Sept 14, 2012 I The Clarion
Campus News
Page 3
Is America
in decline?
By Henri Erti
Contributor
The race for the Presidency has started, and
once again the American people can decide
what sort of panacea would solve the current
malevolent situation. Although the debates
are dominated by the nadir economy and
growing unemployment, a more fundamental
and evocative question needs to be asked: Are
we declining as a nation?
Perhaps this bold question has been
dodged in many discussions simply due to
its grotesque and opaque nature. However,
the current inimical situation in the USA
forces us to bring this question to the
table. Unfortunately, the adamant belief
in the American Dream and American
Exceptionalism have become such accepted
truths, that thinking or suspecting otherwise
is considered unpatriotic, or in this case,
anti-American, and practically treasonous.
It is precisely such detrimental chronic
fallacies, which will exacerbate the demise
of the American leadership and prevent any
reasonable progress to be made in order
to regain the American dream and global
leadership.
The adherents of American Exceptionalism
tend to build their bulwark with outdated
assumptions and ignore cold statistical
research. According to the OECD study, the
USA ranks 11th on research and development,
27th on life-expectancy, 84th on domestic
savings rate, 86th on optimism for future
employment. Furthermore, a study conducted
by PISA shows that the American children
rank 14th in reading, 17th in science and
25th on math. Shockingly, USA ranked 55th
in literacy, which should be alarming to all
of us.
See 'decline,' page 12
Publication
Party!!!
Tuesday, September 18
7 p.m.
Porter Center Lobby
Come support the Chiaroscuro!
Outing Club Q&A
By Carolina Anderson
staff Writer
Preview of Outing Club: Interview with
President Christina Furr, Senior Psychology
& WLEE (Wilderness Leadership and
Experiential Education) Major from Front
Royal, Virginia.
Q: What is Outing Club?
The Outing Club gives its members the
opportunity to be in a group of people that
share a love of the outdoors and outdoor
activities, as well as the opportunity to
practice leadership skills, learn new skills and
improve on others.
Q: What are the future plans for Outing
Club?
We used last semester to get back on our
feet, get organized, and host BANFF. And
this semester I would like to see us actually
plan and go out on some trips!
Q: Do you have any big trips planned?
We were waiting for the club fair to pass
so if there is anyone that wants to join, we
can include them in making decisions on
what everyone would like to see done this
semester.
Q: Do you need a lot of experienee before
you join?
Absolutely not. The purpose of Outing
Club is for students to learn and practice
outdoor skills.
Q: What positions are open?
There aren't any leadership positions
open right now. We elected our officials last
semester so we could jump right in when the
semester started.
Q: Who's in charge?
Robert Dye is the faculty advisor. I
(Christina Furr) am the President, with Bryan
Wilson as Vice President and Elyse Santorso
as our secretary/treasurer. We have a few
people that are go-tos for specific activities.
Climbing: Jonathan Hyde, Dan Modahl, and
David Lackey. Paddling: Spencer Williamson
and Hunter Yarborough.
Q: Where and when are the meetings?
The meetings are usually held up at Ross
Hall. (For those of you that don't know
where it's at- it's up on the hill beside the
baseball field,) We don't typically hold weekly
meetings, we only hold them when have
something to discuss/plan.
Q: Why should people join?
The Outing Club is made up of a great
group of people. We're all in it for the same
reason- to enjoy the outdoors, learn, and to
have a good time! So I think people should
join to hang out with the coolest kids around,
leam/brush up on skills, and take advantage
of this wonderful area that we live in!
Creating literary history
By Carolina Siliceo
StaffVVritei_^^^_
Chiaroscuro: the treatment of light and
shade in art produce the illusion of depth.
However for students here at Brevard
College, Chiaroscuro holds much more
significance.
It is the title of Brevard College’s literary
magazine and a free form of literary expression
for students.
Chiaroscuro is a compilation carefully
put together by a team of student editors and
artists who laced together a series of short
stories, poems, pictures and other forms of
creative literature. This year’s publication
includes themes of personal growth and
encouragement.
This year’s publication is approximately 52
pages and is a promising read, particularly
for those with a passion for creative writing.
Recently students met with advisor and
Professor Jubal Tiner, to discuss the 2012
edition publication party. The event will
be held Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Porter
Center. All students are invited to join the
Chiaroscuro staff in the unveiling of this
Brevard exclusive.
As the Chiaroscuro and Henry Thoreau
remind us, “Go confidently in the direction of
your dreams and live the life you imagined.” If
you would like to work with the Chiaroscuro
staff and form part of Brevard literary history,
email Jubal Tiner at: tinerjj@brevard.edu.