New buildings will give DCCC a face-lift

Volunteers feed
the hungry
page 3
Smoking on campus?
Editors sound off
page 5
Breaking up isn’t easy:
Learn how
page 7
“Serving Delaware and Chester Counties”
Volume 10, No. 3 November 21, 2007
New buildings will give DCCC a face-lift
This spring school officials will break
ground for two new buildings at Marple
campus. An entire new science and technology
center is slated for construction throughout
2008, to be completed in 2009.
The largest new building, designated
for science, engineering and math, will be
105,000 square feet and incorporate both
classrooms and labs. Included will be 11 math
classrooms, a simulated police firing range and
an institute for public safety and emergency
preparedness.
The second building, a 32,000 square
foot facility, will be a technical building with
learning areas for automotive technology,
carpentry and various other hands-on classes.
The buildings, collectively known as the
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math) complex, will be started separately.
Construction on the technology building
will begin in February 2008 and is expected
to take 12 months to complete. The science,
engineering and math building will not break
ground until March, and will take 18 months.
The STEM complex is to take the place
of DCCC’s Malin Road center, which will lose
its lease by the time construction is finished.
All the center’s faculty and programs will be
moved onto the Marple campus.
At a faculty meeting on Oct. 29, President
Jerry Parker said the project “is consuming a
lot of my time,” but added that the building
would be “a new face on campus, a gateway.”
He showed images of the wedge shaped
building design and stressed the sustainable
design certification of the building, which
means that it will be environmentally friendly.
The building site was also evaluated in terms
of its impact to the surrounding wetlands.
Photo courtesy of DCCC public relations
By Greg Weber
The STEM complex will include a building for science, engineering and math programs.
Parker acknowledged that the cost of the
STEM project had risen dramatically since
its first conception. Original estimates for
the project hovered around $36 million, but
have since risen to $59 million, with more
costs expected. He said that attempts were
being made to lower that number, but did not
promise any reduction in price.
Fundraising for the project is in what
is referred to as the “silent phase,” wherein
donors are gathered to create an initial base
donation before the campaign is made public.
Parker said that legislators were “all
saying the right things [in support] of the
project,” and he did not anticipate problems
finding funds.
Greg Davis, co-chair of the Internal
Resources Committee, a “watchdog group” that
provides broad suggestions and observations
Magdalen Hsu-Li inspires students
to redefine identity
By Matthew Eppright
Courtesy of Magdalenhsuli.com
One day Magdalen Hsu-Li looked into
the mirror. She wished her eyes were not
slanted, her hair was not so dark, and that she
was Caucasian. She asked herself the question
that children in her hometown often asked her:
“What are you?”
Since that day Hsu-Li has been on a
Magdalene Hsu-Li is a famous artist and
advocate for diversity.
path of self-discovery that led her to speaking
to students around the country about just that.
On Oct. 9, the acclaimed singer,
songwriter, artist and activist visited DCCC’s
Marple campus to discuss race, sexuality and
personal demons that existed in herself and
that she believes may exist in everybody.
Hsu-Li was raised in Martinsville, Va., a
place she described as the “beautiful South.”
The scenery may have been sprawling and
gorgeous, but the times were not. “Growing up
in the rural south, I faced intense racism and
prejudice,” Hsu-Li said. “I was different and
I stuck out.”
Prejudice was not the only problem
Hsu-Li faced growing up. At age 12, she was
diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. The
pressure of fitting in while dealing with the
symptoms of Tourette’s proved too much for
Hsu-Li.
“I was a girl, a girl interrupted,”
Hsu-Li said. “And I was on the verge of a
breakdown.”
The traditional treatments did not work
for Hsu-Li. “I imagined a life of loneliness and
isolation,” Hsu-Li said. “I even considered
suicide.”
Then one night, when she was 16, she
made a decision: Hsu-Li decided she was
going to conquer Tourette’s with willpower. It
took six months, but eventually her symptoms
Continued on page 2
on any construction done at DCCC, said he
was pleased by the new project.
“It’s great for the college,” Davis said.
“It’s a nice footprint on campus.”
Davis said that there had been a few
concerns among faculty about usage of space
and similar issues, but that most had been
cleared up. He also said that the department
heads of the college had been asked by
architects to contribute suggestions which
were being “passed up the line” to those
working on the project.
His co-chair Sara Singer said, “It is
important that faculty and administration
work together to achieve our common goal:
buildings that will enhance the learning of all
the students at DCCC.”
She indicated that there had been some
issues with the faculty’s needs not being taken
into account concerning the STEM complex.
Singer did not respond when asked what
those issues were.
“Presently, we are working with the
provost, Ginny Carter, to improve the lines of
communication,” Singer wrote in an e-mail.
For students there will be some
inconveniences during the construction
process, particularly with regard to parking.
While 100 new parking spots are to be added
to the current lots, construction is expected to
take up a significant amount of current student
space.
“The whole project will be very
disruptive,” Parker said. “[But] it will be
something worth waiting for.”
The STEM complex has become only
part of the overall facility master plan created
by college officials to guide the school into
the future. In addition to the new buildings,
renovations are to be done on the existing
buildings of Marple campus.
“We need much improved student spaces
throughout the campus,” Parker said. New
student spaces will include new student
lounges and the transformation of the library
into a learning commons.
While Davis was quick to mention that
the library would not disappear, he said it will
have updated technology and a design more
appropriate for college learning.
Possible changes to existing buildings are
in the early planning stages.
At the faculty meeting, Parker said that
there would be open forums throughout the
planning phase to improve existing facilities.
He encouraged the faculty to give their input.
Contact Greg Weber at
[email protected]
DCCC falls for Flags of our Fathers
By Ryan McBrearty
On Oct 20, author James Bradley visited
DCCC to give a presentation about Flags of
our Fathers before a sell-out crowd in the
main auditorium. The event brought together
Delaware County residents of all ages, from
elementary school students to World War II
veterans.
The presentation served as the highlight
event for an ongoing community-wide reading
project called “Fall for a Book,” organized by
the Delaware County Council, DCCC and the
Delaware County Library System.
The project is based upon the “One
book, One Community” model, which has
been gaining popularity in small and large
communities across the country. The model
is intended to serve the educational needs of
a community and bring its residents closer
together by encouraging each resident to read
the same book and attend events related to it.
According to the Delaware County
Library System’s Web site, all county residents
were encouraged to read the New York Times
Best-Seller Flags of Our Fathers. The groups
involved in organizing this project also
arranged a series of events, including various
film screenings, discussions, World War II
veteran speakers and displays of historic items
in libraries all across Delaware County. The
project was capped off by the highlight event.
The ultimate goal of all of these events
is to foster a deeper collective understanding
of Flags of Our Fathers and its historical
context.
Bradley began his presentation by
speaking about the impact of the Battle of
Iwo Jima. “More medals were awarded in that
month than any other in American History,”
Bradley said, “It was America’s most heroic
moment.”
At the center of this moment were the six
young marines who raised the American flag
on the top of Mt. Suribachi. Their names were
John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, Micheal Strank,
Ira Hayes, Franklin Salsley and Harlon Block.
They were captured in an immortal photograph
that has become the most duplicated in the
history of photography.
James Bradley’s father, John Bradley,
was the inspiration for his book.
“He never talked about the war or the flag
raising,” Bradley said of his father, “Only once
to his wife on their first date.”
After his father passed away, his family
found a closet full of memories of Iwo Jima.
Bradley had questions about his father’s past,
and decided to contact the families of the other
five flag raisers.
Those families had refused interviews for
decades, but because Bradley was the son of a
flag raiser, they were willing to tell him stories
that had long been kept quiet.
Bradley continued his presentation by
describing the other flag raisers, identifying
Continued on page 6
Page 2
CAMPUS LIFE
Business and Computer Information Systems Department
advisors meet and greet students
Photo courtesy of Professor Linda Durkin.
to meet and get to know students outside of
classes and the “Meet and Greet” provided a
great opportunity to get to know each other.
The event was well attended by students,
encouraged and sponsored by the Dean,
and 100 percent supported by Business and
Computer Information Systems faculty who
advised, served refreshments, chatted with
students and helped them in guessing who was
who on the faculty photo wall. Students had the
opportunity to win prizes by matching faculty
younger years’ photos with the ‘real’ professor.
No student matched every photo correctly, but
three students guessed nine correctly and won
prizes. Those students are: Jeff Petherbridge,
Jin Hua G. Murter, and Joshua W. Shaker, all
Business majors.
“The ‘Meet and Greet’ was wonderful,”
said business student Leah Nelling. “It
provided a great deal of information and
guidance. Not only was the function beneficial
but it was very amusing.”
The faculty provided pizza, soda and
enjoyable games for the students to play.
Nelling felt it was a great way to meet with
some of the teachers and classmates outside of
the classroom.
“This is my first semester here at the
main campus and this event was extremely
helpful,” Nelling said. “I would like for the
Business Department to continue to hold this
event in the upcoming semesters; I feel that it
can better inform the students who need a little
guidance, like me.”
Business and computer students meet their advisors.
The Business and Computer Information
Systems Department held a “Meet and Greet
Advisors” on Oct. 18 during Q-time in the
Business Student Lounge near 3310. This
was a first for the department in trying to
make a personal connection with business
and computer students. As a community
college there is not always an opportunity
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS - ESSAY CONTEST
1st Prize: $200.00
2nd Prize: $100.00
3rd Prize: $50.00
EDITH GARLOW MEMORIAL
POETRY CONTEST
FIRST PRIZE:
SECOND PRIZE: THIRD PRIZE:
$1000
$800
$400
1. All contestants must be currently enrolled
in a college or university in Delaware or
Chester County.
2. Each contestant may submit only
one poem, a work of his or her own
creation.
3. The poem must employ a definite
metrical and/or rhyming pattern.
4. The submitted poem must be typed
in conventional manuscript form and
identified on the reverse side of the
sheet(s) by the contestant’s name,
college or university, student number,
home mailing address, telephone
number and signature in ink. No other
format will be accepted.
5. Submissions must be mailed to
Gina Gennari c/o Delaware County
Community College, Media, PA 19063,
and postmarked no later than January
30, 2008.
6. Contest Winners will be announced in
April 2008.
7. Winners will receive their prizes and
read their poems during a reception at
Delaware County Community College
in April 2008.
Use an interview with a veteran to discuss the following writing prompt. Use examples
from what you read in the text and what you heard in your interview in order to support your
response. Make sure that you have at least three, fully developed points that support your
point of view. For help and guidelines about how to structure your interview with a veteran,
please consult the Library of Congress’s web site:
Photo by David Richman
http://www.loc.gov/vets/youth-resources.html
Prompt:
Did the interview that you completed with a veteran affect you more or less than your reading
of the book, Flags of Our Fathers? Explain your response by elaborating on which source or
experience helped you to better understand what soldiers go through before, during, and after
their wartime experiences.
Essays will be collected until April 1, 2008.
You may turn them into Valerie Schantz, office 4317.
Format Requirements:
250-750 typed, double spaced, mla documentation needed
Outside sources/research is NOT necessary except for the interview.
Any outside sources/research must be properly documented or essay will be disqualified.
Name, contact information, and student id number must be clearly indicated in a heading on
the first page.
The college community honored student soldiers and veterans Nov. 13.
Magdalen Hsu-Li inspires students to redefine identity
Now announcing the guest
author for the 2008
Pegasus Literary Magazine:
Continued from page 1
She enrolled at Cornish College of the
Arts to study voice and piano. She had to
teach herself to read and play music, but it
paid off. After her first year she was awarded a
scholarship, not because of her talent, but for
her effort and drive in her learning.
During the next year Hsu-Li had a severe
conflict with a professor over racial issues.
Feeling that she was not supported by the
Photo courtesy of www.unt.edu
dwindled until they were barely existent.
During her young adult years Hsu-Li
spent time in a hospital because of emotional
troubles. While there, she began to draw. “I
realized I could take all my negative emotions
and put them into an appropriate place,” HsuLi said.
Hsu-Li believes that everyone has a
“shadow-self,” a dark side. “The role of a
shadow is to occupy itself to be destructive,”
Hsu-Li said. A person’s shadow can be a lack
of confidence, self abuse, or abuse of drugs
and alcohol.
Hsu-Li says that her art was an outlet
for her shadow and brought her to a higher
self. This led her to enroll in the Rhode Island
School of Design to study art. She was awarded
many scholarships for her talent and graduated
with a degree in fine arts.
Shortly after graduation, Hsu-Li had
a dream that she was a musician living in
Seattle. She decided that this was a message
and moved to Seattle. After moving there
Hsu-Li attended a party filled with talented
musicians and came to a realization: she didn’t
know how to be a musician.
She found herself crying alone in a room
at that party. “I realized this is what life is
like,” Hsu-Li said. “You can sit in dark rooms
and cry by yourself, or you can get up and do
something.”
Hsu-Li is an accomplished musician who
speaks for gay and lesbian rights.
faculty and staff of the college, she dropped
out.
She decided that would not be the end
for her. Hsu-Li borrowed $10,000 from her
uncle to start her own music label, Chickpop
Records. After six months she released her
first album, “Evolutions.” On this album she
wrote her first activist song, “Submissive.”
Hsu-Li realized through the repetition
of adversities she faced in her life, she was
meant to be an activist. “When something
keeps happening to you, there’s a lesson to be
learned,” Hsu-Li said.
She believes that activism is her “darma”
or life’s purpose. She also believes that
everyone has darma, something they are
destined to do.
Currently Hsu-Li is studying at the
Berkley College of Music while she is touring
the country. She looks back on the question
she asked herself so many years ago and now
replies, “I cannot be categorized.”
“Don’t be afraid to take risks and be
pioneers,” Hsu-Li said. “Redefine what
identity is for you.”
For more information on Magdalen HsuLi or to listen to her music visit: myspace.
com/magdalenhsuli or magdalenhsuli.com.
Contact Matthew Eppright at
[email protected]
Jon Clinch,
Author of
FINN: A Novel
The guest author will have his
work featured in Pegasus and
will serve as an honorary jury
member.
Have your short stories, poems
and artwork published alongside
a distinguished author…
Submit to Pegasus today!!!
For questions or submission
forms, please contact Campus
Life (Rm 2518), visit Campus
Life on the web
h t t p : / / w w w. d c c c . e d u /
campuslife/pegasus.html
or contact Gina Gennari (Rm
4312) [email protected]
How to buy a used car without getting ripped off
By Kara Davidson
When it comes to buying a car, it’s never
a one step process, especially if the car is
pre-owned. Along with purchasing a used
car, comes the possibility of being ripped off.
There’s an array of car scams to look out for
such as lemon, body work and paint problems,
and auto frauds. Yet, what can be done to avoid
all the scams? Follow these steps when buying
a used car to avoid being taken advantage of.
Be Educated
Future buyers of used cars must do some
research before even looking at any vehicle
purchases.
“It’s important for all potential used
vehicle owners to be some what educated on
what they’re interested in buying,” said Mike
Petrylak, owner and certified mechanic at
Concord Village Garage.
Many vehicle sites, such as Vehix, Carfax
and Kelly Blue Book, offer base prices for
almost any model and make of car.
Going into the buying process, the buyer
should know the basics about the car(s) of
interest, such as model, make, year, color
preferences, and general price range.
Buyer Beware
Buyers looking to purchase used cars
must know that they’re buying other people’s
problems, and also could be ripped off.
“When buyers are looking for used cars
from private sellers, it’s important to keep
in mind that the seller could be hiding any
problem with the car,” Petrylak said.
Buying from a private dealer might mean
that the car could have had previous work done
on it, yet the buyer would never know unless
told. Often times, whatever is wrong on the
outside of the car can be covered with cheap
paints, rather than dealership paint jobs.
Any buyer can get a vehicle history report
for a car made after 1981 from sites such as
Carfax and Kelly Blue Book.
Pre-owned vehicles from dealerships
always come certified by a mechanic to insure
the investment of the car.
“The buyer is most secure in their purchase
of a pre-owned car when they buy directly
from a dealership,” said Lee Phillips, Toyota
Carousel Used Vehicle Sales Consultant.
“Most times, dealerships will offer warranties,
roadside assistance, and standards along with
the certified pre-owned vehicles.”
Don’t Buy Right Away
Buyers should always get the car checked
out first by a certified mechanic or dealership
before purchasing the car. If the used car is
purchased immediately, the buyer has no
opportunity to get the best deal, and may be
ripped off.
“The car should be inspected by a
reputable repair facility for any potential
problems with the vehicle’s steering, wheels,
brakes, accident damage, and ect,” Petrylak
said.
Only a certified mechanic or auto repair
specialist from a dealership can be trusted to
find any problems with the car. If taken to a
private dealer, the buyer is more likely to be
scammed.
Find the Value
It’s important to find the value of the car
from a used vehicle site. If the value of the car
is reasonably lower than the asking price, the
buyer can gain some leverage on the cost over
the seller.
It is always good to ask about the car’s
history, and reasons for selling, and if the
vehicle is from a private used car owner. For
example, the seller could be a pregnant woman
looking to get rid of her economy-sized car in
order to make room for a minivan that can
hold more.
On the other hand, the seller could be
getting rid of the car because of a previous
accident, which caused a problem with the
car.
“I bought my ‘96 Chevy Cavalier from
a private seller about two months ago,” said
Ian Bainbridge, 18, Music Education major
attending DCCC. “Even though the horn on
the car doesn’t work, it was still a smart buy
because the price was around $2,200, and my
grandfather, a licensed mechanic, test drove
and inspected the car for me before I actually
bought it.”
“The average price of the certified preowned vehicles from [Toyota Carousel] is
$5,000 to $45,000, depending on make and
model of the vehicle,” Phillips said.
Also the car can be researched for the
average price on Carfax or a similar site.
Negotiate
After finding the base value of the
model and make of used car and the present
or potential problems, the buyer can begin to
negotiate the price.
If the car needs a significant amount of
repairs, the buyer can factor the repairs into
negotiations, and hopefully save some money.
Take Care of Your Car
Once the used car is purchased, it’s crucial
to maintain the health of the car.
“All of [Toyota Carousel] pre-owned
cars come with a maintenance booklet and
guide,” Phillips said. “If the buyers follow
these guidelines, then their pre-owned vehicle
should continue to last.”
If the used car was purchased from a
private seller, the buyer should pay extra
attention to any sudden differences with the
performance of the car.
Although buying a pre-owned car costs
significantly less than buying a brand new one,
there are some downsides.
“A used car is older and has already been
worn down by the previous owner,” Petrylak
said. “So, in order to maintain the used car is
to always get the car inspected on time, and
continue to take the car to a licensed mechanic
for routine check-ups, such as oil changes, tire
rotations, overall handling, etc.”
Contact Kara Davidson @ communitarian@
mail.dccc.edu Paradise is a hot meal and a warm bed
Photo by David Richman
in short supply: affordable housing and
economic opportunity.
Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Services have
According to a 2003 Status
concluded at St. Katherine’s Church in Wayne,
Report on Hunger and Homelessness in
Pa. The parking lot and surrounding streets
American Cities, 41 percent are single
come alive with pedestrian traffic. Neatly
adult men, 40 percent are families with
dressed families, averaging two to three
children, 5 percent are unaccompanied
children, walk alongside seniors wearing suits
youth and 66 percent are families
and ties. Young couples holding hands emerge
headed by a single parent.
from the glass double doors of the church into
The U.S. Census Bureau says
a bright, sunny afternoon.
the many residents in Kensington live
St. Katherine’s parking lot has become
at or below the poverty line. They’re
organized chaos. People and cars are
men, women and children of all races,
everywhere. Some walk while others run.
ethnicities and religions. St. Francis
Despite the mass exodus, almost everyone is
Inn provides these people with a hot
smiling. Many are heading to the local diner
sit-down meal once a day, Monday
for breakfast, while others head home to catch
through Sunday. Coffee and a small
the early NFL games and maybe start (or
breakfast item (carry out only) are
finish) a weekend project.
served Tuesday through Thursday.
But scan the crowds of people and
New items such as diapers, toiletries,
St. Katherine’s parishioners provide food for those
you’ll find a small group of young adults still
underwear and socks are also given out
Each guest will also receive one roll, one fruit
standing at St. Katherine’s main entrance. Their
free of charge.
cup and one dessert. Each table has a pitcher
destination is not the local diner or home, but a
After parking the car, the young adult
that’s refilled with water, iced tea, or hot sweet
soup kitchen called St. Francis Inn located on
group walks up East Hagert Street to the side
tea depending on the weather. What the guests
2441 Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia.
entrance of St. Francis Inn. They’re met with
of St. Francis Inn are served depend greatly on
St. Francis Inn was started by two
the blank stares of people sitting on concrete
the donations received and what’s available
Franciscan friars, Roderic Pertie and Emmet
steps. Some lie in the middle of the sidewalk.
that day.
Murphy in 1977. “The Inn” also serves as
The smell of urine is so strong, it can cause
All volunteers put on various colored
women’s temporary residence, thrift shop and
one’s eyes to water. There’s a line starting
aprons. Soon they are ready to serve the guests.
social service center.
from the entrance to the dining hall of St.
It’s almost time to open the doors.
From St. Katherine’s, the young adult
Francis Inn, which snakes around the building
The last order of business is the prayer
group carpools to St. Francis Inn. Their goal is
and down the street.
circle. Pushaw asks the volunteers to join
to get there by 11 a.m.
Entering the side entrance, the young
hands and form a circle. With eyes closed
This group will make it.
adult group is met by the hostess Maureen,
and heads bowed, the prayer ends with a
Driving down Girard Avenue one might
22, who lets them into the dining hall. The
unanimous “Amen.”
think these neighborhoods were once nice
dining hall consists of 10-12 tables with four
The doors open.
places to live. But what once was a thriving
plastic chairs with metal legs. The dining hall
The dining hall becomes a flurry of
manufacturing community is now an area
is designed like a cafeteria, but only volunteers
activity.
People are moving in every direction.
with countless abandoned buildings, closed
do the serving. The guest(s) only need to be
Volunteers, armed only with trays swing into
factories, piles of trash, broken concrete slabs
seated and give their ticket.
action. The guests are seated one by one. Some
and overgrown weeds. The liquor stores and
The coordinator, Karen Pushaw, 41
prefer to sit with only certain people, while
bars are ubiquitous, but there are two things
approaches the volunteers with a clipboard.
families are placed at one table.
Pushaw asks each volunteer
The guests are from all walks of life. Some
what they’d like to do. Two
enter walking on canes and walkers. Others
plate food, four will wait
enter in wheelchairs and some are carried in by
tables, one will help bus
others. They are Mexican, Indian, Caucasian,
tables and one will help in
Italian and Latino, both young and old. Many
the dish room.
are missing teeth, hair and limbs. Clothes are
Andrea Shaffer, a
tattered, torn and soiled. Some carry their
regular volunteer at St.
belongings in plastic bags, suitcases, duffel
Francis Inn says, “[St.
bags or on something with wheels. But each
Francis Inn] can serve
guest is here for one thing, a free meal.
anywhere from 300 to just
Rambo, a guest of St Francis Inn, offers
over 400 people. So it could
a volunteer some advice: “My friend, if you
be from 2,100 to 2,800
stack the plates on the bottom and put the
meals a week.”
silverware on top like this [stacking the plates
The food is cooked and
and silverware], it’s a lot easier to carry, you
placed into the steam trays.
know.”
A volunteer and Neil Amado make last minute preparations
Today’s menu will be hot
The guests continue to stream in. Each
in the St. Francis Inn kitchen.
dogs, corn, rice and pizza.
guest is served and given
plastic bags upon request.
Many ask for ketchup and
mustard. Some parents
ask for milk for their
children.
Despite the crowd
packed into a small space,
the atmosphere remains
positive. Many guests say
“Thank you” and “God
bless you” when their
food arrives. Sometimes
the kitchen staff gets
backed up, but most
guests remain patient.
The dining hall buzzes
with conversation, while
the servers and bussers
do their best to serve the
who need it.
guests.
It’s now 12:50 p.m. The
meal is winding down and so begins the clean
up. When St Francis Inn closes at 1 p.m., the
dining hall is broken down.
Some guests are still eating, but they
quickly finish and leave.
The doors are closed and locked.
Tables are pushed against the walls and
the chairs are stacked. Two kitchen volunteers
bring out some brooms and a mop bucket.
Trash is taken out. The dining hall floor
is swept and mopped, as is the kitchen. The
stoves are turned off. The countertops, tables
and cooking stations are wiped down. Pots and
pans are scrubbed in the stainless steel sinks.
Racks of dishes and silverware are pushed
through the dish machine. The few leftovers
are wrapped up and placed into the walk-in
fridge. Most days when the main meal runs
out, one or two back-up dishes are made to
replace it.
The young volunteers leave. Pushaw
says, “Thanks for coming out and we’ll see
you next time.”
St. Francis Inn provides a free meal and
temporary sanctuary from a life in the streets
of Kensington. St. Francis serves the hungry,
poor and homeless, seven days a week, 365
days a year.
Because need takes no sick days.
Photo by David Richman
By David Richman
For more information about St. Francis
Inn go to www.stfrancisinn.org. For more
information on volunteering with anti-hunger
organizations go to www.hungercoalition.org.
Contact David Richman at
[email protected]
page 4
EDITORIAL
A generation like no other, unfortunately
By Lisa Foreman
College students.
For decades they have been one of the
most powerful demographic groups in the
country.
Armed with intelligence, dreams, and
perseverance, they have ignited some of the
biggest movements this country has ever seen,
each generation leaving a legacy of change
they could be proud of.
That is, of course, until now.
This current generation, the one which
many of us belong to, including myself, has
become know as “the apathetic generation,” a
title no one should be proud of.
As much as I detest the title, I must agree
with its accuracy.
The fact of the matter is our generation,
as a whole, does not seem to care that their
country is being run into the ground.
What I find even more sickening is that
many do not care that people view them as
apathetic.
I still remember vividly the first time I
realized this.
I was in a freshman English course, taught
by a former “hippie,” at Saint Leo University in
Saint Leo, Fla. The teacher belittled my peers
and me for 20 minutes, calling our generation
lazy and selfish. At the end of his tirade, he
simply asked, “Does anyone disagree?”
I looked around the classroom and noticed
my hand was the only hand raised.
The teacher simply shrugged and told us
he had proved his point and to get out of his
classroom.
The current time period is very crucial in
our country’s history. We are at a turning point
where our time as a hegemon could either be
extended considerably or come to screeching
halt. Instead of doing what we can to improve
our country, we are letting a small group of
people change everything that this country
stands for.
Instead of running the country based
on freedom, we are letting it be run based
on fear. We entered an unjustified war, allow
“inhumane” torture, support such antiAmerican legislation as the Patriot Act and
allow the invasion of privacy, all to “protect
ourselves.”
We have come to allow such things as
“national security” be used as an excuse to
allow our government to act however they
want. Lies take precedence over truth, which
goes against everything our country stands
for.
Those citizens that do take a stand for
their country are labeled as terrorists and
unpatriotic.
I am a patriot. I love my country with all
of my heart. It is my patriotic duty to stand
up against what I believe are injustices. It is
because of my patriotism that it sickens me
to see a disease such as apathy run rampant
among many in my generation.
The current government has had some
of the lowest approval ratings in history.
Rather than adhere to the people’s anger, the
government simply responds by saying they
are acting in our best interest. The citizens
simply accept the answer.
I cannot help to think that if this were any
other generation this would not be happening.
The last time there was war this unpopular,
the American people, particularly college
students, stood together in protest and were
able to force the American government out of
a war its people did not want.
My generation, however, mutter under
their breath how angry they are and somehow
expect it to change things. That is, of course, if
they even are aware that we are at war.
How are we not flooding the streets in
anger? Are we that unpatriotic that we do not
care if our country is destroyed? I guess we
do have more important things on our minds
than saving our home, such as the latest Paris
Hilton scandal.
It is almost as if many of my generation
have been brainwashed into believing that they
can do nothing. Perhaps they have. Maybe it
is some big government conspiracy. Maybe
shows we grew up with like the Mickey
Mouse Club had subliminal messaging telling
us we are helpless, and only those select few
who didn’t watch it were able to escape its
reach. Maybe the entire reason television was
invented was to distract us from all the good
we can do in the world. After all, if we were to
investigate I am certain there would be a direct
correlation between the decline of activism
and the rise of cartoons.
In all seriousness, history has proved that
we are not helpless. Every movement had to
start somewhere. It takes one person to ignite
the flame of change.
But for some reason, my generation has
forgotten this.
I am sure that many corrupt politicians
would like us to believe that we are helpless,
but it is the furthest thing from the truth.
If we let ourselves think that, then we are
certainly doomed. I am so sick of people citing
“reality” as a reason to not stand up against the
injustices. It is our patriotic duty to stand up
for what is right.
“Reality” is what you make it.
Two hundred years ago, banning slavery
wasn’t “reality.” One hundred years ago
women voting wasn’t a “reality.” Our country
is one of change and we cannot forget that. The
reason this is such a great country is because it
is run by the people, or it used to be anyway.
A few weeks ago when the abortion
activists came to our campus, I was so
unbelievably proud of my fellow students.
Students on both sides took a stance for what
they believed in.
Imagine what it would be like if we
utilized those feelings that were kindled that
day. Why does it take someone invading our
personal space to get us to act?
I do not care if my fellow students are
liberal, conservative, or any type of political
affiliation. I just want them to care. My
generation should realize how powerful
they really are and how much this country
desperately needs them. It is what being
American is all about.
If this article has offended you, there is a
good chance that you are not one of the people
I was referring to. There are many of us that
are not suffering from apathy, but there are
even more that are. I applaud those who are
serving in the military, working on political
campaigns, or even just taking the time to read
the newspaper to become educated about their
country.
They are true citizens.
The government is a corrupt machine.
This is a fact of life. The only thing that keeps it
in check are its people. If we let it run rampant
then it will destroy everything we have worked
so hard to build. Turn off the television and do
something. This is your country; be a patriot
and make a stand for it.
To quote Edward Abbey: “A patriot must
always be ready to defend his country against
his government.”
Contact Lisa Foreman
at [email protected].
WDCR gets podcasts; No one cares
By Chris Mouzakitis
Special to The Communitarian
Ozymandias
Melancholia:condition
resulting from the knowledge that one’s art
means nothing and in the end won’t save them.
(From “Stardust Memories”)
“I’m putting on ‘Heard it Through the
Grapevine.’ That should buy me about 11
minutes,” said Courtney Dozer, WDCR
Station Manager.
Well, you can’t blame anyone for trying.
Except you can, and this being community
college, you can blame people for even
thinking about trying as you rot away, not
doing anything to make a difference.
Or maybe that’s just me.
So this article was supposed to be about
the radio station getting podcasts, but I don’t
really care, and judging by the number of
people with headphones on in the lounge—the
only place where WDCR broadcasts—I doubt
you do either.
And I’ve got nothing against the
radio station—although a show called
“Fear the Wombat” certainly invites
criticism — I just don’t see how this is
news.
Subject-No-One-Cares-About gets
Object-No-One-Cares-About, an article in a
Publication-No-One-Cares-About.
So there you have it: This article is not
worth reading, just like the radio station is not
worth listening to.
Once again, I mean no offense. The staff
seemed friendly when I went over there, and
for a community college radio station that
has a broadcast area of about 30 feet, WDCR
does have a surprisingly impressive setup,
one worth checking out if you are ever in
the neighborhood of say… the entire damn
school!
“I didn’t even know we had a radio
station,” said Kelly Carney, a 21-year-old
business student.
Neither did I, until I read an article in The
Communitarian about it. That article did little
to clear up a common misconception.
Some time in the early 90s the FCC
took WDCR’s AM license away when the
station exceeded the FCC’s limits on dead air.
Obviously, the fact that no one plays music at
night or on weekends probably hurt them more
than anything, NOT because of language
complaints or some crazy homemade antenna,
says Amy Williams, assistant campus life
director and really friendly lady.
So after all this idle speculation, what
have I got?
Find meaning wherever you go and try
not to include your iPod in this meaning.
I’m writing articles for the newspaper
for myself and my future and because I enjoy
hearing myself speak. Don’t hold the first two
against me. The third one? Well, I’m asking
for it.
Do you illegally download?
By Steven Kennedy
Downloading music from the Internet
has become increasingly common among
students. Some purchase albums and songs
from iTunes, but illegal downloading is an
attractive alternative to paying for music.
Students were asked whether they downloaded
music, and what they felt about not paying for
the music they download.
four years ago. No matter what, people still
do it. There is no way to prevent, it as long as
there are still ways to access it.”
Sarah Benner, 22, liberal arts
The Communitarian is produced by
both current and former students of
Fundamentals of Journalism II in collaboration with Campus Life. Students
who would like to write for the campus
newspaper and have already completed
Fundamentals of Journalism I should
register for Fundamentals of Journalism II (ENG 131). Students who have
completed both classes are welcome
back to join the senior staff. For more
information, see Bonnie McMeans in
Room 4311, call 610-359-5271, or send
an e-mail to [email protected] or
[email protected].
Joe Smith
Executive Editor
Lisa Foreman
Managing Editor
Greg Weber
News Editor
Matt Eppright
Features Editor
Elizabeth Trubey
Copy Editor
Aleksandra Scierska
Graphic Designer
“Yes, it’s right because music is free and
entertainment should be free.”
Nicole Sumey, 19, communications,
arts and humanities
“No, I don’t do it, but I used to, about
“Sure I think it’s right, because it’s free,
music cost too much money and kids are poor
these days. I don’t see a problem with it except
getting viruses.”
Denise Mossman, former DCCC
student
Contact Steven Kennedy
at [email protected]
David Richman
Staff Photographer
Reporters
Kara Davidson
Steven Kennedy
Ryan McBrearty
David Richman
page 5
COMMENTARY
Smokers should butt out of
the courtyard
Overzealous health nuts have no right
to ban smoking
Photo by David Richman
I can’t decide what
would be worse: being a
non-smoker mistaken for
one because your clothes
reek of smoke, or actually
sucking those “cancer
sticks” down. There is
little I hate more than
leaving the house after
an hour of primping and
a few spritzes of $65
perfume, only to smell
like I slept in a dive bar
for the past eight hours.
I’m sure I can’t be
the only one to feel this
way, let alone the only one
to hold their breath as they walk through the
courtyard of DCCC. It is hard to understand
how the giant neon-green non-smoking signs
that surround the doors go unnoticed—or
perhaps simply ignored—turning the entrance
of the academic building into a “smoke tunnel”.
Should we hand out magnifying glasses, or
pamphlets on the nicotine patch?
I’m honestly not stupid or coldhearted;
I understand that smoking is a hard-to-beat
addiction. But I also understand why smokers
should push themselves to quit, not only for
their own good, but for everyone else’s as well.
Is it really fair that I’m forced to walk through
a cloud of carcinogens just because a smoker
is too lazy to have a cigarette in their car? I
like you guys, but I’m not willing to throw
myself under the cancer-bus so you can cram a
cigarette into your break between classes.
It is a known fact that smoking is bad for
you. You. That means the people smoking, and
the people not smoking sitting next to them.
The American Lung Association reminds us
that lung cancer is the leading killer of all
cancers in the United States causing more
deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancers
combined.
The ALA also states that there are an
estimated 3,400 lung cancer deaths—caused
by secondhand smoke—in non-smoking adults
per year, trumped only by the astronomical
163,000 lung cancer deaths in smokers. Now,
how is this information not enough to go to the
candy store and spend your newly-saved five
dollars on a sugar high instead?
The American Cancer Society says that
there is no safe level of secondhand smoke
and that there are three main places in which
we should be especially cautious about
secondhand smoke exposure: the workplace,
the home and public places. Unless public
places, including restaurants, shopping centers
and schools are labeled as smoke-free, they are
proven to be linked to lung cancer and heart
disease in non-smokers.
To some, smoking outside may seem like
a good solution to eliminating secondhand
smoke, but they are sorely mistaken.
Secondhand smoke not only lingers in the air,
but it settles into clothing, hair and carpet, and
seeps in through open doors or windows. I
may be crazy, but the thought of smoke settling
into my hair and clothes just isn’t appealing
to me—especially if I’m not the one that’s
causing this settlement.
Although I would look like a hero, I am
very aware that my rant about secondhand
smoke and lung cancer won’t make the
trashcans overflow with newly-educated
students’ full packs of now-unwanted
cigarettes.
What I am aiming to do, however,
is simply not force non-smoking students
and faculty to bathe in smoke clouds before
entering the building. I know it makes me
cranky to smell like a chimney and I’m sure
it makes a lot of teachers cranky too. Cranky
teachers equal harder classes. Lets eliminate
this problem, make everyone happier—and
healthier—and maybe we can sneak a couple
good grades out of the situation.
Contact Elizabeth Trubey
at [email protected].
Banning smoking from the Marple
campus courtyard would not just be unfair, it
would be naive. Advocates of such a ban are
making assumptions. They assume smoking is
morally wrong, and they assume they are better
than smokers. And, of course, they assume
smokers have no rights. Such delusions are the
result of a holier-than-thou attitude.
There is nothing wrong and nothing
criminal about a cigarette. No one has to
smoke, but those who do have every right to
light up where and when they choose. While
some unethical laws have now been put into
place prohibiting smoking in certain areas and
buildings, DCCC is not yet on this list. There
are limitations, but it is not a “smoke free”
campus. Nor should it be. As long as it is legal
on a state or national level, smoking should be
allowed in the courtyard at the college.
Those against smoking like pontificate
and preach about the effects of secondhand
smoke on people who don’t smoke. The
argument is that no one can enjoy the courtyard
without getting exposed to cigarettes.
There is a simple solution to this problem:
Back up ten feet. Step away from the smoker.
The truth is that there is plenty of room in
the courtyard for both those who light up and
those who don’t. There are always areas every
day where anyone can find a spot to sit down
without breathing in anything. Secondhand
smoke really isn’t the issue; it is merely a
convenient- and politically correct- rallying
cry. Anti-smoking advocates know which
scary words will get attention from those in a
position to do something.
The courtyard is a space for everyone, and
everyone is entitled to his own private sphere
in that space. It is true a smoker has no right to
light a cigarette next to someone who doesn’t
like the smell.
Yet at the same
time, if the smoker
was there first, and the
other person walks
up to him, what right
does that person have
to tell the smoker to
put it out? Just as no
one can cut in line
at Burger King, no
one can encroach on
a smoker’s spot and
expect him to change
his behavior.
In
other words, if a man
who doesn’t like cigarettes goes and stands
near a crowd of smokers, it is his problem, not
theirs.
A more practical reason for scrapping
even the thought of a ban is that it isn’t well
thought out. Even if only one in every ten of
those on campus smoke, a fairly significant
percentage of people light up everyday.
Unless all those people are outcasts, hopeless
zombies or some other type of social pariahs,
they have friends too. So the smokers will all
have to move to the designated spot, and their
friends will have to follow if they want to hang
out with them If all those people had to leave
every time they wanted a cigarette, who would
be left in the courtyard?
A few health nuts without the good grace
to live and let live. A few overzealous activists
who have no regard for other people’s rights,
freedoms, or independence. And maybe one
guy who would like to be smoking, but broke
his leg the week before and can’t walk to the
approved area wearing a cast.
Yet while those health nuts may have their
solitude, they won’t have clean classrooms.
Winter is coming, and with it snow, mud and
ice. All of which will be tracked into the
buildings when smokers are forced to venture
farther outdoors to get a cigarette. People will
be slipping, sliding and breaking legs on the
slippery floors caused by the short sighted
demands of a few nonsmokers.
Instead of banning smoking, I have a
different proposal. Anyone who can’t deal
with smoke can sit in a designated nonsmoking
zone, far from the courtyard. Or sit in their
cars, breathing in the exhaust fumes they
themselves spew out everyday driving to
school everyday. I’m sure those are healthy.
Contact Greg Weber
at [email protected].
Photo by David Richman
By Gregory Weber
By Elizabeth Trubey
A waiter’s perspective
By Matthew Eppright
Hi. I’m Matt. I’ll be taking care of you
tonight. Yes, I said, “taking care of you”
because that is what I intend to do.
Please notice I did not say, “serving or
waiting on you” because that implies I will be
your servant. This is not your kingdom, so I
will not be serving you. I am here to assist in
your dining experience and to help to make it
as enjoyable as possible.
During our time together, I will be
frequently talking with you. Please treat me as
an equal. This is not my career. I am working
here to pay my bills while I attend school.
When I first arrive at your table, I will
begin with, “How are you?” This is not a trick
question. I expect a response. You may say
good, fine, horrible or anywhere in between.
Asking me the same question in return is not
expected but polite and appreciated. However,
even if I’m having the worst night of my life, I
will still respond with a, “Great, thanks!”
According to corporate rules, I am
required to inform you of the soup and the
fish of the day. Trust me, I will tell you. Do
not interrupt me halfway through my telling
you my name because I will not respond. I
will continue my speech and to your question
when I am finished. Think of it as attending the
theater. This is a one-man show and I am the
star. You wouldn’t yell over the lead actor in a
theater, would you?
I will ask if I can get you started with
something to drink. Please do not say, “Oh
no, I’ll just have water!” Is water wet? Do you
swallow it? I’m almost positive that water, is
indeed, a drink.
As I take your order, I may ask you
several questions. I’m very sorry if this is
annoying, but remember I am here to help you
enjoy your dining experience. If you order a
steak I will repeat the temperature you ordered
and explain to you how that will look inside.
Please pay attention. Listening was a skill we
all learned in kindergarten. When your steak
comes out medium rare which is warm and
bright red in the center, do not send it back
because you wanted it brown throughout.
Remember I asked you if medium rare was
okay and you agreed.
Your food will come out as quickly as the
kitchen cooks it. If I could get back there and
cook it faster I would, but that is not part of my
job description. I will keep you updated on the
progress of your meal. If you are having a panic
attack because you must eat immediately, that
is fine. Just wait for me to get my managers so
you can yell at them, not me.
About two minutes after your food arrives
I will stop by to see how everything came out
for you. Please tell me if something is wrong
and I will try my hardest to make it right.
Do not wait until you are finished and then
complain, that will not ensure you a free meal.
Now is your chance to complain as much as
you want, while I can still fix it.
During the course of your meal, I will
bring you refills when I see that your drinks
are getting low. If I happen to miss one, do not
hesitate to ask me. I will gladly and swiftly
replace it. However, do not make the slurping
sound with your straw, use your big boy words,
not sound effects. Also do not raise your hand
in the air and say, “Sir,” to get my attention.
When we first met I introduced myself, so
please use my name.
I’m very glad you are enjoying a nice
family dinner; however, remember this is
a place of business. Your bundles of joy are
not that adorable while chasing me around
the restaurant screaming and waving chicken
fingers. Also I’m not a butler. So when your
little darlings decide to play catch with the
sugar packets please have the decency to shove
the packets back into their container.
Our time together is winding down. As
I clear your plates I will conduct a balancing
act that Barnum and Bailey would be proud
of. It is fine to watch in amazement, but don’t
question my skills. If I drop a plate on your
head, it’s simply because you doubted me and
broke my concentration.
I’m going to drop off your check now.
As you calculate the tip remember that I am a
poor college student. Please tip on how well I
treated you, not how you liked the food or how
fast they cooked it. Our cooks receive hourly
paychecks. I, on the other hand, depend 100
percent on the cash that you leave me.
More than likely, I am worthy of 20
percent of your check, or at least 18. Also, a
reminder to grandma: this is not 1960, so 15
percent is not considered a generous tip.
As you exit the restaurant, I will tilt my
head to the right, smile, wave and say, “Thank
you. Have a great night!” I hope you thoroughly
enjoyed your experience at this establishment
and your time with me. Remember, I am here
five days a week so if you care to see my show
again, please make reservations.
Contact Matthew Eppright at communitarian@
mail.dccc.edu
page 6
DCCC falls for Flags of our Fathers
Continued from page 1
“At the center of
America’s most heroic
moment were the six
young marines who
raised the flag on top of
Mt. Suribachi.”
James Bradley discusses how he wrote Flags of our Fathers.
money made up the war budget, which paid
for the war independently of the country’s
normal national budget.
“The three surviving flag raisers were
called to a meeting with the president in the
Oval Office,” Bradley said, “and they were
assigned to a new mission.”
They were assigned to go on a war bond
Photo courtesy of DCCC Public Rrelations
Hayes was an American Indian and, after
returning home from the war, had serious
emotional problems. He suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder and was surprised to
be called a hero after so many of his fellow
marines had died. He became an alcoholic,
Photo courtesy of DCCC Public Relations
each one by one on the famous photograph
projected on the screen behind him.
Gagnon, only 19 in the photograph, was
the youngest of the flag raisers and the first to
return home from Iwo Jima. “He had a picture
of his girlfriend inside of his helmet to protect
him,” Bradley said, “He was scared, he was
just a boy.”
Strank was the sergeant, and is seen in
the photograph with his hand around the wrist
of one of the younger marines, helping him
to hoist the flagpole. He had turned down a
promotion two months earlier to stay and fight
alongside his boys. He was hit by a mortar
and died on Mar 1, 1945 on Iwo Jima. The
photograph is an enduring testament to his
character.
“His boys called him the ‘old man’”
Bradley said of Strank, “He was only 24.”
Bradley speaks to Don Waldz, an Iwo Jima veteran.
tour across the country in an effort to raise
14 billion dollars, which was more money
than had ever been by war bonds before and
a seemingly impossible task. They ended up
raising 26 billion.
“They filled stadiums across the country
and were received like rock stars,” Bradley
said.
Bradley then changed directions, moving
on to speak about his experience pitching
Flags of Our Fathers to publishing agents and
Photo courtesy of DCCC Pubic Relations
and died tragically at 33.
Salsley was “just a hillbilly from
Kentucky,” according to Bradley. He had a
deep bond with his mother, Goldy. When he
left home he said, “Don’t worry about me,
mama, I’ll come home a hero.” He was a hero,
but he never came home.
“The neighbors could hear Goldy scream
all night after she got the news of his death,”
Bradley said, “and the nearest neighbors lived
over a quarter of a mile away.”
Block was the last of the
flag raisers to be identified. He
is the marine seen from behind,
pushing the end of the flagpole
into the ground. There was
confusion as to who this was
in the photograph, and he was
initially wrongly identified as
Hank Hanson. Block also died
on Iwo Jima.
“His mother, Belle, saw the
photograph for the first time in
the newspaper and immediately
recognized it as her boy” Bradley
said. She insisted that she “knew
her boy.” The government and
the public didn’t believe her
until there was a congressional
investigation two years later.
“Belle did indeed know her
boy,” Bradley said.
Bradley continued his
presentation, talking about the
contributions that the surviving
flag raisers made to the war bond
effort, explaining to the crowd
that all of the money for the war
was borrowed. The borrowed
then to publishers.
He knew that he was an insider and that
he was the only person who could gather
the individual stories of the flag raisers.
Furthermore, he knew that everyone in the
country “had the image of the flag raising
imprinted in their minds,” but that no one
really knew the stories behind it.
To Bradley, that translated into an instant
New York Times #1 Best-Seller.
But he had a problem.
“I had never written anything before,” he
said, “I was never even a staff writer on my
school newspaper.”
He obtained the names and phone numbers
of possible agents by searching through
already published books in the “War” section
at a local bookstore. He called each, and one
after another they hung up on him before he
could even get the words “best-seller” out of
his mouth.
“Every time it was one of those loud
‘BANG’ hang-ups,” Bradley said, “the kind
with angry force behind them.”
Eventually, he found an agent that was
interested in his story. That was the easy part.
Finding a publisher was a whole new and
discouraging adventure.
“I sent 3 proposals to 3 different
publishers to start,” Bradley said, “and I was
just wondering which I would pick.”
He received 3 rejections.
“I thought ‘That’s OK’,” Bradley said, “I
must have started with the idiots.”
He received 10 more rejections in 12
months.
Then his idea was rejected 8 more times.
“After the 21st rejection I went into my
office and laid on the floor in a fetal position,”
Bradley said. The crowd laughed. “Yea, its
funny now!”
Eventually, Bantam Books agreed to
publish Flags of Our Fathers. It was a New
Bradley chats with Steve Frederick and Provost Ginny Carter
York Times Best-Seller in 4 weeks.
Bradley concluded his presentation with
a short question and answer session with
the crowd, and received a standing ovation.
Afterward, the Delaware County residents
filed into line outside of the auditorium to get
their copies of Flags of Our Fathers signed,
while being treated to a complimentary snack
table.
There was a feeling of euphoria in the
crowd, and the general consensus among both
the organizers and the spectators was that
Bradley’s visit to DCCC was a success.
“I enjoyed his presentation,” said
Patrick Viestir, 22, a Communication Studies
major at DCCC. “He was very thorough and
enthusiastic. I also thought he seemed very
down to earth and honest.”
Viestir was just beginning to read Flags
of Our Fathers as an assignment for his
Western Myths class, and felt that Bradley’s
presentation would deepen his enjoyment of
the rest of the book.
Several World War II veterans were also
in attendance, including Don Waldz.
Waldz and his wife, Peg, had the
opportunity to speak with Bradley at the
luncheon pre-event. Waldz was a Medical
Corpsman posted on a floating reserve ship
during the battle of Iwo Jima and he watched
the flag raising from sea with a pair of field
glasses.
Also in attendance was DCCC’s Provost,
Dr. Virginia Carter.
“I whole-heartedly enjoyed it, he was
very eloquent,” she said, “his stories of the 6
marines left me wanting to know more.”
Contact Ryan McBrearty at
[email protected]
Sitting down with
Author James Bradley
by Ryan McBrearty
Q: How did you go about compiling
research for Flags of our Fathers?
A: “Research” is a big word. I really
just called (the families of the flag raisers)
and took verbatim notes. One note and
one interview led to more notes and more
interviews.
Q: What role did you play in the
production of the movie?
A: Well, I wrote the book and looked
over the screenplay, but I didn’t really have
any say. No one tells Clint Eastwood what to
do.
Q: How well do you feel that the movie
adequately portrays your book?
A: The movie only has 2 hours to
portray 16 hours of reading, so obviously
something has to be lost in the movie. My
biggest concern was whether it was going
to be emotionally accurate, whether people
came away from the movie with the same
emotions that they would from the book.
(The producers) chose very emotional actors
for the movie, and I feel like they did a good
job of making it emotionally accurate.
Q: What advice would you give to an
aspiring writer?
A: Write. Everyone talks about writing
and thinks about writing, but writing is
writing. You have to do it for hours a day.
Tiger Woods hits thousands of balls every
day to be where he is. It took me 5 years
to write Flags of our Fathers, and my editor
estimates that I wrote over 7,000 pages for
my 360-page book.
Q: What are you working on next?
A: Its called “The Imperial Cruise.” It’s
about America’s approach to imperialism
in Asia in 1905. When William Taft was the
Secretary of War, he took a cruise from
San Francisco, to Hawaii, to Japan, to
the Philippines, to China and back to San
Francisco. 100 years later I took that exact
same cruise.
By Kara Davidson
How to break up
Romantic relationships don’t always
turn out for the best. Have you ever been in a
relationship you must get out of, but have no
idea what to do to end it? If so, then follow
these guidelines to orchestrate a civil and
level-headed breakup.
“You don’t need definite reasons and it
doesn’t need to be logical; it could be just for
emotional reasons,” says Levitan.
For example, two former clients of
Levitan’s were dating for three years. The
couple eventually moved in together.
Although they shared a lease and two cats, the
one partner realized that as good as the other
Choose the right time
Avoid breaking up around birthdays,
holidays and anniversaries. Be sensitive if
certain days hold importance for the other
person, for instance, if someone important to
that person died on a particular day.
Photo courtesy of www.nanobeepers.com
Weigh the outcomes
Consider the positive and negative aspects
of your relationship carefully before deciding
on a course of action.
Take notice of all of the consequences
that could result from the decision to break up,
which could potentially affect family members,
children and surrounding friends.
“Even though there could be implications,
one should know when the decision is the right
one,” said Justin Levitan, a licensed social
worker and couples therapist. “For example,
in an abusive marriage, one must take into
account how those problems are affecting
the children or themselves. Just because one
sees the negative implications of the decision
doesn’t mean that they may not outweigh the
positive results.”
Sometimes breaking up with someone
can give you time to heal from the wounds,
such as your emotions being taken for granted
in the relationship. Breaking up with someone
could offer an opportunity to figure out your
own feelings.
When ending a relationship, there doesn’t
need to be a list of problems that are wrong.
Even though someone may not have done
anything hurtful to you, he or she just might
not be the right person for you. “If something
feels wrong or bad or off, it may be time to
break up,” says April Masini, a relationship
expert and the author of “50 First Dates and
The Next 50 Dates.”
cause any scenes or fights in public.
about ways to slowly recover personal items,
especially if you feel your partner could be
vindictive.
One tactic is to get back your most
important items in a casual manner, such as
politely asking for some things back. The
most important or valuable items should be in
your possession before the breakup to prevent
Take time and reflect
Reflect upon the current state of your
relationship. If it is violent and unhealthy, then
it’s imperative to end the relationship as soon
as possible. Yet, not all troubled relationships
are doomed. You could just be in a rough
patch. If the relationship is relatively healthy
and stable most of the time, then don’t be hasty
to end it.
Don’t be emo. Learn how to break up the right way.
person was, she didn’t want to spend the rest
of their life with that individual.
“In this situation the one who made the
decision, in fairness to both of their futures,
had to end the relationship,” says Levitan.
“And had the relationship not ended, it might
have become more difficult,” because the
couple may have married, had a home and had
children together.
your ex from keeping items out of spite.
Furthermore, if your partner reacts to the
breakup in a violent or negative manner while
still in possession of your items, he might take
out his anger on your things by breaking or
disposing of them.
If you want additional personal things
returned, politely ask for them and arrange for
a mutually convenient time to pick them up.
Separate mutual items
Think about separating the things that are
shared in the relationship, such as a house or
lease, finances, pets or rent. Be conscious of
circumstances that might result from ending
the relationship. If your partner and you had
children together, then start thinking about
which days each person gets to spend with the
children.
Leave your friends out of it
If you share the same friends, it’s
important to not get them involved in the
breakup. Also, don’t communicate to the
person you’re breaking up with through your
mutual friends because this only adds more
problems and stress to the situation.
If you frequent the same places as
your ex, think about going to places where
your ex won’t usually go-- at least until both
of you have had time to recover and move on
from the relationship. It’s important not to
Safeguard personal items
If you anticipate breaking up, think
page 7
Pick a location
“A neutral location is important in order
to avoid a potential dangerous situation,” said
Levitan. “Some neutral locations may be in
a public place, such as in back of a restaurant
where each person can talk privately but there
is help nearby should the break-up become
violent.
Do it face to face
When it comes to the actual breakup, it’s
best to break up in person. Doing so over the
phone or e-mail insults your partner by not
showing her the respect of confronting her. “If
you have the guts to go out with somebody,
you’d better have the guts to end it in person,”
says Gilda Carle, a psychotherapist and the
author of “Teen Talk With Dr. Gilda: A Girl’s
Guide to Dating.”
While breaking up with your partner,
you should avoid making the breakup more
difficult by lying, placing blame or attacking
your soon-to-be ex emotionally.
“Set the person down and be very clear
of the decision. Keep the communication
lines open and find a way to discuss issues that
would cause less damage to each other or other
people,” Levitan added.
Be honest, but civil
Don’t give your partner a poor excuse for
why you’re leaving him. Tell him the truth
about your decision. Inform the other person
why and how you’ve come to the decision to
end the relationship.
For more information go to
http://www.reachout.com.au/
and http://www.health guidance.org.
Contact Kara Davidson at communitarian@
mail.dccc.edu
Former student relives moment of glory
By Lisa Foreman
A couple years ago, former DCCC
student Chis Mouzakitis stopped an attempted
robbery in its tracks. He spoke to me about
what happened when the robber messed with
“the bull.”
Lisa Foreman: Tell me your story.
Chris Mouzakitis: It took place two
years ago in D.C. in a video store. It was the
day before Halloween and I was dressed as
Richie Tenenbaum, you know from the Royal
Tenenbaums? Well I was working with a girl,
dressed as a slutty French maid, and some old
guy.
Foreman: About how old?
Mouzakitis: Oh I don’t know probably
about 40. He was some stoner guy. The store
was empty. It was about 10:30 at night, and
this guy walked in. He was a thin white 30year-old male. He had his shirt pulled up over
his head and had what looked like a gun to me.
I guess it was obvious that it wasn’t a gun but
from my point of view I couldn’t tell.
He told us, “Give me the money,” and
the older guy started struggling with him. The
girl and I were throwing stuff at the robber. We
were throwing pens and I had a big Wawa jug
of water I threw at him. Suddenly the two of
them, still struggling, got pushed outside.
The girl and I were standing there for like
three minutes waiting for them. We called the
cops and then the robber came running back in.
He started running around the store, knocking
things down. He was just being stupid more
than anything. I just thought, “What are you
doing?! We’re going to have to pick that up
later!”
Then the older guy came back in. The
robber just stood there glaring at him. The
two sat in like a face off for what seemed like
ever.
Behind the counter we had two
“weapons,” a pole and a hockey stick. I chose
the pole figuring it would do more damage. I
hit the robber on the back of his head and he
fell. But I didn’t hit him too hard because he
wasn’t dead.
He just looked at me and asked, “What’d
you do that for?” I don’t remember but I was
told by the girl that I had said something like:
“You mess with the bull you get the horns.”
The girl also told me later that she had
never seen me that violent before. Anyway the
“I want to be sort of an
equalizer type. I want to
do it for the little man.”
robber got up and stumbled out the store.
We later found out that he had been
picked up off the sidewalk by the police and
had to get stitches.
The most random part is five minutes after
this all took place, a middle aged balding guy
walked out of the adult section of our store.
We just looked at him. We had no clue he was
there. We asked “Didn’t you hear what was
happening out here?” He acted as if nothing
had happened and said he thought we were just
messing around.
Foreman: So what were you thinking
while this was all going on?
Mouzakitis: At first I was just really
scared. I mean it was a really creepy night.
Foreman: Mischief Night, right?
Mouzakitis: Yes, and on top of that the
video store was in kind of a bad area. But the
fear turned into confusion. I mean the guy
was obviously not dangerous. It was just like,
“What’s going on?”
Foreman: So why did you do it? What
were you thinking?
Mouzakitis: I just wanted it to be over.
It was just going to go on forever. I also know
I am not the strongest guy and he may be thin
and all but I didn’t want him coming after me
next.
Foreman: How did your friends and
family react?
Mouzakitis: My family were obviously
concerned. My friends were concerned once
I got them to realize that I had not been the
aggressor.
Foreman:Why would they think that you
were the aggressor?
Mouzakitis: I have a history of being a
little angry towards customers
Foreman: Can you give me some
examples?
Mouzakitis: At the video store late fees
were a huge problem. One time I had a guy
pull my hair out.
Foreman: Pull your hair out?
Mouzakitis: What happened was he had
late fees and got angry with me over it. He said
he didn’t appreciate my attitude and asked that
I just give him his change so he can go. I threw
the change at him and he pulled my hair out.
Yeah, I had a lot of arguments over late fees.
Foreman: Was the video store your
only retail job where you had bad customer
relations?
Mouzakitis: At Borders, the only
other retail job I have had, I got into a lot of
arguments with customers. But it wasn’t as
bad, since they didn’t have late fees.
Foreman: So was your past history in
retail the only reason your friends seem to
think your violent?
Mouzakitis: No.... There are other
incidents. For example in high school I once
told my principal to “F--K off.”
Foreman: Did your friends think of you
any differently after the robber incident?
Mouzakitis: At the store I got the
reputation of being violent and got the
nickname “Bruiser.”
Foreman: How did it make you feel to
do something like this?
Mouzakitis: Surprised. It made me want
to knock people out more. I had to hide the
pole in the back. We just told the police that we
used the hockey stick.
Foreman: So do you see crime stopping
in your future?
Mouzakitis: I don’t know. I mean I could
see it being fun. But I wouldn’t feel right doing
that to little kids and stuff.
Foreman: So you want to pick fights
with only older people and not the kids?
Mouzakitis: Right! Exactly. I want to be
sort of an equalizer type. I want to do it for the
little man.
Foreman: Did you ever find out what
happened to the robber?
Mouzakitis: Besides the stitches, no. I
am pretty sure he did not get charged with a
crime though. I later found out that he used to
work at the store and had been fired because
he kept stealing and was a heroin addict. It
also was like his second time trying to rob the
place. The weird thing is his dad actually came
to the store a week later and said, “I don’t
blame you,” like it was something normal.
Foreman: Is there anything else that you
would like to say?
Mouzakitis: No, other than that guy in
the adult section was still so weird. He just
walked out as if nothing happened and he had
been in the store the whole time.
Contact Lisa Foreman
at [email protected]
page 8