OP&EDS: The Guardsman discusses the upcoming props
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Volume 150, Issue 3
SPORTS: Rams defeat Mendocino college eagles
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s s e l t n a r r Wa phone l l e c : g n i k c tra
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C&T: Mexican Independence Day celebrate
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September 22, 2010
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News
THE GUARDSMAN
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
Dispatch from the Editor’s desk
NEWS IN BRIEF
Zemanifesto
Salmon hearings loom
Nothing is sacred at The Guardsman, politically or otherwise, and this issue we’re proving it by slaughtering a golden calf for many of our readers: the Obama administration. Yeah, I know, everyone got really excited when the Bush administration came to an end. Many of us on staff, myself included, thought it was pretty great, but the honeymoon is over and we are not a rubber stamp for the policies of this president. Besides, it’ll be nice to get some hate mail form the other half of our readers. Not the change we had in mind We feel that the efforts of the Obama administration to expand law enforcement's power to perform warrantless cell phone tracking represents an unnecessary and frightening affront to our civil liberties. We consider the use of cell tower triangulation an act of surveillance and we are shocked and appalled by the Department of Justice’s interest in expanding its use. If a warrant is no longer needed for this type of information gathering, what is there to stop a future government from using it to repress dissent? What will stop law enforcement from creating databases of those attending protests deemed counterproductive to establishment goals? The lawyers arguing on behalf of the Department of Justice have acknowledged that there are no distinct limits on the application of this expanded police power and that ordinary citizens will be subject to extensive, and in our view excessive, scrutiny. All are welcome I have recently caught wind of suggestions
RAMSEY EL-QARE / THE GUARDSMAN
that The Guardsman is a paper that does not welcome the input of conservative readers. This is not true. If you write a letter critical of something we’ve written, I promise, I will print it. It’s true that I might type out a few snarky remarks behind your letter, but I will never attempt to silence or marginalize your viewpoint. By the way, not everyone on staff here is a liberal. We’ve taken some fairly liberal editorial stances, but those only reflect the consensus opinion of the editors, who make up less than a third of the staff. We never decided, as a group of liberals, to enroll en masse in the newspaper laboratory class and shift the editorial line to the left. But there’s no reason that a group of conservative students at City College couldn’t do just that with the inverse goal. I mean, except the difficulty of finding
enough conservatives at City College to staff a lemonade stand, never mind a newspaper. Which reminds me; I’ve been giving my responses in our letters section some thought. At first I thought maybe responding at all was a mistake, but then I spoke with some close friends and family, and they assured me that I’m just an abrasive dick sometimes, and that I could perhaps try to be less of one in the letters section, and in general. So I told them to piss off.
— Greg Zeman Editor-in-Chief E-mail: gzeman@theguardsman.com
Alea Iacta Est
By Gayle Yglesias THE GUARDSMAN
The state legislature has yet to pass a financial plan to address California’s $19.9 million deficit, leaving California without a budget, and making it the longest impasse in the state’s history. The legislature trying is to close the deficit by reducing spending through cutting some state-funded programs. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget includes a reduction in spending, and would continue to fully fund K-12 education and increase funding for the University of California, the California State University and the California Community Colleges system, to avoid tuition hikes or deep cuts to classes. Schwarzenegger’s budget would also eliminate numerous programs, such as CalWORKs. CalWORKs provides financial assistance and employment services for low-income families with
CELESTE BOGLE / THE GUARDSMAN
CalWORKs secretary Senimele Maafu works at her desk in the Ocean campus office. Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for the program.
children. City College’s program aims to help potential, current and former welfare recipients who are students. “If the budget passes, the program here will see less benefits, such as cash awards and child care, that are provided by the county program,” Roland Montemayor, a City College CalWORKs academic counselor said. CalWORKs students would receive fewer benefits, if San Francisco County’s CalWORKs program gets cut from the state budget. As of now, students are required to do 32 hours of activities, which include 12 units of classes as a full time student, and 20 hours of work activity. Eligible City College
CalWORKs students are entitled to counseling services, which help them in creating education plans, enrolling in courses and gaining accessibility to resources on campus and in the community. They may also be eligible for financial aid, fee waivers and book vouchers, which help financially struggling students pay for classes and books. “What am I suppose to do? If it gets cut, it gets cut,” CalWORKs student Danielson Capuzs said. “I feel like there isn’t really anything I can do to stop it. And if this happens, I won’t be able to pay for my books or tuition. I resorted to a community college because it was cheaper than a UC or CSU, but even now I’m facing financial
Court to review law
A federal court will hear an appeal for Arizona’s SB1070 immigration law on Nov. 1, putting parts of the measure on hold. AB1070, which has been criticized as the strictest measure against illegal immigration, allows police to inquire residents “under reasonable suspicion” about their legal status. Immigration activists claim the measure leads to racial profiling, and it violates a person’s right to privacy.
Hiker freed
Programs in danger of being eliminated CalWORKs may lose state funding if the legislature passes a budget with Governor’s recommendations
The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled two days of hearings at the request of AquaBounty, a Massachusetts company, that markets genetically modified salmon. Critics have referred to modified salmon as “frankenfish” and said that it could cause allergies in humans and the eventual decimation of the wild salmon population, but CEO Ron Stotish and the FDA said the company’s fish product is safe and environmental friendly. Day two of the hearing will focus on whether or not to label the genetically modified salmon as such.
dilemmas.” Montemayor said that many people would be affected because the program works with about 300 students per semester. “I empathize with low income students. Book vouchers and fee waivers are great, but sometimes even those aren’t enough to cover the costs of materials students need,” City College student Julio Cayetano said. “It’s bad enough as it is and if the budget passes, it’s going to be even more difficult for them.” As of now, the current fiscal situation is making it difficult for teachers as well, because teachers are taking on more students. “Because of the budget crisis, I took in more students in my classes than I have ever taken before. “I am allowed a maximum of 31 students, but took about 40 because I know students will drop over the course of the semester.” City College English instructor John Delgado said. “I am not being compensated for the extra students I take in. I know other teachers are doing it and we are suffering with students too. My heart goes out to all of them because I know there are certain classes they really need.” Peter Goldstien, vice chancellor of finance and administration, was unavailable for comment. E-mail: gyglesias@theguardsman.com
Sarah Shourd, one three hikers arrested in 2009 for illegally crossing into Iran, was released from Evin Prison in Tehran on Sept. 14 after an anonymous source paid her $500,000 bail. On Sept. 19, Shourd gave a press conference in New York City where she thanked the Iranian government, their judicial system and the sultan of Oman for her release. Shourd also thanked the Swiss ambassador in Iran and her Iranian lawyer. She said she hopes for the release of her fiance, Shane Bauer, and their friend Josh Fattal. Shourd reiterated that she and her companions had no idea they had crossed into the Iranian border, and that they have not committed any crimes nor where they spying in Iran.
New lane opens
The Bay Area’s first express lane opened on Sept. 20 along the southbound section of Interstate 680. The new express lane allows solo drivers to drive through the carpool lane for a small fee that can only be paid through a FasTrak transmitter. The lane runs a 14-mile stretch from Highway 84 to Route 237. The project began in late 2008. It cost approximately $200 million which was funded through Prop 1B, Transportation Bonds.
News
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
THE GUARDSMAN
Counselors promote education equality By Kwame Opoku-Duku THE GUARDSMAN
As a vote on the Dream Act nears, City College Latino Service Network counselors are doing what they can to insure that eligible AB 540 students are ready. The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act is a bipartisan bill that impacts undocumented students who come to the U.S. before the age of 16. After five years they could become legal residents by completing two years of higher education or military service. To qualify for AB 540 under the California Immigrant Higher Education Act: a student needs to attend a California high school for three years, have a diploma or the equivalent and write a statement saying he or she will apply for legal residency when eligible to do so. Qualification allows the student to pay resident as opposed to out-of-state tuition, which makes a difference of $2000 per semester for full time costs.
ROBERT ROMANO / THE GUARDSMAN
Berfalia Alvarado schedules an appointment at City College’s Latino Services Network in Cloud Hall, on Sept. 20. “ I think education is a human right. It is not a privilege,” Alvarado said.
Associated Students President Elizabeth Weinberg, whose campaign highlighted education as a human right, noted the
importance of students being able to afford education. “Education is a fundamental right,” Weinberg said. “Regard-
Election forum hosts political candidates at Diego Rivera Theatre
with diverse backgrounds in business, law, education and grassroots activism. Some claimed to have an advantage over career politicians who have allegiances to special interest groups. The forum was staggered into five sessions totaling approximately 40 candidates. Over half of the candidates were San Francisco Board of Supervisors hopefuls from Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10. Candidates for the board of education were the second largest group present. “There are a lot of candidates,” student senator “Diamond” Dave Whitaker said. “But it remains to be seen how many voters there will be.” As for the turnout at the forum, the theater seats were 70 percent empty. Very few students spent their Saturday afternoon as part of the audience. “This is not a debate,” moderator Emil Guillermo said as he
By Isaiah Kramer THE GUARDSMAN
In anticipation of November elections, San Francisco candidates running for local, state and national offices were invited to speak at a public forum held at City College’s Diego Rivera Theatre on Saturday. City College collaborated with the Philippine American Press Club to organize the forum as both a tool for voter education and an opportunity for the public to participate in the democratic process.
“We’d like the Filipino community and other underrepresented communities to have a voice,” said PAPC President Esther Chavez. Because of their audience, many candidates addressed issues concerning the Filipino community and other individuals who are neglected in the political process. “The people in the community need to be at the table or else they’re going to be the meal,” said District 10 candidate Eric Smith. The forum’s candidates were primarily first-time runners, proudly proclaimed “rookies,”
less of someone’s background or situation, not having access to affordable education could really stunt someone’s livelihood. Everyone deserves education without discrimination.” Although AB 540 came into effect in January 2002, Leticia Silva, co-chair of the AB 540 Task Force, said that as of 2009 only 450 students at the college were enrolled under the act. In order to reach more students, members of the task force will feature a faculty training event and a campus-wide event surrounding AB 540. It’s important for teachers to be aware of these struggles, because they may need to advise a student to apply for financial aid, or to follow a career path that requires a license—like nursing or radiology—when a student may not be eligible to do so, Silva said. Along with working with the Latino Service Network and students at the college, the task force considers reaching out to high school students as equally
AB540: Page 10
introduced the forum. “This is a way to get a first taste of the candidates.” Each candidate had two minutes to introduce themselves, deliver a concise summary of their credentials and state their stance on pressing issues. Then, questions from the audience were discussed by a panel and each candidate had a minute to respond. Immigration policy was a recurring question from the audience. By and large, candidates declared their dedication to illegal immigrants’ rights, and expressed support for San Francisco’s sanctuary status. District 10, the largest district, which includes Hunter’s Point and Bayview, has an open seat as Supervisor Sophie Maxwell is termed out. There are 21 candidates running to fill the position. The District 10 candidates’ FORUM: Page 10
Registration project reaches out to students By Robert Romano THE GUARDSMAN
The California Voter Registration Project will resume this semester at City College to make voting more accessible to students. Historically, people between the ages of 18 and 24 vote far less than older people. The voter registration drive is a way to address the inequality of power and participation, said Timothy Killikelly, a City College political science professor and project director. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, about one third of people aged 18 to 24 are registered to vote, and the percentage is steadily
declining. One of the reasons for this, is lack of information. Students don’t know how and where to register and do not realize the need to re-register after moving to another residence. The voter registration project is focused on bringing awareness about the importance of voting to students and attempting to increase the number of young voters. “The issues now are more intense for students,” Killikelly said. “It’s always been a battle: tuition, space and schools, no classes. I want to give students a voice in elections.” “In some ways we have been very successful, we have registered about 150,000 voters
statewide since the program started,” he said. “The first direction we give the teachers and students who are conducting the seminars is to not support any particular candidate but just to educate the students on the process.” Student trustee Jefferey Wang, who helps coordinate the project, said he hopes to see the process all the way through— from working with teachers to set up boxes in classrooms, to collecting and mailing completed registration forms. “We will conduct educational seminars in the classroom. We will talk about the convenience of registering to vote,” he said. Professors can participate in the process by distributing
registration forms in the classroom and informing students on the process. They can also host voting presentations, explained Leslie Smith, dean of government relations. “The key for this process is to be as consistent as possible through fluctuations in voter turnout,” said Killikelly. Distribution of voting materials begins during the week of Sept. 20. Other community colleges that have implemented the project include: San Joaquin Delta, Peralta, Coastline, Los Angeles, West Kern, Chabot, Las Positas, and Rio Hondo. E-mail: rromano@theguardsman.com
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Officials step down after board endorses candidate By Don Clyde THE GUARDSMAN
The chancellor of the California community college system, Jack Scott, and the president of the University of California, Mark Yudof, resigned from the California Chamber of Commerce board of directors after the board voted Sept. 3 to endorse Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Scott wrote a letter to the chamber president, Allan Zaremberg, stating that he was resigning “in light of the chamber’s action to engage in electioneering.” The letter did not indicate, however, that Scott was resigning specifically over the board’s choice of Whitman over Democratic candidate Jerry Brown. “It is in the best interest of the community college system that I stay out of partisan politics,” Scott wrote. “As I have consistently done in the past, I will work cooperatively with any governor, whether a Democrat, Republican or third-party candidate.” Yudof submitted his letter of membership suspension on Aug. 27 to Zaremberg. But Yudof also indicated he would be willing to return to the board if the chamber created an “ex-officio membership status” for the California Community College, UC and California State University systems. “As the President of a public university, I cannot take sides in electoral politics. I must preserve my politically agnostic status,” Yudof wrote. Attempts to contact Scott and Yudof for comment were unsuccessful. Zaremberg defended the board’s decision to endorse Whitman in a media release. “For the business community as well as the electorate, job creation and economic recovery are the most important issues and it is clear Meg Whitman most closely reflects the views of those who make private sector job creation their first priority,” Zaremberg said. A Los Angeles Times report indicated the chamber “traditionally stayed out of partisan politics,” and added that the first chamber endorsement was in 2003 for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Whitman and Brown are currently engaged in a heated race for governor of California. Elections will be held Nov. 2. E-mail: dclyde@theguardsman.com
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Opinions&Editorials
THE GUARDSMAN
THE GUARDSMAN City College of San Francisco’s Newspaper Since 1935
Editor in Chief Greg Zeman
Students’ chances at education lowered
News Editors Tania Cervantes Jessica Luthi Opinions & Editorials Editor Nick Palm Cultures & Trends Editor Estela Fuentes Sports Editor Ryan Kuhn Online Editor Dominick Delgadillo Multimedia Editor Angela Penny Photo Editor Ramsey El-Qare Assistant Photo Editor Frank Ladra Chief Copy Editor Atticus Morris Copy Editors Don Clyde Alex Luthi Staff Writers Elizabeth Kessell Isaiah Kramer Catherine Lee Kwame Opoku-Doku Jose Torres Destiny Vaughn Gayle Yglesias Photographers Sabrina Bot Celeste Bogle Colt Ciancanelli Dishon Irving Donald Hamilton Frank Ladra Patrick Makiri Robert Romano Tim Taechotirote Roderick Tannehill Rachel VanZandt James Fanucchi Web Media Ian Mc Donald Contributing Writer Omri Petitte Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales
California Newspaper Publisher’s Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges
To advertise in our newspaper please contact our Advertising Manager Tristan Covello or Michael Brandt at advertising@theguardsman. com How to contact us: Mail: 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Phone: (415) 239-3446 Fax: (415) 239-3884 E-mail: email@theguardsman.com Online: www.theguardsman. com
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
We can all agree that 2009 brought California some of the steepest budget cuts the state has ever encountered. According to a press release from the office of the chancellor of California community colleges, $520 million was slashed from the system’s budget for the 20092010 school year, perpetuating a trend of valuable teachers being laid off and thousands of classes being cut statewide. California legislators are busy in Sacramento dealing with a $19 billion deficit and passing a state budget which is 84 days overdue—and counting. And thus, leaving the state’s higher-education systems hanging. But I did receive a spark of good news last week in an arti-
cle from the Los Angeles Times, which stated California Colleges are set to receive over $200 million in emergency federal stimulus funding. But not so fast. While the California State University and University of California systems are receiving $106 million each, California Community Colleges will only get $5 million. After this news broke, CSU announced that as many as 10,000 new students will be admitted for the winter and spring terms. Sounds great, but they’ve received approximately 41,000 applications since June 1—with more on the way. Although my columns thus far have been laced with well-
intended goofs and gags, these shocking statistics are no laughing matter. After hearing back from readers, I feel I’ve come off as sounding selfish. I thought I had it bad, being “stuck” at City College for all these years. Realistically, I had a head start, considering I completed many core transferable classes before the budget crunch really affected City College. The chancellor’s office also stated that, “Many community college districts are reporting that approximately 50 percent of new students trying to enroll in a community college class are being turned away.” A few years ago, if you weren’t accepted to a four-year university, you would simply attend a community college for a year or two until you were able to transfer. Today, you’re telling me half of these people can’t even get into a community college? Last month, 33,000 more jobs were cut in California, raising the state’s unemployment rate to an unbelievable 12.4 percent. Many unemployed workers, in an attempt to competitively return to a wild job market, comparable to the fierce and unforgiving jungles of the Congo, have decided to return to school and expand their education. Numbers have shown that many will not be accepted to any
of these schools. But each returning student who is admitted theoretically takes the place of one 18-year-old high school graduate attempting to begin his or her college career. By no means am I saying the unemployed population shouldn’t be allowed to return to school. I’m saying that everyone deserves an education, but many will be left hanging out to dry. My application period for transferring to a CSU begins on Oct. 1. Will the hours and money I spend filling out this application be completely in vain? Or do I actually have a chance of being accepted into another overcrowded, under-budgeted public institution? We will know soon enough. As champions of education, we must continue to battle for better funding in our state’s public schools. And as much as I’d like to say that attending demonstrations and writing letters to your representative will make a difference, it probably won’t. No matter how much we fight for our beliefs, it’s up to the brain trusts of our elected officials in Sacramento—who, might I add, have all completed their higher education—to fix this dismal mess we are up to our necks in. E-mail: npalm@theguardsman.com
Tea Party strengthens as Democrats disband By Angela Penny THE GUARDSMAN
If non-conservatives don’t break through our collective malaise and vote for Democrats this November, we are putting ourselves in danger of surrendering political control to a small group of uber-conservative zealots. The only people who would benefit from this are religious fundamentalists and greedy billionaires. Republicans have been busy trying to rebrand themselves as the right choice for getting the United States out of its economic quagmire, when actually they’re the party that got us into this mess. Meg Whitman has spent over $104 million to gain the lead in the race for California governor by using slick MTVesque television ads expressing her campaign’s elevator pitch: "People know she knows how to create jobs. Jerry Brown is a time machine to failure" Whitman helped to build e-Bay, a company plagued by identity-theft scams, which laid off 10 percent of its employees in 2008 and continually increases its income by raising transaction fees. Wasn’t this the argument that Schwarzenegger used to get elected? He knew how to make
money which most career politi- outcomes, Brown would lose his cians don’t seem to know how bid for Governor if the election to do? were held today. The scorecard Politics is not business. shows Brown with 42 percent of It’s dangerous to take her buzz the vote and Whitman with 46 phrases at face value and not percent. And, she’s up a point dig deeper. And dangerous to since last week. think your vote doesn’t matter. From the same source, It does. Democratic incumbent Barbara Obama Boxer is may not have 4 percentIt’s dangerous to take her been able to age points flip a switch buzz phrases at face value behind and turn the and not dig deeper. Republican country into Carly Fiorithe red, white na in the and blue nirvana we would have U.S. Senate race. liked, but who knows where we We need to turn this around. would be if John McCain and— No politician is an island; they God forbid—Sarah Palin were require the support of other in office right now. elected politicians to get busiObama would not have been ness accomplished. elected without the enthusiasRight now Obama is trying tic participation of people who to get tax breaks for the middle usually don’t vote, a large part class (those earning less than of whom are young. $200,000 per year). RepubliAccording to the New cans are blocking it because it York Times, “far fewer 18- to contains some tax increases for 29-year-olds identify them- the wealthiest Americans. selves as Democrats ... the Meanwhile, Republicans are economic reality of a weak job blaming Obama for not making market has taken a toll on their more financial progress. loyalties.” The most popular politiIn California, Jerry Brown cal pundit of all time, Rush and Barbara Boxer are losing Limbaugh, makes it seem that if their respective races for two Obama and Nancy Pelosi didn’t of the most important political exist, there would be jobs for offices in the country. everyone and no taxes. America According to Rasmussen would be the superpower the Reports, a polling company pilgrims intended it to be. Our that tries to predict election borders would be secure and the
world would be as Jesus Christ intended it to be, with men marrying women and Wonder Bread building our bodies 12 ways. Religious fundamentalists are attempting to deny my freedom of religion. Because I don't believe that Adam and Eve were actual people who lived in a garden and there was a snake and an apple, then I'm going to hell and somehow persecuting those who believe that Charles Darwin was the equivalent of the tooth fairy. There are more of us than there are of them, but apathy, frustration and ADHD are our enemies here. We must focus and set aside our differences for at least the present. No person, much less a politician is perfect. When Obama recently commented that the mosque being built in downtown Manhattan was not a bad idea, other democrats immediately jumped on him. Whitman recently ran an advertisement with Brown debating Bill Clinton in the early 1990s. She and her party are trying to separate and defeat the opposition, and it’s working. Liberals are bashing Obama right and left and they just can’t afford to do that—at least not until after the election. E-mail: apenny@theguardsman.com
Opinions&Editorials
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
THE GUARDSMAN
Propositions Debated Each issue until the November General Election, The Guardsman will discuss propositions that will be on the ballot.
PROP
20
Known as the “VOTERS FIRST Act for Congress,” Proposition 20 is California’s congressional redistricting initiative. If passed, Proposition 20 will give congressional redistricting authority to a recently-authorized, 14-member commission comprising 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 4 representatives of neither party. Thus, removing elected representatives from the redistricting process.
Support
By Patrick Makiri and Frank Ladra THE GUARDSMAN
Proposition 20 will extend a measure that California voters had already approved 2 years ago. Proposition 11 was passed in 2008 to address redistricting issues at the state assembly level by stripping the legislature of its power to redraw district lines and awarding that power to a new 14-member commission, the Citizens Redistricting Commission. A “yes” on Proposition 20 would grant the CRC oversight of redistricting California for the U.S. House of Representatives. The abuses of redistricting are well documented, just google “gerrymandering, Boss Tweed.” Citizens no longer need to be subject to the survivalist methods of politicians who draw arbitrary district lines with one thing in mind: re-election. A diverse commission of 5 Republicans, 5 Democrats and 4 others is one step closer to a more fairly drawn map of our voting population. Both Proposition 11 and the 2010 census have set in motion Califor-
PROP
23
nia’s attempt to improve voter representation. In the present system, the legislature does not even have to respect basic geographic integrity (i.e. city/county borders). Through geographically compact voting districts, voters will have more opportunities to address local issues when electing representatives. By law, our communities will be better protected as voting entities, able to act as a more unified force with more influence in elections. Rather than welcoming change, politicians are inciting fear by co-opting the current budget crisis— that they are largely responsible for—and calling the commission unaffordable. Our state may be in crisis, but postponing better representation won’t help us dodge the depths of this deep-seated recession. In fact, as a more cohesive voting public we can hope to trim the inefficiencies of our state. Change is far off if voters’ decisions are put up for repeal before they go into effect. Let California try to set an example of how to influence government to truly represent its people.
Opposition Proposition 20, for all of its fancy wording, is nothing more than a big contest to determine who gets authority in choosing which citizens will be in specific congressional districts throughout the state of California. Up to this point, redistricting in California, which takes place every 10 years, has been the responsibility of state legislative leaders who can be held accountable for their actions by voters. However, approval of Proposition 20 will mean that redistricting will be executed by a nonaccountable, 14-person bureaucracy, known as the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Despite being made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and four non-party affiliates, the CRC guarantees no level of fairness in regards to race, class, lifestyle or wealth. Turning back time on the legislative clock, Proposition 20 intends to segregate the people of California into categories of “similar living standards” and “similar work opportunities.” This country-club mentality will only create greater complications in a state with such widespread
diversity. Then there is the ever-present issue of money. Proposition 20 is currently being funded almost entirely with $3.3 million from multimillionaire Charles Munger Jr. But what happens if Proposition 20 passes? While proponents of Proposition 20 assure “no significant change in redistricting costs,” any added spending necessity would become the financial responsibility of the taxpayers. In fact, Governor Schwarzenegger is suggesting doubling the redistricting budget, while California is already in a multi-million dollar deficit. Non-partisan reports from the state Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance have found that Proposition 27, a rival of Proposition 20, will actually save taxpayer money. It should be noted that Proposition 27 is basically the opposite of Proposition 20, and if both are approved by voters, the proposition receiving the greater number of “yes” votes will be instituted. E-mail: pmakiri@theguardsman.com fladra@theguardsman.com
In 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 32, also known as the Air Pollution Control Law. AB 32 addresses global warming and plans to lower the amount of greenhouse gases emissions throughout California. Proposition 23 suspends AB 32 until California’s unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or below for one full year.
Support
By Dominick Delgadillo and Jose Torres THE GUARDSMAN
Proposition 23 has been billed by opponents as the “dirty energy proposition.” Groups like the American Lung Association of California, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the California Teachers Association and even our Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger agree that this proposition is nothing but bad news for not only our state, but the world’s environment. But what do they know? These special interest groups and our governor are simply trying to scare voters into thinking that “big oil” and other heavy polluters are responsible for global warming. Proposition 23 simply allows the temporary suspension of AB 32, the air-pollution law that was just another tax placed on companies who were considered heavy polluters. The only reason for this tax is the belief that global warming is man made.
All this proposition is trying to do is reduce the taxes AB 32 has put on companies in order to allow those companies to be able to hire more employees. This is a good thing, because our state’s unemployment rate has been hovering around 12 percent. Sure, there’s no guarantee the companies will use the money to hire new employees. Maybe the taxes they were paying under AB 32 that were going to renewable energy research will simultaneously destroy the environment and entirely underfund the research that was trying to fix the problem, but it’s worth a shot to maybe get some people back in work. Even PG&E is trying to torpedo the proposition. This is the same company that didn’t know that gas was combustible. If you care about jobs, and you know that global warming is just a cycle the planet goes through, vote “yes” on Proposition 23.
Opposition Proposition 23 threatens to destroy the commitment we, as Californians, forged with the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, also known as AB32. Proposition 23 calls for a halt in caps and requirements put forth by AB32. If passed it will kill California’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas levels by 2020, to what they were in 1990 . Do you think big polluters should be fined if they break current regulations? Shouldn’t gross polluters have to file emissions reports? AB32 requires it. Global warming is a gargantuan issue that cannot be ignored. Earlier this year, The United Nations Environment Programme released a report where nine leading research centers were commissioned to study the problem in-depth. The conclusion was that countries must make “aggressive pledges” to curb the issue. AB32 is a perfect example of thinking unconventionally and starting to work towards a solution. Proposition 23 states that its
longevity will be determined by California’s unemployment rate. Until the rate remains at or lower than 5.5 percent for a continuous year, the bill will stay in effect. But this has only occurred three times since 1980. With its $4 million contribution, the largest financial supporter of the bill is the oil company Valero, which according to The Political Economic Institute, ranks 28th among airborne polluters in the United States. Oil companies are notorious for large scale disasters like the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, and the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year. These companies are after a fast and easy profit. They see Proposition 23 for what it really is: a loophole through which environmental restrictions will be lifted. The requirements set by AB32 need to be in place for the long haul. It is up to us to show our backbone and vote this bill down. E-mail: ddelgadillo@theguardsman.com jtorres@theguardsman.com
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Opinions&Editorials
THE GUARDSMAN
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
Photostory
THE GUARDSMAN
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Editorial
‘Yes we can’ see exactly where you are Warrantless tracking: the silent assault on your right to privacy
As the people of the United States skip obliviously towards a complete state of surveillance—sharing information once considered private with companies and strangers through social networking technology—steps are being taken to ensure law enforcement’s complete access to any information we don’t volunteer willingly. In recent weeks, the Obama administration has made a quiet, but forceful push to allow warrantless cell phone tracking as a law enforcement tool. The administration that was supposed to scale back intrusive, Bush-era policies like the United States PATRIOT Act is now seeking to strengthen the foundations of a police state. The U.S. Department of Justice, under Obama-nominated Attorney General Eric Holder has been requesting cell phone location data from service providers for some time now. Only in February of this year was this first brought under a court’s review for being unconstitutional. Earlier this month, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the ability of law enforcement to track the cell phone location of suspects without obtaining a warrant. At any given moment, a cell phone’s service provider, like AT&T or Verizon, knows exactly where the phone is by using triangulation from different cellular antennas. Under the court’s ruling, this information can now be accessed by federal and local authorities. To put it simply, the government wants a way to access people’s private information without probable cause or a judge’s approval. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures of, “Their persons, houses, papers, and effects.” This means the evidentiary standard of “probable cause” must be satisfied before any kind of search is performed by a law enforcement officer. The Obama administration, in the form of the DOJ, is attempting to circumvent the protections promised to citizens by the Fourth Amendment with its attempt to expand surveillance power. The Obama administration argues that cell phone users cannot claim constitutional protection because the information is not being taken directly from them, and is already being shared by cell phone owners with their service providers, as per the terms of their service contracts. By that logic, the information is willingly provided by the cell phone companies and no warrant is needed. If nothing else, this should serve as a reminder to the American people of the distinct difference between the interests of citizens and the interests of corporations. Certain pay-as-you-go carriers like
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Last week Senator Harry Reid added the Dream Act as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to be voted on this week. The Dream Act
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Inferno: Flames engulf San Bruno neighborhood
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TracFone advertise their service as being “contract free.” These words look golden to anyone trying to find a cell phone which won’t be tracked as easily, but when you buy a TracFone, you still have to agree to their terms and conditions, as well as their privacy policy. TracFone’s privacy policy states they will “disclose customer identifiable information as required by subpoena, search warrant, or other legal process or in the event that such customer is engaging in unlawful use of our Web site.” That’s a contract. There’s no way around it: If you have a cell phone, you can be followed, and short of refusing to sign a cell phone contract, citizens have little recourse. Most providers won’t give you cellular service without a signed contract, but even those who do aren’t concerned with protecting your privacy. Getting around in modern society is nearly impossible without a cell phone— how many working payphones have you seen lately? Then again, maybe that’s what the Obama administration is counting on.
is a proposed law to grant legal status to undocumented students who enroll in college and they get reduced in-state tuition fees and federal student college loans. The Senate’s leading Democrats are saying: The typical immigrant who would benefit from the DREAM Act is as “allAmerican” as you can get. Main Street USA does not
Keeping the country safe from criminals and terrorists should always be a top priority for the government, but citizens must be certain that their right to privacy will not be compromised in the process. Search warrants are issued to authorities by judges for just that reason. They are not issued to justify a “fishing expedition” where law enforcement gets a blank check to rifle through a person’s property until they find a crime. They are issued after authorities have successfully found probable cause to suspect that an individual is guilty of a specific offense. The Guardsman is troubled by the Obama administration’s clearly expressed intent to call the validity of this vital and time-honored process into question. A large part of the social energy that propelled Barrack Obama into the White House was a backlash against the overzealous, wrong-headed policies of the Bush era. The fact that the Obama administration, which specifically promised “change” from those past policies, is perpetuating the creation of a society where liberty and
grasp the concept of “all- American” applied to illegal immigrants. Forget about giving government comfort assistance to illegal foreigners and concentrate on Americans. There are 9.5% of us unemployed and an enormous deficit edging our country into further recession or worse. —John Clayton Grinnell, Iowa
privacy take a backseat to police power, points to a real disconnect between what kind of President Obama is and what kind of president those who voted for him thought he would be. The passing of the PATRIOT Act was a draconian affront to the civil liberties ingrained in our Bill of Rights. It broadened the scope of the federal government’s power to monitor and prosecute its citizens. It didn’t make us safer, it just made us less free. Instead of scaling back the overreaching powers created by the Bush administration, President Obama seems to be embracing their passion for playing fast and loose with Constitutional protections. We can only hope that this court decision will be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, where a more reasonable decision—based on the Constitution—can be reached. And let’s hope the Obama adminstration changes its approach to something we can believe in. E-mail: email@theguardsman.com
Thank you, Mr. Clayton, for your letter. The Guardsman has yet to take an official stance on the Dream Act, but I’m willing to say that I disagree with your assessment of the situation. Yes, this country is facing serious difficulties right now, but the solution to those difficulties lies in nourishing the hungry minds that seek the knowledge needed to address them, not in frustrat-
ing their efforts to get educated and slamming the door on their aspirations. At the time of publication, there is no decision on the Dream Act, but I sincerely hope it passes. —Greg Zeman Send Letters to: email@theguardsman.com 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Bungalow 214, Ocean campus
Counterclockwise: Top: Downed power lines add to the hazards of the fire that ravaged the Crestmoor neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif. on Sept. 9. Above: A lone property for sale sign blows in the wind during the San Bruno fire. Below: Fire department crews work to contain the flames. Right: PG&E employees examine a utility map to locate the main shutoff valve to the ruptured 30 inch diameter natural gas pipe. PG&E took over 2 hours to manually shut off the gas line.
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Culture&Trends
THE GUARDSMAN
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
Community market brings color to neighborhood By Angela Penny THE GUARDSMAN
Once a week, a dismal alleyway in the heart of the Mission transforms into “Mercado Communitario de la Mission,” or Mission Community Market, a vibrant farmer’s market and street fair. Located on Bartlett Street between 21st and 22nd streets, the market is directly across from Mission campus. It is held every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. “The market originated from the Mission Streetscape Plan, a community-based planning process led by the San Francisco Planning Department,” the market’s manager, Jeremy Shaw said. “We wanted a local, non-profit market that could reflect and serve the Mission community and to run it independently.” There are dozens of stations with fresh organic produce from around the state. There are also musical performances, cooking, crafts and community organizing. It’s in stark contrast to busy Mission Street offering Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits and McDonalds. Freed of cars, the alley widens into a colorful block where people can taste food, talk, shop and stroll aimlessly. One patron, Patty Chavez, “ooh-ed” and “aah-ed” into her cell phone while surveying the variety of produce on one vendor’s cart. “I love it here,” she said. “I’m from Mexico and the summer squash reminds me of my childhood.” The market is designed to promote, “healthy eating, economic development, and community programs,” according to its colorful flier found on the market’s website. Each week brings different vendors and special events. On Sept. 9, “The GMO Freakshow” was there. GMO refers to Genetically Modified Organisms, which are used to create genetically modified food—the opposite of organic. The trio of entertainers, also known as The Big Tadoo Puppet Crew, have been traveling around the country in a muraled bus powered by biodiesel fuel. The group comprises puppeteer Johnny Unite-us, beat-box-backed rapper MCC and folk singer Ariel Eisen.
JESSICA LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN
Dave Hale, of Hale’s Apple Farm in Sebastopol, sells apples he farms himself. Hale is one of many vendors who participate weekly at the Mission Community Market on Bartlett Street near the Mission campus. He sells his produce at farmer’s markets throughout the Bay Area and has been farming for 32 years.
MCC spits eco-friendly lyrics like: “There’ll be sustainable science We’re returning to nature We’re trying to evolve somehow We’re evoking evolution, through evoking some solutions. Now I find that chemicals are horrible to the streams, They’re making dead zones in the oceans as it seems. Pesticides are used accumulating on the land.
Movie Review
Movie highlights benefits of multilingual education By Gayle Yglesias THE GUARDSMAN
“Speaking in Tongues” is a documentary that follows four kids and their exposure in various “immersion classes” that allow them to develop their skills in different languages to become bilingual at an early age. An immersion class is a class that is taught in a specific language—the language that the student must learn to speak. Research reveals that kids are learning beyond expectations. In watching this documentary, viewers will be stunned at the ability and quickness these young children have in catching on to languages that were once foreign to them. Immersion classes brighten the future for kids and improve their academic performance as they grow up. These classes cause the brain to use areas not typically utilized at such a young age. It makes their brains do work, which studies show, translate to higher academics. Community activist Ling-chi Wang says that children acquire second and third languages more efficiently at a young age. This documentary aims to encourage the placement of young children in immersion classes. However,
voters in the United States have passed “English only” laws in 31 states, which shatters the reality of future generations becoming multilingual individuals. Durell Laury is a young, African-American boy in kindergarten who attends an immersion class where he is spoken to only in Chinese. The children in the classroom associate their teacher with the Chinese language, because she believes in using the language as a tool to introduce the concepts instead of teaching the children the language itself. Julian Enis, a Caucasian eighth grader, has been in a Chinese immersion program for nine years. He believes the Chinese culture has come to be a part of him, and he embraces it as if it were his own. He will make use of his nine years in immersion classes when he travels abroad in a program that allows him to visit China. Jason Patiño, a MexicanAmerican fifth grader fluent in English and Spanish, takes advantage of his immersion class, which allows him to quickly learn two different languages both at school and at home. His teacher believes social ties and alliances weaken when kids grow more fluent in English and less in their native language.
E-mail: apenny@theguardsman.com
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Had Patiño not attended an immersion school, his teacher believes his writing and Spanish speaking skills would diminish. His parents believe he is very privileged to speak more than one language. Standard State Font s Regular Font: Gill San Kelly Wong is a ChineseOutline: .25 Size: 24pt American sixth grader Trafluent cking: 32 le: 110% Horizontal Sca 105% in both Chinese and English, Ver tical Scale: but her parents speak very little Chinese. They’ve lost touch with their Chinese language roots and are ashamed of no longer knowing how to speak the language they grew up with. Through her immersion class, she learns to grow closer to her family and take advantage of being a bilingual child. Becoming bilingual through immersion classes is a big step in preparing oneself to be part of the global multicultural community. This documentary clearly illustrates how amazingly the brain works at such a young age, and how immersion classes can change the lives of newer generations, one child at time. For more information please visit http://speakingintonguesfilm.info. “Speaking in Tongues” premieres on KQED public television on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.
E-mail: gyglesias@theguardsman.com
They’re making folks sick from what I understand.” The market also partners with after-school and recreational programs to create a community space where children can gather. A group of kids from Everett Middle School were at the market getting ready to do some break-dancing. They had drawn a white box on the black street and written “stage” in the middle of it. They belong to Mission Beacon, an after school community center. “We like to take the kids out into the community,” said family neighborhood organizer Theresa Alvarez. The kids enjoy the market and everything it has to offer. “I like the pupusas,” said 13-year-old Robert. “Me too, I’m still eating one,” 14-year-old Gerardo said, opening his mouth to prove it. The first market was held on July 23, 2010. Fundraising had to be done in advance to pay for all the city permits. It will cost approximately $10,000 annually to continue running the market. There are only two paid staffers at the market, the rest are volunteers. Volunteer Rebecca Hersh has participated since the planning stages. All along Bartlett Street, she drapes large white signs over the parking meters rendering them closed during the market’s operation. “I feel like it’s important to have affordable, healthy food available in the neighborhood,” she said. “Every week it seems to get bigger and better.” The market is helping the businesses in the neighborhood as well. “We give out samples and on their way back (from the market) they stop and get some yogurt,” Yotopia employee Catherine Castro said, “I want to make and sell Pastelitos Dominicanos from my country, the Dominican Republic.” Castro also mentioned that the market reminds her of her homeland at Christmas time. Vendor tables at the market are relatively affordable, costing $40 to $50 depending on what is being sold. For more information, you can visit http://www.missioncommunitymarket.org.
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Culture&Trends
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
THE GUARDSMAN
|9
Mexico’s independence celebrated at city hall By Estela Fuentes THE GUARDSMAN
Hundreds gathered at Civic Center Plaza to celebrate Mexico’s independence bicentennial on Sept. 15. The Celebration was put together by the Consulate of Mexico, with help from the office of the mayor and sponsorship from various corporations and media outlets. “It is important to celebrate 200 years of independence, 200
years of history,” press attaché, Eva Pizano said. “We are a rich culture of good people and we’ve opened our arms to the world.” The event was full of color and music. People watched quietly as the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno flawlessly danced different regional dances from all over Mexico. Dancers wore colorful costumes pertaining to each dance and region. All the women’s dresses were made of cotton and were long and loose-
fitting, giving them the freedom to stomp around the stage. They wore different color ribbons interwoven in their hair, which was tied up. The men wore loose pants and shirts made of white cotton with hats and at times, scarfs, depending on the region the dance they were performing came from. “I really like the dancers,” 8-year-old Luis Rios said. The highlight of the dances was “Las Adelitas,” which was performed entirely by women sporting rifles. It was a representation of the women who fought in the Mexican Revolution. “I think it’s great that the city is helping sponsor this event because it’s a way for us to pass down our culture to future generations.” Marco Gudiño said. “Young people today know nothing about the richness of the Mexican Culture.” Gudiño came from Oakland to partake in the event because he felt it’s the best out of all the celebrations in the Bay Area. People also enjoyed Mexican music by Mariachi Colima, who played classical songs that reminded audience members of their home country as different images of historical figures and
COLT CIANCANELLI / THE GUARDSMAN
Lucha libre or Mexican wrestling masks are lined up for sale at the Mexican Independence Bicenntenial Festival at Civic Center Plaza, on Sept. 15.
sights from around Mexico were projected on a large screen located on the left side of the stage. Before performing “El Grito,” or the announcement of independence, Ambassador Carlos Félix gave Moreno an award of bicentennial recognition for his work with the ballet and for helping to represent the Mexican culture through dance. “I want to dedicate this award to my parents, who taught me that I should always show respect for my country no matter where I
am,” Moreno said as he received the award. “El Grito” was given shortly after, followed by the national anthem of Mexico, which brought a few of the attendants to tears. People stuck around a little longer to watch a live broadcast of the bicentennial activities in Mexico City, as well as “El Grito”, performed by Mexican President Felipe Calderon. E-mail: efuentes@theguardsman.com
Artist collective celebrates birth of a multifunctional salon and gallery By Atticus Morris THE GUARDSMAN
Throngs of tattooed, skinnyjean-wearing scenesters crowded the north side of 22nd Street at Valencia on Saturday Sept. 11, sipping PBR tall boys and drinking wine from plastic cups at the grand opening gala for the Pretty Pretty Collective. The PPC is a new “concept salon” wedged between Bugaloos and the Latin American Club. The multifunctional space is also a satellite for 111 Minna gallery and night club. The evening’s event, curated by 111 Minna’s Jay Howell, featured the work of influential Bay Area artists Mike Giant, Devon Blood and Audrey Erickson, as well as that of New York-based Dennis McNett. Once through the door, the sound of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” filled the oddly shaped space—which is 80 feet long with a vaulted two-story ceiling in the center, but only 12 feet wide from wall to wall. The aesthetic contrast of the artwork adorning the walls was marked, but succeeded nicely in accentuating each artist’s style. Giant’s signature street-influenced style was reflected in his black and white drawings, one of which was a “tribute” to San Francisco bars, where he simply inscribed the names of many popular establishments in various
artistic fonts. Blood’s offerings, by contrast, were complex florid bursts of color dripping with red streams of paint, which looked a lot like, well, blood. Erickson’s compositional theme took the form of life-like renderings of famous musicians holding cats. Siouxie Sioux, Nick Cave and the aforementioned Bowie were done in black and white watercolors, but for their eyes, Erickson used different colored gouache paints to create a cat-like effect. McNett, whose style involves intricate carvings made in wood, is a prominent fixture in the skateboarding world, having designed for companies like Vans and AntiHero. His “woodcut” technique combined with the color choices he made in his depictions of a jaguar, a skull, and a ram, gave the works a surreal quality, like they were drawn with glowing three-dimensional chalk. Walking the length of the corridor-shaped space, it would have been difficult to overlook the exceptionally stylish décor. From the elaborate ironwrought chandelier hanging from the highest part of the ceiling to large dangling mirrors—crafted from old window frames—rigged on a vintage pulley system, the meticulous attention to detail, from an aesthetic perspective, was impressive. PPC founder and hair stylist Georgia Howard explained that much of the interior design, like
the retractable mirrors, was born of necessity. Howard, an English ex-patriot, described the process as “making use of small weird spaces to squeeze as much in as possible,” adding, “It’s kind of a British way of doing things.” It was often difficult to tell just where the art ended and the décor began. Illuminating the front of the gallery for instance, were scores of light bulbs of varying shapes and sizes hanging from the low ceiling. Strung into bunches, they looked like misshapen clusters of some exotic, bizarrely incandescent fruit. The lighting, as it turned out, was crafted by Allie Zee, a local artist who does installations for the clothing store Anthropologie This sort of thing is the rule rather than the exception at the PPC, because the “concept” behind this salon, is a collective of “multiple creators.” A collective that extends into many professions including fashion stylists, makeup artists, lighting technicians, and prop designers. “It’s culture, it’s music, it’s fashion, it’s hair, it’s art and more art,” Howard said. “We’re just doing our own thing.” This show was the first of what will be bi-monthly art installations highlighting primarily local talent. E-mail: amorris@theguardsman.com
10 |
THE GUARDSMAN
News
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
Program thrives as partner pulls out By Patrick Makiri THE GUARDSMAN
The national Planned Parenthood office decided to pull out of its partnership with Planned Parenthood Golden Gate on Sept. 3, citing financial and administrative problems with the San Francisco-based office. PPGG is now trying to balance its books and move forward under the new name Golden Gate Community Health. It will continue to provide services like birth control, cervical cancer screening, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and abortions without the support of Planned Parenthood. “We believe the circumstances never warranted this action,” said Vincent Robinson, board member of GGCH. “Planned Parenthood Federation of America were sort of kicking us when we were having some challenges.” But the pressure was not only from the top. In October 2008, a letter signed by 30 PPGG clinicians and physicians was sent to former CEO Dian Harrison and PPFA offices. It warned of financial mismanagement and administrative dysfunction, according to an article written by Katharine Mieszkowski for the non-profit, news organization The Bay Citizen. Mieszkowski’s article also revealed that a former employee alerted the IRS, prompting an ongoing criminal investigation into the organization’s financial records, revealing losses of $2.8 million in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. GGCH said these challenges will not disrupt the quality of care for their 55,000 patients, most of whom are low-income women, in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Marin and Sonoma counties. Although PPGG seemed relatively healthy during much of former CEO Harrison’s tenure, the staff letter challenged the image of Harrison as a model representative of the Bay Area reproductive health community. “Executive staff’s personal expenditures are excessive and are not aligned with the mandatory fiscal restrictions,” the staff letter reads. “Flagrant use of PPGG funds to pay for personal belongings, personal services and
Taskforce to inform students AB540: From page 3
PATRICK MAKIRI / THE GUARDSMAN
Golden Gate Community Health clinic on Eddy St., formerly known as Planned Parenthood Golden Gate. GGCH’s 7 Bay Area clinic were stripped of their affiliation with Planned Parenthood on Aug. 6.
exorbitant technology products is seemingly unchallenged and not subject to the same financial scrutiny that clinic supplies and staff salaries are.” In light of ongoing changes to Planned Parenthood’s presence in the Bay Area, Jill Tregor, a City College women’s studies instructor who worked for Planned Parenthood in the ‘90s, is concerned about whether GGCH will be a reliable resource for her students. “So many of our students don’t have health insurance and rely on Planned Parenthood for birth control,” Tregor said. For now Planned Parenthood’s Shasta Diablo office, located in Concord, is responsible for re-establishing the organization’s presence in San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma counties. “One in four women have been to a Planned Parenthood somewhere in the country. It is a very well respected brand,” Mitzy Sales, the senior vice president of external affairs for Shasta Diablo office, said. “Our
CEO has been a very good leader in terms of making sure we go where the need is the greatest.” added the administrator of the East Bay affiliate, which has actually grown during the recession, seeing 75,000 patients last year. Patients of the PPGG who want to remain Planned Parenthood clients must pickup their records from GGCH and take them to the nearest Planned Parenthood office. Family planning services are available at the Student Health Center located on the Ocean campus. “We're able to handle most (cases) here, so we don’t have to refer out very much, but when we do, we use a variety of places,” Paula Cahill, chair of the student health services department, said. “But I don’t have any reason that I would not refer patients to Golden Gate Community Health if they provided a service that we could not at this point. It seems like it is something more financial than medical.” E-mail: pmakiri@theguardsman.com
Candidates speak at forum FORUM: From page 3
primary focus was on problems of failing businesses and a floundering workforce, along with development plans for the former naval shipyard. Candidates from District 6, which includes the Tenderloin, South of Market and lower Market Street, spoke about development, public safety and the need for community services. “Growth is the single most important issue,” District 6 CELESTE BOGLE / THE GUARDSMAN candidate Jim Meko said. Candidates for local District 10 promote their political stance at “Even public safety can be the Philippine American Press Club meeting at the Diego Rivera taken care of through good Theatre on Sept. 18. planning.” Unemployment, education ity of the candidates placed an The board of education candidates discussed programs and the state deficit were brought emphasis on the needs of the for minority students, ways up throughout the forum. Candi- average taxpayer over privito improve test scores and the dates acknowledged California’s leged, policy-influencing intersteadily shrinking achievement dire situation using phrases like est groups. gap. Also discussed was class- “stuck between a rock and a room funding, fiscal responsibil- hard place,” and “when times get ity and the unequal distribution tough.” Though solutions to the E-mail: problems differed, the major- ikramer@theguardsman.com of resources.
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ON CAMPUS
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important in spreading awareness. “Going out to high schools is a big part of what we do,” LSN Counselor Jorge Avila said. “We might get a call from Lincoln High saying, ‘We’re having a college fair. Could you come in and talk to the students?’” When visiting high schools, like Mission, John O’Connell and Balboa, for general information sessions, Avila found that students do not always ask questions about AB 540. “For a lot of students, there is sometimes a sense of shame in self-identifying as an undocumented alien. We try to inform them as much as we can without making them self-identify,” Avila said. “We let them know that if they only have two years of high school in California, that they have the right to stay in school until they are 21, so they can earn that extra year of eligibility. These are things they can’t necessarily find in fliers.” The task force will be representing the college in an AB 540 conference at SFSU. They encourage anyone with questions to stop in to the Latino Services Network, where they help students fill out AB 540 affidavits, apply for scholarships that don’t require identification and push for the Dream Act. “I’m doing everything I can to get the word out,” Silva said. “It’s really important to me.”
Calendar
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
Calendar for September 22 - October 2
WED
22
46th Annual Big Book Sale begins (Sept. 22-26) Fort Mason, Laguna Street and Marina Boulevard Free 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
THUR
FRI
SAT
CCSF Multi-use Building Grand Openning Gala Free 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Festa Coloniale Italiana 2010 North Beach 1630 Stockton St. Free 11 p.m. - 6 p.m.
23
Environmental Film Fest: Burning the Future Free 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Jason Falkner Live Power-Pop Concert Amoeba Music 1855 Haight St. Free 6 p.m.
Campus Events
24
“Best of JAZZ” Concert Diego Rivera Theater Free 7 p.m. Free San Francisco Symphony Concert Justin Herman Plaza Steuart and Market Streets
25
SUN
26
Folsom Street Fair 11th and Folsom Streets 11 a.m - 6 p.m.
Picklewater Free Movie Night in the Circus Festival at Park: “The Pursuit Union Square of Happyness” Free Duboce Park 2 p.m. Duboce Avenue and Noe Street Free 7 p.m.
THE GUARDSMAN
Community Events
MON
27
Federal/California Dream Act Day of Action at UC Berkeley, Sather Gate 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. & San Jose: Story snd King Roads 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free
TUES
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Classifieds
28
2010 Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest Geary and Powell Streets Free 12 p.m.
Got a classified ad? You could see that ad here. Contact our Advertising Manger for more information about rates and publication deadlines at (415) 239-3446.
12 p.m.
WED
29
Van Kleef BookClub openning reception at Ocean campus City Arts Gallery, Visual Arts Building Free 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
THUR
30
Top 10 Adventures in the Bay Area and Northern California lecture at Sports Basement 610 Old Mason Road Free 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
FRI
1
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival begins at Golden Gate Park John F. Kennedy Drive Free All Day
SAT
2
Film in the Fog Night: The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) at Presidio Main Post Lincoln Boulevard and Funston Avenue Free 5 - 9 p.m. 16th Annual Arab Cultural Festival at Union Square Suggested Donation: $6 Free for Children under 5 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Daniel Ellsberg discusses Howard Zinn at City Lights Bookstore 261 Columbus Ave Free 7 p.m.
SUN
3
Latin Jazz Tardeada at Yerba Buena Gardens Mission and Third Streets Free 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
MON
4
Punk Rock Side Show at Hemlock Tavern 1131 Polk St. Free 10 p.m.
TUES
5
Lit & Lunch with Carolina de Robertis 111 Minna Free 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Classified Ads 50 cents per word. $5 minimum for commercial advertisers. City College students, staff and faculty qualify for one free classified per semester. Multiple ads not accepted. Must show current student ID. Commercial ads not accepted from students. Acceptance of ads at the discretion of The Guardsman.
Article Submissions To submit tips on stories contact: Editor in Chief (415) 239-3446 Fax: (415) 239-3884 editor@theguardsman.com
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Sports
THE GUARDSMAN
THE WATER COOLER BY BONTÃ HILL
In the past two weeks there has been a lot going in the world of sports, from the Giants continuing their climb to the top of division standings, to both Bay Area football teams laying an egg in their season openers. None of those stories have touched me in the way that Floyd Mayweather Jr. shenanigans have. If you were on vacation, unable to pick a paper or read the Internet, you missed out on Mayweather’s Ustream rant on fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao, whom boxing maniacs have been craving to see fight one another. In Mayweather's rant, he referred to Pacquiao as a “yellow chump,” a reference to Pacquiao’s Asian heritage. He also had these kind words to say about his competitor: “Once I stomp the midget, I’ll make that [expletive] make me a sushi roll and cook me some rice,” Mayweather said. “I’m going to cook that [expletive] with cats and dogs. Have some rice with a little barbecue dog.” What’s not included in the quote is his use of a derogatory slang term for a homosexual in reference to Pacquiao. Can you imagine what the African-American community would do if Pacquiao was the one ranting and calling Mayweather a monkey? Or told Mayweather he would kick his ass and eat watermelon after? Reverend Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would be all over Pacquiao, calling him a racist and saying how he should be suspended and have his sponsorships taken away. In today’s society, we walk on egg shells when the topic of conversation is racism; it’s a very touchy subject for obvious reasons. Remember how our community acted when Don Imus called the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy headed hoes” a few years back? Sharpton was all over Imus, and he should have
been. But where are Sharpton and Jackson when we have one of our own kind, Mayweather, acting out over the Internet like a brat? When are they going to sit down and let this kid know, “Hey, you’re representing our people--representing our country! Start acting like an adult!” Instead, we’ve applauded (I’m guilty) the way Mayweather acts on television. During the 24/7 HBO reality show, which follows boxers during the lead up to a big fight, we laugh when Mayweather throws money in the air, bragging about his bank account. From what I hear, Mayweather does great things for the community. It gets overshadowed because of the way he pats himself on the back for making $20 million in a fight, or bragging about having his $15 million home when homelessness seems to be rapidly growing. It’s just shameful seeing a 33-year-old man who calls himself “Money May” (who might be jealous of Pacquiao because of all the accolades Manny is getting), go in front of a computer and say things that a five-year-old kid would be proud of. It’s one thing not to go in the ring and fight Pacquiao, and it’s one thing to sit in your plush mansion and count your hundred dollar bills, but it’s despicable to be a father of four and go on a tirade in front of millions online. I didn’t even have time or space to touch on Mayweather’s recent scrap with the mother of his four children, which has him facing up to 35 years in prison for domestic violence. Whether it’s in the ring or a jail cell, the man they call “Money May,” Floyd Mayweather needs a serious chin check on how to conduct himself in a professional and adult manner. E-mail: bhill@theguardsman.com
You can read more sports stories online at: www.theguardsman.com
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
Rams clip Eagles’ wings in victory By Ryan Kuhn THE GUARDSMAN
UKIAH, CALIF.- In
its second game of the season, City College defeated Mendocino College 42-18, despite giving up two unanswered touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters. With the victory, the No. 1-rated Rams improved to 2-0, but head coach George Rush knows his team can play better. “We didn’t practice well this week and it showed,” said Rush. “Mendocino’s receivers made some great catches today.” The Rams started the game strong, led by quarterback Steele Jantz who found Aaron Horne for his first touchdown on a 35-yard pass, putting the score at 7-0. Jantz finished the game with 323 yards passing, 60 yards rushing and three touchdown passes. So far this is the second year in a row where a Rams’ quarterback has led the team in rushing. Even with a solid performance, Jantz knows he and his team need to improve. “We need to work on timing, and experience will also help,” Jantz said. “We can’t worry about our performance, and we know we can do better.” Two minutes later, City College doubled the lead when Jantz found Horne for his second touchdown of the afternoon—this time on a 84-yard pass. Horne, one of the returning wide receivers and captains of the
DONALD HAMILTON / THE GUARDSMAN
Quarterback Steele Jantz gets tackled as he scarambles out of the pocket. Jantz finished the game with 60 yards.
Rams’ offense, finished the game with 230 yards receiving. “Aaron Horne is a great player,” said Jantz. “It was his day today.” The offense got the running game involved soon after a Mendocino fake punt failed. Two plays later, running back Brandon Ford found the end zone on a 35-yard touchdown run. Ford finished the game with 66 yards and two touchdowns. After finishing the half ahead 22 points, City’s defense became aggressive, forcing a fumble on Eagle quarterback Kevin Hatrick. On the ensuing possession, Ford found the end zone again on
N A T I O N A L
consecutive runs by him and Jantz. Scoring one more touchdown on the ground in the third quarter was the end of the offense as the defense took over. The Eagles scored twice, including one drive that started with a fumble on a punt return. With the Rams being up by 22 points, backup quarterbacks James Jansen and Blair Wishom also got some snaps in. The next game for City College is at San Jose City College on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. It will be the first time that the Rams will face San Jose in over five years. E-mail: rkuhn@theguardsman.com
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