buy reportedly “revealed a $43 million gain from gift cards that were likely to be unused.”

According to customers, the most common reasons for not using gift cards are not having enough time and forgetting about them all together.

Most gift cards can only be redeemed with the store brand of which they were purchased. If the customer is not interested in what that particular retailer has to offer then they may not use the card or they are likely to settle on a purchase.

“I think of gift cards as a coupon because when you get them you go to a store with your gift card in mind and look for whatever you can find,” said student Brittny Weatherholt.

This brings up an interesting point: if a customer receives a $25 Macy’s gift card and can’t find anything for that price, they are likely to spend more in order to put the gift card to use. When considering that an average college student earns less than $15,000 per year, disregarding a gift card isn’t practical.

Consumers also should watch out for gift cards’ expiration dates. Funds can be taken away from the card if it is not used in a timely fashion. Certain states have already passed laws that take 80 percent of unused gift cards and put them toward state funding and give 20 P U Y A l l U P

Jason Jones: “If I had my best choice, it would probably be (that) I would want to play Ultimate Frisbee…in the snow.”

Ivan Yuen: “I don’t know, because I’m (an) international student and I don’t have snow in my country, so it’s different.”

Katrina Snelson: “I vote for a snowball fight. A huge one.”

Nathaniel Anderson:

“Build a gi-normous snowman.”

Gift cards remain popular

For The Puyallup Post

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Sarah Dory: “Well, if it’s light enough that I can go hang out with my friends, I like to go and be with my friends. If not, I curl up with a book some place warm.”

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About 27 percent of those who received gift cards during the 2006 holiday season had not used one or more of them nearly a year late r, according Consumer to Reports National Research Center.

More thanone-thirdpeople surveyed said they didn’t use the cards because they either forgot about them, lostorthem the cards had expired.

Liz Gariepy: “Go sledding, drink cocoa, and celebrate. No school!”

But the most common reasons people gave for not spending their gift cards were that they didn’t have time to shop (58 percent) or couldn’t find anything to buy (35 percent).

Yet gift cards remain popular, not only among givers but also many getters.

G iftcard sales couldtop $100 billion in 2008, compared with estimates of $80 billion in 2006.

Kim Wynn: “Drink hot chocolate and go sledding.”

A survey found that 62 percent of consumers plan to give gift cards this year, second only to clothing (71 percent). percent back to the retailer. Fred Kessler, D-Wis., is one of the main supporters in turning unclaimed assets over to the state.

Gift cards can make a convenient gift, but consumers must prevent their money from going to waste. With $8 billion in unused gift cards in the last year, it is probable that you yourself have contributed to these numbers whether you have given a gift card or have one stored away in your wallet.

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Claire Tram: “I normally attempt to snowboard in my yard, but it’s way too small. But it’s fun; it gives us something to do.”

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Andy Cox

Lead vocalist Shane Lance and Daniel Collins on guitar find inspiration from God and want to pass that message to listeners.

Band’s message is the mission Samantha Frank For The Puyallup Post

Music listeners like to believe that every band has a message.

In the case of the Redemption band, the message is not only in their music but in the way they live their lives.

Puyallup campus students Emerson Shotwell (drummer) and Daniel Collins (guitar and self-appointed coolest band member) along with Shane Lance (lead vocals) are three young men who formed their band on the concept of being redeemed or delivered.

“We had a bunch of different names but ultimately, redemption was the idea that we wanted to portray,” said Lance.

With inspiration that ranges from Jesus to Coldplay—in Shotwell’s case—the music of the Redemption band marches to the beat of its own drum, with a unique sound meant to inspire listeners.

The Redemption band has more than proven itself wor-

thy of an audience on more than one occasion.

The band has been packing downtown Puyallup’s Forza coffee house with listeners eager to tune in to the sweet sound of salvation.

Although the band’s name and the music that members play is a message in itself, the main theme the Redemption band members want to portray is the representation of themselves outside of the singing.

It’s what happens when they’re not on stage.

According to the members of the band, too many musicians act one way on stage but act in a different way off-stage.

In the case of the Redemption band’s members, they try to live out what they sing about.

It’s what they truly believe, which is more important than the music, says Shotwell. They then want to share that message with others.

With an aim to move people with their music, the Redemption band has managed to come together and make something truly moving that they can call their own.

Although their popularity is growing as more and more people hear their music, the band members will be the last ones to brag about their band status.

“Humility is important,” says Collins. “If you’re good, you shouldn’t have to talk about it.”

It is clear that the members of this band have been given a gift—one that seems to be the perfect outlet for telling the world what they are passionate about.

They have a talent for music and a love for God, which they have managed to beautifully blend.

The future seems bright for these devoted band members who want nothing more than to take their music as far as God allows them to.

The band is more than just a hobby for these guys.

Although they plan to continue playing in local coffee shops and performing at benefit concerts for now, the band members hope to make careers out of making music.

It seems that the sky is the limit for this talented trio and Redemption couldn’t sound any sweeter.

Daniel Collins says he s the coolest memberDrummer of Emerson Shotwell, a Puyallup campusVocalist Shane Lance aims to move people with the band but also explains that humility isstudent, often promotes the band to the music.

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Churchill thankful for his military experience Jessica Zuniga

Martha Coward Reporter

Ever since he was 6 years old, Floyd Churchill wanted to be in the U.S. military.

“Since I was a little boy, I never wanted to do anything but be a soldier,” said Churchill, who is known as “Chip” on campus.

In pursuit of his dream, Churchill entered the Citadel, a military academy in South Carolina, after graduating from high school in Washington state.

“It was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Churchill said. “It formed me as a man.”

During his stay, Churchill learned the values of duty, honor, country and personal integrity, which are core principles at the academy.

He also learned the importance of discipline.

As a student in the Citadel, Churchill was expected to do nothing but sit at a desk and study from six to 10 at night, and officers would come by the barracks to make sure they were doing this.

When he graduated from the Citadel, Churchill returned to Washington to marry his high school sweetheart. He then moved back South Carolina to begin his military career, which would last a total of 30 years.

“A part of the military is that you know when you walk in the door as a young lieutenant that after 30 years you’re going to have to leave,” said Churchill of his service.

During his military career, Churchill and his family traveled extensively.

“We were very fortunate,” said Churchill. “We had a chance to go to lots of places.”

He served in Europe for seven years, the Far East for five years and several years in the Middle East and in the United States.

During his time in the United States, he attended several universities where he earned his master’s degree in government, management, and crisis management.

“I tell my students during classes (that) I’ve spent more time in class as a student then most of them have been alive,” said Churchill.

As an officer in the U.S. Army,

Lucas Continued from page 12

thought there was going to be this huge ethnic civil war, and people were fleeing the country and there was no electricity and no water and no transportation, and it was just really scary the whole time.”

“It was not a good time to show off Nigeria to my wife.”

One day, Lucas said, he’d like to take her back and show her the Nigeria he knows and loves.

“Nigeria has a civilian government (now) so things are a lot better there, so some time I’d like her back there and show her what it’s like in better situations,” he said. “But probably before that I’m going to have to take her on a honeymoon somewhere kind of more conventionally romantic.”

Eventually, he’d also like to show Nigeria to his two sons, 12-year-old Peter Jr. and 8-year-old Joe. Lucas last visited Africa in 1997, two years before he came to Pierce College Puyallup to teach political science.

He had been teaching full-time for five years, taking one-year contracts in places like Pennsylvania and New York before the constant relocating lifestyle tired him and his family.

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Chip Churchill’s advice: Though he considers himself lucky to have known from a young age what he wanted to do in life, Churchill understands the struggle students go though while trying to figure out who they are and what they want in life.

When asked about what advice he would give to students during their journey at Pierce College, Churchill advises students to “look into themselves, talk to people, use their resources, to answer the question, what do I want to do with my life, and from that, what I want to do.”

When students have began to consider this, then they can start their journey through education and go where they want to go, said Churchill.

Churchill spent much time teaching soldiers, which is where he gained a love for teaching even though it was never his career goal.

Eventually, Churchill and his family moved back to South Carolina where he taught at his former military academy, the Citadel.

The irony of his situation is amusing to Churchill.

When he was a student at the Citadel, he tried to avoid tactical officers, and now he is one.

However, Churchill greatly enjoyed his experience there, and still keeps in contact with some of the cadets he mentored at the college.

“I established some very strong bonds; “We’d moved every single year, our second kid had just been born, (and) we really wanted to settle down,” he said.

His wife pointed out an opening at the newly-created Pierce College Puyallup and suggested he apply. Lucas, a native of the area who graduated from a high school in Bellevue, got the job and moved his family to Tacoma.

“One of the things I thought was just wonderful about Pierce College and way superior to universities is how much everybody was interested in teaching and ways to teach well, and talking about what works well, which you don’t see at every place I’ve taught before,” he noted.

“The whole teaching part was actually something I learned more coming to Pierce College…then I did my travels through Africa.”

As an instructor of American politics, Lucas doesn’t have much opportunity to discuss Africa in his classes, so he was thrilled when Puyallup student programs and the college faculty collaborated to produce the African-themed quarter.

“It gives me a chance to do something on Africa,” he said. “This is a chance for me to have people at least thinking and be more aware about Africa than they have in the past…I think it’s really beneficial for students to learn that.”

the Citadel played an enormous role in who I am today in a lot different ways,” said Churchill.

During most of his time in the Army, he was in the special operations unit. “(We were) the guys who wear the green berets and run through the woods and eat worms and do all that cool stuff,” said Churchill.

When he was older, the Army moved him from the field to a desk.

During this time, Churchill worked at the Pentagon in operations. “(It) was a real fine experience for me to see how the government and military worked on a national level,” said Churchill.

His job there was war planning, which

included working with computers in simulated battles based on tactical information.

“We could see how a battle would play out and the importance of different kinds of equipment, different tactics, different weather—lots of very sophisticated programs,” said Churchill.

After 30 year in the military, Churchill had to retire.

For his last assignment he was stationed in Fort Lewis.

The Army tries, when you’re on your last assignment—what they call your terminal assignment—to place you in a location where you can transition out into the civilian world, Churchill explained.

When he came out of the military, Churchill worked as a manager in retail stores.

During the first years, he had a difficult time adjusting to this profession. “(It) was a real challenge ‘cause nobody in the Army ever asked me to sell a tank, and so now all of a sudden I had to learn to do all of this stuff, and it took me several years to learn,” said Churchill.

During his time in retail management, Churchill worked on and off as a part time instructor at Pierce.

After 12 years, he retired from managing but continued to teach at Pierce.

For Churchill, teaching is the one other field the he greatly enjoys next to the military.

“I just love the interaction with the students, and I love providing a perspective,” he said.

Traveling to different countries with the Army has given him a perspective on cultures that he tries to incorporate in his teachings at Pierce.

“One of the things that I try to do in teaching is include teaching some life lessons,” says Churchill.

When he is not teaching, Churchill spends time with family. He has two grown children and three grandchildren. “(They’re) the three coolest grandkids in the world,” says Churchill, who greatly enjoys being a grandfather.

He and his wife Joanne live in a house that Churchill designed, “right down to where the sockets were in the walls,” says Churchill, “(and) that included a big backyard with lots of roses for my wife and a raised garden.”

Is there a Date Doctor in the house?

Allie McConnell Reporter

How many times have you been on a date that didn’t turn out the way you have hoped?

Ever had feelings for someone who didn’t feel the same?

Don’t you wish ‘Hitch’ would jump out of the movie screen and help you out?

The real Date Doctor came to the Pierce College campus to talk about the most common relationship problems, signs of affections and so much more.

David Coleman is the real-life Hitch who inspired the 2005 movie starring Will Smith.

Coleman travels across America speaking to college students about their relationship problems.

On Jan. 31, Coleman stopped by the campus and gave many tips for the attendees during this free show.

What sets this ten-time National Speaker of the Year Award winner apart form other speakers is that he has a creative way of getting across his tips.

Through humor and notes, Coleman taught the crowd tips and relationship facts that will help any couple.

Here is a summary of what he shared:

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Your “Hmmm…” Is the person the stops you in your tracks.

Be a ‘fat penguin’… break the ice! Show them you have interest.

Women are not intimidating; men just have a hard time breaking the ice.

How to tell if a man/women is attracted to you Don’t use bad pick up lines 5-minute find: is a person worth pursuing?

A: Is there attraction?

B: Do I believe them?

C: Is there chemistry?

D: Is there desire?

Tips for Military Relationships

Coleman had a way of helping those with relationship problems, even to the point of offering personal help via MySpace, Facebook or his own personal website.

So be the Fat Penguin; show some love this Valentine’s Day to your ‘Hmm” in your life!

For more information on David Coleman and his tips on relationships, dating or advice, go to his website www.datingdoctor.com F E B R U A R Y

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B R i d g i n g

GaP tHe

Technology’s ever-changing role in relationships

Brad Jones Reporter

Computer technology has made a huge impact in relationships, both positive and negative.

For young adults , Myspace and Facebook can be tools to keep in contact with friends and to find long-lost friends from high school and college, but they also can cause trouble when it comes to relationships with significant others.

The most common complaint is their partner becomes jealous of friends of the opposite sex.

“Why do you have a guy rated higher than me?!” Brandi Stafford gave an example of what her boyfriend has said to her when something like this has happened.

And it can be confusing for both people in a relationship. For example, what if you have a best friend since grade school and you have just met and dated your boy/girlfriend for a few months.

Do you keep your best friend at that coveted number one spot or do you give it to your new boy/girlfriend? So you decide to keep your best friend at no. 1, and then your partner sees that you have this so called best friend of the opposite sex at number one.

This can end up being a continuous pattern of confusion that can cause serious strains on a relationship.

Computers also have helped people start new relationships. Some might end in a horrible blind date, but some can turn out to mark a beginning of a new couple.

Websites like e-harmony and match.com have been created to pair you with someone who shares similar interests and hobbies, and allows you to look through pictures to

prevent you from having to go on a true blind date.

On a smaller scale, chat rooms allow others to speak to someone they may have never had a chance to meet otherwise.

AOL, in the late 1990s, started this craze and even Hollywood got involved when they made the movie You’ve Got Mail.

Computer technology has helped relationships stay strong and allow people to communicate where otherwise they may have not had the chance.

In times of war, for instance, computers have been the no. 1 way for couples around the world to stay connected and have really helped people remain close and talk on a regular basis instead of having to wait so long for snail mail.

E-mail continues to be the rock when it comes to the most popular and easiest way to keep in touch.

However, over the last few years, the web cam has made a huge impact by keeping couples and families even closer than speaking through letters everyday.

The web cam has allowed American soldiers to see their newborn kids instead of having to wait for pictures, or even worse wait until they get home.

It has allowed long distance relationships to have a better chance of working out and it has created a way to communicate on a much more personal level.

Though there are advantages and disadvantages of technology in computers for relationships, it seems as if the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to computer technology.

shoutout Martha Coward/Jonathan Jones

Are you addicted to MySpace and/or Facebook? Why? Why not?

Joshua Fischll: “I don’t

have either one.”

Jamie Copper: “Definitely not. I don’t have time.”

Matthew Sullivan: “Yes,

because it’s there.”

Allie Wefel: “No, I don’t

have a MySpace. I think it’s just mostly because I find it a waste of time.”

Jamie Reese: “No, I don’t have time for it.”

Mixed signals?

Virginia Owens Reporter

Modern romantic comedies feature classic storylines of girl waiting for boy to call, but times are changing. We are living in an age of rapid technological advancements that allow for new ways of communication all around the globe.

Fairly recently, we have seen the introduction of text-messaging to the dating scene, and it is spreading like wildfire.

There are several reasons people are adding fuel to this fire and not extinguishing it.

Text-messaging offers many benefits for users. For example, if you want to ask someone on a date, text-messaging is a less threatening way to do so without the fear of rejection.

Text-messaging can also make things easier for you early in a relationship when you are first getting to know someone.

And, of course, we can all recall a time when we had to stumble through a phone call full of “so...” and awkward silences.

Text-messaging can eliminate those awkward moments.

“It makes it better,” a Pierce College student said. “You can text things you don’t want to say (when) you don’t want to make it an awkward moment.”

Texting provides the convenience of chatting even when you can’t call, but it has disadvantages as well.

The lack of face-to-face communication can be both a F E B R U A R Y

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blessing and curse as students try to make relationships work.

Student Clarence Wright recalls a time when he got caught in a jam by texting too many people at once.

He meant to text his girlfriend, but accidently sent a message to a “girl on the side” that he had been messaging simultaneously.

“I received a message that said ‘I love you’ and I responded back saying ‘I love you.’ The next message I got was not from my girlfriend, but one of the others girls asking why I told her I loved her when we had just met,” he said.

This girl did not realize Wright had a significant other, so he was forced to come up with an explanation for saying ‘I love you’ to someone.

“That was for my mom; sorry,” Wright texted.

Others agree that messaging is not good, and misinterpretation is the biggest problem people might face with textmessaging. It can lead to unnecessary fighting, and an expert on communication said in Time magazine that “text-messaging is not meant to replace face-to-face communication.”

The moral of the story may be to use text-messaging when necessary, and of course, in moderation. Plus, guys should take advantage of the brownie points they earn nowadays by calling a girl to ask her on a date or just to say hi. What a deal.

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Mike Allerton: “I’m

definitely more addicted to Facebook. The website is much easier to navigate and its ads are much less intrusive. And I hate Tom.”

Faith Rhackley: “Oh yeah, because it’s like freakishly handy and convenient.

Morgan Richards: “No, I

just don’t spend that much time on the computer.”

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