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Opinion: Markle We only part so we can meet again
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist I could have written an article this week about my new findings on Marlene Mosco, president of Mercyhurst Board of Trustees and her friendship with Tom Ridge, the former secretary of Homeland Security. Any outsider would view, critically analyze and question the factual evidence of conflicting interests that went into the decision for the no-bid contract granted to Mercyhurst Intelligence Studies department in 2005 by the department of Homeland Security. However, some people may cry over such evidence and I do not want to bring others to tears, although they have been known to heal. I obviously do not have the support from the school to question their motives in allowing ventures on campus, since the person who broke the above story in the national news was already scrutinized by the college, while a college representative stated, “Mercyhurst College stands by our intelligence studies program.” With such unquestioned loyalty, how dare a student question the reasoning of existence for such a fine, free-loving institution? My consistent scrutiny has apparently ruffled many “patriotic” feathers, and I guess I need to just shut up and let it go since “intelligence” is never going to cease. Really, what’s the big deal; not like any harm is being done, right? I scoff in the face of such ignorance and plead for some sort of awakening. My ridicule paralleled with pleas are soon to be forgotten, as the winds of time carry the class of 2008 off into the real world of jobs, careers and prolonged education away from Mercy world. Surely the childish actors who chose to carry out violence and hide behind power, ignore or disrepute my words as they deflect off their closed minds. Am I such an idealistic dreamer to think that endeavors in the 21st century should be guided by humble philosophies of peace, harmony and love? The government will continue to lie, exploit and harm the people of the human species as long as these very people remain complacent in apathy and unceasing in their trust in elite institutions. It must be the same majority that turns a blind eye to the ever-present atrocities and evils spread under the United States flag. No longer willing or able to displace blame, the people that chose to take on the onus of individual responsibility soon will unite and rise, I hope. The education here at Mercyhurst has prepared the 2008 seniors to operate with the lens that “not all that glitters is gold” so they can realize the reality and gravitas of each free, individual choice made and contemplated. Carpe Diem seniors, for only those who openly embrace and seize the opportunity of every new day can fully appreciate the eternity that is pervasive in each second. It would be foolish to think the memories made here at Mercyhurst will ever be forgotten, so let the memories guide each ever-increasingly important decision made toward establishing individual emancipation.
Good morning, Mercyhurst
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist I found it refreshing to wake up and walk to class under the umbrella of Fox Business News coverage two weeks ago knowing whoever saw the broadcast would be getting a fair and balanced report of current Mercyhurst College events. This was stimulating in the sense that it allowed my peers and I to realize that reality, even here on Mercyhurst’s campus, is still manipulated by the global elites. Fox News came and straight up advertised Mercyhurst under the news context that it is awesome because it is accepting federal loans from the government in order to support its private Catholic education. Should this seem strange, private colleges getting federal loans? No, of course not. We were reassured by the leaders of Mercyhurst that accepting federal help is only necessary during times of recession created at the hands of the very government that reaches out its gracious hand. Mercyhurst accepted the most ambitious plan ever for a 32 million dollar investment, that includes a 12 million dollar building focused on a move toward competitive intelligence in the business arena. Mercyhurst welcomed the global elite puppet Hillary Clinton with open arms and a speech turned into an eerie call for her presidency campaign. Most recently, Hillary’s constituent campaign contributor, Rupert Murdoch’s media team, arrived on campus to report business news. It would appear as though business is well for Mercyhurst and global elitism, as all went swimmingly since most people are too asleep, dulled down or apathetic to connect the dots that appear in front of us. Mercyhurst recieves solid federal funding, since this market distrust is leading us into another depression along with a trustworthy alliance to Fox, Rupert Murdoch and News Corps. Plus, this advertising and attention that the school is getting is so spectacular and well-deserved for our good behavior as monitored and accepted by those who chose to lend that helping hand. As Mercyhurst blossoms into the school that it can be, I pray that the root beliefs of the Sisters of Mercy, which are consistent in rejection of the practices of greed, corruption and arrogance, are not forgotten. Perhaps my prayer is too late, as the deals have been made with the assumption that every voice was heard and the plans are best for the students and the community. Alas, we should all at least realize the reality, severity, yet impermanence, of the events that transpire at Mercyhurst. Progression is the means, enslavement is the ends/means, unawareness is the symptom, apathy is the plague. I am at a loss for words as I contemplate the vision and direction of this institution.
Profit ultimate justification for exploiting Earth, individuals
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist Disheartened and disenchanted I began to survey topics for this article, uninspired by lies in the news, wary of responses to last week and ambivalent toward reflection, I have decided to divulge some personal experience that is me being and becoming. Life gets harder to swallow while operating under the lens that the very forces of greed, egotism and nihilism seem to guide not only our corporate process, but politics and social ways as well. As I went through the tags on my plethora of clothing articles, I knew my guilt in serving these, what I would consider, evil forces was justified. Clothing ourselves both past and present has been a simple task, yet now at the costs of child labor or exploitation we all are granted the façade of choice when shopping for such apparel. I refuse to point the finger at any of the corporations or these guiding forces because the blame and responsibility remains on the individual as per usual. Sleeping for the majority of my life, I can only apologize for, or work against, supporting exploitation in the business world. I guess wanting more in terms of material possessions has led me to the crossroads of awareness in which I am face to face with children who sewed my 100th shirt only so that they could afford to feed themselves. Sickness sets in with such a realization and questions arise as to why a company would justify such labor? Apparently in this day and age, profit seems to be the ultimate justification for not only exploiting the earth, other nation’s resources, but also individuals’ lives that are no less divine than mine or yours. The drama of real life has officially far exceeded any entertainment provided by Rock of Love or Keeping up with the Kardashians. Personal choices stretching from what we eat to what we wear cross over to the lens in which we view the world. Seeing America as a beacon of hope and love juxtaposed with the America that spreads distrust and corruption, makes me appreciate the choices I can make support the ways of love even in the face Babylonian forces suppressing the truth. Obviously I am as far from perfect and just as to blame as my neighbor since perpetual seeking for ownership over a myriad of material wealth has guided much of progress in life. However, I do believe the more consciousness and awareness expands the clearer choices will become and responsibility can be restored to the individual. Each choice that we make can lead us toward and guide us in the ways of love, humility and respect, away from the fear, arrogance and impertinence that I would argue dictates our current progress. So until the days when the choices made in love trump those made in fear, everywhere is war with the ground we walk on as the playing field and the clothes we wear as our uniforms. Watch the Canadian Documentary: The Corporation.
Call to consciousness: Who chooses labels that divide us?
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist First of all let me apologize to the people who so adamantly choose to defend the institutions with which they identify and associate; I cannot comprehend the passion and individual pride that goes into such strong identifications. Back to the intelligence studies department, it must be my vendetta or maybe it’s the personal attacks that have gotten to me. I know positive reform is being sought and questions are being asked, but perhaps it would be beneficial to take on the view of an outsider in order to objectively view the past of the organizations where jobs are being created. My issues have never been with any student within the intelligence department until recently when I realized that so strong is the pride that comes with considering oneself a patriot that sometimes this pride can be blinding or, worst of all, a source of hubris. Perhaps my views on the United States’ way of life or history is different than those who work to reform this community. A patriot in America used to be the one who fought against the tyranny and oppressive regime of Britain in order to establish rule of self-government with human-guaranteed rights for all people. Now in 2008, the Patriot Act, for example, although labeled as patriotic, is in essence the opposite of the freedoms and rights for which our forefathers fought. In fact, I could argue it supports the very tyrannical and oppressive forces against which patriots fought. If this is true, why would branches dedicated to protecting our freedoms and liberties take them away with this act? All three presidential candidates left in mainstream media also voted for this act. Not shocking that this act was passed and accepted with open arms after the attacks of September 11, 2001. I am more than curious as to the intelligence department’s stance on the events of that day. It tears me apart that the official government story is 19 hijackers led by Bin Laden pulled off three successful attacks that day and then one plane was shot down or crashed. Donald Rumsfeld isn’t even sure anymore on that one. At least we all know Bin Laden was a CIA agent. Can we please openly debate 9-11, intel department representatives? Set up that date as one of your club meetings and let us discuss the facts so we can get our history right before we create more war out there. Luckily all of this wonderful legislation has fostered a world belief and thought paradigm where you’re either with us or against. Well, with who, against who? Maybe the divide and conquer concept can help us understand this one. It is easy in this post-9-11 age to embrace fear of others in suspicion that they might be a terrorist. Instead of choosing to love one another as free and in possession of natural rights, we chose to fear one another based on the assumption that they are not “one of us.” Who set these lines or labels that divide us from one another? So while all intel students may not be the freedom-crushing neo-Hitlers that they think I think they are, it is apparent that these students follow in the footsteps of, are funded by and now defend the ideals of the people that are indeed freedom-crushing, neo-Hitlers. That is why I left the department; once I realized that I was associating with people who have such questionable ethics, I chose dissociation, not reform. I guess causing terrorism at home and abroad is somehow just as sinister as the history of the math department or archaeology department. Surprising that in their constant pursuit and high regard for the truth, not one of the intelligence studies students have chosen to question the official story of 9-11. And if you think this is a challenge to debate, it most certainly is, so let’s get to the heart of that problem. The spirit of public debate can surely help us reconcile the issues that I feel deter the nature and compassion of the students that chose to reform the Intelligence community. Would such compassion be served better elsewhere; is it better to speak truth to power or to people? “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace,” according to Jimi Hendrix, a radical hippie conspirator, yet friend for many, both past and present.
Hillary lies: Wal-Mart stock crucial income
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist It was hard for me to stand in line for three hours Tuesday with hope that I would get to ask Senator Hillary Clinton a question. It became even harder to hold back from directly addressing her during her speech, as people cheered and hung on her every word. It is disappointing that our college can fill support for Hillary when she is obviously a hypocrite. She spoke a lot about jobs and bringing jobs to the poor, when she represents topics such as Wal-Mart, Rupert Murdoch and the Council of Foreign Relations. Hillary sat on the board of Wal-Mart in 1986, when she was First Lady of Arkansas. In May 1992, as Bill’s presidential campaign heated up, she resigned from the board of Wal-Mart. According to reports in the early ‘90s, before Bill and Hillary moved to D.C., neither was raking in the big bucks, but prominent in their income were her holdings of between $50,000 and $100,000 worth of Wal-Mart stock. It’s hard for me to believe anything she says, especially with the fact that she is extremely wealthy but claims to represent and help the poor. Hillary also did not mention Peter Paul, who threw a fundraising Hollywood gala for the Clintons on Aug. 12, 2000. The Clintons then denied their friendship with Paul, who personally contributed 1.2 million dollars to Hillary’s Senate campaign. Hillary did not document this donation nor did she acknowledge that she knew about his contributions, even though there is video footage and phone call contradicting her denial. These actions, my friends, are indeed fraud and she should be held accountable, not cheered and applauded by our students, who apparently were unaware of these facts. My support for Hillary dwindles even more when you find out that she is supported by Fox News head Rupert Murdoch. More connected to the globalist society than all these sign-wavers care to know, she gave a congratulatory speech to Walter Cronkite on behalf of the World Federalist Association. In this speech she thanked Cronkite for his dedication and service toward World Government. This is the very man that is quoted as saying, "Our task is not to tell the truth; we are opinion molders." Maybe knowing these types of facts about her past make me biased in regards to her blatantly hypocritical rallying calls of revolution as she has been serving selfish, greedy, power-hungry and globalist motives since she had the opportunity. I guess it works better for her campaign when she can dictate policy to her following sheep from her state of inflated self-worth and dementia. This way she will never have to answer questions from an aware, concerned public that would potentially degrade her campaign that so much money has gone to instead of it going to the people she claims to represent.
Intel. should investigate 9/11 report
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist
An apology for past articles being overly critical and arrogant, as well as a dream manifesto that put forth a soft call for people to wake up. Then I realized none of this would really be listened to as too broad of a stroke was taken. So here it is. This is my call to the Intelligence Studies Department and the rest of the Mercyhurst College population. My call is for those of this population to do their job, investigate 9-11. I just want any one to prove to me that the 9-11 Commission is either free of error or adequate to be passed as truth. I have no real set belief in this matter but seeing how it is perhaps one of the most influential events in my lifetime. and yours, we question. I ask all students to do their own independent research
with no real alignment to the It is my belief that a debate will be needed here on campus in which numerous individuals who take on this investigation can come to logical conclusions on what really happened that fateful day. As you can see, this article will not address any of my personal beliefs or directions as to how one should approach this research. I provide you with no sources but as we all know that money controls time and reality it is important to look at unbiased sources as I am sure we have all been taught to do through annotated bibliographies. Let us be scholarly in our approach and humble in our
conclusions, for truth is as We are told we live in a free society where personal liberty is a necessity. A call to be a responsible citizen or employee is no longer a faint ideal but a vital obligation to our nation and neighbors. I hope this call is neither too late nor too quiet, for history and reality both depend on the way in which we the people steer our perceptions. Do not operate with cognitive dissonance or
self-justification because those are learned I am hopeful these 400 words can be listened to and acted upon, for thousands of more words shall follow.
'Top notch education' does not cover disappointment in peer
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist
As read on William’s blogs "Well here is your chance to tell me how much I piss you off.... All I ask is that you do not make any comments about the Army/ROTC on the blog everything is free game." I will comply to those rules even though I am not pissed off at William, just disappointed in my peer. William, using the "top-notch education earned from a diversified faculty," was somehow able to strike out when it came to comprehending complexities by cheaply categorizing people into his narrow minded constructs. This attempt to neatly classify, label and analyze what William considers "good people" was a distasteful and infantile approach at making people fit his puerile preconceptions. The most frustrating element of William’s writing was that it was done in light of his recognition of a top-notch education. If this was a display of a top-notch Mercyhurst education, I am frightened that outsiders of Mercyhurst might actually take this as an example of what this school considers higher learning. I might tolerate these types of ignorant, bias stereotypes from a confused teenager, but it’s unacceptable for a college senior to pass off as intelligent writing. I know from reading William’s blog that his reasoning is, "I write for the Merciad to write what everyone thinks however, would never say aloud. I am one of the few staff writers that might be normal and not a complete weirdo." Looking to get a rise out of people each time he spreads his unawareness through print, William should be held accountable for these actions. Not sure how or when being a sociopath became considered normalcy, but maybe in William’s false sense of reality and social security he reigns supreme. I find it is easy to let William speak for himself when arguing against him because of the myriad of outlandish remarks he tends to share with us. So here again is another quote directly from William’s blog, "I have no regard for anyone’s feelings and I truly do not care if I offend you. I refuse to rebuttal to my fellow staff writers and if you are upset about some of my articles write to Keith Nemeth." I apologize to all of those people whom fell under the wrath of William’s perpetual ignorance in last week’s article and it is embarrassing to have writing published next to someone who so obviously lacks empathy for others. I believe that William Swafford’s oppressive and oblivious outbursts should not be printed in the Merciad. Perhaps fewer affairs with overdrinking bottom shelf liquor and Natural Light would allow for William to get to know himself eventually stopping the plague that is his writing.
The phenomenon of reality and change
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist The common phrase to describe reality is that reality is all perception. This is obvious in making and imposing value and significance to the material world through ideologies. This constructed reality of most people determines how they see the world and the type of emotions they will feel. One person may find their family to be of most value, while another may see their Xbox as primary. If either of these is lost, the individual in play may be hurt. Can this individual not see the temporary nature of all things? I believe this awareness of a reality, that all things are subject to decay, scares us at times because we recognize the severe impact of this principle. We concern ourselves with issues to which we chose to dedicate our time to, whether it be of selfless or selfish nature. We are not evolved enough to see our world through a transcendent lens, as our complex minds are constantly reshaping our individual realities. Perhaps in the culture of today’s society we need to re-vise our realities. This can be done by experiencing another reality or removal from the one you have created for yourself. Too many of today’s actions are concerned with preserving the status quo that allows inequities, such as the starvation of the Third World, while we continue our tremendous consumption. It may not be what we see; so much of reality is an unknown and an idealistic view wouldn’t hurt us at a time of ruling realism that governs our so-called realities. Step outside of yourself, empathize with the struggles of others, calm the anger when the winds of uncomfortable change blow through. It is time to broaden and expand our scope and concepts of reality instead of fighting to stay inside of our boxes. Perhaps seeing the world as a whole living organism could help put our lives into perspective, as humans continue to carve up the earth and deplete her resources while we concern ourselves with the realities that we have created over time. Break the bonds that constrict our minds, expand your universe. Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, fits our mission statement, yet maybe not a certain view of a constructed reality. Live through experience and think about the reality we’ve created through our actions that exists today because precedents we choose to set determines our future as a global organism.
Media influence dictates societal norms
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist As the Information Age begins to take shape and grow exponentially it is necessary to reflect on the effects of such an age. At times, one week’s worth of information from a newspaper contains more information than someone would have been exposed to in a lifetime during the 18th century. It is hard to determine what type of views we would hold if we were free from media influence, yet it is important to consider and contemplate. Currently the modern media creates an influx of constant propaganda whether on CNN, Fox or CNBC; they all present what should be basic news with a slanted view. The ability of stations to control the information presented to the public is an interesting possession of persuasion power. Whether placing certain candidates in front of the camera, regulating the direction of questions during a debate or allowing certain views to be expressed more than others, the news never seems balanced. Instead of hearing about the atrocities in Myanmar where monks were being persecuted for simply marching in the streets, I get to see the latest on the Britney Spears child scandal. Perhaps the populous is to blame for not demanding significant stories and giving up freedoms by choosing to accept whatever CNN presents as the most relevant and important news. Instead of creating your individual world of information based on personal discovery, CNN can strip your individuality while you and numerous others get “Your World Today,” based on whatever CNN feels like telling you that day. Television also creates archetypes for people to follow, leading to a somewhat blind, ignorant following trying to live up to these TV idols or even worse, imposing their set TV stereotypes onto others. People may look up to the girls on “The Hills,” who get to dramatically act out their script and pass it off as reality. Luckily if you get to watch the commercials of such a show, you will be flooded by advertisements that dictate societal norms based on the products they force down our throats. I enjoy TV as much as the next person. It primarily serves as a tool for entertainment or actual reality in the sector of sports. However I would recommend that we get out and play for an hour a day, just as Shrek recommends in order to gain some freedom from the boob tube. I don’t know how many times about how I hear how tragic it is that someone’s precious “Grey’s Anatomy” time was interrupted but it hurts my soul to hear how attached people have become to their TVs. Perhaps the time has come to free ourselves from the bond of television, if not completely, at least to reasonable autonomy where we are able to act independently, make our own decisions and set our own values.
Does Intel belong at a liberal arts school like the ’Hurst?
By Jerrod Markle Staff columnist Originally the debate as to whether this institution of intelligence studies, a professional school, belongs at a liberal arts school such as Mercyhurst was settled under the assumption that these analysts and organizations such as the CIA and FBI will continue to exist regardless of where the training takes place. Since seemingly impossible to stop and in need of growth Mercyhurst decided that it was best to train these people under the umbrella of a general liberal arts education to produce well-rounded analysts. After sitting down to talk with the head of the institute of intelligence studies, Robert Heibel, I became aware of his thoughts on how this program has been successful at Mercyhurst. He said that his program produces a generalist, a person with an array of knowledge, with opportunities to work as an analyst whose primary function is to produce information to their superior in order for that person to make a more educated and clearer decision with the information analyzed by this type of professional. Heibel also made it clear that although many come interested to explore the job opportunities of the FBI or CIA many change their interests, yet the constant motivation for completing the program remains the $60,000 salary that is attributed to those analysts who complete the undergraduate studies at the institute of intelligence studies. Also mentioned by Heibel were career opportunities with Amnesty International or General Motors as an analyst, yet the brochure that sells the program to students does not mention either one of these organizations as a career opportunity ;rather it lists a majority of governmental agency employers such as the Department of Homeland Security, DEA, CIA and FBI. In many of my classes here at Mercyhurst I have been exposed to a higher education that is not focused on material gain, rather an exploration into unique thought, service and personal spiritual development. When researching the program I did not find the exact information that is taught in regards to the FBI or DEA but I can only hope that they represent the truth or full spectrum on the damage that these institutions have done to parts of society. “J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI did more to choke and destroy legitimate political dissent than any other public organization in American history by managing to intimidate uncounted numbers who feared to speak up, sign petitions and the like, lest they receive notice in the notorious files of the Bureau, thus potentially ruining career or occupational possibilities,” said Eugene Lewis, an American political scientist who is a leading academic authority on the concept of political entrepreneurship. I hope Intel teaches its students about the unjust, illegitimate and international War on Drugs created by the DEA that spends 50 billion dollars a year into this failed war that rooted from scare tactics, propaganda and fear. I get the feeling these are not the lessons taught to the intelligence studies students here at Mercyhurst, yet I learn this side in class each day and have now come to fear the very institutions my peers are being trained to work. I believe the Intel department dulls down the human reflection and contemplation that is the result of action when making a decision whether to bomb a city or raid a building. I hope that the qualities of morality, compassion and empathy are not trumped by a focus on carrying out the process of information analysis. I believe in the spirit of my friends who are being put through the program, yet I question the controllers of the intelligence community who may not be as open to the liberal arts thought that has been taught to my peers. It is most hard to develop and cultivate the soul when plagued with endless hours of busy work that consists of using computer programs to complete information analysis without any true personal reflection because the product is best presented when in black and white. I believe that by paying for an education by the Institute of Intelligence Studies only allows the cycle of self-created analyst positions to continue to finance America’s ability to wage war, thus feeding into the military industrial complex. This is next to the very school that preaches of the dangers and evil of the military industrial machine that runs much of our government and is at the center of wars. It upsets me that I go to school with people who are setting themselves up for careers in agencies that have inflicted American society with wars based on scare tactics, blows to radical free-thought movements and roles in policing the world. I end with my questions to the audience. Does the institute of intelligence studies belong on the same campus that focuses on the liberal arts and when do we make the choice between to end fear and spread love?
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