special election coverage
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
COLLEGIATETIMES
7th District
Montgomery County Delegates we’re sending to Richmond DAVID R. NUTTER
12th District
JAMES M. SHULER
Virginia turns ‘right’ to red
CHRISTINA NESTOR/SPPS
Republican governor-elect Bob McDonnell gladly accepts victory against opponent Creigh Deeds. McDonnell commended Deeds on a well-fought race and his service to the public.
McDonnell’s lead in polls carried him to victory
Deeds fails to mobilize voters ZACH CRIZER nrv news editor
LIANA BAYNE news reporter RICHMOND — It was a grand old party for Republican leaders and supporters Tuesday night as victory electrified the city and the state lit up red. Republican party leaders began celebrating Bob McDonnell’s victory long before he was formally announced victor. By 8 p.m., with 31 percent of precincts reporting in, McDonnell was leading opponent Democrat Creigh Deeds by 64 percent of the votes. Supporters and leaders of the Republican Party gathered in the Marriott Hotel in Richmond. Prominent guests Michael Steele, Republican National Committee chairman; Eric Cantor, House of Representatives party whip and Pat Mullins, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, rallied the cheering supporters as the results rolled in. McDonnell, accompanied by lieutenant governor-elect Bill Bolling and attorney general-elect Ken Cuccinelli, showed a stunning display of strength in a broad Republican sweep of the state. All three were polling more than 60 percent before 9 p.m. By 10 p.m., all three had officially seized their respective offices as 99 percent of precincts reported their results. Around 8:20 p.m., both Fox News and CNN projected McDonnell to have won the state. CNN also projected Cuccinelli as having dominated polls at the same time. Shortly after that, Bolling was projected to have won his office. A cheering, stickered, sign-brandishing crowd congregated in the excitementcharged ballroom. “Thank you for doing the hard work of freedom,” Cantor said. “Because of you we won a great victory tonight, and because of you that Republican resurgence, that revolution, has begun again.” A resurgence of conservative values could undermine policies coming from Washington over the next few years. All three newly elected candidates are well known for their socially conservative ideals. As Republican supporters continued their boisterous celebration in the ballroom of the Richmond Marriott, Virginians found themselves in the hands of new leadership, continuing a trend started in 1978 where Virginia consistently elects a governor hailing from the opposing party of the president. According to CBSNews.com, exit polls
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MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS
Democrat Creigh Deeds conceded the race to McDonnell after trailing in the polls for the majority of the day.
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more special election coverage inside Deeds - page 3 McDonnell - page 3
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Attorney General - page 4 Lieutenant Governor - page 4
RICHMOND — Virginia’s blue streak ended Tuesday night. After electing two consecutive Democratic governors, two Democratic U.S. Senators and clinching President Barack Obama’s win last year, all three statewide candidates fell to their Republican counterparts on Election Day 2009. Gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, who was trailing in many polls by double digits leading up to the election, lost to Republican Bob McDonnell by a wide margin. After conceding the position of governor to McDonnell, Deeds vowed to continue to work for citizens of Virginia. “Just because we didn’t get the result we want tonight doesn’t mean we’re going to go home and whine. We’re going to keep working,” Deeds said. “This chapter is closed, but the next chapter is about to be written.” The previous chapter featured a Democratic resurgence in Virginia with Sen. Mark Warner and current Gov. Tim Kaine serving in the
Governor’s Mansion over the past eight years. Both appeared by Deeds’ side on Tuesday. “Eight years ago, we started a streak in this state,” Warner said. “We turned Virginia around.” Under Warner and Kaine, Virginia has been named the best state for business and the best managed state. Kaine, who leaves office in January, will continue his role as Democratic National Chairman upon departing the office of governor. He said Virginia would remember the progress made in this era of Democratic control. “Virginians appreciate our democratic and pragmatic approach to solving problems,” Kaine said. Virginia’s blue result last year punched Obama’s ticket to the White House. Enthusiasm even seemed high as Deeds won the Democratic primary election this summer, Virginia Business magazine president and publisher Bernard Niemeier said. “Deeds was great in the primary, but that does not seem to be the case,” Niemeier said. “There was a hope see DEEDS / page three
Town council welcomes new faces CHRISTINA NESTOR/SPPS
RNC chairman Michael Steele joined McDonnell in celebration. showed that among those who voted for Deeds, 38 percent said their vote was in part to support the president, while 42 percent of McDonnell voters said their vote was in part to oppose the president. Overall, 55 percent of voters said that President Barack Obama was not a factor in their vote. In New Jersey’s gubernatorial election, 60 percent said the same. However, party leaders in the Marriott focused on creating distance between the state of Virginia and current policies coming from Washington. Many Republican leaders made pointed notes that Virginia will once again reach out for a strong conservative push across the state as they responded with dissatisfaction to Democratic policies in Washington. Mullins criticized not just Deeds, but Gov. Tim Kaine along with the “liberal media,” and specifically the Washington Post. “The Republican Party of Virginia is back, it’s alive, it’s well and it’s victorious,” Mullins said. “Tonight the Commonwealth see McDONNELL / page three
106th year, issue 110
KATIE ROBIDOUX news staff writer Town council candidates and supporters alike shared hugs and tears at Gillie’s restaurant downtown last night as the results for the election were revealed. Krisha Chachra, Susan Anderson, Cecile Newcomb and John Bush were the four candidates elected to fill the empty spots. Along with current member Leslie Hager-Smith, this outcome makes it the first time that four women are on Blacksburg Town Council simultaneously, according to Anderson. Anderson is the only candidate who has served on council previously. Originally elected in 2006, this was the first time she ran for re-election. “I would like to thank the citizens of Blacksburg. I’ve worked hard to serve them and I am deeply grateful for the re-election. It truly is an honor and a privilege,” she said. This year’s town council elec-
Special Election Coverage, page 2
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Susan Anderson tallies precinct votes to discover she has secured a seat on the town council. tions are deemed unique to the history of Blacksburg and will also serve as an essential reference point for all future elections. It was also the first town council election to take place in November along-
Features, page 7
Opinions, page 5
side the gubernatorial election. Previously, town council elections occurred in May. “This election was a real measuring stick for future elections, it is serving as a baseline for the
Sports, page 8
future elections,” said Bush, who works at Tech as a staff architect. In April, some Blacksburg citizens approached Bush and asked if he would consider running for see TOWN COUNCIL / page two
Classifieds, page 6
Sudoku, page 6
recap 2
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
Town council: Winners laugh it up at Gillie’s from page one
council. This was the first time he considered becoming a candidate. “Having all the folks who support me come up to me and thank me for running for town council has been very special for me,” Bush said. “I just want the citizens who supported and voted to be thanked.” Chachra is a Tech graduate student and it was also her first time running for a political position in Blacksburg. Having lived in town for over 25 years, she said her deep roots here helped her to win the position. “I’ve always run on the political platform of being a consensus builder,” Chachra said. “Blacksburg has groups that have competing interests, but when you peel back the layers you find that everyone wants
Tom Rogers 10%
Michael Sutphin 10%
the same things for our town, which are basically calculated growth while still retaining the character and aura of this place that we all love so much.” Chachra commended her fellow candidates for their dedication in running for town council. “I feel really privileged that so many quality candidates ran for this election because it speaks to how much people care about this community. I know the voters must have had a tough decision,” she said. All four of the winners are excited to be working with one another to benefit the Blacksburg community as a whole. “We’re looking forward to building an even better community,” Anderson said. Cecile Newcomb was not available for comment.
Susan Anderson 14% Krisha Chachra 14%
Frank Lau 7% Paul Lancaster 5% Greg Fansler 10%
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Above: Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam congratulates Susan Anderson on her victory for a Blacksburg Town Council seat. Below: John Bush (left) and Cecile Newcomb (right) celebrate with supporters after winning their seats on the town council.
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Bryce Carter 6%
John Bush 11%
Cecile Newcomb 12%
Above: A percentage breakdown of total votes cast. On the ballot, voters selected four out of 10 candidates to fill the four empty Blacksburg Town Council seats. Below: The four winners and their total votes.
ANDERSON 3,164 votes
CHACHRA 3,043 votes
BUSH 2,511 votes
NEWCOMB 2,542 votes
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Defeated council hopefuls valued campaign experience After all the votes were tallied, six of the 10 Blacksburg Town Council candidates fell short in a campaign centered on downtown development and a campus-town partnership. Bryce Carter, a Virginia Tech senior and the youngest candidate on the ballot, said he had been excited for the opportunity to serve on Town Council. He had hoped to bring the school and Blacksburg community together as the first student voted onto the council. Candidate Greg Fansler called his campaign a “terrific experience” but said he wished he could do more. “I think I did a pretty good job of getting my name out through media,” Fansler said. “I think I did a good job of people recognizing my name through just the endeavors I am involved in on and off campus and just trying to leverage my network as best possible.” For Frank Lau, the turnout was disappointing. “It’s down about 30 percent less for what I would have hoped for,” he said. Vice Chair of the Montgomery CountyRegistrarCynthiaChappelka said that an unofficial count had no winning candidate receiving more than 3,200 votes. According to the State Board of Elections, there are 20,686 registered voters in Blacksburg. Candidate Tom Rogers observed how voters had different priorities when it came to their picks.
“It’s crazy how some people go about voting,” Rogers said. “There are all different types of people here. It’s our job … to learn how to communicate with all of them.” The night stayed calm for some of the candidates. “Lots of people will go out to a big party tonight,” Lau said early in the evening. “I just want to go home. My wife has my favorite spaghetti and meatballs waiting right there for me.” “I need to be able to go back to my regular life tomorrow,” Lau, a BT Transit driver said. “I have to get up at 5:45 a.m. to drive the bus.” Paul Lancaster, a former councilman, was unable to actively campaign this year because of an illness. He said that he would continue to serve on the Blacksburg Planning Commission. “I want to see a little more economic development, commercial development, it helps pay the bills” Lancaster said. “I think the challenge is doing that without losing Blacksburg’s small-town charm.” Lancaster said he believed he would run for Town Council in the future. “I think it was nice having that many candidates to give voters a choice,” Lancaster said. “No matter how it goes, it’s nice for voters to have a choice.” Michael Sutphin was not available for comment. LUKE MASON/SPPS
ct news staff
Michael Sutphin at Gillie’s after the announcement of the Blacksburg Town Council winners was made.
november 4, 2009
page 3
The political geography of the gubernatorial election Arlington County
City of Alexandria
Bath County City of Charlottesville
City of Fredericksburg KEY MCDONNELL
Alleghany County
City of Richmond
DEEDS
City of Roanoke
City of Covington
Charles City County City of Williamsburg City of Newport News
MCDONNELL City of Hampton Surry County
City of Martinsville
City of Norfolk
Brunswick County Greensville County
City of Franklin
City of Portsmouth
This map represents the geographical breakdown of votes for counties in Virginia. McDonnell swept most of the state, while Deeds failed to capture critical areas such as Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
JOSH SON/ COLLEGIATE TIMES
Deeds: Failure to secure Democratic base cost votes
McDonnell: Vows to ‘get to work and serve the state’
from page one
that Deeds could reach out to the younger and maybe disenfranchised voters as happened during last year’s presidential election, but that hasn’t really happened in this campaign.” Kaine pointed out statistics that said Obama is gaining in popularity in the state. “Our president, President Obama, is more popular in Virginia today than he was one year ago when he won the election in Virginia,” Kaine said. Obama appeared at two campaign events with Deeds. Virginia Democratic Chairman Dick Cranwell, a Virginia Tech alumnus, said Obama’s popularity just was not enough. “I think the president was a great asset to our campaign,” Cranwell said. “His two appearances helped energize the base and get the vote out.” Many Democratic supporters say this year’s Democratic state campaign did not have the same ideals as the Obama campaign and thus suffered different results. “When Deeds was asked if he was an ‘Obama Democrat,’ he hesitated and said that he was a ‘Creigh Deeds Democrat.’ This is showing that Deeds was not fully embracing the top of the Democratic party — he was basically saying he was ashamed of it,” said Democratic supporter Amir Malik. Deeds was questioned during the campaign about his views on guns and other social issues. He has supported gun rights in the past, even garnering an endorsement from the National Rifle Association in a previous campaign. He came closest to McDonnell in the polls after McDonnell’s graduate thesis came to light, which advocated socially conservative viewpoints. Democratic supporter Imran Chaudhry said the energy shown by last year’s Democrats has been more apparent in the Republican Party this year. “Democrats should learn their lesson,” Chaudhry said. “The Republicans had a better outreach program, without a doubt they were more aggressive. Democrats were unable to inspire the base of the supporters.” Garland Tillery, a Democratic supporter, said the young vote that Obama garnered for the Democrats did not materialize for |Deeds. “It was crucial and it didn’t come out,” Tillery said. “I thought that Obama had energized the young people and they would continue with their interest in politics and recognize that they have to be a part of something or else we’re going to lose everything of value to us.” Small business owner LaMar Dixon, also a Democratic supporter, said lessons from this campaign could be applied to future endeavors in the
CHRISTINA NESTOR/SPPS
McDonnell promised to leave Virginia in a better condition than when he enters the Governor’s Mansion. He plans to “strengthen the free enterprise system and create more jobs.” from page one
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS
Gov. Tim Kaine, who will step down in January, and Sen. Mark Warner supported Deeds during his campaign. state. “I think that hopefuls will take the lessons learned from the campaign and move forward for a greater success in the future. It has been proven over the last eight years that the Democratic thought process of people first is better,” Dixon said. Cranwell said the party’s general strategy would remain intact, but said Deeds may have been disadvantaged by the party’s primary elections. “I’m not sure that we need to be tweaking a whole lot,” Cranwell said. “We need to take a hard look at the primary and whether we’re putting ourselves six to eight months behind.” Cranwell also pointed out a con-
tinuing trend of Virginia electing a governor of the opposite party than the current president. “We’re running against history,” Cranwell said. Deeds said he was proud of his campaign. “This journey through public service has been the highlight of my life,” Deeds said. “Carrying this banner for governor has been the greatest honor.” As a state senator, Deeds has a chance to continue to serve the state. Kaine said Virginia’s role as a swing state has been further solidified by this election. “Nobody takes Virginia’s votes for granted anymore,” Kaine said. “Both parties are competitive in the state.”
pointed notes that Virginia will once again reach out for a strong conservative push across the state as they responded with dissatisfaction to Democratic policies in Washington. Mullins criticized not just Deeds, but Gov. Tim Kaine along with the “liberal media,” and specifically the Washington Post. “The Republican Party of Virginia is back, it’s alive, it’s well and it’s victorious,” Mullins said. “Tonight the Commonwealth is once again red.” Cantor also spoke harshly against current leadership in Washington. “Tonight’s great victory is a great sign that we the people are fed up with the Obama-Pelosi-McCain agenda,” he said. “Enough with the spending, enough with the waste, and enough with the incredible reach of government into every aspect of our lives.” McDonnell was courteous yet firm when speaking about the opposing party. He congratulated Deeds for running and said that he hopes to continue to work with Deeds as he serves in the state senate. “We both agree this is a great
“
The Republican Party of Virginia is back, it’s alive, it’s welll and it’s victorious. Tonight the Commonwealth is once again red. PAT MULLINS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PARTY WHIP
and wonderful state in which we’re privileged to live,” McDonnell said. “Creigh Deeds is a good public servant and what we’re going to need is good public servants.” However, McDonnell also said he intends to stick to his ideals and values to improve the state, which doesn’t mean he’ll agree with every policy passed by a Democratic Congress and president. In his acceptance speech, Cuccinelli said that during his tenure as attorney general, he would work to “protect life and families and fight for truly limited government.” Shortly before 9 p.m., Deeds officially conceded the race.
McDonnell supporters applauded after the televised airing of Deeds’ speech. The atmosphere in the ballroom of the Richmond Marriott could not have been more celebratory. In his acceptance speech, governor-elect McDonnell thanked his friends, family and God for his victory. He told the audience he was “ready to go to work to serve you and help Virginia.” “My promise to you now is the same as it was when I was running for this office,” McDonnell said, “to strengthen the free enterprise system and create more jobs and opportunity so every Virginian can use their God-given talents to pursue the American dream and liberty.” With exit polls showing that 85 percent of Virginia voters said they are worried about the state of the economy, McDonnell conceded that the next four years would not be easy. McDonnell promised that he, along with Bolling and Cuccinelli, would “work together to leave Virginia better than we found it.”
november 4, 2009
page 4
Republican victories solidify Virginia’s return to red ALLISON SANDERS news staff writer RICHMOND — As the lyrics of the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got a Feeling” blasted over the Marriott’s ballroom, the atmosphere mirrored just that — Tuesday night was indeed a good night for the Republican party. Clearly energized by the gubernatorial victory of Bob McDonnell, Republicans Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli secured Virginia’s positions of lieutenant governor and attorney general, respectively. “We’re having a good night,” Bolling said. “The votes have been counted. Virginia’s red, the Dems are blue.” Both candidates seized more than 60 percent of the statewide vote. Results from the Virginia State Board of Elections show that with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Bolling defeated democratic challenger Jody M. Wagner by a margin of 56-43, while Cuccinelli defeated democrat Steve Shannon 57-42. Carrying a broom on stage to represent the statewide sweep for Republican candidates, Cuccinelli thanked his supporters. “Folks don’t come out to fight for Ken Cucinelli, they come to fight for first principles,” Cucinelli said. “We take care of those who take care of us, our law enforcement, and I intend to do CHRISTINA NESTOR/SPPS that when I’m attorney general.” The wins of Bolling and Above: Ken Cuccinelli carries a broom on stage, after defeating Steve Shannon 57-42. Below: Bill Bolling (below) receives congratulations Cuccinelli complete a sweep from a fellow party member and said, “the best is yet to come.” for Republicans in Virginia. “If there’s one thing this campaign has done, it’s shown our Republican party what to do to win,” Bolling said. Bolling had high hopes for the future of Virginia’s Republican party. “We are celebrating a great victory, but it won’t be the last. It is the first and the best is yet to come,” Bolling said. Echoing words from Ronald Reagan, Cuccinelli described his mission as reigning in the control that has been put on the people of Virginia by the government. “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives,”
CHRISTINA NESTOR/SPPS
Cuccinelli said. He promised to stand guard over individual rights and against constitutional overreach. Cuccinelli also discussed his plans for job creation in Virginia. “Government should be creating opportunity, so the private sector can get back to what it creates and that’s jobs,” Cuccinelli said. He also said that he plans to focus in on the threats of right-to-work laws. “Of special concern to me as we look across the Potomac is this threat to our right-to-work laws, the most obvious place of Constitution overreach,” Cuccinelli said. “It’s an area that many Virginians believe is for us to determine for ourselves.” Bolling used his victory speech to discuss the impact of a Republican win in Virginia. “We’re going to change the direction of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is change you can really believe in,” Bolling said. Bolling said that he would strive to tackle the state’s larger concerns. “People of Virginia know as we know that the challenges facing our state today are too big for small campaigns,” Bolling said. “They want more than that, they expect more than that, and we will give them more than that in the next few years.” Bolling outlined his campaign goals of job creation, education and transportation. “We’ve got to create jobs and we will turn our deficits into surpluses by the time we’re done, improve education opportunities we’re providing to our children, transportation systems without raising taxes,” Bolling said. “We will do everything we can to improve access and affordability in Virginia without turning it over to the federal government.” Bolling was confident with the positive direction of the overall campaign. “I am proud of the campaign we ran, this was a campaign of issues and ideas,” Bolling said. “We didn’t ask for votes and support by tearing people down but by lifting up new ideas.”
CHRISTINA NESTOR/SPPS
Power shift forces Democrats to re-evaluate methods KELSEY HEITER news staff writer RICHMOND — As Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner and attorney general candidate Steve Shannon took the stage, an overwhelming sea of applause enveloped the room as democratic supporters showed their appreciation for the candidates. “The issues that I have been focusing on are issues that truly affect the public,” Shannon said. “Once we know the facts about these issues, we all have an obligation to address them — and I will do so.” Supporters commented that if Shannon would head the ticket during the next election, the Democratic ticket might have a chance. Democratic supporter Imran Chaudhry said the energy shown by last year’s Democrats has been more apparent in the Republican ticket this year. “If Shannon is head of the ticket next time and he engages in more outreach opportunities, people will actually listen to what Shannon says. Overall, I believe the Republicans had stronger candidates, they had the stronger more outreach-centered ticket,” Chaudhry said. Wagner said she does not believe the work is over for the Democratic ticket. “We have too many challenges to face — we need to focus on job creation, education for our children and transportation issues,” Wagner said. Supporters have had mixed views about the focus of this year’s Democratic ticket. “Democrats should learn their lesson,” Chaudhry said. “The Republicans had a better outreach program, without a doubt they were more aggressive. Democrats were unable to inspire the base of the supporters.” Amir Malik, a Democratic supporter, said that Shannon ended up buried because he was a good candidate. “Since the rest of the Democratic ticket was running away from the Democratic ideals, Shannon was not put in the spotlight,” Malik said. Wagner said that the Democratic ticket should not give up on current political policies just because the outcome was not as positive as the supporters would have liked it to be. “We can’t give up on the policies that made us the best-managed state, the best state for business, and the best state to raise a child,” Wagner said. “We have to keep fighting these policies — agreed?”
Shannon said elections are not just about voting in the right candidates for the job, elections involved all citizens of the given state. “Elections are about citizens coming together and realizing that divided we cannot do a lot, but together, we can accomplish numerous goals,” Shannon said. Gov. Tim Kaine congratulated the candidates for all of their hard work throughout the campaign over the last several months. “Jody Wagner is one of the reasons that we have been named as one of the best-managed states and best for business,” Kaine said. “The Virginian Democratic Party is strong — we are going to keep winning races and our future is very bright.” Shannon said that even though the balance of power in the executive branch has changed, the Democratic Party would remain strong. “In order to get things done in Richmond, we will need bipartisan effort in the state senate (and) the house of Democrats as well,” Shannon said. “ ... it’s all about forging compromise, and that is what we will continue to do.” Shannon added that it is hard to analyze election history in the moment. “The big thing now is that there are hundreds of people here tonight,” Shannon said. “So many people came out and volunteered a lot of their time.” Volunteerism is of great importance to Shannon, and he hopes public service is a sacrifice that everyone should participate in. “Volunteerism is a critical component to the election — some will win, some will lose,” Shannon said. “I learned a long time ago that there is always an opportunity in public service — I’ll refocus on what I can do to serve Virginia.” When asked if he will run again, Shannon stated that he will have to ask his wife Abby. Jody Wagner supporter Cathi Laderberg said that the Democrats can find positivity from this race. “I think that the results are a reflection of the tough time,” Laderberg said. “It is time for the Democrats to pull together and take this loss and pull something good out of it.” Wagner concluded her concession speech by emphasizing the future endeavors of the state. MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS “Virginia has a great future and we need to make sure that we are every- Left: Despite the night’s loss, Gov. Tim Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner emphasized the Democratic Party’s popularity in Virginia. Right: The thing that we can be as a state,” Wagner lecturn from the Deeds rally. Bottom: Jody Wagner, the Democratic lieutenant governor candidate, speaks to the crowd. said.
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editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
november 4, 2009
Italy’s Berlusconi: Shaming, titillating his constituents S
o Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is shaming his nation. That’s what pundits and commentators worldwide are saying as the Italian courts pursue charges of bribery, corruption and tax evasion. But by far the most visible allegations revolve around his sexual escapades. But before we all clamber aboard that bandwagon, is it possible we misunderstand? After all, as the prime minister explained at a recent news conference, “to my male colleagues present here I say: Raise your hand and tell me you don’t think it’s nice to rest your eyes on pleasant and enjoyable feminine presences — rather than sitting at a table with people lacking aesthetic qualities.” Certainly that must be why he showed up at 18-year-old Noemi Letizia’s birthday party last spring. It’s probably a coincidence that Letizia, a model, poses for provocative photos in her underwear. That couldn’t have been why he gave her a nice birthday present, a gold necklace worth about $10,000. Berlusconi’s wife was angry. She left him, saying his visit to the birthday party “really surprised me because he has never come to the 18th birthday parties of any of our three children, despite being invited.” Come on, now. Berlusconi is the prime minister of Italy. He has a busy schedule. Even a young Noemi Letizia understands that. “I am in awe of him,” she told an interviewer. “He calls me, and I go to him.” But only “if he has time.” His own children recognize that their father has a difficult schedule. One of them, Pier Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister’s eldest son, is vice chairman of Mediaset SpA, the Italian commercial television network his father founded. He recently remarked that his father “never even knew exactly what I was doing or what my work was. I know this can sound strange, but it is the way things went.” And then there are those unfortunate dalliances with prostitutes. Prosecutors are questioning businessman Giampaolo Tarantini for allegedly paying several dozen women to sleep with senior government officials — including Berlusconi. Tarantini did not deny the charge but insisted that he paid the women, not Berlusconi. Of course not. As Berlusconi explained: “The joy and satisfaction lies in the conquest. If you pay, what joy would there be?” Berlusconi is, of course, the wealthiest man in his nation. He owns Italy’s three most important television channels as well as several satellite and digital stations, and he learned
quickly what Italians like to watch. In his most famous program, a game show back in the 1980s, a comely “housewife” took off an article of clothing every time a contestant gave a correct answer. Berlusconi figured if he liked it, Italians would love it. And they did. So don’t Berlusconi’s sexual peccadilloes — even the orgies he is said to hold at his villa in Sardinia — appeal to his people and make him a more attractive politician? Of course, he says. “I think Italians recognize themselves in me,” he told a gathering of young members of his political party last month. “I am one of them. I was poor; I am interested in the things that interest them. I love football, I smile, I love others — and above else beautiful women.” To that, the audience gave him enthusiastic applause. Berlusconi himself is Italy’s favorite soap opera right now. The newspapers are full of his improprieties and diversions. For example, two newspapers, Corriere della Sera and La Stampa, recently reported that Tarantini told police he lined up 30 women for Berlusconi and his friends, “if the need arose,” and brought them to 18 parties in Berlusconi’s homes in Rome and Sardinia in 2008 and 2009. “I wanted to meet Premier Berlusconi, and to that end I spent a lot to get into contact with him, knowing his taste for women,” Tarantini told the papers. “I merely accompanied to his house young women who I introduced as my friends while keeping quiet about the fact that I sometimes paid them.” You’d assume that all of the press coverage, all of that back-room business, would spell Berlusconi’s political demise. Think of Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, both of whom are accused of covering up extra-marital affairs. The South Carolina legislature is considering impeachment, and Ensign’s re-election prospects appear to be slim. What about Berlusconi? Do we misunderstand? If the public opinion polls are an indicator, we do. His popularity among Italians, in recent polls, stands at 63 percent — a figure any chief of state would envy. What do Italians know that we don’t?
JOEL BRINKLEY -mcclatchy-tribune
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
MCT CAMPUS
Don’t let little things get you down while in college T
his past weekend as I got dressed up for Halloween, it dawned on me that the holiday season was coming fast. As I remembered this, I got excited thinking about the food, family and presents in my future. The holiday season is by far my favorite time of year — the whole time is magical to me. And then I remember that I’ll surely encounter family drama, a lack of snow and the extreme stress of finals. Everything suddenly seems ruined for me, and I want to avoid thinking about what will happen. But I’m still more than excited, because I do my best not to let life get to me. This semester has been the most stressful for me by far, but I have also had more fun and made more new, great friends than any other time in my life. I am taking interesting classes that I really enjoy, but they are very difficult. I stay up for hours writing papers and reading impossible 18th century philosophers that I will likely not understand anyway. But I’m still having the time of my life, and enjoying my time as a college student because you only get to be in college once. My friends who have piles of impossible homework and get no sleep constantly complain about how they are never going to get everything done and what they are going to do about this and that drama. Every time they do this I want to yell at
much work, my friends don’t want to do what I want, or that I’m not getting enough sleep. But there are people who would give a lot to be in my position. When I remember this, I relax a little. I am an 18-year-old college student at a good university. Unless I win the lottery or Brad Pitt suddenly falls in love with me, things can’t get much better. I essentially can do whatever I want and have as much fun as I want, and no one is going to say anything. I have the best friends — people who I know will be there for me whenever I need them. Most people I know at Tech, including myself, need to stop worrying about the little things. There is a time and place where we will have to grow up and be responsible. But now, we have the opportunity to have an amazing time getting an excellent education. It is just not worth it to worry so much about the little things in life, because they don’t matter now and probably never will. All we need to do is remember that we are extremely lucky and then sit back, relax and enjoy.
GABI SELTZER -regular columnist -sophomore -philosophy, history major
Challenge cultural traditions that perpetuate sterotypical roles R
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them and tell them that it honestly doesn’t matter. It does not make a difference what people you upset, what party you go to this weekend, or who is doing what with whom. All that matters now is that you have the time of your life, get the best grades that you can, and make friends with people who will be by your side for the rest of your life. You can’t let the current little things bother you too much or you will get caught up in the now and forget about your future. You will only care about yourself and how to get what you want now. I’m not saying that I don’t do this sometimes. I overreact more than any other person I know. However, when I catch myself becoming overly concerned about what I’m doing this weekend or how I’m going to be able to get this or that done, I remember to relax. I remember that whatever I do this weekend is probably not going to matter in the long term and that things could always be worse. I remember that when I graduate, I am going to be an elite member of society because I was fortunate enough to get a college education. I am lucky enough to have been raised by good people who love and care about me and to be receiving an education at a top university. There are people who only dream of going to college, or right now, even having a job. I have both. I can go on and on about how my classes have too
ecently I have had a series of discussions with various friends and family who find some of my more liberal social views to be a little unusual, bordering perhaps on the dreaded F-word: feminism. Yeah. I said it. I’m proud, too. Perhaps I should wear a breast cancer ribbon and join an all-women commune. Sadly, many of those types of feminists are more interested in a female utopia where men are caged sperm donors — that’s not really my style. I follow more of a classical liberal approach, trying instead to focus more on women as individuals, with equal rights to any other individual. Perhaps then the word “feminist” isn’t something I should identify with, as the word seems to have collectivist connotations. Wherever collectivism rears its head, there is sure to be a group of individuals united with brains turned off. I’m getting to the ripe young age where my friends are starting to get married, and discussions are beginning as to how I as a libertarian feel about marriage in general. It’s no secret that most of us classical liberal types despise the idea of a marriage license, but apparently I espoused an idea that even my liberally-minded friends found to be strange: I wouldn’t want my wife to take my name, and I’d also like us both to have our own careers and even our own finances. Mrs. Chad Van Alstin. That doesn’t sound like a really pretty name for my wife. It also doesn’t come off as very respectful. Like it or not, women took the name of their male spouses for one reason only: Our culture has been male dominated throughout Western history. I’m not going to argue that it is somehow unethical for a woman to take her husband’s name if she truly wishes. However, the idea just doesn’t sit well for me if I were to get married. I very much would like my wife to keep her own identity; anything less would make me feel as though I was somehow claiming her as personal property. It’s as if her family name and lineage are somehow inferior to mine, and
thus she is adopted into my lineage as an extension of myself. This, of course, is all because of her gender. I don’t like the idea of that. In reality, that’s very much the reason that this Western tradition of women taking their husband’s names evolved into being. The concept of separate finances and careers seemed to bother my good friends the most. The argument was made that separate careers is fine, so long as there are no kids involved. Again, the argument in this case is that the family unit and its survival rest solely upon members of a family accepting specific roles. I just don’t think the traditional roles are set in an ethical manner. My reasoning for espousing my opposing viewpoint is simple: All people should have their own focus in life that doesn’t simply involve their family and their significant other. A person having their own career and their own goals seems completely healthy and is a recipe for a life of satisfaction. This idea that somehow women should sit at home and be dedicated to their children is simply unhealthy to me. Women have great value that needs to be added to our culture and our workforce. Encouraging women to view their role as a caretaker of the house is an absolute detriment to everyone. I’m sure most people would agree that relationships are ideally supposed to be a partnership where both parties in a relationship have mutual gain by being with the other. Everyone knows that couple where one member is completely dominant. Perhaps you know a guy who can’t seem to go anywhere without his girlfriend, or that girl who just isn’t allowed to think for herself. Although certainly humorous, these types of situations just aren’t healthy for anyone. No person in a relationship should ever dominate the other. Encouraging one member of a relationship to take the role of homemaker implies a sort of authoritarian relationship where the member of the family who works and makes money gets to make the most decisions — after all,
most decisions do involve money. This person may be a kind dictator, granting their spouse a substantial allowance and allowing them to make a certain number of decisions. However, in the end this just means that one member of this marriage dominates the other. Am I crazy? The look from my friends has led me to believe so. My more conservative friends were the most opposed to my idea of all. One of my friends accused me of destroying the American family by subverting traditional roles. This conservative Christian view of the relationship between family structure and ethics deserves a satirical rant all its own, with emphasis on the absurd reasoning of “it’s better for the kids” as justification for actions. The encouragement to maintain traditional gender roles is only reenforced by the law. Think of how much more convenient life would be if a woman would just take her husband’s name — it certainly makes legal documents a lot easier — only more reason to completely remove government from all forms of marriage, which would make marriage a private contract between two people. My solution to this doesn’t involve simply switching the traditional gender roles. In such a case where a man was to take his wife’s name and stay at home with the kids, the problem would simply be reversed. A little personal choice can go a long way. I hope my future wife can accept the fact that I love her name (as much as I love my own), and I wish to only help her with her career ambitions. It may make raising kids a little more difficult, but at least a good example would be set for the next generation of sons and daughters. Individual rights and equality should never be unpopular ideas.
CHAD VAN ALSTIN -regular columnist -senior -communication major
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ACROSS 1 “__ be an honor” 4 Absurd sham 9 Music performance rights org. 14 Fizzle out 15 Where work may pile up 16 Bit of wisdom 17 Respond to Uncle Sam’s poster request 20 Navajo relative 21 Wood decay 22 Tall and long-limbed 23 Hope/Crosby film title word 24 Captured 27 __-Cat: winter vehicle 28 Movieland 30 Eliminate entirely 32 __, meenie ... 33 Outdoor nap site 36 Women, in old-fashioned parlance 38 Blow one’s top 39 Chasms 40 “Pay attention!” 43 Pesky little tyke 46 Retailing pioneer R.H. __ 47 Eternities 48 Zellweger of “Chicago” 50 Anxiety 52 Texas metropolis 53 Passiveaggressive tactic 56 Land along the ocean 57 Two under par, on a hole 58 Up to, in classified ads 59 Aches 60 Father of Beau and Jeff 61 Go out with DOWN 1 Lofty principles 2 __ Alley: old music-publishing district 3 Old White House middle name 4 Suspicious 5 Poker payment
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editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
features 7
Local dentists preserve and protect student athletes’ crowns RYAN ARNOLD features reporter There’s an injured player on the field. Virginia Tech athletic trainers rush the scene with first aid in hand, yet it’s not a joint that’s ailing. They toss aside Ace bandages and athletic tape to uncover a small cylinder labeled Save-A-Tooth, an emergency toothpreserving system. “It’s a solution that’s designed to keep the tooth roots alive,” said Mike Goforth, director of athletic training. If an athlete has his pearly whites whacked, the product can maintain a stray for 24 hours. The Tech training staff has yet to bottle an incisor, Goforth said, but it’s a feasible crisis that would be handed off to the athletics department’s on-call dentists, John Robertson and Jay Bass. Robertson and Bass run a local practice, Family Dentistry, and have served the athletics department since Goforth contacted Robertson two years ago. Robertson’s daughter, Heather Lafon, had just started working in the athletics department, and word spread of her father’s prior involvement with sports. When Robertson’s son, Michael, played football for Blacksburg High School years ago, Family Dentistry offered to make the entire team’s mouth guards. “I think it was a community servicetype thing to do,” Robertson said. “Just giving something back to the school over there.” Michael has since graduated college, but Robertson and Bass continue to assist the local high school each season. Shouldering the Tech athletics department hasn’t added outstanding responsibilities either.
“
Whether it’s a boy or a girl — a college-aged student, they don’t want to look in that mirror and see a chipped tooth staring at them.” MIKE GOFORTH DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING
“Really we haven’t had a whole lot of sports-related injuries,” Robertson said, “because they are good about having the athletes wear the mouth guards and safety protection.” Family Dentistry also makes Tech’s mouth guards. The most common Tech sports that utilize them are football, lacrosse and wrestling. At the beginning of football season, for example, a Family Dentistry assistant will accompany either Robertson or Bass for a couple mornings in the athletic department. Their players bite down on a specialized material to create impressions of their teeth. With those impressions, Family Dentistry makes hardened molds of players’ mouths. “We’re lucky in that we’re usually just making the molds for the new players,” Robertson said, “because the previous years had them made (already).” The athletics department handles the rest of the process, Goforth said, although Family Dentistry provides the necessary materials. Goforth and his staff heat-vacuum square orange “blanks” over the teeth molds, then trim the excess to yield a final product. Goforth said current mouth guards are a considerable advancement over previous models. Once bulky objects that prevented clear speech, mouth guards are now light, and their slender dimensions hardly obstruct communication. Yet it’s not guaranteed athletes will remember to wear them constantly. In the football game against Miami this season, Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor was mixed in a pile of bodies. Goforth said as everyone writhed to stand, Taylor had his helmet ripped off. Taylor’s misplaced mouth guard failed to prevent the chipping of one of his front teeth. “Whether it’s a boy or a girl — a college-aged student,” Goforth said, “they don’t want to look in that mirror and see a chipped tooth staring back at them.” Dentist Robertson said Taylor’s fix was relatively simple. “Sometimes you can have a tooth that’ll either get knocked out or broken into the pulp of the tooth,” Robertson said, “but this was just an edge of the tooth that needed to be bonded.” There’s a little extra pressure when mending notable faces like Taylor’s, Robertson said, especially when the procedure involves visible teeth. With athletes pictured in numerous media outlets, he hopes no one will question his work. “You worry,” Robertson said, “is his tooth going to look funny and people are going to wonder ‘What’s with that?’” But since serious injuries are a rarity, Family Dentistry also serves as a hygiene resource for athletes. “We have a lot of athletes that come here that haven’t seen dentists in years,” Goforth said, “so these guys are great at helping take care of those needs also.” And Robertson said Family Dentistry appreciates the visitor influx.
“We always like seeing new patients,” he said, “and we like seeing the college kids.” It’s infrequent that Tech covers the student bills, though. Most Family Dentistry procedures go directly through athletes’ insurance. If it’s inadequate, though, the athletic department allocates funds to assist payment. The NCAA also has available reserves that are distributed based on need. Robertson and Bass don’t get special treatment, either. Their office doesn’t boast free Tech sports gear signed by prominent names, and they attend athletic events with tickets they purchased themselves. One might wonder what the appeal is, then. “I think just because we’re Tech fans,” Robertson said with a laugh, “and kind of part of a Tech community here in Blacksburg.” Bass, a Tech graduate, recently submitted his order for basketball season tickets. He played the sport throughout his high school career and coincidentally suffered a chipped tooth.
BRIAN CLAY/SPPS
Dr. John Robertson (right) and Virginia Tech junior biology major Amanda Pyon (left) of Family Dentistry work on Andrew Dunbar, a senior political science major at Radford. Robertson has also been working with the Tech athletics department for the last two years.
sports 8
editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
november 4, 2009
Women’s soccer on its way to ACC conference tournament GARRETT RIPA sports staff writer
The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team has never won an NCAA tournament game in program history. It is looking to change that this year. “We’re trying to earn respect,” said Julian Johnson, senior forward. Last year the Hokies surprisingly made it to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game by tying their first two games in the tournament and advancing to the conference final through two shootout victories. The Hokies fell short of winning the conference, however, when they lost the ACC final 3-0 to the University of North Carolina. In its first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament, Tech fell short again, losing 2-0 to Brigham Young University. The Hokies’ only other NCAA Tournament appearance came in 2004 and resulted in a 2-1 loss to The College of William & Mary. This year’s team has seen unprecedented success, relying on a mix of senior leadership and young talent. “This team’s one of the most talented teams we’ve had,” said head coach Kelly Cagle. “I think if we play hard, we can play with anybody.” During the 2009 campaign, the Hokies have tallied their best record in program history (13-6-0, 6-4-0). They’ve also ranked as high as 12th in the Soccer Times and NSCAA/ Adidas polls, a program best as well. Tech has compiled victories this season against previously ranked No. 5 Wake Forest and No. 18 University of Virginia, and its biggest win came when it stunned No. 1 North Carolina at Thompson field on Oct. 4. “We had the potential in the very beginning, and we’re living up to it,” said Marika Gray, junior
ACC Tourney Schedule don’t miss these games soccer fans — use this schedule to mark your calendars
Quarterfinals Wednesday, Nov. 4 No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 8 Duke at noon MARK UMANSKY/SPPS
Junior forward Marika Gray dribbles past a Boston College defender during Tech’s 0-1 loss to the Eagles on Oct. 18 at Thompson Field. Gray was selected for second team All-ACC honors this season, while teammate midfielder Kelly Conheeney made the ACC’s All-Freshman team. forward. “There’s always work to be done no matter where you are.” The Hokies enter the ACC Tournament coming off a tight 2-1 Senior Day loss to No. 4 Florida State. “We want to channel the fire from the loss into whoever we play next,” Gray said. “Sometimes a loss is good going into a tournament,” added Robin Chidester, senior forward. “We won’t be too cocky.” The No. 4-seeded Hokies open postseason play at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., today at 2:30
p.m. They will battle it out in their ACC quarterfinal match against No. 5 seed Wake Forest (13-4-2, 5-3-2). The Demon Deacons are currently ranked 10th nationally in the NSCAA/Adidas Division I soccer poll, while the Hokies are ranked 19th. The Hokies defeated Wake Forest previously this season, 4-3, on Oct. 22 when the Demon Deacons were ranked fifth nationally. Tech is looking for another victory over the Demon Deacons to place it into Friday’s ACC semifinal round.
A berth in Sunday’s ACC Championship game is certainly not out of question as the Hokies have proven they can play with the best this season. “I want to follow up what we did last year,” Chidester said. “I want to prove it wasn’t a one-time thing, just a fluke.” After the completion of the ACC Tournament, the 64team NCAA Tournament field will be announced, and first round play will begin on Friday, Nov. 13. With the Hokies’ present national ranking, they have virtually locked a spot in the 64-team
field no matter their performance at the ACC Tournament. The team strives to make the NCAA Sweet 16, but in the upset-ridden world of women’s soccer, nothing is guaranteed. “I think our goal has to be that we play quality soccer, build off the regular season performances we’ve had,” Cagle said. “We’ll do our best to advance in the NCAA Tournament.” The Hokies are anxious and excited for postseason play to finally begin. “We’re fired up to get the postseason going, keep the seniors for as long as we can,” Gray said.
No. 4 Virginia Tech vs. No. 5 Wake Forest at 2:30 p.m. No. 2 Boston College vs. No. 7 Virginia at 5 p.m. No. 3 North Carolina vs. No. 6 Maryland at 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals Friday, Nov. 6 Semifinal 1 at 5 p.m. Semifinal 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Championship Final Sunday, Nov. 8
Championship Match at 2 p.m.