CEO passes Away
Newton Showdown comic appeal
Marketplace
Sports
the scene
The former Apple CEO and visionary passed away at the age of 56 last night, D1
The women’s soccer team hosts No. 4 Duke tonight, B1
The DC Comic reboot ushers in a new age of story art in striking fashion, C1
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Vol. XCII, No. 34
National Coming Out Week gives a voice to the GLBTQ community Campus celebrates the annual National Coming Out Week, sponsored by the GLC By Devon Sanford For The Heights
This week marked the annual National Coming Out Week (NCOW) at Boston College, presented by the GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC). Since Monday, the GLC has been holding events on campus to raise awareness for the GLBTQ community. “The point of National Coming Out Week is to get the voice of GLBTQ out,” said Carolyn McCrosson, GLC president
transgender,” said Josh Tingley, GLC vice president and A&S ’13, “and it’s hard to find resources and support. We want all students to feel comfortable here at BC, whatever their sexual orientation is.” The week kicked off with a BBQ on McQuinn Lawn this Monday. Students came by for some free food and tie-dyed their Support Love shirts. On Tuesday, the GLC presented their annual “Guess Who’s Gay” game show to help end stereotypes. A panelist of speakers, hidden from the audience, answered questions about their lifestyles and daily routines. The audience then guessed which of the speakers identifies with the GLBTQ community.
and A&S ’12. “A lot of people in the BC community don’t realize that there is an GLBTQ community here. We want to increase awareness and spread tolerance for GLBTQ throughout the campus.” Beginning in 1988 to commemorate the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, NCOW has become a worldwide event, and has been celebrated at BC for over 10 years. The GLC has worked hard to bring this program into the BC community. “It’s difficult being gay, lesbian, bi, or
See NCOW, A4
Chill out, super fans
cecilia Provvedini / heights editor
On Tuesday night, the GLC presented their annual “Guess Who’s Gay” game show (above).
Nights on the Heights to make programming changes NOTH will sponsor larger-scale, more high quality programs rather than smaller ones By Elise Taylor Heights Editor
Nights on the Heights (NOTH), a student-led programming body that plans late night activities for students on weekends, is undergoing changes this year. Headed by Director Iulia Padeanu, A&S ’12, alongside graduate students Kara Londe, GLSOE ’13, and Dennis Carr, GLSOE ’15, NOTH has long provided free programs for Boston College students as an alternative to the “party scene.” Events take place on campus and are open to the entire student body.
graham beck / heights staff
Healthapalooza kicked off the Office of Health Promotion’s BChill stress reduction campaign, aimed at promoting healthy living practices.
Healthapalooza promotes all around healthy living By Maurice Jackson For The Heights
Wednesday afternoon, students on O’Neill Plaza patiently waited in line for what Don Camelio, associate director of Health Promotions considers “the hottest item on campus.” That item, a maroon and gold T-shirt donning the words “Super Healthy Fan,” was one of several items given away at this year’s Healthapalooza.
“When you visit the tables, you get the shirt,” said Robyn Priest, associate director of Health Promotion. The event, hosted by the Office of Health Promotions, offered several stations, all aimed at helping students relieve stress, Camelio said. “We have the BCalm area that will have a massage area where there will be massage therapist offering massages to all of our students,” he said. “If you go over
to BChill wall there will be the opportunity for students to talk about stressors in their lives and stress coping methods.” The Office of Health Promotion was also searching for potential health coaches. “We will be recruiting students to become health coaches for our department,” said Elise Phillips, director of Health Promotion, before the event. Camelio highlighted the im-
See Health, A4
Traditionally, events revolve around fields such as arts and crafts, music, comedy, and other more active forms of entertainment. Past events have included things like laser tag, rollerblading, trivia, and scrapbooking, all taking place on the weekend between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. However, this year, NOTH has decided to try to sponsor bigger and more high quality programs rather than smaller ones in hopes of appealing to a wider audience. Pandeau said that the NOTH programming board wanted to branch out from the more stan-
See NOTH, A4
Club Sports Council works to fund all teams fairly By Megan Rauch For The Heights
This year, the Club Sports Council received $150,000 in funding from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The amount was a 50 percent increase from last year’s budget of $100,000 and marks the third consecutive year where club sports funding increased. The 2011-2012 academic year also marks the third year during which the Club Sports Council is responsible for determining the funding for the individual club sports teams. In determining
how much each team will be allotted, Stacy Reader, president of the Club Sports Council and A&S ’14, and a member of the women’s rugby team, said, “Our mission is to fund the goals of each club team and to provide them with sufficient funding to be competitive in their respective leagues. “The most important thing is that we provide the teams with enough funding to be in existence,” she said. “That means we will fully fund the league fees and dues for the team and the individual members.
See Club Sports, A4
‘Post’ correspondent, Ceci State of the Heights addresses Fall Concert Connolly, returns to campus By Caitlin Hegarty For The Heights
By Marc Francis For The Heights
“Learn how to be critical thinkers, and you will be able to do anything you set your mind to,” said Ceci Connolly, former chief health policy correspondent of The Washington Post, as she concluded her talk
alex trautwig / heights editor
Ceci Connolly (above) returned to her alma mater last night to speak to the Comm. Dept.
at Boston College yesterday evening. BC was honored to welcome back one of its most renowned alumni, who some may recognize from her regular appearances on Fox News Sunday, PBS, The Early Show, and NPR. Taking her place in front of a sign commemorating the 50th anniversary of the communication department at BC, Connolly commanded the attention of a room full of students with a unique, elegant flair. “Although it is the 50th anniversary of the communication department, I, indeed was not here 50 years ago,” Connolly said before beginning her talk. She proceeded with outlining the highlights of her 25year long career in journalism, which included the coverage of seven presidential campaigns, three hurricanes, and two national healthcare debates. She has covered stories that range from the intense presidential election of 2000 to President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform. Some of her most memorable life experiences took place while on the job—these include an experimental smallpox vaccine, a trip
See Connolly, A5
Administrators and the UGBC joined forces to review the rising trends of alcohol-related health dangers associated with campus concerts, and students responded with outrage. On Oct. 5, the UGBC hosted a forum for students and administrators to come together to discuss the future of concerts
at Boston College. The student population in attendance was largely composed of upperclassmen, who, having gone to concerts in past years, wished to express their frustration about the void they feel has been created this year in the absence of the Fall Concert. Paul Chebator, interim dean of student development, emphasized that “this is a moratorium, not a ban.” The concert and all future concerts on campus are currently
pampan zhang / heights staff
Administrators and student leaders addressed student concerns about the lack of a fall concert.
being examined due to an increase in the number of transports to local hospitals over the past couple of years. The review process was proposed in May and is expected to be completed by mid October, during which time, concerts have been placed on hold. The administrators present at the event said they hoped to express to students their sincere concern for the health and safety of the student population. Mark Miceli, associate director of the Student Programs Office, said, “One student transport is really important. Two student transports is really important. Thirty-five is unacceptable.” “It’s a relatively new phenomenon – this concept of pre-gaming, where people are drinking intensely before going to an event and are virtually legless by the time they get to the event,” Miceli said. Patrick Rombalski, vice president of student affairs, made the argument that if it were any other issue, like food poisoning for example, that were causing 25 students to be sent to the hospital, students would be extremely concerned. Members of the student body raised the question of how extensive the procedure is for determining whether or not an individual needs to be transported to the hospital, noting that there appear to be cases where students are transported who
See Concert, A5
TopTHREE
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
things to do on campus this week
..
1
Dealth Penalty Panel Today Time: 12 p.m. Location: Carney 104
Attend a talk by Alan Rogers, a professor in the history department, on the topic of the dealth penalty. In the wake of the ongoing discussions about the Troy Davis case, the talk will be presented by BC Amnesty International and the BC Pro-Life Club.
Trivia Night presented by Nights on the Heights
2
Today Time: 9 p.m. Location: Lower Dining Hall
Show off your wealth of useless knowledge at trivia tonight, happening upstairs in Lower Dining Hall. Food will be provided.
BC Feud in the Vandy Cabaret Room
3
Saturday Time: 9 p.m. Location: Cabaret Room Stop by the Cabaret room for a BC version of the game show Family Feud. Cash prizes and food will be provided.
the
University
In ws e N
‘Occupy Wall Street’ inspires walkouts at east coast universities
On Campus Psychology professor earns Early Career Award for Neuroscience Liane Young, a professor in the psychology department, received the 2011 Early Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Social Neuroscience from the Society for Social Neuroscience. Young holds a doctorate degree from Harvard University, and came to Boston College this year from a position as a post-doctoral associate in brain and cognitive sciences at MIT. While there, she was also a visiting scholar of philosophy. Her research focus is moral psychology and neuroscience, specifically moral judgement, behavior, reasoning, and cultural and individual differences in moral cognition. Young received a National Science Foundation graduate student fellowship, among other awards, was co-author of a study of moral judgments by autistic adults that was reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this year. “Social neuroscience is an exciting new field, and I’m honored to be a part of the movement,” Young said in a statement. “I’m very excited to join the Boston College faculty. It has been a total delight to get to know my colleagues both in the department and across the University.”
According to a report by the Associated Press, students at a variety of colleges and universities on the east coast staged walkouts during their classes, allegedly in support of the protests happening in New York. The protests, dubbed “Occupy Wall Street” have been happening since mid-September. The student protests, which had more to do with issues on their own campuses, such as rising class sizes and larger student debt, were staged at Northeastern University and on at least five campuses in the State University of New York system. According to The Boston Globe, eight more campuses are expected to participate.
Alumnus donates landmark $25 million to Boston University According to a report by The Boston Globe, Boston University announced on Sept. 22 that a Dubai-based entrepreneur, who earned a master’s degree in business from the university, donated $25 million to the school. This pledge marks the largest donation in the school’s history. The money from alumnus Rajen Kilachand will go toward the newly founded Honors College, renamed in honor of Kilachand’s parents, Arvind and Chandan Nandlal Kilachand. Kilachand is a member of the school’s board of trustees.
By David Cote Heights Editor
graham beck / Heights staff
Members of the Screaming Eagles Marching Band (above) playing during the BC football game Saturday. fering of music so that something appeals to everybody,” said Healey, who chooses the musical selections for the marching band. In the past, when BC was a part of the Big East conference, 30 to 40 members of the band would travel to away venues at least once a year, Healey said. Now that the band has moved to the ACC, many schools are simply out of reach. “We would consider traveling to games at UVA or Maryland, but it has to be a time that works in our schedule and we may not play them every year,” Healey said. “Once, we sent the entire band down to Wake Forest, but it ended up being a 20 hour bus ride each way, and when you’re only there for the game it makes for a very long trip.”
With Syracuse and Pittsburgh being added to the ACC, the band may have more opportunities to travel in the future. Either way, the students contribute dozens of hours to the program. The 180 members of the marching band and visual teams train for over 200 hours throughout the fall, including a 10 day training camp before classes begin in August. “The band students are remarkable,” Healey said. “It’s a real sincere pleasure to work with them. They don’t receive scholarships or academic credit for their work—they completely volunteer because they love playing, they love the school, and they love to support the team.” DiLoreto echoed the same sentiments. “Everybody from the
top down, from the coaches to the players, realizes how important the band is,” he said. “A lot of the cheers and the energy and tradition from the student section comes from the marching band.” Despite a disappointing beginning to the season, DiLoreto said that it is the athletic department’s goal to provide an enjoyable gameday experience to every Eagles fan. “We want students and fans to have a memorable experience, no matter the outcome or the scores,” he said. “If you look at our overall student population, I believe we have one of the best student fan populations in the country. Football games are one of the few times you see such a large number of students getting together beyond convocation and commencement.” According to Brad Truman, associate director of sports marketing and licensing, students can be a huge part of the team’s success and the atmosphere of gameday. “Students are an integral part of the gameday experience,” Truman said. “When the student section is full when the team runs out of the tunnel, it’s a huge lift for the team. We need the students, the team needs the students, and a lot of our coaches say that the fans are a huge part of the team. n
Police Blotter
Voices from the Dustbowl
9/30/11 - 10/1/11
“What are your plans for Columbus Day Weekend?”
Friday, Sept. 30 11:57 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an individual who was choking in Conte Forum. A party had performed the Heimlich maneuver on the victim prior to the officer’s arrival, however the party was still experiencing difficulty breathing due to a partial blockage. The victim was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital via Armstrong Ambulance for further evaluation and treatment. 10:35 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an officer’s respose to Edmond’s Hall at the request of a resident assistant regarding an odor of marijuana emanating from a room. Several items of contraband were observed in plain view within the apartment by the resident assistant. Officers confiscated the items and a report will be forwarded to ODSD for internal disciplinary action.
Saturday, Oct. 1 1:24 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a student who was the victim of an assault and battery in the Mods. The victim was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital via Armstrong Ambulance. A suspect was identified and a detective will investigate further. 3:42 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a party who was identified as a suspect in an assault and battery on a student. The suspect was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery on a police
officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. The suspect was placed under arrest and was transported to BCPD headquarters where he was processed. 4:26 a.m. - A report was filed regarding a student who was injured after he was punched in the face by an unknown male while walking in the area of the Walsh Hall plaza. The victim did not know his assailant and he was unable to provide a description. The victim was evaluated at the primary care facility and was later transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital at the request of the nursing staff via BCPD police cruiser 417 for further evaluation. A detective will investigate.
“I live close, so I’m going home for half of it....” —Jamie Green, CSON ’15
“Just staying here.” —Paul Anton, A&S ’15
1:07 p.m. - A report was filed regarding an injured two-year-old child in McElroy Commons. Upon arrival, it was learned that the injury was very minor in nature and that the parents had already cared for their child and were refusing medical treatment. A medical release form was signed. 4:58 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a suspicious male subject who ignored the orders of Team Ops officers to exit Alumni Stadium. The male was observed inside of the stadium post game taking pictures of the facility. The party was identified and was sent on his way.
—Source: The Boston College Police Department
Sunny 40°
Friday
62° Mostly Sunny 48°
Saturday
“Hoping to catch up on homework and sleep.” —Max Gillen,
76° Sunny 58° 81° Sunny 48°
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 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 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. “My friend who transferred is coming.” —Liz Creamer, LSOE ’14
A&S ’15
60°
Local News
Despite losing season, gameday traditions strong
giveaways.” BC Marching Band Director David Healey commented on the marching band’s contribution to the gameday experience. “The band really does provide a soundtrack for the game,” Healey said. “There are percussion parts that run throughout the game, and then we bring the rest of the ensemble in at different times. There are themes that coincide with whatever you see happening on the field.” The marching band participates in the Eagle Walk, a pregame routine in the stadium approximately 20 minutes before kickoff, and the halftime show, as well as playing a variety of songs throughout the game. “We try to obtain a diverse of-
Today
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Although the Boston College football team has struggled with a 1-4 record this season, the gameday experience remains an integral part of many students’ typical fall weekend. The traditions and celebrations associated with gameday continue to fill the stands of Alumni Stadium with hundreds of Superfans each Saturday afternoon. “Gameday is exciting for us,” said Jamie DiLoreto, associate athletic director, external operations. “For us, it’s an opportunity to put on a show.” The athletics department and the BC bands work to bring students to games through a memorable experience, regardless of the outcome of the game. Many of the promotions and give-aways that have become a staple of the gameday experience stem primarily from a relationship between UGBC and athletics. “I feel as though our partnership with UGBC is strong and important, and it’s a priority for us to have a pulse on campus,” DiLoreto said. “We try to work with UGBC and students on campus to understand things that students would be interested in to create programming and
Four Day Weather Forecast
CORRECTIONS Please send corrections to editor@bcheights.com with ‘correction’ in the subject line.
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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BCVC start-up put to use in NYC protests WePay used as online collections service for donations to Occupy Wall Street By Adriana Mariella
Consider
This...
Assoc. News Editor
Some of the organizers of the Wall Street protests that started in mid-September have begun to use WePay, an online donation system, to collect funds from people wishing to support the protests. The protests, which, according to their ‘general assembly’ website, are in response to American corporations’ value of “profit over people, self-interest over justice, and oppression over equality,” and the way that those values are allowed to run the government, require food and supplies in order to continue their crusade. According to the WePay website, $1,200 of the proceeds went toward the purchase of food for the protestors who have b e en camping out in Manhattan Park since the occupation began. WePay, a system co-founded by Boston College graduate Bill Clerico, BC ’07, and Rich Aberman, BC ’07, allows its users to easily collect money from large groups of people, charging a flat fee of 50 cents per payment or 3.5 percent of the total. The site, launched in 2008, also allows the page creator to withdraw funds and send payment reminders. The prototype, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, was based on Aberman’s trouble with collecting money from friends for a trip and Clerico’s constant hounding of bill payments for the multiple on-campus clubs of which he was the treasurer. Clerico, during his time at BC, co-founded the Boston College Venture Competition
ap photo / jason decrow
Occupy Wall Street protesters march towards Zuccotti Park in New York’s Financial District on Wednesday (above).
ap photo / elise amendola
Occupy Boston protesters gather outside a building in the Financial district in Boston on Wednesday (above). (BCVC), in which undergraduates can win $10,000 in capital to start a business . B C VC, founded in 2006 by Clerico; Matt Becker, BC ’08; Eric Hil-
berg, BC ’06; and Paul Santora, BC ’08; helped Clerico and Aberman to launch WePay. BCVC, with the support of Y Combinator, a firm that funds
online and software start-up companies, has also launched WakeMate, the product of the competition’s 2009 winning team. n
Initiative combats hook-up culture ‘Kiss Me I’m Sober’ seeks to encourage relationships independent of alcohol By Tanner Edwards Heights Staff
Amid the hubbub of yesterday’s Healthapalooza, UGBC and the Office of Health Promotion (OHP) kicked off a new “Kiss Me I’m Sober” initiative. The campaign is intended to spur conversation about Boston College’s drinking and “hook-up” culture, and represents another effort by the coalition of UGBC and OHP at addressing the issues of alcohol consumption on campus launched this fall. “We created this campaign in response to the administration’s concern with a campuswide drinking problem,” said John Muller, co-director of Health and Safety for UGBC and A&S ’14. The initiative features many hallmark s of campus antisubstance abuse campaigns, i n cl u d i n g a n e mp h a s i s o n increasing student awareness about alcohol and drug use. The effort differentiates itself, though, with a unique focus on the impact alcohol and drugs have on relationships, especially hook ups stemming from insobriety. “While for some drinking means fun and a good time, it can, in an instant, turn into a tragedy, not just physically, but also mentally,” said Krizia Vinck, co-director of Health
and Safety for UGBC and A&S ’12. “One out of four people have been raped and in 90 percent of the cases the victim or the assailant had used alcohol or drugs,” she added, referring a study by the Harvard School of Public Health. Vinck stressed the conversational nature of the effort, which she hoped would be driven by a desire to discuss the issues of alcohol, drugs, and relationships among the student body. “We want to get students talking about whether they think there is an alcohol and drug problem on campus, and how they feel that this problem, or lack of a problem, should be dealt with,” she said. Vinck and Muller were inspired to start the conversation partly due to a 2008 Core Alcohol and Drug survey taken at BC, which concluded that a majority of respondents were not attracted to someone who is drunk. “We want to get people talking about sober relationships instead of drunk hook ups,” Vinck said. “We want to know what students are thinking about these problems that are associated with alcohol and drugs and … get students to realize that staying sober is the healthier and safer option.” In addition to the input of the UGBC and OHP coalition, the Women’s Resource Center
HEALTHAPALOOZA:
ABOUT COMING OUT:
Boston College launched Healthapalooza yesterday to raise awareness for student health and to announce the annual health campaign. This effort may be necessary considering these facts about college students’ health across the country:
People of every sexual orientation are supporting GLBTQ equality by celebrating Coming Out Week. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), who originally launched the Coming Out Project, the goal is to support living openly regardless of how someone identifies himself or herself in terms of sexual orientation. Though the official Coming Out Day is October 11th, the whole week is dedicated to the freedom of expression of sexual orientation and identity. Here are some of the ways that the week is celebrated outside of the BC campus:
- According to CampusCalm. com, 90 percent of female college students have reported feeling overwhelmed by their activities over the previous year, which is 17 percent higher than college men. - USA Today reported that half of all college students have had suicidal thoughts. - An mtvU College Stress and Mental Health Poll asked more than 2,200 college students from 40 colleges and universities about their stress levels, and 85 percent reported feeling stress on a daily basis, with six out of 10 students reported having felt such a high level of stress that they couldn’t get their work done on several occasions. - The mtvU College Stress and Mental Health Poll also reported that since starting college more than 70 percent of students have not considered talking to a counselor to help them deal with emotional distress and stress issues. -CampusCalm.com also reports that 46 percent of female college students rated academics as “traumatic” and hard to handle, which was 9.6 percent higher than males. -A New York Times report revealed that prescriptions for sleeping medications has nearly tripled in demand and use among college students from 1998 to 2006. -Campus health services across the country have collectively said that first-year college students’ ratings of their emotional health have dropped to record low levels in 2010.
-The HRC has recently launched a Coming Out Day app, which allows users to claim an equality badge that can be shared on Facebook. By spreading support to Facebook, app users can invite friends and family to take action and spread their support as well. -Twitter users can tweet throughout the week with the hashtag “comingout” to reach out to others who are celebrating the week. -Youth groups can volunteer at GLBTQ organizations that offer special events during the week, most of which take place at local community services. The events focus on educating both youths and adults about GLBTQ issues. -People of all sexual orientations are taking to YouTube to express their feelings about being GLBTQ or supporting GLBTQ loved ones. Throughout the week blogs and vlogs are filled with open discussions about free selfexpression and support. -Rainbow gay pride paraphanalia are worn as a sign of support. A pink triangle supports gays, a black triangle supports lesbians, and the Greek letter lambda and rainbows show general GLBTQ support. -Anna Patrick n
Allston-Brighton Crime Reports 9/26/11 – 10/2/11
BPD busts off-campus BC party At approximately 12:11 a.m. on Oct. 2, officers broke up an off-campus party attended by BC students. Upon arrival, officers noted around 100 people exiting the premises, some still holding red plastic cups. The officers entered the building to find empty beer cans spanning the floor, but suspects were cooperative and no arrests were made.
Victim assaulted outside home by group of unknown males On Oct. 1 at approximately 2:15 a.m., officers responded to a call from a house in Brighton in which a victim claimed to have been attacked by six males. The victim says the six males followed him to his house and got angry when he refused to engage in conversation with them. When he turned his back to enter his house he was punched in the back of his head and then, once inside, one of the men took out a pocket knife and stabbed the door. The men had fled by the time the police arrived. photo courtesy of the office of health promotion
inspired a significant portion of the effort. “We met with the Women’s Resource Center to discuss the relationship and sexual consent aspect of the campaign,” said Muller. This facet makes the campaign unique relative to other alcohol and drug awareness efforts, Muller claims. “We hope to promote … strong ‘real’ relationships ,
whether it be friendships or more serious romantic relationships,” Muller said. According to Vinck and Muller, the campaign will be a prominent presence during the upcoming “ReThink Drink Week” at the end of October, another UGBC effort aimed at fostering conversation on substance abuse and leading to healthier choices on campus. n
Victim requests removal of his roommate for theft At 2:55 p.m. on Sept. 27, officers responded to a call in Brighton regarding a request for the removal of a victim’s roommate due to a drug addiction. The victim stated that his roommate had been stealing his checks since April 2011, totaling about $1,400. Pills were found in the suspect’s right sock and the suspect had a black eye and scratches that he claimed were imparted when his roommate discovered that he had been stealing the checks.
Officer identifies and arrests suspect near BC At 3:38 a.m. on Sept. 26, an officer assigned to the off-campus houses at BC observed a male walking down Beacon St. near the McElroy Gate. The officer observed the suspect to be unsteady on his feet and talking loudly on his cell phone. The male shouted to the officer who came over to do a well-being check. The officer then identified the male via a Massachusetts driver’s license, received a warrant, handcuffed the male, and transported him to the police station for booking.
Officers bust loud party, all occupants of legal age At 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 1, officers responded to a call regarding a loud party at an off-campus house. Officers entered the building to determine who lived there, and upon seeing the officers, the guests exited the building. Some were stopped to try to determine the identities of the house residents but the individuals had no information; all individuals stopped were 21 years of age or older. A keg of beer and other open bottles of alcohol were discovered on the premises.
- Courtesy of the Boston Police Department, District 14 Gathered by Kerry Hightower, Gioia Topazio, Caitlin Hegarty, and David O’Donaghue
The Heights
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
GLC spreads awareness about support opportunities on campus NCOW, from A1 “The point of the game show is to really break down stereotypes,” McCrosson said. “We want to show the audience that people aren’t always what you expect them to be.” Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid, GLBTQ advocates and blog writers, came to the BC campus last night to share their humor,
experiences, and advice about GLBTQ issues. The speakers talked about dealing with sexuality and getting involved in the GLBTQ community. Today, from 8 p.m.-12 a.m., the GLC will be hosting “Opening Boston’s Closet,” an open-mic event in Devlin Hall where students and Allies can share their coming out stories. “We had a really great turn out last year,” McCrosson said. “A lot of students came and
pampan zhang / heights staff
Last night students gathered for GLC’s “Everyone is Gay” event, part of National Coming Out Week.
spoke at the open-mic event and we had two local police officers come and talk about their experiences coming out of the closet. It was a really great night, and one of the police officers will be coming back again to speak this year.” “When I started at BC as a freshman, NCOW was the first time I actually realized there was a LGBTQ community here,” Tingley said. “I was in the process of figuring out my sexuality and this exposure allowed me to have conversations and really discern what was going on, in a comfortable environment. Having this week of events is recognition of a community on campus that is frequently pushed to the side or ignored. It is events like this that make me really feel like I am a part of the BC community.” The GLC hopes to make even more progress in the coming year. “We are starting a peer counseling program for any member of the Boston College community,” Tingley said. “Often times, incoming students don’t know where to look for support. We want to provide a place where students can come and talk about their sexual and gender orientation in a safe and comfortable environment.” NCOW will end this Friday, though the final event has not yet been announced. “It’s a surprise,” McCrosson said, “but make sure to be on campus at 11:50 a.m.” n
pampan zhang / heights staff
Healthapalooza kicks off year-long stress relief campaign on campus Health, from A1 portance of the role that students played in helping make the event happen. “What I would say is important is it’s a completely student-driven initiative,” Camelio said. Students offered their time to participate in study groups, surveys, and even volunteered to help with the event, he said. “We had 150 people volunteer to help, and of those who were available to come out and do the event was a little over 50,” Camelio said.
Healthapalooza is the first installment of a yearlong stress relief campaign by the newly formed Office of Health Promotion. “The event is to create awareness of student health on campus and the Office of Health Promotion,” Phillips said. “Healthapalooza was actually a brainchild of this department and we decided that we needed a kickoff event in the fall because we’re a new area within Student Affairs.” The planning of the event, which took place in May of this year, had a central hope in mind, said Katie Dalton, director of the Women’s Resource Center.
“We want them to recognize our office and the way that all of these offices came together to form the Office of Health Promotion,” she said. “Tied with that, [are] the intersections of a lot of different health issues across different offices around the University.” The new office also describes the event as a way to emphasize other groups on campus who have had student health their focus during each semester. “In addition to celebrating student health, we are also highlighting campus partners who have already engaged in health promotion on campus,” Priest said. Phillips also acknowledged the large effort from
the University to make the event a success. “A huge and hearty thank you,” she said, “to Dining Services for their donations of food, cooking demos, staffing to make the event happen.” She said that University Counseling and Health Services, BCPD, Boston College REC, UGBC, Eagle EMS, Emergency Management, and the Women’s Resource Center, among others, were instrumental in making the event happen. She also recognized the efforts of Patrick Rombalski, vice president of Student Affairs and Thomas McGuinness, associate vice president of Student Affairs. n
Graham beck / heights staff
For Healthapalooza, the newly formed Office of Health Promotion partnered with University Counseling and Health Services, BCPD, UGBC, Eagles EMS, and the Women’s Resource Center, among others, to promote all around student health.
NOTH bolsters programming Club Sports Council oversees club sports NOTH, from A1 dard programs that only appeal to a certain kind of student. “This year we are going to be focusing on quality over quantity,” she said. “Of course we always try to put on the best programs we can, but this year we are trying to sponsor bigger programs, bring bigger names to campus and generally cater to a wider audience. “We hope by putting on high quality programs we will attract a larger turnout.” These programs include bringing more musical guests to campus, which will be a welcome relief to students in light of the recently cancelled fall concert. This fall, both Matt Kearney and Vanessa Carlton will be playing at BC, in October and November, respectively. Sharon Blumenstock, assistant director for Late Night Programming, said that NOTH was also going to incorporate more student-run musical events, in addition to already established ones such as Acoustic Chocolate. “NOTH is planning many exciting large and small scale events on campus,” she said. “We are trying to provide students with many social options such as student-run music events, for example Sound of the Heights. NOTH has grown tremendously these past few years and I know the board and myself want it to continue to grow in popularity.” Another new facet of NOTH is a continued increased collaboration with UGBC, which is fostered by the fact that both NOTH and the UGBC’s Campus Entertainment Department are advised by Blumenstock in the Student Programming Office. Both groups are steadily beginning to work on planning
more projects together. Pandeau said that they are currently collaborating on a project to bring a writer from The Onion to BC. Mike Kitlas, UGBC president and A&S ’12, said he hopes to further increase collaboration between UGBC and NOTH by instilling a joint programming caucus, a plan he mentioned often during his successful campaign last year. “We wanted to increase the collaboration between UGBC and NOTH by creating a programming caucus where we would be able to sit down and plan events together,” he said. “The programming caucus is still in the process of being developed and finalized, but even still we have been in constant communication with members of NOTH and have begun to co-sponsor events with them.” Kitlas also said how he believes this plan will increase the effectiveness of NOTH programs. “I think the plan we have chosen to take with NOTH is an effective decision as it is bringing two very strong programming boards together and allowing us to reach out to the largest percentage of students on the BC campus with a great array of programs,” he said. Pandeau echoed similar sentiments, however noting that for the near future the two groups will be separate, yet collaborating, entities. “I think Mike [Kitlas] is right, eventually we will be moving towards uniting the UGBC programming board and NOTH,” she said. “But I think for right now we are just concentrating on planning the best events we can, and increasing the collaboration between our two clubs to find common ground and the best way for us to combine our missions.” n
Club Sports, from A1 For example, we pay USA Rugby to allow the Boston College women’s rugby team to compete.” To receive the annual budgets, club sports teams go through a lengthy four-stage process that involves mapping out their seasons and presenting their proposed budgets to the Club Sports Council Executive Board, a five-member committee that determines the resource allocations for the teams. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the resources to give the clubs
“The mission of the Club Sports Council is both to manage the funding and also to oversee club sports as a whole.” Karl Bell, Assistant Director of SPO the amount of money they request,” Reader said. “The executive board works on how to allocate the resources to make them fit within the budget we are given from Student Affairs, and we apply a percentage knockdown across the board to all the clubs in order to make them fit. A club might ask for $10,000 and we’ll end up giving them $6,000.” Parker Condie, a member of the men’s water polo team and A&S ’13, said, “We asked [the Club Sports Council] for maybe five times what we were actually given, but so did everybody else.” Despite the increase in their overall funding, many club sports teams feel a financial strain, and the majority require their members to pay dues to help offset costs. “The member dues range,” Reader said. “Some are less than $100, but others are higher. Some teams have also turned to fundraising to help raise funds. Teams will work concessions or clean up at football
games, and others have held carwashes.” The men’s water polo team felt relatively satisfied with their budget, said Ian Malone, a member of the team and A&S ’13. “We don’t fundraise yet, but we are considering that path for another time,” he said. On the other hand, the men’s rugby team saw their budget cut by two-thirds this year, which led to a significant increase in their member dues. Each member of the approximately 60-person team must pay $250 annually to be eligible for the team. “This money funds what the school won’t pay for, which includes the fields we rent when we can’t use our own and the buses we take to get there,” said Adam Danielson, a member of the rugby team and A&S ’12. “It also helps pay for some of our gear and clothing.” “I wouldn’t say that we’re happy with the budget,” Danielson said, though he said he believes this feeling reflects the club sports teams as a whole. “Obviously, anyone would want more money regardless of the situation.” “Although we are grateful for the money we do get from BC, we would love to have more,” Reader said. “We are also grateful for the increased control over the budget we have been given over the past few years.” Karl Bell, assistant director of the Student Programs Office, said, “In the past two or three years, the club sports have expressed frustration with the allocation amounts and the direction of the funding. They felt that the decisions were made without requisite knowledge or expertise on the club teams.” In the past, the Student Organization Funding Committee (SOFC) determined the resource allocations for the individual teams. “SOFC no longer funds clubs sports,” said Jeffery White, chairperson of SOFC and CSOM ’12, in an e-mail. “Instead, [The Division of Student Affairs] decides the breakdown of money that gets directed to SOFC, UGBC, Nights on the Heights, service trips, and now club sports.” Bell said that having the Club Sports Council control their own funding has also improved the accountability within club sports. “The mission of the Club Sports Council is both to manage the funding and also to oversee club sports as a whole,” he said. “We have seen increased accountability for the teams because of the Council.” n
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
A5
Connolly returns to alma mater Connolly, from A1
pampan zhang / heights staff
Mark Miceli (above left) and Michael Kitlas were two members of last night’s State of the Heights panel.
Administrators field student questions regarding fall concert Concert, from A1 would probably be fine if they were left alone. In response to this question, Chris Faherty, president of Eagle EMS and A&S ’13, spoke about the legal obligations regarding intoxicated individuals who are under the legal drinking age. It is a law that any individual who is under the age of 21 and has alcohol in his/her system is impaired, meaning that the individual is legally unable to make decisions. This places Eagle EMS in a particularly difficult position, Faherty said, because they do not want to send students to the hospital if it is not necessary, but they can also be held accountable for releasing students who are legally impaired. If an individual is vomiting, Eagle EMS is not permitted to release the individual, even if his/her condition appears to improve. In recent years, Eagle EMS has been able to act as a student advocate, releasing intoxicated students who they determine are not in need of medical attention to a sober party rather than sending them to emergency rooms. Overall, Faherty said, “Some students are not as intoxicated as others, but you’d be surprised how
many pass out in the triage area.” It is ultimately at their discretion to determine who needs to be transported, and he said it is not common for students who do not need medical care to be transported to emergency rooms. Another student concern was why concerts in particular are being targeted when there is evidence of excessive drinking associated with other events, especially football games. The administrators responded that the general scale of alcohol-related transports is much lower for football games. Chebator said that on a football weekend they may see as many as 12 transports, which is significantly lower than the average of 25 seen at last year’s concerts. The make-up of football games is also much more varied, and the medical attention required at football games ranges. The administration also actively tries to limit drinking before the games. “There’s an army of security at the Mods [on gamedays],” Chebator said. Student suggestions for mitigating alcohol-related concerns included increasing alcohol education for all students and imposing tougher punishments on those who do not follow policy. Administrators said that these methods are
typically not effective, however, and proposed instead their own goal to create a better weekend environment. They argued that much of the drive to drink comes from the environment in which students are placed. The UGBC pointed out one effort that they have made to reduce pre-gaming for concerts was the barbeque hosted before the fall concert last year. Mike Kitlas, president of the UGBC and A&S ’12, discussed UGBC’s emphasis on “the event before the event.” He discussed efforts on the part of the UGBC to have smaller events immediately preceding large events like concerts, including speakers and barbeques. Students did not just criticize the administration’s handling of the situation. Some were looking for ways in which they could become involved. Kitlas advised that the way for students to individually play a role in the return of the concert would be to encourage healthier habits among their friends. “Stand up for each other and voice your opinion,” he said. Kitlas suggested encouraging friends not to take that extra shot before leaving, for example, and that it is possible for all students to play a role in this way. n
to Mexico that lasted for three years, and perhaps her most overbearing task—the SAT. “Some say that being a reporter is like getting a front row seat to history, but I like to consider it a backstage pass,” said Connolly. One story that remains a standout in her career is the Terri Schiavo case. Connolly chronicled the events that unfolded as she spent 24 hours in a Florida hospice that was surrounded by a “siege” of reporters, all hoping to gain an advantage over the other. She stated that her time covering the Schiavo case provided her with more than a good story, but an inside look at a critical aspect of the healthcare
industry. “Healthcare stories are so dear to me because they tell of people whose lives are deeply impacted,” Connolly said before she segued into a recount of her unbearably long coverage of Al Gore’s presidential campaign. Having just transitioned from her career as a journalist to one as a consultant, Connolly is also in the process of publishing her book, Landmark: The Inside Story of America’s New Health-Care Law and What It Means for Us All. She is currently a senior adviser in the McKinsey Center for Health Reform, researching high-quality, affordable healthcare. When asked why she ended her life as a reporter, Connolly responded that she was ready
for a new challenge and did not want to be around to witness the death of an industry she loves. The world of journalism is rapidly changing, and she predicts that the vast majority of newspapers will disappear in five years. “It is up to you to figure out a new business model because right now the size of newspapers, as well as journalistic ambitions, are shrinking,” Connolly said to her BC audience. “All of us here are fortunate to see and hear her,” said Rev. William B. Neenan, S.J. as he introduced the former Heights editor-in-chief. BC was indeed fortunate to not only see Connolly, but to learn from her array of experiences and words of wisdom. n
The Heights
A6
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Editorials
Preoccupation with the occupation Occupy Wall Street protestors offer insight into college-age generation’s capacity for social protest Yesterday afternoon, dozens of college students – mostly from Northeastern University, reports tell us – marched on Dewey Square and partially blocked part of Atlantic Avenue. Their protest, Occupy Boston, mirrors the Occupy Wall Street protest that began with a band of several hundred protestors on Sept. 17 and has gathered hundreds more in past weeks. While Boston College’s representation at yesterday’s event was, to our knowledge, nonexistent, the protest does offer a few clues to an issue concerning many students: Do Gen Y’ers have the capacity for valuable social protest? Do they have the vocabulary, the means, and the motivation for social action? From our viewpoint – deep within McElroy Commons – the answer is “Yes, but .…” The Occupy movement is the first major manifestation of a growing disapproval of Wall Street activities and a growing disdain for Capitol Hill inactivity. Younger Americans are motivated to get out on the streets. But, while the protestors can provide largely general answers to the question of why they’re picketing in the street, most news reports point to a
lack of clear goals and, more to the protestors’ detriment, a lack of leadership. To be fair, the movement is still in its infancy and not all protestors in Manhattan, Boston, and elsewhere are young people. The general non-cohesion of the movement, however, does point to a few limitations on Generation Y’s capacity for protest. Most of all, it seems that these recent movements underscore a prevalent attitude that caring and awareness are interchangeable with organized action. The fact that one person cares about economic equality or is aware that Wall Street culture can be troubled would not produce any changes by itself. Likewise, a mass of hundreds of people whose general message is “we care,” does little more by itself. Past social protest organizers, recognizing this, have used boycotts and social disobedience techniques to gain prominence. It seems the Wall Street protestors have yet to find their edge. Getting out in the street is the first step, though, and the Occupy Wall Street cage-rattlers seem close to hitting a nerve.
Bring issues, solutions out into the open Yesterday’s Healthapalooza at O’Neill Plaza offered an easy, interactive way for students to consider heathful alternatives Yesterday, the newly instated Office of Health Promotion (OHP) successfully held it’s first annual “Healthapalooza” in O’Neill Plaza, a collaborative event between more than a dozen Boston College offices, intended to promote overall student health on campus in a new and fashionable light. The large-scale gala provided an influx of information, such as nutritional guidelines, resources for those students looking to reduce stress, and numerous other health-related forums related to overall wellness. Rather than simply doling out such guidelines in the form of paper or print, Healthapalooza engaged the BC student by introducing food stations, massage chairs, and exercise demonstrations, all the while giving away bright campus gear that allowed the intense detail to remain entertainingly relevant to the casual passerby yet still pertinent to the students it directly concerned. OHP also introduced its new “BChill”
campaign, a 10-facet program that encourages students to participate in activities that will contribute to healthy lifestyles. Last semester, The Heights asserted the necessity for students to proactively address their own issues of well-being. Too often in a college environment do grades surpass mental fitness and stress deter us from what, perhaps, should be our greatest goal of all – a confident sense of wellness. We believe that OHP’s recent efforts, as evidenced by Healthapalooza and its new student health coaches program, are easy, helpful first steps for students facing issues of health at BC to take advantage of. In an age where media drown the public with concerns of body image and nutrition, college students often sweep problems related to self-health under the rug as inadmissible. Healthapalooza, on the other hand, embraced the problems in an event that was a refreshing splash of knowledge that we hope continues for years to come.
Host quality programs and they will come By allocating funds to programs with broader appeal, NOTH can become an integral force in the BC social culture The Heights would like to commend both the Nights on the Heights Student Programming Board, and UGBC for their work on providing better quality programs for Boston College students. Nights on the Heights (NOTH) is an exceedingly important entity on campus, but has often fallen flat on effectively providing events that are a viable alternative to the weekend drinking scene. Events such as ice cream socials, teddy bear making, and trivia nights, although endearing, only appeal to a certain fraction of Boston College students. However, the decision of the Student Programming Board to shift their focus to large scale events with a broader appeal is a choice that should be recognized. By bringing in big artists such
as Matt Kearney and Vanessa Carlton instead of organizing more numerous but smaller programs, NOTH is providing events that will truly interest the broader Boston College population and fulfill their mission statement of “build [ing] a sense of community by providing a variety of entertaining on-campus activities.” The Heights would also like to mention the work of Mike Kitlas and Jill Long, who are beginning the initial planning of a joint programming caucus between UGBC and NOTH. With two strong programming boards working together, there will be a greater variety of opinions and views, and therefore, events more reflective of the interests of various BC student facets.
The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Michael Caprio, Editor-in-Chief Daniel Ottaunick, General Manager DJ Adams, Managing Editor
Contributors:
Samantha Cohen / Heights Illustration
Letters to the Editor Pro-Life Club welcomes dialogue The BC Pro-Life Club exists for two reasons: primarily, to ensure that resources are available at Boston College for both pregnant women and women recovering from abortion, and secondarily, to represent the Pro-Life cause in conversation on this campus. Unfortunately this conversation is an extremely difficult one. While the Pro-Life Club addresses all life issues, abortion is the one that affects us most here at BC, and it is an intensely emotional issue. For both sides. This is often misunderstood. At times this leads to name-calling, accusations of close-mindedness, or selfishness or even malice, from either side. But when conversation does go well, it often comes down to this question: Is the human fetus a human person? The question deserves a moment of refection. Pause to think about it. What if it is a person? a he or a she? The thought is staggering. For those on both sides of
the issue, the suffering is incredible. All of us are implicated in the crime. Many will deny the personhood of the human fetus, but it is important that both positions be understood, that both sides keep in mind the humanity of the other, the magnitude of the question and the suffering involved. Nothing can be taken for granted. This is of utmost importance if any conversation is to proceed. Often Pro-Lifers are characterized as narrowly focused on abortion. While this is a central issue for the Pro-Life movement, it goes far beyond this. The day Roe v. Wade is overturned will not be a day for Pro-Lifers to sit back and congratulate themselves. An enormous amount of work remains and will remain to be done. Much healing is needed. The work will continue until all people are reconciled, until every human life, that of every child, mother, and father, is affirmed, protected, and
Ben Martin A&S ’13
We are BC everyday of the week As someone who chose to attend Boston College for reasons purely outside the context of athletics, I took issue with Paul Sulzer’s logic regarding the future of the University in light of the current football season. Let me first say that I understand his general argument and agree with the overall sentiment. The success of players like Doug Flutie in ’84 and Matt Ryan in ’07 contributed to putting BC on the map, and this year’s team is doing little to bolster one of the University’s more visible statistics. I must disagree with Sulzer, however, that the lackluster season will spell the downfall of BC’s position as an elite university. DeFilippo uses the Monday-Friday
Harvard/ Saturday Alabama analogy fairly often, but the dramatic demise of the program, as written by Sulzer, would not suddenly make BC “Harvard Lite,” but rather “Alabama Lite.” As Sulzer himself states, a good football program will not decide someone’s college decision. It certainly doesn’t hurt Harvard, a university that boasts 34,950 applicants a year for 2,000 coveted spots on reputation alone. BC’s Jesuit values, strong core curriculum, and wealth of extracurricular and philanthropic activities speak to the strength of its reputation. A good athletics program may give it an edge, but it won’t hinder the University’s growth as it continues to develop a reputation on par with its
East Coast rivals. In conclusion, I propose students consider the reason they truly chose to attend BC. Surely some will claim the healthy athletics program was a strong contributing factor, but at the end of the day, the most important aspects lay in the student’s desire to excel and represent the core values the University espouses. BC may need a reason to cheer again for its football team, but there’s certainly enough to cheer about for the school itself.
Dustin J. Watson BC ’93
Op-Ed: Hurricane Ignorance Boston College is filled with students who, in my opinion, are nothing short of brilliant (your reading of The Heights speaks volumes about your willingness to stay aware of yourself and the world around you). Here is a small warning to readers: if you believe the old adage that “ignorance is bliss” then I doubt you will enjoy the following article. For those who don’t fall into this group, I am about to explain why your participation in American democracy is needed now more than ever. Pam Olsen, is the co-chair of Governor Perry’s campaign in the state of Florida, and she believes—as multiple news outlets have noted—that American Christians’ growing acceptance of homosexuality is causing an increase in natural disasters. Let this all sink in for a few seconds. In July, regarding American Christian acceptance of homosexuality, a top adviser to one of the top candidates for President of the United States had the
following to say: “If anybody looks at the news and has just seen what’s been happening recently with the floods, the fires, the tornadoes, God is shaking.” Set aside the fact that this idea is completely nuts; whether one likes it or not we live in a country that affords us the freedom of speech and I’m thankful for that freedom. What will be more productive (or brain-damaging) for readers is considering the fact that a thought like this could be given any credence by people who have the potential to lead the free world. Make no mistake: Rick Perry is campaigning on anti-gay vitriol. The really scary part: it’s working! What planet am I on?! Here’s where you come in. You need to start participating in the process that has led to propping up people like Pam and Rick, who would be better suited for a psych ward. I don’t care what side of the aisle you are on. Tell people that Governor Perry is crazy. Time magazine called Perry the
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
latest installment of a rambunctious Texan running for President. Unfortunately, few people our age actually read Time magazine, so the responsibility to inform people now rests with you. Rest assured that you will face opposition from certain peers for even hinting at talking about American government and politics. I wish that I meant you will face opposition from people in a different place on the political spectrum. Unfortunately, what I’m talking about is opposition from people who are not even on the political spectrum. There are people who think that gay people are causing tornadoes and hurricanes. There’s a hurricane of ignorance sweeping the nation, and it’s time for you to say something about it.
Will Rasky A&S ’12
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
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
embraced from its first moment to its last. The week this Pro-Life Club has been criticized for its display of the developing human fetus. These images are powerful; they are emotional; the development of a child is not offensive. The pictures are meant to acknowledge the suffering involved and the truth of the matter. But we are open to further conversation. We do not seek to hurt women; we seek only their well-being. Both sides seek this. Therefore I hope that, instead of accusation, real dialogue can begin. Only with respect for the humanity and the convictions of those on either side of the issue can we find a path toward real cooperation. This, I believe, is a great challenge and a great opportunity.
Mollie Kolosky, Graphics Editor David Riemer, Online Manager Therese Tully, Assoc. Copy Editor Katherine Doyle, Asst. Copy Editor Adriana Mariella, Assoc. News Editor Molly LaPoint, Asst. News Editor Greg Joyce, Assoc. Sports Editor Chris Marino, 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 Dara Fang, Asst. Online Manager Elise Taylor, Editorial Assistant Katherine McClurg, Executive Assistant
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The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
A7
Opinions
Your nurse, the doctor
Thumbs Up When Fate Knox – The all-tooreal story of Amanda Knox, the study abroad student accused of murdering her roommate in Italy four years ago concluded this Monday, resulting in Knox winning her case in appellate court and regaining her life. Though TU/TD isn’t at liberty to cast judgment on the truth of her guilt or innocence, the case as a whole is a reminder for those of us currently or planning to go abroad: what happens in Europe doesn’t necessarily stay in Europe. Stay safe. Stay smart. Crazy for Columbus – That Chris Columbus, what a guy. Though it may seem to the greater population of the world to be a rather arbitrary holiday, the annual observation of Columbus Day is a critical calendar date for BC students. How sweet it is that a three-day break coincides with the time of year when our ability to stay on top of to-do lists six miles long is slipping, along with our sanity. Here’s to having a Monday masquerade as a second Sunday and getting our hands on some much needed R&R. Kind and Generous – There’s been an abundance of hospitality and friendship on the Heights these past few weeks. From a trend of lost IDs being returned to their rightful owners, to free coffee in the Quad, to people consistently holding doors for one another, the BC community is living up to its standard of being men and women for others. It’s nice to know that as the weather gets colder, our hearts are getting warmer. Now if only we can hold onto this feeling through housing season… Donahue’s Disciples – Superfan spirit done right is coming this winter in the form of a new group referring to themselves as “Donahue’s Disciples.” The group, with the support of the men’s basketball head coach, plans to create the best student section ever by bridging the gap between students and players. Their name may be kitchy, but their mission is real. Be ready for a student section at men’s basketball games to eb simply divine. Redevelopment of Arrested – The show that was as hard to let go of as a security blanket is back…sort of. Arrested Development show creators have confirmed that they will produce a ten episode mini season that will lead up to the release of a film based on the series in 2013. That’s like your mother taking away your security blanket and offering you a down comforter in its place. Farewell to Greatness – The death of a man as responsible for shaping our culture as Steve Jobs is undeibaly unsettling and brings us pause. But as Jobs himself once said, “Death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent.” Toast an Appletini in his honor.
Thumbs Down An encore for Bravo – Those of us that enjoy the mandated BC Cable package were dismayed to find that one of our most beloved channels, Bravo, was temporarily cut from the lineup last week due to Comcast complications. As you’d be hard pressed to find a student that doesn’t enjoy at least one Bravo show, the glitch resulted in not just cutting access to silly TV shows, but taking away access to the lives of reality stars in which we’ve fully emotionally invested ourselves. Give us Andy Cohen or give us death! Midterms – And so it begins. Find us on Twitter. @BCTUTD
Marye Moran In an episode of the popular (and soon to be returning to TV) show Arrested Development, actor Judge Reinhold starts a daytime court show, a la Judge Judy, solely because he has the first name of “Judge.” It’s not a lie, but when he’s standing in front of a courtroom, wearing black robes and holding a gavel, introducing himself as “Judge Reinhold” is certainly misleading. The titles that come with certain professions or educational degrees can easily cause confusion. Is that man you’re calling “father” your dad or parish priest? Mix-ups like this are often harmless, but if you enter a medical office and are introduced to “Dr. Moran,” you should be able to know that you can trust this person to diagnose your ailments and prescribe the proper treatment. Increasingly, though, nurses are earning doctorate degrees, thus gaining the right to go by the title of “doctor.” As with Judge Reinhold, an educated nurse called “Dr. Moran” might be accurate, but would not be right. Diagnosing and treating illnesses is not something that can be picked up or taken lightly. These nurses gain their doctorate in nursing, so are more educated, but that simply makes them more educated nurses, not doctors. Doctor of Nursing curriculums teach the scientific and economic principles underlying medical care and the health care system, but do not focus on how
to treat specific illnesses as medical school does. There is a reason for different levels of professionals, and it works in every field. In class, we have both TAs and professors. This is not because one is deficient, but because their jobs combine to meet the full needs of students, who can speak to a TA about a specific homework problem but go to a professor to discuss a larger issue. In a hospital or doctor’s office, it is efficient to have nurses there to ask the introductory survey and measure height and weight, to administer medicine, and to explain side effects to patients. However, it’s also important to have a doctor who, after years of medical school and residency, can identify a disease and determine the most effective medications. We need to know what people’s qualifications are. If you had a dietary question, would you rather go to a nutritionist, or a registered dietitian? Most people wouldn’t know the difference, but a nutritionist could be anyone. I’m a nutritionist. And an actor. And a writer. I have no experience in nutrition, theatrics, or writing beyond this column, but in these fields, the title is purely self-defined. An out-of-work actor who’s never landed a role can still call himself an actor, just like a freelance, unpublished author can call him or herself a writer. And a nutritionist is not someone who has taken a certifying test, like a registered dietitian, but rather someone who feels capable of advising on nutrition. While in the case of these nurses, the title of “doctor” is legitimate, it does makes discerning real qualifications just as difficult. It is hard for the patient to discern exactly what type of
professional they are dealing with, as a nurse who calls him or herself “doctor” implicitly says that they can fill the role of someone who has had that specific education and training. A law in effect in both Arizona and Delaware bars nurses from calling themselves “doctor” without immediately clarifying their profession of “nurse.” This needs to be more widespread to prevent dangerous confusion in the health care system. A bill proposed in the New York State Senate would prohibit nurses from advertising themselves as doctors, even if they have earned a doctorate degree. While individuals should be able to state their qualifications, as Arizona and Delaware specify, this needs to be done with mindfulness to potential confusion. In a medical clinic, a door should say “Marye Moran, Ph.D”, not “Dr. Marye Moran.” There are ways of showing competency without implying a medical school background. Degrees do matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. A nurse shouldn’t feel the need to get a doctorate if a masters, apparently, as studies have shown, gives the same amount of competency. And someone with a doctor of nursing degree should show his or her higher skill through better practice. After all, if it isn’t clear which nurse is the more qualified one just by spending time with them, what is the point of that higher education in the first place? There’s no need to misconstrue one’s position. If you’re a nurse with a Ph.D, call yourself a nurse with a Ph.D. You’re not a doctor. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just not what you are. Marye Moran is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
Technically speaking
John Blakeslee About a year ago, I was standing on the roof of an apartment building in the East Village of New York City. It was a beautiful fall night, and as I stood there with a few friends admiring the view, you could see people on other rooftops doing the same. It has been my experience that evenings such as this, especially when among friends, tend to produce metaphysical conversations. “Love is dead,” proclaimed one girl as she extinguished her cigarette on the ledge of the building. “Facebook has killed it.” Completely unaware of this news, I quickly inquired as to when this happened. “A few years ago,” she replied. My friend Joe, more adept at these situations than I, stepped in and asked what she meant by her proclamation. “I mean to say that we live in an age where technology has suffocated us and made it impossible for real love to exist. Life has become too fast-paced. People can send messages to each other without any thought at all. Planes carry people over vast distances within hours and trains now operate underground. We move too quickly for love.” Wanting to appear intelligent and engaged I concurred, “Yes, this whole burrowing phenomenon with the trains is very troubling.” My heart immediately sank for the groundhogs. Technology has become our scapegoat. I constantly hear people talking about how Facebook is evil and how they have tried to remove themselves from it but it is just far too powerful to escape. It is blamed for our procrastination habits and accused of reducing our relationships to hash tags and wall posts. If only Facebook did not exist,
this line of thinking goes, we would all be writing each other poetic letters and working hard in between our classes to publish our next novella. People assert that technology has corrupted the way we live our lives without ever considering that the way we live our lives has corrupted technology. I have not always had a Facebook, but I have always been able to procrastinate. If I use Facebook as a way to procrastinate, the problem lies not with Facebook but with my work ethic. Similarly, I have friends who complain about the decline of the print newspaper or blame e-readers for the decline of print books. Yet, very few of them have subscriptions to the print
edition, and many of the books sitting on their bookshelf were read via SparkNotes. I am just as guilty as my friends here. My bookshelf at home is filled with books that I barely read but I display them as if they were trophies. There is something to be said about the way technology has changed our lives. Martin Lindstrom wrote an interesting op-ed in The New York Times on Monday entitled, “You Love Your iPhone. Literally.” Lindstrom conducted a study to test the neurological responses people have when using their iPhone. The study found that when using their
Bazoomie Wagon | BEN VADNAL
iPhones, subjects experienced increased activity in their insular cortex, the part of the brain associated with feelings of love. Lindstrom cautions to his reader that they should go and find love “the old-fashion way.” I tend to doubt that anyone actually loves their iPhone in the way that they might love a parent or spouse, but I have no doubt that people love using their iPhones. Perhaps that is not such a bad thing. Maybe the reason why they love their iPhones is because they can call their mother on it; or because they can listen to music they love; or because they can read an interesting article on The New York Times with it. These are all worthy pastimes. They are activities that people love. So why would they not view their iPhone as a good thing? I do not have an iPhone but I think about how I love my car. I do not love my car because it has all sorts of cool technology in it. I do not love the physical car as much as I love the time that I have spent in the car. The moments when I was driving with friends listening to music or grabbing a cup of coffee with my sister are the moments that make me love my car. It is not the car I love, but the time I spent inside of it. Certainly, if you are spending all of your time playing fruit ninja on your iPhone, you are using that device in a way that is detrimental. But it is not the device forcing you to do this. It is your own misuse of technology. If my friend from New York is correct in saying that love or any type of meaningful relationship is difficult to maintain today, it is because these relationships have always been difficult. Idealizing a “simpler time” is just as destructive as idealizing blind technological advancement. Wonderful technological innovations will continue to take place. Our job should not be to determine whether or not these achievements are good, but rather how we might use them for good. John Blakeslee is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
The shape of hypocrisy
Dylan Hewkin After all the fuss Tea Partiers have made this past year, the ultra-left has finally responded. Dressed in Guy Faulkes masks, corporate zombie costumes, Birkenstocks, dashikis, and all other varieties of hipster clothing, the Occupy Wall Street movement has taken the nation by storm. Since the Sept. 17, groups began forming throughout New York’s financial district chanting, “This is what democracy looks like” or “we are the ninety-nine percent,” to the beat of some hipster tribal drums. Like the modern day Port Huron Statement, the protesters have issued an online document entitled, “First ‘official’ statement from the #OccupyWallStreet Movement.” Tom Hayden must be so proud. At first glance, both the protesters and their “declaration of demands” look to posit your typical, cookie-cutter, far-left views. While this is somewhat true, a closer look shows just how confusing this “movement” really is. When asked what exactly they were protesting, a number of individuals gave reporters very different answers, while some had no answer at all. While the protesters try not to identify with any one political ideology, they do claim to represent the 99 percent of Americans who have been hurt by the recent economic crises. Realistically, however, they all seem to be unemployed college grads, possessing any one of a number of radical political views. Many protesters have backed President Barack Obama’s bid for re-election, and support his goals to shrink the class divide. In one particular sound bite aired on NBC, a protest leader is overheard saying, “There’s no time for in-fighting…if you’re a socialist, communist, general lefty, it doesn’t matter. We’re all comrades, brothers and sisters in the fight against the system.” Yeah, that really sounds like 99 percent of Americans. Moreover, their “declaration” doesn’t contain any actual demands. It’s merely a longwinded list of hilariously ridiculous complaints directed at a “they,” which one can only assume refers to corporations. For example: “They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.” “They have consistently outsourced labor and used that outsourcing as leverage to cut workers’ healthcare and pay.” Is this why they’re unemployed? “They have used the military and police force to prevent freedom of the press.” I thought communists were into that? “They determine economic policy, despite the catastrophic failures their policies have produced and continue to produce.” Do they? “They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give executives exorbitant bonuses.” Corporations didn’t just take those bailouts, Obama gave them. “They have donated large sums of money to politicians supposed to be regulating them.” I wonder whose funding Obama’s campaign? “They continue to create weapons of mass destruction in order to receive government contracts.” Isn’t it the other way around? “They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.” Yeah, I’m sure Wall Street controls the media and purposely gives itself all the negative press. Say what you want about the Tea Party, but at least they know what they actually stand for. These “occupiers” make Michele Bachmann look like a genius. Big government is in bed with big business. Obama can say all he wants about class warfare and taxing the rich, but all he’s going to do is kill small businesses and keep from them from being able to compete with the real big fish on Wall Street. The problem with these protests, however, is that there are people behind the scenes who know the possible implications. If Obama can convince America that anyone who makes over $250,000 is the problem, then he’s succeeded. Anyway, I think the character of this movement is best described by the events of this past weekend when 700 protesters were arrested for trying to “occupy” the Brooklyn Bridge. Well thank God for the electoral college. Dylan Hewkin is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.
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The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
SPORTS The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
B1
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Eagles take aim at ACC’s best
Conference Realignment
Notre Dame will join Hockey East
The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils come to Newton tonight, the stiffest test yet for the 9-0-2 women’s soccer team By Tim Jablonski
By Paul Sulzer
Heights Staff
Sports Editor
Notre Dame will join Boston College in a conference in 2013 – just not the one most people initially thought. The Fighting Irish, who are being courted by the ACC as an all-sports member, were accepted as the 11th member of the Hockey East Association yesterday at the Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind. “We’re very excited to bring the Irish into Hockey East,” BC head coach Jerry York said in a statement. “As everybody is well aware, Notre Dame had its choice of conferences to join. For the Irish to pick Hockey East speaks volumes for what we, as a league, have done in the past and what our future looks like.” “It is not an overstatement to say that this is one of the most significant days in the history of our conference,” Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna said. “The addition of new institutions is always exciting but Notre Dame brings a unique set of qualities and circumstances to the continued growth of our league.” Hockey East began as a seven-member conference in 1984 with BC, Boston University, Maine, New Hampshire, UMass Lowell, Northeastern, and Providence. The conference has expanded three times since then, adding Merrimack in 1989, UMass in 1994, and Vermont in 2005. “We are excited to be joining Hockey East beginning in the 2013-14 season,” Notre Dame athletic director
See Notre Dame, B3
Hockey breaks ice on new year By Greg Joyce
Assoc. Sports Editor With the loss of six key players from last year’s squad, this year’s Boston College men’s hockey team has faced many questions during the preseason. Those questions will be answered early on, with a serious gut check in its first game-action this weekend, in the Ice Breaker in Grand Forks, N.D. The Eagles take on Michigan State on Friday night, and will face the winner of Air Force-North Dakota on Saturday. The game against the Spartans will be a rematch of the 2007 national championship game, while Air Force and North Dakota have both made multiple NCAA tournament appearances in the past few years. “Michigan State and North Dakota have all the qualities you want in an early season test – national championships, a great history of hockey on their campuses, national powers,” head coach Jerry York said. “We’ve also got an up-and-coming team in Air Force, which has made national tournaments. They certainly don’t have the pedigree of the other two schools, but they will open up some eyes with their play.” This weekend’s tournament will serve as a barometer for the prospects of the upcoming season, as the Eagles will be pushed to the limit by the opposing teams. “The barometer is there for us,” York said. “We’ll know better how we measure up against them Sunday night.” After losing much of last year’s offense to either graduation or early departures, the Eagles will have somewhat of a new look. The roster contains a mix of veterans and nine freshmen, who will be looking to establish themselves early on. With two difficult games in the first weekend of the season, York will be watching carefully to see who steps up. “We’re wide open,” York said. “You’re never
See Men’s Hockey, B3
alex trautwig / heights editor
Junior Victoria DiMartino will be the focal point of the Boston College attack tonight with classmate Kristie Mewis missing the game due to national team duty.
Women’s soccer head coach Alison Foley couldn’t have asked for much more from her team during its opening run of ACC matches. So far in conference play, the team (9-0-2 overall) is 4-0 while outscoring opponents 10-2, knocking off No. 16 Maryland and No. 17 Virginia along the way. Teams playing better than the Eagles right now are few and far between. On Thursday night, though, one of those squads comes to Chestnut Hill to fight for first place in the most dominant women’s soccer conference in the country. The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils (12-1-1) also boast an undefeated record against ACC schools, with their only blemish a scoreless draw against Virginia. They’ve outscored opponents by a cumulative score of 30-5, a mark that’s slightly better than the Eagles’ similarly impressive differential of 24-3. Both squads are equally potent on offense and defense. Duke can counter BC’s torrid attack – led by returning All-American Victoria DiMartino – with goalkeeper Tara Campbell, currently second in the ACC in both save percentage and goalsagainst-average. But the one keeper she’s trailing in both those categories happens to be the same one
she’ll be facing off against tonight, BC keeper Jillian Mastroianni. The team captain is three shutouts away from breaking the all-time NCAA record. She already broke BC’s former school record (37) earlier during her remarkable senior campaign. She’ll face her toughest task of the year when she attempts to shut down a team that’s netted multiple goals in 11 of its 14 matches so far this season. “This will be our toughest test of the season, for sure,” Foley said. “They’re a really difficult team to match up against. They do so many things well. We’re going to have to play one of our best games of the season in order to win.” It will be hard for the Eagles to play much better than they did in their last game out against Clemson, a match they dominated 4-0. Granted, it was the Tigers’ seventh straight loss, but nevertheless, BC is clicking right now and setting itself up to repeat last year’s run to the College Cup. Matches like this one test a team’s true mettle and forecast its prospects for the postseason. Not that the Eagles should start looking ahead to the ACC tournament and beyond just yet – quite the opposite, in fact. Three of their final five matches after Thursday night are against teams currently ranked in the top 11 in the country (Wake Forest,
See Women’s Soccer, B2
Harris ruled out for football game against Clemson By Steven Principi Heights Staff
A 1-4 start to the season does little to inspire confidence in the fans of the Boston College football team. Considering the fact that the first five games were supposed to be the easiest stretch of the season doesn’t help much either. So it’s not much of a surprise to see the Eagles as a three-touchdown underdog traveling to face the undefeated Clemson Tigers Saturday at 3 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. No. 8 Clemson is coming off three straight wins against top 25 teams, including a dominant 23-3 showing last week at Virginia Tech that vaulted the Tigers to the top of the ACC. Meanwhile, the Eagles are coming off a 27-19 loss to conference foe Wake Forest, a team that is not expected to be a contender this season. The Tigers may well be the most complete and talented team that BC plays this year, a disturbing thought given what has transpired for the Eagles in past weeks. Complicating BC’s upset bid is the uncertainty surrounding the running back position. Montel Harris was ruled out for the game yesterday after an MRI revealed swelling in his surgically repaired left knee. Primary backup Andre Williams is questionable after injuring his right ankle against Wake Forest. Sophomore Deuce Finch and redshirt freshman Tahj Kimble are next in line for carries. The Clemson offense, led by sophomore quarterback Tajh Boyd, junior running back Andre Ellington, and freshman receiver Sammy Watkins, face no such injury woes. While they rank just 86th in points per game, the Tigers are an explosive offense, with six plays already this season that have gone for 50 yards or more. They have three backs (Ellington, Mike Bellamy, and D.J. Howard) that average over four yards per carry and five receivers with at least 10 catches so far. Stopping this offense will prove a difficult task for the BC defense, which has looked shaky at points this season. “They’re a true ACC offense,” linebacker Kevin PierreLouis said. “They’re very balanced with both speed and power. We’re going to have our hands full this week. But the coaches have gone to the drawing boards and we feel like we can definitely win this game.” The Clemson defense provides an entirely different problem for BC. The Tigers are ranked 13th in the nation in points allowed, giving up just under 19 a game. They constantly pressure the quarterback and are particularly adept at forcing turnovers, owning a plus-three turnover rating going into this weekend. The star of the defense may be defensive end Andre Branch, who already has five sacks on the season, more than the entire Eagles defense.
alex trautwig / heights editor
Montel Harris will be watching Saturday’s game from the bench after an MRI revealed swelling in his left knee. “They’re as good as advertised,” wide receiver Bobby Swigert said. “Their defensive line is the best I’ve seen in college football. They rely on their front four guys to get pressure, so they don’t blitz a lot. Their linebackers will definitely hit you right in the mouth, and the defensive backs are just what you’d expect from a Clemson team. We can’t waste time getting up field as receivers. We need to rip through as quick as possible because we know Chase is going to have people in his face all day.” A positive note for BC may be its track record against Clemson over the years. Since joining the ACC, the Eagles are 4-2 against the Tigers, including a 16-10 victory last year that started the Eagles on a five-game win streak to end the season. BC can hope to play the role of spoiler against Clemson on Saturday, as the Tigers still
Donahue’s Disciples preach the good word
BC debuts at Duluth
Greg Joyce
Alex trautwig / heights editor
The womens’s hockey team travels to Minnesota Duluth this weekend for a challenging series. For more, see B3.
i nside S ports this issue
have national title aspirations with a 5-0 record and may be looking past the Eagles to their prime time showdown in Maryland next week. “Clemson comes to play every week,” linebacker Luke Kuechly. said “I don’t think this week is going to be any different for them. We beat them last year, we played them tough the year before, so they know what to expect from us. I don’t think they’re going to overlook us at all. They want to keep winning just like we do.” Center Mark Spinney may have summed it up better than anyone else, expressing his desire to upset the Tigers. “Hopefully we can be a little hiccup in their season,” he said. “Hopefully we can get a nice little upset and get back on track.” n
A reading from the Book of Steve: “… And the Lord said let there be 3’s, and the 3’s were good….” (Steve 1:3). Welcome to the latest student movement on campus, Donahue’s Disciples, the group that will try to make Conte Forum an unwelcoming environment for visiting teams this winter during the Boston College men’s basketball season. The idea for the group started last season when BC hosted UNC, and Ryan Dunn and a few of his friends dressed up as Donahue’s Disciples at the game. After the season ended, Dunn and his friends met with head coach Steve Donahue and his staff to discuss the barren student section at most home games throughout the year. The coaches loved the idea of the student group, but not much else stuck
Field Hockey gets back on track
The Eagles rebounded from a tough loss by handing Providence a 3-0 loss Monday night.......B3
Game of the Week
from the meeting. On Sept. 22, Donahue himself took to Twitter (@Coach_Donahue) to try and find Dunn and Co.: “Attention BC students: Looking to find the students who wanted to start “Donahue’s Disciples” last year.” “Would love for you to come by and discuss getting more students to hoop games this season.” “Any other students interested in being part of a grassroots student basketball group, please contact me or come to our office in Conte!” The power of social media at its finest. Dunn and his friends saw the tweet, got in touch with Donahue, and set up a meeting. Ironically, 12 members of Donahue’s Disciples met with the coaching staff. Monday’s meeting was much more productive than the one at the end of last year’s, and Donahue’s Disciples left with a boatload of new ideas for the season, now 38 days away from opening night at Conte Forum. The central idea behind the group is to reignite a sense of excitement, tradition, and creativity back into Conte Forum. One of the ways the disciples
The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils come into town tonight to face the No. 7 women’s soccer team...................B3
See Disciples, B2
Editors’ Picks..............................B3 The Week Ahead.........................B3
B2
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
BOSTON COLLEGE AT CLEMSON
When BC runs the ball Montel Harris will be inactive for the game and Andre Williams is questionable after an ankle injury against Wake Forest. This leaves the carries to sophomore Rolando “Deuce” Finch and redshirt freshman Tahj Kimble. Spaziani was quoted in The Boston Globe, saying, “Deuce is now Uno.” Advantage:
When BC passes the ball Clemson is averaging 208.8 passing yards per game, but they have played some high-powered offenses this season such as Auburn and Florida State. The Tigers also have five team interceptions. Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig was the focal point of the offense last weekend with 47 pass attempts. He completed 23 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Advantage:
When Clemson runs the ball The Tigers average 173 rushing yards per game, with leading rusher Andre Ellington averaging 82 yards per game. The Eagles’ defense has given up 10 rushing TDs and 153 rushing yards per game. Look for starting linebackers Luke Kuechly and Kevin PierreLouis to continue racking up the tackles against the run. Advantage:
When Clemson passes the ball Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd has been throwing the ball efficiently all season. He owns a 61.3 completion percentage this season, while throwing 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. The Eagles’ secondary has been learning on the fly this season. The return of senior captain Donnie Fletcher has helped improve the unit’s play. The team has yet to face a quarterback of Boyd’s caliber, though.
Donahue’s Disciples preach coach’s good word
Advantage:
Special teams Kicker Nate Freese came back from his short miss against Duke by kicking four field goals, including a career-long 52-yarder. Clemson has held teams to an average of 18 yards per kick return and less than seven yards per punt return. Sammy Watkins has been a solid kick returner for the Tigers, averaging 21.8 yards per return. Advantage:
Coaching and intangibles Eagles head coach Frank Spaziani has come under severe criticism for his lack of game management skills in the last few games. BC is entering a challenging part of its schedule and traveling down to Clemson will be an intense environment. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has led his team to victory against some tough opponents such as highly ranked Auburn, Florida State, and most recently Virginia Tech. Advantage:
ALEX TRAUTWIG / heights editor
Chase Rettig got his first collegiate win against Clemson a season ago, ending a five-game losing streak in the process. This year, BC heads to Clemson at 1-4.
Disciples, from B1 hope to do this is by narrowing the gap between players and students. It often seems like there’s a divide between athletes and their classmates, but Donahue and his Disciples are aiming to break down that barrier. The coaching staff, along with the Roundball Club (the basketball booster program), has offered to fund some of the initiatives of Donahue’s Disciples to get the group running. To narrow the rift, the group is hoping to host events such as block parties and barbeques on Upper and Lower Campus, with players and coaches in attendance. Additionally, Dunn said the group has discussed a three-on-three basketball tournament, where the players and coaches could either coach teams or referee the games. Such events would not only garner attention for Donahue’s Disciples, but they would also provide opportunities for interactions between students, players, and coaches.
These interactions could be key in filling the student section at Conte during the season. Some people may feel that there is not much motivation to go see a team play if you don’t know anybody on the team, or you feel distant from the players. But what if you knew the players and coaches, or at least had some exchanges with them? The idea of feeling like you know the players donning the maroon and gold each night can go a long way in putting bodies in the stands, and not just for games against Duke or UNC. Dunn explained the group’s vision with an analogy to fandom for high school games. “We think back to the days of high school where you knew the players on the court and felt a connection with them, and because of that, you dressed up, made signs and just got wild,” Dunn said in an e-mail. “We’ve already had a lot of positive feedback from both students and alumni and we’re looking to form a whole new tradition and establish a whole new chapter of BC basketball.”
It is the perfect time for this group to spur a movement. With a roster that includes nine freshman and a young coaching staff that is open for the interactions, the time is now for Donahue’s Disciples. It’s clear that Donahue and his staff are invested in the program, and their willingness to meet with students is great for the program. The group has its own Twitter account, @BookofDonahue, and has been acquiring widespread support, now with over 130 followers in just three days. The Disciples have their first unofficial meeting today, as they continue to get the group off the ground. It may be 38 days until the basketball season begins, but that’s not stopping Donahue’s Disciples. They’re already in game mode. The revolution is beginning—it’s time to be a part of it.
Greg Joyce is the Associate Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@ bcheights.com.
BC looks to correct second-half woes By Chris Marino Asst. Sports Editor
The No. 16 Boston College men’s soccer team will host Wake Forest Friday night in Newton. After his team was upset in its last game, head coach Ed Kelly will look for his players to step up and make an early impact on the match. The Eagles (7-3-0, 1-2-0 ACC) came into last Friday’s match with only two losses. Both came at the hands of the nation’s top-ranked teams, Connecticut and Maryland. The then-No. 13 Eagles were confident heading into their match against NC State. The Wolfpack were scuttling along with a 3-4-2 record before the match, but, BC was unable to take advantage. Kelly has said before that the team has been unable to play the full 90 minutes in each of its losses. “It’s easy to say that there was a mistake here and there, but that’s part of the game,” he said. “Sometimes you get a little bit lucky. It was a very close game. They scored in the last three minutes. We maybe could’ve done a little bit better earlier in the game with our concentration, but it was a tough place to play. New coach. Desperate team. Their backs were up against the wall. That wasn’t an easy place to go into and try to get a win. But the team did well, and sometimes it goes for you and others it doesn’t. They just got an early break and it made the game different.” While this season the Demon Deacons (4-4-1, 2-2-0) have not competed at the highest level, they have traditionally been a power in the ACC. Kelly knows his opponent’s capabilities and has his players prepared to overcome their lack of consistency. “We’ve been mostly working on the defensive side of it,” he explained. “We need to be able to play the full 90 minutes and not just small periods. And be focused. Keep your focus. Keep working hard. This is a big game. ACC game. Big crowd. We need this win, like all games. But this game is big. We don’t want to lose two in a row, so we’re working on our focus.” The team will look toward junior Kyle Bekker, who scored his fifth goal of the
season on a penalty kick against NC State. Also, goalkeeper Justin Luthy will need to shake off his tough performance after allowing two goals. He did have four saves in the second half of Friday’s match. Kelly indicated a sense of excitement in ending the team’s three-game road trip and returning to play in front of a home crowd. “I think us being at home with a big crowd is going to be a huge help,” he said. “We’ve been on the road for three games. We’ve won two of them and came close in the last one, so it’s important to be back in our own place at BC. Also, we have a tough bunch of guys who will bounce back and have good character. They’ll come back. I’m sure of it.”
The team may also gain another boost by the potential return of senior captain Conor Fitzpatrick, who has been out all season with injury. “He’s our captain so we miss him, but he did practice the entire practice today,” Kelly said on Tuesday. “That was encouraging and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll have him on Friday, because we need him. It’s been tough for him. He’s a senior and he hasn’t kicked the ball yet.” The Eagles hope to overcome their late-game struggles and gain position in the strenuous ACC. The team stands 1-2 in its three ACC contests. Kelly is looking for the team to remain focused and create momentum heading into the end of the regular season. n
ALEX TRAUTWIG / heights editor
Julia Bouchelle and the BC midfield will face its toughest challenge yet in No. 4 Duke tonight.
Duke comes to Newton for women’s soccer clash Women’s Soccer, from B1
ALEX TRAUTWIG / heights editor
Kyle Bekker, who is second on the team with five goals, is fully recovered from a calf injury.
North Carolina, and Florida State). They are still regular season games, but from here on out, the matches the Eagles play will feature near-playoff intensity. For this game, though, the team will be without Kristie Mewis, who is at national team training camp. B C ’s game against Duke should clarify whether the Eagles are a true contender to win the stacked ACC. “We think that we can play with any team in this conference, home or away,” Foley said. “We’ve shown that in the past and I believe we’re showing it this
season. This is a phenomenal soccer conference and we will do everything we can to show we’re the best team in it.” Her team’s attempt to grab the conference conch shell will come at home, where the Eagles haven’t surrendered a goal since Aug. 19. That should provide them with some advantage considering that the Blue Devils played exactly three matches outside of Tobacco Road so far this season, accruing a 2-1-0 record. Handing the Blue Devils their second loss of the year would put the Eagles in a position to control their own destiny as they try to end decades of Mid-Atlantic dominance in the ACC. n
The Heights
Editors’ Picks
Thursday, October 6, 2011 The Week Ahead
Standings
Football travels down to Death Valley to take on Clemson. Women’s soccer faces Duke in a key game. Men’s hockey plays Michigan State in the Ice Breaker. Women’s hockey travels to Duluth for a series. The Jets will come into New England on Sunday.
Chris Marino
16-4
Heights staff
15-5
Paul Sulzer
12-8
Greg Joyce
11-9
B3
Recap from Last Week
Game of the Week
Football got back in the loss column against Wake Forest. Field hockey was edged by Duke. Men’s soccer dropped its game to NC State on the road, while women’s soccer won at Clemson. In college football, Clemson upset Virginia Tech.
Women’s Soccer
Guest Editor: Daniel Ottaunick
Duke
General Manager
“Bid on DJ Adams at the BC Date Auction.”
Paul Sulzer Sports Editor
This Week’s Games Football: BC at No. 8 Clemson
Greg Joyce Assoc. Sports Editor
Chris Marino Asst. Sports Editor
Dan Ottaunick
General Manager
Clemson
Clemson
Clemson
Clemson
Women’s Soccer: No. 4 Duke at No. 7 BC
BC
BC
Duke
BC
Men’s Ice Hockey: No. 5 BC vs. Michigan State
BC
BC
BC
BC
Minnesota Duluth
Split
BC
Split
Patriots
Patriots
Patriots
Jets
Women’s Ice Hockey: BC at Minnesota Duluth (series) NFL: New York Jets at New England Patriots
vs.
Boston College
Tonight, the No. 7 Boston College women’s soccer team will take its four-game ACC winning streak into the toughest matchup of the season so far, against No. 4 Duke. It may be one of the biggest games on the schedule for the Eagles, who are off to their best start in the ACC since joining the conference in 2005. BC will be without its leading scorer, Kristie Mewis, who is at the United States under-23 national team training camp in California. But the Eagles will be in good hands with goalie Jill Mastroianni, who has allowed just three goals in 11 games.
Tonight, 7 p.m.
Eagles seize early lead before cruising past overmatched Friars By Tim Jablonski Heights Staff
Looking to get back on track after losing consecutive games for the first time all season last week, the Boston College field hockey team needed a spark to get its season back on track Tuesday night against Providence. Freshman Emma Plasteras gave them exactly that less than two minutes into the game, scoring what turned out to be the game-winning goal in an eventual 3-0 victory for the Eagles, the team’s third home win of the season. Sophomore Chapin Duke and graduate student Maike de Jager also tallied goals for the Eagles (8-4), who dominated play for most of the game against the slightly overmatched Friars (2-9). “I think getting out in front that early gave us a little more confidence tonight,” head coach Ainslee Lamb said. “Once we had the lead, we settled into our game pretty nicely.” Plasteras’ fourth goal of the season, her first gamewinner, came after a quick rush down the field for BC. Sophomore forward Anna Wetherall controlled the ball to the left of the cage and found her teammate with a sharp pass right in front of the net. Plasteras was all alone in front of goalie Shanno DiStefano and struck a shot right to the corner to give her team a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. In fact, the Eagles haven’t relinquished many leads all season. The team is a sterling 6-0 when scoring first and has failed to win just once when taking a lead into the half. The team was able to do that on Tuesday as the rest of the first half was a back and forth affair that saw scoring chances for both squads, but no goals. BC
outshot the Friars 6-1 over the first 35, challenging the visiting team’s defense on numerous occasions. Providence was able to keep the deficit at one and came out looking for an equalizer in the second half. But their hopes of a comeback were severely damaged in the 53rd minute. After earning a penalty corner, junior midfielder Jacqui Moorfield ripped a shot towards goal. The strike found neither cage nor goalkeeper but rather the stick of Duke, who deflected the shot. The goal was Duke’s eighth of the season, tying her with seniors Carla Tamer and Courtney Tavener for the team lead. “That was a very impressive play by Chapin,” Lamb said. “A play like that’s not as easy as it looks, but she was able to time it right and get her stick in exactly the right place to put the ball home. The Eagles dominated play in the second stanza, outshooting the Friars 15-6 while landing 10 of those shots on goal. And after uncharacteristically earning only one penalty corner in the first half, they were able to rack up six of them in the second, constantly putting pressure on Providence’s wornout back line. The team’s persistent attack paid off again in the 64th minute, when graduate student Maike de Jager dribbled alone into the circle and maneuvered the ball around the goalkeeper into the net for her fifth tally of the year. It was the Netherlands native’s second goal in as many games and her fifth in her first season on the team. On the defensive side of the ball, BC’s rotation of backs kept the Eagles striking circle relatively clean all night. Senior goalkeeper Nicole Barry didn’t have to make a save all night, as she recorded her second shutout of the season. n
Alex trautwig / heights editor
Graduate student Maike de Jager (24) scored her second goal in as many games on Monday night to assist in the win.
Hockey breaks the ice Men’s Hockey, from B1 quite sure what you have. You know what you have on paper – who you have returning and who’s coming in as a freshman. We’ve seen our team practice. We appear to be solid in all areas. Until you get out there against live competition, though, you never know.” York has made the following lines that he will likely use this weekend, in no particular order: Chris Kreider-Bill Arnold-Destry Straight; Barry AlmeidaKevin Hayes-Paul Carey; Johnny Gaudreau-Pat Mullane-Steven Whitney; and Tommy Atkinson-Patrick Brown-Danny Linell. The defensive lines are Brian Dumoulin-Edwin Shea; Tommy CrossPatch Alber; Isaac MacLeod-Patrick Wey; and Quinn Smith-Mark Begert. “Barring injuries, our lines are pretty well set,” York said. “We can only dress six defensemen, but we have eight listed. We’ll figure that out over the
Alex trautwig / heights editor
Danielle Welch returns for her senior season as a captain for BC, and is expected to be one of the top goal scorers for the Eagles.
BC opens with top 10 match-up in Duluth By Austin Tedesco For The Heights
Facing a top-10 team can be an intimidating way to start a season. Facing that same team twice on the road sounds like a daunting task, but Boston College women’s hockey coach Katie King is looking forward to the upcoming match-up between her No. 5 squad and No. 6 Minnesota Duluth at 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. “Because the two teams are going to be so competitive, it’s going to be exciting for the rest of the season,” King said. “It’s a good gauge for us right off the bat to see where we’re at and to see what we can work on.” Forward Kelli Stack and goaltender Molly Schaus, two of the program’s alltime best players, are gone from an Eagles team that won its first Hockey East championship and reached its first Frozen Four last season. Senior captains and forwards Mary Restuccia, Danielle Welch, and An-
drea Green will look to make up for the loss of Stack on the scoring end, while the goalie position is still a question mark. “Both of our goalies didn’t see a lot of action last year,” King said. “One was a redshirt so she’s going to get some action, and we’ll see how she does against a good team.” That redshirt goalie is junior Corinne Boyles, who played all 60 minutes and allowed a single power-play goal in a 5-1 exhibition victory over McGill last week. King said that Boyles and senior Kiera Kingston could both see minutes and that the position changes by the week. Boyles, Kingston, and the rest of the Eagles will have their hands full against an aggressive Duluth team that has won two out of the last four national championships and finished last season No. 5. “They definitely like to have their defense jump up in the play and we haven’t really touched on that quite with our kids,” King said. “We’re more focusing on what we need to do for us, especially in these
first couple games.” King made it clear that this early in the season, it’s important to worry less about the opponent, and more about improving as a team. This Duluth team, however, will present a challenge unlike most of the competition the Eagles face in Hockey East. “They have some good players,” King said. “They have a lot of foreign players so a lot of Canadians, Swedes, and Finns. They kind of run the gamut so they’ll definitely have a little bit of a European style as well.” King also does not sound concerned with playing in back-to-back games against the same squad. “I think we just take it like a normal game,” she said. “Obviously, in the second game, you will have seen them, so we’ll know a little bit more on what we can do. But they’ll have seen us too, so it’s just kind of a normal game. As much as it’s important to get a couple wins, it’ll be good to hopefully use it as a springboard for a successful season.” n
next couple days. We’ve also got four goaltenders. We haven’t decided which three we’ll take with us.” Those four goaltenders are Parker Milner, Chris Venti, Brian Billett, and Brad Barone. Milner is the projected starter for Friday night’s match-up, with the other three waiting in the wings. Milner will be looking to fill the void left by John Muse, who had been a force between the pipes for the Eagles over the past four years, except for the 2009-2010 season. In that year, with Muse injured, Milner saw action in 14 games, allowing 31 goals. It won’t be an easy opening weekend for BC, but it will serve as a good projection for how the rest of the season will pan out. Led by their senior captains Cross, Almeida, and Carey, the Eagles will look to rise to the occasion against teams they could very likely see if the NCAA tournament comes calling once again. n
Irish join Hockey East Notre Dame, from B1 Jack Swarbrick said. “Many factors played a role in our decision, but three were of special importance to us. The first two were the critical issues of the student-athlete experience and Notre Dame’s fit with the other schools in the conference. But of special importance in this instance was our goal of giving our hockey program an unprecedented level of national exposure through our expanded partnership with the NBC Sports Group. Athletics at Notre Dame has always served as a platform for promoting the university.” Notre Dame will remain in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) through 2013. The creation of the Big Ten’s hockey league, slated for 2013, set off a round of realignment that led to the demise of the CCHA, which has lost teams to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) as well. “We are honored and pleased to join Hockey East for the 2013-14 season,” Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson said. “It is an established league with a great
tradition and outstanding programs that share Notre Dame’s values. The exposure for our players and team in a major media and NHL market will be second to none. Hockey East’s commitment to playing a smaller league schedule will allow us to enhance our home and non-conference schedule with traditional western and Big Ten rivals. This will allow us to bring a lot of great games to the Compton Family Ice Arena and create a more diverse, nationally televised schedule.” The Fighting Irish will face three Hockey East programs this season, including BC on the night of the dedication of Notre Dame’s new arena, Nov. 18. Hockey East did not announce further expansion plans at the press conference, although the possibility remains that the conference could invite an East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) or Atlantic Hockey team. The addition of Notre Dame, however, does not necessarily mean the conference will seek a 12th member. As one of the power conferences in Division 1, Hockey East does not need to rush into adding an additional school, should it choose to do so. n
B4
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
television
modern family
album review
find out why you should watch next week’s episode page c7
piano rock
fashion forward
new album is both beachy and inspiring page c3
singular piece
the importance of having that one special shirt page c7 Thursday, october 6, 2011
Comic Relief see c8
mollie kolosky/ heights photo illustration
The Heights
C2
Go occupy Beverly Hills, movie stars
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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Scene and Heard
BY: kATIE LEE
Darren Ranck In times of doubt, how many of us ask, “What would Mark Ruffalo do?” While the Oscar-nominated star of The Kids Are All Right doesn’t seem like the first person to turn to during these hard times, thousands of Twitter followers recently put their faith in him as he recapped his weekend alongside protesters at “Occupy Wall Street.” Many a celebrity throws his or her weight around the political sphere, but Ruffalo’s coverage and support around a rather controversial protest raises a number of questions regarding the future of media-driven protest. First, I offer a bit of background information about “Occupy Wall Street.” Its origins begin with the activity group Adbusters, an anti-consumerist and pro-government organization rooted in Canada composed of self-described artist-writer-activist-student-educator mixes. The group’s self-titled publication encouraged a peaceful occupation of Wall Street to call attention to the financial crisis and the government’s inability to lead during this stressful time. What began as a peaceful protest, however, has transformed into one of the more intriguing activist markers in recent memory. From the searing image of pepper spray victims writhing on the sidewalks of New York, to an empowering visual of a crowd crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, “Occupy Wall Street” continues to spark conversation as it gains more and more steam. With no leader and a seeming lack of end goal, though, how can the American public, particularly the disparate youth of the nation, educate themselves on the next big movement? Enter the celebrities! Ever since Vanessa Redgrave outspokenly referred to the “Zionist hoodlums” involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in her acceptance speech at the Oscars in 1978, movie stars have made the conscious choice to channel their dramatic arts into activist arts. A celebrity endorsement now solidifies the effectiveness of a movement, but how much credit does the Hollywood elite deserve in these situations? To what end do they convey the principles of a movement? The relationship between Ruffalo and “Occupy Wall Street” is most peculiar. From a personal standpoint, I enjoy Ruffalo’s work and find him to be a more relatable, if maybe a bit more granola, than your average Hollywood hot shot. Ruffalo’s incessant support of the cause, however, has somehow made him the unofficial face of the movement among media sources. He tweeted praise for the movement, citing its kindness and gentleness as its greatest strengths and remarking that the protesters are simply hoping to wake up realizing the American Dream could be more than a dream but a permanent reality. Further perusing of Ruffalo’s tweets reveals the inherent problem with celebrity endorsement - it’s rare that the celebrities are truly affected by the issue they protest. One tweet says, “If you don’t have millions sitting in the bank, you are a 99%er. That means this movement is for the Majority of Americans.” True that, Mark Ruffalo. Much like your paycheck for Shutter Island, does that wisdom cost $2 million? How can the Americans that stand to gain the most from “Occupy Wall Street” follow the advice of a man whose government isn’t infringing upon his asking price for his next film? A struggling entrepreneur in New York should find his inspiration in the leaders of protest. Unfortunately, “Occupy Wall Street” lacks the leadership and the defined goals to truly inspire the most unlikely of activists. To that end, I encourage someone who truly believes in the definitive mission of “Occupy Wall Street” to be that working class hero. Let the celebrities look up to you for a change. As for those well meaning but rather self important celebrity activists, take a page from Susan Sarandon’s book. One of Hollywood’s leading activists, the actress told reporters she attended “Occupy Wall Street” events “to understand what’s going on and lend my support.” A true supporter, Sarandon encouraged the protesters to let everyone know exactly what they’re fighting for and let the cause, along with the people who truly embody its goals, speak for itself. Any celebrity can and should support the cause if they believe in it. Just this once, though, celebs, don’t let it be all about you.
Darren Ranck is the Arts & Review editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.
1. ‘ARRESTED’ MOVIE
2. NEW SWIFT ALBUM
The moment that all fans of the short-lived Fox series have been waiting for. This past Sunday, the creator of the beloved Arrested Development series, Mitchell Hurwitz, announced at the New Yorker Festival that a film adaptation for the show is in the works. And it only gets better: the movie will be accompanied by a short season of TV aired episodes so that fans can get a look at where the characters are now. “It’s true. We will do 10 episodes and a movie,” Jason Bateman tweeted over the weekend.
It’s been about one year since the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album that included the radio-blasting-with-voice-belting favorites such as “Mean” and “Back to December.” In an interview with The New Yorker a few days ago, Swift stated that her newest album is all about moving on. Her new songs seem to fit a progression of maturity for Swift. “They’re sad, if I’m being honest,” she said when discussing the 10 completed songs she has for the album thus far.
3. IMMORTAL JACKSON The second posthumous Michael Jackson album is set to hit stores Nov. 21. Unlike the first album titled Michael, that featured some unreleased tracks, Immortal is rumored to be the featured soundtrack of the newly released Cirque du Soleil show with the same name as the album. Immortal will feature reworked editions of some of MJ’s most beloved tracks alongside mash-ups and never released outtakes from the beloved pop icon.
4. THE NEW iPHONE 4S
On Tuesday during a press event at its California headquarters, Apple unveiled the newest smart phone: the iPhone 4S. The device has a variety of new features that any iPhone user would enjoy. Not only is there a higher resolution camera, the device is supposedly two times faster than its predecessor thanks to its new and improved processor. The highly anticipated iPhone 4S is officially is set to launch on Oct. 14 for AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. It will come in both black and white models and will cost $199 for the 16 gig version.
5. Knox Freed Amanda Knox’s life took a dramatic turn Monday afternoon when an Italian appeals court discarded her murder conviction. In 2007, 20-year-old Knox was accused of being involved in the death of her British roommate, Meredith Kerchner. At the time of the murder, 20-year-old Knox was a student at the University of Washington, studying abroad. After spending four years in an Italian prison, the decision was appealed based on doubts over DNA evidence. Knox finally made her way home to the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday evening, now free, and was greeted by family, friends, and loved ones.
Serial Story In last week’s serial story: Memories of the beautiful, enigmatic Duchess Sophia tourturing him, Professor Bartholomew Netrovsky is shocked to see her security detail loitering in the back of his classroom years after their breakup.
@HeidiMontag (heidi montag, reality star, ‘the hills’)
photo courtesy of google
“‘The Duchess Sophia would like you to know that she has been attending weekly Pilates classes for the last 10 years....” -TR
In which Herman shows Prof. Netrovsky who’s boss Tracy Rizk The professor looked very surprised to see him. Herman was surprised too. It was a strange situation—that didn’t mean they couldn’t at least be civil to one another. Herman adjusted his polka dot bowtie. “How do you do, professor?” “Very well, very well,” the professor said, nodding his head. “What on earth are you doing here, Herman?” Herman struggled to recall what he was supposed to be doing. He really had very little experience with these kinds of exchanges. He glanced nervously at the suited man standing near the doorway, who scowled at him. “Well, professor, I have a message for you. And also, a task.” Professor Netrovsky’s forehead was shiny with sweat. He edged forward in his seat. “I-I didn’t know you knew Sophia—.” Herman could not help but notice the irony of this situation. He saw himself six years ago, sitting in an uncomfortable chair in Netrovsky’s dusty office, heart beating hard as he listened to the man tell him that he was about to fail his Philosophy core. All for oversleeping through one lousy final examination. And now this—this same fancy, overeducated, European trained, book-writing man was sitting in front of him, wringing his hands together like a six-year-old. Herman’s anxiety lifted. He could not say he did not enjoy this a little bit. He straightened up and faced the professor squarely. “Listen up, Netrovsky,” he said, “and listen good.” Herman paused to think about how best to phrase his next few words. The suited man near the door was glaring at him. Herman continued, “We, on behalf of the Duchess Sophia, request your services.” That sounded good. He fumbled in his pockets for the small envelope they had given him earlier in the small, bright
room. “THIS”— he slapped the envelope onto the coffee table for effect—“is a note from the duchess. Read it on your own, at a later time. Now, we talk business.” Netrovsky looked down at the crumpled envelope and made as if to reach for it. His hand dropped into his lap instead. He opened his mouth to speak. Herman raised his right hand, “Hup! Questions later.” He really hoped the suited man in the corner was paying attention to this. He was exhibiting some real take-charge, authoritative qualities. At this rate, he would ace the test for sure. “Now,” Herman continued, “Pay close attention. Duchess Sophia has left her husband’s estate and is currently in hiding. She requests your presence.” Netrovsky’s eyes widened. “She asked for me?” “Yes,” Herman said, “it appears so. This fine gentleman,”— Herman gestured to the silent man in the suit—“and his companions have asked me to assist you in your search.” At least, that was what Herman thought he was being asked to do. The whole test was a little fuzzy in his head. This morning, he had expected the three suited men to lead him to his boss, Monique Vasquez (Ice Queen) who would tell him that though he had been an appreciated employee, times were hard and the firm needed to make some cuts. He had envisioned himself marching up to her and demanding recognition for his longlasting devotion to the company, waving his fists in the air and maybe even raising his voice. Luckily for Herman, though, the three men had not led him to Monique. Instead, they took him to a large estate on a hill and escorted him into a brightly lit room with a large screen occupying one wall. The moment he walked into the room, a white-haired man in a plain black suit flashed to life on the screen. Herman had immediately figured that this virtual man was probably even
higher up than Monique, who never fooled anyone with her haughty, condescending behavior. She, too, had someone to take orders from for sure. Why did this man wish to talk to him then? Herman was immediately on the alert. Maybe Monique did not have the jurisdiction to fire him after all and this man was about to do it instead. “Mr. S,” the man said, “We require your services for a very special task.” So he wasn’t fired. Herman exhaled loudly. He figured this would just be some kind of out-of-office job. Maybe he had to go on-site somewhere to speak to a client. Maybe he was up for promotion and they were testing his abilities. It was about time, after all. “Mr. S, are you listening to me?” Herman had snapped to attention. At that moment, he decided that if this was some sort of test, he wanted to do his best. No one could fire him if he did. In keeping with his decision, Herman refocused his full attention on Netrovsky. He made sure to look stern, just like those men in the suits. The professor remained silent. The suited man in the corner made his way towards Herbert and whispered in his ear. Herbert nodded. “Oh, and professor? One more thing.” The professor looked up anxiously. “The Duchess Sophia would like you to know that she has been attending weekly Pilates classes for the last 10 years and—though much time has passed since you last saw one another—still retains the body of a 20-something.” Netrovsky looked surprised at the information. “So,” Herman continued, “what’s it gonna be?” The professor buried his head in his hands and did not reply for a long time.
Tracy Rizk is a columnist for The Heights. She can be reached at arts@ bcheights.com.
“wow driving can be intense!” @nicolerichie (nicole richie, fashion icon)
“life is crazy and unpredictable... my bangs are going to the left today.” @jenkirkman (jen kirkman, ‘chelsea lately,’ comedian)
“maybe some day there will be a magazine piece on an actress that doesn’t start with how she showed up without makeup and ordered a big meal.” @mindykaling (mindy kaling, ‘the office,’ actress)
“on the rare occasion when i party, the thought i feel is ‘let’s burn this city down like the barbarians did to ancient rome.’” @sofifii (sophia rossi, television producer)
“have you guys thought about how much beyonce means to you today? Work on that.” Submit your favorite tweets of the week for consideration at artseditors11@gmail.com.
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
C3
Casual and lazy, Feist’s ‘Metals’ improves upon itself
Chart Toppers
By Taylor Cavallo
1 Someone Like You Adele 2 Moves Like Jagger Maroon 5 3 Strange Clouds B.o.B. ft. Lil’ Wayne 4 Pumped Up Kicks Foster the People 5 Sexy And I Know It LMFAO 6 We Found Love Rihanna 7 Stereo Hearts Gym Class Heroes 8 Without You David Guetta 9 Party Rock Anthem LMFAO 10 Cheers Rihanna
For the Heights
I have to admit I was a bit hesitant about Metals, Feist’s fourth studio album, as breathy, indie pop female singers aren’t usually my thing. The album definitely accomplishes what it sets out to be: mellow and easy listening. Metals could absolutely be heard on a Starbucks playlist – and that is meant in the best way possible. When thinking of Feist, one instinctively hears the melodious and catchy, “1234,” but this album expresses a certain maturity and sensual feeling that is not expressed in the aforementioned iPod Nano commercial tune. The album has some attitude, mixed with a certain seductive tone that pervades many of the songs. The album seems to have a (poor man’s) Tori Amos vibe, but that edginess, or feistiness (please excuse the pun) is there nonetheless. When first looking at the album, all the titles of the songs intrigue, pulling listeners in even before they hear the first note. None of the songs express any particular gift of lyricism, as they seem to read more like a journal than song lyrics. While this does of course give it a nice, personal touch, the lyrics do not reflect the heart of the album. Granted, some lyrics are more detailed and deeper than others, but most are simple and repetitive. This might sound
like a bad quality, but it is precisely this simplicity of Feist’s lyrics that make them work in the album. There are no superfluous words. It is clear that everything has been chosen for a particular reason, but the lyrics are not overzealous. As usual, Feist’s voice is a breathy, sensual whisper that works well with the sophistication of the album itself, although sometimes a little difficult to understand. Fusing with the easy-listening, yet instrumentally layered songs, the simple lyrics are refreshing. “How Come You Never Go There,” the album’s first single released in late September, adds a jazz-like vibe to Feist’s usual soft, whisper voice with the various accompanying instruments and the background vocals. The album’s first song, “The Bad in Each Other,” describes an unhealthy relationship between a man and a woman and how they (unsurprisingly) bring out the bad in each other. This song also brought out the ‘bad in the album,’ and was the reason for my initial hesitancy. It was flat, predictable, one-dimensional and cheesy, including a male vocalist in a relationship song. The rest of the songs, however, showed a gross improvement. The album’s fifth song, entitled “A Commotion,” is again sung in Feist’s typical voice, but the pulsating beat that builds and builds, eventually creating an undeniable
Metals Feist produced by Cherrytree released OCT. 4, 2011 Our rating A-
Singles
Top Albums
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Reading more like a journal than an album, ‘Metals’ delivers on its promise of a harmonious listening experience. tension that must be releasedalong with the declarative, sudden outbursts from the male singer- is almost reminiscent of a 1920’s big band song. “Bittersweet Melodies” is a universally understood song about the nature of memories and their presence in a melody or a song. Feist’s line in this song, “Can’t go back, and can’t go on,” is an example of the simple, yet penetrating and
relatable lyrics that are present in her songs. Another example of this talent for creating striking lines comes in the song “The Circle Married the Line,” where she pleads to the listener, “All I want is a horizon line.” Again, a verbally simple statement that evokes a much deeper feeling in the listener. The acoustic guitar in “Cicadas and Gulls” has a sweet country song-like, humming lullaby tune to it, with equally
sweet lyrics. This album is by no means the ‘be all, end all’ of female vocalist creations, but it doesn’t try to be. Feist simply brings us a chill, harmonious listening experience. If you’re looking for an album to listen to as soft background music on a lazy, potentially rainy Sunday afternoon, especially with cold weather coming soon, Feist’s Metals is your answer. n
1 Cole World J. Cole 2 Neighborhoods Blink-182 3 21 Adele 4 Own the Night Lady Antebellum 5 The Whole Love Wilco Source: Billboard.com
With ‘People and Things,’ Jack’s Mannequin conquers the odds By Ariana Igneri For the Heights
Jack’s Mannequin’s third studio release, People & Things, cannot be adequately reviewed without considering the personal life story of the band’s front man, Andrew McMahon. After leading a suc-
cessful career with the band Something Corporate, McMahon began writing songs for a side project, Jack’s Mannequin. The first album, Everything in Transit, consisted of airy, Beach Boys-esque songs about love, heartbreak, and relationships that were perfect for the summertime. However, in the midst of
putting out this album, McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia. The band’s next album, The Glass Passenger, was quite different from its first, both lyrically and musically; it was comprised of intimate, emotional songs that documented McMahon’s struggle with cancer. People & Things, now, according
People and things Jack’s Mannequin produced by Sire released Oct. 4, 2011 Our rating A
courtesy of google.com
After struggling with leukemia, Jack’s Mannequin front man Andrew McMahon returns with a stellar, triumphant album.
to McMahon, is “the finishing of a three-record installation.” The album is not about newly found love, and it’s not about despair; rather, McMahon says that it focuses on “the stuff in between.” People & Things is all about balance. Each song is crafted with poignant lyrics to match the individual instrumental tones, all flawlessly created by McMahon from his piano. The first track, and the first radio single, of the album, “My Racing Thoughts,” demonstrates this balance well. It is an upbeat, percussion-driven song that incorporates a synth background, making it one of the most “pop-like” songs on the album. The rest of the record, though, is more “earthy,” says McMahon. “Restless Dreams,” for example, is an acoustic, fingerpicked song that has an incredible live and stripped-down feel to it. “Amelia Jean” and “Casting Lines” possess a similar quality, and they also allow McMahon to showcase his expertise on the keys. “Hostage,” like “Amy, I,” is characterized by a catchy hook and a powerful, rhythmic piano rift that could easily make it a banner track. “Release Me” – a song fairly different from
the rest – is one of the most infectious tracks on the album; the way it strongly relies on the electric guitar creates a tension in the track that is completely fitting, considering the title. Musically, People & Things is a commendable progression for Jack’s Mannequin. Though the album doesn’t offer much in innovation, it is a successful piano-rock album that balances the sunny, beach pop of Everything In Transit and the mature, emotional sound of The Glass Passenger. Even lyrically, People & Things proves to be a satisfying completion of the Jack’s trilogy. Certain song lyrics off the album are reminiscent of the band’s former two records. Lyrics like, “I’ve been waiting for the sun to shine” from the track “Release Me,” echo lines from “Swim” off The Glass Passenger, and when McMahon asks the question “What if I could live like this?” in the song “Television,” ardent fans are reminded of the song “Holiday From Real” from the album Everything in Transit. This continuity gives close listeners a sense of completion, of coming full circle with the band, of balance.
No matter what the lyric is though, McMahon is known for being ceaselessly honest. In “Hey Hey Hey (We’re All Gonna Die),” he has no qualms about stating such a truth about life. He says that the song was originally written for The Glass Passenger, but only now could he genuinely sing the words. “People, Running” enforces McMahon’s candid approach to life; he says, “We are just people running around / And there’s no need to worry / We’ll figure it out.” McMahon’s lyrical honesty makes his songs uniquely cathartic and extremely relatable. People & Things ties all loose ends together in a well composed album; in the line of Something Corporate’s piano-rock, with the lyrical sincerity of The Glass Passenger, and with the energy from Everything in Transit, Jack’s Mannequin’s third album is one of McMahon’s most diverse, cohesive works yet. With such a complete, gratifying record, the only question fans are left dubious about is what step the band will take next. “I have no idea what’s next,” McMahon says. “It could honestly be anything.” n
Mutemath works through its flaws on the talented ‘Odd Soul’ By Christine Zhao For the Heights
After two years of silence, alternative rock band Mutemath is back with a vengeance. The New Orleans-based band, over the course of five years, has produced three very different albums. Their first produced hits like “Chaos” gained them a solid following. Armistice, their sophomore effort in 2009, was met with some disdain from loyal fans, and their latest is yet another musical path all together. The quartet, consisting of Paul Meany on vocals and keyboard, Roy Mitchell-Cardenas on bass, Todd Gummerman on guitar (new to the band after Greg Hill quit), and Darren King on drums, spent six months in lockdown to produce Odd Soul. It was time well spent, and produced a neatly wrapped piece of pure catchiness. The album opens up with the titular song, featuring a chorus of echoing voices, the band’s signature top-notch drum beats (brought to you by Darren King), and the inarguably talented Gummerman on guitar. It sets the tone for the rest of the album,
which has a bluesy spring to its step. “Prytania,” with its pulsating rhythm and catchy chorus, is easily one of the highlights of the album, inspiring foot-tapping energy as the cymbals crash – the perfect accent on rhythmic drums. The merits of “Blood Pressure” come through its lyrics with an opening verse berating the doleful burdens of meeting expectations—“Why don’t you; be more like your brother / why don’t you; do a little more for Jesus.” The song’s beats were reminiscent of Mutemath circa 2006, the era of their eponymous album. With “Tell Your Heart Heads Up,” the band goes back to their experimentation. There are some spoken lines, which fit in perfectly against a background of piercing guitar riffs that might remind listeners of the Black Keys. The tambourine keeps the rhythm going, and the keyboard adds the perfect amount of variety. In “All Or Nothing,” the mood mellows out, and Meany showcases his vocal range, with a falsetto in the chorus of the album’s homage to something slower, almost a ballad. “All Or Nothing” also points
out one of the band’s fundamental weaknesses—Meany’s voice. Though it is ver y decent and never displeasing, it is also usually unremarkable. Other bands, like Muse, struggle with the same problem. The band’s instrumentals are so strong and musically impressive that they are what stick with the listener, but not the voice. In “Allies,” Meany’s crooning is vaguely reminiscent of Maroon 5’s Adam Levine or Coldplay’s Chris Martin, but it doesn’t quite latch on like Levine’s or demand instant recognition like Martin’s. With such talent to be found in the instrumentals, there needs to be an equally powerful leading vocalist to guide it across the threshold from acceptable to unforgettable. Even rock legend The Doors would not have been nearly as good without Jim Morrison’s haunting vocal prowess. In the rest of the album, the band’s electro-rock influence shows through with the gorgeous instrumentation that lends an otherworldly quality to the song, “Sun Ray.” With its synthetic xylophone intro, “Sun Ray” is like an intermission for the album. The song, clocking in at just less than
two minutes, is a complete shift from the rest of the album. The purely instrumental track creates a melody that carries a sense of meditative calm, complete with gentle chanting. Continuing their attempt to include a little bit of everything, “Walking Paranoia” contains some traces of funk, while “Equals”
moves to wistful mainstream rock with the cadenced clapping holding down the background beat. The seven-minute long “Quarantine” starts to get a little tedious after the first three or so minutes, but the ending, “In No Time,” brings things back on track and gives the album a very impressive finishing touch.
Overall, Odd Soul is an effort that deserves to be applauded. The sound manages to be coherent without repetition. Each track maintains its own distinct flavor while contributing to the greater brew of sounds. It is safe to say that Mutemath’s rock subgenre-hopping experiment is a success. n
Odd Soul Mutemath produced by Warner brothers released Oct. 4, 2011 Our rating B+
courtesy of google.com
In a “rock subgenre-hopping experiment,” Mutemath demonstrates a serious slate of influences, from electro to spoken.
Radio singles by MaTT Mazzari Taio Cruz ft. Flo Rida “Hangover”
Enrique Iglesias “I Like How It Feels”
Joe Jonas ft. Lil’ Wayne “Just in Love” The basic premise of this single is that a very lonely man, Taio Cruz, is simply goose-freckled at the prospect of waking up with a hangover. It becomes painfully clear when the chorus giddily chants, “I can drink until I throw up” that Taio has absolutely no idea what self control is, though. It’s almost pitiable before you realize that the entire miserable affair is driven by a synthesizer with the musicality of a dial tone.
Imagine the implications of this scene: Joe Jonas of Disney fame is pumping out a breathy, sexually frustrated club mix, all the while battling horrendous rapping on this remix. This is comedic genius. But the unarguable piece du resistance is Wayne shouting over the music “Joe, I got you!” and then being interrupted by the ongoing chorus several times before saying his piece. A hilarious disaster, fun for no one.
Isn’t this the guy who did “I Can Be Your Hero?” What happened? The highlights of Iglesias’ latest single include a perplexingly shoddy recording of a whistle chorus, synthesized bass and drum beats, and a monotonous refrain to rival late ’80s disco. The singer’s love-ballad background does make a brief appearance in the song’s middle eight, in which the singer spares no words in saying absolutely nothing.
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‘The Art of Fielding’ turns baseball into high taste culture Chad Harbach’s novel scores a homerun with its inspired narrative By Brennan Carley
T
Assoc.. Arts & Review Editor he American sports novel is no stranger to the literary marketplace, nor is that of the misguided youth. A few years ago, Michael Chabon attempted to mesh these two archetypes together in his oft celebrated Summerland, a fiction that seamlessly weaved fantasy, baseball, and coming of age. What Chabon lacked, many complained, was realism. While nonfiction works like Friday Night Lights strike a deep emotional chord, sports novels frequently struggle with finding the right blend of heart and reality without giving in to cliches (The Blind Side) or falling too deeply into darkness (Richard Ford’s The Sportswriter). In his debut novel The Art of Fielding, author Chad Harbach makes an excellent argument for our nation’s appreciation of baseball, and does so while simultaneously reinventing a genre. It is, at its core, a story of failure, of one player’s struggles to attain perfection and how his malfunctioning psyche affects those closest to him. Rather than a novel about baseball then, The Art of Fielding reveals a small Midwestern town as a Melvillian slice of universal humanity, an intrinsically enjoyable novel that packs an emotional and mental wallop. Joining a love of baseball with a love of literature, Henry Skrimshander arrives at the doorstep of Westish College prepared to join the baseball team as its star shortstop. Skrimshander proves himself in his first rounds of Harpooners’ practices and games, sparking the interest of national scouts. This comes much to the dismay of his aging mentor Mike Schwartz who, a senior at Westish, longs for a national championship and a law career, but fears he doesn’t have the right stuff for either. He works Henry into oblivion, an attempt to mold the freshman into the million-dollar man Schwartz could never be in his time at school. But the pressure gets to Skrimshander by his junior year, now a machine trained by Schwartz to act, not think; for him, flipping the ball to the right player comes as naturally as ABCs to the English-speaking world. Truly a boy who has always lived inside his own mind, Henry, a player who has never been anything short of perfect on the field, begins to err. He botches routine throws (much like New York Yankee great Chuck Knoblauch did several years back), and with each one, chips away at his own confidence. For readers, it is painful to watch his career slowly slip from his fingers as Schwartz struggles with his own series of rejections, Harbach’s subtle argument that the arrival of adulthood
might be the one wrench in their plans. Harbach infuses the novel with spark by coyly introducing secondary characters that, by Art’s end, present the most convincing cases for its endearing worth. Henry’s roommate, Owen Dunne, is a gay and drolly erudite lad whose brilliance is shaken after a mishap on the baseball diamond. The president of Westish, Guert Affenlight, grows quickly infatuated with Dunne, the first relationship of its kind the aging man has ever undertaken. Affenlight’s daughter Pella returns from San Francisco, the product of a young, now loveless marriage, determined to press restart on her life by joining the ranks of Westish graduates. It is only a matter of chapters before she falls into Schwartz’s clumsy, immature arms, one of the novels most enjoyable storylines that Harbach follows to the near end. All of these characters’ struggles get wound up in Henry’s inability to perform. For such an all-encompassing novel, The Art of Fielding manages to inject heart and soul into each character’s existence, a difficult task that Harbach accomplishes with relatable themes with a new spin. Everyone fears growing up at one point or another, and everyone grapples with the terror that comes with failure. Here too, Harbach spins his themes with the central baseball narrative, transforming the sport into a high-cultured art that implants itself in the lives of everyone in Westish’s sphere of influence. “You loved it because you considered it an art,” Schwartz thinks while running suicides early one morning, “an apparently pointless affair, undertaken by people with a special aptitude, which sidestepped attempts to paraphrase its value yet somehow seemed to communicate something true or even crucial about The Human Condition.” Over the course of roughly 500 pages, Harbach establishes a world, invites readers to form deep connections with its major players, and reminds us that mistakes, although jagged and life-amending, are inescapable milestones in The Human Condition, a ringing fact that remains with us one long after Henry and the Westish Harpooners have concluded their season. n
courtesy of google.com
‘The Art of Fielding’ tells a coming-of-age story, using the baseball diamond as a center for activity. The novel brings up issues of homosexuality, the search for existence, and the classic drama of America’s Pasttime through Chad Harbach’s debut novel.
Highbrow Thinking
Analyzing the art of rebooting
Michael Caprio Imagine if Claude Monet were to awaken from the grave tomorrow, reclaim his palette and brushes, and, before the eyes of the world, create an Impressionistic rendering of Times Square or, say, the cast of The Jersey Shore. Would we accept it as a Monet? Would we accept it as Impressionistic? Some critics might. Imagine, further, that some curators and afficionados plotted to re-kill Monet and place him in a steel coffin out of which he would never escape. Such an act is conceivable; interpreting Impressionist art has spawned a whole industry founded on the idea that Monet and his work – dead and finite – is dissectible, malleable, and marketable. An errant, post-modern Monet would present a crippling paradox for many. Now, imagine the new Spiderman – released last month by Marvel Comics – lifting his mask to reveal a black face with Latino features. Such is the case with the new series coming from publishing giants D.C. and Marvel Comics. In the series, we have a new 21st century Spiderman, a post-Cold War Wonder Woman, and a more complex Batman. The updates are not to be overlooked. Spiderman represents a rare instance of changing the race of a character, let alone a character as popular as Peter Parker. The publishers, according to some reports, have asked their artists to make characters a little more socially relevant and, perhaps, a little post-racial. This isn’t the first time publishers have thrown old characters back into circulation (some comic fans associated 2009 as the year Spiderman “died” more than anything else). But, what we are seeing now, though, is a static, regenerated art form asking for its social relevance back. The question is, are we willing to give it up? Judging by the past few years, it seems like,
at the very least, it will be a difficult transition. Much like Monet and the Impressionist ideal, the “classic” comic books and their conventions – the hero versus villain dichotomy and the ever-present threat of a recurring evil – are readily definable. The public views comic books, just like Impressionism, as an art movement just as much as an art form. Take a look at the last decade or so of comic book inspired films. Box office hits like The Dark Knight, and the Spiderman series more or less repackage the same characters that were unveiled in 1939 and 1962, respectively. Yes, the characters are placed in modern urban environments. But the plot elements are born out of previous decades - dichotomous worlds marred by Fascism, nuclear war, and the beginnings of urban decline. This traditional scheme represented in hit comic books is something we’ve grown accustomed to. Rupturing that, especially while keeping the characters the same, might turn some people off to a genre that had gained considerable ground on the silver screen. But comic books will always have a reliable fan base, right? Maybe. Take the Spiderman series, for example. As the decades progressed, Spiderman could only face off against the Green Goblin so many times. Artists covered their tracks with well-timed series that presented new villains, new graphic designs, and looks into Spiderman’s past. This spawned a culture of possession; comic geeks began bonding over knowledge on trivial subjects like the name of Penguin’s mother or the Green Lantern’s favorite rock band. The central stories were largely unchanged, though. It seems that new plot lines would dismantle not only the traditional Spiderman, but also the fan culture associated with it. In the end, only time will tell whether this new venture is commercially successful. And that seems to be the whole point. The “artistic” success of these comics is ultimately determined by their marketability. It might be the case that, unlike Monet’s Impressionism, comic books have no option in this world but to stay relevant.
Michael Captrio is a Heights editor. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.
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Directions: The Sudoku is played over a 9x9 grid. In each row there are 9 slots, some of which are empty and need to be filled. Each row, column and 3x3 box should contain the numbers 1 to 9. You must follow these rules: · Number can appear only once in each row · Number can appear only once in each column · Number can appear only once in each 3x3 box · The number should appear only once on row, column or area.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
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an independent frame of mind
Fashion Forward
The best part of the outfitted whole
Finding a new ‘Friday Night Lights’
Discovering the importance of utilising our favorite pieces of clothing
Kevin Hou We all have our go-to clothes. Whether it’s a bright cardigan that you love to layer up with, or a plaid shirt that keeps you looking hip and feeling snug, we all have that simple article of clothing that just never seems to go wrong. I’m all about these one or two pieces in your wardrobe that you sort of wish you could wear every day. You know you look good in them, and most importantly, you feel great in them. Less is more, in my opinion, and simplicity in fashion can still have a splash of flair and individuality. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the Alexander McQueen display in New York City just as much as the rest of you, and I respect complex and ambitious designs. But I don’t claim to understand them, and I am certainly not qualified to recommend them. For those of us who don’t read the latest fashion magazines or follow the current trends, sometimes what’s in your closet is all you have to work with every day. So here’s the predicament we find ourselves in: you have certain clothes you already own that you love and feel great in, but you don’t want to be caught dead wearing them twice in the same month. You try buying different outfits to wear during the week, but none of them make you feel quite as great as that dress or sweater you catch yourself double-taking at in the morning. You remember that kid in your class that people snickered at because he wore the same shirt two days ago, but no one seemed to notice the fact that that shirt was perfect for him. What’s worse, no one seemed to notice that as long as his clothes are clean, it doesn’t matter what he chooses to wear. I think this whole situation is very silly. Wear what you want, when you want, but keep in mind that there are ways to make it look a little different. Maybe layer that shirt with a different colored cardigan, or wear some different jewelry or shoes with that dress; it’s the careful consideration to details that can completely revamp an outfit and bring new life to your staple. I give tremendous credit to those on campus who know how to take that favorite article and re-use it for several different outfits. Take Mina, for example. When I first went up to her, she was wearing a white tank top that was tucked into a pair of perfectly fitting, dark blue jeans. This was a look she felt comfortable
in, and a look that looked great on her. Whether she’s late for class or planning an outfit for the next day, she always has that template in the back of her mind as a staple go-to. When I asked her to show me another outfit, she came out with the same top and bottom, but this time with a black leather jacket. I laughed, and clarified that I meant a completely different look. When she came out the second time, wearing a beautiful fur cardigan but with the same core tank and jeans, I realized she was right and I was wrong; each time she returned with a different accessory or outer layer, the outfit looked completely new. When she finally did show me a truly different outfit, she explained how much she loved a certain dress. After a demonstration of different combinations, involving belts and different cardigans she had built around this dress, I was convinced enough to write this article. The lesson to be learned, I suppose, is to forget what everyone else thinks first and foremost. If you love that pair of jeans, then go ahead, wash them and wear them again the next day. Don’t ever feel like you need to have ten different outfits to be fashionable. Instead, take risks, explore within your comfort zone, and build around articles you already own and love.
Brennan Carley
Kevin Hou is a Heights Editor. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.
Kevin Hou / heights EDitor
In Case You Missed it by Scott Chamberlain
‘The office’
‘2 broke girls’
The second episode of the new season of The Office gave me hope that the show will be able to thrive as a part of NBC’s comedy lineup, even without the presence of the incompetent and lovable Michael Scott. Overall, the episode wasn’t uproariously comical, but it was entertaining, and it was nice to see the employees supporting Andy in his new role. While this episode didn’t have as many laugh-out-loud moments as we’ve come to expect from the show, it was very sincere and is exactly what the show needs right now to transition into all the recent character changes. Hopefully we will see more of the ridiculous humor we’ve come to expect from The Office later in the season, but an episode with a sweeter tone was perfect in order to help fans adjust to the presence of Andy as office manager.
‘Modern family’
CBS’ new comedy, 2 Broke Girls, has scored a huge viewing audience thanks to its lead-in, Two and a Half Men, but has yet to prove itself exceptional enough to really deserve these ratings. The second episode of the show continued to introduce the two main characters, Max and Caroline, to the audience. The episode had its moments, but relied far too much on raunchy humor, which was not well-employed. It also had several jokes on race, which fell dead flat as they nearly crossed an offensive line. The show also has yet to introduce any other major characters, and all the action has been centered on Max and Caroline, resulting in a dull, one-dimensional plot. Viewers should give the show a few more episodes, but if it continues in this same vein, audiences should not continue to tune in for very long.
The third episode of Modern Family’s new season, ‘Phil on Wire,’ was not one of the show’s strongest efforts. The show is usually uproariously funny, but this week’s episode lacking in a good plot or clever writing. The show works best when the three different families in the show are all connected to the same plot, but this week, every family on the show was given a separate plot, and there simply wasn’t enough time for all of them to develop properly. It felt like a mish-mosh of different ideas the writers decided to just throw together, and didn’t seem very well connected or developed. The episode still had its funny moments, and was enjoyable to watch, but viewers can look forward to next week’s episode in the hopes that it returns to its usual excellent form.
Taste debate: Facebook
Pro
Carolina Del Busto
For the Heights
We all know the story of how Facebook got started, or at least an idea of how it all happened, after watching The Social Network. But people didn’t need a movie to spark interest in something many were already signed up for., because Facebook is more than just a social networking site. It has transformed into an all-inclusive media outlet. Look no further if you want news, movie updates, information on a new or old friend, to play games, invite friends to a party, chat with friends instantly, or even just go on a rant writing notes or updating your status. Maybe Facebook’s greatest appeal is that it “helps you connect and share with the people in your life,” as stated in the homepage banner. People naturally want to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. One thing is for sure: you do a lot of “sharing” on Facebook. Users can update locations, post photos, or write on a friend’s wall; there are countless things to do and see while on Facebook. With over 800 million users, Facebook undoubtedly leads the way for social networking. Nowadays it is unlikely to know someone under the age of 30 who does not have a Facebook account. Facebook’s mission is “to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected,” and it has done just that.
con
Kylie Rolnick
For the Heights
Do you virtually “poke” your colleagues as a show of affection? Do you find yourself taking quizzes to uncover what non-human entity best exemplifies you? Do you habitually “LOL” in response to pictures of cats wrapped in hand towels captioned “I iz a burrito?” Do you not comprehend the negative connotations to these questions? If you answered yes to any or all of these inquiries, pretend that this rant is just an unsettling feature of your newsfeed. Facebook is a high school popularity contest whose manner of function prevents graduation beyond its abrasive reign of power. I much prefer Twitter. Twitter is Facebook after a serious detoxification—there are no special groups to join, no colossal “about me” page, no infinite gallery of bathroom-mirror selfies. I like this. No, I do not “like” this; I genuinely take pleasure in this commendable element of existence because Twitter still satisfies that grossly misguided need for attention. There is something to be said about purposeful wording, especially in consideration of how much frivolous social networking is available. With the limit of 140 characters, tweets require a degree of thoughtful ingenuity, insisting you strike immediately upon the heart of your trivial broadcast. Bottom line, Facebook is a highly populated vortex of perpetual and unbounded neediness that leaves me feeling disconcerted.
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose,” Jason Katim shouted with tears in his eyes from the stage of the Emmy’s last month. It was moments after accepting the award for Best Writing in a Drama Series for Friday Night Lights, his tearjerker of a drama that for five rewarding seasons maintained a small but devoted audience who knew the show as the best of the bunch. It was wildly entertaining and packed pointed writing into a show that was never really about football. But now it’s over, and rumors of a potential movie should be taken as lightly as those surrounding the supposed Arrested Development movie. Letting go has been harder than I thought it would; on Sunday night, possibly induced by stress and an interview with FNL star Connie Britton that I had just read, I dreamt that I was in the presence of Britton and her Emmy-winning costar Kyle Chandler. Overwhelmed with emotion, I started bawling (in the dream, of course) and they quickly swept me up in their arms like Coach and Mrs. Coach would do on the show. When I woke up, I realized that I needed my spectacularly realistic and moving TV show fix. Starting on Wednesday night, I can find Britton again in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, but here she plays a wife ravaged by her husband’s infidelity and a seemingly haunted house. Murphy, in this weekend’s New York Times, mentioned that the show would focus on a character known only as “Rubber Man,” a shadow with whom Britton’s character would share a tryst, leaving the Alamo Freeze far in her past. Chandler was also picked up for an FX show (Powers) for early 2012. For those looking for heartfelt parentchild talks paired with riveting, relatable, real-life stories, there’s no place better to look than NBC, the network that abandoned FNL in its third season. Here, Katim writes and executively produces the scantly watched Parenthood, a tragicomedy of sorts that has one of the most impressive casts (and most careful characterizations) on television. Very loosely based on the Ron Howard film of the same name from 1989, the series follows the Braverman family, a three generational clan that is set in Berkeley, Calif. Possibly delivering her most convincing work ever (I hope Gilmore Girls fans don’t bite), Lauren Graham stars as Sarah, a single mother of two teenagers. Sarah truly represents the American dream, struggling from job to job to give her children the opportunities to succeed. This season, her daughter Amber decides to forge her own path by renting an apartment nearby rather than going to college. Played by Mae Whitman (Ann/Egg from Arrested Development), Amber is conflicted: gutsy yet still desperately in need of her mother, she sighs and screams with a crazy touch of Faye Dunaway. The cast is filled with delightful surprises. Its child actors remain consistently on par with the adults, especially Max Burkholder. As 11-year-old Max Braverman, Burkholder must struggle with playing a child diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a tricky role that he never takes for granted. His Max is nuanced, a difficult to understand child whose heart is always in the right place. Likewise, Dax Shepard takes his role and completely transforms himself as Crosby, a newly introduced father to Jabbar (who is five), struggling to make things work financially and emotionally with his son’s mother, Jasmine. Shepard has always been known for his nonsensical (read: generally stupid) roles in movies like Baby Mama and Without a Paddle, but he is utterly believable as Crosby. A very small-time record producer who lives on a houseboat in the Berkeley marina, Crosby is weak but lovable. To get back to my FNL fans for a moment, it’s worth noting that the show has already featured two notable alumni of the football drama we all loved so much. Minka Kelly (you know her as Lyla Garrity, I’m sure) played Max’s aide for the greater part of two seasons, before stepping into a tempestuous affair with Crosby, then stepping out of the Braverman’s lives for good. Hers was a surprisingly layered performance, but it doesn’t come close to matching Michael B. Jordan’s Alex, one of the Braverman girls’ love interests. Fresh off playing star quarterback Vince Howard, Jordan continues to burrow into the most sacred depths of his character’s souls. Parenthood is smart and warm, witty and compelling, all bundled together in a wonderful weekly package by Katim. It argues that normalcy isn’t entertaining, and who’s one to argue with that?
Brennan Carley is the Assoc. Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.
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The dc comic shuffle
boom
n o W
n
erdmea rw
o man
Starfire t atic sho ck
SUPERMAN
Superman was seen as the Americana love child of Hercules and samson.
For the past several decades, Superman has seen many a reboot. Ever since his inception into the DC comic world in 1938, the hulking hero was seen as the Americana love child of Hercules and a flowing-haired Samson. Superman’s first appearance coincided with the end of the Great Depression, so the comics depicted his feats as more than the acts of a man of great strength. He became the people’s hero, a social activist fighting against crooked businessmen. Along with his similarly justice-seeking romantic interest, Lois Lane, Superman’s strength and power only served to emphasize his role as a preserver of justice. With the reboot of Superman, the big question is how the creators will address his origin. Will he simply be born a powerful human, or will he hail from the planet Krypton as a human-alien hybrid? The jury’s still out, but as has been evident in recent developments, he’s a tricked out man of steel. Simply being a keeper of the peace is no longer good enough. - DR
A slightly gawky, optimistic, do-gooder super heroine, the previous incarnation of Starfire, who appears in the Teen Titans comic series, was from an alien planet whose traditions made her slightly naïve, but always loving and endearing. Her drawings were fairly cartoonish, emphasizing her age, which was appropriate as a teen, not adult, super hero. However, the new Starfire could not be more different or more infuriating to a great number of readers. Blogs have been flaming with disgust for the new, extremely sexed-up, scantily clad Starfire whose first panels feature her in a bikini on the beach. Acting more like a Baywatch star than a hero, Starfire’s character has been criticized for degrading females. As Laura Hudson, the editor-in-chief of the Comic Alliance website, described this sexualized portrayal, “It’s about men wanting to see [the female heroes] do things, and that takes something that really should be empowering – the idea that women can own their sexuality – and transforms it into yet another male fantasy.” - CP
More like a ‘baywatch’ star than a hero, Starfire’s character has been criticized for degrading females.
starfire
static shock Wonder Woman represented sexual equality on the home front.
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“You can never go home again.” Well, DC Comics would beg to differ with Thomas Wolfe, returning to their home roots in the company’s latest and largest reboot of all 52 major comics. Every well-known, and most lesser-known, characters of the DC Universe – from Batman to Aquaman, Catwoman to Wonder Woman, Static Shock to Black Hawks – are being stripped away from the decades of their previous stories and beginning completely anew. While this may be distressing and cause heart palpitations for the already stalwart fandom, DC’s choice to restart all of their story lines is a very strategic one, and arguably more of an economically focused choice than a creatively inspired one. It seems impossible for a Justice League comic book printed in 2011 to be emblazoned with a No. 1, first issue insignia. However, DC is making sure that each copy premiering in the past two weeks emphasizes this newness. It is a beginning where someone who has never picked up a comic before can grab one off the shelf, and feel as though they do not have to first finish the previous 400-plus episodes of The Flash in order to understand the character arc (in fact, it is the Flash’s fault that the universe restarts because of his attempt to alter the course of history). This is part of the most reader-centric reason that DC Comics is rebooting everything. With the sheer volume of material already produced for each character, including the originals, other reboots, and spin-offs, it is overwhelming for the new generation of readers to have a starting point. As Jim Lee, a co-publisher of DC Comics and an illustrator of the new Justice League series puts it, “I certainly wouldn’t buy a DVD series of a hit show and start at Season 7 … I would want to go back and start from the beginning.” However, a desire to make the DC universe more accessible is the purest reason to reboot. Financially, the company is hoping to boost sales, which have historically been less than their nemesis and rival, Marvel Comics. In the epic battle of Time Warner (DC Comics’ parent company) and Disney (who houses Marvel), Warner has lost time and time again. But since the film industry has demonstrated the mass appeal of origin stories of both comic companies – like the blockbusters Batman Begins, X-Men: First Class, and Captain America: The First Avenger – DC Comics is banking on the fact that the same fans of these films would be interested in purchasing their inspiration: the origin story comics. There is still debate over whether this idea is incredible and innovative, or lazy and demonstrating a lack of creativity by the writers. However, fans seem to be willing to take part in evaluating, as sales were up 100 to 400 percent prior to the reboot. The question is, will this initial commercial success last? And can DC Comics match the sales with equally impressive storylines and artistry? - CP
su p
By: Darren Ranck and Charlotte Parish
In a rare move, Static Shock is getting his own comic book series after first being a television character. Usually the television series is a spin off from a previously successful series, but the Harlem born and bred teen hero does things in reverse order. Static is incredibly significant in the greater scheme of the DC Universe since he is one of the few African-American superheroes and the first official protector of Harlem. Static was originally fighting crime in a fictional Midwest city called Dakota, but has been relocated in the reboot. Virgil Hawkins’ – Static’s real identity – call to arms and superhero fame comes amid realistic dilemmas. In the animated series, Static is a bullied teen of a single parent, his father Robert a widower due to gang violence that killed Virgil’s mother, Jean. The night he inhales the ‘Big Bang Gas’ that triggers his transformation and gives him powers, Virgil performs an initiation to join a local gang, all the while being very cognizant of and torn over the knowledge that his mother was shot in the crossfire. - CP
Static is one of the few AfricanAmerican superheroes.
Wonder Woman presented herself as one of pop culture’s most accessible feminist icons when she first appeared in 1941. Hailing from the tribe of the Amazons, Wonder Woman represented sexual equality on the home front. She could take down baddies as good as the guys and did it with flair and a sense of mercy (and some pretty nifty accessories – lasso of truth, anyone?). In the reboot, though, Wonder Woman no longer can use wit and rationale to solve the world’s problems. She’s become just as cutthroat as the other guys, and just a bit bustier, to boot. Her rebooted version eschews her Americana duds in favor of sexy and strong silhouettes. This Wonder Woman will not simply get you with a lasso of truth to bring the world justice. She’ll use her combat skills to knock you out. It’s an empowering image, but time will tell if this Wonder Woman will be as good a role model for young girls as the original. - DR
wonder woman
marketplace The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
D1
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Politics
Technically Speaking
Republican governor Chris Christie announced that he will not run for president in 2012. Christie also dismissed the possibility of becoming a vice presidential candidate if asked. President Barack Obama signed a temporary spending bill into law on Wednesday. The bill will keep the federal government funded through Nov. 18 and avoid cuts to FEMA’s budget. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign raised $17 million in the third quarter of 2011. Mitt Romney reportedly raised about $11 million, while President Obama raised over $55 million.
Economics Private businesses added 91,000 jobs in September, up from 89,000 jobs in August. However, the growth was not significant enough to lower the high unemployment rate. Tiger Woods announced that he signed a partnership with Rolex this week. The deal represents Woods’ first new sponsor since his personal sex scandal exploded in November 2009. Microsoft executives denied rumors that the company was considering purchasing Yahoo. Yahoo’s stock surged 10 percent on Wednesday amid rumors of the potential sale.
Science & technology Anonymous, a large group of hacking activists, has vowed to shut down the New York Stock Exchange website. The group plans to coordinate an attack on the website on Columbus Day. Microsoft recently signed contracts with forty television companies, including Comcast and HBO, to provide cable service to Xbox Live users. Customers will still have to pay subscription fees. India’s human resource minister unveiled a $35 computer tablet named the Aakash. The Indian government will make a 100,000 pilot run of the tablets available to students.
in numbers
1 billion times Google Earth has been downloaded. The program was first launched back in 2005.
5 percent Surtax on millionaires proposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs dies at 56 Apple shows off iPhone 4S, 5 postponed
By Alex Trautwig Heights Editor
Stephen P. Jobs, former CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 5. Although the specific cause of his death has not been announced, Jobs fought pancreatic cancer for more than five years and received a liver transplant in 2009. Jobs, who was 56, relinquished his position as CEO of Apple on Aug. 24. In a letter to employees, Jobs wrote that “unfortunately, that day has come” where he could no longer perform his daily duties for the company. In an e-mail to employees, current Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote, “Apple has lost a visionary and a creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being.” Although a co-founder, Jobs was asked to leave the company in its infancy and worked at Pixar studios for several years. Apple suffered in his absence, however, and Jobs triumphantly returned to help morph the company into the force it is today. Under the hand of Jobs, Apple has been responsible for some of the most revolutionary products of the last ten years. The iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac line of computers have continually pushed the limit of electronics and design. All were released under Jobs leadership. Known for their sleek design and ease of use, Apple products have experienced
the new iPhone 4S and iOs5, Apple is now officially in the post-Jobs era. For years, rumors had swirled about Jobs’ health, including at one point a widely spread rumor of his death. Although the personnel and infrastructure for a company without Jobs has been in
See Jobs, D4
Paul Witko
Perry has insisted that his father “took the first opportunity he had to paint over the offensive word on the rock.” He continued, “The rock was eventually turned over to further obscure what was originally written on it.” Despite Perry’s claims, The Washington Post reported that at least seven people it interviewed contended that the word was still visible during the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, one former worker on the ranch alleged to have seen the name as
For those who expected Apple to unveil the earth-shattering, better-than-ever iPhone 5 this week, Tuesday’s announcement may not have lived up to their expectations. In a media event this past Tuesday, Oct. 4, Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook introduced the iPhone 4S, the newest model of the world’s most popular smartphone. With the 16GB model costing $199, the iPhone 4S will go on sale Friday, Oct. 14, with preorders beginning Friday, Oct. 7. In the days leading up to this much anticipated announcement, there was a great deal of speculation regarding the exact specifications of the device. Many were anxious to see some cosmetic changes such as a sleeker design, larger screen, and slimmer frame. Apple delivered some significant changes, but they focused largely on software and interface upgrades, leaving the design and aesthetics almost exactly the same as the previous model. Some of the main adjustments that Apple made include a more powerful dual-core A5 processing chip, an 8 megapixel camera, and new 1080p HD video recording. The iPhone 4S also adds world phone capability and Sprint as a service provider to go along with AT&T and Verizon. But perhaps the biggest feature in the iPhone 4S will be the digital assistant known as “Siri” that utilizes advanced voice recognition technology. When I first heard about this feature, I was quite skeptical, thinking back to lackluster “voice dial” technology in older cell phones. To my surprise though, this software seems to be rather innovative. In an advertise-
See Perry, D4
See Apple, D4
Apple.com / ap photo
This screenshot from Apple.com, taken Oct. 5, shows a tribute to former CEO Steve Jobs.
Perry linked to racism, on the defense By Brandon Stone Heights Staff
Texas Governor Rick Perry once again finds himself the center of controversy, after a report released Sunday Oct. 2 by The Washington Post revealed that Perry’s father, and later Perry himself, had leased a property in a West Texas campground that went by the name “Niggerhead.” According to the report, Perry has hunted at and taken guests to the camp at various times throughout the past three decades.
The name appeared in painted block letters across a large rock that stood next to the camp’s gated entrance. Part of a 42,000acre ranch, the secluded campground is located in Throckmorton County, an overwhelmingly white area with a history of racial intolerance. Disturbingly enough, the name “Niggerhead” was not unique to the campground, nor even particularly rare. It was once used for such consumer products as soap and chewing tobacco, as well as for a number of geographic features on maps.
Top al-Qaida leader killed Anwar al-Awlaki killed by US drone stike in Yemen, propaganda director Samir Khan also presumed dead By John Morrison Heights Staff
Top al-Qaida cleric Anwar al-Awlaki was killed in a United States drone strike late last week. The drone strike, which was located in a remote northern province of Yemen, represents the U.S.’ renewed dedication to eliminating top al-Qaida recruiters and operatives in the region. Al-Awlaki was one of several al-Qaida officials killed in the strike. It is believed that Samir Khan, editor of al-Qaida’s online magazines, was also killed. Both al-Awlaki and Khan were American born Jihadists operating in and around the Islamic world, strongly dedicated to recruitment efforts in English speaking countries. Al-Awlaki was born in 1971 to Yemeni parents in New Mexico. According to The New York Times, he gained notoriety beginning in the late 1990s as a fervent
3 people killed by a Cupertino shooting suspect at a quarry on Wednesday. The killer is still at large in California.
in quotes
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The middle class is taking the burden but the wealthiest of our state and country are not.
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– Sterling Robertson, Vice President of the United Federation of Teachers at the Wall Street protests.
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Look, Putin didn’t find the jugs that had lain there for thousands of years.
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– Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Vladimir Putin’s archaeology scuba dive.
massive success, particularly in recent years with the introduction of the iPhone and iPad. Many consider the most influential product released during Jobs’ tenure to be the iPod, which helped usher in the age of digital music and a lifestyle that has come to revolve around digital devices. Just a day after Apple introduced
preacher in San Diego. As time progressed, his radicalism became more and more extreme, leading him to move around several times within the U.S. and to develop personal relationships with several of the Sept. 11 hijackers. In 2004, three years after the Sept. 11 attacks, al-Awlaki moved to Yemen, citing the increased persecution of Muslims in Virginia where he was living at the time. Soon after, he became a lead recruiter for al-Qaida’s recruitment in the Englishspeaking world. With the help of Khan, his inspirational sermons became an impetus for many Islamic radicals throughout the world to join al-Qaida. As The Wall Street Journal reported, “Awlaki encouraged a ‘lone-wolf ’ strategy, calling on followers to attack where opportunities arose.” U.S. officials have linked al-Awlaki and his followers to several terrorist attacks including the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, the 2010 botched car bomb attempt in Times Square, and the 2010 failed Christmas day “underwear bomber.” Over the weekend, many details about the exact operations of the attack emerged for the first time. According to top U.S. and Yemeni officials, al-Awlaki had escaped several land and air attacks over the past two years, including a failed air attack in late May of last year and a weeklong standoff with Southern Yemeni tribesmen who were harboring al-Awlaki. However, because of the political unrest that surrounded Yemen this past year, it was not until last week that U.S. and Yemeni forces were able to locate and eliminate al-Awlaki. Several analysts have suggested that the immediate consequences from al-Awlaki’s death will lead to a decrease in the amount of homegrown terrorists in English speaking countries. Ghaffar Hussain, an analyst at the London based think tank Quilliam, told reporters of The Wall Street Journal, “He was probably the most articulate English-language jihadist recruiter out there.” His death, he continued, could lead to dramatic reduction of, “domestic radicalization in British and American
site intelligence group / ap photo
Anwar al-Awlaki, above, was killed last week.
i nside Marke tp l a c e
this issue
See Al-Awlaki, D3
Politico of the week
Alex trautwig / heights editor
Bank of America customers will now have to pay a $5 monthly fee for the use of a debit card.
BofA to charge for card use By Isaac Park Heights Staff
Last week, Bank of America, the nation’s largest bank, announced it would be charging $5 monthly fees for use of their debit card. The move is part of a slew of actions by banks reacting to last year’s legislation targeting profits from debit cards. Many banks prepared for the DoddFrank Act—a sweeping financial regulation law passed in July 2010—to take effect this month. Changes have ranged from increased ATM fees, to toughening rules on keeping free checking accounts. Wells Fargo and Citi have already begun testing $3 monthly debit card fees. Regional powerhouses Regions Financial and SunTrust also plan to start charging $4 and $5 monthly fees, respectively. Banks cite the Durbin amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act, named after its sponsor Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), for drastically cutting company profits. The Durbin amendment sought to limit the fees banks could levy on
This politico of the week will explore the life and political career of Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain........................ D3
merchants every time a consumer used a debit card. Until now, fees were 44 cents per transaction. After the law came into effect at the beginning of this month, banks may charge a maximum of 24 cents per transaction. The amendment was a contentious issue during legislation last year. Heavy lobbying by both banks and retailers took place. Despite facing intense pressure from the banks, many that make considerable campaign donations, Congress sided with the merchants, seizing the opportunity, as framed by merchant lobbyists, to help small businesses. “This was really a decision between helping out small business or helping out large banks,” said John Emling, a lobbyist for the Retail Industry Leaders Association. “No one wanted to pick between friends, and they had friends on both sides, but because of the momentum, we just felt that if Durbin pushed folks to the vote we would win.” Banks did not relent, however, as they fought to delay the new rules last summer.
See Bank of America, D3
Forecast on Washington.............................D3 Health and Science..................................D2
D2
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Health & Science
Listeria outbreak leaves 18 dead, many more sick
Rachel Newmiller According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whole cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado have been linked to a multistate outbreak of listeriosis, which has led to the deaths 18 people and sickened many more. Jensen Farms voluntarily recalled the Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes on Sept. 14, but additional cases are expected to be reported since it may take up to two months after eating contaminated food for an infection to develop. The recalled cantaloupes were distributed to 17 states (Illinois, Wyoming, Tennessee, Utah, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, New Mexico, North Carolina, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), “with possible further distribution.” As of the time this article was written, the CDC’s most recent investigation update (Oct. 3)
revealed that there were no related cases of listeriosis reported in New England. In the name of safety, the federal government agency is recommending that consumers dispose of both the recalled cantaloupes and any that come from an unknown source. Listeriosis is a “serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes,” explains the CDC. “A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Almost everyone who is diagnosed with listeriosis has invasive infection (meaning that the bacteria spread from their intestines to the bloodstream or other body sites).” According to the Mayo Clinic, headache, confusion, loss of balance, stiff neck, and convulsions may also be experienced if the infection spreads to the nervous system. If pregnant, a woman who becomes infected will usually only have mild symptoms, but there can be deadly consequences for the baby. It is recommended that individuals displaying these signs contact a physician. Four strains
of Listeria are believed to be involved in the current outbreak, and blood tests are commonly used for diagnosis. Listeriosis most often affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Having AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease or taking certain medications, including those used during the organ transplantation process, can all decrease the strength of a person’s immune system. In these high risk groups, the disease can be fatal. While healthy individuals do sometimes get infected with Listeria, they seldom become seriously ill, says the CDC. The bacteria, often found in water and soil, can make their way into factories and have been previously detected “in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, as well as in foods that become contaminated after cooking or processing, such as soft cheeses, processed meats, such as hot dogs and deli meat (both products in factory-sealed packages and products sold at deli counters), and smoked seafood,” reports the CDC. Unpasteurized milk and cheeses can also be contaminated. Listeria can grow
in foods stored in the refrigerator, but cooking and pasteurization will kill the bacteria. Antibiotics are used to combat listeriosis, but prevention is the best medicine. The CDC lists a number of general recommendations on their website to help reduce the risk of infection, including: always thoroughly rinse produce under running water prior to peeling, cutting, cooking, or eating; scrub produce with a clean brush and dry with a clean towel; separate vegetables and foods that are already prepared from uncooked meats; clean kitchen surfaces and knives after prepping uncooked foods; cook raw meats and poultry to safe temperatures; and wash your hands before and after handling food. For more tips or to view the latest cantaloupe outbreak statistics, visit the CDC’s website. A tremendous amount of information about public health and other foodborne outbreaks in past years is also available from this online resource. Rachel Newmiller is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at marketplace@ bcheights.com.
ed andrieski / ap photo
Jensen Farms, above, was the focal point of the recent listeria outbreak.
Energy policy: failure in the Obama administration, success in N. Dakota
Michael Allen There is an ongoing revolution in American energy usage. Powered by new technology, powerful new science, and the decline of the OPEC cartel, this revolution gives America the opportunity to utilize these inexpensive energy sources for years to come. The exciting new technology and science isn’t fancy solar or new age wind collection. The breakthroughs in the energy sector today are coming in the oil and natural gas industries, and they are changing the way America is going to power its cities, cars, and economic recovery over the next century. Politicians in Washington continue to ignore the significance of new oil and natural gas related technology by wasting money from the already depleted coffers on green technologies. To solve the energy quandary in the United States, Washington doesn’t need to create more policy by trying to entice growth in a sector that is not ready for the big-time and isn’t capable of meeting current demands, but instead needs to allow the energy sector to determine its future on its own. Since 2009, when the Democrats took control of the U.S. government, hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies, tax credits, and loans have been poured into green energy- a subsector that supplies a meager 2.5 percent of America’s energy needs. Recently, the scandal behind Solyndra Solar has implicated the Obama administration along with Energy Secretary Stephen
Chu. While facts are still being sorted out about whether or not there is political “funny business” behind the Solyndra debacle, the undisputable fact is that a company given a $500 million loan of taxpayer dollars defaulted on that loan, and is now unable to pay that money back. In response to the Solyndra scandal, the Department of Energy (DOE) has increased their loan program to green-tech startups. This continuation of failed policy exemplifies
To solve the energy quandary in the United States, Washington doesn’t need to create more policy by trying to entice growth in a sector that is not ready for the big-time and isn’t capable of meeting current demands, but instead needs to allow the energy sector to determine its future on its own. the gross inability of government policy to meet changing demands and is a clear example as to why less is more when it comes to U.S. energy policy. CEO of Continental Resources Harold Hamm recently described the U.S. energy policy to The Wall Street Journal as “sticking a regulatory boot at our necks and then turns around and asks: ‘Why aren’t you
charles dharapak / ap photo
President Obama has recently been criticized for his failed energy policy.
creating more jobs?’” In stark contrast to federal policy, North Dakota has been making policy that invites competition, creates jobs, and is helping power the economic recovery of America. In an August interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer on site at the Bakken Oil Fields, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple summarized the North Dakota energy policy as “getting out of peoples’ way, running government so that it helps people instead of causing them problems.” This policy has not led to a wild west of deregulation and dangerous practices, but instead a state where unemployment is almost one-third the national average at 3.5 percent, while still having 18,000 unfilled jobs, and an average worker’s salary range for oil/natural gas related careers from $60,000 to $80,000. Furthermore, companies like Hamm’s Continental Resources are paying $50 million in state corporate taxes, leading to a massive budget surplus in North Dakota- so much so that the state legislature is actually considering abandoning state income and property taxes. Environmentalists will quickly point out the concerns of more drilling, and correctly so. What most don’t understand is that this anxiety is not solved through government policy, which only creates headaches and hoops to jump through that inhibits growth, but through a free market solution. Companies like Clean Harbors Inc. have seen a need in North Dakota to make sure there are safe and environmentally friendly practices in place, and are making a lot of money in the process. The contrasting results of these vastly different policies is a clear example of what can be accomplished through letting the free market decide what is promising technology. Allowing government panels of so-called experts to decide on the future of energy policy is a soviet-esque practice that inhibits innovation and stymies growth. Allowing the market to decide what is good and bad has produced phenomenal results thus far in North Dakota, and can do the same across the nation. In a country that has a debt of over $10 trillion, and is likely to have a debt 10 times that in the next two decades, a policy that allows innovation to work organically will decrease the amount of wasteful spending, increase tax revenues, and pull the U.S. out of the recession it is currently mired in. If this happens, the capital available to innovate new green-tech will be available in the private sector, which practice has shown time and time again is a more effective and efficient method of innovation. Michael Allen is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@ bcheights.com.
Photo courtesy of google
The Livestrong Campaign has marketed to raise money for cancer awareness and research since its creation in 2004.
Finance at a Glance
Marketing and buying for a cause
Alex Dripchak So this week I was going to come back to that street located in downtown New York City (which shall remain nameless for now), but after logging a 240 point drop in the Dow Jones to solidify the worst quarter since the credit crisis, let’s just say I’m far from amused. With that being said, I have decided to discuss the realm of marketing just a little more this week. More specifically, I am going to take a look at marketing for causes. I must preface this column by saying that I decided to write on this topic after being inspired by an article and presentation from my marketing class. Marketing for a non-profit company or cause seems slightly oxymoronic, correct? Wrong. Devoting marketing campaigns to causes like the Haiti Relief Fund or the Hurricane Katrina Fund do more than one may think. How so? Altruism itself makes people feel good about themselves. Not only will philanthropy make a company feel good, but it also helps promote their brand image. Let’s face it, if you’re going to the store to pick up a container of toothpaste, which will you pick: the Crest Advanced Whitening, or the Colgate Advanced Whitening that donated 1 percent of all its revenue to Hurricane relief? Hopefully you aren’t too attached to Crest and will pick Colgate for the time being. Alright, so enough with the hypothetical campaigns, let’s talk about some of the real and existing campaigns. Cause marketing has become very popular of late. While cause marketing traces its roots back into the mid 1970s, cause marketing has seen a prolific trend upward since it eclipsed the $1 billion spend mark in 2005. One of the noblest and largest
campaigns in recent years has been the Pepsi Refresh Project. Pepsi asked people to come up with proposals for change in their communities, and then asked people across the country to vote on the ideas they liked best. After garnering 51 million votes, Pepsi awarded nearly $12 million to improve communities in various ways. This next one you may have heard of: the Livestrong Campaign. Chances are, a bracelet is on the wrist of at least a few readers out there. The Livestrong Campaign was launched by Nike and the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help raise money and awareness for cancer survivors and research in 2004. Today it has inspired the creation of all different support bracelets ranging from breast cancer to retinoblastomas. How successful were the Livestrong bracelets? In one year, donations went up more than tenfold as the foundation raised over $50 million in the year after the launch. How about its impact today? I’m sure you all know how omnipresent they have become, but what you might not know is that Livestrong has become the name of the MLS soccer team Sporting Kansas City’s stadium. While companies shell out upward of 30 million a year for stadium naming rights (i.e. Citi Field and soon-to-be Barclay’s Center), Livestrong will be on the receiving end of no less than a $7.5 million dollar donation over the next six years. So now that you are better acquainted with individual companies’ cause-marketing campaigns, what do you say we take it to the heights of cause-related marketing campaigns? Product Red was created in 2006 to support The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Product Red now boasts the support of a dozen companies including the likes of Apple, American Express, Dell, and Starbucks. Created by U2’s Bono, 100 percent of Product Red’s proceeds go to the foundation. So far over $150 million has been raised for HIV
programs in Africa alone. Why should companies deviate from their usual attempt at garnering brand loyalty? Why should they go after new customers when keeping an existing customer is almost 10 times cheaper? Here’s why. Brand loyalty is fantastic. However, unless you are Apple, Lexus, or some other proven entity in innovation or customer service, you are most likely interchangeable to the consumer. After all, according to the Cone Millennial Cause Study, 89 percent of Americans from 13-25 would switch from one brand to another if the brand was associated with what was deemed a “good cause.” Now, it is important to note that I am not advocating that companies throw away their brand’s advertisement campaigns. I am simply saying that while it is quite expensive to gain a new customer, it is well worth it if one considers doing a cause-marketing campaign. Why is it worth it? Well beyond the previously stated, people want to give. In the United States, 2.2 percent of GDP is charitable giving. While some do it to feel good, some to help others, and some to receive tax benefits, all in all as Americans we want to help the greater good. Cause marketing allows people to purchase something they want and feel good at the same time. While it is always nice to see that a company cares, keep in mind that this is also a process of differentiation. As near and dear as a cause may be to our hearts, remember that these companies stand to profit from these causes and therefore it is imperative for companies to effectively balance their profit-seeking behavior when approaching something as tender as cause marketing. With that being said, hopefully the next time you’re in the store, you stop to consider a product with a cause. Alexander Dripchak is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@ bcheights.com.
The Heights
Thursday, October 6, 2011
D3
David Cote
Matt Palazzolo
Greg Joyce
Was the U.S. killing of Anwar al-Awlaki justified?
Yes, but assassinating an American citizen doesn’t set a good precedent.
Yes, it was like the Troy Davis execution, except with actual evidence.
If you’re utilitarian, most definitely.
Yes.
The U.S. effectively dealt a blow to the world’s most dangerous terror network.
Do the recent revelations about Rick Perry’s campsite make him unelectable?
Technically I’d say he’s still electable, but he isn’t going to win.
Of course not, a little racism is known as an icebreaker in the Tea Party.
I guess not, but other things do.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying unelectable, but rather difficult to come back from.
It’s offensive, but I don’t think this will end the Perry campaign.
Should Chris Christie have decided to run for president in 2012?
No, he’s denied having any intentions for too long. It really isn’t his time. Christie 2016!
Yes, then he could bring Taft’s bathtub back out of the basement.
No, he needs to keep shutting down Jersey Shore.
He would have been a very strong candidate. But if he does not think he’s ready, then he’s not.
I think a lot of conservatives are upset that he didn’t.
Should U.S. military spending be cut, or would cuts threaten national security?
Yes. Spending more than every other nation in the world combined is absurd.
Yes, name it the Ron Paul military, with legalized heroin instead of guns.
Cut it and bring the troops back.
Continuing these cuts would limit our capabilities as a military to continue fighting the current threat out there.
U.S. safety is important, but we do not need the Cold-War era military spending.
Marketplace Editor
Daniel Sologuren
Assoc. Sports Editor
Asst. Marketplace Editor
President, College Republicans
Nick Doffek
President, College Democrats
In plans to overhaul business, BofA implements new monthly fees Bank of America, from D1 The Senate refused to postpone the law. To some, the banks’ new fees come as little surprise. “If you’re a restaurant and you can’t charge for the soda,” said Jami Dimon, JPMorgan Chase chief executive, after passage of the act in July 2010. “You’re going to charge more for the burger.” Among the new fees made by banks are charges for paper statements by Chase and increases in fees by HSBC and
TD Bank for using competitors’ ATMs. Chase also scrapped its debit card rewards program and did not let the customers it inherited from the acquisition of Washington Mutual to continue having free checking accounts. Bank of America implemented the new fees in part of a broader move to overhaul its business, which at the moment is struggling. Last month the company laid off 30,000 employees, and last Friday it received the unenviable title of having “Officially the Worst Dow Stock of the Quarter” by The Wall Street
alex trautwig / ap photo
Bank of America’s newest fees come as a result of struggling stock prices.
Journal. Shares traded at $5.53 on Monday. Amid these changes, some wonder whether the savings merchants will receive from decreased interchange fees will be passed on to consumers. Speaking to “Bucks” blogger Ann Carrns for The New York Times, “They don’t believe that they’re going to see a benefit when they go to the store,” said Paul Bragan, director of quantitative research at Wakefield Research, which has tracked public opinion on the interchange debate since 2008. “In fact,” reported Carrns, “nearly three-quarters of those polled agreed that the prices they pay would not be reduced by merchants and retailers.” “Durbin essentially moves the cost of debit from merchants, and now it’s more focused on consumers,” said Beth Robertson, director of payments research at Javelin. While the new fees will not apply to Bank of America mortgage holders or those with more than $20,000 in account balances, the fees are expected to hit a chord with a large swath of consumers already fazed by a slow economic recovery. Some analysts predict customers will return to credit cards, a welcome alternative for banks for its greater profitable margins. Bank of America also has a large presence in Chestnut Hill and Newton. In addition to the several on-campus locations, Bank of America listed more than 50 ATMs and branch locations on its website in a two-mile radius around Boston College, underscoring a large customer base in the area. Reacting to the news of the bank’s new fees Thursday, Durbin reiterated that small businesses would benefit from the law. “Swipe fee regulation will still allow banks to cover actual costs of debit transactions but will rein in the banks’ excessive profit-taking.” n
photo courtesy of google
Shown above, an unmanned aerial predator drone similar to the one used to kill al-Awlaki in Yemen last week.
US strike kills al-Qaida leaders Al-Awlaki, from D1 societies.” President Barack Obama commented on al-Awlaki’s death hoping to portray him, and others sharing his beliefs, as Islamic extremists not representative of the Islamic religion. “His hateful ideology and targeting of innocent civilians has been rejected by the vast majority of Muslims and people of all faiths, and he has met his demise because the government and the people of Yemen have joined the international community in a common effort against al-Qaida,” Obama said. As soon as reports surfaced about the death of al-Awlaki and Khan, several U.S. based organizations questioned the U.S. government’s decision in killing
American citizens. Most notably, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) came out against the killings. Last year, when the FBI announced the addition of al-Awlaki to the terrorist target list, the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the addition. The lawsuit was dismissed in court, but activists have shown considerable opposition towards controversial terrorist elimination programs. ACLU deputy legal director Jameel Jaffer told reporters of CNN, “This is a program under which American citizens far from any battlefield can be executed by their own government without judicial process.” He further elaborated that the program “violates both U.S. and international law.” Although the legality of the assassination of al-Awlaki remains in question, his death
has been a serious blow to the English recruitment efforts of al-Qaida and the operational tactics in the southern Arabian Peninsula. However, there are still many operatives working in and around the Middle East, and over the last few days the U.S. and its allies have become increasingly worried over the possibility of a revenge attack. Al-Qaida still has many influential leaders and one other notable English speaker, Adam Gadahn, an American-born operative who has been releasing communication frequently in the past few years, that make the organization extremely dangerous to the U.S. and its allies. Even with the possibility of a revenge attack, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told reporters, “This country is much safer as a result of the loss of Awlaki.” n
Herman Cain By Matt Palazzolo
Asst. Marketplace Editor
Alex Manta / Heights editor
Herman Cain was born on Dec. 13, 1945 in Memphis, Tenn. He graduated from Morehouse College in 1967 with a degree in mathematics and in 1971 from Purdue University with a Master’s in computer science. After a short stint in the Navy as a civilian developer of fire control systems, Cain joined the Atlanta branch of Coca-Cola as a computer systems analyst. He later joined the Pillsbury Company, quickly rising to the position of vice president. After his success at Pillsbury, Cain was reassigned to the lowest performing region of Burger King in America. In less than three years he transformed it into the most productive region. In yet another steep business challenge, Cain took over the helm of Godfather’s Pizza, which was on the verge
of bankruptcy. In just 14 months, he brought Godfather’s from the red into the black. His numerous business successes propelled Cain to the chairmanship of the National Restaurant Association. As chairman, Cain was a vocal opponent of then President Bill Clinton’s healthcare plan, which was ultimately defeated in early 1994. Cain later moved from the private sector to the public sector when he accepted a position on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and was later elected chairman. As chairman he analyzed economic conditions and notified the board of how the Federal Reserve should respond. More recently, Cain hosted his own radio show, “The Herman Cain Show”, based in Atlanta. He is currently running for president, and won a major straw poll in Florida. n
The Heights
D4
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Spotify offers a new take on music, but fails to adequately credit artists Kameron Bain
paul sakuma / ap photo
Apple Vice President Phil Schiller, above, presented many of the new capabilities of the iPhone 4S on Oct. 4.
Will Apple’s newest product succeed? Apple, from D1 ment put out by Apple, one can see the various commands and tasks that Siri can execute. For example, you can ask Siri, “Will I need a raincoat today?” and it would reply with something like “It might be a good idea. There is a chance of showers in Chestnut Hill.” Or you can have it read you a message and you can dictate a reply. It can set alarms or timers for you, schedule meetings, and even search the web all upon your verbal request. Though Siri cannot do everything for you, its day-to-day applications seem to be rather comprehensive. The new features the iPhone 4S brings to the table are certainly enticing, but are they enough to keep the iPhone as the world’s most popular smartphone? Despite what seemed like a collective groan when Apple announced that it did not overhaul the current design, I still think the iPhone 4S is another step in the right direction. Initially, Wall Street seemed to disagree with this notion, as Apple shares fell as much as 5 percent following the announcement, but much of those losses were recouped by the closing bell. With Steve Jobs no longer at the helm, there are definitely some questions about the future success of new Apple products. Can new CEO Tim
Cook follow in Jobs’ footsteps and continue to produce “the next big thing?” What some may not know is that Cook has been running the day-to-day operations for Apple since the beginning of 2011, with Jobs’ retire-
He is not Steve Jobs, but Tim Cook is no stranger to Apple and I am confident that he knows what he is doing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but until Apple proves otherwise, I always have faith that Apple’s newest product will flourish. ment in August officially making Cook the CEO. The iPhone 4S is Cook’s first big product launch and the jury is still out on its ultimate success. I am among those who had
been anxiously awaiting this announcement of the new iPhone, but afterwards I had some mixed feelings. Was I surprised? Yes. Disappointed? No. The more I thought about it, the more I realized, Apple has never really gotten it wrong. Ever since the inception of the iPod and iTunes, Apple has seemingly been the definition of success. When the iPad was released last year, I remember thinking it would be Apple’s first flop. To me, it looked like a ridiculous half-computer, half-iPod. One year later, it is the world’s leading tablet and the one I own sits on my family room coffee table. It may not be what we were expecting, but the iPhone 4S still lands amongst some of Apple’s greatest innovations. The upgraded software will be noticeably faster and the voice recognition application could revolutionize mobile devices for many years to come. He is not Steve Jobs, but Tim Cook is no stranger to Apple and I am confident that he knows what he is doing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but until Apple proves otherwise, I always have faith that Apple’s newest product will flourish.
In a market that is desperately clinging to life, the increasingly popular online music streaming company Spotify has thrown another curveball at the music industry. Records were once the product of choice when it came to buying music, then came the easily forgettable cassettes, followed by the once hip and trendy CD, and for the last decade, single song downloads have taken the title as the most popular way of acquiring music. However, the progression of accessing music has not slowed a step, and various websites (Pandora, Grooveshark, Musicovery, etc.) have transformed the way consumers both learn about new music and access these new songs. There are two consistencies that exist as a result of this technological innovation within the music industry. Consumers win, as they can illegally acquire free music with virtually no risk of ever being caught, while the true artists are cheated out of just compensation for their work. The idea of Spotify, an online database of almost every song known to man, is ostensibly perfect for any consumer interested in music. Unfortunately, this company is too good to be true. There are three possible subscriptions to Spotify: a free plan, a $5 per month unlimited plan, and a $10 per month pre-
mium plan. These subscriptions come nowhere close to paying artists what they truly deserve. Artist are rewarded a whopping $0.00029 (that’s just under 3/100 of a cent) for every song of theirs that is streamed online on Spotify. The yearly salary of a minimum wage worker in the United States is around $15,000. That means, for artists to earn mere minimum wage earnings on Spotify, their music
So, if you want to cheat artists out of just compensation and have the whole world know exactly what you are listening to at all times, then by all means, create your own Spotify account. must be streamed over 50 million times per year. It is true that they are making money in other ways (iTunes, Pandora, etc.), but these numbers are outrageously against the artist. If technology like this is truly the future of the music industry, the prosperity of music artists looks grim. Although most listeners
look at Spotify as a gift from God, the company has recently enacted a policy that will not please their customers. As of Sept. 22, all new Spotify customers are required to have a Facebook account that they link to their Spotify account. The behemoth website Facebook may seem to be a grand business partner for Spotify, but this partnership will hurt Spotify. First of all, it puts some of the elderly population, who do not have Facebook accounts, entirely out of the equation as customers. Stupid. Secondly, it is a nuisance on the actual website of Facebook. Every song a customer listens to on Spotify is reported onto their Facebook account so that everyone knows what he or she is listening to at all times. This partnership is only adding to the complete disappearance of privacy. But how can we blame Spotify? Who wouldn’t want to sign a partnership with a company worth over $50 billion? As tempting as this offer may have been to the executives at Spotify, they made the wrong decision. So, if you want to cheat artists out of just compensation and have the whole world know exactly what you are listening to at all times, then by all means, create your own Spotify account. Kameron Bain is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@bcheights.com.
Paul Witko is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at marketplace@ bcheights.com.
photo courtesy of spotify.com
Spotify, shown above, allows users to choose from a variety of payment plans to access music on their website.
Visionary inventor passes away Jobs, from D1
Photo courtesy of google
The iPhone 4S, shown above, will be available to Apple customers starting Oct. 14, with preorders on Oct. 7.
Perry responds to new criticisms Perry, from D1 recently as 2008. Perry’s father, Ray Perry, first began leasing the property in 1983. At that time, the hunting camp was just a simple cabin with a few bunks and a porch set alongside a riverbank. As time passed, the property was renovated, including the addition of a second story to the cabin and the introduction of power lines. There are two roads by which a visitor can reach the camp. One road comes in from the west and leads directly to the front gate, in plain view of the rock. The other road comes from the east and ends about a 100 yards from the rock, making it possible for visitors taking the eastern route not to see the sign. Perry has claimed that he and his guests stopped using the western entrance in the early 1990s, instead driving in via the eastern route. Though Perry’s name only appeared on the lease from 1997 to 2007, he began hosting supporters and fellow legislators at the campground after 1985, when he
was first elected to the Texas state legislature. At the property, Perry and his guests would often fish or hunt for boar or turkey. Perry, however, estimated that between 1983 and 2006, he hunted on the property “only about a dozen times.” Perry’s campaign has disputed the story. On Sunday, the campaign released a statement saying, “A number of claims made in the story are incorrect, inconsistent, and anonymous, including the implication that Perry brought groups to the lease when the word on the rock was still visible.” Despite these efforts, however, Perry has still faced disapproval from his own party. Fellow contender for the Republican nomination for president in 2012, Herman Cain, who is black, criticized Perry, saying that, “For him to leave it there as long as he did, until before, I hear, they finally painted over it, is just plain insensitive to a lot of black people in this country.” The Washington Post report has been just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the Perry campaign. In a recent debate, Perry angered conserva-
tives with his remarks in support of granting the children of some illegal immigrants in-state tuition at Texas state universities. Those remarks served as a quintessential example of why many voters are questioning Perry’s commitment to fundamental conservative ideals. Perry began his political career as a Democrat and only switched parties in 1989. The Perry campaign has attempted to paint Perry as a hard-line conservative, but has struggled to explain his attempt, as Governor of Texas, to issue an executive order requiring sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that has been linked to cervical cancer. The Perry campaign was similarly put on the defensive when The Huffington Post published his less-than-stellar college transcript in August. Perry’s campaign has thus far managed to survive these controversies, as Perry remains among the frontrunners to win the GOP nomination. It remains to be seen, however, how voters will react to the Perry campaign’s latest setback. n
place for some time, there are those who still believe that the company has now lost its creative drive and inspiration. Cook also stated to employees that, “Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will
forever be the foundation of Apple.” Many will remember the image of Jobs on stage introducing a new product in his ubiquitous black turtleneck and jeans. Not only was he introducing products, he was revealing what the next revolution in technology would be. Whether by starting the digital music revolution,
The World in Ink
forever changing the face of mobile telephone technology, or igniting the current tablet obsession in America , Jobs and Apple have remained far ahead of the curve, and remain a top industry innovator. The world lost a true genius, but his memory will live on in the hands of millions for years to come. n
By Adriana Mariella, Heights Editor