Spartan Times

Tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rise

By Sean Hart, Copy Editor

   According to The Telegraph, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared that he will petition the United Nations Security Council for formal recognition of statehood and U.N. membership for Palestine. President Abbas is scheduled to address the Security Council Sept. 23.

    The United States has stated they will veto any vote on the issue in the U.N. Security Council. If the vote is vetoed by the Security Council (which has the authority to grant U.N. membership) Abbas will go to the General Assembly where the U.S. has no veto ability. The General Assembly can only grant observer status, not full membership. The move would still achieve statehood.

    President Abbas claims the bid for statehood isn’t a move to undermine peace talks between Palestine and Israel but rather to put them on equal grounds. “Our first, second and third priority is negotiations,” Abbas said. “There is no other way to solve this. No matter what happens at the United Nations, we have to return to negotiations.”A

   Palestinian state would be used to gain leverage over Israel and isolate them, as well as fostering a proxy war involving the whole of the Middle-east.

    Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the bid for U.N. recognition would “set back peace, and might set it back for years.” Israeli officials argue that “recognition of a Palestinian state could irreparably damage peace talks.”

    Palestine’s top diplomat Maen Areikat said in an interview with Politico reporters Josh Gerstein and Tim Mak that the Palestinian state should be free of Jews. “I still believe – I personally still believe that as a first step we need to be totally separated and we can contemplate these issues in the future.” Areikat added: “Listen, again, we have nothing against Jews. This is a political conflict. Once the political issue is resolved every Palestinian should be welcomed in Israel. Every Israeli should be welcome in Palestine. But under the current circumstances — an occupation power occupying a people against their will — this is something we are trying to end.”

    According to Professor Nadav Safran, former director of Harvard’s Center for Middle-eastern Studies, since 1948 the Israelis and Palestinians have been locked in a daily struggle of gruesome attrition that shows no sign of ending. Palestinian militants (who are supported by the Palestinian authorities) are constantly launching malicious rocket attacks on Israeli border towns, causing horrific casualties.

    In 1947 the U.N. mandated a plan for both an Israeli and Palestinian state in the region, but it was rejected by the Palestinians, who were enraged by the presence of the Israelis. Over the last 53 years there have been various peace proposals between the bouts of bloodshed that one side or the other has rejected, citing irreconcilable differences such as territory lines and the occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank by Israel. Both the aforementioned territories are populated and claimed by the Palestinians.

    When asked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Librarian Leana Cox said she “wishes we could all just get along and live together side-by-side.” and that “we are all brothers and sisters, all one being, human being(s).” She added that the Palestine region is “A Holy Land for all of use, we should all be able to go.” Palestine is traditionally considered a Holy Land by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    When asked, Leana didn’t see the Israelis and Palestinians achieving peace anytime in the foreseeable future.

Tags: Israeli, Palestine

Septemberfest!

By Jamie Bair, Reporter

CNCC students enjoying Septemberfest. Photo by Jennifer Almond.

Over labor day weekend there was a variety of activities going on down in town. On Monday, September 5^th, there were crafts and booths along with a barbeque in the park.

   The CNCC lady Spartans softball team had their own booth called Putt for Prizes. The object of the game was to putt the golf ball into the hole and if you made it you received a prize.

   Some of the prizes offered at the Putt for Prizes booth were: Spartan attire including hats and t-shirts, school supplies, candy, and a Topsy Turvy, which is a humming bird hangout planter.

   According to Ashleigh Lamoreaux, a returning sophomore feels that this years booth was more successful than lasts years. They had more people participating and a wider range of ages that came and tried to putt for a prize.

    The CNCC softball team uses their fundraising money for their sport equipment and travel fees throughout the year.

    Karren’s Creations is a family business out of Vernal Utah that has had a booth at Septemberfest for ten years. They have all kinds of fun little things to offer. Karren stated that when they first started out ten years ago they just had their hand crafted wooden shelves and signs.

   They have expanded over the years and now sell sand art, push toys, board games, pop can magnets, furry critters, crocheted baby doll purses, snow cones, and cotton candy. Their prices range from $2 to $30.

    Karren stated that they have been very successful with their creations and do about eight craft shows a year with Septemberfest here in Rangely being one of them.

Tags: Septemberfest

Look good, play good?

   By Chris Schmalz, Reporter

The Hollywood gossip, courtesy of Hilton Hater

Maryland’s new football jerseys are the talk of collegiate football apparel this season. The uniforms consist of 32 different uniform options and two different helmets.

   The first helmet option is black and white checker board on solid black. The second helmet represents their mascot; Testudo the turtle. The helmet is a grey turtle shell looking helmet with a yellow and black checker board stripe down the middle.

   “The new jerseys are said to attract younger players,” according to Maryland’s head coach Randy Edsall. The reason for the flashy new upgrade is to publicize the school.

   The New York Times online edition quotes, “they were the top ESPN poll holder with over 58,000 votes.” The jerseys are influencing the younger generation to want to be a part of the new trend in football; not only the athletes but the fans as well.

   With that said, Maryland’s new football jerseys are great publicity for the school; mission accomplished for head coach Randy Edsall.

   Taken from ESPN sports center, Maryland’s deal with Under Armour inspired Nike to create a whole line of so called “Flashy” jerseys for professional teams.

I think it would be for everyone’s best interest if flashy uniforms stayed at the college level. Controversy is being started about the new jerseys being a thing of the future.  Some professional players would like the jerseys to stay traditional and others want the new jerseys.  Either way, Maryland got what they wanted, publicity and the win in Saturday’s game against Utah.

Tags: Football

When the dead walk

   By Mathew Steele, Editor in Chief

   The time of year is here again, the 2^nd annual CNCC Humans vs. Zombies game has finally arrived. For those of you who don’t know, Humans vs. Zombies is basically an intense game of tag, and “a reason for students to shoot Nerf guns” as it was simply put by Director of Residence Life, Daniel Parrish.

   The game will be taking place from Monday, September 26^th through Friday, September 30th. It will be consisting of two teams, Humans, and of course Zombies.

Teams will be assigned with daily missions that will lead to what will be an epic final day.

   Last year, only three human players survived the total onslaught, finding a cure for the infection and were able to cure the infected players. This year’s game will surely be a test of everyone’s creativeness and survival skills. It promises to be an interesting and exciting game to say the least.

   With the experience of last year’s game and the success that followed with that, this year’s game is sure to hold even more in store for the participants. Ted Shonts, from information technology, who is also the moderator for the game, says that “Last year’s game went fantastic! We really need more people to sign up for this year’s game because the more people that sign up, the better the game will go!”

   For more information, or to register for Humans vs Zombies, please visit the HvZ website at HvZ.cncc.edu.  Make sure to sign up so the game will be fun for everyone!

Tags: Humans vs Zombies

¡campus chaos!

By Michael Dillon

Tags: Campus chaos, comic

What’s happening in September?

Dates compiled by Jamie Bair

Tags: calandar, september