2008 Woodie Awards
Forum offers a glimpse into politics
Discussion dives into the depths of what it takes to run for presidental office
John Harrison
Date created: 10/25/04 Section: FEATURES
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 Media Credit: Diana Diroy Bob Marks(left) and Mark Simon(right) discuss issues of the presidental race at Skyline´s main theatre. |
If you were fortunate enough to be at the Main Theatre on the evening of Oct. 20, you may be one of the few Skyline students who have any idea of what's going on in this presidential election, or in any election, come to think of it. The presentation "How do we know who is telling the truth" was an informative peek into how our system of government works and how our politicians really think.
Mark Simon, an award winning journalist and Skyline graduate, Bob Marks, director of the Emmy Award winning "Peninsula TV," and Phyllis Taylor, Skyline College speech professor and moderator for the discussion, took their seats onstage in front of a chatting, restless group of Skyline students. Playing over the speakers, Green Day's "Time of Your Life" drifted through the theatre. The discussion was beginning.
Lori Slicton stepped to a podium and introduced everyone, stating the goals of Common Ground before the presentation began. Common Ground, as Slicton explained, helps bring the differences of campus and community into the open and celebrates them rather than stifles them. With her introduction complete, the lights in the theatre dimmed and focused directly on the three people in chairs onstage.
Topics for the discussion were current and useful. Simon and Marks gave an overview of where the presidential race is today.
"Oh golly, it's pretty close," Mark Simon exclaimed when the topic was directed at him.
He explained that the battleground states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida were going to be very important in the coming days before the election. He went on to say that, "candidates are focusing on a very small group of people in a very small group of states," meaning those battleground states.
Other issues hit home for the students in the audience. When the draft was discussed, an issue that has many local and national male and female students concerned. "I don't think it's a real issue," Marks said, a member of the Republican Party. Simon, on the other hand, said that, "neither [presidential candidate] knows that they're talking about when it comes to the draft."
The two men had different theories, and considering they both have a few years of political analysis under their belts. Simon has 30 years as a political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, and Marks with over 25 years in politics. However, with so many rumors flying around, it's difficult to know exactly what's going on.
