27 March 2007

Samantha Says: What Women Really Mean

By Samantha Risseeuw
Manifest Staff Writer

Guys! Have you ever had a moment when a woman has said something to you, but what she said didn’t actually mean what she said? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was something to help you out, like maybe a dictionary of the women’s language? Well, here it is the beginning to understanding women! Now ladies, this is for you too. This will help explain why he gets that confused look on his face when you tell him something, and you may even get a good laugh! After interviewing many people, researching on the internet and being a woman myself, I have compiled a list of words and their definitions.

The Woman to Man Dictionary!

FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up. She has given up all hope that you will ever understand what she is trying to say.

FIVE MINUTES: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Don’t ask her again how long she will be; this may result in another Five Minutes. Five Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house. Usually she expects you to be helping in 3 minutes or less.

NOTHING: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with Nothing usually end in Fine. Sometimes it can also mean you know what you did, so apologize!

GO AHEAD: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t do it!" and will end with the word "Fine".
a. (With raised eyebrows): This is a dare. If you do it, it will result in a woman getting upset over Nothing and the argument will end with the word Fine. In other words, if you do it you’re going to suffer the consequences.

b. (With normal eyebrows): This means “I give up” or “do what you want because I don’t care.” Of course you will get the raised eyebrow go ahead just a few minutes after she gives up, followed by Nothing and Fine and she will talk to you in about Five Minutes when she cools off.

LOUD SIGH: This is actually not a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing there and arguing with you about Nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

THAT’S OKAY: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. It’s not okay, you made a big mistake! That's okay means she wants you to think long and hard while she decides how and when you will pay for your mistake.

THANKS: A woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say “you're welcome.”

THANKS A LOT: This is much different from Thanks. A woman will say thanks a lot when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have offended her in some callous way, and will be followed by the loud sigh. Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the loud sigh, as she will only tell you Nothing.

WHATEVER: This is a woman's way of saying you just don’t get it and leave her alone! She doesn’t want to talk about it anymore, you screwed up and she is mad!

DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT: Another dangerous statement. This means that there is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but she is now doing it herself. If this results in the man asking, "What’s wrong", refer to #3 for the woman's response.

SOFT SIGH: Again, not a word, but a non-verbal statement. Soft Sighs mean that she is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content.

PLEASE DO: This is not a statement, it’s an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done wrong. You have a fair chance with the truth, so if you’re careful and think for a long time, you shouldn’t get a That’s okay.

Now you’re on your way to understanding the thought process of a woman. These few words could be the difference between being “in the dog house” and being the best partner in a relationship. Ladies, show these to your man, next time he may not get that confused look on his face. Guys remember these meanings, I’m sure you will be tested on them at one point in your life!

Exclusive to the Manifest Online: Bad Drug Dealers

By Robert Gates
Mainfest Staff Writer

Adverse drug reactions are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Reactions to prescription and over the counter drugs kill far more people annually than all illegal drug use combined.

So why are we allowing this to take place? Why aren’t government officials fighting to protect public safety?

They’ve been bought out or are too afraid to go up against billion dollar pharmaceutical companies. Every year drug companies donate, or should I say invest, millions of dollars into political campaigns in hopes of getting a candidate elected that will go along with their agenda. Drug companies even find ways to get false information into medical journals.

Pharmaceutical companies are far more concerned with getting a new drug out on the market and making money than they are about testing that drug for safety. Within the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA, 80% of the resources are geared towards approval of drugs, and 20% for everything else. Drug safety gets 5% of the resources. Often times drugs are allowed on the market even though their benefits are insignificant. All a new drug needs for approval is to prove superior to a comparison treatment (usually placebos). Many drugs that have been released on the market have proven to be detrimental to the user’s health.

According to Dr. David Graham, who worked for the FDA for 20 years, “The FDA in incapable of protecting America. The FDA is responsible for protecting the interest of the pharmaceutical companies and not the American people.” So I’m sure it was of no surprise to Doctor Graham when he heard recently about FDA Administration Chief Lester Crawford being fined for false reporting about stocks that he and his wife owned. And I’m sure it was of no surprise to Doctor Graham when he heard that some of those stocks held were in medicinal companies.

So if any of this information seems shocking to you, or even if it sounds like a bunch of bull I ask you to educate yourself on the issues. Find out the truth for yourself, because not too many people are handing it out. And if you happen to find something that you feel to be unjust, stand up and be heard. We need a lot more on our side.

Cover Story

Wal-Mart Supercenter: A Mixed Blessing?

By WIlliam Blomberg
Manifest Staff Writer

Maybe you’ve visited a Wal-Mart Supercenter sometime.

Chances are you have, since there are more than 2,000 of them in the United States, and very soon Marinette will be one of those locations.

The promised arrival of a Walmart Supercenter draw mixed reactions. While the megastore may offer job opportunities and bring new shoppers to the area, it make also generate environmental and economic concerns.

The Wal-Mart superstore features a regular retail store, with a complete grocery section. Many supercenter pharmacy, video rentals, fast food outlets, and a Tire & Lube Express services.

Marinette’s planned Supercenter would have all of these features. To accommodate this upgrade in service, Wal-Mart plans to move its current store out of Pine Tree Mall and construct a new building on 32 acres of land behind Peshtigo National Bank on Roosevelt Road/County Trunk T.

Current plans call for construction to begin this summer, with an opening date set for sometime in spring 2008.

So what effect will having a “one-stop shop” with so much to offer have on existing local stores such as ShopKo, Kmart, and Angeli’s?

Probably a familiar one, says history professor Dan Kallgren. He compares the arrival of Wal-Mart with stores moving to the area in the past.

“This is a picture of what’s been going on in the U.S. nationally,” Kallgren says. “Wal-Mart is just the latest example of the chain store process, which has been going on since the 1920’s.”

Kallgren cites similar examples from Marinette’s past such F.W. Woolworth’s, a “five-and-dime” chain store that moved into the downtown area in the middle of the 20th century and experienced success.

Like many chain stores, Wal-Mart offers consumers advantages over local retailers because of the size. All stores have a similar layout, and most customers know where to look for the items they need, regardless of the location they visit. There are a wide variety of products available, at low prices.

Due to Wal-Mart’s expanded offerings, the super store will likely become a one-stop shop for people seeking to save money.
Kallgren felt that to stay in business, grocers such as Curry’s IGA and Angeli’s would need to offer an incentive to customers.
“If they make it, it’ll be because they’re offering something Wal-Mart can’t, whether through convenience or familiarity,” says Kallgren.

Economics professor Julie Urban, who chooses not to shop at Wal-Mart, points out that some of the retail giant’s success has been made possible by establishing a monopsony.

This market form, in which one buyer is working with many sellers, is similar to a monopoly, in which one seller is working with many buyers. A monopsony allows Wal-Mart to dictate terms to suppliers.

“They are such a big buyer that they can dictate the price,” Urban said. “Sellers tend to sell cheaper to Wal-Mart because there is a fear of losing Wal-Mart’s business.”

Urban expressed concern for several local businesses because of Wal-Mart’s ability to undercut competitors’ prices.
Kallgren said that Wal-Mart has a good sense of which locations will generate the best business.

“Wal-Mart seems to know that these are markets that they do well in,” he said. “They seem to feel that a low-wage economy is favorable to a low-price policy.”

Marinette falls into this category as a target market; 2000 U.S. census data shows that the average household income was $31,743, below the national average of $41,994.

Dollars aren’t the only aspect to be considered, however. University Relations Director Maureen Frawley had strong objections to the construction of a Marinette Supercenter, because of environmental reasons.

“As a citizen, I’m concerned with preserving the land and the beauty of the surrounding area,” said Frawley. “Why does Wal-Mart need another store? It makes no sense environmentally to me.”

Similar questions were raised when Wal-Mart first came to Marinette. Only time will tell if a Wal-Mart Supercenter will be a success for the Marinette community.

In the April Issue: The effects of Wal-Mart and nearby stores on the downtown area, and specifics on the land to be cleared for construction.


Students Reaction to Wal-Mart Supercenter in 2008

By Sarah Blunck
Manifest Staff Writer

Although UW-Marinette students have strong opinions about the planned Wal-Mart Supercenter, they say they will shop there when the store is built.

Three out of four students interviewed stated strong opposition to the new store, but all three also said they will go to Wal-Mart for grocery, optical, pharmaceutical, automotive, health and beauty, household, and entertainment needs.

Vanessa Smith, a full-time student at UW-Marinette cited “McDonaldization” as a reason for her opposition to the new store.
“Maybe we are not supposed to have everything all in one place,” says Smith. “America should be more individualistic.”

Smith also cited environmental concerns about the large building and parking lot. She is concerned that run off from the parking lot will pollute the surrounding area. Still, Smith says she will shop at the new store.

Marissa Goltz from Crivitz learned about Wal-Mart’s effect on communities by viewing the documentary, “Wal-Mart the High Cost of Low Price.”

Goltz said that even though the new Wal-Mart would bring in jobs eventually smaller local businesses will close leaving those people without jobs. She is concerned about local unemployment.

“At first Wal-Mart will be accepted for its low prices and convenience,” Goltz predicted. “But once it takes hold of the community and the economy the people will want to get rid of it.”

Goltz had strong opinions on merchandise quality, saying, “Businesses that specialize in one thing have higher quality products, while Wal-Mart has everything at very low quality.”

(Editor’s note: Wal-Mart carries a variety of goods, many under well-known brand names that are also offered at other retail venues.)

However, when asked how the new Wal-Mart will change her life Goltz said, “I will be able to do all my shopping in one place now.”

Students at UW-Marinette were quite inconclusive about the planned Supercenter. They often expressed oppositions to Wal-Mart’s philosophy.

But those surveyed all agreed that these issues will not keep them from running to Wal-Mart for their shopping needs.

McDonaldization: This term, coined by sociologist Geroge Ritzer, is often used to refer to the way in which fast-food restuarant management principles are applied to other sectors of the world economy.

Serial Fiction

This month, The Manifest introduced the first installation of two seria works of fiction. Watch the print and online editions for future updates.

The Opera and the Phanton Thereof

By Michael Paquet
Manifest Staff Writer

In the beginning, there was nothing…

And then the manager came, and made this opera house.

And on the first day, he said, “Let there be a chandelier to give light to the opera house.”

And there was, and its light shone through the opera house, and the manager looked upon it, and thought that it was good.
Then on the second day, he said, “And let there be red carpets to cover the floors of the opera house.” The carpets stretched through out the opera house, and the Manager looked upon it, and thought that it was good.

On the third day, the manager said, “Let there be seats for the audience to sit in.” The seats covered the red carpet, and the manager looked upon it, and thought that it was good.

On the fourth day, the manager said, “Let there be a stage, that the audience might be entertained.” The stage appeared at the front of the opera house, and the manager looked upon it, and thought that it was good.

On the fifth day, the manager said, “And let there be sopranos, and altos, and base, and an orchestra to play on the stage.” The sopranos, and the altos, and the base, and the orchestra roamed across the stage, and the manager looked upon them, and was well pleased with their performances.

And on the sixth day, the manager looked upon his opera house, and found it incomplete. So he said, “Let there be a phantom, to dwell in the sewers of the opera house, and let him have dominion and rule over my opera house.
And on the seventh day, the manager went to Australia and left two new managers to look after his opera House.

That is where our story begins…

To be continued

Student Fiction: The Ghost of Strawberry Fields
By Kayla Bauer
Manifest staff writer
To the outside world I appear to be an average college student, one who upon high school graduation experienced drastic life changes.
I’ve already lost nearly all of the people whom I used to call friends. I do not mourn the loss anymore, because it won’t bring them back.
I have the usual first semester courses that students hate and the ones they’re excited to take, but most college students experience this, so this stays true with my image of the average student.
However, there are significant differences between my peers and me. College students don’t generally have any spare money; this is not the case with me. I may not have a job of my own, but I receive money from my parents every month to cover expenses and such. It’s their way of keeping in contact with me I guess.
Money isn’t the only difference: There are plenty others, to be sure. A much larger difference is the look in their eyes; I see no passion, at least not in many of them. They are at school because they believe they have to be.
I honestly admit that I once believed this, for society has it thrust upon us that we must go to college to succeed in life. We struggle through high school to get into a school that looks good on a résumé. We get to college and study a variety of courses, all to receive the coveted piece of paper known as a degree which shall lead us to the promised land known as success.
Wanting to reach this success in my own way, I chose for myself a small, intimate campus. It’s here that I’m known as Ginger for my bright red hair — I cannot think of another reason than that for such a name. I spend most of my time between the library, the darkroom, and my courses. both dull and interesting.
Earlier in my life I recall a vividly-positive attitude towards life and its prospects, but that is now steadily waning. The innocence of youth escaping me I suppose. Every day seems bleaker than the last and I have few consolations: A camera to keep me busy, music for company, and schoolwork to keep me in line.
Recently my creativity seems to be failing me. Everything I put my mind and heart into seems to sour. Perhaps I’m painting an accurate description of myself and my state of mind.
Today is certainly one of the worst days, the last day of classes of my first semester. Usually a joyous time where students rejoice in finishing their studies and selling back their books to have a little bit of pocket money.
For me happiness is not the case, it means a month of nothing to do. I feel terrible as I turn in my final photography portfolio; it means that I am done with my favorite class. I follow my professor’s eyes as he regards my photographs and my countenance. He sees right through me.
It is obvious, I am not in misery. I am misery.


To be continued. . .

Sports

Lady Bucs End Challenging Season

By Ashley Owens
Manifest Staff Writer

This year hasn’t been an easy one for the UW Marinette Women’s basketball team.

The number of players dwindled in the beginning of the season until there were only six players left.

The team worked extremely hard each and every game, but sometimes that just wasn’t enough.

Although the Lady Bucs are a very talented team, lack of players this season made playing difficult. The team couldn’t scrimmage during practices and members became tired much faster than opposing teams since there could only be one substitution at a time.

“The lack of players meant we needed to substitute based on fatigue vs. being able to take advantage of strategic match ups or exploiting the other team's weaknesses,” said Coach Scott Haulotte.

The second part of the season was looking up when the Lady Bucs recruited another player, Krystal Schutte. Not only is she a great player, but her arrival also gave the team another substitution in games.

Just when things were starting to turn around for the ladies, Schutte was injured and the Lady Bucs once again were down to six players.

Overall the scores of the Lady Buc’s games don’t really show how great of a team they really are.

A special thanks to everyone who had supported both the women’s and men’s basketball teams throughout the season and also to Katie Jo Pockat for giving the women’s team an extra hand toward the end of the season.

Opinions

Exchange Students Struggle to Adjust

By Jin-U Jang
Manifest Staff Writer

There are many international students attending UW-Marinette. All are looking to have a great time in America. They learn another language and customs. Some of them make trips to wonderful places.

Many look like they are have a great time in the United States, but their real life is not as happy. In fact, it is often a difficult life.

I am also one of them so I know their life and their anguishes.

One fellow exchange student came here a year ago. When he arrived, he thought his American life would be allow him to study hard for a better future. He also thought he would live with host family for one year.

However, his real life was not so easy. He couldn’t find his one-year host family. Some host families wanted him to live with him just one week or one month, and he moved many times during the semester.

While he moved about six times, the semester was gone. Before the summer vacation, he lived with his host family, but the host father became ill and he could no longer stay with the family.

So he had to move again. He didn’t have any place to live during summer vacation. So without any choices left, he rented an apartment, making the arrangements.

“I was really tired (of moving) to another host house and meet(ing) another host family,” said the student, who prefers to remain nameless. “I had to be adapted to new host family and new place.”

After that, he moved two times more and now lives a lodging house.

Of course, some exchange students have lots of good experience in America.

In my case, I met very nice host family so I have lived with them without any problems. I have been there about six months.
During this time, I have never worried about moving to other host house. I usually go to watch my host sister’s basketball game and to my host mother’s and brother’s house. I went water tubing and watched a basketball game with them. It is my special memory with my host family.

Many exchange students are making similar happy memories with their families. They are also learning or improving their English by living with host families.

Jane Jones, UW-Marinette’s director of international programs and continuing education, uses newspaper and radio to recruit host families. She provides them with information on students so they can select one. Usually, people chose students because they want to match their hobby or way of life with the student.

Jones said it is usually cultural differences that cause students to move from their host family’s home. She doesn’t blame either side.

All of international students experience another culture when they come to the U.S. The culture shock they experience can lead to problems with their host families or their life in America.

On the surface, these students seem happy. But every single day is challenge to them.


America Idol: Meet the American President

By Jim Harris
Manifest Staff Writer

We live in a time when more people voted for the last American Idol than the last American president.

This trend of declining interest in the direction of our country and the increasing interest in making a new celebrity must be confronted.

Extremists may want to ban these reality-type shows, but why not combine the two?

The primary process could take place on an island. Candidates of each party would battle with each other until the last one is standing. This person would then be that party’s candidate.

After the primary massacre session, the winner of each part would then meet on another show during which they would face panel of guest judges and answer question e-mailed in by viewers.

As an added incentive, the viewers whose questions were used would win a cash prize.

The top three candidates would move to the final show. This time, there will be a debate. During the debate, viewers will be allowed to text in their guesses as to the winner. The voting process will take place after the debate. Viewers can call a number to place their vote for their favorite.

Two nights after that show, there would be a show to announce the winner. A winner from the text-in guesses will be drawn and will received a free presidential pardon to be used to help any one person at any time during the winner president’s term in office.

The vice-presidential candidate process could be fun, too. The public could pick the vice president, maybe inflict each potential candidate with some unnamed tropical disease. Viewers would be responsible for diagnoses and cures. If more than two candidates survives, they must compete in a talent contest, which viewer’s would judge.

We could do this for all federal elections. Just imagine the renewed interest in our leaders. People might actually feel that they have some stake in the mater, The bookies in Las Vegas would be jumping for joy.

If such extreme measures what it takes for us to pay more attention, then let’s do it. Isn’t that what we all crave?


Fast Food: How Safe Is It?

By Deborah Collins
Manifest Staff Writer

Busy students with part-time jobs and other responsibilities often grab fast-food meals. They are filling and relatively cheap.
Is fast food always safe, though? We already know some of it is laden with trans fats.

The biggest issues with the fast-food industry may be hair nets and gloves, or the lack thereof. Wearing one’s hair back in a baseball cap — not a hair net — seems to be the current practice.

Walk in any fast-food place today and you’ll be greeted by employees with their hair neatly tucked into their cap or on top their head with the hat firmly in place. The hair net seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur.

Latex gloves have also been replaced by frequent hand-washing in some establishments and slap-hazard cleanliness in others. What changed? Are we too caught in our haste to be somewhere that we’ve let some of the important things slide?
Fast food has joined Hollywood movies, blue jeans, and pop music as one of Americas most prominent cultural exports.

Unlike other commodities, however, fast food isn’t viewed, read, played, or worn: It enters the body and becomes part of the consumer.

The hundreds of millions of people who buy fast food every day rarely consider where the food came from, how it was made, or what it’s doing to the community around them. They just grab the tray off the counter, find a seat, unwrap the paper, and dig in.

A single hamburger may contain meat from hundreds of animals; a single restaurant omelet may contain eggs from hundreds of chickens; and a broiler chicken carcass can be exposed to thousands of other birds that went through the same cold-water tank after slaughter. No wonder we have so many cases of e-coli and salmonella cropping up.

Seventy-six million cases of food-borne disease occur yearly, some are mild but the more serious cases cause 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths yearly. You can protect yourself by choosing which restaurants to patronize. In many areas the latest inspection score from the local health department is posted.

You can also make sure the person preparing your food wears gloves; if not, don’t be afraid to request they wear them. It’s the law.

Society needs to wake up! Fast seems to be the key today. Get in, get out, and get on our way. At what cost?