Stand up and protest; sit down and Get on the Bus

 

By LENNY DESERIO

Staff Writer

Amnesty International held their annual day of protest known as Get on the Bus on Friday, April 17, 2009. Organized by Amnesty activists from Somerville, Massachusetts, Get on the Bus is held in New York City each April with Amnesty groups from across the Northeast taking part in the protests. The protests started back in 1996 when approximately thirty Amnesty Activists descended on the steps of the Nigerian Embassy in New York to protest the execution of Nigerian Environmental Activist Ken Saro Wiwa. Now in its fourteenth year, the event draws nearly 1200 activists annually to protest for different human rights violations worldwide. 

 This year the group protested for the immediate and unconditional releases of Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wanchun and political prisoners in Burma. 

Wanchun was arrested in March 2008 by the Chinese government for taking part in pro-democracy demonstrations. The conflict in Burma has been ongoing since 1988, when thousands of students and Buddhist monks were arrested or killed by the Burmese military for participating and organizing a pro-democracy uprising against the military junta.

Amnesty estimates there are currently 2,100 people imprisoned in Burma. This includes Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and National Democracy League leader Aung San Sui Kyi who has been under house arrest for the past nineteen years by the Burmese military government. 

According to Get on the Bus Coordinator Deanna Marie, “The purpose of Get on the Bus is to create a forum for human rights education and activism.” Marie went on to say, “The goal is to bring injustices into the light and to stand together in solidarity to change the world.  It truly is amazing what we can accomplish by raising our voices to empower those individuals who have been oppressed in any way.”

When asked why she felt people should care about these injustices, Marie said, “As  Americans, we are in the enviable position of being part of one of the greatest nations on this planet; we have the power to force our leaders to bring about changes in other countries. I believe that because of this, we have an obligation to utilize our power to help those who may be without a voice. We need to ensure that the rules and rights we benefit from as Americans are made available to everyone. All human beings have certain inalienable rights.” 

Jane Timm, an Amnesty member and student at NYU, expressed similar feelings when asked why she felt people should care about human rights abuses in far and distant places of the world and what we can do to help.  “In this country, we take human rights for granted. You don’t have to fear imprisonment for writing a news story or protesting the government. In America, you don’t have to worry about being kidnapped for expressing an unpopular opinion.  As Americans, we  must stand up for those who do not have the freedom to stand up for themselves. We must fight for them because they cannot.”

Though the struggle for human rights is long and hard, Amnesty International has proven, over time, that the fight for global human rights is worth it, one step at a time, one human being at a time.

Eagles a Super Bowl caliber team

By LENNY DESERIO

Staff  Writer

While it’s still to early to be making predictions about the season one can argue the Eagles have one of the best teams in the Reid era.  With the addition of corner Ellis Hobbs and last years signing of Asante Samuel the Eagles continue to have a deep and talented secondary even with the loss of pro bowl free safety Brian Dawkins.

On the D- line a healthy Victor Abriamri and Jaqua parker will keep Trent Cole fresh.  Allowing Darren Howard move to defensive tackle. But let’s not forget any defense is only as good as the coach calling the plays and the Eagles continue to have one of the best in the N.F.L., with Jim Johnson 

What makes the Eagles the best in the Andy Reid Era is this years draft class.  With the 19th overall pick, the Eagles selected standout wide out Jeremy Macklin.  The Eagles then selected running back Lesean McCoy with their third round pick to backup Brian Westbrook.  McCoy gained Rookie of the Year for the Big East in 2007 and in 2008 had forty carries for ten yards or more, twenty of which were for twenty yards.  McCoy, Westbrook, and Macklin make the Eagles offense a force to reckon with this year. 

 Of course any offense can only be good, as their special teams.  Since the special teams are responsible for giving the offense a short field to work with. The Eagles have two solid return specialists in both Jeremy Macklin, and last year pick Desean Jackson. Not only can both these players give the Eagles good starting position, but they’re also a threat to go all the way on each return.

I’ll even go out on a limb and say that the Eagles have the best offense in the N.F.C. East if they become more balanced. All that’s left for the Eagles to do is win the division and be the top seed in the conference–this way they’ll not only get a first round bye in the playoffs they’ll get home field advantage throughout and we all know how difficult it is to play in Philly in December. My prediction for the season is that the Eagles go 13- 3 and win the Super Bowl.

What to do at the checkout?

By LENNY DESERIO

Staff Writer

There is, in fact, proper etiquette for checking out at the grocery store.   But just like all our other everyday activities such as driving or going to the movies, there are people that are aware that there is a certian etiquette this and there are some that are not.  And as a cashier at the local Shoprite I’ve learned that more people don’t have a clue about what checkout etiquette actually is. 

 Something that we can all relate to, I’m sure, is being in the express line at the grocery store behind someone that has more than ten items. This person is being rude and holding everyone up.

Once the cashier is done ringing up their sixty-five items, they have coupons for each and every single item in their cart.  The express lane, which should take only take about two to three minutes for each customer, now takes five minutes for the one customer who abuses it. Meanwhile your carton of ice cream turns to soup because some inconsiderate person with no checkout etiquette decided it would be ok to take more than the recommended amount of items in the express lane.   For your sake, and the sake of others, please don’t bring more than ten items into the express lane.   

In addition to the inconsideration happening in the checkout lane, once you enter a checkout lane you shouldn’t be on your cell phone.  While this may not be a nuisance for any customers behind you it is rude to the cashier to be on your phone.   As a cashier I can tell you without a doubt it’s in your best interest to not be on your cell phone while your groceries are being rung up. Since almost every grocery store has some kind of a discount card, at the beginning of each order customers give the cashier this card.  The cashier will then swipe this card so the customer can take full advantage of whatever items are on sale and receive the full discount on them; however, if you are on your cell phone, chances are you won’t hear the cashier ask for the store discount card.  If this happens, the card doesn’t get scanned, turning what would have been a $100.00 grocery bill into a $130.00 grocery bill. This is all because your preoccupation with the conversation you are having on your cell phone.

Please don’t lick your fingers to separate new bills that are stuck together. Not only ismoney germ-laden for you but now,  you have laid new germs on top of the germs already there.  Then you hand the sloppy bill to the cashier.  We don’t like having germ-laden spit on our fingers. Crumpling the bill with your thumb and index finger can separate bills that are stuck together. 

And if you have small children, please make sure they’re not wearing just their underwear or a diaper, as they tend to take them off and run around the store naked.  It might be cute at home but it is definitely not cute in a grocery store!

So now that you know what checkout lane etiquette is, please pass these simple lessons on to your family and friends. This is just a friendly reminder that demonstrating some basic manners is not just for the people behind you, but for the cashier as well.