Paige Miles, Editorial Page Editor The Behrend Beacon puhlislieil weekly by the students of Penn State Erie, The Behrend C allege News Editor Erin McCarty JL Lauren Packer Assistant News Editor Jen Henderson Sports Editor Scott Soltis Editorial Page Editor Paige Miles BeaCOll Features Editor Kart Benacci “A newspaper by the . , students for the students Staff Photographers J Jeff Hankey Heather Myers The Beacon is published weekly by the students of Penn State Erie, the Behrend College; First Floor, The J. Elmer Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, PA 16563 The Beacon can be reached by calling (814) 898-6488 or (814) 898-6019 (FAX). ISSN 1071-9288. MTV got Remember when reality TV started? When MTV produced the "Real World. Back in those days, reality 'IV was pure. There were no games, or twists, or gimmicks, just a bunch of strangers living together for months on end in a sweet house in a large city. The "Real World" was so simple. We watched to see real life unfold before us. We watched for Generation-X argu ments, relationships, drama. We watched because we were in middle school and had no life of our own. But that was fine! We wanted to see w hat the real world w as like, so we tuned into the first reality TV show. Generation-Y lived vicariously every Wednesday night at 10 p.m.. through the "Real World." It was harmless and fun. I still watch the "Real World." just be cause it is a great show, and maybe be cause 1 still don't have a life. Yet out of the "Real World.' Mark Burnett got the idea for a reality show that would pit man vs. man. man vs. the elements, and man verse himself: "Sur vivor." That show was great, the first season. It took all the great conflict, wril- ers try to incorporate into a plot, and just set up the elements and let the players take it from there. The show was like watching "The Lord of the Flies” and "Robinson Crusoe" mixed with "Cast away” and “American Gladiators, with a dash of the "Real World" microcosm Letter to the Editor Dear Editor I am writing in response to the numer ous articles that have appeared on the Opinion Page over the past lew weeks concerning President Bush, his articulate nature, and the possible w ar with Iraq. First off, in response to Katie Sweeney and Derek Bledsoe's debate over G.W. Bush’s intelligence, capabilities, and ar ticulations, allow me to point out that in no immediate realm of the future will con servatives possibly ever escape the slan derous descriptions from liberals of be ing called 1.) dumb and 2.) crazy. Unfor tunately, our President has not made it out of the dumb realm and upgraded to just plain crazy. So the man can’t pronounce “peninsula” or "nuclear” in a speech that the whole world is hanging on to. word for word. At least it provides some comic relief as I spin in tiny circles clawing through my day as I ponder the mere raw terror reported in the liberal media. As Kevin Fallon pointed out in his edi torial, "politics are down-right confu sion.’” Yes, they are reported as such. How about we organize the liberal hyste ria at work here? Republicans say, "Let's bomb Saddam” and Democrats say "Yep, the evidence is in on global warming but NOT Iraq." And now I get to watch an other three weeks of anti-war/anti-groom ing fallies on C-SPAN. I’m still looking for the promo people from deodorant companies working through the crowds passing out tiny samples. Apparently no one is yet brave enough for that job. Editor-in-Chief Kevin Fallon Managing Editors Rebecca Weindorf Robert Wynne Professional Publication Mgr. Dave Richards Advisor Cathy Roan The Beacon encourages letters to the editor. Letters should include the address, phone number, semester standing, and major of the writer. Writers can mail letters to behrcoll2@aol.com. Letters must be received no later than 5 p.m. Monday for inclusion in it right: How MTV started reality TV and how the rest of the networks got it wrong ulc;. Ii was -real! Then everything lie and the women arc all being used. I speetful to human dignity. The show dream. It is a great show that builds the started to -o down-lull don’t care how much money Fox gives loves to put on people who think they human up. not tears him or hei down. ‘now we have ■ American Idol." Joe tins guy. the whole world sees he is stu- can sing but have no business even hum- While viewers ol other shows are tun- Millionaire " The Bachelor " “The pid and the girls, wow, I can’t imagine tiling in their own showers. They arc mg in to see someone humiliate heisell Bachelore.tc "“l ea, Factor.' ’ and count- them going back to their jobs, friends, that bad. And the show probably screens over some Joe-whatever. or eat some less others The family, after having so bla- them to sort out the bad ones from the thing sick for a few bucks, or sing like a tantly tried to play the role mediocre to the very talented. I m will- fool in front of the ever arrogant judges, of Little-Ms.-Perfect- ing to wager that the mediocre are told we can now flip the channel to MTV and Wifc-For-A-Millionaire- to go home, the pathetic are then fed to watch as someone gets to make his or Husband. They should all the lions, and then the show throws in her dream come true. We can watch be ashamed. some talent just to give the show some someone achieve, watch someone be The producers of legitimacy. It's horrible. proud, rather than watch someone be torn “Fear Factor” should be Some of these people, l think, are a to shreds and degraded, ashamed, also. This show tad mentally ill. Remember the guy who Look, here’s how it is: reality TV is a pays $50,000 to the last thought he was Enrique? Yeah, that guy good and solid concept for TV when contestant who can stom- was nuts! And then we have Simon, used correctly. When aimed at record c]tL,mcn| ach down anything This guy is a jerk. With all the talent he ing the real world as it happens, or to W()| ks thrown his/her way or can has as a singer and producer, it would be help individuals, it is truly quality TV, shows that arc stand to do gross and stu- nice to see him help others achieve sue- but when used to make money off the easv and cheap pid things. This show is cess as well, other than ripping apart the humilation, failure, pain, and heartache to pmduce anil , . , , , . . pathetic. 1 watched one helpless. of others, it is just junk, easily market- LOOK, Here S HOW It IS show and ncver dialed in One show does help its contestants. All I can say is, thank God tor MTV. able’ and the GllV ReSCheilthaler again. On the one I saw, One show builds the contestant up and Having created the “Real World” and * 3 people had to drink lique- helps him or her. One show has saved then “Made,” reality TV has been at best fied pig liver, eat a bowl the concept of reality TV. This show is saved and at worst given a model to of craw ling insects, and devour boiled “Made.” “Made” is produced by MTV, strive toward. Let’s remember the hu goose eggs that were so mature you the network that started it all. In “Made,” man dignity factor next time we tune into could see the baby geese in the fetal po- a high school student writes to MTV that “Fear Factor,” “Joe-Millionaire." sition, boiled and ready to be eaten. It he or she has a dream and wants to be “American Idol,” and other human de was sick. These people sold their dig- made into a cheerleader, basketball valuing shows. Let’s support human dig nity for the chance, the chance, to win player, model, opera singer, etc. It is a nity and the good spirit of human nature $50.000. I’m speechless. Without dig- great show. MTV gives these and watch shows like “Made." nity. what arc you? And they sold it for highschoolers coaches, trainers, and en- Rocrht>nthnlt>r\ rnhinin that silly amount. It is sad, really sad. couragement. The whole point is to see weeks . "American Idol” is even more disre- a young person achieve a goal, to live a J iTa/o seems un stoppable and apparently is a are a t mo ne v maker for the net- works. F.verv- Viewers act leal world ex- c ontesianls get...well let's talk about that for a w Ink- All these "Real World" rip offs have one thing in common. They all humili ate the individuals appearing in the show. With "Joe Millionaire." people turn in to watch gold-digging chicks grovel over a man who is not a multimillionaire, but a heavv equipment operator. Viewers love to watch this low wilted man play off the role of Mr. Perfect, it is pathetic. Maybe we'll see one of the losing Demo cratic Presidential "hopeful" nominees in a "Sure Advantage" T-shirt going to work the crowd with a bag of samples. As far as Kevin Fallon's comparison of the w ar situation to a pop culture epi sode of "American Idol." it can t help but to reaffirm my notion that this is ex actly why American foreign policy should NOT be based on public opin ion. Sorry to diss you "American Idol' style. Kevin. The truth of the matter is that while 1 can poke fun at all stereotypes involved here, including myself, the realities ot war are approaching. The U.S.. with or without the support and "moral author ity" of Germany and France, will lake action in a matter of time. But we are not going at this alone. At last count, our allies included 42 nations, 10 of which are European. How would giv ing inspectors more time solve anything when Saddam would continue to run from full cooperation and disclosure? It's obvious suspicion here. I’d w illingly fight for my country and I thank those who already are for protecting me and my family from the terrors of evil. I fully support the American troops abroad and my country's great American conserva tive leaders including Kevin Fallon's very own "American Idol.” GW Bush. Advertising Manager Christine Kleck Calendar Page Editor Ermn Hansen A&E Editor Daniel J. Stasiewski Humor Page Editor Mike Batata Associate Editor Courtney Straub Distribution Manager Scott Soltis that week's issue -Aimee S. Peterson Political Science, OS Friday, February 14, 2003 In the diversity corner Adult learners: beyond age by Abbey Atkinson contributing editorialist A friend of mine, about a year ago. told me that she wanted to return to college, but didn't want to be pin-pointed as one of those old students. "Non-Trad" was what they w ere called in her undergradu ate years; the name just wasn't appeal- However, being in a dead end job w ith a growing family, my friend really wanted to finish her college degree and advance in the working world. I informed her that these days such students were called "adult learners" or “returning adult stu dents" and we agreed that sounded bet- Tlien we discussed what the adult learner brings to the college classroom rather than what a degree would bring to her life, for that would be obvious in her paychecks. For that part of our conversation, you must understand that an adult learner is a category that encompasses many types of people. They're not just the people who professors point out when asking who remembers, or know's about, a certain his torical event from the seventies or the men and women w ho could be mistaken for the professor as they dash to class directly after work in their business attire. They are veterans, students enrolling after the ripe young age of 24, folks who fulfill multiple life roles such as parent or spouse, and those who maintain full- Ventura’s move to prime-time political arena will benefit, entertain younger voters Afterfoui years as governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura standpoint, which doesn’t happen too often on new sTV is once again entering the political arena. During his anymore. Wednesday appearance on the “Tonight Show with Jay Ventura also stated some of his beliefs about politics and Leno.” Ventura explained that he wants to entertain and why the two-party system is detrimental to the lives of ordinary educate younger adults in the realm of politics. He citizens. He believes that too many people in government notes it was the strong support of young voters that jtißk 9k today are “career politicians” who automatically put the helped him win his governor seat. interests of their career and political party over the interests With his new prime-time show set to air five of the people. Additionally, he said lawyers should be nights a week on MSNBC, I think Ventura is banned from running for office because they get to “make the right man to bring politics into the minds the laws that they will one day work under." Although of the public. I'm not completely sold on the last statement, I Granted, there is already somewhat of believe he has a great offense planned, with the a competition for prime-time political , Democrats and Republicans both playing shows to not only debate important t- j i \l defense. issues, but to entertain the audience as \i -*| jf ' Here’s where I urge you, the public, to be well. “The O’Reilly Factor" and K k % ■ 'Jf ' - careful. As with anything that is new or “Hardball" are two good examples. ' ** different, there’s going to be a lot of criticism But, as is the case most of the time, Chew Ot l this when Ventura hits the air. Think about it. He’s sometimes the politics are a bit hard to Rob Wynne going to have Republicans and Democrats in understand aside from the witty commentary. I’ll be the first to admit that - even after taking a half-dozen or so political science courses here at Behrend. Hopefully Ventura will act as somewhat of a translator. After all, not everyone is old enough to have remembered the Reagan and Bush administrations, let alone analyze their policies. Aside from his intimidating appearance, Ventura also brings with him the attitude that he’ll challenge anybody. He announced that political figures will be allowed on his show, only if they are brave enough. As a third party member who says “Republicans and Democrats are the problem,” he'll also be a neutral moderator. He’ll have the opportunity to challenge both parties at the same time from an outsider time employment while earning their de gree. Don’t be shocked if you qualify and never knew it. Returning adult students are the least detectable population on campus, but now that you know, do some thing with it. Currently, while in the midst of all the chaos of war talk, a veteran's insights in the classroom adds a great deal of reality and proximity to the situation. Suddenly a discussion about history and theory can evolve into facts, memories, and informed Group projects researching the corre lations between quality of life and col lege education can be profoundly astute when one member has taken at least 5 years off between high school and col lege. We learn through other's experi ences as well as our own, and perhaps if you take the time to pay attention, you could pick up some tips for surviving af ter college w hen you're on your own. Keep in mind, also, that a lot of stu dents are going on to deal with the fam ily in some way. Whether in psychology, education, or advocacy, the meaning be hind your course of study could hold a different degree of authenticity when you, your friends, or your peers have children or are married. If higher education were as restrictive as it used to be because of moral codes and ethics clauses, a lot could be lost in the rich learning environment our parents adult learners are able to offer. their party from looking bad. The Democrats will accuse him of siding too much with the Republican views and the Republicans will accuse him of siding with the Democrats’ views. The problem is, the majority of the population is either one party or the other, so he’s basically questioning the overwhelming majority of politicians as well as citizens. My prediction is a love/hate relationship will develop with his some of his viewers. The same person who loves what Ventura has to say on Monday might despise him on Tuesday. As for myself, I was impressed with his preview, so I plan to give his show a try; to enjoy some entertainment and maybe learn something new. The Behrend Beacon And who can deny the invaluable les sons that can be gained from a person actually able to work at least a full 40 while taking classes. That person has a job, can keep a job, and firstly, found a job! As a graduating senior, those lessons are ones I sincerely hope to absorb and develop an ability to practice. Although there are many more ex amples, only so much page space re mains, so what is the point of exposing how adult learners enrich the college ex perience? I'll tell you- just as conven tional students can learn from them, re turning adult sjudents learn from their classmates, as well. Sadly, what it seems they have learned is that they will be snubbed or marginalized because of a tew differences. Do your part to send your peers a dif ferent message and soon we ean be on the way to a compassionate campus en vironment for everybody. Have you ever thought of joining RASO, (Returning Adult Student Organization) attending one of the sessions on computers and such, or contacting an advisor about your own status and what it means for your degree? Think about it; do it; encourage others to do the same. Celebrate diversity, even when in the form of an older age. a different life role, a greater demand on time, or a military calling the spotlight, and they’ll do anything to keep Page
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