April 2010

the

Yeti

Tallahassee’s independent media

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T h e Y e t i letter: staff: Editor: Heidi Kerr News Editor: Morgan Kayser Culture Editor: Erika Sloop Views Editor: Andres Pacheco-Fores Webmaster: Ryan Williams Business Manager: Mike Hendrickson Graphics Editor: Katherine Williams Layout: Logan Henderson, Whitney Nunn, Morgan Kayser Cover Art: Katherine Williams

mission statement:

The Yeti has been on a hiatus from the world of printing for more than a year now, but if you’ve had a chance to visit our site, you’ll see some exciting changes. It’s been a rough year, but the work of our hardworking staff has made it a successful one. Now that we’re back, you can expect to see a lot more of us (and a 6-foot tall Yeti.)

We’re optimistic that we’ll have a larger community presence and our papers will more accessible. We’re thankful to the campus and community for the support we’ve received with our triumphant return.

The Yeti serves the student body, faculty and staff of Florida State Your faithful editor, University by providing a progressive media outlet that focuses on issues

that affect the campus and the com Heidi Kerr munity of Tallahassee. We aim to fill the void left by commercial This magazine was made possible with media outlets and provide a voice the support of Campus Progress, a projto the underrepresented. We are ect of the Center for American Progress, a venue for commentary and artistic expresonline at CampusProgress.org. sion. We strive to spark a dialogue between students and community members, in hopes Interested in volunteering or that an educated exchange of information will advertising with The Yeti? Visit motivate Tallahassee residents to be aware and active members of society. www.theyetionline.com.

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Table of Contents 4 6 8 9 10 12 14 16 18 19 20 22 23 24 26 28 29 30

How green is our Campus?

An in-depth look at FSU’s green initiatives How health care reform affects students: A local look at national legislation Students fight for a new drug policy Students fight for greener campuses, lobby BOG to add fees Featured: Inside Session: a look at the most important session bills Economic inequality persists between races Survey reveals alarming trends in sex under the influence Locals protest reinstatement of Hoffman case officer Ryan Pender Community group feeds hungry with sustainable food In views: My ten years running away from the news Staff Picks: Twitter and Podcasts Why are witches always wicked? Wiccan religion not what it seems Bill McCollum and your health: why he shouldn’t sue the government Free the rubbers! Why are condoms kept behind bars?

From one man to another: The saga of Mike Pence, John Lewis, and Andrew Breitbart Comedy in time: the lost art of comedy Celebrate warmer weather at the Downtown Marketplace Poetry Selections

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environmentalism

Environmental Campus: How Green is FSU? UF’s green initiatives are kicking our ass Elizabeth Lacquement Contributing writer With many organizations and corporations stressing the importance of going green, universities across the country are joining in. Greenreportcard. com rates and compares U.S. universities in nine different categories to determine the sustainability of each college.

According to their report card, in a comparison of the 2008-2009 school year between Florida State University and the University of Florida, the Seminoles scored a C- and the Gators received a B. The nine categories of evaluation are administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities, and shareholder engagement.

There were several problem points on our report card. We received an F in Shareholder Engagement and Endowment Transparency, and we received a D for our Administration.

The only area we received an A was in the Green Building Category. Yet Elizabeth Swiman, director of the EcoReps Program at FSU, still thinks we’ve reached acceptable standards.

“FSU scored very well on this year’s Green Report Card- our greatest gain since we began reporting,” said Swiman.

The only two troubling areas for UF were in the Endowment

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Transparency and Shareholder Engagement categories. Both received a D. All other marks they received were A’s and Bs. Despite their good score, UF’s administration still wants more improvement. “[I want to see] more aggressive energy standards for buildings, cars, etc. that far exceed even today’s green building standards, plus widespread integration of solar energy,” said Dr. Charles J. Kilbert, the Director of the Powell Center for Construction and Environment. “[I also want a] mandatory course on sustainability for all UF graduates.”

With UF’s amazing accomplishments and even higher goals, many students are questioning Florida State’s commitment to environmentalism. What initiatives are Florida State taking to make this campus greener, more sustainable and environmentally friendly?

In addition to the founding of the Eco-Rep program, which takes representatives from residence halls and sorority/fraternity houses and teaches them how to live sustainably, many organizations are pushing for change in policy.

“I am greatly satisfied with our progress,” said Swiman. “Of course there is always work to be done but we are moving along nicely and I see it every day with the policies being set forward by the upper administration related to energy conservation and green building, to more and

more students who are interested in sustainability and asking great questions about what our campus is going to do about it.”

Though FSU does have some recycling programs, such as Garnet and Gold Goes Green, Earth Day and Rez Goes Green, they pale in comparison to what they should be.

According to the Florida State Sustainable Campus Initiative’s mission statement, they seek “to promote a culture of sustainable living in an open forum and to promote the practice to resource conservation at FSU.” But where are the initiatives from SCI? If programs are implemented then they need to focus on informing our students. The longer we’re uninformed, the more likely our behavior patterns will stay static. We have a lot of work to reach the role model campus status.

One thing we are succeeding in is building. FSU is a member of the US Green Building Council, which helps to ensure we meet a national standard for the construction of green buildings, and gives Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building certification.

Currently the King Life Science building, the Human Performance lab and track building, and the Remodeling Expansion Project are all in their certification to begin construction.

Buildings that are currently under construction on the campus are: Offgrid Zero Emissions building project,

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the Materials Research Building, Stone Building, the Ruby Diamond Auditorium and the Conference Center.

Buildings that are still in the planning phase are the Johnston building and the new Student Health Center.

Recycling around campus is also a prominent focus of FSU green initiatives, and competed in Recyclemania, a competition between schools to see who can gross the highest tonnage of recyclable materials.

“There are huge improvements around campus,” said Swiman. “We are constantly increasing our infrastructure to support more recycling, alternative energies, alternative transportation, etc. The biggest improvement can be seen in how much people are talking about it and wanting to get involve.”

But where are these improvements? And how can FSU compete with UF’s progress?

If FSU can carefully investigate UF’s sustainability programs, improvement may be possible.

“UF does have a comprehensive sustainability effort, an Office of Sustainability, a Director of Sustainability, any programs, numerous degree programs, an effort to become a carbon neutral and zero waste, etc,” Kilbert said.

UF partnered with the Washington-based-car-sharing service Flexcar to allow students and faculty

members to rent the cars by the hour.

Aside from the Flexcars, UF also has car-pool parking decals with reduced cost, $60, about one fourth the cost of a regular blue or orange decal, for full-time UF or Shands employees.

FSU only has a few preferred parking spaces for alternative fuel vehicles.

On February 3, The Office of Sustainability at UF launched a new effort to reduce the amount of electricity used throughout the campus called Chomp Down on Energy. UF’s “Stomp Down on Energy Program” reminds students to turn off the light, in addition to adding more energy efficient bulbs.

The main campus spent $38 million in 2008 on electricity. The new plan will have the school replacing all T-12 fluorescent bulbs with T-8, saving the University approximately $1.4 million over the next ten years.

Yet even considering all this progress, and the lack thereof at FSU, many don’t acknowledge the gap in sustainability.

“Behind or ahead of another school is difficult to quantify,” said Swiman. “What works at one school will not necessarily work at another and there is no blanket solution to our common problems. There is room for improvement and refinement at every school. What we do need more of here is education that will lead to a culture

shift in how all of us live and work on this campus.”

Currently, FSU only relies on student groups to promote awareness and education. It’s a lot of responsibility and perhaps too much work for just a few organizations. All around campus are trashcans filled with recyclables and students carrying plastic water bottles.

By using UF as a model school to follow, it’s not hard to see that FSU needs to work on making some changes. Perhaps one of the first things we can start improving is the D we received in the administration category. While student groups are enthusiastic about protecting the environment, our administration should make more of an effort to focus on green initiatives. Recycling bins are not found in every building. There are not any incentives for car-poolers and those engaging in other forms of alternative transportation. Instead, we encourage driving by building more parking garages.

If our goal is to be a model campus in the ways of environmentalism, then both administration and students need to stop relying on how we’re used to behaving and work toward making sustainable changes.

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national issues, student focus

How Health Care Reform Affects Students A local look at national legislation Emily Ostermeyer Staff writer

political science and international private insurers, the final bill reaffairs major and president of FSU moved that option. As of 2016, 95 College Democrats. “They decide percent of U.S. legal residents are The healthcare reform bill signed to go without it for a few years and going to have to purchase insurby President Obama on Tuesday then get sick in that period and end ance, or pay a fine of either $695, March 23 will bring change to the up with hundreds of thousands of or 2.5 percent of the individual’s state of Floridian college students’ dollars in hospital costs that come taxable income, whichever amount healthcare, though the costs and back for the rest of their life.” is greater. consequences of the bill are still Other students see the federal Some constituents, like Dr. Showdebated among students and pro- mandate of extending insurance man, foresee some undesirable fessionals. coverage as unnecessary govern- consequences of this bill. As she Unlike the previous policy that ment interference with America’s sees it, the mandate would tend to allowed dependents to be covered free market economy. raise insurance premiums. Howevuntil the age of 22, the new legisla- “I’m an advocate of freedom for in- er, the reform requires that insurtion requires insurance companies dividuals, and the individuals that ance companies gain government to allow coverage of dependents own and operate these companies, permission to raise premiums. up to the age of 26. This legislation so the CEO’s of the company, they Because of this government reguhas been found favorable lation, some insurance among many students, who companies may not be instead of having to worry able to generate profit about the expense of health or cover costs, and thus insurance upon graduation “As of 2016, 95 percent of U.S. legal be forced out of exisor post-graduate work can tence. residents are going to have to purnow have the comfort of “I think you’re going extended coverage on their to see some insurance chase insurance, or pay a fine of either companies leave the parent’s plan.

“A lot of kids in grad school $695, or 2.5 percent of the individual’s market, and say there’s or those trying to get their just too much governmasters or go to law school taxable income, whichever amount is ment interference,” have found themselves gosaid Showman. ing a semester or two withAnother concern is that greater.” out insurance,” said Katie --Kendalyn Schiller, first year criminology major the bill will help lower Showman, professor of the premiums for the health economics at Florida elderly or those with State University. “Now, they pre-existing conditions, can stay with their parents.” should be able to run it in the man- but at the cost of higher premiums This legislation isn’t confined to ner they see fit,” said Jesse Deyu, for younger healthy people, such just students. Even young adults a junior political science major, and as college students. who are unemployed or working member of the FSU College Repub“This is at a time when we need part time have the option of still licans. “They shouldn’t be required to be saving and investing our monstaying on their parent’s insurance. by law to provide you with health- ey,” said Kendalyn Schiller, a first Some students see this as way to care up until a certain age. That year criminology major. “When we protect against unexpected expens- should be their choice. It’s their get out of college, and we’re young es a young adult may face. company, they own it.” and healthy, and we think we’re in“Most of the people who don’t One aspect of the reform causing vincible, we don’t have money to get health insurance, it’s not be- major debate is the federal man- waste on buying higher health incause they can’t, it’s because they date to purchase a health insurance surance premiums.” don’t think they need it, and that policy. Although there was consid- Dr. Showman echoes Schiller’s conends up coming back to bite them,” eration of the government provid- cern. said Joseph Schweitzer, a junior ing a public option to compete with “Because you’re not allowing

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people to choose the type of plan as much as they could before, and certain things have to be covered by the insurance company, I think you are going to see younger people have higher relative premiums, and the elderly have lower, or people with preexisting conditions have lower relative premiums.”

The reform has also generated concern over the lack of healthcare workforce to keep up with the inevitable increase in health service demands. With the new reform, Showman says the number of people on Medicaid, the state sponsored health care option, will increase by 50 percent. The strain of this dramatic and rapid increase in customers on the healthcare workforce will create a demand for more healthcare service workers that many people may be reluctant to join because of the increased government interference.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of people maybe not entering the medical profession that I look into it as basic were planning on doing so economics. Students otherwise, just because of the who are coming into increase in administration and college now see that in bureaucracy,” said Showman. a couple years there are Some students remain faithful going to be millions of in the free market economy to more people with insur- take care of the deance. That’s money to increased mand for health insurance workbe made. ers.

“I look into -Joseph Schweitzer, junior political science it as basic ecosaid and international affairs major and presi- nomics,” S c h w e i t z e r. dent of FSU College Democrats “Students who are coming into college now see that in a couple years there are going to be millions of more people with insurance. That’s money to be made.”

Schiller echoes Schweitzer’s optimism.

“I believe in supply and demand,” said Schiller. “If the free market says, ‘Hey, we need more doctors and nurses,’ then the market will make that an incentive.

If doctors and nurses are in short supply, their salaries are going to go up, and more people will go, ‘Hey, look at the salary they’re making. I need to get in that industry.’”

For a legislation steeped in debate on every facet, one point of consensus remains: things are going to change for the health insurance system in America.

“This legislation is huge,” said Schiller. “It’s going to change the lives of every single one of us.”

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campus groups

Students Fight for New Drug Policy

Working toward medical amnesty in dangerous situations Bryn Hafer Staff writer

helping a roommate, friend or stranger can be the first option instead of the last.

“We are all about harm reduction,” SSDP president Lauryn Harris said.

SSDP recently held a safety meeting where they taught attendants how to respond to an overdose.

“We were aiming to make it into a sort of workshop,” Harris said as she and PR Director John Mola then demonstrated the Bacchus Maneuver, a technique used to position an unconscious person safely.

SSDP also works on preventative drug measures such as Recognition and Response, an Overdose Prevention Meeting.

“We have met directly with Healthy Campus Committee about setting drug policy on campus,” said Harris. In the past SSDP has hosted a First Responder from Thagard Health Center, who came and physically showed students how to help someone and how to recognize an overdose. Tips included something as simple as

pinching a fingernail and seeing if it turns pink-white-pink, flicking their nose to incite a response, or checking for clammy skin.

SSDP feels this knowledge is essential for all students.

Regardless of habits or social groups, it is not uncommon to experience a drug-related emergency-situation at least once in college

“It is the prohibition of drugs is what makes them more dangerous,” said SSDP Brennan Paedae,

Paedae mentioned SSDP’s desire to have an active role in the drug-war as well. SSDP works with FSU’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws on the petition to decriminalize marijuana in Tallahassee.

“It’s also really important to get the right message out,” said Mola. “A good policy doesn’t help if no one knows about it. Safety is our number one policy over punishing, getting more people to call for help.”

For more information on SSDP what visit http://ssdp.org.

Imagine this situation: After a hard week of exams and classes, a group of friends decides to engage in illegal drug activity to relax. Suddenly one student seems to be having a bad experience, and the witness only has a few options.

They can let them sleep it off, perhaps permanently, or they can call the police and risk prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for being in the presence of drugs and they can also face charges of possession.

These options are not ideal. This situation is what the Florida State University chapter of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy is working to prevent.

SSDP is a national organization with a full agenda of harmreducing campus drug policies that could save lives. SSDP is currently working to instate a Good Samaritan policy, which is form of medical amnesty that enables the individual to call in drug and alcohol related medical emergencies without “The prohibition of drugs is the fear of penal makes them more dangerous.” recourse. With SSDP serving the campus, -Brennan Paedae, SSDP member in a sensible future,

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news and community

The Florida YES Coalition works toward green fee

Statewide student groups lobby Board of Governors for approval

Heidi Kerr Editor in Chief

The Florida Youth Environmental Sustainability Coalition is petitioning the Board of Governors to approve a Student Green Energy Fee option for Florida’s universities.

The fee, which will be voted on by each university’s student body, will be less than $1 per credit hour and used to create more energy efficient campuses.

“The state doesn’t have the funds for these projects to happen,” said Dan Cannon, the Florida Organizer for the Southern Energy Network and Energy Action Coalition. “I think a lot of students are realizing that a minimal amount of money can produce a monumental amount of change.

And they can really progress their campuses to go green faster.”

The proposal allows each university’s Board of Trustees to implement a fee that would be used on renewable energy technologies or energy efficiencies. Every three years, the student body will vote on a referendum to renew the fee. It also establishes a committee at each university, to determine how the funds should be spent.

“This benefits students,” said Stefan Massola, an FSU student and intern at the Florida Public Interest Research Group. “We are saving money for the university, so they can put more money into other initiatives, while increasing our university’s reputation as being one that promotes sustainability.”

The campaign began in 2007.

After failing to move through the Higher Education Appropriations Committee last year, student

leadership from eight universities created the Florida YES Coalition to create a powerful campaign presence. However, since the Board of Governors withdrew from a lawsuit against the legislature on March 22, legislation has changed, and now the Board of Governors has the authority to set fees.

“We have to re-tool our entire campaign,” said Stephen Mortellaro, director of Governmental

any problems charging a new fee,” said Mortellaro. “I don’t know if they’ll be quite as willing to give us a three-year referendum approval …

That’s one thing we’re going to be pushing hard, to make sure we still have that, because, you know, that this is our money, we’re the ones saying we want this, and we’d like to have the opportunity to approve it.”

This is the first time Florida students have ever asked to raise tuition. During the February Student “[The Student Green Government Association Elections Energy fee] really does four at FSU, the referendum for the fee passed with a 66 percent vote. great things: it empowers “I think that it really does four great things: it empowers students. students. It decreases ener- It decreases energy costs and thus gy costs and thus increases increases academic funding. It has the to create green jobs, and it academic funding. It has the potential decreases a campus’ environmental potential to create green footprint,” said Moterello.

The Florida YESS Coalition jobs, and it decreases a is taking the campaign back to the campus’ environmental foot- universities, where they’re hoping student support will rally interest at print.” the administrative level.

“The Board of Trustees has to -Stephen Mortellaro, director of Govern- make a formal request for this to be mental Affairs for SGA at the University of heard [by the Board of Governors,]” said Moterello. “We’re going to be Central Florida working very hard on lobbying our own university administration to make Affairs for SGA at the University of sure that this request is heard.”

Central Florida. “Before, it was going to be a proposal before the legislature. Now it’s going to be a proposal before the Board of Governors. It’s a completely separate entity.”

Mortellaro is optimistic that the Board of Governors will approve their proposal.

“I don’t see the Board of Governors having

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SB1786 HB7237 Relating to Post Secondary Education The Board of Governors and the state legislature are trying to play nice after the BOG withdrew from a lawsuit against the legislature that challenged their role in setting tuition. Now, this bill clearly defines the power each entity has over the state university system. It also establishes a Higher Education Coordinating Council, which acts as an advisory board between the BOG, the Legislature, and the State Board of Education. This bill states that the legislature establishes a base tuition. The BOG has the flexibility to approve certain tuition policies, has the ability to establish fees, can approve new fees, and/or increase fee rates. These fees include activity and service, student health, technology, orientation, security, and late fees. The BOG also has the power to approve new degree programs at universities.

SB350/HB 69 Tomato Food Safety This bill requires the Department of

Agriculture and Consumer Services to create new rules regarding the safety of Florida’s food. It ensures our tomatoes are kept at a safe distance from livestock, grown in safe fertilizers, and processed, packaged, and cleaned on sanitary machines.

This bill also promotes the purchase and consumption of state farmed produce. It wants to enhance our agricultural economy by expanding and making farmers markets more accessible. It exempts local farmers who sell at markets or roadside stands from paying permit requirements.

SB2442 Relating to State University System Senate bill SB 2442 attempting to pass would rank Florida state universities in accordance with the Carnegie Classification system, which would classify University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of South Florida as “Research 1� universities. This title is given to universities that offer extensive baccalaureate and graduate programs. These schools are research intensive, they award 50 or more doctoral degrees each year, and receive $40 million or more in annual federal support. The bill would allow the Florida Board of Governors, the statewide governing body of the state university system, to assign specific projects, missions, exemptions, and responsibilities, to the highest classified universities. This does not include additional funding to universities. As of April 13th, 2010, there is no house version of the bill, and it must pass another committee before it can be adopted.

Inside Session:

A guide to important bills working 10 |the yeti

SB6 Relating to Education Personnel In addition to revising contractual obligations for teachers hired after July 1, 2010 and mandating end-of-course assessments for all students by the 2013-2014 school year, Senate Bill 0006 makes its main legislation changes in performance and differentiated pay. The bill proposes that educators' salaries will no longer be determined based on their time served or degrees held. Educators' salaries will only be determined by the performance of their students.

The bill does allow differentiated pay in high-priority locations or for teachers with additional academic obligations.

The bill also revises state-approved educator preparation programs, school district and charter school accountability and professional certification. Governor Charlie Crist vetoed SB6 on April 15.

SJR2550/HJR1399 Relating to Religious Freedom This joint resolution removes the Blaine Amendment from the Florida Constitution, which states that funds in the public treasury cannot be used to aid religious institutions. If approved, this means that the government can give money that could be used to fund public schools to private institutions. It also will allow public funding of religious-based health care and substance abuse programs. In place of the Blaine Amendment is a clause that states “in individual may not be barred from participating in any public program because that individual has freely chosen to use his or her program benefits at a religious provider.� However, since the state and federal constitutions already have statements against religious discrimination, opponents of this joint resolution claim that this will create voucher programs that fund religious-based institutions. If passed, Florida citizens will vote on this joint resolution in the upcoming elections.

HB 7229: Economic Incentives for Energy Initiatives This bill clarifies past legislative statements regarding the use of energy. Prior to this session, the House Energy & Utilities Policy Committee went over these statements and helped create this bill, which sets clear goals and priorities regarding Florida’s energy consumption.

This bill extends the sunset date of a renewable energy sales and income tax exemptions from June 30, 2010 to June 30, 2016. Consumers who purchase natural gas and electricpowered (not hybrid) cars can qualify for a sales-tax refund.

Corporations can receive a corporate income tax credit if they invest in hydrogen-powered vehicles and fueling stations, hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel, ethanol, or solar energy.

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minorities

Economic Inequality Persists Between Races Black women face crippling net worth Jackquelyn Givens Staff writer

The Insight Center for Community Economic Development, a national research organization, recently released a report that revealed persisting wealth gaps between racial groups in the United States.

The study proved especially daunting for black women, whose estimated net worth is $100.

This number is even more shocking when compared to their white female counterparts’ $41,500.

The Insight Center defines wealth as “the total value of assets minus debts.” The above figures reflect an individual’s median net worth “when debts exceed assets.”

Nicole Hilson, Florida State University student and director of the Women’s Center found a logical approach at interpreting the gap.

“I was surprised at the gap, but I understand why it’s there,”

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Hilson said. “Not that it’s okay in any way, shape or form, but I can see how institutions in this society could make that happen.”

According to the Insight Center, present U.S. institutions that make acquiring wealth difficult for the black woman include: limited access to on-the-

job benefits like health insurance, holiday pay, or pensions; the disabling affects of public assistance; the reality of habitually falling into lower paying job, and as a result, lower benefits of social insurance—social security, worker’s compensation, and unemployment insurance.

Although a lot of inequalities exist within the workforce itself, Patrick Mason, FSU Professor of Economics notes the significance of unemployment.

“African Americans sort of exist in a permanent deep recession,” Mason said. “[Their] unemployment rate usually hovers around 10 percent or 12 percent, what’s now the current national rate, and a lot of people are upset about it. Well, that’s the normal state of [black unemployment].”

The current unemployment rate for black women, as estimated by the Labor Bureau of Statistics, is 11.7 percent, which is troubling considering that a great percentage of these women are single parents.

Because many single black women, like most unmarried women of other racial groups, hold the title of primary child-care provider, they must inevitably forgo many jobs due to lack of additional help in the home, prices of outside care, and

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unaccommodating nature of many job companies.

Audrey Torres of FSU’s Black Female Development Center has had personal experience with the poverty of black single mothers.

“My mom is a single mother, her mom was a single mother, and there are a lot of single women here who are in poverty raising children,” Torres said. “Poverty is a continued cycle.”

The Insight Center affirms her statement. According to their study, “black mothers with children under age 18 have a median wealth of zero.”

Raising a child alone is no doubt a strain on an individual’s finances, but there are other hindering economic effects that not having a spouse creates for these individuals.

BlackVoices online magazine states that “black women are the least likely group to get married, and if they do marry an African American man, those couples have the highest divorce rate in the country.” This reality produces an unsettling blow to these women’s financial status in comparison to men. As mentioned by the Center for Community Development, divorced women of color only have 26 percent of the wealth of divorced men of color, 8 percent of white women, and 5 percent of divorced white men.

Not only are discriminatory institutions fully intact in the U.S. today, but institutional factors of the past have played a major part in the current economic state for black women as well as black

families. According to the report, the implementation of slavery, Jim Crow laws, “laws against interracial marriages, and policies which restricted opportunities for women to own and build assets” contribute to this.

“Wealth is a way of transferring inequality across time,” Mason said. “If [there was] a large wealth gap 30-40 years ago, but [nothing was done] to adjust that wealth gap, even if you eliminate the wage gap, but [nothing’s done] about the accumulated differences from the past, then that wealth gap will persist for an extremely long period of time.”

The Insight Center recommends implementing policies that will improve employment opportunities, support self employment, and modify social insurance to provide adequate protection to help black women acquire and maintain wealth.

In addition to these proposals, Hilson believes that reeducation is imperative.

“The actual solution would be to educate people

about the systems that they’re apart of, the institutions they’ve grown to know and love, and how [society has] placed stereotypes and discriminations inside of their heads from day one,” Hilson said.

Although black women can use the above tools to their accumulation of wealth, it will most likely be a very long time before they ever achieve economic equality, and finally close the economic gap.

“I think it’s always going to be a gap, maybe not as wide… [but] there’s always going to be discrimination, always going to be some type of prejudice between the races,” said Torres.

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xxx

Survey reveals alarming trends in sex under the influence Alcohol related sexual encounters put women at risk.

Emily Ostemeyer Staff writer Some women prefer sex under the influence of alcohol, according to one U.K.-based study released this past September and published in the online British newspaper MailOnline.

The study, conducted by feminine hygiene company Femfresh, surveyed 3,000 women between the ages of 18 and 50. According to researchers, the average women reported 8 different sexual partners and was drunk with at least 5 of them. Four out of 10 have “always” been a bit tipsy when they have slept with a partner for the first time. Additionally, 48.5 percent said they preferred sex while under the influence.

The data isn’t applicable solely to single women. The study also revealed 14 percent of women in a relationship can’t face sleeping with their partner unless they had a couple of glasses of wine beforehand.

Researchers of this study have concluded the results point to a severe lack of confidence in women. But it’s important to point out that researchers haven’t evaluated selfconfidence directly; they’re only

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theorizing a cause from an observed effect.

“Personally, I’m not too sure that they’ve provided any evidence of this by making a link between drinking and sexual behavior in women,” said Dr. Al Lang, professor of psychology and member of the clinical faculty of Florida State University’s Psychology Department. “Alcohol may just be one of any number of means that could be used to cope with this alleged lack of confidence.”

Though definitive conclusions can’t be drawn from the survey, there nonetheless exists an obvious correlation between drinking and unprotected and even dangerous sex, especially among younger women.

According to the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment for Spring 2009, of 953 FSU students surveyed, 19.9 percent of female respondents reported having unprotected sex during the last school year as a result of their own drinking. Furthermore, only 53.1 percent of sexually active students reported using a condom the last time they had vaginal sex. For oral sex, 3.3 percent of students polled reported condom use, and this has health professionals concerned.

“An issue of greater concern for us is students having unprotected oral sex, which puts them at equal risk for STD,” said Melvena Wilson, HIV clinic coordinator and health educator at FSU’s Thagard Student Health Center.

Having such unprotected sex under the influence of alcohol “puts you at risk for things to happen that you don’t want to happen,”

-48% of women prefer sex while under the influence -Over the course of a year, almost 20% of FSU women engaged in unprotected sex as a result of drinking.

-4 out of 10 people have always been a bit tipsy when sleeping with a partner for the first time Wilson said.

None of the students Wilson has talked to directly admitted drinking and having sex because of a lack of confidence. Regardless, resorting to alcohol as a means to a self-esteem boost is not the answer, she

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said.

“Deal with your self-esteem first, because it won’t be resolved with sex,” said Wilson. “A lack of selfconfidence won’t be cured with alcohol.”

Lack of self-confidence brings up the issue of body image, an issue many young women struggle.

Many young women are not confident with their body shape. At the same time, sex puts you in the most physically vulnerable state. If women know that they’ll act totally different under the influence of alcohol, they might seek alcohol as a means to ease that anxiety over sexual performance and approval from their partner.

“Alcohol does something to you,” said Asia Williams, a senior at FSU and volunteer with local organization THE LOC (Total Health Empowerment for Ladies of Color). “It can make you feel calmer, but it does put you in a different state of mind where you’re more vulnerable.”

Williams echoed Wilson’s assertion that the short-term selfesteem buzz that alcohol can give cannot solve a long-term self-confidence issue.

“That feeling that alcohol gives you, that’s temporary,” said Williams. “That’s the thing about alcohol. You may drink that night before, feel completely confident, but you wake up the next morning with the same body.”

If a young woman is dealing with a low self-esteem issue, there are healthier ways to deal with it besides alcohol.

According to Williams, confidence “has to come out (from the) inside, and you have to be the one to bring that out.”

Having open communication with your partner is important in this respect, as Natalie Muniz from Planned Parenthood points out.

“We encourage all women and men to be able to figure out what makes them feel comfortable, preferably without alcohol or use

of any other substance, and to try to have open communication with your partner,” said Muniz. “That can also break down some of those comfort barriers and make it so that someone feels more at ease, and if they choose to engage in sexual activity, that can make them feel more comfortable doing so.

Muniz also stresses the importance of self-empowerment in dealing with self-confidence.

“Just learning your own body, knowing your own body, feeling empowered with knowledge about your health and body-that can help people feel more confident as well,” Muniz said.

Finding someone to talk to is another way to deal with a self-confidence issue, suggest Williams.

She advises seeking out someone you are comfortable with, who will take you seriously and tell you the

truth about your body. Williams observes that young women can tend to be harsh about their body.

A nose is too big, a waist too thick, hips too wide. But she sees it a different way.

“There really is no ugly piece of you,” said Asia. “What they see in themselves, other people don’t.

Your perception of your body may not be someone else’s. Talking to somebody about your insecurities can help heighten your awareness that that is truly a beautiful part of your body.”

Those in need of confidential HIV or STD testing or simply someone to talk to can contact Thagard Student Health Center at 644-8871.

Wilson’s direct line is 644-4333.

www.theyetionline.com| 15

in the community

Locals Protest

Reinstatement of Hoffman Case Officer Ryan Pender Bryn Hafer Contributing writer

On April 10, community members of all ages gathered in front of the Tallahassee Police Department to protest former Tallahassee Police Officer Ryan Pender’s reinstatement as an officer with the department.

Pender worked on the sting operation-gone-wrong with Rachel Hoffman when she was killed.

Rachel Hoffman was a 23-year-old Florida State University graduate when she was caught with 0.9 ounces of marijuana in 2007.

She was then used as a confidential informant for a drug bust in May 2008 to avoid drug charges, which resulted in her death.

All of the officers involved in the case are all back at work.

The city of Tallahassee is denying any fault and is placing all the blame on Rachel Hoffman.

Drivers frequently honked on the group of protestors, acknowledging their support. Protesters rally support by telling Hoffman’s story through a megaphone to passing drivers.

However, many of the protestors Pender, a police investigator policies. He will return for a training questioned why more people were not in attendance. The group blared who participated in the failed period before he will fully get back Hoffman’s story in a megaphone operation involving Hoffman, is to into his job on patrol with the TPD. Hoffman was directed to to inform drivers in traffic. They return as a patrol officer, no longer an hoped for more support, while investigator, after his firing in Sept. buy 1,500 ecstasy pills, 2 ounces jabbing signs high in the air. 2008 for violating departmental of cocaine, and a handgun from

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news and community

in the sting. The two male sellers shot Hoffman and are both serving life sentences in prison.

However, none of the police officers who violated safety codes were properly penalized.

Locals agreed that this type of situation can make people unwilling to call the police when they have legitimate

we should reconsider this case,’ but I think there is some value in just the act of doing. Letting them know it isn’t as if no one noticed,” protestor Patrick Shepherd said.

Pender and his fellow officers violated more than 100 protocols and procedures in the sting-operation. Hoffman was insufficiently protected and monitored, accompanied by only two other officers and was unfamiliar with the two men she was told to buy from.

“What you have is someone who is supposed to be a legal enforcer actually breaking the law, which ultimately resulted in Rachel’s death,” said protestor Taylor Lee. “Ryan Pender said that he shouldn’t be held responsible, but they are the ones that set up the operation and didn’t properly monitor it.”

During the arbitration After a two-day investigation, officials said Pender’s actions did not merit termination. for Pender, an arbitrator problems, particularly students announced that Pender’s mistakes who are close to Hoffman’s age. should not have caused his

“If we can influence the termination. Now he is going to police department in such a way be reinstated with back-pay and that they say to themselves, ‘maybe benefits. Pender’s attorney said

that Pender was ready and willing to report to duty. The Hoffman family was devastated to hear the news. The Hoffman’s attorney Lance Block felt that this puts the progress towards Hoffman’s justice back at the beginning.

“Here, and in this country in general, the police are not held accountable to the standards that they should be,” said protestor Ryler Calavrese.

In the two-day arbitration period deciding whether Pender could go back to work for the TPD, many reports were reviewed, but the 200-page internal investigation report that proved all of the violated department protocols was not included in the discussion.

The Hoffman family and attorney Lance Block still intend to file a civil lawsuit case against the City of Tallahassee, but their case is still pending.

“In this town I think the police are good people and they do a valuable service and they do it bravely, but there needs to be some system of accountability,” said Shepherd. “This situation seems to be the clearest example of this, even as just a microcosm of the whole thing. Just looking at this situation, while seeing there are other things that aren’t as severe, they can happen and can be just as severe.”

Many protestors felt that just coming out to show their opinions would make a statement and benefit the Tallahassee community.

The TPD acknowledged the protestors presence, but stated they must comply with what the arbitrators decided concerning Pender.

www.theyetionline.com| 17

news and community

Community Group Feeds Hungry With Sustainable Food

Food Not Bombs provides locally gathered vegan food to city's homeless.

Elizabeth Lacquement nology to where we don’t have to rely on the kind of scavenger-surviEvery Sunday at 3p.m., the Talla- vor mentality…that we have to eat hassee chapter of Food Not Bombs meat,” said Torres. “We don’t need meets in front of the Leon County to depend on other animals to surPublic Library at the white gazebo vive. We live in an age where a vegto provide health, nutritious vegan etarian and vegan diet can be an and vegetarian food to

According to Torres, most of the food that the chapter receives is from New Leaf Market and the Hare Krishna food providers. Sometimes they’ll get bread from Jimmie John’s, Bagel Bagel or Panera. Food Not Bombs strives to send out the message that most to all of the food that they use is food that the homeless and poor in would otherwise go to waste an effort to promote the at grocery stores and the like. message that food is a “We need as much help as right and not a privilege. we can get,” said Torres. Tor“It’s good for people res and others help collect and who normally really eat prepare the food. Even though healthy or vegetarian [to the group has been around for come out and eat with about two years now they are us],” said Jo Torres, one of still trying to get a cooperative the leading members of kitchen up and running. For the FNB chapter. “This is a now they cook at each other’s really great outlet to kind homes. of stray away from the A variety of people find their food that is served in the way to the table. homeless shelters, [which “My compliments to the is] not always the most chief” said Eric White, a homenutritious. We try less man, as he went for to make sure all of "This is a really great outlet to kind of second helpings of the our food is packed quiche. “As far as I know with whole grains, stray away from the food that is served we’re not [vegans]. All vitamins, and proin the homeless shelters, [which is] not the rest of us here are teins.” homeless, so we eat FNB believes if anything.” always the most nutritious." the government Fruits and vegetables spent the same -Joselle Torres, leading member of FNB were the main desire amount of time of the group. Everyone extremely healthy and accessible and money on would be happy with desserts. providing food to people as it does lifestyle.”

“Don’t we all love sweet things?”

FNB preaches that there is more for war, no one would go hungry. said White.

“I don’t believe that in 2010, espe- than enough food for everyone, but Anyone is welcome to come eat cially now that we have the tech- too much of it is wasted. and socialize.

Staff writer

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A Decade of Apathy: My Ten Years Running from the News Phillip Garami Staff writer

I remember the time and place when my faith in American politics broke. It was late November of 2000. My mom was driving me somewhere.

She was just pulling out of our neighborhood while the radio blared about the Gore/Bush election. It was like watching a friend’s canoe slowly tip over. I was powerless and I knew it. The whole situation unfolded over a course of weeks and the pace of it was agonizing. Everybody talked about it.

Even back in middle school, I could grasp how it completely neutered the whole system.

Government was supposed to be infallible—a dependable well-oiled machine. It has existed for more than two-hundred years. I figured that meant I could trust in it. The election scandal showed me that the idea of government, at its core, is just a bunch of words on paper

that we all put our faith in. Never before had it all seemed so fragile and there I was, completely aware of my lack of agency. What could I do? Start an internet petition to make myself feel better? Even if I was old enough to vote, I still wasn’t a U.S. citizen. My status as a permanent resident took a long time to process. I desperately just wanted to bury my head in the sand, which was exactly what I did.

It’s been almost a decade since I last looked back.

My apathy knew no bounds or had any moral obligations: 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Iraq. Ironically, I eventually ended up in the political hub of Florida, shrugging off random solicitations for rallies and voter registration forms while trying to get through my daily grind as a student. Call it picking my battles or cowardice or whatever you want, I was happy. It was so easy to ignore politics, that’s the only reason why I’ve done it for so long. I didn’t even know what to think the other day when my Mom casually brought up the fact that I would be eligible for U.S. citizenship in October.

When I made my decision to hide under a rock, I justified

it by saying that once I could vote I would start caring again. Now the time for empathy is in sight and I almost don’t know what to do with myself. It’s been so long, I’ve been out of the loop for quite a while and I feel like I need a serious refresher course to bring me up to speed. The problem is that even if I do find some comprehensive resource, how do I know it’s not biased? I know that true objectivity is theoretically impossible but who can at least offer me their best shot? Televised news certainly will not. I can’t think of a time when they at least tried. Even I couldn’t ignore the incredible amount of spin coming out of the major news outlets in the last ten years. The boob tube is an unavoidable fact of life and the tiny snippets of the evening news that I caught in the background were mostly revolting. Even during a very short span of time I felt like I was being repeatedly spanked with scary agendas and rampant editorializing. They’re not exactly the kind of things that belong in hard news. Knowing that I’m about to step into this crazy shitshow called politics is pretty scary and intimidating. Television isn’t an option, and the only reason radio still exists is because you can’t watch TV and drive safely at the same time. That means I’m left with internet, or, our generation’s equivalent of the wild west. I don’t know what’s more horrifying, the democratic circus or the freakshow on my computer. Wish me luck.

www.theyetionline.com| 19

The Yeti’s 1

TopSix

PODCASTS

WNYC’s RadioLab

This podcasts is for the curious. Each episode, hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich take an ordinary part of the human experience and explode the philosophical and scientific questions which surround it. You might hear about neuroscience, poetry, and ringtones—all in the same episode! No other program, podcast or otherwise, covers as much ground or presents its material so inventively. Radiolab is a must-listen for anyone interested in examining our world and the struggles of human existence.

Public Media’s Marketplace 2You don’t American have to be a business major to understand the intricacies of the United States’ economy. Learn about things like money, housing, big business, consumers, the market, and their implications on American society. After a few times of hearing Kai Ryssdal “do the numbers” over a cheerful “We’re in the Money” instrumental, maybe you’ll be motivated to find out what the DOW JONES, S&P 500, and NASDAQ numbers really mean. This podcast helps simplify the nation’s most important financial topics and delivers them in a focused and entertaining 30 minute segment.

3

4

Savage Love Podcast

The Advice Column/Call-In Show is a tired trope by any standard, especially today’s innovation- and novelty-focused media world. But Dan Savage’s humor, intelligence, sharp wit, and brutal honesty make this podcast a unique and illuminating experience that leaves you wanting more. Savage, a sex-positive gay author, discusses sexual experimentation and focuses on legal, safe ways to explore and embrace your sexuality and sexual desires.

WFSU Capital Report

This is a local one from our friends over at WFSU. During the legislative session this becomes a daily podcast. Tallahassee’s local reporters cover the most pressing topics in Florida politics. Each episode of Capital Report discusses happenings at the capital and is a great resource for anyone who wants to keep track of legislation during session. During the off-season, you still get weekly updates on issues that are affecting our state’s economy, environment, and citizens. Go to wfsu.org to subscribe to this podcast.

APM’s The Dinner Party Download 5 This is a good podcast to listen to before going to your next, well, dinner party. In just twenty minutes, you’ll be pumped full of obscure trivia and current events that will make you everyone’s favorite dinner guest. The format of this podcast preps you for any soiree. It opens with a joke (the icebreaker), moves along with some small talk, introduces a guest of honor, loads you with some history (plus booze), and ends with an impressive drink recipe. Be sure to take note of the music selection in each podcast. After all, where would a social climber be without a comprehensive knowledge of hip new music?

Public Radio’s This American Life 6 ThisChicago is a great introduction to the world of podcasts. If you think you don’t have the attention span to sit through an entire radio show, this is the one to prove you wrong. Each week, public radio voice-heartthrob Ira Glass brings you interesting and heartwarming stories deftly exploring the deep questions of human existence. There’s a reason why this is the number one subscribed to podcast.

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by Heidi Kerr

Staff Picks @The_Real_Shaq

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the goofiest A-listers ever, and getting an inside peek at the NBA champion’s brain is always fun. In all honesty, I don’t know how many men in their mid-thirties use acronyms like “lol” as much as he does, or makes as many “Yo momma” jokes, let alone doing it via the internet.

@the_ball

@Hugh Hefner

This is one of my favorites to keep pace with, because it gives constant updates as to the location of a lone soccer ball being passed around like the Olympic torch from London, the birth of modern soccer rules and game-play in 1864, to the location of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Sure, this technically isn’t a “person,” but hey, even if you’re not a soccer fan, it’s fun to check up on.

Yeah, shocker, a guy who thinks Hef is awesome. But his posts are never just “Check out the new pinup for April!” Regular updates include discussions of his movie nights, watching such classics at Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times. He’s actually a pretty smart guy, and classy to boot.

@Adam Richman

Man Versus Food is one of the greatest television shows to grace my home’s 1988 Hitachi big-screen to date. I always have to know where the MvF star is headed next, especially in case it’s Tallahassee, because I want to be there to cheer him on as he tackles the Super Perros or Momo’s challenge.

@OGOchocinco

Probably the most active tweeter on my feed, Chad Ochocinco (formally known as Johnson) is the star wide receiver for the Cincinatti Bengals. Even if you’re no football fanatic, his tweets are always funny, and his current endeavors on “Dancing with the Stars” might be more of your fancy. I saw the first episode. He’s no slouch.

RainnWilson

@

Always keeping up his posts, the Office star always has chuckle-worthy thoughts to share and links to funny pages on Soulpancake.com, a website loaded with humorous head-scratchers, like “What would you take with you in your coffin?”

Users are allowed to respond, and then laugh at what everyone else says. Kudos, Dwight.

TheOnion

@

The twitter feed of America’s Finest News Source is loaded with links to its Ever-satirical and outrageous articles of fictional journalism. It can make any bad day a little better, with laffs.

I watched The Jersey Shore and I enjoyed it, and you know you did, too.

Unfortunately, the season didn’t last as long as we all hoped it would, so here’s a great place to get your fix. That’s right, Jersey Shore Quotes, because everyone has a guilty pleasure. This situation is indescribable. You can’t even describe this situation.

@JSQuotes

@ConanOBrien

With almost 800,000 followers, Conan O’Brien made major Twit-news when he chose to follow only one person, with whom he has no prior affiliation, friendship or knowledge of: Sarah Killen. I added Conan to find out why, and eventually stopped caring because of his regular updates and funny pictures to go along with them.

@StephenAtHome

Everyone likes watching the Colbert Report, pronunciation: ra-pohr. Colbert’s tweets are enjoyable because of the random pop culture references (“the new scrabble better include a dollar sign tile so i can spell ‘ke$ha’”) as well as his personal views on all things political. Touché’, Colbert: you are ever so sneaky at making us college kids learn.

by Ian Thomas

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twitter

topten

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alternatives

Why isWiccan the religion witchnotalways wicked? what it seems

Alyce A. Staff writer

I am a Solitary Eclectic. That means I create my own belief system based on guidelines provided by many different spiritual traditions instead of adhering to the doctrine of a standardized path or homogenous group, and practice my religion mostly on my own, according to what feels right to me. I’ve learned and followed my system for about two years, but I’ve always been fascinated with the idea. It’s a simple, peaceful, naturebased path.

I am acting as a representative for people like me, people who are hastily judged because of negative images handed down throughout the ages.

We do not hate Christians.

Some of my closest friends are Christian. We do not all worship the Devil. In fact, a large portion of us do not recognize that one exists.

As a friend of mine said, “It’s kind of counterproductive to worship something we don’t believe exists.”

Our rituals do not consist of mass orgies or human/animal sacrifices. As a nature-based religion, we hold the belief that all life is sacred.

Not all of us keep black cats or familiars. We do not fly on broomsticks or wear pointed hats wherever we go.

I could keep going, but I’ll save those for some other time.

I am a Wiccan, or a witch. I am pagan, a category much broader than most people realize. Paganism is a blanket term for all nonAbrahamic religions–those other than Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. There are many widely tolerated religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, in this category.

So why is “pagan” such a dirty word? Why is “Wiccan” a synonym

22 |the yeti

for evil?

Christianity and Wicca are more similar than many realize. We pray, we hold services, we learn, we teach, we get married, and we bury our dead. What makes us so different?

Our magic is often equated to prayer.

We celebrate holidays at practically the same time as Christians -- Ostara, Samhain, and Yule instead of Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. We call

our marriages “handfasting.” Most witches are monogamous. Have you heard the expression ‘tie the knot?’

That’s one of ours.

We are everyday people.

We are students, CEOs, insurance agents, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, garbage men, plumbers, truck drivers, clerks, soccer moms, soldiers, you name it. When I first came to Tallahassee, I didn’t expect there to be a large pagan community.

You’d never know it at first glance, but here we are.

I’m not trying to convert anyone. In fact, active recruiting is frowned upon in most pagan traditions. Many of us refuse to teach minors about our religion without parental consent. We are not after

your children—that is literally just in fairytales.

We are a multiplicity, we include many religions. We have our own beliefs and disagreements, just as those in mainstream religions do— more, in fact, because our traditions are so broad. I cannot provide a neat, simple explanation for what we are.

A common saying in Wicca goes, “If you ask twelve witches what Wicca is, you’ll receive thirteen different definitions.” Our religion is everevolving, but fundamentally the same.

This can be applied to any Pagan.

If I had to say something, I would say that being pagan is about being closer to the earth. However, the term ‘pagan’ is an umbrella term which covers a wide variety of established and unrecognized orders; ones that have structure and many practitioners and others that are unique to one person. As I’ve said before, we just like other mainstream religions in myriad ways.

So why do so many people look at us as “evil”?

Why is the witch always wicked?

If you want to get involved in the community, Florida State University has a Pagan Student Association (PSA) that is open to all students. More information can be found at fsupagans.weebly.com. In addition to the PSA, there are several community organizations including the Red Hills Pagan Council (RHPC).

RHPC holds open events several times a year. More information can be found at their website, redhillspagans.org.

Tallahassee is also home to two pagan-operated stores, Crystal Connection, located near Apalachee Parkway and Magnolia Drive, and Athena’s Garden, located in Railroad Square Art Park.

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Bill McCollum and your health: why he shouldn’t sue the government Bryn Hafer Contributing writer

Who is Bill McCollum?

He is attorney general under Charlie Crist. He is also running for governor of Florida and trying to sue the government.

Let’s get this straight. Bill McCollum is standing up for our rights as citizens against health care reform. Three cheers for the McCollum attorney general team, including Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington.

They just happen to be all mostly Republicans. Definitely a coincidence? Definitely.

According to CNN, “White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the Obama administration expected to win any lawsuits filed against the health care bill.” The big guys don’t seem to be worried about the little Republican army.

Specifically, McCollum stated he had problems with the insurance mandate in the health care bill. This mandate requires everyone to be insured or pay a fine, but low-income people get an exception if the insurance costs are too much. What is his argument?

“This is a tax or a penalty on just living, and that’s unconstitutional.

There’s no provision in the Constitution of the United States giving Congress the power to do that.” He wants to sue Obama for surpassing his boundaries as President of the United States.

However, there is power in the people. More specifically, power in a single man, whom most of the nation has ever heard of, to speak for the country as a whole.

Oh wait, that’s the president. He’s the guy who is the one who signed the health care reform bill after the House of Representatives passed it. (You know, the House? That group of legislators we the people decided were worthy to make our decisions as representatives.)

It seems like this fun little political scandal or press gimmick is a fresh, interesting reminder that most citizens don’t understand that we do control the government, hence DEMOCRACY. The president was elected, remember that? Mr. McCollum claims this is an infringement on our rights, but let’s take a few steps back. Exactly what did the Health Care Bill say anyway? What McCollum didn’t say: -Health care reform would reduce deficit by $143 billion over the next ten years.

-Over 32 million Americans will now be insured with affordable health covered who were not insured previously.

-With Medicare, senior citizens also will start receiving a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs in just 2011.

-Medicaid will expand to include 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and to include childless adults.

-The Federal Government will pay 100 percent of newly eligible individuals costs.

-Illegal Immigrants can no longer get insurance coverage, even if they pay for it themselves… in cash.

-Insurance companies cannot deny coverage to children with preexisting medical conditions and by 2016, they cannot deny coverage to anyone with a preexisting condition.

-Insurance companies have to allow children to stay on the same insurance with their parents until they are 26 (Now that’s a plus!)

Regardless of the insurance mandate that McCollum so avidly hates, the reform bill really is not some big bad monster. If we are looking for inexpensive health care, and I think we all are, it seems Obama had his head on straight when he signed that bill. It appears there are a lot of benefits, that a democratic and peopleminded leader (president, is the name) carefully thought out to put into this health care reform bill and most of them are benefits, but nothing doesn’t come at a price, hence the mandate. Whoever expected to have doctors at their door begging to treat patients for free must have been confused, and that is what the mandate is for. So calm down McCollum, the president knows what he’s doing.

Yahoo! News has its take on the matter with this outstanding headline “White House, experts: Health care suit will fail.” I think that says it all.

For all those who claim Canada is a better option, or for those who are looking over to Russia from their Alaskan border where the grass is apparently greener, remember that Canada has socialist health care like most of Europe, and Russia used to be the USSR.

www.theyetionline.com| 23

student health and protest

Free the Rubbers Why are condoms kept behind bars?

Morgan Kayser Staff writer

passed through skin-to-skin contact.

Condom use is essential to stop the At pharmacies and grocery spread of these STDs. stores around the country, condoms Melvena Wilson, HIV Clinic are held hostage. To purchase Coordinator and Minority Health condoms, customers must ask a Educator at Thagard Student Health pharmacist to unlock a case, get Center, encourages students to an individual box of condoms freed alleviate risks through condom use, from its plastic prison by a clerk, STD testing, and monogamy. or ask for condoms kept behind “You and your partner should get a counter, where they are stored tested before having sex…and use with toxic cigarettes and cold condoms every time, start to finish,” medicines that can be used to make Wilson said. “If you’re going to be methamphetamines. sexually active, you need to be The CVS on Tennessee St. sexually responsible.” (the closest pharmacy to Florida

But what if being sexually State University) uses plastic responsible is really hard? In the prisons. Customers must bring the Veruca Salt “I want it now” climate case to a cashier to have condoms of college, driving to four places released before purchasing. to get condoms is just unrealistic.

Locking up condoms creates If a person stops at CVS on the several problems. First, it extends way home only to find locked up the awkward time spent purchasing condoms, they may choose not to condoms (because we all know use protection instead of driving to what we’d rather be doing instead another store, making the quickest of buying the condoms.) Second, and easiest decision, one that leaves it draws unwanted them unprotected. attention to the buyer. “If you’re going to be sexually W i t h Third, it increases active, you need to be sexually embarrassingly low the stigmas put on condom use and STD responsible.” premarital sex. All of rates consequently on these problems can -Melvena Wilson, HIV Clinic Coordinator and Minority the rise, why won’t CVS lead to a decreased Health Educator at Thagard Student Health Center unlock their condoms? desire to buy, and Their refusal to therefore use, condoms. at Thagard, and chlamydia and free the latex may be a result of a But when used correctly, gonorrhea are on the rise in Leon lack of community uproar. condoms protect against pregnancy County. 60-80 percent of people have Wilson doesn’t think locked and prevent the spread of sexually no symptoms for these diseases, up condoms affect condom use. In transmitted diseases (STDs). So why and spread them unknowingly. fact, she thinks people who are too are these stores making it so hard Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also embarrassed to ask for condoms for us to protect ourselves? be passed through oral sex, and shouldn’t be having sex anyway.

Well, their Corporate STDs like HPV and herpes can be “They need to get over

24 |the yeti

Media and Public Relations Department isn’t very good at relating to the public (or answering phone calls, returning messages, that type of thing). Despite CVS’s unresponsiveness, their condom lockdown has been attributed to theft.

However, is the occasional loss of profit really more important than protecting young people?

According to a survey conducted through FSU’s Thagard Student Health Center and the National College Health Association, 17-18 percent of students use condoms consistently for penalvaginal intercourse. 15 percent never use condoms for penal-vaginal intercourse. Only .3 percent use condoms consistently for oral sex, and 48 percent never use condoms for oral sex.

Chlamydia, herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) are the STDs most frequently seen

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the embarrassment of asking for condoms and asking for protection because they are going to be a lot more embarrassed if they have to come in here and ask for an HIV test,” she said. “If they are old enough and mature enough to have sex, then they’re old enough to ask for condoms.”

Ideally, all sexually active people would be mature, responsible citizens dedicated to protecting themselves and others. But in reality, and on this campus, there are a lot of irresponsible people having sex without protection, and despite their flaws, they deserve easier condom access.

Wilson then compared asking for condoms to asking for sinus medication. I appreciate that condoms are normal and mundane, just like any other health product. However, if you don’t treat a sinus infection, you aren’t likely to die. If you don’t use condoms, you risk catching diseases that can cause pain, infertility and death.

Condoms are not sinus medication. Condoms are far more important, and need to be more accessible. Thagard, students and the community should be doing more to improve our abysmal condom use rates, even if it means taking a stand.

Thagard does initiate a lot of safe-sex programming and aids in the de-stigmatization of sex. They offer a wide variety of free male and female condoms, flavored condoms and lubrications. In addition to protection, students can also get HIV and STD tests there, some of which are free.

Sophomore Psychology student Jessa Miller praised Thagard for their work in the residence halls, which she has seen working with University Housing as Vice President of Landis Hall.

Miller did, however, find a problem with CVS’s condom policy.

“I think that it is very ignorant and not socially responsible of them, because as college students or as teenagers in general, a lot of

people, especially when you get into younger kids who are having sex, are embarrassed about it,” she said. “So if you force them to go behind the desk and ask someone for condoms, they’re a lot less likely to buy them.”

This shows the flaws in CVS’s judgment and Wilson’s ability to brush off their policy as inconsequential. Not only is CVS losing customers and revenue, but they may also be a small part of FSU’s low percentage of consistent condom users.

Condom buyers’ complaints about privacy are forcing them to turn to alternative ways of buying

condoms, such as buying online.

Many students grab free condoms from places like Thagard or buy from stores like Walgreens that have company policies against locking up condoms.

“Our policy is to keep [condoms] available and unlocked,” said Carol Hively, Walgreen’s corporate spokesperson, in a 2008 Creative Loafing article. “Our goal chainwide is for easy access and no hindrances for people wanting to buy condoms.”

It’s great that some students are taking the initiative to obtain condoms in alternative ways, and that a few companies are taking a stand. But what about the students who aren’t, who saw CVS as the one stop to buy condoms?

Right now, they’re unprotected.

Whatever CVS’ motivation to lock up condoms, they need to get over it. And students need to be more outraged. With condom usage only at 17-18 percent and much lower for oral sex, we should be doing more to help students procure easy access to condoms. If unlocking condoms at CVS gets one person using condoms consistently, it could save countless others by stopping the spread of disease. Safe sex education and free condoms at Thagard are a commendable start, but until the entire community de-stigmatizes sex and frees the condoms, the health of our students won’t be going anywhere.

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politics

From One Man to Another:

The Saga of Mike Pence, John Lewis, and Andrew Breitbart

Andy Pacheco-Fores Views editor

On March 23 of this year, the day the House of Representatives passed health care reform, many of the Democratic members of Congress went about their business in the capital and walked among protesters of the bill gathered in the streets. A few of those protesters called Congressional Black Caucus Members Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Andre Carson (D-Ind.) niggers.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), also of the Congressional Black Caucus, was spit on, though he did not file any charges against the man who spit on him. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), arguably the most highprofile openly gay elected official in the country, was called a faggot.

These events were reported by the media and condemned by the leaders of both parties. Then a funny thing happened—several prominent conservative internet pundits called “Video or it didn’t happen.” Only one prominent Republican, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Chairman of the House Republican Conference, has publicly defended the integrity of his fellow members of Congress.

Led by Andrew Breitbart (of Breitbart.com, breitbart.tv, Big Hollywood, Big Government, Big Journalism, and what seems like several million shouting matches across various cable news shows and YouTube clips of conservative

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rallies and conferences), the pundits claimed the events had been fabricated by Lewis, et al, and fed to a complicit liberal-controlled media machine. This accusation has become something of a meme in the right-wing internet world, and has escalated to the point of Breitbart offering—betting, really—a $10,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund if someone could offer “verifiable video evidence” of the events or if Rep. Lewis will pass a lie detector test. Then he raised his bet to $100,000. No one has yet indulged him, and he has since taken that as proof that the events were fabricated. Michelle Malkin has parroted Breitbart’s claim, as has RedState’s Erick Erickson, who said it on CNN. (The travesty of Erick Erickson’s employment at CNN is another rant unto itself.)

Let us leave aside the passive-aggressive racism of Breitbart’s & Co.’s continued and vehement denials that anyone in their beloved 80 percent white tea party movement could harbor racial prejudice and get carried away during protests on a very tense day. Let us also avoid going down the rabbit hole of what their “if it wasn’t recorded, it didn’t happen” stance implies for the philosophical understanding of reality and what is true in the contemporary world dominated as it is by the mediasphere and the voyeurism and exhibitionism of people’s self-surveillance

where Big Brother is no longer the government or any organized body but simply everyone around you. Because to me, the most interesting part of this whole sordid affair is Mike Pence.

On April 9, at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Pence told the Washington Post’s David Weigel this:

“A couple of weeks before the alleged incident occurred, I was walking across the bridge in Selma, Ala., with John Lewis,” said Pence. “I take at face value what John Lewis said. If John Lewis said he heard it, I believe he’s a man of integrity. And I would denounce those kinds of statements in the strongest possible terms.”

It struck me as important that Pence mentioned his personal relationship with Lewis. They know each other, they have to work together as members of Congress. Andrew Breitbart has probably never met John Lewis, and never will. Neither, I bet, has Malkin or Erickson. Pence had nothing obvious to gain politically from taking Lewis’ side. He just knew the man, and stuck up for his honor. It was a profoundly human thing to do.

Not to get all touchy-feely, but we sometimes forget that the United States Congress, and the government in general, is just a collection of human beings working together to improve and maintain our great nation. They

views

Pence has defended the integrity of his colleague against the accusations of Breitbart and other right-wing internet pundits.

From left to right, journalist Andrew Breitbart, Representative John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Representative Mike Pence (R-Ind.)

are more than just a collage of slogans, soundbites, bad jokes, posters, 30-second TV spots, and ideologies. They are people of flesh and blood, of families and friends, of hopes and dreams. And they work together and get to know each other.

John Lewis is not a human being to Breitbart & Co., just a target. He is an instrument they can play on to drum up controversy and attention. As former Bush speechwriter David Frum (you know you’re in trouble when the man who coined “Axis of Evil” is the voice of reason) wrote in a brilliant post (titled “Waterloo”) on his blog FrumForum:

“Overheated talk has made it impossible for representatives to represent and elected leaders to lead. The real leaders [of the GOP] are on TV and radio [and the internet], and they have very different imperatives from people in government. Talk radio thrives on confrontation and recrimination.”

Frum’s main example was popular talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, but Malkin, Erickson, and Breitbart in particular all follow this model, and often take it even further. Everywhere he goes, Breitbart has his own camera crew following him, because he knows that every time he runs into someone who disagrees with him even slightly he can start a shouting match, get emotions running high, maybe provoke someone into saying something stupid, and make a compelling YouTube video that gets several million views and gets his various websites increased traffic, making him more money, which he can then gamble away daring members of Congress to let him impugn their

integrity.

I have a hunch that he wouldn’t be nearly as effective a provocateur if he knew his targets personally, if they were his friends.

Andrew Breitbart is also a human being, with feelings. No matter who you are, it’s much easier to hurl outrageous accusations at a stranger than at your friend.

Which is why, when it comes to the character of members of Congress, I’ll take Mike Pence’s word over Andrew Breitbart’s, “verifiable video evidence” be damned.

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views

Comedy Through Time Ian Thomas Contributing writer

Right now as I sit in my tattered old leather recliner, I’m watching an old favorite movie, Some Like it Hot, a comedy from the fifties with Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon. I used to watch this movie Jim Carrey, Benicio Del Toro and Paul Giamatti all of the time on will play the Three Stooges in an upcoming film. long car trips when Will the measure up?

I was younger, and watching it Chaplin. After watching Chaplin with again leaves me thinking “What ever happened to true Robert Downey, Jr. over spring break, I caught up on some the icon’s work comedy?” as “The Tramp,” and even without

With movies like Kick-ass in sound, I still caught myself cracking theaters and MacGruber on its way, I up at his inability feel like what people consider funny to work on a has gone down the toilet. I hate production line to admit it, but one of my favorite without being movies is Hot Rod. It’s loaded with caught between random puns and jokes that hold no the cogs (literally). water, no mass and no real backing.

Let’s look Hell, even South Park did an episode back on the last about the random, pointless jokes couple of years and that Family Guy spews out fifty times the comedies that per episode. dominated the box

I am not chastising any of office: Pineapple these new movies, because sure, Express, a buddy they’re funny in their own way, but comedy all about nothing beats Jack Lemmon and Tony pot. While funny, Curtis in drag to avoid being caught let’s get rid of the by the mob. Another great oldie-buthumor of watching funny is The Three Stooges, with all other people get of the slapstick and commentary on baked. Recently, class. Lucky for us, Hollywood is in I went to see Hot the works of a movie based on the Tub Time Machine, famous trio, replacing the originals when three old with Jim Carrey, Benicio Del Toro and Paul Giamatti. Most people aren’t fans friends and one’s of re-hashing the classics, but I have a nephew travel to the eighties. gut feeling that this one will work.

While gut-bustingly

Another under-appreciated hilarious, many of comedian of yesteryear is Charlie the jokes are based

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on drinking and chasing tail. Come on, Tinsel Town: let’s have some variety!

Sure, a lot of the jokes from Some Like it Hot are based on the fact that two grown men are dressed as full-on transvestites, but it had depth and redeemable value within the plot.

Perhaps this whole column has seemed like an aimless rant on the current status of what is funny, so let me clarify: Hot Tub Time Machine is worth paying to see multiple times.

It’s funny to us and we are part of generation where it’s funny to see a lovable jerk get his ass kicked, so go with it! My main goal is to have people look back and not forget the comedies that let people make the movies that they do today, or even go see a black-and-white for the first time.

culture

Celebrate Warmer Weather at the Downtown Marketplace Erika Sloop Culture editor

As spring blossoms in the Tallahassee area, vendors of Tallahassee’s Downtown Marketplace return from their hibernation to, once again, set up shop. The market is held every Saturday for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from March through November at the intersection of Monroe and Park Avenue. Farmers, artists, florists, activists, non-profit organizations and restaurants sell their goods or plug their cause to the community under white tents. Every weekend, different live radio shows or local musicians perform during the market hours.

This year is the Downtown Marketplace’s 15th year of operation.

Market Manager Allen Thompson said that the market was started by merchants together with the downtown improvement authority.

“Some local merchants got together and opened the first market with the help of the thenmayor Scott Maddox; his father had fresh vegetable and that started with about five tents to begin with,” Thompson said. “It was started to incubate the businesses within the downtown business core.”

The Downtown Marketplace takes advantage of Park Avenue’s quiet Saturdays, when the associations and law offices that line the street are closed.

Stalls offer homemade and homegrown foods, organic products, and art ranging from photography to canvas to crochet.

Though the market

started with only five tents, they have now grown to include over 44 tents, and, depending on the day, 55 to 70 vendors fill the area.

Professional artists, such as Jitka Lesakova-Manousakis, are prevalent at the market. LesakovaManousakis, an immigrant from the Bohemian part of the Czech Republic, has been vending at the Downtown Marketplace for two years. She sells fiber art and hand-crocheted hats, bags, and scarves. Before coming to the market, she worked with local art galleries and on commission.

“I like to be outside and meeting the people,” she said. Her favorite thing about the market is the air and direct contact with the community.

In additional to professional artists, community members like Mary Lewis also have a place at the market.

Lewis has been a vendor for the last four years.

“I started making soap and creams and this was just a really

good venue to help people see my product,” Lewis said. She added that the way the market was set up was a “nice, safe place” for the vendors and the customers.

Local farmers also gather here to sell their produce. Peggy Jones has shopped at the Downtown Marketplace for the past three years.

“I started coming ‘cause they have a lot of organic stuff and I come for the herbs,” Jones said. “They’re a lot more reasonable then they are in the store.”

It’s just a short walk offcampus for students to participate in one of the community’s most beloved events.

“The thing I really love about it is the community, the sense of community. People come together,” said Thompson.

The Downtown Marketplace of Tallahassee is a great, familyfriendly Saturday outing that anyone will enjoy. For more information, go to www.downtownmarket.com.

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poetry

Indiscretions

By Lauren Dimmer We picked my mother’s bed because it was big enough to be its own island, a quiet place, and in that room there were no windows to see our nakedness, nothing but the door, still hanging limp on its hinges, a loud creak just so we’d listen.

My teeth were still misaligned my mouth thick with surgical padding, from the first of three molars that lost their way to the jaw somewhere in the bowling-ball slick of palate and sinew and bone.

We did not kiss, I was too sick with anesthesia and stitches.

But I am not ashamed of sitting with her naked in my mother’s bed.

The sun made its own picket fence, shining through the sheets, and I believed in it too much to worry.

Strawberry Sonnet

By Natalie Cowart

some longer lovers hungry lovers dance in strawberry bowls the man slicing blood berries his muse mixing beneath his thumbs wild waltzing with the dismembered fruit right onto blender blades And he puts it on his pound cake. how wet even the seeds crushed the juicy extract tart and penetrating the porous sponge surface while she sighs and slides around the plate Just enough to be lost in all the pulp.

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To Olga: A Note Concerning Your Clavicle found under the last pew of St. Teresa’s in the Ural Mountains, 1914

Selected

By Keith Brinkman

Oh! your clavicle is a most holy phenomenon!

I’m only certain it’s not unapproachable as it seemed – You knelt beside me, unblinking, for the Eucharist.

This isn’t the right way to tell you, my young love, but I want to feel it’s warmth with all of my toes and slyly rub my beardless chin into it.

In light of long contemplation – useless attempts to flee my desires. Late night. You surely sleeping. A candle burning on the table – I see, I must ask.

This is a most hasty avenue to reveal these savage thing to you, a pure woman, but I want my apprehensions regarding your beautiful clavicle to rest.

And lest you be uneasy, this you only need consider – my love is the sweating passion of a negro singer.

There is no reason to fear my swooning.

We will depart to the civilized Russia of Peredelkino, a village free of turmoil, and mustachioed women who may kidnap you for their brothels.

I’ll ride to meet you as midnight snows on my coat.

And I’ll knock six times with the skin of my forehead.

All to embrace the miracle of your clavicle.

Red Lever

By Luke Munson Remember the of-course-it’s-burning sun, and the brassy chord the prairies tongued? these are the swerving pleasures of the damned.

Something happened; or didn’t.

The point being, I have crossed from one side of the city, to this one, and you will say that I smell like a betrayal of principles, like a meat greasy hamburger that is the stench of a person on me. Green stench.

I can almost smell you smelling me.

Dad, do you remember watching Samson and Delilah?

But, then, you won’t understand why my wakeful legs ran me through our neighborhood— childhood’s dim hallway—at 3 in the morning, why I won’t tell if the devil, chasing, looked more like Samson or Delilah.

I should say that the cedars brought me back; no: the Archer, aiming out of the hammock into the burning tree-tops: “Red,” he said.

My eyes widened, his too, I think, the ditch-eyes of ruddy Oklahoma dirt, slow-circling the cedars down

literature

Poetry

Hackberry Tree Lifts Car Into The Air, SAITAMA, JAPAN

By Kaitlin Crockett

Spit out by a bird, a seed lands in a junkyard in Japan years before anyone notices, before one of the workers sees a tuft of green beneath a nickel box Honda.

Even then, nobody expected anything but weeds.

The young tree, knowing nothing of the thirty-some shades of rust or gravity’s quiet, oppressive hand, felt the sun through busted floorboards and ruptured right on through. Oh, how it wore that car like a necklace!

The dented fender pointed up and east, as if ascending an imaginary mountain. The drooping tires hanging from the branches, graceful as moss.

The workers, who were used to seeing things die built a fence around the car that was now a tree and declared it a sacred monument, a reminder that even broken clocks are right twice a day, and the holy flowers in mud, flower in mud.

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