Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Forecast for Thomas see page seven

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 88 News, page 4

Arts & Entertainment, page 3

Opinions, page 5

Gay blood ban remains New HIV Infections

news reporter

53% 31%

Heterosexual sexual contact

12% 4%

Injection drug use

Men-with-men sexual contact and injection drug use

MATTHEW RYBURN / COLLEGIATE TIMES

ALTHOUGH BRITAIN HAS REPEALED ITS BAN ON GAYS GIVING BLOOD, THE US HAS NOT FOLLOWED SUIT ELIZABETH HAYDU news staff writer Some gay men in the United States will never wear an “I just gave blood” sticker on their chests — they haven’t since 1983 because of a lifetime-long ban on blood donations from gay males who have been sexually active at any point since 1977, according to the American Red Cross. But on Sept. 8, the U.K. announced it will repeal its ban on gay males donating blood. However, the ban in the U.S. remains in place. The restriction is based on the higher percentage of HIV in the gay male population. The repeal in the U.K. has caused many to question whether the U.S. ban on blood donations by gay men — enacted by the Food and Drug Administration in the ’80s — is outdated. And members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance of Virginia Tech are expressing their feelings toward the ban, including David McGrath. “It really pisses me off when they talk about blood shortages and won’t take blood from gay people,” McGrath, a senior computer science major, said. “There is plenty of gay blood out there for them to take.” The ban’s repeal in the U.K. will allow more individuals to donate blood and is intended to help offset blood shortages. The ban will be officially lifted in the U.K. on Nov. 7, and will allow gay men to donate blood 12 months after they have last been sexually active with another male. While blood donation centers in the U.S. and U.K. screen all donated blood for HIV and other diseases, the bans are in place because HIV tests are not always accurate, particularly in the initial months after contracting the disease. About 90 percent of people who have HIV test positive within six weeks of contracting the disease, said Dr. Scott Olewiler, who is a doctor, certified in infection disease and internal medi-

cines, at the Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del. And about 100 percent of people test positive for HIV test positive after one year of contracting the disease, Olewiler said. The 12-month precautionary period in the U.K., when gay men cannot donate blood, is designed to account for possible false negatives in the first year, after which the likelihood is very small. Olewiler said the lifetime ban in the U.S. eliminates the risk of false negatives past the one-year mark. “You can’t get get the risk to zero, and of course, if you give one person HIV, that is their gift for life,” Olewiler said. “That ruins one person’s life completely.” One of the eligibility requirements on the Red Cross website states that a person cannot donate if they “are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977.” Despite their different policies, both the U.S. and U.K. depend on people’s honesty when accepting blood. McGrath said he answered honestly on the eligibility form and was disappointed after being turned away at a Red Cross blood donation center for his gay status. “I answered honestly on all the forms and got called into the office to answer more questions,” McGrath said. “Then the nurse asked me some odd questions as to whether I was of age and whether the sex was consensual, and I left feeling dejected.” While McGrath said he was honest in answering the question, others may not be.“I have never lied or even tried to give blood,” said Alex Sanyer, a junior computer science major and LGBTA officer. “I do know of people who have lied to give blood or who just don’t know the policy.” Olewiler, who has been practicing medicine for 21 years, said it see BAN/ page two

in other news The repeal of the"Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy ofﬁcially went into effect today, Sept. 20. Enacted in 1994 dur-

Classifieds, page 6

Sudoku, page 6

Easy Chair closes its doors CODY OWENS

estimated, by transmission category 2006* Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Men-with-men sexual contact

Sports, page 7

When the doors of the Easy Chair Coffee Shop shut for the last time, a celebration of the 15-year-long company began. The Easy Chair, a coffee shop and bookstore formerly located in the University Mall, closed Sunday, Sept. 18. However, on its last day, the shop looked like a thriving business, as loyal customers packed its space to enjoy a cup of coffee and reminisce. The entire group moved to the London Underground pub to continue the remembrance festivities. “This is my second living room. I helped paint the walls here,” said Deral Fenderson, a long-time Easy Chair customer. “It’s just a great place to be. There are good people, good food, good coffee, and I care for the culture.” In 1996, Russell and Anna Chisholm bought a coffee shop called the Pink Lady. After the couple remodeled the shop, it opened for business on Feb. 14, 1996, under a new name — the Easy Chair. “There weren’t many businesses coming in at that time on this part of town,” Russell said. “Word-of-mouth spread and we got a gradual following.” During its years of operation, the Easy Chair developed a loyal customer base that developed an appetite for not only the shop’s food and drinks, but also its

friendly employees. “I could always come here and be myself. I’m always accepted here,” said Fenderson. “The owner will talk to me across the counter, across the room.” For others, the small coffee shop became an improvised work area. “I used this as an impromptu office when I was working for the U.S. Census,” said David Allison, another selfdescribed loyal customer. “I spent a lot of time in here and drank many, many gallons of coffee from these good people.” Despite the Easy Chair’s loyal local following, customers noticed that business began to dwindle in recent years, mainly because of competition from other more well-known cafes. “Between the Starbucks and Panera that went up here, places started to compete with the unique niche that has been here for 15 years,” Fenderson said. “With the transient population of the college environment, people tend to go to things they know.” Rather than letting the Easy Chair wither away, Russell said he views the shop’s closing positively, since he and a friend, Brian Babcock, can focus on their passion for roasting their own coffee beans. When it opened, the shop bought pre-roasted beans from other companies. But around 2003, Russell and

Babcock said they decided to explore their interest. The time Russell and Babcock have invested in roasting has impressed Bari Webster, a customer who attended the shop’s farewell gathering. “I think it’s the best coffee in town,” Webster said. “Russ is a master roaster, and the quality of the coffee is bar none in this area.” Russell and Babcock will continue to sell their roasted beans, regardless of the shop’s closing, through their new business — the Strange Coffee Company. The duo will roast beans for local businesses — the Vintage Cellar, Oasis, Lefty’s Main Street Grille, the London Underground and the Coffee Depot — and others who order from the company’s website, StrangeCoffeeCompany.bigcartel.com. The care taken in selecting the coffee is what sets is apart from others, Babcock said. He and Russell have traveled throughout South and Central America to visit the farms that grow their coffee, developing a better understanding of their product and building relationships with the farmers. “Roasting is not just taking green coffee and cooking it, it’s more about sourcing it see COFFEE / page two

the Starbucks and “ Between the Panera that went up, places started to compete with the unique niche that has been here for 15 years DERAL FENDERSON EASY CHAIR COFFEE SHOP CUSTOMER

ing the Clinton administration, the rule effectively banned gays and lesbians serving in the mili-

formal retreat

tary from being open about their sexuality. The repeal was passed by a vote of 65 to 31 in December 2010. President Barack Obama signed it soon after, fulﬁlling his 2008 pledge to repeal the law, according to an article in the New York Times.

A member of the Corps of Cadets Color Guard holds the American ﬂag at the end of the formal retreat ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 16, for the corps homecoming. Photo by Mark Umansky

Back to the wild

Students participating in international Parking Day put down grass in a College Avenue parking space on Friday. The intention was for citizens to reclaim urban spaces. The Urban Affairs and Planning Student Association brought the event to Blacksburg for the ﬁrst time last year. Photo by Maziar Fahandezh

Ban: Donation centers rely on honesty from page one

is ridiculous to expect people to tell the truth about their medical history all the time.“Anybody who has been a doctor for about a month knows that people aren’t honest about their sexual habits,” Olewiler said. “They are not going to tell you the truth about how much they smoke, how much they drink, what kind of drugs they have had, or their sexual habits.” And Olewiler said the U.K. is taking a risk by trusting in peoples’ responses to the eligibility questions.

Blood donation centers have historically identified gay males as a risk group, Olewiler said. According to the CDC, men who have sex with other men accounted for 48 percent of the almost one million HIV positive people in the U.S. in 2006.At 74 percent, male-to-male sexual contact was the most common transmission route for newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2009, according to the CDC. And gay males also make up the only group that has an increasing HIV rate over the last decade.

McGrath said allowing gays to donate blood and providing them with results of their screening tests could help reduce the amount of people who are unaware of their HIV status. Regardless, McGrath said he understands the reasoning behind the U.S. ban.“I know that the Red Cross has stringent rules and they don’t accept a large portion of the blood that is donated,” McGrath said. “I try not to feel personally offended that they won’t take my blood.”

Coffee: Shop will still sell beans from page one

and understanding it,” Babcock said. “We want to talk directly to (the farmers) about issues we might have or what people have been asking for.” Having personal relationships with farmers is beneficial to Babcock because he sees where he and Russell’s money goes. Babcock traveled to Nicaragua in January to visit the farm that grows the

company’s popular Selva Negra coffee, and the grower showed him new housing being built on the farm — something Babcock hopes to have contributed to. Regardless of the duo’s new company, Easy Chair customers are still sad to see the shop close. “I’ve been coming since the mid’90s,” Webster said. “It’s a family member for me, and I’m broken hearted that he’s closing up shop.

A big void will have to be filled.” But for Babcock, the closing is not just the end of an era, but the beginning of another. Yet others expressed gloom still hung in the air at Sunday’s closing. “I’m very sad,” Fenderson said. “It’s an environment that’s closing — it’s a death.”

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editors: chelsea gunter, patrick murphy featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

arts & entertainment 3 september 20, 2011

Ryan Gosling steals the show in ‘Drive’ an era where car movies In come in the style of “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), crammed with fast-paced action and bad acting, “Drive” is surprisingly thoughtful and well done. Ryan Gosling stars as the unnamed main character — a part-time Hollywood stunt driver and getaway driver. Gosling again demonstrates his brilliant acting abilities. Although his character has very little dialogue, he speaks beautifully with his eyes and facial expressions. He falls in love with his next door neighbor Irene, played by Carey Mulligan. When Irene and her young son are threatened by local thugs, the driver delves further into the criminal underbelly of Los Angeles than he ever has

MOVIE REVIEW

before. The premise of “Drive” sounds like the typical action movie. So why is it so different than the other junkers Hollywood has turned out in the last decade? “Drive” is not composed of millions of quick shots, showing one angle of the action for a second and then another the next minute. Often characters are not shown as “talking heads” — shots of just the actors’ faces as they engage in a dialogue. “Drive” has longer shots where the camera slowly tracks the characters’ movements. At some points, the camera holds on the silent scenes between two characters, so long that it almost becomes awkward for the audience. But this awkwardness works well, establishing a real connection between the audience and characters. “Drive” had the same type of feel to it as 1985’s “To Live and Die in L.A.” This is not surprising as both films are neo

noirs. Neo noir is a genre that emerged from the film noirs — black and white movies that were cynical and often had a hard boiled detective and femme fatale at its heart. Neo noir movies differ from film noirs in that they are modernized film noirs using color and issues more relative to today’s standards. “Chinatown” (1974) is a great example of this, as it is a film that deals with a sleazy detective that uncovers more than he expected. Neo noirs in this way also either reject or re-imagine the earlier stereotypes of film noir. “Drive” possesses the cynicism, imperfect hero and unique camera angles of the neo noir genre. The French critic Nino Frank coined the term film noir. Therefore, the inclusion of a “Nino’s Pizzeria” as a major location in “Drive” made me wonder whether it was a coincidence. There’s very little to say in

terms of criticism of “Drive.” It’s definitely not for everyone. The gore is quite intense. More than one person’s head is completely obliterated. The blood is crimson red and instantly reminded me of a B movie or a grind house flick, which are typically used as derogatory descriptions. However, when movies consciously use the elements of these movies, the result can be superb. For example, see “Pulp Fiction” (1994). “Drive” is a great film that is a must see for anyone who considers themselves a movie buff. If you are just a casual moviegoer, “Drive” is still worth seeing. Action and romance are only garnishes on what is a poignant and meaningful film — the best I’ve seen this year.

COURTNEY BAKER - movie reviewer - senior - political science major

New production ‘This’ filled with emotion TORIE DEIBLE features staff writer To many, the most impressive of plays takes the audience on a rollercoaster of emotion. From gut-busting laughter at one moment, to overwhelming tears the next, the upcoming production “This” is guaranteed to take audiences on a ride viewer’s won’t forget. Written by award-winning playwright Melissa James Gibson, “This” focuses on the lives of five characters living in contemporary New York City. The comical yet poignant production, which opens tomorrow, Sept. 21, sheds light on serious emotions and events, such as adultery, death and parenthood. “It’s a very challenging play because it is totally actor focused. It’s one of those plays that lives or dies by what the actors bring to the stage,” said Susanna Rinehart, the production’s director and an associate professor in the department of theatre and cinema. Rinehart loves the emotional rollercoaster ride audience members are forced to take during the show. “I don’t think a single rehearsal has gone by where I haven’t been crippled

with laughter and then bawling my eyes out,” Rinehart said. Forcing the cast to embody these characters that have gone through some extreme and upsetting experiences in life has been a great challenge, Rinehart said. “What happens to the characters in the play means that the actors have to explore some pretty dark corners of their emotion,” she said. “In order to embody a character that has experienced a form of loss, or a form of pain or guilt, I have to push them to go to feeling these things.” Although it has been a difficult task for her, Rinehart said she could not be more than pleased with the show’s progress. “Not everybody around the age of 22 can climb inside the skin of these characters and come alive. They worked so beautifully and so hard, and it’s always such a great feeling watching them and sharing in their success.” Alexis Baker and Cody Oher are among the cast members in the production. Baker, a senior theatre arts major, plays Jane, a 38-year-old woman with a nine-year-old daughter whose hus-

band recently passed away. Baker said it was quite difficult learning to embody her character because of the obvious age difference, as well as the deep emotions her character undergoes. “I had to spend a lot of time working on this character,” Baker said. “What I really wanted to do was to get the spirit of Jane. I knew she had to be strong, but also weak at the same time.” This is the first play in which Baker is a lead character, and she said she is hoping her hard work and dedication pays off. “Being the lead in a play is very new to me,” she said. “There is a lot of pressure to stay positive and energetic. I feel that I’ve hopefully done a good job representing this character and this show as a whole.” The cast and production crew’s hard work has paid off so far as well, Baker said. “We’ve really poured our souls into this production, and with only a month of rehearsals, I’m so beyond proud of what we’ve done,” she said. Oher, a theatre arts major, plays Alan, a gay middle-aged man. Oher said he enjoys how straightforward and

upfront is character is. “Alan tells it like it is, or at least how he sees it,” Oher said. “Regardless, though, everything he says or does comes from a place of truth.” Like Baker, Oher said it took some time to adjust to his character. “Alan thoroughly believes in everything he is, and so, as an actor, it’s my job to take Alan’s often crazy mindset and logic and make it a believable reality for myself and the audience,” Oher said. “This is an often difficult task, considering some of the insane and off-the-wall comments Alan makes.” Oher said he would rank his involvement with this play as one of his favorite performances. To him, the positive energy and raw effort that has been put into the show are immeasurable. He said he has become so wrapped up in his character that at times, he finds himself in a state of confusion. “It’s an interesting and scary place to find oneself comfortably slipping into being someone else, to the point where you literally begin to forget you’re on stage,” he said. “I’m loving the experience, but recognizing and coping with this difficulty is necessary and eye-opening in learning how to be a

stronger actor.” Both Oher and Baker are looking forward to seeing how the audience will react to the show. They are hoping the performance will translate well to a college audience. “I’m most looking forward to seeing how a large scale audience relates to the show — Will they get the jokes? Will they comprehend the tragic irony of the piece? Will the strong sense of realism in the play be accurately portrayed?” Oher asked himself. “There are a lot of relatable concepts, themes and ideas throughout the show that should really be recognized and well-received if we do our jobs correctly.” Baker said she is also anxiously waiting for the upcoming performance and the audience’s response. “I hope the audience laughs until their stomachs hurt and then get taken aback by the serious moments. I just want the audience to feel. That’s always our goal,” Baker said. “Get the audience to feel something, whether that be good, bad, upset, or angry, and you’ve done your job.”

When: Sept. 21-Oct. 2 From Sept. 21-24 and Sept. 27-30, the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Sept. 24 and 25, and Oct. 2 there will be matinee showings at 2 p.m.

Where: Squires Studio Theatre Tickets will be sold at the Student Centers and Activities Ticket Ofﬁce in Squires, online at Tickets.vt.edu and via phone at 540-231-5615. Tickets will be sold one hour prior to curtain call.

4 news

editors: claire sanderson, michelle sutherland newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

september 20, 2011

COLLEGIATETIMES

what you’re saying //comments from online readers... On the article about Lance Diamond: Brandon >>

crime blotter

date reported

time

9/16/2011 9/16/2011 9/16/2011 9/16/2011

8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 11:11 p.m. 12:09 a.m. 12:37 a.m.

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1:03 1:08 1:38 1:55

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1:30-5:00 p.m. 4:06 p.m. 4:11 p.m. 4:10 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:25 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:11 p.m. 5:30-7:15 p.m. 7:30-8:20 p.m. 3:45-7:45 p.m. 10:00 p.m.

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9:46 p.m. 12:04 a.m.

9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/18/2011 9/17/2011

12:41 a.m. 1:24 a.m. 1:46 a.m. 2:17 a.m. 3:31 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 6:00-6:45 p.m. 6:00-6:15 p.m. 10:30-10:00 p.m. None Given

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V I O L A T I O N - A F F I D A V I T location

Larceny of prescription medication Brodie Appear intoxicated in Public Stanger St Underage Possession of Alcohol O’shaughnessy Appear intoxicated in Public/ O’shaughnessy Underage Possession of Alcohol Appear intoxicated in Public Media Annex Drive Under the Influence of Alcohol North Main St Underage Possession of Alcohol New Res East Appear intoxicated in Public/ Slusher Underage Possession of Alcohol Larceny from a vehicle (laptop) B-lot Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Underage Possession of Alcohol Lane Stadium Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Underaged Possession of Alcohol Lane Stadium Appear intoxicated in Public Lane Stadium Vandalism to a vehicle Stadium Lot Larceny of a Bicycle Lee Hall Larceny/Theft of motor vehicle parts Tech Center Dr Appear intoxicated in Public/ Strager St Underage Possession of Alcohol Appear intoxicated in Public Lee Hall Appear intoxicated in Public/ Pritchard Underage Possession of Alcohol Appear intoxicated in Public Alumni Mall Underage Possession of Alcohol Slusher Appear intoxicated in Public Theatre 101 Build Underage Possession of Alcohol Lee Hall Underage Possession of Alcohol Pritchard Underage Possession of Alcohol Owens Larceny of a Golf flag Golf Course Larceny of a golf club Golf Course Burglary Harper Hall Underage Possession of Alcohol x7 On Campus

status Active Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Student Conduct Arrested Active Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Active Active Inactive Arrested Arrested Student Conduct Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Student Conduct Inactive Inactive Active ABC Arrest Report

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How after reading the article are you calling him a wack job. The last thing Tech needs are judgmental people like you on campus that are treating others like they are less of people.

opınıons 5

editors: scott masselli, sean simons opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

september 20, 2011

Libya strategy a good model for future action resident Barack Obama’s P strategy in the Libyan intervention has prevailed. Whether you agreed with the North Atlantic Treaty Organizationled mission or not, the fact is that in terms of human, financial and strategic capital, the intervention, from an American position, has been efficient. First, consider the military strategy Obama deployed. Initially, the United States led military operations enforcing United Nations Resolution 1973, authorizing the no-fly zone. Roughly two weeks later, NATO, predominantly via the British and surprisingly assertive French, took command of the operation. Although both allies have excellent military capabilities, it was American forces that were truly brilliant. Only the U.S. military had the capabilities of obliterating Gaddafi’s air power as accurately and swiftly as it did. Rightfully, the Europeans then positioned themselves to take the reins. Essentially, although the U.S. did use its vast military assets, there were, and still are, no American troops “on the ground,” with the exception of some covert forces, private contractors and U.S. intelligence resources. However, to this day, there have been no American causalities in Libya. Subsequently, the overall cost of the operation in Libya — roughly $1 billion — is a Craigslist-style bargain in terms of war expenditures for the U.S. This figure accounts for military operations, munitions used in the operation and humanitarian assistance. Compare that with the fact that Afghanistan is costing us about $300 million per day. Also, consider a significant offset to the mission costs. The Pentagon has said that U.S. sales of ammunition, replacement parts, fuel and technical assistance to allies since March has totaled $221.9 million. Fiscal conservatives should rejoice. Although the future of a democratic Libya remains uncertain, this mission has also strengthened American interests and legitimacy in the region. Before the U.S. actually got involved, there were two sides to the argument. On one hand you had then Defense Secretary Robert Gates stating that Libya wasn’t of “vital national interest.” On the other, there was a push by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Samantha Power to avoid another Rwanda-style catastrophe. Needless to say, the latter prevailed. President Obama chose to involve the U.S. with the basis that preventing another humanitarian disaster was crucial for American interests in the context of the ongoing “Arab Spring.” Not only did the U.S. attract significant international support, but a call for foreign intervention was also requested by a majority of the Libyan people themselves and regional support was given in the form of the Arab League’s approval of

the mission. This was absolutely crucial because the U.S. has not been seen as an occupier, as had been the case in Iraq, but more as a force of support for the Libyan rebels. Obviously, not every future conflict the U.S. chooses to engage in will be exactly like the Libyan one of today. Sometimes, American forces will have to step back and let others take the lead. During other times, America will find itself as the undisputed leader. The point is that one of the most important consequences of the Libyan mission is that it sets a new and much-needed precedent for the nature of future U.S. participation in conflicts and wars. Like it or not, the U.S. will inevitably be drawn into various conflicts as the world’s dominant power. When these future events capture the general public’s attention, the manner in which the Libyan mission was handled will be a good model. In this tremendously tense fiscal atmosphere, constituents will pay close attention to the overall cost of the mission. Multi-trillion wars will never be as easily accepted as they once were. Next, Americans will — and rightfully so — want to know the mission’s human cost. If the nation is not under direct threat from a foreign enemy, it will become increasingly difficult to justify a substantial amount of “troops on the ground.” Moreover, one of the biggest considerations that future American foreign policy makers will tackle will be whether a mission has legitimacy. This legitimacy may come from indigenous or regional support, acceptance of the mission by a majority of the international community or even a broad coalition of partners joining us in our endeavors. If anything, Iraq has taught us that even if we believe we are doing the right thing, if our actions are not perceived as legitimate, then they will have immense global consequences. In all of these considerations, Libya shows it is indeed possible to “win” a war without losing a tremendous amount of blood, treasure and friends. President Obama’s “leading from behind” strategy has proven to be successful and, most importantly, efficient. Some have said if only he would have acted earlier, Libyan victory would have come sooner — others have consistently scolded him for intervening in the first place. But at the end of the day, the president wisely positioned America to take a different approach. Compared to his predecessor’s model, this was a better approach. It was an efficient approach, and it ought to be the approach the U.S. takes in the 21st-century.

AUSAN AL-ERYANI -regular columnist -junior -political science major

Your Views [letter to the editor]

9/11 theories hurt healing nation

irst off, I'd just like to say that Mr. Dunn's article about 9/11 inconsistencies is down right despicable. Questioning your government is one thing, in fact, it leads to a better government, but what he does crosses the line. Ten years ago, we were blatantly and purposefully attacked by —wait for it — terrorists. Why on earth would our government kill off thousands of civilians like that? They wouldn't. How ignorant do you have to be to say such a thing? You say you think the plane that crashed into the Pentagon may have been a missile. Then what do you say to the families whose loved ones were on that plane and were killed? How dare you insult the people who

died in one of our worst tragedies our nation has ever seen. I bet you have something against the firefighters, police and first responders who died there too. Get that out of here. Our nation still hurts from the tragedy of 9/11, and I am glad as hell we went into Afghanistan to find and kill the people responsible. I love America and will gladly defend her, and if you can't at least acknowledge the tragedy we had without some immature little theory that holds no water whatsoever, then leave. We don't need people like you in America — you are what makes us too soft sometimes. God Bless America and never forget 9/11.

Shaun Taylor freshman political science major

The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

MCT CAMPUS

Make gameday sustainable ne of the most exciting parts of O being a Virginia Tech student is experiencing Hokie football. With the anticipation of another Tech win, few people stop and consider the environmental impact football games. And not many people care to notice constant sights — empty soda and beer cans strewn across the tailgating lots, fragments of football tickets scattered about, hoards of cars and packed buses inching by slowly, and trash bins packed to the brim with Styrofoam boxes and empty cups. The average home football game is estimated to generate between 10 and 22 tons of sheer waste. If we were to assume the best possible scenario for our campus, it would equate a massive 60 tons of waste in the 2011 season alone. Conversely, the Office of Energy and Sustainability reports that the average amount of materials recycled during games in the 2010 football season was a mere 5.68 percent. Even more disappointing, during the game against James Madison University, the amount of materials recycled was a meager 1.56 percent. So how do we accumulate such an immense amount of waste? Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the material waste. Outside the stadium, flocks of tailgaters not only toss empty cans, bottles, packaging and plastic utensils around lots, but they often dump these items in trash cans rather than recycling bins. The same can be said about fans inside the stadium. However, in addition to the products mentioned above, they also introduce paper waste from discarded tickets and packaging waste from items bought off concessionaires. One of the greatest contributing factors to gameday waste is the use of unrecyclable products by concessionaires, which rely most on paper and Styrofoam products to serve food, both of which are unsustainable. Paper products can only be recycled so long as they remain clean and dry — conditions that are effectively eliminated the moment they touch food. As for Styrofoam, it can lie around in landfills for millions of years before it even begins to degrade. Besides material trash, there is also the element of food waste. Foodstuffs and drinks are often overlooked as a source of waste, but in actuality, they account for a great deal of the materials sent to landfills. Tailgaters frequently overestimate the amount of food they need, and consequently, much of their leftovers end up in the trash. Within the stadium, concessionaires habitually toss the food they are unable to sell during the game. So why can’t we reduce the tremendous amount of waste we’re generating? Well, the truth is we can. Many of these problems have reasonable fixes. By increasing the amount of recycling

bins in and around Lane, and by strategically placing them beside regular trash bins, it makes recycling more convenient and reduces the presence of unnecessary materials that end up in landfills. We can drastically cut food waste generated each game day by composting leftovers from concessions and tailgaters. In addition, donating leftovers to local food banks, food rescue programs and local shelters promotes both social and environmental sustainability. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that most food banks can accept non-perishable or unspoiled food products, and they are usually willing to pick up the food themselves. Concessionaires can help out even further by switching from paper and Styrofoam products to sustainable materials that can be reused or recycled. One of the main issues with recycling and composting is the availability of these services. At many schools, the relatively short football season discourages using comprehensive services such as Dirty Materials Recovery Facilities, which separates all materials collected into trash and recycling. Instead the schools opt to stick with the mainstream trash collection facilities used year round, despite that they do not provide the aforementioned services. By going the extra mile and enlisting the Dirty MRF’s help, schools can cut their waste generation in half and exponentially increase their total materials recycled. For some, this may seem like an emerging issue, but the truth is, awareness of gameday waste generation has been growing over the past decade. Universities and organizations across the U.S. are recognizing this as a legitimate environmental concern and are doing their part to implement sustainability initiatives. The EPA’s Game Day Challenge and Waste Wise programs are geared toward higher education institutions and encourage universities to actively engage in waste reduction. The basic tenets of these programs are to reduce waste, promote student and faculty participation, and increase environmental awareness. Part of the goal to reduce waste is to host at least one near-zero waste game per season. Near-zero waste entails a 90-percent diversion rate of all waste generated during a football game. In 2009, only eight universities in the U.S. were involved in these programs. In 2010 this number increased 10-fold to 88 universities, including Tech. At Tech, the Office of Energy and Sustainability has been striving to meet the EPA’s Game Day Challenge since 2010. This year, they aim to make zero-waste games a season-long initiative. This goal is being recognized with the athletic department’s support

and cooperation. The department has agreed to enlist a local Dirty MRF’s services. Beginning with last week’s game, all gameday waste will be collected in uniform bins for off-site sorting and recycling. In addition, the Office of Energy and Sustainability has produced the Hokie Stone Rally Towel, made from 100 percent recycled materials. This towel is meant to promote the Hokie spirit and support future sustainability ventures on campus. All proceeds from the towel’s sale will be placed in a fund accessible to student organizations aiming to advance sustainability initiatives. The office aims to not only meet the standards laid out by the EPA, but to also establish a new sustainable Hokie culture on campus. Although the Dirty MRF will increase the amount of materials recycled, the work does not end there. The burden to decrease the environmental impact of home football games falls on students and fans as well. There are simple steps we can take at each game to show our support. When tailgating, don’t overestimate the amount of food you’ll need, and if you do, bring reusable containers to store the leftovers. Instead of reaching for bottled water, invest in a reusable water container for the game and everyday use. Use these water bottles for other drinks as well to reduce your dependency on Styrofoam, paper and plastic cups. In place of plastic utensils, opt for silverware. Instead of carelessly tossing your ticket, store it in your pocket until you get home or find a recycling bin. In addition, be a smart consumer — don’t buy food items that are wrapped in unsustainable packaging. Not only will this diminish waste, it will communicate your demand for recyclable materials to concessionaires. Last but not least, riding the bus, carpooling or simply walking can reduce the carbon emissions generated from such an immense amount of individuals travelling to the same place. Next time you pack a snack for a game or plan on buying food during half time, keep a few statistics in mind. Aluminum cans take up to 500 years to degrade, plastic bags up to 1,000 years, plastic bottles up to 1 million years, glass bottles up 2 million years, and Styrofoam many millions of years. When these products are recycled, they can be reused at a significantly faster rate. If we all take a few extra moments to act responsibly, we can preserve the beautiful gameday atmosphere for many future Hokies.

NEETU DEO -regular columnist -junior -political science major

Relationships lack maturity I

t’s the beginning of the fall semester, and new students are building new friendships, some of which will most likely end up being lifelong. But what about the relationships with others back home? Specifically with boyfriends or girlfriends. Upon arriving at Virginia Tech as a freshman last year, I was among the few who were trying to make a longdistance relationship work. I constantly heard a general phrase from fellow classmates and upper classmen — “It’s better to come to college single. You can have more fun.” Sure, college is a great place to meet new people and build new relationships — many people even meet their future spouses in college. But being in a committed relationship should not stop students from having fun and meeting new people. From my experience, I find that the people who talk down on having a relationship in college, especially long distance, either couldn’t make one work themselves or only see importance in the superficial aspects of a companionship. I found it was most commonly the latter reason. Many people come to college with the hope of fooling around

with as many people as possible, like there is no point in having a relationship anymore. Too many people make superficial tendencies their priorities, and consequently, they show a lack of respect for themselves and others. These actions are no different than that of friends with benefits. Of course, going to parties, getting crazy, dancing with random people and making mistakes are all something everyone in college should enjoy, but you don’t have to be single to experience these things. However, there is a fine line that many people choose to ignore. What is even worse is some people choose to end a relationship or simply stay single so they can do whatever they want with whomever they want — that is a problem. A healthy relationship between two people who communicate with each other should never leave a person wanting freedom. Why give up and hurt someone who truly cares for you — someone you share so much with — for something far less in the long run? If this is the direction our generation is headed, I should probably reconsider medical school and become a divorce

lawyer instead. Am I ignorant of those couples who are committed and true to each other? Definitely not. I actually recognize and respect these people with a smile on my face. Again, it isn’t the relationships ending that are the problem — it is the fact that so many start and end for the wrong reasons, usually superficial. Are values like commitment, loyalty, maturity and respect for each other simply being ignored or are they just not important anymore? Sadly, it’s probably both. Even for me, this makes it hard not to wonder, “Well what is the point of having these qualities, if they aren’t important or valued?” In spite of these sentiments, it is important to keep the faith that people will begin to mature and embrace these traits in others. Hopefully as we grow in college, we will reorganize our priorities and build lasting, healthy relationships.

MICHAEL GOWEN -regular columnist -sophomore -biochemistry major

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september 20, 2011

page 6

/// rapid ﬁre reviews ///

CHECK OUT THESE FALL TV REVIEWS

paper, and their on-screen chemistry actually seems to match. The show is surprisingly comical, quick and witty. However, at times, the writing doesn’t always make sense. Does “Free Agents” have the staying power of past NBC hits such as “The Office” or “Will & Grace?” Probably not, but it’s a step in the right direction for the struggling network. The show needs some fine-tuning, to be sure, but the main characters are both interesting and likable, and the supporting cast, though quirky, is also affable. If nothing else on at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesdays strikes your fancy, “Free Agents” is definitely worth checking out.

“Free Agents” — Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 10:30 p.m. NBC hasn’t exactly been the poster child for quality TV programming lately, but “Free Agents” is a pleasant surprise that shows promise. In this comedy, Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn play two co-workers at a public relations firm. Both are desperately looking for love, and of course, they inevitably hook up. They’re determined to keep the fling a one-time ordeal, but of course a game of cat-andmouse ensues and will inevitably go on for as long as the series. Still, the recent divorcee and the recent widow, respectively, seem like a perfect match. The couple is perfect on

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second of this, but even with the negative mindset going in, the show still won me over. It’s billed as being a dark, mysterious thrilled show, and so far, it is living up to those claims. Intrigue lurks at every corner. Details are also revealed fairly subtly, allowing the viewer to pick up the clues and gradually piece the story togetheWr. One final note about “Ringer” is that it boasts a “Lost” alumnus. Fans of that show will be overjoyed to see the never-aging Richard play an FBI agent investigating the murder case. The show already seems quite promising, and really, how bad can a show be that features a “Lost” veteran?

4 stars out of 5

“The Secret Circle”— Thursday, Sept 15., at 9 p.m. In an entertainment society currently riddled with mythical creatures, it’s tough to stand out. Although it’s decently enjoyable, the CW doesn’t do much to set the “The Secret Circle” apart. The tale begins with a girl, Cassie, being forced to cope with the sudden and mysterious death of her mother. Foul play is apparent. Cassie moves in with her grandmother and is immediately confronted by unexplainable events, from curtains suddenly opening to cars catching fire. A new set of friends offer an explanation Cassie doesn’t want to accept. Her new pals want her to join their society of witches and complete

their circle. The plot just seemed all too obvious. Cassie is initially resistant, thinking magic doesn’t exist, but then eventually becomes a believer. The show was reasonably entertaining, albeit predictable. I might turn the show on as background noise, but I don’t plan on following this one. Witchcraft has been done before, and it will be done again, but only the truly unique programs will endure, and this isn’t one of them.

2.5 stars out of 5 PATRICK MURPHY - features editor - senior - communication major

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editors: matt jones, zach mariner sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

september 20, 2011

True test for Thomas will come soon enough ven if he doesn’t always play like the star quarterback he’s been hypedE up to be, Logan Thomas consistently looks the part. At 6-foot-6-inches and pushing 260 pounds, Thomas’ size alone is enough to get your attention. He’ll have moments of absolute brilliance. Rewind your DVR’s to the end of the first quarter when he hit a streaking Danny Coale down the sideline for a 44-yard gain. The ball placement, his awareness of the defender and pocket presence all point toward a quarterback on the brink of greatness. Then he’ll bring you back down to earth. For example, his throw with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, an intercepted pass intended again for Coale, just makes you shake your head. Blitz coming, he threw off his back foot, and instead of leading Coale into the endzone, the pass floated back into the field for the easy pick. Thomas has had the perfect situation to grow into the Virginia Tech offense. He sat two years behind Tyrod Taylor, soaking up all the knowledge and experience a player can. That’s all well and good, but a question still remains: Is Thomas capable of leading Tech to a national championship? This remains to be seen. We won’t get a good idea of what kind of big-game performer Thomas is until

he faces Clemson at home on Oct. 1. The critical moments of that game will test him like never before. Through the spring and camp, all we’ve heard is how he has complete trust of all his teammates. It’s one thing to say that coming off the practice field in August, but it’s a whole other animal when it’s a conference road game in November. Thomas doesn’t want the comparisons to the great quarterbacks he physically compares to — he’s said that. Every great one wants to forge his own legacy, and Thomas is no different. However, when you see him run over a defender or deliver a rocket down the field, it’s hard not to conjure-up the images of Cam Newton or Vince Young. Like Newton last year, Thomas will face the Tigers early in the season at home. Newton, who struggled in a close Auburn win, was just 7-of-14 for 203 yards. He threw two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions. Taylor’s fourth career start also came against the Tigers in 2007. His final stat line? Just 7-of-14 for 65 yards and one touchdown. Thomas isn’t winning the Heisman Trophy like Newton did in 2010 or ACC Offensive Player of the Year like Taylor did in 2010, but their relative struggles against the Tigers should be cause for concern.

He’ll have advantages other quarterbacks don’t. David Wilson is a terrific complement to Thomas in the backfield. He’s got great hands out of the backfield, home run speed and a motor that just won’t quit. However, what happens when a Clemson or Miami stacks the box against the run and forces the pass? We saw it against Arkansas State Saturday, but they didn’t have the horses on the outside to keep up. Teams will start to blitz him too. By the time he gets into ACC play, opponents will have four game tapes to study, breakdown and attempt to exploit. You better believe Thomas has tendencies and tells the average fan can’t see on Saturday. It won’t be all negative. He’ll have a game or two where the Tech defense can’t seem to stop a nosebleed, and he’s forced to step up and put points up in a hurry. There will be games where he’ll look terrible at the start but throws it all out the window to finish the game strong. He’ll play through illness and injury, and never tell a soul — that’s just who he is. The true test will come in the marquee, primetime games against top competition. When he’s backed up near his own endzone and the lights are bright, how will he respond? That remains to be seen.

Thomas and the Hokies will likely face each of those teams in 2011, and the offense will have a chance to prove itself in big games. What happens if Tech stumbles in one of those games? Outside a potential ACC Championship matchup with the Seminoles, Tech should be favored in each of its remaining games. A loss will test the resolve of Thomas and the rest of the team. Taylor’s first loss as a starter came in a game at Boston College in 2008. The following game, he suffered an injury on the first play from scrimmage in a loss at Florida State. We never got a good idea how Taylor would perform coming off a loss. How will the rest of the season play out for Thomas? Can he get the completion percentage up to his goal of around 60 percent? Most importantly, how will he respond to the first big moment he faces as the starting quarterback? Well, that remains to be seen.

MATT JONES - sports editor - junior - communication major

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

Logan Thomas (3) shouts a play to the offensive line at the ECU game.