A blood drive for the American Red Cross was held at Chabot College on Thursday, Jan. 29. According to Ed Faso, account manager for Donor Recruitment in the American Red Cross, 47 units of blood were collected. Each unit of blood donated has the potential to save three lives. Because of the generosity of the people of Chabot College, 141 lives have been potentially saved. The biggest turnout was from the E.M.T. classes and the Associated Students, who were also actively involved in signing-up donors.
According to the Web site for the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, but only five percent of the population of eligible donors actually donates blood. This makes donating blood crucial.
Many people may be put off by the fear of donating, but it is simple, quick and nearly painless (many donors agree: if you don't look at the needle when they insert it into the vein, it barley hurts at all). Before donating, the donor is given information to read regarding the process as well as reasons for possible deferment. To be eligible to donate, one must be at least 17-years-old (or 16 with a guardian present) and weigh at least 110 lbs. A confidential health history is then taken to be sure that the donor is healthy. Once the donor is deemed eligible, their arm is swabbed with iodine and the needle is inserted. It usually takes 10 minutes or less for the blood to be removed. Afterward, the donors are treated to beverages and cookies to replenish themselves.
The blood drive was considered a success by Faso, especially based on previous blood drives in May 2007 and January 2008. During those drives only 29 and 42 units were collected, respectively.
The next blood drive will be held at Chabot on Thursday, April 16. Hopefully, even more units can be collected this time.
For more information about the donation process, contact Ed Faso at 510-773-1868.
If you missed the donation on Thursday, or were deferred, go to www.BeADonor.com and enter your ZIP code for a donation center near you.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Jesse Prado - Ethics: an abstract ideal
The report card came back with disappointing results for the high school students of 2008. The survey on the Ethics of American Youth was given to 30,000 high school students by the Josephson Institute, and they say, “There is a hole in our moral ozone that is getting bigger.” Students are lying, cheating, and stealing, but this doesn’t surprise me much.
After corporal punishment as discipline was replaced with positive reinforcement, they lost control of these kids to the inflation of their own egos.
Kids started keeping it real, started acting on how they feel. Do what is right in your heart was the best advice they could give them because they couldn’t turn to the birch or cane when their kid was being a jerk. The laws changed and wouldn’t allow it. Kids lost that fear of their parents and with that left the respect. These days kids raise themselves, and according to this survey, most of them say they would rather do what’s right to them than do the right thing in general.
An alarming number of students who took the survey said that their parents would rather have them cheat than get bad grades in school. Whatever it takes to succeed, as sick and sad as that sounds. The kids are all on their own after high school. Sounds like a crowd of parents who want to get those kids out of their house.
Nobody taught them how to be.
How good of a role model are you? That’s the latest question on the Josephson Institutes new survey at their website www.josephsoninstitute.org. I tried it myself but it’s mainly for parents and teachers. Maybe they should check it out.
The founder of the Josephson Institute Michael Josephson said “what we need to learn from these survey results is that our moral infrastructure is unsound and in serious need of repair. This is not a time to lament or whine but to take thoughtful positive action.”
You can’t teach ethics to high school students.
Truth is, a person that can maintain a consistent code of ethics is rare. People will lie, cheat and steal depending on the circumstance; that’s human nature. Looking out for number one is all they’ve ever been told to do. It’s all they’ve ever seen. I know it’s all I’ve ever seen. That’s survival of the fittest. Ethics are an abstract ideal to the modern American.
According to this survey, it’s the last thing on anyone’s mind.
After corporal punishment as discipline was replaced with positive reinforcement, they lost control of these kids to the inflation of their own egos.
Kids started keeping it real, started acting on how they feel. Do what is right in your heart was the best advice they could give them because they couldn’t turn to the birch or cane when their kid was being a jerk. The laws changed and wouldn’t allow it. Kids lost that fear of their parents and with that left the respect. These days kids raise themselves, and according to this survey, most of them say they would rather do what’s right to them than do the right thing in general.
An alarming number of students who took the survey said that their parents would rather have them cheat than get bad grades in school. Whatever it takes to succeed, as sick and sad as that sounds. The kids are all on their own after high school. Sounds like a crowd of parents who want to get those kids out of their house.
Nobody taught them how to be.
How good of a role model are you? That’s the latest question on the Josephson Institutes new survey at their website www.josephsoninstitute.org. I tried it myself but it’s mainly for parents and teachers. Maybe they should check it out.
The founder of the Josephson Institute Michael Josephson said “what we need to learn from these survey results is that our moral infrastructure is unsound and in serious need of repair. This is not a time to lament or whine but to take thoughtful positive action.”
You can’t teach ethics to high school students.
Truth is, a person that can maintain a consistent code of ethics is rare. People will lie, cheat and steal depending on the circumstance; that’s human nature. Looking out for number one is all they’ve ever been told to do. It’s all they’ve ever seen. I know it’s all I’ve ever seen. That’s survival of the fittest. Ethics are an abstract ideal to the modern American.
According to this survey, it’s the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Vineshia Cedillo - The Media Targets Miley
Once again Miley Cyrus has become the target of media scrutiny, this time for something entirely insignificant. The uproar over a harmless photo of her and her friends making innocent funny faces has spiraled out of control. The Organization of Chinese Americans found the photo deeply offensive and is asking Cyrus to issue an apology to the Asian American community.
Cyrus has honored their request for an apology and has issued one on her mileysworld.com blog.
"I've also been told there are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, I'm sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!" Cyrus added, "In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity!"
The OCA was unimpressed with the apology and doesn’t feel the 16-year-old is being sincere. They responded to Cyrus' blog by saying, "We do not feel this is an adequate response or apology to our statement, and we are disappointed that she does not understand that what she perceived as a 'goofy face' has never been used as a term of endearment for Asian Pacific Americans. It is not a gesture someone who is looked up to as a role model should use."
I have to say I completely disagree with the OCA, and I think they need to give Cyrus a break. The photo is harmless, and they are making something out of nothing. I really don’t think Cyrus would be making fun of the Asian community with an Asian friend right next to her!
I feel the media loves to over-analyze every move a celebrity makes. Now, I know that once you become a celebrity you have to get used to the media attacking you, but this is a bit much. I think the media is looking for a new girl to wear the “Bad Girl” title and Cyrus just happens be to the most vulnerable female celebrity out there right now. I believe they are taking advantage of her age and innocence by trying to make her feel guilty for something that isn’t that big of a deal. The media is just looking for someone to bully and target. It’s not fair that they chose a 16-year-old girl.
If we can be forgiving and understanding to Britney Spears with every crazy and erratic thing she has done then we can give Cyrus the benefit of the doubt and just move on!
Cyrus has honored their request for an apology and has issued one on her mileysworld.com blog.
"I've also been told there are some people upset about some pictures taken of me with friends making goofy faces! Well, I'm sorry if those people looked at those pics and took them wrong and out of context!" Cyrus added, "In NO way was I making fun of any ethnicity!"
The OCA was unimpressed with the apology and doesn’t feel the 16-year-old is being sincere. They responded to Cyrus' blog by saying, "We do not feel this is an adequate response or apology to our statement, and we are disappointed that she does not understand that what she perceived as a 'goofy face' has never been used as a term of endearment for Asian Pacific Americans. It is not a gesture someone who is looked up to as a role model should use."
I have to say I completely disagree with the OCA, and I think they need to give Cyrus a break. The photo is harmless, and they are making something out of nothing. I really don’t think Cyrus would be making fun of the Asian community with an Asian friend right next to her!
I feel the media loves to over-analyze every move a celebrity makes. Now, I know that once you become a celebrity you have to get used to the media attacking you, but this is a bit much. I think the media is looking for a new girl to wear the “Bad Girl” title and Cyrus just happens be to the most vulnerable female celebrity out there right now. I believe they are taking advantage of her age and innocence by trying to make her feel guilty for something that isn’t that big of a deal. The media is just looking for someone to bully and target. It’s not fair that they chose a 16-year-old girl.
If we can be forgiving and understanding to Britney Spears with every crazy and erratic thing she has done then we can give Cyrus the benefit of the doubt and just move on!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Joey Brownlee - Still a damn Yankee?
So Jason Giambi is back to where it all began. Whoop-Dee-F* %&#^}’-Do.
Yeah, he makes Oakland a better team. Getting away from Yankee Stadium’s cavernous dimensions will improve his stats and he’ll go back to using left field. Most importantly, however: NO MORE JACK CUST HITTING THIRD OR CLEAN-UP.
Giambi, along with Matt Holliday’s addition, brings instant credibility to the 2009 Athletics. Pitchers had no trouble zipping through Oakland lack-luster offense over the past two years, but it’ll be different in 09. Assuming Eric Chavez is healthy [all signs indicate yes, but I’ll believe when I see it], the Athletics will be respectable again.
It’s anomalous to have a potential 30+ homer bat slugging sixth considering that 50 percent of ML teams didn’t register one player with 30 bombs. Oakland is fortunate to boast four potential home run hitters adding merit to their high expectations in 2009.
Cust moving lower in the order makes his high strikeout rate palatable. He doesn’t make enough contact in RBI situations, therefore his value wasn’t maximized.
Back to Benedict Giambi; how can any TRUE A’s fan cheer for this guy? Have you already forgotten the lie?
After clinching the AL West in 2000, Giambi bellowed to a raucous coliseum crowed, “I want to stay here (with the A’s) forever!”
A year later he bolted to New York for Steinbrenner’s money. And it’s not like he wasn’t offered a lucrative contract to stay here either.
He was guaranteed 91 million over six years. Instead he took 120 million over seven [a difference of 1.97 million annually].
To top it all off, he went on Letterman and slapped our city in the face. “Have you ever been to Oakland?” Think about that for a moment.
That’s what our leader, my idol, said. I was fine with his leaving to fulfill his desideratum for being a Yankee. Fine and dandy; but to disrespect the fans and organization that help facilitate that aspiration, I cannot ignore.
Moreover, in his press conference upon his return, he issued no apology. He basically used it as another platform to accentuate his time with New York.
"When you're with the Yankees, you're like a traveling rock band,” Giambi, 38, said. “I played with basically 25 superstars in New York every day. They're incredible guys and we had the time of our life."
Sounds like a guy who still wants to be a damn Yankee. So, Giambi, I ask you: Are you still in New York?
Yeah, he makes Oakland a better team. Getting away from Yankee Stadium’s cavernous dimensions will improve his stats and he’ll go back to using left field. Most importantly, however: NO MORE JACK CUST HITTING THIRD OR CLEAN-UP.
Giambi, along with Matt Holliday’s addition, brings instant credibility to the 2009 Athletics. Pitchers had no trouble zipping through Oakland lack-luster offense over the past two years, but it’ll be different in 09. Assuming Eric Chavez is healthy [all signs indicate yes, but I’ll believe when I see it], the Athletics will be respectable again.
It’s anomalous to have a potential 30+ homer bat slugging sixth considering that 50 percent of ML teams didn’t register one player with 30 bombs. Oakland is fortunate to boast four potential home run hitters adding merit to their high expectations in 2009.
Cust moving lower in the order makes his high strikeout rate palatable. He doesn’t make enough contact in RBI situations, therefore his value wasn’t maximized.
Back to Benedict Giambi; how can any TRUE A’s fan cheer for this guy? Have you already forgotten the lie?
After clinching the AL West in 2000, Giambi bellowed to a raucous coliseum crowed, “I want to stay here (with the A’s) forever!”
A year later he bolted to New York for Steinbrenner’s money. And it’s not like he wasn’t offered a lucrative contract to stay here either.
He was guaranteed 91 million over six years. Instead he took 120 million over seven [a difference of 1.97 million annually].
To top it all off, he went on Letterman and slapped our city in the face. “Have you ever been to Oakland?” Think about that for a moment.
That’s what our leader, my idol, said. I was fine with his leaving to fulfill his desideratum for being a Yankee. Fine and dandy; but to disrespect the fans and organization that help facilitate that aspiration, I cannot ignore.
Moreover, in his press conference upon his return, he issued no apology. He basically used it as another platform to accentuate his time with New York.
"When you're with the Yankees, you're like a traveling rock band,” Giambi, 38, said. “I played with basically 25 superstars in New York every day. They're incredible guys and we had the time of our life."
Sounds like a guy who still wants to be a damn Yankee. So, Giambi, I ask you: Are you still in New York?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Chris Stott - Battle of the Bands recap
Local music was alive and well when earlier this month when the Hayward Battle of the Bands once again took over the Chabot Theater. The battle, sponsored by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (H.A.R.D.), is the longest continuously running battle of the bands in the country, at 46 years. Bands ranged in style from the pop-punk that you’d expect from bands whose members are in high school, to the reggae-rock stylings of Braata, to an odd combination of metal, funk-rock, and blues courtesy of Solcraft.
Two bands were particularly memorable, and are still worth mentioning now, two weeks after the battle took place. One was The Dialed, four teenage boys from San Lorenzo, who play pop-punk in the vein of Blink 182. Showing off both their musical and performance skills, they had plenty of fun without overdoing their onstage antics, a problem which set back many other bands’ performances. This earned them the loud cheers of the audience, as well as the attention of the judges, who awarded The Dialed with the first place prize.
The other noteworthy band was Prove It, who were undoubtedly audience favorites before the curtain even rose and they began to play. The cheering began when master of ceremonies Mick Flaire announced that all three members of the band were 10 years old, and became loud “aww”s when the curtain rose on the boys whose instruments were almost as big as they were. The band, which received 13th place in the preliminary round, wasn’t even going to play until one of the other bands dropped out due to illness. Even though this meant they wouldn’t be able to compete for a place, brothers Ian and Graham, and drummer Jack did their very best, playing two original songs and a Beatles cover, and earned themselves an Honorable Mention “Flairey” Award.
Two bands were particularly memorable, and are still worth mentioning now, two weeks after the battle took place. One was The Dialed, four teenage boys from San Lorenzo, who play pop-punk in the vein of Blink 182. Showing off both their musical and performance skills, they had plenty of fun without overdoing their onstage antics, a problem which set back many other bands’ performances. This earned them the loud cheers of the audience, as well as the attention of the judges, who awarded The Dialed with the first place prize.
The other noteworthy band was Prove It, who were undoubtedly audience favorites before the curtain even rose and they began to play. The cheering began when master of ceremonies Mick Flaire announced that all three members of the band were 10 years old, and became loud “aww”s when the curtain rose on the boys whose instruments were almost as big as they were. The band, which received 13th place in the preliminary round, wasn’t even going to play until one of the other bands dropped out due to illness. Even though this meant they wouldn’t be able to compete for a place, brothers Ian and Graham, and drummer Jack did their very best, playing two original songs and a Beatles cover, and earned themselves an Honorable Mention “Flairey” Award.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Jenny Montes - Don't hate on V-Day
It's a holiday invented by candy companies. It's a holiday invented by greeting card companies. I don't need a holiday to tell my significant other that I love him. It just punishes single people. These are the excuses that we all hear every year in February to avoid Valentine's Day. Some of them may be true, but so what?
Today the U.S. Is involved in two wars and a financial crisis of the likes which few of us have seen. Every time one turns on the news there are reports of abuse, homicide and impending economic disaster. Perhaps an official day dedicated to love is exactly what we need right now.
With all the negativity that seems to surround us each moment, it can be easy to forget or take for granted those that we love or that love us. Looking at the calendar and seeing Feb. 14 marked as Valentine's Day is a simple reminder to let our affections be known, be them romantic, platonic, or familial.
Some may argue that we should be expressing our love for the people in our lives regularly and not just on a specific day. While this is absolutely true, the staggering statistics on the divorce rate and teen suicide in this country reflect that this is not being done.
Our country has many holidays that we have decided are worth celebrating, even though they are based on principles we claim to be important and should be celebrating year-round. For example, Christians have set aside Dec. 25 as a day to celebrate Jesus' birth. But how many of them have nativity scenes around in June? The U.S. was founded on the ideas of freedom and liberty, ideas that are so innately important to our country that July 4 was set aside to commemorate them. But how many Americans are wearing red, white and blue and listening to a John Philip Sousa march on July 6? Few people complain about there being a day set aside to honor mothers and fathers.
If we can have specific days of the year set aside to celebrate things that are important, why can love not be one of them?
So next year go out, get some chocolate and a card for your loved one - boyfriend, girlfriend, mother, grandfather, best friend - and let them know that you care. You will be glad you did.
Today the U.S. Is involved in two wars and a financial crisis of the likes which few of us have seen. Every time one turns on the news there are reports of abuse, homicide and impending economic disaster. Perhaps an official day dedicated to love is exactly what we need right now.
With all the negativity that seems to surround us each moment, it can be easy to forget or take for granted those that we love or that love us. Looking at the calendar and seeing Feb. 14 marked as Valentine's Day is a simple reminder to let our affections be known, be them romantic, platonic, or familial.
Some may argue that we should be expressing our love for the people in our lives regularly and not just on a specific day. While this is absolutely true, the staggering statistics on the divorce rate and teen suicide in this country reflect that this is not being done.
Our country has many holidays that we have decided are worth celebrating, even though they are based on principles we claim to be important and should be celebrating year-round. For example, Christians have set aside Dec. 25 as a day to celebrate Jesus' birth. But how many of them have nativity scenes around in June? The U.S. was founded on the ideas of freedom and liberty, ideas that are so innately important to our country that July 4 was set aside to commemorate them. But how many Americans are wearing red, white and blue and listening to a John Philip Sousa march on July 6? Few people complain about there being a day set aside to honor mothers and fathers.
If we can have specific days of the year set aside to celebrate things that are important, why can love not be one of them?
So next year go out, get some chocolate and a card for your loved one - boyfriend, girlfriend, mother, grandfather, best friend - and let them know that you care. You will be glad you did.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Ricky Clark - Basketball v. Cabrillo
The men's basketball team defeated Cabrillo 73-68 last night to boost the team's record to 9-5. This weekend the Gladiators will have a tournament Dec. 19-21.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Spectator - Triumph!! Over KCRH
Photography by Sean Jones
In the most epic of battles the Spectator prevailed gloriously over Chabot radio station KCRH 30-28. To get the game rolling, the Spectator ran through a sign to get pumped up.
Despite the intense action, both sides were able to unite at the end in celebration for the Mass Çommunications field.
In the most epic of battles the Spectator prevailed gloriously over Chabot radio station KCRH 30-28. To get the game rolling, the Spectator ran through a sign to get pumped up.
Despite the intense action, both sides were able to unite at the end in celebration for the Mass Çommunications field.
Ricky Clark - Laney v. CH football
Photography by Sean Jones
In Chabot football's rivalry game and season finale vs the Laney Eagles, the team was brutalized 32-0.
The defense was outgunned and the offense never got going for Chabot. 
Brandon Williams was a lone bright spot for the team with 102 yards on 17 carries. Chabot finishes the season 5-5, 2-2 without a bowl birth.
In Chabot football's rivalry game and season finale vs the Laney Eagles, the team was brutalized 32-0.
The defense was outgunned and the offense never got going for Chabot. Brandon Williams was a lone bright spot for the team with 102 yards on 17 carries. Chabot finishes the season 5-5, 2-2 without a bowl birth.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ricky Clark - Men's soccer a nail in the coffin
Not quite the ending the men’s soccer team would have wanted, with a season finale loss to Foothill College 2-1. The Gladiators went down the stretch without winning a single
match since Oct. 21 against Mission College (five losses, two ties). Coach Markus Bathelt explains the string of bad luck has been due to inconsistencies.
“We do good against good teams, but we lose focus in games we should have won,” said Bathelt. Against Foothill the Gladiators were outplayed and mounted little offensive pressure. The lone goal came from forward Pablo Moreno in the first half to tie the game 1-1. Moreno booted the ball approximately 20 yards for a score that sailed past the Foothill goalkeeper’s head.
Moreno was often in the mix throughout the game, in the second half he leaped in the air to head-butt the ball, but clashed heads with a Foothill player. Moreno later re-entered the game, and over kicked the ball past the net after getting a break away.
The Gladiators finish their disappointing season at 7-9-3 and out of playoff contention.
match since Oct. 21 against Mission College (five losses, two ties). Coach Markus Bathelt explains the string of bad luck has been due to inconsistencies.
“We do good against good teams, but we lose focus in games we should have won,” said Bathelt. Against Foothill the Gladiators were outplayed and mounted little offensive pressure. The lone goal came from forward Pablo Moreno in the first half to tie the game 1-1. Moreno booted the ball approximately 20 yards for a score that sailed past the Foothill goalkeeper’s head.
Moreno was often in the mix throughout the game, in the second half he leaped in the air to head-butt the ball, but clashed heads with a Foothill player. Moreno later re-entered the game, and over kicked the ball past the net after getting a break away.
The Gladiators finish their disappointing season at 7-9-3 and out of playoff contention.
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