Entertainment: New exhibit at MDC’s Tower Theater
News: Black Church evolution reaches MDC Page 2 Features: Student inspired by 9/11
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Opinion: Change brewing in Cuba? Rebel rocker arrested Page 5
THE FALCON TIMES THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MIAMI DADE COLLEGE NORTH CAMPUS SINCE 1961 SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
VOLUME 46, ISSUE 2
THEFALCONTIMES@HOTMAIL.COM
Faculty bummed out by bookstore blues Julie Selva Staff Writer Several professors at Miami Dade College North Campus have encountered issues with the Miami Dade North bookstore in recent years. Some of the problems have included the late arrival of orders, a shortage of textbooks, and price mix-ups. In the past four years, sociology professor David Demko has had several textbook related problems. Six weeks into the 2008 summer semester, one third of Demkoʼs students still had not been able to purchase their textbooks because the order had not arrived. “I ordered 200 books, 40 for each of the five classes I teach,” Demko said. “Itʼs frustrating to me but a catastrophe to students. How can I assign chapters and test students?” Demko said he took the initiative of creating web sites online for his social environment and sociology students. “I couldnʼt wait for the text books and created a resource e-text.”
But Demko has not been the only professor to have issues with his textbook orders. English professors Lisa Shaw and Jennie Olaguibel-Lundahl are the authors of Hands on Research, a workbook compiled from several handouts on how to write research papers. Shaw said the book was priced to help students save money at $26.95, a rate agreed upon by the publishing company Kendall Hunt. But Lundahl was surprised to see what she found. “I took them online trying to show students how to order [books] online. When I clicked the link, I found out that it was $67,” she said. According to Shaw, she contacted the publisher, but they were “as shocked to see the $40 mistake.” She said that it was “an error on the bookstoreʼs part.” “Itʼs also the students fault for not purchasing earlier,” she said. In past classes, she has also faced an under-order of textbooks and criterion, an online learning tool that helps students with research papers.
“Students that have not bought the criterion will have to double their homework for next week.” Meteorology professor Arturo Rodriguez has also encountered textbook problems this semester. There was a misunderstanding between the bookstore and the biology, health, and wellness department because they ordered the wrong set of textbooks for his class. Rodriguez declined to comment. One of his students, sociology major Javiera Perez, said “they had ordered the wrong textbooks, but the professor adjusted his curriculum to the new textbook and [said] that it was just a human mistake.” The North Campusʼ bookstore supervisor Joyce Walker refused to comment. “For any interview procedure, we need to contact our corporate offices in Chicago,” she said. Demko, a sociology professor, said he thinks the problems with textbook orders need to be addressed. “If you donʼt know whatʼs broken, you donʼt know what to fix.”
College faces enrollment increase dilemmas Laura C. Morel Editor in Chief
Every morning is the same for Natacha Raymond. She goes to her classses at Miami Dade College North Campus about 30 minutes early to search for a decent parking space. But after driving in circles looking for a parking spot near the school, she gives up and parks by the Nathaniel Traz Powell Stadium, which sits about half a
mile from campus. “Itʼs like a rush,” Raymond, a pathology major, said. “You have to get to the parking lot first.” Raymond is facing the same problem other MDC students are coping with. This semester, the North Campus saw an increase of 1,003 students. MDCʼs eight campuses have had a rise of 5,420 students. In addition, the Community Education department saw a spike in enrollment from 2,995 students last fall to 4,225 this semester. Miami Dade College has more
than 72,000 students enrolled for the fall semester. Students can only expect further increases. The mini term begins Sept. 29. “We know this number will increase at [the North Campus] with expanded enrollment opportunities in the upcoming mini term, special eight week sessions and academies that will be starting throughout this fall term,” said dean of students Malou Harrison. Despite the recent surge in students, institutional research
assistant Luisa Canton said the ratio of student to professor continues to be 20 to 1, and has been that way for two years. The reason for the rise in enrollment canʼt be pinpointed to one cause. Dean Harrison said the expansion of the feeder high schools and the variety of degree programs offered could be a reason for the increase. The limit that many state universities have placed on freshman admissions has also added to the higher enrollment numbers. “The increase in student
enrollment can perhaps also be attributed to the economic downturn, including the high rate of unemployment which has traditionally resulted in more residents seeking to upgrade skills, pursue training or a degree in order to better equip themselves to compete in the global marketplace once the economy improves,” Dean Harrison said. According to Barbara Alfonso, the Community Education
GO TO ENROLLMENT, PAGE 2
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September 17, 2008
NEWS
College celebrates March on Washington Shelby Contreras Staff Writer Two of the most historical and monumental events in American history were commemorated Saturday, September 6, 2008. The Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center was behind the celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the March on Washington (1963-2003) and Dr. Martin Luther Kingʼs Historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Thanks to a grant from the
Florida Humanities Council, the gathering took place at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Avenue. This event, which was open and free to the public, began at 11 a.m. with breakfast and introductions. Executive director of the Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center and event coordinator, H. Leigh Toney, made her opening remarks before Dr. Joaquin Willis introduced the keynote speaker. Master theologian Dr. Dwight N. Hopkins from the University of Chicago Divinity School
Provided by smugmug.com BLACK CHURCH EVOLUTION: H. Leigh Toney presents the discussion panel.
talked to the audience about the Black Liberation Theology. Dr. Hopkinsʼ discussion revolved around the history of Black Liberation Theology (which began in the 1960ʼs) and the significant impact it has on Black Americans. “It brings together pain and pleasure, sacred and secular, heart and head,” said Dr. Hopkins. After Dr. Hopkinsʼ lecture, the event schedule continued at noon with the panel discussing “Scratching Beyond the Surface: Liberation Theology and its Appeal to Black America.” The group of panelists consisted of Rev. Dr. Joaquin Willis, an MDC adjunct professor; Dr. Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado, University of Miami professor; and Rev. Mark Gardner, pastor of the Northside Church of God. Dr. Maldonado was asked to share her personal reflections concerning the topic and lecture. “I want to break the stereotype that Black and Latino are exclusive,” she said. “You define yourself by your relationships with others.” Gardner emphasized the religious aspect of Black Liberation Theology during the open discussion. “Iʼm impressed with the idea that we are all created in the image of God,” said Gardner. Dr. Willis discussed the importance of not being restrained by definitions. “Because we are letting the
Provided by smugmug.com SINGING CELEBRATION: The choir from the Peaceful Zion Missionary Church sing at the 45th anniversary of the march on Washington.
identity of where we came from define us, we are forgetting where we are,” he said. “Many of our Liberal Churches are teaching from the Miami Herald and not the gospel.” After the panelʼs response to Dr. Hopkins and the questions and answers panel, Toney handed out certificates from Miami Dade College to each panelist. Of the estimated 120 attendants, 25 members of the audience are members of Peaceful Zion church as well as Miami Dade College students. “[It was] absolutely great,
I didnʼt know what to expect,” said religious studies major Robyn Preston in regards to the discussions. At 1 p.m. the Mass Choir of the Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church performed, and Film Screening of the Martin Luther King “I Have a Dream” Documentary was scheduled. According Toney, this event was a connection between college and community and was meant to provide intellectual resources and opportunities to those involved. Toney hopes the event will be held annually.
Administration takes measures to alleviate enrollment increase North Campus students feeling
pinch of state budget cuts
FROM ENROLLMENT, FRONT PAGE department chairperson, there has been an increase of students in Spanish, childcare, healthcare, digital photography, and workforce education noncredit programs, to name a few. The GED program went from 144 students last fall to 489 this term. “I think part of it is that people want to acquire new skills,” she said. “The economy is a little unstable.” Georgette Perez, the director at the New Student Center, said that adjustments were made at the testing center for the larger population. “[The testing center] recently increased their evening operation hours twice a week to accommodate evening students,” she said. The computer courtyard, which has a 500 computer facility, has also been affected by the influx of students. “The increase has affected the courtyard in that we have many more students to assist with assignments and questions,” said computer courtyard director Carmen Bucher. “We are also continually full
throughout most of the morning to afternoon.” Campus officials said students can take several measures to alleviate the overcrowdedness. As for long lines at the academic advisement and financial aid departments, dean Harrison said that students should not procrastinate. “Proactive planning is a must in that regard,” she said, “I implore our students to take care of the business of registering and applying for financial aid early.” As for the parking issue, dean Harrison said the campus has more than enough parking, even if students may have to walk more sometimes to get to their classes. “Itʼs good exercise first and foremost, and all distances around campus are relatively short,” she said. The population growth also will be helped with the two newly renovated cafés in buildings three and seven, as well as the remodeled building four cafeteria, according to dean Harrison. “The campus is responsive, proactive and well aware of our enrollment growth,” she said.
Roy Frenkiel Staff Writer
Saddled with $13.7 million in state budget cuts for 20072008, Miami Dade College North Campus faces additional reductions of $7.2 million for 2008-2009, according to campus president Jose Vicente. Several areas at the North Campus are being affected as the college faces state withdrawals that could linger, according to campus president Dr. Vicente. “We should be experiencing [the budget crunches] for the next two to three years,” he said. In recent years, the campus has planned and sustained a number of remodeling and maintenance projects to develop the collegeʼs infra-structure. Because of the heavy cuts, 45 percent of the budget for such projects has been withdrawn, and renovation has taken a 30 percent hit to its expected expenses, said Dr. Vicente. Aside from infra-structure, the economic restrains are also affecting the staff, the students and the community. For students receiving financial aid enrolled in the work
study program, the wages came down from $7 an hour to $6.75, according to Ezechiel Dezine, a business major who works as a clerk at the North Campus library. “Financial aid pays for school,” said Dezine, “but my pay cut has made it more difficult for me to afford my personal expenses, like bus rides and food.” Other measures include a fulltime staff hiring freeze. The students at the North Campus have already seen a few of the regular yearly events vanish from the agenda. Altogether, the campus president said that there has been a five percent decrease in such gatherings. “Last year, for instance,” said Vicente, “we did not have our regular jazz concert, which we probably wonʼt be able to have this year, either, or the childrenʼs holiday, only we are planning to bring it back in 2009.” Dr. Vicente has also said that these are not the only cuts expected for the next months. “We are also anticipating an additional two budget cuts during the course of this academic year,” said the campus president. “Itʼs a big challenge for our institution.” According to Dr. Vicente, the
administration is still trying to ensure that students are better served by not applying limited acceptance rules such as those upheld by the University of Florida and Florida International University administrations. “We are making it a priority to keep our doors open to continue to accept and serve all of our students,” Dr. Vicente said. The state budget cuts destined to education were set after a long deliberation process by the governorʼs office at the beginning of the year. Florida governor Charlie Christ has recommended at the time that $182 million should be cut from education, after the state legislature found that $1 billion needed to be reduced from the state budget. His same proposal suggested a $330 million increase in prisons and correction centers infrastructure. For the next two to three years all educational institutes are expected to face rough economic times. “This is not happening only at our institution,” Vicente said, “but all over Florida, and we are looking forward for the day we can reduce tuition fees and get the school back to its regular track.”
September 17, 2008
NEWS
Student Life welcomes students By Daphnie St. Louis Staff Writer The Student Life department welcomed back North Campus students by hosting the variety shop and fun day. The variety shop was held Sept. 2 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Students were provided with gifts and snacks to eat, while listening to the sounds of Hip hop, R&B, Pop, Reggae, konpa, Reggae ton, and salsa music played by D.J. Neptune. Over 200 students attended the functions. “I like the variety shop, it displays the true diversity that MDC students have culturally, [and] it offers something for everyone,” said Lucreta Ventura, a nursing student. “ I think that the variety shop is a great way to welcome students,” said Kristin
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Dillard, a business major. “I love all of the free activities they have available for us all.” The Fun Day was held on September 3, 2008 at 11am-1pm. “Both events were basically to welcome back students to school and helping them relieve some stress by participating in different activities and having fun,” said Lorraine Wright, the assistant student programming board coordinator at Student Life. Wright said the event also serves another purpose. “These events are also to inform students of certain upcoming activities that will be coming up throughout the semester,” she said. These events include the pizza shop, cotton candy day, ice cream shop, pink ribbon day, and club rush.
Free trips to Israel for Jews 18-27 years old. Kabbalah and other Jewish classes, some accredited, and Shabbat dinners available. Join us for Rosh Hashanah services, no charge! For more information, call (305) 770-1919, or visit our websites: www.Unshul.com, www.jliflorida.com, or www.chabadchayil.org.
In Short...
By Laura C. Morel Editor in Chief
Book Fair to present official poster The Miami Book Fair International board of directors will be presenting this yearʼs official poster for the fair Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The annual event will take place at the Texas de Brazil restaurant in Miami Beach, 300 Alton Road, Suite 200. Other
plans for the Book Fair will also be announced. The 25th annual Book Fair will begin Nov. 9-16 at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2 Avenue. For more information regarding this event, visit www.miamibookfair.com.
Crime Watch hosts event on campus Miami Dade College North Campusʼ Crime Watch program will be participating during Public Safety Week, which will be held Sept. 22-26. Hialeah Police Department commander Raleigh Flowers, Jr. will speak regarding Crime Watch Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. A gang violence presentation will also be
shown at the MJ Taylor Lounge. Assistant state attorney Kionne L. McGhee will be speaking about dating violence in the quiet dining room on Sept. 23 at 10:15 a.m. For more information, contact the North Campusʼ public safety department at (305) 237-1100.
Events held in September for students For the remaining part of September, the Student Life department at Miami Dade College North Campus will be hosting several events that are open for students. Sept. 18. from 12-1 p.m.: The Student Life cotton candy shop will be available
for students. Sept. 23. from 5:30-6 p.m.: Ice cream will be offered to evening students. Sept. 29, all day: Free popcorn for student body. For more information, contact the Student Life department at (305) 237-1250.
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ENTERTAINMENT rs
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September 17, 2008
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Five Miami artists aim for success Emerson Fertil Staff Writer
1. Brisco:
From Opa-locka, Brisco belongs to Poe Boy Music Group and is the newest artist on Cash Money Records. There is not a place where his songs like “Just Know Dat,” “Iʼm in the Hood,” “Opa-locka,” “Fresh Out,” “Yayo,” have not been played. Because of his overall popularity and recognition, this is why Brisco got the number one spot of the top five up and coming artists in Miami.
2. Ballgreezy:
Originally born in the area of Overtown, he spent most of his time in Little Haiti. Ballgreezy is signed to Iconz Music Group. With his smash hit “Shone,” Ballgreezy has brought back the term “shone” in full effect. Ballgreezy hit the music charts with “Shone” and “Position.” Ballgreezy has a new mixtape called “Before Da Deal” that you can download from his page at www.myspace.com/ballgreezy305.
3. Ice
Berg: Hailing from Miami, Ice Berg is a member of the “Dunk Ryders.” Since very early, Ice Berg has been hitting the rap game hard with his freestyles. He is signed to Cash Money Records and with his popularity spreading at a rapid fire pace, people are noticing that this rapper has talent and will make it big in the music industry. Ice Berg not only does freestyles, but he also has his own songs like “On and On.”
La Trama: Inspiration through a difficult Argentinian childhood Evelina Arzanova Staff Writer
From Aug. 28 through Sept. 21, Claudia Cogo, an Argentinean artist, will be presenting her collection of paintings from a series called La Trama, inside the MDC Tower Theater in Little Havana. Claudia Cogo grew up in Argentina, where she studied English, French, and a wide variety of other subjects. However, she could not help but inherit her fatherʼs passion for beautiful art. Osvaldo Cogo was a painter who never realized his dreams. No matter how much her father refused to teach her his gift of art, Cogo did not give up on her aspirations. By age 20, Cogo began to sketch during her free time and by age 25, she realized that her true passion rested on painting. Cogo dedicated her life to art, but unfortunately, her father did not live long enough to see his daughterʼs art. However, in order to keep her fatherʼs memory alive, Cogo said that she adopted her fatherʼs way of signature and imitates it in her art. When first asked to explain what La Trama stands for, Cogo was hesitant to answer. After a deep breath and a small pause she looked up and began to define La Trama. “It is a very delicate subject,” Cogo said. “I would recover from one sickness, then go to school and come back home ill again.” Cogo explained that while growing up in Argentina, she used to get sick very often as a kid. Going from one illness to another, at the age of six, she became extremely ill, in which her entire body was covered with red spots, similar to chickenpox. While lying down in her bedroom with a really high fever, she kept opening and closing her eyes, seeing red dots floating
Courtesy of MDC Media Relations
in the ceiling light. Once she began painting, she recalled those sick days and incorporated those images into her art. Cogo said that she began one of the first paintings by dropping paint on the fabric, and then she filled the spaces up one dot at a time, creating an image. From there on, she simply draws bits and pieces of an object, as if she is dreaming about it. One of her most famous paintings is “El Angel,” which is a picture of a woman lifting her head up, in order to be closer to a “greater force.” “The colors are great, the patterns are awesome. I have never actually seen something like this before,” said Chris Laudys, a nursing major. Cogo has a number of paintings with an equal expression of a woman, and for a very long time, she could not understand why she kept drawing that specific figure. A couple of years later, Cogo won an art contest and received a trip to France as a gift. During the course of her trip, she
stopped by Italy and went to the plaza of Spain where she saw Berniniʼs sculpture of St. Teresa who appeared to be in the same position as the women that Claudia has been painting for many years. “You always have a motive to paint, but you donʼt always know why,” Cogo said. What once was a tyranny and a memory of nothing but sorrow growing up, became an inspiration and a great success through Cogoʼs art. Cogo is a well rounded artist, but La Trama will always remain close to her heart. For now, Cogo plans to reside in Miami, because she is amazed by the various colors that our nature holds. She also plans to use her painting called “El Blanco, El Negro, y Las Flores Dultas” to represent Argentina on a two-day exhibition, in which ten different countries will be competing. It seems as if no matter how old you are or where you come from, Cogoʼs paintings seem to bring up equal emotions of amazement from most.
Action movie races to the big screen Daniel Masip Movie Review
4. Billy Blue: From North Miami, Billy
Death Race (3 out of 5 rating)
Blue has been pounding the billboard charts really hard and fast. He is a new artist on the music scene and because of this, big record label executives are interested in his exclusive rights. Billy Blue is signed to Poe Boy Music Group and his manager is Big Chuck. Billy Blue has hit the streets with songs like “Ball Like A Dog,” “Get Like Me,” “When You Hood You Good,” “Million Dollar Man,” and “G Code.”
5. Desloc Piccalo: Residing in the
area of Overtown, Desloc Piccalo has been a name that has been heard of in Miami. Desloc Piccalo records music for Loc & Grind Entertainment and is now on SRC Universal as well. He hit the hip-hop industry with “Viben,” “Sticken Again,” and “Stick & Roll.” Piccalo has been rapping since the 90ʼs in the music video for “Picture on a TShirt.” Desloc Piccalo is number five of the top five up and coming artists in Miami, FL. Provided by www.comingsoon.net
Dangerous convicts. Attractive women navigators. Explosive mayhem at every corner. Death Race is a film to see before it reaches the finish line. Unlike its 1975 satirical predecessor Death Race 2000, Universal Studios and director Paul W.S. Anderson made this remake in a darker tone. In a chaotic future of the United States, Jensen Ames (Jason Statham, The Italian Job) is framed for his familyʼs murder in order to take the place of the crowd-pleasing racer known as “Frankenstein.” Lead by the heartless Terminal Island warden Hennessey (Joan Allen, The Bourne Supremacy), Ames (a.k.a. “Frankenstein”) must win his freedom back by racing against “Machine Gun” Joe (Tyrese Gibson, Transformers)
and six other drivers in this sadistic game named “Death Race.” Death Race can be said to be a film where Mad Max meets The Fast and the Furious, since there is drag racing combined with “killer” outcomes. By some critics, this motion picture did not live up to hype of being a late summer blockbuster. “Itʼs a remake toned and dumbed down for modern tastes, or lack thereof,” said Steve Persall, a Miami Herald movie critic who reviewed the film. Whether or not one agrees with Persallʼs opinion, Death Race is a movie to watch for the action-fueled fan. Nathan Lee, a New York Times film critic, could not agree more. “No fancy talk here, just solid, monosyllabic obscenities,” Lee said. “No flights of digital fancy, just souped-up monster cars flipping end over end in a napalm blaze and crashing in a crunch of flaming metal ouch.”
September 17, 2008
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OPINION
2009 could be a year of hope for Cuba Anahi Cortada Managing Editor
G
orki Aguila is an antirevolutionary punk rocker tried last month in Cuba on charges of “social dangerousness,” but the authoritiesʼ real concern was Gorkiʼs direct attacks on the Communist system that controls the island Fidel Castro and his brother Raul. Years ago, Gorki would have ended up dead or with a prison sentence longer than his age (39) for his declared opposition. However, this time he only paid a fine of 600 pesos and he is on the streetsagain spreading his rebellious music. Should we thank the new administration lead by Raul for such a change? Many Cubans thought that when Raul replaced his brother in February of 2008, Cuba was going to move toward change. However, the government has done nothing to solve the adversities Cubans have encountered for 49 years and that are still part of their lives today. Cubans have become experts at making lines. The saddest lines are those waiting for public transportation. Bus stops are always packed and when relief seems to appear, after hours of standing in the sun, many buses do
not stop because they are full. Is it really unconceivable for Cubans to dream of a simple scene of driving their own car? And children might not think of this as a big issue, but they do know how sad it is to wear tennis shoes with holes to school while the kids whose parents are officials of the government wear Reeboks and Nikes. What about food? Forget about milk in the morning. That is a luxury. Supposedly, Cubans have the Libreta de Abastecimiento (supplies booklet) that provides the rations each member of a household is allowed to buy monthly. But these rations are not enough to satisfy the populationʼs basic needs and then you find many eating boiling water with a clove of garlic and salt as a substitute for soup. The frustration many Cubans have faced while dealing with such desperate situations has led many to almost committing atrocities. A close friend of my family, confessed once to my mother how she had thought of killing her son and then herself because they did not have food to eat. This woman said she was so desperate that she thought of death as her only alternative. But this is not an outdated story. This is still a reality and the hopelessness is greater after the destruction caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The little these Cubans had, which was a thatched roof and wooden walls that held their homes, is gone. And worse of all, there is no hope of getting it back.
Provided by AOL Latino DEADLY DESTRUCTION: After the hurricane passes, Cubans walk over debris of houses and buildings.
THE F FALCON ALCON TIMES 11380 N.W. 27 Avenue, Room 4209 Miami, FL 33167 (305) 237-1253 (305) 237-1254 Fax: (305) 237-8262
Editorial Board Editor in Chief Laura C. Morel Managing Editor Anahi Cortada Greg T Torrales Advertising Manager inment Editor Daniel Masip Entertainment Opinion Editor Erik Steinhardt Features Editor Jessica Tejeda
Staff Provided by www.procubalibre.org REBEL ROCKER: Gorki wearing his antirevolutionary T-shirt proclaiming that ‘59 is the year of the mistake.
And what is the government doing? Selling the donations in the stores and leaving the needy with crumbs? And people dare to say that changes have happened because Gorki was not imprisoned? Of course there has not been any great or genuine change in Cuba. The Cuban government saw itself entangled with this situation because of the economic crisis they are going through for international assistance is needed to survive. But Gorki will keep facing the same repression from the government and the survivors of the hurricanes will keep praying for three wooden panels to improvise a place to live. There are no plans for changing the precarious situation in which Cubans live in and their thoughts and discontent must still remain hidden, as must the pleas of their needs. But Gorkiʼs situation is unique because it is the first time that a Cuban criticizes the system so openly and in such a crude way in the last five decades. Could this be the beginning of a new phase on the island? Gorki is more than right with the message of his T-shirts that says ʼ59 is the year of the mistake. We can only hope that ʼ09 is the year of a real revolution.
Evelina Arzanova Lauren Bernal Emerson Fertil Daphnie St. Louis Roy Frenkiel Shelby Contreras Julie Selva
Manolo Barco
Adviser
The Falcon Times is published by the students of Miami Dade College North Campus. Decisions regarding content are made by student editors.The opinions in this newspaper do not necessarily represent those of the administration, faculty, or the student body.
Advertising Information For ad information, contact Advertising Manager Greg Torrales at (786) 237- 8414, or gregoryj.torrales001@mymdc. net. Letters to the Editor
? k n i h T u o Y o D t a
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Gloria Cardoba Nursing Major “I think he would be a very good leader.”
Photos and interviews by David OʼConnor
Barack Obama
Keysha Newell Kelly MacLean Journalism Major Education Major “His foreign policy is “I’m impressed by his “I think he’s the best perfar too naive. His social proposal to reform healthson to run for President policy, while progressive, care, especially for those so far. Hopefully, he can isn’t reason to vote for who need it the most.” send the troops home.” him” Steve Mateo Vocational Student
The Falcon Times welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions should be 300 words or less and must be typed. The writer must sign their full name, phone number, address, student number, and e-mail address on the letter in order to be considered. Faculty and staff should include the title, department, and extension. All letters are subject to editing. Letters can be sent via e-mail to thefalcontimes@hotmail. com, with the subject “letter to the editor.” Corrections Geraldine Toussaint was partially misquoted in the Aug. 27 issue in the story titled “E-mails are the wave of the future at the college.” She did not say “...but I personally donʼt do so.” The Falcon Times regrets this mistake.
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OPINION
September 17, 2008
The world of politics can be a funny thing Erik Steinhardt Opinion Editor
B
oth party conventions are through. The nominees have accepted their presidential tickets. The balloons have dropped, and the candidates have bowed out of the second act. The country is finally settling into this weird experience we believe should be called the Presidential Election. Politics are a funny thing. Seriously though, politicians are hilarious. They make empty statements based on what they think the majority want to hear. Once elected, they go about their own (or their parties) political agendas and sort of forget what promises they made to the American people. Okay, so this is not as funny as it should be. But in the defense of politics and politicians, no one really takes them all that seriously anyway. How could we? The Republican National Convention was filled with claims that here in America, we value small town values. They said that in America, we value our mayors much more than we do our own community organizers. Here in America, we value the mavericks of change who say no to earmarks, porkbarrel spending and other such nonsense By Akeem Mayers
This is why I will cast my vote as a democrat in the 2008 election. Call it fear, call it hope, or call it downright stupidity. My fear is that we no longer live in a democratic nation where the people elect their leader. that is “wasting taxpayersʼ money.” Oh yes, of course taxpayersʼ money is better spent in a far-off nation for the next “hundred years,” which is exactly what John McCain has agreed to do in Iraq. Is it just me or is sewage repair, a youth shelter, and a transportation hub the complete opposite of wasteful spending? These are a few things that Sarah Palin did for her small town in Alaska while she was mayor. Everything about Palin screams a great pick for McCain. Maybe not so much McCain of the past, but certainly McCain of the ʻIʼve given up all my ideals to appease the party that once feared and loathed meʼ present.
She holds all of the values that small town America wants to see. She is the mother of five children, the governor of Alaska, and a self-proclaimed agent of change. One such change is the extinction of polar bears. I know what you may be thinking, “Oh no, not another global warming nut on his organic soap box again.” Well, yes, but not entirely. I donʼt mean to say that her approval of oil drilling in Alaska gets on my nerves. But Palinʼs attempt to “sue to challenge the recent listing of polar bears as a threatened species,” is a little unnerving. In a report by the Anchorage Daily News (ADN), they quoted Palin as saying,
“there is not enough evidence to support a listing.” The ADN has also made the claim that “she and other Alaska elected officials fear a listing will cripple oil and gas development in prime polar bear habitat off the stateʼs northern and northwestern coasts.” When I first read that, my blood began to boil. To ignore overwhelming evidence by a collective group of scientists and most big oil companies, as well as a majority of concerned citizens is downright ignorant. It only shows that Palinʼs own political agenda is one tracked and skewed in favor of a party that is certainly prepared for change in the worse form. But this is not a problem for Republicanʼs. No, they will continue to rally behind a pair of “mavericks” who have no problem “changing” their ideology to better suit the greater good of their country, or in this case, their partisan politics. This is why I will cast my vote as a democrat in the 2008 election. Call it fear, call it hope, or call it downright stupidity. My fear is that we no longer live in a democratic nation where the people elect their leader. My hope is that we do. The stupidity of it all is that my fears and hopes will probably be shattered by the possible fact that this is a bipartisan political system with no hope for redemption. In this year of our lord, 2008, the pigs will play; the truth shall never be told, and we the people will pay.
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September 17, 2008
FEATURES ista.
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Student finds purpose through 9/11
Haircuts can be part of fashion, too Lauren Bernal Columnist
B
eing fashionable embraces more than just the clothes and accessories you sport, it also includes the way you wear your hair. You donʼt have to have locks like Denise Richards to have beautiful hair in your own way. Here at the North Campus I am constantly hearing some of the female students speaking about how they want to drastically transform their hair to the same looks that some celebrities have, such as Katie Holmesʼ short bob, or Ashlee Simpsonʼs red color. My feedback to these risky changes would be to listen to your hair. You know what looks best with your hair type, and complexion. Also, keep in mind cuts and styles that are easy to maintain and do yourself, because not everyone has a professional stylist doing their hair every morning. According to Marie Claire Magazine, you should always use the shape of your face as a tool when choosing a haircut. Oval shapes look good with generally every haircut, longer faces look best with any cut that doesnʼt drag the face down, such as short layers and angles around your face. When it comes to round faces, try keeping the hair lengthy or any style that elongates the face. If you donʼt have long hair, donʼt be afraid of trying extensions. Square faces look best with haircuts that soften the strong bone structure such as long layers and soft waves. Those with heart shaped faces usually have a more defined chin, making soft bangs the best choice to bring more attention to the eyes. For all you gentlemen out there, keep it simple. No more blowouts, Mohawks, or frosting of the tips, those styles are way too over rated. GQ magazine suggests a simple fade like Chris Brown, if you are looking for a low maintenance cut. If youʼre a guy with thick, curly hair like Shia Labeouf, keep the length about an inch long, and maintain a sleek and shiny look with a small amount of pomade (Bed Head B for Men “In check “cream, $15). According to Vogue, a few of the many hair styles we will be seeing this season include short hairdos such as the ones Rihanna and Hayden Panetiere have been seen modeling, side swept bangs like Kirsten Dunst, and accessories such as feathered head bands and barrettes are becoming exceedingly popular. So feel free to have fun with the curling iron, and donʼt worry about retiring the straightener; at least for this season.
Photos provided by Pablo Arzola, Jr FIGHT FOR AMERICA: (Above) Arzola (third from left) with two of his friends from his days in Iraq. (Below) Arzola as he completed his 10-month tour in Iraq.
Jessica Tejeda Features Editor
The day started out like any other Tuesday, no different from the day before. It wasnʼt until exactly 8:46 a.m. that the world witnessed one of the most devastating and tragic events to date in history. The terrorist attacks that occurred that early morning on September 11, 2001 impacted the world. Needless to say, this tragedy gave many people a cause to defend their country and enlist in the armed forces. Pablo Arzola, Jr. is one of them. Arzola, Jr., now 24, remembers 9/11 like it happened yesterday. “I was in high school and I remember my teacher walking in,” he said. “I will never forget his [facial] expression, he turned the TV on and told us what had just happened.” As he and his peers were watching the news coverage in
their class, the second hijacked plane crashed into the north tower. “That day changed my life forever and my best friends and I decided to enlist in the Marines to be on the front lines,” he said. Arzola completed a 10month tour in Iraq and returned to the United States in January 2005. During his time in Iraq, he said he saw unimaginable
things that changed his life forever. “What truly impacted me there was that you had to mature really quick, there is definitely no one babying you,” said Arzola. Arzola said he met many new friends in his experiences. “As miserable the experience was at times, I would repeat it all over again if I had the same people around me again,” he
said. While in Iraq, Arzola had many of his own close encounters with death. He and his friends tried to enjoy every small moment to lift their spirits and make the time spent in Iraq less intense. “What we looked forward to most was celebrating birthdays,” Arzola said. “It was a time for us to just get together and really enjoy our time.” Arzola is now enrolled in the School of Justice for law enforcement and is expected to graduate Oct. 31. He said he is looking forward to working for the City of Miami as a police officer. But he has one more obstacle to cross before he is able to settle down. In January 2009, Arzola will be reactivated and sent to Afghanistan to complete another tour. “Itʼs just something I have to do,” he said. “When I come back Iʼll continue with my profession in law enforcement.”
A Thousand Words
Provided by lacccenter.org
Hurricane Ike, Gustav and Hanna ravaged through Haiti in recent weeks, killing hundreds of people. (Left) survivors of one of the storms try to navigate through muddy waters. The Student Life department at Miami Dade College North Campus is accepting canned goods that will be donated to the Caribbean Islands.