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Opinion | December 09, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 10

Colleges Benefit More Than Students

Los Angeles community colleges have transformed over the years and now play a vital and high functioning role in our society. Colleges always bring local areas business and extra services; students form a spending and hiring base that businesses thrive on. 1 comment

grinch of christmas films

Where Did the Cinematic Spirit of Christmas Go?

The sad truth is that the classic Christmas films will soon be forgotten.

After a childhood of falling in love with everything Christmas, I’m saddened to realize that a piece of that is dying. Classic Christmas movies are long forgotten by the current Twitter, Youtube.com and Blackberry-obsessed generations who have little patience for black and white movies and the cheesy plotlines of the classic Christmas film.

tiger woods

Is TMZ Really Ahead of Other Outlets?

TMZ quick in reporting celebrity gossip, but publications like L.A. Times still win in reliability.

The gossip media website TMZ, known for its sleazy stories, is becoming a popular source for readers to turn to for the latest breaking news on celebrities. Although TMZ has been the first to report many headline stories, media outlets like the L.A. Times are far more credible when it comes to getting the true facts. 1 comment

Opinion | December 02, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 9

Letter to the Editor

RE: ASU Stance on Supporting a Smoke-Free Campus

I want to congratulate ASU for taking a stand on a smoking ban. It appears that it has been a lot harder for faculty and staff at Valley College to come up with a policy to make LAVC a Smoke-Free Campus. I find it amazing that students who come from smoke-free high schools feel that it is okay to come to Valley College and walk around smoking.

gender roles

Housewife Stereotype Remains Dominant Along with the Male

Although males feel threatened by a small number of powerful women, the female is still undermined.

I am female. I have deathly-pale delicate-looking skin, a “well-to-do” accent and mostly ladylike manner. For these reasons, I am under-minded, disrespected and misunderstood by many of my peers because of a stereotype and discrimination that only a female can understand. 3 comments

gender roles

Male Role Conditioning Exploits the Lives of All American Men

Male disposability is on display on the walls of Valley College’s Behavioral Sciences building.

Names of the dead from the War on Terror are displayed on the hallway walls of Valley College’s Behavioral Sciences building, but those names are just the tip of an iceberg that shows the role of men as the disposable sex in American society. As of Nov. 40 comments

poor santa cluas

Santa is Looking a bit Thinner This Christmas Season

With more than ten percent of America currently unemployed, the recent and not-so-recent housing market crashes and more financial hardships for many American families,Santa will be skimpy this year. His bag of goodies will be a little light and he may cut down on a few reindeer, since it costs an arm and a leg to feed them.

Opinion | November 18, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 8

health bill

Dems’ Reforms Fit the Bill

The misconceptions about the healthcare bill passed by the House have many Americans confused.

The passing of the Affordable Health Care for America Act finally initiates the wholesale change in American health care that most citizens have been waiting for since President Obama took office. There seems to be a sense of confusion of what the bill truly represents since most Americans don’t have the need, want, or attention span to read the full 1,990 page bill.

health bill

This Bill Is Not a Good Fix

Even though democrats are working in reforming healthcare, they need to go back to the drawing board

Between the waffling of democrats and unabashed, willful misrepresentations by republicans, the Affordable Healthcare for America Act has become a monstrosity, which doesn’t include a true public option. The healthcare bill that recently passed in the House represents another step in the wrong direction for effective healthcare reform and is not in the best interests of Americans.

Thanksgiving History Forgotten

The history of how the Thanksgiving holiday developed has been conveniently ignored over the years.

Thanksgiving has been one of the most awaited holidays in the United States, but as years have passed, the hype for it has caused most people to be hypocritical, even if they didn’t know it. As people of different religions we all still believe in giving thanks, but people have forgotten what Thanksgiving used to be.

fort hood

Fort Hood Incident Illustrates a Problem on the Home Front

Recent shooting rampage at Fort Hood indicates PTSD is a big issue facing soldiers returning home.

The idea of America’s soldiers as tough, determined, and gung-ho is one our citizens love to embrace. However, the aftermath of the tragic events at Fort Hood has not only drawn attention to the sad state of mental health care provided by the military, but shined a light on the taboo subject of post-traumatic stress disorder. 1 comment

Opinion | November 04, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 7

plastic surgery

Plastic Surgery an Option for Students

Students today have the ability to improve their selves through options provided by plastic surgeons

Recently, I was thinking about which of my friends have undergone cosmetic surgery and frankly I couldn’t think of one female friend who hadn’t had something done to themself, including myself. Cosmetic surgery is becoming as common among college students as dyeing hair. 1 comment

msnbc fox

Commentary Being Mistaken for News

With lines blurred between commentary and news, today’s mainstream media has many American’s fooled.

While it’s funny, rabble-rousing, and cage-rattling to see rival media outlets snipe at one another about who said what, it also reflects the state of accountability of media who are more concerned with agenda setting and mud slinging than journalistic accountability.

The Hypocritical Bias of Today’s Media

Liberal bias permeating today’s media is brainwashing society into a left wing led downward spiral.

Society is easily influenced. The media has always known this and has played upon it for years; however, the liberal bias among so-called “news networks” has taken a step way over the standard we are used to. We now contend with a type of entertainment news blasphemy that dangerously feeds the impressionableness of much of the nation. 5 comments

smoke free

Valley’s Smoke Free Pipe Dream

If smoke-free initiative is enacted, smokers will ignore it unless campus cops step up enforcement.

With the ASU reaching an agreement to support Valley College becoming a smoke-free campus, some questions remain as to whether or not a ban like this would work. Apart from lack of enforcement, stubborn smokers ignore the current rules and will ignore any future regulations.

h1n1 vaccine

H1N1 Vaccine Worth Risk

With the safety of the H1N1 vaccine in question, some say it’s worth the risk to protect yourself.

Back and forth debate on the legitimacy of H1N1 vaccines from skeptics staying cautionary beyond reason has caused unwarranted indecision and underestimation of this strain of influenza among Valley College students. Friday, the World Health Organization held a briefing with the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization to discuss H1N1 flu.

Opinion | October 21, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 6

sexed

No Birds or Bees Here, Just Sex-Ed

Sex-ed should be required as a course because too many people don’t understand how it works.

A bathroom conversation I accidentally eavesdropped on last week made me have another college epiphany: sex education needs to be implemented at a higher education level. After I listened to a conversation where a girl actually told her friend that she’s worried she’s pregnant because her boyfriend “let it go, when he was in the back,” led me to believe Valley needs sex-ed. 2 comments

ASU Should Lend a Helping Hand

With an excess of funds available, ASU should make a sizable donation to cash-strapped SSCCC.

When Reid Milburn, the President of the SSCCC – California community colleges’ state level student government – visited Valley College two weeks ago, she brought with her a call to action from community college students around the state. 1 comment

be more thankful

Students Should be More Thankful

When considering the world’s condition, students should feel lucky they have the luxuries of life.

The American culture is programmed to complain. From a cold cup of coffee in the morning, to the 5 p.m. rush hour or homework deadline, we are seemingly only happy when we’re moving onto the next “problem” in life. Unfortunately, we’re so busy complaining, we are unable to see the beauty in life and how lucky we actually are.

Obama Deserved Nobel Prize

Republican criticism of President Obama being awarded exemplifies their crass hypocrasy.

The United States is so knee-deep in political corruption that when the leader of the free world is awarded something so prestigious as the Nobel Peace Prize, certain political parties only look at the situation as more material for their vapid rhetoric.

Opinion | October 14, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 5

valley dressed down

Valley Dressed Down

Valley should consider dress codes as scantily dressed students detract from a learning environment.

As I bend down in the hallway to tie my sneaker, I glance up at the person who almost knocked me over and see their rather unsightly butt crack. Horrified, I quickly look back at my shoe, thinking that Valley really needs a dress code of some kind. Many faith-based, military and private universities enforce strict dress codes, while schools of medicine and business, such as Illinois State Universitie’s School of Business, require more lenient, business-like attire.

Water Main

L.A. Has Flow Issues

Recent water main breaks around L.A. are a cause for concern in light of recent water shortages.

With water shortages a concern in Southern California, residents are being told to cut back on water usage. With the Department of Water and Power (DWP) reporting 34 ruptures in the L.A. water system since September, the water shortage will affect everyone from farmers to those who simply take a shower.

Flushing is Hard

Flushing is Hard

Students should clean up after themselves in restrooms, no one wants to happen upon a dirty John.

As I roam the campus trying to find the least filthy restroom to use, it seems like the only option I have is to sneak into the faculty restroom while no one is looking. You would expect people at Valley College to be more considerate about how they handle their business, but I guess restroom etiquette is too much to ask for these days.

rock

Rockers Cash In

While nobody likes a sellout, sometimes the needs of the corporate rock world of today benefit fans.

Some debates never die: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin, is AC/DC a hard rock band or heavy metal? While there is an acceptable amount of gray area for whichever side one takes in these debates, there is a definitive line in the sand when it comes to questioning a band’s authenticity.

rock

Rock N' Cry

Emotional modern day rock muscians can’t keep up with the partying ways of hardcore predecessors.

Sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. This has been a staple saying of what rock and all its greatness once stood for. From Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire to Slash passing out on stage, the definition was based upon hard rocking, party driven, take-no-prisoners musicians focused on playing, not crying. 4 comments

Opinion | October 07, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 4

social networks

Social Networks can be Quite Dangerous

Social networking websites have their perks, they can be manipulated by people with bad intentions.

It’s not a new development that the misinformed, un-researched, spelling and grammar-ignorant people of this world have always felt a need to interject their opinions and “fact based arguments” to anyone who would listen. The only difference of today, this minute and very second is that the multitudes of informants are unnervingly equipped to reach millions.

social networks

Social Networks Want to be Your Friend

Facebook and Twitter help people around the world connect with other people.

A recent study found that time spent social networking has grown 93 percent since 2006 according to Netpop.com. Although it may take a lot of time out of our busy lives, it helps us keep in touch with friends and makes communicating with others less complicated.

consumers should make their own smart choices

Consumers Should Make Their Own Smart Choices

Smart Choices labels are supposed to help consumers make healthier choices. Instead they misinform.

Until six weeks ago, Cookie Crunch cereal and Fruit Roll Ups had nothing in common with oat bran cereal and broccoli. However, under a new program, all of these foods are now considered to be “Smart Choices.” Fat chance. There is no substitute for personal responsibility.

Opinion | September 23, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 3

Think for Yourself, Question Authority

Not all critiscm of President Obama's policies and actions comes courtesy of bigotry and hatred.

Discrimination exists across the country. From laughing at an overweight person, to suggesting construction work is only good for a man, we are a nation of bullies whether we like it or not. However, suggesting that each person who disagrees with President Obama’s policies is racist is just another notch on our ever-growing pole of ignorance.

students are asleep

Students are Asleep in thier Chairs

Too many students come to Valley College to socialize and cause distactions in class.

Recollecting my semesters here at Valley College, I have seen a trend in the unprepared students which I often come across, the class sizes that drop significantly, and a student body more interested in their Blackberries, and iPhones rather than their reading assignments, exam reviews, and term papers. 1 comment

smoking stinks

Smoking at Valley Stinks up the Campus

While students have the right to smoke on campus, too many ignore designated smoking areas.

With all the renovations going on around Valley College, the last thing our campus needs is to look less presentable with scattered cigarette butts lying around. Many students pay no attention to the harm they are causing to their own campus. Today it seems like Valley students have no empathy toward their fellow peers as they disregard the rules on campus and puff away anywhere they can.

texting is hazardous

Texting is Hazardous

Laws prohibit text messaging and driving, but walking and texting is quite hazardous as well.

It is rather annoying to have someone walk right into you, only to realize they are texting at the same time. The act I’ve dubbed “walxting” is obnoxious and it’s everywhere. Sometimes I let these (usually young) people bump into me to bring to their attention their lack of walxting skills. 1 comment

Opinion | September 16, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 2

summer deaths

Summer Deaths Show Our Duality

The deaths of public figures this summer showed how easily the American public changes its gears.

It is funny how the media circles a celebrity’s garbage can for years searching for the next juicy bit of scandal to feed the two-faced public. Media outlets like TMZ stay at the ready to air any emotional trauma, financial troubles, and the ever-tasty violations of the law.

Valley Still Offers Value to its Students

Even though fees went up, many at Valley do not grasp the value they get from California’s system.

When California announced in July it would raise fees to its community colleges by $6 a unit it was not surprising that most people reacted negatively. While Valley College students adjust to and complain about the new fee rate of $26 per unit, many don’t realize how lucky they are to pay that little.

healthcare

Healthcare Reform Just Too Expensive Right Now

The United States can’t afford to foot the bill for universal healthcare during economic turmoil.

Valley College has a brand new and rather nice Allied Health and Science building that may soon have tumbleweeds rolling though it as the drive to succeed in medicine may dwindle. Healthcare reform, a hot button issue as of late is making me sick. Of all the things America has on its agenda, this is yet another which will be undoubtedly expensive, imperfect and come back to bite us on our ever-widening butts.

healthcare

Americans Deserve the Option for Better Care

Current bill will deliver necessary care to Americans and help streamline health services.

Students at Valley College are privileged to have a Student Health Center that provides physicals and various screenings, lab testing, immunization shots, and referral services. More importantly it comes at little or no cost. It would be great for all Americans to have nationalized health care interested in helping people instead of the broken down, misanthropic, juggernaut that we have at present. 4 comments

Opinion | September 09, 2009 | Volume 71 Issue 1

summer cant really ber over already

Summer Can't Really Be Over Already?

Students are back in school but can't wait for the next break to roll around.

The summer brought new love, exciting getaways and new friends for Valley College students, however some things never change; arriving back at Valley brought the monotonous woes we have all come to expect, as most of us just look forward to the end of the year to take another well-deserved break.

evening classes

Evening Classes Ask Students To Sacrifice

People with jobs and daytime obligations must give up a lot to pursue dreams.

The thought of having to come to school at night might be foreign to some, but that is the only way for many to excel due to daytime commitments. Nighttime classes help people with daytime commitments access school and the students’ sacrifices underline their dedication to success.

D.C. Odd Couple Frenemies Afterall

Sen. Orrin Hatch said he was with Sen. Kennedy on healthcare, until Teddy died.

Like Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt only to fall short of the promised land, Ted Kennedy worked feverishly in his last days to promote universal health care, crafting what was described as his “political will.” Fortunately Senator Kennedy passed away before he could see what he considered to be his life’s work be used by republicans to further their agenda.

Danger! Danger, Community Colleges!

With no relief in sight, community college budget woes are just beginning.

The effects of the California budget crisis on Valley College produced noticeable results last week when students returned from the summer layoff. Classrooms are crowded, hallways are jammed, and students are having a hard time enrolling in classes they need to transfer.