The Heights 04-08-10

The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919

THE HEIGHTS THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Vol. XCI, No. 18

www.bcheights.com

Campus arms treaty talks discontinued Applicant

BY MICHAEL CAPRIO News Editor

Planning for Boston College’s participation in hosting an informal U.N. Arms Trade Treaty discussion, originally scheduled to take place on campus in June, has been discontinued, University administrators said.

The conference, which would have included representatives from dozens of countries, failed to meet fundraising stipulations set by the University in a timely manner, said Donald Hafner, vice provost for undergraduate affairs.

The discontinuation was made official when University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., accepted a recommendation Tuesday afternoon from Hafner that the event be discontinued.

“When it showed they hadn’t met the conditions, I decided it was a no-go,” Hafner said of his recommendation. “As disappointing as it was, we made a recommendation that we cease. It was inevitable.”

Leon Ratz, project coordinator for the conference and A&S ’11, had undertaken the fundraising efforts, which included soliciting $90,000 from the governments of Austria, Australia, and Luxembourg.

Ratz declined to comment on the issue.

While University officials pledged their support for the conference, the administration declined to provide funding for the event. “We weren’t going to have student tuition money subsidize the U.S. government,” Hafner

said.

The lack of student participation in the event also produced a problem in funding the event. “The event was scheduled to take place during the summer,” said University Spokesman Jack Dunn. “It might have provided an experience for 10 to 12 students at the expense of $100,000.”

Hafner said that as planning for the project progressed into March, the need for funding became even more urgent. “Promises were made, but they weren’t followed up instantly,” Hafner said. “Having a productive conference is not something you do on a weekend.

From a variety of perspectives, it became clear that we had reached the cross-over point.”

Hafner said he had sought counsel from members of the BC community regarding the politics surrounding the conference’s planning. He said that these counselors, whom he declined to name, suggested the project would face further issues if planning continued to go forward.

“I had been given advice that the drop-dead date should have been in mid-March,” Hafner said. “I was committed enough to this project that I wanted to extend the date by when a decision had to be made as much as I could.”

By then end of March, the primary issue became the lack of funding, Hafner said. The fundraising process, he said, was surprisingly difficult.

“I think what surprised Leon and what continues

to surprise me is the difficulty of raising the funding,” he said. “If the international community wanted this to happen, they could have written these checks in an eyeblink. I didn’t understand it as my responsibility to get money from other governments.”

The month leading up to the conference’s discontinuation, Hafner said, was particularly turbulent. While the Provost’s office prepared invitations to the conference to be sent in early April, the lack of funding remained a looming issue. “Before BC even thought about sending out invitations, we had to have the money in hand.”

In response to Hafner’s recommendation that the event be canceled, the Undergraduate Government of BC (UGBC) held an emergency Senate meeting at 10 p.m. on April 5.

“It’s something that’s unheard of,” said Harvey Simmons, president of the UGBC Senate and A&S ’11, on the frequency of such meetings.

The UGBC Senate presented a resolution to the University on the morning of April 6, prior to Leahy’s acceptance of Hafner’s recommendation. The resolution was not signed by Al Dea, president of the UGBC and CSOM ’10, and therefore, is not official, according to the bylaws of the UGBC. “After five months of approval by University officials of efforts towards the manifestation of this conference on the Boston College campus and after the point of

Ryan Cabrera, singer-songwriter and Dallas native, will be performing at Robsham Theater on Friday at 9 p.m.

The show, sponsored by Nights on the Heights, is free for all Boston College students.

“We were looking for someone who was able to get the audience involved and up out of their seats,” said Jenna Moore, associate director of music for Nights on the Heights and LSOE ’10.

Cabrera, known for his hits “Shine On” and “On the Way Down,” first emerged on the pop music scene in 2004. Student event organizers with Nights on the Heights proposed bringing Cabrera to campus after they saw him perform at the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) Convention in early March.

“Our students went to [the convention] and saw him perform, and we de-

See Cabrera, A4

INSIDE SPORTS

See Admissions, A4

KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Recently-hired men’s basketball coach Steve Donahue addressed students in the Dustbowl. about his first impressions here at BC. “All of this attention is overwhelming, but in a great way.”

After his speech, Donahue took time to talk with students and sign autographs.

Savi Tuber, A&S ’13, said he was excited about the newly appointed coach. “He really seems positive and energetic,” Tuber said. “It is evident that he will fit

Donahue hired as new men’s basketball coach, B1

C.A.R.E. Week holds on-campus events

THE SCENE

BY CAITLIN MAGUIRE

The Scene solves all of your life problems, C1

MARKETPLACE

Angry at their government, Thai protestors overrun Bangkok, D1 Classifieds, C5 Crossword, C5 Editorials, A6 Editors’ Picks, B3 Forecast on Washington, D2 On the Flip Side, D4 Police Blotter, A2 Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down, A7 Videos on the Verge, C2 Weather, A2

For The Heights

On U.S college campuses, a reported 25 percent of women have survived attempted rape or sexual assault. Boston College is no exception, and this week, BC’s Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is advocating for victims by hosting Concerned About Rape Education (C.A.R.E.) Week.

From April 6 to April 18, the WRC is teaming up with various on-campus organizations including ResLife, Health Services, and the Undergraduate Government of BC (UGBC) in attempts to raise awareness for rape victims. Cara Colbert, a WRC representative and A&S ’10, defined rape as an umbrella term for all sexual harassment and abuse. Though broadly defined, Colbert said, “Any sort of sexual assault or violence is a huge concern on campus.”

Jac Cerniglia, a graduate assistant at the WRC and LGSOE ’10, said she believes C.A.R.E Week helps students understand how prevalent rape is on college campuses. “We try to show students how culture and campus life allows rape to happen,” she said. “In most instances, it’s a very blurry line.” The WRC attempts to better define that line by hosting various events targeted at students.

Tuesday’s kickoff event focused on

abusive relationships, particularly how abuse is perpetuated by popular culture.

Bonnie Rudner, a professor in the English department, held a Table Talk conversation on the current Twilight phenomenon.

The discussion focused on the obsessive relationships that exist between characters Edward and Bella. Colbert attended the talk, which criticized how in today’s progressive society, the public is drawn to storylines depicting females who passively accept males’ violent advances.

“It was an interesting way to recognize abuse in such a popular source,” Colbert said. “The media really perpetuates this problem.”

The highlight of C.A.R.E. Week is an empowering event called Take Back the Night, which will be held Wednesday, April 14, in O’Neill Plaza. Take Back the Night is held on campuses across the nation and focuses on celebrating survivors of sexual assault. The event will host several speakers, many of whom are survivors attempting to put an end to abuse. “The event is always empowering,” Cerniglia said. “It lets people see how abuse affects survivors.”

This year, the WRC introduced a new model for Bystander Education that attempts to educate bystanders on rape prevention. The week will end with an

See C.A.R.E. Week, A3

Heights Staff

See Pep Rally, A4

Heights Staff

Assoc. News Editor

BY MOLLY LAPOINT

in well as a part of the BC community.”

Some students at the event even said they think basketball games will now have an atmosphere similar to that of football games under Donahue’s leadership.

Mike McCarter, CSOM ’13, said, “I am excited to see this new-found support for

See UN Conference, A4

BY MORGAN HEALEY

BY PATRICK GALLAGHER

Amount of qualified applicants increases This year, Boston College saw a 2 percent increase in applicants for the class of 2014, while the acceptance rate increased by 1 percent.

Overall, there were 29,900 applicants for the class of 2014, compared with 29,300 last year. However, despite the greater number of applicants, the acceptance rate increased from 30 to 31 percent. This is because the quality of the applicant pool is rising, said John Mahoney, director of undergraduate admission.

“The quality of the applicants is up significantly,” Mahoney said. “That’s a good news-bad news scenario. It means we’re attracting better and better students and admitting stronger students, but the stronger students have more opportunities.”

Because the students have stronger credentials, many opt to attend other institutions. Out of the 9,000 accepted students, about 2,250 are expected to enroll. “[BC applicants] are being accepted to schools like Georgetown, Notre Dame, the Ivies, Duke, and Stanford,” Mahoney said. “Students applying to BC have a rich array of choices in the quality of the institutions they’re accepted to and the merit scholarships they receive. The quality of admitted student is high, so the yield is a challenge for us.”

This year, there were certain notable trends in admission. The number of AHANA applicants was up nine percent to 8,600 students, which accounts for approximately 30 percent of the applicant pool. “We aggressively recruit AHANA students,” Mahoney said. “The largest increase in AHANA applicants mirrors the fastest growing group of high school graduates, and those are Hispanic and Latino students.”

Additionally, applications to the Lynch School of Education were up 17 percent, while the number of Carroll School of Management applicants decreased by 9 percent. “I think it has a lot to do with the state of the economy,” Mahoney said.

“The financial service economy has been consolidating, so it’s tougher and tougher to land jobs in financial services.”

Since the early 1990s, the number of high school seniors increased steadily until last year, resulting in a dramatic increase in applications. In 1992 there were 2.4 million high school seniors, and the number peaked at 3.3 million in 2009. The number is expected to remain at about three million a year for the next

Ryan Students welcome coach Donahue Cabrera to perform Friday On Wednesday night the Boston College community joined together at a pep rally to welcome new head basketball coach Steve Donahue.

The rally was held in the Dustbowl and featured entertainment by the BC marching band and cheerleaders. In addition to showing school spirit, students at the event had the opportunity to win basketball season tickets, a JetBlue flight voucher, BC practice gear, and even a brand new Blackberry Curve from AT&T. Al Dea, president of the Undergraduate Government of BC (UGBC) and CSOM ’10, said that he believed the rally to be a success. “Coach Donahue did a great job introducing himself to the community, and the rally is just a great way to welcome him to campus,” he said.

The highlight of the pep rally was Donahue’s address to the audience, during which he made clear his excitement to be a new member of BC athletics. “I am extremely excited to begin my career here,” he said. Donahue went on to discuss next year’s team, which he said currently has six players who will be seniors during the 2010-2011 season. With such a large number of players graduating in the upcoming year, Donahue said he has high hopes of bringing home an ACC championship to pay tribute to these hardworking student athletes.

Since being hired, head coach Donahue has had little downtime. Immediately before Wednesday’s pep rally, he attended a much-anticipated press conference on campus. “I am so impressed by everyone I have met in the athletic department,” Donahue said when asked

rate up this year

DEMONSTRATION COMBATS ASSAULT

KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Students campaigned for sexual assault awareness in the Dustbowl yesterday. See Pg. A3.

TopFive

Thursday, April 8, 2010

THE HEIGHTS

things to do on campus this week

Caught in a Bad Romance

1

Pope Benedict - Vatican II

Today Time: 1 p.m.

Location: McElroy 141

As part of C.A.R.E. Week, join the Women’s Resource Center for a discussion about college relationships and dating violence, featuring a speaker from the Renewal House in Boston.

Today Time: 7 p.m.

Location: 2101 Commonwealth Ave. Rev. Robert Imbelli, S.J., of the theology department will examine the Pope’s theological and pastoral vision.

The event is being hosted by the C21 Center.

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Emancipation Rocklamation

3

Friday Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: The Rat

The benefit concert will be held to raise awareness about human trafficking. All proceeds will go to a local shelter being built for women who have been rescued from sex slavery.

FEATURED ON CAMPUS

Spaziani joins campaign

My Mother’s Fleabag

Mediterranean Ball

Friday Time: 9 p.m.

Location: O’Connell House Come watch as BC’s oldest improv organization, My Mother’s Fleabag, holds its annual spring show. The group will perform skits and improv comedy sketches.

Saturday Time: 9 p.m.

Location: Heights Room Join in the first annual Mediterranean Ball, a semi-formal event, which will feature regional music, dance, and exquisite food.

The Ball is a collaborative effort of several of BC’s culture clubs.

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IntheNews

FOUR DAY WEATHER FORECAST TODAY

69° Partly Cloudy 51°

FRIDAY

57° Showers 41°

SATURDAY

55° Partly Cloudy

University Report shows colleges promote special-interest housing options Colleges are finding more ways to creatively incorporate academic and social discussions into residential communities by promoting special interest housing to students, according to a recent report by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The report, which examined residence halls at Ball State University, the University of Vermont, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, suggested that efforts are aimed at keeping upperclassmen on campus by offering them the opportunity to live with those who share their interests.

43°

SUNDAY

62° Mostly Sunny 45°

SOURCE: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

A Guide to Your Newspaper The Heights Boston College – McElroy 113 140 Commonwealth Ave. Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 Editor-in-Chief (617) 552-2223

Local News Fire outbreak in Back Bay leaves five injured, $3.5 million in damage

MICHAEL SALDARRIAGA / HEIGHTS GRAPHIC

Football Head Coach Frank Spaziani is the most recent face of the “Get Green” campaign promoting conservation.

Four residents and at least one firefighter were taken to area hospitals after a nine-alarm blaze yesterday afternoon at a 10-story condominium building in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, according to a report by the New York Times. The fire caused an estimated $3.5 million in damage. No information was immediately available on the condition of those injured. The fire at the Beacon Towers building at the intersection of Beacon Street and Massachusetts Avenue drew hundreds of spectators.

BY TAYLOUR KUMPF

NRG Games, BC’s residence capital projects, informahall energy conservation tion technology, and other competition, a re a s o f B C He a d fo o t ba l l c oa c h reduced carbon campus life.

Frank Spaziani is the latest emissions by “The forum The recently Boston College personality nearly 150,000 is an opportucompleted NRG to lend a hand, or rather pounds across nity for mema lip, to the “Get Green” campus. bers of the BC Games, BC’s campaign, which supports “Since the community residence hall the University’s effort to s t a r t o f t h e to learn what promote energy conserva- c a m p a i g n energy conservation we ’ re d o i n g tion on campus. The first a y e a r a g o competition, reduced t o p r o m o t e notable BC figure to do so [ i n ] Fe b r u s u s ta i n a b i l carbon emissions ity on campus was Rev. William B. Neenan, ary, we’ve had S.J., earlier this year. by nearly 150,000 and, ideally, a signif icant Deirdre Manning, di- re d u c t i o n i n g ive t h e m a pounds across rector of sustainability, electrical use few takeaways campus. said, “The idea is to feature on main camon how they prominent people within pus,” Manning can contribthe University, while hav- said, of efforts ute,” Manning ing some fun at the same at increasing sustainabil- said. time.” ity.

Through the “Get Green” The green moustache On April 13, in Devlin campaign, University officampaign has been orga- 008 at 4:30 p.m., Facilities cials hope to show students nized and how they can continue to “Since the start of the Management, d i re c te d by in conjunction cut down on energy ust h e O f f i c e campaign a year ago w i t h o t h e r age despite the warmer of News and [in] February, we’ve departments weather.

Public Affairs a c ro ss ca m Simple tips for incorpohad a significant and features pus, will host rating energy conservation poster designs reduction in electrical t h e Ca m p u s into your daily routine, as

by Sam Lip- use on main campus.” Sustainability well as an energy orb that scomb, A&S Forum. monitors real-time elec’10. Students The forum tricity use on Main Cam—Deirdre Manning, will focus on pus, can be found at www. have vigorously responded Director of Sustainability how to be en- bc.edu/green, and students to the call to ergy conscious can track their real time enlimit energy consumption. when it comes to dining, ergy consumption at www.

The recently completed parking and transportation, bc.edu/dormenergy.  Asst. News Editor

On Campus Viacom chief executive addresses BC CEO Club, calls for innovation Recently, Philippe Dauman, president and chief executive of Viacom Inc., gave the keynote address at the Boston College Chief Executives’ Club of Boston luncheon. Speaking before 300 attendees, Dauman discussed the changing face of the entertainment industry and the need for innovation. “From where I sit, the waves of change are three: global, technological, and millennial,” Dauman said, highlighting the role of social media in the marketing industry today.

National Mining disaster in West Virginia is the worst in two decades WEST VIRGINIA (AP) — As the worst U.S. mining disaster in two decades unfolds this week, Gov. Joe Manchin has been a cautious and calm presence, vowing to communicate with families with compassion and frequently even if he doesn’t have much new to tell them. The explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine killed 25 and four others remain missing. Rescuers have been laboring for the past two days to try to reach them while battling poisonous gases that bottle up underground. The shadow of the 2006 Sago mine disaster has hung over the explosion at Upper Big Branch.

Editorial General (617) 552-2221 Managing Editor (617) 552-4286 News Desk (617) 552-0172 Sports Desk (617) 552-0189 Marketplace Desk (617) 552-3548 Features Desk (617) 552-3548 Arts Desk (617) 552-0515 Photo (617) 552-1022 Fax (617) 552-4823 Business and Operations General Manager (617) 552-0169 Advertising (617) 552-2220 Business and Circulation (617) 552-0547 Classifieds and Collections (617) 552-0364 Fax (617) 552-1753 EDITORIAL RESOURCES News Tips Have a news tip or a good idea for a story? Call Michael Caprio, News Editor, at (617) 552-0172, or e-mail news@bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the News Desk.

Sports Scores Want to report the results of a game? Call Zach Wielgus, Sports Editor, at (617) 552-0189, or e-mail sports@bcheights.com.

Arts Events The Heights covers a multitude of events both on and off campus – including concerts, movies, theatrical performances, and more. Call Kristen House, Arts and Review Editor, at (617) 552-0515, or e-mail review@ bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the Arts Desk.

Clarifications / Corrections The Heights strives to provide its readers with complete, accurate, and balanced information. If you believe we have made a reporting error, have information that requires a clarification or correction, or questions about The Heights standards and practices, you may contact Matthew DeLuca, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or e-mail editor@ bcheights.com.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Police Blotter 3/30/10 – 4/4/10 Tuesday, March 30 12:10 p.m. - A report was filed regarding credit card fraud. A detective is investigating.

11:25 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an individual who had sustained a head injury at the Plex. The party was transported to a medical facility for further treatment.

Wednesday, March 31 3:48 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an unconscious and underage intoxicated party in Hardey Hall. The individual was transported to a medical facility by ambulance.

1:27 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a bicycle which was confiscated. The bike was improperly secured in a restricted area in the Commonwealth Garage.

Friday, April 2 6:34 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a sexual assault which occured off campus.

The investigation has been referred to the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit.

Saturday, April 3 2:10 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an

injured party who was treated at a medical facility.

2:09 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an employee of the WZBC that has been receiving threatening phone calls while his program was on the air. A detective is investigating.

2:30 p.m. - A report was filed regarding found property. The owner was identified and notified. They responded to the BCPD headquarters and retrieved their property.

Voices from the Dustbowl “How will the BC men’s basketball team fare next season under Coach Donahue?”

“I’m optimistic. I’m hoping this guy can revive our fanhood.”

—Mike Burke, CSOM ’11

Sunday, April 4 2:21 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation at Alumni Stadium. The cause of the alarm was determined to be due to a water pressure problem. The problem was corrected and the system was reset.

3:41 a.m. - A report was filed regarding three suspicious persons who appeared to be engaged in an act of vandalism. All three parties fled into Duchesne Hall when the officer approached. The parties were identified and two non-students were escorted from the campus. A report was forwarded to the ODSD for disciplinary action against the BC student.

—Source: The Boston College Police Department

“I think they’re going to open it up a little bit.”

—Andrew McCue, A&S ’11

“They’re going to do amazing!”

—Lily Martinez,

A&S ’13 —Divya Prakash,

A&S ’13

Delivery To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact John O’Reilly, General Manager at (617) 552-0547.

Advertising The Heights is one of the most effective ways to reach the BC community. To submit a classified, display, or online advertisement, call our advertising office at (617) 552-2220 Monday through Friday.

The Heights is produced by BC undergraduates and is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year by The Heights, Inc. (c) 2010. All rights reserved.

CORRECTIONS Please send corrections to editor@bcheights.com with ‘correction’ in the subject line.

A3

THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Students hold sexual assault demonstration in Dustbowl

BY KELLY GERSON For The Heights

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a group of Boston College nursing students endured record high temperatures Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to generate discussion among students walking through the Dustbowl about the growing problem of sexual violence on college campuses.

Strewn about their information booth were 350 shoes – sneakers, heels, loafers, boots, and sandals – representing the men and women who are victimized by sexual assault perpetrations each year on a given college campus, according to the reported national average.

“I guess I always knew there were cases of sexual assault on college campuses,” said Charissa Jones, A&S ’13, in reaction to the visual. “I just never re-

alized how often sexual assault occurs, think of the number of cases that go unreported.”

Somatra Simpson, a research associate in the Connell School of Nursing (CSON) and coordinator of the current study investigating sexual assault victimization at BC, said, “People just don’t realize the true prevalence of sexual assault on campus.”

To help raise public awareness about the issue, the group of nursing students passed out stickers, ribbons, and factual brochures. By 3 p.m., it had run out of most of its promotional supplies, indicating the success of the event.

One brochure recipient, Kevin Rivero, A&S ’12, said he was shocked by the statistics. He described one figure, reporting that one in eight men will experience a sexual assault in their lifetime, as especially startling. “When people do take sexual assault into consideration, the victims are auto-

matically inferred to be female,” he said. “This figure alone proves that this assumption is insupportable, and more needs to be done to ensure that every victim of sexual assault has adequate resources at his or her disposal.”

Nicole Tuccinardi, a member of the research team that organized Wednesday’s demonstration and CSON ’12, informed students of the supportive facilities currently available at BC for victims of sexual assault. Campus resources continuously open for immediate consultation and assistance include a 24 / 7 sexual assault network hotline, University Counseling or Health Services and the BC Police Department. “The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is also a valuable amenity here on campus and can provide further details as to how students can contact any school service or even off-campus institutions for guidance,” Tuccinardi

said.

April’s selection as Sexual Assault Awareness Month stems not solely from the need to elevate the profile of suitable resources available for sexual violence victims, but to generate a flow of information and dialogue on sexual violence intervention and prevention strategies. To this end, BC will be hosting Susan Marine, director of Harvard’s WRC, on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Gasson Hall, to speak on techniques aimed at combating the pervasiveness of sexual assault in college settings among other contemporary women’s issues.

“Raising public awareness of sexual assault is a necessary step, but it is only the first in a line of many,” Simpson said. “We also need to continue addressing the causes and impacts of sexual violence while also promoting beneficial, help-seeking behaviors.” 

Heat in Boston reached record high Wednesday

BY MICHAEL CAPRIO News Editor

Temperatures in Greater Boston shattered a record yesterday, hitting 89 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon, according to data from the National Weather Service.

The previous record for April 7 was set in 1991 when temperatures hit 86 F. With the high temperatures, however, comes the threat of brush fires.

Brush fires consumed tall reeds along the Mystic River in Medford Tuesday and another broke out along the Muddy River in the Boston Fens on Monday.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag fire warning from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. yesterday for most of Massachu-

setts, excluding Barnstable and Berkshire counties, Dukes and Nantucket.

“It doesn’t mean there are going to be more fires,” Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told reporters. “It means the weather conditions are right that if there is a brush fire, there’s a greater tendency for it to spread because the burning conditions are better.”

Lows in the upper 50s last night gave way to temperatures that are expected to be in the mid-60s today.

According to data from the National Weather Service, Boston can expect a cold front and thunderstorms Thursday night and Friday morning with cooler weather throughout the weekend. 

KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Students came out to the Dustbowl for the warm weather yesterday, as temperatures reached a record high 89 degrees in Boston in the early afternoon.

KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Dancers practiced capoeira and gave impromptu perfomances in the Dustbowl.

Clubs convened in O’Neill Plaza to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month.

Students observe CARE Week on campus C.A.R.E. Week, from A1

event in 110 St. Thomas More Rd. that will address how any roommate, friend, or classmate can become a positive bystander.

On Sunday, April 18, the Bystander Education Team will facilitate discussions regarding BC’s own hook-up culture and the presence of abuse on campus.

“Something as simple as asking a friend, ‘Do you really want to go home with this guy?’ could really

COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Bill Clerico and Richard Aberman, both BC ’07, have started a Web site that helps to transfer paper checks to electronic ones.

Alumni form online payment company

BY MADELYN SCHRICKER

undergraduate experiences fostered an interest in money management: Clerico served as the treasurer for multiple clubs on campus and AberBill Clerico, BC ’07, and Richard Aberman, BC man was the organizer of a 15-person service trip ’07, recently launched an online payment company to Biloxi, Miss. As a student, Clerico co-founded called WePay, a service designed to help compa- the Boston College Venture Competition, a businies collect and manage payments. ness plan competition that promotes and supBased in Palo Alto, Calif., the co-founders’ ports entrepreneurship, awarding $15,000. chief aim is to popularize electronic payments Before founding WePay in August 2008, Cleriby shifting a portion of the estimated $1 trillion co worked in investment banking and Aberman Americans transfer through paper helped develop a media marketchecks to online transactions.

“Our goal is to become ing start-up company. When the “Our goal is to become the eastwo began meeting with venture the easiest way for capital firms in Boston, they were iest way for groups to collect and manage money online,” Clerico initially met with skepticism. groups to collect said in a recent statement.

“They told us we were too and manage money early-stage, WePay enables users to create mostly,” Clerico an account where they can colsaid. “They pointed out that we online.” lect, manage, and spend money. hadn’t yet nailed down the cost Users can create or join groups, of customer acquisition, which — Bill Clerico, send bills, receive payments, and was true.”

Co-founder, WePay transfer funds. While the group The duo moved to California creator remains in charge of the after gaining acceptance into Y BC ’07 transactions, all group members Combinator, an accelerator proare privy to account activity, program created by Viaweb founder viding a way for various types of groups to track Paul Graham that assists with funding software payments – from clubs raising money for service and Web start-ups in their early stages. While trips to roommates collecting rent. at Y Combinator, Clerico and Aberman received “We are focused on making it easier for con- the initial funding, support, and mentoring that sumers to pay other consumers,” Aberman said allowed their vision of WePay to come to fruition. in the statement. “WePay distinguishes itself They have since amassed $1.7 million in investfrom PayPal by allowing users to create and ad- ments from venture capitalist firms such as minister separate accounts for different things August Capital and investors Ron Conway, Max and to share those accounts with whomever they Levchin, and Eric Dunn, among others. want – like an account with my roommates and At the beginning of the year, WePay hosted another one for my fraternity.”

25 BC MBA students from the Carroll School of Clerico and Aberman first met at BC, where Management Tech Trek program, and in March both were Presidential Scholars and members they met with a group of BC undergraduate of the Arts and Sciences Honors Program. Their students.  For The Heights

change someone’s life,” Cerniglia said. “It’s important to understand what it means to be a bystander.

Anyone can help with prevention.”

Cerniglia hopes that each event will serve to educate students, specifically about abuse on BC’s campus. “There is a common misconception that a lot of men are taking advantage of women,” Cerniglia said. “The reality is a few men are abusing several women. Since so much abuse goes unreported, these individuals continue to assault.”

The week offers several more events ranging from forums on women’s trafficking to a screening of the Oscar Award-winning movie Precious. “Each event is informative and uplifting while also targeted at spreading awareness,” Cerniglia said. “Statistically, one out of every four women on BC’s campus has been a victim of some sort of abuse. Attending any event is an easy way to show support for the many students affected by such violence.” 

A4

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Heights

Group gathers in Dustbowl to put end to the ‘R-word’

By Zac Halpern Heights Editor

On Wednesday, students from the Jenks Leadership Program and Best Buddies campaigned to end the use of the word “retard” in colloquial speech.

The students are part of the national “Spread the Word to End the Word” movement.

“We are asking people to take the pledge to end the use of the ‘R-word’ in everyday language,” said Daylin Short, president of Best Buddies and CSOM ’11.

The students gave away Frisbees and asked students crossing the Dustbowl to sign a pledge to stop using the offensive word. The banner said “Spread

the word to end the word,” and was surrounded by signatures of students committed to the cause.

“A lot of people were really enthusiastic,” Short said. “They thought it was a great thing that they never really thought of.”

The Jenks Leadership and Best Buddies partnership also hosted a fundraiser last night at Applebee’s at which a portion of each check was donated to the movement. On Saturday, the group will conclude this week’s effort with a concert in the Vanderslice Cabaret Room from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Several student bands will be performing.

Short encouraged students to visit the national movement’s Web site at www.r-word.com to learn more about the cause. n

“We were looking for someone who was able to get the audience involved and up out of their seats.”

— Jenna Moore, Associate Director of Music for Nights on the Heights and LSOE’ 10 Zac Halpern / Heights Editor

Students at yesterday afternoon’s pep rally in the Dustbowl greeted new men’s basketball coach Steve Donahue.

Donahue received by Cabrera to perform in Chocolate Bar Friday night students at pep rally Cabrera, from A1

Pep Rally, from A1

basketball.”

A graduate and standout basketball player from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, Donahue brings a great deal of experience to the Heights. For the past 10

years, Donahue has been coaching at Cornell University, where he led the team to three consecutive Ivy League championships.

In 2010, coach Donahue received the Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award, one of the highest honors in Division I NCAA basketball.

Before Cornell, Donahue coached at the University of Pennsylvania, where he too left behind a legacy of excellence. “All I can say is that we need the support of the community,” Donahue said. “Come out and support us and we’ll do our best to make you proud.” n

cided to bring him to campus,” said Sharon Blumenstock, associate director for late-night programs, said. “We thought it would be a good way to provide a free music opportunity to students.”

Tickets to the show became available through the Robsham Theater box office on Tuesday. Up to two tickets can be obtained per BC ID, and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Organizers expect the event to be widely attended. “A lot of people are already going,” Moore said. “We’re expecting all the tickets to sell out.”

Moore said that Cabrera’s representatives were more than accommodating when making arrangements for the show. The NACA Convention offered an opportunity for colleges to meet with various performers and entertainers. The concert will be entirely funded by Nights on the Heights. n

University admissions rate increases for class of 2014 Admissions, from A1

decade. The University has received approximately the same number of applicants for the past few years.

“We’ve settled into a niche of about 29,900 and we will remain in this vicinity,” Mahoney said.

The increase in applications was also caused by other factors. “Societally, people believe that a college education is something that you should have more so than in the past,” said Jim Stager, director of school counseling at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers. “The jobs available are much more technical, much more advanced, and you increasingly need a college education.”

Additionally, the slight drop in the number of graduating seniors compared with last year may not affect the number of applicants individual universities receive in the coming years, due to the fact that students are applying to more schools.

“There’s supposed to start being less [high school] seniors, so the competition should be getting easier because there will be more or less the same number of schools but fewer applicants,” said Shawn Ahern, director of guidance at Boston Col-

lege High School. “However, kids are applying to more schools, so applicant numbers could continue to increase.”

The increase in selectivity since the ’90s may be one factor driving the increase in applications completed by each student, Mahoney said.

“Admissions at the highly selective level are more unpredictable, so high school guidance counselors are going to have to direct their students to apply to more schools and say, ‘You’ve got to cover your bases – you may have great credentials, but you’re not a lock anywhere.’”

Overall, despite an increase in selectivity at many of the elite universities, this year has seemed very similar to recent ones as far as acceptances, Ahern said. “Admissions for the very top schools came out April 1, so I don’t have the data on that yet, but anecdotally, it’s been kind of what I hear most years – one or two students got into each of the top schools,” he said. “It doesn’t sound very different from the last couple years, which have been very difficult.”

When reviewing an applicant, the most important factors in order of importance are rigor of

high school coursework, grades received in those courses, and test scores, Mahoney said. However, this information alone is not enough when reviewing applicants. “If we made the decision based only on those three things, we’d over-accept and over-enroll. There are a finite number of spots,” he said. “We want people who will bring different kinds of talents, different kinds of interests, and different kinds of personalities.”

Because of this, many students who have the grades and test scores cannot be offered admission.

“A holistic review is what we all want,” Ahern said, “but it makes it hard. Some kids with high GPAs and SATs don’t get in and you wonder why, but there are other factors.”

Despite the fact that college admissions can sometimes seem arbitrary, much thought is put into the decision, Mahoney said. “Guidance counselors and parents often talk about [admissions] as being terribly arbitrary. I would say, ‘Yes, it’s arbitrary, yes, it’s subjective, but don’t presume that it isn’t thoughtful, sensitive, and deliberate.’”

This month, there will be multiple events for accepted students. While Honors Day, the Admitted

Eagle Programs, and day visits will allow students to learn more about the school firsthand, volunteers in the Student Admissions Program began calling all regular decision accepted students Monday to answer any questions they have. April is an interesting month, Mahoney said, because there are two very different groups of prospective students visiting campus. “We call April the season of convergence,” he said. “The admitted students who are excited and enthusiastic are showing up, and people at the beginning of the process, the [high school] juniors, are also coming.

This challenges the staff to make programming for very different groups.”

After May 1, when high school seniors must commit to an institution, University administrators talk with each other to see how each school fared in the admissions process and to learn what they should expect for their waiting lists, Mahoney said. “We all have to talk. If Georgetown is going to take 200 off the waiting list, that’s going to take some of our students.

We try to figure out what percentage is ultimately going to depart from BC,” he said. “I am expecting it to be about eight or eight and a half percent this year, but that’s purely an assumption.” n

Administrators address UGBC on plans for future

By Patrick Gallagher Heights Editor

Recently, Executive Vice President Patrick Keating met with representatives of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) in an effort to inform students on the future direction of the University’s Institutional Master Plan (IMP).

“Dr. Rombalski and I were in discussions surrounding student space on campus and we came up with the idea of finding a way to educate students on the future of the IMP and how students will be affected by it,” said Al Dea, UGBC president and CSOM ’10, in an e-mail.

The meeting preceded the March 30 release of a letter from University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., which detailed BC’s current financial status.

“As a University, we obviously have much for which to be thankful,” Leahy said in the letter. “While some universities have been forced to cut programs, lay off staff and reduce their financial aid commitments, Boston College continues to be an academic institution with clear momentum and a future full of promise.”

In the letter, Leahy offered details regarding the current status of the IMP. Construction on a new undergraduate residence hall where More Hall is currently located cannot begin until BC’s Advance-

ment, Human Resources, and Finance divisions are relocated to the Brighton Campus. To accommodate the move, University officials are in the planning stages for the renovation of two buildings on the Brighton Campus.

Additionally, the University is in the design phase for Stokes Hall, which will house various humanities department offices in addition to providing for classroom space and space for student formation programs, according to the letter. BC officials hope to have designs approved by the Board of Trustees and begin construction on the 180,000 square-foot building by next fall.

At the meeting, Keating presented UGBC representatives with an in-depth look at the IMP, followed by a discussion on clubs and student organizations, future residence halls, and a student center, Dea said.

Dea said that he hopes the UGBC will remain involved in discussions with Keating and Vice President of Student Affairs Patrick Rombalski to be sure that student concerns regarding space for clubs and organizations are acknowledged by the University.

“My hope is that by continuing to maintain strong relations with Dr. Rombalski and Dr. Keating, UGBC and other students will be able to ensure that student voices, ideas, and concerns are heard with relation to space distribution,” Dea said. n

Kevin hou / Heights editor

Harvey Simmons, president of the UGBC Senate and A&S ’10 (left) and Scott Jelinek, vice president of the UGBC Senate and A&S ’10 (right) addressed the discontinuation of the U.N. conference at a Senate meeting last night.

Administrators cite funding for event discontinuation UN Conference, from A1

relocating this conference to another venue had already passed, and in light of the nearly $100,000 of foreign tax payer funds already pledged for this conference and the mobilization of the international community to support this conference, it would be tragic for Boston College to cancel this initiative at this late stage of the process,” the Senate proposal read.

The Senate declared its support for continuing efforts at hosting the conference. “We believe that this conference upholds Boston College’s Catholic-Jesuit values of ‘men and women for others’ and serves to further the advancement of social justice around the world,” the proposal read.

Scott Jelinek, vice president of the UGBC Senate and A&S ’10, has been working closely with Ratz as the University has decided to discontinue planning. He said

that, although the conference has been discontinued at BC, organizers are looking into continuing the event at an alternate venue in Boston.

“I really hope the conference can find a new host, and I’m really disappointed it will not be Boston College,” he said. “The Senate fully supports Leon’s efforts of finding a new host in the Boston area.”

Jelinek said that, as a member of the UGBC Senate, he would like to see more information about the University’s rationale behind its decision to discontinue planning for the event, and that he would like to meet with administrators about the decision.

“As someone who has been helping Leon and someone who has seen the funding arrangements from the governments, I was disappointed to see the reason it was canceled,” he said. “If Boston College was worried about its funding, why weren’t greater steps taken to

secure funding? I am curious as to what went wrong.”

Jelinek said he had access to the funding agreements before the discontinuation was announced.

“I have not talked with the Office of the Provost,l so I do not know the specifics surrounding the question of funding and if legally those documents were enough security for Boston College to move forward,” he said. “ What I do know is that Boston College never communicated to either Leon or any of the governments providing funding that what they had provided Boston College was not enough security of funding for the conference. " Hafner, however, said the completion of the funding agreements, some of which were 19 pages long or incomplete, would have been difficult to complete in a timely manner. “The business of drawing up a document … would have drawn frustration,” he said. n

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Heights

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The Heights

Editorials

Quote of the DAY

Many summer options should be weighed

Thursday, April 8, 2010

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

— Robert Louis Stevenson

Internships can provide unique hands-on experience in certain fields, but the lack of compensation means they aren’t for everyone.

As Boston College students figure out plans for the summer, the option of taking on an internship remains at the forefront of many undergraduates’ minds, especially those going into their junior and senior years.

Depending on their major or prospective career choice, many students either shy away from internships or embrace them. While undergrads with majors in accounting might see internships as a great opportunity to both make money and gain valuable experience, those with othermajors, such as communication, don’t always have the option of being paid for their summer endeavors.

When students are in a situation where they are unable to or simply don’t want to spend a whole summer without earning an income, they might instead opt for a job that will provide them with a monetary reward for their work in place of a position that is unpaid. This presents a dilemma for college students who view themselves as competing with other undergraduates for jobs before and upon graduation. While some students may want a summer experience that will give them a leg up in the competitive job market of the field of their choice, the paid options in certain non-business fields are limited, and students simply cannot make the sacrifice an unpaid internship would necessitate.

Before deciding on whether to take an internship, we believe BC students should take into mind a few things. First, and most importantly, they should consider what they want from an internship.

There are large companies out there that offer internships that pay well, but might not provide as rich of an experience

as other unpaid internships. Students should reflect on what is more important to them: getting paid considerably for their summer work or gaining skills that will make them a better worker, in addition to valuable insight into a job that they see themselves doing in the future.

Internships were designed to be short trials of potential careers, not necessarily a guaranteed means of obtaining a job after graduation.

Despite not providing students with an income, unpaid internships can prove to be fruitful and rewarding, even on a more concrete level that students might not realize. Most unpaid internships demand that BC provides credit. According to a New York Times article, companies do this because, if they did not, they would be breaking the law. In addition to granting students credit for their work, there are programs at BC that award students with a modest stipend to make up for their internship’s lack of pay. These encourage students to pursue what they are interested in and not to be discouraged by economic opportunity gaps that may bar them from gaining experience at an unpaid position.

Research is crucial when choosing an internship. Find out what’s out there.

Students with non-business related concentrations may automatically assume all of the internship opportunities in the field of their choice are unpaid even though there are a few that are paid. If a paid internship is not available and an unpaid one isn’t even an option, students shouldn’t be afraid to take on a regular paying job, for simply having a college degree from BC is something that will automatically catch an employer’s eye.

Sexual assault is a serious concern

Safe practices are highlighted during CARE week, but education should continue throughout the year among students.

Each year in the spring, Boston College students mark CARE (Concerned About Rape Education) Week. This week full of events centered on sexual assault awareness, sponsored by the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), is one that brings to the forefront issues that should be harped upon every day, or at the very least, every weekend, at BC. Sexual assault and rape are a serious, reality on college campuses. Though naivety to this reality is enforced by the comforting notion of the “BC Bubble” that keeps us separated from anonymous urban attacks, CARE Week reminds us that, in a large percentage of rape cases, women know their attacker. It is not to say that there are malicious men and women prowling this institution or that students should be incited to fear with regard to their social life and the intentions of their peers. No, because ironically, the true problem on this campus dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge is a lack of education on this hugely important issue. The WRC does a wonderful job of offering RAD Self-Defense Training to various student groups, and also venturing into the residence halls and even classrooms to host talks that inform students as to what sexual assault in the context of BC can look like. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding or advertising, it seems that these programs are not reaching enough students.

Students in leadership programs and a random smattering of other groups are guaranteed this training. However, unlike an informative lecture or event, sexual defense training should not be

limited to a select few – it is an issue that can afflict every single person on this campus.

Therefore, we believe that if any student group wishes to host the WRC for a presentation or self-defense training, funding should be allotted to that group for such a cause. Likewise, we feel that there should be an extreme push on the part of organizations aimed at student formation to make sexual assault training available to freshmen. Freshman year is the time in their college careers, when students are unfamiliar with the dangers of the college social scene, for students to be endowed with the ability to protect themselves. Finally, as the one who is there to step in to prevent an aggressive advance or make sure a friend makes it home safely, we have the power to take small, but effective steps to prevent sexual assault. Constant joking about the hook-up culture only condones its continued existence. If we consider ourselves mature enough to assume the risk of being sexually active, then we must be mature enough to have open conversation about the effects and potential risks of this activity. Despite the fact that the University funds several talks on this issue each year – given by popular professors and student groups alike – we still aren’t having the conversations that desperately need to be had.

It is not enough to take our cues from media or friends who have been unfortunate enough to experience sexual assault. When it comes to the reality of sexual assault, we truly must be men and women for each other.

The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Matthew DeLuca, Editor-in-Chief John O’Reilly, General Manager Darren Ranck, Managing Editor

Contributors: Mollie Kolosky, Krysia Wazny, Will Watkins

Robin Miller / Heights Illustration

Letters to the Editor Debate over diversity should continue To the Editor,

It is very gratifying to see the debate that has opened up in the pages of The Heights over the question of a diversity seminar. Indeed, I wish such a debate had successfully arisen three years ago, when I proposed precisely the same thing.

In my essay, “The Cura Personalis: A Philosophy to End Racism,” in the inaugural issue of Dialogue: The Undergraduate Essay Journal of Boston College (Spring 2007, 47-51), I proposed a freshman seminar required of all students to tackle this very issue. Prompted by the racial incidents that plagued campus that year (when I was a senior), I suggested that the University establish a forum congruent with the Jesuit educational philosophy of the “cura personalis.” This seminar would encourage students to discuss and dialogue with each other in

order to explore questions central to our existence as human beings. What is our philosophy of the person, and what should it be? What implications does it have for how we understand ourselves and others, and for how we treat ourselves and others? If our behavior and treatment of ourselves and others is not commensurate with our philosophy, how do we modify them in order to harmonize them? In short, how do we become better human beings?

I hope that the time has finally come in which the Boston College administration is open to helping its students ask and answer these fundamental questions as part of their formation as good, human people.

Nathaniel M. Campbell BC ’07

Our mindsets need readjustment when it comes to service Catherine Scott If we are – as Francesca Bacardi suggests in her article, “Service: It’s a BC Thing” – frustrated with the amount of work involved in applications to volunteer clubs at Boston College, then I agree, something needs to change. However, it is not the clubs and administration that need to change, but rather us and our mindset. If applications are hard work, it is because they should be. They should require us to think deeply about what service means to us, what it could mean for us as privileged university students working against oppression in a community that is not our own by birth, culture, class, etc. They should require us to think about how we see ourselves in our volunteer role, how we make volunteering a mutuallyempowering experience and not just about “us” going to help “them.”

It is not enough to say, “I want to help, I want to volunteer.” We have to know how to engage in our communities responsibly, effectively, and in solidarity before we set foot in our volunteer placement.

If we remain frustrated because we took the time to think reflexively about our role as volunteers and then we were rejected, then I say, still, we are not working hard enough. For what does it mean to be rejected from volunteering? Come on, we are more self-empowered than this!

If we want to engage ourselves in

the fight against oppression in this world, then who is stopping us?

Seventeen thousand adults in Massachusetts are on the waiting list for ESOL programs, 3,000 youth are on the waiting lists for Boston mentoring programs, and thousands of grassroots campaigns are also in need of thoughtful and energetic advocates to change public policy and affect millions in our city, state, and nation. If we have the selflessness to care about people less fortunate than ourselves, rejections from service clubs on campus cannot stop us. We’ll get some friends together, call an agency, and tell them that we want to get involved! If that doesn’t satisfy our frustrations, then I would suggest starting the application over and returning to the question of why we volunteer in the first place.

Lastly, I will use this forum to express my opinion that no application justifies spending one week in a faraway community – at home or abroad – under the title of volunteer unless two conditions have been met: The focus of the trip is more on learning than it is on service, and there has been rigorous training leading up to the trip. The greatest service we could give to a community in one week’s time is to learn what issues the community is dealing with, how its members are organizing themselves to combat these issues, and how we can be allies to this community when our trip ends and we go back home. If we are focused on learning, we will come to

Catherine Scott is senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Readers Note: The Heights welcomes Letters to the Editor not exceeding 200 words and column submissions that do not exceed 700 words for its op/ed pages.

The Heights reserves the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, and to prevent libel. The Heights also reserves the right to write headlines and choose illustrations to accompany pieces

submitted to the newspaper.

Submissions must be signed and should include the author’s connection to Boston College, address, and phone number. Letters and columns can be submitted online at www.bcheights.com, by email to editor@bcheights.com, in person, or by mail to Editor, The Heights, 113 McElroy Commons, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467.

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Editorial Kaleigh Polimeno, Copy Editor Michael Caprio, News Editor Zach Wielgus, Sports Editor Jacquelyn Herder, Features Editor Kristen House, Arts & Review Editor Daniel Martinez, Marketplace Editor Hilary Chassé, Opinions Editor Ana Lopez, Special Projects Editor Alex Trautwig, Photo Editor Karolina Cyburt, Layout Editor

understand that occasionally, being an ally will mean doing book drives or raising money, but mostly it will take the form of us promising to recognize the same structural injustices that the community we visited was facing, in our local community. We will raise awareness, be advocates, write our representatives, and fight these injustices, as the communities far away taught us.

It takes a lot of reflection leading up to this kind of community engagement, because we need to be able to recognize and be sensitive to our role as outsiders, coming from a place of privilege – university – to learn from a disenfranchised community. The more we reflect on our identities and on our roles as volunteers before our trip, the stronger our relationship with the community will be during our trip, and the more sustainable / longerlasting our service will be once we leave. Because this kind of service doesn’t end when that week-long trip ends.

My personal “BC lookaway,” from students asking for money for trips faraway has been confused with me not having enough money on my meal plan, and so it is time to express my dissonance more clearly, and engage my peers in a dialogue on the ethics of community service. I invite you to join in on this discussion.

Michael Saldarriaga, Graphics Editor Christina Quinn, Online Manager Laura Campedelli, Multimedia Coodinator Brooke Schneider, Assoc. Copy Editor DJ Adams, Asst. Copy Editor Patrick Gallagher, Assoc. News Editor Taylour Kumpf, Asst. News Editor Maegan O’Rourke, Assoc. Sports Editor Paul Sulzer, Asst. Sports Editor Kristopher Robinson, Asst. Features Editor

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THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A7

OPINIONS

Thumbs Up Green Spaz – Just when the campus was beginning to bemoan the lack of a mustachioed Neenan promoting environmental consciousness, we’ve been given another gift! Spaz’s rather prominent mustache has been colored green to remind us all to turn off superfluous lights. Marks for creativity, BC green team!

New Coach – The campus welcomed the new men’s basketball coach with great fanfare at the end of Wednesday’s beautiful day. Steve Donahue, who led Cornell to three consecutive Ivy League titles, is coming to the Heights to help return the Eagles to their former glory.

Only eight months or so until we see how it all pans out.

Opening Day – Play ball! The opening game at Fenway hosted the Yanks, with the Sox winning 9 to 7 (what happened in game 2 is way less important). Get ready for baseball to dominate the airwaves for the next six months or so.

Cabrera – The singer-songwriter of former Ashlee Simpson infamy will be arriving on campus this weekend to serenade crowds in Robsham.

Not convinced yet? Well what if I told you it was completely free of charge! Now that TU/TD has drastically increased the desire to attend (oh, the power) get there early to be close to the magic.

Honest Tea – The beverage company that took BC by storm after their introduction last semester has done it again.

Students returned from Easter break to see the unveiling of a wonderful new flavor to add to their repertoire, Cranberry Pink Lemonade. Honest Tea is the best policy.

Thumbs Down Stress – Online news source The Daily Beast recently released their list of the 50 most stressful schools in the country, and BC was sandwiched comfortably at number 25. This ranking gives us a minor edge over Notre Dame (27), providing us with yet another arena in which we have those Midwestern yokels beaten.

Heating – A mass e-mail informed the populace that all heating systems will remain on in residence halls until nightly temperatures exceed 55 degrees five nights in a row. While you all wait for that, TU/TD can be found at St. Anne’s, battling a debilitating case of heat stroke after lingering too long in the Lower entranceway.

Creeping – The movement of massive amounts of sun bathers into any and all grassy areas on campus has also created a concurrent uptick in the participants of the age old sport of people watching. Hidden behind Ray-Bans and other such eye coverings, these social pariahs did see you pick that wedgie. There’s nowhere to hide.

Class Outside – Now, of course this seems like a wonderful idea initially, but when you’re uncomfortably squatting on mysteriously damp grass trying to focus on the War of 1812, the stuffy classroom doesn’t look so bad, straight-backed chairs and all. And professors, this is not the way to encourage attentiveness, because when skirt day is in full swing, there is much to catch the eye.

Thomas the high-speed machine

WILLIAM MOONEY SLONEKER As a young boy, I possessed an affectionate obsession for Thomas the Tank Engine. My vast collection of Thomas paraphernalia manifested the evident salutary impact the children’s series had on my early learning and imagination. Moreover, Thomas embodied my constant fascination with trains. This very fascination likely instilled in me an unwavering insistence that railways led the way toward boundless opportunities and provided an irreplaceable service to modern society.

I revisited my youthful convictions this Easter break on a Northeast Regional train (run by Amtrak) from New York City to Charlottesville, Virginia. Much like the empty, rusting factory yards of northern New Jersey, I observed en route that Northeast Regional 171 might have been a graveyard of my childhood idealizations. As a kid, I probably would have griped about how the trains lacked anthropomorphic characteristics and spoke little to no English, but, as an adult, I aimed my criticism at the service’s general mediocrity.

The 350 mile trip lasted a total of 8 hours and 50 minutes after nearly two hours of delays. My trip had been advertised as lasting 6 hours and 46 minutes, which happens to be the estimated travel time for the same trip by car. Of course, delays, even cancellations, are hardly unfamiliar inconveniences. That same weekend, several trips to and from Boston were cancelled due to high water in Rhode Island, stranding many students on the Heights.

Annually, around 20 to 30 percent of trains will run behind schedule.

These firsthand experiences

reinforce the widespread preconception that modern rail transportation is unreliable, inefficient, and altogether inferior to freeways and airlines. In spite of these suppositions, however, a paradox persists: Amtrak has achieved record ridership six times in the past decade.

Americans articulate the railways’ inferiority, but purchase more tickets year after year.

If anything, this disconnect indicates that rail transit possesses real potential currently stuck in a halfway house. Amtrak offers a safer, greener alternative to automobile or air travel, but efficiency seems to trouble the railways most. Amtrak bears a notorious reputation for tardiness, and few lines actually earn a profit, even though ticket sales have increased. In the 1950s, airlines began to siphon off passengers, and today, trains still seem unable to compete with the plane.

Enter the Acela Express. Ten years ago, this high-speed line opened to service the Northeast Corridor (NEC) – a region responsible for 38 percent of Amtrak’s ridership – and Acela receives the most credit for the boom in the business. The train, which opened in December 2000, travels at 150 mph, and represents the only American locomotive in its class. Although it has experienced some logistical difficulties in its first decade, the Acela has reduced travel time between Boston and New York by about a half hour.

The Acela continues to grow and earn a profit, but its ridership remains at less than half of that of Northeast Regional. Moreover, American high-speed railways lag significantly behind those of other developed and developing nations.

The United States has considered expanding its high-speed network, but Acela is still the only operational line. Meanwhile, the European Union has laid an extensive network of high-speed railways, many of which run at significantly faster speeds than the Acela. East Asia, notably

China and Japan, has built similar networks with plans for greater improvements and expansion.

In all likelihood, high-speed rail cannot replace air travel. In the world’s fourth largest nation, transcontinental flights and similar long-distance journeys will not trade planes for trains. High-speed must adopt a more regional approach, connecting major cities in relative proximity to one another. It should unite other major population centers besides the Northeast, including the Industrial Midwest, California Corridor, and Gulf Coast.

President Obama has recently proposed spending $8 billion for 13 highspeed railways in the aforementioned regions. Advocates view this investment in infrastructure as a modern-day interstate highway project.

Skeptics suspect that the initiative remains underfunded and that states will not be able to pony up enough funds to help finance the projects.

If anything, improving our railways ought to bring the federal and state governments’ priority lists, in concert with their green initiatives. High-speed can offer customers more comfort, better safety, and less hassle than air travel, along with comparable efficiency within a certain range. Investment in this technology abroad and the renewed profitability of Amtrak indicate that this mode of transportation has demonstrable value. It would be irresponsible not to invest in it.

America has plenty of catching up to do, and it cannot do so without opening its wallet. The rest of the world has ditched Thomas the Tank Engine in favor of Thomas the Bullet Train, and the upgrade appears worthwhile. Such a switch in railways can create jobs now, transport people quickly later, and will maybe, just maybe, have a human face and authentic emotions.

Willaim Mooney Sloneker is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

Social(ly awkward) jamming

CJ GUSTAFSON I’m walking to Lower Dining Hall with my buddy, Steve. It’s raining a little bit and he’s wearing a hat and hood that cover most of his face. As we make our way to the double meat cheese steaks garnished with BBQ and chipotle sauce awaiting us, I turn to him and begin to chronicle the elaborate story of an event that recently occurred.

“Okay, I’m just sitting there, broing out with Dylan. You know, just a little chillin’ and grillin’, watching some Entourage. It’s a usual Wednesday afternoon – a little Madden, a little YouTube, you catch my drift. You could say we’re feelin’ a little Brobie One Kanobi, a bit of Chad Brocho Cinco, a helping of Double Bro Seven, but absolutely not the Bronus Brothers. And out of nowhere, I’m talking left field, this total Brohemian Rhapsody is interrupted

by Chris, who practically cannonballs into my Brocean of a dorm. He just starts yelling, nearly crying in desperation, that an earth-shattering event and nightmare by all measurements on the Bro-Richter scale has struck: The Fray, not Drake and not Taylor Swift, has been booked to perform this summer.”

I turn to absorb the reaction of my friend, hoping to “Save a Life” and give him a shoulder on which to cry. However, he’s not even looking at me. In fact, he has no idea what’s going on. I shove him in frustration. He rips off his hood, takes out his hidden earphones, and pushes me back, saying, “What was that for, what do you want?” Paying closer attention I can hear “Shake Ya Tailfeather” playing softly over the falling rain.

Besides the fact that my buddy is a socially backwards-thinking person in respect to music, this situation, Bad Boys II soundtrack gem or not, is an all too common occurrence on college campuses. I’m spilling my guts out trying to explain this tale that so obviously has impacted my life, and my friend is oblivious to my presence.

Here’s another example of socially awkward jamming I witnessed at the mall this weekend. I’m at the food court devouring that “General Gao’s chicken stuff that is Heaven while eating, yet Hell when one tries to get up and walk to Game Stop, and it feels like Rhianna and Chris Brown are dueling it out in one’s stomach.” So, I end up going to the bathroom. As I’m washing my hands, two teenagers walk in together, dressed in matching Polo shirts. They are clearly at the mall together, but each has earphones in, each mouthing a words to the different songs. They proceed to do their business, wait for one another by the door, and leave with their earphones still intact and music blaring, without saying a word to each other.

Yes, I people watched in the mall bathroom. So what? The more important issue is that on campus, every day, people walk around both alone and with friends, wearing earphones and ignoring their surroundings. I’m a huge music fan and I love being able to enjoy some tunes when I’m at a party or just hanging out with my friends around the dorms.

But by putting earphones in, people shut one another out. Privately jamming while walking and accompanied by another is similar to going out to dinner with a friend and texting another friend the entire meal.

Maybe some students feel the need to utilize music as a medium to escape the environment in which they are presently stuck. I, for one, enjoy

FROM HERE TO RESERVOIR

BY SAL CIPRIANO

listening to bass droning House music when doing my statistics homework.

Using earphones to funnel sound waves directly into one’s head is a perfect way to block everything else out.

But if the purpose of personal audio devices is to fully envelope the users in the music and take their attention off the people and action around them, then why do so many students pop a pair of earphones on when they are with others? What’s the point of being with someone else if they are just going to attend their own mental symphony the whole time? I walked into McElroy and saw two students eating dinner together, both wearing their expensive Dr. Dre’s Beats earphones. Maybe wearing headphones is a way of masking some sort of social inadequacy one feels.

It seriously reduces conversation between people and has the potential to present the facade that their music and thoughts are more important than face-to-face interactions. Some may think that by playing a song they think is really cool really loud, others will respect them more.

But I don’t agree with any of these reasons for placing oneself in a social scene purposely and deciding to literally tune everyone else out. If you want to impress other people with your superb music taste, make a playlist and bring it to the party. If you feel awkward and put the earphones in to make it less uncomfortable, talk about the music you like to learn more about someone else rather than using your tunes to actually seperate you further. But most importantly: 1. People aren’t impressed when the music you are listening to loudly through headphones that died with the Carson Daly era, and 2. Don’t socially earphone jam in the bathroom with a friend in matching attire.

It’s just plain weird.

CJ Gustafson is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at cgustafson@bcheights.com.

What your country can do for you HAYLEY TRAHAN-LIPTAK When you’re a kid, the worst part of being sick is usually your confinement to the house. Away from your friends and the outdoors, you begin to sniffle in misery. Insert morning cartoons, Jell-O, mom and dad’s doting, and pills ground up in apple sauce, and suddenly sickness doesn’t seem that bad.

Fast-forward 15 years and gone are the medicinal chicken soup and ice cream that, to your young eyes, were all that was needed to make you better. Now your remedy is dependent on whether you have a two by three piece of plastic with your name on it. For millions of young adults without that plastic, the worst part of being sick, whether from a common cold or a painful injury, could mean losing your job, falling behind in your college loans, or suffering at home in silence.

As we graduate from college, we are faced with ballooning college debt, an already over-burdened job market, and living completely on our own for the first time. From taxes to apartments, we will inevitably struggle to grasp the realities of the world. Yet two weeks ago, we were given what will become a much-needed hand. New health care legislation should provide our bridge from childhood handholding to adequately managing our own medical care. Insurance providers must now offer health care to dependents of employees until the dependents are at least 26, regardless of their employment or educational status. But a bridge that is so needed is in danger, is misunderstood, and is hardly appreciated.

When health care reform legislation was passed several weeks ago, I was sitting with a group of fellow students and the room quickly became a firestorm of criticism. Many of the students expressed a refusal to pay for “some poor person’s” health care, and others mentioned how bogged down the existing U.S. health facilities would become.

What each student failed to realize is that in just two or three years, they will be those “poor people” in need of assistance. According to the Huffington Post, 19 million 18-34 year olds are uninsured, most because they cannot afford the cost of purchasing insurance.

This legislation is not for people far removed from our communities, it is not for people dodging work or exploiting medical care, it is for people sitting across from you in a lecture hall. The day you graduate, if you are without a job and are not enrolling in another institution, is the day this legislation exists to serve you.

Despite the higher education offered at Boston College, graduates face the same challenges as other young adults.

The student survey of the class of 2009 found that only 53 percent of BC graduates were working in a full-time paying position the first year after graduation – meaning that most, if not all of these students are provided with health insurance. While 27.5 percent of students indicated they were pursuing a graduate degree, that does not necessarily mean they are covered by insurance. Based on these statistics, between 20 and 47 percent of recent graduates are most likely not receiving insurance from a job or other institution. High medical costs and mounting debt are closer to us than we think.

Yet, working at a congressman’s office last summer, I never heard a college student or other young adult call the office or speak to their representative in favor of or against reform. Comfortably living under mom or dad’s medical coverage means not thinking twice about going to the doctor when you are sick, getting a prescription or an x-ray. The uninsured rarely come to mind, and when they do they are the “others,” the poor people who make stupid decisions and cause themselves to fall into massive debt.

Too easily we forget that we are closer to becoming those people than we imagine.

Without a parent or without a job we too would be in the same situation.

Health care reform matters to us today.

Hayley Trahan-Liptak is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

Have something to say?

Contact us at editor@bcheights.com

A8

THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

It’s easy to spot new wrinkles. Not so easy to see the onset of eye disease. An eye doctor can spot the early warning signs of vision problems like glaucoma and serious health conditions like diabetes. For men and women over 40, it might be wise to look into your eyes. Visit checkyearly.com. A message from Vision Council of America and AARP.

SPORTS THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Section

B

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

BASKETBALL

DeFilippo introduces Donahue

Former Cornell coach replaces Skinner as head coach of the men’s basketball team

BY PAUL SULZER

Asst. Sports Editor Boston College Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo concluded a weeklong search for a new men’s basketball head coach, introducing Steve Donahue as the replacement for Al Skinner in a press conference yesterday.

“We will take a backseat to no one,” Donahue said. “I believe strongly in the upside of this program. Everything here will be first-class, with the attitude that we’re going to be the best in our conference. And if we’re going to be among the best in our conference, we’re going to be among the best in the country.”

Donahue was chosen from a field of coaching candidates that included Fairfield head coach Ed Cooley and Northeastern head coach Bill Coen, both of whom were former Skinner assistants. Richmond head coach Chris Mooney also interviewed for the job before receiving a contract extension.

During his interview, Donahue showed DeFilippo a picture published in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated of three Cornell players diving after a loose ball when the athletic director asked him to describe the way his team plays.

“I knew he was going to be awful tough to beat,” DeFilippo said with a smile when describing Donahue in his interview.

DeFilippo also said that Donahue came with recommendations from Digger Phelps, Jamie Dixon, Tom Crean, John Calipari, Bruce Pearl, Billy Donovan, and Fran Dunphy.

Donahue, who coached Cornell to three straight

Four Ways to Freeze the Opposition

ALEX TRAUTWIG / HEIGHTS EDITOR

See Donahue, B2

BY ZACH WIELGUS Sports Editor

DAVID DUPREY / AP PHOTO

Donahue joined BC after leading Cornell to the Sweet 16.

Mounted on the wall directly across from the locker room is a massive schedule. But instead of reading top-to-bottom in chronological order, the text on the maroon rectangle is arranged in an inverted pyramid.

At the top, in the largest font, it reads, NCAA Championship, Ford Field, Detroit.

Whether after a tough practice or a casual team meeting, every member of the Boston College men’s hockey team has been unable to avoid this constant reminder of the team’s goal: to bring home the second national title in three years.

“It’s been here since September: ‘NCAA championship, Ford Field,’” said head coach Jerry York.

“And we’re going. It’s a feeling of great accomplishment, but if you can win it, it’s memorable.”

York and many of the Eagles haven’t forgotten the glory of carrying the trophy back to Chestnut Hill two years ago. On their way to the Frozen Four in 2008, the Eagles conquered the Worcester Re-

gional, much like this year. And on its way to the championship game in 2008, BC disposed of the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, much like what they will have to do tonight.

Despite sending the RedHawks packing from the NCAA tournament three straight times from 20062008, the team is only focused on doing it for the first time this season.

“It gives us a little confidence that we’ve done it in the past, but I don’t think it’s much of a factor in this game,” said senior defenseman Carl Sneep, who has been to two NCAA championship games in his BC career.

“We’re really confident,” said junior forward Joe Whitney. “We think we have a really good team, and we believe that we can win this whole thing. On the other hand, Miami is a great opponent, and they have a lot of talent up front and defensively. It’s going to be a battle.”

In order to win the battle against a team that has been ranked No. 1 for nearly the entire season, BC will rely upon the attributes that have helped it win all season: senior leadership, dynamic scoring, timely

goaltending, and experienced coaching.

The Elder Statesmen Matt Price, Matt Lombardi, Ben Smith, and Sneep have seen it all before.

In their freshman year, the seniors helped make up a BC squad that entered the Frozen Four on a 12-game winning streak, but suffered heartbreak after Michigan State broke a 1-1 tie with less than 19 seconds left in the title game.

As sophomores, they helped revive a struggling team that limped into the Hockey East tournament with a 1-5-1 record, before rattling off eight straight wins to finally capture a national championship. Last year, they all felt the frustration and disappointment of missing the NCAA tournament for the first time in their college careers.

Now, with their team two wins away from another title, their ability to control the locker room and keep the team grounded will play a significant role in keeping BC on track. For tonight’s match-up

See Freeze, D4

BASEBALL

Eagles use balanced attack to scorch Bulldogs

BY ROBERT T. BALINT For The Heights

Following a close and disappointing series loss to No. 10 Clemson over the weekend, the Boston College baseball team pounded Boston College 11 the visiting Bry3 Bryant ant Bulldogs by a score of 11-3 yesterday at Shea Field.

The Eagles (13-15, 4-8 ACC) have been mired in what head coach Mik Aoki called “a prolonged slump” for the past few weeks.

BC’s hitters, however, have begun to get the bat on the ball more consistently, as the blowout win at home against the Bulldogs (10-13) followed the high-scoring series at Clemson in which they scored 16 runs over three games, but also allowed 40 runs to the Tigers.

“Even though we had won some games [in the past few weeks], I didn’t really like

the way we had been swinging the bat,” Aoki said after the game.

Wednesday’s game may prove to be a turning point for the Eagles’ offense.

The Bulldogs’ starting pitcher, Salvatore Lisanti, was rung up for seven runs, all earned, over 3.1 innings of work.

Leadoff hitter Robbie Anston led the way with a pair of doubles, two runs, and an RBI, and Mike Sudol hammered a pitch in his first at-bat over the rightfield wall for his first home run of the season to help the Eagles build a fourrun lead by the end of the third inning.

In the top of the fourth, Bulldogs catcher Jeff Vigurs hit a two-run home run off BC reliever Dave Laufer, cutting the Eagles’ lead in half to 4-2. This would be as close as Bryant came to taking a lead in the game.

The BC lineup answered in the bottom of the frame, scoring another four runs on Anston’s second double of the night and

I NSIDE SPORTS THIS ISSUE

a pair of singles by Anthony Melchionda and Brad Zapenas. One inning later, sophomore Andrew Lawrence added an insurance run with his first homerun of the season. The Eagles tacked on another run in both the sixth and seventh innings to end with 11 runs on an impressive 15 hits.

The Bulldogs had the makings of a rally going in the top of the seventh, after Eagles reliever Garrett Smith loaded the bases with three consecutive walks. With one out, freshman right-hander Hunter Gordon replaced Smith, and squared off against Bulldog Jeff Vigurs. Vigurs smacked a line drive that headed straight for right field, but first baseman Mickey Wiswall somehow managed to get his glove on it and tagged first base for an unassisted double play.

Wiswall’s heads-up play got the Eagles out of the seventh-inning jam, paving the way for the final score of 11-3.

Softball splits midweek series

The Eagles broke their eight-game losing streak by shutting out Bryant...............B2

BC added its eleventh and final run of the game on two consecutive doubles by Sudol and Lawrence.

Eagles’ starter, right-hander John Leonard got the win, while Lisanti was credited with the loss. Leonard’s record now stands at 1-0, as Wednesday was his first appearance this season due to a torn rotator cuff.

Aoki is already looking ahead to the next few series, beginning with a threegame home stand against Maryland this weekend.

“It’s an important weekend for us,” Aoki said. “These next four series are against the teams we’re going to be competing against in order to try to get to the ACC tournament. Maryland’s a good team that has struggled a little bit, but they’ve had a few quality wins.”

Sophomore right-hander Mike Dennhardt (1-5) is slated to start for the Eagles on Friday. 

Why Tiger needs to win the Masters

Woods returns to his element after a tumultuous layoff, and golf needs him to win............................B4

ALEX TRAUTWIG / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Jay Jeannote tossed a scoreless third inning.

BC Notes....................................B3 Editors’ Picks................................B3

B2

Thursday, April 8, 2010

THE HEIGHTS

DAVID GIVLER AND KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITORS

Donahue introduced as men’s basketball coach Donahue, from B1

Ivy League titles and a Sweet 16 appearance, takes over a veteran team that will lose just one senior – small forward Tyler Roche. The Eagles won seven fewer games last season than in 2008-2009, despite only losing one senior over that span, as well.

Under Donahue, Cornell ran a motion offense that generates open 3-point opportunities by working the ball into the post. The flex offense, which BC ran under Skinner, is designed to create open

looks much closer to the basket and is much less dependent upon skilled big men. The Big Red led the nation in 3-point shooting percentage at .434.

“Our style of play is exciting,” Donahue said. “I want to attract kids that want to be on this campus and play a certain way. I also want to make sure it’s important that all of the students in our basketball program are embracing the whole student body of Boston College. We need everyone on board.”

The Big Red set an Ivy record with 29 wins this season, including upsets of Temple and Wisconsin

in the NCAA tournament. After going 74-117 in his first seven seasons at Cornell, Donahue led the team to a 72-21 record in the past three years.

The past three years were not kind to Skinner and the Eagles, however, who went a combined 51-45 and made just one NCAA tournament appearance. Skinner, who led BC to the 2001 Big East regular-season and tournament title on his way to winning national Coach of the Year, leaves as the winningest coach in school history, with 247 victories over 13 seasons.

One of the criticisms Skinner faced was about his inability to engage the student body. Donahue began to do just that yesterday by attending a pep rally in the Dustbowl following the press conference. He said that the only way he would leave Cornell was for a “home run job,” and that BC is a “grand slam.”

“I knew it would take an unbelievable opportunity to leave,” Donahue said. “That opportunity presented itself when Gene made the call. There is no downside in this job.” 

Softball halts losing streak

BY RAYCHEL KRUPER For The Heights

The Boston College softball team had been in a downward spiral before yesterday’s game against Central Connecticut State. BC managed to pick up their first win Boston College 8 in nine games, 0 CCSU routing CCSU, 8-0, in five innings.

The Eagles took a 5-0 lead in the second inning, after senior Dani Weir crushed a grand slam for the 23rd home run of her career. Renee Ramos and Blair Destito added RBI singles in the fourth inning.

Pitcher Allison Gage allowed only two hits in the shutout to pick up the win for the Eagles.

In Tuesday afternoon’s contest at Shea Field, the Eagles fell to the UMass Minutewomen by a score of 6-0, their eighth straight loss.

While UMass (27-7) had no trouble on the offensive end, the Eagles struggled and were unable to get a hit in the first

six innings of play. The first inning ended with the Minutewomen leading, 3-0, and owning a 4-0 advantage in hits.

In the first inning, UMass opened up the scoring with a three-run home run on a full count against BC starting pitcher Nicole D’Argento. Head coach Jennifer Finley had seen enough, lifting the freshman for Taylor Peyton following the blast.

After the switch, Peyton allowed two hits and a walk, creating a dangerous situation with the bases loaded and only one out. Unlike D’Argento, Peyton was able to work out of the jam, striking out the first batter to grab the second out, and forcing a pop fly to secure the final out of the top of the inning.

“Our bats were a little bit nonexistent today, but I thought our kids actually played pretty well,” Finley said. “UMass is a great hitting team, and they outhit us today. Their pitcher threw a rising fastball that came in through the strike zone, which is a lot of movement – more movement then we’ve been facing recently.”

The score of the game remained unchanged until the top of the fourth inning, when Peyton allowed a home run to UMass’s Michelle Libby, broadening the gap to 4-0. Finley decided to make another pitching change following the homer, sending in Allison Gage to relieve Peyton.

Gage followed her teammates’ trend, giving up a two-run homer to Whitney Williams, bringing the game to the final score of 6-0. Despite the lopsided result, as well as mustering only one hit, Finley found a couple of bright spots.

“There were some good points of the game,” Finley said. “Defensively, I thought we played really well. Particularly, I think our shortstop [Rene Delagrammaticas] had an outstanding game today – one of her best performances all year.”

Looking forward, the Eagles need to focus on the game as a whole, Finley said.

“We just got to come together as a team and get all aspects of the game together: pitching, obviously the offense, and the defense,” she said. 

KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR

In BC’s 6-0 loss to UMass, senior Taylor Peyton allowed a home run and struck out one.

The Heights

Editors’ Picks

Thursday, April 8, 2010 The Week Ahead

Standings

BC has made a habit of eliminating Miami from the NCAA tournament.

The Eagles look to keep that tradition alive tonight in the Frozen Four. Baseball and softball host an ACC series, while women’s lacrosse travels down to Duke.

B3

Paul Sulzer

30-15

Zach Wielgus

28-17

Maegan O’Rourke

28-17

Heights staff

24-21

Men’s hockey won its way to the Frozen Four with victories over Alaska and Yale. Baseball lost the Clemson series after collapsing in the eighth inning, while softball was swept by NC State.

Women’s lacrosse was beaten by a good Virginia team, 12-6.

Guest Editor: Zak Jason Associate Arts & Review Editor “You learn a lot, watching things eat.”

This Week’s Games Men’s Hockey: NCAA tournament champion

Zach Wielgus Sports Editor

Maegan O’Rourke Assoc. Sports Editor

Paul Sulzer Asst. Sports Editor

Zak Jason Assoc. Arts Editor

Miami

BC

BC

Wisconsin

Baseball: Boston College vs. Maryland (series)

BC

BC

BC

BC

Softball: Boston College vs. North Carolina (series)

UNC

UNC

UNC

UNC

Women’s Lacrosse: Boston College at Duke

Duke

Duke

Duke

Duke

The Field

The Field

The Field

Tiger

The Masters: Tiger Woods vs. The Field

BCnotes

Recap from Last Week

Women’s Lacrosse After two straight ACC losses, the Boston College women’s lacrosse team (8-3, 1-3 ACC) got back to its winning ways with a 19-5 dismantling of Iona College yesterday afternoon. A mere 51 seconds into the game, BC got on the board thanks to a goal from junior midfielder Kristin Igoe.

The Eagles then proceeded to jump out to a 5-1 lead in the first five minutes, and finished off the first half up 10-1. Thanks to a 4-0 run to open the second half, it was smooth sailing from then on for the Eagles.

Sophomore attacker Brittany Wilton led the offensive onslaught for the Eagles with five goals on six shots. With the scores, Wilton now increased her season total to 10, good for fourth on the team.

Senior attacker Lauren Costello, BC’s leading scorer, also helped jumpstart BC’s offense with a goal and nine assists.

Costello now has an impressive 31 goals and 30 assists on the year.

On the defensive end of the field, junior goalkeeper Sheila Serafino allowed only four goals in nearly 55 minutes of play, before goalie Catherine Conway came in for the final five minutes of the contest. Serafino only needed to make three saves to earn the victory.

The Eagles will play their last ACC game of the year against Duke on Saturday with the potential to improve their conference standing before the start of the ACC tournament.

Opening Day offers memories of the game’s true pastime

Joelle Formato As a child, due to significant over-watching, I wore out my VHS tape of The Sandlot. I cannot possibly count the number of times I sat, eyes glued to the TV, taking in the glory of some good, old-fashioned baseball. Due to a recent NetFlix subscription, I was able to spend Saturday morning reliving my childhood as my roommates and I giddily laughed at the simple masterpiece that is The Sandlot. Sure, watching Squints lay a kiss on Wendy Peppercorn or taking a s’more-making lesson from Ham are classic moments, but what truly makes the movie great is the passion and appreciation for the game that the kids each have. Especially Benny. He lived and died by the game, a trait that seems to have since gotten lost somewhere in the steroid era.

I grew up in a baseball family. I have watched and played more games than I could ever count, spent every free moment playing wiffle ball home run derby with my neighbors, chose trips to Cooperstown over Disney World, and took family vacations based on when we could get the best baseball tickets. Through all of this, I developed an unrivaled, deep love for the game and all things associated with it. I idolized major league players – they were my heroes. I thought they had the

coolest jobs in the world and could do no wrong.

And then came the Mitchell Report.

As more players were exposed for steroid use, I watched as my childhood idols crumbled before me. Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire … my heroes were no more. I found myself thinking back to my many strolls through the Hall of Fame and couldn’t help but wonder what some of the greats would have to say about the way the game has changed. I bet they would be appalled by the way professional baseball has played out. What I wouldn’t give to go back to the days of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or Jackie Robinson. The days when games weren’t about walkout songs, scoreboard noise meters, or the inevitable breakout of the wave. The days when players didn’t pump steroids in order to break homerun records or receive exorbitant salary raises. The days when a player put every ounce of himself into nine innings of pure joy.

During the chaos of the Mitchell Report and the subsequent shattering of my faith in baseball, I found myself turning to an unlikely source of solace – the Little League World Series. While I have always been an avid watcher and have actually been to the fields in South Williamsport a number of times, I found I had a new appreciation for the passion and determination that these young players possessed. The glory of the game had not yet been lost on them. They weren’t wrapped up in concerns over contracts, salary increases, trades, and endorsement deals. They were playing for each other, for their coaches, for their cheering families, for a true love of the game. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

So, while I enjoyed getting swept up in the Red

A Thousand words

alex trautwig / heights editor

Sophomore third baseman Anthony Melchionda takes a swing in the Eagles’ game against the Bryant Bulldogs yesterday. As temperatures reached close to 90 degrees, Melchionda picked up two hits in the 11-3 victory.

courtesy of movieposter.com

After watching ‘The Sandlot,’ it’s impossible not to remember the childhood fervor with which baseball is played.

Sox’s epic home-opener comeback last Sunday just as much as the next Sox fan, I’m still left wishing for a return to the good old days. It may be the idealist in me, but I think it’s still possible. There is still that joy when you make a great scoop at first or an unthinkable diving catch in the outfield. There is still the rush of adrenaline that comes from stealing home or successfully getting out of a pickle. Those moments make the gameforget all the distractions that happen off the field.

As the season begins to really take off, I hope

players can take the time to remember what made them fall in love with the game in the first place – a simple game of catch with Dad, a pick-up game with the neighborhood kids, your first game under the lights, your first slide into home, the way that life just made more sense out on the field. It’s time for a return to the simplicity of America’s favorite pastime.

Joelle Formato is the business manager of The Heights.

She can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.

B4

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Heights

Tiger, for the good of golf: win Zak Jason

RACHEL GREGORIO / heights illustration

Four ways to bring home the title Frozen, from B1

against Miami, convincing the team that the RedHawks’ No. 1 label means nothing once the puck drops is the first order of business.

It seems that they are doing just that.

“We are going to go in and play our best against the best team,” Sneep said.

“We’re not going to change our style of play, and I don’t think anyone is nervous to play one team.”

“That’s the only way to win, to beat the No. 1 team,” Whitney said. “We did it in ’08, and teams have done it in the past. That’s something we expected. We didn’t think it would be easy to win this thing.”

It certainly won’t be easy, as Miami boasts an impeccably balanced scoring attack and two impenetrable goaltenders. In the last 10 games, the RedHawks’ 29 goals have been scored by 15 different players.

Miami also advertises four 40-point forwards, led by Jarod Palmer’s 45.

What’s more, the RedHawks have the two best goaltenders in the nation in sophomores Cody Reichard and Connor Knapp, who compiled a 1.76 and 1.84 goals-against average, respectively. The duo split time during Miami’s two wins in the Fort Wayne Regional, with Reichard picking up a 2-1 win against AlabamaHuntsville and Knapp stopping an eyepopping 55 shots in the 3-2 overtime win over Michigan.

Yet once again, the senior leaders, who are 23-2 in the playoffs, have kept the team unfazed by the looming threat of two dominant goalies.

“We have four lines that can all score, so we don’t think it’s going to be an issue,”

Whitney said. “Throughout the game, if all four lines are going, we just need to get a lot of pucks on net. A few are bound to go in.”

That’s the right attitude – and the seniors can be thanked for that.

Unstoppable Offense What will undoubtedly help mitigate Miami’s marvelous goaltending is BC’s uncanny ability to light the lamp. Paced

by Cam Atkinson’s 27 goals and Brian Gibbons’ 30 assists, the Eagles have proven they can skate – and score – with anyone. In two of their last three games, they turned in a seven-goal and nine-goal performance, helping them place second in the country with four goals per game.

The Atkinson-Gibbons-Whitney line also returned to form in BC’s 9-7 win over Yale on March 28, accounting for six of the goals and snapping a confounding drought.

“The skid we had, that’s just the way it goes,” Whitney said. “During the year, there will be a stretch where you’re not producing. We had our chances to put the puck in the net, but we just didn’t capitalize.

“In the Yale game, we got back to really bearing down when we had our chances, and I think we are going to continue that.”

On the off chance the line runs cold tonight, the other three lines have shown they can pick up the slack. In BC’s 3-0 win over Vermont in the Hockey East semifinals, it was Ben Smith’s line that produced the offense. In their 3-1 win over Alaska-Fairbanks on March 27, a combined effort of the “shutdown” first line and all-freshman fourth line propelled the Eagles.

This newfound versatility has taken the pressure off the vaunted line that was practically expected to score every goal.

“We don’t put any pressure on ourselves to do that,” Whitney said. “That’s when we get in trouble is when we put pressure on ourselves to score.”

A relentless and versatile offense may do the trick to fool Reichard or Knapp just often enough to push BC into the finals for the fourth time in five years.

Choosing Muse York opted to start freshman Parker Milner in net 14 times this season, but the head coach has stuck with John Muse for the last five games. With good reason.

The junior netminder is a perfect 60-0 in the NCAA tournament, putting up a .921 save percentage in those games.

A near-perfect Muse carried the Eagles to the 2008 title, recording a 1.67 goalsagainst average in the 2008 tournament, including 34 saves against Miami.

York is expecting Muse to regain his freshman form – as he did in shutting out Vermont and limiting Alaska to one goal – beginning tonight.

“Certainly, if I had to pick one reason why we are advancing, it’s the play of John Muse,” York said after the Alaska victory.

“He made some incredible saves.”

The following night, however, showed a very different Muse. His seven goals allowed, despite 32 saves, against Yale raises legitimate concern, but Sneep believes that it is excusable against the best offense in the country. More importantly, Sneep reminded, BC still came out on top.

“We never really tried to sit back, and we just played defense,” Sneep said.

“They have such a good offense, it’s hard

standing in the way

to always shut them down. We don’t want to give up that many goals, but as long as we win, that’s all that matters.”

After focusing on fundamentals during practice this week, Sneep is confident the Eagles can clip the RedHawks’ balanced scoring attack. Having Muse stand tall in net, as he has proven he can in so many clutch situations, can only help.

York’s Wisdom For a man who has amassed 848 wins, nine Frozen Four bids in the last 13 seasons, and two national championships, York clearly knows what he’s doing. He has guided his Eagles past Enrico Blasi’s RedHawks before, but he has his players understanding that every season and every team is a unique one.

“This is a whole different year, a whole different team,” Whitney said. “They have a whole different team. It’s a new season. We are looking at the one game on Thursday against Miami, and we’re looking to knock them off.”

To knock them off will have nothing to do with regular-season, conference-tournament, or Regional success. Miami’s national-best 29 wins mean nothing, just as BC’s 27 total victories are insignificant.

Knapp’s 55 saves against Michigan are no more meaningful than Atkinson’s 27 goals.

Instead, it has everything to do with which team executes tonight.

“We are playing extremely well, but it all comes down to who plays the best on the eighth of April,” York said. “You have to be a good team to get there, but whoever plays the best is what matters.”

The Eagles are finally in Detroit, and are two good hockey games away from finally reaching the top of the pyramid. n

Capsules by Adam Rose and Matt Rossman

How they got here: Miami (OH) beat AlabamaHuntsville, 2-1, and Michigan, 3-2, in overtime.

How they got here: Wisconsin took down Vermont, 3-2, and St. Cloud State, 5-3.

How they got here: RIT upset Denver, the second-best team, 2-1, then thrased UNH, 6-2.

Motivated by the memory of Brendan Burke, a team manager who tragically lost his life in a car accident in early February, head coach Enrico Blasi leads the Miami RedHawks against Boston College in the first round of the Frozen Four tonight. The RedHawks sat atop the national rankings for a significant portion of the season thanks in large part to the play of forward Jarod Palmer and goalies Cody Reichard and Connor Knapp. Palmer has scored 18 goals and 27 assists this season, while Reichard has done a stellar job between the pipes. He posted a 19-4-3 record while stopping 92.5 percent of shots and allowing fewer than two goals a game. Knapp, a fellow sophomore, didn’t finish far behind, registering a 1.84 goalsagainst average in 17 games.

In each of the past four years, the RedHawks lost to a team from Boston in the tournament. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, Miami lost to BC and last year fell to BU in the national title game. With all those bad memories, Miami looks to write a new chapter in its hockey history with an extremely deep and talented team.

In 2006, the Wisconsin Badgers won a national championship under head coach Mike Eaves, and they are once again in the Frozen Four. Ranked No. 2 in the country and averaging 3.98 goals a game, Wisconsin is a force to be reckoned with. Forward Blake Geoffrion, with 27 goals and 21 assists, earned the Inside College Hockey 2010 Player of the Year award, and was one of the top three vote-getters for the Hobey Baker award. Defenseman Brendan Smith, also a Hobey Baker finalist, is the highest scoring defenseman in college hockey. Forward Michael Davies ranks seventh in scoring nationally, followed by teammate Derek Stephan, who won a gold medal at the World Junior Olympics with Team USA. Along with a powerful offense, Wisconsin boasts a strong defense, as it is tied with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in fourth for least shots allowed per game, allowing opponents an average of 26.68 shots per game. While he doesn’t see a staggering amount of shots, goaltender Scott Gudmandson is 11th in the nation with an impressive 2.32 goals-against average.

After traveling perhaps the toughest road to the Frozen Four, the RIT Tigers surprised many by beating highly-ranked Denver, the No. 2 overall team in the NCAA tournament.

The surprises continued, as RIT took down Hockey East regular-season champion New Hampshire en route to Detroit. Head coach Wane Wilson’s program differs from the other three in the Frozen Four in that it does not have quite as much experience with the big stage. With an incredible back half to their season, the Tigers have won 12 in a row, and in the postseason have gone 6-0 while outscoring their opponents 26-8. Cameron Burt leads the Tigers in scoring with 16 goals, and Jared DeMichiel has kept the Tigers’ opponents from scoring much at all, as he has put together a goals-against average of 1.97.

RIT has only had Division I status for five years, and the Tigers have now reached the Frozen Four in just their third playoff-eligible season. The only non-No. 1 team remaining in the tournament, the Tigers face stiff competition from Wisconsin in the other semifinal game, which will be played immediately before the BC-Miami match-up.

A fire hydrant, unlike a cigar, is never just a fire hydrant. To the bladderbloated retriever, the red box marks a urinal. To the sweating kids on the simmering July afternoon, a catharsis, as seen in Do The Right Thing. To the most impeccable golfer in human history, a public portal into his decrepit soul.

For Eldrick Tiger Woods, the bane of his existence emerged not in the form of a three-wood or pot bunker, but a fire hydrant. Last November, he ran over one outside his driveway and, society being the nosy neighbor it is, soon shriveled the most awe-inspiring athlete in the world into the biggest punchline. His parade of infidelity soured his life, his image, and, ultimately, the sport of golf.

Now though, as the magnolias and azaleas bloom and the anchors and reporters badger at Augusta National, Mr. Woods returns to his office. For the sake of the sport and the sanctity of ourselves, we need Tiger Woods to win the Masters.

Golf, unlike any other sport, levels all players. I cannot sidestep Ray Lewis for a first down to get my kicker within field-goal range to set up a game-winning field goal.

Unless I slip a Lunesta in his Vitamin Water before the game and pummel through security, I cannot dunk over Shaq.

I can, however, sink a birdie putt, or hole a sand shot, or muscle a ball from the pines, over a pond, and onto a green, if only on rare occasions. To those whose golf experience only extends to AstroTurf, watching the PGA Tour seems as stimulating as watching Antiques Road Show or plucking blades of grass and organizing them by shade. To anyone who has ever walked 18 holes, the PGA Tour may not be the most exhilarating sport to watch, but is certainly the most selffulfilling.

Team sports can weld community.

But golf can assure the self. When we watch Ernie Els flop a ball to within five feet or Phil Mickelson hook his final drive into grass not cut since the agricultural revolution, we think, “I’ve been there before, that could be me.”

Regardless of our skill level or age, we can always envision ourselves playing with the pros of golf, because occasionally we can achieve exactly what they do, and sometimes they fail just as we fail.

We cannot dream so lucidly with other sports. After puberty, it became abundantly obvious that I would not become a defensive tackle. But one time, I sat at a PGA tournament and watched 5-6 Brad Faxon chunk a ball from the woods into a swamp. It was the most reassuring experience of my life.

This is what makes Tiger Woods all the more terrifying. On a field where anyone could do what everyone else can, Tiger consistently accomplishes the inconceivable. Where others inspire and reassure, Tiger mortifies.

No mortal entity can slaughter the rest of the world’s best field by 15 strokes, as he did in Pebble Beach. No mortal entity can tap a 30-yard putt like a sine curve into the hole before it races into the water, like he did at Sawgrass. The most hilarious videos on the Internet aren’t found on College Humor or Funny or Die; they’re found searching “Tiger Woods’ best shots.” As we watch Woods concoct improbable chip after impossible putt, we can only laugh at our impish inferiority. Tiger answers that Killers song: We’re all humans, he’s the lone dancer.

And the dance dies with Tiger. Without his existence in the sport, there’s nothing inherently enjoyable about relating to the rest of the golfers. Without Tiger, there’s no difference between the PGA Tour and Bob Vila’s Home Again.

His presence and his domination vilify our connection with the rest of the field.

Without a Goliath, we would waste our time watching a hundred Davids.

Stripped of his endorsements, devoid of his dignity, Tiger Woods now returns to his art in his purest form: a beautiful and unyielding beast.

Gossip and spectacle have warped the once-sacred sport of golf, sticky and sweltering. Let Tiger Woods blast that fire hydrant one more time, and as he dons the green jacket, let those cascading waters seep into our muddy pores.

Let him show us once again who we aren’t.

Zak Jason is the associate arts editor of The Heights. He can be reached at sports@ bcheights.com.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Heights

mike saldarriaga / heights illustration

Thursday, April 8, 2010

THE HEIGHTS

C2

+Editor’s Corner

We need only fear fashion...

ARTS EVENTS CALENDAR

h it ny w ho t eo An un C

KRISTEN HOUSE The documentary The September Issue, begins with Vogue editor-inchief Anna Wintour staring into the camera lens with a cool, calculating stare. She says forebodingly, “On the whole, people that may say … things about our world, I think that’s usually because they feel, in some ways, excluded or, you know, not a part of ‘the cool group,’ so as a result they just mock it … There is something about fashion that can make people very nervous.” Cut to a scene a mere 10 minutes later in which Wintour is making Yves Saint Laurent chief designer, Stefano Pilati, cry. Pilati is, incidentally, a grown man.

Those who watch the film will find that this “something” Wintour names is, in fact, Wintour herself. And by “make people nervous,” she’s referring to the prototypical 14-year-old girl who is desperately trying to zip up the gold-lame pencil skirt that she spotted in J.Crew. Alas, her size 4 frame won’t warp itself to fit into the size 2 fabric, let alone the desperately coveted 00. Unless you decide to be that offbeat kid in high school who digs Japanese manga and semi-permanent hair dye in “Purple Haze,” you’re probably one of those girls who is letting fashion get to you.

Zoom out from Wintour’s movie, the tragic tween drowning in a sea of imperfectly fitting blue jeans in Abercrombie, and fast-forward to Wintour’s speech at Harvard University on Monday, March 22. Wintour arrived, accompanied by Project Runway judge and famous American designer Michael Kors and supermodel Natalia Vodianova. The speakers were hosted in part by Harvard University and in part by the Harris Center, an institute created by Mass General Hospital, in the hopes of providing an inside look at the health debates plaguing the fashion industry.

The Boston Globe described the attendants of the colloquium as more “like a gathering of the style elite” than the pudgier, more mediocre crowd the hosts were presumably aiming to net. The trio talked body image, enforcing new age limits for the models used in runway shows, and spouted out lofty rhetoric like it was going out of style. It’s all good and fine that Wintour, Kors, and Vodianova are championing the infiltration of “real women” into fashion, however, it’s improbable that these real women even exist.

Feel free to decipher this stream of consciousness by Kors: “The fashion industry is starting to address real women again. Adults are in Vogue.

What a shock … The emphasis in fashion is shifting toward an emphasis on real women who are women, not girls.” Throw around a word like “real,” and the hairs on the female population’s necks will be standing on end. Females reading that quote nationwide are asking themselves, “Do I fall into the category of real?” Therein lies the secret of the Vogue woman.

Do you follow?

Women and girls all over America — and most likely all over the world — do not follow. How would raising the age limit for a girl who wants to model help, you ask? It would purportedly protect her from underage drinking, smoking, eating disorders, and general bullying. By the same logic, we should be raising the legal age that women can enter high school.

Like charging $8,000 for a watermelon-slice-sized Prada clutch, the topics addressed in this chat seem absurdly, if not dangerously, bizarre and illusory. These are the same people who relish in the fact that the fashion industry is a remote, fear-inducing zeitgeist, parasitic in its appeal. They know that there’s a lot to consider when you’re buttoning up your pants.

Unfortunately, real women are scared, running around to find the perfect prom dress, wedding gown, first-date ensemble, interview outfit, “I’m over my ex-boyfriend” look. The Globe staff writer Christopher Muther reported, “Aside from Kors’s vow to work with older models, there were no final conclusions or solutions reached at last night’s forum. But Wintour says that each of these talks has been vital to pulling the issues of distorted body image out of the shadows.”

Kristen House is the Arts & Review editor for The Heights. She can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

In this edition of Videos on the Verge we’ll be playing a little game called “which of these videos is not like the other.” Your options will include: A) A clip of Butler’s missed buzzer beater which would have been arguably the best shot in the history of March Madness (a video that I will be watching non-stop over next three weeks). B) The music video of “Rainbow in the Dark” by Das Racist, a comedic, high-concept rap duo. And finally, C) The music video of “B-boy” by Die Antwoord, a comedic, high-concept rap trio. Stumped?

Well, there’s only one way to get to the bottom of this pickle. Just sit back, relax, and let your brain soak in the best the Internet has to offer.

1

Butler vs. Duke. Sophocles couldn’t have dreamed up a more fitting final possession to sum up a Cinderella story that played out exactly as it was billed. Zoubek, a 7-2 Goliath, intentionally misses his last free-throw. Gordon Hayward, a 2-guard whose scrappy game and boyish countenance seem to define mid-major basketball pulls down the rebound and drives to midcourt. Matt Howard, another veteran leader on Butler, sets a perfect pick, sending Kyle Singler straight to the floor. It was dramaturgy at its finest, villains pitted against underdogs.

2

“Rainbow in the Dark” by Das Racist. No one knows what to make of Das Racist. By definition they are rappers, but as far as tradition goes I can’t see a resemblance between them and any rap group before them. Are they hipsters? They certainly dress like they are, but that label feels wrong also. Plus, they have way too much swagg to be hipsters. Pretty much the only thing you can say without doubt about Das Racist is that their raps are extremely clever, funny and constitute what some meteorologists might call “hot fire.”

3

“Zef Side” by Die Antwoord. “High Tech owns a PC computer. He makes like next-level beats.” It’s statements like these that make people doubt whether the members of Die Antwoord are serious. In truth, they are actually a high-concept rap group and are very much aware of the seemingly unintentional humor of their lyrics and personas. Occasionally, they speak in a language called Afrikaners, a dialect of Dutch spoken by descendants of Dutch colonials in South Africa.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOUTUBE.COM

F

Illinois, You’re fired.

T

his past Sunday, Donald Trump exposed the questionable choices of Illinois’ voting public. His firing of ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevic, one well-experienced in public oustings, on reality staple Celebrity Apprentice was nothing if not completely deserved. The road to “You’re fired,” though, was a hilarious romp through New York and Hogwarts that made for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

I have to give credit to my mother for introducing me to this season of Celebrity Apprentice. I also must give her credit for sitting through two hours of it every Sunday. That takes stamina. A typical sitting of Celebrity Apprentice usually involves watching a bunch of so-called “celebrities” (I’m still not quite sure who or what a Holly Robinson Peete is) formulate a successful business venture to please head honcho Trump. The winner does not earn a position in the Trump organization, although I’m sure quite a few of the contestants would appreciate the opportunity. Rather, the winner’s earnings are donated to the charity of his or her choice.

Unfortunately, the Children’s Cancer Center won’t be receiving that hefty check due to Blagojevic’s inexperience with, to put it bluntly, the 21st century. Case in point, his ignorance of the Harry Potter franchise. For this task, the two teams, the male team, RockSolid, and the female team, Tenacity, had to successfully market an interactive fun house for children to create buzz around Universal Studios’ new Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, or as Blagojevic likes to call it, the “Wizardry” World of Harry Potter. His concept of J.K. Rowling’s wildly successful fantasy is rather impressive. Upon hearing the concept of a wand, Blagojevic asked useful questions, such as, “Do they have batteries?” and, “Do the wands make things appear or does the wand emit magic?”

The finished fun house project further showed off Blagojevic’s wizardry prowess. At his scatterbrained request, the crew developed a castle with a fog-filled forest inside featuring pro wrestler Bill Goldberg as a giant tree. Celebrity chef Curtis Stone (who?) played a professor of “dark magic” with a penchant for referring to houses as classes, much to the dismay of the young wizarding fans.

Blagojevic then placed the Sorting Hat on their heads and would simply announce the house in which they were placed — Gryffindor, “Hugglepuff,” “Slythering,” or “Ravencloth.” Finally, Bret Michaels of Rock of Love handed them some chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott’s Beans. A truly artistic interpretation of Rowling’s work as coordinated by Blagojevic.

More impressive than his inability to grasp the base concepts of Rowling’s series, however, is his inability to master technology. This is not like your mother not knowing how to check her e-mail. I’d be surprised if Blagojevic knew how to even turn on a computer. He claims that his busy schedule as governor left him with little time to check e-mail or take calls. “That’s what my people were for,” he said. In spite of his busy schedule, though, you’d think he’d maybe want to Google camels and what’s in their hump from home, you know?

The ever-changing landscape of phones also remains uncharted territory for Blago. His rival project manager, Victoria’s Secret Angel Selita (who? Tyra’s doppelganger?), dealt with issues by texting her teammates. Blagojevic phoned his teammates, asked nearly a dozen times whether or not he was on speaker phone, and then proceeded to tell them nothing because Selita was nearby. With e-mail and texting completely foreign and phone use a challenge, Blagojevic was an inconceivable dud when it came to communication. At the end of the challenge, as Trump asked if he texted his teammates, Blagojevic wistfully stated, “I wish I could learn texting.” I mean, it’s not that hard, Rod. Blagojevic’s firing, while a blight on the show’s comedic potential, was undeniably correct. It only begs the question of whether his television appearance helped or hurt his public image. Sure, he’s kind of a moron, but he also seemed well-intentioned throughout. On these celebrity reality shows, it’s a gamble for certain. What Blagojevic’s intentions were will never be clear, but I think he probably gained a few fans. I know I would be thoroughly excited if he crowned my head with the Sorting Hat and announced, “Ravencloth.”

JoDarren Ranck is a Heights editor. He can be reached for comment at arts@bcheights.com.

ON CAMPUS

OFF CAMPUS

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

EURYDICE Bonn Studio, 7:30 p.m.

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL House of Blues, 7 p.m.

SPRING ART GALLERY OPENING Bapst Library

YONI GORDON Middle East, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

EURYDICE Bonn Studio, 7:30 p.m.

A LOSS FOR WORDS Palladium, 7 p.m.

MY MOTHER’S FLEABAG O’Connell House, 9:30 p.m.

MIDLAKE Paradise Rock Club, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

EURYDICE Bonn Studio, 7:30 p.m.

BACKSEAT LOVER Harper’s Ferry, 8:30 p.m.

MY MOTHER’S FLEABAG O’Connell House, 10:00 p.m.

TED LEO & PHARMACISTS Paradise Rock Club 7 p.m.

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

ASIAN JOURNEYS McMullen Museum

DAVID SEDARIS Symphony Hall, 7:30 p.m.

EURYDICE Bonn Studio, 2:30 p.m.

FANFARLO Paradise Rock Club, 8:30 p.m.

CHRIS DEWEY’S CURIOUS CHILDHOOD: The golden(eye) years of N-64

CHRIS DEWEY Ah, Easter Break! The perfect time for wild activities such as paper writing, studying, and figuring out how to write a thesis in the next two weeks. That’s not to say that the time off was all fun and games. In between all of these frivolous diversions, I managed to reconnect with my old friend, the Nintendo 64. As I descended into the basement on Wednesday, I was delighted to find that my 15-year-old brother had been playing Goldeneye, one of my favorite games during my middle school and high school years.

There was really no other choice – I myself would have to begin playing this timeless classic as well.

Goldeneye is the first videogame I can remember my parents refusing to let me own. For some bizarre reason, they had a problem with a game that allowed you to silently assassinate Russian soldiers as they went about their business in the bathroom. Despite this restriction, I always managed to escape to a friend’s house in order to log endless hours as James Bond in his virtual reality form.

Twenty missions long, Goldeneye was not a game you could quickly beat. Epic levels like the Dam, the Bunker, and the Jungle provided a variety of roadblocks that could often be tirelessly frustrating. Even once you beat the level on the easy setting, you could replay it on a harder level that entailed a larger number of objectives.

Almost as good as Goldeneye’s one-player missions was its multiplayer mode. It didn’t get much better than grabbing three of your closest buddies and facing off against them in arenas like the Facility or the Temple. Arm yourself with am-

ple doses of rocket launchers, remote mines, and machine guns and watch the hours fly by. For those who liked a more challenging experience, there was the “License to Kill” setting that limited your health to one bullet hit only. Players could also form two-on-two teams or compete in a round of capture the flag. In an age when games like Halo did not yet exist, Goldeneye’s multiplayer capabilities were innovating and exciting.

Goldeneye was a dream come true for a preteen boy.

Full of mindless violence, unlockable cheat codes, and over-the-top gadgets, it simply never got old. It managed to be somewhat realistic without losing any of the fantasy elements that make a videogame fun to play. For a James Bond fanatic like myself, it was the ultimate experience in vicariously living through the British secret agent. Unlike other videogames based on movies, Goldeneye followed its source material very closely, which was an added thrill for anyone who had seen the film. Though this was not the first nor last 007 game to exist, it has never since been matched.

Thirteen years after it was first released, Goldeneye is just as enjoyable as it was when I was in the fourth grade. Sure, the graphics are relatively archaic and the game has its fair share of glitches, but this is to be expected. Though I have completed the game multiple times on “agent” mode, the harder levels still present a reasonable challenge, even for the seasoned veteran. Goldeneye is, without a doubt, one of the best examples of childhood entertainment that hasn’t lost a bit of its quality over the years. As long as I am playing videogames, this is the one that I will always make sure I have at my disposal.

Chris Dewey is a staff columnist for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

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The Heights

Thursday, April 8, 2010

What would Chandler Bing do?

Arts fix-ups.

? ??

! ! !

Kristen House, Zak Jason, & Allison Therrien Arts & Review Editors

Problem: You’re studying abroad and you’ve lost your passport … and your student visa.

Solution: First of all, congratulations to you for obtaining a copy of The Heights. While you could have been spending your time retracing every step you’ve taken on foreign soil, you have instead elected to bide your time and wait for the latest installment of the Scene. Well done. Now, the easy fix. Watch Casablanca. You don’t have to fall dangerously in love with two mysterious, exotic figures. But what you should do is rally in your best 1940s garb at the nearest Cafe Americain, find yourself a plump, greasy exit visa broker, and charm your way out of the authority’s suspecting stares. Note: Play the charm card wrong and they will shoot you. Extra bonus if you can translate to the cafe’s piano man to play “As Time Goes By” for you — it’s a real nerve-soother.

Problem: Your Mod grill caught on fire.

Solution: Fires are always tricky. The first thing to consider is the amount of damage. If, in the language of cars, you’ve “totaled” your grill, take a page out of the Barones in Everybody Loves Raymond and consistently crash another Mod, Frank-and-Marie style. Yes, I realize that is the only time I will ever reference Everybody Loves Raymond for a contingency plan of action. You can comment on your friend’s inability to cook a good meal and/or make curmudgeonly comments that end in “Holy crap.” Perhaps this absence of a grill will be a blessing in disguise. Or perhaps your friends will call you out on your sudden campy likeness to the defunct sitcom. As long as you have extracted a few grilled delights at this point, your job is complete.

Problem: You’re certain that every beverage you order at Hillside is getting stolen by a rogue few in front of you in line.

Solution: This is no time for niceties. Get together a group of your 10 best friends and choose a name that revolves around a body of water a la Ocean’s 11. You are now a cooperative team. Do a fair amount of reconnaissance to find out where they live, find out who they love, and take them down. By “take them down,” I simply mean climb up the side of the building, jimmy the red tab that gets you into their window, and recover your supply of caramel macchiatos or iced chais. Afterward, stand by that fountain in front of O’Neill and have a friend play “Claire de Lune” on his or her iPod.

Problem: The person you like is unavailable.

Solution: Become best friends. In season one of NBC’s The Office, we learn almost immediately that Jim, Dunder Mifflin’s resident prankster, has a thing for Pam, the receptionist.

To his dismay, though, Pam is already locked into a three-year engagement with warehouse worker Roy. Convinced that they are right for each other, though, Jim doesn’t give up hope.

He and Pam become best friends, teaming up for daily pranks on Dwight and suffering through Michael’s lunacy, and though Pam at first rejects him, she is eventually won over.

Problem: You can’t stand the person your best friend is dating.

Solution: Try spending some one-on-one time with him or her. On early seasons of Friends, before the Chandler and Monica era, audiences were haunted by a particularly unforgettable laugh. Janice, with her leopard-print pants and nasally voice, was an on-againoff-again girlfriend of Chandler’s, and one whom his best friend Joey couldn’t stand.

In one episode, Janice decides that she and Joey should spend an entire “day of fun” together. Though Joey doesn’t learn to like Janice in a day, he does learn something equally important: that he can tolerate her. In the end, that’s good enough for Chandler.

Problem: You and your parents disagree on how you should be spending your time.

Solution: Try to find a compromise. On FOX’s hit show Glee, Glee Club’s self-declared diva, Kurt, struggles to earn the acceptance of his father, who doesn’t approve of his tendency to reenact the choreography of Beyonce’s music videos in their basement. Knowing that Kurt’s father would be proud of Kurt were he an athlete, Kurt tries out for the football team. He makes the team and wows his father when he manages to score a field goal by first distracting the opponent with his dance moves. Though Kurt realizes that football isn’t his true passion, he does give his father’s idea a chance and manages to stay true to himself while he does it.

Problem: You’re tired of people not taking you seriously.

Solution: Show them what you’re made of. In rom-com favorite She’s the Man, Amanda Bynes’ character Viola is shocked to learn that her school has cut the girl’s soccer team.

When she suggests that her teammates be able to try out for the boys’ team, the boys’ coach laughs in her face. Viola, determined to prove herself an equal, disguises herself as her brother and joins an opposing boys’ team. Alongside that man-candy Channing Tatum, Viola manages to lead her team to victory against those who doubted her.

Problem: You catch your roommate engaging in relations with your cat.

Solution: While the odds of this occurrence severely diminish if you live on campus, you’re bound to encounter an eager roommate with eyes for your feline at one point in your life.

At first, you may feel compelled to take comfort in something like Marley & Me or Hotel for Dogs or All Dogs Go To Heaven. This will inflict irreversible damage on your being; it will only intensify the fact that your pet is now making out with your roommate (believe The Scene, it’s worse than getting dumped). What you need is Don Cheadle and Hotel Rwanda, a poignant and bracingly real portrait of the Hutus oppression and slaughter of the Tutsis, a reminder that in the scheme of global conflict, you’re problem isn’t that grand. She’s a cat, she eats Friskies; she doesn’t know any better. And it’s your roommate, he’s bored.

Suck it up, man. Has it really got to the point that you’re asking The Scene for advice?

rachel gregorio / heights photo illustration

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

THE HEIGHTS

+Food and Fashion

Chronicles of Campus Fashion: Death to the flip-flop

BY JORDAN MENDOZA For The Heights

Part I: I’ve mentioned before that I hate flip-flops. Let me elaborate — I hate everything about flip-flops. First of all, the name suggests this terrible irregularity, this flappy fickleness — as though the thonged sole might snap up and betray its wearer (which it actually does on a few levels, if you think about it). The sound it makes, smacking against the heel of a bare foot, serves as a horrible reminder that these shoes are not made for walking.

And finally, the look: No matter who makes it (yes, even Marc Jacobs), the garment will always be this flimsy piece of plastic that has no place outside the dormitory shower. There is a difference between a flip-flop and a sandal. A friend of mine has these wonderful Grecian sandals that she knots about her calves, but you don’t even have to do that. Just stop wearing flip-flops — stop it now before it goes too far.

I will attempt no kind of segue from this censure to Part II. I just needed to say it because the summer Ugg is somehow already making itself known in this prematurely warm weather. I guess I can be happy its tumorous cousin, the Croc, hasn’t been sighted yet — at least not on my watch.

Part II: Boston College gets a lot of flack for having such a homogenous student body. This is somewhat confounding considering we do indeed have so many people coming from such diverse, ethnographical backgrounds. Somewhere, somehow (maybe during the orientation brainwash dance), we all get to BC and feel this impulse to buy a Northface. Few individuals can resist, just look at the number of Bookstore sweatpants / baseball cap combos you see in your lecture halls.

Anyway, because of all this, it becomes painfully obvious when someone on campus doesn’t quite fit. I shot the following all on the day I got my 35mm in the mail, and what I love about these photographs is all these people really do demonstrate they are just visitors and not permanent denizens of our campus. Thank God for these strangers, untainted by the BC habitude, without whom we’d lose sight of the outside world.

JORDAN MENDOZA / FOR THE HEIGHTS

On Chris of Berkeley College: Chris was in one of those super-slow, uber-annoying tour groups when I asked him to step out of the herd and into my viewfinder. It turns out his brother is the one planning on coming to BC, and he’s just along for the ride. Anyway, we tend to see a lot of polos here, but rarely do we see an Original Penguin Glenn / straw fedora blend, and rarely do we see the sweater wrap-around look cool.

On Matthis of Paris: There’s a considerable amount of style infused in this look – a je ne sais quoi that elevates its simplicity into an attitude. NB: the cigarette, the tussled locks, unkempt facial hair, and the nonchalantly popped, double-breasted camel coat.

On Alice of Australia: This ensemble I absolutely love – Antipodium skirt, vintage coat, cardigan from Anthropologie, Sass & Bride to boot. She caught my eye from afar, waiting outside Conte Forum for her mother.

The two make quite a well-dressed pair.

Unfortunately, my battery died before I could get to shoot them both together. Holy dooley!

Jordan Mendoza is a Heights contributor. He can be reached for comment at arts@bcheights.com.

Kosher eats with Jenny

BY JENNY LIU

For The Heights If one were to wander into a grocery store in New York from the last week of March through the first week of April, he may find an array of produce and products that are “kosher for Passover.”

Passover is a 15-day Jewish holiday commemorating the Hebrew people’s escape from Egypt. Those celebrating Passover often maintain dietary restrictions that exclude foods such as leavened bread, grains, including barley, rice, and faro, and fermented products like yeast, high-fructose corn syrup, and most alcoholic beverages.

It was interesting to spend the weekend eating with Eric Pearson, food columnist for the Cornell Daily Sun and fellow foodie, who, in keeping with these constraints, found that it

narrowed down the restaurants that we could dine at and severely limited the menu. Bread baskets had to be avoided, and legumes had to be painstakingly picked out. Certainly, this was a week that was better to cook in than eat out.

Matzo brei is the perfect breakfast for occasions when you cannot have jam and toast or pancakes drowned in Aunt Jemima’s artificial syrup. It tastes like scrambled eggs mixed with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, sweetened with a touch of jam (we had cherry and lingonberry preserves on hand).

Imagine a lavish breakfast spread of cereal, eggs, milk, and fruit concentrated in one simple dish. You can choose to cook the matzo brei in butter or olive oil, although the latter is healthier, and it feels like you can eat twice the amount without guilt – and trust me, you will crave a whole lot more.

Bite of Boston Blue Ribbon 1375 Washington Street West Newton, MA 02118 (617) 332-2583 Redbones Barbeque 55 Chester Street Somerville, MA 02144 (617) 628-2200

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE CONFECTIONER BLOG

Blue Ribbon and Redbones battle it out for barbecue

BY KARA KAMINSKI

Heights Senior Staff

PHOTO COURTESY OF IMAFOODBLOG.COM

Ingredients 1/2 large onion, diced 3 pieces of matzo 3 eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons milk Pinch of kosher salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions: 1. Put the matzo in a large bowl and cover with warm water for one minute. Drain the matzo and gently squeeze to release the excess water. Break the matzo into quarters.

2. Saute onion in the pan.

3. Combine onions, eggs, milk, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper to make the batter.

4. Add the matzo to the batter.

5. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil or butter. When the oil is hot, put the batter in the pan. Cook until texture of scrambled eggs.

6. Serve with a little more cinnamon, jam, and powdered sugar.

I consider four necessary components to a barbeque feast: pulled pork, corn bread, garlic mashed potatoes, and coleslaw. Each dish brings a familiar, Southern flavor to the heap of comfort food.

Having lived in the greater Boston area for nine of the 22 years of my life, there are only two barbeque restaurants that come to mind — Blue Ribbon in Newton and Arlington and Redbones in Davis Square.

The two restaurants have quite a different feel. Blue Ribbon’s Newton location sports stereotypically Southern hillbilly decor with its collection of jugs and hot sauce bottles. There are no waitresses at Blue Ribbon – once you buy your goods from the cashier there is a wrap-around bar to sit at, and the Arlington location has a few tables.

Redbones has an almost tribal-southern fusion decor with two floors, each with its own dining area and full bar. If the restaurant battle came down to ambience and your need for a hard drink, Redbones is the clear winner. Sadly, if you are there to satisfy a deep barbeque craving, Redbones will probably not fulfill this need. The flavor of each dish at Redbones ranks just below its rival, Blue Ribbon.

Pulled pork needs to slow cook for the better part of a day in order to reduce to shreds of juicy meat. Blue Ribbon’s pulled pork had this exact consistency. Redbones’ pork, on the other hand, needed another hour or two of looking and was a bit on the dry side.

The sauces that accompanied Blue Ribbon’s pulled pork are all worthy of tasting. I always get the plain pork and dip each bite in a different homemade sauce, though I admit, hot is my favorite.

My companions and I also tried all of the sauces available at Redbones. The sweet was too sweet, the vinegar was nothing special, and regular was just a blander version of hot. The hot sauce was the only one that had real flavor, and while being quite good, it leaves the diner with only one choice.

The corn bread of both restaurants was quite tasty, but I like a coarse-grained, sweet corn bread, so Blue Ribbon’s was my favorite. Redbones uses a finer grain of corn meal and does not sweeten their cornbread to any significant extent. One

notable plus at Redbones is that the corn bread is free and comes to your table warm with any meal. This may change the minds of a few thrifty college students.

The mashed potatoes of a barbeque meal must always be garlicky, exceedingly creamy, and preferably include skins. Blue Ribbon, again, met all of these delicious requirements with a particularly perfect balance of garlic, the point right before your breath regrets the garlic intake for days.

Redbones has the same dish, but with less garlic-tinged, less cream, and no skins.

While being tasty, it just wasn’t in the same league as Blue Ribbon.

Last of all is the coleslaw, a seemingly menial dish that is often pushed aside at barbeque restaurants. Knowing several diehard coleslaw fans, I am aware that for some, the forgotten dish can make or break a barbeque joint. While most recipes want you to mix and serve, coleslaw really develops in flavor over a half hour of sitting.

Redbones’ was almost too fresh, not to mention a bit dry. Blue Ribbon’s slaw had a great incorporation of flavor, was crunchy, and, if I was really nitpicky, I could say a bit too wet. That said, it is always better to be too wet than too dry. This is cabbage we are talking about.

Much to their dismay, Redbones’ dishes consistently fell a bit short of Blue Ribbons’ golden standard. I am not, however, shunning Redbones from my barbeque future outings. It is still a restaurant with a fabulously kitschy ambience and a much larger menu than Blue Ribbon. But when it comes to diehard barbeque fans, Blue Ribbon is the end all be all.

Getting to the point...

Blue Ribbon Web site: www.blueribbonbbq.com Affordability: Inexpensive Atmosphere: Casual Food Quality: The Best Redbones Barbeque Web site: www.redbones.com Affordability: Inexpensive Atmosphere: Casual Food Quality: Inferior

CLASSIFIEDS

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THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

COMMUNITY HELP WANTED BABYSITTER NEEDED. A family residing in Chestnut Hill/BC area is looking for responsible babysitter with a car. We need a babysitter on two afternoons (any 2 days of Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday) to pick up children (6 and 9 years old) from a neighborhood school, drive them home for a snack, and then drive them to after-school activities. 6-7 hours per week. Please send an e-mail to nashideti@yahoo.com.

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED. The Neurodevelopment Center in Cambridge, MA, is seeking individuals aged 12-21 with depressive symptoms for a free treatment study. Contact http://www. youthmood.com or (401)-351-7779.

FEMALE VOLUNTEERS: Who are currently anorexic or have recovered from past symptoms of anorexia nervosa in stable medical health are sought for a study of behavioral ratings and blood hormone levels.

Eligible participants will receive up to $550 for a total of four outpatient visits and two overnight stays at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Canter. More info: Michael Mckenery 617-552-2758 mckenery@bc.edu Have you thought about adoption? Loving and devoted married couple hoping to adopt. We hope you will consider us in your options. To learn more, please call us toll-free at 1-877-841-3748, or visit our Web site www.roseanneandtim. com. Please be assured all conversations are held in strict confidence.

With gratitude, Roseanne and Tim.

REAL ESTATE TOWN ESTATE.10 minute walk from BC. Starts Sept. 1. NO FEE. Modern 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 parking spots, swimming pool, AC, heated, $2,500 by owner, 617-256-3306.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING. Available 9/1. Brighton, Cleveland Circle. Best value. Modern, large, 3-bed, eat-in kitchen, dishwasher/dispenser, new bathroom, hardwood, laundry, heat included. NO FEE, by owner $2100.

(617)-256-3306.

NEED HOUSING FOR SPRING 2011 SEMESTER? Available 9/1.

Brighton. Walk to BC. Modern, 2bed, hardwood, balcony, parking, swimming pool, dishwasher/dispenser, new bath, laundry, heat included, NO FEE, by owner $1550.

(617)-256-3306.

I bet his shirt’s brown. He strikes me as that kind of guy.

Answers to the Crossword are below the Sudoku

Directions: The Sudoku is played over a 9x9 grid. In each row there are 9 slots, some of which are empty and need to be filled.

Each row, column and 3x3 box should contain the numbers 1 to 9. You must follow these rules: · Number can appear only once in each row · Number can appear only once in each column · Number can appear only once in each 3x3 box · The number should appear only once on row, column or area.

THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

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+Music

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim mash brains

BY BRENNAN CARLEY

met / Eleven days I will never forget / Eleven diamonds on the ring that he gave / I haven’t seen him … in eleven days.” It really is the epitome of a perfect pop Here Lies Love is a new album by the masterminds song: It’s sassy and witty, catchy and memorable. She David Byrne (of Talking Heads) and Fatboy Slim. It also appears on the final track, “Why Don’t You Love tells the story of two captivating women: Imelda Me?” with Tori Amos (who also hams it up on “You’ll Be Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, and Taken Care Of”). Here, Lauper vocally trounces Amos, Estrella Cumpas, the woman who raised her. Marcos but then again maybe that was Byrne’s objective: It’s was an allegedly corrupt and murderous beauty queen a song between the two main characters after their while seated at her threshold of power. massive falling out. Kate Pierson Although the disc requires repeated Out of a rating (the lead female of The B-52’s) listens because following the story the arrives on “The Whole Man” and of 10, this first time around is close to impossible, proves that she can still howl it’s truly a stroke of genius. Thanks to album scores with the best of them. The song guests like Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Jones, sounds like classic Talking Heads, and Santigold, the album manages to overcome the a clear sign of Byrne’s influence here, but not enough somewhat gloomy concept, serving up a smooth blend to overpower such a talented singer as Pierson. of disco-infused dance numbers and power ballads.

Two current indie goddesses show up in the second British songstress Florence Welch (of Florence act and walk away with the show. The straw haired and the Machine) kicks the album off by starting at Sia commands “So Big,” a song from Cumpas’ perspecthe end — of Marcos’ life that is. Now 80 years old, tive about people who hound her about her connecMarcos has said for years that her gravestone will read tions to Marcos. The Aussie second-guesses herself “Here Lies Love.” Welch’s lush, soulful voice wails in asking for Marcos’ help when she chants “And in as the fire-haired beauty summarizes the first lady’s my time of need, could you open your heart? Don’t life, from birth until her make me beg, don’t turn exile from the Philippines. away / She always said Another song that sparkles you’d help some day!” It is the standout “Every turns from a lament into a Drop of Rain.” The song is triumphant and thumping a sweeping epic about the two women’s lives together as “garage people.” The song shifts back and forth between a melancholy ballad and club anthem, supported by indie vocalists St. Vincent and Candie Payne. The women play off each other like childhood friends as they touch upon how “when you’re poor, it’s like you’re naked.”

A couple of ’80s pop queens make appearances on Love. Cyndi Lauper “Here Lies Love,” sweeps in for two phefrom Fat Boy Slim and nomenal songs. The first, Talking Heads’ David “Eleven Days,” is lyrically Byrne produces an one of the best songs on the intriguing mix of genre album, with a killer hook and promises a few to accompany it. Lauper surprising guests, but laments in her wispy voice gets bogged down by that it has been, “Eleven days since the moment we lyrical cliches.

For The Heights

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track effortlessly. Brooklyn rapper Santigold’s spot on “Please Don’t” seems more like a track off her own album that she lent to Byrne and Slim, a true testament to Byrne’s ability to let his guests take center stage. The song touches upon Marcos’ belief that “if there’s a problem, it’s really better this way / I don’t need the president, I get my little bag and say ‘please don’t.’” This is Byrne’s way of poking fun at the “handbag politics” of the first lady, a sign of her excessive vanity and naivete.

Byrne paints a very one-sided picture of Marcos, only briefly touching upon the falling out between her and Cumpas (in “Order 1081” featuring Natalie Merchant, lovely here). He completely ignores the scandals that surrounded her political life, such as the assassination attempt on her life and the embezzlement charges brought against her (10 of which are still being fought in court). That’s where the album falls flat. The music is gorgeous, packed with tropical sounds and danceable beats. The lyrics, however, frequently sound like they have been lifted from a straight to DVD Disney musical. Herein lies another problem: Does Here Lies Love want to be an album or a musical? Its songs certainly do enough exposition for it to be staged, and Byrne has performed it live four times. He has said in interviews that the album is meant to be the experience of live theater while at a disco, which just begs the question: What is Here Lies Love trying to be?

IN STORES NEXT WEEK

Aqualung Magnetic North

MGMT Congratulations

VERVE

COLUMBIA

CHART TOPPERS SINGLES

1 2 3 4 5

Rude Boy Rihanna Nothin’ On You B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars Hey, Soul Sister Train Need You Now Lady Antebellum Telephone Lady Gaga Featuring Beyonce

1 2 3 4 5

Plastic Beach Gorillaz One Life Stand Hot Chip ODD BLOOD Yeasayer Have One On Me Joanna Newsom Broken Bells Broken Bells

COLLEGE ALBUMS

PETE RIMES / AP EXCHANGE

Source: Billboard.com & CMJ.com

Guitar god Slash resurges in the age of ‘Guitar Hero’

By Will Watkins Heights Staff

does his or her best to fit in. When the vocalist has hard rock credentials, which many of them do, this works to a minimal level, although none Throughout his roughly 25-year long career, of the collaborations sound as great as they there has never been much doubt about the guimight on paper. Chris Cornell’s voice is showing tar prowess of Slash. The best guitarist to come signs of age, and Ozzy, by some medical miraout of the Los Angeles Sunset Strip rock scene cle, sounds just as good on “Crucify The Dead,” of the 1980s, Slash has built his career around as he did in 1970, but the song isn’t nearly as his speed-driven soloing and memorable as his reality show Out of a rating heavy riffs. On Guns N’ Roses’ was. of 10, this debut Appetite For Destruction, No, that’s not a joke. The his guitar parts on “Welcome To song really is called “Crucify album scores The Jungle” and “Sweet Child The Dead.” Unfortunately, that O’ Mine” became instant classics. His role in the type of hard rock stereotype band never diminished in their later albums until that was parodied in 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap, his 1996 departure due to his now infamous feud before Slash even formed Guns N’ Roses, is with Axl Rose. The year 2003 saw the return of all over the album. This is all right, however, Slash to greatness through Velvet Revolver’s debecause Slash’s guitar prowess quickly makes but, Contraband, in which his monster riff and the listener forget that they are not listening to solo in “Slither” proved that he was still capable anything new. The album provides plenty for a of achieving greatness on guitar. listener looking to rock out and play a bit of air After the demise of Velvet Revolver following guitar, but none of the songs could be considtheir second album, due to another lead singer ered to be among the best of Slash’s career. feud, this time with Scott Weiland, Slash put Most of the album sounds recycled and at times his energy in his solo project, entitled Slash. is a bit dull, but right when it’s getting too borSince he does not sing and has trouble maintaining to handle, Slash comes in with a killer solo ing lasting relationships with singers, Slash has and rescues the song. a variety of guest appearances for the album, One of the album’s best moments comes on ranging from rock greats Ozzy Osbourne and “Saint Is a Sinner Too,” a collaboration with Chris Cornell to current pop stars Adam Levine vocalist Rocco DeLuca that strangely enough and Fergie. sounds like a late Elliott Smith track. Slash plays One would think that with a different vocalist an intricate acoustic guitar part over DeLuca’s on nearly every track the album would have no airy yet forceful vocals, making the song like trouble staying fresh and different, but this is nothing else found on the album. Another not the case. Slash delivers his signature guitar standout is “By The Sword,” which features sound almost every song, and the guest vocalist Wolfmother front man Andrew Stockdale on lead

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vocals. Stockdale, whose own work imitates Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath to no end, delivers the perfect vocal to make “By The Sword” sound like it could have been from the 1970s hard rock scene in both sound and quality. Slash’s guitar playing here is close to the best it gets on the album, making the song deliver on the expectations brought on by its collaboration. Another surprise winner is “Beautiful Dangerous” with Fergie on vocals. The dark song reveals a side of Fergie unheard on any of her work with Black Eyed Peas, and the two musicians click and deliver a song to which even the most skeptical listeners will bob their heads.

Overall, Slash is nothing to write home about, but nothing to immediately dismiss, either.

It certainly does not mark a step forward in Slash’s guitar playing, but it’s unclear if such a development will ever come.

Slash is one of the best guitar players around, so although this album does not mark his best work, it’s not terrible, just a lesser version of the same thing he has been doing for PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLIKR USER GREG HUDSON decades.

Slash combines his signature sound with a number of guest artists in his self-titled “Slash.” The album stays within Slash’s standard framework, but despite its predictability, Slash proves that he’s still the best guitarist around.

With infectious harmonizing, Dr. Dog may break through

BY DAN OTTAUNICK

Dr. Dog’s music is of a different era, and because it combines so many different elements of ’60s music, its songs have an interesting feel. While these How does a band that has released six albums musical elements manifest themselves in the music but is still on the brink of breaking through to a of many modern bands, Dr. Dog is unique in that it does not attempt to modernize its more general audience take that Out of a rating songs, and is content with creating final step toward acceptance and tracks that feel as though they are acclaim? Teetering on the edge of of 10, this from the 1960s. This presents varialternative rock mainstream and album scores ous challenges, as it is difficult to relative obscurity, Dr. Dog seems more concerned with maintaining its balance than experiment with a genre of music that is over 40 risking a jump toward the next level. “I do believe years old.

Despite Dr. Dog’s relatively safe songs, which that there’s no more tricks up my sleeve,” is heard in “Stranger,” the opening track of Shame, Shame, do little to broaden its sound, Shame, Shame is Dr. Dog’s very safe sixth album. It seems as though still an enjoyable album. “Mirror, Mirror,” one of the band may be content with sticking with what it the strongest songs on the album, is a funky track knows, and making albums that do not exhibit large incorporating deep bass grooves with steady vocals, levels of progression. Dr. Dog has created an album creating an energetic feel that manages to capture that is similar to its previous five efforts, and Shame, the energy of a live performance. It builds up nicely Shame will unlikely attract many listeners who are into an exciting finale with speedy drums and highpitched guitar riffs. “Where’d All the Time Go?” not already familiar with the band.

The biggest problem with Shame, Shame is that it opens with psychedelic lyrics and slowly fading vocals, is a very safe album. Dr. Dog has created a very con- complete with background singers echoing the leading sistent sound over the past nine years, incorporating voice. A steady keyboard line reinforces the chorus, elements from a number of different genres popular which ends with an energetic vocal display. “Later” in the 1960s. Its songs are easily distinguished by is one of the album’s most upbeat tracks, and boasts their high-pitched psychedelic vocals, deep, often bells and chimes behind lyrics singing of impatience, bluesy beats, and vocal harmonies in the style of appropriate for such a fast and vibrant track. With the Beach Boys. Shame, Shame does little to deviate feelings of speed and movement, “Later” feels alive, and is a powerful song. from this formula.

Heights Editor

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While Shame, Shame’s more enjoyable songs tend to be upbeat and happy, its weaker songs are, for the most part, slower and more emotional. “Shame, Shame,” the title track, is dry and bare, with a dreamy utterance of the album’s name repeating itself in gaps between airy vocals and minimal instrumentation. It feels as though much of the album’s emotion is concentrated within this one song, resulting in a track that, while very personal and lyrically strong, is dense and difficult for casual listeners to appreciate. “Unbearable Why” mixes vocals with erratic instrumentation, but it does not manage to break through and peak as many of the album’s other tracks do. There are no truly weak songs on this album, but some are far more accessible than others.

Dr. Dog’s new album, ‘Shame, Shame’ proves an enjoyable one, but shows a lack of evolution for the group. The group sticks to its original sound, delivering both quality and predictability.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLIKR USER GREG HUDSON

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Heights

R.E.A.C.T. to host benefit

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Clos e-up

Kristen House

middle of BC’s C.A.R.E. week.

Madni explained that since “BC is about giving back to the community and since we are all in a Friday, April 9, students are taking a stand position to do so, we should.” Also, Madni cited against human trafficking. Rallying Efforts Against the troubling statistic that Massachusetts is one Contemporary Trafficking (R.E.A.C.T.), a group of five states without any legislation about human initially formed two years ago, is enjoying its first trafficking whatsoever. Victims of human trafficksemester of being a formally ing, because the law is not on recognized club by the Unitheir side, are always turned versity. With its debut show, away from homeless shelters.

R.E.A.C.T. is hosting musical That’s where the safe house guests Sound Revolution and comes in. Safe houses would be The Novel Ideas at 7:30 p.m. in a haven for all those caught in the Rat. the human trafficking trade, but The show, sponsored by the the implications of this is that Undergraduate Government of they will need to rely solely on Boston College (UGBC), Ameriprivate funding. The cycle is cans for Informed Democracy therefore perpetuated, giving (AID), and Amnesty International these people no hope to break as well as others, plans to interaway. R.E.A.C.T. hopes that by sperse information about human sponsoring projects like this safe house, the problem will trafficking around the globe move closer toward a solution. in between the musical acts.

Students interested in Brittany Madni, secretary of graphic courtesy of r.e.a.c.t. joining R.E.A.C.T. can become R.E.A.C.T. and A&S ’12, hopes involved by e-mailing react@bc.edu. In the that attendees will come out with a “greater remaining weeks of the year, R.E.A.C.T. hopes awareness of human trafficking” by the end of to institute its annual clothing drive and plan for the show.

All proceeds from the event’s $5 admission will more events like this one in the fall. Ultimately, the evening will help shed light on the staggering go toward the building of Boston’s first safe house plight of the 27 million people worldwide caught for victims of human trafficking (including sex in the trap of sexual slavery. n slavery and prostitution). The show comes in the Arts & Review Editor

Man vs. Wild’s Bear Grylls

courtesy of discoverychannel..com

with Krysia Wazny In the weeks following the finale of the fourth season of Man vs. Wild, some loyal fans have begun to feel nostalgic for the rugged face of Bear Grylls. Luckily, for those individuals experiencing a particularly painful withdrawal, the Discovery Channel is whipping up one of its classic remedies in the form of a season marathon that will air on April 18. What is it about Bear Grylls that keeps viewers begging for more? Is it his corny jokes, balanced effectively by his man’s man attitude?

Or is it simply the fact that he persists in the assertion that Bear has been a long-held nickname?

This is a claim that perhaps only Wolf Blitzer can top. Though he’s been criticized for his camera crews, his longtime competitor (now undeniably vanquished), Les Stroud of Survivorman, admitted to spending 65 percent of his time managing his cameras. There’s a lot to be said for efficiency and entertainment value, and Bear accomplishes both with ease.

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The Heights

Thursday, April 8, 2010

MARKETPLACE THE HEIGHTS

Thursday, April 8, 2010

D1

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

MARKET REPORT

Long road to job market recovery

AMEET PADTE

INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS

Red Shirt protests wreak havoc in Bangkok BINH NGUYEN Since March 14, anti-government demonstrators have organized protests in Thailand, calling for the abolition of the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and new elections. The protesters known as the Red Shirts, have gridlocked the streets of Bangkok and the economic activities of Thailand as well.

The Red Shirts protests have spanned three weeks as the protestors advocate for the return of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite living in exile, Thaksin is still very popular among Thailand’s rural poor.

In June 2009, the Red Shirts joined a mobilization by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to sign a petition for a royal pardon for Thaksin.

He also appealed to his followers to help him return through his phoneins and rallies endorsed by the UDD. He promised to help fix the economic situation if allowed to return to power in Thailand.

Thaksin was removed from power

on Sept. 19, 2006, in a bloodless coup.

When Thaksin was at the United Nations in New York at the time, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin took control of Bangkok. Since fleeing Thailand, Thaksin has been spending his time in London and Dubai.

The Supreme Court’s Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Thaksin in absentia to two years in jail for his abuse of authority. Investigators also questioned his former wife, Khunying Potjaman, about her acquisition of land when he was in office. He was ordered back to Thailand on several occasions to face corruption charges, but never complied.

On March 3, the protesters occupied Bangkok’s commercial hub in the Ratchaprasong area. They surrounded the national police headquarters, the Four Seasons, Hyatt, Intercontinental, and other hotels, and six major shopping malls. These malls together have five times the floor space of the Mall of America outside of Minneapolis.

The protesters refused calls by the government to exit the area and said they were proving a point by freezing such an economically important part of Bangkok. Fifteen months ago, the Yellow Shirts, who are the Red Shirts’

See Thailand, D2

POLITICAL BELIEF

Americans exercise their right to disbelieve in God OLENA SAVYTSKA Over the past weekend, while the Christian community celebrated Easter worldwide, a group of Americans gathered in Newark, N.J., to question the hype that surrounds religion and assert their right to disbelieve.

The 36th annual American Atheists National Convention brought together 300 non-believers who were entertained by representatives from the Secular Coalition for America, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the Council for Secular Humanism, among other groups.

The American Atheists Web site explains the theme for this year’s convention: “BLASPHEMY? – On The Dangers of Privileging Religious Beliefs.” American Atheists underlines its commitment to debating all issues related to religion or non-religion in a free, open forum. According to the group’s Web site, “Any idea, religious or otherwise, that cannot withstand untrammeled scrutiny in the marketplace of ideas should be rejected with-

See Atheism, D4

COURTESY OF CIENCANAMIDIA.COM

The Secular Coalition for America was one of several groups represented at last weeks American Atheists National Convention in Newark, N.J.

POLITICS

ECONOMICS

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The Obama administration has stated that it will not develop new generations of nuclear weapons or use the nuclear weapons it has to attack nonnuclear states that comply with nonproliferation agreements.

The government of Kyrgyzstan has declared a state of emergency, as street fighting results in at least 40 deaths.

Renault, Nissan Motor, and Daimler have unveiled a strategic partnership by which they will share small-car technology and power trains.

The American Society of Media Photographers and other groups plan to file a class-action lawsuit against Google, saying that Google’s attempts to digitize millions of books infringe on copyrights.

Russian and American scientists have discovered a new element by smashing together isotopes of calcium and berkelium, a radioactive element.

The Chinese government has signed agreements with the State of California and General Electric to help build highspeed rail lines.

I NSIDE MARKE TP L A C E

THIS ISSUE

On the Flip Side

102

The number of casualties from the heavy rain and floods in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

300,000

The number of iPads sold the first day they were released on the market.

This week On the Flip Side will explore both sides of the issue of violence in video games.............................................................................. D4

IN QUOTES

IN THE NEWS

See Jobs, D3

VINCENT YU / AP PHOTO

Red Shirt protesters gather outside a shopping mall in Bangkok. The protesters have crippled the Thai economy by marching in huge numbers through Bangkok in defiance of the government.

IN NUMBERS

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report lucidly titled “Employment Situation Summary.” It states that “employment increased by 162,000 in March.” While this number underwhelmed some economists, it is still a positive sign. The statistic includes around 45,000 new hires for the health and education sectors, usually a sign of job growth. The unemployment rate also remained steady at 9.7 percent, and while this is not necessarily “good” news, it does indicate that we are no longer hemorrhaging jobs like we were a year and a half ago. After some revisions, it appears that we have increased jobs in three out of the last five months.

The news sparked a flurry of headlines. The Economist dubbed it “Rays of Hope,” The Wall Street Journal said that “Report Illustrates Economic Revival,” and Forbes called it “Job Growth Signals Strong Recovery.”

We should not be so quick to jump to conclusions, however. Our economic troubles are far from over. Of the 162,000 new jobs “added,” 48,000 were temporary workers hired by our government to conduct the Census. Around 40,000 constituted temporary help services, and furthermore, the number of “long-term unemployed,” defined as those jobless for 27 weeks and over, increased by 414,000 over the month of March to 6.5 million, making the longterm unemployment rate 44 percent.

This means that 6.5 million people have not been able to find work since December 2007. Around nine million people are now working part-time for economic reasons, either because their previously full-time hours have been cut or because there are no other jobs available.

The staggeringly large long-term unemployment rate quashes those who hope for a quick economic recovery. Due to the dilatory rate at which the longterm unemployed return to work, the time at which our workforce will return to “normal” will be much later.

We also need to readjust our expectations of what “normal” is. An article in The Economist last week corroborated my column from earlier this year, “Economy Resized,” speculating that rather than a temporary economic downturn, what we are actually experiencing is a downwards correction. To quote that article: “The prosperity we experienced in the last decade was a result of easy credit and a boom in housing; obviously with such a significant economic component absent, a downward correction must take place. The term indicates that the previous prosperity was ‘wrong’ and that what is currently taking place is how it ‘should’ be. This is our economy’s natural state.”

While The Economist refers to current activity as a “rebalancing,” the idea is essentially the same. In addition to a change in mindset and spending habits, our economy is shifting from being consumption-based to production-based.

Even homebuilders are constructing smaller, less ornate houses. People are not migrating to the south the way they used to. Some are staying put, while others are heading north. We must also take a global mindset in economic decisions. While tariffs on Chinese goods make for good headlines and strong statements, multilateral and mutually beneficial solutions are more conducive.

“A first pitch says a lot about how a president ought to behave.”

– John Odell, curator at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY commenting on the long tradition of Presidential throwing opening day pitches.

International Insights..........................D2 Health & Science...........................B3

D2

Thursday, April 8, 2010

THE HEIGHTS

DANNY MARTINEZ

MATT PALAZZOLO

When will Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens retire?

In the next month, and this isn’t the best time for Obama to have another nomination battle.

When a position on The Peoples’ Court opens up.

June 17th, at 4:43 p.m. He will be missed.

July 16, 2012. He will be the longest-serving justice, his lifelong goal.

Is Obama’s new nuclear policy a good idea?

Although it makes sense at a glance, the facts behind it don’t corroborate it.

It contradicts the Bush administration’s policy, so it has to be good.

It’s da bomb! Actually, no, not at all.

Yes, the Cold War era is so last season.

What should the United States do about Hamid Karzai?

Afghanis are deciding between him and the Taliban.

Not a good sign.

Reattach the puppet strings.

Uhmmm.... send a gift basket?

If you went to the White House Easter Egg hunt, who would you be most excited about meeting? JK Rowling, Justin Bieber, or the Glee cast?

JK Rowling, hands down.

In the eggs would be the best candies, maybe even a Snitch! Justin Bieber probably broke all the windows in the White House.

JK Rowling. The gay Dumbledore controversy would have to be discussed.

Is this even a question?!

Bieber Fever, baby! (JK Rowling, though, really)

Address his heroin addiction and help him make a quiet exit from the limelight. .

It’s a tossup between JK and the Glee cast. I think I would have to say the Glee cast in the end because Finn is dreamy.

Marketplace Editor

Marketplace Staff

HILARY CHASSE

TAYLOUR KUMPF

Opinions Editor

Asst. News Editor

Protesters demand that Prime Minister hold elections Thailand, from D1

archrivals and supporters of the current Abhisit government, blockaded Bangkok’s two international airports for a week and stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers. Nevertheless, none of the Yellow Shirts have been tried for shutting down the airport.

Current protests have damaged the economy of not only Bangkok, but also Thailand as a whole. According to Thailand Business News, tourist trips to Thailand have decreased by 20 to 30 percent from last year. Asian tourists, who are sensitive to security issues, have canceled scheduled trips to Thailand. Tourism provides about 5 percent of the country’s GDP, but the tourism industry in Thailand has lost billions of U.S. dollars in the past years due to pervading political unrest. More than two million Thais work in the tourist industry and have suffered from the decline of the industry.

According to the Bangkok Post, the country’s three main business groups urged the Red Shirts to leave the Ratchaprasong area, saying that their blockades are causing trade

losses of between 200 million and 300 million baht a day.

Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dusit Nontanakorn said after a meeting of the Joint Standing Committee of Commerce, Industry and Banking that if the Red Shirts continued their rally at the capitol’s main shopping district, total trade losses could reach as high as 10 billion baht within a month, equivalent to $300 million. Mr. Dusit said private operators would ask the protesters to move the demonstration to soften the economic impact.

The business sector was also concerned about the rally’s impact on local and foreign investors. Federation of Thai Industries vice-chairman Sumida Buranasiri said routine news reports of shootings and bombs have affected foreign investor confidence. Closures of bank branches, which are affected by the demonstrations, also impacted the people’s confidence.

Prime Minister Abhisit, who is under pressure to end the protests, said Sunday that he would take cautious steps.

He told the New York Times, “I want to tell those people who suggest that the government

deal with the demonstrators decisively that, supposing we do, a riot could take place, and there would be losses.”

The government also said that anyone who did not leave the Ratchaprasong area would be subject to a year in jail.

However, it did not give the details on how it would force the protesters to leave.

I am not surprised with the fervent passions demonstrated by the Red Shirts for Thaksin.

As prime minister, Thaksin was able to communicate with the rural poor and gave lower-income Thais a taste of a better life, such as cheap loans that allowed people to buy pickups and mobile phones. However, Thaksin’s efforts to win over the support of the rural poor cannot mask the corruption during his tenure.

In addition, Bangkok is important to Thailand economically, as the city accounts for roughly 16 percent of Thailand’s GDP. Freezing the commercial district will cause more harm to Thailand and will not achieve any discernable political change.

Binh Nguyen is a staff columnsit for The Heights. He welcomes c o m m e n t s a t m a rke t p l a c e @ bcheights.com.

SAKCHAI LALIT / AP PHOTO

A legion of policemen rest and wait in the Bangkok Parliament building, which angry protestors attempted to storm.

Supreme Court Justice Stevens considers retiring gavel

BY DAN OTTAUNICK Heights Editor

After nearly 35 years of public service as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice John Paul Stevens, now 89 years old, maybe close to making an announcement regarding his retirement. He has spoken of his desire to allow President Barack Obama adequate time to search for a replacement, and many are speculating that this signifies that he will retire at the end of the Supreme Court’s current term, which finishes early this summer.

Many have speculated that Stevens is nearing retirement because of his old age and the guarantee that President Obama will not appoint a conservative justice in his place. As the leader of the Court’s liberal wing, Stevens has long fought for progressive causes, and was therefore unlikely to retire during Republican President George W. Bush’s time in office, as this would have resulted in Bush’s appointing a candidate ideologically opposed to Stevens.

However, Stevens does not face that risk with President Obama in office, as the two share liberal values.

Top Republicans have announced that if Stevens retires and Obama nominates an overly liberal justice to replace him, they would attempt to filibuster the nomination. When a president nominates a candidate for a position, the Senate must first approve that nomination after vetting the candidate. “I hope … he does not nominate an overly ideological person,” said Senator John Kyl, the Senate Minority Whip and No. 2 ranking Republican senator. “That will be the test.”

Many Republicans disliked Justice Sonia Sotomayor during her hearings, and although there was little they could do to filibuster her nomination, 31 of 40 Republican senators, including Kyl, voted against her.

However, a filibuster of Sotomayor’s

nomination was unlikely, as Republicans in swing districts risked isolating moderate voters by denying Sotomayor a place in the Supreme Court. However, the political climate has shifted in the past year, and because Republicans have gained more power and an additional Senate seat, the party could stage a filibuster.

With a potential battle heating up depending on whom Obama nominates, some Democrats are asking Stevens to remain in the Court for another year.

Senator Arlen Spector, a former Republican who switched to the Democratic Party just last year, is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which conducts the nomination hearings. “I think the gridlock in the Senate might well produce a filibuster, which would tie up the Senate,” Spector said. He feels that because of the tense political environment that has arisen in the Senate following the passage of the health care bill, Republicans may very well filibuster Obama’s nomination and create even

more trouble within the Senate. “I think if a year passes, there’s a much better chance we can come to a consensus,” Spector said.

There are four possible scenarios that may play out as a result of Steven’s retirement, who Obama decides to nominate, and how the Republicans decide to react to that nomination.

The first scenario would be if Stevens decides to postpone his retirement until next year, as Spector has encouraged him to do. Were this to happen, it seems

CHARLES DHARAPAK / AP PHOTO

Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, one of the senior members of the Supreme Court, is considering stepping down from his position soon.

likely that Obama would have little trouble getting his candidate approved so long as Democrats do not suffer major losses in the Senate. As Spector claimed, a lack of political turmoil would make it easier for Democrats in the Senate to get a candidate approved, as was the case with Sotomayor last year.

The remaining scenarios would take place if Stevens retires this year as is expected. If Obama nominates a liberal candidate, as he has proven he is willing to do with his recent nomination of Justice Goodwin Liu to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Republicans will almost certainly attempt to filibuster the nomination. This may also result in some Democrats opposing the nomination.

“Red state Democrats are not only going to be willing to, but looking to, put some distance between themselves and the liberal wing of the Democratic Party,” Curt Levey of the Committee for Justice said. If Democrats felt pressure to oppose an overly liberal nominee, the Senate gridlock would halt discussion on other issues throughout the summer.

If Obama nominates a more moderate justice, Republicans may still decide to filibuster the nomination. “If he doesn’t nominate someone who is overly ideological, you may see Republicans vote against the nominee, but you won’t see them engage in a filibuster,” Kyl said.

This may backfire on Republicans, as such a block could be perceived as a spiteful move.

The final scenario would involve Republicans approving the President’s nomination. This could help Republicans in the midterm elections, as moderate voters may see the approval as the party’s willingness to work across the aisle. Regardless of what happens, all eyes will be on Stevens in the coming months as he prepares to make his announcement. 

The Heights

Thursday, April 8, 2010

D3

Health & Science

Climate change skeptics are small but vocal minority Alex Cohen Climate change, or what used to be called global warming, has become such a hot-button political issue that much of the science behind the arguments seems to get lost in translation. Take the news in February that detailed errors in the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 report.

That document predicted that it was very likely for glaciers in the Himalayan mountain range to completely melt by 2035, though the methodology used to predict that date is now known to have been flawed. Another incident involved researchers in the University of East Anglia in Britain, where scientific evidence was hacked out of university e-mail accounts showing an alleged attempt to emphasize the impact of humans on climate change. This violated British freedom of information laws. To top it all off, the chair of the IPCC, Rajendra Pachauri, has gotten allegations of conflict of interests because of his business dealings.

Even the weathermen are getting involved in the climate change debate. The New York Times reported that television weathermen – about half of whom have a degree in meteorology – are increasingly clashing with climatologists about climate change.

In a George Mason University-University of Texas poll, only half of over 500 respondents agreed that climate change was occurring (maybe the half that have degrees). Where’s the science in all of this?

A lot of it is underreported. What’s getting less attention in the media are the corrections made to errors in projections, as well as the original data that has yet to be disproved. It turns out that the Himalayan glacier prediction presents an exaggerated timeline. Recent studies show that the glacier will melt 30 percent by 2030, and up to 70 percent by the potential end of the century, though the actual process and impacts of the melting glacier are largely unknown.

While the IPCC may have made a predictive error, the research aimed at studying the past has been largely accepted in the scientific community.

Their findings were corroborated in a 2009 U.S. report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program that focused on climate change in regional areas of the United States. It concluded that reductions in carbon dioxide emissions would help alleviate climate change issues, but we can still expect to see more intense hurricanes, wind, and storm surges

in coastal areas, drier conditions in the Southwest and Caribbean, and increased precipitation in the Northeast.

In January, NASA released a report that showed 2009 was the second warmest year on record since the beginning of modern record-keeping in 1880.

Last year was only slightly cooler than 2005 – the warmest year on record – and it was tied for second with a cluster of years: 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007. The last decade was the warmest on record.

While the IPCC predicted the date of the Himalayan glacier’s death wrongly, it does not change the fact that the glacier – indeed, many glaciers around the world – is, in fact, melting. Since 2000, glaciers with long-term observation sites have been melting more than twice as quickly as the period between 1980-1999, according to the World Glacier Monitoring Service.

Despite these reports, weathermen and other skeptics continue to doubt climate change. According to The New York Times, though, an overwhelming 90 percent of climatologists – who hold Ph.Ds – agree with findings like those of the IPCC. One of the problems is that meteorologists are trained to study and predict only the immediate weather patterns, whereas climatologists develop complex models to examine decades and even centuries of climate data to create long-term projections. The results of their research – published in reports like the ones from the IPCC and the US Global Change Research Program – conclude that the world is warming and it is most likely the result of human activity, especially the use of fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide into the air.

Weathermen aside, the error in the IPCC report needed correction and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has asked a panel of the world’s science academies to review the procedures of the IPCC, though he made it very clear that he has been presented with “no credible evidence” to challenge the conclusions of the 2007 report. Standing next to him was the IPCC chairman, in a sign of support.

I find the climate change debate to be very frightening – not because of the implications of policy, but because the reasons behind each side of the argument are often obscured. When NASA, a federally-appointed climate research program, 90 percent of the world’s climatologists, and an international committee of scientists all come to the same or similar conclusions, their findings and recommendations should scream louder than a news story about hacked e-mails or one bad prediction in a 3,000 page document. As Al Gore explained in a February op-ed in The New York Times, climate change is here, and it’s as inconvenient as ever.

Alex Cohen is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@bcheights.com.

Harry Reid (D-Nevada) U. S. Senate Majority Leader

By Matt Palazzolo Heights Staff During the year-long partisan battle over health care reform, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has become a highly controversial and visible leader of the Democratic Party.

The Nevada senator has had a long and colorful political career that could come to an untimely end in the November midterm elections.

Reid was born in Searchlight, Nev., a rural mining town, on Dec. 2, 1939. His father was a hard rock miner and neither of his parents had a high school education.

He attended Basic High School in Henderson, Nev. and married his high school sweetheart shortly after graduating.

Reid went to Utah State University for his undergraduate education and later to George Washington University Law School. He supported his young family in D.C. by working as a U.S. Capitol police officer. Upon graduating from law school, Reid returned to Henderson where he served as city attorney. In 1968, at just 28 years old, he was elected to the Nevada State Assembly, and in 1970 was elected lieutenant governor after running on the ticket with a former high school teacher, Mike O’Callaghan.

In 1977, he was appointed chairman of the Nevada Gambling Commission. After entering office, he was subjected to death threats and once narrowly avoided an

assassination attempt when his wife discovered a bomb attached to his car. His campaign as commissioner to clean up Nevada gambling was portrayed in the 1995 film Casino.

After his stint on the gambling commission, Reid was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 and served two terms. He was then elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 and has since served four consecutive terms. From 1995 to 2005, he served as a Democratic Whip and in 2005 succeeded Tom Daschle as Senate Minority Leader, which soon became the majority leader position after the 2006 midterm elections.

Despite his senior Democratic position, Reid is not a partisan liberal. He is anti-abortion and has voted several times to ban partial-birth abortion. Reid is also against gay marriage and voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. He has notably been accused of flip-flopping on national security, first voting for the invasion of Iraq, then demanding troop withdrawals, and then remaining ambivalent on the troop surge.

Currently, Reid is most readily identified with the recent health care reform bill. It would not have passed without his efforts, as Reid worked tirelessly to secure votes for it among Democrats in the Senate, including his infamous deal with Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson. Despite this recent legislative victory, he is facing a double-digit deficit in his re-election campaign and could be voted out of office in November.

Laura Rauch / ap photo

Issues like deficit and tax structure should be looked at

Eric Risberg / ap photo

Despite the recovering economy, long lines at job fairs, like this one in San Jose, Calif., are still a common sight.

Jobs, from D1 Furthermore, our tax structure should be re-evaluated.

I vividly remember professor Harold Petersen, in the economics department, advocating an investment tax credit that would encourage and boost capital expenditure, the foundation of production and any strong market. This investment could be in infrastructure, production facilities, and education. If we increased taxes on consumption and decreased them on investment, we could be “rebalanced” into a more favorable, production-based economy. Furthermore, the Obama administration rejected a carbon tax on fuel.

Even though a step-structured tax, such as that utilized in the United Kingdom, would not only incentivize automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, it

would also encourage Americans to spend wisely. It could also help control our spiraling deficit The deficit must be addressed as well. We can examine the practices of the many bankrupt states, such as California, as a microcosm of our country. When its debt increased substantially it engaged in premature, panicinduced cuts and tightening that result in dangerous instability.

Systematic, reasoned changes result in a slowly and progressively changed economy. The resulting deficit control would assuage the bond market and help control interest rates. Remember the madness that ensued when the Federal Reserve cut the interest rate to 0 percent? We don’t need that again.

One also wonders whether our time as the dominant global superpower is nearing an end. One of the main reasons

our manufacturing industries flourished so convincingly, such as those of automotive, steel, and food, is because during World War II all of our competitors’ production facilities were bombed to bits.

When competition does not exist but demand is great, monopoly power exists. In addition to the quickly advancing economies of our currently lesser rivals and the rapidly decreasing cost and increasing accessibility of high technology, the economic downturn shattered our bubble and slowed the rate of our growth. Other countries, in which citizens areused to living prudently and with limited resources, may thrive in the new economic climate.

Ameet Padte is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@bcheights.com.

D4

Thursday, April 8, 2010

THE HEIGHTS

Current rating system works

ON THE flip side

JOHN LACARA

THE ISSUE:

Switzerland’s National Council recently passed two resolutions that will ban violent video games entirely. In the United States, video games are becoming increasingly more violent, and there is debate about what the rating system of these games should be and the effects that graphic images have on young adults. In the current system, parents are able to see the rating level of each game and judge whether the material is appropriate for their children. How should America address the issue of violent video games? Does the rating system need to be fixed with more in-depth explanations of the content of games, or should be banned from seeing violent images altogether?

Games stimulate violence

game, a soldier hones his firing skills and learns that killing is obligatory and easily justified.

Video games have evolved over While this training is no doubt the past 20 years from 32-bit ad- useful to the military, regrettaventures, like Super Mario Brothers bly these effects are not limited to realistic and incredibly violent to the controlled environment of games such as Grand Theft Auto. combat training.

Accordingly, the Entertainment Though the military is using Software Rating Board, enforces video games to train soldiers in a rating system similar to that of the art of killing, video games movies, with an “M” rating cor- do not transform everyone who responding to an “R” rating, and plays them into cold-blooded so on. Despite killers. “The the simplicity of ESRB needs to both strongest risk the system, the factor in school develop a more ESRB’s ratings shootings is are inefficient comprehensive rating emotional inand more needs stability” writes system, and more to be done to Henry Jenkins, shield children importantly reach out an MIT profesfrom the harmopposed to parents and make sor ful effects of to video game them understand how censorship, and video games.

Studies have violent video games he is absolutely shown that vioright. Video have become. lent video games game violence can encourage predictably has violent behavior. This behavior a much more extreme effect can vary from responses to neutral on the mentally and emotionquestions, to simple imitation, to ally unstable. Billy, the masked cold, calculated violence. For ex- killer from Scream, stated it ample, in an experiment, a group best when he said, “Movies of third and fourth-graders played don’t make psychos, movies Mortal Kombat, a gruesome fight- make psychos more creative.” ing game, while others played One must already have other, basketball. Then, they were asked more serious issues for video open-ended questions. The chil- games to have such devastating dren who played Mortal Kombat effects. Villains such as Derek responded aggressively, often Harris, Dylan Klebold, and Cho referring to violence, while the Seung-Hui make up a minischildren who played basketball cule minority of gamers. Alas, gave much more candid answers. though they are such a minority, Players will also imitate moves they have become household they just acted out in a game. names through extensive media These actions could take place in coverage of their homicidal innocent play or a serious fight, sprees. Because of this, concludepending on the individual. All sions about video games such as these consequences are derived Jenkins’ are lost amid wild and from simply introducing a child accusatory assumptions. to a gruesome video game and The impact of violent video letting it work its magic. games on our nation’s youth Colonel David Grossman, a should not be downplayed psychologist for the U.S. Army, just because their association has applied these video games with notorious school shootto his own branch of work. He ings is largely overhyped. The believes that the willingness to link between aggression (minor kill is not natural, but instead and major) and violent video a learned behavior. Therefore, games has been proven beyond he concludes that the will to a doubt by reliable experiments kill can be developed using conducted by experienced scistimulus response training. So, entists and psychologists. From what exactly does he use to an innocuous hostile comment, train soldiers to kill? Why, video to an unprovoked physical games of course! He utilizes assault, to complete desensitizDoom specifically, because it ing, to violence, video games is a first person shooter and are corrupting our nation’s has human rather than fantasy youth. More alarming, though, violence, which makes it both is the complete apathy of parrealistic and similar to coments in not only dealing with, bat situations. By playing this but understanding the problem.

MATT PALAZZOLO

Most parents are completely unaware of the violent content in video games. Parents do not know what they are carelessly buying their children. The media, with its occasional sensational coverage of a school shooting, sheds little light on the problem. Ignorance is not bliss. The public, and parents especially, needs to know just how influential video games are on kids. The ESRB need to both develop a more comprehensive rating system, and more importantly reach out to parents and make them understand how violent video games have become. Switzerland’s attempts to ban violent video games entirely are admirable but ineffective.

The first step toward shielding children from violent video games is increased awareness.

If parents know the violent content of video games, they can make an informed decision on whether or not their child is mature enough to play the game. Thus, a more efficient and recognized ratings system can be a better alternative to legislative action.

Matt Palazzolo is a staffer for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@bcheights.com

Many groups have spoken out against violent video games by claiming that they contain content that is not suitable for children. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, one of today’s most popular titles, is often specifically cited as being too violent a game for many younger players. The game’s extremely realistic depictions of firearms, combat, and death are in fact quite startling.

Organizations such as Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence, among others, cry out that the game is completely unfit for all children. Interestingly enough, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has agreed with this sentiment fully by assigning it a rating of Mature.

By assigning Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 this rating, the ESRB has made a strong statement that the game itself is not suitable for those younger than 17 years old. The current rating system is as follows: “Early Childhood” for ages 3 and up, “Everyone” for 6 and up, “Everyone 10+” for ages 10 and up, “Teen” for ages 13 and up, “Mature” for ages 17 and up, and “Adults Only” for ages 18 and up. Presumably, this system is supposed to make it easier for parents to make informed decisions about which video games to buy for their children simply by knowing how old their child is and the rating of the game they are looking to purchase.

At 17 years of age, a child who is exposed to the horrors of Modern Warfare 2 could have already been serving in the army for a year performing some of the actions depicted in real life.

Older children are able to better understand and put into context harsher subject matter. Thus,

the rating system is designed in suitable for children, the playing a way so that younger children of certain video games is simply are preoccupied with collecting a matter of being old enough to “coins” and “stars” while older fully understand the situations children might be required to presented. The point should not diffuse bombs and participate in be to outlaw the situation in genactive military engagements. A eral, but to ensure that those who simple search on the ESRB Web are exposed to it are of sound site makes it very clear. mind to cope with it, just as the When looking drinking age for games under does already.

Just like any other the “Everyone” Just like unactivity that is not category, titles derage drinking, suitable for children, there are going s u c h a s Build Bear Friendship be situations the playing of certain to Valley, Family in which those video games is Go-Kart Racing, who shouldn’t and Super Mario be playing simply a matter of Bros. round out certain games being old enough to will be exposed the search results. Conversely, fully understand the to them, but when searching this does not situations presented. mean that the under the “Mature” category, rating system titles such as Matt Hazard: Blood has failed. There is no reason to Bath and Beyond, Zombie Apoca- ban violent games simply on the lypse, and Grand Theft Auto IV: basis that some children may end The Lost and Damned are among up playing them. Anyone who will the listed. purchase a game that says “For Outside the United States, Adults Only” prominently on the where a loosely defined right to box for their 7-year-old has much free speech is not inalienable, bigger things to worry about than opposition groups often cite how it could even be possible in how the violence in video games the first place for them to make should not be permissible for any such a gross error. viewer as their main complaint.

Regardless of what system While this may very well be true, is prevalent in the future for the fact of the matter is that in controlling the contents of a the United States, violent video video game, one thing will remain games are here to stay. To say constant. It will still be a parent’s that fully outlawing such games is responsibility in some way, shape, even within the realm of possibilor form to ensure that their child ity is a long shot at best. Thereis not exposed to the wrong confore, the next best option is to tent. The current rating arrangesimply ensure that young children ment is perfect for all parties are not exposed to inappropriate – those at the ESRB get to keep content, exactly as the ESRB is their job, and parents know that already doing. there is an agency expending vast It’s no coincidence that amounts of time and effort to acalmost all of the developed curately rate games in a way that countries in the world have their is as simple and clear as possible. own rating systems which are John LaCara is a guest columnist for vastly similar to the one used The Heights. He welcomes comments here in the United States. Just at marketplace@bcheights.com like any other activity that is not

MIKE SALDARRIAGA / HEIGHTS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

American atheists gather for convention in New Jersey Atheism, from D1

out further ado.” A laudable notion at that. Yet, for many Americans today, the question seems to be: What is the big idea behind atheism?

Materialism, or naturalism, a philosophical branch born in

ancient Greece, is the foundation for atheism. Materialism conceives of thought as a product of nature, whereas religion maintains that the idea precedes the object. Thus, rooted in the natural, existing world, atheism rules out the notion of a divine being along

with that of an afterlife. From ancient Greek materialists to later thinkers such as Galileo, Voltaire, and Diderot, atheism has had prominent followers throughout history.

Atheism gained increased attention in the United States through the school prayer cases

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICKBAINES.WORDPRESS.COM

Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most prominent atheist thinkers, wrote The God Delusion, a worldwide bestseller.

heard by the Supreme Court.

American Atheists came about following the Court’s 1959 ruling in Murray v. Curlett, a case in which outspoken atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair challenged a public school’s authority to institute prayer recitations. On the political arena, atheists in the United States fight for the separation of church and state guaranteed by the First Amendment. They oppose the influence of religious beliefs, which consign individuals to passive acceptance in this life. Atheists question the notion of God, aiming at the core of traditional religions, and thus are often perceived as immoral, or perhaps simply as a threat to that which believers cherish most. Yet the atheist ideal does embody a perfect world, a heaven of sorts – one here on earth, in which human beings learn to respect each other, and in which church and state remain far apart. Indeed, the life quest of an atheist as formulated by O’Hair, the organizaton’s founder, is this: “A materialist lives a full social life and is inspired by progressive ideals. He is concerned with the problems and joys of life, not death. He is deeply involved with shaping his life as a useful member of society and contributing what he can to its

progress.” American Atheists, a child of the 1960s, appropriately represents a branch of the civil rights movement which took flight in that era.

Decades later, with a following in the thousands, atheism remains as relevant as ever in America. Adherents exchange ideas via Facebook and blogs and express their views in books such as The God Delusion and The End of Faith. The atheist dialogue today is, in some ways, a response to the crusades of the Bush years and the destructive post-Sept.

11 clash between Muslim and Christian fundamentalism.

Atheists perceive the moral commandments of conventional faith as so many chains that bind human beings in their real, present lives in exchange for the promise of an elusive afterlife. Accordingly, they condemn the resignation of believers to the vices of life on earth. In recent years, freedom of religion and freedom as a whole have merged into one for atheists in America, as the Bush administration sought to promote Christian values both at home and abroad, and as Muslim terrorists countered this movement with attacks that defended their own faith.

President Bush felt justified in declaring his “war on terror-

ism” and implementing rather extreme measures to combat radical Islam.

The aftermath of the Bush presidency has exposed many holes in the rich tapestry of American democracy. Social inequality, discrimination, and injustice, once veiled by Bush’s unwavering confidence, became prominent issues for the Obama administration. The prisoners confined at Guantanamo as well as those tortured through the authorization of the CIA are reminders of the imperfections of the present world.

The financial crisis left some CEOs with sizeable bonuses as it threw many families out of their homes. The current hope for atheists, as a delegation expressed to Obama earlier this year, is that their views are recognized and respected. Indeed, we may all do well to heed the words of O’Hair, and look to our life at the present and feeling the power to make positive changes in our earthly abode.

God may continue to guide and beckon from above, but we must always – and particularly now – remain conscious, caring, and tolerant citizens of the world that we inhabit.

Olena Savytska is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes c o m m e n t s a t m a rke t p l a c e @ bcheights.com.