CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO | SINCE 1935 | THEGUARDSMAN.COM | @SFBREAKINGNEWS | FREE
VOL. 156, ISSUE 4, OCT. 2-15, 2013
Campus safety
Accreditation
School’s closure would impact local economy, study says By Keith Burbank
@sfbreakingnews kburbank@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
Photos and illustration by Juan Pardo/The Guardsman
Police have placed security cameras throughout the Wellness Center on Ocean campus in an effort to deter thefts and other crimes but is it helping? Story by Alex Lamp, page 3. Legislation
Assembly bill threatening hike in registration fees protested By Tim Maguire
@sfbreakingnews tmaguire@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
Over 20 students and faculty gathered Sept. 24 at the Powell Street BART station to demand that Gov. Jerry Brown veto Assembly Bill 955, a bill that would charge community college students more for intersession courses. “AB 955 puts an unnecessary burden on students with its payto-play system, where students pay more for better access to class-
4
es,” City College Student Trustee Shanell Williams said. “Those who can’t pay will lose access.” City College students and faculty were joined by students from Santa Rosa Junior College and Solano Community College in chanting, “No cuts no fees, education must be free,” and carried signs that read, “Stop Privatizing Public Education” and “Student Power Veto AB 955.” “This bill creates a Lexus lane. If you can afford a Lexus, you can go faster. If you can afford a higher education, you can go faster,” City College English instructor and President of the American
PIERRE COSTE: Eating well doesn’t have to cost a lot
5
City College Student Trustee Shanell Williams, 29, addresses the crowd during a protest demanding that Gov. Jerry Brown veto Assembly Bill 955 near the Powell Street BART station in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday , Sept. 24, 2013. Photo by Ekevara Kitpowsong/The Guardsman
Federation of Teachers Local 2121 Alissa Messer said. “We demand access for all students, not just
DON JON: Porn and romcoms face-off
6
students who can pay.”
OPINION: Promise of social media backfires
AB955: page 2
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San Francisco’s budget and legislative analyst Severin Campbell recently released a report at the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s Budget and Finance Committee meeting Sept. 18., analyzing the $300 million economic impact City College’s closure would have on the city. According to the study, City College employs about 2,500 people and serves nearly 80,000 students, all of which would be affected by the school’s closure. About 20 people attended the meeting, including students, former students, City College instructors and several city supervisors. “This report quantifies what generations of San Franciscans have known. CCSF is San Francisco’s indispensable engine of opportunity and economic activity,” Supervisor Eric Mar, District 1, said. “The entire city must remain focused on preserving our City College and resolving this crisis.” Campbell calculated the $300 million figure by adding together the tax and grant money the college garners from federal and state sources with the market value of jobs City College graduates could obtain in the workforce. The college brought about $188 million in state and federal tax and grant money to the city in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to Campbell’s report. The market value of jobs graduates could obtain in the workforce is $123 million according to the report. The college’s economic impact on San Francisco equals approximately $311 million. Mar said most, if not all, people in San Francisco benefit from City College. He highlighted the benefits to the city’s most vulnerable populations such as english-language learners and people pursuing their high school diplomas. “In spring 2013, more than 5,000 CCSF students did not have
City Hall: page 2
CARTOONS: Obamacare debuts & Food stamps are on chopping block
2 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013
news
Editor-in-Chief Madeline Collins
World Briefs
Advertising Mangager Lucas Almeida Photo Editor Juan Pardo Culture Editor Lavinia Pisani Design Director Sara Bloomberg Online Content Manager Santiago Mejia Sports Editor Alexander Tidd Copy Chief Patrick Tamayo Copy Editors Dalton Amador Illustrator Anthony Mata Staff Writers Gina Scialabba Alex Lamp Dan Harrington Jackson Ly Tim Maguire Patrick Cochran Daniel Galloway Carlos DaSilva Sujey Ruiz Evan Johnson Samantha Dennis Calindra Revier Staff Photographers Ekevara Kitpowsong Quintin Chisolm Michelle Arias Faculty Advisor Juan Gonzales Mail: 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Phone: (415) 239-3446 Advertising: advertising@theguardsman.com Online: www.theguardsman.com Twitter: @sfbreakingnews Facebook: facebook.com/theguardsman Youtube: youtube.com/theguardsmanonline
Team USA wins the America’s Cup on Sept. 25, 2013. Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman
San Francisco
Defending champion Oracle Team USA sailed ahead of challenger Emirates Team New Zealand in a winner-take-all race on Wednesday, Sept, 25, 2013, for the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco, Calif., in one of the most improbable comebacks in sports history. Not only was Oracle Team USA down 8-1 in a first to
Bangkok
A group of veterans have been arrested and charged with plotting the murders of a U.S. drug enforcement agent and conspiracy to import cocaine. An ex-U.S. sniper headed the group and formed a five-man team that consisted of another ex-Army sniper, a German army sniper, a German army veteran and an elite Polish counter-terrorism expert. The team had been formed to run security for cocaine smuggling
College Briefs
London
The British government is on the verge of exacting some of the strictest laws against pornography. The conservative government claims that certain legal pornography is responsible for the corruption of children and okaying violence against women. On top of installing pornography filters on internet service, the government wants to outlaw images of “consenting adults engaged in violent acts such as simulated rape.” The government is also pressing for search engines to come back with no results when certain key terms involved with child pornography are searched. The government has drawn the can get familiar with the area,” McGlaston said. (Daniel Galloway)
ire of free-speech advocates who claim that further limitations on the internet will result in additional questionable material to be filtered. (Washington Post)
Kenya
Details continue to emerge from the vicious attack on a Kenyan shopping mall that started on Sept. 21. The four-day attack left at least 67 victims dead and officials are reporting that up to 70 people are still missing. Recovery efforts have been slowed down due to the majority of the mall being in ruins after Kenyan troops stormed the building. Some of the victims were found hanged from the roof, dismembered, with stab wounds and with missing eyes, while others had their throats slit and had been castrated. Forensic doctors reported that “all of the victims had been mutilated.” Officials said the al-Shabab terrorist organization thoroughly planned the attack for a long period of time and went as far as renting a storefront and stockpiling weapons before the attack. (USA Today) “The decision was ordered without taking into account whether the alleged deficiencies cited by the commission adversely affected the quality of education at City College,” California Federation of Teachers President Joshua Pechthalt said. If the decision isn’t reversed, City College is set to close in July 2014. (CBS San Francisco)
said. Officers are assigned patrols at either Ocean campus or the other centers. Each officer is assigned a day or night shift and work nine hours per shift. “We are assigned to a different campus, and assigned to that campus for a year so that officers
The California Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Teachers Local 2121 unions filed a lawsuit on Sept. 23 in the San Francisco Superior Court. The two unions are claiming the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges did not follow proper procedure when making the decision to revoke City College’s accreditation.
Messer announced Gov. Brown’s phone number through a megaphone, using a repeat-afterme chant to encourage people to call and tell him to veto AB 955. Authored by Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara, AB 955 would establish pilot programs at six community colleges to offer classes in the intersession summer and winter periods at the non-resident price per semester unit of approximately $200 compared to $46 for residents. Students are afraid it will set a precedent for other colleges. The six community colleges in California who would be subject to
AB 955 are Pasadena City College, Crafton Hills College, College of the Canyons, Oxnard College, Solano Community College and Long Beach Community College. “AB 955 is another assault on the working class and goes against the California Master Plan. The Master Plan was truly a human document,” City College transitional studies instructor Rodger Scott said, referencing California’s 1960 educational plan that guaranteed equal access for all regardless of economic standing. The plan was signed into law by Gov. Brown’s father, Gov. Edmund “Pat” Brown. Robert Edmonds of Santa
Rosa Junior College and student representative of Region 3 of the Student Senate of California Community Colleges spoke about the student senate passing out nearly 2000 pounds of food to students “to help those who are being forced to choose between eating or education.” “If the administrators prove this pilot program works, they might resort to it when Prop. 30 runs out in six years,” Edmonds said. Casey Bess, a biology student at Solano Community College and member of the Associated Students of Solano College, held a sign that read “AB 955 Mind Your
Own Falcon Business - ASSC.” “Solano College doesn’t want to set a precedent, because we don’t want this bill,” Bess said. “The ASSC have passed a resolution and made a statement of strict non-support.” Williams said that more actions are being planned. “Governor Brown knows what this is about,” Williams said. “If he doesn’t veto AB 955 he will show that he is not a supporter of equal access to education.”
From front: City Hall
a high school diploma,” according to the report. “If these students were not able to obtain a high school diploma … each student would lose estimated annual earnings of $8,840.” Non-english speaking students face a greater threat to earnings. They would earn an estimated $13,500 less each year than a person who speaks English well, based on a U.S. Census Bureau study cited in the report. In Spring 2013, City College enrolled 16,000 students in the ESL program. “City College is a pathway out of poverty,” Noe Valley resident and staff research associate at San Francisco General Hospital Jose Luis Pavon said. “City College is a pathway to the middle class.”
Pavon asked what other pathway people have if they shut down City College. He told the budget committee and others in attendance that he suspects crime rates and drug abuse will go up if the college shuts down. “Do we want prisons or do we want schools?” Terrilynn Cantlon, a graduate of City College said. A 2003 study, published in the American Economic review by two economics professors, says “schooling significantly reduces the probability of incarceration.” Campbell’s report shows the low cost of City College is another benefit to residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Currently, California resi-
dents pay only $46 per credit hour, compared to $395 to $765 per credit hour “to attend comparable two-year programs at private for-profit or non-profit colleges,” according to the report. Even if students can afford to attend another community college, they may not be able to because other community colleges may not have the capacity to absorb the nearly 80,000 students attending City College. Students that are able to transfer to the California State University system would pay $5,000 more per year for the same number of credits they take at City College.
City College has made some large improvements in terms of safety at its campuses by hiring more police officers. “We have 30 sworn police officers split between 10 campuses, [and the] dispatcher is looking to hire up to 6 to 10 new reinforcements,” officer Erica McGlaston
From front: AB955
General contact: news@theguardsman.com
California Newspaper Publisher’s Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges
nine series race, but they were also penalized two wins by the International Jury after members were caught illegally modifying its boat to increase speed and stability. Skipper Jimmy Spithill had to lead Oracle Team USA to 11 victories to win the America’s Cup. (Santiago Mejia)
operation and were then asked to carry out a variety of hits. Instead of dealing with a Colombian drug organization, the ex-soldiers had been dealing with undercover informants of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Only three of the five suspects were charged with the murder plots. (USA Today)
Eric Mar. Photo by Santiago Mejia/ The Guardsman
THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013 | 3
Obituary:
Cover story
Regena Lemon 1953-2013
Police hope cameras will lower crime rate
By Evan Johnson
Library still a hot spot for thefts on the main campus
@sfbreakingnews ejohnson@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
Regena Lemon, 60, was one of City College’s most dedicated and long-serving admissions officers. She died on Sept. 19 from colon cancer. She was known throughout the office as a kind-spirited woman who consistently strived to place other people’s interests before her own and was always the first person to cheer people up. Lolita Racho, one of Lemon’s friends of 24 years, described the time that she spent with her as an amazing experience in which they cherished the company of each other and saw each other through rough and good times. Lemon was born in 1953 and started at City College in 1978 as a volunteer student worker, balancing work, school and motherhood. She worked in several departments before obtaining a full-time position in the Admissions and Records office in 1983. Lemon obtained her associate degree in psychology in 2006. Over the years she received awards from the Guardian Schol-
news
By Alex Lamp
Regena Lemon, photo courtesy of Facebook.
ars Program, African American Scholastic and Retention Programs and Outreach and Recruitment Services, among others. In 2011 she was honored with a Phoenix Award honoring her unselfish and dedicated work to City College students. Co-worker Debbie Lowther described Lemon as having a palpable kindness. She recalled seeing her angry at another person only one time in the many years that she knew her. One of her oldest friends John Faiello described her as, “my sister, my cousin and my best friend.” Lemon is survived by her eight children.
“We’re able to
actually identify a lot of the suspects that are involved.”
@Guardsmanlamp alamp@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
--Officer Erica McGlaston
In response to last semester’s unusual spike in theftrelated crimes in the Wellness Center, City College allocated funds to install security cameras throughout the facility. “We’ve spent $30,000 on all of the equipment (security cameras) in the Wellness Center alone,” Officer Erica McGlaston of the campus police department said. The cameras have been positioned in strategic, high traffic areas on all three floors of the building. The cameras are placed in every hallway and stairway, at the main doors and in front of
the bathrooms and locker rooms. The upgraded security seems to have curbed the criminal activity in the center. “Since the beginning of this semester we’ve had a significant decrease in crimes, particularly in the Wellness Center,” McGlaston said. Faculty in the Wellness Center have access to the live feeds of each camera and can rewind and watch footage at an undisclosed location in the building. Only Wellness Center staff and the campus police have access to this room.
“We have two people in the process of being hired to be stationed primarily in the Wellness Center,” McGlaston said. These officers will be positioned by the main entrances of the Wellness Center. Campus police hope the presence of these officers will deter any criminal actions in or around the Wellness Center. Criminal activity has decreased significantly following the surveillance system’s installation, however property theft remains prevalent in the Rosenberg Library. Although forcible robbery is not an issue in the library, student’s belongings continue to be stolen. Surveillance cameras have recorded thieves stealing possessions, specifically electronics from students who leave their items unattended on tables. Progress has been made toward the apprehension of library thieves. “We’re able to actually identify a lot of the suspects that are involved in the robberies in the library,” McGlaston said.
Department news
Newspaper wins awards at regional JACC conference By Calindra Revier
@sfbreakingnews crevier@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
City College’s student-run newspaper, The Guardsman, won 23 awards at this year’s Journalism Association of Community College’s NorCal Conference on Sept. 21. The Guardsman staff competed against 17 other Northern California community colleges and obtained more awards than any other college in attendance. “The beacon of journalism here at City College is very bright these days and these wins continue to keep the light shining on the department as a basic part of the college that is doing very well,” Juan Gonzales, journalism department chair and newspaper adviser, said. Gonzales has been teaching at City College since 1985 and contributing to the JACC for 15 years. The Guardsman received the
Newspaper General Excellence award, highlighting the achievements of the newspaper’s entire staff. The key note speaker Marcos Breton was the center of the news writing, opinion writing, editorial cartoon and news photo on-thespot competitions. Among the photographers was The Guardsman’s Santiago Mejia who took third place in the news photo competition and second place alongside Juan Pardo in the mail in online photo story competition. “My favorite part of working for The Guardsman is that it’s all student run,” Mejia said. “It’s our responsibility to find out what’s going on in our community, to gather story ideas, to put the paper together and to distribute it. It’s a huge responsibility but everyone puts in their part.” The Guardsman’s illustrator Anthony Mata won four awards this year including first place in the on-the-spot editorial cartoon competition.
City College Journalism students show off their awards at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ Northern California conference on Sept. 21, 2013 at Sacramento State University. Photo by Jessica Lifland.
“To be a cartoonist, besides being an artist, you have to be journalist and an activist,” Mata said. In addition to competitions the JACC also hosted speakers and had workshops with a variety of topics. Sacramento News and Review staff writer and journalism professor at American River College Kel Munger led the workshop “Writing for the Alternative Press”, which explored topics such as sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll. Media law attorney Paul
Boylan spoke at the workshop “How Internet News Media Outlets Use the Law to Conduct Investigative Journalism.” “It just reinforces what a lot of people believe, that this is a solid program. The training people get translates into people’s abilities to get awards and I think it’s a continued tribute to the quality of instruction they get and the commitment people have for obtaining those skills and to be competitive at any point in their life,” Gonzales said. “That brings a big smile on my face.”
Attending, competing and winning awards at journalism conferences is just part of the overall experience for Mata. “It’s the spirit and passion for their work that drives me,” Mata said. “Best decision I have made [was] to join The Guardsman.”
4 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013
culture
Have Your Say:
Dining on campus
Does spending time on Facebook affect social behavior?
Chelsey Thomas, 19
Undeclared
“I feel like there’s a lot of negativity on Facebook. It seems like the people I’m friends with on Facebook are complaining most of the time. I definitely think people put more than they should on [there]. People will complain about a significant other. That’s not other people’s business. It’s not something that should be out there for other people to know.”
Hung Truong, 22 Undeclared
Left: Student Rachel Maestras takes the lunch order of John Carlos, left,and Lidia Szajko, right, at Pierre Coste Room on Ocean campus on Tuesday, September 24, 2013.Right: Student Trixie Luis arranges a customer’s order at Pierre Coste Room on Ocean campus on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013. Photos by Lavinia Pisani/The Guardsman
High class meets affordability By Samantha Dennis @sfbreakingnews sdennis@theguardsman.com
“I moved a lot. I don’t have [many] friends to hang out with, and it’s expensive to spend money to go out. I spend five to six hours on Facebook a day. It’s a place to help you pass time faster, and also you can play video games. If I don’t go out, I spend [the] day with my aunt.”
The Guardsman
Edmund Ng, 20 Civil Engineering
“I’ve been overseas for 10 years coming back and forth. I made a lot of friends. They can change their phone numbers and they can change their addresses. If I ever do go visit them, it makes it easier to visit them.”
All San Franciscans know of hidden gems in the city, but many aren’t aware that there is a one on Ocean campus—The Pierre Coste Room. The Pierre Coste Room is tucked away behind the cafeteria and the Student Union building in the Statler Wing where it offers a fine dining experience within a college student’s price range. “Our food is not expensive for what you are getting,” Culinary Arts and Hospitality student Esther Cartoon said. The menu includes four types of salads, nine entrees, a soup of the day and various hot and cold beverages. There are many options to choose from with the most expensive entree, the lamb blanquette stew, ringing in at only $12.25. The Pierre Coste Room is
available to students and faculty as well as to the public. The restaurant focuses on being as sustainable as possible. Pastas and sauces are all made from scratch. There are no frozen vegetables in sight and produce is generally from local farmers. French style tableside cooking is a feature available allowing guests to see the food cooked first hand. “[The Pierre Coste Room] has great ambiance,” City College student Eddie Zhang said. “They pay more attention to your food since it is fine dining, which is different from other places on campus.” As you enter the restaurant, the calming noise of a waterfall fountain sets an elegant ambiance. Tables are dressed with white tablecloths, perfectly folded napkins and sleek centerpieces that all scream fine dining. “Good food, affordable price and you are supporting local students,” Culinary Arts and Hospitality student Shant Guze-
lian said. “If people knew the well-cooked items we have and the reasonable prices, they would be more willing to come.” The Pierre Coste Room also has a diverse group of students to cater to anyone who enters looking for a great meal and a welcoming experience. Mandarin, French, Tagalog, along with Portuguese and Spanish, are some of the languages the students at the restaurant are fluent in, which is important given the high cultural diversity on campus. “We are lucky to have access to this resource,” student Scott Pattison said. Whether you are ending your day of classes or just taking a break in between, The Pierre Coste Room is a nice place to unwind and enjoy a well cooked meal. The Pierre Coste Room is open Monday through Friday from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Events: Oct.2-15
Catarina Tegtmeier, 19 Biology
“Maybe about 10 minutes a day. Occasionally, I will email my friends in Germany. It’s inconvenient to call them because it’s expensive and time zone differences are 9 hours. It’s useful as a calendar to keep track of events and hangouts. Some groups like comedy clubs give you discounts if you RSVP on Facebook.”
Thurs/3
rock climbing
Free Rock Wall Climbing
Arturo Ruvalcaba, 23 Bioengneering “I probably spend like an hour sporadically throughout the day. Facebook is more to show off than actually socializing. People have the option to comment you back, and they don’t have to. Real socializing is a conversation between two people. There’s a dialogue [going] back and forth.”
Photos by Lavinia Pisani. Reporting by Jackson Ly.
Intro to rock climbing. Climb a 25-foot indoor wall. Taught by professional guides from the Outdoor Adventure Club. All gear provided. Lombardi Sports. 1600 Jackson St. 6-7:45 p.m. Free. RSVP required.
Sun/6
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest: Beer and Food Fest Design, art and food vendors will gather to celebrate Oktoberfest and celebrate all things beer. Featuring “new and up-andcoming” beer makers. Over 60 vendors. Speakeasy Brewery. 1195 Evans Ave. 12-6 p.m. Free.
Mon/7
Thurs/10
Free Bagel Mondays
Lenny Carlson presents Jazz
Free, fresh and handmade bagel giveaway from Sour Flour bread company. Home bakers encouraged to participate. 24th and Alabama Street. 8 a.m. Free.
Live jazz presentation by Lenny Carlson for his History of Jazz class. Open to all who would like to attend. Ocean campus. Creative Arts Building. Room A133. 12:30-2 p.m. Free.
bagels
music
Sat-Mon/12-14 Wed/9 flu shots
Free Flu Vaccine Free flu vaccines for the first 300 CCSF credit students. $20 for non-credit students, faculty, staff and administrators. Free anemia, blood sugar index, blood pressure and carbon monoxide screenings. Complete cholesterol panel $10. Health Center. Ocean campus. Room HC100. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
celebration
Ohlone Big Time Gathering Share the culture of the Ohlone people. Dancing, vendors, camping, talking circles and sunrise ceremony. Crissy Field. 12 p.m. Visit http://ohloneprofiles.org
THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013 | 5
culture
Movie Review: “Don Jon”
Porn versus rom-coms: fantasies are dissected in Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s directorial debut By Gina Scialabba
@journalist_gina gscialabba@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
Ok, first off, this is not a movie about porn. Well, not totally. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“50/50,” “The Dark Knight Rises”) is one of the most versatile, intelligent performers of our time. Officially a Hollywood triple threat, he writes, directs and stars in “Don Jon,” one of the best movies of the year. Not many actors-turned writer/directors can pull off this feat. The shortlist includes Charlie Chaplin, Orson Welles and Woody Allen, just to name a few. Yes, “Don Jon” is set amidst a backdrop of pornography, but that’s not the point of this film. It’s a study of objectification, intimacy and narcissism. It tackles a common issue in our society: addiction, whether that be to sex, pornography, fairy tales, working out or watching sports like his father (Tony Danza). Jon Martello, (Gordon-Levitt) is a typical, working class Italian male. Think “The Situation” from MTV’s “Jersey Shore.” He’s a simple man with simple priorities: his body, his pad, his car, his family, his church, his pals, his gals and his porn. Jon spends his days working a dead-end job, weekends at his parent’s house carb-loading on pasta and his nights at raucous Jersey nightclubs bumpin’ and grindin’ his way into a different woman’s pants every evening. Hence, the nickname Don Jon. So, what’s the problem? The problem is the world he’s created for himself is a house of cards waiting to fall.
Writer/Director Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars with Scarlett Johansson i n Relativity Media’s “Don Jon”. ©2013 Relativity Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
He prefers pornography to women. So much, in fact, that even when he brings home a “perfect 10,” he usually ends up sneaking out of bed to watch porn on his computer. He’s not the only one with an addiction. Jon’s new girlfriend Barb (Scarlett Johansson) lives in her own Cinderella fantasy world, hopelessly addicted to romantic comedies. Both want to find true intimacy, but really don’t know how. Neither Jon, nor Barb even knows their true selves. Johansson plays a gum chewing, bridge-and-tunnel princess with convincing earnestness. She
wants to mold Jon into her version of Prince Charming. But in Barb’s “Happily Ever After” the prince surely doesn’t masturbate to adult films. As you might imagine, Barb isn’t very understanding of Jon’s habit. The screenplay is smart, witty and sincere. This movie could have easily become another Hollywood happy ending (no pun intended) where Jon and Barbara “learn the error of their ways” and rush back into each other’s arms. This is not that kind of party. Perhaps my favorite part is the unusual friendship between Jon and Esther (Julianne Moore,
“Magnolia,” “The Big Lebowski”). They have an unspoken familiarity between them. Just maybe they can find solace in one another. Or at least something real.
Should you go see this movie? Absolutely. If for nothing else, Gordon-Levitt packed on 12 pounds of rock-hard muscle for this role.
If you go... Running Time: 90 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Directed & written by: Joseph GordonLevitt
Release Date: Sept. 27, 2013
Stars: Josheph GordonLevitt Scarlett Johansson Julianne Moore Tony Danza
6 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013
opinion Staff editorial
Technology hinders socialization Social media prevents real connections from forming
A typical social outing with friends is no longer just a regular conversation because smartphones allow people to live dual lives: a physical life and an online social life. “You see people sitting in groups, but they’re staring at their phones.” computer engineering student Dustyn August said. “For me personally, I feel that there’s something missing.” As people spend more time on their smartphones and social media sites they are building their virtual personality, which allows them to escape from a physical world into a virtual world. “When you bust out your phone, you’re kind of ignoring the party you’re with,” civil engi-
neering student Edmund Ng said. “When you’re talking to them, it’s irritating. It’s like you’re living online basically.” People are becoming addicted to sending text messages, posting photos, checking Facebook, and building up their virtual reputation. According to a study done by Pew Research Center, 91 percent of American adults own a cell phone. Smartphone ownership increased from 35 to 56 percent from May 2011 to May 2013 based on the research center’s survey of 2,252 adults. As social media and smartphone use gains popularity, so will the idea of receiving instant gratification anytime. Once connected to the virtual world, people follow a new set of rules and social etiquettes. On Facebook, the wall posts between two people are open for all friends to see and comment. Using social media for the purpose beyond casual conversation transports the user into a
virtual reality where one feels in total control. However, the individual’s mind becomes trapped into a cycle of self-conceit. The routine use of social media consists of viewing others’ photos, profile details and status updates. Rather than talking to the person behind a profile in real life, users are making impressions based on how that person portrays himself online. Social media provides new and creative avenues of sending those break-up messages to one’s significant other. A person no longer has to call up his or her partner to end a relationship, but the person can simply send an “it’s over” message and be done with it. Breaking up in person requires more effort and is more difficult when someone has to face and feel the reaction of another human being. Technology has made it easier for users to stay connected but also become disconnected.
Globalization not possible if bias exists As of right now the only interactions that are truly global are economic and political. Regardless of the forces that drive our interconnected economy, culture seems to operate independently of global trends. Most of the first world adopts similar consumer products that aid in streamlining perception but do not integrate fundamental differences in cultural practices. The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoe, also known as Chucks, signifies youth and adventurism in America, and even within this context the shoe has multiple meanings within subcultures. Mostly identified through musical taste, dirty Chucks say you like rock ‘n’ roll, while clean ones say you like hip hop. This is a generalization but the point is that even within one culture single items can mean
different things to different people. However, differences of opinion have not kept large populations from uniting to form the massive societies we recognize today. It was not long ago that the American Civil War divided people by their fundamentalist ideas of society. Today there are still differences but those differences are part of what would be considered an aspect of American culture. The differences are what make such large systems work. Progression would cease if there were no alternate perceptions of the same issues. Global integration of cultural differences could form a generalized ideology that excludes bias. This does not mean that individual groups would not be bias. Only that if all positions
Letters to the editor must be under 250 words and may be edited for content. Send letters to: editor@theguardsman.com
The Civil War divided people by their fundamentalist ideas... Today, those differences are part of our culture.
were considered, then the system would not be. Without bias a global society would be capable of objective problem solving. The world’s vast cultural reservoir would make this possible. Today many issues expand beyond borders, while consensus seems remote and difficult to attain. In many cases it is the lack of influence between countries that concepts like climate change
are approached with caution. As single nations, most countries have found common places from which they can approach policy. Problems are solved, decisions are made and progression takes place. This process of policy creation and consensus building will inevitably come to incorporate global issues more frequently. A step in the right direction is to find commonplaces within every culture to encourage
engagement. Foreign policy leaders should incorporate their citizens and encourage their participation. The sense of pride many citizens feel for their country needs to be expanded to a global pride. National pride and collectiveness makes people feel connected to those around them. If communication and similarities between populations became more widely acknowledged feelings of connection would result. Many cultures are very old and have refined the ways in which they view the world, but cultural understanding can be a powerful tool when used to approach new issues. As progress speeds up, humanity will experience many new issues. The best solutions should include the refined perspectives available from all cultures.
Corrections: Find a mistake? Let us know! Email: editor@theguardsman.com
THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013 | 7
Cartoons Late start classes begin Oct. 1
Advanced Reporting Course Features Former Long-Time S.F. Bay Guardian Investigative Reporter/Publisher Tim Redmond Beginning Oct. 2 to Dec. 11 Enroll now for a 10-week City College course in investigative reporting featuring former SF Bay Guardian Publisher/Editor Tim Redmond. The award-winning journalist will share his experiences and provide valuable tips on the art of investigative reporting. You must first register into the college and then sign-up for Jour 36/ Advanced Reporting (CRN 75352) that meets on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Oct 2 from 6:30-9 p.m., in Room 454, at the Mission Campus, 1125 Valencia St. This is a three-unit course. For more information, call Juan Gonzales at 415-239-3446.
opinion
8 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | OCT. 2-15, 2013
sports
Football
sports calendar FOOTBALL
Oct. 5, 1 p.m. vs. American River College
SOCCER MEN:
Oct. 4, 1 p.m. vs Las Positas College Oct. 8, 4 p.m. vs. Monterey Peninsula College Oct. 11, 4 p.m. @ DeAnza College
WOMEN:
Oct. 4, 4 p.m. vs. Ohlone College Oct. 8, 4 p.m. @ Las Positas College Oct. 11, 1 p.m. @Skyline College
VOLLEYBALL Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m vs. Chabot College
City dominates Fresno with nine touchdowns By Patrick Cochran
@sfbreakingnews pcochran@theguardsman.com
The Guardsman
City College of San Francisco remains undefeated after a dominating 61-0 win over Fresno City College. Both teams were undefeated heading into the game, so the lopsided victory came as not only a surprise but a vindication of the teams hard work and talented roster. Head coach George Rush was happy with his team’s performance. “We came out and executed,” Rush said. “The offensive line looked really good today and the defense came out and pitched a shutout.” Quarterback Turner Baty, who was wearing a knee brace after banging up his knee the previous week, turned in an stellar performance. Baty spread the ball around throwing six touchdowns to six different players and ended up throwing for 358 yards. “[My knee] didn’t bother me
at all,” Baty said. “[The] offensive line dominated today. They played perfect.” On the ground running back Jahray Hayes rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown on 10 attempts. Clawsondy Cayo ran for 76 yards and one touchdown on only three attempts, and Daivon Ballard added in 65 yards on 10 attempts. “[We’re] super excited to be undefeated but not content with it,” wide receiver Miles Gordon said. “We got to take it one day at a time and play City College style football.” The defense played a near perfect game. Safety Shalom Luani lead the unit and had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. “We came into the game feeling good,” cornerback Myles Holmes said. “It showed on the field and on the scoreboard.” The Rams are excited to be undefeated, but it is nothing new during coach Rush’s tenure at City College. “Yeah we’re pumped,” Baty said. “But we just have to keep it rolling [and] do what City does, keep winning.”
top:City running back Jahray Hayes (26) runs the ball 34 yards for a touchdown. bottom: City receiver Xavier Amey (8) attempts to catch a pass as he’s defended by Fresno’s Justice Sarcedo (7) Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, on Ocean campus. Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman