Dinner & a movie: we know where to go
2008 Beijing Olympian on campus
Are you willing to starve for education?
REVIEWS | P 7
SPORTS | P 9
OPINION | P 15
LA VOZ WEEKLY
The Voice of De Anza College | April 20, 2009 | Vol. 42, Issue 21
FOOTHILL-DE ANZA CHANCELLOR GOES TO WASHINGTON Anson Lai and Joyce Sim LA VOZ NEWS
When Education Secretary Arne Duncan called to nominate Foothill-De Anza College District Chancellor Martha Kanter as Under Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration, her reply was quick and easy. “I said yes during the phone call,” said Kanter. Having served as the president of De Anza College in 1993, then as the district chancellor in 2003, Kanter contributed to the success and excellence of the top-ranked community college district. If confirmed by the Senate, she will be the first
community college official to attain such a high post within the federal education department. “She has a lot of experience for the job and has made numerous innovations right here in De Anza College,” said engineering instructor George Krestas. “It is very nice to have her look after us.” Inspired by her own experience both as a learner and a tutor, Kanter realized the importance of education and fights for a sound and affordable education for students. She will focus on supporting faculty members “so they’re not tied up in the bureaucracy,” and help define a better role of the federal govern-
ment in education. “The federal government’s role is identifying and making resources available to institutions through the right incentives,” she said. One of Kanter’s goals is to streamline Financial Aid and to “simplify the hurdles people go through to get into college and out of college.” The Obama administration hopes to increase the college graduation rate by 50 percent. In order to achieve this goal, Kanter realizes how critical early educational transitions are for students and understands the need to develop a strong partnership among all levels of higher education. CONTINUED PAGE 3, KANTER
The Under Secretary of Education ... •
Is the third-highest ranking position in the U.S. Education Department
•
Oversees financial aid, postsecondary education, adult and vocational education
Too many students, not enough classes
Isis Copeland and Ed Pereira LA VOZ NEWS
JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
De Anza student Samantha Duran fills out registration forms to become a donor at the Project Michelle drive.
An increase in student enrollment combined with the state budget crisis has made it more difficult for students to add classes critical for
transferring. Rowena Tomaneng, dean of the Language Arts Division, reported a 500-student increase in her division. The influx of students led to the creation of five new English class sections within the first week of the
quarter. Students Erin Lennon and Rintu Sajan said they are both currently waitlisted for prerequisite classes that would complete their sequences for UC admission. CONTINUED PAGE 5, CLASSES
Save a life in the De Anza quad
Lucie Ashley and Joyce Sim LA VOZ NEWS
De Anza College students came out to one of Project Michelle’s drives in front of the library on Wednesday and Thursday to add their names to the bone marrow registry. De Anza has hosted drives for Project Michelle since its creation in April 2008. It was then that 26 yearold Michelle Maykin had a leukemia relapse and was in need of a match for bone marrow transplantation. Project Michelle is part of the Asian-American Donor Program’s nationwide effort to find a donor
match not only for Michelle, but all others in need of transplants. De Anza’s Eurasia Club organized this quarter’s event, which was staffed by student volunteers as well as trained AADP volunteers. De Anza student Daniel Mart has been helping organize drives since last year and has organized events on his own. “It’s really crucial that people register,” said Mart, who has distributed flyers and delivered classroom presentations to raise awareness. CONTINUED PAGE 3, DONORS
KEN ENG / LA VOZ
Student enrollment at De Anza College has increased 10 percent this spring quarter.
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LAVOZDEANZA.COM
CAMPUS EVENTS Monday, April 20 ACTIVISTS GIVE ACCOUNT OF LIFE IN GAZA Monday, april 20, 9:30 - 10:45, L42
Donna Wallach and Darlene Wallach, Jewish anti-zionist social justice activists from San Jose, will give an eye witness report on the situation in Gaza. The Wallachs sailed on the first two Free Gaza boats into Gaza Port last August.
FILM: ‘A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILLES’ WITH FILMMAKER Q&A Monday, april 20, 1:30 - 3:30, CAMPUS CTR, RM B
A Village Called Versailles” is a full-length documentary about a community in New Orleans first settled by Vietnamese refugees. After post Hurricane Katrina rebuilding, residents were threatened by a nearby government-imposed toxic landfill. Filmmaker S. Leo Chiang will be present for questions after the film. For information contact Christine Chai at chaichristine@fhda.edu.
Wednesday, April 22 SUMMER IN VIETNAM MEETING Wednesday, april 22, noon - 1 p.m., library 2nd floor
At this informational meeting, find out how to see Vietnam and earn up to 8 units this July in De Anza’s Campus Abroad Program. De Anza students will travel with Vietnamese students, learn about the 1,000 years of history, taste the regional foods, travel the length of the country and see what Vietnam is up to in the 21st century. Scholarships are available. For information contact vuduc.vuong@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 23 CLUB DAY thursday, april 23, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., main quad
Check out the information tables of over 50 clubs on campus. Meet new people and enjoy free treats, club performances and DJ music.
Friday, April 24 ‘STAND IN THE PLACE WHERE YOU LIVE’ A COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKSHOP FRIDAY, april 24, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Calif. history ctr. De Anza College will host an American Association of Community Colleges regional workshop supporting efforts to establish service-learning programs and strengthen existing programs within community colleges. Service learning practitioners will discuss community partnerships, curriculum integration and how to determine the level of civic engagement in an organization. The final segment of the workshop, from 2-4 p.m. will focus on how to more fully engage Pacific Islander students in a program called “Voices Across the Ocean” with visiting singer/songwriter/ artist/activist Erica Benton. The workshop is free to De Anza faculty and staff, $30 for others. The registration form is available at: http://www.deanza. edu/communityengagement or call 408-864-8349 for information.
‘DEBUGGING THE SILICON DREAM: REAL LIFE IN A VIRTUAL WORLD’ FRIDAY, april 24, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., campus ctr RMS A&B
Join scholars, artists and activists in exploring the real-world forces shaping Silicon Valley and high-tech California, and their impact on culture, landscape and people’s lives at the annual conference of the California Studies Association. A $35 suggested donation includes a one-year membership in CSA; no charge for students with a student ID. Pre-registration is required. For information go to http://californiastudiesassociation.berkeley.edu/conference/.
FILM PRODUCER TIM ALBAUGH TO SPEAK FRIDAY, april 24, 4 - 5:30 P.M., FORUM 3
Hollywood producer Tim Albaugh will speak on “Script vs. Movie,” discussing why a great movie script does not necessarily translate into a marketable movie. He will also give tips on how to pitch a script. Albaugh wrote the film “Trading Favors” starring Rosanna Arquette, Devon Gummersall and Cuba Gooding, Jr.
HOLLYWOOD NORTH PODCAST ON PRODUCING FRIDAY, april 24, 7 - 8:30 p.m., ATC 12o
Film/TV department chair Zaki Lishi and screenwriting instructor Barak Goldman will host the third installment of an interactive podcast on producing films, with guest Hollywood producer Tim Albaugh. Albaugh also teaches screenwriting at UCLA and Pixar Animation Studios.
Tuesday, April 28 PAID INTERNSHIPS FOR STUDENTS Tuesday, april 28, 1:30 , Campus ctr. RM. B
Students are welcome at an informational meeting regarding paid internships through the Foothill-De Anza Community Collge District Internship Program. For more information go to: http://internships.fhda.edu.
‘FOCUS DE ANZA: LIVE THE CHANGE’ Tuesday, april 28, 1:30 - 3 p.m., Campus ctr. RM. A
Community members are invited to participate in this interactive event focusing on De Anza’s Sustainability Management Plan, including daily actions to make the campus sustainable in regard to air, land and water, as well as community vibrancy, environmental stewardship, social equity and financial responsibility. For information go to: http://www.deanza.edu/sustainability/smp/index.html.
‘GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL’ Tuesday, april 28, 7 p.m., flint center
Follow five friends as they relive their past, celebrate their present and look to the future on a wild and hilarious karaoke night out. Tickets available at Ticketmaster from $25 - $45. Event will be repeated April 29.
Wednesday, April 29 AUTHOR TAMIM ANSARY TO SPEAK WEDNESDAY, april 29, 9:30-10:45, L42
Tamim Ansary, author of “West of Kabul, East of New York” and director of the San Francisco Writers Workshop will speak and sign his new book “Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes.”
APRIL 20, 2009
Happenings@LaVozDeAnza.com Send event notices to Happenings@LaVozDeAnza.com by noon Wednesday, preceding the publication week. Please type “Happenings” in the subject line. La Voz does not guarantee publication. All events take place on the De Anza College campus and are free, unless stated otherwise.
ONGOING EVENTS
Tursday, April 30 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL thursday, april 30, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., campus center rms a&B Hosted by Japanese Student Association.
UPCOMING EVENTS FLORICANTO II: SPANISH POETRY READING tuesday, MAY 5, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., wrc, atc 309 SPRING CARNIVAL THURSDAY, MAY 7, 11 A.M. - 2 p.m., MAIN QUAD Check out the games and prizes at the Inter Club Council’s spring carnival. For information call 408-864-8693.
POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP MONDAY, MAY 11 - THURSDAY, MAY 14, 4 - 5 p.m., WRC ATC 309 SPRING JOB FAIR THURSDAY, MAY 14, 10 A.M. - 2 p.m., campus ctr. rms A&B Approximately 30 local employers will be available to meet with students. Students should bring several copies of their resumes to this event. For information call 408-864-5711.
PATNOE JAZZ FESTIVAL CONCERT FRIDAY, MAY 15, 7:30 - 10 p.m., VPA THEATER 115 The Herb Patnoe Memorial Jazz Festival takes place each spring, featuring a nationally-known jazz artist performing with De Anza College instrumental and vocal jazz groups. Cost is $15 for general admission, $12 for students/seniors. For information go to http://www.deanzadaddios. org or contact tylersteve@fhda.edu or hawkinsmichelle@fhda.edu.
national poetry month exhibit De anza library lobby
The National Poetry Month display features poetry collections including De Anza College’s literary magazine, Red Wheelbarrow.
PRESIDENT’S OPEN OFFICE HOUR
De Anza College President Brian Murphy will hold an open office hour form 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. in the Administration Building on April 21, April 28, May 19 and June 16.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION DE ANZA VETERANS
One or two student veterans are wanted who are willing to help start a campus Veterans’ Club. Faculty advisers have already volunteered. The club would be a way veterans could connect on shared issues and conderns, offer a support system and have fun. If interested, contact John Butcher in Disability Support at 408-864-5861 or butcherjohn@fhda.edu.
FREE COMPUTERS TO STUDENTS
De Anza provides refurbished computers to qualifying students throughout the year. To apply for a computer, contact the Financial Aid office.
CROSS CULTURAL PARTNERS WANTS YOU
The Cross Cultural Partner Program (CCP) needs native and fluent speakers of English to talk to our English as a Second Language students and share their culture. No experience is necessary. Grab this opportunity for adventure. Sign-up online at www.deanza. edu/ccpartners/ or for more information e-mail ccpartners@deanza.edu.
CAMPUS CAMP WELLSTONE FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 15-16
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Campus Camp Wellstone is a new training program for students across the country interested in gaining skills in leadership, political action and civic engagement. Two units of college credit are offered. For information call the Institute of Community and Civic Engagement at 408-864-8349.
duel at de anza autocross sunday, May 17, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., parking lots a & B Auto drivers compete for the best times around the track, navigating a race course with their own cars. Free for spectators, drivers pay to register. For information contact 408-864-8527 or brandtmichael@deanza.edu.
Saturday, April 25:
Last day to drop a class with no record of grade
Friday, May 1:
Last day to request P/NP grade
Saturday - Monday, May 23-25:
Memorial Day Weekend (college closed)
Friday, May 29:
Last day to drop with a “W”
Friday, June 12:
Last day to add CAOS and Skills self-paced classes
author anthony bourdain to speak thursday, May 28, 7:30 p.m., flint center Anthony Bourdain is the veteran culinary and cultural adventurer who first exploded onto the scene with his internationally best-selling book, “Kitchen Confidential.” He is also the host of the Travel Channel’s hit show, “No Reservations.” Tickets available at Ticketmaster for $50 and $125.
Monday - Friday, June 22-26: Final Exams
Friday, June 26:
Last day to file for a spring degree or certificate, Last day of spring quarter
Saturday, June 27: Graduation Monday, June 29: First day of Summer Session
TRANSFER CENTER EVENTS
Appointments to meet with university and college representatives can be scheduled in person at the Transfer Center on the 2nd floor of the Student and Community Services Bldg., or by calling 408-864-8841.
Upcoming college and university representative visits include: University of California, Berkeley Tuesday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center drop-in advising Wednesday, May 13, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center drop-in advising University of California, Davis Monday, April 20, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, April 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, May 4, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, May 11, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, May 18, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, June 1, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, June 8, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, June 15, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment University of California, Irvine Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Wednesday, May 20, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Monday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment University of California, Riverside Tuesday, May 5, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Main Quad Information table University of California, Santa Cruz Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Tuesday, May 12, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Wednesday, May 27, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Tuesday, June 9, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment Wednesday, June 17, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Transfer Center by appointment California State University, East Bay To be announced San Francisco State University Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Transfer Center, by appointment Thursday, May 21, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Transfer Center, by appointment San Jose State University Tuesday, April 21, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Transfer Center, by appointment Wednesday, May 13, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Transfer Center, by appointment John F. Kennedy University Wednesday, May 6, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Main Quad Information Table Tuesday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Main Quad Information Table University of East-West Medicine Thursday, May 7, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Main Quad Information Table
APRIL 20, 2009
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
p1 | Obama taps Kanter for position KANTER | “We have to significantly increase graduation rates at the K-12 side,” she said. “Two-thirds of students are not prepared for the college level. 7,000 students drop out every day.” Kanter graduated from Brandeis University and went on to earn a master’s in education from Harvard University. Returning to the Bay Area, she later received her doctorate degree in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco, where she specialized in community colleges. She stresses the importance of partnerships with the Department of Labor and the K-12 and UC school systems to create more access to college and more success to students. She
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De Anza Voices: What do you think of Kanter’s nomination? “It’s quite an honor, but we’ll see what she can do.” Matthew Pugentti Illustration 30 “That’s really exciting news.” Samantha Peters Sociology 20 “Wow. I’m sure she’ll bring change.” Jose Ramirez Architecture 21 COMPILED BY BELLA YASHAYEV/LA VOZ
Two-thirds of students are not prepared for the college level. 7,000 students drop out every day.
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MARTHA KANTER FHDA DISTRICT CHANCELLOR
hopes to achieve “quality, affordability and access for the top 100 percent.” The district is looking for an interim chancellor to replace Kanter as she prepares for her summer transition to Washington, D.C. following the Senate’s approval. As one of the nation’s largest community college districts, Foothill-De Anza serves roughly 44,000 students and faces growing enrollment each quarter. LV Anson Lai and Joyce Sims are staff reporters for La Voz Weekly. Contact them at ansonlai@lavozdeanza.com and joycesims@ lavozdeanza.com. Dae Kim and Daniel Gamberg contributed to this report.
Congratulations, Chancellor Kanter THE OPINION OF ThE LA VOz Weekly EDitorial Board Less than 100 days in, the Obama administration has already brought inarguably good news upon our little district with its recent nomination of Foothill-De Anza chancellor Martha Kanter as the new Undersecretary of Education. Kanter served as the president of De Anza College for more than 10 years, from 1993 to 2003. Besides her master’s in education and doctorate in leadership and organization, she holds decades of leadership experience in California’s often byzantine educational bureaucracy. Kanter is closely involved in local, state and national-level organizations, and her relations with the faculty, staff and students clearly qualifies her for the position. Kanter was involved in opening the first Advanced Technology Center in California’s community colleges, as well as in the passing of Measures E and C, for the modernization of classrooms and resources. Her strong stance on the technological advancement of education promises a similar commitment on the national level. Furthermore, her nomination is a longoverdue recognition to the American community colleges. For the roughly 44,000 students in the Foothill-De Anza district, and the countless others elsewhere, it is positive news
that somebody intimately familiar with their struggles will now represent them at the uppermost levels of the executive government. Kanter’s duties as Undersecretary of Education are especially urgent given the pivotal time. In her new position, she will be directly overseeing federal level student aid and setting policy for post-secondary and vocational education. Her role in defending our educational system against the ongoing recession cannot be understated. We at De Anza have felt the impacts of a contracting economy: the massively increased enrollment, overpacked numbers in some classes, and the desperate struggles to meet that magic number of 20 enrolled students. The shrunken pot of available grants, scholarships and student loans bode ill for our nation’s much-vaunted educational system. Only via leadership that understands the vital necessity of community college education can we prevent the recession from dealing a crippling blow to our future. Martha Kanter has that sort of leadership in spades. The La Voz Weekly’s editorial board wishes her the very best for the upcoming years. Congratulations! LV
Campus Snapshot
PAGE 3
Meeting Notes DASB Senate The De Anza College Associated Student Body Senate is the governing body for De Anza College students. It meets every Wednesday afternoon.
APRIL 8 MEETING BYLAWS CHANGE: Terell Sterling moved to amend Article VI, Section 3 to add the text “Holding office for a portion of the term period is considered as holding the office for one term.” Motion to end the discussion was passed by consensus. BYLAWS CHANGE: Amir Pourshafiee moved to strike from Article VII, Section 1 the text “The last article of the bylaws shall stipulate who shall implement it and when it shall become effective.” Motion to end the discussion was passed by consensus. DASB CONSTITUTION: Terell Sterling moved to approve the DASB Constitution as amended for a first vote. Motion to end the discussion was passed by consensus. Motion to approve the DASB Constitution as amended for a first vote was passed unanimously. COMPILED BY DAKARAI MILLS
Inter Club Council The Inter Club Council is the governing body which allocates funds to De Anza College’s more than 50 clubs. The ICC meets Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Council Chambers.
APRIL 15 MEETING WISE 37 delivered a presentation on members’ experiences at the PowerShift ‘09 conference in Washington, D.C.
SPEECH & DEBATE TEAM competed in the NorCal Championship Tournament in February, where a few members won awards. THE HONORS CLUB received $120 for a club banner. DE ANZA GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE received $150 for a club banner. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TO SERVE received $150 for a club banner and $800 for a portable LCD projector. COMPILED BY KELLY TRUONG
Police Log TRAFFIC HIT & RUN Hit & run - damage only Location: Lot B Thursday, April 9 at 3:27 p.m. ADMINISTRATIVE Special event/overtime Location: De Anza College Saturday, April 11 at 8:06 a.m. SICK PERSON Sick person Location: Lot A Saturday, April 11 at 8:18 a.m. TRAFFIC CRIMINAL Misuse of handicap placard Location: Lot B Monday, April 13 at 12:32 p.m. TOWED VEHICLE STOWED Five or more unpaid tickets Location: Lot C Monday, April 13 at 1:31 p.m. ERNEST CHAVEZ / LA VOZ
The student-painted mural on De Anza College’s A Quad exemplifies urban, multicultural diversity.
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How safe is De Anza College?
In lieu of recent shootings and De Anza’s past threat, police more vigilant than ever Daniel Wakefield LA VOZ NEWS
Safety is a top priority for De Anza students and staff, but for the Foothill-De Anza District Chief of Police Ron Levine, top priority is an understatement. “We are working proactively with a variety of campus groups to identify students who may have psychological issues and refer them for help,” said Levine. Such groups include counseling, the office of student affairs, and college administration. Levine stressed that it is not a one-person effort. “We take a team approach to evaluate the individual and suggest a sound approach to deal with possible violent tendencies,” he said. “This model is widely accepted and has been insti-
tuted in a large number of colleges and universities.” District police officers undergo training programs teaching them to recognize and respond to threats. Approximately half of Levine’s staff has completed the training, with the others due to complete it within the academic year. De Anza has had a history of bomb threats. In 2001, De Anza student Al Joseph DeGuzman plotted a Columbine-style attack on the students and faculty of De Anza. The plot was foiled within hours of commencement. He later received 80 years in prison after an initial sentencing of seven years, and subsequently committed suicide at Folsom State Penitentiary in 2004. The fear of a similar event coming
to fruition is not far from the minds of top officials in the district. According to Levine, the school is currently setting up an “emergency notification system” that will use e-mails, text messaging and phone calls to inform students of a threat. Evacuation measures are also implemented in the district, but with each situation carrying its own unique characteristics, it is difficult to get a model evacuation plan. Such situations are hard to combat, because, unlike an earthquake drill, officers do not know where the danger exists. In such cases, Levine advises orderly evacuation and/or shelter in a safe place. LV
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
APRIL 20, 2009
P1 | Students donate marrow
DONORS | Mart said he wishes to break down the stigma of donating bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) being a painful process. “The worst thing that could happen is you save someone’s life,” said Mart. The efforts of Mart and others like him paid off last week, as the drives’ booth had non-stop traffic as soon as the volunteers arrived. “On a good day we get over 100 registered,” said AADP volunteer Diana Ma. “AADP holds about 300 drives a year in northern California alone,” said outreach coordinator Sudeshna Gupta. “We come to De Anza every quarter because there are a lot of participants. That’s very encouraging.”
In order to register, students needed to fill out a three-page information form and perform four cheek swabs. “I’m registering because it’s pretty hard to turn down something so simple,” said De Anza student Cory Mulhair. Gupta stressed the need to continue holding drives. “Daniel and Eurasia Club did a great job, but we need more volunteers and more student involvement,” she said. Those interested in Project Michelle can visit http://projectmichelle.org for more information. LV
Lucie Ashley and Joyce Sims are staff reporters for La Voz Weekly. Contact them at lucieashley@lavozdeanza.com and joycesims@lavozdeanza.com.
Daniel Wakefield is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at danielwakefield@lavozdeanza.com.
History of the 2001 bomb threat at De Anza: • On 1/29/01, the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department notified De Anza that there was a possibility of bombs on campus. The campus was evacuated. • Al Joseph DeGuzman, a 19-year-old De Anza student, was arrested after a Longs Drugs clerk found photos of him with explosives and weaponry. Firearms and explosives were found in his bedroom. • DeGuzman was initially sentenced to 7 years in prison, later receiving a total of 80 years.
JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
De Anza student Andrew Kang performs the necessary cheek swab in order to register as a donor on April 15.
thursday’s grilled fish @ De Anza’s cafeteria
broiled salmon, grilled zucchini, sweet pepper, yellow squash, portabella mushroom and pesto sauce (Wholewheat Roll Optional) INGREDIENTS: - 2 oz. Squash, crookneck & straightneck, broiled, drained, w/ salt - 2 oz Squash, zucchini, baby, raw - 2 oz. Peppers, sweet, red, raw - 2 oz. Mushroom, oyster, raw - 1 tbs Pesto with salt - 1 tbs Cooking Oil - 6 oz Finfish, salmon, Atlantic, farmed, raw
$7.75 Every Thursday we will be hosting a new grill special designed for those who enjoy the simplicity of grilled fish. The emphasis is on a low carb, fresh vegetable and healthy diet. Pending on the sauces we aim to keep the calories under 500.
The Cafeteria is located on the second level of the Hinson Campus Center.
APRIL 20, 2009
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
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P1 | Increase in students CLASSES | Both require a final science class, which has a small enrollment cap and is only offered once a year and in only one section. Lennon and Sajan are unsure whether they will be one of the only two students the instructor says he can add. Student enrollment at De Anza has increased more than 10 percent for this spring quarter, according to an open letter by De Anza president Brian Murphy. The state budget crisis has worsened the situation, causing the college to cancel classes with a low number of registered students before the quarter began. Faculty are not required to add students beyond the cap or after the registration period ends. If there are empty seats in a class, it is the decision of the instructor to decide to add more students, unless the class is a lab. According to Ahrens, VicePresident of Instruction Christina Espinosa-Pieb has estimated that eighty percent of faculty members have added students over their maximum cap. “Professors really feel for the students,” said English instructor Ken Weisner. “All of us are trying to help.” Despite these problems, there is much the college is doing to make sure students are able to enroll in the classes they need. DASB president Terell Sterling said he has seen and heard both
sides of the story from administrators and students, and says De Anza has tried specifically not cut any classes required for graduation. Student Trustee Patrick Ahrens agrees that the college is doing its best, but that “we are
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Professors really feel for their students. All of us are trying to help.
PHOTOS BY KEN ENG/ LA VOZ
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KEN WEISNER ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR doing a disservice to our students by not communicating to them clearly whether or not they can add right away,” such as in the case of Lennon and Rintu. LV Isis Copeland and Ed Pereira are staff reporters for La Voz. Contact them at: isiscopeland@lavozdeanza.com and edpereira@lavozdeanza.com.
Despite the enrollment spike, college administrators and faculty are doing what they can to accommodate students as they struggle to enroll in required classes.
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LAVOZDEANZA.COM
The new ‘new’ economics stephenZILL
Economics for Everyone
faces of De Anza College Professor of the Week: Gigi Acker
Encouraging a healthy lifestyle Joy Mann
Welcome to spring quarter, scholars! A quarter assured to be chock full of many and sundry chills, thrills and spills. Oh, yeah, and then there’s the economy. Though there appears to be some glimmers of hope — Ben Bernanke’s recent “green shoots” reference — we are far from out of the woods. It will likely be months before the economy resumes expansion, and even then, unemployment will likely continue to rise. But let’s put all that aside for this week and address another issue. Judging from the recent requests I have received for letters recommendation, it is that time of year when students begin transferring to a four-year institution. Hence it is time for those who have been procrastinating to capitulate and declare a major. Now all those courses you took, from Underwater Basket Weaving to Buffy the Vampire Slayer 101, will surely serve you well somewhere down the line. But if you are still a bit indecisive, allow me to make a suggestion or two. Legend has it that when contemplating his future field of study while attending “gymnasium” (high school), 20th century physics giant Max Planck decided against economics because he thought it was too difficult. Ironically, Planck’s advisers attempted to discourage him from pursuing physics based on the “fact” that there was nothing left to be discovered. Luckily for all of you who worship at the temple of modern technology, Planck would ignore such advice and go on to be one of the co-founders of quantum physics. Inventions made possible by quantum physics account for more than 30 percent of our GDP, and without it you wouldn’t have, among many other things, your computers, video games and cell phones. (Curse you for that last one, Professor Planck!) Now I’m sure that most of you know where I’m going with this, but after a substantial period of stagnation, there has recently been an uptick in the number of students majoring in, yes, economics. Why? It was only six years ago that Economics Nobel Laureate Robert Lucas claimed that the “central problem of depression-prevention … has been solved, for all practical purposes.” Oh, yeah? Though Mr. Lucas was referring to a phenomenon that falls under the category of macroeconomics — the big picture of the economy — I believe conventional wisdom suggested there was “nothing (much) left to be discovered.” I repeat, oh, yeah? The recent crises have shaken the entire subject of economics and its profession to its core. Heck, you practically need a scorecard just to keep up with all the abbreviations that have recently invaded the world of economics and finance: MBS, SIV, CDS, and acronyms like TARP, TALF, P-PIP and ZOINK (don’t Google that last one, I made it up). And as for the subject of economics itself, a wide range of near-revered models have come under severe scrutiny, as have the assumptions these model are based upon. In other words, this isn’t your grandparents’ economy or economics. It isn’t even your parents’! So when you decide on a major, why settle for some boring old degree in __________ when you can be at the forefront of a revolution — sort of like the next Max Planck of economics! All I ask is that you mention me during your Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel acceptance speech. LV Stephen Zill is an economics instructor at De Anza College. He was almost hired to teach Buffy 101.
LA VOZ NEWS
As bikini season rapidly approaches, many are trying to squeeze in an extra workout and cut unwanted calories. While some resort to crash-dieting and over-exercising, others take the healthy route of educating themselves on nutrition and the ways of healthy eating. And what better place to learn about healthy eating than at De Anza College, where you can also use Gigi Acker’s Nutrition 10 class to boost your GPA? Acker has taught nutrition at De Anza for approximately two years, and has taught a world hunger class at San Jose State. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at Auburn University in Alabama, and then continued her education, earning her master’s in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. She has been teaching for 13 years in between gardening, hiking in the mountains, mountain biking and consulting. She gives seminars and cooking classes to private companies such as
Yahoo!, The Gap, 3M and American Express. While her job is to inform students how to treat and nourish their bodies, Acker enjoys the occasional indulgence. “I love
Gigi Acker dark chocolate and ice cream, but I don’t eat fried food,” she said. “Young people have a certain type of adventurousness, and I like their energy. I love the excitement of learning something new. I like the interaction. I’m teaching them, but they are also teaching me.” Acker’s nutrition courses
teaches students how to take care of their bodies, what nutrients are and how they can nourish themselves correctly. Acker says she wants students to learn there are easy ways to do this. Taking care of your body is not hard and impossible, she said, and students do not have to cut out a favorite, weekly cupcake. “Eating is important, healthy eating is doable. Nutrition can be interesting, and there isn’t only one way to eat healthy,” she said. In addition to teaching how to eat better and how certain foods can help our environment, she takes students on a field trip to the local Whole Foods grocery store, where they apply what they learned in the classroom. Students also have an opportunity to critique a restaurant. Students don’t need to deprive themselves in order to be healthy. “A hamburger once in a while is fine. Enjoyment is good. There is no such thing as good and bad foods,” she said. LV
Jake Parent is one of those gems who often is only found in the college environment. His work includes reaching out to the people of Afghanistan and helping to open an orphanage in Kabul, while simultaneously advocating for more diversity at De Anza College and empowering students to stand up for their right to education. “It begins with just making the effort to know more about people who you might think are different from you, because when you do, you find out that you’re more similar than different,” said Parent. Parent worked with Omeid International (“Omeid” meaning “Hope” in Farsi) as a Public Relations Officer for the past year and a half, successfully fundraising $75,000 to open the Amin Institute in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Amin Institute functions as an orphanage, school and clinic for 15 children, ages 5 to 10. It was opened March 22 of this year. Parent first got involved with Omeid when he met former De Anza student, Shamsia Razaqi, who had just begun the project. His goal has been twofold: to humanize the image that Americans hold of the Afghanistanians, and to give Afghanistanian orphans a happy and nurturing environment in which to grow. “As a representative of the dominant culture in the U.S., I think it’s important to use the privilege that I have, in order to help others, rather than exploit them,” Parent said. He believes that helping others is mutually beneficial, because it is also a
way to better the world for one’s self. Omeid International successfully raised $75,000 to put toward the costs of building this orphanage. Parent says that the most memorable fundraiser was working with hip-hop artist Immortal Technique, who performed two benefit shows: one at the D&A Lounge in San Francisco, and at UC Berkeley the next night. On the third day of this
Jake Parent fundraising project, Immortal Technique participated in a Human Rights panel, which Omeid organized at Santa Clara University. Over those three days, they successfully raised $35,000. Immortal Technique donated $10,000, and personally attended the grand opening of the Amin Institute in Afghanistan. Parent notes that one of the most crucial forces in creating peace between two countries is cultivating empathy on both sides. “We are raising awareness in the U.S. about the problems faced by the people of Afghanistan, as well as the solutions,” he said. “We are building a bridge to connect us.” Future plans for Omeid International include opening
soheil REZAEE
As the World Burns
a second orphanage that would house 100 to 150 children, ages 10 to 15, in the next two years. Parent adds, “In addition, we plan to expand the organization to other places in the world where children have been affected by war.” Parent plans to spend several weeks in Afghanistan this summer, learning more about the culture. Parent also works with a group of students at De Anza called the “Student Alliance,” which he says is inclusive of all students and serves to bring different cultures together on campus in order to build an environment that focuses on similarities between groups, to ultimately benefit everyone. Parent and the Student Alliance are also working to organize workshops on campus for students to learn about how to improve the problem of budget cuts. “We want to frame the issue of budget cuts as one where students have a responsibility to stand up for their right to an education, and it’s not something that is just going to come naturally,” said Parent. Parent plans to transfer to San Jose State University as a political science major, with the goal of attending law school. However, he says that he will always continue working with organizations like Omeid International. His goal is “to use the knowledge and empowerment I get from my education to empower others.” Those interested in learning more about the Amin Institute may contact Parent at jakedparent@hotmail.com. LV Ernest Chavez is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact him at: ernestchavez@lavozdeanza.com
Soheil Rezaee is the associate editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at soheilrezaee@lavozdeanza.com.
Mann is a staff reporter for Joy La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: joymann@lavozdeanza.com
Promoting diversity at home, volunteering time abroad LA VOZ NEWS
The public’s tax choice
It’s time to relax now that we have all paid our taxes on April 15. It’s no secret that every hard-working American hates paying taxes. What they probably hate even more is when the money they paid is wasted on actions that are useless. It irritates any taxpayer when the government wastes money on useless actions like the Iraq war, overpaying Haliburton, bailing out some deadbeat bank or funding some other country’s war. What is more annoying is that taxpayers have no say in what they’re paying for. It would make more sense if taxpayers decided what their money should be used for rather then having it divided up in Washington. Since it’s the American people who pay the taxes, they should have the right to decide what their money is used for. We should amend the United States Constitution to give the power of managing tax money to the people. Taxpayers will be less likely to want to have their money wasted on something useless (like paying Halliburton millions to fix a leaky pipe with some duct tape). If the people have the power to decide what gets funded, it will be based on the necessities of the community. Under such reforms, public sectors like education and law enforcement will receive much-needed funds to function for the better. They have been ignored for too long (except during election season). It’s obvious that teachers, fire fighters and police officers do more for our community than Halliburton, Dick Cheney or some dictator. This will also help in determining domestic and economic polices. If the people really want universal health care, they can show it by the amount they are willing to pay in taxes. It will also show whether people actually like it when the government gives our money to AIG so they can pay off their board members with bonuses. Such a plan would give a great deal of power to the average citizen in deciding foreign policy. Hence, it will be up to the people to decide if America should continue aiding dictators who make our goods cheap. The popularity of a war can truly be determined based on how many taxpayers actually want their money used for it. This tax reform will strip politicians of power and pass it on to the people. No longer will crooked senators ignore the public, but instead have to dance like a clown for our amusement if they wish to get paid. It would be obvious that under such a plan that George W. Bush will receive no pension for his service as a laughable tyrant. In fact, the taxpayers should demand that he refunds them for the eight years of poor service and exploiting the patriotism of our troops. There is confidence that President Barack Obama will use the taxes wisely but there are things that probably should not receive any funding. We can trust him for now but he only has four to eight years until a new guy and we don’t know what that will be like. If incompetent politicians are still allowed to decide what the national funding could be used for, then we can make our lives easier by giving up all hope. For now, all we can do is sit back and watch the world burn. LV
Student of the Week: Jake Parent
Ernest Chavez
APRIL 20, 2009
APRIL 20, 2009
REVIEWS
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
DINNER & A MOvIE Hole-in-wall serves great Chinese Stephanie Shin LA VOZ NEWS
Hana is a great place to eat if you’re looking for a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant with good food at a reasonable price. Located in a Japanese shopping plaza at Moorpark and Saratoga, Hana offers fresh Chinese food, which is free from excess grease and oil that most Chinese restaurants can’t seem to get away from. The food is clean, healthy, and light (not too overwhelming with blasts of various flavors similar to Thai food), but it hits the spot and leaves guests satisfied with a full belly and brain full of endorphins. Behind a large display glass and a wooden countertop, a woman stands using her roller to flatten floury balls of dough into circles to prepare gyoza, a Japanese term for dumplings. She spoons a mixture of vegetables and raw meat onto the flattened round dough, folds it over in half, and pinches the sides together with skill and speed, enclosing the pocket of goods inside. The gyozas are then cooked for hungry diners, and they are also sold in sealed plastic bags for quick and easy cooking at home, although they cost about 50 cents each to-go. The gyozas are hot when they are served and juicy to bite into. Sui gyozas are boiled in water. They are soft, delightful and a healthier alternative to LV the scrumptiously crisp and heavenly fried yaki gyozas. On each table lies soy sauce, hot sauce, chopped and minced garlic, readily available. The hot sauce contains pepper seeds and its oily consistency is like a combination of vinaigrette and olive oil. Soup, the first entrée, comes out right away. The hot and sour soup is just right and not too salty, and the egg flour soup is an exceptional pleasure with its thick texture and its surprisingly subtle yet distinct flavor. The fried rice is simple and not too greasy. The chicken fried rice makes a delicious filler, and the salmon rice also has a nice and buttery scent. Expect at least a 5 to 15 minute wait for any of the items on the menu, but the Mongolian Beef is ideal for a fast and filling lunch. The tender meat is cut into bite-size pieces and tossed with green onions, perfect for eating quickly with chopsticks. Pork and Chinese chives are the lightest and most refreshing entrée of all. Served
along with bean sprouts and pork, this dish makes the perfect side salad. The bean sprouts are moist and crunchy, the chives are deep green. It brings together and completes the flavor of the rice, meat and gyozas. Soy sauce and hot sauce liven up the taste of this green dish. It is worth spending the money to eat out at this little restaurant. The proportions are generous and leftovers can be taken home to enjoy. With homemade noodles and dumplings on sight, one can’t help but feel a more direct connection to the food they are eating. LV Stephanie Shin is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: stephanieshin@lavozdeanza.com.
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A taste of Tuscany in the South Bay Dakarai Mills LA VOZ NEWS
Finding authentic international dishes can be a daunting task. But as luck would have it, a gem of the Mediterranean lies within the heart downtown San Jose. The Original Bella Mia Restaurant is Italian at its best. Nested between Santa Clara and San Fernando Streets, Bella Mia is conveniently located within walking distance from the downtown light rail station. The restaurant’s brick layering adds to the authentic feel of being on the streets of Italy, along with a beautiful outdoor patio that’s amazing in the summer months. With the addition of the big flat screen television for sports enthusiasts, Bella Mia has it all, including a fountain courtyard patio and sidewalk café – a mellow hangout spot for friends and couples alike. Bella Mia’s diverse menu selection offers top-notch dining at a reasonable price. Among its best dishes are the chicken and walnut salad, a mixture of hearts of
romaine, cantaloupe, gorgonzola cheese and candied walnuts; the pepperoni and Italian sausage pizza is another house classic. Cioppino pasta, chicken parmigianino baked with mozzarella, marinara, fresh vegetables, house pasta in garlic butter – all mouthwatering dishes that you just can’t go wrong with. The abundant selection of side dishes – including seared spinach, garlic mash potatoes, masala mushrooms and lemon risotto – are also must-haves. Lunch and dinner menus vary slightly as far a price and choices, but the dinner menu remains the best for newcomers to the Italian restaurant. There’s even something for the wine connoisseur. The wine station offers a diverse selection of great wines from around the world. The restaurant also often has special wine tasting events - an inexpensive way to taste an amazing array of wines. In addition to great food, Bella
Mia also holds banquets for special events, which can be reserved for a nominal fee. Bella Mia also now caters party trays, which offers home and business delivery – mak-
year, and this month is no different. Bella Mia is offering 50 percent lunch or dinner second-entrée discounts (at equal or lesser value) through the month. Another great April offer is the two-item combination for $19.95 and the threeitem combination for $24.95. Along with saving finding parking in downtown San Jose can also be often exhausting. But with Bella Mia offering up to two hours of validation for parking, you’re set. You can continue to dine with ease knowing you’re not racking up the parking bill. Overall, Bella Mia offers delightful, reasonably-priced Italian cuisine in the sprawls of DAKARAI MILLS / LA VOZ Silicon Valley’s captial. Along ing the great Italian taste available with great food, Bella Mia hosts to those who. If you’re looking live events, concerts, wine, cigar, for a cheap place to eat, the lunch scotch and whiskey tasting – offermenu is probably your best bet, but ing a great experience for all. expect around $40 to $50 for a dinFor more information on Bella ner of two. Mia, visit http://bellamia.com. LV Bella Mia is known as having the “fresh, seasonal California-Italian Dakarai Mills is a staff reporter cuisine.” The restaurant often has for La Voz Weekly. Contact him: special promotions throughout the dakaraimills@lavozdeanza.com
Swing by the theatre:
I Love You, Man Dakarai Mills LA VOZ NEWS
First it was Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, then Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey, now there’s Paul Rudd from “The 40 year old virgin” and Jason Segal of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” in “I Love You, Man,” a comedy that gives you the details on how a “bromance” is formed. The story is about Peter Klaven (Rudd) a real estate agent who decides to take the next big step
his fiancé Zooey feels neglected because of how much time they spend together. The best part of the movie is the “bromance” the two men share. Fife helps Klaven get out of his conservative shell and teaches him about male camaraderie and how to behave in social settings. Some of the funniest highlights of the movie begin with Klaven trying to bond with his fiancé’s best friend Denise’s (Jaime Presley) husband Barry (Jon Favreau) at a poker game. He attempts to finish the
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
and propose to his girlfriend, Zooey (Rashida Jones). As the newly engaged couple begins planning their wedding, it turns out Klaven doesn’t have a male friend to be his best man – the role he seeks to fill throughout the movie. His family describes him as always having girlfriends throughout life and never really having any male friends. He’s shocked to hear that his dad’s best friend is his gay brother Robbie, played by Andy Samberg of “Saturday Night Live.” With Robbie’s help he learns how to approach men to hang out with or in other words, he learns how to go on “man dates.” Peter begins to go out on dates hoping to make a male friend and eventually find a best man for his wedding. In the process, his dates get more awkward and he gives up hope until he meets Sydney Fife (Segel) at an open house he’s having trouble selling. The two begin to hang out often and bond quickly to the point where
beer-chugging game “speedboat” which is too fast for Klaven and he vomits all over Barry’s face and is forced to leave his home. Another memorable moment is the great speech Fife makes at the rehearsal dinner where he insinuates to Zooey that she needs to stimulate their sexual relationship with oral pleasure. The film is directed by John Hamburg who best known for directing “Along Came Polly” and is produced by Ivan Reitman, whose works includes films such as “Old School,” “Euro Trip” and “My Super Ex-Girlfriend.” Over all, the film is great for a Friday night with friends and has all the laughs for a date with your girlfriend or “bromance.” So give in and see this film – and, like the title says, know that it’s okay to say, “I love you, man!” LV Dakarai Mills is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him: dakaraimills@lavozdeanza.com
Observe and Report Joel Seibert LA VOZ NEWS
“Observe and Report” does not meet the standards of what we have come to expect from a Seth Rogen movie like “Superbad” or “Knocked Up,” it does deliver some good laughs even if they were from wacky visual gags. In this movie, Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen) is head of mall security, a job which he takes seriously. He starts to have problems when a flasher begins exposing himself to women in the parking lot. More trouble ensues when the mall is robbed afterhours. Seth Rogen plays a much different part than we are use to seeing, as the character who is no longer a loveable, witty stoner turns into a bipolar mall cop who takes his job too far. It seems as though this is the first role we have seen Rogen play where he does not goof around, only cracking jokes with his friends. Rogen plays the part well, but after seeing his other movies, it is hard to picture him as serious as Barnhardt. The first part of the movie consists of mostly awkward moments as Ronnie attempts to catch the flasher using no logic in his methods. At the same time, attempting to impress a cosmetic store worker named Brandi (Anna Faris). Barnhardt has no luck bringing the flasher to justice; so bad-tempered Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) is called in, which Barnhardt views as impeding
his jurisdiction. This is where most of the cheap laughs come in, as Barnhardt makes a mess of things with the mall, Brandi and the police. The movie then shifts to a parody of super hero and comic book movies, complete with raspy voice narration that tells about how he is the only one who can save the world, and what it takes to be a hero. The movie WARNER BROS picks up at this shift with intelligent and higher quality of humor. Although entertaining and possibly quotable, there were some parts where “Observe and Report” was lacking. Too many immature gags make up most of the comedy, such as Ronnie acting over-the-top stupid, taking things too far, to a point where it seems unwarranted. At many points, the movie drags with irrelevant scenes. On to the plot – some of these scenes can only make viewers feel sorry for Ronnie and the life he lives, while he tends to his alcoholic mother, a character the story could have done without. Overall, “Observe and Report” is an entertaining movie that is good, but not great. It is different from what we have seen from Seth Rogen in the past. I give it a 3 out of 5. LV Jason Seibert is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: jasonseibert@lavozdeanza.com
Restaurant Locations • Hana is located at 4320 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95129 • Bella Mia is located at: 58 S. 1st St. San Jose. CA 95113
PAGE 8
APRIL 20, 2009
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
STUDENT LIFE ON CAMPUS Walk in a De Anza student’s shoes Walk through a war zone: Raise awareness of the Iraq death count
JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
Express outrage between classes:
get your political knowledge from the restroom walls
Make an impact:
Start an alliance
ISIS COPELAND / LA VOZ
JOYCE SIM / LA VOZ
Have a stress-free love life: Love Voz ...
love@lavozdeanza.com
Joe Chunnic and Amy Franklin LA VOZ NEWS
What would we do without love? How could the world exist without it? Give the world your love, or even one or two people or more, and see good things happen. You’re more accepting of events that occur when you’re open to love. But what is love? We once heard that love is choosing the higher good for the other person. We believe it and it’s something that needs to be done both ways.
Guys, put more than a month’s effort into the relationship. That means that you should constantly improve your relationship with your significant other. As for the women, be more accepting of men. We may not be the perfect gentleman, but we aren’t cavemen. When we try, appreciate it and take it for what it’s worth. It may be infrequent, but that’s when they’re best. And lastly, women, please don’t get mad at your boyfriend when you ask him what he’s thinking about and he
tells you the truth ... nothing. Love isn’t perfect, but we, Joe and Amy, will do our best to help out you, the reader. Come to us with your questions, situations, and we’ll bestow upon you our advice. Happy loving. LV Joe Chunnic is the managing editor for La Voz Weekly. Amy Franklin is the features editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact them with all your troubles of the heart at love@lavozdeanza.com.
APRIL 20, 2009
SPORTS
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
SPORTS ROUNDUP
De Anza College’s own Olympian
Andrea Nott’s dream achieved in Beijing after lifelong determination Ed Pereira LA VOZ NEWS
At the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games were broadcast all over the globe, one De Anza College student stood proudly among 91,000 athletes in Beijing’s National Stadium. Her road there was long and arduous, for as graceful and smiling as synchronized swimming athletes are when performing, their training is far from it. Andrea Nott began synchronized swimming at nine years old at Santa Clara Swim Club, a club known for consistently turning out one of the best teams in the country. It was there that she watched several members of the team qualify for the 1996 Olympic team. That team won the gold medal in Atlanta, which is the last gold medal won by an American synchronized swimming team. Motivated by competition, her teammates and the allure of making an Olympic team, Nott devoted the next 12 years of her life to synchronized swimming. Training nine to 10 hours a day, six days
a week was a brutal undertaking demanded by the sharp choreography and athleticism necessary to be competitive on the national and international stage. The bond between teammates ran deep from countless hours spent in the pool together, and lifelong friendships were formed at Santa Clara. After Nott finished high school, she began taking night classes at De Anza in the fall of 2000, but stopped to concentrate on making the 2004 and later the 2008 Olympic teams. She qualified for the 2004 team as an alternate and travelled to Athens with her teammates. Unfortunately, she was unable to compete, but got a taste of what competition in the big show would be like watching from the sidelines. Notts’s passion for synchronized swimming encompassed other aspects of the sport, as she designed the suits she and her partner Christina Jones, a former De Anza student, wore in the duet for major competitions. The years of training in the water also helped her develop a large lung capacity. During a
biology lab in 2001 she beat all her classmates, holding her breath for three and a half minutes for an experiment. The long hours spent in the pool under the tutelage of her coaches paid off in 2008 when she qualified for and competed in the team and duet competitions in Beijing, earning a pair of fifth places. Since retiring from the sport, Nott took time to relax and let the Olympic experience soak in. She is completing a journalism internship at the Mountain View Voice, while taking business classes at De Anza in hopes of transferring and earning a business degree. She is also coaching a synchronized swimming group at Santa Clara, which recently won junior nationals. Walking into the open ceremony with the American delegation is something she describes as “totally worth the last four years of training, even before I swam.” LV Ed Pereira is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: edpereira@lavozdeanza.com.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREA NOTT
Top left: Andrea Nott, center with pigtails, marches at the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing last year. Nott first signed up for synchronized swimming at nine-yearsold after a childhood friend and her went to the nurse’s office, Nott’s mother. Top right: Nott, bottom right corner, and her teammates placed fifth in the team event. Middle and bottom left: Nott and her duet partner Christina Jones, a former De Anza College student, also earned fifth place in the duet portion of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. While Jones no longer attends De Anza, Nott is pursuing a business degree and hopes to transfer to New York University or the University of San Francisco. Nott, no longer a synchronized swimmer, has come full circle and is now coaching a new group of Aquamaids at Santa Clara Swim Club, who recently won Junior Nationals.
PAGE 9
Gold Rush
At first glance, the San Francisco 49ers schedule looks daunting. But all may not be lost, since they want to make moves to get better as an organization. The franchise starts off with two division games. And who would have guessed that the Niners would open up against the Arizona Cardinals? Not surprising, since it is the fourth straight season opener against the defending NFC Champs. History has it that the team that loses the Super Bowl then turns around and has a miserable season (see Oakland Raiders franchise after losing the Jon Gruden and the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII). The 49ers played Arizona well last season, and even showed some moxie in the two losses to them. They should have won the Monday Night game in Arizona if the right call was made, but that’s neither here nor there. San Fran opens at home in the second week against Seattle, who had problems staying healthy and staying competitive last year. Head Coach Mike Singletary will be on the ball and in his team’s face for the game, but hopefully his pants will stay on in this meeting. Week three presents the challenge of trying to keep Adrian Peterson and the Vikings from running wild. The Niners were up to the task two years ago, holding Peterson to a season and career-low of three rushing yards. The same formula must hold true if the 49ers are to get off to a good start before the tough part of their schedule kicks in. The NFC West is a winnable division and the team needs, and could have a 4-0 start after the St. Louis game. But the bulk of their schedule is tough, with games against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons before their bye week, then three consecutive
Joe Chunnic
The Sports Blurb games against teams from the AFC South. The first of those games is in Houston, who has steadily improved despite the doubts of picking Mario Williams first overall in 2006 draft. On the road, Peyton Manning and the Colts follow and then the Niners head home to face the Tennessee Titans who are equally as impressive with a powerful run game. That four-game stretch will be tough for San Francisco and they could very well be 4-4 at the season’s midway point. The team still needs a strong quarterback, and free agent acquisition Damon Huard probably isn’t the answer. Alex Smith never worked, so it has to and must be Shaun Hill under center if the Niners stand a chance this season. They can go with Hill or they can try to draft another quarterback, most likely Mark Sanchez out of USC. But what’s really necessary is a threat at wide receiver – something Josh Morgan was growing into towards the end of last season. The final eight games for the red and gold could be easy if they stay focused. The Bears just acquired Jay Cutler and that automatically makes them better, but their defense is aging. The Packers are nothing without Brett Favre, and there’s still some emotional separation from that tattered relationship lingering in Wisconsin. Plus, Aaron Rodgers went to Cal, and nothing productive ever comes from Cal. The 49ers need to win the games they’re supposed to, and win the games when they have the chance at. With this in mind, they can make a strong playoff push this season in the NFC “Worst” and it starts by winning the home games. San Francisco has a shot at a winning record this season, and they just might if they can survive weeks five through nine. It’s imperative that they start and, more importantly, finish well. They should finish the year 10-6, winning the division and making the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. LV Joe Chunnic is the managing editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: managing@lavozdeanza.com.
CLASSIFIEDS SPORTS WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED FOR ONLINE SPORTS MAGAZINE (www.sjsportsreport.com)
Apply all of your qualifying Associate Degree credits to a Bachelor’s Degree.
San Jose Sports Report covers all SJ sports including the Sharks, Stealth, Sabercats, Giants, and many more. We are looking for writers/photographers to freelance for our staff. This is an unpaid position but will look great for your portfolio. We currently need beat reporters for SJSU Athletics throughout the year. Press passes are provided. If interested please e-mail us your clips and tell us why you want to write for our magazine. All inquiries should be sent to reza@ sjsportsreport.com
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APRIL 20, 2009
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
De Anza Voices: What do you think of Assembly Bill 656, which would tax oil companies and give the revenue to education?
Bill 656: Oil tax to fund education Oil Severence Bill would be the first to impose an oil tax for higher education
“I’m not buying books! Gas is $2.21. I either have to work and save up my money for gas, or buy books.� Danni Ra Bon “I think it’s a good idea, especially because of how much money the oil industry makes and the effect they have on the environment. It’s part of their responsibility to pay taxes.� Shahram Shaqeef “I think that we should tax oil companies because especially in this economy, it’s hard to pay for gas and schools are hurting in their pockets.� Tasheema Peterson
“It’s a great idea. Nowadays you have to have a degree to get anywhere in life and also it would make it easier for future generations to be able to go to school.� Nick Tweedie COMPILED BY ERNEST CHAVEZ/LA VOZ
PAGE 11
Ernest Chavez LA VOZ NEWS
If passed, Assembly Bill 656 would be the first of its kind to place taxes on oil companies and funnel the revenue directly to California community colleges, California State Universities and Universities of California. AB 656, also known as the Oil Severance Bill to Fund Higher Education, was introduced by California Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico in February. It is sponsored by the California Faculty Association. According to the Prison Activist Resource Center, California currently spends as much on prisons as it does on schools. “California is on the wrong track heading in the wrong direction,� Torrico said in the bill’s press release. “Our prisons are overflowing and yet we are turning away students at our universities.� He continued with, “The Master Plan for Higher Education is becoming a distant memory. This is not a sustainable path for California. We must invest more in higher education. It is a solid down payment on our economic future.� California currently stands as the thirdlargest oil producing state in the United States, as well as the only state in which oil is extracted without a tax. “When other states are charging over 12 percent from multi-billion dollar oil companies, we should be doing more to receive funds for our natural resources,� Torrico said. As part of the bill, the California Higher Education Endowment Corporation would be created, in order to oversee the processes of taxing the oil companies and using the money to fund colleges.
The corporation would be governed by a board consisting of school board members, politicians, professors, and students. A concern raised with the proposed legislation is the fear that if taxes are raised on oil companies, they will in turn raise the price of gas for consumers.
“ We must invest
more in higher education. It is a solid down payment on our economic future. � ALBERTO TORRICO CALIFORNIA ASSEEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER
The bill’s language counters this, stating, “The tax imposed by this part shall not be passed through to consumers by way of higher prices for oil, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, or other oil or gas consumable byproducts, such as propane and heating oil.� The proposed legislation requires approval from the state assembly before it lands on voter ballots for a general election. LV Ernest Chavez is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: ernestchavez@ lavozdeanza.com
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PAGE 12
TECHNOLOGY
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
APRIL 20, 2009
Catch your instructor on Facebook, MySpace Shoko Yamagami LA VOZ NEWS
The next time you catch a glimpse of your instructor’s laptop, you may very well be seeing their Facebook account. These days, it isn’t just students who are using social networking Web sites to communicate with their friends. Social networking sites tend to be seen as popular only amongst the young, as almost sixty percent of college students spend some time on social networking Web sites every day for purposes such as uploading and commenting on pictures, creating communities of common interest or just updating their profiles. However, that doesn’t mean that instructors aren’t doing the same. Linda Choi, an ESL professor at De Anza College, said she uses Facebook a couple of
times a week to stay in contact with friends, especially those who live far away. She especially enjoys looking at pictures of friends, their children and the special events of their lives, like weddings. “It’s an expedient way of finding out what’s going on in people’s lives, especially when most people are too busy or live too far away to meet up in person, email or phone,� said Choi. However, she sometimes feels as if her life has become so open that little is private now. According to Choi, she feels connected with her current and former students, even when outside the classroom. A few weeks ago, two former students from four or five years ago found her through Facebook, and were able to meet up with her for lunch. “It was wonderful to see how they have matured
and become successful in their personal and professional lives,� said Choi. David Hamilton, a speech professor at De Anza College, said he used to have a Facebook account about two years ago. According to Hamilton, it was a good way to connect with people, but he got too busy to keep up with it, and eventually quit. He does, however, mention it as a valuable tool to communicate with people. According to Hamilton, it positively affected the relationships between the students of his class, as they could continue to stay in contact after school, even if their schedules were in conflict. On the negative side of things, however, he also mentions that it allows people we don’t want contact with to reach us, and makes it easier to find us. People also have a
tendency to judge a person based on their Facebook profiles. More importantly, problems arise when people show private pictures when they probably shouldn’t. Hamilton says that while it is okay for students to friend their professors on Facebook, it might be better if they were former students. “Be careful. Whatever you put out there, it stays out and people see it. However, have fun with it too,� said Hamilton. Social networking sites are a powerful tool for students, but be aware: your teachers may be reading your page. LV Shoko Yamagami is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: shokoyamagami@ lavozdeanza.com
De Anza Voices: What Web sites do you use for school? “Wikipedia is the best! It has everything you need for your homework.�
“I use Dictionary. com to look up vocabulary to use.�
“I think the De Anza Catalyst makes my life a lot easier.�
Sharon Alejo Business 18
Marah Baltazar Business Management 18
Danny Tran Biomedical 18
“I use Catalyst, the De Anza database, and Pageout.net.�
“I get my assignments on DeAnza.edu from my teachers’ website.�
Sajjad Shah Business Administration 19
Chuong Vu Pharmacy 18
“Yahoo is a great site for research. It gives me different information from different sources.� Vanessa Fontes Music 19 COMPILED BY GLENDALE CALMERIN/LA VOZ
Opinion: Internet killed the newspaper star CaP]bUTaaX]V.
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Printed news has been on the decline for years. One must only look at the massive layoffs and cutbacks of the San Francisco Chronicle to realize the effects. The simple fact is that no one reads the paper anymore. No advertisers are going to pay good money to sell something to nobody. Why go out in today’s fast-paced times and spend your hard-earned money on something as dry, boring, and time-consuming as the archaic newspaper? It is much easier for me, as well as better for the environment, to simply log on to my computer. There was a time when I subscribed to the paper. And, to be honest, all I did was glance at the front page, become depressed, and then read the comics. So I cancelled it and began getting my news online. The first thing I immediately appreciated was the increased emphasis on international news, and the accuracy. It wasn’t that the newspaper neglected to cover global events as they just didn’t report them as fully as I wanted. Second was the objectivity. While I’m sure traditional reporters try very hard to remain distant from a story, they will always be viewing events as an American. Plus the comics are way better online. Another major factor in newspapers’ decline is that people are more concerned about the environment and the effect of
printing hundreds of thousands of papers to merely be thrown out the next day. I would rather save the planet by reading my news online than save the newspaper. Another key reason for my switch to digital news is the convenience. It’s so much easier to roll out of bed and switch on my PC to learn of the previous night’s happenings, rather than going out into the accursed daylight to have my neighbors snicker at my bunny pajamas. Of course, the speed at which online news is delivered is important. Why wait until the day after to hear about the world’s goings on? To me, that seems counterintuitive of the very nature of news. I tried watching the news on TV, but I just couldn’t stand the insubstantial quality of it. They never seemed to cover the stories I was interested in, and if they did, it was for two minutes and I felt uninformed. Not to mention having to wait through the aggravating commercials. Is the newspaper going to go the way of the dodo bird anytime soon? Probably not. There will always be that group of senior citizens and stuffy businessmen who will prefer to read their news the old fashioned way. Not to mention all of the high school and college papers that are perfectly equipped to cover local events. The sad truth is that we live in changing times, and the newspaper cannot adapt to the inherent benefits of online news. The financial troubles of The Chronicle are only going to become more common as technology makes its natural progression towards digitalization. LV
Adam Hanes is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: adamhanes@lavozdeanza.com
APRIL 20, 2009
TECHNOLOGY
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
PAGE 13
Game review: NHL 2k9 hits the ice
Glendale Calmerin LA VOZ NEWS
Hockey’s regular season has ended and a new Stanley Cup Champion is going to be crowned soon; however that doesn’t mean you can’t continue the celebration with Electronic Art’s newest sports release. The NHL (National Hockey League) 09 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It has been awarded the best sports game of 2008 by several media outlets, and has become increasingly popular even with non-hockey fans who just enjoy playing the multiplayer mode with friends. This video game is perfect for game night because everyone can share the glory playing a game with up to 8 players. However the online mode can invite as much as 12 players to a game so that the friends who
challenges of playing hockey. Throwing the puck in any direction in hopes of making it past the goaltender may not be the best strategy to use because scoring a goal is a lot harder than you think even at beginner’s mode. You must work as a team passing the puck and, as a player, know where the puck is going to be while skating quickly into the opponent’s side. If you continue playing, you may even develop strategies from the many offensive and defensive plays the game offers that can advance you higher up the standings. All this may bewilder someone who may be new to the game or hockey itself, but don’t worry. The basic tutorial will help anyone get started and help users become more familiar with the controls. The video game has improved immensely from last years’ edition adding on features such as defensive stick skills and precise maneuvering on the ice. However, not everything about the ELECTRONIC ARTS, INC game is new. It has stayed faith-
are missing the party can still join in on the fun in the comfort of their own living room. When you begin playing, you can notice right away the awkwardness of skating on the ice and controlling the puck which are just some of the
a-Pro Mode. In this mode you start off in the AHL, the minor league under the major league NHL. You work your created player, brandishing your last name and number, up the organization of your choosing such as the Sharks organization, which spans from the minor league counterpart in Worchester to the major league in San Jose. NHL 09 can be a great party hit, but it has also been crafted to realistic perfection, mimicking real life techniques and team strengths, ELECTRONIC ARTS, INC making it a bit difficult at first to master if you are a ful to the previous NHL vesions using the same control modes and has video game virgin. Overall, the game is definitely even brought back the choice of worth its $60 price, even after the alternative jerseys. NHL 09 expands its precision hockey season ends with the San Jose down to the teams,updating each Sharks winning the Stanley Cup. LV team’s roster when it needs to be updated. For instance, when there is a trade in real life, it is accounted for Glendale Calmerin is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: in the game. Another major addition is the Be- glendalecalmerin@lavozdeanza.com
iPhone update hotly anticipated Are you looking for a job?
Are you undecided about your major?
Are you confused about your career direction?
VISIT THE CAREER CENTER!!! Student and Community Services Building, 2nd Floor
New features for 3G network, game developers, text messages Dakarai Mills LA VOZ NEWS
The new iPhone 3.0 software release is shaping up to be the biggest thus far. More than 100 new features will be available in the software bundle due out this summer, along with an SDK kit for new games and apps, from the Sims and Meebo to ESPN, Touch Pets and Live Fire. The software bundle will be free for current iPhone users, and cost around ten dollars for iPod Touch owners. One of the most talkedabout features is the ability to cut, copy and paste, which can be used with email, text messages and web content, allowing users to more conveniently share notes, links and other content. Messing up is simple to fix, as just shaking the phone will undo your changes. Amongst the other features to be added with the OS 3.0 upgrade will be a new Calendar feature allowing you to link Microsoft Exchange to your Google or Yahoo calendar, as well as schedules of your favorite sporting events. Owners on the 3G plan can even access Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS. This means users can now send and receive audio files and photos to their contacts, from lectures to absent friends or photos to family. Bluetooth capability for wireless headsets have also been enabled for 3G customers. The iPhone’s homescreen will
now include Memo and Spotlight. The former app will allow you to record voice memos, trim them to your liking, and even share them with others. Spotlight, on the other hand, will allow you to search your entire phone for any particular content stored on it. Amongst the many new features includes the ability to literally shake your phone to shuffle your playlist, as well as the ability to access your YouTube account on the phone. The inclusion of the SDK kit is the biggest news for game developers, as it allows them the best way possible to launch themselves via the Apple app store. Developer Steve Demeter, with just a five-dollar APPLE COMPUTER, INC game called “Trisim,” made over $250,000 in just two months from selling the game via the app store, and expects to strike over two million dollars from it by July. Apple includes over 98 percent of its applicants in its seven-day approval process, and turns over seventy percent of the profits directly to the sellers. Eight hundred downloads are already available via the app store, and who knows – the next blockbuster hit might be yours. LV
Dakarai Mills is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: dakaraimills@lavozdeanza.com
OPINION PAGE 14
La Voz Weekly
Editorial Board lavoz@fhda.edu
Joe Chunnic Managing Editor managing@lavozdeanza.com
Amy Franklin A&E/Features Editor
Jame Chen Technology Editor Dae Kim Multimedia Editor Lina Kwon Broadcast Editor Soheil Rezaee Associate Editor
Contributing Staff Lucie Ashley, Glendale Calmerin, Ernest Chavez, Isis Copeland, Adam Hanes, Mayumi Kurotsu, Joy Mann, Alex Mendiola, Dakarai Mills, Thanh Truc Nguyen, Ed Pereira, Joel Seibert, Stephanie Shin, Joyce Sim, Michael Turner, Vinh Vu, Daniel Wakefield, Shoko Yamagami
Business Staff Beth Grobman Faculty Adviser grobman@fhda.edu Walter Alvarado Lab Technician alvaradowalter@fhda.edu Reza Kazempour Business Manager
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About Us
La Voz Weekly is a First Amendment newspaper written and published by De Anza College students. La Voz Weekly is partially funded by the De Anza Associated Student Body and is printed with soy-based inks at Fricke-Parks Press. All rights reserved; no part of La Voz Weekly may be reproduced without permission. Phone: 408-864-5626 Fax: 408-864-5533 lavoz@fhda.edu www.lavozdeanza.com Room L-41 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 Come to Room L-42 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. to attend the newspaper staff class.
Contact Us
Letters to the editor, submissions and press releases are welcome and can be submitted to: www.lavozdeanza.com/letters Letters should be 300 words or less; letters more than 300 words may be edited for length. Letter content must not be libelous or intended to air personal grievances. La Voz does not guarantee that submissions and letters to the editor will be printed, nor does it guarantee coverage of events for which it receives press releases. La Voz reserves the right to edit letters and submissions for clarity in accordance with Associated Press writing style.
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Advertisers reach 3,500 De Anza community members weekly by advertising in La Voz Weekly. Contact Business Manager Reza Kazempour by phone at 408-864-5626 or send an e-mail to ads@lavozdeanza.com for rates.
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Images published in La Voz Weekly or online at http://www.lavozdeanza.com are available for purchase. Ten limited use digital images can be obtained for $20 or ten 8x10 prints for $25. Contact Business Manager Reza Kazempour to place an order.
Additional Copies
The first copy of each issue of La Voz Weekly is free to everyone. Additional copies can be purchased through Business Manager Reza Kazempour.
APRIL 20, 2009
INFO
Staff editorials reflect the opinions of the majority of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or the opinions of the La Voz staff. Opinions expressed by staff and contributors are the opinions of the individuals and not necessarily the opinion of La Voz Weekly.
Students: take action, save our education
Kelly Truong Editor in Chief
Bella Yashayev Opinions Editor
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
ernestCHAVEZ While California’s budget crisis forced many universities to turn away thousands of qualified students, set caps on enrollment, and raise tuition, students took action and defended their rights for education. Last month, approximately 5,000 students marched on the streets of Sacramento in protest of the budget cuts. De Anza College filled 4 buses, moving 180 students that day. This was the largest student demonstration since 2004, which implies a possible awakening of a generation that has become sick and tired of being referred to as “apathetic.” Despite this big awakening to the engraving situation, many promoters and organizers of the event, at De Anza and elsewhere, felt there were some problems with the march. The central problem was the clash of ideas regarding the real purpose of the rally. Some students claimed that the march was not a protest. The president of a student government organization was the first to address the angry students. “We are not here in protest. We are here as peacemakers who are deeply concerned about the officials’ decisions about the budget,” she announced. Many other student senators delivered a similar message. Several of those in the student-government aspire to become politicians one day. It’s a method of getting your foot in the door. In this way, they are advancing their own agenda without confronting the problems the rest of us are facing. Calming the agitated crowed is another possible motive for them to declare that they didn’t come in protest. The problem, however, is that more has to be done
than just showing up, marching and going home. Since the student senators are often only acting for their own advancement, students need to become the key to removing the shackles bounding education. If we continue to be passive, we are allowing the educational system to become elasticized. With the rising costs of tuition, only the daughters and sons of privileged, wealthy families could afford to attend CSU’s and UC’s, while the working middle-class students will be squeezed out of their right to an education. We need something different! President Obama keeps telling us that he wants change, and we ought to help him do it. We must be the ones to act in political selfdefense and take matters into our own hands. In fact, many believe that change has already begun. Since 2009, there have been over 30 occupations by students in the United Kingdom and the United States protesting tuition hikes, financial aid cuts, and government spending on wars – and it’s working. Maybe it’s not so crazy for us to organize sit-ins and hunger strikes at the state capital, in demand of an immedi-
ate bailout for our schools. The growing sentiment that is spilling over from campus to campus is that these types of organized student uprisings are legitimate tactics for to use in order to rescue our education so all students can fulfill their rights for education, and we can all live in a better society. LV Ernest Chavez is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: ernestchavez@lavozdeanza.com.
ILLUSTRATION BY GALEN OBACK / LA VOZ
Don’t overturn Prop 8 (but not for the usual reasons) patrickGARTNER In light of different activist groups trying to get Proposition 8 overturned, I have begun to think that overturning this legislation is not the correct course for us to follow if we want a permanent resolution to this polarizing issue. Let me start by clarifying that I am not a man who aspires to marry another man. Nor am I part of any socially conservative organization that proselytizes gay marriage to be immoral. In fact, I opposed Proposition 8 during the recent elections, and I stand by that decision today. “So you say you are for Equal Marriage Rights; wouldn’t overturning Proposition 8 be the way to get Equal Marriage Rights in California?” Yes it would, but only for about a year and a half. Very quickly we seem to forget how the California Supreme Court overturning Proposition 22 (the initial Ban on gay marriage) is what gave us Proposition 8 in the first place. California is about to repeat the same mistake twice. There is no shortage of influence or funds in the Mormon Church, The Knights of Columbus and other anti-gay marriage organizations. If Proposition 8 is overturned, we will see another amendment just like it next time. You can count on that. “The Yes on 8 campaign was full of lies. Wouldn’t people see through all of that nonsense if it occurs again?
Most of the Yes on 8 propaganda was utterly ridiculous and misguided. It spread rumors about teaching gay marriage in schools, and lied about loss of tax revenue. However, I have to admit, out of the massive quantity of bologna rhetoric to come out of the Yes on 8 campaigns, there was one legitimate concern. As the law stood before the passing of Proposition 8, there was no legal protection for churches that refused to marry gay couples. Even an atheist like me can see a microcosm of injustice in this precedent. As a fan of the First Amendment’s freedom of speech, I feel obligated to defend the First Amendment’s freedom of religion. Churches shouldn’t be forced to perform gay marriage ceremonies if it’s against their moral standings. In fact, I think they will be fervent in their efforts to re-ban gay marriage and protect their First Amendment rights if Proposition 8 is overturned. “Are you saying that it has to be either equal marriage rights or First Amendment rights?” Not at all. I think that there is a way to have our sacrament-cookies and eat them too. Here is what I propose: First, let’s forget about every single piece legislation that has blocked equal marriage rights in our recent history. Let’s forgive all deceitful ad-campaigns and every time we thought that someone holding a Yes on 8 sign is nothing more than a Gay-Hater. Give California a Blank Slate. Instead of putting all our proverbial “eggs” into the basket of overturning Prop 8, we should utilize this time between elections to amend a new
law that will legalize gay marriage and simultaneously, allow religious organization the right to refuse service to anyone they do not find eligible for marriage according to the teachings of their own particular faith. “Are you saying that you think it’s okay for churches to discriminate against the gay community?” It’s not okay for gays to be discriminated against by anyone. However, if Equal Marriage Rights activists are willing to make this compromise with religious organizations it will convert (forgive the pun) the faithful who voted Yes on 8 out of fear of their churches facing legal problems. This way, while we are waiting for socially conservative religions to catch up, the state is already treating gay couples fairly. Consider politics to be a game of chess. Everyone knows that you will never win the game if you only play defense. We need to stop merely reacting to bigoted legislation and then pleading with the courts to help us when we lose. What I want is equal marriage Rights activists to put themselves on the offensive with a strategy that has the best chances to win. Overturning Proposition 8 will be “check,” and the new law that legalizes gay marriage and protects churches is “checkmate.” LV
Patrick Gartner is a freelancer for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: patrickgartner@lavozdeanza.com
APRIL 20,2009
LAVOZDEANZA.COM
OPINION Social networking sites reflects social status isisCOPELAND There are quite a lot of social networking sites out there in the Web sphere and the choices could very well send the novice user into a tail spin. So, for the convenience of the aforementioned persons, here is the state of social networking bandwagons. Firstly, do not use Friendster! Friendster is easy to use and friendly, but for God’s sake if you do not want to be rejected and dismissed as irrelevant, do not mention your Friendster account. MySpace is another popular social networking site. It’s fun and interactive; you can create a page that reflects all the best qualities you possess (or not), as well as highlighting the things you love, and would like everyone to know you love. The best part about MySpace is its headline feature that sums up how funny, quirky, clever or witty you wish to be at the moment. Unfortunately, MySpace is for losers. Only desperate models, actors, and musicians who can’t stand to go unnoticed use it. Let’s move on to Facebook. Facebook is exclusively for those who are too good for My Space and wouldn’t be caught dead on Friendster. Facebook has a wide community and some
great accessories. There are surveys about the things you like, about the things your friends like, the things you both like and how those make you more qualified to be friends, or perhaps why you aren’t friends in real life. The ultimate reason Facebook is more fun than other social networking sites is the wall. It lets you write what you’re up to, and find out what friends (who you don’t actually want to talk to) are doing. Then you can make an educated decision whether what they’re doing is cool enough for you to actually hang out with them (in real time). But I digress. If Facebook is for the elitist who scans your profile in order to decide if they want go out with you, then Twitter is the way to let people know that you’re cutting edge and not at all disconnected or uncool. Twitter allows you to be heard by everyone and no one. To enter this world you have to embrace the blue twitter bird as your leader and bask in its kingdom. You must happily live among your brethren birds and denounce the existence of the ever-present fail whale that hovers nearby as you age toward the wrong side of 25. Whatever social networking site you choose, if the next new shiny social networking site emerges — for the love of God, do not resist the urge to drop your former site and gain the opportunity to say that you did it before everyone else. It just might save your social life! LV Isis Copeland is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: isiscopeland@ lavozdeanza.com.
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Empathy classes come too late for students lucieASHLEY
A new trend among some middle schools that can afford it is to hold mandatory empathy classes. In these classes, children are supposed to learn to empathize with fellow classmates, or in other words, not to “tear the Mickey” out of them for looking or being different. Having once been a thirteen-year-old required to attend empathy classes, I’m quite skeptical about the effectiveness they have in a middle school environment. Not to say that it’s not important to teach children the importance of tolerance and empathy. After all, middle school does include some of the harshest years in children’s “school careers.” If you’re not well-liked within the first few months of sixth grade, you’re doomed for the next three years — and probably the four years after that. And bullying can often lead to life-long issues such as depression and social incompetence. Unfortunately, an hour a week of saying “please” and “thank you” is anything but effective. Let’s face it, children are mean, but bullies don’t just suddenly appear in the sixth grade out of nowhere. This behavior begins
much earlier, so implementing empathy classes in the seventh and eighth grades is simply treating symptoms instead of curing the disease. It’s elementary school children that must be targeted. Not only is teaching empathy in elementary schools more likely to prevent bullying, the classes will also receive more willing participants. Middle school students want nothing to do with sharing feelings, and any attempt to stem their exclusionary behavior is interpreted as an attack on their freedom. Elementary school kids, on the other hand, would enjoy the activities of empathy classes and therefore take in much more from these programs. But in order for empathy classes to have the full effect, parents must be involved. Many parents, however, don’t have the luxury of such classes, or the proper education. They often can’t serve an example to their children, and it may even be that they are greater bullies than their sons and daughters are. In a perfect world, parents would be required to attend empathy classes along with their children. Unfortunately, that will never happen in our public school system. All we can do is try our hand at doing better for the next generation of children. LV
Lucie Ashley is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact her at: lucieashley@ lavozdeanza.com.
Miss Manners: an archaic idea, or a social necessity? fork while everyone gives you dirty looks because the pot roast isn’t ready yet. Say “no problem, man,” and “thanks, bro.” Leave the toilet seat up (just don’t be surprised if your girlfriend has a fit). Bring new, updated manners to the technology age. Just be sure to give the pregnant woman your seat on the bus, too. LV
soheilREZAEE
adamHANES In an ever-changing society, where fashions trends are made and abandoned in weeks, and where technology progresses at an astounding rate, we still seem to hold on to archaic traditions of the past. I’m speaking about manners, of course. Not to say we should forgo chivalry and general politeness. Society would be a much better place if we all practiced them, but our manners have outlived their usefulness, and need to be updated to these times. Once, back in my days of working retail, an old woman lectured me for saying “no problem” instead of “you’re welcome.” I had meant the upmost respect to her, but she couldn’t seem to grasp the fact that, in the twenty-first century, these two terms are synonymous. Needless to say for anyone who has worked in retail, you just have to grin and bear it as irate customers unload their ancient philosophies on the customs of the 1800s. And of course she complained to my manager that I was rude and unhelpful. There are slews of outdated practices that need to be forgone. Memorizing which utensil to use, waiting to eat until everyone has been served, taking off a hat indoors, keeping one’s elbows off a table, opening doors for females, putting the toilet seat down, and countless others. Now, I’m a total hypocrite. I practice all of these things. Why? I don’t know. These rules have no purpose other than conveying to others that you’re not completely uncivilized. Silly manners are still around, but common courtesy seems to be dead. Countless “Dateline” specials and studies have proven that people are ruder today than in decades past. So go ahead and eat your salad with the crab
Adam Hanes is a staff reporter for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: adamhanes@ lavozdeanza.com.
Why do we need manners? That’s one of the most ignorant questions one could ask. Having proper manners is what differs well-educated
young adults from little, childish fools. Alas, you wouldn’t be able to go a day without running into someone who has decided to be a slob, and it’s no different here at De Anza. The first sights of barbarity can be seen in our parking lots. People are acting like animals, drivers and pedestrians fail to show any common respect or abide by the right of way rule. But maybe some of us won’t mind a clumsy driver paying our tuition for the next four years. In class, some students behave in the most disturbing ways, from snoring and burping out loud to ripping a fat one. For some, this may feel like acceptable behavior, but flatulence is not any sort of an accomplishment, nor is it funny. Unfortunately no one is free from this rudeness, not even at a moment of peace in the bathroom. It appears that many have forgotten the simple policy in the public restrooms: if a person is using the first stall then the other person has to use the third stall. Not only do many fail to follow this simple “third stall” guideline, they also have their conversations in the bathroom, while the poor person on the first stall is trying to take care of business. Finally, the lunch hour: students are sitting at a nice table, enjoying their meal, until the slob at the other table starts to cram his meal into his face, accompanying it with strange body noises. Such an experience would make anyone lose his or her appetite, and the low quality of the cafeteria food isn’t helping at all. Now, is it really too hard for someone to act in a way that would not disgust those around them? Manners aren’t just a code for children to live by. They are a set of guidelines that are meant to make one appear more respectable, as well as showing respect to others. Try to think of it like this: you’re an adult, so start acting like one. LV Soheil Rezaee is the associate editor for La Voz Weekly. Contact him at: soheilrezaee@lavozdeanza.com.
DO THE FAFSA Do the FAFSA for 2009-10 NOW! Know your award before fall quarter starts. Do the FAFSA for 2008-09 if you haven’t already, to see if you qualify for a BOG Fee Waiver or Pell Grant retroactively. Get HELP with the FAFSA in the Financial Aid Office located in the Baldwin Winery Building.