10-15-2008

Presidental Information ................pg4

Breast Cancer Awareness Month ...............pg4

Movie Reviews: ‘Eagle Eye’, ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist’, ‘Choke’

Presidental Editorial .................pg2

GORA A THE

Monroe County Community College

October 15, 2008

Vol. 51, Issue 3

Granholm signs bill to finance half of MCCC Tech Building Michael Crossman Staff

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed the state Capital Outlay bill on Sept. 30, including a MCCC request for state funding of the design and construction of a new Career Technology building on campus.

This is one of the final hurdles in completing this long task of getting state financing to construct a new technology building.

In a letter to the faculty, University President David Nixon attributes the success to the state legislators

responsible for the push.

“Credit goes to all three state legislators; State Representative Kate Ebli, State Representative Kathy Angerer, and State Senator Randy Richardville,” he said.

“We are grateful for their leadership keeping the project alive the past several months. We are lucky to have administrators prepared to take on a large project like the Career Technology Center.”

Vice President of Business Affairs and Treasurer Tim Bennett headed the La-Z-Boy Center/ Meyer Theater project through the

financing labyrinth, while Director of Institutional Advancement Sue Wetzel led the Capital Campaign.

New on this project is Director of Physical Plant Jim Blumberg.

The college plans to use the LaZ-Boy/Meyer funding model by combining the allotted state funds (50 percent) with available college funds, and a Capital Campaign to complete financing of the project.

Now don’t go home and start grabbing your shovel just yet. The 50,000-60,000 square foot facility will cost at an estimated $17 million. The state will only contribute half.

Next, the state will send a symbolic check for $100 so we can begin planning.

Then MCCC has to convince the Board of Trustees to authorize the services of an architect to conduct a study and determine what type of costs we are looking at for a stateof-the-art facility that will allow upgrades to the technological programs offered at the college.

“MonroeCountyCommunityCollege and this new facility will play a significant role in shaping southeast Michigan’s economic future by producing a highly trained, highly paid workforce,” Nixon said.

It will also serve the needs for new programs like Nuclear Technology and others currently in the developmental stage.

“I think that a facility like this makes MCCC one step closer to becoming a universally recognized school,” Andrew Henderson, MCCC student said.

“Maybe the next step should be building a dorm and making this a university.”

With enrollment climbing in the last five years, this new facility will help bring new educational as well as employment opportunities to Monroe.

Photo by Brandy Werner

Lights, cameras, MCCC commercial Emily Chandonnet Editor-in-Chief

Agora photos by Emily Chandonnet

Above: The camera man focuses in on a students hand while the directors look on screen during the film check.

Right above: One director of Hart Associates gives cues to students while the other keep time for the 12 second clip.

Right bottom: Hairdresser and make-up artist sprayed down fly away hairs and powdered down the students face to perfect the shot.

INSIDE: Editorial...................2 Feature....................3 Feature....................4

Campus News.........5 Sports......................6 A&E..........................7 Spotlight..................8

Enriching students across Southeast Michigan

Education for the New Economy was the focused message MCCC wanted to portray while filming the college’s new television commercials over the weekend.

Hart Associates was on campus Friday, Oct. 10, to film clips for MCCC’s new commercials, which will come out in Spring 2009.

The college’s current them, “Enriching Lives,” also will be highlighted on the commercials, according to Joe Verkennes, MCCC director of marketing.

“The commercials will be 30 seconds long,” Verkennes said.

“One will focus toward an 18-20 year old demographic and the other toward 40-and-older adults that are looking to start a new career.”

Education for the New Economy is a message that will show off the college’s prominent location, low prices, and welcoming staff. All these elements together will help prepare students for the new job market ahead.

The marketing campaign does not stop with the TV commercials.

The college wants to continue this theme with newspaper ads, billboards and radio spots.

The commercials will be presented on the three Monroe area cable companies.

Print advertisements will be placed in The Monroe Evening News and Dundee, Milan and Bedford newspapers, along with the News Herald in Southgate.

Radio spots are planned to be featured on Tower 98 FM and 104 FM. The design look for the commercial will merge over into a total redesign of college marketing materials, including the website, Student registration books, MCCC information flyers, etc., Verkennes said.

Look for the new commercial , which is planned to air in late March and a feature on the commercial in a Spring issue of the Agora.

“Education for the New Economy while enriching lives forthe job market ahead.”

Joe Verkennes Director of Marketing

Fitness Center Hours:

Library Hours:

Mon - Thurs: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 9:30 Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Writing Center Hours:

Book Store Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Tues - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mon & Tues: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wed - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Visit our website at: www.monroeccc.edu

2 THE AGORA Attention young Democrats!

Don’t vote for Barack Obama You young Democrats are all alike, always swooning and screeching and fawning over any celebrity of liberal consent.

You’re all sycophants, you’ve even exploited your hero to the point where he’s no longer considered to be a politician, but a national celebrity.

Most of you don’t even know who or what you’re voting for because you’re just falling in line with the average Obama fan.

Haven’t you learned anything from history or from the mistakes your parents made when they voted for Clinton, whose community reinvestment act plagued our country’s economy.

I know political ideology is somewhat inbred, but does arrogance and liberal idiocy have to be hereditary?

If elected president of the United States, Barrack Obama will be the shovel that digs the grave for this country.

Tax Plan

Obama’s tax plan practically replicates the same economic policies that led to the Great Depression of the 1930s.

He has proposed to increase capital gains taxes, from 15 percent to somewhere between 20 percent and 28 percent (He has yet to give us a specific number), which could result in another downward spiral for our country’s stock market.

Think about it, what incentive do investors have if profit taxes increase?

In addition, he plans to more than double dividend taxes, from 15 percent to 39.6 percent and increase payroll taxes on individual workers earning over $200,000 a year to 12.4 percent on income and raise the inheritance tax to the rate of 55 percent.

Obama will increase taxes for every household that makes over $250,000 a year.

It is a popular platform socialists refer to as economic justice which is actually a redistribution of wealth (stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.)

That may sound reasonable but eventually all the wealthy people here in America will flee to a “nonsocialistic” country.

Then the taxes will have to be taken from the middle class, who will basically have two choices; become poor or leave the country themselves.

It’s the domino effect and it’s happening all over Europe.

If the fundamentals of our economy were stronger, Obama’s tax plan could be negotiable, but at this point in time our economy is anything but strong.

Healthcare Obama is for national healthcare.

He thinks it is a good idea to leave healthcare in the hands of the federal government.

However, there isn’t a single foreign government agency or division that runs an efficient healthcare system. wwwwNow, it’s true some governments are better with healthcare than others, but the fact is, countries

Andrew Thurlow Staff

more like America, such as Canada, France, and England with national healthcare are at best functional, but not efficient.

In Canada, taxes are through the roof, and health care has been deemed a failure by most of the EC Union.

Here’s a country so backed up with free Medicare, the average wait for a surgical treatment is nearly 18 weeks, according to the Fraser Institute, a conservative public policy think tank in Vancouver.

In Ontario, more than 10,000 nurses and hospital workers are facing unemployment over the next two years because of insufficient funding and decreased patient flexibility, according to the Ontario Hospital Association, which represents health care providers in the province.

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, its estimated the average Canadian family pays about 48 percent of its income in taxes each year, partly to fund the health care system.

Ontario spends roughly 40 percent of every tax dollar on health care and meanwhile, some Canadians have reported waiting up to three years for a standard surgery the average American could receive in the same week.

Experience

There’s the crucial question.

Obama’s experience is definitely his weakest characteristic, because he really has very little.

He is one of the least qualified presidential nominees in American history.

His legislative experience amounts to a total of 143 days, from the time he was sworn in as a United States senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee.

These are alarming statistics.

By way of comparison, had Obama been working at McDonalds for a similar length of time, he wouldn’t be able to qualify as a store manager.

And yet he wants to be the commander and chief of the most powerful country in the world?

As Hilary Clinton once said: “I think you’ll be able to imagine many things Senator McCain will be able to say. He’s never been the president, but he will put forth his lifetime of experience. I will put forth my lifetime of experience. Senator Obama will put forth a speech he made in 2002.”

FREE STUDENT ADVERTISING! Need to sell your books, looking for a roommate, or want to teach music lessons but don’t know how to get the word out? Send your Ad to agora@monroecc. or drop it off at room L 202.

You can design it or we can, just give us the info and we will put it in our 12 page October issue.

Questions? Call 384-4186 or email us at agora@monroeccc.edu

Editorial

October 15, 2008

T.O.: Put up or shut up Ever since Terrell Owens has graced the NFL with his presence, there has been nothing but high school drama surrounding any team he’s a part of.

Here’s a message, T.O. “Shut up!”

There was drama in Philadelphia, now it has moved to Dallas. I guess the San Francisco 49ers let Owens go before his ego grew too big. In my opinion they dodged a bullet.

Alright, Owens is a pretty decent wide-receiver. All too often talent dilutes a player’s common sense, concern for others, and in a nutshell, gives a player an ego he does not deserve. Terrell Owens is a perfect example. Owens is a good player, but he is not that good.

When Owens was with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was continuously warned about his temper and behavior. He made negative comments concerning his quarterback, Donovan McNabb.

Owens also starred in a questionable commercial with one of the actresses from Desperate Housewives, which caused some controversy.

Cassie Kane Staff

Terrell, according to reports, thought it was a “fun skit.” The commercial was unnecessary, inappropriate and just plain wrong.

Then, he challenged the coaching staff, asking for more money and more playing time than his seemingly equal teammate, Brian Westbrook.

Terrell, you did not deserve the playing time with all your baggage coming onto the field with you.

You still do not deserve most of the playing time you get now.

When Owens eventually moved to Dallas in 2006, trouble followed.

Owens was constantly missing practices, which added up in fees which he did not intend to pay until he was threatened with a suspension.

I don’t care how good you are, or how good you think you are; if you’re getting paid millions of dollars to play football you go practice.

Terrell Owens showed his true temper and lack of respect when he spat on Atlanta’s DeAngelo Hall during a game in his first season with the Cowboys. Terrell settled down for awhile, but I was just waiting to hear his name in the news again. Sure enough, he’s back.

Terrell was complaining to news Terrell Owens reporters about the lack of attention he was given during the Cowboys’ any team will take him on (unless win over Cincinnati. He was given there’s no one else). a third of the plays. Your team won.

Owens needs to be put back in Shouldn’t that make you happy? line, learn some respect for the No, instead you’re going to cry game, and get himself through puand whine because some guy re- berty already. He’s a selfish, whiny, ceived more passes. Honestly, and disrespectful, degenerate who what an infant. Owens is so full of in my opinion, should not be alhimself that I cannot even believe lowed to play in the NFL.

Careful what you put on your MySpace, Facebook pages

Jennifer Niswender Assistant Editor

While browsing around on MySpace or Facebook, I often come across some things that people put on their page that would have been better left out. I think there are some things that just shouldn’t be on one’s page.

A lot of businesses, nowadays, have been checking into one’s MySpace or Facebook pages to see if applicants fit a job description.

If someone has bad pictures and/ or dirty sayings, for example, on their page, then they may have just lost an opportunity of a lifetime. It makes that person look very unre-

liable, unprofessional, and maybe not too serious about the job.

Teachers are a really good example. More and more students have discovered that their own teacher has a page and some of the time these pages have cost teachers their jobs.

Teachers are supposed to be setting examples for their students, and putting proactive pictures of them on their pages could change the way students look at them and could even ruin their career.

That’s why you should be cautious about everything you put on

MySpace or Facebook.

You shouldn’t put anything on MySpace or Facebook that could jeopardize your career or family.

Even putting your full name, email, and street address is a little risky because that makes you easier to find for online predators and easier for hackers to get into your account.

Speaking from experience — someone hacked into my MySpace — it’s better to keep your page or profile set to private and only allow friends to see it, or only add people you know.

Same goes with pictures. A hack-

er could save your pictures of your page and make up a whole new account pretending to be you. That could then jeopardize your reputation.

MySpace and Facebook are just a place for fun, to express yourself and your individuality, and even keep in touch with friends. I don’t think anyone should ever give their personal information to anyone online.

Because you may never know what could happen. So let’s keep it the way it was made for in the first place, for fun.

Octoberquest overshadowed by NFL, but is overrated, anyway With the embarrassing start for many teams in the NFL so far, which has the media doing cartwheels, it still has been overshining the playoffs in MLB. The playoffs started with great upsets that left some fans selling their lifelong loyalty to their team on EBay. Seriously, this Cubs fan was attempting to sell his “soul” in response to his Cubs family losing the heavily favored series against the Dodgers.

In fact the Cubs got swept right off the field, while Manny was just skipping around laughing right in their face.

It was pretty amusing actually, watching Manny hit .478 against the gruesome monster of the Cubs pitching staff.

On the other side in the A.L., you saw the White Sox lose to the Cin-

“Whatever the case may be, anything is better than Sunday afternoon in Detroit.”

Michael Crossman Staff

derella Rays. The Rays have been riding their magic carpet since the beginning of the season, and since our Tigers failed to impress, I am really amazed with these guys.

The thing about the Rays is if you asked anybody who even watches baseball to name a member of

The Agora Staff Members Editor-in-Chief Emily Chandonnet Assistant Editor Jennifer Niswender Adviser Dan Shaw

Staff Michael Crossman Casey Cheap Cassie Kane Miranda Panik Steven Sonoras Kristin Stepinski Andrew Thurlow

their team, I almost guarantee they couldn’t do it.

These guys really showed the meaning of coming up from nothing to something by mounting the greatest turnaround in Major League history in a single season.

I guess I should give mention to the Red Sox, but really who are the Red Sox without Manny and half a David Ortiz.

A mediocre Beckett and a “hopeful” pitching staff makes me believe that the Rays’ magic carpet is taking them all the way to the Series.

Granted, the NFL has been giving us fans something to talk about, other than talking about Tom Brady and how crappy the Raiders and Lions are.

Packman still hasn’t gotten the hint that you can’t act a fool when you’re a millionaire, and the Chargers haven’t realized it’s the regular season yet.

If you ask me, I’d rather turn on the Fall Classic any day over some football. At least you don’t hear about Justin Verlander “making it rain” down at the Landing Strip while the Wayne Police having to subdue him due to disorderly conduct.

You never know we could see Manny get his chance to prance around in Boston, or even the Rays going all the way from the bottom to the top.

Whatever the case may be, anything is better than Sunday afternoon in Detroit.

The Agora Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 384-4186. agora@monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff. Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer. All letters to the edi-

tor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes.

The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a studentmanaged newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, the Com-

munity College Journalism Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. Submissions of stories or photos alsoare welcome. E-mail them to Agora@monroeccc. edu or bring them to ouroffice.

Dan Shaw, Adviser

October 15, 2008

Feature

THE AGORA

3

Presidential Candidates: The Issues Casey Cheap Staff

Who’s your candidate?

College students, especially that 18 to 24 demographic, have their most relevant voice in this year’s presidential election.

Whether one has a conservative or liberal ideology, it would make sense to vote with the candidate who best fits your views, and not necessarily along the party lines.

In the past, party lines were somewhat more clearcut than today. Republicans would vote for John McCain and Democrats would back Barack Obama and that would be that.

But the incredible diversity of this year’s election, including the first African-American on a presidential ticket in American history, has shook things up a bit.

Add to that McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, she is the first woman on the G.O.P. presidential ticket, and the second on the ballot in history.

Let’s not forget Obama’s running mate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden. Biden is a veteran in the senate, and a solid choice for the Democrats.

And this year, the candidates are straying away from their parties on select issues.

The personalities of these political gurus are enough to grab attention, headlines, and ultimately, votes. But

in this year’s obscure election, more people than ever may be voting across the party lines.

With all the smearing attacks amongst the parties, as well as members of the media, and even the candidates themselves, it may be hard to determine just who is telling the truth.

So here is an unbiased list of ten issues everyone should consider while going to the polls this November. The information was acquired from the candidate’s websites (johnmccain.com and barackobama. com) and both the Monroe County Democratic and Republican headquarters.

Although these are where the candidates officially stand, specifics on how things will be done are rarely given. Not to mention, flip-flopping may occur before the election is over.

The war in Iraq and Homeland Security is probably the biggest issue besides the economy and one that will define President George W. Bush’s legacy. McCain feels it is necessary and “morally essential” to support Iraq’s Government.

That means holding troops there as long as needed.

Obama opposed the war before it began and claims he will bring troops home immediately if elected president.

On abortion, the candidates follow party lines.

Obama is pro-choice while McCain is prolife.

1.

2.

3.

On gay marriage, Obama supported gay rights during his tenure in the Illinois Senate. Although McCain found a Constitutional Amendment against gay rights to be “antiethical in every way,” he also did not support gay civil unions.

Both candidates also believe we should explore the potential of stem cell research.

Some Republicans, especially pro-lifers, are upset with McCain on this issue because he breaks traditional party lines in taking this stance.

4.

8.

With rising gas prices, both candidates feel the U.S. needs to curb dependence on foreign oil.

Obama would like to close tax loopholes that allow big breaks for the oil companies.

5.

McCain wants to work with American industry to reduce emissions that cause Global Warming. He hopes to do this while strengthening the economy. Obama basically agrees, citing that we need to “fast track” alternative fuels technology and require more fuel-efficient cars.

6.

Both candidates are light on details, but feel education needs to be made more widely available to everyone. McCain feels there needs to be more competition and choices in American Education. Obama feels there needs to be more access to Advanced Placement courses, as well as expansion of summertime programs and more funding in every aspect of education.

7.

Obama wants to develop a green economy that will recreate millions of jobs. McCain has a different approach on the economy; one that allows immediate assistance to struggling families while a “pro-growth, pro-jobs” strategy kicks in.

9.

One of their biggest differences, however, is where they stand on health care. Obama wants to provide universal health care and hopes to lower health costs. McCain would like to lower costs by helping companies compete, and save both Medicare and Medicade.

10.

On taxes, McCain wants to eliminate wasteful Government spending, enforce fiscal discipline, and keep taxes low.

Obama wants to stop tax breaks to companies sending jobs overseas, and give them to businesses expanding here at home.

Greenland expedition inspires creativity for artists aboard Steve Sonoras Staff

“Out in the bay, the icebergs clustered as if they needed feeding; up on the hill we sat, endangered killers—like the polar bear on the iceberg—enjoying a picnic at the edge of the world,” legendary English songwriter Robyn Hitchcock wrote in his blog from Disko Island, Greenland.

Robyn is one of 40 artists, musicians, writers, and scientists selected to board the Grigoriy Mikheev for the 7th Cape Farewell expedition to Greenland, along with international celebrities including Feist, Jarvis Cocker, and Laurie Anderson. The yearly expedition is designed to take the creative team into the heart of the climate debate to inspire them to react artistically and bring their unique experience to the world.

From Sept. 25 to Oct. 6, the Grigoriy Mikheev sailed from Kangerlussauq to the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of Greenland’s largest glaciers.

The Jakobshavn is now moving at a faster rate than ever before, losing 20 million tons of ice every day.

The crew sailed around the glacier and stopped in several towns along the way, getting a hands-on experience in a crucial center of the climate debacle.

The expedition’s website, www. capefarewell.com, features hundreds of entries from the crew, including blogs, video, audio, photos, and interactive maps—all of which document the creative team’s journey into this breathtaking foreign landscape.

Though this expedition was meant to engage the explorers to respond to climate change, they had plenty of time to mingle. The shipped docked in Iluissat, where the crew partied the night away at Murphy’s Bar. The evening was spent dancing to DJ Jarvis Cocker and a performance by the Disko Bay Blues Band, with special guest performances by Feist, KT Tunstall, and Robyn Hitchcock.

As the team explored the glacial playscape of the Arctic, comedian Marcus Brigstocke treated a crowd to a stand-up routine atop a snowy cliff. Laurie Anderson read a selection of stories she penned

on the trip, and Suzan-Lori Parks performed a “forever play” about global warming.

Nightly discussions were also held on the subject of climate change and artistic interpretation of the journey.

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre and the British Geological Survey also hopped aboard the Mikheev to focus their efforts on unraveling the problem of the continuing northern ice melt.

Dr. Simon Boxall measured ocean tracts across the Labrador Current while Dr. Caroll Cotterill studied to gain insight into past climates and the speed at which such changes occur.

Dr. Boxall and crew used an Argo float to sample the ocean’s temperature and salinity during the trip. While the first deployment was a failure, the second was a total success.

“It always astounds me when, in such extreme conditions, every works first time,” Boxall wrote in his blog. “And for once it did.”

While the product of the scien-

tific aspect of the expedition is immediately useful, the creative aspect is a little more ambiguous.

How the creative team is meant to relate its findings is up in the air.

Several crew members responded artistically aboard the ship, writing plays, songs, and stories. Others wrote extensive blog entries about the impact of the journey on their awareness of the problem of global warming.

Robyn Hitchcock put his perspective together in his “Iceberg Television” blog entry on October 3.

“Slugs leave trails, sheep leave droppings, bees make honey, and humans leave two things: art and garbage. Where these two things meet is called entertainment.”

Suzan-Lori Parks is more ambivalent to respond publically in regards to the trip.

“I’m not one of those writers who has a point to make/and issue to impart,” she wrote in her blog.

“So we’ll see what happens, but I am ready to get to work. Maybe everything I’ve done so far is warm up for this.”

Photos Courtesy of www.capefarewell.com

Above: Ryuichi Sakamoto and Jarvis Cocker collaborate onboard the Mikheev (photo: Nathan Gallagher) Right: Robyn busks aboard the Grigoriy Mikheev Top right: A zodiac heads to pick up the crew from Greenland’s shore.

Unemployment rate decreases dramatically across Michigan

Low on Gas $$

have at least a 2 year or 4 year degree from a college. This is why so many adults are having a hard time finding a good job.

The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate has increased to 7.6 percent in December of 2007.

Michigan’s annual average jobless rate for 2007 was 7.2 percent and the state wound up with a smallersized work force for the first time since 2003.

Michigan’s unemployment rate then jumped to 8.5 percent for May, then in August 2008 dropped to 8.9 percent, the highest jobless rate in 16 years for a state that has been hardest hit by the combined downturn in the U.S. auto industry and

color and grey) Your objective is to locate all five, write them down in the

Jennifer Niswender Assistant Editor

It seems like every day I over hear more and more people saying that they are struggling to get by because there significant other or parent just can’t find a job. Even the jobs that are out there like fast food places, for example, don’t make enough money to support just yourself or your family. Especially the way the economy is today.

“Finding a job as an uneducated individual is very difficult,” said James Turnquist who has been unemployed sense February.

To find a job that pays enough to support yourself on your own and or a family, most jobs require you to

the slump in housing.

Even right here in Monroe County, the rate was down from 10.8 percent in July and August. But between the two months, the county work force declined by 1,000 and the number of unemployed fell by only 800. Unemployment then fell to 10 percent in August, mainly because some job-hunters just stopped looking for work. Overall, 78 of Michigan’s 83 counties saw declines in unemployment during August.

Michigan is hurting now more than ever, so this November when you vote, vote for change. Michigan needs a miracle to turn this around.

In this issue of The Agora we have hid five

(The MCCC symbol in

blanks below and drop them off in the mailbox outside The Agora room (L 202). If you have all five we will put your name in a drawing for:

$100 GAS CARD

that we will reward at the end of the semester. Each issue we will have more things to look for. You can enter each issue to better your chances.

Happy hunting!

Name

Number

4 THE AGORA

Feature

October 15, 2008

Ups, DOWS and Downs

Stock market is growing weaker, companies are attempting to bounce back Cassie Kane Staff

Stocks are usually a good way to invest money, but lately everyone is saying “get out, now.” Panic seems to be running rampant throughout the stock market.

During the last few weeks in September, the stock market suffered major fallout. The Dow Jones average fell below 10,000 points, and continues to fluctuate here and there below 9,700. This past week, the average fell to 8, 021 points.

Our market is presently one of the worst in modern U.S. history and has wiped out more than $7 trillion in shareholder value. Traders are pushing people to sell, sell, sell, and lenders are less inclined to give loans.

A few companies were forced into bankruptcy, or to go out of business such as the Lehman Brothers.

Thirteen banks have failed including Washington Mutual, and Miami Valley Bank of Ohio. How does it affect everyday people? Bailout or no bailout, your money—as long as you have $100,000 or less in insured accounts at any one bank—is safe.

So what caused this stock crisis

as of late? Our housing bubble fueled excessive borrowing and risky lending practices, resulting the present credit crisis. The S&P 500 proves the damage is tremendous.

The S&P 500 is the stock market index which is the indicator for future events in our economy. Right now, the S&P 500 is down 31 percent, which erases the past five years of market gains.

Could the panic on Wall Street have been prevented?

In late July of 2007, credit crunches, and the falling house prices signaled our economy was headed in a downward direction. Numerous sources such as the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Yahoo Finance, and Bloomber.com stressed the economy’s probability of running into a recession late last year.

We must also take into account the weak U.S. dollar and the fact that people are not saving. Consumers are spending their earnings faster than the treasury can print money.

Will history repeat itself? The stock market crash of 1929 was caused by an expansion in the U.S. economy. After WWI, tons of new technologies flooded the markets such as the radio, automobile, and

the beginning of commercial air flight. Overconfidence and blind optimism spread. Everyone was buying up stocks and taking out loans to buy more. Eventually, the market crashed. Dr. David Crary, an associate professor of economics at Eastern Michigan University has been trying to forecast the U.S. economy for a few years.

“I don’t think this will be called ’The Stock Market Crash of 2008’,” said Crary. “I have seen some similarities, such as the widespread panic of investors and traders, but I don’t think these events hold as much historical weight at the crash of 1929.”

What is the government doing to help? Under the $700 billion dollar bailout plan, the U.S. Treasury is going purchase troubled assets from banks and financial institutions in an effort to encourage more lending. An interest rate cut has been issued concerning banking, mortgages, loans, and other assets.

Are there any stocks worth paying attention to? Tech stocks are going to be in pretty good shape for the most part. According to MSN Money, some stocks to watch would be Google, Apple, Microsoft and IBM.

Search for the Cure: Miranda Panik Staff

Twelve minutes doesn’t seem like a significant amount of time. In twelve minutes you might be able to run to the store, check your email, or make a few phone calls. However, in the United States, every twelve minutes another woman dies of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer is the most feared disease among women today between the ages of 35 and 54. Of the 2.5 million women who are diagnosed in this country with Breast Cancer, nearly half of them will be dead within ten years.

These facts are frightening, and lead people to wonder what they can do to prevent Breast Cancer, or detect it before it’s too late.

Susun Weed, who wrote Breast Cancer?

Breast Health!, is convinced that “the majority of breast cancers are causally related to the high levels of radiation and chemicals released into our air, water, soil, and food over the past 50 years.”

United States government researchers also es-

What is in our future? No one knows for sure, the stock market is a tricky system. Unfortunately, the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) estimates that another ten or more banks will fail within the next few months. David Crary believes the bailout plan will not hold much for our future.

“The bailout plan won’t work.

The Fed’s will pour money into the system, just like it did in 1999 when they were trying to stop the Y2K bug,” said Crary. “The markets will lift, but it won’t permanently fix the problem.”

Jim Jubak, the senior markets editor for MSN Money, predicted a two-quarter recession for our economy at the end of September. Now, he second guesses himself.

“At minimum, it will last longer than the two quarters I projected on September 30,” said Jubak. “Economists are now talking about a recession that will last three, four or even five quarters.”

Whether the U.S. is headed for a recession or not, the stock market is growing weaker. Some companies are bouncing back and the government has pitched in, but America itself needs to take a step back and reorganize.

October brings national breast cancer awareness

timate that 80 percent of all cancers are environmentally linked, according to Weed’s book.

Other risk factors include sex, age, reproductive history and family history, exposure to radiation, race, culture, and height. Women maintain no control over these factors though. Because most research focuses on eliminating the cancer after diagnoses, few scientists have come up with a way of helping to prevent the disease all together.

According to Weed, there are things that contribute to breast cancer that women can control, such as ingestion of and exposure to prescription hormones, hormone-mimicking organochlorines, prescription drugs, petrochemicals, and electromagnetic fields, as well as unwise lifestyle choices such as smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol immoderately, wearing a bra, or not exercising.

Weed also believes, “We can help prevent breast cancer on an individual basis by buying organically grown food, filtering our water, building powerful immunity, living wisely and

vigorously, being in touch with our breasts, and using natural remedies for menopausal problems.”

For many women however, it’s dealing with the diagnosis that becomes hardest. Health.com offers coping strategies for women who have Breast Cancer.

Research is the first coping method. You have to know what step to make next. This means researching what type of Breast Cancer you have been diagnosed with, treatment options, oncologists, facts etc. Immerse your self in all the knowledge you can obtain that way you know exactly how to treat your cancer.

Conversation is the second coping method.

Make sure you talk about your diagnosis. Don’t keep what you’re feeling inside. Think of it as therapy.

Detecting Breast Cancer is the first step. You can check for lumps yourself at home. If you have any suspicious lumps though, make sure to consult your doctor.

Photos courtesy of Erich Freiny

On May 31 thousands of men, women and children gathered to support the fight against breast cancer by either completing the 5k walk or run in downtown Detroit. To the right is only part of the mob of walkers and above is a few of the runners at the finish line.

Photo courtesy from google.com

Credit Cards: Options vary for each person, picking the perfect match takes research Kristin Stepinski Staff

MasterCard. Visa. American Express. Discover.

Not to mention every department store credit card that the polite sales associates at Macy’s, American Eagle, Gap, Sears, Target and Meijer try to sell every customer entering the store.

The possibilities and choices are endless when it comes to credit cards.

Every card has varying limits, interest rates, and monthly or yearly fees depending on the company.

Most department store credit cards carry an interest rate of at least 20 percent, while cards from say banks like, Bank of America carry rates closer to 15 percent.

All of these interest rates and fees vary from person to person depending on one small piece of information-your FICO score or credit rating.

FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, which is the company that created the almighty formula that effects every financial decision you make for the rest of your life. Sounds daunting right?

Don’t let FICO scare you away from all things plastic. The fact of the matter is, we couldn’t run away even if we tried.

Your FICO score affects your ability to apply for a car loan, your ability to put a down payment on a house, whether or not Verizon will let you purchase a cell phone, and your insurance premiums.

Those three digits can even prevent you from landing the dream job you’ve been working toward all these years.

A FICO score can be any threedigit number between 579-850.

The goal with FICO is the higher

the better. Aiming for a FICO score between 760 and 850 is best. This will help in getting better interest rates on any credit cards you might wish to apply for.

When it comes to choosing a card, think about your personal financial situation. If you already have loans and bills piling up then a card with the lowest possible interest rate makes better sense, assuming that you won’t be paying the full balance every month.

The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard, for example has a 0 percent interest rate on all purchases for the first six months and there is no annual fee for using the card.

Those who plan to use plastic simply for convenience and others who plan to pay off all of their purchases every month can look for a card with more perks. Many companies now offer cards that collect bonus points with every purchase or wrack up airline miles for each dollar spent using the card.

The interest rates are usually higher, but if you plan to pay off your balance consistently, the interest rates are not an important factor.

The Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card is one that rewards at least a point for every dollar that you spend. For money spent at gas stations, supermarkets and drug stores, five points per dollar are rewarded.

A card that could be big with college students is offered from Bank of America. The card can be designed to have the logo of your University of choice. There is also no annual fee and state of the art fraud protection is included.

Choosing a credit card can be overwhelming and expensive if you don’t put some time into it. Know your situation, and pick a card that fits well for you.

Snow on Mars leads scientists in quest for life on red planet Miranda Panik Staff

Scientists are getting closer to proving life could be sustainable on Mars after detecting snow in the planet’s atmosphere.

A Canadian university put a laser aboard a Mars Lander which detected snowflakes falling from Martian clouds about four kilometers above the landing site.

The Mars Phoenix, which landed on Mars in May near the Martian Arctic, has been adorned with Lidar. Lidar is a scanning instrument related to radar. It uses lasers to scan the sky, and in the past it has found fog, clouds, and sand storms on the planet. www.canada.com stated, “Ice appears and disappears near the Martian North Pole as the seasons change. But how the moisture moves around is unclear, especially as Mars has very little atmosphere -- less than one per cent of

what Earth has.”

The Phoenix landed on the planet when the weather was warmer and air was absorbing water from the surface. Now that the Martian winter is soon approaching, it will begin to condense in the atmosphere.

BBC news conveyed that in the summer months, the Phoenix was detecting a rise in temperatures and humidity as the water on the surface and from the polar ice caps would sublimate. And as the sun would dip below the horizon, the temperature would drop. They have begun to see ground fog and frost now that winter is approaching.

NASA released information stating that the soil on Mars contained calcium carbonate, a chief component of limestone on Earth, and clay-like particles, both of which only form in the presence of liquid water. This doesn’t necessarily mean there is flowing water on the planet now, however. In the past there could have been some sort of standing water that created these minerals.

In order to get as much information about the Martian “snow” as possible, NASA has extended the mission of the Phoenix indefinitely.

However, the Phoenix runs on solar power. As the sun dips below the horizon every night, it becomes increasingly hard for the Phoenix to maintain the energy in its batteries. NASA is predicting the robot will probably die at the end of November or early December.

October 15, 2008

Campus News

THE AGORA

5

Pass or Fail A-D would pass under the old policy and only an F would not get credit.

But some schools were not that cooperative. Some would not even give credit for pass/fail classes, creating headaches for students.

“Most four year schools won’t accept D’s,” Paul Schmidt, MCCC Registrar, said. “They wouldn’t accept pass/fail grades because they couldn’t tell what the grade was.”

The new pass/fail policy will take effect within the fall 2008 Semester. The new policy is like the old one. Students have the ability to take classes on a pass/fail basis.

The only difference is only an A, B or C will be considered a passing grade.

Casey Cheap Staff

The pass/fail system at MCCC is about to get a modern-day facelift.

In the past, students had the choice of taking a class on just a pass/fail basis.

If the student passed, they would get credit for the class. Students would elect to take the class under this basis because a pass/fail grade would not hurt their G.P.A. The problem with this system is many four-year institutions would end up contacting community colleges trying to determine whether the student earned and A, B, C or D when they passed. D’s do not transfer.

Darfur info series Student Government: Starting fresh enriches Whitman Cassie Kane Agora

Joining clubs is a great way to get involved in college activities and to meet new people. Student government has always been a prestigious club here at MCCC. This year, things will be a little different.

Former advisor for student government, Nicole Day was offered another job teaching at another college. Her students followed suit, leaving the student government club.

Now, Tom Ryder, the events and fitness activities coordinator has taken charge of the club, and is trying to restore membership.

On September 30 Ryder held an informative meeting in the student government room located in the back of the Cellar. He briefed students on the purpose of the student

government club, future meetings, and activities that he would like to continue or try. Student government representatives and officers have not been selected yet, but they will be soon and only student government members are allowed to vote.

“In high school I would have liked to get involved. Joing student governemnt is my oppurtunity to get involved and make a differance,” said MaryGrace Cuccia, MCCC student.

Some of the activities which were discussed were Toys for Tots, blood drives, concerts, debates and movie nights. Some may recall the Sweetheart Dance that student government hosted at MCCC last year.

The MCCC student government oversees all the other clubs that are affiliated with the college. If a stu-

Agora illustration by Emily Chandonnet

dent would like to start a club, they must convince the student government first.

Ryder is still looking for students to join student government and get involved in the college. A student interested in joining must write a letter of intent, explaining why he/or she wants to be a part of student government and turn it into Tom Ryder.

The next meeting for student government will be held tomorrow, October 16 at 12:30 p.m. in the student government room.

Students are reminded to bring their letter of intent with them to the meeting. For more information, call Tom Ryder at (734) 3844201.

Kristen Stepinski Staff

Next Meeting: Oct. 16 12:30 p.m.

Cellar

Whitman Center presents Silent Witness display Brandy Werner Freelance Writer

Each year in the United States, 1,500 women are murdered in acts of domestic violence. On October 20, MCCC’s Whitman Center will take a stand for those victims.

For 10 days in October, the Whitman Center will host “The Silent Witness Display” in the Atrium.

The Silent Witness Display will pay tribute to the women who have fallen victim to their abusive husbands. It will include 17 life-sized silhouettes of victims wearing a gold shield describing the story of their life and the circumstances of their death.

The display is meant to make

students more aware of the effects of violence in the home, and to encourage them to take the steps needed to help prevent this problem.

The Silent Witness National Initiative is a nationwide program dedicated to putting an end to the threat of family violence. The program started in 1990 when a group of women were upset about the growing trend of domestic violence in their home state, Minnesota, and decided to do something about it.

Their program was officially launched on February 18, 1991 with a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol. Since that day 17 years

ago, the Silent Witness National Initiative has become a widespread program, operating in all 50 states and in 8 other countries.

The initiative has implemented numerous programs to help its cause, including a court watch, which makes certain that courts punish the offenders of domestic violence and ensure victims’ safety.

The program has also started a Self-Mastery Workshop which provides treatment programs for victims as well as perpetrators, teaching them to control their emotions and understand what significant relationships can and cannot do for them.

Retraction: Halloween Dance The International Studies Club will not be holding a Halloween Dance as stated in the Sept. 30 issue of The Agora. This information was accidentally gathered from last years information. Sorry for the confussion.

Emily Chandonnet

Auto Show Resutls

Note from the Editor:

Editor-in-Chief

We would like to apologize if anyone was offended by the curse word that was printed in the picture on campus news for the banned books article in our last issue. We were unaware of the word in the picture and did not notice it while editing. We were not trying to make any sort of statement, it just happened to be in the photo and undetected. We are neither confirming nor denying whether it is wrong to make a statement like the one displayed on the shirt, it was just something we would have removed from our paper if it was noticed prior to publication. Thank you.

Emily Chandonnet Editor-in-Chief

President’s Choice

Alumni Choice

Trustee’s Choice

Faculty Choice

Foundation’s Choice

Student Choice

1st Place – Dave Treuhaft, Sylvania, OH 1946 Cadillac Convertible 2nd Place - Mike & Mary Kreuger, Monroe, MI – Ford Model A 3rd Place – Andy Konyha, Carleton, MI 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible

1st Place –Mel Harbaugh, Ottawa Lake, MI 1955 Ford Thunderbird 2nd Place – Ken Swint, Temperance, MI 1966 Pontiac GTO 3rd Place – Rick Giezentaner, Saline, MI 1939 Chevy Farm Truck

1st Place – Joe Abela, Livonia, MI 1948 Plymouth Woodie 2nd Place – Jim Brady, Ann Arbor, MI 1950 Plymouth 2 door Coupe 3rd Place – Gene Walters, Whitehouse, OH 1955 Ford Sunliner

1st Place – Tim & Helen Banyai, Maybee, MI - 1956 Chevy Belair 2nd Place – Ron & Jayne Scott, Adrian, MI 1959 Cadillac Two Door 3rd Place – Shawn Simpson, Dundee, MI 1972 Ford Maverick

1st Place – Mike Bonner, Lambertville, MI 1950 Mercedes Benz 2nd Place - Lynn Saunders, Erie, MI 1951 Mercury Coupe 3rd Place – Wilbur & Carolyn Burkett, Ida, MI - 1939 Plymouth P-8

1st Place – Frank Hymore Jr., Monroe, MI 1965 Ford Mustang - Fastback 2nd Place – Skip Nagel, Monroe, MI - 1962 Chevy Corvette 3rd Place – David Willing, Temperance, MI 1937 Convertible

The Silent Witness National Initiative’s main goal is to have zero domestic violence murders by the year 2010. They would also like to see October 18th become “Silent Witness Day,” with marches held in every major city.

The results of this nationwide fight against domestic violence are impressive. Since the year 2000, domestic homicides in the state of Michigan have been cut almost in half. If these trends continue, the Silent Witness National Initiative will be one step closer to meeting its goal of zero domestic violence murders by the year 2010.

This information was obtained from silentwitness.net.

Imagine living in complete fear for your life. Food and water are scarce. Mothers can barely take care of themselves-never mind their children.

Men are few and far between because most of them have already been killed. Farmland is nonexistent and sand storms are a significant problem.

Darfur has been in a state of humanitarian emergency since 2003, and the problems have only escalated since.

The situation in Darfur has been part of the Fall Enrichment Series at the MCCC Whitman Center, which has been on display during the months of September and October.

“I wanted the Center to be more than just a classroom building,” said Sandy Kosmyna, Whitman Center Director. “Adding the displays and speakers gives it more of a campus feel.”

This year, the Enrichment Series seeks to raise the awareness of worldwide suffering and international struggle, with the hopes of getting other students and community members involved. Presentations and displays are free, open to the public, and made possible by a grant from the Foundation at MCCC. Throughout September, the focus at the Whitman Center, was on the crisis in Darfur. A Human Rights Watch exhibit with copies of drawings from children depicting their view of the war going on around them was displayed for two weeks.

The movie “Hotel Rwanda” was shown along with the documentary “Sand and Sorrow”.

One of the key events put on by the Whitman Center was a presentation from Ginny Mitchell, Edu-

cational Outreach Coordinator for the Michigan Darfur Coalition. She spoke at length about the gravity of the current situation in Darfur, showing pictures taken by photographer Ryan Spencer Reed and describing the events that occur all too often in this war-torn section of Sudan.

The Janjaweed militia and Sudanese government are directly responsible for the war in Darfur, Mitchell said. Struggles for power between governmentally organized military and rebel extremist groups affect the lives of every citizen.

“It’s about power and greed, that’s the bottom line, and these people just happened to get in the way,” Mitchell said.

In September 2004, Colin Powell, then the U.S. Secretary of State, declared genocide in Darfur and President George W. Bush confirmed the declaration, yet the war has continued to escalate to even more drastic heights. Upwards of 400,000 people are dead and as many as 2.5 million are homeless.

The need for humanitarian effort has steadily increased with each passing year, while actual involvement has decreased.

“Two years ago was the height of Darfur awareness, it was the cause du jour,” said Mitchell. “Now there are so many competing interests in the world, it’s hard to get Sudan back to the top.”

There are numerous options for those wanting to help end the crisis in Darfur. At www.savedarfur.org, under the ‘Take Action’ tab you can learn more about what you can do to help support relief efforts in Darfur.

“If this doesn’t light a fire under you, find something that does,” Mitchell said. “There is so much need in the world you could throw a dart and find something or someplace that needs help.”

6 THE AGORA

Sports

October 15, 2008

MSU, U-M rivalry renewed , U S M Casey Cheap Staff

Too bad it only comes once a year.

One of the most exciting inner-state football rivalries is that of the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines.

This season, the game will be played Oct. 25. The unranked Wolverines (2-4, 1-1 Big Ten) will have home advantage while the No. 23 ranked Spartans (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) will have to overcome a deafening crowd of 110,000 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Although it’s not as big as the MichiganOhio State rivalry, the inner-state match-up is all about bragging rights.

The winner of this game gets the right to claim they are the best in the state for a year. And traditionally, the Wolverines have always kept “little brother” Michigan State down.

But this year, the tide could be turning on Michigan’s reign of dominance.

Michigan has struggled this season.

The Rich Rodriguez era got off to a rocky start, with a 25-23 loss to Utah at the Michigan home season opener.

Michigan was also embarrassed by a 35-17 loss two weeks later by long-time rival Notre Dame.

Michigan was favored to win both games.

So with a 1-2 record, much wasn’t expected out of the Wol-

verines when facing then ranked No. 9 Wisconsin.

The score was 19-0 in Wisconsin’s favor at halftime. Booing had never been so loud at the Big House.

Then came the third quarter.

Quarterback Steven Threet made the right adjustments, and the Wolverine’s offensive line suddenly woke up. In the second half this season, Michigan has outscored opponents 46-19.

That startling statistic was quickly shown off, as the Wolverines eventually came back from their deficit and won the game 27-25, for the biggest comeback in Michigan Stadium history.

“I know a lot of teams would have just thrown in the towel and coast out and wait for the game to end, but we kept pushing,” Obi Ezeh, Wolverines linebacker, said in an interview with The Detroit News.

But just one week later, the Wolverines suffered their first Big Ten loss to Illinois, 45-20. They were supposed to come away with an easy home win against Toledo, but an embarrassing 13-10 loss at the Big House has also humbled the Wolverines.

Although much of the talk in the Big Ten has been about Michigan’s new coach, Michigan State is settling nicely with Mark Dantonio as head coach for his second season, who led the Spartans to a 7-6 record last season.

The Spartan’s only loss came at California this season, 38-31.

Since their first win, the Spartans have been undefeated. They crushed Eastern Michigan, 42-10, shut-out Florida Atlantic 17-0, and beat that pesky Notre Dame team the Wolverines couldn’t seem to handle, 23-7.

And with wins over Indiana, 42-29, Iowa, 16-13, and over Northwestern on the road, 37-20, that puts the Spartans second only to Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference Standings.

So the 2008 edition of this rivalry is as storied as the past. Although the record and field advantage are not in their favor, the Spartans have every intention of coming out of this match-up with a win.

But the fact remains; Michigan has dominated Michigan State in the last decade, winning eight of the last ten. The Spartans were able to pull off victories in 1999, 34-31, and in 2001, 26-24.

Stanley Cup champs look to win two in a row Kristin Stepinski Staff

Welcome home Stanley, we’ve missed you lately.

Following three years of early round exits and losing a shot at the finals to Anaheim in 2006-07, the Wings put all of the pieces together last season, squashing any hopes Sidney Crosby had of winning his first cup against big, bad Detroit.

After two months of playoff hockey, after crushing Sid the Kid’s dreams, after the obligatory champagne showers and a summer vacation filled with Cup celebrations, captain Nicklas Lidstrom and Co. are back and poised to make it two in a row once again.

“The Wings are always in the running for a championship,” Zac Dluzen, MCCC student said. “With the younger guys stepping up and the veteran players doing what they do, I see no reason a repeat couldn’t happen.”

During the offseason, General Manager Ken Holland managed to lock in defensemen Brad Stuart and forward Valtteri Filppula to four and five-year deals, respectively. Holland also snatched forward Marian Hossa and backup goalie Ty Conklin from Pittsburgh in July, filling any remaining holes in his roster.

Hossa is a top-six forward, bringing his size and skill to Detroit this year, and it could be argued that Conklin was the reason Pittsburgh even ended up in the playoffs last season. During Pittsburgh’s injury-marred second half, Conklin

stepped up and played in place of an injured Marc-Andre Fleury. He led the Penguins to a 17-6-5 record before Fleury returned to the lineup in early March.

Training camp was the first real opportunity for new Wings Hossa and Conklin to skate with the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Dan Cleary, Filppula and reigning Cup series MVP, Henrik Zetterberg. Camp also gave coach Mike Babcock a first look at his new top line made up of Holmstrom, Datsyuk and Hossa.

The real test for Euro Twins Datsyuk and Zetterberg came during the preseason, when they were split up and given new linemates. Both players are used to being on the ice at the same time and the chemistry they have out there together is undeniable.

Babcock is not one to think twice about splitting up Detroit’s top two forwards, and with the addition of Hossa to the lineup, he had all the more reason to do it.

Unfortunately, Detroit suffered a myriad of injuries during the preseason. Datsyuk, Holmstrom and Hossa all were out at some point for pesky groin injuries while Chelios fractured his tibia and will be out for 3-6 weeks. Filppula also missed two games with an injury to his thumb after a hit from teammate Aaron Downey.

The scariest injury, however, came to Lidstrom during an exhibition game against Montreal when he was hit in the face with a puck

during the third period. Luckily for the Wings, Lidstrom only suffered a broken nose.

“It touched a bit of his nose and then above his eye,” Babcock said.

“Nothing to do with his eye, so that’s obviously the most positive news.”

Injuries aside, the Wings went on to win six of nine preseason games and the players were given some much needed icetime to adjust to their new linemates.

The Franzen-Zetterberg-Hudler line proved that chemistry would not be an issue during the Oct. 4 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Zetterberg and Franzen each had two goals and an assist while Hudler assisted on three of the goals in a 5-3 win at Joe Louis Arena.

“They’ve been by far our best line in exhibition,” Babcock said.

“Good for them. They’re prepared for the year.”

Before the puck dropped to start the season on Thursday, Oct. 9, the 2007-08 championship banner was raised to the rafters at the Joe. Maybe the ceremony hoopla is to blame.

Tomas Holmstrom scored twice in a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pavel Kubina, Dominic Moore and Nikolai Kulemin scored for the Leafs. Whatever the culprit may be, the Wings underestimated a more than ready Leafs team.

Detroit had nineteen giveaways to Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports Toronto’s five and the talk of a Cup hangover has already begun. It’s a Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom hoists the Stanley Cup on June 4, 2008 after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to two. Lidstrom is the first European born NHL captain to lead his team to a championship. long season people.

Life expectancy of coaches declining rapidly Michael Crossman Staff

In the world of professional sports there are only two kinds of coaches. There is the good and then there is the bad.

Coaches in professional sports are handed the keys to an entire organization, and they are expected to mold their team into a championship caliber franchise. Spare no expense, or excuses are the mottos for most owners of these teams.

This is a growing trend in all of

our professional sports. When the team is no longer producing, we fire the coach.

In all circumstances, this may not be a bad thing. For example, when the Raiders just recently fired head coach Lane Kiffin, it was due to a combination of mixed messages and un-kept promises made to the owner Al Davis.

Davis said he fired the 33-yearold Kiffin for “cause” and that he would not pay the remainder of his contract.

New York Knicks coach Isiah

Thomas was fired after he lost a franchise record-tying 59 games in his last season as coach. Along the way he seemed to lose the support of his players, who didn’t always play hard for him the way they did prior.

Both cases involved great individuals who just were not the right man for the job.

Now, there are some cases that are so unexplainable that they would fit somewhere between Area 51, and the 2004 Presidential elections on the “ugh” scale.

blitzkrieg off by firing head coach Flip Saunders, and appointing assistant Michael Curry as the new head coach.

“Michael and I are of like mind.

And the way we’re of like mind on this issue is, I feel very comfortable going to battle with the guys we have coming back, just as he is. But that wasn’t going to stop me from pursuing to see if we could get better and make a deal” he said.

Obviously by the looks on the court when the Pistons began training camp there were no big trades made. Matter of fact, after throwing Flip under the bus and disposing of

his corpse, nothing has been done other than acquisitions of hopefuls; center Kwame Brown, and point guard Will Bynum.

“I think it was a great move by the pistons to get Kwame Brown in the offseason, because if they can get him to be confident on offense and defense, he could be the player that the Pistons need to get to the NBA Finals” said MCCC student Allen Herrera.

That was originally supposed to be the job of Theo Ratliff, Nazi Mohammed, and Walter Herrmann.

What the Pistons have done these

Take the case of Tigers pitching Coach Chuck Hernandez. The Tigers let Hernandez go after this disappointing season in what looks to be the start of “house cleaning”.

The Tiger’s pitching staff was a huge disappointment this year, and Chuck got the short end of the stick.

But was it the coach that brought about the underperformance of the pitching staff that had the American League’s third-worst ERA (4.88).

Or was it just a lack luster performance by some rich premadona ex-

cuses for professional ball players.

Hernandez was the pitching coach in ’06, when they made the World Series.

“I never understood why they always fire the coach” said MCCC student Jason Keiller, “I mean, what happens when you just do not have any talent on your team, is that necessarily the coaches fault” The perfect case scenario would be our own Detroit Lions. After disposing of all our coaches for the past 10 years, they finally fig-

ured out that Millen was the clog in the drain.

“A group of talented players having the wrong guidance is something completely different than a bunch of goons out there pretending to be superstars,” Keiller said.

With organizations now coining the phrase “get it right, get it tight,” when it comes to their expectations of their coaches it seems that job security for coaches is like the shelf life of a gallon of milk.

Better check the date.

Boston showing extreme amounts of heart, but according to Wallace, “I just couldn’t hit shots.”

Wallace said that he didn’t really have a disconnect with former coach Flip Saunders, though it was clear that Saunders had lost the respect of the older players.

“It was just with us as vets and he really didn’t want to listen to us,” Wallace said. “That’s what really hurt him.”

Speaking on radio station WDFN, Wallace used this analogy: “If you mess up a guy’s desk and throw coffee on it every day and he

doesn’t do anything to stop you, are you going to respect him?”

Wallace, though, didn’t credit Flip for the team’s failures in last season’s playoffs.

“Basically, it was just not our time”, “That’s just the way the ball bounces sometimes. I think we were all positive and thought that we would beat Boston. But we can’t cry over spilled milk now. We just have to go out and prove to all the naysayers that are saying we’re too old and our window is closed.

We have to prove them wrong,” he said.

Pistons believe they’re runnin’ on full throttle Casey Cheap Staff

The Pistons have begun the long strenuous war in the hunt for another championship season. After last seasons crushing game 6 loss to the Boston Celtics, fans were revived by news of trades.

“I’ll reiterate what I said early on after the season was over. That we would be open to doing any deal but I’m not going to give players away and make a bad deal” said Joe Dumars, Pistons President.

Dumars wasn’t waving the bullshit flag. Instead he started the

past several years is pick up players that are not the greatest performers, but that have a lot of potential. Then when you give these player’s the minutes they fail to produce. It’s the complacency effect.

The biggest questions still seem to surround the forward Rasheed Wallace.

His lack luster series performance in the ‘07 Conference Finals against the Cavaliers and again in ’08 against the Celtics put a sour taste in fans mouths.

However, last year Wallace performed exceptionally well against

October 15, 2008

A&E

‘The Stand Ins’ stands out Steve Sonoras Staff

Okkervil River’s grandiose 2007 LP The Stage Names was so big it needed a sequel. Where The Stage Names’ dramatic flourishes wrapped cozily around cinematic tales of tragic figures both real and fictional, its follow-up, 2008’s The Stand Ins, zooms out to reveal a wider, grittier picture. As their puzzle piece album covers make evident, the two records are perfect companions—The Stage Names’ artwork depicts a giant hand reaching for the sun from the rough waters of obscurity, while The Stand Ins reveals the drunken sadness of the despairing skeletal soul from which the hand extends, his bones bleached by the blazing ravages of the spotlight.

“Look out, look out on each town that glides by. And there’s another crowd to drown in crying eyes,” band leader Will Sheff sings cynically on “Lost Coastlines.” The song is either a criticism on the war in Iraq or a ballad about a struggling indie rock band. The lyric, “We sing, is that marionette real enough yet to step off that set and decide what a dance might mean to it,” could be a reference to Bush or simply a hypothetical remark against Sheff from the crowd—either way Sheff’s bitter insight grabs the listener full force.

The cynicism of the first proper track on the album is a dominating

theme throughout The Stand Ins. “Singer Songwriter” finds Sheff lashing out at the hipster crowd, which is most likely the foundation of his fan club. “You came from wealth, yeah you’ve got wealth. It’s a shame they didn’t give you much else,” he scorns. With such a revolutionary voice, why shouldn’t he insult those for whom his records are simply souvenirs of indie cred?

The next two tracks, “Starry Stairs” and “Blue Tulip” dig even deeper into the trench of Sheff’s disillusion with stardom. On the first, he asks boldly, “What do you think this fan club’s for?” as he pleads to his audience to give him a little slack.

On “Blue Tulip,” he searches for the unattainable ideal of artistic appreciation “behind the wall the smoke machine has made” between himself and the dream. Fictional or not, Sheff’s gut wrenching accounts make one wonder how he can carry on with the tortures of show-business while maintaining to create such beautiful, poetic music.

Will’s lyrical flair takes center stage for a solo on “Pop Lie.” You’ll feel guilty about dancing along to the sardonically peppy track once you listen deeper. “He’s the liar who lied in his pop song, and you’re lying when you sing along,” he sings with an audible grin.

“On Tour with Zykos” and “Calling and Not Calling My Ex” help keep things sweet and sad with tales

of blind jealousy before The Stand Ins draws the curtains with the epic (and epically titled) “Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979,” in which Sheff assumes the identity of the tragic rock icon Jobriath. The song brings the album full-circle with its portrait of a failed star fallen victim to his own devices. “F**k long hours sick with singing, sick with singing the same songs. In the bars they’ll soon be drinking. Let’s cash my check and drink along,”

Movie Reviews

Sheff croons under Jobriath’s guise in a manner that’s as believable as it is heartbreaking.

The Stand Ins may be a sequel, but it displays Sheff and company pulling out all the stops to create a record that’s as important and intriguing as anything REM or The Replacements made in the 80’s.

The album is a brooding opera—an anthem for dank, dingy rock clubs across the country—with enough lyrical appeal to keep today’s greatest poets on their toes.

THE AGORA

7

Art threatened by budget deficit Miranda Panik Staff

The newly revamped Detroit Institute of the Arts has had a disappointing turnout. Just ten months after their 158-million dollar renovation, their main concern now is how to pay for it.

With the DIA experiencing a 17 million dollar loss last year, it brings their total to over 100 million dollars in losses over the past decade. These losses along with the cost of the renovation have left the museum in a hole.

According to the Detroit Free Press, “As much as $750,000 could be cut from the 2009 budget as the DIA intensifies efforts to fix the structural deficit that threatens to drown its future in red ink.”

At first glance, things looked as if they would be okay for the DIA. Its reinvention gained national attention and increased their attendance.

However, now that the ritzy galas for their opening have ended, its financial crisis has stolen the limelight.

Annmarie Erickson has inherited this problem as the newly appointed executive vice president for administration and planning.

Erickson has been quoted in the Free Press saying the financial problem is “urgent” and these loss-

es were “unacceptable.”

The DIA is not in any near danger of collapse, however. The museum has enough money in the pipeline to keep operations going for another five to ten years. The problem is still in need of a solution, though.

One of the ways the DIA makes its money is through admission prices and memberships.

Memberships include several benefits that don’t apply to standard admission prices. An individual membership is 65 dollars a year, with incentives including free admission to the museum and any special exhibits, previews of exhibits before public opening, a subscription to Your DIA, and 10 percent off at the gift shop, café, Court Coffee Stop, and the DIA’s online store.

The DIA website (www.dia.org) states, “Member’s dues are used to support educational programs, special exhibitions, art publications which capture worldwide attention, conservation of valuable collections, crucial building improvements and many of the daily expenses involved with operating the museum.”

For those that simply want to visit the museum, daily prices range as follows: eight dollars for adults, six dollars for seniors, and four dollars for children.

Legend Lost

Paul Newman dies from lung cancer Cassie Kane Staff

Choke

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Steve Sonoras

Emily Chandonnet

Victor Mancini lives an interesting life, to say the least. He’s a sex addict, a colonial theme park employee, and he purposely chokes on food in restaurants to make rich acquaintances to help pay for his Alzheimer’s inflicted mother’s nursing home bill. He even cruises sexual addiction recovery seminars for action. Oh, and he might be the Second Coming of Christ.

Based on the popular novel by edgy writer Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), Choke has all the makings of a great film plot. Its flawed characters obviously have plenty of room for development, and audiences should ideally curl close to the edge of their seats watching the hilariously warped plot unfold.

Screenwriter and director Clark Gregg still manages to botch this potentially fertile premise with an impotent script and one truly flaccid casting choice, though.

One a positive note, Sam Rockwell and Brad Henke sleaze up the screen and provide plenty of laughs as con-man and best friend. Anjelica Huston is, ironically, unforgettable as Mancini’s bed-ridden mother.

The film’s fine leading cast is simply not given sharp enough material to match its abilities, though. Choke’s potential is hindered by a cinematic prophylactic that keeps it from being as filthy or as meaningful as it rightfully should be.

The movie’s real problem lies in the most important character opposite Victor: his love interest Paige Marshall, a nurse who just might be able to help him change his wicked ways and find something more than the usual nothingness in his sexual adventures.

Paige is played so horrendously

by Kelly Macdonald that you’ll want Victor to keep hooking up with helpless sex addict after helpless sex addict. She delivers every line with such little energy and enthusiasm that it seems as though she’s merely auditioning for the part while only having practiced her lines in the shower hours before. What’s more, the film’s conclusion leaves many questions unanswered as the film chokes on its own complications.

Victor Mancini lives to prove that human beings are not without their flaws—but then again, neither is Choke.

Nick, played by Michael Cera (Juno, Superbad) and Norah, played by Kat Dennings (House Bunny, The 40 Year Old Virgin) are the perfect quirky match who find each other on their quest for Fluffy. One lined humor makes this film both entertaining and catchy, and a must see for all who like to laugh and want to fall in love.

“You’re like my musical soul mate,” said character Norah to her co-star Nick. This statement sums up the movie perfectly. Even though the title of this movie is long it perfectly connects with the film. The various artists through this movie may not be the most common or popular, but they make this movie. Some songs that compliment Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist are ‘Lover’ by Devendra Banhart,’ After Hours’ by We Are Scientists and ‘How To Say Goodbye’ by Paul Tiernan.

Norah is already in love with a boy she’s never met, who makes the best mix CDs. She gets them from her enemy, played by Alexis Dziena (Fool’s Gold), who just happens to be Nick’s ex girlfriend. Their love for music makes their inevitable meet happen.

Nick is a member of an ever name changing band and is just trying to get over his ex. Norah is a girl who loves music and going out, but always ends up having to care for her drunk friend and getting use for her connection. Nick and Norah’s problem people keep getting in their way of staying together, but Fluffy is always there to bring them back together again.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, directed by Peter Sollett (Raising Vitor Vargas), is a perfect combination of Juno and August Rush. The love of music brings these two lyrical soul mates together with laughs, drunken friends and enemies along their search across New York City to find Fluffy.

Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Eagle Eye Casey Cheap Staff

Eagle Eye is an action thriller, another example of Hollywood throwing as many explosions, high-speed chases, and shootouts at you as possible.

The entertainment value of this film is good; but as far as plot and substance, not so much.

I guess the only lesson that can be taken from the film would be the more technology you use, the easier it is to be traced.

At least, that was the basic premise of Will Smith’s 1998 film, Enemy of the State, a film that is in many ways identical.

Eagle Eye’s plot seems to be rehashed with Shia LeBeouf’s performance in Transformers.

LeBeouf plays the innocent Jerry Shaw, drawn-in to this conflict against his will. Along the way, he meets and befriends Michelle Monaghan, portrayed by Rachel Holloman. Their eventual relationship toward the end of the film is predictable from the very beginning.

Both initially decide to ignore phone calls from an unknown entity until they realize their cooperation is essential for survival.

The idea some entity—whether a hacker, terrorist or someone with a lot of time—could control the power grid, cell phones, construction cranes or even the traffic lights in their favor is preposterous.

And let’s not forget, LeBeouf and Holloman are making these decisions to run from police, commit armed robbery, and assault others based on phone calls from a stranger who will not allow questions.

Some other noteworthy performances were that of Billy Bob Thornton who plays Agent Thomas Morgan, the clichéd part of the overly ambitious top cop, and Michael Chiklis as Defense Secretary Callister.

For those looking to see as many police Crown Victoria’s get smashed as possible, this is the movie for you.

Personally, I’d rather save my money and see Enemy of the State again. At least that movie has Jack Black.

On Friday, September 26, actor Paul Newman lost his fight against lung cancer at the age of 83. Many people have led tributes to the movie legend, including Robert Redford, Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

Clooney remembered watching him in Cool Hand Luke, saying “He set the bar too high for the rest of us.”

Julia Roberts said, “He was my hero, he was a total inspiration.”

In his five-decade-long career, Paul Newman was nominated for ten Oscars, winning the best actor award for his role opposite Tom Cruise in Color of Money. Newman also won two Golden Globe awards, a Screen Actors Guild award, a Cannes Film Festival award and an Emmy award.

Paul Newman married Joanne Woodward in 1958 and they had three daughters together. A marriage lasting for 50 years is a rare thing in cinema and Newman was credited for setting an example of the American family.

Newman’s food company, Newman’s Own, will continue to donate its profits to the Hole in the Wall camps of children with serious ill-

nesses, as a request in Newman’s will. In fact, he told a family friend that he wanted to be remembered most for what he has done to help the children in his camps. The com-

pany has generated more than $200 million since 1982.

With Newman’s passing we have lost an American idol, a champion for children, and an inspiration.

people.com

Left: Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward on their wedding day in 1958.

They were married for 50 years.

Most See Movies for Halloween Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, 2003)

It (1990)

The Ring (2002)

Saw (2002)

The Birds (1963)

The Shining (1980)

8 THE AGORA

Spotlight

UP

Frosty Facts

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Getting our driver’s license, taking a first job, graduating from high school, moving out of our parent’s house and entering college are a few events that lead us a little closer to adulthood. But what about the little things your parents never taught you? Car maintenance? Laundry? Cooking?

In our society we are afraid to ask questions, but knowing these basics are as important as knowing when 35¢ wing night. So join The Agora in this five part series which will explore, explain and simplify the tasks we need to grow up.

y t e f Sa ion t i d E

Emily Chandonnet Editor-in-Chief

...continues next issue

Hotels

Select hotels that use electronic room keys.

These plastic keys that look like credit cards are invalid after you check out, which makes it impossible for key thieves to gain access to the room in the future Review the emergency and fire procedures when you check into the hotel

Leave your valuables in a safe-deposit box All side and rear doors should require keypad entrance Avoid rooms at the end of the hallway. Thieves feel most comfortable away from busy areas Utilize the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign when you leave. This makes it look like you are in the room

Dorm Life.................

Do not leave messages on your door indicating that you are away and when you will return Do not prop open outer doors. If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency call, offer to telephone for them instead of allowing them access Have your door keys ready; carry them in your pockets, not buried in a purse

October 15, 2008

Never leave valuables in plain view even if the car is locked.

Put them in the trunk or out of sight Don’t stop to assist a stranger whose car has broken down. Help instead by using your cell phone or driving to the nearest phone and calling the police for help Always keep your car well maintained, and m ake sure you have plenty of gas.

• Avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day • Wear layers. Avoid overdressing and overexertion.

• Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves • Wearing a hat keeps you warm. Most of your body heat is lost through your head • Get out of wet clothes immediately.

• Drink soup or hot beverages to warm up your core body temperature • Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine if you think someone may be hypothermic or if they have frostbite

Meet with Carol Holton, UT Transfer Academic Adviser, at Monroe County Community College. Call 734.847.0559 to set up an appointment.