Dr. Rob Baker Story
ROUGH DRAFT
By: Hannah Hoffman
As Dr. Rob Baker enters Hollenbeck Hall at Wittenberg University, he brings more than just his 24 years of teaching experience into the building. His knowledge, struggles, and accomplishments have shaped him to be the professor, father, musician, athlete, and politician he is today.
Baker grew up in Bonn Terre, Missouri, a small town of 4,000 people and about an hour South of St. Louis. He was active in baseball as a young kid, played football and track, and was an avid trombone player and singer in high school.
Even though Baker was involved in many activities as a high school and college student, he cannot forget his first interaction with the political world. In his early youth, Baker was involved in boy scouts and remembers being active in his boy-scout leader’s Democratic campaign for state senator. “He was a good mentor for me,” Baker says. He also explains that his most vivid memory of discussing politics was with his “neighbor Drew,” arguing about the 1968 Presidential election between Nixon, Humphrey, and Wallace. “We talked about it because our parents were talking about it,” Baker recalls.
Despite his early involvement in the Democratic Party, Baker’s Missouri family leaned right-of-center. While his parents became teachers immediately after college and “weren’t very political,” Baker’s grandparents were small business owners of auto parts and upholstery sales. They were “fairly conservative folks” he says.
Baker’s split from his family’s politics “goes back to religion,” he says. When evaluating what the core social values of the Baptist religion were, he found that “there were a lot of questions that [he] couldn't answer” and that “it was just too restrictive.” Baker says that he identified with Democrats because of their “the core value of treating people as humans” no matter their affiliation.
Although Baker’s love for politics and government was rooted in his childhood, events throughout his life have thoroughly contributed to where he is now as a political science professor. Baker attended Central Methodist College, now Central Methodist University, initially as a music major, but “almost immediately switched to political science,” he says. He started to understand the “academic aspect of political science” and even became the president of the College Democrats during the Carter, Regan election, also his first eligible voting year. “Although he didn’t turn out to be a great president, I really liked him as a person.”
After Central Methodist College, Baker became the active city manager for Slater, Missouri and said that he “never intended to be a college professor.” “I had to make a decision and thought that an academic career sounded like fun,” Baker says. He eventually went on to the University of Missouri to receive his PhD in political science and became a teaching assistant for two years, teaching “State Politics” and “Intro to Politics.” Right out of graduate school, he came to Wittenberg University in 1987 and has been an active member in the community ever since, including involvement with the Springfield Health Board and the Rocking Horse Center.
After spending some time at Wittenberg, Baker met his current wife, Mary Jo Groves who came to the University as the health center physician. The two really got to know one another at a golf tournament that Groves organized. He remembers approaching her and asking about her tournament score. “She was impressed that I asked,” Baker smiles. He also says Groves is “a brilliant Phi Beta Kappa” and “is also a liberal” (something important to them both.) They married in 2003.
After several years of involvement in the Springfield and Clark County area, Baker decided to run for City Commissioner in 2009. There were three openings and four candidates, two already incumbents. Because the race was non-partisan, Baker attempted to get endorsements from both the Republican and Democratic parties to gain support. He only succeeded in getting the Democratic endorsement, but “received support from Republican friends.”
Baker, unfortunately, lost by just 600 votes. “It was challenging, but I’d do it again,” he says. “Before I ran, I said to myself: are you okay with loosing? You have to be okay with that to run.”
To his surprise, Baker also raised over $8500; double what he thought he would. “It was a surprise, people were very supportive.” Although the results did not win him the City Commissioner seat, Baker said that he “was confident because [he] knew about cities and had the training for the job,” but still admits that making appearances and meeting new people was “always a little bit intimidating” and “putting [himself] out there was always a very difficult thing.”
But Baker says he can’t forget the many interesting and fun times while campaigning, including the opportunity to judge a dog costume contest at the Clark County Fair.
Just another accomplishment that he can add to his list, the campaign was an overall positive experience for Baker. He continues to teach Government and Urban Studies at Wittenberg, something that has clearly interested him since early childhood.
Since 2001, Baker “made a conscious decision to reveal [his political] views in class” because he “was furious at the Bush administration.” “I tell my students: this is my opinion, take it or leave it,” he says. Baker can also recall some students, prior to 2001, who “could have sworn” that he was a Republican; something that no one in his current classes would ever think to seriously consider.
“It’s just always exciting. [Politics] is about good fights over important things.” Baker says that Hillary Clinton, Tip O’Neill, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama are among his favorite politicians, but “can’t stand” Tom Delay. “He drove me nuts! I would curse his name every time he came on TV,” Baker exclaims.
In modern-day politics, Baker and Groves are big advocates for Health Care Reform and a single-payer system. He continues to pursue his Baptist religion, sings in the Springfield Symphony Chorus, is involved in Clark County leadership, and recently got a new trombone from his wife for his fiftieth birthday. There is never too much to get involved in for Baker.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Behind the Beauty: Wittenberg University’s Hidden Problem
Behind the Beauty: Wittenberg University’s Hidden Problem
By: Hannah Hoffman
As you enter the campus of Wittenberg University you smell the fresh air as the colorful flowers aligning the perimeter of Thomas Library catch your eye. You see a smiling student body and hear wild cheers from Bill Edwards Field. But behind all the beauty and buoyancy lies a problem that is rarely discussed and continues to linger throughout campus- it’s segregated.
For all the lip service tour guides and admissions brochures give to a happy diverse student body, whites and blacks rarely mix socially.
Most students who attend Wittenberg enjoy their experience. But most students who attend Wittenberg come from small towns outside of Ohio cities. They are often unexposed to different races, religions, and politics. “Until you deal with it, it's a crisis,” says Dr. Forest Wortham, director of Multicultural Programming at Wittenberg. “What I try to do is present programs to reach out to professors and students.”
According to the Princeton Review, an online source used to look at potential colleges, Wittenberg is not in the top 20 “Little Race/Class Interaction” list. However, the statistics for Wittenberg state that the student body is composed of 71 percent Caucasian and about 8 percent minority, which includes African Americans, international students, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans. These statistics are far more extreme than the top two schools that the Princeton Review cites as “Little Race/Class Interaction” schools. The number one school on the list, Fairfield University, has 11 percent fewer white students than Wittenberg has.
The Princeton Review also cites Wittenberg administrators saying that they, themselves, "provide an education dedicated to intellectual inquiry and wholeness of person within a diverse residential community." Maybe this is wishful thinking, or perhaps something they hope to achieve in the future. Princeton Review also says that "quite a few people mention they wouldn't mind seeing the student body diversified through out-of-state and international recruiting." but that "the school 'has embraced diversity so the minority students fit right in.'"
Granted, when evaluating diversity in any setting, one does not just look solely at percentages. Another important factor to take into consideration is the interaction between the different races. But if anyone has visited the Central Dining Room, or even the library, it is clear that the minority groups stick together. International students socialize with international students, black students socialize with black students, and white students socialize with white students.
Wortham is concerned, but “is always an optimist.” “I have to be an optimist,” he explains. “But our situation is not unlike other institutions.” Wortham cites, from studies done by the Association of American Colleges and Universities on diversity, that it is normal and healthy for minority students to group together socially. Once you spend the day around people unlike you, then see those that are like you, it is natural to want to spend time with them, Wortham says.
Wittenberg, Wortham, and the Multicultural Program sponsor events to try and get the student body involved in not only the act of social integration, but pure knowledge on the situation. Concerned Black Students is, despite their name, open to all races and addresses the issues of diversity on campus in addition to GLTBQ (Wittenberg’s gay-rights organization) the Women’s Center, as well as the Multicultural Program exist to provide support and further the diversity effort.
Wortham heads all of these programs, and says that, “the office needs more support. This job cannot be done with one person,” as it is currently running.
“I try: one person. In most institutions of this size, there should at least be a director and assistant director for Multicultural Programs,” Wortham explains.
While the lack of administrative support is clearly a factor, Wortham says that Greek life and campus leadership is also a major contributor. He says that the Orientation Assistant (OA) position “had become Greek” and the school had to make a conscious effort over the past few years to diversify that student body. Wortham also says that there were “no Residential Assistants (RA) of color.”
Greek life at Wittenberg is filled with majority white students. Wortham says this is one of the driving issues on campus. Freshman African-American student, Adan Hassan, a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the 2013 class president, says that “the true problem is that enough minorities don't pledge, although there isn't much of a minority population as is.”
Although Wortham agrees that there is not enough of a minority population, he disagrees that the blame should be put on the minority. Wortham says that “it is no longer about the student of color” and questions the role of the white student in the broader issue.
“Statistically, white kids don’t go out of their comfort zones,” Wortham explains. He feels that both races need to participate in the act of integration and the pressure to become socially involved with different races needs to be assessed, especially, by white students.
Not only is the issue visual on campus, but it is extremely verbal. Less-so in the classroom than social settings, racial slurs and offensive comments are made freely with little to no objection. This is also quite common on sports teams in “locker room talk.”
While Hassan has come across many racial jokes during his time on campus and says that Wittenberg’s number of minority students is “by far not an acceptable number”, African-American football player Josh Boggan says that he “doesn’t see it as a crucial issue.”
To the students that are used to this homogenous population, there is no problem- they know nothing different. However, to staff and students that come from primarily cities or areas where there is a plethora of cultures, it can make or break their decision to stay. Senior, white football player Jeff Wilbur went through several moments as a freshman and sophomore where he was uncomfortable with his surroundings, comments made, and lack of diversity. Coming from Detroit, a very diverse city, it was difficult for Wilbur to adapt to the sudden changes.
This is not to say that everyone at Wittenberg is oblivious to the problem or racist. But it is a very important issue that is far too overlooked. “I think it is more on the students than the administration. If this problem is big enough for the students to address, than I’m inclined to believe that the administration and Senate would both help,” Hassan says to wrap things up.
By: Hannah Hoffman
As you enter the campus of Wittenberg University you smell the fresh air as the colorful flowers aligning the perimeter of Thomas Library catch your eye. You see a smiling student body and hear wild cheers from Bill Edwards Field. But behind all the beauty and buoyancy lies a problem that is rarely discussed and continues to linger throughout campus- it’s segregated.
For all the lip service tour guides and admissions brochures give to a happy diverse student body, whites and blacks rarely mix socially.
Most students who attend Wittenberg enjoy their experience. But most students who attend Wittenberg come from small towns outside of Ohio cities. They are often unexposed to different races, religions, and politics. “Until you deal with it, it's a crisis,” says Dr. Forest Wortham, director of Multicultural Programming at Wittenberg. “What I try to do is present programs to reach out to professors and students.”
According to the Princeton Review, an online source used to look at potential colleges, Wittenberg is not in the top 20 “Little Race/Class Interaction” list. However, the statistics for Wittenberg state that the student body is composed of 71 percent Caucasian and about 8 percent minority, which includes African Americans, international students, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans. These statistics are far more extreme than the top two schools that the Princeton Review cites as “Little Race/Class Interaction” schools. The number one school on the list, Fairfield University, has 11 percent fewer white students than Wittenberg has.
The Princeton Review also cites Wittenberg administrators saying that they, themselves, "provide an education dedicated to intellectual inquiry and wholeness of person within a diverse residential community." Maybe this is wishful thinking, or perhaps something they hope to achieve in the future. Princeton Review also says that "quite a few people mention they wouldn't mind seeing the student body diversified through out-of-state and international recruiting." but that "the school 'has embraced diversity so the minority students fit right in.'"
Granted, when evaluating diversity in any setting, one does not just look solely at percentages. Another important factor to take into consideration is the interaction between the different races. But if anyone has visited the Central Dining Room, or even the library, it is clear that the minority groups stick together. International students socialize with international students, black students socialize with black students, and white students socialize with white students.
Wortham is concerned, but “is always an optimist.” “I have to be an optimist,” he explains. “But our situation is not unlike other institutions.” Wortham cites, from studies done by the Association of American Colleges and Universities on diversity, that it is normal and healthy for minority students to group together socially. Once you spend the day around people unlike you, then see those that are like you, it is natural to want to spend time with them, Wortham says.
Wittenberg, Wortham, and the Multicultural Program sponsor events to try and get the student body involved in not only the act of social integration, but pure knowledge on the situation. Concerned Black Students is, despite their name, open to all races and addresses the issues of diversity on campus in addition to GLTBQ (Wittenberg’s gay-rights organization) the Women’s Center, as well as the Multicultural Program exist to provide support and further the diversity effort.
Wortham heads all of these programs, and says that, “the office needs more support. This job cannot be done with one person,” as it is currently running.
“I try: one person. In most institutions of this size, there should at least be a director and assistant director for Multicultural Programs,” Wortham explains.
While the lack of administrative support is clearly a factor, Wortham says that Greek life and campus leadership is also a major contributor. He says that the Orientation Assistant (OA) position “had become Greek” and the school had to make a conscious effort over the past few years to diversify that student body. Wortham also says that there were “no Residential Assistants (RA) of color.”
Greek life at Wittenberg is filled with majority white students. Wortham says this is one of the driving issues on campus. Freshman African-American student, Adan Hassan, a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the 2013 class president, says that “the true problem is that enough minorities don't pledge, although there isn't much of a minority population as is.”
Although Wortham agrees that there is not enough of a minority population, he disagrees that the blame should be put on the minority. Wortham says that “it is no longer about the student of color” and questions the role of the white student in the broader issue.
“Statistically, white kids don’t go out of their comfort zones,” Wortham explains. He feels that both races need to participate in the act of integration and the pressure to become socially involved with different races needs to be assessed, especially, by white students.
Not only is the issue visual on campus, but it is extremely verbal. Less-so in the classroom than social settings, racial slurs and offensive comments are made freely with little to no objection. This is also quite common on sports teams in “locker room talk.”
While Hassan has come across many racial jokes during his time on campus and says that Wittenberg’s number of minority students is “by far not an acceptable number”, African-American football player Josh Boggan says that he “doesn’t see it as a crucial issue.”
To the students that are used to this homogenous population, there is no problem- they know nothing different. However, to staff and students that come from primarily cities or areas where there is a plethora of cultures, it can make or break their decision to stay. Senior, white football player Jeff Wilbur went through several moments as a freshman and sophomore where he was uncomfortable with his surroundings, comments made, and lack of diversity. Coming from Detroit, a very diverse city, it was difficult for Wilbur to adapt to the sudden changes.
This is not to say that everyone at Wittenberg is oblivious to the problem or racist. But it is a very important issue that is far too overlooked. “I think it is more on the students than the administration. If this problem is big enough for the students to address, than I’m inclined to believe that the administration and Senate would both help,” Hassan says to wrap things up.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Behind the Beauty: Wittenberg University’s Hidden Issue
Behind the Beauty: Wittenberg University’s Hidden Issue
ROUGH DRAFT
By: Hannah Hoffman
As you enter the campus of Wittenberg University you smell the fresh air as the colorful flowers aligning the perimeter of Thomas Library catch your eye. You see a smiling student body and hear wild cheers from Bill Edwards Field. But Behind all the beauty and buoyancy lies an issue that is rarely discussed and continues to linger throughout campus.
Most students who attend Wittenberg enjoy their experience. But most students who attend Wittenberg come from small towns outside of Ohio cities. They are often unexposed to different races, religions, and politics.
According to the Princeton Review, a tool that many use to look at potential colleges, Wittenberg is not in the top 20 “Little Race/Class Interaction” list. However, the statistics for Wittenberg state that the student body is composed of 71 percent Caucasian and about 8 percent minority, including African Americans, international students, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans. These statistics are far more extreme than the top two schools that the Princeton Review cites as “Little Race/Class Interaction” schools. The number one school on the list, Fairfield University, has 11 percent fewer white students than Wittenberg has.
The Princeton Review also cites Wittenberg saying that they, themselves,"provide an education dedicated to intellectual inquiry and wholeness of person within a diverse residential community." Maybe this is wishful thinking, or perhaps something they hope to achieve in the future. Princeton Review also says that "quite a few people mention they wouldn't mind seeing the student body diversified through out-of-state and international recruiting." but that "the school 'has embraced diversity so the minority students fit right in.'"
Granted, when evaluating diversity in any setting, one does not just look solely at percentages. Another important factor to take into consideration is the interaction between the different races. But if anyone has visited the Central Dining Room, or even the library, it is clear that the minorities group together. International students socialize with international students, black students socialize with black students, and white students socialize with white students.
Wittenberg's Multicultural Student Program, headed by Dr. Forest Wortham, has, for the most part, made the minorities feel comfortable in their surroundings. But the issue of race interaction remains. Minorities may feel comfortable, but may only feel comfortable because they clique with one another. In addition, the "Multicultural Connectors," are students who "reach out to first-year students to make them aware of what’s happening on campus and help them adjust to college," according to the Wittenberg University website. The site also states that Connectors do not have to be black but "is for all students of color."
Programs such as the Multicultural Program have majority black population. It almost puts the University behind by creating a "multicultural" group that is not multicultural. The purpose of the group is to integrate the student body socially, but it is evident that, although it makes minorities more comfortable, that it hinders that mixture of races that Wittenberg so desperately needs.
Not only is the issue visual on campus, but it is extremely verbal. Less-so in the classroom than social settings, racial slurs and offensive comments are made freely with little to no objection. This is also quite common on sports teams in “locker room talk.”
To the students that are used to this homogenous population, there is no problem- they know nothing different. However, to staff and students that come from primarily cities or areas where there is a plethora of cultures, it can make or break their decision to stay.
This is not to say that everyone at Wittenberg is oblivious to the problem or racist. But it is a very important issue that is far too overlooked.
ROUGH DRAFT
By: Hannah Hoffman
As you enter the campus of Wittenberg University you smell the fresh air as the colorful flowers aligning the perimeter of Thomas Library catch your eye. You see a smiling student body and hear wild cheers from Bill Edwards Field. But Behind all the beauty and buoyancy lies an issue that is rarely discussed and continues to linger throughout campus.
Most students who attend Wittenberg enjoy their experience. But most students who attend Wittenberg come from small towns outside of Ohio cities. They are often unexposed to different races, religions, and politics.
According to the Princeton Review, a tool that many use to look at potential colleges, Wittenberg is not in the top 20 “Little Race/Class Interaction” list. However, the statistics for Wittenberg state that the student body is composed of 71 percent Caucasian and about 8 percent minority, including African Americans, international students, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans. These statistics are far more extreme than the top two schools that the Princeton Review cites as “Little Race/Class Interaction” schools. The number one school on the list, Fairfield University, has 11 percent fewer white students than Wittenberg has.
The Princeton Review also cites Wittenberg saying that they, themselves,"provide an education dedicated to intellectual inquiry and wholeness of person within a diverse residential community." Maybe this is wishful thinking, or perhaps something they hope to achieve in the future. Princeton Review also says that "quite a few people mention they wouldn't mind seeing the student body diversified through out-of-state and international recruiting." but that "the school 'has embraced diversity so the minority students fit right in.'"
Granted, when evaluating diversity in any setting, one does not just look solely at percentages. Another important factor to take into consideration is the interaction between the different races. But if anyone has visited the Central Dining Room, or even the library, it is clear that the minorities group together. International students socialize with international students, black students socialize with black students, and white students socialize with white students.
Wittenberg's Multicultural Student Program, headed by Dr. Forest Wortham, has, for the most part, made the minorities feel comfortable in their surroundings. But the issue of race interaction remains. Minorities may feel comfortable, but may only feel comfortable because they clique with one another. In addition, the "Multicultural Connectors," are students who "reach out to first-year students to make them aware of what’s happening on campus and help them adjust to college," according to the Wittenberg University website. The site also states that Connectors do not have to be black but "is for all students of color."
Programs such as the Multicultural Program have majority black population. It almost puts the University behind by creating a "multicultural" group that is not multicultural. The purpose of the group is to integrate the student body socially, but it is evident that, although it makes minorities more comfortable, that it hinders that mixture of races that Wittenberg so desperately needs.
Not only is the issue visual on campus, but it is extremely verbal. Less-so in the classroom than social settings, racial slurs and offensive comments are made freely with little to no objection. This is also quite common on sports teams in “locker room talk.”
To the students that are used to this homogenous population, there is no problem- they know nothing different. However, to staff and students that come from primarily cities or areas where there is a plethora of cultures, it can make or break their decision to stay.
This is not to say that everyone at Wittenberg is oblivious to the problem or racist. But it is a very important issue that is far too overlooked.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Palin: Threat to Cause and Country
Palin: Threat to Cause and Country
By: Hannah Hoffman
Sarah Heath was born in 1964. Sarah Palin was born in 2008.
Sarah Palin was not only unfit for the vice presidential seat, but she was unfit for the spotlight. The 2008 presidential debate is over, but her time in the spotlight has only just begun.
Palin never completely dipped out of the media after she and John McCain lost the presidential bid to Barack Obama and Joe Biden. After the election, the media and public kept on running with the perfect story: “Vice-Presidential Prank,” “Palin Unprepared,” “Palin Ruins Campaign.” Even Saturday Night Live was praising the former Alaskan governor for giving them skit ideas that not only created their very own “Sarah Palin Network,” featuring Tina Fey as Palin, but the most watched online videos in SNL history. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have had their fair share of fun, too.
During the election and immediately after, the primary attention that Palin received was satirical. She stumbled consistently in interviews and blamed the “liberal media” for setting her up to fail. John McCain was seen practically biting his nails as they sat next to each other while she was questioned. Running the country is no joke, however her answers were.
But, surprisingly, the aura over a year later has shifted significantly.
One would assume that her lack of knowledge in every aspect of American politics during a presidential campaign would have caused major uproar from the public. Many just laughed it off. She wasn’t taken seriously. She wasn’t prepared. She wasn’t a threat.
Oh, how times have changed. After Palin’s resignation as governor of Alaska, accompanied by a terrible speech that left many confused, the question arose, what will she do now? Many of her political critics may have just assumed she stay governor- she would stay out of the way and stay out of the spotlight where she clearly causes unneeded distractions. Too bad that didn’t happen. A book and a FOX News job later, Palin is back in the political world, but this time, not as much as a joke. Her leadership in the “Tea Party” movement and constant speech making has hindered our government’s effort to achieve bipartisanship, despite her continued lack of full political knowledge.
She has caused so much unnecessary political jargon that the pathetic and funny is gone. It has become a serious problem. Palin started as a legitimate political voice in Alaska, and then went from the bullied to the bully. She now resembles more of a Rush Limbaugh rather than a former vice presidential candidate, even if she was under-educated.
Liberals and conservatives agree that Palin has no role in our country’s politics. She claims to be fighting for “the people” but her more recent chase for millions discredits those statements. Palin charged $549 per ticket at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on February 6 and continues to charge for major speeches.
Although it is unlikely that Palin will stand a legitimate chance if she were to run for the presidency in 2012, her possible campaign, or at least voice, is strong for another two years. If things result the way they did last time around, she will remain a nuisance for at least another five years. Does the country really need to worry about political bombs like Palin on top of all the problems we are facing?
Palin, get real and get out.
By: Hannah Hoffman
Sarah Heath was born in 1964. Sarah Palin was born in 2008.
Sarah Palin was not only unfit for the vice presidential seat, but she was unfit for the spotlight. The 2008 presidential debate is over, but her time in the spotlight has only just begun.
Palin never completely dipped out of the media after she and John McCain lost the presidential bid to Barack Obama and Joe Biden. After the election, the media and public kept on running with the perfect story: “Vice-Presidential Prank,” “Palin Unprepared,” “Palin Ruins Campaign.” Even Saturday Night Live was praising the former Alaskan governor for giving them skit ideas that not only created their very own “Sarah Palin Network,” featuring Tina Fey as Palin, but the most watched online videos in SNL history. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have had their fair share of fun, too.
During the election and immediately after, the primary attention that Palin received was satirical. She stumbled consistently in interviews and blamed the “liberal media” for setting her up to fail. John McCain was seen practically biting his nails as they sat next to each other while she was questioned. Running the country is no joke, however her answers were.
But, surprisingly, the aura over a year later has shifted significantly.
One would assume that her lack of knowledge in every aspect of American politics during a presidential campaign would have caused major uproar from the public. Many just laughed it off. She wasn’t taken seriously. She wasn’t prepared. She wasn’t a threat.
Oh, how times have changed. After Palin’s resignation as governor of Alaska, accompanied by a terrible speech that left many confused, the question arose, what will she do now? Many of her political critics may have just assumed she stay governor- she would stay out of the way and stay out of the spotlight where she clearly causes unneeded distractions. Too bad that didn’t happen. A book and a FOX News job later, Palin is back in the political world, but this time, not as much as a joke. Her leadership in the “Tea Party” movement and constant speech making has hindered our government’s effort to achieve bipartisanship, despite her continued lack of full political knowledge.
She has caused so much unnecessary political jargon that the pathetic and funny is gone. It has become a serious problem. Palin started as a legitimate political voice in Alaska, and then went from the bullied to the bully. She now resembles more of a Rush Limbaugh rather than a former vice presidential candidate, even if she was under-educated.
Liberals and conservatives agree that Palin has no role in our country’s politics. She claims to be fighting for “the people” but her more recent chase for millions discredits those statements. Palin charged $549 per ticket at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tennessee on February 6 and continues to charge for major speeches.
Although it is unlikely that Palin will stand a legitimate chance if she were to run for the presidency in 2012, her possible campaign, or at least voice, is strong for another two years. If things result the way they did last time around, she will remain a nuisance for at least another five years. Does the country really need to worry about political bombs like Palin on top of all the problems we are facing?
Palin, get real and get out.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Stephen Colbert: Alpha Dog of the Century
Stephen Colbert: Alpha Dog of the Century
Final Draft
By: Hannah Hoffman
Comedy Central hits this one out of the park. Airing at 11pm, Monday through 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 programs report on in their real news networks.
His 30 minute segment is a “one man band,” working as the only reporter to accentuate his selfishness. This can be seen in every aspect of the show. When about to interview a guest, Colbert leaps out of his desk as the audience is cheering. He waves not only as if the applause is for him, but as if he is the most admired man in the world. He also bobs his head to the chanting of his name “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” while, at the same time, displaying a huge grin on his face.
On the April 1, 2010 episode of the Colbert Report, Colbert started off his show by introducing his new iPad: the newest technology created by Apple Inc. In an effort to mock the Oprah Winfrey Show, he proceeds to say in a very enthused voice, “I am not the only one who should be excited! Everyone look under your chairs! ‘Cause everyone here tonight gets…a picture of me holding my iPad!” Colbert is consumed in himself. And everyone loves him for it.
The Colbert Repot is also based on the principle of “truthiness,” a word even added to Webster’s Dictionary in 2006. It is defined 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 automatically being correct 100 percent of the time.
The Colbert Report and Stephen Colbert have become an obsession with America. Maybe the constant fighting and partisanship in Washington causes the public to turn 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.
Final Draft
By: Hannah Hoffman
Comedy Central hits this one out of the park. Airing at 11pm, Monday through 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 programs report on in their real news networks.
His 30 minute segment is a “one man band,” working as the only reporter to accentuate his selfishness. This can be seen in every aspect of the show. When about to interview a guest, Colbert leaps out of his desk as the audience is cheering. He waves not only as if the applause is for him, but as if he is the most admired man in the world. He also bobs his head to the chanting of his name “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” while, at the same time, displaying a huge grin on his face.
On the April 1, 2010 episode of the Colbert Report, Colbert started off his show by introducing his new iPad: the newest technology created by Apple Inc. In an effort to mock the Oprah Winfrey Show, he proceeds to say in a very enthused voice, “I am not the only one who should be excited! Everyone look under your chairs! ‘Cause everyone here tonight gets…a picture of me holding my iPad!” Colbert is consumed in himself. And everyone loves him for it.
The Colbert Repot is also based on the principle of “truthiness,” a word even added to Webster’s Dictionary in 2006. It is defined 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 automatically being correct 100 percent of the time.
The Colbert Report and Stephen Colbert have become an obsession with America. Maybe the constant fighting and partisanship in Washington causes the public to turn 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
Stephen Colbert: Alpha Dog of the Century
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.
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.
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!
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