Viewpoints Issue #4 October 22, 2015

viewpoints An Associated Collegiate Press two-time national Pacemaker award-winning newspaper, serving as the voice of the students since 1922.

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President inaugurated

OCTOBER 22, 2015

Members of the Riverside community honor new college president JACKIE MORA

@missjackiemora

One of the oldest traditions in academia, the Investiture C e r e m o n y, h o n o r i n g t h e inauguration of Riverside City College President Wolde-Ab Isaac, took place Oct. 12 from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Landis Auditorium.

“On such a historical day of celebration I am proud, honored and humbled to be installed as the 11th president of this great institution,” Isaac said.

The ceremony began with a performance by RCC Wind Ensemble, led by conductor Kevin A. Mayse. The lighting of the Lamp of Learning by Ryan Rudolph, student trustee followed. Rakhee Uma, vice president of the Associated Students of RCC led attendees in the flag salute.

Among those in attendance, were Mayor Rusty Bailey, Riverside Community College District Chancellor Michael L. Burke and RCCD Board of Trustees President Virginia Blumenthal. Family members, including the president’s three sons Zeru, Simon and Yisek and his youngest sister Mehret, sat in the front row at the ceremony.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RCC.EDU

CELEBRATE: RCC’s new president, Wolde-Ab Isaac, shakes the hand of Irving Hendricks former RCCD interim chancellor, at the Presidential Investiture held in Landis Auditorium on Oct. 12.

Students were curious and enthusiastic about the ceremony.

“I’m excited, I can’t wait and seeing everyone dressed up in their regalia is really intimidating,” said a smiling David Huxley RCC student and Interclub Council representative.

“My politics teacher is very interested in this inauguration and he asked us to come to this after we took our quiz today,” said Emily Lawless, RCC student. “I think it will be interesting to see

how something like this happens, it’s going to be a cool experience and I’m excited."

Introductions were led by Virginia McKee-Leone, acting vice president of Academic Affairs.

Speakers reflected upon their hopes for RCC’s future now that Isaac is president.

“I learn from him every time we are together,” said Bailey. “He is humble, he is focused and most importantly, compassionate to

the unique needs that face young people in our region.”

Bailey offered his service to President Isaac and thanked him for his commitment to this great endeavor. “Riverside is and will be a better community because of you,” said Bailey. “May God bless you in your pursuits as president and may God continue to bless RCC.” Once more, Isaac’s trademark commitment to the students was recognized.

See PRESIDENT AND MARS STORIES on Page 2

Watery discovery on Mars inspires

NASA’s finding of liquid water on Martian surface prompts exploration @Reeses__Puff

Football falls to No. 4 in state poll

NEWS VIEWS FEATURES A&E SPORTS

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VOL. XCV, NO. 4

Break dancers show off skills

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It’s been done. Science fiction has been proven science fact: there is liquid water on Mars.

“It’s not something we’re shocked about in the scientific community,” said Scott Blair Riverside City College instructor of Astronomy. “It’s one more research group following up on a perspective of nature that we already suspected and evaluating some data, plus getting results in alignment and congruent with what we already suspected and other interpretations have already been.”

The extraterrestrial body that researchers know as the red planet now has confirmed images detailing streams of water trickling down the hills of Gale Crater, Hale Crater and Horowitz Crater in addition to many more.

The possibility of life can now be thrown into the equation because it’s a fundamental fact that water is one of the key elements for

all forms of life to begin and be sustained.

“The existence of liquid water, even if it is super salty briny water, gives the possibility that if there’s life on Mars that we have a way to describe how it might survive,” said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA, according to The New York Times.

NASA scientists have known about the existence of water on Mars since they first viewed the ice caps on the northern and southern poles when Mariner 9, an unmanned space probe, successfully arrived at Mars in 1971. Now with this discovery of liquid water on Mars, the research suggests the possibility of life now has a higher probability than before.

It remains to be seen whether the new discovery improves the odds of life on Mars, but NASA researcher Mary Beth Wilhelm said the results suggest “more habitable conditions on the near surface of Mars than previously

COURTESY NASA /JPL- CALTECH/PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY PAT RAWLINGS/ SUPPLIED BY GYE REESE

A BLAST FROM THE PAST: Sojourner, a Mars rover, departs

from the Pathfinder lander as it touched down on the surface of the planet July 4, 1997. thought,” according to CNN’s website.

“How habitable,” she said, “depends on how salty and how cold the conditions are.”

But Alfred McEwen, Instructor at Arizona University for planetary geology, who observes NASA’s HiRISE highresolution camera aboard the Mars orbiter, said he’s fairly confident life will one day be found on Mars.

“It’s very likely, I think that there’s life somewhere in the crust of Mars, microbes,” he

told CNN. NASA’s next mission to send another rover won’t be until 2020, but are now selectively locating a landing spot that might be habitable. The current active rover on Mars named Curiosity, is prohibited to go near Gale Crater where liquid water streaks were discovered, due to threat of contamination of any possible Martian life with a highly irradiated rover from years of ultraviolet light exposure.

“We haven’t been able to answer the question, ‘Does life

2 October 22, 2015

President honored Isaac’s family and friends share memories and thanks

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PRESIDENT Page 1 One speaker reminisced about writing and working on several unique grants involving faculty collaboration, curriculum development and technology transfer with the University of Asmara in Eritrea, East Africa,where Isaac served as president.

“I remember the numerous faculty interactions, events, dinners,” said Mark Lehr professor of computer science and engineering. “And once having a little too much fun, thus becoming somewhat incapacitated.” Laughs from the crowd ensued. “Thankful that a concerned and grim faced Dr. Wolde-Ab brought a doctor to the hotel room,” Lehr said. “I have never thought of Dr. Wolde-Ab as being anything but a president and now he is officially our president.”

Before accepting the interimpresident assignment, Isaac was vice president of academic affairs at RCC for a year and a half.

Dariush Haghighat, president of the RCCD Faculty Association, shared his relief upon hearing the news of Isaac’s application for vice presidency.

“That night I slept like a baby,” said Haghighat. “Taking comfort in the fact that after so many years of wrestling and agonizing with all the impostors who had played musical chairs with various leadership positions at RCC, our institution finally had a real chance to bring aboard one of the most decorated, accomplished, sophisticated and genuinely committed leaders in the higher education world that we could wish for.”

Isaac is not only praised by his colleagues for his academic achievements, but also for his strength of character.

“I trust him implicitly because I know that his honor, his integrity are his greatest treasure,” Burke said. “I know that he will only and always do the right thing. I know he will take the high road.

He will honor the fundamental decency of everyone at RCC. “ Blumenthal, quoted British historian and politician Thomas Babington Macaulay.

“The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he were never found out,”Blumenthal said. “Well, Dr. Isaac your character has been found out.”

“It is your dedication, compassion and belief and as a proven example of how access to education results in access to quality of life,"Blumenthal said.

“Dr.Isaac you have changed our world with your work, your dedication and your grace.”

Keynote speaker, Salvatore G. Rotella, chancellor emeritus, spoke of Isaac with high academic esteem and as a dear friend.

He touched on the instability of the presidency. In 2004 to take on the newly created post of chancellor of the system, Rotella left the role of RCC president.

“There were seven presidents in 84 years and six in the last 10,” said Rotella.

Rotella grew up in Eritrea, Africa where Isaac was born and raised.

“Dedication to family and a passion for education have distinguished Dr. Wolde-Ab since early in his life,” said Rotella.

Isaac was the oldest of seven siblings and made sure that each one of them got an education.

“I am very proud of my brother; he is like a second father,” said Mehret Isaac, sister of Isaac. "He was the one who encouraged me to go to school.

He paid for me actually to come here to the U.S. and go to college ... today is a big day, I’m very proud of him and I’m very, very fortunate that I have a brother who encourages me, who inspires me and he is always there for me.

He has my back all the time.”

Following Rotella’s speech, Blumenthal and Burke officially inaugurated Isaac by adorning him with a ceremonial sash.

President Isaac began his address by thanking the many people who had been involved in making the ceremony possible, including all of the music professors and the performers for their ”fascinating music that has added glamour and class to this occasion.”

Isaac shared his gratitude and told attendees about his journey to presidency.

“I am very deeply humbled because I know that the long and complex journey that has brought me to this point is not mine alone,” said Isaac. “As Chancellor Rotella stated, I was born in one of the poorest nations in the world.”

Isaac’s father completed the first three years of elementary school, while his mother never attended school. He was not only the first born of his siblings, but also the first in his family to go to college.

Although the family struggled economically, he said his parents provided immeasurable love and support to him.

“The primary drivers were my parents and my teachers who believed in me and encouraged me to go on to the next level,” Isaac said.

He said his parents would be proud of him. His father is deceased and his mother is 91 years old, therefore age and distance prevented her from attending.

Isaac his involvement in rebuilding the university of his homeland of Eritrea, Africa in 1993, after the catastrophic war had ended and left it in ashes.

“Having been on the receiving

end for most of my young adult life, to find myself in a position of giving and seeing so many young men and women empowered through education is incredibly rewarding,” Isaac said “It is the single most rewarding experience in my life."

He spoke from experience of the importance of monetary contributions to a college,but in his final analysis “dramatic changes and remarkable achievements are made by people of conviction.”

“In a world where we are deafened by news of war, famine, terrorism and drugs it’s easy to forget that we are surrounded by great people of good will who are ready to help us empower and transform people through education,” Isaac said.

He is already working on creating new successful pathways for students beginning from K-12 to RCC and on to a university as smooth as possible by creating more opportunities and restructuring and strengthening existing school systems. He said his goal is to “tear down walls of isolation and enhance communication and collaboration.”

He believes his endeavor will succeed because “We have the people of conviction who are determined to bring change to the community,” said Isaac.

A performance by the RCC Chamber Singers, led by conductor John Byun, followed the presidential address. All guests stood while the chamber singers led the singing of RCC’s alma mater. RCC Wind Ensemble concluded the ceremony with a final performance.

A reception took place in the Landis Foyer featuring music by the RCC Jazz Combo, while guests welcomed and congratulated Isaac.

“I am from Morocco, so it’s very nice to be present in the investiture of Dr. Isaac, a fellow African citizen.” said Fath-Allah Oudghiri, San Bernardino Community College District director of facilities planning and construction. “What a fantastic story, how lucky Southern California is to have such a diverse population and this is a great example of how immigrants bring in a lot of value to American society and unfortunately that story is not told so much.”

Among the crowd of smiling guests was Isaac’s son, Simon Isaac,who is following his father’s lead by to majoring in chemistry at University of California Riverside.

“This was a very good experience for me to see him, he is my number one role model,” said Simon. “I look up to him and I know I won’t be anything close to the man that he is, but it’s in the path that I want to go.”

Staff holds Active shooter training Free training designed to inform participants on strategies that can be used to survive in the instance that there is an active shooter on campus, will be held Nov. 20 in the Digital Library Auditorium 121.

The training will be hosted by RCC Safety Committee, Student Services and Library from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Valuable information including how to deter,detect,delay and possibly defeat an active shooter will be addressed.

Trainers will discuss the lessons learned from different crucial incidents on school campuses.

The steps of a campus lockdown will be identified as well as critical preparations and response techniques for faculty and students.

Parents and community members from Riverside Community College District and other colleges, universities and K-12 educational institutions are invited to attend.

Those interested in attending who are not part of an educational institution can contact Sherry Colgan Stone,district safety and emergency planning manager by phone at 951-222-8566 or via email Sherry.Stone@rccd.edu

Gov. Brown signs and vetoes bills Governor Brown took final action on bills approved by both houses of the California Legislature Oct. 11. Out of the signed 808 bills, 133 were vetoed, 25 of the bills monitored by the Community College League of California were sent to Brown and 17 were signed while eight were vetoed.

The bills that were signed contained actions on College Textbook Affordability, Financial aid, Cal Grant program, renewal, Postsecondary education, sexual assault cases and several other matters.

For more information on all tracked bills by the League or a League Legislative advocate contact Lizette Navarette at lizette@ccleague.org or Ryan McElhinney at ryan@ccleague.org.

The website for further information is http://www.ccleague.org/ files/public/Bills/GovSsctions201516.pdf.

Water on Mars DISCOVERY from Page 1

exist beyond Earth?’” Jim Green, Director of planetary science at NASA said. “But following the water is a critical element of that.

We now have, I think, a great opportunity to be in the right locations on Mars to thoroughly investigate that,” according to a NASA interview.

As soon as 2018, NASA may have its successor to the space shuttle orbiters completed and ready for lift off for human exploration on Mars. At 382 feet tall the new Space Launch System with the Orion spacecraft in dock will be the largest vehicle ever built and will be even more powerful than the Saturn V rockets that carried the Apollo astronauts to the moon.

The Orion will feature new space travel technology such as a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen combustible engine along with an amped up solar electric propulsion engine, which shoots ions out its thruster.

Solar electric propulsion doesn’t provide the enormous thrust of rocket fuel. Instead it builds up speed slowly over time, eventually propelling the

spacecraft at up to 200,000 miles per hour, according to Popular Science.

As far as a human exploration of Mars goes, NASA wants its astronauts there and back in one piece. For living quarters on the red planet NASA has proposed a deep space habitat connected to the Orion space capsule.

The habitat would provide more living space and a bathrooms for the astronauts on board the rocket as well as life support systems, fire and radiation prevention and room to exercise in addition to doing their work. The work would be searching for any signs of possible life and researching materials in question, such as proof of active or ancient life.

In light of all these recent discoveries, manned Mars exploration is slowly turning away from being simply science fiction and into science fact. With the new proposed technology at hand, soon the stars will no longer be just stars in the night sky, but maybe livable environments where humans can prosper and explore, outer space the final frontier.

News

October 22, 2015

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Pests carry virus to Riverside

City sprays areas of Riverside county due to presence of mosquitoes with West Nile Virus AMELIA ALVERADO @RCCviewpoints

Riverside County is at war with a dangerous foe. These pesky little creatures have always been here but now they are armed with their weapon of choice the West Nile Virus and they’re prepared to bite at any time day or night.

The Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District, a company dedicated to providing vector control services (mosquito, flies, rats, Africanized honey bees, black flies, midges) and occasionally other vectors of minor public health importance, has found a growing amount of West Nile virus activity in Riverside county this year.

Northwest Mosquito Vector control presented its research findings to the Riverside City Council on Oct. 6 .

The results of the tests came from samples collected of deceased birds and captured mosquitoes. Areas where the tests were conducted were determined by reported human and animal cases in or near the area.

There have been 66 reported human cases, four being fatalities, in Riverside county, according to the government website westnile. ca.gov, which also posts statistics of animal fatalities.

This makes it the leading county in California with human related cases with Los Angeles county, being the second.

When members of the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District conduct these tests, the information can be gathered in a number of ways.

The most popular being what is called a red box, which is 6 feet tall, 6 feet deep and 3 feet wide and serves as a medium for

the researcher to be able to walk in and suck the mosquitoes right off the wall.

A method of which Greg Wi l l i a m s , r e s e a r c h e r f o r Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District refers to as a “gold mine” in a YouTube video posted by the Press-Enterprise in which Williams gives a reporter a tour of the research facility.

In the video, Williams explains how from this method the samples they test not only tell them if they have the virus, but also what kind of infected animal or mammal they’ve fed on.

“This method is most useful because the data collected helps in narrowing down habitats and finding more virus activity,” Williams said.

This allows them to make efforts to sustain the virus and spray for any future outbreak.

Additional trapping methods, were used in the research conducted in Riverside County where positive indicators were found in the areas of Canyon Crest between Alessandro Boulevard, and Central Avenue, and north of Chicago Avenue, according to an email from Paul Davis, Riverside city council member of Ward 4.

The way the virus can be spread starts with an infected bird who then gets bitten by an adult mosquito. The mosquito then becomes the carrier, the soldier with a mission to spread the infectious virus.

From there it attacks it’s unsuspecting victim. Most individuals infected with the virus may not experience any illness at all. Full information on the disease can be found at the Center for Disease Control website.

However, those who do become ill can experience flu-

like symptoms such as fever, head and body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and a rash.

One in five infected people may experience these symptoms which can begin anywhere from four to seven days from the initial bite.

More severe cases can occur in less than 1 percent of people who become infected. They can develop serious neurological illnesses like meningitis or encephalitis, which is inflammation on the brain, spinal cord or surrounding tissue.

Symptoms of neurological illness can be high fever, headache disorientation, stiff neck, seizures, tremors or paralysis. Some of these effects can be permanent.

Recovering from the symptoms can take weeks even months. About 10 percent who develop neurological illness from the West Nile virus can die.

“The District will be treating the areas (where tests were conducted) with AquaReslin which is approved for use in mosquito control by the U.S. EPA,” Davis said in an email issued to the city after the presentation by Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District.

“Aqua-Reslin is a synergized permethrin formulation,” Michelle Brown, ecologist with the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District, said. “Its active ingredients are permethrin and piperonyl butoxide, which poses low risk to humans and pets.”

On the early morning of Oct. 8, between the hours of 3-5 a.m. the infected areas were sprayed with Aqua-Reslin with the use of ground foggers.

“The Aqua Reslin is not chemically tested at the facility

but has been through rigorous EPA testing through the years and has been approved and deemed safe to animals,humans and the environment,” Bill Van Dyke, Registered environmental health specialist and spokesman for the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District, said.

“There are no residual effects,” Dyke said. “The contact spray looses it’s potency within 10-15 minutes and has no chemical components that are long lasting killers.”

He went on to explain how the agency takes action protecting the environment by avoiding spraying any bees or anywhere bees are present.

“This is similar to a home fogging done to rid bugs or insects from the home,” Brown said.

Despite the assured safety of the spray, it was recommended to residents who were concerned that the spray could be harmful, to reduce exposure to pets and for residents to remain inside with the windows closed 30 minutes after the ground application.

“In fact Aqua-Reslin is even safer than a home fogging due to lack of chemical components in the reslin,” Dyke added.

“Our main focus and efforts are on the preventing and killing of the larvae before they become adults,” Brown said. “There is a now a new breed of mosquitoes found in Riverside County, capable of carrying the dengue fever otherwise known as the yellow fever that can bite during the day.”

This species of mosquito has been discovered in 12 other California counties including San Bernardino, according to Brown.

Though there haven’t been any reported cases of the Dengue fever, she said citizens should be

aware and alert.

Citizens can take measures to avoid or otherwise prevent being infected by this virus. These include avoiding standing water and outdoor activities during mosquito peak hours, such as dawn and dusk.

Spraying insect repellent with the active ingredient DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535, according to the instructions on the product label, is another way to prevent being stung by a deadly mosquito.

“Though we hope the initial treatments will be effective efforts to further prevent the disease from spreading will be made if necessary,” Brown said.

Additional information is available at westnile.ca.gov or 951-340-9792. Those who have been bitten or are experiencing any of the above symptoms should see a physician as soon as possible.

Snapchat Check out Viewpoints on our Snapchat with the code below.

Scan it and stay in touch with the latest news around the Riverside City College Campus.

Crime Briefs Oct. 13

Riverside City College Police encountered a male student at approximately 12:28 p.m. in front of the Bookstore promenade. He had been identified as a student, who was observed behaving suspiciosly and looking at other students bags in the Writing and Reading Center. Officers determined that the student had mental health issues and he agreed to make an a health services appointment.

Oct. 13

An RCC student reported a disturbance on Olivewood Avenue at approximately 8:48 p.m. A nonstudent challenged an RCC student to a fight on. The suspect was in possession of brass knuckles and was arrested.

Oct. 19

At approximately 11:57 a.m. there was a altercation between two male RCC students in Quad 211. The victim was transported to a hospital to receive treatment for facial injuries.

The suspect was arrested for the charge of assault with great bodily injury. The class has since been moved to another room of the Quad. According to Sgt. Kleveno of RCCD Police the assault was unprovoked. There is an ongoing investigation being conducted.

V iews Basing law on moral opinion 4

October 22, 2015

Tell

us what you think, in a letter to the editor, in an email, or use #RCCnow.

Why personal ethics get in the way of lawmaking

JAKOB WOOD

@RCCViewpoints

When it comes to assisted suicide, gay marriage, marijuana, or (God forbid) abortion, the oppositions are often founded in personal values rather than selfless concern.

With assisted suicide and gay marriage being recently legalized in California, the debate about whether or not it should be legal is once again revived, in addition to the long running arguments on abortion and drugs.

The problem with these debates is that the party against the controversial matters bases their argument in personal values rather than considering everyone else the matter affects.

For example, the popular dispute against assisted suicide is that it’s immoral and inhumane.

This is purely based on personal beliefs and completely disregards the context of the situation.

The factual argument against assisted suicide would be that it’s a form of murder and is

VICTOR DURAN | VIEWPOINTS

unconstitutional. This claim is valid because it’s unbiased and supported by evidence, yet how often is this the first thing said about assisted suicide?

In the case of marijuana, people have been conditioned to think it’s bad because it’s criminal and dangerous.

The real reason it isn’t legal is because of it’s association with mexican immigrants in the early 1900s.

If drugs like tobacco and alcohol (yes, alcohol is a drug) are not only legal but readily available, an herb like marijuana with both medical and textile benefits doesn’t belong on a list next to meth and heroin.

Letter to the Editor The article posted in VOL. XCV No.3 Page 6 titled Planned Parenthood Funding Comes Under Fi re, is a clea r and intentional attempt by the author Brooke Car y to manipulate information and deceive the readership of Viewpoints. Her anecdote derived and factless arguments underline an intentional misuse of partial quotations to serve and support a clearly right-wing view of what should be a non-partisan issue: women’s rights, and their bodies.

Future articles need to contain more research and empirical based data to support such bold claims: “People should know that Planned parenthood cannot be trusted with performing ‘safe’ abortions” other than a logical fallacy of “confusing association with causation.”

Such clever use of subterfuge can be directly grasped from Cary’s article: “the forensic analysis and cyber-security

company has revealed that the videos are indeed unaltered…”

This is a logical fallacy known as “Argument from Authority” as well as a “Non-Sequitur,” thus the argument made is invalid.

Cecile Richards (PPA CEO) also addresses the issue of mammograms and the lack of PPA’s involvement. it is in truth a “Begging The Question” logical fallacy, of course PPA does not give its patients mammograms, they use outside contractors.

The fact of the matter is, the only person which has the right to make decisions about a woman’s body, is that woman herself, No one else. Give her the facts, and she will make an informed decision, do not lie to her as Brooke Cary does.

Politico.com provides a full unaltered video.

Regards, Nathan Allen Meisenbach

Too many personal opinions become law. Yes, everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, but that is not the same as enforcing one’s belief system on the rest of the country.

This was the case for gay marriage, a topic about love that was turned into a debate full of personal objections.

Even with equal marriage finally legalized, the conservative par t y still rallies against it.Apparently, the sanctity of marriage is threatened by samesex lovers but not divorce rates.

There is such an obvious lack of credibility in these arguments, yet these are the people determining our laws.

People that believe gays are abominations who don’t deserve civil rights, just like blacks weren’t real people until the 18 hundreds.

These biased oppressors should not be allowed to decide the sanctity of an institution that once made women the property of men.

Another extremely controversial debate: abortion.

Many people believe it is simply a form of murder, and that’s it.

However, the focus is too often on the unborn, nameless, partially developed fetus rather than the woman carrying the baby.

To those against abortion,

the host of the child is close to irrelevant, or worse, the one to blame.

A woman’s r ight to her own body is being taken away because other people think she’s obligated to support a fetus for nine months and go through excruciating pain. That sounds more like a punishment than a fight for human rights.

W hat about t he fat her?

There’s a not-so-subliminal layer of sexism that everyone seems to forget or ignore, condemning the woman while turning a blind eye to the man.

SNL made a valid point saying that “If men could get pregnant, abortion clinics would be like starbucks. Two on every corner, four in every airport.”

So why are men still making decisions on a mat ter that concerns the rights of women?

The point of this nation is to provide the people with freedom, yet people are so eager to restrict someone else’s rights because they don’t approve of a lifestyle that differs from their own.

If you don’t want to commit suicide, don’t do it. If you think ma r iju a na is w rong, don’t smoke it. If you frown upon gay marriage, don’t marry someone of the same sex. And if you’re against abortion, sign up for an eight hour birth simulation.

There are plenty of other legitimate controversies to rally against that don’t oppress another person’s freedom.

Views

October 22, 2015

5

T.P.P. slips through unnoticed

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION | DAVID ROMAN

Trans-Pacific partnership promises prosperity across Pacific but extends U.S. influence too

DAVID ROMAN

@RCCViewpoints

With the recent WikiLeaks d rop of President Obama’s trans-Pacific Trade agreement coinciding with the signing of the agreement itself, a question is posed of how far our country will go operating in shadow from its citizens for the sake of security.

The agreement, which is more than 30 chapters long, has been regarded by domestic lawmakers as one meant to confuse and mislead the general public in its extensive legislation

for the agreeing countries that is meticulously detailed.

The 12 agreeing countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States and Vietnam.

These regulations extend from simple copyright limits, to intellectual property stances to privacy laws or the methods of dealing with whistleblowers or those under suspicion of “misuse” of information.

Now here’s where things start to get murky. By extensively detailing intellectual property rights, the agreement basically forces the 12 countries along the Pacific Rim to play by the United States’ rules, and at times rules outlined in the T.P.P. are even sterner than the ours.

Despite its far reaching effects I believe the T.P.P. is not inherently bad but has a mix of negatives and positives, however I condemn the U.S’s callus shadowing of its negotiations

on an agreement that affects so many different aspects of life and legislation around the Pacific Rim. Written in complete secrecy t o preve nt Cong re ss f rom demanding ramifications and sanctions to the agreement, citizens not just in the Pacific but around the world are starting to wor r y about the level of transparency within our country and its international dealings.

In a way, the U.S. is using a promise of trade, and by extension a promise of economic growth, to instill its laws across Asian-Pacific countries in which we have held little influence over in the past.

The reinforcement of goodties among the pacif ic rim is beneficial for the country in many ways. And making friends is clearly what the United States has been trying to do as evidenced by our renewed relations with Cuba.

On a security level this lets us hold more control over the

Pacific Ocean seeing as how it’s in the country’s direct benefit that we keep trade ships among the agreeing parties safe. And the U.S. has never shown hesitation or remorse in defending its money.

Another consequence of the trade deal? The extension of the big pharmaceutical corporations that have plag ued the U.S. medical system and further perpetuated the money-hungry persona our country has abroad.

While it’s not directly putting more money in the hands of Big-Pharma, the T.P.P’s chapter on intellectual property has applications to generic drugs which are popular abroad for their inexpensiveness.

While it would do little to hinder the generics of established c o u nt r ie s l i ke C a n a d a o r Australia, it’s long-reaching consequences affect the less developed parts of Malaysia or Peru.

By tightening intellectual property rights overseas we are

making it harder for generic manufacturers to use established research for getting their products streamlined through approval by their governments for sale to the general public.

Howeve r s u p p or t e r s of the trade agreement applaud its environmental sanctions with President Obama being commended for championing for strict environmental regulations espite negotiating with countries that have far more relaxed environmental sanctions.

Whether or not you feel like the T.P.P. is a reasonable and welcome response to increasing relations in the Pacific meant to extend a hand to our ocean neighbors or you thin k the T.P.P. is an evil byproduct of our capitalistic and militaristic interests overseas, one thing is certain and that is whether we as a people feel comfortable allowing our government to cut legislative deals without the nation knowing exactly what’s on the negotiating table.

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October 22, 2015

Views

Voter registration bill passed

Gov. Jerry Brown signs in bill to automatically register Californians to vote

DANIEL FELIX @danielfelix49

Californian residents are in an uproar about a voter’s registration law that some argue will infringe on their right to privacy. Is making registered voters out of all Californians with a driver’s licence crossing the line?

“If people want to participate

they will do it on their own,” said a member of Conservative Her itage Foundation, Hans von Spakovsky. “The law puts citizens in a tough position because they have [to] put forth action to remove themselves.”

Everything in our world is becoming automatic. Pay checks can be automatically credited to your account and mail that took long periods of time to get from one person to the next is sent instantly over an email.

So why shouldn’t something as important as being a registered voter happen automatically as well? Others simply think it’s an infringement on their privacy.

“I feel that they should have permission to register you when you go renew or get a license because it kinda violates the right to privacy,” said Riverside City College student Sandra Avalos.

For others it’s simply a matter of wishing to stay away from voting and don’t want to make uneducated decisions.

“You would get people that don’t really care and would lead to people just voting for whoever they like best, which would be making a bad choice and that’s what I think that could lead to,” said Cole Cluff, student at RCC. Our founding fathers fought to gain representation, yet in our time our state average voter registration is 42.2 percent.

“Only by a trial and error process will we truly see what will make more people vote, but at least this makes it easier to vote,” said Bridget Moore, Mayor Pro Tempore of Wildomar City Council.

The issue here is that voting is seen a hassle. Many of us take advantage of being an American.

The sheer fact that we can blow off voting should make us want to educate ourselves on who we can vote for and to vote all together.

Whether you believe this law is an infringement on your privacy or you simply want to stay away from becoming an automatic voter, it all comes down to how lazy we as a people have become.

“A u t o m a t i c Vo t e r Reg ist rat ion could lead to increased voting,” said Moore.

“Once when Wildomar residence were to vote on a parks assessment, several people had told me they wanted to vote yes, but only a small fraction were registered to vote.” Just one prime example that shows how much good this law will do.

The same people who want to complain about that automatic voter registration, are the ones

who want to complain about the issues they could’ve had a say in if they would have simply voted.

“Millennials stand strong at 53.3 million” said Time magazine Journalist Nolan Feeney. As a millenial, I offer priceless insight about my generation. Here’s how 99 percent of us work, you want us to do something, fine. Set it up and we’ll come in and get it done, but if you want us to get it ready and do it all ourselves, more than likely we won’t.

We as citizens of America just need to remember that regardless of what we feel about this law, all it does is make life easier for us.

The gover nment already knows our information so if they want to take what they already know and help us out, is it really an infringement on our right to privacy?

“ I feel like it’s a good idea, but at the same time I don’t know [it’s] a good idea so we can get more active voters and it faster I guess.”

- Brianna Padillia

“It’s not that bad, it doesn’t seem that bad I mean I guess it’s just kinda going with how everything in the world is automated, you can pay your bills online, why can’t you do everything else.”

-Megan Protz

“I don’t really look into it but, I kind of think of it as convenient, when it comes time that you do want to vote for something, then yeah you have the power to vote, instead of having to go in to register, yeah I’m for it.”

-Andrew Castro

“I feel that, they should have permission to register you when you go renew or get a license because it kinda violates the right to privacy, if you do or do not want to vote, your overriding their rights.”

-Sandra Avalos

“I think that’s interesting because you know a lot of people don’t register to vote, and I feel that it’s important for everyone to be registered to vote so that they can have a voice, with what we do with our country.”

- Belen Ochoa

“It’s not a bad idea, if people don’t register, they are already registered or if they want to vote, then they already can vote, some people don’t even register, so I think it will help out, because who wants to vote, can just vote.”

-Carlos Sahagun

“It sound like a good idea, in practice but there are some people that, like me just don’t care to vote and I feel that that might be a step towards forcing voting upon people and forcing to get their opinion, you would get people that don’t really care and would lead to people just voting for whoever they like best, which would be making a bad choice., and that’s what I think that could lead to.”

- Cole Cluff

“I guess it a pro and con, you don’t have to register yourself, you kinda killed two [birds] at once, but the bad part is, what if you don’t want to be registered to vote and then they just automatically register you to vote or I don’t know, I think it should just be up to you. I mean if you wanna get your driver’s license and get registered to vote you might as well just do it.”

-Jocelyn Garcia

Campus Views

Campus Question: What do you think about being automatically registered to vote?

Campus Views is an open forum for Riverside City College students to voice their own opinions, views and ideas.

Views

October 22, 2015

7

Editorial

Gun laws with loopholes

How did Dylann Roof get the gun he used to kill nine people at a church in Charleston, South Carolina? He simply purchased it from a store in West Columbia after an FBI examiner conducting his background check failed to receive a police report of Roof illegally possessing drugs.

Although Chris Harper-Mercer, the man who shot and killed nine people at Umpqua Community College, acquired his guns legally through a federally licensed firearms dealer or family members, HarperMercer had mental health issues and shouldn’t have been able to purchase guns in the first place.

These are only a few of the instances in which loose gun laws result in the injuries and deaths of many innocent people. Something needs to change with gun laws in the United States. Although it is one’s constitutional right to possess firearms, California’s laws regarding who can and cannot purchase weapons is clearly defined but not strictly enforced.

Those who cannot possess firearms include anyone convicted of a felony, those considered a danger to themselves or others due to a mental illness or those discharged from the military under “dishonorable conditions.”

The list goes on and on but these few examples illustrate why gun men like Roof, who was charged with the illegal possession of Suboxone, or HarperMercer, who was discharged from the Army after only a month, should not have been able to purchase a weapon in the first place.

According to President Barack Obama’s “Now Is The Time” plan on reducing gun violence, not every place that sells guns conducts background checks, like gun shows, retail stores or pawn shops. In the plan, studies show that approximately 40 percent of all gun sales are made by private sellers who are not required to conduct background checks.

With the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in place, those wanting to purchase a firearm are required to complete form 4473 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The seller then calls the NICS for an instant background check to determine if the purchaser is eligible for purchase.

This system makes it quick and easy for firearm dealers to conduct background checks before selling a gun, so there should be no reason as to why these gun shows, pawn shops or retail stores cannot conduct background checks before selling firearms.

Not only should California legislation work toward closing the loophole regarding background checks, but it should also restrict more types of firearms than it already does.

California law prohibits the use of cane guns, wallet guns, any firearm not immediately recognized as such; short-barreled shotguns or rifles, zip guns, any bullet with an explosive agent, any multi-burst trigger activator, any unconventional pistol or undetectable firearm.

Under the Roberti Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989, assault weapons were

RUTH PEREZ | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

prohibited from being manufactured, sold, purchased or given. Any assault weapon purchased before this act was “grandfathered” in, meaning they were still allowed to be legally owned. To this day, those wanting to obtain an assault weapon can either build it themselves by purchasing parts online or from someone who has a “grandfathered” assault rifle.

According to the ATF, unlicensed individuals can transfer firearms to another unlicensed individual in the same state. This problematic regulation lets gun owners transfer firearms to virtually anyone whether they conduct background check or not. The transferring of deadly weapons should not be left up to unlicensed individuals who shouldn’t have them in the first place.

Legislation needs to require any transferring of firearms go through Federally Firearms Licensees, where NICS background checks are conducted to ensure guns are not getting into the wrong hands.

Students attend college for a higher education and hopes for a better future, not to feel in danger or at risk of being involved in active shooter situations.

Students of community colleges and universities are relying on lawmakers to protect them by clearly defining laws regarding guns and to strictly enforce them.

The best way to significantly decrease the amount of mass shootings and prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands would be to close the loopholes within the current gun laws.

Viewpoints’ editorials represent the majority opinion of and are written by the Viewpoints’ student editorial board.

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8

October 22, 2015

Features

BREAK DANCING There is plenty to admire about a group of student breakdancing, but their togetherness seems to be the most notable and special aspect of their group.

We’ve all seen them in the courtyard during college hour; the Break Dancers Unit meets every Monday through Thursday at 12:30pm.

The first thing a person notices is the music and the cheering from peers. There’s always someone dancing, spinning on their head, or practicing isolations. In any case, it is clear that they love what they do.

“It’s something that you can have as a talent that you can look back and say you were part of something,” Lyndzi Caldwell, a freshman at RCC said and newer member of the group.

Community is not something that BDU necessarily strives for, but it happens naturally anyway. Caldwell was referred to as, “little sister” by the other members.

The best part about being in BDU is “the way we all joke with each other,” Caldwell said. “We are all pretty open so it’s hard not to laugh and become friends quickly.”

Winning titles and competitions is not an

incentive for BDU. Instead, as a group, they win something more valuable in their camaraderie through dance.

“I am a dancer and I was always interested in breakdancing so when I was invited to join I couldn’t turn it down,” Caldwell said.

Despite her talent in dancing, Caldwell has never had previous breakdancing experience before she joined BDU. “I did different types of dance but I had never done breakdancing before,” says Caldwell.

Other members of the group want people to know there is no prerequisite to joining. “I love to just come up to people and - not force them but bring them in and just have fun. People get intimidated when Jimmy (BDU leader) does head spins and all that, but hey. We want to help people too. We don’t want anyone to be afraid to ask us,” Stephen Tanner, a member of BDU since 2012.

Tanner himself is part of a dance group in Los Angeles called “The Mob,” and a smaller unit

within The Mob called “The Hitmen.”

Joining any new group can be nerve-wracking at first, but BDU members have been very welcoming.

“I am still a bit nervous but the more I hang out with them, the more I learn and then that nervousness goes away,” Caldwell said.

“BDU is special because we are so close with each other. They all took me under their wing the first day I met them,” says Caldwell.

BDU invites RCC students and peers to join their club. “It’s an environment that is easy to learn in,” she said.

BDU takes pride in the community they have built through the love of dancing. “We have a lot to offer,” Tanner said.

This community resembles a family more than anything else due to their love and compassion for members of their club.

“Go to performances. You’ll see it on the dancer’s face, you’ll know when they love what they do,” Tanner said.

Features

October 22, 2015

9

UNIT ON POINT

WRITTEN BY KARLA RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS BY VICTOR DURAN. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BROOKE CARY AND MARISSA BOSTICK

10

October 22, 2015

Features

POST THE PEOPLE : Savannah Perez reaches for the stars Riverside City College Astronomy student to visit NASA base to build a Mars rover model BROOKE CARY

@RCCviewpoints

Savannah Perez is a Riverside City College Honors student pursuing her degree in Astrophysics.

Fascinated by science and physics, Perez, 19, began pursuing Astrophysics after visiting a summer astronomy camp two summers ago, where she realized her passion for the field.

Although Perez has always been fascinated by the stars, she always thought of astronomy as more of a hobby.

“I’m pretty much a newbie in this major compared to everybody else in the astronomy club, Perez said. “For me, it’s really new but it’s really exciting too.”

During high school, Perez was part of the ROTC program and had planned on going into the U.S. Air Force. Perez moved up the leadership ladder and was promoted to Wing Commander, but she realized it was not her passion.

“The people were nice, but it just wasn’t fun,” she said.

Perez then found about Astrocamp from her brother-in-law who works there.

“It’s an astronomy-based camp for ages 5 to 17,” she added. “The instructors there are really into it and it was such a great community.

I had always loved astronomy and physics, I just never had thought of

combining them together.”

After camp, Perez decided to get more involved. She joined the astronomy club her first semester at RCC and recently started an astronomy book club, which began reading astronomy-related science fiction books over this past summer.

Honors classes have been helpful to Perez in giving her a smaller, collaborative classroom experience.

Perez, along with two other members of the astronomy club were recently accepted into the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program. NCAS is a community college program for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math-driven students.

Accepted students take a five week online class, interacting with NASA engineers and finish the class by submitting a Mars rover proposal.

“Over the five weeks we have a proposal we start working on and start building ideas,” Perez said, “Ideas about what the rover would look like, what it’s functions would be and it’s purpose on Mars. And if we get accepted, we get to go to a NASA base that they choose.”

Perez and two other RCC students were selected among the applicants to visit a NASA base, where they will attend a three-day camp in November.

During high school, Perez was

inspired by her Physics teacher, whose passion for science and physics rubbed off on her.

“When somebody else is passionate about something, you become super passionate about it and you feel more connected to the science itself,” she said, “I guess the excitement in high school just carried on to here and now I want to do everything.”

In the summer of 2016, Perez hopes to live and work at Astrocamp where she can pick the brains of expert scientists and work with the kids who come to camp.

After finishing her Associate’s degree at RCC, Perez hopes to complete her Undergraduate and Graduate studies at the University of Hawaii and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Though talking to accredited astrophysicists can be intimidating, Perez has been both encouraged and challenged by her astronomy instructors to be creative and to work through the obstacles in front of her, learning from mistakes when they are made. “With NASA, if a mission goes wrong, the next mission won’t be like that,” Perez said.

“They strive to work on the problems that they have and learn from it and grow from it … even if you aren’t doing well, you can always make it better. You can always go back, work the problem and find a solution.”

BROOKE CARY | VIEWPOINTS

GALAXY GIRL: Savannah Perez is one of the three Riverside City

College students accepted into the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program.

A&E

11

October 22, 2015 “You should never feel afraid to become a piece of art. It’s exhilarating.“ - Nicki Minaj

GRACIE VASQUEZ | VIEWPOINTS

MIXED MEDIA: Craig Barker’s mixed media instillation titled, “SKIBS” is one of the larger pieces in the gallery. The piece boasts a variety of objects ranging from small televisions to a few flags.

GRACIE VASQUEZ | VIEWPOINTS

WAVY: One of the smaller pieces in the exhibit is a composite resin sculpture titled, “Wreck of the Hesperus” by Eric Johnson.

Quad Gallery displays ‘MANA’ TREVA FLORES @RCCviewpoints

Surf’s up this semester while the Quad Gallery hosts an array of artworks by artists from the West Coast.

The Riverside City College Quad Gallery is exhibiting The Artists of the Film MANA, Sept.

23-Dec. 4.

There will be a film showing in the Digital Library Auditorium Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.

Mana is defined by MerriamWebster dictionary as the power of the elemental forces of nature embodied in an object or person.

“The reason it’s called MANA is because it’s about the energy that brings us all together,” said gallery attendant Nick SmithWilliams.

Surfing is the energy that connects these artists, some of whom have been connected with the waves for over 30 years.

Most of the works contain various shades of blue, orange and tan. Some pieces even include actual photographs of surfers as well as vintage pictures of women in bikinis.

“Theses artists make a point of not sticking to tradition,” said Smith-Williams. “They’re breaking the mold.”

All of the artworks in the Quad Gallery are anything but traditional. The gallery is consumed by various techniques and mediums.

The artists used varying styles from acrylic on canvas to LED lights or laser burned drawings.

One of the pieces by Craig “Skibs” Barker is a mixed media installation with an array of small and large items such as vintage television sets, American and California flags, and pieces of wood.

Barker’s installation is the largest work in the gallery and one of the most interesting to look at. It has large letters on

top that say “SKIBS” making it impossible to miss. The longer one stares the more details one can find in the piece.

Another unique piece is “Rayban” (2011) by Alex Couwenber. The acrylic on canvas is collage-like with various colors ranging from tan, orange, red, green, gray and white. There are various cylinder shapes allowing the eye to flow from various sides of the painting.

Ned Evans “Nepenthe” (2014) acrylic on canvas was also different in style. With long vertical stripes of blue, orange, white, pink and brown then back to blue the work is calming and

relaxing, like staring into the ocean just as the sun is setting.

The work is very large and consumes the viewer allowing them to take everything in.

Although these are just a few of the works the other artists being featured in the gallery include Casper Brindle, Ben Brough, Steve Fuchs, Eric Johnson, David Lloyed, Ken Pagliaro and Alex Weinstein.

All of the artists do a great job of drawing in their viewer’s attention with their works and avoiding traditional techniques, so be sure to catch this radical exhibition at the Quad Gallery before it ends.

was heavy.

Suddenly the band exploded into a high tension shuffle, which rolled with impatient interchanges that moved sporadically between the musicians and instruments, as though each one was playing for the room’s ceiling.

They showcased acrobatic solos and skill that pushed the absolute bounds of melodic possibility.

Among the musician line up was the shining presence of Andrew Valenzuela on the saxophone who has had part in scores of Academy Award winning pictures.

After a brief swap of the musicians on stage, Valenzuela stepped up with the deep and seductive sounds of the alto sax, weaving an atmosphere of passion into the fabric of each note.

Engulfing the room with an air of smooth magic and elegance, as the crisp wet breath of the trumpet section floated cleanly over the drifting smoky notes of the sax.

The piano stole the spotlight igniting the room with color and emotion, flying through renegade scales, and defying the musical structure of the chugging shadowy drums and back beat.

The entire horn section builds from a whisper to towering crescendos, as the calculated punch of the stand-up bass drove in perfect time beside the booming cadence of the kick drum.

The song floated in unison like a descending feather into the low crisp clattering cadence of rolling cymbal patterns that caressed the sensuality of the lead guitar that sauntered through the air with delicacy.

Blending over and under the swelling horn section, shining brightly with a triumphant chorus which brought the song into a close.

“I’ve been here for four years, and I’m in the top jazz band here, and jazz to me is freedom of music and just playing what you feel,” said Arcadio. “There’s really no structure to it, it’s

all what you feel is right, and that’s how it’s been since the beginning.”

The evening was a definite

hit and any jazz lover should be looking forward to seeing these up and coming young stars in their next performance.

Riverside City College hosts annual Jazz Concert JOHN PRENTICE @RCCviewpoints

MUSIC REVIEW A hot night for RCC’s Jazz ensemble unfolded with anticipation, as the room darkened and the band launched into the full swing of a balsa, with sultry swagger.

As the music drifted to a delicate close, the crowd erupted with rowdy applause.

The band then shifted flawlessly into a shuffle entitled the “53rd Street Slide.”

The tones were bright and full, yet low and somber.

The trumpets burned with fiery urgency, as the alto sax stepped up and delivered with a collection of textured and soulful notes, that displayed the raw power and intricacy that is the driving spirit of Jazz music.

The next band filled the stage and silence ensued.

The anticipation in the crowd

VICTOR DURAN | VIEWPOINTS

MELODIC: The RCC Jazz Ensemble’s saxophone section performing Sammy Nestico’s “A Minor Affair” in the Digital Library on Oct 19.

12

October 22, 2015

A&E

‘Immortal’ singer graces Pomona DOMINIQUE REDFEARN

@RCCviewpoints

CONCERT REVIEW Pop artist Marina and the Diamonds brought her colorful Neon Nature Tour to a sold-out crowd at the Fox Theater in Pomona Oct 17.

Although she performs with a band, Marina and the Diamonds is not an ensemble but a lone Welsh vocalist named Marina Diamandis. “The Diamonds” in her stage name is in reference to her fans.

Mainstream audiences may be unfamiliar with Diamandis’ work but she has attained a dedicated fan base Online.

The first few fans lined up almost 24 hours before doors opened to guarantee a spot front and center to their favorite artist.

Her fans are as enthusiastic as they are plentiful.

Many dressed in bright colors with handmade fruity inspired accessories in honor of her newest album entitled “Froot,” one fan even came in a full banana suit and was hard to miss from her spot closer to the stage.

Others dressed head to toe in bright pink with hearts painted on their cheeks in homage to her sophomore album “Electra Heart.”

Diamandis’ previous

headlining tour in 2013 primarily focused on her album “Electra Heart” along with her alter ego of the same name.

Wi t h t h i s p e r s o n a s h e explored what she believed were the different archetypes of a stereotypical American woman: The Teen Idle, The Primadonna, The Homewrecker and Su-Barbie-A. Now Diamandis has shed her alter ego and performs each song truthfully as herself.

A large screen dominated the stage and served as a powerful prop during the show.

Emojis, snippets from her music videos and other graphics were chosen specifically to illuminate behind Diamandis during the show.

She arranged the show like a play with all three of her albums split into three separate acts instead of only playing a majority of songs from her latest album like many fans had expected.

The set list satisfied most fans as it showcased some of her best songs from each of her three albums.

A realistic cartoon that depicted the visual transformation of Diamandis from one era to the next would grace the screen as her band provided an instrumental transition into each next act.

The crowd began shrieking at the first glimpse of Diamandis, who emerged from behind the screens in a metallic purple

jumpsuit and a sparkling mouse ear headpiece to match.

She began her first act with five songs from her debut album “The Family Jewels,” finishing with a song entitled “Hollywood.”

Diamandis strutted around as fans enthusiastically shouted back the lyrics.

After a quick wardrobe change, she reappeared in a pink jumpsuit and pom-poms to kick off her next act “Electra Heart.”

The five songs in this act seemed like they got the most response from the crowd given that the songs from this album are the catchiest.

During the end of her song “Lies” there was an instrumental build up that kept the crowd anxious for the next note.

“Pomona, are you ready?”

Diamandis teased before the next note hit, eliciting deafening screams from the audience.

Finally, she stepped out in a neon green jumpsuit and finished her last act with songs from “Froot.”

She opened with the title track and performed a majority of songs from the album.

Her voice is not one that most would expect for pop music.

It is reminiscent of a mythical siren, luring fans in with her catchy synth-pop beats and emotion filled lyrics.

Diamandis is an artist that sounds exactly, if not better, than

bunch of people running around killing each other.

Season six picked up the pace showing thousands of walkers ready to destroy the peaceful walls of Alexandria.

Alexandria was the sanctuary Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his team begun taking over in order to ensure the safety of the people who reside there.

Many of the original residents have never even been outside the giant metal walls.

Rick continued to show his leadership and took on a harsher and crueler persona than when the show first aired in 2010. He threatened anyone who got in his way and had zero tolerance for murderers.

Even the dead body of Pete Anderson (Corey Brill) who Rick shot in the head for murdering Deana Monroe’s (Tovah Feldshuh) husband was not allowed to be buried inside Alexandria’s walls.

This quickly turned into a parallel as Morgan Jones (Lennie James) struggled to identify with the person Rick has become.

In season 3 Morgan tried to kill Rick, Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) after going insane because of the death of his son and after Morgan witnessed Rick pulling the trigger on Pete.

In the season six premiere he notes that they are both murderers. Rick just commented

to Jones that he “doesn’t take chances anymore.”

As the episode progressed, Morgan seemed to become more and more skeptical of Rick.

The entire community began meeting and preparing to guide the walkers away from Alexandria with Rick’s commands.

It was a risky and dangerous plan, but Rick insisted that it had to be done.

In preparation, Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) and Nicholas (Michael Traynor) take a newly introduced character, Heath (Corey Hawkins) out to practice killing the walkers.

This moment was necessary because it showed character growth between Glenn and Nicholas as Nicholas acknowledges that he messed up and Glenn knows more than he does about how dangerous walkers can be.

In season five, Nicholas ended up killing Noah (Tyler Williams) as well as his best friend. Glenn had the opportunity to kill Nicholas in the season finale, however he proved to be the better man by sparing his life.

This proved to be a great decision on Glenn’s part because now Nicholas is willing to listen and do whatever it takes to prevent another life from being taken.

“I’m supposed to be delivering pizzas,” said Glenn.

This was a perfect reminder of

DOMINIQUE REDFEARN | VIEWPOINTS

‘CAN’T PIN ME DOWN’: Marina and the Diamonds performing “I’m a Ruin” from her latest album titled “Froot” at The Fox Theater in Pomona on Oct 17.

how she sounds on her albums.

She interacted with the crowd between certain songs whether it was to build background to them or express her gratitude for her fans.

She even remarked on how amazed that the venue, which holds 2,000, sold out as quickly as it did.

“Thank you for sharing chapters of my life with me. It’s

a weird thing, music in general, because it brings all kinds of people together.” Said Diamandis before introducing her final song, “Blue.”

“It’s one thing to write songs but it’s another thing to feel like you found people who feel the same and with who you share the same experiences. I’m very lucky and I just want to tell you that I feel very lucky.”

Zombies rise again for season 6 of ‘Walking Dead’ TREVA FLORES @RCCviewpoints

TELEVISION REVIEW

IMAGE COURTESY OF: AMC NETWORKS

Morals and murder aren’t two subjects that go hand and hand, yet “The Walking Dead” makes room for question in the season six series premiere.

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” premiered Oct. 11 with plenty of zombies, tension and rivalry as the Alexandria community recovered from the end of season five and prepared for an entirely new problem.

Last season left off with fewer zombies, taking time to focus on character development as well as the story arc.

It was almost hard to remember that the show was about walkers and not just a

how far he’s come and how long it’s been since the show started.

Glenn went from a city boy who knew the streets of Atlanta like the back of his hand to a man who knows how to work a gun and memorized the best techniques for killing walkers.

Throughout the premiere Carter (Ethan Embry) appeared, however it was mentioned that he had been in Alexandria from the beginning when he helped put up the walls with Deana’s husband.

The introduction was awkward seeing as the character had never been seen before.

Carter was also very skeptical of Rick and unwilling to listen, until Rick and his team killed off a multitude of wandering zombies that were about to kill Alexandrians.

Carter then realized Rick knows what he’s doing, but as the final stages of the plan to lead the walkers away comes together, a rogue walker bit him on his face.

Carter begins screaming and drawing walkers toward Alexandria and Rick is faced with the decision to either kill Carter or be killed by the thousands of walkers.

Unfortunately as Rick stabs Carter in the skull, Morgan and Michonne are standing close behind.

Morgan is still trying to grasp how Rick can kill people so easily, but Rick knows it was the only way to ensure the

safety of the community.

The episode ends with a loud horn coming from Alexandria, which then leads the walkers toward the community rather than away from it.

Leaving the question of, who did this?

It seems like the series has gone back to focusing on how dangerous walkers can be in large numbers. Now that the characters are redefined by past experiences it allows them to power through everything that comes their way.

The premiere was overall very thrilling to watch as the pressure to lure the walkers away increased.

The entire episode was compiled of a series of flashbacks and present events in order to catch the audience up on what has happened since the season five finale. The flashbacks were shot in black and white while present day was shown in color.

This was an interesting decision, although confusing at first, but in the end the message of the premiere came across clear: Rick will do whatever it takes to protect the people he’s grown to know and love, even if he has to murder the people who try to get in his way.

The only real issue with the premiere was that it needed more of Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Other than that “The Walking Dead” came back strong with a promising season ahead.

14

October 22, 2015

SPORTS

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get

- Michael Phelps

Tigers prepare for tough test

Riverside City College football scores 52 unanswered points against LA Harbor on Oct. 17 JAMES H. WILLIAMS @JHWreporter

After suffering its first loss of the season to Fullerton College, the Riverside City College football team responded with a 55-7 victory at home against the LA Harbor Seahawks in National Central League play Oct. 17.

The Tigers, who fell to No. 4 in the CCCAA State Football Poll after sixth consecutive weeks at No. 1, turn their attention to a pair of games against two Top 20 state ranked teams, Mt. San Antonio and Long Beach City College.

The Tigers are scheduled to play an emotional Mt. SAC Oct. 24, a team that is dealing with the death of freshman long snapper George Steward and his girlfriend, who lost his life in a car accident Oct. 18.

The Mounties and Tigers continue their rivalry this season after two meetings last season.

It was Mt. SAC that ended the Tigers’ 2014-15 campaign in the SCFA Championship/CCCAA State Semifinal game, 35-14.

The first meeting was in league play when the Tigers defeated the Mounties, 28-14.

In the game against the Seahawks, the Tigers scored first with a field goal on its first drive of the game.

The Seahawks would manage to answer back with its first and only touchdown of the game.

RCC’s defense would go on to shut out the Seahawks for the next three quarters of the game.

“We just came out and practiced really hard (following the loss to Fullerton),” said RCC linebacker AJ Hotchkins.

STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS

CHANGE-UP: Riverside City College quarterback Ian Fieber hands the ball off to running back Seth Acba in the home victory against

LA Harbor, 55-7, at the Wheelock Stadium. After an early touchdown by the Seahawks, the Tigers would score 52 unanswered points.

“I think everyone was hungry to get a win. I think we played pretty well.”

Despite going scoreless in the fourth quarter, the Tigers would score 52 unanswered points but head coach Tom Craft stated that there are still improves to be made.

“We aren’t happy with the offsides (penalties) but that is a minor thing that is correctable,” Craft said. “There are bigger things going on right now that we need to address.”

Quarterback Ian Fieber would take over the Tigers’ offense in the final two minutes of the first quarter after Kevin Olsen started the game.

Fieber completed 16 of his 21 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns before Olsen reentered the game in the third quarter. “ We h a v e t w o g o o d quarterbacks here. Ian has been practicing well and we told him he was going to get in,” Craft explained. “When (Fieber) got in

STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS

RUSH: Freshman running back, Seth Acda had a game high of 115 rushing yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns Oct. 17 versus L.A. Harbor where they defeated the Seahawks 55-7.

he got hot so we left him in then (Olsen) came in and responded well and led us down the field.”

Olsen completed five of his nine passes for 47 yards and a third quarter touchdown.

“I am happy with both of them. We had a breakout game with the passing game,” Craft said. “It had been on the verge but we needed to do it.”

Following the game, Craft was unsure who his starting quarterback would be going forward.

“I really base everything off practice. I like them both and we can win with both,” said Craft after the LA Harbor win. “We have two or three good receivers.

We play them all. I got three or four good (running backs) and we play them all.”

Seth Acda continued to be featured in the Tigers’ backfield for a third straight game in which he has rushed for 401 yards combined.

The Tigers will not play at home until the team host the No. 1 state ranked LBCC Vikings on Halloween to start a 2-game home stand before concluding the season against Citrus College on the road.

T h e Vi k i n g s r e m a i n undefeated with their most contested game being against the Mounties Oct. 3.

The meeting between the two National Central League rivals resulted in a double overtime for the Vikings while snapping the Mounties’ two-game win streak.

WINS/ LOSSES AS OF OCT. 22 9/5 W 33-14 vs.

Bakersfield College

9/12 W 38-18 vs.

Saddleback College

9/19 W 31-29 vs.

Grossmont College

10/3 W 42-21 vs. El Camino College

10/10 L 52-21 vs.

Fullerton College

10/17 W 55-7 vs. L.A. Harbor College

5-1 Overall and 2-0 in Conference play

Visit us at viewpointsonline.org

Sports

October 22, 2015

Tigers out run competition

15

The Riverside City College men and women’s cross country teams lead the way to wins

STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS

LEAD: Freshman Joshua Silva from Riverside City College runs in the lead at the Riverside Flying Tigers Invitational on Oct. 9, where he finished in first place out of all 61 runners who finished behind him at the City of Riverside course.

ALEC CALVILLO & DYLAN KING @RCCviewpoints

The Riverside City College men and women’s cross-country team met Oct.9 at the City of Riverside Course. The men’s team achieved a perfect score, and the women’s team finished third overall. A new course addition for runners this season made for a more challenging test of physical and mental fortitude.

Before the runners start a race, they must physically and mentally prepare for a crosscountry meet. Cross-country head coach Jim McCarron discussed the help he gives his players to get prepared for a race.

“They do weight training and core work, we talk to them about the important aspects of sleep, how important sleep is, and recovery,” McCarron said.

“Sometimes we talk about eating, or what shoes they wear, little things that give them an edge.

How to tie their shoes a certain way (gives them an advantage), even if that sounds ridiculous.”

RCC endured a four-mile run in Riverside’s 90-degree fall weather, as the runners competed against seven other teams.

Of the 36 cross-country athletes that ran the course, only five managed to get their times recorded for a team score. The Tigers got a perfect score of 15, meaning the first five finishers of the entire race were from RCC.

“It was the first time that I’ve been here that we’ve had a perfect score,” McCarron said.

The Tigers’ freshman Joshua Silva led the pack in first place and finished with a time of 21 minutes, 55.60 seconds. He was followed by Jeronimo Brito who finished in second place, while Anthony Arvizu secured a third place finish, Michael Simpson took fourth, and completing the perfect score was Chris Malloy who finished with a time of 22:19.56.

“We (have) 36 guys on the team this year which is the largest cross-country team for community college,” McCarron said.

The women’s cross-country team was successful as well.

They scored 27 points, good enough for a first place finish.

The low score indicated a toplevel performance, as runnerup Chaffey College’s total of 46 points crystallized the wide margin of victory for the Tigers.

Sophomore Brianna Jacklin, who finished third overall with a time of 19:22.65, led the women’s team followed by freshman Natalie Vaughn took a fourth place finish. In fifth place was Crystal Tejada, while Liliana Vargas seized a 12th place finish and Alexis Lewis finished with a time of 21:04.06, which landed her 14th place in the race.

Both teams look to improve their times and work harder in practice for their cross-country meet Oct. 30 at Irvine Regional

Park for the Orange Empire Conference Finals.

TOP FINISHERS AT RCC INVITATIONAL Men First place Joshua Silva Second place Jeronimo Brito Third place Anthony Arvizu Fourth place Michael Simpson Fifth place Chris Malloy Women Third place Brianna Jacklin

STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS

RUN: (Left) Joshua Silva and Anthony Arvizu, from Riverside City College, run in the lead at the City of Riverside course Oct. 9, where RCC had the top five finishers scoring. (Above) Brianna Jacklin who finished third overall runs in front of teammates Natalie Vaughn and Crystal Tejada.

16

October 22, 2015

Sports

Women’s water polo dominates

The Riverside City College women’s water polo team achieves victory in tournament play ALYSSA YOUNGER @_Alysssah

Riverside City College women’s water polo team hosted American City College and Long Beach City College on Oct. 16 in a mini-tournament earning victories in both of their matches.

The Tigers defeated ARC, 154, in the first game of tournament play.

In the first quarter against the ARC, the Tigers had a 5-0 lead and posted a 13-2 lead after the third quarter.

Leading the Tigers was freshman attacker Mary Myers with five goals, three steals and one assist.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kayla Chang logged in 10 saves against the Beavers. She attributed the win to the team’s defense.

“My greatest accomplishment would have to be defense,” Myers said. “I scored goals but that would not matter if our defense wasn’t so strong.”

Starting a four game win streak, the Tigers defeated LBCC, 12-6, in the nightcap game.

RCC led the first quarter against LBCC 4-1 and after three quarters the Tigers held a 10-4 lead on the scoreboard.

STACY SORIANO | VIEWPOINTS

SCORE: Sophomore Mary Myers shoots the ball past Orange Coast College player, Lyric Soto on Oct. 14 where the tigers defeated the visiting team 10-­1.

Myers acknowledged that although there is space for refinement, the team improves collectively.

“Together as a team we improve in every game we play,” Myers said. “We are always moving forward which just shows there is always room

for improvement, so while we won today we can improve on everything we did tonight.”

Myers had three goals, three steals and two assists in the nightcap game.

Meanwhile, Chang recorded eight saves against LBCC. “I want to win, I want it bad,”

Chang said.

Previously the team hosted their first home game against Orange Coast College dominating them, 10-1, Oct. 14.

In RCC’s earlier Oct. 3 game Golden West College snatched the Tigers’ seven game winning streak from them but the Tigers

have come back strong since.

Chang spoke about the team’s prior losses.

“Although our team has lost two games I believe that it will eventually help us in the long run,” Chang said. “The loss has helped me see what I can do to perfect on my skills and how much of a role I play. I must give 110 percent because my efforts influence the field players.”

In the first quarter of the game, OCC trailed close behind the Tigers; however, RCC’s defense fought hard in the second quarter of the game and led the scoreboard.

After three quarters, the Tigers took the 10-1 win against OCC. Leading the scoreboard was Myers who had totaled six steals, four goals, and one assist.

Meanwhile, Chang had one assist and nine saves after three quarters. Chang took the days in between the matches as a time to perfect her skills.

“The past few weeks I have focused on nothing else but to block each shot and to make the perfect pass each time in every game situation,” Chang said. “I have to learn quickly from my mistakes so that we can come back in full force with confidence.”