The Behrend beacon. (Erie, Pa.) 1998-current, November 09, 2010, Image 7
restling judgments ASHLEA INNISS I am a big fan of profes sional wrestling and every week I look forward to Thurs day nights on Spike TV for Total Nonstop Action. What I don't look forward to is the amount of people on any giv en day who feel the need to stress that professional wres tling isn't "real." Most, if not all, wrestling fans are aware of how "real" wrestling is. We know that the fights are choreographed and the winner is predetermined but it's still an enjoyable form of entertainment. Wrestling companies do not give out all that information beforehand and you don't know what to expect during the show so it is just as much of a surprise as finding out the winning team of a football game. It really bothers me when somebody who makes it an occasion to watch Jer sey Shore or Teen Morn puts down my enjoyment of wres tling because it is fake. Hello! Wrestling is more real than any of the horrible reality TV Was it Time to Legalize? ADRIENNE ZULUETA Editor's Note: This ar ticle was written before the citizens of California voted against Proposition 19. How ever, the subject is still ex tremely controversial and discussion-worthy, with many vehemently arguing for or against the proposition. For this reason, the article will run in its original context, though parts were cut for space constraints. As general elections quickly approach, California voters must face the moun tain of decisions to make on the various candidates and propositions on the Novem ber ballot. At the moment, former CEO of eßay Meg Whitman and former Gover nor Jerry Brown are vying for Governor Schwarzenegger's current position while incum- After the Party's over JENNI BOLSTORFF On August sth, 2010, a main ramp leading in and out of the San Jose mine, located in northern Chile, collapsed leaving thirty-three hard working husbands, brothers and fathers trapped 2,300 feet underground. A threadbare, scribbled note read "Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33", meaning, "we are fine in the shelter, the 33 of us." The paper was retrieved using a small probe lowered into the mine by au thorities, three weeks follow ing the collapse. The tragedy has marked news around the stall tvr tier shows on television today. Wrestling is a sport. It's a different kind of sport, just like soccer is different from basketball which is differ ent from football. It involves physical talent, skill, and stamina just like any other sport. Sure, it's more like gym nastics or cheerleading but it is still a sport. There is an amount of danger involved and I don't think it's fair to the people who wrestle to make it seem like their job is any less dangerous than playing any other professional sport. The fights have choreography but that doesn't mean it's totally safe. You can't really fake get- bent Senator Barbara Boxer is running for reelection. However, one of the hot test issues of Proposition 19 the legalization of marijua na for non-medical purposes under California but not fed eral law. Prior to 1996, the possession, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana was deemed illegal in California. Then voters approved Prop 215, allowing marijuana for medical purposes. Prop 19 would allow the use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21, allow local governments to regulate and tax it, prohibit the posses sion on school grounds, use in public, or the in presence of minors, as well as prohibit the use of it while driving, and lastly limit employers' use where job performance is impaired. Currently, no other state allows marijuana for non-medical purposes. Those in favor of Prop 19 are quick to point out the failed prohibition of mari juana and the advantages of regulating and taxing the substance. Other than limit ing its use to those over 21, another gain from Prop 19 would be the cutting off of funding to drug cartels that occur across the California- Mexican border. Furthermore, the taxes imposed on pot would gen erate approximately $1.2 bil lion to $1.4 billion per year. Knowing California has had trouble balancing its bud get after the recession, these numbers play a hefty role on voters' decisions. On top of that, the legalization of mari juana would free up jail beds for criminals being released ,hilt globe as international aid surged to provide relief for the thirty three trapped min ers; though the state of Chile demonstrated little concern, while taking advantage of the ordeal for all they could extort. Thirty-four miners a year, on average, have died in Chilean mining accidents since the year 2000. The problem with this lack of empathy: after the magni tude of journalists have gone home, the miners' celebrity statuses terminate and min ing authorities and govern ment agencies melt away, the miners will need a way to cope with this sense of aban donment. .ctati writer ting hit with a chair. While the wrestling stage prob ably makes it so getting body slammed doesn't hurt too much if you have a 240-pound man falling onto your body, it's going to hurt a little bit. Honestly, what's not to en joy? There is an abundance of attractive half-naked men and women, fighting, funny characters, and even funnier storylines. Maybe if people stopped looking at professional wres tling as a fake sport and more as a form of entertainment, like a movie or TV show, there would be more fans of professional wrestling. early due to lack of space. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a strong opposition to this measure making several strong claims. They claim that the proposi tion lacks specific standards for what constitutes as driv ing under the influence. Prop 19 would prevent companies from being able to take action against a "stoned" driver prior tQ,4n, accident. The same goes'for those in the work place. CBS News points out that Prop 19 would allow the possession of up to one ounce which is "enough to roll dozens of marijuana cigarettes." As far as the price of pot goes, the Rand Drug Policy Research Center states it would fall due to elimination of challenges that stem from operating in the black market causing an overall increase in its use. Additionally, MADD states that California would fail to meet Federal drug-free work place standards because of Prop 19, thus disqualifying themselves for eligibility for Federal contracts and grants. Instead, the passing of Prop 19 could lead to costly drug treatment programs. Whether Prop 19 is passed or not, it is undoubtedly a heated debate among college students. Overall, I found the proposition to be very confus ing. It seems like it would be very hard to actually enact. Despite these diverse per spectives, all agree if Prop 19 passes, marijuana would be used explosively for the thrill before the hype dissipates. For Edison Pena, this is no problem; the "triathlete" appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" after competing in the New York City Marathon. Pena is a self proclaimed Elvis fan who al legedly jogged to his music while trapped for 69 days along with the 32 other min ers. Next on his agenda: a flight to Graceland for Elvis Pres ley's annual birthday celebra tion. While the saga deserves our utmost compassion and support, leave it to the Chil ean government to provide compensation, not Elvis Pre sley Enterprises. Zric TORIE CRAVEN ,e\ columnist STEP ONE: FOREPLAY. It's time, Behrend. It's time we all put on our big kid pants and address that dark cloud hovering above our campus. No, I am not talking about the oh so joyful Erie weather. I'm talking about sex here, people. Although we may be con sidered late bloomers in this category, we're embracing this rage and jumping on the sex train like people jump ing on the Pittsburgh sports bandwagon. Like it or not, sex is a ma jor part of the collegiate pe riod in our lives. Of course, some students focus more on this racy act and their per sonal sexuality than others, but it is still roaming around our campus like a dirty, horny monster. annoys me. This empty space is waiting for you. Join the Beacon today! brnbs29oollsu.edu Now, this column isn't go ing to be me blabbing on in great detail about my own personal sexual adventures or calling out the elegant walk of shames that emerge on Fri day and Saturday mornings. Instead, my intentions are to provide an educational, and yet entertaining weekly col umn for you as the student body to relate to. I am defi nitely going to get down and dirty discussing every naugh ty detail dealing with sex, relationships, sexual safety, what women want, what men want, the good, the strange and everything in between. If you are squeamish or con servative, I'd suggest putting the blinders on when brows ing over this section. I'm put ting my hater shades on and throwing it all out there. For example, here are a se lect few words that have high chances of appearing in a fu ture article: twat, penis, anal, vagina, dick, fuck, orgas mic, raw, jizz, masturbation, arousal, penetration, teabag, schlong, oral, etc. Now, at this point, I'm sure there are some of you out there who are asking one question: Why? Why do we need a sex column in the Bea con? And my answer to you is quite simple: we are adults now. Like it or not, sex is hap pening all around you. Remember that late night squealing you heard com ing from down the hall? That wasn't a mouse, junior. How about the repetitive thud noise against your wall from the neighbor? Chances are they weren't nailing a picture to that wall. That, my friends, was a couple of your fellow students having them selves a good time. So strap yourselves in, stu dents, and let's take a ride. Sex is on the brain, and it might get a little bumpy. Photo credits. (Flit kr Creative Commons) Garnett -Lorianne DiSabato Donkey - Rickydavid Villanueva - coltera Patient - Here in Van Nuys Wrestlers- BuyRIC Marijuana- Zervas