March 28, 2008
Volume 114 Issue 19 Lip Sync 2008: Greek organizations sing and dance to bring the crowd to its feet
Whose Faith? art show and Cellar Birds take over the Campus Center page 10
pages 6-7
Trustco Bank: taking the trust out of banking
RelayforLife promotes fun for a good cause
G . K e i t h E va n s the sandspur With the losses incurred by financial institutions during the recent housing market crash, banks have become noticeably more aggressive in their efforts to a ract new customers. Radio commercials have increased, catchy new marketing campaigns are abundant, and gimmicks such as one-time bonus deposits for new customers are nearly ubiquitous. TrustCo Bank is using all of these methods to interest customers in its foray into the Central Florida market. The small Glenville, New York based company has recently stepped up advertising in the Orlando area, even going as far as to offer a $75 credit directly into checking accounts opened by new customers. They will be well advised to get a feel for the institution, research bank practices and pay careful a ention to the local branch personnel before rushing to cash in on this offer. In general, TrustCo Bank branches are physically warm and inviting. While the offices are clean, comfortable and free of the usual “ca le herder” lanes, the level of customer service varies greatly from branch to branch. Employees of the Lee Road branch in Winter Park, for example, seem positive, welcoming and energetic, while employees of the Maitland branch appear to be more restrained and impersonal. The variance of a itude from branch to branch seems to be a commonality throughout the institution. While customers of some branches give overwhelmingly positive reviews of the service they receive, others report outright rude behavior. A recent Internet review by username SaraDwayne assessed her local branch as being prone to “Jekyll and Hyde syndrome.” As the be er side of the duo, SaraDwayne stated, TrustCo was helpful in covering minor issues, even if that assistance came at a cost (in one month, SaraDwayne estimated paying over $2,000 in fees to the bank).
See Trust, page 2
G . K e i t h E va n s the sandspur
Courtesy of MCT Campus
MINDS IN THE GUTTER: What do Bill Clinton, Larry Craig, DIck Cheney and Eliot Spitzer have in common? Although three of them are going bald, all four have been involved in political sex scandals ranging from affairs to prostitution.
Sex and politics: does it matter? G . K e i t h E va n s the sandspur There has been a lot of talk about the sexual escapades of politicians lately. Eliot Spitzer, the former governor of New York who recently resigned a er his multiple rendezvous with highpriced call girls, is just the most recent in a long line of politicians with deviant sexual encounters. Are these erotic incidents cause for a public uproar, or are they simply typical manifestations of basic human desires? For some reason, the public seems to make a big deal when a politician has sex. The bedroom, it seems, is possibly the only area where voting constituents expect political leaders to somehow compare to the likes of monks and priests. Celibacy – as I recall – is not a vow taken by politicians. Sure, Spitzer violated the law by patronizing a prostitute. This infraction is relatively minor when compared to, say,
Dick Cheney’s questionable business dealings or the Bush administration’s endorsement of illegal wiretapping. Paying a prostitute is so minor, in fact, that a recent report by ABC’s 20/20 claimed that as many as 90 percent of busted johns, a prostitute’s clientele, never get arrested or much less go to jail. This minor mistake (hardly fit to call it a crime), does seem to spell certain death for a political career, however. The actions don’t even have to be as illegal as patronizing a prostitute. In 2007, Senator Larry Craig was arrested for allegedly signaling an interest in gay sex in a public restroom. Despite the fact that a restroom is one location where individuals should be able to expect a reasonable amount of privacy, Sen. Craig was afforded no such luxury. Gay or not, his career was thrashed for simply giving in to an instinct so basic that it is both ubiquitous and universal. Everyone has a primal need for sex: dogs, cats, the
elderly, monkeys, professors, turtles, aardvarks and, yes, even politicians. Some sexual escapades are more dramatic, more newsworthy than others. State Senator Bob Allen, who was busted last year for soliciting gay sex from an undercover police officer in a public park, created ideal fodder for reporters and comedians alike. Of all the ways to go out with a bang, a disheveled appearance while offering an officer 20 dollars for an illicit sex act comes pre y close to the top of the list. Senator Allen’s career was, of course, mortally wounded as a direct result of this indiscretion. Maybe all the bruhaha surrounding the sex lives of politicos is born of the father of all sexual scandals, the extramarital affair that lead to impeachment proceedings against the then-leader of the free world.
See Sex and politics, page 2
Once a year, several people come together for an overnight event full of festivities, entertainment and fun all in the name of a good cause. The annual Relay for Life event, a fund-raiser sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is an enjoyable way to spend time with friends while paying homage to those whose lives have been affected by cancer. Individuals from businesses, clubs, schools and other organizations form teams and take turns running (or walking). The idea is to always have a team member on the track during the 18 hour event. For those who have never a ended a Relay for Life event, it is not quite the somber atmosphere one might anticipate. Despite the seriousness of the disease it is intended to help fight, Relay for Life is actually somewhat reminiscent of a small carnival. While the event is different every year, concession stands, contests and even bands are staples of the affair. The Sandspur’s very own Justin “JB” Braun was once a centerpiece of entertainment at an event just a few years back. “A er performing at the high school ba le of the bands, I received a call from the organizer of the Relay for Life asking me if my band could play at the event,” he said, referring to the group The Low-Budget Super Heroes. “We opened up with a few covers, including a punk rock version of Low Rider,” he continued. Certainly, Relay for Life is far from the stodgy, stuffy experience the uninitiated may anticipate. As the evening progresses into the wee hours of the morning, some of the events can evolve into wacky, wild experiences. Rarely do these parties get out of hand though, and coordinators closely monitor the activities to ensure Relay for Life remains familyfriendly.
See Relay for Life, page 2