The Shorn Ones

2011-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Starting campus clubs made easier with
new rules and requirements

Ara Ortiz
Staff writer

Student groups looking to official¬ly form a campus club no longer have to jump through hoops to get started.

The requirements to start a club have gotten easier at Ventura Col¬lege with the help of the Associated Students of Ventura College Vice President Raymond Morua, who led the movement to change the previous club forms.
“The forms were a mess and were outdated. Second, there were many difficult hoops that club founders had to jump through,” he said. “I pro¬posed it, drafted the changes and pre¬sented it to the board that voted on it and approved it.”

The process to start a club at VC is now simpler than before. Only five ASVC cardholders are needed to start a club. In the past, 15 ASVC cardhold¬ers were needed and advisors for a club had to be full-time professors.

Now, faculty advisors can either be part-time or full-time professors. Clubs can now ask ASVC for grants up to $500 when in the past they could only ask for $100. The changes in club forms are effective immediately.

The inability to get a full-time fac¬ulty member to advise clubs and the lack of money received through ASVC grants were among the problems many clubs had with the previous requirements, according to Morua. “This was a huge problem for new clubs trying to get recognition status,” he said.

Morua isn’t the only one happy to see the overturn in club form restric¬tions. Anthropology Club advisor Gigi Fiumerodo believes both students and faculty will benefit from the change. “I think the change will be a posi¬tive [one],” she said. “I think the more that can be done to encourage student activities on campus, the better, both for students and for faculty interested in experiencing the unique collabora¬tion advisors have with club mem¬bers”

Morua’s motivation for making changes to the club requirements was simple. “[These] clubs make Ventura Col¬lege. I thought they should have an easier time [getting started],” he said.
For more information on getting a club started on campus, call ASVC at (805) 654-6449. issuu.com/studentvoice/docs/edition6

Obregon

2010-12-21T00:09:00.000-08:00

Raymond Morua
November 24, 2010
The Undisputed Obregon
The Revolution of 1910 was and still is a monumental event in México’s history. The event spawned the romanticism of the people’s champion, Emiliano Zapata. The revolution also gave the bravado of Pancho Villa a world stage. While Francisco Madero’s movement gave iconic birth to both men, the man who was victorious is overshadowed and seen as a sellout. Alvaro Obregon’s role in the revolution is also iconic, yet much more significant than the former two men. Obregon is the hero that México deserves, but wasn’t seen as the one it needed. Many of his presidential decisions and actions are seen as controversial, but in order to understand his decisions you must first understand the man. Alvaro Obregon’s involvement in the revolution made more than Mexican history, Alvaro Obregon made world history.
Obregon was no stranger to struggle or hardship. His father passed away shortly after he was born, Obregon was the youngest of 18 children. His families land was taken away because his father’s business partner was a supporter of Maximilian. As a young boy he was attracted to books, poems, learned the various tasks of running a farm, and spent most of his time with the courageous Mayo Indians (Krauze 374-375). All of these events would go on to encourage and motivate his decisions and public policies.
Sonora was Obregon’s home and is geographically isolated from most of México. This allowed for Sonora to develop and progress at its own pace, and in a political sense; was not totally controlled by Diaz. The isolation that Sonora enjoyed made political opposition safer than

other locations in Mexico. Sonora also benefited from their geographic position in the form of commerce; the U.S. was their biggest trade partner. Many Sonoran’s backed the candidacy of Madero and the Sonoran elites had never been united behind Diaz. Sonora was also very anticlerical and greatly influenced by freemason ideology (Hall 10-11).
In 1910 Obregon put his early political career in jeopardy before it even began. Jose Otero, a local leader wanted Obregon to sign a statement of support for Diaz. Obregon refused which later resulted in controversy in his running for presidente municipal. In 1911 he was decided the victor, and quickly got to work instituting a number of programs mainly dedicated to education and public works. Obregon impressively served his constituents; of his budget of 20,040 pesos, exactly half was used for public education and material improvements. He also increased the tax on bars and eliminated the tax on irrigation canals; irrigation canals were extremely important and much needed in Sonora (Hall 25-26).
When the initial revolution began in 1910, Obregon opted out to take care of his family; he was widowed with two young children. His lack of participation in the fight against Diaz would haunt him till death. Others would call him a late comer, but nobody was harder on him than himself (Krauze 377-378). 1912 would be Obregon’s opportunity for redemption, and he seized it. Pascual Orozco, a former general and comrade of Madero would rebel against the new Madero government with the declaration of the Plan de la Empacadora (Aguilar 28-29). Obregon acted swiftly and recruited some 300 men and joined the irregular army of Sonora. His pivotal moment would be the battle of San Joaquin, were he defeated and repelled Orozco and his forces (Minister 1). A significant fact to recognize would be that Obregon started his military career in support of a constituted government and not in opposition of it (Hall 27).
Obregon’s military campaigns were very successful and earned him the respect of his soldiers and fellow officers. His leadership was the stuff of legends. Edward Larocque Tinker was a lawyer who was attached to Obregon to insure the defense of the Nacozari mines. Tinker described Obregon as a “Real Leader”, and he also glorified the tactics and shrewdness Obregon displayed in battle (Hall 31-33). Obregon’s courage reached legendary status, once when a cannon ball land near him, he just paused and without running, waited for the explosion. Another time he lost his arm and was lying in his own blood, courageous enough to take his own life; was denied the opportunity when his pistol wouldn’t fire. Twice he entered Villa’s lair and antagonized him, earning the respect of Villa’s men (Krauze 381-387).
The man from Sonora was a different breed from his revolutionary counterparts. Obregon considered himself a socialist, and was backed by the fiercest fighters in all México; the Yaqui Indians. Before battles he would meet with his staff, advisors and go over his supplies, strategies and materials. When dealing with political matters he worked it out with friends and civilians who were labor organizers and intellectuals. His decisions were always a combination of desirables and practicables (Brenner 42-43). Obregon had an extraordinary ability to sense opportunity. He also possessed an uncanny ability to balance his resources and adapt to any situation (Aguilar 67).
Obregon’s tactics were frowned upon but are reminiscent of Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” and Machiavelli’s “The Prince”. He was ahead of the curve, trying new methods that would revolutionize the way that wars would be fought and employed the tactics of the South African Boer Wars. Obregon modernized his forces; he was one of the first to pioneer the use of barbed wire, foxholes, trenches and aerial attacks (Minister 1). Obregon was able to use his victories as leverage to obtain help from Americans who wanted to protect their mines. He instituted a well ran medical corps to see to his men, which allowed for the speedy recovery and return of wounded soldiers (Hall 30). When the federal gunship the General Guerro threatened his troops off of the Topolobampo coast; Obregon took the opportunity to thrust himself and Mexican ingenuity onto the world stage and into the history books. For the first time in military history of the world, the Sonora, one of Obregon’s planes flew out to see and attacked the gunship (Krauze 380).
During the Convention of Aguascalientes none of the other generals personally showed up except for Obregon. This paid off immensely for how he was viewed; officers from other factions highly respected him. Though the convention was chaotic and no one could come to terms it was still a positive turn out for Obregon. He was given a chance to meet his rivals and some of them would eventually join his ranks (Minister 2).
By 1914 civil war was upon México and Obregon chose to stand with Carranza. This put him against the Zapatistas and the Villistas. Obregon easily defeated the Zapatistas and was prepping for his showdown with rival Pancho Villa. The two foes would engage in a series of battles that would eventually beat Villa into retreating. Their first encounter was in the town of Celaya. Obregon would rely on his defensive tactics and skills, while Villa continued with brutal charges that have won him most of his victories. Villas cowboy ways would cost him two battles at Celaya were Obregon’s forces effectively defended and counter attacked Villa. The two would again meet and battle in the Bajio and later Aguascalientes (Krauze 384-385).
Unlike the other revolutionary generals, Obregon would utilize his cunning and strategic thinking. Obregon made it a necessity to have knowledge of the terrain he was battling on; he would personally conduct reconnaissance of the area. Second, he studied and sized up his opponents as individuals; using their weakness against them and countering their strengths. Finally he had a substantial espionage system; Obregon had outstanding intelligence operations. He would also take the time to brief his soldiers on possible contingencies. Obregon was able to maintain flexibility and rise to any changing situation. His logistical planning was superior compared to Villa’s, which was a huge factor in his victories over him. Villa’s eagerness and disdain for Obregon also led to his defeat (Hall 120-124).
After defeating Villa, Obregon made a deal with Carranza not to bother him or get in his way from 1917 to 1919. Carranza never liked or trusted Obregon, and when Obregon announced he would run for president for the 1920 elections, Carranza personally set out to make sure that he wouldn’t win. Obregon was popular with the military, the middle class (which he belonged to), and the poor who were angry at Carranza. Carranza on the other hand wanted his handpicked candidate to be president. Carranza would try everything he could to discredit Obregon. He went as far as to strip Obregon of his military rank; the people of México saw this as petty and reminded them of Porfirio Diaz. When Carranza could not destroy the image of Obregon, he decided to send the army after him (Minister 3).
During the ratification of the new constitution Obregon supported the most extreme measures. Once back at his ranch Obregon founded a Cooperative Agricultural Society that united the chickpea farmers of Sonora and Sinaloa. Obregon spearheaded efforts to the quality and price of their product. When addressing the Mexican people he proposed that not a social platform but instead a moral and political goal: to purify the government and defend the freedom of the vote (Krauze 388-391). Obregon knew the importance of new institutions, organizations and discipline. His own political coalition was combined with the building of new political institutions with the help and support of former members of the revolutionary army, labor and agrarian groups, and new political parties (Hall 166-167).
After winning the presidency Obregon believed that active military should not participate in the government. His cabinet was made up of civilians who were honest economist or men with culture and imagination. His administration had ideas such as irrigation plans, free breakfast for schools, serum laboratories, baby clinics, and beggars’ hostels. Obregon even nationalized some of the churches and turned them into libraries, clinics and shelters. The agrarian policies where difficult for foreigners and hacienda owners to get use to, in response Obregon told them to “Observe the law” (Brenner 64-69).
“The creation of the schools was only one facet of the new cultural energy. Another one equally brilliant was the development of the fine arts. During Obregon’s term, México experienced a true rebirth of national values”. Artist such as Diego Rivera, Jose Orozco, etc expressed themselves and spread the social importance of the Revolution. An American who was in México City during the Obregon administration wrote in an article that Obregon was introducing instruction for children and adults. The people were being taught how to cultivate gardens, hygiene, and skills that would strengthen the sense of community (Krause 394).
Unfortunately like every great person in history, Obregon had his moment that still stains his legacy to this day. The Bucareli Agreements will cast a shadow over Obregon till the people accept this fault. Obregon wanted to be recognized by the United States, which is highly understandable when you have a hostile neighbor who is willing to do whatever it takes to get their way. He refused to repeal Article 27 (Land Distribution) when the U.S. demanded he do so, but to go back to his history, Obregon calculated all his thoughts. At the time he was viewed as a sell out and an opportunist (Krauze 396).
In this day and age the Mexican people should be able to forgive Obregon for the Bucareli Agreement and honor him for the hero he was and always will be. Alvaro Obregon should be remembered as the man from humble beginnings, a self made man who at a young age showed his drive for success and ambition to rise to the top. The man was an inventor, a shoe sales man, a politician who believed in education for all. He befriended the Mayo people, and turned out to be a successful businessman. As a soldier he reinvented war and gave the world the model for combat that would be used for years to come. He was the first person ever in the world to utilize aircraft for combat operations, besides being the first; it was a Mexican that did it. He was implementing combat ground tactics before they were used in World War I. Obregon went undefeated during his military career, defeating Villa, Carranza, Orozco, and the Zapatistas. His methods for victory were precise and effective. Not as radical as Villa or Zapata but still a man for the people. For a hundred years Obregon has been denied the recognition and respect given to the Zapata and Villa. Both men had the opportunity to take control of México and turned it down. Obregon not only had the drive to lead but he had the courage to the tame the tiger unleashed from the Revolution. It is time for the world to acknowledge the historical relevance of the Mexican Revolution and it is time for the Mexican people to be proud of Obregon and his achievements.

Works Cited
Aguilar, Camín Héctor., Luis Alberto. Fierro, and Lorenzo Meyer. In the Shadow of the Mexican Revolution: Contemporary Mexican History, 1910 - 1989. Austin: Univ. of Texas Pr., 1993. Print.
Brenner, Anita, and George Ross Leighton. The Wind That Swept Mexico: the History of the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1942. Austin: University of Texas, 1973. Print.
Hall, Linda B. Álvaro Obregón: Power and Revolution in Mexico, 1911-1920. College Station: Texas A&M UP, 1981. Print.
Krauze, Enrique. Mexico: Biography of Power : a History of Modern Mexico, 1810-1996. New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers, 1997. Print.
Minster, By Christopher. "Biography of Alvaro Obregón - Profile of Alvaro Obregón." Latin American History. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. .

Tea with Colin Fraser

2010-08-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

By Raymond Morua
July 22, 2010

Tea with Colin Fraser
Before meeting with Colin, I had the opportunity to browse through his website; www.colinfrasergray.com. The website gave me a brief overview of Colin’s work, and his accomplishments. His work is mesmerizing; it jumps out and literally shakes your soul. This was the feeling it gave me from looking at the online photo’s, to see his artwork close up in real life was an experience all its own. From my research I came across interesting facts on Colin. In 2006 Colin rocked the city of Santa Barbara with his controversial sculpture “W”. The sculpture is a toppled, upside down McDonalds sign with green arrows shot into it. A very powerful piece that, I took as a stance against the corporatism that was running rampant at the time, and the head honcho known as “Dubya”.
During our time together Colin made it clear that his overall work is not politically motivated, but at the time, he “felt compelled to do “W”. Colin’s sculpture created such a ruckus that he would receive praise 4 times a day from the public, was covered in the news press 6 times in 6 months, and even made appearances on talk radio. A documentary was also made covering the positive and negative attention that “W” brought. Colin pointed out that he didn’t do it for the attention nor would’ve imagined that it would create the uproar that it did. But as we drank our tea and looked over the sketches that would soon become “W”, we both agreed that the American people were too complacent with the way things were being ran at the time and the lack of outspokenness is what motivated “W”.
Colin also erected the “Peace Monument” near the UCSB campus. Our conversation about the monument was very enlightening. The monument was built on the site were in the 1970’s over 700 people who were peacefully protesting were arrested and released the next day without charges. The design for the monument was inspired by Colin’s friend, cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien. Arrien has published a book titled the “The Four-Fold Way”. Using the practices of indigenous cultures she describes they ways to live a balanced life. Though the artist loves to sculpt and build, Colin made it clear that drawing is where the heart is.
Viewing Colin’s drawings, I thought to myself how astonishing it is for individuals to be this gifted. Colin states his “work is a story, that leaves you wondering what will happen next. The work continues and feeds off itself”. Although Colin does use color time to time, he prefers to draw in black and white. Colin likes the elegance that black and white drawings bring. The drawings that I was allowed to view were attention getting and thought provoking. Colin’s drawings definitely give the viewer an esoteric feeling, such as alchemy artwork.
This article is merely the tip of the iceberg that is Colin Fraser. I hope to continue and follow up with him; the short time that I spent with Colin was very illuminating and inspiring. With our interview coming to an end he declared that he wanted “to be part of a movement that brings drawing into more prominence… when [he] teaches, [he] creates new family members to the group. Drawing has been around since pre-historic man in caves and will continue well into the future”. The WAV offers an art walk every first Friday of the month, so get out there and enjoy the experience that is Colin Fraser.

Q & A with Paul Thorn

2010-08-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

Q&A With “Pimps and Preacher’s” Paul Thorn

By Raymond Morua
August 9, 2010

The night before my phone interview with Paul, I went onto his FaceBook page and saw that he was performing in Phoenix and was riding the #1 spot on the Americana Radio Charts. The next day I called the creator of “Pimps and Preachers” and had quite an entertaining conversation. Singers always sound different than the voices they project on their songs. Paul’s voice was real mellow and calm, it reminded me of Paul Newman’s Cool Hand Luke. Paul Thorn’s bio is on his website www.paulthorn.com, I wanted to avoid the usual barrage of questions he’s most likely encountered. Our conversation covered everything from his boxing days, thoughts on boxing legend Roberto Duran, pimp rides, women, groupies, tequila and the music business.

RM: How you doing Paul? How was your performance in Phoenix?

PT: Hey man, I’m good, thanks. It was good man, thankfully they had the AC on, we had a great turn out, and had us a nice waitress whose job was to take care of us all night. You don’t get that much in life.

RM: (Laughter), you sure don’t. So I was reading on your FaceBook page that your song “Pimps and Preachers” is #1 right now on Americana Radio. How does that feel?

PT: It feels good. This is actually the third week it’s stayed at #1 and I don’t know who gave who a sexual favor, but I’m thankful they did it. (Laughter from both of us) ya know what I mean.

RM: I’m sure it’s the song, the songs pretty good.

PT: Thanks man, Appreciate that. We try though, try to up our game if we can. Coming up with songs is hard.

RM: How do you come up with songs?

PT: I just wait till something happens, I can right a song everyday and be on Top 40 radio and I don’t want that to happen. I rather write something that means something. I want the big audience, but I’m not willing to become a puppet for some big company, I can’t do it.

RM: That’s good to hear, to often people end up selling their souls for five minutes of fame. So how was your experience performing in Ventura?

PT: It was great! Got to meet a lot of nice people, had a good time.

At this moment Paul ask me to hold on for a second, turns out he was in line buying a candy bar. Being somewhat of a boxing aficionado I was extremely interested in Paul’s time as a professional boxer and his bout with boxing legend Roberto Duran in 1988.

RM: On your website it states that you use to be a boxer, how did you get involved in the sport?

PT: That’s right, longtime ago. My uncle got me into it, was something my family was interested in. Turned out I was pretty good and was ranked 9th in the U.S. Middle Weight Class Division. I was most known for my loss in ’88 to Roberto Duran. Don’t know if you’ve heard of him.

RM: Oh I have, I love boxing. How was that fight?

PT: He is one of the best ever! I got my chance to get in there, it was a nice memory.

RM: I bet, I have a good question for you. Being that you actually been in the ring with Duran, what’s your take on the whole “No Mas, No Mas” incident with him and Sugar Ray Leonard?

PT: First of all, that’s a sore spot with me because we live in a world were you can do a thousand great things and if you have one bad night, that’s all they’ll remember you for. But to answer your question, it’s just my opinion and just a theory. First of all there’s nothing in him that’s a quitter, he’s proven that time and time again. Now, this might sound funny, but I think he had to go to the bathroom. I think he had diarrhea, that’s just my opinion, I think he had stomach problems and he was embarrassed. It’s just a theory; it’s what I think, because it’s so unlike him.

RM: My thoughts exactly, that’s a pretty good theory.

PT: Well, that’s what I think man; don’t go put that down in Wikipedia (laughter). This is someone who has knocked out over a hundred men and has been in numerous dog fights and never had any quit in him. Duran having to go to the bathroom is the only thing that realistically can make him quit. Being a former athlete, that’s the only thing I can think of.

RM: So with all that said and done, do you still train to stay in shape?

PT: Yeah, I still enjoy working out. I’m not in the shape I use to be in, but for a forty-six year old man, I’m in pretty good shape. You got to present yourself to the world the best way you can and you might bring out some “cougars”, who knows. (Laughter)

RM: Speaking of “cougars”, I’m pretty sure you get a lot of groupies on the road. How do you handle the groupie situation?

PT: I just shoot them in the eyes with pepper spray. (Laughter) ya know, got to do that sometimes ya know. Nah I’m cool, I’m just joking. Um, most people are cool and if not, I know how to get away from them.

After having a good laugh, we shifted gears on the topics.

RM: So Paul, when you’re out and about, what’s your drink of choice?

PT: When I drink I like to drink Patron Tequila, (Paul also has a song titled “Tequila” that you can find on YouTube). Straight up man. But right now man, my thing of choice is this candy bar I just bought, its called “A Bit of Honey”. It’s low in fat man, that’s good cause I got to keep my figure for the “Cougars”. Know what I mean? (Chuckling)

RM: I know what you mean buddy, I also love the “cougars”. Being that you grew up around a pimp, I’m pretty sure you got a lot of good advice on how to deal with the ladies. What would you say is the best way to impress a woman?

PT: Yup, sure did man. Um, don’t be so needy, quit calling them fourteen times a day, be confident and quit whining. (I let out an agreeing “HELL YEAH”) Ya feel me man.

RM: Sure do, in “Pimps and Preachers” you have a verse, “My daddy drove a Cadillac, my uncle drove a Ford”. Pimps are notorious for their clothing and rides. Was your uncle’s Ford a LTD?

PT: (Laughter) Uh huh, it actually was. But they always had new cars.

RM: I’m also guessing that your uncle had a cool pimp name, like Sugar Bear, Pimpin Ken, or Gator?

PT: Ha Ha Ha !!! He sure did, but he don’t want me to tell what it is, that stuff is a part of his pass.

RM: That’s understandable, what are three things you think every man should know?

PT: Um, wow, let’s see, with women; you can’t lose something you never had. That’s one thing. Guys try to hang onto women cause they think the woman loves them, but in reality never did. Another thing is, (pauses to snack on his candy bar) make sure you have no food on your teeth when you go out in public. That’s a good one to know. And take a bath everyday.

RM: Those are pretty good; the bath one is real good. There are some funky people out there. Well sir, thank you for your time and I’m glad you had a great experience here in Ventura. I wish you continued luck and success with your music career and I’ll do my best to spread the word about Paul Thorn.

PT: Well thanks man it was my pleasure, I wish you the same also, and thanks to Ventura for having me. Make sure you spread the word and not disease man.

RM: HA! Will do Paul.

Hopefully Paul Thorn comes back to Ventura County and gives us another outstanding performance, maybe at a bigger venue, like Borderline in Thousand Oaks. Make sure you stop by Paul’s FaceBook and add him. Also, you can go to www.paulthorn.com and download “Pimps and Preachers” for free and right now for the month of August you can get the album from www.amazon.com for $5.00.

Pimps And Preahers

2010-08-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

By Raymond Morua
August 4, 2010

BBQ, Preachers, Pimps, and Ventura Food Share

Just close your eyes and imagine that for a second, what a party huh? Zoey’s Café (old Club Hush for you Downtown socialites) held a Mississippi style BBQ to benefit Ventura’s Food Share on July 31st. The sold out event began with dinner at 6:30pm and went for $50 a person. The entertainment was just as good if not better than the BBQ. Zoey’s Café hosted Mr. Paul Thorn and his Band. A musician from Mississippi with a funky, jazzy, soulful, and bluesy type of sound.

Food Share is a food bank that distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry throughout Ventura County. The organization operates year round and has distribution networks all over the county. Food Share also has thirteen sites around the county that distribute healthy snacks to children’s after-school programs. The food bank receives donations from the community, grants from the government, and hold functions to restock the supplies. Food Share also has a reserve supply for military families and pushes extra hard for donations during the holiday season to help families have that traditional holiday meal. According to Food Share, “Children are the most vulnerable to hunger; 33% of emergency food recipients are children under 18. FOOD Share helps to feed and nourish these residents of Ventura County”.

The Food Share benefit brought the musical sounds of Paul Thorn. Now, Paul is just as interesting as his music. Shakespeare said, “Men and women are merely players, the world is but a stage and one man in his lifetime will play many roles”. Paul Thorn is one of those men. So far Paul has jumped out of airplanes, worked in a furniture factory, boxed four-time World Champion & Hall of Famer Roberto Duran (Very Impressive), and has opened for Bonnie Raitt along with many others. Paul was at Zoey’s Café to help out Food Share and promote his ninth album, “Pimps and Preachers”.

When I heard the title for the Album and song, I thought of the Bishop Don Magic Juan, “Green is for the money and gold is for the Honey”. But to my surprise it wasn’t your usual pimp song. Paul’s “Pimps and Preachers” is actually dedicated to his father and uncle. His father the preacher, his uncle the pimp and how both men played a significant role in his life. The song started off with a cool paced beat with jazzy guitar riffs, followed by Paul’s soulful voice. The song is a homage to the wisdom and experiences that was given to him by these men. The song is full of clever verses such as, “one was Satan’s angel, the other worked for the lord, they had some hard earned wisdom, they both became my teachers, I was a young disciple of pimps and preachers”. All of Paul’s songs had the crowd going; the music turned the dinner into a southern style party.

It was great to see such a huge turn out in support of Food Share and Paul Thorns music. Zoey’s Café also did a great job taking over their new spot and hosting the event. For further info to get involved with Food Share, go to their website; www.foodshare.com . Also, do yourself a favor and check out www.paulthorn.com , you can listen to “Pimps and Preachers” for free. I’m waiting to hear from Paul, so that we can do a one on one and ask what he thought of our hospitality and playing in Ventura for the first time. Stayed tuned.

Raymond Morua October 18, 2009 Global Assembly Line and Hungry for Profits

2010-07-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

Raymond Morua

October 18, 2009

Global Assembly Line and Hungry for Profits

Global Assembly Line and Hungry for Profits are two films that showcase the cause and effect of capitalism, unregulated globalization and the exploitation of the underdeveloped world. Both films date back at least twenty years but their disturbing truths still are very much alive today.

The Global Assembly Line goes behind the scenes of the mainstream media’s view of capitalism. The film shows that 500 hundred years after the conquest of the new world that the effects of colonialism still run rampant. “Capitalism as a social system requires access to new sources of cheap labor, land, raw materials, and markets” (Robinson 18). The Global Assembly Line portrays the effects of the re-location of factories from the U.S. to Mexico and the Philippines. The main reason for the re-locating of these factories is cheap labor. These corporate entities have descended upon the people of Mexico and the Philippines and have disrupted the family life of these people. The factories shown in the film hired mostly women. They claimed this was because women had smaller, steadier hands. The hiring of mainly women took the woman out of the home and off of the family cycle of sustainability. One lady being interviewed discussed how she was making $5 a day compared to someone in the States who was getting paid $6 an hour to perform the same task. The exploitation of cheap labor has caused for the displaced workers of the U.S. to have negative viewpoints of the people in Mexico and the Philippines, not understanding that it wasn’t the exploited people of these countries but rather the capitalist system they belong to. In Mexico they have reached out to the elites like the mayor of Cuidad Jaurez and have enlisted him in helping to clear any red tape that would keep these corporations out.

Hunger for Profits went into the world of agribusiness, and showed an example of neo-medievalism and neo-colonialism. The areas covered in the film were Latin America, and Africa. The film showed how transnational corporations have kept corrupt governments in place to further their profit gaining agendas. Agribusiness is definitely a form of colonialism. Hunger for Profits focused on the production of soybeans in Brazil and peanuts in Africa. These places are forced to grow and produce these crops for export purposes. The problem is that the people of these lands have no need for these crops and make no profit from them. Food products that could be harvested to sustain the population are denied for the preference of crops that reap profits for corporations and the elites of the given region. Agribusiness in Brazil has displaced farmers and locals from their land in the need for bigger acreage to produce their exporting crops. This has led to the rise in poverty, and shanty towns. The productions of these crops have also led to such misfortunes such as the degradation of the soil. These foreign crops destroy the soil making it almost impossible to grow anything else. Peanuts grown in Africa are a perfect example of soil degradation. The production of peanuts in Africa has destroyed the land and has created problems for the locals while it has brought riches to the exporting corporations.

These two films have shown the effects of capitalism and the post effects of colonialism. It showed that the people, land and resources of the underdeveloped world are nothing more than factors of production for first world corporations. The same reasons for colonialism are still the reasons of today. The countries of the developing world have not been given the opportunity to progress. They have been kept tied down by imperialism. They have been denied the option to participate equally in the current stages of globalization when in fact their suffering and hard work keep capitalism alive.

Works Cited

Robinson. Sociology 130LA. Print.

Study of Incompetency

2010-07-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

By Raymond Morua

December 9, 2009

Study of Incompetency

False intelligence, Plato’s the Allegory of the Cave, ignorance is bliss, all of these pertain to the illusion that many people fall under. Being kept in the dark oddly provides a feeling of contempt, a sort of mental slumber blocking out reality. Many people go through life believing what their told and what they see. This also affects the person’s perception of themselves. Some believe that because they had adhered to the confinements of society that they possess a great amount of knowledge or that they are smarter than they really are. This would be the issue that plagues many students. An article by Erica Goode reports on the study by Dr. David A Dunning highlighting the reality that incompetent people are too incompetent to realize they are incompetent.

Dr. Dunning discusses how many people who are incompetent lack the skills necessary to recognize their incompetence. One example they point out in the article is that people are bad at things that they think they are good at. This can easily be connected to students. Many students go through their academic lives believing that they know how to properly read a text book, or properly know how to study. When in reality their bad habits are slowing them down and keeping them reaching their full potential. The article goes on to claim that the reason for such behavior would be that they can’t recognize their own incompetence.

One example that stood out was when Dr. Dunning was comparing this to his college students. He used the example of how students who failed test would sit in his office for hours trying to explain and champion their wrong answers. This behavior clearly exemplifies the characteristics of an incompetent person. Lacking the ability to recognize and accept your faults and overconfidence are sure fire signs of incompetence. Another fascinating study resulted in the lack of ability of incompetent people to recognize competence in other people. The study consisted of competent and incompetent people grading the grammar test of their peers. The competent people where able to catch mistakes and also revised their own. The incompetent subjects were not able to catch the mistakes of other incompetent people and were unable to recognize the competence of competent people.

The article was very interesting and informative. It is quite amazing how many people are incompetent. I was left with many questions though. Is incompetency a natural trait or is it learned behavior? What can be done to help others overcome this? I even found myself questioning my own competency. I would like to believe that incompetency is a learned trait. Incompetency is definitely a problem with all people not just college students and I believe it can be curved with the improvement of basic learning skills.

O’Brien Brings Your Walls to Life

2010-07-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

By Raymond Morua July 2, 2010

O’Brien Brings Your Walls to Life

In downtown Ventura there is a building complex that stands out amongst its surrounding structures. It is known as the WAV, it’s an apartment complex that specifically houses artists of all genres. Today I had the privilege of interviewing one of the many talented residents. Her name is Erin O’Brien, and from the second she invited me into her studio I knew I was in for a treat.

Upon entering O’Brien’s studio the first item that catches your attention is a life like painting of three young boys. The painting was immaculate; the clarity was so precise that I could’ve sworn it was in HD. The beauty of this painting reminded me of another great painting done by a superb renaissance artist: “Portrait of the Artist Brother and Sisters by Sofonisba Anguissola”. Once inside I had the pleasure to make the acquaintance of O’Brien’s dear friend Betty. O’Brien was very humble, and without the help of Betty I wouldn’t have been able to pry some of O’Brien’s outstanding accomplishments out of her.

O’Brien is a California native and has been artistically active for most of her life. As a young girl she began mastering the portraits of pets. If any of you out there are animal lovers you might have recognized O’Brien’s murals at the animal hospitals in Ventura and Camarillo. The murals consist of dogs decked out in scrubs tending to their fellow animals. O’Brien stated that the best compliment she ever received was when a “Rottweiler was brought in and began to bark at my mural”. The artist prides herself on not being one dimensional. Her talents range from fine art on oil and acrylic canvases to murals, and illustrations for children’s books to faux finishes.

O’Brien’s expertise and professionalism have led to her creating murals and props for organizations such as CBS Studios, the Moorpark Melodrama Theater, Alliance Church, and the Simi Valley Women’s Club. The artist also expressed a desire and passion to teach her methods of faux finishes. When asked what exactly faux finish was O’Brien proudly proclaimed that it “Brings your walls to life”! O’Brien then gave me a huge smile and handed me some photos of hallways and kitchens, they were very beautiful. I was wondering why I was looking at tile and granite designs, it did however awaken my inner Bob Villa. O’Brien and Betty then pointed out that what I was looking at was not granite or tile, but the faux finishes that O’Brien excels at.

Erin O’Brien describes her art as “powerful and inspiring, designed to reach the souls of all who gaze upon her work”. As our time together came to an end, O’Brien reiterated that though she “creates different and original pieces of art, what pleases her most is the looks of overwhelming astonishment from the viewers faces of her finished products”. Before I left, I asked if there was a message that she wanted to get out, she proclaimed once again with her motto, “Bring your walls to life”! My visit with Erin O’Brien and Betty definitely left me hopeful and wanting more. During these hard economic times, I believe O’Brien’s work enlightens our dark age the way Raphael and Michelangelo enlightened theirs.

For info on faux finish classes or inquiries for paintings and murals, feel free to contact Erin O’Brien @ 805.501.2929 or eoart@aol.com

Response to: The Travels of a T- Shirt in the Global Economy

2010-07-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

Raymond Morua

November 11, 2009

Response to: The Travels of a T- Shirt in the Global Economy

Pietra Rivoli’s book examines the free market and the politics of international trade through the view of the textile industry. The first half of Rivoli’s book began at a slow pace. It was good in the aspect that she gave a history and background of the U.S.’s cotton industry and its evolution throughout the years. However it is not enough to keep the reader from the boredom she provides with her dedication to the Reinsh family of Texas. In the beginning of her book Rivoli makes a comment about backlashers not understanding the free market and the process of globalization. Throughout her book she never clearly states what it is that the backlashers don’t understand. Instead she comes up with this idea that the activist and corporations need each other, making it seem as if she’s giving corporations a free pass.

Rivoli claims to uncover the reality of world trade through a nonbiased lens, yet she highly favors the free market. When she attempts to explain the free market she just discusses the complexity of international trade, tedious trade regulations and the politics surrounding them. She fails to discuss and explain the effects that neo liberalism is having on Latin American and African countries. She makes absurd comments, she states that the developing world needs to sew, knit and harvest their way out of third world status. Rivoli fails to explain that the current free trade system is keeping Latin American, African, and Asian countries from developing.

When discussing mitumba markets in Dar Es Salaam she notes that their textile industry was hit hard in the 1990’s due to China’s rise but that they still have economic activity thanks to the United States hand me downs of discarded clothing. That’s like saying the ghettos are flourishing because we have programs like toys for tots and thrift stores. She talks about how they make dresses out of table cloths and recycle old clothes from the United States. That isn’t a thriving economy; this is people surviving at any cost necessary. It’s amazing how she thinks that it’s ok to give the people of Dar Es Salaam and other African cities hand me downs while developed nations constantly waist clothing. To further prove her favor of the free market she goes on to suggest that producing for export is the most effective industrial development ladder, that isn’t the case when it comes to the peanut industry in Africa that destroys the soil for other crops.

Throughout the book Rivoli fans the flames of fear against the Chinese and how they are winning the race to the bottom. She does acknowledge the large problems with the apparel industry but doesn’t go into further detail. Rather Rivoli goes on to state that thanks to the emergence of factories in China it has improved the lives of Chinese women who come from the farm. This is ridiculous; she also goes on to back this up by proclaiming that the women of the factories now get to buy dresses, cosmetics and so on. No where does she describe in detail how this is wrong or how these factories abuse women. It seems to be a common practice for corporations who set up shop outside the U.S. to exploit women. This can be seen with the maquiladoras in Mexico and Latin America. The factories in Latin America mainly hire and exploit women also. It surprises me that Rivoli is ok with this and does not exploit the abuses of women but rather gives the free market praise for “elevating” these women standard of living.

Pietra Rivoli does bring some interesting information to the table but not enough to cover up her bias thoughts of free trade. She tries to explain free trade and globalization through the textile industry. Rivoli leaves out other industries that also play a huge part in the global economy such as agribusiness. I don’t think trying to understand the textile industry is enough to educate people about the global economy. She also never questioned capitalism and its role, she just wrote on assuming that the free market is some uncontrollable entity destined to save the world. This book was very interesting none the less. The history of the American cotton industry and how it crowned it self king was very informative. Rivolis corny analogies, slow start and inane comments also made reading this book an unpleasant task.