Viewpoints Issue 4 October 17, 2019 by RCC Viewpoints

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viewpoints

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - NELSON MANDELA

VOL. 97, NO. 4 OCTOBER 17,

2019

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

WHAT’S INSIDE LIFE

City candidates face off Ward 5 City Council candidates argued taxpayer expenses on Oct. 9

4 Movie Review: Joker

EDITORIAL

DIEGO LOMELI | VIEWPOINTS

Ward 5 City Council candidates Sean Mill and Gabriela Plascencia face off in a heated debate Oct. 9. ERIK GALICIA STAFF REPORTER

9 Editorial: Trump must be impeached

SPORTS

Things got tense at the Ward 5 City Council debate Oct. 9 when candidate Sean Mill accused his opponent Gabriela Plascencia of benefitting from Riverside’s pension obligations at the taxpayers’ expense. “When two-thirds of my opponent’s money comes from the same special interests that are benefitting from those high pensions, take a guess who she’s going to be looking out for,” Mill told the crowd at Riverside’s Hunt Park Community Center. “It won’t be the taxpayers.”

Riverside’s budget officials e x p e c t t h e c i t y ’s p e n s i o n liabilities to rise 45% by 2023, which may result in a “fiscal insolvency” for the city. While rebutting his opponent’s defense of the city’s Measure Z tax, Mill criticized its implementation and called out Plascencia’s 50% meeting attendance record this year as a member of Riverside’s Budget Engagement Commission. “Only one half of 1% of the money from Measure Z has gone to these quality of life issues like street repair and tree trimming,” Mill said. “So what the voters got was not what they were promised.

And it was Mrs. Plascencia’s and the Budget Engagement Commission’s responsibility to oversee it. Perhaps if she showed up more than 50% of the time, she would do that.” Mill provided the city clerk’s 2019 attendance record for the Budget Engagement Commission to prove his claims. Plascencia offered no rebuttal. According to Mill, Measure Z not only fails to alleviate the forecasted deficit, but is also being used to line the pockets “of the very people who paid to support the yes on Measure Z.” “Over $22 million went back into the pockets of the folks,

instead of to the services that we were supposed to get,” Mill said. Plascencia suggested that Riverside is “not unique” to the situation of deficits regarding pension liabilities. “Every institution, every business that has public employees (is) trying to figure out how they’re going to manage this,” Plascencia said. “We have set a trust that’s specifically there just to pay off the pension obligations.” She insisted that Measure Z tax revenue has gone toward

See CITY on Page 2

Student government discusses parking CLARISSA CORRAL

12 Men’s water polo lags in tournament

INDEX NEWS LIFE VIEWS EDITORIAL SPORTS

1 4 8 11 12

STAFF REPORTER

The Associated Students of Riverside City College held its first annual open forum to discuss concerns of students as well as give updates on progress being made to resolve different issues on campus. ASRCC President Angel Contreras opened up the forum by addressing the raise in student registration fees for RCC students. Taking effect this semester students experienced about a $15 dollar increase in student fees. Contreras assured the student audience that he understands the value of a dollar, especially that of the community college student’s dollar. He made clear the reasons and goals ASRCC hopes to accomplish with the extra money that they will have

YESENIA HUBY | VIEWPOINTS

ASRCC President Angel Contreras talks about the future of parking at Riverside City College. available, coming from the student fee increase. The Riverside Transit Agency is one of the reasons students paid

more this semester in student fees. According to recent reports by RTA, 509,510 total rides were given to college faculty and students and 43% of faculty, staff and students rode the bus at least once during the 2017-2018 school year. To accommodate the increase in student and faculty use of public transportation, RTA raised their costs for their services for RCC and other colleges who use their services as well. Among the colleges who also use RTA and experienced an increase in costs are UC Riverside, Moreno Valley College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Norco College, California Baptist University and La Sierra University. Contreras said that the extra money will also be used towards RCC sports programs, activities and more academic opportunities. He also announced that he is

hoping to bring more school spirit to RCC campus by throwing more festive events with plans of possibly throwing a “Spring Bash” in 2020. “We want the students to be more involved and show pride so RCC can be more lively” Contreras said. Contreras and ASRCC is currently working on relieving some of the stress of parking at RCC, which has been a huge issue for quite some time now. “Parking is a perennial problem,”stated RCC President Gregory Anderson. ASRCC plans on creating a parking system where there is a notice made visible to students when a certain level of the parking structure is full. This solution does not create more parking, however Contreras suggested that

See ASRCC on Page 2

October 17, 2019

NEWS BRIEFS

News

City council debate heats up Ward 5 City Council candidates at odds on each others’ claims COUNCIL from Page 1

STEM Seminar Former RCC student Joshua Arnold will speak about sustainability as part of RCC’s STEM Active Learning Speaker series. The event will be held Oct. 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Charles A. Kane Student Services Building, Room 140. This event is free and open to the public. Transfer Workshop Riverside City College will host a Cal Poly Pomona transfer workshop Oct. 17 in the Charles A. Kane Student Services Building from 9-10 a.m.. Family Preparedness Plan Workshop Jennaya Dunlap of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice will speak about creating a plan in case of deportation proceedings in the Charles A. Kane Student Services Building on Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Know Your Rights Workshop Attorney Rosa Elena Sahagun will talk about immigrant’s rights in the event of getting stopped by the police in the Digital Library Auditorium on Oct. 18 from 1-2 p.m.

To s t a y u p - t o date on upcoming events on campus, visit the Viewpoints calendar listed at viewpointsonline.org. If you have event happening on campus that you want to be featured on the calender, send information about the event to viewpoints. news@gmail.com.

its intended use, such as paving streets, trimming trees and hiring more police officers. “That’s what we’ve done with the tax dollars,” Plascencia said. “It was not initially intended to pay the pension obligations. I think the current council and other groups are working proactively to address this issue.” Mill suggested that “nothing should be off the table” in addressing the matter. “ Wi t h $ 6 0 0 m i l l i o n i n unfunded pension liabilities … we have to be willing to look at different compensation models going forward,” he said. According to Mill, Riverside may have to privatize some departments, such as waste management and street sweeping, in order to “remain financially viable,” Plascencia commented that showing a lack of gratitude for public employees is “a bad idea.” Both candidates acknowledged homelessness as being the top safety concern of Ward 5 businesses and residents. According to Plascencia, Riverside has 15 intern social workers in the field connecting homeless people to services. She proposed doubling that number. Mill is proposing a six-point plan to deal with homelessness in Riverside that includes housing assistance, job training and stronger enforcement of trespassing and curfew laws to clear the city’s parks after dark. Although the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty reports that a lack of affordable housing is indeed a leading cause of homelessness, Mill called this a “false narrative” and argued that it is a problem of addiction. “We can’t pick and choose who is going to be arrested for certain crimes,” Mill said about drug use in public parks. “ I’m pretty sure that if I went out into the park and did a lot of these things, I’d be cuffed up. But we turn a blind eye and normalize the antisocial behavior of others.”

DIEGO LOMELI | VIEWPOINTS

City Council candidate Sean Mill comments about opponent Gabriela Prescencia’s attendance record for Riverside’s Budget Engagement Commission. “I know they are humans,” Anna Martinez, a homeless city should continue to provide Mill said. “I talk to them every woman who sleeps at Hunt Park, incentives to attract businesses. night. But they are not starving explained that she stays at the “The businesses that I have for services. We have the services park because she feels safer there talked to have felt that the city has in this city to place them into at night than anywhere else. taken the appropriate steps … to housing, especially for a single “It’s not fair to us,” Martinez make it easier for them to bring woman.” said. “I would like to see them businesses to the community,” Plascencia, who holds put themselves in our shoes for Plascencia said. the support of the city’s law 24 hours.” After the forum, several enforcement unions, argued the Martinez was among a group attendees confronted Plascencia effectiveness of Measure Z in of homeless people in the park on her claims that Ward 5 increasing police presence and that claims code enforcement residents had the opportunity keeping Riverside safe. has taken their belongings away to voice their opposition to the She also claimed that many in garbage trucks. St. Michael’s Project, a 49-unit of the homeless people in the city “Code enforcement is really apartment complex approved by are not originally from Riverside, f------ with us,” said Martinez’s the city council in May to combat but end up staying upon their brother Pete. “They come by housing insecurity. release from jail. Plascencia and take our clothes and blankets Ward 5 resident Janice suggested they should be returned away. They’ve thrown my bike in Schuler argued that the project to their place of origin when the trash.” will be a “revolving door” for released “so that they are not Several in the group claimed the homeless. absorbing Riverside’s resources.” that code enforcement has taken “We’re trying to stop it,” Both candidates commented away their cell phones and legal Schuler said. “Across the street on the progress the city has made documents, such as IDs and birth from the park with schools in partnering with California certificates. around is not the ideal place.” Baptist University and urged M i l l ’s p l a n t o t a c k l e Norco College outreach the continuation of those homlessness also includes specialist Desiree Rivera called collaborations. mandatory participation “in an Mill’s mentioning of Plascencia’s Mill promoted a small effective substance abuse and meeting attendance record government approach to attracting recovery program,” a requirement “ridiculous.” businesses to Riverside. that Pete agreed with. “He doesn’t serve on non“The best thing that we can “It’s really up to us to want profits so he doesn’t know do is get out of the way of our the help,” he said. “You can the level of participation it small businesses and make things help me with this and that, but requires,” Rivera said. “I feel easier for them,” Mill said. “City if I don’t follow through, it’s Gaby (Plascencia) held herself Hall has to get out of the way. You useless.” with integrity and addressed the have to cut the red tape, you have Mill responded to the case of real issues that pertain to this to cut the regulations and allow Anna Martinez by suggesting that community.” our businesses to flourish.” Riverside already has the services The election will be held Plascencia argued that the she needs. Nov. 5.

ASRCC, president host parking panel ASRCC from Page 1 it may save students from wasting time trying to find parking spaces on a level where there aren’t any. He also said that although the specifics are uncertain, ASRCC is also working to possibly allow students to park in designated faculty parking between certain hours. “I know that some students get dropped from classes during the first week or two of the semester for being late because they couldn’t find parking. It’s unfair,” he stated. Contreras then invited Anderson to speak and answer

questions. Anderson took a moment to commend ASRCC for their efforts as well as mentioning a “dream” that he has for the college in the near future. “That’s my dream, to open a civic engagement center. That will be done before any new parking structures,” he said. Anderson continued claiming that participation in civic life is important and helpful for students, especially upon graduating and moving forward in their academic careers. Contreras said that he intends on continuing to have open forums so that students can feel heard and be updated on progress being made around campus.

Riverside City College president Gregory Anderson speaks about his goals for the college.

YESENIA HUBY | VIEWPOINTS

News

October 17, 2019

Vaping sparks debate in the U.S. Recent vapng illnesses stir up controversy on e-liquid regulations and safety JACOB QUEZADA ONLINE EDITOR

With terms like “public health crisis and “epidemic” being used to describe the purported surge in vaping related illnesses, public perception has shifted from skeptical inquires for “more research” to calls for an outright ban on vaping products. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food operates under the United States Department of Health and Services, the two agencies lack a consensus on the safety of vaping related products. The CDC implies that vaping could play a beneficiary role for adults making the switch amidst the ongoing investigation, yet the FDA is pursuing litigations against companies who claim their products as being as such. The month of October has renewed questions on just how safe of an alternative vaping is smoking. The Center of Disease and Control recognizes E-cigarettes as “generally containing fewer toxic chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from regular cigarettes.” The first linked death to vaping has both health officials and politicians searching for answers, with the latter coming to conclusions before the finalized investigation. In a statement addressing the first death related to vaping, Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, described the August

IMAGE COURTESY OF CANSTOCKPHOTOS

23 death of the Illinois man as “ongoing.” “We are saddened to hear of the first death related to the outbreak of severe lung disease in those who use e-cigarette or ‘vaping’ devices,” Redfield said. “CDC’s investigation is ongoing. We are working with state and local health departments and FDA to learn the cause or causes of this ongoing. Concerns of the long term effects of vaping has been part of the discussion since their introduction as the safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. In a September 6 telebriefing by the CDC on the ongoing investigation, Dr. Jennifer Layden chief medical officer with

the Illinois department of public, described those who had fallen ill as mostly healthy young men. “What we have found so far is that the majority of people who have become ill are generally healthy, are young – a median age of 19 years and the majority have been men,” Layden said. Corresponding data released by the CDC on Sept.27 confirms that “nearly two thirds (62%) of patients are 18 to 34 years old; with 22% of patients between 18-21.” No single product has been attributed to the spike in hospital visits according to the CDC. “We are aware that some laboratories have identified Vitamin E acetate in product

samples, and we have connected those laboratories with the FDA Forensic laboratories to compare results. At this time, no one device, product or substance has been linked to all cases,” Kathy Harben said. The lack of consistency and unilateral determination on whether or not vaping poses less of a risk than cigarettes within the HHS, lawmakers have decided to take executive responses. With Michigan becoming the first state to issue temporary ban on flavored e-cigarettes, states like New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and California have followed suit with similar legislation ranging from awareness campaigns to complete

bans on the sale of nicotine and THC vaping products. The temporary bans are not without complications. Undercutting Michigan’s Gov. Whitmer executive actions, Judge Cynthia Stephens has ruled that as of October 15, the temporary ban is to be halted. Cited in Judge Stephens ruling was concerns of the ban on flavored e-cigarettes would lead adults to return to smoking “more harmful combustible tobacco products.” In response to the judge’s decision, Gov. Whitmer has vowed to reinstate the temporary ban by appealing to the state’s supreme court. “This decision is wrong. It misreads the law and sets a dangerous precedent of a court second-guessing the expert judgment of public health officials dealing with a crisis,” said Gov. Whitmer in a public statement. While the gridlock between the courts and state legislators continues, October has brought more clarity in the narrowing of the investigation. “There is substantial evidence indicating that THC containing products have been a factor in 77% of the reported cases,” as posted by the CDC’s website. Emanating from the development of the multistate wide investigation of the sale of black market THC vaping products, a crackdown and seizure of unregulated of products of the loosely regulated industry that is marijuana is underway.

October 17, 2019

LIFE

“If you make decisions based upon people’s reactions or judgments then you make really boring choices.”

HeatH Ledger

MOVIE REVIEW

A bold take on the clown prince Amid controversy and dismissive criticism, ‘Joker’ stands proudly as an excellent origin movie JONTHAN RAMIREZ STAFF REPORTER

Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Philips’s “Joker” beautifully reinvents the iconic villain across cinema and comics in an unsettling and slow burning hero’s journey through the antagonist himself. The central theme behind this movie is loosely borrowed from the theme in the graphic novel “The Killing Joke” by Alan Moore which tells the story of an unsuccessful comedian living in poverty who eventually descends into madness and becomes the Joker after having “one bad day.” Other than that, “Joker” confidently stands alone as a unique yet deliberate character driven movie on the making of the Clown Prince himself. The movie starts in a clown agency where we meet Arthur Fleck, a sad looking clown, as he sits in front of his vanity backstage mirror with the lights on and stares blankly at himself. Suddenly, he hooks the corners of his mouth up to forcibly smile into a deep grin and holds it as a tear starts to roll down his painted face unnoticed. This Joker origin movie steps away from the traditional capes and crusade fantasy of comic book movies and opens with a brilliant portrait into a man’s will to create smiles, but with an inability to hold his own. The story takes place in Gotham City in 1981 and the income inequality between the rich and the poor is widening. People are taking to the streets on garbage strikes as trash is piled high and caked with rats scurrying frantically around. Thomas Wayne is running for mayor with a promise to clean the city while serving as the symbol for the neglectful rich capitalists in a dirty and crime infested city.

ILLUSTRATION BY MELISSA MILLS

The cinematography feels so perfect during these scenes that it seems like the camera is almost a character entirely on it’s own. A low angle shot up a long staircase outside show a gloomy Arthur slowly climbing up the stairs and is shot magnificently. Another scene shows Arthur miserably looking out a bus window, but the significance of these scenes are when they are reprised and revamped in a state of joy and maniacal happiness as Arthur starts to complete his descension. Arthur lives in a badly maintained rundown apartment and is the caretaker of his mother, Penny. He spends late nights watching late night show host Murray Franklin,

played by Robert De Niro, with her. Murray Franklin is supposed to be the hero that inspires Arthur to pursue stand up comedy. Arthur has a debilitating disease that makes him laugh uncontrollably in spontaneous bursts even though it does not match his emotions. His laughs make others uncomfortable and confused, Arthur would then hand them a card explaining his condition. There is a deep searing pain in his eyes through the unwilling laughter that leaves you feeling stunned with empathy. Aside from having a condition that further thwarts his chances of achieving his dreams, he is not really funny in the first place. He

attends a local open mic night and ultimately fails after his condition ruins the delivery of his badly written jokes. Which then ends up getting the attention of his hero Murray Franklin, and leads to Arthur being invited on the show to be made fun of. This leads to the continued pattern of bullying and social alienation and slow death of Arthur Fleck, reconstructing his entire psyche and finally cascades into the clown prince of crime. What we get from Phoenix’s raw and ferocious performance is a Joker so far removed from every other portrayal that it would be rendered pointless to compare it to Heath Ledger’s or Jack Nicholson’s take on the

infamous psychopath. After Arthur loses his job at the clown agency, Arthur boards a subway only to end up shooting and killing three Wall Street bankers who are harassing a young woman on the subway. He accidentally reinvigorates the resistance movement between the poor and the rich, creating an anarchic playground. People in the city would later don the mask that resembled his clown makeup. For the first time, Arthur feels a sense of belonging and a purpose amid the chaos. Arthur reaches the peak of his insanity after finding out his mother adopted him and allowed her ex boyfriend to abuse them both. This results in Arthur smothering his mother in the hospital, marking the end of his transformation. Now fully reborn, Arthur attends the late night show and fully embraces the political message his presence brings by having the show refer to him as “Joker” for the first time. In a long winded monologue, Arthur confesses to the subways killings and tells the live television audience how society abandons the lonely and helpless just before shooting him. The same scenes mentioned earlier of Arthur walking up the stairs and sadly looking out the bus window towards the end of the movie are no longer painted with frailty and despair. Instead we see Arthur in full make up dancing down the stairs and the ending scene of his big excited smile as he laughs and looks out the window at the madness and destruction he created in the back of a police car. “Joker” can leave you uncomfortably shocked, but the level of depth into a character from the mind of Philips and the hypnotizing performance of Phoenix will absolutely make you put on a happy face.

October 17, 2019

Life

OCTOBER S

6 West Side Story Landis Performing Arts Center 2 p.m.

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Quad Art Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

West Side Story Landis Performing Arts Center 7 p.m.

12 West Side Story

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Quad Art Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

West Side Story Landis Performing Arts Center 7 p.m.

West Side Story

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Quad Art Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Landis Performing Arts Center 2 p.m.

Landis Performing Arts Center 7 p.m.

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

West Side Story

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Landis Performing Arts Center 2 p.m.

West Side Story Landis Performing Arts Center 7 p.m.

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Quad Art Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Big Orange Classic I Field Show

16 Guitar Ensemble Concert

Wheelock Stadium 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coil School for the Arts 7-9 p.m.

Wind Ensemble Concert

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Quad Art Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coil School for the Arts 4-6 p.m.

Chamber Singers & Concert Choir Concert

Jazz Ensemble Concert Coil School for the Arts 7-9 p.m.

Coil School for the Arts 7-9 p.m.

Fatemeh Burnes Solo Exhibition

Quad Art Gallery 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble Concert

Trumpet Studio Recital

Flute &Bassoon Recital

Coil School for the Arts 7-9 p.m.

Coil School for the Arts 12:50-1:50 p.m.

All dates and times subject to change

October 17, 2019

Life

West Side Sto ry Performance Riverside put on a production of West Side Story, which tells a modern day Romeo and Juliet story on the streets of New York City, at the Landis Performing Center on Oct. 12. The musical performance is about two different gangs with different ethnic backgrounds, American people and Puerto Rican Latinx people. The show starts with the Sharks and the Jets are not getting along and fighting because of their clashing race color and cultures.. The storyline begins with the saplings of young love. The performers beautifully portrayed the excitement a simple dance can bring on. From the moment they fell in love, everything got more complicated for them, since the brothers hated each other. In this performance, it reminds me of Romeo and Juliet and how both of their families, the Montagues and Capulets, hated each other but still fell completely in love. Upon watching this play, the audience can enjoy the true fantasy of star crossed romance in a relatable modern day New York setting. Each scene was special and gave a message to the audience. This was seen when Maria was talking to her girlfriends and fantasizing about marrying Tony.

JACOB QUEZADA | VIEWPOINTS

Riverside City College hosted the final production of Jerome Robbinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conception of West Side Story at the Landis Theater on Oct. 13. The Romeo and Julliet adaptation reffited into 1950s New York stars Matthew Malecki as Tony and Lauren Louis as Maria.

October 17, 2019

Life

DIANA CABRAL | VIEWPOINTS

TOP RIGHT: Riverside Game Lab owner Alex Teran plays a round of House of the Dead, one of his favorite games. TOP LEFT: Game Lab arcade goers enjoy the nightlife with friends and drinks at the pinball machines.

CENTER: Many classic arcade machines like X-Men await players. CENTER BOTTOM: Mortal Kombat II is amongst the many hand-picked games available at the Riverside Game Lab.

BOTTOM: Pokémon plays above the bar in the background while gamers get their kicks shooting monsters and competing against each other.

Downtown Riverside goes retro DIANA CABRAL PHOTO EDITOR

Classic and modern gaming has finally come to Downtown Riverside. The Riverside Game Lab, an all ages arcade and bar, is nestled between the Food Lab and the Fox Theater. The arcade became the newest addition to the Fox Entertainment Plaza on Sept. 28. “If you’re looking for that barcade experience we have it, it’s after 10 o’clock,” Game Lab owner Alex Teran said about the nightlife at the plaza. “If you have your friends, you have your family, you have your children and people under 21 you can still be here and have a family friendly experience and be safe here,” Teran continued. Inside the Lab, six virtual reality stations and pinball machines line the walls. All of the machines that fill the 10,000 square feet of the Game Lab were hand-picked by Teran himself. Toward the back of the room, beyond the flashing lights and

crashing sounds, is the bar where adults can pick up a beer to enjoy while they game. There are two reservation rooms for private parties and entertainment projected on the walls. But this is not just an arcade bar. The Game Lab hosts a variety of events for gamers of all levels to participate in. There are weekly console tournaments on Thursday nights and virtual reality tournaments Tuesday nights with plans for more weekly tournaments in the near future. The goal of the Game Lab is to build community in a fun and safe environment. Customers will immediately feel like a kid again once they step foot in this arcade. “The reason why we do tournaments isn’t to make money,” Teran said, “it’s so that people get to know each other so that they can make new friendships and new connections.” Visit riversidegamelab.com or follow @riversidegamelab on Instagram to keep up on news about the Riverside Game Lab.

October 17, 2019

Views

“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.” - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Planned Parenthood attacked Trump administration redirects funding toward anti-abortion conservative organizations

JENNIFER ESTRADA STAFF REPORTER

When it comes to the federal defunding of Planned Parenthood there are misconceptions. Most of Planned Parenthood’s federal funding is from Medicaid reimbursements and even some from what we call Title X. At least 60% of Planned Parenthood patients rely on public health care programs like Medicaid and Title X for preventive and primary care. Def u nd i ng leg islat ion s immediately block these patients from care at places like Planned Parenthood centers, which is not only unsafe but also extremely impactful. The Trump administration will bar organizations that p r ov id e a b or t ion r efe r r a l from receiving federal family planning money and will redirect that money towards religiouslybased and anti-abortion groups. This is a way to shift the federal health programs in a more

IMAGE COURTESY OF CANSTOCK

conservative direction. The problem with moving things in this direction is that it hinders funding for teen programs, emphasizing sexual abstinence over contraception. T h is ult i mately i nter feres w it h healt hca re prov ider s responsibility to fully counsel patients about “all” their options. This defunding is not final but instead a long term health goal. Plan ned Parenthood i s of t e n t ie d d i r e c t l y t o “abortion,” especially in the eyes of con ser vat ies. But t here is so much more to Planned Parenthood then what these simple minded people drive you to think. Planned

Parenthood offers a multitude of services such as sex eductaion, bi r t h cont rol,emergency cont r ape ct ion , ST D’s a nd pregnacy. These centers are located nearby and are easily accessible, especially for women. The institution itself always protects confidentiality as well as the needs of the patient. The main focus that Planned Parenthood provides is on birth control. Planned Parenthood helps you find the best possible option for yourself which is not only safe and effective but comforting. Patients go here knowing that their views and ideologies will not be tied to their care in any

way shape or form. Coming from a woman’s perspective Planned Parenthood is a blessing especially for me as a young adult who if we’re being honest can not afford the best of health insurance. PPH gives me and many other women the chance to choose contraception over abstinence. The idea of pushing for abstinence is insane especially living in the 21st century. We are a really open society where the idea of “ my body, my choice” should be established. PPH is a way to get not only contraception but also education. T he idea of def u nd i ng Planned Parenthood is hurtful

and cruel. It would not only block millions of patients from receiving care but also reinforce the ideas of conservative groups. It pushes their agendas and is unfair. There is no way that this administration should defund Planned Parenthood, especially when the funds received by the government only amounts to $500 million — one third of their total funding, a drop in the bucket considering the $3.5 trillion healthcare expenditures budget, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is not an abortion issue but a health issue.

“If a student really needs it and it is proven to help them out then they need all the help they can get to improve their academic standing and have a successful career for the future.” - Hugo Suarez

“If it doesn’t get them high and helps them more in a positive way to deal with pain, anxiety, depression, or such like that then it should be a reasonable option.” - Josine Anyanwi

“If its medical, then I guess it’s fine. It really depends on what you need.” - Rachel Delariva

“If they need it to take away pain and it does not have the properties to get them high then I say do it.” - Danielle Studebaker

“I would have to have a little more information to support it. If it is talking about the non psychoactive ingredients then I am all for it because I think there is some medical benefits. I agree with giving kids non psychoactive forms of cannabis if it is in the form of tinctures and ointments. But I don’t agree with giving them psychoactive forms of it.” - Marlon Cee

“It’s probably going to be beneficial for the children who are going to receive medical cannabis. As long as it is not in vaping or other breathable forms. In the forms of creams and topicals would definitely help them out.” - Christian Valdez

“I say go for it, to be honest. What if we have kids that kinda “fake it”? Which is why there should be something that says you medical documentation that says you’re epileptic or you specifically suffer from these mental or physical illness in order to receive that. Other than that, I am all for it because people are going through pain everyday.”

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Most of the time it’s CBD form and not the THC form. So the CBD doesn’t actually get the kids high. It’s just helping to calm their anxiety or epilepsy or things like that. And while I don’t currently use any of it, I believe you should use the medication that works for you.” - Kat Potter

Campus Conversations

How do you feel about K-12 schools in California approving medical cannabis for its students?

Interviews and photos by Jonathan Ramirez

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

- Morgan Ford

October 17, 2019

Views

Trump unfit for presidency

Editorial

Trump prioritizes self interests over U.S. improvement

MELISSA MILLS | VIEWPOINTS

After the chaotic 2016 election, Donald Trump stood on the steps of the Capitol and solemnly swore to faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. He has not kept that promise. The oath of office is a president’s promise to set aside his private desires for the betterment of the public interest, to serve the nation as a whole rather than any factions within it. Trump displays no understanding of these obligations. To the contrary, he has routinely prioritized his self-interest above the responsibilities of the presidency. He has mounted a concerted challenge to the separation of powers, to the rule of law and to the civil liberties embodied in our country’s foundations. He has purposefully inflamed America’s divisions. He has set himself against the American idea, the principle that all of us—of every race, gender, and creed—are created equal. He has failed to disclose his extensive financial interests, instead using the platform of the presidency to promote them. This has encouraged a wide array of political leaders, domestic and foreign, to seek to influence his decisions by funneling cash to properties such as Mar-a-Lago and Trump International Hotel on

Pennsylvania Avenue. That is the textbook definition of money laundering. We, the Viewpoints Editorial Board, believe that the president has proven a million times over that he is not, and has never been, fit to lead the United States of America and must be removed from office immediately in order to preserve our nation’s future. More troubling still, Trump has demanded that public officials put their loyalty to him ahead of their duty to the public. On his first full day in office, he ordered his press secretary to lie about the size of his inaugural crowd. He never forgave his first attorney general for failing to shut down investigations into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia and ultimately forced his resignation. Trump has blatantly insulted the rule of law, attempting to have the Department of Justice launch criminal probes into his critics and political adversaries. He has repeatedly attacked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Special Counsel Robert Mueller. His efforts to mislead, impede and shut down Mueller’s investigation have led the special counsel to consider whether the president obstructed justice.

Trump has repeatedly trampled the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. He pledged to ban entry to the United States on the basis of religion and did his best to follow through. He has attacked the press as the “enemy of the people” and barred critical outlets and reporters from attending his events. He has assailed black protesters. He has called for his critics in private industry to be fired from their jobs. Elected officials of both parties have repeatedly condemned such statements, which has only spurred the president to repeat them. Trump’s actions in office clearly meet, and exceed, the criteria to trigger his removal. But with his constant gaslighting of the public and “Presidential Harassment” tweets, the idea of impeachment has become widely misunderstood, leading Americans to mistake it for a threat to constitutional order. This cannot wait. With every passing day, Trump further undermines our national commitment to American ideals and damages the foundations our country has built. He has made a mockery of the United States in the eyes of its citizens, foreign nations, and its allies. Our standing in the world is in shambles as a result and the consequences will be felt for generations to come, nationally and internationally.

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

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Angel Peña (951) 391-2353 viewpoints@rcc.edu MANAGING EDITOR Diego Lomeli viewpoints.managing@gmail.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Samantha Bartholomew viewpoints.advertising@gmail.com JOURNALISM SPECIALIST Matt Schoenmann matthew.schoenmann@rcc.edu FACULTY ADVISERS Allan Lovelace Matt Schoenmann

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ILLUSTRATOR Melissa Mills

REPORTERS Clarissa Corral Jennifer Estrada Erik Galicia Monserrat Garcia Daniel Hernandez Yesenia Huby

Stephanie Llamas Mia Magaña Silda Martinez Melissa Mills Zane Mudron Jocelyn Navarro

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October 17, 2019

Football dominant, can improve

SPORTS

“Part of being a champ is acting like a champ. You have to learn how to win and not run away when you lose.” - Nancy Kerrigan

STEPHEN PELTZ STAFF REPORTER

The Riverside City College Tigers are 5-0 and ranked number two in the state. The single biggest improvement during these stretches of games were decreasing the amount of penalties. The quarterback “controversy” is still continuing with different variations of how much time each quarterback will play. Starting quarterback Mike Irwin and backup Jacob Barlage have been switching off between quarterers, to even drives, to just halves and now back to quarters. Under Irwin the run game and the short passing game have worked wonderfully. While under Barlage the deep passing game is what thrives most under him, especially since he's got an arm like a cannon. Some, however, were not to happy about that, especially during the Long Beach Community College game. Lots of anger and frustration was shown during that game with one player speaking out saying, one quarterback underthrows and the other overthrows. The team as a whole did not respond well in that game until the final few minutes of the fourth and then once the Tigers won everyone was happy and all seemed fine after that and it seems like those moments never happened. That game turned into the biggest game I believe for the Tigers this season. They needed to step up big in that game and for the majority of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, the Tigers didn’t seem capable of that but they finally got it together and pulled through The defense has been nearly lights out with the exception of the Long Beach City College game. Linebacker Kobey Fitzgerald is leading the team in tackles with 27, and tied for the team high with two sacks. Defensive backs Rey Estes, Shawn Dourseau, and Kyle Ross are all tied with having two interceptions each. To look at the upcoming schedule and see how the Tigers have played so far, it’s very easy to write off the rest of the season and see the team making the playoffs. But with some close games the team can not let off, even when they secure a spot in the playoffs.

PHOTOS BY ANGEL PEÑA | VIEWPOINTS

The womens volleyball team lost a hard fought battle against Orange Coast College on Oct 11. at RCC in the Wheelock Gymnasium.

Losses drop Tigers to 8-8 It’s been an up and down season for the Riverside City College women’s volleyball team as they fall in three straight sets to conference rival Orange Coast College at home on Oct. 11. They lost the first two sets 25-20 and 25-17 in the third set. Although leading 17-16 after a few rallies in the first set they could not maintain the lead. R C C ’s s t a n d o u t p l a y e r in the game was sophomore outside hitter Vashti Elias-

Romero. Elias-Romero had a game high 16 kills and a team high 12 digs. She is also second in kills in the Orange Empire Conference with 166 and fifth in kills per set with 3.32. Freshman setter Hailey Gray contributed with a team high 28 assists. RCC’s record falls to 8-8 after suffering their third straight loss. The Tigers had won three out of the four previous matches before their losing streak.

Sports

October 17, 2019

OCTOBER 1

Men’s Water Polo RCC vs. Orange Coast College 3 p.m.

Women’s Water Polo RCC vs. Citrus 9 a.m.

Women’s Water

Women’s Water Polo Polo RCC vs. Orange Coast RCC vs. San Diego College 4 p.m. Mesa 11:30 a.m.

Women’s Volleyball Men’s Water Polo RCC at Saddleback RCC vs. 6 p.m. McKendree University 3 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball RCC vs. Fullerton 6 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo RCC at Cypress College 3 p.m. Women’s Water Polo RCC at Cypress College 4 p.m. Women’s Volleyball RCC vs. Santiago Canyon 6 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo RCC at Golden West 3 p.m. Women’s Water Polo RCC at Golden West 4 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo Men’s Basketball RCC at Saddleback RCC at Ventura 3 p.m. College Tournament TBA Women’s Water Polo RCC at Saddleback 4 p.m.. Women’s Volleyball RCC at Santa Ana 5 p.m.

All dates and times subject to change

Women’s Water Polo RCC at Cuesta Tournament TBA

Women’s Volleyball RCC vs. Irvine Valley 6 p.m.

Football RCC at San Diego Mesa 6 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo RCC at Riverside Mini Tournament TBA Women’s Water Polo RCC at Riverside Mini Tournament TBA

Women’s Cross Country RCC at UCR Highlander Invitational 7 a.m. Men’s Cross Country RCC at UCR Highlander Invitational 7 a.m.

Women’s Water Polo RCC vs. American River TBA Women’s Volleyball RCC at Pasadena City 5 p.m.

Women’s Basketball RCC vs. Alumni Scrimmage 1 p.m.

Women’s Cross Men’s Water Polo Country RCC at Riverside RCC at Burbaker Tournament TBA Invitational 8 a.m. Men’s Cross Country RCC at Burbaker Invitational 8 a.m. Men’s Water Polo RCC at Riverside Tournament TBA Women’s Volleyball RCC vs. Orange Coast College 6

Women’s Cross Country RCC at CSU Fullerton Titan Invitational 5 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo RCC at Riverside Golden West Tournament TBA

Women’s Water Polo RCC at Cuesta Tournament TBA

Men’s Cross Country RCC at CSU Fullerton Titan Invitational 5 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball RCC at Golden West 6 p.m.

Women’s Water Polo RCC at Long Beach Tournament TBA Women’s Volleyball RCC at Cypress 6 p.m.

Football RCC at Grossmont 3 p.m.

26 Men’s Water Polo RCC at Golden West 3 p.m. Women’s Water Polo RCC at Long Beach Tournament TBA Football RCC vs. Golden West 6 p.m.

October 17, 2019

Sports

ANGEL PEÑA | VIEWPOINTS

Sophomore Kenny Wulf attempts to shoot the ball past an opposing player. Wulf scored one goal against Orange Coast College on Oct. 12 at the RCC Aquatics Center. The Tigers lost 10-6 against the Pirates. The men’s water polo team is now 6-9 on the season.

Mens water polo falls in tournament Orange Coast proves to be too much to handle STEPHEN PELTZ STAFF REPORTER

Riverside City College’s men’s water polo team lost in the second tournament on Oct. 12 10-6 against Orange Coast College. The men’s team had won the game earlier in the tournament against Grossmont College 18-9 but came up short in the later game and went an even 2-2 during the tournament. After the tournament the men’s current win loss record is 6-9 on the season. The Tigers were slow from the start. While they were getting deep into the opponent’s area they could not get good shots on goal. The defense was not nearly noticeable at all after the first quarter giving up a total of six goals against Orange Coast in the second and third quarter, three a piece in each quarter. The Tigers were either outscored or tied in each individual quarter. In the second half of the game RCC came out fast finally playing great defense and pushing into Orange Coasts zone nearly tying the game with the shots the Tigers were able to score. However, most of the shots throughout the game were hitting the post or missing the goal completely with RCC only getting six official shots throughout the whole game. “We’ve been making too many turnovers and bad passes and untimely errors, sometimes unforced errors, and if we can clean that up then we can actually compete and win,”

Jason Northcott, head coach of the men’s water polo team said, which shows why they are currently 6-9. It also why the team should have hope since they are still in line for a playoff spot and can get to an even win loss record or even a winning record if they can fix their mistakes and play like a playoff team would.

It did get a little rough during the game with a few players from both teams playing very aggressive defense, drawing a few penalties making a few minutes of the game a little intense if watching just those two players who seemed to constantly try to make the other give up the ball and make mistakes. Four exclusions

occurred during the game, and all four were against Riverside with Fülöp Hegyi having two of the four against him. But more importantly, during that stretch of the game both teams were stopping each other from moving the ball forward and did not allow any chances to score. That all fell apart during the last few minutes of the game

ANGEL PEÑA | VIEWPOINTS

Sophomore Trevor Carroll has his eyes on the Orange Coast College goalie. OCC’s defense did not allow Carroll to score a goal on the Oct. 12 contest.

as Orange Coast scored three to RCC’s two as RCC tried too late to be more aggressive and play with a faster tempo to tie the game. Ethan Saenz scored a total of two goals while both Vincenzo Inguanta and Kenny Wulf scored a single goal and single assist. Leonardo Monges, the goalie for RCC, technically let more goals past him than he stopped by only one goal. The tenth goal was given up while the goalie was not defending the goal in the last minute of the game. And while the defense was doing the best of their abilities, Monges missed some very close shots not letting RCC make a comeback. “We have to capitalize on opportunities. We have to limit our mistakes and we have to exploit the other teams mistakes that we force on them. That’s something we’ve been working on from the beginning,” Northcott said, showing that they have given time over the season to fix what they need to, but sometimes luck just is not on their side losing games over simple mistakes. Northcott also talked about the inexperience his young team has but stated how they are working hard everyday and consistently improving each week to form a winning team. While currently in line for a playoff spot, there is only a few weeks left to be able to secure a spot. The Tigers are looking to stay on the path they are currently on, with only wanting to improve their record and make a run once it is playoff time.