utLook STUDENT PRESSO Vol. 45 Issue 9 February 18, 2013 Outlookpress.org

The real diagnosis should come from a

physician.

“More and more people are using WebMD and similar sites on the Internet, as a

way of self-diagnosing their ailments.”

Science 12

“We’ve got our fast food, our slow food, and our home-cooked food, all

here in Rockland County.”

Gennifer Rollins, Student

FeatureS 4

New shops and businesses mean that

the availability of health foods in Rockland is

growing.

“One of my favorite awards, Best New Artist, was

awarded to FUN.”

Style 11

Gotye won Grammies for “Record of the

Year” and “Song of the Year” for “Somebody That I Used to Know.”

Amanda Van Ryn, Student

Benedict Tagle, Student

Reading the World

Unnaturally Disastrous

The RCC’s library’s list of resources has expanded over the years, and the Library is now adopting several new features to improve the holdings and services for students.

Many students complain about the noisy distractions of the campus library. Not everyone is there to study, but most of us are. For those in need of some real quiet time, there is now an online booking option for the private study rooms, Interim Libary Director Sarah Levy said.

The quiet rooms can be requested in half-hour blocks, for up to two hours. The benefits of studying in a quiet place are innumerable, and two hours worth of time is definitely enough to get those mental gears turning.

Not only has the hassle of studying in the midst of noisy peers been removed, but the L-ibrary has also eliminated

our epidemic of “empty-pocket syndrome.” The Library has issued a new service, which allows students to reserve c e r t a i n t e x t b o o k s , m a k i n g study life significantly m o r e affordable.

W i t h increased affordability, comes increased accessibility. Since it is not always feasible to physically enter the library, our librarians have set up libChat—an online communicator with your campus librarian.

Featured on the RCC library homepage, libChat provides the opportunity to ask any questions, or voice any concerns one may have regarding the library and its resources.

Accessible from any computer, libChat also may be accessed on Android and iPhones, using the new RCC Library app. The ability to do this without going into the library will aid many

time-pressed students, especially around research paper time.

Growing in inclusivity, the RCC library

has become a center for both s t u d e n t s , and worldly educat ion. T h e B r i d g i n g C u l t u r e s

award was given to the Library by the NEH/ALA Muslim Journeys Bookshelf organization, which proudly highlights the community experience of going to RCC.

“Muslim Journey Bookshelf aims to bridge together cultures of the Muslim faith. Along with the award, RCC received 25 books and DVDs on the Muslim faith, which is attempting to generate conversation among the student body. It is important that we educate ourselves,” Professor Levy said.

As seen by the population of RCC, there is no single creed, religious affiliation, or ethnic

background at the College, but dozens of them. It is imperative that we open our minds when we open our books, and the growing Rockland Community Campus library is a great aid in that.

In addition to the gifts of literature and DVDs, RCC will be gaining online access to the Oxford Islamic Studies Database, allowing students and faculty to educate themselves on the Muslim faith.

The committee that submitted the proposal is beginning to promote the collection and use it as a springboard for inter-faith conversations in and out of the classroom.

To further promote the goals of inter-religious understanding and communication, Outlook Student Press will be hosting a religious roundtable discussion, with co-host Deb Balestra of Student Involvement. Dr. Elaine Padilla, who will be facilitating the discussion, has already agreed to incorporate the new information gifted to our library into her Cultural Anthropology course here at RCC.

Kristen Loretoni & Gennifer Rollins

Editor-in-Chief &Photography Editor

A Tropical Storm in August. A freak snow storm in the middle of October. A tornado in Queens. A superstorm that left parts of lower Manhattan without power (some for up to two weeks), and an unusually mild winter during which we’ve received almost no snow. These past two years have been incredibly strange in regards to the weather. Are these indications of more bizarre weather coming our way?

This unusual weather especially noticeable in October, 2011. On October 29, two days before Halloween, a freak snow storm arrived. In Manhattan, Central Park received 2.9 inches of snow, and across the northeast 3,389,000 people were without power. Then, for the rest of the winter, it was unusually mild; it

felt more like early spring than the middle of winter.

And in September of 2012, a tornado touched down in Queens. It only lasted for a few minutes, but tore down walls and lifted roofs as it made its path.

And then, ironically, on

October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey and New York, and many other places, causing even worse destruction than the last storm.

Sandy was one of the most disastrous storms we have seen in this area. It was the second-

costliest Atlantic hurricane, second only to Katrina. Damage costs in the U.S. were estimated to be around $71.4 billion. More than 8.2 million households were without power in states as far as Michigan. Water flooded the subways in Manhattan. Nine bridges were closed in the New York City Area. Even the New York Stock Exchange, which has never closed for more than two days since 1888, remained closed a second day.

These bizarre weather events have prompted much discussion about global warming. Many scientists say events such as these will occur more and more frequently as global warming continues.

The sea levels were not only higher this year, but warmer Scientists report that warming of the water on the East Coast

SEE WEATHER PAGE 2

Suzanne PegueroStaff Writer

The Seaside Heights, N.J. rollercoaster lies in ruins after its pier was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

Cour

tesy

of

The A

P

Features 3February 18, 2013News 2 February 18, 2013

Weather Extremes on the Upswing

On February 12, English professor Shamika Mitchell presented a special event for African American History month here at Rockland Community College. The event “In Whose Imagination? Multiculturalism, Race & Diversity in Comic Books,” featured nine professional panelists who have been involved in the comic book industry for numerous years.

Likewise, it also featured David Ellis, a comic book collector who possesses a lot of knowledge about the comic book history. The panelists openly shared their personal life stories, discussed the conflicts about comic books representation, and responded to questions from their audience.

At the beginning of the event, each panelist shared stories about their long and treacherous roads to accomplishing their dreams. This eventually lead some panelists the rare opportunity to work for Marvel or DC. While some panelists didn’t work for those companies, they did find their own success by creating their own established comic books. What made the experience even more intriguing for the audience was when rare comic books were being passed around the room, for “show and tell.”

Eventually, the panelists addressed the issues about multiculturalism in comic books. It’s common knowledge that comic books from (a couple of decades ago) were prominently focused and featured on caucasian superheroes. From time to time, big comic book publications, such as Marvel and DC would test the nature of a “colored” superhero; however, it was usually plagued by African American stereotypes that across as being less unique. Comic book series such as the “X-Men” was known for

a building bridge of racial diversity, and it’s more common to see different racial lead characters these days.

Lastly, the moderator, Professor Mitchell, gave an opportunity for inquisitive students to share their questions and concerns, towards these panelists. The students presented a series of interesting questions that had the panelists attentive at all times. The questions varied from, “How would I enter a particular field, within the comic book industry” to

“How do you juggle a part time job with your freelancing comic book career?” Each panelists had their fair share of information provide for the audience, based on their past experience. The panelists were so enticing and engaging that the conversation between the audience could have lasted for hours!

The “In Whose Imagination? Multiculturalism, Race & Diversity in Comic Books” event, featured a blend of content for African American History enthusiasts.

It also featured an opportunity for die-hard comic book fanatics to hear and meet some professional comic book panelists. This program contained a substantial amount of quality aspects, given the fact that it captivated the attention of so many people. I can tell that Professor Mitchell put a lot of time, effort, and energy to construct this event, which explains why it took two years to make. Overall, it left a great impression on many RCC students, myself included.

Brandon Tanis Staff Writer

Comic Book Artists Come to Campus

may have been caused by global warming. However, note that the key word is “may.”

While 97 percent of scientists believe global warming is manmade, the 3 percent minority believe that this is merely how the earth works. As of now, we aren’t sure whether these kinds of occurrences are a correlation to our environmental behavior. Evidence seems to be suggesting that direction, but until we have something concrete to go upon, we can’t say with any assurance that we are the cause of these events.

A question that has come up in the wake of these occurrences is the question of whether New York is prepared to deal with these natural disasters. Right now, the answer would appear to be no.

However, in Rockland, the New York State Senate’s Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery has been meeting and discussing options to help Rockland County recover from the damage that was done.

In New York City, officials are working on more comprehensive plans to prepare for future weather disasters. Some of the developments have been to elevate flood zones and restore wetlands as natural barriers. Con Edison has also agreed to put $250 million toward getting its steam, electrical and gas systems in good enough shape to withstand a Category 2 hurricane, Mayor Bloomberg says.

If you are interested in weather patterns,

Dr. Kris Baker, Professor of Science here at RCC, has set up our very own Weather Underground station. He has teamed up

with The Weather Channel and is able to record some of the weather due for our area. The weather station is set up right

here on campus. Check it out if you want to know more about the extreme weather we have experienced lately.

WEATHER FROM PAGE 1

This enormous dust storm recently blew through large parts of Australia.

Cou

rtesy

of

AB

C N

ews

Colle

tte F

ourn

ier R

CC C

ampu

s Com

mun

icat

ions

Features 3February 18, 2013News 2 February 18, 2013

Looking to Transfer?It’s the Spring semester, and now is the

time that many students start researching and applying to four-year colleges. A lot of students at Rockland Community College choose to stay within the SUNY system to save some money and to stay close to home. Here, I have a list of some of the best transferrable schools in the SUNY system in order of distance from Rockland Community College.

SUNY PURCHASEFor those who would like to stay close

to home and possibly even commute, SUNY Purchase is the perfect choice. For New York state residents, the price of tuition is only $5,570. Students wishing to commute to school can save the price of room and board, which is about $11,566. With about 39% of incoming students as transfers, SUNY Purchase works hard to help make the transition as easy as possible. The average GPA of transfer students to SUNY Purchase is 3.0 and the average age is 23 years old. SUNY Purchase is a great option for students wanting to move on to a 4 year college, but not wanting to leave the comforts of home.

SUNY NEW PALTZStudents that are ready to leave the

nest, but would like to fly back often will find that SUNY New Paltz might be the

best choice for them. About an hour away from RCC, students wishing to attend SUNY New Paltz will most likely have to pay the cost of room and board, $9,950 in addition to the $5,270 cost of tuition for New York State residents. However, when homesickness strikes, students can easily travel home. The fall transfer class of 2012 consisted of 692 students with an average GPA of 3.3. Known for its diversity, SUNY New Paltz welcomes students from all walks of life.

SUNY STONY BROOKKnown as the best SUNY school for

future doctors, SUNY Stony Brook has one of the best pre-med programs. $5,570 for tuition, and $6,968 for room and board for New York State Residents, Stony

Brook really gives students a bang for their buck because of their well known name. Expecting a 3.0 GPA from applicants, Stony Brook may be a tough school to get into, but thats what gives them their great reputation.

SUNY ALBANYA school that many Rockland

Community College students choose, SUNY Albany is a great place to go if you are still unsure of what you want to major in. SUNY Albany has almost all programs

and classes in pretty much everything. At $5,570 for tuition and $6,976 for room and board for New York State residents SUNY Albany’s prices are the same as most of the SUNY schools. With more than 1,500 transfer students per year, you will

feel comfortable transitioning into SUNY Albany with a large group of transfer students. SUNY Albany requires a 2.5 GPA from applicants so most students should find SUNY Albany a perfect option for them.

SUNY BINGHAMTONAlmost 3 hours away from

Rockland Community College, SUNY Binghamton is just far enough away that mom and dad can’t drop in for an unannounced visit. Known as one of the top schools in the SUNY system, SUNY Binghamton accepts about 1,300 transfer students per year. Students at SUNY BINGHAMTON pay $5,570 for New York Residents along with $12,043 in room and board. With an expected GPA of 3.0 admission to SUNY Binghamton has become more and more selective. SUNY B i n g h a m t o n provides great programs in almost all areas of study.

SUNY ONEONTA

About as far away as SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Oneonta is another option for students that want to get far enough away from home, but can still get back to Rockland for a weekend. Tuition is $5,570 for New York State residents, with room and board at $10,032. With 40% of full time students being transfers, SUNY Oneonta knows how to help transfer students achieve a smooth transition from their previous college or university, a must have on any transfer student’s list. SUNY Oneonta expects at least a 2.5 GPA for applicants in most majors, making it a feasible option for students without the

3.0 GPA SUNY Binghamton requires.SUNY PLATTSBURGH

At four hours away and an hour south of Montreal, Canada, SUNY Plattsburgh is pretty much as far away as you can get from Rockland when staying within the SUNY system. With Lake Placid an hour to the West and Burlington, Vermont an hour to the East, SUNY Plattsburgh is the perfect school for winter sports lovers. $5,570 for tuition and $6,682 for room and board for New York State residents, SUNY Plattsburgh prices are among the average for SUNY schools. 50% of SUNY Plattsburgh graduates start as transfer students so you will not be alone when leaving Rockland Community College behind for SUNY Plattsburgh. Requiring a 2.30 GPA from applicants, SUNY Plattsburgh is a viable option for most RCC students.

Amanda Van RynManaging Editor

Opinions 5February 18, 2013Features 4 February 18, 2013

Health Food Stores We’ve got our fast food, our slow food,

and our home-cooked food, all here in Rockland County. We are also lucky enough to have an abundance of health food. The market for healthy eating is growing, and so is the availability of health foods in Rockland. New City has long been home to Back to Earth (as is Nyack), Nanuet semi-recently opened A Matter of Health, and just a short journey from campus is the lovely Mrs. Green’s Natural Market. Now, the fear with health food stores always comes with the cost, but fear not-- all that granola munching really calms the staff of health food stores. They are more than willing to point you in the direction of a discount, and everything can be affordable if you know where to look.

Back to EarthKnown for an impeccable deli section,

and knowledgeable and friendly staff, Back to Earth is a great source for all things animal, mineral, and vegetable. From these shelves, you can feed your gluten-free friends, your diabetic relatives, and your hippie hemp-lovin’ sister-in-law, all at once. They have a wide variety of fresh produce, as well as shelved and refrigerated items. The deli always includes cold meals and amazing deserts (such as gluten-free flourless chocolate cake!) and usually pairs them with one or two soups-of-the-day, and a hot bar. Behind the counter are some very friendly people, who can make you the power smoothie of your dreams.

They’ll introduce you to new tastes, and point out the best natural soda to go with that freshly made panini you just got.

One of the more unique features of Back to Earth, is its natural medicine selection. The term “natural” usually holds little ground in today’s advertising society, but in terms of tinctures and homeopathic remedies, nature delivers. For many of us, entering into the world of homeopathy can be a frightening thing, especially after years of relying solely on Western medicine. For that, there is a cure. The well-learned staff

of Back to Earth will provide you with any information on the strange rash you’ve had on your forehead for the past week, that you need. They can tell you what you need to take, the ingredients of the medicine for it, and what affects it may have. This is a good place to go, from snack food, to health food, to cures for the common cold.With two locations in Rockland County, New City and Nyack, there’s no wrong way to turn. One of the major differences in the two locations would be the seating

area in the Nyack locale, but aside from personal preference of the customer, the two are equally beneficial.

A Matter of HealthFor lovers of stores like Whole Foods

and Trader Joe’s, A Matter of Health is the optimal choice. With a wide and varying selection of groceries, snacks, and other items, A Matter of Health is the best bridge into the world of healthier living. They too feature a deli, a wellness center, and a never-ending array of food items. If you are worried about cost, their website

features a variety of coupons, under the link entitled “Store Specials.” Like Back to Earth, most of their items are either fair trade, organic, or produced under good manufacturing practices. However, it is still just as important to read the labels here as anywhere else.

Located right off of Route 59, A Matter of Health is easily accessible and simple to find. With one foul swoop, you can get your Barnes & Nobles books, your Five and Below goodies, and your food supply

from A Matter of Health. The staff is friendly, and the place is always filled with some sort of inviting aroma. The scent comes from their elite coffee bar, home to the finest beans and most unique brews. It is certainly worth the trip, especially if you know how to find the right fit for your pocket.

Mrs. Green’sA new favorite of mine, Mrs. Green’s,

brings the health food option home. Just eight minutes from RCC’s campus, Mrs. Green’s Natural Market gives light to the Indian Rock Plaza. It is a great place to get lunch between classes, and a welcoming environment for both new comers and old timers to the health revolution. Eating at RCC can be a real hassle, and with the cost of a meal on campus ranging from eight bucks and up, Mrs. Green’s $3.99 pre-packaged sandwiches are appealing for more than just their taste (which is very good, by the way). Smaller than A Matter of Health, Mrs. Green’s is perfect for the grazing shopper. The staff is defined by their kindness and willingness to help with any need or question. They, too, feature a wellness consultant counter, and host both a frozen section, and a variety of shelved items. Their produce section is not very large, but it is equally inviting to everything else in the store. The guilt-free shopping experience of Mrs. Green’s does not stop at the counter, as they offer paper bags to hold your findings, reducing the carbon footprint of the individual shopper. But as we all know, the most important part of any shopping experience is the free stuff. Fortunately for us, Mrs. Green’s has free samples every day! You can grab a snack on the go, and not feel any remorse about your choices... or your belly.

Gennifer RollinsPhotography Editor

Opinions 5February 18, 2013Features 4 February 18, 2013

For many years teachers have been known to go to great lengths to help educate others. Not only do they learn for themselves, but they express what they learn to students and other individuals. These educators have the ability to inspire not only students but their fellow colleagues. They know literature like the back of their hand and history as solid as diamonds. Then why is it we take them for granted?

As an honors student I take my education seriously, as well as the people who teach me. Having relationships with my teachers helps my college experience as well as my overall education. I would rather run to Dr. Hazelton about Hamlet’s family problems and have an intelligent discussion than ask Snooki about her baby status and go GTL-ing. Education is so powerful and it should be taken seriously. With serious education, comes serious educators.

In the past, teachers were considered to have the most prestige and appreciated job than any other. Being able to learn facts for yourself, retain them, and then be able to express those thoughts to others is truly a remarkable skill. They dedicate their lives to prove that great art can be appreciated, and literature can never die.

Younger generations tend to look up to people like Wiz Khalifa and Lil’ Wayne

rather than your English teacher or your intense History professor. It is true that those celebrities have millions and can buy pretty much anything and everything, but in the end what intelligence do they possess in education? They might have money, but that may be all they have going for them.

Teachers on the other hand are caring

and want to help others by expressing their knowledge and research to help make education benefit the future. They possess so much knowledge that it is almost impossible not to be in awe of them.

Most of the younger generation feel that their teachers are annoying trying to get them to learn “useless” information. You

may feel that way, if a subject does not interest you, but for the student sitting next to you, that may not be the case. Just think of all of the information that teacher absorbs from his or her entire career just to get across to you that x=5 or that chloroplast help with photosynthesis in plants.

Students are now skipping classes more than ever before and they are putting their teachers down by taking advantage of them. Homework is being done less often, and essays are considered burdens rather than a way to communicate your thoughts to your professor in a neat manner.

Now we see these professors are getting laid off more frequently every year with no regard to the brilliant mind they possess. Budget cuts are hurting our children’s education because brilliant minds are leaving with no guilt. Teachers do what they can to help their students by providing supplies they buy themselves. They make copies of material so their students don’t have to go out of their

way to buy an expensive textbook, and sometimes even provide tutoring free of charge.

Teachers do what they can to make sure you make a solid education foundation for yourself so show them your appreciation in return.

Melissa MoneSocial Media Editor

Are Teachers Underappreciated?

Growing up under Generation X, many of us Generation Y-ers understand the now-ancient term, 143, but what does it really mean to us? Do our substitutions for expressions like, “I love you,” offer the same value as a numerated term, meant for beepers? Or does this change in expression simply mean that we are losing our ability to efficiently use the language we’ve got?

When a language ceases to transform, it is considered dead, but when an individual gathers a bunch of useless items, they are considered a hoarder. Are we hoarding words in the English language, or merely keeping it in motion? In the past, the English language was valued for its ability to be concise, while poetic, and for maintaining strong grammatical structure. It was the plateau for story-tellers, and the lighthouse for intellects. Now it is a syntactical mess of letters and symbols, mimicking language.

This is the era of no definition-- human sexuality is undefined, future goals are no-longer clear-cut, and the freedom-child of

the 1960s is alive in college students, accompanied by the angst of the 1980s tween. Life’s gotten so crazy that even our nouns have become verbs! When was the last time you’ve ‘Googled’ something? Perhaps two minutes ago? Maybe you’re even doing it right now, on your smart phone. Within the rapid pace of the Information Age, new formats of sharing pop up every minute. For those who want to be heard, there is Twitter, the blogger-sphere, Tumblr, and thousands of other quick-information sites. For those who want to be seen, there is Stumbleupon, Etsy, Seeme, Instagram, and Flickr. If you simply want to do it all at once, there is

always the handy-dandy Facebook. But has anyone taken notice of just how much our language has changed with these inventions? In our younger days, many of us experienced the universe of AOL instant messenger (aka AIM).

Our conversations were littered with acronyms, and ended with “lyl,” and “ttyl’s.” Phrases that would never be used in audible daily conversation, and were even laughable in writing, have now become the norm. We don’t do structure anymore. We tweet, and when that’s not enough, we re-tweet.

So I raise the question; Does language die when it ceases to change, or does it end in the loss of its value? Our words are as loose as our dollars, fluctuating with the extent by which we spend them. We are spending language at a rapid pace, and I wonder, to whom will we be in debt? Maybe Webster (whoever that is) will come down from the Ides of English Diction to give America the smack-down it deserves. Maybe Darwin will arise to point out the value of evolution and adaptation-- to better organize for means of survival. We are losing our structure, pushing nouns upon verbs, and mincing already loose definitions. Even good ol’ MLA is having trouble keeping up with the constant barrage of reference formats. Our very standards for organization are finding difficulty in staying organized. Calling on the spirit of our inner teen is beginning to smell like devolution. Don’t get the reference? Wikipedia it.

Gennifer RollinsPhotography Editor

The Devolution of the English Language

Advertising junk food is an incredibly expensive business. Nonetheless, every year the food industry spends over $33 billion in the United States alone to advertise food

products that could be classified as junk food. The average American child sees around 20,000 advertisements a year for junk food and soft drinks. In fact, the majority of food advertised during children’s television programming is for sweetened cereals, soft drinks, candy, processed snacks, and fast foods. Incredibly, a typical American today consumes more sugar in two weeks than a person a century ago would have eaten in an entire year. It is unfortunate that even after becoming aware of statistics such as these, people continue to disregard precautions

and spend their money on unhealthy foods supported by celebrities.

PepsiSince 1984, famous people such as Michael

Jackson, Ray Charles, Britney Spears, Pink, Beyonce Knowles, Enrique Iglesias, and Christina Aguilera have been sponsoring Pepsi products. Pepsi contains phenylalanine,

which is an effective nerve gas. Theories suggest that this compound may increase the risk of ADHD. Additionally, the caffeine and phosphoric acid contained in Pepsi contribute to symptoms of hyperactivity, and increased heart rate. C o n t a i n i n g 41 grams of sugar per 12 ounces of soda, Pepsi may also lead to health problems such

as weight gain, diabetes, and hypertension. Business oriented associations such as this franchise do very well in deceiving their customers by hiring supremely fit and well known individuals who make drinking this beverage look like a healthy lifestyle choice.

McDonald’sIt was very strange to see that McDonald’s

sponsored the 2012 Summer Olympics. During a time when the world’s greatest athletes were competing against one another in the ultimate game, the advertisements that featured people such as Lola Jones

and Lebron James during commercials was completely contradictory. Studies have shown that by eating a Big Mac and french fries, the body consumes nearly twice as many calories more than it would if it ingested the same weight in pasta and salad. Fast food restaurants feed the obesity epidemic by getting people to eat many more calories than they need through the persistent showing of advertisements such as those broadcasted just last year.

Side EffectsMuch research has been devoted

to realizing the health hazards of eating unhealthy foods. Aside from diabetes and related problems associated with obesity, side effects of eating fast foods also include migraine headaches, depression, and food addiction. It is because

of these dangers that people should think twice before making a habit out of eating these quick and easy meals.

Opinions 6 February 18, 2013

Learning to talk is one of the first skills that we learn when we are new to this world. We start with “da-da” or “ma-ma” and we progress our skill to pronounce words like “onomatopoeia.” But let’s face it, being that we all live in the 21st century, we have things like Siri to help us communicate and autocorrect to help us spell. The advancement of technology is slowly allowing more and more people to lose the art of verbal communication and rely on electronic devices to communicate for us.

Most of our generation today uses electronic mail (e-mail) to communicate with our friends and family before calling them and having a conversation on the phone. Even though cell phones were made to talk to other people without a home wire, a majority of teenagers use cell phones to text rather than call. The use of texting has also eliminated the use of the “regular” telephone. There are companies now that allow people to eliminate their landline telephones and replace them with a cell

phone. Why call when we can just text and send?

Many teenagers like the comfort of texting because they do not have to worry about talking to their “crush” face-to-face or confronting an enemy. Being a teenager

comes hand-in-hand with finding who they are which includes finding their confidence. With them relying on text rather than their voice to communicate with others, it will

truly limit their abilities. People learn from other people and there are many things that we might not have had today without the use of verbal communication.

Texting and the use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter really do

prevent people from learning the most important skill we acquire, communication. Now with the use of technology and the invention of these social networks you can

stay at home in your bed all day with your smartphone and computer to find out who did what, when they did it, and what they thought about while they were doing it. You can accomplish an entire days worth of verbal communication without even saying

hello to that person you “socially stalked.”

Without verbal communication things like job interviews and college interviews will not come easy. The need to have communication skills beyond a keyboard is something that is crucial to our ways of life. Without it we cannot seal deals, move people, or tell stories.

The loss of verbal communication has also lead people into depression from feeling like they do not have friends and resorting to finding their “true love” on match.com or eharmony.com. If you have good communication skills, you will find people willing to talk to you which would create friendships.

Being able to communicate verbally with other people can truly help with global issues. It can allow us as a race to come together and talk about problems that we face today like global warming and putting a

stop to war. We need verbal communication to advance, not more technology to hide behind. Technology may be advancing, but communication is slowly dying.

Mellisa MoneSocial Media Editor

Is Verbal Communication Dead?

Maria O’TooleContributing Writer

Famous Faces for Fatty Foods

opinions 7February 18, 2013

Outlook Student Press

Outlook Student Press is published every other week except during exam periods and summer. It is an independent newspaper produced by students and paid for by advertising revenue and student activities fees. Submissions and articles become the property of Outlook Student Press. Outlook Student Press invites you to submit your opinions and ideas for publication. We strongly encourage letters to the editor.Content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Outlook editors or staff. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, style, and taste. Outlook does not accept anonymous submissions.

On the web: Outlookpress.orgFacebook.com/outlookpressEmail: Outlookstudentpress@gmail.comOffice: Student Union Room 3200 Phone: (845) 574-4389Fax: (845) 356-6261

Snail mail:Outlook Student PressRockland Community College145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901

Professor Fuentes, Advisor

Like to write? E-mail us at outlookstudentpress@gmail.com

Kristen Loretoni, Editor-in-Chief Amanda Van Ryn, Managing Editor Julie DeVito, Production ManagerGabriela Gonzalez, Opinions Editor

Gen Rollins, Photography EditorDevon Keane, Sports EditorMelissa Mone, Social Media Editor

Staff: Kristina Nikolaj, Benedict Tagle, Marina Watts, Suzanne Peguero, Brandon Tanis

Contributing: Maria O’Toole

www.facebook.com/OutlookPress

www.twitter.com/OutlookPress

Get FREE academic help!Call 845-574-4503Centers for Academic Progress & SuccessCAPS

FREE Tutoring:

READING • WRITINGCENTER

SCIENCE CENTERTUTORING CENTER

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

Knowing my mom was using social media sites used to make me cringe. I hated the fact that I was now monitored every second of the day. My mom said the only reason she wanted a Facebook so that she could stay connected to family and friends that she was disconnected from, which I completely understand. It wasn’t until I was getting grilled with questions about my photos, wall posts, and everything else that I thought this may be problematic. Thankfully, I have a mom that is understanding and has tried since then to refrain from invading my privacy. If I had things on my profile that I thought weren’t okay for my mom to see, then I probably shouldn’t even be posting it for the whole world to see.

DevonKeane

AmandaVan Ryn

Kristen Loretoni

Gabriela Gonzalez

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT... Parents on Social Media?

When I logged on to my facebook and saw that I had a pending friend request from my Dad, I immediately pressed denied. It’s not that I don’t think parents should have social networking accounts, I just don’t want them to be able to interact with me on them. I don’t have anything to hide, I would just like to limit what they know about my personal life. I think it’s perfectly fine for parents to have social networking accounts because I believe it’s a great way for them to socialize and interact with each other just like we do. Infact, I believe that it’s much more acceptable for your parents to have a facebook account compared to your 9 year old cousin flipping the bird as their profile picture. Young kids shouldn’t have to worry about what their classmates are doing the second they get home from school; they’ll see them in recess the next day. Meanwhile, parents may benefit from social networking by reconnecting with their childhood bestfriend.

I am one of the lucky few who has parents that have absolutely no interest in social network sites. If my parents had a Facebook or a Twitter, I would be constantly paranoid of saying something or posting something I shouldn’t have. Even though I am always conscious of what I post online regardless, I like to know that I can express myself freely without having to worry about what my parents will say. Not only would they know every detail of my life, but I know they would attempt to interact with me too, and would surely make embarrassing comments. If my parents needed to use a social network site for their job, or for personal reasons, I wouldn’t stop them. They are adults after all and are allowed to do what they want. I would just make sure I wasn’t involved in any way. It’s one of the few ways I get to have privacy.

Style & Entertainment 9February 18, 2013Style & Entertainment 8 February 18, 2013

Lincoln’s Dead, but This Movie Isn’tReleased October 8, “Lincoln” hit

theaters with a bang, grossing over $180 million thus far. Steven Spielberg’s latest film has amazed crowds all over. Adapted from the novel “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearn Goodwin, we follow Abraham Lincoln during the last few months of his life. With an all-star cast of Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Sally Field, the story of our nation’s tallest president is told.

The film takes place over four months, from January first 1865 up to Lincoln’s assassination that April. Revolving around the struggle to pass the thirteenth amendment, we learn in detail how much really goes into passing a law. In the 1860s, one could not simply send a tweet to get information across the country. Simple tasks such as communicating information were much more tedious, and Lincoln does an excellent job emphasizing this. Audiences also see Honest Abe struggle on a more personal level with his family, as his son (Gordon-Levitt) looks to enlist in the army and creates a stressful home environment for the president and his wife (Field). One can feel how stressful times were for the Lincoln family through excellent performances.

“Lincoln” leads the Academy Awards in nominations in the following categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Day-Lewis), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jones), Best Actress in a Supporting

Role (Field), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score (by none other than John Williams), Best Sound Mixing, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Film Editing. With twelve nominations, Lincoln has a sure-fire chance of taking home some-if not all-the Oscars. Previous accolades include that of the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild giving Day-Lewis the award for Best Actor in a Drama.

If “Lincoln” takes home the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture, it will be the first time in Oscar history that a film about a United States president wins in such a category.

Things are looking on the up-and-up for the Brit playing the most-portrayed American president on screen (Abe has become quite the celebrity, appearing in over two hundred films). Daniel Day-Lewis gives a captivating performance as the sixteenth president. His portrayal of the charismatic leader is well-deserving

of his Oscar nomination. His physical likeness to the president is uncanny as well; you could slap his face on a five-dollar bill from a screenshot in this movie and I

wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. His mannerisms give audiences more insight to what his personality was like, on both a presidential/professional level, along with a personal one. Day-Lewis enjoyed his time on set as Abraham Lincoln and said, “I never, ever felt that depth of love for another human being that I never met. And that’s, I think, probably the effect that Lincoln has on most people that take the time to discover him... I wish he had stayed [with me] forever.” Such dedication is the epitome of an ideal actor.

Producer Kathleen Kennedy most accurately describes his method-acting: “he is very much deeply invested and immersed throughout the day when he’s in character, but he’s very accessible at the end of the day, once he can step outside of it and not feel that – I mean, he’s given huge scenes with massive amounts of dialogue and he needs to stay in character, it’s a very, very performance-driven movie.”

Kennedy said that you “get chills thinking that Lincoln is sitting right there

in front of you.” I felt that way from watching Day-Lewis on the silver screen, let alone being in his presence.

The make-up department and the costuming for this film was fabulous in transforming the entire cast back to Civil War America. Soldiers dressed in Confederate and Union uniform were especially excellent. The story of the film is pretty historically accurate. One would hope for such an outcome, considering Spielberg spent twelve years researching for this film.

Upon doing research on little nuances, such as little stories Lincoln told and how everything unfolded leading up to the emancipation, I was pleased that most of my results were up to par. Spielberg was pretty thorough in recreating sets. He made sure when recreating Lincoln’s office that everything was perfect. In fact, he even placed some of Lincoln’s actual books on the shelves and decorated with his wallpaper. However, I was surprised that there was no mention or portrayal

of vice president Andrew Johnson, who would succeed Lincoln after his death. It will definitely leave audiences wanting to learn more about Lincoln, as I plan on reading more about the president and his career in due time.

“Lincoln” was probably one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. It was incredibly historically accurate. Though a bit lengthy and seemed to drag on at points, it packs in lots of detail. Without it, the movie would have been shorter, and probably not as good. It really showed how getting the Emancipation Proclamation was a struggle on many levels and didn’t happen overnight. I felt completely immersed into everything unfolding before me. With “Lincoln,” I have a newfound appreciation for escapism, which is what film was originally all about. To take one away from reality was film’s original purpose; “Lincoln” is for anyone who adores the sixteenth president and is looking for a trip back in time in the comfort of your local movie theater.

Marina WattsStaff Writer

Style & Entertainment 9February 18, 2013Style & Entertainment 8 February 18, 2013

OPIRussian Navy

My new favorite style on nails are matte colors. They are so different and work great with any skin tone. The Russian Navy color by OPI is such a classic look, you can wear it for any occasion. Dark blue is the perfect Winter color on nails. If you want to do a dark french, I love this as the base color and OPI’s Black Onyx as the tip; the combination is subtle but so stylish.

MAC Extra Amps DazzleGlass

I love the sparkles on this gloss. It is perfect for date night and can add that little bit of glitz you need. Keep in mind that if you are wearing lip gloss that acts as your statement piece for your face, you want to keep everything else very mild. Your eye makeup should not be overdone, only mascara and a little eyeliner is necessary. There are almost 20 shades to choose from, so no matter what complexion you have, there is bound to be one that looks great on you.

Sock Bun by H&MIf you have a lot of messy

hair like me, then you know how annoying it is to always have it look “done.” I decided to buy a sock bun from H&M and see how it worked. I always liked the ballerina bun look but never thought I’d be able to pull it off. The sock bun is so easy! They come with directions and the best part is that they only cost around $5. To give it a professional look, use hairspray to make sure it stays put and wear bold makeup to play up your best

features, whether it be cheekbones, lips or eyes.

Homemade Beach Hair SprayI love how curly and natural my hair

gets at the beach, and although there are

sprays out there that you can buy, I found the homemade ones are a lot easier on your hair and on your wallet. I like the look of beach curls during the Winter just as much as I love them during the Summer. Thanks to Pinterest, I found a great beach

s p r a y r e c i p e t h a t is so easy and

a l l o w s you to have those

curls whenever you want. All you need is an empty

spray bottle, 1 cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon of sea salt, 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, and 1 drop of hair gel. Mix these together and spray all over your

hair. If you have naturally curly hair, then just let your hair air dry without touching. But, if you don’t have natural curls, make sure you crunch your hair after applying the mixture to encourage the curls.

Kristen LoretoniEditor-in-chief

WHY WE LOVE

Style & Entertainment 10 February 18, 2013

“Silver Linings Playbook” ReviewReleased last November was David O.

Russell’s adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel “Silver Linings Playbook.” This rom-com/drama stars the handsome Bradley Cooper as Pat Solitano, a young man recovering from his divorce. Anyone who has read Quick’s novel should see the film adaptation, and vice versa. Audiences will find this film charming and inspiring.

The film starts with his return home from a mental institution to live with his parents, Dolores (Jacki Weaver) and Pat Sr. (Robert de Niro)-a superstitious Eagles fan. Between therapy sessions and coping with bipolar disorder, Pat meets a troubled widow, Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) through a mutual friend. She promises to help Pat communicate with his ex-wife under one condition-he dances with her for a competition. With Pat Sr. pulling him back into the family in an almost sick way and Tiffany’s endeavor to make Pat a five-star dancer, this feel-good film is delightful, as we see Bradley Cooper struggle.

Audiences will cheer for Pat as he gets through his “apart time.” We cannot help but feel empathy for Pat. Cooper offers a moving performance, proven so

by his Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for this role. His on-screen chemistry with Jennifer Lawrence is simply wonderful.

The film is up for eight Academy Awards this year: Best Director (Russell), Best Motion Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), Best Actress ( L a w r e n c e ) , Best Supporting Actor (de Niro), Best Supporting Actress (Weaver), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing.

This is David Russell’s second nomination from the Academy for best director, the first being for his critically acclaimed film “The Fighter.” His previous films have made quite the impressions at film festivals, especially “Silver Linings Playbook.” This film in particular hits home for him; he was inspired by his son’s reforming school

to take up the project. Russell’s son has bipolar and OCD and attends the Devereaux Glenholme School in Connecticut. The film’s theme of recovering and rediscovering one’s self became especially tangible. “I was so familiar with the issues in the story that I knew how emotional and funny and original it could be,” said Russell. “Without this community I would never have made this film.” His motley

crew of actors is so diverse, but they complement each other so naturally.

Bradley Cooper in the past has been known for being in comedies, such as “The Wedding Crashers,” “The Hangover,” and “Failure to Launch.” Outside of “Limitless” and “The Words” we haven’t seen much of a serious Cooper. “Silver Linings Playbook” will definitely open up doors for his career, as we see Pat struggle and express a range of emotions wider than the Pacific Ocean. His performance was outstanding, and even though there is some tough competition for Best Actor he has a shot just as good as the rest of the nominees.

J e n n i f e r Lawrence shines in “Silver Linings Playbook.” After seeing her previous performances in “The Hunger Games” and “The House at the End of the Street,” I wasn’t confident her career could ever flourish. Solely being pretty and young can only get you so far in Hollywood. After seeing her in “Silver Linings Playbook,” I have higher hopes for this Golden Globe winning actress. This film just might be her game changer.

The Australian actress Jacki Weaver is known as a symbol for the Australian New Wave that began in the 1970’s and was nominated by the American Film Institute for her performance in “Caddy.” Us Americans know her best for her roles in “Animal Kingdom” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” both of which she has been nominated for the Academy Award of Best Supporting Actress. Though she is up against other brilliant actresses for her category, she might take home the award.

Robert de Niro is a true icon of the silver screen, as he is a director, actor and producer. De Niro has been in films varying from “Goodfellas” and “Taxi Driver” to “Meet the Parents” and “Cape Fear.” He has won two Academy Awards as an actor in the past and has been nominated for seven. Winning for his roles in “The Godfather : Part II” as best supporting actor and “Raging Bull” as best actor, he has the best track record of the actors nominated from this film to take home an award. He is up against Christoph Waltz is in his category, who won the Golden Globe for his appearance in “Django Unchained” for Best Supporting Actor.

The Academy was especially generous this year considering the four leads got nominated for their roles in this film. This is the first time a film has gotten nominations in these four categories since 1981 in the film “Reds.” Many films in the past have filled up three of these four categories, but for a movie to receive a nomination in each category is a rarity. Only thirteen films in the past have done it, and none have been successful in conquering these categories across the board. If “Silver Linings Playbook” can, it will be the first time in Oscar history. There is a .0016 chance this will happen, and a .0004 chance they will win all four PLUS film of the year.

Among its nominations, “Silver Linings Playbook” is also the first “Big Five” (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Writing) nominee since “Million Dollar Baby” in 2004.

As the film progressed, I fell more and more in love with every character. The four Oscar-nominated actors complimented each other so flawlessly. De Niro, Cooper, Lawrence and Weaver kept the plot flowing naturally as their relationships on screen flourished.

“Silver Linings Playbook” really shows that you can find the solutions to ones problems in the most unlikely places and through people you wouldn’t expect. Every cloud has a silver lining; you just have to find it.

Marina WattsStaff Writer

Style & Entertainment 11February 18, 2013

The 2013 Grammy Awards were on Sunday February 10. Taylor Swift opened the show with a circus-like performance and even practiced her british accent. Heart shaped confetti and pyrotechnics came over the stage as Taylor ended her performance.

After Swift’s performance LL Cool J, the host of the show, came out to welcome everyone. He talked about how even though all the musicians come from different places, calling out Justin Timberlake from Memphis, Beyonce from Houston, Carrie Underwood from Oklahoma, Adele from England, and Rihanna from Barbados that they all dreamed the same dream and made it to the Grammys.

Next, Ed Sheeran with his guitar and Elton John on the piano performed Sheeran’s song “A-Team.” The performance was simple, casual and effortless. After that Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull came out to present the award for best female pop solo performance, whose winner was Adele for “Set Fire to the Rain.”

The next few performers might not have been from the same genre, but they were all equally as entertaining. Fun. took over the stage singing and playing their instruments as rain fell onto them. Next, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley played their songs “Over You” and “Home” and made the audience feel like they were transported to one of their concerts. New Grammy winner Miguel and Wiz Khalifa had a short

performance while presenting. The award for Best Country Solo

Performance went to Carrie Underwood for her song “Blown Away.” Power couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw presented the Grammy for Song of the Year to Fun. for 2012 anthem “We Are Young.” After, Johnny Depp came out to introduce a performance of the song “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons which by far was one of the best performances of the night.

Justin Timberlake’s highly anticipated comeback to music came next. Ellen

DeGeneres and Beyonce introduced the performance of “Suit and Tie,” broadcast in a sepia tone, with a set as a throwback to American Bandstand. After, a new category was announced, Urban Contemporary, with winner Frank Ocean for “Channel Orange.” Best Rock Performance went to The Black Keys for “Lonely Boy.”

Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys were next with a mash-up performance of their songs, “Girl on Fire” and “Daylight.” Much to her surprise, Kelly Clarkson won the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Rihanna had

a very simple performance next, letting her raw talent shine through, making her voice the star and spectacle. Best Rap Song Collaboration was won by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, and The Dream for “No Church in the Wild.” Rock group The Black Keys took the stage next playing one of their latest hits.

Kelly Clarkson performed covers of songs by Patti Page and Carole King who were lifetime achievement award winners for the evening. Then she awarded Zac Brown Band a Grammy for Best Country Album for their album, “Uncaged.” A tribute to Bob Marley was next with Bruno Mars, Sting, Rihanna, Ziggy Marley and Danny Marley. The Lumineers performed their song “Ho Hey” and Jack White performed right after.

One of my favorite awards, Best New Artist, was awarded to FUN. Hunter Hayes sang a piece of his song “Wanted” before introducing Carrie Underwood singing her song “Blown Away” in a dress with projections making it change throughout the performance. The Record of the Year was won by Gotye for “Somebody that I Used to Know.” A very emotional performance was next for the teachers and students of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting by Elton John, Zac Brown Band, Mumford and Sons, T Bone Burnett, Mavis Staples, and Brittany Howard. A performance by Frank Ocean was next, followed by the award for Album of the Year to Mumford and Sons for “Babel.” LL Cool J closed the show with his own performance.

Amanda Van RynManaging Editor

2013 Grammy Awards

Science & Health 12 February 18, 2013

WebMD and other medical sites on the internet provide resources for the inquisitive looking for immediate answers in regards to their health. A wealth of knowledge can be accessed by logging onto the site. With just a few clicks, a plethora of information concerning symptoms, medication, and illnesses can be accessed. Because of the ease of access, simplicity of the website, and swift usage, more and more people are using WebMD and similar sites, explaining the increasing popularity of self-diagnosis via the internet.

The Los Angeles Times reported that an astounding 74 percent of people surveyed on a website self-diagnosed themselves without visiting a doctor. The self-diagnosed persons were not always correct in their judgment; in fact 87 percent found out they were wrong upon consulting with their physician.

Although these websites provide useful information, there are still dangers with self-diagnosis and relying solely on the internet.

There are numerous medical conditions with similar symptoms. For instance, type “sore throat” into the symptoms checker on WebMD. With this symptom, WebMD provides you with no less than 23 possible conditions. The possibilities range from

simple ailments, such as a common cold, all the way to more serious ailments, including throat cancer.

Throat cancer, according to WebMD lists the following symptoms as indications

of throat cancer: sore throat, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, lump or bulge, excessive sweating. These common

conditions help explain why self-diagnosed individuals are often scared upon consulting with their physician. If it were a hot summer night, and an individual was returning home from an event such as a party or a sporting

event, WebMD can cause unneeded worry. A hot summer night can easily lead to excessive sweating. Coming home from

an exhausting event can cause fatigue and a hoarse voice. Already, three of the six symptoms of throat cancer are listed. After consulting WebMD, uneasiness will settle, until consultation with a doctor.

To make matters more complicated, the symptoms of viral pharyngitis are similar. A person with viral pharyngitis may experience symptoms such as a sore throat and difficulty talking due to a coarse voice. An individual with viral pharyngitis could easily believe they have throat cancer due to the symptoms listed on WebMD. The confusion in the symptoms can be applied to many other cases. Pursuing wrong medication for the true conditions can lead to potentially life-threatening situations.

Ultimately, WebMD and other online medical sites can be a very powerful tool to use. However, with the wealth of knowledge they provides comes danger. Physicians are still the best tools in medicine; after using the internet, be open-minded about what the doctors may say; you may have been completely incorrect with your diagnosis. They, after all, are the

experts. Online medicine resources should be used as a resource, but the real diagnosis should come from a physician.

Benedict TagleStaff Writer

The Dangers of Self-Diagnosis

When people think of Crème Puffs, they usually think French pastries are way too hard to make, but they aren’t! Crème Puffs are actually super easy to make and don’t take a long time at all. Crème Puffs are made out of Pate a Choux; pastry dough. For the filling you can either use whipped crème, ice-cream, or a custard crème filling.

Here is what you will need:½ Cup Milk½ Cup Water3oz of Unsalted Butter at roomtemperature1 cup All-Purpose flour1 tsp Sugar¼ tsp Salt4-5 Eggs

To make the Pate a Choux combine the milk, water, butter, sugar, and salt and bring it to a boil over medium to high heat. Once at a boil, add the flour and mix it until it all comes together in a little ball. Next, put the dough into another bowl and let it cool off; you don’t want to add the eggs if it’s too hot. Add the eggs one at a time. The dough will look a little lumpy, but once all the eggs are absorbed it will come together. Once all the eggs are in and the stirring is complete, the dough should be shiny and pasty. Then, put the dough in a pastry bag or you can use a big Ziploc bag with a hole cut in the corner. On a cooking sheet, lay the dough into 1 ½ - 2 inch wide circles. Put them into the oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes and then lower the heat to 375 degrees and continue baking for 15 minutes. Once complete the Puffs should be golden brown and hollow. To fill the crème puffs all you need to do is make

a little hole at the bottom of the puff with a butter knife and fill it with whatever filling

you like. Finally, enjoy!Kristina NikolajStaff Writer

Become the French Pastry Chef of Your Dreams

Sports 15February 18, 2013Sports 14 February 18, 2013

The Super Bowl brought a number of headlines to the attention of the public. The commercials, blackout and subsequent

delay, halftime show, and furious comeback attempt by the eventual losers, were just a few of the headlines. One of the most intriguing storylines of the day was the matchup of the sidelines. For the first time in Super Bowl history, two brothers would be dueling each other. This interesting storyline brings up the question: what other

prominent siblings have there been in the world of sports?

Serena and Venus WilliamsThey have gone head-to-head in

many competitions, including major championships. The tennis greats combined for 22 single major wins; 15 for Serena, and

7 for Venus. For doubles, the two sisters have won 13 major titles each. The sisters have both won four Olympic medals; one in singles and three in doubles. Both have been ranked number one in the world during their careers, with Venus becoming the first African-American woman to do so during the Open Era.

Peyton and Eli Manning

Both quarterbacks have won Super Bowl championships, but never while playing against each other. Eli has two wins, where Peyton has only one. Both quarterbacks were highly touted coming out of the collegiate ranks, reflected in both being drafted first overall in their

respective drafts. Both Manning brothers have been selected for multiple Pro Bowls. In addition to this, they have won numerous individual awards apart from these. Both Peyton and Eli are considered to be Hall of Fame quarterbacks.

Pau and Marc GasolThis sibling rivalry is still young, but

has the potential to grow much more fierce and competitive. The Spanish duo are individually considered top players at their respective positions. They have both played for their native Spain in international competitions. Their teams have won many accolades during their playing time there; events include the FIBA World Championship and the Olympics. Both are perennial contenders for the All-

Star Game and are large parts of their team. The two have a chance to meet in the playoffs in the coming years and compete for a championship; this would help elevate the rivalry. Pau is a part of the Los Angeles Lakers, a team always in contention for the championship. Marc is part of the upstart Memphis Grizzlies. Despite their recent trades, they still remain very, very strong contenders.

Just a few of the sibling rivalries in today’s sports, there are a few not mentioned that could develop into the realm of the Harbaugh/Williams/Manning types. In basketball, there are the Lopez twins and the three Plumlee brothers. In baseball, the Upton brothers could both become top players in the game. Just wait a few more years, and these siblings may be the next hot topic.

Benedict TagleStaff Writer

Siblings Rivalries in Sports

Match fixing has appeared in the news throughout the years; the concept is not new. In American sports alone, there are many different examples. One prominent example is the Black Sox Scandal, when players of the Chicago White Sox intentionally lost games in the 1919 World Series. In the National B a s k e t b a l l Associat ion, in the 2002 W e s t e r n C o n fe r e n c e Finals, referee Tim Donaghy claimed that two referees working Game Six fixed the game. They had intentionally called in the favor of the Los Angeles Lakers; the game was filled with poor calls, allowing the Lakers to win the game, and subsequently, the series with the next game.

Match fixing is always a controversial issue because of the ethics involved. The nature of sportsmanship preaches for free-spirited competition. Instead, match-fixing ruins sportsmanship; hence, the results are like professional wrestling—scripted and predetermined.

Recently, it was discovered that Asian gangs, based out of Singapore, had a hand in fixing the results of hundreds of matches.

Europol has stated that 380 games are under investigation for match-fixing. The organization of the crimes committed is tremendous; a total of 425 players, officials,

and other

i n d i v i d u a l s are said to be involved with the crimes. Approximately 2 million euros in payment were made by the gangs to compensate for their aid.

More incredibly, the extent of the system spans several continents; most prominently, matches in Africa, Asia, and Europe were involved.

There has been match fixing in soccer before. However, this particular case may

be the most prominent because of the importance of the games involved. The match fixing was not limited to the minor league games. In fact, some of the matches with fixed

results were the most incredible matches

in soccer. Among the

games were World Cup qualifying matches and UEFA Champions League Matches. In essence, not only was domestic competition involved, but international as well. Matches were not only relegated to regular season matchups between teams,

but postseason as well. These matches consist of some of the

most important games played in soccer. Both tournaments, the

World Cup and the UEFA Champions League, draw billions of eyeballs and

euros every time they are held. Millions of euros were made by the gangs via fixing the results and gambling. Because of the prominence of a number of matches, the gangs were able to make even more profit.

These findings by Europol are made more striking by the popularity of the sport across the world. Across the world, soccer has taken the role as the most popular sport. On the continents of Europe, South America, and Africa, the sport is by far the most popular sport. Regardless of demographics, soccer has been able to capture the hearts of people. One of the most important things right now is to keep it that way.

Benedict TagleStaff Writer

Soccer Match Fixing Scandal Tarnishes the Game

Most of us know Adderall as the “study drug” that is stereotypically used by college students who seek an edge to complete their 10 page research paper due in less than 24 hours, but did you know that it is also being used by professional athletes to gain their own type of edge?

Adderall is a drug used to control the symptoms of the attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is used by people who have trouble focusing and have a tendency towards significant impulsiveness and inattention. Some students take advantage of this drug because of its ability to significantly increase an individual’s concentration and focus. Adderall gives students the superhuman ability to cram for tests and papers for an unusual long period of time. It may be a performance enhancer in academics, but what about in sports?

Among the recent handful of player suspensions related to the consumption of banned substances, I assumed they were because of a performance enhancer such as anabolic steroids.

When I continued my research about these suspensions, I was baffled when I found out that the positive drug tests were because of the amphetamine Adderall. I had no idea that Adderall was considered a banned substance in professional sports.

Apparently, it is classified as a performance enhancing drug for those who do not have a dependence on it.

Adderall is banned in the NCAA, NFL, MLB, NHL, along with plenty other sport organizations. Not only is adderall banned in these organizations, the usage of the drug among athletes has skyrocketed. Most of these athletes claim that the drug helps them get in the zone and significantly increase their mental focus. In baseball, some players have admitted that it helps get them through the brutally long, 162-game regular season.

Eric Wright and Aqib Talib (now plays for the Patriots) of the Buccaneers, Tyler Sash and Will Hill of the Giants, Joe Hawley of the Falcons, Joe Haden of the Browns, Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman of the Seahawks, and Jermaine Cunningham of the Patriots are all football players who have claimed that Adderall was the result of their failed drug test.

These players were hit with harsh four-game suspensions, in essence, missing one fourth of the season. Most recently in Major League Baseball, Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, who is coming off a career year, will begin the 2013 regular season in April with a 25-game suspension.

When asked why these players are receiving suspensions related to Adderall use, NFL Senior Vice President of labor law and Policy Adolph Birch stated,

“It’s a stimulant. When taken in a non-medically-indicated, non-therapeutic use, it’s a stimulant that can combat fatigue and feelings of fatigue on a playing field.”

These long suspensions are definitely considered just since these players are seeking to gain a competitive advantage over others. The drug clearly battles fatigue, increases concentration, and allows for more intense training. Athletes who have a legitimate prescription for adderall are still allowed to collect their dosage, but must receive regular check-ups and evaluations by doctors to prolong their prescription.

There is also the controversy of whether

these players have really tested positive for Adderall. Because the player association states that officials are not allowed to release the name of some specific substances abused by athletes, there is the suspicion that they are using Adderall as an alibi for their positive drug test.

It makes sense considering Adderall does not have the reputation that other drugs may have as a result of it being so commonly used.

Whether these players are coming clean with their failed drug tests or not, non-prescribed Adderall will always be considered a performance enhancing drug

Devon KeaneSports Editor

Adderall as a PED?

Pitchers and catchers have reported and it’s time for baseball fans to come out of hibernation. Spring training has finally started in Florida and Arizona, and all teams have begun their yearly Spring routine.

This is just the beginning of a long, exciting season as each team eyes the ultimate goal of winning the World Series that marks the end of the journey. However, this Spring brings something different. It will be the third ever World Baseball Classic and baseball’s best players around the world will represent their respective countries and compete in a 16 team tournament.

The World Baseball Classic was founded in May, 2005, and the first tournament was held in March, 2006, when Japan became the first crowned World Champion. It was also played in 2009, where Japan defended its title and took home the trophy once again. The tournament was created as a

result of baseball being scratched as a sport from the Summer Olympics and was also used to help boost baseball’s p o p u l a r i t y around the world by featuring p r o f e s s i o n a l players from the MLB, and players from other leagues, to compete with their nations.

The classic will be held for the third time, from March 2nd until the 12th, and just like in the previous two tournaments, there will always be those who voice their support and criticism. Many managers and owners believe that the World Baseball Classic can leave players vulnerable to injuries because they are taken out of their normal Spring routines.

T h r o u g h o u t Spring training, players are placing all their attention on the fundamentals of the game; whether it’s working on their batting stance, swing, fielding position, or pitching mechanics, the players are hard at

work. Players seek advice from their trainers and managers every day and are being watched under a close eye. Spring training is extremely important for pitchers, because it gets them back into a groove that stretches

out their arms, and builds overall strength necessary to get them through the 162-game regular season.

During the World Baseball Classic, players aren’t playing in the relaxed games that take place during spring training. They’re competing in games that actually have some meaning. These games definitely aren’t on the same level of MLB’s World Series, but they

are far more important than the Cactus and Grapefruit league games played before the regular season. Although there are strict pitch counts for these games, pitchers may be throwing harder pitches, and ones that they may not typically throw during Spring training, like tough breaking balls. Players will run harder, throw harder, and play harder during the Classic, compared to Spring training which will ultimately make them more prone to injuries.

The games in the tournament held in the United States should not just be played in ballparks that are in the south. I understand that games are less likely to be cancelled due to weather in Florida, Arizona, and California; but the weather in March is similar to the weather during the MLB postseason in October. Ratings for the Classic will tremendously increase if more games are held in different stadiums throughout the United States.

The World Baseball Classic is an awesome tournament for players to represent their countries and gives undiscovered players a chance to show their skills. There are definitely some changes that could be made to make the tournament more popular, and hopefully there will be more improvements as time passes.

I am excited to follow the tournament this March and I hope to see team USA win their first championship.

Devon KeaneSports Editor

World Baseball Classic

Sports 15February 18, 2013Sports 14 February 18, 2013