Stephen Colbert: Alpha Dog of the Century
Rough Draft
By: Hannah Hoffman
Comedy Central hits this one out of the park. Airing at 11pm, Monday- Thursday nights, on Comedy Central, Stephen Colbert is a conservative, gun-loving, gay-hating, political pundit that surprisingly appeals to people of all political backgrounds. Perhaps the only act of bipartisanship at the moment, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents can all join together in agreement that The Colbert Report successfully gets them laughing.
Created in 2005, Stephen Colbert was created to mock the already established conservative talk show host, Bill O’Reilly. Although Colbert generally keeps true to his comedic impression of O’Reilly, the show has come to represent the satire of the United States media in general.
The show combines jokes about politics and important real world issues. The Report also focuses on ludicrous stories that no intelligent or educated person would think to take an interest in. By doing this, Colbert is not only creating an atmosphere of humor, but exposing the stupidity of stories that news shows report on real news networks.
His is a “one man band,” working with no correspondents to accentuate his selfishness. The Colbert Repot is also based on the principle of “truthiness” that was even added to Webster’s Dictionary in 2006. It defines the word as “truth that comes from the gut, not books" and "the quality of preferring concepts or facts one wishes to be true, rather than concepts of facts known to be true." This gives Colbert the “authority” to say whatever he thinks, and it automatically is the truth.
The Colbert Report and Stephen Colbert have become an obsession with many Americans. Maybe the constant fighting and partisanship in Washington causes the public to lean to political satire? Whatever the reason, the show is and has been the best comedy show on cable television. Going strong for five years, there is not stopping Stephen T. Colbert.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Facebook: More Danger than Fun?
Facebook: More Danger than Fun?
Rough Draft
By: Hannah Hoffman
Facebook has taken over. It is a force to be reckoned with. Don’t mess with Facebook.
Facebook is defined simply as a global social networking site. But if you want to be completely truthful, “obsessive, life consuming, stalking central, can’t keep my self-away from it… computer program” is probably more accurate.
Created in 2006, the site was originally catered towards students with the purpose of sharing pictures and stories with one another. Many used Facebook to keep in contact with long-distance friends and family members.
But now, four years old, Facebook has become a love-hate relationship to many consumed in its trap. It can satisfy you one moment, but crush you the next. College freshman Sam Rudesill says that “Facebook is like a drug. You have to check it everyday, at least, and you find out some things that you rather wouldn’t know about.”
More recently, Facebook has been used by people of all ages. “My grandma even has a Facebook,” says sophomore Katie Minter. Facebook statistics state that there are over 400 million users and at least 50% of those users log on each day, spending 55 minutes on the site.
Facebook not only serves as a major distraction for high school and college students with the constant status updates, online quizzes, and infamous “Farmville,” but it can be used as a way to get political and community involvement, event publicity, and even job opportunities. There is, however, another side to the site. Facebook can be used as a dangerous tool to monitor the activity of other people who have an account.
Many throw around the term “Facebook stalking,” often used as a joke, where a girl or boy will look up someone’s pictures or information online simply out of social interest. Facebook even acknowledges the activity of “stalking” where they have an application entitled “Who stalks your profile?” that is supposed to produce names on who checks your profile. Even though the application has a satirical sense, its existence shows that there is continuing interest in the matter.
“I think it’s silly. Everyone really does it to look at people’s pictures. I just think that when people start rumors because of them, it has gone too far,” says Wittenberg student Anna Wyckstandt.
What many don’t realize is that this act of “Facebook stalking” can be taken even further and real stalking and identity theft can occur.
It is common for people to post statuses on their whereabouts. The website “pleaserobme.com” says the site’s purpose is “to offer their website to a professional foundation, agency or company that focuses on raising awareness, helping people understand and provide answers to online privacy related issues” and it is not to promote burglary. The site detects statuses that indicate the account holder is not home and then posts them on the “pleaserobme” site. It is meant to show how easy it is to find out who is home and who is not which could ultimately lead to a theft or burglary.
The dangers in Facebook are often overlooked and people are focused on the fun, friendly connections made and not the risk involved. Bryan Rutberg was a case in Seattle, Wash where his Facebook account was broken into. The hacker even persuaded his friends to wire money to a separate account. Rutberg is just one of many that have experienced problems with hacking. Not all result in faulty requests for money donations, but many try and spread viruses to the users’ other Facebook friends.
NEED CONCLUSION AND INTERVIEW WITH DR.SMITH!
Rough Draft
By: Hannah Hoffman
Facebook has taken over. It is a force to be reckoned with. Don’t mess with Facebook.
Facebook is defined simply as a global social networking site. But if you want to be completely truthful, “obsessive, life consuming, stalking central, can’t keep my self-away from it… computer program” is probably more accurate.
Created in 2006, the site was originally catered towards students with the purpose of sharing pictures and stories with one another. Many used Facebook to keep in contact with long-distance friends and family members.
But now, four years old, Facebook has become a love-hate relationship to many consumed in its trap. It can satisfy you one moment, but crush you the next. College freshman Sam Rudesill says that “Facebook is like a drug. You have to check it everyday, at least, and you find out some things that you rather wouldn’t know about.”
More recently, Facebook has been used by people of all ages. “My grandma even has a Facebook,” says sophomore Katie Minter. Facebook statistics state that there are over 400 million users and at least 50% of those users log on each day, spending 55 minutes on the site.
Facebook not only serves as a major distraction for high school and college students with the constant status updates, online quizzes, and infamous “Farmville,” but it can be used as a way to get political and community involvement, event publicity, and even job opportunities. There is, however, another side to the site. Facebook can be used as a dangerous tool to monitor the activity of other people who have an account.
Many throw around the term “Facebook stalking,” often used as a joke, where a girl or boy will look up someone’s pictures or information online simply out of social interest. Facebook even acknowledges the activity of “stalking” where they have an application entitled “Who stalks your profile?” that is supposed to produce names on who checks your profile. Even though the application has a satirical sense, its existence shows that there is continuing interest in the matter.
“I think it’s silly. Everyone really does it to look at people’s pictures. I just think that when people start rumors because of them, it has gone too far,” says Wittenberg student Anna Wyckstandt.
What many don’t realize is that this act of “Facebook stalking” can be taken even further and real stalking and identity theft can occur.
It is common for people to post statuses on their whereabouts. The website “pleaserobme.com” says the site’s purpose is “to offer their website to a professional foundation, agency or company that focuses on raising awareness, helping people understand and provide answers to online privacy related issues” and it is not to promote burglary. The site detects statuses that indicate the account holder is not home and then posts them on the “pleaserobme” site. It is meant to show how easy it is to find out who is home and who is not which could ultimately lead to a theft or burglary.
The dangers in Facebook are often overlooked and people are focused on the fun, friendly connections made and not the risk involved. Bryan Rutberg was a case in Seattle, Wash where his Facebook account was broken into. The hacker even persuaded his friends to wire money to a separate account. Rutberg is just one of many that have experienced problems with hacking. Not all result in faulty requests for money donations, but many try and spread viruses to the users’ other Facebook friends.
NEED CONCLUSION AND INTERVIEW WITH DR.SMITH!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Police Chief Sees Bettering Relationship
Police Chief Sees Bettering Relationship
By: Hannah Hoffman
Most college campus police chiefs are sticklers for the law- nothing gets by them. But Wittenberg Police Chief, Carl Loney, makes it a priority to get the message across campus that “it is not an us against them” type of relationship.
Nicknamed “the e-mail man” for his almost daily security and weather updates, Chief Loney has been in the police force since he was 18 years old and specifically been in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years. Not only has he, personally, dedicated all of his adult life to the task force, but his father and grandfather were also very involved public servants.
It is because of his experience that Loney stresses that “not all education takes place in the classroom” and encourages learning from many different perspectives. In terms of Wittenberg’s culture, Loney says this is why he feels the college campus calls for a different approach in security and enforcement.
Although the Chief says “the laws are the laws and we all have to follow them,” he also thinks that “[the Wittenberg Police] have a different tolerance level than [the Springfield Police] when dealing with students.” An example, that he says is the most common, is underage drinking. Loney points out that there are not immediate arrests for underage drinking at Wittenberg, and many students go through the referral process first, before getting more severely punished. He also mentions the escort service where a student may be under the influence and underage, but an officer will drive the student home, no questions asked, to ensure safety first.
“We are more of a service provider than an enforcement agency.” Loney says that Wittenberg Police and Security have become more comfortable, friendly, and understanding of the student population and the activity they partake in, especially through the years that he has been chief.
Even though Loney puts himself on the side of the students, he makes it clear that Wittenberg Police and Security are on campus to provide order and protection. Crime rates have significantly decreased since he has become chief. He, however, gives himself little credit and says that it is the actual officers that respond to the “30 calls a night” they receive for the escort service.
“I firmly believe in taking care of our district…I personally have graffiti remover and go out and take care of it myself…I wouldn’t trade [this job] for the world.”
By: Hannah Hoffman
Most college campus police chiefs are sticklers for the law- nothing gets by them. But Wittenberg Police Chief, Carl Loney, makes it a priority to get the message across campus that “it is not an us against them” type of relationship.
Nicknamed “the e-mail man” for his almost daily security and weather updates, Chief Loney has been in the police force since he was 18 years old and specifically been in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years. Not only has he, personally, dedicated all of his adult life to the task force, but his father and grandfather were also very involved public servants.
It is because of his experience that Loney stresses that “not all education takes place in the classroom” and encourages learning from many different perspectives. In terms of Wittenberg’s culture, Loney says this is why he feels the college campus calls for a different approach in security and enforcement.
Although the Chief says “the laws are the laws and we all have to follow them,” he also thinks that “[the Wittenberg Police] have a different tolerance level than [the Springfield Police] when dealing with students.” An example, that he says is the most common, is underage drinking. Loney points out that there are not immediate arrests for underage drinking at Wittenberg, and many students go through the referral process first, before getting more severely punished. He also mentions the escort service where a student may be under the influence and underage, but an officer will drive the student home, no questions asked, to ensure safety first.
“We are more of a service provider than an enforcement agency.” Loney says that Wittenberg Police and Security have become more comfortable, friendly, and understanding of the student population and the activity they partake in, especially through the years that he has been chief.
Even though Loney puts himself on the side of the students, he makes it clear that Wittenberg Police and Security are on campus to provide order and protection. Crime rates have significantly decreased since he has become chief. He, however, gives himself little credit and says that it is the actual officers that respond to the “30 calls a night” they receive for the escort service.
“I firmly believe in taking care of our district…I personally have graffiti remover and go out and take care of it myself…I wouldn’t trade [this job] for the world.”
Friday, January 22, 2010
Inauguration Poet Speaks at Wittenberg Convocation
Inauguration Poet Speaks at Wittenberg Convocation
Draft 2
By: Hannah Hoffman
Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, speaker at President-elect Obama’s inauguration, came to Wittenberg University’s Weaver Chapel as the key-note speaker on January 18 to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Dr. Alexander, poet and professor of black studies at Yale University, attended the March on Washington as a baby with her civil rights activist parents. She remembers Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech but did not focus on him and his legacy on this Monday morning.
“The March was not just about King and his speech,” Alexander said. “It was a strong miracle to pull it off” and it “took extraordinary measures.”
Love appeared to be the main theme that Alexander focused on, the “love that takes work,” she explained. Alexander stressed that this love was a major message that Dr. King tried to get out to the country. But it wasn’t a traditional family or friend love that many think of. She said he spoke of “a love that leads to action: love of challenge, love as country, and love as ethics.”
Confronting the broader topic of standing up for what one believes in, Alexander paid much tribute to not only Dr. King, but June Jordan, another poet and writer who spoke on the topic of love and action often.
Alexander made it clear that she disagreed with the many who say “politics have no place in poetry” and feel its purpose is to subscribe to the art world. Her challenge is rooted in Dr. King’s work and finds that poetry exists to confront inequality and problems in society.
“Praise Song for the Day” is held dear to Dr. Alexander’s heart. She admitted that she initially felt the poem to be specific and special to January 21, President Obama’s inauguration. However, after rethinking the legacy of Dr. King, Obama, and the many who helped the cause of change in between those decades, the poem was still very much valid and meant to be repeated.
Alexander ends speech with the last line of her poem: “praise song for walking forward in that light,” a light that, she believes, started with Dr. King’s dedication to love.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Inauguration Poet Speaks at Wittenberg Convocation
Inauguration Poet Speaks at Wittenberg Convocation
Draft 1
By: Hannah Hoffman
Standing in the frigid cold, equipped with a long red jacket, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander read her “Praise Song of the Day” to millions of people on the National Mall as the nation’s first black president was sworn into office on January 21, 2009.
One year later, Alexander stands at the podium of Weaver Chapel at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, this time, to speak about the message that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so effectively sent seventy years ago.
Dr. Alexander, professor of black studies at Yale University, attended the March on Washington as a baby with her civil rights activist parents. She remembers Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech but did not focus on him and his legacy on this Monday morning.
“The March was not just about King and his speech,” Alexander said. “It was a strong miracle to pull it off” and it “took extraordinary measures.”
Love appeared to be the main theme that Alexander focused on, the “love that takes work,” she explained. Alexander stressed that this love was a major message that Dr. King tried to get out to the country. But it wasn’t a traditional family or friend love that many think of. She said he spoke of “a love that leads to action: love of challenge, love as country, and love as ethics.”
Confronting the broader topic of standing up for what one believes in, Alexander paid much tribute to not only Dr. King, but June Jordan, another poet and writer who spoke on the topic of love and action often.
Alexander made it clear that she disagreed with the many who say “politics have no place in poetry” and feel its purpose is to subscribe to the art world. Her challenge is rooted in Dr. King’s work and finds that poetry exists to confront inequality and problems in society.
Interestingly, the topic of racism- past or present- was never directly confronted. As big of an issue as it currently is, Alexander decided to focus her speech on confronting general problems in society as individuals and through group efforts. She showed how Dr. King is a prime example of someone that stood up to inequality, first, as an individual, and then as a group, and produced lasting change and inspiration.
“Praise Song of the Day” is held dear to Dr. Alexander’s heart. She admitted that she initially felt the poem to be specific and special to January 21, President Obama’s inauguration. However, after rethinking the legacy of Dr. King, Obama, and the many who helped the cause of change in between those decades, the poem was still very much valid and meant to be repeated.
Alexander ends speech with the last line of her poem: “praise song for walking forward in that light,” a light that, she believes, started with Dr. King’s dedication to love.
Green Girl Goes for the Goal
Green Girl Goes for the Goal
By: Hannah Hoffman
Standing in the huddle with black paint slicked across her cheek bones, brown hair tied tight in a bun, and uniform caked in dirt, Katie Minter leads the Tigers in another game-winning play on the Rugby pitch. Equipped only with a mouth guard, she approaches the field with aggression and focus every day ready to tackle and throw. Although only a first-year, Minter, 20, shows dedication and intensity as the starting scrum-half for Wittenberg.
A Springfield, Ohio native, Minter grew up in a small family riding horses and playing sports. She sees that horses, Mustangs in particular, are representative of her free-spirit attitude on life.
“I am not a girly-girl, that’s for sure,” Minter explains. “We joke that rugby is an anger-management tool.”
Rugby, a combination of American football and soccer, is arguably the most dangerous sport around. Prone to major spine, neck, and head injuries, possibly resulting in paralysis, Minter is “willing to sacrifice it all” for the love of the game. She truly shows passion and great commitment to doing what she loves.
While Minter, a sophomore, gets down and dirty in the mud, she is doing the opposite on campus. As an active member of Green Wittenberg, Minter feels passionate about making not only Wittenberg, but the world, a more “green” and environmentally-friendly place.
Minter finds that getting involved in campus has made her college experience truly rich. It is clear through her participation in Green Wittenberg, her Environmental Science major and her title as Kappa Delta’s Green Greek representative that this is truly her passion. Not to mention if she were a computer, she would be the Mac Book Air because it is “the most environmental friendly Mac out there.”
In 2008 Minter had the opportunity to study in Costa Rica for a month. After experiencing this vibrant culture, she would hands-down choose the Central American country as her place to live abroad. An International Education Office employee, Minter finds that exploring and traveling is how she would spend her days if money were no obstacle. She finds that living life to its fullest is an essential value.
Through her two years at Wittenberg, Minter finds the university to be a good fit for her well- rounded personality. Involvement in the stress-relieving rugby and the eco-friendly Green Wittenberg, she is really taking advantage of the college experience. This mighty environmentalist is just looking to have fun and make a difference.
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