C a l i f o r n i a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y, F u l l e r t o n
THE DAILY TITAN W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 0 6
w w w. d a i l y t i t a n . c o m
Vo l u m e 8 2 , I s s u e 2 3
SPORTS
OPINION
Baseball to take on rival Long Beach this weekend Page 6
Illegal immigration crosses boundaries at home in SoCal Page 4 Geologists warn Southland due for massive quake that could cause serious damage
Caffeine Craze Creates Addicts
surviving
By Joey T. English
and other major disasters
For the Daily Titan
O
n April 18, 1906, at 5:12 A.M., the San Andreas Fault shocked a slumbering San Francisco with Americaʼs most disastrous earthquake. Horrified moans from beneath collapsed walls filled the early morning fog. Busted fuel tanks and broken gas lines sprayed incendiary gasses along streets littered with power lines. Defective water lines left citizens watch defenseless. It looked as though the entire city would burn in the hellish aftermath. The quake, later computed as a magnitude 7.8, and subsequent fires killed 3,000 people. In a seismic snap, the San Andreas Fault, which divides the Pacific plate from the North American plate, reminded Californians that their envied location has its faults. Geologists warn 100 years after the San Francisco disaster that the focus of another massive earthquake lies in the heart of the Southland. Earthquake scientist David Bowman, associate professor of geology at Cal State Fullerton, said the last major earthquake produced by the San Andreas Fault in Southern California was in 1857, and that section of the fault awakens every 132 years on average. This quake has not yet awakened. Bowman said the seismic gap is not clockwork, but the quake remains geologically inevitable. “Itʼs not a prediction in the Channel 5 news kind of way,” Bowman said. “For us to test the hypothesis, we need to have an earthquake.” Neither is it clockwork to predict which fault will jolt first. Scientists recognize that a repeat of the 1857 quake of magnitude 8.3 would have severe consequences for both Los Angeles and Orange Counties simply due to its sheer size. But for Southern California, San Andreas is not the only culprit. Bowman said Southern Californians work and play atop hundreds of smaller, unnamed faults that in some ways pose a greater hazard because they are directly beneath our feet. These faults include the Puente Hills fault, just east of downtown Los Angeles, which Bowman said is “capable of producing a magnitude 7 plus earthquake.”
Stimulant provides students quick jolt to stay awake, but has its side effects By Adam Levy
For the Daily Titan
Photo provided by U.S. Geological Survey
Fullerton to call upon residents to aid in local disaster preparedness, relief By Jessica Horn
Daily Titan Staff Writer
T
o be better prepared in the event of a natural disaster, the Fullerton Fire Department is launching a new program to prepare citizens for emergency situations. The new program called the Community Response Volunteer/Community Emergency Response Team, will call on Fullerton citizens to step up as leaders in their neighborhood by volunteering their
SEE EARTHQUAKE = PAGE 3
time training with real firefighters, paramedics and specialists in different areas of disaster preparation. “I was involved with the CERT program and wanted to bring a high quality program to Fullerton,” Fire Chief Wolfgang Knabe said. Volunteers will be trained in disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, basic search and rescue techniques, and proper use of a fire extinguisher. Training starts April 8, and continues for three consecutive Saturdays. Each training session will last eight hours. “We are going by the FEMA training module,” said Capt. Tom Schultz, disaster preparedness officer for the fire department. Schultz, along with two teams from the cityʼs fire department, flew to the Gulf
Coast after Hurricane Katrina hit, and saw the devastation that had taken toll on the area. Fullerton fire officials did not want to see their own city end up like this in the event of a natural disaster, bringing about the idea to form the program for the city. “It really showed how crucial it is for citizens to be prepared because citizens are on their own for a while until their emergency personnel can bring everything together,” Knabe said. “Weʼve had such a tremendous interest in it already,” said Knabe. “Itʼs really in the forefront of everyoneʼs minds.” The new program will divide Fullerton into six districts to match up with the cityʼs six fire stations.
Caffeine -– taken in the form of coffee, tea, soda, pills and energy drinks – has become a habit on college campuses. On the Cal State Fullerton campus there are multiple Starbucks outlets and energy drinks available at nearly every vendor. “In the latter part of the evening, most of the customers are ordering extra [espresso] shots in their drink,” said business major Amber DaSilva, who is a Starbucks barista. Sales of energy drinks in the United States climbed a dramatic 61 percent last year, pushing the overall total to about $3 billion in annual sales, according to Beverage Digest. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, having the effect of warding off drowsiness and resorting alertness, according to Wikipedia.org. Side effects when one has consumed too much include nervousness, insomnia, dehydration, stomach irritation and fatigue, according to the CSUF Student Handbook drug-free schools information. Countries such as France, Denmark, Norway and Argentina have outright banned Red Bull beverages due to their high levels of caffeine. “Iʼm a big fan of coffee,” said history major Blake McWhorter. “It quickens my mind and helps me stay awake in class”. Major institutions – such as the American Medical Association and the Food and Drug Administration – have asserted that in moderation of about 300 milligrams a day, caffeine does not pose a major health risk to the user. Other studies have shown that as little as 100 milligrams daily can foster a
SEE FIRE = PAGE 3 SEE CAFFEINE = PAGE 3
Kit Spots Date Rape Drugs Soon-to-be released Drink Detector achieves results in less than 30 seconds
“It’s a protection tool to empower women to take control of the situation.”
By Desirae Macias
Phill Richer
For the Daily Titan
A
small package with a big tool that can help save your life will be available in local drug stores soon. The Drink Detective is an affordable chemistry kit about the size of a credit card that can be used in detecting date rape drugs in drinks. It detects over 60 different illegal drugs including: Ketamine, Gamma-hydroxybutyrate and Benzodiazepines, commonly known as tranquilizers or sleeping pills. The results appear in less than 30
WayPoint Biomedical
seconds and are very easy to perform by using a pipette provided in the kit and putting a drop from your drink on the test strips. The makers of the Drink Detective, WayPoint Biomedical, are also launching a national awareness campaign to make people more aware of just how serious drink tampering has become, especially as spring break approaches. Phill Richer, WayPoint Biomedical global director of sales and marketing, said the main goal of Drink Detective is
to create awareness and let every person know to be careful. “Itʼs a protection tool to empower women to take control of the situation,” he said. Date rape is the most common form of rape, with one out of eight college students being victims of rape, according to WayPoint Biomedical. Drugs put into drinks can be odorless, colorless and have no taste to them, according to the Drink Detective Web site. Ketamine – which is most commonly used in veterinary medicine – results in a mild dreamy, floating feeling when ingested, but higher doses produce a hallucinogenic effect, according to the Drink Detective Web site. SEE DETECTIVE = PAGE 3
OC Water Cleans Up Its Act With Filter System New facility slated to open in 2007 transforms sewer water into high quality reserve By Jickie Torres
Daily Titan Staff Writer
The Orange County Water District may soon be providing water for its 22 locally served cities that will easily rival the quality of any bottled water on the market. Thanks to more than $486 million in construction for new a filtration facility and pipeline being built for a Groundwater Replenishment System set for 2007, the Orange County water supply will be reinvigorated with water that will be transformed into high quality reserve rather
INSIDE
SPORTS
NEWS
BASEBALL
SOCIAL SECURITY
Titan team beats itself after commiting four errors at home
Baby boomers on brink of retirement; can government pay?
PAGE 6
PAGE 3
SEE OC WATER= PAGE 2
WEATHER
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Mostly Sunny High: 70 Low: 47
than waste destined for the oceans. “All water is recycled. There is no new water.” This is the water districtʼs homepage statement and likely slogan for the Groundwater Replenishment System. In this case, the water being recycled is sewer water. The filtration process, described by the water districtʼs Web site, takes highly treated sewer water and refines it with a procedure much like that used to process baby food, fruit juices and soda. The water goes through rigorous cleaning to achieve high levels of purity. The first step is micro filtration in which fiber-like filters trap larger particle elements like bacteria, protozoa and
Mostly Sunny High: 76 Low: 50
FRIDAY Mostly Sunny High: 75 Low: 51
SATURDAY Partly Cloudy High: 70 Low: 49
2
W E D N E S D A Y, M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 0 6
NEWS
N E W S @ D A I LY T I T A N . C O M
IN
OUT
OTHER NEWS
N’ ABOUT
WORLD
ON CAMPUS TODAY: The band Human will play from noon to 1 p.m. at the Becker Amphitheater.
Masked Gunmen Kill 20 Police
BAGHDAD, Iraq – About 100 masked gunmen stormed a prison near the Iranian border Tuesday, cutting phone wires, freeing all the inmates and leaving behind a scene of devastation and carnage – 20 dead policemen, burned-out cars and a smoldering jailhouse. At least 10 attackers were killed in the dawn assault on the Muqdadiyah lockup on the eastern fringe of the Sunni Triangle, police said. The raid showed the mostly Sunni militants can still assemble a large force, capable of operating in the region virtually at will – even though U.S. and Iraqi military officials said last year that the area was no longer an insurgent stronghold.
TODAY: ASI will host a nine-ball billiards tournament at 4 p.m. in the TSU Underground. FRIDAY: ASI will host the Big West Showdown Tailgate Party, a FREE BBQ in front of the baseball stadium with giveaways from 5-7 p.m.
Major Bombing Thwarted LATRUN JUNCTION, Israel – With sirens wailing and blue lights flashing, Israeli police chased a van with explosives on a main highway Tuesday and captured a group of Palestinians who defense officials say planned a major bombing ahead of national elections. Israelʼs parliamentary election is set for March 28; Palestinian attacks have altered the outcome of past balloting.
FRIDAY: Titan baseball vs. Long Beach State at 7 p.m. at Goodwin Field is free for students with ID. SATURDAY: Baseball vs. Long Beach at 6 p.m. at Goodwin Field is free for students with ID.
NATION
SUNDAY: Baseball vs. Long Beach at 1p.m. at Goodwin Field is free for students with ID.
Bush: US to Remain in Iraq WASHINGTON – President Bush said Tuesday that American forces will remain in Iraq for years and it will be up to a future president to decide when to bring them all home. But defying critics and plunging polls, he declared, “Iʼm optimistic weʼll succeed. If not, Iʼd pull our troops out.” The president rejected calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, chief architect of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Listen, every war plan looks good on paper until you meet the enemy,” Bush said, acknowledging mistakes as the United States was forced to switch tactics and change a reconstruction strategy that offered targets for insurgents.
NEXT WEEK: Spring break!
OFF CAMPUS
Cost Drop Won’t Last Long WASHINGTON -– A huge drop in energy costs helped push prices at the wholesale level down last month by the largest amount in nearly three years. But with the cost of gasoline rising again, the reprieve could be short-lived. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that wholesale prices fell by 1.4 percent in February as food and energy both recorded big declines.
LOCAL
Fazeli Pleads Not Guilty LOS ANGELES -– Mohammad Fazeli, 27, pleaded not guilty to the three-count indictment charging him with conspiracy, making false statements, and violating a U.S. embargo prohibiting trade with Iran. Prosecutors allege that Fazeli, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent, ordered 103 Honeywell sensors from an electronics company in St. Paul, Minn., in September 2004. Working with an associate based in Iran, Fazeli allegedly tried to ship the sensors to an address in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Reports compiled from The Associated Press
DAILY TITAN EDITORIAL
Executive Editor Managing Editor Production Manager News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Entertainment Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Internet Editor Adviser Main Line (714) 278-3373 News Line (714) 278-4415
Nicole M. Smith Kim Orr Danielle Torricelli Jordan Mastagni Bryan Barnett Cindy Tullues Henry Truc Laurens Ong Dianika Abbott Philip Fuller Erika Lara Christina House Matt Ballinger Laura Peltakian Grant Paulis Tom Clanin
Editorial Fax (714) 278-4473 E-mail: news@dailytitan.com
ADVERTISING
Director of Advertising Classified Manager Ad Production Manager Ad Production Designer Ad Production Designer National Sales Executive Entertainment Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Project Director Ad Webmaster Distribution Business Manager/Adviser Main Line (714) 278-3373 Advertising (714) 278-4411
Can Sengezer Emily Alford Keith Hansen Dan Herchek Andy Marsh Jackie Kimmel Amber Dillon Derrick Salatnay Vanessa Rumbles Lesley Wu Sarah Oak Leanne Saita Dan Beam Santana Ramos Robert Sage Advertising Fax (714) 278-2702 E-mail: ads@dailytitan.com
The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Monday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSUF System. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free. Copyright ©2006 Daily Titan
Songha Lee/Daily Titan
FEET FIRMLY PLANTED
Debbie Klug, of Claremont, and Neil Klug from Wisconsin, visit the Arboretum to look at the various plants, Monday afternoon.
DID YOU KNOW?
When In Rome ... ROME – The zig-zagging car gave them away. When Italian police pulled over the vehicle, they found a completely naked 70-year-old woman who had been trying to have sex with the driver – 11 years her junior. After demanding the joy-riding couple get dressed, the police tested the semi-nude male motorist for drunk driving. “He was three times over the legal (blood-alcohol) limit,” said police commander Angelo DʼAnardo in the city of Cologno al Serio, northeast of Milan. “We assume they must have been drinking at lunch and then things got out of control.” Asked if the couple were married, DʼAnardo said he wasnʼt sure – but somehow doubted it.
OC WATER FROM PAGE 1 viruses from water that is passed through the system. Then, a reverse osmosis procedure sends the flow through a membrane that only allows waterʼs very small molecules to pass leaving behind undesirable elements like stray bacteria, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. The last step involves ultra violet light and hydrogen peroxide. When combined, the UV light and hydrogen peroxide create a powerful oxidation process that completely disinfects any remaining harmful elements. From there, the newly treated and disinfected water has two places to go. It will either be piped into percolation basins, large lakes that allow the water to further filter though natural channels like rainwater through layers of clay, sand and rock down into the water aquifer. Otherwise, the water will
“Married people wouldnʼt probably do anything like this.” Man Ordered to Pony Up Cost for Viagra He Gave to His Stallion BERLIN – A German court ordered viagra to be given to a stallion after his new owner claimed he was impotent and refused to pay the full asking price. The buyer of the horse called Vedor paid just a tenth of the price of over 4,000 euros ($4,900), claiming it had only one testicle and failed to get frisky with a female pony. A vet found the testicle after an examination, said Egbert Simons, a spokesman for the court in the eastern town of Neuruppin. And when the stallion was given the potency drug, it emerged he was fully functional, he added. The court ordered the buyer to pay the full price. Hotel Guests Carry Own Weight BERLIN – A hotel in northern
be injected into Orange Countyʼs expanded seawater intrusion barrier. This is a high-pressure blockade of water along the west side of Orange Countyʼs groundwater basin that is connected to the ocean. This pressurized dam stops saltwater from entering the countyʼs drinking supply. This drinking water reserve is an important asset, especially for an arid region like Orange County. The County receives an average of only 13 to 15 inches of rainfall annually, yet sustains a population of approximately 2.5 million people, according to the water districtʼs Web site, Ron Wildermuth, director of communications for the Orange County Water District, said other water districts have already been using highly treated sewer water for its drinking supply for the past two years. “The West and Central Basin has a very similar purification process,” Wildermuth said. “They use
Germany has started charging its guests by the kilo for an overnight stay. In the town of Norden, close to the Dutch border, guests now have to step onto the scales before moving into their rooms and fork out half a euro ($0.61) per kilogram (2.2 lbs). “I had many guests who were really huge and I told them to slim down,” said Juergen Heckrodt, owner of the three-star establishment. “When they came back the year after and had lost a lot of weight they asked me what are you gonna do for me now?” Heckrodt said he hoped his initiative would inspire Germans to become leaner and healthier. “Healthy guests live longer and can come back more often.” Larger customers may be reassured that the hotel turns no one away who refuses to step on the scales. The hotel charges no guest more than 39 euros, the normal single room price.
the same technology we do and provide that to refineries and to their seawater barrier.” Jeff Kuo, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Cal State Fullerton, said that though this system is fairly new technology, itʼs proven technology. Aside from the projects $400 million plus construction costs, the facilities will rack up approximately $22.9 million in operating costs. This hefty price tag may be the systems only con said Kuo, but the water district knows that it is well worth it. “I think that they are a powerful agency, so they must know. I think this is right, I donʼt think itʼs out of line,” Kuo said. Despite these high numbers, Wildermuth argues that the customer saves in the end. “If we didnʼt do this our water bills would go up more from $476 per acre/foot to $500.”
THURSDAY: Fullertonʼs Maverick Theater hosts a comedy karaoke contest show every Thursday at 10 p.m. at which the winner gets $25 or an entry in the finals – the grand prize for that is $250. Entry is $5. Visit www.mavericktheater.com for more information. THURSDAY: Too Short will showcase his “skillz” at 7 p.m. at Vault 350 in Long Beach. The Team; Young Soprano, featuring Mack 10; O.N.E.; Wylde Bunch; and Wild Child will all be there, and the show will include a DJ performance by the Dynamiq Do-O. Tickets cost $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Visit www.vault350.com for tickets and more information. SATURDAY: The city of Fullerton will host a day trip to the 61st annual Orchid Festival in Santa Barbara. The group will visit Gallup & Stribling and the Earl Warren Show Grounds. Participants must be 18 or older. To register, call (714) 738-6575 between 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The event is $44 for non-residents and $38 for residents. If you would like to submit an event to Out nʼ About please email news@dailytitan.com
CAFFEINE FROM PAGE 1
chemical dependency. Consider the caffeine contents of some popular sources: 195 milligrams for a 12 ounce Starbucks Coffee, 107 milligrams for an eight ounce cup of coffee, 80 milligrams for an 8.3 ounce can of Red Bull and 140 milligrams for a 16-ounce can of Monster. Some students across campus said their caffeine urges stem out of necessity as opposed to routine. “If Iʼm feeling tired, Iʼll grab a pick me up,” communications major Joe Simmons said. “They keep you awake so you can maintain focus when you need to.” Simmons also elaborated on some of the unpleasant after effects. “You canʼt have caffeine on an empty stomach or else you get the shakes” he said. Psychology major Mary Patel said sometimes caffeine functions as a substitute for a meal when her busy schedule does not permit her to stop for food. “It tastes good; instead of eating Iʼll have a Red Bull or Pepsi,” she said. “It keeps me full and speeds up my metabolism.” While caffeine is not nearly as addictive as stimulants such as cigarettes, cocaine or methamphetamines, it can have a multitude of side effects if overused.
N E W S @ D A I LY T I TA N . C O M
NEWS
FROM PAGE 1
FIRE FROM PAGE 1
Volunteers in each division will be trained in basic emergency management, so if a disaster occurs, they will have the ability to organize and assist their neighbors. There is roughly 135,000 people in Fullerton, and at any given day there are only 27 firefighters on duty, Knabe said. “We want people to stabilize their own home and once thatʼs done, you can get out to your neighbors,” said Pastor Fernando Villicana, volunteer program manager.
EARTHQUAKE FROM PAGE 1
Moreover, this web of fault lines could result in a “cascading earthquake,” a domino effect where one fault triggers another, generating larger seismic waves as several faults rupture altogether. Bowman said this was the case in Southern California during the
3
Social Security: Estimated $586 Billion Question
DETECTIVE Gamma-hydroxybutrate was developed as a sleep aid, and at low doses has a euphoric effect, but at higher doses can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbances, according to the Drink Detective Web site. A high dosage of any of these drugs can be lethal. “We encourage that people be proactive so they cannot be a victim.” said Sgt. Linda King of the Fullerton Police Department. “A combination of common sense and sensible drinking will hopefully prevent you from becoming a victim to start with.” A person is encouraged to use the Drink Detective if their drink
W E D N E S D A Y, M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 0 6
As baby boomers reach retirement age, Americans wonder who will foot bill By Lauren Padilla
Daily Titan Staff Writer
smells, tastes or looks strange, according to the Drink Detective Web site. “Leaning more towards drinking out of bottles will make it harder to have your drink spiked,” said Leslie Battisti, spokeswoman for the Drink Detective. “Watch youʼre drink, donʼt set it down and leave it for a
while, keep it in your hand,” said Andrew Stretch, local bartender at Off Campus Pub. The Drink Detective won the Best of Whatʼs New 2004 Award for the personal health category in Popular Science Magazine and is available online at www.drinkdetectiveusa.com, but it will soon be available in stores.
There is no minimum or maximum amount of volunteers scheduled for enrollment in the program. The number of volunteers for each district is unlimited. Once volunteers complete their first 24 hours of training, they will receive a certificate, a rescuerʼs bag, a vest and a helmet. These training classes will allow volunteers to go back to their friends and neighbors, and pass on the information they have learned. “We plan to expand and offer additional training in the future,” Schuster said. Volunteers should expect to devote approximately four hours a month to maintain preparedness, he said.
“Weʼll have quarterly drills to stay in touch and stay a team,” Schuster said. Volunteers must be 18 years old and physically able to do the job. “We are recruiting people from churches and community groups,” Villicana said. Volunteers must pay a $40 fee to participate in the program, and will be subject to background checks by the Fullerton Police Department. Class size is limited to 30 people, and all classes will be held at Fire Station 6 located at 2691 Rosecrans Ave. For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, call (714) 7731316 or e-mail CRV@fullertonfire. org.
1992 Landers earthquake. “Just be prepared” – an all too forgettable warning in sunny California, but if there is one thing learned from Hurricane Katrina, itʼs to have a plan. “My biggest concern is individual preparedness,” said Quentin Frazier, emergency preparedness coordinator for CSUF with over 20 years experience in public safety. “The Federal Emergency Management Agency advises Americans to prepare to be alone
for the first 72 hours following a disaster,” Frazier said. “Iʼve been pushing to bump that up to 96 hours.” Frazier warned against assuming that government and relief teams will boundlessly take care of the rescue. Instead, as evidenced in the Katrina aftermath, the best line of defense comes from within. “It starts with individual preparedness and moves to the family and then the entire community,” Frazier said.
B
etween 1946 and 1964 families in the United States bore nearly 80 million babies, giving birth to what is commonly known as the baby boomer generation. As the oldest boomers begin reaching the age of retirement, the question of how to sufficiently provide for them is leaving many Americans, including President Bush, scratching their heads. During his last State of the Union address Bush admitted Social Security, which has traditionally supported retirees, may struggle to continue supporting them as the population of retirees continues growing. “In the long run the promises made to the elderly by the government concerning money [and] pensions … will not be fulfilled because our government wonʼt be capable of affording it,” Pauline Abbott, director of Cal State Fullertonʼs Institute of Gerontology, said. Abbott, who was a delegate at an aging conference at the White House in 2005, expressed her con-
Josh Kurniawa, 27, a business administration major at CSUF, said he keeps a medical kit in his house, but he has not yet prepared for a temblor. “I havenʼt thought about it because we havenʼt felt a large quake since Northridge back in ʼ94,” Kurniawa said. “Iʼm just going to wait and see what happens … but Iʼm still afraid.” Much of earthquake preparedness involves knowing how to respond. Bill Stout, director of
cerns about the impact that retiring baby boomers will have on America. Life expectancy is longer, and we must rethink our views on retirement to better care for the soon-to-retire baby boomers, she said. “If everyone retires at the same time, services will be needed,” Abbott said, adding that there is an increasing need for individuals to work in fields working with the elderly. “We have to look at some of the barriers we have with the elderly and be more sensitive to their needs and possibilities,” she said. Jason Perez, a communications major, said the Social Security issue really worries him. “If the government doesnʼt even have the money to support the baby boomers, what will be left for us?” he said. Biology major Elisabeth Nguyen said she faces issues concerning the aging population every day. She said her grandma lives with her family, and she is not capable of taking care of herself. “I love my grandma, but sometimes it gets so hard for my family, and I to constantly provide for all that she needs,” Nguyen said. Abbott said the United States should look for ways to compensate for the boom in retirement by encouraging people to retire later
or by raising the age of retirement. Currently, Americans may receive retirement benefits as early as 62, but depending on the year of birth, benefits may not fully take effect until the age of 67, according to the U.S. Social Security Web site. She said that many times the elderly are mistakenly considered as no longer being capable of much. “We cast them away without giving them a proper shot,” she said. “The baby boomers will be different than past generations … who thought 80-year-olds would be communicating to their grandchildren through e-mail?” Abbott said. With todayʼs technologies there are resources to link generations in ways that were not possible in the past, Abbott said. The elderly are a great resource, she added, because of their life experience and the wealth of information they accrue over their lifetimes. Students should educate themselves about the current state of the growing retiree population because such issues affect more than those who retire, Abbott said. Bush requested $586 billion in funding for Social Security in 2006, which pays funding for over 53 million, according to the Social Sercurity Web site.
disaster services at the Orange Lizet Valencia, a child and adoCounty chapter of the Red Cross, lescent studies major, tries not to wrote in an e-mail the golden rule think about another earthquake. Valencia lost her cousin in the of earthquake response: “DROP, COVER, and HOLD under a stur- ʼ94 Northridge earthquake when dy table or desk.” his apartment ceiling collapsed on Stout said most California earth- him while in bed. quake injuries occur when building “If I hear about earthquakes on occupants rush outside in a frenzy the news, I usually change the to reach safety or channel,” Valencia said. move to differ“If kids can knock ent locations in the Now Valencia building. down precariously stores a pair of getHe said in the placed objects, then away shoes beneath recent San Simeon her bed and keeps earthquakes will earthquake in 2003, the walls around two people were knock them down. her bed empty, but crushed by falling The only difference she admitted to not debris when they having a coordi... is that an earth- nated plan. exited the building. quake can reach “Youʼd think Homes too are I would be more important commuch higher.” modities to prep for prepared because seismic pressure. such a tragedy happened,” Valencia FEMA offers said. online guidelines David Bowman Professionals for safeguarding CSUF Professor in public safety a household. For cannot stress the example, “Place importance of large or heavy earthquake prepaobjects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves, mirrors, ration enough. The internet provides a wareand large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects. house of information on earthBe sure the residence is firmly quake preparedness, making earthquake kits and disaster planning anchored to its foundation.” Odd as it seems, it is a unique for individual, family and commuprivilege to make homes earth- nity service. quake-resistant. Bowman rememIn the event of a significant bered growing up in the Midwest Southern California earthquake, where tornadoes strike unabash- Stout reassured that the Red Cross edly. will provide a large relief opera“If a tornado hits your house, tion. But that is no excuse to leave itʼs gone. Period. Thatʼs not necessarily true with earthquakes,” he disaster planning unchecked on the said. to-do-list. As Bowman said, “It Bowman describes earthquake- truly is a case where an ounce of resistant housing in rudimentary prevention is better than a pound logic: “If kids can knock down of cure.” precariously placed objects, then earthquakes will knock them down. Recommended Web sites: www. The only difference between an redcross.org, www.fema.gov, earthquake and a kid is that an www.oes.ca.gov, www.safetymadesimple.org earthquake can reach higher.”
Ever Had A Paranormal Experience on Campus? Have you felt that someone was watching you? Have you seen or heard strange things in any of the buildings? The Daily Titan is currently working on a story regarding the paranormal on campus. This is not a joke.
If you have experienced any of the above phenomena, please send your contact information and a brief description of the event (where, what time) to news@dailytitan.com
4
W E D N E S D A Y, M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 0 6
TITAN EDITORIAL
Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960
RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
Q
uestioning the foothold of Liberal Democracy in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, has become commonplace recently but the answer to whether these societies have embraced it are fleeting. Afghanistan answered with a resounding “No” yesterday as 41-year old Abdul Rahman was arrested for being a Christian convert. The constitution of Afghanistan advocates religious tolerance, however it also embraces Sharia law, which states that Muslims who abandon their religion are subject to the death penalty. He strayed the teachings of Islam 16 years ago when missionaries doing humanitarian work taught him about Christianity work in neighboring Pakistan. Rahman, a father of two children, has stated that he accepts his sentence, but asserts that he did not abandon the teachings of Islam, nor is he an infidel. U.S. Undersecretary of Political Affairs Nicholas Burns told reporters in a tepid statement that the United States would respect the sovergnty of Afghanistan, but believes that Afghans should be free to choose their own religion. The U.S. also urged the Afghan government to conduct the trial in a transparent manner. This is a mild statement when compared to those made
by Canada, Italy and Germany – each country has troops stationed in Afghanistan. The U.S. has the largest number, at 23,000 – all of whom are outraged that Rahman may be put to death for laws tantamount to state-sanctioned religious persecution. After the successful invasion of Afghanistan, and facing the threat of war in Iraq because of an ever-defiant Hussein, the Bush administration pointed to the victory in Afghanistan as proof that the United States was granting freedom to those who lived under tyrannical middle-eastern regimes. Too bad Afghanistan traded one form of persecuting government for another. As a self-appointed beacon of freedom, the U.S. should be yelling the loudest to free Rahman. The people of Afghanistan were liberated because of the sacrifices made by troops of every faith who fought, were maimed, or died to ensure that Afghans could enjoy a life free from religious persecution like that of the Taliban. Such a nonchalant response from the U.S. is an insult to the men and women who fought and died to secure freedom of the Afghan people from the Taliban. We shouldnʼt be using tolerant language, or carefully penned responses. We should be tolerant of other religions and ideas, but that tolerance should end when a commitment to the principles of liberalism ends also.
Editorial Board Philip Fuller, Opinion Editor Nicole M. Smith, Executive Editor Kim Orr, Managing Editor In deference to the paradigm established by venerable Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, unsigned Titan Editorials strive to represent the general will of the Daily Titan editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the view of the university.
OPINION
O P I N I O N @ D A I LY T I T A N . C O M
Giving the U.S. an Ecnomic Boost By Nohemy Martinez
Daily Titan Staff Writer
The U.S. Senate is working to reform an immigration bill that is posing a serious threat to Californiaʼs demographics. The bill was created as an attempt to “Protect the homeland by controlling the borders and serve the American economy by matching a willing worker with a willing employer.” To be more precise, with the passing of the new bill, immigrant workers will receive a temporary threeyear work permit that will allow them to work in the U.S. legally. This means that millions of undocumented immigrants will be forced to leave the country after three years of work. The outline of the plan will also completely eliminate the lottery program that randomly selects 50,000 immigrants to receive citizenship.
The description of the plan was vague and written to be left for the readerʼs interpretation. This alone is a strategy that is deceiving to the American public and illegal immigrants. What is the most controversial about the new bill is all of the repercussions that the majority of the public have not been informed about. The new bill drastically expands the term “alien smuggling” by punishing immigrants and the people who either host them, employ them or smuggle them in. More specifically, anyone who harbors or aids an immigrant in his or her illegal stay is subject, along with the immigrant, to be prosecuted by law. The proposition of this bill is a slap on the face on millions of immigrants who have in a sense been the backbone of the American economy. For those who argue in of the support bill, claiming that it
is unfair to legal immigrants who abide by the law because illegal immigrants have enjoyed the commodities of living in America, ask yourself if washing dirty dishes, cleaning toilets and crop picking is a commodity? Bushʼs immigration reform will not only give rise to racial profiling, but it will also push the boundaries that people are willing to face in order to immigrate to the United States. Is a threat to our security the biggest fear we face right now? Or is it that we have taken 9/11 as an excuse to ignore the millions of people in the world whose standards of living are lower than our worst? Punishing and deporting all illegal immigrants will dig America into a bigger hole in our economy. We have realized that America is holding on to hegemonic power by a thread and by isolating ourselves from other countries it is almost
certain that the U.S. will lose its crown. Our government has obviously acknowledged the fact that people immigrate here to escape poverty and to search for new opportunities. Unfortunately, our government has been too preoccupied trying to help countries that we can greatly benefit from. Blinded by our own greed, we have failed to notice that the root of our immigration problem is our lack of diplomacy with those countries whose residents we are now hosting. For those who are not in need of political excuses, look at the human perspective. These millions of immigrants have not wronged us; they have economically contributed to our country more than we think. No U.S. citizen should have the right to determine who is to be deprived of a better life.
tion for mothers and fathers to risk the lives of their children in a oneshot crack at making it to a country that could provide a better existence for future generations. It creates an excuse to exploit those illegally here when American businesses are willing to pay a worker less because they know they can. It brings about an ugly sense of territorialism that promotes groups like the Minute Men to pull up their lawn chairs on the great wide opens, hands fullyloaded to protect national borderlines that should not be crossed. The greatest frustration with illegal immigration is that it dehumanizes those on the path to a greater quality of life. In a fit of evil irony, tiny shipping crates crammed with people sail for weeks in conditions so horrid that many would be jailed for putting the family pet in a similar situation. In Texas, bodies are regularly
found in remote parts of the desert. They are the bodies of those traveling in lethal heat with no water or supplies. Illegal immigration hurts those that wish to come to America on legal terms. It hurts them because so many draconian laws are being passed to prevent illegal immigration that it ignores those trying to transition on legal terms. Furthermore, it hurts those whose only objective is to help those in need. In December, the House of Representatives passed a bill that makes it a felony for anyone to knowingly assist an individual they know to be illegal. This law could jail a church member for providing a free meal at a soup kitchen or a good Samaritan for driving an illegal immigrant to a hospital. Illegal immigration is indeed affecting our economy. But if legal immigration received more time and attention on the platforms of gov-
ernment offices across our nation, then the entire illegal workforce that contributes minimally to our states can contribute exponentially to it by being taxed the same way that U.S. born or naturalized workers are. Simply put, people have always and will always try to come to the United States. It is, as so many politicians are willing to declare, the greatest nation on earth. Can we blame people for heeding the rhetoric and attempting to leave their countries for streets paved with gold? Illegal immigration is wrong. Nevertheless, to ban it and allow it to take our focus would be as successful as prohibition was in the early 20th century. Instead, strip illegal immigration of its power and focus on providing legal channels because we canʼt let illegal immigration destroy lives anymore. Not for us living in America and not for those trying to.
In Need of a more Humane Solution By Jickie Torres
Daily Titan Staff Writer
Illegal immigration is a necessity of human growth and existence turned evil. In the grand scheme of life people have migrated from one place to another historically based on terms of existence and survival. The first American colonists fled oppressive England to evade religious subjugation and an undiscerning ruler. In this same way people from many countries – shame on you for Mexico being the only one to cross your mind – seek shelter in the United States to break from tyrannical governments ill-equipped or, worse yet, rejecting the idea of accessibility to success. Immigration itself is not the problem. The problem is what illegal immigration brings about in todayʼs climate. It brings about the tempta-
SPORTS Titans Hope to Steamroll Dirtbags 6
W E D N E S D A Y, M A R C H 2 2 , 2 0 0 6
S P O R T S @ D A I LY T I T A N . C O M
Baseball anticipating big battle in weekend series against rival Long Beach
it means a lot to the conference championship race.” The competition between the two teams spans a 30-year stretch, with the Titans having dominated By ADAM LEVY the series with 98 wins and 53 For the Daily Titan losses. In the past decade under Horton, the Titans hold a 31-28 record over A longtime rivalry continues this the Dirtbags. “They give us everything we weekend as the Cal State Fullerton can handle,” Horton said. “There Titans host a three-game series at arenʼt many programs playing Goodwin Field against the Long [around] .500 ball against us, but Beach State Dirtbags. Long Beach does.” The match up pits two of the So far, the Titans have justified countryʼs most prestigious protheir lofty status in the preseason grams against one another, as the polls to the tune of a 17-7 record, current USA Today/ESPN Division good for first place in the Big West I poll ranks the Titans seventh conference. overall and the Dirtbags 21st. On the other hand, Long Beach “We have a lot of respect for State was recently swept at home them,” said Head Coach George by No. 23 Wichita State and has Horton of the Dirtbags. lost seven out of 10. The Dirtbags Also, there are strong regional are currently in ties, with the fifth in the Big close proximity West, with an between both “They are consistently overall record of campuses. good every year and 12-12, making Last yearʼs this series even always have a great series between more crucial to pitching staff.” the teams the Dirtbagsʼ drew a record Jared Clark hopes to improve 10,335 fans their record this Titan right fielder to Goodwin season. Field to see the “Our chalTitans drop two lenge will be of three games to their Southern to crack their pitching, as they California archrivals. It was the Titans only series loss have three great starters in Jared of the 2005 regular season, though Hughes, Andrew Carpenter and they would later even the score by Vance Worley,” Horton said. Early standout performances taking two of three at Long Beach from the Titans on the mound last May. have come from the arms of Wes “This is one of those series you Roemer and Lauren Gagnier, both look for on the calendar,” Horton of whom rank among the top 10 in said. “The weather is good, the the Big West ERA. rivalry is one of the best, thereʼs Gagnier is 5-2 with a 2.54 ERA bragging rights on the line, and
McArthur’s two-run blast not enough as Pepperdine Waves defeat Titans, 7-4 By CHRISTEN D’ALESSANDRO
Daily Titan Staff Writer
ERIKA LARA/Daily Titan
BUSTING OUT: Titan third baseman Evan McArthur [#19] is congratulated by John Curtis [#35] just as he crosses the plate after hitting his second home run of the year in a 7-4 loss Tuesday against Pepperdine. while Roemer has been dominant on the mound for the Titans, not allowing a free pass and striking out 50 hitters in 52 and one-third innings pitched. At the tail end of games, Vinnie Pestano has been untouchable as the Titansʼ closer, collecting eight saves and a minuscule 0.50 ERA. The Titansʼ lineup has been fueled by offensive catalysts such as second baseman Justin Turner, designated hitter David Cooper, first baseman Brett Pill, shortstop Blake Davis and left fielder Danny Dorn, all of whom rank among the
top 20 in Big West batting. Right fielder Jared Clark recently picked up Big West Baseball Player of the Week honors for a sizzling week capped by a two home run, six RBI performance against Rice. “Thereʼs a lot of similarities between the programs,” said Turner of Long Beach State. “They play the same style of West Coast baseball as [the Titans] with a lot of bunting and [using] hit and runs.” Turner said the Dirtbags have a very good program and that each
game will likely be decided by one or two runs at the most. Clark echoed Turnerʼs sentiments. “They are consistently good every year and always have a great pitching staff,” Clark said. “They match up really well to us, being our number one rivals. Itʼs never a blowout. All of the games are decided by pitching and defense.” With a 8-1 record in their last nine games, it is clear the Titans are hitting their stride. “We welcome the great competition and look forward to every game,” Horton said.
Dueling Tennis Divas Battle it Out in Desert The Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells is one of the premier tennis gatherings of elite players in the Southern California region. A tier one competition just beneath the Grand Slam series in points earned, the setting alone, with its desert mountain backdrop in Coachella Valley, is movie set spectacular. I was there last Friday to watch what I thought would be the dueling diva event of the day – Martina Hingis vs. Maria Sharapova. At 25, Hingis is the veteran diva, whose comeback after a threeyear absence is the tennis story since her quarterfinal appearance
at the Australian Open in January. Last week Hingis beat local favorite Lindsay Davenport of Laguna Beach and all the tourney talk was how she might compete against Sharapova – the Wimbledon champion. In diva tennis circles, no one comes close to Sharapova and the 18-year-old knows it, possessing the all-world talent to match her much ballyhooed sex appeal. Unfortunately, the hype between the two was shortlived as Sharapova outplayed Hingis and the match was over in 1:38. Hingis, never known for her serving prowess, was broken six times on her serve and hindered her ability to compete against her opponent. She couldnʼt intimidate Sharapova with any particular shot, not even her finesse drop
shot, which was spotty. Perhaps, not playing to the crowd affected Hingisʼ play. When Hingis made a good shot, the crowd roared its approval, while Sharapova received polite applause in comparison. Hingis seemed to ignore the fact that she was the favored player. Perhaps it isnʼt her style to whip up crowd frenzy, but it might have helped. While covering the matches, I had the pleasure to meet a couple of legends in tennis. Vic Braden is known for his topflight tennis academies in Provo, Utah and Kissimmee, Fla. His enthusiasm for the sport is infectious. I told Vic that heʼs a great questioner in press conferences, so how long has he been doing this. “Oh about 60 years,” said
���������������������������������
By NANCY SNOW
For the Daily Titan
Winning Streak is Drowned
Braden, going back to his professional playing days with the likes of Jack Kramer, Pancho Gonzales, and Bobby Riggs. Also memorable was Bud Collins, author of Bud Collins Total Tennis: The Ultimate Tennis Encyclopedia. Collins is known in tennis circles for his Wimbledon interviews, as the ultimate cheerleader for tennis, and for his shockingly bright clothing. Heʼs hard to miss anywhere. Collins wrote copious notes while cheering on Hingis. Ultimately it was Sharapova who cruised passed Elena Dementieva in the finals to her first tournament win since Birmingham June 2005. Sharapova is now ranked fourth in the world while Amelie Mauresmo, on the strength of her Australian Open championship,
������������������������� ��������������� ����������������
����������� ���������������������
vaults to No.1. A couple of life lessons I learned from these elite women tennis players emerged in their post-game press conferences. At this level of tennis, what these women want is to win, and to win against the best. Hingis is proving that sheʼs still got game, even if she never wins another big tournament. Hingis shared her motivation to return to tennis in two words: “No regrets.” Another good life lesson. Finally, I just had to ask Sharapova about the crowdʼs preference for Hingis during their match. This came after Sharapova revealed that the crowd motivated her play, including a male fan who yelled out, “Martina, sheʼs getting tired!” With that, Sharapova hit two winners in a row. The exchange between Sharapova and I follows: Q. Does it matter to you if the crowd is behind you? Sharapova: No, it doesnʼt matter. Q: The one fan seemed to make a difference. Sharapova: No, it doesnʼt matter. Itʼs just when everything was quiet, all of sudden heʼs right behind me and yells that right in my ear. Q: The crowd seemed to be very much behind Hingis, her whole comeback. Sharapova: Yeah, I mean thatʼs great. I love being the underdog. I love being the favorite. Whatever. I even like not being the favorite because I even play better. Spoken like a true diva of tennis, who for now, rules the desert.
Cal State Fullertonʼs errors along with the Pepperdine Wavesʼ solid offense caused the No. 4 ranked Titans to lose their baseball game, 7-4, against the No. 21 Waves in front of 824 fans at Goodwin Field. “That was the story of the game, they played better defense than we did,” Titan Head Coach George Horton said. In the top of the third inning, Pepperdineʼs Luke Salas started a two-out rally with a base hit to left field. Waves designated hitter Chad Tracy came to the plate next and hit a two-run home run to put the first two runs on the scoreboard. The Titans fought back in the bottom of the third inning as they scored two runs with RBIs singles from Brett Pill and Jared Clark to tie the game. Neither team scored again until the top of the sixth inning when Tracy came up and hit his second home run of the game, giving him five on the season. “Thereʼs always a little extra excitement when youʼre coming to play a team thatʼs ranked No. 4 in the nation,” Tracy said. “It just pumps you up.” In the bottom of the inning, Titan catcher John Curtis doubled and ended up scoring on third baseman Evan McArthurʼs two-run homer to give Fullerton a 4-3 lead. It was the only runs the Titans would score for the rest of the game while the Waves scored two runs in the seventh, one in the eighth and one in the ninth. “For the most part we scored enough runs to win the game, but defense didnʼt help us out tonight,” McArthur said. The Titans recorded an uncharacteristic four errors in the game, but Horton said there were a few other plays that couldʼve been considered errors. Titan pitcher Bryan Harris, who hasnʼt pitched in a game since February, received the loss, which drops his record to 0-2, while Barry Enright, the starting pitcher for the Waves, got the win to improve his record to 5-1. CSUF ended up using five pitchers throughout the game, who combined for 11 strikeouts. “We only walked one guy and hit one guy, so they threw the ball over the plate,” said Horton about his pitchers. “Obviously we might have thrown the ball over the plate too much to Mr. Tracy.” The Titans will be back at Goodwin Field this weekend to play in a three-game series against Long Beach State. “We try to be mentally tough and try to bounce back from anything [that happens] within a game and from a game to a [following] game,” Horton said. “I would suspect that Iʼll just make us practice a little harder tomorrow and Thursday leading into the Long Beach State series.” Titans shortstop Blake Davis was 1-for-2 in the game, extending his hitting streak to 15 games.
