CCC
corning community college
State University of New York
THE CRIER
September 7th “The Voice of the CCC Student Body” Fall 2005
Let us know what you think: www.cee_cee_response@yahoo.com
From the Editor:
•
What a long strange trip it has been. The time has come for me to pass on the torch. I am stepping down from the Editor’s position, allowing a younger and faster individual to take my place. Her name is Kim Henderson, and through her talent I expect to see great things done regarding the paper, and throughout the world. Kim congratulations, I look forward to seeing what you can do for your campus.
Sincerely,
Matthew Roseler
The Annual Crunch
By: Daniel Hartman
The annual parking crunch at CCC is on, parking spaces are in short supply and some people park on the lawn (consequently receiving parking tickets), but there arc alternatives available to those who seek them. Better than getting a parking ticket, why not seek an alternative to your parking problem. Sure, the usual comment is that the school needs to provide more parking spaces. However, this would involve massive sums of money and take years to plan and execute, so it is up to us as adult and thinking students to come up with viable solutions in the short term.
I have noticed one obvious plan: arrive early, say at seven or eight o’clock in the morning. At that time there are hardly any cars parked on the various lots, as evidenced by this photo taken of lot “B” at that time on the first day of school.
Even at eight o’clock in the morning there were still spaces available on lot “H”. Also, plan to arrive well before class to avoid rushing up the hill. If you need help locating where the lots are see the public safety office for a map.
Oh-Oh! You have to work in the morning hours or get your kids off to school? Why not try public transportation? If that will work at all for you, you can save the forty-plus cents per mile that it takes to run your automobile. Don’t like the bus? Then try car pooling. No, we are not out of options yet. There are alternative sites for some classes available, as well as evening classes; perhaps you can transfer?
True, it may be too late this semester to make some of these changes in your transportation needs, but examine those needs and see if you can incorporate one of them. Start planning now for next semester, and please be considerate of others when parking this semester. Park straight between lines and do be careful when opening you car doors. This will prevent dings and scratches on other student’s cars.
Food “Aid”
By: Kim Henderson
I seriously apologize to those who get depressed by this article...but to me this is seriously important stuff that I must get out there...I feel too few of us understand this stuff and I want my life to be about activism and being alive and aware. So here goes...please don’t hate me.
Food “Aid” is more about rich landowners gaining more control over native peoples then it is about delivering timely aid. How so? In order to understand the cycle, one must understand what happened after respective “colonies” in Africa, South America, India and other developing countries around the world became free. Although they became free in theory, Europeans and those of European decent still owned a majority of the fertile land. Not only that, but they had the audacity to tell those whom they had lorded over for so long that they owed them money because they had loaned them equipment, technology, manpower, etc, during the colonial period. This would be similar to the U.S. telling former slave families that they owed us money “because we brought them to America, which is a lot better off then Africa.”
So colonies did not become free with their “freedom.” They become more and more entrapped every year, due to debt accumulated during years when they where essentially slaves. Since their land is still mostly owned by other powers, they cannot grow food for themselves. (Remember the much-publicized famine in Ethiopia during the 1980s? Many of us don’t realize that, during that famine, Ethiopia was exporting green beans to Europe...) http:// www.globalissues org/TrarieRelated/Poverty/ FoodDumping/Intro.asp Not only do the powers that be take food (and coffee, tobacco, sugarcane, tea, etc,) from countries that cannot feed themselves because all of their arable land is being used for cash crops, but they use food as a political weapon. For example, while Malawi was experiencing a severe drought (which was probably brought on by global warming, which is another issue altogether,) some of the countries to which Malawi “owed” money because they had been occupied by foreign governments for many years decided they wanted that money right then and demanded it. Malawi was forced to sell all the crops they had grown that year overseas and had to rely on aid to keep from starving. Anyway, the organizations willing to “give” aid wanted to try out some genetically modified food on someone, so Malawi was forced to except aid that no one even knew was safe yet. And, to make the situation even worse, Malawi was expected to sign a contract with the agriculture company which produced the seeds to grow the modified food, so that Malawi would be forevermore in debt to that company, because genetically modified food cannot produce seeds and you have to buy seeds every year!
This sort of atrocity is happening all over Africa and other parts of the developing world. Hunger isn’t caused by lack of resources, hunger is caused by greedy white bastards who would rather see people starve then miss out on a brilliant marketing strategy. So what can the average person do? Well for one, I am getting very angry about all of this and plan on starting a group called No Apathy Towards Africa, or NATA. This group would focus on getting the word out to the world, so we could start targeting the evil people who are doing these things. I am saving 10% of my money right now. to put up a website and start publishing fliers or newsletters and I plan on personally protesting in Washington D.C. although I would like company if possible. Also, if we are more aware of the food we eat and where it comes from, that can help. Buy from local farmer’s markets whenever possible, or grow food yourself. Stop smoking, use less or no sugar, and be aware of where your tea and coffee comes from. Lighting up that cigarette might not kill you, but it might also cause someone to starve somewhere. We still have slaves, just not ones we can see anymore.
A Gem in the Rough
By: Daniel Hartman
Spencer Crest Nature Center is CCC’s own gem in the rough. It is complete with a myriad of wildlife, a variety of hiking trails, various buildings and shelters, and surprises for all to find.
This 250 acre gem of immeasurable value is open to all at no charge. It has many new improvements, includes, a full time and volunteer staff, and features many programs. There are nine miles of well maintained hiking trails, which vary from handicapped-accessible to challenging and they are open year-round for those who desire exercise, nature watching, romance, fun, or just relaxation. Amelia pond features a new floating dock, duck houses, a picnic table, a nearby picnic pavilion, fishing, bird watching, and a variety of other activities for your enjoyment. Organized interpretive and educational programs are available at the center’s office and meeting center, as well as room for meetings, parties, and other events. A recent major improvement is a handicapped accessible ramp leading to the main building and more improvements such as this are planned.
Future plans call for color coded trail markers, extended wheelchair accessible walking trails, a new roof top observation and classroom area, a new roof, more picnic tables, memorial flower boxes, and others as users and directors suggest and funds become available.
On a recent hike through some of the trails at Spencer Crest I observed sunlit meadows, giant oak and pine trees, a grey squirrel, a red eft, blue jays, and crows. I doubtless missed many other forest creatures that scurried away at my approach, as I was not walking slowly and quietly that day.
Fall is a perfect time to enjoy a hike through Spencer Crest, or even better, volunteer to help them with a project, as the temperatures have moderated and the fall colors will soon begin to appear. Perhaps you could try out the new floating dock as a platform to try to catch a fish or two, or if you search very carefully, you may even find this unique view along one of the trails.
Doesn’t it sort of remind you of Halloween?
Rave or Depraved?
(Entertainment Reviews)
“Sin City”
By: Sherry M. Shangraw
For this film, you should grab your drink, your snack, your smokes and hit the latrine before even thinking about pushing the play button. You won’t want to focus too hard on any one scene or character as an open mind and attention to the smallest of details is needed to grasp the excitement at the tail end —	\	of this one.
^	^	In my viewing of this film, I	was able to pull out multiple storylines containing all of the things a
great movie should possess.	There is action, violence, lust, love, nudity and ideas of super-human
nature.
What truly sets this movie aside is the artistic value that was added by subtracting color from the scenes. I feel I was more aware and focused on what the writer intended me to see and feel. Living in this generation of color T.V., I wouldn’t typically stop on black and white while channel surfing. However, the black and white accompanied by occasional hints of other hues allowed myself as the viewer to be engulfed in the settings, plots and character lines in a way that the detail of color we usually see in film would not have allowed. Some of us may know this movie to be derived from what used to be a comic book. However, not being a reader of the comic book does not exclude you from enjoying it as you do not need to be familiarized with anything prior to viewing.
For those who have not had the opportunity to view the trailer to this movie, you will find a cast line up including Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Brittney Murphy and Josh Hartnett. All of which play key parts in the film regardless of how big or small their part. I highly recommend renting “Sin City”. It’s a good one to have a few days to hold on to as you will want to screen it more than once to catch all of the details you wouldn’t the first time. So there you have it.
Rent it and enjoy. “Sin City”, it’s HOT!
FROM SMILES TO SADNESS
She was a simple sweet girl who was in search of happiness. . .
She never arrived with gold, diamonds or pearls...
but instead, she made her way to HIM with compassion, kindness and honesty.
She was drawn to his gorgeous smile, his beautiful eyes, his enveloping deep voice
but most of all, she was captured by his intriguing personality.
She felt a strong connection towards him and believed he felt that way about her too.
Someone once told her, “to truly have butterflies, it takes two”.
He*r heart full of smiles and her mind filled with hope. Was she floating towards cloud 9 already?
Why was it difficult for her to erase the special moments and good times she had spent with him in very short time?
It’s because he was the highlight of her day!!; everyday.
It was all too good to be true I mean, was being
happy abnormal? or somewhat queer?
Time ran through her hands rapidly, she could not suspend her life till further notice...or turn back time.
What had happened all of a sudden?
It was no longer a pleasant dream. . . she no longer woke up with sense of hope, but tears /	flowed	instead.
She was feeling heavy-hearted.
When she looked to her side, he was not there. Was there a slight chance of him EVER being there?
Maybe, maybe not.
She drifted into a temporary state of numbness as she sank to the bottom of her world. . .confusion took over.
Now she stands still, all alone... in the dark.
New Editor Comments
Hi, my name is Kim Henderson and I am very excited to except the position of editor of The Crier. I hope to serve the student body well both in what I decide to write and what I decide to publish. Most of you have probably read some articles by me before and if so, you’ve probably noticed a liberal slant. However, I don’t want this paper to be a liberal paper, I think that would be representing our student body very poorly; therefore I hope to receive many conservative articles to publish as well. I hope to get as wide a variety of views and interests in our paper as possible, so we can learn and grow from each other. Also, I hope that this can be more than a journalistic outlet; I plan on putting more creative articles in the paper, more poetry and short stories if possible. I want to expand this paper to include as many of you as possible. We are planning to have a regular political cartoon, ads, help columns and many other new and fun features. I want to encourage everyone who feels they have something to share or add to contribute to the paper. If you have anything to submit, my e-mail address is the most reliable way to reach me. Please e-mail me at striderpending@vahoo.com with anything you want to share.
Feds: Drug lord, rap label workers plotted 50 Cent’s killing
The Associated Press
September 6, 2005, 11:04 PM EDT
Federal investigators believed that crack kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff and employees of rap label Murder Inc. plotted to assassinate rapper 50 Cent as revenge for a song detailing McGriff’s criminal past, newly released law enforcement documents show. Investigators also probed whether Run-DMC disc jockey Jam Master Jay was shot to death in 2002 for defying an unspoken recording industry blacklist of 50 Cent, the documents show.
The allegations are laid out in a previously sealed search warrant affidavit contained in a routine motion filed last week by the defense attorney for Murder Inc. founder Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo, who is charged in a racketeering case with using his chart-topping label to launder more than $1 million in McGriff’s drug money. The affidavit was published Tuesday on The Smoking Gun Web site..
Internal Revenue Service criminal investigator Francis Mace writes in the 2003 document, filed under an application to search Murder Inc.’s Manhattan offices, that investigators believed the shooting of 50 Cent in May 2000 was revenge for the song “Ghetto Koran,” which recounts some of die history of McGriff’s reign as head of one of the city’s most violent drug crews. Investigators believe Murder Inc. employees were involved in McGriff’s continuing effort to kill 50 Cent, who survived the 2000 shooting.
Federal agents and police detectives also were looking into links between the McGriff-50 Cent rivalry and the killing of Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell. The DJ’s shooting in his Queens recording studio remains unsolved.
’’Agents are still trying to determine whether Mizell’s homicide has any connection to the ongoing dispute between McGriff and 50 Cent,” Mace wrote. “Law enforcement agents are investigating the possibility that Mizell was murdered for defying the blacklist of 50 Cent.”
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn, which is overseeing the investigation, had no comment on the document. •
An attorney for McGriff, Robert Simels, said that while he no longer represented McGriff in this case he was familiar with the document and it represented “much ado about nothing.” He said the allegations in the affidavit disappeared from later government filings, leading him to conclude that even the government no longer believed them.
McGriff’s current trial attorney and Lorenzo’s attorney did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment Tuesday.
McGriff and some Murder Inc. employees were continuing to plot the murder of 50 Cent, Mace wrote, citing text messages to McGriff from associates tracking the rapper’s whereabouts.
In one message Lorenzo’s brother reported 50 Cent’s appearance on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, in the area of Queens where McGriff, Lorenzo and the rapper grew up, Mace wrote.
”50 is in the hood guy r. brewer!” the message from Christopher Lorenzo said, according to the affidavit. But defense attorney Gerald Shargel said that if authorities had evidence that Christopher Lorenzo was involved in a plot to kill 50 Cent they would have charged him with the crime. Christopher Lorenzo is charged only in connection with the money laundering aspect of the indictment against McGriff and Murder Inc.
Murder Inc. changed its name to The Inc. last year after executives said the label’s image was hurt by court filings alleging that they had been laundering drug money from McGriff.
From the Editor:
I had to get one last word in...
You are probably wondering what in the hell 50 Cent has to do with this campus. I can break it down for ya’ holmes! The truth is that he is hiding out here on campus until this whole assassination attempt blows over. And just so you know (and keep this on the down low) Tupac and Biggie Smalls are here too. I know that they are taking a class or two. Ever meet anyone who takes ceramics? Ceramics is a front for the witness protection program.
Just kidding, readers. Keep reading!
~ Pareen Patel ~