The Guardsman, Vol. 157, Issue 1. City College of San Francisco

VOL. 157, ISSUE 1 JAN. 22- FEB. 4, 2014

Accreditation

Judge delays City College’s possible loss of accreditation until after trial

CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO | SINCE 1935 | THEGUARDSMAN.COM | @SFBREAKINGNEWS | FREE

Cover story

By Madeline Collins

@sfbreakingnews mcollins@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Curtis Karnow ruled on Jan. 2 that City College could not be closed until a trial determines whether the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges acted lawfully in it’s decision to revoke the school’s accreditation.

The judge’s ruling was a result of an injunction filed against the commission by San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed Nov. 25.

“The City Attorney’s motion for a preliminary injunction is granted, but solely to the extent of enjoining the commission from terminating the college’s accreditation until further order of the court or final judgement in the City Attorney’s case,” the official decision read.

Karnow also wrote, “There is no question … of the harm that will be suffered if the commission follows through and terminates accreditation as of July 2014.”

The American Federation of Teachers also filed a similar injunction against the commission, but Karnow denied the request.

In a news release from the City Attorney’s office, Herrera said, “I’m grateful to the court for acknowledging what accreditors have so far refused to: that the educational aspirations of tens of thousands of City College students matter.”

California Community College Chancellor Brice Harris did not agree with the ruling.

In an open letter to Herrera he said, “Characterizations that the cases before the court are a last-ditch effort to save City College are inaccurate and will do additional damage to the college’s enrollment.”

Harris said in the letter that the school has improved under the leadership of Special Trustee

Friends of City College Co-Founder Tracy Wheeler and City College Board of Trustees member Rafael Mandelman stand as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to over one hundred guests during a press conference Jan. 6, 2014 on Chinatown/ North Beach center. Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman

Pelosi decides to join the fight

By Alex Lamp

@sfbreakingnews alamp@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

Pressed against the glass frame of City College’s Chinatown North Beach center on the morning of Jan. 6, faculty, staff and students listened attentively for updated accreditation information and supporting words from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

The press conference was held overlooking Kearny Street. Half of the lobby was sectioned off for the conference that was attended by approximately 100 people, forcing some attendees to stand wherever there was room, including the main staircase.

Pelosi expressed her full support for City College through the end of the press conference.

Her address did not deliver solutions to the problem, however, she reproved the actions of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

“It’s very exciting and I’m

very disappointed that we have to go through this,” Pelosi said.

“The fact is we have to come out of this stronger. Still strong, still committed, still City College.”

Standing beside Pelosi, Board of Trustees member Rafael Mandelman assured that City College will continue to remain open due to the injunction placed on the commission’s review process in alignment with City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s recent lawsuit against the commission.

“It is critically important that people understand that City College is open, and though you may have heard it’s closing in July, it’s not,” Mandelman said. “City College is going to be open for years and decades to come.”

Pelosi recognized City College as a key player to the sustainability of the local economy of San Francisco and the overall US economy.

“Nothing brings more money to the [public] treasury than the education of the American people,” Pelosi said.

According to a September

Attendees applaud House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi during a press conference Jan. 6, 2014 on Chinatown/North Beach center. Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman

study released by San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, the annual estimated economic benefit of City College to the city of San Francisco was $306 million in the fiscal year 2011-2012.

Mar projected this figure by combining City College’s state and federal revenue of $188 million with the local generated revenue of $118 million from students

Accreditation: page 3

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4

Movie Review: “The Wolf of Wall Street delivers

attending and have attended City College.

The study also stated that the “closure of CCSF would result in the layoff of up to 2,457 positions and loss of salaries and benefits of $169 million.”

Pelosi’s vocalized support of City College was unquestionable.

However, her presence following the recent public appearances of Pelosi: page 3

5

Spotlight: Photography celebrates Anniversary

6

Opinion: Technology hinders true conversation

8

Sports: Rams continue winning season with victory

2 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB. 4, 2014

news

Editor-in-Chief Madeline Collins Mananging Editor Patrick Tamayo Advertising Manager Calindra Revier Photo Editor Santiago Mejia News Editor Alex Lamp News Assistant Samantha Dennis Design and Layout Ana Carolina Quintela Marcelo Potosi Copy Chief Alex Reyes Copy Editors Tim Maguire Illustrator Anthony Mata Staff Writers Gina Scialabba Tim Maguire Patrick Cochran Daniel Galloway Samantha Dennis Calindra Revier Charles Innis Staff Photographers Ekevara Kitpowsong Elisa Parrino Khalad Sayed Bridgid Skiba 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

General contact: news@theguardsman.com

California Newspaper Publisher’s Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges

World Briefs United States

Protesters in Fullerton, Calif. were met by police clad in riot gear who attempted to disperse the crowd of a few hundred after declaring an unlawful assembly.

Demonstrators were protesting the not guilty verdict of two former Fullerton officers who beat a schizophrenic homeless man unconscious in July 2011, and who died five days after the assault from the injuries sustained.

Graphic video showing the assault by Fullerton police can be seen on the internet and the victim can be heard apologizing and pleading for the assault to stop. Police issued a dispersal order after a woman allegedly assaulted a reporter from a local news affiliate.

An independent journalist recorded footage of police running into a crowd and detaining a person before hurriedly putting them into an SUV. (LA Times)

Russia

Olympic and Russian officials

continue to ensure that there will be no discrimination toward gay athletes or attendees and ensure the safety of all at the upcoming games in Sochi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin fostered the country’s antigay law while “linking homosexuality with pedophilia” and said to boost the birthrate the country would have to “cleanse” themselves of “gays.”

Putin added that the laws are in place to bar gay and pedophilia propaganda and hinting that abusing children would more likely be done by gays.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1993 after being a criminal offense in the former Soviet Union. (Al Jazeera)

Mexico

A major Mexican newspaper, El Universal, published court documents proving that the United States was in cahoots with the Sinaloa cartel for over a decade.

According to the report, their relationship allowed for the cartel to move “billions of dollars”

College Briefs Community Forum

Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, attended a community gathering at the Taraval Police Station Jan. 11 to discuss the recent updates regarding City College’s accreditation.

The small conference room was overflowing with people eager to hear what Ting had to say and many spoke up to express their opinions on the actions of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

City college supporters were situated all across the room boasting pins reading “We are all City College” and their voices were heard loud and clear by all.

Ting explained the main reason City College was put on

show cause status was due to a problem with financial management but felt that was being taken care of.

“I do feel that the college is moving in the right direction financially,” Ting said to the group of 60.

He informed the community that City College is open and accredited and class schedules were distributed to all who attended.

Ting, along with attendees, expressed that City College is low in enrollment and that it is vital everyone spread the word to maintain the classes offered.

Krysti Specht and Patrick Pablo from the Japanese Community Youth Council then discussed the proper way to apply

worth of drugs and in return provided information on rival cartels. The court documents included testimony from both a justice department official and a DEA agent.

According to El Universal, documents showed that the DEA met with the cartel’s highest ranking members at least 50 times since 2000.

The alleged boss of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who escaped from a Mexican prison in 2001, was named Public Enemy No. 1 in Chicago in February 2013.

Officials allege that the vast majority of drugs in Chicago are supplied by the Sinaloa cartel.

(CNN, SF Chronicle)

South Africa

Poachers in South Africa killed over 1000 endangered rhinos in 2013, almost doubling the previous year’s number.

In the east many believe that rhino horn is a cure for a variety of ailments including deadly diseases. The majority of rhino deaths occurred in Kruger National Park, a wildlife park established in 1898 that covers more than 7500 square miles of wilderness.

The park is home to both black and white rhinos, and it for financial aid and introduced the Middle Class Scholarship.

The Middle Class Scholarship caters to families and students who have an annual gross income between $100,000 and $150,000 and do not qualify for Cal Grants or Pell Grants offered.

This scholarship would cover up to 40 percent of tuition fees at both University of California and California State University campuses.

For many families, financial aid has not been an option due to their annual incomes but now, middle class families have a new opportunity to gain assistance.

(Samantha Dennis)

Enrollment

No payment means no classes. This is what City College students found out at the beginning of the semester.

A drop in enrollment this semester may be due to the negative talk about accreditation but another factor may be the new

is estimated that there are only approximately 25,000 rhinos left in the world.

A U.S. hunter has recently come under scrutiny and has received death threats after purchasing a permit at auction for $350,000 to kill a black rhino.

(CNN)

Japan

An annual dolphin hunt in Japan, that was the basis for the controversial documentary “The Cove,” has captured over 200 dolphins and have trapped them in a cove in Taiji, a coastal village in southern Japan located approximately 150 miles south of Osaka.

Villagers sell some of the dolphins into captivity to marine parks and kill many of them for their meat. Japan continues to stand behind the argument that their annual hunt breaks no laws or international treaties and that the dolphin population needs to be controlled in order to protect their fishing areas.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a marine wildlife conservation group, has been on site near the cove and has been live streaming the actions of local fisherman as they conduct their hunt. (USA Today, Reuters) payment policy that has been implemented.

As of this semester, students must now pay the total amount of tuition fees at time of enrollment or sign up for a payment plan which requires students to pay a significant amount of tuition up front.

If students do not pay tuition up front or sign up for the payment plan by the noted date, students were dropped from all classes they were previously enrolled in.

This has not only caused a burden for students but also for the instructors whose classes are threatened to be dropped due to the low enrollment.

A call center was put in place to help students with any problems they might have experienced when enrolling, however the call center was not available over the winter break, a key time for student enrollment.

(Samantha Dennis)

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB.4, 2014| 3

news

Pelosi: from page 1

Accreditation: from page 1

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to over 100 guests during her visit Jan. 6, 2014, on Chinatown North Beach center. Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman

Congressperson’s Jackie Speier, Anna Eshoo and George Miller left the audience questioning her motives.

The Guardsman directly asked Pelosi, “What brought you out today and why is this your first time speaking in front of us?”

Pelosi attributed her attendance to the opportune timing of the meeting that fell on a congressional holiday.

“We chose this day because of the timing and because Congress was not in session,” Pelosi said.

“It gave us an opportunity to hear

from me and more importantly to hear from our elected officials, the leadership of the [San Francisco] community college Board of Trustees.”

Chairman of City College’s ESL Department Gregory Keech is among the dissatisfied City College faculty who have actively attempted to reach out to Congresswoman Pelosi for her support.

“People have been contacting her office for years and we haven’t heard anything official from her,” Keech said.

Keech said Pelosi has been waiting for the opportune timing to publicize her support for City College.

“They have been trying to figure out which way the wind is blowing,” Keech said. “Now with the injunction it’s clear which way the wind is blowing.”

In the Summer of 2013, Democratic supporters Lisa Jaicks and Peter Gabel, attended an event at San Francisco Democratic County Committee member Agar Jaicks’ home. Their goal was to gain the support of Pelosi for City College.

“Last summer we had a [Democratic] fundraiser and we talked about the importance of this issue,” Gabel said. “We began facilitating interactions between her and the community.”

Agar Jaicks is the father of Lisa Jaicks and a long time Democratic supporter and friend of Congresswoman Pelosi.

“It was at Agar Jaicks’ house, he was doing a fundraiser for the Democratic Party, she was the guest of honor. We asked her if she would speak about City College and she said ‘of course,’” Lisa Jaicks said.

Overall, Lisa Jaicks was satisfied with Pelosi’s delivery.

“I thought she did exactly what she said she was going to do, which is to bring her moral authority to the issue and make it clear to the accreditors and everyone else where she stands,” Lisa Jaicks said. “I think it has a great deal of value.”

Gabel also content, commented on the effectiveness of Pelosi’s political presence to the community.

“She came out solidly in support of City College’s permanent existence and helping to create an expectation among the community of San Francisco that the leadership of the country and this city is determined to be a successful outcome,” Gabel said.

Robert Agrella and that they have hired Arthur Q. Tyler as the new chancellor, and “the school has an accomplished educational leader at its helm who has pledged to stay with CCSF for the long haul.”

However, the effects of the commission’s actions have been evident since City College was first placed on the show cause sanction in 2012.

Enrollment has steadily decreased despite the school’s efforts to advertise that City College is open and accredited.

Departments have been forced to cut sections and even classes altogether due to declining enrollment.

“Judge Karnow reached a wise and thorough decision that vindicates our contention that accreditors engaged in unfair and unlawful conduct,” Herrera said.

However, the injunction has bought City College some time and has lifted the spirits among students and faculty.

“I’m feeling good about the decision,” Shanell Williams, an activist with the Save City College Coalition told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Students have been feeling a lot of frustration, like there was this train speeding down the road, and we felt, like, how can we stop it?”

4 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB. 4, 2014

culture

Movie Review: “TheWolf of Wall Street”

Have Your Say: Greed and consumption lead Did the new policy of dropping students from classes for nonpayment of fees affect you?

Adelaida Cochrane, 24 Psychology “It was easier to get into classes, I didn’t have any trouble getting into classes this semester whereas last semester I had a really hard time, I didn’t get a lot of the classes that I needed. But it definitely seemed like there were less classes being offered and less sections. I got the notice and I paid it so I guess not.”

Steve Monge, 23 Business “No. It was easier for me to get classes. I got my classes in and didn’t really focus on anything else. I paid it on time … I think it’s kind of wrong though because a lot of people here—they come on a budget so if they can’t pay for their classes that early then how are they supposed to get educated?”

Graciela Ezquerrou, 20 Marine Biology “Not really, but it affected me in a way that it bothers me how it has affected others. People work hard to try to get enrolled and now it’s being so limited and it’s unfair because a lot of people depend on this school. It’s unfair that its becoming so limited when before everybody and anybody could potentially come.”

Scott Kruse, 21 Computer Science “I have to speak to my counselor about it because my financial aid isn’t coming in for another few weeks, they’re aware of it though.

As long as financial aid counselors and enrollment counselors look at it in a case by case basis I guess it’s a good thing.”

the way in Scorsese’s new film

who’s usually funny, but hard to take seriously. He makes a good addition to the movie, but definitely not Oscar-worthy in this role.

Here are perhaps my more important criticisms.

There’s a part in the movie where Belfort does one-too-many drugs and can’t control his motor skills.

The whole scene is in poor taste and very mocking of a serious disease—cerebral palsy. The film has come under fire for Jonah Hill plays Danny and Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort in this portrayal.

“The Wolf of Wall Street.” Photo courtesy of Mary Cybulski/MCT What also disturbed me was the movie’s disredwarf-throwing contest.

By Gina Scialabba gard for women.

I can’t say I’m @journalist_gina Along the way he partners too surprised.

In staying true to gscialabba@theguardsman.com up with Donnie Azoff (Jonah Belfort’s book, sexism is commonThe Guardsman Hill), finds a trophy wife (Margot Robbie) and does every despica- place. Women are used, abused, discarded and a whole fresh batch You’ve probably heard the ble thing a human can do, but still is brought in. hype about director Martin Scors- needs more and more.

The women who do work at Things go south, however. ese’s latest film, “The Wolf of Wall Stratton Oakmont are there for Street”—the f-word is dropped an Belfort is investigated for fraud pure entertainment, sexual favors unprecedented 506 times in the and money laundering by FBI and an occasional head shaving. three-hour long film, there’s an agent Patrick Denham (Kyle It’s hard watching Scorsese once orgy on an airplane, Jonah Hill eats Chandler). Belfort’s kingdom is again portray women so negativea goldfish and also masturbates in about to fall.

DiCaprio gives the best ly. the middle of a house party. And Should you go? Yes, to see then there’s the rampant drug use. performance of his career. He is what all the hype is about. Yes, to Yes, that’s all true. But, you the epitome of a wolf in sheep’s be completely shocked by Belfort’s should see the movie for yourself clothing, portraying ruthless lifestyle and talk about it with and ask what Scorsese is really and cunning in a shiny package. your friends later.

DiCaprio throws himself into the trying to expose.

Yes, because it’s Scorsese at his He presents audiences with role with reckless abandon, a feat most brilliant, even if you don’t a raw, unapologetic and unnerv- called for by a character as large agree with the premise of the film. ing immorality tale about life as a as Belfort.

Yes, because it’s one of the stronDiCaprio becomes a reckless stockbroker. gest contenders for the Oscar this It’s meant to offend. It’s meant hedonist with an appetite for hard year. to make you uncomfortable. It’s a drugs and sex.

Just take a nap before you go.

Jonah Hill once again plays didactic all-American story about It’s a long ride. our prolific greed culture where Jonah Hill—the sidekick guy individualism and profit seeking have frayed our social fabric. Men become monsters overnight all for money.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Release Date: Stars: real-life Jordan Belfort, a financial Running Time: Dec. 25, 2013 Leonardo DiCaprio scoundrel who runs the unethical 180 Minutes Jonah Hill brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont.

Genre: MPAA Rating: Margot Robbie The firm is wildly successComedy, Crime, R Matthew ful—so successful that employees Drama Directed by: McConaughey are making unthinkable amounts Martin Scorcese Rob Reiner of cash and having extravagant office parties complete with a

If you go...

Nicole Chien, 23 Psychology “Not me I paid my fees, so it’s all good. But people are going to pay their stuff eventually anyways. It’s kind of dumb to just drop them completely from school.”

Events: Jan. 22 - Feb. 4 Fri/24

Academic Date Last day to drop full-term course-work units in order to qualify for 100% full refund of CA resident enrollment fees, international and non-resident student tuition fees.

Sat/25 Fan Fest Photos by Khaled Sayed. Reporting by Charles Innis.

Baseball fans are invited to

Email announcements to: calendar@theguardsman.com

roam the baseball field, take photographs with Giants players and trophies and enjoy a designated kid’s zone. 24 Willie Mays Plaza.10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

Fri/31

Thurs/30

Museum

Academic Date Last day to add full-term credit classes in-person & on WEB4.

Academic Date Lunar New Year. No classes.

Sun/2 Free admission all day to the Exploratorium Museum.

Admission subject to capacity.

Pier 15. 10 a.m-3 p.m. Free.

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB. 4, 2014 | 5

culture

Department Spotlight

Photography department celebrates 75th anniversary with exhibition featuring works by student and faculty

A man views a gallery during City College’s 75th anniversary of its Photography department showcase Jan. 17, 2014, at SF Camerawork. Photo by Bridgid Skiba/The Guardsman

By Samantha Dennis @sfbreakingnews sdennis@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

The photography department is celebrating 75 years of quality education this semester with various venues around the city showcasing works of current and former students, as well as works of faculty.

The kick-off party was held Jan. 17 at SF Camerawork showcasing some of the 700 photographs submitted.

Other venues around the city will also display the work of nearly 200 photographers who submitted their work.

“We have a good balance between professional photography and fine art photography and it gives a larger opportunity for employment,” Photography

Department Chair Robert Nishihi said. “[The photography department] has excelled by including a gallery within our department on campus.”

Julia Sperling, a web design major, is among the students whose work is showcased at SF Camerawork.

Sperling came from Germany and began taking classes at City College to improve her English skills but has since learned so much more since enrolling in various photography classes.

Sperling said the classes the photography department offers prepare you for the job market.

“It starts with basic soft skills like being on time, working in teams, being prepared to handle critique and learning to speak up and present your work,” Sperling said. “But you also learn hard skills such as the programs and

assignments which are similar to the real world jobs.”

The department is one of the largest programs in the country according to the school website and continues to provide a variety of classes from foundation courses to advance level courses.

City College instructor

The photography department at City College has flourished since its start in 1939.

Erika Gentry said that they start from the bottom up which helps students gain confidence.

“A lot of students come to class with equipment that they have

been given or recently bought and it can be overwhelming to them,” Gentry said.

Photography major Beatriz Escobar said City College offers programs other schools in the Bay Area do not. She said skills were acquired in a beginning photography class which allowed her to get the best out of her camera.

“When I started taking more advanced courses, I started learning the way professionals operate,” Escobar said. “Teachers here at [City College] are always committed to teaching us the professional way to do things.”

Escobar said the program is very extensive with an incredible lab and an infrastructure that is not easy not find and added that it’s also affordable.

The photography department has flourished since its start in 1939 but instructors focus on

keeping the original concepts of photography in tact.

Gentry said the photography department has done its best to support analog processes but also incorporate in demand emerging technologies such as digital capture processing and output.

“The number of technical classes we offer is unique compared to other public two and four year colleges in the Bay Area,” Gentry said.

The SF Camerawork show was organized by Gentry and photographs will be on display until Feb. 2.

The 81 Bees, a collective group brought together by a mutual passion for photography, has put together a show at Rayco Photo Center that will be showcasing photographs until Feb. 23.

6 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB. 4, 2014

opinion

Having conversations Higher education in America being is a thing of the past cheapened by free market greed

By Samantha Dennis @sfbreakingnews sdennis@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

The majority of Bay Area residents use public transportation as a means of getting where they need to go.

You would think that being crammed in a bus or BART train with so many people would cause a conversation to arise but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

We now have a computer in the palm of our hands with the invention of smartphones and the problem is no one can seem to put them down.

With so many different cultures brought together on public transit, the opportunity for conversation is extraordinary. That is if we can put our phones down for five minutes to start one.

Being a communications major, I know first hand how to strike up a conversation, and a good one at that. However, it’s hard to even start a conversation when I look around and every single person is captivated by their phones.

There have been incidents, like the senseless shooting of a San Francisco State student as he exited a MUNI train, where crimes have been committed and not a single soul witnessed it because they

were glued to their phone and not aware of their surroundings. That worries me.

Have we reached a point that we would rather stalk someone on social media from our phones than possibly meet a new friend?

Living in this wonderful city we are privileged to be around a vast array of different cultures.

There is so much we all can learn from each other if only we took the chance.

Simply asking the person sitting next to you on the bus how their day is going can lead to an endless array of topics to talk about.

Who knows, maybe that person was having a bad day, but by just asking that simple question and showing interest, there’s a chance that you’ve made their day a little brighter. Maybe that person has the same interests as you or goes to the same school that you attend.

Not to sound corny, but there is a chance you could find love on BART. Relationships are blossomed in public settings all the time. You’ll never know unless you converse.

Next time you take public transportation I encourage you to put that smartphone away and start a conversation with someone.

The outcome may surprise you.

Letters to the editor must be under 250 words and may be edited for content.

Send letters to: editor@theguardsman.com

Corrections: Find a mistake? Let us know!

Email: editor@theguardsman.com

By Alex Reyes

@sfbreakingnews areyes@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

When did price gouging become an established American way of life, and why do the American people allow it to continue?

Such questions came to mind as I stood in an impressively long line that snaked through Ocean campus’ main bookstore, holding a used paperback textbook that cost $51.

I know $51 is in the low to mid-range of academic textbook costs. A 392-page paperback history book I’ll also need this semester sells for $143 new and $101.25 used. Just renting the book for a semester costs $71.

I also know that the hyperinflated cost of academic textbooks in the United States is an old story.

But I’m even older. I first went to college in 1975. This was the first time I was holding a used, medium-size, largely black-andwhite book that cost as much as a new, oversized, four-color art book.

Despite my personal history, I believe education is a worthy and even noble human aspiration. I’ve been reading books on my own since elementary school and purchasing and reading them throughout my adult life.

I’ve even bought more than one of the large, colorful books mentioned above so that I could preserve the memory of being amazed by the genius on display in certain art exhibitions.

My problem with the nondescript $51 paperback in hand had nothing to do with paying an amount for a book well beyond my comfort zone. Rather, I felt

outraged that the venerated realm of education has been cheapened in America by entrenched capitalist greed.

Once I reached a cashier I was still feeling torn about whether or not to pay the $51. I told the cashier I wasn’t going to purchase the book after she entered it into the system.

As we waited for a more senior cashier to void the sale, I decided

The most in need of a college education can often not afford the cost of three square meals a day

that my need for the book was stronger than my desire to not enable such greed.

Later, I found a used copy of the $143 history book on sale online for $35 or so. Score! But not so fast.

Free marketeers tell us that prices are set by whatever the market will bear. But the market can often bear much more than human beings can handle.

In America, the market allowed for an economy based on the buying, selling, use and disposal of human slaves for over 100 years.

American businessmen required men, women and children to work 10 and 12 hour days, seven days a week, in substandard conditions well into the 20th century.

American bosses directed unprotected workers to handle asbestos-laden materials in construction trades, which led to an untold number of worker

deaths.

Free market activities in America created so much air, land and water pollution that an Environmental Protection Agency was created to rein in such market dominion.

Today, of course, such free marketeers engage a legion of lobbyists to restrict the enforcement mechanisms of the EPA and every other government agency created to protect “we, the people” to the point of irrelevance.

Inflated costs for education, and for other human necessities such as health care, can seem trivial when compared with the other damages whatever the market will bear have wreaked on us and other people throughout the centuries.

But greed is not good for those who cannot afford it.

A 2009 study published by the American Journal of Public Health found that nearly 45,000 Americans die each year due to a lack of health care coverage.

Those most in need of a college education can often not afford the cost of three square meals a day.

It is false, of course, to draw a distinction between the market, free marketeers and the American people, because we are the archcapitalists of the world.

More Americans pledge allegiance to God, our warrior nation and capitalism than they do to the democratic ideals upon which the United States was founded.

Notions to “promote the general Welfare,” “ensure domestic Tranquility” and to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity” are not marketproven ideals. Academic textbooks costing well over $100 are.

Welcome to the real world “Hunger Games.”

THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB. 4, 2014 | 7

sports

Weather could be a factor in Super Bowl XLVIII

By Jeff Seidel

@seideljeff jseidel@freepress.com

Detroit Free Press They could play the Super Bowl on the North Pole and people would still watch it.

Instead, they picked a place far worse.

The Seattle Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and it will be the first Super Bowl played on a field above the remains of Jimmy Hoffa.

No. Whoops! New Jersey has a new stadium, which is the main reason this will be the first Super Bowl played in an outdoor stadium in the dead of winter.

Which is all good fun for polar bears.

But it is seriously messing up the travel plans of hundreds of sports writers and thousands of rich, corporate ticket holders, who would rather be anywhere else.

But this Super Bowl will be a boon to weather forecasters across the nation.

For the next two weeks, we will be bombarded with countless, overblown reports about the weather in N.J. and how it might affect the game.

How will Manning perform in a potentially frigid Super Bowl?

Mr. Omaha! Omaha! has long battled the perception that he struggles in frosty weather, but some losses came in Game 17s when he played only a few snaps or when he had the lesser team.

But this has been a season where Manning has destroyed inaccurate, outdated perceptions about him.

Perception No. 1: Manning is all washed MetLife Stadium Dec. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. up, and he will never come Photo courtesy of David Maialetti/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT back from his neck injury!

And then, all he did was In East Rutherford, the record Or, maybe, it will be both. high on Feb. 2 was 66 degrees and Warm and then cold. As they say throw for 5,477 yards and 66 the record low minus-8, accord- in these parts, that’s just one day of touchdowns on his way to an MVP award. ing to weather.com. weather in Michigan.

Perception No. 2: Manning That sounds like we are headWarming up to can’t beat Tom Brady or the Patried for a wonderful, classic showManning again ots in the playoffs! And then all he down: This Super Bowl will come On Sunday, the temperature did was carve up the Patriots on down to Mr. Heat Miser vs. Mr. was 63 degrees for the AFC cham- Sunday.

Snow Miser.

Perception No. 3: Manning Which means it could be real- pionship in Denver as Manning ly cold and nasty, and that’s gonna threw for 400 yards and two can’t win in the cold. Earlier this seriously bum out Bruno Mars, touchdowns in a 26-16 victory year, the temperature dipped below 20 before the Broncos who is scheduled to do the half- over the New England Patriots.

“It’s an exciting feeling,” played Tennessee, and Manning time show.

Or it might be unseasonably Manning told reporters. “We have responded by throwing for 397 warm and balmy, which will make done something special here, and yards and four touchdowns in a you want to win one more.”

51-28 win.

Peyton Manning happy.

After the game, when asked about people who think he can’t play in cold weather, Manning told Denver radio station, KOAAM: “Whoever wrote that narrative can shove that where the sun don’t shine.”

Funny thing is, it won’t be shining in New Jersey either.

No matter the weather, this game will be a great matchup featuring Manning against Seattle’s great defense.

Best team might not win

Call me old fashioned, but football was created to be played outdoors. Except, you know, for the Lingerie Bowl.

I’m a sucker for the frozen tundra and the Ice Bowl and even our own recent Snow Bowl when the Lions played Philadelphia this season in a thick blanket of snow.

Is there a downside to playing in the elements? Of course. The best team might not win.

So be it. Let the gamblers worry about that.

At the very least, it should make this game compelling and interesting in a different way.

If they are going to play this game in New Jersey, I hope to goodness it’s in the middle of a blizzard.

Sports Brief

Rams begin season with three wins

By Patrick Cochran

@sfbreakingnews pcochran@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

In the first game of a doubleheader at City College on Jan. 17, the Rams women’s basketball team defeated San Jose City College with a final score of 52-39.

City College had the lead the entire game and at halftime the score was a lopsided 34-12.

“We needed to keep the energy and intensity up in the second half to match our performance in the first,” Rams head coach Jamie Hayes said.

The Rams’ sophomore forwards Geena Greene finished with 7 points and 11 rebounds, Kiah Knox added 9 points and 11 rebounds and guard Franeka Hall had 6 points and 14 rebounds.

The Rams next game is at Las Positas College Jan. 22.

Rams’ sophomore guard Franeka Hall (20) takes a shot against the San Jose Jaguars in the first half of a CCCAA women’s basketball game Jan. 17, 2014 on Ocean campus. Photo by Santiago Mejia/The Guardsman

8 | THE GUARDSMAN & THEGUARDSMAN.COM | JAN. 22-FEB. 4, 2014

sports

Basketball

Rams cage Owls in third win of the season

sports calendar BASEBALL Jan. 30, 1 p.m. vs. Laney College @ Fairmont Field

Feb. 1, 12 p.m. @ Laney College

Feb. 4, 2 p.m. @ Los Medanos College

BASKETBALL MEN:

Jan. 24, 7 p.m. vs. Chabot College Jan. 29, 7 p.m. @ Ohlone College

Jan. 31, 7 p.m. @ Cañada College

Feb. 5, 7 p.m. vs. Skyline College

WOMEN:

Jan. 24, 5 p.m. vs. Chabot College Jan. 29, 5 p.m. @ Ohlone College

Jan. 31, 5:30 p.m. @ College of San Mateo

Feb. 5, 5 p.m. vs. Skyline College

SOFTBALL Feb. 1, 12 p.m. vs. Los Medanos College

TENNIS

Jan. 29, 2 p.m. vs. Sierra College

Rams’ sophomore guard Chuks Iroegbu (4) takes a shot against the Foothill Owls during the first half of a CCCAA men’s basketball game Jan. 17, 2014, on Ocean campus. Photo by Khaled Sayed/The Guardsman

By Patrick Cochran

@sfbreakingnews pcochran@theguardsman.com

The Guardsman

The City College men’s basketball team won in dominating fashion on Jan. 17 over Foothill College. The final score was 80-48 and over the course of the entire game City College controlled nearly every aspect on the court.

City College’s choking full court press gave Foothill fits all night and didn’t allow them to get into a comfortable offensive tempo. The City College Rams also did an impressive job of turning successful defensive stops into easy transition baskets.

Guards Dulani Robinson and Chuks Iroegbu were in sync, with Robinson hitting Iroegbu with crisp long passes that lead to fast break points.

“We did what coach told us to do tonight. We’re a pressing team and we run a lot,” Robinson said after the game.

Another player that stood out was sophomore guard Kori Babineaux.

Toward the end of the second half Robinson threw an alley-oop to Babineaux, which he proceeded to throw down with power. It was a thunderous dunk that put an exclamation point on the Rams’ dominating victory.

After the game head coach Justin Labagh seemed satisfied with his team’s performance. “[I] feel pretty good about how we played tonight. We worked

forthree hard days and we executed our game plan,” Labagh said.

“We played hard all game until I pulled the offense in the last five minutes.”

One key aspect of the Rams squad is the team’s depth. The second unit is filled with players that would start on other teams.

Germeny Givens and Gabe Bealer are able to provide quality minutes when they come off the bench.

Freshman guard Bealer is a long athletic player that can drive to the basket and with his lanky arms is able to reach past defenders on the way to the hoop.

Fellow freshman guard, Givens, makes up for his lack of height by being a sparkplug on the court. He runs the team’s full court press as well as anybody and is able to score in transition.

The Rams also don’t lack big men in the middle.

Sophomore center Kanu Aja can outmuscle opponents and throw down dunks while freshman center Sami Eleraky uses his near 7-foot height to block opponents shots and score points in the lane.

As a tall guy Eleraky gets fouled a lot, resulting in many foul shots, but he also gets called for lots of defensive fouls.

“As a big guy you always got to be careful, because you always get fouls called,” Eleraky said.

With a relentless full court press, a deep bench and a team that loves to score in transition the Rams will have an exciting 2014

San Francisco Rams sophomore guard Joshua Fox (21) makes his way to the basket against the Foothill Owls during the second half of a CCCAA men’s basketball game Jan. 17, 2014, on Ocean campus. Photo by Khaled Sayed/The Guardsman

basketball season if they continue to play the way they did against Foothill.

The Rams’ next games are Jan. 22 at Positas College followed

by a home game versus Chabot College on Jan. 26. Both games have a 7 p.m. tip off.