The Heights 03-17-11

The Heights wishes you a happy St. Patrick’s Day! JAPAN STRUCK

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FROZEN FOUR

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the scene

sPORTS

Devasting earthquake may have killed as many as 25,000 citizens in Japan, B10

Arts bracket tracks the best options for Boston entertainment, B1

The women’s hockey team plays for its first national championship this weekend, A10

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Vol. XCII, No. 14

2011-12 tuition released Board of Trustees announces 3.6 percent increase in tuition, fees, and room and board

By Michael Caprio Editor-in-Chief

alex manta / heights editor

The University Board of Trustees has approved a 3.6 percent increase in tuition, fees, and room and board for the 2011-2012 academic year. The tuition for the next academic year will be $41,480.

The new tuition will be an increase from this year’s $39,880. The Board of Trustees raised tuition 3.5 percent last year from the 2009-2010 academic year.

“In light of the challenges our families continue to face in this slow-recovering economy, we made every effort to limit tuition increases and still maintain our commitment to academic excellence, financial aid, and the student formation initiatives so

critical to the BC educational experience,” said University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. in a recent statement.

The University will also increase needbased undergraduate financial aid by 6.5 percent, per the ruling of the Trustees.

This $5.1 million increase will bring the amount of need-based undergraduate aid awarded to $84.5 million. The amount of total aid awarded, which includes aid for graduate students, work-study students, and Presidential Scholars, will increase to $135 million.

Forty-three percent of the full-time undergraduate student body receives needbased financial aid from the University,

See Tuition, A4

Artists await Students’ families safe a space of their own

News Editor

whether the students should remain in Japan due to safety concerns.

Widding said that the decision to evacuate BC students is a rather complex and developing one, as no one knows how the situation in Japan will progress. “Since we have no sufficient evidence at the moment how the situation will evolve, especially with regard to the nuclear reactors and possible severe aftershocks, we have asked our students to give us a couple more days to come to a decision,” he said.

Paul Chebator, senior associate dean for

Last Tuesday, March 8, Alexander Grant, a sophomore economics major and member of the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, was found dead in a Saratoga Springs, N.Y. creek.

Authorities reported that the cause of death was drowning, with hypothermia being a factor.

Grant, a resident of Westchester County, N.Y., was last seen visiting hometown friend Mike Perlow, a Skidmore College student, last Saturday night. Police accounts suggest that he was separated from his friend after a party, becoming lost in the midst of a snowstorm that dropped more than a foot of snow on the area.

He was captured on surveillance tape at 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, breaking his way into a medical office building. His body was found Tuesday morning in Putnam Creek, three-tenths of a mile from where he was last seen.

A search crew consisting of Saratoga Springs City Firefighters and New York State Forest Rangers began their efforts Sunday night, shortly after friends reported Grant missing at 4:50 p.m., and continued through Monday’s heavy winter storm.

Police investigating a burglary at the medical office building early Sunday afternoon discovered the surveillance tape showing Grant, wearing only shorts, a shirt and one sock, breaking in shortly after 1 a.m. and then leaving just over an hour later.

Nearby, they found his pants, a second sock and his identification. At the scene of the break-in, there was a considerable amount of blood and police surmised that he was injured when breaking a window to get inside.

Sunday’s heavy snow hampered search efforts and the heavily wooded area sur-

See Japan, A4

See Grant, A4

Heights Senior Staff

Editor’s Note: This article is the first of a three-part investigation into support for the arts at BC.

See Arts, A4

AP file photo

Despite initial dificulty, BC’s 20 Japanese students have been able to contact family and friends back in Japan, confirming their safety.

Six BC students abroad in Japan, families of 20 Japanese students all confirmed to be secure

By Elise Taylor Heights Editor

For the Boston College students who reside or are studying abroad in Japan, the 8.9 magnitude earthquake on March 11 and its aftermath have hit very close to home.

According to the Office of Public Affairs, there are six students currently in Japan for study abroad programs, and 20 native Japa-

nese students studying at the University.

All six students studying abroad in Japan are safe following last week’s tragedy. Three of the students were in America for spring break at the time, while the other three were studying in Tokyo, which is 380 miles away from the quake’s epicenter and well-known for its earthquake-sound architecture. The Office of International Programs, headed

by Bernd Widdig, is currently discussing

Sophomore BC student passes away

By Taylour Kumpf

By Matthew DeLuca

Before Spring Break, Lauren Gomez, president of the Art Club and A&S ’11, had a meeting with David Quigley, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to discuss the need for display space for student artwork on campus. Currently, the club hosts gallery showings of student artwork in spaces provided by the University Libraries in the basement of Bapst and on the first floor of O’Neill. What the Art Club really needs, Gomez said, is a dedicated space on campus to prominently display student artwork.

“He was realistic,” Gomez said, “and told us that it’s not going to be practical for the next five years. But it was nice to have someone be honest with us.”

Quigley said that over his time at Boston College, he has seen an explosion of interest in the arts among students. “I would judge that student interest in and passion for the arts has increased at BC over my 13 years, and I think that’s a good thing,” Quigley said. “I see the creative, visual, and performing arts as important priorities for the college, alongside the humanities, arts, and sciences.”

Quigley pointed to the University’s Master Plan, which includes a planned arts complex on the corner of Brighton Campus

by Lake Street, as a sign of institutional commitment to the arts. It will be several years before ground is broken on that facility, Quigley said, given the current state of progress in the Master Plan.

In the meantime, administrators, faculty, and students, are looking for other places to rehearse, practice, display their work, and perform. Crystal Tiala, associate professor in the theater department, has been the chair of the Arts Council since May, which, among other responsibilities, oversees the annual Arts Fest. Tiala said that the projected arts center is a step in the right direction. “We have to look for other spaces in the meantime,” she said.

The gallery in Bapst is a short-term solution, Tiala said. “Bapst is OK, it’s

Courtesy of the office of news and public affairs

Alexander Grant passed away last week in a drowning incident in upstate New York.

University cancels Saturday events, drinking cited as cause

By Daniel Tonkovich Heights Editor

After the Fall Concert featuring Kid Cudi and LMFAO, which resulted in 47 attendees receiving medical attention, campus entertainment events will no longer be held on Saturdays. Administrators attributed the number of transports to the day of the week on which the concert occurred.

“Last fall’s concert had the most medical transports and medical incidents, most related to alcohol consumption, than any previous concerts,” said Mark Miceli, asso-

ciate director for student engagement. “On Saturdays, students have all day to pre-game prior to the event whereas on Fridays, most people have classes and other events prior to evening events, reducing the time available for alcohol consumption. For that reason, I decided to implement the new policy.”

UGBC, sponsor of both the Fall and Spring Concerts, in addition to other large events on campus throughout the year, did not take issue with the new restriction.

“Many incidents at concerts, such as last fall’s, are related to alcohol,” said Michael Kitlas, UGBC director of campus entertainment

and A&S ’12. “On Fridays, students have classes to prevent drinking prior to concerts.

Our job is to provide the students with safe events in which to socialize and have fun.

Considering that, I believe the policy was a smart move.”

Miceli said that during a typical event of a similar size and nature, the University usually has medical transports in the single digits. Of the 47 attendees who received medical attention during last fall’s concert, 25 were processed for medical reasons during the concert itself at Conte Forum. Of those, 22 were transported to medical facilities, while

three were released to sober parties because of only minor injuries.

Miceli, however, did note that the decision to not hold events on Saturday was not official University policy, but a restriction he implemented for student organizations to follow when planning large-scale weekend entertainment events.

“While I strongly encourage Fridays, if an event has to be on a Saturday due to artist or venue availability, I will consider holding an event on a Saturday,” he said. “If I can avoid

See Events, A4

TopFive

The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

things to do on campus this week

St. Patrick’s Day Food

1

‘Absolutely Safe’ Viewing

Today Time: 5 p.m.

Location: C o rc o r a n Commons

Come to Corcoran Commons and enjoy traditional Irish favorites like corned beef and mashed potatoes as BC celebrates St. Patrick’s Day.

2

Today Time: 7 p.m.

Location: McGuinn 121

Enjoy a film screening of the film Absolutely Safe in honor of Women’s History Month, followed by a panel discussion with director, Carol Ciancutti-Levya.

Acoustic Chocolate Event

3

Today Time: 9 p.m.

Location: Chocolate Bar

Listen to the monthly Open Mic Series in the Chocolate Bar, where musical, comedy, and spoken poetry artists are encouraged to participate, sponsored by Nights on the Heights.

featured on campus

Frank Perrone named Mr. BC

BC bOp! Live Music

‘Pope Lick Creek’

4

Friday Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Robsham

Experience the studentdirected, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, written by Naomi Wallace.

The play will be performed at Robsham theater under the direction of Libby McKnight A&S ’11.

5

Saturday Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Robsham

Bring your friends and attend the annual sell-out BC bOp! live musical performance at Robsham Theater on Saturday, directed by Sebastian Bonaiuto.

IntheNews

Four Day Weather Forecast Today

58° Partly Cloudy 43°

Friday

61° Showers 35°

Saturday

46° Showers

University Tufts University president urges students to end Naked Quad Run Tufts University President Lawrence S. Bascow published an essay in the student newspaper, The Tufts Daily, stating that the annual student winter tradition, the Naked Quad Run, is too dangerous to continue.

He cited many concerns, ranging from injuries, to alcohol-related safety hazards, to the local police force’s refusal to help with security. He urged students as well as administration members to search for a replacement tradition, stating that traditions are important but that the safety of students must prevail.

30°

Sunday

44° Sunny 31°

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 Teenage parents visit Mass. State House to oppose budget cuts Hundreds of teenage parents were present at the State House this month to show their opposition to the proposed budget cuts by Gov. Deval Patrick. Patrick intends to cut funding to the teenage pregnancy programs within the Department of Health and the Young Parents Program sponsored by the Department of Transitional Assistance.

The Young Parents Program supports teenage parents without high school diplomas. Those in attendance argued that these programs help prevent teenage pregnancy and allow students to continue their studies.

Sang Lee / Heights Staff

Frank Perrone, A&S ’11, was crowned Mr. BC at the annual competition sponsored by the Residence Hall Association.

By Katherine McClurg Heights Editor

Frank Perrone, A&S ’11, was named Mr. Boston College Wednesday night at the Mr. BC competition in the Rat. The Residence Hall Association (RHA) annually sponsors this all-male beauty pageant in which six contestants compete for the honor of being crowned Mr. BC. Per usual the event was free, but this year students were asked to donate money for the Japan Relief Fund. Over $100 was raised by the event.

The contestants participate in swimwear, talent, eveningwear, question and answer, and sleepwear categories . The participants earned their spots by winning or being runner-up in one of the preliminary competitions: Mr. Newton, Mr. Upper, Mr. Mods, or Mr. Lower.

The MC for the e vent was Mike Judd, A&S ’13, who was the 2010 Mr. BC. Known popularly around

campus as the “the yellow man” for dressing up in a neon yellow spandex suite for BC sporting events, Judd kept the audience laughing

The contestants participate in swimwear, talent, eveningwear, question and answer, and sleepwear categories. and entertained throughout the whole program with his quick-wit and by getting the audience involved in different games.

The judging panel consisted of a BC professor, a priest, and a freshman girl.

The diverse perspectives and criteria each judge was looking for promoted a fair judging system.

One of the judges Kerry O’Rourke, LSON ’14, said she was looking for “what

every typical freshman girl looks for in guys: intelligence, humor, good looks, and boyfriend potential.”

Marc Franklin, A&S ’12, was the first runner-up, followed by Ben Heider, A&S ’12 who excelled in the eveningwear and question-and -answer contests.

The other three participants, Kishan Bhakta, A&S ’13, David Givler, CSOM ’11, and Wilder Chavez, A&S ’14, were eliminated in earlier rounds after the talent and swimwear contests. All six participants provided much entertainment to the audience and a close competition through their talents ranging from singing, sandwich making, and narrative dancing.

But it was Perrone’s Speedoclad, ribbon-twirling performance that helped lead him to victory.

After being crowned, Perrone did a victory lap on stage and only response to his new title was to start the “We are BC” cheer throughout the audience. n

On Campus Professor in School of Theology and Ministry receives award for research Khaled Anatolio, a professor in the School of Theology and Ministry, was recently selected as a Henry Luce III Fellows in Theology for the 2011-2012. This award supports the research of seven theologians whose projects show potential for unique contributions to the church and the public. Established in 1993, the award is administered by the Association of Theological Schools and is supported by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.

Anatolio will conduct research and gather at the annual Luce Fellow Conference to discuss their findings.

National Environmental regulators add radiation monitors in western US SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Federal environmental regulators are adding more radiation monitors in the western United States and Pacific territories as concerns rise over exposure from damaged nuclear plants in Japan following last week’s 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami. The Environmental Protection Agency already monitors radiation throughout the area as part of its RadNet system, and officials do not expect harmful radiation levels to reach the U.S. The EPA says data from the monitors are available on its website.

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 Taylour Kumpf, 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 Paul Sulzer, 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 Darren Ranck, Arts and Review Editor, at (617) 552-0515, or e-mail arts@ 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 Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or e-mail editor@ bcheights.com.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Police Blotter 3/10/11 – 3/12/11 Thursday, March 10

Saturday, March 12

8:43 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in McGuinn Hall. Newton Fire Department arrived on scene and determined the alarm was triggered by contractors working in the area.

3:59 a.m. - A report regarding a party feeling ill in Rubenstein Hall. The party was transported by Armstrong Ambulance to a medical facility.

12:09 p.m. - A report was filed regarding the odor of marijuana in Gabelli Hall. Several subjects were identified in the area and property was confiscated. A report is filed and will be forwarded to ODSD for review.

Friday, March 11 7:18 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in Roncalli Hall. Newton Fire Department arrived on scene. The cause of the alarm was unfounded.

1:33 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in the Mods. The alarm was triggered by a hair dryer. There was no fire department response.

9:05 p.m. - A report was filed regarding two parties who were tresspassing in the Brighton Campus Library. The parties were identified, issued written trespass warnings, and escorted off Boston College property.

5:24 a.m. - A report was filed regarding the arrest of a Boston College student by the Tufts University Police Department for assault and battery, being a disorderly person, and possession of a fraudulent identification.

1:31 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in the Mods. The alarm was triggered due to bad cooking. There was no fire department response.

4:29 p.m. - A report was filed regarding found property in the Lower Lots. The owner was identified and was notified to retrieve their property at BCPD Headquarters.

8:55 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an intoxicated subject of legal age who was unable to care for themself by Conte Forum.

The party was released to the custody of a sober adult party.

—Source: The Boston College Police Department

Voices from the Dustbowl “What are your St. Patrick’s Day plans?”

“I don’t have any plans.”

—Ian Kates, A&S ’14

“I’m going to my old roommate’s house to hang out.”

—Louis Serafini, A&S ’13

“I have two midterms on Friday, so probably nothing.”

—Haley Farrell,

AS ’14

Delivery To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact Dan Ottaunick, 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) 2011. All rights reserved.

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

The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

A3

Speaker series hosts panel discussion on gang violence, prostitution

By Tanner Edwards Heights Staff

The Yawkey Center’s Murray Room hosted a panel of law enforcement officers and a former gang member, speaking about gang violence in Boston last night, as a part of the sophomore Presidential Scholars’ “Revisiting Boston” event series.

The panel examined Boston’s gang and human trafficking problems from the perspective of those who have endured and combated the issues firsthand.

The panel featured human trafficking expert Sgt. Det. Donna Gavin, Lt. Brian Ball, and Lt. Dennis Medina, all from the Boston Police Department. They were joined by Boston College student Luis Sanchez, A&S ’12, who spoke about his experiences with gangs as a Boston youth.

“The first time I got jumped was when I

was 12 years old,” Sanchez said. “At that moment I knew I needed protection. My gang members were my best friends.”

Sanchez described his tumultuous youth, one that included being kicked out of his house at age 13, selling drugs, and handling guns for gangs as a teenager.

“Nothing I did during that time was worth it,” Sanchez said. “I lost friends to jail and death.”

The BC junior said he was able to escape the South End’s gang culture with the help of MATCH Charter Public High School and Andy Crane, a staff member at Tenacity, an inner-city youth sports and reading program, who gave Luis a sanctuary from gang life.

While Sanchez still feels some lingering effects from his past, he focused on his brighter future during his conversation with the audience.

“For me, there’s always going to be a stigma

because of what I did and how I look, but it’s not worth dwelling on,” Sanchez said. “If one person can leave this room today changed, then we can change the whole world.”

Sanchez’s story started a larger discussion between law enforcement officials when Gavin spoke about the human trafficking and prostitution problems afflicting the Boston area.

“These girls are vulnerable. When you see a woman walking the street, she didn’t start there,” Gavin said.

She touted the success of correctional programs for youth involved in prostitution in Boston but lamented the relative lack of rehabilitation programs for the girls.

“So many teen girls out there need to be deprogrammed,” Gavin said.

Gavin also noted larger societal trends like the economic downturn as having increased human trafficking.

Lynch School of Education announces Maureen Kenny to serve as interim Dean

By Daniel Morrison Heights Staff

Photo Courtesy of the office of public affairs

Maureen Kenny was named interim dean of LSOE, filling Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, S.J.’s place after his appointment to St. Joseph’s University.

On March 7, Maureen Kenny, associate dean of faculty and academic affairs, stepped in as interim dean of the Lynch School of Education (LSOE), following the departure of Dean Joseph O’Keefe, S.J., who was named president of St. Joseph’s University.

Alec Peck will temporarily fill Kenny’s previous position.

Representatives from the Provost’s office plans to organize a committee to appoint a new dean. The Provost’s office was not available for comment as of Wednesday night.

Kenny came to Boston College as an associate professor in 1988, and received full professor status in 2005. At BC, she has served as chair of the Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Policy and as director of the master’s and doctoral programs in counseling.

“I feel that I am well positioned to support and further the mission of the Lynch School,” Kenny said.

Her collaboration with and leadership among her colleagues are central to her

“Ninety-nine percent of prostitutes wouldn’t be doing it if not for poverty,” Gavin said.

Ball and Medina offered their perspectives on dealing with gangs on a day-to-day basis in gang strike forces to the panel. They emphasized the importance of diverting would-be gang-affiliated adolescents into youth programs and rehabilitation centers as much as possible to get kids out of gangs in the long run in their testimony.

“A lot of kids out there are willing to change, and that’s where the programs are most effective,” Medina said.

When asked to identify heroes in their line of work, the two lieutenants referenced those willing to sacrifice their well-being for the good of the community, ranging from those who testify against criminals throughout a court case to the single parents who keep their children out of gangs.

“If it was not for my mother, I would be in

Stokes Mock-up unveiled

new role as interim dean, she said.

Kenny sees her appointment as an opportunity to sustain the LSOE’s record of academic achievement and community outreach.

“I hope to continue the

“I feel that I am well positioned to support and further the mission of the Lynch School.”

Maureen Kenny, Interim Dean of LSOE strong record of academic excellence and commitment to enhancing the human condition through research, service and outreach that exists in the Lynch School,” she said.

US News and World Report ranked LSOE 15th in a national ranking of graduate schools of education.

“I am considering where we might seek to grow and improve for the future,” Kenny said in response to the ranking. n

Late-night study space expanded

alex trautwig / heights editor

A mock-up of what will be Stokes Hall was unveiled this week outside of Fulton Hall.

Allston-Brighton Crime Reports 3/10/11 – 3/13/11

Hillside Cafe and Chocolate Bar extend weekday hours

By Taylour Kumpf News Editor

Effective Monday, March 13, both Hillside Cafe and the Chocolate Bar will now remain open for late night studying from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday each week. These locations will be kept open after the dining portion closes.

“I am very excited that we succeeded in opening up a popular student venue for student use,” said Patrick Rombalski, vice president of student affairs. “It is our goal to support students in identifying more open, unreserved space for general student use. Hillside and the Chocolate Bar are the first step toward a more general plan to make space available for students.”

This initiative is the result of the collaboration of dining services and the Division of Student Affairs to expand late night study opportunities for students.

“The success in opening these two locations is due to administrators on campus working together

creatively to remove barriers to access to student space,” Rombalski said. “In this case, it the result of dining services working together with the Student Affairs staff. I am most grateful for their work and commitment to our students.”

Representatives of dining services and the department of Student Affairs met to discuss the logistics of keeping the locations open later.

“The process involved a member of my office meeting with the leadership in dining services to identify a way to secure the two dining locations after hours,” he said. “The solution is to provide student staffing after dining services portion of the facility closes.”

Additional late night study locations and quiet reflection space throughout campus includes the O’Connell House, which has study space available seven days a week beginning at 8 a.m. The house closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. n

CDBC award recipients announced Conn. governor and Mass. state senator recieve honors

By Adriana Mariella Assoc. News Editor

The College Democrats of Boston College (CDBC) recently announced the 2011 recipients of both the Fr. Robert F. Drinan Award and the Democratic Rising Star Award as Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, BC ’77, and Massachusetts state Senator Benjamin B. Downing, respectively.

The award recipients, who will be formally presented with their awards at a ceremony this April in the Rat, are chosen each year by the CDBC. Bearing the namesake of the former congressman and BC Law dean, the Fr. Robert F. Drinan Award is presented annually to a Catholic Democrat who exemplifies Father Drinan’s commitment to public service and social justice.

In 1980, after Pope John Paul II ordered all clergy to withdraw from electoral politics, Drinan was forced to give up his seat in Congress. The award, first presented in 2007 after Drinan’s

passing, has been awarded to Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass), Donna Brazile, and Mass. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray.

Kristoffer Munden, president of the CDBC and A&S ’11, said that Malloy’s history of public service, including his service to the city of Stamford during his time as mayor, is deserving of the award.

“Governor Malloy has a long

“Senator Downing is an ideal recipient for this award because of his work on behalf of college students.”

Nick Doffeck, Vice President of the CDBC and A&S ’13 history of public service,” Munden said in a recent statement.

“During his tenure as mayor of Stamford, he transformed

prison right now,” Medina said.

The officers lauded the effect of Facebook in helping to track gang operations by learning about feuds and gang collaborations.

“Facebook is really good for us,” Medina said. “I love Facebook.”

This event marked the second installment of the “Revisiting Boston” series, a circuit that brought Mayor Thomas Menino to campus in February.

Rev. James Keenan, S.J., director of the Presidential Scholars Program Director said he was was pleased with the evening’s panel discussion.

“It was a great panel. I think they gave us a good glimpse of what constitutes being a good person and what constitutes being a bad person,” Keenan said. “Sometimes our images of heroes at BC are a little dulled, but what we heard about heroes tonight was real and attractive.” n

the city, making it one of our nation’s most livable cities .

Since taking office, Governor Malloy has committed himself to solving the state’s budget situation while preserving the safety net that is so important for many Americans. He is the perfect recipient for this year’s award.”

The Democratic Rising Star Award is also presented annually to a Massachusetts Democrat who exhibits great potential to accomplish greater things in his or her future. It was first presented in 2010 to Newton mayor Setti Warren, BC ’93.

Downing (D-Pittsfield), this year’s recipient, is a representative for the 48 western Massachusetts communities of the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin District and serves as the Honorary Chairman of the College Democrats of Massachusetts.

“Senator Downing is an ideal recipient for this award because of his work on behalf of college students,” said Nick Doffek, vice president of the CDBC and A&S ’13, in a recent statement. n

Bank robber taken into custody On Thursday, March 10 at approximately 11 p.m. officers assisted in facilitating the arrest of a suspect who was accused of an unarmed bank robbery. Upon arrival at the suspect’s apartment building in North Brighton, police successfully gained entry into the apartment and arrested the suspect. The suspect was transported to the police station.

Group of males assault three victims, one arrested At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, officers responded to a call regarding a fight breaking out near Brighton Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed several males running across the street in an attempt to flee police officers. Officers attempted to chase them to no avail. The officers spoke to the victims who stated that they were walking on Brighton Ave. when seven to 10 males attacked them. One of the victims stated that he had had his tooth chipped, another stated that had been hit with a bottle causing a deep laceration on his cheek, and another stated that he was struck in the head several times with an unknown object that also damaged his vehicle. While the officers were speaking with the three victims, they identified a male walking across the street as one of the suspects that had attacked them. The officer stopped the male and noticed him attempt to hand what was later identified as brass knuckles to a female that was walking with him. The officer placed the man under arrest for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, disorderly person, unlawfully carrying a dangerous weapon and willfully & malicious destruction of property.

Suspect investigated, collection of quarters discovered On Sunday, March 13, at approximately 12:15 p.m., officers observed a suspect, identified as a breaking and entering offender, in the area of Commonwealth Avenue where there were a number of complaints of breaking and entering. The officers inquired why the suspect was roaming the street and he stated that he was in the neighborhood to “check out the girls.”

Officers asked to look inside the suspect’s backpack, which he allowed. Inside was a large amount of quarters with some inside a sock. When officers inquired why he was carrying a large amount of quarters, he answered that “it was his piggy bank.” However, officers have arrested the suspect in the past for breaking and entering into a laundromat. The interaction was recorded and the suspect was released.

Suspect steals personal documents from car At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 officers responded to a call regarding a larceny on Commonwealth Avenue. Upon arrival, the victim reported that his backpack had been stolen from the passenger seat of his 1997 Honda Accord while it was parked on Comm.

Ave. In the stolen backpack was his passport, W2 forms for himself and his family members, his Social Security card, a cell phone, an iPod, his driver’s license, his Green Card, his PIN number for his student loan account, and $300.

Homeowner returns home to washed dishes, opened wine On Saturday, March 12, at approximately 9 a.m., officers responded to a call regarding a breaking and entering on Orkney Road in Allston. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that while she was on a business trip in California, someone broke into her house.

The apartment was in disarray and the suspect(s) appeared to have cooked food and then washed dishes afterwards and also appeared to have drank wine and then left the glasses unwashed. The victim advised the officers that the only things stolen were a Tiffany bracelet and necklace, several Percocets, and some toothbrushes, but her high-end jewelry was left behind as well as all of her electronic equipment. Detectives are investigating further.

- Courtesy of the Boston Police Department, District 14 Gathered by Adriana Mariella, Assoc. News Editor

The Heights

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Short-term solutions not seen as Earthquake hits some close to home ideal for on-campus art exhibits Japan, from A1

Arts, from A1 not ideal,” she said. “It’s tight, it’s cramped, it’s not handicapped accessible. We really need a great space for student art.”

Tiala said that the University Libraries and University Librarian Thomas Wall have been particularly helpful in finding display spaces. Wall said he has been trying to help find space to display student art since he took his current position in 2009. “We wanted to create more art throughout the building that highlighted the great creativity from the BC community,” he said in an e-mail. “We are working closely with the Art Club – which has helped us coordinate shows since 2004 in Bapst – and various other student groups and organizations to host a series of exhibitions during the academic year.”

The libraries have worked to find space for faculty and alumni art as well as student work, Wall said.

Lack of space is not a problem unique to the visual arts, Tiala said. “We don’t have any music halls at all for performance, and yet we have such a demand from our students for these things,” she said. Tiala said that renovations of existing spaces might provide some alternatives. “There is talk of renovating the basement of Trinity Chapel on Newton as a musical performance space.”

Theater productions, as well, suffer from cramped quarters, Tiala said. “We rehearse in spaces like the game room in Vanderslice.”

Kelsey Alexander, A&S ’11, is a member of the Dramatic Society, a student-run theater group that puts on several productions a year.

Right now, she is involved in a production of Rabbit Hole that will premiere in April. The show will premiere at Robsham Theater’s Bonn Studio, which the students will not have access to until right before the production. “The Bonn is typically occupied,” Alexander said. “We’ll get in there the week of the show. We rehearse five nights a week. We’re right in the middle of everything right now.”

In the meantime, Alexander said her production is finding other rehearsal spaces. In past years they have used Gasson Hall.

This year, with Gasson under renovation, they have been using classrooms in Carney. “We try to get the Cabaret Room, but we can usually only get that about once a week,” Alexander said. Working in the unorthodox spaces has its complications, she said. “It’s a lot of extra work for our stage manager and assistant stage manager to make the rehearsal space look as much like the stage as possible.”

Jim Kreinbring, director of finance and administration in the Office of Student Affairs, and Cathi Ianno, program administrator for the Arts Council, began working together in 2005 to find space for student art. That year, Patrick Keating, executive vice president, and Jack Neuhauser, then-academic vice president, created the Arts Space Task Force, Kreinbring said. “We wanted to bring together all areas to discuss the needs and identify space that could be used for arts and student performance groups,” he said in an e-mail.

At that time, Kreinbring said, it was common for dance groups to rehearse in the hallways of their residence halls, or on the concourse of Conte Forum. “The request for a better and safer space was very reasonable,” Kreinbring said.

A resulting proposal led to the creation of Brighton dance studio, which Ianno said she counts among one of her greatest accomplishments.

Ianno, who graduated from BC in 1989, said that the state of the arts on campus has improved drastically from when she was a student. “I was here in what I would call the Dark Ages of the arts,” she said. As a student, she said she would regularly travel to Newton Campus to make use of the one practice piano in the basement of Trinity Chapel. Getting attention for the arts has been a slow process, she said. “I think it’s hard to get heard when you need funding. I wouldn’t point to anything in particular, but it’s really hard to make a case for the

arts here at BC.” Ianno said that there have been some administrators who have been particularly supportive, including Keating. At the time of the creation of the Arts Space Task Force, Ianno said, administrators gathered students to share their experiences with space needs on campus. “The students were so eloquent in telling their stories, and I remember [Executive Vice President] Pat Keating saying, ‘You don’t need an arts center, you need an arts village,’” Ianno said.

Keating, who oversees many aspects of the University’s Master Plan, said that he has seen the demand for arts space increase.

“During my time, the demand for arts spaces, performance spaces, and athletic spaces have all increased,” Keating said in an e-mail. “I believe it is because of the type of student who attends BC, who have such varied and diverse interests. Also, these types of activities are more a part of the University experience and culture than they were years ago.”

Keating said that while the University waits for the arts complex outlined in the Master Plan, administrators will continue to look for alternative spaces. “We continue to try and find interim or temporary solutions for space needs while new buildings are being planned and built,” he said.

Some students said that until better arts spaces, and display spaces in particular, are found, they may be told that their work is in the way. Devon Zimmerman, A&S ’11, helped found a student art collective that puts on annual shows in the O’Connell House. The show, which he said takes months to prepare, is supposed to be left on display for only one evening.

“We pushed it and left it up for a few more days [last year], and then it was called a fire hazard,” he said.

Gomez said that when she spoke with Quigley a couple weeks ago, she had a similar complaint.

After being on display for a month in the gallery in the basement of Bapst, she said, a student’s senior project had been destroyed after it was determined a fire hazard. n

student development, also acknowledged the difficulty of the students’ situation in Japan. “We are going to have to figure out alternative measures for them to pursue their degree, and that’s their real challenge,” he said. “Everyone is trying to figure out exactly what to do. We do not know what is going on with the nuclear reactors. It’s a pretty scary situation. The best thing is not to rush into anything and to get a better sense of what is going on.”

BC students with familial connections to Japan had difficulty checking in with their families.

Jonathan Higa, A&S ’14, who is from Tokyo, first heard about the earthquake when he was in New York City. “I was in shock, I went on the Internet and looked it all up,” he said. “I tried to contact my parents, but the phone lines in Japan were all dead. I have a lot of friends who go to school in the states, so we all were Skyping each other and asking if we had contact with anybody. One of my friends has a sister who goes to school with my sister, who said that my family was safe.”

When he finally did contact his family, Higa said that his sister told vivid tales of being in school during the quake. “Our school usually has drills in practicing to keep everyone calm, but she said even the teachers started going crazy and jumping out windows to try to save themselves,” he said. “My sister thought something really bad was going to happen, like she was going to be injured or even possibly die.”

Sayoko Kumamaru, A&S ’12, was also unable to contact her family for hours after the earthquake.

“All my family members were at work, and they said their buildings shook a lot,” she said. “The day of the earthquake the trains were not run-

ning, so my parents found ways to get back to the house but my sister had to stay overnight at her office, and walk back the next day. I heard that there were thousands of people waiting for buses and there were no empty cabs, so people walked two or three hours to get home. A friend who was taking a school bus home said it took her 8.5 hours to get back home.”

Although all BC students in Japan have been in contact with their relatives, the continuing unstable conditions in Japan have exacerbated tensions and worries about their home country. Both Higa and Kumamaru stressed helping the victims of the tsunami and the containing of radioactive material as top concerns.

“They keep on increasing the size of the radius that needs to evacuate,” Higa said. “That worries me because that’s telling me they have trouble containing the radiation. When it rains, they say not to go outside because of the acid rain.

You can’t really prevent radiation once it spreads.”

Despite the ongoing tragedy, it seems that most Japanese students believe Japan is capable of effective recovery. Emi Yoshii, A&S ’13, of Tokyo, praised the preventative measures taken by the Japanese government that have already put Japan back on the right track. “Especially since the Kobe earthquake in 1995, Japan has followed very strict guidelines to build earthquakeproof structures and those strict guidelines, no doubt, spared a lot of destruction,” she said.

BC has already undertaken a series of measures to help aid Japan.

Chebator and Patrick Rombalski, vice president of Student Affairs, organized a support dinner for Japanese citizens at BC. At the dinner, where counseling services and campus ministry staff were in attendance, Chebator said the school hoped to provide these students with an outlet and ask them what BC could do to help. In addition, students will be selling “Pray for Japan” bracelets in McElroy Commons to benefit the crisis on March 17, 21, and 23. n

AP file photo

Unstable conditions have some Japanese students worried about family members.

New rule hopes to curb pre-gaming Events, from A1 that situation, I would prefer that.”

The new guideline, however, for planning entertainment events did not impact this Saturday’s concert at the Plex, “Raging Earth featuring The Cataracs,” hosted by UGBC and Ecopledge. The guideline was also not a factor in the date of this spring’s concert, which will be held on Friday, April 15. Both events were planned prior to the Fall Concert incident.

Kitlas said he does not believe the new rule would hinder UGBC or any other campus group in hosting

large events.

“Dates for large events on campus are already scarce due to the limited venues on campus to hold them,” Kitlas said. “[UGBC] gets available dates for events that do not interfere with athletic events. The administration realizes that space is an issue on campus and works with [UGBC] to ensure students have the opportunity to enjoy events while also remaining safe.”

Miceli and Kitlas both said the policy advances UGBC and the Student Programs Office’s (SPO) efforts to change attitudes toward drinking

prior to campus events.

“Overall, UGBC and [SPO] are looking at changing the culture around pre-gamming events,” Miceli said. “In addition to other programs and offerings, not holding events on Saturdays is part of the change of culture.”

“UGBC realizes weekends belong to students and we are trying to find a balance in our offerings to prevent pre-gaming,” Kitlas said. “We are also looking into more pre-event programs that give students options of things to do prior to events besides drinking.” n

University mourns student’s death Grant, from A1 rounding the medical building was searched all day Monday. Firefighters found Grant’s body using underwater probing equipment.

The water in that area is about four feet deep and Grant had become entangled in underbrush beneath the water line, Lt. Gregory Veitch of the Saratoga Springs Police Department said in statement.

Saratoga County Coroner Thomas DeMartino said there was no indication of foul play and that Grant’s death has been ruled accidental. DeMartino also said Grant was suffering the effects of hypothermia before he went into the water.

“Once your body core temperature goes down, you lose your wits about you,” DeMartino said in the report.

“You don’t really know what you’re doing. Maybe that’s one reason why he had his clothes off.” A toxicology re-

port is still pending, and it could take more than a month to see the results.

Without that report, DeMartino said there is no way to know whether Grant had drugs or alcohol in his system when he died.

Grant’s family issued a statement last Thursday expressing their grief about their son’s death, which stated, “The Good Lord, in His infinite wisdom, has called home our beloved son, Alexander Maxwell Grant, in a tragic accident in Saratoga Springs ...

We deeply appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of support and sympathy we have received. We are certain that Alex, too, feels the love you have sent out to him.

“Those of you who knew [Alex] are aware that he was a lad of great promise, humor, warmth and sensitivity,” read the statement. “We loved him deeply, and believe that everyone he encountered felt the same. Our hearts are broken and we don’t particularly

want them to heal, but we will carry him with us always.”

A Jewish service was held at 5 p.m. last Friday at the Beecher Funeral Home in Pleasantville, N.Y., followed by a wake. The funeral was held Saturday at St. Theresa’s Church in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Grant’s family is also in the process of setting up a foundation in his honor.

University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. spoke with Grant’s mother and offered condolences on behalf of the University. Leahy asks that the BC community pray for Grant and his family at this most difficult time.

“To lose a gifted student in the prime of his life is always the most difficult news to accept,” University Spokesman Jack Dunn said, who described Grant as a popular and talented student. “All of us at Boston College offer our prayers for him and his family.” n

University to increase financial aid Tuition, from A1 according to data from the Office of Enrollment Management. The current average need-based financial aid package is $30,979. That average is expected to exceed $34,000 in the 2011-2012 academic year, the Office of News and Public Affairs reported.

In accompaniment to the rising tuition, members of the University administration are undergoing an assessment of academic and administrative departments with the aim of reducing cost.

“By reviewing all departments, continuing our energy conservation efforts, implementing efficiency improvements, and embarking on a new ‘Healthy You’ initiative to improve productivity and reduce health care costs, we are committed to making BC more efficient,” said Executive Vice President Patrick Keating in a recent statement.

“At the same time, we are pleased that we are able to continue our institutional momentum through strategic investments in academic, student formation, and capital programs.”

In a study released last June, the National Association for Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) reported that the average tuition increase was 4.5 percent for private colleges and universities for the 2010-2011 academic year. The study also reported an average increase of 6.8 percent in institutional student aid.

Complete data is not yet available for the 2011-2012 academic year tuition increases, as some institutions have yet to release their numbers.

The NAICU reported that the 4.5 percent average increase in tuition last year is a reflection of a recessionary environment, without which the increase could have been higher. In the 10 years prior to the 2008 recession, the average tuition

increase was 6 percent per year, the NAICU reported.

Among other tuition increases that have been announced this year are those for the University of Notre Dame (up 3.8 percent to $41,417), Dartmouth College (up 4.4 percent to $41,700) and George Washington University (up 2.9 percent to $44,148).

In national publications ranking schools by best value, the University has placed within the top 50. BC was ranked 43rd in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category among national universities by U.S. News and World Report. It also placed 22nd in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s ranking of the top 50 “best values” among American private Universities.

BC is one of 21 private universities in the United States that is need-blind in admissions and meets the full demonstrated need of all accepted undergraduate students. n

CLASSIFIEDS

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The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

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In fact, he would be the little spoon.

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: 路 Number can appear only once in each row 路 Number can appear only once in each column 路 Number can appear only once in each 3x3 box 路 The number should appear only once on row, column or area.

The Heights

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Editorials

Rising tuition invites community reflection With tuition rising 3.6 percent, we ask the administration to consider the student perspective The Board of Trustees today announced that tuition, fees, and room and board for the 2011-2012 academic year will increase 3.6 percent from this year, bringing next year’s tuition to $41,480. This year’s increase was slightly higher than last year’s 3.5 percent, but lower than the annual increases seen in the pre-recession years, which hovered around 5 percent.

The University has stood steadfast in its commitment to need-blind admission and meeting full demonstrated need of undergraduate students. We recognize that this is no small task. It requires strategic and financial planning that looks well beyond the next academic year in order to ensure that family financial needs do not hinder an applicant’s chance at admissions.

A reported 43 percent of current fulltime undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid and it is a potent reality that many Boston College students and their families make financial sacrifices on the four-year road to graduation.

As tuition rises, regardless of the amount, it becomes increasingly harder to obscure that reality. We urge the Board of Trustees and the University administration to recognize that, as the cost of attendance goes up at BC, the University’s maroon and gold become tinted in shades of green, perking the ears of students who become more aware of dollars and cents with each passing year.

While the University would like to accept all applicants without consideration for their financial needs, it should not wish for current students to consider leaving the University because of their financial needs.

This is a fine line to toe for the admin-

istration and the Trustees, especially in the midst of a demanding capital campaign.

But BC’s latest tuition increases still remain below the 4.5 percent national average for private institutions. We can only ask that the administration use the new funds in a manner that considers the positions of current students and their families.

One area in which students can flex their ability to directly manage tuition dollars is through the UGBC and the Student Organization Funding Committee (SOFC).

Both organizations receive funding directly from the student activities fee and are managed by undergraduate volunteers. With a budget of over $500,000, the UGBC assigns money to student organizations and initiatives and funds major programming events on campus.

Additionally, these organizations routinely interact with and, sometimes, act critically toward administrative bodies.

This dynamic creates a loose system of checks that connects the distinct BC compartments in the common cause of managing and monitoring the University’s budget.

As tuition rises, we expect to see more involvement in these organizations as a way in which students can manage that sliver of the pie directly assigned to them for their personal development. Greater involvement has already been reflected this year with a record number of students voting in the UGBC presidential primary. We hope to see that participating spirit carried through the administration of president and vice president-elect Mike Kitlas and Jill Long, both A&S ’12, and in the years that follow, regardless the increase in tuition.

Mourning the loss of BC’s own, gaining valuable perspective After losing one of its own during the break, BC is reminded of the importance of making every day count Last week, Boston College lost a member of its family. The University and its members lost a friend, a classmate, an academic talent, and a bright future.

We mourn the loss of Alex Grant, A&S ’13, as his passing marks a tragic loss for the community. What his passing may have offered BC, however, is a bit of perspective.

Grant’s unforeseen death has shaken the foundations of many BC students. In the experience of their youth, vitality, and self-formation, the notion of death can often seem part of an alternate reality to young people.

Events such as this urge all students at BC to give pause, to step back from the trivial matters that often distract students

during day-today life at the University.

These events call the student community to appreciate the experience in which it is currently immersed. BC students have the unique opportunity to “set the world aflame.” However, being capable of facing these future challenges requires being engaged in the here and now—not taking a single moment for granted.

In a statement released by his family, Grant was described as a “lad of great promise, humor, warmth, and sensitivity.”

Friends and acquaintances also described him as an amiable presence on campus.

In the aftermath of this loss, the student community can look to Grant’s legacy as an example of how to finess the joy out of each fleeting moment of life.

Response to Japan crisis should be vocal and united In comparision to the support offered for international crises in the past, the on-campus response to the tragedy in Japan is markedly less.

A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan last Friday, causing devastating damage to much of the nation’s infrastructure. With the following aftershocks and tsunamis, the death toll of the earthquake could mount as high as 25,000 citizens.

As a part of a university dedicated to the development of “men and women for others” The Heights feels that it is imperative that the student body act in unison to support the Japanese relief cause. The gruesome statistics and horrifying images found on the news should not be relegated to the backs of our minds as we go about our days.

When the earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, numerous campus organizations combined their resources through the Volunteer and Service Learning Center (VSLC) in order to make a sizable donation in support of thousands of displaced people. We feel the same dedication to service should be asserted in this crisis, as the recent earthquake is the worst tragedy to hit Japan since World War II. By combining our resources, we can prevent overlap, facilitate communication, and ensure that we accomplish the most good for a nation which has just suffered such a great tragedy.

The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief Dan Ottaunick, General Manager Hilary Chassé, Managing Editor Contributors: Maggie Burch

Editorial

Clara Kim, Copy Editor Taylour Kumpf, News Editor Paul Sulzer, Sports Editor Kristopher Robinson, Features Editor Darren Ranck, Arts & Review Editor David Cote, Marketplace Editor Ana Lopez, Opinions Editor Dan Tonkovich, Special Projects Editor Alex Trautwig, Photo Editor Lindsay Grossman, Layout Editor Mollie Kolosky, Graphics Editor

Daley Gruen/ Heights Illustration

Years later, Bush’s dreams become reality In a 2003 speech at London’s Banqueting House, President George W. Bush stated that “by advancing freedom in the greater Middle East, we help end a cycle of dictatorship and radicalism that brings millions of people to misery and brings danger to our own people. If the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation and anger and violence for export.”

Bush’s remarks, which ironically were delivered at the same venue where King Charles I had been executed for abandoning democracy, articulated his post-Sept. 11 strategy to combat Islamic-terrorism with liberal democracy. In his view, the West’s 20th century Middle Eastern policy, which ignored autocracy in the name of stability, was a failure.

To millions of people who lived in tyranny, the lack of political freedom led them to violent radicalization, allowing organizations like al-Qaeda to prosper.

Bush’s solution was to combat radicalization with the spread of freedom and democracy. As he proclaimed in his second inaugural, “the survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom.”

His strategy was grounded in the “democratic peace theory,” which holds that in democracies, citizens have personal freedoms, influence in government, and respect for human rights, leading them to reject extremism. Likewise, liberal societies are accustomed to negotiations and compromises, as opposed to violent

suppression, which further discourages violence. President Bill Clinton declared, “the best strategy to ensure our security and to build a durable peace is to support the advance of democracy elsewhere. Democracies don’t attack each other.” In fact, never in history have two democracies ever gone to war with each other.

Bush’s confidence in liberal democracy was vigorously attacked by experts and pundits on the left, and even some on the right. To them, this belief was incongruent with their long-held faith in Arab Exceptionalism, the notion that the Arab world was incompatible with democracy and modernity. Consequently, many opposed the decision to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

Initially, it appeared that Bush’s critics may have been right. Following the liberation, the lack of sufficient troops allowed al-Qaeda to infiltrate Iraq and fuel sectarian violence that resulted in bloodshed.

Many, including Barack Obama, declared Iraq a lost cause and advocated an immediate withdrawal of troops.

Yet, Bush never wavered from his belief that every person desires to be free. In spite of growing public disapproval, Bush refused to pull out of Iraq and instead, implemented “the Surge,” which decimated al-Qaeda and drastically reduced sectarian violence. The security situation significantly improved and what followed is truly dramatic.

In the March 2010 elections, voter turnout was 62percent, and even in the province of Anbar, home of some of the worst post-liberation violence, turnout was 61percent. In com-

parison, the 2008 U.S. presidential election only had 56 percent turnout.

Even Joe Biden declared victory with the emergence of democracy in Iraq.

As people across the world began to see Iraqis voting in defiance of violence and celebrating in the streets with their purple thumbs, many began to ask the inevitable question, “why not us? “ In 2005, thousands of Lebanese citizens took to the streets to demand an end to Syrian occupation. Within months, Syrian troops evacuated and ended nearly 30 years of occupation. Last December, Tunisians demanding political freedom and democratic elections took to the streets. Just weeks later, their President of nearly 24 years was ousted.

The protests famously spread to neighboring Egypt, where days later, Hosni Mubarek, President for almost 30 years, was forced to cede power.

Now it appears that time is running out for Libya’s leader of 40 years, Moammar Gaddafi and uprisings are happening in Algeria, Yemen, Iran, and Jordan. Freedom is unimpeachably on the march.

Recently, Spiegel, a German magazine, wrote “painful as it may be to admit, it was the despised [Bush] who believed in the democratization of the Muslim world”. The Economist went further stating, “America is now remarkably well placed to win the war of ideas” in the Middle East.

As democracy sweeps through the region, Bush’s dream is becoming reality.

Jay Manchi A&S ’11

For men’s needs, a resource center unecessary A recent letter to the editor proposed the establishment of a “Men’s Resource Center” to complement the Women’s Resource Center at Boston College.

We, the undergraduate student staff in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), would like to respond with our thoughts regarding reasons why a Men’s Resource Center would not be a necessary establishment at Boston College.

Both men and women, as individuals at Boston College, have a wide array of needs and concerns, some of which are not fully met by the University. We each deal with a unique set of challenges based on gender, race, and sexual orientation, among other factors. However, as a gender, women have historically faced prejudices, practices, and policies that specifically aim to strip their power, often by limiting access to education and

career opportunities. These struggles are no less relevant to our own campus.

Think about the gender of senior faculty members. Now think about the gender of most members of the top administration. Who do we look up to as our leaders, and who has the ability to make important decisions at BC? In other words, gender inequality still exists.

We encourage and are deeply committed to men’s growth and development, and work closely with Brotherhood for Change (BFC), a student-run organization started with the help of a male staff member at the WRC. Counseling opportunities are also available specifically for men through The Men’s Group, held by University Counseling Services. We are more than open to engaging in dialogue about how to better support men at the WRC, and hope that

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

both men and women will come by the WRC to continue this conversation. Y Yet, despite that men face distinct issues at BC, to create a Men’s Resource Center undermines the historical and institutional disempowerment that women have faced and continue to face at BC and across the globe.

The staff of the WRC consists of just seven undergraduate students, one graduate assistant, and one full time director. As a feminist collaborative center we work tirelessly and passionately to impact as many students as possible at Boston College on a limited budget.

We hope that our intentions of inclusion are clear and that the WRC remains a welcoming space to all on campus.

Undergraduate staff of The Women’s Resource Center

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 e-mail to editor@bcheights.com, in person, or by mail to Editor, The Heights, 113 McElroy Commons, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467.

Business and Operations Dara Fang, Online Manager Therese Tully, Assoc. Copy Editor Chris Marino, Asst. Copy Editor Adrianna Mariella, Assoc. News Editor Molly LaPoint, Asst. News Editor DJ Adams, Assoc. Sports Editor Greg Joyce, Asst. Sports Editor Brooke Schneider, Asst. Features Editor Brennan Carley, Assoc. Arts & Review Editor Charlotte Parish, Asst. Arts & Review Editor Matt Palazzolo, Asst. Marketplace Editor

Kevin Hou, Asst. Photo Editor Woogeon Kim, Asst. Layout Editor Alex Manta, Asst. Graphics Editor David Riemer, Asst. Online Manager Elise Taylor, Editorial Assistant Katherine McClurg, Executive Assistant

Margaret Tseng, Business Manager Christina Quinn, Advertising Manager Zachary Halpern, Outreach Coordinator Cecilia Provvedini, Systems Manager James Gu, Local Sales Manager Jamie Ciocon, Collections Manager Amy Hachigan, Asst. Ads Manager Seth Fichtelberg, Business Assistant

The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

A7

Opinions

Thumbs Up Be a God(dess) – Call up Deloitte and decline, cancel your interview with CBS, tell your neighbor you’re not going to be able to catsit this summer—Charlie “The Warlock” Sheen is looking for interns and, let’s be real, it’s your new life’s dream to be one. So what if your chances of being hired at any legitimate place of work are shot for life afterward?

You’ll still be a winner. (Also, Sheen’s taking his “show” on the road soon … UGBC Spring Concert?

The Real Deal – A recent study has proven that all that advice your jaded roommate gives you about being in love with the “idea” of someone is really just a crock. The study polled 222 married couples, asking them to rank their partner and themselves in terms of traits like intelligence, creativity, and athletic skill. Those that inflated their partners’ rankings on average ranked their overall relationship higher—proving the key to happiness really is being delusional.

Subway – The most popular fast food chain in the world is … if you said McDonald’s, you’re about as wrong as the KFC Double Down. Though the Golden Arches lead the way in fostering childhood obesity in the States and worldwide, Subway has surpassed all to take the spot as the largest global fast food chain.

Hermoine – Good news, you finally have a leg up on Emma Watson: You’re in college and she’s not. Watson recently dropped out of Brown to take time to “focus on other professional and acting projects.”

TU/TD can’t imagine that it might have had anything to do with people shouting “Ten points for Griffyndor!” when she answered questions correctly in class…

March Madness – The time has come to bust out the brackets and brush up your knowledge of the nation’s leading teams in hopes of casing in on that sweet pot the hoops junkie in your posse is organizing. Oh, and the games will be interesting, too.

Study Hours – The Office of Student Affairs and BC dining services have teamed up to keep Hillside Cafe and The Chocolate Bar open until midnight. Hopefully, finding a table at 10 p.m. won’t be nearly as much of a headache as it is at 10 a.m.

Trix - Now in the dining halls, they’re no longer just for kids, they’re for college kids, too!

Watch out for that silly rabbit!

Thumbs Down Lower – The new seating arrangement of Corcoran Commons is something straight out of Mean Girls. With the classically long tables now shortened and jumbled, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be hearing “You can’t sit with us! Literally, you can’t sit with us!”

Housing – Obviously. And if the Mod gods bestowed their graces upon you, just remember, to those whom much is given, much is expected in return.

UCLA Girl – Racism and insensitivty take the form of an overtanned, undereducated UCLA coed that hates on Asians in the library who are disturbing her alleged studies to call their families caught in tsunami-torn Japan. If you can watch this without punching your computer, congratulations.

The shape of an actual break before he opened the door, I stopped myself. “No John. Let him see. It’s spring break. Time to be a little crazy.”

The doctor shook my hand and wryly remarked, “So this is how you’re spending your spring break, eh?” The comment stung, but not as much as the jaw pain that would ensue over the John Blakeslee course of the next week. He placed the anesthesia mask over my face and Growing up, college spring break switched on the machine. As my eyewas always presented to me as a time of lids began to sink he leaned over and total debauchery and hedonism. MTV whispered, “Don’t worry. I am going to would show images of college students, send you to Miami, you’ll be poolside, scantily clad, playing all sorts of drinkwith all the cabana girls.” If you’ve ing games and celebrating their time off never been told by someone as you are from school. Like gorillas mountabout to pass out that they are going ing a revolt against their to send you somewhere, regardzookeeper, they would less of cabana girls promises, I jump around, pounding can attest that it is remarkably their chests as they disconcerting. Nevertheless, in release every animal my last moment of consciousimpulse they had in ness I looked up at the doctor to defiance of authority inquire, “Will Sisqo be the musiand in declaration of cal guest?” their youth. WhatLater that afternoon I was ever it was they were sitting at home on the couch with doing, it certainly a bowl of sherbet in one hand and looked fun. I would a bottle of painkillers in the other. imagine what my My face was swollen, my jaw was spring break killing me, and I was exhausted. would be What was I to do to fill my time? I like when couldn’t go out with friends. I was I was old unable to focus on schoolwork enough to or read for pleasure. I had left my go to college.

Mollie Kolosky / Heights Illustration iPod back at school. There was nothing Would I be at some party similar to to do. this? Could I actually turn into one of Doing nothing is a foreign concept the muscular fellows demanding a beer to me. It is not that I don’t know how to funnel from the pool attendant? Would relax. I do. But even when I am relaxing Sisqo still be performing as MTV’s I tend to be goal oriented. musical guest?

On my last The answers to all of these questions vacation I read were decisively settled on the first day four books of my Spring break this year as I sat in and lisa dentist’s chair awaiting the doctor to tened to two come in to remove my wisdom teeth. albums. Being Before he entered the room I was conforced to sit cerned over the fact I had put on socks on a coach with that did not match. nothing to do was somewhat unsettling.

Upon discovering my error, I frantiThe first few hours of doing nothing cally attempted to pull my jeans over was analogous to what junkies must go the socks so the doctor would not through during withdrawal. I was anxnotice my faux pas during the surgery. ious and restless. I tried opening a few I would be the laughing stock of the books, only to close them in frustrawaiting room if this got out. But right

tion minutes later. I asked my mother if she could pick me up some movies and DVDs that I had been meaning to watch. At least I could get caught up on that. She agreed but was unable to get to the store immediately. I had to face the fact I was going to be doing nothing for a while. Finally, I just accepted it.

Once the withdrawal period ended, I found myself gleefully immersed in nothing. I let my mind go blank. I let my muscles go limp. I lay there thinking of nothing and doing nothing. When I finally got around to watching TV I did so with no desire to “check movies off my list” or get anything accomplished. I was enjoying mindlessness.

Despite the pain and liquid diet, the week was one of the best breaks I have ever had. Whether we are working, partying, or even relaxing many of us are always “doing” something. A “break” literally means to stop. I was forced to stop and it has refreshed me more than any Miami pool ever could. I do not mean to overstate the significance of me sitting on a coach for a week. I assure you the image is anything but inspiring.

B u t I e n c o u r- age you to force yourself, once in awhile, to be bored. Turn off your cell phone and your iPod. Forget about all the work you need to do or all th e th i n g s you want to do. Just sit down and get nothing accomplished.

It will refresh and recharge you. I may not have met any cabana girls over break but I did learn the value of nothingness. Who ever said wisdom teeth are useless?

John Blakeslee is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

On teaching intelligent design

Marye Moran Recently, there has been controversy in Louisiana over the Louisiana Science Education Act. This act allows for schools to discuss all theories of evolution and creation, presenting a religious view of divine origins and intelligent design alongside a Darwinist view of evolution.

In the right context, this act would have no problems, and could maybe even be beneficial. After all, learning opposing views is a way to really discern one’s own beliefs. As someone who thinks that Darwin’s theory is the most logical, I would have no problems listening to a religious standpoint. Hearing this would not change my views or make me think that the science must be wrong, but would instead help solidify my personal opinions.

However, I am not in grammar school.

When I was younger, I absolutely idealized my teachers. After school, my friends and I would play “classroom,” and we would all take the role of one of our school’s young, pretty, female teachers. I would always be Miss Giorgio, and would walk around my basement in my mom’s heels, discussing my “students” with my friends, who were also posing as their favorite instructors.

Party Time

BY BEN VADNAL

That was in third grade, when the Beanie Baby craze was fading, and Ty tried to reignite the fad by introducing the “Beanie Kids.” These were Miss Giorgio’s favorites, and she had a collection of five or six sitting in the classroom at the edge of her desk. Naturally, I became obsessed, accumulating these strange-looking dolls like there was no tomorrow.

This blatant imitation was not the case every year, but often, depending on my teacher, I looked up to that instructor as a role model. If they had said they believed in Darwin, I would have been his biggest supporter. And if they were a creationist, at that age, I would have been one too.

Teachers could present these ideas even-handedly, and let students decide for themselves, but given the polarizing nature of the issue, that is an unlikely circumstance. Even if the teachers don’t outright say which idea they adhere to, their views will no doubt be made clear.

For grades one through eight, I can remember every teacher’s name, but not just that – I know their family circumstance, often anecdotes about their spouse and children, and for many of them, their political views.

I specifically remember my fifth grade teacher (Wanda Nicastro, maiden name Rulan, who has one younger sister, and who was chubby growing up but then lost weight for a dance that she got asked to by

a boy named Chris), and how she always said that she would never tell us if she was a Democrat or Republican. Maybe she did not explicitly state it, but if I try to think of strong democrats, to this day, she is toward the top of the list.

At least in my experience, grammar school teachers had a way of making their personal views visible, whether intentionally or not. Those who instruct older children, and even college professors, can give opinions as well, but in their case, their pupils are old enough to have their own views.

In my theology class, I do not adopt my professor’s religious beliefs, just because I think that she is an admirable woman. And in psychology, when my teacher made side remarks about politicians, I did not run off and switch my voter registration from Republican to Democrat.

The Louisiana Science Education Act violates the separation of church and state, but, to be honest, that is not the direct reason why it bothers me.

Really, I don’t personally have a problem with everything that comes under that act, and if someone says a private prayer before a meal in school, that’s fine by me. As long as you’re not trying to convert others, I think it’s all good. But there lies the problem. In the classroom, teachers are trying to “convert” the students to their way of thinking, making them believe that multiplication is the opposite of division and that the heart pumps blood. Therefore, anything else that they do or say is likely to be taken as truth and mimicked. Whether this is a fondness for Beanie Kids or a creationist outlook, young students are likely to be influenced by their teacher’s views. That influence turned out fine in my case, but with such a controversial topic at stake, this just can’t end well.

Marye Moran is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

Instantaneous information

Zamin Husain Recently in my freshmen writing seminar, we were assigned to a research paper about our opinion on the Internet. How original. Of course as a teenager in college, I already had an opinion: The Internet is bad for research because of unreliable information, but because it is so omnipresent and easy to access, it is going to continue being used. I started the essay as I always do: I wrote my thesis statement. To support my thesis, I instinctively “Googled” the title of an article I read junior year of high school entitled “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”

by Nicholas Carr. Of course I appreciated the irony. Victorious, I found it under the first link. Boy, was I feeling lucky. The small scroll bar size at the right side of the computer screen immediately told me that it was a much longer article than I remembered, so I did what any good college student in the 21st century would have done.

I skimmed it. Scrolling through the article (sulking of course), I picked up a few details particularly, “Even a blog post of more than three or four paragraphs is too much to absorb. I skim it.” Damn, spot on.

It really is true. We don’t have the attention span for research. We never have. In middle school, whenever we had a project due on Abraham Lincoln, we would simply Google it (or if you were a really cool kid, you would Ask Jeeves about it). Even before the days of Wikipedia (wow, I’m probably going to start many of my sentences to my kids with that line), there were those pages just all about Lincoln, and they all had an awkward red font right in front of a neon green or blue background. Nevertheless, there was no way I was going to read that. I had better things to do like spray myself with Axe or indulge in some other pubescent fad. Because there was usually only one picture, I did what any good middle school student in the 21st century would have done. Ctrl+F. If I needed to know when and where he was born, Ctrl+F. If I needed to know when he became president, Ctrl+F. Not much has changed since then.

So, we never learned how to do research, but older generations would argue, “Fine, you never learned.

Why don’t you learn now?” Because rather than studying or learning, why wouldn’t we just do our “research” as quickly as possible and go straight to Saturday Night Live clips on Hulu?

Facebook is literally ingrained in our brains (yes, every time you get on the internet your fingers type in “facebook. com” even if you need to check the weather or “Google” some research for a paper … it is second nature), and God knows we can spend hours on end finding out who is dating who and untag that less-than-flattering picture taken last Thirsty Thursday. (If I untag it, future job employers can’t ever see it, right?)

Even if Hulu and Facebook fail us, YouTube never will. After one video of “Baby Dances to Beyonce,” an array of remixes, auto-tunes, reenactments, and related videos conveniently locate themselves on the side of the page, allowing the transition to “Beyonce mix” and then her entire discography and related artists. All that with a single click. Very easily a two minute 48-second video becomes an entire afternoon wasted. When we spend two hours on YouTube, two hours thinking about being productive, and two hours of daydreaming we feel like we’ve been doing six hours of work (man, six hours of work! You should take a study break).

Yeah, research is really easy. Yeah, even though it’s so easy, we’re going to take twice as long to finish our “homework.” So many distractions and so many shortcuts lead to a lower quality of work produced. But who needs high quality research when you have an arsenal of with BS? So, pretentious adults who complain that the Internet is this evil malicious devil that is here to ruin the ability of your children to do research, your fears are all coming true. We can’t do research, because we don’t have the attention span to do it. We are an instant gratification, instant karma society, and the minimal amount of research, our ability to BS, and online Tetris have rewarded us with exactly that: instant gratification.

Zamin Husain is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

The Heights

A8

Making the most of the NIT

BC advances to second round of NIT

BC’s Blessing, from A10

Men’s NIT, from A10 Raji (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Joe Trapani (10 points) were way too athletic for the Cowboys’ fours and fives. Raji snagged four offensive rebounds and had several put-backs.

Trapani (three-of-11 shooting) was slightly off, but he consistently beat his man off the dribble. BC outscored McNeese State 28-18 in the paint.

Southern also leveraged his 48-pound weight advantage on Preston David for 20 productive minutes. He pulled down three offensive boards and five total. The Eagles maintained a 40-26 advantage on the glass, including a 25-9 edge in the first half.

“This was a game where Josh could get the ball and get his shot off down there,” Donahue said. “Not only being able to score, but passing the ball well, too.”

BC worked the inside-out game well.

When the Eagles drove or passed into the paint, the perimeter players were ready for catch-and-shoot opportunities. They drilled 11 3-pointers, including four each by Jackson and Biko Paris (14 points).

Jackson and Paris dribbled themselves into trouble, though. They each committed four turnovers. The Eagles gave the ball away 15 times, which they can’t get away with against more talented opponents later in the tournament. Jackson, who was once one of the ACC’s leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio, now has given the ball away three or more times in five of the past six games.

After putting up 84 points against McNeese St., BC will need a similar performance to keep up with Northwestern. The Eagles and Wildcats are mirror images of each other – all offense, no defense. They rank fifth and eighth, respectively, in 3-pointers made.

That should be enough to ease any fears BC has over ticket sales. n

Thursday, March 17, 2011

brad puckett / ap photo

Josh Southern (6-10, 263 pounds) was a mismatch for the McNeese State bigs Tuesday.

Cowboys center Preston David (6-10, 215) didn’t have the muscle to slow him down.

bubbles, except for BC. So, we were given the fourth No. 1 seed in the NIT and an away match-up against McNeese State (somewhere in Louisiana), when usually the higher seed earns a home game each of the first three rounds. Not a single sportswriter lamented our fate.

What a bargain.

It might not have been what BC wanted, and it might have been what it deserved – the fall after what was such a redeeming season for the Eagles was an unexpected cliff jump.

In retrospect, though, maybe this is exactly what the Eagles need.

This season has been a rebuilding project for BC, one with dismal home attendance numbers and losses of incoming recruits and former players. Next season, with first team All-ACC member Reggie Jackson potentially leaving early for the NBA and four important seniors (Biko Paris, Corey Raji, Josh Southern, and Joe Trapani) set to graduate, the future of this program is as murky as the Res. Had the Eagles been invited to this year’s NCAA tournament, a first-round exit was imminent. Despite head coach Steve Donahue’s impressive run with Cornell last year, his team this year couldn’t win a big game throughout the entire regular season. In the national limelight, I doubt that would have changed.

Superfans would have reveled in ecstasy on Sunday night upon hearing their university’s name called but would have forgotten about the squad by this weekend. Not only was a loss most likely for BC, but it is St. Patrick’s Day, after all.

It would have been a short-lived reign for men’s basketball as the athletic royalty on campus, especially with both hockey teams entering the prime of their postseasons.

The NIT, though constantly ridiculed

by Big Six conference teams as a staple of a mediocre program (N-I-T, “Not In the Tournament,” anyone?), is really an excellent opportunity for this squad.

On Tuesday night, the Eagles trampled the Cowboys, 82-64. The highlights included five players reaching double figures in points, including Southern’s first double-digit performance since Jan. 15. BC shot 47.8 percent from beyond the arc, and Raji continued to dominate the boards, grabbing 11 on the night.

Granted it was McNeese State, a team BC should never have to worry about defeating, but this win sets the Eagles up for so much more than a NCAA quick exit. Up next for BC is Northwestern on Saturday. If it were to win that game, the potential juicy match-ups would continue. Think Oklahoma State or Washington State in the quarterfinals.

Keep winning, and the Eagles will find themselves in downtown New York City at the Madison Square Garden against some of the other comparable teams that were also denied an NCAA bid.

Sure it isn’t the Final Four we all know and love, and no banner will hang from the rafters of Conte Forum next season, but for a program that needs to build a fan base fast, the NIT is BC’s only hope.

Win a few crucial games, get students and recruits behind an emerging program, and I am willing to put all of my March Madness pool winnings this year (knock on wood) on the fact that the seats will be less empty next season and Donahue’s vision of a perennial ACC contending team will continue to grow.

This year, the NCAAs just wouldn’t have been worth it. Sometime in the future it will be. When that day comes, I’ll have to exalt my pride again, but with a small adjustment.

I told you so, and I won’t hate myself for saying it this time.

DJ Adams is the Associate Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.

alex manta / heights photo illustration

NCAA tournament preview: Pitt has balance needed to win the title

By Tim Jablonski Heights Staff

And Andrew Klokiw For The Heights

After last year’s Siena debacle, The Heights played it decidedly safer this year with its bracket, but only after a heated debate over Utah State’s credentials as a Final Four contender, of course.

East Region We went chalk in each second (read: first) round match-up, save for No. 9 Villanova, a team loaded with talent over scrappy George Mason.

We’re rather bullish on the Washington Huskies, criminally underseeded as a seven. The Heights likes them to take down an inexperienced UNC team that may have already peaked.

Keep an eye out for No. 6 Xavier and potential breakout star Tu Holloway against the up-and-down No. 3 Syracuse Orangemen, a program that hasn’t outperformed its seed since its 2003 title run. But

in the end, we expect the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes to get past John Calipari’s high flying No. 4 Kentucky squad, and U-Dub to emerge from the Northeast’s signature metropolis … Newark.

West Region The Sports staff doesn’t see many upsets out here, either. One low seed to keep an eye out for is No. 11 Missouri.

The Tigers’ frantic, high pressure defense will help keep them in games against more talented opponents like Cincinnati and Connecticut.

In one of the most highly anticipated games of the first round, we like former BC assistant Bruce Pearl and his No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers to defeat Michigan.

While we’re all big fans of Keith Benson and the No. 13 Oakland Grizzlies, Texas has too much future NBA talent to fall in the first round. Don’t be surprised if they jell at the right time and take down Duke.

Still, we like the Blue Devils to get to Houston after a hard fought battle against No. 2 San Diego State.

Southwest Region It’s tough to see any of the top four seeds, Kansas, Notre Dame, Purdue and Louisville, respectively, bowing out in the first round.

However, the Spiders of Richmond, behind strong three-point shooting should take out an inconsistent Vanderbilt squad.

Also, look for skidding Georgetown to survive at least one round against play-in winner VCU. Those top four seeds are just too talented for their third round opponents, setting up two great Sweet 16 match-ups.

Kansas, behind the stellar Morris brothers, will run by Big East runner-up Louisville, while Purdue will make it a sweep of the Big East.

Ultimately, Purdue’s stars E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson will carry the Boilermakers into the Final Four over the Jayhawks.

Southeast Region Pittsburgh, the No.1 seed in the South-

east region, has by far the easiest road of all the No. 1 seeds into the Final Four.

Look for this weak region to feature plenty of upsets, as the grossly underseeded Aggies of Utah State will carry the momentum from their 30-3 record past Kansas State and upstart Belmont will beat Wisconsin to meet them in the round of 32 behind its 11th ranked scoring offense.

However, the story of this region will be sixth-seeded St. John’s, which will take down tournament-tested opponents Gonzaga, BYU and Michigan State behind strong performances from its nine seniors and top player Dwight Hardy.

Ultimately, though, this region is Pittsburgh’s to lose, and this will be the year that head coach Jamie Dixon finally reaches the Final Four, making the Panthers the only Big East team in the Final Four.

Final Four With a healthy Kyrie Irving, there is little doubt in our minds that Duke would be able to handle Ohio State in the semi-

finals. But Irving’s status is still uncertain, and without him Duke won’t have the horses to hang with the Buckeyes. The three-headed perimeter monster of David Lighty, Jon Diebler, and William Buford will rain threes on the Blue Devils, and even two Plumlees won’t be enough to stop Jared Sullinger on the block.

On the other side, Purdue’s Cinderella run finally comes to an end against Pitt.

The Panthers have never made a Final Four under Jamie Dixon, despite numerous high seeds. Seniors Gilbert Brown and Brad Wanamaker will make sure that his first trip there is not wasted and will help Pitt move into the finals.

In their first championship game ever, the Panthers will win the title behind their top scoring guards, Ashton Gibbs and Wanamaker. They’re a well-balanced team, and they’ll be too much for a young Ohio State squad. Gibbs, a junior, will take home Final Four most outstanding player honors. The NCAA will crown its first Big East champion since Connecticut in 2004. n

The Heights

Editors’ Picks

Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Week Ahead

Standings

Kelli Stack leads the women’s hockey team to the Frozen Four against Wisconsin. The men’s basketball team has an NIT game against Northwestern, while the women travel to Yale. Men’s hockey takes on Northeastern. Can Utah St. pull off the first round upset?

A9

Recap from Last 26-9

Greg Joyce Paul Sulzer

25-10

Heights staff

23-12

DJ Adams

22-13

Game of the Week Men’s Hockey East Semifinals

The BC women’s hockey team took home the Hockey East title, while the men swept UNH to win the regular season title. UNC beat Duke in the last game of the regular season. In the ACC basketball tournaments, Duke recorded the sweep.

Guest Editor: Adriana Mariella

Northeastern vs. Boston College

Assoc. News Editor “Don’t worry, my high school was the Spartans. I have an awareness of the two ‘Michigan’s’” Paul Sulzer Sports Editor

This Week’s Games Women’s Hockey: No. 4 BC vs. No. 1 Wisconsin

DJ Adams Assoc. Sports Editor

Greg Joyce Asst. Sports Editor

Adriana Mariella

Assoc. News Editor

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

BC

BC

Men’s Basketball (NIT): BC vs. Northwestern

BC

BC

BC

BC

Women’s Basketball (NIT): BC at Yale

BC

BC

BC

Yale

Men’s Hockey: No. 2 BC vs. Northeastern

BC

BC

BC

BC

Kansas St.

Utah St.

Utah St.

Utah St.

Southeast Regional: No. 5 Kansas St. vs. No 12. Utah St.

Last time the Boston College men’s hockey team squared off against Northeastern in the TD Garden, the Eagles triumphed, 7-6, in what was a classic Beanpot championship. Just days later, the Huskies retaliated, upsetting BC and taking three of four points from the series. If you thought the regular season series was intense, just wait for this Hockey East semi-final. The Huskies could slip in the NCAA tournament with a win, while BC can essentially lock up a No. 1 seed in tournament with a win of its own. With so much on the line, it should be another classic.

Friday, 5:00 p.m., TD Garden

Hockey East trophy up for grabs this weekend Semifinals, from A10 fourth. Despite the solid season between the pipes, Muse has at times been Dr. Jekyll and at others Mr. Hyde against the team from Huntington Avenue. Which Muse shows up on Friday night (and the effort that comes from the defensemen in front of him) will be a critical factor to BC’s success.

While some hockey pundits have questioned whether York and marquee programs like BC and BU really value winning the Hockey East tournament with the NCAAs fast approaching, York was quick to declare it a piece of hardware worth winning.

“Everyone always talks about the national tournaments but we really respect Hockey East, and this is an important part of our whole year, to try to win our conference tournament,” he said.

He also insisted that thoughts of making a tournament run for the school’s fifth NCAA title won’t affect the team’s performance at the Garden.

“We are focused completely on this,” he said.

“I know people are talking about seedings and [NCAA] regionals, but that’s next week. This Nick Rellas / Heights Staff

Kelli Stack (above) and Molly Schaus have been able to share their experience from the 2007 Frozen Four to help their teammates this week.

Fifth-year seniors bring experience Frozen Four, from A10 Such experience and confidence will be key on Friday night, when the No. 4 Eagles will face another member of the WCHA: No. 1 Wisconsin, a team that comes into the game with a record of 35-2-2. The Badgers will be a tough test for BC. But, having defeated WCHA runner-up Minnesota last week 4-1 in the NCAA quarterfinals, the Eagles now have a feel for the WCHA-style of play.

“It gives us a ton of confidence knowing that Minnesota played Wisconsin very tough [two weeks ago in the WCHA Championship],” Stack said.

“If we can come out like we did against Minnesota, then I think we could have the same kind of success as we did this past weekend.”

“Obviously I think we played well in that game [against Minnesota], and beat a very good team,” King said. “That’s our first WCHA team that we’ve seen, and now we’re going into the game with Wisconsin from that same league, so we kind of have a little bit of an idea of

the type of game they play out there. So it should be a good game.”

Wisconsin is lead by Meghan Duggan and Hilary Knight, who were two members of the 2010 Olympic team, along with Stack and Schaus. That team was coached by Mark Johnson, who is also the coach of this Wisconsin team, bringing yet another connection into the match-up.

Flying high off their quarterfinal win against Minnesota, the Eagles will try to carry that momentum into Friday’s semifinal game.

“Right now, I think it’s excitement, and definitely confident,” King said of the team’s attitude in the locker room.

“I don’t think they’re nervous at this point. This team, all year, has been very good at being a pretty happy-go-lucky team, even before big games. Hopefully that continues, and they come ready to play.”

BC will look to capitalize on its speed in order to create scoring opportunities, which has been a key component of their game all season.

“I think we need to continue to use our speed,” King said. “That’s one of

our big assets. I think we need to work extremely hard, handle pucks, and possess pucks against this team. If we can use our team’s speed, and attack them in the offensive zone, I think we should be able to put a couple of pucks in the net and hopefully get rolling.”

Stack and Schaus’ play will be another factor in how well the Eagles fare this weekend, as the two anchor the offense and the net, respectively.

Stack, a Patty Kazmaier Award finalist for the top player in D-I NCAA women’s hockey, has scored 36 goals in 35 games for BC, good for third in the country. Meanwhile, Schaus has been a rock between the pipes for her team all year, with a 1.406 goals against average, which also ranks her fourth in the country.

Despite any statistics that may favor one team over the other, or which conference has had more success in the past, King knows that none of that matters once the puck drops on Friday night.

“It should be a dogfight out there,” King said. “It’s going to be a battle to the end.” n

Women’s basketball begins the postseason on the road at Yale Women’s NIT, from A10 down or out.”

Crawley is looking to ride through the WNIT on the wings of the five freshman players who have made great progress throughout the season. The freshman class consists of Zenevitch, Brown, Kristen Doherty, Tiffany Ruffin, and Korina Chapman, and each has worked tirelessly to make the difficult transition from high school to collegiate ball.

“I understand that when you make the transition from high school to college there’s more games in a year, so this is the most games our freshmen have ever played,” Crawley said.

“It’s a matter of them finding their second wind. In practice, they are playing more like sophomores than freshmen, so they’re turning the corner and it’s exciting to watch this

maturation process. I’m looking forward to them stepping it up a little bit and putting it together in a game.”

With a short break following the ACC tournament, the team is prepared to enter the WNIT refreshed, ready for post-season play, and prepared to pounce on the Yale Bulldogs Thursday night.

The Bulldogs beat out the Harvard Crimson for the automatic spot in the WNIT this season and play an incredibly high-energy and active game with strong three-point shooters. The last time the two teams met was in 2008, when the Eagles edged out a victory by a score of 57-55. Crawley said that, as long as the Eagles play BC basketball, they stand a good chance of progressing through the first round of the tournament.

“Yale is a team that goes extremely hard and they try to speed you up and

get you out of what you’re trying to do,” Crawley said. “We just have to keep our composure, play BC basketball, and do what we do offensively.

They are also a team that takes pride in outworking their opponent, so we want to match their work ethic, or supersede that, and make sure we’re working hard, blocking out, diving after loose balls, and crashing the boards on offense.”

The bid in the WNIT prolongs the season for the team’s strong senior class of tri-captains Stefanie Murphy, Carolyn Swords, and Jaclyn Thoman, and leaves them with one last shot at a title during their maroon-and-goldwearing days on the court.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to play,” Crawley said. “Our seniors get to play another game in a Boston College uniform and that means so much to them.” n

week we are trying to figure out a way to win the Lamoriello Cup.” As critical as Muse’s performance between the sticks will be, forward Jimmy Hayes has been leading the Eagles’ offensive charge as of late and will be looking for a big night on Friday. The defending Hockey East co-player of the week, Hayes notched his 20th goal of the season over the weekend.

“He has been a player that has really developed for us as a prototypical power forward,” York said. “He has always been a big and strong young man that plays with a lot of skill. I think we have been trying to change him into a player who can play with 225 pounds and be a force protecting pucks, driving to the net, cycling pucks and being that power forward. He really is a key player for us right now and each week he seems to get better and better.”

Northeastern’s player to watch is senior forward Wade McLeod, who scored twice at Conte Forum in February and leads the team with 20 goals. BC’s normally stolid penalty-kill unit has had some rough patches against the Huskies, and NU junior forward Mike McLaughlin’s three shorthanded goals ties him for fourth most in the country. n

SPORTS The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

A10

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Men’s hockey

Eager for Erie

BC hungry for a shot at NU

By Ryan Kiracofe Heights Staff

Head coach Jerry York and the topseeded Eagles don’t need to be reminded that sixth seed Northeastern is one of the toughest men’s hockey teams in the league.

When the puck drops in Friday night’s Hockey East tournament semifinal, it will be the fifth match-up of the season between the Boston rivals. It will be arguably the most important of a season series that has been nothing short of thrilling for diehards and casual fans alike.

“We’ve had some outstanding games with them,” York said. “We have played them very recently and we know how good a job Greg [Cronin, NU head coach] has done there. They have impressed us. We’ve watched film and watched them play and I think the whole Northeastern community and Boston hockey fans should be pretty excited about the reemergence of [NU] over these last few years. They have become a dynamic force in Hockey East and they are right there in our focus. We know how well we have to prepare for them.”

After a wild Beanpot title game shootout that saw the Eagles lift the trophy after a 7-6 overtime win, the Huskies fought back to take three of four possible points from then top-ranked BC on the following weekend.

Two-goal efforts from BC’s Cam Atkinson

and Chris Kreider weren’t enough to win a frantic 7-7 draw at Conte Forum, and NU goalie Chris Rawlings suddenly looked solid in a 2-1 Huskies victory at Matthews Arena the following night. The tie and loss knocked BC from its No. 1 ranking in the USCHO poll. The Eagles haven’t been able to overtake No. 1 North Dakota since.

Which type of BC versus NU matchup will surface on Friday night is anyone’s guess. Another high-scoring shootout? Or a defensive struggle?

“I think we are capable of playing [either way],” York said. “We can play solid defense.

We have proven that over the year. We are prepared for both games, though we would like to play better defensively. We do not want to give up six or seven goals. I would like to [be able to] say the game is going to be a 1-0 game or a 5-4 game, but I’m not quite sure yet.”

Key to this weekend’s Garden party is the performance of the man York calls his team’s catalyst: senior goaltender John Muse.

“I think he has had an outstanding career, but this year, his fourth with us, has been by far his best,” York said.

Muse’s goals allowed average of 2.04 places him in the country’s top 10, and his .927 save percentage has him

The women’s hockey team is ready for a shot at Wisconsin in the Frozen Four

See Semifinals, A9

Nick rellas / heights staff

By Greg Joyce

Asst. Sports Editor

alex trautwig / heights editor

Joe Whitney is licking his lips in preparation for a chance at redemption against the Huskies.

Four years ago, the Boston College women’s hockey team made it to the Frozen Four. The Eagles lost in the semifinals to national power Minnesota-Duluth of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). It was the first-ever Frozen Four appearance for the Eagles, and that alone was a great achievement for the program.

This year, BC will travel to Erie, Pa. for the Frozen Four, with two seniors who were a part of that 2007 team. Kelli Stack

and Molly Schaus were freshmen when BC made it to the Frozen Four. Now, four years later, their roles on the team have transformed. They have gone from nervous freshmen to senior leaders on the team, who can now share their experiences with the rest of the team on the Frozen Four.

“Freshman year, I think I was way more nervous, and I didn’t know what to expect at all,” Stack said Tuesday after practice.

“Now I’m much more experienced, and I’m a leader on the team, so I know how to prepare for it and all that kind of stuff so I can help our team out, help the younger

Sports Editor

Top-seeded Boston College won its NIT opener at No. 8 McNeese State, 82-64, Tuesday in Lake Boston College 82 Charles, La. The 64 McNeese St. Eagles will play Northwestern on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Conte Forum.

They declined to host the first game of the tournament reportedly due to concerns about ticket sales and court availability, since the men’s hockey team had practice for the league semifinals and the women’s team needed the ice in preparation for the Frozen Four. The only other higher seed to open on the road was Dayton, whose arena was used for NCAA tournament play-in games.

“I had no problem going on the road,” head coach Steve Donahue said. “This is what we do at Boston College. Our athletic department has two programs going for national championships. I have no issues at all with it.”

The Eagles showed no signs of disappointment about hitting the road, though, running out to a 41-19 lead in the first half. The Cowboys, somewhat surprisingly, were the ones who failed to close out on open men or attack the boards on both ends. Sweet shooting

from Reggie Jackson (22 points, nine-of-13 overall, four-of-six from three) and Josh Southern (13 points, five-of-six overall) put the hosts in an early hole. BC poured in 55 percent of its attempts overall and from deep, compared to 26 and 25 percent, respectively, for McNeese State.

“Before the game, I said to everyone, ‘There’s a lot of you in this room for whom this may be your last game. Don’t let it be your last game. This is an opportunity for us to come down here and make sure we go back home and play at least one more game,’” Donahue said. “We came out with a great sense of urgency.”

That urgency, though, was lacking in the final 20 minutes. The Cowboys outscored the Eagles 45-41 in the second half. They chipped BC’s 22-point lead down to 12 with 3:45 remaining after a 12-2 run. The Eagles finally pulled away by scoring the next seven points.

They sank four free throws in the final minute before Donahue emptied his bench.

“They were playing for their lives,” Donahue said of McNeese State’s surge. “I thought they did a great job staying with our shooters.”

BC was ultimately too dynamic in the post for McNeese State to keep up. Corey

See Men’s NIT, A8

DJ Adams

brad puckett / ap photo

Reggie Jackson scored 15 first-half points as the Eagles raced to a 41-19 lead at the break.

Eagles travel to Yale for WNIT opener

By Raychel Kruper Heights Staff

Though the women’s basketball team (18-12) was not fortunate enough to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament, its quest for hardware is still alive. The Eagles will visit the Yale Bulldogs (14-4) in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) tonight at 7 p.m.

“We knew what our record was and we knew we had a slight chance of making it,” head coach Sylvia Crawley said.

“We’re obviously disappointed because it’s something we aspired to, but our players have been playing hard and seem invested to go far in the WNIT tournament and contend for a national championship.”

Entering tournament time, the team has seen its fair share of victories, as well as heartbreaking losses, but has progressed and learned valuable lessons along the way that can help to mold a championship team. Throughout the season, due to sickness and a variety of extenuating circumstances, the team

i nside S ports this issue

See Frozen Four, A9

Bid denial a blessing in disguise

After dominant first half, BC cruises past Cowboys

By Paul Sulzer

girls out.”

Head coach Katie King has seen firsthand the impact Stack and Schaus have made on the team, not just in this week’s preparation, but also throughout the entire season.

“Just their leadership in general has been great all year long,” King said. “I think in the last couple weeks, it’s just been that confidence that those two bring to the rink every day that helps the other kids have that confidence as well.”

had key players out of big games. Katie Zenevitch missed the Duke game due to a cold and Shayra Brown missed a game, as well, because of a scratch inside her eye, which impaired her vision and left her unable to wear contacts.

“Our players learned to step up when someone else was out, play some big minutes and make some big plays,” Crawley said. “I think that’s the beauty of the team. We’re able to come together whenever there was one person that was

Bracket Analysis

Yale Bulldogs 14-14, 10-4 Ivy RPI: 210 Good Wins: vs. No. 14 Florida State, sweep of Harvard Bad Losses: swept by Columbia, at Fordham Player to Watch: No. 41, F Mady Gobrecht 12.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG

See Women’s NIT, A9

The Heights predicts the tournament sleepers, Final Four, and national champion......A8

Game of the Week

BC and Northeastern square off for a berth in the Hockey East title game.................................A9

I hate to say I told you so.

It’s the morning of Madness, unless you count the business-driven, essentially unimportant First Four games that were added to this year’s NCAA tournament, and once again Boston College basketball is on the outside looking in.

While numerous pundits predicted a BC bid, I couldn’t help but scoff at their naivete. Then we beat Virginia Tech, and suddenly my preemptive criticism looked like an idiotic forecast. A 19-11 record, and nine wins in conference is usually enough to earn an invitation to the Dance, especially now with three extra bubble teams added to the traditional field of 65. Joe Lunardi even had the Eagles in as late as March 11.

But this year, the ACC was weak.

With a lousy 1-5 record against the RPI top 50, and 7-10 versus the top 100, nothing stood out about BC’s resume. A loss by 23 to Clemson when we were in need of a defining win in the ACC tournament didn’t really help, either.

Still, though, if Richmond and Butler hadn’t won their respective conference tournaments; if Penn State had simply backed down to Wisconsin as expected in the Big Ten competition; or if the committee had simply remembered that UAB is utterly terrible (as evidenced by their brutal loss to Clemson Tuesday night), there might have been a place reserved for the Eagles. All the teams that needed to put one last breath forth into their

See BC’s Blessing, A8

Editors’ Picks..............................A9 The Week Ahead.......................A9

an independent frame of mind

SXSW Jealousy

indie flicks premiere at texas festival page B2

scene and heard

Kim Kardashian

how do her vocal chops hold up? page B4

editor’s corner

fun with ‘friday’

Behind the Viral video page B2

Thursday, march 17, 2011

stop requested Maneuvering your way through the best of spring in Boston

By Da r r e n R a n c k | A rts & R ev i ew Ed i t o r B r e n n a n Ca r l ey | ass o c. A rts & R ev i ew Ed i t o r a n d Ch a r l o tt e Pa r i sh | asst. A rts & R ev i ew Ed i t o r

T

he winter doldrums finally seem ready to fade into the abyss, making way for a spring with plentiful opportunities to indulge in the arts. So, in the spirit of March Madness, we decided to put our own twist on that all too familiar bracket that sports fans obsess over for weeks. Here, readers can find the four biggest categories in spring entertainment pitted head to head in a search for the season’s most important work of art. The process was a difficult one in which many favorites had to be eliminated early on to reach the Top 16. Lady Gaga was dashed aside in favor of a classic pop icon. Sequels and remakes didn’t make the cut, instead leaving four exciting comedies and dramas to take the empty slots.

Hundreds of musicians will be taking the country by storm on tours this spring, but only four of the most promising made our list. Boston will be home to countless cultural opportunities in the coming months. Ultimately, the following list contains stops on our trip through spring entertainment that you won’t want to miss, lest you be left behind.

See Spring Bracket, B5

mollie kolosky / heights photo illustration

The Heights

B2

Thursday, March 17, 2011

+Editor’s Corner

Sit back for Black’s grand ‘Friday’ Darren Ranck OK, there’s an elephant in the room. For those who read this column, I know you read in the hopes I may make a clever and pithy remark about the amazing stylings of the world’s best jazz band from Glee or what I learned from Tyra Banks this week or how Tom Brady’s latest endorsement deal once again failed to earn my interest in his philanthropic pursuits. This week’s column only differs in that its subject is so undeniably terrible that every terrible factor loops back to the point of perfection. Yes, I speak of the music phenomenon “Friday” and its recording artist, 13-yearold Rebecca Black. I would love to write a hard-hitting, thoughtful column on Black’s opus to a day considered as “good” and “casual” and “free fajita,” but who am I kidding? In this week’s column, the worst is the best, so, without much ado, I present the 10 best aspects of Rebecca Black and her viral hit “Friday.”

10. When watching the video, did you ask yourself, “What charming city are they driving through?”

Imagine my shock when I realized, “Why, it’s a green screen!” That’s innovation at its best. There’s not a more beautiful sight than the cartoonish decadence of city backdrop No. 6 on iVideo.

9. What permits these kids to drive? I don’t see a parent at the wheel. I see Rebecca’s happy-golucky girlfriend sitting on a box to reach the wheel. If they get pulled over, they will certainly be grounded. That puts all future Fridays in jeopardy. Nothing to sing about there.

8. I enjoyed the rap interlude featuring Usher’s father.

7. Rebecca’s facial expression channels all the excitement of an enema. I do not believe she truly embodies the excitement and spirit that is Friday. Rather, it looks as though the video’s director aimed a gun at her and bellowed, “Sing.”

She attempts a smile, but the inherent darkness of her surely dramatic life reads in her eyes. That facet alone gives her the makings of a child star.

6. Listen closely, and it sounds like she’s singing “fried egg” instead of “Friday.” Easy, but still comical.

5. The song champions the power of rhetoric. The chorus makes empowering use of rhetorical devices, which provide clarity to the song’s rather complex message. There’s polysyndeton, which emphasizes The Voice’s tiring yet illustrious life at boy-girl parties.

For Rebecca, it’s simply “party and party and party.” Punctured by a gleeful cheer of, “Yeah!” from her trusted friends-cum-backup singers, we recognize the necessity for those party girls and their wild Friday nights. To further ensure we come to this realization, she uses asyndeton, a lack of conjunctions, to drill the point into our heads.

“Fun, fun, fun, fun,” she says. I’m having too much, I daresay!

4. I can say with confidence that Rebecca Black would never ride the bus.

3. The central conflict of the song revolves around Rebecca choosing where to sit in the convertible. She has friends in the front seat. She has friends in the back seat. There’s only one possible question: “Which one do I take?” Unfortunately, she never gets around to answering the question. That only adds to the general mystique of it all….

2. Why does Friday get all the love? Why not throw a shout out to Thursday? It comes before Friday, you know. What about Saturday? It follows Friday, astoundingly. Then there’s Sunday. Don’t tell anyone, but it comes afterwards! After Saturday, that is. Thankfully, “Friday” clears that all up. The education system thanks you, Rebecca Black.

1. Rebecca Black is taking this song on tour. See you all at the Natick Mall on April 27.

Darren Ranck is the Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

an independent frame of mind

Radio singles by Matt Mazzari

Indie films jolt SXSW to life

The Steve Miller band “I Got Love if you want it”

Far East Movement “2 Is Better”

Adelitas Way “Sick”

Selena Gomez “Who Says”

The Steve Miller Band, soulful creators of such Rock classics as “Fly like an Eagle,” released a cover of Slim Harpo’s blues staple “I Got Love If You Want It” this week. SMB is famous for the distinctive style and sound that characterizes their electricguitar driven hits, but their sleek rock interpretation fails to capture the playful beauty of Harpo’s voice.

Their attempt is interesting, but apart from that, not really worth the remake.

Every so often, there is a song so painfully inane you cannot finish it. This week, the recipient of this honor is the generic, shamelessly auto-tuned “2 is Better.” The refrain of this song grates and halfway through the crashing din of computergenerated nonsense, the listener is furious at the arbitrary pronouns that dominate the pathetic “lyricism.” This song marks a disastrous lowpoint in songwriting.

What’s a refreshing, vivacious brand of music that today’s public craves? More trashy, vindictive alternative songs where a boy berates his nameless love interest for making him “so sick of [his] life.” I mean, why create something new when you have the laurels of such greats as Linkin Park to rest upon? The latest single from the genre, inventively titled “Sick,” is plagiarism to a degree of near obsessive depravity. It’s seriously scary.

It distresses me that this statement must be made: actresses are not, by an inexplicable coincidence, musicians.

I cannot express how serious this is. Gomez’s new single, “Who Says,” is certainly not the worst of the lot, but the excruciatingly trite cliches of yet another self-empowerment ditty from a tweenage sitcom character are making self-confidence feel redundant.

enthralled by its storylines and running jokes had long escaped their grasp.

With the announcement of Steve Carell’s departing the show after the seventh season, disenfranchised fans are fearing the show’s eventual diminution into obscurity. How can the show persist without one of its comedic pillars, a character so transcendentally humorous and human?

Michael Scott, Carell’s character, tempers the often fleeting boundary between plausibility and absurdity. He is believably obnoxious and inept because of his underlying threads of genuine human emotion. He is both the most intriguing and entertaining character on the show, and his in-series departure will, perhaps irreparably, damage the show’s unique appeal.

As the series’ developers look to replace Carell’s, they are tasked with both providing continuity to the series and injecting new life into its waning appeal.

Whatever actor replaces Carell will need to not only approach the role differently, but do so in a way that revives the series.

Should the new boss of Dunder Mifflin not bring something radically new to the table, the show will spiral faster down on its inevitable approach toward irrelevance.

It always pains me to read Entertainment Weekly this time of year, because I drool over the coverage of the massively appealing South by Southwest Festival (SXSW). Held yearly in Austin, Tex., the weeklong event encompasses the best of indie music and movies. It features performances from up and comers like Rye Rye and Oh Land alongside established veterans of the industry, most notably The Strokes’ free auditorium show and Kanye West’s long rumored, just confirmed gig at a power plant just outside the city limits. It hurts my music-loving soul to see that some of my favorite artists (The Kills! Cee Lo Green! The Cool Kids!) will be busting out sets all week long.

The festival has attracted attention this year for its impressive slate of indie films, ranging from long form music videos (Arcade Fire’s long in the making collaboration with Spike Jonze) to alien-filled stoner comedies (Seth Rogen’s goofy alien flick Paul).

On Saturday, Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page premiered their oft-delayed movie Super, a movie about a man who has good intentions but lacks any sort of actual powers. The film sounds like a more comical take on the mortals-as-heroes story that Kick-Ass conquered so garishly last year. Well received by audiences in Austin, the IFC produced features Wilson as the Crimson Bolt, a pudgy superhero who delivers swift justice and sage advice to criminals like “don’t molest children” as he whips them with his nunchucks. Page, however, is wearing out the quirk factor—witty pregnant kid in Juno, witty but not pregnant girl in Inception, witty and comic book nerd in Super: Do you see the trend? Wilson has done his best to promote the flick and as of yesterday had been spotted several times running around Austin in his superhero costume in search of crime.

Sunday saw a fervent bidding war for Conan O’Brien’s documentary about his time in exile from The Tonight Show, the cleverly titled Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop. That night, a comedy of a very different sort took center stage in a midnight screening. Kristin Wiig, fresh from Saturday Night Live’s wonderful bit spoofing embattled Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark director Julie Taymor, introduced her female ensemble comedy Bridesmaids. Previously rumored to be just a female take on The Hangover, the movie delighted critics and audiences alike at SXSW. Also featuring the delightful Elle Kemper from The Office, Jon Hamm, and the wonderfully hilarious Melissa McCarthy as a masculine woman who suggests a “female Fight Club” style bachelorette party.

Yet more is certainly still to come as the festival continues. Last night saw one of the first screenings of the new Mel Gibson project (words which will forever induce cringing) called The Beaver. Initially imagined as a comedy in which funnyman Steve Carrell would play the lead role, a man whose psyche was such that he wandered around with a beaver puppet on his hand, Jodie Foster stepped in to direct and apparently made some drastic changes. Now the film has taken on an air of melodrama, with the puppet being just one of many signs that Gibson’s character is falling apart. The movie has faced constant delays, what with Gibson’s erratic behavior both off and on set (he reportedly struck a paparazzo while filming). Could this finally be the project to set the troubled Academy Award winner back on the right track? The trailer seems to suggest otherwise, featuring a ridiculous and grizzly looking Gibson adopting a Cockney accent while operating the puppet.

Finally, Natalie Portman continues her movie reign in one of SXSW’s last films, Hesher, a small budget picture also starring Joseph Gordon Levitt (one of Hollywood’s best actors, in my opinion—where was the Oscar nod for Inception?) and, once again, Rainn Wilson. Levitt stars as the title character, a longhaired loner who tries to cope with the death of his mother by moving in with Wilson’s character and his son. Not much else is known about the project, but if the trailer is any indication, it will surely be movie to remember in the coming months.

Dan Ottaunick is an editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@ bcheights.com.

Brennan Carley is the Assoc. Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

photos courtesy of amazon.com

THis week on tv by brennan carley

‘Kathy Griffin: 50 & Not Pregnant’

‘America’s next great restaurant’

‘How I Met Your Mother’

When Bravo cancelled the comedian’s mildly successful but always-hilarious My Life on the D-List, fans clamored for more of Griffin’s trademark stand-up and the network happily delivered. Sure, audiences will miss their weekly fix of Maggie and her muumuus, but 50, the first of four of her standup specials to air in 2011, was filmed only last month in front of a sold out Milwaukee audience.

It promises digs at the ladies of The View (Hasselbeck, watch out), Sarah Palin, and, Justin Bieber. Keep an eye out for a gratuitous plug for the limited Broadway run of Kathy Griffin Wants a Tony.

This show emerged from nowhere and vaulted ahead of the pack of cliched and dull reality shows that litter the networks after March sweeps are over. Critics feared that the show would digress into Top Chef territory, but the show is about so much more than the actual food in the restaurant. Contestants are put through the rigors of running both the back and the front of house, dealing with both plating and the books at the end of the night. Contestants receive a clear understanding of the complete restaurant package, and that’s what sets it apart from the schlock.

Ted and the gang return on Monday, which also sees the arrival of John Lithgow as Barney’s long lost father.

Lithgow joins the cast just weeks after Katy Perry’s amusing cameo. It will certainly be strange to see Dexter’s Trinity Killer appear as a warm and friendly father figure, but if any actor can pull it off, it’s Lithgow. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang struggles with things that they should know as adults but have never learned—maybe they should quit stalling and get to the mother business? The subplots are nice and all, but they’re getting old. photos courtesy of Google

Bc Tube

photo courtesy of google

The new boss of ‘The Office’ will not only be burdened with saving the failing paper company, but also with revitalizintg a dying series.

The end of a TV era comes about three seasons too late Dan Ottaunick How sad is it to see the decline of one of the finest television shows of the 2000s.

After spending seven years captivating audiences with dry wit and stimulating drama, The Office is beginning to become stale, losing the luster its earlier seasons gleamed. Like all great television series, The Office is struggling to both continue storylines that have persisted throughout the series and further develop characters whose initial appeals have begun to fade with increasing audience familiarity. Facing these difficulties, how can the show’s creators make The Office remain relevant?

To be fair, the show’s writers and actors have done a great job of tempering the show’s imminent decline. With unobtrusive new characters and well-placed guest stars, including an upcoming appearance

by Will Ferrell, fans are still remaining loyal to the series. The Office arguably peaked during season two, a time when the Jim and Pam’s romance was fresh and constantly in flux, previously secondary characters were fleshed out, and the comedic timings of Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson were impeccably mellifluous. Each episode brought about a new step in this drama, and fans could hardly miss a minute. By the time the season reached its finale with Jim and Pam kissing during the “Casino

Night” episode, throngs of teenaged girls and middle-aged men alike scavenged the internet for even the slightest intimation of what season three would bring about.

Though perhaps unable to match the magic of season two, season three continued the concordance of timing and drama.

As new additions to the office environment, Andy Bernard and Karen Filippelli became instantly integrated with the other employees, and the show continued to make the most of Jim’s increasingly ephemeral pursuit of Pam. Interesting twists, such as the proliferation of Dwight and Angela’s unlikely tryst and Andy’s volatile temper, carried the show throughout another strong season. This creative boon, unfortunately, was short-lived.

Perhaps Jim and Pam’s romance, though long anticipated by fans, could not coexist with the show’s genuine humor. As Jim and Pam began dating at the end of season three, the show’s critical dramatic element – the ebb and flow of a relatable romantic pursuit – became no more. In addition to losing one of its finest elements, the show suffered a major blow in the form of the Writer’s Guild of America strike. Having taken a lengthy hiatus, the inchoate season lacked the length and thematic cogitation critical to the show’s rewarding its faithful followers with oligarchic wit. Upon its return, the show’s quality had noticeably declined, and those

Brennan Carley

The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

B3

arts madness music

Wiz Khalifa has emerged as a heavy hitter in the last two months, exploding on the rap scene with “Black and Yellow.” His recent collaboration with Chris Brown on the R&B singer’s new album F.A.M.E. brought about stunningly simple yet enticing results.

Khalifa’s debut disc, Rolling Papers, is slated for release on March 29 and could solidify his place in the industry. Two more alternative bands will also release new albums this spring. The folksy Fleet Foxes made a calming splash onto the scene with their 2008 selftitled debut. Meanwhile, London-based rock outfit The Kills is finally delivering on its promise to follow up on the stellar Midnight Boom. In April, The Kills will release Blood Pressures, and its first single, “Satellite,” is absolutely electrifying.

Judging by her new sound, Britney Spears will most likely electrify the charts with her newest effort, Femme Fatale. With an upcoming promotional whirlwind (like Good Morning America and Ellen), Brit is in it to win it. When Femme leaked last Thursday, her team went into a frenzy of planning and decided to officially release more tracks on iTunes. It’s that type of smart thinking, and her infectious and especially catchy new sound that propelled her to a victory.

femme fatale (Britney spears)

concerts

After a disappointing year for the touring circuit, concert lovers should look out for a fruitful spring.

With some of the most innovative acts making rounds across the nation, we pit four of the industry’s hottest and most diverse musical acts against one another in an effort to pick the best.

Rihanna returns to Beantown with The Loud Tour, featuring the wily and talented Cee Lo Green.

Both artists are hitting a creative stride, with Rihanna giving some of her most engaging performances yet and Cee Lo offering strong vocals and spectacle (check his Grammy attire for proof). Rihanna has strong ammunition with the release of her catchiest songs yet. Katy Perry waits in the wings with the Teenage Dream Tour, a pop extravaganza. Perry’s charm along with her supporting acts, Robyn and Marina in the Diamonds, promise to keep it fun and danceable. Country act Sugarland brings its Southern flavor to what is bound to be a rowdy show.

Carried by Jennifer Nettle’s vocals and her rockabilly band, the group holds the candle for country acts.

They face the goofy, serious, and legendary alternative group of the ’90s, Weezer. No matter the age, though, Weezer guarantees a hip show.

By darren ranck Arts & Review Editor brennan carley Assoc. Arts & Review Editor a n d c h a r l o t t e p a r i s h A s s t. A r t s & R e v i e w E d i t o r

boston

Although Shakespeare on the Common has been a phenomenal tradition descending on the Boston Common along with the warm weather, the theatre must-see this spring is hands down the nation-wide tour of Hair that is coming to Beantown. The musical revival has already received acclaim for the incredible performances of the cast and is heading to Boston amidst much hair whipping and high energy.

The Globetrotters may fit most closely with the traditional March bracket, but Chihuly unequivocally is the most noteworthy addition to Boston’s spring scene. With enormous glass structures of swirling colors and impossibly intertwining pieces, each hand placed, Chihuly brings his mesmerizing works to the MFA. These masterpieces will take over every atrium of the museum and can be seen in all stages of assembly, as these areas are not being shut off.

Coming up against the equally vibrant Hair, Chihuly is a slam-dunk for the best spring event in Boston. Plus, the MFA is always free for students while good seats will cost quite a bit, so there is no excuse for missing out on this spectacular exhibit.

movies

Two of the spring’s biggest dramas, Sucker Punch and Super 8 are shaping up to be incredible, visually stunning films. Stacking up the players on either side, 8 carries more weight with the extraordinary Kyle Chandler and rising star Elle Fanning, each who is likely to give an incredible performance. However, Emily Browning may prove her own mettle, and given the uniqueness of director Zach Snyder in bringing graphic novel’s the duel worlds of harsh reality and sensational imagination to life, Sucker Punch scrapes out the win. And while Bridesmaids and Bad Teacher both boast hilarious clips, the cast of Bridesmaids – Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm, anyone? – and the newest trailer give it the edge. Although Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz can be funny, they just as frequently fall flat. Wigg, however, has yet to deliver anything less than sheer hilarity on SNL and was arguably the best part of recent release Paul.

Coming down to the final movie bout, Bridesmaid decidedly beats Sucker Punch to the gold. Although Sucker Punch looks to be intriguing and dynamic, it’s impossible to beat a truly good comedy, assuming that Bridesmaids lives up to all the buildup, to kick off the spring season.

the loud tour (rihanna with cee lo green)

music concerts

femme fatale (Britney spears)

the loud tour (rihanna with cee lo green)

femme fatale (Britney spears)

rolling papers (wiz khalifa)

teenage dream tour (katy perry) the loud tour (rihanna with cee lo green)

incredible machine tour (sugarland)

femme fatale (Britney spears)

helplessness blues (fleet foxes)

sugarland

blood pressures (the kills) blood pressures (the kills)

memories tour (wheezer)

chihuly at the mfa

hair national tour

sucker punch

hair national tour

sucker punch

shakespeare on the common

chihuly at the mfa super 8

bridesmaids

chihuly at the mfa

bridesmaids

boston bridesmaids

movies

chihuly at the mfa

chihuly at the mfa

bad teacher impressive comedic weight of Bridesmaids lands it a spot in the final four.

Upcoming albums finds newcomer Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers against pop veteran Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale. Despite Khalifa’s rap prowess, Britney’s album promises a new sound for the pop icon. Critical favorites Fleet Foxes and The Kills proved an easy victory for the latter’s album Blood Pressures, giving laurels to the more exciting band. While both Britney and The Kills offer excitement, Femme Fatale wins in a sentimental victory.

The arts scene in Boston offers the matchup between trick basketball team the Harlem Globetrotters and the new museum exhibit by Dale Chihuly at the Museum of Fine Arts, its most expensive one to date. Chihuly’s exhibit

wins in a landslide for its visual splendor.

The theater scene pits the touring production of ’70s musical Hair against the annual Shakespeare on the Common. With its buzz and limited run, Hair moves on. In the race of Hair vs. Chihuly, though, Chihuly takes another easy victory.

In the final four, Britney wins against Bridesmaids because of early positive buzz against the promising but unseen film. Despite Loud Tour’s certain success, the Chihuly exhibit is a huge coup for the museum, giving it the edge to get to the finals. With a close race in the finals, Chihuly’s exhibit trumps Femme Fatale. This hip, sophisticated exhibit is the must-see of the spring season.

winner

In the concert division, Rihanna’s Loud Tour goes up against Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream Tour. Both crowd-pleasers, Rihanna’s arsenal of hip-shaking hits takes her to the next round. Between the two band acts, Sugarland’s Incredible Machine Tour handily trumps Weezer’s Memories Tour with its fun performance style. Sugarland falters, though, against not only Rihanna, but funky Cee Lo Green, sending the Loud Tour to the final four.

In film, starry female comedy Bridesmaids, given an advantage with Kristen Wiig’s first lead role, picks off Cameron Diaz’s nastily funny Bad Teacher. Similarly, the bad girls of Sucker Punch, with the help of special effects, beat Steven Spielberg-produced fantasy Super 8. In the battle of the female ensembles, the

harlem globetrotters

The Heights

scene and heard

B4

Thursday, March 17, 2011

By taylor cavallo

1

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Wax Justin Bieber

For The Heights New Ferris Bueller

Ferris Bueller never looked so … indie. A trailer for the classic coming of age 1980’s film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was featured on JoBlo.com re-cut in such a way that presented it as the quintessential indie film, and it looked good. The re-cutting and editing gives the movie an entirely different feel, despite the fact that we all know the plot so well. The most beautiful and touching scenes were chosen for the trailer with soft music playing in the background. Try and watch the two-minute long clip without shedding a tear. I won’t judge.

Kardashian Music

As if there weren’t enough celebrities with delusions of grandeur partaking in the idea of a twisted reality in which they can sing, Kim Kardashian recently released a new single. I can sense your excitement. Entitled “Jam (Turn It Up),” this cliched pop song features a Ke$ha beat, but lacks what little vocal talent Ke$ha claims to have. Kardashian sounds as if she is speaking throughout the entire song. However, since its release, it has been gleaning the publicity that would be expected for a Kardashian sister.

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There is now enough J. Biebs to go around (well, almost)! A life-size Justin Bieber wax sculpture was just introduced to the collection at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London. As you can imagine, a lot of people are excited, including Bieber himself, who couldn’t stop tweeting about it. However, Bieber cut his famous hair after the wax sculpture was made, to the dismay of many fans. Two more wax sculptures are rumored to be in the works for the museums in New York and Amsterdam.

on The Session

Learning to love the Mods

Courtesy of google.com

A sophomore in cargo pants and a Vineyard Vines sweater knocks on your sliding door from the back porch. It’s a Saturday evening, and you and your friends are watching Netflix or bickering about who owes whom a carnitas burrito from El Pelon or kibitzing about how small the interviewers made you feel at that Zak Jason consulting firm. Cargo pants – Vineyard Vines boy asks for a beer. Among the existential questions seniors must face (Where should I live next year? What should I do with my life? Is the Jesuit Volunteer Corps really for me?), one of the most pressing is, “Do I oblige cargo pants – Vineyard Vines boy (or whatever manifestation he appears in)?”

Here’s what happened when I did. Instead of grabbing a beer and leaving, the student helped himself to a handle of rum and gin, walked back out the sliding door, and held both bottles in the air, shouting, “Guys, the party’s here!” A moment later, a stampede of girls in American Apparel party dresses and Longchamp bags and boys in drunken bravado stumbled across my lawn toward the sliding door. I felt like Beauregard at the Siege of Petersburg. Before they reached the porch, I grabbed the bottles from the boy, said, “The cops are here. Run!” and shut and locked the sliding door.

When this boy comes, and he will come, do not oblige him.

In light of the housing lottery this week, I offer a public service to those living in and those planning to visit the pontoon boats of Boston College next year: the Mods. Residential directors will present cut and dry rules about registering events and why you can’t bring glass bottles outside (because if you break one and later decide to create a slip and slide, someone’s stomach will slice open).

But there’s a nuanced code of ethics that both residents and visitors must follow, if only to avoid theft, broken ribs, and lawsuits.

For Residents: 1. Leave anything you value more than a used tissue in your bedrooms. There has and always will be a direct correlation between undergraduate student blood alcohol content and rate of petty theft. Random visitors will swipe your family portraits, your director’s cut of The Last Mimzy, your beta fish, your Adventures of Pluto Nash soap dispenser, your family-sized box of Wheat Thins.

Don’t grant sophomores any opportunities to brag about what they robbed from your place the next morning from their Williams double.

2. When hosting parties, issue a lie detector test to assure that your guests aren’t complete John or Jane Does. My roommate created this simple one: if you live in a guy’s Mod, ask if they know the girls who live there. If you live in a girl’s Mod, ask if they know the guys there. If they answer yes, you kindly tell them to leave the premises. a. If your party is already beyond capacity, bypass this test. Simply say that they have the wrong Mod address, and direct them to the address of people you dislike.

For Visitors: 1. A good rule of thumb, only attend a Mod party if you know at least two of its residents.

Beyond the free Natural Ice and grinding to some Sean Kingston for few minutes, what do you get out of cramming into a room with 75 strangers and posters of The Notebook and Sportscenter strewn about? Unless you’re working on an organic chemistry project to know what the combination of Axe deodorant body spray, Vera Wang perfume, and 75 sweating bodies smells like, venture to parties in which your close friends play host.

2. The Mod lawns are not recess playgrounds.

They’re not where you smoke your Pall Mall Lights or make out with someone in the middle of a corn hole playing field or call your girlfriend to yell at her for not buying you Chi-Chis an hour ago. Relocate that to the dining hall.

Zak Jason is a Heights columnist. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

Aliens In MOvies

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Much to the dismay of many people who fear extraterrestrials, aliens seem to be the stars of many new movies coming out lately. Between Battle: L.A. and Paul, two very different films, both focus on aliens.

Granted, one is about an alien attack on a major U.S. city while the other is centered on an animated alien featuring the voice of Seth Rogen.

My personal favorite soon to be released alien movie is Cowboys and Aliens which, yes, is exactly what it sounds like. And yes, I was being sarcastic. Featuring the talents of Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde, the movie’s trailer got laughed out of theaters when it premiered a few months ago, and it could easily be as dismissed upon its official release.

“My Jeans”

I’ll be frank. This new YouTube craze is horrifying. It is a video featuring preteen girls singing about jeans. There are so many things wrong with this video. No one in the video can sing (an understatement) and the acting is painful to watch. It looks like an extremely cheesy commercial featured on very late-night television, but is entirely too long. Why this video was made in the first place is confusing to me as well. The creepiest parts of the video are definitely the girls themselves, and somehow they also have driver’s licenses. I don’t know if it’s a joke or not.

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The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

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+Music

NEW RELEASES

Lavigne adamantly refuses to grow up on ‘Lullaby’

By Brennan Carley

Assoc. Arts & Review Editor

A hum rises in my throat.

A few lyrics murkily surface, muttered almost unconsciously, as my feet began to tap on the floor. There can’t be a chance that my head is bobbing side to side, is there? After all, this is Avril Lavigne who I’m listening to, and it hasn’t been cool to listen to her since … well … well was it ever considered cool? Lo and behold, Ms. Lavigne has emerged relatively unscathed from several years of obscurity with her forgettable Goodbye Lullaby, an album that more or less adequately toes the line between forgettable pop of yesteryear and weak power ballads, a true oxymoron if there has ever been one.

The album never quite recovers from the one-two punch of its first two songs. The first, an intriguing and blessedly short number, “Black Star,” was used in her perfume commercials, but it works just as well as an intro to the whole disc. Piano-driven and just so saccharinely sweet, “Star” leads right into the lovably memorable “What The Hell.” It is astounding that pop radio has not embraced this, Lullaby’s lead single, with open arms. The world hasn’t been delivered a song so tailored for Top-40 success since last summer’s ubiquitous Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.”

Later, audiences hear a glimpse of the rebellious “sk8r girl” they loved (or loved to loathe) in the aptly titled “Smile.” A swear-laden track, the song was surely packaged for young drivers to belt as they push 60 in a 55 zone in an act of pure teenage mutiny.

One need not fret if frantically searching for awkwardly named tracks like “Sk8r Boy,” because

The Strokes Angles

Goodbye Lullaby Avril LAvigne

Jennifer Hudson I Remember me

produced by RCA Records released March 1, 2011 Our rating C-

Chart Toppers Singles

Courtesy of google.com

In a major snafu, Avril Lavigne stumbles wildly in the dark on her new album, grasping for maturity but instead latching onto cliches and absurdity. the ingénue comes through with the maturely titled “4 Real.” Her lyrics sparkle with Rebecca Black like clarity. The listener can agree when she sings, “I know that we have something the past could never change.” Later, Lavigne asserts the title of the song for those who didn’t get the message the first time around, standing clear on the fact that she’s “for real / Are you for real? / Can’t help myself it’s the way I feel.”

Lavigne has always been a cheeky little devil of a singer, and Lullaby is no exception. In a move straight from Taylor Swift’s playbook of songwriting ingenuity, “Darlin” seemingly references Lavigne’s ex-husband, as she nudges someone who is “hiding

in the closet once again” to “start smiling.” Once again borrowing from YouTube sensation Rebecca Black, the Canadian songstress teaches listeners that “tomorrow is not yesterday / Yesterday / Oh Oh.” One almost wants to jump in with a lending hand of “yesterday is Thursday / Today it is Friday” but alas, Lavigne quickly moves on from her important lesson on the days of the week.

The album reveals a wide array of Lavigne’s clearly cryptic emotions. Take, for example, “Remember When,” a song in which the singer professes to have “cried a thousand times / I told you everything / You know my feelings.” Don’t think that the rascal is too vulnerable or down,

however, as she rapidly back peddles while proclaiming, “I’m not lost / I’m not gone / I haven’t forgot.” Things get serious when she again points out that “I cried a little bit / You died a little bit,” but clearly she has no regrets.

On the whole, the album is not the most egregious work that has been released this year (that honor is given to Kim Kardashian’s atrocious “single”), but it is far from Lavigne’s best work. While the singer/songwriter has never been the most talented artist around, her first three albums far overshadow her disappointing efforts displayed in Goodbye Lullaby.

I don’t mean to be overly tough on Ms. Lavigne, a competent

singer who has somehow managed to make headlines several years past her expiration date. In today’s world of over-produced music that have been completely buried under layers and layers of technological enhancements, Lavigne stands out as one of the few females in the industry daring enough to step away from the autotune, and for that she should be commended. Additionally, the hidden track “Alice” (initially overshadowed on the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack by Grace Potter’s far superior “White Rabbit”) isn’t the most heinous thing about Tim Burton’s muddy flop.

Small victories though they may be, they’re the best that can be offered. n

1 E.T. Katy Perry 2 On The Floor Jennifer Lopez 3 Born This Way Lady Gaga 4 S&M Rihanna 5 Till The World Ends Britney Spears Top Albums

1 Lasers Lupe Fiasco 2 21 Adele 3 Glee Volume 5 Various Artists 4 Goodbye Lullaby Avril Lavigne 5 Collapse Into Now R.E.M. Source: Billboard.com

On frequently delayed ‘Lasers,’ Lupe fiercely wavers on serious issues

By Kylie Rolincik For The Heights

If I uttered, “Snooki,” you would nod your head and await my undoubtedly hilarious reference—something about the immense importance of snagging

oneself a nice “juice head gorilla or venturing forth on an intoxicated tear down the boardwalk and into that beautiful sandy beach (face first, of course) for the duration of one’s work shift.

These sentiments sound bells in our minds to articulate a chiming

rhapsody of empty shenanigans playing on repeat, filling up our collective consciousness with a trifling chaos. With his third studio album, Lasers, released last Tuesday, Lupe Fiasco soulfully tears through such cultural dilemmas, stating, “And that ain’t Jersey

Lasers Lupe Fiasco produced by 1st & 15th/Atlantic released March 8, 2011 Our rating B

Courtesy of google.com

With his newest album, Lupe Fiasco asserts his place as one of most talented rappers in the business today.

Shore, homie, that’s the news.”

He lyrically dissects the erroneous organization of society and neglected humanity of individuals amid the fear-inducing power structures that have come to shape our modern age. Combined with some catchy hooks regarding girls, clubbing, and fame, Lupe’s work here can be appreciated for its dense flood of brooding and buoyant visions as well as its predominantly appealing, though somewhat generic, musical design. Yet there subsists a degree of weakness, as he staggers off from more structurally sound matters of societal failing toward flimsy conspiratorial angles and erratic moments of hypocrisy, while wavering between personal artistry and the pull of commercial convention.

With the forcible and varying discernments of “Words I Never Said,” Lupe, accompanied

by Skylar Grey, situates the listener beneath an industrial-sized showerhead of creative intent, dispelling rhythmic streams of troubled opinion and drenching releases of political and social commentary. The audience is soaked with chilling unease and inspired awareness by the dy-

namic hip-hop star’s quick and clever spews of liberated selfhood and regret at not previously speaking the world’s ills. Listeners methodically steep within the flux of stomping beats, flow of buzzing synth melodies, and ruminative shimmer of lyrically crafted insights like, “Wait here comes the upper cut / The school was garbage in the first place, that’s on the up and up.”

Lupe is thought-provoking and engaging, but, at certain points, he transitions away from such stably founded concerns as education and toward Sept. 11 conspiracy theories—this somewhat defuses the profound nature of his stronger arguments. The track “Beautiful Lasers (2 Ways)” is tormented and haunting; it reckons with Lupe’s inner turmoil, communicating, “Life’s hard and it feels like diamonds / Going home’s just far too gone / Much too late to even feel like trying / Can’t understand what I’m saying, can’t figure out what I’m implying.” There is a rawness, a distinct vulnerability in this particular arrangement of daunting words and crusading noise that I wish there had been more of throughout the album. Lupe possesses

a unique capacity for eloquent exploration in the dark places of his soul—eloquently exploring a strength that his record label did not permit him to fully question and augment. The strain between artistic sincerity and commercial viability draws this batch of songs further away from the potentially bright and moving color of Lupe’s musicality and cognitive gestures as a creative force.

Lupe works to be socially and politically relevant, finding lines of aptly constructed dialogue and fiercely genuine conjecture.

And though this album includes moments that compel you to leap off the couch, assault the gentle glow of MT V garbage with a sledgehammer, and storm the streets shouting out the dire fate of socially neglected children, it’s also a little off. It doesn’t quite embody a pure dose of the Lupe Fiasco that people had come to adore with his first album Food & Liquor—a memorable offering of hip-hop at its finest. In several ways he looses his distinctiveness, yet there are rushes of astoundingly intricate lyricism and execution reminding us that Lupe Fiasco remains one of the most talented emcees in the world. n

Music Nook

Two singer-songwriters marry their styles both on and off the stage Susan Skakel Think way back to the early Christmas season. Then think back to the Old Navy holiday season commercial. I’ll bet you’ll remember it from the rolling and languid voice of the background music. That same voice accompanied Carrie in the first Sex and the City movie with “All This Beauty.”

If you own a Rilo Kiley or Fleet Foxes album, then you’ve probably heard of this band.

On the off chance that you haven’t, here’s the 411. The Weepies formed in 2001 when two singer-songwriters, Deb Talen and Steven Tannen, met at a show in Cambridge. Both were indie-pop solo acts that were best known to folk festival groupies and lovers of all things folk. In 2005 the two married after forming The Weepies and they now live in Topanga, California with two sons.

Their first album, Happiness, was released in December of 2003 and contained a mix of catchy and folky songs that helped them attract a small but strong following.

“Somebody Loved” showcases Talen’s unhurried and clear voice with a catchy hook and easily sung chorus. While “Jolene” showcases Tannen’s voice as he chimes on about a crying ex-lover.

The follow-up, Say I Am You, was released in 2005. It garnered much more popularity and allowed the duet the chance to combine their vocals in one of the more popular songs, “World Spins Madly On.” The song hit number one on the folk charts for the United States iTunes. The album showcased both Tannen’s and Talen’s voices as well as their progressing skills as duets. “Stars” savors Talen’s depth as it moves through lyrics accompanied by slow guitars and soft keyboards.

The band’s music has been featured on everything from Grey’s

Anatomy to Greek as well as How I Met Your Mother and Gossip Girl.

Additionally, their 2010 single “Same Changes” was used in the film Morning Glory. The band’s power couple dominates with lyrical jaunts about the effects of love and the power of faith and heart. Their folksy sound has even the most pop-loving girl swooning at Talen’s unmistakable and deep-cut voice that swirls next to Tannen’s small plucking guitar.

Tannen is more sensible to remain behind the guitar as his vocals lack in comparison to his wife’s. “Suicide Blonde,” one of his lead vocal songs on Say I Am You, does not compare to even “Painting By Chagall,” one of Talen’s weakest songs. They both co-write most songs, and it shows. The combination of lyrics, Talen’s voice, and Tannen’s back ups are cohesive and fall together very well. Tannen is better kept as a backup singer, a co-songwriter, and a guitar player. His voice, un-

Courtesy of google.com

Deb Talen and Steven Tannen met, married, and formed a band that enchants audiences with its joyous, folksy like Talen’s, is not distinct or clear but rather raspy and unintuitive.

Their top song on iTunes is currently in my listening dock for my iPod. It’s equally unique as it is catchy sound is hard to stop

listening to. The power couple does not disappoint on any song that Talen’s voice takes power of.

Their wistful and pensive sound has been attractive in both the folk community as well as the

pop. This is one marriage that would pay to last.

Susan Skakel is a columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

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The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

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With many companies on the upswing, invest sooner rather than later Finance, from B10 how expensive or relatively inexpensive a stock is. When looking at these numbers you should compare to industry averages. However, a ratio of about 16-to-1 is generally good. PEG ratios can also be tremendously helpful in seeing if a company is a good value. A company with a PEG around one typically means it is fairly valued. However, do not stray away from companies that are not good valuation picks. Companies that are low relative to where they have been can be nice, but companies soar-

ing past their 10, 50 and 200 day moving averages are even nicer. Companies eclipsing their 52-week highs are also very enticing. If companies are at their 52-week highs, this is typically a sign that they are either taking off, or they are back in full swing. Therefore, whether it is a company’s launching pad or their collective way of putting back on their dancing shoes, performing at a 52-week high is a great sign for any investor.

No matter how much you love volatile stocks that are high risk, high reward, an investor always needs to have at least one

stock that pays a dividend. In tough times, dividends offer an investor solace with a guaranteed payment per share every quarter or year. However, it must be noted that one should always check into why a stock is increasing its dividend. If a stock like the aforementioned Wal-Mart is raising its dividend because it is desperate to have stockholders, then you may want to avoid the stock. If you are unsure of why a stock may be increasing its dividend, check the recent insider buying or selling. If the top executives are pulling their money out,

are they taking large gains?

Or are they fearful as to what is approaching? These questions among others are ones that should always be rattling around inside your head and are excellent corollaries as to deciding why a stock has increased or decreased its dividend.

As important as it is to look at where a stock has been, you also need to see where it is going. This is where earnings reports serve as a dual indicator.

Time after time, companies see positive profits, beat expectations and still go down in their price. How can this be? Well,

assuming everything else in the market is stable, this is usually attributed to a company lowering its guidance or forecasts.

On the flip side, a company can report mediocre earnings and take off with high expectations for the quarters/years to come. Moral of the story: pay attention to where a company anticipates being in the upcoming market.

Some of the biggest keys have little to nothing to do with all these fancy acronyms and in-depth statistics. When it all boils down to the core, you have to look at the company,

its products and its competition. Ask yourself: how have the company’s latest products been doing? Is this company able to differentiate themselves from other competitors? Can this company continue to build and improve new products/technologies? If you can assure yourself that the company is able to stand out in the proverbial crowd, then you have yourself a stock worth buying.

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

Troops to Libya would be a mistake, given the state of the public psyche Wars, from B10 was so similar, why has support for our current operations in the Middle East dropped off so rapidly?

One possible explanation is that the casualties which occur every day in the Middle East persuade the American public that the wars are no longer worth the lives invested.

However, here’s an interesting comparison: American participation in World War II lasted from 1941 to 1945. In those four years, 416,800 American soldiers were killed. On the other hand, over the course of eight years in Iraq and 10 years in Afghanistan, 5,845 American soldiers have been killed. Granted, there were far more American troops involved in World War II, but the difference in magnitude is still astounding. While I can’t emphasize enough that each and every one of those deaths is an absolute tragedy, it is remarkable that two wars so widely supported at their outset could result in almost the opposite public sentiment of what would be expected. It would seem that a war with heavy casualties would be condemned while one that averaged fewer would be more widely supported.

However, World War II, which resulted in an average of more than 100,000 casualties per year, was extremely well supported by the public, both financially and

emotionally, throughout all four years, while the current operations in the Middle East, which average around 650 casualties per year, are being condemned by an increasingly large portion of the American population.

Perhaps the War in Iraq hasn’t offered such remarkable successes as World War II did.

The fall of Saddam’s regime in Baghdad was remarkable, as were the battles of Fallujah, but beyond that, have there been great headline battles like D-Day, Iwo Jima, or the Battle of the Bulge that will ring in

No matter how much good we accomplish in Libya, the outcry would still be enormous. our nation’s memory 50 years from now? If this is the reason our operations in the Middle East lack public support, it is somewhat embarrassing.

Are Americans that prone to exceptionalism that they ignore the daily grind of our soldiers just because they aren’t winning huge battles which are cleverly named? It certainly shouldn’t make their daily struggle less important.

Whatever the case of the

general public apathy, at this point the majority of Americans agree that it is time for our troops to withdraw. According to a poll from The Huffington Post, 71 percent of voters said that Americans “should have [withdrawn] a long time ago,” while another 25 percent said that “now is the right time [to withdraw].” Only 4 percent of the voters said that the troops were necessary for security in the Middle East. Though President Barack Obama has already started responding to the wishes of his citizens by ending the War in Iraq, it is time he acquiesces to an even greater extent. In light of this reversal, it seems that the American population needs to do a better job making up their minds in the future.

With so many Americans condemning the operations in the Middle East, it’s astounding to me that the government is considering sending troops to another country. With Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi crushing the massive uprising of his constituents, many have spoke of establishing a no-fly zone over Libya, or even sending in troops to quell the violence. If the American public is already showing (at best) apathy over our current operations, why start another? Our military budget is already at $685.1 billion, 4.3 percent of our GDP in 2008 and also one of the highest in the world—China, in

Political Belief

Muslim hearings: the new Red Scare Olena Savytska Rep. Peter King (R-NY), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, opened hearings last Thursday on the radicalization of Muslims in the United States. The parallels with the Red Scare of the 1950s are obvious and should not be discounted: The King hearings are a localized response to a threat of global proportions, inadequate for this purpose and somewhat comical in its outcome. A minimum amount of relevant information was presented at the hearings, yet what the witnesses’ testimonies lacked in facts was more than made up for with drama. There was the emotional story told by Keith Ellison of a Muslim medical worker who lost his life at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

Then came anecdotal evidence of calls to jihad at U.S. mosques as well as terrorist acts prevented within the Muslim community in the U.S. The audience left this show, mostly confused and somewhat disappointed.

King turned out to be less zealous than his predecessor.

Although he had promised to expose abundant possibilities for a future attack on American soil orchestrated by newly-minted domestic terrorists, King failed to attain the heights of McCarthyite fever. Just as there was no strong evidence, there would be no strong conclusions.

At issue in the hearings is the well-known conspiracy theory of domestic infiltration by hostile foreign elements. King asserted that Muslims in the U.S. are refusing to cooperate with law enforcement officials to stem terrorist plots, and that Al Qaeda is infiltrating the American Muslim community in order to carry out another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. These claims smack

strongly of the popular spirit of 1950, pervaded by the belief that Communists (in the present case, terrorists) are everywhere. Although these concerns, given the precedent of Sept. 11, may be less far-fetched than Soviet missile attacks on North American cities envisioned by NSC 68, King’s hearings were not the most appropriate medium for addressing them. Discussions of the terrorist threat at home will do nothing to halt the work of terrorist organizations abroad.

Here is another lesson from the past: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt told us. Since his first inaugural address, the U.S. has lived through the tempest of the Great Depression, the darkness of the World War II, and yes, even through the constant tension of the Cold War. True, the national mood may not be at its brightest today as we

The government of the U.S. should instead focus on its strength and build up a spirit of confidence and optimism. are faced with high unemployment, continuing foreclosures within the country and a wave of unrest and instability in the Middle East. Yet we are not likely to emerge from these crises with an attitude of fear and suspicion.

In the case of the terrorist threat in particular, a general panic, an indiscriminate distrust of the Muslim community in the U.S., will not be the way to address the country’s security concerns. In that respect, the hearings on the radicalization of Muslims in the U.S. are counterproductive, giving vent to negative sentiments from Muslims and non-Muslims alike,

exacerbating the “clash of civilizations,” a concept popularized by Samuel Huntington.

It is true that the U.S. has already attempted to stem terrorism at its root, sending its armed forces into Afghanistan and Iraq.

It is true also that these efforts have not been entirely successful.

Not unlike communism, terrorism rests on a mindset. If the Cold War is to serve as a historical precedent, the most effective way to approach the terrorist threat, whether in the Middle East or in our own neighborhoods, is by adhering to a competing mentality.

After all, what dealt the strongest blow to Soviet communism were not McCarthy’s hearings, nor our discipline in building bomb shelters, nor our troops in Korea and Vietnam. Rather, it was Ronald Reagan’s steady, sunny smile (backed up, of course, by his Star Wars nuclear arsenal) – a beacon of hope, a symbol of American power and invincible optimism.

Such is the face which we must present to terrorist organizations today – a smile of unabashed confidence.

King’s hearings represent legitimate concerns about the continued threat of terrorism on American soil. However, the national spirit which they convey is one of circumspect navigation in a new and dangerous world— one of intolerance, distrust and of panic. Yet these are the very sentiments which give heart to anti-American efforts such as those of terrorist groups. King is inopportunely displaying the currents of insecurity present in our society today - it is these, and not homegrown terrorists, which he has succeeded in bringing to light.

To counter the elusive yet global threat of terrorism effectively, the government of the U.S. should instead focus on its strength and build up a spirit of confidence and optimism.

Olena Savytska is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at marketplace@bcheights. com.

second place, spends $98 billion.

The entire European Union, 27 countries, spends about $323 billion militarily—less than half of the U.S. The idea isn’t only irresponsible financially, it is irresponsible politically, as well. Many nations were appalled by our invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. If the government

were to insert the American military into yet another undeveloped country, the international perception of Americans as interferers forcing their political views on the weak would be further reinforced. No matter how much good we accomplish in Libya, the outcry would still be enormous. Even Americans agree. In a poll hosted by NPR,

84 percent of voters said that American troops should not get involved in Libya, a telling statistic which reveals that America’s immediate priorities lie far from increased military involvement.

David Cote is the Marketplace Editor for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@ bcheights.com.

adriana mariella / heights editor

andrew powell / heights staff

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

THE ISSUE:

Recently, the Wisconsin government has been seized by a crippling controversy. The collective bargaining rights of public sector employees have been called into question by Republican senators, who hope to limit the government’s budget and chip away at a growing debt. Opponents argue that collective bargaining is an essential right of American citizens to fight for better working conditions, fair wages, and stable employment.

Unions outdated and harmful Jim Havel A political storm over unions has been at the epicenter of state politics recently, especially concerning publicly employed unions. Public sector employees should not be able to collectively bargain. States no longer have the ability to come to the table and bargain with them. In the worst case scenario, if public employees (let’s say firefighters) are unhappy with their pay and benefits, they could, in effect, go on strike, and not put out any fires, or pick and choose which fires to put out.

That is not what the taxpayer is paying these people to do. There is a major difference between union negotiations that involve private industries not funded by taxpayer dollars, and those that are. These public employees are not negotiating with a private industry. They are negotiating with our tax dollars. Unions are always demanding more money and better benefits.

There is a limited amount of tax dollars each state collects, and to give these unions more pay and better benefits would be to take away money from state welfare programs, Medicare, Medicaid, and any other programs that are designed to help people. The statist and socialist argument is to raise taxes. This is ludicrous.

That will kill the incentive to work.

Within our tax bracket system, if it were somehow to be raised, there would be no incentive to make more money, because you will be taxed higher on it. Most people would like not to pay higher taxes.

Having said that, states reaching record high budget deficits must cut spending as well.

In Wisconsin, while these unions agreed to the cuts, it would have only been a matter of time before the economy recovered and these people demanded just as high benefits and pay again.

State budgets must be balanced, unlike the federal government, and cannot kick the can down the road in terms of debt. Most modern contracts were developed in the 1950s, when things could not have been better economically for the United States. Unfortunately the economy is nowhere near those levels, and states, with their many obligations, can simply not afford their demands. To avoid this problem in the future, Governor Scott Walker decided to be proactive and take care of the problem now, so that future generations will not be subjected to this horrible debt.

He threw out the “baby with the bathwater,” which was necessary.

These public employees, if given great collective bargaining power, essentially hold our representatives to their will and

demands. For example, state and federal legislators, in return for votes, give away excessive benefits such as pensions and health plans in jobs without performance reviews. All of these have a direct impact on the taxpayer. To quote from A. H. Raskin from The New York Times in 1968, “The community (taxpayers) cannot tolerate the notion that it is defenseless at the hands of organized (public sector) workers to whom it has entrusted responsibility for essential service.”

Private sector unions once served a great purpose to curb intimidation, political machines, poor working condition law, pay etc. They achieved a 40-hour

Public sector employees should not be able to collectively bargain. workweek, a minimum wage, and proper conditions. Our tax dollars, when spent, provide our employees (policeman, teachers, etc.) with working conditions, pensions, etc. But even the progressive president himself, FDR, was against public sector employee unionization, “The process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service … a strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to obstruct the operations of government until their demands are satisfied.”

Often the left pulls on the heart strings and enlists emotional images that states should help out

our fellow man, that children are starving, and that people deserve better compensation. While our nature is to feel compelled, we have to look at the facts. States are facing record high budget deficits, and they have to make cuts. Raising taxes during a recession will kill any momentum gained and slow recovery. President Barack Obama passed a continuation of the Bush Tax Cuts, and called for lower corporate tax rates in his State of the Union address. Even he understands that concept. In order to restore fiscal sanity while curbing future problems we must cut taxes across the board and cut spending. Unions are not exempt from this.

The U.S. is on top of the world economically because we have yet to create the nanny state. The nanny state of most European nations goes against our very principles that have made us the most successful country in the history of the world. I don’t know about you, but I love the U.S., and would lament to see changes that alter our identity as a people and a society, especially when we would change the things that make us great—hard work, self-reliance and self-sufficiency. In closing, this is the central problem with public sector unions: they get to use taxpayer money to elect their bosses and they get to use taxpayer money to convince their bosses to give them more taxpayer money. If we can’t break this corrupt cycle, no other policy decisions we make will matter. Yes, it is that important.

Jim Havel is a guest columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@bcheights.com

mollie kolosky / heights graphic

morry gash / ap photo

UGBC presidential and vice presidential candidates participated in this year’s primary debate, immediately followed

Bargaining rights are invaluable Patriick Keating The recent labor dispute in Wisconsin has absolutely nothing to do with money. The idea that Governor Scott Walker’s proposal to limit the collective bargaining rights of some public employees serves a fiscal purpose is downright laughable for the attentive observer. Walker cut taxes for the richest residents of his state and is working to privatize utility services throughout Wisconsin in an attempt to enrich his backers, most notably the Koch brothers. The public unions provide an easy target for Walker, considering the vast majority of private sector unions were long ago wiped out. The dispute was never about money and anyone who says otherwise is either misinformed or fooling themselves. Rather, the dispute in Wisconsin and throughout the nation can be viewed as an attack on the fundamental right of the people of this republic to stand up for themselves.

Collective bargaining remains the best leveling mechanism between management and labor.

Workers elect representatives to work for fair conditions, salary, and benefits in exchange for the profits that their labor provides management officials. Now the problem in Wisconsin lies not in Walker’s dedication to “fiscal responsibility,” but rather his unwillingness to honor the right of public employees to work for fair treatment. Walker’s callous disregard for the right of teachers and other public servants to negotiate fairly for better working conditions has set a dangerous precedent. Public and private employees ought to have the right to form a union in their place of work, because every American has the right to fight for fair treatment.

The move against public unions has been building for many years. It is easy to regard

teachers and police officers as unworthy of good salaries or pensions. Stories of police chiefs that are paid six figure incomes or teachers that take months off from school are common. Yet the abuses of some public employees pale in comparison to those of some corporate and government officials. Walker is determined to prevent some teachers from being “overpaid,” but is unwilling to tax millionaires. The greed of Wall Street financiers plunged the world into the worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression, but it is the unions that are somehow responsible for America’s current fiscal woes. Bank presidents are granted generous severance packages and golden parachutes, while the pensions promised to state workers are gradually stripped away. The attack on public employees is

Collective bargaining remains the best leveling mechanism. not simply an attack on unions.

Rather, the actions of Walker and officials in other states represent an attack on the people of this nation. Teachers, police officers, and all public employees serve us, the people, while Bank of America, Koch Industries, and Walker serve their own selfish interests.

It is very easy to blame the Republican Party for all of the wrongs of modern America. The fiscal crisis, the two wars in the Middle East, the lack of rights for same-sex couples, and the general tone of incivility that seems to permeate American political discourse can all be easily ascribed to the GOP. Yet, the Republicans can’t be blamed for everything.

This nation has become fixated on the endless pursuit of wealth.

Our society has perpetuated the

idea that only the accumulation of wealth can bring happiness and a better life. Aid to the poor ought to be left to charities and churches, while the government should let the invisible hand govern the forces of the market.

Billionaires should receive tax cuts and corporations should be able to ignore environmental regulations and health standards to increase their bottom lines.

Celebrities are paraded before us in the latest and most expensive fashions as a representation of what the ideal individual ought to look like. Americans have little recourse against corporations that can spend billions on political campaigns and billions more on lobbyists. Unions, however, offer a means for both public and private employees, and Americans in general, to take back the government from the corporate interests. Collective bargaining allows workers to cooperate for better wages, better conditions, and a fair share of profits. The recently passed bill in Wisconsin is a cynical attempt to grab power at the expense of the common people.

Yet, there is hope. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites took to the streets of Madison to demand fair treatment at the bargaining table. Students, teachers, and everyday Americans occupied the Wisconsin capital to expose the usurpations of Walker before the eyes of a candid world. These protesters serve as a reminder that this nation was founded on the idea that governments are instituted to protect the rights of citizens and not of the powerful. The thousands that took to the streets represent the best hope this nation has for a brighter, more egalitarian tomorrow, and a new birth of freedom.

Patrick Keating is a guest columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@ bcheights.com

International Insights

Japanese finances are in a good position to recover from the recent disaster Binh Nguyen The massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake which struck Japan this past week has had far reaching effects, especially on the nation’s energy infrastructure. The earthquake severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which eventually exploded. Most importantly, the catastrophe impairs Japan’s already fragile economy and is expected to have a considerable impact on the country’s economic activities in the short run.

The larger global economy, however, remains generally unaffected.

I cannot help comparing this latest tragedy to the 1995 Kobe earthquake that occurred in the southern part of the Hyogo Prefecture in Japan.

Although the Kobe earthquake measured only a 6.8 on the Richter scale, it caused the Nikkei index (essentially the Japanese version of the Dow

Jones) to fall 7 percent, but the index quickly recovered.

Industrial production dropped on the month of the quake but resurrected in the following two months as rebuilding began. There was negligible ultimate impact on either the yen or Japanese bond markets. The 1995 quake resulted in the loss of 2.2 percent off Japan’s GDP in that year.

Rolling blackouts started on Monday after the quake, affecting businesses and households as the country struggled with its worst crisis since World War II. “If power production output is damaged

A noticeable hit to GDP ... is likely to be felt over the next several months. in a sustainable fashion, that could have a durable impact on the economy,” Michala Marcussen, head of global economics at Societe Generale told reporters. He also admitted that current public financ-

es are much weaker that they were during 1995 and there is a pressure for emergency tax hikes. Given that oil prices and the yen are stronger and Japan’s debt is much larger, power outages and possible tax rises are likely to outweigh the mild economic aftershock after the Kobe earthquake.

A noticeable hit to GDP, which was only just recovering from contraction at the end of 2010, is likely to be felt over the next several months. In 1995, oil prices were lingering between $17 and $21 a barrel.

The yen was at around 100 yen per dollar. Currently, oil prices are above $100 and the Japanese currency is stronger at 82 yen per dollar. The impact from these factors is more unfavorable, as Japan’s GDP shrank by an annualized 1.3 percent in the fourth quarter. Before the quake, a Reuter’s poll forecasted it was likely to expand 0.5 percent, or roughly 2 percent on an annualized basis, in the first quarter. Nomura, one of the major industrial and financial empire groupings of Japan, anticipates that the largest negative impact on quarterly

real GDP growth will emerge from April to June 2011. The overall negative impact of the earthquake on Japan’s GDP is expected to be only 0.2-0.3 percent, but that would be enough to slow down Japan’s expected economic recovery by several months.

The yen is likely to rise sharply in the coming week, like it did following the Kobe earthquake as Japanese companies gathered capital back into the country, though possible measures from the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may bring twoway flows into the market.

The BOJ is likely to inject 2-3 trillion yen through market operations, two to three times the normal amount, to contain short-term borrowing costs.

Furthermore, the BOJ most likely will top up the 5 trillion yen in funds it put in place last year to purchase assets including government bonds to private debt—a factor that could weigh on the yen.

Another challenge is Japan’s increasing debt, which already doubles the size of its $5 trillion GDP. Merrill Lynch predicts the cost for the rebuilding could be at

least 1 percent of GDP, and Nomura forecasts the size of any extra budget for rebuilding to exceed 3 trillion yen.

Brendan Brown, economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, said altogether the debt costs could

The short-term challenges for the country are difficult, but there is still a bright light at the end of the tunnel. add between 2 to 10 percent of GDP to the already massive debt. This could be an extra blow to Japan dipping credit rating, which was downgraded

by Standard & Poor’s in January because the country did not have a concrete plan to fix public finances.

Amidst the obstacles that Japan has to face, there are still positive outlooks, as the loss of stocks in Japan is unlikely to halt the market in global equities. “The purely economic consequences will

be modest: some reconstruction, some more government spending,” said Charles de Vaulx, a manager at New York-based International Value Advisers LLC, where he co-manages the $1.8 billion IVA International Fund including Japanese stock. “No major international consequences, either, except maybe helping drive long-term rates higher.” Komal Sri-Kumar, who manages $116 billion as chief global strategist at TCW Group Inc. in Los Angeles, observed that earthquakes rarely cause permanent downturns in an economy. He thinks that rebuilding efforts in a short term economic contraction should give way to medium term economic growth in Japan.

As the rest of the world prays for Japan, I hope that the situation works out for the better. The short-term challenges for the country are difficult, but there is still a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

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

The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

B9

David Cote

Matt Palazzolo

Hilary Chasse

Should the United States expand its nuclear power program?

Yes. Japan’s 40 year old reactor withstood an 8.9 earthquake and a 20 foot swell... how dangerous is it?

No. Congress hasn’t overreacted to an isolated incident yet.

Despite the safety risks, it’s arguably safer than further entanglement in foreign oil.

We should be cautious but nuclear power will need to be part of our future energy.

Nuclear power should be part of a diversified strategy to meet power needs.

Will Michelle Bachmann or Sarah Palin gain the Tea Party endorsement for the 2012 presidential election?

Ron Paul! Ron Paul! Ron Paul! Ron Paul!

Whomever wins the most misinterpretations of the Constiution contest.

Tea parties would never turn their back on Mama Grizzly, if only out of fear of being mauled.

If the right wants even a remote shot in 2012, hopefully neither.

Bachmann-Palin 2012!

When will Congress pass a new budget for next year?

God only knows. When it finally comes I’m sure it’ll put us deeper in debt.

After they solve their number one priority, creating a college football playoff.

Response is stuck in committee.

If or when the the president stops hiding from tackling meaningful budget reforms.

When they finally realize that stopgap measures can’t last. Hopefully soon.

How well will President Obama do on his March Madness bracket?

Obama? Does he work for ESPN? He’s not Scott van Pelt, he’s the president.

He picked unlikeable favorites who will fail in the end, like Martha Coakley.

I hope badly. He has more important things to focus on than college basketball.

Probably better than mine... complete shot in the dark.

I hope he does well to spite Reince Preibus.

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President, College Republicans

Kristoffer Munden President, College Democrats

Gaddafi marches eastward to the headquarters of the popular revolt Libya, from B10 carried out “arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances” in the capital. Correspondents in Benghazi have heard countless horror stories of how a rebel had to retreat for fear of his life. Rebels have had to leave trucks stacked with ammunition and anti-aircraft guns. As one rebel said, “The other day we were in Ras Lanuf, then Brega, the day after tomorrow, they will be in Benghazi.”

And as Gaddafi’s grasp continues to tighten throughout the country, fear has swiftly taken defector and protesting citizens. In a statement released by Human Rights Watch, there were reports of countless arrests of “anti-government protestors, suspected government critics and those alleged to have provided

information to international media and human rights organizations,” many of whom have been tortured.

Sarah Leah Whitson, director of the Human Rights Watch for the Middle East and North Africa even said, “Given Libya’s record of torture and political killings, we worry deeply about the fate of those taken away.”

Take a stroll through Benghazi however, and morale appears still quite high. According to BBC’s Pascale Harter, while there are many fighters returning severely injured, there are still just as many reinforcements ready to head to the frontlines.

There is still hope for the rebel.

The strength of Gaddafi’s eastern advance lies almost squarely on his aerial attack. He uses the air force to bombard towns and cities, killing hundreds of thousands before

the military even steps foot on the ground. For weeks now, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have pushed for the EU and NATO to support the establishment of a no fly zone in an attempt to prevent Gaddafi from continuing to target rebel settlements. However, neither group has given any firm backing. However, there are some Security Council members who aren’t entirely inclined to intervene.

Russia could prove to be the hardest to persuade, as the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has been in Moscow trying to negotiate some sort of agreement.

But with the further massacring of Libyan civilians, the international pressure is certain to increase. And should Gaddafi choose to send out his heavy artillery, the Security Council will surely be left with no

choice but to intervene.

The Arab League recently released a statement supporting the institution of a no fly-zone, an important step that reassures the West that involvement is welcomed rather than shunned.

How this no-fly zone will be established is uncertain. Some have proposed bombing Gaddafi’s airfields and assets—assets which reportedly include quite an extensive arsenal including defensive weapons and surface-to-air missiles. The West may not be prepared to delve that far into the situation, but that’s exactly what it may demand if the rebels are to emerge victorious. But while this political strategy is taking place, one thing is for certain, the rebels are losing ground and their hopes for democracy and freedom are certainly in the balance. n

hussein malla / ap photo

A loyal Gaddafi soldier hoists a photo in this planned photo shoot for the AP.

Warren Buffett’s new acquisition

By John Morrison Heights Staff

hiroaki ono / ap photo

Search and rescue teams clear a damaged building in Japan. The natural disaster may have caused up to 10,000 deaths.

Natural disaster devastates Japan Earthquake, from B10 ity- the first controlled power cuts in Japan in 60 years.

Despite the devastation, Tokyo residents attempted to continue life as usual Monday. However, many citizens struggled to get to work as a number of important commuter rails limited schedules, and six lines featuring Japan’s famous shinkansen, or bullet trains, were not running.

Many Japanese companies have announced that they will remain closed this week. Toyota representatives told reporters that the company’s factories will remain closed until at least Thursday.

Japan’s $5 trillion economy, the third largest in the world, was threatened with severe disruptions and partial depression. The anxiety felt throughout the country catalyzed a rout in the Japanese stock market.

Fear for the banking and financial systems led the Bank of Japan to pump about $180 billion into the economy on Monday, and the government considered the

implementation of an emergency tax increase to help finance relief and recovery work.

Senior vice president of Moody’s Investors Service, Thomas Byrne, told reporters Monday that his firm saw the Japanese economy as “having the ability to absorb the shock over time.”

“In general, large, wealthy economies have demonstrated a capacity to absorb localized natural disasters,” Byrne said to reporters.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded 96 aftershocks on Sunday, and many Japanese were surprised by several earthquake warnings that appeared as televised bulletins on Monday. A warning at 4 p.m. told of expected “strong shaking” across the waist of Japan, principally from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Over the weekend, the Japanese Meteorological Agency revised its measure of Friday’s quake to a magnitude of 9.0. The agency often provides measurements different from those of the U.S. Geological Survey.

It has been determined that the earthquake was so powerful that it

altered the shape of the country’s coastline and shifted the earth’s axis. Geophysicist Kenneth Hudnut of the U.S. Geological Survey told CNN that the quake moved part of Japan’s landmass by nearly 2.5 meters. Experts have also revealed that the catastrophic shake threw the earth off its axis point by at least eight centimeters.

“At this point, we know that one GPS station moved [eight feet], and we have seen a map from GSI (Geospatial Information Authority) in Japan showing the pattern of shift over a large area is consistent with about that much shift of the land mass,” Hudnut told reporters.

As the death toll rises, those affected by the devastation are clinging to hope. Ayumi Osuga, a 24-year-old mother of three, was practicing origami with her children when the quake struck. The disaster destroyed her house and left her and her family living with relatives. Despite the destruction, Osuga told reporters while standing atop the rubble that was once her home, “I have come to realize what is important in life.” n

Warren Buffett’s investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, announced this week its intention to acquire Lubrizol, a domestic specialty chemical maker based in Ohio. The deal is reportedly worth over $9 billion, and is representative of the types of major acquisitions Buffett and his company have used to turn the small textile firm into a monolithic investment company.

According to The New York Times, Buffett said in his annual letter to shareholders this past year that he was searching for “major acquisitions” to utilize the nearly $38 billion in cash and cash equivalents to further company growth.

With his investment in Lubrizol, Buffett did not differ much from his formula for success. Lubrizol, a relatively large company generating $5.4 billion in revenue for the 2010 fiscal year, employs over 6,900 employees in 17 countries worldwide, and had a net earning of nearly $732 million last year.

Buffett’s previous investments, such as the $26 billion deal for a railroad operator have a strong grip in their respective market share, are large companies, and have a consistent pattern of profitability. In addition, Lubrizol has a strong management team in place that will allow Buffett to let the company continue its day-to-day business operations without much help needed from Berkshire. Buffett released a statement to reporters describing the new deal with Lubrizol as “exactly the sort of company with which we love to partner, the global leader in several market applications run by a talented CEO, James Hambrick.”

The deal with Lubrizol is expected to push through near the end of the third quarter 2011. Berkshire Hathaway will pay $135 per share for 100 percent of all outstanding shares in cash and cash equivalents.

This price was 28 percent above the closing price of Lubrizol last Friday.

Experts speculate that the reason Buffett is purchasing Lubrizol in cash instead of issuing shares of Berkshire Hathaway is because he may believe that his company’s stock price, which is hovering

around $128,000 per share, is undervalued and thus not worth issuing to stockholders of Lubrizol.

Buffett was dissatisfied in using stock in the acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe writing at the time, “If we wouldn’t dream of selling Berkshire in its entirety at the current market price, why in the world should we ‘sell’ a significant part of the company at that same inadequate price by issuing our stock in a merger? If an acquirer’s stock is overvalued, it’s a different story: using it as a currency works to the acquirer’s advantage.”

Analysts believe that these same concerns led him to use cash to purchase Lubrizol. Once the deal goes through, Lubrizol will act as a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and Berkshire will assume the $700 million in debt that the company has on record and maintain all current management.

Over the past few years, Berkshire Hathaway has been looking for new ways to expand its growth.

Berkshire still uses the insurance industry to generate capital for investments. Buffett told shareholders in his annual letter that as his conglomerate gets bigger it is becoming increasingly difficult to find ways to make his company grow faster than the stock market. According to The Wall Street Journal, Berkshire holds stakes in a multitude of companies that

include American financial companies Wells Fargo and Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., along with the German financial giant Munich Re. Lubrizol is a big step in that same direction. The Wall Street Journal reported that earlier this month Laurence Alexander, an analyst at Jefferies and Co. in New York City, valued Lubrizol around $143 per share to a private-equity buyer.

Jefferies also forecasted earnings per share of $11.30 up 12 percent from $9.91 in 2010. These figures excluded tax benefits. After the announcement of the deal on Monday, Alexander stated that, “[he] doubted a rival bid would emerge but that [it] may depend partly on the size of the breakup fee, not yet disclosed.” Paul Howard working as director of Solstice Investment Research and an avid follower of Berkshire Hathaway commented on Buffett’s strategy, “It looks like Buffett’s paying top dollar, but it’s probably a hedge against inflation—people will buy some of these products even if their costs go up.”

Analysts have talked at length about possible rival bids for Lubrizol.

Dmitry Silversteyn, an analyst at Longbow Research, told The Wall Street Journal that the company has been consistently undervalued by the stock market and thus could attract rival bids “a rival company able to wring out savings by combining similar operations.” n

Nati Harnick / ap file photo

Warren Buffet, the world’s third richest individual, recently acquired Lubrizol.

marketplace The Heights

Thursday, March 17, 2011

B10

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Patriotism lacking in modern US society

Politics The United States House of Representatives passed a three-week extension of government funding. The extension will take effect after the current two-week extension expires on Friday.

Despite last year’s massive spill in the region, a federal appellate court granted the Obama administration extra time to approve five deepwater drilling projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Republican National Committee has considered selling the broadcast rights to the GOP presidential debates. The RNC is currently more than $22 million in debt.

David Cote

Economics Oil prices dropped to a two-week low of $97.30 on the New York Stock Exchange. The decrease was based on a speculated drop in Japanese demand after the earthquake and tsunami.

Ohio Governor John Kasich unveiled his plan to slash $8 billion from the state budget.

The total state budget is only approximately $56 billion total, a 14.3 percent cut from current spending.

The Federal Reserve pledged to continue its policy of promoting low interest rates. The Fed usually raises interest rates during oil price increases to curb inflation.

Science & technology

photo courtesy of kyodo news

The earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan last Friday caused widespread damage throughout coastal areas, as shown by the wreckage above.

8.9 magnitude earthquake shatters Japan Japanese infrastructure damaged by tsunamis; rebuilding begins

By Michela Gacioch Heights Staff

The Russian space agency pushed back a scheduled March 30 launch to the International Space Station. A faulty transistor on the spacecraft caused the delayed launch.

Verizon announced that the new Thunderbolt phone will be able to access its 4G network. The Thunderbolt will also have an unlimited data plan, an option which competitior AT&T lacks.

The space shuttle Discovery landed back on Earth from its final flight last week.

The shuttle will be transferred to the Smithsonian later this year as part of a new exhibition.

in numbers

4

The tsunami that barreled through Japan on Friday, March 11, left little behind for searchand-rescue teams that reached parts of the country Monday.

There was searching, but not much rescuing as it seemed those left to rescue were far too difficult to find.

The death toll from what the United States Geological Survey called an 8.9 magnitude quake, continued to rise as officials searched through splintered houses and piles of wreckage, uncovering more bodies. By Monday afternoon, the toll stood

iPad 2s sold on its debut weekend. Retailers across the country have had trouble keeping the iPad 2 in stock to meet high demand.

61 percent of movies or television shows streamed online come from Netflix. Comcast, its next largest competitor, only accounts for 8 percent.

in quotes

“

We have said from the beginning that nuclear energy is part of our portfolio.

”

– Ken Salazar Interior Secretary, responding to safety concerns about nuclear power

“Ultimately, it’s a failure.”

– Rick Santorum Former Senator and possible presidential hopeful on Massachusetts’ health care

country. Convenience stores no longer have any food to sell. Only Red Cross water tankers were able to dispense drinking water to Fukushima residents who waited in long, orderly lines.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan described the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear troubles to reporters as Japan’s “worst crisis since World War II.” Some 350,000 people have reportedly become homeless due to the destruction and are living in shelters.

Because of the Fukushima nuclear plants being lost to the national power grid, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, which operates the plants, announced plans to rotate blackouts across the region to conserve electric-

See Earthquake, B9

See Wars, B7

Finance at a Glance

How to ensure success in the stock market

Western journalists forcibly deported by Yemenite police. The journalists had been reporting on the anti-government protests in the country.

1 million

at more than 1,800 confirmed dead and 2,300 missing. However, recent reports reveal that police officials are certain that more than 10,000 have died, possibly up to 25,000.

Police teams found about 700 bodies that had washed ashore on a scenic peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture, an area close to the epicenter of the quake that catalyzed the tsunami. The bodies washed out as the tsunami retreated. They are now washing back in.

A sequence of crippled nuclear reactors at Fukushima also continued to plague engineers who were desperately trying to cool them down. The most urgent worries concerned the failures

of two reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, where workers were still struggling to forestall meltdowns and where some radiation had already leaked.

The reactor facility No. 1 exploded on Saturday, and a hydrogen buildup blew the roof off the No. 3 reactor facility on Monday morning. Officials told reporters that the blast did not appear to have harmed the reactor itself.

However, six workers were injured in the explosions.

Chief Government Spokesman Yukio Edano told reporters late Monday that reactor No. 2 was losing cooling function and workers were pumping in water to avoid another blast.

Amidst the nuclear chaos in Fukushima, gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants remain closed, as they do in much of the

Over break, I watched the HBO World War II miniseries Band of Brothers. Every time I watch the series, the patriotism of American society during that time in our history astounds me to a greater degree. How was a war of such a large scale so widely supported and how did that support continue despite heavy casualties on both fronts?

In comparing this patriotic fervor of World War II with our nation’s current conflicts in the Middle East, it seems at times that the patriotism evidenced during the the 1940s is seriously lacking from today’s American society. World War II was supported and aided by civilians throughout, while the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been repeatedly called into question throughout recent years, despite remarkably similar beginnings.

This apathy and condemnation of the War on Terror by the public makes recent calls for American troops in Libya seem preposterous.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, our entire nation was calling for war. Within days, the papers were signed and the United States was at war with Germany and Japan. Compared to the attacks almost 10 years ago on Sept. 11, the situations are very similar. After the attacks in 2001, there was a similar call to arms by a large majority of the population which resulted in troops being deployed. The rage felt for Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden was a palpable emotion among American citizens—we were quite literally out for blood. If the initial support for the war

Alex Dripchak Well you know just about everything you need to know on why to invest and with whom to invest, but does this mean you just run around picking stocks out of a hat? Playing “eenie, meanie, minie, moe?” Flipping a coin? While these may sound like intriguing options for King Midas, the rest of us will have to devise a plan of action for evaluating companies and their prospects. To do so, we must acknowledge what not to do.

Number one rule: do not make any uninformed decisions.

Many inexperienced investors just blindly throw their money in the most widely held stocks and big names like McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and General Electric.

Big names can be very lucrative if you are catching them as they revolutionize an industry.

However, with a company like Wal-Mart, this is not the case.

As many discount retailers cut jobs (Wal-Mart included) and with “soft sales,” Wal-Mart is one to avoid.

However, outside of news and widely-held stocks, what

else should impact an investor’s decision whether to buy or not to buy? Number one criteria: earnings growth. Looking at how a company has performed in relation to its previous quarters is fundamental in deciding if you should buy a stock. If a company is outperforming its previous quarter the year before (i.e. quarter three of 2011 is compared to quarter three in 2010), this is usually a good sign. Also, if a company is beating earnings expectations that experts make, this is another good sign. When looking at earnings growth, make sure to look at percentages. Beating expectations by three cents a share could be insignificant, but when the earnings per share is .30, this is a 10 percent increase.

As cliche as it may seem, check the valuation of the company. By this I mean, how is the stock priced relative to its previous quarters and years?

Some stocks may be unduly burdened by a poor market or a poor sector. If a sector leader struggles immensely, this could negatively impact the whole sector even though the company itself is no different than the day before. Price/earnings to growth numbers (usually denoted as P/E or PEG) are a great indicator of

See Finance, B7

i nside Marke tp l a c e

this issue

Hussein Malla / ap photo

Libyan rebels (above) have been pushed back to their stronghold in Benghazi by Gaddafi’s ruthless armed forces.

Libyan rebels backed to the ropes

By Gerard Farara Heights Staff

A few weeks ago, the uprising of the Libyan people seemed to have their oppressive government on the ropes. They swiftly conquered the eastern portion of the African country, including Benghazi, the second largest city. They were even making headway in the west, slowly and seemingly surely closing in on the capital, Tripoli.

Fast-forward to the present and the result is quite different from what many may have thought would be the inevitable outcome. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and his forces currently have the upper hand. His stronghold, Tripoli, remains firmly under his grasp. So too, are neigh-

On the flip side

bouring towns, such as Misrata. His forces, including paid foreign mercenaries, have emerged atop some of the country’s vital oil towns, in particular the important coastal town, Ras Lanuf. And Brega is now the most recent town to be tied to Gaddafi’s leash. It is an eastern town on the foothills of Benghazi, the headquarters of the Libyan revolt.

The protestors have taken several steps backwards on their quest for democracy.

But what has driven this drastic turnaround? As Colonel Milad Hussein, military spokesman said, “[We are] marching to cleanse the country.” As the rebels put it frankly, this cleansing entails air strikes and shelling of Gaddafi’s own people. People—Gaddafi is swift to

This week on the flip side will explore both sides of the issue of collective bargaining rights for public sector employees...................... B8

reply—who are terrorists from Al Qaeda. Hussein continued on, telling reporters, “Our raids are forcing the terrorists to flee. We have liberated Zawiya, Ujayla, Ras Lanuf and Brega, and the army is advancing to liberate the rest of the regions.” In his opinion, the “terrorists” are the true enemy- parasites that nearly crippled the country. Meanwhile Gaddafi and the Libyan people are just the host cell, feverishly trying to fight this disease. Of course, the rebels’ interpretation of the situation is quite different.

The facts seem to support the latter rather than the former. Human Rights Watch made a statement that Gaddafi policeman have

See Libya, B9

International Insight s ......................B8 Po l i t i c a l B el i e f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B7