Thursday, March 22, 2012 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Thursday, March 22, 2012

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COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 34

News, page 2

Weekend, page 5

Relay initiates funding push

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 6

Study Break, page 4

Heel-ing tumors

MICKEY RADIOU / SPPS

Leyna, Frank Saltarelli’s miniature schnauzer, is one of several dogs that has beaten cancer thanks to a new treatment. BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

Relay members pass out balloons to raise awareness, yesterday.

Relay board continues its ‘10 for 10’ fundraiser with Moe’s, gathering money for the April event NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS features reporter The Virginia Tech Relay for Life executive board — which holds the annual event that raises money for the American Cancer Society — is in its home stretch, as it prepares for the all-night affair on the Drillfield next month. This year, the event will take place on April 20 starting at 6 p.m. — participants will “relay” into the wee hours of the next morning. Fundraising efforts are already in full swing for the highly anticipated event, which explains why Tech has had the No. 1 Collegiate Relay for the last several years, raising more money for the ACS than any other college. Last year, Tech raised $630,000 — the largest amount in its history. Amanda Krieger, the public relations executive for Relay, said the event’s growing success can be attributed to the executive board’s involvement. “... the executive board (has made) it part of their everyday lives. We stay up all night, doing ever ything we can to get the word out and think of creative fundraisers like ‘10 for 10,’” Krieger, a senior communication major, said. “10 for 10” is a fundraising initiative the executive board started three years ago in an attempt to raise $10,000 every day for 10 successive days. The event has been a success the past two years, raising a little more than $100,000. This year, the executive committee is hoping for an even better outcome through corporate sponsorship. Moe’s Southwestern Grill is sponsoring “10 for 10” this year, which Krieger believes has the potential for a huge success. “Moe’s is a way bigger difference from last year,” Krieger said. “The last few years, we have reached our goal. This year, with Moe’s, we are hoping to exceed our goal.” This Friday is “Moe’s Day” — a day when all of the restaurant’s proceeds will be donated to Relay. In addition, the first 200 people in line that morning, starting at 11 a.m., will get a free burrito every week for an entire year. Regardless of the outcome on that day, Moe’s has already pledged to meet the day’s goal of $10,000. In addition to Moe’s corporate sponsorship, there will

be a special event each day during the 10-day fundraising initiative to encourage people to get involved and donate. Special events include fundraising incentives, restaurant proceeds, concerts and more. Krieger said the executive board is right on track to meeting its fundraising goal of improving upon last year’s record high. In addition to fundraisers, the event’s vitality relies on strong, passionate individuals like Greek Liaison co-executive Thomas Lawler. Lawler, a sophomore economics major, is one of the event’s top fundraisers and is deeply motivated on a personal level. “Foremost, (I fundraise) for the loss of my mother two years ago and knowing I never want anyone else to be affected by cancer in the way my family has been,” Lawler said. Lawler has currently raised $4,285, a goal he has been able to accomplish through several fundraising outlets. One of the main w a y s Lawler has been so productive is by sending out fundraising letters to friends, family, professors and even Charles Steger, Tech’s president. “It amazes me every day how I can touch someone with my story and motivate them to donate to Relay,” Lawler said. “Even something as simple as posting a Facebook status can raise hundreds of dollars.” The cause also hits close to home for Krieger. “I have lost three grandparents to the disease and saw my best friend struggle in high school after she lost her younger sister,” Krieger said. “It is something we don’t want to be around anymore, so if there is something I can do to help, I am going to do my best.” Considering the magnitude of the disease worldwide, affecting 50 percent of males and 33 percent of females during their lifetime, chances are, a majority of people have been impacted by the disease on some level. Whether it is fighting for the memory of a lost loved one or fighting so the disease does not affect anyone else, these passionate motivations are largely what have made Relay so successful. “The student body is a big part of (our success),” Krieger said. “Tech is such a close school, and everyone wants to do what they can for a good cause.”

Tech researchers help create new brain tumor treatment that has cured dogs of cancer and could help humans ABBY HARRIS news staff writer Frank Saltarelli had just returned home from walking his dog, Leyna, when she had her first seizure. Leyna, an 8-year-old miniature schnauzer, had four more seizures that day, Oct. 2, 2011 — one of which occurred in the waiting room of Alexandria Animal Hospital. The doctors were unsure about the cause of Leyna’s seizures, so they began running tests and gave her seizure medication to take in the meantime. On Nov. 23, an MRI examination determined that Leyna had a brain tumor. Now, just four months later, Leyna is back at home, thanks to a new treatment discovered by doctors at the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, also known as SBES. Saltarelli took Leyna to Bush Veterinary Services, a clinic that specializes in neurology. A neurologist recommended that Saltarelli talk to Ken Johnson, founder of the Boo Radley Foundation. This foundation helps dog owners find and participate in canine brain tumor clinic trials after diagnosis. It was Johnson who informed Saltarelli of the pre-clinical trial being done by the VirginiaMaryland Regional College of

Veterinary Medicine, also known as VMRCVM, in Blacksburg. The trial is for a treatment called non-thermal irreversible electroporation, or N-TIRE, developed by Rafael Davalos, an associate professor in the SBES. The N-TIRE treatment involves placing two very small needle electrodes directly into the tumor and applying a series of electric pulses to the cells. These pulses create defects within the cells’ membranes, causing them to die in a controlled manner. The pre-clinical trial for this procedure is currently treating canine patients with gliomas, a type of brain tumor. Saltarelli and Leyna were referred to John Rossmeisl, a neurosurgeon from the VMRCVM, who treats the canine patients within the preclinical trial. After histopathical evaluation, Rossmeisl determined that Leyna’s tumor was a gradethree astrocytoma, a common type of glioma. The World Health Organization grades glioma tumors on a one to four scale; a grade three tumor, like the one Leyna had, is considered very biologically aggressive and malignant. “I feel very fortunate that the timing worked out very well, because maybe a year earlier, we wouldn’t have been able to do anything,” Saltarelli said. “Even a lot of vets are

still learning about what these trials are doing now and part of what (the Boo Radley Foundation) has been trying to do is educate about these options.” Saltarelli brought Leyna from their home in Washington, D.C. to Blacksburg and she received the N-TIRE treatment on Dec. 14. She recovered well and returned home four days later, the Sunday before Christmas. Saltarelli was able to bring her with him to visit family in New York for the holidays. “Even family members, while we were up there at Christmas time, commented that she seemed to be looking like she was doing well,” Saltarelli said. A follow-up MRI conducted in January showed that Leyna’s tumor was 99 to 100 percent in remission, meaning her tumor has shrunk drastically and could possibly be gone. So far, it has been more than five months since Leyna’s first seizure — much longer than anyone could have expected. “We have enough data from looking at these dogs, that when they don’t get treatment, the vast majority of them are dead within three months of a diagnosis if you don’t treat them with surgery, radiation or an experimental therapy,” Rossmeisl said. On Tuesday, an MRI showed that her tumor is still in remission. It has been three months since she see TUMORS / page two

SAVE THE DATE

What: Relay for Life When: April 20, 6 p.m. Where: Drillﬁeld

Bike registration helps alleviate theft ERIN CHAPMAN news reporter With gas prices climbing and weather getting warmer, more people are looking to bikes for transportation, as they are a cheap and easy way to get around. Taking a stroll around campus, anyone would notice the large clusters of bikes parked outside buildings — some have locks, others don’t. This begs the question: How safe are bikes from getting stolen, while their owners are in class or meetings? Apparently, pretty safe — so far, there have only been two reported bike thefts this year. In 2011, there were 56 reported bike thefts. The number in 2010 was smaller, with 45 reported bike thefts, according to Virginia Tech Police. Kevin Foust — the deputy chief and assistant director of security for Tech Police — said the department takes bike thefts seriously. “It’s a crime, and we treat it like any other crime — it’s part of our responsibility,” Foust, deputy chief and assistant director of security for Tech Police, said. To decrease bike theft and help with recovery of stolen bikes, Parking Services requires all bikes to be registered with the university. Registration is free and can be completed on a form via Facilities. vt.edu/bikereg. If a bike isn’t registered, it could be impounded or its

rider could be fined. Alternative Transportation at Tech — which promotes and encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation — is present during fall move-in, which has helped increase the number of bikes registered on campus, said Deborah Freed, the organization’s manager.

said Lyndsey McKeever, the SGA transportation director. “So we’re trying to educate people that it is safe and easy to ride your bike around Tech and Blacksburg.” McKeever said bike registration helps Parking Services calculate an accurate number of bikers on campus — this information allows the organization to understand how many bike racks are needed around campus. A lot of people are scared However, Freed said registrations do not to ride their bikes (because bike expire, so it is difficult to they could get stolen while gauge how many bikes are on campus. parked on campus). So we Freed has noticed that are trying to educate people there is an increase of bikes on campus, but a that it is safe and easy to lack of infrastructure to them. ride your bike around Tech accommodate “We do have people and Blacksburg.” chaining bikes to trees and other objects that are bike racks, and it’s Lyndsey McKeever not becoming a real issue,” SGA transportation director Freed said. Bikes that are chained “I think people weren’t aware that incorrectly risk impoundment, registering your bike is required — regardless of whether they’re regit’s easy to do online and (Parking istered. Services) will mail you your decal,” However, a registered bike is easFreed said. ier to get back. With registration, In fall 2010, 461 bikes were reg- riders receive a sticker to place on istered. The following fall, 1,047 their bike. However, Foust sugbikes were registered, according to gests riders etch their registration Parking Services. numbers on their bikes because The SGA also helps push riders the stickers can be removed or to register their bikes. fall off. “A lot of people are scared to ride “The etching has helped a lot their bikes (because they could get over years in matching owners stolen while parked on campus),” back up with bikes,” Foust said.

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Registration numbers etched on bikes can also help if they are seen at a yard sale or in town — if it looks like a Tech number, the police can try to find the bike’s owner. Foust also recommends riders use U-locks to chain their bikes — they are made of a strong metal that is more difficult for thieves to cut through than other chain locks. He suggests locking a bike to a solid piece of its frame, rather than its tires, since they can be easily removed. Various investigation techniques have been employed to deter thieves. Tech Police purposely plant unchained bikes to racks. There are signs near certain racks, letting passerby know that a particular unlocked bike is being watched. “If you can put it into the mind of a would-be thief — that by stealing a bike off this rack am I stealing a planted bike or not. If you put that little bit of doubt into their mind perhaps they may decide it’s not worth steal,” Foust said. Freed said riders should try to lock their bikes in well-lit areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic. Regardless, McKeever said riders who chain their bikes are simply buying time — if someone really wants to steal a bike, they will find a way to do so. “There is an issue with bike theft all over the place. Wherever there are bikes there are thieves that will steal them,” she said. “Tech is no different.”

march 22, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

news

editors: nick cafferky, michelle sutherland newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Tumors: Treatment cures dogs’ cancer

what you’re saying Clark kicked off team after arrest

Hokie_1997: A VT football player in trouble?

And he’s from Hampton Roads area? Shocking.

Anonymous: He broke the rules again, painful

though it may bem VT needs to enforce their polices. Sad for VT, but maybe he will learn a life lesson, you have to follow the rules to play the game....

Anon: I’m all for being tough and enforcing

policies but I think it was a little harsh in this case. Given that this was his first mishap (I assume) he didn’t do anything major. Look below. “TOTS’ manager, adding that Clark was not at all confrontational during the exchange.” Yeah he stepped out of line but given everything that Michael and Marcus Vick got away with not to mention countless other athletes I think it was excessive. I guess he just wasn’t that important to the team.

Anon: Oops just saw the part it wasn’t his first

offense. Still though...I don’t know. Hopefully it will set an example for the rest of the players.

MICKEY RADIOU / SPPS

Leyna has been seizure-free since completing treatment three months ago. She is one of ﬁve dogs that has been treated for cancerous tumors.

“

minimally invasive nature of the procedure was an important factor that convinced him to put Leyna through the trial. “When we decided to participate in the trial, we probably would not have done something that we felt was going to be hard for the dog to tolerate,” Saltarelli said. “We wouldn’t have wanted to put the dog through that.” For each individual patient, Garcia performs the therapeutic planning, while the engineer develops imagingbased computational models for treatment planning. This is done to simulate the actions necessary to complete the treatment and maximize success with each canine patient. The pre-treatment planning Davalos and Garcia conduct is essential for developing future of the N-TIRE therapy, which could include human patients at some point. “We want to be able to make this treatment predictable,” Garcia said. “If we can model the outcome, then we are in good shape when we translate into either treating more canine patients or eventually shumans.” But Garcia said the treatment won’t be in use for humans for some time. “It’s going to be a long time, because we want to make sure that when we go to humans, it’s perfect,” he said.

According to Davalos, if the therapy is perfected it could be used to treat tumors that would normally be considered inoperable because of their location within the body, such as tumors near nerves or blood vessels. The treatment is being tested with canine patients first because of the similarities between the brains of canines and humans. “Dogs are the best translational models for brain cancer,” Davalos said. “Genetically, the way the tumor progresses (in dogs) is almost analogous — almost exact — to how it progresses in humans.” In addition to increasing predictability within the therapy, each treatment has to be planned on a case-by-case basis because each dog’s situation is different. “Every patient has been a learning experience,” Rossmeisl said. “With the nature of brain tumors, it’s not like a cookbook. The treatment is modified based on individual’s unique circumstances.” Although not every dog has a recovery as successful as Leyna has had so far, every victory during the canine N-TIRE study could mean future successes once the treatment is brought to the human level. “Everyone is very excited about it because it’s doubling up to this point the normal life expectancy in dogs,” Saltarelli said. “We hope to have similar results in people.”

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have had at least some shrinkage of their tumors. received the N-TIRE treatment, An important characteristic of and there has been no visible the treatment is the fact that change since her last MRI in it is non-thermal, meaning it January. does not require a significant “She seems to be feeling change in temperature to kill great,” he said. “She’s pret- the cancerous cells. This elimity much back to her old self. nates the possibility of inducSometimes these medications ing any thermal damage to can still make them a little healthy tissue surrounding the dazed, but as we’ve continued tumor and it also leaves the to reduce the medication, she’s extracellular matrix intact to probably become even more provide structural support to alert.” cells. Leyna is one of five canine According to Paulo A. Garcia, patients with brain cancer that a post-doctorate student at has been treated so far through Tech whose dissertation topic this particular pre-clinical trial, was on developing the N-TIRE but dogs with tumors in dif- treatment, leaving the extracelferent areas, such as the hip or lular matrix unharmed with thigh, have also been treated this therapy is important so with N-TIRE. the body can repopulate the According to Rossmeisl, 80 area with normal, healthy percent of the dogs that have cells. been treated within the trial “It’s quick, and it’s very focused,” Garcia said. “So we’re only affecting the region that we want to Dogs are the best transac- affect.” Another positive tional models for brain can- quality of the N-TIRE cer. Genetically, the way the therapy is that it is minimally invasive. tumor progresses (in dogs) The electrodes that are into the tumor is almost analogous — al- placed are smaller than the most exact — to how it pro- needles that are commonly used to perform gresses in humans.” a biopsy, a procedure often used to determine Rafael Davalos the nature of a tumor SBES associate professor before it is treated. This means less stress for the canine patient to endure. Saltarelli said the

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march 22, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Zach Crizer Managing Editor: Lindsey Brookbank Design Editors: Danielle Buynak, Victoria Zigadlo Public Editor: Justin Graves Web Editor: Sarah Watson News Editors: Nick Cafferky, Michelle Sutherland News Reporters: Josh Higgins, Cody Owens, Erin Chapman News Staff Writers: Priscila Alvarez, Abby Harris, Gina Paterson, Ashley Seagar Features Editors: Chelsea Gunter, Patrick Murphy Features Reporters: Nick Smirniotopoulos Features Staff Writers: Courtney Baker, Torie Deible, Dane Harrington, Kevin McAleese, Andrew Reily Opinions Editors: Scott Masselli, Sean Simons Sports Editors: Matt Jones, Zach Mariner Sports Reporters: Michael Bealey, Josh Parcell Sports Staff Writers: Eric Avassi, Zander Baylis, Alyssa Bedrosian, Cody Elliott, Taylor Hay, Alex Koma, Ashleigh Lanza, Brian Marcolini Photo Editor: Daniel Lin Enterprise Team Editor: Liana Bayne Public Information Director: Dishu Maheshwari Training Director: Kelsey Heiter Copy Chief: Spenser Snarr Copy Editors: Nora McGann, Luther Shell Layout Designers: Bethany Melson, Alicia Tillman, Tanja Vogel Online Director: Alex Rhea Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: Philipp Kotlaba MCT CAMPUS

Paul inspires anti-war sentiment in youth A

fter the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, I bought into the government’s propaganda, hook, line and sinker. Fearful and wanting revenge, it took little to convince me that the terrorists hate Americans for their freedoms. And I quickly realized the United States armed forces had to fight them in their country, so they wouldn’t have to fight them here. The attacks changed everything — so when I made decisions regarding politicians after 9/11, I cared more about their views on war and national security, than any other issue. To this end, it was clear to me that the Republicans were superior to the Democrats. For as long I can remember, my immediate family had already supported the Republican Party. And 9/11 solidified this support. In 2004, I campaigned for George W. Bush to help get him reelected. But even by then, my enthusiasm for Republicans had waned, and I felt as though I was supporting the lesser of two evils. I did not like that Bush and the Republicans tripled the size of government and drastically increased the national debt. And although I initially bought into the War on Terror hysteria, the PATRIOT Act and infringements upon civil liberties did not sit right with me. By the time the 2008 elections rolled around, I was weary of Republicans and disenchanted

with the political process as a whole. All the frontrunners were spewing the same general message, while arguing over minute details. A political banquet offering a choice among Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain and Mitt Romney is akin to a brunch menu offering only hardboiled, scrambled, over easy and sunny side up eggs. I was looking for meat — I wanted bacon. Desperate for a genuine candidate, I took to the Internet to bypass corporate-controlled TV and talk-radio media. The first stop was YouTube’s election page to see what candidate had the most subscribers. To my surprise, Ron Paul had 10 to 20 times more subscribers than the aforementioned frontrunners. Paul? Was this not that antiwar nut that Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and all the other so-called conservative pundits belittled and dismissed as fringe? Who is this guy, and why does he also have more Facebook and Myspace friends than the other candidates combined? I clicked on Paul’s YouTube channel and pulled up a video at random. When I watched my very first Paul video, I could not believe my eyes. The very first thing Paul discussed was an issue I care deeply about: abortion. I had closely followed politics for nearly a decade and had yet to see a presidential candidate take

a real stand against abortion — unlike all the other Republicans who simply promised someday to appoint conservative justices, Paul’s Sanctity of Life Act would immediately remove abortion from the jurisdiction of federal courts. Throughout his speech Paul made numerous references to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers. Never before had I seen a presidential candidate talk about the Constitution and Founding Fathers in the way Paul did. His revolutionary rhetoric became so popular that after the 2008 election, Republican politicians and the Tea Party movement began to mimic him. I was hooked. I stayed up all night watching Paul videos and researching his impeccable voting record. The aura of liberty that emanated from this man was intoxicating and contagious. Then Paul dropped the bomb: He did not support the wars. Talk about an iconoclast — Paul is more conservative than any Republican but also more opposed to war than any Democrat. To see how this could be, I dedicated the next few weeks to researching war, American history and the foreign policy espoused by conservatives throughout America’s past. It only took a few days to come to agreement with Paul that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were wrong. For one, they

are unconstitutional because Congress did not declare war, as mandated by Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. The wars are also fiscally irresponsible and have added more than $4 trillion to the national debt. More importantly, the wars are unjust and immoral. The long-established tradition of the Christian Just War theory states that preemptive war is always wrong; that force may be used only as a last resort after all peaceful alternatives have been seriously tried and exhausted; that there must be a high probability of success; and that a response to an attack must be proportional. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan meet none of these criteria. In the case of the war in Iraq, the U.S. joined the ranks of history’s dictators and despots who have engaged in preemptive wars. Peaceful alternatives were not truly sought after in either war. The probability of success was so low that the U.S. is now engaged in the longest wars in its history. And the disproportionate U.S. response to the deaths of 3,000 Americans has included the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Afghanistan and Iraq. Evidence also suggests that the U.S. response to 9/11 is not pragmatic. In other words, instead of “fighting them over

there so that we do not have to fight them over here,” the U.S. has actually created scores of new enemies who wish to harm American civilians. A seminal study by political science professor Robert Pape has shown that the motivations for all suicide terrorism campaigns is to coerce democracies to withdraw troops from perceived homelands. Officials in the American government have acknowledged that a primary motive for 9/11 was the fact that the U.S. stationed troops in the Islamic holy land of Saudi Arabia. Pape’s study, “The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism,” is available through the library’s website — Lib.vt.edu — and is a must read for students who want to understand why individuals deploy terror against the U.S. It is not uncommon to hear Paul fans shout, “Dr. Paul cured my apathy.” In my case, it was ignorance that was cured. I thank Paul for waking me up to the fact that governments use fear and propaganda to coerce the public into supporting unjust wars of aggression.

CHRIS DUNN -regular columnist -graduate student -political science

Apple’s increase in stock dividends strengthens firm It

is every business’s goal at conception to become a household name and have millions of customers. A relatively miniscule number of these companies actually attain this goal, but one has definitely succeeded. Since its beginning in 1976, Apple Inc. has been at the forefront of technological innovation and production. This enterprise has gone from creating boxes that most of us wouldn’t even recognize as being computers to crafting some of the most state-of-the-art products, all in just 40 years. Apple’s success is just about unparalleled, and the company now has to decide what to do with the vast stockpile of cash in its possession. Chances are you have owned an iPhone, iPod, iPad, Mac computer or any of the other Apple products on the market today, at some point. If you haven’t, you have definitely seen them. Apple is everywhere. Few companies can boast this magnitude of success. Even less can report the abundant amount of cash reserves Apple has acquired as a result of consecutive profit-gaining years. The estimated figure is approxi-

mately $108 billion. It may seem like the more cash a company has on hand the better, but this is not true.

cash and rewarding investors with an increase in dividends. Surprisingly, public businesses that trade shares of their company on the stock market don’t have to pay These are important times actually dividends to their for one of the most success- investors. However, if a company were to ful companies in the world, neglect its investors and the world will be in- and not reward them for their financing, ﬂuenced by every decision no one would want to put money into Apple makes.” the company. According to an From a stock market invest- article by Nick Wingfield in ment standpoint, if a compa- The New York Times, the diviny has a lot of money sitting dend Apple has declared will be around not being used for any- a quarterly amount of $2.65 a thing, investors will think the share. This is a huge amount of company is lazy and not utiliz- money they are going to hand ing all its assets. This has the out. Interestingly, even though potential to be quite damaging once this plan takes effect and to a company, but considering Apple becomes one of the highhow large Apple is, it hasn’t est dividend-paying companies had much of a negative effect. in the world, it will still have There are many different invest- a relatively low investment ment strategies a company can return. This is because Apple use with leftover cash that will shares go for about $600 dollars increase its stock value, and it each. seems Apple is finally going to Many people believe Apple — take action. with all its success and expenApple executives announced sive shares — should have done Monday that the company will something like this a long time be taking a chunk of its reserved ago. Many people think this ges-

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ture is just too little too late. Among these people are Wall Street fund managers who want to use Apple stock dividends to increase the value of their portfolios. I must disagree. The actions a company takes with regard to stockholders are second place to the actions taken for the good of the company itself. The company has a lawful prerogative to do what they want with its money. Also, a business can’t truly experience the fantastic growth Apple has without thinking company and customer first and investor second. With that said, I also believe it is a company’s duty to compensate the devoted investors willing to contribute their own hard-earned money to the company, especially a company as affluent as Apple. This dividend is a good move, in my opinion. It shows that Apple cares about its investors, but is modest enough to not give into the greed of some Wall Street analysts. In addition to this declared dividend, there has been speculation that Apple might make a move to acquire another company — this is one business venture that the company has

yet to take part in. I think this is a very good idea. Since Apple is such a massive company, the risk that accompanies purchasing another is minimized. But, what company Apple would purchase? It could buy out one of its competitors, which would greatly increase its dominance of the market. It could also obtain a distributor or manufacturer to decrease production costs. This would allow Apple to sell its products for a lower price, greatly benefitting and increasing the number of consumers. With Apple’s recent decision to give back to its investors, now is as good a time as any to invest — that is of course if you have $600 lying around. It will also be interesting to see what Apple decides to do with its remaining dormant funds and what the effects will be. These are important times for one of the most successful companies in the world, and the world will be influenced by every decision Apple makes.

DAVID LEVITT -regular columnist -sophomore -economics major

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march 22, 2012

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: The New Moon in your sign today provides an auspicious spotlight to launch your next solar year. The Sun and Uranus are in your sign, too, illuminating your purpose, your deepest desires, what makes you happy. Use these insights to make plans, but think them out well ... changes may be irreversible.

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Week ending March 16, 2012

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We are Young (Feat. Janelle Moneae) • Fun

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Somebody That I Used to Know • Gotye

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Glad You Came • The Wanted

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Wild Ones (Feat. Sia) • Flo Rida

Stronger (What

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E 1 Dolphin O 2 Seal 3 Walrus P 4 Orca A 5 Otter R 6 Polar Bear 7 Sperm Whale D 8 Humpback S Whale E 9 Porpoise 10 Manatee A 11 Sea Lion L 12 Narwhal V 13 Blue Whale 14 Leopard Seal R 15 Beluga E Whale 16 Elepant Seal Z 17 Brown Fur R Seal C 18 Right Whale

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Unscramble the letters to solve the category “World Series Winners 2001-2011”

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

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march 22, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

wryly

e R ILLY DELIGHTFULLY OFFENSIVE.

Step aside ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘The Twilight Saga’ and make room for the new kid in town: ‘The Hunger Games’

“Y

oung adult literary fad.” Those four words are enough to send moist streams dripping down a pop culture junkie’s forehead. Who can blame us? Last time the youth literature machine’s oozing tentacles clenched around the multimedia landscape, an insipid supernatural romance penetrated nearly every aspect of American entertainment. Stephanie Meyer’s massively overexposed “The Twilight Saga” left a gaping wound in this traumatized former “Entertainment Weekly” subscriber’s psyche that no ointment can ever heal. Even forcible insertion of vampire drivel into our national zeitgeist can’t taint the important force for good that is young adult literature, though. It may be the only thing left standing between children and a future as illiterate, mouth-breathing Neanderthals. The word “miracle” has been reduced to a shell of its former semantic self, but it absolutely applies when a 21st century kid reads anything. No matter if takes the heartwarming tale of a 100-year-old romancing a teenager, any book that convinces the iGeneration to temporarily leave cyberspace makes our planet a slightly less tragic place. Still, it’s fair to expect deeper content than “getting a boyfriend is great!” from books falling under the supple classification of young adult fiction. Classics like “The Watsons Go To Birmingham” and “The Outsiders” challenge readers with big ideas and provocative messages that put most adult bestsellers to shame. In true American fashion, entertainment moguls yearned to replicate these reading experiences, only with less of those pesky words. While “The Catcher in the Rye” Atari game didn’t live up to expectations, the industry didn’t give up its mission to turn young adult literature into slack-jawed entertainment. In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, Hollywood found the perfect literary soulmate — an epic tale of good versus evil set in a richly realized world filled with strong characters and powerful allegories to the modern world. Also, wizards casting spells is a perfect excuse for special effects to make things go boom. Potter’s magical grosses made Hollywood execs stiffer than a body-binding curse, and the search was on for the next youth phenomenon to keep the gravy train rolling. Right on cue,

“The Twilight Saga” appeared with its sparkly vampires and inspiring message of codependency. To call the series annoyingly omnipresent is an understatement — like wet jeans, it has been a chafing presence for most males this last decade. Thankfully, with the last movie coming out this year, and the old man-leaky teen girl romance growing crusty, the powers need a new cash cow franchise. Enter: Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” trilogy. If “The Twilight Saga” is “Dracula” squirted onto the diary of a rash, lovesick Mormon teenager, “The Hunger Games” is an Americanized, slightly defanged homage to the Japanese classic “Battle Royale.” Narrative differences aside, the basic plots are similar: kids forced to kill other kids. It’s a bit of a thematic leap from vampire honeymoons, and Collins doesn’t hesitate to drag readers down an unpleasant rabbit hole. Whereas the schoolchildren of “Battle Royale” are whisked away to fight on a deserted island, the sinister capitol of the post-apocalyptic “Hunger Games” world broadcasts the bloody spectacle as televised entertainment. Somehow this chilling dystopian tale about murdering children became a sensation with the same audience that embraced a chaste werewolf/vampire love triangle. The first book quickly struck a chord with teenagers, and the fan base only grew larger and more diverse as the two sequels were released. With a blockbuster film coming out this Friday with record presales, it appears “The Hunger Games” has followed the “The Twilight Saga” template to pop culture domination. There’s one glaring difference between the two series, however. “The Hunger Games” is actually good. That wasn’t what I expected when I picked up the book a few weeks ago. Truth be told, I only read it to impress a girl. Very Edward Cullen of me, I know. The first thing that stood out was Collins’ infuriating inability to give any part of her fictional world names that aren’t ridiculous. Pages of “Haymitch,” “Peeta” and “Mockingjays” nearly killed my desire to finish. Then a funny thing happened — I started to really enjoy the story. By the time two “tributes” were chosen for the titular fight to the death, I was hooked. Much of the book’s appeal lies in the welldrawn characters. Katniss, the trilogy’s heroine,

is a fiercely protective hunter cut right from the Ripley mold. Her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta, is an expert with yeast and dough but not exactly the rugged hero stereotype one would imagine. Their believable pathos carry the story until the plot kicks into high gear during the games, a vividly depicted nightmare where teenagers hurl spears and hidden mines can turn a person into bloody chunks of flesh. The best compliment I can pay the book is that upon completion, I tore open the flaps to the sequel and dove in. Is “The Hunger Games” great literature? No, but it’s well written and exciting science fiction that thoughtfully explores timely themes of government power and individual freedom. If the story of Katniss lubricates even one teenager’s path into reader-

ship, then Collins has done our intellectually starving nation a great service. The rare phenomenon that lives up to the hype, “The Hunger Games” deserves this barrage of publicity. In a culture dominated by technology, it’s refreshing to see Americans go crazy about an old-fashioned book. I forgot to mention the best part — there’s not a single damn vampire included.

ANDREW REILLY -featured columnist -senior -communication major -@wrylyreilly

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for. I love how she is always there for me, no matter what time of day it is. I couldn’t imagine my life with out her. She’s my rock and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her. She is the most beautiful girl in the world.

Aries (March 21-April 19) You’re on a roll and you’re hot. Get out the message. Decisions you make now will last, possibly for generations. Consider all options. Get inspired by another.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) New opportunities develop ... go for the most realistic. Go over the instructions one more time. Completions bring new beginnings. There’s good news from afar.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Your brainpower increases exponentially when working as part of a team. Upgrade technology, but don’t forget to keep a record. Don’t make the same mistake twice.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Get into your roots for the next ew days. Reviewing your past gives a new perspective on the future with your family. Feel the love from generations.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Plot out the plan, and clarify direction. Conserve resources. Don’t worry about the money. Back up computers. Consider long-term strategy, and shoot for the stars.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Your view expands beyond your own neighborhood now, and travel sounds good. Why not? Plan it and go. You know how much to spend, so doublecheck reservations. No gambling.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Entering two days of very satisfying, intense work. Delegate what you’re not passionate about to someone who cares. New career opportunities open up.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) There’s so much to learn and so little time, or so it seems. Get organized to get it all done on schedule and have extra time to play. You can do it.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Your friends are really there for you, just like you are for them. Social networking buzzes about fun and pro it. Encourage another’s creativity. Offer solutions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) With the New Moon (and the Sun) in Aries, get into making money. Play by the rules, and ind out what your clients need. Expand your in luence. Listen to a mentor.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Complete your obligations down to the tiniest detail so that you have time to relax later. Entering a two-day romantic phase. Listen intently.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Use the next couple of days to increase pro its, but beware of burning bridges. Let go of those things you don’t want or need. Simplify your outlook.

she says: I love that he always makes me feel that I am the most important thing in his life. He knows how to pick me up when I’m having a horrible day and I love how he can always make me smile. He’s my protector and I wouldn’t know what my life would be like without him. He is my best friend. their first date: Victor was an RA in my hall

my freshman year and we hit things off the first time we met. Things just fell into place and today I couldn’t be happier that they did. Have a couple you want to nominate for ‘Couple of the Week?’ Email your nominations to studybreak@collegemedia.com with the title ‘Couple of the Week.’

sports Hokies walk off against Cornell

editors: matt jones, zach mariner

march 22, 2012

sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

COLLEGIATETIMES

DANIEL LIN / SPPS

Chad Pinder (5) reaches second base on a throwing error by Cornell’s shortstop Marshall Yanzick. The Hokies scored three runs in the sixth inning in its game against the Big Red yesterday, winning 5-4.

Hokies come from behind for second straight night to sweep two-game series against Cornell MATT JONES sports editor Virginia Tech baseball coach Pete Hughes will take his team’s 5-4 win over Cornell yesterday night, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things for his players to work on. Andrew Rash’s walk-off hit-bypitch scored Mark Zagunis in the bottom of the ninth, as the Hokies swept the two-game series. “The park was playing big today, and you have to be disciplined and hit line drives,” Hughes said. “They had a kid who pitched to contact, which was a great move. It’s just baseball too.” Tanner McIntyre pitched five and one-third innings of one-run baseball in relief of starter Colin O’Keefe, as the Hokies improved to 17-6 on the season. “It always looks like a slower start when you’re chasing three runs,” Hughes said. “Colin just couldn’t get

in the zone today.” McIntyre, a senior who transferred to Tech this season, said the Hokies have a team-first mentality when it comes to rough outings like O’Keefe had Wednesday. “I just had to be ready,” McIntrye said. “Colin didn’t have his stuff today, and you just have to pick your teammates up when they don’t have their stuff. It’s just what we do as a team.” Hughes, whose team got off to slow starts the last two nights, is looking for more heading into this weekend’s series against Duke. The Blue Devils, led by Friday night starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, should present a challenge. “I can’t wait for Friday night for (Joe) Mantiply against Stroman,” Hughes said. “That’s going to be an exciting baseball and as good as it gets in this area, so I hope we get some support from our fans.” Cornell starter Nick Busto tamed

the Hokies’ bats for 5.1 innings, allowing just two runs on four hits. While he was spectacular in his first start this season, much of the blame for the slow start goes to the Hokies. “We’ve been playing good from behind all year,” Zagunis said. “We’ve been fighting back, and we just kept fighting today. Our whole team believed, and Tanner came in and did a great job. It was just a great team win.” Tech broke through in the sixth inning against the Cornell bullpen, as Rash’s double pushed across two of three runs scored in the inning. In the seventh, the Hokies used a Cornell error to tie the game at 4-4. The score would stay tied thanks to some good bullpen performances from McIntyre and Clark Labitan. “Winning is winning, it’s good, and I feel better than I did last night,” Hughes said. “I thought it was a good win, and I feel great about those two bullpen guys coming in and getting it done.” Rash, who only had one hit on the night, finished with three RBI. “I feel great about Andrew Rash,

coming up in the seventh and hitting a big double down the left field line in a key opportunity,” Hughes said. “He really worked to get that last RBI too (in the ninth). He spoiled three pitches, and (when) we get him going, we’re off and running.” The Hokies were without regular right fielder Jake Atwell for the second-straight night as he’s resting a bone bruise in his right hand. He should be ready for Friday’s game. Regular first baseman and closer Ronnie Shaban, who tweaked his hamstring again Tuesday night, was re-evaluated yesterday. “It’s not as bad as we thought, but it’s bad enough that we probably won’t have his services for the weekend,” Hughes said. If the Hokies can get healthy and put together solid pitching and hitting, Hughes’ worries will disappear. “Friday will be fun, and it’ll be a grind. Every ACC weekend is,” Hughes said. The Hokies host the Duke Blue Devils this weekend at English Field. First pitch Friday is set for 5:30.