Your Corner Soapbox

Cartoon by Brandon Wei

The end of a term is a stressful time for students as there are many things that must be attended to. Aside from studying for finals, students must register for classes, check schedules, stay on top of important e-mails to professors, submit projects and view their final grades. In order to assist students in these activities, Drexel offers their DrexelOne system that, for the most part, easily accesses all of the previous mentioned activities. However, it only adds to the stress when you attempt to log into the DrexelOne server to find this:

I first noticed this issue during DrexelOne’s last reserved maintenance window, which seemed to last longer than usual, and I now find that on the login page a message stating that “DrexelOne is currently operating at reduced capacity.”

Now as far as I know there has been no official announcement regarding the cause for this reduced server capacity. Personally I hope it is due to some sort of system crash and not the IT guys deciding that now would be a nice time for extended system maintenance. I cannot think of a worse possible time to schedule extensive system maintenance than week 10 or finals week. Although most of the services mentioned earlier are still accessible through direct logins, it is quite annoying to have to change the way you’ve been using a system during such stressful times.

I like the way I’ve been using the system and a number of things I do a certain way for a reason. For example, a few years back I would view my e-mail through DrexelOne and Webmail interchangeability, however an issue developed where when trashing e-mails they would get sent to different trash bins depending on which system I was using. As a result, only one trash bin would ever get emptied and I would suddenly find myself using 100% of my e-mail capacity and not knowing why I couldn’t reduce it. Since then I haven’t trusted or used Webmail, well until I was forced to this week.

Aside from a disturbance to our normal Internet routines, there are a handful of services that cannot be accessed without going onto DrexelOne, most notably anything dealing with class schedules or final grades. There are still students that are tweaking their schedules for next term, and aside from everyone wanting to see their final grades, there will be a handful of cases where there may be an error in the grade submitted and will need to be attended to as soon as possible. The loss of easy access to these services will not only lead to increased stress to students, but also hold potential to lead to more serious issues down the road.

As mentioned before, I’m not sure if the reduced capacity is due to some sort of system error or scheduled system maintenance. If a system error has occurred then I feel sorry for the people working to fix the problem while dealing with the frustration from Drexel students, and congratulate them for at least getting some usability of the DrexelOne server. However, if this is just some sort of scheduled system maintenance, you better be working hard to get us back our full system as soon as possible and in the future don’t be stupid enough to schedule anything during the end of the term.

Triangle Graphic by Karl Kuchs

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.

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.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gives a thumbs-up during her speech at the 2008 Republican Governors Association Annual Conference Nov. 13. (Media credit: Marsha Halper/Miami Herald/MCT)

The moment Barack Obama’s presidency became a sure thing, a wave of relief came over me. This was not merely because I voted for him or because it marked a major turning point for our nation, but because finally the bitter campaigning had ended.

While some may feel that the time leading up to this historic presidential election was exciting and sensational, I felt the exact opposite. As someone who cared about the election, it was important to me to make my own decision about it. However, I am also someone who does not care to invest all her time and energy into politics, and after being repeatedly solicited to join the Obama campaign, I was getting fed up. It was not only on campus either — I received at least 10 phone calls from different Democratic groups asking me to sign up and join the campaign.

Although it is clear that every presidential election is important, and of course everyone who can exercise their right to vote should do so, to me politics in general is just one big dirty game.
The aggressive campaigning that felt like it would never end did the opposite of what it was supposed to do. Instead of the candidates highlighting their merits, what makes them qualified and what makes them trustworthy enough to run the country, all the focus seemed to be on controversy surrounding their personal lives.

The craziness that arose around Sarah Palin was ridiculous, and I could not help but wonder, what was John McCain thinking? If he wanted to get the nation’s attention, he sure grabbed it, but teaming up with Palin only seemed to backfire. Continue Reading »

What happens to modesty on Halloween? (Media credit: Costume Alibi/Amazon.com)

by Michael McGurk

This past Halloween, something beautiful and brutal, something ugly and magical happened. It was the kind of magic when drunken bike punk meets drunken frat guy, the kind of magic that only happens on Halloween. Hopefully, it’s the kind of thing that most people will just shrug off. But after that night, it may take a few days for some students of Drexel University to heal their dignity.

It started innocently enough — guessing people’s costumes in front of California Pizza. But soon enough, the costume guessing turned into costume bashing. Next came the character insults. It was all in good fun though. The dirtiest, most basic kind of fun one can have. It was the faceless mob game.

At some point earlier in the night, I ended up at a friend’s house next to California Pizza. It was normal for a while, everyone hanging out on the porch or in the basement. Someone had the idea to start throwing out insults at passers-by, and everyone inside of the house came outside to join. Who’d want to miss that kind of fun?

The insults grew more personal. By the time the fifth or sixth female bumblebee walked by, clutching her tough-guy boyfriend’s arm, the blood was already in the streets, figuratively. When you have your skirt hiked up to your butt cheeks, wearing only a bikini, trying to pass as something “cute,” it just doesn’t make you look very classy.  Do you expect to retain any sense of dignity after deliberately mooning a faceless mob that just insulted you for being dressed so skimpily?

I prayed that no one I knew would walk down Powelton Avenue that night, for their own sake.

Lesson 1: Even on Halloween, take pride in your appearance, it’s the only thing strangers have to judge you. Continue Reading »

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann took time on his show Nov. 10 to address the passage of California’s Proposition 8. Whatever your stance on the issue, it’s worth the time to watch.

Also, to anyone interested in demonstrating against Prop. 8 and other anti-marriage legislation, there is a protest going on this Saturday from 1:30-4:30 near LOVE park/City Hall.

Media Credit: NoOnProp8.com

by Bobby White

For those of you who haven’t heard, California’s Proposition 8 has passed. What is Prop 8 you ask? It is the proposition that was on the California ballot Nov. 4 to ban gay marriage in the state, after they began recognizing these unions in June 2008. Here are my thoughts on the matter…

Shame on you California! You grant these people a right they have fought so hard to obtain only to take it away, and what for? To maintain the sanctity of marriage? To preserve family values? To protect the American way? That’s what the so-called “family value” groups would have you believe. Apparently, homosexual marriage will destroy the institution, as homosexuals are promiscuous and will likely end their marriages. Also, gay parents produce gay children furthering the gay agenda.

Something here smells sour… Continue Reading »

Media credit: A. Sinagoga - PCVB/GoPhila.com

by Francesca Galarus
Suburban transplant, Drexel student, Phillies phan

Let’s face it, Philadelphia is not known for its ray of positivity. Rather, the clouds shrouded over us act as a blanket, nurturing our harbored negativity. We endure horrifying murder rates. Our public school system is imperfect. We’ve been dubbed a sixth borough to the city we do not wish to become.

However within the last week, Philadelphia has, for all intents and purposes, turned into Disney World, and while I’ve always loved this city, I have never been happier and prouder to be a resident. Starting with the Phillies even having a glint of hope at winning the World Series, an electric buzz could be felt throughout the city. People smiled more, strangers didn’t avoid eye contact, businesses thrived. Philadelphia was awash with red. Then, with the win, not only were people smiling - strangers were hugging, high-fiving and toasting champagne (or Steel Reserve) in the middle of Broad Street. Continue Reading »

Triangle photo by Dave Hernandez

Barack Obama is now the president-elect. What does this change?

It won’t fix racism, it won’t fix prejudice, it won’t cure ignorance and it won’t fix America. In and of itself, it doesn’t solve or resolve anything.

So what does this mean? For me, and others who choose to look at it from this perspective, it is a window through which we can see what is possible. It shows us that things are different than they used to be. It proves, as Obama said, that anything is possible.

I found myself getting all wrapped up in the emotion of the event. I felt that this joyous occasion should be shared with everyone. I felt that this was such a symbol for not only the progress of African Americans in this country, but for all Americans. And when someone didn’t feel the same way I did or made it a point to express their dissent with the outcome of this election, I got upset and was personally offended. Continue Reading »