F08i4(oct 15)

TheRampage

Special Edition October 15, 2008

Toughest Job In The World Iraq. Wall Street.

Terrorism. Health Care. Social Security.

Afghanistan.

Putin.

Election ‘08 Foreclosures.

Ahmadinejad.

Bankruptcy.

Drilling.

Illegal Immigrants.

Deficit. Gay Marriage.

Abortion. Gas Prices.

MediCare. Bin Laden.

Renewable Energy. Nuclear Weapons. Civil Rights.

Debt. National Security. Partisanship. Outsourcing. Race.

Church and State. Pundits. China. Depression. Legacy.

Design by Joseph Rios

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Special Editon

October 15, 2008

Left: Sarah Palin speaks at a rally in Carson, CA on Oct 4.

Below: Palin and John McCain campaign in Wisconsin on Oct 8. Below Headline: Palin and her husband in front of 15,000 suppporters in Virginia. www.zimbio.com

‘SARAH BARRACUDA’

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Sarah Palin Exploded onto the Political Scene. However, Some Voters Still See a Question Mark.

by Jeannie Batey Rampage Reporter Alaska’s governor Sarah Palin is the first woman to run on the presidential ticket for the republican party.

Unlike Geraldine Ferraro, a Democrat selected to run for vice president back in 1984, Palin has a strong conservative record.

John McCain Republican presidential candidate described Palin as “someone with strong principles, a fighting spirit and deep compassion.” But who is she really?

There is an uncertainty about Palin’s qualifications to be president. According to an opinion poll taken by USA TODAY right after she was nominated, 39% say she is ready to serve as president if needed; 57% said Joe Biden was

qualified. Also, 33% say she isn’t ready for the presidency, and 29% have no opinion.

There are so many shifting images, sometimes when you look at Palin on the television it isn’t her at all.

It might be Tina Fey during one of the recent Saturday Night Live spoofs portraying Palin. So following her campaign to be vice president can get confusing; focus can be lost.

According to Palin’s biography on biography.com, she was born Sarah Louise Heath on February 11, 1964 in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Palin was raised in the small town of Wasilla, and she attended Wasilla High School.

Because of her intense playing style when she was on the girls’ champion basketball team, Palin

picked up the nickname “Sarah Barracuda”.

After graduating from high school in 1982, she was crowned Miss Wasilla in 1984 and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987.

Palin then married her high school sweetheart; and they now have five children. Palin entered politics in 1992 after the Wasilla City Council noticed Palin because of her opposition to tax hikes.

She has been the governor of Alaska for two years and was mayor of Wasilla Alaska for a total of ten years.

She has served as the President of Alaska Conference of Mayors and was also a City Council member from 1992 to 1996.

As mayor, Palin cut property taxes and successfully used

congressional earmarks, funds that are approved to be spent on specific projects. She collected $26.9 million in funding.

As governor she supported the “bridge to nowhere,” a bridge to a very remote community in Alaska. Palin supported it at first saying it was essential for local prosperity, but when she was criticized for it later she changed her mind claiming it was too expensive.

She passed a major tax increase on the production of state oil, and she made a promise to give some of the money back to the Alaskan people by giving them a $1,200 check.

Since Sarah Palin was picked as John McCain’s running mate, her debut was rocky. News about her 17-year-old daughter, both pregnant and unmarried was

the first thing shown on the news after the word of her being selected to run came out.

Then the media revealed that an attorney was hired to represent Palin in an investigation over a supposed abuse of power, and according to an article on CNN. com, Sarah Palin told Alaska reporters that she had been “cleared of any legal wrongdoing, any hint of unethical activity” in the investigation of her actions dismissing a state official who would not fire her ex-brother-in-law from his position in the state police.

A copy of the investigative report is on www.fresnocitycollegerampage.com.

While Palin can be seen as a puzzle under all the shifting images the media has portrayed, she describes herself as “just an average hockey mom in Alaska.”

October 15, 2008

Special Edition

Rampage 3

An American Tale

by Deshad Cato Rampage Reporter Barack Obama was born August 4th, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Obama, Sr., and Ann Dunham. His father, a black man from Kenya and his mother, a white American from Wichita, Kansas, met while attending the University of Hawaii.

They would stay together until a little after Barrack turned two. It was then that Obama Sr. left his family to attend Harvard University. Shortly there after, Barrack’s mother sought a divorce from Obama Sr. Obama’s father returned to Kenya to work for the government and only saw his son once before dying in an automobile accident in 1982. After the divorce, Dunham married Lolo Soetoro and moved the family to Indonesia in 1967, where Obama would live with his mother until he turned 10 years old.

He then returned to Honolulu to live with his grandparents from the fifth grade until his graduation from high school in 1979. Obama’s mother returned to Hawaii in 1972 and then back to Indonesia to continue her work.

In 1995, she died of ovarian cancer. Obama has described her last days as one of the most testing times in his life. He said, “Towards the end of her life, my mother worried more about paying her medical bills than getting better.”

After graduating from high school, Obama moved on to Los Angeles where he studied at Occidental College. He then transferred to Columbia University in New York City where he majored in political science with a specialization in international relations. Obama graduated with

a B.A. from Columbia in 1983, and then worked for a year at the Business International Corporation before turning his attention to the New York Public Interest Research Group.

After four more years in New York, Obama finally moved to Chicago where he became the director of Developing Communities Project (DCP), a churchbased community organization in Chicago’s far South Side. In his book “The Audacity Of Hope,” Obama described his work there as “humbling” and one of the best examples of working with the people he had ever had.

His accomplishments during that time included helping set up job training programs, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants’ rights organization.

Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for the Gamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.

Obama entered Harvard Law School in 1988, and towards the end of his first year became an editor of the Harvard Law Review.

In his second year, he was elected to be the president of the Law Review, a position functioning as editor-in-chief and supervising the Law Review’s staff of eighty plus editors.

Obama’s election as the first black president of the Law Review was widely reported and followed by several long, detailed profiles. After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991, he returned to Chicago.

Obama was then elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as senator from Illinois’ 13th district. Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics and health care laws. He sponsored

a law increasing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.

In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican Governor Ryan’s payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home foreclosures.

Obama was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, and again in 2002.

On January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee. He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detain. The legislation made Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.

In mid-2002, Obama began considering a run for the U.S. Senate. He received over 52% of the vote in the March 2004 primary, emerging 29% ahead of his nearest Democratic rival and would go on to defeat Alan Keys by a landslide.

During his time as a Senator Obama has sponsored 136 bills, two of which have become law, and co-sponsored 619. The bills that he’s sponsored vary greatly, from energy to the war in Iraq.

In July 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

Obama spoke about wanting to change the U.S. government’s economic and social priorities.

He questioned the Bush administration’s management of the Iraq War and highlighted America’s obligations to its soldiers.

Drawing examples from U.S. history, he was also highly critical of the way both parties had divided the American people. He said, “There is not a liberal Amer-

Young Obama with his grandfather. ica and a conservative America; there is only the United States of America.”

Many people saw this as the start of Barack’s presidential

GoogleImages

aspirations.

Those speculations would turn out to be true, as Barack announced his intention to run for president on February 10, 2007.

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Special Edition

October 15, 2008

Q&A With Fresno Mayoral Candidates

www.ashley4mayor.com

Ashley Swearengin

by Pedro Quintana Rampage Reporter Q:What sets you apart from Henry T. Perea, that college students should be aware of ?

A: It really goes back to who’s really got the experience and the skills necessary to do this job. I have been working the private sector of undergraduate, graduate degree in business. Left the private sector ten years ago, and dedicated my career to doing whatever I could to help improve this economy, knowing that we will see a lot of things improve such as our crime rate, and education attainment, I really think when it comes down to who can really get the job done and I think my experience proves that I’m the better choice.

Q:One of your goals is to work with community colleges on job training on campus, how would that affect students on getting a job around the community?

A: Well we know from research in Fresno county, there are thousands of jobs that are going unfilled in our city and our county because of the miss match between the skills that those people who are looking for work and skills that are required for those jobs. We know that most of the research is done specifically in the area that don’t require a BA degree they simply required a technical skill or some kind of community college level training. Expanding vocational training at Fresno City College means that people have more opportunity for jobs that available in Fresno, it creates more opportunities for people in Fresno.

Q: State Assembly members Juan

Arambula, Mike Villines, and FCOE Superindent Larry Powell have endorsed your campaign, why do you think they endorsed your campaign instead of your Opponent ‘s ?

A: Well I think they see I have a proven track record of job creation, executive experience, a lot of professional experience outside politics, I think they appreciate that I’m independent from the politics of the past, and they see I’m really focus on Fresno and what needs to happen in this city at this point and time. I’m not looking at this as advance as a political career.

Q: Poverty is a major issue in Fresno, what steps would you take as mayor to help solve the problem?

A: Fresno high concentration of poverty is the single based reason why I’m running for mayor it has been my pursuit over the last decade is to do everything I can do to help grow local jobs and to get the people the training they need to get them the jobs. Poverty Plan- A balance with working with local companies, adding additional vocational education, improving transportation service, expanding the earn income tax credit. “ the bottom line it is going to take all of us of Fresno, no institution, no leader, no community group consider out, we have to all work together to attack concentrated poverty in our city because it is hurting all of us” Q: Would you consider a late night bus route for Fresno residents?

Answer: Certainly would consider it, I think it just depends on rider ship, we want all these service available, we just have to have the resources for this.

I’ve been hearing a lot of employers and employees that run a late night shift, but definitely would consider it.

Henry T. Perea

Photo by Chris Alaniz

by Alexis Abrahamson Rampage Reporter Q: With energy costs soaring and the economy sinking, what can you do as mayor to bring alternative energy such as solar panels for everyday homes and as well as making it affordable?

A: “A way we can make solar energy affordable is through rebates. As of now whoever decides to use solar energy, the government gives $2,000 for the costs.

If they would add another $2,000 on top of it, more people would start using the alternatives. You could end up saving $12,000 in electricity bills just by switching over.”

Q: Are you for or against the idea of building a new nuclear power plant in Fresno?

A: “I am completely against the idea.”

Q: What are your plans to improve Fresno’s sustainability?

A: “We definitely need more green house buildings, use more renewable energy, more public transportation buses that are eco friendly, and to clean up our air quality. I grew up in the generation where we could never see the mountains; all we can see is the smog in the air. For Fresno to have the third dirtiest air quality in the nation, it is a serious issue that needs to be taken care of.”

Q:What is your standing on proposition 8? (not allowing same sex marriage) A: “I am opposed to proposition 8. It is all about the equality. I was raised Catholic, but people forget that the constitution gives rights to people. To take those rights away from anyone is wrong.”

Q:Do you have any plans on bringing more jobs to Fresno?

A: “We need to bring more green jobs, engineering, and architect work to Fresno. We also need to have more job training available for the jobs that we already have. Having job training in schools can also allow students to get trained for jobs they can do with their hands to prepare them in the future if they decide not to go to college and instead work right out of school.

Q;Why should a Fresno City College student vote for you?

A: “ I would like to put more entertainment in Fresno so that people can have something to do here. In the Cultural Arts district I would like to restore the area, fix up the buildings, put in some restaurant’s, stores and have local artist decorate the area. It could become a more urban Tower District. I believe that I have the capacity and the ability to do that more progressively.

“Having job training in schools can also allow students to get trained for jobs they can do with their hands to prepare them in the future if they decide not to go to college and instead work right out of school.”

Henry T. Perea

Volume CXV1, edition 4

Since 1949

FCC celebrates homecoming week

ASG cites low voter participation in student government elections

By Tim Limbrick Rampage Reporter

- Student interests at stake Image courtesy of google.com

FCC’s Associated Student Government

By Patrick Willey Rampage Reporter The Associated Student Government is mobilizing in its effort to get Fresno City College students actively involved in the student government.

ASG is looking for committed representatives to fill up to ten open positions said ASG president Danielle Valdez. Any student can join, as long as he or she is taking nine credits here at FCC. Of the 11 sitting members, eight of them are fresh off the block. “The work is very satisfying and also fun because our group of people are awesome and fun,” said first year Senator Tonay Thomas.

One of the ASG’s biggest concerns is the lack of student participation on a campus with a lot of issues.

“Most students aren’t aware we even have a student government,” said Valdez. She added, “Our goal, right now, is to raise awareness.”

Speaking about the low rate of participation, Executive Vice President Sandeep Maan said, “Unfortunately, that means our student body is not aware of their future leaders and also do not know what is happening on this campus. It is their responsibility to vote if they want better facilities and a good environment on campus.”

Right now, the two major issues on the ASG agenda is the participation to create a cleaner campus, and a resolution for the on-campus parking situation.

ASG would like to add

more to a short list; they would also like to be able to knock things off the top of it, but with the organized student vote at an all time low in turnout, and the existing attitude of neglect among students has contributed toward a downward trend in the student government’s effectiveness.

This May’s student election saw all time lows in voter turnout.

Less than one per cent of the student body showed up at the polls in the runoff to the initial presidential election which resulted in a tie for the first time in the history of FCC. Valdez wound up beating incumbent Vice President Lisa Kooiman by a count of 85-53.

Danielle Valdez was not the typical candidate for ASG president. For one thing, she’s a 42-year-old woman. For another, she’s employed with FCC. Nevertheless she feels she provides the insight that will allow her to be a successful president.

“I went here in 1983. I know what Fresno City College was then, and I know what it is now. I wanted to get into politics this time around, because I never had heard of the benefits when I was here. I want students to know we’re here to help them,” she said.

Valdez won a highly contested victory in the runoff in May. Her opponent, 19-year-old Lisa Kooiman is back as a senator. She returns as an unlikely veteran in this year’s ASG. “A lot of responsibilities tend to land on my shoulders due to having so many people involved with student government. It is somewhat of a tiring process, and

October 15, 2008

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

it requires lots of patience,” said Kooiman.

Aside from Kooiman, there are two other officers that provide some experience. They are 20year-old Executive Vice President Sandeep Maan, and 19-year-old Student Trustee Natalie Nelson, both of them elected to their respective positions last May. Maan is in charge of balancing the student budget among other things.

Nelson serves as a liaison to the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees. Both of them are doing all they can to reign in a motivated, but inexperienced group.

A contribution to the ASG that cannot be underestimated is the diversity that eleven individuals bring to the table. Maan came to the states four years ago from India. Rookie senator Sergey Saluschev hails from Russia.

“Equality and diversity go hand in hand. Compared to last year’s student government we are a lot more diverse, and thankfully we all treat each other as individuals,” said Kooiman.

ASG is a productive microcosm on this campus. What ASG wants to change is the neglectful attitude of the majority of the student body. The ASG’s concern for FCC students is disproportionate to the self-awareness of the student body. It is more in balance with the student body’s unwillingness to seek a unified sense of purpose.

Until the student body is willing to become a powerful force for change, the ASG will continue to struggle against the mainstream, self-orientated, campus consciousness.

Body paint and boom sticks signal the launch of the homecoming kick-off. With confetti in the air and the noise of the crowd cheering from behind, one can’t but help admire the week that led to this day, a day that only comes once a year.

Fresno City College Homecoming week runs October 20 - 25.

Fun-filled events include spirit rallies and a shopping cart float challenge.

Homecoming tailgate festivities start on Oct. 25 at 4:30 p.m. on the soccer field next to Ratcliffe Stadium. Later, the FCC Rams will play against College of the Sequoias. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m.

Tickets for this year’s game can be purchased in the college

activities office which is located next to the cafeteria. The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “Rams go for the Gold.” FCC activities office encourages students to get involved in college activities and have some fun and gain a lot of school spirit.

What is Homecoming without royalty? FCC students will be able to elect their very own king and queen.

This year’s competition includes Kava Myers, Anthony Jones, Cleshay Battle, Josie Gonzales, Chance Sigala, Melissa Farsakian, William Spain, and Jessica Quirez. All candidates attended a mandatory meeting on Oct. 14, where they learned the rules and regulations of the campaign.

Voting for homecoming royalty will be held for three days, Oct 21-23, around the main water fountain.

Senate Notes

By Mark Smith

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Rampage Reporter On October 8, the academic senate met for its bi-weekly meeting.

Below are some of the key issues discussed.

• Flu shots are available in the health building for $15.

Only students and staff may receive these shots.

• A survey will be developed for staff and students to describe what services they would like to be provided on campus. Look for that in the future.

• A basic skills coordinator to act as an Early Alert counselor was discussed. This program now means that students having problems can be referred by their teacher to a counselor to help them focus on their specific needs.

This will please students because instead of a letter being sent to their family about their failing grades, they will receive help from a councilor first.

• On October 25 the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned. Nominations concluded October 10.

• Solar power is being looked into for development on campus. Currently the plan would be to allow a large company to purchase the equipment and set it up, then charge the school for electricity at a much lower rate.

• The Fresno City Associated Student Government (ASG) now has a website for event promotions and information. Visit www.myspace.com/fccasg

News Rampage members attend JACC conference

6 Rampage

By Joseph Boone Rampage Reporter The Fresno City College Rampage staff attended the North Californian Journalism Association of Community Colleges conference Saturday. The Rampage received General Excellence for print and online publication, as well as a Meritorious Award for in-depth reporting for the ‘Green’ issue published last semester.

Editor-in-chief Joseph Rios won five awards, including two fourth places and three honorable mentions, and last semester’s entertainment editor Cody Gless also received an award for his opinion story on the military’s on-campus recruiting practices.

The conference took place at California State University San Jose with “New Journalism: We have seen the future and it looks a lot like Starbucks” as the keynote address.

As San Jose State professors Cynthia McCune and Steve Sloan discussed how the internet is changing the media landscape, a flock of photographers hurriedly took photos to submit for the on-the-spot photo competition.

Meanwhile, the audience at large, full

of journalists from California’s northern community colleges listened attentively, for all writing competitions were based on the keynote address as well.

The speakers discussed how new programs like twitter, a program designed to support many short-bulletin posts from many users, are being used in conjunction with other mediums, like video, to allow users to do such things as comment on a political debate in a blog-like fashion as the debate is being watched, with posts appearing like subtitles to the video.

The speakers then said that the future of media is in a way like going to Starbucks because an individual can choose to a relatively specific degree what he or she would like. Be it grande, with cinnamon, hard-line conservative or a third party, the future of media caters to niche groups who know exactly what they want.

At the conclusion of the keynote address, students dispersed to the many workshops and competitions like The Power of Photojournalism: Why National Geographic Magazine Still Rocks and Voices for Justice: The Enduring Legacy of the Latino Press in the U.S. The conference ended at 4:30 p.m. when students boarded buses back to their respective colleges.

The Three Sopranos

October 15, 2008

TheRampage Fresno City College’s Premier Student-Run Publication

Reporters:

Editors: Production Manager: Joseph A. Rios News Editors: Joseph Boone and Ivette Lopez Views Editor: Deshad Cato Entertainment Editor: John Esquivel Photo Editor: Ramiro Gudino Sports Editor: David Malagon Business Manager: Leah Edwards Online Editor: Jeannie Batey Adviser: Dympna Ugwu-Oju

RAMPAGE FRESNO CITY COLLEGE 1101 E. UNIVERSITY AVE. FRESNO, CA 93741 (559) 442-8262 Fax (559) 265-5783 Editor In Chief: rampage-editor@ fresnocitycollege.edu Rampage Business Office: rampage-business@ fresnocitycollege.edu Advisor: dympna.ugwuoju@fresnocitycollege.edu

Jeannie Batey, Ivette Lopez, Joseph Boone, Deshad Cato, John Esquivel, Kristen Petros, Melissa Ramirez, Danali Alvarado, Andre Ramirez, Stephen Flores, Pedro Quintana, Alexis Abrahamson, Amalia Deel, Brendon Mustaciola, Ramiro Gudino, Sebouh Simonian, Chris Alaniz, Tim Limbrick, David Malagon, Patrick Willey, David De Leon

About Us:

The Rampage is an award-winning newspaper published biweekly by the Fresno City College Journalism 4 & 5 programs and is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Views expressed in The Rampage are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Fresno City College, its students, administration or the State Center Community College District.

Letters to the editor and submissions to the calendar will be accepted via e-mail or in person 12 noon - 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at The Rampage, Room SC- 211, above the bookstore. Please keep all letters to a maximum of 500 words along with contact information.

Classifieds TUTOR WANTED!!

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

In Adobe Premier Pro and or Final Cut. Must have recently completed GRC 27 CALL Marcus at 896-1817 LEAVE MESSAGE

FRESNO ECKANKAR religion of the light and sound

Photos by Ramiro Gudino

Vocal instructors Rebecca Sarkisian, Kathy Barba and Julie Dana performed as “The Three Sopranos”on October 3, 2008. Proceeds from the performance go towards a scholarship to be awarded to FCC vocal students in the spring.

Those interested in making donations can contact Julie Dana at 442-6500 Ext. 8465

Have you had a spirtitual experience?

Attend this fascinating FREE workshop. Discover what your inner expereiences really mean., connect with other like-minded souls, and learn new ways for exploring your inner worlds.

Sunday, November 2nd, 1-3pm, Rodeway Inn, 6730 N. Blackstone Ave. (at Herndon)

October 15, 2008

Entertainment Rampage 7

Politics goes Hollywood How your favorite celebrities are helping out with this year’s election

by John Esquivel Rampage Reporter

support of McCain as well as Clint Eastwood, Dennis Miller, and John Rich of Big and Rich.

There is even the case of Barack Obama and John McCain becoming celebrities themselves.

The McCain campaign released a video that criticized Obama’s ce-

There is no argument that celebrities and cultural figures can play a big role in ths election. lebrity status and placed him with the likes of “mindless� celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Companies and businesses are reaching individuals with celebrity- like status. Clothing companies American Apparel and Obey are currently marketing

THA – SF

In today’s world, it is no surprise that politicians are looking towards celebrities and public figures to reach the young, the old, and the undecided. Politicians have always looked to these figures for help, but their presence in this election seems to play a stronger role now more than ever.

Who would have known in the last election that in only four years some people would be looking to bloggers like Perez Hilton, text messaging, and Myspace bulletins for information regarding this presidential election. Mixing this media and politics gives a whole new platform to those constantly on television and iPods.

There is no argument that celebrities and cultural figMcCain with supporter Daddy Yankee ures can play a big role in this songs to show their support. Coelection. Their endorsements median Sarah Silverman made a are all the push that politicians video in support of Barack Obama, need to fill their desired roles. urging Jewish people to tell their For example, Oprah Winfrey, grandparents who live in Florida host of her own show that reaches to vote for Obama. millions daily, publicly appeared John McCain has cewith Barack Obama. lebrity supporters of his own.

There is no doubt that Ex-Everybody Loves Raymond these images touched those who star, Patricia Heaton claimes that are fans of Ms. Winfrey. She there is a whole underground of was able to reach those who were John McCain supporters in Holnot sure who they were going lywood.

Musician Gretchen to vote for and even those who Wilson is open about her support didn’t care. and performed at the RepubliThe Democratic presican National Convention. Burt dential candidate is having a field Bacharach and Daddy Yankee day with his endorsements. Ceare also standing behind McCain. lebrities such as Robert Downey While most young celebrities in Jr., Chris Rock, and Usher are Hollywood back Barack Obama, supporting Obama. Musicians The Hills and Laguna Beach star, like The Hush Sound and The Heidi Montag, has expressed her Black Eyed Peas have written

marriage, is shut down.

Ellen DeGeneres, who is married to actress Portia De Rosi, has stated numerous times on her daily talk show that people need to be open minded and vote No on Prop 8.

Vegetarian celebrities are becoming spokespeople for Proposition 2, a proposition that would prohibit the confinement of farm animals, allowing them to move around, lie down, stand up, and extend their limbs.

There is currently a video featuring Hillary Duff, Just Friends star Amy Smart, Ed Asner, and Russel Simmons detailing the benefits of Prop 2.

They claim that this proposition will also benefit small farmers and will help keep land and water supply’s clean.

Actor Martin Sheen (who comes from a family that has been notorious for its drug use), has been making news by features.csmonitor.com urging California Citizens to vote shirts that endorse Obama’s face. no on Proposition 5. This bill Ben & Jerry’s ice cream com- would ease punishment to those pany is currently traveling across charged with drug related crimes. country handing out scoops of He joins the likes of former Gov“Cherries For Change� ice cream ernor Gray Davis, MADD, and in support of Obama. the California District Attorney California propositions Association. Sheen claims that are also an important issue to Cali- Proposition 5 takes away the programs which help drug users get clean.

In the end, it is up to the voters to decide who to vote for, but many people are very interested in what those in the spotlight fornian celebrities. The opinions have to say. The world of politics on this proposition is, compared to has become a who’s who of supthe other propositions this election, porters and rivals. just Publication as popular as one’s choice for Size Instead of people looking Run Date(s) president. Brad Pitt and Angelina to politicians for their opinions, 2col xsome 5� are looking to their10/15 JolieRAMPAGE have stated that they will favorite not tie the knot until Proposition celebrities.

8, which may potentially ban gay

For your chance to win a free pass, good for two, to see in theaters, stop by the office of the

RAMPAGE (Room 211 above the FCC bookstore)

Fresno City College Bookstore

on Wednesday, October 15 between the hours of 1:00-5:00 PM.

This film is rated R. Run-of-engagement passes received through this promotion do not guarantee admission to the theatre. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Theatre is open to paying customers. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of tickets assumes any and all risks related to use of ticket and accepts any restrictions required by ticket provider. Lionsgate, Terry Hines & Associates, The RamPage and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of a prize. Tickets cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. We are not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her ticket in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary.

Participating sponsors their employees & family members and their agencies are not eligible. NO PHONE CALLS!

NOW PLAYING!

Initial

8 Rampage

Entertainment

Clockwise from left: Band members Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer below.

October 15, 2008

www.myspace.com/shinytoyguns

‘Shiny Toy Guns’ Shoot Poison

The Exit offers an intimate venue for eager fans

T

By Kristen Petros

he Shiny Toy Guns’ Season of Poison tour made a stop in Fresno on Oct. 2, marking their last month of an international tour, stopping all over America, Canada, and England. The Shiny Toy Guns were founded in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2002 by Jeremy Dawson (bassist/keyboardist) and Chad Petree (vocalist/guitarist). And since their formation they have soared to the top.

They have had four songs in the top 30 of the US Modern Rock Charts (Le Disko in 2006, You Are the One in 2007, Rainy Monday in 2007, and Ricochet! in 2008), and in 2007 were nominated for a Grammy Award for their album We Are Pilots.

The blends of their melodic voices, synthesizers, and pop rock beats have created a sound unlike any other, and their creative lyrics make them even more unique.

Over the course of six years, The Shiny Toy Guns have won the hearts of millions of fans not only all over America, but across Canada and the UK as well.

“I’ve built a strong relationship with a lot of the strongest agents throughout the U.S.” says Tim Gardea, the promoter for this concert, “I booked [The Shiny Toy Guns] at the Exit because it’s the only all ages venue in town.”

Gardea, who has been promoting shows for upwards of 15 years, said he does it because he’s “always been a big fan of music.” Gardea gets

the word out about his shows using many popular websites. “Myspace is a major part of my marketing, along with radio, canvassing, and newspaper print.”

Anybody who has been to The Exit understands how intimate the venue is for a concert.

The place is very small, and when bands such as The Shiny Toy Guns attract such a large audience the crowd is very compacted.

At the concert everyone was standing shoulder to shoulder, but that didn’t stop many people from dancing to the music.

The names of the three opening bands weren’t made very public, but they were all very talented. One of the opening bands, White Apple Tree, was a three man band with hardly any lyrics, but a great sound.

Many people had to leave the room during White Apple Tree’s performance due to their strobe light effect infused with their keyboardist’s playing. Though the effect was exciting, it was too much for most people to handle and they had to choose to enjoy the music from afar.

The Shiny Toy Guns played an incredible one hour set and included songs off of their new album. The band also included some old songs such as Don’t Cry Out, and Le Disko.

The Shiny Toy Guns just took on a new singer, Sisely Treasure, who replaced Carah Faye Charnow. Even though she hasn’t been a part of The Shiny Toy Guns since the beginning, Treasure was able to sing the songs very well.

All in all their performance and music were great, and they definitely were able to make the most of the tiny space they were performing in.

October 15, 2008

Entertainment

Rampage 9

Clockwise From Left: Cecily Cardew and Algernon Moncrieff.

Gwendolyn Fairfax speaks opposite Cardew.

Below: Jack Worthing and Fairfax.

O

scar Wilde would be proud of Janine Christl’s wonderfully funny production of The Importance of Being Earnest in the Fresno City College’s theatre.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a British play that concerns a young man named Jack Worthing who goes by Jack in the country and Ernest in the town. Jack’s friend, Algernon Moncrieff, also pretends to have a friend, Bunbury, who calls on Algernon whenever he needs to escape high society.

Jack becomes engaged to Algernon’s cousin, Gwendolyn, who seems to love him only because she believes his name is “Ernest”.

When Algernon discovers Jack’s deception, he uses it for his own entertainment and visits Jack in the country, pretending he is Jack’s adventurous brother, Ernest, and falls in love with Jack’s eighteen year-old niece, Cecily. Deception after deception complicates this masterfully ironic comedy of errors.

The production boasts a wonderful cast of opposites whose chemistry complements each other perfectly. The big booming personality of Kenn Arola as Jack balances out the comparatively small-statured Jarod Caitlin as the wittily sarcastic Algernon.

Gabriela Lawson as the proudly self-assured Gwendolyn balances Ashley Hyatt’s charmingly cheery Cecily. Even the servants Lane and Merriman (played by Sam Munger and Eric Armstrong respectively) utter their sly quips in balancing merriment. The chemistry between seasoned actors Tim Quinn as the affable Rev. Chasuble and Laurie Gambero as the strict schoolteacher Miss Prism is remarkable.

Janine Chistl’s directing is not detectable upon first viewing, which is a grand compliment; the acting style, tone, and visuals all seem so natural to the universe created by the play. Any musical cues are too subtle to even remember. The world she created fits together so well that any directorial choice is not detectable.

The scenic design is elegantly simple, flavored with warm color schemes of blues and reds, which harkens back to Victorian watercolors.

The play mainly consists of two principal sets, the town house and the country house, both of which are fairly straight forward and not too complicated as to distract the audience from the performance. The costumes were nothing groundbreaking but natural enough to fit the style of the show.

If the Victorian setting of the show puts anyone off, be not afraid; the show is very relatable to a modern audience. Wilde is not Shakespeare; the jokes, characters and plot are much easier to understand for the general audience, especially this rendition.

Final Grade: A

Story by Brendon Mustaciola

Photos by Ramiro Godino

Wilde’s Work Shines

10 Rampage

Juan Williams warns

News

FCC of the ‘sleeping pill’

By Brandon Alexander Rampage Reporter Fox News and National Public Radio political analyst Juan Williams addressed the campus of Fresno City College on Thursday, bringing with him conviction and a clear vision for America’s youth.

“Don’t let them sell you the sleeping pill,” was the main message as Williams delivered an inspiring and spiritual speech titled “America Picks a President.”

For a very long time, according to Williams, voting was the very last thing on the minds of young adults in America. As a result, American youth have historically been ignored during presidential campaigns. In the wake of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, according to the Center for Research and Information on Civic Learning and Engagement, Photos by Ramiro Gudino many more youth are participating Juan Williams fields questions. in the political process.

“There are people out there that try to sell you a sleeping pill and tell you that you they’re about to make a difference.”

Williams made the case that the older can’t make a difference,” he said. generation is the one that takes action such Williams attempted to cure the “my as watching the news, reading it, giving vote doesn’t count” syndrome that many money to political campaigns and getting American youth seem to have, saying that involved in the political process. This means people who get involved in the political that their issues are the issues, and that those process and people who vote do in fact make of the youth and young adults have been a difference. secondary.

“You’d better believe that we “You don’t vote,” explained Wilwouldn’t have the choice between Barack liams, “so politicians don’t have to pay Obama and Senator McCain if it were attention.” simply a matter of leaving it up to the old Williams said emphatically, “It’s political establishment in this country,” said your decision, your mistake.”

Williams to the crowd.

FCC student Brian Errington, 19, In a press conference held shortly who attended the speech, said he was esbefore the speech, Williams also pointed pecially touched by Williams’ words. “I out that the bulk of Obama’s support in the felt really bad after the speech was over,” Democratic primaries came from young Errington admitted, “I’ve definitely got to white people. This was during a time when go get registered!”

Obama’s “Blackness” was being questioned Williams also addressed the women throughout the African tAmerican comin attendance pointing out that there has munity. been an incredible shift in political power and asked them to pay attention to the fact that campaigns have been targeting networks and shows with large female audiences. “Women who get out and vote are going to determine the outcome of this election,” said Williams.

Williams also spoke of his involvement with Nelson Mandela and highlighted Mandela’s accomplishments telling students, “I hope that you don’t swallow the sleeping pill that not only steals your energy, but steals your potential to make a difference and to be a voice in this Juan Williams inspires FCC students. election.”

Williams discussed the Montgomery Williams even credited Obama’s bus boycott of the ‘50s, and the example of candidacy largely to the involvement of Rosa Parks and the women’s political counAmerican youth. “If it weren’t for young cil saying, “People who come together and people who really identified with his ideals organize, who realize their own power are and have become a part of his campaign, the ones who make a difference.”

Barack Obama would not be the Democratic Williams even invoked the memory party nominee.” of the late Dr. Martin Luther King saying Throughout his speech, Williams “The power that exists when we come urged students to pay attention to the issues together brings the spirit of Dr. King to and think of themselves in reference to the life.” election. He stressed that we’re at a pivotal Williams delivered a powerful and point in history and that politics is a “hard moving speech. His words will undoubtedly ball game.” put politics and the election on the minds of “You have the potential to be agents those who heard them. “This is much more of change starting with this election,” Wilthan a race between two individuals; it’s reliams told those students in attendance, “You ally a map of who we are as Americans.” have to be the kind of people that know

October 15, 2008

October 15, 2008

Sports

Rampage 11

Mendocino takes a shutout FCC Men’s Tennis take first

by Chris Alaniz

by David Malagon Sports Editor The FCC women’s soccer team dominated and delivered a shut out game against Mendocino College on Friday October 7. The weather was sticky, hot and the energy could not have been more aggressive and on point from both the team and the crowd.

Screams and chants from Fresno City College fans erupted throughout the game, especially each time FCC scored and kept the opposing team from even coming close to a possible goal. It created an atmosphere that seemed to captivate and hypnotize FCC fans.

From the moment the clock started, the ladies took no time to destroy and conquer Mendocino College. Within the first two minutes of the game FCC’S #7 Britney Quiroz demonstrated perfection with an amazing kick that allowed the team to have the first goal of the game with a smooth assist by #3 Denise Hernandez.

From that point on the Rams brought the heat to Mendocino College by scoring 4 goals by the end of the first half. #3 Denise Hernandez followed up with the second goal of the game and to finish up the first half FCC’s # 21 Dree Coleman scored two goals back to back. Mendocino trailed FCC 4-0.

FCC kept their pace and capitalized every

chance they could by allowing the opposition no room to execute on the field. During half time Head Coach Germond gathered his team together and talked strategy, but clearly there was no need for a pep talk.

The ladies had the fire in their eyes and it was obvious that the Rams would continue to dominate Mendocino effortlessly. About four minutes into the second half FCC quickly started scoring, #7 Britney Quiroz delivered once again with an assist by FCC mid fielder #4 Cassandra Rodela. Exactly two minutes later Rodela scored a goal, allowing FCC plenty of time to maneuver and visualize the next play freely. From that point on two more goals were perfectly executed, the final goal was scored by FCC mid fielder #14 Alex Rivas with a fast and clear assist by FCC mid fielder #8 Mary Perez, whom scored just minutes earlier.

At the end of the game Coach Germond said, “It’s always nice to pick up a win.” Assistant coach, Drew Mattos continued on by saying “I thought we did a great job. When we play teams like this we need to shut them out.”

After the field cleared the ladies joined each other at the sidelines and bowed down to FCC fans as a thank you for their love and support in triumph of their victory, a majority of the crowd rose to their feet and clapped as the ladies made their way off the field.

Wrestlers pin the competition

by Pedro Quintana Rampage Reporter The Fresno City College wrestling team hosted its first home game of the season to West Valley City College. The rams entered the Fresno City College gymnasium with cheers from fans in the stands. The Rams went seven matches with West Valley. The first game started with FCC wrestler Alfonso Sanchez facing opponent Carlos, in less than twenty minutes Alfonso won the first match taking FCC to a 6-0 lead.

Matt Cox entered the match with one thing on his mind, to take his opponent down.

Cox slammed his opponent to the wrestling mat, not letting him come on top. Justin Walker was next for his face off with West Valley wrestler Ernie Vasquez. In the first few minutes Walker had no problem holding Vasquez down.

Trying to get a pin, Vasquez got the momentum and had a reversal with Walker. In the last few minutes Walker came back on top, winning his match with Ernie Vasquez from West Valley.

next match against Robert Carlin and Tyler Loney from Sierra took a little more time for Bessinger and Bartos taking the win 6,2 – 6,3. In the semifinal match it was Mike Penz and Andrew Swart from American River loosing to the Rams 6,2 – 6,2.

The final match was another battle of the Rams, Jose Hilla and Troy Kellenberger Lost to Hank Bessinger and Micher Bartos 4,6 – 6,3 – 7,6. Hilla and Kellenberger breezed through the matches to the final.

Their first match against Tommy Carter and Eric Garner from Reedley College was easily won 6,2 – 6,0. The next round Hilla and Kellenberger kept their pace of hard serving, defeating their teammates Tim Blackwell and Jake Cavanaugh 6,1 – 6,1.

The semifinal was a short match against Santa Rosa’s Micheal Fisher and Brendan Kuhlman retiring 4,6 - 1,0. For Steve Loop’s first season he took 3 players to State Nico Ernst, Hank Bessinger, and Jose Hilla.

The Big eight conference tournament was merely a practice for the Rams defeating their opponents in straight sets, They also won their conference and Nor Cals. The Regional tournament was were the rams had some turbulence, Hank Bessinger lost in the semifinals against Foothill’s Hopkins 6,3 – 6,3. Jose Hilla lost by default because of an injury against Hopkins.

Rampage Reporter The men’s tennis team won during the off season in the ITA northern California regional tournament at their home courts. Jose Hilla won the tournament with each opponent not getting more than two games per set. His first match he defeated Ron Hopper of American River 6,0 – 6,1.

After his first match it was a domino effect he defeated Tommy Carter from Reedley College 6,0 - 6,1, then it was on to the semifinal round where he defeated Micheal Fisher from Santa Rosa college 6,1 - 6,2.

The Final round was a battle of the Rams with Aaron Cuadros loosing 6,0 – 6,0 to Hilla. Cuadros had some tough rounds with defeating Lane Bacchi from American River 7,5 – 6,4.

His second and third match were 3 setters, where he defeated Robert Carlin from Sierra 4,6 – 6,1 – 6,3. The semifinal match was another tough match defeating Andrew swart from American River 3,6 – 6,4 – 6,4. The doubles matches were the same result, where the Rams came out on top. Hank Bessinger and Micher Bartos won each match within two sets until the final match. Their first match was against American River’s Lane Bacchi and Nguyen Bui, where the Rams won 6,0 – 6,1. The FCC rams did not let West Valley score, in their first four matches. Entering their fifth match the rams were winning 16-0, but that quickly changed with a defeat of Rams wrestler Abel Espinoza, being pined by his opponent from West Valley College.

West Valley got on the board with six points changing the score to 22-6, West Valley needed the momentum to get back in the game, but failed in the last two matches. Fresno City College 2006 State Champion Angle Olea (125lbs) was up for his match, giving his opponent no time to

think of his next move. Olea was quick and fast, winning his match.

FCC wrestlers defeated West Valley College 41-6, “We did a good job, we only lost one match tonight, guys wrestled tough tonight,” said Coach Keysaw.

“It was an awesome match, Fresno City pulled it through again,” said Melaine Burzych.

“They’ve doing really good, they look good; I think they have a good chance this year.”

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Since 1975, DeVry has graduated more than 230,000 students at the undergraduate level.

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If you have some college, you can complete your bachelor’s degree in DeVry University’s accelerated courses. Classes start soon, so discover the education that is helping Michelle build a future she can be proud of.

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October 15, 2008

Views

He Saw It Coming

roguejew.wordpress.com

Obama anticipated right-wing fear tactics.

Unfortunately, his forecasts came true

by Marcell Dilworth Rampage Reporter Barack Obama played the race card in a speech he made in Springfield Mo. on July 23, 2008.

He said “Nobody really thinks that Bush or McCain has any answers to the challenges we face, so what they are going to try to do is make you scared… of me.” He went on to state his oppnents will say, “‘You know, he is not patriotic enough; he’s got a funny name; he doesn’t look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills; he is risky…’ That is essentially the argument they’re making.”

I prefaced this story by saying that Obama played the race card because John McCain’s campaign manager charged that Obama falsely accused the McCain campaign of injecting race into the presidential contest.

For over two weeks after that speech, McCain’s team used it to prove that Obama was playing the race card. Campaign manager Rick Davis responded to the dollar-bill attack by saying, “Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck. It’s divisive, negative, shameful and wrong.”

I should warn you up front that I am about to give you an example of the McCain campaign team doing exactly what they call playing the race card as well as the effects McCain’s destructive strategy.

Obama predicted they’d say ‘He is not patriotic enough.’

Sarah Palin actually said “Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country on October 4 ‘08.

Barack Obama said his opposition would think “He’s got a funny name.”

Lee County Sheriff, Mike Scott, “Let’s leave Barack Hus-

sein Obama wondering what happened.” Scott was one of the introductory speakers at a rally for Palin on October 6.

Obama predictied they’think, ‘He doesn’t look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills.’

McCain campaign ad: What will he change next the hundred dollar bill? The ad showed a hundred dollar bill with a picture of Obama in it. This ad was released on June 28.

Barack Obama: I know you don’t really like what we are doing, but he (Obama) is risky.

McCain Ad: Barack Obama… too risky for America.

The ad was released on October 9th.

This is how Obama concluded his speech on July 23rd: “What is more risky? Bringing about change that we know we have to make in order to assure that our kids have a better future, or doing the same things that we have been doing over and over again even though we know they don’t work?

“We are in a time right now when it is too risky not to change.

It is risky to keep on doing what we are doing; to accept the tired status quo.”

The McCain team was trying to do was accuse Obama of playing the race card so when they did do as Obama warned, he, Obama would be afraid to point out the blatant forms of racism bigotry.

That was before Palin agreed to join the ticket that would use her to flame the fires of bigotry and hate into their supporters.

Let’s look at the results of McCain’s destructive strategy.

The shout of “kill him” followed a Sarah Palin rant on Obama’s relationship with radical Chicagoan Bill Ayers, and videos of McCain supporters calling Obama a terrorist started popping all over the internet and news.

In an attempt to clean up

the mess his team created, McCain told an errant suppprter, “I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments; I will respect him and I want everyone to be respectful.”

One person referenced his statement by saying that he is afraid of an Obama presidency.

McCain responded by saying, “I have to tell you he (Obama) is a decent person and a person that you don’t have to be scared of as President of the U.S.” His audience started jeering him for making that statement.

One woman said she can’t trust Obama, then accused him of being an Arab. McCain had to take the mic from the woman and correct the mistatment about Obama’s race.

McCain’s incoherent and radical strategy is forcing many in his conservative base to question if McCain is really interested in winning.

His erratic strategy has prompted Democratic Congressman John Lewis to accuse McCain and his running mate of “sowing the seeds of hatred and division” saying it reminded him of the segregationist era of Alabama Gov. George Wallace.

McCain and Palin chose to go negative during a time when most of the voters are paying attention.

It has caused him to fall in the polls and prompted some of his Republican supporters to question his tactics.

McCain campaign officials are becoming increasingly discouraged, from junior aides to top advisers. Tensions have grown over how hard to go after Obama amid concerns about irreparably damaging McCain’s straightshooter reputation.

One thing is for sure, the McCain team played the race card in an underhanded way, and it backfired in a way that could cost him the chance of becoming thev next President.

12

Proposition Summaries

by Mark Smith

Proposition 1a: This proposition, if passed, would build 800 miles of high-speed rail lines linking many major cities, including Fresno, from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The trains travel up to 220 mph and would be powered entirely by electricity. The financial costs are estimated at 19.4 billion dollars, payed off over 30 years.

There are unknown costs for running once established, but it is estimated to be over a billion per year, paid by rider revenue.

Proposition 2: If passed, proposition 2 would require calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens, and pregnant pigs be penned in ways that allow them to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around freely. The financial ramifications are unknown.

Proposition 3: Would authorize $980,000,000 in bonds for building, remodeling, furnishing, and equipping children’s hospitals.

80 percent of the bond’s proceeds would go to hospitals focused on diseases such as leukemia, cancer, heart defects, diabetes, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. 20 percent would go to UC general acute care hospitals. The financial costs are estimated at about two billion dollars, payed off over 30 years.

Proposition 4: This proposition, if passed, would change California’s constitution to make it mandatory for unemancipated minor girls to have their parents notified before getting an abortion.

It provides rules for fining doctors if violated, makes exceptions if the doctor reports the parents to law enforcement or Child Protective services, and allows exceptions in cases of medical emergency or parental waiver. The financial costs are unknown, but estimated to be in the hundreds of millions annually for health care programs and other various costs.

Proposition 5: Prop 5 would give $460,000,000 annually to improve treatment programs for people convicted of drug and other offenses, limit court authority to arrest people who commit certain drug crimes or break parole, lower parole time for certain drug offenses while raising parole time for serious and violent felonies, divides the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation authority between two Secretaries, one with six year fixed term and one serving at pleasure of Governor up to five years, and would create a 19 member board to direct parole and rehabilitation policy. The financial costs are estimated at over a billion dollars annually, but savings are estimated at over a billion dollars annually due to reduced parole and prison time.

Proposition 6: Increases funding for police, sheriffs, district attorneys, adult probation, jails and juvenile probation facilities, at a minimum of $965,000,000 to begin. The proposition would also make 30 revisions to California, including larger penalties for gang-related offenses and felons carrying weapons in certain cases. Financial costs are expected to exceed 500 million dollars annually within a few years, along with a potential one-time cost of 500 million dollars for increases in the prison population due to law revisions.

Proposition 7: Requires utilities, government-owned and otherwise, to generate 20% of their power from renewable energy.

These requirements would be raised to 40% by 2020, and 50% by 2025. Penalties would be imposed for violating these requirements.

The financial costs are expected to be up to 3.4 million dollars annually, along with unknown costs based on electricity prices.

Proposition 8: Would change the California constitution to make only marriages between a man and woman recognizable in California, and eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

There are likely little financial costs.

Proposition 9: This proposition would do many things. First, it would require victim notification and input during phases of their criminal’s trial as well as making victim safety a consideration when considering parole or bail. It would increase the number of people allowed to testify on behalf of victims at hearings, reduce the number of parole hearings given to prisoners, require written verification of constitutional rights to victims, and establish timelines and procedures regarding parole revocation hearings. There is the potential for loss of funds statewide due to increase in prison times.

Proposition 10: Provides $3,425,000,000 to help consumers and others purchase certain high fuel economy or alternative fuel vehicles and fund research into alternative fuel technology. Provides another $1,025,000,000 and grants for research and development of renewable energy technology, as well as to colleges for training in these technologies. The financial cost is about 10 billion dollars total for the interest and payment of the initial cost.

Proposition 11: Would change authority for the task of redistricting of Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization from elected representatives to a 14 member commission, chosen by a complex process involving governor auditors. The commission would be made up of five republicans, five democrats, and four independents. For approval of redistricting, yes votes from three of each group would be necessary. The financial costs are nonexistent.

Proposition 12: This would provide a bond of $900,000,000 to help California veterans in purchasing farms and homes. The cost is estimated at 1.8 billion dollars for the interest and payment of initial cost.

Go to http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/ for more information, including detailed analysis, arguments and rebuttals in favor and against each proposition, and the actual text of each proposition.

October 15, 2008

Special Editon Views

Rampage 13

Does the VP Really Matter?

According to the constitution, vice presidents do little more than ride the bench. When things get rough, though, they are brought in to win the game.

By Deshad Cato

O

n Aug 29, 2008 Sen. John McCain named Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate for the Presidency of the United States of America.

On Oct 2 2008, Gov. Palin, while in a debate with Sen. Barack Obama’s running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, stated what some political analysts have described as the most radical statement any vice presidential candidate has ever said.

Gov. Palin said that if she and Sen. McCain win the election, she would seek to gain more power than what has already been given to the position of vice presidency.

Since then talk of just what the powers the vice president holds has been one of the any topics on news channels across the board.

If you want to get into technical terms the Vice President’s only job real job is to act as the tie breaking vote of the senate, pretty much acting as the President of the Senate, and as an ambassador for

the President.

But, in reality, the role of vice president depends largely on the actions and conduct of the governing administrations.

In one instance,Lyndon B. Johnson, right after the Kennedy and Johnson ticket won the election in 1960, tried to extend his power of directing the Senate.

As the Senate majority leader for such a long time before he became Vice President, Johnson thought he would have no problem getting his way.

The new senate leader at the time, Sen. Mike Mansfield, and other democrats decided that they didn’t like the idea and shot Johnson down. This is one example of when a vice president was denied power.

But then, there is Dick Cheney.

Over the past eight years Vice President Cheney has stretched the powers of a vice president beyond what most people thought possible.

He has even gone as far as being the first vice president to declare war. Some political analysts speculated that the rea-

son for this is that Cheney is one of President George W. Bush’s closet confidants.

But some vice presidents don’t reach true power until they get promoted to the number one position. Whether it be from the president being assassinated, dying, or from resignation or impeachment the vice president is next in line.

Such as what happened on April 6, 1841.

John Tyler became the first vice president to obtain the office of president because of succession.

When Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, died only a month into his first term, the nation was left in a haze of doubt and confusion.

No one in that day and age really understood how succession even worked. It was so confusing that the 25th amendment had to be drafted just to deal with the problem.

Tyler would prove to be a very unsuccessful at his post, but would pave the way for other vice presidents to rise to power.

One of the most powerful

vice presidents was Harry S. Truman who succeeded President Franklin D. Roosevelt to become the 33rd president.

Truman would go on to make the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, arguably the most controversial decision a president has ever had to make.

He was also critical in getting Israel recognized by the United States. Along with helping revolutionize the way campaigns were run, implementing tactics that are used still to this day.

Although not one of the more popular presidents of his day, his legacy grew to become revered during the time of President Nixon.

After President Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal, Gerald Ford took over as the 34th President. One of his first acts as President was to pardon President Nixon of all wrong doing.

As history shows, the vice president holds many jobs, depending on what the time calls for them to do.

The vice president’s powers have grown far beyond what

they were when the position was first held by John Adams in 1789.

Historians have gone on record to say that while Adams was one of the truly influential founding fathers, the only significant thing he did as vice president was help pitch the title of the president...and he lost.

In fact, one could almost say that the only thing that remains the same is the title itself, and that is it. The vice president is the second job in the land for a reason, but as these examples show that doesn’t make it an less powerful.

In fact, there really isn’t anymore that Sarah Palin could do to gain more power other than becoming the president herslef.

It is possible that every generation has said the same of their vice president and obviously that sentiment has not held true.

As for Sarah Palin’s proclamation, one can only wait to see if she gets the chance to live up to her statement, but one thing is for sure, the VP matters.

Special Editon Views

Campus Voices

14 Rampage

DoesYour Vote Count?

October 15, 2008

“Yes, I think it does. If everybody votes I would change the outcome.”

Jaine Manning-Social Work

“Yeah, because I live here and pay taxes so I think it should.”

Steven Scudder-Undeclared

“Yeah, of course. My vote could be the derermining factor on who wins.”

Jessica Paulsen-Undeclared

“There are too many choices and politicians have there own agenda. I hope it does.”

Ariana Flores-Nursing

Yeah, I think it counts. I think people’s thoughts and opinions would be a way in voting.”

Chet Leiker-Undeclared *Correction: In the last issue of the Rampage, Terrie Williams was misquoted in the Campus Voices section.

Her caption should have read, “Yes I believe (GLBTQ) should have the right to get married. It is time for us all to be human.”

“Yes, because I think everyone has the right to their opinion..”

Aurora Fiueroaa vEarly Childhood Education

Economy: The Feds pour water over the fire bailout plan until earlier this month.

Economists say that there are basically (any money spent on the war is an automatic five things to do to save the economy. The loss to the economy because it is not an ingovernment must continue to spend money vestment or recovered), the major decrease in the American economy by spending on in American exports and the major increase infrastructure and unemployment insurance. in foreign imports (namely, China) caused the American economy to lose money to foreign economies.

When money is spent on foreign goods, the money leaves the American economy and is transplanted into the foreign economy (lately, most likely China).

Lehman Brothers went into financial crisis and collapsed. AIG (the American Investors Group, another large investment bank) went from a $40 on September 15 to a $60+ billion deficit on September 16.

The Fed could have stopped this by bailing out Lehman Brothers before the collapse.

Instead of bailing out Lehman for $20 billion, the taxpayers now had to bail out AIG for over $85 billion.

This decision is made by approval from Congress as well as many banking committees in congress. Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke essential wrote a blank check to do as he saw fit to save the investment banks (specifically Baer Sterns Investment Bank, which also defaulted).

Eventually, debts increased to over $700 billion dollars. Government infighting and party blaming caused the House and Senate from writing a proper and timely Continued from page 16

The government must deal directly with homeowners and refinance home loans. Small businesses must be given a break; central banks must give small businesses loans to keep money in the American economy.

The government should buy securities and set standard prices; funds from the $700 billion dollar rescue bill to buy mortgage-backed securities at prices that simultaneously allow banks to survive and yet not squander taxpayer’s money.

Special Editon Views

October 15, 2008

Rampage 15

A Pro/Con Debate

Who is better suited to lead our nation?

Experience Wins Battles

The Truth Wins Everytime

McCain For President

Obama For Presidnet

By Sebouh Simonian

By Mark Smith

Rampage Reporter

Rampage Reporter

Who should lead the United States? This is the big question that will be answered on November 4 after almost two years of long, drawn out and often nasty elections.

The choices for most Americans are Barack Hussein Obama, Democrat, and John Sidney McCain, Republican.

After much thought, I have chosen to vote for John McCain. My first pick, Mitt Romney, was eliminated earlier in the election.

I have not always agreed with McCain on many issues such as amnesty in the guise of immigration reform or his attempts to silence free media in the so called “fairness doctrine”.

But overall I agree with him more then I disagree and disagree with almost everything Obama stands for so the choice was simple in the end.

Out of all the issues in my mind the most important job of any president is national security protecting this country from our enemies.

Senator Obama has shown he is naive about the threat many of our enemies are.

About Iran, he once called it a small insignificant country that was no threat to America. He has also refused to admit the surge has been successful despite most knowledgeable people saying so.

Mr. Obama also said he would meet with Iran’s leader with no preconditions, giving it an unearned legitimacy

I mention he’s black?”

Besides attempts to make non Obama voters appear racist the Obama campaign has also tried to question their intelligence. Joe Biden claimed some people didn’t know what to think about Obama because they weren’t used to dealing with someone

that smart.

There have also been attempts to slander Governor Sarah Palin, McCain’s choice for vice-president in some of the media

Differences in the level of experience between Obama and McCain is the key issue for me as to why I will be voting for McCain come election day. before quickly back tracking.

John McCain knows what it means to serve and suffer for your country he will work with America’s allies to continue pressure on Iran to stop its move toward nuclear weapon development.

During this election Mr. Obama and his supporters have tried to take the high ground by claiming to run a clean election despite numerous attacks mostly through surrogates and Joe Biden in attempt to keep the dirt off his own hands.

On several occasions, people representing Obama have claimed a loss by him would be the result of racism.

One surrogate in fact went so far as to claim there were a thousand reasons to vote for Obama and only one not to.

Obama himself also has used the fear of racism to his advantage once claiming Republicans would try to scare people from voting for him by claiming “He doesn’t look like those people on the money and did

who support Barrack Obama with suggestions she can’t be a good mother and still be vice president.

I will not vote for Mr. Obama because of his lack of experience and because I feel he would take this country in the wrong direction. It had nothing to do with his race.

If someone who was African American and qualified were running ,such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, I would have no problem voting for them.

Differences in the level of experience between Obama and McCain is the key issue for me in this election.

Imagine you have a brain tumor and need surgery and you have only two options. One is a doctor who has over thirty years experience, or you can choose a doctor barely out of medical school. Which would you choose?

I would want the experienced surgeon. I believe most would. On the job training is not something I want in a president.

Let me ask you a question. Do you make $227,000 a year?

Not many of us do. And yet the McCain campaign has continuously, without fail, claimed that a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for higher taxes. Unfortunately, according to CNN, if you don’t

economics is profoundly important is the basic system they believe in. Where McCain believes in the economy we have in place, known as the “trickle-down” economy, Obama believes in changing the economy to build from the ground up by taxing the wealthy and assisting the lower and middle classes. The trickle-down economy instead focuses on reducing taxation on the wealthiest 5 percent of society the most. The logic behind this system is that if the wealthy have more money, more funds can “trickle down” to the lower classes of society.

Economy aside, there are other issues that in my opinion make Barack Obama a much wiser choice this election year.

Many news organizations, such as the Washington Post, the New York Times, and even papers from McCain’s home state of Arizona have reported McCain as “quick to temper” and using repeated foul language when referring to colleagues and opponents in private.

Obama, as evidenced in his multi-national trip this summer, has been greeted and respected by leaders and citizens across the globe, including the turbulent Middle East. Obama has agreed to take diplomatic action with nations such as Iran, who he recognizes as a threat, and would work to cease their nuclear production, without prior conditions. McCain, on the other hand, refuses to talk to these Political Cartoon by Jeannie Batey nations unless they accept the conmake over that much, then you’ll be getting ditions we place on them. Here’s my question; a tax break from either candidate. And if what if these nations refuse our conditions? you make under $66,000, you’ll get up Will we never attempt diplomacy with them to $700 more of a tax break by voting for without delivering ultimatums and threats as Barack Obama. In fact, if you make under we did with Iraq? $19,000 a year, you’ll get $567 off your tax Another key issue is experience. bill, as compared to McCain’s $19.

Many people are worried that Barack’s alI submit this to you as a basic leged lack of experience in politics would example of how simple research can dis- make him a risky option. Obama has a total prove outright lies. In this day of instant, of ten years in government, with eight in the comprehensive research and media, vot- Illinois state senate and two in the United ers should be making informed choices. States senate. During his time in the Illinois Instead of listening to party rhetoric about state senate, Barack gained bipartisan support “mavericks” and “change” we should find for legislation on key issues such as health out for ourselves exactly what is truth and care and ethics reform. But what about foreign what is fiction. policy experience? In that realm, Obama is But wait, perhaps “liberal bias” unique in that he serves on three of four sen-

I submit this to you as an example of how doing research can completely disprove any outright lie someone can tell you about Obama. . in the media (not counting FOX “news”) that the Republicans always harp about has something to do with this. Fine, let’s not listen to CNN. According to three separate House Joint Committees on taxation records, John McCain has voted for 477 tax increases during his career in government, with 105 since 2005 to Barack’s 94 in the same time period. During his whole career, that makes for 19 tax increases a year.

The glaring difference between Obama and McCain at a time when

ate committees that deal with foreign issues.

John McCain can’t say the same.

So join me in voting for Barack Obama this election. Unlike McCain, he doesn’t simply talk about helping the middle and lower classes. He shows it. Unlike McCain, he voted against the Iraq War and knew it would be a failure; he exercised good judgment. Unlike McCain, he doesn’t vote with George Bush 95 percent of the time.

Unlike McCain, he will bring change, instead of just talking about it.

Special Edition Views October 15, 2008

Opinion

How the Bubble Popped

by Brenden Mustaciola Rampage Reporter

T

he economic crisis is a complicated concept with many difficult words for the laymen; GDP, subprime lending, deregulation, foreclosure, credit crunch, and many other words can turn off the average American from even attempting to understand the economic crisis at hand.

Ironically, this is almost the same apathy that has caused the economies downturn in the first place. So to the laymen, I offer this concise explanation.

When banks cannot pay back loans to investment banks, houses must go into default because most individuals cannot pay off home loans in one lump sum.

This compounded with an extreme excess of imports and an extreme decrease in exports, loans taken out by America from China, the devaluing of the dollar due to overprinting of dollar bills, and grand polarization of the Republicans and Democrats, the economy has fallen into great duress that will burden the Generation Y (those born in the late 80s and early 90s) and future generations who have not yet come of age.

It began with Black Monday.

Monday, October 19, 1987, when the

stock markets around the globe crashed; the American stock market fell 23%, the UK market fell 26% and Hong Kong dropped 45% (along with many other countries around the world).

This was the largest one-day percentage drop in stock market history. It took years to recover the losses.

This drop was due to program trading (defined by NYSE as “a wide range of portfolio trading strategies involving the purchase or sale of 15 or more stocks having a total market value of $1 million or more”), improper valuations IE overvaluation, and behavioral economics (decisions made by the public on whether or not to buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodities, etc).

Essentially the stock market crashes due to too much stock being sold at once, leaving companies with too little capital to continue business.

The American government instituted a policy that allowed the government to stop trading should the stock market drop below 450 points. Flash-forward to September 16, 2008, when the government stopped trading due to the stock market dropping below 450 points.

The Lehman Brothers Investment Bank began investing years ago into the mortgage industry (a “safe investment” because even if the Lehman Brothers company went under, the investors money would still be safe with a secured entity).

Two of these companies were Fannie May

and Freddie Mac. Lenders had started “subprime lending” (lending money to “risky” borrowers not normally qualified to purchase a house) which came with low interest rates for the first two years then a sharp increase in rates. This allowed risky borrowers to purchase homes, construction companies to rake cash, and realtors to wash themselves in profits.

That is, until 2006, when the borrowers were not able to pay back the loans at the high interest rates, only the housing market should have been affected, however, due to the fact that lenders had sold the debt to other banks worldwide, a convoluted financial crisis occurred.

In 2007, over one million housing properties went into foreclosure activity. People could not pay off their debt to banks that could not pay off their debt to foreign investors who could not pay off their debt to their investors and so on.

A “credit crunch” ensued (a sudden reduction of availability of loans and the sudden increase in the cost of attaining loans from a bank or lend institution). This led to little liquidity (money) swirling around the economy because most loans were too risky.

By mid 2008, banks worldwide had lost approximately $435. This combined with the American war in Iraq See ‘Economy’ page 14

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