Volume 143, Issue #7
One man, two semi-automatic handguns and uncontrollable rage combined resulting in 33 horrible violent deaths, the largest school shooting in the history of the United States. Are students at City College safe? What can we do to protect ourselves? Is this an argument for or against gun control? Judging from the quick reaction of campus and city police during the incident on Tuesday, we are probably as safe here as we would be anywhere else… Unless we lived somewhere were guns were forbidden. And judging from legislative reactions to past school gun violence, it seems the United States will never be such a place. These shootings historically have little to no impact on gun control laws. Let’s face it. Someone with enough rage and determination will shoot many people before even the fastest responding police arrive. The only way to keep campuses safe from gun violence would be to arm the students themselves. Regardless of how many innocent people are killed and maimed, patriots, sporting people anarchists and gun nuts will out-vote the anti-gun folks. It’s an American tradition, the gun. They’re loud and powerful and can be lots of fun, too. When Cortez came to this continent his guns were so impressive to the Aztecs they thought him a god. If crazy people, alienated from our violent, empty society are running around shooting innocent victims, the answer: Throw more guns at the problem. It’ll make everyone feel safer then. e-mail: editorial@theguardsman.com
STUDENTS IN DEBT...PRICELESS
Credit card companies have steadily become slimier, wealthier and more sophisticated over the years. So many Americans are in debt that credit card balances are an acceptable party topic. The days of “saving up” are gone. Putting 20 percent down on a house or car, which was once the norm, is now rare. Why buy an affordable car when a much more stylish one can be leased for the same payment? Holding massive debt is normal here. Clever credit card companies have mastered snaring people before they have a chance to learn about the long-term downside of using plastic. There are play credit cards for children to indoctrinate them into the credit culture. These loathsome lenders, who were once content to prey on college students, even solicit to minors. A credit card is necessary to rent a car or hotel room. To maintain good credit, not one but three cards must be active. Mortgage brokers cluck their tongues disapprovingly if credit cards haven't been sufficiently used or, god forbid, if they have been paid off and canceled. This is exactly the scenario giant corporations want to see. That is why there are booths soliciting to students at City College. They know students are broke and work as much as possible. Our society is designed around debt now. College students will probably need credit cards before they graduate, but they must learn that charging more than they can afford will trap them for years, limiting their options and lowering their chances for happiness. Credit cards are necessary, but running up a balance isn’t. Use the corporations instead of letting them use you. Retain your financial freedom. e-mail:managingeditor@theguardsman.com THE NUMBERS ARE IN ON STATISTICS STAFF WRITER
“Dumb” was the answer nine out of ten City College students gave when asked about University of California’s statistics course requirement. OK, so that’s not a real statistic. Time constraints did not permit accurate poll data. In lieu of that, here’s a generalization that shows why my fabricated statistic probably isn’t too far off: Few students like work-heavy courses like statistics, fewer students are good at math and if given the choice nearly no one would take statistics instead of a more interesting course — i.e. anything other than statistics. But when setting academic standards, what students want is irrelevant. A statistics requirement represents education’s goal: to make well-rounded individuals with skills employers desire. Making either happen without requiring students to take courses would be impossible. After all, a statistics course is just another item on a long list of requirements to obtain a degree. To see why the math requirement is the only controversial one, please see the above generalization. But why require Liberal Arts majors to take high-level math courses when they won’t use it in the workplace? Statistics I did not fabricate for the purpose of dramatic effect show most people’s degrees are unrelated to their profession. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, English majors, but you probably won’t write or analyze literature for a living. Employers really want the skills you used to earn your degree — persistence and cognitive ability. In that sense, earning a degree is like completing a high-level math course. Difficult mathematical concepts might not make sense at first or be fun, and they might take a trip or two to the Learning Assistance Center to figure out. Learning math demonstrates persistence and the ability to think logically. That has true value, as does the statistics requirement.
What do you think caused the Virginia Tech shooting?
BY VANESSA SERPAS Recently, I have come across many couples who have become accustomed to each other so much that they are no longer together because they love each other, but are only together because it’s convenient for them.
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