Fall 201 6 Issue #4 The Crier Is Sponsored, In Part, By the Corning Community College Student Association November 15th, 2016 Did You Vote? By I an Statham Did you vote in the previous election? Were you happy with the two candidates? Do you wish to see reform in the electoral system? Some of the questions may be a bit familiar, as they were neatly formatted onto a form, perhaps handed to you by a black-haired, bespectacled CCC student by the name of Alex Chichester. As a personal project before the presidential election, he had printed 120 yes-or-no questionnaires with three basic questions: Are you voting, are you happy with the choices, and do you want reform? His findings, as a sample of the campus opinion, are shown below. Here is a summary of results: Around two-thirds of all Corning Community College students will vote in the election. An incredibly high number of students are not happy with the candidates for president. An exceedingly high number of students want reform in the electoral system. Now that the election is over, it is a curious thought if some of these statistics might have changed in retrospect. When Alex spoke to students when administering the survey, there were some revealing and noteworthy comments from students on their despondency, and want for a new system of voting. I also expressed to him my view on our first-past-the-post system and electoral college. An alternative? The Alternative Ballot, Run-off Voting, and other electoral concepts of political science. For comment on the system, Alex responded: "This isn't about how the country or state should be run, but about how we elect those who choose just that. We believe everyone's vote should count, and the electoral college is set up to make our votes mean nothing." Further, he has created a group based on the concepts and results mentioned formerly, called the Popular Vote Society (PVS). Alex Chichester's results hold meaning, one we should all take notice of and consider how people can impact the electoral system. After all, it is our right, as citizens in a democracy, to have a voice in the matter. FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 THE CRIER PAGE 2 The Election Against All Odds, the Sun Rose Wednesday Morning By: Anonymous Donald Trump will officially be the 45th president of the United States. Who would've ever predicted that? The ex reality star, big mouthed New Yorker will take on the White House for the next four years. Half of the country seems pretty torn up about the results. It was such a close election; according to the Associated Press, the two main party candidates were separated by less than a million votes (Trump - 60,371,193, Clinton - 61,039,676). Some people are elated that finally we don't have a traditional politician in office and true change may be possible. Other people are scared, literally, as some of Trump's promises along the campaign trail could mean their families and lives will be drastically changed. There is such a deep political divide between the two candidates that no matter who won, it would be hard to get the losing half on the side of the winner, and that divide is what Trump is facing with many Clinton supporters and those who chose her as the lesser of two evils. I consider myself in the latter group of voters. This is the first election I was eligible to vote in, and I was disappointed in my choices. Either way history was going to be made, but not in the way I wanted it to be. So I voted for Hillary, as I was scared of what a "Trump America" might look like. But now Trump has won, and some people are angry, which is completely understandable. It's our right to be mad when we disagree; let voices be heard. But let’s not use our voices to promote violence. What's done is done, and whether one likes it or not, Donald Trump will become our president. This is how democracy works. People were sick of being disappointed by the system and they wanted a change. So we (yes, we, as a country) voted in the non-politician. The next four years will be our experiment. We will see if this charismatic character that is Donald Trump will live up to the expectations of those who voted for him. But remember, we are not our elected officials. Let’s show the world that. (Here's one thing you can do: m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5822c7d0e4b0e80b02cdf133/amp?client=safari) Continued on pg. 3 PAGE 3 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 The Election Against All Odds, The Sun Rose Wednesday Morning cont. from pg. 2 By: Anonymous Now you don't have to get behind him and you surely don't have to like him. However, you do have to deal with him, and if, or until, he does something to get himself impeached, that is what we all have to do. This isn't to say you shouldn't protest or let your voice be heard. By all means, exercise all your rights and don't settle. If you don't like what is happening, let the world know and do what you legally can to change it. Become involved! Let this be a wakeup call! Trump is going to be the leader of the free world and we, the people, have to face that and deal with the consequences (good or bad) of this historical 2016 presidential election. Let this invigorate all of us to do more than just vote by taking part in changing the system so that maybe, just maybe, in four more years we will have a country joined together instead of divided. Social Media and Expressing Opinions By: David Birks The election has come and passed, but yet the repercussions of the results, the chosen winner, Donald Trump, can still be seen on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Tensions, anger, and Aunt Tammy’s new “Make America Great Again” tattoo on her lower back are all over the walls of the web. People say, “This is why Bernie should’ve been elected,” or name-call others based on their vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. It’s a scary time because the U.S population is expressing much conflict, and in turn, fostering paranoia. That same Aunt Tammy with the Trump tattoo, who used to share cocktail, ingredients is now arguing with millennial’s about them choosing Hillary. Or, cousin Joey who has “I’m with Her” as his profile picture is taking shots at those who selected Donald Trump. This in itself sounds hilarious, as you’re picturing the most ridiculous comments of extreme, irrational, either conservative or liberal, people. However, when you observe so much illogical expression, disrespect, and fear, it becomes terrifying. Where is America’s integrity? There is no grace in belittling or honor in undermining others. Regardless of whether you think Trump is a bag of ten-month-old Cheetos, or the best president America will ever see, have some thought into your communication and behavior. Don’t give into the fear and tension, love each other, and embrace and respectfully discuss differences. Let others have their opinions, and focus on facts. And remember to treat others with regard so that whatever you might say, you won’t regret later. PAGE 4 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 Campus Spin The Look Book—Ana Gevegy By: Crier Staff Crier: Nice bow tie! Where did you get it? Ana: I got it at Kohl's. They have great clearance bow ties there! Crier: How would you describe your style? Ana: I was reading something last night on the website Autostraddle. It's an online queer magazine. A writer was describing how in the summer they like to dress more femme and in the winter more butch, and that's sort of how I dress. In the winter I get really cold and guys clothes are just warmer! Crier: Where do you get your fashion inspiration from? Ana: I follow lots of sites on Tumbler-- mostly Brazilian, Korean, and Mensware fashion. PAGE 5 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 Campus Spin Veterans Day By Sarah Bogdan Veterans Day this year was Friday, November 1 1th. We mark this day in order to thank the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Different from Memorial Day, which honors specifically those who lost their lives in combat, Veterans Day is a tribute to all American veterans. The holiday used to be called “Armistice Day,” but the name was changed to “Veterans Day” by President Eisenhower. Beginning in 1919, we have used this day in November to show respect and gratitude to those brave enough to serve our country. CCC recognized this holiday by giving a voice to veterans on campus. On Thursday, a panel of several men and women who have served in the US military came to speak in the Commons’ small dining room. Students, faculty, servicemen and civilians alike showed up to hear what they had to say. These veterans (the majority of whom are students at CCC) introduced themselves, shared some of their experiences being in the military, and answered questions posed by those present. Some of those who attended expressed interest in joining the armed forces themselves, while others showed up in support of friends or family in the service. Still others came simply out of a desire to listen and gain a deeper understanding of veterans’ lives. The decision to serve in defense of one’s country is not an easy one to make. It requires incredible mental, physical, and emotional strength. When an individual takes the oath of enlistment, regardless of the branch of the military he or she choses, that person declares a willingness to lay down his or her life to protect county and loved ones. The potential hardships do not end when active duty does. Even after coming home, a veteran may still have to deal with PTSD, stereotypes, and career issues in the civilian world. It is a struggle made easier by the understanding and support that comes from others. So take the time out of your day to appreciate the freedoms you have that were fought for, to notice the veterans in your classes and in your community, and to thank them for their service. PAGE 6 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 Campus Spin: Opinion Age and Technology continued on pg. 11 By Susan Hillman-Donnelly Technology in the classroom sure has changed since I graduated from high school back in 1973! Being an older student on campus certainly puts me at a disadvantage. I grew up before technology became the norm. I went to school where I sat in a classroom. The teacher lectured, I took notes (in cursive pen), and homework was given and taken home to be completed. If the assignment was difficult, one went to the library to find the books needed for arriving at the correct answers. Forty years later, I find myself in college where technology is almost as important as the instructor. I struggle to learn the technology needed for each class before I can even begin to concentrate on learning the actual lessons. It used to be that the only technology I needed consisted of the Funk and Wagnall New World Encyclopedia (which my parents bought from a traveling salesman), a typewriter (and tons of correction fluid), knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System and a cordial relationship with the school librarian. Later on, when microfiche and microfilm were introduced, they were viewed as revolutionary breakthroughs. My, how things have changed! Now there is an “information highway” and I have a brand new learner’s permit. Everything I know about Google, I learned from my children. After repeatedly answering my questions about what LOL and LMAO meant, they would shout “Google it.” I had no idea that you could put a question into the search line thingy and a myriad of answers would appear. It was like magic! I recently found out that one doesn’t even have to type a complete sentence - a few keywords do the trick. How did I not know about this? Was I hiding under a rock? No, I was one of the few still going to the library to look stuff up... Now that I’m in college, I’m getting much more comfortable with technology. Just last week I learned that I must use Google Docs and Google Slides for a project in my communications class. I’d never even heard of either before. I’m sure it has nothing to do whatsoever with medicine or playground equipment... Thankfully, my young classmates know all about it and are willing to help me out. I was quite pleased with myself last year when I was able to figure out how to sign into My Math Lab. After reading the instructions several times and a lot of swearing at the computer, I was in! I do have to admit, however, that I keep a number of post-it notes stuck to my desktop with shortcuts. just in case. And, drum roll please, today I learned how to underline while using Word! I know it’s not a big deal to young people but I was so excited I had to post it in my status on Facebook. People will argue that technology has made us smarter. I am not so sure. While I agree that Google, the internet and Smartphones have made the distribution of information more easily accessible that does not mean that we are learning from it. I think we are merely getting very good Continued on pg. 11 | Google Search | | I'm Feeling Lucky~| Advertising Programs - Business Solutions - About Google ©2010 - Privao PAGE 7 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month By Anonymous Lung Cancer Awareness Month began as Lung Cancer Awareness Day in 1995. As the event grew, it went from a daily observance to a monthly one. Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. for men and women since 1987, and is the most common cancer worldwide. Lung cancer deaths account for 27% of all cancer deaths and 13% of all cancer diagnoses. The number of deaths caused by lung cancer has increased approximately 3.5% between 1999 and 2012. More than half of the people diagnosed with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed, and only 17.8% of those diagnosed will make the five-year survival rate. So, what causes this awful disease? Many people today know the answer but still want to take the risk. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer; it contributes to 80 to 90 percent of the lung cancer deaths. Men who smoke are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer than someone who does not, and women are 13 times more likely. Between 2005 and 2010, an average of 130,659 Americans died of smoking-attributable lung cancer each year. When you smoke, you’re also harming others around you. Secondhand smoke is smoke involuntarily inhaled by others around the smoker. Nonsmokers who breathe in secondhand smoke take in the same nicotine and carcinogenic chemicals that smoker does. Nonsmokers have a 20 to 30 percent greater chance of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to secondhand smoke than those who are not. Exposure to secondhand smoke causes approximately 7,330 lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers each year. Individuals affected by secondhand smoke are also at risk for asthma, heart attacks, heart disease, and strokes. Thirdhand smoke is also a problem; it is when nicotine residue and other chemicals are left on a variety of surfaces caused by tobacco smoke (some examples are clothing, furniture, hair, and skin). This residue reacts with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix; this toxic mix contains cancer-causing substances, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers who are exposed to it. Individuals who do not smoke may be at risk of tobacco-related health problems when they inhale, ingest, or touch substances containing thirdhand smoke. Thirdhand smoke residue builds up on surfaces over time and resists normal cleaning. None of these statistics compare to the actual fear that comes with hearing that a loved one has cancer. When I think about the doctor coming into the room and saying “the biopsy came back as cancer,” “it’s stage four,” and “it might not go away with chemotherapy,” I still get that awful feeling in my stomach along with goosebumps. While my mother received her chemotherapy, we were all worried if it was working or not, and what we would do if it wasn’t. She was lucky, and after about three months with the disease, she was considered cancer free. The doctor still reminded us that it normally doesn’t go away and that he doesn’t see this too often. Remember, more than half of the people diagnosed with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed. So, when you smoke you are affecting a lot more than just yourself. To get help to quit smoking, visit Lung.org, call the American Lung Association’s helpline at 1 -800-LUNGUSA, or call the New York State Smokers Quitline at 1-800-NY-QUITS. PAGE 8 THE CRIER FALL 20 I 6, ISSUE #4 atheists should atheists should not be considered as citizens atheists should be killed atheists should die atheists shouldn't celebrate Christmas atheists should not celebrate Christmas atheists shouldn't be citizens what atheists should understand Google Search I'm Feeling Lucky By Corey Cruttenden Have you ever felt the pain of being oppressed, shunned, or discriminated against by groups or individuals? Have you ever faced the fear of being honest about your view or open to others about who you are? If you are like me, you have calculated the risks. You could lose your friends, you could be abandoned by your family, or your social status could be damaged, and you might become an outsider to the community you were raised in. These are legitimate concerns for anybody considering coming out of the closet and telling the world, "I'm a non-believer." Most "nones" tend to use euphemistic terms to avoid facing the bigoted scrutiny of the religious believers. Some call themselves agnostic, freethinkers, brights, secularists, or secular humanists hoping to soften the impact of how they are perceived. However, I, like Seth MacFarlane, Lance Armstrong, Kiera Knightley, Daniel Radcliffe, Bill Gates and many more, proudly wear the scarlet "A" of atheism. I do this because I want others to know, as the great philosopher Daniel Dennett said, "It is quite alright to be an atheist." A 2014 Pew research study of America's religious landscape found that "nones" make up nearly a quarter of the population (23%) and are the fastest growing religious demographic with 36% of new millennial and 32% of old millennials identifying as having no religious belief. Yet, only about 3.1% of Americans identify as atheist. Why is that? Oppression. If you are an atheist in America, you can't be a boy scout. You are denied the opportunity to volunteer for certain charities. You are unlikely to gain custody of your children or be allowed to adopt. You can be turned down for a job, and worst of all, in some states you can't even run for public office without proclaiming your belief in a supernatural deity. Why are atheists so discriminated against? Atheism is unjustly demonized by right wing media and those preaching from the pulpit. We are called sinners, blasphemers, heathens, and infidels. It is not a denial of God's existence, but simply an absence of belief due to a lack of evidence. Atheism is often misconstrued into something it's not. Let me clear up a few misconceptions I hear all the time: Atheists de-convert so they can sin. FALSE. First, “ sin” is a word that describes breaking the rules of a particular deity. Second, eating shellfish, wearing mixed fabrics, being gay, getting a tattoo, eating bacon, trimming your beard, and, if you are a women, speaking in church or teaching men are all “sins” in a given religious context. I didn’t become atheist to shave my beard, put on a polyester coat, and go out to Red Lobster for Crab Fest. Yes, it’s nice to do those things without the fear of eternal damnation, but I de-converted for the same reason as most atheists---I read the holy scripture of the religion my young mind was indoctrinated to believe, and it didn’t align with FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 THE CRIER PAGE 9 Secular Student Alliance continued from previous page By Corey Cruttenden my observation of reality or my morals. I then looked into both sides of the argument, used reason, and rational thinking and came to a conclusion. Atheism is a religion. FALSE. Atheism is a religion like bald is a hair color or off is a television station. Atheist hate God. FALSE. Do you hate Zeus or Thor? In fact, Yahweh is my favorite villain in the Old Testament and Jesus was a pretty hip dude and is in my top 5 coolest Jewish guys along with Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, and Bernie Sanders. Atheist want to destroy religion. FALSE. Religion is fine in my book as long as it adheres to the US Constitution. That means it stays out of my public schools, out of my government, and out of my face, and we can coexist harmoniously. There are no atheists in foxholes. FALSE. Want an example? Remember NFL star Pat Tillman who left his football career to fight in the Iraq war and died for our country? Yep, he was an atheist. Want another example? How about hundreds? The Military Association of Atheist and Freethinkers is a group of soldiers whose goal is to dispel the myth that “There are no atheist in foxholes.” I got the chance to meet some of the members at the 2016 Reason Rally in Washington DC this past June, and they will also gladly tell you that you can find them in in cockpits and on ships as well! Atheist hate religious people. FALSE. My cousin believes the moon landing was a hoax. I still love him and respect him---just not his belief. To say atheist hate religious people is like saying you hate cancer patients because you hate cancer. Atheist think life is meaningless. FALSE. Atheist don't believe in an afterlife. We understand that we have one life to live and want to live it to the fullest. Life is a precious gift. Just think of all of your fellow sperm that lost the race to you and didn't get the chance to grow into a person. You hit the biological lottery---find your purpose and embrace it! Atheist are immoral. FALSE. Statistics from a 2011 United Nations study show that the more secular a country is, the lower the crime rate. In addition secular countries tend to have higher prosperity, more quality, more freedom, and better democracy. Also, they have better women's rights, human rights, educational attainment, and life expectancy. Here in America atheists have lower divorce and domestic violence rates. While nonreligious make up 23% of the population, they only make up .2% of those incarcerated. On the flip side, atheists make up 93% of the National Academy of Science. Yes, the people who are trying to cure cancer and solve the global climate and energy crises are godless heathens. Keep those stats in mind next time someone says, "America should kick out all those immoral atheists." PAGE 10 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 Secular Student Alliance continued from previous page By Corey Cruttenden The time has come for those of us living without religion step out into society to demand equality, understanding, and prove we can be good without God. We need to stand strong when religion stomps its muddy boots all over the first amendment and tries to promulgate itself into our public schools and political policies. I want to work on bring the Secular Student Alliance back to CCC. The SSA will be a club that will provide a place for those struggling with their beliefs (or lack thereof), help to reverse the stigma attached to being non-religious, promote separation of church and state, and give an opportunity to spread the positivity of humanism on campus and in the community. "Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer." -Madalyn Murray O'Hair Channeling History: Opium in American History By the History Club By 1890 the US congress placed a tax on all opium and morphine in the nation. While Congress officially banned the drug in 1905, it was the 1914 Harris Tax Act that criminalized it. This act was targeting Chinese Americans. William Randolph Hearst published stories that alleged white women were being seduced by opium wielding Chinese immigrants. The “yellow peril” was born. By 1923 the US Treasury Department’s Narcotics Division banned all legal narcotic sales, the same year Wallace Reid, an early American Hollywood star, died of a heroin overdose. Jane Addams experimented with opium while attending Rockford College. During WWII Indian and Iranian routes were blocked. Hmong farmers were used by the French to keep supply open. Opium and heroin reemerged in the 1940s and 50s in conjunction with the Harlem Jazz scene and the Bebop culture. John Coltraine, Billy Holliday, Miles Davis were all supposed users. In the I980’s-90’s production shifted to the Western Hemisphere. The current crisis has historical roots in America. America has a long-relationship with opioids. We learned it from our forbearers. THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 PAGE 11 Age and Technology continued from pg. 6 By Susan Hillman-Donnelly at regurgitating information without really digesting it. Our attention spans have narrowed dramatically in recent years. We have become a nation who relies on short sound bites and abbreviated answers. We are so intent on multi-tasking that we often do not have the attention span required to concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds. This is sad. Reading, researching, examining and pondering an idea or concept are necessary in order to really learn something. I fear we are losing that ability by relying so heavily on technology. However, as an older college student, I’m going to try and learn as much about technology as possible.... It has now become a requirement. Wednesday, November 16, 2016 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm Thursday, November 17, 2016 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm PAGE 12 THE CRIER FALL 2016, ISSUE #4 Have an Opinion? Get it out and get paid! - $10 per published article - $5 per published photo E-mail articles and photos to CCCcrier@gmail.com Staff Felicia LaLomia: Editor-in-Chief Ian Statham: Assistant Editor Jack Keach: Social Media Coordinator Corey Cruttenden: Treasurer Advisors Erin Wilburn Maarit Clay Christine Atkins If you wish to receive reimbursement for your published contributions to the paper, please include your CID number with your submissions. The views presented to you by The Crier do not reflect the views of Student Life or Corning Community College.