Eastfield Et Cetera Nov. 5, 2014

Etera

Eastfield College

Progress in gay rights, acceptance of LGBT community grow

By Braulio Tellez Within the past few years, the world has seen professional athletes, CEOs, actors, politicians and musicians come out of the closet. Some say it is a sign that times are changing.

“I definitely think that things are turning for the better,” said Larry Macklin, a part-time academic advisor.

Macklin has been working on a study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups on two-year and four-year colleges campuses. He believes having openly gay figures in pop culture is helping America become more open-minded toward the LGBT community.

“10 or 20 years ago, there were hardly any gay figures in pop culture,” Macklin said. “Being gay then was considered a sin or even a crime. Now, you have openly gay football players. Everything is turning around and now you have people on TV you can look up to and tell yourself, ‘It’s OK to be gay.’ ” See Gay-Straight, page 3➤

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Greg Abbott defeats Wendy Davis in a landslide for Texas governor, Page 3

Volume 46, Issue 4

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NEWS

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Election Results

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The Et Cetera

U.S. Senator 92.50% of precincts reporting 0 John Cornyn (R) 61.73% 0 David M. Alameel (D) 34.30 0 Rebecca Paddock (L) 2.82 0 Emily Sanchez (G) 1.15% U.S. Representative, District 5 96.31% 0 Jeb Hensarling (R) 85.57% 0 Ken Ashby (L) 14.43% U.S. Representative, District 30 0 Eddie Bernice Johnson (D)88.06% 0 Max W. Koch III (L) 6.67% 0 Eric LeMonte Williams (Ind) 5.265 Lt. Governor 90% 0 Dan Patrick (R) 58.7% 0 Leticia Van De Putte (D) 38.23% 0 Robert D. Butler (L) 2.48% 0 Chandrakantha Courtney (G) 0.57% Attorney General 90% 0 Ken Paxton (R) 59.37% 0 Sam Houston (D) 37.56% 0 Jamie Balagia (L) 2.44% 0 Jamar Osborne (G) 0.61% Comptroller 88% 0 Glenn Hegar (R) 59.15% 0 Mike Collier (D) 37.01% 0 Ben Sanders (L) 2.88% 0 Deb Shafto (G) 0.94% Land Commissioner 90% 0 George P. Bush (R) 61.26% 0 John Cook (D) 34.81% 0 Justin Knight (L) 2.66% 0 Valerie Alessi (G) 1.25% Agriculture Commissioner 88% 0 Sid Miller (R) 59.2% 0 Jim Hogan (D) 36.3% 0 David “Rocky” Palmquist (L) 2.8 0 Kenneth Kendrick (G) 1.7% Railroad Commissioner 90% 0 Ryan Sitton (R) 58.9% 0 Steve Brown (D) 36% 0 Mark A. Miller (L) 3.1% 0 Martina Salinas (G) 2.0% State Senator, District 2 67% 0 Bob Hall (R) 84.2% 0 Don Bates (L) 15.8% State Senator, District 23 43% 0 John Lawson (R) 79.7% 0 Royce West (D) 18.7% 0 Jonathan F. Erhardt (L) 1.6% State Representative, District 100 56% 0 Eric Johnson (D) 90.3% 0 Brian Chapman (L) 9.7% State Representative, District 107 32% 0 Kenneth Sheets (R) 56.0% 0 Carol Donovan (D) 44.0% State Representative, District 113 23% 0 Cindy Burkett (R) 58.7% 0 Milton Whitley (D) 41.3% Criminal District Attorney 96% 0 Susan Hawk (R) 50% 0 Craig Watkins (D) 50% County Judge 96% 0 Ron Natinsky (R) 43% 0 Clay Jenkins (D) 55% 0 Preston Poulter (L) 2%

GUILLERMO MARTINEZ/THE ET CETERA

Jordan Page performs for the Republican watch party at the Dallas Arboretum on election night Nov. 4.

Mistaken Identity

Texas’ new voter ID law draws mixed responses from voters

By Robert Burns and Parker Ward etc4640@dcccd.edu

Even as former Attorney General Greg Abbott — a known defender of current Texas voter identification laws — declared victory in the 2014 Texas gubernatorial elections Tuesday, voters were asking questions about the status of voter ID legislation.

Under current legislation, every voter must show an approved ID card when checking in at a polling place. According to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, acceptable forms of identification include driver’s licenses, state-issued ID cards, concealed handgun licenses and military ID cards.

Critics believe these laws are unconstitutional and prevent otherwise able voters from voting.

“When you talk about making people prove who they are to exercise a constitutional right, to me it seems a little excessive,” said Cecilia Morgan, an attendee at the 2014 Democratic election night watch party. “We

don’t have a problem with fraudulence; we have a problem with getting people to actually vote. And that’s what we should be focusing on.”

Some voters have discovered that even approved forms of identification are not always accepted at the polls.

“I’m a 20-year retired Marine veteran,” said Spenser Robertson, another attendee.

“I used my retired military vet ID and I was denied at the polls. I used my VA identification, which is a federal ID, and that wasn’t acceptable either. I used my concealed handgun license, and I was able to vote with that.”

Others feel the laws are necessary to prevent voter fraud.

“I don’t find any problems with it,” said Wendy Davis supporter Shela Larson. “It’s only to protect you so that someone doesn’t steal your identity and go voting from poll place to poll place.”

Eastfield sociology major Maddison Johnson agrees, claiming it will make the polls more secure.

“I think that requiring an ID for voting is

a smart idea you don’t know if who they say they are is really them,” she said. “It gives people the safety of knowing who is in the room.”

Some Texas residents believe the laws should be changed to resemble previous voter ID laws.

“I’ve been voting since the day I turned 18,” said Democratic election night watch party attendee Lola Winder. “My first election was Jimmy Carter. We lost, but we never had to have an ID to vote. All you needed was your registration card and that’s the way it should be.”

According to a 2011 state estimate, more than 500,000 registered voters do not pass the requirements to register in Texas polling areas. A Corpus Christi federal judge found the law unconstitutional earlier this year, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Texas should leave the law unchanged until after the November elections, allowing ample time for appeals to proceed.

— Carolina Catalan and Jesus Acosta report

NEWS

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Abbott defeats Davis

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Republicans sweep statewide offices in Texas, seize U.S. Senate

By Braulio Tellez, Sidney Murillo and Juanita Hernandez etc4640@dcccd.edu

Republicans across the country swept to victory, taking every statewide office in Texas and wresting control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats.

Fort Worth native Carol Edgeworth left the Democratic watch party in tears after her candidate Wendy Davis conceded from the governor’s race.

“I hope she runs again in another four years because Texas really needs her,” Edgeworth said.

At the Greg Abbott’s party in Austin, the mood was significantly lighter.

“As your governor, I will put Texas first,” Abbott said to supporters gathered at the Moody Theater. “You voted for hope over fear, unity over division, for the majesty of what Texas is and can be.”

Supporters expressed their pleasure on Twitter.

John Wilson wrote: “Looks like #GregAbbott did the cleaning out this time.” Harrison Wilkinson tweeted: “Good news in Texas: #WendyDavis LOST!!! Congratulations #GregAbbott.”

At the Dallas County Republican watch party at the Dallas Arboretum, attendee David Gu predicted that Texas will not be turning blue any time soon before the results were announced.

“I think they are both great candidates, but I certainly think [Greg] Abbott and [Don] Huffines can make this city better,” Gu said.

State Rep. Angie Chen Button, re-elected in a landslide Tuesday, said that women’s issues don’t belong to Democrats alone.

“Wendy, back off!” Button said. “You don’t speak for women in Texas.”

Don Huffines, the newly elected Republican state senator of Dallas, said his priorities as senator are to secure the southern border, abolish the margins tax and build more highways.

“I’m excited to take our conservative philosophy to Austin,” he said. “I’m not a politician. I’m a businessman. I’ve never run for office before. I COURTESY OF GREGABBOTT.COM will work hard.”

Former Attorney General Greg Abbott won by a 3-2 margin.

The Republican Party won a majorplayed the projected outcome of the race. ity in the U.S. Senate, winning one more state “It was pretty obvious that Abbott had it in than the needed six. Texas was among the 21 the bag,” said Davis supporter Laney Yarber. states that overwhelmingly voted for Republi- “It’s unfortunate, but living in Texas, you would can candidates. For the first time since 2006, have to be really naive to think that RepubliRepublicans will take charge of both chambers cans weren’t going to give up a good fight.” of Congress.

Burleson native Jeff Pollock believes that alIn Dallas County, a traditionally blue con- though Texas is a dominantly red state, it will stituency, Republican Susan Hawk defeated eventually turn blue, thanks to efforts like DaDistrict Attorney Craig Watkins. vis’.

After trailing to Republican candidate Greg “If we have more candidates like her who Abbott by almost 20 percent, Davis, a former work hard to change the old ways of thinking Texas senator and Fort Worth councilwoman, in Texas, eventually we’ll see a blue Texas,” Polgave a speech to dozens of Democrats at a local lock said. “It will take some time, but it was a watch party, thanking them for their support. victory just getting this far.”

“Thank you for allowing me the honor of Davis gave credit to the numerous people serving as the nominee for governor in the along her campaign trail who kept her going, greatest state in the greatest country in the like Maria, a woman she met in Mission. world,” she said. “You have my eternal grati“She sold her truck to buy a shaved ice matude. This has always been, and will always be, chine and she opened this wonderful little about you, the people of Texas.” stand to sell snow cones in a gas station,” Davis Many who voted for Davis realized early on said. “She had so many Wendy Davis for goverthat the race was going to Abbott after several nor signs in the doors and on the countertops. updates on TV screens around the venue dis-

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Sen. Wendy Davis embraces her oldest daughter, Amber, after losing the governor’s race.

She had been fighting for and supporting me, and that’s who I was fighting for. She wanted to make sure that her children and grandchildren didn’t have to struggle like she once did. I will never forget Maria because I was so inspired by her. It’s people like her that kept me going throughout this race.”

Davis then wiped tears from her eyes and ended her speech to a cheering crowd with a quote from 20th century muckraker Jacob Reese about a stonecutter hammering away at a rock.

“At the hundredth and first blow, that rock will split in two,” she said. “And I know that it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before. Keep fighting with me, Texas.”

Texans also overwhelming approved spending billions from the state’s Rainy Day Fund for road improvements.

Gay-Straight Alliance advocates for NOH8 at Eastfield Continued from page 1

Eastfield’s Gay-Straight Alliance held a NOH8 event Oct. 22 where members of the club painted the iconic black and red logo on to students’ faces. The NOH8 campaign is one of many initiatives created in recent years to combat bullying of people with gay lifestyles.

The attitudes surrounding the LGBT community have seen a major shift in the 2000s.

According to a Gallup poll, only 27 percent of Americans supported gay marriage in 1996. In 2014, the number has increased to 55 percent.

In 2012, Barack Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage, making him the first president to do so. This year, a U.S. Supreme Court decision to refuse hearing appeals from

states that wanted to defend gay marriage bans ultimately made it legal in over 30 states.

“Politicians understand that there is a need to recognize our community and that our vote does count,” said Elizabeth Webb, former Eastfield student and member of the Queer Alliance at UNT. “You have politicians that are out and want to give the LGBT community a voice.”

Along with politicians, the heads of Fortune 500 companies are also coming out. This month, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that he was not only gay, but also “proud to be gay.”

“That’s pretty big,” Webb said. “He’s been running this multi-million dollar company, and yet he felt it important to tell the world he was gay. I think that speaks volumes for the younger generation. Students who are working

their way through college can see that this guy has a degree and is in a big business and is not afraid to be openly gay.”

Macklin said the younger generation has had a major impact on the way our society views the LGBT community.

“You have more young people coming out and speaking out against intolerance towards the gay community,” he said. “The younger generation is more accepting and you can see that in groups like the Gay-Straight Alliance and Queer Alliance.”

The current generation grew up with TV shows such as “Will and Grace” and “Queer as Folk,” openly gay celebrities such as Neil Patrick Harris and Ellen DeGeneres and the NOH8 campaign. So it is no surprise to East-

field’s Gay-Straight Alliance president Micaela Rojas that the youth of today have an easier time coming out or accepting gay relationships.

“Things have changed so much,” she said.

“Of course, you still run into people who have nothing nice to say, but not as much as there used to be. It’s more of the older generation that has trouble accepting that things are different now.”

Although Rojas believes the older generation may be more stubborn, Webb said it is all a matter of who you talk to.

“There will always be that old way of thinking, but not everyone is the same,” she said.

“When I came out to my grandma, she had no problem with it and actually supported me through it.”

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NEWS

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

PUT IT ON YOUR

Calendar November

Wed

The Eastfield College Guitar Department holds a recital, 12:30 p.m. in F117.

Thu

Come to the C Building Admissions Office foyer for a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the new partnership between Eastfield College and Columbia College, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

05

06

Join us for a variety of games at the Campus Game Night, sponsored by the Men’s Empowerment Coalition. Refreshments will be provided.

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Featuring the work of guest artists Kiera Amison and Melissa Sanderson, the Eastfield College fall dance concert “A Body of Words” begins at 7 p.m. in the Performance Hall.

Mon

Veterans Appreciation Week begins at Eastfield College.

Tue

Veterans Appreciation Week continues. In celebration of Veterans Day, the annual Veterans Day Honorary Ceremony is held at the flagpoles in front of C Building, 1111:30 a.m.

10 11

Choral concert, 7 p.m. in the Performance Hall.

Wed

12

Cops n’ Donuts Alcohol Awareness Program is presented by campus police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Veterans Appreciation Week continues. Celebrate all who have served our country with food and jazz music at the Veterans Appreciation Picnic, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the lower courtyard.

A choral concert is held in the Performance Hall as part of the fall 2014 recital series, 12:30 p.m.

About the cover

Sigourney Davis at the Gay-Straight Alliance NOH8 event Oct. 22.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DORA TREJO PHOTO BY BRAULIO TELLEZ

www.eastfieldnews.com

The Et Cetera

Officers injured by college intruder

By Braulio Tellez Etc4640@dccd.edu

Two Eastfield police officers were stabbed in an altercation with a 22 year-old-man in the C building Monday night.

Officer Elias Reymundo and Sgt. Melissa Jacobs suffered multiple lacerations and were taken to Baylor University Medical Center. Both officers were hospitalized with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. College spokeswoman Sharon Cook said both officers were released Tuesday and are recuperating at home.

Miguel Sarinana was arrested on two charges of aggravated assault on a public servant. He was booked in the Mesquite Jail after receiving treatment at Parkland Memorial Hospital for cuts on his hands.

Cook is concerned that this incident, coupled with the stabbing of a student on the DART bus stop outside of G building last week, is an indication that crime is becoming more prevalent around Mesquite. However, she believes the campus has an outstanding police force protecting the college.

“I feel very safe here,” she said. “It’s unfortunate and it’s a singled-out situation, but we are very grateful to our officers, especially knowing how they handled themselves and the way they protected and had concern for students.”

Police said the events unfolded in the following manner: The incident began when Reymundo

noticed a non-student trying if a threat to break into a classroom in occurs.”

C building. After the officer C o n approached the stranger for way visited questioning, the suspect at- Reymundo tacked him with a knife, caus- and Jacobs ing several lacerations around in the hosthe neck area. pital TuesJacobs showed up moments day with Sarinana Reymundo later to assist Reymundo and D C C C D Jacobs received cuts on her face. The suspect fled the Chancellor Dr. Joe May. scene and was pursued by Reymundo on foot. Po“We thank these officers — and all officers in lice lost sight of the assailant in a neighborhood our college police departments — for everything near Motley Drive and called the Mesquite Police they do to protect us each day,” May wrote in an Department for assistance. email sent to district faculty on Tuesday. “Our At 11:20 p.m., a homeowner who said his dog thoughts are with them.” had been barking at something suspicious in the Some students expressed alarm about two such alley contacted officers. Police arrived at the loca- violent incidents on campus within a week. tion, found the suspect hiding and arrested him.

“After all of that, maybe I need to bring someEastfield President Dr. Jean Conway com- thing to protect me, like a Taser,” Janice Grimaldo mended the officers for their devotion to keeping said. “We have rules where we can’t bring weapons the college secure while stressing that the campus on campus for obvious reasons, and the fact that 25643 remains safe in the wake of the attack. they brought them on campus is scary.” said Janice “Please know that The this event is an isolated in- Grimaldo, associates in arts.

Et Cetera - Eastfield College cident that was resolved quickly, ” she said in an But others said the random nature of the events 1/4 pg 5.1 x 5.25 email sent out districtwide on Tuesday afternoon. lessens their worry.

Fall 2014 issues 1-6 “Such events are highly unlikely on campus, “I would be a little more concerned if somebut they can happen,pmc as you have seen. Every thing happened to somebody in a parking lot,” college campus is a smaller version of the larger said international business major Aaron Brown. world, but I believe that our Eastfield College ofThe Arts and Communications Division is colficers are well-trained and experienced. They lecting well wished for the officers in the division are ready to defend every student and employee office, G-138.

NEWS

Briefs Two men charged after bus stop fight A man was stabbed Oct. 28 at the DART bus stop on campus. Jose Antonio Tovar, 39, suffered a slash to his neck and was treated at Baylor University Medical Center, DART spokesman Mark Ball said. Witnesses said Tovar and Jeffrey L. Seals, 57, were arguing on the bus before it arrived at Eastfield. Both men were arrested.

Tovar was charged with assault while Seals was charged with aggravated assault, Ball said. Tovar suffered a slash wound to his neck from a box cutter.

Et Cetera wins Pacemaker, three other awards The Et Cetera earned its second Pacemaker Award at the 2014 Associated Collegiate Press convention in Philadelphia on Nov. 2. In addition, former staff member Yolanda Ramirez won fifth place in Design of the Year, while former staff member Justin David Tate won Honorable Mention in Story of the Year. The Et Cetera also won second place in Best in Show.

College to plant tree for Arbor Day In honor of Arbor Day, the Sustainability Team, formerly known as the Green Team, will plant a tree during a ceremony outside G Building at 10 a.m. Nov. 6.

— Compiled by Caitlin Piper, Clay Gibson and Parker Ward

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

STEM seminar busts Ebola myths with science

Sidney Murillo etc4640@dcccd.edu

Nausea, coughs, stomach and chest pains are commonly associated with mild flus and non-life threatening infections. But the same symptoms also indicate Ebola.

This confusion could be the reason behind the widespread panic over Ebola in the United States, biology professor Joseph Malaer said.

“There’s been talk from the media that says, ‘We don’t know anything about Ebola,’ ” he said. “There is a lot of empty information going around. But we actually know more about Ebola than other diseases.”

Public hysteria started with the first Ebola diagnosis in the U.S. Thomas Duncan arrived from Liberia and began displaying symptoms in Dallas in September. He later died.

A college refused students coming from countries with Ebola cases. A woman who visited Dallas was placed on leave from her job.

Syracuse University uninvited a Pulitzer Prizewinning photojournalist to a conference because he covered the Ebola crisis in Africa.

Fliers explaining Ebola are posted in Eastfield bathrooms, and Chancellor Joe May recorded an interview with an infectious disease specialist and posted it on the district’s website.

Malaer spoke Oct. 20 at the STEM seminar Mythbusters: FAQ on Ebola.

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Biology professor Joseph Malaer debunks Ebola myths with facts at a STEM seminar.

Even though Ebola is not an airborne virus, nurses, doctors and anyone giving aid to Ebolainfected patients should be properly covered.

“Ebola is only spread through bodily fluids,” Malaer said.

This includes blood, breast milk, mucus, vomit, fecal matter, sweat and semen.

“You’ve probably seen some news articles saying: ‘Ebola is coming and there is nothing

we can do to stop it,’ ” he said. “That itself is completely false.”

There are three main things to do to contain Ebola: isolate, trace and contact all potential patients, and observe the Ebola patient.

Ebola’s incubation period lasts 21 days. If a patient does not show symptoms or signs of illness during this period, then he or she is Ebolafree, Malaer said.

Biology professor Jessica Kerins says the chance of Ebola turning airborne is small.

“If it were airborne, if it were to become airborne, we would see that immediately,” she said. “Like Thomas Duncan. If it was airborne, his whole family caring for him should have been infected.”

Another popular myth is that Ebola causes bleeding from the eyes and ears.

“Unfortunately, that is also some of the images that happen to be dominating the media,” Malaer said. “They know that horror sells.”

Though bleeding does occur, the symptom only appears in 20 percent of Ebola cases.

According to the World Health Organization, early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.

Proper hand-washing and keeping up a healthy immune system can help prevent nonairborne diseases, Eastfield Director of Health Cynthia Taylor said.

“The chances of anyone contracting Ebola here at Eastfield is minimal,” she said. “We have individuals here who take care of themselves.

They wash their hands, cover their mouths when they sneeze and get vaccinated.”

Mechatronics major Adam Woodall said he wasn’t very concerned about Ebola.

“Because the city said that it is under control,” he said. “Only 80 people have been exposed to it, and they have been identified.”

Advisers set up shop in hallways

By Andy Carrizales and Clay Gibson etc4640@dcccd.edu

Eastfield advisers invaded the Pit on Monday, serving popcorn, blaring music and urging students to spin the prize wheel.

At one point a group linedanced to Pharrell Williams’ catchy hit “Happy.” That was fine with coordinators. They wanted students’ attention, not an academic vibe.

The event kicked off Advising Week, a new initiative by the Academic Advising Office to attract students. Events continue today through Friday.

Advisers seek to “bring awareness to the services we offer to get students to start thinking about the things they need to do to prepare for next semester,” adviser Amber Sellers said.

Throughout the week, students can meet with their advisers to learn about online registration, transferring, majors and planning course schedules.

“Ask an Adviser” tables will be set up around campus so advisers can catch students where they congregate.

“It can be hard for students to make it in to meet with an advisor due to scheduling, so we are attempting to make it easier,” adviser Laura Thomason said.

Other events include transfer and computer tech workshops. Events are prompting students to take a more active approach to their educa-

tion.

“Students should meet with an adviser as often as they feel it’s needed,” Thomason said.

“However, there should be a minimum of one time during a semester to make sure they are on track with their educational plan.”

When meeting with advisers, students should view their adviser reports, review their programs of study, plan schedules, research transfer guides and ask questions.

Some students say they appreciate their advisers, but find the process confusing.

“I go to my adviser when I have a problem, but they have to tell me to go back and print my advising report every time,” student J.B. Cochran said.

Others skip the process altogether.

“I don’t see my adviser,” Kyle Tibbs said.

“Some of my friends say they don’t give out strong advice.”

With the class schedule for the 2015 spring semester about to come out, it is a great time for continuing students to review their academic goals and figure out what to do next. By having an adviser who is already familiar with a student’s program of study, the student will benefit more from this interaction.

“By developing a relationship with their adviser, the student can get a better understanding of the educational process,” Thomason said.

Visit www.eastfieldcollege.edu/Advisement/ advisingweek for a schedule of events.

Life &Arts

The Et Cetera

6

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Fall back in style

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Warm up to these fall trends, make the campus your runway

By Andy Carrizales etc4640@dcccd.edu

Fall: The season for warm coffee, dry leaves and cuddly nights.

For the fashion-savvy, fall can also mean blazers, leggings and the long-awaited arrival of stylish boots.

If you’re planning to buy something to protect yourself from cold fronts and the occasional rain shower, following the latest fashion trends can be difficult. Because of this, we bring you the best of fall and winter fashion in and around Eastfield.

The crowning item of fall is a pair of black leggings. As the most essential piece of clothing, black leggings can be paired with practically anything. Wear them with a graphic tee and a thin blazer for warm days or a chunky sweater and a jacket for cold weather.

There is no way you can go wrong.

Now that mint is finally leaving the fashion scene — the fashion world has spent two whole years fixated on that color — it is time to make some changes to the 2014 fall and winter palette. Black and gray are the prevalent shades of the season. To add some color, accent your look with a burgundy knit sweater. Voila! You’re set for a day on campus.

Fashion constantly reinvents itself. This means trends repeat in innovative ways. If this fall has brought one iconic element back, it is leather. Whether it is in jackets, pants, skirts or even dresses, there is no doubt leather is hot for cold weather.

There is no need to fear being transported back to the ’80s.

Bomber jackets take the most appealing attributes of leather and transform it into a more contemporary piece available to both men and women. If you are an advocate of animal rights, synthetic fabrics let you keep your cool while sticking to your beliefs.

Andrea Cornelious, a business major, said clothing is an extension

of people’s character, and it should be used to reflect who we are.

“Fashion gives you the opportunity to show your personality,” she said. “That’s the way of showing what you’re interested in.”

Students around campus are also taking advantage of the easy and relaxed look denim jackets project. Wear it denim-on-denim or pair it with your favorite minior midi-skirt for a more contemporary chic look.

Who said floral prints were only appropriate for spring? In what fashion lovers might call groundbreaking, floral patterns are taking over autumn.

Chassidy Taylor, a graphic design major, believes fashion is very important and that everyone should make an effort to look their best. She also expressed great enthusiasm for fall and winter fashion trends.

“There’s just more to work with,” Taylor said. “I love sweaters and boots and tights. It’s just my thing.”

Getting out of bed on a cold day is never easy, and even if your first class starts at 4 p.m., everyone should have a pair of sweatpants ready for those lazy afternoons.

High-rise sweatpants can be styled with your Nike Airs, Converse or even heels. For bonus points, include drawstrings and ankle cuffs.

Ankle and thigh-high boots are some of the most popular footwear for the cold season. These can be found in a variety of styles, colors and materials. To add some character, style them with super cute boot cuffs, which also help protect your legs from freezing wind.

Fashion can serve as an extension of your character, your values and your beliefs. With so many styles, textures and fabrics to choose from, anyone can rock these trends. The key is to be comfortable and confident. Now that the Harvesters are dressed for the occasion, go out and make this season yours.

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Andrea Cornelious (left) wears her fall must-have item: a chambray shirt. Chassidy Taylor (right) layers a gray knit long-sleeve dress on top of a floral button-up.

Fall/winter must-haves

Chunky knit scarf: Its beautiful pattern and texture will take your outfit to the next level with minimal effort on your part.

Leather jacket: One of the most essential items, they protect you from the inclement Texas weather.

Gold chains: Whether you like flashy or simple, you definitely want to pair them with your outfit.

LIFE&ARTS

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The Et Cetera

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‘The Evil Within’ sacrifices fun for scares

By Caitlin Piper etc4640@dcccd.edu

Just when I thought I had Shinji Mikami figured out, he went and made a game like “The Evil Within.”

Creator of the wildly popular “Resident Evil” series, Mikami has gifted the world with several deliciously over-the-top horror and action titles since his directorial debut in 1996. Gory, goofy and unabashedly campy, his games are often filled with more ham and cheese than a corner deli, and the fans eat it up every single time.

While it still has plenty of gore, “The Evil Within” takes itself a bit more seriously than Mikami’s older games and relies far more on atmospheric tension and scene-setting than raw jump scares. Fans of classic “Resident Evil” will be happy to hear that the game forces the player to ration ammo and sneak around enemies in order to survive, game mechanics that have steadily faded out of the survival horror genre over the past decade or so. But its atmosphere makes it feel more like a spiritual successor to old school “Silent Hill,” theoretically bringing the best of both worlds together.

Simply put, “The Evil Within” has all the elements of a great horror game, including many I feel the genre has been sorely neglecting lately, and will doubtlessly find a devoted fanbase.

So why don’t I enjoy it nearly as much as I feel I should?

The game opens with an emergency call from an old mental hospital. A grisly massacre has recently taken place within its walls, and no one can seem to find a clear reason behind it. Detective Sebastian “Seb” Castellanos arrives on the scene with his small investigative team, and things predictably go downhill from there. After losing consciousness in the ensuing struggle, Seb awakens in a dimly lit, bloodspattered room, hanging from his ankles as a gore-caked madman hacks at a twitching mass of flesh in the next room. Armed with nothing but his wits and a small pistol, he manages to escape intact but quickly finds that things aren’t much better outside.

“The Evil Within” places extra emphasis on the “survival” aspect of survival horror, though it certainly isn’t lacking in the horror department. Seb is forced through a series of increasingly nightmarish scenarios over the course of the game, and he often has to forgo violence and escape his hellish adversaries by moving quickly and silently due to a scarcity of ammunition. When combat is necessary, Seb will fire his gun through a fixed, over-the-shoulder camera system rather shamelessly similar to the one seen in “Resident Evil 4.” While this makes battle feel slightly dated when compared to the fast-paced, constantly moving gameplay expected of modern horror titles, it is still based on a game celebrated for its combat system,

Gamer Z ne

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPEN ROAD FILMS

Jake Gyllenhaal (left) and Riz Ahmed in one of many night scenes in “Nightcrawler.”

MOVIE REVIEW

Gyllenhaal plays sociopath in ‘Nightcrawler’ and I see absolutely nothing objectionable with that.

The stealth aspect, however, feels very undeveloped. Seb moves rather awkwardly, and will often get caught on a poorly placed invisible barrier at the worst possible times. It’s pretty difficult to flee from a chainsaw-wielding giant when you’re constantly tripping over a pre-rendered severed hand or running into walls. Other mechanics, such as throwing objects some distance away to distract enemies, rarely work as intended, and often end with either Seb dying horribly or the enemy running in circles as its glitchy AI struggles to put the pieces together. While you will need to learn how to hide behind objects effectively in order to progress, Seb’s hiding animations often leave him exposed, leading to even more frustration.

“The Evil Within” also relies far too much on trial and error. In-game stress has the potential to make a horror game more tense or exciting, but it is taken way too far here. Death traps are scattered throughout the game, and players rarely have any indication they exist until they are already dead. Additionally, “The Evil Within” does a poor job of relaying important game mechanics to the player. Several notable enemies are invulnerable in certain pre-determined battles, but the player will probably not realize this until they have wasted valuable ammunition and time that could be spent running away.

A lot of these problems could have been resolved with a little more developmental polish, and this is a real shame because the game truly excels in just about every other area. While the gore, out of date visuals and somewhat unoriginal plot will not please every survival horror fan, the tense atmosphere and creative, varied enemy design is more than enough to make it stand out.

However, I just could not find the gameplay enjoyable. I really wanted to like this game more than I did. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the atmosphere and level design, and as an old-school survival horror fan, I found it refreshing to play a modern, big budget horror game where you can’t just shoot every enemy in sight. “The Evil Within” has a few genuinely good ideas that are bogged down by several poor ones, and the creativity on display is just not enough to warrant a glowing review from me.

By Tony Neese etc4640@dcccd.edu

How far would you go to do what you love, make a lot of money and become well known?

That question is raised by “Nightcrawler,” a film by Dan Gilroy starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton and Riz Ahmed.

Writer and director Gilroy’s inspiration for “Nightcrawler” was a crime photographer from the 1930s named Weegee, the first journalist to put a police scanner in his car.

Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a nocturnal eccentric searching for a job, his niche, something that pays his bills and makes him happy.

From the beginning of the movie, Lou seems to be willing to do about whatever it takes to make this happen.

Lou starts out as a smooth talking thief. One night, he happens upon a shocking automobile accident and a freelance film crew. Lou learns that he can make money by following a police scanner, recording crimes and violent accidents as they happen and selling the footage to news stations.

Caught up in the seedy world of underground crime journalism, Lou engages in increasingly unethical and manipulative behavior to get the perfect footage.

He builds a business relationship with news director Nina (Russo), who describes the kind of footage she needs for broadcast. “Picture a bloody woman running down the street with

her throat cut,” she says.

Nina is needy and lonely. She seems to yearns for acceptance at this later career stage She appears to find what she needs in Lou. Meanwhile, Lou competes with Joe Loder (Paxton) to gather the best footage, and is willing to resort to sabotage to get what he wants.

There is much talk and innuendo about sex between Nina and Lou, but the audience sees only sexual tension. This is refreshing. Great dialogue and viewer assumption always trumps a token sex scene.

The film was a bit of a family affair for Gilroy. His brothers, Tony and John Gilroy, produced and edited, respectively, and his wife, Russo, starred.

Of the 28 days it took to film “Nightcrawler,” 23 of them were shot at night. The night scenes dazzle. Director of photography Robert Elswit, best known for his Oscar-winning videography in “There Will Be Blood,” also employs luminous extreme close-ups.

Lou is a nocturnal sociopathic Batman without the batsuit. He has no morals, misgivings or qualms regarding what he feels he must do to get the story. Lou is a dark knight in his own right.

Despite all of his faults, do not be surprised if you find yourself rooting for this strange and deranged individual.

Candid Campus Wednesday, November 5, 2014

www.eastfieldnews.com

8 The Et Cetera

Sisters Zinny and Jodie Phan, left, dress up as two Bubble Head Nurses from the video game “Silent Hill 2” and win the costume contest. Cesilia Perez, center, dresses up as her alter ego, Twirly the Clown.

A spooky affair Students go all out for Halloween festivities, turn out in hordes

Student Life and SGA put together their annual Halloween party in the Pit on Oct. 31. Dozens of students were dressed as witches, vampires, zombies and movie characters. There was even an appearance by Professor David Kirk’s ghost robot. There was a contest for Pumpkin King and Queen, which Danny Lam and Gaby Fernandez won. The costume contest was a big hit and was close until the very end. The Gay-Straight Alliance won the pumkin carving contest.

Photos by Braulio Tellez and Jonathan Wences

Dozens of students dress in their Halloween best for the costume contest in the Pit. Alan Pedraza, middle right, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, swaggers to a best costume win.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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NEWS

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

www.eastfieldnews.com

The Et Cetera

Scholarship lightens student’s grief

By Robert Burns etc4640@dccd.edu

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Rachel Quiroga has faced hardship but has not let that stop her from succeeding.

Academic Advising H ave you chosen a program of study?

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Rachel Quiroga is no stranger to adversity.

In fall 2012, her husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, which was caused by his addiction to alcohol.

“I felt very betrayed because he had been hiding his drinking and I had no idea,” the Eastfield student said.

Quiroga was initially hopeful because his prognosis was good.

“He said he was going to change, but he didn’t choose to follow that,” she said. “Addiction is a difficult thing.”

Soon after, they lost their house and had to move in with Quiroga’s parents.

“He wasn’t able to work and I wasn’t working, and I wasn’t sure how we were going to survive,” she said.

It was a complete shift in Quiroga’s life.

“I felt like I didn’t want to be in this position again, that I needed to take control of my life, my future, my daughter,” she said.

The couple was eventually able to receive aid, and Quiroga decided to pursue a degree in nursing. She applied for the Dallas County Community College District’s LeCroy Scholars program in April. A week after writing her scholarship application essay, her husband died from complications caused by his cirrhosis.

Quiroga said studying became a mini vacation for her, helping her cope.

A few weeks later, she received a call from the DCCCD Foundation notifying her that she was to be interviewed by a panel of eight people — the final step to determine who would receive the scholarships.

“I was excited, but I was still reeling from what had happened,” she said.

Winning the scholarship was the ray of hope she needed.

“I felt like the universe was saying that things were going to turn around for me,” she said. “It gave me hope in a time that was pretty dark for me.”

The scholarship helped her during the grieving process.

“I know they always say live in the present, but sometimes the present really sucks,” she said. “You have to look forward, and it has helped me to do that.”

Quiroga has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average throughout her academic career while at Eastfield, exceeding the 3.0 requirement for the scholarship.

Professor Sal Frisella, who teaches physiology and anatomy, said the extra work needed to maintain a high GPA won’t be a problem for Quiroga.

“I kid around with my students that we are all bipedal life forms,” he said. “She is probably one of the best bipedal, carbon-based life forms that I have had the opportunity to teach. I expect great things from her, and I know she will achieve well.”

To students in similar situations, Quiroga says to never give up.

“Don’t lay down,” she said. “There is a saying: Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”

When she couldn’t get up on her own, she relied on her family to help.

“Sometimes I would pick myself up, sometimes my parents would encourage me. Even my daughter encouraged me,” she said. “You just keep getting up again because eventually it gets better. That is why getting a scholarship was like the light at the end a never-ending dark tunnel. You just can’t stop because life is always going to change.”

Despite her struggles, Quiroga believes things are steadily improving for her.

“I am still in some pain,” she said. “It’s like having been through an accident and survived it. I think things are good because I have a lot of hope.”

Quiroga relies on both her studies and her 12-year-old daughter for strength and support.

“What I really look at is living for her and her future, and it makes my future brighter,” she said.

“She is a self-confessed nerd and she loves to go to conventions and stuff like that. So I do her costume. So for Comic Con a few weeks ago and for Halloween this year, she is a TARDIS. So that was fun to do.”

Quiroga is a talented seamstress, her friend Misti Nalls said.

“I had a pair of MMA gloves that were falling apart and she took them and brought them back … better than when I bought them,” Nalls said.

Besides being handy with a sewing needle, Quiroga also paints. Her work has been displayed in galleries such as the Bath House Cultural Center and the new EXHIBIT3 Gallery in downtown Dallas.

Her art was born out of a need to be creative rather than a serious career choice.

“I have always been on the PTA, and I’ve decorated libraries and things like that and the costume making and painting,”Quiroga said. “I guess it is more of a hobby. I love it. I get to express myself artistically.”

However, science and caring for people are her main passions, which were sparked in her 20s when she was hired as a personal care attendant for a quadriplegic person.

She hopes to earn her associate’s degree in nursing at either El Centwro or Brookhaven, where she has an interview in November. After that, she wants to earn a bachelor’s degree at a state college and study perioperative nursing.

“I am grateful both for the LeCroy people, their faith in me and I am grateful for my experience at Eastfield,” Quiroga said. “I think it was a big part of what kept me going. I felt angry for a long time, feeling like a lot has been taken from me, like I lost a lot. But that is no longer my focus. It is on what I do have, and I have a lot to be thankful for.”

Sports

The Et Cetera

Nov. 7 Nov. 8 Nov. 10 Nov. 11

Basketball vs. Victoria College Basketball vs. Victoria College Basketball at Texas Wesleyan JV Basketball at MACU JV

www.eastfieldnews.com

6 p.m.

Noon 7 p.m.

4 p.m.

11

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Harvesters aim to prove doubters wrong

By Brad Watkins and Tony Neese etc4640@dcccd.edu

First-team All-District. District Most Valuable Player. High school state champion. These are just a few of the accolades won by the players on the 2014 Eastfield Harvesters basketball team. Yet when their high school careers were over, no scholarship schools gave any of them a chance.

“These players are trying to go out and prove them wrong,” Eastfield coach Anthony Fletcher said.

Fletcher is hoping that hunger translates into another trip to the NJCAA national tournament, where the Harvesters have finished in the top five the past two seasons. As it opens the 2014-15 season this week, Eastfield is faced with replacing practically its entire 2013 team, including Region V MVP Andrew Maxie and All-National Tournament team member Ricardo Artis. Yet the Harvesters are still ranked fourth in the nation in the preseason poll.

Sophomore shooting guard Walter Bell is the only player returning from last season. He came off the bench to average 5 points per game with limited minutes in 2013-14, but Fletcher said Bell will likely be a starter this season.

“He’s growing every day,” Fletcher said. “His confidence is sky high right now, and that’s really big in the athletic world. When you have that confidence, you feel like you are not going to fail.”

Two other players who have been part of the program but will be looking to contribute on the court for the first time are 6-foot-7 power forward Youssef Kaoud, who was recently named one of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s top newcomers this season, and redshirt sophomore point guard LaDaniel Marshall, who is returning to the team after sitting out last year as part of a maturation process that included refocusing on his academics.

“I have a big role of being a leader on this team,” Marshall said. “Me and

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Darius Jones, right, blocks Denzel Whitnon at a practice game in the Eastfield gym.

Bell are the only sophomores on this team, so we are the two leaders.”

Kaoud, who is originally from Dubai, spent one semester with the team before going home and then returning this semester. He only has one year of high school experience in California, yet he has already impressed his teammates and coaches.

“He’s scoring the ball well, rebounding well and blocking a lot of shots,” Bell said.

Several newcomers have also been impressive in the preseason. Freshman point guard Majycal Howard has a chance to make an instant impact.

“He’s not built like an 18-year-old,” Fletcher said. He’s built like a grown man. He makes shots. I call him Magic, and I think he is a really good one.”

Chadd Dansby, a 6-5 combo forward who is a former football player, and 6-6 freshman power forward Christian Brooks will look to use their long frames to help the Harvesters’ inside presence.

Dansby “will bring a little toughness to the team,” Fletcher said. “And Brooks can eat up some space and is physically strong. He can push people around.”

After coming close to a national title the past two years, the team wants

to take the next step this season. Last season the Harvesters were 27-8 overall and 7-3 in the Metro Athletic Conference. They led the nation in scoring, averaging 103.9 points per game, and ranked in the top 10 in rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and points allowed. If this season’s team is as dominant as that team, the Harvesters could have a third consecutive postseason run in them.

“But it starts with being competitive,” Fletcher said. “It starts with playing Eastfield basketball.”

Fletcher compares his up-anddown fast-break system to John Calipari’s system at the University of Kentucky, where players are given plenty of freedom to play an up-tempo style.

“We want to get the advantage,” Fletcher said. “We love fast breaks.

We love easy baskets. We’re very athletic. We’ve got a lot of guys who can run the floor, who can jump. We’ve got a couple shooters, and then we can defend pretty well.”

Before the Harvesters get to the national tournament they will have to get out of the Metro Athletic Conference. A MAC school has played for a national championship in five of the past six seasons, and three have won national titles.

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

De’vincent Brooks dunks the ball before his teammates during a practice game.

North Lake won the national championship in 2008, Richland in 2009 and Mountain View in 2011.

Cedar Valley lost in the 2012 national championship game, and Eastfield lost in the 2013 national title game.

“It’s a bear to get out of Dallas,” Fletcher said, “You get out of Dallas, you’ve got a legitimate shot at winning a national championship.”

The Harvesters will open the sea-

son with four home games this week.

They were scheduled to play God’s Academy on Tuesday night and will play CYM Prep Academy at 7:30 p.m. today. They have two games against Victoria College scheduled for 6 p.m.

Friday and noon Saturday.

Carolina Catalan contributed to this report.

12

SPORTS

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

www.eastfieldnews.com

The Et Cetera

U.S. women’s team a shoo-in for World Cup Although this year’s World Cup left Americans with shattered Braulio dreams of raising Tellez the Cup in Brazil, next year looks like it’s all ours.

The Women’s World Cup will begin June 6 in Canada in what looks to be a promising tournament for the stars and stripes.

The team just won their fifth CONCACAF Women’s Championship with a rout of Costa Rica 6-0, earning them a ticket to the World Cup. The team was a dominant force throughout the qualifiers, not allowing a single goal against them and leading their group in points the whole way through.

The United States outscored the opposition 21-0 in the qualifiers. On top of the team’s success, there are plenty of individual achievements, which lead me to believe the U.S. women’s team will be a likely contender to win the Cup. Forward Abby Wambach broke the all-time scoring record in international women’s soccer with 160 career goals. Mia Hamm held the previous record with 158 until Wambach’s four-goal performance against Korea in June.

Captain and defender Christy Rampone earned her latest cap after their game against Costa Rica, bringing her total to 301. The only other player to previously have that many caps for the U.S., woman or man, was her former teammate Kristin Lilly. Rampone goes into this tournament as the only remaining player on the team to hoist the Cup from the 1999 championship.

Along with the marquee talent, there are also plenty of other young, gifted supporting players on the team.

Striker Sydney Leroux is the all-time leading scorer in FIFA U-20’s Women’s World competition. She is a headache for defenses, and was a key scorer in the semi-finals during the team’s run for the gold in the 2012 Olympics.

When combined with the savvy of new coach Jillian Ellis, Wambach’s scoring ability and Rampone’s veteran experience are something every American should be excited about.

To understand the pedigree of this team, look back to the 2012 Olympics. The majority of that team makes up the roster that will be heading to Canada.

Although the men’s team exceeded many of our expectations and contributed to the popularity of the sport, the Cup was far from its grasp.

The woman’s team has two World Cups under their belt, as well as an appearance in the finals of the last Women’s World Cup in Germany.

This team has the pedigree, experience, drive and talent to bring our nation back to the top of the world’s greatest sport. It’s up to us to cheer on our women.

JONATHAN WENCES/THE ET CETERA

Liliana Cardozo makes an attempt to steal the ball at the last home game of the season against Cedar Valley on Oct. 24.

Soccer, volleyball end seasons

By Tony Neese etc4640@dcccd.edu

Soccer loses conference semifinal, gains experience for next season

The Eastfield Harvesters soccer season ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to North Lake in the Metro Athletic Conference semifinals on Oct. 30 at Richland College.

After falling behind 1-0, Eastfield tied the game with a minute to go in regulation on a goal by freshman midfielder April Rodriguez.

However, North Lake scored the game-winner in overtime to advance to the MAC championship game.

The Harvesters managed only two shots on goal for the game.

Eastfield had played North Lake to two 0-0 ties during the regular season. Coach Dustin Stein said the two teams were evenly matched and played a similar style, but he was proud of his team’s effort.

“Not many people thought we would have success this season,” Stein said.

“Our goal all season was to get to the one or two seed in our tournament and we accomplished that [with the No. 2 seed].”

The Harvesters’ roster included just two players from last season’s team. That won’t be the case next season. With 14 freshmen on this season’s team, Stein is excited about the possibility of coaching an

experienced team next year.

“Only two girls returned from last season’s team, so we built around two and were able to put this product on the field,” Stein said.

“So if we have 14 to build around, it makes it that much more exciting for next season.”

The Harvesters ended the season with a 7-8-3 overall record, including a 6-2-2 mark in conference play.

Volleyball remains hopeful for 2015 after conference tournament loss

The Eastfield Harvesters closed out the volleyball season with a 3-0 loss to top-seeded Brookhaven College in the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament at Farmers Branch on Oct. 24.

Freshman setter Brooke Barajas had 10 digs and 15 assists in the loss while freshman libero Mikala Turner added 16 digs in the loss.

Freshman Megan Murphy ended the season with a team high 228 kills and 25 blocks for the Harvesters, while teammate Mikala Turner led the team with 345 digs.

Eastfield ended the season losing five out of its last six games. However, with only one sophomore on the team, the Harvesters could a more experienced squad return to improve upon this season in 2015.

Eastfield finished the season with an overall record of 7-17 and a conference record of 5-6.

opinion

13 The Et Cetera

Nothing wondrous in pyramid schemes

Etera Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Associated Collegiate Press • Texas Community College Journalism Association

Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Fax: 972-860-7646 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editor In Chief Braulio Tellez Managing Editor Caitlin Piper Photo Editor Jonathan Wences Life & Arts Editor Sidney Murillo Staff Writers Robert Burns Andy Carrizales Karina Dunn Juanita Hernandez Stephen Klehm Courtney Schwing Contributors Clay Gibson Tony Neese Parker Ward Brad Watkins Design Jasmine Oliva Dora Trejo

OUR VIEW

Photographers Guillermo Martinez Cartoonist Matthew Rohan Advertising Manager Jessica Villarreal Student Publications Manager Elizabeth Langton Faculty Adviser Lori Dann Editorial Policy The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District.

The Et Cetera is published every two weeks—except December, January and summer months—by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. Additional copies are available in Room N-240.

Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters will be edited for profanity and vulgarity, Associated Press style, grammar, libel and space when needed.

The content will remain that of the author.

Letters considered for publication must be 250 words or fewer. Letters may be delivered to Room N-240 or sent to etc4640@dcccd. edu.

First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

OUR VIEW

Same-sex couples in Texas deserve right to tie the knot On Oct. 6, the Supreme Court made the surprising decision to refuse to hear appeals related to federal same-sex marriage laws in five states: Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

This move makes a bold statement to the rest of the United States, essentially delivering the message that it is time to uphold the framework of the Constitution regarding the long-standing dispute of marriage rights.

It is a discussion that directly involves legality, morality, religion and culture. Is marriage strictly between a heterosexual man and woman, or is marriage a platform open to all Americans regardless of their sexuality?

If government has no place in the sanctity of marriage, then why is marriage between two people of the same sex banned?

The fact remains that homosexuality is just as real as heterosexuality. If we are a nation for all people and endorse the ideas of love and fam-

ily, why is the line drawn at marriage? America steeps itself in the idea that all people are created equal, and this should extend to same-sex couples.

Since the beginning of 2014, 16 states have legalized same-sex marriage. Thirteen of those chose to legalize it after the Supreme Court refused the five states’ appeals.

With 33 states committing themselves to marriage equality and ending legal discrimination against same-sex couples, it is time for Texas to follow in their footsteps.

Yes, this is a historically conservative state.

But its people value individualism, freedom and equality.

So why not extend those values to same-sex couples?

Furthering the quest for marriage equality in America will signify strength, compassion and the devotion to preserving the true tradition of marriage: love.

I was introduced to pyramid schemes when I was 6 years old, after my father Caitlin fed me a “cookie” that tasted like an Piper unholy combination of a prune and a halfchewed granola bar.

After a bit of goading and a lot of whining, I managed to choke it down as he rattled off the many health benefits of what I had just eaten. It was from Nutrition for Life, he said, a company that would make us rich and keep us healthy.

A few days later, he pulled out a bottle of acid green, snot-like gel and squeezed some of it onto my palm. It was called Virahol, another product from Nutrition for Life, and it would kill any germs I had on my hands. From what I can recall, all it ever did was burn my nose and make my skin itch.

By the time I was 10, he had long since left Nutrition for Life, but for the rest of the household, it was as if he had never left at all.

As far as I was concerned, Nutrition for Life just changed its name every two or so years. MonaVie, Herbalife, Laminine, Xocai — different packaging, same supposed benefits, and my father trying his hardest to sell them all.

Only recently have I realized that my father has been caught in a cycle for almost 20 years. He discovers a “miracle” product, pays an inordinate amount of money for a tiny box of powder or gel packs, tries to make a decent profit off of it, and finds a new miracle product to endorse when things don’t turn out as planned.

He sincerely believes that these products are the key to perfect health, and has tried to get me to use them for everything from my depression to my cerebral palsy.

Disregarding how shockingly unregulated these things are, I’m pretty sure a product that could reverse the effects of in-utero brain damage would not need an army of recent high school graduates and bored retirees to sell well.

But at the end of the day, I can’t fault him for what he’s doing.

I know he means well and is just trying to provide for his family, but it’s both disturbing and depressing to watch him fall deeper and deeper into these schemes with every passing year.

Around campus, I see fliers for obvious pyramid schemes all the time. I usually have to stop myself from tearing them down and throwing them away.

After witnessing what my father has gone through, I can’t bear the thought of someone else falling victim to these scams.

Pyramid schemes should not exist in this day and age. I only wish we could destroy them for good.

14

The Et Cetera

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

we’re always in 8 places at once. commerce | corsicana | Dallas | McKinney Midlothian | Mesquite | rockwall | online You’re closer than you think.

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Wrapup The Et Cetera

www.eastfield.com

Zek and Slik BY Matthew Rohan

Trivia Bits

2. Of the four things you win Olympic medals for throwing, what is the only one not used in the decathlon?

A) Discus throw B) Javelin throw C) Hammer throw D) Shot put

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A) 180 feet B) 320 feet C) 360 feet D) 400 feet

Trivia Answers 1. A; 2. C; 3. B

1. Whose face has appeared on more different coins than anybody else?

A) Queen Elizabeth II B) Queen Isabella of Spain C) Empress Maria Theresa D) Virgin Mary

15 Wednesday, November 5, 2014

16

The Et Cetera

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Introducing W our NE partnership Join us for the official announcement and ribbon cutting ceremony by

Dr. Jean Conway Eastfield College President

and

Dr. Scott Dalrymple Columbia College President

Thursday, November 6, 2014 11:15 a.m. • Remarks 11:30 a.m. • Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 3737 Motley Drive | Admissions Foyer (C-Building) | Mesquite, TX 75150

Get started today!

Columbia College application fees are waived for Eastfield College students.

Classes begin January 12, 2015.

For more information or to register, email mesquite@ccis.edu.

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