October 28, 2014

CHRONICLE Richland

Vol. XL Issue 11 October 28, 2014

Ghost & ghoul movies - scary fun: Pg. 4

Who’s America’s team? Pg. 7

Pg. 5

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CAMPUS/NEWS

Villas

HOMES AT GREAT PRICES! STUDENT DISCOUNTS - MINUTES TO RICHLAND COLLEGE!

ON FOREST SPRINGS

Attention, students: There is still scholarship money available for 2014.

If you are an outstanding student who has shown exceptional leadership qualities, involvement in college and/or community activities, the Student Government Association Scholarship Award is still up for grabs!

The best part about this scholarship is that no essay is required. However, there are some criteria that need to be met before a student can be chosen.

The student must currently be enrolled at Richland College and possess an overall GPA of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 scale). He or she must be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 hours. He or she must provide a recommendation letter from a RLC faculty member, a recommendation letter from a club sponsor or volunteer coordinator, a résumé and a transcript.

• Close to Transportation • No Hassle Utility Bills • On Site Management • 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms • W/D Connections • State of The Art Fitness Center • 3 Sparkling Pools • Planned Activites • 24 Hour Maintenance

1 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $500 2 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $675 3 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $900 SECTION 8 NOT ACCEPTED.

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com October 28, 2014

AUDREY MORTON Staff Writer

• 5 mins. from Richland College

2

SGA scholarship up for grabs

Se Habla Español Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Sat 10 am - 5 pm • Sun 1 pm - 5 pm Directions: 635 E exit Abrams Rd. and make a right onto Abrams. Make a left onto Forest Springs Dr. and Villas on Forest Springs is on your right.

TEXT “VILLA” 4 leasing INFO to 47464 214-503-8099 Professionally Managed by MONTFORD MULTIFAMILY

All materials must be submitted to the Office of Student Life (El Paso Hall, Room 040), no later than Nov. 3. Students may also apply online at www.richlandcollege.edu/sga/ sgaApp.php, or pick up an application in the Office of Student Life.

Colleges, universities and employers value individuals who have participated in student government.

Richland’s Student Government Association serves as a liaison between the college’s Planning and Budgeting Committee and, of course, students. Since its origination in 1999, the Richland College Student Government Association has aided in the efforts to combat book prices and various other concerns.

For an opportunity to improve student life on campus and to work with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds, students may stop by the office of Student Life on check them out online at www.richlandcollege.edu/sga.

Ebola virus found in New York City In the latest Ebola story development, Dr. Craig Spencer, a Doctors Without Borders physician who returned to the United States from Guinea, West Africa, Oct. 17, has been diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease.

Spencer is the first person to be diagnosed in New York City and the fourth in the U.S. According to CNN, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio held a news conference about the city’s Ebola case Friday. He repeated what he said on Thursday: that “there is no cause for alarm.” He added that “New Yorkers need to understand the situation is being handled, and handled well.”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at the news conference in an effort to allay fears about the spread of the virus. “We are as ready as one could be for this circumstance,” Cuomo said. He added that the situation in his state is different from what happened in Texas.

“We had the advantage of learning from the Dallas experience,” Cuomo said.

Spencer, employed at New York’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, has been in isolation at Bellevue since emergency personnel took him there Thursday morning.

He continues to be in stable condition at press time.

Though there have been no new cases in Dallas, the effects of the Ebola outbreak are still being felt in the fear that has spread throughout the area.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is feeling financial effects of the deadly disease.

In financial statements released by the hospital on Oct. 22, they reported a revenue shortfall of 25 percent in the first 20 days of October, or about $8 million. Emergency room visits fell 53 percent during that time and operating room surgeries were down 25 percent.

Fallout from the death of Thomas Eric Duncan on Oct.8 has had a significant effect on the hospital’s reputation.

Nina Pham, the first Presbyterian nurse to be diagnosed with the disease, has repeatedly tested virus-free and has been released from the National Institutes of Health hospital in Bethesda, Md. She met with President Obama Friday afternoon in the Oval Office.

Amber Vinson, the other nurse who contracted Ebola at Presbyterian, has tested virus free and been approved for transfer from isolation, according to the Associated Press.

Nursing and allied health students at Brookhaven College have been required to review their universal isolation training this week, based on guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control. Faculty members are required to participate in the review/training as well.

The Dallas County Community College District is making advanced purchases of appropriate equipment, and district officials are maintaining regular contact with city and county agencies about the situation.

Students or faculty members who have questions or concerns are asked to contact Richland’s Health Center, Room H-100 or call 972-238-6240.

According to the Associated Press, Gov. Rick Perry designated two Texas hospitals as containment facilities to treat any further patients.

Methodist Health System in Richardson will dedicate an entire floor as a containment facility.

The second unit will be at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

—The AP and CNN contributed to this article.

CAMPUS

Richland leadership: Take it from the top

Collegiate High School achieves exceptional number of scholarships DORIS BROGAN Editor-in-Chief

Staff photo Blanca Reyes

Tiffany Tran, left, Paige Martinez and Lacey Helmerich work in Sahara Ali’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) class.

Year

Scholarships

Grads

Class of 2008

$2,495,568.00

130

Class of 2009

$3,613,056.00

137

Class of 2010

$9,234,972.00

146

Class of 2011

$11,220,316.00

151

Class of 2012

$8,126,992.00

186

Class of 2013

$10,258,596.00

185

Class of 2014

$7,712,094.00

212

Over the Years

$52,661,594.00

1,149

story that needs to be shouted from the rooftops,” Eggleston said.

A total of 1,149 students have graduated from RCHS thus far. The first class to graduate in 2008 had 130 students. The spring 2014 class had 212 graduates.

As each graduating class grows in size, the impressive amount of scholarship dollars awarded grows as well.

The 2014 graduating class alone was awarded $7.7 million in scholarships.

Students who apply themselves may find

very transparent with our parents and students about the rigor of the program,” Walker said.

As juniors entering the Collegiate High School Program, students have to take 21 college credits, plus two high school courses in order to graduate in two years and get their associate degree.

“We have a lot of support processes in place,” Walker said. “We have a true case management system in place. The advisers get to know the parents.”

“Unlike the rest of the college, we’re required to interface with parents,” Walker said.

In the college program, unless students sign a waiver, parents are denied the academic information the high school is obligated to share with parents.

Parents receive a full account of each student in every class. They are advised of student progress academically and behaviorally.

If problems arise, parents are aware and involved in order to correct situations as quickly as possible.

Collegiate high school students have access to the Learning Skills Center. In addition, they have their own fleet of tutors in Kiowa Hall, where the high school is located. When a person is hired specifically for the high school, that person can only serve the high school population.

Saturday tutoring is available for students, as well as support courses that require tutoring. Those courses use the Socratic method of teaching, which is based on a form of inquiry and discussion designed to stimulate critical thinking.

“We have a lot of eyes on the students, a very proactive retention program, a lot of intervention,” Walker said.

A requirement from the Texas Education

unexpected educational doors open to them.

“Sixty percent of those scholarships were offered to ethnic minority students. That is significant. That is life changing,” Eggleston said.

Variety is definitely part of the spice of life at Richland. Students from 16 to 65 and up add richness to the classroom flavor. People old enough to remember World War II, Vietnam and the chaotic ‘60s sit beside the technology generation.

What they share and learn from each other has the capacity to go way beyond anything that’s possible to learn from books.

“These students are tremendous,” Eggleston said. “They’re very young but they have tremendous capabilities.”

“This public charter high school is a model that truly works and should be replicated,” Eggleston said.

Superintendent touts students’ phenomenal accomplishments In her five years as superintendent of Richland Collegiate High School (RCHS), Donna Walker has seen her students achieve amazing records of academic excellence, which have resulted in an equally impressive number of scholarship awards.

“We have students who have accomplished absolutely phenomenal things,” Walker said.

They’ve left Richland and gone on to med school, Ph.D. programs at Johns Hopkins, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech). Richland had its first military appointment when a young woman was accepted at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

In the seven years since the inception of RCHS, its students have a total of more than $52 million in scholarships that have been awarded to RCHS graduates.

“I think part of our success is we’re very,

Agency is designed to eliminate the option of missing too many classes. Attendance is taken and if they miss a certain attendance threshold, they are turned over to the court where they will be assessed a minimum fine of $250.

By state statutes, students also lose credit in the high school if they miss up to 10 percent of instructional minutes. If that happens, students may pass the college course but fail to get credit for the high school component.

The mission of RCHS is to prepare graduates, to fully equip them with the necessary skills to be leaders when they enter a four-year institution. They’ll have study skills in place, as well as their strengths and weaknesses for learning.

“It’s all about developing that student,” Walker said. “It’s a rigorous program, but if the students take advantage of it, there’s unlimited opportunity for them.”

— Doris Brogan

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com October 28, 2014

This is the third in a series featuring the Richland leadership team.

Before Dr. Kay Eggleston became president of Richland College, she served in the capacity of Richland Collegiate High School (RCHS) Superintendent from October 2009 to August 2010. In that capacity she had ample opportunities to observe the excellence and dedication of the students in the RCHS Program.

Since Eggleston has become president of Richland, she has enjoyed her continued connection to high school students, especially through the scholarship process.

“Some of those scholarships actually have an element in them that requires the student to have an interface with the president,” Eggleston said. “I’m always interested in helping students to be … competitive.”

RCHS was launched in the fall of 2007.

Students in their junior year of high school were eligible to enroll in a program that would enable them to take middle school and senior high school classes concurrently with freshman and sophomore college courses.

Upon completion of the two year program, students graduate with high school diplomas, as well as associate degrees.

RCHS was created as a public charter school and, as such, it must report directly to the Texas Education Agency.

That made it a more challenging and risky decision. Because it is a public school it is open to all students, doesn’t charge tuition and doesn’t have special entrance requirements.

The collegiate high school experience is free.

“No tuition, no books, all of that is free because it’s a public high school. And yet it’s also two years of community college. There’s a

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ENTERTAINMENT

Image courtesy wordpress.com

Halloween fright night RICKY MILLER

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com October 28, 2014

Entertainment Editor

4

Ghosts and ghouls are not really present every single day of the year, so here is my annual Halloween watch list.

“Alien” (1979) — The tagline says it all: “In space no one can hear you scream.”

Real scares and taut suspense take one on an amazing thrill ride. Tension and suspense are evident throughout this two-hour nailbiter.

Grade: A+ John Carpenter’s “Halloween” (1978) — Awesome with a capital A. Michael Myers, sporting a William Shatner mask stalks various individuals in middle America, including damsel-in-distress Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). A Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg’s “Poltergeist” (1982) — This one has one of the most iconic taglines of the 1980s decade with “They’re here.” The story focuses on your average American family in California. They encounter some spooky ghosts in a non-CGI era when the scares were very effective, even with just practical special effects. I think this was one of those entries that made me dislike clowns so much. I think part of the reason for the movie’s success was that it was produced and co-written by filmmaking wunderkind Spielberg. A William Peter Blatty and William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” (1973) — Believe it or not, this one still holds up. The interspliced demon images are really creepy and eerie when seen on the big screen. A “The Thing” (1982) — Talk about an amazing film. Kurt Russell is the self-proclaimed leader of a group of men stuck in the Antarctic outpost. The trouble is, however, there is an impostor in the bunch. Some great acting from performers Keith David, Richard Masur and Wilford Brimley. A“The Shining” (1980) — Writer Stephen King has said he is not really a fan of

Ricky’s Take

Stanley Kubrick’s rendition of this tale.

I, however, think this one is creepy as all get out. Jack Nicholson amazes as writer and former alcoholic Jack Torrance, who spends time babysitting the Overlook Hotel in Colorado with wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall, “Popeye”) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd). A“Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pecte Des Loups)” (2001) — Very intense werewolf action-drama with American actioner Marc Dacasos (“Cradle 2 the Grave,” TV’s “Hawaii Five-O”) leading the way to rid the so-called animal from the French countryside. When either renting or buying I suggest the director’s cut that runs 2 hours, 31 minutes. A“An American Werewolf in London” (1981) — John Landis, following “The Blues Brothers” one year prior, helms a tongue-in-cheek werewolf comedy in the tale of two friends (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne) who backpack across the countryside. When Dunne returns, he is a decaying zombie who gives advice to Naughtons’ David Kesslar, who was attacked by a wolf and will become one if he does not commit suicide. A“Dawn of the Dead” (2004) — I like the new version so much more than George A. Romero’s 1979 version, which gets a C+ in my book. First-time director Zack Snyder pulled no punches in this retelling that even had the undead running or jogging. A“Blade II” (2002) — Just a touch better than the first entry, I think I have a soft spot for the movie’s director Guillermo Del Toro. He incorporates all the ancient lore and tales of the vampire community. Wesly Snipes was upset at the time because his co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel got equal screen time with the high-profile actor not known to share his screen magic with outsiders. A-

5

CHARLIE VANN Staff Writer

The hit FX series “American Horror Story” is back, and this season it has become a freak show. The season is based around a freak show in Jupiter, Fla., in the 1950s.

It’s run by Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange), who wants to showcase her abnormal talent to the public. The characters have different traits that make them unusual and, well, freakish. Elsa, however, wants to give them a chance to be in the spotlight.

Elsa ends up recruiting the Tattler sisters (Sarah Paulson), conjoined twins, to help headline the show to gain more fanfare. The sisters are a little timid, because of their sudden opportunity for fame, but know it’s a place where they can finally feel normal. “American Horror Story” doesn’t just focus on Elsa’s freak show, though. It also follows a creepy homicidal clown who is lurking around Jupiter to murder those in sight. So, if you have a fear of clowns, this season might not be good for you to watch.

What I like about this season is that the writing is really well done. I like that the show takes place during the ‘50s. I think the setting is perfect. I also really like the eerie music throughout the show. It’s a constant

tone-setter in each episode.

What stands out about “American Horror Story,” compared to other shows, is you don’t have to follow each season to get into the next. Each season is a different story with different characters, but uses the same cast.

I have not watched the past seasons, but thought I’d start with “Freak Show,” which is Season Four. I know last season the episode titled “Coven,” was a big hit for the series and was even nominated for several Emmys. I believe this season will be a hit as well.

Two well-known actors joined the cast this season; Michael Chiklis (“The Shield”) who plays Dell Toledo, the strong man. Toledo comes in as the emcee. The other is Angela Bassett (“How Stella Got Her Groove Back”) who plays Desiree Dupree, Toledo’s three-breasted wife.

The show touches on the theme of being different and wanting acceptance. You even see, in Episode Two, the talent of the freak show, eat in a local diner and are met with stares and judgment because of their physical appearances.

After watching two episodes of this season, I believe creator Ryan Murphy already has another hit on his hands.

Image courtesy googleplus.com,dailymotion,vixenvarsity

Capsule reviews of some of the flicks I’ve here,seen a formerrecently: assassin-for-hire who gets pulled back into

theassassin-for-hire seething underworld thought left into behind. who he gets pulledheback the seething “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance”) B a former “Birdman or (“Theactor Unexpected of Ignorance”) “Stonehearst C+ - This is an intriguing tale he thought Asylum” he left behind.

— Michael Keaton is a washed-up staging aVirtue one-man Ray- underworld “Stonehearst Asylum” C+ —Based on a short story bythat Edgar B show - Michael Keaton iswho a washed-up staging about various denizens of a mental institution in-Almond Carver on Broadway deals withactor a variety of a onelan Poe,cludes this creepy taleCaine, includes Sturgess,and Kate predicamentsman andshow problems precedingwho the opening of ahis play. of preon Broadway deals with variety Michael JimMichael Sturgess,Caine, Kate Jim Beckinsale Beckinsale and Ben Kingsley.

“Fury” B+ dicaments — Brad Pitt is commander of a platoon of soldiers and problems preceding the opening of his play.

Ben Kingsley.

“St. Vincent” B —Bill Murray is a curmudgeon of an old man who facing dilemmas“Fury” aplentyB+ in Germany end of World - Brad Pittatisthe commander of a War platoonbefriends of “St. Vincent” B - Billkid Murray a curmudgeon of an to a next door neighbor (Jaedenis Lieberher) who learns II. soldiers facing predicaments aplenty in Germany at fend the forold man who befriends next door neighbor kid (Jaeden himself in the everydaya world.

“John Wick” Keanu end Bof—World WarReeves II. is the title character here, Lieberher) who learns to fend for himself in the everyday “John Wick” B - Keanu Reeves is the title character

OPINION

Davis vs. Abbott: A study in contrasts

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LEXY SINGER

JOYCE JACKSON

When Wendy Davis is the topic, words like fight, advocate and support are often used in abundance. As a returning freshman, I was inspired to discover she was a community college student herself and through strenuous efforts was able to pay for school through scholarships, state and federal grants and student loans. She later graduated first in her class at TCU and then law school at Harvard.

Davis has specific objectives and goals. My personal favorite is reducing standardized testing. When did grades become more important than education? How many numbers are going to represent me in my life: my Social Security number, my credit score, my bank account, my ZIP code? With the current testing system kids get an early dose of this in the education system with their standardized testing number.

Just how well do you measure up, and how does your teacher measure up to the statistics we expect? She also plans to expand pre-kindergarten programs, increase access to higher education and encourage parental and community engagement. Another distinguishing aspect of her campaign is attracting, recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers.

How would you like a Columbia graduate to be teaching your child or sibling math? Well, what if the system doesn’t allow them to do their job? She aims to be able to create and promote an environment where learning is the priority. Davis also cares about our educators after they’ve moved on. She advocates for retired teachers’ benefits and quality cost of living funds.

When talking about education, Davis brings up our veterans and their rights and needs.

She wants the training and education service men and women received to be recognized and utilized upon their return. She also supported the Veteran Entrepreneur Program.

After 14 years under Republican Governor Rick Perry, Texans will be faced with a dilemma in the Nov. 4 mid-term elections. The choice is between Republican Greg Abbott, 56, and Democrat Wendy Davis, 51.

I believe Attorney General Abbott is the better choice for Texas, but this election really concerns the direction of our federal government and how disgusted many Americans are with it.

The driving force behind the mid-terms is the unpopularity of President Barack Obama.

His poll numbers have sunk to their lowest point since 2012, when voters made the mistake of re-electing him.

Obama’s unpopularity revolves around several major controversial issues. The deception regarding Obamacare and its disastrous rollout is one, as well as the attacks in Benghazi, attacks on conservatives from the IRS followed by congressional hearings, attacks on journalists and on our religious freedoms, gun control and the conflict over Central Americans invading our border, plus the danger of ISIS and most recently, the Ebola crisis.

In addition, our Congress has become more dysfunctional than before Obama was re-elected. Both parties are usually at a stalemate in Congress, which has become even more impeded by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. House Republicans have passed numerous bills, but they die in the Senate because Demorcrat Reid won’t allow members of Congress to vote on them.

It’s vital that people in every state get out and vote in this election because, based on certain battleground states, Republicans could take control of the Senate if they can pick up six seats in the elections. If that happens, much of this discord might be alleviated and our Congress could function as it should, if

Remember to take a photo ID with you. The acceptable forms of photo IDs include: Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas election certificate issued by DPS, personal Texas ID card issued by DPS, Texas concealed handgun license issued

by DPS, U.S. military photo ID card, U.S. citizen certificate containing a photo U. S. passport.

According to the League of Women Voters, all forms of photo IDs must be unexpired or expired no more than 60 days prior to presentment. The name on

the photo ID and the name on the voter record must be the same or substantially similar.

An electronic League of Women Voters of Dallas Voter’s Guide can be viewed online at www.Vote411.org. It contains information on early voting locations, can-

Staff Writer

Copy Editor

members will do getting huge salaries for.

I hope Texas remains Republican and that voters will elect Abbott. I think he has shown as attorney general that he is a strong enough leader for our state.

Here are just a few of the reasons why I’d recommend Abbott: Abbott will continue the economic success that Texas has enjoyed with Perry. Our state has excelled at economic growth, which almost every state should wish for. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Oct. 21 stated, “Texas added 36,400 jobs last month and set a record for 412,700 new jobs over the last 12 months.” If Davis were elected, the same gridlock with Republicans would continue in our Texas State Legislature, just as it has in D.C. over economic and ideological issues.

Also, Abbott opposes Obamacare and Medicaid expansion. Davis favors it, which is wrong for our state and the country. Obama promised people that they could keep their doctors and their insurance, but instead, people have had their insurance canceled, deductibles increased and a range of other problems.

Abbott said in an Oct. 14 Dallas Morning News article that he “questions the federal government’s ability to sustain the [Obamacare] program.” He would rather allow people to have flexible spending accounts and not be bogged down with federal rules.

Third, both Abbott and Davis agree that the U.S. border with Mexico should be secure before comprehensive immigration reform takes place. But, that’s probably not going to happen as long as Obama is president because he has allowed thousands of illegals, including minors from Central America, to receive a multitude of benefits, ripping off hard-working taxpayers. Not enough is being done to stop it from the president or Congress.

Texas is one of the most conservative states in the nation, and I hope it stays that way.

Early voting ends Oct. 31; general election to be held Nov. 4

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com October 28, 2014

Image courtesy dallasmorningnews.com

Davis wrote and sponsored laws to facilitate trucking, plumbing and electrician licensing.

She promises to fight for those who fought for us, including job training, mental health counseling and funding for existing services.

Davis is a staunch advocate for women’s rights. She has been battling against the closure of women’s health centers. She wrote the second law eradicating Texas’s backlog of thousands of untested rape kits. She has also focused on empowering rape victims and accountability and punishment for rapists.

Davis also helped pass the Equal Pay for Equal Work Bill in 2013 that was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry. Texas is currently one of four states that doesn’t have equal pay for equal work protection. Right now women get paid 82 cents for every dollar a man earns.

Davis has a vision of growth for Texas.

She proposes sustainable investments in transportation infrastructure, effective transparent implementation of the Clean Water Act, raising the minimum wage affecting 2.8 million people and working with the industry to ensure that Texas takes full advantage of leadership in clean energy: natural gas and wind energy to become an even bigger exporter of energy.

Davis also wants accountability of how tax dollars are being spent. She proposes establishing an independent oversight of our incentive funds and ensuring transparency and accountability of tax exemptions.

I was pleasantly surprised to read about a candidate whose priorities align with mine.

I’m a young tattooed chick who even has “A” for anarchy inked onto my right arm, but even I have to recognize that Davis has been fighting a good fight for some time. Her ideas may seem radical to some. To me they are the most logical out there; equality, quality of life, growth, education, sustainability and transparency. One can only hope the system won’t keep her from following through with her vision.

didates and ballot propositions.

The following is a list of helpful voter information websites: www.dallascountyvotes. org, www.votetexas.gov, www.lwvdallas.org, www. lwvtexas.org.

— Doris Brogan

5

OPINION

The sky may not be falling PETE SHANNON

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Layout Editor Photography Editor Entertainment Editor Copy Editor

Richlandchronicle.wordpress.com October 28, 2014

6

Melanie Brandow Doris Brogan Kisten S. Chetty Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Joyce Jackson

ON THE COVER Top: Scary movies. Bottom left: Who’s America’s team? Right: Texas elections.

COVER AND FONTS

Staff illustrations: Melanie Brandow (top and bottom right), Quan Tran (bottom left) Certain cover fonts are provided by the following: http://www.nymfont.com - http://www.bvfonts.com

STUDENT MEDIA STAFF

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the beginning of our republic almost 240 years ago.

While having any debt as a person is generally considered to be undesirable, for a business to fail to leverage itself by borrowing within established guidelines for expansion purposes can be shortsighted and grounds for claims of mismanagement. Similarly, for our government to not borrow as much as it can at the current interest rates of near zero percent in order to fix or replace our crumbling bridges and highways, as well as to stimulate

“May I please have your vote?”

For Texas State Board of Education

Pol. Adv. Pd for by Lois Parrott Campaign

CHRONICLE STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS

Staff Writer

Especially in election season, some politicians and media people frequently attempt to sensationalize the size of our national debt, which is now nearing $18 trillion. They make the mistake of trying to alarm us by comparing it to someone’s personal debt and then falsely claiming it will be an insurmountable burden on our grandchildren.

In truth, about a third of our federal debt is owed to either other federal agencies or to ourselves, either indirectly or directly, as U.S. Treasury bondholders. This makes our real external or “public” debt much less than it at first appears, and also more complex than and basically different from a person’s. Much like a revolving line of credit for a business or loans within a family, our national debt can flex and be continuously renewed and rolled over and, as long as we exist as a sovereign nation, it will not need to be entirely paid off by anyone.

Further, this public portion of our debt, when expressed as a percentage of our annual income, (i.e. gross domestic product or GDP - which is also about $18 trillion) at around 77 percent is much lower than most other countries and is relatively stable. Our federal debt has been in existence and growing almost steadily, as has our population and national income, with the exception of wartime, since

Richland

the general flow of commerce, is claimed by some knowledgeable observers to be missing a rare bet.

The blame for our recurring federal budget deficits is often placed on our liberal-minded president or other do-gooders and freeloaders who want to support continued profligate government spending. But finalizing and setting the federal budget is actually the responsibility of Congress, not the president.

Too, while most senators and representatives recognize that inflation can result from regular budget deficits, they also understand that a small percentage of inflation is vastly preferable to any amount of deflation, which inevitably causes dangerous depressions and eventual severe economic collapse. Thus, to intentionally endure a little inflation is not irresponsible; it’s playing safe with a delicate balancing act.

Another common complaint, especially from business people who pride themselves on their innovation and free-enterprising entrepreneurship, is that all federal regulations are bureaucratically conceived and will eventually lead the country to disaster.

Because of their fixation on the idea of the supremacy of local and state government, the ongoing beneficial role of our central government in mitigating severe economic swings over normal business cycles is frequently overlooked.

The task of federal monetary policy, which the states have no power at all to influence, is to find a sustainable equilibrium between economic growth and unemployment.

Fortunately, our country has been successful since the 1930s in developing several ways to do this. Seasoned business people, who understand and respect this situation, prefer it to the former one in which only the raw forces of market supply and demand prevailed, often to the despair of everyone.

To gain a better appreciation for our federal debt and deficit numbers, how they are constantly changing, and some of the ratios mentioned here, as well as to see how the U.S. stacks up against a few other countries, visit www.usdebtclock.org.

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SPORTS/CAMPUS

Who is America’s team? Not so fast, Cowboys

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I have to disagree with the poll crowning the Denver Broncos as America’s team.

Just recently the annual Harris interactive poll asked Americans to choose their favorite NFL franchise. Since 2006 it has consistently been the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys, however, are no longer the team Americans choose to favor.

I am not overlooking what the Broncos have accomplished during the past few seasons, especially with Peyton Manning as the quarterback.

But, I don’t think they are the right choice to hold this title, like the Cowboys did for so long.

When I looked at the Cowboys, it made sense to me why they would be considered America’s team. They have such a well-known history with legendary coach Tom Laundry.

I mean, if you watch sports-related movies, you are bound to see one where the featured team is playing against Dallas, or some player has aspirations to be a Cowboy one day.

Of course, you can’t overlook the team’s five Super Bowl wins.

I have to admit, it is a bit of a surprise to me that Dallas isn’t No.1 again, but with that being said, I don’t think it should be Denver.

If anyone else is deserving of being called America’s team, it is the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers have a pretty iconic history, too. After all, the Super Bowl trophy is named after their legendary coach, Vince Lombardi.

One factor I think makes sense for this team to be favored is they are the only NFL franchise to be owned by their fans and not some businessman. The Packers, also have a great quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

I remember when Rodgers stepped in for an injured Brett Favre during a Dallas Cowboys home game, and he didn’t back down under the pressure.

Rodgers has this cool, calm demeanor about him. Everyone knows Favre made that team his, so to even think about someone else taking over as quarterback sounded silly.

However, Rodgers took over after Favre left, and I believe made the Packers his own team.

Rodgers even helped lead the team from a horrible 0-5 start to their 2010 season to carrying them to the playoffs and on to a Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers has accomplished a lot in his career. One of his biggest highlights is that he’s the only quarterback in NFL history to have a career passing rating over 100.

He also has the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the league. I think with what Rodgers has done with this team and the team’s history, they should be America’s favorite.

Move over Cowboys. Step aside Denver Mannings (Broncos).

Enter New England.

The Patriots for the better part of a decade and a half have been one of the most winning franchises in NFL history since the playercoach tandem of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick was forged in 2000.

The two have combined to bring the Patriots unparalleled success.

The Patriots have finished atop their division, the AFC East, 11 times in the past 14 years.

New England also boasts nine appearances in the AFC championship game, representing the AFC in the Super Bowl five times with three victories in the same 14-year span.

What I am getting at can be described in one phrase: sustained excellence.

Sustained excellence, ladies and gentleman, is the name of the game. America has almost always provided a model for developing nations in terms of what a functioning self-sustainable nation is supposed to be.

The same can be said for the Patriots, from the owner Robert Kraft to Belichick as coach and de facto general manager.

NFL franchises around the league have striven to emulate the “Patriot way.”

The Patriot way is “work ethic, unselfishness, guys who put the team before themselves, guys who bought into the system,” said former linebacker and Super Bowl champion with New England, Willie McGinest on NFL network’s “NFL Total Access.”

This buying in is key to the team’s success as well as the no-nonsense attitude adopted by players and most famously Belichick, whose post-game interviews are synonymous with ambiguity.

The front office has the same mentality in regard to personnel decisions and letting players go who did not buy in or players who they felt they could supplement on the field while benefiting financially.

Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy and, more recently, Logan Mankins are just a few examples.

The Patriots embody what America is all about; a melting pot, a place where individuals and their families can come and seek refuge or simply a change of scenery.

The Patriots also exemplify professionalism, integrity and community, all of which are principles that any American can identify and appreciate.

A patriot, according to Webster’s dictionary, is “A person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country.”

In my mind, there is no team, fan base or group of players past or present have personified the values held by their country better than the New England Patriots.

— Charlie Vann is a Chronicle staff writer.

— Gabriel Flores is a Chronicle staff writer.

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Charlie Vann vs. Gabriel Flores

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