Rap, Uzis and the Internet
"... If this account doesn't reach $50,000 in the next 7 days then a murderous rampage similar to the VT shooting will occur at another highly populated university. This is not a joke!" -- part of a note found in Olutosin O. Oduwole's car.
Some supporters believe Oduwole, a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, was writing rap music, not plotting mayhem. Maybe; though try as we might, we can't hear the beat of that lyric. Neither can prosecutors, who charged Oduwole with attempting to make a terrorist threat.
Even if he can explain away the words, there's the matter of the guns. Authorities say he ordered several semi-automatic weapons over the Internet, including an Uzi-type gun. He also is charged with fraudulently selling a machine gun at an online auction site. The buying and selling of guns over the Internet is reason for pause. It's far too easy for people to scam or be scammed. And it makes it easier for those with evil intent to obtain weapons.
Oduwole had to obtain the guns he bought over the Internet from a local dealer. Fortunately in this case, the dealer got suspicious and alerted authorities. But it would be easy for a dealer to miss warning signs when a transaction is conducted primarily via a computer screen. This case raises the question: Should we be selling Uzis and machine guns over the Internet?
Setting an example
Life is a series of choices. Some people are fortunate enough after high school to have a choice between higher education and immediately earning a living. Others must first provide for themselves and family, even those with ample aptitude for scholastic success at the highest levels.
It doesn't have to be that way for workers at Continental Tire in Mount Vernon.
Credit goes to the innovative path blazed by Rend Lake College, which recently attracted an academic partner in Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The schools will work together on a program that will allow workers at the tire plant to pursue a full, 4-year bachelor of science degree while staying on the job and earning a paycheck. Classes are conducted at the plant, with the use of top-shelf equipment, and are timed to accommodate workers' schedules.
The program in Mount Vernon is the first for Continental in the U.S. Because of the pilot program with RLC, plant employees have had the opportunity to pursue associate degrees in business, certifications, employee training and continuing education. More than 1,400 of the plant's 2,000-plus workers have taken classes; 42 are pursuing associate degrees with RLC. With the addition of SIUC, workers can obtain a bachelor's degree in technical resource management. Other courses and majors are possible in the future.
We think Continental Tire, RLC and SIUC are providing a tremendous opportunity for working people. We also believe the program should be considered as a model for other employers who want to retain and train skilled workers.