Editorials
College Students May Be Older But They’re Not
Necessarily More Mature
by Briana Gomez
Maturity is defined as full development; perfected condition
(Dictionary.com), but this definition
does not hold true with most college
students.
To be fully developed asserts that one
is capable of making his or her own decisions and being responsible, which is,
in reality, accepting the consequences of one’s actions whether good or
detrimental.
The maturity of the average college
student seems to have been degraded, the expectations have been lowered.
Whether this is a problem facing
predominately community college students, is indiscernible, but it seems as
though Grossmont students are engaging in ridiculous childish behavior.
Students seek independence in life, but
they are not accepting responsibilities.
Grossmont is apparently a classroom,
study environment, and while activities are offered on campus, the purpose of
attending college is not necessarily to boost one’s social life.
It is ridiculous to create an
environment where learning takes the back seat to one’s social problems.
College is the time where sexual
promiscuity and other detrimental habits develop. Maturity in these situations
comes with accepting the consequences, and not allowing proceeding awkwardness
or raging hormones to distract the student, or his or her classmates.
Why pay for a class and then feel too
uncomfortable to attend?
Maturity is – regardless of the
decisions involved – extricating social aspects from academic achievements.
Adulthood is also developing proper
communication skills, which means not discussing or gossiping about outside
problems to others. When problems arise, it is critical to contain it between
the parties involved.
Witnessing these flaws is disappointing
and annoying to surrounding parties, especially those who are taking classes to
go somewhere in life.
For some, Grossmont and other colleges
and universities are the means to an end, a method of improving one’s knowledge,
while for others it has become a lifetime continuation of high school.
It is pathetic to see those who have not yet learned how
to avoid drama because such habits follow people through life and into their
careers.
The Pittstop
by Tyler Pitts
A Sacramento man named Gary Ross has
been in the news lately after being fired from his job because he uses medical
marijuana. The California Supreme Court is currently reviewing his case, in
which Ross contends that he
should be treated the same way as employees with painkiller prescriptions.
He’s right, of course. Numerous studies
have shown that smoking marijuana can relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea, and
vomiting. However, due to marijuana’s status as an illegal drug and the popular
conception that it’s dangerous,
people like Gary Ross are treated
like criminals for using it.
I know this is an overused argument, but
the truth in it remains: if alcohol is legal, then marijuana deserves the same
treatment. It’s not surprising that alcohol, which was popular and common for
centuries in Europe, has remained that way in the U.S. This country was founded
by Europeans, and for over two hundred years now, has continued to be controlled
by their pale-skinned descendents.
Meanwhile, marijuana, which wasn’t
common in Europe but was used in regions such as Africa, India, and the Middle
East, has been characterized as reprehensible and immoral. I suppose this is
just another example of the way cultural politics still come into play, even now
when so many in this country claim to be colorblind.
Here’s one more thing to think about:
I’ve seen people who are drinking, and I’ve also been witness to a few smoke
sessions. And believe me, the drunkards pose an extremely more substantial
threat to society than their docile smoking counterparts.
-Developments in Pakistan began to sway
on the verge of absurdity last week as President Pervez Musharraf continued to
deny basic freedoms. After originally suspending Pakistan’s constitution and
ousting members of the judiciary, he went on to have thousands of citizens
arrested in the following days. In a so-called "state of emergency," it’s
understandable that arrests are going to be made.
It’s the specific groups Musharraf
is targeting that make his seize for power so obvious.
Pakistan’s top human rights advocate,
Asma Jehangir, was put under house arrest as she watched Musharraf on television
declaring the state of emergency in order to "combat militant extremists." If
this seems like a bit of a paradox, it should.
Dozens of others who work with Jehangir
have also been detained, as have members of groups that oppose the president. In
addition, lawyers who were staging peaceful demonstrations were severely beaten
by the military. While all this was going on, dozens of Taliban sympathizers
were granted amnesty. Once again, the irony here should be obvious.
None of these people Musharraf has gone
after could be described as anything remotely similar to militant extremists.
They’re just Pakistani citizens who are concerned with what’s going on in their
country. And they should be! Musharraf sees his illegitimate stranglehold on
power slipping away, and he’s trying to silence anyone who opposes his reign.
The Bush administration decided not to
cut off the hundreds of millions of dollars in aid sent to Pakistan, saying they
aren’t legally required to do so, even though the president has publicly
condemned Musharraf’s actions. As it turns out, Bush sees Pakistan as a "key
ally" in his war on terrorism.
So let me get this straight – Bush and
his administration are waging a war on rebel terrorists because they’re a threat
to global safety, right? But when his buddies start to impose state-sponsored
terrorism, our fearless leader simply looks the other way? Somebody please pass
the bong so I can just forget about all of this.
-It looks like instant replay will soon
become a staple in Major League Baseball much like it has in the NFL, NBA and
professional tennis. Thankfully, there will be limits on what types of plays can
be reviewed. Baseball already moves at a snail’s pace, and the game doesn’t need
anything else to slow it down. Plays that could be reviewed would include
whether potential home runs are fair or foul, whether balls clear the fence or
hit the top and bounce back, and disputes over fan interference. You all
remember Jeffrey Maier reaching over
the right field fence at Yankee
Stadium in 1996, don’t you?
Know what would be an even better idea
than instant replay? Getting rid of those ridiculous yellow lines painted near
the top of outfield walls!
Call me old fashioned, but I
thought a home run was supposed to go over the fence. The need for instant
replay would be drastically reduced if baseball just did away with these lines
from Hell. Whoever came up with the idea must have been high.
…And it probably was not for medical reasons.
The Week In Politics
by Tyler Pitts
In case you missed any of it, here’s a
quick look at some of the major political events that took place during the week
of Nov. 5-11:
-Events in Pakistan dominated the global
political scene in the week following President Pervez Musharraf’s declaration
of a state of emergency within the country. After he suspended Pakistan’s con stitution,
fired many members
of the judiciary, and said that elections would be postponed, Musharraf was the
target of considerable amounts of criticism and dissent.
Police clubbed and used tear gas on
large groups of lawyers, among others, who came out on Monday to protest what
many have dubbed "martial law." Around 3,500 people were arrested early in the
week as police targeted groups who oppose Musharraf, who heads the military in
addition to his role as President.
President Bush and many other global
leaders voiced their opposition to Musharraf’s actions, urging him to hold
parliamentary elections as scheduled in January. However, the White House
declined to
cut financial aid to
Pakistan, saying the country is a key ally in the war on
terror.
In an interesting turn of events,
opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was placed under house arrest on Friday as she
prepared to address a crowd at a rally. The order was lifted later in the day,
however, with
officials saying
that a temporary
security threat had ended.
As global pressure mounted, Musharraf
eventually eased his stance. He announced on Thursday that elections would be
held by the middle of February, and then on Sunday moved them back to the
original date in January. He did not give a date for when emergency rule would
end.
-The Democratically-controlled Congress
continued to oppose President Bush on certain fronts, overriding his
veto for the
first time and also working to pass a revised children’s health bill. In
addition, a growing number of Republicans are crossing partisan lines in order
to enact legislation Bush has fought. However, those who opposed the
confirmation of Michael Mukasey as attorney general lost their battle against
the president.
The first veto override of Bush’s seven-year presidency took
place on Thursday, as the Senate voted 79-14 to enact a $23 billion water
resources measure. 34 Republicans were among those who voted to override a bill
Bush claims is filled with unnecessary spend ing.
Projects such as sewage plants, dams, and beach restoration are included in the
bill.
Congress also drew nearer to agreement
on a revised version of a measure to expand the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program by $35 billion. The back and forth battle over this
legislation has been going on for weeks, and the president has already vetoed a
previous proposal. Supporters of the measure are trying to convince
around 25
house Republicans to change their stance, as this would provide sufficient
numbers to override another veto Bush has already promised.
The Senate confirmed Mu kasey
as the new attorney general late Thursday night, voting 53-40 in favor of a
candidate who has drawn much criticism because of his refusal to say that
waterboarding amounts to torture. A number of those who voted for Mukasey said
they did so largely because the president had threatened to appoint an acting
attorney general if Mukasey was not chosen. Had this taken place, Bush could
have chosen anyone he liked without
needing Senate
confirmation.
-Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani are still in the lead for
their respective party’s presidential nominations, according to an Associated
Press-Ipsos poll.
On the Republican side, 29 percent of respondents designated
Giuliani as their top pick. He was followed by Fred Thompson with 19 percent,
John McCain at 13 percent, and Mitt Romney with 12 percent.
Clinton’s lead in the polls had grown recently, and she now maintains a 2-1
advantage over her nearest competitor. 45 percent of Democrats now see her as
their best choice, compared to 22 percent who support Barack Obama. John Edwards
came in third, with 12 percent.
Propoganda in the Media of Today
by Kamri Jackson
One could attest that the majority of
Americans don’t believe all the facts from the media, all while people are
becoming inclined to watch corporate news. Sadly, obtaining "credible" news
altogether, has become virtually impossible, which is a growing concern that
goes unsaid.
From the war in the Middle East, to the
latest food scare, we have been led into the land of deceit. It’s frightening to
know that people go about their lives knowing that they can’t truly put their
trust in the mass media, when it’s the only means to getting facts, information,
and truth. Without truth, how can there be change?
What rights corporate news has to claim
that it is "fair and balanced" is questionable, when their aim is solely based
on ratings, or in other words, money. Until recently, one could somewhat define
"credible news," from entertainment, but now, it has become nothing more than
aimless and senseless media altogether.
On the NBC "Today Show,"
with Ann Curry, and
Al Rocker, you can catch Ann playing the childhood game jack on the studios
floor, cooking fish, and interviewing celebrities on random facts, just as I
watched in horror on Veterans Day. ABC’s "Good Morning America," with Robin
Roberts, and Diane Sawyer,
also seems to be downplaying large concerns, with new
"domestic" friendly topics, or in other words, topics that would appeal to the
stay-home-mommy. Just take a look at Chris Chromo and Sam Champion; you’ll get
the drift.
News that was once news unworthy has now
become a norm in all avenues of media. With Lindsay Lohan leading the way, and
Britney coming in at a close second, the Hollywood drama coverage is shamelessly
being paraded in the media, while global issues go unsaid. Such as the economic
plight in Tanzania. $1 million American dollars now equals one Tanzanian dollar.
But then again, who wants to give up footage of the paparazzi antagonizing
Britney Spears, for the imperative concern of a foreign country’s collapsed
economy.
We crave for the latest, most
sophisticated, technological advances; but what about the advancement of our
overall society? What about the sophistication of the common American’s mind?
This is an issue that stems further than the media, it
goes into the state of our society, but it’s imperative that we make a change in
our avenues of media, whether attaining news via the internet, or attempting to
establish unbiased news through corporate news. In order to bring about much
needed change.
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