The Telescope 63.9

PALOMAR COLLEGE, SAN MARCOS, CALIF.

MONDAY NOV. 9, 2009

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

VOL. 63, NO. 9

the-telescope.com

INSIDE

ENTERTAINMENT Weak ‘Men’

George Clooney and Ewan McGregor’s psychic flick misfires its mental blast PAGE 7

OPINION

Fizzle

Bombs targeting passports are the least of our worries

FOCUS

Away from home Palomar veterans share their keys to connection

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PAGE 10

EMILY MICHOT | MCT CAMPUS

Groups aim to aid vets AMANDA MCCARTHY THE TELESCOPE

Semper fidelis — always faithful.

This Latin phrase is the motto of a Marine. A Marine is taught always to be faithful to his country, his mission, fellow Marines and the Marine Corps in everything he does. The transformation from civilian to Marine cannot be undone. Once a Marine, always a Marine both in or out of service, according to www.marines.com.

This motto applies to many Palomar students.

Veterans and active servicemen and women from the Marine Corps and other military branches make up an active part of the student population at Palomar College. This population is the focus of the Veterans’ Student Alliance Club (VSA) and the Veterans Services office.

In this semester alone there were about 700 veterans who used their GI bills, a financial aid for veterans, and about 450 active servicemen and women (which means they are eligible for veterans’ services) at the college.

Financial pressure, post-traumatic stress disorder, lifestyle changes and differences in age and maturity level between themselves and other students are challenges veterans encounter while attending college, said Katherine Khaskin, a financial aid and veterans’ adviser at Palomar, who came to the college after serving as a combat engineer for five years in the Marines.

For these reasons, veterans at Palomar help each other when they go back to school.

TURN TO

VETERANS PAGE 3

Pink for life: JANA ROWLAND THE TELESCOPE

October was National Breast Cancer Awareness month. People were celebrating 25 years of awareness, education and empowerment.

At Palomar, the library and Health Services collaborated to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A Tree of Remembrance was located on the Quad for the Phi Theta Health Fair and then placed in the library. Students and teachers were able to honor a loved one who had

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY PHYLLIS CELMER | THE TELESCOPE

Non-stop schedules Students juggle a hectic lifestyle,are forced to prioritize MELINA FICKAS THE TELESCOPE

It seems like Palomar students are on a constant “go” schedule.

They can be seen all over Palomar’s campuses studying and doing homework in-between classes.

One of these students is Marcus Hubble. Hubble is taking 12 units this semester and has a part-time job. He said that he easily spends at least four hours a week study-

ing for his math class alone.

On top of work and school, Hubble has a social life. He spends time with his girlfriend and friends and goes out at least once over the weekend.

For most college students, this is normal. Going to class and studying takes up most of the day, and somehow you have to manage how to fit in a social life and sleep.

Many Palomar students said that sleep is the first to go when they are busy in school during the day and their friends want to go out at night.

“I rarely get more than six hours of sleep a night during the semester, and (it) can get exhausting sometimes,” student TURN TO

BUSY STUDENTS PAGE 3

How to handle stress: • Make time for yourself. You might be surprised at how much better you feel after focusing on yourself for even a few minutes.

• Prioritize. Don’t stress yourself out with a big to-do list.

• Don’t neglect your health.

Remember to eat regular meals and keep a normal sleep schedule. Getting sick will just put you behind in the long run.

• Live and learn. You’re young and you make mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up about problems that you can’t control.

• Plan ahead. While it may be a tempting idea, you’ll regret procrastinating later.

Local groups join in the fight against breast cancer

recently been diagnosed, had survived or had succumbed by placing a ribbon with their name on the tree.

People are raising money to help find a cure.

People get involved in many different ways; the most well-known contribution is the 3-Day Walk For A Cure Benefitting Susan G. Komen.

Besides the annual walk, local companies are also supporting breast cancer awareness.

Andrea Plell, Owner of Ecologique, an eco-friendly company, put on a runway event at Onyx nightclub in

downtown San Diego with all proceeds benefitting the Susan G. Komen foundation.

The organization, which supports breast cancer research, has raised over $1.5 billion since its inception in 1982 for research, education and health services, according to the Web site.

Throughout October, NFL games featured players, coaches and referees who were wearing pink game apparel to raise awareTURN TO

BREAST CANCER PAGE 3

FLORA SILVA | THE TELESCOPE

Betty Escovar (left) and Susan Sanandro (right) of Penasquitos, Calif. walk along “Making Strides” participants in San Diego's Balboa Park on Oct. 18. Sanandro is a four-year cancer survivor.

2 | CAMPUS BEAT CAMPUS CALENDAR Monday, Nov. 9 • Phi Theta Kappa meeting at 1 p.m. in SU203.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 • Fashion Club meeting at 5 p.m. in Fash. #1..

• Gay/Straight Alliance meeting at 3:30 p.m. in SU-204.

• International Club meeting at 5 p.m. in SU203.

• CSU Workshop at 2 p.m. at the San Marcos Library computer lab in room LL-109. Signup is mandatory, call 760-744-1150 ext.

2449 for more information.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 • Free STD screenings are being offered at Health Services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 760744-1150, ext. 2380.

• Pre-med Club meeting at 4 p.m. in TNS-217.

• Associated Student Government meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. in SU-204.

Thursday, Nov. 12 • Black Student Union meeting at 11:30 a.m. in SU-17.

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009

Organization seeks help for U.S. troops abroad Operation Gratitude, a California based non-profit, is seeking donations of items that will be used in care packages for troops overseas.

A booth will be set up as a part of the Veterans Day ceremony.

The ceremony is taking place at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 12 near the Student Union on the San Marcos campus.

The organization is asking for donations of batteries, flash drives, disposable cameras, prepaid phone cards, travel size board games, ready to eat tuna or chicken salad kits, single serving boxes of cold cereal, boxes of Girl Scout cookies, packets of powdered cold beverages, individual packets of moist towelets, screen printed T-shirts, baseball hats, socks, blank holiday greeting cards and tobacco products.

Only new items will be accepted.

Operation Gratitude sends over 100,000 care packages to service members annually. The charity’s Web site says its “mission is to lift morale,bring a smile to a service member’s face and to express to all our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people.”

For more information, contact Brianne Passmore 818-455-3636, http://opgratitude.com.

• Fashion Club meeting at 5 p.m. in Fash. #1.

Students head to Spain

• MEChA meeting at 4:30 p.m. in SU-17.

Palomar’s students can live and study in Salamanca, Spain from Feb. 18 to May 15, through the Study Abroad program.

Information is available to students who are interested in spending the spring semester in Spain. Students can pick up the information packets in SU-103 on the San Marcos campus.

The program is a joint effort with other colleges in the area, including Antelope Valley College, Citrus College, MiraCosta College, Mt. San Jacinto, Rio Honda College, San Bernardino College, San Diego College, Mt. San Antonio College and others.

The program’s first deadline is Nov. 25.

For more information, students that are interested can call Yasue O’Neil at 760-744-1150 ext.

2167 or email O’Neil at yoneil@palomar.edu.

Friday, Nov. 13 • Tifaolemona Samoan Club meeting at 11 a.m. in SU-204.

• Palomar Engineering and Physics students meeting in SU-255 at 2 p.m.

What’s up?

Do you know something we don’t?

Let us know.

To submit story tips or events for the campus calendar, e-mail us at telescope@palomar.edu or call 760-891-7865.

COURTESY IMAGE

Experts talk Darwin

Police Blotter

By the numbers...

In October, Campus Police reported the following:

Grand theft On Oct. 21, a student’s bike was stolen. It had been locked on a bike rack next to the C Building.

The bike has not been recovered.

Petty theft On Oct. 20, a student had items stolen at the Dome. No further information was available at time of print.

• 21 graffiti cases • 6 lost district keys • 5 petty thefts • 4 medical assists • 3 drug arrests • 1 altered permit • 1 warrant arrest • 1 vehicle burglary • 1 student conduct code violation • 1 grand theft These numbers are cumulative from the October issues.

CAMPUS WEATHER Monday, Nov. 9

Tuesday, Nov. 10

Wednesday, Nov. 11

75˚/48˚

78˚/49˚

73˚/48˚

PARTLY CLOUDY

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Palomar College is partnering with California State University, San Marcos to present the third annual “Exploring Darwin Conference”Nov.10-12.

Internationally renowned scientist and winner of the National Medal of Science, Fancisco Ayala, will open the conference with a keynote address.

At 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 in Arts 240 at Cal State San Marcos,he will be discussing his recent book “Darwin’s Gift to Science and Religion.”

On Nov. 11-12, Palomar will be hosting a variety of experts on evolution from universities from around California and Arizona.

The workshops, which will focus on exploring Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection from a variety of disciplines, will begin at 9:30 a.m. both days and end at 3:20 p.m.All of the workshops at Palomar will take place in the Governing Board Room, SSC-1.

For more information, visit www.palomar.edu/ads/behavSci/darwin.htm or contact Philip de Barros at pdebarros@palomar.edu or at 760-477-1150,ext.2343.

Thursday, Nov. 12

Friday, Nov. 13

Support group grows Veterans Village of San Diego extends services to all Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans and their families and significant others; active or nonactive for free, confidential, off-base support.

These support groups are designed to assist those who have been changed by combat.

Combat veterans are present for support and assistance.

Personal and marriage and family therapists are also available for group or individual sessions.

The Warrior Traditions Program is held at two locations; one at Libby Lake Community Center at 4700 North River Road in Oceanside on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7–9 p.m., and the other is held at Veteran Memorial and Museum Center at 2115 Park Boulevard in San Diego on Thursdays from 7–9 p.m.

Veterans Village welcomes all veterans and their families. The level of participation is up to the person.

For more information on these support groups, along with new and upcoming support groups, visit VVSD’s Web site at www.vvsd.net/warrior.htm.

Saturday, Nov. 14

Sunday, Nov.15

72˚/45˚

72˚/43˚

72˚/45˚

74˚/50˚

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

NEWS | 3

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

BUSY STUDENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Michelle Jones said.

Another factor of today’s students being busy is that they are likely to be working parttime or full-time. A full-time student spends about 16 hours in class in a week, adding 20 to 40 hours of work on top of that can be overwhelming.

Teachers, parents and administrators would like to believe that the average student spends at least 10 hours a week studying for their classes.

The average student only spends seven hours studying per week and 11 hours a week socializing, according to www.scholarships.com.

“I’m with my friends for more than 48 hours straight every weekend,” student Josh Cassidy said.

Cassidy said that he and his friends spend from Friday night until Monday morning hanging out. They go around town shopping for records and then go home and listen to them during the day and partying at night.

Male students are also likely to spend at least several hours a week playing video games.

Some argue that video games are taking away from time that could be spent doing something more productive.

“I probably spend about five

hours a week playing video games,” student Daniel Morgen said.

To add to the stress level, students of this generation have more things to keep them busy than any previous generation.

Along with school, studying and having a social life, students today have the Internet and cell phones.

It is rare to find a college student who doesn’t have a MySpace or Facebook account, which can consume a lot of time.

“I probably spend about an hour everyday on MySpace,” student Chase Manary said.

tasks, buy a planner and make sure you write everything down to stay organized. Go to the counseling department and talk to a counselor at least once every semester to make sure that you are staying on track with your classes. Students can reach the Counseling Center by calling 760-744-1150 ext. 8157 Also, don't forget to schedule time for yourself. By taking 30 to 60 minutes out of your day to relax, workout or however you choose to spend your time, you will solve a lot of your problems and feel more confident that you can accomplish all of your tasks.

BREAST CANCER

VETERANS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“It’s about vets helping vets,” said Moses Maddox, a former president of the VSA club who served in the Marine Corps for eight years in the positions of civil (a humanitarian post) and mortuary affairs. He is also a former president of the VSA club.

Assisting veterans in efforts to find their way through paperwork and deal with government agencies is another common goal of the organizations.

There is also a need for information, said Mike Wargin the president of the VSA, who served in the Marines for four years in the capacity of legal administration and motor transport.

This information is provided by both organizations and they share in assisting the veterans.

The college also tries to work with veterans during the process

The usage and accessibility of the Internet has increased because of cell phones. Many students have smart phones and can browse the Web from anywhere. Students are rarely without their cell phones and stay in constant contact of friends, family and coworkers.

In a survey of 300 students from Ball State University in Indiana, 59 percent of students said that they prefer text messaging as their primary source of communication.

“It’s easier (to text) than talking,” student Chelsea Grell said.

To avoid getting stressed out by the never ending list of

of obtaining GI bill benefits. It can take up to 12 weeks for GI bills to be processed. This can put a student behind, Khaskin said.

When a student is deployed or reactivated in the middle of a semester the college will work with the student to ensure they receive a military withdrawal, she said.

Men and women in the military share a strong sense of camaraderie with one another. That sense of brotherhood changes when they leave active service, Wargin said.

The VSA tries to encourage the same sense of brotherhood in its members that they shared with members of their squads. This is one of its main goals, Maddox said.

According to Khaskin, many veterans meet at least once a week. In addition to these infor-

mal events, the club hosts regular meetings and retreats. Providing veterans with opportunities like these encourages that sense of brotherhood.

Of the two organizations, the club focuses on more non-class related aspects of life. For example, it can help students find counseling, tutoring and vocational training. Members have helped each other file disability claims as well.

“I see them (club members) changing lives of veterans on a daily basis,” Khaskin said.

The Veterans’ Student Alliance and the Veterans’ Services office provide assistance to those who have served in the military along with their dependants. For more information, go to the Veterans’ Services Web site www.palomar.edu/veterans.

ness for the campaign.

There were also on-field pink ribbon stencils and special K-balls and pink coins as said on NFL.com. These items will be auctioned off at the NFL auction, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society and team charities.

One out of eight women will be diagnosed with some type of breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society Web site.

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women in the United States.

HealthHype.com stated that an estimated 200,000 women have been or will be diagnosed

with breast cancer this year alone. Over 40,000 women will die from this disease.

Studies have shown that breast cancer is actually more aggressive in the majority of younger women, according to www.womenshealth.com. Most women attending Palomar College fall into this age group.

While there is still not a cure for breast cancer, there are many ways to prevent it.

Sarah Fremerman, a natural health writer, said that you can limit your fat intake, eat foods that are high in fiber, eat more vegetables, shop organic, stock up on supplements and do make sure to get at least four hours of exercise a week.

4

| OPINION

THE TELESCOPE | MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009

OUR VIEWPOINT

Four years for years: the college myth The youth of America are being lied to.

Every spring thousands of teens graduate from high school, galvanized by the myth that in four years they will hold in their eager young hands a college degree. Unfortunately for most, this could not be further from the truth.

Recent data show it now takes the average student anywhere from six to eight years to receive their undergraduate degree.

These numbers are driven by a generation of students who are illprepared to handle college coursework and who, once in college, are scared to leave.

Only 17 percent of community college students receive their associate’s degree or a certificate within three years of starting college, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Worse still, according to a National Center for Educational Statistics study in which community college students were followed from 2003-2006, half achieved some kind of degree, vocational certificate; or transferred to a four-year institution within six years.

These numbers are mirrored at four-year universities. In “Crossing the Finish Line,” a book published by the Princeton University Press, researchers found that at the very selective private universities, 86 percent graduated within six years, whereas at the less selective state college-level only 51 percent graduated within the same time period.

Community college students definitely have the cards stacked against them if they want to attain a degree. Most of them probably have to work, unlike their four-year counterparts who are more likely to be able to focus solely on school. According to a seven-part expose from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on why students do so poorly in college, almost half of community college students work at least 20 hours a week. It can be incredibly hard for them to juggle their jobs with the amount of work required to do well in college, which is at least two hours a week outside of class for each subject.

Add in other factors like class cuts, overcrowded classrooms and the higher likelihood that they will have children, a spouse, or that English may not be their first language. It’s no wonder they have less of a chance of eventually getting a bachelor’s degree than those students who began their education at a fouryear university.

Another part of the reason that students don’t finish their education within two or even four years is because they don’t see the need. In an economic downturn, colleges and especially graduate schools see soaring admissions. During the last recession in 2002, the Wall Street Journal reported that instead of facing the dismal job market, many students were literally using school as a way to ride out the recession in safety.

So what can students do when faced with an educational system that is quickly becoming a holding pen for “professional students?”

• Work toward a goal. The NCES study also found that students who identified themselves as “strongly directed” at the beginning of their college career, meaning that they had a goal or degree they were working toward, were more likely to graduate or transfer within three years than those who identified themselves as having little to no direction.

• Make school the No. 1 priority. While making $12 an hour right now might be nice, that $12 an hour won’t be that great 20 years down the road. The money students make now is nothing compared to the money they will make with a college degree.

• Try to take a full load of classes. Don’t fall into the trap of signing up for a full load of classes only to end up down the road enrolled in only one. Some students and colleges could learn from the New York community college system, which is proposing that all students be required to take at least 12 units per semester .

• Don’t be deterred by class cuts. Take an online class or pick up a course at one of the neighboring colleges like MiraCosta. It might require some more work or more driving but it will pay off in the end.

Don’t be afraid to let school end. There is life beyond college, even in the face of a recession.

MONDAY NOV. 9, 2009

FOCUSED ON PALOMAR

EDITORS IN CHIEF | KELLEY FOYT MELISSA LERAY OPINION EDITOR | MAGGIE AVANTS FOCUS EDITOR | ALEJANDRA JACKSON SPORTS EDITOR | JEREMY LEAL PHOTO EDITOR | SARA BURBIDGE ONLINE/COPY EDITOR | ERIC WALKER

SALVADOR AYALA | THE TELESCOPE

Barbara Hart, who is homeless, tries to stay warm at Grape Day Park in Escondido. As the winter months start, some citizens are concerned about the growing homeless population in San Marcos and Escondido.

Lend a hand,don’t stop and stare BECKETT MUFSON THE TELESCOPE

The widespread illness known as “economic troubles” has rocked the nation over the last year and a half, leaving some people in more dire straights than others. While some citizens have had to sell their summer home in Tampa or not upgrade to a 52-inch high-definition plasma screen TV, others have lost the very roofs over their heads, the sources of their very livelihoods and the majority of their dignity.

While these people whom I describe were once friends and neighbors, brothers and sisters, they now seem to fall into the nameless crowd that we have labeled “homeless people.”

Many perceive the average homeless person as a vaguely smelly, dirty old man with crooked teeth and a tendency toward violent outbursts.

There are people who live in a bubble, who may not cross paths too often with a homeless person.

“Out of sight, out of mind,” some would say. This should not be the case.

The vast majority of homeless people lose their roofs to foreclosure as they fall victims of predatory loans or other external factors—which will, in most cases, cause homelessness in these hard economic times. Many other

VOLUME 63 NUMBER 9

CARTOONISTS | JOSEPH BONNET, ZACH MARCUS AD MANAGER | CRYSTAL EVANS DISTRIBUTION | SARA BURBIDGE INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS | MATT NULL, CHARLES STEINMAN JOURNALISM ADVISERS | ERIN HIRO, ADRIAN VORE PHOTOJOURNALISM ADVISER | PAUL STACHELEK, DONNA CONSENTINO

The Telescope is published 11 times per semester. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff members or the governing board trustees.

homeless people are subjected to parental neglect and abuse, and are thus forced out of the four cozy walls that most people take for granted.

With winter biting at our collective ankles, the homeless people are going to have an even harder time surviving without the shelter that is one of humankind’s basic necessities.

“

There are people who live in a bubble, who may not cross paths too often with a homeless person.

”

But is this is only half of the story. The origin of a person’s homelessness is important, but only insofar as providing the information that can help us as a society to keep more people from suffering the same fate. The most important part of the story of a homeless person is what they do with their situation and what others do to aid and support them.

There are many organizations in the area that are focused on helping those citizens who are not as fortunate as those of us who still have access to the simple, invaluable comforts of home.

Palomar student Anica Miller

ADDRESS | The Telescope, Palomar College 1140 W. Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 NEWSROOM | Room MB-1 PHONE | (760) 891-7865 FAX| (760) 891-3401 E-MAIL | telescope@palomar.edu ADVERTISING E-MAIL | telescopead@palomar.edu STAFF WRITERS |CAMILO BARRERO,TONYCAGALA,ROMYCHEAIB,STEPHANIE DAO, MELINAFICKAS,REBECCAFREDRICKS,BERTHANSEN,NIGELHARRIS,REBECCALEVIN, AMANDA MCCARTHY,DAN MCCARTHY,HOLLYMEZA, BECKETT MUFSON,CHRISTINA PARKER,MARYPAULET,JARRED POWELL,ARIANNARIVERA,TYPHANIE SHARFNER,TARA STEFANIUK,CHRISTIAN STINCHFIELD, JESSICATOURINO, AMBER VARNES, GRAIANNE WARD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS |SALVADOR AYALA,JESSICABABCOCK,STEVEN BALUBAR, CHRISTINABECHTEL,ALLEN J CARROLL,PHYLLIS CELMER,STEVEN DAVIS,KARADONOVAN,KEN FARREN,PATTYFIETES,YSENIAGARCIA,VICTORIAHARTMAN,DEB HELLMAN, HANNAH HOUZE,DUDLEYJOHNSON,COLLEEN LANGILL,LUCERO MARTINEZ,STEVEN MCCOLLUM,CORALMCMURTRY,ASHLEYPLAYER,NATALIE PLAYER,LAURATUCKLE,KEVIN WINTER

said she volunteers with Food Not Bombs, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless in a peaceful way by providing clothing and vegetarian and vegan food.

It is just one of many organizations one can get involved in to help provide the necessities of life to those who cannot provide for themselves. Indeed, this is one of the most common approaches to the issue.

Many altruistic people give themselves to the noble task of attempting to feed all homeless people, only to see more and more homeless hit the streets as a result of the current financial crisis.

North County residents Chris and Tammy Megison came up with a different approach to help solve increasing problem of homelessness. In 1999, they created Solutions for Change around the ideal of self-reliance, providing shelter and food, but only if the beneficiaries are clean and sober and are taking steps toward change.

This group, along with Food Not Bombs, reignites my hope in humanity.

People should help people, whether through advocacy in city legislature or volunteering on the front lines distributing food and clothing.

As Palomar student John Britton said, “It’s the United States, right?”

The Telescope welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters must be typewritten, under 300 words and include the author’s first and last names, major and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters can be e-mailed to telescope@palomar.edu or delivered to the newsroom in Room MB-1.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters. Letters must be received one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS

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Bush’s presence still here

OPINION | 5

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009| THE TELESCOPE

BERT HANSEN III THE TELESCOPE

If you thought that Jan. 20 meant that you would no longer have to ask yourself the one question that has plagued our nation for the past eight years, I’m sorry to inform you that you were wrong.

The question of course is, “What the hell was the Bush administration thinking?” The answer is as incomprehensible as ever.Though they have both been out of office for nearly a year, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney’s CIA continues to undermine America’s moral legitimacy in the war on terror.

A recent suicide attack on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has left 20 dead including five of the their senior officers.

The attack has sent the Iranian government into an uproar blaming Pakistan, Great Britain and the United States for funding and directing the terrorists, and the worst part of it all is that it’s probably true.

In 2005, ABC released a shocking exposé linking the CIA to a group of Iranian Sunni militant/terrorists called Jundallah. The group has been

primarily responsible for guerilla raids against soldiers and officers as well as a several attacks on civilians, including the bombing of a mosque in 2007.

Citing top government officials from both the U.S. and Pakistan, the report indicates that much of the group’s activity is correlated with U.S. interests in the region.

Jundallah is primarily composed of Sunni Muslims from the Baluchistan province of Iran.

Their stated objective is to bring awareness to the plight of Sunni Muslims in the Shiite-ruled country.

The Sunnis, an oppressed minority to say the least, make up about one-third of the population but have about the same amount of token representation as the drastically smaller Jewish community of the Islamic Republic.

According to PressTv, Iran’s state-run news organization, Jundallah’s captured leader, Abdolhamid Rigi, has confessed that attacks have been orchestrated by the U.S. To be fair, though, allegations surfacing from the recently contested Iranian elections have led some to believe that the Islamic

Republic’s prison system might be an ample breeding ground for torture and coercion.

Hypocrisy is something the United States cannot afford in a war that is as much, if not more, about winning the hearts and minds of people as it is achieving military objectives. By supporting suicide-style terrorist attacks in Iran we have practically stamped Iran’s support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas with the U.S. seal of approval. In fact, we might as well have jotted a little smiley face on their playbook to let them know they’re doing a good job.

State-sponsored terrorism is state-sponsored terrorism, even when it is in retaliation to statesponsored terrorism.

As a country that was created by uncompromising ideals and philosophy, a country defined by democracy and liberty rather than monarchy — despotism or theocracy — we should remain vigilant of our government’s actions at home and abroad to ensure that they don’t compromise our most endearing values, all the while touting that same tired mantra, “the ends will justify the means.”

SPEAK OUT!

Is there a homeless problem in San Marcos and Escondido?

“

Its not like they are piling up on a street corner; a handful of homeless people are not really a problem. There are limited resources for everyone right now. How much can the government give to those not willing to help themselves?

”

—Paul Schock,undecided

“

I haven’t seen a lot of homeless people here. I used to live in Imperial Beach.

When I moved here homeless people were harder to see.

”

—Xaio Li,finance

Letters to the editor

“

I work at a residential rehab. There is not adequate funding for shelters. I think it is all the budget cuts. The more you cut the budget the less likely homeless people are to receive treatment.

Columnist quotes poor protest facts In response to “Right-wing media skews protest,” dated Oct. 5, I suggest Spencer Meyer do a better job of his research.

1) Glenn Beck was originally on CNN and is currently on Fox News. He NEVER has been on MSNBC. 2) If this universal health care that Congress and Obama want is such a good plan, then why don’t Congress and Obama want it for themselves, and, as a follow up, why won’t the Democrats post the bill online to let us read it, seeing as how Congress and the president work for US? 3) Why did Obama have a snitch e-mail (refer to newswithviews.com) to report “fishy” information on his health care plan, a clear first Amendment violation—something which the New York Times (that Meyer claims is trustworthy) ignored, yet blabbed about Bush’s wiretapping program, which was only for incoming calls overseas to intercept calls between terrorists.

Oh, and while we’re at it, according to the D.C. police- who, unlike Meyer, were actually there- the crowd was between 1.6 and 2 million. One need only look at the photos and article titled “Washington D.C. protest: revolution brewing from sea to shining sea,” on luckybogey.wordpress.com.

According to the aforementioned Web site, “The line of protesters spread across Pennsylvania Avenue for blocks, all the way to the capitol, according to the Washington Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.”

Also, according to a map found on lonelyplanet.com, the White House and the Capitol are quite a distance from each other if one is on foot. Oh, and unlike the inauguration attendees, at least the Sept. 12 protesters didn’t trash the place (see “A tale of two protests” on thespeechattimeforchoosing.wordpress.com).

The first and second picture on this site (about one-fourth of the way down) are of Inauguration Day, and Sept. 12, respectively.The third and fourth pictures are of Sept. 12. The fifth and sixth are of Inauguration Day. Aren’t you guys supposed to be the pro-environment ones- since when is trashing the place environmentally friendly?

Suffice it to say I’d trust Michael Vick with my dog before I’d trust the New York Times, or the rest of the mainstream media, for that matter, to report the news with anything even remotely resembling accuracy.

Victor Chabala, Oceanside

Faculty member: writer’s view of Islam flawed I read with some consternation the opinion piece titled “Dangerous Beliefs,” by Bert Hansen, in The Telescope’s Sept. 21 issue. As you did not provide the educational training of Mr. Hansen, I can only conjecture his editorial was meant to be a “man on the streets” perspective: the “average” person’s understanding of Islam.

This conjecture is largely based on the fact that Mr. Hansen, like the majority of people in the United States, lack a very basic understanding of Islam. They often resort to many embarrassing stereotypes of Muslims, usually meant to incite or illicit fear, distrust, and unfortunately hatred.

As it would take several articles to respond to all of his misrepresentations of the Muslim religion, I do feel compelled to address some of his more egregious mistatements.

First, following Mr. Hansen’s suggestion that the United States not engage with nations that are incompatible with the Universal Human Rights declarations set forth by the United Nations would result in the reevaluation of our relationships with at the very least, China, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

It is true that in some Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, women’s movements are restricted. In fact, Saudi Arabia is one of the strictest countries when it comes to controlling women.

What is interesting is that the United States has an unrestricted relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Hansen’s comment that “ardent feminists who turn a blind eye to the plight of women in Islamic countries are guilty of compromising their beliefs for the sake of political correctness,” is only half right.

It is not feminists who are turning a blind eye, but his own government. If Mr. Hansen has such high morals he should start a signature campaign to encourage the United States to stop purchasing oil from Saudi Arabia until they re-examine their local customs regarding women.

You see, Mr. Hansen is under the grave misunderstanding that Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women is a direct result of Islam. He is seriously mistaken. (Letter continued on thetelescope.com) Sharon Allen Multicultural Studies, Palomar College

”

—Toni Hankins,visual merchandising

“

There is a problem and they are trying to push them into shelters outside of the city (limits). There should be more shelters being built, but more families are being left out.

”

—Andrew Kline, international business administration

“

In Vista, I see a lot of homeless people around the gas stations, banks and shopping centers...Maybe they need psychological help. They also need food and shelter. It’s sad to see them there.

”

— Mariel Godines, childhood development

What did others say? the-telescope.com poll results:

Next week’s question: Are you addicted to Facebook, MySpace or Twitter? To vote go to www.the-telescope.com.

6 | OPINION

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009| THE TELESCOPE

The Red (comparison) Scare In conducting my weekly Conservatively reconnaissance of the political Speaking blogosphere, I have found that DAN MCCARTHY the measure of intelligent discussion on any subject — from economics to foreign policy — is inversely proportional to how often a Soviet comparison is introduced to the public or online domain.

Such is now the case with our Afghan debate.

To the punditship, escalation in any degree is tantamount to the same Soviet blunder over the same patch of land with the same political climate simply stuck in a time machine and beamed to the present day. More talking heads than I care to count are positing, as quickly as their nattering mouths can spew the words, that our armed forces are bound to relive 1989.

Well, not so much.

When the Red Army invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to prop up a pro-communist government that the Mujahedeen (a group that would later splinter and in part form the Taliban) had nearly deposed, popular support rested with the Western-backed guerillas, not the Marxist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan or their Soviet counterparts. Afghans had to choose between communism and an Islamic theocracy. They chose the latter.

Now as it was then, Afghans have to choose which side to back. At the moment, or in the immediate future, they have no reason to outwardly support the International Security Assistance Force and Hamid Karzai. NATO is showing very little in the way of long-term mission commitment. If the Democratic Party gets its wish, the situation won’t get any better.

However, the Taliban isn’t leaving. If we withdraw, they’re still around. If we pull some middle of the road compromise that merely stagnates the current situation, they’re still around.

The only way the Taliban will be picked up by the back of their man dresses and thrown out of Afghanistan is if enough indigenous forces can be

raised to take the fight to them and ostracize that organization’s backing within their national borders.

Americans with European support, alone, cannot do that—drones, fighter/bombers and all the counter insurgency tactics you can muster considered.

The rub, unfortunately, is this: Foreign troops cannot completely win a counter insurgency, especially on this scale.That task falls to the native armed forces. ISAF contingents can shape the ideal conditions for the local military to operate in, and currently, they do so very efficiently and with great results.

However, to set this war on a track to the only discernible victory, the forces being supported need to be Afghan, not American.

What Gen. Stanley McChrystal has requested is just that: enough men and political capital to weather this storm long enough for the Afghan military— which has just recently taken shape as an operational fighting force—to receive the reins from NATO and start gaining legitimacy with their people. The only way the Karzai government and any effort to defeat the Taliban will grow credence with average Afghans is if their countrymen are doing the fighting.That is a connection with the general populace that ISAF forces are unable to make.

Now what I just described could, very easily, be the topic of the Sunday talk shows or a New York Times Op-Ed (one of which served as the impetus for this column).

Yet instead, those who try so ardently to lay claim to the cutting edge of Afghan analysis act as if sounding abjectly foolish in the process is a mere afterthought.

Declaring Obama’s actions (or inactions, with regards to Afghanistan) Sovietic, and the man himself a Sovietophile (perhaps a Sovietist practicing Sovietism), or simply channeling Leonid Brezhnev in the land of mom and apple pie is the highest form of intellectual bankruptcy from certain groups attempting to stoke Sovietophobia.

To a fool this is shrewd commentary, but such extra-logical connections and sensationalist associations ultimately obstruct any substantive debate on the matter at hand.

Call it the Soviet Bloc.

No reason to fear new passport chips visible on the passport, with one addition: an added digital photograph allows biometric scanners to confirm the identity of people trying to cross checkThe State Department has issued many alerts for points.

Thanks to the chips, says the blogger and others international travelers this year. Warnings about swine flu outbreaks, embassy closures, hurricane who share his concern, terrorists can now single out season and political instability help travelers evalu- Americans from a crowd for attack. By putting these chips in passports, the government has given our ate potential threats.

Some people are suggesting that the State enemies a weapon against American citizens.

Department should add another warning to its list. Terrorists can isolate American signals to locate tarThe threat it would reveal is not something that gets.

While this belief allows Americans a reason to many travelers would know indulge in their love for about — passport-triggered real-life drama, it is combombs. It sounds scary, but pletely unreasonable. it’s completely ridiculous to The chips in passports worry about. work by communicating According to the blog “The with a receiver that transMinistry of Truth” on The lates signals into data.The Hacker’s Choice Web site, “it receiver has to be relativeis now possible to build ly close to read the sigsmart (bombs),” thanks to a nals. recent change made to passIf the passport is only ports by the Department of partially open, the receivState. er must be even closer.

These bombs would wait If a terrorist thinks that until specific targets were tracking signals from close by before going off.This passports is the best way means that a terrorist could to find targets, he is not program bombs to detonate thinking clearly. It would when a certain number of be far easier to locate Americans come within its Americans by looking for range. The bombs could be the tell-tale signs of a planted in places like hotels, shopping malls and PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY YESENIA GARCIA | THE TELESCOPE tourist. Clothing, ethnicity and accents would be train stations, undetected until the number of Americans was high enough to much easier to use as guides for locating Americans.

These signs can be located at much farther distances trigger an explosion.

But how can a bomb distinguish between people? than the signals could.

Building a smart bomb might be a better idea for It could do so by reading signals from passports.

That’s right, folks: The new passports are being crit- a suicide bomber than using a radio signal as the cue icized for giving terrorists the ability to build smart for his grand finale. Even so, the logic of such a device does not justify its use. Old fashioned car bombs.

Since August 2007, the State Department, along bombing will continue to be a much larger threat to with agencies from many other countries, has been Americans’ safety than smart bombs ever will be.

If you’re still concerned about your passport adding radio frequency identification chips to passports as they are issued. These chips use the same betraying you, consider getting a metal passport technology that allows everything from pets to cargo shield to cover your passport if it did not come with one.The shield will prevent the passport from transcontainers to be tracked.

The chips contain the same data that is physically mitting anything unless you open it.

AMANDA MCCARTHY THE TELESCOPE

JOSEPH BONNET | THE TELESCOPE

Justice is blinded by the limelight CAMILO BARERRO THE TELESCOPE

Lindsay Lohan exemplifies how ineffective the criminal justice system can be.

After two arrests in 2007 for charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and drug possession, the actress was sentenced to an extended year-long probation and was ordered to complete alcohol counseling. Lohan returned to court this year for excessive absences to the program and again walked out with just a warning, a decision that leaves the impression that the law can be manipulated by those with money and connections.

She should go to jail. No hesitation, no more extensions. Since when should a person be able to just walk freely away after so many offenses? Unfortunately, Lohan is not the only one who has been exonerated sans due cause; Nicole Richie, Busta Rhymes, Mischa Barton, Paris Hilton and Shia LaBeuf have all benefited from the preferencial treatment entertainers are often afforded.

Rather than setting an example to younger generations who admire her, Lohan acts as if her notoriety comes without responsibility. She has become so negligent that in two years she hasn’t redeemed herself. And now, a flawed decision puts her again above the law.

In California, a DUI could incur fees up to $1,800, a six

month driver’s license suspension, a DUI class and 48 hours of mandatory jail time or work service. A second DUI offense raises the punishment to a $2,800 fine, a two year loss of the driver’s license and, in some cases, the installation of an ignition interlock device and between 10 and 30 days of jail. None of these have been levied on the Hollywood star.

Pleading that her career kept her out of the country for extended periods of time (and thus accounts for the missed meetings)the actress seems to have found be the perfect excuse. She has used it to gain leniency with the law when such lenity would be wasted on an unrepentant substance abuser like Lohan.

Sadly, American role models are consistently setting bad examples for today’s youth and shirking their limelight-associated responsibilities. With their congenial misdeeds, celebrities exude a wanton disregard for authority, consequences and in general, the standards of a well mannered society.

Lohan will travel to New York on a charity trip in the coming months, after which she’s slated to attend to her alcohol counseling program. Hopefully this time she sees the sentence through, while staying—relatively—out of trouble, lest she has to spend a night in a Beverly Hills jail. Or her bedroom. For high profile celebrities, the two are essentially synonymous.

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

ENTERTAINMENT |

7

‘Men Who Stare’ fit for TV, not theaters

COURTESY PHOTO

George Clooney attempts to kill a goat with his mind as part of a secret government program to develop Jedi-like powers in “The Men Who Stare at Goats.”

Wars”). The soldiers were trained to hone their psychic and paranormal skills in order “More of this is true than you to read minds, walk through would believe,” warns a title walls and turn invisible when caught in a tight card at the start of MOVIE REVIEW squeeze.

“The Men Who Stare “We will be the first at Goats,” although ‘The Men Who superpower to develop the ever-reliable “I Stare at Goats’ superpowers!” know this sounds exclaims Bill Django crazy, but ...” would HH (Jeff Bridges), the lieuhave worked just as OUT OF FOUR STARS tenant in charge of this well.

STARRING: George “New Earth Army.”

Based on the non- Clooney, Ewan McGregor Django is a Vietnam fiction book by Jon RATED: R veteran who was Ronson, whose Web wounded in battle, site describes him as a journalist AND a humorist, returned home, disappeared the movie claims that the U.S. for six years into the New Age military developed a secret demimonde — lots of nudist cadre in the 1980s code-named beaches, communal hot tubs “Jedi warriors” (Ronald and LSD parties — and Reagan sure loved “Star emerged convinced that peace RENE RODRIGUES MCT CAMPUS

and love, not violence, were the key to winning wars.

Directed by Grant Heslov and written by Peter Straughan, “The Men Who Stare at Goats” uses flashbacks to chart the creation of Django’s super soldiers, whose idea of boot camp includes dancing to Billy Idol, walking on hot coals, driving through obstacle courses while blindfolded and lots of yoga.

The film’s main story is set in 2003 Iraq, where Ann Arbor newspaper reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) has come to report on the war. Bob meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who was once Django’s star pupil and who still believes he possesses Jedi powers, such as the ability to stop goats’ hearts

with a gaze or the fearsome “sparkly eyes” technique, which, in one of the film’s most amusing moments, Lyn demonstrates to Bob. Much of “The Men Who Stare at Goats” is indeed amusing, although mostly in a mild, setting-the-stage kind of way, and your smiles eventually turn to yawns. Once the movie has established its roster of loony characters (including Kevin Spacey as a dark Jedi who is jealous of everyone else’s powers), the script doesn’t give them anything to do. Pretty much nothing happens in Iraq: Everything’s just one gag after another, and a shot of Lyn and Bob wandering the desert reminds you of those old Bob Hope-Bing Crosby “Road” pic-

tures (or perhaps a more sophisticated version of a Chris Farley-David Spade comedy).

Except even they eventually got somewhere.

McGregor clearly relishes the opportunity to act in a real movie after a post-”Star Wars” string of duds, although his casting here feels primarily like a stunt to help all the Jedi jokes pay off more. Clooney is better — no one can say this superstar is not willing to make fun of himself — and Bridges deftly channels his shaggy “Big Lebowski” persona. But to what end?

“The Men Who Stare at Goats” is a premise in wait for a movie — the pilot episode for a TV series that got canceled before it got cooking.

New blood reinvigorates band after almost 30 years CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER MCT CAMPUS

How’s this for a funny T-shirt slogan: I waited two hours for a Metallica interview at the South by Southwest Music Conference, and all I got was the lousy new guy.

It turned out, though, that bassist Rob Trujillo offered a new perspective on metal’s biggest band. Or at least he seemed like a fresh source to somebody who has interviewed the other three members at one point or another, and who twice sat through the “Some Kind of Monster” documentary (in which they all talk too much).

Seated at a table at the Four Seasons hotel in Austin, wearing a Black Flag T-shirt, the former Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy Osbourne bassist — who replaced Jason Newsted in 2003 — alternately talked like he’s still just another longtime fan of Metallica, but also like he’s now a fully integrated part of its creative process.

“For me personally, being the newer member, it’s a great honor to actually play the old thrash style of music in this band,” he humbly stated at one point.

He was referring to the clas-

sic, full-throttle sound on the group’s latest album, “Death Magnetic.” The disc came out to strong reviews last September.

(The band’s gig at the SXSW fest in March was mainly a plug for the “Metallica: Guitar Hero” video game.)

Talking more in-depth about the fuel behind “Death Magnetic,” though, Trujillo took his due credit. In fact, he said he played an especially vital role when guitarist Kirk Hammett frequently missed sessions for the record since his wife gave birth twice during its inception (nobody would accuse Metallica of rushing an album).

“Traditionally, Kirk has always been the middleman (since) he’s a very peaceful man,” the bassist explained. In Hammett’s absence, “I sort of got thrown in that mix.”

The mix he’s referring to is the notorious clash of egos between Metallica’s cofounders, singer/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. Their constant bickering over creative matters was at the heart of “Some Kind of Monster,” and while the movie showed them working out their troubles through group therapy sessions, Trujillo said, “There are definitely times there’s still

that tension.”

“The key thing is you really gotta let those two head-butt within reason. That’s the magic of what happens in the band.

There’s a certain energy that bounces off the two of them, and you’ve gotta let that flow and then offer suggestions or butt in when it’s really necessary. The difference is nowadays, the band has figured out a way to defuse anything that could potentially be more destructive.”

Trujillo said he has come to appreciate the creative side of Hetfield, even if it is somewhat tempestuous at times.

“James Hetfield to me is so special in terms of writing riffs and melodies; he’s just an amazing musician,” he said.

“Sometimes, if there’s a part he’s not picking up right off the bat, he gets a little impatient.

That’s where you get a little nervous. That’s where you’ll see a chair fly.

“But to me, that’s all about the passion of putting a song together, and that’s one of the beautiful things about this band. There’s a lot that goes into this. There’s a lot of challenge in what we do, it’s not the easiest thing learning riffs or trying to develop a part in a Metallica

COURTESY PHOTO

Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett, and James Hetfield of Metallica attend the MTV ICON: Metallica show at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California on May 3, 2003. song.”

Adding to the challenges during the making of “Death Magnetic” was the presence of uber-producer Rick Rubin, who has crafted albums by everyone from Johnny Cash and the Dixie Chicks to Slayer and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

One thing Rubin did was “push Metallica outside its comfort zone,” Trujillo said. He did this physically by having them

record in a grimy part of Los Angeles instead of its own comfortable music spaces in San Francisco.

“The other guys might disagree, but I think the fact that someone like Lars Ulrich had to go to Van Nuys, Calif. — which is very industrial and not glamorous, so you have nothing else to do — I think the angst came out of that. It served as a great creative ground.”

8 | ENTERTAINMENT WHAT’S HAPPENING Monday, Nov. 9 What: Horticulture lecture Where: Surfside Race Place When: 6 p.m.

Cost: $5 More info: 760-295-7089

Tuesday, Nov. 10 What: Ocean Beach Restaurant Walk Where: Throughout Ocean Beach Cost: $15 More info: 619-224-4906

Wednesday, Nov. 11 Who: Everclear What: Alternative When: 7 p.m.

Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $68-$83

‘Pirate Radio’ disappoints despite all-star comic cast and new; the film’s sets, however, can only go so far as the movie is set on a ship and can only have so “Pirate Radio” is a decent peri- much space and keep the illusion od piece brought down by its lack of reality. of identifiable characters and a It is hard to say that there is a dragging plot. main character in “Pirate Radio.”

The film is about the British The closest candidate would government limiting the probably be Carl, a MOVIE REVIEW amount of rock and pop young man who was music allowed on the recently kicked out of ‘Pirate Radio’ radio, only to have its university to go and HHH efforts squashed by live on his godfather’s OUT OF FOUR STARS pirate radio stations ship where Radio Philip broadcasting from a ship STARRING: Rock broadcasts.

Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy in the ocean.

The film tries to RATED: R “Pirate Radio” manshow viewers a little ages to feature stunning bit about each shots of the ocean and an old crewmember, and Carl is the ship, if only a couple of times — instrument to do so. While this but when it does, it leaves an works out for some of the characimpression. The film starts with a ters I found myself wanting to strong opening sequence and nor- know more about characters and mally keeps things looking fresh not getting it.

NIGEL HARRIS THE TELESCOPE

Who: Third Eye Blind with Grand Buffet (21+) What: Alt. rock and hip-hop When: 8 p.m.

Where: House of Blues San Diego Cost: $32.50-$50

Friday, Oct. 13 Who: Dressed to the Nth Degree What: Performing arts When: 8 p.m.

Where: Spreckels Theater Cost: $35-$225

Saturday, Oct. 14 What: Ultimate Doo Wop Show When: 8 p.m.

Where: San Diego Civic Theatre Cost: $65-$75

NOW ON SALE KISS Concert at the Sports Arena on Nov. 27, tickets on sale now. ticketmaster.com

Black Crowes Concert at the House of Blues in San Diego on Nov. 22, tickets on sale now. ticketmaster.com

Jerry Seinfeld Comedian at the San Diego on Dec. 4, tickets on sale now. ticketmaster.com

When these side stories didn’t work however, it felt like the plot was left behind and the film was having trouble staying on track.

“Pirate Radio” has an amazing sound track. It is filled with classic rock and Motown tracks, which lead into setting up some great audiovisual combinations.

The reason that they work so well is because, one, they are all songs of the era which keeps you in the film, and two, the characters are on a ship that has countless records at their disposal.

Music is a big part of the movie, and that means that for the majority of the movie some sort of music is being played, and it is hit after hit from that era, there are a lot of very recognizable tracks. When music isn’t playing the film almost takes on an awkward tone.

With actors who have such comedic talent, it was a surprise to see that the film was more on the serious side. The film isn’t completely serious, but the sense of humor seems to be targeting a specific type of humor rather than seeking the broader audience.

The humor is very much like “The Office” in that it takes awkward moments and tries to put a humorous spin on them. The jokes only deliver some of the time, and the failures stick out awkwardly.

While “Pirate Radio” had its shortcomings with its characters and a driving plot it was still an interesting period piece with an amazing sound track, if classic rock and Motown interests you, check it out — if not, wait for the rental.

‘Box’ actors relish movie’s moral dilemma MAGGIE AVANTS THE TELESCOPE

Thursday, Oct. 12

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Scientific thriller “The Box,” released in theaters Nov. 6, is relevant to a moral dilemma many Americans face today: living out of their means, said director Richard Kelly and cast members Cameron Diaz and James Marsden in a recent college telephone interview they did from a Manhattan studio.

Based on the short story “Buttons, Buttons” by Richard Matheson, the film takes place in 1976 in Richmond,Va., where Kelly — who also wrote the screenplay — grew up.

“I read the story when I was young, and the concept stayed with me,” Kelly said.

Besides being filmed in his hometown, Kelly said he drew character inspiration for Arthur (Marsden) and Norma (Diaz) Lewis from his own parents. The Lewises are a middle class couple with one son, whose bills to maintain their lifestyle start piling up.

“They are a nuclear family with a lifestyle they can’t afford (…) driving a car that’s too expensive, paying for private school for their son,” Kelly said.

“Hopefully that’s something that will resonate with modern society.”

The cataclysmic appearance of Arlington Steward (Frank Langella), a mystifyingly disfigured stranger with a box said to have a million dollars in it, seems to offer a solution to the struggling couple, who must decide if they will push the box’s button.

“In today’s society we are all pushing buttons with credit cards,” said Diaz. “Ultimately we have to pay the consequences.”

If they push the button, then someone, somewhere in the world, will die.

The circumstances will send the Lewises on a tailspin of a journey, leading them to question their morals in the face of innate greed.

“She (Norma) was hoping they would get a million bucks without someone dying,” Diaz said. “She kept telling herself ‘it’s just a box, it’s just a button.’

It is an existential quandary: ‘Why are we here? Where are we going?’”

Diaz said it is a question she likes to ask herself often, and that Kelly’s authenticity in his prior films such as “Donnie Darko” made him someone she wanted to work with.

Marsden, whose character is a NASA scientist, said that even though sci-fi is not a genre he is too familiar with, the film’s characters were all “very human,” despite being surrounded by surreal circumstances.

“It didn’t seem like we were doing a sci-fi,” said Marsden, who starred in “X-Men.” Marsden grew up in Oklahoma, and said his Southern accent came in handy for the role of Arthur, which required a bit of a twang.

“We called him ‘Oke’ on the set,” Diaz joked with her costar.

“There is always going to be a piece of you inherent in your

performance,” Marsden said.

After doing thrillers like “Straw Dogs” and “The Box,” Marsden said he is ready to do something “light and fluffy,” though.

Neither Diaz nor Marsden said they read the short story the film was based on. They wanted to bring what they could of their own to Kelly’s characters, they said.

“I love the liberties that sci-fi can take,” Diaz said.

Production on “The Box” finished two years ago, but the film is just now hitting theaters after having its release date pushed back several times since 2008. Test screenings showed positive feedback, according to Paste Magazine, who pegged Kelly as having similarities to famed director Orson Welles.

STAY FOCUSED ONLINE web: the-telescope.com

twitter: @telescopenews

facebook: search for “the telescope”

FOCUS |

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

9

CHRISTINA PARKER | THE TELESCOPE

Palomar cosmetology student Genesis Siguencia says she has been judged because of her hair but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to change it again in the future.

CHRISTINA PARKER THE TELESCOPE

When most of us were young, hair salon visits were likely a horrific experience. We screamed, we cried, and had snot drip out our noses, even before the first snip of precious hair fell to the ground.

Most of us became so attached to one hair style, that the idea of changing it, even cutting a few inches off could make tears pool.

But there are a handful of people out there who will go so far as to change their hair almost every other week. Pushing the envelope of the standard norm, these people will shave, cut, dye and extend their hair in ways many wouldn’t dare.

These risktakers said the diversity gives them a chance to stand out against the rest. A way to express not only their willingness to be different but to allow insight into who they are.

Palomar cosmetology student Molly Vonderwische describes her hair as “wild” and thinks it shows that side of her as well.

“I’m not scared to have bright red hair but some other girls would be,” she said. “I think it shows how open you are.”

Vonderwischce added that it is very common for people to not like her hair, or even judge her with a first look. She explained that once she had to go to the mall to ask people if they wanted makeovers for

her class, it definitely gives people confidence and it really “I got denied by everybody,” she said. “They took does change what you look like.” one look at my hair and were like, ‘I don’t want my Students tend to be younger and more attracted to hair like that.” bold colors and wacky looks. According to Barbie While some judge unusual hairstyles, others Brown, a local hair salon owner, her own bright hair applaud it, students said. color attracts a lot of younger clientele.

“I always get mean stares, but there are other peoShe said it’s hard to find a salon that will do bright ple who tell me they like it, it’s kinda like one of colors like hot pink and red on people, and teens and those love/hate things,” said young adults definitely want these student Genesis Siguencia of unusual colors, since some of the her haircut. kids she takes at her salon have Siguencia has two shaved gone so far as to dye their hair spots on both sides of her head with Kool-aid to achieve a new from above the ear a few inches hue. back in a sort of square. That Bright and vibrant, or crazy hair leaves just enought left for a cuts can make finding jobs in the faux hawk. But she is not done work force difficult. Which is why with her style. She said she the older generations are less likeplans to add some new color ly to have these looks. highlights and bangs in the “I’ll have clients that will put a — Genesis Siguencia streak of pink in their hair, and near future.

Student Siguencia added that she theyíll come back and say that enjoys having different hair and she likes people their work won’t let them have it,” Brown said. “It’s noticing that it is unusual, because she sees it as just like tattoos or anything, not all jobs are okay unique to herself. She also thinks that hair definite- with that. I don’t think a bank teller could go into ly can not only change a person’s appearance but work with purple hair.” their attitude on life as well.

Which is understandable, she says she wouldn’t “I’ve helped change styles,” Genesis said. “There’s want someone working in her salon that’s boring, so people I know who’ve totally come out of their shells, it’s just the other way around for most businesses.

“

I always get mean stares, but there’s other people who tell me they like it, it’s kinda like one of those love/hate things.

”

Who is this natural woman in the mirror?

LAUREN R. HARRISON MCT CAMPUS

Chunks of hair flew everywhere, littering the bathroom sink and floor.

I channeled Edward Scissorhands while chopping off my silky, long bob three years ago, hoping that the faster I snipped the less I would think about the possibly horrendous outcome.

It was an anxious excitement. The kind a girl might feel right before a first date.

Only this time, it was more of a reunion.

I hadn’t seen the natural texture of my hair since I was 11 years old, when my tresses were first chemically straightened. That day I was inducted into a historical league that thousands of black women and their hair know all too well —a rite of passage that subconsciously taught us that beauty was synonymous with pain and that our hair needed to be “fixed” to be beautiful.

Hair stylists might as well have been obstetricians, coaching us to breathe as we fought back tears, telling us to hold on for “five more minutes” while lye or other chemicals fire-danced across our scalps.

And that was just the first 45 minutes.There would be several more hours and countless more Saturdays to keep our hair “dyed, fried and laid to the side,” as my aunt would say.

Frustrated with time, torment or cost, more black women are making the same decision that I made to “go natural i.e., forsaking relaxers that alter kinky roots into stringy submission and cutting off chemically treated ends.

Nowadays it seems trendy, as advertisements increasingly include models with curly manes and gigantic Afros.

Celebrities have hopped on the natural-hair bandwagon this year, from Solange Knowles, an R&B songstress and Beyonce's younger sister, who shaved her head in July, to Chris Rock dissecting the black hair industry in his documentary “Good Hair,” released in October. But don't believe all of the media hype; going natural is no frivolous feat. It takes perseverance to remain confident and simultaneously research how to maintain a traditionally castigated hair texture.

When I first stared in the mirror with a fuzzy, near-buzz cut, I thought: “Who is this girl looking back at me?”

Friends and family had questions about my new identity too.

“How do you expect to be viewed as a professional?” my mother asked.

“You'll look like a lesbian,” a male friend said.

And there was no shortage of comments (or an occasional black power fist) from strangers as my hair grew thick and tightly coiled. All of a sudden, people called me a “soul sista” or an “African queen” when I walked down the street.

Now, don't get me wrong. Compliments are one thing. But no one ever “complimented” me that way when my hair was straight. I couldn’t shake the inkling that I was perceived to be GRAPHIC BY MCT CAMPUS

more authentically black because others relegated my natural hair to a political statement.

“There’s a stereotype of what a natural woman is. She has an Afro, wears hemp clothing, is earthy and crunchy, and smells like patchouli,” said Richeau Breland, 25, a YouTube vlogger in New York.

Breland, who first went natural in 2001, has produced more than 100 hair how-tos and product review videos on her channel (youtube.com/richeau) since last year, which helped save me from a curious problem: I didn’t know how to care for my hair’s natural texture, and I didn’t know a single black woman who did.

Chris-Tia Donaldson, author of the new “Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair,” said the lack of information stems from a loss of hair-care traditions.

Since slavery, “we’ve been straightening our hair to assimilate into the society for the purposes of advancing,” said the Chicagoan.

My quest uncovered an array of other vlogs, blogs and message boards, including Alisha Cole’s motowngirl.com, which profiles “naturals” across the country and prints hair-care recipes with ingredients found in the kitchen.

I was instantly hooked. Hours that I formerly spent in hair salons were replaced by time hunched over my laptop, drinking in not only hair advice, but also moral support that wasn’t always offered offline.

As with any other journey, there have been mistakes (like the egg I forgot to rinse out with cold water, which ended up scrambling in my hair), fears (of never finding a date) and newfound freedoms (exercising and walking in the rain without worry).

But the biggest reward is to look in the mirror and recognize myself as I am, naturally.

10 | FOCUS

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Paying tribute:

YVONNE LANOT THE TELESCOPE

While the Iraq War still rages on, Veterans Day is on the horizon.

Nov. 11, most formally known as Veterans Day, has become a major holiday to celebrate those who have fought through any wars and have put their lives on the line to protect the United States.

Veterans Day was first commemorated as Armistice Day in November 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson.

It was first known as Armistice Day because of the armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany that went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month before the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I.

GRAPHICS BY MCT CAMPUS

Because of World War II, Nov. 11 was turned into a day to honor all American veterans of all wars.

Now, with the Iraq War going on, Veterans Day has become a holiday for people to stop, remember and celebrate those who have fought for our country.

“I am excited for this day,” s a i d Michael Wargin, the president of the Veterans for College Club at Palomar.

“As a veteran, it’s the perfect day where we can remember all those who have fought or are still in the war.”

Palomar student Joe Nunley spent four years away from home to serve for the U.S. military in different countries.

“Veterans Day is great for recognition. It shows that you sacrificed your life to help protect the people back home. No one else can say that you did that. It is an honor to say that I am (a Veteran),” Nunley said.

One of the biggest hurdles that soldiers face when going to war is the pain of being away from loved ones.

“After a while you get used to being away. You do your job and move on,”

Veterans Day honors those who have fallen

Nunley said.

“It sucks when someone is away at war,” said Emily Keehn, a student who went to boot camp with soldiers currently in the war. “It’s hard to hear about bombings and killings on the war when you know people in it. You never quite know if they’re ever OK and it can be a big stressor to people with family and friends in the war.”

Seeing as technology has evolved into the Iraq War, even keeping in touch with friends and family has become all technological compared to the letters written by soldiers in WWII. “We would write emails or use MotoMail, which is a mail service online that lets you write mail and it sends directly to anyone out in the fields,” Keehn said about how she stayed in touch with friends at war.

Nunley responded with, “Phone cards or calling cards are big. We only got some internet, but we did e-mails as well. We couldn’t tell them much about what was going on with the war; our e-mails or talks were mostly of how we were doing.”

Whether you call it Veterans Day or Armistice Day, Nov. 11 has become a huge holiday for people to celebrate all around the country.

Keehn later said, “More people should celebrate Veterans Day. It wasn’t easy for those who were sent out and then came back to cope with life after having gone to war. So a day for people to celebrate those who fought

“

for our country is great, it doesn’t matter whether you believe in war or not. It’s about honoring the people who went out there and risked their lives for our country.”

After a while you get used to being away. You do your job and move on.

”

— Joe Nunley Student

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COMET SPORTS |

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

Comets miss opportunities

11

Palomar cannot come from behind in close, but disapointing loss to Fullerton College JARRED POWELL THE TELESCOPE

Missed opportunities by Palomar’s football team cost the Comets their game against Fullerton College. They were unable to capitalize on three turnovers by Fullerton in the fourth quarter. The Comets made it close, and were driving in the fourth quarter, but ended up losing 20-17 on Halloween night.

Palomar was moving the ball in the fourth quarter with 1 minute and 31 seconds left. Two plays later, their drive was stopped when Fullerton cornerback Alex Valdez intercepted Nate Ong’s pass, thus ending the drive and the game for the Comets with a loss at Escondido High School.

“I told (Palomar Head Coach Joe) Early before the game it is going to come down to the last play of the game and it did,” Fullerton Head Coach Tim Burns said. “Both teams played great football, and the game came down to the end like it has the last few years.”

The final minutes were a mirror of that game for the Comets. The defense held Fullerton, and the Comets could not score.

The loss put the Comet’s at 7-2 and 3-2 in Southern Conference.

Fullerton moves to 8-1 and 4-0 in Southern Conference and has its eye on the championship.

“This is a big win for us,” Burns said. “We now have two games left and we should win our confer-

ence if we take care of business.

Palomar is a great football team and we just got lucky enough to win tonight.”

Early was clearly disheartened after the loss.

“This was frustrating for all of us,” Early said. “The guys are down, and they should be. We’ll have to see what we learn from this for next time.”

Both teams started slowly and could only muster a field goal going into the second quarter.

“Their defense did a good job at stopping our run game. Our special teams had some lapses, but we played hard and brought it down to the end,” Early said.

Fullerton scored in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by tailback Kenny Turner to take a 10-3 lead. They added another field goal just before halftime to increase their lead to 13-3.

Fullerton scored again on its opening drive in the third quarter, when Turner caught a screen pass and ran 42 yards for a touchdown. Fullerton took a commanding 20-3 lead.

The Comets found their stride and scored on their next possession, when Matt Christian found Martavious Lee down the sideline for a 69-yard gain to the Fullerton 3-yard line. Running back Orenzo Davis scored to make it 20-10.

Christian threw to wide receiver Javon Reynolds two series later to pull Palomar within three at 20-17.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUGH COX

Cornerback Omar Smith (#24) makes a tackle on Halloween night at Escondido High School in a 20-17 loss to Fullerton College.

12 | COMET SPORTS

MONDAY, NOV. 9, 2009 | THE TELESCOPE

COMETS REDEEM, BEAT SD MESA

Morton, Bird lead women’s volleyball back to first place with winning streak JEREMY LEAL THE TELESCOPE

As the women’s volleyball season winds down and the playoffs move closer, the Comets are dominating their opponents and eye a possible back-to-back Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Championship.

Palomar finished first in the PCAC last season, advanced to the Southern California Regionals and came within one win of reaching the California Community College Athletics Association State Final Eight.

Team captains Shelley Morton and Aimee Bird said that this year’s team has come together, and they feel confident about the teams play.

“After each point, whether we win or lose, we all come together in the middle and whether good or bad, we either celebrate together or we move on,” Bird said.

Morton was out almost the entire season last year due to a broken foot. She said that from what she saw last year, leadership is one of the big differences between the 2008 Palomar team and the 2009 team.

“Just watching I felt like there wasn’t very much leadership on the court last year, and I feel like that is so different this year,” Morton said.

Palomar started the season shaky, opening with a 2-3 record.

The Comets then won their next five matches, including two PCAC games, until a heartbreaking loss to San Diego Mesa, dropping them to 2-1 in conference games.

“Cash had a concussion (during the first SD Mesa match), and COLLEEN LANGILL | THE TELESCOPE we didn’t know,” Bird said about teammate Cashel White who sufSophomores Shelley Morton and Aimee Bird are the team captains of the first-place Comets women’s volleyball team. Morton fered the concussion during the had eight kills and Bird had 27 assists in their victory over San Diego Mesa at Palomar on Nov. 4. match.

COMET SPORTS IN BRIEF Men’s soccer comes from behind

Pacific Coast Athletic Conference men’s soccer leader Palomar, trailing 3-0 at halftime, rallied to beat host Southwestern 4-3 on Nov. 4 on a hat trick by Johnny Topete.

Edgar Aguilar contributed three assists for the Comets (9-52, 7-1-2), who remain two points ahead of San Diego City College, a 3-1 winner over MiraCosta, in the PCAC standings.

Javier Martinez tallied the other Palomar goal. Goalkeeper Christian Negrete had eight assists.

Women’s water polo topples Miramar 19-8

Palomar warmed up for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Women’s Water Polo Tournament this weekend in San Diego by beating Miramar 19-8 on Nov. 4 at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The Comets (14-10, 6-2), who will go after regular-season winner San Diego Mesa in the PCAC

tourney at the Joan Kroc Center, will enter the postseason in second place.

Jackie Puccino scored four goals to lead Palomar, which jumped out to a 7-2 first quarter lead. Melissa Best and Sam Seikkula each scored three goals.

Nicole Pederson and Carissa Gibbons had two goals apiece.

Krystle Green, Gina Ordille and Colette Reid each added a goal.

Women’s golf takes first at Foothill Conference

Palomar completed a two-day domination of the Foothill Conference Women’s Golf Championships on Nov. 3 at Lake San Marcos Country Club.

The Comets won by 49 strokes over runner-up Mt. SAC over 18 holes and finished 106 strokes ahead of the Mounties for the tournament’s full 36 holes. Both teams advance to the Southern California Regional tournament on today at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills.

Palomar’s Beth Sellers took medalist honors at Lake San Marcos, shooting a 76, and was

named conference Player of the Year. The Comets’ Mark Eldridge was Coach of the Year. Cora Busby, with the second lowest scoring average in the conference behind Sellers on the year, joined her on the All-Foothill first team along with Jessica Milner and Meagan Pechner. Lienati Leniu and Kayla Sotelo were secondteam selections.

The Comets finished at 326 at the Foothill Conference, 27 strokes off the Palomar record of 299 they shot on Sept. 21 but plenty good enough to win easily.

Mt. SAC checked in at 375, followed by College of the Desert (415), Long Beach City College (439) and Mt. San Jacinto (no score).

Behind Sellers’ medalist score on Tuesday, Busby shot a 78 for the Comets, Pechner 84, Milner 88, Leniu 89, Kaylynn Ward 89, Sotelo 93 and Hannah Gelormini 102.

Because the conference tournament is technically two 18-hole events (Nov. 3, 4), the Comets picked up four more wins and are now 45-0 on the season, 44-0 in conference.

Palomar placed second in Southern California and third in the CCCAA State Championships last season.

Bird also said that the chemistry on the court was out of sync during that match that took place Oct. 9 at Mesa. This factored into the match when Palomar lost it in the fifth game 15-13, after winning the first two games.

Morton and Bird said that in the early parts of the season it would take the team a while to adapt to game speed. They also said that this was reflected in their team practices.

Bird said at the beginning of the season they were always playing “catch-up ball.”

“We had a team talk, and our practices became more focused, and we were better prepared,” Bird said.

The Comets rebounded from that loss with five more wins that were all sweeps and were all against PCAC opponents.

These matches led to a rematch between second place Palomar and the first place San Diego Mesa Olympians.

The Comets went into the game with a totally different mind-set than when the two teams first met.

“We practiced all this week on taking away their strengths and limiting our errors. I think this is the best we’ve ever translated practice into the game,” Bird said after the rematch between the top two teams in the PCAC. The preparation that Palomar lacked in the first meeting, showed in the second meeting when the Comet’s routed the Olympians with another sweep.

Palomar won the first two sets, but fell behind 6-0 in the third game. They managed to rally and win it 25-22.

Morton had eight kills, and Bird had 27 assists.

Since losing to Mesa on Oct. 9. the Comets have won 10 of their last 11 matches, nine by sweeps.

DEB HELLMAN

| THE TELESCOPE

Beth Sellers took medalist honors at the Foothill Conference Women’s Golf Championships on Nov. 3 at Lake San Marcos Country Club. Palomar won the tournament by 49 strokes.