By Stephanie ForsheeStaff Writer

A dedication ceremony this past Friday afternoon at Santa Monica College commemorated the completion of its solar panels’ installation, the largest solar project in Santa Monica.

As SMC President Chui L. Tsang spoke, he gestured to the clear view atop the parking structure on Pico Blvd. “I remember coming to L.A. and unable to see that view. I want our children to have this same view.”

Tsang thanked SMC’s environmentally friendly attitude for the change.

In addition to the $3.6 million solar panels project, Chevron Energy Solutions, who worked with SMC on the project, helped to introduce a lighting retrofit, new heating

hot water boilers, a fire alarm system, and emergency circuit upgrades.

Whereas often times the college will utilize multiple

vendors for a project this size, Chevron offered the designing, engineering, and construction as one package.

Although the installation of the solar panels only took six weeks, the preparation lasted nearly two years. Director of Facilities and Planning Greg Brown said, “It was very difficult to add [solar panels] to an existing parking structure.”

He said each parking spot needed to be x-rayed to ensure that the holes they made didn’t hit any of the existing structure.

The solar panels alone should save the college over $8,000 each month. Over the

[See Solar, page 4]

By Miles ArnoldStaff Writer

Receiving add codes proved difficult this semester at Santa Monica College and with growing enrollment numbers it is only expected to get worse. But small steps are being taken by the Student Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate to ease the tension and make the process fairer to students looking to add classes.

At the most recent Academic Senate meeting, held Oct. 26, the senate discussed and advised against any practices that may violate title 5, such as requesting items of a personal nature from the student as a condition for obtaining an add code.

Title 5 is a statewide code of regulations for academic institutions. At the moment it is unclear whether any codes have been violated because the ambiguity of the wording offers vague guidelines on this issue.

The Student Affairs Committee has proposed a list of “prohibited practices” that Eric Oifer, president of the Academic Senate, explained is part of an ongoing process.

“What the committee wants to do is eventually develop a ‘best-practices’ document,” said Oifer. “That’s a more difficult one because those are the things we have to agree upon.”

Oifer explained that drafting

“Any money we save means that we can put the money into our mission: to edu-cate students.”

-Chui L. Tsang

SMC compost isn’t dirt cheap

Ismenia Oseguera, a custodian for Santa Monica College, rakes over the food she took from the bins in the college cafeteria designated for food and cardboard and deposited in the vermicomposting bin. The manure geneerated by the vermicomposting bin is then taken by the gardeners and used as fertilizer around the campus.

George Mikhail Corsair

Brian White Corsair

Sun takes heat off college

Adding properlyAfter the melee to add classes that marred the beginning of the fall semester, college administration is taking steps to ensure that faculty deals with the situation in a more uniform manner.

By John Stapleton IVWeb editor

Behind the cafeteria of Santa Monica College, nestled behind a gated fence and dwarfed by two massive garbage dumpsters, there hides one of the college’s most prized possessions.

Under a corrugated awning built specifically for this highly publicized treasure, sits a 16-foot steel bin filled with old food and over half a million worms. This enormous machine is an industrial sized vermicomposting bin, an $80,000 investment in sustainable technology that uses the natural process or worm-fueled decomposition to turn SMC’s organic food waste into viable soil.

In theory, the bin could recycle up to 600 pounds of food waste per day, saving precious dollars in both waste hauling from the campus, and soil procurement to the campus for our numerous gardens and flowerbeds. But in reality, it doesn’t save the campus a dime.

In fact, the college only recycled three tons of food waste

for the entire year of 2007, and with the machine’s constant energy consumption, upkeep maintenance, and manual labor requirements, it continues to cost more than it saves. But according to SMC faculty, the shining star of SMC’s sustainability program was implemented, not to enrich budgets, but to enrich minds.

“It’s more of an educational tool,” said SMC Grounds Manager Tom Corpus. “If we had it to make money, we would have gotten rid of it a long time ago.”

Corpus is adamant about his position that the machine was not purchased to save the school’s budget, but to save precious resources by teaching others how they can help live a less wasteful, more sustainable life.

Since the machine was purchased in 2001, it has been vigorously advertised in school literature and around the Santa Monica community as a monumental step towards a more sustainable campus. While claims predicting that the vermicomposting bin could be fiscally beneficial have proved to be purely speculation, its academic advantages continue to be taught through the use and exhibition of the worm bin. [See Compost, page 4]

[See Code read, page 3]

CorsairThe Santa Monica College

Informing Since 1929 Wednesday, November 3, 2010Volume C, Issue 9 www.thecorsaironline.com

THIS WEEKCorsair NewspaperSanta Monica College

Wednesdaynovember 3, 201002

Jeff Cote Contributor

This is a QR Code, a Quick Response barcoding system made to connect print to the internet. If your phone has a camera and internet capabilities, simply load any code-scanning application and

take a picture of this image.

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“The Walking Dead” By Michael Santana

Though the first episode of thw horror-drama started off slow, AMC’s new show “The Walking Dead” is promising.

1 & 3&4

NewsVermitechSolar PanelAd CodeSustainabilityPesticides

Opinion 8 Freedom of Speech DenialLetter to the EditorPhotostory

6 & 7

Dia De Los Muertos

A&E 10

Synapse DanceSaw 3D ReviewTaylor Swift ReviewFour Lions Review

Sports 12Amend it like BeckhamFootballWomen’s Volleyball

Lifestyle 11BarflyShakalohanaTaste of the World

Cheap Eats: SaffronBy Lauren Walsh

When we broaden our pallets, we also broaden our horizon of limitless knowledge, especially when it comes to tasting rare spices in unique and affordable restaurants such as Saffron.

Kevin Cloud at LACMA on Wilshire in downtown Los Angeles.

a list of prohibited practices would be a good starting point because it’s an easier topic to agree on. Once finished, the committee would take up the issue of best practices.

“The overall goal,” said Oifer, “is to reduce the tension and the conflict.”

English professor Jim Pacchioli thinks that the best method for adding students is one that is no longer used at the college but may actually be the most fair.

“I think the best way to do it is a method we used years ago,” he said. “When we got to the point when the classes were closed for enrollment the next people who tried to enroll would be put on a waiting list.”

Pacchioli explained, “When you got your roster on the first day at the bottom there would be a headline that read ‘waiting list‘ followed by five names. The policy of the college then was to add those people in that order if they showed up on the first day.”

Pacchioli feels the best system is one in which teachers don’t have to think about how it works. “Everyone has to think about what they have to do,” he said. “Instead of thinking about their class they are thinking about what they have to do to not discourage a student by turning them away.”

Communicat ions professor Nick

Pernisco feels the same way in regard to a wait list. He says that it would be “perfect.” He explained that he has his own wait list of students who e-mail him before the semester begins to whom he gives top priority

He has also used the same raffle technique that Pacchioli uses and in some cases has let the group of students decide amongst themselves.

Pernisco who was a student at SMC from 1996 to 1999 said that while he was here there were wait lists but when he returned as a teacher in 2004 the wait lists no longer existed.

Pacciholi feels that the worst thing a teacher can do is tell a student that they don’t have room for them and he feels that this current non-policy makes the teacher the face of disappointment.

“The student doesn’t see a legislator, a vice-president or anyone else,” he said. “They see the teacher, which is who they put the blame on.”

NEWSNovember 3, 2010Wednesday 03Corsair Newspaper

Santa Monica College

By Lisa AndersonContributor

The growing concern for the environment is present almost everywhere, from recycling receptacles accompanying trashcans throughout the campus to movies being made about problems surrounding this topic such as “An Inconvenient Truth.”

A lot of people know that Al Gore is behind the movie “An Inconvenient Truth,” but who knows the people who are responsible for things like the recycling receptacles? There is a whole army of individuals dedicating their lives to sustaining the planet, and their army is continuously building, in this case, with the help of the state.

At a time when California’s unemployment rate is estimated at over 12 percent, the Department of Labor has granted $4.7 million to begin a new Associates Degree which will launch at Santa Monica College, and two other community colleges. The degree will be in Recycling and Resource Management, and the classes that make up this degree are scheduled to start Fall 2011.

SMC has taken the initiative, along with Irvine Valley College and Golden West College in Huntington Beach, to form partnerships with institutions

such as the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) to begin this program.

Although this is a new degree, Genevieve Bertone, project manager of sustainability coordination at SMC, explained that it is heavily based on a program that is already successfully in existence.

She added that the number of these green jobs, such as waste management, is growing quickly. The goal, she said, is to “increase our green class offerings to help people as part of the growing green economy.”

The program that is in existence provides certification through the CRRA, and about 20 people have completed the program so far, estimates Judi Gregory, CRRA’s certification manager. She explained that since the program began only a couple of years ago, there are still roughly 80 students who have completed the coursework, but not the final project. Even more, about 200, are still doing coursework.

One of the benefits of having the degree will be that this project will be a group project, which ties into the networking that Gregory describes as invaluable. Classes will also be offered more often.

An even greater benefit, both Bertone and Gregory claim, is that the message of sustainability will be even further spread. Holli Fajack, student greening program

coordinator for Sustainable Works, has been working closely with Bertone, and is also excited for the new program.

“I think it’s great. I think it gives a whole new generation of people an option that maybe wasn’t there before, and it gives those who are already in the field an opportunity to take it to the next level.”

The people for whom this

program is aimed at is also different, through the AA, from the current certificate. The CRRA currently targets people already in the field, and through the degree, various people are being targeted, such as the dislocated or unemployed. There aren’t really any programs out there that target the educational component, according to Gregory, which is one of the things they are hoping to do here.

Ultimately, they even hope to eventually achieve a Bachelor’s

Degree for this field. Gregory voiced frustration as she described what she perceives as the fight against the apathy that has engaged people in detrimental decisions for the environment.

“There’s other options for throwing things in the trash… the consumers play a huge role. Our goal is that we can educate a broader audience,” she said.

A big step, she added, is getting businesses to consider their own greenness at their roots and foundation. She explained that it shouldn’t be an afterthought, and people who obtain the degree, or certification, can go out and implement this knowledge in their jobs.

Some jobs that this degree can prepare people for include recycling coordinator positions, landfill positions, and jobs for small local companies as well as big companies like Toyota.

Bertone said that the jobs will include people “from every front from people who sort waste to people who design recycling systems on campus even.”

On specifics that the degree will entail, Gregory explained that the program can be broken into three main parts, which will make up the three core, three-unit classes. The first will be mainly focused on the idea of zero waste in the community, the second will concentrate on how to work

to develop programs, and the third will be the business aspect. Additionally, there will be about five subsets, and for the first year the courses will not be accredited.

The degree will also include information on the legislative process, since how we handle waste is often governed by the state, said Bertone. They want to make it so that it can be cohesive on a state and national level.

However, the process is still relatively new. Bertone describes it as educating the faculty, as of now. She said that they are teaching the teachers about the industry certification, and how to best expand industry input.

Fajack said that, even though this has mostly happened at other schools, when she has approached teachers about the topic, they sometimes ask how it could be related to what they’re teaching.

“It’s important to be educated on ecological issues and solutions – it’s only going to add value to any field you’re in,” she said. And more to the point, she said, “We all live on this planet.”

“Not only does it obviously contribute to the culture shift of becoming sensitive to sustainability, but it’s also really great we’re taking a model that’s already a test,” Bertone added. “We know it’s successful, we know people are interested in this, and we know there’s a need.”

Resourceful ways of sustaining the workforce

“I think it gives a whole new gen-eration of people an option that maybe wasn’t there be-fore.” -Geneveive Bertone

Code read[Add code, from page 1]

SMC students wait in a seemlingly endless line at the main campus bookstore during the rush of the early fall semester.

Albany Katz Corsair

By Adam RubinStaff Writer

Santa Monica College’s annual Club Row had a large turnout on the sunny day last Thursday. Clubs were given the opportunity to publicize and booths lined up in the quad.

Andrew Nicholls, the director of activities was responsible for the organization of the event. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of office staff and my fellow directors,” he said. “Thank you very much.”

Saleha Bahtti, the president of the Muslim Students Association’s booth. “Most people on campus don’t know that there is an MSA; this semester I am trying to get people to know who we are and we exist. We are even giving out a free translation of the Koran.”

Hillel, a Jewish club had a booth hosted by the president of the club, Samantha Eddahbi.

“A lot of people are coming out. Even students who aren’t Jewish are interested in our club and would like to know more about it,” she said. “It’s a great event, you get to see the diversity of SMC.”

The president of the Music Club, Sean Park explained his club in detail while handing out candy at his booth. “What we do is come hang out talk about music,” he said.

He added that, “If you want to promote your music, if you want to show people what you got, you can just bring it to class one day.”

Alfredo De Teresa, president of the Student Veteran Association, explained that their purpose is to promote successful transitions for those who served.

“It’s not the easiest thing to get out of the service to civilian life. Our purpose really is to help our veterans with everything we do,” he said. “We work hand and

hand with the veterans research center on campus.”

Eco Action Club was also present. “We are really trying to get students together and let them know that their voice

counts and let them know that they are important,” said David Redwood. “We need them to speak up in the community to make the community stronger.”

“Once we are there we can tackle

more issues that have to do with the environment. We are open to any student that is willing to show up to a meeting,” said Redwood. “Everyone is important we are all part of the environment.”

NEWSCorsair NewspaperSanta Monica College

WednesdayNovember 3, 201004

SMC jumps into club row with both feet

Students from the karate club demonstrate Capoeira, a Brazilian fighting style that infuses martial arts, music and dance, during Club Row at the campus quad last Thursday. The karate club was just one of many Santa Monica College clubs that took to the quad with the intention not only of bringing their interests to a wider audience but also to entice new members to join their groups.

Aldo-Rafael Cos Corsair

Solar savings

next twenty years, the solar panels along with the other installations are expected to save the college about $14 million.

“This is a smart way of doing things,” says Tsang. “It saves us money. It doesn’t pollute. This is a win win win for all.”

“Any money we save means we can put that money into our mission: which is to educate students. We can have more classes, have more faculty members and provide education,” said Tsang.

Another way of saving energy is using wind. According to Brown, everywhere SMC adds a new building it will have either solar or wind, so there will be an alternate form of energy available.

The new Student Services building and the AET Media Complex’s roof will

be covered with solar panels from the start. They will also meet the minimum requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

“A lot of horrible things have been done to our planet,” says Tsang. “And we’re committed to improving the environment and we’re committed to leave the world a better place, the way we inherited it.

According to Chevron Senior Vice President Dave Stone, the company does not yet have plans with SMC on future projects. Stone did point out that president Tsang said this would not be the last time working with Chevron though.

“I’m hoping that we will come up and put in some more solar and do more energy efficiency for the college,” said Stone.

VermicomposterFor example, SMC’s nine-week

Sustainable Works program teaches teams of volunteering students how to live more sustainable lifestyles, and one of the key instruments in educating these teams is a visit to the dumping area behind the cafeteria to see the vermicomposting bin.

“It’s something that people come to see the process – not the machine, but what’s happening in the machine. It’s educational. People come to see it: elementary schools, classrooms here. It’s a great tool to educate – we don’t make money on it, but it’s a great tool. If I bring 30 students to the machine they all leave there impressed,” said Corpus.

Corpus also points out that because SMC is a public community college, it wouldn’t be feasible to use the vermicomposting machine at its full capacity anyway. Unlike the trays of rationed food supplied by cafeterias in most elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, each scrap of food received at college is individually paid for, making it a lot harder for students to toss those extra morsels in the trash.

“The students in the college, you being one of them, how much food do you waste? How much food do you leave on your plate? Zilch. If you’re buying your own food, you’re not wasting that food. So there’s not that much food waste here,” said Corpus. “If it was on the moon it would be feasible,” he added.

So if the vermicomposter isn’t being used by SMC students, who’s using it? According to Recycling Program Specialist Madeline Brodie, lots of people.

As Brodie calculated the total number of visitors exposed to SMC’s vermicomposter, it quickly became obvious that the purchase of the vermicomposting bin was less of a strategy to save a few bucks on SMC’s energy bills, and more a way to teach environmental awareness in a fun and easily-understood way to thousands of Santa Monica residents.

Brodie fully endorses the machine’s role in the community. “I always tell [visitors] that they don’t need a machine. That this has all the bells and whistles, and you don’t need this. And they can research what other schools are doing, and other schools aren’t doing anything like this.”

She’s right. In fact, there’s only one other machine like it from Vermitech, and it’s at the Solana Center in San Diego’s Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Essentially, while it is a very large investment in recycling education, it is still educating people about recycling – and that’s the whole point of the campus institutions that brought the vermicomposting bin to SMC. Institutions like the Brodie’s Recycling Program, and Corpus’ Grounds Management team.

“My thing, from where I sit, all I wanna do is make sure things get recycled,” Corpus said. And with the help of about half a million worms, he is.

[Compost, from page 1]

[Solar, from page 1]

The $3.6 million project is forecasted to save the college approximately $8,000 from its monthly energy bill.

Brian White Corsair

November 3, 2010Wednesday AD 05Corsair Newspaper

Santa Monica College

PHOTOSTORYCorsair NewspaperSanta Monica College06

By John Stapleton IVOnline Editor

For the eleventh consecutive year, Hollywood Forever Cemetery was filled with revelry, not remorse, as thousands gathered to celebrate their dearly departed during Dia de los Muertos – or Day of the Dead.

Partygoers of all ages crowded the gravel walkways, narrow roads, and grassy graveyards, filling the moratorium with celebration, and filling their calaca-painted faces with churros, tortas, and bacon-wrapped hot dogs. They came dressed in endless representations of death or as the extravagant La Calavera Catrina, the traditional “Dapper Skeleton” costume of a female corpse dressed in highly ornate fashion.

They came with their children, and with their grandparents; they came with friends and coworkers; they came with complete strangers who happened to live nearby. They came to witness one of the most colorful and festive Hispanic holidays (if not one of the most unorthodox), as participants built and exhibited wildly imaginative altars dedicated to deceased friends and family on top of actual graves. These memorials often included the favorite foods and drinks of the dead, and were mostly embellished with tequilas, marigolds, and ornate calaveras de azucar – or edible sugar skulls. Some included videos or slideshows of the deceased. Some included costumed interpretations of ancient Aztec gods or of the loved one’s favorite animals. Some included puppets or grand papier-mâché scenes of exquisite detail. Magnificently large altars and meticulously tiny altars lined the walkways, and viewers were encouraged to vote on their favorites for a $3000 grand prize. The festival’s website calls the altars “the soul of the event.”

While many toured the crypt’s creative shrines, others poured into mausoleums that were festooned with local artworks of every kind imaginable. Parties lined up in open spaces or along reflecting pools to eat traditional foods or to imbibe seemingly endless tequila concoctions. Still more guests gathered around the numerous stages

and event areas that hosted tribal dancing, live bands, spiritual prayer ceremonies, and ancient ritual performances dedicated to the dead. But Dia de los Muertos is just as equally a celebration of life as it is of death.

“Everyone thinks Dia de los Muertos is just about dead people, but the dead remind us of the blessing of life,” explained George Pardo, who has been coming to Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Dia de los Muertos festival since he moved to Los Angeles in 2002. “People see all the skulls and all the costumes and assume the festival is something morbid. In reality, it’s just the opposite.””

Pardo is also adamant that “Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween.” In fact, despite the prevalence of skeleton costumes, a propensity for using skulls as decorations, and its usual proximity to graveyards, the Day of the Dead has virtually nothing to do with Halloween – even if they are only days apart. To clarify, Halloween is the eve of All Hallow’s Day – or all Saint’s Day – and the following day is All Soul’s Day, with which Dia de los Muertos coincides. The fact that this ancient Hispanic holiday takes place on the same day as the Christian All Soul’s Day is no accident, as the Spanish conquistadors who wished to convert native Central and South American tribes to Christianity attempted to do so by incorporating the seemingly grotesque rituals of indigenous tribes into their own celebration for the dead.

However, these attempts failed at eradicating the tradition, and in a twist of poetic justice, Dia de los Muertos seems to be gaining more and more momentum while All Soul’s Day remains an abstract, exclusively religious holiday.

“Years ago, even last year, there were half as many people,” said Sal Rosas, another one of Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s annual Dia de los Muertos participants. “Every year there seems to be twice as many people, and not just Latinos. I think it’s a funner holiday, and everyone enjoys it no matter where they’re from. Who wants to be so sad when we can pay our respects while we celebrate death? Dia de los Muertos is a party!”

Photos by

Laysa Quintero Corsair

This is one of many examples of details that go into making the altars that line the cemetery at the 11th annual Dia de los Muertos festival.

Last Saturday the 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration took place at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The crowd gathered around the front enterance of the cemetery to watch a very beautiful spiritual dance that was put together to remember those who have past.

PHOTOSTORY 07WednesdayNovember 3. 2010

and event areas that hosted tribal dancing, live bands, spiritual prayer ceremonies, and ancient ritual performances dedicated to the dead. But Dia de los Muertos is just as equally a celebration of life as it is of death.

“Everyone thinks Dia de los Muertos is just about dead people, but the dead remind us of the blessing of life,” explained George Pardo, who has been coming to Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Dia de los Muertos festival since he moved to Los Angeles in 2002. “People see all the skulls and all the costumes and assume the festival is something morbid. In reality, it’s just the opposite.””

Pardo is also adamant that “Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween.” In fact, despite the prevalence of skeleton costumes, a propensity for using skulls as decorations, and its usual proximity to graveyards, the Day of the Dead has virtually nothing to do with Halloween – even if they are only days apart. To clarify, Halloween is the eve of All Hallow’s Day – or all Saint’s Day – and the following day is All Soul’s Day, with which Dia de los Muertos coincides. The fact that this ancient Hispanic holiday takes place on the same day as the Christian All Soul’s Day is no accident, as the Spanish conquistadors who wished to convert native Central and South American tribes to Christianity attempted to do so by incorporating the seemingly grotesque rituals of indigenous tribes into their own celebration for the dead.

However, these attempts failed at eradicating the tradition, and in a twist of poetic justice, Dia de los Muertos seems to be gaining more and more momentum while All Soul’s Day remains an abstract, exclusively religious holiday.

“Years ago, even last year, there were half as many people,” said Sal Rosas, another one of Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s annual Dia de los Muertos participants. “Every year there seems to be twice as many people, and not just Latinos. I think it’s a funner holiday, and everyone enjoys it no matter where they’re from. Who wants to be so sad when we can pay our respects while we celebrate death? Dia de los Muertos is a party!”

Last Saturday the 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration took place at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The crowd gathered around the front enterance of the cemetery to watch a very beautiful spiritual dance that was put together to remember those who have past.

OPINIONCorsair NewspaperSanta Monica College

WednesdayNovember 3, 201008

Editorial Cartoon

Jonathan Bue Corsair

Dear Corsair,

I am a faculty member in the Art Department. I am also a long time resident of Santa Monica, where I live in a rent controlled apartment. I found Alexandra Leighton’s article in the Corsair about SMRR very troubling. I feel that she crossed the line between journalism and opinion. Her article felt very biased and perhaps would have been better as an Op-Ed essay rather than a front-page article.

She starts off the article by calling SMRR a political machine. She says political machines are more a part of urban cities. Santa Monica may be a smaller city but it is definitely urban and part of a larger major metropolis. SMRR is not a political machine. It is an organization of concerned individuals who have worked hard to protect renter’s rights in a city that has 70 percent renters in its population.

She states that the SMRR recommendations are an absolute for getting candidates elected. SMRR does not elect the candidates. They recommend and voters choose whether or not to follow their recommendations. Obviously a lot of Santa Monica residents find that SMRR recommendations are valuable guidelines. She says that the SMRR recommendation is a guarantee of elections and that this is true for this year also. How can she know before the election? She also writes that SMRR has endorsed only five candidates out of the 15 people that are running for election. There are only five seats available.

In the article there are quotes from people who refer to SMRR as “corrupt” or it has “seized control of the city.” She only quotes people who are anti-SMRR. If SMRR is so powerful a force in Santa Monica isn’t there any one who has positive things to say about the organization? They may have a poor website but they are a good organization.

Robin MitchellAssociate Faculty SMC

Fury over firing at NPR

By Jonathan MendozaStaff Writer

You have to hand it to “The O’Reilly Factor,” they’ve pretty much set the standard for controversial statements on air, or even off-camera for that matter. The latest to step up to the plate last week was former NPR analyst, political commentator and author of numerous civil rights themed books, Juan Williams.

After being prompted by host, Bill O’Reilly, to address the idea of a Muslim dilemma, which the US may or may not be facing, Williams responded, “Look, Bill, I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”

Williams’ statement led NPR to end his contract and release him from the public radio network. According to NPR, Williams’ statements were “inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and

undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.”

Although his comments may have echoed ignorance and idiocy-I’m fairly certain that the last thing terrorists would attempt is to blend in rather than stand out in traditional, often fundamentalist-style garb- the real questionable action is not Williams’ statements but rather the firing itself. Make no mistake, what he said was incredibly offensive, as well as remarkably void of common sense, for such an educated man. However, it seems questionable that a company with a vested interest in free speech would fire one of their analysts based solely on one borderline-bigoted comment.

Up until the O’Reilly incident, Williams had an impressive resume. In addition to winning a Pulitzer Prize, while working for the Washington Post, Williams has also received Emmy Awards for several television documentaries, as well as honorary doctorates from a number of Universities.

In no way is Williams’ character questionable, nor does he have any history of insensitive or inflammatory sentiments. If anything, perhaps Williams’ not subscribing to the status quo shows a type of misguided integrity.

This wasn’t the first disagreement between Williams and NPR prior to his

termination. Williams had previously received negative feedback from the network for his appearances on Fox News, and NPR had requested that he not be introduced as a correspondent from NPR when appearing on Fox.

Essentially NPR was just waiting for a reason to fire Williams. Alicia Shepard, NPR’s Ombudsman, stated in an interview that, “Williams tends to speak one way on NPR and another on Fox.” While that may be true the discrepancies likely lie in the set of questions and topics that are addressed on the very different programs.

Williams’ comments on “The O’Reilly Factor” may very well have been taken out of context, after all Fox News thrives on shock factor. And while the demonization of Fox News is all too common, it is worth mentioning that Fox was only network that actually stood up and offered Williams a job after his merciless firing by his former network.

In the end NPR got exactly what they wanted, Juan Williams to drop his association with their network. Meanwhile Williams got a job with a network more than happy to air suspect statements. Perhaps each party can make their cases for freedom of speech, as long as it maintains their own views. With that said, we can now resume making, “ I’m not a bigot. You know the kind of books I’ve written,” jokes.

NPR lets go news analyst over borderline comments made on ‘The O’Reilly Factor.”

Letter

Editorto the

PhotographersAnisa El-Khouri, Luana Kasahara, Albany Katz, Danyale Kotur, Konstantin Marowitz, Ariana Masters George Mikhail, Ted Olsson, Michelle Ponder, Geraldine Plachart, Laysa Quintero, Alex Rogers, Jarrad Rosson, Alex Soltes, Sara Stark, Sammy Solimon

Computer Consultant Agnius Griskevicius

Fall 2010 Staff

Faculty AdvisorsSaul Rubin and Gerard Burkhart

Editor-in-ChiefManaging EditorPhoto EditorPhoto EditorPhoto EditorNews EditorOpinion EditorSports EditorCalendar EditorLifestyle EditorOnline EditorExhibit EditorDesign Editor

Rebecca SlawterBrandon Quin

Brian WhiteSal Guerra

Jennifer MartinezDaniel Ross

Tieg SlatteryKevin Duron

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John Stapleton IVJeremy Biglow

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Graphic DesignJhosef A. Hern

Advertising Consultant Lisa Anderson

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Alexandra Ahneman,Zuleima Alvarado, Nisha Anais, Miles Arnold, Jonathan Bue, Alessandra Catanese, Emma Dantoft, Kevin Duncan, Alvaro Escalante, Jennifer Ferrada, Stephanie Forshee, Khalil Grier, Cyndi Gomez, Wendy Gonzalez, Matt Gottesman, Zineb Hafiz, Danny Henson, Vaimiti Herlaud, Vera Hughes, Sean Hunt, Alexandra Lazar, Neelofer Lodhy, Ariana Masters, Cristina Maxwell, Sarah McIntosh, Jonathan Mendoza, Michael Mendoza, Brandon Minikwu, Natalie Miltcharek, Julie Newsome, Wendy Ng, Ayla Pound, Adam Rubin, Laysa Quintero, Michael Santana, Stephanie Sommer, Ashli Townsend, Vienna Urias, Lauren Walsh

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November 3, 2010Wednesday AD 09Corsair Newspaper

Santa Monica College

A&ECorsair NewspaperSanta Monica College

WednesdayNovember 3, 201010

By Neelofer LodhyStaff Writer

With its seventh and final chapter, the gory road of the “Saw” franchise is over. Kevin Greutert (“Saw 6”) takes the director’s chair once again to send us on one last grisly ride.

This last film focuses on the character Bobby, played by Sean Patrick Flanery, who faked his story on how he survived Jigsaw’s trap to achieve fame and fortune, while trying to reach out to victims of previous traps seen throughout the past few films. Naturally, this is something Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) completely disagrees with, making him determined to show Bobby the true essence of life and what he should be grateful for.

The “Saw” films have been extremely entertaining for avid gore fans, and each movie has somewhat unique stories that tie all the films together as they progress. However, they are all similar in the sense that it’s nothing you haven’t seen before. This last installment is no different. While the new games that Jigsaw stirs up in every film is quite an adventure, all the traps and games look fairly similar seven films later.

The actors’ performances were just about the same as it has been throughout the past few films: decent, but nothing short of mediocre. The same could be said for the script, if it wasn’t evident in the audience’s laughter towards the ridiculous lines spoken throughout the film. As far as being a horror movie goes, if you have a weak stomach when it comes to gore, “Saw 3-D” does the job, but it could have been more realistic.

Lions Gate Entertainment has been promoting this latest installment with a focus on the 3-D aspect of the film, though it did not live up to the hype. Where was the gruesome, cheesy, cringe worthy 3-D? A few fleshy body parts here and there, but it was very short-lived.

If, and only if, you’ve watched the past “Saw” films, then the last one is definitely recommended. Otherwise, it’s better to stay in.

By Cyndi GomezStaff Writer

Taylor Swift carries an atomic weapon: the ability to lyrically belittle her bullies. Yet her latest effort, “Speak Now,” fails at delivering that ultimate punch that could possibly elongate her career.

For a barely 21-year-old, it’s incredible to fathom that two thirds of her songs are about broken love affairs. The fact that “Dear John” and “Back to December” are about her recent flings with John Mayer and Taylor Lautner are the only things keeping these songs interesting.

As long as she continues to write about love over catchy riffs, she will firmly dominate the charts and capture the hearts of tweens. Still, as she grows up, how will fans remain genuinely thrilled?

In “Never Grow Up,” Swift sets those fearsome feelings we get as we grow up, but the song is nothing more than a soft lullaby. The banjo in “Mean” gives it that extra sass and spin while the orchestra of 28 string players in “Haunted” is the only thing keeping a finger away from pressing the skip button.

She stays very comfortable only in her tender tones. Her attempt at pop/punk rock on “Better than Revenge” is a major punk thumb down.

While producer Nathan Chapman does a great job at masking her inability of reaching the high notes, her usual out-of-tune and trembling voice is simply mediocre.

Taylor Swift is incredible at illustrating those inner thoughts every young woman at some point wants to say. And while “Speak Now” satisfies what’s expected of her, she undertakes a position that maybe she’s not ready for.

In the long run, she will always be seen as an incredible country songwriter for her young age -- and maybe one day, she’ll grow up and expand away from writing the same old love songs.

By Sean HuntStaff Writer

Comedy has a magical way of finding the hilarity in an otherwise serious subject. The film “Four Lions” by director Chris Morris tackles one of today’s most serious subjects, terrorism, and manages to find the heart and ridiculousness in it.

The film follows four British jihadists as they try to make a name for themselves. Omar (Riz Ahmed) is angry at the treatment of Muslims around the world. His best friend Waj (Kayvan Novak) is an idiot that will follow Omar no matter what. Barry (Nigel Lindsay) is the white Islamic convert that is opposed to everything that Omar suggests, and Fessel (Adeel Akhtar) makes the bombs. These men must figure out what to blow up before they blow themselves up first.

This film is very, very dark in its humor, and definitely will not appeal to everyone. The film can be approached from two angles: a comedy and a social commentary. The comedy manages to incorporate overacted screwball antics a la “Dumb and Dumber,” and comedy that comes from the characters’ facial expressions and reactions like the British version of “The Office.”

Chris Morris is no stranger to tackling the controversial. With “The Day Today,” he spoofed the British news. “Brass Eye” mocked current affairs and the role of celebrity, and “Jam” presented some of the bleakest comedy sketches put to TV. With “Four Lions,” Morris managed to bring his weird sense of humor with him on to the big screen.

Films like Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator,” or “The Producers (Springtime for Hitler)” show that taboo subjects can be effectively mocked, and “Four Lions” continues that idea. “Four Lions” is a ridiculously funny film that serves as a warped “How-not-to guide” to being a martyr.

By Danny HensonStaff Writer

A smooth “swish” filled the University High School gym last Thursday, captivating the audience inside. But it wasn’t the sound of nothin’ but net that the Uni students were hearing. Rather, it was the sound of SMC dancers performing “Sweep,” a piece in which brooms are used to create percussive cracks, thuds, and swishes.

“Sweep” is just one of the dances in this year’s Synapse Dance Theater, a contemporary dance show that dance professor Linda Gold has been organizing and directing annually for the last 35 years.

Every year the show is different, offering a new set of dances that range widely in style. This year is especially different because Gold has decided to resign from the role of director and allow faculty members Roberta Wolin-Tupas and Russell Scott Conte to take over as co-directors. In Gold’s words, “It’s time for new blood.”

Wolin-Tupas has a master’s in Choreography and Performance from UCLA and has worked in the field of dance for over 30 years. Conte has danced professionally with multiple companies. Considering their experience and expertise, it is safe to say that the Synapse tradition will maintain its level of professionalism.

This was evident on Thursday. No one would have guessed that it was the ensemble’s first performance in front of an audience, and even though there were only a few high school classes watching, who’s to say that isn’t a tough crowd? As Helen Pettersson, one of the dancers, put it: “They’re honest.”

“It went surprisingly well,” says Danielle Alexander, a former University High student who appears in many

of the dances, including the slow graceful duet, “Hope Eternal.” Performing at her old school was made even more personal by the fact that her old teacher was in the audience. “It was very exciting,” Alexander says.

“Hope Eternal,” which is choreographed by Wolin-Tupas and SMC dance professor Robert J. Whidbee, is one of the highlights of this year’s Synapse. As an elegant piano ballad streams along, an intimate love story is told through the body movements of Alexander, and Iacovos Hadijvasili.

Another highlight of the show is a trippy modern dance titled, “Warped Time,” and is choreographed by Jessica Pusateri, one of the student dancers. Pusateri, who already has a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance and is working toward getting her master’s, originally wrote the dance as a solo. Now, it incorporates nine dancers who each wear shirts showing crooked hands of a clock pointing to scattered numbers.

“It deals with different aspects of time,” says Pusateri. This theme is effective throughout the piece, reaching a pinnacle when the beat drops out as the dancers shift into slow motion.

The show ends with Conte’s “The Mod Pod,” a coquettish number choreographed to the Austin Powers theme song. As this dance came to an end in the University High gym, it was clear they were ready for the big stage.

The ensemble will be performing on the Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center on Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. They will also be performing there on Nov. 6 at 4 p.m., and again at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $20, but SMC students with valid ID (and seniors over 65) only pay $15.

This week in entertainment:

Synapse dancers ready for the main stage

A group of dancers practice their routine for this semester’s Synapse Dance theater. The dancers will be performing this weekend at the Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center.

John Stapleton IV Corsair

Courtesy of Lions Gate Courtesy of Big Machine Courtesy of Optimum Releasing

By John Stapleton IVWeb Editor

If I had to be completely honest – and by the very virtue of being Barfly, I do – Mountain Bar would score a perfect middle on any scale of greatness. In fact, I almost had to use a thesaurus to find enough synonyms for “counterbalanced” to describe this far-from-great-but-not-nearly-shitty bar. The great music is negated by the lack of people dancing to it; the playful setting is rescinded by the pretentious crowd; and the delicious selection of booze is abrogated by the watery pours and expensive prices. (Okay, so I used a thesaurus.)

The point is that for every single thing that will make you want to keep coming back to Mountain Bar (the friendly doormen; the elaborately-decorated downstairs bar, the music) there are things that will make you want to run towards the nearest living thing and kill it (the bartending staff; the woefully disappointing upstairs bar, the bathrooms).

For example: One of my top five favorite beers of all time is Delirium Noctornum, a strong, dark Belgian that usually runs from $11 to $15 per glass. The Mountain Bar has it for $8, which was très exciting, until the stone-faced bartender handed me what looked to be about a three-count pour in a brandy snifter. If you ever think to yourself well, I guess you get what you pay for when you order a bar’s “special,” it isn’t.

After taking my overpriced beer shot, I ordered up a couple Red Bull and vodkas for some friends, whose faces immediately soured. When I sampled one myself, I became convinced the bartender got his

mixology muddled and somehow added soda water, or dishwater, or maybe some Red Bull, but certainly not any discernable vodka – and these cocktails were more expensive than the high-brow beer. Look, it’s pretty hard to screw up a RED BULL and VODKA. ESPECIALLY if you’re gonna charge $9 per. ESPECIALLY if you expect me to drink it in a room packed with 50 people watching three people dance. ESPECIALLY if all of your couches are ripped and the only other décor is three light bulbs with chalk on the walls and there’s an insanely long line to get in and you’re located in Chinatown, which I’m pretty sure isn’t close to where ANYONE lives.

But all of these quibbles could be

vindicated with incredible ease by changing just one thing: the service. Barfly could just as readily be called Bartenderfly because the tone and experience of any hackneyed club scene, any musty dive, any sports bar or cocktail lounge or Irish pub will only ever be as enjoyable as the people behind the counter, and this is where Mountain Bar’s astronomical potential miserably fails.

With such a rich history, and such an eclectic selection of live performances, you would think the bar would have service down to an art as refined as their tile floors and oriental lamps. Unfortunately, the management seems to have left this one necessity at base camp, leaving Mountain Bar stranded half way up its promising peak.

November 3, 2010Wednesday LIFESTYLE 11Corsair Newspaper

Santa Monica College

Patrons taking in a late night drink at Mountain Bar in Chinatown on Saturday, Oct. 30.

Brian White Corsair

By Vera HughesStaff Writer

From his wave-like, jet black hair, all the way down to his Toms, SMC student Samuel Juhn emanates the relaxation, peace and love that his life revolves around.

In 2007, after being a part of the Los Angeles surfing lifestyle for quite a few years, Juhn, with the help of some of his surfer friends, adapted the term “shakalohana.”

“Shakalohana” is a combination of three Hawaiian words: “Shaka” meaning relax or peace, “aloha” meaning love, and “ohana” meaning family.

To him and his friends, “shakalohana” encompassed everything that mattered in their lives.

Originally, it was just a greeting. Over time, it grew into much, much more.

In 2006, Juhn experienced a near-fatal surfing accident off the coast of Venice Beach. He accredits the existence of shakalohana and his transformation into Mr. Shakalohana, as people affectionately call him, to this accident.

“I used to be the typical cocky surfer,” Juhn admits. “We’re cocky because we feel this sense of being able to conquer big waves, like, ‘we can do this, but you can’t!’ but I changed. I was humbled. I became Mr. Shakalohana.”

When reflecting on the reason why he started surfing in the first place, Juhn said, “I’m one of the only local Korean surfers. It’s either you become ‘the gangster’ or you become the ‘study-hard-and-go-to-school’ type.

Koreatown’s like that.” But Juhn wasn’t particularly

enthralled by either of those prospects. He wanted to surf. Juhn attended SMC, but dropped out and surfed almost full time for two years.

With the exception of taking care of his sick grandmother, Juhn was completely consumed by surfing from the time he graduated high school, to when “shakalohana” became integrated into his daily life.

Juhn started working at Quiksilver, but it wasn’t long before he saw many of his coworkers splitting off and forming their own companies, like Volcom and Ripcurl, and Juhn realized he could be doing the same thing.

The difference is the message. Juhn’s company, Venicesurf Shakalohana, holds true to its values of peace, love and family. Strip Quiksilver down to what it used to be, get rid of the corporation, and you’ve got “shakalohana.”

According to Juhn, Los Angeles surfers are all familiar with each other. Using these connections, and new connections he is forming in the fashion world, Juhn is really making progress. His website is under construction, but he shows excitement in the fact that he has almost 500 followers on Twitter, and a blossoming Facebook fan-page.

So who better than to start a surf gear company than a guy who’s been surfing in Venice Beach for at least eight years? His company promises to be exactly what Juhn himself genuinely embodies, peace, love and family. So: “shakalohana,” everyone.

By Alessandra CataneseStaff Writer

You know the saying, “Practice makes perfect?” Well, the practice part definitely applies to this week’s recipe.

My dear friend Martina Hatalova provided me with a “Christmas Soup” recipe from her home country, Slovakia. Considering this is a soup, the measurements are up to each individual’s preference, which made me a tad nervous.

Fortunately, soup is pretty easy to make and pretty easy to preserve, hence its Slovakian origins. This recipe became popular at a time when the majority of the Slovakian population lived on self-sustaining farms.

With a very small amount of food imports and exports, natives had to use what they could farm off the land, and make it last.

The difficulty came in the odd variety of ingredients. Never having been a fan of sauerkraut before, it was a challenge making a recipe with sauerkraut as one of the main ingredients.

In the end, the mixture of the broth, the vegetables, cream, and the meat made for a very interesting dinner.

Out of all the recipes I’ve made so far, this was not the best, but it was an excellent learning experience.

With soup you must have patience, and this recipe definitely taught me patience, as well as appreciation for trying new things.

INGREDIENTS

1 white onion1 jar sauerkraut1 polish sausage

smoked ham3 - 4 potatoesmushroomsdry plums

heavy whipping creamolive oil

red paprikasalt

pepper3 bay leaves

For the full recipe and a video of me cooking the dish visit TheCorsairOnline.com.

Mr. Shakalohana Taste of the World

Catanese continues her exploration of worldly cuisine as she prepares Slovakian Christmas soup.

George Mikhail Corsair

Catanese tests out a Slovakian soup recipe contributed by na-tive Martina Hatalova

SPORTSCorsair NewspaperSanta Monica College

WednesdayNovember 3, 201012

Santa Monica women sweep; men stumble

Volleyball

Football

By Jonathan BueStaff Writer

The solemnity of mornings on Corsair Field are similar to a religious gathering as a congregation of students pull up their socks and tie their cleats in preparation for the imminent class.

Conversation is seldom and accented, often times not even in English. Communication here is instead expressed through play in a class as diverse as the United Nations.

Surely if the leaders of the world were to play a sport it would be football, the beautiful game, otherwise known to us North Americans as soccer.

And despite the fact that enrollment in soccer classes here often exceed available seating, a men’s soccer at SMC is still noticeably absent in the athletic program.

“It’s so bad,” said Sisay Diribssa, 22, a beginning soccer student from Ethiopia who echoes the thoughts of many of his classmates. Soccer classes at Santa Monica College have become a haven for those looking to appease their lust for soccer, and many enrolled in these classes, like Diribssa and twenty-year-old Aryan Sadat, have taken the course more than once.

The popularity of soccer here could be a testament to the worldwide appeal of the sport. SMC boasts a large international student population with over 3,000 international students enrolled. About ten percent of the entire student body at SMC.

An exposition of soccer’s popularity lies in FIFA’s estimation that last summer’s World Cup Finals would be viewed by a live audience of 700 million, possibly making it the most watched sporting event of all-time. In comparison, the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening ceremonies had an audience of 600 million.

But the reasons behind the absence of a men’s team actually lie in a gender equity law referred to as Title IX. Enacted in 1972, Title IX was meant to narrow the huge

discrepancy between the number of male and female athletic programs throughout the country. And according to Joe Cascio, project manager of athletics at SMC, the number of athletes has to reflect the population of the student body.The ratios for the fall 2009 semester show that 55.2 percent of SMC’s population were female while 44.8 percent were male.

Currently SMC is within the acceptable range and under compliance with Title IX, but still has too many male athletes.

To add another men’s team in soccer would mean that the athletic department would have to cut an existing program or add another to the women’s side. At present there are nine women’s and seven men’s programs, and the department’s already considering adding women’s golf.

“I’m very interested in adding multiple additional sports,” said Cascio. “Men’s soccer is highly popular; we’ve had a great deal of interest on this campus and we’d love to find a way to make it happen for the students of Santa Monica College.”

When asked how much enthusiasm there is for a men’s team, Cascio quickly pointed out the group of international students who came to his office seeking answers.

“If it were a Santa Monica College policy that was stopping it; we could easily change it, but Title IX is a federal law,” said Cascio.

Meanwhile, the students in Monday morning’s beginning soccer class remain hopeful about the prospect of a men’s team.

“Every single day they’re asking,” said Tianna Oliver, beginning soccer instructor at SMC. She went on to claim that she feels that there’s enough talent to field a men’s team in her class alone.

Some of those students, including twenty-year-old Andre Jackson and his peers, displayed little hesitation expressing their interest in joining a men’s team.

The immediate response seemed almost pre-meditated. “Definitely.”

Added Jackson, “Is that even a question?”

Freshman running back Benjamin Irwin-Crayton is tripped up by the L.A. Valley defense; Crayton had just 2 yards rushing on a night where the Monarchs’ ground game would outrun the Corsairs 154 yards to 59.

Jonathan Bue Corsair

Amend it like Beckham

The women of Santa Monica College’s volleyball squad delivered a perfect three-game sweep over West L.A. last Friday.The sets were won 25-2, 25-7, and 25-4 respectively, as the Corsair blocking game proved to be too much for the Wildcat offense.Standout players included freshmen Amelia Keeling and Vivien Reece, who contibuted to the much-needed victory with an array of crucial defensive blocks and punishing kills.

The Corsair football team couldn’t follow up on last week’s upset against top-ranked L.A. Pierce, losing to the L.A. Valley Monarchs 24-11 last Saturday. Despite impressive performances by freshmen quarterback Travis Williams and wide receiver Reggie Mitchell, Santa Monica couldn’t keep up with the rushing game of the home team. The Monarchs secured the top spot in the Pacific Conference while the Corsairs slid to a fifth-place tie.