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utLook STUDENT PRESS Vol. 45 Issue 12 April 8, 2013 Facebook.com/Outlookpress
Pearl Harbor, Revisited
Professor Beisel uses psychohistory to examine “the day of infamy” Features 4 “It was a really steep competition and it was tough to judge because each band had their own style.” Melissa Mone, Student
“Hard Rock Rising” features bands from all across the nation, competing against each other.
Style 11 “Have you never been thrifting before? No clue where to start? No problem.... ” Suzanne Peguero, Student
Shopping at a thrift store is not like shopping at a store in the mall. You need a guide.
Sports 16
Kristen Loretoni
Editor in Chief
Even three quarters of a century later, Dr. David Beisel says, the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor is something that still resonates in the American consciousness. The attack is a “collective trauma” that shaped much of America’s view of itself in the 20th century, he says. Professor Beisel’s comments were part of the first lecture in the new “David Beisel History Lecture Series.” Dr. Beisel has been a Professor of History and Social Sciences in the M/TS Program at RCC for over thirty years. He is a founding member and twoterm president of the National Psychohistorical Association. Beisel started out by saying, “Pearl Harbor is of course, familiar. The Japanese attack in 1941 is an iconic moment in the American narrative.” Most Americans associate Pearl Harbor with the United States entering World War II. Dr. Beisel describes World War II as “a war
Pearl Harbor. He started with the politicized Pearl Harbor, which takes on what he calls the “back door-to-war theory.” “The mythic Pearl Harbor
SEE PEARL HARBOR PAGE 2
Greening Our Infrastructure Gabriela Gonzalez
Opinions Editor
A large number of students and professors crowded into a lecture room to hear two greening experts discuss ways of better integrating architecture into our natural environment. Both speakers came prepared with informative slides to show the audience. Simon Gruber from the Green Infrastructure program of the Hudson Valley Regional Council, spoke first. He explained the concept of green infrastructure, which is an increasingly popular approach that involves strategic planning and designing of land development by keeping the environment in mind to make it better for both people
“The snow has finally melted, the flowers are blooming... the baseball regular season has finally begun.” Devon Keane, Student
Players are prepared to fight for a World Series ring.
that was destined to catapult us into becoming a superpower for the last half of the century.” Dr. Beisel outlined several ways to study the attacks on
is the Pearl Harbor that is understood by most Americans,” he said. Beisel explained that most people feel as though the United States was completely innocent throughout the ordeal. He said that the myth of Pearl Harbor positions the attack as a total surprise, and the Japanese, as unprovoked in their aggression. Dr. Beisel stated that most people feel more comfortable believing that “it was the fault of the other guy.” Beisel suggested that President Roosevelt’s oil sanctions against the Japanese for occupying French Indo-China, were something that provoked the Japanese. He explained how detrimental those sanctions would have been in Japan, and that even though the White House received multiple messages that were considered warnings, Roosevelt decided not to act on them. Beisel used a psychological perspective to explain that “we knew certain things, and for a variety of reasons blocked out certain things.”
and nature. He described “green” ways of dealing with the water we get from rain, and how we can repurpose it, and help keep it clean.
The importance of this type of engineering is in the fact that stormwater is connected to everything from our drinking water, to our streams and rivers. When the consequences are not considered, we may be changing or even losing some of these water systems. Gruber gave a few examples of how this concept is implemented. Pervious concrete, for example, is an asphalt that has a big base of stones that allows roads to melt water more efficiently without cracking. There’s also roof runoff which allows water to be collected and used for irrigation, and day lighting which is the strategic placement of windows or reflective material so that sunlight is used to it’s fullest potential. There are even places where sidewalks are made to be the same level as the road, so that water can run down hills more
easily. “All these things, they can make a big difference,” Gruber said as he concluded. After Simon Gruber, Stuart Braman of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University took the stand and began his lecture on water conservation. He described effective ways to manage water use and increase sustainability by focusing on residential water use. He said that since 72 percent of all water use, is residential, educating people on practicing efficient water use right in their own homes makes a big impact. According to Gruber, water efficiency in Rockland County is pretty good; it’s about 10 percent
below the national average, but the number has been increasing over the years. He went on to explain that when considering water use, both indoor and outdoor water is important. He encouraged people to be conscious of how much water they use and to use high efficiency toilets, washers, irrigation controllers, and irrigation settings. Practicing these methods of green infrastructure and water conservation could benefit the environment. We could save and reuse large quantities of water, and actually build our towns to work with nature. With that our county could become greener and more efficient.
News
April 8, 2013
Pearl Harbor Revisited PEARL HARBOR FROM PAGE 1 Beisel explained that at the surface, it is easy for us to make assumptions. He said “For answers, we need to turn to psychological history.” Dr. Beisel reminded the audience that instead of “falling under the spell of conspiracy theories,” we need to remember that all humans are fallible, and that “we hear what we want to hear.” Beisel talked about the blind spots that led to Pearl Harbor. To have a better understanding, we have to look at the way the mind works. For our leaders during that
time, Beisel explained that “It’s easier to regress, than to handle responsibilities.” Beisel suggests that we “consider the role of blind spots as a factor in the decision making that dominated years in their efforts to master the problems in Pearl Harbor.” The main argument Beisel made was that Pearl Harbor was a trauma, and “as profound a national trauma as 9/11.” He made it clear that it is very important to look at the impact trauma has on long term behaviors. Beisel explained that we know from psychologists and neuroscientists that
trauma is carried by the emotional nervous system and will remain in our memory for an extensive period of time. Beisel stated that experiencing this “can be a driving force in compulsively reenacting original trauma and self defeating, self destructive ways.” Beisel went on to explain the similarities between the trauma experienced after Pearl Harbor and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The first and most fitting is the “immediate shock met with disbelief and denial.” Other symptoms included flashbacks, dreams, obsessing over the trauma, and a constant fear of a repeat. He also stated that the trauma is also considered by many to be a turning point in their lives. Beisel explained that a collective trauma is one that affects an entire group of people. The trauma is long lasting and reenacted extensively in the media. Beisel linked Pearl Harbor to 9/11 and called it “trauma connected to trauma.” He told the
audience how he heard certain fears that 9/11 was a reenactment of Pearl Harbor. The intergenerational transmission of trauma is something Beisel also pointed out. He explained how parents will teach their kids about the experience, and those kids will eventually tell their own children, creating a cyclical pattern that explains why collective traumas such as Pearl Harbor are never forgotten. Beisel closed the lecture explaining that “It all seems so normal and so natural, as also is the way with trauma.” If you are interested in the psychohistorical field, pick up Dr. Beisel’s book, “The Suicidal Embrace: Allies and Origins of World War II.” You can find copies in the RCC bookstore.
CHANGE IS GOOD Earn a B.S. in Nursing (R.N. to B.S. program) to advance your career. Attend the Hudson Valley Center Open House. Saturday, April 20, 2013 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon 19 Baker Avenue, Suite 400, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 To register, visit connect.adelphi.edu/HudsonValleyEvents. For more information, contact Alison Tempestilli at 845.471.3348 or atempestilli@adelphi.edu.
ADELPHI UNIVERSITY
ADELPHI.EDU/HUDSONVALLEY
Features
April 8, 2013
Travel Back in Time Gabriela Gonzalez
Opinions Editor
Don’t we all wish we could travel back in time? Some of us might want to change things about our own lives, and some of us might just want to experience a different era. Even though we don’t have any time machines lying around, this can actually be possible. By going to some fun and unique places, you can visit and experience different centuries. You, your friends, and your family can become time travelers and learn a lot about life in the past. Medieval Times If you’ve ever wanted to know what life was like during The Dark Ages, all you have to do is take a forty minute drive to Lyndhurst, New Jersey. You can go to a place called Medieval Times where you can eat a four-course meal while being the audience of a live, and exciting jousting tournament full of horses, knights, swords, kings, and all the rest. As soon as you arrive and see
the great elegant castle you immediately leave the 21st century behind. You are led to the arena where the competition takes place and you cheer for your corresponding knight to win. The show is fantastic and they also have a really great gift shop full of souvenirs you’ll want to take home.
New York Renaissance Faire If dinner and a show is not enough for you, you can go right to 16th century England at the New York Renaissance Faire held from August through September in Tuxedo Park, NY. The Faire is a recreation of a mediaeval or renaissance village filled with enough games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music, and dancing to keep you entertained all day long. Most people arrive in costumes and try to stay true to the spirit of the event. There are plenty of events for young children too so that anyone of any
age can go. Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site For people interested in American History, going to this historic site is captivating. You can step back into the world of the civil war by going to Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, only about twenty minutes away. Here you can go to their museum, which offers exhibits on the Battle of Stony Point and the Stony Point Lighthouse, as well as interpretive programs like reenactments demonstrating 18th century military life. They have great events like cannon and musket firings, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, and even blacksmith demonstrations. Colonial Pennsylvania plantation In Media, Pennsylvania you can live through a history lesson by experiencing the daily life of poor 18th century colonial farmers. Colonial Pennsylvania Pla nt at ion gives people a glimpse of authentic colonial farm life by dressing, a c t i n g , cooking,
and farming the same way colonial people did while also using the same tools that they used. Their objective is to really give people an understanding of life when King George’s taxes were felt, the American melting pot began to simmer, and American ingenuity took root. The farm is an actual working farm, with crops, livestock and buildings that have only been authentically restored. They have formal tours and hands-on workshops that give you a unique and memorable experience. You can attend things like bread making, candle making, basket making, and other activities. The farm is open from April through early December.
Features
April 8, 2013
Hard Rock Rising 2013 All across the world, the search for new young music is at its all-time high. The Hard Rock Café in New York City recently held a competition between local bands to see which was capable of providing that music we’ve been searching for. Hard Rock Rising 2013 is a competition where 850+ bands all across the nation competed against each other through the art of musical talent to get a chance to fly to London to open for Bruce Springsteen. The three finalists for New York were The Liza Colby Sound, Jason Casterlin, and Flat Five. Both Jason Casterlin and Flat Five won over the Facebook online vote, but this year, Hard Rock decided to pull a wild card from all of the bands that entered. This of course was The Liza Colby Sound. Radio station 95.5 WPLJ once again hosted the event for fans that were not able to make it. The announcer gave everyone the rules and how the bands were being scored. The judges base their score on the following: 30% Musicianship, 20% Voice Talent, 20% Originality, 20% Stage Presence and Movement, and 10% Fan Reaction and Appeal. Each judge is a professional in the music industry and has a history themselves in the field. At 8:00 PM sharp, the first band that ironically went first was The C o l b y S o u n d . They are a rock band lead by Liza Colby as lead vocals. The band behind her is consisted of Adam Roth on g u it a r, C.P. Roth on drums, and Alec Morton on bass. Their h o m e t ow n is New York City on the Lower East Side and their sound is highly inf luenced by the early 70’s Rock. The Liza Colby Sound has a General Manager, Mark Eichner for The Eichner Entertainment Co. Inc. When performing, Liza Colby either sang or played the tambourine while dancing very provocatively on the stage for her audience. The song that seemed to be the most popular among the crowd was “Baby.” After the Liza Colby Sound performed, there was a short break while the next band Jason Casterlin set up for the crowd. Jaston Casterlin is a mix of country, rock, and Americana. From Hudson Valley, New York, Jason is a very well-rounded musician. He not only is the lead vocalist, but he also plays guitar, mandolin, and
the harmonica. Accompanying him is a band The Tall Boys, who consist of Jason Miller as drums, Jay Ganz as the pedal steel, Paul Walter on bass, John Repko on the keyboard, and Shane Scarazinni on guitar. Their influences are solo artists such as James Otto, Jimmy Wayne, Easton Corbin, and The Violent Femmes. Like The Liza Colby Sound, Jason Casterlin has a General Manager, however he manages himself as well as being his own booking agent. He has one album known as “Old Stone Church” made in 2012.
The last band to perform was Flat Five from Stony Point in Rockland County, New York. Flat Five played at the Hard Rock Rising competition last year in 2012 and made it to the final round, but did not win. This year they plan on getting further and showing the world what they are truly made of. This Modern and Alternative Rock band has grew in popularity over a few years by a young crowd, making them very notorious. The members are the youngest in the competition. They are Andrew Romano, lead vocals as well as bass, Christopher Mizzi on guitar as well as vocals, Matthew Mone on drums, Ricky Romano on keyboards and vocals, and Sean McIlhargy on guitar and bass.
What is different about this band is that each member contributes to different instruments, meaning that they don’t just stick to one instrument when they perform. As the band set up after Jason Casterlin, their fans raced to the stage to be first to hear their favorite local band play live. Many dedicated fans that have been with the band came from all over the city, covered in their Flat Five attire. Fans were in Flat Five t-shirts, wristbands, signs, and even banners. As the band played, fans in the crowd raised their hands and spread their fingers to show their love for Flat Five, and the band returned the love right back. Andrew Romano dominated the stage with his spunky attitude and confident moves, making the crowd go crazy with excitement. Christopher Mizzi played his heart out with incredibley smooth guitar solos that were passed onto Sean, who made the judges’ jaws drop with his enthusiastic performance. Ricky Romano named the heart-throb of the group by fans was very remarkable on the keyboards. Matthew Mone, the heart of the group kept the steady beat of Flat Five alive and flowing throughout the entire Hard Rock Café. Their most recent song “Still Lost” was the fan favorite. As the night progressed, all the bands came on stage for the announcer to say who the winter of this year’s round one Hard Rock Rising 2013 winner is. The bands lined up, and the announcer came out and announced that the Hard Rock Rising 2013 winner that will be moving on to the next round was
© Shannon Roddy Photography
Social Media Editor
The Liza Colby Sound, the wild card of the competition. The whole place was shocked, but the judges were final in their decision. Fans told Outlook, “It was a really steep competition and it was tough to judge because each band had their own style.” When asking Andrew Romano about his loss to The Liza Colby Sound, he replied “Even though we lost the competition, they were amazing musicians, but the band that won was not a group band, it was a one-man band.” Matthew Mone was asked a statement on his loss and he told Outlook that, “Although he was in the Hard Rock Rising in 2012, this one was by far the closest and toughest.” But no need to fret! All three bands offer ways to hear their music and see where they are going to play next. Their information can be found through Facebook as well as Twitter and bandmade websites. The Liza Colby Sound-
http://thelizacolbysound.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/theLiza-Colby-Sound Jason Casterlin- http://www.jasoncasterlin.com http://facebook.com/JasonCasterlin http://twitter.com/jasoncasterlinhttp:// youtube.com/jasoncasterlinmusic Flat Five- http://www.reverbnation.com/flatfive http://www.myspace.com/flat.five http://www.twitter.com/flatfiveband h t t p : // w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m / u s e r / FlatFiveMusic
© All rights reserved by Jason Casterlin
Melissa Mone
Opinions
April 8, 2013
意想不到的中国 yi xiang bu dao de Zhongguo Natasha Clare, Amy Dang, Jade Di Troia, Evangeline Lei, and Sherrill Wilson Contributing Writers
亲爱的读者, Qinai de du zhe, 我们是中文202 班的学生. 我们叫 Natasha Clare, Amy Dang, Jade Di Troia, Women shi Zhongwen 202 ban de xuesheng. Women jiao Natasha Clare, Amy Dang, Jade Di Troia, Evangeline Lei, and Sherrill Wilson. 我们的中文名字是 陈智林,黄诗棋,邓 美玉, 雷诺, 汪霞. Women de Zhongwen mingzi shi Chen Zhilin, Huang Shiqi, Deng meiyu, Lei Nuo, Wang Xia. 这个学期, 我们学习了中国少数民族文 化. 我们发现他们的 Zhege xue qi, women xue xi le Zhongguo shaoshu minzu wenhua. Women fa xian tamen de 文化很有意思. 我们希望将我们学到 的东西和大家分享. 读了下面文章 wenhua hen you yisi. women xiwan jiang women xue dao de dongxi he dajia fenxiang. Du le xiamian wenzhang 你就会知道为什么我们都爱学中文. ni jiu hui zhidao wei shenme women dou ai xue zhongwen. 你知道中国的人口是全世界第一吗? 那么中国的人口是 Ni zhi dao Zhongguo de renkou shi quan shijie di yi ma? Na me Zhongguo de renkou shi 多少呢? 在这些人中, 又有多少个民 族呢? 中国有13 亿人 duoshao ne? Zai zhe xie ren zhong, you you duoshao ge minzu ne? Zhongguo you 13 yi ren 和56 个民族. 其中, 汉族占92%. 在 RCC, 从中国来的同学和老师大部分是 he 56 ge minzu. Qi zhong, Hanzu zhan 92%. Zai RCC, cong Zhongguo lai de tongxue he laoshi dabufen shi 汉族. 但是, 中国文化的精华来源于少 数民族的多元化.
Hanzu. Danshi, Zhongguo wenhua de jinghua lai yuan yu shaoshu minzu de duo yuan hua. 每一个少数民族都有独特的风俗习惯. 比如, 白族人招待客人 Mei yi ge shaoshu minzu dou you dute de fengsu xiguan. Biru, Baizuren zhao dai ke ren 不用普通的茶水, 他们有 “三道茶.” 第一道茶是“清苦之茶” buyong putong de chashui, tamen you “san dao cha.” Di yidao cha shi “qingku zhi cha,” 比喻人生应当吃苦耐劳, 才能有所作 为, 第二道茶叫做“甜茶,” biyu rensheng yingdang chiku nailao, caineng you suo zuowei, di er dao cha jiaozuo “tian cha,” 象征着生活先苦后甜, 最后一道茶 是“回味”茶, 让人回味无穷. xiangzheng zhe shenhuo xian ku hou tian; Zui hou yidao cha shi “huiwei” cha, rang ren huiwei wuqiong. 这三道茶象征着人生的三种境界。 Zhe san dao cha xiangzheng zhe rensheng de san zhong jingjie. 像白族人一样, 哈萨克族人也有独特的 风俗习惯. 比如, “姑娘追” 是 Xiang Baizuren yiyang, Hasakezu ren ye you dute de fengsu xiguan. Biru, “guniang zhui” shi 哈萨克小伙子追求姑娘的一种方式. 在新疆宽阔的草原上, 一对一对的 Hasake xiao huozi zhui qiu guniang de yizhong fangshi. Zai Xinjiang kuan kuo de caoyuan shang, yidui yidui de
青年男女骑着马从起点出发，绕过一 个终点后再跑回来。在去的路上, qing nian nan nv qi zhe ma cong qi dian chufa, raoguo yige zhongdian hou zai pao huilai. Zai qu de lu shang, 姑娘只能绝对顺从, 所以, 尽管 小伙子 一路上嬉皮笑脸, 不停地和姑娘开着 guniang zhi neng jue dui shuncong, suoyi, jinguan xiao huozi yi lu shang xipi xiaolian, bu ting di he guniang kai zhe 玩笑, 姑娘羞得满脸通红， 但也不 能有所表示， 只是一言不发。 wanxiao, guniang xiu de manglian tonghong, dan ye bu neng you suo biaoshi, zhi neng yi yan bu fa. 可是在返回的路上，情况就大不一样 了。小伙子调转马头往回跑， keshi zai fanhui de lu shang, qingkuang jiu dabu yiyang le. Xiao huozi diaozuan ma tou wang hui pao, 姑娘就骑着马紧追小伙子，要给他一 点小小的”报复.” guniang jiu qi zhe ma jinzhui xiao huozi, yao gei ta yi dian xiaoxiao de “baofu.” 姑娘一手抓住马缰绳， 一手 扬 鞭 子，把鞭子甩得呼呼作响. guniang yi shou zua zhu ma jiangsheng, yi shou yang bianzi, ba bianzi shuai de huhu zuo xiang. 姑娘要是对这个小伙子有意，就会把 鞭子举得高高的，却只在小伙子的头上 guniang yaoshi dui zhege xiao huozi youyi, jiu hui ba bianzi ju de gaogao de, que zhi zai xiao huozi de tou shang 晃来晃去，而不落下. 如果姑娘不喜欢 这个小伙子，小伙子就会遭到皮鞭抽打.
huanglai huangqu, er bu luo xia. Ruguo guniang bu xihuan zhe ge xiao huozi, xiao huozi jiu hui zao dao pibian chouda. 与白族人不同, 藏族人用哈达欢迎客 人. 哈达是一条雪白的纱巾. 它象 Yu Baizuren butong, Zangzuren yong Hada huanying keren. Hada shi yi tiao xuebai de shajin. Ta xiang 征着纯洁和吉祥, 也代表藏族文化. 藏族人用哈达来表示对客人的 zheng zhe.chunjie he jixiang, ye daibiao Zangzu wenhua. Zangzuren yong Hada lai biaoshi dui keren de 热烈欢迎. 很多藏族人住在云南西北 部的香格里拉, 一个梦一班美丽的 re lie huanying. Hen duo Zangzuren zhu zai Yun Nan xibeibu de Xiang Ge Li La, yi ge meng yi ban meili de 地方. 藏族人非常爱唱歌跳舞. 他们 的歌声会让人觉得香格里拉 di fang. Zangzuren feichang ai changge tiaowu. Tamen de gesheng hui rang ren jue de Xiang Ge Li La 的美丽. 他们的歌声也代表藏族人的 快乐. 如果有机会, 我们想去西藏. de mei li. Tamen de gesheng ye daibiao Zangzuren de kuai le. Ruguo you jihui, women xiang qu Xi Zang. 每年, 有三百万人去中国参观. 但是, 大部分人去上海, 北京, Meinian, you sanbaiwan ren qu Zhongguo canguan. Danshi, da bu fen ren qu Shanghai, Beijing, 南京 和 西安. 千千万万的人参观长城, 紫禁城, 天安门, Nanjing he Xi An. Qianqian wanwan de ren canguan Changcheng, Zijincheng, Tian An Men, 上海玉佛寺, 等等. 可是, 如果你去参 观白族人的云南大理, Shanghai Yu Fo Si, deng deng. Keshi, ruguo ni qu canguan Baizuren de Yun Nan Da Li, 哈萨克族人的新疆和藏族人的西藏, 你会有机会看到一个 Hasakezu ren de Xin Jiang he Zangzuren de Xi Zang, ni hui you ji hui kan dao yi ge 意想不到的中国. yi xiang bu dao de Zhongguo.
Unexpected China Dear Reader, We are the students of Chinese 202, Natasha Clare, Amy Dang, Jade Di Troia, Evangeline Lei and Sherill Wilson. Our Chinese names are Chen Zhilin, Huang Shiqi, Deng Meiyu, Lei Nuo and Wang Xia. This semester we have learned about the cultures of some of the many ethnic minorities in China; we discovered some interesting aspects about them. We would like to share what we have learned with you; we hope you will understand why we love to study Chinese once you are finished reading our essay entitled “An unexpected China.” Did you know that China’s population ranks number one in the whole world? Can you guess how many people and ethnic groups are in China? China has 1.2 billion people and 56 ethnic groups. Among them, 92% of the people belong to the Han ethnic group. At RCC, the majority of students and teachers from China are Han. However, it is the diversity of China’s ethnic minorities that constitutes the essence of Chinese culture. Each and every ethnic group has a unique set of customs and traditions. One example is the way that the Bai people receive guests in their homes. It is called “San Dao Cha,” the three courses of tea. The first cup of tea is
called “Bitter Tea,” which is a metaphor for being able to endure the bitterness in life in order to make a difference. The second cup of tea is called “Sweet Tea,” a metaphor for enduring bitterness and hardship first before
young Kazak people’s courtship ritual. In the vast grass land of Xinjiang, pairs of young men and women on their horses began the ritual by leisurely walking from the starting point to the midpoint. At the
being able to reap the rewards. The last cup of tea is called “Reminiscence,” which allows endless reflection on life. These three courses of tea represent life’s three levels of enlightenment. Like the Bai people, the Kazak people also have their unique customs. One example is “Guniang Zhui,” girl chase, which is the
midpoint, the couple will swing around the marker and head back towards the starting point. On the way to the midpoint, the young man would tease the girl mercilessly, making her blush, but the girl is not allowed to respond. However, on the way back, the table is turned. The girl now has the upper hand and is able to seek her “revenge” by
chasing the young man, who runs for his life. With one hand holding the reign and the other cracking the whip, the girl will show whether she is interested in the young man. If she likes him, the cracking whip will not land on him; if she doesn’t, the young man will feel the sting of the whip. Unlike the Bai people, Tibetans welcome their guests with “Hada,” a long white silk scarf, which symbolizes purity and good fortune. Hada represents the Tibetan culture. Tibetans use Hada to express their warm welcome to guests. Many Tibetans live in Shangri-La in the northwest region of Yunnan. Shangri-La is a dream-like paradise. Tibetans express their love and happiness and the beauty of their homeland through singing, dancing, and music. If we could, we would love to visit Tibet. Every year, three million visitors go to China. However, most of them go to Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, and Xian. Thousands of tourists climb the Great Wall, tour the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, etc. However, if you could visit Dali, Yunnan, home of the Bai people, Xinjiang, home of the Kazak people, or Xizang, home of the Tibetan people, you will see an unexpected China.
opinions
April 8, 2013
Is Music too Overproduced? oldies station, singing along to Queen, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, The Eagles, The Cars, Joni Mitchell, or Otis Redding.
Suzanne Peguero Staff Writer
Whenever my mother and I would go on road-trips, she would always turn on the oldies station. She had been both a music major and a musician in college, and seemed to have a vast mental library filled with songs anywhere from the 30’s to the 90’s. With one hand, she would fiddle with the control, and steer wildly with the other. “Now listen,” she would say, “this one’s good. There’s this section where the guitars merge and become one, wait for that.” I would quietly sit in awe, making a mental note of the songs she said were good, waiting for the riffs and sections of the songs that she told me were the best. I
loved these rides. After time, I grew to know these songs by heart, and when we got into the car, we would automatically turn on the
I went through an alterna-cool kid phase when I was around fourteen, refusing to listen to anything popular and dressing weirdly (and, I suppose, was unintentionally a hipster. Oh, the irony.) It wasn’t that I didn’t listen to any music of this day and age; I did. They just were mainly bands and artists on independent labels producing music that was unlike anything popular. When I was sixteen, however, I decided to give mainstream music a chance again. I was horrified. It all sounded electronic to me. I contemplated running out of my room and announcing to the whole world (read: my family) that music as we once knew it was ending, and soon we would be in a phase where everything was electronic, including the people’s voices, and there was
just no soul in music anymore, and what was humanity coming to? I didn’t, because no one would have paid any attention to me as I have a penchant for dramatic statements. But I was still incredibly disappointed with the music of today. I’m not stating that all modern music is horrible. There are some great artists out there. But on a whole, the music is far too overproduced. Voices have their quirks fixed; instruments sound too perfect, mistake free, and fake. It’s soulless. What these artists and the recording
studios don’t seem to realize is that the weirdness of s ome one’s voice, the sound of a genuine instrument, and lyrics written by the artists themselves is what gives the music soul. It creates substance; something that can make me cry, or want to dance wildly; I feel like that artist understands me, and I understand them. As I said before, this doesn’t mean musicians today aren’t doing this. Some are. But on a whole, the quality of music nowadays is far below what it used to be. And if you happen to like this kind of music, great! If it helps you to relax, or have fun with your friends, that’s perfectly okay. But I do wonder what the future of music will look like, and whether we will be able to even call it music anymore.
Is Playing the Lottery Silly? wouldn’t mind trying. So, I felt silly when I bought my ticket, but afterwards, I felt no regret. I realized that all you need is to have the right attitude towards lottery tickets. I know that you’re
Gabriela Gonzalez
Opinions editor
According to space.com, you are 450,000 to 3,000,000 times more likely to die in an asteroid collision in the year 2029 than to win the lottery. We know it’s statistically almost impossible, and we know the odds are completely against us-yet when the prize goes up those extra hundred million dollars, we rush to buy that ticket for our own chance at the prize. When the winning prize hit over 300 million dollars for the Powerball jackpot recently, I bought my first lottery ticket ever-and I have to say, I felt pretty silly. Why did I do it? I knew I was essentially throwing away money and as I bought my ticket, I knew I had already lost. I just kept thinking that even though it was the slimmest chance, it was there. There was a chance that my life could change forever. We are all going through tough times.
Our country is still slowly and painfully recovering from the recession and for many people, the times are still really tough. At the end of the day it’s no surprise that so many others made the decision I made to
buy a ticket. However, there are many of those who make it their obsession. Many claim to spend much of their hard-earned money on the lottery instead of more important things like food or the rent. And then there are also people who make up algorithms or go through interesting rituals convincing themselves that they will find the key to getting the winning numbers. Let’s just say, it can be taken too far. What we really want is to keep that hope that just maybe, a miracle could happen. I know that after buying that lottery ticket I fantasized about what I would do if I had won the money. I thought about the house I’d live in, the car I’d drive, the clothes I’d wear and the
places I would travel to. Most importantly, I fantasize about getting away from the worries I have now. I guess in the end, what we’re really buying is just a pleasant daydream. Stories of past winners are inspiring and give us hope that we might win too. This time, it was an immigrant store owner from the Dominican Republic who won the Powerball jackpot. This fact actually makes me want to try again. If the American Dream can happen to him, it can happen to anyone. But we have also learned from past winners that winning the lottery doesn’t always mean a happy ending. The old saying “money doesn’t buy happiness” rings true, but from my experience I know I
I’m not really going to win, but I don’t mind spending a small amount of money once in a while to try. We’ll always hear things like how it’s 305 times more likely that you are hit by lightning than winning the lottery, but there is a zero percent chance of you winning if you don’t play.
Opinions
April 8, 2013
Is Granny Getting it On? Daisy Moakley
Staff Writer
Recently at the RCC campus, free and confidential HIV testing was offered. As the parent of a college aged teenager and three young adults, I am pleased to know that colleges have events such as this. I believe that our young people need to have as much education as possible about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It seems that as time has gone on and as new treatments have prolonged the life of infected individuals, the virus has lost its fear factor. Therefore education is the key! As I was searching for information to give to my teen, I came across some astounding facts. According to a new study, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are climbing. You’ll be relieved to know that it’s not your teen you need to worry about — it’s your parents! It appears that older adults are more sexually involved. Also there is a striking rise of STDs among these senior citizens.HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and other STDs among these older adults are on the rise. The use
of drugs that correct erectile dysfunction and online dating have changed the sexual behavior of this particular age group. According to a 2010 CDC report, there were roughly 2,550 cases of syphilis in the 45 to 65 age group. A decade earlier there had been 900 cases. And Chlamydia cases jumped to 19,600 in 2010 compared to 6,700 in 2000. Older women who can no longer get pregnant most likely believe contraceptives are unnecessary, and older men may feel that using a condom contributes to erectile dysfunction. Maybe it’s the fact that most seniors never had “sex-ed” in high school. It can also be that people are living longer and are moving into senior communities where they find it easy to
socialize. Whatever the reasons are for this alarming rise in STDs and HIV, we must start to open the lines of communications not only to our teens but our seniors too. Yes young adults, it is now your turn to have “the talk” with your parents. Those of you who simply can’t bring yourselves to do it, you could request their doctor add sexed information to their regular checkups.
And for those of us who are in the age category of this rising danger zone we need to keep ourselves informed. The practice of safe sex is no longer just about protecting against unwanted pregnancies, like our mothers told us, but of safeguarding our health. After all we have earned our stripes (gray hair). We have raised our children, taken care of our homes, supported our spouses and succeeded in our careers. I wear my gray hair with pride and now look forward to moments with my husband without the rumble of little feet barging in. Let’s not allow ignorance to bring forth unwanted storms !
opinions
April 8, 2013
Outlook Student Press Kristen Loretoni, Editor-in-Chief Amanda Van Ryn, Managing Editor Julie DeVito, Production Manager Gabriela Gonzalez, Opinions Editor
Devon Keane, Sports Editor Marina Watts, Style Editor Gen Rollins, Photography Editor Anuj Chokshi, Assistant Photo Editor Melissa Mone, Social Media Editor
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. . . T U O B A K N I H T U O Y O D ? s WHAT u p m a C n RCC’s o s n o i t p O Food
Devon Keane
If you travel to any college across the country, you will see that almost all of them have some sort of dining hall or cafeteria for food. While RCC has a cafeteria, the food options are strictly limited. RCC is lacking a legitimate dining area where students can conveniently get food without leaving campus. Yes, there’s Bagel Boys, Airmont Eats, and Nicky’s Pizza, but these are all off campus and a short drive away. Common Hour does not provide enough time for students to walk to their cars and give up their parking spot to go get food, all while making it back before their next class starts. If RCC had a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts on campus, students wouldn’t have to go too far out of their way to get a satisfying lunch or coffee before class. I know it’s easier said than done, but if RCC were to provide more food options for faculty and students, almost everyone will benefit from the services it would provide.
Amanda Van Ryn
Personally, I never buy food on RCC’s campus, mostly because there are so few options. Most college campuses have some type of chain store on them like a Dunkin Donuts or a Starbucks, but RCC has only a small cafeteria. I don’t know why a chain wouldn’t want to be on RCC’s campus. The flow of people is constant and they would be making sales from morning until night. The variety of food options on campus is also a huge problem. There are not many healthy choices and the only healthy choice I do know of is a salad. Yuck! I think that RCC should definitely have more options for real food on campus as opposed to just snacks, especially since it is a college in which people are taking classes all day from 8 in the morning until 10 at night.
Marina Watts
Gennifer Rollins
The food options at RCC aren’t too bad but they are terribly overpriced. I don’t like having to pay $10 for a salad to stay healthy as opposed to buying a slice of pizza for $4 just to save money but not eat as healthy. Although there are options locally to get good-quality, fair priced food, it becomes too much of a to-do to leave and find parking when you get back to make it to class. The coffee here is also disgraceful. I only would drink it if i was about to pass out from caffein deprivation. Then again I am an avid Starbucks drinker and won’t settle for less. I am a health freak and am willing to pack the equivalence of a garden to and from school everyday just to avoid the overrated cafeteria catastrophe on campus. Perhaps if you had asked me my opinion in my first semester here, I could have given you a quality answer. However, I have avoided eating campus food pretty much since then. The options are minimal for health-seeking vegetarians, and so I went elsewhere for my meals. I like to nourish my body, just as I wish to nourish my mind. College is the place to do that, and so it should be balanced. The food truck is a nice initiative, but there is still no place with regularly pesticide-free or non-genetically modified foods on campus. With “Go Green,� we should also consider going organic, to make this campus a truly well rounded place.
April 8, 2013
Style & Entertainment
11
“One Man’s Trash, That’s Another Man’s Come- Up” Suzanne Peguero Staff Writer
Everyone relaxes in different ways. Some go running, some bake, and some take a bubble bath. I go thrifting. I’ve been thrifting for a few years now. The first time I went, I was nearly in tears by the end of the expedition. I was frustrated that I couldn’t find anything cool, but my Mom could (she is a thrifting queen). However, with perseverance and guidance from my mother, I became a pro at thrifting. Is it difficult? Yes. But that’s the thing; shopping at a thrift store is not like shopping at a store in the mall. It’s hard work. It’s a challenge. But that is exactly why I like it so much. I enjoy the digging, and the victorious feeling that I get when I come out of that thrift store, loaded with finds. I like having someone freak out over the piece I got and say something along the lines of, “Oh my God, I love that shirt, where did you get it?” and being able to casually toss out, “Thrift store,” as they frown and say, “Oh.” But hear me out, frowning person; I am here to help you! Have you never been thrifting before? No clue where to start? No problem. I am going to give you a how to guide; after reading this, you will be prepared to go the store of all things used. However, before we begin on how to thrift shop, I want to cover what isn’t and what is a thrift shop. A place that sells upscale secondhand clothing. Don’t be fooled; this is definitely not a true thrift shop. Places like Plato’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads sell brand name, barely used clothing. Dresses can run from $14-35,
and while it’s cheaper than a department store, it isn’t worth your time. Vintage Stores While these are probably the coolest stores you will ever go to, they aren’t thrift. A vintage store finds an old piece
it is keeping away others who aren’t as determined as you! So, it’s 9 A.M. on a Saturday and you want to go thrifting? Let’s get down to it. Here are some tips for making your day successful:
of clothing that was made long ago, buys it for cheap, then fixes it up and resells it for triple the amount they bought it. Vintage stores are full of unique, great pieces that the stores can charge exorbitant amounts of money for because they are expecting you to be unwilling to go and dig for a similar
Above all else, eat food. Then caffeinate yourself into near lunacy. This is probably the most important step out of all them. The last thing you want to do is walk into a thrift store, hungry and tired, with your defenses down. You are about to face thousands of items that are not arranged by size, pushy old ladies and crying babies, and that headacheinducing musty smell (if you’re prone to headaches like me, you may want to take a couple Advil half an hour before you get there). You are going to need energy and a full stomach so that you don’t get discouraged. Wear the proper attire. A thrift store will probably not have any dressing rooms, which means you will have to find innovative ways to change out in the middle of the store. It’s always wise to wear something that is easy to change over, such as a simple t-shirt and leggings. You don’t want to wear a large sweater or something with a weird neckline Know whom you’re shopping with. In most cases, I like to thrift by myself. I like being able to take my own time and not having to worry about the I-saw-itfirst conundrum. However, if you do end up bringing friends, know their level of experience in thrift shopping. The last thing that you want is someone saying, “I can’t find anything. This is boring. I’m bored. It smells weird here. I can’t find anything. Gross, who would buy that? I have a headache. I can’t find anything,” because there is a very good chance you two won’t be friends after this experience. This is the person you leave at home or accidently-on-purpose lose at the children’s section. Be focused. When you walk into the thrift store, do not get overwhelmed by the largeness of
thing that is just as great but way cheaper. This is where you prove them wrong. A real thrift store is most likely going to have the name Goodwill, Salvation Army, or the word “discount” somewhere in them. Now, a real thrift store is very cheap. We’re talking $4 or less band tees. The clothing comes directly from the bags that have been dropped off for donation. They aren’t checked for rips, stains, or holes or snags. They’re sold as is. Most of the time, the store is only s e m i- org a n i z e d . Handmade price tags are stapled onto the clothing. They also have a tendency to be quite messy, with clothes strewn everywhere. Don’t be alarmed by this. Enjoy the mess! Know that
it. It can be easy to grab a cart and begin wandering around distractedly. This is a surefire way to fail in your thrifting mission. Instead, grab a cart, go to a certain section of the store (i.e. dresses) and begin to pick out everything that is your size and fits your body type. When you have gone through all the sections of the store, have one big try-on. This is the key to success. If you try on clothes in the middle of your hunting, you will get side tracked and the job will be significantly harder and more frustrating. It’s okay if there aren’t any dressing rooms. Most of the time, the greatest thrift stores won’t have dressing rooms. I have no clue why. They’ll probably have several mirrors placed throughout the store, with groups of people around them trying things on. Don’t be shy about this; jump right in! Walk up to that mirror and try on all the clothes quickly, making sure to share the mirror with everyone else (mirror-hogs are the worst). If you’ve found a pair of jeans you want to try on, but they won’t be able to go over your leggings, have no fear. Put a dress on over your outfit, take off your jeans, put the other ones on, then take off the dress. Problem solved. If you need to fix the piece of clothing and you aren’t actually going to do it, do not buy it.
This is very important. You would not believe the amount of clothes I have in my sewing closet that I was going to “fix up.” I understand it would be really cute if you did some work on it, but if you know, deep down in your heart, you won’t really, don’t get it. It’s a waste of your money, and will be a great source of frustration whenever you look at it. Only buy “project pieces” if you’re really going to do something with them. You’re prepared now. You’re ready to go out into the wonderful world of thrifting. It takes energy, determination, and intense focus, but believe me, it is so worth it.
Style & Entertainment
12
April 8, 2013
Book Review: “The Wolf of Wall Street” Marina Watts
Style Editor
Imagine a life working on Wall Street for an investment firm. Now imagine you’re making millions faster than you can say “stockbroker” and spending it just as quickly without a care in the world, knowing you’ll make more in due time. Thus begins the autobiography “The Wolf of Wall Street” by Jordan Belfort. Belfort is a Long Island stockbroker who gets caught up in the world of power and greed. The opulent life he lives with his trophy wife in his lavish mansion an hour outside the city soon falls to pieces ultimately due to corruption. The film adaptation will be released in November, however the novel is a roller coaster of an autobiography, a sure-fire page-turner. We can only hope that the movie does Belfort’s tale justice. Belfort’s tale begins with his rise to power from day one at the notorious Stratton Oakmont investment firm, and takes us through how the world of stockbrokers functions. Hotel bills by the hundreds of thousands of dollars, hookers and private jet planes to anywhere in the world are just mundane aspects of the Wall Street lifestyle. With a life full of scandal, drugs and illegal dealings, Belfort could use his monetary power to make people do what he wanted when he wanted and evade anything that comes his way. However,
even someone as sly as a wolf can’t get his way out of everything. Reading “The Wolf of Wall Street” was quite the experience. Belfort’s descriptions of everythingfrom the everyday atmosphere of the boardroom to what his home is like with his beautiful wife (whom he refers to as the Duchess)are beyond fathomable. Lunches at restaurants where the bill for a few people run into thousands of dollars to wrist watches that cost millions are part of everyday life for Belfort. He had such an obscene amount of money and was able to do whatever he wanted with it. For example, at one point he escaped to Florida with only $50,000 and disappointingly commented it would barely last him three days. I was astounded by everything he did and how carelessly he would go through money. And if the way he lived wasn’t crazy enough, his drug addiction was ridiculous. He goes into detail with how many pills he would take of certain drugs, and what lengths he
would go to just to make sure he wouldn’t go through withdrawal. Lord Acton once said, “power corrupts,
and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Jordan Belfort’s life can justify Lord Acton, as he goes from partying all the time to doing time in Federal Prison. In the midst of a ruined marriage, a drug addiction and a pump-and-dump scheme, Belfort’s wild life leads him into federal crime and debts off the charts. Martin Scorsese took on the challenge of making Belfort’s autobiography a movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the scrupulous stockbroker along with Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill and Julie Andrews. I anticipate seeing the outcome, as I didn’t want to put the book down. I recommend “The Wolf of Wall Street” for anyone who wants a first-hand account of the criminal side of Wall Street, along with those looking for a good read. His tale epitomizes the highest highs and lowest lows you can go through in his position; everything is beyond excess in a way no one could make up. I was immediately captivated and couldn’t put his book down. “The Wolf of Wall Street” has definitely become one of my favorite books.
Style & Entertainment
April 8, 2013
Marina Watts
Style Editor
This March, Disney’s latest film “Oz the Great and Powerful” was released. Based on L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” series and as the prequel to the 1939 “The Wizard of Oz,” this film further explores the fantasy Land of Oz. Audiences get to see how expansive it really is, as “Oz” is a feast for the eyes. It awakened aesthetic appreciation I didn’t know I had. Director Sam Raimi coordunatedthis heavily weighted project. Previously the director of the “Spiderman” movies and many action TV series such as “Spartacus,” Raimi takes on the big task
of reviving a classic while adding some distinct flare to it. Upon seeing the trailer for this film last fall, I was reluctant to express my excitement. I grew up with “The Wizard of Oz” and I was nervous that the 2013 predecessor to the movie almost seventyfive years older than it was going to be a massive train wreck. However, I was delightfully surprised to find that this film was not a disappointment. The film starts out with opening credits reminiscent of a nickelodeon from the 1930’s in sepia (very similar to its predecessor “The Wizard of Oz”), as it takes place in 1905 Kansas. Oscar “Oz” Diggs (James Franco) is a small-town magician, looking to make it big with his sleight of hand tricks and prestidigitation. His petty attempts to achieve fame and build up a fortune knock him down constantly. His partner Frank (Zach Braff) loses faith in him as his ethics weaken and he slowly becomes nothing. When a tornado hits the circus, Oz takes flight in a hot air balloon
that transports him to a Technicolor wonderland. Literally. He shortly meets Theodora (Mila Kunis) who informs him that he must be the wizard, whose arrival will fulfill the prophesy of killing the bad witch and bring the Land of Oz back to its glory. Even though Oz doesn’t possess the magic that the people of Oz think he has, he agrees to help in order to become king, once he kills the witch. Before he knows it, Oz is thrown into a fantasy land where anything is possible, and becomes caught between three feuding sister witches, Theodora, Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams). For what it was worth, “Oz” was absolutely spectacular for something Disney could be in charge of. The sets and graphics Disney used seemed infinite, as the Land of Oz unfolded before me in the theatre. Nothing pleased me more than watching James Franco fumble through the beautiful Land of Oz for two hours. It was the perfect combination of the charm from the old film while incorporating the technology of the 21st century to expand upon everything. Everywhere in the Land of Oz had its own style, especially the art-deco Emerald City. The costumes were elaborate as well. Each character had one that reflected their personality, which is important. If costuming is done wrong, then it is harder to relate to certain characters and understand why they behave in certain ways. I was most impressed with Williams’ dress, which was simple but beautiful. Make-up also reflected the personalities of the characters; the darker the eye-shadow, the less you were able to trust the characters for what they were up to. Compared to the 1939 film, “Oz” was a lot darker. Everything wasn’t all
singing scarecrows, ruby slippers and talking apple trees. The special effects used were rather impressive. Animated creatures were fantastic; the animators who created them were very detail-
13
oriented as everything was so perfect. The cinematographic aspects of “Oz” were closely linked to that of “The Wizard of Oz.” Most significantly, the film goes from a full-screen sepia experience and then turns into a full-screen Technicolor work of art. The sound effects also shift
could do effect-wise. Most iconic, although it is not mentioned in the film, the characters continually travel along a yellow brick road. If you pay attention enough to these nuances, you will be able to find them, and potentially more than what I had picked up. Due to Warner Brothers Pictures’ rights, Disney was unable to rebirth some of the more iconic aspects of “The Wizard of Oz.” For instance, no reference or use of the ruby slippers Judy Garland wore is present. Disney wasn’t able to use the exact shade of green for the witch’s make-up either from the original film. However, their legal department was able to arrange for a slightly different color to be used called theostein. The casting for the film was pretty fair. James Franco doesn’t take away from the film. I found it very entertaining seeing him traveling through Oz, and I can’t see any actors playing the role of
from a monaural to surround sound experience. Franco makes it to Oz via tornado, like Dorothy in the 1939 film. Characters in the Kansas part of the film also do cameos in the Oz portion (for example, Braff and Williams). Producers snuck in the nuances of the classic characters, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Glinda does travel by bubbles. Williams wears a gingham dress in the film, the same pattern as Dorothy does. Munchkin-Landers do indeed sing and dance (or at least attempt to until James Franco cuts them off). The evil witches do indeed send flying monkeys upon the people of Oz to unleash havoc beyond what the 1939 film
Oz and doing as good of a job as he did. Although Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp were both offered the leading role, I think they would have been too old to bring the gentle charm Franco offers. The supporting actors and actresses were fit for the roles they portrayed. I was particularly impressed with Mila Kunis, as her presence in the film made her become a more versatile actress in my mind. While watching “Oz” I almost forgot that I was watching a Disney film. It is far from what I would expect Disney Studios to produce. However, at the same time, I wish Disney hadn’t made the movie because of the rights Warner Brothers have, since they would be legally capable of including certain nuances. “Oz” takes on a dark, mature persona that will keep audiences captivated.
Science & Health
14
April 8, 2013
Genetically Modified Food Ian Quinn
Contributing Writer
Since the inception of genetically modified organisms in 1972, the practice has evolved to encompass a vast plethora of living subjects. These subjects include microbes, plants, and animals. Microbes were the first organisms to be genetically altered and are typically utilized for the production of pure human proteins for use in medicine. Some benefits yielded by this process are the protein insulin for the treatment of diabetes, and human growth hormones to treat various forms of dwarfism. Genetic alterations within animals are most commonly imposed upon mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, and pigs. Modifications of the animal genome are often done to research human disease, and to enhance the food production in the field of industrial farming. The alteration of plant life has become one of the most controversial practices of our time. This is due to the fact that genetically modified crops present new challenges that relate directly to the health of the individual, and to the environment as a whole. Many of the food products that we as a society consume can no longer be considered ‘natural’ by any means. The objectives underlying the genetic engineering of crops include the resistance to herbicides, pests, and
harsh environmental conditions. While the initial aim of these alterations was to increase food production, they might have also compromised the inherent health, safety, and edibility of the produce itself.
no greater risk than the same foods made from crops modified by conventional plant breeding techniques.” Controversy still persists, however, regarding the safety of these crops due to the inadequacy of the
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has stated that “foods containing ingredients from genetically modified (GM) crops pose
testing process. Food derived from GMOs is not required to be tested on humans or animals before being put onto the market. It is difficult to design any meaningful
Zucchini Linguine Amanda Van Ryn
Managing editor
We all love pasta, but it’s not all that healthy for us, and we can’t have it all the time. My solution is zucchini linguine. Using zucchini to make pasta is a healthy alternative to having pasta itself and it’s also gluten-free! Total Time: 25 minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: 2 large green zucchini 2 large yellow squash 2 cloves of fresh garlic Marinara Sauce Parmesan Cheese Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions: First, find your cheese grater and look for the thickest side. After washing your veggies, grate all of the zucchini and yellow squash (with the skin on) long ways so you get long skinny pieces that look like linguine. Once you have all of the zucchini and squash grated, get a pan nice and hot and drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil. (Not too much! It’s just to saute the garlic!) Mince your garlic cloves over the pan and saute them in the olive oil. Now add all of the zucchini and squash to the pan and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes or until the liquids from the vegetables cook away. Depending on the vegetables you may have to drain some of the liquid from the pan. Next add your warm marinara sauce and mix well with the “pasta.” You can serve this as you would regular pasta and just have a bowl with some fresh parmesan cheese grated on top, or you can serve a smaller portion as a side for your meal. All you have to do next is enjoy your meal and feel proud of yourself for eating y o u r veggies!
clinical studies, for these products are not independent chemicals, nor are they intended for a set time or dosage. Corn, Soy, Cottonseed, Alfalfa, Papaya, Canola, and Sugar Beets are some of the most abundant GM crops in the United States. Even though one might not directly eat any of these foods on a regular basis, they are in fact constituents of many other products commonly consumed by the masses. For example: Corn and Soy are present in many processed foods, Cottonseed is used in vegetable oil, Alfalfa is fed to cattle, and more than half of all sugar sold in the U.S. comes from Sugar Beets. It is also important to note that no product being sold containing GM food will be labelled as such. Many corporations that produce GM food have successfully lobbied against the passing of a law which would require products made from GM food to be labelled. No indication of a product’s genetic state can be found on its packaging except to distinguish it as “non GMO”. Hopefully the information presented above will galvanize some independent investigation by those who choose to read this article. In my opinion it is best for the individual to educate themselves on matters affecting their personal health, as opposed to merely accepting at face value the information provided by any established institution.
Sports
16
April 8, 2013
What to Expect this MLB Season Devon Keane
age, the rebuilding Mets, and the team that no one wants to watch, the Miami Marlins. The NL Central will probably belong to Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds. Their scary offense and their even scarier pitching
Picture Credit: NY Yankees Official Facebook Page
The snow has finally melted, the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the baseball regular season has finally begun. After a long, frigid offseason, players have finished making final tune-ups at their respective Spring Training camps and are prepared to fight for a World Series ring. This year brings some new faces and many other old faces. The Houston Astros, a team with a payroll of only $18 million, have changed their management, uniforms, and have switched from the National League to the American League. However, owner Jim Crane hasn’t been shy to admit that it will be a long time before this young team becomes a playoff caliber team. Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Buster Posey, and Elvis Andrus are all presumably locked up with their teams for the rest of their career. The Toronto Blue Jays are a team of superstars and the Los Angeles Dodgers have become the Yankees of the West. How will last year’s Rookie of the Year Award winners Bryce Harper and Mike Trout perform in their sophomore season? Will the Yankees and Red Sox be contenders in this year’s playoff race? How will the Miami Marlins lure fans to come see their team that only holds one all-star, Giancarlo Stanton. This year will definitely be an interesting baseball season. It will be exciting when September rolls around and fans can enjoy the tight playoff races that will be overwhelmed by constant score updates. It will be hard to
Picture Credit: NY Yankees Official Facebook Page
Sports editor
predict the division and wildcard winners in the American and National League, but there are some divisions with teams who are definitely going to contend in this year’s playoffs. In the NL East, there are the Washington Nationals, presumably the best team in baseball right now, and also one of the youngest teams. This team is going to be a dominant force for a long time. There starting pitching is remarkable and their bullpen is fully loaded with their newest closer, Rafeal Soriano. If the Atlanta Braves can’t overcome the Nationals for the NL East division title, they will most likely win one of the Wild Card spots. Even without Chipper Jones, their strong offense is highlighted by Jason Heyward and Upton 1 and Upton 2. These two teams will be able to beat up on the Phillies’ old
rotation will compete with the Cardinals for the division title. Arnoldis Chapman will likely be a dominant force, whether he is a starting pitcher or the team’s closer. The Cardinals provide a significant challenge
for the Reds, but if Chris Carpenter doesn’t return to normal and their offense slumps like they did last year in the NLCS, this team could possibly just miss the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Pirates may see their first winning season in over 20 years but that will rely on A.J. Burnett’s performance. The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs seasons will be considered mediocre at best. In the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers could be mistaken for the National League All-Star Team. Their $215 million payroll is a clear statement that the Dodgers’ goal isn’t to be a contender; it’s to win the World Series. Anything under a championship will be considered failure. If all the pieces to the puzzle fit, this team will be practically unbeatable. Their offense is stacked and their plethora of starting pitching will outduel the San Francisco Giants’ pitching. The Giants however, looking to win their third championship in four years, will likely take the other wildcard spot of the NL. If the Diamondbacks can ride the season on pitchers Trevor Bauer and Jarrod Parker, they can also see themselves in the playoff mix. The AL East is arguable the division that is most up-for-grabs. Each team is easily capable of winning at least 90 games this season. The Toronto Blue Jays will likely make their first playoff appearance since 1992 this season if the superstar talent they received from the Marlins and Mets can coexist with each other. Just like it happened
in Boston and Miami, and just like it could happen in Los Angeles, having too many stars on one team doesn’t always work out. The Tampa Bay Rays have one of the best starting rotations in Baseball but lack a powerful offense. They could easily take one of the wild card spots if Wil Myers is productive in the middle of the order and Longoria stays healthy. As long as the Orioles continue to dominate in 1-run games, they could also be in the playoff mix. The Boston Red Sox and Yankees may finish the season in last and second to-last, or they also could finish in first and second. If old age doesn’t stump the Yankees and the Red Sox put 2011 and 2012 in their past, these two teams could dominant the East once again. The AL Central is easily one of the weakest divisions in the MLB. The Detroit Tigers will presumably take home the division title and possibly make it to the World Series again. Ace Justin Verlander and sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder make it hard for any other team to compete in this division. The Indians, Royals, Twins, and White Sox will all probably finish at least 7 games back behind the Tigers. In the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels added Josh Hamilton to their already potent offense with Albert Pujols and Mike Trout. Hollywood baseball will be extremely exciting this year, but the Dodgers are arguably the better team in LA. The Angels starting pitching isn’t as strong as the Dodgers but Cy Young contender Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson can both carry the team to a division title, as long as the Texas Rangers and last year’s miracle team the Oakland Athletics do not stand in their way. Even without Josh Hamilton, the Rangers will compete with the Athletics for the second wildcard spot in the AL. With the addition of Jason Bay and Kendrys Morales, Seattle bats slightly improve compared to last year, but they still may finish under .500. However, these four teams all get to beat up on the Houston Astros, who will likely lose over 100 games this year.