The Crier
Thursday, April 24,2008
Issue 27
Spring 2008
1957-2007
Spring Has Sprung!
An art class focuses on a still life drawing outside Wednesday afternoon.
Inside:
Safety Synopsis
Check out what the Department of Public Safety is up to
Page 4
Flashback
Take a trip down memory lane with a reprint from a past issue of The Crier!
Page 5
Introducing The Crier Classifieds!
Check out our classified listings and find out how you can post one of your own.
Page 6
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 2
An Open Letter to the Gay Marriage Protestors
By Matthew Harmer
On the evening of 10 April, at the intersection of Main and Church streets in Elmira, I managed to talk to a small group of people as they protested against gay marriage in New York State. Although they were unaware of it at the time, they were able to provide me with a rare opportunity I had been seeking: the chance to teach my son about the values of those who take a stand against gay marriage.
First and foremost, I taught my son about Ignorance.
This is the most important of these values, as without it, none of the others would exist. Ignorance is a difficult concept to teach my young child, as he is naturally inquisitive. Additionally, in a household such as mine, ideas such as critical thought, analysis and rational skepticism are highly valued; fortunately, none of these were on display at the protest. Rather, the people on the corner had suppressed that instinctive curiosity, and what I did see were the knee-jerk reaction, close-mindedness and the general fear of learning so typical of virulent opponents to gay marriage. Even more obvious was the astounding lack of logic or factual basis for this group's claims; one sign in particular read,“Save the Kids! Say NO to Gay Marriage!” Now, any rational person would ask, “What harm can come to children if same-sex couples are allowed to wed?” While such desperate, emotional pandering would instantly expose the fundamental absence of reason in their argument, these people genuinely believed they were “saving the kids” despite any evidence for their position. Because of its high value in an argument completely lacking reason, it follows that ignorance serves as the keystone of their beliefs; without ignorance, their view of the world cannot exist.
Secondly, I was able to teach my son about Hatred. For many people, hatred is unheard of; at worst, “dislike” is as strong a reaction as one could feel (for those seeking a semantic argument, I would point out the wide gulf between hatred and dislike). Hatred is, in a metaphoric sense, the direct descendant of ignorance. By logical extension, acts of hatred, in whatever form, are therefore acts of ignorance. This is not to say that all ignorance leads to hatred; on the contrary, hatred develops from the intentional preservation of ignorance. As one has to con-standy guard against evidence contrary to one’s outlook in
order to remain purposely stagnant, the inevitable conflict with reality breeds resentment. This phenomenon was succinctly demonstrated in one protestor’s claim that ‘just about everybody who ever wrote something is pretty much nuts." Imagine how much effort that person has to expend in order to maintain his level of ignorance. Try to conceptualize this person’s animosity to the written word; only by dismissing what the overwhelming majority of people accept as the foremost means of sharing knowledge as “nuts” can he preserve his ignorance.
With the development of hatred, we have the catalyst necessary for the third value, Exclusion. This value, obviously, forms the crux of the argument: “the right to marry, which we have, should be denied to gay couples because of who they are.” From a historical view, we see the same patterns of ignorance, hatred and exclusion (as well as the same tired arguments) happening during slavery, in the writing of Jim Crow laws, the butchery of the Indian Resettlement Acts, the development of miscegenation laws, and so on, all of which we (for the most part) recognize as archaic and wrong.
I write “for the most part” because, when one's values include ignorance and hatred, it becomes difficult to see the parallels where they obviously exist. When confronted with evidence contrary to their world view, those who oppose gay marriage tend towards three reactions. The vast majority simply ignores or disparages the evidence presented to them, reverting to ignorance as a defensive mechanism, causing more friction and hatred. Others attempt to rationalize their argument, either by contextu-alizing the parallels as being a product of the time period (which, logically, only emphasizes the flaws in their argument), or create convoluted rationalizations to explain why, for example, denying homosexuals the right to marry is different than denying mixed-race couples the right to marry.
The third reaction, one too rarely taken, is to re-evalu-ate their world view. As rarely as it occurs, it is the only means possible to eradicate the ignorance, hatred and exclusion seen every Thursday night in Elmira. Therefore, we must constantly expose those who wallow in these values to the contrary evidence, in the hopes that they follow this path.
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 3
A Time to Remember the Sacrifices
By Anthony Popkin
From sunset on April 19th until nightfall on April 27th, Jews across the globe will be celebrating Passover, also known as Pesach. Though many have likely heard of the holiday or even known someone that participates in it, do you know the history?
Passover celebrates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt and the deliverance of Israelites from slavery. As can be read in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Torah, the Exodus occurred during the spring, which is why Passover is always celebrated during the spring.
In traditional observances, Passover occurs over seven days, of which the first and last days are considered festive days where one is to refrain from work, attend prayer services, and enjoy special meals.
Preparing for Passover can be quite the handful of work in a traditional Jewish home. Before the holiday starts, it is important to rid the home of chametz, or leavened products. Chametz can include anything from bread, cake, pasta, cookies, etc. Anything that is leavened must be gotten rid of whether it be eating it, throwing it away, or having a friend hold it until after the holiday.
The reason for not eating leavened bread is to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. During the Exodus, there was not time for the Israelites to cook bread that could raise, hence the creation of matzo, one of the main foods during Passover.
Upon removal of chametz and the beginning of the first night, it is expected that matzo is eaten on that day and only during the week of Passover. It can be said that by eating matzo, one is relating oneself to what it was like to be a poor slave during the times of the Exodus.
After fasting the morning before Passover to remember the Israelites firstborns during the Exodus, the first meal, also known as the Seder, is prepared for a nighttime meal. For this meal, the best table settings are used in order to show the importance of the meal. While the meal occurs, the story of the Exodus of Egypt is told and four cups of wine are devoted at different times.
After the first night of Passover is celebrated, the week continues with various activities that include family outings and meetings. During this week, a diet changes to consist of potatoes, eggs, oil, fresh milk and cheeses, fresh meat and chicken and fresh fruit and vegetables.
On the seventh and final day of Passover, another festive meal is celebrated to commemorate the Children of Israel reaching the Red Sea, which was parted by God, only the Pharaoh spared to give an account of the events that occurred.
Now that you have a general understanding of the Jewish Holiday of Pesach, take the opportunity to wish a friend a happy Pesach. Maybe you will have the chance to attend a dinner of even have one of the many Passover snacks that are stomach-filling and delicious.
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 4
Upcoming Events
Thursday, April 24th
-Ask the Nerd Joe DeLeone
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.,Triangle Lounge
- Midday Concert
1:00 p.m., R004
- Re-Make a T Workshop
12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Main Dining Room
Friday, April 25 th
- Student Art Exhibit Opening Reception
4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Atrium Gallery Saturday, April 26th
- 11th Annual John Polo “Nature Revisisted” 5K
Race begins 9:00 a.m., Spencer Crest Nature Center Sunday, April 27th
- Baseball vs. Jamestown
1:00 p.m., home
Tuesday, April 29th
- Green Task Force presents Solar Panel Forum
12:30 - 2:00 p.m., Triangle Lounge
- Intramurals & Recreation
Gym, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Baseball vs. TC3
3:00 p.m., home
- Softball vs. Finger Lakes
3:00 p.m., home
Wednesday, April 30th
- Coffeehouse
7:00 - 10:00 p.m., Soul Full Cup
Safety Synopsis: Department of Public Safety Campus Beat
All information provided in the Department of Public Safety Campus Beat is provided by Sergeant Michael Von Bevern and the information provided is not altered from its received form.
4/14/2008 10:40am Fire Alarm
Public Safety Officers responded to a fire alarm in the Science Building. Upon arrival it was discovered that a class was doing an experiment that involved melting plastic, and the plastic had created smoke that set off the alarm. Officers checked the remainder of the building and cleared the scene.
4/15/2008 12:22pm Motor Vehicle Accident
Public Safety Officers responded to a motor vehicle accident in parking lot-B. Information was exchanged between both parties involved and the scene was cleared.
4/16/2008 10:56am Personal Safety Alarm
Public Safety Officers responded to a Personal Safety Alarm in the Nursing Building room N-204. Upon arrival it was discovered that it was an accidental activation and there was no emergency. Cleared scene.
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 5
Flashback
In honor of Corning Community Colleges 50th Anniversary, we will befeaturing one or more reprints each week from past issues of The Crier. This can be a photograph, article, letter, advertisement, factoid - anything that we can dig up in the archives! Articles are chosen each week with the assistance of Cindy Maier in the Library. These materials have not
been edited or otherwise altered from their original form.
3tKZZ£5
If you Like The CRIER Maybe You'd Like To Work For Us If You Don't Like The CRIER... Maybe You Ought To Work For Us j
September 11,1975
Editors Note: The Crier is currently seeking members for the Executive Board for the Fall 2008 semester. Feel free to contact our editors at criernewspaper@yahoo.com if you are interested in either of the following positions:
- Assistant Editor/Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Student Association Representative
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 6
Need help ? Need a roommate? Have something to sell?
Introducing The Crier classifieds!
Email notices to crierneewspaper@yahoo.com or call the office at (607) 962-9339
by Sundays at midnight for publication on the following Thursday We charge $1 per ad placed
FOR SALE!
1999 V-6 Grand Am
Good Condition $3,000.00 (Or Best Offer)
V6, 2 door, red, automatic, cruise, CD player; P/W; P/L
115,000 miles; Looks great...Runs like new!
Must Sell! (I am purchasing a new car) Contact Phone: 962-9255 or 527*8959
HELP WANTED
The CCC IT Help Desk is currently accepting applications for student employees for the Summer and Fall 2008 Semesters.
Student Help Desk Employees are the first contact for the Information Technology department and help faculty, staff and students with computer questions.
Not a computer whiz, don’t worry! We provide training in all areas that you will be assisting customers with.
If you enjoy computers and are interested in applying, please stop by the Help Desk in the Learning Center Room 109 and fill out an application.
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 7
The
Flving Spaghetti Monster
Invites you to be touched by His Noodly Appendage. Visit www.venganza.org RAmen.
Thursday, April 24,2008
Page 8
MID-DAY MEDITATION: listening in silence
WEDNESDAYS 12:15 - 12:45 pm
ROOM: R213
BEGINS JANUARY 16, 2008
CONTINUES THROUGH MAY 7TH
ALL CCC STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF WELCOME
refresh body, mind and spirit!
Sponsored by CCC Campus Ministry
Activities Programming Committee Members Receive Certificates/Awards
Three CCC Activities Programming Committee (APC) members and their advisor, Nancy Agan, attended the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) conference held in Valley Forge, PA, March 28 - 30,
2008. Those students attending the conference received certificates for completing studies in Campus Activities Development. The students are: Ben Richards, APC President; Philip Hoyler, APC Vice-President of Photography; Sandi Beam, APC Member. Their studies involved attending six educational sessions
in a two-day period with students from many colleges and universities in the north east region.
APC is also pleased to recognize Ben Richards for recendy receiving the Outstanding Chemistry Student Award from the American Chemical Society during a banquet ceremony held at Alfred University. Ben is also the recipient of the Student Leadership Scholarship award and a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Congratulations to our APC representatives for their hard work and dedication to CCC.
The Crier Staff
Editor
Lindsay Woodruff
Assistant Editor
Amanda Morse
Treasurer
Elise Eberhardt
Secretary
Meagan Marsh
Student Association Representative
Vazmenko Bondulic
Advisor
Paul McNaney
Reporters
Matthew Harmer Anthony Popkin
Photographer
Brittany Valania
Special thanks to Nancy Agan!