Volume XV. No. 50 April 2008 PRODUCED BY AND FOR THE STUDENTS OF QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE Hungry Wallets BY DANIELLE CHUNG The price of gas is not the only thing draining unities are often risk for many diseases and health conditions, our pockets these days. The overall cost for food more expensive including: in the United States rose 5% in 2007 according than those than in • Hypertension (high blood pressure) to an April 1, 2008 online report by MSNBC, upper income areas. • Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cart- “Food price hikes changing eating habits.” Eggs Larger supermarkets ilage and its underlying bone within a alone have almost doubled in price, and at $4.19 are often competitive joint) with each other for a gallon of milk my milk guzzling two year • Dyslipidemia (for example, high total old is more expensive to maintain than my gas and able to offer cholesterol or high levels of tryglycer- thirsty SUV. As a result, Americans are finding it Media Credit: ILLUSTRATION BY better prices but ILLISTRATIONSOF.COM • Type 2 diabetes increasingly difficult to put healthy and nutritious are frequently only foods on their tables, and with the number of food found in middle and upper class neighborhoods. • Coronary heart disease stamp applicants having peaked at an all time high Whereas low income areas have smaller grocery • Stroke many people are turning to more affordable choices stores with higher prices, less sales and less • Gallbladder disease such as pre-processed fast foods and soft drinks. food sold in bulk. Another point made by • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems This is a major concern for both America’s health the ADA is that the cost to eat more healthful • Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and and its economic standing. alternatives such as whole-wheat breads instead colon) of white breads, and lean meats is greater by With 34% of American’s over twenty years Not only is our Nation’s health going down 17% to 19%. Thus, healthy foods have become of age grossly overweight, the United States is the toilet, billions of dollars are needed to prevent a hard to afford luxury for the working person. experiencing an obesity epidemic. This is more the public from being severely malnourished. than double the 15% cited in a 1976-1980 study Erik Eckholm of the New York Times views Eckholm states that food stamps are projected to released by the Centers for Disease Control & his concerns in an article dated December 5, reach 28 million in the coming year. New York Prevention (CDC). According to the American 2007. His article addresses a study done by the alone has a total of 1.86 million recipients, which Dietetic Association (ADA), there is a direct University of Washington which suggests that less is the equivalent of 1 in 10 New Yorkers. A switch connection between the rise in obesity and the cost nutritional food or junk food is easier to overeat from coupons to electronic debit cards has greatly of healthy food. because it tastes good and because a greater reduced the stigma of food stamps and along with In a study completed in 2005 and published amount needs to be consumed in order to feel the number of the unemployed steadily rising, food in the ADA’s November 2007 journal, obesity is satisfied. And ironically, people who eat twice as stamps applications are at all time high. Nutrition actually highest among lower income families. much junk food calories still spend less money on and poverty experts look at foods stamps as a Foods that are more affordable are also higher in food than healthy eaters. vital safety net that has helped America since the sugar, fat and are have less nutritional content. According to the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov), 1960’s. However, they are also concerned about Additionally, foods in lower income urban comm- overweight and obese individuals are at increased Continued on page 3 INSIDE COMMUNIQUÉ Kids With Bright Pink Guns BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ Editorials Beijing Olympics Anything but What do you think would happen if a cop saw only makes things more dangerous. The idea of Fun and Games . p. 2 a kid with a bright pink gun? What if it was a robber painting guns hot pink, for example, is grossly QCC News with a bright pink gun? Though such a scenario irresponsible. may sound unlikely, and these two situations may After Bloomberg publicly announced his Frequently-Asked-Questions for the receive dissimilar reactions, the line between the position regarding Steve Lauer’s irresponsible Registrar’s Office . p. 3 two has blurred. For this we can thank a Wisconsin idea, Manhattan Red, Bronx Rose, Brooklyn Blue, Veteran’s Center . p. 4 Company behind the idea that bright gun paint Queens Green, and Staten Island Orange were would be appealing to gun enthusiasts. When this released as part of the “Bloomberg Collection.” If Politics marketing ploy was introduced to New York City the single colors are too simple for you, you may Spitzer Isn’t The Only One . p. 5 Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the paint was quickly prefer the Bloomberg Collection EZ Camo Kit. The Decline of Justice . p. 5 banned in NYC, drawing public attention to this With an urban market in play, the EZ Camo Kit hazardous idea. has been deemed a “pimped out” version offering Arts & Entertainment Imagine a purple colored gun. According to an option of brick wall and graffiti camouflage. The Daily News, Lauer Custom Weaponry has Citizens have declared the ban unnecessary, College Radio: Download This! . p. 6 named their purple gun paint “Barney,” after simply because one can go out and spray paint a Support Your Local Independent the dinosaur adored by toddlers. Sound a little gun themselves. Why would anyone encourage it? Record Stores. p. 7 sick? Bloomberg’s attempt to prevent guns from Lauer, who runs a successful business and stands resembling colorful play toys provides more to profit handsomely from sales of Bloomberg Health control in a city with a falling crime rate that no Collection paints, believes that painting real Planned Parenthood and Birth Control . p. 8 one wants to increase. Keeping civilians as well weapons the color of toys brings no harm to the The Old and the Dangerous . p. 8 as officers of the law aware of the differences table. between real and fake is essential. The thought of Meat, the Other Polluter . p. 9 Bloomberg’s remarks on Lauer Custom an officer having to determine whether a person Weaponry’s marketing gimmick in Newsday A for April, A for Autism . .p. 9 is holding a water gun or a handgun can lead to included the words “sick” and “twisted.” The Benefits of Water . p.11 someone’s death. An innocent person carrying a Many citizens have joined Bloomberg in his a water gun could be accused of illegal possession condemnation, recognizing the dangers that come Sports of a weapon. Officers make vital life altering along with the product. Where do you stand? Can March Madness . p.12 decisions everyday and with an idea like this, it you tell the real from the fake? 2 Queensborough Communiqué, April 2008 EDITORIALS These editorials represent the opinion of the Editorial Board of Communique, which is soley responsible for its contents. These are not necessarily the views of the Queensborough Community College administration and staff. Communique welcomes any letters or editorials for the population of QCC. Submit work to Communiqué, H-428. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit letters for spatial needs and grammatical accuracy. Beijing Olympics Anything but Fun and Games BY NEVILLE SADHOO In recent months, political turmoil in Tibet hundred persons staged a protest outside of Llama has continually denied the accusations, has contributed to numerous protests in several the United Nations. Several were arrested for and has asserted that “I wish, basically, their nations including Austria, Canada, China, the attempting to unlawfully enter the U.N . In Toronto, world event, game event,…should take place United States, and Tibet. Protests first began on Canada, once again Tibetans sneaked into a smoothly.” Also, he condemns the violence that March 10, the forty-ninth anniversary of the Chinese Consulate and replaced the Chinese flag has arisen due to the protests and feels that only failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against Beijing’s with the Tibetan flag, this was also attempted under extreme circumstances should violence rule resulting in a subsequent chain reaction. in Alberta but was thwarted by Consulate staff. even be considered. More recently, protesters Protesters demanded the release of previously In what is being described as the worst have been trying to hamper the Olympic torch detained Tibetan Buddhist Monks to no avail, violence in China in twenty years, dozens have relay, causing serious concern and even panic. thus leading to rioting, burning, looting and been injured, many Tibetans continue to fight, The Dalai Llama has clearly stated that he does acts of violence towards non-Tibetans. “It was and the death toll of Tibetan monks and others not want an Olympic boycott and does not want chaos everywhere. I could see fires, smoke, varies depending on who is asked. According to the torch relay to be interfered with. cars and motorcycles burning,” said a Tibetan the Chinese State news agency, Xinhua, seven Tibetans are using the high profile of the guide (Breitbart). The surprising defiance of the to ten people have been confirmed dead caused Beijing games to bring attention to their cause. Buddhist Monks has put the Chinese government by riots at Lhasa. However, the Tibetan Center Tibet’s three most important monuments, also on guard, which has tried to quell any and every for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) known as the three pillars of Tibet, have been uprising and tactics the Tibetans might use to puts the death toll at around 25.