THE PIONEER Covering the East Bay community since 1961
California State University, East Bay
News, Art, & Culture for the East Bay
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
www.thepioneeronline.com
Spring 2016 Issue 6
NEWS
Feds drop charges against cannabis club
SEE FEATURES PAGE 2
HAYWARD CELEBRATES CINCO DE MAYO
By Louis LaVenture EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SEE NEWS PAGE 7
SMOKING BANNED AT ALL CSU CAMPUSES
#PIONEERNEWS /thepioneernewspaper @thepioneeronline @newspioneer
NEWS
Local political races heat up • Voting begins on June 7 • Ten candidates for four Hayward city council positions • Incumbents: Elisa Marquez, Al Mendall, and Francisco Zermeno
By Louis LaVenture EDITOR-IN-CHIEF With much of the political focus on the presidential nomination race, local elections have gone somewhat unnoticed. Hayward has three local elections on the June 7 ballot that could decide the direction of the city. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is the incumbent U.S. Representative for the 15th District that represents Hayward, Fremont and the Tri Valley Area, which is comprised of Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore and Danville. Swalwell is running against Republican nominee danny Turner, who listed his occupation as businessman on his application. The State Assembly race also has just two candidates, which includes incumbent Democrat Bill Quirk. Quirk is running against Republican financial services consultant Luis Wong. The Hayward City Council race has the most candidates with 10 total three of which are incumbents. Elisa Marquez, Al Mendall and Francisco Zermeno will all try to retain their seats while Wynn Grcich, Matt McGrath, Leo Ram, Kenneth Rollins, Mark Salinas, Brian Schott and John Taylor all try and grab one of only four seats up for grabs. The primary elections are scheduled for June 7, and the general election is set for Nov. 8.
ILLUSTRATION BY ARIANA GONZALEZ/THE PIONEER
Presidential race down to three By Louis LaVenture EDITOR-IN-CHIEF With just three candidates left in the presidential race, things are starting to heat up. After Ted Cruz and John Kasich dropped out of Republican contention for president last week, the country is left with Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders as potential successors for President of the United States Barack Obama. Clinton holds a commanding lead for the Democrats, with 2,205 delegate votes to Sanders’ 1,401. There are still 1,159 delegate votes up for grabs over the next ten primaries before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 7, according to the primary schedule on the official Democrat website.
Each state has an allotment of delegate votes that are determined by the popular vote. With 2,383 votes needed to secure the Democratic nomination, Clinton is just 178 votes shy of the goal and has 522 superdelegate votes to Sanders’ miniscule 39. Superdelegates are unique to the Democrats and comprised of elected officials, party leaders and all House and Senate members. Superdelegates can vote for any candidate they want and can create a swing in the nomination since their decisions have the potential to go against the popular vote. At a May 1 press conference, Sanders said even if he doesn’t receive the 2,383 votes necessary to be nominated, he will contest the convention. While it is still unclear what a “contested convention” means, it is likely that Sanders will not accept nor support his party’s nomination of Clinton
and attend the convention opposed to it. For Trump, things will be much easier as he is the only candidate left in his party and doesn’t have to deal with superdelegates. Trump has 1,068 delegate votes and needs 1,237 to secure his nomination, according to the Associated Press. With 505 votes still available and no other candidates, it is likely Trump will hit that mark well before the start of the Republican National Convention on July 18 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Oregon primaries for both parties are scheduled for May 17 and for Democrats, it is also the same day as the Kentucky primary, according to their website. Voting day for California residents will be on June 7. There are some exceptions, but most voters must register at least 15 days prior to an election in order to be eligible. For more information on how to register and where to vote visit rockthevote.com.
Pioneers CCAA North Division champions By Marissa Marshall STAFF WRITER The California State East Bay Pioneers had a tremendous weekend of baseball. Not only did they punch their ticket into the California Collegiate Athletic Association playoffs, but they also claimed the CCAA North Division title for the first time in school history. East Bay played a four-game series this weekend against Cal State Monterey Bay (32-17 overall, 21-16 conference) who was ahead of them in the standings before the weekend began. The Pioneers finished the weekend by beating Monterey in the series, three games to one. The first game on Friday was a blowout in favor of the Pioneers, 7-1. Sophomore pitcher Alex Vesia allowed only 5 hits and struck out 7 through the eighth inning. Senior utility player Rudy Navarro, who went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, started the game when he singled up the middle, which plated center fielder Marcus Wise the score. East Bay then took full control of the game and only allowed one run by the Otters. Senior catcher Chris Porter also went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs in the win. “The mentality going into the game was just like any other game we play,” said Navarro. “We wanted to start the weekend off well and set the tone for the rest of the weekend.” The Pioneers kept up their play on Saturday morning when they traveled to Monterey. The game lasted 10 innings and Monterey put the first point on the board when Hayden Deur scored on a throwing error by East Bay. First baseman Troy Resch singled to shortstop in the top of the fourth and Navarro scored on a throwing error by
PHOTO BY MELODY PLATT/THE PIONEER
CSUEB junior pitcher Nick Sergi delivers a pitch on Sunday in Hayward. Monterey Bay, which tied the game 1-1. The game remained stagnant after the fifth inning and stayed tied 3-3 after the Otter’s Matt Urakami homered to right field. With no score change until the tenth inning, Pioneer infielder Dakota Conners reached on a fielder’s choice to second
base, which advanced Resch home and gave East Bay the 4-3 lead. Pitcher Andrew Fernandez got his first save of the year, after he pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the tenth, which secured the win.
SEE SPORTS PAGE 12
Don’t quit. That’s what I was always taught. The Federal Government must not have been taught that same lesson, because on May 3 they did exactly that: Quit. The white towel was thrown, charges against Harborside Health Center will be dropped. This decision, supported by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and accompanied by a statement by the cannabis club, was announced by Oakland Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan. Since 2012, the feds have been embroiled with medical marijuana dispensary Harborside Health Center in legal proceedings aimed at shutting the Oakland-based cannabis club down. However, the feds dropped the case against the collective that has been in court since 2012. One of the largest cannabis clubs in the world, Harborside and its more than 200,000 patients can exhale in relief now that they no longer have to fear a shutdown or raid of the Oakland waterfront or San Jose locations. According to Harborside owner and founder Steve DeAngelo, as part of the deal, prosecutors will dismiss all charges against Harborside and in return the dispensary will not pursue further legal action against the federal government. “I vowed we would never abandon our patients and predicted Harborside would outlast the efforts to close us down,” Executive Director DeAngelo said in a statement following the decision. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said it was “coincidental” that the charges were dropped on the same day the city adopted new regulations to allow cannabis clubs and dispensaries to be more visible and not limit their presence to industrial areas. Medical cannabis was made legal in California in 1996 by voters, however, possession and sale of the drug is illegal according to federal laws. According to California state records that record the monetary aspects of the industry, in 2015 dispensaries registered with the state piled up more than $600 million in total sales and more than $55 million in taxes. According to Harborside, their two health centers in Oakland and San Jose bring in more than $25 million per year. The drama started for Harborside in 2012 when then U.S. Attorney General Melinda Haag began a crusade against medical cannabis dispensaries and accused Harborside and numerous other collectives of breaking federal drug laws. Haag stepped down from her position last year and less than a year later the feds decided to drop all charges. According to court records, after the initial charges were brought upon the collectives, the city of Oakland sued the federal government in 2012 and have been entangled in litigation since the charges were recently dropped. In Feb. 2013 a magistrate dismissed the city’s case and granted Harborside the right to stay open during litigation, according to court records.
2 FEATURES
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
Hayward celebrates Cinco de Mayo
EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Louis LaVenture
louis.laventure@csueastbay.edu
MANAGING EDITOR
Kali Persall
kali.persall@csueastbay.edu
COPY EDITOR
Wendy Medina
wendy.medina@csueastbay.edu
ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Casey Peuser
casey.peuser@csueastbay.edu
VISUAL EDITOR
Tam Duong Jr.
tam.duong@csueastbay.edu
ILLUSTRATORS
Ariana Gonzalez
ariana.gonzalez@csueastbay.edu
STAFF WRITERS
Erik Khan erik.khan@csueastbay.edu
Elizabeth Avalos
elizabeth.avalos@csueastbay.edu
Marissa Marshall marissa.marshall@csueastbay.edu
VISUAL JOURNALISTS
Kristiana Federe kristiana.federe@csueastbay.edu
Melody Platt melody.platt@csueastbay.edu
Erika Fernandez erika.fernandez@csueastbay.edu
Crystal Jeffers
crystal.jeffers@csueastbay.edu
SPANISH EDITOR
Pavel Radostev Pushina pavel.radostevpushina@csueastbay.edu
EDITORIAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Marina Swanson
marina.swanson@csueastbay.edu
FACULTY ADVISOR
Gary Moskowitz gary.moskowitz@csueastbay.edu
By Louis LaVenture EDITOR-IN-CHIEF La Alianza de Hayward, a Latino based organization, hosted their annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Downtown Hayward near City Hall on Saturday. The celebration was designed to incorporate the true meaning of the day, which is to celebrate “The Battle of
Puebla”, an 1862 victory by the Mexican Army over the French. La Alianza also implemented recognition of past and present contributions to the Hayward area. The celebration included performances by Aztec inspired dancers, folclorico and mariachis. The event also included the Hayward Farmer’s Market as well as pinatas, face painting and other activities geared towards children.
FACULTY COORDINATOR
Dr. Katherine Bell kate.bell@csueastbay.edu
Questions? Comments? Contact us! t. 510.885.3175 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. CSUEB - MI 1076 Hayward, CA 94542 pioneernewspaper@csueastbay.edu
PRODUCTION STAFF FACULTY PRODUCTION MANAGER
Eric Ronning LAYOUT DESIGNERS
Alejandro Arias Danisha Calderon Christina Galanakis
ADVERTISING STAFF SALES EXECUTIVES
Jocelyn Manfut Ken Parker Yesica Ibarra GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Yesenia Gonzalez ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Itzamar Llamas Advertising Contact t. 510.885.3526 f. 510.885.2584 pioneer.advertising@csueastbay.edu PHOTOS BY LOUIS LAVENTURE/THE PIONEER
Funding for The Pioneer comes, in part, from the Academic Access, Enhancement and Excellence (A2E2) Fee.
OPINION 3
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
Jared Goff should thank his lucky stars Cal quarterback lands in Los Angeles By Shomari Block CONTRIBUTOR Years from now the Jared Goff-led Los Angeles Rams may crush the San Francisco 49ers on the football field. If this happens, 49ers fans will lament the day the Rams stole Goff from their grasp. The 49ers may do the crushing on that day. No one can predict the future as much as so called experts might want you to believe. When the Rams selected Goff first overall in this year’s NFL draft, they did Goff a huge favor. Before the April 14 trade that landed the Rams the first overall pick, mock draft makers favored Goff as the 49ers selection. Not to say the 49ers favored Goff, but sports forecasters saw this
happening. This excited the 49er fan base and presumably Goff. Of course it did. What a great story. The hometown kid playing for his hometown team and restoring the glory of days past. Throw in an A-list actress as the love interest and you have a legit Hollywood drama. Unlike the ending of a romantic comedy, the reality likely would have looked much uglier for Goff. Before a quarterback can complete a pass, coaches need to call a play that works against the defense. Five offensive linemen must prevent as many as seven defenders from sacking the quarterback. One of five pass catchers must get open so the quarterback has a place to throw the football and so on. With these conditions met, a good quarterback will succeed. A quarterback that can overcome less than ideal support gets called great. Two or three quarterbacks, in a league that employs nearly 100, might qualify as great. Around 10 more qualify as good with another ten labeled competent or mediocre.
Very few rookie quarterbacks play competently. Even fewer play good quarterback. No rookie quarterback over the last 30 years has played great. That’s why the rookie record for passing yards in season falls over 1,400 yards shy of the actual single season record, according to the NFL. Rams quarterbacks were sacked the fewest times last year. Forty Niners’ quarterbacks were sacked the second most. The Rams offense features last season’s third leading rusher Todd Gurley. The 49ers offense features the promise Carlos Hyde may fulfill if he has recovered from season-ending surgery. The Rams have the type of talent the 49ers did when Colin Kaepernick led them to a Super Bowl and Conference Championship games in consecutive years. The 49ers have the type of talent that made Kaepernick look like a scrub off the street last year. Many articles described Goff’s desire to play for the team of his childhood. Stories surfaced of how he wore the
number 16 because of 49ers Hall of Famer Joe Montana. Nostalgia can cloud our good sense. When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Goff as the Rams selection just after 5:00 p.m. on April 28, the adult Goff should have danced a happy jig in his mind. Besides the lack of talent surrounding Goff, the uncertainty of important positions, like head coach and general manager, should ring alarms in his young mind. New 49ers coach Chip Kelly makes the third head coach in three years for the team. Kelly arrives in San Francisco after he didn’t even get to finish last season as the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach. The man that assembled the talent-deficient 49ers roster, GM Trent Baalke, will not likely survive many more losing seasons. Unless Goff played better than any rookie quarterback in the history of the football, he likely would encounter new bosses at one or both of these positions. Because of the emphasis placed on the position, most GMs and head coached begin their
tenure by selecting one early in the draft. In Los Angeles, a much more stable set of circumstances greets Goff. Head Coach Jeff Fisher has lead the Rams for the past 5 years. Rams General Manager Les Snead followed up drafting 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald, with 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year Gurley. He also assembled that generally talented roster. It would take a three-year stretch like Baalke’s last three to put Snead’s job in jeopardy. Goff begins his professional football career as the quarterback of one of the biggest rivals of his favorite team. The young Goff that grew up idolizing Joe Montana and the glory days of his favorite franchise must feel crushed. Upon arriving at Rams’ headquarters for training camp later this summer, the grown up Goff that wants to have a successful career as an NFL quarterback should thank his lucky stars — or the stars on the Walk of Fame — that he plays in Los Angeles and not San Francisco.
FROM THE WIRE
Facebook’s Oculus sharpens mobile focus with new VR content By Queenie Wong EAST BAY TIMES Facebook-owned Oculus sees a future where people can experience anything anywhere with virtual reality and expects the smartphone to play a big role. In an effort to attract more people to use the $99 Samsung Gear VR, Oculus executives on Tuesday previewed new videos, 360-degree photos and games available in virtual reality. Oculus is also revamping its homepage, including a section that allows people who use the headsets to find new content easier. Unlike the Oculus Rift, which is more expensive and requires a high-end computer, the Gear VR is powered using certain Samsung smartphones. “We want to get it into the hands of as many people as possible...because we think it can actually change people’s lives,” said Max Cohen, Oculus’ head of
mobile at an event in San Francisco. Virtual reality has the ability to bring people back to different eras and expose that time in a new light, he said. Cohen said he also expects that learning with textbooks will become more outdated for students. The company has been partnering with film studios such as Felix & Paul Studios, which released a new film series on Wednesday called “Nomads” that provide a glimpse into the lives of Maasai warriors in Kenya, yak herders on the Mongolian steppes and sea gypsies in the coastal areas of Borneo. Other video series allow people to experience what it’s like to be blind or be placed in solitary confinement in prison. Discovery is also releasing a “Deadliest Catch” video in June that gives people a sense of what it’s like to be on a boat in the Bering Sea. The Samsung Gear VR recently hit 1 million users and people spend an average of 25 minutes in virtual reality,
Accelerate Your Education with General Education Summer Classes at Napa Valley College Shorter Summer Sessions... Faster Results! REGISTER NOW. NVC classes quickly and economically allow you to complete general education requirements for graduation. Visit napavalley.edu, click on ENROLL NOW.
3
Summer Sessions Available
5 Week Sessions
• Classes begin June 1
6 Week Session
• Classes begin June 13
8 Week Session
• Classes begin June 13
NVC Recognized by
BestColleges.com as Two-year College in California
1
#
the company said. More than 2 million hours of videos have been watched and 21 games that are on the Gear VR are on the Rift too. “That sense of presence you get as a viewer in VR video is likely for all of us in this room going to be the biggest change in filmmaking in our lifetimes. It’s on par with the invention of sound or color film. It fundamentally changes the way you tell stories,” said Eugene Wei, Oculus’ head of video.
{
Wei said that directors are still grappling with how to use virtual reality, which places the viewer in an experience. But it isn’t only videos that Oculus is trying to play up to attract more users. Facebook also plans to support 360 photos in News Feed that can be viewed using the headset. Users will be able to take a panoramic photo from their phone or use a 360 camera and then upload it to Facebook. People who see the
SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA
|
photo can then pan around by tilting their phone or dragging the image. Using the Oculus 360 Photos app, they will also be able to experience these photos in virtual reality and see what photos are trending. In 2016, an estimated 3.5 million Samsung Gear VR headsets will be shipped worldwide, surpassing shipments from the PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, according to SuperData, a research firm in New York.
EST. 1851
Yes, you can start your master’s or credential this fall.
}
Streamlined admissions means less time waiting for a decision.
Apply online. Evening classes start year-round Personal advising start to finish ■ Financing options available ■ Online and on campus programs* ■ ■
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL OR GO ONLINE
707-256-7201 | napavalley.edu
Fully accredited programs:
■
■
■
Art Therapy (MA & Ph.D.) Business Administration* Clinical Psychology
1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont CA
■
■
■
Education English Musical Performance
*online program also available
■
■
■
Public Administration* Systems Management Teaching Credentials Not for profit. Est. 1851.
4 OPINION
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
Janet Jackson pregnant at 49: “Damn Baby!” By Cynia Sapp CONTRIBUTOR As the common saying goes, age is just a number, but when it comes to getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy, it can matter. Having kids after 35 years of age can be a joyous event, but the chances of problems — such as down syndrome — rise. My mother became pregnant at the age of 41 in the process of menopause and her pregnancy was considered risky due to her age. Fortunately, she gave birth and I turned out healthy, but she dealt with complications, such as gestational diabetes. The world is shocked that Janet Jackson, who is just two weeks shy of her 50th birthday, was able to get pregnant and recently announced it publicly last week. Jackson’s pregnancy brings up the question for all women, can having children at an older age be risky for the baby and the mother? Many women today find themselves trying to conceive after the age of 35. In April, Jackson announced she was taking a pause for the second leg of her “Unbreakable” world tour for the second time, as she and her husband are working on starting a family. Studies show that birth rates have increased in women aged 35 and older within the last few decades. The Center for Disease Control reports that this trend began in the 1970s
PHOTO COURTESY OF J VETTORINO
and more than doubled from 1990 to 2012 in women ages 40-44. According to the CDC, the proportion of first births to women aged 35 and over increased by 23 percent from 2000 to 2014. First births to women ages 30-34 increased by 28 percent. The milestones of the adolescent years, which include leaving the parental home, often extend well into a person’s 20s. Women and men in their 20s may complete education, leave home,
establish a career, find a life partner and then have kids. Delays in these key life transitions can influence the timing at which women decide to become parents. “It’s a general trend that as more women get an education and enter the workforce, they marry and start having kids later in life,” Stephanie Coontz, co-chair and Director of Research and Public Education for the Council on Contemporary Families, told Business
Insider. Social and cultural factors also drive the trend. When “a country ... does not enable women to combine work and family well and has strong motherhood penalties, [the trend] is going to be exacerbated by that,” said Coontz, who is also a professor at The Evergreen State College. It’s understandable that a woman would want to pursue a well-paid career and establish herself before having kids. It is important for a woman
who is planning on having children to be financially stable, in order to pay for the expenses necessary and be able to take a break to focus on having a family. Once a mother gives birth with her child, I think it is essential for moms to be present during the early stages of a child’s life. However, waiting too long to have children can be highly risky for expecting mothers and their child. Women over 35 years old should keep in mind the health risks of having kids. There are some concerns in pregnancy that increase the risk for this population for those who are over 35 years old. According to the Ob-gyn from Baby Center, Richard Paulson, he states that, “Women who try to conceive after the age of 40 years old increase the risk of complications that can affect the child; such as uterine disorders, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, placenta prematurity, gestational diabetes and miscarriage.” According to the National Institute of Child Health, “About 6 percent to 8 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. have high blood pressure; about 70 percent of them are pregnant for the first time. The effects of preeclampsia are an estimated 3 percent to 5 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. and 5 percent to 10 percent of all pregnancies globally.” Lastly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “gestational diabetes affects 2 percent to 10 percent of pregnancies.”
After 50 years, Manson murderer has earned freedom By Kali Persall MANAGING EDITOR Manson “family” member Leslie Van Houten, now 66 years old, was just 19 years old when she brutally murdered Rosemarie LaBianca, wife of supermarket executive Leno LaBianca, by stabbing her in the lower back 16 times. While serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Women in Corona, Van Houten was recommended for parole at a hearing on April 14. The first cut into Rosemarie was at the collarbone and bent the knife, recalled Van Houten in a 1994 interview with Larry King. Her husband was also stabbed to death in the adjoining room and the word “war” was carved into his stomach, a notorious Manson cult signature, whose killings were symbolic and executed with the intent to start a race war. Throughout her sentence, Van Houten has been recommended and subsequently denied parole 19 times, but many fear that the 20th time will be the charm. Ultimately, the decision is up to Gov. Jerry Brown, who will issue a judgement later this month, but despite her gory resume, I believe Van Houten should be freed. It’s been almost 50 years since her conviction and Van Houten now approaches age 70. According to the parole board, she is a model prisoner. During her sentence, she has obtained both
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature and humanities, according to the parole hearing transcript. She also tutors other inmates in Intercultural Communications and facilitates a number of inmate programs, including the Victim Offender Education Program. The program helps inmates understand what led them to commit crimes like murder, and to come to terms with the responsibility they have toward the victim and other lives affected. Van Houten has undergone rigorous counseling and her attorney Richard Pfeiffer told the LA Times that 18 psychiatrists have deemed her fit for parole, reports The Washington Post. “I feel very badly that I created that much fear in their lives that they would want me to remain incarcerated forever,” Van Houten said at the parole hearing in response to opposition to her release. In every sense, Van Houten has expressed an initiative to better herself and take responsibility for her actions. She is not a threat to society and it is pointless to keep her imprisoned. But simply because of the startling brutality of the case and her association with the horrendous Manson cult, Van Houten’s latest trial has unleashed a public outcry against her release. Understandably, many recoil at the thought of a convicted murderer roaming the streets or sharing a park bench with their children. But If you believe the parole board’s
determination that Van Houten has been rehabilitated, what it really boils down to is the human desire to see justice served. What must a person who has committed a horrendous crime do for the public to agree that they are capable of being rehabilitated? If the incarceration system has done this successfully, parole should be a viable option. However to many, especially the families of victims, this is inconceivable. Corey LaBianca, daughter of the victims, publicly spoke out against the parole board’s recommendation to free Van Houten. “The least we can do, for someone who commits a crime against another human being, is to keep them in jail,” she told the LA Times in a phone interview. “Maybe Leslie Van Houten has been a model prisoner,” she added, “But you know what, we still suffer our loss.” In the 1960s, cult leader and radical Armageddon prophetic Charles Manson began collecting followers. Many were young, vulnerable women who perpetuated his delusional beliefs that he was a God-appointed savior of mankind. The cult moved around California and briefly settled in San Francisco, before relocating to the San Fernando Valley, where the group shocked the country with its brutality. The LaBianca murders were a horrific reminder of human capacity for cruelty, but they weren’t an isolated incident. The murder was just one in a string of slay-
ings carried out by the infamous Manson cult in Southern California in the 1960s, including the stabbing of famous actress Sharon Tate, wife of movie director Roman Polanski, and her unborn baby. Nearly 50 years have passed, yet the images of the threatening and cryptic messages proclaiming “Death to Pigs” and “Helter Skelter” (after the famous Beatles song) notoriously scrawled in blood across the walls are no less horrifying today than they were then. Van Houten, along with Manson and a handful of other “family members” were originally sentenced to the death penalty. However, the California Supreme Court overturned capital punishment in 1972 because it was ruled unconstitutional, and 107 death row inmates were resentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It was reinstated just five years later, an uncanny stroke of luck for the convicted Manson family members. It costs up to $59 million dollars per year to house prisoners in California, estimates the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. While Manson, 81, the mastermind behind numerous murders, serves out a life sentence at the Corcoran State Prison in the bleak San Joaquin Valley of Southern California, former high school homecoming princess Van Houten was only involved in the LaBianca killings and is considered by many to be the least
Flexible part time hours available working at customer locations in the Bio Tech, Pharmaceutical, Laboratory and Semiconductor Industry. Part time to Full time. $11/hr starting. Most shifts are evenings and weekends. Ideal job for college students. Must have own transportation. Please contact Brian Thaler with your resumé at bthaler@nanocleance.com
WORRIED? STRESSED OUT? DEPRESSED? There are answers in this book.
BUY AND READ
• individual alarms • resident manager on site
B Y L. R O N H U B B A R D
1865 Lundy Ave San Jose, CA 95131 | (408) 383-9400 stevenscreek@scientology.net
CAL Self Storage 50% Off Your First 3 Months Rental
DTHE MODERN I A SCIENCE N EOFTMENTALI CHEALTHS May you never be the same again.
dangerous of the group. There is no contesting that the crimes she committed are unforgivable. Not only did Van Houten partake in murdering innocent people, but she did it unquestioningly, and no amount of good behavior can bring back the LaBiancas. However, there comes a point in time where it isn’t feasible or necessary to house prisoners who don’t pose any threat to society. “Life without parole ignores the obvious fact that over time some prisoners no longer pose a threat to harm others,” reports the Criminal Justice Policy Coalition in a research study. “They can be released on parole without endangering public safety and can constructively contribute to the welfare of the entire community. Merely warehousing human beings until they die is not a solution to criminal justice issues: not socially, not morally, not criminologically and certainly not fiscally.” If released, she plans to live at the Roxie Rose Transitional Home, located in San Bernardino County, before transitioning to a quiet life close to the people who love her. If we don’t free Van Houten, it will be for no other reason than emotion blinding us to rational thinking. She has served her time and proven herself worthy of parole. If we’re so quick to deny a human being a second-chance, it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate our own morals.
Price: $27.19
• month to month • 7 days/wk
phone: (510) 538 -1536 fax: (510) 538 - 6312 www.calselfstorage.com 26869 Mission Blvd (Behind Food Source) Hayward, CA 94544
ADS 5
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER Safe driver? Save 45% or more Call me to see how much you can save. Safe drivers cost everybody less. That’s why they pay less. But at Allstate, they pay a whole lot less. In fact, safe drivers save 45% or more on car insurance. Why wait? Call me today.
BEAUTIFUL 1- AND 2-BEDROOM APARTMENTS
Bill Stone Insurance Agency 510-487-2225
Insurance subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Insurance Co. Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Co.
153154
33436 Alvarado Niles Rd. billstone@allstate.com allstateagencies.com/61416 CA Insurance Agent #: 0649577
COMMUNITY AMENITIES
APARTMENT FEATURES
· Pool & spa · Fitness center · Pet-friendly · Dog park · Clubhouse · Sport court · Meditation garden · Laundry · Additional storage space
· Private patio or balcony · Wood-burning fireplace* · Large closets · Spacious floor plans *Available in select units
CALL NOW 855.582.9178 VISIT MyCityViewApts.com 25200 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542 EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
HIGHLAND CLEANERS Excellent Dry-Cleaning + Alterations
LOOKING GOOD MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD
with Bay Card
510-886-4964 26775 Hayward Blvd Hayward Hills, CA 94542 Walking distance to CSUEB! Civic
Ave.
★
s Billy onco Best
(BrChina 2 s. minay. aw
) EB
15% Discount with Bay Card
Regular menu priced items Some items may not be discounted
6 OPINION
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
Students protest to reclaim the CSU By Kali Persall MANAGING EDITOR
ILLUSTRATION BY ARIANA GONZALEZ/THE PIONEER
Harriet Tubman shadowed on $20 bill By Ian James Vitaga CONTRIBUTOR The $20 bill is getting a historical makeover that will move America forward in the recognition of women and ethnic minorities. But the new design does not get the full justice it deserves. In 2020, Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson’s portrait on the front of the new $20 bill, and Jackson will be moved to the back. This does not make sense. Born a slave in 1820, Tubman later became an abolitionist and led hundreds of slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad, a secret network that assisted slaves on their journey to freedom. It is contradictory to have a slave owner on the back of the bill and a slave hero on the front. Jackson should be taken off the bill entirely to give Tubman the recognition she deserves.
Jackson should not be on the $20 at all, primarily because he caused one of the darkest times in American history. Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the president to trade lands west of the Mississippi River to the natives in exchange for their lands within existing state territories, according to the Library of Congress. Approximately 4,000 Native Americans died on the journey, which came to be known as the Trail of Tears. Jackson also owned 150 slaves at the time of his death and made a fortune from his cotton plantation called the Hermitage, according to the Andrew Jackson Foundation. Jackson was on record as being opposed to paper currency and preferred to deal in solid gold and silver, according to congress records. Yet in 1928, the U.S. Department of the Treasury replaced President Grover Cleveland with Jackson on the $20 bill, as stated in an article by the Washing-
Shield Wall Training, Archery, Rune Reading, Viking Chess
ton Post. The Treasury decides which historical icons are placed on currency. The only requirement is that the nominee must be dead, but according to the Treasury, their records “do not suggest” why certain people are on the bills. Tubman was chosen by Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew. This decision was heavily supported by a non-profit, grassroots group called Women on 20s. Created for the sole purpose of putting a woman on paper currency, last year the group created a list of 15 historical women that they wanted to incorporate into the new $20 design and set up an online voting platform. After just 10 weeks, over 600,000 people had cast their ballots and Tubman was found to be the most popular choice, according to Women on 20s. The change will take effect in 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Blacksmithing, Weaving, Leather Crafting, Combat Training, Cooking Demonstration, Cavalry Simulation, and Javelin Throwing!!!
Hunger strikes, protests and even a mock funeral of higher education surged across CSU campuses throughout the state last week in response to a proposed tuition hike. CSU students protested to “Reclaim the CSU” on May 2 in response to a sustainable financial model that was released by the CSU Chancellor’s task force in February. The report recommended that the CSU Board of Trustees consider implementing system-wide tuition increases in order to keep up with the rising costs of inflation. “Extended periods without tuition increases are not sustainable without increases in state appropriation to support operations including mandatory costs, enrollment growth and now capital outlay needs,” according to the model. “This is because the university faces inflationary cost increases each year such as health care, retirement, facility and construction, library materials, energy, salary and others.” During the recession, the CSU lost $1 billion in income and it is still about $180 million below pre-recession levels, explained Chapin. The model reports that while in past years tuition has spiked by as much as 40 percent, the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be the fifth consecutive year without a tuition increase. This is the CSU’s longest stretch without an increase since 1999-00 to 2002-03, according to the CSU. According to the CSU Office of the
Chancellor’s Manager of Public Relations Elizabeth Chapin, the CSU’s two main sources of income are through state funding and tuition. Tuition hikes would go hand-in-hand with regular state funding increases. The increase is part of a plan to move away from reliance on public financial support. According to the model, changes in the state budget reserved under the Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund Act— or Proposition 2—coupled with a growth in health and human services has caused the CSU to consider alternative funding approaches. The model doesn’t authorize a tuition increase, Chapin clarified. It was created to open a dialog about fiscally sustainable options for the CSU system. “The report makes recommendations for a robust financial model in the future that will enable the university to provide future generations of California students with an affordable, quality education,” said Chapin. The CSU educates over 460,000 students and graduates over 100,000 every year, according to the sustainability report. The model was co-authored by East Bay President Leroy Morishita, co-chair of the chancellor’s task force, in anticipation of the looming expiration of the four-year tuition freeze. The freeze has held flat over the past few years through regular fund allocations by Gov. Jerry Brown; the most recent one being the $97 million budget increase for the 2015-16 year. According to Chapin, the CSU has no plans to raise tuition in the 2016-17 year. For the time being, annual tuition at East Bay will remain at $5,472.
NEWS 7
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
California governor passes tobacco laws By Louis LaVenture EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The days of 18-year-olds legally buying cigarettes at gas stations and liquor stores around the state of California will soon be a thing of the past beginning June 9. On May 4, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed several tobacco-related bills into law that will raise the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21, and limit the use and sale of e-cigarettes as well. On March 10, the California State Senate approved a package of tobacco regulation bills created by the State Assembly, which passed 26-10. Senator Ed Hernandez, D-Azusa, author of the tobacco bill, was originally met with critics who were reluctant to pass it. The bill was authored “years ago” but just recently received the support necessary to be passed. Hernandez said a recent emphasis on health and a special health meeting were key factors in the success of the bill. This regulation makes California the second state in the US to raise the tobacco purchasing age, joining Hawaii, who just adopted the policy on Jan. 1. Much of the recent resistance stemmed around not allowing military members under the age of 21 to pur-
chase tobacco. However, the new laws include an exception for all military personnel. Sen. Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco, authored the bill that passed and says all e-cigarettes are to be banned in the same places cigarettes are, including public buildings, schools, restaurants and hospitals. The age to purchase and use e-cigarettes also increased to 21. In addition to the new laws, Brown vetoed a key proposal which would have given the power of deciding cigarette taxes to every individual city. “Although California has one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation, I am reluctant to approve this measure in view of all the taxes being proposed for the 2016 ballot,” Gov. Brown said in a statement. According to the governor’s office, he also passed three additional bills that will make smoke-free workplaces mandatory and includes hotel lobbies, bars, banquet rooms and employee break rooms. The decision comes as the California State University and California Community College systems await the governor’s decision on a bill that would ban smoking on all of the campuses.
“Although California has one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation, I am reluctant to approve this measure in view of all the taxes being proposed for the 2016 ballot.”
—California Gov. Jerry Brown PHOTOS BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
A student on the CSUEB Hayward campus vapes last month.
Save | Learn Transfer | Work Summer Sessions Begin May 31, June 13, June 20 & July 5. Apply and register today! www.chabotcollege.edu/summer16
8 xxx
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
xxx 9
10 OPINION
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
The undemocratic, Democratic Party
Uber clarifies tipping policy It’s cash or bust when it comes to gratiuity By Kali Persall MANAGING EDITOR
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOURCE
Sean by McCarthy CONTRIBUTOR The Democratic Party is facing an internal crisis. Young voters are turning away from the Democratic Party in favor of independent-thinking Sen. Bernie Sanders. Voters between the ages of 18-29 voted in favor of Sanders 72 percent to Hillary Clinton’s 28 percent in the New York primary last month, according to U.S. political website The Hill. This has been the trend throughout the Democratic primary race. These voters are the future of the Democratic Party, and if the majority does not believe in the party’s selection, they may need to rethink what issues are more important going forward. The Democratic Party has received major backlash from Republicans, disenfranchised voters and a few members of the media, including the host of Morning Joe on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough, for running a rigged election process. “Superdelegates are the most undemocratic part of the Democratic Party,� said Scarborough repeatedly throughout his talk show after the Democratic Wyoming primary. Sanders won the state of Wyoming on April 9 by 12 points — 56 percent to Clinton’s 44 percent — yet he only received seven delegates to her 11. Clinton and Sanders both received seven pledged delegates for the state, which are bound to the popular vote, but Clinton received all four superdelegate votes. These superdelegates pledged their support to Clinton in January, three months before the primary took place, says The New York Post. Superdelegates are party leaders and affiliates who have either worked in public office as Democrats, served as President of the United States or on the cabinet as Democrats or are members of the Democratic National Committee. Superdelegates have the power to vote for whoever they like during the Democratic primary, even if that means against the people’s wishes, says Ben Jacobs of the Guardian. While delegates are supposed to vote for the popular vote winner, superdelegates can vote any way for any reason. Secretary Clinton has a total of 1,705 pledged delegates to Sanders’ 1,415. Clinton has a nine percent lead on Sanders when totaling the total amount of pledged delegates so far. The total superdelegate count is eye popping when compared to the popular, pledged vote count. Clinton has received 523 of the 562 superdelegate vote, leaving Sanders with 39. Most of those superdelegates pledged their support to Clinton before the people had a chance to vote.
Those numbers are staggering because they showcase how the Democratic Party works. They are not for the people who they represent. Clinton is the establishment vote, not Sanders. Sanders is a lifelong Independent who is now running for the presidency under a Democratic platform. With that in mind, it is understandable that many of the superdelegates would decide to vote for their own party member in Clinton, but the blatant disregard for the American people, whom they represent, is tyrannical. “Unpledged delegates exist really to make sure that party leaders and elected officials don’t have to be in a position where they are running against grassroots activists,� said the Chair of the DNC, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, on Feb. 11 in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper. Wasserman Schultz has decided to spit in the faces of thousands of Americans whose votes should be listened to, in order to ensure that who the DNC chooses, wins. She is a former co-chair of Clinton’s 2008 presidential run and current Clinton supporter and ally, according to political journalist Ben Norton of Salon. Sanders plans to provide free college
education, raise the minimum wage and instate the single-payer health care system, which are policies that go against every Republican’s political fiber. The state of Maine has finally had enough of this impartial system and voted to get rid of superdelegates on May 7. Going forward, they will now distribute delegates based on the popular vote, says Tom Cahill of action group U.S. Uncut. The amendment to the party was introduced by House of Representatives member Diane Russell, who is a Democrat from Portland, Oregon. “The reason that I have put this in, is we have heard from people all across the state about how frustrated they are that you can actually have a popular vote where 63 percent of the delegates go to one candidate, and yet superdelegates are not voting in proportion to that,� Russell said. It remains unclear whether this amendment will continue to spread throughout other states. However, if the Democratic Party wants to keep its voting base as millennials continue to age, they will need to implement this amendment party wide. Failure to do so will disenfranchise millennial voters and bring an end to the Democratic Party.
When it comes to Uber, the difference between a good and bad review depends on which side of the tip you’re on. Good for drivers, but bad for riders. Uber clarified that unbeknownst to many, it does allow riders to tip their drivers, but this isn’t a feature built into the app, like that of competitor Lyft. Nor does Uber have plans to make it one. Sure, riders are free to tip, but they have to do it with cash, which defeats the purpose of Uber’s promise to provide a “cash-free experience.� A series of lawsuits regarding controversial company policies have revealed flaws in the six-year-old technology-based ridesharing company that has some Uber users turning their app off for good. Most recently, the settlement of two class-action suits in California and Massachusetts challenged driver classifications as independent contractors rather than employees, forcing Uber to restate its policy on allowing drivers to accept tips. Uber stated that nothing had changed in its policies — tips are actually not included in the cost of the fare, nor are they expected or required. While Uber alleges that it supports drivers receiving cash tips, the app doesn’t technically support tipping. Making a special trip to the bank just to pull out a few bucks for an Uber tip is ridiculously inconvenient and highly unlikely, yet many riders have recently expressed their worries that failure to tip might mean earning a bad rider rating. Riders are not the only one’s who can rate their travel companions; drivers can also leave ratings for their passengers, which can have a huge effect on riders’ chances of being picked up for future rides. Affluent neighborhoods typically offer the promise of better tips, which could incentivize drivers to frequent these areas and neglect lower-income ones, said Uber in defense of its lack of a tipping feature. This may be a valid concern; however, basing entire policies off of these broad assumptions is a testament to Uber’s lack of faith in
its workers. The independent contractor status gives drivers the ability to work at their convenience, free of the constraints of a time clock. But cloaked in a guise of a no-strings-attached opportunity, it’s also a loophole that lets Uber evade providing benefits for their workers, regardless of how many hours they put in for the company. Contracted Uber workers also pay for their own gas, insurance, wear-and-tear on their car and other expenses associated with providing the ride service, according to the California lawsuit case document. In an April 21 update regarding the lawsuits, Uber confirmed that drivers will retain the contractor classification and will not be considered employees. As part of the agreement, Uber will still shell out $84 million to the plaintiffs in the coming months. According to Uber, an additional $16 million will be awarded depending on valuation increases and whether the company goes public. However, unless something changed since last October when Uber CEO Travis Kalanick told CNN that Uber has no intention of going public, that’s unlikely. According to the case document, Uber advertises that tips are included in the cost of the fare and assures riders that tips are not expected. This discourages riders from tipping and deprives drivers of the extra gratuities that the majority of other transportation services allow. Uber takes 20 percent of the profit and allows drivers to keep the rest, which at first glance seems like a generous deal. However, when tips are incorporated into the fare, the corporation receives a share of that gratuity that would otherwise be promised solely to drivers, an implicit detail that became a large grievance in the California lawsuit. Looking to ridesharing companies like Lyft as an example, which gives 100 percent of tips to drivers, it’s hard to understand why Uber doesn’t follow suit. There’s no doubt that Uber has established a name for itself in the tech industry as a revolutionary start-up, but flawed policies which end in lawsuits remind us that these businesses are still juveniles. The title of Uber’s blog post about the cases was titled “growing and growing up,� and that couldn’t be more accurate. We tip waitresses, housekeepers, delivery drivers, baristas and cashiers. As the ridesharing business reaches new heights, we should count our Uber drivers into the mix.
An informal fashion show highlighting the clothing worn during the era of the Model A, 1928-1931. You may even hear an amusing story or two about driving and owning a Model A!
Saturday, May 21 1:00 PM 'SFF XJUI NVTFVN BENJTTJPO
'005)*-- #-7% t )": 8"3%"3& ")*4503: 03( t Ĺą Ĺą
ADS 11
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
START THINKING AHEAD. START PLANNING YOUR FUTURE. START FEELING INSPIRED. START RAISING YOUR EXPECTATIONS. START A NEW EXPERIENCE. START EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS. START STRONG. Enroll in ROTC at UC Berkeley. Take on new challenges and learn valuable leadership skills. You could even receive a two-year scholarship. After you graduate, you'll be an Army Officer. To get started, visit goarmy.com/rotc/fh49
For more information, call us at (510) 643-ROTC or visit our webpage at army.berkeley.edu/ Š2015. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.
Summer Sessions Begin May 31 & July 5. Apply and register today!
Save | Learn Transfer | Work www.laspositascollege.edu/summer16
12 SPORTS
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2016
THE PIONEER
From Page 1
Warriors win again
Baseball
By Louis LaVenture EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PHOTOS BY MELODY PLATT/THE PIONEER
CSUEB senior utility player Rudy Navarro gets a hit and runs the bases during a home game on Sunday in Hayward at Pioneer Baseball Field. In the second game on Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers had a different outcome as they fell to the Otters 9-2. The Otters had two home runs in the game by Deur and Myles Hager. Then came Sunday afternoon on the Pioneers’ senior day, where they honored 11 of their senior players before their game with speeches and welcomed parents and families on the field before the game. East Bay took the lead early when Resch singled through the left side, sending Navarro home. Monterey’s Kevin Davidson tied it up in the top of the third inning when he grounded out with an RBI when Garrett Brown scored. Resch again helped put the Pioneers ahead when he doubled through the right side nabbing an RBI that plated Raymond Jones.
“I just try to stay within myself and try not to do too much,” said Resch. “I just continue to be patient and look for a pitch to drive and be sure to put a good swing on it if I get it, and it has been working out”. The Otters tied it at 2-2 in the sixth inning when Will Rosado homered, but that was the final time they scored. East Bay finished off the game in the eighth inning when Zack Perugi singled to right-center field, which advanced both Kris Barlett and Resch to home plate and gave the Pioneers the 4-3 lead. They gained another run when Conners reached base on a fielder’s choice, which allowed Porter to score. The Pioneers finished their senior game with a 4-2 win.
“Our coach told us that we needed to win two games in the series, but we were not going to settle, we wanted to win the series and that’s what we did,” said Porter. Navarro went 3 for 3 in the game and was named the CCAA batting champion, with a batting average of .419. “It feels great, all the hard work is paying off,” said Navarro. “I’ve been using the single arm bat and making sure my hands work correctly to the ball and it really has been benefiting me.” The win not only guaranteed The Pioneers a playoff spot, but also gave CSUEB another 30-win season for the third time in 4 years (30-18 overall, 21-16 conference), crowning them champions of the CCAA North Division.
“It feels amazing, no words can describe it,” said Porter after the game. “I haven’t been a part of playoffs since little league and can’t wait for this opportunity. It’s even better since we were ranked dead last in the coaches pool in the beginning of the year, and proved we are not to be taken lightly and claimed first place.” This will be East Bay’s first appearance in the CCAA tournament and they are determined to make a statement. “We have confidence in our team,and we will continue to carry on our energy throughout playoffs,“ said Resch. The Pioneers will face Cal State San Bernardino (22-27 overall, 1720 conference) in the first round of playoffs on May 11 in Stockton.
49ers draft class full of potential: Chip Kelly era begins By Erik Khan STAFF WRITER With all that they have endured as of late, the San Francisco 49ers needed this year’s draft to go as smoothly as possible. Hiring a new head coach and having a quarterback demand a trade has turned a respectable franchise into the laughingstock of the league. It’s safe to say that the 49ers made out alright in this draft. They held the seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft and were content on taking what they considered the best player available, as opposed to filing a direct need. As it turns out, they were able to do both. The 49ers used the selection on DeForest Buckner, a defensive end from Oregon. Buckner was considered a top 5 prospect by ESPN’s Tom McShay and Mel Kiper, and can make an impact for the 49ers from day one. Buckner is extremely disruptive against the running game, which is key or the 49ers. Their division is full of teams that love to run the ball. The 49ers are hopeful that Buckner can fill the need that was made when they released defensive end Aldon Smith last year. Smith was a force on the defensive side of the ball for the 49ers, but his off the field issues led to his release. The team missed Smith last year and has to view Buckner as a player that can come in and anchor their defense like Smith once did. An interesting fact about Buckner is that he was recruited to Oregon by current 49ers Head Coach Chip Kelly. Although Kelly denied he would draft the former Duck when he met with reporters, he has a history of drafting those he coached at
Oregon. When he coached the Philadelphia Eagles, he drafted wide receiver Josh Huff with a third round pick and defensive end Taylor Hart in the 5th round. Almost half of Kelly’s draft picks during his time in the NFL played in the PAC12, the conference that Kelly won 3 division titles while coaching the Ducks. Kelly continued this trend of drafting PAC-12 players when the 49ers traded up to the number 28 pick to draft Stanford offensive guard Joshua Garnett. San Francisco acquired the pick from the Kansas City Chiefs, along with their seventh round pick in exchange for the 49ers’ second, fourth and sixth round selections. The 49ers drafting help along the offensive line made a lot of sense. They lost Alex Boone in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings. Boone had been a rock for San Francisco at the position, as he just finished his seventh season with the team. Garnett played in at least 13 games during every season he had in his four years at Stanford. He won the 2015 Outland Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top interior lineman. He received the ultimate blessing from his former coach David Shaw, who told the NFL Network that “He’s ready for Sundays,” during the draft process. The 49ers then addressed the defensive side of the ball again with their next two picks. They spent their third round selection on cornerback Will Redmond from Mississippi State. They then used their fourth round selection on another cornerback, this time on Rashard Robinson, out of Louisiana State University.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLEACHER REPORT
San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Chip Kelly. Drafting two cornerbacks in the middle rounds made a lot of sense for the 49ers as they had a huge need at the position. The 49ers gave up the sixth most passing yards last year, a number that is crushing to a team that three years ago was led by their ball-hawking defense. San Francisco used their three fifth-round picks on Appalachian State defensive lineman Ronald Blair, Georgia offensive tackle John Theus and Ole Miss offensive tackle Fahn Cooper. While they are considered late round fliers, these players could make an impact for the team in the future considering the lack of depth they have at their positions. Things got interesting in the sixth round when the 49ers selected Jeff Driskel, quarterback out of Louisiana Tech that had previously transferred from Florida. Driskel could very well be in line for playing
time next season with the question marks that the 49ers currently have at quarterback. Colin Kaepernick wants a trade and Blaine Gabbert is, well, Blaine Gabbert. Don’t be shocked to see Driskel start by the end of next season. The 49ers spent their remaining picks on Florida running back Kelvin Taylor, Michigan State wide receiver Aaron Burbridge and Western Kentucky cornerback Prince Charles Iworah. Taylor is the son of former Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Fred Taylor. Overall, this draft class seems like one that could make an impact for the 49ers. At this point, the San Francisco roster isn’t that talented, opening the door for these rookies to make an impact. Don’t be surprised if the names listed above do just that and change the fortunes of a franchise that is hurting.
It’s starting to become a little redundant, but on Tuesday, Stephen Curry made history — again. He became the only player in NBA history to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award unanimously. This is the second MVP in a row for Curry, who received all of the 131 first-place votes from sports writers and journalists; a landslide victory for the sixth-year guard from North Carolina. Arguably the best shooter ever, Curry did something that not even Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain or Magic Johnson did in nabbing the unanimous selection. The announcement came the day after Curry set yet another NBA record on the court. Curry missed the previous two games of the series against the Portland Trailblazers, but he came back with a vengeance. Curry’s 17 points in overtime are the most ever scored by any player in one extra period in a game. The Warriors won 132-125 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. Curry has averaged 22.4 points, 6.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game in his six-year career in the league. “I looked at the list of everybody who’s won an MVP before, and they’re legends,” Curry said during his acceptance speech at Oracle Arena on Tuesday. “Guys that their names are household names, and they jump off the page. And to be the first unanimous MVP award winner is something that I don’t even know how to put into words.” It was a rough start for Curry, the league’s leading scorer at 30.2 points per game, as well as for the Warriors in game 4 of the series on Monday. Curry started the contest 0-for-9 from three point range and Golden State trailed by 10 points at halftime. “He’s basically played one basketball game in three weeks,” Head Coach Steve Kerr said in a press conference following the game. “I expected what I saw earlier, I expected a lot of rust. I don’t think anybody could have predicted any explosion. I figured he’d find his stroke and make a few shots, but that was crazy.” Curry was supposed to play around 25 minutes, according to Kerr, however when guard Shaun Livingston was ejected in the second quarter, it forced Kerr to play Curry longer. During a timeout in the third quarter, Kerr told Curry, “You’ve played about seven minutes straight, how do you feel?” Curry replied, “I’m fine coach, no pain at all.” The MVP finished the game with a game-high 40 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists in just over 36 minutes on the court. Guard Klay Thompson and “the heart of the team” as Kerr referred to him, and forward Draymond Green both had huge victories in the game. The two combined to record 44 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. Green also tallied a game and career-high 7 blocks, including two consecutive defensive possessions in overtime that led to 6 Curry points through two three-pointers. The backcourt for Portland was solid, Oakland native Damian Lilliard and CJ McCollum combined to score 60 points in the loss. The Warriors improved to 11-0 in games after a loss and are now 8-1 in game four in the playoffs since 2013. Last night, the series shifted back to Oracle Arena in Oakland for game 5.