RAD, page 2
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UCCS weekly newspaper
Monday, September 10, 2012 Vol. 37, Iss. 3
Bike Month aims to increase sustainability awareness he loves how many people turn out on bikes. “A lot of people that don’t ride bikes to school normally do just for this,” he said. Andrea Hassler, project coordinator for the Green Action Fund and a graduate student in applied geography, said that it’s important to encourage
teed a parking spot. “It’s a legitimate means awefler@uccs.edu of travel. The campus goal is to reduce carbon emisRiding your bike to sions, and encouraging school can help save 2.94 people to bicycle is a very metric tons of carbon disignificant way,” said Kooxide, a fact that some on gan. campus use to persuade She added that the Bike students to ditch their cars Jam was a fun activity for and start riding bikes. students to learn about The fourth annual Bike d i ff e r e n t Jam took types of place Sept. 6 bicycles at the El PoThe focus is to help increase and to mar Center visibility of bike riding and celebrate Plaza, and the alternate transportation. them. Office of SusThe tainability, the Bike Jam Green Action Fund and Car Share all set students to use alternative kicked off Bike Month, transportation. which has events taking up tables for the event. “If more people rode place from Sept. 6 to Oct. Josh Hendrickson, volunteer and events coor- bikes, we’d be extract- 2. Hendrickson said that dinator for the Office of ing less fossil fuels from the Bike Month Challenge Sustainability, noted that the earth and emitting has over 50 participants the Bike Jam is the busi- less greenhouse gases for and 6,218 total logged est day of the year. “It’s a healthier planet for not miles. To participate in the the largest event. I’ve been only humans, but other species and elements,” Bike Month Challenge, working on it since April,” Hassler said. students, staff and faculty Hendrickson said. Hassler noted that her can sign up at the event’s “The focus is to help increase visibility of bike hope for the Bike Jam was website (uccsbikemonthriding and alternate trans- that people would start rid- challenge.eventbrite.com). Events during Bike portation.” Hendrickson ing their bikes more often. Linda Kogan, director of Month include: Alternative added that it’s important to minimize single-occupan- the Office of Sustainabil- Transportation Lunch-nity, pointed out that bike Learn Movies, MetroRides cy vehicles. Additionally, he said that riders are always guaran- Ride Your Bike to Work
April Wefler
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Photo by Nick Burns
Josh Carr performs bicycle tricks at the Office of Sustainability Bike Jam. Day, Bike for Bagels, Adopt-a-Waterway and Bike Riders’ Breakfast. Alternative Transportation Lunch-n-Learn Movies will be shown Sept. 11, 17 and 27 from noon-1 p.m. in University Center Room 302. Attendees can bring their lunch, view half-hour films about tackling sustainable transportation issues and participate in a discussion afterward. The 19th annual
MetroRides Ride Your Bike to Work Day is Sept. 12 at 6 a.m. in the University Village Colorado shopping center. Participants will join with a Colorado Springs Council member and travel to a free breakfast at the Pioneer Museum. Likewise, anyone who bikes to campus can receive a free bagel during Bike for Bagels on Sept. 19 at 7:30 a.m. in Columbine Hall.
Adopt-a-Waterway offers a free lunch to volunteers who help protect the local water supply. Adopta-Waterway is Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon in Parking Lot N of University Hall. Bike Month will end with the Bike Riders’ Breakfast on Oct. 2 from 7-10 a.m. in UC Lower Plaza. A free breakfast is provided by Rudy’s Organic Bakery, and the winners of Bike Month will be announced. S
who definitely has the students’ issues at heart,” Collier said, adding that he believes students’ issues are largely financial and state-oriented. “Without continually championing [students’ financial concerns] – guess what, it’s going to fall to the wayside,” he said. “They’re going to continue to slash that little piece of the state funding pie, and that’s going to hurt students here.” According to Jeramiah Burton, director of finance at SGA, the legislative committee is more concerned with cohesion and receptivity within the SGA body. “What matters to me – is he a good leader? And is he willing to accept the duties of SGA? At the same time, this is a brandnew year for us, so this person needs to be a person who can bring people
together,” Burton said. Among disagreements on qualifications, this kind of problem by itself has never arisen before. As for the selection process, the constitution states that a vacancy must be advertised for five full school days as students apply. An applicant is picked from the pool of candidates but also may be chosen from outside the pool by the president. The applicant is then presented to the joint session, a combination of the House and Senate, which ultimately approves or declines the applicant. On the administration’s public Facebook page, Collier expressed disapproval of the joint committee’s rejection of nominee Jeremy Marcelli. “I feel the House and Senate members who voted against him made a very terrible mistake in their
vote.” Burton said that the largest issue the Senate and the House had with the candidate was that he “had no prior record to SGA and absolutely no knowledge of our existence; he didn’t even vote last year in the SGA elections.” The SGA legislative body and Collier have split opinions on what a candidate should embody and what responsibilities fall to which branches. “Some of the questions the legislative council had to Jeremy were, ‘What are your specific goals for students…’ and stuff like that,” Collier said. “I’m not looking for vice president who already has a [plan of] ‘This, this, this, and this.’ I want that to be the legislative council’s mission.” As of Sept. 4, no candidate has been approved. S
Student Government searches for new vice president Peter Farrell
pfarrell@uccs.edu At the beginning of this school year, Rast Gozeh resigned from the Student Government Association vice presidency – and the aftermath has left a strain on the association as a whole. President Steve Collier and former Vice President Rast Gozeh were elected last school year under the motto “Take back UCCS.” Yet now the executive branch is a juggling act, as former VP Gozeh’s departure due to a family emergency required his full attention and withdrawal from UCCS. His resignation was not entirely unexpected, as Gozeh’s personal life had been potentially problematic since the end of June, Collier said. “Rast came to me and said, ‘Hey, this
Inside this
Issue
Photo by Nick Burns SGA President Steve Collier and the SGA legislative body are seeking a new vice president after Rast Gozeh quietly resigned. could happen…’” Some of the strains faced by the current SGA administration involve not having a second authority figure to help with processions and proceedings. “That’s the big thing about vice president; it allows you to divide and conquer your resources to attend club events instead of being down in
news Student health insurance page 3
my office having to deal with new applicants,” explained Collier. The issue for SGA is the executive and legislative branches finding a qualified replacement that they can agree on. And there are arguments among SGA officials about what exactly “qualified” means. “I look for someone
culture
‘The Glass Menagerie’ page 5
opinion
sports
Voter registration page 9
Group fitness page 11
News
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September 10, 2012
Bike Month kicks off with 2012 Bike Jam Photos by Nick Burns
Liam Casey also performed in the trials demonstration at the 2012 Bike Jam.
Josh Carr demonstrated his trials riding skills at the Bike Jam.
Students, staff and faculty came out to enjoy the Bike Jam last Thursday. The event promoted more sustainable travel by handing out prizes, having bikes to try out and other activities.
RAD strives to boost self-defense for female students Samantha Morley smorley2@uccs.edu Although theft is the most common crime on campus, attacks and sexual assault are always possible threats on a college campus. Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes, which have been offered at UCCS for at least 10 years, are taught to prepare women just in case. Since the
program’s creation, female students have learned the basics of self-defense. During the four weeks the class is in session, women will learn how to see warning signs of a potential attack, avoid dangerous incidents and defend themselves against a predator. UCCS Police Colonel Lisa Dipzinski teaches the RAD classes. She has been the lead instructor for three
years and is making an effort this year to promote the classes to all freshmen as well as transfer and existing students. The Commode Chronicles and flyers throughout the campus advertise RAD each semester. “The program was developed because of rape aggression and the lessons are specific to that,” Dipzinski said. During the first class, students are encour-
aged to be transparent with the other participants. Each person states her name, reason for attending, what she hopes to learn and any past experiences that may pertain to the class. “We’ve had some open up and say that they were raped, but it’s a really safe environment. Everything is open for discussion,” Dipzinski said. The class is meant to inspire a sense of self-confidence within the women. Ideally, everyone will develop the essential skill of listening to her instincts. “When the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, you need to listen to that,” Dipzinski warned. “People need to be more aware. If you’re walking to your car wearing headphones, keep one side out. It’s also good to walk with another per-
son.” The RAD classes give participants an opportunity for physical practice and application after the verbal instruction. Dipzinski gathers policemen garbed in sparring gear for the final sessions, and women are provided an opportunity to fight against an attacker in a safe environment. Dipzinski stands by with a whistle, which she blows when a participant should stop. “I need my guys to work the next day,” she joked. Few attacks have been reported since the RAD program was established. Between 2008 and 2010, there were only four reports of assault on and off campus. But the university would like that number to be zero.
“We want to avoid [incidents] all together,” Dipzinski said. The RAD program costs $25 in advance and can be paid at the Public Safety Office. Participants are advised to wear loose clothing. The sessions run on a four-week schedule, and each class is three hours long. S
The Lowdown What: RAD When: Tuesday nights starting Sept. 25 Thursday nights starting Oct. 18 Where: Public Safety Building How much: $25
Correction
Photo courtesy of UCCS Police
A student defends herself from an attacker during a live simulation at the RAD training.
It has come to the attention of The Scribe that Timberline Village has a shuttle system that runs every day, and R.J. Canales is a senior resident assistant, not a resident assistant. Both buildings should have 70 cable channels, and Internet, if it has not been set up by press time, is expected to be available as early as this week.
News
September 10, 2012
Page 3
Student Health Center offers revised health insurance plan Kellie Alves
aalves@uccs.edu While sifting through and comparing health insurance providers can be a migraine-inducing experience, the UCCS Student Health Center hopes to simplify the process. The Student Health Center is offering a newly revised health insurance plan with a lower deduct-
ible and out-of-pocket expense. The enrollment date has also been pushed back to Sept. 21. “It’s nice coming here. Everything that we offer here, including the medications, [is] covered,” said Melissa Kuykendall, health insurance coordinator. “And as a parent, there are no worries coming here.” Located in the lower
level of the parking garage, the center hopes that students can achieve their degrees without having to worry about their health. “The premium is significantly less, the deductible is significantly lower and it’s a richer plan. It has more benefits in it,” said Stephanie Hanenberg, family nurse practitioner and director of the Student Health Center.
Planned Parenthood is offering $10 STD testing & $10 HIV testing on April 24 & April 27. 3958 N Academy Blvd. #108 719.573.8880 3480 Centennial Blvd. 719.475.7162 www.pprm.org
The 80 percent/20 percent Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan covers whatever students may need, from surgery and maternity to a simple strep test. The PPO prices have been reduced from the previous plan with a lower deductible of $250 and an out-of-pocket expense of $2,500. Students also receive a dental discount package with the plan. With the new plan, the Student Health Center aims to prevent students from falling into debt due to medical bills. “We have had people on the plan that have had to have some significant surgeries,” Hanenberg said. “They have no idea something is wrong and then have had to have open-heart surgery. They would have probably had a $500,000 medical bill if they hadn’t had health insurance.” Enrollment for the plan is available for most students. To enroll, undergraduate students must be taking at least nine credit hours and graduate stu-
Photo by Chelsea Lewis
Junior Alicen Spale (left) and health insurance coordinator Melissa Kuykendall (right) go over the new policy. dents at least six credit hours. Even students in some of the certificate programs are eligible for enrollment. For more information or to enroll, visit the Student Health Center’s website (uccs.edu/shc) and
click the Student Health Insurance tab. From here students can find the link for the enrollment site. Payment is due at the time of enrollment, and there are options to pay annually or per semester. S
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September 10, 2012
Deadline approaches for Business Plan Competition Eleanor Skelton eskelton@uccs.edu Young generations are raised to believe in themselves, reach for their highest aspirations and make them happen, but are these expectations are not always realistic in the current economic climate. The second annual UCCS Sports/Outdoor Business Plan Competition, formed by the College of Business and funded largely through Challenger Homes, seeks to eliminate that restriction. Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines and U.S.based universities are encouraged to submit their business proposals for a sports-centered company by Sept.17. The only major restriction is that at least half of the principals of the submitted business plan must be currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs when they apply. “The intent of this competition, of course, is to begin to recruit these topnotch companies to our region,” said Tom Duening,
Photo by Robert Solis
The UCCS College of Business is awarding more than $35,000 in prizes for this year’s Sports/Outdoor Business Plan Competition. director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and El Pomar Chair of Business and Entrepreneurship, in a June 6 press release. “We believe the region is prime for a sports/outdoor industry cluster to emerge and grow.” “Sports/outdoor industry cluster” includes not only popular retailers like L.L. Bean, REI, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops but also an almost unlimited
number of sports concepts, such as sports apps, apparel and equipment, social media, yoga studios and fantasy sports. It also includes anti-doping detection to ensure that cheating is excluded from specific sports divisions. “Our region is poised to become the sports and outdoors venture center of the United States,” Duening said. “With the USOC headquartered here, more
than 20 national sports governing bodies and our natural amenities make us the perfect location for ventures and entrepreneurs with sports and outdoor themes.” Colorado is the most physically fit state in the nation with an obesity rate just over 20 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearby mountains make
both hiking and skiing convenient for residents, and many living in Colorado Springs ride their bikes as a form of transportation. In a CU newsletter a year and a half ago, Duening said that Colorado Springs and the surrounding area is a “perfect laboratory for experiments in new venture creation, primarily … because the environment is so pristine here. Anybody that goes out and
creates the next ‘whatever’ has the opportunity to control market space because there’s not a whole lot of competition. “In the Silicon Valley, for instance, you’re going to be up against a thousand others looking for the same dollars, so it’s very difficult to innovate and find a niche. But not so much here.” Last year’s winner, Janji apparel, was awarded funds and is in the process of making its design a reality. While Duening was not available for comment about the entries received to date, his assistant Shawna Markiewicz said that Duening had mentioned that “the ones that are coming in are pretty strong so far.” Submissions must be received via gust.com. Applications may be submitted at gust.com/businessplan-competition/uccs/ apply. The first place prize is $20,000, second place is $10,000, third place is $3,500 and fourth place is $1,500. The awards will be given at a banquet Oct. 26. S
September 10, 2012
Culture
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New York director brings ‘The Glass Menagerie’ to Theatreworks stage Sarah Palma spalma@uccs.edu Take a seat. As the lights dim and the curtain rises, prepare to journey into the lives, memories and struggles of one of theater’s most intimate families – the Wingfield family. Beginning Thursday, Sept. 13, Theatreworks will be showing Tennessee William’s classic play “The Glass Menagerie.” Director Anna Brenner, who hails from New York City, has directed multiple plays, including “Three Sisters” and “The Birds.” In an interview with Theatreworks, Brenner explained her interest in directing “The Glass Menagerie.” “It’s a really special, rare play, one that I knew would be very meaningful to work on,” she said. “It’s almost perfectly constructed and that sets a high bar for me, cast and crew, to bring it to life – and I love that challenge.” “The Glass Menagerie” is the story of Tom Wingfield, his sister, Amanda, and their mother, Laura. The play explores Tom’s memories of his mother and sister while all of the characters struggle with
their own views and delusions of their lives. Brenner explained the human element of the characters, including their vulnerability and flaws. “I think so many of us can relate to how the characters’ memories and obsessions make it difficult for them to live presently in reality and communicate with those they love,” she said. “The Glass Menagerie” has been subject to numerous interpretations since it was written in the 1940s, but Brenner plans to make the play her own. “I’m trying to rejuvenate it, not make it this dusty classic, but something vital, Image courtesy of theatreworkscs.org where the audience “The Glass Menagerie” premieres on Thursday, Sept. 13. can have an intimate, powerful exof their own lives after see- sions. We all can get stuck “I think students will reperience,” she said in an interview with The ing the struggles within the there, and this play has the late to the story and characpotential to wake us up.” ters, and their relationships Scribe. “I think it will feel Wingfield family. She commented to TheWith a cast of only four to their family and their both classic and contempoatreworks, “The present recharacters, audiences can need for independence,” rary.” ality is such a struggle they expect an intimate and Brenner told The Scribe. Brenner hopes that students who see the play leave [the characters] can only powerful experience at this “It’s a roller coaster ride, and I think any student who with a better understanding thrive inside their delu- production.
The Lowdown What: The Glass Menagerie When: Sept. 13-30 Wednesdays - Saturdays: 7:30 p.m. Saturday matinees: 2 p.m. Sundays: 4 p.m. Where: Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater University Hall How much: Free for UCCS students Reserved: $35 Children under 16: $15 Groups of 10 or more: $25 No children under 5 years old More Info: theatreworkscs.org is interested in human stories or in art will find it very exciting.”
Anime Culture Association focuses on mainstream exposure April Wefler
awefler@uccs.edu Dragon Ball Z. Pokemon. Digimon. Yu-Gi-Oh! If you’re a kid of the 90s, you probably recognize these shows as the animes you might have grown up watching. Although anime, a Japanese animation style, is usually thought of as a genre for children, Sivan Khan, a junior majoring in communication, founded the Anime Culture Association to show otherwise. “If you’re into horror and you’re older, you can find something – or sports and you’re in high school,” Khan said. “I think no matter what your age, you can ultimately find a show that will live up to your interests.” Although there are two anime clubs already on campus, Khan founded the Anime Culture Association because he wanted focus on the social aspect. He also wanted to reach out to people who don’t know much about anime. “I want to open it up to people who see anime as a nerdy thing,” Khan said.
“There’s a lot of people that have a passion for it. I wanted to bring it to the surface.” He noted that anime is something he grew up with. “I think that a lot of cartoons in America are targeted to one audience: children,” Khan said, adding that there are thousands of other different genres. Khan first became interested in anime when he was in elementary school. “Every morning, every night, it would just be anime. Through the Internet, I could find shows that weren’t being shown in America and still watch.” Khan’s favorite anime is the Japanese “School Days,” a 12-episode show that is explained on its website as the “ultimate love triangle.” The main character, a boy named Itou Makoto, becomes attracted to the girl who shares his train ride to school. “The character development is just filled so well into the
12 episodes that it really grabs my attention,” Khan said. “When I first went to college, no one had seen it; I talked about it so much that now people have.” He mentioned also liking the 1998 “Outlaw Star,” an American anime that featured an outlaw crew of an advanced starship. “That show really opened up my horizon, let me take off,”
he said. The 2006 “Higurashi,” or “When They Cry,” was Khan’s first Japanese anime. “It was so different; I wanted to see if there were any more like them.” More recently, Khan was influenced by the 21st annual Anime Expo in Los Angeles. The July convention is North America’s largest anime and manga
celebration. “It really motivated me,” Khan said. The Anime Culture Association planned a trip to the Denver anime convention earlier this month as well as a meet-and-greet at a local anime shop. The club is gathering other ideas, too. “It’s mostly a club decision,” Khan said. He added that although the group does plan to watch anime,
there will also be a lot of socializing and discussion. The first meeting of the Anime Culture Association is today at 3 p.m. in the MOSAIC Office. Students wishing to join can show up or email Khan at akhan@ uccs.edu. S If you would like coverage for your club, email scribe.eic@gmail.com.
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Culture
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September 10, 2012
International student program seeks to expand Justin Torres
jtorres2@uccs.edu The international student program, while still under development, is seeking new ways to broaden the global perspective of the university. With more than 100 international students studying at UCCS – coming everywhere from China to Saudi Arabia to the Ivory Coast – the Office of International Affairs is aiming to have 750 students in its program by 2020. While some of these students seek to improve their English with UCCS’ Intensive English Program, others seek to get their entire undergraduate degree here at the university. The international students here come from a
The Lowdown What: Study Abroad Fair When: Sept. 12 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Where: University Plaza
variety of backgrounds, but there are also many ways they connect with each other as well as with students outside of their studies. Mary Hanson, assistant director for the Office of International Affairs, outlined that, “There are two clubs for international students as well as domestic students to mingle – Let’s Talk and International Students Incorporated.” These two clubs seek to encourage relations between students and help international students feel more at home in Colorado, Hanson said. “I would encourage domestic students at UCCS to broaden their world views by meeting international students at this campus by joining this club,” she said. While UCCS has always hosted international students, only recently has the Office of International Affairs tried to expand the program and allow for traditional students. Previously, there have been no formal exchanges with universities for UCCS
Photo by Robert Solis
Associate Director Mary Hanson runs the Intensive English program for international students. students to study abroad. Any students who wished to study abroad would have to use the program at CU-Boulder. However, the office is seeking to start a new on-campus program for students wishing to study abroad. This will expand the
global perspective of UCCS and allow more involvement for formal exchanges between universities, Hanson hopes. “It is exciting that UCCS now has a centralized Office of International Affairs to better serve our domestic students who hope to
broaden their educational experience by studying abroad, as well as assist our international students as they acclimate to their studies at UCCS and life in the United States,” she said. Students who wish to study abroad are encour-
aged to visit the Office of International Affairs in Main Hall Room 106. For more information, students may contact student advisor Michael Saenz at 255-3618 or msaenz@ uccs.edu; they can also speak with the international students themselves. S
Chandler-Mills highlights theater presence on campus Samantha Morley smorley2@uccs.edu University Hall provides a location for imaginary worlds to come to life. It may be known to some as the nursing department building, but the lot also shares space with the Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, which hosts Theatreworks. This is where Leah ChandlerMills spends the majority of her time. She had originally been trained as an actress at Juilliard. “I’ve done all the acting stuff,” she said. ChandlerMills has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on both national and international tours and is also a founding member of The Acting Company, an organization created in 1972 by Juilliard teacher John Houseman. After all those years, Chandler-Mills got “sick of the business, sick of the auditioning, sick of being gone all the time,” so she made a change. ChandlerMills moved to Colorado Springs in 1987. In 1990,
a friend took her to a play hosted by Theatreworks at the Fine Arts Center. Since that day, she has dedicated herself to the success of the UCCS theater department. She began her teaching career at UCCS in 1994 as a lecturer. She lectured until 2008 and then became a full-time instructor. Over 30 shows have been put on during her eight years of instructing.
A career in the teaching field wasn’t something Chandler-Mills had been expecting. “I kind of fell into it by accident,” she said. ChandlerMills specializes in voice and articulation. One way she makes the activities
fun for students is by utilizing Dr. Seuss works. Hooey, a stuffed parrot from Dr Seuss’ “Oh Say Can You S a y, ” partners
with her to teach students how to exercise their tongues more effectively. “Meet Your Face” is another exercise that instructs students on how to use their facial muscles. “We make absurd faces, like puckering your lips, and we do lots of tongue exercises. Everybody loves tongue exercises,” Chandler-Mills said. The theater department has several performances
planned for this semester, including “The Glass Menagerie,” “Measure for Measure,” “Hedda Gabler” and many more. Chandler-Mills stresses to students that performances are offered free of charge. “A lot of people don’t realize that every play on campus is free,” she said. Whether the play is with Theatreworks or at Osborne Studio, students only need to make a reservation. As for people who are interested in theater but may be wary of their abilities: “the theater has room for everybody,” Chandler-Mills said. “We become one big family.” S Photo by Nick Burns As an experienced actress, distinguished professor and caring mentor, Leah Chandler-Mills provides an open door into the family of theater production.
September 10, 2012
Culture
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‘Lawless’ slow yet thrills with drama, musical score Hannah Phalen
hphalen@uccs.edu Rating:
Anyone who has taken American history has studied prohibition. But one interpretation looks at prohibition from a perspective that few American history classes would consider. Enter John Hillcoat and his interpretation in “Lawless.” Based off Matt Bondurant’s novel “The Wettest County in the World,” “Lawless” tells the story of Bondurant’s grandfather Jack (Shia LaBeouf) and his brothers Forrest (Tom Hardy) and Howard (Jason Clarke). Jack, Forest and Howard – bootleggers in Franklin County, Va. – run a fair business. That is, until Special Deputy Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce),
threatens its prosperity and existence. Franklin County, Va. is a typical country town. Its slow, laidback feel and inhabitants are depicted clearly throughout. The entire movie can take on a slower pace. At first it is acceptable, almost needed, to lay the proper foundation for the rest of the movie. But after the first half hour, the movie starts to drag on. Even some of the action scenes are dragged out, making them seem overdramatic and seemingly in slow motion. The musical score Photo courtesy of lawless-film.com of the movie is absoShia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke star as brothers in “Lawless.” lutely flawless, though. Singer-songwriter Nick From the upbeat rag- the Bondurant brothers contrasting relationships. Cave wrote the script relationship and co-wrote the score, time music at a dance and Rakes, there is never Forrest’s creating a clear parallel club in one of the first a moment where the mu- with former Chicagoan dancer Maggie Beauford between what was going scenes to the dramatic sic is inappropriate. During the movie, (Jessica Chastain) moves on in the story and the music during the final confrontation between Forrest and Jack develop quickly and with little music of each scene.
hesitation, while Jack’s relationship with Bertha Minnix (Mia Wasikowska), the preacher’s daughter, develops slowly and innocently. The two parallels are set against each other skillfully, and Forest and Jack’s traits are developed through their romantic endeavors. “Lawless” is a decent movie. The characters are wonderfully cast, the historical aspect is well done, the musical score is flawless and the romances are beautifully constructed. However, it is not for the faint of heart. There is a considerable amount of violence. If blood makes you queasy, you should not see this movie. Also, if you are looking for something fast-paced, look elsewhere. While there are sections that lag considerably, if you hang in there, the end result will not disappoint. S
comes into possession of an old box and opens it. She starts to hear voices, and her behavior begins to change dramatically. Her father, Clyde, (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) goes searching for the reason for the changes, and his search leads him to a religious order that has the information to perform an exorcism. “The Possession” was a bit tamer than most summer horror flicks. It is rated PG-13, which accounts for an unusually small amount of gore. Only two characters die, and no dead bodies are
family, is calling the demon’s name louder and louder while rocking back and forth with his eyes closed and face pointed at the sky. While obviously completely unintended as humor, that’s pretty hard to take seriously. It was made even funnier by the fact that Tzadok is played by Jewish rapper Matisyahu. “The Possession” was a decent enough flick. It was enjoyable and entertaining, though I wouldn’t recommend seeing it in theaters. Instead, wait until it comes out on DVD or Netflix. S
‘The Possession’ defies dismal horror expectations Aaron Collett
acollett@uccs.edu Rating:
Horror movies are often just bad. Sometimes that’s the primary reason to see them – to laugh at these inadvertent comedies. “The Possession” is among the most recent horror movies to hit theaters. But in this case, the expectation was subverted. The plot was standard horror fare – a young girl, Emily (Natasha Calis)
seen at all. There is some body horror – bending far beyond the limits of the human body and random bleeding – but little else. Director Ole Bornedal seemed to use plot and audio to produce horror, as opposed to shock. Unfortunately, with an audience of jaded Americans, that technique is extremely difficult, and Bornedal falls short. For example, the score doesn’t always match the mood of the scene, and the effect is jarring. The plot is not mysterious enough to build proper momentum, and the story reveals
happen much too soon. The acting was decent; Calis was not quite a horrifying as she could have been, but Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick (who plays Stephanie, Emily’s mother) make up for that slightly by reacting very well. Horror movies tend to collect plot holes like lint – almost every other scene, viewers are screaming at the characters to just do something halfway intelligent. “The Possession” manages to avoid most of this. One of the first things that Morgan does when he re-
alizes that the artifact his daughter purchased is the source of the issues, he throws it out. When Sedgwick begins seeing the unusual behavior of her daughter, she immediately takes her to the doctor. No hemming and hawing, no blatant idiotic denials – just get up and go to the doctor. Of course, this is a horror movie, so neither action has any real effect, but at least they tried. There were still some amusing scenes, though. In the climactic scene, Tzadok, the priest who has agreed to help the
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Editorial
Page 8
September 10, 2012
11 years later: security and privacy following 9/11 It was an early Tuesday morning. Children were at home getting ready to go to school, parents to work, others to dentist appointments and some to a breakfast with colleagues. Then the thunder of several hijacked planes pierced the brisk morning sky, and Americans’ lives changed forever. For those old enough to remember, 9/11 played an influential role in our individual and collective perceptions of the world and issues of life, freedom and national security. None would be wise to brush it to the side as merely a few pages in a history book. It continues to transform our values and policy decisions more than a decade later. Many articles and columns have been written about the decision to enter Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. Many 9/11-era terrorism and policymaking priorities are still largely affected by those earlymorning events – from TSA airport body scanners to joint military efforts in the Middle East. Americans in the last decade have witnessed more than two wars but an array of policies and precedents involving security, privacy and personal freedom. With threats from Iran and
the
North Korea and ongoing civil war and international tension in the Middle East, America must maintain a stance of freedom and open democracy abroad. But it must be equally careful to protect freedom at home. How? As The New York Times reported in early July, cell phone carriers responded to 1.3 million demands from law enforcement agencies for customer information in 2011. Information included texts and caller locations, among other data. AT&T alone averages more than 700 requests per day, with many of the law enforcement requests not requiring a court warrant. The pieces are also still being put together on the 1 million Apple IDs that a group of hackers known as AntiSec posted to the Internet early last week, as numerous reports indicated. The group claims to have up to 12 million Apple ID numbers, which members say they stole from an FBI laptop. The FBI has come out against the claims, though have yet to look into them completely. If it turns out that the information did come from an FBI computer, the government agency will be forced to explain why it had
the identification numbers for millions of consumers to begin with – a breach of contract between Apple and consumers and a direct violation of individual privacy. But greater government oversight and information accessibility has been somewhat derailed by a justified lack of trust for the size and scope of government. Take, for example, the issue of cyber security. Considered a threat by most, recent legislation like the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) and the Cyber Security Act of 2012 have failed to find traction. On the heels of SOPA (Stop Online Privacy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act), CISPA served to increase information sharing between businesses and the government. As technology news website CNET reported, after passing the House by a comfortable margin of 248168, CISPA was narrowly defeated in the Senate, 5246. The Cybersecurity Act of 2012 was also defeated. And while a lack of trust for government involvement lingers, cyber attacks themselves continue. In an interview with WORLD Magazine, Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va,
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pointed out instances of cyber attacks from nations like China. “Mike Rogers, the chairman of our intelligence committee, said there are two kinds of companies in America: those who have been hit with a cyber attack and know it, and those who have been hit with a cyber attack and don’t know it,” Wolf said. Wolf pointed out that the Chinese stripped information off computers for 17 members of Congress, his included, as they focus on both military and industrial secrets. As noted in the world news magazine Foreign Policy, in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum over the summer, Gen. Keith Alexander – head of Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency – gave the U.S. a three out of 10 rating for defenses. In a previous article from Foreign Policy, Alexander said, “What we need to worry about is when these transition from disruptive to destructive attacks, which is going to happen.” And such threats toward the end of the last decade have started to redefine terrorism and our concept of foreign threats. When asked what presidential candidates
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should make a priority for security-related issues, the highest priorities were to protect government computer systems from hackers (74 percent), protect “our electric power grid, water utilities and transportation systems against computer or terrorist attacks” (73 percent) and protect against domestic security issues like terrorism (68 percent), according to the Unisys Security Index released last spring. And issues of privacy and security are not limited to government snooping or cyber warfare – they even extend to local communities. Locally, a new law enforcement program adopted in 2009 mounted license-plate readers, in the form of surveillance cameras, on police cars. In documents recently obtained by The Gazette, police records describe the new system for identifying stolen vehicles as a “massive intelligence database.” In the last two years, the database has been responsible for identifying dozens of stolen vehicles. But the searchable system tracks more than just those who break the law: it contains information for more than a million vehicles, including those driven by law-abiding
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citizens. Even some proponents of the system recognize the controversy of tracking those that do not break the law. Whether dealing with the federal government having easy access to our phone records or local authorities taking pictures of our vehicles – our changed perception of security and the necessity for government protection has prompted numerous policies that easily violate our privacy. And while all should remember the thousands of soldiers who have died fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 and the thousands more who are wounded for their service, we must understand that the ideals of freedom advocated abroad must also be protected at home. Many would advocate that the U.S. takes issues like cyber security more seriously, especially since other nations are actively targeting the U.S. Instead, a large focus has been placed on policing domestic threats. But the U.S. should be careful it its response for more security, as it risks personal freedom and individual privacy, core American principles. S – The Scribe Editorial Board
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Opinion
September 10, 2012
The secret ballot faces possible elimination
April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu If you didn’t already know, it’s an election year. Yet, despite media buzz and active campaigning from both sides, I have a confession: I’m not voting this year. I wasn’t eligible to vote in the 2008 election. My school had held mock elections since elementary, and I wanted to vote in a real election. But this year, even as a history major, I’m not going to vote. Go ahead and call me unAmerican. I cannot walk by the library without passing by the Obama campaign table or walk by Centennial without passing by the Romney table. I have been asked numerous times by both sides if I’m registered to vote. I am registered – which I told them – but I don’t see how it’s anyone’s busi-
ness. I realize both sides are trying to get students to vote in general, but how will hounding a student about voting registration help that cause? It seems to me that it’ll just annoy the student to no end, as it did to me, and maybe even result in his or her decision to not vote. If you tell one of the campaigners you’re not going to vote because you don’t agree with either of the candidates’ stances, the campaigner reminds you that there are other candidates besides Obama and Romney. If you say you don’t agree with any of them, you better leave quickly. I have an unpopular opinion; I agree with Romney on some things and Obama on others. If I don’t agree fully with either of them, though, I don’t see the point in voting. Why should it matter if you’ll vote or not or whom you decide to vote for? Isn’t the American vote supposed to be a secret ballot? Yet, according to The New York Times, 33 states have passed photo identification laws. Five of them – Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee – require photo identi-
fication prior to voting. Both South Carolina and Texas have attempted to pass laws requiring photo identification. The Justice Department blocked both states from passing the law, stating in both cases that passing the law would disproportionately suppress turnout among eligible voters in minority groups. Texas took the Obama administration to federal court and was blocked again, while South Carolina, which asked a federal court to approve the law, is awaiting a the verdict predicted to come before November. An article on The Atlantic goes as far as to suggest abolishing the secret ballot, saying that nonvoters are more likely to vote if neighbors are sent evidence of their apathy. Is that what’s going on at these campaign tables? Is our right to a secret ballot being slowly eliminated? After all, I can’t say I’m not voting without being judged, but I expect I’d be judged about voting even if I wasn’t at the Obama campaign table or if the secret ballot wasn’t being questioned. I’m sure some people will say I don’t have a right to complain since I’m not voting. But may-
Page 9
Photo by Nick Burns
CoPIRG is one of several organizations on campus encouraging students to vote. From left to right: Devada Whitfield, Mack Mitchell, Jacob Abriel and Matt Moreau. be I would vote if I wasn’t constantly asked whether I was registered.
There are some things I think should be kept secret. A person’s voting
choices should only be shared if he or she wants to share them. S
committed crimes. These drug users were acting like themselves – they just happened to enjoy illicit substances. More and more, even conversations about music and movies would turn to doing drugs. I wasn’t the only one that noticed – the school began to crack down on drug use. My high school had a couple people checking for drugs and identifying users. The school also brought in drug dogs. Many students got busted. Some were suspended or expelled, and some had to take mandatory cessation classes. In fact, many of these kids just came back and continued to use, in some cases even dealing the drugs. UCCS and other campuses across the country have similar policies against drugs; students are stopped and fined or arrested, depending on the type and amount of substance they have on them. But it seems like that doesn’t
actually get people to stop doing drugs. American drug policies haven’t worked. Cannabis use is so widespread that additional efforts to “combat” cannabis use have little hope of accomplishing anything useful. At this point, broader reforms of drug policy are needed, and they can start with the re-evaluation of the harmfulness and potential uses of cannabis. Drugs known to be extremely dangerous and harmful (like meth or cocaine) need to be targeted. Criminals should be severely punished for possessing those dangerous drugs to ensure they don’t simply go back on the drug when their jail time is complete. Meanwhile, drugs like cannabis ought to be legalized and regulated. Perhaps if the severe stigma that surrounds cannabis can be overcome, progress could be made in enacting an effective and encompassing drug policy in the near future. S
War on drugs wages pointless battles, needs reform
Justin Torres jtorres2@uccs.edu When I was younger, my parents and a lot of my teachers told me that drugs were bad. Their warnings conjured up images of drug-dealing kingpins from action movies. I thought marijuana was a really horrible drug to use. The news offered stories of kids getting busted for smoking pot, and I thought that drug use always ended in a police arrest. As I got older, I knew some kids who would show up to pre-calculus reeking of that unmistakable odor. It was very strange to see
Photo by Torben Hansen, courtesy of Flickr.com
Drug laws continue to punish cannabis users. marijuana – a “bad drug” – gain prominence, especially among my peers. But hearing more stories and seeing more people
join the dark side of drug use has made me change my perspective on cannabis and the need for a comprehensive drug policy.
These people did not end up like the kids in the movies they showed me in elementary school, students who dropped out and
Life on the Bluffs
Page 10
Campus Chatter Sarah Palma, spalma@uccs.edu, photos by Chelsea Lewis
Riley Coltrin, sophomore, political science Is self-defense an important skill to have? Absolutely. I took five years of karate, and it is very important to be able to defend yourself. What would you do if you did find yourself in a threatening situation? The first thing I would do is see how the other person reacts. If they have a weapon, that would be a problem since I don’t carry a weapon on me. If my life felt threatened, I’d do what I had to do to defend myself. With your experience in karate, do you feel prepared to defend yourself if you ever did find yourself in a dangerous situation? In some ways, yes. If someone had a weapon, though, then that kind of self-defense would not help me.
UCCS campus police is offering Rape and Aggression Defense (RAD) classes to women on Tuesdays through September and October. While students may never find themselves in a dangerous situation, being prepared is important. Do students feel prepared for a life-threatening situation?
acollett@uccs.edu Colleges around the country are constantly updating their safety regulations. And with good reason – following safety practices can prevent terrible accidents. In chemistry labs especially, safety procedures are paramount. Professor Allen Schoffstall related a story about one of his own students. “The organic chemistry and general chemistry labs used to be all together,” he said. “This was back when we were at Main Hall.” Since general chemistry often needs to heat things up, there was a burner in the lab. “We used to have flames in all the labs,”
This week at
UCCS
labs are separate – in part because organic chemistry deals with many flammable substances. “This student had heated up a tube and had taken it back to his bench,” Schoffstall said. “I think he was working with ether – could have been something else, though.” Ether is quite flammable
What would be your first instinct if you did feel threatened? What would you do? I would do what I’ve been taught to do. First, I’d hold up my hand and say, “Stop.” If that didn’t work, and they came closer, I’d spray them with mace. If that still does nothing, then I would kick, scream and run away if I could.
Do you feel prepared to defend yourself if you ever did find yourself in a dangerous situation? I definitely do. I have military experience, and I was trained in hand-to-hand combat. Also, when I was little, my dad would wrestle with me and teach me and my sisters things we could do to defend ourselves. He was preparing us for when we started dating.
At what point do self-defense skills become inappropriate to use? It’s not something you should kid around with. You should only use your knowledge of self-defense when you really need it. Showing off to your friends or using it to hurt someone you don’t like is not OK. S
Would you take RAD classes? Why or why not? I would, and I think it’s great that the school is offering the classes for free. It’s important to take refresher classes, probably every year or two, so you don’t forget what you learned and freeze when it really matters.
Crossword
Safety concerns, burns separate chemistry labs Schoffstall recalled. Now, however, organic chemistry and general chemistry
Rachel Hess, sophomore, nursing
Kami McFall, senior, geography and environmental studies
True Story
Aaron Collett
September 10, 2012
– and if you pour a flammable liquid into a container heated beyond its boiling point, the liquid combusts. Fortunately, the student only burned his hand slightly, and the other students were able to douse his hand fairly quickly. But the lesson was learned: always follow good safety procedures. After all, it’s the accident that you don’t see coming that will get you. S
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Free Pancakes 7:30-10 a.m. University Center
Wednesday, Sept. 12: College Night at the Rockies 5 p.m. Leave from University Center
Cafe Scientifique 6:30-8 p.m. Clyde’s
Bike Tuning Workshop 5 p.m. Rec Center Women’s Soccer vs. Western State 6 p.m. Mountain Lion Stadium
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Tuesday, Sept. 11:
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Friday, Sept. 14:
Student Government Association Meeting 9 a.m.-noon University Center 303 Club Night 6-8 p.m. Clyde’s Women’s Soccer vs. New Mexico Highlands 7 p.m. Mountain Lion Stadium
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Saturday, Sept. 15: Rock Climbing All day Rec Center Bingo Night 6-8 p.m. Clyde’s
Sunday, Sept. 16:
Men’s Soccer vs. Metro State 11:30 a.m. Mountain Lion Stadium Women’s Soccer vs. Metro State 2 p.m. Mountain Lion Stadium
September 10, 2012
Sports
Page 11
Recreation Center adds new group fitness classes Shelby Kotecki
skotecki@uccs.edu Fresh vocabulary has been introduced to the UCCS Event Calendar: Zen Booty. It’s just one of the classes that the Recreation Center has introduced to keep people coming back for something that’s a little out of the ordinary – and a good workout, too. Zen Booty, Piloxing and Hula Hoop Fitness are three new group fitness classes now being taught at the Recreation Center. “A lot of students have made requests for new classes, especially since the campus is growing,” said Kirsten David, a graduate assistant who helps coordinate the university’s fitness department. Expected to be one of the most popular programs, Zen Booty focuses on toning the thighs and buttocks. It is similar to yoga, but the music isn’t soft and serene. It opts for a more upbeat rhythm, similar to Zumba. Piloxing is a mix of Pilates and boxing. Taught by David, class attendees spend about 45 minutes on their feet
Photo by Robert Solis
Students wanting to join a new group fitness class can go to the Recreation Center. and the rest of the class on the mat, doing Pilates stretches and exercises. A little bit of dance is also incorporated into the program and is done in the standard eight-count routine. Hula Hoop Fitness, already popular after just a week, focuses mostly on the core. Only 10 participants are allowed in the class per session
since there are only 10 available hula hoops and also because a lot of space is required for every participant. Moves and tricks – like keeping the hoop around your waist, throwing it into the air and catching it – and working out your core tends to make it an optimal beginner-level class. Aside from the add-
ons for the semester, other group fitness classes include Zumba, Ultimate Conditioning, Basic Dance and Aqua Yoga. The specific days and times for every class are available on the Recreation Center’s website (uccs. edu/campusrec). For most classes, the maximum occupancy is 38 people, Hula Hoop Fitness being an
exception. The classes are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants can purchase a pass for the entire semester to attend any or all of the group fitness classes, costing $5 for students and $10 for staff and faculty. Those wanting to bring a guest who is not a student or faculty are required to pay an additional fee
or can purchase a $45 pass good for 16 classes throughout the semester. Still, guests must attend with someone who has a student or faculty pass. Work your booty off, throw in some kickboxing techniques or pick up some basic dance skills. Whatever you love to do or are willing to try, the Recreation Center may have a class for you. S
Golfer Eddie DeLashmutt’s boredom evolves into passion Samantha Morley smorley2@uccs.edu Eddie DeLashmutt began golfing out of boredom. “We were camping one time on the Oregon coast, and we stumbled on a driving range,” he recalled. “We just went out
and hit balls, and it stuck with me.” DeLashmutt, born in Portland, Ore., began playing golf 12 years ago. He transferred to UCCS from Mesa Community College two years ago and is majoring in communication with a focus on public re-
lations. In 2011, golf coach Phil Trujillo signed him. Since that camping trip, golfing has become more than just a way to pass time. DeLashmutt has been one of 24 golfers to be on the 2011 All-Nicklaus team, membership of which is given to the top
golfers in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and National Junior College Athletics Association. He was on the First Team All-American from 2009-2010 and again from 2010-2011. DeLashmutt is a nationally ranked Junior
Photo by Chelsea Lewis
Eddie DeLashmutt, a nationally ranked Junior College golfer, has been golfing for 12 years.
College golfer. According to Golfstat, an acclaimed authority for collegiate golf, he was number six out of the nation’s junior college players in 2011. When asked about the future of his golfing career, DeLashmutt said, “This year will be a great opportunity for me to do my best with my team.” This year the UCCS golf team consists of 11 players, ranging from freshmen to seniors. Four members are from the same community college as DeLashmutt. The golfing season is year-round. “We play five events in the fall and five events in the spring, then our championship games in the spring,” DeLashmutt said. Games in the spring include the regional tournament, the super-regional tournament and the national and international championships. The team practices in the mornings, and qualifying events are usually on Friday mornings. As the players work together and learn their skills, the
team can determine which golfers provide reliable scores. “My scores are pretty consistent, and the team can count on me to hit the same numbers,” DeLashmutt said. He scores an average of 72 strokes. Five players are chosen to represent UCCS during the season. Each will take turns golfing, with the results tallied together. The team with the best combined score wins. As for challenges: “It can be difficult,” DeLashmutt said. Players must consider factors such as wind, terrain, distance and the par for each hole. “But you learn with experience,” he said. “The more you play, the better you are.” DeLashmutt’s favorite part about golfing is the team aspect. “Our team is a very tight-knit group of people. We spend a lot of time with each other outside of normal training. It’s like a family. We push each other each day,” he said. “It’s a happy and competitive environment for us.” S
Sports
Page 12
September 10, 2012
Armstrong, sports icons are products, not people
Peter Farrell pfarrell@uccs.edu In light of Lance Armstrong’s performanceenhancing drug usage and the huge ripple that it sent throughout the world, one has to wonder whether or not the issue lies solely with the athlete or with a bigger, more ambiguous entity. Armstrong, world-renowned cycling champion, cancer survivor and sports icon, has given up defending his reputation in court over allegations by the USADA regarding his use of steroids. For those most passionate about cycling and who held Armstrong in the highest regard, the question remains: “Now what?” With the completion of the 2012 Olympics, the world’s insatiable desire
for athletic excellence via spectacle is undeniable. And with the football season now underway, athletic loyalty and vigor is in no short supply. But the problem isn’t a lack of interest or even Armstrong’s downfall – it is the unforgiving fact that the sports heroes of today are not people. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at a couple examples. Armstrong’s receding glory evokes memories of the Tiger Woods scandal exposed a few years ago with one key difference: Woods didn’t invalidate the rules of the game. Woods’ prostitute scandal, while damaging to his reputation, didn’t end his career in golf. The reason is because Tiger Woods, like Lance Armstrong, is not a person. He is a product. He is a product that symbolizes the excellence of the sport he has shaped his life around. He is a product that generates revenue for the PGA – and a lot of it. Sleeping around with more women than you can remember doesn’t invalidate your legitimacy as a sports icon – and therein lies the problem.
Let’s also examine former Broncos superstar John Elway. After playing for 15 years and winning the Super Bowl for the Broncos multiple times, he retired and eventually became the executive vice president of the team. “But wait! Elway fought the good fight and won legitimately!” you might be saying. Yes he did, but that’s all that matters because the last time Elway was a hero was over a decade ago. We don’t care about Elway anymore because he doesn’t play. We don’t care about Woods’ scandal because he’s not a person or husband to us – he’s the face of golf. It doesn’t matter to us because they’re not people. When sports superstars cease playing, they cease being important. So while Armstrong’s fading glory still stings, let’s actually think about the way athletes are presented to us and how that shapes our perspective. The standards we set for ourselves and others – without any regard for the human consequences – should leave someone saying, “Enough is enough.” S
Photo by Angus Kingston, courtesy of Flickr.com
Lance Armstrong will not dispute USADA allegations.
Old athletes have chance to retire with dignity
Kyle Marino kmarino@uccs.edu
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Brett Favre, along with other famous athletes, had a disappointing comeback.
Unlike a boatload of other athletes these days, John Elway and Dan Marino are perfect examples of athletes who knew when their time was up. Elway went out on top winning back-to-back Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, Dan Marino knew it was time after a 62-7 drubbing, given courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000. However, many athletes try to make an improbable comeback at the later stages of their lives. Athletes such as Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Jamie Moyer, Brett Favre, Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson – formerly known as Chad “Ochocinco” – are a few
examples of players we consider “over the hill.” They make for a pathetic sideshow and steal the headlines on all the top sports stations when there are other athletes who are more deserving of the limelight. And their comebacks always falter. These athletes had their glory days – days long gone when they attempted their comebacks. I gave a pass to Michael Jordan. He came back, played for the Washington Bullets … I mean Wizards. Sorry, Jordan was around so long that I thought the Wizards were still the Bullets. Anyway, Jordan still managed to shine, averaging 22 points a game and making the All-Star team, but still, Jordan was never the dominant force he was in the past, making his comeback irrelevant and a pitiful way to end his career. I still think people will remember MJ for his dominance during the 1990s and his 1998 game winner against the Jazz, giving them the proverbial
dagger and sending them home empty handed once again. That’s the image of Jordan that we should have been left with, not the sluggish, slower Jordan wearing a Wizards uniform. However, many other athletes have no excuse as to why they came back. Brett Favre, retired, unretired, retired and unretired about a hundred times before conceding the reins to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. A Super Bowl win later, Packers fans have to be wishing they could have had Rodgers even sooner. Chad Johnson attempted a comeback, signed with the Dolphins, stunk it up in training camp, “allegedly” head-butted his wife and was sent home. The sad part is that many of these athletes were among the league’s best before their comeback attempts. Instead of remembering them for their greatness, we are often left remembering them with a final snapshot of their late mediocrity. S