Issue 3 Volume 9 Oct 15, 2013
Beacon
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Lighting our Community
s u p m On Ca
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What do you think of Syria?
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d l r o W r e h t O The
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Op Ed
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It’s Gonna Be A Shutdown There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on down in DC these days. Actually, it looks a lot more like a lack of shaking. So it seems the Republicans can›t agree with Democrats and likewise. Surprised? No. With attempts to have dialogue being blown by the wayside, it seems as though, for the time being, the shutdown is here to stay. Surprised about the Affordable Care Act starting a big tidal wave of drama down there in Washington? Maybe the answer is probably not, simply because everyone from Representative Mark Meadows to an anglerfish has an opinion on this affair and what to do. So, yes, there is a divide in opinion that comes from different schools of thought, which fundamentally clash. The big deal is that Congress can’t come to an agreement and now the government has officially shutdown. This means bills that are SOP (standard operating procedure) will be thrown out and forgotten, because no one can give the other a little leg room and time on the soap box. This sort of hissy fitting reflects our political and cultural process; are you surprised? You shouldn’t be, but you should realize that this tomfoolery reflects on us in the global context, as a bunch of entitled ninnies who can’t even speak, yet are in positions of power. The government shutdown means that the mail will still come, Social Security will go as usual. Some folks will not be affected by any of the changes, as student Katherine Sovetsky said, “I think it’s dumb. The government would shut down, wouldn’t they? It’s funny to watch because nothing has really changed for me, or my friends. I guess NASA is affected though.” There are changes though that will affect some of the population, and very much By Patrick Doyle
so. Kyle O’Malley, a student of SMCC, also enlisted in the Maine National Guard, stated, “I unfortunately do not know much about it, but I do know that things like my GI Bill and tuition assistance will be affected. I’m supposed to get a check helping me, but I will not during the shutdown. My National Guard drills this weekend have also been canceled.” It isn’t just the little things either. National Parks have closed, National museums too; Presidential libraries and National Archives have shut down, as well as a plethora of government websites, which are now inaccessible since the shutdown took effect. Spending programs such as veteran’s compensations take a hit as well. How can anyone sit with a straight face and allow this to happen, even in light of the conflict in Congress, and say this is acceptable but not mandatory spending? But don’t forget, the President’s pay, as well as the House and Senate, will continue to roll in the dough! Where is the logic in this? National Parks closed and those who have a career that defends the nation itself are having the rug pulled, while those who will not budge or give any real helping hand, still reap the benefits as if they were doing their job per usual? “I think they’re going after the wrong things here. They are affecting the wrong parts of society. They can definitely go about it a different way,” said Abigail Shipely-Rega, another attending student. If I may be frank, we’ve become too dependent on what these folks think, what they do. Would a little less government for a bit, even in these small ways, as a theoretical measure, be necessarily bad? Not in the way the shutdown has affected those it has, but more so from the strategic point of having less to do, even in small ways, with
the government, if this is the way they are going to treat others for their own mistakes and ill manners. We could stop tugging on their clothes daily, looking up with googoo eyes, hoping to hear what they say, to which we would obediently follow. We are more or less all the bastard children of parents who can’t get along, and now they are going to say, “We’re done taking care of you, we can’t get along.” Federal employees are getting a taste as well, with an estimated 800,000 to 1 million government jobs getting the gallow, based on whether or not they are expendable, even though the ones who caused this even to be an option in the first place still sit with the sippy-cup of tax money and beneficial perks. If anyone but the Government did this, they›d be taken in for abuse, and certainly wouldn›t receive money for it. Why don›t we hold these same standards to them? It appears that Iceland has got it right, if they ever did, by axing the entire lot and starting fresh. Why is this NOT an option? Oh wait, yeah. I forgot. We can’t “do anything about it.” Well, if there is nothing we can do in regards to them, we can in regards to us. National Parks shut down? Walk somewhere else. Presidential Library shut down? Buy a book from a local store. Maybe the laid off government employees will strive for something a little different when they see how they are “not necessary” to those who do nothing but bicker amongst the talking heads of American idealism, while doing nothing ideal for anyone besides themselves. Think about it, in terms of our history and the way our country operates, would a shutdown be so bad? If there is a reaction against these types of shenanigans, maybe those down there at the capital will get a (Continued on Page 3)
Sharon Lima and Life Beyond Being …Just a Student s e r u t a Fe & s t r A
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My name is Angus Garfield from Cape Elizabeth and I am a Culinary Arts student at SMCC and am a very close personal friend to Sharon Lima who has been taking classes at SMCC and is majoring in Communications and New Media. Last December, Sharon received devastating news when she was diagnosed with stage four-breast cancer. She has been researching non-traditional treatment methods, which she is more comfortable with. Sharon spent most of the month of July with me over the summer but her health deteriorated and she had to moved temporarily back to Rhode Island to be closer to her family until she can get the treatments she so desperately needs. Sharon’s beautiful face, vibrant energy, and warm personality that she emits to all who surround her, is not easily forgotten. Sharon has found a Doctor she likes, but needs your urgent help to spread the word about her condition. Sharon has applied her knowledge of communications and new media to help her cause through a great website that we discovered after the actress Karen Black passed away over the summer. Karen raised thousands of dollars By Angus Garfield
to help finance her cancer treatments in a very short period of time. Sharon doesn’t have the luxury of time, but her choice of treatment offers real hope based on her careful research, if she can raise money quickly. Below is personal note from Sharon followed by a link to a secure and trusted web site where SMCC supporters of Sharon can donate. Please donate only if you are able. Here is what Sharon wishes to say to her friends at SMCC and those who support her: On December 6th, 2012, I was diagnosed with advanced Stage IV Breast Cancer, which has metastasized. Since I was offered very limited choices for only palliative care, and nothing really for curative care; I did my own research. I stumbled across Dr. Mohammad Nezami and found his work treating end stage cancer patients. Dr.Nezami who studied conventional medicine saw there was a great need for relief of symptoms for end stage cancer patients by using his non-invasive and non-toxic protocols. The interesting thing was many of the patients’ symptoms went away by using the personalized protocols designed especially for each one. By treating my immune hormone systems, the treatment will be will more effective than one
size fits all. These protocols are designed to work with your own personal D.N.A. ON A STEM CELL BASIS. I am seeking $33,000.00 for my expenses of air fair, treatments, and accommodations. PS: I am documenting my journey and invite YOU ALL to follow. To make a donation to help Sharon defray her medical costs, please click on this secure link: http://www. gofundme.com/4h4ses Thank you! Only give if you can afford it and know that every little bit, even $25, will help Sharon. Please leave a personal comment on the site, as Sharon will greatly appreciate your words of support.