Issue 4 | Volume 102

HUNTER BIDEN INDICTED ON GUN RELATED CHARGES

Kylie Rowe Asst. A&L Editor

years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000.

GC volleyball vs Augusta University

Emily Henderson Asst. Sports Editor

GC volleyball started conference play with a tough battle against Augusta University. While the Bobcats were able to hold their ground, Augusta was still able to sweep GC in three sets.

The first set started off

strong for both teams. For a majority of the set, the two teams equally competed against each other. The two teams were able to go back and forth against one another until the Bobcats were able to tie the set 13-13 with a big kill by Rachel Machovec, an outside hitter.

GC let simple mistakes ruin the good

run they had going, which allowed Augusta to score 12 points in a row to win the set, winning the set 25-13.

Augusta was able to keep their hot streak rolling in the start of set two, while the Bobcats tried to get back into their rhythm.

See VOLLEYBALL| Page 6

President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has been indicted by the Justice Department for accusations of lying about his drug use when he purchased a handgun in Oct. 2018. This indictment seems to be leading to a potentially chaotic trial, after a failed plea deal. This trial will take place during a critical time in Biden senior’s reelection campaign.

Biden risks being sentenced to a maximum penalty of 25

According to the New York Times, drug users being indicted on illegal possession is very rare unless that possession is relevant in another, more serious, crime.

Most individuals who are in similar positions to Biden’s plea out; however, the plea deal that was originally being discussed was thrown out after Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.)

Officials accused David Weiss, Special Counsel Attorney on Biden’s case, of hindering progress to the investigation.

The original deal

Joelton Mayfield returns to Milledgeville

had Biden pleading not guilty to all charges until the I.R.S. Official’s accusations as well as the presentation of evidence that Biden had evaded paying taxes on $4 million dollars of income in 2017 and 2018, according to the Associated Press. The plea deal was then changed to include a guilty plea on the misdemeanor counts of tax evasion, which was rejected. The I.R.S. agents and their republican allies feel that the timing of this discovery played a huge role in the now-coming indictment.

See BIDEN | Page 3

A&L Editor Paige Blakemore discusses live shows and new album with the singer-songwriter

Paige Blakemore A&L Editor

Joelton Mayfield, singer-songwriter, will be playing at the Birdhouse Theatre at Blackbird Coffee on Friday, Oct. 13, with Styrofoam Winos at 7:00 p.m.

The singer-songwriter genre is known best for its honest storytelling and painstaking lyrics. These artists are exceptional in the craft of capturing the thoughts and feelings of masses and turning it into something meaningful that can resonate with others.

Mayfield is no stranger to this, as he writes clev-

erly from the heart, with thoughtful melodies and guitar riffs intentionally echoing his words.

Born in central Texas and Nashville-based since 2017, Mayfield graduated from Belmont University with a degree in English, explaining his attention to words and inter-contextual sublayers he brings to his work.

“At the end of the day, I start from a place of writing a folk or country song,” Mayfield said.

“All of my influences and background come from that folk, country and Texas-country tradition mixed with growing up in church

in the early 2000s.” Mayfield attributes masterclass musicians, such as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, as some of his biggest inspirations. Alongside this, he looks up to other artists, some lesser-known than others, like Charlie Pride, George Jones, Big Thief and Pavement.

Varying from song to song, Mayfield is constantly taking note of and jotting down new lyrics. The songs come together when he sits down with a guitar or piano and structures his ideas to chords.

In his debut EP, “I Hope You Make It,” Mayfield addresses a wide

range of subjects, from love, loss and religion, with a country rock feel. This EP was released

on Dec. 3, 2019, only a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, with a series of tour

Travel advisories issued for the U.S. and Atlanta

Drew Oldham Opinion Editor

As Americans, we have been led to believe that our country is thought to be universally desirable by foreigners that are quite envious of our nation’s beautiful scenery, economic prowess and democratic system.

From the time we are young, it is taught to us that many people in the world who are not Americans want to be and that

being an American is a fortuitous privilege that we should be grateful for.

While I am a proud member of this nation, which has served as a beacon of freedom and opportunity for many who have come to it.

Our nation is no longer as universally desirable as it once was, a fact that can clearly be seen in the way that attitudes of other nations about their citizens traveling here have changed.

Many problems

in America have run amuck. We now have a much higher proportion of gun violence and poverty than other nations of similar industrial capacity. Additionally, The U.S. has been plagued by mass shootings in the last decade and it is an epicenter of terrorist attacks from both domestic and international terrorists.

Although it is easy to keep the rose-colored view that we are an outstanding nation to be proud of due to its exten-

sive prosperity, perhaps this view is a bit outdated and out of touch with reality. This is evidenced by the fact that multitudes of countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens that plan to travel to the United States, warning of a variety of threats that are heightened in the U.S. that are generally not a major concern in their country.

Countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel and France have in-

formed their citizens to take precautionary measures and to stay aware of their surroundings when visiting the U.S.. The general theme of these messages being, the United States is more violent than your home country.

Be prepared to take precautions that you might not have to take at home.

The worry these nations have is regarding the alarming rate of gun violence. This fear is evidenced by the fact that both Japan and New

Courtesy of Joelton Mayfield

dates to follow that were ultimately canceled.

See MAYFIELD | Page 7

Zealand have specific guidelines for what their citizens should do in the event they are confronted with an active shooter situation.

New Zealand provides an “active shooter” pamphlet to travelers bound to the U.S., and Japan has created a threestep plan for its citizens in a shooter situation.

Courtesy of GC Athletics

FDA rejects nasal spray alternative to EpiPen

Drew Oldham Opinion Editor

In mid-September, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, decided not to approve a new epinephrine nasal spray that would provide a needle-free alternative to traditional epinephrine autoinjectors. The agency informed ARS Pharmaceuticals that their product, referred to as “Neffy,” must be additionally studied before entering the commercial drug market.

The FDA requested that this study must directly compare the efficacy of the drug to current autoinjector treatments, which have been used for a long time and have an extensive track record in effectively counteracting potentially lethal allergic reactions.

Since epinephrine nasal spray successfully passed through two FDA subcommittees with overwhelming approval, some found this decision to not approve this drug surprising. The panels voted 16-6 in favor of the drug’s use in adults and 17-5 in favor of the drug’s use in children, respectively.

Neffy and traditional autoinjectors both work to reverse anaphylaxis, a type of allergic reaction

of the utmost severity. Anaphylaxis can be completely debilitating and fatal for the individual and can occur within minutes of exposure to the compound the individual is allergic to.

All currently approved epinephrine treatments require injection into the body via needle. These injections can be painful and un-

Neffy’s ease of use and desirability, as opposed to traditional needle injection, could likely encourage more individuals afflicted by severe allergies to carry life-saving epinephrine with them.

According to product research surveys conducted by ARS Pharmaceuticals, as many as 85% of patients who face severe allergies would be

lieve there is still not an FDA-approved non-needle epinephrine option.

“I’m shocked,” Rubin said. “There are no alternatives right now. You basically have epinephrine autoinjector devices, needle options, and people have been clamoring for years to get a needle-free option.”

Members of the FDA advisory board who vot-

fail in a life-threatening situation, whereas injections would not.

“While I think the drug has merit, it doesn’t have adequate efficacy data at this point,” Amirshahi said.

Among the critics of the FDA’s decision to reject Neffy is GC criminal justice professor Adam Lamparello. Lamparello feels that the FDA

and Advisory Committee in favor of the drug is a prime example of this. There is no real reason to reject this drug.”

Lamparello’s skepticism of the FDA’s action is only intensified by the fact that the study the FDA is saying it needs ARS to conduct was already previously discussed. It was agreed upon that it would occur in the marketing stage after the drug gained approval.

This decision by the FDA could reignite the growing lack of trust of governmental institutions in America while simultaneously leaving epinephrine users without a non-needle alternative for now.

pleasant for those who must do them; however, they are necessary in the face of an allergy attack.

As a result of this, Neffy stands to corner the market of epinephrine distribution. The nasal spray would offer a much more convenient, simple and painfree means of obtaining needed epinephrine in comparison to jabbing yourself or the person in need with a needle.

Editorial Board

Jennifer Crider.................

Cale Strickland................

Julia Jensen.......................

Kate Verity.........................

Shadimon Smith.........

Brennan Schmitz.........

Emily Henderson...........

Paige Blakemore............

Kylie Rowe........................

Drew Oldham...................

Isabella McComis.........

Kylie Noles........................

Avery Blair.........................

Kassie Arps.......................

William Burke..................

willing to carry epinephrine around with them daily if Neffy was an option, up from around 55% with current options.

Many allergists and health professionals were baffled by the FDA’s decision not to approve this drug, especially given that it was proven to work effectively in clinical trials.

According to NBC, Dr. Zachary Rubin, an allergist, cannot be-

ed against Neffy raise questions about the product’s effectiveness, given that traditional treatments have an extensive track record of effectively preventing anaphylaxis.

Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, a professor of emergency medicine at Georgetown University, explained her skepticism of Neffy, which caused her to vote against its approval. She worries that the drug may

is a political organization, and its decisions are made by bureaucrats rather than based on objective medical findings.

“The FDA is absolutely and undoubtedly political. Their decisions are politically motivated and are not often based on facts, truth or impartiality,” Lamparello said. “Their decision to go against the overwhelming majority on the Pulmonary Allergy Drugs

“After the empty promises of the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, which have not only failed to prevent the transmission of the disease but have caused health problems in those who take it,” said Jackson Gray, junior finance major. “I find it hard to trust the FDA’s decision on any drug,” ARS plans to resubmit its application for Neffy to the FDA in the first half of 2024, presumably after completing the additional requisite study.

Neffy Prototype

DATA SCIENCE MAJOR SPOTLIGHT: GRANT JONES

Chance Curbow Staff Writer

Data science is a major that focuses on utilizing computer skills and inferential reasoning to interpret data and draw conclusions about larger populations. The degree incorporates many skills, such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, coding and social science. These skills are valuable on their own but will be utilized mainly to collect, clean and visualize data while identifying and attempting to explain trends.

“If you have good math skills, and you feel like you’re not putting them to use enough and would like to get more into the technology field,” said Grant Jones, a senior data science major.

“I think it’s a really great major.”

Essential skills within the data science major are math skills, technical skills, programming skills and, of course, workplace skills. Statistics and algorithms are a big part of gathering data as well as utilizing and sometimes building machine learning models. Technical skills, such as artificial intelligence, or AI, data manipulation and data mining are important within the major as well, and jobs around AI have been expand-

ing recently with further developments in programs such as ChatGPT.

Programming skills are both extremely useful and profitable. Knowing a coding language is a skill that is sought after by many employers outside of just the data science job field.

Common workplace skills, such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration and project management or presentation are still valuable, and building these skills will increase your value in any field you consider.

“I like how the mathematics is applied to the computer science because I’m not a theoretical math person, so it feels like it’s more practical to me,” Jones said. “And I feel like I’m a fairly social person, especially for being a technology major, so I’d like to somehow leverage my people skills in my career as well as my knowledge of computer science and math.”

The marketplace for data science majors allows for growth and collaboration between different professions. Some jobs that are in demand for students graduating with data science degrees are data scientist, data analyst, data engineer, data architect, machine learning engineer and business

intelligence engineer.

The average data scientist determines which questions their teams should be asking and how to answer those questions with the data they have access to, often producing predictive models to theorize outcomes.

Data analysts collect, analyze and evaluate data sets as well as review and organize past data to perform statistical calculations and find trends for clients, typically businesses. Data engineers build systems that collect and store data for data analyzers to utilize later, and data architects create the plans for storage and organization for the data engineers to build.

Machine learning en-

BIDEN

Continued from page 1

Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, told CNN that the indictment was a result of political pressure. After the accusation of Mr. Weiss “hamstringing” the investigation, it could be said that he felt the need to overcorrect going forward. This means that the indictment of these charges, though unusual froma law perspective, should not be entirely shocking.

these charges are still being pursued, but prosecutors say that the statute of limitations may run out this month. Once the statute has run out, prosecutors will no longer be able to charge Biden.

With the trial not set to officially start until 2024, it is hard to say whether a judge will allow Biden to be tried for these charges.

gineers design the architecture used in AI programming. They work with other data scientists and programmers to automate AI to detect patterns, filter data and perform calculations. Business intelligence engineers design, install and maintain data systems that analyze large data chunks for financial and business purposes.

All these careers use skills developed throughout earning a data science degree. The different jobs offer different focuses and interests within the major and can be maximized by having a concentration within your data science major.

Along with the charge of illegal possession, Biden also marked on the The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form, a form that is signed when purchasing a federal firearm, that he was not addicted to any substance at the time of the purchase.

Prosecutors claim this was a lie since Biden has publicly stated that he was in and out of rehab around the time for his use of cocaine.

According to CNN,

CNN also claimed that the legality of the gun possession law that Biden is being indicted of is being called into question after three southern states ruled in August that it was unconstitutional to restrict drug users’ right to bear arms because it violated the Second Amendment.

CNBC says that amidst this, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other members of the Republican Party such as former President Donald Trump are questioning the involvement of President Biden in his son’s alleged illegal activities. However, so far, nothing to support these allegations has been found.

Birmingham Police tase high school band director

Minor High School band director Johnny Mims was repeatedly tased by Birmingham Police

Kate Verity News Editor

On Sept. 14, Alabama high school band director Johnny Mims was tased by police officers for refusing to stop their postgame stadium performance.

Minor High School, where Mims works, beat P.D. Jackson-Olin High School’s football team 27-0, and the band was celebrating with their traditional “fifth-quarter.” Prior to the game, the band directors agreed that they would play three extra songs after the game to celebrate.

Officers from the Birmingham Police Department approached Mims and told him to stop the performance so everyone could leave the stadium. Mims replied that they were on their last song, and they would be done with the performance momentarily.

As the performance ended, the stadium lights went out, and the officers tried to arrest Mims for defying their directions.

Allegedly, Mims pushed an officer, which resulted in him being tased. Mims denies that he assaulted the officer and claims that when the lights went out, he felt someone grab him and jumped as a knee-jerk reaction.

Juandalynn Givan, the lawyer representing Mims in this case, has requested that the officers involved in this incident be placed on administrative leave, calling the altercation an example of the use of excessive force.

“Without any justifiable cause, a Birmingham police officer approached the band director, escalating the situation to an unimaginable extent,’’ Givan said. “The officer deployed a taser

against the band director, causing physical harm and inflicting emotional distress all while in front of his students.”

The incident has raised questions regarding the need for police reform. The incident is being referred to by many as an abuse of power by the Birmingham Police and a violation of Mims’s rights.

Matheson Sanchez, assistant professor of criminal justice with research in corrections and police reform, feels that police reform is continually necessary in any society as the world changes.

“I think reform refers to a continual striving to meet the ever-developing demands of a progressing society,” Sanchez said. “It has to be because otherwise, we’d still have police that look like slave patrols.”

One question revolves

around whether police should exist as an unquestionable authority over citizens or if their role should be one of mediation and assistance. However, for many, there is no single clear answer.

“In an ideal world, we would have police that were more service-oriented and that sort of prioritized facilitating a happy and safe lifestyle for everybody, but all too often, I think we

have to acknowledge the fact and be fair to police in this country that that sort of idyllic type of policing can’t always exist,” Sanchez said.

Situations of police aggression have become common headlining news in the United States. For one, the recent construction of “Cop City,” a $90 million police training complex in the Atlanta, has been met with significant back-

lash and protest, as many people feel it will only increase police-related violence in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Mims has been charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest. For the time being, he will remain on administrative leave with pay while the situation continues to be investigated.

President Biden and Hunter Biden

Grant Jones

Mitt Romney announces retirement

Jack McKinney Contributing Writer

In 2018, the United States experienced one of the largest youth voting turnouts for midterm elections in history.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE, at Tisch College, youth turnout was, strikingly, 28%.

This rate was significantly higher than that in 2014, whereupon the youth voting turnout was merely 13%, according to CIRCLE, thereby demonstrating a shift in the political representation of U.S. youth.

However, many remain concerned about the legitimacy of this increased representation. The age of Congress could be primarily to blame. At an average of 64 years old, the current Senate remains the oldest in history, ironically paralleling that of the historical uptake in youth voting rates.

“Although these mem-

bers present valuable experience relative to their old age, they simply can’t keep up with the ever-changing world,” said Emily Wright, freshman political science major.

This brings a new sentiment into the mix: a correlation between “political success” and a youthful Congress.

generation of leaders. Just this past month, Romney released a statement clarifying his position on seeking reelection.

“I think it’s time for guys like me to get out of the way and have people in the next generation step forward,” Romney said. “They’re the ones that need to

many positive impacts across American politics.

“The next generation of leaders, having grown up alongside these arising issues, presents better equipped to put forth positive solutions,” Wright said. “I believe America, guided by the new generation of leaders, is an America

separate from party lines.

“Donald Trump calls global warming a hoax, and President Biden offers feel-good solutions that make no difference to the global climate,” Romney said. “It would be a great thing if both President Biden and former President Trump would stand aside.”

Foreseeably, it did not stop him from attending many BLM protests and rallies regardless. Despite going through partisanship dilemmas, Romney continued to carve out his own political solutions, one of which resulted in the formation of a bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill that provided as much as $908 billion in relief.

Definitively, even some of the older politicians recognize this argument to be important.

Utah Senator Mitt Romney is 76 years old. Despite his age, he is leading the fight for a new

make the decisions that will shape the world they will be living in.”

Some GC students agree with this belief wholeheartedly. A transition to a younger Congress could bring

committed to the individual rights of people.”

Even through the latitudes of this argument, it does not stop here. Romney sheds additional insight by relating ongoing challenges to solutions

This sort of criticism is nothing new. In 2020, during the height of Black Lives Matter, or BLM , protests across the nation, Romney became at odds with Trump regarding such demonstrations.

“We have people hurting right now, and our country is facing a crisis, and during a crisis, it is essential that we come together to do what is necessary,” Romney said. “That’s what this legislation does.” Decisions about many national hardships may have to be resolved by the American youth as their participation in voting rises to historic levels. Mitt Romney, through his consistent distaste for both current political parties, has ultimately orchestrated a response proportional to this trend: out with the current generation, in with the next generation.

Senator Mitt Romney

The death of a fan shocks the NFL world

Drew Bogumill Staff Writer

A violent confrontation occurred in Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17 that led to the death of a lifelong Patriots fan.

Dale Mooney, 53, lost his life after an altercation with rival fans on a Sunday-night game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. The incident happened toward the end of the fourth quarter of the game in the 300 Level of the stadium.

EMTs responded to the incident at around 10:57 p.m., as Mooney was still alive but needed medical attention. He was then transport-

ed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he passed away just before midnight.

According to Mooney’s wife, Lisa, Dale was a season ticket holder for 30 years and a father of two. She said he went to the game with three friends, who told her they were “verbally taunted” by other fans at the game.

“It takes a lot to get him mad,” Mooney said. “He has the patience of a saint. I don’t know what happened.”

Accounts from witnesses of the incident have helped piece together

exactly what happened.

“He basically just grabbed another guy, and they started tussling around for a few minutes,” said Joe Kilmartin, a fan who witnessed the incident. At one point, another Dolphins fan walked up, punched him, and the man just went out.”

But even before the preliminary autopsy results were revealed the following Wednesday morning, Kilmartin said he believed that Mooney was in distress before he ever even hit the deck.

An investigation has been opened by the police as well as the Nor-

folk County district attorney. An autopsy was also taken to try and figure out what could have caused Mooney’s death.

In a report from CBS News Boston, the autopsy showed Mooney suffered a “medical issue” that may have been a contributing factor in his death. It also did not suggest traumatic injury played a role in his passing.

“Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue,” according to a statement from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. “Cause and manner of death remain undetermined

pending further testing.”

The DA did not elaborate on what “medical issue” Mooney had exactly.

So far, there has not been anyone arrested or charged in connection with the death of Mooney.

“We’re still reviewing all of the video and other evidence,” said David Traub, a Norfolk County DA’s Office spokesperson. “We’re still piecing this together, all of the events.”

“It is definitely a tragedy that should never have occurred,” said Christian Castillo, a senior mass communication major. “I am a huge Dolphins fan, and I can say that the

GC volleyball starts their season off hot

Drew Bogumill

Staff Writer

GC Volleyball has had a tremendous season so far, with many players shining across the court. They just recently swept Fort Valley State University on the road to bring their record to 9-3 for the season.

Throughout the series, a plethora of GC players had fantastic performances. Both Camryn Carlton and Abby Infante had nine kills each.

Ten more kills came from Cadence Spilotros

and Rachel Machovec, who each had five a piece. Riese Johnson stole the show, however, accounting for 19 of the Bobcat’s 31 total assists.

On defense, Libero Olivia Avarez had a stellar game, tying her career high for digs with a total of 15. Avarez was followed by Callie Miller, who had her own career high of 12 digs.

The Bobcats then traveled to Atlanta on Sept. 26 to take on both Talladega College and Clark Atlanta University.

While the Bobcats did pick up a three-set win against CAU, they fell to TC in four sets.

In the first match against CAU, the Bobcats took set one 25-19, set two 25-18 and set three 25-10 in a clean sweep.

The offense was led by Rosa Fisher, who tallied eight total kills on the day. She was followed by both Miller and Madeline Gilmartin, who had five kills a piece.

The second match of the doubleheader was against the Talladega

Tornadoes. The Bobcats unfortunately fell in set one 25-14 but came back to win the second set 25-20. In the final two sets of the match, GC fell 25-20, then 25-17.

Johnson picked up another double-double for the season, having great performances on both offense and defense. Johnson had a total of 19 assists and 13 digs for the day.

Behind Johnson was Avarez who had a total of 10 digs for the day. Right behind her were

actions of that one Miami fan that night do not represent us as a whole.”

“Whether or not the punches are what ultimately killed him, the fans should still be held accountable for what happened,” said Payne Wilson, a junior business major. “At the end of the day, you don’t have the right to beat someone up because they are fans of another team.”

This is the second time in three weeks that a brawl has started amongst NFL fans. Many fans are hoping for the NFL to make some kind of change to help prevent these incidents.

Courtesy of GC Athletics

Miller and Machovec, who both tallied nine digs in the doubleheader.

“We competed every day in practice to push each other to be the best player we all could be,” said Camryn Carlton, a sophomore rightside. “We are all going to continue to support each other and have each other’s backs to keep the success rolling.”

Senior middle blocker Mary Kate Kotzin is confident about her team’s plan to sustain their success.

“We plan to continue to work in the gym and get 1% better during each practice together,” Kotzin said. “This goes along with holding each other accountable and working hard to not make the same mistake twice.”

After the double header, the Bobcats improved to 10-4 on the season.

They started off Peach Belt Conference play on Sept. 27, where they took on Augusta University.

VOLLEYBALL

Continued from page 1

GC was able to settle down and play into some strong rallies but could not execute enough to win the set. Simple mistakes again cost them the set, with Augusta winning 25-13.

The Bobcats were able to start the third set like a completely different team. This set, GC was able to stay on top of Augusta for a majority of the set thanks to big kills in nail-biting rallies by Machovec and Rosa Fisher, a right-side hitter.

GC volleyball started conference play with a tough battle against Augusta University. While

the Bobcats were able to hold their ground, Augusta was still able to sweep GC in three sets.

The first set started off strong for both teams. For a majority of the set, the two teams equally competed against each other. The two teams were able to go back and forth against one another until the Bobcats were able to tie the set 13-13 with a big kill by Rachel Machovec, an outside hitter.

GC let simple mistakes ruin the good run they had going, which allowed Augusta to score 12 points in a row to win the set, winning the set 25-13.

Augusta was able to keep their hot streak roll-

ing in the start of set two, while the Bobcats tried to get back into their rhythm. GC was able to settle down and play into some strong rallies but could not execute enough to win the set. Simple mistakes again cost them the set, with Augusta winning 25-13.

The Bobcats were able to start the third set like a completely different team. This set, GC was able to stay on top of Augusta for a majority of the set thanks to big kills in nail-biting rallies by Machovec and Rosa Fisher, a right-side hitter.

The set remained close, again going back and forth, until Augusta was able to make a

MLB Playoff preview

Connor Blakley Staff Writer

The MLB regular season is coming to an end, and the playoff races are ramping up in the National League and American League. In the NL Wild Card race, the Philadelphia Phillies hold down the top spot, with an 89-69 record thus far, as they have clinched a playoff berth.

The other team that currently has a spot in the NL Wild Card is the Arizona Diamondbacks, holding a two-game lead, with a record at 84-74. The Phillies hold the fourth-seed and would face off against the fifthseed Diamondbacks.

The two teams tied for the last NL Wild Card spot are the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins, with records at 82-76. There is little to no room for error for both teams, as they have had very impressive playoff pushes going into the end of the season.

If the regular season ended today, the sixth-seed Miami Marlins would play the NL Central division champions and third-seed Milwaukee Brewers.

The two teams eligible for the final spot are the

Cincinnati Reds, who are 1.5 games back, and the San Diego Padres, who are 3.5 games back, have work to do, sitting outside of the MLB postseason currently.

The top team in the AL Wild Card race is no other than the very impressive Tampa Bay Rays, with a commanding 10game lead, as well as a

Card and would play against the third-seed Minnesota Twins, who won the AL Central.

However, the Seattle Mariners are only 1.5 games back from the Astros. The Astros and Mariners recently had a three-game series, in which the Astros won two games to one at home, a very pivot-

strong run at the end and use their power to push for the win. Augusta was able to score their last six points from kills and ended up winning the match with a final set score of 25-21.

“I think we just need to work a little harder in practice,” Fisher said. “We came really close, but in the end, it just slipped away from us.

I think we had a lot of good energy the whole time, but I think everyone just needs to push a little bit harder in practice so we can finish out these close games.”

Both teams were able to show off their strong hits, with a combined 65 kills between the two

Olson has officially set a new franchise single-season homerun record, passing Andruw Jones after launching his 53rd homerun against the Washington Nationals.

Ronald Acuña Jr. created his own club after swiping his 70th stolen base of the year, making him the only player in MLB history to hit 40

teams. GC was able to produce 26, while Augusta was able to produce 39, with 16 in set three. The simple mistakes by the Bobcats were a main cause of their downfall in this match, with a total of 23 errors, while Augusta only had 11.

While the Bobcats hoped to start conference play off strong with a win, this first match was not an easy competition for them. Augusta was able to finish first in the Peach Belt Conference, with a conference record of 12-3.

According to the PBC’s preseason poll, Augusta was chosen as the preseason favorite this year. Augusta also has the

The Braves will play the winner of the Phillies’ and Diamondbacks’ three-game Wild Card series. If the Braves run into the Phillies again, they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after a disappointing 3-1 loss in the NL Divisional Series to them.

“The Phillies are a contending team, but

reigning PBC Player of the Year, Jazmyn Wheeler, who also just won PBC Player of the Week the week of Sept. 25.

“We were all really excited for our first conference home opener,” said Riese Johnson, a junior setter. “They were great competition, so I think we came out, especially in the third set, fighting. I think we are really well-prepared, and our heads are really open for the next home and conference game.”

The Bobcats are back in action at home against USC Aiken on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.

name at the top spot of their division. The 99-59 Baltimore Orioles have been the rave, as the rebuilding years are finally over for Orioles fans, and new faces are putting the league on notice.

“This young core, along with Cedric Mullins, Adley Rutcshman and Gunnar Henderson, has opened the door for the Orioles to have a long-lasting young team,” said William Scott, a sophomore marketing major.

The Orioles have not seen the playoffs since 2017 and look to get the top seed in the AL.

playoff berth also being clinched. The Rays are three games away from their 100th win on the season, sitting at 97-62.

Another very interesting race in the AL with the Toronto Blue Jays would be the fifth-seed playing their AL East divisional rival and the potential fourth-seed Rays. The Houston Astros, if the season ended today, would land the sixth seed in the Wild

al home stand to keep them at the 6th seed.

The Atlanta Braves have stayed steady on top of the league, as they have clinched the best league record of 102-56. This lands the Braves the No. 1 seed in the National League as well as a Wild Card bye.

The Braves have earned their top spot after multiple players etched their names in history recently. Matt

home runs and claim 70 stolen bases, against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 27.

The Braves hit the 300-home run mark after a Kevin Pillar solo home run in the series opener versus the Chicago Cubs. This makes them the third team in history to hit the 300-home run mark, as they are only 4 home runs away from tying the record set by the 2019 Minnesota Twins, with 307 home runs.

I’m still confident in the Braves because the Phillies aren’t consistent enough,” said Jack Poor, a freshman management major. “The Braves also have six All-Stars, and that is not even including their ace, Max Fried, who was injured a majority of the season.”

Some new faces will be in the 2023 postseason this year, as a potential new force of the AL East has entered their

The Texas Rangers are currently 2.5 games up in the tight AL West race. This is a breakout year for the franchise, as they have not been to the MLB postseason since 2016.

The Rangers have been a top slugging team in the league this year, paired with a strong starting pitching rotation, making it a recipe for success in Arlington.

The 2023 postseason run is keeping MLB fans on the edge of their seats. Each team in the Wild Card race could be just one cold stretch away from sitting outside of the postseason.

MAYFIELD

Continued from page 1

“I felt a sense of upward motion and upward trajectory, or at least, personally, figuring out how to tour and be an artist,” Mayfield said. “All of that got deleted completely out of my own control.”

Mayfield’s upcoming record, “Crowd Pleaser,” is expected to be released in 2024, nearly five years after his debut. Describing the record as “more all over the place,” he explores different genres and styles on the new album, with more indie rock

and acoustic elements.

“I thought that the title was funny and appropriate to the fact that all of the songs kinda live in their own little world,” Mayfield said. “It feels a bit mixtapey.”

Mayfield is familiar with the Milledgeville area, having played a show back in spring of this year. A time period that he refers to as “water apocalypse,” in reference to the time Milledgeville was under a water boil advisory.

While laughing, he says it will be nice to actually be able to play for a crowd and

Joelton Mayfield

talk to the audience and local residents.

“I look to a lot of my favorite songwriters for

a sense of hope and help with navigating and coping with the very difficult world that we live

in,” Mayfield said. “I hope to bring a sense of comfort or hope with a line or lyric that some-

THE YEAR OF CELEBRITY DIVORCES

Shadimon Smith

Asst. News Editor

Over the past year, it seems as if there is constantly an announcement of a new celebrity breakup. Whether it is through a divorce or canceled engagements, it feels like everyone wants out of their relationships. Since celebrities share their lives with the public, many people feel a sense of false closeness with those in the spotlight, and this often manifests in fans feeling entitled to know what happened in their favorite celebrities personal life.

News broke earlier

in the month that singer-songwriter Joe Jonas and actress Sophie Turner are planning to get a divorce. Jonas filed for divorce on Sept. 5 in Florida. The day after this filing, the couple released a joint statement addressing the ending of their four-year marriage ended, claiming it was a “mutual decision.”

Their divorce shocked the world, and it has been speculated that Turner did not find out about it until the public did, causing many fans to be outraged on her behalf.

Allegedly, the two

have are having issues deciding the custody agreement for their children. After traveling to America to collect the children, Turner filed a lawsuit against Jonas that supposedly claims that Jonas refused to provide passports for the couples two children. However, it has been reported that on Sept. 25, Jonas and Turner agreed to keep their daughters in New York until the custody agreement is finalized.

“If they have children, learn to co-parent,” said Jamie Gray, marriage therapist who works

for GC Counseling Services. “Do not use the children as a pawn, and do what is best for them moving forward. Keep your divorce private. No one needs to be aware of the entire situation.

Many of these divorces have been popping up during September because it is a popular time for family lawyers. Similarly, laywers also see spikes in divorce filings on the first Monday of Jan., also often refered to as Divorce Day, as some clients wait to file until after the holidays conclude.

According to Stowe Family Law, the theory is that families have to spend so much time together during summer and leading up to winter holidays that it exposes issues that were not seen before, causing them to end their relationships.

The reasons leading to divorce differ for each couple, and according to American psychologist John Gottman, there are four predictors for divorce or separation.

The four predictors are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. Criticism is attacking your partner at their core, which can include making someone feel hurt and rejected.

Contempt is fueled by long-term negative comments, disrespect and name-calling. Defensiveness, feeling unjustly accused of something and having a negative reaction, is typically a response to criticism.

Stonewalling is one or both partners shutting down in conflict.

Another celebrity couple that broke up recently is TV host Jeannie Mai Jenkins and rapper Jeezy, who filed for divorce on Sept. 14 after having a whirlwind romance. Although it is alleged that Mai Jenkins wanted to work to strengthen the marriage, Jeezy listed in the official filing that their marriage was “irretrievably broken” and there was “no hope for reconciliation.”

“As a marriage thera-

one might latch onto or catch during a live show or recording. That’s my favorite part of music.”

pist, I would agree with all of these and feel that communication is essential in a relationship,” Gray said. “When partners start to feel that they are not being heard, or there is not a healthy way to resolve conflict, the marriage starts to break down.”

There are videos of Jenkins speaking about their relationship and how her mother practically moved in with them after the wedding. The public speculates that this is why he filed.

“Inability to reconcile and determine how the marriage can be healthy moving forward and then following through,” Gray said. “If there is infidelity in a marriage, that can sometimes be the sole reason for a divorce.”

Divorce is common, and can occur for a variety of reasons. Engaging in public discourse and speculations about the inner workings of a family can harm the well being of both parties, as well as the children.

Courtesy of Jason Thrasher

The “Mastermind” of marketing: Taylor Swift

Isabella Nicklas

Contributing Writer

Taylor Swift, singer-songwriter and pop culture icon, is notorious for her innovative Easter eggs that are meticulously placed between the layers of multimedia for her fans to decipher. Over time, it has become evident to fans just how far Swift is willing to go in order to ensure her fans are eager and engaged when she decides to reveal a piece of the puzzle.

Beginning with her debut album, Swift started including Easter eggs in her CD inserts. This gave the fans who paid the most attention to her music a sneak peek at what is in store.

In these CD inserts, Swift would go out of her way to capitalize certain letters or keep them lowercase, uncovering secret messages about specific songs on her albums.

Take the lyric sheet for her album “Fearless,” for example. The capitalized letters meticulously placed across the sheet spelled out “ I CRIED WHILE WRITING THIS,” a reference to her song “Fifteen.”

Taking time to place easter eggs that are hidden in plain sight allowed Swift’s fan base to feel more connected to her while simultaneously allowing her to amp up the anticipation for any upcoming albums she had in store.

Keeping her audience on their toes is how she has created such a loyal fan base.

“Taylor’s way of sneaking in Easter eggs never fails to leave me wanting more,” said Mya Anell, freshman mass communication major. “It’s as if she plants a hidden seed, and as a silly community, we look for it and watch it bloom as she hints more and more.”

Fans of Swift enjoy the goose chases, as it allows them a chance to be a part of something bigger. As noted by Anell, working to uncover the underlying

been encouraged to further explore her creative side and construct more tedious puzzles.

In September, Swift decided to partner with Google for the upcom-

er, the site crashed due to the sheer amount of traffic through the site that day, showing just how eager Swift’s fans are to engage with her and find the easter eggs.

“Swifties, the vault is jammed! But don’t worry, there are no blank spaces inside. We’re in our fix-it era and will be out of the woods soon,” said Google in an X post following the crash.

Shortly after, Swift recognized the disappointment her fans endured from this. She released a post on Instagram to show her gratitude for everyone trying to access the puzzles who were not able to.

er how these words will correlate to the songs from the vault. These new theories on the uprising have resulted in a large influx of new fans attempting to decipher these Easter eggs.

“Easter eggs engage a large portion of the population, which then influences others to join, effectively bringing in more curious fans,” Anell said.

From a business standpoint, these Easter eggs generate a lot of traffic flow for her music career. It increases her annual listeners, annual sales and the amount of engagement Swift is able to reach.

meaning in these Easter eggs inevitably makes her fanbase want more.

Knowing how dedicated Swift’s fans are to uncovering these Easter eggs, Swift has

Rolling Stone scandal

Carly Henderson

Staff Writer

Jann Wenner, cofounder of Rolling Stone magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has been removed from both positions after making controversial comments during an interview with The New York Times.

Wenner was promoting his new book, “The Masters,” which holds several interviews with famous musicians — none of which were Black or female. Wenner received backlash because of his response when asked why all his interviewees were white and male, some being Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon.

“Insofar as the women, I mean, there were just — none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level,” Wenner said. “Of Black artists, you know, Stevie Wonder, genius, right? I suppose when you use a word as broad as ‘masters,’ the fault is using that word. Maybe Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield?

I mean, they just didn’t articulate at that level.”

The public disliked his saying that Black and female musicians did not articulate at a level to be classified as “masters.”

“There are plenty of Black artists and female musicians that are just as iconic and successful as the men he put in his book,” said Noam Laks, junior marketing major.

“It’s just convenient that in his mind they can’t be ‘masters’ in the industry. Sure, the people

featured are masters, but white male musicians do not make up the entirety of the industry.”

The controversy has led to Wenner losing his position on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s board of directors.

In a statement following Wenner’s comments, the Black Music Action Coalition, or BMAC, stated that Wenner’s comments display the historically perpetuated bias within the industry.

“He’s shown what many industry leaders still think about Black and female musicians, and his choice of words are an affront to the creativity and genius exhibited by so many artists,” the BMAC said. “The TRUE masters are the Black creators of the rock and roll genre; those by which each interviewee in the book has been touched and influenced.”

Students at GC have expressed their opinions on Wenner’s removal from the board.

“I think it was a good decision to remove him from the board,” said Sydney Homan, senior marketing ma-

ing release of her album “1989 (Taylor’s Version).”

For the partnership, 89 different puzzles were released to help reveal the titles of songs from the vault. Howev-

In this video, letters and punctuation marks flew out of the vault: ‘T,’ ‘S,’ ‘!’ and ‘U.’ This final anagram was open for her fans to decipher, and they came up with the words “LUST!” and “SL*T!”

Fans are already on a deep dive to uncov-

Ultimately, Swift decided to start using Easter eggs to help announce breakthroughs in her music career, and it has contributed to keeping her fanbase as loyal as it is. Swift knows how to entertain people, especially her fans.

Cale’s cinema corner:

“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”

Cale Strickland Managing Editor

Warning: The following contains spoilers for “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” which is available to stream on Netflix.

Wes Anderson is having a career year.

Jann Wenner

jor. “The comments he made were discriminating and misogynistic, and people who think that shouldn’t be in a position of power in any industry.”

“Removing him was a great decision,” said Makenzie Flenniken, senior public health major. “It’s 2023. There is no reason for anyone, let alone people of color or women, to be left out of any category that they deserve to be in. We all know that there are Black and female musicians who are just as good as anyone he mentioned.”

Wenner released an apology through his publisher, Little, Brown and Company.

“I apologize wholeheartedly for my remarks,” Wenner said. “I totally understand the inflammatory nature of badly chosen words and deeply apologize and accept the consequences.”

Wenner, Rolling Stone magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have made no further comments regarding Wenner’s actions or removal.

Although he is of Hollywood’s most renowned directors, he is not one of its most prolific. He is not as productive as, say, his contemporary Steven Soderbergh, who always seems to have a movie either coming out or in production.

But, just three months after the release of Anderson’s latest feature, “Asteroid City,” he has a series of four short films hitting Netflix.

The first, “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” is based on the Roald Dahl short story of the same name. Anderson previously adapted Dahl’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”

The short stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade and Rupert Friend.

As many of Anderson’s films are, it is a story within a story. It follows the titular Henry Sugar as he stumbles upon a doctor’s account of a man who can see without using his eyes.

The doctor, Dr. Z.Z.

Chatterjee, becomes infatuated with the man, Imdad Khan, after he bandages and wraps his eyes and face before one of his shows. Chatterjee, played by Dev Patel, attends the performance later that night, where Khan, played by Ben Kingsley, demonstrates his preternatural abilities before a live audience. Mesmerized, Chatterjee interviews Khan and recounts his story in — in the words of the film — a “little, blue exercise book.” Sugar finds the book in the library of a mansion he is staying at.

And, as all of Anderson’s works are, the short is a morality tale. Sugar, played by Cumberbatch, is a lonely, rich and unhappy man. He has no direction, no meaning in his life. Because of the wealth he inherited from his father, he does not have to work a traditional job. His job is gambling, and he is not above cheating.

At first, Sugar sees Khan’s story, a story of determination and focus, as nothing more than an opportunity: an opportunity to count cards, an opportunity to become the best gambler in the country, an opportunity to get richer and richer by the day. And it works; after years of practice, Sugar, too, can see without using his eyes.

And after jumping

from casino to casino, winning round after round of blackjack, Sugar sees through himself, both literally and morally. He visualizes a blood clot approaching his heart and realizes it will kill him. Gasping to leave a mark on the world, he turns to a life of philanthropy. In cartoonish, classically Anderson fashion, he — literally — throws his money out the window. A police officer, played by Fiennes, scolds him, telling him he should give to charities rather than littering the streets.

Sugar dies a noble man — as noble a man can be after experiencing an existential crisis on his deathbed.

In under 40 minutes, Anderson delivers a beautiful, candy-colored parable. It is not as challenging or thought-provoking as “The Royal Tenenbaums” or “The Grand Budapest Hotel” — or “Asteroid City,” even. But it is an adaptation of a children’s story, after all. It is “minor Anderson,” but I do not know what more we can ask for from one of our great filmmakers, a filmmaker who has already given us twoplus decades’ worth of all-time classics. Anything he makes, big or small, passion project or opus, is a treat. I, too, have a sweet tooth.

“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is set to release Oct. 27

Drugs in Hollywood

Angus Cloud’s death and the celebrity drug phenomenon

Hannah Dunn Staff Writer

The glitz and glamor of Hollywood often hides a darker reality: the prevalence of drug addiction among celebrities. The allure of being famous comes with its own set of pressures and temptations, leading many to seek comfort in drugs.

A staggering 10% of American adults have experienced a drug use disorder at some point in their lives, shedding light on a nationwide problem. In the general population, genetics, poverty and trauma are common factors that contribute to drug addiction.

On the other hand, celebrities face unique challenges that may push them towards substance abuse. The stress that accompanies fame often becomes an overwhelming burden, leading stars to turn to drugs as a means of coping

with the relentless demands of their careers.

In recent years, numerous celebrities have opened up about their struggles with substance abuse and addiction, offering a glimpse into the shadowy side of the entertainment industry.

The fast-paced demand of Hollywood places immense pressure on celebrities to excel. They are oftentimes expected to behave in ways that please the outside world.

Living in the spotlight means a significant loss of privacy. Many yearn for escape from the harsh glare of the public, not to mention child stars who grow up without the normality of being a child, leading to emotional struggles.

One notable example of this struggle was Judy Garland, the Hollywood star known for her role as “Dorothy” in “The Wizard of Oz.” As a young girl, her studio

allegedly provided her with amphetamines, a stimulant drug, meant to increase her energy level during filming. Garland’s battle with these stimulants tragically ended at the early age of 45.

“Drugs most definitely have a significant impact

sure and lifestyle that their careers demand.”

With the money and access to many illegal substances, Hollywood’s elite oftentimes find themselves caught in the web of addiction. The public is openly aware and concerned

Sep. 21, the Alameda County coroner’s report confirmed the presence of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. His use allegedly stemmed from the death of his father not even a week prior. Cloud, age 25, passed away on July 31 at his home in Oakland, California.

Many binge-watchers have created theories on how the show will return and manage the death of a very memorable character.

However, The Drug Abuse Resistance program, or D.A.R.E. program, has voiced concerns that the show glorifies addiction, sex, violence and other destructive behaviors by normalizing them in today’s world.

HBO, on the other hand, considers the show “groundbreaking” and has not taken full accountability for its potential negative consequences.

on the film industry, said Nina Schwelm, a junior mass communication major. “So much can happen behind closed doors that are catalysts for controversy and concern.” Drug abuse among celebrities is bound to be troubling, considering the immense pres-

about the influence of such behavior on the younger population.

The recent death of Angus Cloud, an actor known for his role as “Fez” in HBO’s hit series “Euphoria,” has once again revealed the dangers of drug addiction in Hollywood. On

NBC News says the critically acclaimed TV series “Euphoria” has also recently been under fire for its potential portrayal of drug use among teenagers.

“I do not think ‘Euphoria’ glorifies drug abuse or use,” said Mia Spencer, sophomore psychology major. “I think they do the exact opposite by showing how the main character struggles with addiction.”

“These Shining Lives” and its shining stars

A review of GC’s theatre department’s latest triumph

Paige Blakemor

A&L Editor

During the early 20th century, the silvery and radioactive metal radium was in great demand across the globe. The alkaline metal, known for its’ glowing properties, was used to paint the faces of watch dials that were highly sought after by soldiers at the time.

While painting the numbers, “radium girls” would put the brush tip to their lips in order to get a fine point, completely unaware of the poison they were ingesting. Over time, the young women began developing severe health complications that were dismissed and neglected by their employers. After nearly two decades of this, women took the issue to court, leading to the creation of new laws to protect workers.

“These Shining Lives” follows the story of four fictional women who work for the

Radium Dial Company: Charlotte, Francis, Pearl and Catherine.

When the lights come up, Catherine, played by sophomore Elysia Johnson, begins to set the seemingly optimistic yet tragic tone of the play.

From the start, Johnson’s performance is as heartfelt as it is moving. She captures the audience with her infectious spirit and girlish nature.

The story follows Catherine as she begins her new job and starts earning her own wage as a young woman in 1922. Her husband, Tom, played charmingly by freshman Ethan Rogers, fully supports her decision and helps tend to their children while his wife is away, a progressive notion considering the time period.

At Radium Dial, Catherine forms a close friendship with her female coworkers that later turns into a shared bond over their declining health. The sisterhood the women form

over the course of the show is as evident onstage as it is offstage.

Sophomore Chloe Butts, who played the promiscuous but sensitive Charlotte, delivered a standout performance night after night.

“It’s a story that’s important and needs to be heard,” Butts said. “Getting to play someone that’s real and that you have to honor while playing, it adds a whole new challenge.”

The stunning set design, by scenic designer Patrick Hamilton, and genius use of lighting with projections, by lighting designers Beate Czogalla and Harper Fulmer, truly complete the show. The one-piece set allows the actors to move fluidly between scenes without major blackouts and set changes while also showcasing power dynamics. During pivotal moments of the play, images of authentic newspaper clippings can be seen in the background, adding to the intensity and surre-

alness of the moment.

In the very last scene, the four females are present on stage as Catherine gives a final monologue recognizing the real women who endured the unthinkable conditions of radium poisoning. As each woman is named, a photograph of the real-life woman is projected on screen. The moment left me tearyeyed and speechless, as I came to the realization that this is not just a fictional story. These were actual women who were stripped away from their

families, children, time and unfinished lives.

“Clearly the story is still relevant because there’s still issues of corporate greed and negligence happening in the workplace,” said Eric Griffis, the director and costume designer of the show. “Knowing our history and what came before can help us prevent it from happening again.”

“These Shining Lives” was originally published in 2010, nearly 15 years ago. At present, multiple other institutions across Georgia and beyond

As the discussion surrounding drug addiction in Hollywood continues, critics say that more needs to be done to address the underlying issues that drive celebrities toward substance abuse. The battle against drugs in Hollywood is far from over, and it is a struggle that requires the collective effort of the industry and society to be combated effectively.

are including this play in their current theatre season. With the conversation of workers’ rights being at the forefront in recent times, from the writers’ strike and auto workers’ strike, it is safe to assume this decision is a direct reflection of today’s society, whether consciously or subconsciously.

The GC theatre department and cast and crew of “These Shining Lives” deserve an endless applause for their beautiful, important and timeless work.

Angus Cloud

Courtesy of Brian Wallenberg

Elysia Johnson, Chloe Butts, Emily Harrell and Ellie Shaw

MISSED CONNECTIONS: anonymous messages from GC students

Is someone on campus thinking about you?

Continued from page 1

The guidelines aforementioned instruct Japanese citizens to: “Find security exits in a new place and have an evacuation plan. Hide in a room and barricade the door using heavy furniture. Keep quiet and mute cell phones.”

Interestingly enough, France has issued advisories to citizens traveling to Atlanta, warning them to remain aware downtown, avoid isolated areas and travel only by taxi at night.

Why Atlanta of all places? Are the problems faced here really that bad?

The advisory to take a taxi implies that the

public transit and public rail system in Atlanta is unsafe. The idea that the public transport in Georgia’s state capital is unsafe has long been used to prevent the expansion of it to the city’s ever-growing metropolitan area.

It is unclear what data the French are basing this advice on, but it coincides with long-held beliefs of Georgia residents that MARTA is sketchy.

“Having MARTA increases the chances of crime,” said an anonymous Atlanta resident in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The criminals can get off the train and break into your home and get back onto the train. I don’t think that’s

as likely to happen on buses, where they have to walk past the driver to get on board.”

However, there is no clear evidence that public transport, including MARTA, in Atlanta is unsafe. In a 1996 study, Theodore Postier examined the rates of 12 different crimes in and around the Kensington and Indian Creek stations.

He found that MARTA’s expansion to these areas had very little effect on crime. While the merit of the advisory of the French to not use public transport is questionable, there are very real problems in Atlanta that makes it understandable as to why France would be con-

cerned for its travelers.

One such problem is that Atlanta has been coined as the sex trafficking capital of the U.S. and the data supports the labeling of it as such. Sex trafficking rates are very high in Atlanta and its surrounding areas.

Tourists should be

Milledgeville is a food desert

Drew Oldham Opinion Editor

As students at GC, it is easy to remain unaware of the extensive socioeconomic problems that exist in the community around us. Milledgeville, Baldwin County and the surrounding counties are plagued by access problems to basic necessities that we take for granted.

It is quite easy to let the beautiful architecture of the historical buildings, the elegantly designed downtown scene and the hustle and bustle of life as a GC student distract you from the obvious fragility of the community around us.

As I have continued to live in Baldwin County and interact with its residents, the limitations and problems of the area we all call home have become quite apparent to me.

I will never forget my first trip to the Pig-

gly Wiggly in south Milledgeville. The vegetable and fruit aisle was sparse at best.

From this visit, it became clear to me that both the quantity and quality of food available to residents on the less fortunate side of town was a significant downgrade compared to that which can be found on the commercial part of Highway 441 north of the city. The shelves of Aldi, Walmart and Food Depot far outmatch those of grocery stores that are south of downtown.

Many individuals living south of Milledgeville, in Hardwick, Hancock or Wilkin-

son County, are living in what is defined by the Boston University Community Service Center as a food desert.

Food deserts exist anywhere where urban residents live more than a mile from the nearest grocery store and generally do not have access to healthy food.

Individuals in this area are already poorer than their counterparts that live north of the city and must take on less access to nutritious food and a narrower selection of food overall. This is incredibly harmful and has a long precedent of correlation with poorer health outcomes for

concerned by the fact that the airport they are likely to arrive at, Hartsfield-Jackson, is a central hub for many sex trafficking operations. In a 2014 study conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, it was found that 35% of those trafficked in Georgia are non-U.S. citizens.

This fact should be of obvious concern to travelers and is a problem that must be addressed. Remediating this issue of utmost concern could work to put Georgia, and the U.S. as a whole, on a better path to be seen as an ideal travel location for foreign nationals, as it once was.

those who live in one.

Consumption of foods that lack nutrients and an unbalanced diet has been extensively connected to death attributed to preventable lifestyle-related illnesses. According to the CDC, poor nutrition can cause obesity, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

The limited access to food in this area keeps this part of the town bad.

If you do not have a car, and many poor people and registered felons do not, you cannot realistically access healthy food and the more high-quality fast-food options that exist in Baldwin County.

This is a huge issue, as

nutrition is a fundamental backbone to the ability to work and function correctly in your life. If your nutrition sucks, you will die earlier and lose mobility and function earlier, which then disrupts family structure.

This contributes to the sense of doom and “going nowhere fast” as all you do is have poor eating modeled to you

and lots of resistance created by inconvenience and inaccessibility if you make an effort to change your habits.

You will also be less able to work, which will keep people in low-wage jobs and propagate social immobility. If you cannot function highly enough to get a better job, you will not.

We often fail to realize that these problems exist in America in general.

According to statistics from Health and Human Services, 10 million children are not adequately nourished in America.

Hartsfield Jackson Airport