The ITHACAN 1/22

Ithaca College Watchdog... Not SGA Watchdog... I am not sure how it happened, but this blog kind of got pigeoned toed as only pertaining to matters of the SGA, which was not the original intention. All aspects of Ithaca College are eligible topics, just depending on their importance. I do hope to have a weekly post about the new Ithacan's. This campus seems fascinated with the new issue coming out on Thursdays, but I do not think enough people analyze the paper in its entirety. Why should The Ithacan not be put under a microscope and have to be held to some level of accountability? So in this space I will go through certain article in the paper and even sometimes discuss the paper in it's whole.

So other than the paper pages being out of order (we need to get on that people) and the 17 advertisements for the Ithacan itself (OK really only 4, but they were huge), the paper was decent this week. The Obama and MLK articles were well written and interesting. Why though does every Ithacan article attempt to sound as if it is trying to be an entry in some journalism award class? Why can't everyone once in awhile get a gritty hard dug reported story, that actually shows the work put in by the author? Sometimes we need my NY Daily News than NY Times.

For instance the prisoner article "Cornell Offers local prisoners opportunity to earn degrees". http://theithacan.org/am/publish/news/200901_Cornell_offers_local_prisoners.shtml It is a nice piece about a new program being offered. But it is written as if this is groundbreaking, and never been accomplished before. When in reality prisons and universities have had this arrangement for decades. And with the advent of online universities such as Phoenix University, the process has become even more widely available. So why not mention the history of this practice? Or talk to someone in the administration here at IC to see if they are interrested in something like this? Or maybe get some stats supporting the claim that education helps inmates stay out of prison. Just some suggestions.

Next up is the commercial, I mean article for ALS, "Winter Wonderland Ball to return with elegance." http://theithacan.org/am/publish/accent/200901_Winter_Wonderland_Ball_to_return_with_elegance.shtml

Now I am all for the article writing puff pieces for events going on campus, because it gives a bigger spotlight, and hopefully more people will attend. Especially, when it is an IC organization throwing the event, targeted to IC students. But enough with half-truth stories, and fluffing material that does not need to be fluffed. They started off good talking about how the date needed to be changed to incorporate more people, but then dropped the ball when talking about cutting of the signature highlight, the musical showcase. Now wouldn't a cut like that deserve some extra reporting? "For the First time, ALS will be the only sponsor of the ball..." Okay now tell me why? Did the other groups that used to help not want to anymore; was there a fallout; was the event unprofitable, not fun, WHY?! Maybe that was the reason they had the cut the music acts, or maybe because SGA could not fund them adequately enough? The public won't know, because The Ithacan did not want to ask those questions.

And finally, yes the SGA article "SGA looks to increase campus presence for spring" http://theithacan.org/am/publish/news/200901_SGA_looks_to_increase_campus_presence_for_spring.shtml(speaking of pure Fluff). Okay so it talks about the budget situation, and how SGA needed to give 4 percent back to the school. Yup all true. But reading it, it seems that is the main reason for the budget shortfall. But is that truely the case? There are other considerations too... Maybe because the budget comm gave away money it should not have. Or because they did not conserve money in the Fall. The next part of the article is mind-boggling. "For the first time, SGA will sponsor the college's 2009 fashion show March 31 in Emerson Suites." Okay now here is the tricky part for the Ithacan. Can you connect the budget shortfall with spending new money on a fashion show. Uh oh... I think that was journalism right there. So Office of Academic Affairs dropped the show last year because it was not worth the money and the effort to put it on, and SGA, in a recession, decided to add this to their budget; and on top of that they want to deny organizations money and blame the budget on cutbacks. My head won't stop spinning.

This community needs more people looking around, asking questions, asking why people are doing things a certain way. If SGA had more people looking into exactly what they are doing, instead of just giving a couple quick interviews to get a nice fluff piece out, maybe readers would discover some truth. The Ithacan is supposed to be that journalism high bar, but too many times they fail to really inform, but rather mislead. I'm done for now. I may need to look through some old Ithacan's for traces of actual journalism. Be well and be safe. 1

Introducing a little ANARCHY...

"Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it. You know, I just... do things."

One little blog creating such a big stir. Who would have thunk it? And to think it is only break still... can you imagine what's going to happen once classes start up again? Anyway, for everyone who says that I am completely wrong, and that none of my points have merit, than why are E-board members sending out emails, agreeing with what I am saying? Or random IC students congratulating me on finally standing up and saying what everyone else on campus is thinking? Or even having E-board members take a chance and go off on their own feelings about the state of the SGA. This is not for the acclamation, but rather to get some dirt up in the air, and see where everything falls. I, along with countless others are sick and tired of the current state of affairs, with student government, and with student politics. Let's be completely honest; there has been more emotion and fire directed at this blog, then the entire semester at SGA. Think about that.

None of my comments are personal to any members, because on a personal level I respect them all. But I do not agree and am not satisfied with the work they are doing. Its nothing new. Politicians are constantly being criticised in the public eye, whether in newspapers, TV, or YES even blogs. Deal with it. If they were doing a better job, then something that I am doing would not be necessary. But if I have to be the bad guy...then so be it.

I want to take a minute an address the issue of volunteering. Yes, I agree that almost every member of the SGA has agreed to volunteered his/her time to the organization, to do something (one position is paid). However, the term volunteer is not a get out of jail pass to do whatever you like, or do as little as you feel in your position. You were ELECTED! You have a duty that takes precedent over any feeling of volunteering. This also means that members are to be held ACCOUNTABLE! There is no free passes. If you do not want to be apart of this, then resign and let someone else do something we your post, it is as simple as that... I'm sorry to be so harsh, but 'Good-bye'.

I also want to take a moment and commend the E-board for a moment. They have spent the first half of the semester really trying to eliminate the lingering stigma that SGA and its members are elitists or pompous or some sort of synonym to that. The problem persists however with certain members and it further leads to this image. If members can not even admit to themselves that there are certain problems, and that the body is not doing enough to address campus issues, then it is only adding to the problem.

Finally, to all my haters! Thank you for the kind words, and the interest into my real name. It is really wonderful. I wish I could, but I'd rather wait a bit. I assure you I do my little part in the grand scheme of things, and it context it is not necessary to tell everyone who I am. "You can focus on the individual all you want, but the issues are always more important." HaHa. Be well and be safe. 1

P.S. : "Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I'm an agent of chaos. Oh, and you know the thing about chaos? It's fair!" HAHAHAHAHA