November 2008

There has been a problem with solicitors inside and outside of the MacAlister and Creese buildings.  This gentleman is not an approved vendor by the University.  If you see him you are urged to contact Drexel Public Safety as soon as you can.

Triangle Photos by Dave Hernandez

Soon to be closed for construction. I thought it would be nice if we had a final look down the walkway.

Triangle Photos by Dave Hernandez

Triangle Photos by Dave Hernandez

Media Credit: Law Office of David Codell

Nov. 21 over 100 students crowded into room 240 of the Law Building to listen to David Codell, lead counsel for the anti-Proposition 8 lawsuit. Associate Professor Rex Glensy, who organized and moderated the event, introduced Codell as a Harvard Law graduate, former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and counsellor in many notable cases dealing with GLBT equality, including the In re Marriage cases which granted same-sex couples in California the right to marry.

California has a long history of supporting equal rights for the GLBT community. A few municipalities started granting domestic partnership benefits in the 1980s, and up through the 2000s the state legislature defined domestic partnerships to have most of the legal rights of marriage. This was met with opposition from religious groups who filed suit against the state for establishing “marriage in all but name” for gay and lesbian couples. However, the state court ruled that the legislation was valid.

While domestic partnerships and marriages are virtually the same as far as rights within the state of California, the biggest material concern is the portability of the license; couples who move or even travel out-of-state may not have their rights honored. They also are ineligable for the federal rights of marriage, including filing joint income tax returns. Other arguments for marriage are the social recognition and acceptance of the term as opposed to “domestic partnership” or “civil union” as well as the inherent inequality of separate institutions.

Proposition 8 is being challenged on the grounds that it is too significant a change to the state’s constitution — a revision rather than an amendment — to have been passed solely by referendum. Codell explained that the referendum represents a significant departure from legislative trends and existing court precedent, and could be interpretted as a violation of California’s Equal Protection clause.

While there is no specific precedent for such a case, there are many related decisions that the judges may look to in deciding the fate of Proposition 8, and a victory for same-sex marriage is not out of the question. Such a victory would be significant in the movement for equality, as the California Supreme Court is the most followed state court — many out-of-state courts look to its precedents when making decisions. When asked, Codell estimated that the decision would be reached sometime next summer as long as there are no unforseen delays.

SNOWW!!!!  not enough though…

Triangle Photo by Dave Hernandez

Phil Shecter, UPenn senior, protesting in the crosswalk at 15th and Market streets Nov. 15. Media credit: Jamie Thomson

When I changed my Facebook status to report that I was protesting Prop. 8 at City Hall Nov. 15, a surprising amount of people asked me what good protesting in Philadelphia would do for a decision made in California.

My answer?

Freedom to love who you wish is not just a state issue — it’s a human issue.

There were protests in around 300 cities that day in the U.S. and a few other countries, as an estimated total of around 1 million people turned out to show opposition to Prop. 8 and the other anti-marriage measures that were passed on Nov. 4.

But what did that accomplish?

What it was meant to.

Protests aren’t about directly making change — they’re about spreading awareness of a message and demonstrating support to foster change. The average person has no power to change the law directly — we can only protest, write commentary, call our congressmen, and occasionally file a lawsuit, if we have the time and money to devote.

This afternoon I’m attending an event with David Codell, lead council for the anti-Prop. 8 lawsuit as well as the original California Supreme Court In Re Marriage case, so check back later for the inside story on the legal saga, and some video from the protest.

The Drexel Dragons defeated the UPenn Quakers in mens basketball 66-64 at the DAC November 18.   The game was nationally televised on ESPN as part of the season opener.  The sold out crowd made lots of noise as they cheered on both teams.  A last minute 3 point foul almost gave the Quakers a tie but the DAC pack took home the trophy.  At half time Drexel All-American athletes were given a round of applause.

Photos by The Triangle photographers

By Lynn Riley

To an appreciative Drexel community crowd including students, faculty, friends, alumni and family, the Drexel Fusion Band held a CD release party celebrating their new album “Cold Duck Sauce: The Best of Drexel Fusion Band” Nov. 11 in the lobby of Creese. 

Recorded last spring by Drexel Music Industry students, the performers are former and current members of the Drexel Fusion Band.  It includes 12 original arrangements by Director Lynn Riley (Adjunct Instructor in the Performing Arts Department) of Jazz, R&B, Latin and Rock songs such as “Summertime,” “What’s Going On,” “Ran Kan Kan” and “Moondance.”  On this festive night with pizza for all, the Band performed cuts from the new CD as well as some newer arrangements. 

The title “Cold Duck Sauce” derives from a recording session of the Eddie Harris jazz standard “Cold Duck Time,” another of the tracks on the CD, accidentally labeled as Cold Duck Sauce by a probably hungry engineer who performs in the group. 

The CDs are available for $10 by contacting Lynn Riley at mcr27@drexel.edu or calling 215 895-2451.

***Media courtesy Michael Donnella

Edward K. Anderton, the honor student and University of Pennsylvania economics grad whose life was consumed by his romantic and criminal partnership with his girlfriend, was sentenced this afternoon to 48 months in prison by a federal judge, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The article also said that Anderton made an emotional, self-abasing 20-minutes statement to the judge in which he apologized to his victims, his parents and family, and others that he said his conduct harmed.

Probably the most surprising apology was the one that Anderton made to Jocelyn Kirsch, the “Bonnie” of the “Bonnie and Clyde” duo.

“To a large part I was her downfall. If the two of us hadn’t met I don’t think that any of her crimes would have escalated to that point,” Anderton said.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno.

Media credit: fisherwy.blogspot.com.

Click here to view the video.