Shucking the Blame: The New Student's Tool of Survival

by Ray Buffington, editor-in-chief

When one steals something, can they blame the victim for pressing charges?

This is the same, in a sense, when professors dole out grades to students. When a student fails horribly on an exam, can they blame the professor for giving them an ‘F’?

While taking a course during the Summer I session, I encountered an odd situation concerning a student and a professor. The student, apparently, had been upset because he had been dropped from the class for not adhering to the absence policy that was clearly stated on the syllabus that the professor had handed out at the beginning of the semester. The student had been absent too many times, violating this policy, so the professor dropped him from the class. The student refused to believe this was fair, and began to scream threats and obscenities at the professor. The student eventually left the classroom, but the next day there was a campus police officer standing guard at the professor’s classroom door.

All Men are Created Evil

by Christopher Byram, opinion editor

There seems to be this illusion that students begin college as uneducated, naïve high school graduates and emerge as mature, thoughtful young adults. It doesn’t take an Einstein to recognize the vast inaccuracy of this assumption. And out of this particular area, it seems that college is definitely not the place to become thoughtful or mature in any sense. This goes doubly for all the boys, especially since they happen to be the main focus of this article.

I say boys and not young men, because it doesn’t seem like any of the males have evolved past the 7^th grade. That implies quite a bit, I know. The average college sophomore is about as advanced as the average 7^th grade boy, not including the females, of course. Girls are another issue entirely.

Sheehan v Bush

by Giovanni Rosendo, assistant editor

With thousands of people overseas fighting for our country, many are beginning to question what exactly we are fighting for.

Cindy Sheehan, native of California lost her son, Casey Austin Sheehan, to the war on Iraq and has since been protesting the war and President George W. Bush.

Cindy Sheehan began her protest against President Bush and the war on Aug. 6 in Crawford, Texas.  This one silent mother has been taking her stand against President George W. Bush with regard to the war in Iraq. 

Relationship Problem Solving

by Brooke Heald, staff writer

I was walking around the Levelland Campus recently, and it came to my attention how many couples I saw.

Some looked blissfully happy, and others, well, they seemed not so in tune with each other. Relationships take a lot of work and take time to blossom into something wonderful.

All I want to say is think before you mess up something that really is brilliant and clearly has potential, despite all the unwanted parts, or what you choose not to see. I hope this can help some of you to either move on, or keep on truckin’ and have that relationship everyone dreams of.

Coloring your Lifestyle

by Grayson Thomas, entertainment editor

This poem was written and made famous by Elizabeth Lucas.  However, it was brought into my life by a group of women that tend to act their shoe size, gossip in terms of quantity (not quality), look as good as someone half of their real ages, make plans just to change them, and decide my life goals and dating extravaganzas in what they call “board meetings.” 

These women are affectionately known as “THE AUNTS.”  That’s right, my aunts.  Truth be told, my mother might be the ring leader…or co-chairman…I can’t ever tell who’s in charge.  But batty as they may well individually be, sane they somehow become when they’re together.  How? Nobody quite knows considering there’s at least four conversations going at the same time on about nine different subjects while The Aunts move from location to location around the house decorating, watching HDTV, and cooking.   

Girls and Games

by Margot Gonzales, staff writer

Halo, Doom, Grand Turismo, Quake, WarDevil.  If any girl can tell me what those are, I shouldn't be impressed, but I would be.

The gender gap in the world of gamers is huge.  Though it was much worse years ago, there are still doubts when it comes to females playing video games.  I’ve seen few girls who are proud to pick up a game control in front of a guy, and it is probably about time to change that.

I've had boys laugh at me for even making an attempt at Halo and not playing a game such as like Dance Dance Revolution. More and more girls are putting up their makeup and bringing out their old Segas and Nintendos.

Land of the Free

by Cody Flores, staff writer

I can’t turn on the televisions without coming across one of these “reality TV shows.”

They are everywhere, and they aren’t showing signs of stopping. Ever since the CBS breakthrough “Survivor” hit the air, this new craze has been sweeping the nation. Everywhere I turn I am bombarded with reality TV. But, is this really a good thing? Is it good for us to be watching us?           

Life-Changing Images in a Bottle

by Amelia Gonzales, staff writer

I remember that when I was a small child, tattoos were images people mainly saw on bikers or gangsters. Lately, I have noticed that that stereotypical image has taken a drastic change. People of all ages and backgrounds have decided to find some sort of reason for investing in a life time image in ink. I happen to be one of them.

Pac-Man

by Giovanni Rosendo, associate editor

In the old two-D days of gaming everything was simpler and games made legends by memorable characters such as Pac-Man.

Namco is celebrating their 25^th anniversary with Pac-Man this year. 

Remember those days in the 1980s when games were simple?

Games used to be user friendly and everyone played them.  I have yet to meet a person who has never heard of Pac-Man, Galaga, or even Super Mario.

I’m talking about the games at the arcade that had a directional pad and a jump/shoot button.  That was it.  None of this L1, R2 or hidden Z button that new consoles have.

Fuming About Gas Prices

by Kevin L. Mayer, co-news editor

Throughout your lifetime, there will be influences on you that can be controlled, and other influences that are beyond your control.

Once you move out on your own, you will decide and set your own living standards, but will have no control over inflation. The rising cost of living has forced people to begin to cut back and become cautious about how they spend money. You can notice the public’s hesitation on spending in the drop of travel and movie ticket sales.

Recent events have created a catastrophe of unforeseen circumstances that may require more monetary cutbacks. Since the gas crisis of the 1970s and 1980s, Americans have become increasingly aware and appalled by the concept of extreme gasoline prices, and it is about to get worse.

Operation: 9/11 Reconstruction

by Jordan Williams, staff writer

On September 11, 2001 the world watched in horror as four American airliners were hijacked in mid air.

The two planes that eventually crashed into the World Trade Center were departing from Boston and were on their way to Los Angeles. The plane that crashed into the Pentagon was leaving Washington D.C. and heading to Los Angeles. The plane that eventually went down in the Pennsylvania field was departing from Newark and was heading for San Francisco.

Every American can tell you where he or she was when these tragic events transpired. I was in my high school Spanish class and watched the television screen in horror. That day will forever live in our hearts and minds. More than 2,617 people lost their lives that day, and many of these unforgotten people could truly be called our heroes. These unsung heroes will forever be a part of our nation's history.

Presidential Pardon

by Brandye Huggs, staff writer

It seems everywhere we turn people are speaking out either against or for our president.

I have my own feelings about President George W. Bush, but I am glad to live in a society where everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I wonder, though, if people ever stop to think that the reason we as a nation have this freedom is because of men such as President Bush. Men who believe in America and our Constitution. Men who know that our nation was founded on virtues, values, and respect, and have dedicated their lives to preserving it. That is what public service is, and for anyone out there who has forgotten, President Bush, like all other presidents, is a public servant.

Fall Semester Provides Relief From Bad Summer Jobs

by Jessica Safavimehr, staff writer

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Coming back to class from a long summer is actually kind of a relief.

Don't get me wrong summer was a much-needed break from the stress of juggling class and work.

Summer allows for time to work and make some extra cash. The jobs you have during the summer differ greatly from the one you may hold during the academic year.

During the school year, we tend to hold jobs that are a little on the easy side, so we can make time for homework and, of course, for our busy social lives. I know that during the last school year I worked at a bookstore, a very-slow paced environment that allowed time for homework and all those other college activities.