Thursday, March 29, 2012 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Taking back the night KAILA TAYLOR features staff writer

FILE 2011 / SPPS

Thursday, March 29, 2012

When 16-year-old Brittany Johnson found herself soaking wet and covered in rocks on the pavement of a gas station parking lot, she realized she needed to make a life change — her abusive boyfriend had thrown her on the ground after they had an argument in the car. “I got out of the car when he stopped at the gas station, and then he started to chase me,” Brittany said. “I remember it was pouring rain. He grabbed me and told me I wasn’t going anywhere.” Lying on the asphalt with a bruised back, Brittany said she desperately tried to contact someone for help, but her boyfriend wasn’t going to let that happen. As she tried to make a phone call,

he grabbed it and smashed it on the ground. “At that point, I was yelling for someone to come outside,” Brittany said. “That moment was a real eye-opener. I realized he didn’t really care. He didn’t look like the same person to me.” Thousands of women — like Brittany, now a sophomore business information technology major — are victims of sexual, emotional and physical abuse. Womanspace — a feminist and activist organization at Virginia Tech — strives to fight against such abuse. The organization is holding its 23rd annual Take Back the Night rally tonight at 7 p.m. to raise awareness of women’s issues, such as body image, reproductive rights and gender equality. see NIGHT / page two

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THE

HITTERS

HEAVY

The tale of the tape in Virginia’s ongoing abortion battle.

Roe v. Wade attorney speaks on campus Many people will keep papers, baseball cards or food in their drawers. Sarah Weddington, a lawyer from Abilene, Texas, keeps copy of Roe v. Wade, the United States Supreme Court case she successfully argued at the age of 26 with a 7-2 decision, signed by all nine presiding justices. Weddington spoke to a group of students and supporters in the local area last night to talk about the path she took that led her to win the famous case, as well as current women’s health issues still being faced today across the country. “I look back and I think about how determined we were to make a bigger space for women to live in,” Weddington said. “There were so many limits on what women could do, what their dreams were and we were determined to push back those barriers.” The event was sponsored by Womanspace, which according to the organization’s former president Jen Porter, is the only women’s activist group at Virginia Tech. “They were planning on bringing her to speak to Roanoke in order to do a few fundraisers,” Porter, a first-year geography graduate student, said. “But it didn’t seem right to only bring her for a day and only go to one or two events. So we extended the contract a little bit, Womanspace put some money in to help with costs and we got an event here at Virginia Tech, so we can cover donors in both Roanoke and Blacksburg, but also bring students into the mix.”

ALSO

Victoria Zigadlo/Collegiate Times

THE RING VA HB1:

House Bill 462:“Ultrasound”

» Bill to redefine the word “person” to include unborn children. States that the life of a human being begins at conception, that unborn children have protectable rights under the law.

Introduced by:

Amendment requiring that, at least two hours

before an abortion is performed, a medical

professional must perform an

ultrasound imaging test on the patient undergoing the abortion

to locate the fetal heartbeat and

determine gestational age.

Sen. Kathy J. Byron (R)

» Passed in House. Killed in Senate on Feb. 27.

Other details: » Not required for victims of incest or rape. » Does not include requirement of a transvaginal ultrasound » Introduced after SB484 was struck down for mandating transvaginal ultrasounds.

VA HB62:

» The patient must be offered the chance to view the ultrasound image, though she is not required to accept. » A printed copy of the ultrasound image must be maintained in the woman’s medical record at the facility where the procedure is to be preformed. Current status:

Signed March 7

» Passed in House. Passed by Senate Finance commitee on Feb. 28.

The major issues... Invasive medical procedure "The bill is an unprecedented invasion of privacy and government intrusion into the doctors’ offices and living rooms of Virginia women." -Tarina Keene, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, March 7 Press Release on HB462

"I am requesting that the General Assembly amend this bill to

US Senate Vote 24:

explicitly state that no woman in Virginia will have to undergo a

» On March 1, the Senate rejected changes to the contraceptives coverage policy that would allow employers and health insurance companies to deny coverage for contraceptives and other items they object to on religious or moral grounds. The vote was 51-48.

transvaginal ultrasound involuntarily." -Gov. Bob McDonnell, Feb. 22 Press Release on SB484

Barriers to abortion access "Despite the unprecedented public outcry over the past few days, the Virginia Senate

"This bill does not legally alter a woman's ability to make a

has voted to erect new barriers for women seeking their constitutional protected

choice regarding her pregnancy. It does, however, put Virginia in

right to terminate a pregnancy."

line with 23 other states that have some type of requirement..."

-Jessica Honke of Virginia Planned Parenthood, March

-McDonnell, March 7 Press Release on HB462

Lack of state funding "If you have had the conviction and the political will to tell a woman what's

"This is not just a simple matter of an inexpensive test. This is a matter for

in the best interest of her body and her well-being, and tell doctors how to

many of human life, of the sanctity of human life and not about a small,

practice medicine, then you should at least have the decency to pay for it." -Sen. Ralph S. Northam (R), during Budget debate on March 27

few-million-dollar expenditure for tests that are being discussed on this floor.” -Sen. Jeff McWaters, during Budget debate on March 27

see ROE / page two

First lady headlines graduation MICHELLE SUTHERLAND news editor First lady Michelle Obama will speak at the 2012 University Commencement ceremony, the first time a the wife of a president has ever addressed a commencement ceremony at Virginia Tech. Obama was inspired by the “resilience of the student body and the community coming together to support each other in difficult times,” according to a statement from the White House. “We are delighted that the nation’s first lady, Michelle Obama, will join us to celebrate commencement with Virginia Tech’s 2012 graduates,” said President Charles Steger in a university press release. Tech is the first of a series of commencement addresses Obama

» Repeal the section that allows the Board of Health to provide funding for abortions of financially eligible women in which a physician certifies he believes the fetus would be born with a gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or mental deficiency.

will give this spring. Afterward, she will speak at North Carolina A&T University and Oregon State University. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) will also speak at the ceremony, which is to be held May 11 at noon at Lane Stadium.

news staff writer Yannis Ioannides, an economics professor at Tufts University, will be lecturing on the Greek debt crisis tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Ioannides has been an economics professor at several schools, including Brown and Boston universities. Prior to working at Tufts, Ioannides was the department head of economics at Virginia Tech. Ioannides has also provided his perspective as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the European Investment Bank.

2011: Kenneth Feinberg 2010: Bob McDonnell 2009: Lance Smith 2008: Hoda Kolb 2007: John Phillip Abizald

Professor to lecture DEAN SEAL

recent speakers

MCT CAMPUS

» Upheld President Obama’s birth control policy, announced in January 2012, that requires most health insurance plans to cover contraceptives for women free of charge.

The lecture will be one in a series done for the International Week, held each year by the Council of International Students Organization. Foteini Vasilikou, treasurer for the CISO, was glad to get the prestigious professor back in Virginia for the lecture. “The scope of the week is to promote diversity,” Vasilikou said, “so we try to have international speakers, talking about issues in the international community.” Ioannides, a dual citizen of the United States and Greece, will use both his insights as an economist and a Greek to provide a discerning viewpoint on the financial and cultural implications of the debt crisis.

news

march 29, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

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

Roe: Feminists fight back

what you’re saying Hokies march for Trayvon

from page one

Her lecture was in conjuncture with various women’s rights events occurring this week, including the main event tonight on the Drillfield, Take Back the Night. The room was full of students from universities around the area, members of the local Planned Parenthood affiliate and local supporters, many of whom were activists during the height of the women’s rights movement. Roe v. Wade was argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court twice — once in 1971 and again in 1973. Although the plaintiff in the case was a Texas woman under the fake name Jane Roe, who wished to get an abortion in Texas but was refused the right, Weddington said the case for her began much earlier while she was at the University of Texas. “It was partially looking at all the ways women were limited,” Weddington said. “One of the ways that was most frustrating was the issue of contraception and abortion. The University of Texas in 1969 at the health center had a policy that no women could have contraception unless it was certified that she was within six weeks of marriage.” This lack of ability to obtain necessary contraceptives or abortions drove many graduate students to form a counseling service in which they advised some students about places they could receive safe abortions, although illegal, according to Weddington. The students came up to her saying they wanted to bring this to court, and Jane Roe was found. On Jan. 22, the Supreme Court ruled that a women’s right to an abortion was considered a right of privacy, using Griswold v. Connecticut as precedent. Weddington, who was in Texas when the decision was made, found out about the verdict when a reporter for the New York Times called her asking for a statement. Porter was optimistic the event will inspire students to do more in their community to promote women’s rights. “I’m hoping people will get the energy to go do something outside,” she said. “Whether it’s calling your representative or writing

Pete: Not here to defend Zimmmerman whatsoever,

who was clearly a fool (at best) and should have backed off when told to by 911 center. But the hyprocrisy of the protests is apalling. As more than one civil rights leader has pointed out blacks kill vastly more blacks (and probably whites kill more whites and hispanics more hispanics, etc.) than hispanics (in this case) kill blacks. But no protests, nothing. Only politicians and the Sharpton, Jesse crowd try desperately trying to get viability and publicity from this tragedy. And that includes the POTUS. What about all the young men that look like him who have died in Chicago this year? Where is the outrage? Oh yeah, no stoking the divisions and mustering the political base with that old story. Sick.

Whistleblower: The mainstream media is literally

salivating at this Hispanic (he has a Jewish father and Hispanic mother) on Black killing. They of course are calling Zimmerman white to beef up racial divisions in a more traditional sense. If Zimmerman is correctly identified as Hispanic, it could split the Democrat vote this November and cost Obama the election. We can’t have that now, can we?

a letter. We’ve fought for 44 years for this and we can’t stop fighting now. We have to keep the energy up, we have to keep going and we have to remember there was something worse than this before Roe v. Wade.” In light of recent legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly, which includes a bill that would require women to receive an ultrasound before an abortion, many believe there needs to be different faces in Richmond. “Access to contraceptive is seriously at risk for women, as well as access to abortion,” said Melissa Reed, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood Health Systems. “We cannot be complacent, and one of the best ways to ensure that we maintain those hard-fought fights and those rights is to vote and to educate yourself about who is going to support women’s reproductive freedom and vote for that candidate.” Porter is worried this recent legislation is having a permanent negative affect on Virginia’s reputation. “We’re the embarrassment of the country right now,” she said. “Progressives in Virginia are upset because we just look like we’re the ones raging the war on women. I think that’s touching a lot of people and they’re saying we have to change our representatives in Virginia.” - Kelsey Jo Starr, news staff writer

Zimmerman could have shot Trayvon from a distance and quickly bagged and removed the body if he really was the racist vigilante that he is being portrayed as. Instead, he walked up and had a confrontation with a fit young man, they got into a fight and Trayvon nearly subdued him. Only then did Zimmerman used his pistol to kill Trayvon. Zimmerman is justified in the killing of Martin but don’t count on many mainstream media outlets to ever tell that truth. They have “hate crime” dollars to make.

Regulations waste money

James: This quote from a Supreme Court justice

C.J. YUNGER / SPPS

Sarah Weddington, who won the famous U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade at the age of 26, speaks in the Owens Banquet Hall.

provides insight into how the government can do anything it wants from cradle to grave:”And then the question is when you are born and you don’t have insurance and you will in fact get sick and you will in fact impose costs, have you perhaps involuntarily — perhaps simply because you are a human being — entered this particular market, which is a market for health care?”One day you will attempt to acquire care for health related matters, so we will preemptively compel you to enter into a contract with a health insurance provider. Can’t wait for this precedent to be set and see how it can be used in the future.

Night: Group preps rally from page one

The event seeks to give sound to every voice that has been silenced by fear and uncertainty — in unison, these voices will protest against women’s violence. Brittany seized control of her life and relationship on the side of the road on that rainy day, stopping a moving car and getting a ride home — she was finished with her boyfriend. Looking back on the experience, Brittany has advice for other women in abusive relationships. “Stop making excuses for him and yourself,” she said. “You are your most valuable possession. Anyone that has you should treat you like the precious jewel that you are.” But the incident with her boyfriend at the gas station wasn’t the first of its kind. After they started dating, Brittany said she told her boyfriend she wanted to end the relationship, at which time he became controlling and obsessive, calling her up to 20

53rd Annual International Street Fair Come and enjoy a FUN-filled day with Delicious Food, Live Performances, Music, and Entertainment! Saturday, March 31st, 2012 College Ave - Blacksburg 11am-4pm Rain Venue: Squires Student Center

Sponsored by Council of International Student Organization (CISO) Co-Sponsored by Cranwell International Center Division of Student Affairs Downtown Blacksburg, Inc.

times and leaving her up to 80 text messages at a time. In the middle of the night, she said her boyfriend came to her house and banged on her window. “He came in and just started arguing with me,” Brittany said. “I was lying on my bed ignoring him when he ripped the covers off of me and kept yelling. As Brittany tried to get away, she said he pulled her back, throwing her onto the bed almost causing a head injury. Afterward, the couple broke up, but rekindled the relationship months later. It ultimately ended following the gas station incident. Womanspace members — including Ruby Johnson, a junior mining and mineral engineering major and Womanspace facilitator — seek to bring light to stories like Brittany’s, initiating dialogue so more women have the opportunity to speak up about their experiences. “One thing you need to make a change is to start a positive dia-

logue,” Ruby said. “It lets women know it’s OK to talk about violence and it’s OK to ask for help. It happens to so many women. Dialogue makes it easier to share your story.” Through Take Back the Night, Susan Anderson, the Womanspace faculty advisor, hopes abuse victims and anti-violence advocates will join together, changing the attitudes of silenced women and showing women’s abuse is an apparent problem. “Our rally is to educate people about the violence that happens in our community,” Anderson said. “The march is to energize participants. Chanting together is a solidifying action.” Womanspace also held the Clothesline Project, which tries to further inform the community about women’s violence. Hundreds of T-shirts — each meant to represent a woman who has been abused. The T-shirts, which vary in color based on a different form of abuse, were displayed on the Drillfield Tuesday.

opinions

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

march 29, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

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

Our Views [staff editorial]

Women’s issues require research and tolerance

ost of the Republican primary and forecasts for the general election have focused on the United States’ economic prospects. But this trend may be changing, as the past month has seen the rise of social issues at the state and national levels. In particular, these issues have been overwhelmingly related to women — whether they are “women’s health issues” or “religious liberty issues” depends on your bias. From the Obama administration’s contraception mandate to Rush Limbaugh’s subsequent “slut” comments to Virginia’s ultrasound bill that hits a bit closer to home, both sides have made their beliefs overwhelmingly (and sometimes unfortunately) clear. There have been benefits to this. Suddenly, Americans and Virginian voters are discussing problems that are important to many women. But these debates have predictably generated a great deal of misinformed attitudes and cruel attacks on character. Regardless of political persuasion, most people ought to agree that Limbaugh’s comment about Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke was at the very least extremely rude, especially considering Limbaugh is a public figure while Fluke is a private citizen. But politics as usual took over, and several conservative commentators were quick to defend his words as free

speech (which was never disputed) and point out Bill Maher’s past comments about Sarah Palin (as if this makes Limbaugh’s comments any more justifiable). Knee-jerk reactions also consumed many Virginians when the since-killed “personhood” bill was introduced in the Virginia legislature. Those for whom fiery rhetorical rants take precedent over informed, level-headed responses were quick to demonstrate against the bill, arguing it would pre-empt Roe v. Wade by defining personhood at the moment of conception, thus effectively barring abortions in the state. This, however, was factually incorrect, as the bill included a provision that explicitly stated it did not affect a woman’s right to an abortion. Ad-hominem attacks like Limbaugh’s willfully ignore the essential question of reducing costs in favor of bullying and generating much ado about nothing. Likewise, Virginians’ misinterpretation of the personhood bill is a sad reflection of the state’s collective intelligence — or at least the citizens’ willingness to use it. Asking people to do their research before posting a rant, avoid obvious logical flaws and be civil toward others should not be too high of a bar to set. Anything less borders on intolerance or ignorance and reflects poorly on our university, state and country. The editorial board is comprised of the editors of the Collegiate Times

Your Views [letter to the editor]

Regulations are not a waste of US money

adeline Hennings, in her column published yesterday titled “Regulations waste money,” finds regulations issued by the Obama administration to be deplorable. It is fashionable and commonplace in some quarters to bemoan federal regulations, but her examples are exceedingly weak, thereby undermining her case. Here is her first example: “One of the major and most costly regulations is a part of Obamacare, which requires health insurance companies to produce a summary of benefits and coverage based on the government’s template and glossary.” How awful. Insurance companies are required to use a standard format and language so those insured can understand the summary of benefits. Really. Her second example is that the Department of Energy is developing “tougher urinal efficiency standards.” How horrid. No doubt these new standards will improve water

efficiency. Although many people think of water as an inexhaustible resource, it is actually a precious resource we need to conserve. Her third example is that the Department of Agriculture is developing “stricter nutrition standards for school breakfast and lunch programs.” She writes, “it is the parents’ responsibility to control their child’s diet and make decisions for them, not Big Brother’s.” But if their children are at school all day and eating one or two meals there, it is hard for the parent to control what food their child consumes. The regulations are intended to ensure that children get nutritious meals, rather than the lowest-possible cost meals full of fat and sugar. Setting aside the rhetoric Hennings uses, the actual examples she cites suggest the regulations she deplores probably impose minimal costs to make some valuable improvements in our society work. Theodore Fuller, Sociology professor

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MCT CAMPUS

Hold Martin judgment until all the facts are out I

’ve read tens, maybe hundreds, of thousands of words on the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the South Florida teenager whose shooting death last month at the hands of a neighborhood watch volunteer has become a national symbol of continuing American racism. But in all those words, there are three that haven’t come up that seem worth remembering to me: Duke lacrosse team. In 2006, the phrase “Duke lacrosse team” was seething shorthand for the evocation of racial power and privilege, the everybody-knows-it truism that to be white and wealthy was a license to rape and plunder other races, the moral certainty that for all our cheap rhetoric to the contrary, millennial America was really just 1955 Mississippi dressed up with an affirmative action program or two. A young black stripper told police that, at a drunken party thrown by captains of the nearly all-white Duke lacrosse team, she was choked, raped and sodomized for 30 minutes by three players. Rich white-boy jocks despoil poor black girl working her way through college! A building-full of progressive sociologists working round the clock for a week couldn’t have come up with a story that pushed more hot buttons on race, gender and wealth. Overnight, the stripper’s story turned from an accusation to the national common wisdom. Mobs swarmed around the home of the lacrosse players, banging pots and pans. Wanted posters bearing the names and photos of 40 players were posted around campus. The team’s games were canceled, its coach fired. Any attempt by the lacrosse players to defend themselves became further evidence of their guilt. When the players said they

wanted to consult with attorneys before complying with a police request for DNA samples, cable news’ video lynchmistress Nancy Grace was incredulous. “You’re kidding, right?” she squawked, adding that their house ought to be burned down. The string-’em-all-up-let-Godsort-’em-out approach was by no means restricted to the perpetually belligerent Grace. Selena Roberts, now with Sports Illustrated but then a New York Times columnist, said that the refusal of the players to identity the rapists among their ranks was “a conspiracy of silence.” The possibility that there were no rapists was, well, impossible, for “the intersection of entitlement and enablement, there is Duke University, virtuous on the outside, debauched on the inside.” Even Duke’s own faculty scoffed at the idea that anybody needed to wait for judicial due process. “We’re turning up the volume,” 88 professors wrote in a letter to the student newspaper. “To the students speaking individually and to the protesters making collective noise, thank you for not waiting and for making yourselves heard.” By not waiting, they also made themselves look like fools. In the courtroom, where evidence counted for more than righteous outrage and political cant, the case against the lacrosse players was non-existent. Traces of the DNA of several men were found on the stripper’s body, but not one of them matched to a member of the Duke team. A second stripper at the party said the two women were together for all but about five minutes of the evening and she didn’t see any rape. Time-stamped photos showed that the stripper was already scratched and bruised when she arrived at the house.

When the charges were finally dropped a year later, North Carolina’s attorney general took the unusual step of saying that the players were not merely not guilty, but actually innocent, the victims of a “tragic rush to accuse.” The case’s prosecutor was dismissed, disbarred and jailed for his outrageous misconduct. Six years later, we may be leading another tragic rush to accuse in the Trayvon Martin case. The 28-year-old man who shot Martin, George Zimmerman, has already been convicted in public opinion inflamed by political quacks and hacks and race huckster Al Sharpton, who see America as a seething mass of homicidal racism. “I only want one thing,” said U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., last week. “It’s real simple: I want an arrest.” Based on what? Not a single shred of evidence to surface publicly contradicts Zimmerman’s story — that he was trying to follow Martin, who confronted him, jumped him and then began banging his head on the ground. The only witness to their struggle who’s come forward supported Zimmerman’s account in a weekend interview with a Tampa TV station. He could be lying, of course, or mistaken. And there may be other witnesses who will testify differently. I have no idea what happened that night. But neither does Jesse Jackson, who last week explained that Martin was shot because “killing us is big business.” You remember Jesse. He’s the one who said the Duke lacrosse players were just acting out “the special fantasies and realities of exploitation.” Even when they weren’t.

GLENN GARVIN -mcclatchy newspapers

Law grads lose suit, miss lesson If

y ou think the world is going to hell in a handbasket, let me introduce you to Melvin L. Schweitzer. A state Supreme Court judge in Manhattan, Schweitzer on March 21 threw out a lawsuit by nine graduates of New York Law School claiming it misled them about their job prospects. They sought $225 million in damages. There is an important lesson in all this, which I’ll get to in a bit, but first I want to describe the case, which offers lessons of its own about an over-reliance on the judicial system for salving life’s disappointments. Although its alumni appear amply endowed with chutzpah, New York Law School is not the nation’s premier training ground for legal eagles. Not to be confused with the renowned New York University School of Law, New York Law has a “lackluster ranking and reputation,” according to the plaintiffs. No dispute there. It also charges annual tuition of $48,700. Yet its graduates do go on to have careers in law — as many of the plaintiffs seem to have done, their complaint notwithstanding. By the time of the judge’s ruling, four of them had found jobs practicing law. A fifth was a lawyer on a contract basis, while a sixth was a paralegal. And two had yet to pass the New York bar exam.

As the judge noted, moreover, seven of the nine graduated into the sharp teeth of the Great Recession, a time when things were pretty tough all over. Schweitzer, who took the trouble to write a 36-page opinion, summed up his view of the case in words that should be chiseled over the doorway of every law school in the country: “Not every ailment afflicting society may be redressed by a lawsuit.” But what about the claim that New York Law School misrepresented how well its graduates were doing? In general, lesser law schools are notorious for massaging the numbers on this score, but the judge concluded the school’s data wasn’t misleading, at least not to students shopping for a law school. Yet New York Law and America’s other second-rate law schools aren’t out of the woods. An appeal is likely in this case. Lawyers for disgruntled grads have brought at least a dozen additional such cases against law schools around the country, and have threatened 20 more with litigation. There is something deeply satisfying about discovering that the law schools whose spawn have given us such a litigious society may yet be snared by their own devices. But while it’s easy to deride such lawsuits — as in the war

between Iraq and Iran in the 1980s, it’s hard to know whom to root for — there may well be some value in them. Maybe they’ll force law schools to be more careful in representing their results — and to focus more on preparing graduates for the real world of legal practice. Deterring some applicants might eventually reduce the supply of attorneys, which is already more than ample. It would be great to redeploy some of this talent into other areas of the economy. Much has been made of abuses by for-profit colleges that get students to borrow huge sums for degrees that have little value. The lesser law schools are increasingly susceptible to the same criticisms. Which brings us to the real lesson of this column, one that should be written on the refrigerator of every family with kids looking ahead to college. That lesson is: Don’t pay top dollar for mediocrity. It’s tragic to think of students saddling themselves with huge debts to buy a low-quality degree that confers little earning power in the marketplace. Schweitzer’s view from the bench is that students going to law school should know better. You should too.

DANIEL AKST -mcclatchy newspapers

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march 29, 2012

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: You may find yourself getting lost in your studies. It could be that kind of birthday. There’s so much interesting material to cover! Craft a careful plan before investing real money this year, and keep to the budget. Patience pays.

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Stronger (What

(5) 3

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Set Fire to the Rain • Adele

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WORD BANK 1 Rod 2 Bait 3 Worm 4 Bite 5 Dock 6 Lake 7 Ocean 8 Bass 9 Tuna 10 Flounder 11 Trout 12 Bobber 13 Weight 14 Line 15 Reel 16 Catch 17 Perch 18 Bluegill

UNSCRAMBLER

FEATURED

EVERY

FRIDAY

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IN THE

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

weekend

march 29, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

wryly

ReILLY DELIGHTFULLY OFFENSIVE.

‘World War II was 70 years ago, bro’ — The myth of American exceptionalism

magine a glee club with 196 diverse, well-groomed teenagers preparing to sing rock band Asia’s classic “Heat of the Moment.” There’s a lot of pressure to do well because a great performance could earn them a trip to regionals. A problem arises though: Three kids won’t sing Asia’s 1982 masterpiece, inexplicably insisting on performing Jefferson Starship’s “We Built This City.” Everyone tries to convince the holdouts to switch their song for the group’s sake. “We’ve come so far,” they plead. “Don’t hold us back when we’re this close to regionals!” Nonetheless, the 193 are met with refusal, and the future of this once-promising singing collective remains in question. If you were one of the 193-strong majority, wouldn’t you be frustrated at the asinine stubbornness? Now switch the legendary sounds of Asia for the metric system and the three contrarians with Liberia, Myanmar and the United States, and the situation seems even more ridiculous. The rest of the world uses a system based on universally accepted measurements. We cling to a system based on the size of a king’s foot. Any pinko commie foreigners be damned if they try to point out the absurdity of doing so. Welcome to the 21st century U.S., where logic is fine and dandy as long as it doesn’t threaten the infallible notion of American exceptionalism. In the past, this meant belief in the potential of a fledgling nation to thrive above the rest because of our work ethic and independent spirit. Now it’s a cover-all

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however, when we assume that simply being born in a place entitles us to excellence. In a civilized society, each generation is expected to build upon the progress of their forefathers to ensure the survival of the state. What exactly has ours accomplished to warrant feelings of exceptionalism? Successfully reboot “21 Jump Street?” Prove this country is over racism by electing a black president, only to become more racist as a result? Americans are so caught up assuming our nation is God’s gift to the planet that we forget just how many parts of it are broken. What many politicians call “the best Ease up, America. We don’t health care in the world” is a costly, always have to be the ba- inefficient mess. Our dass know-it-alls. Some- college system has become a farce; even times, it’s OK to admit we’re this fine institution learned doctors the new kids on the team ...” of is filled with people who deserve a colLook, I’m pretty darn proud lege degree like Kirk Cameron of my country. Americans were deserves a GLAAD award. easily the MVP of the 20th cen- Worse, it’s nearly impossible to tury and did a lot of the heavy fix these problems because our lifting in ushering the world two-party political system is an into the Internet era. abject failure that forces moderI love our senselessly violent ates to pick their poison most football culture, jaw-dropping elections. array of cable television options Rather than look at other and regulated capitalist system, countries to see what they’ve which, despite some spectacu- done right, we brand their ways lar inequality, generally offers as un-American and trudge the opportunity for advance- ahead boorishly. God forbid we ment. Occasionally, I even tarnish the founding fathers’ dabble in country music. Give memories by incorporating any me some repressed homosexual European policies. urges, and I could pass for a Ease up, America. We don’t Republican senator. always have to be the badass Pride becomes dangerous, know-it-alls. Sometimes it’s OK

“

to admit we’re the new kids to the team — strong, almost freakishly athletic, but still learning the game a little bit. No one else has our potential except for maybe that home-schooled guy, but he doesn’t exactly seem like the stable type. At this point we’ve proven ourselves to the “haters” so ubiquitous in our homegrown pseudo-gangster culture. Other countries may gripe about our immaturity and general bull in a China shop approach to foreign policy, but everyone knows who the top dog is. Gross domestic product doesn’t lie, homeboy. So why can’t faith in the American way coexist with an appreciation of what has made other cultures successful? As much as many citizens would love to freeze our nation in a pastoral Rockwellian fantasy where Ronald Reagan is president forever, time unfortunately presses on. The logical path forward is clear. We need to adapt to the realities of the 21st century, incorporating the world’s best ideas into our already-successful foundation. Or, you know, we can just sit back and bask in nostalgia, expecting to stay the best because of what our grandparents did nearly a century ago. It’s not like a nation as strong as America could ever fail. Just ask the Romans.

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

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word Tying thetell theknot? world.

couple

OF THE

week

UNSCRAMBLER

justification to resist “change,” which, as everyone knows, is just a liberal code word for socialism. Never mind that American education lags behind the rest of the first world, our bloated prison system has nearly 10 times the number of prisoners as any other developed country, and a significant amount of adults believe radio hosts with no college degrees are better informed about science than actual scientists. We are Americans, dammit. We are always right, without question, and if you disagree you might as well chow down on a bald eagle and use the flag as toilet paper afterward.

solutions: “Major U.S. Cities” 1) Chicago 2) New York 3) Los Angeles 4) Houston 5) Philadelphia 6) Phoenix 7) Dallas 8) Washington

RUSSELL & RACHEL

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Send us a picture, name, age, type, and your pet’s interests!

Send your information and a photo to the Collegiate Times at studybreak@collegemedia.com to make an announcement.

dating since: October of 2011 he says: We spend every moment together,

and it never gets old. We share a love for the little things like Cookout and ice cream. She’s my best friend and I can’t wait to see what our future together holds.

she says: Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Sometimes it’s ine to hide away and be pensive. Today might be one of those days. Be mindful of what you say now so that you don’t have to recant later.

Aries (March 21-April 19) A leisurely day taken at a slow pace goes over nicely today. Handle the basics, and devote more time than usual to long walks, sitting in silence and doing “nothing.”

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Compromise may seem impossible. It could be a good time to ask an expert for help. Sometimes it’s wise to not try to do it all yourself. Resting can be good, too.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Slow and steady does it. Practical considerations have your attention. You may need to get dirty. You may discover limitations. Imagine the inished product.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Avoid being too demanding in your relationships. Pick yourself up by your bootstraps, or ind a friend to help you get back on the horse. It’s easier this next time around.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Don’t let a minor disagreement mess up your plans. If you break your word, clean it up. You’ll feel better right away. Communication’s key.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Don’t issue orders; barter instead. Travel’s not advised. Things aren’t as you thought. A productive morning handles routine home and work tasks. A quiet night rejuvenates.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Get the work done one step at a time. Take regular breaks to increase productivity. Avoid getting into a needless argument with a loved one.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Choose love and community over fortune: They’re worth more, especially today. Write down your thoughts to avoid forgetting the good stuff. Take it easy.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Don’t spend your stash on momentary pleasures. Postpone romance for a few days, and clean house (avoid an argument). Make popcorn at home. Indulge sel ish pursuits.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) There could be romantic misunderstandings, or some kind of a barrier. Your money’s not required. Don’t get discouraged. Patience and a sense of humor get you farther.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) On your climb to be king of the hill, be considerate. Your eagerness to succeed could create trouble. Avoid impulsiveness with money and love. Slow and steady does it.

Russell is my better half; we complete each other. The age difference doesn’t mean much to us because we’re both young at heart. I know I can’t find anyone better than Rusty.

their first date: We both went to the same high school but didn’t know each other existed until he came to Virginia Tech. We met by random chance…I guess you can call it fate. 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 kick off spring practice

editors: matt jones, zach mariner

march 29, 2012

featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

COLLEGIATETIMES

ZACH MARINER sports editor Virginia Tech’s first practice of the spring yesterday night left the coaching staff with few answers and plenty of questions. “Rusty, as expected,” said starting quarterback Logan Thomas. “But, it was good to get back out there.” Nearly three months after their heartbreaking 23-20 OT loss to Michigan in the Sugar Bowl, the Hokies retook the field with hopes of improvement from current players and development of a few firsttime spring faces. Here are some offensive storylines to keep an eye on this spring. (Look for defensive storylines in tomorrow’s paper.)

RETURN OF THE KING

While the offense does lose eight of its 11 starts from last year’s unit, it does bring back its most important piece: Thomas. However, despite the losses, he doesn’t think they’ll skip a beat.

“I think we’re going to be just fine,” he said. “We’ve got some experience out wide in our receiving core, and they’ll use their knowledge and let the young guys know.” While Thomas does lose David Wilson, Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale from last season’s squad, he’s confident in the playmakers he has around him this year — and with good reason. Senior wide receivers Marcus Davis, DJ Coles and Dyrell Roberts will all provide viable targets for Thomas and play key roles come fall. “Also, the backfield, they’ve got me back there, so if they’ve got questions they can ask me,” he said. “The O-line will be fine like always, coach (Curt) Newsome will get them right. I think we’ll be a dominant offense just like we were last year.” Thomas is coming off his first year as the starter when he threw for 3,013 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 59.8 percent of

his passes. He also ran for 469 yards and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns. However, the redshirt junior is only focused on improving at this point. “You’re never done learning,” he said. “I’ve got to go out here every day and play in practice like it’s a game. The guys will see that, as well. Everybody’s got something to prove. “I’ve got to be more accurate, make better reads and deliver the ball on time. I think if I do that, I can be a better player and make this offense a better group.”

O-LINE HAS A NEW LOOK

Newsome’s bunch has lost four of its five starters from last season, and at this point, those who will fill the starting roles are not quite for certain. However, even though center Andrew Miller is the only returning starter, others along the line have seen significant action in games before, including Michael Via and Nick Becton.

“Yeah, there’s a bunch of guys who have played,” Newsome said. “I think this group will work hard; I think it’ll be a great spring based on the little bit of it we saw. They’ve gotta keep that intensity. They came out today with a good attitude, and I think this group’s got a chance.” Vying for the starting positions are Becton, Via, Vinston Painter, David Wang, Matt Arkema, Mark Shuman and Brent Benedict. Benedict, who sat out last year after transferring from Georgia, has a good chance to earn one of the spots, as long as he can work off some of that rust. “He’s got a physical presence, and that’s what you like about him,” Newsome said. “There’s just some technical issues in what you see in the limited amount we’ve watched. But, as far as being a big, physical, strong, tough guy — I think that’s what he brings to the table.” While this bunch would appear to be the team’s biggest concern at this point, their field general remains confident in their development, primarily because of their coach. “Those guys will be just fine,” Thomas said. “They have one of the best coaches out there in coach Newsome. He’ll get them right, get their minds right and they’ll be ready to go when that time comes. Of course there’s going to be some learning, but I think they’ll be just fine.”

BIG SHOES TO FILL IN THE BACKFIELD

When David Wilson announced in January that he would forgo his senior season for the NFL, all eyes shifted to redshirt freshman Michael Holmes, sophomore Tony Gregory and incoming freshman JC Coleman. As Gregory is still recovering from off-season knee surgery, Holmes and Coleman will get their chances to shine this spring. After one day, their position coach liked what he saw. “I was pleased,” said Shane Beamer. “Mike had a lot of retention, going back to last year. I thought he remembered a lot of it. Today was very basic, what we put in from an offensive standpoint. “But he was good, and JC was a guy you wouldn’t have known was his first practice. He seemed natural out there and picked things up really well.”

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

The offensive line hits the sleds early in Wednesday night’s practice. Thomas also seemed impressed after day one. “They looked good,” he said. “Obviously it’s a learning curve. Today was kind of simple, so I think everybody handled it pretty well.” Holmes got some action during the spring scrimmages last year, and even more during fall practice. His quarterback likes what he’s seen so far, even going so far as to compare him to another great Hokie running back. “I think he’s a lot like Ryan Williams, in comparison,” Thomas said. “He’s got great lateral movement, and he’s got good quickness straight ahead. He’ll make you miss more than he’ll run over you.” Coleman, who just enrolled in January, had been waiting for this day for a long time. He said he had to take a nap during the afternoon just to make time go by more

quickly. “I just want to learn and look after Michael Holmes and what he did,” Coleman said. “He’s been a year so he has a tighter grasp on things than I do. I’m really trying to get adjusted to the speed of the game.” While both looked impressive, the competition is still wide open, as Beamer still has no clue who his No. 1 guy will be. “Michael Holmes took the first rep out here today because he’s been here the longest,” Beamer said. “Every day it’s competition, every day we’re evaluating, and that’s what we’ve told them. “We’ve got 15 days of practice, and we’re evaluating every practice, every rep you take is being evaluated. So, we want to compete. And, in the best programs in the country, you have that kind of competition, and that’s what we have.”