Manhattanville Right World View

Archive for December, 2009

The Books That Stole My Dinner

Monday, December 14th, 2009

I was driving around my town the other day with eight dollars in my pocket. My stomach was growling and I was looking for somewhere to eat, and as I drove around I passed a bookstore. My inner bookworm started nagging me. I had finished the previous book in the series I am currently reading and the next book was right inside. After weighing my options for about three seconds I made a quick turn to go inside the bookstore and purchase the book, which was seven dollars and eighty eight cents. I had no more money for food, and I didn’t care. I actually passed up food to get this book.

Now, the series that I’m talking about is probably only for the dedicated reader. If you can’t handle a book that’s longer than two hundred pages you’re not going to be able to handle this one. Each book in the series is about seven hundred and fifty pages long, give or take forty pages. The series is called The Sword of Truth and it is by Terry Goodkind. There are ten books in the series and I am currently on the fifth one called Soul of the Fire.

What type of book is this you may ask? It is a fantasy book, and is similar to J.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Richard Rahl was a woods guide in his homeland, but fate thrust him into a completely new world where he is the ruler of the land, and must constantly stop his world from coming to an end. He experiences forbidden love, occasionally becomes hopelessly lost, and encounters situations that would stump Tom Cruise’s character in Mission Impossible, but not Richard. He has been named the Seeker of Truth, and always finds the right path in the end even if it is a path that couldn’t be predicted.

The amount of detail that Goodkind puts into these books is amazing, which is why I cautioned before: if you’re only an intermediate reader this is not for you. The amount of plot that is within the pages of each book is unfathomable. With some books, you can predict what is going to happen in the end by the hundredth page. With these books, you can’t know what is going to happen in the next twenty pages. It is so easy to become attached to the heroes in the series. Unlike many books, these heroes are human and each is flawed in their own way but those flaws make them more likeable. Each character has such depth to them that they seem like real, not fictional, characters by the end of the book.

This series is so good, that it’s on the New York Times bestseller list and has been made into a TV series called The Seeker. So if you’re the type that burns through books within a day of buying them, and you need something with more sustenance, The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind is something you definitely should check out. And what better time than right as winter break starts when you’ll have plenty of extra time on your hands to be able to actually enjoy the book you’re reading?

Posted in Reviews | No Comments »

To Arms, To Arms: Your Mission: Spread Some Holiday Cheer

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Tis the season to be jolly indeed! As the semester progresses to an end, take the time to embrace of the Holiday spirit all around. Pop on a channel to watch a nice holiday movie with your loved ones or listen to some of those fun Christmas songs on the radio. There is nothing like the hoiday season to get you back into a good mood after all the stress and hard work.

Also, give back to your community! Think of those less fortunate of you and donate some toys for Christmas for needy children! If the other holiday things seem too mundane or cliche, doing something kind for those in need with be sure to send you into a jovial Christmas mood. Whatever it is that will bring you out of your work mode after finals week, just do it! After all, there’s no season like the holidays to bring warmth, family, and joy into our lives! And don’t forget about the Christmas gifts!

Posted in To Arms | No Comments »

Letter From the Editor

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Dear Manhattanville Students, Faculty, and Staff,

First and foremost, I would like to say that this will be our last issue of this semester. Look for us when we get back on the first day of classes in January! As always, thank you for your support by reading our issues.

Second, I wish you all a happy end of the school year and good luck on all your exams and papers that you have due! Remember to study hard but to always take a break just to breathe!

I would like to say thank you not only to those who support us by reading but also to all of our staff members and contributors who have dedicated themselves to writing and editing in order for these issues to be possible!

Last but certainly not least, I wish you all a happy holidays, a Merry Christmas, a happy New Year, and a safe return home! May you all enjoy your break and be 100% refreshed upon your returns to Manhattanville! As always, we’ll be here when you get back!

Sincerely,

Diana Shprekher

Editor-in-Chief

Posted in Letter From the Editor | No Comments »

Indian Point: Disaster Waiting to Happen?

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Where can there be found an aging (and some say a highly dangerous) nuclear power plant located in the Hudson Valley? Well, if you’re a resident of the region the answer is probably already known, for who could miss the bulky cooling towers and steam stacks that presides over one of the most dramatic landscapes in New York as they drive through the area? In Buchanan, a small picturesque town located about 36 miles north of New York City on a scenic and historic stretch of the mighty Hudson, looms the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

In a short time an intense battle between Entergy, the company who owns the nuclear facility, and concerned residents and politicians of the region will begin a showdown that will determine the fate of this plant. Entergy’s license to operate Indian Point is coming up for renewal soon and many are fighting to make sure that this does not happen. There are two nuclear reactors at the plant, one’s license expires in 2013 and the other’s in 2015. Unless they are renewed the facility will close down permanently in the latter year. While Indian Point does generate a large portion of electricity for the region and NYC, many contend that its risks outweigh the benefits it provides. Since its completion in 1962 numerous problems have arisen and many more will most likely result as the plant continues to age.

Supporters of Indian Point say that the plant is completely safe and that countless measures are taken to ensure that no adverse health or environmental impacts result. Regular emergency drills and constant inspections occur frequently throughout the year, so it is said that residents are well protected. Moreover, supporters state that there is no conclusive data to show that any significant problems have taken place. In essence, many supporters argue that opponents’ fears are unfounded and baseless. However, it is very difficult to argue with concrete facts which the opponents do in fact have a bushel full of.

Three counties which surround the facility, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland have the highest rates of thyroid cancer in the state of New York. The prevalence of this type of cancer in the region is more than twice the national average. Short of being exposed to massive amounts of X-rays, the only likely cause is from a radioactive form of iodine which is only created in nuclear explosions, such as from an atomic bomb, but it is also found in nuclear reactors. And since no nuclear weapons have been detonated in the area, there’s only one place it can be coming from- Indian Point. Routinely the facility must release various waste products into the atmosphere, and within this waste there can be found over a hundred toxic substances, many of which are radioactive.

In addition to this, it has also been documented that radioactive substances have leaked from the plant itself and have contaminated the soil surrounding the facility. Some of the contaminants made it into the Hudson at detectible levels, the impacts of which are still unknown. It is suspected that the leaks are coming from a pool where spent fuel is stored; the leakage includes substances such as tritium and strontium-90. Tritium takes 250 years to completely decay to negligible levels.

Terrorism is another severe problem that could impart disastrous results onto the region. During 9/11 one of the hijacked planes flew directly over Indian Point, and a terrorist by the name of Mohamed Atta had contemplated attacking nuclear facilities. Officials say the plant is strong enough to withstand a direct hit by a plane, so fears of terrorism are not of great importance. However, what about an internal attack, or perhaps a disgruntled worker causing chaos from within?

There is currently a population of 247,000 living within a ten mile radius of the plant. If something were to happen which required an evacuation, the congested infrastructure would make it very difficult to get everyone out in a timely manner before the radiation were to spread. A warning system and evacuation plan may appear to be helpful, but what good do they do if thousands of people are still irradiated to a fatal degree? And while nuclear power plants in this country do have a relatively outstanding record, all it takes is one mistake to make the Hudson Valley as desolate as the area surrounding Chernobyl. These problems must be carefully thought about and addressed before we sit back and relax. Governor Paterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and Congressman John Hall are certainly not relaxing, for they are actively opposing Indian Point’s relicensing. As the issue heats up each of our voices will help determine the fate of this nuclear power plant. What are we willing to give up for cheap power? Could it be the environment, our health, our lives, or just maybe all three? These are questions each of us must ask ourselves before we say we are content with the status quo.

Posted in Politics | No Comments »

An Open Letter

Monday, December 14th, 2009

There are so many things that I wish I could say to many individual people in the world, but the fact of the matter is that sitting with each individual is out of the question. As many of us have embarked on the journey of college and continue to ride the wave of education we must stop and think; am I respecting myself before others. Without respect to yourself there is not a possibility of respecting others and ultimate success. Many of us wonder why certain things have happened to us and why the pain has been inflected upon us, but the truth is that someone somewhere thinks that you can handle it. Times that present challenges are times that should be overcome and scars that should be worn as badges of honor.

From the friend that cannot seem to find a stable relationship and doesn’t understand the logic of men to the friend who loses something precious and valued from out of nowhere, these are the strongest people and the unsung heroes; these people are you. These people do not go without problems and concerns but the reward is in self-understanding. Everyone should take time for them and treasure their particular situation and analyze one’s self. I wonder when the heartbreak of every person will go away and hope that it may possibly be non existent one day. However, until that day comes there are plenty of movies, books and poetry that will be there to help us cope. Life is not at all about avoiding the meteorite coming your way or delaying its arrival, it is about taking the meteorite head on and growing bigger from it (though that sounds like a reference to Monsters v. Aliens, it is true).

The message that I hope everyone gets as we embark on this winter break is to let the baggage strip away over the next month. This time is for yourselves and your loved ones and things. Mourn those that have been lost and enjoy their precious memories and hold them close and true, and rid yourself of the thoughts of people who seem uninterested in whatever it is that you have to offer. A semester is for experience and a break is for growth and self-evaluation. I say this with love knowing that finals and life have their stressful times, but acknowledging that each individual has the power to persevere and become greater from any form of negativity.

“Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise.”
-Alice Walker

With love,

Luis A. Morales

Posted in Advice | No Comments »

Updates

April 15, 2010
Check out the latest issue! It's filled with information on World Trade that you never knew about but always wanted to! Plus, get a load on our talented poets as well!

March 8, 2010
Check our newest issue in honor of Women's History Month. Take a look at the newly uploaded PDFs under Past Issues as well! Also, we dedicated the ninth issue of Right World View in loving memory of Marissa Pagli, one of our own who died tragically before her time.

February 15, 2010
Check out our newest issue in honor of Valentine's Day and Black History Month!

January 12, 2010
Design for RWV gets implemented.