Government Shut Down

The Government Shut Down

In our nation of America, the land of the free and home of the brave, millions of people travel around the world to live in America, countries ask for our financial and political help and our presidential leaders throughout the century has helped maintain the middle east. With all the help our country has done for other nations, why haven’t we helped ourselves. In early March, new stations and reporters have been covering the issue of the government shutting down. With major issues like this, many citizens wo

uld not be too worried about such an issue because, either they are not a public figure of the government or a political leader. Before diving deeper into this pressing issue of the government shutdown, here is a brief sequential history of the events that have lead up to this pending shut down.

Even though many people might feel that this event will not affect them is giving them another view, “You’ll never know how much you miss something until its gone” or at least in this case, how

important it is. In 1994/1995 during the Clinton Administration (D), the republicans where in the majority of the congress and the same issue had arisen with not compromising on a

bill to pass. This resulted in a standoff and neither political side would give in and the government had shut down for around two to three weeks.

In order for the government to operate it needs to be funded. Congress votes on the national budget for the federal government in order to operate effectively and efficiently. This year the house of representatives, attached to the bill that would include a budget that would cut many programs costing around $61 billion in education programs, job training programs etc.

The proposed bill that was formed by the House of Representatives ( R ) was sent to the Senate (D), but they would not pass the bill because of the amount of money and programs that were proposed to be cut. Therefore, this had left the government unfunded and if they do not come up with a solution by this Friday March 4, the government will have to shut down due to lack of funds

As of, March 2nd the Senate and House of Representatives came to a compromise and had just passed a continuing resolution. This resolution states that there will be a cut of $4 billion, which will keep the government running for two more weeks. With this buffer that was put into play to but the two branches some time they now have two weeks to come up with a compromised bill that the House and Senate will agree upon or they will face the same issue of the gove

rnment shutting down again.

While there is much talk about this in Washington D.C. and New York City, what about the small town of Reading, PA? While Reading is about an hour from Philadelphia and two and a half hours away from our nations capital how does it really affect students at Albright College? When going to DC and speaking with Robert L. Stoll Commissioner for Patents for the United States he shows his concern about the shut down. “Im very concerned about the government shutting down (obviously because I work for the government) because we already have so many issues going on internationally, like the tsunami in Japan, Libya and the increasing gas prices, I have no idea how we will manage as a nation if it shuts down. Our nation is going to be a person thats trapped in a dark room with no light

switch. We won’t be able to do much until the government, quits bickering and can compromise on a budget, the government is a huge structure that forms our nation, if its gone it really can’t be for long”.

While DC might have it’s crisis, even Albright Graduates are concerned and extremely worried. Frank Harper, an Albright Graduate Class of 2010, enlisted into the Army right after Graduation. Stationed in Columbus, Georgia Harper is concerned about the government shutdown, one of the many other worries a solider. “With the threat of the shutdown we have been threatened that we will not be paid if the government shuts down, and since we signed a contact we still have to work whether or not we get paid.”

With many Albright students applying for jobs seniors who are interested in government related jobs are worried about if they will even be able to get jobs. Majoring in environmental science, senior Karisha Bristow explains her wor

ries about getting a job. “I have applied for a job at NIH (National Institute of Health) but since its a government building and business and the pending fear of the government closing, I have not herd back from them and am afraid that my worst fear will com true-being that senior that doesn’t have a job.”

With graduates of 2009 and 2011the trend seems to be less than ecstatic, with how our nation is in complete turmoil, well educated Albright graduates are having a very hard time finding jobs, if there are any left. For our nation there is always the light at the end of any bad situation or tunnel, we just don’t know when we will reach the light. Hopefully sooner than later.

COLLEGE STUDENTS AND REVOLUTION

For many college students, the revolutions that have occurred in the Middle East may be put on the back burner because some may feel the revolutions have no impact, but there are students that have an opinion about the various demonstrations.

In January of this year, there was much political opposition to Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak resulting in various protests, marches, and acts of civil disobedience because of his policies with the economy and other civil rights’ issues citizens felt were violated. According to a CNN report, citizens revolted against the governing body due to “complaints [of] police corruption and abuses”. They were also uneasy about Mubarak’s 30-year rule, the nonexistent free elections in their republic, and against the high prices for food, low waged, and high unemployment rate.

Egypt was not the only country experiencing revolution; according to a CNN report, there were over 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa that were experiencing revolution and going against their governmental leaders. Protests were happening because citizens were fed up with their government and joined together to combat an unjust society. Most of the revolutionaries of this younger generation and represented those who were afraid to stand up. Sophomore Justin Francis says, “I've been genuinely excited and interested about the current status of the middle east. With the world shrinking due to increases of technology those people in the middle are able to see what life is like outside of their country. The younger generations of these countries have been calling for revolution for some time now and I think that eventually most of these extremely conservative religious countries will become more "westernized.” Francis also expressed a hope for more administrations in the Middle East to be more tolerant and accepting of non-Islamic religions because it will help to unite the countries.

Libya is another country experiencing political discourse surrounding issues of freedom and civil disobedience from its citizens and has also led to involvement from the United States government. According to a CNN report, protests have been fueled by “Gadhafi's government, which has ruled since a 1969 coup [and] detained relatives of those killed in an alleged 1996 massacre at the Abu Salim prison, [and] high unemployment and [unanswered] demands for freedom.” Rion Robinson, junior, believes the more people who are educated about the revolutions and the regions; the more they will understand the citizens’ plight. He says, “The region is experiencing change in [a] political landscape that no one really predicted it to happen. The revolutions in the region also show the true colors of the leaders in those countries as well. What is happening now will lead to the future of the region for good or bad.”

These students have been educated and are fully aware of the good and not-so good that could come from these revolutions and are waiting for each government’s next move.

Two for the Price of None: Commencement and Political Rally

In 24 days I will be walking across the stage in Shirk Stadium to receive my long awaited college diploma, but will I have to cross the picket line first?

This question is the question burning in the minds of the Albright College senior class as they are being bombarded with the possibility that their graduation will be the stage of a political protest directed at commencement speaker, Governor Tom Corbett.
On March 8, Gov. Corbett set forth his proposed budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. This budget by law had to be balanced (expenses must equal income), and had to also address the current deficit that the state of Pennsylvania finds itself in.

Because of these needs, many state programs and departments will experience funding cut. Jobs are being lost along with services because with hard times come drastic measures. But one area that is of particular concern to Pennsylvania residents is education.

Kindergartens and colleges are all seeing a decrease, as funding for state sponsored education is proposed to be cut by close to 1.5 billion dollars. More specifically, the fourteen state-owned and four state-affiliated colleges and universities will see a cut of $625 million dollars, which translates more than a 50% decrease from last year’s funding.

Now, you may have noticed that private colleges were not highlighted in the above stated cuts. So with that, you may be wondering why Albright College seniors are so concerned. Well the answer for the most part is two-fold.

The first reason closely correlates with education. After all, Albright College is an institution of higher learning. It is an institution that many students would have never been able to attend if it had not been for the foundation provided to them by their hometown’s public school system.

Now, that foundation is at risk. With funding to K-12 public education being cut, seniors are worried that students similar to them will never get the opportunity they had to attend a small, liberal arts college like Albright. Because even if the funding is there, future students will lack the necessary skills and aptitudes required for admittance.

On that same note, one of the biggest majors, and selling points, of Albright College is its education program. Offering students the option to earn their bachelors in four years, or stay an additional year to earn their masters, this program offers future students the classroom theory, as well as the hands-on experience needed to succeed as educators.

But will their degrees matter? Because of the proposed cuts to K-12 education, senior education majors feel that probability that they will get a job, in an already rocky economy, has drastically diminished. After all, experience teachers being fired due to monetary constraints, these new graduates will enter into the job search and compete against more experienced professional for jobs that may not even exist.

The second reasons seniors are so upset with the governor’s presence at their graduation is all the baggage the Corbett brings with him.

Multiple articles, websites, and Facebook groups have confirmed the seniors’ worst nightmare. There will be protesters at Albright on the day of their graduation. And although their protests have every right to freedom of speech and have stated that they will strictly be against Corbett and his policies, they will certainly be taking the spotlight away from the students who have worked so hard and accomplished so much in their time at Albright.

Even though protesters are confirmed, students still worry about the unknown factors related to having Corbett as there commencement speaker. They are concerned that protesters will get in the stadium, will make noise or disrupt the ceremony, or even worse, create and unsafe environment for their families and friends who have traveled to see them receive their diplomas.

On top of the external protesters, seniors also are faced with the reality that members of their class, as well as the members of the Albright faculty, may make their opinions known to governor. Rumors continue to circulate Albright that those faculty members and students who are morally and ethically opposed to the governor may not show up to graduation, may leave during his speech, or may even turn their chairs around during his address.

So why have someone speak at a commencement that a good portion of the class does not want to hear?

The answer is very simple. The governor was chosen by the President’s office to speak prior to his proposed budget. At the time, the President’s office thought the governor was a very exciting candidate for speaker because of his new office and the fact that he was within the college’s budget for a speaker. Free.

However, now, nearly two months after the budget’s proposal, excitement had turned into defense. In an attempt to address of the senior class’ concern, President Lex O. McMillan, held on open forum on April 26.

McMillan open the forum simply noting that regardless of the controversy and dismay of the senior class, the he would not uninvited the governor.

McMillan went on to explain the complications of the budget, and the harsh economic climate, and the need for students to understand the power of the governor and the positive impact a relationship with Corbett could have for Albright in the future.

These remarks were not what seniors present for the event wanted to hear, as for two hours following McMillan’s opening statement seniors expressed their frustration and anger with his decision to uninvited. They were greatly disheartened by the president’s resolution to keep the governor, despite their comments and concerns.

The following are reactions of several senior students who did attend the open forum on April 26. Although their concerns vary, it is clear through their remarks that a number of seniors are not pleased with their current graduation speaker.


Jeff Plummer, senior, secondary education and math major at Albright College.


Nick Goodling, senior, marketing and finance major at Albright College.


Amber Foster, senior, communications major at Albright College.



Becky Smith, senior, art and art history major at Albright College.


So what now? What can the senior class do when the college has already made their mind up? What can they do when there is no help is in sight?

For the senior class only one answer seems acceptable. They can unite and they fight. They can work for the next 24 days to ensure that their voices are heard and that their graduation is truly about them and their accomplishments.

After all, they do have an Albright education in their arsenal. Which I am sure will lead them to a different way of thinking about how to save their graduation from politically assured destruction.

Is Giving Aid Always Necessary?

After Moammar Gadhafi stepped down on February 11th the United States military stepped in to give aid to the country. Is this a good move for the United States to help other countries all the time? Is this necessary? Dr. Smith, a business professor, shed some light on this subject.

Smith feels that the reason the military entered Lybia is “to somewhat level the playing field between the forces of the current regime, Gadhafi regime and what they perceive to be a need to the rebels I guess out there.” Regarding the question of whether entering Lybia was necessary; Smith may not be sure but has some idea. “I guess it’s necessary from the standpoint that if we want to promote the ideology of democracy being a good thing and if we see an opportunity, that’s a positive thing. […] I’m not sure why it’s necessary, can I justify why we’re there, probably.”

The idea of the military leaving Lybia is a long shot, but may be possible: “I believe in Lybia, not having men and women on the ground [troops having to go in to fight] at least is easier to exit out of it. I guess theoretically we could leave tomorrow. […] I’m not sure you’re going to get out there anytime soon as anybody else is going to get out of there.” Smith said.

The United States is a state that may need to stretch their helping hand: “Could we do more? We probably could be there more; we could probably give more humanitarian service via military. I think what the military might tell you, if I’m putting on their hat for a minute, we’re not real good at humanitarian services, it’s not what we’re trained to do. I think like any nation we pick and choose what’s important to us as well.” Smith replied.

Our military has aided many different times with many different countries, like Japan, World War II, and Kuwait. Smith gives his opinion on why we currently help other places and how we feel that we have to help: “Maybe we step in more for humanitarian things than in the past. I think we realized as a nation we can’t be [as] near as isolated as we want to be. [In] World War II we tried to be more isolated and realized we really couldn’t stop the work occurring around us.”

Smith feels that some countries need to solve their own problems on their own. Smith also feels that these problems, like civil wars for example, should be dealt with only the people in that area: “To me personally, when I think of civil wars, I’m not sure another nation should be in a civil war, it is between the people of that nation.” For example, the war between the North and the South may have had outside involvement but needed to work through their issue to figure out who they are.
The United States may gain a bad rap if they do not help: “I suppose we would get a reputation that we don’t appreciate and we’re isolationists again, selfish isolationists.”

Some students gave their opinion on this issue.
Here's Leon's view:




Here's Jack's view:



The United States military’s participation in places like Lybia may not be fully necessary but shows that we care.

Rising Gas Prices Causes Concern

Rising gas prices have caused concerned for many US citizens. With gas climbing every day these prices have affected many American families, especially those who are dealing with money issues. The rising gas prices have affected many Albright students and faculty, and has raised some concerns. For many Albright students, gas prices is just one more issue to deal with, especially for those who are not as affluent as others. With the rising costs the question remains how long will this last before something is done to curb the prices.

Recently in the press, President Obama demanded an end to oil tax breaks. President Obama urged leaders to repeal tax breaks for oil and gas companies and use the money to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. You can read more about this on the NY Times website. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/obama-again-demands-an-end-to-oil-tax-breaks/?scp=2&sq=oil&st=cse

The Washington Post also recently ran an article about oil prices. Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said the nation's economy will continue to recover. Gas prices gained 5.10 cents to settle at $3.2431 a gallon. You can read more about the newest oil prices on the Washington Post website. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/oil-settles-slightly-higher/2011/04/27/AFla6pzE_story.html

Professor Margaret Rakus feels that the recent rise in gas prices has affected things that she does with her family. "When we go on vacation we don't fly because we can't afford it, so we always drove, but with the increase in gas that means the less money to spend when we're on vacation." Professor Rakus finds these new prices discouraging, but she thinks it is more of an inconvenience than anything else. One issue Professor Rakus has with the rise in prices is that it is not often covered in the news. "I do think that it would be interesting if our news covered the issues dealing with the gas before they talked about sports, I really wish it was positioned as something that is newsworthy, because there are more strategies than acceptance."

Amanda Hunter is a senior at Albright and is very disgruntled with the current gas prices. With the rising gas prices Amanda is becoming more cautious with her driving and is not as eager to drive places anymore. Amanda also believes that President Obama can do a better job at curbing the prices. Amanda has also seen an increase as to how much she spends on gas, mentioning how it has reached almost $50.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_gAX86R7nA

Mandie Mulcahy is a junior at Albright and has felt the burden of rising gas prices due to her frequent trips to Maryland on weekends to visit her boyfriend. Mandie mentioned that the trip used to cost her around $30, and this recent weekend she spent over $50. Mandie also thinks that with the rise in gas prices it affects how often she does her shopping. Mandie mentions that instead of running to the store for one item, she waits until she has a full list of items before she makes the commute to the store. Mandie also mentions that with the rise in gas prices she changes the way that she drives, as to conserve more of her gas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjBPhVr23vI

With gas prices expected to hit $4 by the summer hopefully something will be done soon to ease the cost of gas. With Albright's tuition going up by 3% next semester, students do not need to be hit with another burden in their wallets.

Let's Move - Across Pennsylvania

On Feb. 9, 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama launched her Let's Move campaign, a nation-wide initiative to reduce obesity and weight-related issues among children by encouraging active, healthy lifestyles.

More health-conscious lifestyles can improve students' health and potentially lower the risk of obesity and weight-related health issues.  Not sure if your child is a healthy weight?  It only takes a few seconds to calculate your child's body mass index and determine whether a child is underweight, overweight or obese according to age, height and weight standards.  Let's Move has helped communities and schools across the country educate others and further their own health-oriented programs, including Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem, Pa., and Kelly Elementary in Lewisburg, Pa.  The Center for Disease Control's survey on the obesity epidemic among Pennsylvania students shows how these two schools compare with others across the state.

Broughal Middle School opened its doors in the fall of 2009 and educates approximately 600 sixth, seventh and eighth graders.  Along with a new school building, students can look forward to new programs aimed at helping them live healthier lifestyles, fostered in part by grants from the community and Let's Move.
The school's greenhouse was made possible through a grant from the Bethlehem Health Bureau, and currently houses tomato and basil plants.  With an irrigation system in the works, the school hopes to expand its horticulture and eventually provide vegetables not only for the school cafeteria, but also for the South Side community.

"Our hope is that we're able to [grow] some vegetables ... and sell them at the local farmers' market," Principal Ed Docalovich said.

But Broughal Middle School does not plan to give back to the community with just produce.  A family center provides outreach to the surrounding area.

"We were able to make a connection with St. Luke's [Hospital] and Temple [University] ... to have their own school here at Lehigh Valley," Docalovich said.

The family center delivers free wellness clinics, including blood pressure and diabetes screenings earlier this month and physicals scheduled for next month.

The Lewisburg Area School District, of Lewisburg, Pa., also works with the community to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles.

"Our curriculum does focus a lot on the benefits of being physically active, and we work closely with the community recreation program to encourage kids to participate in out of school physical activity," said Tammie Cristini, a physical education teacher at Kelly Elementary in Lewisburg. "Our students at the elementary level are very involved in extra-curricular sports with the community. Many of the students are on various seasonal teams. Our team sports at the high school are flourishing."

But active kids require nutritious food to keep them going - both physically and mentally.  Fortunately, Broughal and Lewisburg have stepped up to meet that challenge by not only providing healthy food, but also by educating students, as well.  And education about nutrition is vital, according to Bethany Beaver, a junior nutrition major at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, Pa.

"I believe researchers are now starting to truly understand the impact of nutrition on our health and I think research will continue to increase.  It can be difficult because the information is constantly changing with new research and technologies.  I believe the biggest problem, however, is the lack of nutrition education to the public.  It is being studied, but it is not being understood," Beaver said.

However, between programs and workshops, two Pennsylvania schools are working hard to keep students up-to-date on healthy habits.

"We had the kids creating healthy eating habits [and] healthy dishes," Docalovich said, of the school's healthy eating program, adding that the nutrition isn't a new facet. "We've pretty much always done the healthy eating."

Likewise, the Lewisburg district has also altered its fare to reflect a more health-conscious lifestyle.

"Our cafeteria has made many changes with the menu and offers workshops to classes to teach the children about healthy nutrition," Cristini commented.

Broughal Middle School fosters growth outside of the classroom, as well.  For the early risers - there are about 50 in the student body - there are morning exercise programs, too.  And after school, students can take advantage of the fitness trainer and the school's new fitness room, complete with elliptical machines, treadmills, free weights and other exercise equipment.

But, in spite of the variety of programs and equipment, Docalovich recognized a need to reach the school's female students - apparently, the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders who helped the students celebrate their progress were more of a hit with the boys than with the girls.  And what of students who are less partial to weight lifting?

"We need to target the female population," Docalovich said, adding that the school has acquired an Xbox Connect solely for that purpose.  "This way, we're focused on the dance part - we're trying to gear that up for the girls."

However, Docalovich also added that, while healthy, active lifestyles are important, they are not the school's primary mission.  Instead, physical activity and eating right contribute to the learning process.

"That's all tertiary to our main goal - learning," Docalovich said.  "If you have kids who are coming hungry, they aren't thinking of learning."

What's Happening in Your Backyard?

I was sitting in the lounge of Krause with a group of friends and I randomly asked, “Do you guys remember the BP oil spill that happened last summer?” and they said that they remembered hearing about it constantly on the news.

However, they did not know that as of March 1 the Obama Administrations approved Noble Energy to begin drilling again in the Gulf of Mexico. Most likely, this is because there has not been any news updates since the beginning of March.

Then I asked them if they knew what the Marcellus Shale is. Shockingly, they had no clue what it was.

So I explained to them that the Marcellus Shale is a rock formation in Pa., N.Y., Ohio, and W. Va. that is being drilled for gas. However, there are many environmental consequences from this drilling and these consequences could have the same dire effect as that oil spill.

Kaitlyn Morgan who was one of the students I asked this question to stated “It’s scary that none of us knew what the Marcellus Shale was but we should because this drilling is affecting people in our own backyard.”

Morgan then asked me if drilling at the Marcellus Shale is frequently in the news like how the BP oil spill was. I told her that it is hot topic but there is more coverage in local papers rather than constant media cover.

In addition, Morgan wished she realize that there was a Panel Discussion on Marcellus Shale with Senator Ted Erickson on April 20 at Albright because she would have went.

Associate Professor of Biology, Dr. Andrew Samuelsen, attended the beginning of the Panel Discussion and was able to share some of his thoughts:

Although some folks wanted to do away with the drilling altogether, I am not sure that will be a viable option in the face of pressure to become more energy independent. It would be great to just leave it alone, but in the absence of doing that we need to make it as safe as we possibly can with strict (and enforced!) regulations,newer technology and huge penalties for any accidents that occur. Taxing the companies must come at the front end of this process so that we have the money to police this industry and help with remediation efforts as needed – it shouldn’t fall on the state budget to do this.

Samuelsen was able to explain some of the risks of drilling at the Marcellus Shale. First off, he mentioned that trees have to be removed which negatively effects the habitat. Another risk is the water supply of the people near these drill sites is often contaminated and it is difficult to undo the damage.

“In terms of Pennsylvania,” explained Samuelsen, “we are an important watershed for other states and many of our waters feed into the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River Watersheds. Water flows across state lines, so what we do here has impacts beyond Pennsylvania.”

At the panel discussion, it was mentioned that are not any strict regulations about how much drilling is allowed. Samuelson stated “States such as New York and Maryland have slowed down but Pennsylvania seems to be rushing headlong into this without taking a breath.”

In comparison to Noble’s Energy’s offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico to the onshore drilling in the Northeast it seems like there are less regulations for drilling consequences that could harm our environment.

After the initial oil spill, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement enforced new regulations for ocean drillers. Nobel Energy has developed the technology (and the money) to follow the safety regulations.

According to the Fox Business, Noble Energy successfully showed that they can now drill safely and they can now contain a spill if it were to happen again. Chuck Davidison, CEO of Nobel Energy, stated that he thinks there will be more approvals for offshore once other companies fulfill these regulations.

On the other hand, drilling companies at the Marcellus Shale have had violations but these companies usually deny the harmful consequences. Therefore, these companies are not under stricter regulations like those companies that drill offshore.

Samuelsen commented on some recent reports of the drills leaking fracking fluid: “If they contain benzene and other carcinogens (as suspected), there could be great harm done decades from now because most cancers take years to develop in one’s body.”

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” said Samuelsen “and if it is mandated that more precautions need to be taken I’ll bet someone could figure out how to remove these fluids more effectively and perhaps even come up with safer fluids to start with.”

Sara Bogue, a senior and environmental studies major, expresses her opinion about drilling at the Marcellus Shale in the following clip.