Student Soundbytes

Posted: May 30, 2006

It was recently disclosed that the NSA (National Security Agency) has been gathering information on the phone calls made by all Americans within America. Previously, the NSA has been gathering information on international calls made by suspected terrorist within this country. When some people have started talking about this occurring, the most common line used that I have heard is that if you aren’t doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to fear. But is that true?

In the United States, if you are the police, you have to have a reason for investigating someone and you have to have evidence to obtain a warrant in order to tap someone’s phone or search their house. But there was no warrant issued in screening international calls until after the screening had already happened. In the case of searching domestic calls, they merely asked the phone companies to give them the records. No warrant. And yet the records were turned over.

But we should all fear this. I haven’t done anything wrong, but the government has no right to know who I am calling. If they want to, get a search warrant. But we can’t let this just slide because we think we have nothing to fear. Rev. Martin Niemoller wrote after World War II:

"In Germany, they first came for the communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist," said the Rev. Martin Niemöller. "Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics. I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak up."
The Rev. Niemöller spent time in one of the concentration camps.

Don’t ignore this issue. Let your voice be heard. Everyone is still innocent until proven guilty, right?

Posted: May 04, 2006

I have been a student at IPFW for the last five years. But like everything, it has come to an end. I will graduate with both a bachelor’s degree in History and in Political Science. During my time at IPFW I met many people who I will always be friend’s with. I met some amazing people, had some amazing experiences and I will miss college. So my advice to incoming students is this: meet people. Challenge your beliefs. The core beliefs that you come into college with were good for you in high school, but now, it is time to reexamine them. Make your voice heard. There is no such thing as a stupid question, just a stupid person who doesn’t ask the question. Be responsible. Yeah, you will turn 21 while in college. But don’t do something that is going to hurt yourself, or even worse, someone else. College is the time that we become adults; sadly, there are many who haven’t yet learned that. So my advice is this: DON’T BE AN IDIOT!!! College is more than parties. Get a good education. Be involved on campus. Focus on others and not on yourself.

There is a saying in Kingdom of Heaven that I think sums up what a good person should be. It reads:

“Be without fear in the face of your enemies
Be Brave and Upright, that God may love thee
Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death
Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong
This is your oath”
So there you go. Make me proud. Do good.

Posted: March 29, 2006

Body: For a while now I have been contemplating doing a blog about the move “Red Dawn”. Red Dawn was made in the 1980’s during the Cold War and involves the United States being invaded by the Soviet Union. My boss, Tony, has been begging me to do this blog, so here we go. I am going to be doing a running blog, adding my comments in from time to time. My sister, Ashley, is also watching this movie, so I am sure she will comment. So, let us begin the movie….

9:43 pm – Apparently the Soviet Union is having a wheat crisis and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has dissolved. Mexico is having a revolution (which is so unlike Mexico).
9:44 pm – Ominous music means…..
9:45 pm – the intro has started. In addition, my sister makes the comment
Ashley :“The title looks like it was written the same way as “Heathers”. Good Point.
9:46 pm – Small town USA. Ripe for an invasion. In this town is a statue of Teddy Roosevelt as a Rough Rider.
9:48 pm – Swayze has a sweet truck. With a gun rack. If I didn’t know better, I thought he was going to go hunting with Dick Chaney next.
9:50 pm – Either some parachuters went off course, or the Soviets are here!!!
9:52 pm – Our history teacher just went outside to say hi to the paratroopers. They said hello with their guns.
9:54 pm – If you had to escape from the Soviets, what vehicle would you use? That’s right, a Trans-am. Oh but look, Swayze is here to rescue everyone.
9:54 pm – After being on the ground for fifteen minutes, the Soviets have road blocks set up, along with Vodka stands and …. Wait a minute, did they just say that the invaders are speaking Spanish?
9:55 pm – The boys grab the essentials for a good guerilla war: Camping equipment, bows, arrows, ammunition, guns, footballs and Capri Sun drinks.
Ashley: “Wow, have to love that ever convenient camping store right on the way to the mountains”
9:58 pm – They aren’t taking the dad? What type of parenting is this? “Hey son, I know that the country is being invaded, but why don’t you lead the rebellion instead.” Also, the Communist seem to have airdropped tanks into the war zone.
10:00 pm – One small helicopter (all that is left of the United States military) seems to have the entire invasion army pinned down in the city. And for some reason, the commander of this whole thing looks Juan Valdez.
Yes, the attackers are Spanish.
10:01 pm – Swayze is going to lead the revolt. I think this a good idea. He wouldn’t allow Baby to be backed into a corner, and now that he is in a corner, he is going to fight his way out.
10:03 pm – They (the six guys that have escaped into the mountains) are all hugging. Was this the prequel to Brokeback Mountain?
10:04 pm – It is October. Patrick Swayze, skilled hunter, quarterback, guy with branches taped to his coat, is telling one of the guys to drink deer blood. It will make him a hunter. A killer. A bloody psycho. Good times. Luckily, deer blood is high in Vitamin B and C.
10:05pm – Ok, we are twenty minutes into this movie, and all we have is one dead teacher, a lot of burned out vehicles, Swayze having people drink blood, and a possible Brokeback scene. Oh, and Spanish Soviets.
Ashley: “The Spanish Soviet plans are very unclear, just like the underwear gnomes from South Park. Phase One, steal underpants. Phase Two ?. Phase Three, profit. For the Soviets, it is Phase One, invade. Phase Two, ?. Phase Three, success.”
10:10pm – A book burning is happening in town. Juan Valdez is writing around in a 1967 convertible.
10:12pm – We have been invaded by the Cubans and the Soviets. Re-education camps have been opened at the county drive-in.
Ashley: “They think fences will keep them in the camp? I have seen two naked guys climb over fences with barbed wire on top.”
10:14pm – Swayze and Sheen – brothers – have found their father: Harry Dean Stanton. My sister is disappointed that there is a family reconciliation going on this early.
Ashley: “What is this, an episode of Full House?”
10:16pm – Swayze and Sheen are crying. If there was ever a moment for body doubles, this was the moment. The reconciliation is still going on. Oh, and their mom is dead. I am ready for Harry Dean Stanton to have an alien pop out of his chest, just like in Alien.
10:19pm – Ok, let’s have a new geography lesson. Apparently, we (the viewers and the freedom fighters) are forty miles behind enemy lines.
Oh, and Robert’s dad (the guy who owned the hunting store earlier in the movie) is dead.
10:22pm – This crazy old guy just turned over his two granddaughters to Swayze and Sheen. His granddaughters just happen to be Jennifer Grey and Lea Thompson (who are both good looking in this film). So yeah, for the safety of these two girls, I would send them into the mountains with a bunch of high school boys (especially given that one of them is the quarterback for the football team).
Ashley: Where is Howard the Duck? Wait, that was after this movie.
10:24 pm – So let’s say that your country is invaded by a mechanized army. What should you use for transportation? Horses. No offense, but the last time a country used horses, it was Poland during World War II. I WONDER HOW WELL THAT WORKED OUT?
10:25pm – Lea Thompson with a prophetic moment: “Things are different now.”
10:27pm – Apparently, the Soviet army has a very good vacation plan, as three soldiers are sightseeing on the mountain that our beloved “WOLVERINES” are encamped on.
Charlie Sheen and his rebels have just taken out two soviets. The third is running.
Uh oh, Swayze arrived.
10:28pm – The “WOLVERINES” have won the first battle. Oh, and Lea Thompson is pissed off at Charlie Sheen. Translation: Charlie and Lea, sitting in a tree.
10:32pm – Juan Valdez returns!!! The Soviets have found the dead bodies, and Juan Valdez is not happy.
Ashley: Nice three tank salute for the funeral.
10:36pm – Time for some retribution, Soviet style. Seems out body count just got elevated big time, including Harry Dean Stanton.
This is a good time to point out the acting skills of Harry Dean Stanton. He was underrated in Alien, and he is the emotional center of this movie (or at least he was).
10:39pm – A soviet tank just pulled into a gas station. I would add more, but I will my sister do the talking.
Ashley: “Is this full service, or do you have to pump your own gas? Oh, and remember, the tank doesn’t take unleaded!
10:40pm – I smell a set up. Jennifer Grey just gave the Soviets some package, which was really a bomb.
10:42pm – Justice, WOLVERINE-STYLE!!! Using shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, the WOLVERINES are fighting back. And doing a lot of spray painting.
Ashley: “You have to tag the stuff. And did they get all of this stuff at the Home Depot?”
10:47pm – Jennifer Grey is one tough women. I think that she is going to kill everyone. Oh, and the Soviets are debating what a Wolverine is.
10:48pm – November has arrived. Jets are flying overhead. And Lea Thompson just found a downed pilot.
10:54pm – I think that we are going to lose this war. The Soviets are just crushing everyone. Where are you, Ronald Reagan?
10:54pm – Time to go shoot up a military column. It was either that or take the SAT today. And why is it that everyone shoots like the people on the A-team?
Ashley: Time to tag another jeep.
10:57pm – Ashley: “When did everyone start smoking? IF the soviets don’t kill them, it will be the lung cancer.”
11:00pm – December is here. Time to go rescue the political dissidents at the drive in.
And the attack is a smashing success. Dead Cubans, dead Soviets, no more drive-in, rescued people, and plenty of opportunity for destruction.
11:01pm – Juan Valdez is pissed off. The Wolverines are playing football, and Jennifer Grey and Lea Thompson are on guard duty.
Is the crusty old air force captain hitting on Lea Thompson?
11:07pm – January is here, and the Soviets are attacking. The “WOLVERINES” have decided to march to the other side and link up with US forces. Oh, and the colonel is giving a crappy speech.
11:09pm – The colonel is attacking a tank with a pistol. In the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t sound like a good idea.
11:10pm – The Colonel is dead, along with one of the WOLVERINES.
11:11pm – Funeral time for the colonel and the nameless person that no one cared about. Sadly, the funeral was as inspirational as this movie has been so far.
11:13pm – Ever hear Charlie Sheen and Patrick Swayze wax intellectuals? It is as painful as it sounds.
11:14pm – February is hear, so time for a good Soviet parade.
Ashley: I wonder what parade floats are entered? Who is the grand marshal? What is the theme? Is HGTV showing live coverage with no commercials? I must know
11:15pm – The soviets are having a briefing about fighting the WOLVERINES. But instead of showing pictures of the members of the WOLVERINES, they instead show pictures of the animal. Does this make any sense?
Ashley: Who would you rather fight: a raccoon, a badger, or a wolverine? I can’t believe they are showing pictures of the mascot for this group. Didn’t they do this on Saved by the Bell when they kidnapped the other schools mascot? And why aren’t the pictures in color? What, was Kinko’s closed?
11:19pm – Juan Valdez has wrestler glasses on. Like the ones that Hulk Hogan use to wear.
Ashley: They need to stop with the animal references. Next they will be comparing themselves to Possums.
11:20pm – We just had a conversation about the financial ability of this movie, and I think that in the field of “war movies involving children from a high school leading a rebellion against Soviets”, this movie has to be at the top of the list.
11:23pm – Darrell, one of the guys from the high school, swallowed a bug and was helping the Soviets track the WOLVERINES.
Ashley: Wouldn’t it have passed out of his system by now?
11:25pm – Darrell is dead. Swayze killed him. I think we are beginning to see the disintegration of Swayze’s character in the movie. Before, he was motivational and a leader. Now, he is just killing everyone. I am trying to think of a good metaphor, but nothing is coming to mind.
This movie has a lot of dead moments, and I don’t mean in people dying. There are a bunch of moments where no one talks and they just cry. But then again, it cuts down on lines
Ashley: Why is Swayze always wearing a headband? Did he take his idea from Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s get physical” music video?
11:29pm – The Soviets dropped off some food from the side of the road, so they send Jennifer Grey to go get it. Real brave of the WOLVERINES to send Jennifer Grey into harms way.
11:31pm – A soviet gun ship just shot Jennifer Grey. IT IS A TRAP!!!
Wow, the Soviets are chasing the WOLVERINES as the WOLVERINES are on horseback. Shouldn’t that make it easier to kill all of them?
11:33pm – Robert makes like the Taliban and shoots down a Soviet gunship. Robert is our hero!!!!
Then Robert gets shot and killed by about four hundred bullets.
11:34pm - But Jennifer Grey is still alive somehow. She wants Swayze to kill her so that she can’t be captured. But Swayze can’t. He just can’t. He can’t kill baby.
Ashley: How many people has he killed so far? Is he a serial killer yet?
11:37pm – Instead of killing Jennifer Grey, they just leave her under a small tree out in the wilderness.
For a Soviet to find her and to trigger a bomb that kills the Soviet. That’s right; Jennifer Grey was a suicide bomber.
Ashley: Why is he signing the rock? Oh, it is where they put all the names of their dead WOLVERINES. It is kind of like Independence rock in Oregon Trail. But I usually died of dysentery or we flooded while trying to cross the river. Usually didn’t caulk the wagon right.
11:42pm – Only four WOLVERINES left. Swayze and Sheen are planning a suicide attack, and Lea Thompson is never going to forget them.
Ashley: Yeah, she will remember for five seconds.
11:44pm – The attack begins. Juan Valdez is writing home, talking about running in the sun, participating in the revolution. His Russian comrade is reading playboy. Ah, Juan Valdez. You are so poetic.
11:46pm – WOLVERINES!!!
Ashley: Why is Charlie Sheen the pack mule for this whole thing? He carries everything for Swayze. If Swayze is the Lone Ranger, then Sheen is Tanto.
11:50pm – Why is everything in slow motion? Wait, is Swayze Neo?
Sheen has been shot!!!
Swayze is shot!!!
Russian colonel (no nametag, sorry) is dead.
11:52pm – So in the end, Juan Valdez, who has killed so many people all ready, has the chance to kill Sheen and Swayze, but he lets them walk.
Ashley: He is ashamed of what he has become.
11:53pm – Swayze said the key line after being shot: I am so tired. Translation: he a dead man.
11:54pm – Lea Thompson and Danny have both made it to Free America. At the end, we see that America has won and the rock that the kids were writing on is now a national monument.

As we close out this movie, let us think back on what we have learned. Communist are evil, but they may get a heart. Patrick Swayze is a mass murderer. Lea Thompson might be crazy. Harry Dean Stanton is the greatest actor ever. Ashley, do you have any comments?

Ashley: Thank god the Cold War is over, Swayze died in this movie (thus no sequels), and I still want an answer to my question: who would you rather fight: a raccoon, a badger, or a WOLVERINE?

Well, if you have any comments, email me at wierca01@ipfw.edu

TheChad

Posted: March 10, 2006

Every week the bloggers on this website are suppose to submit their weekly blogs. For myself, I missed my Wednesday deadline. I also didn’t submit a blog on Thursday. I couldn’t think of anything to write about. Nothing was grabbing my attention. So Friday, I stopped by my boss for the Blogs, Tony C. Tony is a good guy who helps inspire me for blog topics and sometimes has to overrule me on whether a blog is printable (which yes, some have been vetoed). We sat in his office and tried to come up with ideas when something he said hit me.

Tony asked me to guess what he would be doing this weekend. I said I had no idea, and then he told me. He was going to be painting his son’s room. His wife is expecting and so it is time for Tony to do some work. But the color scheme is Chelsea blue. His soon to be new son will have a Chelsea blue room. The son he already has has a room that is in Manchester United colors.

I can see that some of you are confused, so let me explain. Chelsea and Manchester United are soccer clubs over in England. They aren’t big fans of each other. They are both two of the top clubs each year. They are kind of like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees of English soccer.

Do you see where this is going? Mrs. C., your kids are going to hate each other. I can’t even be sure that Tony will like the new kid (he is a Manchester United fan). I probably won’t even like the new kid (though I am pretty sure that you don’t really care). All I am saying is this: the family that is UNITED can never be divided. Go Manchester United!!!!

Posted: March 1, 2006

The campus newspaper, The Communicator, recently printed the cartoons that have caused so much controversy in the world: the Muhammad cartoons. They printed them despite the fact that violence had broken out in some parts of the world in response to the cartoons. Now I wrote a blog entry a few weeks ago, defending the printing of the cartoons. Allow me to clarify that position: I was defending the right of the cartoons to be printed back in September. The Danish newspaper that originally printed the cartoons was not printing them post-outcry, they printed them pre-outcry. The other papers were wrong to have printed them when after violence had broken out. We believe that it is wrong to yell “Fire” in a crowded theater. Every newspaper that has printed them after the violence broke out is effectively yelling fire every time they reprint the cartoons. But what does Ice-T have to do with all of this?

Back in 1992, Ice-T had recorded a song called Cop-Killer. The song was going to be released post-Los Angeles riots. The song included references to the Rodney King beating that had jump started the riots. Police organizations protested the song, fearing that it would help rekindle the feelings that had led to the riots. Warner Brothers, the label under which Ice-T recorded at the time, even received death threats. Finally, the label and Ice-T decided to pull the song, as they felt that the controversy surrounding the song was damaging Ice-T and that since the song was so passionate and angry that it was possible that riots might break out once again.

The Communicator has labeled itself as being brave in the face of opposition. They believe that it is both their right and duty to print the cartoons, because it is news and that is what they are suppose to report on. But the cartoons weren’t the news; it was the violence. It was the battle between free speech and respect for organized religion. The cartoons were a vehicle in order to talk about this issue. Maybe the Communicator felt that describing the cartoons wasn’t enough; they had to show them. But the cartoons on campus as a story quickly fell to the side; the story was all about the Communicator. Instead of talking about what the cartoons meant, we all started talking about what the Communicator meant or if it meant anything at all.

Getting back to Ice-T, the reason that Cop-killer couldn’t work for him is that it wasn’t a vehicle to promote him, but rather, Ice-T had become the vehicle by which one could talk about the song Cop-killer. Even Ice-T, a rapper who at the time liked to be portrayed as a gangster, realized that starting a controversy was fine, but sometimes you have to censor yourself in order to stave off wider controversy. If only the Communicator could have been the vehicle by which to talk about the cartoons instead of using the cartoons as a vehicle to talk about the Communicator. Self-promotion is one thing, but don’t wrap yourself in the first amendment and try to say you were doing your civic duty. The students here might have different majors and different beliefs, but we are all smart enough to see it for what it was.

Posted: February 24, 2006

Hello Readers!!! This week, I am taking a quiet week off. I shouldn’t say that, so let me explain. I had prepared a pretty funny blog for this week. It was insightful, engaging, and generally speaking, a great read. However, I found a story for all to read, so here you go. Warning: It is sad, but at the same time, shows how as humans, we have a great gift for picking ourselves up, moving on, and forgiving those who have hurt us. Enjoy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=santoliquito/060222

The Chad

Posted: February 15, 2006

Every week when I prepare to write my blog for this great website, I take into account just what reaction some people will have. Will they think that I am liberal or conservative? Will they think that I watch a lot of movies? Will they wonder just how I know that Prince can record a song in his bathroom? Why am I so obsessed with Tom Cruise? These are the types of things that I think about week in and week out.

So, much to my surprise, I got an email the other day where someone questioned my assessment on an issue I wrote about. So, in all fairness, I will respond to said questioning.

First, her question (Sent to us by Jessica):
I enjoyed your thoughts on the "state of the union" but I was surprised that you thought that the Democrats were "OK". I thought that they acted immature and ridiculous. The standing and not standing, was disrespectful (I thought) and I was embarrassed for them. At what point do we support our President because of the position he holds, and to be a united front.

I think that Jessica raises a valid point, or rather, several points. I shall try and discuss them in order.

1. Why did I think the Democrats were “ok”?
I thought they were ok in that they responded when forced to, didn’t respond when they thought they shouldn’t, and that Hillary smiled at least once. I don’t blame them for not standing all of the time. Not standing during the State of the Union is one of the most important procedures in the book of politics. Republicans rarely stood during Clinton’s presidency, Democrats rarely stood during Reagan’s presidency, and nobody stood during Carter’s. Most of the things that the Democrats didn’t stand for were things they weren’t supportive of. I also labeled them “ok” because the response to the State of the Union lacked any real initiatives and boiled down to a number of sound byte moments.

2. Were the Democrats immature and ridiculous?
All politicians are immature and ridiculous. I can’t fault you there. But in terms of the standing and clapping thing, I have always wondered if there isn’t one person in that room who is really trying to start the wave but everyone else just wants to clap, so he or she just starts clapping instead. But as I said above, immature conduct during the state of the union always occurs. How ridiculous is it that the people in the House chamber stood up 59 times for a 52 minute speech?

3. At what point do we support our president because of the position he holds, and to be a united front?
This one is a more difficult line to draw in the sand, so allow me to explain. I have voted for him twice, so obviously I am considered a big supporter. I think in that first year after 9/11, everyone wanted to present a united front and be behind the President. But the Democrats, at least most of them, didn’t get elected by supporting the President. They are representing, hopefully, those who voted for them not to support the President. In addition, and remember, I voted for him twice, the President’s word doesn’t carry as much weight anymore. Last year was a disaster for him politically, his poll numbers suck, after November people will be more concerned about who will be the next President, and his administration is starting to find their own scandals to be worried about. Also, the President wants us, as a country, to kick our addiction to oil. But the next day, many news outlets were reporting that he wasn’t committed to this at all and it was merely thrown into the speech so that he could look like he was trying to do something. But the thing that hurts him most is that, and remember, I voted for him twice, Iran is turning out to be a far bigger threat than Iraq ever was. Every President is judged by history at some point, and I am beginning to wonder if going into Iraq and not Iran will end up being his biggest mistake.

You have been a great crowd.

Email me at wierca01@ipfw.edu

TheChad