Kobe Bryant Fined 100K For Using Homophobic Slur
By Alec Sullivan, Senior Staff Writer
In Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, star Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using a homophobic slur towards the referee, Bennie Adams. This wild episode began when Bryant received a technical foul and while making his way to the bench, he violently slammed his chair and threw down his towel yelling “Bennie, “ the name of the official and then saying the slur under his breath.
During a recent radio interview with Bryant, he explained that the slur was no way intended to harm or hurt anybody and that it was just in the heat of the moment. Later on the talk show, he explained that he would be appealing this fine, and that it is simply “protocol” to do so.
Commissioner of the NBA, David Stern, has recently been praised by many Gay and Lesbian organizations for his actions of acting swiftly and not letting these comments go without punishment. Recently, Stern has released a statement saying, “While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”
Being an athlete myself, I can definitely understand the frustration of Kobe and the anger behind receiving a bad call in a big game, but as David Stern said, a comment such as this PARTICULAR one that is highly offensive towards many people is absolutely unacceptable and shouldn’t be tolerated not only in the NBA, but also in our society.
In Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, star Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using a homophobic slur towards the referee, Bennie Adams. This wild episode began when Bryant received a technical foul and while making his way to the bench, he violently slammed his chair and threw down his towel yelling “Bennie, “ the name of the official and then saying the slur under his breath.
During a recent radio interview with Bryant, he explained that the slur was no way intended to harm or hurt anybody and that it was just in the heat of the moment. Later on the talk show, he explained that he would be appealing this fine, and that it is simply “protocol” to do so.
Commissioner of the NBA, David Stern, has recently been praised by many Gay and Lesbian organizations for his actions of acting swiftly and not letting these comments go without punishment. Recently, Stern has released a statement saying, “While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”
Being an athlete myself, I can definitely understand the frustration of Kobe and the anger behind receiving a bad call in a big game, but as David Stern said, a comment such as this PARTICULAR one that is highly offensive towards many people is absolutely unacceptable and shouldn’t be tolerated not only in the NBA, but also in our society.
March Madness at Menlo
By Rory Plewman, Staff Writer
March Madness. What a wonderful time of the year. Money changes hands quicker than you can say Kansas State. Brackets are filled out and fretful students glance over them hoping to succeed in all of their picks. It was these fretful Menlo students that crashed the Moodle server on Monday March 21, 2011. This happened because Menlo students, feverish to stream live videos of March Madness games, clogged up the system with to much data being routed to one server. The week of videos and constant checking of brackets was a “New data bandwidth high for us” said Eric DeStefano in an informatory email to the whole school. He promises that this will not happen again, so March Madness fans, you will still be able to watch videos of your favorite teams in peace.
Book Review (I am number 4)
By Rory Plewman, Staff Writer
I am number 4 was an exciting and thrilling tale of a teenage Martian who's planet has been destroyed by the ruthless Mogadorians. This was a story of unbreakable bonds of love between two different species of people, an alien and a human. There is something different about this story though; it is not a soppy love story. This story is a game of cat and mouse, the cat being the Mogadorians, infinitely stronger and well equipped with deadly weapons. The mouse being the #4 and his guide Henri. The mouse being weak but very agile, the mouse can do nothing but run. This was true until #4's legacies developed. Legacies are the super powers these Aliens develop when they mature. These Legacies are beginning to develop in #4; just in time without these he and most probably the earth would have been killed. In short this book was thrilling, punchy and different perspective about a very controversial subject, aliens.
Anime Review
By Elaine Wong, Staff Writer
Anime Review: Bishojo Senshi Sera Mun (English: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon)
(aka Sera Mun/Sailor Moon) (Season 1)
The facts:
Episodes: 46 (watch on youtube or animecrazy.net)
Genre: Comedy, magical heroines, romance, action, crime fighting, fiction
The plot:
Sailor Moon is about a girl named Usagi Tsukino, a girl growing up in Tokyo. She starts out as a normal 14 year old girl in eighth grade (with… to put it nicely… failing grades…) One day, she finds a mysterious cat named Luna, who can talk. Luna gives Usagi a beautiful transforming brooch to turn her into her Sailor Moon form. On the hunt for the Moon Princess, Neo Princess (later Queen) Serenity, Sailor Moon joins with other sailor warriors to fight monsters sent by Queen Beryl to find the all powerful silver crystal.
The review:
This was the first anime I watched, and I must admit the beginning episodes (up ‘til about 30 with a couple good episodes in between, so you still gotta watch it all) are very boring. I watched about five episodes and got seriously bored of the plot. Monster here trying to capture energy from humans, transforming there, another monster, more transforming, with a new sailor senshi (English for soldier) comes a long, a couple new powers… The basic magic heroine plot. BORING. But for some unknown reason, I was not able to stop watching. I think it was because Sailor Moon is the most well known anime in the world, so there must be something good. My perseverance was awarded around episodes 20-30. Even then, it’s still not very exciting… BUT. BUT BUT BUT BUT. STICK WITH ME HERE. From episode 43, things get epic. As the sailor senshi launch themselves towards Queen Beryl’s base, they go into a magnificent battle of epic proportions. But you gotta watch it to find out. And seriously. It was like epic. I would recommend this anime to people who like the basic magic heroine plot, patient people, and in the end, for both guys and girls.
Warnings:
… I guess a seizure warning? I don’t know… But parts in the end might make you cry, especially in Sailor Moon R (same Japanese title except with “aru” at the end… duh) (season 2, I’m almost done watching it… I’m on episode 86 out of 89). But other than that I think it’s a really good anime. And as usual… SUBS.
Anime Review: Bishojo Senshi Sera Mun (English: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon)
(aka Sera Mun/Sailor Moon) (Season 1)
The facts:
Episodes: 46 (watch on youtube or animecrazy.net)
Genre: Comedy, magical heroines, romance, action, crime fighting, fiction
The plot:
Sailor Moon is about a girl named Usagi Tsukino, a girl growing up in Tokyo. She starts out as a normal 14 year old girl in eighth grade (with… to put it nicely… failing grades…) One day, she finds a mysterious cat named Luna, who can talk. Luna gives Usagi a beautiful transforming brooch to turn her into her Sailor Moon form. On the hunt for the Moon Princess, Neo Princess (later Queen) Serenity, Sailor Moon joins with other sailor warriors to fight monsters sent by Queen Beryl to find the all powerful silver crystal.
The review:
This was the first anime I watched, and I must admit the beginning episodes (up ‘til about 30 with a couple good episodes in between, so you still gotta watch it all) are very boring. I watched about five episodes and got seriously bored of the plot. Monster here trying to capture energy from humans, transforming there, another monster, more transforming, with a new sailor senshi (English for soldier) comes a long, a couple new powers… The basic magic heroine plot. BORING. But for some unknown reason, I was not able to stop watching. I think it was because Sailor Moon is the most well known anime in the world, so there must be something good. My perseverance was awarded around episodes 20-30. Even then, it’s still not very exciting… BUT. BUT BUT BUT BUT. STICK WITH ME HERE. From episode 43, things get epic. As the sailor senshi launch themselves towards Queen Beryl’s base, they go into a magnificent battle of epic proportions. But you gotta watch it to find out. And seriously. It was like epic. I would recommend this anime to people who like the basic magic heroine plot, patient people, and in the end, for both guys and girls.
Warnings:
… I guess a seizure warning? I don’t know… But parts in the end might make you cry, especially in Sailor Moon R (same Japanese title except with “aru” at the end… duh) (season 2, I’m almost done watching it… I’m on episode 86 out of 89). But other than that I think it’s a really good anime. And as usual… SUBS.
Halladay’s No-No
By Davis Rich, Senior Staff Writer
Roy Halladay made history on October 6th, when he threw the second no-hitter in playoff history, beating the Reds in Game 1, 4-0. This was his second no-hitter of the season, also throwing a perfect game against the Marlins on May 29. Halladay is in strong Cy Young contention with a 21-10 record, a 2.44 ERA, and 219 strikeouts, good for 2nd in the NL behind the back to back Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. On Thursday, he threw 9 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. Halladay basically dominated, with only a few great defensive plays coming, like in any no-hitter. This year’s playoffs have been dominated by fantastic pitching performances, from Halladay’s gem to Lincecum’s 14 strikeout performance, to Cliff Lee’s 1.13 ERA in two games. The NLCS should have some of the best pitching matchups in a while, with Lincecum-Halladay, Cole Hamels-Matt Cain, and Roy Oswalt-Jonathan Sanchez.
Roy Halladay made history on October 6th, when he threw the second no-hitter in playoff history, beating the Reds in Game 1, 4-0. This was his second no-hitter of the season, also throwing a perfect game against the Marlins on May 29. Halladay is in strong Cy Young contention with a 21-10 record, a 2.44 ERA, and 219 strikeouts, good for 2nd in the NL behind the back to back Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. On Thursday, he threw 9 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk. Halladay basically dominated, with only a few great defensive plays coming, like in any no-hitter. This year’s playoffs have been dominated by fantastic pitching performances, from Halladay’s gem to Lincecum’s 14 strikeout performance, to Cliff Lee’s 1.13 ERA in two games. The NLCS should have some of the best pitching matchups in a while, with Lincecum-Halladay, Cole Hamels-Matt Cain, and Roy Oswalt-Jonathan Sanchez.
5 Football Thoughts
Joe Klein, Senior Editor
1. Randy Moss was traded to Vikings, so now Brett Favre has somebody to throw to. Once Sidney Rice returns, the Vikes will have one of the best receiving corps: Rice, Moss, Percy Harvin, and Visanthe Shiancoe. ** Update: Moss waived by Vikings!
2. The Bills situation is going from bad to worse; They cut Trent Edwards, and traded Marshawn Lynch, so now its time for CJ Spiller to arise. Ryan Fitzpatrick won’t cut it, so look for Buffalo to draft a QB come April.
3. Like the Bills, the Cardinals are looking even worse. They cut Matt Leinart, benched Derek Anderson, and are starting Max Hall, an undrafted free agent out of BYU. There defense is really struggling, but anything can happen in the NFC West.
4. Houston was 2-0, and looked invincible going to play Dallas. Dallas crushed them, so you never know what you are get from Dallas. Tony Romo looked bad in his first two games, but then got back on track against Houston. Look for the Cowboys to bounce back in Week 5.
5. The Patriots have made their first attempt to replace Randy Moss; Deion Branch. Branch had a good start of the year with the Seahawks, but this could really jump start Branch with Tom Brady throwing to him.
1. Randy Moss was traded to Vikings, so now Brett Favre has somebody to throw to. Once Sidney Rice returns, the Vikes will have one of the best receiving corps: Rice, Moss, Percy Harvin, and Visanthe Shiancoe. ** Update: Moss waived by Vikings!
2. The Bills situation is going from bad to worse; They cut Trent Edwards, and traded Marshawn Lynch, so now its time for CJ Spiller to arise. Ryan Fitzpatrick won’t cut it, so look for Buffalo to draft a QB come April.
3. Like the Bills, the Cardinals are looking even worse. They cut Matt Leinart, benched Derek Anderson, and are starting Max Hall, an undrafted free agent out of BYU. There defense is really struggling, but anything can happen in the NFC West.
4. Houston was 2-0, and looked invincible going to play Dallas. Dallas crushed them, so you never know what you are get from Dallas. Tony Romo looked bad in his first two games, but then got back on track against Houston. Look for the Cowboys to bounce back in Week 5.
5. The Patriots have made their first attempt to replace Randy Moss; Deion Branch. Branch had a good start of the year with the Seahawks, but this could really jump start Branch with Tom Brady throwing to him.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 8
By Joe Klein and Jack Marren
Quarterbacks
Josh Freeman: For those trying to cope with the loss of Tony Romo, Freeman is a solid option. The Bucs are starting to rejuvenate their run game with LeGarette Blount, so Freeman is worth a pickup.
Carson Palmer: The Bengals are comfortable having Palmer air the ball out, especially with TO and Ochocinco as his wideouts. Palmer is worth the pickup, for a bye week or Romo.
Running backs (not named LeGarette Blount)
Brandon Jackson: The Pack are starting to give Jackson some carries, especially with John Kuhn slumping, and the Pack receivers depleting. Give Jackson a chance at flex this week against Dallas.
Darren Sproles: Sproles is becoming the main back again in San Diego. Last week against Tennessee, Sproles had 41 yards on the ground, but added 30 yards receiving with a score. Sproles is a big part of the passing game with Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson out, so look to play him against Houston.
Wide Recievers
Danny Amendola: Amendola is the only reliable receiver for rookie QB Sam Bradford since Mark Clayton went down. Amendola has scored in two straight weeks, and is definitely worth a look in PPR.
Steve Breaston: Breaston is the best fantasy receiver for Arizona because everybody is covering Fitz. Breaston, in his first game back, had 147 yards with 10 yards on the ground and is a must pickup in all leagues.
Tight End
I hope you guys all have good tight end, because there is a major drop off these days. Some possibilities to replace Vernon Davis and Antonio Gates are Todd Heap, Jermaine Gresham, Kellen Winslow, and maybe Anthony Fasano.
Defense/Special Teams
Titans D/ST: How is it that the top defense rated defense is only 74 percent owned? The Titans are a gritty group of guys, and they are a new defense to consider.
Raiders D/ST: I love the Raiders D. They are starting to really step it up. When projected -1 against Denver, and 1 against Seattle, they put up 17 in each week. They are worth a look each week, no matter the match up.
Kickers
Don’t stress the kickers. They don’t matter to much. If you really stress kickers, get Dan Carpenter of the Dolphins, currently 22.5 owned. He has kicked 10 field goals in two weeks.
Quarterbacks
Josh Freeman: For those trying to cope with the loss of Tony Romo, Freeman is a solid option. The Bucs are starting to rejuvenate their run game with LeGarette Blount, so Freeman is worth a pickup.
Carson Palmer: The Bengals are comfortable having Palmer air the ball out, especially with TO and Ochocinco as his wideouts. Palmer is worth the pickup, for a bye week or Romo.
Running backs (not named LeGarette Blount)
Brandon Jackson: The Pack are starting to give Jackson some carries, especially with John Kuhn slumping, and the Pack receivers depleting. Give Jackson a chance at flex this week against Dallas.
Darren Sproles: Sproles is becoming the main back again in San Diego. Last week against Tennessee, Sproles had 41 yards on the ground, but added 30 yards receiving with a score. Sproles is a big part of the passing game with Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson out, so look to play him against Houston.
Wide Recievers
Danny Amendola: Amendola is the only reliable receiver for rookie QB Sam Bradford since Mark Clayton went down. Amendola has scored in two straight weeks, and is definitely worth a look in PPR.
Steve Breaston: Breaston is the best fantasy receiver for Arizona because everybody is covering Fitz. Breaston, in his first game back, had 147 yards with 10 yards on the ground and is a must pickup in all leagues.
Tight End
I hope you guys all have good tight end, because there is a major drop off these days. Some possibilities to replace Vernon Davis and Antonio Gates are Todd Heap, Jermaine Gresham, Kellen Winslow, and maybe Anthony Fasano.
Defense/Special Teams
Titans D/ST: How is it that the top defense rated defense is only 74 percent owned? The Titans are a gritty group of guys, and they are a new defense to consider.
Raiders D/ST: I love the Raiders D. They are starting to really step it up. When projected -1 against Denver, and 1 against Seattle, they put up 17 in each week. They are worth a look each week, no matter the match up.
Kickers
Don’t stress the kickers. They don’t matter to much. If you really stress kickers, get Dan Carpenter of the Dolphins, currently 22.5 owned. He has kicked 10 field goals in two weeks.
Warriors Win Opener
By Alec Sullivan, Senior Staff Writer
This past Wednesday the Golden State Warriors opened their season with a close win against the Houston Rockets. With a new coach Keith Smart I think that the Warriors looked very fluid and their newest addition in David Lee looks to be a good investment. During the offseason the Warriors made many big moves including a change of ownership and a change of the head coach by firing Don Nelson and appointing former assistant Keith Smart to head coach. Being at this game the Warriors appeared to be very focused on their goal and look like they are ready to play basketball this season. Expect the Warriors to make a good run this year, also expect them to have a record over 500.
This past Wednesday the Golden State Warriors opened their season with a close win against the Houston Rockets. With a new coach Keith Smart I think that the Warriors looked very fluid and their newest addition in David Lee looks to be a good investment. During the offseason the Warriors made many big moves including a change of ownership and a change of the head coach by firing Don Nelson and appointing former assistant Keith Smart to head coach. Being at this game the Warriors appeared to be very focused on their goal and look like they are ready to play basketball this season. Expect the Warriors to make a good run this year, also expect them to have a record over 500.
Broken Paddles, Broken Hearts
By Danny Weiss, Contributing Writer
On Wednesday, October 23rd, the Menlo Middle School teachers gaped openmouthed at the atrocity before them. Ping-pong paddles lay strewn all over the ground, their handles snapped and broken, lying there on the black top. As they surveyed the scene, some students came up to the teachers, presenting their evidence. After school, some older students, maybe even visitors, were seen throwing the ping-pong paddles in question at one another. They were described as violent, and they should be avoided. The teachers are now patrolling after school, and no one wants to have another incident. Later that week on Friday, October 25th the teachers once again surveyed a divesting scene, where the ping-pong paddles were once again the victims of this serial offender. 12 days later, a few students discovered the new paddles broken. These criminals need to be found, and fast. The fate of our ping-pong tables rests in your hands.
On Wednesday, October 23rd, the Menlo Middle School teachers gaped openmouthed at the atrocity before them. Ping-pong paddles lay strewn all over the ground, their handles snapped and broken, lying there on the black top. As they surveyed the scene, some students came up to the teachers, presenting their evidence. After school, some older students, maybe even visitors, were seen throwing the ping-pong paddles in question at one another. They were described as violent, and they should be avoided. The teachers are now patrolling after school, and no one wants to have another incident. Later that week on Friday, October 25th the teachers once again surveyed a divesting scene, where the ping-pong paddles were once again the victims of this serial offender. 12 days later, a few students discovered the new paddles broken. These criminals need to be found, and fast. The fate of our ping-pong tables rests in your hands.
Community Street Jam
By Danny Weiss, Contributing Writer
Whether you like to dance ballet, jazz, salsa, smooth, hip-hop or break dance, Community Street Jam is open for you. Community Street Jam is located on 849 Veterans Boulevard, in Redwood City. The dance classes are great, for an affordable price. The manager, Barbra, could set you up on any day of the week in a class of your choice. The studios are large with massive mirrors on most sides. They also have a magnificent weight room. Community Street Jam is conviently located to the Old Port Lobster Shack, and the in and out, depending on your tastes. Rumor has it, the hip hop and break-dance teacher is the most wanted in the country. You don’t even need any experience to start. So come and join the crew at Community Street Jam.
Whether you like to dance ballet, jazz, salsa, smooth, hip-hop or break dance, Community Street Jam is open for you. Community Street Jam is located on 849 Veterans Boulevard, in Redwood City. The dance classes are great, for an affordable price. The manager, Barbra, could set you up on any day of the week in a class of your choice. The studios are large with massive mirrors on most sides. They also have a magnificent weight room. Community Street Jam is conviently located to the Old Port Lobster Shack, and the in and out, depending on your tastes. Rumor has it, the hip hop and break-dance teacher is the most wanted in the country. You don’t even need any experience to start. So come and join the crew at Community Street Jam.
The Social Network
By Christopher Cassidy, Senior Editor
Most of your have heard of the new movie, The Social Network. While most of you are familiar with the pointless and dangerous distraction that is Facebook, its history is shady and mostly unknown.
This movie presents the complex and shady history of the ubiquitous icon, in a significantly biased light. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is painted as a weasel-like cheat, although the movie is based entirely on fact.
It is set in the courtrooms as Zuckerberg is being sued by two entities from his college who helped create Facebook, and goes to long flashbacks of what happened in college.
While this may sound like a boring legal movie, this was actually a very interesting story detailing the shady origins of the corporation that now knows the life stories of ½ the population of the US. I recommend this movie to all.
Most of your have heard of the new movie, The Social Network. While most of you are familiar with the pointless and dangerous distraction that is Facebook, its history is shady and mostly unknown.
This movie presents the complex and shady history of the ubiquitous icon, in a significantly biased light. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is painted as a weasel-like cheat, although the movie is based entirely on fact.
It is set in the courtrooms as Zuckerberg is being sued by two entities from his college who helped create Facebook, and goes to long flashbacks of what happened in college.
While this may sound like a boring legal movie, this was actually a very interesting story detailing the shady origins of the corporation that now knows the life stories of ½ the population of the US. I recommend this movie to all.
Inception Review
By Christopher Cassidy, Senior Editor
Have you ever gotten that feeling that something is too good to fully enjoy? Inception was one of those to me.
Most of us (including me) are sick of lame stories with cool graphics. Inception is a fantastic break from these monotonous collections of violence.
Inception’s story is not rooted in a war or a simple conflict. Don Cobb and his associates are mercenaries in the high-risk world of corporate espionage. The story is based on the unique ability of Cobb and a few others to invade someone’s mind while they’re asleep. The so-called “extractors” raid someone’s mind while they are dreaming.
However, Cobb is accused of using this technology to murder his wife, and is on the run around the world. Mr. Saito offers Cobb the opportunity of his life: re-admission to the US, the ability to see his family. At one cost: he must perform inception.
While extraction is just stealing, inception is the planting of this idea. As the culmination of his career, Cobb puts out his very best.
This is a non-stop, suspenseful thriller with cool science-fiction twists and creative incorporation of action with actual merit. This is possibly the best movie I have ever seen, and this is more of a must see than Avatar in my mind.
Have you ever gotten that feeling that something is too good to fully enjoy? Inception was one of those to me.
Most of us (including me) are sick of lame stories with cool graphics. Inception is a fantastic break from these monotonous collections of violence.
Inception’s story is not rooted in a war or a simple conflict. Don Cobb and his associates are mercenaries in the high-risk world of corporate espionage. The story is based on the unique ability of Cobb and a few others to invade someone’s mind while they’re asleep. The so-called “extractors” raid someone’s mind while they are dreaming.
However, Cobb is accused of using this technology to murder his wife, and is on the run around the world. Mr. Saito offers Cobb the opportunity of his life: re-admission to the US, the ability to see his family. At one cost: he must perform inception.
While extraction is just stealing, inception is the planting of this idea. As the culmination of his career, Cobb puts out his very best.
This is a non-stop, suspenseful thriller with cool science-fiction twists and creative incorporation of action with actual merit. This is possibly the best movie I have ever seen, and this is more of a must see than Avatar in my mind.
What a way to make a living!
By Denna Nazem, Staff Writer
Did you know that sixty percent of U.S. Presidents have been lawyers? And 45% of U.S. Congress is made up of attorneys? Government is one career path that a lawyer can choose and some government jobs are very special, like Supreme Court Justice: interpret the U.S. Constitution, have the last judicial word in the land and keep your job for life!
A more attainable job, though still hard to land, is state attorney general. And this year, the California race for AG is between district attorneys of two major cities: Steve Cooley of LA and Kamala Harris of San Francisco. If elected, the 45-year old Kamala, will be the first woman AG and the first AG of African and Indian descent in California.
I met her recently and learned about her “smart on crime” efforts. The book she wrote on the topic argues that the current criminal justice system is not working since two thirds of people released from prison commit another crime within two years. She suggests that rather than take a generic stance for everyone, we should be tough on violent criminals on one side, and prevent crime through innovative, re-entry programs for others. She has increased the felony conviction rates to their highest in 15 years and has lowered recidivism rate dramatically. (Can you say recidivism ten times while blowing a bubble gum?)
Harris’s 63-year old opponent started his career as a police officer in LAPD (how cool is that?) and has been a prosecutor for 27 years. His office is the leader in the state for “Three Strikes” and death penalty convictions. Not that Facebook stats mean anything but Cooly’s 1,311 supporters are dwarfed by Harris’ 26,576. Cooley has raised $250,000 more than Harris and the polls show them neck and neck. With voters going to the polls today, there’s no telling what could happen.
If all this sounds too stressful for a career choice, there is always the more relaxing underwater basket-weaving and unicycle repair.
Did you know that sixty percent of U.S. Presidents have been lawyers? And 45% of U.S. Congress is made up of attorneys? Government is one career path that a lawyer can choose and some government jobs are very special, like Supreme Court Justice: interpret the U.S. Constitution, have the last judicial word in the land and keep your job for life!
A more attainable job, though still hard to land, is state attorney general. And this year, the California race for AG is between district attorneys of two major cities: Steve Cooley of LA and Kamala Harris of San Francisco. If elected, the 45-year old Kamala, will be the first woman AG and the first AG of African and Indian descent in California.
I met her recently and learned about her “smart on crime” efforts. The book she wrote on the topic argues that the current criminal justice system is not working since two thirds of people released from prison commit another crime within two years. She suggests that rather than take a generic stance for everyone, we should be tough on violent criminals on one side, and prevent crime through innovative, re-entry programs for others. She has increased the felony conviction rates to their highest in 15 years and has lowered recidivism rate dramatically. (Can you say recidivism ten times while blowing a bubble gum?)
Harris’s 63-year old opponent started his career as a police officer in LAPD (how cool is that?) and has been a prosecutor for 27 years. His office is the leader in the state for “Three Strikes” and death penalty convictions. Not that Facebook stats mean anything but Cooly’s 1,311 supporters are dwarfed by Harris’ 26,576. Cooley has raised $250,000 more than Harris and the polls show them neck and neck. With voters going to the polls today, there’s no telling what could happen.
If all this sounds too stressful for a career choice, there is always the more relaxing underwater basket-weaving and unicycle repair.
M-BEST Launch 2010
By Julia Wu, Senior Staff Writer
M-BEST is a program designed specifically for girls to enhance their talents and interests in STEM learning. STEM learning stands for science, technology, engineering and math. M-BEST stands for Menlo’s Bridge to engineering, science, and technology for girls. On August 30th Martin Hall was packed with girls and their parents from grades 7 to 12. First, there were activities outside, such as building the tallest structure out of marshmallows and toothpicks, puzzles, and making structures using a note-card to support textbooks. Next, we went into Martin Hall and listened to Dr. Yvonne Cagle, a NASA astronaut. Her speech was phenomenal and we learned about her amazing experience in space. Then we learned from Ms. Limaye and Ms. Joanie Banks Hunt what M-BEST is about and if we think we it would be a good program for us to join.
The first workshop was called Outside Our Orbit. It was held on September 25th, 2010. Our first activity was a balloon activity. A string was attached to the ceiling and the string was looped through a straw. Different sized balloons where then taped onto the straw; once the balloon was released from our hands the force of air from the balloon was pushing the balloon towards the ceiling. Gravity was pushing the balloon down. Since the balloon went up, that showed the force of the air was stronger than gravity. We recorded out data to analyze which shaped balloon had the strongest force. We had two great speakers, Dr. Godfrey, a Menlo student’s father and Dr. Jessica Marquez who works at NASA. Dr. Godfrey talked about Newton’s second law, which is if you have two forces pushing against each other; the greater force will cause one of the objects to accelerate in the other direction. Dr. Jessica Marquez talked about what happens to your body when you are in space. Finally, we headed out to the lawn in front of Stent Hall where Mr. Maine, the 8th grade science teacher, taught us how to put together a rocket and launch it. Overall this was a great workshop that included many styles of learning including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. It’s important to include all the learning styles so everyone remembers the material and experience well.
M-BEST is a program designed specifically for girls to enhance their talents and interests in STEM learning. STEM learning stands for science, technology, engineering and math. M-BEST stands for Menlo’s Bridge to engineering, science, and technology for girls. On August 30th Martin Hall was packed with girls and their parents from grades 7 to 12. First, there were activities outside, such as building the tallest structure out of marshmallows and toothpicks, puzzles, and making structures using a note-card to support textbooks. Next, we went into Martin Hall and listened to Dr. Yvonne Cagle, a NASA astronaut. Her speech was phenomenal and we learned about her amazing experience in space. Then we learned from Ms. Limaye and Ms. Joanie Banks Hunt what M-BEST is about and if we think we it would be a good program for us to join.
The first workshop was called Outside Our Orbit. It was held on September 25th, 2010. Our first activity was a balloon activity. A string was attached to the ceiling and the string was looped through a straw. Different sized balloons where then taped onto the straw; once the balloon was released from our hands the force of air from the balloon was pushing the balloon towards the ceiling. Gravity was pushing the balloon down. Since the balloon went up, that showed the force of the air was stronger than gravity. We recorded out data to analyze which shaped balloon had the strongest force. We had two great speakers, Dr. Godfrey, a Menlo student’s father and Dr. Jessica Marquez who works at NASA. Dr. Godfrey talked about Newton’s second law, which is if you have two forces pushing against each other; the greater force will cause one of the objects to accelerate in the other direction. Dr. Jessica Marquez talked about what happens to your body when you are in space. Finally, we headed out to the lawn in front of Stent Hall where Mr. Maine, the 8th grade science teacher, taught us how to put together a rocket and launch it. Overall this was a great workshop that included many styles of learning including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. It’s important to include all the learning styles so everyone remembers the material and experience well.
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