The Voice of Skyline College, San Bruno, Calif.
Skyline graduates to a new recycling program Volume VI- Issue 6
November 9, 2017
www.theskylineview.com
Photo by Christian Magallanes / The Skyline View
By Rachelle Lamb TSV Staff Writer
The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) wants to do their part in becoming more environmentally aware. On October 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1826, requiring as of Jan. 1, 2016 that all local jurisdictions such as residential dwellings and businesses across the state implement an organic waste program. Any organic waste such as food waste, green waste, landscape, and non-hazardous wood waste can now be recyclable in the state. According to Cal.gov: “California disposed of approximately 30
million tons of waste in landfills each year, of which 30 percent could be used for compost or mulch”. In compliance with AB 1826, Mandatory Commercial, Organics Recycling, and SMCCCD introduced composting bins on campus this past week as part as the Zero Waste Program. According to the Cal.gov website there are student waste audits that show at least 75 percent of waste could have been removed from landfills if other forms of recycling were available. Beginning in the fall of 2017, composting will be introduced in a series of stages as follows: 1) cafeteria kitchens (pre-consumer) 2) paper towels in bathrooms, 3) cafeterias (post-consumer) 4) outdoors, and 5) classrooms, offices, break rooms, and hallways. Skyline College campus
Sustainability Coordinator, Mary Thomasmeyer who is a part of the Climate Core Fellowship Program (CCFP) stated that the government puts other CCFP recent grads into schools and governments to work towards sustainability programs. After several years of composting behind the counter in the cafe and cafeteria, Skyline is looking to make composting bins available to students by placing bins around the first floor of Building 6. On Oct. 31, 2017 the Environmental club unveiled the new composting bins on the first floor of Building 6 during lunch time. The Environmental Club promoted public composting by placing club members by the new bins to raise awareness of the bins’ presence and to inform students and faculty of what goes into each bin.
Environmental Club member Isac Lam said, “We also help install programs that help bring composting trucks over to get the compost where it belongs.” He explained that the biggest compostable items are food and they encourage the college administration to try to add in the budget composting logistics to cover the cost of the composting services. “Hopefully now it comes across people’s minds that it is important to separate your trash,” Thomasmeyer said. When asked about how she draws attention from students to the new bins, Environmental Club member, Keilan Wiitala responded that you just try to engage with them. “It is sometimes hard to do that, because some people are in
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Let’s get out and vote
Behind the scene of “The Matchmaker”
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a hurry and just throw their trash anywhere. But you just have to stop people to ask them about composting,” Wiitala said. The Environmental Club members also handed out buttons to grab Skyline students’ attention and promote their cause. The Environmental Club members that had the most foot traffic were posted in front of Pacific Dining Cafeteria. One member, Linea Badillo said that she is noticing a difference as they stand there directing traffic among the bins. She said that it is not that difficult to separate waste between the bins. Badillo’s club mate, Mariela Francisco said, “don’t be trashy,” as a response to students not always taking the time to learn about what’s compostable and what isn’t.
Sports NBA inconsistency of flagrant 1 and 2 fouls
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News
Nov. 9, 2017
The Staff Editor-In-Chief Adreana Estigoy Digital Editor Kevin Perez News Editor Olivia Bowman Opinions Editor Mintzhet Tan
The Skyline View
TriO Student Support Services guides students through the University of California application process
FocalPoint Editor Lauren Gozon Sports Editor Miguel Madrigal Editor at Large Laurel B. Lujan Photo editor Christian Magallanes Staff writers Maitri Desai Rachelle Lamb Simone Ledbetter Cristina Macz Maria Isabel Del Castillo Schmidhuber Elizabeth Vo-Phamhi Staff Photographers Mark David Magat Jose Pizarro Digital Media Reporter Carol High Faculty ADVISER Nancy Kaplan-Biegel
Photo Illustration Mintzhet Tan / The Skyline View
By Maitri Desai
TSV staff writer
Want more news? www.theskylineview.com Or maybe you have news for us? (650) 738-4377 Want to yell at us? theskylineview@gmail.com Or use snail mail: The Skyline View c/o Language Arts Room 8-8110 Skyline College 3300 College Drive
San Bruno CA 94066
“Numbers do not encapsulate the whole of who you are as a human being,” Chanel Daniels said, an adjunct English professor affiliated with TriO Student Support Services (SSS) at a University of California Application Workshop on Oct. 28th. Fall semester is when many California State Universities and UC’s start accepting applications for the following fall term. With application deadlines looming, many students can become stressed over questions meant to make them stand out from other applicants. Skyline’s SSS program offers services to promote academic success, and holds workshops which provide an interactive and welcoming environment for those in need of guidance regarding the UCPersonal insight questions. Daniels emphasized that these questions provide the admissions officers an opportunity to get to know you beyond GPAs and test scores. The focus of the workshop was targeted towards the mindset one
must have in order to stand out among the thousands of applicants. She said the questions may seem easy, but not do justice in portraying the person you are and that no question is weighted more than the other. However, Daniels advised being mindful when choosing the questions. “It’s not about certain questions being better than other questions in general, but it’s about which questions are best for you as an individual,” Daniels said. Daniels assured the attendees to not be overwhelmed. While working on concise, thorough, and polished answers, she reminded everyone that the skillset needed to succeed was already in their toolboxes, and encouraged students to take advantage of those around them to get feedback. TriO Director Michael Stokes agreed with Daniels and proposed to those gathered to reconvene and share drafts as an opportunity to spark new ideas. Daniels hopes to make the process of transferring transparent by bridging the gaps
and creating an environment in which students can ask questions and learn from one another. “Often times a barrier can become an opportunity depending upon how you respond to it,” Daniels said. Jeremiah Thomas, another Skyline student thinking back to the workshop, felt it did a good job of breaking barriers. “It was empowering,” Thomas said. Daniels conveyed how details in application answers were absolutely essential. It isn’t so much about the talent itself, but how it influenced students’ development into the people they are today. She gave an example to portray this. “You’ve played soccer for many years and that’s great, but what did you learn from it?” Daniels asked. “What are you going to take away that you’ll infuse into whatever career field you go into.” Dante Guevara, an engineering major who’ll be applying to colleges this semester, felt the workshop addressed the
question behind the questions. The next UC Application workshop is on Nov. 16, from 3-4 p.m. in Building 5-5102. Students will have the opportunity to have their answers to the U.C. application questions reviewed by peers and faculty on Nov. 22. Time and place are yet to be determined.
For information visit: Skyline College Building 5 - 5100 3300 College Drive San Bruno, CA 94066 Contact: Phone: (650) 738-4144 Fax: (650) 738-4474
Weekly Brief The Skyline View is a First Amendment Publication. The Skyline View is published bi-weekly during the spring and fall semesters by the journalism students at Skyline College. The Skyline View is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as the views of Skyline College, SMCCCD, the faculty, administrators or the newspaper adviser. Additionally, the paper does not endorse any of the products or services advertised. The Skyline View welcomes Letters to the Editors; letters must include full name, address, and phone number for verification. The Skyline View reserves the right to edit letters for length, libel, clarity, and taste.
Florida State University (FSU) bans all Greek life The ban comes after the death of a fraternity pledge at a party. Student Andrew Coffey, who was a junior at FSU was found unresponsive the morning after a party. Coffey was part of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
Senator Rand Paul attacked over neighborly dispute As of Wednesday Nov. 8th, Sen. Rand Paul (R- Ky.) is recovering from six broken ribs and fluid buildup around the lungs. The injuries came as a result of an attack by Rene Boucher, his next door neighbor. Boucher was charged with fourth degree assault and was released on a $7,500 bond.
Facebook asks for nudes Facebook is working to reduce the revenge porn images on their site with the help of Australian Facebook users. They are asking for users to send in their nudes through Messenger which will “tag” the photos so the site will recognize if those photos are posted.
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The Skyline View
Editorial
Blackface is never okay Incidents
This past Halloween, several people dressed up as NFL football player, Colin Kaepernick. One costume in particular though, consisted of a white man in blackface in a black wig, with a sign that said, “Will stand for money”. The sign was a reference to the NFL protesters kneeling during the national anthem about social injustices against African-Americans that have been taking place recently. In response, he said, “I will be completely honest and tell you I was ignorant to the fact as to painting my face like that was racist.” This seems to be the common excuse here. People will always claim that they didn’t know any better. Blackface is and will always be offensive. We at Skyline have even had an incident with blackface, this past year where the student was still allowed to wear the offensive makeup for a finals presentation even though the students have openly expressed their discomfort with the student’s choice of wear. The professor involved had claimed that they felt that there was no intention to make students uncomfortable but felt that what the student was doing was okay in that moment. From then, there has been a local SMCCCD meeting addressing this incident and had concurred that the San Mateo County faculty and staff would have to go through cultural sensitivity training to ensure better judgement. A representative from of the Federation of Teachers 1493 (AFT) felt that the incident could’ve been handled in a different situation by making it a learning experience on why blackface is inappropriate and insensitive. The history of blackface Blackface was created during the times of slavery where white people would wear
black shoe polish on their faces and leave a large amount of space around the mouth area and wore wool on their head to exaggerate the facial features of African-Americans in order to play them in plays and in the early days of film. At the same time, blackface was used to mock African-Americans who were still slaves during this time period. This technique was used as propaganda by having white actors show, “stereotypical behavior”, of slaves which included them being incompetent, male slaves as aggressive and sex-deprived people who rape white women especially in the film, “Birth of a Nation”. Blackface was still used at least up till the 1930’s including in Shirley Temple’s earlier movie, “The Littlest Rebel”. Other television shows have used blackface in the past to portray people of color especially in the 1970’s. Why it’s offensive Blackface has a long association with racism. In America it was used to mock African- Americans and is used today to portray dark skinned ethnicities especially African-Americans, “as a joke”. Jokes can still hurt and traumatize those who were discriminated against or picked on by their appearance. If this was turned around in the perspective of an African-American person spraying down their bodies white paint and explaining they are portraying a certain Caucasian, there’ll be outrage. It should be common sense to know that to look like someone as to go as far as make a half-made costume still portrayed unintentional racism. Unintentional racism where this is when someone makes a decision without acknowledging that they are contributing to institutional racism that is ingrained and not thought about.
Nov. 9, 2017
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Crystals instill peace of mind
By Laurel B. Lujan
TSV Editor At Large
Trends are constantly coming and going where it can be hard to keep up with what is the latest thing. Right now, crystals have been the new hype with the younger generation when it comes to fashion. To them, crystals are a great tool to use when trying to focus on a new intent or becoming a better person, a different way of “approaching” health and spirituality. As a crystal user, there are over 20 different types in my collection. Each one serves a purpose and helps me in my busy life. There are the typical crystals that can be found anywhere including jewelry stores such as amethyst clear crystal quartz, rose quartz, and Tiger’s Eye. Crystals have been used for thousands of years by various cultures. According to LiveScience website, certain cultures have a connection in believing what crystals can do for people, “dating back at least 6,000 years to the time of the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia. Ancient Egyptians are also referenced on such sites as being among the first people to have adorned themselves with crystals — including lapis lazuli, carnelian
Photo by Jose Pizarro/ The Skyline View
and turquoise — to ward off illness and negative energy.” But the article does include certain cultures especially in Asian cultures, there are beliefs that surround the crystals related to superstition and the wellbeing of the soul. There are many who do say that crystals do not work but from experience, it is in the state of mind and what you’d want to get out of it. There is the theory of crystals being a placebo, but based on my experience crystals they do help. Just having that stone in your hand and feeling its coolness, it puts me at ease to be able to go throughout my day. There have been many times I have bought crystals without knowing what they’re meant for but I used them. When I have the crystals effects on my body, even though I wasn’t expecting anything it helped me. Each crystal has a meaning to it, for example, amethyst are used to keep a clear mind, lower anxiety, bring luck and alleviate insomnia if it put under a pillow. It may not work for everyone but I’ve heard from people personally that it has worked for them and myself.
The misconceptions society has toward atheism
Photo by Mintzhet Tan/ The Skyline View
By Mark David Magat TSV Staff Writer
With the world being less literal with faiths and religions, more people are looking to atheism as an option. According to Pew Research Center, the number of Americans who identified as atheists almost doubled in the past several years, jumping from 1.6 percent in 2007 to 3.1 percent in 2014 in a similar survey. That being said, more questions are being asked about the unconventional ideology, and a lot of these misconceptions come from trying to answer these questions. For starters, here are a brief background on atheism; it is a very flexible belief that essentially defines an atheist as someone who doesn’t believe in the existence of
any god. Atheists believe in karma and that things happen for a reason, but we simply don’t think events are caused by an omnipotent being. The biggest misconception about atheism is that we believe in Satan, or atheism is closely related to satanism. This is very wrong. Why would we believe in Satan and satanism if we don’t believe in God, for example? Fortunately, this idea is not generally common among the nonbelievers. Another misconception is that we solely believe in science or that science is the answer to everything, as if we worship or textbooks. “Atheists believe that everything can be explained through science and logic,”
said Jaimie Pope, a fellow Skyline College student when asked about atheism. This is not entirely true. We use science to explain things, but we admit that science doesn’t have every answer right now and that our knowledge in science is still very limited. Most of us don’t always point to science first to disprove god, but we also rely on personal experiences and our views on different issues. A lot of people also say we are immoral for not believing in gods. Morality doesn’t come from a belief, it’s the reasons you do the things you do. And doing things for the sake of doing good things and not to get points for our god. The most mainstream misconception about atheists is that we hate the God in
Christianity. Frankly, we don’t care if you choose to believe that. We will only say how we feel about our views if we are asked, yet a lot of people will take that as hatred towards their faiths. Let’s put it this way, we hate other religions as much as an ordinary Christian will hate a Buddhist, and if you say, they don’t hate each other, that’s the point. Most of us don’t go out of our way hating on others, some of us do, but not all of us. Overall, atheism is a great fit for some people and other people shouldn’t look down or make assumptions because they have a different views. To me, atheism opens my eyes to how the world works and raises the moral stakes because I do what I do because it’s my choice.
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Nov. 9, 2017
The View From Here
“A Lot More Important Problems Than Sri Lanka” With Editor in Chief Adreana Estigoy
Hollywood glamorizes violence as appealing in its’ rage and aggression. Everyone’s certainly heard the phrase, “red-blooded male”. It refers to virility, but it also has an unspoken side that is an aggressive rage, that boils underneath the surface. In American Psycho, a classic cult film, the protagonist is a high-profile white-collar man who is also a serial killer by night. Portrayals like this are what we find entertaining, until it turns into reality. In America’s history, aggression has led us to major massacres, sans guns. Before guns there were muskets and before muskets there were knives, and spears. Before and after the Civil War, cowboys and Native Americans were killing each other over land and sovereignty. Man’s obsession with power and control is nothing new, all that has changed are the tools in his toolbox. After all, we might be debating one day on whether or not it’s moral to use contagions as warfare-play. After the Texas church shooting, the public are shaking their fists at gun owners and the National Rifle Association (NRA), when what we really should be talking about is mental health. In every instance, where there’s a shooting, the perpetrator has had a personal vendetta that they end up taking out on someone else, or a whole multitude of innocents. The phrase,“Guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” comes to mind. Especially since the man who took
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down the shooter, was indeed another person wielding a gun. Yes, we can crack down on the sale of guns and the banning of assault rifles in the U.S. But will it work? No. There will always be a back alley or another channel for people to find these things, and where there’s a will, there’s certainly a way. Even in a workplace, corporate setting, it pays off to appear coldblooded, and aggressive. Half of the country voted for Donald Trump because they thought he would police the country better than the police itself. This is one of the reasons that many people used in wanting to prevent women from entering the military claiming that male-only, testosterone-filled aggression is the one thing that maintains the integrity of the organization. Can aggression be a good thing? Yes, it’s funneled into something else. Hockey is a whole sport that’s based on aggression. Music, as well, is best when it’s full of emotion, whether that be anger, sadness or joy. Will America ever be less aggressive of a nation? Probably not. We were founded on the heels of a rebellion, told England to go f*ck itself, and the we dumped all of their tea into the harbor. People came here, angry that they were being persecuted for believing in a certain religion. The goal is to be able to take that aggression and turn it into something constructive: a business idea, a goal, a hit single, or an American dream.
Let’s get out and vote By Elizabeth Vo-Phamhi TSV Staff Writer
Becoming a voter is the essential first step towards activism. Voting is taking a stand at the poll, where it really matters. Every single vote is significant because many important elections were won and lost by just a few votes; this is the reason campaigns spend an enormous amount of money to get each and every one. Currently, the White House, Congress, and Senate are dominated by one political party. Additionally, the Supreme Court‘s balance is tipped to the conservative side after the last Justice appointment by the current president. The domination of all branches of government by the Republican Party combined with the specific people currently in power have already led to many far-reaching government actions and policies within less than a year. The Dakota Pipeline, Muslim ban, DACA repeal, immigration crack-down, Paris Climate Agreement withdrawal, severe cuts in services in health, education, job training, low income assistance, emergency preparedness and environmental protection reach deeply into all aspects of our lives daily and for years to come. Lack of basic regulation to reign in the proliferation of assault-type guns in light of the mounting death toll from
The Skyline View
Photo by Christian Magallanes/ The Skyline View
gun, and failure to assist Puerto Rico adequately after two devastating hurricanes are also concerning. We are, however, not powerless. We still have the right to vote. We can voice our view, attend town halls, and write or call our elected officials – but voting is the easiest and most effective way to be heard at the local and national level. There are many crucial elections coming up in 2018 which have the potential to restore some of the checks and balances necessary for a democracy. There is much at stake and we all need to get ready to exercise our vote. However, registration usually needs to be done ahead of an election, so this month, the traditional election month, is a good time to make sure to register to vote and remind friends to do the same. The best part is that registration can be done instantly online at registertovote.ca.gov. The site is very simple and registration takes two minutes to complete. Visitors to the site can even use other languages (nine are offered!) There is no special paper work required. Most people already have everything needed on them. Only a California driver’s license (or government ID number) and a social security number are needed. The actual documents are not
needed, only the numbers. Without these numbers, it is still possible to register by answering a few online questions. And there is no need to print or sign anything. The driver’s license or California ID number allows extraction of the signature from DMV record. Not yet eighteen? People who are sixteen and seventeen year of age are able to pre-register at the same site for automatic registration on their birthday! Register once and vote in all future elections. Not sure of registration status? There is a link from the site to easily check. The Census reports that 2018 will mark the first time that millennials will surpass baby boomers as the largest voter-eligible age group. Therefore, young people such as college students potentially wield significant power as a voting bloc to impact societal changes and determine our country’s direction. However, people in the younger age group historically register to vote at a low rate and so their potential as a force of change at the poll may not be realized. But with so much at stake, we cannot afford to not take the future into our hands. Hopefully recent events serve as a wake-up call and students will start to harness their voting power in addition to voicing their opinions. To be heard, it’s imperative to register to vote.
Open till Nov. 19th
Nov. 9, 2017
Features
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Focal Point
Going behind the scenes with the cast of, “The Matchmaker”
From left to right, Clayborne Go as Barnaby Tucker, Salma Zepeda as Dolly Levi, Milan Whitfield as Ermengarde, and Cristina Dela Rosa as Gertrude rehearsing on Nov. 7, 2016.
By Rachelle Lamb TSV Writer
“The Matchmaker”, directed by Kevin Simmers will play a limited engagement from Nov. 16 to Nov. 19. “The Matchmaker” is an adaptation from “The Merchant of Yonkers” written by English Dramatist John Oxenford in the 1835. In 1954, Thornton Wilder will later extend it with minor revisions for the Edinburgh Festival thus becoming a farce in four acts. Director Simmers orchestrates the cast members in a fast manner, “A lot of comings and goings, you do not want empty spaces”, he preached. The purpose is to keep the play lively. In this play, “The Matchmaker”, is set in the 1880s New York, post-Civil war era. The male lead is an old, bitter and wealthy aristocrat named Mr. Horace Vandergelder. He decided it was time he had a wife so he employs Mrs. Dolly Levi, a matchmaker who
promises to find him true love but secretly plans on stealing his wealth for herself. As she installs her plan into motion, she inevitably becomes involved with two of Vandergelder’s employees, two young men, and a runaway couple consisting of Vandergelder’s niece and her lover. In this comedy, the actors aim to entertain it’s audience through highly exaggerated and improbable situations. Farces are often set in a particular location, so in this production the Skyline Theater Club has a fixed set in the background. However, to decipher between acts they have props that help the audience to distinguish between outside and inside settings. Another way they change up the scenes is through music. They play a list of songs (except few songs) provided by copyrights of the publisher Samuel French. Brendan O’Neill who works on the tech team stated that the coordination between the digital media component and the play is that every sound and transition is based on the play’s
The set of Irene Molloy’s hat shop in “The Matchmaker” Nov. 7, 2017.
lines. The difference between the sound bites (background music) effects the mood of the scenes and the music is more for transitions between scenes. They use sound bites to exaggerate a particular point of a scene. Lighting can be used not just as an introduction or conclusion of a scene, but different tints and brightness can set up the mood or precursor for turning points. During these in between scenes, as the music is playing, the actors are hustling around on stage to arrange the next scene. Stage Manager Rorey Azucen talked about more about transitions between sets. “[We] Usually go in ordinance of the script,” Azucen said. “I have people entering at certain spots on set. I will have them grab certain props on set to line up with their positions.” The main stage is a solid piece and must build props that were put together by the technical team. It is important to move quickly through the play to keep the
Jose Pizarro / The Skyline View
audience entertained not just behind the scenes, but on stage as well. I asked Salma Zepeda, who plays Mrs. Levi, how she knew what role she wanted to audition for. “I debated between two characters: it was Mrs Levi and somebody else,” Zepeda said. “But Mrs. Levi felt a little laborious at first and it felt so right. It came together.” When asked if she sometimes feels like Mrs. Levi, she said that she feels like there are times off stage that she does embody her character. “She can see herself like that,” Zepeda said. Mrs. Levi is her first lead female character and she is becoming more comfortable with the role. What she likes most about the play, is something outside herself. “Well not just me,” She said. “But a lot of us feel appreciated as performers. Because Director Simmers was once an actor himself, he takes care of us and makes sure we are comfortable.”
Jose Pizarro / The Skyline View
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Focal Point
Features
Nov. 9, 2017
Don’t get mad, get PLAID!
Creative Commons
By Olivia Bowman and Lauren Gozon TSV NEWS EDITOR AND TSV FOCAL POINT Editor
Plaid’s 3,000 year history would make you think that it would fall out of style. But the classic style of the print and the many variations of colors, fabrics, and pieces it comes in allows for the continuity of the trend. Plaid is mostly associated with Scottish attire. According to Bustle.com, plaid referred to a Celtic blanket, or kilt, that served as an outer layer to battle
the Highland climate. Plaid was then appropriated by American and British manufacturers, who fashioned the patterned fabric which mirrored tartan, a Scottish Highland traditional pattern used to distinguish clans. In the 19th century, the pattern was brought over from Europe to the U.S. where plaid became synonymous with the stereotypical “lumberjack” attire. There are mixed feelings about the old school fabric. Maybe it’s the nostalgia factor that makes everyone suddenly want to be decked out in plaid. Some girls look to Cher from 1990’s
“Clueless” as a fashion muse when she wore her famous yellow plaid blazer and skirt .Fashion is notorious for being cyclical, save for the school girl uniform, plaid has made a comeback from the 90’s, much like high waisted pants and oversized denim jackets. Famed for being the hipster pattern of choice, the changing seasons call for a bolder plaid style. While mostly available as flannels or scarves, a more daring look may be to go for plaid cigarette pants that are a little cropped and taper at the ankle a la 50’s style, or to try a
plaid coat, bringing instant wood cabin vibes to your fall look. Black,grey, or white plaid is a safe style choice but a red plaid piece can also stand the test of time. Smaller plaid prints can be a little distracting, so it’s always a good idea to pair it with a solid color. Part of the versatility of plaid is the many ways in which it has been worn. It’s a common pattern seen on outdoorsy types (check out the Bounty guy), especially when worn with a beanie. Plaid looks work appropriate when worn in more structured shapes, and effortless when accessorized
as a scarf. With more affordable companies like Uniqlo, ASOS, and Forever 21 jumping on the trend, there is no reason you can’t (pumpkin) spice up your wardrobe in time for the holidays! Today, the tartan print can be found on nearly everything— phone cases, skirts, pants, and even couch cushions. Rihanna’s Fenty Puma line features the plaid pattern and we all know that Rihanna is one of the biggest fashion trendsetters in the modern age. No matter what form plaid manifests itself as, it will never go out of style.
Review
Humor is Hela-strong in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’
Photo Illustration by Mintzhet Tan
By Mark David Magat TSV Staff Photographer
Marvel has build an action empire with their movies, and their latest entry, Thor: Ragnarok, delves deeper in both the Thor’s world and it’s mythology, of course having some fun on the way there. The movie is centered around Thor fighting to keep his home world of Asgard from falling apart from the hands of Hela the Goddess of Death. Along the way, Thor meets up with old friends and new allies. Overall, the movie is set out to
give audiences a good time, and it succeeds...for the most part. The biggest strength of the movie is definitely it’s humor, these moments hit the audience a lot and they hit hard. Where the characters go and how they develop was done very well. A real stand out character was Hulk. For most of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, Hulk seems like just an angry version of Banner. But in this movie, we see he isn’t Banner at all, he is an entirely different person, like a child but with really bad anger issues. The world that was created in the
first Thor movie has been given a lot of backstory with Hela. Not spoiling anything, but Hela has a very interesting connection to Odin and his sons, shining a light on Odin and his past and furthers Thor and his journey. But no movie is perfect. The biggest flaw in the movie is that it doesn’t take itself serious enough for the emotional moments to be emotional moments. A large portion of the movie is spent laughing, and though that’s a good thing, when contrasting to the goddess of death doing her literal thing, bringing death, it kind of compromises the gravity of the end
of the world. The movie is fun but the fun moments overpower most of the movie that even serious scenes, where people are dying, people are cracking jokes. That’s the biggest flaw with this whole new Cinematic Universe Marvel is building, they compromise emotional, very heavy scenes with humor. A movie should have humor and be fun, but it’s a little too humorous for the setting and story their building in this one. If it was a story less horrific, like a high schooler with spider powers or a band of misfits shooting things,
then yes the humor should overtake the emotional moments, but when the world is dying and the hero is having an existential and family crisis, then maybe it should be a bit more serious and have humor sprinkled in it. Overall, I recommend the movie, yes it has it’s flaws, but so do all movies. Thor: Ragnarok is a great comedy, just don’t expect it to go any deeper than that. If you weren’t on the Marvel train before, unfortunately this most likely won’t win you over. But if you enjoyed these movies, and like the humor, then yes, it’s a great time.
Nov. 9, 2017
Sports Opinions
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Sports
NFL pandemonium continues By Rachelle Lamb TSV Staff Writer
Another billionaire is adding unnecessary fuel to a the National Foot Ball National anthem protesting. In late October the National Football League owners had a closed meeting about the players protesting during the national anthem and how it was effecting the NFL's business. These players are currently protesting police brutality and racial inequality. One of several owners that are opposed to the players' protesting is the Houston Texan's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Office Robert McNair. McNair carelessly refers to these issues and how to handle it as, "We can’t have the inmates running the prison.” He would later issue a public apology for is statements but the damage was done. His comments shocked room and sent shock waves across the league. McNair’s comments put more charcoal on the barbequer. Many people sat there and scratched their heads in awe of what he said. How can a team owner in any of the sports league say that about their players? Perhaps to understand that moment of blasphemes perception is to look at these owners positions. The position they hold on the team is more than just the sports franchises, but it's a lucrative business. They are not just owners, but businessmen. Just like in any other businesses these owners are there to create revenue and
Creative Commons sell for a profit. In this particular matter, the world of sports has their product which gives entertainment, and the their revenue is based on how valuable the product line is. This is followed by expressing this through the team's performance that is then translated into TV ratings and broadcasting contracts, jersey sales, ticket sales and sponsorship. They look at this aspect of business. They have assets that they heavily rely on so dearly in order for their world to function,
however; that world is threaten due to the latest controversies of player kneeling during the national anthem. Due to majority of these players protesting police brutality and racial inequality during the anthem, sponsors are threatening to pull out their sponsorship's over these demonstrations. The most vital source of income for the NFL are the fans. Fans are beginning to boycott games, because of their strong beliefs about players kneeling during the anthem. NFL
ratings have dropped 10 percent for the first three weeks of the season, which started Sept. 7, with about 15.8 million viewers watching, compared to 17.6 million during the first three weeks of 2016, according to Nielsen data. According to CBS Money Watch are losing their revenue "In September, ticket sales at TicketCity are down 16 percent from a year ago". These trends are negatively affecting the NFL’s image and financials although this does not
excuse the lack of humanity of the situation. These players are a vital part to the sports world and the obvious fact is that they are the center of the sports world. Without these players you would not have anything to watch on Sunday’s. Many fail to look pass their play on the field and that they are human beings who have their own lives to live. It is in within their rights to protest for their own beliefs. McNair’s comments was not just rude, but idiotic. Without these players he would not have product to sell to people. Just like any other business a person are only as good as their employees. The NFL is not an institution. Owner's own teams not the players. The players may play for them, but they have their free will. Houston's star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins as a reaction to those comments skipped out on practice. Then that Sunday the Houston team linked arms and three quarters of the knelt in protest of their owners comments, because these players' have the right and freedom to express themselves However McNair comments just exemplified the owners exhausted relationships between the NFL Owners and NFL Players over the the protest of the National Anthem. Ultimately the players' will be victorious, because no matter the amount of money, true players will continue the fight for their beliefs. In reality at the end of the day it is all about passion.
Are the Cavs introuble? By Miguel Madrigal TSV Sports Editor
The Cleveland Cavaliers are only 10 games into the season and their newly built roster is not gelling together. If the playoff were to begin today the Eastern Conference defending champs would not even make the playoffs.The questions people are asking is if the Cavaliers and LeBron going to get it together by the time of the playoff. With doubt in the building it is still difficult to bet against LeBron James. James is working with new players and still has yet to integrate them into his system. Cleveland is currently 5 and 6 with a winning percentage of .455. This is not odd for a team lead by LeBron to have a slow start. No matter how much people doubt him he always ends up in the NBA Finals. But is this year different? Is the era of LeBron James coming to an end and we just don't know it? Currently the Cavaliers are nowhere nearly as talented as last season. With Isiah Thomas out the lost of Kyrie Irving left the Cavaliers with one dominant superstar in Lebron James. You can say that Lebron will have a lot to carry on his back the first half of the season until the supporting cast can get it together. Lebron will need help from J.R Smith who has been struggling the first 10 games. Averaging only 5 points 2 rebounds and 2 assist a game is disappointing production from your starting shooting guard. Another player that need to contribute more is Kevin Love. Love by no means is playing terrible. He is only play the role that he has been playing the past
Transfer when you’re ready No minimum units to start Apply for spring or fall 2018. It’s simple. Creative Commons three years while in a Cleveland Cavalier Jersey. However Love is no longer third fiddle. Love is the second option. Averaging 16 points a game is not the production you want from the second best player on a championship team. Love should look to be much more aggressive and try and get back to the numbers he put up in Minnesota. Off the bench the Cavaliers need more production from the newly acquired player Dwyane Wade. Wade may not be the same player he was in Miami, however 9 points a game is nowhere near the numbers the Cavaliers need to win. Now the blame is all on Lebron
right? No that is an absurd thing to ask. LeBron is Averaging 28 points 7.2 rebounds and 9.2 assist a game. LeBron James is preforming at an incredible level. Season starting injury seems to be something of the past. LeBron is doing his part and more. However his game relies on those around him to produces in order to to win basketball games. The Cavaliers will turn it around whether its in the next 10 games or 60. LeBron James always finds a way to end up back in the finals competing for a championship. LeBron needs help from his supporting cast in order for them to contend for a championship.
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Sports Opinions
The NBA inconsistency of Flagrant 1 and 2 fouls By Miguel Madrigal TSV Sports Editor
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has become a soft league with the referrers running the show not the players. The NBA had a poor and outrageous play calling was put on display Nov. 6 when Carmelo Anthony of the Oklahoma City Thunder was ejected with a flagrant 2 foul. Fans, players and coaches were left scratching their heads in confusion. Anthony was simply going up for a layup and made accidental contact with his elbow to Portland Trail Blazer Jusuf Nurkic. The layup attempt was a basketball move and there was no malicious intent in Anthony's’ layup attempt. Anthony and teammates were shocked with the automatic ejection. ESPN reporters caught up with head coach Billy Donovan to discuss the controversial call. "I've never seen in the history of the game a guy get an and-1 play and then get ejected from the game," Billy Donovan told reporters. "That's probably something you've got to talk to the league about."
The league over the past year has been cracking down on any sort of dirty plays. The NBA does not tolerate any sort of intentional fouls that are directed at the head nor do they tolerate any sort of unsafe basketball moves. However, the league and referrers are over using their power and are ejecting players at an inconsistent rate. Basketball is loved for its high intensive play. Ask any basketball fan and they will tell you there's a certain flow and pace that basketball has that no other sport has to offer. However having to review every play and trying to get every call right ruins the game. It destroys the flow that fans have come to love. Russell Westbrook put it best after the game saying, "It's nonsense, man, it don't make any sense." The NBA should implement a no touch policy if they are going to ejected players for accidentally flying into someone in mid air. In sports there are accidents among players, penalizing them is just wrong and unjust. Keep in mind that referrers are inconsistent on deciding which plays are deemed review-able. They also show inconsistency in what is deemed a flagrant 1 and what is a flagrant 2.
Creative Commons According to the NBA Rule book a flagrant foul penalty 1 is unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent and a flagrant foul penalty 2 is unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent. Anthony's actions do not fall into neither of these categories, however he was issued a flagrant foul penalty 2 and ejected in a winnable game because of an accidental hit to Nurkic's head. On Friday Nov. 3, Westbrook was given a flagrant foul 1 after he hit Jaylen Brown in the face while
going for a jump ball. Westbrook noticed the inconsistency with the referring and what is to be considered a flagrant 2 foul. Westbrook was not shy in expressing his disappointment. “Last game, tipped ball, against Celtics, I accidentally hit the guy in the face. Flagrant foul on me. It was an accident, but I hit him. I actually got hit in the face today. Nobody looks at it. Melo goes, hits Nurkic. They go review. It's a bunch of bulls---," Westbrook said as reported from an ESPN article. Not only is the reviewing of multiple plays time consuming and
flat out boring but they give teams an extra timeout. There is no doubt that players use their acting skills and ability to deceive the referrers to get a free timeout. In most case players and fans wait around for a call to be bogus. The NBA needs to address this issue. The inconsistency and standing around waiting for the refs to make a call is getting old. While this may not be a heavily talked about issue, it is definitely one that needs to be addressed to avoid jeopardizing the integrity of the NBA and the game of basketball.
Is Ben Simmons the future of the NBA? By Miguel Madrigal TSV Sports Editor
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In only 10 games Ben Simmons has won many people over as their rookie of the year award winner and as an eventual NBA superstar. Ben Simmons at the young age of 21 is already turning heads. He is special and he will no doubt be an All Star Caliber player. Missing his initial rookie season due to a foot injury, there were some concerns if the 6’10, 230 lb point guard could recover physically and mentally from missing an entire year of organized basketball. No doubt Simmons is living to the hype of being drafted number one overall by the Philadelphia 76ers and is already performing at an elite record. In his first 10 games the rookie is averaging an incredible 18.0 points, 8.2 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game. Forget the rookie of the year award. Simmons is on pace to become an All-Star in his first NBA season. Simmons has also already recorded two triple doubles. Watching the Simmons the first couple of games you see resembles of Magic Johnson and LeBron James. His 6’10 frame makes him taller than LeBron and Johnson. His ability to run the fast break creates a level of versatility and effectiveness that not many other bring to the table. His frame makes him a matchup nightmare. Being 6’10 and a point guard makes the majority of the people he is defending or attacking a easier task. His perimeter play makes slower forwards harder to guard him. Make no mistake Simmons is a true point guard. He is not a 6’10 forward running the point inconsistently, he's been playing the position he's been playing his entire life. Simmons is a true pass
Getty Images first point guard that can create for others and reach the rim whenever he’d like. However, in reason Simmons will not reach his full potential within his first season. It may take years to achieve his full potential. He is still a rookie and he still need to mature. He needs to mature as a man and as a basketball player. What separates the more athletics and younger elite players from the older players that are doing the majority of the winning is experience. Ten games is not enough for Simmons to throw him in the categories of the Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard of the world. However no doubt, will he be passed down the torch by those players as one of the world's elites. LeBron has already taken a liking to Simmons and has publicly shared how much he believes in him as not only a player but as a person. LeBron told CBS Sports, “Well, I think he's a great young talent," James said. "I think the way he displays on the basketball court, we all notice. I think we all don't know just yet how great of a kid he is and how down to earth he is with the game of basketball and life in general.” With the world watching and all the pressure given to Simmons he has shown great promise. There is no doubt that Ben Simmons will take the torch and be the NBA next future superstar.