4 NEWS
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Infallible Rhetoric —
Politicians up in arms I am fascinated, and more importantly, disgusted by how people can use tragedy to promote a political agenda. In case you didn’t read the headlines on Jan. 7, in Tucson, Ariz., a gunman named Jared Lee Loughner opened fire on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and several other individuals, killing six innocent people. Some speculate Giffords was targeted for supporting health-care reform. Her office was vandalized last year after the historic vote. It is sickening how politics can be so divisive that people will exploit the deaths of six people, a 9-yearold girl among them, to promote their political ideology. I don’t believe Loughner targeted Giffords on account of her support for the healthcare reform. Based on his internet ram-
blings about mind control and the government listening to his thoughts, he appears to be a paranoid and deeply disturbed man. I expect senators, state representatives, and media icons will use these deaths to rally support for keeping the health-care reform in place, and they will depict Loughner as a radical, violent and conservative maniac. Perhaps Loughner will be depicted as an anti-government Tea Party extremist instead. For example, Pima County (Arizona) Sher-
iff Clarence Dupnik politicized the deaths by blaming vitriolic rhetoric from radio talk show hosts, even though there is no evidence to corroborate this. He went on to characterize Arizona as the “Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.” I ask people not to turn this mass shooting into a ridiculous partisan debate about health-care reform and politics pushing people over the edge. Dupnik and others who exploit tragedies obviously missed this excerpt from President Barack Obama’s press conference: “What Americans do at times of tragedy is to come together and support each other. So at this time I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping all the victims and their families, including Gabby, in our thoughts and prayers.”
IN BRIEF NEWS
Cooley hosts gun control debate
LCC wins six Paragon Awards
The Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law is inviting LCC students and the public to attend its first legal conference, entitled To Bear or Not To Bear: Guns in Educational Institutions. The debate will be held on Friday, Feb. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Thomas M. Cooley Law School Temple Building Auditorium. Speakers include Joshua Horwitz, the executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and John Lott, the author of More Guns, Less Crime.
The Paragon Awards recognize excellence in communications among twoyear colleges. This year, LCC will receive a gold, silver or bronze award for six entries in four categories. The winning entries included Legislative Agenda, Fast-Acting LCC Poster and Social Media, Academic program ad campaign and the LCC website. The colors of the awards will be announced at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Conference in mid-March.
Black History Month takes off February will feature several LCC events dedicated to Black History Month. See page 1 for more information.
LCC releases 2011 Budget According to the LCC Fiscal Year 2011, student tuition will not increase this year. Among the guiding principles included in the budget are keeping technology current, purchasing instructional equipment and emphasizing preventive maintenance over costly repairs.
Check out The Lookout online @ lcc.edu/lookout
Star Search: A signing performance Sarah Sanders Editor in Chief The sign language program at LCC is hosting its semiannual Star Search event, a fast-paced, visually entertaining, interpreting performance, in Dart Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 12. With one show at 2 p.m. and a second at 7 p.m., the performance has expanded from previous years to incorporate two shows to meet the program’s growing following. Katie Oskram, a student in the sign language program, will perform for the third time at the event. Oskram said the event is open to Photo courtesy of Katie Oskram LCC students and the public. Sign it up: Last year’s cast poses for a picture during the rehearsal of their semi-annual Star Search event. The Oskram explained event features several performances consisting of singing, dancing, acting and signing. while the event is designed for the deaf know about it unless She also explained music they otherwise ing,” Oskram said. community, people they are in the sign- how the event will would not have the According to Oskwho aren’t familiar ing community,” Os- incorporate dancing, opportunity to expe- ram, the event itself with sign language kram said. acting and singing rience. is a great opportuwill find it entertain“It helps us im- with interpreters to “There will be sing- nity for performers ing. prove our sign lan- give the deaf com- ing, acting or a poem. to hone their skills “We are trying to guage skills and it munity an opportu- There will be a song while, “it shows othget it out there be- visually helps every- nity to be exposed playing and we will er people how excitcause people don’t one else too.” to popular films or be signing or danc- ing signing can be,
because it can be really fun. “My family is all hearing and they know no sign language, but they love coming because it is so acted out that they can kind of feel like they know it (sign language) even though they don’t,” Oskram said. The sign language program is also sponsoring a backpack drive this semester to collect backpacks for deaf children in third world countries. The drive will run from now through April 15. The donated backpacks will be received in A&S room 138. For audition information, ticket inquiries or to volunteer with the show, contact Star Search through email at LCCstarsearch@ gmail.com
*Sign language for LCC