T
he fullback position at Virginia Tech is known for almost all guts and little glory, a position that spends its time in the trenches doing some major grunt work, week in and week out. Take Kenny Jefferson for example. During his senior year averaging nearly 11 yards a carry at DeMatha High School, Rivals.com rated the highly touted runner as the nation’s No. 9 fullback. His career at Tech, on the other hand, consisted of three carries for four yards and five receptions for 28 yards. Jefferson didn’t score a touchdown in his 40 games while donning maroon and orange. “The old (isolation) fullback plays are gone. We haven’t done those in almost 20 years,” said Tech running backs coach Billy Hite. “The past few years especially we haven’t run much with the fullback because we’ve had those quick hitters we could
Oglesby doubles down, moves to fullback BY RYAN TRAPP | sports staff writer
give it to.” This season, Tech may be “running” its offense a little differently, as its typical smash mouth position has been taken over by one of the same quick hitters Hite spoke of: redshirt junior Josh Oglesby. Oglesby, who had 78 carries for 335 yards, scoring two touchdowns last season, has decided to switch over to fullback for the 2010 season, hoping to help diversify the potent offense the Hokies look to field. “(Coach Hite) called me into his office, showed me some different formations we’d be using and presented me with this opportunity,” Oglesby said. “We don’t really look at it as a fullback. It’s called that on the depth chart but its used more as a B-back position.” At 5 feet 11 inches tall and 216 pounds, Oglesby doesn’t really fit the bigger mold of a typical fullback. With redshirt junior Darren Evans returning to an already crowded backfield, however, Hite feels that the change will help the Hokies get their best 11 players on the field as much as possible. “Coach Beamer and I both talked about it and thought it’d be best,” Hite said. “The thing he adds to the fullback (position) is with him, we can basically have two tailbacks back there at the same time. “We’ve worked some things where he’s ran the ball and looked very good doing it. We’ve moved a tailback to that spot where we can run several plays and he’s got great hands so he can come out of the backfield catching the football,” Hite said. But it won’t be all play and no work for the
Garner, N.C., native. Both Oglesby and his coaches acknowledge that the switch brings added responsibilities in the run game. Both sides are confident he can transition well into his new role. “He played with his hand down a lot in high school, so he’s used to that position,” Hite said. “He can do a lot of finesse blocking, and he’ll be fine with the things we’re asking him to do.” Prior to the position swap, the fullback spot had very little depth. Other than Oglesby, only redshirt senior Kenny Younger has seen playing time at the position, and Younger has yet to receive a carry in his collegiate career. “Kenny Younger’s a terrific fullback too, but you have to have more than just one,” Hite said. “It adds more depth at the fullback spot because right now Younger is the only proven one back there.” With former second-team All-American Evans rejoining a backfield that includes last year’s ACC Rookie of the Year Ryan Williams, highly-touted tailback David Wilson, Kenny Lewis, Jr., making his return from a torn Achilles tendon and redshirt freshman Tony Gregory who’s been turning heads this spring, it’s hard to see how the Hokies will split up the carries this season. One question mark resides with the offensive line that after losing two NFL-bound starters will need to regroup quickly to facilitate the Hokies’ powerful run-game, and the new dimension Oglesby brings with it. see OGLESBY / page six
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Michael Vick visit draws mixed reactions GORDON BLOCK news reporter Community reactions are conflicted as former Virginia Tech football standout Michael Vick makes his first return to Blacksburg since being released from prison for being a part of a dog fighting operation. Vick, who played quarterback for two seasons from 1999-2000 after redshirting for one year, led the Hokies to the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Selected first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, Vick played six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before his incarceration. He served 19 months in federal prison before being released in May 2009. Now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick’s teammates rewarded him with the team’s Ed Block Courage Award. The award, given by each of the NFL’s 32 teams, recognizes players who display sportsmanship and courage. Vick was invited to return to Blacksburg to take part in activities surrounding the Hokies’ spring game on Saturday. As a part of his appearance in Blacksburg, Vick will sign autographs at Tech Bookstore on South Main Street. Tickets for the event, priced at $25 if purchased before the event and $30 at the door, have drawn some interest. Of the 50 available pre-sale tickets, 28 have already been sold, including one buyer from Florida. George Daniels, store manager of Tech Bookstore, said the store had done a similar event last year, which brought out Tech football alumni including Victor “Macho” Harris, D’Angelo Hall and Brandon Flowers. “It was a fun atmosphere,” Daniels said. Calls left with Brenden Hill, a representative for The Elite Group, which set up the signing event with the store, were
PAUL KURLAK/SPPS
A student enters Tech Bookstore, located in downtown Blacksburg. The store will host Michael Vick during a Saturday, April 24, visit. not returned. The store offers several Tech-themed products for dogs, including collars, jerseys and sweaters. While Daniels said reaction was positive, he did admit to receiving two emails from “people disappointed we’re doing this.” Additionally, comments for an event listing on Facebook about the
signing had to be taken down after negative posts were made about Vick’s criminal actions. “I should’ve never had it open,” Daniels said, admitting he often has younger employees assist with working on the store’s page. “I’m not that great on Facebook.” Several local animal activism groups
spoke out against the former Hokie star. Donald Marro, a co-founder of Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare, said that while he realized Vick “expressed a desire to turn the page,” he still had some skepticism. “You have to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Marro said. “However, you also have to hold a skepticism that his
sincerity is genuine.” Marro said he would not take part in a protest of Vick’s appearance, preferring that people listen to Vick and make a determination on “his state of contrition.” Lila Borge Wills, president of Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support, declined to comment on the
appearance, instead releasing a statement. “The deplorable acts and heinous crimes that Michael Vick did were inexcusable! Many dogs suffered and died under his authority and his own hands. We do NOT condone or accept what he did,” the statement read. Encouraging increased education to stop dog fighting, the statement called for funds from the autograph signing to go to animal welfare groups. Daniels said a portion of funds would go to the Humane Society of Montgomery County, guaranteeing the donation to be “four figures.” Ron Brown, the organization’s president, said that the acceptance of the money did not equate to condoning Vick’s actions. “This has nothing to do with agreeing with anything he’s done,” Brown said. “We’re willing to accept the money to help other animals and to give them a better life. “The legal system has given his punishment, and if he’s giving back to the community that’s a good thing.” Daniels said he felt a range of emotions when he first learned about allegations against Vick. “I was repulsed, sad, disappointed, angry ... just like every Hokie,” Daniels said. Daniels fondly remembers watching Vick when he played at Tech. “He and his teammates completely changed VT football forever. As for Mike, he was electric, and he was one of us,” Daniels said. Also appearing at the store over the weekend is graduated cornerback Harris, who will be at the store Friday evening. “I expect no controversy around Macho,” Daniels said. Vick will be at Tech Bookstore from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
SGA launches reusable water bottles Equestrian team trots to Nationals LIANA BAYNE news reporter
slowly transition out plastic bottles that a lot of us are used to using.” Budowle said widespread use of the reusable water bottle would help cut waste significantly. “We’re aiming to greatly reduce waste,” she said. “You could keep about 11 pounds out of the landfill.” That number is the estimated amount of waste each student produces per four years in terms of beverage containers. Denny Cochrane, Tech’s sustainability program manager, said that although his office was not directly involved with the launching of the bottle, it was fully in support of it. “It’s clearly one of the issues addressed in the climate action plan,” he said. “It’s the way to the future. We can start that process of changing campus culture.” Funk encouraged current students to purchase a bottle in the fall semester, when many would be available. Budowle estimated that the 200 ordered for the current pilot program would be sold out before the end of the week. “Not only are you helping out recycling, it’s economically sound,” Funk said. “It saves money, it’s pretty cool looking, and it’s good quality. I have one, and I love it.” The water bottles are currently available at Owens Dining Hall until they are all sold.
LIZ NORMENT features reporter Virginia Tech may have been denied its chance to bring home a national basketball title, but another sport will have its chance to represent Blacksburg this weekend at a national competition. One of the university’s standout competitors this year is a team that seems to hone its skills from the very nature of our community’s landscape. Way out at Campbell Arena, in the distinctive barn seen from U.S. 460, the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team has been training all year and has now picked up the pace more than ever for its upcoming appearance at the National Competition. At its core, Tech’s equestrian program often attracts students because of its reputation. “It’s part of what drew me to Virginia Tech. It has such a solid program,” said Erin Bullard, a freshman university studies major. “I wanted to be part of something that I can offer my skill to, as well as just to be part of a successful program.” The team consists of three different disciplines: the western team, the hunter team and the dressage team. While the hunter team is the most commonly recognized equestrian team that jumps horses, the dressage team concentrates on a more focused and intricate type of performance. The French translation for the word “dressage” literally means “training,” and the sport itself focuses on developing the horse’s natural ability to perform through a series of patterns and specific movements. In competition, these focused patterns are paraded around the PPS LUKE MASON/S
Students thirsting to join Virginia Tech’s sustainability efforts can now participate in Housing and Dining Services’ new reusable water bottle program. Alex Funk, head of the sustainability committee for the Student Government Association, said he became involved in the process of searching for a reusable water bottle last semester when a bill was introduced to the SGA legislative system that called for the phasing out of plastic water bottles from dining halls. “The goal is to phase out plastic water bottles just from dining centers beginning in spring 2011,” Funk said. The 750-milliliter bottles are made of stainless steel, which Budowle said was an important specification for durability. Another crucial specification deals with food safety. The bottle had to meet Virginia health code standards to be officially sold by Housing and Dining Services. Rachael Budowle, sustainability coordinator for Housing and Dining Services, said she has been working with student members of the Environmental Coalition and the SGA for over a year to attempt to establish a sustainable water bottle program. “It’s made of steel, so it’s easy to clean,” she said. “Also, the drinking surface is different from the filling surface.” The bottle features a plastic top that screws off. When students fill the bottle, they will fill it through the wide mouth of the bottle, then replace the top and drink through the mouthpiece, which is covered by a flip-open cover. Budowle said it was important that the filling surface and the drinking surface not be the same. “This is the only reusable water bottle approved for use by Housing and Dining
Services,” she said. The cost of the bottle is $10 for cash or Dining Dollars and $20 for Flex Dollars. Budowle said the bottle would pay for itself for frequent water drinkers, especially those who use more expensive branded water bottles, such as Sigg, Nalgene, or CamelBak, or buy a bottle of water every day. “The bottle is really affordable for students. Any of the nicer ones are going to be more expensive,” she said. “By avoiding one bottle of water a day, you can save $10 in eight days.” Students can also use the bottle for soda. Housing and Dining Services estimated that students would save a total of $84 over all four years of college if they did not buy a soda cup every day. Students using the bottle for soda will save 10 cents. Water is free. The bottle is not approved for holding milk, juice or coffee. Funk said the current plan for phasing out plastic water bottles was “still kind of in limbo,” but the introduction of the reusable water bottle is the first step. Budowle said about 200 water bottles were made available to students on Monday as part of a pilot program to assess the demand and effectiveness of the bottles, which will be available to the general public starting at this summer’s new freshman orientation and continuing through the fall. “We aim to explain that students can use it for four years,” Budowle said. Funk said by giving a bottle to every new freshman, he hopes to encourage popular use. “The biggest thing is Tech doesn’t have a lot of recycling, so we have to find innovative ways to reduce waste,” Funk said. “The hope with giving them for free to incoming freshmen is to start a cultural shift and
arena, as each of the horse’s movements is controlled by the commands of the rider. “It’s kind of a hard concept to grasp,” Bullard said. “The idea is making a connection with the horse, moving the horse around using your body rather than just your hands and different aids.” Dressage starts at a very basic level, and by working with horses each day, the team is able to learn how to communicate with the horse as well as how it will respond. “Everything builds on itself, from learning the basics to upper level pirouettes, and in-place trots,” Bullard said. “It’s cool to see and feel what can be accomplished.” This weekend, the hunter team will be sending three individuals to the National Competition in Laurinburg, N.C. A team of four individuals from the dressage team and one individual competitor will join them. A major part of the training is that the participants are assigned a horse at random before the competition begins, getting only 10 minutes to get used to the horse before performing. “We’re told you can’t prepare for dressage, so that’s why you try to get as much information as possible about skill and being able to handle different horses,” Bullard said. The team trained all year, riding 40 of the different horses at Campbell Arena to gain as much experience as possible. Besides the tactical preparations the team has made for this weekend, the bonds the team have formed with each other both on the practice fields and off have been equally important. “It’s a team sport, so we’re competing with one another rather than against,” Bullard said. “We have to trust one another more than anything.” The team this year consists of mostly freshmen, two of whom will be competing at the national level this weekend. Coach Teresa McDonald figured this year was to be a building year, until she saw the commitment of the girls and their results. see EQUESTRIAN / page five
2 news
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/540.231.9865
april 22, 2010
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COLLEGIATETIMES
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WASHINGTON
Many Americans struggling with rising rental housing costs nationwide The gap between the cost of renting a modest apartment and the wages of working families continues to widen, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Out of Reach 2010” paints a gloomy picture for the nation’s nearly 38 million renters, who make up a third of U.S. households. On average, a family must earn $38,355 a year, $18.44 an hour, to afford a simple two-bedroom apartment at the 2010 national average fair market rent of $959. However, the average wage for U.S. renters is $14.44 an hour, down from $14.69 last year. Further, more than 60 percent of U.S. renters live in counties where even the average one-bedroom fair market rent of $805 isn’t affordable for average wage earners, the study found. by tony pugh, mcclatchy newspapers
[Thursday, April 22] What: Seminar — Kant’s Thinker Where: Patton 211 When: 6:30 p.m. Cost: Free What: Music — Algonquin Jazz Project Where: Gillie’s When: 7 p.m. Cost: Free What: Wale and N.E.R.D. Where: Burruss Auditorium When: 7 p.m. Cost: $30 for general admission, $25 for students
JUSTIN GRAVES -Contact our public editor at publiceditor@ collegiatetimes.com if you see anything that needs to be corrected.
[Saturday, April 24] What: Music — Kat Mills Where: Our Daily Bread When: 9:30 a.m. Cost: Free What: Ut Prosim Tailgate Where: Draper Road and Market Square Park When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: Free What: Music — The Waybacks Where: The Lyric When: 8 p.m. Cost: $20 for gold, $15 for silver
What: Music — SAE Presents: Center Hill and Melodime Where: Awful Arthur’s When: 8 p.m. Cost: $5, ladies 21+ free Note: Ages 18-20 must enter by 10 p.m. What: Play — The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet Where: Blacksburg Middle School Auditorium When: 8 p.m. Cost: Donations accepted What: Music — Acoustic Cafe Where: Johnson Student Center When: 9 p.m. Cost: Free
What: Music — The Stereofidelics, Mark Zander and The Eternal Summers Where: Gillie’s When: 9:30 p.m. Cost: Free
[Monday, April 26] What: Seminar — Professional Development for postdocs and graduate students Where: Squires 341 & 345 When: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Free What: Seminar — ADA Brown Bag Lunch Where: Torgersen Museum When: Noon Cost: Free
[Tuesday, April 27]
[Friday, April 23]
What: Music — Cracker Where: Attitudes Bar and Cafe When: 9 p.m. Cost: $20 through InTicketing.com or at the door Note: 18+ with ID
CORRECTIONS
Wondering what’s going on around the ‘burg? Check out the events of the upcoming week.
What: Music — DJ Phil and Students Helping Honduras Where: Awful Arthur’s When: 9 p.m. Cost: $3 cover benefits Students Helping Honduras Note: Ages 18-20 must enter by 10 p.m.
[Sunday, April 25] What: Free Games LAN Party Where: Johnston Student Center 102 When: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost: Free What: Music — The Worx Where: Awful Arthurs When: 9 p.m. Cost: $10 Note: Ages 21+ What: Musica Viva presents Mendelssohn's 200th Birthday Celebration Where: The Lyric When: 3 p.m. Cost: $18 for adults, $8 for students, $5 for ages under 18
What: Music — Greeks vs. Geeks: Battle of the Bands Where: Awful Arthur’s When: 9 p.m. Cost: $5 Note: Under 21 must enter before 10 p.m. What: Club — Champs Running Club Where: Champs Restaurant When: 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free
[Wednesday, April 28] What: Comedy Club — Tim Costello and Drew Thomas Where: Attitudes Bar and Cafe When: 9 p.m. Cost: Cover What: Speaker — English Spring Faculty Colloquy: Gyorgyi Voros Where: Shanks 370 When: 12:15 p.m. Cost: Free
[All Week] This week, the Lyric is showing “The Last Station” starring Helen Mirren. Check out TheLyric.com for showtime information.
What: Play — Our Town Where: Squires Haymarket Theatre When: April 21 through April 25 at 7:30 p.m., April 24 at 2 p.m. Cost: $9 for general admission, $7 for students/seniors
If you would like an event featured in our calendar, e-mail featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com with event details, including cost.
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nation & world headlines
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WASHINGTON
Senate panel votes to curb derivatives trades The Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday approved by 13-8 tough new curbs on financial derivatives, including a ban on most direct bank trading of the tools, which played a big role in exacerbating the 2008 financial crisis. Derivatives are financial bets between private parties. Their value is derived from movements of an underlying asset. Some derivatives, such as oil futures contracts, already are regulated and trade on an exchange. Congress is trying to address the over-the-counter products that are often called swaps because one party wants to swap a risk it’s assumed to another party that’s willing to shoulder that risk for a fixed price. Swap deals cover everything from movements in the prices of contracts for delivery of barrels of oil or bushels of wheat to changes in the value of the dollar versus other currencies. These swaps currently take place off regulated exchanges. The ban would require banks to spin off divisions that trade in the lucrative but opaque financial instruments into free-standing subsidiaries. The vote sent a strong signal that not only are Democrats eager to take bold steps to revamp the regulatory process, but also that Congress may enact a broad overhaul of Wall Street practices. by david lightman and kevin g. hall, mcclatchy newspapers
opınıons 3
editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
april 22, 2010
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Your Views [letters to the editor]
Beef industry feeds, sustains I am writing to respond to Michael Rose’s column “Before eating meat, look into animals’ eyes” (CT, April 21). Mr. Rose’s column was an outrageously misleading and manipulative work, and as someone who grew up on a beef farm here in southwest Virginia, I feel it is my responsibility to respond to his claims and concerns. First of all, Mr. Rose makes the assertion that beef production (and other meat production) is a waste of the resources that go into that production. The reality is that the vast majority of land that cattle graze on cannot be used for any other type of agricultural production, so by utilizing that land for cattle, we nearly double the amount of land we can use to produce food. Also, one serving of beef contains nutrients that our bodies need to be healthy, and many of these nutrients are hard to come by in the plant-based diet Mr. Rose advocates. By making beef a part of a balanced diet, we can be sure that we are getting all these nutrients from a source that contributes to the overall efficiency of our food system. Furthermore, I’d like to respond to the outrageous environmental claims that Mr. Rose makes. He states that cattle release methane gas, and that this is contributing to global climate change. Sure, cattle release methane as a result of their natural digestive processes; however, according to the EPA, all livestock production contributes less than 3 percent of the greenhouse gases that are released from the United States. Furthermore, all of America’s farmers and ranchers are everyday environmentalists. We take special care to ensure we meet all environmental guidelines, and we use conservationist principles to make sure that the land we
Sleep is pivotal to success
W
e’ve all seen those people in class that are slouched over in their chair with their mouth hanging open, snoozing away while the teacher is lecturing. And for some of us this sounds familiar because we are the person who is napping in class. Sadly, for most students, this is not a rare occurrence even though it is quite embarrassing. With all the clubs, organizations, social activities and classes it is hard to find time to take a break, let alone sleep. But is sleeping really that important? According to Schiffert Heath Center, lack of sleep can negatively impact your concentration, memory, mood, decision-making and overall health. Think of the last time you only got a few hours of sleep. Did you snap at one of your friends even though they didn’t do anything wrong? Did you find it hard to pay attention to an important conversation? Did you fall asleep in class? It is an important fact that our brains and bodies need sleep, yet we so often neglect to get enough. Most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night. This time frame varies on an individual basis. The best way to find out how much sleep you need on a regular night is to pick a week that isn’t busy. Set a specific time to go to bed and see about how long you sleep in the morning without setting an alarm. After a week of this experiment, your body should tell you how much sleep you need. If you find that falling asleep is difficult there are several different things you can do. First, make sure you have enough time to
farm will be available for future generations. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I take pride in my family’s livelihood of beef production because I know that we are providing people all over the globe with a safe and healthy product. On our farm, we understand that the animals we raise are doing us a great service by providing us with wholesome food; because of this, we treat each and every animal with respect and give all our animals the care they deserve. Our cattle have access to food and water at all times, we vaccinate them to make sure they don’t get sick, and if they do get sick, we take every step possible to help them get healthy again. This winter, as most everyone would agree, was a rough one for Virginia. Feet of snow fell on our family farm, and there were times when we couldn’t even get out of our driveway. However, this did not stop us from taking care of our animals. We were out on the farm every day feeding grain, putting out hay, and ensuring that the watering systems were not frozen. The bottom line is that we care a great deal about the well being of our animals, and we do all we can to ensure their comfort and health. Mr. Rose has every right to his opinion and to form his diet however he wishes. However, I will not stand aside as he makes ridiculous claims and condemns the very industry that helps support my family. I look into our animals’ eyes every day, and I give them the care and respect they deserve. I look into our animals’ eyes every day, and I take pride in knowing that my family works to provide a wholesome source of food for people all over the world.
Brad Copenhaver Sophomore agricultural and political science major sleep. This may sound basic, but so many students do not allow enough time for their bodies to rest. If necessary, plan out times that you can sleep and put them in your scheduler. Blocking off this time can increase the likelihood of you having more time to sleep. Second, make sure you are comfortable. You see ads on TV all the time for really nice, cozy beds and spokespeople vouching that they get better sleep at night. Even though many of us can’t afford a nice Tempurpedic bed, it is important to find a bed that is comfortable. Also, make sure there are enough blankets to keep you warm and have your room temperature cool but not cold. Having the room be dark and quiet is also very helpful. Third, it is important to have wind down time before you go to bed. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol four to six hours before you palan to go to bed is critical to a good nights sleep. Although many students have TVs in their room, watching anything right before bed might not be the best idea. By watching TV, your brain gets stimulated in several areas, which may make it harder to fall asleep when you are ready. Also, exercising regularly earlier in the day will make your body tired enough to fall asleep. Sleep is an important thing and something that can greatly affect your mood and mental health. With finals lurking around the corner, it is even more important to get enough sleep to do well on exams. For more information on how to get better sleep, you can go to www.healthcenter.vt.edu.
Candace Lohr Active Minds president
Anti-agriculture claims need further examination
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Sara Mitchell Managing Editors: Peter Velz, Bethany Buchanan Production Manager: Thandiwe Ogbonna Public Editor: Justin Graves News Editors: Zach Crizer, Philipp Kotlaba News Reporters: Liana Bayne, Gordon Block News Staff Writers: Hope Miles, Katie Robidoux, Allison Sanders, Claire Sanderson, Priya Saxena Features Editor: Topher Forhecz Features Reporters: Ryan Arnold, Liz Norment Opinions Editor: Debra Houchins Sports Editors: Joe Crandley, Alex Jackson Sports Reporters: Thomas Emerick, Ed Lupien, Ray Nimmo, Garrett Ripa, Melanie Wadden Sports Staff Writers: Garrett Busic, Hattie Francis Copy Editors: Taylor Chakurda, Erin Corbey, Kelsey Heiter, Dishu Maheshwari Layout Designers: Kelly Harrigan, Josh Son, Sara Spangler Illustrators: Mina Noorbakhsh, Jamie Martyn Multimedia Editor: James Carty Online Director: Jamie Chung
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MCT CAMPUS
nimal agriculture has really taken painful blows in the past few decades. Everyone from Paul McCartney to Pamela Anderson to the United Nations has played a part in defacing one of America’s most important production industries. Organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society of the United States claim that animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gases than transportation, wastes natural resources, and raises livestock in poor, unsanitary living conditions. PETA and the HSUS have been very successful at getting their messages out to the general public. America’s agriculture sector now needs to step up and organize its own platform in defense of the safe, sustainable practices in which it engages. One of the most disturbing fights that anti-livestock organizations are picking is that agriculture produces an enormous amount of greenhouse gases. One popular myth against beef production is that atmospheric methane concentrations have tripled from when they started rising a century ago, primarily because of cattle production. The theory stems from the fact that as forages and concentrates are broken down by the symbiotic microbial organisms inhabiting the rumen of cattle, methane is produced as a byproduct. Most of this methane is eructated or otherwise released from the body and into the atmosphere. Activists have petitioned that this release of methane by cattle approaches 100 million tons each year, and it is a significant contribution to greenhouse gases. It is true that cattle produce a fair amount of methane through the process of their digestion. However, the scope of this production has been blown far out of proportion. Termites, rice paddies, marshes, and other ruminants also contribute to the Earth’s increasing atmospheric methane. In fact, landfills tend to have the greatest impact on methane production. In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency listed landfills, coal mines and natural gas and oil systems as releasing two-thirds of the world’s methane. Along with the negative environmental impact animal agriculture supposedly creates, the media also portrays livestock production as being wasteful of our natural resources. Activists claim that beef production requires phenomenal amounts of corn, soybeans and wheat, and that these resources could be put to better use feeding humans directly. Many of these claims are based in truth but are often exaggerated and skewed. For example, another common myth among anti-livestock activists is that “less than half of harvested agricultural acreage in the
United States is used to grow food for people.” However, according to a 2005 survey from the USDA on agricultural cropland, only about 18 percent of the United States’ 455 million acres of cropland is used to produce feed for livestock. Furthermore, the majority of grains grown for livestock are of a much lower quality than that grown for human consumption. As the production of ethanol and biodiesel has grown in popularity, the price of corn has skyrocketed. This cost increase affects livestock producers even more than consumers as they struggle to raise animals on this pricey feed, while the price for cattle has not increased since the 1980s. In an effort to reduce feed costs, many producers utilize cheaper byproducts for feed that would hardly be considered appropriate for human consumption. These include cottonseed hulls (after the cotton is harvested), distiller’s and brewer’s grains (after the alcohol has been made), and most importantly, soybean meal. Soybeans are a valuable crop for humans for both food and fuel. The oil is most valuable, and the flakes from the bean are a convenient, highprotein byproduct that can be fed to livestock. Water usage in animal agriculture is also highly criticized. Water is necessary for all aspects of production: crop irrigation, animal use, carcass processing, etc. Many outrageous statistics have been circulated that have meat production using up to two million gallons to produce 1,000 pounds of steer. In reality, animal agriculture uses around 11 percent of all fresh water used in the United States. According to the Beckett’s study from the Journal of Animal Science, it takes 3,683 liters of water to produce one kilogram of boneless beef. This includes all water used for irrigating feed crops and for direct animal consumption. Using this calculation, it is found that a 1,000pound steer will use around 217,500 gallons of water for the production of 500 pounds of boneless beef, or roughly 475 gallons of water per one pound of boneless beef ready for consumption. Despite these harsh attacks on animal production, the worst rumors propagated are those depicting the inhumane treatment of livestock. A recent video compilation from PETA aims to educate consumers about the cruelty of animal production. Its video footage shows the worst-case scenarios of all of the major meat industries. While the video clips cannot be denied, it is important to point out that most of the statements made in the narration of the video are false. PETA proposes that the United States Department of Agriculture allows cattle that are “unable to walk off the trailer to the slaughterhouse” to be processed for human consump-
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Humans are meant to consume meat. We are omnivores by nature. There are dietary needs that simply cannot be met by a strict vegetarian or vegan diet.
tion. This falsified statement puts animal producers and the USDA both in a very negative light. The USDA does not allow the majority of downed cattle to be slaughtered for human consumption. There are exceptions when the animal is considered safe for consumption, but sick, diseased, or otherwise injured animals unable to walk are not allowed to be slaughtered for human consumption. It is undeniable that animal abuse occurs in the meat production industries. However, these are the exceptions to good management, not the normal way that things are done. Livestock producers do not want their animals to be malnourished, injured, sick or otherwise in bad health. An animal that is not in its optimal condition is not going to perform well and will not bring a profit to the producer. Humans are meant to consume meat. We are omnivores by nature. There are dietary needs that simply cannot be met by a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. Meat, eggs, and diary products are the best sources of conjugate linoleic acids, complex proteins, and healthy fats. As an organization, PETA has been very successful at getting its message out to Americans. Many Americans blindly accept the things that PETA tells them without doing their own research to form an educated understanding. Animal production is not over-polluting our environment, overusing our limited natural resources, or contributing to animal cruelty. However, the only people that know and understand this are those people that are directly involved in agriculture. With the meat industry fighting against opponents like PETA and the HSUS, it is far past the time that agriculturalists should have stepped up and established their own organization. Animal producers need to organize a counter-campaign against PETA and HSUS that will deliver the truth to Americans. Otherwise, these organizations will literally pick the meat industry out of existence.
ERIN ROCKWELL -guest columnist -senior -animal and poultry science major
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ACROSS 1 Tsp. and tbsp. 5 Old orchard spray 9 Abu __ 14 Separate by color, say 15 Angle function 16 Barely flowed 17 Hairy “pet” 18 Father of Sam and Charlie 20 South Pacific site of large stone statues 22 Casual evenings 23 Dull 27 One might be snappy 30 Anti vote 31 __ Kan: Alpo rival 32 Some game enders 34 They come and go 35 Continuously 39 Enter 41 Search stealthily 42 Abate 43 Rosemary’s portrayer 46 Hides 50 Mind 53 Clinton Labor secretary Robert 54 Asian draft animal 57 “All of Me” actress whose first name is a hint to this puzzle’s theme 60 __ on the shoulder 61 Author __ Rogers St. Johns 62 __ sci 63 Pointed end 64 Feature of Oregon sales 65 Singles 66 Latin I word DOWN 1 Go up 2 Angora fabric 3 Sad, to Sarkozy 4 Churchill or Roosevelt, e.g.
By Jack McInturff
5 Star sci. 6 10% of DXXX 7 Apprehension 8 Catch from a pier 9 “The Soloist” co-star 10 Robbery accessories 11 Nitrogen-based dye 12 Something that goes with breakfast? 13 Psyche parts 19 Avis lead-in 21 Samuel Johnson work 24 “You bet” 25 Alfred E. Neuman is its mascot 26 Overhead transports 28 LAX posting 29 Court decision maker 33 Indy 500 advertiser 34 Mask 35 Ownership call 36 Speech hesitations 37 Malarkey
4/22/10 Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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features 5
editor: topher forhecz featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
april 22, 2010
COLLEGIATETIMES
DIY: Cheap drinks, maternal Equestrian: Tech team to compete clothing beats the beer belly this weekend in national competition W
eighing in at 6 pounds 7 ounces, my bundle of joy arrived about three months after my 21st birthday. Born of late nights spent double-fisting Mr. Sam Adams and Gentleman Jack Daniel’s, I nursed my baby bump by unabashedly drinking for two. Pregnant with drink specials and seasonal festivities, bars have been a tempting destination to miscarry my better judgment and adopt both expensive bar tabs and a budding beer belly. Providing a warm, dark, nurturing environment, bars and alcohol have a long-standing legacy of providing a surrogate womb to the ailing student body that is weakened by spring fever and final exams. And as the last term of collegiate gestation comes to a close, graduating students are right to embrace the environment that fostered their educational and social development before they are pushed into the real world and slapped by bills and a bleak job market. Unfortunately, nurturing such a lifestyle is a known detriment not only to your health, but also to your bank account. Desperate to keep happy hour happy, I’ve developed a solution to defeat this postpartum recession while satisfying my expanding waistlines and shrinking savings: through mixing my own drinks and mixing up my wardrobe. Raise your glass (and refill it too) to simple DIY solutions for cocktail attire, salvaged from a resource as untapped as next year’s freshman class: carelessly aborted, secondhand maternity wear. MATERNITY SHIRTS: HIDE YOUR BEER BELLY AND DISCOVER YOUR SEX APPEAL IN THIS TEMPTING TUNIC -Designed to flatter the stomach and provide enough length to conceal a baby bump, maternity shirts generally have a great neckline and extended front that can be worn as a tunic with minimal alterations. You may need to shorten the straps by cutting them to the appropriate length and sewing them back in place, but I’ve also found a slew ready to wear. Pair with tights or skinny jeans, stilt-rivaling heels and oversized jewelry for a look that will send singles crawling to your side. MATRONLY MUUMUUS: A MAKESHIFT HOMELESS SHELTER OR FLIRTY FRINGE FROCK Bursting with options like a belly two weeks past due, thrift stores dependably offer a hearty selection of massive muumuus and oversized dresses whose shapeless silhouette are perfect for housing twins or converting into a flirty fringe frock. Whether you covet a vivacious print for a hippy-chic look or a solid color to channel the mods, a few simple snips can convert your pick into a comfortable shift dress. Simply try on the dress to find your desired length — I’ve found that using where your fingers fall when you hold your arms to your sides is a good length — and snip away, leaving an extra inch if you want to hem it, plus an extra three or four inches for fringe. Satisfy your sadistic cravings, and haphazardly cut the bottom vertically to create fringe. Pair with a belt or wear on its own with tights and boots, and you are left with a glam look cozier than your mother’s womb.
COURTESY OF TERESA MCDONALD Two different teams and one individual rider will be representing the Virginia Tech Equestrian team this weekend. from page one
ELASTIC BANDED MATERNITY SKIRTS: STRETCH YOUR DOLLAR AND YOUR TIME IN THIS SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE COCKTAIL DRESS Get “waisted” in seconds when you transform an elastic-waisted skirt into a strapless dress. Scour the thrift store or your mother’s maternity clothes for simple, mid-length skirts with a wide elastic waistband. Worn under your arms and paired with a wide belt, you can create an elegant cocktail dress that flatters your thinnest features and leaves plenty of room for your belly bulge. CHEAP DRINKS FOR THAT BEER BELLY Empty out your liquor cabinet, not your wallet with these inexpensive cocktails that get the job done without sucking up your entire paycheck. Megaritas -3/4 cup Aristocrat Gold Tequila -1/4 cup Aristocrat Triple Sec -6 ounces Frozen Lime Concentrate -One can of citrus soda -3 cups of ice Empty the contents in a blender, adding more tequila as required. Salt rims of glasses with old table salt. Enjoy. Pabst Blue Fibbin’ -Lime -Pabst Blue Ribbon Slice lime, twist into PBR and taste the difference between PBR and Corona. Realize you can’t. Tell all of your friends and innocent bystanders at the grocery store.
Red Bull with Vodka -Canned Kroger-brand energy drink “Deton8” or for the really thrifty, Deton8 powdered energy drink mixed with Kroger brand Mountain Dew -Cheap vodka Mix to taste and enjoy the buzz. It’s your liver dying while your teeth rot, heart palpitates and the carcinogens set in. Brass Monkey -40 ounces of malt liquor of your choice -Orange juice Drink the first quarter of your 40 and fill the rest with orange juice. Be amazed that it’s not only palatable, but tastes really good. Bloody Hell That’s Cheap Mary -Empty the condiments of your fridge into a tall glass. Namely: Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Tabasco or similar things (soy sauce?) to taste -1/2 cup tomato juice ... or ketchup and water -1.5 ounces of vodka -Celery to garnish, as if we can afford garnishes Mix and drink — quickly, if you actually used soy sauce and ketchup.
MARY ANNE CARTER -features staff writer -junior -communication major
“I wasn’t sure at first, but they just kept giving it their all out there,” McDonald said. “We kept winning, and every time I thought, ‘Oh my God, oh my God, is this happening?’” To show its dedication, the group has decided to add an additional day of practice to its normal Monday and Friday schedules. To coordinate with everyone’s schedule, they all agreed to meet every Wednesday to practice at 5:30 a.m. It was amazing to see their dedication, seeing what it could accomplish before most kids are getting out of bed,” McDonald said. The early practices brought the team closer as they suffered through freezing winter mornings together. “I saw them get so close because we were all in it together,” McDonald said. “If one of the kids had a birthday, sure enough, we were having chocolate cake at 6 a.m.” Having watched the very young team grow into one that is ready
for a national competition has been a rewarding experience for its coach. “It’s been a really fun growth because they’re such a bubbly, excited group,” McDonald said. “They work really, really hard, but they also just really like having a good time with each other.” Christy Jones, dressage team captain and senior animal and poultry science major, reflects on how the team’s dedication has led to the close bond they all share. “The commitment we’ve seen from all the riders and coach is so amazing,” Jones said. “Just getting up for all of those morning practices. ... I know a lot of teams in the past wouldn’t necessarily be willing to do that every week.” Sophomore animal and poultry science major Abby Zezeski admits that it’s this close-knit web of support that each rider depends on, especially during competition.
“We’ve gotten a lot closer than in the past, which really helps when we have big competitions,” Zezeski said. The sophomore rider will also be competing as an individual this weekend. “It’s a little bit nerve-wracking, but I’m excited. I still want to do well and make a good name for Virginia Tech,” Zezeski said. The eight riders will be competing Saturday and Sunday against schools from all over the country for a chance at bringing a National Equestrian title back to Blacksburg. McDonald admits that the young team has already achieved an incredible amount by having the chance to represent the school at the competition. “I think everyone’s surprised at how far we’ve come. We were really the underdog team this year,” McDonald said. “Getting to nationals is already a huge success to me, now the rest is just gravy.”
6 sports
editor: alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
april 22, 2010
Oglesby: Switching spots Johnson switching stance, but keeping attitude for the good of the team KATIE KOOIMAN sports staff writer
from page one
“We’ve added in some of the fullback run game, but the blocking schemes for the fullback runs are very similar to the tailback scheme, so we haven’t had to make a big change in that area,” offensive line coach Curt Newsome said. “I thought we’ve done a pretty good job for Williams and Evans. When they realize the talent behind you, it makes them work a little harder because it makes you think we’ve got a chance to break 180 any time you give them a crease.” As for Oglesby’s way of attacking his new role? It’s just a new song and the same old dance for the two-year veteran. Oglesby is known for his work
ethic and dedication and plans to continue to get bigger, faster and stronger, regardless of his role on the field. “I’m the same old Josh Oglesby,” he said. “I won’t be playing like a traditional fullback because I’m not a traditional fullback, it’s just more of being able to get the ball in a two back set and catching the ball out of the backfield.” The Hokie offense returns all of its skill players, and expectations of the 2010 squad are high as spring practice rolls on. “I’m excited,” Oglesby said. “I’ve got big expectations. I’m ready for Boise and to be on the national spotlight, and to just get out there and win.”
...... radio for everyone
As another school year comes to a close on Virginia Tech’s campus and students wrap up their studies, the football team is just beginning its work for another season. The team is adjusting to new teammates, losing last year’s senior class and just as it does every year, changing positions. This time around, junior Jake Johnson is making a move from linebacker to defensive end. “We felt like looking and evaluating all our personnel, and we thought this might be a better move for Jake to be a little more productive,” said Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. “We need some help at that spot. And we just thought it might be a good move for him and for our football team.” Johnson enters his second spring season with a lot of work to do. For the past two seasons, Johnson has seen time on the field as a middle linebacker, but he and his coaches feel he might be better suited as a no-holds-barred defensive lineman. “A lot of times at linebacker, it’s not only a mental deal as much as physical, where the (defensive) line is more of an experience based deal. A technique driven position,” said defensive line coach Charley Wiles. “So we’re hoping by moving Jake there we can maximize his assets: his strength, his quickness,” Wiles said.
“And take some of the things out of it that were tying up his feet some; the processing part, the coverage part. And kind of turn him loose a little bit. It’s going to be an on the job training type deal.” Johnson started eight of the Hokies’ 13 games last season at the linebacker position, playing in 11 of them. He finished sixth on the team in tackles with 55, and he recorded two sacks on the season. But Johnson isn’t worried about what his stats are from last season or the position change this spring. Instead, he is just looking forward to seeing Worsham Field again as soon as possible. “I just want to get back on the field,” Johnson said. “It was tough going from making a lot of plays at the beginning of the season, half way, to sitting the bench. So I just want to get back out there and make some plays.” The coaching staff sees potential for Johnson to make improvements through the spring, but it is taking it one day at a time. “Our goals are to see him improve each and every day at the spot, get better at that spot,” said Foster. “And understand his position, and grow within that position. And understand the expectations of his position within our position, and each day getting better.” Johnson brought a lot to the team as a linebacker and his coaches expect to
ROY T. HIGASHI/SPPS
Tech linebacker Jake Johnson chats with Maryland linebacker Andrew Braxton after the Hokies’ 36-9 win on Nov. 15, 2009. see that attitude affect the team positively again at his new position. The switch from standing up to putting his hand on the ground doesn’t change the character he brings to the Hokies’ hardhitting defense. “Jake’s an all-the-time guy, a very intense guy,” Foster said. “He works hard — extremely hard-worker.” But his work ethic and determination aren’t the only things that stand out to his teammates and coaches. “He’s ... a little bit of a practical joker. You like that side of him too,” Foster said. “Our young men are not robots out here. He’s a fun guy to coach because he’s a willing kid, he works hard at it, he wants to please, and you know, you like coaching those kinds of guys.” Johnson has impressed his coaches thus far with his willingness to please
and his athletic ability. They want him to think of this spring as the beginning of his work and keep pushing his workouts through this summer and the fall. “This spring is just the beginning of it,” Wiles said. “Obviously, he is going to train hard this summer and then fall camp, if we get him enough reps at the position that he can move up the depth charts. Right now he is battling in that third (or) second position.” This weekend the Hokies will play in their highly anticipated spring game. Johnson will be just a couple of weeks into learning his new position and many fans are going to be watching to see what he can do in his new spot. While it won’t come right away, with the effort that Johnson has already proven to his coaching staff, it is probable that he will have quite an impression.