The Rotunda

Miss VA is Miss America

22 year old Caressa Cameron, who won the title of Miss Virginia in 2009, was crowned the 2010 Miss America. Cameron, who is a broadcast journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University, is taking a second year off to fulfill her duties as Miss America. She will spend the year traveling and raising awareness and money for a variety of charities including her platform issue of Aides.  According to the Richmond Times Dispatch (RTD). Cameron said "I hope to gain inspiration, I hope to gain momentum so that when this 365 days is over, I can shoot through the moon."

Cameron, who is the first black Miss America since 2005, hopes to return to school and get her master’s degree. She hopes to eventually become a news anchor. Cameron won a $50,000 scholarship. During the Miss Virginia pageant Cameron was asked her views on same sex marriage. According to RTD, Cameron said she believes marriage should be between a man and woman because of her religious beliefs, but doesn't think there should be laws against same-sex marriage.

Grammys feature bleeped performances

Those who viewed the Grammys on Sunday night may have noticed that some of the performances had repeated segments of dead air.  Artists including Eminem, Lil Wayne and Drake had the music turned into “audio swiss cheese” as described by the Richmond Times Dispatch (RTD).  RTD reported that some of the songs featured lyrics that were somewhat questionable.  CBS Spokesperson Chris Ender said "It was a rousing musical performance, but words were edited from the live telecast that didn't meet our broadcast standards…We have great respect for artists' creative freedom, but there are certain things you can't say, or sing, on television."

Many twitters were updated with frustrations with CBS for their decision to bleep the songs.  Some viewers complained that if CBS felt the need to bleep half of the performance perhaps it would have been better to substitute with a different performer or song.  According to the article "Don't have performers on the show if you're going to bleep the hell out of their performance," proposed Levinson, professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University.

Levinson argues that the Grammycast did an injustice to the performers' music as well as to the audience expecting to hear it, reported RTD.

Somali Pirates released cargo ship

Somali pirates seized the cargo ship MV Filista back in November.  The ship was finally released on Monday after a ransom was delivered, according to an article on Yahoo News.  The crew is safe, according to a regional maritime official and pirate sources.  Andrew Mwangura of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers Assistance Programme said. "She is now steaming out to safe waters. All crew members are said to be safe.” The ship had been heading from Kuwait to Durban, South Africa and was attacked by the pirates about 500 miles northeast of the Seychellas.  Piracy attacks rose nearly 40% in 2009 worldwide.  In 2009 406 incidents were reported, during the year. Somali pirates were responsible for over half of those attacks, according to the International Maritime Bureua.  Yahoo News explained that typically the pirates hold the captured ships and crew hostage until ransoms are paid.

6 More Weeks of Winter

As if the foot of snow and the weekend forecast was not enough evidence, Punxsutawney Phil confirmed that there is in fact another six weeks of winter for 2010. German traditions stand that if the groundhog, who hibernates during the winter, see’s his shadow

in February 2^nd, then winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, then the legends say spring will come early.  According to an article on telapgraoh.co.uk The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club annually announces Phil's forecast at dawn on Gobbler's Knob, about 65 miles (105 kilometres) northeast of Pittsburgh. The groundhog club reports that Phil has predicted the weather by seeing his shadow nearly 100 times in 1887. This year, the announcement came from Phil before hundreds of onlookers who came out to watch in the 15 degree weather. This tradition, which dates back to medieval times, was brought to Pennsylvania by early German settlers.

Liftint Military Gay Ban

Since taking office in January 2009 President Barack Obama has made it clear that he does not approve of the current military gay ban. As it stands, homosexual men and women are not allowed to serve in the military. According to an article on Richmond Times dispatch (RTD) Defense Secretary Robert Gates is promising to try and spare more gay troops from being dismissed from the military. In addition, the pentagon is reviewing its “don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”

Obama has called for congress to repeal the law but has been met with some resistance. Some of the high-ranking military officials are reluctant to embrace change. Also, some democrats have said although they support the idea they want some more guidance in how to lift the ban and allow gay service members to serve without causing too much of a debate. Other democrats have decided not to push the issue until after this fall’s midterm elections.

Student Employees Complain About Working During Weekend Storm

 

There were some complaints from Campus Recreation Employees in regards to working on Saturday during the snowstorm. The email sent out to student employees said the following: “As you may have heard, snow is in the forecast for this weekend.  I just wanted to assure you that even if the University Closes/Cancels Class, the Health & Fitness Center will still be open.  Please be very careful making your way to the fitness center and give yourself plenty of extra time.  Realize that the FAB might not be running and there are special parking rules for snow.  Walking might be your best option! Also, Kelly Oddy is on call for the weekend, FYI.”

 

“I feel like they thought they could do something like this because we are student workers and many of us need this job and the money it pays. It shows little to no concern for the employees under them and I know that a career in the real world would not entail risking one's life to get to work like that,” said an anonymous student.

Associate Dean for Wellness and Campus Recreation Matt McGregor said. “Saturday was a unique challenge for many of us.  We do expect all staff to cover their shifts but we do take external factors into consideration and have reasonable expectations for everyone.  We tell our staff in the building that their main priority is to provide a safe and secure environment for the participants.  We obviously have the same priority for our staff.  Under no circumstances would we expect them to put themselves in danger, either while at work or getting to the Health and Fitness Center.”

 

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