Gibbs Recounts Hard Times in White House, Emphasizes Youth Vote in 2012

Former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Photo: James Reed

Robert Gibbs, former White House Press Secretary and outside adviser to President Obama’s reelection campaign, energized a room full of College Democrats for the upcoming 2012 elections Tuesday evening. Gibbs briefly reminisced on his tenure as press secretary, during which he held more than 250 press briefings, before talking about the state of the economy.

“Our fiscal house is a mess... This is not your normal recession,” Gibbs told students at Dorothy Betts Theatre. Gibbs pointed to the falling strength of the dollar, noting that the income average in 2011 is about the same as 1996. “Your parents are paying your 2010-2011 GW tuition on a 1996 income,” said Gibbs.

Shiah Shahmohammadi, the GW College Democrats Communications Director, decided to host Gibbs as a speaker in order to rally their members toward the reelection of President Obama.

“Mr. Gibbs is an important figure in politics today. Not only was he the spokesperson for the nation's highest office for two years, but he is also an integral part of the reelection campaign of Barack Obama,” Shahmohammadi said. “The GW College Democrats chose Mr. Gibbs to be our kick-off speaker because he has the ability to excite our membership and encourage them to get involved with our organization as well as the 2012 campaign.”

During his speech, Gibbs pointed to the events of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 as a challenge for himself and the press, calling it “three of the most hardest months in the White House.” During the spill, Gibbs said he learned much about the oil industry and claimed to know more that than anyone who works for such a company.

Looking to 2012, Gibbs asked students a series of questions pertaining to their voting and social habits.

“This election is as much important as the last election,” Gibbs said emphatically. Gibbs, devoted some time to voting trends over the last decade, and particularly noted the shortfall in youth voting in 2010. In 2008, the youth votes comprised eighteen percent of the electorate, while in 2010 it was only eleven percent.

During the question and answer period, Gibbs noted a briefing featuring both President Obama and former President Clinton regarding the tax deal. Gibbs said his first thought when he first saw the two presidents walking past his office was “Holy Christ.” The presidents wanted access to the briefing room on a Friday evening.

“It was really cool getting the insight of someone who not only was a top White House insider for two years but the President’s main gatekeeper to the press,” said sophomore College Democrat member Scott Challeen. “My favorite part about hearing from former White House insiders like that is not so much the descriptions and specifics of their jobs, but the funny personal stories from the job.”

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal Takes Effect

The United States military repealed its "don't ask, don't tell" policy Tuesday morning, allowing openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals to serve in the armed forces and marking a noticeable shift in the recognition of gay rights in America.

The policy, which did allow gays to serve in the military so long as they kept their sexual orientations hidden, began under the Clinton administration and had been the object of intense scrutiny for almost two decades. The policy's repeal was the culmination of several years worth of back-and-forth debate between the executive and legislative branches, the Department of Defense, and many members of the armed forces.

"It's always a significant moment in history when the government moves to enact policies that match the values held by the public," said freshman Rhett Gopaul. "In this case it's especially important given the ongoing debate concerning same-sex marriage; it's a step in the right direction and I hope it causes the tides to turn."

The repeal of DADT still remains unpopular among some members of Congress. However, the Department of Defense has made it clear that the law's repeal will not affect the actions of the Army, whether at home or on the battlefront. The Pentagon called for "business as usual" Tuesday, encouraging members of the armed forces to remember the values of respect and fairness.

Military services halted the processing of applications from openly gay recruits until the law's repeal took effect Tuesday morning, a strategy which will give prospective servicemen an equal opportunity to serve their country regardless of sexual orientation.

The law's repeal received hearty support on GW's campus from students on both sides of the political spectrum.

"Though I am a Republican, I support the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' because those who are fighting for our country should be able to practice the rights that they've sworn to protect," said freshman Edric Chung. "This isn't a matter of gay rights; it's a matter of freedom of speech."

Anti-DADT advocates held celebrations around the country in honor of the controversial law's repeal Tuesday. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a watchdog organization which aims to end discrimination of gay and lesbian military personnel, hosted a party a few blocks off campus in honor of "Repeal Day."

The law's repeal marks a noticeable shift with regards to the recognition of gay rights in the United States.

Comcast Launches New Program to Extend Internet Access

DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson (left) talking with Comcast EVP
David L. Cohen (middle) and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski

The Comcast Corporation is launching a new initiative aimed at bringing inexpensive internet access to low-level income families.

The Internet Essentials program is simultaneously kicking off in 39 states and the District of Columbia. It's open to families who qualify for the National School Lunch Program, which provides free lunch to more than 29 million public and charter school students nationwide.

Speaking to WRGW over the phone, Executive Vice President David L. Cohen called the program a "continuation and refinement" of Comcast's existing goals.

"Working towards broadband adoption versus broadband deployment has always been a passion for Comcast," said Cohen, who was in town Tuesday for the DC-area launch of the program. "The Internet has the potential to narrow differences between people by providing access to education, news, entertainment, etc."

However, because of the so-called "digital divide" between the wealthy and the poor, Cohen said "the Internet exacerbates differences instead."

A recent report by Pew Research found that approximately one in four U.S. households are without a computer. In an attempt to change this, Internet Essentials will provide broadband access to qualified individuals for $9.95 a month, and Comcast is working with Dell and Acer to provide those households with computers for $150. The program will also work with local non-profit organizations to offer free computer and internet training for those who don't know how to use them.

Internet Essentials will affect more than 140,000 students in the DC-Metro area, in an attempt to aid the struggling DC Public School system. WRGW's own Michael Fische experienced DCPS firsthand.

"My school had a lot of kids that didn't have internet access," said Fische, a sophomore. "In middle school, I'd say 50% of the class didn't have it, and in high school maybe 60% were without internet access at home. I would be in classes with students who would have to stay after class or during lunch to get access to resources they couldn't get at home."

Comcast believes it can help by extending internet access to those who would otherwise never have it. "The Internet has shrunk the world, but only for the wealthy. For the poor, the world is just as big and intimidating as ever," said Cohen. "We are going to make a contribution to try and change that."

The program launched in DC on Tuesday.

Ugly Betty Star Leads Off Latino Heritage Celebration

The Latino Heritage Celebration at GW kicked off on a roll this week as actor, director and community activist Tony Plana captivated the crowd with his keynote address Monday evening at the Marvin Center.

You may know Plana from his more recent role as Betty’s father in the hit TV show "Ugly Betty." But his career has spanned decades, and his wide range of performances in the arts as well as in the community provided a platform which enables him to inspire fellow Hispanics.

Plana told stories to a fixated audience from his early life as an immigrant Cuban child in Miami in the 60’s. At other times, the crowd curled over with laughter as Plana mused them with highlights of his acting career.

Active community service and dedication, however, was the major emphasis of the speech. He urged the crowd to pay attention to the “tragedy of education” that is prevalent in schools today.

Plana adamantly professed “if there was an obstacle in your way, that you must take action to overcome that obstacle… not only for you, but for your community as well."

“Worlds will never change unless you change them yourself,” he explained to the audience.

He concluded his talk with a lively Q & A session with audience members who called on Plana to guide them through their own endeavors. Plana continued to emphasize the importance of education as a key step in breaking the mold that has been set for Hispanics in the local community, playing nicely into this year’s theme for the celebration “Saber es Poder” (Knowledge is Power).

The Multicultural Student Services Center hosted the event. Director Michael Tapscott emphasized that “Everyone is welcome at the MSSC."

The Latino Heritage Celebration, which takes place on GW’s campus Sept 19^th-Oct 15^th, promotes the immense value of self-awareness of Latinos while simultaneously empowering the Latino community. The weeklong celebration also seeks to educate the GW and surrounding D.C. community about the rich Latino history and culture and their impact on the United States. Other events this week include a Latin American film screening, Parade of Flags and Latin dance classes.

A full list of Latino Heritage Celebration activities can be found at the MSSC website.

4-RIDE Shuttle Reservation Now Available Online

GW students can now reserve 4-RIDE shuttles online through either their computers or smartphones. The new system will allow riders to book one trip at a time up to two hours in advance.


The shuttle service runs between 7:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. every day. Riders will be able to enter their preferred pick-up time, location, destination and additional comments for the dispatcher.

“This new system seems like it will be more efficient," sophomore Hayley Burgess said. "I personally have never used 4-RIDE, but a lot of my friends have complained about how slow the service is.”

Darrell Darnell, the Senior Associate Vice President at the office of Safety and Security, said the service should be more responsive, cutting down on the amount of time students have to wait on the 4-RIDE phone line and eliminating uncertainty as to when the van will pick them up.

"It gives students another option," Darnell said, "as well as puts stress on the dispatchers because it will be done automatically."

The phone reservation system will remain available to those requesting a ride. Riders can also sign up to receive e-mail or text message notifications when the shuttle is on its way. Still, some students remain skeptical of 4-RIDE's ability to cut down on its notorious delays.

“I’m not sure this new way will be more efficient," junior Alexandra Noghaven said. "It seems to me that it will probably just take longer to order 4rides the old fashion way. Still, I think the 4ride system is super helpful."

Each of the 17 4-RIDE vans will be outfitted with GPS technology. Deployed vans will be displayed in real time on a Google map on the 4-RIDE site, which will be accessible through myGW on computers and mobile devices. The three year contract will cost the university $90,000.

Students can visit my.gwu.edu and click on "4-RIDE" in the quick links section to make their reservation.

Mac Users No Longer On Gwireless

Apple device users returned to campus only to find that their Gwireless accounts were no longer functional. The Division of Information Technology switched Mac users on campus to GW1X for the Fall 2011 semester in an attempt to speed up on-campus Internet access. While students try to adapt to the network’s installation instructions, IT explains the reason and benefits for the change.

According to Rachel Blevin, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Division of Information Technology, GW1X is a secure wireless network for iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and Mac machines.

“It improves the user experience by keeping users logged in forever after they sign in for the first time,” said Blevin.

The Division of Information Technology chose to switch from SSL VPN on GWirless to GW1X because of the “trend of students, faculty, and staff having more than one device on the network at a time” and “to ensure that the wireless network is supportable across a broad range of platforms,” said Blevin.

Students' reactions to the switch focus on the instructions and the wireless connection. Visiting the IT desk or reference desk in all the libraries on campus has become a frustrating routine for some. For others, the network seems slower than before.

"At first I thought it would be convenient to not have to sign in every time I wanted to use the internet," said junior Sarah Perillo, "but I've found that this new network is so slow to start up that it doesn't save any time. The only improvement is that you won't get kicked off after five hours like on gwireless."

The instructions for setup were easy to follow, Perillo added.

The IT and Library staff have been working diligently to help students install and adapt to the new wireless network.

“To connect, simply log on to GWireless from a GW1X-supported device and open your browser, and you will see a web page with configuration instructions specifically tailored to your device,” says Blevin.

For help and instructions, go to http://helpdesk.gwu.edu/faqs/gw1x.html or contact IT at 202-994-2138.

University Launches Online Advising Tool, With Flaws

The University this week made its new advising tool, DegreeMap, available for all undergraduate students. The launch received mixed reviews from the GW student population, some praising the system's utility, others criticizing its inaccuracies.

The new online audit system comes after the University created a new school-wide advising committee and spent $500,000 hiring new advisers earlier this year, doubling the advising staff of its largest school, the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

"[DegreeMap] made it easier to double check I had fulfilled all my requirements," said senior Nicole Longo. "I wish we had it freshman year."

The University made advising reform a high priority after students continually criticized the program's perceived lack of direction and support.

"You didn't get help unless you sought it out," said Jesse Regis, a class of 2011 graduate.

"I figured out everything on my own. There was a lot of room for error."

But DegreeMap still has its bugs. Some students found drastic inaccuracies in their online audit, as well as a lack of useful course recommendations and guidance they might receive from an actual academic adviser.

"It's just pure GW trying to make it seem like it knows how to use technology," senior Garrett Khoury said. "I'm sure once the bugs are figured out it might be useful... but I'll take ten minutes with my adviser any day."

The administration claims once the kinks are worked out, DegreeMap will free up more time for advisers to build a relationship with students, cutting down on the time spent looking up "routine information." Working out those kinks depends on student feedback, said CCAS Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies Daniel Ullman.

"We didn't expect the audits to be correct for all students on launch day, and they weren't," Ullman said.

Reaching a correct audit for all students requires inputting tens of thousands of courses, petitions, waivers and exceptions, according to Ullman. The task could take several weeks.

DegreeMap will extend to graduate programs moving forward on a rolling basis.

CCAS students can share their DegreeMap concerns at

http://columbian.gwu.edu/undergraduate/advising/degreemap

-Joseph Rabinowitz

Hawk 'n' Dove Temporarily Closing

After serving as one of the District’s main bars and restaurants for 44 years, the Hawk ‘n’ Dove bar, located just a stone’s throw from Capitol Hill, will be temporarily closing its doors on October 2. The momentary shutdown is to make way for incoming owner Xavier Cerveza, who will take over the building’s lease, while the restaurant itself undergoes an overhaul for several months before it reopens next year.

Cerveza already owns a few bars in the area, such as Chesapeake Room, Senart’s Oyster & Chop House and Lola’s Barracks Bar and Grill, and seeks to open more restaurants in the area.

For the past few decades, Hawk ‘n’ Dove served as a common meeting place for lawyers, congressmen, college students and Capitol Hill interns.

Beginning back in 1967, the restaurant opened as a location where pro-Vietnam War “hawks” and their dissenting “dove” counterparts could congregate together. Since then, the bar went on to become its own landmark in the District for more than 40 years.

Terrance Lewis, a resident in Northwest D.C., came to Hawk ‘n’ Dove this past April to celebrate his 21^st birthday.

“It was the first time that I had been out to a bar after turning 21 and I had a great time,” Lewis said. “If they do a complete change, I’m glad I at least got to visit the bar before it closes for awhile.”

To celebrate, there will be events leading up to the restaurant’s closing, such as all of the items being auctioned off. Upon hearing this, Lewis stated that he would try to go down for the auction.

“Maybe if they look hard enough,” Lewis commented, “they’ll be able to find the mug I took up with me on the dance floor. Then I can buy it back.”

MLK Dedication Date Announced

After opening to the public on Monday, August 22, organizers postponed the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial due to Hurricane Irene. On Sunday, September 11th, the monument's architect, Ed Jackson Jr., announced that the dedication would be rescheduled for October 16. Organizers are already working towards bringing back the speakers and musicians who were set to perform. The Washington Post reported that President Barack Obama would speak at the event, with musicians Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, filmmaker George Lucas and actor Jamie Foxx serving as celebrity co-chairs.

The Alpha Pi Alpha Fraternity proposed the $120 million dollar memorial in honor of the Civil Rights Movement leader. Dr. King was one of the organization's most notable members. The memorial sits next to the Tidal Basin between the Lincon and Jefferson Memorials. Stay tuned to WRGW for more news about the dedication of the District's newest Memorial.

Future of Gaming Revealed at E3

                                              Nintendo's touch-screen controller for the new Wii U system




The Electronics Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, ran this Tuesday through Thursday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The expo is held each year in Los Angeles, featuring new video games and gaming hardware that will be released in the coming year.

The new PS Vita and Wii U from Sony and Nintendo, respectively, were the highlights of new consoles introduced by the most well-known companies in the video game industry. Microsoft introduced several games for its current console, the Xbox 360, most of which involve its Kinect system, an interactive platform for Xbox games. Ubisoft stole the field by introducing several games across different genres including Rayman Origins, Farcry 3, and Driver: San Francisco.

"You want things to play and look like they always have, but you also want the buzz of the new," said Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata at the company’s Tuesday morning press conference. The CEO of game developer Electronic Arts (EA), John Riccitiello, said the Wii U will foster a developing relationship between EA and Nintendo.

On the whole, minor companies introduced hardware that adapted to the recent industry hardware. Memorex, known for electronic multimedia, introduced a charging station for Kinect and Xbox 360 controllers. Razer released its Hydra product, a PC device similar to the work of Nintendo’s Wii, which allows a gamer to use two controllers to play through PC games like Portal 2 and Gears of War 3.

The conference, primarily known for the introduction of new games and hardware, is also known for quality giveaways by companies and developers. Some of this year’s giveaways include game demos, lanyards, T-shirts, and mouse pads.

Tom Dusenberry, founder and CEO of Call-it Entertainment, called the Wii U “revolutionary.” 

“Mainstream video games are becoming much more sophisticated,” Dusenberry said. 

Scott Russo, a game developer with Perpetual Notions, said, “graphics are becoming more life-like.” On game development, Russo said it has become “increasingly more competitive but increasingly less creative,” citing the Guitar Hero series as evidence.