March 2, 2009
www.theAccent.org Volume 2, Issue 3
Flu Season starts, institutionalizes tragic love story
Jenessa Hernandez
Staff Writer
“The Flu Season” a play
written by Will Eno and
directed by Drama Faculty
Jodi Jinks, is scheduled to
open Fri, Feb 27 in the Gallery
Theatre. The play runs on Feb.
27 and 28, Mar. 1, through
6-8, Fridays and Saturdays at 8
p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Stimulus package provides
funds for Texas education
Karissa Rodriguez
Staff Writer 2009, according to a report
Within his first month
in office President Obama
has pushed Congress to act
quickly, passing a $787 billion
economic stimulus package.
However, even if a college
student had an inordinate
amount of time to watch and
read the news, the likelihood
is that they still wouldn’t
understand all the details and
logistics of how the stimulus
package is going to affect their
life.
President Obama signed
the stimulus package into law
as the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of
2009(ARRA) on Feb. 12.
With a total price tag of
$789.5 billion, the bill includes
numerous programs that will
benefit community college stu-
dents and enable the colleges
to expand critical job train-
ing programs, according to
the American Association of
Community Colleges (AACC).
Among the highlights of
the bill are increases in Pell
Grants, higher tax credits
for higher education costs,
increased funding for job
training programs, and
increased state funding for
education.
The Pell Grant maximum
will be increased by $500 in
each of the next two fiscal
years and the maximum grant
will increase to $5,350 for the
The name
“Flu Season”
is because the
play takes place
between Fall
and Spring, or
flu season. It
is a romantic
tragedy, set
in a mental
institute where
two disturbed
patients, and
two deranged
doctors have
found love. This
complicated play
is supplemented
award year beginning July 1,
released by the U.S. House of
Representatives on Feb. 12,
detailing the ARRA.
Federal Work-Study fund-
ing will also be increased by
$200 million.
The new “American
Opportunity Tax Credit” will
be created, and for the next
two years will replace the
existing “Hope Scholarship
Tax Credit” of $1,800, accord-
ing to the report.
The maximum tax credit is
$2,500 and covers 100% of a
student’s first $2,000 of eligible
expenses and 25% of the next
$2,000. The legislation phases-
out, based on income, starting
at $80,000 for single filers and
$160,000 for joint filers. The
credit is 40% refundable.
The tax credit will also
extend eligible tax-deductible
expenses to include “course
materials;” currently, only
tuition and fees are eligible
expenses.
The addition of “course
materials” to eligible expenses
means that hundreds of
thousands, perhaps millions,
of community college stu-
dents will receive substantially
greater benefits than they do
now through the Hope Tax
Credit, according to AACC.
Many students will receive
a dollar-for-dollar reimburse-
ment for their book and
related course expenditures
through the credit.
by an epilogue and prologue
that help the audience follow
the story, and also explains
how the play was written.
“I was drawn to this piece
because of the style. It’s not a
realistic or naturalistic play,
and I chose this play because
of the language,” said Jinks.
Jinks is also involved in pro-
ductions such as ArtsAloud,
SafePlace, and Carnival ah!.
The student actors feel con-
fident that the audience will be
engaged in this play. “The play
embodies every emotion in the
human spirit,” said Theatre
major Nathan Kinsey.
The play consists of seven
cast members with the
Left: David Yeakle, faculty member of ACC drama department.
Below: Bobbie Oliver (left) and James Oliver (right), members of the
Austin community.
Right: Avery Ferguson, theater major at ACC and James Leach,
astronomy major.
In addition to increased
grants and tax credits, the bill
will also provide $3.95 billion
for the Department of Labor to
spend on training and employ-
ment services. Almost $3
billion of that amount would
support programs under the
Workforce Investment Act, a
1998 law that provides vouch-
ers to individual students to
use for job training, according
to the House’s report.
Under the new legislation,
local Workforce Investment
Boards would be able to sign
contracts with community
colleges, and provide job train-
ing to groups. Previously, the
boards gave only vouchers for
small amounts to individual
students who attended differ-
ent institutions for training.
The House’s report
also details a “State Fiscal
Stabilization Fund” to help
state and local governments
avert budget cuts amid the
growing state fiscal crisis.
The Stabilization Fund
will provide two block
grants for states and together
these provisions provide
about $48.3 billion in fiscal
relief for state and local
governments.
Texas will receive over
$3.25 billion in education
block grants and $723.2 mil-
lion in flexible block grants,
according to the Center on
Budget and Policy Priorities.
epilogue role divided between
two actors. The language of
the play is heightened prose,
with dark humor. “Our own
life experiences [are] reflected
[in] what we think of the play”,
said Astronomy major, James
Leach.
ACC student actors are
getting involved in the Austin
community as well as in the
ACC community. “When I
came here, I had never done
this before, and I decided
to try. It’s a close big group
of people, and its amazing
the quality of productions
that goes on here at ACC. Its
fantastic,” saidEnglish Major
Corey Goerke.
Teodora Erbes • Staff Photographer
Carnival ah! plans for April art fest
Shawn Hinojosa
Staff Writer
In the first week of April,
a celebration of Arts &
Humanities called Carnival
ah! will be hosted at ACC’s
Rio Grande Campus. Program
Director Jodie Jinks, the
theater director at ACC, and
Dean of Arts at ACC, Lyman
Grant, have organized meet-
ings with a few dozen local art
groups, including representa-
tive Grady Hillman, who is
Sheli Harris • Staff Photographer:
quoted as saying that “Austin
does not have a good reputa-
tion of being a community arts
town.”
Meetings, like the one that
occurred Feb. 20, served as a
planning stage for Carnival
ah!, as representatives from
all kinds of art groups
pitched ideas with intention
of building a communal arts
service. Hillman stated that
community art began as a
way to reach out to hospitals,
Jodi Jinks explaines ACC’s up-
coming role as host of Carnival
Ah! Jodi is excited about all the
student performers. Austin Green
Art, Art from the Streets, Austin
Museum of Art and the Theater
Action project are among the
groups participating.
immigrants, the homeless, etc.,
and now, it has filtered into
architecture and the environ-
ment. Hosting the event at
RGC will, they hope, be a way
to get students involved as
well.
While the partnership of
organizations has every inten-
tion of becoming a widespread
community, some smaller
ones like Austin Green Art
seemed a little disheartened
to be in competition with
the bigger ones. Executive
Director Randy Jewart
expressed concerns about “not
having enough resources or
volunteers,” but Grant tried to
diffuse the conflict, declaring
that Carnival ah! is just a com-
ponent of a “broad outreach
of small and large organiza-
tions to promote to all kinds of
community arts audiences.”
Along with Austin Green
Art, some other groups partic-
ipating include; Art From the
Streets, who provide resources
for the homeless, Austin
Museum of Art, and the
Theater Action Project, which
serves thousands of children
in 50 Austin schools. Janet
Seibert stressed that the end
result is bigger than Carnival
ah!, stating that “commu-
nity arts is not an event, it’s a
process.”

page 2 Accent • March 2, 2009
R edress of
Grievances
Sleeping off spring fever
Jamie Carpenter
Campus Editor
As most anyone who is in
college knows, school can be
pretty stressful. Fortunately
for us, someone invited spring
break.
According to TripSmarter.
com, spring break dates back
to as far as Ancient Greeks,
when people began noticing
a sense of restlessness during
the spring. America did not
pick up the spring break bug
until the First World War after
witnessing Europeans heavily
partying during this period.
The Great Depression put a
halt to our party-hardy ways
and it never really picked up
again until the 60’s when it
seemed like spring break never
ended.
Lately, though, it doesn’t
feel like it’s almost spring time.
It’s hard to feel festive with the
current state of the economy.
The truth of the matter is
that many students can not
afford to live the party lifestyle
this year regardless of whether
or not spring break is coming
up. It always seems like stu-
dents lack money for essentials
like rent, gas and groceries but
seem to be able to afford to
small luxuries.
Now is not the time to
squander your money on a
bottle of Crown Royal or have
a cup of Starbucks everyday
and then wonder at the end of
the month why you have no
money.
My suggestion to college
Karissa Rodriquez
Staff Writer
Peanuts and peanut related
products are a staple of the
average American’s diet. It is
very disturbing, therefore, to
learn that on Feb. 9, the Texas
Department of State Health
Services ordered Peanut
Corporation of America to
recall all products ever shipped
from its Plainview plant,
according to a press release
issued by the department.
The order was issued after
dead rodents, rodent excre-
ment and bird feathers were
discovered in a crawl space
above a production area
during an in-depth DSHS
inspection.
The sickening details of the
inner working of the Texas
plant have led me to wonder
just how safe is the food we
eat?
Congress asked the same
question of the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in
the hearings they held earlier
this month. The answered
surprised me: it was unknown
to anybody.
Laws and regulations
controlling the inspection and
obtaining of information from
many types of food process-
ing plants are very ineffective
or non-existent, Congress
concluded.
Regulators didn’t even
know the company’s Plainview
plant existed until the sal-
monella outbreak began, the
Washington Post reported.
students everywhere, who are
having a hard enough time
getting by as it is, find ways to
enjoy yourself on spring break
AFTER being responsible.
Make sure you have enough
money for rent. If not, maybe
you shouldn’t go to Sixth
Street every night just because
you don’t have school for
the week. If you never have
enough money for gas, you
should fill up your gas tank as
soon as you get paid.
There is, however, one
essential activity that must
be done during spring break:
Sleeping. With class not in ses-
sion, your time, the most valu-
able asset you have anyways,
is free.
There are no forty minute
trips early in the morning
stuck in traffic to get to school,
no rushing to get homework
done at the last minute and no
tests.
So your time is freed up to
do the more important things
like sit on the couch and stare
at a wall, daydream in your
nice cozy bed or stay up late
talking to your friends on the
phone without worrying about
having to get up early.
The focus of spring break
has often been to party and
party hard at that. What about
relaxation, rejuvenation and
rest? Maybe if we took advan-
tage of the spring break to just
chill, we would gain a greater
appreciation of what we have
and not feel the need to spend
money we don’t have.
Death by Peanut
I don’t understand how that
is even possible.
The salmonella outbreak is
a result of failed management
within the Peanut Corp. and
failed regulation practices.
More needs to be done in order
to prevent future outbreaks.
Laws relating to monitor-
ing the food supply should be
enacted, and sufficient funding
needs to be provided to agen-
cies to enable them to provide
meaningful monitoring.
One proposal is the Food
Safety Modernization Act of
2009, sponsored by Rep. Rosa
DeLauro (D-CT). This bill
would create a strong Food
Safety Administration, led
by a presidentially-appointed
administrator.
According to the Center for
Science in the Public Interest,
the administration would
require frequent, rigorous
inspections of food process-
ing facilities here and abroad,
provide mandatory recall
authority and tough enforce-
ment penalties when corporate
negligence causes food safety
hazards.
Over 600 people have
become ill and nine have died
as a result of the salmonella
outbreak.
A food safety administra-
tion is a step in the right direc-
tion, but until such a group
can be created you should
be wary of anything you eat
that contains peanut-related
products. In fact, you should
just avoid peanut products
completely.
As of Feb. 19 there are
nearly 2,400 products that
have been recalled related
to peanuts distributed by
the Peanut Corporation of
America, according to the
FDA.
Forum
w w w.the Accent.org
Tax free textbooks leave students
wanting more change
t is
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Ar
t aff
•S
hn
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Ku
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Ka
Our View
Staff Editorial
Sarah Neve Editor-in-Chief • David Rodriguez Assistant Editor
Jamie Carpenter Campus Editor • Alma Hernandez Photo/Web Editor
Jana Lelek Layout Editor • Chris Scott Layout Intern
Another bill proposing tax free textbooks has been proposed in the last is getting a lot of much deserved atten-
textbooks has been filed. This time for two sessions by Senator Judith Zaffirini. tion and support, all the other education
the 2009 session. This is a great start in In 2007 it passed unanimously in the reform ideas that have been floating
helping college students weather a wors- Senate, only to die in committee in the, around for the last few years are nowhere
ening economy and raising tuition cost. then Craddick controlled, House. This to be found. For years these proposals
However, given the drastic changes in the bill has a real chance at passing this time, were seemingly on hold because there
Texas Legislature, most notably a more especially now that it has much less time was no way they would pass in such
moderate Joe Strauss as speaker, and the allotted for the tax free sales than has a conservative legislature, a watered
control and popularity Democrats are been asked for in the past. down tax free textbook bill was the best
enjoying in Washington, it seems a little In the 2005 session equivalent of anyone could hope for, but now, when
anticlimactic. this bill, there was a proposed two ten truly system changing laws have a chance
With everything that is wrong with day periods, one per semester, in which to pass, no one is stepped up to ask for
higher education funding in Texas, students could buy books tax free. The them.
and the promise of millions of dollars projected loss of state revenue for last ses- There has yet to be a bill filed for
for education coming in as part of the sion’s version of this bill was just under tuition regulation, or one making finan-
stimulus deal, one would think that 70 million, opponents worried that it cial aid easier to obtain. No one is fight-
Texas Democrats would use this chance would hurt the state to lose that money, ing to overturn the ridiculous six drop
to really clean up the huge mess the last but students are just going to take the rule, or help students get cheaper health
few sessions made of education. money they save on textbooks and put it insurance. If even one of these were to
The textbook bill should be an easy right back into the economy. pass into law, the tax on textbooks would
enough bill to pass. Removing the tax on So, while the tax free textbook bill seem like a small price to pay.
Sex-ed ignores modern issues
proper risk management is sex toys. In order to navigate preferences, and previous
to be well informed. ACC’s these uncharted territories partners before beginning any
Sexual Responsibility Day did safely it is important to follow bedroom magic. If making out
a commendable job promoting the penultimate principle of is first base, then explicit con-
awareness of the traditional sexual responsibility, informed versation should be considered
sexual hazards: disease, preg- consent. stepping up to the plate.
nancy, and heartbreak. But we The only acceptable sexual The first sexual revolu-
already learned most of that acts are the ones that both tion began with birth control
stuff back when Salt-n-Pepa partners agree upon and and ended abruptly with the
Devon Tincknell talked about sex in the early willingly engage in. Whether AIDS epidemic. As we enter
Staff Writer 90s. its heavy petting or heavy into sexual revolution 2.0, it’s
As we approach the close of S&M, constant verbal com- important that our genera-
There were pamphlets, the double zero decade, there munication is the best way to tion learn from the mistakes
popcorn, and plenty of pro- are some other sexual pitfalls make sure everyone involved of the past and use the new
phylactics to be had at the people need to be made aware is okay with what’s happen- tools we have to make the best
Student Life sponsored Sexual of. Decent sex-ed programs ing. Communication is not decisions possible. So talk to
Responsibility day on Feb. 10. teach teenagers about syphi- only the most valuable tool in your partners, wear a condom,
As one of the first generations lis and gonorrhea, but who the safe sex arsenal, it’s also explore kinks consensually,
to become sexually active in will teach our youth about the most fun. Rather than and ladies, don’t forget to
the 21st Century, we face a the dangers of digital media? merely rolling on the latex, it is delete those dirty pictures
radically different sexual land- How many celebrity sex tapes important to talk to your lover before you break up with him.
scape than any of our ances- and MySpace photo faux pas about their sexual past, erotic
tors. Homosexuality, AIDS, does it take to understand that
oral sex, female orgasms, inter- everything filmed will eventu-
net porn, vibrators, and even ally end up on the Internet? A
condoms would have shocked, Google search for “ex girl-
confused, and horrified our friend” immediately pops up
puritanical progenitors. Now a pornographic site devoted to
the divorce rate has surpassed publishing pictures and videos
50 percent, and abstinence- of unwitting amateurs engaged
only education has proved to in the act. ADVERTISING EDITORIAL FAX
be not only ineffective, but According to a recent 512.223.3166 512.223.3171 512.223.3086
irresponsible. Young adults, survey 20 percent of teens say OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE
no longer willing to wait, must they’ve sent a nude picture of RGC, 1212 Rio Grande St., Room 101.1 Austin TX 78701
consider what it means to lead themselves over the Internet. Editor-in-Chief.........................................................................................................Sarah Neve
a sexually active, sexually Thanks to the rapid pro- Assistant Editor............................................................................................... David Rodriguez
Photo/Web Editor...........................................................................................Alma Hernandez
safe, and sexually responsible liferation of web cams and Layout Editor..............................................................................................................Jana Lelek
lifestyle. video chatting, long distance Layout Intern............................................................................................................Chris Scott
Campus Editor................................................................................................. Jamie Carpenter
Sex, like every other activ- relationships are more fun Copy Editor............................................................................................... Julie Gorkowski-Day
ity adults engage in, involves than ever. This technology is Accent Adviser............................................................................................. Matthew Connolly
Accent Coordinator................................................................................................Lori Blewett
risk assessment and risk revolutionizing the way we Student Life Director......................................................................................... Cheryl Richard
management. Is climbing this communicate, but it is also a Writers Sarah Vasquez, Shawn Hinojosa, Adam Oliphant, Karissa Rodriguez, Shane
mountain worth the risk of double edged sword. A sexy Yount, Lindsay Preston,Devon Tincknell, Scott Richardson, Anne Boyd, Janessa Hernandez,
falling and dying? Is riding my video for a current boyfriend Christopher Smith, Matt Thompson, Tovah Olmo
Photographers Teodora Erbes, Kevin Forester, Hanlly Sam, Sheli Harris, Karen Kuhn, Shawn
bike worth the risk of getting can quickly become embar- Hinojsa, Scott Richardson
creamed by a texting teenager rassing evidence in the hands Artists Karen Kuhn, Anny Ibarra
ACC President Dr. Steve Kinslow
in an SUV? Is having sex with of a bitter ex. Board of Trustees Ms. Nan McRaven– Chair; Ms. Veronica Rivera—Vice Chair; Dr. James
this person worth the risk of Even unrecorded, today’s McGuffee—Secretary, Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Allen Kaplan, Mr. Jeffrey Richard, John-Michael
Cortez, Tim Mahoney, Raul Alvarez
contracting a disease or creat- couples are engaging in all
ing a child? kinds of previously unheard All rights reserved. All content is the property of Accent and may not be reproduced, published or
retransmitted in any form without written permission from the Office of Student Life. Accent is the
Be it mountain climb- of sexual practices. Aside student newspaper of Austin Community College and is printed by the Texas Student Publications.
Accent is published biweekly. ACC students may submit articles for publication in Accent to RGC’s
ing, bike riding, or getting from investigating what the Office of Student Life Room 101.1; e-mail articles to accent@austincc.edu or fax submissions to
busy, once risk is minimized other orifices have to offer, 223‑3086. ACC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender,
sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or disability. Accent offers ACC’s faculty, staff, students and
through the use of proper people are subverting gender, surrounding community a complete source of information about student life. Accent welcomes your
safety gear the answer is talking dirty, dressing up, input, as well as information about errors. If you notice any information that warrants a correction
please e-mail accent@austincc.edu. Individual views, columns, letters to the editor and other opinion
often, “Yes.” The first step to and testing out all manner of pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of Accent.
 News
March 2, 2009 • Accent page 3

w w w.the Accent.org

To Be Brief New solar arrays

celebrated, attract
ACC to party for 35th birthday national attention
The All Access ACC, an “Education Celebration” in honor of
ACC’s 35 birthday, will be Mar. 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m at
the Eastview Campus. The city of Austin will present a procla- Jamie Carpenter Association are playing a
mation to ACC on March 28, declaring it ACC Day. The event Campus Editor big role in planning for the
is free and open to the public. Various musical performances event… We’re expecting about
will be taking place throughout the day, including Austin Praise The U.S. Department of 20-35 renewable energy stu-
Ensemble, SKYROCKET! (Voted Austin’s Best Cover Band), Energy (DOE) as well as dents. They will be helping to
Public Offender and B.L.U.E. A classic and custom car show, an Austin Energy and repre- demonstrate the power of the
“I AM ACC” photo booth, chair massages and robot races are sentatives from ACC will sun with a simulated rooftop
among the variety of events and activities for the public to enjoy. be attending the ceremony installation and debuting the
Information will be given out on ACC’s programs and the public celebrating the completion city’s brand new “Egos,” solar
will be able to learn about the colleges’ role in helping secure of two solar panels, one on powered scooters.” Brette Lea,
financial aid. Volunteer applications are available online. Riverside campus and one on Executive Director of Public
Rio Grande. The ceremony Information and College
Film screening will be held at is taking place Mar. 4 on the
Riverside campus at 10 a.m.
Marketing said.
According to a statement
Eastview for Women’s hist. month The solar panels were from the College Marketing
funded by the DOE, Austin Department, the students
The film screening of To Save the Land and The People by
Energy, ACC, and Grid Point will also demonstrate how
Austin filmmaker Anne Lewis, sponsored by the Women’s
as part of the DOE’s Solar to install a solar panel and
History Month Committee, will be held on Mar. 5 at the
America City award, whose the DOE is expected to give
Eastview Campus from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in room 8500.
purpose includes accelerating information on future plans.
A reception, including a chance to win a gift certificate, will
solar adoption. The event is free and open to
start off the event. Winners of the Student Essay Contest will
“Students with the the public.
be announced, and prizes sponsored by Student Life will be Alma Hernandez • Photo/Web Editor
Renewable Energy Students Solar panel in front of the annex on Rio Grande campus.
given out to the recipients. The film, which focuses on Eastern

Weekend College program expands up to 3,576

Kentucky occupants fighting against the strip mining of their
Appalachian homes, will be followed by an audience discussion
with Lewis. The event is free for all students.
69 percent over the last three the opportunity to take the GIS (Geographic Information
Christopher Smith
Video games, mushroom Staff Writer
years Quinn said.
To meet the demand ACC
classes they need on the
weekends.
Systems) class I would take it
for sure,” Hudson said.
cupcakes and a free X-Box at SGA Enrollment in the Weekend
College Program is up 36 per-
has expanded the program
to five of its seven campuses-
Students can choose from
a number of associate degrees,
Lea believes that more
weekend classes are sure to
blackout cent from last year, bringing Cypress Creek, Eastview, and certificates that can be come.
the total number of students Northridge, Riverside, and completed entirely through “Weekend College repli-
Blackout, an event organized by the Student Government
attending a weekend class this South Austin. weekend courses, in anywhere cates much of what you can
Organization, occurred Friday Feb. 13 at the RGC campus.
semester to 3,576. “Weekend College just from two to seven semesters. take during the week and as
169 students and their guests attended. Multiple video games
“We’ve actually had classes opened at the Cypress Creek Transferable core curriculum interest in the program grows,
were available for students, including Halo 2 (X-box), Super
on the weekends now for at Campus this semester and classes are also available on the so grows the number of offer-
Mario Kart (Wii), Madden 2009(PS2), and Guitar Hero on Mac
least a decade,” said Charles they already have four hun- weekends. ings,” said Lea.
Computers. Food and refreshments were provided, including 200
Quinn, Dean of Business dred students,” said Brette Dan Hudson, a Nautical “The weekend option is
cupcakes designed to look like mushrooms.
Studies, but he explains that Lea, the Executive Director Archaeologist, who took a really helpful,” said Hudson,
“Student Government is looking to create this as an annual
“The push to really promote of Public Information and week class last semester, would “It makes learning a little bit
event...We are hoping this will set off a chain of events that other
Weekend College and expand College Marketing. like to see more degree specific more accessible for those folks
organizations can follow,” Joshua Bacak, South Austin Senator
it has been going on for about The WCP gives students, classes on the weekends. with families and jobs, and
and Organizer of the event said. The event was sponsored in part
three years now.” who may have work or family “If a weekend class were other responsibilities.”
by Apple Mac computers.
The program has grown obligations during the week, available for this advanced

Warrant Round Up starts March 7 Phi Theta Kappa rallies at Capitol

Matt Thompson
Staff Writer
Now is the time to take care
of outstanding tickets. Over
two hundred law enforce-
ment agencies across the State
of Texas are gearing up for
the third annual Great Texas
Warrant Round up to start
Mar. 7.
The round up includes
defendants with offenses such
as parking, traffic, unpaid
fines, penal code, city ordi-
nance, and higher offense
warrants.
Anyone currently with a
warrant out is highly encour-
aged by the city to contact the
municipal court before Mar. 7.
Payments are accepted online,
by mail, or in person.
The city promises that
voluntary responsibility of
offenses, taken care of in
person, will not result in an
arrest.
A familiar sight around ACC’s Rio Grande Campus, outstanding parking
tickets can easily turn into a warrant. Beginning Mar. 7, law enforce-
ment will be participating in the Great Texas Warrant Round Up.
According to the City of
Austin, if violators don’t have
the money, payment plans are
available. For those short on
cash, community service plans
are available.
Alma Hernandez • Photo/Web Editor
The offenses must be
addressed before Mar. 7, other-
wise authorities will be going
to homes and workplaces to
serve the warrants.
Adam Oliphant
Staff Writer
Phi Theta Kappa, the
honors society at ACC,
participated in Community
College Day on Feb. 19. This
event was hosted by the Texas
Community Colleges Teachers
Association. Many community
college students and teachers
participated in a rally in front
of the Capitol where several
legislators spoke about the
importance of community
colleges in the Texas higher
education system. Bills affect-
ing community colleges that
have been filed this session
were also discussed.
“The experience was
very enlightening,” said Phi
Theta Kappa Historian Julie
Campbell, “I had no idea
how much influence the state
legislature has on community
Pres. Kinslow to sign Climate Commitment
Adam Oliphant
Staff Writer
ACC will strive to procure
twenty percent of its electric-
ity needs from renewable
sources by 2020. Committing
to use a substantial amount
of renewable energy is a lofty
goal, considering that ACC
has only recently begun to
examine ways as an institution
to reduce its impact on the
environment. ACC has made
great strides in incorporating
environmental sustainabil-
ity when the ACC Board of
Trustees adopted their policy
on sustainability which will
guide the college for years to
come.
“The board has been look-
ing into sustainability for
about a year. At first we were
focusing on how new cam-
puses were constructed, but
through student efforts the
discussion grew to include
recycling and carbon emis-
sions,” said Veronica Rivera,
Vice Chair of ACC’s Board of
Trustees.
The ACC Board of Trustees
approved their wide-ranging
policy on sustainability at the
Julie Campbell, an ACC student and member of Phi Theta Kappa rallies
at the Capitol Feb. 19 as part of Community College Day.
colleges that really affect me.”
One piece of legislation of
particular note to TCCTA is
House Bill 100, introduced by
Rep. Fred Brown (R-College
Station) that would reduce
the number of government
and history classes in the
Texas Core Curriculum plan.
Currently, the law requires
last board meeting on Feb. 2.
An administrative policy with
guidelines and procedures
accompanied the board policy
and will spell out how the
college will address sustain-
ability. However, the admin-
istrative policy will have to be
reviewed by students and ACC
employees before the policy is
enacted.
One of the requirements
of the proposed guidelines
and procedures will mandate
that all new ACC buildings be
designed and built to a mini-
mum standard equivalent of
LEEDTM Silver rating, which
the new Round Rock Campus
will be built to.
“I’m definitely for a greener
campus here and nation wide.
I think colleges and universi-
ties should set the example,
and nurture new ideas in order
to become greener and more
sustainable,” said ACC student
Arnold Perez.
The policy also calls for
ACC to calculate and track its
carbon emissions from various
sources including electricity
production, ACC police cars,
and other fleet vehicles.
Students in the Carbon
Photo courtesy of Dean Campbell
students to complete a
minimum of 6 credit hours
of government and history in
order to receive a bachelor’s
degree. If HB 100 passes, the
minimum would be reduced
to three hours for each, thus
reducing the number of gov-
ernment and history classes
most students have to take by
half.
Emission Assessment
Committee are currently cal-
culating the carbon emissions
from South Austin Campus,
which in addition to electric-
ity usage, also includes staff
and student transportation. In
future years, the carbon inven-
tories will be completed under
the direction of the ACC
Director of Sustainability, a
position currently being filled.
“I think it’s awesome that
ACC will track its carbon
output. Eventually this is
going to be the standard,” said
Addie Broussard, president of
Students for Environmental
Outreach.
Several student groups have
asked ACC President Kinslow,
to sign the American College
and University Presidents
Climate Commitment. The
commitment requires that
institutions set a “target date
for achieving climate neu-
trality as soon as possible”.
614 higher education institu-
tions thought the nation have
already signed the commit-
ment. Dr. Kinslow has agreed
to sign the commitment at a
later date.
March 2, 2009 • Accent page 5
Former ACC student creates
Pocketful of Thank Yous
keepsake coins for soldiers
Anne Boyd
Staff Writer
The purpose of Veterans
Day and Memorial Day is
to honor the sacrifice and
dedication of people in the
military, but it isn’t often that
anyone takes a moment to
personally thank a veteran.
Austin based jewelry
designer and former ACC
student Carianne Schulte
created a keepsake called A
Pocketful of Thank Yous to
make it easier for people to do
just that.
A few years ago, a young
soldier caught Schulte’s atten-
tion as she walked through
the El Paso airport. Like
hundreds of other service-
men, he was wearing fatigues
and carrying a duffle bag. He
was likely back from a tour
of duty in Iraq, but there was
no one waiting to greet him.
To Schulte, the serviceman
seemed very alone.
“There was this look in
his eyes that made me want
to find out what he had been
through,” Schulte said.
For a moment, Schulte
thought about approaching
the young man to say thank
you.
“I pulled back because I
didn’t feel that saying thank
you was enough ... and I
regretted it. I didn’t want that
to happen again,” Schulte
said.
Schulte’s sense of missed
opportunity led her to create
A Pocketful of Thank Yous
campus News
using some of the skills she
learned as an art student at
ACC. A Pocketful of Thank
Yous is a keepsake about the
size of a quarter that can be
given to military personnel
and their families.
The coins are two-sided.
One side displays a bald eagle
and a flag with the words
‘Thank You’ written across it.
On the other side is Schulte’s
wish for all members of the
service, “May you have a
pocketful of thank yous.”
To further aid the sol-
diers, Schulte has arranged to
donate 25 percent of proceeds
from coins sold in Austin to
the Samaritan Center’s Hope
for Heroes project. Hope
for Heroes provides free
and confidential counseling
services to military personnel
and their families impacted
by tours in the Iraq and
Afghanistan wars.
It is Schulte’s hope that all
soldiers and their families
receive one of the thank you
coins.
“Having something tan-
gible to give makes it easier
to approach our service men
and women to say thank you,”
Schulte said.
Receiving gratitude from
Austinites was a new con-
cept for some servicemen
as local artist and former
ACC instructor, Adele Riffe,
discovered the first time she
presented one of the thank
you coins.
While out at a local restau-
rant, she approached a man
w w w.the Accent.org
and woman in uniform and
gave each a coin. Their reac-
tion surprised her.
“They didn’t look at them
and seemed really closed off,”
Riffe said.
One of those servicemen,
1st Lt. Rich Salinas, said he
wasn’t sure what to think
when Riffe approached them.
Feelings about the war run
strong in Austin and some
people take out their frustra-
tions on the military, which
makes the servicemen more
cautious.
Salinas said A Pocketful of
Thank Yous ties in perfectly
with Army tradition. Army
officers have coins made to
recognize people in their
command. “It’s an honor,”
Salinas said, “to be coined by
a commander.” Salinas added
the thank you coin to the
collection he displays on his
desk. It’s a unique piece that
attracts attention from others
in the military.
Salinas found Schulte’s
e-mail on the coin packag-
ing and sent her a note saying
how much he appreciated the
coin and why he had been
guarded when he received it.
When Riffe heard about
the e-mail it changed her view
of the encounter. “It must be
really odd to feel that con-
spicuous,” Riffe said. “It made
me appreciate their situation
even more.”
Riffe immediately bought
five more coins to give out.
“Anytime you say thank
you to a soldier it means
Hanlly Sam • Staff Phtographer
Carianne Schulte, jewelry designer and former ACC student, designed a coin to say ‘Thank You’ to the men
and women who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Called, “A Pocketful of Thank Yous” and
at about the size of a quarter it is small enough to keep in their pocket.
a lot,” said Joyce Cordell, president, Richard Rhodes, name of country and duty.
marketing director at El Paso handed out the coins with a As Cordell said, “A
Community College. personal message of thanks to Pocketful of Thank Yous is a
Coins purchased by the each of them. perfect way to express what a
college were given to soldiers Schulte believes that lot of Americans feel but can’t
from the Wounded Warrior regardless of one’s feelings really say.”
Unit during an event to raise about the war, most people in
funds for scholarships for Austin recognize that the men Available at:
dependents of service person- and women of the military
nel. Cordell says the soldiers are making physical, financial www.carianne.com
were tearing up as the college and mental sacrifices in the
Students work in teams to
advise Obama on current affairs
Scott Richardson
Staff Writer
The President, First Lady,
and fifteen secret service
agents visited campus Feb.
20th 2009. Director of Student
Life Cheryl Richard, along
with Student Life coordina-
tor Quevarra Moten, and her
assistant, Tynisha Wooley,
hosted the 2009 Student
Leadership Conference,
including “The Presidential
Advisors Game.”
This lively debate tackled
twenty-one of pressing issues
that face America today.
The goal was to encourage
students to believe they can
become leaders while expe-
riencing the political process
and show how policy can be
changed by a group of people
who share a common interest.
“It’s not just a conference, it’s
an interactive experience,”
said Moten.
Students got a chance to
share their opinions on cur-
rent affairs.
“We are showing student
how to voice their opinions on
real life affairs that impact all
U.S. citizens. Students today
that have to deal with hard- Kevin Forester • Staff Photographer
ships such as jobs, schooling, Everything’s bigger in Texas! A giant sized balloon imitation of Presi-
housing and health care, are dent Obama overlooks ACC’s Student Government President Brad
provided help with ways to Burnett(blue) addressing a full crowd at ACC’s “What Should Obama
cope with these problems and Do” day Feb. 20, 2009 at the Eastview campus.
provide solutions through
Student Services. Even with including some high school and the company web site,
all these difficulties, helping students, some points were BigPictureSmallWorld.com.
people is very rewarding and greeted with loud applause. Although there is no way
it’s shocking that they pay me Traveling around the U.S. to confirm that these ideas
to do this job”, said Moten and world, “this was the larg- will reach President Obama,
Special guest Medard est group of students that has the fact that he now has
Gabel, author of several cur- ever gathered for this event, students paying attention
rent affairs solution books, [and] I am impressed [at] how to public policy may influ-
presented the event. He ACC created a remarkable ence his agenda. “Why were
directed students how to event. The student’s had such we here today, we wanted to
debate the issues and accom- an impressive representation make this real, to capture all
modate their opinions for a of the President, First Lady these ideas and make them
common solution. Students and staff,” Gabel said. digital for the world to see.
were split into groups and Gabel intends to pres- There are hundreds of ways
worked together on a specific ent the suggestions to the to get involved with local and
topic. Each group was able to president’s administrative national government. You
present their work before the staff on lower levels and can influence leaders by the
crowd. in different departments. actions you take today,” Gabel
With over one hundred Also, he will post them on a said.
and fourty students attending, government public web site
 Campus News
page 6 Accent • March 2, 2009

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Rio Grande African American

Campus Life Cultural Center’s
Shawn Hinojosa
Staff Writer
first health fair
Where to Shop
Cheapo Discs
If you like a huge selection of used DVD’s and LP’s, Cheapo’s is
the place to go at 914 North Lamar. According to manager Chad
Pearman, they receive between five hundred and one thousand
used selections every single day. While 5 to 8 p.m. on weekdays
are their busiest hours, they receive standard new releases at
midnight Tuesday, and their prices are a few bucks cheaper than
major retailers. During SXSW, Cheapo’s will host free in-store
performances throughout the entire weekend in addition to
their standard 1 to 2 per month. Pearman stated that “students
are a big part of our clientele,” so it’s up to you to see why!

Where to eat
Texas Chili Parlor
Located on 14th Street and Lavaca, the Texas Chili Parlor is just
a short four block jaunt down a side-street (14th), so there are no
worries about crossing any major intersections. From 11 a.m. to
2 a.m., the restaurant (which was used for filming the bar scenes
of Grindhouse: Death Proof) serve their Legendary Bowl of Red
Chili in three sizes; the taster, small, and large at assorted prices
under $10. The meat is incredibly tender, and the chili is served
with just a bit of onion and a few sets of crackers. With three flavors Shawn Hinojosa • Staff Photographer
of X, XX, and XXX, how much heat do you think you can take?
Clay Aziz checks out the selection of used CD’s at Cheapo Discs
Where to hang out which is located at the corner of 10th and N. Lamar streets. Up to
500 CDs are put out daily at Cheapo’s.
The Tavern
The Tavern is incredibly easy to find at the corner of 12th and
Scott Richardson • Staff Photographer
Lamar. The exterior of “Austin’s Best Sports Bar” is rustic and retro
as they announce that they are air conditioned, and undeniably so.
Next issue: ACC’s African American Cultural Center sponsored their first health
With two floors, three bars, and two patios, space is not a problem.
erside Campus fair at the Eastview campus on Feb. 18. Free testing included blood

Riv
The interior decoration of plai d picnic tablecloths give a very pressure, diabetes, and HIV.
homely vibe. Upstairs, an arcade room and $1 pool table will help
keep you occupied in case the all-day happy hour Monday through
Friday or one of the fifty two large TV’s is not playing a game that Students get free testing,
interests you with their NBA League Pass, NFL Ticket, MLB Extra
Innings, March Madness, or UFC broadcasts don’t interest you. info about chronic disease
Scott Richardson Americans lead in [five] of

Poets come to College 24 hour to empower Staff Writer

The first Health Fair,
these categories: blood pres-
sure, diabetes, cancer, HIV,
heart attack/stroke were the
Jamie Carpenter
Campus Editor bike ride for global sponsored by ACC’s African
American Cultural Center,
occurred Feb. 18 on the
main concerns.” Herman
Gentry, Community Worker

poverty awarness
The Creative Writing Department for Health and Human Public
Eastview Campus. Austin Health Divisions said.
will be sponsoring a reading of Poets
and Travis County’s Health “Simple life changes,”
John Poch and Usha Akella on March
and Human Services according to Gentry, “like
5 at the RGC Gallery Theatre at 7 will be hosted to raise funds to
Adam Oliphant (Community Health Initiative decreasing the amount of fried
p.m. Poch and Akella are both award- help support the whole planet
winning poets and have new books out. Staff Writer foundation, who partners with
Division) provided an African and processed food can make
American Quality of Life Van a major difference between
According to Creative Writing Interim The 24 Hours to Empower the Gramewn trust. 100% of so that students were able those people living a healthy
Chair, “Both are also excited about visiting ACC and interacting Bike Ride, sponsored by all donations go into the hands to have a range of free tests life and those constantly suf-
with students. Although I don’t know the exact pieces they’ll read, Students for Environmental of the poorest women as micro including blood pressure tests, fering from chronic diseases.”
it’s a safe bet they’ll read from their new Outreach, Fox 7, and Whole loans. For those interested in blood sugar tests and HIV KAZI FM. 88.8 on Tuesdays
work along with their existing work.” Foods, has been changed to being involved, the next orien- testing as a part of the Black morning from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
“The poets,” according to Chelsea Apr. 2-3. The ride will start tation session for the bike ride History Month events. provides more health informa-
Biondollio, Creative Writing student on at the Whole Foods Market will be March 3 at 5:00 p.m. in “Statistics show that out of tion on the City of Austin’s
the website, “each have a very distinct west of downtown located at RGC room 125. Rider train-
voice and subject matter, both use lan- the 10 leading causes of death weekly radio show, The Health
Sixth and Lamar. Students ing sessions will also be made in Travis County, African
guage to paint a sensory–rich landscape available previous to the event. Show.
will ride in shifts continually
of imagery.” Contact Addie Broussard at
Phi Theta Kappa officer
throughout the twenty four
The event is free and open to the hours to promote visibility sustainyourplanet@gmail.com
public. for global poverty. The ride to get involved.
organizes Rio Grande
Hip Hop at Pinnacle Campus Cleanup
Phi Theta Kappa has four
Hallmarks: Scholarship,
Service, Leadership and
Fellowship. Under these
Hallmarks, there are com-
Scott Richardson mittees chaired by Phi Theta
Staff Writer Kappa officers. Gorkowski-
Day is the chair of the Clean
Hip Hop into Black History, an event Communities committee.
sponsored by Student Life, took place She also chairs the Ronald
Feb. 17 at the Pinnacle Campus. Adam McDonald House commit-
Pfluger, Student Life Assitant and Megan tee, and Minis and Friends
Fullen, Student Life Coordinator invited committee (a pet therapy
DJ Elijah Woods, who played music Karen Kuhn • Staff Photographer
organization that works with
from the 70s to the present, to spin for Julie Gorkowski-Day, a Phi Theta
miniature horses, founded by
this event . More then 60 students Kappa officer picks up trash on her mother).
attended the event. “The goal was the Rio Grande campus. Julie is Campus Clean-up is run
to show how Hip Hop influenced the chair of Clean Communities, a through Clean Communities.
Phi Theta Kappa committee dedi- Gorkowski-Day chose the Rio
artist views and styles over the cated to cleaning up Austin. Grande campus because while
years and appreciate these dif- attending classes there, she
ferences” said Pfluger. noticed all the cigarette butts
Sarah Neve and trash around the building.
Editor In Chief
“There is a criteria for cer-
Honors society students tain levels of membership with
spent two and half hours Phi Theta Kappa and these
picking up trash and cigarette community events help mem-
butts outside the Rio Grande bers clock hours” Gorkowski-
campus on Feb. 18. Julie Day said.
Gorkowski-Day, a Phi Theta Even though they worked
Kappa officer who chairs the for nearly three hours,
Clean Communities com- Gorkowski-Day said that she
mittee organized the event. wished they had made more of
Gorkowski-Day, Taylor a dent.
“I was hoping to leave feel-
Scott Richardson• Staff Photographer

Flanagan and Latif Almanzan,

both Phi Theta Kappa mem-
bers, worked to clean the
campus.
“It was disgusting. I don’t
care if people smoke, but
throw it away when your done
with it. The most disgusting
places had trashcans right next
to them,” Gorkowski-Day said.
ing like we had made a cleaner
campus, but i didn’t...we had, I
would say, 90 percent cigarette
butts, and it’s hard for three
people to pick up nothing but
that for three hours. I would
like to do it again with more
people so we could get more
done.”
 Life&Arts
page 8 Accent • March 2, 2009

w w w.the Accent.org

mus i c rev i ews

South Park Coalition crushing ATX Swedish indie-folk songstress

Rapper Dope E performs at the Karma Lounge in Autin Feb. 19.
David Rodriguez
Assistant Editor
Mississippi born, and
Houston raised, legendary and
influential producer, rapper
and trend setter, known as
Dope E or Murdoq, has been
residing here in the Capital
City, and playing shows of a
different nature than fans of
his are probably used to.
On Feb. 19 at the Karma
Lounge he performed with
Hatch, a Denton based “jazz
fusion, drum and bass, hip
hop” group as described by
their bassist Elliot Morgan.
Dope E has produced and
rapped on legendary hard core
rap albums since 1991, with
himself and his collaborators
being based out of South Park,
and hailing from the S.P.C.
David Rodriguez • Assistant Editor
(South Park Coalition formed
by K-Rino in 1987).
Before there was Z-Ro,
Soldiers United For Cash,
Chamillionare, Slim Thug,
Paul Wall, and the whole
Swisha House camp, not to
mention the wealth of other
rappers and rap groups that
have come out of Houston, and
the south in general, Dope E
and the S.P.C. are the patron
saints, and innovators of the
unique sound and rhyme pat-
tern that has given Houston
its premiere title as a city that
produces some of the truest in
the rap game.
Klondike Kat’s “The Lyrical
Lion,” Point Blank’s “Mad At
The World,” Gangxta NIP’s
“Psycho Thug,” and K-Rino’s
“The Worst Rapper Alive” are
just a few of the projects Dope
E holds production credits on.
The greater fan base of
southern rap music may not
know these albums, or artists,
but what these artists did for
the genre is unparalleled,
rhyme wise, beat wise, and
attitude wise.
Klondike Kat’s melodic mix
of street tales composed with
raw soulful singing preludes a
genre saturated with vocoder
(a pitch control midi tool
used by artists T. Pain and Lil
Wayne) R&B rap. Gangsta NIP
pioneered the “horror core”
style of rap, honing his psycho-
style in the late eighties in
Houston rap battles. K-Rino,
the godfather of S.P.C., has
consistently delivered intel-
ligent, thought provoking,
Afrocentric raps for almost
a quarter of a century while
going virtually unnoticed by
the greater rap community.
S.P.C. paved the way for
other legendary rap groups
and according to Dope E
when asked about where he
feels S.P.C. fits into the whole
legendary Houston rap group
discussion concerning the
volcanic rise of the Screwed
Up Click (S.U.C./Soldiers
United For Cash) and then
their namesake and many its
members’ tragic deaths, he
had this to say, “a lot of S.P.C.
members have been told by
other Screw members…those
our protégées man you know,
the younger cats that came up
under us that were influenced,
by us, probably not totally lyri-
cally, and in beats and things
like that, but it’s okay…we gave
birth to a nation, by years and
years of hard rap…”
While the raps Dope E
delivered over Hatch’s driving
bass, keyboards, and various
percussions was not what I
anticipated, it shows that this
unsung veteran of the rap
world is out there, and still
undaunted by the status quo.
Dope E also stated that “being
around live band activity is
nothing new to me bro…”
Concerning Houston’s well
deserved echelon in the rap
world Dope E said this, “we
were the pioneers of hip hop
in Houston, Texas….so much
good has come from giving
birth to that nation,”
serenades crowd at Waterloo
Shawn Hinojosa
Staff Writer
A couple hundred people
filed into the walkways of
Waterloo Records and waited
in anticipation of Lykke Li’s
arrival.
Fans rummaged through
the record store for an hour
and a half, biding time before
her free in-store appearance on
Feb. 19, preceding her sold out
Likke Li, just hours before her sold
out show at Antone’s, gives a free,
instore performance at Waterloo
Records Feb. 19.
Shawn Hinojosa • Staff Photographer
performance at Antone’s later
that night.
The twenty two year old
Swedish indie-pop singer trav-
eled to Austin for the first time
since garnering attention at
SXSW last Mar.
Like a Hollywood starlet,
she emerged wearing a flow-
ing bohemian shirt with gold
chains dangling from her
neck.
She began her short set
with the haunting and ethereal
“Hanging High,” her quiver-
ing jazz voice ascended to the
forefront of the music with
the minimalist percussion,
and light guitar work serving
merely as support.
Lyrically, the former dancer
is playful and flirty, and she
brought a precociousness to
the stage with a command-
ing presence, and poise,
while rocking a kazoo on the
crowd favorite and a remix-
artist’s dream, “Dance, Dance,
Dance.”
If you’ve seen Heidi Klum’s
Victoria Secret commercial,
you’ve heard the sultry “Little
Bit,” which was the song
that followed “Dance Dance
Dance.”
After engaging the crowd,
a man requested she per-
form a Kings of Leon cover
called “Knocked Up,” but
his request, instead, enabled
Li to engage the crowd with
hand-clapping participation
during the incredibly catchy
female anthem, “I’m Good, I’m
Gone.”
Her U.S. debut, “Youth
Novels,” was released in Feb.
of 2008 and was produced by
Björn Yttling of Peter Björn
and John.
Three singles of Li’s have
been released throughout the
past year, and exposure in
commercials and television
shows has catapulted her into
the elite class of indie folk
songstresses.

Psychedelic White Rhino, clad in

leather, flatten Red River’s Mohawk
Tovah Olmo
Staff Writer
White Rhino, a bold
Austin-based rock band who
is relatively new, emerged into
the music scene with avid
designation.
I went to their Feb. 4
Mohawk show and was joined
with a fervent audience.
The show was loud and raw
as White Rhino played from
their self titled debut album to
be released during SXSW in
Mar.
The trio of estranged cous-
ins has only been together a
little under a year, yet already
seem to have an enthusiastic
following.
White Rhino recorded their
soon to be released album at
Stinson Studios, located here
in Austin.
The album has a seventies
French rebellion and meta-
phoric police brutality lyrical
theme.
White Rhino pounded Photo courtesy of White Rhino
out a mesh of vintage metal Austin’s own White Rhino comprised of a trio of estranged cousins
and classic rock sound, will be playing this years SXSW. Catch them at Jackalope Mar. 18 or
Spiderhouse Mar. 20.
consisting of lead guitarist/
vocalist Michael Anthony Symbionese Liberation Army matched them in leather.
Gibson, bassist Douglas Andy has a slight punk influence, the With so much talk about
Anderson IV, and drummer rest of the tracks stay true to them rocking, my expecta-
Wesley Cargal. their classic psychedelic rock tions for the show were pretty
Their lyric’s topics and raw influences. high, but as it turns out White
sound stands out among the Motorhead, DMBQ, and Rhino didn’t disappoint.
deep pool of Red River bands. the new wave of Japanese The set was shorter than I
“I write about what interests psychedelic rock were named had hoped, but these guys are
me and what rocks, period,” as some their influences. as talented as they are passion-
Gibson stated, who also does I’m positive my dad would ate, and the show confirmed
most of the song writing. have loved this band twenty- the pending onslaught of their
Albeit, the track five years ago, and would have anticipated debut.

March 2, 2009 • Accent page 9
Burma Chronicles speaks for itself
Lindsay Preston
Staff Writer
While working as a
supervisor for European and
North American animation
studios outsourced to Asia,
Guy Delisle documented his
experiences in two previous
graphic novels, “Shenzhen”
(2000) based in China, and
“Pyongyang” (2003) in North
Korea. Both are excellent
and worth reading, however,
his most recent travelogue,
“Burma Chronicles” has been
even more rewarding.
As an avid fan and follower
of graphic novels, although
by no means an expert, I am
aware of the vast amount of
narrative styles, illustrations,
and talents to be found within
this medium.
The graphic novel embraces
and blends many specific
literary genres such as fantasy,
autobiography, mythology, and
science fiction, all depicting
their stories through pictures,
with dialogue, and sometimes
without.
Guy Delisle fulfills an
important role in the breadth
of genres that graphic novels
offer, namely, the travelogue.
In “Burma Chronicles”,
Delisle finds himself sud-
denly, but eagerly shipped
off to Burma along with his
infant son, Louis, and his
wife Nadege, a supervisor for
Doctors Without Borders.
Burma, still so-called by
France, Australia, and the
U.S., was taken over by a mili-
tary junta and they renamed
the country Myanmar in 1989.
The legitimacy of the gov-
ernment in Myanmar, while
officially recognized by the
UN, has the reputation of one
of the world’s most oppressive
dictatorships.
It is within this environ-
ment that Delisle finds himself
uncharacteristically taking the
back seat, and floating through
the beautiful, mundane, and
Examined life philosophy documentary Suikoden: Tierkreis, epic
surprisingly
entertaining,
balanced
Lindsay Preston
Staff Writer
Socrates famously stated
at his trial for heresy that “the
unexamined life is not worth
living,” and with this in mind
29 year-old independent film-
maker, Astra Taylor, embarked
on her second film, Examined
Life (her first film, Zizek!,
followed the Slovene philoso-
pher, Slavoj Zizek, who enjoys
a rock-star like status within
certain academic circles).
Through a series of inter-
views with eight prominent
philosophers and theorists,
Taylor invited each to offer
their own perspective on what
the examined life entails.
The philosopher egghead in
me was excited about this proj-
ect, but skeptical nonetheless
of what had the potential to be
a tedious 80 minutes of boring,
stagnant lecturing. Taylor, her-
self, confessed she feared the
film would be “disastrous.”
Instead, Examined Life
is a real gem, due largely to
Taylor’s casual, down-to-earth
engagement, and creative
framing.
Each philosopher is
interviewed while in motion:
Cornell West pontificates on
meaning, dogmatism, and
death from the backseat of
Taylor’s car as she navigates
the streets of New York;
Kwame Anthony Appih
debates the effect of cosmo-
politanism versus universalism
world views while towing his
luggage through an airport;
Michael Hardt ponders the
Life& Arts
enterta i nment
book rev i ew
surprising encounters of life in
Burma.
He cares for Louis, with
the help of the local Burmese
community, while his wife is
often off supervising rural and
inaccessible medical clinics.
Through these encounters,
he comes to experience a more
domestic ex-patriot life that
is surrounded by other non
governmental organization
mov i e rev i ew
face of modern political and
social revolution while rowing
a boat in Central Park; Slavoj
Zizek discusses the histori-
cal significance of the ecology
movement while roaming
between giant heaps of trash in
a waste processing plant.
Graphic courtesy of Drawn and Quarterly
families and locals, as they
perpetually attempt to
decipher the political reality
within Burma, which is mostly
speculation and gossip, form
the hard, party-line dogma-
tism given as fact from its
authoritarian rulers.
Very little information gets
in or out of Myanmar.
Spanning a year, Delisle
wonderfully documents his
Graphic courtesy of Sphinx Productions
Taylor’s energetic and
playful approach conveys the
relevance of each theorist’s
perspective by, quite literally,
bringing philosophy to the
streets; showcasing the pas-
sion, ethical contemplation,
and color of contemporary
rev i ews
daily encounters and adven-
tures within the country, and
the profundity of “Burma
Chronicles” is drawn from its
simplicity of narration and
illustration.
It requires no adornment.
His reality of personal expe-
rience speaks for itself.
thinkers.
Rather than being heavy-
handed, Examined Life is
extremely well balanced,
enjoyable, and often inspiring.
v i deo game
Platinum 1 ups Pearl
rev i ews
Shane Yount
Staff Writer
Pokémon
Platinum,
soon to be
released on the
Nintendo DS,
is an enhanced
remake
of 2007’s
Pokémon
Diamond,
and Pokémon
Pearl.
Platinum
focuses on a strange distur-
bance on Mount Coronet in
the Shinnoh Region which
opens up a portal to the
Distortion World, and causes
the temperatures there to drop
dramatically.
Pokémon has become a
global phenomenon ever
since the original games were
released for the Nintendo
Game Boy in 1996.
Since then, millions of
gamers have caught Poké fever.
The concept of traveling across
an expansive world, collect-
ing numerous creatures, and
engaging in fun turn-based
battles along the way is still
just as addictive as it was over
a decade ago.
It should come as no
surprise that the latest install-
ment, Pokémon Platinum,
plays identically to previous
games in the series.
Graphically, Platinum
looks better than its blueprints
Diamond and Pearl. Sharp
colors, new sprites, and differ-
ent animation really brings the
game to life.
Platinum features several
additions that were not present
in its predecessors.
Platinum offers new charac-
ters to interact with, and new
types of Pokémon to catch.
The most exciting addi-
tion is the dungeon, located in
Distortion World. Here, play-
ers will find one of the most
Graphics, features impress
Shane Yount
Staff Writer
The Suikoden series is
known for epic storylines
about conflicting nations,
intense war battles, and huge
casts of characters.
The latest installment,
for the Nintendo DS, to the
distinctive role playing game
franchise is entitled Suikoden:
Tierkreis, and will hit US
shores on Mar. 17.
Tierkreis follows a young
man from Citro Village on his
quest to recruit the 108 heroes
(yes, this game really has
108 characters that join your
party!) to prepare for an attack
against an antagonist known
as “The One King.”
Tierkreis separates itself
from other Suikoden titles, as
it focuses on parallel worlds
and other such phenomena.
The graphics of Tierkreis
are aesthetically pleasing,
combining 3D sprites, an
anime art style, and vibrant
environments, as far as
Nintendo DS games go.
The musical score is
equally impressive, the game
contains sweeping orchestral
numbers, and beautiful melo-
dious tunes. The voice acting is
also decent.
Graphic courtesy of Nintendo
creative dungeons in any role
playing game, complete with
floating platforms, odd angles,
and disappearing and reap-
pearing items.
Other nifty additions can
be found after completing the
game also.
After defeating the Elite
Four, the player can unlock the
Battle Frontier, a large facil-
ity where numerous Pokémon
challenges and tournaments
can be found.
Another new feature that is
able to be unlocked post-game
is the Battle Recorder, which
allows the player to record
battles fought at the Battle
Frontier, and save them for
later viewing.
Platinum also includes
a few Wi-Fi enhancements
where players can use the
Wi-Fi Club mode to play
various mini-games with other
players.
Pokémon fans that already
have Diamond, and Pearl will
find enough new material (i.e.
side quests and contests) to
warrant purchasing Platinum.
As always, the traditional
Pokémon elements are a
delight for most gamers.
Pokémon Platinum will be
released in North America on
Mar. 22.
Gotta catch ‘em all!
Graphic courtesy of Konami
The battle system, just like
previous Suikoden games, is
turn-based. The player gives
commands to a team of four
characters, after which, the
enemies are allowed to attack.
Characters can attack with
their weapons, cast magic
spells, use items, and engage in
powerful combination attacks
with other characters.
For battles where winning
is a snap, the option to have
the computer control the team
for a round is available.
One reason why Tierkreis
is great is the headquarters
system. Upon establishing a
headquarters at a fortress, the
players will be excited to see
visible changes to their home
base as more characters are
recruited. For example, some
characters open up shops and
mini-games.
The trading system is also
fun, allowing the player to
sell and trade items in vari-
ous regions to make money
quickly.
With an interesting sto-
ryline and a huge cast of char-
acters, Tierkreis is the most
epic RPG experience available
for play with the DS as of late.