the Cowl

News Briefs

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

S.T.E.P 1 Steps into New Role as Simply Healthy

The on-campus organization formerly known as S.T.E.P 1 (Students Together Educating Peers) has officially changed their name to Simply Healthy in order to reassert themselves on campus and more definitively state their mission as student peer educators.

Providence College Blacks Out

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Providence College campus was plunged into darkness yesterday afternoon after a transformer, located behind Accinno Hall, popped. The failure lasted nearly seven hours, from 2:20 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

The City of Providence and National Grid Electric Company are responsible for the upkeep of the malfunctioned transformer.

S.A.V.E. Week Ends With "Take Back the Night"

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, April 24, at 8:00 p.m., S.A.V.E. Week was wrapped up with the Women Will-sponsored event "Take Back the Night." "Take Back the Night" originated in 1978 in San Francisco following an anti-pornography rally as an outlet for those who had been affected by pornography to speak out about its negative effects.

Safety and Security Warns Students About the Civ Scream

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Providence College's "Civ Scream" is a well-known and widely-attended event at Providence College that has become a tradition each semester. On the night before the final examinations for the Development of Western Civilization classes, students gather at the upper campus quad to scream in unison at midnight.

Simulation Reveals the Trials of the Disabled

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

At 7:00 p.m. on April 23, McPhail's opened its doors to a convention dealing with the understanding and acceptance of physical disabilities. The Campus Ministry-sponsored event included five disability simulations followed by a panel of speakers.

"We did this to raise awareness of disabilities on campus," said Sarah Fallahi '10, a member of Campus Ministry.

Students Create Petition to Beautify Campus

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The spring weather has brought many students out of hibernation in the past weeks, however, after they emerged from a long winter some didn't like what they saw: patchy grass, uneven sidewalks, and garbage. Brennan Gibbons '10, Gerard Caulfield '10, and Kerri Nicoletti '10 have taken matters into their own hands to beautify the Providence College campus.

ROTC Participates in March for Fallen Soldiers

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Monday, April 28, a memorial march was held for all fallen soldiers who died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Volunteer members of the Providence College Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program attended the ruck march in East Providence. The march was 14.

Friars Headed to Postseason

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After hours of agonizing scoreboard watching, the Providence College Softball Team can now safely claim a spot in the upcoming 2008 Big East Tournament. The Friars, who had been battling for the eighth and final spot in the tourney with Villanova, secured a spot after Rutgers beat 'Nova in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 29.

PCI

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In what has been one of the most competitive Aprils in recent memory, MLB division races have opened themselves up for some interesting debate as to whether the early season surprises are legitimate and if the favorites are truly contenders. The team to keep your eye on is the Oakland Athletics.

Sports Boss

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With this being the last real Cowl article I will write here in my long years at Providence College, I thought I would do something a little different. You've heard me rant and rave about strange topics, ranging from figure skating to picking the New York Mets to be in the World Series before they even could be picked for a playoff preview.

The Value of Sleeping

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As I sat down to write my weekly words encouraging you to healthily hop on the bandwagon of wellness, the drone of hypocrisy buzzed in my brain like a gnat. Running on two and a half hours of sleep and guzzling my fourth mug of coffee of the night, I was a sight for sore eyes: hunched over my keyboard, cursing at every attempt to type words containing the letter "h"-the key to which not-so-conveniently went missing a quarter of the way through my last 20-page research paper-that was fun.

Friars Tie for Top Spot in MAAC Tournament

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

At the outset of the season, the Providence College Men's Lacrosse Team had one goal in mind: to make it to their third consecutive NCAA tournament. They have played consistently all season and as they head into the MAAC Tournament this upcoming weekend, the Friars seem poised to repeat as Tournament champions and return to the NCAAs.

State of PC Sports

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The buzz word in the Providence College Department of Athletics these days is progress. In terms of facilities, player development, recruitment, and perhaps, most importantly, the Men's Basketball Team, the department is making great strides as we close out another school year.

Angola Blocks Arms Shipment to Zimbabwe

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In a surprising move toward its longtime ally, Angola refused to allow a Chinese ship bearing arms for Zimbabwe to unload the weapons in its capital city of Luanda, according to The New York Times.

The "ship of shame," as the Chinese vessel An Yue Jiang has been dubbed in African newspapers, bears millions of rounds of bullets and dozens of rockets and mortar shells for Zimbabwe's military.

Austrian Woman Free After Decades of Imprisonment and Abuse

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday, April 29, Josef Fritzl sat in court awaiting his trial, which will determine if he is charged and convicted with the abduction and rape of his own daughter.

The 73-year-old Austrian man started sexually abusing his now 42-year-old daughter, Elisabeth, at age 11, and over the years he fathered seven children with her.

Natural Resource Commodity Prices: Why They're High and Where They're Going

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In recent months, the costs of the natural resources of oil and gas have noticeably increased for United States consumers.

Natural gas is now becoming a global commodity with more trade to a larger base of countries. In 2003, increased investment in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) allowed natural gas that was usually consumed in the country in which it was produced to be shipped all over the world.

Sudan's Census Begins, While U.N. Raises Death Toll Estimate

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In Sudan, census-takers will be spreading across the nation to take a count of the individuals living in the country. The results of this head count will help officials to understand how power and wealth can be divided in this African nation. There is an imminent need for the census to take place, because it will determine how they will be distributed between the north and south of Sudan.

Teen's Vision Rescued By Gene Therapy

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

London researchers recently used gene therapy to regenerate the dying cells of a seventeen-year-old boy's eyes. Stephen Howarth's right eye had been failing him for quite some time before the surgery. He wasn't able to see at all at night and over time would have lost his eyesight completely.

The Election 2008 Updater

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Barack Obama

With Sen. Barack Obama's (Ill.) loss of the Pennsylvania primary to Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) on April 22, some political pundits are questioning whether or not he is suffering from the "Bradley effect." The "Bradley effect," later called the "Wilder effect," comes from the political history of Tom Bradley and Douglas Wilder, two African-Americans who campaigned for political office.

Week in Review

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Local

Gasoline Prices Expected to Rise

According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge reports, gas prices rose on Monday to an average of $3.59 per gallon in Rhode Island, bringing the state within a penny of the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

N.Y. Police Acquitted in Shooting Case

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Three detectives were acquitted of all charges brought against them in the shooting death of Sean Bell, 23, who was shot in November 2006 the night before his wedding. The three detectives-Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora, and Marc Cooper-were each charged with reckless endangerment.

A Swan Song Four Years In the Making

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I am treating this swan song as if it were my commencement speech. It is funny that I never really sat down to write this; in a way, it has written itself. I have been writing these words in my head for the last four years. Since the first day I laid eyes on Providence College from the dirty window of a taxi puttering up Huxley Ave.

Calling for an End to Gender Stereotypes

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The article "Man, I Feel like a (Pregnant) Woman" by Maryclaire Dugre '10 published in the April 17 issue of The Cowl was irresponsible not only because of its hateful attack on transgender people, but primarily for its failure to grasp the meaning of even the most rudimentary terms used in its analysis.

Democrats Struggle to Connect with People

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Several weeks ago, Sen. Hillary Clinton released her tax returns for the past seven years.

Since her husband has left office, the two have collected a total of over $109 million. That total includes Bill's speech fees and the couple's combined book sale revenues, among other things.

Find Your Voice and Keep Using It

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I have spent a lot of time during my tenure as a Commentary staff writer staring at blank Word documents, but I think that this article may be the hardest I have ever had to write.

The swan song legend is one in which mute swans of mythology sing a heartbreakingly beautiful song before they die.

Just Because You Can't Choose Your Family...

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In celebration of my birthday last weekend, I was taken out to dinner by my parents and my three older siblings, who made the trek to Providence in three different cars and from three different locations. As I indulged in my birthday cupcakes-yes, plural-later that night, I realized something that just a few years ago would have made me burst into hysterics: My family members have become my best friends.

Letters to the Editor:

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Kudos to the Providence College administration for allowing former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci to address the College students on my 83rd birthday, April 16, 2008. In the spirit of fairness and equality, I firmly believe it would be appropriate for PC to allow the tuition-paying young lady students to stage a production of "The Vagina Monologues" at the Smith Center For the Arts this coming fall season.

Never Stop Fighting for Your Goals

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

My time at Providence College has been quite the whirlwind. I know it's a bit cliché, but it honestly feels like just yesterday that I was moving into Raymond Hall freshman year and began, what I will look back on as the best years of my life.

Of course, like most PC students, I wanted to get involved.

Power Outage Stress

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As editor of your favorite section and mine, I usually have the leisure to submit my article of tangent whenever I want, regardless of deadlines. Now, I know what you are thinking: No one is above the law. But the point of deadlines is for the editor to layout the section, which would be impossible without knowing the length or scope of the articles.

Put this Two Cents on My Tab

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

So tuition took another 6.5 percent hike and a few weeks ago, during Family Day, as I'm busy sawing off my arm, I see trolleys rolling around campus filled with families. And I said "really?" The College is in shambles and here we are essentially burning money by renting trolleys to cart parents around campus for the day.

Raid Raises Questions About Child Welfare

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In a very bizarre case of child custody, the fates of 416 children are in the balance as court officials sift through the relational ties of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS)-a polygamist sect of Mormonism which has taken up residence in Eldorado, Texas.

Tangents and Tirades

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Cook will always be my baby. Let me just put it out there: I adore David Cook from American Idol. Normally, I tend to not partake in the Idol hype that ensues each year, but this year, David Cook serves as the sole reason for my exception. Not only do his devilishly handsome emo-good-looks make me swoon every week, but he is ridiculously talented in terms of his vocal range and abilities to rearrange songs and make them sound like Billboard 40 top hits.

Tips for a Slammin' Summer

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Go ahead and be old school: Start a pickup game of wiffleball or baseball, (The Sandlot style) with your friends from around the neighborhood. It's way cooler than swinging at a virtual ball with the Wii remote in your

basement.-Jackie Kramer '10

Grab a friend, find a deserted playground, and have a heart-to-heart under the jungle gym.

An Idol Is Chosen

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This year's PC Idol was, surprisingly, really entertaining. Never having attended any previous shows, I went into the event with pretty low expectations, but by the end I was rooting singers on and waiting for the crowning of the winner. The one thing that did not excite me was the work of the judges, but the night was about the performers and their tremendous work.

Dancers Know All the Right Steps

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Middle school dances. Were they awkward, or is that just me? Some kids actually took a limo to our school's big eighth grade dance. A photographer took prom-like photos, a quick Polaroid memento. I still have the photo-me, standing alone. It wasn't "Don't Stop Believing" that brought everyone to the dance floor, but "It's Gonna Be Me.

Marshall Law in Paradise

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

If you could be friends with any group of famous Hollywood companions, who would it be? Some might say the Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lance Armstrong, tribe but then, you would also be the type that enjoys a good 50-mile bike ride or dinning at only the swankiest of brunch bistros (not my bag really).

Picks of the Week

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Movie

Blow

Directed by Ted Demme

Talk about living vicariously through those more baller than you. Aside from being an eye-opening educational film on the transfer, sale, highs, and lows of the chronic, Blow is also a heart-wrenching expression of the human condition.

S U P E R H E RO S U M M E R

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Hancock (July 2, 2008)

Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron

I thought I would just take a moment and mention how amazing Will Smith has done the past few years. He's starred in movies after a virus basically killed everything he loves, he's been a man in black, and he's pursued happiness.

Skin Deep

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Just when you think the Lord had giveth and taketh away; he giveth it right back again. The Prodigal Daughter has returned. And gurlfren, let me be the first to offer a resounding, "Amen."

Just when you thought the most awe-inspiring singing/acting/boob-flaunting piece of eye candy had swaggered off into the sunset, Mariah Carey returns.

Taste of the Town

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Louis Restaurant

286 Brooks Street

Providence, R.I. 02906

(401) 861-5225

Not long ago my friend and colleague, James McGehee, took on the daunting task of popularizing breakfast once again. While he cleverly debated its significance to our daily routines, I will come right out and say it: Breakfast is the best meal of the day, hands down.

Easier Said Than Done

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A thought is a thing

a tangible, electric zap

that courses through

the brain in a matter

of milliseconds.

It exists, this little charge,

as pure energy, ready

to fire the muscles into

motion.

"I think I will do this,"

there is the idea,

existing, electric,

the picture, just before

the eyes.

Headbangin' with His Holiness?

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

My mother, good Catholic that she is, likes the Pope. A lot. I get the sinking suspicion that even saying that is somehow an understatement. Regardless-the woman was THRILLED when she heard that:

1. The Pope was kicking off his summer with an exclusive American tour.

How Rap Was Saved by the Violin

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I know very little about music. This fact, true though it is, often surprises people, considering that I've played the clarinet for more than half of my life and listen to music more than I sleep. I say this in way of a disclaimer, because you are about to read words that I've put together in regards to music, and I want to be clear on the fact that I know very little about it.

The Oarsman

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The whisper

of the misting rain

settles on his

sallow skin

as the oarsman's

knotted shoulders

lever the paddles,

each grasped

by five gnarled spindles.

The wooden bows

draw a scraping whine from the rims

of the metal vessel

as their weight drags

along it.

Tiffany & Earl

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Tiffany and Earl,

I am a senior and a have a girlfriend who is a sophomore. Do you see where this is going? I have been seeing this pretty young thing for about a year and a half, and luck would have it that the Peace Corps is sending me to Jamaica for a couple of years.

A Postcard From My Waitress

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

She was 15 the first time I saw her. A timid little thing, she was very polite, and always a ready smile for customers. Most customers probably wouldn't have seen what I did, sitting alone at my table with nothing to do but watch. I noticed that when she wasn't doing her job, she hardly said two words to anyone.