Issue 1, Vol. CVI

The Student Newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College

Red & Black Friday Sept. 20, 2013

WaShington, penna.

THIS WEEK: NEW ARTS COLUMN

Justice Has Been Served

Courtesy washjeff.edu

New this year to the arts section is a Student poetry column, “The Poetry Corner.” This week’s poet is Freshman Shannon Adams.

BRUNO MARS TO PLAY THE SUPERBOWL... WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Courtesy biography.com

GRAND THEFT AUTO MAKES MILLIONS OFF OF PRESALES

Courtesy wikipedia.org

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER

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Campus-News ..... 1-5 Life ......................... 6 - 9 Arts .................... 10 - 13 Op-Ed ............... 14 - 17 Sports ................ 18 - 20

2 CAMPUS NEWS

Red & Black

Dining Improvements on Campus Kara Beck Red&Black Editor

The start of the new year brought changes about campus. To the public these changes might be seen as construction and renovation changes; like the walkway being put in by Dieter Porter and street construction with gas pipes being placed. However, to students at Washington & Jefferson College the prominent changes occurred in the dining areas.

George and Tom’s and the Commons have made alterations and improvements to their establishments. In addition to the same items on the traditional menu at George and Tom’s they have introduced buffalo chicken tenders, humus, and chicken quesadillas.

Along with these new options George and Tom’s has dedicated Tuesdays and Thursdays to specialty meals each week. Students have the option of choosing these new and unique specialty items instead of something off their original menu.

One change that was noted at the end of last year and now carried over and in full motion is the change in bagels. The bagels compared to last year’s, both at

George and Tom’s and the Commons has reduced in size and thickness. The clear bagel bin that was on the top shelf of the bread pantry by the salad bar at the Commons has also disappeared.

Despite the lack of bagels, Commons has stepped up their game this year and hired a new chef that is not affiliated with any restaurants or chains and is trained in culinary arts.

Food in the Commons has also been upgraded, the specialty bar this year contains student choice options and new items that were not presented last year.

Hummus is also a popular permanent addition at the salad bar.

Aside from the changes at George and Tom’s and the Commons, the Barista has upgraded and expanded. Due to the option of using a student meal exchange swipe for items at the Barista the amount of clientele grew tremendously last year. This year the Barista made room for the expected continual growth by moving their condiment table outside of the store in the ski lodge. This created a nice flow and broke up congestion of traffic between those served and those waiting to be served.

International Radio Begin 91.7 WNJR provides alternative radio for Washington County.

Something you may not know is that WNJR is also web-streamed and therefore is available 24/7 to anyone with internet anywhere in the world via www.wnjr.org.

The Washington & Jefferson based radio station produces shows hosted by students, faculty, and community members.

Globe Trotters is a talk show about international travel. Adam Kmett ‘15 started this show last year and is re-vamping it this year with a group of peers.

This semester, five students are remodeling the show with Kmett.

The hosts include Adam Kmett,

Carley Adams ‘15, Allyse Corbin ‘14, Manuel Gotz, and Genevieve VanVoorhis ‘15.

The first show aired this past Tuesday and the hosts are excited to continue.

Every Tuesday night from 6 to 7p.m., Globe Trotters will air with stories and music from across the globe...literally. Guests and co-hosts will include students and faculty that have traveled abroad, Magellan scholars, and international students. These guests will be interviewed and will talk about their experiences abroad. Accompanying the stories will be a wide range of music from around the world.

The mission of the show will be to celebrate traveling and to share experiences on the air.

The Red & Black encourages display advertising from local area businesses.

Rates are $5.00 per column inch for local companies, $10.00 for national companies.

Pre-payment is required and is accepted through any method, though checks are strongly preferred. Standard sizes are available, as are custom sizes.

Advertising space must be booked and artwork received at least one week prior to publication date. The Red & Black reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Companies who advertise with the Red & Black are not necessarily endorsed by the publication or its staff, or Washington & Jefferson College or its administration.

Allyse Corbin Red&Black Staff

A DVERTISING P OLICY

The hosts also want to provide current students with the information and resources that will enable them to consider studying abroad or applying for a Magellan Scholarship since some of the hosts are already familiar with the process.

“Not only does Globe Trotters give the school the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of our international experiences, but it gives us the chance to compare stories and learn together as cohosts. Plus, it’s fun!” VanVoorhis said after the first show.

If you have studied abroad or are a Magellan Scholar and would like to be interviewed on the show, please contact Allyse Corbin at allyse@wnjr.org.

C ONTAC T Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Business Manager: Mailing Address:

20 S eptember 2013

SECURITY LOGS 9/15/13 Fight A call came in to say that there was a fight going on at Building A. When officer arrived, there were two males standing at the front of Building B. They informed the officer that a student from building A had hit him. He left to go back to his room and stated that he did not know who had hit him. He said that he had gotten hit for yelling across the street at a girl. The scene was cleared at 3:00 am. At 3:24 am, there was another call that student A had returned with 4 to 5 people. he was observed on the camera to get in the door of Building A and also trying to get in the front windows. When the officer arrived on scene, Student A took off running around the building. The officer caught him and brought him back around the front porch. He was told that he would probably be cited because he was told not to come back. Student A was escorted back to his room and the scene was cleared at 3:45 am.

9/13/13 Toxic Waste It was reported that when professor A was about to begin her class in Old Mani there was an unusual smell in the room. Human defecation was found in the desk drawer. The entire drawer was removed and placed in a plastic bag. Facilities disposed of it later.

9/8/13 Criminal Mischief A fire alarm came into the office of protection services. Upon arrival we found a half smoked cigar on the floor of the room and three candles. there was also a bottle of vodka in the room. The inhabitant, student A, had clearly been drinking. she was asked if she was smoking the cigar. she stated that she was not and that she had left her room unlocked and did not know who was there.

Candles and vodka were removed from the room and thrown away. the fire department and protection services cleared the scene at 1:40 am.

Courtesy Genevieve VanVoorhis

O N -C AMPUS O RGANIZATIONS (724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@ jay.washjeff.edu gasbarriniml@jay. washjeff.edu

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The Red & Black registered, student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Penna. It is published Thursdays with the exception of exams and break periods. Production run is 1250 copies, both on and off campus. Published by the Observer Publishing Company.

20 S ept 2013

Red & Black

3 CAMPUS NEWS

Developments in the Tim McNerney Case: One Year Later Carley Adams Red&Black Staff

Almost one year has gone by since the untimely passing on of Tim McNerney, a Washington & Jefferson President who, if not for his tragic death on October 4, 2012, would have graduated in May with the Class of 2013.

McNerney was in many ways an embodiment of what it meant to be President at W&J. He was known for his skill and sportsmanship on the field as “#5,” the W&J football team’s star running back.

His creative mind and energy in the art of performance made him the superstar of the 2012 fall concert, the crowd of W&J students proudly chanting his stage name, “Dirty,” for an encore. And above all, McNerney exuded unparalleled optimism, joy, a hunger to experience life to its fullest and a thirst to fearlessly discover what the future had in store.

That his life should have ended so abruptly and so unjustly was a shock and a heartbreak to his family, to his friends and to the entire community of W&J. The impact of McNerney’s death and the ambiguity surrounding it cast a lasting shadow over the W&J campus and community, but in August 2013, some of that shadow finally began to fade.

The Washington Police Department arrested three young men (Eric Wells of Penn Hills, Adam Hankins of Washington, and Troy Simmons of East Pittsburgh), all of whom admitted their involvement in the 2012 incident upon arrest. The head injury that ultimately cost McNerney his life was sustained when he hit the ground after being punched by Wells.

Despite rumors to the contrary, President Tori Haring-Smith confidently stated, "We know for certain that the people who did this to Tim were not and are not targeting W&J students."

While total closure after an occurrence as awful as McNerney’s death is nearly impossible to achieve, these arrests mark a

significant step toward recovering the W&J and Washington communities’ wellbeing and senses of security. They also supply powerful assurance that the Washington police have dutifully kept up the hunt.

When asked to attest, the chief of W&J Protection Services Ed Cochran said, “Absolutely. We’ve been working closely with [the Washington Police Department], they’ve been calling us often, and it never left their list of top priorities.”

In addition to their helping the Washington Police Department in the search for the people responsible for McNerney’s death, W&J Protection services has taken a number of new security measures to ensure the safety of the students living on the W&J campus.

When asked about the progress being made by campus security, President Tori Haring-Smith explained, “Vice President Eva Chatterjee-Sutton and Protection Services have worked together to improve campus safety. It started with the safety walks last spring, and many of the improvements you see were direct responses to students’ suggestions.”

In addition to discussing the campus’ 26 strategically-placed blue light emergency phones and the 24/7 foot and vehicle monitoring of the six-block campus

by Protection Services, Chief Cochran added, “There will be new and better lighting in several locations, especially parking lots and there are several new security cameras installed around campus.”

Chief Cochran also added that improving campus security is “a work-in-progress,” emphasizing that security never sleeps and will continue to improve.

Understandably so, the parents, guardians and family members of both new and veteran W&J students have continually expressed concerns about the well-being of the student body. In response, both President Haring-Smith and Chief Cochran were understanding yet reassuring.

“If [the McNerney incident]

had occurred at a large state school,” said President HaringSmith, “it would have been just as tragic but not as shocking. The high level of shock we all felt was a reflection of how safe our campus truly is.”

Placing emphasis on the importance of not wandering offcampus late at night, Chief Cochran added, “If [the students] stay on campus, they’ll be as safe as they can be.”

No amount of security measures, however, can undo what happened almost one year ago, and on that matter, the entire community continues to acknowledge the pain of McNerney’s family and closest friends. How, then, can the W&J community keep his spirit alive?

Students and community members can do this not only by sharing stories of McNerney’s greatest moments and achievements at W&J, but also by exemplifying his most positive and admirable qualities within themselves.

W&J student Jake DunksCampbell, ’15, only knew McNerney for four works before his death. Despite the short amount of time they had together, Campbell considers McNerney to be one of the greatest men he has ever met. Because it was cut so short, the deep friendship they experienced became a lasting testament to McNerney’s genuine openheartedness.

When asked to comment on how W&J should continue to honor McNerney’s memory, Campbell lit up and said, “I could talk about Tim all day if you wanted me to!”

Campbell and McNerney met in the fall of 2012 when McNerney approached the then-sophomore about DJ-ing for his opening act at the fall concert.

“It felt like we had been brothers the whole time,” said Campbell, after recounting the story of how impressed and supportive McNerney was while hearing Campbell’s original beats for the first time. “Talking to him was like talking to a mirror. I saw my-

self in him, and he saw himself in me.”

When asked how he personally planned to keep McNerney’s memory alive and well within the c o m m u n i t y, Campbell emphasized three things above all else.

First, Campbell discussed the incredible musical talent of McNerney.

“Everyone knew Tim was a great athlete,” said Campbell, “but not as many people knew that he was also a great musician.” Just this month, Campbell himself arranged the verses of “Speedin,” a poem written by McNerney and published in the Red&Black, into a rap with original beats.

Quoting a personal hero, Campbell said, “James Dean once said, ‘If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he’s dead, then maybe he was a great man.’ I think that applies to Tim perfectly. We lost Tim, the man, but we gained Tim, the spirit, through his surviving music.”

Second, as did W&J graduate DeAndre Simmons and W&J football coach Mike Sirianni last fall, Campbell emphasized McNerney’s warm heart and perpetual willingness to lift others up.

“When you were with Tim,” said Campbell, “you didn’t think about school, you didn’t think about bills, you only thought about how good things were. When you were with Tim, you felt like you were the center of the universe.”

Third, and most importantly, Campbell wanted to express to the whole community that they must never underestimate the power of kindness, patience, and understanding.

The city of Washington has seen an increase in the strength-

Courtesy wtae.com

ening of community ties in recent weeks, locals seeing everything from prayer services in front of the community courthouse to student volunteerism.

Speaking as both a student of W&J and a member of the Washington community, Campbell said, “We can’t just speak out in support of ending violence, we have to act. The change comes at home. The change comes from within yourself. So lend a helping hand, even if there’s no quid pro quo. You might just save a life.”

To this effect, President Haring-Smith added, “Nothing makes me happier than when I see students out there in the community reading to first graders or cleaning up the sidewalks while wearing t-shirts that say ‘W&J.’” Whether remembering McNerney as “Fearless #5” on the football field, as “Dirty McNerney” on the stage, or as a constant ray of optimism on the W&J campus, the members of the Washington community will forever honor the loss of a great young man by striving to exude the same love of life and by living every day to its fullest.

“Live for yourself,” Campbell said in closing, “but live knowing that Tim is part of you. Every day is a God-given blessing, and Tim knew that. He lived every day like it was his last, and he would have wanted all of us to do the same.”

CAMPUS NEWS 4

20 S eptember 2013

Red & Black

W&J’s New Interactive Tool: Oh the Possibilities!

Carley Adams Red&Black Staff

Technology has been a hot-button topic in recent years, especially in academia.

Administrators, educators, and even students are often uncertain about the extent to which technology and academics should intermingle. But while online classes and test-taking continue to be controversial, Washington & Jefferson has joined a growing number of colleges and universities around the country in taking an undeniably advantageous technological leap.

Nearly 81% of today’s techsavvy college students own and actively use smartphones, such as the iPhone or the Droid. W&J, along with a variety of other institutions, has taken advantage of this fact by investing in a smartphone application known as Ellucian GO. This free (yes, it is free!) smart-

phone application allows participating colleges and universities to set up app homepage individualized to their particular institution, accessible to any student via his or her smartphone.

For a W&J President, this app is a must-have.

The W&J Ellucian Go homepage comes equipped with an assortment of tools invaluable to college students who frequent this small but lively campus.

Here are some of this app’s most practical properties: Campus Map. The campus mobile app contains a map with a satellite view of the W&J campus in addition to GPS location capabilities. This app shows any student with a smartphone where he or she is on campus at any given time and has red markers indicating the name and location of every dorm, office, and academic building. Entertaining for seniors and practical for freshmen, the

Maps tool is one of many nifty features on the new mobile app.

Congratulations, Class of 2017 – you’ll never get lost!

News. The mobile app is also equipped to help keep students up to date on community news.

There are several news-related tabs for users to peruse: 1) Alumni News, in which users can read about the successes and endeavors of notable W&J alumni, 2) In The Press, in which users can read W&J-related stories that have made it into local or larger news outlets and finally, 4) The Presidents’ Box, in which users can stay up to date on news from the world of W&J athletics.

Events. Notorious for creating to-do lists that could span the four staircases of Old Main, W&J students will most likely put the Events feature to good use. The mobile app’s Events tab leads to a compilation of every major event

happening on campus within the current month.

Events are divided into several categories: Academic, Career/Job Fair, Fine Arts, General Activity, Meetings and Sporting Events.

This one is certain to keep even W&J’s biggest busy bodies on track.

Dining Menu. Sure to become a student favorite, this feature allows users to see what The Commons is serving on any given day.

My Grades, My Courses, and Sakai. The W&J mobile app allows quick access to individualized grades, schedules, and Sakai pages at the touch of a button.

Important Numbers. Finally, the pièce de résistance. The W&J mobile app contains a directory of every important phone number associated with this campus: the Business Office, Career Services, Global Education, the ITS Helpdesk, the Library and Protection Services are just a few of the

countless campus services contactable via this app. The Important Numbers feature offers students easy communication with various campus departments as well as the safety measure of having numbers such as Protection Services programmed into their phones.

If you are part of the W&J community and happen to have a smartphone, take advantage of the plethora of practical tools at your disposal through use of the Ellucian GO application. Download it (for free!) today!

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Athlete at Wheeling Jesuit Dies at 21 Tori Smith Red&Black Editor

Courtesy yourradioplace.com

On Saturday Aug. 31, Kevin Figaniak, 21, a senior at Wheeling Jesuit University from Perkasie, Pa., sustained traumatic injuries during an off-campus assault.

The people involved were not associated with the University. Figaniak was pronounced dead on Sunday shortly after three a.m. Another student was with Figaniak at the time of the attack, but was not seriously injured.

President of the University, Rev. James Fleming, said in his statement, “As a Catholic university, we are uniquely blessed that our religious traditions offer us support in all of life's situations. We have been providing the entire Wheeling Jesuit community opportunities for worship, counseling and reflection. Staff members from residence life, the counseling office, campus ministry and athletics continue to minister to the students' needs.”

Two men have been arrested and charged with murder.

The police took into custody Jarrett Chandler, 24, and Craig Peacock, 22. The two were each held on a bond of one million dollars, cash only.

Figaniak suffered severe head injuries. His friend described to the police the incident as getting “jumped from behind” by a group of men shortly before two a.m. Saturday morning near the campus. Figaniak had reportedly exchanged “unpleasantries” with one or more people before the attack, and was then walking with a friend back to campus from the bar.

Figaniak was scheduled to graduate next spring, and was an athlete in both hockey and lacrosse.

Fleming stated, “Kevin spent the last three years at Wheeling Jesuit forging friendships and in his final hours,

Kevin was surrounded by those friends and his family, who, through their love and prayers, brought Kevin home to Jesus.”

One of Figaniak’s teammates, Morgan Steer, told “The Morning Call,” “he always had a smile, he was always making people laugh. He was one heck of a hockey player.”

After a hearing on Thursday Sept. 12, Peacock’s attorney, Robert McCoid, and Prosecutor, Shawn Turak, spoke to the media regarding the outcome.

McCoid told 7News, “There was absolutely no proof of intent to kill. Intent to kill is a requisite element of murder.”

During the hearing, McCoid claimed that it was “outrageous” to suggest that this case is being tried as a murder case.

Later, Turak said, “I agree with Mr McCoid, the attorney for Mr. Peacock, that an outrage has occurred in this case.

The outrage from the state of West Virginia's standpoint is that Kevin Figaniak is 21 years old and he's dead.”

When a testimony was given by Wheeling Police Detective Daniel Holmes, it was revealed that there may be a third possible suspect in the case. Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger told 7News that, on the day Peacock and Chandler were arrested, his detectives had identified Tyler Witty.

According to Holmes’ testimony, the Medical Examiner had determined that Figaniak died due to severe brain injuries caused from blunt force trauma to the head.

According to Turak, the next grand jury is not scheduled to meet until Jan. of 2014.

20 S eptember 2013

CAMPUS NEWS 5

Red & Black

Commencement 2013 Jack Myint/red&black

Evan Rosenberg/red&black

Jack Myint/red&black

Jack Myint/red&black

Compiled by Jack Myint/red&black

Evan Rosenberg/red&black

Jack Myint/red&black

Jack Myint/red&black

Jack Myint/red&black Evan Rosenberg/red&black

Evan Rosenberg/red&black

LIFE 20 S eptember 2013

LIFE 6

Red & Black

Living Life at W&J, Tips on Health and Wellness Zack Rosinger Red&Black Editor

For all age groups, regardless of if you are a senior or a first year student here at Washington & Jefferson, it is important to either remind yourself of, or consider your own health and wellness on campus.

W&J is anything but an “easy” school and is therefore very tasking, mentally. While it is great that your brain is getting a workout, it is vital for your success and safety to consider more than just the tests and homework. Below are just a few tips on how to maintain the high level of not only coursework, but overall wellness.

Plan ahead: While it may seem tempting to hold off on reading that chapter for class because the test is not for another month, it is a bad idea to wait on preparing for it until the last minute. If you do, you’ll end up struggling to follow the rest of the list. Just keep that in mind!

Take breaks: Going off of the last comment, if you are planning ahead, there should be no issue with taking some breaks throughout your day. If it is nice outside, and you have some time, why not explore around? Our campus is a very beautiful place if you take the time to notice. Not only will this help to refresh your mind, but it will help to keep all the blood moving throughout your body.

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Go to the gym: Sure, there are football players working out, as well as volleyball, wrestling and every other sport you can find as an excuse for why you shouldn’t use the gym today; but, keep in mind that some physical activity such as working out actually does miracles for your brain, as well as your body. There has been plenty of research on the harmful effects of extended stress on the brain. The first place most researchers suggest it targets happens to be the portion dealing with memory! Good news? Of course! Physical activity actually does help to counteract this potential damage that could occur.

Know that it is okay to talk to someone: We all like to think that we’re invincible and that maybe sharing some problems or concerns is a sign of weakness; it is not! Regardless of if you are a senior or a first year student, you have an RA on your floor or in your building. They are here to talk and help you out. We have a campus psychologist as well, who is amazing. You don’t need to have a clinical disorder to meet with Dr. Hamilton. Even if you just need to vent one time about a bad day, she’ll be happy to listen. You have 12 free visits per year, make use of some of them; you will be glad you did.

Make sure to eat: This may seem like a trivial tip, but after having gone through three full years here at W&J, I can say that I have fallen victim to forgetting about a meal here and there. I have felt too busy, or didn’t want to take the time since I had a lot of work to do. Don’t do it! There’s always time for at least 30 minutes to eat.

Courtesy prosar.com

Get involved: College is only what you make of it. W&J has a very high amount of activities on campus; you can easily get a leadership position or just be a member and participate in the given group. Either way, it will make your time here much more fun and you will expand your network of friends and connections.

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Take a course you would never have thought about taking: The tip may not sound useful, but it is a really great idea to consider taking a course every so often that you would never think about taking. You will have enough room in your schedule to take a course that is not mandatory for your major or minor, I promise. It is good to broaden your horizons.

Get sleep: This is another tip that many may find to be intuitive; it is not always. Going off of the busy mentality that we all have here at W&J, it will be impossible to keep up with everything without calling it quits for the night at a reasonable hour. The less sleep you get, the less efficiently you can do your work. It all starts with rest.

Ask for help: if you do not understand what you need to do, there is nothing wrong with asking for help from your professor.

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Use PAL: PAL stands for Peer Assisted Learning. It is a program that is free and runs Sunday through Thursday evenings from 7-9pm. There are students who got hired for these positions in almost every subject; check the schedule and stop in!

20 September 2013

Red & Black

LIFE 7

J.D. Salinger, Publishing After Death Tori Smith Red&Black Editor

J.D. Salinger, author of “The Catcher in the Rye,” hid from the attention of the public during the last fifty years of his life in his New Hampshire hideaway. But, after dying in 2010 at the age of 91, he is getting the attention tenfold.

“The Catcher in the Rye” made Salinger a literary sensation with its publication in 1951. In regards to the novel, novelist Tom Wolfe said, “There had not been a voice like that."

Salinger’s last published work appeared in The New Yorker in 1965.

A new documentary by filmmaker, Shane Salerno, titled “Salinger,” tracks the author’s success and his stardom, including his abrupt retreat from it.

Salinger disappeared to a wooded

compound in New Hampshire.

Salinger’s life was one that was famous for being so secret.

Salerno spent 2 million dollars of his own money to document his film “Salinger.”

Salerno told Anthony Mason from CBS News, “I was just hooked, I was compelled. And I began what was a nine-year detective story.”

Now, as the documentary will show, Salinger was still writing all those years in his bunker. He left major new works with explicit instructions that they are to be published beginning in 2015.

These major new works include new material expanding on Holden Caulfield, the procrastinator in “The Catcher in the Rye.” “Los Angeles Times” and “Morning Edition” film critic Kenneth Turan gave a review of the new Salerno documentary.

In his review, he said, “Salinger spent the first part of his life lusting after literary success, and the rest of it recoiling in horror at the consequences of his passion."

He continued, "He retreated to self-imposed, semi-reclusive exile, refusing to publish anything. But because he was the author of the novel that’s been called the great subversive anti-establishment book of all time, no one would leave him alone. Complete strangers would stalk him, and disturbed people would use his book as an excuse for violence, as playwright John Guare explains in the new documentary ‘Salinger.’”

Fortunately, Salinger's horror at this terrible fame didn't end his writing entirely.

Expect to see Salinger's new work in the upcoming years.

We waited 48 years for Salinger to publish again, what are two more?

Courtesy amazon.com

20 S eptember 2013

Red & Black

Presidential Factoids

LIFE 9

Jim Kappas Red&Black Staff

Courtesy www.venturegalleries.com

Above, John Hanson, the man who to the Constitution, he served as the leader of the Confederation.

Does he look more distinguished than George Washington (located below)?

Here at Washington & Jefferson, one sees the names of the Presidents all the time. Beyond the namesakes George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, we have Adams, Fillmore, Lincoln and many more on the names of our halls.

We know all the important historical facts, but what do we actually know about the men that have held the highest office?

Let’s start the beginning with our co-namesake George Washington; the first president-but was he really? The knee-jerk reaction is to say yes, but some would disagree. Looking at the dates, you’d see there was a period of time between the end of the Revolutionary War and Washington’s presidency.

This was also the time before the Constitution, while America’s governing document was the Articles of Confederation.

A man named John Hanson led the country during this time and some scholars would argue that he was in fact the first President of the United States. Either way, the presidency did eventually move on past Washington.

The 10th President of the United Sates, John Tyler, may not be known for ending a war or changing the political landscape. In fact, many found him inept, and some go as far as to call his presidency one of the least impactful.

Tyler took office in 1841, at the age of 51. While he tried his best to lead our nation, he also had a knack for extending the Tyler family tree.

After taking office, his first wife (with whom he already had eight children) had a stroke and passed away. He then became the only president to remarry in the White House, and fathered seven more children. Perhaps even more astonishingly, two of Tyler’s grandchildren, born in 1924 and 1928, are still alive today. These children would never have met their presidential grandfather, but the thought of Tyler’s legacy extending for so long is amazing.

Moving even farther up into the 20th Century, we come across the Bull Moose himself, Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was known for his exploits as a rambunctious leader in the Spanish American war.

He was an avid sharpshooter and huntsman. Upon hearing of his death, the Vice President at the time, Thomas R. Marshall, said that, “Death had to take Roosevelt sleeping, for if he had been awake, there would have been a fight.”

With all this in mind, it may surprise some that the President called “Teddy” is the very same the teddy bear is named for. Yes, Roosevelt will be forever immortalized in the arms of little girls and toyshops.

On top of his loud and wild nature, Teddy was a strong supporter of environmentalist concerns. The National Parks were created under his presidency and he would do all he could to protect the beauty of nature.

There are plenty of other trivia tales in the presidency from exotic pets to bizarre encounters with foreign diplomats. But each day brings up more stories, old and new, so for now, this writer encourages you to look into some presidential on your own.

Courtesy www.gettysburgdaily.com

in the White House. His second wife, Julia Gardiner, is shown below. He would have 15 children between his two marriages.

Courtesy www.mountvernon.org

Courtesy www.thelintscreen.com

the right). Ironically, teddy bears, seen left, were named after him even though in reality he was known for his Courtesy www.sunny-bears.com

10

20 S eptember 2013

Red & Black

ARTS

What Pittsburgh Has to Offer Carley Adams Red&Black Staff

Students who have traveled across the United States or perhaps from another country entirely, to attend Washington & Jefferson quickly realize that Washington, PA is not the most enthralling place to live.

Luckily, less than 40 minutes away from good ole W&J is the great city of Pittsburgh, the center of which is bursting at the seams with opportunities to experience art, music, theatre and performance and local culture.

For those interested in artwork and exhibition, Pittsburgh is known for its public art as well as for its museums.

Considering the artistic significance of the man for which it is named, the famous Warhol Museum on Sandusky Street is a must-see for those new to the Pittsburgh area.

Additionally, for those who appreciate contemporary and interactive art, The Mattress Factory museum located on the North Side is an experience in and of itself.

Finally, those who enjoy colorful variety may want to check out the Pittsburgh Cultural District Gallery Crawl.

This celebrated showcase of art and entertainment takes

place from 5:30 to 9:00 pm on Friday, Sept. 27. And, the best part is, it is entirely free to the public!

In addition to both public and exhibited artwork, Pittsburgh offers unparalleled opportunities to experience music.

In fact, the renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform two major concerts at Heinz Hall within the next two months.

A concert entitled “Once Upon A Time” will open the PSO’s 2013-2014 season on Friday, Sept. 27.

This grand opening will feature world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma as he joins the PSO to perform selected works of Tchaikovsky, Dvořák and other pieces inspired by fairytales.

Then, on Thursday, Oct. 17, Tony Award-winning actor Brian Stokes Mitchell will join the PSO for a concert entitled

“Broadway and Beyond.”

This night will consist of a performance filled with classic Broadway favorites, and the audience will see Mitchell take on the role of a different character in a different musical with every new song.

As described on the PSO’s calendar of events, “This is your chance to hear the best of Broadway from one of Broadway's best.”

Finally, for those who enjoy theatre, dance and the art of performance, the next few months are full to the brim with opportunities to see what Pittsburgh’s most talented actors, singers and dancers have to offer.

On Oct. 25-27 at the famous Benedum Center located on Liberty Avenue, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will be performing “An Evening of Twyla Tharp.”

Emmy and Tony Awardwinning choreographer Twyla

courtesy mattress.org

The picture above is of Yayoi Kusama’s permanent exhibit in the Mattress Factory.

Tharp presents two works: “In the Upper Room,” which is a combination of ballet and modern dance performed to score by composer Philip Glass, and “Nine Sinatra Songs,” which is blend of ballet and ballroom.

And of course, running Dec. 6-29 is the PBT’s everpopular holiday performance of “The Nutcracker.”

Also taking place at the Benedum Center in coming months are two famous operas: Verdi’s “Aida,” which

courtesy warhol.org

The picture above is of Andy Warhol’s installation Skulls in the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. This piece is part of the permanent collection.

will be performed on Oct, 12, 15, 18 and 20 and Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” showing on November 9, 12, 15 and 17.

And last, but certainly not least, running from Sept. 26 – Oct. 27, the Pittsburgh Public Theatre will be showing Thornton Wilder’s iconic play, “Our Town.”

Those interested in a performance not quite as grandiose as the ballet or opera, but just moving may want to join celebrated actor Tom Atkins, a Pittsburgh native, as he portrays the renowned role of the Stage Manager and takes the audience on a heartwarming journey back to the days of old.

The up and coming months are filled with artistic and theatrical promise for the city of Pittsburgh, so don’t miss out on these opportunities to see what the Pittsburgh Cultural District is all about.

For more information, visit www.trustarts.org.

20 S eptember 2013

ARTS 11

Red & Black

Review: “Silver Linings Playbook” Book Vs. Movie Adaptation Carley Adams Red&Black Staff

In the Fall of 2012, audiences went wild over the American romantic dramedy “Silver Linings Playbook,” written and directed by David O. Russell and starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro.

The unique, quirky film received critical acclaim for its raw, fast-paced dialogue, its fearless actors and its unorthodox combination of dark, irreverent humor with the touchy topic of mental illness.

What many audience members may have missed, though, is that the film was based on author Matthew Quick’s debut novel of the same title, released in 2008.

All critics – official and unofficial – carry biases based on which they experienced first, the novel or the film.

Regardless of which one a person considers “better,” however, there are differences between the film and its mother novel that significantly change the story’s meaning and ultimate message.

Quick’s novel and Russell’s film both follow the journey of Pat (portrayed in the film by Bradley Cooper), a man who suffers from bipolar disorder and is released from a psychiatric hospital in order rejoin his loved ones and clean up his life.

His main goal: to become physically fit, mentally stable and optimistic enough that his estranged wife, Nikki, will one day take him back.

From then on, the novel and the film head in two very different directions. (Spoiler alert!).

Key point: Quick’s novel is about a man.

In the novel, Pat is more than a troubled individual who wants to be reunited with his long-lost wife.

He is a troubled individual who has repressed the memory of why his wife abandoned him without a trace in the first place.

Throughout the first-person narrative, Quick implies that an “incident” occurred which marked the falling apart of Pat’s life, his wife’s abandoning him and his ending up in a psychiatric hospital. The implications become progressively more specific as the narrative continues.

Clues arise and traumatic memories surface via a number of odd triggers, such as Pat’s hearing Kenny G’s “Songbird” on the radio.

In his attempt to lead a normal life once more, Pat befriends Tiffany, another troubled soul with a rocky past.

Through this awkward, unlikely friendship, Pat finally comes to terms with the true horrors of his past: before his commitment, Pat walked in on his wife with another lover and, in a raging mental breakdown, pummeled said lover to within an inch of his life.

The simultaneous realizations that Nikki will never return and that Tiffany has been hiding her true, romantic feelings for Pat initially send him into deep despair, but in the end, Pat sees himself in Tiffany.

He needs her, she needs him and he finally understands that only through trust, friendship and love can they heal the wounds of the past.

Key point: Russell’s film is about a man and a woman.

Novel-Pat’s entire story arc is completed within the first five minutes of the film when film-Pat recounts every detail of his wife’s lechery and his violent mental breakdown for his therapist.

Right then, viewers familiar with Quick’s novel know that this is not a story about remembering the past and coming to terms with one’s dark side, two major themes in the book.

What, then, is the story about?

Russell answers this question quickly when he gives the character Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence) a significantly larger role in Pat’s life than she had in Quick’s novel.

While the large number of tense, occasionally dramatic and oftentimes comedic scenes between Pat and Tiffany shine with snappy dialogue, uninhibited acting and painfully realistic portrayals of the struggles that accompany living with a mental disorder, they are strategically organized to plant the promise of romance in viewers’ minds.

With Pat’s journey of recalling the past out of the way, this is easily becomes the main focus of the screenplay.

As in the novel, Pat does need to accept that Nikki will not

Courtesy theimpactnews.com

take him back, but in the film he achieves this as a result of his newly discovered romantic love for Tiffany. Boy loves girl, girl loves boy, they confess this love, they kiss and the film ends.

Of course, the film has its shining moments: excellent

Courtesy sites.psu.edu

writing, a heart wrenching performance by Bradley Cooper, a supporting cast of comic and dramatic geniuses and a standout performance by Jennifer Lawrence.

And the film is not about romance entirely. Russell also does a superb job of highlighting the belittlement of the mentally troubled, creating a number of edgy scenes between Pat, his family members and his close friends.

There is something to be said, though, about a story in which the possibility of romance is a mere subtlety compared to the overarching theme of facing the demons of the past.

Unfortunately, “Silver Linings Playbook,” the film, is not that story.

It is a splendid piece of work and worth the watch, but Matthew Quick’s novel a unique, refreshing, heartwarming experience unmatched by anything viewers can see onscreen.

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Red & Black

THE POETRY CORNER

20 S eptember 2013

Does the Historic Background of “The Butler” Make it a Good Movie?

Shannon Adams Red&Black Staff

This week in Poetry Corner I am sharing a poem with you that I wrote. I get mixed reviews every time I share it with willing readers. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when I wrote it.

I can feel it growing.

I can see it getting bigger.

Loving you was a big mistake.

I don’t feel any love.

You are causing me so much pain.

I will not feel sorry.

It’s too late for him to say sorry.

This baby is still growing.

Every morning I get more pain.

Every day it grows a little bigger.

How do you expect me to love?

I cannot love a mistake.

Going to the clinic was a mistake.

Little one, I am sorry.

Maybe I am capable of love.

I know you are always growing.

I can feel your little body growing bigger.

I can try to bear the horrible pain.

I am getting use to the pain.

My little nudging mistake.

I can’t wait until you’re bigger.

I will forgive the sorry.

We are both growing.

It is you who I love.

All we need is our mother-child love.

We can forget the pain.

You are still growing.

This was my entire mistake, And I am forever sorry.

My heart is growing bigger.

The doctors are getting bigger.

Taking away my love.

Little nudger, I am sorry.

I will cause you more pain.

Oh no, this is a mistake.

No longer are you growing.

You are done growing, never getting bigger.

I made a huge mistake, I took away my love.

I caused myself pain, I am sorry.

courtesy ijreview.com

Shari Kaminski Red&Black Staff

I first heard about “Lee Daniel’s The Butler” a little less than two years ago.

I thought with the great cast that would be involved and the true story it would be based on was bound to make an interesting movie.

“The Butler” is loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, a black man who worked as a butler in the White House for 34 years, seeing seven different administrations. In the movie, Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, the character based on Eugene Allen.

While working in a hotel, Cecil is noticed by a staff member from the White House and is invited to join the team of butlers that serve the President. Cecil begins working at the end of the Eisenhower ad-

ministration, and stays until he retires during the Reagan administration.

The presidents were all played by great, recognizable actors. Among the actors playing the different Commanders-in-Chief are Robin Williams (“Aladdin,” “Mrs. Doubtfire”) playing Eisenhower, James Marsden (“Enchanted,” “27 Dresses”) playing John F. Kennedy and Alan Rickman (“Harry Potter”) playing Ronald Reagan.

Oprah Winfrey also plays a large part in the movie as Cecil’s wife.

The movie reminded me of “Forrest Gump,” with the plot focusing on following Cecil as he experiences the history of the twentieth century, with an obvious focus on events relating to the Civil Rights Movement.

The movie has its fair share of great moments, both dra-

matic and humorous. Specifically, the way the movie handles Kennedy’s assassination, the treatment of slaves on plantations and the Vietnam War are among the most emotional parts of the movie.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s time on screen is one of the funnier parts of the movie.

Unfortunately, other parts of the movie came off as cheesy. It seemed like knowing Cecil was the sole reason many of the Presidents change their mind and support Civil Rights.

In the end, I do not think “The Butler” made quite the impact it wanted, but it was still a pretty good movie. I would not be surprised if it received some attention during the awards season this winter, but with many more promising movies on the horizon, audiences will have to wait and see.

20 S eptember 2013

Red & Black

What’s New On TV? All News Shows Coming To ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX Shari Kaminski Red&Black Staff

If you have been looking for a new TV show to watch, there will be plenty of opportunities to find one in the next week.

The major networks are premiering the majority of their new shows throughout next week and into Oct. This article will cover shows from three of them.

The first is NBC on Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 P.M. with the new procedural drama “The Blacklist.”

“The Blacklist” stars James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington, the FBI’s most wanted fugitive. Red turns himself in, offering to help find the FBI find the most dangerous criminals, some of whom they do not even know about.

The catch is that Red will only speak to Elizabeth Keen, a profiler whose first day on

the job happens to be the day Red turns himself in.

The criminals Red helps the FBI find are part of his own list, which he calls “The

Blacklist,” hence the show’s title.

On Sept. 24 at 8 P.M., ABC will be premiering “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” “S.H.I.E.L.D.” takes place in the same universe as Marvel’s movies (“The Avengers,” “Iron Man,” “Thor,” etc.).

“S.H.I.E.L.D.” focuses on a team of agents led by (Warning: Spoiler if you haven’t seen the movies or commercials for the show) a very not-dead Phil Coulson.

The show was created by Joss Whedon, the director of “The Avengers.” “S.H.I.E.L.D.” will have major competition with “N.C.I.S.” which will be

returning in the same time slot.

On Sept. 26 at 9 P.M., CBS will premiere the comedy “The Crazy Ones.” “The Crazy Ones” stars Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar as a father and daughter who run an advertising agency. The pilot episode will also feature Kelly Clarkson, playing herself, as William and Gellar’s characters try to get her to agree to sing the jingle for a new McDonald’s commercial.

The first of FOX’s new shows, “Sleepy Hollow” will already have premiered on Sept.

16, and word of mouth about the first episode is very promising.

One of these shows could end up as the next long-running show that is still going on in ten years. Or, it could be cancelled in a few weeks and will never be mentioned again. It will be interesting to see which of these muchhyped shows last.

ARTS 13

Art Feature Reverse Graffiti

Courtesy grafart.eu

Alex Bernardi Red&Black Editor Reverse graffiti is all the rave now-a-days. This type of art is also known as “clean tagging,” “dust tagging,” “grime writing” or “green graffiti.”

Reverse graffiti are temporary images that are placed on walls or other surfaces outside by removing dirt from the surface. The ever-so-famous act of reverse graffiti is like using your finger to write, “wash me” on your friend’s car.

Reverse graffiti differs from regular graffiti by using products such as bleach as a utensil, rather than spray paint or regular paint. Some artists even use high power washers to create their images on buildings.

The English artist, Paul Curtis, originated reverse graffiti.

He discovered the technique while working at his job, where he spent hours dishwashing and cleaning dirt from dishes.

Alexandre Orion made the first large-scale reverse graffiti in 2006. The piece was over 1000 feet of washed surface. Graffiti artists such as Banksy have performed reverse graffiti as well as regular graffiti.

Lastly, but most importantly, reverse graffiti is, in fact, legal.

As it is known, the act of adding something to public sidewalks and buildings is illegal, but cleaning them is not.

Therefore, although reverse graffiti may look just as destructive as regular graffiti, it is still very much a legal act for all artists around the world.

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OPINIONS

20 S eptember 2013

Red & Black

Staff Editorial: Welcome Back, Any Suggestions?

The Red & Black would like to welcome back students, faculty, and staff for another academic school year.

I’m sure as much as we all loved summer days lounging by the pool it was refreshing to see our friends and teachers back in the swing of things here on campus.

The Red & Black office is excited as well, we have dusted off our computers and trained our new members of the staff to ensure the tradition of quality writing and entertainment encompasses every issue.

That being said, like many things around campus that are undergoing renovation so is your student newspaper.

The Red & Black is undergoing a make-over!

We realize that our audience is dwindling and we aren’t capturing the attention of the campus as much as we would like. Our goal for this year is to provide you with a newspaper that YOU want to read!

We have new columns about body health, fashion, events that are happening on and off campus, reviews on the latest music trends and movies, and of course everyone’s favorite “the security log.”

In order for us to do this we need your help; stop by the office or send us an email and let us know what parts of the paper have to go and improvements you would like to see.

We hope everyone has a great year and we look forward to providing you with a riveting paper every week.

Whichi Coax!

Bruno Mars to Perform During this Year’s Superbowl Halftime Show Chloe Smith Red&Black Contributor On the Sunday of the first kickoff, Fox Live announced that Bruno Mars would be the halftime performer.

To no surprise, there are mixed reviews on this upand-coming entertainer performing at the most highly watch musical performance of the year.

As viewers, how do we feel?

I can personally say that last year when Beyoncé performed, I may or may not have been moved to tears.

Now some might say that was slightly extreme, but the facts are the facts.

110.5 million People in the U.S. watched Beyoncé’s per-

formance and it was critically acclaimed as one of the greatest halftime shows of all time.

Not only did countless hours going into the preparation, costumes and choreography, well over a million dollars went into the unexpected light performance.

And just when we thought Beyoncé had truly out-done herself, along came Destiny’s Child.

The reunited group sang their past chart toppers that people of all ages knew and could sing along to.

It is indisputable that experience contributed heavily to the performance being flawless.

Beyoncé has been releasing hits 3 times longer than Bruno Mars has even been relevant.

I’m not sure I understand

Pepsi’s game plan. Everyone knows that once you set a bar for expectations, you have to at least meet it to maintain your fan basis.

We are currently experiencing the bar not being met with Twista as our fall concert, but I digress.

With talents such as Michael Jackson, Bruce Springstein, Madonna and Paul McCartney being predecessor, one might ask themselves is Bruno Mars ready?

Rumors had circulated before the announcement that performers such as Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Chris Brown or Rihanna would be the possible choice.

Needless to say, no one thought it would be Bruno Mars.

Of those millions view-

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Kara Beck Editor-in-Chief Meghan Watelet Managing Editor Bailey Mudrick Production Manager M. Gasbarrini Business Manager Coni Salinas Campus News Editor Tori Smith Arts Editor Zach Rosinger Opinions Editor Alex Bernardi Sports Editor Emily Bitting Copy Editor Carolyn Tomlinson Copy Editor Evan Rosenberg Photography Editor Distribution Manager Open Administrative Dale Lolley Adviser

ers, Pepsi has to know that a considerable amount of people watching the Super Bowl watch for the halftime performance. It’s a free concert!

I have to admit, I am somewhat disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong; in five to ten years I would love to see Bruno Mars perform at halftime.

His lively energy and catchy lyrics have made him very successful since he was signed to Atlantic Records three years ago.

Mars does have a few chart toppers such as “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade” and, his most recent, “Treasure.”

He is a Grammy award winning artist and has been nominated for numerous other awards.

He has also sold over 115

Photo of Bruno Mars courtesy idolator.com

million singles and has been praised for his great tour performances.

The only reason to doubt him would be because of the large demographic he has to “wow.”

Halftime performances are known for being able to entertain people of all countries, ages, colors, etc.

Can Bruno Mars rise to the challenge?

I guess we will have to wait and see.

Until then, Stay Fabulous.

20 S eptember 2013

OPINIONS 15

Red & Black

So, What’s Up with Syria?!

Jack Myint Red&Black Staff It was the evening of move-in day at DubJay. I arrived here a couple weeks early for a retreat but wasn’t even close to getting settled in due to an extremely tight schedule, and more so because of my natural tendency to procrastinate.

As I stood in the middle of my ridiculously messed-up room and continued unpacking the remainder of suitcases, my hall mate from last year walked in.

One would expect him (given the state of my room and the exhaustion on my face) to just say hi, catch up for a minute or two and LEAVE!!

But no – this one knew me better than that and his “greeting” to me began with “So what’s up with Syria!”

I wanted to respond, “Ohh… don’t even get me started” but he already had.

So instead, I invited him to take a seat (if he could find one, that is and quite luckily he did – on the edge of my couch half covered with jeans) and we started talking about Syria.

As anticipated, this conversation went on for more than two hours and even though it got me nowhere with unpacking, it sure did give me a general outline to write an article.

In order to better understand the problems in Syria today and how United States’ foreign policy comes into major play, it is important that we take a quick glance back at history.

Once a French colony, Syria gained its independence in 1946.

Over time, it has had rough diplomatic ties with United States’ strongest and most strategic ally in the Middle East, Israel.

Conflicts date back to 1967, when Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel after the Arab defeat in the “Six-Day War.” The Syrian Government under Hafez al-Assad went to war

courtesy abc.com

President Bashar al-Assad is seen waving to Syrians during one of his many public appearances that have happened as of late with respect to the current tensions between Syria and the United States.

with Israel once again in 1973 to reclaim the Golden Heights but failed. In 1970, as Lebanon went through a Civil War, Syria tried to expand its political and military influence in the country, an

“When Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad, a U.K.trained ophthalmologist, immediately returned to the country to fill his father’s presidential post.

He was ‘voted in’ with an overwhelming majority of 96% at the age of 34.” act which received tremendous international condemnation and tariffs.

When the Iran-Iraq war broke out in 1980, Syria backed Iran and supported the insurgents’ movement of Iraq, which led to a special relationship between Syria and Iran.

As of 2002, Syria was included

in the Bush administration’s list of states that make up the “Axis of Evil.”

In terms of domestic policy, Syria has even far more chaos and complexities – continuing conflicts between several of its religion and ethnic groups left the country politically destabilized since independence.

Religious groups range from Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shia and Arab Sunnis to name the major few.

The majority Muslim population is made up of the Arab Sunnis but in 1971 the country came under control of the Ba’ath Party, a mainly Alawite Shia faction of military leaders, that has ruled ever since.

This administration, led by President Hafez al-Assad, was a complete authoritarian regime that held strong anti-western policies and committed massive human rights violations.

When Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad, a U.K.-trained ophthalmologist, immediately returned to the country to fill his father’s presidential post.

He was “voted in” with an overwhelming majority of 96% at the

age of 34.

Briefly after the election period, the country went through this “period of relaxation” where hundreds of political prisoners were released.

However, not very much later, this improvement in government was stunted and any remaining hope of democratization and international collaboration shattered as Bashar al-Assad proved to be as ruthless (if not more) a dictator as his predecessor father.

Violence in Syria began in a small uprising that began around March 2011 centered around the issue of a group of children being jailed and some killed for painting anti-government graffiti on the street.

Public protestors grew and as of April 2011, the Syrian army began firing at peaceful demonstrators.

This led to the beginning of a Civil War which continues to this day, with a death toll of over 100,000 counting civilians.

Armies of freedom fighters grew all across the country and pretty soon the country’s economy was devastated. Some of these “fighters for the people” turned into bandits that turned to the

people for money, food and the continuation of their army supplies.

Worse yet, long rooted disagreements and division amongst ethnic and religion beliefs give leeway for varying interest groups to start fighting against each other.

The United States, along with the rest of the international community could do little but condemn the Syrian government’s action, (given that this civil war is a matter of a nation’s sovereignty) and provide recognition to the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution as the “Sole representative of the Syrian people.” However, the tables turned on Aug. 21 as the world receives video, images and confirmed traces of chemical weapons usage by the Syrian government against a group of hundreds of civilians.

For the time being, the Obama administration has somewhat legitimate grounds to base their interference in Syria on the International Agreement Prohibiting the Use of Chemical Weapons, an agreement joined by 189 governments.

Part 2: To be Continued in Next Week’s Issue of the R&B…..

16 OPINIONS

Red & Black

20 S eptember 2013

Consequences of the Legalization of Marijuana Shannon Adams Red&Black Contributor

Bud. Mary Jane. Reefer. Sticky Icky. Pot. Weed. Marijuana.

It doesn’t matter what you call it, it is all the same.

We all know that it is used commonly among our friends and people we know. The thing is though, it is illegal.

Whether you toke up or are just strangely interested in the whole debate like myself, you have heard about the possible legalization of it.

I personally have mixed views on this subject.

I think that we might as well make some money for our economy by legalizing it.

Once it is legalized, more peo-

ple will use it. Want to know why?

Since it is illegal right now, many people out there think that it is bad because of that reason only.

As soon as it is legalized, those people will come out of the wallpaper and join the rest of the weed-aholics.

That’s fine, more money for the economy right?

Now here is where I start to really think.

A lot of people who smoke are those down-with-the-government kind of people (stereotyping much, I think yes), so would they stop smoking so that the government can’t get their money?

Or would they continue to smoke but find their sup-

ply elsewhere like they were doing before it was legalized, hence making the legalization pointless?

Legalized or not, people are still going to get their fix.

Is it worth it to legalize something that people are going to get in dark sketchy alleyways at night anyway?

I think not, but hey, if it does happen, great.

If it doesn’t get legalized you know those people who will still go get it.

The more I hear people talk about this debate the more I wonder how many people who are against it will change their minds about it and try it if it becomes legal.

Don’t tell me it hasn’t crossed your mind.

courtesy cbs.com

The topic of legalizing marijuana is one of continuous debate across the country, with some states already having legalized this drug, and others still considering their options.

You know those conversations you have in your head because no one else can judge you. “Pot will never be legal, but if it was I would try it for

sure man. If the government legalized it, it can’t be bad for me.” You know you have.

I will leave you with that to ponder.

United States and United Kingdom now Spying on Smart Devices?

James Kappas Red&Black Staff

After the recent scandals surrounding the National Security Agency, Americans have been on edge about information security.

Many other nations have decried our use of spying technology on civilians, and rightfully so.

Recently however, more news has come to light.

It seems that not only are our compatriots in Washington DC able to crack into American smartphones, but our jolly old neighbors across the pond can, too.

Yes, a German magazine called Der Spiegel recently revealed that not only is the NSA able to tap into smartphone

data, but so is the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ. Now is this news terrifying? Yes, but it was terrifying when we thought it was only the Americans, too.

Der Spiegel reports what they can, but they admit they don’t have all the information.

In fact, while they were able to say the American and British agencies could tap into the data, there was no evidence that they had on any large scale.

The worst news in this report is still to come, however.

Some of the information seems to indicate that the governments can see more than just our phones and emails.

Banking records may also be tracked.

This information is yet to

be confirmed, but it leads to some interesting questions.

First, are these data collection schemes immoral or even illegal?

I would argue yes. It does not make me, nor anyone I know, feel safer knowing that the government can see who I’m calling.

I think this point is agreed upon; you don’t see many activists, liberal or conservative, campaigning for more surveillance.

That question is so easily answered, that the difficulty in the next question hits harder than some are comfortable with: what do we do about it?

It would appear that, short of building a log cabin and living the life of an 1870’s woodsman, there is no way to avoid the reach of the NSA

courtesy bbc.co.uk

Former government employee Edward Snowden’s information is now welcomed in Germany, as well as domestically in the United States, thus adding to the controversy that surrounds the spying.

and GCHQ. You can rally, but protest doesn’t change much, at least not in the long run.

The real way to change what’s happening in Washington, with any issue, NSA or

otherwise, is to stay informed, write your Congress people, and vote.

Make your voice heard.

Trust me, the government is listening.

20 S eptember 2013

OPINIONS 17

Red & Black

Papal Influence that Should Not be Underestimated Even though the Vatican is the smallest state in the world, the nation has far more influence in worldly affairs than one might suspect.

Since Pope John Paul II’s tenure as Pope, the papacy has entered the world limelight on several significant occasions.

John Paul II’s desire to travel and his ability to speak numerous languages allowed him to transform the way that the papacy relates to the citizens of the world.

Along with Pope Paul VI, taking office in 1963, John Paul II really marks the beginning of the modern papacy, setting the precedent for the future role of the papacy.

Prior to Paul VI, the Pope was seen predominately as an Italian figure and did not exert renowned influence in worldly affairs.

During the term of Pope Benedict XVI many argue that the papacy lost much of its relevancy established by John Paul II. Then with the resignation of Benedict XVI, people from all over the world began to question the future direction of the papacy.

However, after only six months in office it appears the Pope Francis has restore the

power and influence to the papacy; and much more.

Recently, Pope Francis spoke out regarding the conflict in Syria, urging world leaders to engage in negotiations instead of resorting to war.

As Pope, Francis’s main focus has been to promote world peace and equality in all aspects of life, throughout every country in the world.

So far into his term, Francis appears to be determined in making his voice heard in worldly affairs in hopes of promoting the peace desired by the Vatican.

“Francis’s down-toearth nature attracts people from all walks of life...I believe he will have more of an impact on global figureheads than many people think possible” After traveling to the Vatican this summer and speaking to individuals involved in Vatican affairs, Francis’s statements concerning the unrest

in Syria come as no surprise to me.

Francis has quickly established himself as a Pope that appeals to the masses more than any Pope in history.

His modest and sympathetic nature were evident within the first few days after his election when he rode the bus with the cardinals rather than the papal limousine, he packed his own bag, paid his own hotel bill, spent time personally thanking every one of the workers at the hotel and stood outside of the Vatican greeting those in attendance like a small town pastor.

C ONTAC T

E DITORIAL P OLICY registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Thursdays with the exception of exams and break periods.

Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers the views of the newspaper, the

College or its students, faculty, or administration.

The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency. The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit.

Francis is something special. He has the charisma and tenacity to put excitement on the faces of those who come out to see him on Wednesdays and Sundays in St. Peter’s Square.

I can personal attest to the enthusiasm and confidence that individuals have in Francis as the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Francis’s down-to-earth nature attracts people from all walks of life, and although it remains too been seen how international leaders will react to his remarks concerning world peace, I believe he will

Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box, and telephone number.

Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblack@ washjeff.edu.

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have more of an impact on global figureheads than many people think possible.

After all, it was evident that John Paul II played an instrumental role in helping bring down the iron curtain dividing Europe during his tenure, so I would not find it shocking if Francis is able to accomplish a similar feat in regards to assisting negotiations between other nations and Syria.

Francis is rapidly becoming a well-respected world figure and even though his state territory may be small, his influence on the global stage should not be underestimated.

S TAFF (724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblack@ washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S.Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301

Michael Boutwell

Morgan Mattingly

Ashley Figlar

Cassy Misiewicz

John Frazier

Ji Park

Reynard Goswami

Evan Rosenberg

Ali Jacobs

Zach Rosinger

Adam Kmett

Ashley Schuckers

Maura Lyle

Meghan Watelet

18

SPORTS Red & Black

20 S eptember 2013

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Fall Sports Begin All Around The World

Courtesy washjeff.edu

Harley Straub Red&Black Staff Last season, the Washington & Jefferson College women’s volleyball team started the season off right. This season, the women are at it again. The volleyball team started the season with a 2-0 record.

To start the season, the team traveled to the La Roche Tournament. W&J defeated both Carlow and Oberlin on Friday September 6th, the first day of the tournament.To start the tournament, the Presidents took on Carlow. They defeated them by a 3-1 margin. The scores were (W&J’s scores listed first) 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, and 25-22. Sophomore right-side runner Nicole Bishwaty had nine kills, 15 digs and two aces against Carlow.

Junior Megan Stoehr assisted on 23 plays and recorded three aces in the game with Carlow.

Senior outside hitter Tori Clark provided eight kills against Carlow. Also in the game, senior outside hitter Samantha Chorney had ten kills and junior middle hitter Darby McMullen had seven blocks as well. Also on the 6th, the Presidents competed against Oberlin Yeowomen.

W&J finished the night with a 3-0 win by scores of 25-20, 25-17, and 26-24. Several W&J players helped in the win. Against the Yeowomen, Clark recorded five kills and four blocks. Also helping the team were Bishwaty, and Stoehr as well as others. Overall for the opening night of the season, W&J ended up in the win column for both of their games.

Several players had a great night and helped W&J defeat both Carlow and the Oberlin Yeowomen.

For a combined total, Bishwaty recorded 15 kills, 21 digs, and four aces. Stoehr had 37 assists and three acces. During their first collegiate games, freshmen Michealia Skleres added 25 assists while outside hitter Taylor Freeman recorded eight kills and 25 digs.

W&J looks to continue winning when they travel to Franciscan on Friday September 20th and then on Sunday September 22nd, they travel to Thomas More. You can support the team by attending their home games, or watching the games online and also staying updated by the live stats.

Courtesy mgoblue.com

The University of Michigan’s stadium, known as “The Big House”, has held the great rivalry game of Michigan and Notre Dame. This stadium was built in 1927 and can hold up to 107,501 people. Besides football games, this stadium is used for ceremonies, hockey games, and other unique events held by the University of Michigan.

Bailey Mudrick Red&Black Editor The great rivalry of Michigan and Notre Dame will be put on hold for a few years. Their rivalry started in 1887, but it was by accident.

The Michigan team was traveling to play Northwestern when it learned the Purple were backing out. So they got off the train at South Bend instead and literally taught the boys at Notre Dame the rules of the game.

As legend goes the Wolverines won that first game, 8-0, Notre Dame treated their guests to a hearty banquet.

The mood was so friendly that Notre Dame president Thomas Walsh felt compelled to give a toast, assuring the Michigan players that a “cordial reception would always await them at Notre Dame.”

And that was that, every year since the two teams have competed against one another to compete in a well in even match.

However, the week before

the 2012 Michigan game, Notre Dame had joined the suddenly active Atlantic Coast Conference, which was gobbling up Big East members at the same time it was trying to keep other conferences from doing the same to its schools.

Norte Dame mainly joined for their basketball program.

The ACC was so eager to lure Notre Dame, it let the Irish remain independent in football, while the Irish agreed to play five ACC football teams a year.

But, after examining the deal, some observers immediately recognized a potential problem: at some point, Notre Dame’s decision could threaten its rivalry with Michigan.

The day after Notre Dame’s 13-6 victory in 2012, Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon pulled the letter out of his coat pocket that Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick had handed him right before kickoff.

That’s when he learned that, as their agreement allowed, Notre Dame was ending one of the greatest rivalries in sports,

canceling the games from 2015 through 2017, with no future matchups scheduled. So many fans were left with much disspointment.

Now The Fighting Irish and the Wolverines, have kicked up their rivalry to make there game on Saturday a must watch in the sports realm since it will be the last game until early 2020s.

The senior receiver of Notre Dame, TJ Jones said, ‘’I think there’s a lot more hype around this game than there was two years ago with it being the last meeting in who knows how long,’’ Michigan coach Brady Hoke joked at a luncheon four months ago that Notre Dame was ‘’chickening out’’ of the series.

Norte Dame Coach Brian Kelly comment about the series with Michigan “a great and historic rivalry,” Kelly said, “the pressure would be on the Wolverines” on Saturday’s game.

“They’ve got to win at home,” Kelly said Thursday night.

“For us, we’re going to go up there swinging.”

20 S eptember 2013

SPORTS 19

Red & Black

Olympic Games in Tokyo Costa Rica beats US 3-1 2020 Summer Olympics Given to Tokyo

Courtesy coloradoindependent.com

Bailey Mudrick Red&Black Editor

Every four years countries from around the world come together to compete in an assortment of friendly games.

Whether it is the summer or winter Olympics, it is a time of patriotism and camaraderie among many nations.

On Saturday the 7th, the International Olympic Committee announced that it had awarded the 2020 Summer Games to Tokyo, which also hosted in 1964.

“The joy was even greater than when I won my own election,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters after hearing the news.

Jacques Rogge, the outgoing president of the I.O.C., praised the city’s bid: “Tokyo has described itself as a safe pair of hands. As a surgeon,

“We are excited to return in 2020... to broadcast that will be our 17th Olympic Games.” that is something that appeals to me.”

One worry earlier in the decision process, is that Japan leakage of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant might affect its consideration as the host of the 2020 Olympics.

However, Shinzo Abe assured the IOC on Saturday that the

leak was “under control’’ and will never affect Tokyo.

IOC elections are extremely unpredictable as members vote by secret ballot and take different personal reasons into account. Some members were still undecided and waited for the final presentations before making up their mind.

Tokyo won the first round of voting with 42 votes, but did not get more than half the votes, so a second round had to be held between Tokyo and the secondplace city.

Istanbul and Madrid tied for second place with 26 each, so there was a tiebreaking vote between the two to see which would advance.

That vote was won by Istanbul, which got 49 votes to Madrid’s 45.

Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, continued to portray itself as the safe choice at a time of global political and economic uncertainty.

“Tokyo presented a very strong technical bid from the start, and it needed to in competition with two such highcaliber bids from Istanbul and Madrid,” IOC president Jacques Rogge, whose 12-year tenure in office ends Tuesday, said in an IOC press release.

“All three cities were capable of staging excellent Games in 2020, but in the end it was Tokyo’s bid that resonated the most with the IOC membership, inviting us to ‘discover tomorrow’ by delivering a well-organized and safe Games that will reinforce the Olympic values

while demonstrating the benefits of sport to a new generation.” ‘’Tokyo can be trusted to be the safe pair of hands and much more,’’ bid leader and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda said. ‘’Our case today is simple.

Vote for Tokyo and you vote for guaranteed delivery. ...

Tokyo is the right partner at the right time.’’ Tokyo’s delegation also included Japan’s Princess Takamado, ‘’This may be the first time

“In the end it was Tokyo’s bid that resonated the most with the OOC membership.”

a member our family has addressed you, but the imperial family of Japan has always been active in sports.’’

“Tokyo is one of the world’s most fascinating cities, and will provide a spectacular setting for the 2020 Olympic Games,” NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus said in a statement. ”Tokyo is particularly special to NBC as our rich Olympic heritage began there with the 1964 Olympic Games.

We are excited to return in 2020 … to broadcast what will be our 17th Olympic Games overall and 11th consecutive, and to bring the stories and performances of the world’s greatest athlete’s home to American viewers.”

Tori Smith Red&Black Editor

On Fri. Sept. 6, the United States lost a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.

The Ticos beat the U.S., 3-1, in a home game at San Jose, at the 2-year-old stadium Estadio Nacional. Beforehand, the U.S. was on a team record 12 game winning streak, which was three games short of the record set by Spain.

Landon Donovan, American midfielder, commented, ‘’Every time this process goes on it’s never easy, always unpredictable.

There are a lot of ups and downs. We’ve been on ups recently, and now this is a down.

We’ll have to see how we recover and see what we’re made of.’’

After this match, the Ticos moved into first place in the final round of qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean, leading with one point ahead of the U.S. and three games remaining.

It was thought that, after this match, the U.S. could still qualify if they beat Mexico and if Honduras won or tied against Panama.

During the game, Jozy

Altidore, Geoff Cameron, and Matt Besler received their yellow cards, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

Another player thought to be missing the upcoming Mexico match was Michael Bradley, midfielder, considering he limped off the field just during warmups, and sat the rest of the game.

The following game on Tues.

Sept. 10 took place in Columbus, Ohio, at the Columbus Crew Stadium.

The U.S. beat Mexico, 2-0, with a roaring crowd cheering them on. “Amazing, amazing crowd,” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, “kind of pushed these guys.”

During “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the crowd was so loud that the performer, Kayleigh Schofield, actually had to alter her tempo in order to match the crowds.

U.S. defender Omar Gonzalez said, “I think it really got into Mexico’s head, especially when we scored that first goal. You could see it on Mexico’s face.

They were really defeated.

From that point on we really took control of the game.”

Courtesy utsandiego.com

Costa Rica’s player celebrates beating the United States in the World Cup qualifying game. Costa Rica left the United States in the dust as the history books.

20

Cooper’s Racial Slur

20 S eptember 2013

Red & Black

W&J Fall Athletics Caught in Action

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Courtesy eonline.com

Tori Smith Red&Black Editor

During the Kenny Chesney July concert in Philadelphia, Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, was caught on video uttering a racial slur.

Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie said Cooper has been fined by the team.

“We are shocked and appalled

by Riley Cooper’s words,” Lurie said.

“This sort of behavior or attitude from anyone has no role in a civil society.

He has accepted responsibility for his words and his actions. He has been fined for this incident.”

The NFL issued a statement as well, “The NFL stands for diversity and inclusion.

Comments like this are wrong, offensive, and unacceptable.”

Michael Vick, Eagles quarterback, accepted Cooper’s apology, posting on his Twitter account, “Riley’s my friend our relationship is mutual respect. He looked me in the eyes and apologized.

I believe in forgiveness and I believe him.”

In Cooper’s statement, he said, “I am so ashamed and disgusted with myself.

I want to apologize. I have been offensive. I have apologized to my coach, to Jeffrey Lurie, to Howie Roseman and to my teammates.

I owe an apology to the fans and to this community.

I am so ashamed, but there are no excuses.

What I did was wrong and I will accept the consequences.”

Chesney even reached out to LZ

Granderson, ESPN senior writer, and said, “All I do is get off my bus and try to give the fans all the heart and passion I got.

That’s where it starts and stops; that’s all I think about.

I’m as shocked as anyone to see the video of Riley Cooper that’s started circulating on the internet.

I don’t believe in discrimination in any form, and I think using language like that is not only unacceptable, it is hateful beyond words.

I don’t know everything about every player who comes to our shows.

We invite the teams in the places where we play, and I’ve found the guys from the NFL are some of the most inspiring people I meet all year.

They give back to their communities, work with children, hospitals and various charities, as well as raising awesome families.

To judge an entire audience by one loud mouth isn’t fair ... not to the NFL, not to the city of Philadelphia and that awesome crowd, not to my band and crew and certainly not to me, who believes music is about bringing people together for friendship and forgetting about the things in life that bring you down.

The music I make is about living life, loving life and loving everybody -- no matter who they are.

That’s how I was raised, and what someone else does or says doesn’t reflect who I am or what my fans stand for.”

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Courtesy of washjeff.edu

Courtesy of washjeff.edu