I love puppies!

Semester ends with disappoinment and frustration

I'd say I'm ending this semester with a few less friends and a few more enemies, but who cares, anyway? People move in and out of this city, this university and the journalism program. I'm a nomad, afterall, and I know I'll be moving on as soon as I've gotten all I need from this place.

I just feel bad for those entering my situation.

Just a note on the goings-on of the Daily:

Ryan Sholin wrote an article outlineing some of the Daily's circumstances:

"Both advertising revenue and university funds pay to print the Spartan Daily, and our newsroom is housed in a university building. Most notably, the Spartan Daily is a class. Our advisers sometimes call this newspaper "the most public laboratory on campus."

For all those reasons, this newspaper doesn't call itself independent."

I have heard an endless number of complaints about the paper, many of which I brush off because anything short of "I love puppies" will likely be disputed by somebody.

The most compelling complaint, however, is that the Daily is not student-friendly. I knew this before I was on staff when I tried to submit a story to be published to then-executive editor and next term's copy editor, John Myers. I was given some harsh words about "I have 20 writers, how dare you think you have anything worth printing?" or so I took it as this.

To clear everything up: Students aren't encouraged to submit articles. Letters to the editor, yes, but "guest" columns are by staff writers. I guess the "guest" is there more for the spirit of things.

The other day, a letter appeared showing how a staff writer had completely botched the facts in an article about the Associated Students selecting a new legal counsel. The letter was printed, sure, but only with a next-day rebuttal from a former A.S. member saying the lawyer was just bitching and A.S. was right. (I find this funny because A.S. normally can't do anything right by the Daily, but when it makes the Daily look better, the editors will let it slide. But only once, OK, A.S.? We hate you!!!!)

This seems like a newspaper just doing what it should: accepting blame and reporting all sides of the story. But I bet if a the former executive editor (whose byline reads "special to the daily" *wink*), who had been following the story, had botched the facts, the letter wouldn't have appeared. The point is likely moot because he is a relatively thorough reporter with the exception of the insinuating headline that read something like: Minors drank at retreat. (It's fixed online, I might have the print copy). A small retraction was made matching the amount of consolation given.

The Daily printed a letter to the editor that read: "Dear editor, John Myers' Tuesday guest column on the lack of responsible conduct within the Associated Students is the most insightful opinion piece I have read ... "

Here's a little insight I have gained from writing for the Daily: the editorial staff repeatedly wrote pieces on what should happen and how A.S. should be more transparent and responsible. Myers went straight from the news stories to a "guest" column to say exactly what he had implied in his "news" stories:

"A new student government should have been elected to oversee $6 million of the San Jose State University student body's money."

I once overheard his homie asking if he was going to run for student government. What is this? If you can't join 'em, beat 'em?

I'm exercising my right to free speech to expose the Daily for the self-serving bunch they are (and likely will continue to be in the fall).

It can be seen by the way the editors are selected. The two faculty advisors ask the class to shout out the names of students to be on the three-person panel to advise on the executive editor process. These are either staff writers or graduating seniors.

The people running for executive editor apply and pitch a platform and someone is selected.

They then have free reign to choose the rest of the staff.

Interviews? Hmm, only in a pinch or for show. For the most part, it's "you're my homeboy, welcome aboard," or "you look good, you're hired."

Did I get this all right? I'm open for corrections.

Enough bitching. Here are some suggestions:

Have more of the staff of the J&MC overlook the Daily's activities. Like Greene and Mack (or his successor). Have more than the two advisors choose the editors. They are not immune to the "homie syndrome."

This committee should also select (or advise on the selection of) the rest of the editorial staff. If this is too much university control, then at least suggest that the executive editor give some sort of grammar test to the potentials.

After all, most of the work is correcting punctuation and grammar. The "news selection" process is mostly just ripping off Nacy Stake's news blips on the SJSU Web site.

The grammar intuition of next term's managing editor (all news stories go through him for the first round of editing) is to spell article as "artical."

And the new exec is already busy welcoming next term's writers. He apparently became confrontational with someone in the newsroom who was printing something before class. He gladly boasted his new title: I'm the executive editor!

<-- Daily photo.

In addition to all the duties of exec, he will apparently be enforcing J&MC printing policies as well. (Incidentally, there was next to nobody in the room, the whole affair was more likely about ego.)

I will be watching the Daily from afar next term, although I've been toying with the idea of staying on as a senior writer, if only to serve as in-house critic, but maybe not because my blogging about it has been something of a problem.

I was told that bringing internal dealings of the Daily into the public forum was taboo.

Holy shit. Hippo-crit.

All those arti-c-l-e-s calling for reform from other organizations are bullshit coming from the "band of brothers" that run the Daily.

I could go on and on... and I will... but I have finals.

Forget politics, let's dance!

I would like to state for the record that Israel is a nation, full of people and has social issues other than "the conflict."

The JSU had cake and cotton candy for Yom Hatzmaut and we had a visitor who insisted we were out to make a political statement.

He told us the answer is to fight racism! Yeah, OK, great. That's it, how could we miss it? New policy folks: ban all racism.

Back to the point: Israel is a country. There's more going on there than IDF soldiers and military strategies.

There are accomplishments and failures and social problems just like any other country. My comparative religions professor once told me that people hold the Jews to a higher standard, that they expect them to set a high standard for the rest of the monotheistic (and possibly beyond?) world.

Am I making a political statement if I am concerned with Israel's social issues?

My sentiment resonates with others

A clear and concise response to the infamous Israel column can be found on today's Spartan Daily.

A word on the effectiveness of criticism:

A political analyst observed, "The radical leftists in this country ... seem to have permanently disengaged from any meaningful political process. There can be passion from within the political process. Just because most of the apples are rotten doesn't mean we need to uproot the tree."

As a realist, I've come to the conclusion that many liberals have lost track of objectivity and have given way to emotion. A realist tries to think about what will and won't work, rather than polarizing issues and using extremes and ideals.

Also, I personally believe the people best-equipped to discuss and debate issues are the voting citizens of the country.

As popular as it is to bash Bush in Romania and Greece (the most recent places I have visited), I don't think it's as effective as dissent within the American citizenry.

In fact, it may be feuled by anti-American sentiment, whether justified or not.

Isn't anti-Americanism is a bad thing?

The political analyst I quoted before is right, though. What good is it when people with such passion disengage from the political process? How can they effect change from outside of the system?

The same holds true for Israel. Policy-makers respond to the citizens of the country. I'm not saying international opinion doesn't matter at all, but the members of the Kinesset will answer to their citizens first.

Is this unreasonable? Or would Israel-bashers have them respond first to the liberal babble coming out of the U.S. these days?

Is it hypocritical to have its citizens' interests at heart?

Krav Maga comes to SJSU

Today the Jewish Student Union brought the people of Krav Maga back to campus by popular demand! At 3 p.m., several students convened near the barbeque pits to watch a demonstration by Everest Pepper, director of training for the Academy of Self Defense in Santa Clara, Calif. He showed students how to disarm knives and guns, get out of chokeholds and "fight dirty."

Krav Maga is the fighting system used by the Israeli Defense Forces and is considered highly effective.

Students said they enjoyed the demonstration and expressed they planned to take advantage of two free weeks Pepper offered them.

Spartan Daily photographer, Zach, came by and took some shots of the action. Check tomorrow's Daily for the pics by one of the best photographers on staff.

Judicial process at SJSU

The judicial process at San Jose State University has left many students feeling like they were unfairly punished. I am investigated several instances of students who have gone through this process. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to meet the person in charge of the judicial process when I wasn't "meeting" her.

I'll try to put this in the Spartan Daily if it pans out.

Keep posted.

Dancing Bear Guesthouse

A place to stay in Western Massachusetts:

From Dancing Bear Guesthouse Web site:

We are proud to announce the opening of the Dancing Bear Guesthouse Bed & Breakfast on August 1, 2006. Known as Bear Haven since 1997, the Dancing Bear will occupy the historic Moses W. Merrill homestead built around 1852 in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.

The Dancing Bear will offer comfortable lodgings in historic elegance with continental breakfast. The Dancing Bear is a five-minute walk to Shelburne Falls' many attractions including the world famous Bridge of Flowers; Glacial Potholes; Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum; as well as fine cafés, restaurants, galleries, bookshops, and antique stores.

For reservations after August 1, 2006, call (413) 625-9281 or email us at info@dancingbearguesthouse.com.

Philip and Edith Bragdon

Innkeepers

Happy for the debate

I originally posted a reaction to Albach's column. Although I have been asked for an explanation, I won't give one. The title of this blog is "a personal account..."
I am not trying to use this in a professional capacity. What are blogs for if not people's reactions to what is printed in the media?
When I decided to be a journalist, I accepted that what I put in print is going to be read (hopefully) and praised and criticized.
I did not become a journalist to reaffirm my views.
Likewise, I did not become a journalist to evangelize my views.
The opinion pages are for people like Albach who want to do political commentary. As a huge supporter of the First Amendment, that's where opinions should be. Bear in mind that comments and reactions will not always be what you want them to be. If you are looking for reaffirmation, join a niche paper. Work for a liberal publication where your audience will agree with what you write. And that's fine.
All opinions are valid.
I have been asked for a calm reaction to Albach's column.
I thought it was inappropriately timed. Albach claims to see no connection between the Holocaust and criticism of Israel, but this is only from his perspective. Many Jews do see the connection. The way I feel, and many supporters of Israel feel, is that Israel is put to harsher criticism than other countries.
No, I don't hate Indians, I was making an analogy. I'll change the analogy if someone was offended. I hate to see that I may have offended someone I have respect for.
There's a holiday coming up: Israeli Independence Day. I think this day would be a very appropriate day to criticize Israel's legitimacy.
If my opinion is going to be muted by my fellow writers, that's fine. I prefer to stick to the news section.
But I still retain the right to have an opinion, whether or not it's deemed justified by others.

Mission accomplished!

Looks like I successfully insulted Banks. Woohoo! But unfortunately he was right about possible retribution for running my mouth. If only I had the opinion pages under my finger so I could "professionally" run my mouth.

Plea entered in Mardi Gras case

From the Spartan Daily
April 19, 2006

A San Jose State University student pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Monday morning at the Santa Clara County Superior Court to a charge of battery on a officer, stemming from a March 1 incident at a downtown Mardi Gras celebration.

Natasha Burton said she was heading home to Campus Village shortly after midnight when she was arrested for resisting arrest.

Burton filed a complaint with the SJPD internal affairs office alleging that Officer Shawn Rocha used excessive force on her.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office, she is being charged with a misdemeanor penal code 243(b), "battery on peace officer."

"The allegation is that the defendant slapped the officer or his person," said Michael Fletcher, supervisor of the misdemeanor department of the district attorney's office, in a phone interview.

According to her booking statement, she was arrested under Penal Code 148, which gives an officer the right to arrest somebody who "willfully resists, delays, or obstructs any public officer."

Burton said she was not informed that her charge was changed. Burton said the officer who drove her to the police station said the report stated Burton hit the officer's chest.

"The D.A.'s office can amend (the charges) any way they want," said Enrique Garcia, public information officer for the San Jose Police Department.

Burton's attorney, Kevin Reese, entered a plea of not guilty to Judge Mark Pierce at 9 a.m. Monday at the superior court.

Reese said he and Burton will return to court for a May 2 pretrial conference and will get a trial date soon after.

"The case may be settled by then, or they may dismiss the charges - hopefully," Reese said.

Fletcher said most misdemeanor cases are settled before they go to trial.

The prosecuting D.A. for Burton's case, Tony Piazza, was unavailable for comment.

"If the reports are an inaccurate account of what happened, it's in the defendant's best interest to settle," Fletcher said.

When a defendant pleads the charges before they go to trial, he can be punished less than the law proscribes, he explained. If the district attorney finds the police's account was inaccurate, the charges are dropped.

"If we can't prove a case or they're innocent, we dismiss the charges," Fletcher said.

Burton went to the Hedding Street courthouse accompanied by her mother, father, attorney and a member of the NAACP executive board.

Burton's mother said she has been in law enforcement for nine years in southern California, but requested her name not be used because of the nature of her work.

"I know she didn't do the things they said she did," said Burton's mother. "I'm looking for justice."

The Rev. Jeff Moore, an executive board member of the San Jose NAACP, was present in court "to make sure (Burton) is fairly treated." Moore said there is a deeper problem with how minorities are treated downtown.

"We want to make sure our black citizens of San Jose are treated fairly," Moore said.

Moore said he plans to talk to San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis about Burton's case.

"In the interest of justice, this case should be dropped," Moore said.

Jewish-Muslim tension at San Jose State

Find the Spartan Daily's coverage of this event here.

On Monday evening, Islamic Activist Amir Abdul Malik Ali and University of California-Berkeley Professor Hatem Bazian visited San Jose State University for a discussion on the historical beginnings of oppression from six to eight p.m. in the University Room of the Student Union.

The event, sponsored by SJSU Students for Justice and the Muslim Student Association, began with some tension when nine Jewish students and community members were present at the event, putting up posters and handing out postcards advocating Israel.

One poster, created by BlueStar PR of San Fransisco, read: "Where is the only place in the Middle East where women have the right to vote? Only in Israel."

After Students for Justice president Ali Rahnoma asked the Jewish students to remove their posters, the University Police Department arrived and asked that the posters be removed.

Some Jewish students took the posters off the walls and held them instead.

The first speaker, Bazian, began his speech by stating he is not an anti-Semite because he is Semitic.

According to the Miriam Webster dictionary, the definition of the term "anti-Semitic" is: "hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic or racial group."

While Bazian purports to be exempt from this term, it is clear he is not.

Beyond this hypocrisy, Bazian went on to use selected facts and figures to spin the issue.

"They want to erase Palestinians from history," Bazian said. This sounds eerily similar to the Iranian president's wishes for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

"Zionist Jews" and the "fundamentalist Muslims" could ping-pong back and forth all day making comparisons to other world events, but the one that gets me the most is the analogy of the Israelis to the Nazis.

Bazian likened the current Israeli government to the Nazi regime. He griped about how "the media gives stories about how violent Arabs are."

Bazian said under Muslim rule, Israel would have designated times for Jews and Christians to visit holy sites. He said they would be treated fairly.

Following what example? Is there a modern example of a peaceful Arab/Muslim country that treats Jews and Christians fairly? Christians in the West Bank already feel persecuted and synagogues were destroyed once Jewish settlers left Gaza.

In the true spirit of an "open forum," Bazian left once his speech was over.

"The second speaker, Ali, emphasized the concept of white supremacy fused with the notion of chosen people in relation to the attitude of the Zionists," reported the Spartan Daily.

This ignores a compelling bit of evidence: Jews, especially Jews in Israel are extremely diverse. This concept of "white supremecy" would work if you rely solely on stereotypes and misinformation. In Israel, the first people I saw were Asian Jews, followed by Eastern European, Ethiopian, Yemenite, Iraqi, Moroccan and Russian.

Last night I went to a Passover Seder that was conducted in Spanish and included Mexiacan, Hawaiian, Spanish and Bolivian Jews. You can find my srticle about it in the next Jewish Community News of Silicon Valley.

A "white supremecy" mentality just wouldn't fly with this group.

At the end of the discussion, Ali took questions from the audience. David Ben-Israel, a Jewish student studying business and international relations, asked several questions, to which people responded with hostility.

A man sitting behind Ben-Israel suggested the two "take it outside."

Tell me again how it's unfair when the media portray Arab Muslims as violent or hostile?

Some Jewish students react to the speakers
Some Jewish students expressed their disappointment at the SJSU-sponsored "Voices for Palestine" forum.

"I don't think the university should be sponsoring hate-speech," said Andrew Schwartz, president of the Jewish Student Union.

"They can talk about Palestinians' daily lives, that's fine. Just don't talk about killing Jews," Schwartz said.

Some students said they didn't think Mosaic Cross Cultural Center should have supported the event.

"What really got to me was when David Ben-Israel asked Mosaic, 'if this is a forum, why won't they let us speak?' She said, 'Well, if you don't like it, you can leave,'" said Jonathan Roth, a former SJSU student.

"Don't call yourself diversity-inclusive if you're not going to let other people speak up at an event, and especially don't tell them flat out they can leave."

Graduation so close, I can almost taste it

The other day I dragged my friend aside and forced him to fill out his graduation application. He's known for some time that he'll be graduating in December. I've only just figured it out.

What could possibly hold somebody back from graduating? Paying back student loans? As scary as that may be, I think $42 a month is feasible.

I worked in the 'real world' and trust me, all the phonies and fakes that infiltrate the campus are there, too. They graduated and got real jobs.

Thinking about my own situation, I can't wait. I'm almost ready to drop the whole bit now and go seek my fortune. A degree? My father, who holds a Master's, always said a degree got him nothing. My mother, who never finished her degree, thinks all her life's failures are because she is degree-less.

But, better safe than sorry.

On our way to "Google mastery"

From the J132 blog

By Laura Rheinheimer

In the 10:30 Journalism 132 class, we are honing our search skills, to say the least. Certainly everyone didn't come into the class knowing the ins and outs of, say, Alexa, but we all have a bit of knowledge on the giant search engine, Google.

As Professor Stephen Greene has said repeatedly, Google is "almost good enough." This is true. Consider you have a story to write that is due on Sunday. You slacked and didn't make all the necessary calls during the week when offices were open and sources for the story were available. You have one piece of information on the story. Can you google an entire story without ever having talked to sources? If the answer is yes, we are truly doomed and there's really no need for journalists. Fine, I'll admit it. This happened to me this week. I have an "almost good enough" story that was done almost purely from googling the specifics of the story and using notes from a previous story for the rest. I won't turn it in, though. Nobody will ever see it. "Almost good enough" is not good enough for a journalist.

I, for one, appreciate our painful quizzes on Internet searching. The Internet has undoubtedly made the work of a journalist easier, but as a result, more is expected of us. We must be able to search under pressure if we want to meet these demands. This is in addition to the time-tested method of "GOYA" that journalists live by ("get off your ass" meaning get out there and talk to people).

The invasion of the bloggers (I include myself in this insinuating term) has led to a new paradigm for journalists. The problem is that everyone is online. Every opinion, every issue, every side can be found on the Internet. You can take a position, no matter how illogical and ridiculous, and find sources to back it up on the Internet. An article in the College Hill Independent, an indy weekly publication by Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design students, stated, "It's amazing how the Internet lets all the crazy people find one another and combine knowledge and speculation."

How true it is.

Take a subject. Any subject. One that personally offends me is Holocaust denial. Look to The Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust to discover why the Holocaust was just a ploy to rally support for the Jews, but never really happened.

Another favorite is Creationism. You can find all the "scientific" evidence you need from sources found online. And pretty pictures to match, courtesy of Google Images.

According to the Institute for Creation Research’s John Morris, Ph.D. (a degree issued by Bob Jones University, I’m sure), the earth’s geologic strata was created during the great flood of Noah, not over millions of years of sediments accumulating under water as geologists generally conjecture.

I’m not knocking Google. It’s great. It has masked my procrastination and laziness on several occasions (barely). More than that, it has served as a way to bring people together, make information available and generally enlighten mankind. I was appalled when I found a young man in London who didn’t know how to go online. I promptly set him up with an e-mail account and tricks of the trade on surfing the Net.

"Being able to find things on the Internet used to be a nice skill to have, but how it's becoming more and more of a necessity," Greg Hughes said.

Who is Hughes? I don't know. I found him when I googled the term, "google master." However, I liked what he had to say, so I’ll make him a credible source. After poking around his blog, I can cite him as "Greg Hughes, a technology and security writer." Alright, maybe this guy is alright, but the point is not moot.

The point is a cautionary one. I think "Google Master" is a valuable, essential skill to have, but it does not serve as a replacement for real, investigative journalism. GOYA.

I've expolited this opportunity to provide a link to my blog. Also, I encourage everyone to push for having JMC sever space available to students to create Web sites.

What you hear when you're listening

Standing in line at the Health Center, I heard a young woman's phone conversation. I wasn't merely eavesdropping, I was doing so intently. The English words were disguised and the letters all mixed up. But, as every good child should, I learned Pig Latin when I was young, and was able to determine that she was telling the person on the other end about her boyfriend's Monday night arrest. I understood that he was arrested for two outstanding warrants, but, she insisted, he was wronfully detained in regard to his involvement in a fight.

"Better be careful," I chided. "I understood every word."

She smiled at me and sort of shrugged apologetically. I was called to the nurses' desk.

I caught up with the woman after we had both finished in the Health Center.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but it's my profession," I said. "You know I was there for the fight on Monday, and I got your boyfriend's name from the police report. Would you mind having him get in touch with me? I'm doing a story on it for the Spartan Daily and I'd like to get his side."

She went into how he was just trying to break up the fight and was arrested for unrelated charges.

And so I add this point to my previous story that never went into print at the Spartan Daily. (A good news bit and poor victim of two people's egos.)

Israel has no choice but to defend itself

Guest column
Laura Rheinheimer
Posted: 3/7/06

Can Israel be reasonably expected to negotiate a road map with a political party/terrorist group that opposes its existence swearing repeatedly that it will not back down?

Israel has a right and an obligation to defend itself. It is truly twisted to say Israel should continue to support an organization that has for years tried - and for all intents and purposes still tries - to effect the violent demise of an independent Israel with a Jewish majority. Expecting Israel to continue to support such an organization, whether they're legitimately elected or not, is a patent misreading of the complicated politics of conflict resolution.

The actions and words of Hamas speak for the intentions of the group. Article 13 of the Hamas charter states that initiatives and international conferences are not an option:

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."

Hamas stated that it refuses to amend its anti-Semitic charter that calls for the destruction of Israel. After the Hamas victory in the elections, Hamas said it would "absolutely never" recognize Israel. It's like asking Jews to negotiate with the Nazis.

Sharon would not have done any different than Israel's acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with regard to money. No rational Israeli leader would have continued the flow of money to Hamas before a complete recognition of Israel's right to exist and a renunciation of violence. To expect them to do any different, again, is folly.

Cutting tax revenues is not intended to "punish the Palestinians," it is intended to protect Israeli citizens. Many sing the praises of Hamas for providing services like education and healthcare to the Palestinian people, and view it as the reason Hamas was elected.

Hamas has provided some medical care and services but it was not elected for that reason. By most objective standards, Hamas was elected because Fatah was perceived to be corrupt, not because people know Hamas to be a pacifistic organization whose members run around strapping baguettes and brie to their chests. If anything, it's specifically because Hamas is anti-Israel - violently so - that it was able to come to power.

Hamas uses the educational system to indoctrinate Palestinian children. Ask Nonie Darwish, the daughter of a martyr, about learning jihadist chants in grammar school in Gaza.

"In Gaza elementary school, we learned hate, revenge and retaliation," Darwish said in a Feb. 14 discussion held at the Sainte Claire Hotel. "Criticism and questioning were forbidden."

Hamas continues to provide this "free" propagandist education.

To say it has abided by the ceasefire is false and contrary to Hamas' own statements. The ceasefire was an agreement between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made in early 2005. Hamas promptly said it was not party to the ceasefire, and said it would continue to pursue control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel.

Qassam rockets, unguided makeshift steel rockets developed by Hamas, have been consistently launched from Gaza into Israel, targeting civilians. The British Broadcasting Corporation credited Hamas with five rocket attacks launched into Israel in May in two separate attacks. Recent attacks in September, said to be the work of Hamas, were aimed at Israeli communities.

Instead of whitewashing Hamas' rampant anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism and ignoring the huge steps Israel has made toward peace, like the Disengagement Plan, Israel should not be held to a double standard if both sides are truly dedicated to their commitments.

Hamas is probably going to renounce violence, eventually, once it gets a real government established that has control over the Fatah-run security forces. It is totally unrealistic, however, to expect either Israel to keep funding what is still a terrorist organization or Hamas to up and renounce violence just when it has come to power.

It is true that the pursuit of peace has no room for extremists. Suggesting that extremist Hamas should be funded by the very people it is sworn to destroy is not a pragmatic approach.

Laura Rheinheimer is a Spartan Daily staff writer. Guest columns appear every other Tuesday.

Fight erupts in heated soccer match

By Laura Rheinheimer

A fight broke out between two soccer teams 9:30 Monday night in Spartan Complex 44B after members of the teams clashed in what was said to be an intensive match.

Shortly after starting the match, the "intensity of the game" erupted into a fist fight, said witnesses.

Two members of Associated Students, who were refereeing the game, said they called the university police department after the violence began.

A man was arrested in front of the Event Center at around 10 p.m.

UPD reported arresting Angel Serratos for an outstanding warrant.

The Freedom and Conquerors teams were playing against each other in the quarter-finals of the 2006 indoor soccer men's playoffs.

Several members of the Freedom team said most of the other team ran from the area, and said two men from the team were arrested.

Adil Asslam, of the Freedom team, said he was punched in the brawl.

Ismail Jorio, also of Freedom, said the fight began when a player from Freedom went for the ball and a member of the Conquerors "jumped on him and pushed him real hard."

"Both teams were involved," said an unidentified A.S. member who refereed the game.

"The games usually have really good rivalry," said another A.S. member who wrote an official report of the incident for A.S.

Students take on SJPD after alleged Mardi Gras incident

From the Spartan Daily
By Laura Rheinheimer
Date: 3/6/06
Section: News

Two female San Jose State University students have enlisted the help of the NAACP after filing charges against the San Jose Police Department for allegedly using excessive force during Tuesday's Mardi Gras celebration.

Natasha Burton and Sharetta Henderson have asked Rick Callender, president of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to help in their allegation of police misconduct on early Wednesday morning, when SJPD were attempting to keep crowds under control.

Callender said several of the women involved have been interviewed by the Santa Clara County civil grand jury about the incident.

SJPD arrested 25 people and issued 238 citations during the Mardi Gras celebrations in downtown San Jose. Four people were stabbed and several cars were vandalized Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, said SJPD public information officer Enrique Garcia.

Burton, a junior majoring in sociology with a minor in criminal justice, who said she wants to be a parole officer, was arrested on charges of resisting arrest in front of City Hall as she and others were heading to campus slightly after midnight on Wednesday morning.

Burton said her mother is a police officer in Southern California.

She and Henderson allege that the police used excessive force after telling the women to go home. Others in the group have made similar claims but say they will not file complaints against the SJPD.

SJPD spokesman Nick Muyo said Internal Affairs will run its course to "find out if there's any misconduct on the part of police."

On a video recorded by CBS Channel 5, a woman later identified as Henderson can be seen whacked on the leg by a nightstick.

Police have identified the officers involved but have not yet identified the witness seen on the CBS video, Muyo said.

What is crucial is what happened in the 15 minutes before the incident, said San Jose Police Chief Rob Davis in a CBS television interview.

The witness, who asked that his full name not be used, said he was the only witness to the incident.

"I saw it from beginning to end," said the witness. "They didn't do nothing to provoke the cops to bring out their billy clubs and knock that girl to the ground."

He said he saw a woman arrested after an officer beat her and was told by another officer to arrest her.

"They're cops - they're not supposed to do stuff like that," he said.

Callender said he reviewed four independent tapes of the women and police clashing in front of City Hall. He said an officer swung at Henderson and she swung back. Another officer swung from the top and barely missed Henderson, Callender said.

"The whole thing is dirty," Callender said. "There's multiple violations here. What you have is an issue of force."

In a meeting on Thursday evening with the women involved, Callender said Internal Affairs has not found one complaint valid over the past five years.

Callender said the problem is part of a deeper problem of the mistreatment of "black and brown" in the downtown area.

"This happens a lot," Callender said.

He said the NAACP will pick up a class action suit against the SJPD.

"I'd like to see that officer disciplined or removed from the force," Callender said. "I believe (Henderson) has a civil action. We have so many black and brown folks being arrested for resisting arrest. They don't understand it's a misdemeanor."

Callender said he will ask Police Chief Davis to drop the charges against Burton.

"It's really offensive to me as a woman who respects the law," Burton said.

Police accused of excessive force during Mardi Gras

From the Spartan Daily
Online exclusive
By Laura Rheinheimer
Date: 3/3/06 Section: News

Three San Jose State University students say police used excessive force during the Mardi Gras celebration earlier this week.

SJSU student Tasha Burton, who was arrested on charges of resisting arrest early Wednesday morning, has filed a complaint against a San Jose Police Department officer, alleging that he used excessive force when he restrained her near City Hall as she was leaving the celebration at around 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Two other SJSU students, Sheretta Henderson and Andreana Bates, have already spoken with SJPD's Internal Affairs about the alleged police brutality, Bates said.

Officer Enrique Garcia, a spokesman for SJPD, said he "can't offer any comment on it" because there is an internal investigation on the allegations.

"We're really not in a position to judge anything," Garcia said.

The alleged incident occurred when violence erupted in downtown San Jose late Tuesday evening and into early Wednesday morning, which led to four stabbings, 25 arrests and 238 citations issued by the police.

Bates said that she plans on filing a formal complaint against the SJPD and thinks Henderson will do the same.

A tape recorded by CBS Channel 5 shows a group of female SJSU students in an altercation with police near San Jose City Hall and shows one of the women being visibly struck by an officer with a baton. The woman, later identified as Henderson, can also be seen arguing with officers before she was hit with the baton.

Bates said in a phone interview that she was struck by an unidentified female officer after being told by police to go home.

"It didn't hurt, but the fact still remains that she hit me," Bates said.

Burton said she was with the group and alleged that an SJPD officer swore at her, pushed her with a baton and beat her.

"He smashed my face into the concrete like I was a piece of trash," Burton said.

Burton said she was on Fourth Street headed toward City Hall to retrieve her friend, Kimberly Larry, when an officer stopped her. Burton said the officer told her that City Hall was "off limits" and swore at her.

"He was so angry at me right off," Burton said.

Larry said while one officer confronted Burton, another two "snatched me up by the hood and (punched) my back."

Burton said the officer started cursing at her.

"I'm a woman and I know my rights," Burton said she responded to the officer.

Burton said the officer became violent after she asked for his badge number and he pushed her down.

"It's really offensive as a woman who respects the law," said Burton, a junior majoring in sociology with a minor in criminal justice, who wants to be a parole officer.

She said her mother is a police officer in Southern California.

Burton said she was considering trying to work for the SJPD. After the incident, she said she is rethinking her career.

The group of eight women were walking on Fourth Street slightly after midnight when they clashed with police, said some of the women involved.

"It was so surreal, like something out of a movie," said Barbara Powell, a junior majoring in marketing, who claims she was pepper-sprayed by police but will not file a complaint.

Detective Sgt. Edward Schroder will head the Internal Affairs investigation.

Officer Erin Fong of Internal Affairs said the investigation will go through a process of steps, including scrutiny by the Independent Police Auditor office.

Discipline could be ordered if the case is proven true, said Fong. According to an Internal Affairs document, allegations can be proven if it is "more likely than not that the misconduct occurred."

San Jose nightlife begins and ends on First Street

From the Spartan Daily
Online exclusive
By Laura Rheinheimer
Date: 3/3/06 Section: Entertainment

The bars and clubs on South First Street run the gamut for party-goers. In the past year, many of them have switched ownership and atmosphere. This semester's smorgasbord of venues offers new themes and some bars and clubs offer something for all types of celebrators.

Whether looking for a rowdy sports bar, high-energy dance club, cool night of billiards or urban experience, the South First Street establishments should meet the needs of the San Jose bar and club scene.


Scores Bar and Grill, 417 S. First St.

Scores Bar and Grill, formerly known as Zoe's, has an atmosphere that implies more than keeping sports tallies. The bar managers, two San Jose State University alumni, draw from their experience at other bars, engaging bar-goers in group shots and shouting.

On "Sunday Funday," David Brenner, a former SJSU Pike, got on a microphone and called for everyone to drink together.

"The bar is open now, but the real fun will begin when the mechanical bull arrives on March 14 for the grand opening," said Regina Evans, general manager of Scores. "For now, there's a boxing ring onstage, air hockey and dancing poles on the bar."

The management hopes to establish this newly opened bar as a hotspot for SJSU students.

"This is the only sports bar downtown for SJSU," said bar manager Johnny Escobar.

He says that students will always get a discount if they show their school IDs.

Scores is the "Coyote Ugly of San Jose," said Evans.


Sofa Lounge, 372 S. First St.

Up a narrow stairway, Sofa Lounge has the feeling of an old jazz club from prohibition times. The décor is part vintage, part modern, and the dimly-lit rooms lend to the urban feel.

The velvet couches and bed in the back room allow for people to lounge and escape the thumping decibels. The stage and bar in the front room make some nights feel like a crowded, trendy club.

Co-owner Tim Middlefield said he and partner Michael Borkenhagen opened the lounge a year ago for "people looking for a San Francisco vibe."

Sofa has varying genres of music on different nights of the week, including an '80s-themed Wednesday night and a jazz workshop on Sundays.

On Thursdays, the usually open area is split into two separate spaces for "Velvet Shop," when the front room tends to fill up and feel like a trendy, crowded bar, and the back room allows some breathing room.

Sofa, with a view overlooking the street, brick walls, modular furniture and modern wall art, captures the feeling of a bar on San Francisco's Fillmore Street.


Angels, 400 S. First St.

This high-energy dance club caters to professional partiers. The style and atmosphere of Angels feels like a dance club in Ibiza. From the glittering sign outside to the white leather seating inside, Angels presents a place for a hard-core club experience.

Angels Lounge is not for the weak-hearted. The techno and dance music thumps at high volumes and is very dance-oriented.

The club also offers many VIP spaces and holds private parties and cocktail parties for special occasions.

Clubbers be warned: Go to Angels for the experience, not for an inexpensive place to get a drink.


South First Billiards, 420 S. First St.

South First Billiards is a large, clean space with 29 pool tables and plenty of space left for seating. The tables are spread out, allowing ample room for the professional pool player and the amateur. There are also separate spaces for a more private setting. The billiards offer $10 flat rate pool to students on Wednesday evenings.

The front of the 14,000-foot space serves as a lounge and offers a full menu, 12 beers on tap, a full bar and disc jockeys and live music on the weekends. There is also an 18-foot TV screen.

South First Billiards, which has been around for 12 years, is an ideal setting for friends looking for a clean, classy place to play pool and enjoy a beer.

Police clean up Mardi Gras

Four people were stabbed and several cars vandalized in Tuesday’s Mardi Gras celebration, said Enrique Garcia, press information officer for the San Jose Police Department. Police made 25 arrests and issued 238 citations, Garcia said.

All of San Jose police special forces and swing shift monitored the area as well as undercover officers in the crowds, totaling over 200 officers.

Officers wore shielded helmets and formed a line with nightsticks in hand and pushed the impeding crowd away from Santa Clara and Second Streets, which has been a problem area in past Mardi Gras celebrations.

“Toon’s is usually good for a stabbing,” said Officer Ed Conover about the nightclub on 52 E. Santa Clara St.

Lt. James Werkema said the police try to keep the crowds moving. Trouble “just moves with the crowds,” Werkema said.

Miranda Radland of San Jose said the police wouldn’t allow her access to her car.
“Every time we turn a corner, they tell us to walk another two blocks,” said Radland. “I’ve walked 20 blocks.”

Some party-goers said the police presence was overdone.

“They’re overdoing it,” said Rick Martin, a San Jose resident. “I think they’re causing more problems than anything.”

Officer Brian Daley said the police response was “measured.”
“That means just the right amount,” Daley said.

Several cars were vandalized on Fourth Street and St. James Street.

The windows of a BMW M3 were shattered and the roof, hood and trunk dented, leaving a skeleton of what was a once-shiny sports car.

“What happened was a whole bunch of people came through here and your car got stomped,” said the officer responding to the vandalism.

All they can do if file a report the following day, said the officer.

“The cops told us to clean up our mess—that’s really low,” said Ryan, a friend of the car’s owner.

Both police and bar patrons said youngsters who cannot drink are problematic because they crowd the streets, vandalize and cause fights.

“There’s supposed to be a big old party—but I guess not,” said Jamie Pelkey, who drove with friends from Oakland to have fun, but said he was not old enough to go into bars.

The San Jose police said they had warned people not to come to the area unless they had a place to go, Daley said.

Marvin Dulay, a SJSU alumnus, said three years ago people were having a good time.

“Now there’s just police,” Dulay said.

“It’s this whole new world order,” said Fernando Julian Perez, a SJSU junior majoring in radio, television and film. It’s excessive force, said Julian Perez.

Last year, there were 45 arrests and 170 citations. “We still have a problem, but it’s getting better,” said Daley.

Houssein Khani, a San Jose State University sophomore majoring in biology, said he planned to stay out of trouble.

“I wore my running shoes,” Khani said.