Volume CXV1, edition 2 Since 1949 September 17. 2008

by Jeannie Batey

Rampage Reporter

Cynthia Manuszak is a freelance photographer here in Fresno and a graduate of Fresno City College. She started taking classes here in 1989, despite be-ing a single mom at the time and a high school drop-out.

She finished her GED in Las Vegas and when she moved here she had to get the rest of her education.

Manuszak said, “I decided back then that I really wanted to learn. Even though I was messed up in my youth, I had to get it done.” Manuszak graduated with two associate degrees, one in child development and another in drug and alcohol counseling.

She said it was a hard road to raise a child and take classes at the same time, but taking art helped her balance.

“I got really interested in art when I went to FCC. I took ceramics and my teacher at the time was a major role in my view of art,” said Manuszak.

She uses her art to put a twist on things such as drug ad-diction and homelessness. She has really put her photography on the map by capturing the image of breast cancer.

She has established two events, The Pink Show, and The Crystal Show, which both have stories behind them.The story be-hind the first event began in 2006, when Manuszak photographed her next-door neighbor Mary Lozano. At the time Lozano lost all her hair because of her chemo-therapy treatment and Manuszak thought that it would make a very interesting photograph.

Living next door to Lozano opened Manuszak’s eyes to the world of breast cancer. She said,

“I really felt bad to see her suffering the way that she was, because I saw her a lot and we lived next door to each other.”

She thought the photo-graph of Lozano and her husband was so beautiful that she asked to enter the shots in a competition at the Fresno Fair.

She found out later that the photo was taken out of the compe-tition, because it was a very sexual picture of a gay couple.

“I was really mortified by

Yesterday marked Fresno City College’s celebration of Mexcon’s 198th Independence anniversary.

After taking place in the Free Speech area, the festivities kicked off with s special perfor-mance by Mariachi De La Sierra.

At approximately noon, members of the FCC Grupo Folk-lorico took the stage and danced their routines for the hundreds of students watching from a dis-tance.

The fun continued as a stu-dent club salsa contest took place and showcased students and their artistic dancing skills.

The Chamba Marimba Band entertained the crowds afterwards. Keeping the crowd on their toes was not an obstacle for this group of talented students.

Over the last week there have b een countless celebra-

IndependenceFresno City College, Valley Celebrate Mexican

by Joseph Boone & Ivette Lopez

Rampage Reporter

Former student finds art in unexpected places

See ‘Think pink’ page 4

Also Inside

September 16 commemorates the begin-ning of Mexico’s revolt against the occu-pying Spanish government in 1810. Over the last few days, Valley residents have taken part in the celebration

tions in commemoration of a very special day in Mexican culture. September 16 was Mexican Inde-pendence Day.

Last weekend there was a celebration at the Fulton mall. Crowds of people arrived for the great food, hand-made goods and live music. According to a worker at the Univision booth, about 100,000 people attend the event each year.

Bands like Los Angeles Negros and Banda Machos played on one of the two stages for the event’s entirety. Mexican flags and vibrantly colored vendors decorated the scene.

The historical significance of Mexican Independence Day is

From Left: Quetzal U.

Andrade, Kyle Bowman,

Carlos Rodriguez, and Quetzal

E. Andrade of “Chamba

Marimba Band” perform in

the Free Speech area at FCC

on Sept 16.

Photos by Jopseph Rios

Living in two worlds:A story of a hyphenated existence

“A la tierra que fueres, haced lo que vieres.”

Growing up, this phrase was one that I learned to abide to. “To the places you go, do as you see,” was key to the adaptation of this daughter of two Mexican im-migrants into a society filled with American values.

As a young girl, I remember waking up to ‘merengue’ music each morning, my mother making coffee and eating ‘pan dulce’ while my father picked out his suit for the day and I frantically finished that

last math problem before head-ing out to school. From there, we would drive blasting the music to the tunes of the latest Span-ish song on the radio and have karaoke sessions and long talks with my mother as she gave me her ‘bendicion’ or blessing before shutting the car door behind me. Little did she know that by shut-ting that door, I was leaving one world and entering a new one.

Being a Mexican-Ameri-can in the States is definitely a

By Ivette Lopez

See ‘worlds collide’ page 3See ‘City-wide’ page 3

Bioshock Review, page 8 ‘Burn’ Review, page 7Transfer Center, Page 5 The debate, page 10

September 17, 20082 Rampage

J e a n n i e B a t e y, Ivette Lopez, Joseph B o o n e , D e s h a d Cato, John Esquivel, Kristen Petros, Dylan Armitag, Melissa Ramirez, Danali Alvarado, Andre Ramirez, Stephen F l o r e s , A a r o n S a n c h e z , P e d r o Quintana, Alexis Abrahamson, Amalia Deel, Rosa Gonzalez, Brendon Mustaciola, Ramiro Gudino, Sebouh Simonian, Chris Alaniz, Tim Limbrick, Shirley Nakagawa, David Malagon, Patrick

Willey

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The Rampage is an award-winning newspaper published biweekly by the Fresno City College Journalism 4 & 5 programs and is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Views expressed in The Rampage are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Fresno City College, its

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Student Services Building at Fresno City College. If you can prove

you were in the Student Services Building on or about the day the

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News Rampage 3September 17, 2008

City-wide festivitiesContinued from page 1

to celebrate the epic struggle by oppressed, impoverished Mexican natives for independence from Spanish rule.

Europeans did not interfere in South American affairs until 1521, when Hernán Cortés and his 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico. Cortés persuaded indig-enous groups, tired of Aztec rule, to assist him in overthrowing the Aztecs. He then proceeded to earn his infamous title of ‘Cortés the Killer.’ The Aztec empire fell to Spanish rule shortly afterwards.

Immediately following its inception, the Spanish colonial government imposed an extremely oppressive class-based society upon its citizens that fomented dis-content leading to the revolution.

Spanish immigrants were known as Peninsulares and enjoyed the most from colonial society. Criollos were individuals born in Mexico of Spanish decent and although they were among the privileged portion of society, they benefited significantly less than Peninsulares.

At the bottom class tier were natives, slaves, and those of mixed European and native decent referred to as mestizos. These were the serfs and working poor of Span-ish colonial society.

The Mexican revolution did not begin until 1810, after centuries of colonial discontent.

Father Miguel Hidalgo y

Costilla played a critical role in

leading the revolution. Hidalgo

was a Criollo priest with a unique

passion for his primarily Indian

congregation.

According to www.tamu.edu, Hidalgo, like most revolution-minded Mexicans of the time, took special note of Napoleon’s suc-cessful invasion of Spain and sub-sequent crowning of his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as ruler.

Without a ‘legitimate’ co-lonial power to answer to, talk of independence became more wide-spread, including a plan to invite the exiled Spanish king to be ruler of an independent Mexico.

But Hidalgo was the sole organizer to successfully involve the lower-class masses in a revolt. At his small church in Dolores on the morning of September 10, 1810, Hidalgo rang the bells and delivered his famous ‘Grito de Do-lores’ speech, or Cry of Delores.

Soon after, hundreds of im-poverished citizens rallied behind Hidalgo and the long hard road to independence begun.

“With little organization and no training, essentially a mob of thousands of primarily Indi-ans and mestizos overwhelmed royal forces in Guanajuato,” stated www.tamu.edu.

According to www.mex-online.com, “Eleven years of war, decades of despotic Mexican rul-ers and political unrest proceeded Hidalgo’s cry of Dolores. Yet throughout the years of turmoil, El Grito de Dolores, ‘Mexicanos, viva Mexico,’ has persevered. Ev-ery year at midnight on September 15, Mexicans led by the president of Mexico shout the Grito, hon-oring the crucial and impulsive action that was the catalyst for the country’s bloody struggle for independence from Spain.”

CORRECTION: War HeroIn the September 3, 2008 issue of the Rampage, State Center Community College District police officer, Estevan Moreno, was incorrectly referred to as Ernesto Moreno. We apologize to our readers and to Mr. Moreno for the mistake.

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challenge. Coming from a strict Spanish speaking community, I wasn’t taught how to speak, read or write in English.

I remember my early grade school years taught in Spanish, and it wasn’t until the fourth or fifth grade that I studied tediously to learn and master the English language.

Although my parents speak both languages, they instilled in me values that they received growing up, and language was no exception. In my family, speak-ing English at home was frowned upon.

To this day I can still see my father’s furious face every time I would slip out with English at the dinner table. “No hablo Ingles,” “I don’t speak English,” he would say. The major identity crisis that I underwent growing up was prob-ably the most stressful part of the situation as a whole.

I was torn between the ‘tor-tillas’ or white bread, beans or po-tatoes, ‘Abuelitas’ hot chocolate or Starbucks, but most of all, having to decide whether I was Mexican or American.

At school I was always the

“Mexican” that talked about going to the quinceañeras and birthdays with piñatas, but at home I was known as some would say, “white-washed,” as I walked around in my American Eagle sweatshirts complete with my version of the English tongue.

I remember feeling left out when I spoke about the latest Span-ish songs, or about the previous night’s ‘novela’ with my friends. Even the food we ate was seen as weird. To my friends, eating cow intestines in a taco was the most disgusting thing ever, while to me it was just another Friday night dinner.

There were times when I would lean towards one nationality ovet the other. The endless times I drove around with my friends and not knowing the classic song that was playing on their stereo, I longed to have that American pop-culture knowledge and be able to just sing along like they did. I remember feeling awkward and thinking how different I was from the rest of my friends although ulti-mately, we were all American.

However, when I would take that long drive and arrive back home, I would be welcomed to the soothing sounds of my dad playing his guitar, my mother in the kitchen filling the entire house with the sweet scents of “canela” tea and leaving me with a great sense of pride to roots I wished I was more in touch with.

For a long time, living

between two worlds was toler-able just as long as the two didn’t collide. Having to switch off from Spanish to English when I had friends over at the house was somewhat confusing when both the parents and friends from school talked at once.

It was at my house where my friends tasted “jarritos” or “gansitos” for the first time; just as it was the first time my parents at-tended a recital when I performed at school. When the two worlds finally collided, there was a sort of awakening. Although my parents were extremely Mexican, there was still a balance. I learned that even they had learned to adapt in a foreign land, but yet kept their own customs and traditions near.

In my household we lis-tened to both Andrea Bocelli and Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Although we did love our home-made “mole” and “menudo,” there were times that we enjoyed Italian delicacies such as fettuc-cini alfredo or even a good steak. I began to understand that it was perfectly fine to love tacos and burgers, love Juanes and The Beatles, love my mother’s homemade “caldo de pollo” and Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, and thus love being Mexican and American. I realized that my iden-tity was more than just one of the two, but more of a mixture and combination of both. I learned to take both cultures by the reigns and create my own identity and make

the best of my situation. I found my identity.

Most importantly I adapted to the place where I lived simply by watching those around me and staying true to my own roots, always.

When both worlds collide..Continued from page 1

every time a word of English would slip out at the dinner table.

father’s furious faceTo this day I can still see my

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No props, no sets, only two actors sitting on two metal fold-up chairs illuminated by eight stage lights while an edgy audience of one sits on a squeaky chair in the middle of the theatre and judges their chemistry.

In the hallway a dozen hopeful thespians practice posh British accents as the photo remnants of thirty years worth of drama stares down their back while a stage manager hands out twenty-two scenes from manila envelopes.

This is the sight of the callback for the upcoming Fresno City College rendition of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

After two days of audi-tions, dozens of contending actors tested for a part in the upcoming play by giving a two minute monologue.

Actors paced back and forth, rehearsing silently to them-selves in hopes of being asked to a call back.

“The idea of a callback is to see the chemistry between the different actors,” explained direc-tor Janine Christyl.

Deep into the night, after a four-hour long callback session, the cast was cut down to less than a dozen performers. Many of the competing actors were gathered together in the theater when Christyl finally gave the announcement.

Stage Manager Katie Si-monsen, a sophomore, has su-pervised shows all over Fresno. Her adaptation of Small World took first place in the 2007 High School Drama Festival.

“Janine is a great and fluid

By Brendon Mustaciola

Rampage Reporter

Callbacks for ‘Earnest’ keep

actors anxious

Actors rehearse lines outside audition room photo by Brendon Mustaciola

director; she’s always up for any-thing and anyone’s ideas. She’s a bit stressed right now because of the nature of the callbacks,” Simonsen explains.

“This is hard to do,” Chri-styl consoled to the crowd of hopefuls, “Because many of you are right for the parts.”

As each success is named, another failure is implied; in this performance there is no part splitting and understudies are not optioned.

On August 24 the cast had its first rehearsal. They gathered together and did a read-through in order to break the ice. Chris-

tyl had the cast watch tapes on Victorian England to familiar-ize them with the upper class vernacular, accents and body language.

The following Wednesday the cast gathered together to have their first proper rehearsal.

Script in hand, they run through scenes trying to pin down their blocking. Because it is a play, the dialogue cannot be changed but the interpretation is up for grabs.

With an October 10 open-ing, the cast and crew are on a tight schedule.

‘Think Pink’continued from page 1

“Sisterhood of the Pink Parasols”painting by Bebe Long

that statement because there was nothing sexual about the photo, she lost her hair and to be accused of being a man during such a horrible time in your life is pretty sad. And even if it was a gay couple there was absolutely nothing wrong with the photograph; they should not have taken the photo out.”

The photo was later put back in the competition and it won sec-ond place, Manuszak discussed the controversy over the picture with Lozano, who in turn brought up the idea for an art show. They decided to make plans for it to be next year because breast cancer month was within a few weeks.Manuszak agreed to the idea until her thoughts became restless. She said,

“I woke up in the middle of the night with an epiphany and I said I can’t fight this off. I need to do this right away, I’m going to call it the Pink Show.”

The second of Manuszak’s events is called The Crystal Show, which turns the harms of drug

abuse, and crystal meth addictions into expression and art.

“The Crys-tal Show came about because my husband is a drug addict in prison. He has a problem with meth, and it’s really destroyed his life.”

The Crys-tal Show is sched-uled for October 17, 5-9 p.m. in the Banker’s Ballroom at Fresno Pacific Towers downtown located at 1060 Fulton Mall.

The event

will have appear-ances by Chief of

Police Jerry Dyer, Sheriff Margaret Mims, John Tull with the Fresno Falcons, and Mayoral candidates Henry Perea and Ashley Swearen-gin.

The Pink Show will be on Saturday, September 20, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bentley’s Bistro. The eve-ning will include original artwork by local artists, an art auction, music and food.

Guest speakers include Sheriff Margaret Mims, Stefani Booroojian and Fresno Bee re-porter Tracy Correa.

Manuszak looks at her hardships from the past as a way to move ahead.

“I want to bring out a dif-ferent side of a painful addiction or a disease through art. I feel like I went through a lot of things in my younger years but I feel really good about where I’m at right now, and I want to help other people. I want to try to make a difference so people will not take the same route, and if they do, there is hope, there is always hope.”

Rampage 5

by Ramiro Gudino

Rampage Reporter

September 17, 2008 News

September 24th - 28th

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The Transfer center is imbedded in the counseling office, nearly hidden by a wall covered with flyers about schools compet-ing for FCC student’s attention. Counselor Leticia Canales, the Transfer Center Coordinator, helps students “transfer smoothly in a timely manner” by reviewing their goals, providing them with information about the various campuses, the majors those cam-puses offer, and helping them with designing an academic plan.

Canales stresses the im-portance of student’s initiative. “Are you patient enough to do the research? You’re only gonna get one shot at your education.”

They have 2 computers

Transfer center guides students to higher education

Transfer center coordinator Leticia Canales and intern Maria Ramirez help student Ying Hu

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

available for student use. Stu-dents can search through majors, research schools, and learn to use Asssist.org. The website is a da-tabase listing the various schools and majors. Students can use it to discover what courses offered at FCC count towards their major at the university level.

Canales stated that “your major is important—you can’t transfer as ‘undecided’.” Once you select your major you need to

research the schools offer your ma-jor. Different schools have vary-ing emphasis on the same majors meaning course requirements vary from campus to campus.

Her advice is that once you narrow your options to schedule a tour of the campus. Schools post information on their websites to make arrangements. Meet with whoever heads your major’s de-partment and do some research on your major at that school. Also, consider your living arrangements. Will you be living with your fam-ily, in an apartment, or the dorms? Take a day to explore the city. Find out what its like. Finally, ask your-self “can I make it here?”

For students interested in staying closer to FCC; Fresno State, UC Merced, and Fresno Pacific send representatives regu-larly to speak with students about transferring to their respective schools.

Some schools offer Trans-fer Admission Guarantees (TAG) which purpose is to ease the transi-tion between FCC and the college a student will transfer to. Canales says that “99% of FCC students going to a UC have a TAG.” Though the TAG reserves space for FCC students, securing a TAG for some schools/majors can be competitive. “Its not just academ-ics,” Canales points out. “UCs are looking for ‘well rounded’ ap-plicants. What is your major and how does this reflect who you are? Are you working that field?” She urges students to check out that the volunteer fair every semester for great opportunities to gain experi-ence relevant to their studies.

Students can find more information blackboard site. On the main page, before signing in, simple search under the “My Organizations” heading for “FCC

“You’re only gon-na get one shot at your education.”

Leticia Canales

Transfer Center.” Almost all the information a student needs is posted there. For students who want to review the information in person, an appointment is required. Transfer workshops to designed to walk students through the applica-tion process are scheduled at vari-ous times during the semester.

With the economy the way it is, many college students are wondering what majors offer the highest salaries. Unfortunately, what students major in is starting to depend on what offers the most money, rather than what they want to do.

Fresno City College only offers AA (Associate in Arts) and AS (Associate in Science) degrees, which are two year de-grees. Students at FCC are offered most classes that are necessary to transfer to a four year college and get a Bachelor in Arts, Bachelor in Science, Masters Degrees, or doctorate degrees. Some of the highest paying majors, such as ac-counting, business administration, and marketing, can be completed solely at FCC, without having to transfer to a four year university.

Dylan Armitage, a fresh-man at FCC, has declared a biol-ogy major, which falls under the liberal arts category. “I picked Biology because my heart surgery piqued my interest in it, and I’ve always been a huge fan of the sciences.” Says Armitage, who plans to later go into medicine and

Top majors at FCC

by Kristen Petros

Rampage Reporter

become a surgeon. According to the State

Center Community College Fact Book and database, 22% of stu-dents enrolled in FCC in the spring of 2007 planned on acquiring their AA/AS from FCC, and then try-ing for their BA/BS at a four year college, which was 6% less than the semester prior. 6% of enrolled students planned on only getting their AA/AS.

The highest paying ma-jors are also majors that are being hired for entry level positions, according to Collegegrad.com. A complete list of Top Entry Level Majors is available at: www.col-legegrad.com/topemployers/ma-jors.shtml, Top 10 most profitable college majors and the average starting salary are shown in the text box below.

The NACE survey polled 83 private and state colleges na-tionwide. Some interesting facts:

• While computer science grads have had ever increasing salary offers, that streak ended this year with offers that were 2 percent less than a year ago.

• Accounting and eco-nomics experienced the greatest growth, rising 11 percent from a year ago.

1. Chemical engineering, $55,900

2. Electrical engineering, $52,899

3. Mechanical engineering, $50,672

4. Computer science , $50,046

5. Accounting, $45,723

6. Economics/Finance, $45,191

7. Civil engineering, $44,999

8. Business adminisration, $38,850

9. Marketing, $36,260

10. Liberal arts majors, $30,828

Top Majors

September 17, 20086 Rampage News

Do you ever go driving around looking for somewhere to eat and you can’t decide where to go but you come along a nice place off a main street? Maybe even though you’ve never heard of it, you decide to try it because it is something new. Nothing could better describe an awesome lunchtime meal than at the small business deli named Geno’s. The store has been open for 29 years starting initially with Bill and his wife and the past four years Bill has been the sole owner.

Geno’s Sandwiches and Salad deli is only open for four hours a day, six days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is surprising to know that they are able to stay open the way the economy has been.

As I talked to the owner Bill, he stated that they weren’t always open for only four hours a day, but af ter the years of hard work they made enough to only need to be open for the lunchtime hours because that’s when the ma-jority of their business comes.

They have been able to stay open for those specified hours for 13 years and have managed fairly well so far. This reporter person-ally enjoyed the lunch there and at times, there’s a line out the door which maintains for a good amount of time.

It justifies that they are busy, but not too busy to take orders, and there is hardly a wait at all. They are efficient and taste-ful when it comes to sandwich making skills. Customers will get their order within the time you fill your drink and find a seat, and it’s made fresh!

As I spoke with Bill he stated, “I’m in here early setting things up, getting ready for the day, so you as a customer don’t have to pay extra for someone else to be there doing it like any other sandwich shop would . They have to be open for a longer day for workers to get their hours in,” Bill said.

He also says that his store is at a good location and can be easily reached from the freeway. One can be at his shop from down-town in five minutes. Location is key for a store’s success and Geno’s has that pinpointed fairly well being off the northwest corner of Ashlan and Blackstone and next to a 7-Eleven. He said the sluggish economy has affected business and it is down 5-12% on a monthly basis from about a year ago.

In 2004, Fresno Magazine had voted Geno’s the best sand-wich shop in Fresno. It has also made the top three in The Fresno Bee’s People’s Choice Awards where readers vote on the best sandwich.

Geno’s is a good family-owned shop that gives consistent part time jobs to students and fills the hungry. If you get an extra break in between classes or after class, check it out for yourself.

By Stephen Flores

Rampage Reporter

Geno’s serves

up scrumptious

sandwiches

The coming of fall in the Central Valley can mean many things: change in weather, start of a new school year, and even a change in wardrobe. But to people of all ages from all over the Valley, it also means the fair is right around the corner. Every year, thousands come out to see what is new and enjoy old favor-ites. From the cinnamon rolls to the fair rides, people are out to have a good time.

On October 1, Fresno will welcome its two-week celebration known as The Big Fresno Fair. For over 120 years, the valley has celebrated local agriculture and arts.

Though the fair has been going on for years, many feel that it begins to lose its appeal as they get older. The fair committee is out to change that.

“The Big Fresno Fair is proud to have something for ev-eryone!” said Danielle Debouef of the fair’s communications department. “There are so many activities that appeal to the demo-graphic; it just depends on their individual interests.”

The Paul Paul Theatre attracts many every year for its nightly concerts. For a fee small-er than those found at Selland Arena or Savemart Center, fans can get great seats to an outdoor concert of their favorite band.

This year, Chicago will kick off the festival on October 1. Other acts include Pepper, Smokey Rob-inson, Sean Kingston, and Camp Rock star Demi Lovato.

The Livestock Pavilion attracts people of all ages, particu-larly students. This year, the fair is changing the Birthing Center to the Crystal Ag Ventureland Exhibit. While still featuring baby animals, the exhibit aims to educate fair goers on the significance of our water resources.

The Mill Creek pond will feature live fish, turtles, and tad-poles. The exhibit will also fea-ture a section called the Creature Cave, a walk-through area that will show off amphibians native to the area and aim at educating people on the importance they have in California.

The Fine Arts and Photog-raphy building has always been a major draw to the fair. Some Fresno City College Students will have some of their most prized photographs up on display.

Every year, amateur pho-tographers enter their work to share with all who attend and to win cash prizes. Other art medians are judged such as sculptures and paintings.

This year, the fair will now show a street art exhibit featuring local spray-paint graffiti artists. This will add a new spin on judg-ing art and what students will expect to see at the fair.

In the past, the fair has featured “Knock Out Nights” on the Pavilion. This year, the fair will feature a “Tap Out Mixed Martial Arts” competition on the first Sunday of the fair and Lucha Libre Wrestling on the last Sunday. Both of these new events are free to those with paid admission.

The fair is also known for its educational exhibits. This year the fair will introduce Dairyville USA. This exhibit aims to teach the citizens of Fresno everything there is about dairy. Check out the milk bottle fountain while you are there.

Coinciding with this exhibit will be the Land O’ Lakes Butter Laser Shooting Gallery. You read it right, folks: a LASER shooting gallery based on the popular brand of butter.

This is truly another feature that makes the Big Fresno Fair so unique.

Locally, we have seen ef-forts striving towards green living. The Fresno Fair is hoping to join in on the efforts. On October 13, the fair will hold its first annual “Clean & Green Day.”

The day will feature every-thing you would expect: entertain-ing exhibits aimed at educating all on green living. However, many will also be happy to learn that this day will also save you some “green.” The day will feature 2-for-1 discounts in celebration of conserving.

Along with all of the new exhibits, the fair hopes to give a history lesson. Donations are currently being accepted for a new Fair museum that will debut in coming years.

This year truly has some-thing for everyone. Even with our busy school and work schedules, we can definitely make time to check out what this year’s fair has to offer. The new exhibits can be exciting and inspiring. Who knows, maybe you may be a part of it next year!

It’s back!

By John Esquivel

Rampage Reporter

As the Big

Fresno Fair

approaches,

many

preparations

take place

Exactly when and where the phenomenon of combining the breakfast staple, waffles, and the lunchtime favorite, chicken, together to create one of the most absurdly named meals in Ameri-ca, is beyond me, but the greater mystery is why something so perfectly simple took so long to come to Fresno. Yes, chicken and waffle fans, the wait is over; Fresno now has Chameleon’s Chicken and Waffles.The menu is simple: chicken, waffles, and the choice of coleslaw on the side. I ordered a large, golden brown waffle and a juicy fried chicken breast coated in a crunchy, tasty breading. I washed it all down with the bursting sweet goodness of an ice cold Sprite, all for the very affordable price of $9. Chameleon’s doesn’t go light on the butter, either. My waffle glistened in the salty wonder, and if that’s not enough, they gave me extra butter on the side. In less than ten minutes my steam-ing pile of awesome arrived and like any good addiction, I kept partaking past the point of health.As good as the food was; the res-taurant was not perfect. Chame-leon’s Chicken and Waffles is hard to locate if one is not famil-iar with the Tower District, and even more so if one is not aware that the actual establishment is not named Chameleon’s, but Karsh’s Bar and Grill, located at 609 Olive Ave. This is due to the fact that Chicken and Waffles is only open on Sundays from 10am to 10pm.Instead of having a waiter take one’s order, one submits an unnecessary paper with the nec-essary information concerning one’s order. They accepted cash only, which caused my fellow critics and me some difficulties because we didn’t have a dollar between us, only our credit cards. This forced us to search Olive for the Circle K to get a machine.Thirty minutes after first arriving at Chameleon’s for some highly anticipated chicken and waffles, we finally made our order to a very soft-spoken, but affable waiter who we had a very nice lunch-long conversation with. Apart from my group and a very lonely looking woman who sat in the far corner, the darkly lit eatery was empty.What the restaurant lacked in originality it made up for in cheap, tasty, and probably unhealthy food. The filling meal was well worth the price. It’s not fine dining, it’s fried dining; and it works.

By Brendon Mustaciola

Rampage Reporter

Chicken...

and

waffles!Local restaurant

serves simple,

tasty menu

Photos by Jen Langworthy

Photo courtesy Sarah Betita

EntertainmentSeptember 17, 2008 Rampage 7

$15 STUDENT TICKETS!3RD-PRICE SEATS ONLY 2ND & 3RD-PRICE SEATS ONLY

$15 STUDENT/TEACHERTICKETS!

Tickets at the box office with valid ID, or ask for the Student or Teacher Discount by phone at 485-TIXSInformation: www.BroadwayInFresno.com

THA

– SF Publication Size Run Date(s) Initial Time

RAMPAGE WEDNESDAY 9.172 x 8

NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE

This film is rated PG-13. Run-of-engagement passes received through this promotion do not guarantee admission to thetheatre. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Theatre is open to paying customers. All federal, state and localregulations apply. A recipient of tickets assumes any and all risks related to use of ticket and accepts any restrictionsrequired by ticket provider. Lionsgate, Terry Hines & Associates, The RamPage and their affiliates accept no responsibilityor liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of a prize. Tickets cannot be exchanged,transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. We are not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to usehis/her ticket in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal and local taxes arethe responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Participating sponsors theiremployees & family members and their agencies are not eligible. NO PHONE CALLS!

For your chance to win a free pass, good for two, to see

in theaters anytime Monday – Thursday, stop by the office of the Rampage (Room 211 above the FCC bookstore) on Wednesday, September 17

between the hours of 1:00 - 5:00 PM.Passes valid Monday - Thursday while in theaters, excluding holidays.

Passes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

THEMATIC MATERIAL, SEXUAL REFERENCESAND BRIEF VIOLENCE

www.familythatpreysmovie.com

Be among the first to catch Tyler Perry's latest Film!

The Coen Brothers, hot off of the success of their last film “No Country for Old Men”, return to their more comedic roots in their newest picture, “Burn After Reading.”

John Malkovich, George Clooney, Brad Pritt and Francis McDormand lead an all star cast of faces new and old to the Coen Brothers productions to a film that always seems to throw the viewer for a curve.

The movie starts off with the release of Malkovich’s char-acter, Osbourne Cox, from his job as an Analyst for the C.I.A.

Malkovich spends his newly acquired free time binging on alcohol and writing his mem-oirs. His memoirs get into the hands of Francis McDormand’s character, Linda Litzke, a super-ficial self enhancement obsessed personal trainer.

With the aide of Brad Pitt’s character, Chad Feld-heimer, the energetic, ditzy yet lovable go-getter co worker, the duo attempt to extort the money needed for Linda’s self enhancements procedures from

Cox by blackmailing him with his memoirs. George Clooney plays a promiscuous treasury agent named Harry Pfarrer who is not only hav-ing an affair with Osbourne’s wife but, through strange circumstanc-es, winds up romantically involved with Linda at the same time.

by Mark SmithRampage Reporter

All-star cast makes ‘Burn’ a must-see

The movie is highly enjoy-able. As a long time fan of the Coens, their latest effort does not disappoint and brings their unique formula of dark humor, satire (mostly about the CIA’s disregard for people), great dialog and character depth that spells out for cinematic magic.

The audience seemed to love the film, the humor, as well as the twists and turns in the plot that kept all entertained.

The movie could be hard to follow for an audience who is not used to the Coens’ formula for creating movies, but should still contain enough macabre character interactions, zany humor and scene stealing performances from Pitt, McDormand and Malkovich to make the movie a must see.

The Coens’ latest effort does not disappoint and

brings their unique formula of dark humor.

Photos by Focus Features

Entertainment8 Rampage September 17, 2008

variety of other uses.It is in the collection of one of these

resources that the story’s main undertone of a discussion on morality comes into play. ADAM, the mutagen necessary to survive in Rapture, can only be acquired through the choice involving beings called “Little Sisters.”

As the story develops, the player learns about the origin of these girls and that their primary function is to collect ADAM from dead bodies. This function is made possible by a sea slug sharing a symbiotic relationship with the girl.

“Little Sisters” are protected by “Big Daddies”, gigantic genetically modi-fied super soldiers in diving suits, usually armed with a rivet gun or monstrous drill. Once the “Big Daddy” is dispatched, the player can choose to harvest the slug by removing it from the “Little Sister” for maximum ADAM, or rescue the “Little

Sister” by bringing back her little girl state of consciousness for minimum ADAM. Be aware, because of the symbiotic relation-ship between them, harvesting the slug for maximum ADAM results in death for both. The morality of this choice, made multiple times throughout the game, not only has an effect on the gameplay but the ending as well.

Bioshock is a beautiful game. Graphically, it is stunning. Blood spattered on walls, graffiti along Rapture’s streets, and the beauty of exploring an underwater world driven to madness will no doubt inspire awe. The audio is even better.

Voice acting done throughout the game, not only by living characters but through the audio diaries left by Rapture’s dead serves to further the lamentation of the utopia’s fall from grace and the morbid development of its characters.

Accordingly, all of this death and

incredibly adult thematic material, such as the idea of a city developed to provide ab-solute freedom to its citizens tearing itself apart due to its own scientific discoveries, make Bioshock a game not friendly for children. With a mature rating, it is sug-gested that only people 17 or older take the dive. This is for the better. When the trailers for the release of a game show a man getting drilled through the stomach by a “Big Daddy”, it’s natural to assume children shouldn’t play.

Whether or not you’re a fan of videogames, Bioshock delivers an experi-ence worthy of any intellect’s respect. It’s a game that continues to assert the power videogames hold for storytelling, while still providing a fun, rewarding, and chal-lenging shooter.

If you own an Xbox 360 or PS3, it is absolutely recommended that you give this game a try.

by Mark SmithRampage Reporter

Upon arriving, you find a desolate island that holds a way down into a crumbling un-derwater metropolis—Rapture. It is there that your story begins; a story of self-discov-ery, a story of survival, and a story of what happens when paradise truly becomes lost...

Provocative, Addictive

“I am Andrew Ryan,

and I’m here to ask you a question. Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow?

‘No!’ says the man in Washington, ‘It belongs to the poor.’

‘No!’ says the man in the Vatican, ‘It belongs to God.’

‘No!’ says the man in Moscow, ‘It belongs to everyone.’

I rejected those answers; instead, I chose something different. I chose the impossible. I chose...Rapture.”

If you have yet to hear these words then you have yet to take the plunge into 2kBoston and 2kAustralia’s incredibly immersive videogame Bioshock, a first-person shooter (FPS) based entirely in the underwater dystopia of Rapture.

Released for the Xbox 360 in 2007 and with a PS3 version coming in October of this year, Bioshock weaves together a story full of philosophy, moral discussion, and the human condition while creating an environment dark and brooding enough for any horror movie.

You play Jack, a then-unknown man on a plane flying over the Atlantic Ocean in the year 1960. The plane crashes and you find yourself swimming to a desolate island in the distance.

Upon arriving, you find that it actually holds a way down into a crum-bling underwater metropolis, Rapture. It is there that your story begins; a story of self-discovery, a story of survival, and a story of what happens when paradise truly becomes lost.

The beauty of this game lies in the perfect combination of gameplay and story. Gameplay itself is done entirely through a first-person angle, much like Halo or other shooters. However, unlike Halo, Call of Duty, or other FPS that are based in warlike scenarios, Bioshock works more like Resident Evil; corpses can be looted, the surrounding environ-ment can be explored, and the story is based more on the realism of death than the supernatural abilities of a particular soldier or group.

There are 3 main resources in Rap-ture. ADAM is a mutagenic substance (sometimes likened to advanced stem cells in the game) developed specially in Rapture that is used to purchase genetic upgrades, such as being able to shoot electric blasts from one’s fingertips.

EVE is the substance that allows these upgrades, or “plasmids”, to be used, much like a mana bar in other games.

Money can be used to purchase weapons, ammunition, vital items, shut down security alarms, gamble, and a

on walls, graffiti along Rapture’s streets, and the beauty of exploring an underwater world driven to madness

will no doubt inspire awe...

...the blood spattered

Bioshock:

Entertainment Rampage 9September 17, 2008

Jayceon Taylor better known as, “The Game” a rapper

from Compton, California quickly rose to superstardom with the success of his debut album “The Documentary” released on January 18, 2005. The album was

produced by former N.W.A member and West Coast legend

Dr.Dre. A recent interview on HIPHOPGAME TV has many of his fans wondering if “LAX” will be The Game’s last album. In the interview he was asked if it was, he responded, “Yea it is, maybe it is, maybe it’s not.” Af-ter successfully resur-

recting West Coast rap, The Game leaves

hip-hop fans wondering if the waning genre’s promi-

nence will leave with him.With the success of Dre’s

first protégée Eminem, an Acad-emy Award winning rapper, actor, and

record producer who’s sold over seventy million albums worldwide, Dre was once again looking for another original emcee to build up the Aftermath empire that’s when he came across The Game’s mix tape You Know What It Is Vol. 1.

Originally signed to Sean “P Diddy” Combs record label Bad Boy, The Game decided to sign with Dr.Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment in 2003 and 50 Cent’s G-Unit records, whose members include Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck.

Much of The Games music was influenced by N.W.A and the Compton Street Life, he shared many of the same experiences and creative knowledge on how California gangsta rap could take another shot at establishing a stable foundation for a coast that had lost everything for over a decade.

The Game, along with Dr.Dre, had many visions and goals of how to put the West Coast back on the map.

With the release of the 2005 album “The Documentary” which became an instant street classic, The Game gained recognition when his album debuted No.1 in the Billboard 200.

The anthem on the streets was a track called “Westside Story” featuring 50 Cent, but the official single that would launch off The Game’s career was a track called

“Hate It Or Love It” also featuring 50 Cent. The album included features

from Eminem, Tony Yayo, Nate Dogg, Busta Rhymes and others.

When everything seemed to be in order for Dr.Dre, the unthinkable happened; a feud broke out between 50 Cent

and The Game. Trying to set their

creative differences aside, a press release conference was held

in 2006 and the two rappers agreed upon a peace treaty. The treaty would soon end; eventually resulting in the continuation of the feud which involved many altercations between the two rappers’ camps. The Game would end up leaving Aftermath.

Soon after dropping from the label, The Game quickly signed with Geffen Re-cords and got to work on his second release “Doctors Advocate”. From what The Game had said in many interviews, there was ab-solutely no animosity between himself and Dr. Dre, but what had happened was for the best and that the sophomore album would include tracks produced by Dr.Dre, hence the name “Doctors Advocate”.

Once again the West Coast rap fans anticipated on the arrival of The Game’s newest project, which was released on November 14, 2006. And once again The Game’s album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, many critics thought that without the guidance and influence of Dr. Dre and 50 Cent that The Game would easily disappear just as fast as he rose to superstardom.

Even though The Games debut album “The Documentary” had many of the hot-test artists and producers, it comes to show that if you have talent the possibilities are endless. Two of the original producers who worked on tracks for “The Documentary” also contributed efforts to his sophomore album.

Singles on the “Doctors Advocate” included “It’s Okay One Blood” produced by D-roc, “Lets Ride” produced by Scott Storch and “Wouldn’t Get Far” produced by Kanye West. More than a year and a half later “The Game” announced that he would be retiring from the rap scene and that he would release his third and final studio album. Originally titled “The D.O.C.”, was later changed to “LAX”.

Originally said to be released on June 24, 2008, the album was pushed back to August 26, 2008. Critics and fans alike were anxious to hear the final album by one of the most controversial faces in hip hop.

Singles Included “Game’s Pain” Featuring Keyshia Cole, “Dope Boys” featuring Travis Barker, “My Life” featur-ing Lil Wayne and “House Of Pain”. Other guest appearances include Nas, Ice Cube, Raekwon, Ludacris and Common along with many others.

Producers who worked on the album were Irv Gotti, DJ Quick, Trackmasters and the list goes on. “LAX” is currently number three on the Billboard 200 as of September 11, 2008 and number two on the Billboard Top Rap Albums. The Los Angeles Times gave the album three out of four stars and USA Today who gave it a perfect 4 out of 4 stars.

This is a great way for The Game to end his career, but we could never be too sure if this will be The Games last album due to other artists that have claimed to call it quits in the past, only to make another chart topping album such as fellow Hip Hop art-ists Jay-Z and rival 50 Cent. Only time will tell if it’s game over for The Game.

by David MalagonSports EditorLeaving

theGame?Rumors swirl about West Coast rapper’s early departure from the spotlight

The Game, along with Dr.Dre, had many visions and goals of

how to put the West Coast back on the map.

Views10

October 10, 2007

September 17, 2008

While these claims may be justified, there is a bit of a problem with the notion of banning the confederate flag altogether. The Confederate flag is a symbol. To display a symbol is a form of symbolic speech and there is a document called the constitu-tion that ensures US citizens freedom of speech.

One might ask: “What about the harm that such a symbol can cause?”

My answer is simply, “Sticks and stones,” or more appropriately, “What harm?”

To fly the confederate flag m a y s a y m a n y things, but even when put into words they must be heard for them to have power. Symbols must be seen or they’re meaning-less. So then why not turn away? Why listen?

If you dis-agree with what the confederate flag represents and the sentiments of those who fly it, it’s a simple matter to rendering those people irrelevant. In other words, ignore them.

As they say, “No publicity is bad publicity,” so for everyone one who hates the confeder-ate flag to get riled up and shout “There go the racists!” only draws more attention to a symbol that those same racists want you to see. They may even appreciate the help.

And so, there is little logic in going so far as to ban the confederate flag. It’s simply not that important.

Even if there were any significant repercussions from the flying or displaying the confederate flag, it’s still protected by freedom of speech and freedom of speech itself is very much worth protecting.

It’s simply paradoxical to violate freedom of speech in favor of the banning of the confederate flag. If it’s indeed the hor-rible symbol of oppression and tyranny that many suggest, then the best way to combat its followers would be to let them be.

They would certainly love to take freedom of speech away from certain groups of people. How would we be teaching them a lesson by showing them it’s ok?

Where many in the South consider the flag a point of pride and a symbolic representation of their heritage, many others feel it to be a painful reminder of slavery and the ugliness of war.

I am here to make the argument that the flag should not be allowed to fly, and I intend to make you understand why.

The most glaring opponent I must seek to dismantle is the idea that banning the flag is an attack on our liberty of free speech and expression as listed in a personal favorite, the Bill of Rights. Would denying

the right to fly the confederate flag be con-tradictory to the freedoms guaranteed by that great document?

If my side demanded the flag never be allowed to fly, anywhere, then it is simply ignoring a part of its nation’s history and doing that time period a great disservice.

The Civil War was a time in which the United States truly learned something about itself. We learned about identity, about values, and most importantly about how defending those values sometimes require great sacrifice. As evidence, many in the South must still remember General Sherman’s devout commitment to “total war” and his legendary march to the sea, burning as he went.

However, simply because I don’t feel we should ignore the truth doesn’t mean we should be reminded of it more than is necessary. Flying the confederate flag on governmental buildings, such as over capi-

As irrational and archaic as their mindset may be, racists and bigots are just as protected under the constitution as any-one else. If they weren’t, their arguments would have more merit.

By the same token, what makes rac-ists who fly the confederate flag as a symbol of their beliefs any different than any other oppressive group that adopts a symbol? Even Nazi Germany adopted the Sanskrit character for “well being,” the swastika, as their symbol.

Do their actions change the mean-ing of the symbol? A historically famous

Japanese artist, Hokusai, has been depicted in works that predate Nazi Germany wear-ing robes covered in Swastikas. He died in Japan never having seen a Jew, African, or anyone other than his countrymen.

The swastika has no more to do with fascism or racism than does the confederate flag have to do with bigotry and oppres-sion. It’s simply a flag set in place by a provisional government in a country that existed for 4 measly years. They did have to have a flag didn’t they?

Any symbol needs intent behind it. Different intent means different meaning. World Famous producer Lil John and his group The Eastside Boys have even been seen performing in front of the confederate flag. For many southerners, it’s a badge of honor and something that gives them iden-tity. To assume that it’s flown or worn with racist intent is silly at best. So, with that said, what exactly is there to ban?

tol domes, shows support for the ideals on which the confederation once stood and an inability of the South to accept defeat.

The confederate states no longer exist, and as such, should not be associated with our government in any way. Our nation is built on the strength of its unity and its ability to move forward, not a symbol that reminds its people of a time when slavery was legal and brothers killed each other in the grip of a bloody war. The flag is now a symbol of history, and as such, should be seen in historical museums, documentaries, and books. Not flying high over a state capi-

tol building.I unders tand

that some people like to show thier pride by emblazing the confed-erate flag on a shirt, hat, or even on the hood of a 1969 Dogde Charger, but that doesn’t mean it chould be done, es-pecially if they don’t understand the mean-ing behind it.

I t s jus t l ike when someone wears a Che Guevara shirt. Some may see him as a revolutionray, and some may see him as a murderous socialist. It doesnt mean one side is more accurate in their depection, it just means that they identify with certin as-pects of his history and choose to represnt that idea. The same applies to this flag.

T h i s brings up the issue of

free speech and expression on the personal level. While I do believe the confederate flag should be allowed to fly on one’s own personal property, I don’t think the flag should be displayed prominently in areas where people who do not wish to view it.

For example, the Sons of Confed-erate Veterans in Tampa have recently made news for planning to raise a 50 by 30 foot confederate flag near where two interstate highways meet.

Although they will be raising the flag on private property, the size and place-ment of the flag infringe upon others’ right not to view it and shouldn’t be allowed. Once one uses their right of free speech to infringe on the rights of others, they give up that right, and as such, flying the flag with such obvious intent to provoke incendiary response should no longer be protected.

Should The Confederate Flag Be Banned?

uch to be said about the confederate flag and what it supposedly represents. Some call it a symbol of oppression and others call it inherently racist.M he issue of whether or not the Confederate

Flag should be allowed to fly has, since its beginnings at the end of the Civil War, been a controversial one.T

A Pro/Con DebateSticks And Stones Hurt No One Pride For Some, Pain For Others

The Flag Should Stay The Flag Should GoBy Mark Smith

Rampage Reporter

By Brandon Alexander

Rampage Reporter

unitedstatesamericanflags.com

Rampage 11September 17, 2008

CAMPUS VOICES

“I’m going to school and working right now but I’m not too worried about it

because I just got a raise.”

Jessica OrdonezNursing

“Some what, we are in the lower part of our slump. Who ever win’s the upcoming

election, will affect our economy.”

Juan GarzaBusiness Administration

“Very much, because it has gone in a com-plete downward spiral. It’s gone so down that it would take something amazing to

get us out of it.”

David ShirleyHuman Resources

“No, not really I’m concerned in the sense that I’m paying a lot for gas and the price of food is going

up.”Raymond Medina

Undecided

“I’m not, but then I am because I still have to pay rent and gas to my mom.”

Ashley FullerPsychology

“Not really, I don’t own a car and I live at home with my parents.”

Christopher De Leon Psychology

“A little, I worry about the gas for my car but it has good mileage. It does

twenty five a gallon.” Amanda Toews

Undecided between Art and Psychol-ogy

“A little bit, people are losing their jobs and are going through hard

times because prices for gas, food and rent are going up.”

Robert Patton Business specifically to become a

CHP Officer

Are You Worried about the Economy?

Campus Voices by Donna Alvarado

Photos by Ramiro Gudino

Views

Families That Stay Together...12 Rampage September 17, 2008

In the United States alone 150, 000 children with special needs are given up for adoption by people who where responsible enough to know they couldn’t handle the pressure of a special needs child.

But for people to condemn those who choose the opposite and bear the responsi-bility of raising a special needs child is just plain wrong.

If The Palins feel as if they can raise Trig in a loving environment where he will be nourished and taken care of, then I don’t see why it’s anyone’s business.

If they feel they are strong enough to deal with the difficulties that come with taking care of a special needs child then that’s their choice.

Yes, she may become our next Vice

President, but does that mean she and her family aren’t capable of loving and caring for Trig all the same.

And whether it’s realized or not people aren’t just condemning a Vice Presidential candidate, they’re condemning mothers and fathers all over the country for making the same choice as Palin.

And that includes my mother and father.

On July 7th, 1988 my mother gave birth to two healthy baby boys who came 15 minutes apart.

Unlike Trig, my brothers’ condition was not diagnosed before we were born. So, when my parents realized that my brother wasn’t developing at the rate he should have been they knew something was wrong.

It was then that they learned that my brother had a condition known as Fragile X, a genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the X chromosome, and the only reason that I didn’t have the condition was because we aren’t identical.

My parents, like Sarah Palin and her husband, had to make the choice as to whether they could handle raising a special needs child.

They had to decide if they could deal with all the doctors’ visits, insensitive elementary schools, unsupportive high schools, and a system that’s designed to provide little if any help until my brother turned eighteen.

And of course there was still me, and, as I’m sure they would agree, I would turn out to be no walk in the park in rais-ing either.

But, in knowing all the difficulties they would have to endure, my parents decided that they loved their son too much to give up on him.

And although I can never be sure as to their motives, my parents came to the same conclusion as the Palins.

Now, that doesn’t make The Palins or my family any better than those people who are convinced that they themselves couldn’t raise a special needs child, but it doesn’t make them worse either.

We all have the right to do what we think is best for our lives and those of our families.

Thier decision simply makes them parents who love and care for their child, and the last time I checked there was noth-ing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with that at all.

In the recent weeks after Gov. Sarah Palin was confirmed to be Sen. John Mc-Cain’s running mate the topic that has domi-nated conversation and political debates has been whether Sarah Palin’s’ judgment was in the right place when she and her husband decided to go through with the pregnancy of her youngest child, who was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome prenatally.

Since then Palin, in response to the criticism she has received, has taken to calling her son a “blessing” and, like her political peers, has begun to flaunt her entire family for the nation to see and potentially continue to critique and criticize.

Now, most people who feel the need to argue about Palin’s’ ability to take care of a child who has Down Syndrome don’t even know what Down Syndrome is themselves.

Or even what her child’s name is (its Trig by the way).

The consensus of most who disagree with Palin seems to be that if they them-selves couldn’t do it how can a potential Vice President?

This is where I have a problem. I understand the feeling that some

people have about raising a child with special needs. It’s truly one of those things that some people are just not cut out to do, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that you may not be one of those people. In fact, you’re actually doing a very respon-sible thing.

By Deshad Cato

Views Editor

John McCain and the Republican Party have finally made it official.

This election is about change. There wasn’t much noise made

about it, rather than give Democrats any credit for their foresight Republicans chose to bash Obama, and by the end of their convention, they succeeded in stealing his slogan by convincing others it was there idea to begin with.

So here we stand once again, vi-ciously divided two solitary months away from November 4th. But can we blame the Republican Party?

I mean after all, their method works. They’ve proven time and time again how vulnerable the American psyche is.

They’ve mastered the art of ma-nipulation, subversive tactics, and separatist propaganda. Call it Rove tactics. Call it 21st Century fear mongering. Call it whatever you want.

The lesson is real. Republicans call short term memory a concept. Their slogan should be: “It’s easy to forgive and forget. JUST DO IT”

Now begins the speculation. Who makes the next move? Will the disenfran-chised show up at the polls? Where is the next vital demographic hiding?

Simply put, we are in the basement.I know I’m in the basement. After

all I’m a “student”. So what’s that mean? For one thing, I don’t have a degree, I don’t

have a salary, I don’t have health insurance, I don’t even have benefits, and I’m still in debt.

That’s me. That’s us. We’re in the basement.

So as Palin took to her perch next to John McCain at the Republic National Convention and on our television screens we asked ourselves “what’s new”.

And when we hear Barack Obama talk about “change we can believe in” we ask when these so-called changes we can actually begin.

For some students here, like Matt Driskell, the stakes are high.

Matt enlisted in the Navy in 2005, back when the War in Iraq was two years young. I asked him why he supports Barack Obama, and he immediately references Obama’s pledge to “end the War in Iraq responsibly, and bring our troops home with

honor.” And then there are students like

Kenny Hedrington. He can remember signing up

for selective service because he needed financial aid, presidential elections aren’t supposed to mean anything to him, but this one does.

Like me, he will be voting for the first time, and like most students here, he will be voting for Barack Obama.

There are others who are unde-cided, not about who to vote for, just about whether to vote. Eddie Martinez doesn’t think his vote matters.

He said with a little convincing that he would like to register. For some unknown reason he says he likes Obama more than he does McCain.

Chue Thao will turn 18 this month. The last thing on his mind seems to be

registering to vote. He knows the economy is weak, and though admits he feels unin-formed about the election, he says he prefers Obama, “I think he looks different.”

There are some of us here in America who feels that the privilege of being a citizen applies only to “qualified Americans”.

The truth is no matter where you came from, or who you’re with, if you are here with certainty; you have the rights of an American.

So if you’ve heard of the first amendment, or better yet the American dream, then make it clear that you’re here. Who knows, maybe this time come Novem-ber, we migt just crawl out of the basement and finnall make have our voices heard for the first time.

By Patrick H. Willey

Rampage Reporter

The Basement Vote: New and Undecided

Anchorage Daily NewsSarah and Todd Palin with their fifth child, Trig Paxson Van Palin.

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Rampage 13September 17, 2008Fresno City College Corp Ad 8/16/08 4:43 PM Page 1 Ken Bickel Brown Disk 74.5: II410ME/Fresno Corp Ladder AD:

14 Rampage September 17, 2008

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By David Malagon Sports Editor

Photo by Chris AlanizThe Lady Rams practice at Ratliffe Stadium.

On a scorching afternoon, Head Coach Oliver Germond and his Assistant Coach, Drew Mattos, prepared the Lady Rams, Fresno City College’s women’s soccer team, for another season of high expectations and performance, not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.

Last year, the Lady Rams ranked fourth in the California Community College 2007 Soccer Statewide Standings for women. Mattos said, “We only focus on the game right in front of us.”

Coach Germond continued, “We cover up the rest of the games for the season and just focus on what’s next.”

The team is unique because there are no team captains. Instead, the whole team takes ownership and responsibility.

During the coin toss, for example the entire team goes out to midfield while other teams may have only two or three players representing them.

Coach Germond comment-ed on the Lady Ram’s accomplish-ments in terms of self-discipline, team work, team spirit, and most importantly academics. Half of the players carried a 3.0 GPA or higher last season and three former team members from the 2006-2007 seasons wrapped up their final semester here at FCC.

Defense player Katy Harris

transferred to California Baptist University, forward Meaghan Co-chran transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and midfield Lena Tovar transferred to Fresno Pacific University.

Even though saying good-bye may be one of the hardest obstacles for the girls to face, so is pushing each other to achieve and staying on top of priorities and ambitions in life.

These ladies practice each day in the blazing summer heat to accomplish the many goals they have set out for themselves.

This year’s team consists

of 23 members; 12 freshmen and 11 sophomores, all eager to get the season kicked off the right way and go even further than last season.

Returning right defender Jessica Acevedo, a kinesiology major, is very excited about the start of a new season. “A great success we can expect,” said Acevedo.

She encourages being suc-cessful in the classroom as well as on the field. Currently the Fresno City College women’s soccer team has kept a great record with only one defeat. August 27 was a

season-opening loss to Cosumnes River. The final score was 1 to 2.

Since then, the team has had five consecutive victories, defeating teams like Santiago Canyon who defeated the Rams at last season’s second game and placed third in the 2007 Statewide Standings for women’s soccer.

With six games down and 15 to go, the season has just begun. At this point the ladies are doing

great and all state championship qualifications and opportunities are clearly in sight if the Rams stay consistent with their exceptional performance.

2008 Women’s Soccer Schedule/Results

Aug 27 - Cosumnes River at Sacramento (L 1-2)

Aug 30 - Spokane (WA) at Oxnard (W 5-2)

Aug 31 - Santiago Canyon at Oxnard (W 3-2)

Sep 4 - Sierra at Fresno (W 1-0)

Sep 9 - De Anzaat Cupertino (W 5-1)

Sep 12 - Bakersfieldat Bakersfield (W 2-1)

Sep 16 - Santa Barbara at Fresno (N/A)

Sep 19 - Cuestaat San Luis Obispo 4 p.m.

Sep 20 - Allan Hancock Cancelled

Sep 23 - American River at Fresno 4 p.m.

Sep 26 - Canyons at Fresno 4 p.m.Oct 1 Evergreem Valley at San Jose 7 P.m.

Lady Rams running on all cylinders

Rampage 15September 17, 2008

Men’s soccer score back to backby Sebouh Simonian and David Malagon

Rampage Reporters

Last weekend, the Fresno City College men’s soccer team, led by Coach Eric Solberg played back to back games. The first was against West Valley College on Friday and the other was against Evergreen Valley College on Saturday.

FCC defeated West Valley 3 to 1 and tied the game against Ev-ergreen Valley. “It’s the best game so far this year because we played a quality team,” said Solberg, fol-lowing Friday’s victory.

FCC kept West Valley from scoring during the first half of Friday’s game. They achieved this mostly by keeping the ball on West Valley’s side of the field and play-ing with an aggressive defense. The team was also helped by the strong blocking of its goalie.

FCC played a physical game, three players from FCC

“It was a tie, but it felt like a win.” - Luis Ruiz

were injured but were able to return to the field and continue playing.

During half time Coach Stolberg gathered the team to-gether to let them know what was

working and what wasn’t. “We’re obviously faster than them,” he said. He also told them to try to be more patient and not to try and force the plays.

Assistant Coach Onesta Francis concluded by telling his players, “Don’t talk about it, be about it!”

The only goal scored by West Valley came during the second half by #8 Kenny Kim, a sophomore from West Valley, that narrowed FCC’s lead.

At 5:25 FCC’s #7 Pablo Segura scored the final goal for

his team with a running head butt assisted by #16 Rudy Carlos.

“The ball came out of no-where and I had to chase it,” said Segura about his big play of the game.

There was also some excep-tional game play by #9 Joseph Col-menero and #21 Rory Agu, both freshman forward/midfielders.

Evergreen Valley had de-feated a top team just weeks earlier to be ranked number one nation-ally.

At the end of the first half, FCC trailed Evergreen 0-1. De-

“We played an undefeated team, though we abso-lutely outplayed them the whole game” - Coach Solberg

spite some great ball-handling, FCC got to the goal many times but just couldn’t make the plays.

During halftime, Coach Stolberg gathered his team and reminded them they were playing one of the best teams in the state; he time gave them tips on how to play better.

At the second half, Ever-green kicked a second goal taking the lead 2-0, but FCC scored twice with both goals by #21 Rory Agu. FCC recovered and tied up the

game until Evergreen scored once more.

The score remained 2-3 till the final seconds when FCC’s #14 Luis Ruiz, a sophomore, scored with a terrific header to end the game with a tie. “It was a tie but it felt like a win,” said Ruiz.

The coach said, “We played an undefeated team, though we ab-solutely outplayed them the whole game.” The men’s soccer team has had a great season so far only suffering one loss in the Hartnell College Tournament.

This is only the beginning so come out and support the men’s team for thier next home game on monday Sep. 22 against Mt. San Antonio College.

FCC plays a strong physical offense and aggressive defense. Photo by Ramiro Gudino

2008 Men’s Soccer Schedule/ Results

Aug 27 - Ohlone College at Fremont (W 9-0)Aug 29-31 Hartnell College Tournament at Salinas (T,L,W)

Sep 5 - Allan Hancock College at Santa Maria (W 3-0)

Sep 9 - Las Positas College at Livermore (T 2-2)

Sep 12 - West Valley College at Fresno (W 3-1)

Sep 13 - Evergreen Valley College at Fresno (T 3-3)

Sep 16 - Santa Barbara City College at Fresno (N/A)

Sep 19 - Canada Collegeat Redwood City 4 p.m.

Sep 22 - Mt. San Antonio College at Fresno 2 p.m.

Sep 26 - College of the Canyons at Fresno 2 p.m.

Sep 30 - Contra Costa College at San Pablo 4 p.m.

Oct 3 - West Hills College at Fresno 4 p.m.

Oct 7 - Modesto Junior College at Modesto 4 p.m.

Oct 10 - College of the Sequoias at Visalia 4 p.m.

Sports16September 17, 2008

by Marcell DilworthRampage Reporter

Inside the Helmet

He breaks out of the huddle; the first thing he does is scan the defense to see where the linemen and linebackers are located.He is looking for an advantage over the defensive linemen, because some players

play overly aggressive. He checks to see where the linebackers are positioned to see if they are setting up to blitz or preparing to cover a pass.

Fresno City College running back Kenny He-drington sat with me to talk about his past and future. “I started playing football at Tenaya Middle School,” says Hedrington. He went on to say, “Basketball was my first love. His middle school play set him up for his high school and college play.

Hedrington said he didn’t see “eye to eye” with his high school basketball coach. By the time the football season was over the basketball season had started, “He really didn’t give me a chance.” Hedrington eventually chose to play football and that is when he started focusing on bulking up for it.

His father, Orlonzo Hedrington has been one of his biggest influences, “I always played three sports football, basketball and track. My dad always told me I need to focus on one,” the younger Hedrington said.

In his senior season at Bullard, the Rams running back helped lead his team to the valley championship where they lost to Bakersfield high. Hedrington concluded his years of playing for Bullard by holding the record for the most yards ran (1800) and he tied the record for most touchdowns (32).

Like most community college players, Hedrington

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

Fresno City College Rams beat San Francisco 24 -17 in a game that went to the wire.

Both teams played with a lot of adrena-line and emotion. When the final whistle blew FCC’s players were yelling and cheering; it is not like they didn’t beat the number one and two teams to become 2-0 for the season.

“I feel good. We worked hard and pre-pared for the whole week,” said Emmanuel Lewis, the quarterback who made some big plays, and some he wishes he could take back.

San Francisco scored first. Defensive back Justin Tayo jumped in front of the Rams wide receiver to intercept a pass. The ball bounced off his chest, but he kept his eyes on it.

Once he gained control of the ball, he made his way towards the Rams side of the field when a humongous hole opened up across the middle of the field. Tayo recognized it and turned on the after burners in that direction.

Once he trekked through the open path there was nothing left but the Rams quarter-back to stop him; the only problem for Lewis was he didn’t have the right angle and could do nothing to stop Tayo from scoring.

It wasn’t until the second quarter when FCC’s linebacker Chris Nelson intercepted a pass and was tackled at the 35yard line. A few plays later the Rams quarterback Lewis threw a jump ball to wide receiver Michael Davis to tie the game at 7-7.

Davis caught the pass with one de-fender hanging on to him from behind and the other defender in his face feverously trying to jump high enough to stop the FCC wide out from catching the ball.

San Francisco had the momentum and the lead (14-7) going into halftime. The Rams were making the necessary adjustments that eventually won the game.

“I told the kids we are not playing good and we are down just 7 points. Just play our brand of football, our type of football and come out with a victory.” Coach Tony Caviglia said. The Rams came out with fire in their bel-lies. Many players were hitting harder, and the Rams on the sideline were going out of their way to pump each other up.

It wasn’t until the fourth quarter when Rams running back, Kenny Hedrington put his team up 24–17 with an 11 yard run, but it was not over. San Francisco pushed the ball inside the Rams 15 yard line with less than a minute to go in the game and failed to score on touchdown with 10 seconds left in the game.

San Francisco’s players were so upset with each other that their coach lectured them about their attitudes towards their teammates, “We didn’t play well and acknowledge we didn’t play well” San Francisco’s head coach said. He asked his players to apologize for their rude language and finger pointing amongst each other.

Up next for the Rams is American River. The coach had a few words for his players, “We are only 2-0, we haven’t won the conference yet, we are not even bowl eligible and we have American River coming in. I believe they are going to come ready to beat our butts and we just have to have a good week of practice and come out ready to play next week.”

hopes to play for a major university. He is also majoring in business, and his backup plan is to use his degree(s) to help further his family business; Hedrington’s dad owns a real-estate business.

Hedrington is playing in his second season for FCC. Last season he broke his ankle during practice and missed most of the season.

He also talked about the rituals he goes through be-fore every game. “I always go to Youtube.com and watch highlights of players like Reggie Bush, Ray Rice, Michael Bush and Rashad Bennett; I try to steal as many moves as I can.”

“As soon as I get to the stadium, I put on my head phones and walk to the top row to meditate.” Prayer is also a part of his meditation, he said.

Hedrington continues to meditate while getting taped and dressed for the game. “People have to call my name three or four times to get my attention, because I literally get tunnel vision blocking out everything.”

He doesn’t break his meditation until he is in the huddle.

Once he breaks out of the huddle and the ball is handed to him there is a big chance that his offensive line will create a big enough hole for him to sprint through.

After he is past the defensive linemen, there is a chance the other team linebackers or safeties will be in his face attempting to tackle him.

All the Rams running back needs is for his team-mates to clear a path, or other team’s players to miss an assignment, and then Hedrington will be the opposition’s worst nightmare.

By Marcell Dilworth

with Kenny Hedrington

FCC knocks off ‘Frisco...again