Volume IV, Issue 1
INSIDE:
NH Gay Marriage Repeal Bill
New!
THE GAVEL
has become BC ’s only
magazine!
6 Common
Superbowl XLVI: Media Spectacle
The Blunt Truth: a look at marijuana
Mistakes in Understanding the Market
Junior Year
housing system: Calling for a reform
We’re a magazine! Dear Reader, We are pleased that up have picked up the latest issue of The Gavel and hope that you enjoy what you are reading! Gavel Media has embarked on a new phase in our journey, transitioning from a newsprint edition to the campus’s only monthly print magazine. If you are as excited as we are about the transition, we’d love to hear about it. Just send us an email at bcgavel@gmail.com. If you’re interested in writing, business operations or video production, please email me personally at lende@ bc.edu. As always, the website is still in full swing, with daily updates Monday through Friday. Make sure to check out our online content at bcgavel.com. We are the only media source on campus that is dedicated to exclusive online content. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible: to Kaylin Walker, A&S ‘12, our Design Director who made the magazine look so good; to the wonderful Editorial Board for all of your hard work and dedication; to the Business Department for keeping track of finances and promotion; finally to Campus Progress and the Institute of Liberal Arts at Boston College for your financial support and encouragement! Happy reading, Mason S. Lende, Editor-in-Chief
Editoral Board
Video Department
MASON LENDE, Editor-in-Chief ROB ROSSI, Managing Editor OLIVIA SIMONE, Print Manager JASMINE UDUMA, News Editor MEIDEMA SANCHEZ, Assoc. News Editor GEENA DEROSE, Assoc. News Editor CAL GREENE III, Features Editor ALLISON RICCATO, Assoc. Features Editor MAGGIE LAWRENCE, Culture Editor JENNA LACONTE, Assoc. Culture Editor JILLIAN TIMKO, Assoc. Culture Editor KENNY ST. JOHN, Opinions Editor JONATHAN DAME, Assoc. Opinions Editor FRANK RIZZO, Assoc. Opinions Editor YANIRA REVAN, Copy Editor MARION HALFTERMEYER, Copy Editor SOFIA MARTINEZ, Photo Editor KAYLIN WALKER, Design Director
MEGHANA KUTHYAR, Video Manager LAUREN REVER, Ass’t Video Manager KATIE YAO, Ass’t Video Manager
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Business and Operations
CHRISTIAN FIEDLER, Finance Director ARUEM SHIN, Marketing Director TAYLOR MCELDOWNEY, Marketing Director DAPHNE WANG, Advertising Director GABBY MYASKOVSKAYA, Ass’t Advertising Director KIAH STERLING, Ass’t Advertising Director Cover Art by Cal Greene III
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www.bcgavel.com the GAVEL / February 2012
February
The Gavel / February 2012 / Volume IV, Issue 1
Table of Contents News 04 4
College students more liberal, less politically active
emerge from new book by JFK 5 Details mistress 6 The Blunt Truth 9 Facebook plans historic IPO move common mistakes in understanding 10 Six the market
13 Opinions
13 MBTA measures unfair, target bottom 1 % 14 State of the Union 15 Obama & the oil pipline year housing system: Reslife 16 Junior needs to revise and reform 17
Komen plays politics, plays with women’s health in the process
case for tolerance, and why it is 18 The better than acceptance Share Aliance comes to BC to rally 19 Fair support
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Editorials 20 20 Early athletic departures a troubling trend
21 GOP candidates: transparency lacking
Features 22 22 NH Gay Marriage Repeal Bill
24 The future of the Occupy movement 26 What we can learn from the Boston Celtics 27 Stuff BC Likes: The Weekend Rager 28 Beer Review
Culture 30 30
The media spectacle of Super Bowl XLVI
in your Netflix Que? Downtown 32 What’s Abbey meets Venetian: Isabella 33 Modern Steward Gardner Museum 34 Boston College Theater: Doubt, a parable 35 The Hunger Games: a must-read 36 The Oscars 2012 37 Upcoming concert watch 38 A Tribute to Whitney 3
College students more liberal, less politically active By Itzel Ayala
gavel media staff
Post anything on Twitter or Facebook and the social implications are instantaneous. In less than one second, a large network of friends and contacts can know exactly what you’re doing, where you’re doing it and with whom you’re doing it with. The protests in Libya were accompanied by a quick and steady flow of information, made possible by social network websites. Why then are college students becoming less politically active with greater access to information and news? It can be argued that most social networking posts are mundane. The majority of people write about their relationships, provide updates on trips and vacations, or comment about work and school. There is also the occasional boast. Most college students use social networking as a way to give a play-byplay of their weekend plans –that is when they aren’t busy filling their profiles with videos of adorable kittens or babies eating lemons. According to a recent study by Cooperative Institutional Research Program at UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute., students are tak-
ing more liberal views on social issues such as abortion, immigration laws, same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana. However they are participating less in political activity that is affiliated with their views. This decrease in political activity is not a recent phenomenon. It has been a steady decline in participation. Each election seems to elicit fewer votes than the last. Recent UCLA polling of college students showed that while approximately 50 percent regularly watch the news, an overwhelming 78 percent have not participated in a protest. Although students are taking advantage of readily available news sources, they are less willing to be active participants. More students are claiming their reasons for pursuing a higher education are job concerns, and with an emphasis on searching for jobs, college students are more likely to be looking for experiences to put on their resumes than participating in political protests. This is especially true since the job market is so competitive and students are considering what professional fields will be a stable means of employment.
Did you know... During the Vietnam War, one of the major catalysts to end the war was student protests. Thousands of students nationwide were participating in “Teach Ins” to mirror the “Sit Ins” during the Civil Rights Movement. The Teach Ins were a form of protest that involved students being educated about the war in Vietnam and what they believed to be the evils of corporate America.
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At the University of California, Berkeley students have protested the increases in tuition. About 40 student protestors were arrested and the university regents enacted a new rule. “No tents, no sleeping, period,” it stated. It isn’t only protests that students are refraining from. Compared to the late 60’s and the Vietnam War, students’ participation in politics has dropped significantly. In the 1960’s, according to past UCLA polling, more than 60 percent of the freshmen surveyed stayed updated on politics, followed the news, and discussed politics frequently. In 1999, freshmen were asked the same question and only 17 percent responded that they followed politics and news. Approximately 5 percent less freshman volunteered at the election poll, compared to the past 40 years. Since 2002, the number of students who identify themselves as conservative or “far right” and the number of students who identify as “far left” has increased. There is no link that suggests that leaning to the left of the political spectrum would result in decreased political action.
When President Nixon invaded Cambodia in the Spring of 1970 after promising to end the war in Vietnam, it sparked even more protests. Shortly after, four student protestors were shot and killed by police officers at Kent State University, leaving nine others injured. This led to one of the largest national strikes during the Vietnam War and to the shutting down of over 500 colleges and universities.
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the GAVEL / February 2012
By Jasmine Uduma News Editor
Details emerge from new book by JFK mistress Mimi Alford, a former intern in the JFK White House, has released details from her soon to come memoir about her life and her affair with the president. Now a 69-year-old grandmother, Alford discusses in her book, Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath, her 18-month-long affair with the President of the United States as a teenage White House intern. Kennedy is said to have carried on numerous White House affairs during his presidency, including an alleged alliance with Hollywood starlet, Marilyn Monroe. Alford, pictured above right in a 1963 portrait, recounts her several personal moments with the president: how she lost her virginity to him, his tears after the death of his newborn son, and the terrifying drama of the Cuban Missile Crisis. She quotes President Kennedy as saying “I’d rather my children red, than dead.” She claims that their affair started in the summer of 1962, when she was 19, less than half the age of Kennedy. It “never occurred to her” to resist the advances of a married man.The fact that I was being desired by the most famous and powerful man in America only amplified my feelings to the point where resistance was out of the question. That’s why I didn’t say no to the president,” she wrote. He was killed the following year by an assassin’s bullet at the age of 46. Once she had completed her stint at the press office of the White House, Alford returned to Wheaton College in Massachusetts. She further as-
serts that President Kennedy, would sometimes call her dorm under the pseudonym,“Michael Carter.” While back at Wheaton, she thought she was pregnant and told the president’s adviser, Dave Powers. With the high potential threat of a crippling scandal (abortion also illegal in 1962). Powers put her in touch with a woman who had a contact for a doctor. In the end, it was a false alarm. The last time she saw Kennedy was on November 15, 1963, a week before he was assassinated in Dallas. Alford’s decision to write the memoir came after being exposed in “a tabloid frenzy” in 2003 when a Kennedy biographer referred to “a 19-year-old… White House intern” as one of his affairs, according to her publisher, Random House.
photo coutesy of Wikimedia Commons
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The Blunt Truth By Meidma Sanchez
assoc. news editor photo coutesy of Wikimedia Commons
Throughout world history, the cannabis plant was used in nations such as China as a medicine by rubbing, ingesting or smoking it for the relief of health issues. However, during the 20th century, many countries changed their perspectives on marijuana use and classified it as an illegal drug. In fact, since the 1930s, the United States government has outlawed its use, considering the plant to be both harmful and addictive. During the past two decades, though, there has been a growing movement in the U.S. to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. As Louis Armstrong, the famous American Jazz musician, once said, “It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics… dope and all that crap. It’s a
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thousand times better than whiskey – it’s an assistant – a friend.” Some of the strongest participants of this movement include those who have used marijuana to relieve their pain resulting from illnesses including cancer and HIV/ AIDS. Currently, 16 states and the District of Colombia permit medical marijuana use. Although state and local authorities cannot prosecute patients using marijuana for medical relief, federal laws still apply making its use within these boundaries difficult. As long as federal laws continue to consider marijuana to be a dangerous drug with no acceptable medicinal value, medical marijuana users are still at risk of being prosecuted by the federal government.
the GAVEL / February 2012
ica! r e m A s s God Ble
Facts about our nation’s past
Benjamin Franklin started one of America’s first paper mills with cannabis, allowing a colonial press free from English control.
Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper. And Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag from hemp. The U.S. Government distributed 400,000 pounds of cannabis seeds to American farmers in 1942 to aid the war effort. Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd, came from the richest hemp-growing family in Kentucky. She was prescribed the leaf after her husband’s assassination. It was legal to pay taxes with hemp in America from 1631 until the early 1800s.
This conflict between federal and state laws has caused marijuana use to be a hotly contested issue. In November, Gov. Christie Gregoire of Washington State and Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island petitioned the federal government to reclassify marijuana as a drug with accepted medical uses. The governors stated the change was necessary so that states which have legalized marijuana for medical purposes can regulate the safe distribution of the drug without risking federal prosecution. This move by Gregoire, a Democrat, and Chafee, a former Republican, added new political zeal to the long-running controversy over the status of marijuana. Their states are among the 16 that currently permit medical marijuana, which have become targets for federal prosecutors. In Novemeber 2010, Californians defeated Proposition 19, a ballot measure that would have legalized both the possession and cultivation of marijuana, and taxed and regulated its use. California had already reduced its penalty for possession. Possession of small amounts of the drug incurred the same penalty as being caught speeding on a freeway. Advocates for Proposition 19 had claimed that if marijuana were legalized, California could raise $1.4 billion in taxes
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Did you know...
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In 1916, the U.S. Government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees need to be cut down. Government studies report that 1 acre of hemp equals 4.1 acres of trees. Plans were in the works to implement such programs. and save valuable law enforcement and prison resources. Attorney General Eric Holder had argued that the government would continue to enforce federal laws against marijuana in California even if they conflicted with state laws. Holder’s prediction proved correct. In October, federal officials warned dozens of marijuana dispensaries throughout California to shut down or face civil and criminal action. About four U.S. attorneys said that they would move against landlords who rented space to storefront operators of medical marijuana dispensaries. Prosecutors suspected these operators of using the state law to cover major for-profit
drug sales. While the Obama administration gave some leeway in terms of medicinal marijuana, the raids on dispensaries and growers by law enforcement agencies continue. The 16 states collectively believe that the system is susceptible to abuse and law-breaking, Marijuana’s use has particularly increased among teenagers in recent years., One out of every 15 high school students smokes marijuana on an almost daily basis, according to a December government report. The figure has reached its highest peak in 30 years. The popularity of marijuana among teenagers is a result of false perception that habitual marijuana use involves little risk of harm. This perception is heavily influenced by a wider familiarity with medical marijuana and less difficulty in obtaining it. It has been proven, though, that marijuana use can have detrimental long-term effects. In 2004, the Office of National Drug Control Policy published an open letter to parents stating the effects of marijuana use on students’ academic success. Frequent marijuana use can deteriorate students’ concentration and ability to retain information, the letter said. The Substance Abuse and Mental 7
photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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Did you know...
Henry Ford’s first Model-T was built to run on hemp gasoline and the car itself was constructed from hemp. On his large estate, Ford was photographed among his hemp fields. The car, ‘grown from the soil,’ had hemp plastic panels whose impact strength was 10 times stronger than steel.
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Health Services Administration’s National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that marijuana use negatively affects teenagers’ grade point average. It reported that in 2005, about 18 percent of students with a past semester grade average of‘D’or lower used marijuana. Only 3.1 percent of students with an ‘A’ average used marijuana. Supporters for the legalization of medical marijuana argue that marijuana is safer than alcohol, both to individuals and society. They believe that marijuana abuses would be resolved by legalization. Overregulation of alcohol in the 1920s failed and led to the speakeasies and corruption. It is now failing with marijuana, the supporters argue. In Colorado, a proposal to legalize the possession of marijuana in small amounts is likely to be on the ballot in November 2012. The proposal urges voters to “regulate marijuana like alcohol.” Medical marijuana is already legal in Colorado, and more than 88,000 residents have medical marijuana cards. To date, marijuana is the only major drug for which the federal government controls the legal research supply, and for which the government requires a special scientific review. The University of Mississippi is the nation’s only federally approved marijuana plantation. Researchers wishing to study marijuana must apply to the National Institute on Drug Abuse to work with the Mississippi marijuana. They must also get approvals from a Public Health Service panel, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Did you know...
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Archaeologists agree that cannabis was among the first crops purposely cultivated by human beings at least over 6,000 years ago, and perhaps more than 12,000 years ago.
the GAVEL / February 2012
plans historic IPO move By Geena De Rose / Assoc. News Editor Wednesday, February 1 Facebook Inc. filed for its initial public offering, which is expected to value the enterprise between $75 and $100 billion. The IPO will occur sometime this spring, likely between April and June with the aim of raising as much as $5 billion. The recent decision to go public has brought about the release of Facebook’s financials. In 2011, the company brought in $3.71 billion in revenue, making a profit of $1 billion. The vast majority of its revenue comes from advertising. Notably, Facebook’s IPO is set to rival Google’s 2004 offering of $1.9 billion which holds the record for the industry. Only Visa Inc., General Motors Co., and AT&T Wireless have had IPOs of more than $10 million. Zuckerberg has expressed his reluctance to make Facebook public in the past, fearing the move would damage the company’s image and culture. He was, however, swayed upon realizing that the company would be required to report its financials by late 2011 due to its size. The decision was then made to reap the benefits of an IPO in the process. Individually, Zuckerberg owns 23 percent of the company.
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With more than 845 million users across the world, Facebook’s IPO promises a windfall to the banks managing the offer. Amongst those potentially managing the deal are Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Goldman Sachs. For its users, the IPO represents a fundamental shift in Facebook’s business structure which has the potential to affect its operations, perception, and direction in the long run. It is clear, however, that the Facebook offering will create waves within the financial and technology sectors regardless of its ability to surpass previously established milestones.
What is an IPO? An IPO is an initial public offering, also called a stock market launch. The IPO marks the first time a company sells its stock to the public. Before the IPO, the company is privately owned, meaning that it is owned by a small number of shareholders or company members but does not participate in stock market exchange. The IPO allows a company to open the sale of stuck to the public, thus becoming publicly owned though the shares sold to its multitude of stockholders. Companies may choose to hold an IPO to raise capital or to become a publicly traded company, thereby increasing its market presence. Many companies employ investment banking.
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By Robert Duggan
BC ALUM, c/o 2011
Since starting my blog analyzing possible investments, I get a lot of questions from others my age interested in getting a piece of the market. The deep misconceptions our generation has about finance and investments can become traps to anyone who is trying to save for the future, or learn about the investment world. These are some of the most common ones.
Six Common Mistakes in Understanding the Market If you are investing, you are gambling. Many people compare investing to gambling, particularly roulette or poker. While it is true that losses occur, and sometimes luck does swing your investments in the short term, the truth is that investing and gambling are too dissimilar to invite a comparison. There is no denying that luck is helpful, even necessary at some point, but that does not mean you simply throw darts to choose your portfolio. The luck needed is similar to the luck needed in finding a job or winning a sports game. Here’s an analogy: did Gerard Phelan get lucky when he caught Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary pass? The answer is yes. He is very lucky that three Miami defenders missed the ball before it got to him. Does that mean he and Doug had no skill involved in that play? Absolutely not. If Phelan had been picking his nose at the 40-yard line, he certainly would not have been lucky. Phelan put himself in a position to be lucky.” That is what investing is about. Doing research and carefully selecting stocks is about putting yourself in position for luck to find you.
Anyone who owns stocks is an investor. This is not always the case. Many people own stocks because they have a gut feeling that the stocks will go up, because Uncle Charlie offered a hot tip at Thanksgiving, or because they like the business model and think it will grow in the future. These people are not investors, they are speculators. There is nothing inherently wrong or evil about speculating as long as the risk that comes with speculating is acknowledged. It also can be an expensive habit. By doing the proper research, investors, are all but assured that in the worst-case scenario, they won’t lose much. Investors buy stocks that are selling at or below their true current value.
Investing is too complex for people who don’t specialize in it. In each of his books, Peter Lynch, a Wall Street heavyweight and investment guru, argued against this. In his opinion, anybody can invest. Some knowledge of accounting and finance is necessary, but that can be acquired. What makes informed investing difficult is that it takes a considerable amount of time commitment and energy. But anyone with the proper time and effort to spare can become a highly successful investor. Although it’s difficult to expect a med-school student to have the time to read the newspaper, much less the quarterly reports for General Electric, there is always a way to invest. Mutual funds and ETFs (exchange traded funds) are an excellent way for people who want to save to do so passively, so long as good funds are chosen.
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the GAVEL / February 2012
You don’t need to understand your investments. A basic understanding of investments is critical to success. Different businesses have different business models, and understanding these differences is crucial in order to make intelligent investments. Without the knowledge of how insurance companies work, how can a decision be made about a good investment in an insurance company which will make money? Here’s another analogy: when watching the high-dive at the Olympics, all of the athletes seem equally amazing. This judgment comes from not understanding the sport and not knowing what to look for. The judges have the competence to rate the athletes because they know what a good dive looks like. They may not be professional divers, but they understand enough to distribute fair scores.
Some companies are always good investments. This is a very dangerous thought. It leads people to believe that some companies are worth paying a high price for, regardless of how well the company is truly doing or what its business is worth. While an established business (like GE) might be worth a little extra because it is unlikely to go bankrupt tomorrow, it would still be foolish to pay $100 for a share if the company only earned $1 per share. Benjamin Graham pointed out that a stock’s attractiveness is a function of its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio (the ratio of stock price to earnings per share). This has been echoed by every successful investor
The best investments are in the market.
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No matter what is happening with the economy, Warren Buffett’s mantra is always true: the best investment is an investment in oneself. While this applies to the whole person it is certainly true in terms of financial situations. Investing in personal financial health and education, will help avoid suffering a real loss. While money may not be the central to life, it is important to be able to pay rent, bills, and eventually support a family. These are a lot easier to handle with an understanding of basic personal finance and how investing works. The best way to enhance an understanding of finance and thereby investing it to invest in personal acquisition of that knowledge by taking some classes on the subject, or going to the library to read about it.
For more from Robert Duggan, visit his weekly blog Filosopher in Phinance at filosopherinphinance.wordpress.com www.bcgavel.com
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Overheard @BC Overheard conversation between two girls in Hillside café… Girl 1: OMG he’s so cute Girl 2: Ugh yea but so not suave. Look! is he wearing carharts? Girl 1: Ugh, yea your right but he is still so cute. Girl 2: Yea but ew! I don’t date outside of my tax bracket Girl 1: OMG Becky you are so stuck up! Girl 2: Well you know what the sexiest bulge on a mans body is right? Girl 1: Haha yea and he’s bulging in all the right places… Girl 2: Eww! No! Get your head out of the gutter! His wallet, and his is pretty slim. Girl 1: Well I’m going after it. Girl 2: Fine just don’t let him take you to a chain restaurant that is how people get salmonella, or HIV or something.
Overheard conversation in line for dinner at McElroy… Boy A: I heard if you get salmonella you get straight A’s. Boy B: Man, I gotta get sick.
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Overheard conversation between a straight guy and his gay roommate at the bus stop near Robsham Theatre… Straight guy: Yo bro, tryna go to MA’s tonight? Gay roommate: Nah, I think I’m going to go downtown. Straight guy: Nice, yea we haven’t been downtown in a while, where you tryna go? Gay roommate: You know a club… Straight guy: Nice which club? Gay roommate: Uhhh well if you want to bring your GF you can come but I don’t think it is your crowd. Straight guy: Dude! You’re going to a gay club? You know I’ll go with you. Gay roommate: Haha umm no homo but you’re a good looking guy, you might be freaked out when everyone is eyeing you up like a $10,000 steak. Straight guy: Dude you are so homophobic, we’re going. I wanna meet middle aged divorcées who are trying to get over their cheating fat ex-husbands. Gay roommate: Hahahaha it never ceases to amaze me how your always on the prowl. Straight guy: Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black. Gay roommate: Racist, nuff said.
Overheard conversation between two “lax bros” in their prep school lax pinnies walking down the hall in Vanderslice to the trash room, while cleaning their 8-man… Lax bro 1: Bruh, why do we have so much random stuff in this room? Lax bro 2: I dunno bruh, we need to stop ordering stuff off of Amazon. Lax bro 1: But bruh you know those two Nerf guns, automatic wine opener and candy dispenser were 100% necessary! Lax bro 2: Hahaha, I know man but we don’t have any space and we cant keep stuffing things in the closet. Overheard conversation between two girls who were feeling kind of fat after winter break… Girl 1: Love your body week is over, time to go to the Plex! Girl 2: Ugh I know. I ate so much over break. I know matzo balls have carbs but I love my gram-gram’s soup! Girl 1: Come on you know what they say, “Food doesn’t taste as good as skinny feels!” Overheard conversation in the theatre department green room… Girl A: Our professor isn’t here, but we’re watching a video instead. Girl B: Yay! I hope there’s puppets!
the GAVEL / February 2012
MBTA measures unfair targets bottom 1 percent
Photo Courtesy of Sofia Martinez
By Frank Rizzo Assoc. Opinions Editor On January 3rd, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MBTA) unveiled two deficit austerity scenarios in the form of fare increases and service cuts. This comes in light of a $161 million operating deficit, along with a total debt load of $8 billion, $3 billion of which is projected interest payments. Under the first scenario, fares would increase by 43 percent, while under the other, they would increase by 35 percent. The second scenario involves cuts to a large number of bus routes, generating savings that would enable the smaller fare increase. Under both scenarios, MBTA ferries would be eliminated, commuter rail weekend service would be eliminated, nighttime service would end at 10 p.m., and weekend service on the Mattapan Line as well as the E branch of the Green Line would be eliminated. This past week, I attended the MBTA’s Mattapan and Dorchester public forums on the proposed cuts and service hikes. I heard grievances from all types of people: poor, rich, local and state politicians, state transit advocacy groups, the elderly, students, and many more. They are all saying the same thing: these scenarios are dumping the problem on the backs of the bottom 1 percent. The MBTA’s most advertised statistic is their estimation that of the people affected by these cuts and service hikes, only 1 percent of them are considered to be reliable riders. This may be true, but what has become increasingly clear to me is that this 1 percent
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is largely a part of the same community. Boston residents who are considered to be reliable riders are reliable because they have low wages or are unemployed. The fact is that many working poor rely on weekend and graveyard shifts for income. These cuts are directly affecting this demographic. Under both scenarios, the elimination of the Mattapan High Speed Line and commuter rail service (12 lines) on the weekends and after 10 pm during the week effectively serves to target two of the poorest regions of the Boston area, Mattapan and Dorchester. Under scenario two, 24 percent of all bus routes will be cut. Again, the people who rely most on these services, are low income individuals. Apart from the effects that these cuts will have on high school students in the Mattapan/Dorchester area, the elimination of E-Line service on weekends and after 10 pm during the week will introduce a completely different transit reality to college students who rely on the E line for travel. You may be thinking, how did the MBTA get itself in this mess? Prior to July 1, 2000 and the start of fiscal year 2001, the MBTA operated on a very different funding model. Under a model referred to as “open-ended reimbursement,” the MBTA had the Commonwealth’s backing on all of their bonds and was guaranteed reimbursement for any expenses incurred that exceeded revenue. This way, the budget books were balanced every year. Under Governor Paul Cellecci and through the State Legislature, a measure
known as “Forward Funding” was passed, to take effect for fiscal year 2001. Under the measure, the MBTA was expected to be financially self-sufficient. This meant that the T was required to operate with the ultimate goal of raising a surplus. If there is a deficit, then the MBTA has to start considering hiking fares, eliminating jobs, and cutting service. Under the “Forward Funding” measure currently in place, the MBTA’s revenue comes both as a portion of the state sales tax (20 percent), along with any revenue raised from fares, parking fees, and advertising. Since “Forward Funding” was passed, the sales tax has grown just 1 percent year by year, nowhere near the 3 percent estimated by the legislature. Instead of operating costs decreasing every year, they have increased – mostly due to increased labor and materials costs. Therefore, between FY01 and FY08, the MBTA made $500 million less in debt payments than called for by the plan. All of this, combined with the necessity of adding new debt to fund Capital Improvement Projects, has resulted in the MBTA carrying a debt load that is currently estimated to be more than $8 billion, $3 billion of which is interest. Let there be no mistake, the MBTA has a serious debt problem on its hands, and no one is denying that a solution is needed. However, because the MBTA’s only options towards fiscal solvency lie in raising fares or cutting services, they are limited. Unless the state legislature is willing to step in and offer other revenue injection ideas, the residents of Dorchester and Mattapan will experience the brunt of this burden.
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Photo Courtesy of Pete Souza
By: Kenny St. John Opinions Editor It was absolutely crucial for Barack Obama to articulate a clear and comprehensive message in his last State of the Union before the 2012 elections, a message that would both energize his core base of supporters and appeal to the independents that were essential to his election in 2008. And indeed he did. Last Tuesday Obama delivered a clutch performance: a State of the Union that was perhaps the best oratory in American politics since John F. Kennedy’s “Ask Not” Inaugural Address. With “winning the future” as the recurring theme in his speech, Obama presented a bold and ambitious, yet practical blueprint of an economy that is built to last, one that is built on American manufacturing, American values, American skills and American energy. I was extremely impressed with Obama’s speech for several reasons. One, he addressed a major problem that our country has been facing: the outsourcing of American jobs overseas. Obama listed concrete achievements that have already been made under his administration, such as the fact that 3.2 million private sector jobs have been created in the past 22 months, and that companies are starting to reinvest in America, as evidenced by a unionized Master Lock plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that is running at full capacity. Evoking the spir-
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State of the Union Obama wins 2012 and the future it of John F. Kennedy, Obama challenged business leaders to, “Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.” Obama then proposed a series of well laid-out proposals that would put the American economy back on top. He called for tax breaks for small businesses and major companies that create jobs here in America, while eliminating tax breaks for companies that outsource. He also announced the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that would investigate China’s currency manipulations and unfair trading practices in the world economy. These are major policy breakthroughs that only stand to benefit the American worker, the American business, and most importantly, the American consumer. In order to meet the anticipated growth of job opportunities over the next several years, Obama also spoke about job training programs and college tuition tax credits as a crucial component of his plan. This is a crucial and worthwhile investment that will pay dividends: college and job training programs will allow people to acquire the education and skills needed to have a successful career in a 21st century economy. Another core tenet of Obama’s plan is tax reform. I applaud Obama’s vocal support of the so-called “Buffett rule.” The proposal, named after the billionaire investor Warren Buffett, calls for a minimum income tax of 30 percent on indi-
viduals earning more than $1 million per year. This would prevent taxpayers in the highest income bracket from exploiting loopholes in the tax code to pay a lower rate than those in lower income brackets. The rest of the speech focused on a myriad of other issues, such as Obama calling for increased federal funding of research labs, mortgage relief for homeowners, new regulations on Wall Street, and an end to subsidies for oil companies. He also further implored Congress to approve funding for capital infrastructure projects, justifying the various expenses by reasoning, “Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home.” Obama also made it a point to stress American energy independence. Although I do agree with Obama in principle, I am opposed to Obama’s plan that would open up new areas for offshore drilling. This plan only fuels our addiction to oil and does not address a long-term solution. Renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power should be the focus rather than fossil fuels. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that Obama has developed an economic blueprint that is clear, attainable and is in the long-term American interest. This speech gives Obama a platform that will win him another term this November. I support winning the future with Barack Obama. So should you.
the GAVEL / February 2012
Obama & the oil pipeline Recent controversy inflames old debate By: Michael Natalie Gavel Media Staff When a Canadian oil company first presented the White House with an ambitious pipeline project, the Obama administration elected to defer a concrete decision until a later date—either to ensure the pipeline received the attention it deserved at a later date, or to avoid making a dent in the Presidential armor before an important election, depending on who you ask. In any event, House Republicans later imposed a deadline of two months, a deadline the President labeled “rushed and arbitrary.” The President then rejected the proposal with the justification that he could not make an intelligent decision with the Republicans’ deadline. Of course, critics have turned around and
said he just wants the issue buried before the election and is consequently being overly cautious. From a campaign perspective, this could be a problem. The pipeline question is fundamentally a conflict between promoting jobs and caring for the environment; at least, that’s the impression one gets from the media coverage. It could be more or even less complicated than that, but this is what it means to the voting public. With the unemployment rate at 8.5 percent, creating stable jobs is a paramount issue to the upcoming election. The environment is also a sore spot; Democratic voters—forgive the generalization—tend to feel more strongly about the environment than the general population, and Obama certainly does not wish to alienate his own base. That
The pipeline question is fundamentally a conflict between promoting jobs and caring for the environment; at least, that’s the impression one gets from the media coverage.
said, Democrats will vote for Obama anyway, it’s that gray area (independents) he needs to impress. And that is why I’m inclined to believe Obama when he says the Republicans’ deadline was the cause for the projects’ demise. If he went ahead with the project, it would help dispel a common criticism of his administration: the lack of job creation in an economy that desperately needs more sources of employment. I consider the aforementioned allegations that he just wants the issue buried to be extremely unlikely. No matter what course of action Obama takes, he was going to get criticized no matter what. Trying to gloss over the issue makes just about as much sense as whispering into a megaphone. Therefore the only selfish reason I can think of for blocking the pipeline is to avoid looking bad if it does not go well. He would not undercut job creation if he did not at least think that was a possibility, and that the potential ramifications of okaying the pipeline outweigh the consequences of being “soft” on job creation. He knows that no matter how he acts the probability of his reputation taking a hit is high, and that the same questions would be raised no matter what position he takes. It also stands to reason that the chance of making a poor decision increases when given less time to reflect on these decisions. What is good for the Obama campaign, and what is ultimately good for the nation are not necessarily one and the same. However, it is now that time of year when everyone is paying attention. With the competition heating up from the Republican Party, and with the media varied in its sympathies, it would behoove the President to act in the nation’s best interests.
Photo Courtesy of Shannon Patrick
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Junior year housing system: ResLife needs to revise and reform
Photo Courtesy of Sofia Martinez
By: Jenna LaConte Assoc. Gavel Editor Between the stress of sending in college applications and the excitement of graduation, high school seniors spend their time standing impatiently at their mailboxes, anxiously refreshing the College Board website to make sure that their applications really did go through, and silently wallowing in selfpity with the notion that no college is going to accept them. When the letters finally start to roll in, every acceptance is a victory. It is a struggle to read past the words “We are pleased to inform you…” without going into celebration mode. High school seniors who receive acceptance letters from Boston College have an unusual detail in those letters, one that is easy to overlook: how many years of housing they have been allotted. As a freshman, I knew that I would have three years of housing only because I called a current BC student who told me to check my letter for it. Many of the people I met did not know how many years they had, as they had not known to pay attention to that important detail. There is, of course, a system that specifies how the Office of Admissions divides the accepted applicants between three and four years. Athletes, nursing school students, and students in the honors program are all granted the option of four years of housing. If the acceptance letter only allows a student three years of housing, however,
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the odds of getting an override to live on campus are just about nonexistent. I find the system of putting the number of years a student has housing in his or her acceptance letter to be obsolete and ineffective. With the exception of athletes who have committed to the team and therefore to the school,
The odds of getting an override to live on campus are just about nonexistent. the Office of Admissions has no way of knowing whether or not a student will choose to come here, thus making it unforeseeable how many students with four years of housing will actually attend BC. Realistically, the most upstanding academic applicants have plenty of great schools to choose between and may end up going a different direction. Furthermore, when the time comes for sophomores to make decisions about junior year housing, ResLife never takes inventory of which juniors plan
to take advantage of having four years of housing. Plenty of people who have four years opt to live off campus. Without a sense of how many juniors will be living on campus, how can ResLife make a fair decision in regards to the appeals they receive from sophomores with three years of housing who do not want to move off campus for junior year? As every BC student knows, housing selection is one of BC’s weakest systems. Freshman girls planning to go into the eight-man lottery should start preparing for the blood, sweat, and tears that go into telling that ninth friend that she failed to make the cut. I had hoped after freshman year that housing drama was behind me, but the three/four year debacle presents entirely new obstacles. There are groups of friends where all but one has four years, and vice versa. Instead of determining the number of years a student has housing before he or she even decides to come to BC, ResLife should look at the top students after their freshman year and inform these students of their eligibility for four years of housing. The process should involve discourse so that students can inform ResLife of whether or not they choose to live on campus for all four years, thus opening up room for students with three years to make an appeal. Simply throwing the number of years of housing accepted students receive into their acceptance letters has created an impractical system that is in need of serious revision.
the GAVEL / February 2012
Komen plays politics
and plays with women’s health in the process By: Jon Dame Assoc. Opinions Editor Last week, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation—the largest breast cancer organization in the United States— announced its decision to end its relationship with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a network of sexual health clinics, that services predominately low-income women. Every year, Komen provides Planned Parenthood with over $500,000 for breast-cancer screenings and other breast-health services; in the past five years alone, Komen’s funding of Planned Parenthood paid for nearly 170,000 breastexams. Fortunately, after encountering staunch, widespread and fervent opposition, Komen reversed its decision and promised to continue funding its existing grants, while allowing Planned Parenthood to apply for more in the future. An examination of this series of events evinces two critical aspects of our contemporary political climate: first, women’s health is being increasingly trivialized and debased by anti-choice movements in the United States; and second, grassroots financial and verbal support remains a profound democratizing force despite the increasingly powerful presence of private-
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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interest money and lobbying characteristic of our last three decades of political history. Although Komen claims that the foundation’s policy of not funding organizations under federal investigation motivated and determined its decision, anti-choice activism—both by outside groups and Komen executives—most likely underpinned Komen’s markedly political move. Unfortunately, over the last year, similar and indefatigable anti-choicedriven movements have targeted Planned Parenthood and, in doing so, have threatened the health and welfare of millions of low-income American women. Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortion provider, yet abortions account for only 3 percent of its total services; the majority of Planned Parenthood’s work involves providing uncontroversial, nonpolitical preventative services—the exact type of services that Komen’s grants help support. It is unacceptable and reckless for anti-choice activists to pit their political agenda above the livelihoods of low-income women. In 2010 alone, there were over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in
the United States and over 40,000 deaths from the disease. Frequent mammograms and breast exams are the easiest ways to reduce the fatality of the disease and we must fight to ensure that low-income women have access to these critical services. Ultimately, the American people and the Susan G. Komen foundation grasped this reality, but anti-choice groups will undoubtedly continue their virulent practices, making the type of enthusiastic pro-choice and pro-health activism we saw during this last week vitally important to ensuring American women a safe and secure future. Komen’s change of heart came after a three-day period in which Planned Parenthood raised $3 million—with $400,000 coming from smaller donations made by 6,000 people—and received 10,000 new Facebook likes. In that same time period, tens of thousands of citizens signed online petitions, prompting prominent public officials—including 26 senators—to admonish Komen directly for its decision. The outstanding public outcry indisputably impelled Komen to reverse its decision and forcefully established the continued relevance of grassroots political activism. In this instance, Komen did not fall prey to the yoke of powerful corporate interests, but rather succumbed to the prowess of a united populist exhibition. Although the Komen controversy illuminated and embodied the noxious practices of anti-choice movements in the United States today, it also showcased for us the most effective way to combat such movements. Under the tutelage of a politically engaged citizenry, Planned Parenthood remains a viable and laudable organization, which the Susan G. Komen foundation will continue to support, as it should.
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I watch the all-too-numerous Republican debates for a few reasons. One, as an American citizen, I feel obligated to know where each candidate stands. Two,
Hold on just a minute. This is America. Forcing one’s religious beliefs on other people, as Santorum is
Santorum ultimately no shot at holding highest office in the as a Democrat who is going to vote for Barack Obama come Election Day, I like to “know thy enemy,” so to speak. And third, they can be quite entertaining. From the
has the land.
doing here, contradicts the very notion that this country was founded upon. San-
The case for tolerance
me today. But I can’t take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn’t share that article of faith... But I can counsel people, I can talk reasonably about life and about responsibility.” This is where the notions of “tolerance” and “acceptance” come into play. “Tolerance” means to have “a fair, objective, and permissive
first few debates when Rick Perry forgot the third federal agency that he would elimiate if he became president, to when Newt Gingrich was absolutely furious after being put on the spot regarding his past marital misdeeds and infidelities by the moderator, I do admit that the debates are fun to watch. However, I feel that some of the positions that certain candidates (I’m looking at you, Rick Santorum) hold on social issues are quite frankly, ignorant and irresponsible at best and downright malicious, intolerant and oppressive at worst. Santorum has stated, both in debates and on the campaign trail that gays, “shouldn’t have the privilege of enlisting in the armed forces” and would annul all existing gay marriages. In addition, if president he would cut off federal funding for birth control. Santorum tries to justify these positions by saying that, “our civil laws have to comport with a higher law: God’s law” and “we have Judeo-Christian values that are based on biblical truth . . . And those truths don’t change just because people’s attitudes may change.”
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torum is making a direct and concerted attack on the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of, and from, religion. In the words of Dean Obeidallah of CNN, Santorum is proposing a sort of “Judeo-Christian sharia” to impose upon the American people. Now I’m not saying Santorum cannot hold his religious beliefs. In fact, he has every right to hold whatever religious beliefs he chooses, even if they oppose abortion and gay marriage. However, he does not have the right to impose these personal, religious views on the country. John Kerry put it best. In the 2004 election campaign, Kerry stated, “I can’t take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an atheist. We have separation of church and state in the United States of America.” At the same time, Kerry is personally pro-life due to his religious beliefs, but is politically pro-choice stating, “First of all, I cannot tell you how deeply I respect the belief about life and when it begins. I’m a Catholic – raised a Catholic. I was an altar boy. Religion has been a huge part of my life, helped lead me through a war, leads
attitude towards opinions and practices that differ from one’s own.” “Acceptance” means “to approve, the act of assenting or believing.” Let’s put these definitions into current context. John Kerry is a Catholic. The Catholic religion forbids abortion and gay marriage. Yet, Kerry realizes that he cannot force his faith upon others and adheres to the First Amendment and the separation of church and state by being “tolerant” of other people’s religions and views, even if they are opposed to his own. Rick Santorum, on the other hand, is also a Catholic, but is seeking to force his faith on others, an extreme form of “acceptance” and a blatantly unconstitutional stance. The fact that Rick Santorum even won the Iowa primary is a sad testament to the current state of American politics. Even though Santorum ultimately has no shot at holding the highest office in the land, he represents a minority demographic, the Christian right, which has historically and dangerously exerted a pull on the political system far beyond its numbers.
the GAVEL / February 2012
Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore
By: Kenny St.John why it is preferable to acceptance Opinions Editor
By: Christian Montalvo / Gavel Media Contributor
Fair Share Alliance comes to BC to rally support Attending Boston College can make it easy to lose touch with the severity of the struggling economy that our country is facing. Attempting to provide every American with a fair shot of obtaining a good job and secure future is an ambitious project for a non-profit organization. However, that is exactly why Fair Share Alliance has come to Newton, Massachusetts. As the economy slowly recovers, citi-
four), before the credit expires at the end of 2012. The PTC for wind power is an incentive that provides a tax credit for wind power. These incentives are critical to ensure that our wind industry keeps growing. Already, electricity generated from wind in Massachusetts powers the equivalent of 4,500 homes. The usage of wind power in the state avoids over 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, all without using any water. Not only is the energy clean, but the expansion of wind projects will also create jobs: with Fair Share Newton’s current efforts to extend the PTC, the organization has the opportunity to save 54,000 jobs across the United States. The extension of the PTC is therefore described by Fair Share as a ‘win-win’ for the economy, and the environment. Over the coming weeks, Massachusetts Fair Share will be working with Boston College and the surrounding community on gathering support for the PTC: working with community members, gathering support from local organizations, and releasing an in-depth study on the effect of the PTC on wind energy here in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Fair Share welcomes any and all students to come out and show their support this spring.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
zens’ voices are being drowned out by the cacophony of the super-rich, and unfortunately today, money is power, especially in politics. With a national unemployment rate of 8.5%, an ever-rising cost of living, and a growing national wealth gap, not everyone is getting a fair share. Attending a university like Boston College can make it easy to lose touch with the severity of the struggling economic status our country is facing. Fortunately, Fair Share Alliance, a national non-profit, works to push local and national levels of government to defend the working class and their families. This spring, Fair Share is launching 12 new state offices, one of which will be right here in Newton. The opening of the new office means there are plenty of job and volunteer opportunities to Boston College students and surrounding community members. In Newton, Massachusetts Fair Share is working to urge Senator Scott Brown to support renewable energy tax credits for wind power. Their goal: to pass an extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind energy for at least one year (ideally
Toleration, rather than acceptance, is the American way. With this in mind, pro-choice advocates and those in favor of gay marriage need to realize that they are not going to change everyone’s mind. Forcing everyone to “accept” abortion and gay marriage is just as bad as using the political process to force religious beliefs, Christian or otherwise, on other people. Nevertheless, gay marriage needs to be legalized nationwide and abortion
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rights need to be upheld. In the esteemed words of Mr. Garrison from South Park, “Just because you have to tolerate something doesn’t mean you have to approve of it! ”Tolerate” means you’re just putting up with it! You tolerate a crying child sitting next to you on the airplane or, or you tolerate a bad cold. It can still piss you off!” It is a fundamental right to choose who you want to marry, or what you do
with your own body, and that should not be impeded. You also have the right to oppose abortion and gay marriage for personal, moral, or religious reasons. No one is forcing you to accept anything. However, these beliefs should not trump someone’s right to have an abortion, or get married to someone of the same gender. Toleration, rather than acceptance, is the American way.
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Early athletic departures a troubling trend
Boston College prides itself on having one of the highest Division I student-athlete graduation rates in the nation. However, two recent unprecendented cases of star athletes leaving a year early to go professional is a cause for serious concern regarding the long term future of the Athletics Department. Last year, junior Reggie Jackson was the undisputed star of the basketball team, and his efforts contributed to a 21-win season, with the team narrowly missing out on the NCAA tournament. Jackson then declared for the NBA Draft, and was subsequently selected in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, Luke Kuechly, star linebacker and a captain of the football team is foregoing his senior season on the Heights and is entering the NFL draft. He was universally regarded as the best linebacker in the nation and was one of the lone bright spots of a team coming off a disappointing 4-8 campaign. He is projected to go in the first round. We at Gavel Media respect the decisions of both Jackson and Kuechly, are grateful for their contributions during their years at Boston College, and wish them well in their professional endeavors. However, the defections of both Jackson and Kuechly may point to something bigger: that BC athletics is not living up to our proud University’s motto, “Ever to excel.” Granted, there are some positives. Men’s hockey is as dominant as ever, packing Kelley Rink to full capacity, 20
Photo Courtesy of Sofia Martinez
wining three national championships in the last decade. Women’s hockey reached the Frozen Four last year. Sailing recently won a national championship, and both men’s and women’s soccer teams have made NCAA tournament appearances. In addition, excuses can be made for the Men’s basketball team, despite Jackson’s departure. Donahue is a passionate coach who has a vision for the long-term future of the team. However, it will take some time for this vision to be fully realized. Jackson understandably did what was in his best interest, having nothing left to prove at the collegiate level on a rebuilding team. Regardless, in a rebuilding year, it is clear that the team is in good hands. The same, however, cannot be said of Coach Frank Spaziani. When Spaz took over as head coach following the 2008 season, the football team was coming off back-to-back ACC Championship game appearances, and a 9-win season. During Spaz’s three-year tenure, the team has been characterized by an anemic offense due to atrocious play calling, declining win totals every year, and no wins against ranked teams, Notre Dame, or in bowl games. In addition, this past season was the first year since 1998 that BC did not make a bowl. This is not the fault of the
players, but rather, Spaz himself. Spaz’s ineptitude, in combination with no real long-term plan, could very well have contributed to Kuechly’s early departure from the Heights. Superfans may remember that in 2008, junior linebacker Mark Herzlich won ACC Defensive Player of the Year, as did Kuechly this past year. Herzlich, however, passed up a guaranteed first round selection and its associated lucrative contract to play out his senior season. The main difference between the two situations? The 2008 Eagles made the ACC Championship. This year’s Eagles went 4-8. The failings of BC football will have an adverse effect long-term, as evidenced by this year’s thin recruiting class and the anticipated decline in Flynn Fund donations. There is no reason why Boston College cannot compete on the gridiron with schools of similar academic caliber like Stanford, Northwestern, and Notre Dame. It is time to hold Coach Spaz and, to a greater extent, Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo, to the same high standard, “Ever to excel,” that Boston College has for its students. One of the hallmarks of BC Athletics has been its historically high student-athlete graduation rate. Now that hallmark is threatened by incompetence from those in charge.
the GAVEL / February 2012
GOP Candidates
Financial transparency lacking The issue of transperency has been a hot topic during the GOP election cycle this year. The frontrunner, Mitt Romney, came under fire during several of the debates for not releasing his tax returns. He eventually did, but not before several primaries had passed. Last month Romney released his 2010 and 2011 tax returns. Both of them showed that he is in the top 1 percent of taxpayers, making roughly $21 million per year with an estimated fortune between $190 million and $250 million. In addition, he pays a tithe to the Mormon Church, and donates to charity. His tax rate from year to year is roughly 15 percent, which means that he pays roughly $3 million per year in taxes.
If nothing else, this shows that a reform of the tax code is necessary. Newt Gingrich, like Romney, also released his tax returns after several primaries had passed. His tax returns show that he makes roughly $3 million per year, and pays about $1 million in taxes, at a rate of 31%. About a third of his income came from consulting fees from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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The tax records released indicate a troubling fact: that Romney makes roughly 7 times as much as Gingrich per year, yet pays at a rate that is half of Gingrich’s. This is because Romney has most of his net worth holed up in the Cayman Islands, where it is immune to American taxes. Gingrich, who makes substantially less than Romney, should not have to pay a higher percentage in taxes. Therefore, tax loopholes for at least the top 1% need to be eliminated. If nothing else, this shows that a reform of the tax code is necessary. With a federal debt that has reached unprecenedented levels, this country can simply not afford to have its wealthiest residents paying such low rates. A Bloomberg-Washington Post poll conducted back in October found that over two thirds of Americans, including 53 % of Republicans, want wealither people to pay more in taxes to help pay down the deficit.What’s more, as Bruce Bartlett, a former Reagan economic advisor showed, there have been over 20 recent polls that have found Americans in favor higher taxes on the wealthy. However, the question must be raised as to why Romney and Gingrich withheld their tax returns for so long. For Romney, his obscenely wealthy income, combined with his plush offshore bank accounts and his low tax rate, casts him as out of touch with the American public. For Gingrich, his con-
nections with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two mortgage lenders commonly associated with the financial crash of 2008, carry a negative connotation.
Editor’s Note We at Gavel Media advocate for full financial disclosure from the candidates before primary season begins. It is unfair that voters who already cast their ballot in the state primaries had to do so before all the financial records from the candidates were disclosed. Additionally, the Buffett rule should be enacted into law. This would eliminate tax loopholes, and establish a minimum tax rate of 30%, for those making over $1 million. The GOP primaries have shown that financial transparency and tax reform go hand in hand. While Romney and Gingrich release their tax returns after the fact, it is ultimately the American voter who suffers the consequence. In order for a vibrant democracy to take place, transparency is essential.
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NH Gay Marriage Repeal Bill Rocky Waters Ahead
The New Hampshire State House, Concord, NH By Francesca McCaffrey gavel media staff New Hampshire residents can expect a House vote in the upcoming weeks on a bill meant to repeal the 2009 state law legalizing gay marriage. Though the Republican Party espouses a clear stance against gay marriage and New Hampshire Republicans hold majorities in their House and Senate, a number of factors are keeping the passage of this repeal bill from being considered a certainty. HB 437, as the bill is officially titled, has been amended from its original form. The initial language, brought before a House subcommittee in September of last year, proposed a ban on both gay marriage and civil unions. The subcommittee voted to amend this wording, passing along proposed language that, while still banning gay marriage, would allow for the formation of civil unions by both heterosexual and same-sex couples. State Rep. David Bates, the Republican sponsoring the bill, notes that, though his repeal would prevent the gay marriage in New Hampshire in the future, same-sex marriages already performed in the state would still be valid. Gay marriage has been legal in 22
New Hampshire since 2010, the result of the passage of a 2009 bill legalizing same-sex unions. Democratic Governor John Lynch, who passed the 2009 bill into law, has promised to veto the repeal bill if it wins a majority in the House and Senate. In that case, Republicans would need a 2/3 majority in both the House and the Senate to override and pass the bill into law. Bates was quoted in a January 14 FoxNews.com article by Judson Berger saying that the “real question” at hand is the ability of Republicans to rally this veto override, as he is confident that the legislative majority will vote in favor of the bill. Republicans’ will to rally, however, is in question as well. When House Republican Leader D.J. Bettencourt announced the legislative agenda of the House GOP on January 12, social issues, including the question of the legality of gay marriage, were noticeably absent from the list. In a January 13 Associated Press article by Norma Love, the agenda was described as supportive of “legislation falling under five categories: reducing government spending and regulations; pro-business reforms; pension reform; education reform; and personal rights and social responsibility.”
The composition of the GOP agenda is indicative of a Republican concern with New Hampshire’s fiscal state. Disapproval of how the previous Democrat-controlled legislature handled state funds has led to a focus on tackling the problem of balancing the state budget. Still, the impending vote on the gay marriage repeal bill has become an intense topic of discussion throughout the state. The Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for the rights of gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual individuals, is one of several groups that has taken a vocal stance against the repeal bill. Berger’s FoxNews.com article quoted the group as “liken[ing] [the upcoming New Hampshire repeal bill] to ‘legislating bigotry.’” Kevin Smith, a member of the conservative group Cornerstone Action and a lobbyist for the pro-repeal National Organization for Marriage, was quoted in Love’s AP article as saying that, dissent aside, the bill would be voted on by the House sooner or later. “If it doesn’t happen this year, it will be next year.” And it is not only organized groups taking a stance on the issue. A University of New Hampshire study conducted in October, the results
the GAVEL / February 2012
of which were cited in a January 29 article in the Concord Monitor, found that, concerning the repeal bill, 62 percent of residents opposed the bill, 23 percent were in favor, and the final 15 percent remained neutral on the issue. With the vote on the horizon, the focus has been drawn to the Republican members of the New Hampshire legislature themselves. This offers no clearer a picture of how the votes will fall. Republican Steve Winter, who categorized himself in the Concord Monitor as a “fiscal conservative and a social libertarian,” encompasses the type of ideological dichotomy that has become common in a Republican legislature primarily focused on economic issues. Winter added that he will vote
against the repeal bill because he feels that individual marriage preferences are “none of [his] business and none of the state’s business.” On the other side, Republican Andrew Manuse is staunchly supportive of the repeal bill. As he told the Con-
leaving the outcome of New Hampshire’s vote on this contested issue up in the air. The pervasive feeling is that individual values, not outside persuasion, will rule the day when it comes time to for legislators to make a choice. “These are deeply personal issues,”
Fighting against the Bill are two unlikely advocates, Craig Stowell, a conservative U.S. Marine, and Calvin, his gay brother and best friend cord Monitor, the 2009 law “forc[ed] a definition of marriage,” an act he considers “tyranny.” Other interviews with state legislators paint a similar picture of division,
Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley told the Concord Monitor on January 29. “Leadership in the Senate is not going to push people one way or the other.”
An unlikely advocate speaks out in defense of his gay brother and freedom The looming bill in the New Hampshire State Legislature, HB 437, has one piece of serious opposition, two brothers born and raised in the Granite State who are fighting to ensure that the legislature does not repeal the marriage equality law passed in 2009. Craig is a Marine who served in Iraq and identifies as a conservative. Calvin is his gay brother who throughout his life felt constantly harassed by his peers for seeming acting like or being a homosexual. In response to the bill Craig put out an add in the Union Leader, a widely read newspaper in New Hampshire, stating his case for why the state should not take away this fundamental right. Craig considers Calvin his best friend and wants to be his brother’s best man when he decides to marry just as Calvin was Craig’s best man when Craig got married. Their story has made headlines over the last few months as the GOP sponsors of the bill to repeal the marriage equality law have tried rallying support for the initiative. Calvin and Craig’s fight against the GOP bill has gotten support from many LGBT advocacy groups and blogs including
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The Advocate Magazine, Queerty.com, Think Progress, and The Human Rights Campaign. The two brothers have been speakers at many of the HRC’s annual regional Gala’s, and spoke at the New England Annual Gala in Boston in the past November. Queerty.com said Craig was someone that all gays wish they had as a brother. The sentiment speaks to one of the biggest fears many LGBT individuals face in coming out, loosing or being rejecting by their families. Craig’s actions speak to the love that is out there for LGBT individuals and that things do get better. At the New England Gala there was not a dry eye in the auditorium as Craig recounted the struggles Calvin had to go through growing up and how this bill is more than just a piece of paper. It would strip away the fundamental civil rights of a group of people who are just trying to live their lives and be happy. Craig Stowell and his wife Berta recently have appeared in political ads for the group, Standing Up for New Hampshire families, to further lobby for the state legislature not to take away the right for New Hampshire couples to marry.
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The future of the Occupy Movement From physical to viral presence
All Photos by Cal Greene III/Gavel Media By Cal Greene III Features Editor
It has been a rough few months for the Occupy Movement across the country. The occupy protesters were kicked out of New York’s Zuccotti Park and many other encampments around the United States just before the winter holiday season and since then were perceived as over. The movement no longer has the physical presence and visible signs of strength that it once had when Occupy Wall Street started on September 17th, 2011. Most people rememebr when a riot erupted between the Occupy Oakland protesters and the local
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police forces or when students were pepper sprayed while engaging in a peaceful sit in at the University of California at Berkeley. Though those stark images have not bee seen on popular news outlets since early December the Occupy Movement is still going strong and growing in numbers just in a different way. The Occupy movement has moved to cyber space for 99% of its normal activities. Each city or region still has its own website as well an over arching Occupy website to share ideas, discuss
grievances and solutions, and provide ways for interested persons to get involved. The Occupy Movement is far from dead. It is actually growing in numbers. Though it is hard to say exactly how much they have grown since leaving the original camps, such as Dewey Square in Boston, the Occupy Movement has been gaining support from local unions and independent community groups as they continue to fight for issues closer to home. James Cogley, a junior in A&S and an active member of the BC Occupies Bos-
the GAVEL / February 2012
ably before 2013, I see the movement banding back together in a strong way and the upcoming presidential elections, I think, will be the catalyst for that.” Some of the most recent evidence of the shift focus comes from the Occu-
Though the days of physically “occupying” a space is over, the Occupy Movement is still gaining support and growing in numbers
space is a great, free medium that will connect them and help keep the energy of the movement alive.” Where as once the Occupy movement was one organization split mostly geographically but sharing the same goals, as time goes on evidence shows that the Occupy groups will work more independently and start by fighting for important issues that affect the immediate community. Gavin Frome, a senior in A&S, gave a similar prediction concerning the future of Occupy commenting, “Though I cannot speak for the movement as a whole, I see it moving towards a direct communal direction. Groups are dealing with issues at home rather than national or international one. But, fairly soon, prob-
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py the T group that is growing in Boston. They are protesting the new austerity measures that are proposed to close the budget gap with America’s oldest subway but would end up hurting the daily rider. So far the T Riders Union has given their support for the protests and they are fighting against possible fare hikes and service cuts. Frome closed by saying, “Every city is still active and though there is no physical occupation there are still growing numbers of supporter and a strong presence in fighting for community issues.” Though the Occupy Movement my not be as visible they are still out there, growing, and fighting for the issues of the 99%.
All Photos by Cal Greene/Features Editor
ton group, commented on what he sees as the future of the Occupy Movement saying, “Going forward it is the close affinity groups that work in conjunction with one another that will aim to solve critical issues in the community. Cyber-
By Ailis Peplau / gavel media staff It has certainly been a rough first half of the season for the Boston Celtics. After a patchy losing streak, I am encouraged to see that the team is finally picking things up to have a positive win to loss ratio. But the difficult start leads me to wonder how athletes like the players for the Celtics struggle through challenges and ultimately turn their season around. I think this process can be boiled down to one simple concept: Perseverance A dictionary definition of perseverance is “Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” Although the Celtics are struggling to squeeze out wins as the season progresses, they continue to fight to break a losing streak and turn the season around. The Celtics persevere through mental toughness, which allows them to shake off a loss and pull lock together during the next game. Mental toughness includes confidence, motivation, focus, and flexibility. You must have an unshakable belief in your ability to achieve your goals and be driven to not stop until you are successful. In order to manage this, you must understand the steps to take to reach your goal yet be able to bounce back from setbacks or changes in the routine. How do you apply mental toughness to your own workouts? Essentially, you are like Dory in Finding Nemo singing, “Just keep swimming,” no matter what obstacles you may encounter. If you meet an obstruction in the path to your goal, you will figure out an alternative solution to get past it. First, you must think positively. When you allow negative thoughts to creep into your mind, you make things harder for yourself. The negative thoughts of “ugh, why am I running?... I’m so tired...I’m hungry...it’s cold...” cause you to focus on the things that will drag you down during a workout. Refrain your negative energy into a positive fo-
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cus to push you to do better. Focus on the privilege of running - that you are strong and healthy and are doing something good for your body. Consider how the workout will lead you to accomplishing your goals. In order to overcome a setback, you must first acknowledge it fully and own up to the fact that something was not as it should have been for it to go wrong. If you do not reach a fitness goal, there is either something wrong with your training (you did not prepare yourself well enough) or there was something
unless something ails you in which case you need to listen to your body). Muscle soreness is a reminder of having completed a good workout and that you are building your body and keeping your muscles alive and active. Last, you need to think small. Instead of focusing on how sluggish you feel as you work out which would supposedly “render the exercise useless in the long run,” focus on getting through the next hundred meters. Remind yourself of small technical points like pumping your arms and picking
What we can learn from
the Boston Celtics
off the day of the test (you did not eat well enough to energize your body, you sprained your ankle, etc.). Own up to what went wrong - it is no use to blame someone else (The other team is so good compared to me/they cheated/the refs favored them). You are only responsible for yourself and can only make yourself better. Then, the obvious next step is to fix the problem. Whether this means preparing yourself better during training or outside of it, you need to figure out changes to make in your routine that will allow you to succeed in the future. Then, to a certain extent, you must be a masochist. Workouts are hard. So in order to improve, you must learn to enjoy the pain of a difficult workout (that is,
Photos by wikimediacommons.org
up your knees as you run up a hill. Focusing on small things, no matter how bad you might think you feel, will keep you going for longer and will definitely help you attain your goal. Also, when you think small, you will see success in the little aspects of your workout, which gives you confidence. Once you understand mental toughness, you will progress faster towards your fitness goals. The Celtics have mastered the art of mental toughness in order to persevere (well, there are still some bumps along the way, but they learn from their setbacks to become a more successful team). You, too, can learn to persevere to train successfully.
the GAVEL / February 2012
By Cal Greene III / Features Editor
Stuff BC Likes:
The Weekend Rager Photo by Cal Greene III/Gavel Media
So how many times have you heard this on a typical Friday night? “Dude have you heard this new Swedish House song? It is so epic!” or “Bro, Skrillex is coming we need to get tickets!” or the classic “ba da da da da da, da da da da, da da, da da” being chanted to Avicii’s hit song “Levels”? Yes, if you are a student at BC, you have probably heard all of these situations. If you’re a typical BC bro you have probably been guilty of one of those three statements. We all know the person. They can be identified by the typical rager gear, the neon tank top they are wearing even though it’s January and there’s snow outside. Every Tuesday they are on the bus headed to Cambridge instead of Mary Ann’s Senior Night to feel the wobble at the Middle East weekly rave “Throwned.” They wear sunglasses at night because they claim “Dude we rage so hard we don’t stop until the sun comes up!” In some instances they can be annoying but most times they are the life of the party. Rage does not just characterize a person, it is a state of mind, the vibe of the party. Mostly it is what RA’s and your neighbors hate because their music is turned up so loud that every item not bolted to the floor vibrates. Everyone knows people like this. The group of guys that for some reason decided it was necessary to get a sound system with a www.bcgavel.com
twelve-inch subwoofer instead of a simple iHome and blast it the second the pregame starts. They start their Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at three-quarters of the maximum volume and from nine to eleven P.M. the music elevates from moderately annoying, to unnecessarily annoying, to great-all-my-picture-frames-just-fell-offmy-desk annoying. This may sound like the typical BC person would not like “the rager,” but ragers have every quality that the BC student secretly admires. The rager consumes vodka like it’s water, parties hard, and most importantly, unnecessarily spends mommy and daddy’s hardearned trust fund money on concerts and sound equipment. The biggest reason why the ragers are so popular at BC is because they have the amazing ability to throw great parties without having to be members of a frat. At a school with no Greek Life, finding and throwing parties becomes an art; so it is the rager’s responsibility to ensure that after the guests are uncomfortably packed in a mod or apartment in 2000 Comm Ave. that it’s a great time. No one cares who’s in there, even people you may only say hi to in passing, if “Loca People” is playing. You just want that one line in the song to come on and scream “Johnny, la gente esta muy loca!” “Have you heard this new track yet?”
“Hey have you seen the Ultra line up yet?”“Hey have you seen the Tomorrowland video yet?” “Have you downloaded that track off of Lessthan3 yet?” “So sick dude!” These statements to most are exceedingly irritating, but luckily the BC rager is still the normal country-clubber like everyone else. They just have another side to them that emerges after about eight at night when everyone is making plans for the night. J. Crew by day, fist pumping by night. To the outside observer, the rager should be as hated as the hipster, but they have become the weekend party norm at BC. At first they are unloved because of their excessive noise (what could be described as “Party Rocking”), but ragers are a friendly group. So when the neighbors come to complain they cannot help but get sucked in by the kind-heartedness of the rager bro. They end up staying to chat, have a drink, and remain there for the good party that they originally were not invited to. The rager will always be something BC likes because where else can you go to dance to Swedish House, Mafia and Avicii without trekking downtown to the Estate or Underbar? The rager makes a good, fun weekend night in the mods. So next time you hear “We are your friends!” Go ahead. Chant every word. The BC ragers: making fraternities unnecessary. 27
For when you eventually outgrow $2 Busch Drafts... Stay classy my friends By Cal Greene III, Features Editor, Maggie Lawrence, Culture Editor, Sofia Martinez, Photo Editor, Yanira Revan, Copy Editor Welcome to a new year with Gavel Beer Review. We decided to change it up a bit by reviewing the same good quality brews but adding a cider into the mix, again at the request of the ladies of the Gavel Beer Review. This time around we decided to sample Winter Lagers and Affordable Red Wines. Here at the Gavel Beer Review, we love foreign brews and expanding our taste horizons, so it was only appropriate we picked some of our favorites to critique and share. Adding cider was a change for many of us but we were all eager to try it. The five that made the cut this time were: Heineken, Stella Artois, Magners, Leffe Blonde Ale, and Sparten. As always
the beers and wines are highly rated and from breweries and wineries that have pretty good products. Participating this time were Cal Greene III, Features Editor; Maggie Lawrence, Culture Editor; Yanira Revan, Copy Editor; and Sofia Martinez, Associate Culture Editor. We based our comparison for the beers on the following criteria: clarity and color; smell, taste and complexity; and mouth-feel, and then gave it
Note all persons who participated in the review are of legal drinking age. Please remember to
Drink Responsibly
Heineken: With its light brown, crystal clear color this brew looks like a typical lager at first glance. That all changes once you crack it open. The second you start to pour the smooth smell of this lager hits your nose. It smelled slightly metallic and skunked‌ not too great. Despite its complexity, it is an easy beer to appreciate. The taste was light and mild which makes it easy going down and 28
an overall score, 1 being poor and 5 being the best. Our critique for the cider was similar but since it was out of our range of expertise, we just gave it an overall critique and score. without the harsher bite typical of many Ales. To the seasoned beer enthusiast the beer may not be the complex import beer of choice but it is respectable. It is a great chilling beer to enjoy while watching some solid college basketball or for whenever you want to show others that you have more class than Chet Hammerton.
Overall: 3/5 the GAVEL / February 2012
Stella Artois: For the first re- a Miller High Life. This is not to say view of imports we felt it was appropriate to try a brew from the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery. We were unsure at first about how flavorful the beer was though. Stella has a great reputation but it was lighter than most of the beers we typically pick. It had a light amber color, somewhere in-between a Naddy and a Wheat Ale, but the aroma was so light I would have guessed it was
that the taste is similar to a Naddy— that’s blasphemy. Once you take a sip all doubts are set aside. This beer is great. We were undecided about just how great, though. The girls liked it but I thought it was a little bland in comparison to past beers we’ve tried, but all in all it’s a great game day beer when Bud Light just does not cut it anymore.
Magners: Maggie immediately noticed this was not as tart as Woodchuck cider and enjoyed the sweeter, milder taste. This one has an unusual smell and initial taste that tingles a little on the tongue. It is definitely best for the holiday season and we all wondered whether we should have reviewed this one during Thanksgiving. Color, smell and taste were exactly what you would expect from hard cider but nothing to really write home
about. It is a good change-up from the typical brews you might consume on a weekend drinking expedition: it’s smooth, enjoyable, and best for those who would rather not drink beer.
Spaten: This beer is just like the Heineken and Stella Artois. It had a slight amber color, but with a much better head when poured, and though it was in a green bottle like the others, it did not have a skunked smell to it. When poured we all had the same observation: its aroma was very similar to that of Cannabis. It had a clean and rather bitter taste to it that was herbal and quite easy to enjoy. On the tongue it was light and smooth, which made it
Overall: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
“He was a good man who invented beer.” - Plato a crowd pleaser, especially after being slightly disappointed by the Heineken and Stella Artois. Overall this is a great game day beer, which is why we invested in a case for our Super Bowl party.
Overall: 4/5
Leffe Blonde Ale: From the ably one of the top beers we have feaget-go we had no grand expectations for this Belgian beer. It had a beautiful golden straw with a fluffy, perfect white head. The smell was great as well. It is a Belgian so that is to be expected. It was bright and had pretty esters from the yeast and was phenolic and floral-smelling. The taste was creamy with a clean malt flavor and a delicate fruit taste from the yeast. Overall this was the best beer of the batch, probwww.bcgavel.com
tured in the review. It was very complex but still drinkable for any palate. The smoothness is deceptive though, as with an alcohol content of 6.6 percent, this beer is stronger than it tastes.
Overall: 5/5
All Photos by wikimediacommons.org 29
By Jenna LaConte / associate culture editor
The Media Spectacle of Super Bowl XLVI In 1967, the Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I. Nobody could have predicted the media phenomenon that this seemingly innocent sporting event would eventually turn into. From the infamous Janet Jackson nip slip to the millions of dollars that go into advertising, the Super Bowl has gone from a championship-sporting event to national spectacle for sports fans and non-sports fans alike. In return for hosting this year’s Super Bowl, the city of Indianapolis grossed a total of $150 million. Across America, about 8 million pounds of guacamole and 1.25 billion chicken wings were consumed during the game. 30
The half-time show is one of the great mysteries of the Super Bowl. A common reaction to this year’s performer, Madonna, was a simple question: why? At the age of 53, Madonna has, in many ways, fallen from grace. The vast majority of her publicity these days has been negative. In September, a YouTube video circulated in which a fan handed a bundle of hydrangeas to the singer, who in response muttered a weak “Thank you” and proceeded to raise her eyebrows and say “I absolutely loathe hydrangeas.” She just recently cast her daughter Lourdes in a movie that she is making, only to cut Lourdes’ scene. “I ended up cut-
ting her out of the film. Ruthless, I know. I said, ‘Sorry babe, you’re on the cutting room floor.” She took it like a champ,” Madonna stated in an interview with MTV news. On top of her apparent lack of human emotion, Madonna has become virtually irrelevant in the music industry. Her two most popular songs on iTunes are “Give Me All Your Luvin’” featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. and “4 Minutes” featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. Without the support of current popular artists, Madonna has failed to put out any hits in recent years. With this in mind, there is truly only one explanation as to why Madonna was selected to sing at this
the GAVEL / February 2012
year’s Super Bowl: her new album, MDNA, will be released on March 26. Everyone knows to tune into the commercials, which cost $3.5 million per 30 second clip and are sure to be filled with enough sex, comedy, and celebrities to keep viewers entertained. What goes under the radar, however, is that Super Bowl commercials are not limited to the periods between plays. The half-time show was nothing but a commercial for Madonna’s upcoming album. In typical flashy diva fashion, Madonna looked ridiculous as she entered the stage dressed as an Egyptian princess covered in gold from head to toe. On the bright side, when she took off the golden robe, long black leather gloves hid her cringe-worthy skeleton arms. Every song was auto-tuned to the point where her voice was completely indistinguishable, and at times one might argue that there were signs of mismatched lip-syncing. LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and Cee Lo Green all joined her on stage, proving that she is incapable of standing on her own as a performer at this point in her career. M.I.A. stirred up some controversy by flashing her middle finger at the camera mid-performance, although the gesture was subtle enough that many viewers overlooked it. And for those who were curious, the show wrapped up with a sign flashing the words “WORLD PEACE,” confirming that Madonna is in fact a proponent of the movement.
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In spite of the guerilla advertising that forced viewers to suffer through her medley, the commercials did their part in making up for the trauma of Madonna’s gaudy performance. A common thread among this year’s commercials was a return to the classics. One of the very first commercials of the game was for M&M’s, with their classic “spokescandies” and the introduction of their newest character, the sultry Ms. Brown. Coca Cola also utilized their characteristic animated polar bears drinking out of glass bottles, giving their commercials a timeless feel. The Budweiser Clydesdales returned for a commercial that featured Americans in the 1930’s celebrating the end of Prohibition, which was appropriate because Budweiser began using the Clydesdales symbolically in 1933 when Prohibition was first repealed. Super Bowl advertisers took advantage of recent technology by making one third of the commercials accessible through the iPhone app Shazam. Shazam, which was originally invented for song identification purposes, can now be used to identify a commercial playing on television and provide further information about the company, ranging from a general overview to access to coupons and giveaways.
Photos Courtesy of: Top: Wikimedia Commons Middle: Sofia Martinez/Gavel Media Bottom: Wikimedia Commons
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Netflix: What’s in Your Queue? Downton Abbey By Maggie Lawrence culture editor Let’s be honest: we’re here to learn, but to the 2012 college student, a Netflix subscription has become as necessary as most of this semester’s textbooks. The glorious “Watch Instantly” option, which provides instantaneous internet video streaming of thousands of movies and television shows, has confined more than a few of us to our beds for several hours before school starts to get “real.” While we’re certainly not condoning the fact that you haven’t yet opened your Introduction to Theology coursepack, Gavel Media would rather you maxi-
mize the quality of the disgusting amount of time you spend on Netflix. Allow us to guide you. For forty years, Masterpiece Classic has been producing period dramas made for television, certainly not targeting the same audience as high traffic Netflix picks such as Breaking Bad or Glee. Yet, devotees of both these shows and many others have been persuaded by the most recent Masterpiece Classic creation, Downton Abbey. Downton, a mini-series created and directed by Julian Fellowes, was recently picked up and aired for American audiences by the PBS network. In this British costume drama set on the fictional estate of Downton
Abbey in North Yorkshire during the 1910’s, the cast of characters features the noble Crawley family and their extensive staff, from housemaids to valets to chauffeurs. The patriarch Lord Crawley controls Downton as the Earl of Grantham. His Earldom had been on weak footing prior to his union with wife Lady Grantham, an American heiress whose fortune saved the estate. They have three daughters, Mary, Edith, and Sybil, but no son. Lord Grantham had arranged a marriage between his eldest daughter Mary and a cousin, so as to keep the fortune within his immediate family. The sinking of the Titanic tragically eliminates the chosen heir to the Earldom, and the remainder of the series chronicles the lives of a family helpless due to the laws of the land. The wild, unanticipated success of the series is largely due to its universal appeal. Downton Abbey incorporates class struggles, forbidden romance, death, war, and a sense of imminent change. The cash-poor aristocracy in England clings to the life promised to them by their noble birth, but characters like chauffeur Branson continue to challenge the archaic society and its implications. World War I sends both Crawleys and servants to the front, and the barriers between servant and lord begin to crumble as the inhabitants of Downton come together for the war effort. The Downton Abbey phenomenon has drawn fans of all ages by introducing a uniquely accessible dose of drama and humor, surprisingly relevant to a 2012 audience.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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the GAVEL / February 2012
Modern Meets Venetian Isabella Steward Gardner Museum By Emily Akin gavel media staff Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which is infamous for a high profile art theft in 1990, received a complete renovation from architect Renzo Piano this summer. The locally beloved museum was closed for the majority of the fall 2011 season and recently reopened its doors on January 19. Frequenters of the Gardner Museum will find the familiar gorgeous Venetian courtyard and mosaics supplemented with modern glass architecture. In the words of the architect, “This is like capturing Venice, Venice is inside, it is actually the light of Venice, the atmosphere of Venice, it is actually that kind of magic suspended atmosphere.” The new wing of the museum does not detract from the original structure of the Gardner Museum. The extensive construction program resulted in a completely separate gallery, which is connected to the original structure through various outdoor garden spaces and glass walkways. For Boston College students unfamiliar with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, it should be noted that the museum has been steeped in one of the largest, most high profile art scandals of the twentieth century. One night in March 1990, two men dressed as Boston police officers walked through the Muwww.bcgavel.com
seum’s front doors and bound the two security guards. The thieves proceeded to violently slash thirteen valuable paintings, including a Rembrandt and a Vermeer, from their frames. By the time the actual Boston police arrived at the scene, the most enigmatic art theft of modern history was complete. To this day the whereabouts of the paintings are unknown. The theft has inspired many books (see The Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser) and has been
In the words of the architect, “This is like capturing Venice.” linked to everyone from petty Boston criminals to the infamous mob boss Whitey Bulger. In remembrance of the crime, the Gardner Museum has left the thirteen frames hung on the walls, but refuses to officially answer questions on the subject of the missing paintings. This proves tantalizing to museum visitors, who cannot help but gawk at the prominently empty spaces and wonder about the missing paintings. The rich history of the Gardner Museum, combined with the eerie robberies, has made the museum a favorite with Bos-
tonians. The museum’s new renovations have taken steps to restore some of the features of the original Gardner House, along with incorporating modern architectural elements. The Tapestry Room, one of the Gardner’s most fascinating rooms, had previously been closed to the public but was restored to its original state. The ceiling-high tapestries that decorate the walls require visitors to pace the room and gaze in awe at the beautiful masterpieces. Thankfully, the room is a mostly open gallery so there is plenty of space for the romantic wanderer to tread. Besides the tapestry room, the original Gardner Museum building was unchanged during the renovations. The new wing, which is a gorgeous glass and wooden structure, will contain the majority of the Museum’s modern art collection and will also host Sunday music concerts in the garden throughout the upcoming year. For any BC students looking to fend off the pre-Spring Break Blues, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum provides a discounted entrance fee of $5 with any valid college I.D. The exciting new changes at the museum make it a great trip for both Gardner aficionados and newbies alike. 33
The audience is inspired to wonder about the contradiction
of
us-
ing immoral means to prove a moral wrong. Photo by Sofia Martinez/Gavel Media
Boston College Theater
Doubt: A Parable
By Kate Lewis gavel media staff “What do you do when you’re not sure?” So begins Doubt: A Parable, a Theatre Department production performed February 1-5 in the Bonn Studio Theatre. The play, written by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Dr. John Houchin, and featuring an ensemble cast of four theatre majors, includes thought-provoking themes surrounding religious hierarchy and conflicts of morality. The central conflict of the play centers around Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn, portrayed by Deirdre McCourt, A&S ’12, and Tim Kopacz, A&S ’13, respectively. Aloysius, the stern and traditional principal of a parochial school, harbors a deep mistrust for the progressive and well-liked Flynn. When Sister James, a young nun played by Kasey Brown, A&S ’12, reveals that Flynn has been spending private time with African-American student Donald Muller, Aloysius assumes that Flynn’s actions are inappropriate. She embarks on a warpath to remove Flynn from the school, though all evidence seems to be against her claim. 34
McCourt commands the audience’s attention with her gripping performance as Sister Aloysius. The hard work and dedication that she puts into building this dynamic character are evident, as she strides about the stage with unmatched confidence. Such a role requires a committed and talented actress, and McCourt rises to the challenge and delivers a tremendous performance. Kopacz and Brown portray Flynn and James as warm, relatable characters with compassion for their students, directly contrasting Aloysius’s cold and rigid nature. It is in their moments of conflict, however, that these two actors truly shine. Though Brown typically maintains a mild demeanor as James, she is especially spectacular in portraying the young sister’s defiant moments. Similarly, Kopacz’s Flynn has an enjoyable charm throughout, but his confrontations with Aloysius add an extra dimension to his character. Despite only appearing in one scene in the play, Nzinga Williams, A&S ’12, steals the show in her role as Mrs. Muller. Her performance is remarkable and her interaction with McCourt is rife with dramatic tension. One could feel the pure
emotion in Williams’s voice as she reveals the truth of her son’s difficult home life and her desires for him to succeed at all costs, effectively defending Donald’s relationship with Father Flynn. The play includes thought-provoking themes that keep the audience pondering long after the final blackout. As Aloysius employs deceit and needless threats to prove Flynn’s guilt, the audience is inspired to wonder about the contradiction of using immoral means to prove a moral wrong. The important issues of racial and gender inequality are also present in Shanley’s play, and such subjects are still relevant today even though the action takes place in 1964. Technical aspects of the show, including a set design by Crystal Tiala and sound design by John Delfino, A&S ’12, are phenomenal, demonstrating a strong commitment to all facets of the theatrical process. Overall, Doubt: A Parable is another outstanding production in the Robsham Theatre Arts Center’s 30th-anniversary season, and the entire cast and crew impress audiences with a production that show off their hard work and dedication to their craft.
the GAVEL / February 2012
The Hunger Games A Must-Read
By Jillian Timko Associate Culture Editor The Hunger Games, a young adult novel authored by Suzanne Collins, has captured the hearts and minds of readers of all ages since its publication in 2008. The book is the first novel of The Hunger Games Trilogy, followed by Catching Fire and Mockingjay. The books have drawn comparisons to both the Harry Potter and Twilight series, but Collins has managed to go far beyond the sappy romance of Twilight without becoming a Harry Potter wannabe, giving the trilogy its own place in the literary world and earning many awards and rave reviews it has received. The first novel, set in post-apocalyptic North America in a country called Panem, begins when the spirited 16-year-old heroine, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers to compete in the annual Hunger Games in the place of her delicate younger sister, Prim. The Hunger Games, akin to a bloody version of the Olympic Games, are competitions in which one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen as tributes from each of the twelve districts surrounding the capitol of Panem to fight to the death in televised games of survival of the fittest. The Games serve as a reminder to the 12 districts of Panem of the authority that the despotic, Orwellian capitol www.bcgavel.com
has “rightly” held over them since their failed rebellion 74 years prior. The first novel follows the course of the Games, drawing readers into the twisted world of the wealthy capitol and the sickening notions of the Games, juxtaposed with Katniss’s previous poverty-stricken life in District 12. Catching Fire revolves around the surviving tributes after the Games and the impact that the next Hunger Games has on their lives. Mockingjay, the last book in the series, goes beyond the challenges of the Games to focus on challenging the repressive regime that controls Panem. The books are fast-paced and packed with riveting action, adventure and tension. They also touch on darker, more adult themes such as the psychological impact of death, the politics and cruelty of repression, and the tension between morality and survival. Readers will love gutsy, stubborn Katniss as she refuses to neither give in to the Capitol nor give up in her battle for survival, despite her grim circumstances. Equally absorbing are the “Big Brother” aspects of the government of Panem as it tries to subtly maintain harsh control over its miserable citizens.
Collins writes clearly and smoothly, allowing the characters and the plot to take hold of the reader’s imagination. She has created a readable and, more importantly, enthralling adventure that draws readers in with passion and enthusiasm. While Katniss experiences her share of romance throughout the novels, her love story does not make up the main plot of the books. Furthermore, she never becomes dependent on any of her potential beaus, ensuring that she will never lower herself to the sentimental antics of Bella from the Twilight Series. Furthermore, Collins has created an entirely new world with a heroine that faces very different but equally engrossing circumstances when compared with those presented in the Harry Potter series, thus creating a new space for the trilogy in the realm of literature. The Hunger Games has received many different awards, including Publisher’s Weekly “Best Book of the Year” in 2008 and The New York Times “Notable Children’s Book of 2008.” It was very well-received by critics; Stephen King called the book “addictive” and the New York Times praised the novel for being “brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced.” It was a USA Today and a New York Times bestseller. 35
The Oscars 2012
The Academy Awards will air live on ABC on Sunday, February 26th at 7PM. Gavel Media has reviewed the nominees and selected our favorites from some of the most prestigious categories.
GAVEL MEDIA STAFF Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Best Actor
Best Picture Hugo
Best Actress
Meryl Streep
Graham King and Martin Scorsese The Iron Lady
George Clooney The Descendants
Best Supporting Best Supporting Actress Actor Christopher Plummer Melissa McCarthy Beginners
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Bridesmaids
the GAVEL / February 2012
Upcoming Concert Watch Chris Webby 2/18 Paradise
Rock Club
Flogging Molly
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
2/21 house of blues
2/23 middle east
Flogging Molly, Open Air Arena Vienna 2010, Wikimedia Commons
Zach Deputy
2/24 middle east
Galactic
2/26 house of blues
moe. 3/2
house of blues
Carolina Chocolate Drops
3/3 berklee school of music www.bcgavel.com
moe. live courtesy of Hiro Ballroom
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a tribute to
Whitney
In honor of Whitney, we at Gavel Media present our favorite songs from her discography and an explanation of why they mattered to us personally.
The Greatest Love of All Mason Lende, Editor-in-Chief
I Wanna Dance With Somebody Maggie Lawrence, Culture Editor This is my favorite Whitney jam because it is such a feelgood song. It’s an expression of the power of joy and love through dance. The spirited-yet-soulful, uplifting quality of her music is responsible for her universal appeal. The way this song makes me feel is only one tiny part of the timeless legacy Whitney Houston left to the industry. RIP.
Jillian Timko, Assoc. Culture Editor My favorite Whitney Houston song reminds me of dance class when I was little. I remember doing a dance to this song at one of my first classes, and I had so much fun doing it. Those first few dance experiences got me hooked and kept me dancing for the next fifteen years. So thank you, Whitney Houston, for lending your amazing voice to a song that introduced me to dancing – something that gave me joy for my entire pre-college life.
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This is probably my favorite Whitney Houston song because of the backstory. Written to her children by a woman dying of cancer, the song strikes a chord with me. Unfortunately, the songwriter, Linda Creed, died a few weeks before the song hit number one. One can almost imagine a mother writing this for her children, all the while knowing that she would not be around to watch them grow up. Still though, the song is a veritable anthem that every parent imagines their children living to the fullest. “I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadow. If I fail, if I succeed, at least I live as I believe.”
Star-Spangled Banner
Kenny St. John, Opinions Editor I know obviously that Whitney Houston wasn’t the first to sing the Star Spangled Banner, but her rendition of our National Anthem during the 1991 Super Bowl is by far the best version that has ever been sung. No yodeling, no messing up the lyrics, no going all over the place with the notes. We had just begun the First Gulf War, and if you watch the YouTube video, its an amazing sight to see everyone at the Super Bowl waving little American flags and the soldiers on the field holding the state flags. Her effortless vocals combined with the orchestral accompaniment is the absolute platinum standard.
the GAVEL / February 2012
I Will Always Love You Jasmine Uduma, News Editor I can’t fully articulate in words Whitney’s impact on my life and I guess it’s because that’s just the way love works. She was like family, in the sense that she was always around my house in pictures and videos. Her voice is as familiar to me as my own mother’s. And my mom is the one who made sure of that. My mom would use Whitney as my role model to whom she would measure me against. I can distinctly remember my mom telling me that I had her voice (my God, what a liar!) and I should make sure I sang out like her during my church choir rehearsal. Now, whether or not my six-year old self ever had that potential is completely irrelevant; the message my mom was trying to convey was that she saw greatness in me and that was just the kind of affirmation I needed to temporarily cure all my self-consciousness. To put it simply she was everything I wanted to be. Her death this past weekend is like her second one to me; her first one was when I watched her give a live performance and her voice was completely gone (crack IS whack). Her death, as utterly depressing it is, at least freed her from her imprisoning lifestyle.
It’s Not Right But It’s Okay Jenna LaConte, Assoc. Culture Editor Whitney’s upbeat, powerful “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” will always hold a special place in my heart. When I was in third grade, the only thing I wanted for Christmas was a karaoke machine. I envisioned myself diva-ing out in my basement in preparation for my future career as a pop star. Santa was good to me that year, and he left me that karaoke machine along with an assortment of CD’s to go with it. My inner diva instantly fell in love with “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.” I rocked out to it day and night, and occasionally turned it into a duet when my friends came over for play dates. Rest in peace, Whitney, and thanks for all of the great memories.
When You Believe Allison Riccato, Assoc. Features Editor My favorite song from the talented Whitney Houston is not one of her classic hits. In fact, it’s probably little known to readers unless they have seen the magic of the animated film, The Prince of Egypt, which chronicles the rise of Moses to become the chosen deliverer of his Hebrew people. In the film, the song “There Can Be Miracles When You Believe” is sung by two actresses portraying Moses’ sister and wife to inspire the Hebrews to persevere during their grueling expulsion from Egypt. However, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey team up in the soundtrack of the film and tackle this rousing number. Houston’s smooth voice imbues the lyrics with a power the actress voicing for the film could not capture. It is a fine remembrance to Whitney Houston to listen to this stirring song, as her soaring voice enthralls you and convinces you that there is indeed always hope if you believe.
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Robert Rossi, Managing Editor Okay, maybe this is a cop out. But as far as I’m concerned there will never be enough things written about this song. It’s one of those records that all your friends pretend to be sick of when it comes on, but deep down inside they’re thinking of someone special and fighting back the tears. Honestly, the lyrics should come off ridiculously cheesy, but the fact is Whitney sings the hell out of them so hard that you could tell me she was singing about Coca-Cola and the song would still get my waterworks flowing. The only gripe I have with the performance is that it basically ruins every other ballad ever sung. Say what you want about the vocal prowess of Adele, Beyonce or Lady Gaga, but they have never come close to completely encapsulating the most powerful emotion a human being can experience the way Whitney does with one phrase. You can say the song is overplayed, blame it for this “is it amazing or is it creepy?” YouTube video, and get mad at it when some drunken seniors are butchering it on the Comm. Ave bus. But at least do yourself a favor and listen to the real deal once more before you let someone or something ruin it for you. No matter how many times you’ve heard it before, the goose bumps will still come when Whitney hits that key change in the last chorus.
Impossible Cal Greene III, Features Editor This was always one of my favorite Whitney songs. Cinderella was one of my favorite stories growing up and the Rogers and Hammerstein version was even better. Though all the songs in the play, and feature film, were catchy, timeless and well done, “Impossible” offered a glimmer of hope in a situation where there was no reason to have hope. It was a reminder that there still was so much beauty in the world. And as I sat in my living room watching Whitney transform Brandy to the ball, hearing her amazing voice and feeling the energy she brought to every note, I couldn’t help but feel magical, like anything can happen.
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