Obama's State of the Union; professors react.
By Andrew Roiter
Senior News Editor
On Wednesday, Jan. 27, President Barack Obama began his State of the Union speech by saying, “Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the president shall give to Congress information about the state of our union. For 220 years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty.” This conventional opening preceded what many considered to be a very unconventional speech.
At least two MCLA professors were among the 48 million people who tuned into the President’s State of the Union Address. Professors Petra Hejnova and Robert Bence of the political science department had unique but somewhat similar views on the speech.
“I thought it was a well constructed, effectively delivered speech,” Bence said, “he had some of that old campaign flare again.” Professor Hejnova had similar praise for the speech, “Especially if you compare it to the Virginia governor’s response, I think it was a powerful speech. Will it be remembered in 50 years? Probably not. But it was a good speech.” One of the things that both Hejnova and Bence were surprised by was the way that the President delivered his speech.
“On one hand he seemed to hold out a carrot, but he showed that he still has the stick,” Bence said in reference to the somewhat combative nature of his speech.
Hejnova said, “I was pretty surprised at his form. And directly addressing the Supreme Court was a big surprise.”
Hejnova made a point about one of Obama’s statements in the speech that changed its meaning. “He said that by August we would remove all combat troops from Iraq. Not all troops, combat troops.” She then compared it to Obama’s promise to begin removing troops from Afghanistan in 2011, making reference to the fact that he did not say how many troops would be removed and when.
Both professors agreed that for MCLA students the most important promises made were the one’s regarding student debt forgiveness, tax credits for college students and job creation.
For the complete transcript of Obama’s address, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/remarks-of-president-barack-obama-address-to-joint-session-of-congress/.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The MCLA Beacon 2/4/10 Story 1
Alcombright, Grant Discuss Local Business
By Andrew Roiter
Senior News Editor
Cup and Saucer, The Alley and Moulton’s General Store are the most recent victims of the largest economic contraction since the 1930s. Newly instated North Adams Mayor Dick Alcombright and MCLA President Mary Grant have their own ideas on how to help North Adams businesses, and they mostly involve the 990 resident MCLA students.
“I think MCLA and the MCLA students are very important to the Northern Berkshire community. ... The more students are out and about the more the local businesses will say ‘Wow, that’s a pretty big customer base!’” said Grant.
Alcombright has similar beliefs. “The students are residents [of North Adams]. We’ve got to say, ‘How do we service that group?’”
Both Grant and Alcombright have ideas on how to get MCLA students to utilize the local businesses. Alcombright said that the city is putting together a new Merchant’s Group, a rebirth of the old Downtown Group that will include all North Adams businesses. The group will meet to discuss how to increase business foot traffic. “I think what we have to do at some level is make the stores more appealing to students,” Alcombright said. “The movie theater should also be showing more independent and diverse films.”
Sophomore Aaron Crawford said, “Businesses should incorporate the meal plan [to get more business].” Grant has said that her administration is actively working on a plan for declining balance to work with the local businesses. They are currently considering several options. Art is considered to be one of the biggest aspects of North Adams culture. Mass MoCA, for instance, is the largest museum of Modern art in New England. And for some students it’s the only reason they go into town.
“I only go downtown about once a month. And Mass MoCA is pretty much the only place I go,” said senior Teisha Twomey. “I think they’ve got the right idea with their free-for-all day. Students usually don’t have a lot of money.” But the responsibility isn’t only on the businesses to attract more students. “Part of it is getting out there and finding out what’s in [your] own backyard,” Grant said. She mentioned that there are many businesses that she loves in North Adams that are a little tricky to find, but are perfect for college students.
Alcombright summed up what he wants to change in North Adams in a few words: “I’ve met with people who graduated, and the one thing they remember best is Jack’s Hot Dog Stand. We need to offer more of a memory than Jack’s ... though it’s a wonderful memory.”
By Andrew Roiter
Senior News Editor
Cup and Saucer, The Alley and Moulton’s General Store are the most recent victims of the largest economic contraction since the 1930s. Newly instated North Adams Mayor Dick Alcombright and MCLA President Mary Grant have their own ideas on how to help North Adams businesses, and they mostly involve the 990 resident MCLA students.
“I think MCLA and the MCLA students are very important to the Northern Berkshire community. ... The more students are out and about the more the local businesses will say ‘Wow, that’s a pretty big customer base!’” said Grant.
Alcombright has similar beliefs. “The students are residents [of North Adams]. We’ve got to say, ‘How do we service that group?’”
Both Grant and Alcombright have ideas on how to get MCLA students to utilize the local businesses. Alcombright said that the city is putting together a new Merchant’s Group, a rebirth of the old Downtown Group that will include all North Adams businesses. The group will meet to discuss how to increase business foot traffic. “I think what we have to do at some level is make the stores more appealing to students,” Alcombright said. “The movie theater should also be showing more independent and diverse films.”
Sophomore Aaron Crawford said, “Businesses should incorporate the meal plan [to get more business].” Grant has said that her administration is actively working on a plan for declining balance to work with the local businesses. They are currently considering several options. Art is considered to be one of the biggest aspects of North Adams culture. Mass MoCA, for instance, is the largest museum of Modern art in New England. And for some students it’s the only reason they go into town.
“I only go downtown about once a month. And Mass MoCA is pretty much the only place I go,” said senior Teisha Twomey. “I think they’ve got the right idea with their free-for-all day. Students usually don’t have a lot of money.” But the responsibility isn’t only on the businesses to attract more students. “Part of it is getting out there and finding out what’s in [your] own backyard,” Grant said. She mentioned that there are many businesses that she loves in North Adams that are a little tricky to find, but are perfect for college students.
Alcombright summed up what he wants to change in North Adams in a few words: “I’ve met with people who graduated, and the one thing they remember best is Jack’s Hot Dog Stand. We need to offer more of a memory than Jack’s ... though it’s a wonderful memory.”
Monday, February 1, 2010
Beacon Work Spring 2009
www.tinyurl.com/RoiterBeacon
This is the work I did with the Beacon MCLA Newspaper in Spring of 2009. I will have to post individual stories from here on out as the new site has no archives.
This is the work I did with the Beacon MCLA Newspaper in Spring of 2009. I will have to post individual stories from here on out as the new site has no archives.
"Before They Were Cool"
This is a link to all of the podcasts of the show, "Before They Were Cool" that I did with Eddie Damon, it's currently on hiatus.
http://zviosif.hipcast.com/rss/btwcep1.xml
http://zviosif.hipcast.com/rss/btwcep1.xml
Andrew Roiter
This is the Portolfio for Andrew H. Roiter. With links to all of my journalistic, design and writing work that is available on the internet.
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