Friday, February 12, 2010
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COLLEGIATETIMES 107th year, issue 16
News, page 4
Features, page 2
Opinions, page 5
Sports, page 7
Classifieds, page 6
Sudoku, page 6
Don’t ask, Don’t tell? VTCC, LGBTA monitoring dispute
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BETHANY BUCHANAN AND PETER VELZ/COLLEGIATE TIMES
Town lenient on sidewalk clearing code
GORDON BLOCK news reporter Virginia Tech officials are closely watching as proposed changes could end a federal prohibition on gays openly serving in the armed forces as well as the on-campus Reserve Officer Training Corps programs offered by the corps of cadets. In his State of the Union address on Jan. 27, President Barack Obama announced a plan that would end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, calling it a law “that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.” The policy, enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1993, allowed for gay soldiers to serve with strict rules barring “homosexual conduct.” As a part of the policy, those entering the armed forces would not be asked about their sexuality. While the proposed policy change has sparked much debate in Washington D.C., Tech ROTC and corps of cadets officials are keeping their eyes on any change to the policy. “We’re watching this like everybody else is,” said captain Daniel Forney, commanding officer of Tech’s Naval ROTC program. Maj. Carrie Cox, executive officer with Tech’s Corps of Cadets, noted that while ROTC actions fell under the federal “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies, the civilian track of the corps falls under Tech’s Principles of Community, which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. About 100 students are in the civilian track program, some who are ineligible for ROTC service for various reasons, including medical issues. Cox said that the topic of gay students serving in the corps of cadets is a “non-issue.”
news reporter
We welcome everybody to the corps of cadets, and we work hard so that we treat all with dignity and respect. JERROLD ALLEN COMMANDANT OF CADETS
“It’s not something that’s been brought up,” Cox said. Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance were vocal in their support of a change to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. “It was an, ‘It’s about time’ type of thing,” said Aimee Kanode, a senior humanities, science, and environment major and serving as president of the LGBTA. “If not now, when?” Kanode said that while a change in policy would not be “seamless,” it was important to support those who “want to defend the country.” “Whoever wants to fight should be able to fight,” Kanode said. Forney noted that while he didn’t expect a backlash from a change to the policy, military cohesiveness is a very important topic to consider in the debate. “Being in the military, it’s like a team sport,” Forney said. Forney said that his program would follow the laws passed down from the federal government. “In the Navy, we work for the civilian government, and we execute its policies,” Forney said. “If there were a policy change, I would say it would work out.” Maj. Gen. Jerrold Allen, commandant of cadets, said his office worked to maintain respect among cadets. “We welcome everybody to the corps of cadets, and we work hard so that we treat all with dignity and respect,” Allen see MILITARY / page four
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
Students trudge down campus sidewalks alongside the statue of “Addy” Caldwell, firmly entrenched in snow. While most Virginia Tech walkways are cleared of snow and ice, Blacksburg has encountered issues enforcing town code.
As Blacksburg sits under the thickest blanket it has seen since 1996, enforcement of the town’s code for snow removal has been relaxed. According to section 21-112 of the town code, property owners are required to “remove the snow from the paved sidewalk in front of his or her property” within 24 hours of snowfall. As of Thursday afternoon, some sections of walkway along North Main Street remain covered with several inches of snow. David Darnell, senior code inspector for Blacksburg’s office of housing and neighborhood services, has been walking around town handing out notices to property owners failing to follow the town code. Darnell estimated that his office received a record of more than 400 complaints from town residents, up from 155 complaints last year. Darnell said the number would have been higher, but he was out of town during the Christmas holiday when Blacksburg received a heavy amount of snow. Darnell said the heavy amount of snow required some changes in enforcement. “One has to make some allowances for the sheer volume we’ve seen,” Darnell said. Instead of expecting people to clear an entire sidewalk, Darnell said he hoped property owners would clear one shovel width through the sidewalk “so people can walk single-file.” Darnell said he had been walking high traffic areas around Blacksburg, from the intersection of North Main Street and Patrick Henry Drive all the way down to the First & Main shopping complex on South Main Street. Other areas receiving attention are Toms Creek Road, Prices Fork Road and the downtown neighborhoods of Roanoke Street and Lee Street. While the number of complaints has reached record levels, the town has no system for fining property owners not in compliance with the rules. One reason for this has been the timing of handing out notices. “Usually by the time you’d do some type of enforcement the snow would be melted,” Darnell said. Darnell also noted he didn’t want to pressure those physically unable to clear the snow on their walkways. “A lot of people are unable to shovel, and we don’t want to get into a situation where we are punishing the elderly and the disabled,” Darnell said. He said those who are found to be physically unable to clear the snow on their sidewalks are placed on a list and later helped by a team of volunteers. Darnell said he was impressed with people taking the time to do their part. “It’s voluntary compliance, but we try our best to persuade people to do their civic duty, and make the sidewalks safe for pedestrians,” Darnell said. “People this winter, more than in past winters, are realizing how important that is.”
Bill Clinton hospitalized with chest pains ANDREW MALCOLM mcclatchy newspapers LOS ANGELES — Former President Bill Clinton, who is 63, was hospitalized in New York City Thursday for chest pains. Clinton was rushed to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan where he had bypass surgery in 2004. Clinton’s wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was seen this afternoon leaving the Oval Office and did not seem “too concerned” or “in a rush.” The secretary is scheduled to begin a five-day trip to the Middle East Friday. Soon after leaving the Oval Office, she flew to New York City. Bill Clinton, who has suffered from overweight often in his life, lost considerable poundage after his previous heart problem and bypass surgery in 2004. The pain likely came from a partial blockage of an artery and the stents would reopen the passage. He is expected to stay in the hospital an undetermined time. According to a statement released by Douglas Band, a counselor to the
ex-president, Clinton had two stents implanted Thursday: “Today President Bill Clinton was admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital after feeling discomfort in his chest. “Following a visit to his cardiologist, he underwent a procedure to place two stents in one of his coronary arteries. President Clinton is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his Foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts.” In 2004, Clinton underwent a successful quadruple bypass operation to free four blocked arteries. The ex-president has a condition of heart disease requiring loss of weight and more attention to his diet, but has maintained a vigorous globe-traveling schedule. He was just in Haiti last week. The stent, basically a wire mesh tube-shape, is inserted in the groin and moved up the artery to the blockage, then expanded to open blood flow through the accumulated plaque. It has become a common procedure in the United States. About a million are performed per year.
COURTESY OF MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
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GORDON BLOCK
2 features
editor: topher forhecz featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
february 12, 2010
COLLEGIATETIMES
Tech sculpture professor shapes lobby of ICTAS building RYAN ARNOLD features reporter Expansive rust covers the perimeter of the 12,000-square-foot Environmental Systems Laboratory on Prices Fork Road, but it’s not the walls themselves that are corroding. Three miles west of the Virginia Tech campus, Steve Bickley, professor of sculpture studio arts, lined the building with innumerable metal sculptures. Many of them, colorful and thin, rise tower-like overhead. “That’s my sculpture graveyard,” Bickley said, laughing. While Bickley enjoys the classroom setting back on campus, he said academia is secondary to his cherished craft. His frequent extracurricular enterprises have spread his name throughout the country, including Minneapolis and Denver. “I just happen to be an artist that teaches,” he said. But his perspective doesn’t translate as neglect for the University. In fact, Bickley’s personal endeavors have yielded several metal pieces for Tech outfits and individuals. He produced an outdoor sculpture for the Women’s Center as well as the millennium mace, which was carried during the first graduation ceremony of Charles Steger’s presidency. Steger happens to be one of the catalysts behind Bickley’s latest and largest campus commission. The first of two buildings for the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science opened in March 2009 at the corner of Turner Street and Stranger Street. ICTAS Director Roop Mahajan said he hoped the architecture would have better reflected the happenings within. With the ICTAS main lobby encased by glass however, Mahajan saw the opportunity for artwork to accomplish that communication to any passersby. “Another statement we are making is that art and engineering, they are not on the two sides of the spectrum,” Mahajan said. “They really are complementary to each other.” Mahajan said he talked with Steger who then recommended Bickley for the project. Bickley said the idea was surprising. He hadn’t seen art as an interior staple on campus. “This is a great thing that’s sort of a first at Virginia Tech,” Bickley said, “and I’ve been here 32 years.” The undertaking, completed during winter break, wasn’t a solo endeavor.
JOSHUA MILLER/SPPS
Steve Bickley, professor of sculpture studio arts, designed and constructed an interactive sculpture for the ICTAS building. With help from Ivica Ico Bukvic, assistant professor of music composition and technologoy, motion sensors were installed into the sculpture that relay information about ICTAS from surrounding speakers when triggered. Mahajan merged Bickley with Ivica Ico Bukvic, assistant professor in music composition & technology. From their collaboration emerged an amorphous, interactive wall sculpture just inside the ICTAS main entry doors. Behind a greeting counter, the organic aluminum shape follows the turn of the L-shaped nook and spans an adjacent doorway. Bickley said the fluidity is like water, although it can also be abstracted as a biological reference. Scattered in the aluminum are small green Plexiglas forms that allude to blood cells and DNA construction. Four of the green forms contain sen-
sors that are hooked up to speakers. When each is approached, the wall sculpture audibly responds. Pre-recorded text describing ICTAS research efforts and goals is displayed, while Bukvic created complementary sounds using computerized algorithmic equations intended to randomize the output. “It becomes this kind of infinite sound fabric which ideally will never be the same,” Bukvic said. Mahajan said Bickley and Bukvic were successful. “It appeals to the imagination of the people who are in abstract thinking, but then for engineers we have the microphones,” Mahajan said, laughing. “It was
a good combination.” Bickley already showcased the ICTAS sculpture in pursuit of other commissions. He’s made a proposal for a competition to decorate an entryway at Dulles International Airport. Seven walls would contain seven panels, each with information about a specific continent. “Then an oral part was to be greetings in their native languages,” Bickley said. He submitted a wall-piece design in the same vein as ICTAS for a competition hosted by a state agency in Tallahassee, Fla. JOSHUA MILLER/SPPS If awarded the jobs, Bickley said they Bickley’s interactive sculpture was submitted to a wall-piece design could very well be collaborative affairs, again infusing modern technologies. competition hosted by a state agency in Florida. But that’s the direction in which his “I have to use the technology,” Bickley change, his core beliefs haven’t been field is moving. The hyperrealism of popular entertainment has shaped said. “There’s no going back to the washed away. “The one thing that I think is imporviewer expectations. The more senses torch.” The capabilities are seemingly bound- tant about art is it has to stand alone,” he activated, the better. said. “It can’t always rely on electricity Even his methods of production favor less and the efficiency is undeniable. Although Bickley embraces the sea or a computer to activate it. That’s not a water jet and laser cutters. reliable item yet.” If the hypothetical Dulles installation was to malfunction, Bickley said he couldn’t afford to travel there on a whim to troubleshoot. The ICTAS sculpture, for example, already has bugs to sort out. Bickley waved vigorously at sensors only to hear the audio clips 15 seconds later, if at all. Without an on-call technician, such artistic efforts function with an unwanted limp, although Bickley is optimistic. “I think the technology’s catching up to be more stable,” he said. But there’s still an audience for Bickley’s more traditional metal work, the art he said he enjoys considerably more. He’s a finalist for a competition in Richmond for an outdoor sculpture on Capital Trail, which is similar to Blacksburg’s Huckleberry Trail. The piece might not be rigged to shout encouragement at joggers, but Bickley aims to make it an engaging compliment to the trail. “That’s probably why I’ve always liked sculpture,” he said. “It at least requires more than just a contemplative stare. It has a tactile surface to it and a reality that makes it unique.”
february 12, 2010
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He said: V-Day changes, so does the cost She said: Feb. 14 means a girl’s day off C I “ hocolates or diamonds? Chocolates or diamonds? A jewelry store commercial repeated this question as though it was a stressing an internal debate plaguing many men. Well that’s outrageous. Throw them on the scales: months — or years if you’re like me — of paychecks for a necklace that will spend much of its time hidden under hair or modest dollars for rich desserts, several of which you can steal right back? Any guy with the slightest notion of fiscal responsibility and an appetite would pick chocolate. Don’t worry, the commercial eventually said, you can combine the two. Open up the store’s heart-shaped box to find a heart-shaped pendant surrounded by what might as well be heart-shaped candies. I’m not convinced the idea is that charming; to me, it’s like a misguided promise ring. The ornament contains an underlying pact to your significant other that you’ll love them even if uninhibited snacking causes colossal weight gain. Which is maybe noble and endearing (it’s all about personality, right?), but you’re sort of declaring that it’s inevitable. Without offering her even the benefit of the doubt, I’d say such a gift yields a slap to the face. Coincidentally the icon for Valentine’s Day is often portrayed on the heftier side, but Cupid’s also sometimes seen as a child. And kids tend not to dissect the physiological implications of sugary delights; it’s just sugar, which is awesome. That was certainly the overriding anticipation of mid-February when recess was still a crucial part of my day. I knew that Hershey’s Kisses and Sweethearts would find their way into my desk cubby, and they would
be a delicious distraction to learning cursive, a “skill” I almost completely forgot by the time I had to write that paragraph for the SAT. There just wasn’t much to the holiday aside from inhaling treats. Romance was a fickle thing we let Ninja Turtles or Doug Funny communicate on our behalf within perforated business cards that were restricted to 10 or so words. The outcome of that, we hoped, was maybe a hand to awkwardly hold while at the skating rink or a kiss blown to us for dominating tetherball. But crushes turned like the calendar, and we forgot Ms. February in favor of Ms. March. Then there was a sea change. Girls rid themselves of all traces of cooties and we started making a few dollars for mowing lawns and shoveling snow. Suddenly relationships had a little bit of depth, and we could reach in our own pockets to buy that stuffed gorilla that requested, “Be mine.” That is to say, what could express feelings better than a scaled-down 400-pound silverback? And the material goodies have only escalated since, whether it’s a high-class dinner or a vase packed with flowers whose petals you’d think might be dipped in gold considering their price tag. Presents don’t always have to dent checking accounts, though. A trip to Michaels and prior summer camp craft skills can produce gifts that will likely be perceived as more genuine anyway. Regardless of the funds or efforts put forth, it’s clear many of us feel compelled to let someone know we care for them. But this particular day of this particular month is curious. Are we taking the cues from our own accord or are the redecorated grocery store aisles imposing guilt upon us? It’s
important to consider how expressive we are with our love — or whatever you wish to call it — throughout the rest of the year. The naked, winged baby could in fact be calling you out on your insincerity. So although I see much of Valentine’s Day as a marketing raid on docile consumers who don’t glance at the underbelly of tradition, I recognize it contains the seeds of enlightenment. Maybe Cupid slings his arrows at hearts in hopes that they’ll mend to be stronger, more consistent. But there is definitely the bitter sect that catches the archery mid-air, lights the tip ablaze and heaves it back at the flying infant. All the chatter about rose bouquets and candlelit meals only serves to remind them that they are companionless. The day is advertised as one during which you should be swept off your feet, but they literally feel like someone roundhouse kicked their ankles. The 14th is ultimately reserved for depression. The soundtrack is Death Cab for Cutie on repeat complemented with wine for one. Or you’ll overhear ladies organizing kumbaya sob sessions, enhancing their collective misery with flicks in the vein of “Love, Actually” or the timely “Valentine’s Day.” I wonder if Cupid watches us like a movie, confused by the polarizing results of his good intentions. I’d bet his theater snack of choice would be chocolates, and he’d shamelessly finish the entire box.
RYAN ARNOLD -features reporter -senior -communication major
vividly remember when I was a short-haired, stickly girl in first grade getting ready for Valentine’s Day. One by one, I filled out “Tiny Toons” Valentine’s Day cards with the names of my classmates, then checked their name off a list. I was finally down to the very last name when I turned to my mother and asked, “Do I have to send a valentine to Alta K.?” My mother stared me down and bit her bottom lip — which was her particular gesture informing me that I was about to be in big trouble. “Yes,” my mother replied. “You have to send one to Alta. You have to be nice!” I was pissed. At the time, I hated Alta. I thought she was weird. She made her own Halloween costume in the school bathroom as a mummy, and told us that she would share ice cream cones with her dog. She also said she let her dog “kiss” her on the mouth. That year, I didn’t want Buster Bunny to ask Alta, on my behalf, to be my valentine. I didn’t want her to think I liked her one bit. Forced to give Alta a valentine, I made sure to give her a card with Dizzy Devil — in my opinion, the stupidest of the Tiny Toons characters. As a small child, those cards all said the same thing: “Be my valentine.” And when it came to expressing ooey-gooey sentiment, I didn’t want to give the same message to Ryan R. — my first grade crush — that I gave to dreaded Alta K. But I was forced to do so, and no
I don’t find Valentine’s Day necessary to affirm my love to someone like I once did, and I’ve also learned no to write anyone bad poetry.
amount of Palmer’s waxy paraffin chocolate could console my six-yearold soul. But then middle school rolled around, and my how things changed. I had blossomed into a big-haired, stickly girl who had little luck with my crushes. Ryan R. was history and instead, my affections shifted to Dusty Getz — the smartest boy in the class who played chess, solved math puzzles in his spare time and could keep up with my extended vocabulary. Obviously, I knew how to pick ’em in the late 90s. When valentines were no longer mandatory, I got an itch around the first of February that maybe, just maybe, somebody would ask me to be theirs. And year after year, I was always disappointed. In 7th grade Valentine’s Day desperation, I even went so far as to write Dusty Getz a disgusting, sappy poem — called “When Green Eyes Met Blue” or something equally gaggy — and slipped it in his locker. Instead of getting a response, I just heard my friends, including Dusty, laughing about the lameness of the poet. But 10 V-Days later, I realize now that this holiday really isn’t that big of a deal. When it comes to “adult” Valentine’s
Day, the pressure’s off. Although it sucks to be solo on V-Day, you can always find friends with whom to commiserate and who probably appreciate Elizabeth Bennett’s acquisition of Mr. Darcy as much as you do. But as a serial monogamist who is usually seeing someone during this holiday, I typically don’t sweat nearly as much as I once did when I was young. Sure, I feel lucky to automatically have a Valentine, but this holiday is designed for the dude to do all the work. I can sit back and simply expect a nice evening out while the dude in my life worries about reservations, gifts, flowers, candy and a host of other gifts he thinks I “need” to make the holiday special. The fact is that as real life sets in and I’m not really obligated to give out valentines, the holiday has become just a footnote. I don’t find Valentine’s Day necessary to affirm my love to someone like I once did, and I’ve also learned not to write anyone bad poetry. Of course, I’ll probably still wear some special, frilly underwear on the 14th because hey, I know my guy’s putting a lot more emphasis on this holiday than I am. I might as well make Valentine’s Day something of a special event for him, since he’s trying so hard for me.
LAKEN RENICK -features staff writer -senior -English major
4 news
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/540.231.9865
february 12, 2010
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nation & world headlines
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COLLEGIATETIMES
A strike in the dark
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nation & world headlines
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HAITI
IRAN
Missionaries in Haiti remain in custody
Clashes reported on anniversary of Islamic revolution
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — The 10 Idaho missionaries facing kidnapping charges in Haiti testified as a group in a closeddoor hearing Wednesday before an examining judge but their anticipated release did not happen. The case will now be transferred to a local prosecutor, who has five days from Thursday to review the dossier and report his findings to Examining Judge Bernard SaintVil and decide if the defendants should be released or jailed, or if attorneys need to call more witnesses. Once the judge receives the prosecutors’ dossier, Saint Vil has up to two months to make a final decision on whether the defendants should be released. Meanwhile, some prominent American Baptists in the United States, including Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, have been enraged by the case. Land, who wrote to President Barack Obama on Saturday asking him to do “everything in your considerable power to secure the release” of the detainees, said Wednesday he was growing increasingly frustrated with what he viewed as inaction. “If I were the president, I’d call President Preval and say, ‘President Clinton is down there and we’re going to have him swim by and pick up the missionaries and we’ll adjudicate any court issues in the U.S.,’” Land said. by trenton daniel and lesley clark, mcclatchy newspapers
CORRECTIONS
A Virginia Tech student rolls his a strike during Cosmic Bowling Thursday night in Squires Student Center’s BreakZone. photo by luke mason
Military: National debate hits home from page one
JUSTIN GRAVES -Contact our public editor at publiceditor@ collegiatetimes.com if you see anything that needs to be corrected.
said in a statement to the Collegiate Times. The changes proposed by Obama have received approval from several prominent figures within the defense community in the past week, including Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Colin Powell, who opposed the inclusion of gay soldiers as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Clinton administration, said he supported the policy change. “In the almost 17 years since the
‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed,” Powell said in a statement. Those who oppose the change propose it could negatively impact unit cohesiveness. Sen. John McCain called the proposed change to the policy “another chal-
lenge to our military at a time of already tremendous stress and strain.” “Numerous military leaders tell me that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is working,” McCain said to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Feb. 2, “and that we should not change it now. I agree.”
TEHRAN — Tens of thousands of government supporters streamed into Tehran’s Azadi Square on Thursday to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, state television showed, as plainclothes and uniformed security forces faced off against smaller groups of anti-government protesters nearby. Opposition news Web sites alleged that security forces opened fire on anti-government demonstrators north of the square, killing at least one 27-year-old woman, but the reports could not be independently confirmed. The Web sites also reported that pro-government militiamen attacked opposition figures at the rally, including Zahra Rahnavard, the wife of former presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Video footage uploaded to the Internet showed a security official pummeling an unarmed demonstrator. Another could be seen spraying protesters with pepper gas. As government supporters carried effigies of Western politicians and coffins decorated with the flags of Britain and Israel, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a defiant speech broadcast live on television. He charged that the West was interfering in the Middle East, hailed his nation’s efforts to uplift the poor and oppressed, and promoted his country’s headlong drive to master nuclear technology, which has spurred international worries that Iran is pursuing atomic weapons. “We must not neglect the power of the Iranian people,” he told supporters. “We don’t want others to have control over sources of energy and power. Iran must be free. Iran must be powerful and it must be at the forefront of technology.” by borzou daragahi and ramin mostaghim, mcclatchy newspapers
editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
opınıons 5 february 12, 2010
thoughts on Valentine’s Day
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
KATIE BIONDO/COLLEGIATE TIMES
Communication Why Valentine is a saint key element of in the eyes of businessmen lasting romance B W
ould you believe me if I said I’ve been dating the same boy since we were awkward high school freshmen? Maybe not, but I have. I am in a long distance engagement with my fiance and boyfriend of seven years. How can I begin to describe what it’s like being engaged without first laying the foundation of our growing relationship? I have known my fiance, Patrick Hayes, since first grade. We were students in the same school through high school. Though I knew of him, I did not meet him until our freshman year of high school. We shared mutual classes and began talking through a mutual friend. We walked to class together almost the instant our friendship began. From the beginning, we’ve been an unconventional couple. Patrick asked me out online, and we saw each other primarily in school. It wasn’t until our junior year of high school that we began to spend time together outside of school. During our senior year, we began to realize our interests were taking us down different paths. Patrick wanted to design video games, and so he applied to a school befitting his interests in Washington state. I knew chemistry was my calling, and had my heart set on being a Hokie. He proposed after a romantic dinner in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore over our first winter break. After the excitement wore off, we knew it would be a challenge. Being engaged while across the country has definitely put pressure on our relationship. We learned quickly that communication is essential. We took for granted the time we spend together in high school and never progressed past basic communication. We relied heavily on online communication and phones in spite of the time difference. Our first Christmas in college we both purchased webcams. This allowed us to chat in real time with each other and gave us so many advantages over texting or e-mails. Patrick and I are consciously aware of each other regardless of the miles that separate us.
As a member of the Marching Virginians, my fall semester is entirely consumed, and visiting Patrick is not a possibility. Combine my involvement with his shortened Thanksgiving break and that leaves us no option of being together in the same place until winter break. We have been lucky, at times, and our spring breaks overlapped. For the most part, I fly out west to Seattle to be with him which gave me the confidence to move west after graduation. After our freshman year we were able to spend copious amounts of time together as we worked at the same place during the summer. Since then it hasn’t been so easy, but we love each other and make it work. Last summer was particularly trying, as Patrick had to remain in Seattle to take summer courses. This delayed his arrival home until late July, and we only had a month of quality time together. When you’re one half of a long distance relationship, you learn to appreciate that person even more. In the small amount of time we have together, we are inseparable. Having a long distance relationship is no easy task. Our road hasn’t been paved, and we have hit some bumps along the way. Regardless of these bumps, our relationship has grown into something it may never have been without the separation. If anyone in a long distance relationship is having trouble, I have only one word of advice: communicate. Communication is the most crucial point in any relationship regardless of distance. Don’t expect your partner to understand your life without your help. Talk to him. Tell him about your day and ask him about his. Don’t skip the small moments, tell him everything, and it will bring you closer together even if you’re miles apart.
JENNIFER OPITZ -guest columnist -senior -chemistry major
V-Day as much as you make it I’ve been asked to provide an “alternative” insight to Valentine’s Day. You might’ve guessed by my haircut what perspective I’m supposed to provide, nonetheless at a loss of what insight I should represent, much less an alternative one. Gay folks have varying feelings about Valentine’s Day just like straight people. Who would’ve guessed that maybe we aren’t so different? But back to the original mission — how I feel about Valentine’s Day. The truth is, well, I feel rather neutral. Sure, I can see the upsides and downsides of the holiday, but I’m so apathetic that I don’t care to jump into the debate. To understand my point of view, compare the Avril Lavinge versus anti-Avril Lavinge fan base debates of the early 2000s. You couldn’t tell me which supporters were more annoying, but they all were unequivocally the most obnoxious people on the planet; the same occurs with Valentine’s Day and anti-Valentine’s day supporters. I, for one, am not Catholic and do not feel the need celebrate St. Valentine any more than I feel the need to celebrate Groundhog Day (the holiday, not the Bill Murray masterpiece). Despite these feelings, however, I don’t feel the need to bash it. Sure, you can represent all that you feel about your significant other by wrapping up an oversized teddy bear and buy into the Cupid shuffle or you can gripe about how you’re going to die alone and eat chocolate
in the dark (because this certainly helps your cause). It’s a holiday that most people take a very strong stance on and I totally support people liking what they like but I have nothing “alternative” to contribute. I guess I could say, if you have a girlfriend, boyfriend or somebody “unofficial” (because we all know it’s not official until Facebook says so), just make sure he or she knows how you feel about him or her every day, then Valentine’s Day can be as big of a deal as you make it. If you aren’t attached, go out and have a good time; it’s still the weekend even if it is Valentine’s Day weekend. But for Pete’s sake, guys and gals, watch yourself on Saturday. There’s nothing significant about February 13th until you take a girl home and you both wake up on Valentine’s Day. Then you’ve opened a whole can of beans where you wonder how committed (or crazy) she is about what would’ve otherwise been just another Saturday. You’ve been warned. Take heed, otherwise you might just find yourself in a healthy, committed relationship a year later wondering whether or not she takes Valentine’s Day as seriously as you don’t.
AIMEE KANODE -senior -LGBTA President -humanities, science & environment major
eginning around 10th grade, most Americans share, or at the very least acknowledge, a general feeling that Valentine’s Day is a “Hallmark Holiday.” Being a stereotypical Valentine’s Day-hating male, I naturally share this sentiment with all my unromantic brothers. We recoil at the prospect of shelling out $30 for flowers, roll our eyes at the notion of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, and most of all, we despise Hallmark cards. As I write this column, I still haven’t purchased a gift for a certain girl who will probably be expecting something come Feb. 14 (in case said girl happens to read this, I would like to remind her I always come through in the clutch). Even worse than my lack of a suitable gift is the fact that my acceptance of the need to give a gift completely undermines my integrity as a Valentine’s Day-hater. As with most things in life, follow the money and you’ll find the truth. Guys claim to despise the sappy holiday, but somehow every year in mid-February, guys in relationships are easily distinguished from those who are single. It is an annoying truth that sometimes broad generalizations are in fact accurate, and Valentine’s Day certainly fits this bill. Economic data, and general observation, proves that in the eyes of the businessman, Valentine was truly a saint. ComScore Networks, a consumer research organization in Reston, Va., reported that in 2007 flower revenues doubled in the week before Valentine’s compared to the four weeks prior; likewise, watch and jewelry revenue increased 22 percent over the same time interval, jumping to $24
million. These are relatively expected and planned spikes in purchasing; history has not failed producers yet. There are, however, novel trends growing within the amorous commercial sector. As Andrew Lipsman, an analyst at ComScore notes, online purchasing of holiday gifts has swept the market, especially in the flower market, as indicated by 1-800-Flowers’ recent Super Bowl advertisement. In terms of raw numbers, according to ComScore, 29 million Americans visited the flower, gifts and greeting card retail category in January. To give an idea of the profundity of this number of people, 29 million represents approximately one in six Internet users. Much of the attractiveness of online flower delivery sites comes from an enhanced reputation for timely delivery. Moreover, these sites also benefit from the almost-constant connection to the Internet, not only from the expansion of high-speed Internet throughout the decade, but also the spread of cell phones with Internet capabilities such as the iPhone and Droid devices. It is possible, almost certain, that some sociologist will one day claim this to be a reflection of our society as procrastinators who use office time to handle personal business. While I cannot comment on the legitimacy of this claim, it is obvious that the social-transforming power of the Internet is reshaping the Valentine’s market. Another novelty of this year’s celebration of St. Valentine is that it will fall on Sunday, followed by President’s Day the next day. Because President’s Day is a holiday for many
(sadly, not for college students), experts are anticipating an even greater boom in restaurant revenue over the weekend. According to John Foley of All Business magazine, jewelry and candy revenues will actually decline this particular year, though overall spending on the holiday is expected to increase by more than 3 percent. So it seems that despite its immensity, the great recession will spare St. Valentine’s Day, though the everevolving face of technology will modify the way in which it is celebrated. It is (for guys) another annoying truth: Holidays don’t really change, even in recessions, and no girl wants a cheapskate boyfriend. So suck it up and order those flowers online while you’re Web-browsing through your early-morning lecture or toying with your iPhone at home. For the true purists, who insist on defying social norms, gift giving doesn’t have to be cheesy and corporate. Give something that is unique; a picture frame for the artist, or sheet music for the pianist. This is the way to return St. Valentine’s Day to a celebration of the uniqueness of love, rather than corporate transactions and economic calculations. However, the development of the economics of the heart depends on people actually going out and breaking the trend of generalities and giving the gifts that suit a unique lover.
SCOTT MASSELLI -regular columnist -sophomore -economics major
Celebrate true affection, not chocolates and jewlery O
h, it’s Valentine’s weekend. You guys have fun, I will most likely be inside, studying or playing video games. And possibly buying flowers for my few friends who won’t be getting any flowers. See, the reason it sucks to be single on Valentine’s Day isn’t just that everyone is making you feel sorry for yourself because you don’t have anyone to forget to buy flowers for. It’s not because of everyone acting exasperatingly cliche, putting little 8-by-8 pixel hearts all over their Facebook status. It’s that nobody wants to do anything on Valentine’s Day — at all. If you’re attached, you’ll probably be focused on being as adorable with your sweetheart for as long as you can manage. Godspeed. If you’re single, what will you be doing? Most likely, you will be trying to avoid all the honeymooning couples. The same applies to long-distance relationships, if snow is still keeping you from escaping your driveway — that’s harsh. It’s rather asinine when you think about it — a holiday celebrating, in a very visible sort of way, being attached at the hip, and by extension pitying the single life, as if it’s a disabil-
ity. It’s a holiday that also celebrates the expression of commitment through the expense of money, which is a fantastic insight into what sort of culture we hold ideal. A relationship is a wise investment for a stable future! Buy yours now, while stocks last, and so on. I’m so very glad to see how far our culture has risen above the dowry system. To be fair, I have not been single for every Valentine’s Day of my life. Some of those days were good ones, and I didn’t even need to spend much money. I’m not morally opposed to picking a special day to be extra romantic — my problem is that it must always be on Valentine’s Day, which ought to have a little “TM” symbol next to it. Any spontaneity is largely lost because expectations are so high, and when expectations are high, people don’t act like themselves. If it doesn’t involve heart shapes, chocolate or flowers on Valentine’s Day, then by golly it just isn’t romantic enough. My fundamental question is this: What happened to us since the hippies? At what point did free love die? When did we stop road tripping in our VW vans to bonfire parties we
heard were happening in Maryland? Call me completely pessimistic, but hasn’t joy been completely removed from today’s concept of love? Can we name a romantic movie, show or novel for our generation that doesn’t pitch love as this sort of mystical, almost solemn presence that seemingly forces people’s lives to collide like stray planets? How abysmally depressing is that? Maybe I just don’t get it. Maybe these darn kids just need to get off my lawn. But I, for one, do not buy into love as a duty, whether mystical or commercial. This may or may not be why I remain single — I hope it isn’t. In the mean time, if you want to wish me a happy Valentine’s Day, do it while holding a boombox and a few trashcan lids and inviting me to go sledding. Then I’ll know you mean it.
MATT RYBURN -guest columnist -sophomore -architecture major
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ACROSS 1 Big theme park star 6 Fancy dance 10 Cookie fruit 14 Fabulous storyteller 15 Reed instrument 16 Katz of “Hocus Pocus” 17 Mill input 18 Two-time 1980s skating gold medalist 19 German wheels 20 Theft with a clean getaway? 23 Bruise treatment 24 Corpulence 25 Filling the shelves with no leftover merchandise or space? 30 Manx, for one 31 Insult 32 Attractive locale 36 Short range 38 Play for time 41 [It’s gone!] 42 No-frills 44 Word repeated in a famous FDR quote 46 St. whose northernmost division is Boundary County 47 Loud signal when the fries are done? 51 Without means of support? 54 Mil. rank 55 Yoko? 60 Take too much of, briefly 61 Fictional plantation 62 They have their pride 64 Ascend 65 __ Valley: Reagan Library site 66 1940s-’50s NFLer __ “Crazylegs” Hirsch 67 Turndowns 68 Carrier since 1948 69 Heads to sea DOWN 1 Droop 2 Bierce defines it “His”
By Kurt Mengel & Jan-Michele Gianette
3 “__ stands now ...” 4 Inlaid work 5 Market advances 6 Get a spare, perhaps 7 Irish Rose’s guy 8 Plenty 9 Doesn’t bother with 10 Suspense movie sound 11 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame architect 12 Epithet for many leaders, with “the” 13 Frivolous 21 Diamond et al. 22 Mine stratum 25 Line crosser of a sort 26 “Later” 27 Plains natives 28 Enthusiast 29 Plant connection 33 Prepare to strike, snake-style 34 It can’t be understood until it’s broken 35 Whence the wise men? 37 Some crop dusters 39 Sign before Virgo
2/12/10
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
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40 End 43 Either of two filmmaking brothers 45 Grandly entertains 48 Fly over Africa? 49 Go after with vigor 50 Hun king 51 He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame the same year as Billie Jean
2/12/10
52 Music player 53 Strike __: model 56 Funny Bombeck 57 Leave in a hurry, slangily 58 Actress Petty 59 Hydroxyl compound 63 Method: Abbr.
sports 7
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february 12, 2010
Lacrosse looks to take ACC by storm MELANIE WADDEN sports staff writer Coming off of its best season since the program joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2005, the Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team is looking to surpass its 2009 records. In a season where the team secured its first-ever ACC victory against Boston College and finished with seven victories, the Hokies still have a lot they would like to build on. “I think that last year was a really great building block for this team, and considering we only lost two players, we have a lot of girls that are ready to go who learned from last year,” said junior co-captain Allie Emala. Tech only lost two players from last year’s squad, although they were the team’s leading scorer, Rachel Culp, and the team’s reliable goalkeeper, Kari Morrison. “We’ve really been working on our conditioning like never before,” said captain and lone senior Jacquelyn Duggins. “That’s probably the biggest thing right now. The ACC is the hardest conference in (women’s) lacrosse, and we have to translate being mentally tough while training now to being mentally tough when we’re down one with a minute left against Carolina.” Historically, the Hokies have not fared well against their tough ACC opponents, having only won one ACC game to date. This year, Maryland is ranked No.2, North Carolina is No. 4, Duke is No. 5, and Virginia rounds out the top 10 at No. 10. “We’re going to beat Boston College again, and then also, our big goal is to get two ACC wins,” Emala said. “I think this is also a year where we have a lot more depth than we’ve had in the past. I think the junior and sophomore classes are going to make a big difference.” Despite having broad season goals, both captains agreed that the overall team focus was going to be on a game-bygame basis. “We have definitely decided as
Women’s Lacrosse Schedule Feb. 13
Drexel
1 p.m.
Feb. 20
Presbyterian
1 p.m.
Feb. 24
@ James Madison
3 p.m.
Feb. 27
@ George Mason
1 p.m.
Mar. 7
@ George Washington
1 p.m.
Mar. 11
@ Central Conn. St.
4 p.m.
Mar. 13
@ Boston College
1 p.m.
Mar. 17
Duke
4 p.m.
Mar. 20
William & Mary
1 p.m.
Mar. 24
Davidson
4 p.m.
a team to take things more gameby-game and not to look too far into the future,” Emala said. “Last year, I think we questioned ourselves a little bit — is this team going to be good? Are they not? It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We’re going to go out there from the beginning determined to win, and that’s the mindset that we’ve really displayed this year, and I think it’s really starting to show in how we play and practice.” Welcoming in another large freshman class and having only one senior on the roster, the Hokies insist that depth is not going to be an issue. Despite having lost their leading scorer last year, Tech has retained the duo of Emala and Nonn who combined for 68 goals and 18 assists last season. “I think that a lot of the stepping up is going to come from juniors and sophomores this year,” Emala said. “I do think that there are some freshmen that will have more of an immediate impact — like Brooke Martin and of course, one of the goalies — Alex Gale or Alexis Carey. Julie Wolfinger and Jess Nonn who played a lot last year will continue to make a strong impact in the midfield. On the attack, besides myself, we have Caitlyn Wier and Morgan Widlake who are two returners that I think are really going to step up this year as well.” Last year’s season began with a last minute, one-goal loss to Drexel University in
Philadelphia. The Hokies are determined to avenge last season’s heartbreak. “Drexel is a huge game for us and we are going to beat them,” Emala said. “We are determined. It shouldn’t have been a close game last year, and we let it slip away. We’ve come a long way as a team, and we decided that we’re not going to let anything slip away before it’s too late. On that note, I think it’s really important (to start the season off strong at home), but all games are important.” After a brief twogame streak to begin the season at home, the Hokies travel along the East Coast for five games before returning to Thompson Field. “In the past, we’ve tended to have more wins at home than we have away, but I don’t think playing away should change our mentality at all,” Emala said. “It’s just the fact that we’re playing on a different field, but that doesn’t change how we play.” The Hokies kick off their 2010 season at home this Saturday, Feb. 13 against Drexel at 1 p.m. at Moseley Field.
Track and field seniors help build established program COURTNEY LOFGREN sports staff writer The Virginia Tech track and field program recently surpassed the mere average squads of the Atlantic Coast Conference to become an elite and established team. Four years ago, senior hurdler Kristi Castlin chose to come to Tech following a successful high school career in Georgia. When Castlin signed with the Hokies, the program had not yet become established in the ACC after recently switching conferences from the Big East.
“
I wanted to come here and help build an elite program. ... It was important to me to be a part of something like this. KRISTI CASTLIN SENIOR SPRINTER/HURDLER
“I wanted to come here and help build an elite program,” Castlin said. “It was important to me to be a part of something like this.” According to track and field director Dave Cianelli, Castlin, along with fellow seniors Asia Washington and Queen Harrison, has done just that. “Kristi, Queen and Asia have really helped develop our program into one of the more successful ones over the past few seasons in the ACC,” Cianelli said. “Their success has generated interest from more and more prospective student athletes for the future of our program.” Castlin’s improvements this season have not gone unnoticed from her coaches. “Kristi has really stepped up her training program this year,” said Charles Foster, the sprints, hurdles and jumps coach. “When I first got here, we had a meeting together, laying out my expectations for the program and how I needed her to be a leader. At first, I don’t think she was accepting with the changes (as some of her teammates were), but now she’s really come around to the philosophy of the program.” Castlin competes in all of the hurdle events but LUKE MASON/SPPS specializes in
the sprinting events such as the 60meter and 100-meter hurdles where she has earned All-America honors. She has been earning All-America honors since her freshman year. “Those races are so short you have to block out everything you’re thinking about before the race and just sprint as fast as you possibly can,” Castlin said. Castlin has also taken a larger role as a leader for her fellow sprinters and hurdlers this season, primarily with her actions rather than her words. “I try to lead by example, otherwise I’ll be talking to (someone) until I’m blue in the face,” Castlin said. “The way she performs during practices and meets really sets an example for all of her teammates,” Cianelli said. “They take notice of her and of the success she’s had.” While at Tech, Castlin’s success has gone beyond the track. She has also been recognized as a member of the ACCAll Academic team in 2007 and 2009. With both the academic success and her talent on the track, Castlin has her options open. She wants to attend graduate school following graduation this May, and Tech is one of the schools she’s considering to continue her education. Castlin also plans to try to pursue a career as a professional when her collegiate eligibility is complete. “When her eligibility is up, if she’s continuing to work as hard as she is this season, then she has a shot at turning pro, but it depends on her work ethic,” Foster said. For now, Castlin is looking forward to the spring season and wants to have her best season to close out her senior year. She also wants to win two prestigious titles she’s been wanting her whole career. “I really want to win a NCAA title as well as a title at the Penn Relays,” she said. “I just really want to run as fast as I ever have.”
february 12, 2010
page 8
Hokies hope to earn season sweep over rival Virginia
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS
Junior guard Malcolm Delaney drives to the hoop and draws a foul from a Clemson player. Virginia Tech (6-3 ACC) will face off against the University of Virginia (5-3 ACC) Saturday, Feb. 13. THOMAS EMERICK sports staff writer With four minutes left and Tech plummeting to a 10-point deficit on the road, the Hokies’ penchant for falling short in close games made matters against archrival Virginia somewhat bleaker. Then the Hokies remembered this is 2010, the year where they instead find creative ways to win each of these nail-biters. JT Thompson reminded everyone of Deron Washington in 2008, driving the lane for a crucial late go-ahead basket at John Paul Jones Arena to cap a wild comeback. Granted, Sammy Zeglinski sent matters into overtime with a deep trifecta, rendering Thompson’s shot not to be the game-winner, but you get the picture. Tech eventually prevailed, issuing a stomach-punch to the Cavs, and round two should be heated. Virginia (14-7, 5-3 ACC) recovered quite all right, taking the next two in ACC play, but the team must now truly confront what went so horribly wrong in that 76-71 overtime collapse against the Hokies (19-4, 6-3 ACC). Sylven Landesburg and Mike Scott knifed through the Hokies defense at times in their Jan. 28 meeting, scoring 21 and 18
points respectively. The Cavs may have to rely heavily on those two offensively, as shown in UVa’s recent overtime loss to Wake Forest. In that 64-61 loss, Landesberg and Scott were the only two to hit double figures, and the duo also doubles as the team’s leading rebounders. Once again, Zeglinski — who so stubbornly tried to turn the tables late against the Hokies — is its long-range gunner, shooting 44 percent on the season. Since that fateful win over UVa, the Hokies have continued to finish games strong on both ends. In its sole loss over that span, against Miami, Tech cut an 18-point second-half deficit down to seven. After having its hearts ripped out Temple of Doom style by North Carolina the past couple years, Greenberg’s group held on for a four-point home win last week. “It’s North Carolina, man,” said Tech head coach Seth Greenberg. “They don’t even retire numbers unless you’re the player of the year. ... Yeah, it’s a big win. It validates what we’re doing. It keeps us relevant.” The most recent set of waning minutes lacked any of the tension described in the turning-point victories above, but rang arguably more impressive. While North Carolina State now ranks
ACC Standings TEAM
CONF.
1 DUKE 2 MARYLAND 3 WAKE FOREST 4 VIRGINIA TECH 5 VIRGINIA 6 FLORIDA STATE 7 CLEMSON 8 GEORGIA TECH 9 BOSTON COLLEGE 10 MIAMI (FL) 11 NORTH CAROLINA 12 NC STATE
8-2 6-2 7-3 6-3 5-3 5-5 5-5 5-5 3-7 3-7 2-7 2-8
OVR.
20-4 16-6 17-5 19-4 14-7 17-7 17-7 17-7 12-12 17-7 13-11 14-11
last in the ACC, the Hokies protected their halftime lead with authority. Allen and Davila combined for eight blocks as school records for ACC road games fell, including largest win (20 points) and fewest points allowed (52). The Wolfpack shot 0-for-11 from threepoint range Wednesday night after giving the Hokies trouble in this area over the past
few years — another testament to a steadily improving defense. “If they shoot over 40 percent from the three, they’re 14-0 this season,” guard Malcolm Delaney said. “We knew threepoint field goals were going to be a huge factor in this game.” Non-factorized. Dorenzo Hudson once again showcased his emergence as the guy picking up points left by graduated A.D. Vassallo with a gamehigh 23 points. However, seeming like it’s all coming together has been a staple of Tech basketball at this exact point the past three seasons. When Tech takes the court on Saturday, the game will fall dead in the middle of a painfully momentous weekend in recent basketball history. This has typically featured the Hokies soaring into early February before suddenly nailing rock-bottom, casting a black cloud over your lovely weekend. The Hokies have won six of their last seven, including five of six in the ACC. Last year at this moment, it was seven of nine (six of eight ACC). Then, a Feb. 14 loss at Maryland sparked a three-game losing streak and downward spiral for the season’s remainder. Valentine’s Day weekend shattered
Hokie hearts and hopes in 2007, when one of Tech’s last great chances at a March Madness resume-booster turned into a 9253 merciless butt whooping by the Tar Heels. So, based on the past few years, Hokie fanatics may want to move their dates to Friday. However, the Hokies’ consistent interplay of late-game composure, physicality in the post and heroics has defied the torturous script from last year in every way thus far. Maybe it’s time to stop clenching abdominal muscles and gritting teeth quite so hard as the clock ticks down. As far as business between Tech and UVa, its biggest nemesis, is concerned, business as usual would be preferred for the Hokies. A pattern has emerged in recent years with the Hokies droping UVa in five of the past seven meetings, including three overtime wins. Same script, same ending would be nice here for Tech fans. Still, despite the warmth of home and the comfort of a streak, they’re still facing a much-improved archrival and the vaunted Valentine’s Day weekend. No time to relax. “We’re a pretty good team,” Greenberg said, “but if we don’t play together, we’re going to get whacked on Saturday.”