Volume106issue08

CORSAIR

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

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NEWS:

SMC STUDENT PILOTs ON SM AIRPORT PG 3

OPINION:

What happened to the horror in horror movies? PG 5

Obamacare: For more stories and videos, visit www.thecorsaironline.com

at a glance see pg 8 Jose Lopez Corsair

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2 contents

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Amber Antonopoulos···· Editor-in-Chief c o rs a i r. e d i t o r i n c h i e f @ g m a i l . c o m Muna Cosic··············Managing Editor c o rs a i r. m a n a g i n g @ g m a i l . c o m Vanessa Barajas········ Health & Lifestyle c o rs a i r. l i f e s t y l e p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Elizabeth Moss··············· News Editor c o rs a i r. n e w s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Jasmin Huynh····· Arts & Entertainment c o rs a i r. c a l e n d a r p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Henry Crumblish·········Opinion Editor c o rs a i r. o p i n i o n p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m David Yapkowitz············ Sports Editor c o rs a i r. s p o r t s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Albert Andrade········Multimedia Editor c o rs a i r. m u l t i m e d i a @ g m a i l . c o m Sam Herron··················Photo Editor David J. Hawkins·············Photo Editor c o rs a i r p h o t o e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m Jhosef Hern······················ Illustrator c o rs a i r c a r t o o n @ g m a i l . c o m Cocoa Dixon················ Design Team Mikaela Osterlund·········· Design Team c o rs a i r. d e s i g n t e a m @ g m a i l . c o m c o r s a i r s ta f f Rubens Almeida Jr., Paul Alvarez Jr., Trev Angone, Fabian Avellaneda, Nathan Berookhim, Crislin Christian, Tina Eady, Paulina Eriksson, Jon Falcone, Lorena Garcia, Vanessa Oliveira Gomes, Jimmy Janszen, Ludwig Jonsson, Arlene Karno, Michelle Kreel, Michael Lee, Josefin Lindstrom, Jose Lopez, Sumaya Malin, Simon Luca Manili, Reyna Mares, Lauren Narvaez, Mark Popovich, Rachel Porter, Jonathan Ramos, Alci Rengifo, Cassandra Rubio, Emilio Sedeno, Dion To, Gintare Urbutyte, Lyan Wong

Jose Lopez Corsair Ozomatli, a popular Los Angeles band, who plays a fusion of Latin, hip-hop and rock music, moves the crowd at the Rob Zombie Great American Nightmare Halloween event at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, Calif. on Oct. 13. This is the first year of the Rob Zombie Great American Nightmare that is made up of three mazes and a different concert each night, offering a different musical flavor.

FA C U LT Y A D V I S e R S S a u l Ru b i n & Gerard Burkhart A d I n q uiries : corsai r. adc o nsul t an t @g m ai l . co m (3 1 0 ) 4 3 4 - 4 0 3 3

SMC community!

if you have photos, feelings or opinions on what we publish, we want to hear from you! email, tweet, or facebook us. corsair.opinionpage@gmail.com ON THE COVER: A volunteer with Organizing for Action holds a poster and fliers outreaching to Santa Monica College students about the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 10. On that day across the nation, Organizing for Action held many events focusing on the Affordable Care Act, including this one on SMC’s main campus, offering students information on “Obamacare” and how to apply.

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news 3

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Nick Kovalenko Corsair Melissa Dammer, 20, SMC business major, sits in an airplane at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport on Monday, Oct. 21. Dammer works at Santa Monica Flyers near the airport, where in exchange for work, she receives free flying lessons, and eventually a pilot’s license.

Student-pilots refuse to stay on ground

Students are still confident about flying in the wake of last month's fiery accident. gintare urbutyte Staff Writer Flying in a prop plane over the Santa Barbara mountains, turbulence hit. The plane was out of the pilot’s control.

Seconds went by, and the turbulence continued. Santa Monica College student and pilot Dennis Borik regained control of his plane, but the threat of what could have been hung in the air.

This is only one of many problems encountered in the air. While last month’s crash at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport prompted questions of safety from the surrounding community, some pilots from SMC are comfortable with the current safety of the airport.

Borik, who has been flying for seven years, has not changed his idea of flying since the crash. Instead, the crash fortified his focus and attention to detail.

“It reminds everybody who is in aviation that it can happen to anybody,” he said.

“It reinforces your sharpness and how careful you are about everything you do.”

Melissa Dammer, a business major at SMC, works at Santa Monica Flyers near the airport, where in exchange for work, she receives free flying lessons and eventually a pilot’s license. She said the recent crash at the airport has not influenced her feelings about flying or about the safety of the airport.

“It has not deterred me from wanting to learn how to fly,” Dammer said.

“Accidents with airplanes are much less common than accidents with cars.”

She admitted to the possibility of a malfunction while flying, but is comfortable with airplane maintenance at her flight school.

Dammer said she supports the airport.

“It is a shame that the city of Santa Monica does not really appreciate the airport, and they don’t really care if it’s here or not,” she said.

She also said that pilots trained at the airport learn more about safety and communication than a pilot would “in the middle of Kansas” because of the high volume of air traffic.

Borik said the airport is not beginnerfriendly, citing the short runways as being difficult to land in, although he said he has never had any trouble taking off or departing.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 40 percent of fatal airplane accidents are due to loss of control, mainly stalls. This was the leading cause of general aviation accidents from 2001 to 2011.

For David Goddard, chair of Santa Monica’s Airport Commission, which advises the city on the airport, and a member of Airport2Park, the organization wanting to turn the airport into a park, the airport does not follow proper safety measures.

“The airport does not have a runway safety area,” Goddard said. “For a 5,000foot runway, there should be a 1,000foot runway safety area at each end of the runway. There are houses within 300 feet of each end of the runway. If a plane goes off the end of the runway, it’s going to go into a residency.”

The Sept. 29 crash at SMO that killed four people once again raised questions from interest groups and neighbors about the safety of the airport. The plane, a Cessna Citation, was landing when it veered to the right and into a hangar, sparking a fire that produced a cloud of smoke that could be seen all over the city.

Two years ago, a prop plane crashed into a home near the airport when a student pilot lost control on his way back to the airport.

Casey Weaver, a receptionist at Justice Aviation, who is also a pilot in his free time, was at work an hour before the accident happened.

“It was pretty shocking to hear that it happened, considering that I was there an hour before the crash actually happened,” Weaver said.

Even though he was close to witnessing the accident himself, the crash has not affected his perception of flying.

Weaver said he believes that landing in the airport is more complicated for jets

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with more than four seats. He also added that one of the more complicated aspects is the air space that has to be shared with other planes coming in and out, with

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LAX being so close.

“We are trained to be prepared for such things,” he said. “It was an unfortunate accident.”

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4 opinion

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Great ShakeOut, or Great Hangout?

Disorder causes confusion among SMC students and faculty during earthquake drill. jonathan ramos Staff Writer The Great California ShakeOut fell short of being a statewide emergency earthquake drill, and felt more like an elementary school student’s dream of not doing anything while class was in session.

Rather than being organized, during what was supposed to be a precautionary drill, students were wandering about the campus clueless as to what the actual purpose of the drill was.

The ShakeOut’s official website defines the drill as “an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness.”

At Santa Monica College, the drill was an opportunity for students to leave class, and dangerously loiter in opportune spots.

“Part of a drill is that you practice, and so with the practices you want to find out where some of the problems are, but also what works really well,” said Mike Tuitasi, vice president of student affairs at SMC. Students were standing under trees, class buildings, parking structures, and anywhere else students should commonly avoid during an earthquake, a time when objects and structures could fall or collapse.

“The main thing is that when you evacuate, people know where to go,” said Tuitasi.

Although, once students were evacuated, confusion arose, since they had no clue as to where they had to go, other than to stay away from the buildings.

SMC English professor Eleni Hioureas said that the faculty was provided with an emergency kit and packet at the beginning of the semester.

“Before the drill, I didn’t know where I was supposed to take my students in case of an emergency, but because of the drill I looked over the emergency procedures more carefully, and so then now I know where I need to take my students if there is any sort of emergency,” Hioureas said.

It is hard to believe that information received during the very beginning of the semester could effectively prepare faculty for an emergency protocol taking place eight weeks later.

Faculty should have been provided with the information much closer to the drill, rather than having to dig within the piles of schoolwork already on their desks.

The slogan for the drill was “Drop, Cover and Hold on.” However, few classrooms took the drill seriously enough to actually practice the proper procedures during a natural disaster.

More than nine million Californians participated in the drill on Thursday. If SMC is any indicator as to what occurred elsewhere in the state, then we are all going to be in trouble when the Big One strikes.

The earthquake drill was meant to be a first step in preparation for a real natural disaster. It is unfathomable to think that the organizers of said drill failed to instruct students on how to relocate

Jose Lopez Corsair Students huddle under a table in the cafeteria at Santa Monica College during the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday.

themselves to an area where one should actually be during an earthquake.

Instead, students used this time to check their cellphones, chat with friends and eat.

If a real earthquake were to take place, it is highly doubtful students would be able to wander about the campus and socialize.

They would indeed need to protect themselves, but they would be unable to do so if the best precaution the state can come up with, does not even bother to address the safe places students should evacuate to during an earthquake.

If this drill happens once a year, then a portion of the other 364 days should be used to prepare the drill, and students and teachers should actually be informed of where to go, and not just where not to go.

SMC’s President and Superintendent Chui L. Tsang remained optimistic about the drill’s progress.

“This is the first drill we’ve had campus wise, and we wanted to take advantage to address areas where we need to make improvements,” Tsang said. “This will be a learning experience for us.”

A survey will be conducted to provide feedback on the drill, Tuitasi said.

It is safe to say that officials of the ShakeOut need to put this learning experience to use in order to produce a much more effective drill next year.

If an earthquake were to strike during school hours one day, I would like to believe that students would be informed on how to survive, rather than checking their Facebook status while the walls collapse around them.

Alci Rengifo, Ludwig Jonsson and Albert Andrade contributed to this report.

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Jimmy Janszen Corsair Campus Community Emergency Response Team members Craig Walter (top) and Bharose Dindail clear out the Santa Monica College library.

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opinion 5

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

From horror to gorier The horror genre loses its artistic roots in a generation of gore-filled shock value films. jonathan ramos Staff Writer

T

he ceiling began to cave in. Father Merrin’s breath penetrated through the bitter, cold room, as he attempted to condemn the demon back to hell. The demon that had possessed young Regan MacNeil slowly twisted her head around her shoulders, smiling malevolently, reflecting on the chaos that it had brought upon the MacNeil family.

Arguably, the most horrendous and terrifying scene from William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist,” this act fully displayed the sheer horror that is near nonexistent in an era of movie remakes and simpleminded terror.

Since the 1973 classic, horror has diluted itself from bone-chilling suspense and true fear to a simple competition of who can spill the most blood or blow the most heads off.

The seemingly never-ending “Saw” franchise is a perfect example of the change in what a horror movie is supposed to entail.

The entire series seems like an endless array of skinned flesh and blood spatters.

The antagonist throughout the series puts his victims through nearly impossible obstacles that reside between life and death, and the death is usually not very clean.

The “Hostel” movie series falls further down the line. The continuous acts of eye gouging and throat slitting portray Eli Roth’s creation as a series less intended to scare, and more suited to make viewers vomit what they had for lunch.

I am not out to say that these movies contain no value to the new generation of movie fanatics, nor are they poorly created. However, what people value now is a shell of what was once a flourishing genre.

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being ripped out and tongues being slashed in almost every aspect of the virtual world.

Movies such as John Carpenter’s 1978 film “Halloween” were created in brilliant fashion. They were as perfect a mix of thrill, suspense and horror as a horror movie can have.

Michael Myers, the serial killer, would stalk his victims, hiding in the shadows with his blank stare mask, waiting to strike. The victim would hide, falsely hoping he or she would be able to escape an inevitable death. When it was least expected, the killer would strike. Yes, there was death, but there was a story being told.

The cat-and-mouse game was in full effect and did not get drowned out by unnecessary gore with no real addition to the scene other than to disgust.

The art of storytelling within a horror movie is no longer a top priority in this genre. People might say that today’s horror is made more for shock value, but the shock value is gone. The horror genre is predictable now.

I no longer slide down my seat, wondering when the killer, ghost or ghoul will strike. I know when the killer will strike, and I know what he, she or it will most likely do.

Still, within all of the chaos, there is a thin glimmer of hope. Movies like James Wan’s “The Conjuring” can be seen as nostalgic for the old-time horror fanatic, as the carefully-molded film is the best movie of its genre in years.

It did not survive on spilling the insides of its characters, but on the story of a husband and wife, devoted to conquering the demonic entity within a small town home — simple and sweet.

Television has also joined the fight with its own “American Horror Story,”

Arlene Karno Corsair John Francis, journalism professor, dons a Halloween mask to pose for student photographers at a conference assignment in Fullerton, Calif. on Oct. 12. Today’s horror films are often filled with exaggerated gore and weak storylines. Francis displays that a simple mask can still be frightening, similar to the ones worn by fictional killers in classic horror films.

which tells a new terror tale each season.

Its large amount of creativity and complexity is enough to keep viewers in their seats, not allowing them to miss a second of the award-winning show.

With the horror genre being stripped

down of its roots, moviegoers should not expect captivating stories that will glue their eyes to the screen. They simply need to keep in mind how long they eat before watching one of these movies because the food might not stay in there for long.

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6 Photostory

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

On June 27, Yasiel Puig makes the catch before smacking full force into the right field wall at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Members of the Phillies look on from behind the window in th

Magic Johnson ducks out of the way as Dodger shortstop Haney Ramirez throws a river of blue Gatorade over third-baseman Juan Uribe who hit a tworun home run in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division playoffs on Oct. 7 at Dodger Stadium. The 4-3 win went to Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, LA’s ace pitcher. Pitching legend Sandy Koufax coached Kershaw, a fellow lefty, in spring training, and watched the win.

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A Dodger fan holds up his radio Radio,” listening to the game at Old-school Dodger fans partake game from the stands with a sin broadcast of Hall of Fame anno in 2014 for his 65th year annou

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photostory 7

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Blue October The hunt for

The Dodgers’ fairy tale comeback Photos & text by Arlene Karno

he visitors’ bullpen.

o dialed in to 570 AM, “Dodger t Dodger Stadium on Oct. 7. e in this tradition of watching a ngle earpiece, listening to the ouncer Vin Scully, who will return uncing Dodger games.

The boys were talented and full of promise, but appeared to be lost. Off-the-field issues, along with a myriad of reckless injuries they gathered in the hot summer months, left them dispirited.

Instead of taking command as a leader, Frank McCourt sat back and watched the Dodgers crash and burn. With no direction, they floundered. Some people called them losers.

If the transient population of Angelenos lacked a collective love for their home team, they were unanimous in their disgust of McCourt.

This season, however, the Dodgers made a comeback of fairy tale proportions, complete with a “Magic” fairy godfather. As part of the Guggenheim Baseball Management investment group, Los Angeles sports legend Magic Johnson purchased the team and Dodger Stadium for $2.15 billion last year.

On May 1, 2012, Johnson addressed the media saying, “What we want to do is bring the pride back to this city and this organization. It’s going to take some time to get this franchise back to where Mr. [Peter] O’Malley had it, but we’re going to do it.”

Those were big words for a team that had most key players spending more time in casts and on crutches than on the field. Their $220 million payroll did not impress anyone. As April hobbled into May, the Dodgers were in dead last in the standings and a laughingstock around the league.

Then in early June, with team manager Don Mattingly’s job security at risk, something changed. Haney Ramirez,

arguably the team’s best hitter, returned from his injuries in top form. Rookie sensation Yasiel Puig made a historic debut in right field, hitting four home runs in his first five games.

With that, the miracles were set in motion. The rest of the team rallied to perform as if a spell had been broken.

By the end of June, the Dodgers trailed the Arizona Diamondbacks by 9.5 games for first place in their division.

They rallied with noble weapons, starting with arguably the best left-hander in baseball, two-time Cy Young Awardwinning pitcher Clayton Kershaw. The bullpen blossomed into an enchanted forest of new talent.

Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully dubbed Dodger Stadium “The Magic Castle,” and the team went on to clinch the division in record time, quickly dispatching their National League West archrivals the Diamondbacks, and then the Atlanta Braves.

The new obstacle before them was the St. Louis Cardinals, who made no secret of their disdain for the exuberance of the comeback kids. It turned ugly on Oct. 11, when Ramirez was scorched by a 94 mph fastball to the ribs, delivered by the Cardinals fire-breathing pitcher, Joe Kelly.

By game six of the National League Championship Series, things spiraled southward quickly as Kershaw became unhinged by the third inning. He left the mound in the fifth inning, and the fairy tale was as fractured as Ramirez’ rib.

Missing the World Series by just two games, the drawbridge closed on the 2013 season. But the boys have found their way out of the thicket. It really is “A Whole New Blue.”

Dodger pitchers Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw talk outside the dugout at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 14. The Cy Young Award-winning pitchers grew close over the preseason, but have opposite personalities. Greinke has been at the center of multiple brawls while Kershaw rushes in to break them up.

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+ lifestyle 8 health

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Jose Lopez Corsair Vicki Maturo, (left) a volunteer with Organizing for Action, speaks about “Obamacare” to Nancy Butcher, an unemployed and uninsured woman seeking health insurance. Maturo came to help support the nation’s new health care system by volunteering at this informational event at Santa Monica College on Oct. 10.

What students should know about ‘Obamacare’ The effective date of the Affordable Care Act is Jan. 1. SMC’s Health Services will not be affected, but students are advised to enroll or face penalties.

Jonathan ramos Staff Writer

W

ith the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare,” scheduled to initiate on Jan. 1, 2014, it is still uncertain what the new health care system will bring to students and people everywhere.

The ACA is a law mandated by the U.S. government that requires every citizen to acquire health insurance by the beginning of the new year.

According to the American Association of Retired Persons, a few of the benefits included with the ACA would be allowing Americans to stay on their parents’ insurance plan until the age of 26, forbidding insurance companies to deny coverage to Americans who have preexisting conditions, and the elimination of the lifetime limit, allowing patients to stay covered for indefinite injuries or illnesses.

While the enrollment period has been active since Oct. 1, some students are left wondering whether they are required to enroll or face being penalized.

The tax penalty for citizens who are uninsured is up to $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, or one percent of a person’s taxable income, depending on which is greater, according to the official website of the government’s insurance marketplace, healthcare.gov.

The penalty is also set to rise every year thereafter, up to $695 yearly by 2016.

Gloria Lopez, coordinator of Health Services at Santa Monica College, says it is mandatory that every U.S. citizen, including students, enroll or receive the

penalty.

“My concern is that students don’t understand that they must sign up because sometimes young people don’t think that they need insurance, but we all are required to have insurance,” says Lopez.

Although coverage begins early next year, the enrollment period began on Oct. 1 and is set to continue until March 31, 2014, according to healthcare.gov.

If citizens do not enroll, they will have to wait for the next annual insurance exchange, barring any exemptions.

Some of the exemptions to the law and penalty include those who are uninsured for less than three months of the year, incarcerated individuals, citizens whose income is officially deemed too low, and those facing specified hardships. Students who do not fall into exemptions are required to enroll in a plan or receive penalty. “[It] shouldn’t affect health services at SMC because Health Services is a staterequired fee, whereas the Affordable Care Act is a national law,” Lopez says of the new health care law.

She also says that Health Services is working with Westside Family Health Center to educate students and the community at large about the benefits of health insurance and why it is important to apply.

In addition, the health fee at SMC will not be affected by the ACA, as it is up to the district to determine the cost for Health Services at the given school, Lopez says.

As far as being mandated to enroll into a health care plan, some students seem to have no issue with “Obamacare” and its policies.

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“I think health insurance is the same thing as having car insurance,” says Vakas Salim, a biology major at SMC. “I think every single person should have insurance because obviously there are benefits to it and they need to be secured.”

Salim feels that everyone in America should have health insurance in case of a major injury or health crisis.

“The only reason people are being penalized is so that people have [health insurance]; that way they can have care,” says Salim.

SMC student Mihran Karaguezian fully supports the new law. He thinks it is the best thing Obama has done during his presidency.

Karaguezian believes that more people would support the system if it were not mandated, but he does not see a reason not to enroll in it.

“If it benefits you, why wouldn’t you do it in the first place?” he says.

Jenneil Magpantay, a health care policy major at SMC, says she feels it would benefit citizens much more than it would hurt them, favoring the fact that students can stay on their parents’ health care plan until the age of 26.

She also thinks that with insurance companies now required to cover anyone with pre-existing conditions, more individuals will be able to enjoy the equality that the ACA brings.

But while there is a large share of support for health care reform, “Obamacare” is not without its naysayers.

SMC student Genevieve Aviles says that the ACA will force workers into unemployment due to companies’ inability to afford the new regulations of having to provide certain benefits for @t h e _ c o r s a i r •

each of their employees.

One standout topic that citizens have taken issue with over recent weeks has been the functionality of healthcare.gov.

According to the Huffington Post, the problems with the website came down to its inability to allow applicants to reach the final steps of enrollment.

As an applicant is finalizing his or her enrollment, error messages and popups have kept many applicants from finishing the application process.

“It was totally messed up,” says SMC student Shaze Williams. “It kept saying ‘temporarily unavailable,’ or ‘username taken.’”

President Barack Obama spoke on Monday regarding the website’s issues, stating that the site’s problems will be solved.

“Nobody’s madder than me about the website not working as well as it should, which means it’s going to get fixed,” Obama said.

Howard Kim, a finance major at SMC, says that in the end, the effects that the nation’s new health insurance law might have on the country will not matter to him as an increased country debt is inevitable.

“Regardless, everyone is going to overuse the benefits that they can get from ‘Obamacare,’ and its definitely going to rack up the deficit,” says Kim. “But it doesn’t matter anymore because the debt is already so high up.”

Workshops on how to enroll into a health care plan are currently being offered at SMC with future dates including Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19 and Dec. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. inside SMC’s Math Complex, Room 6.

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health + lifestyle 9

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Fight For Air Walk at Third Street

The American Lung Association’s walk through Santa Monica keeps community in high spirits in the fight against lung cancer. alci rengifo Staff Writer

As

mist descended on Santa Monica’s shore Sunday morning, hundreds gathered at Third Street Promenade for the fourth annual Fight For Air Walk, created by the American Lung Association, to promote exercise, healthy living and cleaner air.

The walk’s major focus was to bring attention to breathing ailments and lung problems that come as a result of little to no exercise, pollution and secondhand smoking. There was a 2.55-mile course that circled downtown Santa Monica and down to the beach.

The event’s participants were ready for their walk by 8:30 a.m., although the walk was not slated to begin until 9 a.m. on Third Street and Broadway.

The numbers soon grew as local meteorologist Josh Rubenstein, who served as the event’s host, started making announcements and introducing sponsors and guests.

“Time to grease those knees,” Rubenstein announced enthusiastically before introducing several guests and speakers.

Present at the event to share some words about specific lung and breathing ailments was Dr. Daniel Oh, chair of the Los Angeles Leadership Board.

“Every day, 63,000 people miss school or work because of asthma,” Oh said.

“Walks like these raise awareness.

The more you exercise the better. We generally recommend three days of exercise a week.”

Marsha Ramos, chair of the American Lung Association in Los Angeles, was also present at the event.

This walk raises necessary funds for programs including research for Asthma

Camp, the Lung Help Health Line and Better Breathers Club, Ramos said. The programs help make people aware of important lung issues.

“We are a national organization that is 109 years old,” Ramos said. “We have national impact. The reason you do not see smoking in airplanes was because the American Lung Association drove the petition to get rid of that because it impacted everyone’s health.”

Also speaking at the walk and promoting healthy breathing was Bob Holbrook, Santa Monica city councilman and a Santa Monica College alumnus.

“It’s important because it shows people there is support for clean air and to prevent lung disease,” said Holbrook.

“Other people will see them walking and they will learn from this as well.”

During his speech to walkers getting ready for the route, Holbrook emphasized that Santa Monica was the first city in California to ban outdoor smoking in public areas despite pressure from those worried it would hurt tourism.

“Maybe some of them will stop smoking,” Holbrook said, of international smokers visiting Santa Monica who witnessed the Fight For Air Walk.

Once the walk began, participants made their way through downtown Santa Monica, passing homes and neighborhoods and the thicklyveiled foggy shore. Tourists and local beachgoers stopped to watch the line of walkers wearing Fight For Air stickers, pins and T-shirts, inviting onlookers to join in.

Kevin McBride, of Premiere Healthcare, which handles shift care home nursing, was among the walkers. He said he was there to “give back to the community, to do something to make a difference.”

Margareth Wind was another

Elizabeth Moss Corsair Supporters walk in the “Fight For Air Walk” for lung cancer in Santa Monica on Sunday.

The walk started on the Third Street Promenade and made a circle down Ocean Avenue.

enthusiastic walker following the trail through the city’s neighborhoods and shops.

“I’m glad that I’m learning about this,” she said. “My grandfather had emphysema, so I’m glad that I’m here and learning.”

The weather was chilly but the mood remained enthusiastic as supporters even stood by street corners and pathways supporting and encouraging the participants of the walk.

“I think exercise makes a big difference,” McBride said. “What a good way this is to get some exercise but also to give back.”

Introverts may be gaining skills, saving time

Extroverts experience a lower level of arousal from their surroundings and introverts become easily socially stimulated, studies find.

Lyan wong Staff Writer

O

ftentimes when people hear the word extrovert, the words "sociable" and "gregarious" come to mind, while the word introvert would conjure the image of a socially awkward loner who sits slack-jawed in an allengrossing, single-person activity.

These images are stereotypes, and in modern society, introverts may oftentimes feel maligned and deficient. So what exactly is introversion and extroversion?

According to Psychology Today, an example of an introvert's experience at a crowded cocktail party could be described as a holding cell.

"Introverts tend to be drained by social encounters and energized by solidarity, often creative pursuits," the website states.

Psychology Today explains that introverts are more likely to be empathic and interpersonally connected than extroverts. Furthermore, extroverts make up threequarters of the American population and is an intrinsic personality factor.

"It is not that introverts don't like people, they do like people," says Professor Lisa Farwell, head of the psychology department at Santa Monica College. "It is not a question of liking or not liking."

Recalling an experiment named "The Lemon Drop" study, a drop of lemon extract was placed on the tongues of people who, on psychological tests, had identified themselves as being either introverted or extroverted.

The study found that introverted people tend to salivate more after the drop of lemon extract was placed on their tongues.

"It isn't just other people that introverts and extroverts are reacting toward, but also stimulation and the environment," says Farwell.

Farwell says there seem to be biological differences that become apparent in people's behavior. For example, when introverts are performing a task, they are more likely to turn the noise down lower, rather than have a noisy environment.

Rosy Garcia, an international relations major at SMC, considers herself an extrovert and has a brother who she says is an introvert.

"You know some introverts may be seen as arrogant or something, but it is really a difference in how they interact," says Garcia. "You can't just expect somebody to just talk.

Being an introvert doesn't mean you never want to talk to people. It just means that you want time to yourself."

"Introverts may like to go to the party, but they just want to leave early," Farwell says. "Extroverts, on the other hand, tend to be less sensitive to stimulation, and so they are more likely to seek stimulation of a variety of kinds, including socialization with other people."

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Farwell maintains that introversion and extroversion are not two sides of a coin, but two poles at opposite ends of a continuum. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, and thus many of us exhibit both introverted and extroverted traits.

"Our behavior can be very variable, depending on our mood, or our environment," says Farwell. "Some people are more predictable in how they behave because they tend to veer in one direction [of the continuum] more than the other."

In an interview featured on The Guardian, Susan Cain, bestselling author of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won't Stop Talking," asserts that society has a cultural bias towards extroverts, accusing the education system to be geared against introversion.

Farwell feels that American society tends to focus on extroverts, and our current ideal person is an extroverted one. As a result, our school system tends to encourage extroverted qualities that might not suit the needs of an introverted student.

"A lot of schools focus a great deal on group work, which may be helpful for some things," says Farwell.

Farwell adds there is research that shows when students study in groups, they are not as effective at studying because they get more distracted by each other, and don't get as much studying done. Thus students who spend more time studying alone, actually benefit from it. /thecorsairnews •

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+ entertainment 10 arts

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Artist brings abstract visions to SMC Self-taught artist Scot Heywood displays abstract paintings at the Barrett Art Gallery.

Nick Kovalenko Corsair Scot Heywood, 61, who has been an abstract painter for more than 40 years, speaks to reporters about his non-representational, geometric abstract painting at his exhibition at Santa Monica College’s Barrett Art Gallery, on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Alci Rengifo Staff Writer

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Nick Kovalenko Corsair The opening reception for Scot Heywood’s exhibition at the Barrett Art Gallery is set to begin. The paintings on display, dated 2006-20013, represent his geometric work.

he gallery show, titled “Scot Heywood: A Survey Of Large Paintings 2006-2013,” showcased Heywood’s smooth yet direct works which embody the abstract spirit with their defiance of narrative or convention.

The paintings on display at the gallery represent his geometric work and frames with square divisions of color where the viewer must think about what it says to him or her.

Like one of his great heroes, Jackson Pollock, Heywood said he wants the

viewers to feel and imagine what naturally develops in their mind when looking at his work. He said he does not want to spoon-feed what the painting is saying.

“It’s contemplative; don’t we need that now?” he said, discussing the relevance of abstract art in today’s world.

“We need contemplation,” he said. “We need some existential possibility in our lives. We need jazz music. We need poetry.

We need dance, painting that allows the viewer to move into a deep place.”

Heywood’s reputation also resides in the fact that he is mostly self-taught.

He took a few classes at the University of California, Los Angeles, but did not consider art as a profession until 1977 when he “went complete non-narrative painting,” he said.

“I’ve been an abstract painter for 40 years,” Heywood said. “This is a long, long evolution. I was an abstract expressionist when I was very young.

My teachers were Jackson Pollock — not literally, but the people I looked up to were the New York abstract expressionists.”

Heywood said he believes today’s students should rediscover the era of the Beat poets and jazz that both originated from spontaneous, unconventional creativity.

“It’s a potent time,” he said. “Everything’s gotten so commercial. I find too much conceptualism in modern art these days.

There’s still too much narrative, too much indulgence in self. It’s very egoist painting.”

Stephen Robert Johns, a fellow artist, and Jacob Samuel, a professional printer, were attendees at the gallery who both said they know and admire Heywood and his work.

“The work is terrific; he’s a great painter,” Samuel said. “This affords students the opportunity to slow down and really look at a painting. These are not the kinds of images most people are interested in looking at, which pop out of video games or popular culture.”

“I have a deep appreciation for his compositions,” said John. “His use of color palettes is impressive.”

Santa Monica College art professor and gallery director Marian Winsryg emphasized that Heywood is an example of the kind of high caliber artists SMC is now bringing to its halls, which is unusual for a community college.

Winsryg said shows like this exhibit can be beneficial for students by exposing them to abstract paintings, encouraging them to acquire a sense for galleries, and exploring other works of abstract artists.

Like great ancient cave paintings, modern abstract art is not just a collection of empty lines and shapes, she said.

“Basically it’s about trying to talk to your fellow man,” Winsryg said.

“It’s a potent time.

Everything’s gotten so commercial. I find too much conceptualism in modern art these days.”

–Scot Heywood

TOGETHER WE ARE NOT ALONE. WE START OUR JOURNEY, ASK THE QUESTIONS,

QUESTION THE ANSWERS, ENTER NEW

TERRITORY AND FIND OURSELVES.

TOGETHER WE INNOVATE.

At CSU Channel Islands students have one-on-one access to all of their professors, and a supportive campus culture that’s perfectly suited for exploring ideas beyond the classroom, learning new subjects and finding future success.

TOGETHER WE INNOVATE joinus.csuci.edu/cor L to R: Darius Riggins, Admissions & Recruitment; Patrick Tafoya, Facilities Services; Ellie Tayag, John Spoor Broome Library; Jill Leafstedt, Associate Professor of Education; Carmen Gutierrez, ‘13 Early Childhood Studies, future Credential Program student; Monica Rivas, Academic Advising; Ryan Garcia, Academic Technology Services; Lt. Mike Morris, University Police.

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volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

sports opinion 11

Students first Should student athletes pay for play?

Jonathan Ramos Staff Writer

T

oday's professional athletes live in an age where $30 million contracts resemble pocket change.

These athletes normally come with a heavy skill set and an overwhelming dose of talent. However, rich or poor, they have all undergone a process of grade school and sometimes college in order to earn the wealth they so vigorously crave.

Now, due to the money-starved society we have all grown accustomed to, athletes have become impatient with the norms of reaching the professional level before getting paid. Athletes feel inclined to attain their pot of gold at the college level. They want their money and they want it now.

The recent media storm over University of Texas A&M football quarterback Johnny Manziel has once again reopened the gates for any athlete who wishes to receive compensation after a college or university openly markets their merchandise.

According to USA Today, Manziel was reported to having signed and sold photographs of himself, therefore violating National Collegiate Athletic Association rules which prohibit players to market themselves or receive income for anything that pertains to their status as a college athlete.

Many people question why the NCAA is so adamantly opposed to the payment of college athletes when it is the NCAA that is continuously marketing merchandise of their star players.

However, this might not be for the sole purpose of putting more money into the pockets of NCAA officials, but to further advance the programs in which the fame of these athletes is born.

Mark Emmert, NCAA president, stated on the organization's website, “The money we generate buys services that support those students. If we can keep the

athletic programs financially healthy, they can create more opportunities for students to participate in athletics.”

If the NCAA were to provide compensation in the form of cash to its athletes, it would be a heavy step down on an already flawed and declining academic system. A pay for play set up would be disastrous for academics and the entire education system as a whole.

The will for a student athlete to be enriched in school through academics would be heavily damaged in favor of a blind motivation to make a quick buck.

High school athletes might concentrate on advancing skills in the gym and lose focus on their education. The emphasis on financial success in a greed-filled world would overtake the structure of academia that education professionals have so strongly tried to induce.

This is not something as simple as paying an athlete for hard work. The ripple effect of such a movement would be a great cost to the education system College athletes should consider how much their market value would be without the help of marketing. They

Illustration by Jhosef Hern Corsair

spend so much time protesting the actions of the NCAA for not giving them what they feel entitled to, and do not realize the reason they are the superstars they are is through the NCAA's marketing.

Should National Football League quarterback Tom Brady have gotten the marketing and publicity as a college athlete that Cam Newton or Johnny Manziel received, would he also be inclined to his share of wealth?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to make a living or support family. However, these athletes need to understand that there is a system in place. It is a system that many athletes before have had to follow.

There should not be any more reason to further annihilate education, which should be one of the nation's top priorities. Student-athletes should abide by NCAA regulations and control their lust for money and fame for as long as they are just that: students.

Pro wrestling: Not fake Real training, real athletes, real danger

I

Jonathan Ramos Staff Writer

was 9 years old when my friend Sammy gave me a call and told me to turn on my television to channel 13. There, I saw a hulk of a man giving an interview. He carried himself with such arrogance. With a fierce mixture of attitude and determination, he shouted how he was going to tear his opponent limb from limb.

His name was Triple H, and it was then that I was forever embedded with the love of watching professional wrestling.

From Hulk Hogan telling fans to eat their vitamins and say their prayers to D-Genearation X raising anarchy, to John Cena telling people who they can and cannot see, professional wrestlers have accomplished one thing: entertainment.

For more than 30 years now, companies such as World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action, and the kingpin, World Wrestling Entertainment, have entertained viewers and fans with high-flying moves, engaging story lines and power-punching excitement that can only be found within the squared circles.

But what comes along with years of entertainment is the routine skeptic, who is always eager to spoil the fun of a fan by crying foul.

As much as I would hate to crush anyone's dreams that these organizations produce real competition, they are indeed scripted. Everything that happens is indeed predetermined and part of a story line.

Santa Monica College student Luis Sanchez said that although some of the superstars of professional wrestling have taken performance enhancing drugs, they still have to be in proper shape for their sport.

"I do admit that they are physically fit, and pro-wrestling does require them to be in that state, but as far the matches

and the competitiveness, it's fake," said Sanchez.

Still, that does not mean that all of professional wrestling is fake.

Nonbelievers often make the mistake of thinking that wrestlers receive no real pain and are comforted by fluff and pillows anytime they take a leap off of high ground or get slammed to the mat by an opponent.

"It's sports entertainment, so it's planned out, but the intensity they bring isn't fake," said SMC student Raydele Collins, whose favorite wrestler is the high-flying daredevil, Jeff Hardy. "They really do get hurt though. When they bleed, they really bleed. It's not fake blood."

Collins also said that it takes a certain art form for wrestlers to make the product look as real as possible, maintaining the sports entertainment factor.

These wrestlers actually work very hard to maintain a physique critical to their success in the ring and how much carnage they can actually take.

According to the Broward and Palm Beach Sun Sentinel, former WWE wrestler Oleg Prudius, also known as Vladimir Kozlov, said, "For wrestling, we're supposed to be in good shape all the time, be very strong, have good cardio. So all my exercises are cardio and lifting weights, and I have to be flexible. I stretch a lot. I have a lifetime in athletics so this is normal."

As far as the actual pain received from wrestling, Kozlov said, "Still you can get injured. You slam, get hit, and it's a hard schedule. You travel five, six days a week. You can drive over a thousand miles [between matches]."

The process of becoming a professional wrestler is not something to take lightly either.

According to Wrestling News' website, an aspiring wrestler must go through the process of finding a wrestling school, training for years with the hope of possibly receiving an amateur contract or a developmental contract from an organization, and looking forward to many nights of sleeping on couches with a low budget.

The website also details that a person should not expect to earn a heavy income for making it to the main stage as some start off with as little as $25,000 per year. The chances of being promoted to the WWE are also considerably lower than those wishing to play in the National Football

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Illustration by Jhosef Hern Corsair

League, National Basketball Association, or Major League Baseball.

This would be a grueling and very draining process for any individual who does not show passion for wrestling entertainment. Superstars who continue with an organization for years on end prove that they are not just in it for the money, but really have a love for what they do.

Professional wrestling is not a complete joke. These superstars have families they need to provide for, and most have a true passion for what they do.

The story lines of professional wrestling may be scripted, but the challenges, pain and passion of these athletes are very much real. /thecorsairnews •

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12 sports

volume 106 issue 8 • october 23, 2013 • santa monica college

Brand new team

Jose Lopez Corsair SMC Corsairs’ quarterback Jerry McConnico (left) attempts to run past Southwest safety Kaelen Russell (right) on Saturday at Santa Monica College. McConnico, once the second-string quaterback, started the game because of an injury to the original first-string quarterback, Steven Hamm.

Win streak continues The Corsairs win their 16th straight conference victory.

The move ended up being exactly Trev Angone what SMC needed as LA Southwest's Staff Writer defense made it difficult to pass the he Santa Monica ball, which is Hunt’s specialty.

In the face of a softer run defense, College football team the Corsairs elected to try out won their 16th straight McConnico’s read option style of Pacific Conference play.

The call ended up paying off as matchup on Saturday it led to numerous big running plays night as they routed Los Angeles and helped the Corsairs get into a Southwest College, 27-2. more rhythmic offense.

Not only did the win preserve the “It was very fun, just getting out Corsairs' conference win streak, but it there with the guys, having them instill also resulted in SMC's first extended confidence in me," said McConnico. win streak of the season.

"It was just fun Behind an getting back out impressive defense, there again. I’m the Corsairs “We’ve got to find very comfortable managed to keep the best opportunity running the ball. their pristine When I played at conference record to win each game.

Crenshaw [High intact going Each game has its School], I had into next week’s use my legs; homecoming own energy, its own to I’m not so tall, so game against Los feeling to it.” that’s my best bet.

Angeles Valley I feel comfortable College, who doing whatever boasts the top–Gifford Lindheim is asked of me. rated passing I’m trying to do offense in the anything to win.” conference.

Though McConnico came through “I thought our defense really started and delivered when called upon, the to find itself in the second half," said coaching staff is a bit apprehensive head coach Gifford Lindheim. "I about alternating quarterbacks each thought as the game progressed, we week, especially with top-ranked got more and more dominant, and by teams like LA Valley and Santa the end of the game, we had a handle Barbara College remaining on the on them completely. I thought the schedule. second half was much more indicative “We would really like someone to of how we play.” grab the QB spot by the horns and take In what has become a bit customary it," said Lindheim. "Tonight we just this season since starting quarterback felt like Jerry had the hot hand. Two Steven Hamm's injury, another weeks ago, Brad had the hot hand. quarterback change was made after We’d prefer not to be like that, but the first quarter. we’ve got to find the best opportunity Brad Hunt, who was elevated to win each game.

Each game has to starter following his impressive its own energy, its own feeling to it. performance against Glendale Tonight we made the move to go with College, was replaced by freshman Jerry, and I think it paid off.”

Jerry McConnico.

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Helping secure the victory in the second half was standout running back Melvin Davis. Davis scored multiple touchdowns on the night as he helped lead the Corsairs to victory.

With his latest touchdowns, Davis is leading the Pacific Conference in rushing touchdowns with nine.

“It means a lot; it means I’m progressing not only as a player, but an individual also, and it just shows we’re playing as a team," said Davis.

"Southwest was a good opponent.

It’s like you keep running into a brick wall and then you break it down. It’s a relief. It shows us what we need to work on so we’ll be ready for next week.”

The Corsairs will attempt to add to their win streak in their annual homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 26 against LA Valley. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Jose Lopez Corsair Corsairs’ wide receiver Kendall Tillman (right) evades Southwest Cougars’ free safety Kendrick Harris (left) on a touchdown run Saturday.

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Paul Alvarez Jr. Corsair Santa Monica Corsairs goalie Amanda Duval blocks a shot against Pierce College at the Santa Monica College pool on Oct. 16. Pierce College would go on to win 13-4.

Early struggles are a learning experience for Lady Corsairs.

Josefin Lindstrom Staff Writer With only two returning players from last season, the Santa Monica College women’s water polo team entered this semester with a relatively new team. A few players were completely new to the sport as well.

After last Friday 's loss to the San Diego Mesa College Olympians, 107, SMC fell to 3-9 on the season, 0-2 in Western State Conference play, and the bottom of the conference standings.

Head coach Jennifer Bullock stressed that the team is new, but that she is pleased with the results so far, considering the circumstances.

“It is a new group of girls, and a new coaching staff as well so we are just working to build a team right now,” said Bullock.

Bullock explained that the team is hoping for a brighter outlook, and that they are going to work hard for the upcoming conference championship tournament that SMC will be hosting in November.

“Everyone is making progress, getting faster and getting stronger,” said Bullock.

Even though the team is new, there have been a

few important players that have contributed a great deal to the team so far, one of them being utility player Ruth Basurto.

Basurto is new to the team, but arrived with over 10 years of experience in the sport. During her inaugural season at SMC, she has proven herself to be a versatile player in the pool. Baurto has noticed improvements in the team's play, but acknowledged that it has been a challenge.

“A good six girls on the team are previous swimmers, but they’ve never actually played water polo before,” said Basurto, who spends time helping new players out. "We are really getting along as a team and that's the best way to go forward."

SMC will play host to the upcoming Western State Conference Championships, which are scheduled for Nov. 8.

Despite the challenging season, the team is looking forward to it with confidence.

“It’s definitely a home advantage," said team captain Karen Duenas.

"We know our pool, and we know how to play in it."

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