The Telescope 57.21

the

Desert

DAZE

Political apathy produces few Palomar voters

By Michael Cardenas

FOR THE TEUSCOPE

"I just don't have any time," said Heather Schirm, a third-year Palomar College student. "I have work, school and family plus, I don't really like anybody that is running right now."

Schirm, 21, like so many other Palomar students between the ages of 18 and 24, is not registered to vote.

At Palomar, there are more than 15,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24.

Generally, about one-third of the voters in this age bracket actually make it out to the polls, said political science professor Mary Ann Drinan.

So why is it that about 10,000 young Palomar students, like Schirm, do not exercise their right to vote? Some might say it's because a lack of political knowledge.

• SEE VOTE, PACE 2

Emergency plan offers ways to escape disaster Bv Ro!!er Renkas

In swelter;i.ng heat, about 1,000 college stQ.dents descended oq the streets of downtoWn. San Diego on April 26 to protest proposed cuts to California's higher education. "'t looks like students from San Diego stood up today,'' said organizer Pete Reilly as he rallied protesters with his megaphone. '"Do not balance the California budget on the backs ofCalifomia'sfuture."

Students from Palomar College, Cal State San Marcos, UC Slill Diego and other colleges marched for 25 blocks, carrying signs and chanting slogans that urged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to save colleges from the chopping block in this month's state budget revision. It was a peaceful but loud demonstration, which stopped all traffic in its. path for two hours.

"Students are basically losing access to education," said Erica Kertnani, a 'UCSD student. Kennani brandished a large pair ofmock scissors, which symbolized proposed cuts, she said. · For conimunity college students, Schwarzenegger plans to increase tuition from $18 per unit . to $26. He also seeks cvts ~p. financial aid and outreach programs.

"We want oui money. I think we're united t9 b,"'ye gne thing....:.:; and that is to stop the budget cuts fqr Om States and com:fuunity colleges and UCs," said Amador Soto, t~e Associated Stqdt,lllt Government president at Palom~r.

Soto marched .w ith .three ASGsenators.

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Top: About 1,000 eolege students. the streets of downtoWil Saa Diego Apti 26 to protest budget·cuts al11itien ilerease$. Below: .....

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increases at the uqlevel~ ~9 percentfor graduate.stud,.el}ts and 10 to 20 percent fg£i!nqergr~uates- are'get- ' 'tlng out of han<l. '' · , ·

Knowing what to do in the event of a disaster while on campus is not something that occupies most people's minds. At Palomar, college officials have prepared a plan to address numerous emergency events.

The types of emergencies covered by the plan include major earthquake, flood, hazardous material spill, air crash, school violence and wild land fire. ''We tried to address the whole list of potential threats and how we would respond," said Mike Ellis, facilities director. ''Each scenario-requires a different response."

The plan, designed nearly 15 years ago, is supposed to coordinate college and community resources following a natural or accidental disaster.

"We have developed a plan in conjunction with the City of San Marcos emergency services, as well as the county office of emergency preparedness," said Kelley Hudson-Macissac, campus safety officer.

It goes into operation whenever an emergency affecting the college cannot be controlled by normal means. The goal is to preserve life, protect property and provide continuous operation of the campus.

• SEE

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PAGE 16

EMER6ENCY, PACE 12

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THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

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• Registration begins: Summer semester, www.palomar.edu

I'd j •I • Concert: "Jazz Ensemble," 8 p:m., 5/ S Brubeck Theatre • ASG Meeting: 1 p.m.,

Room SU-18

I i! lII j@ • Free film viewing:

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"Woman in the Dunes," 6:30p.m., Room P-32 • Free Concert Hour:

Palomar College Electronic Ensemble, Madelyn Byrne, director, 12:30 p.m., Room D-10

I j dI • President's Concert: "Bonanzas from Broadway," Palomar Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Singers, 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, Brubeck Theatre

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I iII I •Go~erning board

meetmg: 7 p.m., Governing Board Room

5/ II

I'd j •I • ASG Meeting: 1 p.m., 5/IZ Room su-18 1j!! I1j@ • Free film vi~~ing: "The

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Afncan Queen, 6:30 p.m., Room P-32 • Free Concert Hour:

Music Students Honor Recital, 12:30 p.m., Room D-10 • Concert: "Ladies Night Out," Women's Chorus, 7 p.m., Room D-1 0

I j jl I • Dance r.~ital: "Dance

5/, 14., -::~:~

Dynam1cs, 8 p.m., Brubeck Theatre, until Sunday

1 M•).' 1 • Finals begin: Check out

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the class schedule for details.

l'iH·I •ASG Meeting: 1 p.m., j Room SU-18

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•Concert: "May Mood," Concert Band, 8 p.m., Brubeck Theatre

• PROTEST: Students criticize federal funding for Iraq occupation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

"We're privatizing public education," Bahoor said.

"A lot of continuing students aren't going to come back."

Bahoor said she knows tuition fees for community colleges and other institutions are substantially higher in other states but California is different.

"Our cost of living is much higher than other states," Bahoor said. She said more minorities and low-income students live here, too. · Protesters also voiced a common concern about the state's proposed cut to outreach programs, which encourage drop-outs and high school students to attend college.

The state only plans to cut those programs for two years - but Bahoor said a ripple effect on admissions and employment would be long-lasting. She said 40 percent of minority students come from outreach programs.

George Diehr, the co-president of the California Faculty Association for Cal State San Marcos, said a proposed 10 percent tuition increases is unfair for Cal State students.

"Our parents and our grandparents paid for our education," Diehr said. ''That social contract is being broken. People my age aren't paying the taxes to pay for your education."

Diehr also marched for teachers rights.

He said the college will be forced to increase class sizes - and professors without tenure won't be able to fight back.

Diehr also urged the state to stop faculty layoffs. He said a report from the state university system shows that two-thirds of staff cuts from October 2003 to October 2004 fell on instruction. Only about 10 administrators were fired out of 2,900 layoffs, he said.

"Ten is essentially zero," Diehr said. He said the Cal State system has done a poor job protecting part-time instructors - despite ·a promise to legislators last year.

"Without teachers, what's the point of school? We've got to have those educators," said San Diego City College student Valerie Asensio.

Asensio carried a sign bearing a portrait of Schwarzenegger and decorated with the phrase, "Hey Arnold, Don't Cut Education."

To heal some of the education wounds, Diehr said the state should cut management costs and impose a moderate, temporary increase in sales and income taxes.

Diehr and several others also criticized the state for its prison funding.

"We're spending billions and plugging it into the prisons. Where are our priorities?"

Bahoor said.

"If we spent.more on education, there'd be fewer prisoners," said City College student Alice Coppock.

At about 12:30 p.m., the group reached Schwarzenegger's field office in the Front Street federal building, where six students were allowed to

ANDREW PHELPS I THE TmSCOPE

About 1,000 protesters march on 8th Avenue in downtown San Diego April 26 to protest college budget cuts, tuition increases and program reductions. They walked 25 blocks to reach the governor's San Diego field office.

enter and meet Cameron Durckel, the governor's San Diego representative. Bahoor was one of the students.

"Each of us represented a different kind of issue and different kinds of schools," Bahoor said.

The students submitted a letter with their demands for the state's treatment of higher education, and they spoke to Durckel about the issue.

"His response was typical of every' politician's response. His apathy was not surprising," Bahoor said.

CHP officers heavily guarded the federal building, and dozens of San Diego police officers on motorcycles and bicycles lined the streets. Police did not report any arrests - but it was no quiet ordeal.

As protesters passed under a large tunnel adjacent to the federal building, their deafening cheers echoed off the walls and down the empty streets nearby. Some students beat drums with sticks and others clapped their hands to keep spirits high.

"I think they know we're here. I think they heard us," Soto said.

Anti-war sentiment also ran high at the protest.

"Listen up f--kers, we're the ones who pay taxes. We want our money going to education, not war," Reilly said.

"We've put more money into rein-

ANDREW PHELPS I THE TELESCOPE

San Diego City College student Emily Aust and her daughter, Mia, participate in the downtown protest

stating the draft than we have into education," Coppock said. She participated in a recent "Books Not Bombs" protest to speak out about the issue.

"The Defense Department is getting more money that we should be spending on education instead," Coppock said.

A variety of side issues sprung up, which may have clouded the students' message, Bahoor said.

One chant, "The fascist governor's got to go," surfaced but quickly faded.

"At every protest and every march people will share their concerns," Bahoor said.

Protest organizer and City College student Enrique De La Cruz said he was pleased with the overall outcome of the event.

"I think it was really successful - not only in turnout but in energy," he said.

• VOTE: Nationwide programs aim to get young people involved Wj. jI • Concert: "Youth Spirits," J . Youth Chorale, 7 p.m.,

SI,ZZ ~ Brubeck Theatre

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

For this reason, programs like Rock the Vote and MTV's "Choose or Lose" are focused on increasing those numbers for the presidential election of 2004.

"There needs to be easy access to information," said part-time Palomar student Stacie Jaramillo, 19.

She is registered but only votes on the things she knows about, she said, which were Proposition 55 and Proposition A in the March primary election.

She said she believes most students do not have the time to learn about what to vote on, while trying concentrating on school and work.

The Community Street Rock the Vote's "Two Million More in 2004" initiative is Teams representing Rock the Vote have already begun their designed to increase that monthly meetings. turnout to 20 million in the upcoming November election.

Erick Castro, from the San Diego Street Brendan Naughton, a Team, said they 19-year-old and are mainly out to ''Th111 nHt/1 to Ill get people regis- Hlf •ee111 to (roting) second-semestered. · ter Palomar inform•tion." student was It is the first and most impor- Stacie Jaramillo one of the few PALOMAR STUDENT m his age tant step m group who empowering voted in the young people, he March primary. said.

He said some people just Eighteen million voters don't bother voting because between the ages of 18 and 30 they think it will not make a voted in the presidential elecdifference. tion of 2000.

To combat this way of thinking, Rock the Vote attends concerts, sporting events and college campuses nationwide to provide information and registration materials.

"I'm always late for everything," Schirm said, "but I am planning on registering."

Rock the Vote's San Diego Street Team has a meeting on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Meetups are designed to bring people in the community together to discuss their political views and to get people registered.

To sign up for the ·next meetup or to join a street team, visit rockthevote.com.

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

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College in talks to re-negotiate bookstore contract

By Adam Marantz 'l'Hl TEUSCOP£ Palomar College is re-negotiating a contract with Follett, its current textbook provider, to continue supplying and operating the campus bookstore.

The current contract began in 1999 and was a one-year contract with four optional one-year extensions. That contract expires in November, and a similar contract will be. signed by the end of the summer, said Bruce Bishop, director of student affairs.

"We've been especially pleased with Follett," Bishop said. "We hope that we can smooth out all of the kinks for a new deal before November."

Before 1999, Palomar owned and operated the bookstore on its own, which according to Bishop, who also chairs the Bookstore Advisory Committee, was a severe monetary blow. ''Before things got any worse for the college financially, we called a meeting and decided to seek an out-' side vendor to operate the bookstore," Bishop said. ''We had bids from Barnes & Noble as well as Follett, but Follett won out in the end."

The specific circumstances in the

contract could not be disclosed, but Bishop said most of the changes would not be immediately visible to a customer.

"One of the main goals in the contract will be to have proper staffing and equipment so that no customer will have to wait in line longer than 15 minutes," Bishop said.

Students like Nicole Plant, a business major, use alternatives to avoid the long lines during finals week.

"I just photocopied the last few chapters of my books and sold my books back this week," Plant said. ''The last thing I want to do after my last fin&]. is stand in line for a halfhour selling my books back." ''I think they need to come up with a better system for ordering books over the phone or online," said history major Sarah Sullivan.

Sullivan said the lines during the first two weeks of school are so long she chooses to buy books off-campus if she needs them right away.

"The lines are shorter at OffCampus Books, and the price is lower there and on the Internet."

Bishop said book prices are reasonable right now at the bookstore, but he still wants to find

ways to deter students from going to competitors like Off-Campus Books or online competitors like half. com and Amazon. com.

"I'm not against students saving money," Bishop said. "However, the money spent at our bookstore, a certain percentage of it stays on campus for activities such as Springfest."

Bishop said a $10 savings on a $100 textbook purchased from a competitor is $10 that doesn't stay on campus to go toward college functions and clubs.

"My biggest gripe about the bookstore is that you can't use your credit card for a purchase under $5," said Jenny Keene, ap. English major. "I know that is the standard for most places, but it is really annoying when all you want is candy and you don't have any cash."

Bishop also said the Student Activity sticker discount of 5 percent off of used books would be written into the new contract, as well.

Although the bookstore fulfills the SAC discount, it is not in the current contract.

Walter Della Santina, general manager of the bookstore, refused to comment about the contract.

You aren't born a . computer scientist...

You learn it.

MELISSA COllEY f THE TELESCOPE

Architecture student Ramona Calixto roams the aisles of Palomar's bookstore. The college is re-negotiating its contract with Follett.

S.T.A.R.T. Supporting New College Smoking Policy Students, faculty and staff at Palomar College are tired of walking through clouds of cigarette smoke to get to their classes and are pleased with the new campus policy that prohibits smoking within 20 feet of all buildings. Several groups on campus, including a new coalition called S.T.A.R.T. (Students Taking Action Regarding Tobacco,) are working together to find creative ways to raise awareness of the new smoking policy. On April 14th this group hosted an information table during Campus Wide day and gave away certificates for a FREE slice of cheese pizza in the campus food court for those who came to their table and "recited" the new smoking policy. (The policy and notice about the pizza certificates were posted on colorful table tents throughout the student union.)

The goal of this collaborative group, which also includes representatives from College Health Services, Student Activities, Phi Theta Kappa and Vista Community Clinic's Tobacco Control Program, is to create a healthier learning environment for the campus. They want to ensure that those who suffer from exposure to tobacco smoke can get in and out of buildings without having to hold their breath ... or suffer from an asthma attack ... or develop a migraine or other adverse health effects. The primary method for increasing awareness is through sponsoring fun educational events in collaboration with Campus Wide days and other health fair type activities. Keep your eyes open for more great "give aways" at upcoming events! (Look for table tents announcing these activities!.

If you are interested in joining the coalition, or becoming involved in this initiative, contact Pam Webb in College Health Services at extension 2717 or Jean Feeney from Vista Community Clinic at (760) 407-1220 ext. 1265.

Notes on Hazards of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

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Exposure to secondhand smoke can seriously affect the health of students, faculty and staff. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that secondhand smoke (SHS) kills approximately 53,000 Americans each year. The smoke emitted from a cigarette contains over 4,000 chemicals, of which 200 are poisons and 63 are carcinogens. SHS exposure is known to exacerbate existing health problems of non-smokers such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergic conditions. Unfortunately, exposure to SHS has increased due to rising rates of smoking among coltege students. While the daily smoking prevalence of college and university students is only 16%, nearly half of all college students (46%) have used tobacco products in the last year.

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THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

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Arboretum cleanup volunteers to be commended Too often, when they hear about problems, people will try to hide them or brush them aside - instead of simply dealing with them. Thankfully, this was not the case with our troubled Arboretum.

On March 29, The Telescope criticized the college for not taking care of its large botanical garden.

There are not many facilities like it in the state, we said, and letting it fall into shambles was a complete waste of the land.

Soon afterward, the Inter-Club Council put together a plan to have all the campus organizations come together for Earth Day and clean up the Arboretum.

About 40 student volunteers came together April 21 to help outline new paths and rake up the dead and overgrown plant debris that littered the area.· This was no small task, either. At about 4 acres, the Arboretum IS conlarger Thl IIIVitl thl siderably than the average vo/unt1111 messy garden. . p1rlorm1d is It would have inv•lu•bll. been easy to be daunted by this and turn away, but the clean-up crew embraced it and did the best they could -which is more than anyone was doing before.

The Facilities Department, essentially the only group responsible for the Arboretum, had already said· that they wouldn't be able to take care of the Arboretum in upcoming years. The service the volunteers performed is invaluable.

It is wonderful to see our student leaders recognizing the problems with our college and facing them head-on. ·They gave more to the community than a bake sale or an alt-rock band show.

Hopefully, the students will be an inspiration to future students - both leaders and regular J oes - to see how they can give back to the college.

TeiBScope Monday, May 3, 2004

Volume 57, No. 21

FOCUSED ON PAI.OMAR The Telescope is published weekly on Mondays, except weeks containing holidays or exams. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff or the Governing Board.

KRT IUWS SERVIC£ VIA WWW.THiMEMORYHtm.ORG

Pat Tillman attends graduation ceremonies at Ft. Benning, Ga. in 2002. Tillman was killed during combat in Afghanistan in mid-April. He left behind a family and a career in professional football to serve in the Army.

Headlines trivialize sacrifice the amount of coverage he received. Many argued Tillman did not deserve the amount of coverage he was receiving.

Many asked why he should receive headlines and press conferences when hundreds of other soldiers killed in Iraq and Mghanistan received little or no media coverage. Though their frusOne of the most important and difficult jobs tration is understandable, it is also misplaced.

Every American should be angry over the that an editor or producer has is creating headlines. A headline should sum up the story and lack of media coverage for ""ordinary solpique the reader's or viewer's interest. After diers" who have died in combat. There are no the death of Pat Tillman, they got the head- ordinary soldiers. As Tillman demonstrated, the U.S. military is full of extraordinary men lines wrong.

Pat Tillman was a unique individual who and women.

Unfortunately, decisions need to be made gave his life to serve his country. about what is newsworthy. An NFL star dying He also happened to be a proin combat is newsworthy. The media did the fessional football player. right thing by covering the Tillman story and An NFL player dying in giving it top priority. combat in Mghanistan is What they did wrong was trivialize the newsworthy and deserving sacrifice made by a great man by drawing of headlines and TV news readers and viewers in with the idea of a lead-ins. "monetary sacrifice."

Unfortunately, nearly In an era when all professional athletes care every headline, both in print and on TV, had to do with money. The headlines about is "getting paid," Tillman turned down a following Tillman's death trivialized his sac- contract from the Saint Louis Rams worth sevrifice and his life. They also trivialized the eral million dollars more than the one he signed lives of hundreds of other soldiers who have with Arizona. Why? Loyalty. Arizona gave him a shot when no other team would. died in combat.

Knowing that Tillman was not about The Fox News Channel's lead-in was, "Pat money, editors and producers Tillman, who gave up millions to should have chosen a more serve his country ... " As equally disturbing was the America After 1111 tl111th of Ptlt appropriate part of the story to put in the headlines.

Online sign-on page headline, "He Tillmtln, th1y got th1 Tillman was devastated gave up millions to serve."

by Sept. 11, and like thouEither editors and producers are hHtllin11 wrong. It's sands of others, was obsessed with money or they not t1bout mon1y. inspired by the tragedy and believe their viewers are. It is joined the military in order unfortunate either way because Tillman, as all fallen soldiers, gave up much to protect our country. He left behind a wife and a family who loved him, just like every more than money.

They gave up their families, friends and other soldier.

In fact, Tillman should not have been sinfutures in order to serve their country and gled out as an exception, but as the ultimate make the world a safer place.

Since the media barrage following Tillman's example of the heroism, courage, and willdeath, TV news programs and newspapers ingness to sacrifice displayed by our armed have received thousands of letters criticizing forces everyday.

• NIL stilt killed in Algh11nis111n is ltllgit lor re11sons other th11n money

CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF CHANEL HACHEZ CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF ANDREW PHELPS OPINION EDITOR DONNIE BOYLE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR MIKO KUDO FOCUS EDITOR MATT NULL SPORTS EDITOR ERIK GOODSON ART DIRECTOR CHARLES STEINMAN PHOTO EDITOR MELISSA CONREY CARTOONIST TREY BANNON ASST PHOTO EDITOR MELISSA EWELL COPY EDITOR STEPHEN KELLER AD MANAGER JESSICA MUSICAR INSTRUCTIONAL ASST TOM CHAMBERS JOURNALISM ADVISER WENDY NELSON JOURNALISM ADVISER ROMAN S. KOENIG PHOTOJOURNALISM ADVISER PAUL STACHELEK

E):I ASSOCIATED COllEGIATE PRESS

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CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPER PIJBUSHERS ASSOCIATION

STAFF WRITERS ASHLEY B. ARTHUR, CHRIS BALTEFF, IVETTHE COLIO, KRISTAL DAVIS, SAFIA DOUMANI, MICHELLE FORSHNER, BEN GREENSTEIN, KATHERINE GRIFFIN, KYLE HAMILTON, JAIME HARVILLE, SIMONE HINZO, SABRINA JOHNSON, CHRYSTALL KANYUCK, MARY ANN KEELER, RACHEL KEELER, TODD LEVECKMALMI, ADAM MARANTZ, JENNIFER MATHIASEN, JAMES PALEN, ROGER RENKAS, HEATHER E. SIEGEL

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ARTHUR ANDERSON, CHRIS BATIZ, DIANNA GUERRERO, GRADY HELMAN, PAIGE MCCORMICK, EDWARD THOMAS, KELLY WILDMAN

THE TELESCOPE NEEDS AN ONLINE EDITOR. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, VISIT THE NEWSROOM IN TCB-1 OR CALL (760) 744-1150, EXT. 2451.

CFAC CAliFORNIA FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION

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HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 WEST MISSION ROAD SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 NEWSROOM ROOM TCB-1 PHONE (760) 744-1150, EXT. 2450 FAX (760) 744-8123 PLEASE WRITE: "ATTN: THE TELESCOPE" E-MAIL TELESCOPE@PALOMAR.EDU WEB SITE WWW.PALOMAR.EDUITELESCDPE

The Telescope welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters must be typewritten (no more than 300 words), and must be signed with the author's first and last names, major and phone number. The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and not to print letters containing lewd or libelous comments. Letters must be received by Monday at 3 p.m. to be considered for publication the next Monday.

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THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

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Iraq story hypocritical

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Regarding Donnie Boyle's April 19 statement that there's no connection between Iraq and al-Qaeda, I have one question for him: Would he like to buy a bridge? It's got a lovely view of Brooklyn.

I notice that Boyle has not said anything about any of Clinton's military actions, including the 1998 bombing of Iraq which Clinton did for the exact same reason Bush invaded in 2003.

There's a word for that -it's called hypocrisy. The fact is that the WMDs were smuggled to Syria. The link for these facts is www.mensnewsdaily.com/archive/m-n/ mariani/2004/mariani042104.htm and the following quote: "An al-Qaeda cell linked to Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi (currently hiding out in Iraq), recently planned to set off simultaneous chemical weapon attacks in Jordan which might have killed up to 20,000 people. It might have been the worst terrorist attack ever, had it not been foiled by Jordanian officials before the plot could be carried out.

One of the attack points was to have been the U.S. embassy in Amman; the rest were public and government buildings. Where did these would-be bombers come from? Where did they get their chemical weapons?

According to Jordan ... from our old friend, Syria. But how did Syria get chemical weapons? l)uring the last few months leading up to the Iraq war, some of Saddam's arsenal of WMDs was apparently being shipped across the Syrian border for safe-keeping."

Let's not forget the fact that Clinton was offered bin Laden three times and turned it down, combined with the fact that there were five terrorist attacks during Clinton's administration, which didn't do squat about said attacks.

The incompetent administration hasn't been in office since Jan. 20, 2001.

One final question for ~onnie Boyle - would he like his crow medium or well-done?

• Bush Adminisr•tion should stop eov1ring up n1g•tiv1 im•g1s toming out ollr•q

By Mary Sanchez IUIT NEWS SERVICE

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flag-draped coffin elicits one immediate response: Respect.

So last week's uproar over photos mistakenly released by the Pentagon is puzzling. The government doesn't want Americans to view the coffins of deceased members of the military arriving from Iraq?

What about the country's right even the necessity - to grieve for these dead military personnel? But the Pentagon says the photos were released by mistake. There will be no more photos.

A Freedom of Information Act request by a 'fucson man began the controversy. The man requested the photos for his Web site- www.thememoryhole.org. He asked for any photos of coffins arriving from Iraq to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The Air Force released the photos.

They were posted to the Internet and the trouble began.

News organizations quickly began downloading the images for publication. And the Pentagon just as quickly said there would be no more photos released.

President Bush, through a spokesman, issued this opinion: "We must pay attention to the privacy and to the sensitivity of the families of the fallen. And that is what the policy is based on and that has to be the utmost concern."

These are not gory images. They are closed coffins, carefully shrouded in crisp American flags. Viewers of the photos cannot determine whose body lies inside.

No grieving family members are present for the camera lens to exploit. The only people in the photos are other members of the military, solemnly carrying the coffins or offering salutes of honor.

The Pentagon has further argued that photographs of graveside services of individual soldiers provide a more appropriate source of public images of fallen military men and women.

The idea is the public needs to see the cemetery in the photo to give proper context. Yes, some incredibly moving portraits of funerals for deceased troops have been taken at cemeteries.

Seeing a widowed spouse at graveside, or a child watching a parent's coffin lowered into a grave, gives a painful image of the human costs of war.

But viewing row after row of symmetrical flag-draped coffins raises the visual stakes.

Bush critics quickly argued the real reason behind the ban is the administration's quest to control public backlash against the war.

They are likely correct.

Images of a family grieving at graveside are powerful. But the sight of lines of coffins, as the photos show, raises questions about why all of these people are dying.

It's a politically relevant and loaded question this close to a presidential election. And yet, even this very valid criticism should not be the

-Victor Chabala Administration of Justice

Islam liberates women

Dllll CIIIIIIO I KRT NEWS SERVICE

The dead troops deserve any first issue considered.

Bush is right to argue the individ- chance to have a public genuflecual's death is the utmost concern. tion to their lives.

Manipulating grief is a dangerBut his argument stops before it reaches the crucial ous business. Great point - what should care should always be taken with death. the public response ••. th1 sight of lin11 of eoHins, •s th1 But the care cannot be to the death? go so far that it Grief, sorrow and photos show, 111ises denies death's reflection that a soul qu11tions •bout why has passed, this is numerous claims.

•II of th111 p10pl1 Part of what this the answer. country must grapple Debates about . , dying. weapons of mass with and grieve is the destruction, striking sheer number of casua country unilaterally, attempts to alties in Iraq.

And while portraits at a solinstill democracy where none existed before - all of these issues should be dier's graveside help us in that considered and the answers carried regard, those images don't form a complete picture. to the polls in November.

A phrase exists for this time in Yet a person's political or philosophical support or opposition to America: Last respects. the war cannot change the fact These military men and women that these lives are already gone. deserve last respects.

In an opinion piece on Iraqi women in the April 19 edition of the Telescope, many fallacies about Islamic law and the treatment of women therein were put forth. Consider the following points.

Before the revelation of the Qur'an, the Middle East was filled with warring tribes who treated women as less than human. Fourteen hundred years ago, Islamic law abolished their old ways and gave women the right to vote, own and dispose of property, work for equal pay, and other rights too numerous to mention · here.

The best of democracy is finely woven into the rich structure of Islamic law, for it allows people freedom of religion, speech, and many other freedoms dear to American hearts. Islam turned the warring tribes into the most prosperous people on earth in just two centuries.

Muslims contributed Algebra, constitution framing, irrigation, wide use of paper, the beginnings of the scientific method, and much more to humanity. Muslims delivered the Greek knowledge that spawned the European renaissance.

I am mentioning this to illustrate that Islamic law has been a main driving force for human development, and is actually what Iraqi women need.

Because people in the Middle East have failed to closely implement Islamic law, they have regressed to their tribal state, and as a result are mistreating women. Their solution is to reestablish Islam as their way of life, and practice Islam the way it was revealed, without addition or subtraction.

Islamic law does not require the berka; however, Muslim's in America and France are fighting for the right to dress in the way Islamic law prescribes.

Popular media distorts the essence of Islam, so I invite everyone to research Islam using more scholarly sources, and discover what Islam really is.

-Chris Bishop 1\luslim Student Association President

The Telescope welcomes all letters to the editor.

Letters must be typewritten (no more than 300 words), and must be signed with the author's first and last names, major and phone number. The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and not to print letters containing lewd or libelous comments.

Letters must be received by Monday at 3 p.m. to be considered for publication the next Monday.

6

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

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Led by Director Patriceann Mead, Palomar dance students practice for the upcoming "Dance Dynamics" show at a studio. The dance show opens May 14 at the Brubeck Theatre.

• Stud1nts p1rlorm l•eu/ty-eompos1d d•ne1 numb1rs in n1w show

By Sabrina Johnson

Tllli TEUSCOPE

All spring semester, Palomar College performing arts faculty and students have been hard at work producing their annual extravaganza - a musical celebration of the art of dance.

"Dance Dynamics," directed by Patriceann Mead, a performing arts professor, will feature various dance techniques and themes from around the world.

Several forms of dance from diverse cultures inspired choreography and music for the show.

"We wanted the concert to have a variety of moods, styles and a little bit of something for everyone," Mead said.

The cast of 60 students and seven faculty m~mbers includes Molly Faulkner, Sue Gilson, and a new adjunct instructor from Cuba Silfredo La Ovigo. They will perform dance numbers ranging from tap, ballet, modern, swing, tango ari.d many more.

Each dance instructor specializes in a specific discipline and form of dance.

In preparatio]l for the event, instructors trained students based on !

'Dance their skill level for Dynamics' months.

SHOWTIMES The faculty ~ MAY14,1SATBP.M. 162 concert is a collecMAY P.M. LOCATION tive performance HOWARD BRUBECK highlighting the THEATRE best in choreography produced by instructors, Mead said.

The event also allows the student body to be recognized for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Auditions were held earlier in the spring semester for each production, to give students ample time to study, develop and perfect their skills.

"This performance offers real-world experience for students," Mead said.

"They get an idea for what it would be like traveling and performing within a dance company. It's hard work and

.,I

very exhausting."

Mead joined Palomar in 1997, and has since been director for the yearly production.

Originally working in New York City with her own dance company, Mead joined the Performing Arts Department .to enhance and broaden the dance program at Palomar, she said.

The event is considered the annual favorite because it embraces diversity and includes faculty members, Mead said.

"Palomar students can expect an experience they would never get in their ordinary, day-to-day life. The audience will connect emotionally with the choreography," Mead said.

Mead and cast members hope students will be inspired to explore the world of dance and possibly get a feel for what the df:lllce program is all about, Mead said.

Another focal point of the concert is to influence personal growth and real life experience.

"The show gives students an opportunity to see what we have to offer and what they can participate in. This concert includes students in different levels of dance. It's a myriad of sights and sound," Mead said.

All profits from the ticket sales will fund the event and any material needed for upcoming performances.

Dance students will be fortunate to see their hard work pay off and share their passion with the rest of Palomar, Mead said.

"This concert will leave the audience members wanting to dance," she said.

"Dance Dynamics" opens May 14 and runs through May 16 at the Howard Brubeck Theatre.

Tickets costs $8 for students, $10 for seniors and staff, and $12 for the general audience.

Reserved seats are available.

The Box Office is open Tuesday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, call the box office at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2453.

'Book of Days' blows away audience members

By Heather E. Siegel

Tllli TELESCOPE

A devastating tornado hits a small Midwestern town. The town's most prominent 1: ...--------t citizen dies in a mysterious ;: 'Book of accident. :I Days' And a cheese factory book- Ill (C-I!iCF.Fc~RSTARS) keeper puts her factory supervi- ,.

DIRECTED BY sor/husband's career at risk DANACASE because she believes she is a STARRINGSHEENA DUFF, TOM ZOHAR, modern-day Joan of Arc, facing JASONBRITT the same dire consequences.

These are just some of the themes of "Book of Days," performed at the Howard Brubeck Theatre April 23 through May 2.

"Book of Days" uses experimental staging techniques and creates the sound duplications that are usually only found in large screen movie theaters.

"Book of Days" tries to bridge the gulf between the play's world and ours by having the actors turn toward the audience and speak directly to them.

A lack of costume changes was distracting. It was hard to follow the growth of the characters because they looked the same during the entire show:.

However, the unusual technique of keeping all 12 actors on stage, whether or not they had a speaking part, was different than most plays where the characters are only on stage when the

- ***

action is focused on them.

When the tornado suddenly hit the town on the stage, everyone in the audience felt the breadth, width and majesty of that storm.

The lights went dark and the wind was hawling through the auditorium. The audience could not avoid becoming involved as the storm lasted a full five minutes.

The action on the stage just stopped as the characters either cowered or slept through the storm.

All the actors filled their roles adequately but the real stars of the show were 'lbki Hughes, playing Martha, the main character Ruth Hoch's mother-in. law, and Bryan Casey, playing Earl, a daily inspector of the cheese factory. Even though they played the two minor characters, both actors really seemed to know, understand and relate to their parts.

Hughes and Casey showed the audience two char. acters who were haunted by their guilty past, their hidden personal secrets and their fears of discovery.

The actors were well-cast for the roles and their struggles were real.

Both of the characters ultimately had to pay the penalty of their past sins.

When Martha's hippie and illicit past caused her to lose her job as a college administrator, her relief that she would no longer have to hide behind a fake persona felt genuine. Both actors took the audience inside themselves and made

COURTESY MELINDA Flllll

Actors Sheena Duff as Ruth Hoch and Jason Britt as her husband, Len, performed in the murder mystery "Book of Days."

them feel like they know two people a lot better.

The actors could have spoken louder and the identities of the actors would have been clearer if there were better costuming and frequent changes. Plus, the stage was too bare.

Yet the sound effects, the unique staging of the actors and the general tone of the play made it worthwhile to watch and easy to enjoy.

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

7

Changes in store for Palomar Police Department

By Kristal Davis

TlfE TEUSCOPf

Palomar's Police Department is moving its headquarters back on to the San Marcos campus after three years at a location four miles away.

"We can be more effective as far as coverage and response," said Sgt. Anthony Cruz.

The move will also be a benefit to students currently enrolled in police and fire safety classes, he said, because the new offices will accommodate additional classrooms.

The move is slated to begin in July, when a pre-fabricated building will be installed near the security office at the main entrance of the campus.

No specific reason was cited for the move, but Cruz said it was a long-time · plan.

Officers currently spend most of their time at the campus office anyway, Cruz said.

"The office on campus serves as our hub," he said. "I'm looking forward to it (the move), and to having the entire department together."

The new office was purchased from Aurora Modular Industries for $336,292. The concrete foundation cost an additional $41,178. Both purchases were approved by the governing board.

The building will go into production at the factory May 17, said facilities worker Chris Miller. It should take one month to complete.

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It will then be sent in five sections the college announced it would not and delivered on campus in June. renew it.

Patton said human resources ~ill Police officers are expected to move in advertise for the position, and he hopes in July.

Facilities will be responsible for to find a new chief by July 1.

A new officer was sworn in at the installing all underground utilities, including water, electricity, a sewage April 13 governing board meeting, system, fire alarm systems, phone and bringing Palomar's force to a total of six officers. Patton said a $450,000 grant computer lines and storm drains.

In other police news, the search for from the state allows for a total of ten Palomar's next police chief is still in its officers. The department is in the infancy, said interim police chief Jerry process of interviewing three more canPatton, who is also the vice president of didates with the goal of filling all ten . positions. finance.

Patton said recent police activity has Palomar has been without its police chief since December 2003, when been relatively minor. "It's been really James Stoney went on sick leave due to quiet - no more than a few accidents and car theft," Patton said. "Hopefully it knee and back injuries.

Stoney's contract is up June 30, and doesn't get any more hectic."

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THE TELESC(

8

For many stud is the only pia

By James Palen

TKE TELESCOPE

E

ighty miles east of Palomar College off Highway 78 lies a reserve for the adventurous - a place where the weekend has reigned itself desert prince between the months of October and April for an increasing number of students.

Its name is Ocotillo Wells, and for many of those students, it's the second favorite destination when the urge to twist a throttle over raw earth becomes undeniable.

The growing popularity of the desert and the offroad fun that sits at its right-hand side are evident all over San Diego - and Palomar is no exception.

Just glance out to the parking lots and you will see them: trucks, lifted, dirty and sometimes broken. The desert washes, ruts, step-ups and rocks are especially rough on road vehicles, and that's

where the toys come into play.

Palomar student Sean Keffer recently moved to California from North Dakota. He has been riding dirt bikes since he was 12-years-old.

Keffer started riding while growing up in Michigan, although his father was against the idea of his son riding dirt bikes.

"It was forbade by my father," Keffer said.

Keffer said he enjoys the California desert riding more than anywhere else.

"Riding out here, you've got vast, open land," he said.

That vast and open land is a way Keffer detaches himself from everyday stresses.

"It melts away the clutter," Keffer said.

'I.Wenty-year-old Palomar student Lyle Van Horn has been riding dirt bikes for four years, although he's had the desire since he was 5.

After watching the Supercross at what was then Jack Murphy Stadium, Van Horn asked his mother to get him a dirt bike. Van Horn later received a 1988 Kawasaki KX 125.

Growing up in Temecula, Van Horn idoli Canyon Lake's Jeremy McGrath, who was at top of the professional racing circuit at the ti and now lives in Carlsbad.

Now riding a Yamaha YZ 250, Van Horn dri the hour and a half to Ocotillo Wells from Temecula home a few times each desert-rid season, which traditionally lasts fr Thanksgiving Day through Easter.

For those looking for something more local, solution is tracks.

Van Horn said he likes track riding even rr than the desert because every jump is nicely fon and offers a challenge.

"There are so many jumps," Van Horn s: "I'm never too good."

Palomar student Matt Amos, 19, loves tr riding too.

Feeling more comfortable on his four-wheel terrain vehicle, called a quad, Amos began rid when he was four or five years old. Someb watching him ride one day told him he should racing, so he gave it a shot.

"I like the competition," Amos said.

'I.Wo of his favorite tracks to nre at Glen Helen in San Bernardino and Lake Elsinore track.

Amos and Van Horn said one ad\ tage the track has over a weekend in desert is its cost effectiveness. The tr only cost $20 per person, whereas desert can cost up to a few hundred lars depending on where the rider gj Growing up in southern C:-~ifm made it difficult for them to avoid sport.

"It's a lot crazier here than anywl else," Van Horn said.

Amos said he didn't know if he'd be

Motorcycle safety course teaches t

By Jennifer Mathiasen

Tlfi TEUSCOPE

I

've always wanted to be a biker chick," Helen Roberts said. "I've always wanted to wear the leather pants and be part of that whole scene."

Roberts, 32, is working to fulfill her dream by taking the Basic Rider Course at Palomar. _The course, managed by the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, is the only one offered in North County.

By taking the course, students can waive the driving portion of the DMV motorcycle license test. The test is required by the DMV for all motorcyclists under the age of 21, but riders of all ages are

able to enroll in the class. The only requirements are completing the classroom portion of the driver's education and paying a $198 fee, or $150 for those under 21.

"The class is for everyone," said David Crouch, instructor.

Crouch has been teaching motorcycle safety classes for more than four years. His students have ranged from 15 to 82-years-old.

"This is the greatest place to start, or get back into riding."

Crouch said.

The class teaches the future motorcyclists' skills and knowledge necessary for riding.

It shows what to look for and provides practice for different scenarios, Crouch said.

year long." Willnow is o· "This course teaches people can turn and stop correctly."

The skills are used on the nally from Boston. how to ride a motorcycle, " Crouch riding course and in hands-on "This class is good for said. ''Most don't know how." because I don't have a mote According to motorcycle- training, Crouch said.

Students learn straight-line - cle yet," said Phil Simoes.": accidents.com, 92 percent of motorcycle riders have no for- riding, turning, shifting and able to get the riding- p01 mal training. stopping, as well as swerving done without owning a bik1 Simoes sold his motorcycl The class includes five class- and emergency braking.

"I can gain experience in the years ago after he got mar room hours and 10 hours of onparking lot before "It was so much fun, I wanti cycle riding. In hitting the street," get back into it," he said. the classroom, 11This is the gre•t11t Palomar student "I try to pass that on to students learn about the dif- pl•ee to st•rt, or11 gst Nick Willnow said. classes," Crouch said. "Ho~ ferent types of b•ek into riding.

"The class allowed it is to be on a motorcyCle.' me to get comfortCrouch said the rr:vton motorcycles, - SAFETY DavidINSTRUCTOR Crouch abl e on a b'k " gives more independence th protective MOTORCYClE 1 e.

Willnow said he car or SUV and allows the d gear, how to develop their own style for rid- wanted to start riding because it to enjoy more ofthe open ro ing in traffic and how to deal is cheaper and more convenient "There is a certain joy, a 1 freedom. It is the best way tJ with critical situations. than a car.

"Out here it is practical," the sights, smell the sm1 "Anyone can ride a straight line," Crouch said. ''Not everyone Willnow said. "I can ride all Crouch said. ''I can smell ru

IPE 1111 MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

'nts, the desert :e to drive quads if he hadn't lived in southern California.

"If I was ves somewhere his else, it would in.e: probably have effect," om an Amos said. the The sport has had such .ore an impact on region ned the Palomar student Matt Amos jumps his quad at Water Wheel Resort off the Colorado Rivet in 2003. that the Below, T.J. Amos and Lindsey Krane drive a Sandtamer Buggy in Glamis during Easter Weekend. lid. stereotypical guy on a dirt challenge they offer pared when he and his wife make the drive to ack bike isn't all you desert enthusiasts.

Ocotillo Wells. Armed with his helmet, boots, see. Women are joining the gloves and body armor, Keffer said he is not willReminiscent of Sahara Desert, with gentle inclines of powdery ing to take unnecessary chances. all the crowds and riding, too. ing Melissa Williams, who has been a student at sand leading to dangerous drop-offs, the beauty ''We've got everything but elbow and knee pads," ody- Palomar for two and a half years, leaves for the of Glamis can often make one forget that riding Keffer said. "It's essential. It's like shooting a gun. try desert with her guy friends as often as possible. dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and dune buggies You don't do it without the right equipment."

"I like Ocotillo because I know my way," can lead to unexpected consequences.

Part of the regulations in Glamis are that any Amos will never forget though. Nor will his truck, buggy, bike or ATV in motion must have a Williams said. visible orange flag sticking up in the air.

Littered with trails, Ocotillo Wells offers riders of mother Debi Amos. ar Last year his brother broke his back jumping the all levels a place to test their skills.

Debi Amos is glad the rangers at Glamis appear Finding your way around the desert is what many a quad. to be cracking down a lot more than in past years ·an- people like about trail riding in Ocotillo Wells.

"His dad told him not to jump on that," Debi on violations of regulations.

"It's like a mission," Williams said. said of the day of the incident. the She said citations for speeding near campShe said the lip of the jump had been changed grounds, invalid vehicle registration, and safety Throughout Ocotillo Wells, there are many ack somehow and didn't look right. violations are being handed out more seriously. the sites to see and explore.

"He turned around and he went and did it," dolMention the terms Pumpkin Patch, Shell Reef, While they know desert riding and driving will or Artesian Wells to Smith, and he'll]fnow exact- Debi said. "He did it again. His dad said, 'I don't always be dangerous, these and other Palomar Jes. ·ni -·. ly what and where they are. want you doing it,' and he did it again, and that's students are drawn to the appeal of a sport that the not everyone is willing to participate in.

"It' not so much looking at these things that's when he broke his back." fun - it's getting there," Keffer said.

When the Amos family goes out, no one is "It's cool because most people are afraid of it," If Ocotillo Wells is the prince of the desert, allowed to jump. tere Van Horn said. ''My boys can tell you, every time we go out - no "Just going out there and coming back alive is then the king must be Glamis.

A little more expensive, its palace lies about 45 jumping," Debi said. into a good experience," Keffer said.

Although they don't jump, Amos and his brother minutes farther down Highway 78.

Part of the experience of going to the desert, While it is free to camp at still go out to Glamis to drive their dune buggies, one Keffer said, is the sense of family that exists Ocotillo, a weekend pass to camp . of which had never been driven until this Easter. with local riders. at Glamis costs $25 and a season "Accidents are a part of the sport," Keffer said.

Whether he meets someone trying to loosen a "It's going to happen. If you're in it for any length stuck vehicle, get a bike started, or simply find pass costs $90 .

Often called "Duners," thou- of time, it's going to happen." his way around, Keffer said that in southern sands of people flock to the Van Horn has had a couple of brushes with · California, there's a real sense of community stretch of dunes in Imperial fate himself, the last one required several among riders.

County every weekend through- stitches in his chin.

"That's really ingrained in people out here," out the desert season, enjoying The dangerous nature of the sport is what Keffer said. "There is definitely a camaraderie the mountains of sand and the makes Keffer so insistent upon being well pre- and brotherhood." led the me

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N-Out Burger for miles."

However, the class does have its drawbacks. With a limited time to learn, students are taught lessons at a fast pace .

"The only negative is that the class is so accelerated, there is so much to take in."

Roberts said. "It is hard to practice because I don't have a bike. I wish it were longer." ''But if you can ride a bike in the time allotted to you, then you can do anything," said Stacey Sandoval, 33. Both Roberts and Sandoval agreed they gained confidence and valuable experience from the classes.

"I am learning how to ride a bike properly and be safe. I pay much more attention to bikers now," Sandoval said.

9

10

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

• P11lom11r students le11rn unique tr11lt in spetilll blend ol he111, gl11ss 11nd 11rtistry

By James Palen

TlfE TELESCOPE

ROGER REIIIIIS I THI TEUSCOPE

Top: Matt SteiTanga begins heat-treating glass to create a "wavy bowl."

Bottom: Ryan Thoms delicately shapes molten glass.

lllltl When:

Where: Red and white tent outside the Brubeck Theatre on the San Marcos campus

Standing next to a furnace melting raw material into glass at a blistering 1,500 degrees can hardly be called cool.

That is, unless a Palomar College glassblowing student is talking.

Specializing in what he calls "artistic motivation," Palomar instructor Gary Cowen has cultured the minds and artistic abilities of Palomar students for four years now through the college's successful and widely recognized glassblowing class.

Noting a full waitlist to register in the class every semester, Cowen said the class has always been very popular.

The class, Cowen said, has not only given students an enjoyable means of expressing their ability, but has been producing many successful glassblowing business owners around San Diego County since its 1969 inception.

"A (glassblowing) studio will hire you right out of Palomar if you're talented enough," glassblowing student Russell Watt said.

Watt is enrolled in the course for his fourth semester, even after finding success in the art outside of the classroom.

"I had a job at a studio already," Watt said.· "And I almost had another."

The rich history of postPalomar success in glassblowing students is one of the reasons Cowen said Palomar's program is the better of the two in the county.

The only other program of its kind is in La Jolla, at UC San Diego. And Cowen was reluctant to even place the UCSD program in the same category as Palomar's.

Though UCSD has more advanced equipment, he said the size of Palomar's larger studio makes it much better.

Palomar has another edge: real world success.

Set aside from UCSD's pro"I wake up in the morning gram, the Palomar glassblow- and say, 'Oh, I've got to go to ing class has led to the suc- work,'" Evans said sarcasticalcessful start-up of several local ly. "I've died and gone to heav. en." . studios.

James Stone, Scott Kempton Such motivation does not and Bill Casper are all offspring come cheap, though. of the program and have now With furnaces running 24 established their own compa- hours per day and the pronies. gram's constant need for new "There's a springboard effect material, Cowen says the prothat's taking hold here," Cowen gram is very expensive to run. said.

"Our needs are ongoing," Helping set up color and Cowen said. "We use hand tools doing general assistant work, - pipes, blowpipes, all the Peter Perrecone, in his third hand tools developed for glasssemester in the class, used blowing, raw glass to melt." skills acquired from the course 'The equipment wears out to land a job with Casper. quickly because of the number Perrecone said it took him a of students we have," Evans couple of weeks to figure out said. how molten glass works, but Cowen said the combination once he did, he knew he enjoyed of the heat and new students' the variety offered by the art. notorious ability to use a lot of "There's always a different material makes a quick turnway to do something," around of new equipment and Perrecone said. material necessary.

Watt enjoys the class because Other factors also appear to of the people be affecting the and atmosflow of money phere. to the depart"Wh•t m•kes it so g1111t "It's a place is the eombin•tion ol ment. for me to relax Normally a and make g1111t instrudion •ntl time d i s t r i c t friends," Watt to explore the m•t~ri•l." expense, said. money to pay - Russell Watt for student Aside from STUDENT instructional the tangibles, and Watt assistants and other students agree that what models for the department's makes the program a success is life drawing classes appears to its learning potential of both leaders in the Art Department how glass works and of self. to be coming mainly from stu"What makes it so great is dent art sales. the combination of great The college holds two largeinstruction and time to explore scale sales per year, where stuthe material," Watt said. dents' work produced throughWyatt Goettsch, 13, has been out the semester is showcased visiting the studios since he and can be purchased. was five years old, and now is The other 20 percent of what an enrolled student. students sell goes to the school, "It's not top-notch, but it's where Art Department Coreally close," Goettsch said. chair Jay Schultz said it is supInstructional assistant and posed to be budgeted toward former student Scott Evans was the repair and upkeep of the affected so much by the pro- equipment the class needs gram that he dropped his career and not the class itself. as an automotive technician to "We'd really rather it went to concentrate on glassblowing. what it was meant to," Schultz And that does not bother him at said. "It's not just up to those all, he said. students to fund those classes."

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

11

• Stud1nts throughout Unit1d St11t11 eom1 to P11/om11r t1r11mies progr11m lor·r11ri1ty 11nd 11rtistit lr11dom

By Chanel Hachez

TKE TElESCOPE

Covered in a speckled layer of dried clay, Palomar student Samantha Sinclair works diligently to complete a clay fountain for her ceramics class.

"We have students that are so passionate about clay, they want to make it their life," said professor Archie Smith.

At Palomar, since the college opened, the ceramics program has acted as a hidden haven for art students, Sinclair said.

"It's like a family environment," said ceramics student Lindsay Allen. "Everyone takes care of each other here."

Always cluttered with students, the program offers an array of classes ranging from basic ceramics to advanced pottery and sculpture.

It also offers "special projects," classes to those who have taken all regular ceramics classes and still want to be involved.

Special projects classes are much like independent study they give students the opportunity to go above and beyond the regular curriculum, said professor Barry Reed.

There is no prerequisite for Ceramics I. This gives students from all over the community an opportunity to participate in the class, Reed said.

"The ceramics department has such a variety of age and encompasses a diverse group of people," Reed said. "Anyone

about $5,000. can take the class."

"It is starting to get harder The program is known for its hands-on approach to to get money," Reed said.

"Everything is tighter because teaching, Smith said.

"Advanced students also of the budget cuts." help instruct," Reed said.

The ceramics program is difUnlike most other ceramics ferent from most art classes on programs offered at communi- campus, because there is no student lab fee. ty colleges, Smith said, Palomar is open to a large Reed said the students only variety of techniques. have to pay the price of their "Lots of schools are very clay and tools. focused, but we take on all The program then supplies aspects of ceramics," he said. the students with kilns, pot"What is most beneficial is tery wheels and a multitude of the freedom we different color have to glazes.

"We are explore," said 'Ws h•vs studsnts th•t ceramics stu- . , so p•ssion•ts •bout always asking dent Bob for donations," tl•y, thsy w•nt to m•kl Reed said. "We Cothran. can always use The depart- it thsir /Hs." extra ceramic ment is avail- Archie Smith supplies." abie to anyone CERAMICS PROFESSOR The ceramics who is interested in art. program shares "Everyone has district funds to start somewhere," Reed with the rest of the Art Department. said.

"It's not whether you're With a decrease in funding artistic or not. It's just if you and the crunch of budget cuts, have art within you."

Reed said the program Nearly 200 students have receives a great deal of their their ceramics cooked in ten money from its bi-annual glass and pottery sale. kilns that the college owns.

Depending on how students Eighty percent of the sales want their art pieces to turn go to the students, while 20 out, they will have them percent goes to the program, baked in either a gas, electric Reed said.

"We are hoping the next sale or wood-fired kiln.

"We have three broken kilns will bring in more money," right now," Reed said. "We are Allen said. "We need some new in the market for gas and elec- kilns soon."

The sale draws people from tric ones."

The average kiln that the all over the United States, ceramics program needs cost Reed said. "People from all

MELISSA EWELL I THE TELESCOPE

Top: Andy Martin, on the wheel, wraps his hands around a wet clay cylinder.

Bottom: Kyle Jensen patiently molds his clay into a long-necked vase.

over come to buy pieces of art to sell at their galleries."

The ceramics department is nationally known, Allen said.

"Our department shines in comparison to others on campus," she said.

Allen said she shares the belief with several other ceramics students that the ceramics program kept her from quitting school.

"I wouldn't have continued on with school if I hadn't come here and had such a positive experience," she said.

Even though the ceramics program hasn't won any awards or accolades, Reed

said, the program prides itself on inspiring students to love ceramics and go on to fouryear universities to pursue a career in the field.

Many students, like Allen, hope their time at Palomar will be a springboard to a career as a ceramics teacher, she said.

As she looks toward transferring to Long Beach State University to continue on as a ceramics student, Allen said she will miss the program she calls home.

"It's a family here," she said.

"I'll miss this place when I leave- that's a neat feeling."

-

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

12

• EMERGENCY: Budget problems make plan updates and funding a low priority · CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

"The plan is a living document," Hudson-Maclssac said. Learning how fellow colleges handle incidents helps Palomar prepare for an array of different scenarios, she said The plan states, ''Planning alone is not a guarantee for being prepared. Training is vital."

Training was last conducted about a year ago for upper-level responders, Ellis said. These responders include campus police, facilities, environmental health and safety and others. The next level of responders would be people with education backgrounds, he said.

The problem with the plan is staff-level changes, resulting in assignment changes, Ellis said. Re-training for the new assignments are then needed.

Because of budget cuts, spending money for a future, unknown event is not an immediate priority, Ellis said.

The college president is the highest level of authority on campus and can · declare the state of emergency.

The vice president of administrative services is designated as the incident commander. The president is responsible for tell the incident commander to deactivate the emergency plan when appropriate.

The plan has eight objectives that are of top priority. No. 1 is evacuating people from hazardous areas to safe zones. This is to be accomplished by building safety coordinators, department heads, campus police and facilities staff.

The building coordinator is responsible for surveying the exterior of the building, turning off utilities and checking to see if anyone is trapped, Ellis said.

Search and rescue crews, comprised of facilities and engineering staff, will be first to respond if people are trapped.

A faculty member or office manager is responsible for assisting students and vis-

itors to safely evacuate classrooms and offices. The plan appoints evacuation leaders, Ellis said.

There are four designated evacuation sites on the San Marcos campus. Each site has an evacuation site coordinator.

"One of the things the coordinator of the evacuation site would try to do is control the flow of student movement," Ellis said.

No one can leave the campus in the event of an earthquake. "We have to control them here because you can bet all the freeways will be down and the roads need to remain clear for emergency responders," he said.

The four evacuation areas each contain a box with evacuation instructions, Ellis said. Few evacuation maps are noticeable around campus. No evacuation map is · located in the cafeteria.

"The evacuation map used to be posted on a bulletin board in every classroom on campus. They should still be there," Ellis said.

A multi-colored flip chart in most classrooms identifies several emergency situations with how-to response procedures.

Emergency preparedness under the plan calls for drills and practice sessions.

A test of the district's fire alarm and emergency warning light system was .conducted during morning classes recently.

"This was the first real fire alarm test we conducted in a couple of years," Ellis said.

The fire alarm system is usually tested early in the morning before classes start.

A fire extinguisher refresher training was also offered to staff in late April at both the San Marcos and Escondido campuses.

Ellis is confident the college is prepared to handle the unexpected. " I feel right now with campus police and the facilities department trained, we can handle - we have handled emergencies on this campus".

Palomar (ollege

Emergency & Evacuation Map

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RECYCLE

Smoking Policies on

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In atl. effort to provide a healthier environment for students, faculty and staff.. . Palomar College has instituted a new smoking policy.

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14

THE TELESCOPE â&#x20AC;˘ MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

Career Center oHers workshop for students interested in bioscience The Career Center will hold a Career Opportunities in Bioscience workshop April 21. .

The workshop will focus on career opportunities and training in the bioscience field.

"Bioscience encompasses an industry that brings together biology, chemistry and even engineering," said Renee Roth, Career Center director.

The purpose of the workshop is to generate more student interest, she said. "I want to expose students to opportunities in the bioscience field."

Bioscience is one of the fastest growing industries

in San Diego County. "It is a hot field," Roth said.

The workshop will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Governing Board Room on the San Marcos campus.

For more information, call the Career Center at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2194.

- Jennifer Mathiasen

Palomar Foundation holds ninth annual 'Wine & Dine' fundraiser The Palomar College Foundation will hold it ninth annual Wine & Dine fundraiser May 8 at the Four

Seasons Resort in Carlsbad.

The event, which begins at 5:30 ¡p.m., will feature wine tasting, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing.

Wine & Dine Chairwoman Luene Corwin said organizers have added student artwork to this year's list of items to be sold at auction.

Admission to the event is $150 per person, and sponsorship packages range from $1,200 to $10,000. For more information, or to make a reservation, call Dale Wallenius at (760) 744-1150, ext. 2733.

-

THE TElESCOPE ONliNE

Kyle Hamilton

palomar.edultelescope

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Nothing rocks a party like the freedom to have it.

When you serve in the Army National Guard, you spend part of the time protecting your freedom, and part of the time enjoying it. Most Guard members train part-time, one weekend a month and two weeks a year, so that they are ready should they be needed.

They also earn money for college, develop leadership skills and get career training.

mNATIONAL

Freedom is sacred.

Protect it. Enjoy it.

E1GUARD YOU CAN

THE TELESCOPE • MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

15

Manning should learn from nllman It is too bad that Eli Manning never had the pleasure of meeting Pat Tillman.

Tillman could have taught tlie 23year-old a thing or two about the game of football and life. Like how to be a hero.

Tillman, a former football player for the Arizona Cardinals, was killed in action 22 in April Afghanistan, where coalition forces are hunting down Osama Bin Laden.

Joining the elite Army Ranger unit in May 2002, Tillman chose his country over playing professional football. Tillman chose duty, honor, and love of his freedom over his wife.

Tillman paid with his life.

Manning was drafted No. 1 overall in the National Football League draft by the San Diego Chargers on April 24.

However, three days prior to the draft, Manning's father, Archie, along with Eli, stated publicly that Eli would not play for the Chargers if they were to draft him No. 1.

Eli even went as far as saying he would not walk up to the podium if the Chargers called out his name.

When it was called, Eli walked up to the podium holding a ·Chargers jersey, albeit not happily.

The displeasure was obvious to the crowd. The only people less happy at the moment were the San

When Tillman was drafted in the seventh round in 1998, he was told by the scouts that he was too small and would never have a good career in the NFL. However, he proved them wrong and enjoyed a stellar career before leaving for the Army.

Pat Tillman never complained once about his draft status - he was just happy to play the game.

Tillman once was quoted as saying that he wondered how many players actually loved playing football.

Manning is the exact opposite of Tillman. Manning has all the skills in his body, but no brains. If Manning were half of Pat Tillman, he would be lucky.

Manning doesn't realize how lucky he has it. If it weren't for individuals like Pat Tillman, or Cpl. Jason L. Dunham of Scio, New York who died in Iraq the same day that PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS I KIT NEWS SERVICE Tillman died. Manning would not Eli Manning (left) acted selfish before the draft, a characteristic Pat Tillman (right) do~sn't know. have the luxury of playing football.

Tillman, along with each and Diego Chargers fans. After the have it all wrong, Eli - San Diego every service member serving overselection, ESPN showed the is too good for the entire Manning seas and protecting our shores at home are the true heroes. They are Chargers draft party and the boo family. birds were loud and clear. San Maybe Manning hasn't been the ones who should be getting Diego fans did not want Eli updated on the way the NFL draft Manning's future paycheck.

Based on the past two No. 1 draft Manning, no matter what his skill goes. The worst teams pick first, picks, Carson Palmer in 2003 and thus improving their team. level was.

Manning would later get his wish A worthy No. 1 pick would relish David Carr in 2002, Manning is due when he was traded to the New the thought of turning a franchise nearly $40 million dollars over the York Giants. around and becoming a superstar. next three years.

Spilt that up between the thouEli Manning is a coward. The Manning picked a sure-fire winner only reason he wanted to play for in the Giants, the largest television sands of service members who are New York is for the money and the market in the United States . . giving up their lives fighting wars to media exposure. San Diego wasn't However, the Giants picked a sure defend this country, and to defend the rights of Eli Manning. good enough for Eli Manning. You fire loser in Eli Manning.

cometPHFILE NAME: Ryan Fraser YEAR: Sophomore SPORT/POSITION: Tennis 1 singles _and doubles

HIGH SCHOOL:

Temecula Valley High

School

MAJOR: Undecided FAVORITE BANDS: Pennywise, Bad ·Religion and Rancid.

FAVORITE MEAL: Prime Rib, baked potato with everything, Caesar salad, garlic bread and a Dr. Pepper. .

FUTURE GOALS: To be involved in sports management and business.

HOBBIES: Going to the beach, playing blackjack at Pala casino, golfing and hanging out with friends.

FAVORITE ON-COURT MOMENT: His junior year in high school, Fraser won the Southwestern conference tournament after compiling a 52-6 record on the season. He was the fourth seed, and upset the No. 1 and No.3 seeds en route to the title.

MOST INFLUENTIAL ROLE MODEL: Mark Littrell- Fraser's tennis coach and mentor since he was six years old. Having coached him for 13 years, Littrell still works with Fraser on his game ar~:d his attitude, always keeping him motivated.

"He loves what he does, and that's what makes him so successful. He is the best motivator I know;'' Fraser said.

Swimmers advance

By James Palen

i lfE TmSCOPE

The Palomar College men's swimming team had a successful weekend at Saddleback College April 22-24, qualifying five swimmers for the state championships en route to placing fourth at the Orange Empire Conference Championships.

Finishing 22 points behind third-place Orange Coast and only five more behind second-place Riverside, the Comets ended the weekend with 466 points.

"To be fourth and be as close as we were to second is really ·encouraging," said Head Coach Jem McAdams.

Golden West dominated the championships, amassing 768 ·points over the three days.

"Golden West this year was so strong," said Assistant Coach Scott Lawson. "It was a dogfight between Coast, Riverside, and ourselves for second, third and fourth."

Qualifying for the state championships to be held at Ventura College April 30 and May 1 were Thomas Bixler, Josh Southwick, Amin Rahi, James Fenney and Charlie Weaver.

We were one of the few teams that were able to qualify for five relays," McAdams said. "It's hard to do, but we did it."

The only Palomar swimmer to win an event, Bixler topped Golden West in the

400 individual medley.

"I didn't think I was going to win it because I was seeded fourth after the prelims," Bixler said.

Bixler qualified for the 500-yard freestyle along with the 400 individual medley and the 200 backstroke.

Bixler was also the team's highest point-scorer, taking second place in the 200 backstroke and third in the 500 freestyle.

Southwick, Rahi and Fenney all qualified for the 200 individual medley.

Southwick will also compete in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and Rahi will swim the 100 and 200 butterfly.

Fenney and Weaver will both be swimming in the 100 and 200 freestyle swim.

Qualifying as relay Bob swimmers were Jensen and Max Zavodny.

While McAdams was pleased that the team was able to qualify all five possible spots, he and Lawson were more happy about the team's personal success.

"Out of 57 swims, we had 55 lifetime or personal best times," McAdams said.· Zavodny's 1650 freestyle swim brought one of those times, as he dropped 39 seconds off his time from last year.

Going into the state championships, McAdams does not expect to top Golden West in Ventura.

He said he only hopes, and thinks it is possible, for the team to place in the top eight.

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16

THE TELESCOPE IIIII MONDAY, MAY 3, 2004

Softball advances to playoffs, again

By Matt Null

Tll'E 'l'HESCOPE -

One day after clinching their 19th straight Pacific Coast Conference title, the Palomar Comets softball team defeated the San Diego Mesa Olympians 6-2 at home April 22.

"It was a game that we played well," said head coach Mark Eldridge. "It was a solid effort WEEK IN REVIEW by the MESA 2 team PALOMAR 6 and all around PALOMAR 11 g 0 0 d IMPERIAL VALLEY 1 game."

Amanda Martinez pitched a complete game three hitter and improved her record to 186 on the season.

"I knew we could win. We have a strong hitting team and I was comfortable," Martinez said. "I didn't have to worry about anything. As long as they did their job and I did mine, I knew we could take it alL" Elicia Velasquez went 2-3 with a stolen base, along with Dominique VanNortwick who went 2-4 with four RBis. Van Nortwick hit her fourth home run of the season with one

ARTHUR ANDERSON I TilE 'l'mS<:OI'E

Melissa Martinez fouls off a pitch against San Diego Mesa's Sonya Glasper at home on April 22. The Comets went on to win 6-2 in preparation for the playoffs.

runner on base in the first inning.

Velasquez is currently second in the league in hitting with a .559 batting average in 11 conference games. Van Nortwick is right behind her

ARTHUR ANDERSON I TilÂŁ TmSCOPE

Amanda Martinez delivers a pitch in her complete game, three-hitter April 22.

hitting .511. She leads the league in home runs, hits and RBis. "I had been struggling the past couple of games so I was not hitting as good as I was used too," Van Nortwick said.

"But I had a good warm up and I had a feeling I would do something in this game."

In the final game of the PCC season, the Comets visited Imperial Valley College and recorded a victory by the score of 11-1.

"It was our last tune-up before the playoffs," Eldridge said. "I was happy how they responded."

The Comets defeated IVC for the third time on the season and improved the Comets' overall record to 23-9-1 and 14-1 in the PCC.

Playing in 100-degree heat, the Comets used the heat as a motivational tool and ended the game early in the 5th inning due to the mercy rule set in place by the PCC. The rule, used three times this season by the Comets, is used if a team leads by 10 or more after 5 innings of play, that team wins and they will not play the remaining two innings of the game.

"Winning the game early was .definitely our motivation to get out of the heat," Van Nortwick said.

Jamie Barner went 2-3 with one double and two stolen bases to lead the Comets 13 hit attack.

Palomar started the game putting up zero runs in the first inning but came back

strong in the 2nd and 3rd scoring 9 runs totaL The Comets are now awaiting pairings for the state community college playoff tournaments Southern California regional playoffs.

In other Comets softball news, sophomore Carley White signed a national letter of intent to play softball next season at Louisiana Tech.

White, who is a second baseman for Palomar, will play shortstop for the Lady Techsters.

"I'm excited to play out there," White said. "It is a real good conference so there will be some really good competition."

White is hitting .375 for the Comets with one home run and 17 RBis.

Baseball team loses home game, shot at conference title By Erik Goodson

'f!fÂŁ 'l'IHESCOPE

On - its home field April 27, the Palomar baseball team had to watch Southwestern celebrate with the customary gatorade shower of its head coach.

The bathing came after the Comets gave up four runs in the top of seventh, erasing their lead and washing away their chances of a second consecutive Pacific Coast Conference title and fifth in seven years .

"You don't want anyone celebrating on your home field," said Palomar pitcher Takane Suzuki. "But they are the champs this SOUTHWESTERN 5 time."

PALOMAR 3 The Comets imploded in the seventh inning. Two errors and three walks paved the way for the Jaguars to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish, holding on for a 53 victory that secured the PCC title.

"We played well for five innings," Suzuki said. "But we lost focus and fell apart in the last four. It was just really sloppy and we gave them help that they didn't need. We can play much better than that."

Suzuki pitched the final two innings of scoreless one-hit ball keeping the Comets in striking range, but they didn't take advantage.

"It's disappointing to lose one like that. We had a real good chance to beat them twice in a row," Suzuki said. "But

ARTHUR ANDERSON I TilE TELESCOPE

Sean Murphy pitches against Southwestern April 'fl. The Comets lost despite having an earty three-run lead.

they made the plays and we didn't."

Palomar staked itself to an early 3-0 lead that was sparked by Aaron Garcia who went 2-for-4 on the day.

But that wouldn't be enough, as the combination of Southwestern standout starter Jack Spradlin and closer Arturo Reyes held the Comets to four

hits on the game.

The win improved the Jaguars record to 22-10 (19-3) and Spradlin's to 6-1, while ending a three-game winning streak for the Comets and dropping their record to 18-13 (12-9).

Comets pitcher Sean Murphy took the loss bringing his record to 1-2.

"We had a chance to wrap it up at home on Saturday (April 24), but we didn't take advantage," said Southwestern Head Coach Jerry Bartow. "But it was nice to win it there and get it over with."

The Jaguars failed to clinch the title at home on April 24 as the Comets beat them 5-2 behind the pitching of Brandon Adams.

Adams pitched a complete-game three-hitter, striking out six while only walking two.

Leading the Comets on offense were Garcia, 3-for-4 with a double and two RBis and Erich Kemp who extended his streak of multi-hit games to 10, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. "Palomar is always tough. They were the defending champions and we had to take that from them," Bartow said.

"They have a great program, and it's a team that's always in the running down the stretch."

Southwestern beat Palomar four out of five times this year, reversing the record from last season that saw the Comets take the crown.

The Comets will most likely finish second in the PCC, and await post-season play.

"We just have to keep learning and getting better," Suzuki said. "If we stay focused the entire game, we are a good team that can beat anybody."

The regular season ends for the Comets with a home and away series against Mesa on May 4 and 6.