3-29-2007

Agora

The Vol. 49, Issue 7

March 29, 2007

MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

INSIDE Opinion, 2 & 3

What is “speculative fiction?”

Find out more inside

Do you think you’re big enough?

Local volunteer program supports young boys, girls

Lisa Ghigliazza Copy Editor

Flip-flop

frenzy

Campus News, 4 & 5 Learn about the Joint Michigan/Ohio Canadian Studies Roundtable

Antiques in April coming to MCCC campus

Feature, 6 & 7

New cafe opens on M-50

Do you eat vegetables? Find out why you should

Entertainment, 8 & 9 Happy

birthday, Star Wars!

Movie reviews of “Tideland” and “300”

Do you have a big brother or a big sister? Do you have a mother and/or father? For many children in Monroe County the answer to these questions is no. When these situation arise, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County (BB/BS) steps in, with young men and women who volunteer as brothers and sisters, or “Bigs” or as they are referred to. In 1968, the independent, non-profit organization, BB/BS of Monroe County, was founded to provide mentors for children ages seven to seventeen, from single parent households. According to their Web site, “the mission of Big Brothers and Big Sisters is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally-supported One-to-One relationship with a caring adult. Through leadership and standards of excellence, adult volunteers assist the children in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent, and caring individuals.”

“Bigs” meet with their “Little” brother or sister a few times a month and involve them in daily activities such as going shopping, playing basketball, or doing homework. But, according to Secretary of the Board for BBBS Monroe and adjunct professor of Criminal Justice at Monroe County Community College (MCCC), Jennifer Miller, being a “Big” is so much more.

“I think being a ‘Big’ is a great opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. It truly serves a dual purpose; both people are benefiting.”

Many college students do not get involved because they are not sure what is involved in becoming a “Big,” and others say they have never heard of Big Brother Big Sister of Monroe.

“I have heard of it [BB/BS] before but I didn’t know we had it here in Monroe,” MCCC student, Kristin Buchanan, said.

The one problem BB/BS faces is getting the word out. BB/BS is mostly run by volunteers, a few paid

employees, and a very small budget. Advertising is done mainly by word of mouth, annual fundraisers - such as the upcoming, “Monroe’s Biggest Idol,” to be held on April 21 at the Meyer Theater in the LAZ-Boy Center, or through their Web site, www.bbbs.org, (enter zip code 48161 to find BB/BS of Monroe).

Board President, Jeanette Kopmanis has worked with the organization for sixteen years and believes that “Bigs” do make a difference in children’s lives.

“We have testimonials from so many people who have said having a ‘Big’ has made a world of difference in their lives. One woman said if it had not been for her ‘Big’ she would not have gone down the path she did.

She was the first person in her family to graduate from high school and then college. Now she is married and has her own children and she gives all the credit to her ‘Big’.”

Stories like these are found on their Web site as well as information on how to become a “Big.” The Web site also has information on the various programs offered by BB/BS of Monroe, how to enroll a child, how to donate, and of course how to volunteer as a big brother or big sister.

BB/BS does extensive screening of their applicants to insure the safety of the children and to insure each potential “Big” will commit to at least one year mentoring a child. This may seem like a huge time commitment, but “Bigs” typically meet with their “Littles” from one to four times per month, for about hour each time.

Time, Kopmanis says, is the biggest obstacle.

“For college students time is the biggest challenge. They are already attending college, have homework, and may have one or even two part time jobs, so it is more difficult for them to take on the commitment,” she said.

There are other options for students who might be interested in volunteering but are unsure if they can commit one year to the program. The Pal Program may be a good place to start. In

the Pal Program, “Bigs” take on one to three “Littles” whom are waiting for a permanent “Big.” Each “Big” has the chance to meet a couple of children, get to know them a little better, take them to a special event such as a movie, all the while deciding if being a big brother/big sister is right for them.

For MCCC student, Lisa Buchanan, this option seemed interesting.

“I thought the commitment would require you to meet with the child a couple of days a week for a few hours each time and with school and work it would be hard to try and find that much time to put into it. This program [Pal] doesn’t seem like it would

take up as much time as I thought it would.”

If mentoring a child, building a relationship of trust, care, and guidance, and developing a life-long friendship in the process interests you, contact Jeanette Kopmanis of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County at 12 East Third Street, Monroe, (734) 2428540 or by email at bbbsmonroe@ sbcglobal.net for more information.

Mother Teresa once said, “One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.”

Consider being someone “Big” to somebody “Little” today.

Head Start Academy transition progresses In the Mix, 10

Images information Writing Fellows bake sale Crazy weather facts

Spotlight, 11 & 12

Can you find Dr. McCloskey?

Local history goes up in flames

Charlene Hunt Copy Editor

The transformation of the previous Kiddie Campus, a child care center, into a joint child care and preschool Head Start program has taken months, transition has been slow. However, everyone involved with the combined Head Start Academy seems to think the transition is progressing, nevertheless.

A meeting was scheduled for March 12 between the many-headed administrative leads of Head Start Academy and the parents involved in the program. Notification of the meeting was sent to the parents of the center via postal mail towards the end of spring break vacation. A single parent attended the meeting, despite the concerns voiced by many student-parents in the past.

“I really wanted to go, but I had to work,” Jamie Bevins, Monroe County Community College (MCCC) student-parent, said. “I wish I could have been there.”

“I didn’t know about it ahead of time. There wasn’t much communication,” added another Head Start parent.

Joe Verkennes, Director of Marketing at MCCC, said the meeting “went

well and addressed the concerns of the single parent that attended.”

The children in the center have handled the transition fairly well and the adults involved had a lot to say on the matter.

“I’d say [the children] do pretty good. They go with the flow,” Head Start teacher Christy Tiegs-Burns, said. “It was [the adults] trying to get

used to it. We could use one more person around lunch time to help out,” she added.

The four adults that usually tend to the children are busy cleaning, organizing, playing and preparing for the next group of students that arrive at the same time the first group leaves.

When the clock strikes noon in at Head Start Academy, the adults scramble to

Agora photo by Charlene Hunt

their designated areas to tackle a load of tasks. During this time, the morning Head Start class is just finishing lunch and preparing to leave, while the bus driver who escorts the children to and from home stands in the hallway with a line of children awaiting the afternoon class. Tables that had moments ago displayed a vast array of healthy food are being wiped down for the third time that day, children are putting on their jackets and rushing around to say goodbye to their friends and other Head Start Academy personnel are rushing to get things done.

“This is the most hectic part of the day,” Diana Cramer, childcare coordinator and liason for MCCC, said. “It’s all about transition. We usually have a student-assistant here a couple days a week and a Early Childhood Development (EDC) student who observes the center once a week, but another hand would definitely help.”

“The kids aren’t effected at all,” Kim Martin, childcare provider at Head Start Academy, said. “They have a lot of fun, but it does get pretty tiring for the adults during lunchtime.”

See “Head Start,” page 10

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Opinion

AGORA

March 29, 2007

Pistons and Red Wings psyched up for playoffs Brian Ready

Assistant Editor

Both the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons experienced a great deal of regular season success last year. The Red Wings won the President’s Trophy, given to the NHL team with the best record. The Pistons won 64 games and also claimed the best record in the NBA. However, each team bowed out early in the playoffs and have now placed their playoff fate into the hands of some unreliable players.

The Red Wings are currently in a fight with Nashville and Anaheim for the best record in the Western Conference and the top seed that comes with that honor. However, with each playoff failure, it is becoming obvious that the Wings are filled with finesse players. Skaters like Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are great athletes but do not add the toughness needed to win deep into the playoffs. To com-

pensate for this, the Wings added Kyle Calder and Todd Bertuzzi at the trade deadline to add bulk and toughness to their lineup.

Bertuzzi, in particular, adds a different dimension to their finesse lineup. He is known as being one of the most physical players in the NHL, and, perhaps, one of the dirtiest. He will forever be remembered as the man who sucker-punched and ended the career of Steve Moore in one of the ugliest attacks ever seen in the sport. Since the accident, Bertuzzi has sat out a year on suspension and has missed most of this year with injuries.

Members from the Florida Panthers, his former team, have questioned his motivation and claim he is a cancer in the locker room.

Regardless, the Wings are banking on him to take them deep into the playoffs. If he fails to do so, Bertuzzi will likely be released in the off-season and may struggle to find another team willing to take on his baggage. His career will essentially be tarnished, and many will never remember that at one

point he was one of the greatest players in the game. No pressure, right?

Similar to the Wings, the Pistons’ main concern may be the reliability of another former all-star. Chris Webber, a local product from Detroit who signed with the Pistons in mid-season, also carries some baggage with him.

Webber took an estimated $600,000 to play in high school at Detroit Country Day and to play college basketball at the University of Michigan, an obvious infraction of high school and college eligibility rules.

According to ESPN.com, he has also faced perjury charges, has a documented history of drug problems, and has suffered countless knee injuries. With all that said, Webber is still an incredible talent and fits perfectly into the Pistons’ offense. He is a great passer and does not need to shoot 20 shots a night to be effective. He has helped rejuvenate the Pistons this season and is a main reason why they have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

see “Playoffs,” page 10

How much is too much?

Ashley Braden Editor-In-Chief

“Never judge a book by its cover.”

Never judge a story by its accompanying photo either.

In issue five of the Agora, eyebrows were raised at two articles which, while well-written, informative, and meaningful, were supposedly overshadowed by the mature pictures placed beside them. Our staff received

complaints from several individuals regarding the “obscene” nature of the paper’s content. No, there was not criticism of the stories. People just had issues with the photos. Someone actually said that he did not read the stories because he couldn’t “get past” the photos.

That situation puzzles me. I always thought the duty of a college newspaper was to appeal to a college audience. With those two particular stories (“Vaginas for peace” and “This article cannot be rated”) and their photos, the Agora was doing its job: focusing on topics which college-aged readers would be interested in. Those who read the articles learned that The Vagina Monologues is a performance which empowers females to stand up for themselves while raising money for women who are sexually abused.

People who looked past the pictures also learned the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is a small group of middle-aged, wealthy Republicans who claim to represent the majority of the United States’ population while using their religious and political ideologies to rate movies we see (or, in some cases, don’t see)

in theatres. Those who saw substance beyond the photos were given an opportunity to learn something new.

Since when is that inappropriate? After all, this is an educational institution.

Obscene, by definition, means “offensive to morality or decency.” The Agora never crossed those lines. If one wants to truly view obscenities, then he should watch CNN and learn about the adults who rape and murder children. He should pick up the New York Times and read about the 100-something-year-old woman who was beaten and robbed. Or maybe he should just surf the Web and see how many vulgar, pornographic pop-ups engulf his computer screen.

Face it; we live in a pretty obscene society. If one wants to be an advocate of ridding the world of smut, go after the child predators, murderers, and abusive individuals. Taking action against criminals is a much more worthwhile cause than chasing after the Agora for printing two photos that were merely attention-grabbing.

“Never judge a book by its cover.”

Maybe that golden rule needs to be taught in college, too.

Speculative fiction Patrick Dunn Reporter

“It’s prophetic. I mean, it’s like he saw the future.”

I’ve been hearing those kinds of comments a lot lately in reference to Fahrenheit 451, and its author Ray Bradbury, as Monroe County gets into the Big Read. Along with such works as George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Bradbury’s masterpiece is often described as having “come true”; many allege that the events of the books are “happening now.” Although I believe the futures described in these books are brilliantly shocking and thoughtprovoking, I would disagree with the view that they have become reality.

I think they have opened our eyes to prevent such realities.

Books like 451 and 1984 are what I call “speculative fiction.” The stories they present are all set in a dystopian

possible future. Each one is a living nightmare that has resulted from the further escalation of some evil which already exists in our present time.

Bradbury, Orwell, and Huxley speculate upon what could happen if certain current problems were to get out of hand. In Bradbury’s world, firemen burn books while four-wall home televisions pacify the populace.

In Orwell’s, the omnipresent “Big Brother” watches over everyone’s shoulder in a brainwashed fascist society. In Huxley’s, a supposed utopia is created via the elimination of such human pleasures as family, art, and philosophy. Each reflects the author’s concern about specific political and societal conditions at its date of publication, and many of those conditions still exist in one form or another in our world today.

But have these fictional dystopian futures truly become reality? My answer is “no,” and we have these

works to thank in part for that answer.

These and other works of speculative fiction serve as a kind of “warning light” to their readers, forcing them to consider the possible future ramifications of the way we currently live our lives. Sometimes it can take a work of fiction to make people reconsider non-fictional situations, and that is exactly what these books have done and continue to do today.

When government control threatens, we have Orwell’s vision to remember and resist. When censorship threatens, we have Bradbury’s. And for that, these works of speculative fiction are invaluable.

Powerful, thought-provoking, and revolutionary? Absolutely.

But prophetic? Thankfully for all of us, not quite yet. With any luck, these books will continue reminding us to keep it that way.

A third cooling tower may be coming soon.

Photo by Tanya Hoffman

An energetic

future

Jeffrey Kodysh Reporter

DTE chairman and CEO, Anthony F. Earley Jr., in a recent speech to the Detroit Economic Press Club, said DTE was pursuing the necessary licenses and permits required from the federal government to build a new nuclear power plant next to Fermi 2, its original nuclear power plant along Lake Erie. If approved, DTE could possibly invest millions and millions of dollars into the plant and its construction. Because of the length of time it takes all of the necessary authorities to approve such a project, DTE has not yet committed to building the new plant.

This possible new nucler power plant is great news for Monroe County because we have been struggling economically as the domestic auto companies keep cutting back jobs.

The energy industry, however, is struggling to keep up with demand for electricity. Since we will probsably not go back to using candles for light or give up living in air-conditioned houses, this demand will not end anytime soon. The proposed new nuclear power plant will allow Monroe County to capitalize on its strengths in heavy industry and manufacturing, and at the same time, bring a very specialized and scientific industry to Monroe County.

In the speech, Earley said nuclear plants are good for the job market.

“Moreover, nuclear power plants provide thousands of highly paid construction jobs and long-term employment for hundreds of engineers, scientists, and skilled technicians – just the kind of new economy jobs we need,” Earley said.

Nuclear power plants don’t just hire Homer Simpsons as workers, but attract highly educated and highly skilled workers to work in a well paying, professional atmosphere – jobs which Michigan needs to attract.

Electricity is crucial to our technologically advanced society and cheap, abundant electricity is a key to attract new growth and development

to Michigan. I know personally how energy costs affect economic growth.

I live in Toledo and we have some of the highest utility rates in the country.

When companies are asked what they dislike about the Toledo area, one of the main complaints businesses have is utilities in Toledo are very expensive compared to the rest of the country. When utility rates are so high, it really hurts Toledo’s economic development. Just imagine the possibilities Michigan would have if its electric companies were able to provide electricity at half the price other states charge. I am quite sure lower electric rates would truly benefit Michigan’s economy.

Some critics of the plan to build a new nuclear plant might be concerned about the possibility of a nuclear accident and dangerous radiation. However, the redundant safety systems built into new nuclear plants and the constant supervision of inspectors and regulators at every step of the nuclear energy generating process should help to calm fears of a nuclear accident.

While it is true radiation is dangerous, it is also true that the nuclear industry has an excellent reputation as a provider of safe, clean, reliable energy. In fact, building a new nuclear plant will help the environment avoid heavy metals like mercury released in the burning of coal, which is the largest source of electric energy. Even the environmental group Greenpeace’s founder, Patrick Moore, has said nuclear energy is a more environmental friendly source of electricity than coal because nuclear energy does not produce the same greenhouse gasses as burning coal.

I wish more than just luck to DTE in its application for a new nuclear plant. I believe everyone who lives here in Monroe County, and others like myself who have a stake in the local economy, should call or write both DTE Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and express his or her support for the new nuclear plant. Failing to do so may leave Monroe County in the dark.

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 editor 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 student-managed 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 Community College Journalism Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Mark Bergmooser, Adviser

Opinion

March 29, 2007

AGORA

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Defense, history of free speech Sarah Straub Page Editor

We reserve the right to do something that should be held dearly in our hearts. This right is written in the United States Constitution, within the First Amendment. It states that Congress shall make no law “abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The right I am speaking of is, of course, freedom of speech. As Americans, we commonly think this is a right originally thought of by our founding fathers, but it is a philosophy shared by many nations. The notion did not originate in the American colonies, as many may think.

The first documented instance of anyone asking government for free speech happened in 1523 by Sir Thomas More in England. Since that time, many countries have adopted their own form of the law. So many, in fact, the United Nations prepared their own form when the Universal Decla-

ration of Human Rights was created in 1948. In this document it is said that, “everyone has the right to opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

With all that in mind, free speech must be important, right? If it is important enough for many nations to make a law to protect it, for it to be considered one of the most important inalienable of our human rights, then why do we take it for granted so often? Everyday people hold themselves back from saying what they truly feel for fear of offending someone. Regardless of how delicate you are, you will offend someone in some way.

I am not saying you should run around screaming obscenities. The point I am trying to make is that people are too concerned with what is or is not politically correct. The pressure of political correctness can often cause people to subconsciously censor themselves. If you are interested in something, you should speak about

it, regardless of how you think it will go over with your peers. Just because someone is offended does not mean it is no longer interesting.

Noam Chomsky, a political activist and philosopher, once stated that “if we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise, we do not believe in it at all.” I couldn’t use a better quote in this instance. If we continue to cut down and limit the speech of others simply because we do not like or agree with what we have heard, then we will only hurt ourselves.

We need to stand out and let our opinions be heard. If we do not do this, we are taking away one of the best things to ever happen to man by our own actions. There are people in this world that, even to this day, can not speak freely. Living without free speech is a frightening thought, but the fact that it does not exist in other nations should make us more appreciative of the rights bestowed upon us.

we overlook some technicality and fall flat onto our rumps? I have my associate’s degree and enough B.A. requirements to cross-reference three different majors at a couple different universities. The swift and brutal conclusion is that it is time to move on, time to pick a career to focus the rest of my life’s productivity on and make the best of it. If I am so passionate about my interests, then why do I feel like Atlas? Am I literally balancing the fate of the known world on my shoulders?

The truth of the matter is that I am too passionate about too many different things. I’m sure other students here at grand ol’ Monroe County Community College (MCCC) can relate. Simply put, many of us want to do it all. If money were never an issue (an overused rhetoric), we would be students our entire lives. On a personal plane, I can say I love the learning process.

If possible, I would conclude my life with a mound of degrees in a vast array of subjects, all of which would be chaotically tossed into desk drawers.

The degrees themselves are not what I find important – it’s what I learn along the way. I think most college kids narrow their decision by three factors: what program curriculum appeals to them the most, which job presents the best financial opportunities, and what job can they see themselves doing for the next forty years.

When I was young, and by young I mean no older than six, I tried writing letters to the then-editor of National Geographic declaring that I would one day (in a land far, far away) write articles for his magazine. I performed this ritual numerous times and can vividly remember the day an editor responded by sending a huge book of information, recommendations, and subliminal support. Apparently, I had

Agora photo illustration by Sarah Straub

“If we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise, we do not believe in it at all.” - Naom Chomsky

Major pressure Charlene Hunt Reporter

For people who are passionate, choosing a major is a fairly easy decision. Sticking by what has influenced and inspired them for years, passionate people go where their heart takes them and their feet simply follow suit.

I’m a passionate person by nature. I am wildly complicated with a long, long list of interests and serious infatuations. Despite this assumption, however, I am completely stranded on an island with too many academic advisors pointing fingers and pushing applications in my face. Choosing a major shouldn’t be this difficult, right?

I am beginning to think that passionate people have the most pressure when it comes to decision making in college. Will our choices do justice to our admiration for a field, or will

Spring is just a flip-flop away Tonya Huffman Photo Editor

Spring is on its way; well, hopefully. With spring comes a different type of shoe-wear: flip-flops, also known as thongs. But let’s just call them flipflops considering the latter could easily be mistaken for something other than footwear.

Flip-flops are the greatest shoes ever invented. While I have searched relentlessly to find out who I may give my gratitude, they have yet to be found. While I love wearing flip-flops, ideally, I would cruise the world with no shoes on whatsoever. Unfortunately, today’s society doesn’t allow this with the “no shoes, no shirt, no service” slogan, so the flip-flop becomes the next closest thing to barefootedness.

What is also wonderful are the colors, shapes, and sizes they come in.

While some may believe a flip-flop is just a flip-flop, I must disagree. Have you ever gone to Old Navy and taken time to browse the large selection of various flip-flops? If you have, then you know it is completely possible to own a different flip-flop for every color outfit you own. Now that in itself is quite amazing.

Not only are there different colors,

but you can also choose from a variety of heights. I often go with the flat ones, as they tend to run cheaper and they are the most comfortable, but you can probably buy pairs as high as three inches. Move over, stilettos!

Looks like flip-flops are taking over.

Flip-flops are great for water parks, although I must put a warning with this sensational idea. Caution: When a flip-flop is wet, it may become a slip and slide for your foot. Flip-flop lovers, beware: ankles may suffer during this process along with your ego. Believe me, I know from experience.

My favorite part about flip-flops is the breathability. Yes, my feet have the opportunity to breathe without all the restrictions of an ugly and nasty tight shoe holding them down. Shoes which fully cover the feet tend to make them smell. This is not good for anyone, especially those sharing the same room with the smelly-footed person.

Next are toes. Toes are pretty neat little things, at least I tend to think so.

They are wiggly and look pretty gorgeous painted and sprawling about as they rest on a fashionable flip-flop.

Paint them pink, green, yellow, or orange; it really doesn’t matter as long as there is a complimentary flip-flop to accompany them.

impressed some stuffed shirt executive with my naiveté. That was all the encouragement I needed to begin my worst obsession: the written word. The evolution of my hunger is expansive.

Up until the completion of my first year in college, I was an English and journalism major. I had developed an addiction and appreciation for any kind of printed opinion, despite the wide differences between literature and journalism. Somewhere along the line, the hard working young mother in me woke up and kicked my brain back into reality. There is no real financial stability in English or journalism – not the kind of stability a single parent or low-income parent like myself is hoping for, anyway. I did the math and concluded I would be taking out loans for a career which may never pay off and, while tons of people go with their gut interest and do it anyway, I simply do not consider it worth the risk.

Like countless other lost students, I suddenly have to toss other possibilities into the air. What other fields do I scramble to in curiosity and longing?

My first journalistic job allowed me to focus my articles around poverty, welfare, and social structure. It granted me access into the side of the proverbial street most do not get to see and, more importantly, provided the opportunity to invoke awareness from within the system. I covered everything from homelessness to unemployment.

I am a firm believer that in order for ‘social work’ to actually work, many workers should consider the psychological aspects of the situation. I have been working at a government mental health agency for the last year focusing primarily on psychology and a little in social work.

See "Pressure," page 10

Ready or not, here it comes Kristin Booth Copy Editor

If flip-flops could be worn all year round, life would be ideal. However, there is this place called Michigan where I live, and sometimes it snows a lot. Who would have thought? Snow happens to be cold, which makes things very difficult for flip-flop wearers like me.

Forget tank tops, swimming suits, and mini skirts. What I’m looking forward to this spring and summer season are the flip-flops. No matter what the style or color, I will wear them out all season long until it snows once again.

Flip-flops are the next closest thing to “no shoes, no shirt, no problems.”

As college students, we all know how fast time goes and how important time management is (with all the papers, projects, and tests, it’s amazing we are able to get anything done).

We realize the importance of life and those around us. When you really think about it, both time and life go by quickly. Both are gifts which we are never able to retrieve once they are lost. Consider the word “never” for a moment. According to Webster, never means, “not at any time; not ever; not at all.” When we die, we will never be able to have life on earth again.

Once death happens, it is eternal. No one can change it, nor are we able to return from it.

Life passes quickly. One day comes and then another, everything becomes repetitious, and soon we think of life as a race. However, this race is not against promotions, people, school, graduation, or how many material goods you receive throughout your time on earth. Instead, life becomes a race against time and when it runs out, it’s over. Let’s face it: each one of us will face death. Upon death, every good and evil deed we have ever committed will no longer matter; it will just be over.

It will not make a difference if someone solved a great mystery or changed the world by standing up for what they believed in. There will be no second chance to say, “Wait, I didn’t mean it” or “Wait, I am not ready to go yet.”

There will be no time to apologize or to make things right in situations. It will be over, finished, gone, no more.

Or will it?

Questions of life after death have been pondered for centuries. Those who believe in the Bible, like myself, feel there will be a place of love awaiting them for their faithfulness; a place where there is no more sadness, tears, or heartache. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 says, “Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

I believe this statement. I believe in life after death, a place where love overtakes the evils of this world. Human beings do not like thinking about the end of their lives. It is a fact of life everyone will eventually pass from this world to the next. Will you be ready when it happens?

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AGORA

Campus News

March 29, 2007

Canadian Roundtable Courtney Sisung Copy Editor

The first ever joint meeting of Michigan and Ohio Canadian Studies Joint Roundtable was held at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) on Friday, March 23. The event took place in the La-Z-Boy Center and was composed of a morning session and an afternoon session, with a speech given during lunch.

Attendees were able to choose between three topic discussions for the morning sessions: politics, culture and literature, or teaching Canada. Each session allowed people to talk openly about opinions, facts, and ideas about Canadian studies. Although each session covered different areas, each group had a lot to say on America’s lack of Canadian studies programs.

“I am very disappointed in our school systems in the dealings with Canadian studies,” Jean Guyer, a member of the Foundation Board at MCCC and attendee at the culture and literature session, said. “I grew up in Canada and I learned all about America, such as the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. However, my children went to school in America and they learned nothing about Canadian studies. They know nothing about Canadian politics or history. Yet, Canadian schools teach American studies.”

Students from University of Michigan (U of M) attended the politics session and the same problem was discussed.

“As Americans, we tend to be very self-centered,” Kristin McCurry, a political science major at U of M, said.

“We hardly ever focus on other coun-

Agora photo by Tonya Huffman

tries’ history. I mean, Canada is right next to us and most students know nothing about it.”

Following the morning sessions, Vice President of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chambers, Sarah Hubbard, gave a speech on travel and trade between the U.S. and Canada, during the lunch break.

The speech’s focus was how a recently passed bill, requiring all citizens to have a passport in order to cross the border between the U.S and Canada, would affect trade and travel.

“We have the longest common border that is not militarily actively patrolled, covering 400 miles, 12 states, and 8 territories,” Hubbard said. “This new passport policy will affect the economy of both countries. There is $1.2 billion in trade daily between the U.S. and Canada and 45.2 million jobs which require crossing the border almost on a daily basis. Thus, many people and companies will now have a much harder time going back and forth over the border for trade and jobs.”

Hubbard also commented on how the economy would be affected.

“In the last year, 32 million U.S. citizens traveled to Canada and 38 million Canadian citizens traveled to the U.S. Approximately, 50 percent of trips were spontaneous,” Hubbard said. “Not only are Americans going to Canada to spend money at the casinos, but Canadians are coming to America to spend money as well, especially in the Detroit area, where Red Wing games and Piston games are a big attraction. Once passports become a necessity, these spontaneous trips will no longer occur, causing both economies to suffer. In fact, much of the travel between the two countries will become strictly as a result of business deals, not travel.”

After lunch, attendees were able to choose between three more sessions: border issues, energy and environment, or the War of 1812. The War of 1812 session was held offsite at the River Raisin Battlefield. The War of 1812 was an important discussion since it was the only war ever fought between the U.S. and Canada.

“Although the War of 1812 was technically a draw, it had a great impact on the relationship between Canada and the U.S.” Ralph Naveaux, assistant director of the River Raisin Battlefield, said. “For many Canadians, it finally brought freedom from the U.S.’s hold on their country. The

Summer classes To take them or not, that is the question Troy White Reporter

What do students have going on this summer? Some work, some travel, and some just sit at home until the next semester rolls around. However, some are taking spring and summer courses at Monroe County Community College (MCCC).

Registration for the spring and summer semesters began on March 19. Students should start to schedule classes immediately if they are intending on taking courses. There is a limited selection of classes and times to pick from.

“I would like to take a summer class but I just don’t have time to, I usually work all summer; but it would be nice to get a few classes out of the way,” Steve Uhl, MCCC student, said.

After the winter semester ends, there are two other semesters that are held (a spring term and a summer

term). Each semester only runs for 6 weeks and students receive the same amount of credit as if they have taken the usual 18 week long semester.

There are many advantages to taking classes over the summer break. It benefits those students who plan on transferring, so needed classes can be taken.

“I need my summer class so I can transfer to Michigan State University next year,” Emily Jacobs, MCCC student, said.

Another advantage is the semester will not take up the student’s entire summer, only 6 weeks.

“The spring and summer semesters lets the students to get a jump start, and allows new or returning students get back into the flow of things before the fall semester starts back up,” Stacy Jenkins, MCCC counselor, said.

The Spring semester begins May 14 and the Summer semester will begin on June 25.

Courtney Sisung

Agora photo by Tonya Huffman

Agora photo by Courtney Sisung

Battle of the River Raisin was one of the most important battles of the War of 1812. This battle was the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812. Over 900 men were killed, the most killed in one day in the whole war. It was also one of the very last significant battles that eventually led to the truce,” Naveaux said.

Throughout the session, many of the attendees were able to openly discuss the impact of the war. There was also talk of the possibility of making the River Raisin Battlefield a National Park, since it had such a big impact on the relations between the U.S and Canada.

Bruce Way, dean of humanities/social sciences division at MCCC and the director of the Joint Roundtable,

was very pleased with the turnout of the event. Way said that he believed only 30 people would come and was pleasantly surprised when over 100 people signed up and came to the event.

“We are delighted with the turnout,” Way said. “It definitely exceeded our expectations. We have people from all across Michigan and Ohio. People came together and did exactly what they were supposed to do and that was come together, exchange ideas, make contact, network, and leave learning something they didn’t know before.

I am extremely happy and proud that Monroe County Community College was able to hold the first Joint Michigan and Ohio Canadian Studies Roundtable.”

Teacher furthers education to better instruct students

Copy Editor

A sabbatical is when a college professor takes a leave of absence, usually with pay, for travel or research that will increase his/her educational value. During the fall semester of last year, a Monroe County Community College (MCCC) teacher was able to take such a leave. Tracy Kling, assistant professor of biology, took the semester off from teaching to enroll as a graduate student at Eastern Michigan University.

“I’ve already been a graduate student before,” Kling said. “But, I enrolled again so I could further my education in a way that would benefit my students.”

Much of the education Kling received dealt with genealogy, the study of genetics. The three classes she took were molecular genetics, tissue culture of animal cells, and limnology.

As a result of her taking these classes, MCCC can now offer genetics class at

the college.

“We had a genealogy class once before, about two years ago,” Kling said.

“However, we weren’t qualified in the area to have the class permanently.”

The Fundamentals of Genetics is currently being offered during the winter 2007 semester. It will be offered again in two years, during the winter of 2009, and will be offered every other winter semester after. It will not be offered every semester due to the fact those who teach genealogy have to be constantly updated in their education.

“Genealogy is one of the most progressive aspects of biology. It is continuously changing and being updated. Thus, you can’t take classes once on genetics and be ready to teach it,” Kling said. “If you do that, then very quickly you will be teaching outdated ideas to your students.”

Vinnie Maltese, dean of science/ mathematics at MCCC, was very pleased with Kling’s sabbatical.

“I think I was an outstanding op-

portunity,” Maltese said. “I think it will really help our students. I mean, genetics is cutting-edge stuff and she was able to learn about it. Now, we can provide that to our students.”

Students are also happy with the idea of sabbaticals.

“I think it’s great,” Danny Shaw, MCCC student, said. “I love that our teachers are continuing their education because that means they can teach us with the most modern ideas. Also, it gives our school a morale boost. I mean, we may be a community college, but this shows that our teachers have just as much education as a teacher at a university. I think it does wonders for our school image.”

Kling is currently teaching this year’s genealogy class at MCCC and hopes to continue to teach it in the following years. Kling’s degree is in marine biology, but plans to continue to learn about genealogy.

“Anything that increases my competency in being a teacher is something that I am up for,” Kling said.

March 29, 2007

Campus News

AGORA

5

Antiques in April show, sale to arrive on MCCC campus Brian Ready Assistant Editor

On Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, Monroe County Community College (MCCC) will host the seventh annual Antiques in April Show and Sale. The event will be held at the Welch Health Education Building.

Admission to the event is $3.

“Even if they [MCCC students] are not interested, I think it is interesting to look at a part of history,” Tom Ryder, events and fitness coordinator at MCCC, said.

There will be 60 exhibitors from across the Midwest coming to the event. The display will consist of rustic antiques to modern-day collectibles. However, the majority of the antiques on display will be collectibles, such as Precious Moment statues and historical plates. The price-range for the antiques could vary from $1 to $1,000, depending on its value and the negotiating abilities of the buyer.

According to Ryder, 2,000 to 3,000 people come to the event annually and he expects that trend will continue this year. The show is open to the public and will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 31 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 1.

Ryder, along with the help of the Alumni Association and volunteers, will help bring the event to the public.

Volunteers will take admission at the door and the Alumni Association will

sell concessions at the event. All of the profits from the concessions will be donated towards student scholarships.

“One of the goals of the Alumni Association is to support College [MCCC] initiatives. The Antiques in April Show requires a lot of volunteers, including someone to run the concession stand,” Beth Kohler, coordinator of Alumni and Resource Development at MCCC, said.

“Because Tom allows us to keep the proceeds from the concession stand, it seems like a ‘win-win’ for the Alumni Association, as well as the Campus/ Community Events Committee. We provide them with the concession stand and in turn, raise money for the Alumni Scholarship Endowment.”

Among the exhibitors at the event is Tammy Foster, a payroll clerk at MCCC. Foster has attended other Antiques Shows in different areas and likes the history on display at the shows.

“I’ve always enjoyed history and looking at collectibles,” she said.

Brad Gakenheimer, an MCCC student, knows little of the event, but may attend because of the historical perspective it provides to students.

“I think it is good for people to know about history and any collectible antique will help people learn about the past,” Gakenheimer said.

Agora photo courtesy of Tom Ryder

Exhibitors display their collectibles at last year’s Antiques in April show and sale. This year’s show will occur at the Welch Health Education Building on March 31 and April 1. Admission to the event is $3.

Day to venture to Washington D.C. Josh Kraus Page Editor

Necole Day, a political science professor at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) recently accepted a position at the National Student Leadership Conference (NSCL) in Washington D.C. Day will spend six weeks lecturing and teaching high school students from all across the nation, preparing them for success in college and in the real world.

Day has been teaching at MCCC since August of 2006. She currently

teaches Introduction to American Government. Prior to this, she taught various political science classes at the University of Michigan (U of M) for two years. Her experience at U of M is the reason Day believes she was offered the job at the NSCL. What exactly is the NSLC? According to Day, it is a “program designed to develop the leadership potential within high school students.”

Students participate in a multitude of lectures, workshops, and other academically aimed tasks, with the goal of improving students’ skills and

readying them for college life. NSLC is led by a number of campus leaders from colleges all across the nation.

The students at MCCC are fully behind Day. Ben Collins, a student here at MCCC, said that for Day to be offered the position shows both skill and teaching ability of the teachers here on campus.

Day will specifically focus on teaching the basic foundations of American Government, the Constitution, and the three branches of our government.

Day believes in the goals and ideas

that the NSLC carries.

“It… gives me the chance to help mold some of the great minds of our future and hopefully inspire some future professors or political scientists,” Day said.

Mark Hall, the director of admissions at MCCC, commented on Day’s accomplishment.

“It’s a great honor for her, as well as the college. It’s great that she’s going there and representing us,” Hall said.

Along with taking time out to teach at the NSLC, Day also lead the only

African-American History month activity held at MCCC. She hosted the First Annual African-American Cinema Series, an event that encouraged discussion amongst students and MCCC faculty about how race is viewed in American culture. Day says she already has movies planned for next year.

Day believes strongly in preparing and educating the youth and preparing them for the future, which is why she is excited about the NSLC opportunity.

Speaker discusses possibilities at WMU Nick Vanderpool

Assistant Photo Editor

On Monday, March 12, a speaker from Western Michigan University (WMU) came to Monroe County Community College (MCCC) to give information on the programs and transferring opportunities WMU provides. This was also in preparation for an open house held on the WMU campus the following Saturday.

Nichole Perk, a paper programs specialist from WMU, came to speak about scholarships and the benefits of majoring in engineering. WMU recently added a new facility for engineering and it has opened up more opportunities for students.

MCCC Dean of Industrial Technology, Parmeshwar Coomar, had many positive things to say about the new facility.

“Over the last few years [Western has] tremendously improved and augmented offerings in the engineering field,” Coomar said. “Newer facilities give the students opportunities to get more out of their engineering degree.”

Coomar also said the placement for engineering is high, with WMU claiming there are anywhere from two to three job offers from different engineering fields, with pay starting around $60,000.

Vinnie Maltese, MCCC dean of sci-

ence/mathematics, added the great job opportunities are because of numerous retirements and a shortage in students entering the field. He thinks part of the problem might be due to the fact the paper industry specifically has had a bad reputation, which it alleviates through conservation by planting more trees than it cuts down.

Since Perk spoke mostly about paper engineering, part of her speech was devoted to the nature of the paper industry today. Maltese, who was present for the speech, said Perk talked about paper products in people’s every day lives. For example, most people do not know the dashboard in a car is actually a paper product coated with plastic.

Perk also spoke about the changes the paper industry is going through. In the future, bar codes will be replaced by metal marks on paper, marks that can be read with radio frequencies.

So, at the grocery store when a person goes to scan their items, everything in their cart can be read at once with radio frequencies.

Coomar elaborated on other engineering fields, stating that engineers are the ones who “put theory of science and math into real life products and services.” Engineers are the ones responsible for the layout of McDonalds as people know it. They plan the food services, the layout of the building and service time. Likewise, they are the ones who build bridges, roads,

cars, and computers. Without engineers, the world has no technology.

When asked how well the speech did, Maltese said the turnout was poor, with only ten people and one student from Summerfield High School. He believes the poor turnout was a result of lack of advertisement and the fact the speech fell on the first day students were back from spring break.

Students are still able to go online at http://www.wmich.edu/ and see the opportunities WMU provides. Despite the poor turnout at the speech presentation, Coomar is optimistic about the future of engineering. Maltese added that students will usually go where there are good jobs.

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Feature

AGORA

March 29, 2007

Anti-war rally held in Monroe

Marjorie Haliburda Copy Editor

Café R opens

Agora photo by Patrick Dunn

Patrick Dunn Reporter

Renee Mullendore and Raven Ausmus are bringing a homemade touch to take-out meals.

Mullendore and Ausmus are a mother-daughter partnership who own and operate the Café R, located at 2020 S. Custer Rd. The Café, which opened in February, features a wide variety of homemade drinks, sandwiches, salads, and snacks for take-out or delivery.

The Café R endeavor spun out of Mullendore and Ausmus’ catering business, Classic Catering, which they formed several years ago. Both juggled school along with their catering business; Ausmus earned a bachelor’s in business at the University of Toledo, while Mullendore earned a degree in culinary arts from Monroe County Community College (MCCC).

Mullendore and Ausmus decided to take their endeavors to the next level in October 2006, when they signed a lease on the South Custer property.

“We basically refurbished the whole thing,” Ausmus said about the building.

With the assistance of family and friends, a garage in back of the building was transformed into a kitchen, complete with a large range, oven, and walk-in refrigerator. They also redecorated the main floor of the building and transformed a storage closet into an office.

When the Café opened February 14, it began offering a variety of food and drinks for take-out, as well as delivering to local businesses. The menu currently includes: coffee, tea, cocoa, espresso, muffins, pastries, streusels, soups, sandwiches, and cookies, all of which are made from scratch. The Café also offers ice cream and Pepsi products.

Mullendore said her culinary education at MCCC has served her well.

“It’s come full circle, basically,” she said. “I had good instructors and the friendships I developed are irreplaceable.”

Mullendore credited her MCCC culinary instructors, Kevin Thomas and Vicki LaValle, for many of the recipes and cooking techniques she uses.

“I reference school a lot,” she said.

Kevin Thomas, culinary instructor,

had high praise for Mullendore, his former student.

“She is very professional,” he said.

“She takes a lot of pride in her work.”

Mullendore and Ausmus said they hope to attract student customers, given the Café’s close proximity to both MCCC and Monroe High School.

“There are so many students, but they’re not coming yet,” Ausmus said.

The Café offers a 10 percent discount to any customer who shows a student ID. As they plan the Café’s official grand opening, Mullendore and Ausmus are still getting over the excitement of starting their new endeavor.

“It’s been a transition,” Mullendore said.

Ausmus agreed.

“We just started this on a whim… and now, it seems like it all happened so fast,” she said. “We’ve overcome every obstacle.”

Café R is open 6:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday. For more information call 243-EATS or visit www.cafer.biz.

Mouths full of mercury

Bethany Younglove Page Editor

How many can reminisce sitting in the dentist’s chair with a bright light shining in their face, and later, walking out to the car with some glistening silver metal on their teeth which hadn’t been there before? No, not braces, fillings. The days of breathing in the strange smelling laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide, which leave the cheeks and gums feeling numb for hours, are still vivid in some minds.

Though many went through this process enough to become familiar with it, a fact not readily known is an ingredient in silver amalgam fillings which might be potentially harmful to those who get them. What is this element?

Mercury.

Many know mercury is harmful, but what health affects can mercury cause?

Angela Raymo, MCCC student, said, “I did not know that there was mercury in [fillings]. I […] do not know the effects of mercury. But, I do know that mercury can be harmful […].”

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “For fetuses, infants, and children, the primary health effect of mercury is impaired neurological development. [...] symptoms of mercury poisoning may include; impairment of the peripheral vision; disturbances in sensations (‘pins and needles’ feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth); lack of coordination of movements; impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and muscle weakness.”

How much mercury is added to a filling?

Dr. Robert Marshall, Ph.D., Dean at The Pennsylvania State University, wrote an article on mercury in dental fillings.

“The amount of mercury vapor in the average mouth is 80 times above the established safety limits for mercury vapor exposure, according to our U.S. Government Standards,” Marshall said.

Mercury is just one component of silver fillings, do they really pose a threat to the health of someone who has them? “[T]he average person with silver fillings is typically at high risk for mercury vapor exposure- and its potential pathway of destruction. Every time you drink liquids (especially hot drinks) or chew food, tiny but potentially dangerous bits of mercury ate bring mercilessly released into your system. Because mercury is cumulative in the body, the effects of this mercury build-up in the tissues may prove to be devastating over time for many people,” Marshall said.

If the thought of mercury in a mouth becomes a worry, what can be done to alleviate it? Making an appointment with the dentist is a start. Talk to the family dentist about having any silver amalgam fillings replaced. Some dentists don’t remove fillings, so make sure the dentist you see does the job.

Melissa Seres, MCCC student, said, “I have seven silver fillings, and I did not know there was mercury in them. Although I know mercury is not healthy, it does not scare me enough to do anything about it,” she said.

This finding may leave those with silver amalgam fillings in the same position which they were several years ago- in the dreaded dentist’s chair.

On Saturday, March 17, most Monroe residents were making plans for St. Patrick’s Day, preparing to celebrate the Irish holiday with green attire, décor, and beer. However, for a local group of protestors, March 17 was spent speaking out against the human and financial costs on the war in Iraq.

At noon, around 30 protesters gathered by the Custer statue for the “How Many More? Peace, Not War Rally”, which was part of a national weekend of action marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. The rally was organized by the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Sisters’ Justice Peace and Sustainability Office and Monroe for Peace and Justice. The rally was to encourage a shift in the United States’ foreign policy from one preemptive military action to proactive, peaceful engagements with other nations. Signs were provided, but participants were encouraged to make and bring their own.

Sarah Nash, who works for the IHM Justice Peace and Sustainability Office, said her office began organizing rallies prior to March 2003 to try and stop the war and has been at the Custer statue every year since to mark its anniversary.

“Our theme this year is, ‘How many more?’ Meaning, how many more years is this war going to drag on? How many more times are we going to have to be out here? Because we want to keep our presence here as long as this war is going on.

How many more U.S. lives are going to be lost because of this? Right

now, the number is over 3,200. How many more innocent Iraqi lives? The estimates now say anywhere from 50,000 and 500,000 innocent Iraqi civilians have been killed in the war in Iraq,” Nash said. “…Also, how many more wars?

While we’re wrapped up in Iraq, there are all these indications that we could possibly be at war with Iran sometime in the near future, so we’re saying, ‘How many more pre-emptive wars are there going to be?’”

Though all of the protestors were in support of the same cause, posing the same “How many?” questions, they each varied in age and experience, and each had their own reason for attending the rally.

Matthew Smudz, a student at Monroe County Community College (MCCC), had never taken part in a rally before and was happy he finally had the chance to.

“I told my friend I think the experience of being here goes beyond just making a difference. Now I know what it’s like when I drive by and see one of these things… what it’s like to be out there in the cold and everything. I just think it’s great to be here, it feels great, and I thought it was a cool experience to have,” Smudz said.

Mark Farris, a lifelong Monroe resident and protestor of 30 years who is infamous for wearing a George W. Bush mask, had a much different reason for attending the rally.

“I’m here to oppose the lying gangsters in Washington D.C. We’ve got an oil cartel running the country,” Farris said.

See "Rally," page 10

Agora photo by Chris Slat

Co$tly Copie$

Steve Sonoras Copy Editor

Students needing to make copies of their research papers, flyers, or other important documents at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) are seeking outside sources for their copying needs. Most students have probably noticed copying prices at MCCC this year have doubled the amount they were last year.

The price per copy has shot up from 10 cents to 20 cents. Many students are wondering what the reasons for the price increase are. How do students feel about the price increase and how are they dealing with the problem?

Kyla Sandifer, a student at MCCC, is not happy with the price incline.

“It’s kind of lame, considering college students are, oh, what’s the word…broke all the time,” she said.

She faces difficulties when forced to make copies on campus.

“The books I need to copy are reference books and I can’t take them anywhere else to pay a cheaper price,” she said.

The price increase does not affect all students at MCCC, though.

“It doesn’t matter to me. I never use them [coin operated copy machines] on campus anyway,” said Jade Golden, a student at MCCC. “If I needed to copy anything, I’d go to the Circle K where copies are only 10 cents.”

Joe Verkennes, director of marketing at MCCC, has an explanation for the copy machine situation.

“MCCC raised the cost per copy of coin operated copy machines from 10 to 20 cents per copy this fall because we were not able to cover our costs with the 10 cent rate,” he said.

“The goal is to simply cover the costs of leasing the coin operated copiers.

We are hoping to do that with the 20 cent rate.”

There may be hope in sight for students who wish for lower prices on copies at MCCC. “Our lease agreement on the coinoperated copiers expires in March 2008,” Verkennes said. “The cost per copy will be re-examined once we have negotiated a new lease agreement.”

Feature

March 29, 2007

Woodruff survives front line

Gary Knox Reporter

Bob Woodruff joined ABC News in 1996, covering major stories in both the United States and around the world. As an ABC News correspondent, Woodruff chronicled the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, focusing the nation’s attention on the reconstruction effort in New Orleans after the tragedy.

On January 29, 2006, Woodruff battled his own personal tragedy.

While reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces, Woodruff suffered a serious head injury when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb near Taji, Iraq. Woodruff and a four-man team were seated in the lead vehicle traveling in a convoy with Iraqi security forces. At the time of the attack, Woodruff was taping a video log of the patrol.

“He wanted to get out and report the story and not be locked in and taking information from someone else who was experiencing it,” Kate Felsen, ABC senior producer, said.

Following the injury, Woodruff underwent surgery at a medical facility in Germany where doctors removed 14 cm of Woodruff’s skull.

He was then flown to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland for recovery. Five weeks after his injury, Woodruff was able to say a few words and start walking.

“He smiled when I told him he still had a face for T.V,” Woodruff’s brother, David, told ABC’s Good Morning America.

In February 2007, just 13 months after his near fatal wound, Woodruff returned to ABC News with his first on-air report, entitled “To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports.” This hour long, primetime documentary chronicled Woodruff’s traumatic brain injury, as well as his endurance through a painstaking recovery. The documentary also focused on the plight of thousands of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with similar injuries.

“It was very important to me for the story to be about others who had gone through the same thing. This type of severe head injury happens to Marines and soldiers every day, but a lot of times it won’t get covered (by the media) because no one is there to see it happen,” Woodruff said.

In February 2007, Woodruff and his wife Lee co-wrote a memoir entitled In an Instant. The novel explains the story of his injuries in Iraq and how their family persevered through a time of intense trauma and uncertainty. The Woodruff family also established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury (BWFF.) This foundation will raise money for members of the military to assist with the cognitive rehabilitation needed to recover from a traumatic brain injury. “[. . .] I feel sorry for him,” Nick Dietzer, MCCC student, said.

Dietzer wants American troops to leave Iraq and allow the Iraqis to rebuild their own country.

“A lot of people are getting hurt and dying over there [. . .] he’s just one more. What makes him so special?” he said.

AGORA

7

Credit for College

debt. Nina Rosenbeck, MCCC student feels that a good credit history is important.

“I got a credit card to pay for school Credit card companies constantly bombard college students with at- and build a positive credit history,” tractive giveaways like free airline she said.

Buying items on credit and paying miles, vacations, and low introductory rates of interest. According to them off during the grace period is a www.bankrate.com, a leading finan- convenient and safe way of using a credit card. cial information H o w e v e r, Web site, the average college- The Federal trade commission offers the fol- unexpected aged credit card lowing tips on it’s Web site, www.ftc.com, e x p e n s e s may quickly holder carries an for selecting and using a credit card. to average debt of • Shop around for the plan which best fits begin build up. $2200. Stephen your needs.

Soon credit Steffin, Monroe • Make sure you understand a plan’s tercard holdCounty Comms before you accept the card. ers are stuck munity Colpaying exlege (MCCC) • Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives. orbitant instudent has one terest rates, way to incur • Protect your cards and account numbers late fees, and such debt. to prevent unauthorized use. Draw a other unseen “I get on these line through blank spaces on charge slips c h a r g e s . spontaneous so the amount cannot be changed. Tear Common spending sprees. up carbons. reasons for Like yesterday credit card I was walking • Keep a record, in a safe place separholders to through Dick’s ate from your cards, of your account fall behind Sporting Goods numbers, expiration dates, and the on payments and bought a phone numbers of each issuer to repare when he paintball gun ort a loss quickly. or she loses a because it was • Carry only the cards you think you’ll use. job, runs into cheap,” he said. unanticipatSteffin has a ed expenses, mature outlook on financial responsibility. He under- or does not wisely budget his or her stands the financial pitfalls of a large expenses.

The best way to combat this probcredit card debt.

“I usually pay off [my credit card] lem is to treat a credit card as cash, balance right away to avoid the inter- paying the balance off within the grace period. Bob Kneisley, president est,” he said. of the Indicator Advisory Corporation, A credit card can be a useful tool if a financial advisory corporation in Toused properly. They are convenient ledo offers the following advice when to use, offer insurance on items, and it comes to credit cards. “It is OK to can be used at almost any store in the carry a credit card, but the only time country. They occasionally offer a bet- you want to use it is if you can pay it ter interest rate than banks offer. off within thirty days. If you do not “We [my husband and I] bought a pay it off within those thirty days, you car with our credit card bewill run the risk of exorbitant cause it carried a better interinterest rates of 25-34 perest rate than we could get at cent.” he said. the bank” Becky Zelling, MCCC student, said.

Credit cards also offer the ability to build a positive credit history.

Having a positive credit history can help people when applying for loans. Credit histories give lenders a good idea of the person’s spending habits and if the person will default on his or her Jeffrey Kodysh Reporter

Agora photo by Tonya Huffman

Stress, hope, fear Revelations of pregnant college girls Tonya Huffman Copy Editor

Multitasking is something many college students tend to do with loads of homework, a job, and a personal life. Juggling can be difficult, but it tends to be that much more difficult once a child is brought into the picture.

Pregnancy: imagine during those nine months of childbearing, attending college and working. This is what some students at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) are doing and have done.

Bethany Faunce, a student at MCCC, is attending college while raising her three children Alida five, Brendon two, and Colin about one month. She chooses to attend college because she wants to have a career to support her children.

“At times things got hard and very stressful, but I would just think about my children and remember that I was doing this for them too,” Faunce said.

“I don’t want to have to depend others to provide for me. I want a stable career to give my children what they deserve.”

Faunce relies primarily on her mother during times of need to watch the children when she has homework.

Praying also helps give her strength when she is feeling overwhelmed by life’s stresses.

Another MCCC student, Kimberly Harmsen is having her first child while still attending college and until recently, due to doctors orders, was also working full time. She admits things are stressful, but she has a wonderful support system to help her. Between her family, the father, and his family, she has all basis covered.

“The baby’s father is very active in her life,” Ruth Harmsen, Kimberly’s mother, said.

“If [the father] would have left I would have debated whether to keep the child, but would have, because I don’t believe in that [abortion],” Harmsen said.

Harmsen and her boyfriend plan on getting married within the next year or so, but it all depends on their financial situation. Currently they are living in his parents’ basement, where they built two rooms to accompany their needs during this growing time.

Although attending school is important, Harmsen wishes she would be able to spend more time with her child before having to return to

See "Pregnant," page 10

Vegetarianism for the masses

Sarah Wills Page Editor

People become vegetarians for either ethical reasons or because it is healthier than a meaty diet. While some people eat this way because of their beliefs. One problem, though, is when young girls become vegetarians to lose weight and don’t know how to combine certain plants and other ingredients to be healthy and end up with deficiencies. Vegetarianism isn’t just cutting meat from a person’s diet, it’s making a health conscious decision that may or may not stick with a person for the rest of their life.

For most, it depends upon the type of vegetarian a person is. Whether the individual is a semi-vegetarian, which is just cutting meat out of the diet with the exception of fish and sometimes chicken, lacto-ovo vegetarian which

cuts meat out entirely but still uses animal products like eggs and milk, or vegan, which cuts out all animal products.

Dr. Sarah Eldridge of Dundee Family Care became a vegetarian when she was fifteen years old simply because she did not like meat. She’s now 48 and still does not eat meat and sees no advantage to eating it. She mentioned “ethical eating,” which is simply being more conscious of the animals we use for food and the way we treat them. She remarked on some of the problems which arise with a vegetarian diet.

Protein is sometimes excluded from a vegetarian diet. Although Americans ingest nearly twice the amount of needed protein, according to Diet for a Small Planet by Frances M. Lappe, it is still required in a healthy diet. The

book suggested eating some meat like chicken, fish and eggs, which contain all the protein needed, or combining certain plants to get all the required protein. Soy also carries a lot of protein. Dr. Eldridge also mentioned a lack of B-12 and suggested taking B-12 supplements to make up for it.

B-12 is a vitamin which is essential to almost every function in the human body. She said another problem with college students who go vegetarian is “they end up eating a lot of cheese which contains cholesterol.” She suggests eating ethnic foods which do have a lot of the required vitamins and nutrients we need. Middle-Eastern diets contain a lot of beans, rice, chick peas, and other things that contain many of the body’s essentials.

Dr. Eldridge recommended watching the movies Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me which both address the

eating habits of America today and America’s dependency on meat. For more information, one can reference Diet for a Small Planet. It gives information not only on the benefits of vegetarianism for the individual, but also for the global economy.

Tim Dillon, professor of English at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) said he became a vegetarian in 1973 after reading The Stranger by Albert Camus. The book was about existentialism and the existential choices one makes in life. Originally health wasn’t a factor, but it became one later in life.

Elizabeth Beaudrie, MCCC student, became a vegetarian in 2000.

“I worked at a dairy farm that was also a slaughterhouse and I was never

See "Vegetarian," page 10

8

A&E

AGORA

March 29, 2007

Big Read kicks off in Monroe County

Kristin Booth Copy Editor

Monroe County Community College (MCCC) has the honor of being one of just 72 organizations nationwide which were selected to receive an NEA Big Read Grant. The program was created to help literate America and has been running since March 18, which began with the Big Read Kickoff. Books, reader’s guides, and other materials were distributed at the KickOff. Each person in attendance was encouraged to bring his/her favorite book to exchange with another person. The program’s desires are to help Americans read more literature.

Cheryl Johnston, professor of English at MCCC and children’s literature, attended the Big Read Kick-Off. “The Kick-Off was an interesting event,” she said. “Large red fire trucks were parked on the street and blocked off Loranger Square. Visually, it was very intriguing for the small crowd who attended. The firemen were great and mixed with the attendees passing out free books, calendars, CDs, and book guides. The mayor made some nice remarks and the event was short and to the point. People seemed interested in the upcoming events and it was great that everyone has a calendar so they can plan to participate.”

Lawrence Leach, professor of humanities, has not attended an event at this point, but is hoping to soon.

“I would like to go to the discussions and hear what others thought of the story. I haven’t read the book for 40 years, but you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy [the discussions],” Leach said. “I think the community will like the story. I think the book is imaginative, it has innovative ideas.

It’s not a book that is dated; it is a pertinent book with today’s government.

I take it as a typical Bradbury book.”

MCCC and Monroe County will continue celebrating the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, whic centers on the concept of censorship.

There is a full calendar of events which include book discussions, film festivals, writing competitions, and presentations. The films to be shown at the festival throughout the program are Fahrenheit 451, The Manchurian Candidate, Syriana, and This Land is Mine. Community members and MCCC students are encouraged to go to these showings.

“I think it is a pretty good variety of films and they will all extend the themes of the novel,” Johnston said.

Every Big Read event going on throughout the County this month is free and open to the public. Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate and attend the events.

“These kinds of projects are good to do. Anything which promotes reading is good. One of the best things I did as a parent was read aloud to my children when they were young, they still love to read,” Leach said.

The Big Read will run continually through April 21, with a closing ceremony which will be held at the Ellis Library, off of M-50. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. There will be art and writing contest awards.

Kathryn Kramer, MCCC student feels the project is good for the county, but has doubts about the book selection.

“I love to read, I think the Big Read is great idea. But everyone trying to get the same book is impossible. There is no variety. I like variety. Instead of having everyone read the same book, I would give people a chance of choosing two or three different titles,” Kramer said.

Professors at MCCC are incorpo-

Agora photo by Charlene Hunt

Monroe residents gather for the Big Read Kick-off on March 18th.

rating the novel in their classes. This gives students who are unable to attend events a chance to read the story and take part in the program as well without having to find a way to fit the events into their already busy schedules. Kramer is in a class where the novel has been specifically incorporated in the course.

“I am in an American Literature class taught by Lori Jo Couch. I am not sure what we are doing with the book [Fahrenheit 451]; I only know we are reading the book. I would like it if we read the story and then had some discussions,” Kramer said.

There are activities going on almost daily throughout the county.

Each library branch is hosting their own book discussion and community members are encouraged to attend.

Sonya Biniecki, MCCC student, feels the Big Read is a good program for America to encourage people to read.

“I have never heard of the [Big Read] before now. I think it’s a really good idea. It’s crazy to think the numbers [for reading] are that low,” Biniecki said, “I would be interested in attending the film festivals because it sounds like fun. I think it would attract more people because it is also convenient for people.”

Johnston feels this program is a great way to promote reading for the community.

“I think this project is a wonderful way to bring groups together and for us to join with the greater community to discuss issues that are as pertinent today as they were in 1953. I feel literacy is the key to success. Any initiative that promotes reading should be applauded,” Johnston said.

Information about the Big Read program or where the next event is going to be held can be obtained at either www.monroeccc.edu/bigread or www.NEAbigread.org.

Arcade Fire burnt out Nick Vanderpool

Assistant Photo Editor

Alderaan anniversary Chris Slat Copy Editor

A long time ago, at some movie theater far, far away, the film Star Wars made its premiere. More specifically, the year was 1977, and this summer marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most influential movies ever made.

Even those who have never seen Star Wars, or any of its five sequels, are aware of it. It is one of the most acclaimed films in history and has become deeply ingrained in popular culture. Also, as one of the most profitable franchises in history, Star Wars has spawned countless books, toys, and advertising tie-ins. Because of this 30th anniversary, the influence of Star Wars on America has become more conspicuous.

The most striking example of this comes from the United States Postal Service (USPS). On March 16, the Postal Service dressed approximately 400 official mailboxes in high-traffic areas to look like Star Wars hero R2D2, a robot who does, in fact, bear a slight resemblance to a mailbox. Ac-

cording to a USPS press release, R2D2 “embodies the trust and dependability for which the Postal Service is so renowned.” The mailboxes also advertises a Web site—www.uspsjedimaster.com—that promises to reveal a new element to the promotion, most likely Star Wars postage, on March 28.

The biggest celebration of Star Wars’ birthday will take place in Los Angeles in May. The fourth official Star Wars Celebration, the largest Star Wars fan convention, will open to the general public on Friday, May 25, the original release date of the movie.

Previous Star Wars Celebrations were held before the release of each movie in the franchise’s prequel trilogy in Denver and Indianapolis. This year’s event, however, will span five whole days, whereas the previous conventions only lasted for a weekend.

For those with a long attention span and nothing better to do, the convention will be preceded by a free 17-hour (with intermissions) marathon screening of all six Star Wars movies.

Student Luke Corbin, who insists he

was not named after the hero of Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, said he plans to have his own marathon this year. “[The 30th anniversary] means I have to pull an all-nighter and watch all the movies,” he said.

What makes Star Wars so special?

“The thing that makes Star Wars great is that it’s set in the future, but it’s myth,” Ryan Pfaff, Monroe County Community College (MCCC) student, said. He noted that many of the elements from the series come from classical mythology.

This may be why Star Wars appeals to such a broad range of people. Penny Dorcey-Naber, administrative assistant to the dean of humanities and social sciences, is one of the millions who enjoy the movies.

“It was something very different for its time,” she said.

How much longer will Star Wars mania last?

“The books have been going on for thirty years,” Pfaff said. “And it doesn’t look like they’ll be stopping anytime soon.”

The sophomore slump is a bad place to be.

On their debut Funeral, the Arcade Fire showed evidence of their importance in the indie music scene with themes of introversion, community and loss. With their newest album, Neon Bible, the Arcade Fire has to prove that their debut release was no fluke. To do this they chose to retread instead of reinvent, enhancing upon their original sound with fuller, clearer production. Sadly, grandeur has been used in place of solid lyricism and song crafting and many of the songs have become vehicles for their generally asinine views on religion.

As the title might suggest, the lyrics on Neon Bible are more often than not anti-Christian. Rarely do the songs pack the lyrical punch needed to make the message seem driven by anything more than angst. The title track, “Neon Bible,” is one of a couple exceptions where the poor lyrics are redeemed by the same musical talent that made Funeral enjoyable in its modesty. With lyrics like “Not much chance for survival/If the Neon Bible is right,” the listener is left wondering what exactly lead singer Win Butler is complaining about. But, it is the somber guitar and Win’s wispy voice that carry the lyrics. This is not always the case, though.

The choruses are often where the problems lie. In retrospect they aren’t any more consistent on Funeral, but on the track “Black Mirror” the chorus merely consists of the words “black mirror” repeated over uninteresting and equally repetitious music. As an opening track and first single off the album, it does set the stage for the rest of the album. This is deceitful, however, since it is really the only major

omission that could be made on the album to make the whole more pleasurable. “(Antichrist Television Blues)” is one instance where their angst does provoke well written lyrics with quality music to match the spot-on production. Seeming to tell the story of a man who has lost his daughter and wants to know why, Win sings “[I] Want to hold a mirror up to the world/So that they can see themselves inside my little girl.” It is quite possibly the only song to grab the listener in its relentlessness, with similar songs “Keep the Car Running” and “No Cars Go” tagging not far behind. Active songs like these were not present on “Funeral,” which is one area where the band has shown progression.

There are slower songs on Neon Bible, such as the track “Windowsill” being the lowest point in this respect.

On this song Win chooses to not bash religion, but MTV instead. “MTV what have you done to me/Save my soul, set me free” stand to be the most irrelevant lyrics on the album.

After the intelligent introversion on Funeral, criticizing MTV seems like an easy blow at an establishment that basically mocks itself. Where as older songs of theirs would invoke thought of some kind, lyrics like these hold minimal meaning and raise no kind of new thought.

Their sophomore release might sound worse than it is, but after the success of their debut there is no reason for such lyrical laziness to plague so many of the songs. This simplicity was originally what made their debut modest, but the scope of the production on Neon Bible does nothing to let the mind wander. The Arcade Fire’s debut might not have been a fluke, but Neon Bible shows that the band is not quite ready for greatness.

A&E

March 29, 2007

AGORA

9

Documentary seeks to educate Women learn risks of birth control

trend many women have been following known as menstrual suppression.

Menstrual suppression… what is it? This is the practice of a woman purposely “skipping” her period, done mainly by the use of hormonal birth control medications. While this practice is widely accepted, is it a good thing? The sad part is no one knows for sure.

On the up-side, birth control can have many positive effects on a woman, such as the ability to regulate and lessen the severity of periods. Also, many women find that birth control Agora photo by Sarah Straub can also lessen cramping pains.

Sarah Straub The general side-effects of most Page Editor birth control medications however are weight gain, acne, abnormal bleeding, It is one of the most widely used hair loss, and some even cause a loss drugs in our country. No other drug of bone density. Could there be more is used in America, for as long a pe- risks we do not know about yet? riod of time, without the existence of One doctor in the movie speaks a disease or other medical condition. about Depo Provera, a common What drug am I speaking of? Birth birth control medication that is given control, of course. “Period: The End through a shot in either the arm, or in of Menstruation?” is a documentary the buttocks.

by Giovanna Chesler that explores the

He states that “until someone shows me bone health issues in menopausal women caused by injectable contraception, I will continue to indicate that it is a sound appropriate choice for teen candidates as well as older women.”

This information, he states, we may have to wait for until the women taking the drug now have become menopausal themselves, which may not happen for a decade or more. While researching, it can be found that it is also a drug with many complaints as far as its side effects are concerned.

Most importantly, bone density condition claims arising after its use.

Another topic in the movie deals with how the media portrays these drugs, especially to young girls. One woman, Christine Hitchcock- an endocrinology researcher, attending a Society for Menstrual Cycle Research conference speaks about how many magazines geared toward teenage girls, particularly Seventeen magazine, have influenced menstrual suppression. They had advised girls in one issue to skip the placebo pills included in birth control packs and to

start a new pack to skip an unwanted period. While there are no known adverse affects of this practice, it does plant the idea that one could conceivably continue that practice more than once without speaking with their doctors about it.

The questions posed in this movie are some that many women taking these medications should really consider. Women were meant to have a period for a reason. What happens when you decide to just not have one?

What health effects are we putting on ourselves by taking these drugs?

Chesler poses questions many, including myself, may have never thought of before deciding to take a form of birth control. This film may not have all the answers, but it does have some great questions. It is not meant to ward women off of birth control but meant more as a conversation starter and educational reference point.

Chesler stated at a Menstrual Cycle Research conference that, “[the movie] makes a taboo subject public, but it is also meant to empower through education and inspire further research and engagement with the topic.”

Halo 3 game promises to keep fans satisfied as the Robo Cop look alike, Master Chief. As Master Chief, the goal is to This year looks to be a promising save earth from the evil alien horde, year for video game enthusiasts, spe- known only as the Covenant. In Halo cifically for Halo fans worldwide, be- 3, the battle for earth is continued, and cause in late 2007 the release of Halo eventually concluded.

Halo 3 returns with its award win3 will soon be upon us.

Halo 3 concludes the epic Halo saga ning campaign mode and highly poputhat first started out on the Xbox video lar multiplayer mode. Using the Xbox game console. Halo, Halo 2, and even- 360’s power, Halo 3 will feature state tually Halo 3, are video games that are of the art graphics, along with updates known as first person shooters, or FPS to the game play that made the first games. The Halo series is set in a fu- two Halos so great.

But what exactly is new in Halo 3? turistic space world, where one plays First, and foremost, it has been confirmed that this is a conclusion to the current Halo story, although it is unsure if this will be the last in the series. The plot in Halo 3 involves Master Chief returning to a now conquered and heavily controlled earth, where he must defeat the Covenant once and for all or die trying.

Utilizing the advanced graphic technologies of the Xbox 360, Halo 3 will feature the utmost realism Agora photo courtesy of VGboxart.com ever seen before in a game.

Joshua Kraus Page Editor

Dust and smoke particles both give the game a more realistic feeling. Also, a number of special surfaces, like the visor of Master Chief’s helmet, will show real time reflection. Even the water will show characters reflection, while simultaneously showing what lies underneath it.

Gamers and college students alike are equally excited about the release of Halo 3. One possibly more so than others is Josh Piippo, a Monroe County Community College (MCCC) student. Piippo says he is really looking forward to the release, specifically because it will feature everything he loved about the first two games, but with upgraded graphics and gameplay.

“What makes this game special is that the controls are never really changed,” Piippo said. “They are close to perfect, and why fix something that isn’t broke... I don’t see how they can mess up Halo 3.”

Piippo will be happy to know that the core gameplay of “Halo 3” remains close to the first two. Computer intelligence has been greatly increased from the last game. Allies have become both more accurate, and intelligent, when it comes to fighting.

Enemies are more challenging and smarter than ever.

The controls in Halo 3 are almost identical to that of the rest of the series. However, the default reload button has been changed and given a different usage. Its usage is still undisclosed at this time, but it is assumed it will play an integral part, adding even more depth to the gameplay. Halo 3 will also be compatible with Xbox Live, supporting up to 16 players to battle online.

The multiplayer feature will return, perhaps better than ever before. Three brand new maps have been confirmed for “Halo 3,” although more are sure to be included. These maps include: Snowbound, a snow covered battlefield with two bases connected via underground tunnels. High Ground, comparable to “Halo 2”’s Zanzibar. High Ground is complete with a beach, a compound, and was designed primarily for objective based games.

The third map, Valhalla, is a remake of Halo’s Blood Gulch, complete with two opposing bases, a valley to separate them, and even a “man cannon” that launches players and vehicles over long distances.

See "Halo 3 ," page 10

Gilliam disappoints again with “Tideland” Steve Sonoras Copy Editor

When most people go into a video store to rent a movie, they are persuaded by the most appealing DVD package that catches their eye. Terry Gilliam’s Tideland possesses many coercive qualities that will do just that.

Its unusual cover artwork features an image of the film’s title character, Jeliza-Rose, sitting right side up on an upside down tree with roots that spell out the film’s title. The package is also populated with big names (Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, Terry Gilliam) and a glowing review by veteran auteur David Cronenberg. While the package may use these elements to present the film as a work of art, it remains one of the worst films of the year, and one of the most flawed in Gilliam’s repertoire.

The “Tideland” DVD starts out with a special introduction by direc-

tor Terry Gilliam, in which he states “many of you will not like this film.”

The viewer will soon see why he started out with such a bold, selfdeprecating statement. As Gilliam’s weary face fades out at the end of his explanation of the film, we see the young Jeliza-Rose interacting with her dysfunctional family after her father, played Jeff Bridges, gets home from performing with his grungy rock band at a bar. Bridges starts babbling in a manner that is nearly impossible to understand, like most of the characters in the film. His Southern-dialect is mixed with a drunken drug-induced air that hinders his speech from sounding like anything other than incomprehensible mumbling. The naive, daydreaming Jeliza-Rose has already begun preparing a heroin syringe for her father in the kitchen so that he can go on his daily “vacation.” When her chocolate-obsessed mother overdoses in the next room directly afterward,

the “plot” of the film takes action as Jeliza and her father head out to hide in an old house on the prairie. Jelize prepares the needle for the “vacation” that will thankfully kill off Jeff Bridges’ character.

For the next 45 minutes, Jeliza lets her imagination run wild. She talks to squirrels, a witch, and a mentally handicapped man that believes he can swim on dry land. Jeliza speaks constantly the entire time, but with such little direction or vigor that the audience may lose hope in trying to find a meaning in her words. The movie plods along as what appears to be a series of attempts to shock the audience. The viewer is supposed to be appalled as Jeliza exercises multiple personalities while playing with broken doll heads, puts make-up on her dead father’s face, witnesses the witch engage in sexual acts with a farm-boy, and develops an awkwardly close relationship with her much-older men-

tally challenged friend. The scenes Gilliam intends to shock the audience, however, will not have people dropping their jaws to display awe or disgust, but rather to yawn. With these failures spurting out of “Tideland’s” defective cannon, it is a task to make it past the first hour of two hour the film.

The reward for doing so without falling asleep or succumbing to a headache, however, is not deserving of the brave viewer that has the persistence to make it so far.

“Tideland” is intended to show how rigid children can be in unpleasant circumstances, but its delivery is so muddled that its purpose might not come across to most. While the audience is supposed to empathize with Jeliza-Rose’s courage and vivid imagination, they will more than likely use their own imaginations throughout the film to fill in the gaps where plot and realistic human emotion are devoid.

Agora photo courtesy of Empire Movies

Bloody Fantastic

Lisa Ghigliazza Copy Editor

Graphic violence, gratuitous lesbian sex, epic motion picture; these are just a few of the expressions used to describe Zack Snyder’s (Dawn of the Dead) film adaptation of Frank Miller’s gripping novel 300. The film, which grossed over $127.5 million in just ten days, is a semi-historical depiction of the Battle of Thermopylae in which 300 of Sparta’s fiercest warriors face the insurmountable Persian forces of Xerxes to the death.

Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, and Michael B. Gordon’s screenplay breaks new ground in cinematography. Created mainly on computers, 300’s use of stylized action sequences, stop frame photography, and bone-crushing, head-slashing guitar riffs give this film a gritty intensity from start to finish. The filmmaker’s use of blue screen photography seeks to duplicate the imagery of the original comic book and creates the paradigm of the scarlet Spartan capes over the blue background. The abstract, 3-D, computer-generated terrains blended with live action sequencing, vividly captures the ancient world of Greece in 480 BC. The film’s star, Gerald Butler (Phantom of the Opera), is chiseled to perfection not only in body but as King Leonidas, leader of the most formidable army of all time, the Spartans. His queen, Gorgo, Lena Headey (The Brothers Grimm), exhibits the passionate and admirable qualities of Spartan women. What would a movie be without the sinister and vile character? Dominic West (The Forgotten) as Theron, fills this role as the power hungry Senator who sells out Leonidas his fellow Spartans to Xerxes for a bag of gold. Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes, ruler of the massive Persian forces, provides the arch nemesis viewer’s hope the Spartans will annihilate. The ever loyal, unto-the-death, even the death of his own son, Captain of the elite 300, is played by Michael Fassbender (Band of Brothers), flaunts pectorals equal to Butler’s.

While the entire movie is a testosterone, ladened, blood bath, it does break for the viewer to be subjected to an excruciatingly long gratuitous lesbian orgy in the tent of Xerxes.

Even if this scene serves to illustrate the vast differences between the Spartan and Persian cultures it is just too much, too long. This is not the only needlessly, lengthy visual of naked women. The oracle’s breast-baring, hallucinogenic gyrations continue for what seems like an hour and could have been reduced to a sixty seconds clothed rendering.

For all its hype and criticism, 300 delivers as an action packed, story of valor, honor, and courage in the face unbeatable odds. 300 is a revolutionary masterpiece in cinematography successfully combining computergenerated animation and live action photography well worth the cost of admission.

10

In the Mix

AGORA

March 29, 2006

From “Head Start,” page 1

From “Pressure,” page 3

From “Halo 3,” page 9

“My favorite [lunch] is mashed potatoes and hot chicken and macaroni,” four-year-old Head Start student Riley Bursield said as he heaved some lasagna onto his spoon. “It’s really good.”

However, despite progressing transition, some parents are still upset with how the administrators involved in the program actually run things.

“It is hard for people to understand that everything’s the same for Head Start, but our program changed. Our kids have to move. Plus, I pay by the hour,” Bevins said. “My daughter has a lot of fun here, she loves it. The adults have a lot of tension, though, and the [administrators] say Mrs. Cramer has power, but they basically took her out of the equation. She may be here, but she’s not equal.”

“I wouldn’t be here if they had removed Mrs. Cramer. The merge looks good, the kids are happy… but I still think there is tension between the adults in the center,” another anonymous student-parent said.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, other parents are enjoying the benefits of the center.

“So far, I like it here. I thought it would be educational, and it is – I am pretty new here, but my son seems to like it,” MCCC student-parent, Hana Peek, said.

“It’s convenient here. My daughter takes the bus and sometimes I pick her up. She has a lot of fun.” Valerie Urbina, Head Start parent, said.

Randy Daniels, vice president of student and information services, believes most of the negative confrontation could have “been avoided if there was more communication at the beginning of this.”

One of the largest concerns of the MCCC student-parents in the past involved slot availability at the center.

Student slot availability was cut in half with the inclusion of Head Start students when the merge began in January.

“The agreement earmarks 15 spots for MCCC students, and this number is negotiable. Registration [for Fall 2006 semester] is scheduled for August 22, 23, and 29. We won’t know what the demand is until then,” Daniels said.

I am trying my best to differentiate between fields that have always been vitally important to me, and coincidentally staring at program transcript sheets with my eyes crossed. Which job will grant the most stability?

Which job has the best chances of securing good benefits, financial plans and comfort for my daughter and me?

How many other students put their superior interests aside to face the starknaked cruelty of reality?

For those of us supremely passionate about too many things, it does not become a question of which field we love most. Counselors have often asked, “Which job can you see yourself doing for the rest of your life?” and “Which job will make you happy the longest?” It isn’t a question of selfsatisfaction as much as combining that satisfaction with realistic expectations of the so-called “real world.”

The graduation bells are tolling and I have become completely tone deaf. I have been wholly independent for years, but the “major pressure” of choosing a major is past my comprehension this semester. I am ready for someone blindfold me, shove me into a specified program and leave me to rot. Any takers?

Wacky Weather

John Piippo, professor of philosophy at MCCC, is looking forward to the release of “Halo 3.” Professor Piippo said he really likes the idea of playing “Halo 3” on an even more powerful machine than the Xbox. He loved the concept of the first two, but this time around though he is hoping for even larger maps. Professor Piippo plans on buying an Xbox 360 just to be able to play “Halo 3.”

In “Halo 3,” all of the weapons in the first two games make a comeback, including the addition of a few new ones, like the Spartan Laser, a shoulder mounted cannon that can completely destroy vehicles. Along with the Spartan Laser, a new grenade type has been added. The “spike” grenade can be stuck to any type of surface and detonated, unleashing a fury of spikes towards unlucky bystanders. Lastly, an all-new vehicle has also been confirmed: the ATV that was pulled last minute from “Halo 2” will be in “Halo 3.”

With all the new additions to the Halo world, it is safe to say that upon “Halo 3”’s release, millions of kids and adults alike will lock themselves away in their bedrooms, blasting away aliens for months to come.

The weather that we have witnessed the past few weeks does not rank up there with some of the weather condition southeast Michigan has seen in the past. Here are a few events:- On March 15, 1990, the temperature hit 77 degrees for four straight days.

- On March 16, 2004, southeast Michigan was hit with 7 inches of snow.

- On March 19, 1921, in Detroit, MI, at midnight the temperature was 32 degrees, at 8 AM it was up to 42, and by 3 in the afternoon the thermometer read 76 degrees!

- On March 31, 1900, ended the most snow March had ever seen. The average snow fall for the month of March is 7 inches. For this Month in 1900, they saw 30.2 inches of snow fall in Detroit - On March 26, 1968, a category F2 tornado hit Monroe County, and in the end causes $250,000 worth of property damage (www.crh.noaa. gov).

From “Playoffs,” page 2 But, if the Pistons are looking for Webber to be a top performer in the playoffs, then history shows that they will be sadly disappointed. Webber has never won an NBA ring, and routinely performs poorly under the bright lights. If that trend continues this postseason, the aging Pistons may have to watch a rival team host the Larry O’Brien Trophy again.

Both the Red Wings and Pistons enter the playoffs as one of the favorites in their respective sports.

But, if either of their new additions fail to live up to their past glory, and wreaks more havoc in the locker room than on the playing field, then it will be a long spring for both area teams.

From “Pregnant,” page 7

school; Faunce agrees life was a bit easier before her recent child was born.

“Now I can’t sit with the baby contently in my belly, I actually have to cater to his needs. I find myself typing with one hand while I feed him with the other, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Faunce, said.

She doesn’t regret anything when it comes to her children, and she has a few words of advice from a world of experience to young women who may be struggling with school and caring a baby.

“For any of those mothers who are pregnant with a child that was not planned, I want to reassure you. No matter what you may be feeling right now. The day that beautiful gift is delivered and placed on your chest it will all be worth it. You will wonder how you ever lived without them and they will become your world,” Faunce said.

From “Rally,” page 6

When asked if they felt the protestors were influencing residents in Monroe, Smudz hoped so but honestly did not know, while Farris said he was sure of it.

“With all the people honking the horns, giving us the peace signs, the thumbs up, and a few other hand gestures [laughs], it’s no doubt we have an influence,” Farris said.

While the participants may have received positive attention from the passersby, they also received some negative attention, such as “other hand gestures.”

However, Nash feels the reception they have received in the community has become much more positive over the years. She said there are always going to be vocal opponents who believe she and the other participants are being partisan or anti-Republican.

“To me, this is not an issue of politics; it’s not Republicans versus Democrats. This is about human lives that are at stake. It seems, too, that the more public support we get, then people who are supporting the war for whatever reason that may be, feel they have to be more vocal about it,” Nash said.

Whether they receive negative or positive responses from the public, Nash and fellow local activists such as Farris and Smudz will continue to gather at the Custer statue to speak out against the war.

They will continue protesting until the day they have been waiting for: the day the war in Iraq ends and foreign policy is shifted from pre-emptive war to working diplomatically with other nations.

From “Vegetarian,” page 7 a big meat-eater. I had gotten locked in the milk cooler with a cow head with no skin on it and I was grossed out. I saw these animals two days ago and now they were dead,” she said.

“When I have children, I will raise them vegetarian. Being vegetarian, we have to be more cautious of what we eat and I think that’s why it is a healthier lifestyle. We can’t just go out and get some fast food when we’re hungry; we have to make conscious decisions about what we’re putting into ourselves,” she said.

Last issue’s “Pick the Professor” answers: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Terry Telfer Lisa Scarpelli Mark Hall Brenda Kraus Tim Dillon

- compiled by Troy White

Reminder: Fall Registration Fall registration in person begins April 9. Go to http://www. monroeccc.edu/reginfo/fall-currentstudents.htm to see when students can register based on accumulated credit hours.

Open registration begins April 12 and runs through August 30. Students can register via WebPal and SMART.

Bake sale to support MCCC writing fellows Wednesday and Thursday, April 4 & 5 A-Building (outside of Registrar’s office) Great selection of pies, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and much more-just in time for the holiday!

Help support your Writing Fellows and take a tasty baked good home for Easter.

Antiques in April Saturday, March 31 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, April 1 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Welch Health Education Building General Admission: $3 Collectors’ dreams come true as MCCC hosts its seventh annual Antiques in April Show and Sale.

The show is fast becoming one of the best antique shows in the Midwest, featuring an unprecedented display of high quality antiques and collectibles from the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.

Images Wants You! We are currently accepting submissions for the 2007 edition of Images. Images is a literary and fine arts magazine that has been published by the Humanities/Social Sciences Division for 24 consecutive years. We are proud to present the work of faculty, staff, and students. If you are interested in submitting your poetry, short stories, plays, or non-fiction essays, you may send them electronically to pdorcey@ monroeccc.edu In addition, we will also consider black and white photography and artwork. When you submit your work, please send the following information:  Your name (as it will appear in the publication)  The title of your work  Your home address and telephone number  Your program of study  Future career or educational goals The submissions to Images are carefully reviewed. If your submission is selected, it will be published in the 2007 edition of Images, and two copies will be mailed to your home address. You may purchase additional copies in the campus bookstore. The magazine is published each fall.

Calling all budding Grammy winners, do you long for fame and fortune?

Well dust off those vocal chords because we have a competition just for you! On April 21, in the Meyer Theater at the LA-Z-Boy Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County (BB/BS) will hold their first annual, “Monroe’s Biggest Idol.” The fundraiser is a live vocal competition in which the audience picks the winner by “voting” with cash or check donations to BB/BS. Monroe’s own Bob Vergiels will emcee the evening, with special guest judges Joe Vitale, Gerald Richards, and Melissa Cousino. Peg Harris Dance Studio will provide additional entertainment. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Doors open at 6:00pm with hors d’oeuvres and cash bar and all proceeds go directly to BB/ BS of Monroe County. For more information or if you would like to be an Idol contestant, contact Jennifer Miller at (734) 7708300 or Jeanette Kopmanis at (734) 777-1835.

Taste of Tech

On Thursday, March 29 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., the Industrial Technology Division at MCCC will present its “Taste of Tech” program in the East and West Technology Buildings on the college’s Main Campus.

Technologies included are automotive engineering, construction management, electronics, industrial electricity/electronics, manufacturing, mechanical design, mechanical engineering, metrology/quality systems and welding..

There is no cost to the participants, and they will receive a special gift and refreshments after completing the entire “meal for the mind.” “Taste of Tech” also provides a great opportunity for non-traditional students to explore careers they may not otherwise consider.

High school juniors and seniors, as well as first-time adult students, will also have an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship.

For more information about the event, call the MCCC Industrial Technology Division at 734-384-4112 or 877-YESMCCC or visit the “Taste of Tech” web page at www.monroeccc.edu/ tasteoftech

Spotlight

March 29, 2007

AGORA

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Find the Faculty Members

Try to find the Monroe County Community College faculty in this wacky parade!

Photo courtesy of www.markksullivan.com Picture by Nick Vanderpool

Hint: Look for english professor Dr. McCloskey, business professor Ms. Giles, student counselor Steve Mapes, and business professor Dr. Nedry.

Faculty adventures on spring break Cheryl Kehrer and sister Gail Walsh in Tanzania (Eastern Africa)

Photos courtesy of Cheryl Kehrer

Joanna. Sabo and James Sabo at a Tigers Spring Training game in Lakeland, Florida Photo courtesy of Joanna Sabo

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AGORA

Spotlight

March 29, 2007

Agora photos by Tonya Huffman