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Apathy causes America reacts to Osama’s death students to study less BY JACOB BATTE AND MALLORY SIMERVILLE The Daily Mississippian
BY EMILY DAVIS The Daily Mississippian
Despite increasing tuition rates, more students are attending college than ever before. But are students actually learning anything? Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa recently published “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses,” which exposes national issues of higher education and claims that undergraduates are slacking more than ever before. In today’s society, a college degree is a basic requirement for a job in almost any profession, and some parents start saving for their children’s college expenses when they are very young. However, research by the Collegiate Learning Assessment illustrates that once in college, many undergraduates do not learn much. The main reason: a lack of motivation. Academic drifters are students who have no clear idea of what they want to do with their degree and who show little discipline. Compared to previous decades, “Students as a whole have fewer academic standards and lower work ethic,” Stacey Reycraft, director of Student Disability Services, said. Economic surveys in “Academically Adrift” show that in the 1920s students averaged 40 hours a week on academic studies. This number has declined over time, and by 2003, the average student spent only 13 hours a week on academics. The authors also gave a cognitive test to 2,300 students across the country, and 45 percent showed no sign of improvement in cognitive thinking, complex reasoning and creative writing during their first two years. This decline has very little effect on GPA fluctuation. Rather than learning the substance of their majors, students learn the art of managing college. According to statistics released by Duke University, students shape their schedules to include classes that require less See DRIFTERS, PAGE 4
Late Sunday night, President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. armed forces. He called the assassination the greatest achievement made thus far in the War on Terror. “The world is safer. It is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden,” Obama said in his address to the nation. Bin Laden’s death marks the end of a decade-long manhunt that began shortly after the September 11 attacks in 2001. When it was announced in 2001 that bin Laden was dead, festivities began to spring up all over the country with national news showcasing major cities, specifically New York and Washington, D.C. Thousands showed up at ground zero to remember the lives lost during the tragic incident. Oxford joined the rest of the country in celebration with reports that Kincannon Hall and Crosby Hall were host to several parties after hearing the news. Sancreisha Morgan, a freshman political science major, said she witnessed some of the celebrations around Oxford. “Last night I saw on Jackson Ave. a group of boys driving a truck with flags and everything,” Morgan said. “I think it boosted our patriotism.” On the other hand, Lucinda Morgan, senior psychology major, said she believes that the celebrations may have been a bit excessive. President Obama and his national security team watched the strike on bin Laden in real time. According to the Associated Press, members of the Navy SEAL team typically wear helmet cameras that transmit sound and video to their operation centers and that data can be fed live to the White House and Pentagon. The White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan said they would not release any information about the raid at this time. The Associated Press announced that bin Laden was hunted down based on information first gleaned years ago from detainees at secret CIA prison sites in Eastern Europe, officials disclosed Monday. U.S. officials said a DNA match proved his identity, and his body was taken for a burial at sea. Although many believe he’s dead, some remain skeptical.
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PRIDE OF THE SOUTH BENEFIT CONCERT The University of Mississippi Band is hosting a benefit concert tonight featuring the University Wind Ensemble. The concert will help raise money for the Friends of Note Scholarship Endowment. The Wind Ensemble will play a traditional concert including a Sousa March. A reception will be held in the Ford Center lobby at 6:45 p.m. to meet the students before the concert. 7:30 p.m. Free
inside OPINION
FINDING OSAMA
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama announced during a press conference Sunday night that a team of United States Navy SEALS killed Osama bin Laden in his compound in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Amber Dickson, freshman criminal justice major, said she doesn’t believe he was assassinated. “I don’t think he’s dead,” Dickson said. “He’s been dead once before, now he’s just in hiding. When they show me a body, I’ll believe it.” In an AP article, U.S. officials addressed the skepticism that followed after announcing his death. “We are going to do everything we can to make sure that nobody has any basis to try to deny that we got Osama bin Laden,” John Brennan, President Obama’s counterterrorism adviser, said Monday. He also said the U.S. will “share what we can because we want to make sure that not only the American people, but the world understand exactly what happened.” The next step is to deal with any possible of kind of retaliation. “I’m glad he’s dead, but I’m scared about the U.S. now because they are going to retaliate,” Quadray Kohlhim, business marketing freshman, said. “They’re
not going to stop until somebody’s dead. Similar to 9-11, only worse.” According to an AP article, halfway around the world a prominent al-Qaida commentator vowed revenge for bin Laden’s death. “Woe to his enemies. By God, we will avenge the killing of the Sheik of Islam,” he wrote under his online name Assad al-Jihad2. “Those who wish that jihad has ended or weakened, I tell them: Let us wait a little bit.” The terrorists “almost certainly will attempt to avenge” bin Laden’s death, CIA Director Leon Panetta wrote in a memo. “Bin Laden is dead. Al-Qaida is not.” After the announcement, the Department of Homeland Security warned that the death would likely be motivation for attacks. “While there are no specific, bin Laden-related threats at this time, every logical and prudent step is being taken to mitigate any developing threats,” FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said in an AP article.
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Bin Laden, 9/11 and the conflict of our generation BY LEXI THOMAN Columnist
T H E
I was putting the final touches on my column for next week Sunday night when I heard the news. Osama bin Laden, the man our country has been searching for near on a decade, is dead. Well, so much for that column. I saved the document onto the hard drive of my computer, opened a blank page in Word and began writing the column you see before you today. We all remember where we were the day the towers fell, when the Pentagon burned and when a lone plane brought itself down in the cornfields of Pennsylvania. Sept. 11, 2001 is, for many of us, the first major event in our nation’s history that we remember with vivid detail, and in many ways, is the single event that has defined our generation in terms of our outlook on the world. At the time, my family and I were living outside of Philadelphia. As with most schools on the East Coast that day, we went into lockdown when the first plane crashed into the first of the Twin Towers. The principal gathered all of the students into the audito-
rium and told us that the World Trade Center had been attacked. She put the live news coverage on the auditorium projector, and we all watched as the second plane struck. It is my first memory of dread felt like: the cold, slick feeling crawled down my spine and settled like a pit in my stomach. Walking back to our classrooms what seemed like hours later, I remember seeing two girls sitting outside the front office, holding each other and crying. Their parents worked in New York City. Last night, I followed the news, watched the President’s speech and saw the celebrations outside of the White House and Ground Zero in silence. In many ways, it was too much to take in. An entire decade of searching had come to an end, and yet, our mission is nowhere near complete. Our fight continues. American men and women of the Armed Forces are still in harm’s way and will likely be for years to come. Al Qaeda has lost their figurehead, yes, but the damage is done — bin Laden has already laid the groundwork for his legacy, and
the organization will continue to operate and grow in his memory. As I said earlier, the War on Terror is the fight that has defined our generation’s comprehension of warfare, just as World War II had done for my great grandparents, Vietnam and Korea for my grandparents and the Cold War and Desert Storm for my mother and father. Each fight has been different, but each fight has been real. Each war had tested the resolve of the United States. Bin Laden’s assassination has brought the “Forgotten War” back to the forefront of our nation’s attention. Unlike the conflicts of generations past, it is easy — but not excusable — for many of us to forget what is going on overseas. I challenge us all to keep the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa in mind as we come closer to the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. The wars are very real. They deserve the attention of the American people, and regardless on your stance on the war, the troops deserve our support.
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I hope that each person who changed their Facebook status, Tweeted, crowded into the streets in front of Ground Zero and the White House chanting “U-S-A” and singing the National Anthem remember the conflict in a week’s time. President Obama summed up everything in the last few lines of his speech. He reminds us not only of the strength of the United States, but that our mission is nowhere near its end: “The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.” “That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.” “Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The Daily Mississippian welcomes all comments. Please send a letter to the editor addressed to The Daily Mississippian, 201 Bishop Hall, University, MS, 38677 or send an e-mail to dmeditor@gmail.com. Letters should be typed, double-spaced and no longer than 300 words. Third party letters and those bearing pseudonyms, pen names or “name withheld” will not be published. Publication is limited to one letter per individual per calendar month. Student submissions must include grade classification and major. All submissions must be turned in at least three days in advance of date of desired publication.
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Osama’s ending is a new beginning BY ALEC JONES Columnist
In the Godfather Part II, Al Pacino chillingly uttered the words, “If history has taught us anything, it’s that you can kill anyone.” Those words have never been more true. The assassination of Osama bin Laden shocks us all. President Obama’s speech Sunday was long overdue, arriving eight years to the day of George Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech. Osama bin Laden had turned into “Osama Been Forgotten,” but the world was a far more dangerous place before May 1 than it is today. Nevertheless, no one expected this to happen. Just as Sept. 11 was a turning point in American history,
the day Osama bin Laden died is an equally important axis for our future. The mass murderer responsible for drawing us into a decade of war and threatening our way of existence is no longer a danger, and the shock of this event brings forth a strange mix of emotion for us all. This unexpected paradigm forces us to move in a new direction, but how we choose to respond will dictate our future way of existence. America accomplished what it set out to do 10 years ago, but the level of investment we’ve made since then is so deep it prevents us from immediately reverting to our old way of living. Embarking upon three wars redefined the global order, costing trillions of dollars in an effort to kill one man. Doing so has created what the CIA refers to as “blowback.” New terrorists are spawned for every terrorist we kill, and now that
we have taken out the most wanted criminal in the world, we should adjust the course of our ship. The level of patriotism felt by every American is justified, but that patriotism can either be used to continue down the path we were going or be grateful that we do not have to. Osama bin Laden was the most expensive hit in the history of the world. This cost is not only in terms of the trillions of dollars in debt we took on, but also in terms of human lives, our domestic security, the redefining of our thinking and the transformation of how we live on a day to day basis. America has taught the world that our freedom isn’t free, but the war against terrorism is a different kind of war. When Hitler cowered in his bunker and committed suicide we celebrated the eventual return of our troops, but now we find ourselves overextended in three wars.
If our leaders cannot find a way to untangle what we’ve gotten into now that our target is removed, America will have won the battle but lost the war. The jihadists our servicemen encounter on a daily basis may hate our way of life, but they only wish to terrorize America for our interference with the self determination of their homelands. Just as we have allowed the Egyptians to democratically determine their future, the rest of the Middle East should be allowed to do the same now. To achieve the best results for America we must get involved as little as possible and cease our interventionist blunders. Empires fall for three reasons: a weak economy, morally corrupt citizens and an overextended military. This was the case with Rome and Greece, but it should hopefully ring a bell to anyone reading these words right now. The death of Osama bin Laden is an opportunity for us to imme-
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diately begin saving ourselves from one of these things while becoming more aware of the other two. This unexpected rise in patriotism is not about the death of a mass murderer, but about loving what was threatened, loving what makes America the greatest nation to ever exist. The international community understands that America will pursue anyone who assaults it, but as citizens and leaders, we must understand that our greatness will only survive in a new world order if we stay vigilant and avoid situations that have the potential to drain us into destruction. After our invasion of Iraq, former Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan said, “The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.” The sudden reawakening of our patriotism gives me hope that these words could never be less true than now.
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DRIFTERS,
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Personhood Mississippi challenges legality of abortion
study time and have professors who are more inclined to grade leniently and choose classes based on student evaluations rather than the class syllabi. “Colleges and universities, for all the benefits they bring, accomplish far less for their students than they should,” Derek Bok, former Harvard University president, said. Economists challenge professors to look past the temporary recession and build students up for long-run productivity by finding creative ways to assign more reading and writing course work outside the mandatory curriculum. Economists like Claudia Goldman argue that investments in higher education lead to profitable economic circumstances, but if these investments produce “scholars” who cannot think abstractly, this “investment” becomes a loss. The blame of scholastic decline does not rest only on the professors and the students; it also rests on the administration. Statistics released by universities show that on average, four-year colleges spend more money on athletic endeavors than on academic scholarships and programs. According to statistics released by the NCAA, athletic spending generates revenue for SEC schools, but Ole Miss was the only university that broke even, with $45,737,904 of operating expenses and revenue. Regardless of the financial expenses of education, the way students spend their time has a significant impact on cognitive enhancement. Arum and Ruska also took surveys at Duke University and other four-year colleges, which showed that students who spend more time in Greek life have lower academic rates of return for their college degrees. “Educational practices asso-
ciated with academic rigor improved student performance, while collegiate experiences associated with social engagement did not,” Arum said in “Academically Adrift.” In the book “Academically Adrift,” “The most significant increase in cognitive development, creative writing and complex reasoning is found in the school of liberal arts,” the authors said in their book. Their economic research illustrated that students whose majors fall in this category graduate with higher levels of cognitive development than those who major in business, communication, education or social work. Arum said in the book that federal mandates regarding testing on classroom curricula, new editions of textbooks and better classroom technology are not the key to a better education. “The challenge of getting a college degree is to emerge with the ability to think critically and solve problems as they arise in the world,” Trey Fonde, economic major said. “In the race to completion, there is this assumption that a credit is a credit is a credit, and when you get to the magic number of credits, you will have learned what you need to learn. Debra Humphreys, vice president for communications and public affairs of the Association for American Colleges and Universities, said, “What Arum’s book shows is that you can accumulate an awful lot of credits and not learn anything.” During a lecture at Duke University, biology professor Zhen Ming Pei encouraged students to study. “The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do is balance how much I want to achieve with how much effort I’m willing to put forth,” he said.
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Personhood Mississippi is challenging the 1973 Supreme court case Roe v. Wade to redefine the definition of personhood. The petition now has enough signatures to be included on the ballot in November. If the amendment passes, it could cause the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade.
BY LEE HARRIS The Daily Mississippian
A group of Mississippians has set the stage for a showdown that will challenge the legality of abortion in November. Personhood Mississippi is revisiting the topic of personhood from the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. The issue addresses the question of when a fetus legally becomes a person. If a fetus in the womb is declared a person, it is afforded legal protection under the law
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and cannot be aborted. “(Supreme Court Justice) Harry Blackman specifically said they would not answer the question of whether a fetus is a person,” said Les Riley, an organizer of the movement. “If the fetus is considered a person, then the case for abortion crumbles.” Riley started the petition with a few friends from his church. Now, it has reached the required number of signatures and will be on the ballot in November. “We started with three or four families and now we’ve got 106,000 signatures,” Riley said. “These movements are traditionally led by large organizations. This is the first truly citizen-led initiative in state history.” If passed, the amendment will redefine a person under Mississippi law. The proposed amendment reads: “The term ‘person’ or ‘persons’ shall include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof.” Such wording would effectively make abortion illegal in the state of Mississippi. This amendment, however, is not without its critics. Recent graduate Courtney Zapata said she thinks abortion should re-
main a woman’s right. “It should be a choice,” Zapata said. “It’s to each his own. If you don’t want your child, you should have the right to not have your child.” Zapata, who was adopted, is quick to point out that her biological mother aborted twice before having her. Despite that, she is unwavering in her support for the legality of abortion. “If you bring a child into this world, and you feel like you can’t completely love that child because of the situation you’re in, you should not have one,” Zapata said. Adam Blackwell, freshman public policy major, said he also opposes the amendment. “I personally would not allow my wife to have an abortion,” Blackwell said. “But it’s a woman’s choice, and the government should not have the right to restrict that freedom.” Despite repeated attempts, Planned Parenthood officials in Hattiesburg were unable to be reached for comment. If the amendment passes in November, it will set in motion a series of proceedings that could ultimately lead to the revisiting of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on a national level. “This will have repercussions well beyond Mississippi if it passes,” Riley said.
N E W S | 5 . 3 . 11
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Board of Aldermen addresses emergency concerns
KATE ANTHONY | The Daily Mississippian
Lafayette County is filled with debris from last Wednesday’s severe storms, which left a wake of destruction across the South. The Board of Aldermen met last Friday and passed a vote to adopt a proclamation that allows the city to officially declare a local state of emergency during severe weather.
BY KEVIN WILLIAMS The Daily Mississippian
On Friday, the Board of Aldermen and Mayor Pat Patterson met to discuss specific issues in a specially scheduled meeting. The meeting addressed the Baptist Memorial Hospital, a new construction project and the adoption of a proclamation of local emergency. In his opening remarks, Patterson noted the damage caused by the storm systems of the pre-
vious week and expressed sympathy for the death of city employee, Kenneth Mullin, who was killed in a car accident on Thursday, April 28. “He was a friend, a good employee and a gentleman,” Patterson said. “We shall miss him.” Further, the Board voted on the adoption of a proclamation of local emergency. The proclamation is a document that allows the city to officially declare a local state of emergency, according to city emergency management coor-
dinator Jimmy Allgood. Allgood said the storm system that impacted Oxford last week damaged some residential and commercial property, as well as two siren alert towers, but that he felt the City had responded well to the situation. “Everyone worked extremely well together and handled the situation very quickly,” Allgood said. City officials also made headway in their ongoing negotiations with the Baptist Memorial Hospital Corporation concern-
National Day of Prayer to begin 12 hours early in Oxford BY BRIT STACK The Daily Mississippian
The National Day of Prayer is annually set for May 5, but Oxford will begin praying a full 12 hours earlier. Janet Davis, the chairperson for Oxford’s National Day of Prayer, said a “Watch around the Clock” will begin at noon on Wednesday, May 4, and end at noon on Thursday, May 5. “The primary mission of the NDP Task Force is to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership,” Davis said. The theme, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” is taken from Psalm 91:2. Davis said she sent out letters to all the churches and ministries in Oxford, and 18 responded. Each group will sponsor at least one hour of prayer in designated
rooms of the courthouse throughout the day and night. The 24-hour prayer vigil is not limited to churches and ministry. All residents and students are invited to pray in the smaller courtroom in the Lafayette County Courthouse. Folders will be provided with the names of city and county officials, firefighters, law enforcement official and elected national and state officials so that those participating are able to pray for them by name. Also included in the packets will be information on National Day of Prayer and on prayer itself. Davis has been helping coordinate National Day of Prayer events in the Delta for over 10 years. This is her second year to be the chairperson of the committee in Oxford. It was her idea to do a 24-hour prayer vigil as an event. “I had a vision for a prayer watch in the Delta,” Davis said. “I’m exSee PRAYER, PAGE 6
ing the construction of a new facility. The Board discussed some changes to the memorandum of understanding that would allow Baptist Memorial Hospital Corporation to purchase the existing hospital facility. The hospital is projected to spend approximately $250 million on the construction of the new facility within the city limits, which will match the previous facility in terms of medical services and bed capacity. City officials are tentatively
set to vote on the MOU on Tuesday, May 3, after further discussion. The Board also unanimously approved a construction project that includes a BMX track, sports facility, parking lot and walking trails. City officials are hoping that the project will lead to Oxford residents using more of the sports facilities around town. Funding for the approximately $200,000 venture will be drawn from City and County funds.
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cited we’re getting to do this.” Several churches and ministries will be participating throughout the day, including Grace Bible Church, North Oxford Baptist Church, Oxford-University Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and First Baptist Church. Young Life will sponsor the midnight hour of prayer vigil, at the group’s request. Young Life is a non-denominational group that works to promote Christian living in adolescents. All participantss are invited to a lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The National Day of Prayer events in Oxford will conclude after the lunch with a prayer service at First Baptist Church beginning at 12:10 p.m. Pastors and leaders from the local churches and campus minis-
tries will lead in prayer and special music. Eddie Willis, the pastor of the Wesley Foundation, will aid in leading the prayer service. “I am looking forward to the community of Oxford pulling together and practicing their faith and leaning on prayer,” Willis said. This year is the 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. According to the website, in 1952 a day set aside for national prayer was signed into law by then President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, the law was amended by President Ronald Reagan to designate the first Thursday of May for the observance. “The goal is to promote prayer that is cross denominational, cross racial and cross generational as well as to lift up our leaders,” Davis said.
Powerhouse hosting concert series BY KEVIN WILLIAMS The Daily Mississippian
The Troubadour Lounge will kick off a concert series at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, at the Powerhouse. The concert will feature the Oxford-based group Dirt Road Sages, Arkansas band Cletus Got Shot and local singer and songwriter, David Shirley. Sponsored in part by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the Troubadour Lounge series seeks to showcase local musicians and songwriters in a family-friendly environment, said Donovan McCain, to group co-coordinator and Ole Miss psychology student. “We like to focus on more acoustic song writing and things of that nature,” McCain said. “We tend to feature a lot of local artists.” Although Troubadour Lounge usually features acous-
tic and folk music, Cletus Got Shot, will sing a little different tune in Tuesday’s show. “The group (Cletus Got Shot) is a fusion of folk, protest songs and punk rebellion, so we are looking forward to seeing how they will do that,” McCain said. By emphasizing local artists and a musical genre that leans more toward acoustic song writing, folk songs and an almost coffeehouse type atmosphere, Troubadour Lounge strives to create a concert experience that focuses on what they feel is most important: the music. “We want people to be able to come in and appreciate some of the more subtle genres of music, such as acoustic song writing and really be able to sit and listen and hear the quiet spots and not have to compete with other people having conversations,” McCain said.
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McCain said, the idea for Troubadour Lounge emerged from his love of the Oxford music scene and a desire to provide an atmosphere that would best showcase some of Oxford’s local musicians. “It was just an idea,” McCain said. “When you go out to a bar it’s louder and it’s usually electric (music) and that’s fine, that’s great, but also I was thinking it would be really neat if we had some more venues.” Although Tuesday’s concert may seem to start and end sooner than most, the earlier time is to make it easier for people with tight schedules, hectic jobs or family responsibilities to be able to attend. “It’s just a very relaxed atmosphere and we hope people just come in and enjoy listening to some new music,” McCain said. Admission cost is $5 at the door.
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Twilight Singers coming to Proud Larry’s Wednesday BY EMILY CEGIELSKI Columnist
The world falls silent when a rock star enters a room. A raspy, sultry voice that can fill auditoriums turns crowds into chaos. Men want to be one. Women want to sleep with one. A rock star never goes unnoticed. But few musicians ever achieve actual rock star status. Fortunately for Oxford, Greg Dulli is there. Dulli, the ex-Afghan Whigs frontman, and his band The Twilight Singers, are bringing their dark brooding sound to Proud Larry’s this Wednesday on the first stop of their North America tour. Dulli spent the better part of the ‘90s solidifying his reputation as a rock ‘n’ roll bad ass with The Afghan Whigs, a gritty rock band that infused their music with R&B, blues and soul. But with that phase of his career is behind him, Dulli has had to find solace in other projects. “The Twilight Singers have been around for eight or nine years, and it is one of my favorite things,” Dulli said. “I had another group called The Gutter Twins; I did some solo touring. I have just been
working consistently.” And that includes The Twilight Singers’ 25 shows abroad and a performance on The Late Show with David Letterman last Tuesday. With this kind of public attention and the release of their new album “Dynamite Steps” in February, the only logical question is: Why are they launching their 23 city tour in Oxford? According to Dulli, when friend Wright Thompson, ESPN reporter and Oxford resident, asked Dulli to perform in the small southern town, he did not hesitate to say yes. “I came and visited last fall,” Dulli said. “I was here for the Kentucky game, and it was my pleasure to come and pull for Ole Miss. The town is beautiful and really nice.” Whether the Southern Ohio native is the Rebel’s secret good luck charm or not, the town made an impression on Dulli. Of all the towns on his tour schedule, Oxford is the only one he has never played. “I’m looking forward to it,” Dulli said. “I have no idea what to expect. It will be a virgin experience in Oxford.” Although he may be new to Mis-
sissippi, that does not mean that Dulli is new to the South. Citing a record collection of The Meters, James Booker and Dr. John, New Orleans rhythm, jazz and Zydeco funk have been exponentially influential to Dulli’s music. He has had a house in New Orleans for the past 14 years, and The Twilight Singers even recorded parts of their newest album in Bogalusa, La. Known for his dark melodies, Dulli calls The Twilight Singers “a very eclectic group,” but a cajun, gravelly, dirt road influence can be clearly heard in all of his songs. “I write the music first, always,” Dulli said. “I like the sounds of words. I’m very phonetic. So, after the melody, I put sounds to the music. Back in the old days, I would do a song I hadn’t finished, and people would think I was speaking in tongues.” Just like the evasive lyrics, Dulli, himself, comes across as an enigma. Pure sex oozes from his voice and passion pours forth from every guitar chord. He is a bad boy searching for religion or maybe someone who has given it up. Regardless, the Twilight Singers’
Courtesy of The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers will be performing at Proud Larry’s this Wednesday. Tickets are $15, doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
new album will have you wanting more, and their performance at Proud Larry’s promises to consume you. “Our shows move like waves, up and down,” Dulli said. “They are
innately sexual.” The Twilight Singers will be performing Wednesday, May 4 at Proud Larry’s. Tickets are $15. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.
L IF ES T Y L ES |
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NFL Draft in Review Part II: Losers
The 76th annual NFL Draft ended on Saturday, and because of the lockout, the draft as it stands today was the only way for teams to acquire new talent and fill needs. As always, some teams managed to do this successfully, while others failed miserably. Today, we look at five losers of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Columnist
Seattle: Seattle had all the momentum in the world after sneaking into the playoffs and then defeating defending Super Bowl Champions the New Orleans Saints in the first round. However, if anything, their draft ruined that momentum and may have even set them back. Their major need going into the draft was a quarterback, and they passed on TCU quarterback Andy Dalton with the 25th pick in the first round to take Alabama offensive lineman James Carpenter. Carpenter is a nice player but a reach at that pick and may have to move inside to guard at the next level. Mississippi State linebacker K.J. Wright and Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham were also reaches for the Seahawks in the fourth round. I fail to see anyone who delivers a huge instant impact from their
draft class. Minnesota: Quarterback was also a need for Minnesota and instead of passing on one, they reached significantly when they took former Florida State signal caller Christian Ponder with the 12th pick in the first round. I like Ponder a lot as a quarterback, but the value simply isn’t there where they picked him. They could have traded down in the draft and gotten Ponder later on. Getting Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph in the second round was a nice pick. I just can’t give a good review to a team that took a quarterback graded in the second round with a top-12 pick. Besides Rudolph and Iowa defensive tackle Christian Ballard in the third round, there’s not a lot to write home about. Tennessee: Tennessee’s draft was a lot like Minnesota, as they both
reached for a quarterback. At least for the Titans, number eight overall pick Jake Locker out of Washington had a firstround grade on him, according to most analysts. The issue here is that with no Vince Young, are the Titans going to start Locker right away? If they are, this could be a terrible pick a few years down the road. Locker needs to improve his accuracy in the pocket and decision making, both of which take time. If they don’t give him that time, he could be a bust. UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers was a nice get in the second round. Southern Cal defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, the Titans’ third round pick, could be a solid player if he can stay in shape. Reaching for Locker and not adding any help at wide receiver make this a tough draft to like. Oakland: Oakland is always a fascinating team to watch on draft day
and this year was no different. They reached a bit to draft Florida State center Stefen Wisniewski in the second round. His father played for the Raiders, which was part of the reason they reached for him. Al Davis is known to be obsessed with players who can run fast and they took their annual speedster in the third round with Miami (FL) cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke. He runs in the 4.25 range in the 40-yard dash, but the issue is that he can’t cover and might struggle at the next level. None of their picks were considered value picks and a good number were reaches. Carolina: This hurts to write as a Panthers fan, but Carolina had a chance to improve a ton with the number one overall pick. Instead, they used it on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton. The Panthers already have Jimmy Clausen, who they drafted in
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the second round last year. Clausen struggled, but he was expected to because the team was terrible. With huge needs on the defensive line, in the secondary, and at wide receiver, Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson or Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green would have made perfect sense with that first pick. Now, the Panthers have a project on their hands with Newton. They addressed needs later in the draft at defensive tackle and defensive back, although a few of their picks are high-risk, high-reward guys, including Newton. Tomorrow, Hipp wraps up the three-part series with a recap of how the Southeastern Conference fared, including five of the top six picks in the first round and former Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe, who went to the Kansas City Chiefs with the 199th pick in the sixth round.
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Johnson expected to contribute early to Ole Miss defense BY PAUL KATOOL Sports Editor
FILE PHOTOS | The Daily Mississippian
Incoming freshman linebacker C.J. Johnson, a five-star recruit out of Philadelphia High School is one of many freshmen expected to make an impact this fall for the Rebels. With returning linebackers Mike Marry, Joel Kight and Clarence Jackson, Johnson looks to fill the void left by injured D.T. Shackelford.
Linebacker C.J. Johnson is set to arrive at Ole Miss on May 30, and that date couldn’t come any sooner for Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt and his staff. The Rebel defense took a serious hit on April 11 when star linebacker and team leader D.T. Shackelford suffered a torn ACL during spring drills. With Shackelford likely out for the fall, Johnson – the most coveted player in Mississippi for the class of 2012 – is expected to help fill Shackelford’s void. Johnson said he talked to Shackelford following the injury, and expressed remorse that the Rebels’ star defender would not be able to mentor him on the field. “When I found out (D.T.) got hurt, the first thing that came in my mind was we lost a great leader on defense,” Johnson said. “He’s a great person in the locker room, somebody that gets you motivated to play football. He’s just a great person period.” Johnson was already considered a near-lock for playing time as a true freshman, but Shackelford’s injury makes it even more certain that he’ll play early. Does that mean pressure for a player who hasn’t played a collegiate snap? “I don’t feel any pressure, man,” Johnson said. Johnson also said he plans to be a team player as a freshman and let the coaches decide when he’s ready to play. The Philadelphia native saw plenty of playing time at Philadel-
phia High School where he totaled 149 total tackles as a senior. Johnson collected an incredible 17 tackles at the 2010 AlabamaMississippi All-Star Classic and quickly saw his stock explode in recruiting circles. Johnson, rated a five star recruit by Rivals.com and a four star by Scout.com, was committed to Mississippi State for over a year before opening back up his recruitment and subsequently switching his commitment to Ole Miss in January. In between that time, Johnson said he couldn’t go anywhere without people telling him where to go to school – even threatening violence toward him. He felt Ole Miss was a better fit in the end. “It was just being around the coaches more and understanding what Ole Miss has to offer,” said Johnson of his decision to sign with the Rebels. “I weighed out my options. There were a lot of things that I didn’t know about Ole Miss that I wish I would have known before.” Johnson said he has taken some time off, but has since begun conditioning and light workouts in preparation for the fall. At Ole Miss he’ll join a freshman class that is expected to make an immediate impact for a team that finished 4-8 last year. Johnson might be counted on the most. “That’s always been my plan since I was a kid – to start in the SEC,” Johnson said. “I’m definitely going to give it my all, and I’m going to try. That’s one of my goals.”
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