January 13

dn the

dailynebraskan.com

monday, january 13, 2014 volume 113, issue 074

Inside Coverage

Unresolved issues

Internet vigilantes

DN Arts makes resolutions for 2014

Trolls serve an important role online

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Predictions come true

Sophomore guard Shavon Shields goes for a lay-up against Michigan on Jan. 9. The Huskers failed to score in the last seconds of the game to continue their losing streak. file photo by andrew barry

construction

continued major union renovations are unveiled, but the crib remains closed

Service trip teaches about migrant workers Students delve into issues surrounding immigration, labor during winter break trip to California Mara Klecker dn Adoni Faxas didn’t spend his break on the couch watching Netflix and complaining about the cold.

Instead, the freshman quadruple major in business management, Latin American studies, Spanish and political science and aspiring immigration lawyer traveled to his home state of California to learn about issues surrounding migrant workers.

Faxas was one of the 26 students who went on the alternative service break trip, “Fields of Prosperity: Immigration, Citizenship and Migrant Workers and Their Families.” The trip took students to Fresno, Calif., in the Central Valley. Pit stops included Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite

While some of the Nebraska Union renovations have been completed, there is still work to be done. Some parts of the union, including The Crib, remain closed. Officials said the updates will likely be finished by March or April.

st o r y b y l a y l a y o u n i s | p h o t o s b y c o u r t n e y c a i n

T

he renovated Caffina Cafe in the Nebraska Union will open Monday as expected, but renovations to The Crib have been delayed.

Wood flooring for the Nebraska Union study spot will be shipped on Jan. 22, and the entire project, which costs about $2.1 million, should be complete by March or April.

Even though the Runza and Caffina Cafe are open, there are touch-ups that are mainly cosmetic and will be completed by the end of January, said Ryan Lahne, Nebraska Unions associate director.

The committee for furniture met Jan. 10 to project a time for when the furniture will be delivered.

“The majority of the furniture should be delivered and installed during spring break,” Lahne wrote in an email.

The flooring will be worked on all throughout the project and furniture is the last thing to arrive, Lahne said.

“Installing the flooring will be a work in progress through the end of this project,” Lahne said.

There is no itemized list of exactly where the money is going, but the funding is being used to execute the project.

“The money is going to a number of fairly visible upgrades: construction, wall and floor coverings, new paint, new furniture and so on,” said Steve Smith, news director at the Office of University Communications.

Smith said half of the money for the project is coming from the Office of the Chancellors and the other half is coming from Office of

the Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs, via University Program and Facilities Fees.

“There are two sources of

funds for the Nebraska Union upgrade, but it’s treated as one proj-

union: see page 3

@dailyneb | facebook.com/dailynebraskan

National Park, Lake Tahoe, the coastline in Santa Cruz and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Faxas’s mother and father are both Latino immigrants. He remembers when he told them he wanted to be a lawyer. They took him for a drive around Grand Island and told him he should consider immigration law. “Look at all these people,” they told him, referring to the Latino community that makes up nearly 16 percent of the town’s population. “They need help.”

While in Fresno, students heard presentations from migrant students attending Fresno State University.

“We wanted students to hear about the importance of higher education from these students who have faced struggles with laws and discrimination,” said Linda Moody, assistant director of student involvement and the leader of the trip. “Ultimately, I hope that our students come back with a deeper understanding of the complexities of immigration and a connection to these national issues in order to start important conversations at

service: see page 2

New CoJMC dean to begin work in June Gabrielle Lazaro DN

The Caffina Cafe in the Nebraska Union, which was temporarily closed last semester, will reopen Monday with a new look.

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Marron’s other goals include enhancing the college’s existing programs, building University of Nebraska-Lin- on expertise and key strengths coln’s College of Journalism within the college, recruiting, hiring faculty and fundraising. and Mass Communications has “I believe there will be ophired a journalism department head from Michigan as its new portunities for further interdisciplinary partnerships, for prodean.

Maria Marron will leave her fessionally oriented research, for an enhanced graduate propost as chairwoman of the Department of Journalism at Cen- gram, international partnertral Michigan University after ships and a center for media inmore than 10 years on the job. novation and entrepreneurship Pending University of Nebras- — perhaps in the Haymarket area,” Marron said. ka Board of Regents approval, Marron has spent the last she’ll begin at UNL on June 1.

12 years at Central “The time seems Michigan Univerright – for me and for sity as a professor the CoJMC – and the and chairwoman college seems to be a of the Department good fit for me, and of Journalism. Her I, for it,” Marron said. teaching areas are “The deanship of this in journalism, mecollege is a position dia law and ethics. that coalesces all of “It always is my strengths and insad to leave beterests. I bring leaderhind a place that ship, administrative, has been home,” academic, professhe said.

“But marron sional and entreprethere is also the exneurial dynamism to citement of a new the position as well as adventure, a new beginning, a passion for journalism in its various forms and for the media rooted in the ongoing connectedness to the place or places we service industries.”

Although Marron had no call home.”

Before working at Central former ties with Nebraska, she said she’s always considered Michigan University, Marron worked as a journalist, editor UNL a significant powerhouse and in public relations in the in the region. She said learning as much as possible about the dean: see page 2 college is her first priority.

2

dailynebraskan.com

monday, january 13, 2014

DN CALENDAR

JAN.

13

ON CAMPUS what: Mountains & Ghosts: New Ikat Tapestries & Prints when: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. where: Robert Hillstad Textiles Gallery, Home Economics Building

IN LINCOLN what: Poetry at the Moon when: 7 p.m. where: Crescent Moon Coffee, 140 N. 8th St.

what: Piano hour with Emily Bass when: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. where: The Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St.

Altered bus routes save thousands during breaks When you don’t have a lot of riders, it doesn’t make sense to run all of the buses.”

Only two buses commute between East, City campuses to save more than $70,000 annually

dan carpenter

director of parking and transit services

Kelli Rollin DN When students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln take breaks, some buses on campus do, too.

During winter break, spring break, summer and any time classes aren’t fully in session, the bus schedule on campus changes, saving more than $70,000 annually.

Instead of having four buses commute between and around UNL’s East and City campuses, two buses operate. One bus operates route 24, which goes clockwise around campus and through Holdrege Street, and the other bus operates route 25, which goes counterclockwise and runs through Vine Street.

Usually riders wait 10 minutes between each bus’s arrival, but during breaks the buses operate in 20-minute intervals.

For this winter break of 2013-14, the bus schedule changed Dec. 17 through Jan. 13 when classes weren’t in session.

Dan Carpenter, director of Parking and Transit Services, said the bus schedule changes because fewer people use the buses during breaks.

Carpenter said students make up most of the ridership for the buses, and when regular classes aren’t in session the majority of the riders are gone.

“When you don’t have a lot of riders, it doesn’t make sense to run all of the buses,” he said.

Amanda Nabors, a sophomore speech and language pathology major, is a frequent bus rider. During one semester she rode the bus from City to East Campus every day for class.

Nabors said the bus schedule changes during breaks can be inconvenient if people need to be somewhere, and they’re waiting 20 minutes between buses.

“But it is saving gas, and it’s useless to have buses running when there’s nobody on them,” Nabors said.

However, she said it might get cold for people to wait 20 minutes between buses.

“Maybe they should have more shelters,” she said.

Carpenter said the changes not only make logical sense, but also save money for the University and Parking and Transit Services.

“This saves about $73,000 a year,” Carpenter said. “We still provide the service and still save some money.”

The $73,000 savings, he said, is just from not running of the buses when not as many students use them during the breaks. The operating costs of the buses include things such as fuel, repair costs and employees’ pay.

Though ridership decreases

Education secretary to host talk via Twitter staff report dn U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will coordinate an open discussion with students via Twitter at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

During the past year, President Obama asked the U.S. Department of Education to create a rating system identifying colleges that provide a valuable education to students. The ratings system would also serve as a way to increase college affordability information to students and parents.

But to make sure the department is garnering as much feedback as it can, Duncan and his team will use Twitter to listen

to students’ ideas and concerns about their education.

“We know that youth are concerned about the quality of their education, getting in and paying for college, and finding a goodpaying job,” wrote Cameron Brenchley, director of digital strategy for the Department of Education, in a Jan. 6 press release.

Students will be able to tweet their thoughts and questions on how the department can keep college affordable and how its college rating system could be useful to them and their families to #stuvoice where Duncan will moderate the discussion for one hour. news@ dailynebraskan.com

during breaks, Carpenter said overall ridership increased about 8 percent overall during the fall 2013 semester.

From September through November, he said his records show about 92,000 riders each month.

September had an 11 percent ridership increase, October had an 8 percent increase and November had a 5 percent increase.

The increase in passengers, Carpenter said, could be because of the large freshman class this year paired with a dip in enrollment last academic year.

Carpenter said the oddly cold weather during the winter break didn’t affect the operation of the buses. He said inclement weather, such as heavy snow and slush, affect the buses because driving is more difficult.

As far as passengers waiting 20 minutes instead of 10 for the buses in the winter cold, Carpenter said he hasn’t heard any complaints.

Although he said the demand for riding the buses is lower during breaks, the service is still needed.

“We always want to provide some kind of service,” Carpenter said. news@ dailynebraskan.com

briefs UNL hires Dan Cotton for post with UNL Extension, CASNR

The founding director of Extension is returning to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dan Cotton began his position as director of integrated technologies and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ coordinator of online education on Jan. 1. Cotton was hired as the first executive director of the national eXtension initiative in 2004 and helped form more than 75 communities of practice, development of several national extension applications including Ask an Expert and Learn and a partnership with the Department of Defense and others to create the Military Families Learning Network. Under his leadership, eXtension connected more than 17,000 extension workers and partners nationwide. Before leading eXtension, Cotton was the director of UNL’s Communications and Information Technology unit.

Great Plains museum to show Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition

The Great Plains Art Museum’s first 2014 exhibit is “The Maximilian-Bodmer Expedition: Travels in the Interior of North America, 1832-1834.” It will be open through Feb. 23. The exhibit will feature Karl Bodmer’s vivid reflection of landscapes, wildlife, frontier settlements and American Indians that he and Prince Maximilian of Wied encountered during their travels along the upper Missouri River. There is a mobile tour – 402-881-3138 – highlighting 20 artworks in the exhibition. An online teacher guide and outreach trunk with educational resources for use in local classrooms offers a deeper understanding of the 19th century West. Supporters of the exhibit are the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Richard P. Kimmell and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation Inc. The museum, at 1155 Q St., is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge. For more information, go to the museum’s website, call (402) 472-6220 or email gpac2@unl. edu. news@dailynebraskan.com

service: from 1 Ultimately, I hope that our students come back with a deeper understanding of the complexities of immigration and a connection to these national issues in order to start important conversations at home.” linda moody

assistant director of student involvement

if you go what: #StuVoice Twitter chat with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan when: 8:30 p.m. EST where: Follow the Twitter conversation with the #stuvoice hashtag and follow @ArneDuncan and @Stu_Voice

dean: from 1 United States and Ireland, where she received her bachelor ’s degree. During her time at Central Michigan, Marron strengthened local and national media connections, developed partnerships with local companies, helped develop a new master ’s program, fundraised for program initiatives that included a grant to attract more minority students and led two departmental reaccreditations.

Marron will replace interim dean Jim O’Hanlon, who has filled the role since Gary Kebbel stepped down on June 30, 2012.

She was one of five finalists selected for the position. The five finalists came to Lincoln for two-day interviews, during which they met with faculty, students, alumni and donors as well as other deans, said Ellen Weissinger, senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

“I felt that Dr. Marron’s vision and leadership style had broad and deep support in the college and on campus, that her professional and academic accomplishments would allow her to be a very successful dean at UNL,” Weissinger said. “I believe that she is an experienced and strategic academic leader and a person of real integrity.”

Before Marron becoming a finalist, she went through a

about the new dean name:

Marria Marron Will become dean of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications in June education: Bachelor’s degree and postgraduate diploma from University College Dublin in Ireland and a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University position:

standard process that included a written application, cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of references and response to various questions – after being notified that she was nominated for the position.

“I have been amazed at the outpouring of congratulations and welcome from people, many of whom I have never even met,

past positions:

Journalist, public relations professional, journalism department chairwoman at Central Michigan University, president of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication

courtesy photo

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students visited California as part of the latest alternative service break trip, “Fields of Prosperity: Immigration, Citizenship and Migrant Workers and Their Families.”

teaching and research areas:

Journalism, media law and ethics (teaching); journalism pedagogy, investigative journalism, health and aging issues in the media (research) in Lincoln, Omaha and elsewhere,” she said. “I sincerely hope I will be able to work effectively with people to achieve even a fraction of their accomplishments and to honor the trust that UNL and CoJMC has bestowed in appointing me dean of this great college.” news@ dailynebraskan.com

home.”

Students learned about agriculture in the Central Valley and the river basin that irrigates land that produces one-fourth of the nation’s fruit, vegetables and nuts. The group then worked together to remove invasive plant species from the area.

Other service opportunities included organizing a Habitat for Humanity Restore – a warehouse that sells surplus building materials to raise funds for building homes for low-income families – and installing energy-saving solar panels on the houses of first-time homeowners.

The trip marked Tiffany Mewes-Dunn’s eighth alternative service trip. The senior psychology major has traveled to Texas, Missouri, Alabama, South Dakota,

Louisiana and Guatemala with past service trips through the university.

Mewes-Dunn said she often gets the question, “Why would you pay to volunteer?” when she tells people about all of her travels.

“They just don’t understand what I get out of it – the experience and the opportunity to travel and learn,” Mewes-Dunn said.

“It’s such a low cost when you think about it that way.”

Students paid $375 for the trip. The office of the chancellor for student affairs helped cover much of the travel expenses and OASIS provided scholarships for some students.

Faxas also thought the price was reasonable for the experience. Beyond preparing him for

his career, he said the trip also showed him a side of California he hadn’t seen before.

“Because I was born in L.A., I always thought of the state as metropolitan and industrial, but it’s more than that,” he said. “My eyes were opened to so many things.”

Both Faxas and Mewes-Dunn agreed it was hard to pick one favorite part of the trip, but memories of the people they served will stay with them.

“My favorite part of the whole trip was the community service, helping out the people and seeing how grateful they all were to us,” Faxas said. “They really appreciated us coming all the way from Nebraska.” news@ dailynebraskan.com

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Monday, January 13, 2014

3

Polar vortex drift brings cold temperatures to US Tyler Williams dn A record-breaking cold snap kicked off the new year, with temperatures well below zero.

The unusually frigid temperatures, which claimed the lives of 21 people nationwide, are caused by the polar vortex drifting south from the polar regions, said Jun Wang, University of Nebraska-Lincoln atmospheric science professor.

“It’s hard to identify a single factor,” Wang said.

While the vortex normally has two distinct centers – one over Canada and the other over the northeast region of Siberia – the vortex maintains its location by exchanging its cold air for warmer air with the southern jet stream. The northern jet stream is weaker than the southern jet stream, and this imbalance helps keep the vortex in the north, Wang said.

Abnormally warm temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic caused the southern jet stream to weaken, resulting in one of the centers to shift to a more southerly location and bringing along arctic air, said Steven Hu, a climatologist at UNL. “The wind was very devastating. The wind was very strong, bringing cold air down,” Hu said.

“The system is not always stable, and when it becomes unstable, it wobbles and shifts sending cold

BY THE NUMBERS

.54

16 ˚/ 62 ˚

The respective low and high temperatures on the warmest day of break, Dec. 27.

Number of inches of precipitation that fell during winter break.

-4˚/ 12˚ The respective low and high temperatures on the coldest day of break, Jan. 2.

air south … this is how the system stabilizes itself.”

The vortex is heading south and expected to make a U-turn and sweep up the Northeastern seaboard before heading north, Wang said. Most experts and advanced weather tracking and predicting technology suggests that the temperature in the Midwest should return to seasonal norms near the end of January. It will continue chilling regions and setting low temperature records as far away as Europe until it has fully returned to its original extreme northern position.

The last major vortex shift oc-

curred in January 1985, which also brought record-shattering temperatures as far south as Florida and set a benchmark for extreme cold weather until this most recent shift.

“This is not something scary — it’s just a natural phenomena,” Hu said.

While many speculate that this vortex shift may be a sign of global climate change, Hu said he doesn’t share that view, and neither does Wang.

“We can not be confusing climate change and a single severe weather event,” Wang said. news@ dailynebraskan.com

STACIE HECKER | DN

Kevin and Melissa McCartney, a safety manager and a nurse from Kearney, enjoy the Railyard Ice Rink on Sunday night.

union: from 1 MARCH - MAY 2013 DECEMBER 2013

Workshop Architects meets with students and presents plans for Nebraska Union renovations

APRIL 2014

JANUARY 22, 2014

Sbarro closes in the Nebraska Union food court

Latest projected date for renovation completion

Wood flooring for The Crib will be shipped

NEBRASKA UNION RENOVATIONS Initial color and design changes applied to Nebraska Union

Latest projected opening date for Subway Pizza Express, which will replace Sbarro

Caffina Café reopened

JANUARY 13, 2014

SUMMER 2013 ect,” Smith said.

University Program and Facilities Fees are broken into two different types of funds, one for student organizations and the other for University-administrated programs and facilities.

SUMMER 2013

The Nebraska Unions is one of the university-administrated facilities.

Gregg Jablonski, assistant director of the Nebraska Unions, said because more students are enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lin-

coln, they have more funding available in their continuous funds from University Program and Facilities Fees.

“There are more students paying student fees,” Jablonski said.

Eric Reznicek, president of the

Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, said there was no formal efforts or vote within ASUN about how much the renovations cost. But members of ASUN where invited to meetings with the architecture firm in charge of the

renovations during the initial stages of the project, Reznicek said.

Workshop Architects, the architecture company working on the union renovations, visited UNL in Spring 2014 to get student opinions on union renovations.

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Reznicek said he went to four different meetings, and Kaitlin Coziahr, the internal vice president of ASUN went to one or two meetings, and Jeff Story, external vice president, went to one. news@ dailynebraskan.com

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OPINION

monday, january 13, 2014 dailynebraskan.com

d n e d i to r i a l b oa r d m e m b e r s HAILEY KONNATH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RUTH BOETTNER

CONOR DUNN

opinion editor

news assignment EDITOR

AMY KENYON

ZACH TEGLER

assistant opinion editor

sports EDITOR

JACY MARMADUKE

katie nelson

MANAGING EDITOR

assistant arts editor

our view

Abdullah’s choice shows the value of college education In an era during which many college athletes view college sports as only a springboard to professional sports, an athlete sometimes surprises us by deciding to stand on that springboard rather than leap off it.

That was the case when Ameer Abdullah, a junior running back for the Nebraska football team, announced on Thursday that he would remain in Lincoln to complete his senior year of college ­and improve as a football player ­i nstead of leaving school for the hefty paychecks of professional football.

His statement, in part, says that finishing his education will increase his chances of succeeding in life. Abdullah, who has a shot at a career in the NFL, is looking beyond that potential. He knows there will be a life after football, and he wants to be prepared for it.

Students who aren’t athletes also often see college as a springboard to a real-world, lifelong career.

But they can learn from the example set by Abdullah and many other student athletes around the country who finish college before darting for fame and fortune in professional sports.

For all students, there’s life after and away from their careers. College isn’t just another rung on the ladder toward success in life. It’s a chance to learn, to be exposed to new ideas and a melting pot of viewpoints.

While there are chances to continue such education later in life for those who want it, students should take advantage of education while they can. Education isn’t just a line on a resume that employers come courting. It also offers a chance to learn about the world before entering it.

Ameer Abdullah passing up a potential shot at being drafted to a career in the NFL to stay in college can show students just how valuable an education can be and how they should take advantage of it here and now.

opinion@ dailynebraskan.com

editorial policy The editorial above contains the opinion of the fall 2013 Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its student body or the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. A column is solely the opinion of its author; a cartoon is solely the opinion of its artist. The Board of Regents acts as publisher of the Daily Nebraskan; policy is set by the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Board.

The UNL Publications Board, established by the regents, supervises the production of the paper. According to policy set by the regents, responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies solely in the hands of Daily Nebraskan employees.

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alex bridgman | dn

US needs new model for health care

T

he United States’ current health care system sucks. The system is too complex and too expensive. I’m pretty sure everyone – the liberals, the conservatives and everyone who falls in between – can agree on that one. What people can’t agree on is what to do about it.

Here’s an idea: Change the model we’re using.

But first, some numbers. Back in 2000, the World Health Organization assessed the world’s health systems and came up with a ranked list. France got first place and Italy came in second. The United States ranked 37th. Someone’s doing health care the right way, but it sure as hell isn’t us.

Yes, the Affordable Care Act has helped. It actually helps our demographic – the college students – quite a bit. The part where you get to stay on your parents’ medical plan until you’re 26? Yeah. That rocks.

But what happens when we all hit that 26year benchmark and the overall system stills sucks? When our country is still resting in 37th place or has gotten worse?

Say that someone does a poll of restaurants in Lincoln. Would you really want to eat at the restaurant that ranked 37th in terms of timeliness, quality and cost of food? I’m guessing not.

Here’s the difference: If the restaurant sucks, then you can just go eat somewhere else. You can’t avoid health care for your entire life. If you get sick in Lincoln, you only have two options: Bryan Health or Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. People in rural areas of Nebraska have even fewer choices. That means the choices had better be damn good ones.

Unfortunately, the choices aren’t that great price-wise. According to a report by PBS, the U.S. spent $8,233 on healthcare per person in 2010. Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland were the next highest spenders, but they each spent $3,000 less per person than the U.S. The World Health Organization shows that we spend a higher portion of our gross domestic product than any other country does on healthcare and yet we’re in 37th place.

The insurance costs alone are a major problem, as explained by the Commonwealth

Emme Grafton

Fund. In 2013, 37 percent of U.S. adults avoided health care treatment because of the cost.

Roughly 40 percent of both insured and uninsured U.S. citizens spent $1,000 or more outof-pocket during the year on medical care, not including premiums. Thirty-two percent of U.S. adults spent too much time finagling with their insurance companies. Twentythree percent had problems paying medical bills or couldn’t pay them at all.

In the United Kingdom, 4 percent of the population avoided treatment because of the cost. Seventeen percent of people in Germany had issues with insurance companies. Only 13 percent of the French population couldn’t pay its bills.

All of these comparisons to other countries are my way of strongly hinting at the solution to the U.S. health care problem. Looking to other countries for guidance would be a good place to start. We don’t always have to be the stubborn younger sibling who refuses to learn a new trick from one of the older ones. The United States can put its pride aside for the sake of progress, can’t it? Many might scoff at that idea, but bear with me here.

There are four basic health care systems.

My vote is that we pick one and try it out.

The Beveridge Model finances its health care through tax payments to the government.

It’s similar to how we pay for the police force and our school system. Great Britain and Spain are two countries that use this model.

The Bismarck Model health insurance sys-

tem has to cover everybody, and the system doesn’t make a profit from it. Those who have a place of employment get insurance automatically. Germany, France and Japan are some countries where this model is found.

The National Health Insurance Model uses private sector providers, but also has a government-run insurance program that everyone contributes to. So, essentially, it’s a Beveridge/ Bismarck hybrid. Our fine neighbor, Canada, uses this type of system.

The out-of-pocket model is exactly what it sounds like, and underdeveloped countries are the ones that use it. The rich get healthcare, while the poor stay sick and/or die.

All of these systems should sound familiar because the U.S. uses a combination of all of them. We have a lovely, convoluted, hybrid system that brings all of the four systems together. When treating veterans, we’re Britain. For those on Medicare, we’re Canada.

For those of us with nice employers who give us insurance, we’re Germany. And for those with no health insurance, we’re Cambodia.

In terms of our healthcare system, we need to stop treating the symptoms and tackle the primary disease instead.

Our Beveridge/Bismarck/ NHI/out-of-pocket system is trying to accomplish too much at once. How about we pick one model instead of four?

That’s a better strategy than endlessly playing the blame game with Obamacare.

Whether or not the Affordable Health Care act works is an argument that isn’t getting anyone anywhere. The way the entire system is set up is a whole different argument that needs to be addressed.

To have a viable house, you typically need a strong foundation beneath it. Our health care system should be the same way and will be once we restructure the whole thing.

Isn’t it about time we moved up from 37th place?

Emme Grafton is a senior English major. Contact her at opinion@ dailynebraskan.com

Would you really want to eat at the restaurant that ranked 37th in terms of timeliness, quality and cost of food?

I’m guessing not.”

Internet trolls work as helpful force on the Web

L

ike many of my peers, I’m a product of the Internet age. My house has always had a computer in it, and I was taught to use it at a very young age. It has since been a constant piece of my existence, shaping me into the productive and slightly pale fellow I am now. As I’ve grown and changed in my 21 years of life, so too has the Internet. It’s an ever-evolving tapestry of social media, public discourse and shaky pirated versions of “The Avengers.” Yes, the Internet has blossomed into a beautiful virtual society of intellectuals and social deviants working side by side. However, even in its earliest years, the Internet clearly needed something. The unstructured, anonymous nature of the online world needed a way to keep itself in check. A new type of vigilantism arose in those dark times: the Internet troll.

The Internet troll is often treated as the boogeyman. They are always there, lurking in the dark and waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting denizens of the Web.

This wasn’t always the case, though.

The Internet was first standardized for public use in 1981 with the TCP/IP. It wasn’t a widely used service initially, so a smaller number of individuals were exploring this early Web. These early users quickly became veterans and the best source of information for questions about the service. This led to the humble beginnings of the troll. The veterans became hero figures to the increasing numbers of new users. Many of these older users, wise beyond their years, saw an opportunity arise. They could teach these naïve souls the ways of the Web, and they could have a good time doing it. It became normal practice to post a commonplace piece of information at which many older users wouldn’t bat an eye. When a new user responded to the post, the original poster would poke fun at them. It was a harmless, all-around beneficial service. The veterans had their fun and the newer users learned a valuable lesson.

The common Internet troll is an evolution of these early users. The term “troll” is a slang word referring to a person who

Trolls are mirrors for their targets. Their contradictory attitude serves to help others realize how petty they can be.”

JAZ SCHOENECK

sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or provoking readers into an emotional response. The common troll is seen as a negative force, a villain whose only goal is to sow seeds of chaos in a civilized internet world. This could not be further from the truth. Trolls are the unsung heroes of the modern Internet. They act as a policing force on the Web and are integral to keeping individuals in check.

Anyone who frequents the Internet for anything beyond obscure porn sites has probably met someone they disagree with. The average Internet user often responds with anger. How dare someone share that opinion when it’s so obviously wrong? Enraged at hearing an opinion counter to their own, users will take a moment to write out a well-thought-out and grammatically correct response. This response will likely be met with hatefilled backlash. The Internet troll, unbi-

ased by its very existence, is the natural predator of those with less desirable opinions. These brave souls will systematically destroy an aggressor in a rational and impassive manner until they feel that justice has been served. Trolls are mirrors for their targets. Their contradictory attitude serves to help others realize how petty they can be.

The chaotic and obnoxious nature of the Internet troll is exactly what makes them so integral. They’re the equalizers because they just don’t care. A troll, by its very nature, is contrary. Like the trolls of folklore, who would live under a public bridge with the sole purpose of being a nuisance and collecting ill-gotten goods, the Internet troll lives only to act as an obstacle. In place of stealing food and gold, the Internet troll collects aggression. Aggression drives these courageous souls and becomes one of the services they provide. The troll is universally hated. Often their mere presence can be enough to end a heated argument. Like shadows, these faceless warriors of righteousness will slip unnoticed into a conversation. Once there, they will be argumentative and annoying to everyone involved. Eventually any semblance of the original argument will be lost and those involved will once again be free to watch videos of cats in peace.

The Internet troll’s brand of vigi-

lante law-enforcement is frowned upon by many. At best, they’re usually seen as pests. At worst, some Internet users feel genuinely hurt by trolls. My opinion on trolls is part of the minority. As a firm believer in equality and fairness on the Web, I accept trolls as a necessary force.

This is because I understand the fundamental rule of trolling: They don’t mean it. They can’t. Once you mean what you say as a troll, you are just an opinionated jerk. These heroes may not have fame and glory, but they make the Internet a safer place. Without them how would we ever have reasonable discussions about which celebrity baby is ugliest? Simple answer: We wouldn’t. With their influence, we might even all learn to just have intelligent conversation through agreement and well-reasoned discussion. It’s really not clear. Perhaps one day the virtual society will understand how necessary the Internet trolls are. Until then, the accumulated filth of all their hate and poor Netflix suggestions will foam up about their waists and all the Facebookers and Tumblrs will look up and shout “Save us!” and the trolls will look down and whisper “U Mad Bro?” Jaz Schoeneck is a Junior English and Film Studies Major.

Contact him at opinion@ dailynebraskan.com or on Twitter @jaz_schoeneck

5

monday, january 13, 2014 dailynebraskan.com @dnartsdesk

aRTS & LIFE

d e v l o s e Unr s e u s s I

DN Arts and Life staff rings in 2014 with resolutions, for better or worse art by Sean Flattery

we kick off hope for the year. As ve ha ill st u yo of t r os ch means m me less real – with ou so , al re e m so It’s early January, whi – ns tio share our resolu 2014, we wanted to readers.

doscope of to bring readers a kalei nt wa I r, ito ed e Lif & ts editor: As the Arts and, of course, Nate Sindelar, DN ar ts, entertainment, art ea , rs te ac ar ch g llin state’s most compe into our university, city and s those. I want to get es dr ad to nt wa I ? ns ur passio rests lie? What are yo . With life. Where do your inte me apart from the rest ho r ou ts se at wh d an life,” es this place “the good the thick of what mak ht them, too. form readers but delig in ly on t no n ca we f. I our section, I hope not improving mysel t ou ab l al 14 20 e ak I want to m ant DN arts editor: ght Tyler Keown, assist t to gain so much wei an w I it. in l ve re to t d I wan biggest grease-ball, an her want to turn into the mpassion I have for ot co of nt ou am e th ssen an effort. I want to le concerned. I that even breathing is t to make my family an w I s. st re te in y m g out for myself and Also, I want to people, instead lookin eird. My life is my life. w e m er id ns Co . ar elf for an entire ye want to corrode mys to get a tattoo. build up the courage ler’s tattoo. r: I want to design Ty ito ed ts ar DN t an st it so Katie Nelson, assi ! I’m not sure why I do pe ty I n he w ts in po n op using exclamatio t to break, but Bo Pelini: I want to st ing to be a hard habi go s It’ ! ity al on rs pe cause of my fiery n in often! Carl says it’s be lling everything, whe ye I’m at th n sio illu e g th ! I need to stop creatin I think it’s a good goal percent of what I say!

80 t ou ab ll ye ly on I , coln student reality rsity of Nebraska-Lin ive Un e th ow sh to ess: Our resolution is of people are Subway Pizza Expr s. We know that a lot in ig or e bl na tio es qu can come from mit body that good things a stores, and we’ll ad zz pi of n ai ch a ve ha idea to ay thinks it’s a good velty wondering why Subw t three months on no as le at r fo en op ay ll st ve a feeling that we’ that it isn’t, but we ha stes like. t our pizza actually ta ha w s ize al re ne yo er had so many sales before ev t my tail cut off. I’ve ge t no to is , ar ye y er main goal, like ev ds lost Husker Cat #17: My Hell, most of my frien . ar ye is th en pp ha ing to ically, it’s probably go dy with close calls, and statist loss of part of my bo e th ce fa to be ld ou sh Maybe my resolution il ripped off their tails years ago. nt risk to have my ta ta ns co at t no I’m re ld be to live somewhe grace. Maybe it shou e body even more. In th t en ud st e th to te la is to re y resolution for 2014 memes, Harvey Perlman: M my understanding of ith w e nc va le re of ds un e made leaps and bo listening to a past couple years, I’v rence! Ha!) I’ve been fe re c” ni ita “T a ’s at tip of the iceberg (th the but that was just the wntown soon to get do go an M d Re t ou k g to chec Owl City, and I’m goin bunch of 3OH!3 and xed broski! be good to this chilla to g in go is 14 20 n. around tow “scoop” on the “haps”

and/or eaten.

om

arts@dailynebraskan.c

#Ilovelamp

Arts staff promises fun, unique coverage in 2014 Dear readers, Welcome back to another semester of the Daily Nebraskan’s Arts & Life section. We are tremendously excited to kick off the latest and greatest addition in the timeline of human history, 2014, and we’re even more excited to share it with you.

Fall came and went with indepth looks at the campus and city life all around us, as well as explorations of important topics and issues. We strove to reach the niche and the lesser-known quirks of Lincoln and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, such as “The Lord of the Rings” capstone course or the intoxicating after-

midnight crowd at Raising Canes.

We strove to offer insightful and informative views on challenging subjects with editorials on the nature of celebrity deaths and the money milking that can ensue or the insensitive use of ethnic or racial Halloween costumes. We gave our best to make you laugh with a seemingly unending bar-

rage of Gimme Fives and columns about things such as psychosexual analysis. We even tried to teach you some new Heely tricks as well.

This year, we want to continue all of that and much more. With an all-night ride, we will look at the lives of cab drivers or we will offer information on the city’s best

and secret Chinese restaurants.

We want to get adventurous, and with multi-format packages on student traveling, relationships and partying, with how-to’s and on-going columns covering an array of topics, we will.

With our best efforts, between side-jobs and full-time classes, we hope to enrich your lives, as

a thanks for the time you give us when you pick up the Daily Nebraskan and read an article.

So here’s to 2014 and another round of publication. Let’s make it great.

Cheers,

Editors Nathan Sindelar, Nelson and Tyler Keown

Katie

6

dailynebraskan.com

monday, january 13, 2014

WEEKLY CALENDAR

MONDAY

TUESDAY

13

14

what: “Mountains and Ghosts”: New Ikat tapestries and prints when: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the week where: The second floor of the Home Economics building on East Campus cost: Free

what:

what:

Roger Bruhn: Do(n’t) Look Twice photo gallery when: Now until Feb. 22 where: The LUX Center for the Arts cost: Free

Dollar beer night 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tuesday where: Duffy’s Tavern cost: No cover charge. when:

WEDNESDAY

15

THURSDAY

16

what: 3 Pill Morning show when: 7:30 p.m. where: The Bourbon cost: $5

what: Discount movie showings when: All day Tuesday, Thursday where: Lincoln Grand Cinema cost: $5 per ticket (free popcorn with NCard)

what:

when:

a.m.

Poker Night 6:30 p.m. – 12:30

where:

Duggan’s Pub cost: Free

what:

Take 6 Accapella group when: 7:30 p.m. where: The Lied Center cost: $32-$36

Taco Tuesday when: All day long where/cost: Fuzzy’s - $1.50 The Watering Hole - $0.50 12th Street Pub - 2 for $1

what: Student Discount Movie Showings when: all day where: Lincoln Grand Cinema cost: $5 (free popcorn with NCard)

Album Releases: “Until the Colours Run” Lanterns on the Lake

SATURDAY

17

what: Railroad Earth show when: 8 p.m. where: The Bourbon cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door

what:

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

18

what: Barefoot in the Park performance when: 7:30 p.m. where: Lincoln Community Playhouse cost: $10

what:

Third Friday Funk with Lucas Kellison & the Undisco Kids show when: 8 p.m where: Duffy’s Tavern cost: No cover what: Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers Album release show Ft. fun Trek/ A Ferocious Jungle Cat/ and DJ Relic when: 8 p.m. where: The Bourbon cost: $5

19

what: Miller Lite Boxing Championship when: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. where: Seward County Fairgrounds, 500 N. 14th St. cost: $10 in advance/ $15 at the door

what: 2014 Homestead Film Festival when: 2 p.m. where: The Education Center in Beatrice, NE cost: Free

what: International Women’s Tea & Talk when: 12 p.m. where: Alternations All, 1111 North Cotner cost: free, but bring your own potluck dish

what:

Mic

Acoustic Open

when:

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Ramos Pizza cost: free where:

what:

Karaoke 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. where: Duggan’s Pub cost: Free (with nightly drink specials) when:

what: Ramming Speed show when: 8 p.m. where: The Bourbon cost: Free

Movie Releases: ”Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” “Devil’s Due” “The Nut Job” “Ride Along”

‘American Hustle’ fails to live up to critics’ claims vince moran dn David O. Russell’s third film in three years, “American Hustle,” is another entertaining, if uneven, film featuring an all-star cast and Russell’s signature fast, loud and constantly overlapping dialogue. The film has been compared by many to “Goodfellas” and has been labeled regularly by critics as perhaps the better of the two “Scorsese-inspired” films to come out this Christmas, including Martin Scorsese’s own, “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

As flattering as those praises are, the current controversy surrounding the “The Wolf on Wall Street” and whether it glorifies or even promotes the behavior it depicts, goes to show that no one out-Scorseses the legendary Martin Scorsese himself, and while “American Hustle” may be a fun ride, Russell’s film ultimately lacks the charisma, guts and relentlessness that it takes to make a great film.

“American Hustle” has the elaborate tracking shots, flashy set design, retro costumes, rocking music cues and continues monologues of Scorsese’s signature films “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and, now, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” making the film technically impressive, but in Russell’s hands, these aesthetics amount to an almost forgettable experience because of his inability to bring it all together successfully.

Similar to Russell’s previous film, “Silver Lining’s Playbook,” the conclusion of “American Hustle” is far too easy and improbable in an attempt to provide a happy ending for as many characters as possible, and even eases the punishment on the characters who obviously cannot ride away carefree into the sunset.

None of this is to say “American Hustle” is a bad film, but it certainly is not quite the “masterpiece” some are claiming it to be. In fact, it doesn’t even seem on par with Russell’s past two efforts, which also include “The Fighter.”

Russell once again proves he has a special talent for getting hugely enjoyable loud, comedic and boisterous performances from some of Hollywood’s greatest talent, including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence. Four of those actors have coincidently appeared as the

Courtesy photo leads in Russell’s past two films.

Bale and Adams respectively play Irving Rosenfeld and Sydney Prosser, two cons backed into a corner by Cooper ’s FBI agent Richie DiMaso, who are forced to help him bring down powerful politicians (Renner among others), which resulted in the real-life Abscam scandal that took place in the 1970s and ’80s.

Russell and his technical team all brilliantly bring the fashion, music and overall look and feel of the ’70s to life, doing for the ‘70s what Mathew Weiner did for the ‘60s with “Mad Men.” While these actors all provide worthy performances, Jennifer Lawrence is the clear standout in the cast, stealing every second she appears on screen. She brings to life Rosalyn, Irving’s stay-athome and out-of-sight wife whose eccentric behavior is constantly on the verge of tornadoing out of control and endangering her husband’s and his associates’ mission.

Russell cleverly avoids the controversy spurned by recent historical films such as “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Lincoln” and “Zero Dark Thirty” by inserting the tag line, “Some of This Actually Happened” instead of the more conventional “Based on a True Story” at the beginning of his film. It’s an intelligent and humorous way of being frank with the audience and highlighting Hollywood’s too often misleading historic recreations.

However, in place of historic showboating, Russell only provides entertainment and while that may be enough for many audience members, don’t expect it to pack the punch a Scorsese film al-

Courtesy photo

‘Wolf’ bites into concept of American Dream “AMERICAN HUSTLE” STARRING

Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence

DIRECTED BY

David O. Russell

ways promises. “American Hustle” allows viewers to sit back, relax and enjoy some popcorn, while Scorsese’s films leave a somewhat unsettling feeling with the audience while entertaining them at the same time. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

“The Wolf of Wall Street” impresses fans, critics with Scorsese’s classic themes Jack Forey DN When given the right material, Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest living directors.

His latest masterpiece “The Wolf of Wall Street” feels like it completes a trilogy of films he began a long time ago with “Goodfellas” and expanded in “Casino.”

Each of these films follows the main character, Our Man, who tells us everything about his life, from his perspective, from the point where his life first matters all the way up to his spectacular downfall and emasculation.

These films also all have close, family-oriented groups, crime, excess, drugs, brisk editing, violent marriages, a colorful rainbow of swear words and a meteoric rise

through the social castes of our country. Above all, these movies also ask us to sympathize with some pretty ugly characters as they chase the American Dream.

That idea is more prominent in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” which follows common stock trader Jordan Belfort from his humble beginnings through his role as obscenely wealthy and seedy head of Stratton Oakmont, a company that made its name by unloading penny stocks on gullible investors. Belfort is not a good person by any means, but his ambition is impressive. There are many people like him. The fact of Belfort is not so important.

Here, it’s the idea of his success that drives the film.

Belfort is a vulgar go-getter who makes ridiculous amounts of money for doing nothing, while he thinks he’s kicking all the ass in the world. All the while he stomps and cheers with his friends over all their “achievements,” and all the money, women and drugs they acquire. In the end, it amounts to little but hyper-masculine posturing. Many of Scorsese’s pictures are about characters such as this. They speak directly to us, and although they say very much, they’re only trying to tell us what they think it means to be a man.

The themes Scorsese works out over and over again in his movies are the same themes many great writers have worked over for centuries: love and its complications, greed, betrayal, vice, religion, brotherhood, social divisions and so on.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” is a gangster movie with brokers instead of wiseguys. They do a lot of drugs, which is just another way to display their wealth and status. They get a lot of women because they can. The sex and drugs stand out in the early scenes and resonate for the rest of the film. The experience of the characters is intensified to bring it closer to us, and that experience isn’t always pleasant. The pace, content, and attitude of the film all border on exploitation, but it retains style and sophistication as the characters burn their way to oblivion.

Scorsese’s greatest strength has always been working with his actors. Leonardo DiCaprio injects a snide Gordon Gekko-type affectation to his usual swaggering performance. Jonah Hill is

“THE WOLF OF WALL STREET” STARRING

Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill DIRECTED BY

Martin Scorsese

surprisingly versatile as Donnie Azoff, the degenerate vice president of Stratton Oakmont. Who’d have thought Hill would mumble the line, “Do some crack with me, bro!” in a serious Martin Scorsese picture rather than a Judd Apatow-produced comedy?

“The Wolf of Wall Street” is also something of a comedy, nodding and winking the whole way through, while slipping in and out of a drug-induced coma. Hill provides the fulcrum in many parts throughout the film, but the ensemble cast, with actors too various to name, each contribute to an epic farce of vice and greed in the modern free world, and it’s pretty damn fun to watch.

The fact that Martin Scorsese directed such an electric, edgy film at 71 is more than noteworthy. “The Wolf of Wall Street” is one of the best films of the year.

Scorsese has stated that he plans to direct two more films, then retire. He’s at the top of his form now, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. arts@ dailynebraskan.com

dailynebraskan.com

monday, january 13, 2014

7

Coming home proves hardest part of study abroad katie Nelson I remember standing at the top of the steps in Casco Viejo. I was on top of the world.

It was the perfect end to a perfect night, and yet it was just the beginning. At the time, I had only been in Spain for six days, and I’ve been on the top of the world ever since then, but now I’m starting to come down. The depression is starting to set in, and I’m not sure I’m ready for withdrawal.

Every night I climb the stairs to my apartment – my Spanish home – with the day fading behind me

GIMME

FIVE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

and I was always happy to return.

I remember being so scared to get on that plane to come here in the first place. This was the deal all along: I would get four months in Spain, to learn Spanish and go to a new school and meet some new people and have a little fun.

I remember not wanting to shed my Lincoln skin, and this is why.

This is why, because I knew that I would fall in love. That’s why people kept asking me if I would ever come back. But I’ve run out of money, and I need to graduate and grow up, so I’m coming back.

But you can’t make me come back.

Please, please don’t make me come back.

This existence isn’t real, and you can’t make me wake up from it.

These people are shadows, and you can’t make me forget them.

I’ve gotten so used to hearing Spanish, so please don’t make me listen to English.

and the night closing in around me.

Tomorrow comes like an eraser, undoing each remaining day I have here. The countdown is rapidly approaching hours, then minutes, and the depression sets in.

That first night in Casco Viejo, I stood at the top of the stairs and looked across the roofs and the streets glittering with hundreds of lights and imagined I could leap across the horizon rooftop to rooftop, I said to myself, “I’m home.”

And I was.

And I still am.

Because this is my home now.

No. This is my temporary home in my imaginary life. And I’m going to go back to my real home in my real life.

I’ve traveled across Spain. I’ve seen Madrid and Toledo, San Sebastian and Vitoria, Granada and Sevilla. Christ, I just spent a weekend in Paris with two of my friends.

But Bilbao was always home,

In my head I’m not making any sense, because I can’t make sense of the situation. There aren’t words to express how I feel, and when I get home and you ask me what it was like, there won’t be any words to tell you. I’m home, but I’m not, and when I’m home, I won’t be. I’m caught somewhere in the middle of ecstatic-to-return, but dreading leaving and dreading returning, but ready to go.

So where am I? I am at the top of the steps.

I am listening to the waves crash against the shore, to my friends screaming and giggling like children as the sea lifts them, wave after wave.

I am feeling the autumn sun’s rays melt into my body.

I am collecting every word that falls from Kayla’s mouth as we push our feet deeper into the sand, sharing a beach towel and secrets for the first time.

I am watching Jon and George

roll, then light and smoke their cigarettes to the filter.

I am racing down the archaic steps of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe as the sun, and I compete to see who will make it to the bottom first.

I am hearing George’s Irish accent, Kayla’s laugh, Jon’s Spanish.

I am clutching my sides as yet another conversation, another miscommunication, another joke sends us into fits of giggles.

I am dancing to the music of the discoteca we say we frequent, inviting the heat and sweat of the nightclub to be my dance partners.

I am reeling as the alcohol courses through my veins.

I am starving for cheap food from the chain bar we go to every Thursday.

I am struggling as Spanish begins to intertwine with my brain, as words come easier, and phrases come faster.

I had no idea what I would encounter when I came to Spain, and

Gimme five ways to celebrate “Januany”

Five.

Five dollar.

Five dollar footlong.

2014 is starting on a high note — Subway is putting on their “Januany” promotion, which means any footlong sub can be bought for a measly $5! Be still, my heart! There are only 19 days left of this tremendous time, and the last thing I want is for you to waste that time.

Here are the best ways to celebrate the season.

now I have no idea what kind of life I will return to in Nebraska, and I think my psychiatrist would tell me that’s why the depression is setting in.

It’s not totally depression, though. It’s only kind of depression. It’s anticipation for the heartache that comes from familiarity. It’s waiting for the emptiness, the space that I am all too aware I will not be able to fill. It’s good, I tell myself.

All of this is good, I repeat, because this depression means something happened here. It means I felt something – found something – I couldn’t have in Lincoln.

So now the depression is swallowing me whole, and I’m trying to tell myself how good that is.

It means I really lived here.

And it is killing me.

Katie Nelson is a senior journalism major. Reach her at arts@ dailynebraskan.com

Readers, the Arts & Life staff wants your tweets. Each week, look for prompts throughout the arts section about upcoming events, controversial topics and conversations and tweet at @dnartsdesk or use the hashtag #dnartsdesk, and we’ll publish the best contributions each Monday.

Follow us @dnartsdesk, and send us your story ideas, jokes, opinions and photos.

Leave your Christmas tree up for another month. Eat your meatball marinara next to the fire and let the light glistening off the ornaments enhance the experience.

Live tweet each sandwich you eat. With prices that low, you’re presumably going to eat a sub for every meal because it’d be financially irresponsible not to. Let your followers know the details of every bite. Let them live through you.

Take three subs, remove the top buns from two of them and stack them on top of each other, creating a triple-sub. Do it. Make a triple-sub and eat the entire thing, just because you can.

Apply to Subway so you can get even more of a discount on the subs! Can you imagine how cheap they’ll be? I bet, like, $3.50 tops for a prime-time Italian BMT. Completely worth having “sandwich artist” as a job title.

Y NAME

HELLO, M

IS

Get yourself caught in a “Groundhog Day” situation where every day repeats. Infinite Januany. Subs for $5 every day. The things you’ll be losing, such as watching your children grow, do not matter. $5 subs matter.

arts@dailynebraskan.com

COMPilED BY TYLER KEOWN | ART BY Sean Flattery

classifieds

dailynebraskan.com

(402) 472-2589

SUDOKU PUZZLE

Housing

By Wayne Gould

Every row, column and 3x3 box should contain the numbers 1 thru 9 with no repeats across or down.

Roommates

Looking for a roommate in a 2 bedroom house, Washer and dryer included, Golden retriever living in house also. Rent $305 plus utilities.

Email raewylie@gmail.com if interested Looking for a roommate to share a 4 bedroom house. Located 1 block south of East Campus on Idylwild Dr. Rent is $350 plus utilities.

Would be sharing a house with 3 other male agricultural students. Call 402-679-1174 for details.

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation Middle aged woman is looking for a quiet 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018roommate to share nice older home. Great 17 & Van Dorn area.

For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 neighborhood, Dishwasher,washer/dryer,porch,fireplace. $300. I pay utilities. 402-430-5891.

For Release Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

Crossword ACROSS with the slogan “Born from jets” 5 Wee hour 8 Fazes 14 Israel’s first representative to the United Nations 16 Far from klutzy 17 Nonsensical syllables, maybe 18 They may be followed by trains 19 French place of learning 20 Reynolds who sang “Tammy” 22 Bris or baptism 23 Unbeatable hand 27 Part of a 23-Across 29 Find a tenant for 30 Educ. supporter 31 Elite military group

35 36 37 38 39 40

Phaser setting Like the Capitol Wee, to Burns Revealing beachwear So-called “albatross” Sport for high jumpers?

Some appliances Bestow, to Burns Arctic explorer John Some Caribbean percussion Superboy’s sweetie Nap in Nogales Madison Ave. figure Sicilian smoker Something to sing … or a hint to 17-, 23-, 31-, 40and 45-Across’s starts For mature audiences, say

61 62 63 64

Like some compact discs Jeans measure On Soc. Sec., often Methods

DOWN

that may be rattled 2 Early adders 43 3 Prior’s superior 4 Flavorings for 44 some stews 5 Not yet filled: 45 Abbr.

6 Well-hidden fellow of 49 children’s books 7 Well-pitched 53 8 Acts the 54 dilettante 9 Floating 55 aimlessly 10 Archangel of 58 the Apocrypha 11 Signal approval 12 Reason for a 10th inning 13 Luke, John and 60 others: Abbr.

15 Season after printemps ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 21 Many a love song S E C R E T M S P A C M A N E L A I N E R H U B A R B S 23 Object in court G O D B L E S S A M E R I C A 24 Sinclair who wrote “The A P E D E M A L S Jungle” E T A L Z I T L A P I S 25 Smarted V I C T E A L I R A 26 Pal around B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S (with) O R E D R E T H O O N S 28 Charisse of R I G H T O N T H E M O N E Y “Silk Stockings” I C E E M E R S E X 31 Large combo S A L A S T A J R O T C 32 Tickle the funny bone D A L G A G R O I P R E S B Y T E R I A N I S M 33 Glacial ridges U N T U R N E D B A H A M A 34 With 56-Down, “The Joy Luck B A D P E N N Y B A L L O T Club” author 42

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monday, january 13, 2014

dn Big ten homeroom 1. Wisconsin (16-0 0VERALL, 3-0 BIG TEN)

9. Purdue (11-5, 1-2)

5. Ohio State (15-2, 2-2)

The Boilermakers seem to be a year away from a successful run in the Big Ten. Center AJ Hammons has been a force this season, and coach Matt Painter has been able to play a lot of freshmen this season. Purdue travels to Illinois this week after picking up its first conference win against Nebraska Sunday.

Defense. Defense. Defense.

The Buckeyes hang their hats on it, and they are one of the best in the country at it, giving up just 56 points a game.

However, the Buckeyes struggled to score in their last two games, both losses.

They’ll look to change that with a trip to Minnesota on Thursday.

There are four undefeated teams in the country, and the Badgers are one of them. Coach Bo Ryan and Wisconsin are winning the same way they always do: defense. The Badgers give up only 61 points a game, second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. They travel to Indiana on Tuesday.

10. Nebraska (8-8, 0-4)

6. Illinois (13-4, 2-2) 2. Michigan State (15-1, 4-0)

The Spartans have been flying a little under the radar since they lost to North Carolina in the non-conference. Handing Ohio State its first loss of the season on Jan. 7 might have changed that. A win is likely Wednesday as MSU travels to lowly Northwestern.

The surprise team of the year in the Big Ten, the Illini continue to impress, in particular redshirt junior Rayvonte Rice.

The Drake transfer leads the conference at almost 19 points a game. Illinois hosts Purdue on Wednesday after losing to Northwestern on Sunday.

Coach Tim Miles’ squad lost a heart breaker last week at home against Michigan and followed that up with a loss at Purdue. The Huskers don’t do a lot well, but somehow find themselves consistently in close games in the nation’s best conference. Nebraska gets a break this week after a brutal schedule to start conference play.

7. Minnesota (13-4, 2-2)

11.Penn State (9-8, 0-4)

The Gophers have been a bit of a surprise this season.

They competed well against Michigan State last week before falling in overtime. Junior Andre Hollins leads the team with 16.3 points a game. Minnesota hosts Ohio State Thursday.

3. Iowa (14-3, 3-1)

If you like offense, you’ll like the Hawkeyes.

Iowa leads the Big Ten in scoring offense at 86.5 points a game. And that offense was on full display against the Big Ten’s top defense in an 84-74 win at Ohio State. Iowa waits to play until next Sunday against Minnesota.

4. Michigan (11-4, 3-0)

8. Indiana (11-5, 1-2)

It hasn’t been a pretty season for last year’s national runner up.

But the Wolverines have started out conference play undefeated, thanks in large part to the play of Nik Stauskas. The sophomore averages 17.4 points a game and shoots 46 percent from behind the arc. The Wolverines host Penn State on Tuesday.

The Hoosiers can beat anyone on any given night, but they can also lose to anyone. Youth remains a theme for Indiana, as Will Sheehey is the only senior that receives significant playing time. Sophomore Yogi Ferrell has been impressive, but the Hoosiers need more consistency from their freshmen when the team hosts Wisconsin this week.

DJ Newbill has been impressive for the Nittany Lions so far this season.

But that’s about it for Penn State as it still searches for its first Big Ten win. Junior Newbill averages just over 17.3 points a game to lead PSU, who travels to Michigan this week.

12. Northwestern (8-9, 1-3)

There’s not much good to say about the Wildcats. They only score 64.6 points a game while giving up 66.6 points. They also rank last in the conference in rebounding margin. First-year coach Chris Collins has his hands full with this program. Northwestern plays Michigan State on Wednesday.

--compiled by Andrew Ward sports@dailynebraskan.com

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Men’s bBALL: from 10

You deserve a factual look at . . .

Myths About Israel and the Middle East (2) Should we re-examine endlessly repeated clichés?

In a previous installment in this series of clarifying messages about Israel and the Middle East, we examined certain myths which, by dint of constant repetition, had acquired currency and acceptance. We looked at the myth of “Palestinian nationhood,” the myth of Judea/Samaria (the “West Bank”) being “occupied territory,” the myth that Jewish settlements in these territories are “the greatest obstacle to peace,” and the myth that Israel is unwilling to “yield land for peace.” And we cleared up the greatest myth of all, namely that Israel’s administration of the territories, and not the unrelenting hatred of the Arabs against the Jews, is the root cause of the conflict between the Arabs and Israel. But those are not all the myths; there are more.

What are more of these myths?

File Photo by Jake Crandall | dn

Second-year Nebraska coach Tim Miles’ Huskers have lost five games in a row, NU’s longest losing streak since the 2009-10 season, when it lost seven straight games. like the Big Ten, there’s no room to your teammates down at the last second when we could have won a make errors, according to Miles.

“It’s very demanding to win game against Michigan.”

Petteway finished the game in the Big Ten – on the road or at with a team-high 16 points – 14 of home,” Miles said. “Any small mistake can really make those coming in the you pay.” second half with 9 It’s very Besides going of them coming in demanding winless during the the final 10 minutes. holidays, Nebraska And Thursday’s to win in the Big was also unable game wasn’t the to break 60 points only one Petteway Ten – on the road against Cincinled his team in scor- or at home. Any nati, Iowa and Ohio ing.

State. In the threeIn fact, he did so small mistake can game stretch, the in each of Huskers’ really make you Huskers turned the five losses, posting ball over 36 times 22, 20 and 15 points, pay.” compared with the respectively, against Tim Miles 29 their opponents the Bearcats, Hawkmen’s basketball coach handed over. eyes and Buckeyes, “Unfortunately and 19 in West Lain this league you’re going to lose fayette Sunday.

However, his impressive perfor- games if you make any amount of mances weren’t enough to get Ne- errors,” Miles said.

Although Nebraska gave up braska wins. In a tough conference

the ball less times against Iowa, Michigan and Purdue, team fouls played a factor in those contests.

Nebraska recorded 59 personal fouls, allowing its opponents to shoot 76 attempts from the charity stripe.

Nebraska will have some time off to recuperate before hosting Ohio State Jan. 20. The last time the two teams met was Jan. 4 in Columbus, Ohio, where the Buckeyes handed Nebraska its worst defeat of the season.

Miles said he hopes his players use the winless drought over break as a learning lesson and motivation heading into the rest of their conference schedule.

“I hope they’re gaining an understanding of what exactly, the effort it takes – mentally and physically – over and over again to be successful.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

women’s bball: from 10 took her sixth double-double of the season.

Hooper led the squad with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Junior guard Brandi Jeffery was the only bench player to contribute points to the game out of both teams.

The starters for Illinois and Nebraska led the game.

“Jeffery had a key basket, and I thought we needed it,” Yori said. “Overall, we had pretty good ball movement. It’s interesting because we’ve been working on playing against this trapping zone since October, and I think it helped us a lot.”

The Huskers continued to in-

Reality: There is no prospect at all that anything resembling a democratic state could be created in the ■ Myth: The Arabs of Israel are a persecuted territories. There is not a single democratic Arab minority. state – all of them are tyrannies of varying degrees.

Reality: The over one million non-Jews (mostly Even today, under partial Israeli administration, Arabs) who are citizens of Israel have the same civil Hamas and other factions fight for supremacy and rights that Jews have. They vote, are members of the ruthlessly murder each other. Another Lebanon, with Knesset (parliament), and are part of Israel’s civil and its incessant civil wars, is much more likely. The diplomatic service, just as their Jewish fellow lawlessness and chaos citizens. Arabs have prevail in Gaza since complete religious “It is in our national interest that that Israel’s withdrawal is a freedom and full access to the Israeli legal, health reality, not myths, govern our policy.” good prospect of what would happen if Israel – and educational systems foolishly and under the pressure of “world opinion” – – including Arabic and Muslim universities. The only were to abandon this territory. As for difference between the “rights” of Arabs and Jews is demilitarization, that is totally unlikely. Because – that Jewish young men must serve three years in the with Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, most of military and at least one month a year until age 50. which are in a declared state of war with Israel, at its Young Jewish women serve for two years. The Arabs borders – an irresistible power vacuum would be have no such civic obligation. For them, military created. Despite pious promises, the arms merchants service is voluntary. Not too surprisingly, except for of the world would find a great new market and the the Druze, very few avail themselves of the privilege. neighboring hostile Arab countries would be happy to ■ Myth: Having (ill-advisedly) already given up supply anything else that might be needed. control of the Gaza Strip, Israel should also give up ■ Myth:: Israel should make “confidence-building the administration of Judea/Samaria (the “West gestures” for the sake of peace.

Bank”) because strategic depth is meaningless in Reality: What really is it that the world expects this age of missiles.

Israel to do for the sake of peace? Most of the 22 Arab Reality: Israel is a mini-state – about half the size countries consider themselves in a state of war with of San Bernardino county in California. If another, Israel and don’t even recognize its “existence.” That even smaller mini-state were carved out of it, Israel has been going on for over sixty years. Isn’t it about would be totally indefensible. That is the professional time that the Arabs made some kind of a “gesture?” opinion of 100 retired U.S. generals and admirals. If Could they not for instance terminate the constant the Arabs were to occupy whatever little strategic state of war? Could they not stop launching rockets depth Israel has between the Jordan River and its into Israel from areas that Israel has abandoned for populated coast, they would not need any missiles. the sake of peace? Could they not stop the suicide Artillery and mortars would suffice, since Israel bombings, which have killed hundreds of Israelis and would be only nine miles wide at its waist. Those who which have made extreme security measures – such urge such a course either do not understand the as the defensive fence and convoluted bypass roads – situation or have a death wish for Israel. necessary? Any of these would create a climate of ■ Myth: If Israel would allow a Palestinian state peace and would indeed be the “confidence-building to arise in Judea and Samaria it would be a gestures” that the world hopes for. democratic state and would be totally demilitarized.

Countless “peace conferences” to settle this festering conflict have taken place. All have ended in failure because of the intransigence of the Arabs. President Clinton, toward the end of his presidency, convened a conference with the late unlamented Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak, the prime minister of Israel at that time. Mr. Barak offered virtually everything that Arafat had requested, except the partition of Jerusalem and the acceptance of the so-called refugees, their descendants having swollen from the 650,000 who fled the nascent state of Israel during the War of Liberation, to an incredible 5 million. Arafat left in a huff and started his infamous intifada instead, a bloody war that has cost thousands of Palestinian and Israeli lives. Israel is America’s staunchest ally and certainly its only true friend in that area of the world. It is in our national interest that reality, not myths, govern our policy.

This message has been published and paid for by

crease their lead to 21 points by the end of the game, leaving the final score at 75-56.

After beating the Fighting Illini, the Huskers will return home to prepare to compete against Minnesota Thursday at 8 p.m. sports@ dailynebraskan.com

Facts and Logic About the Middle East P.O. Box 590359 ■ San Francisco, CA 94159

Gerardo Joffe, President

FLAME is a tax-exempt, non-profit educational 501 (c)(3) organization. Its purpose is the research and publication of the facts regarding developments in the Middle East and exposing false propaganda that might harm the interests of the United States and its allies in that area of the world. Your taxdeductible contributions are welcome. They enable us to pursue these goals and to publish these messages in national newspapers and magazines. We have virtually no overhead. Almost all of our revenue pays for our educational work, for these clarifying messages, and for related direct mail.

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To receive free FLAME updates, visit our website: www.factsandlogic.org

dailynebraskan.com

Monday, January 13, 2014

» »WOmen’s Gymnastics

Huskers claim victory in first match of season Staff report DN

ka continued to lead with a score of 98.475-97.075.

Moving on to the third rotation, the team performed on the beam, The Nebraska women’s gymnastics posting a score of 49.02, led by Jenteam defeated Northern Illinois at nifer Lauer’s 9.85 performance. She home during its first meet Saturday evening. The Huskers dominated was followed by Wong’s 9.825 and across the board, winning all four identical scores from sophomore Hollie Blanske and senior Jamie events and ending the night with a Schleppenbach of 9.80. final score of 196.625-192.525.

After the third rotation, Nebras“It was our first time out this ka stayed in the lead with a score of season, and I expected good gym147.500-145.475. nastics — that’s what we went In the final rotation of the meet, after,” Nebraska coach Dan Kendig said. “We tried to stay in the the Huskers performed their floor routines, earning a score of 49.125, moment, stay focused and not get led by Wong’s meet-winning perforahead of ourselves, and it worked mance with a score of for us.”

9.95. Blanske earned a Kendig was 9.85 and Lauer earned pleased with the results a 9.825 in this event, of the team, especially contributing to the win considering that three for Nebraska. of the 10 team members Kendig said the competed with Nebrasmeet was a great way ka for the first time. to start their season.

In particular, he He also said the atwas impressed with semosphere was part of nior Emily Wong, who what contributed to earned two individual the win. There were 2, titles, one of which was 746 spectators at the Wong the all-around title. Her meet, which was part final score was 39.425. of the first Tumble N’ Kendig said it was Rumble combined meet with wresWong’s first meet without her dad, tling. who died last August.

Kendig said the crowd moti“I know this was a tough meet vated his team. for Emily, but she stayed focused “We had a great, loud crowd and did well in spite of all that,” Kendig said. “The entire team was that was able to help us out,” Kendig said. wearing bracelets to commemorate With a strong start to the Huskhim. We know we had a guardian angel up there watching out for us ers’ season, Kendig said he hopes the success continues. tonight.”

“I’m a strong believer in the Junior Jessie DeZiel also had a notable performance, earning two idea that success breeds success,” Kendig said. “Every one of them top scores, tying her career-best on vault and bars. She scored a 9.95 and could tell me what they could’ve a 9.925, respectively. Junior Jennifer done better, even the ones who went 9.995 in an event know where Lauer won the beam title for Nethey could’ve done better.” braska with a score of 9.85.

The women’s gymnastics team In the first rotation of the meet, the Huskers took an early lead on will be traveling to Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend to compete in its secthe vault, with a score of 49.25048.475. In the second rotation, Ne- ond meet of the season against No. 2 Alabama and No. 21 Kentucky in braska performed on the bars, led by the Ozone Collegiate Classic.

DeZiel and junior Desire’ Stephens, sports@ who scored a career-best of 9.875. dailynebraskan.com After the first two rotations, Nebras-

swimming and diving

NU trains in Hawaii during holiday break Staff report DN For the Nebraska swimming and diving team, the process to become a championship-caliber team never stops. Even during the long holiday vacation, the athletes were still working to stay in condition and working hard to improve themselves. There is always a worry about teams taking a step back in both conditioning and performance when they come back from the holiday break.

“One of the things that all teams struggle with is there’s usually a break when you send the girls home for the holidays,” assistant coach Patrick Rowan said.

“They’re home for anywhere in between a week to 10 to 12 days.

The challenge is making sure that they don’t lose conditioning during that period of time.”

These athletes know the importance of staying well-conditioned, so many of them took the initiative to work out back at their homes. There were a few that utilized the practice pool in Bob Devaney Sports Center.

“Most of them ask for some workouts to be sent home,” Rowan said. “We’ll give it when they ask for them, and they also have their club keys so that they can come back and drop in the water.”

There will be a bit of a performance curve as the team starts to get back in the swing of things.

However, Rowan said he is confident the team will be ready to rock soon.

According to Rowan, the team will face initial challenges with swimmers and divers coming back, but it won’t cause much concern.

“It can be challenging, depending on who was coming back and swimming, and with classes starting, they’ve got a lot that they’re thinking about,” Rowan said. “When they get back, they snap right back into training mode. Once they’re here it’s not a problem.”

However, the team didn’t spend the entire holiday break in Nebraska. In fact, they didn’t even stay in the mainland United States for the entire break. The team had the opportunity to train in Oahu, Hawaii. Rowan said the team worked hard, and he feels that it was a successful trip overall.

“We’ve been asking for a lot of training,” Rowan said. “We’ve been doing some three-a-day workouts at some point. Some of that included some runs on the beach, some hiking up in the

mountain area in Oahu. It was just a blast.”

One aspect of the trip that Rowan was most pleased with was the overall attitude. Attitude was a key aspect from day one for the team, and he felt that the girls excelled in Oahu.

“The girls had a great attitude the whole time, and that’s what we talked about from day one is how contagious attitudes are, whether they’re good or bad,” Rowan said.

“The girls really took that as a challenge and thought ‘You know what? We’re in a beautiful location in 80 degree weather. How much better does it get for a training location?

“So they raised it up, and we had a fun time out there, we saw a lot of great things and most importantly, the girls got in an incredible week of training that we hope will really propel us forward now in the second half of our season.”

As the spring semester begins in Lincoln, the team will be looking for an intense couple of weeks in practice. They won’t just be taking it easy, but look to be well rested coming into their next meet against Illinois on Jan. 25.

“We’re going to have two weeks of some heavy training coming up,” Rowan said. “Right after that competition, we do start resting for conference.” He also said next month is when the squad will start working more on the more mental aspects of the sport.

For now, he wants his team to have intense, high energy practices to get the team into shape and to allow them to learn to deal with racing tired.

“We’re going to tell them that they’re going to be rested afterwards,” Rowan said. “You’re going to be tired, and you have to find a way to race and find a way to get your hand on the wall.

“Illinois’s not going to hand this meet to us. They’re coming in wanting to win. I really feel like it’s going to be one of those things where the level of competition raises our level of focus going into this competition.”

When Nebraska returns to action against Illinois, Rowan also said the home crowd will play a big role in willing the Huskers to victory against the Fighting Illini.

“If we get a loud energetic crowd that would really help us out a lot,” Rowan said. “They’re going to want some redemption after last year. We took them out at home, so they’re going to want to take a shot at us during our senior day.” sports@ dailynebraskan.com

9

Nebraska sweeps pair of duals No. 8 Huskers defeat Indiana, Penn at home to remain unbeaten on season, await No. 3 Iowa Austin Pistulka DN The Husker wrestling team showed its dominance this weekend by blowing out Big Ten opponent Indiana and Penn.

Friday featured No. 8 Nebraska taking on Indiana.

The night started at the 133-pound weight class with freshman Colton McCrystal stepping on the mat to take on Indiana freshman Chris Caton. After little action in the first period, McCrystal rolled out and took down Caton in the second. Then, McCrystal lifted and flipped Caton onto his back. McCrystal got the pin and gave Nebraska a 6-0 lead.

The dual would continue to go Nebraska’s way. The Huskers won with a dominating score of 30-10.

The two matches of the night were in the 157-pound weight class and the 184-pound weight class. Both were battles of ranked opponents.

No. 3 junior James Green took on No. 6 junior Taylor Walsh.

Green walked away with a 7-1 decision over Walsh. Even though it file photo by andrew barry | dn was a battle of top tens, Green did No. 3 junior 157-pound wrestler James Green defeated No. 6 junior Taylor Walsh by a 7-1 decision not overthink the match. on Friday and Penn’s sophomore Ray Bethea on Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

“It’s no different,” Green said.

“We’re all wrestlers, and we just treat it like it’s any other match.”

The Huskers won 30-9 against able to lock in the cradle with match. Kokesh dominated the This was not Green’s first time the Quakers. At the halfway point what looked to be ease. entire match. In the middle of the taking on Walsh. of the dual, Nebraska lead Penn “He’s a game changer,” Nesecond period, he put his oppo“I’ve been wrestling him evbraska coach Mark Manning said. by a score of 10-6 after dropping nent flat on the mat. The crowd ery year since I’ve been in col- “We look for those guys to give two of five matches. That’s when erupted as Kokesh got his eighth lege, and we’re ranked wrestlers us a spark. TJ beat Nebraska’s pin of the year. both from New Jera tough kid. Not turned up the heat.

“I had to go out and execute sey, so growing up I’ve been Penn would win only one my game plan,” Kokesh said. only did he beat we’ve been wreshim, he pinned more match the rest of the dual.

“Last night dueling Indiana, I wrestling tling our whole No. 6 149-pound junior Jake him, and that says didn’t have my best match, so I lives,” Green said. him every year something about Sueflohn helped turn the tide had to study up and change my At the TJ. This is a sport of with a big pin in the second peri- game plan a little bit. I got to my 184-pound weight since I’ve been in od to give the Huskers a 10-point ties and controlled the pace of the struggle and overclass, No. 15 fresh- college.” coming struggles. cushion. match, and I came out on top. It’s man TJ Dudley “I felt more relaxed with this We’ve got some a great feeling (to get a pin). You James green took on No. 19 freshmen who are atmosphere,” Sueflohn said. “The don’t see it much in college and to junior 157-pound wrestler junior Luke Sherikid came out strong, and I had to figuring that out on do it in front of so many people. It dan. just stay in my stance to get to my was awesome.” the fly.”

The first peoffense, and from there I just conSaturday night With these two duals finished, riod was uneventful, but that all was the Tumble N’ Rumble event trolled the match.”

No. 8 Nebraska remains perfect in changed in the second. Dudley where wrestling took place at the Green would add a 19-4 techduals going into the biggest chalwas on top to start the period same time as women’s gymnasnical fall to the score in the next lenge of the year. Nebraska takes and immediately looked to finish tics. However, the gymnastics match. on No. 3 Iowa on Saturday. his opponent. Dudley has longer meet did not distract the wresNo. 4 junior Robert Kokesh sports@ arms than most wrestlers and was took the mat for the 174-pound dailynebraskan.com tling team as it routed Penn.

Abdullah made the right call Nedu Izu During the last few months, I’ve been serenaded with a song by Aloe Blacc called “The Man.” Although the subject of my favorite track is self-explanatory and doesn’t technically mention the name Ameer Abdullah, I can’t help but think it’s also about Nebraska’s star running back.

Just when I thought I couldn’t respect the soon-to-be senior anymore, he did something Thursday that proved my belief erroneous. Just after 3:15 p.m., I opened my email to a subject that read “Statement from Nebraska I-Back Ameer Abdullah and Head Coach Bo Pelini.”

My heart rate was on high already coming off the treadmill, and it only increased when I saw the player and coach’s names. I thought the worst.

Was there another old incident just now being dug up and released? Or did Abdullah and Pelini get into a scuffle after the Huskers’ 24-19 Gator Bowl win against Georgia?

The verdict: neither.

My inquiries were answered in the last sentence of the fifth paragraph when Abdullah stated, “ … at this time I would like to formally announce my intentions of returning to Nebraska for my senior season.”

But that’s not the line that won me over. He concluded by saying, “If playing in the NFL is truly in God’s plans for me, then God will again present this opportunity to me after I complete my college education.”

Faith, education and patience.

That’s the man you want on your team if you’re a college football fan.

Just ask his coach, who replied to Abdullah’s decision saying, “We look forward to having Ameer represent the Nebraska football program for another season.”

And how could you blame Pelini for such an opinion?

Abdullah finished his junior season ranked eighth in both total rushing yards (1,690) and rushing attempts (281). Both are 31 and 21 spots better than his NCAA rankings last year when he posted 1,137 rushing yards and 226 attempts a year ago.

Abdullah led the Big Ten this season in total rushing yards and finished second in the conference with 130.7 average yards per game. The I-back’s improved efforts his junior year also earned him All-American honors and a spot on the first-team All-Big Ten. His decision to stay a Husker is big.

Not only will the Huskers be getting back an athlete who set a schoolrecord 11 games with 100 or more rushing yards, or a guy who’s on the verge of becoming Nebraska’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards. They’ll also be getting back a mentor for the younger running backs waiting in the wing.

Let’s face it – sophomore Imani Cross and Terrell Newby are not Abdullah. At least not yet. Did the pair combine for more than 700 yards off the bench? Yes. Did they both play in

file photo by matt masin | dn

Junior running back Ameer Abdullah decided on Thursday to return to the Husker squad for his senior season. Abdullah was eighth in the country in rushing yards with 1,690 this season. each game this season? Yes. Are they both exciting to watch? You bet. But does either of them hold the skills that Abdullah displays on a consistent basis? No. Neither are as electric as No. 8 yet.

Abdullah has proven his hard work in practice has leaked into game situation as his stats – shown above – have improved with each passing season. He’s been able to learn from former greats such as Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead – who were both drafted into the NFL after their senior seasons.

According to Pelini, the character Abdullah shows off and on the field is what he looks for in an athlete in his program.

“Ameer comes from a great family, has great character and is a great leader in our program,” Pelini said.

“He stands for all the right things as a student-athlete, and I know it is important for him to leave the University of Nebraska with a degree.”

I can’t imagine the decision to forgo an opportunity to make seven figures would be easy for anyone. But the decision to stay one more year is not just a win for Pelini and the Huskers but also a win for Abdullah.

As history has shown his first three seasons, Abdullah has continued to get better. Another season, assuming the improving trend continues, will give him a chance to rush for 2,000 yards and increase his stock in the 2015 NFL Draft. Plus, the Husker will enter next fall as the Big Ten’s biggest threat in the backfield.

This is a win-win for both parties.

April 12 will come and the Sea of Red will see hints of improvement

from the new and old Huskers during the annual Red-White spring game.

Then Aug. 30 will finally arrive and the man who ranks eighth on Nebraska’s rushing list will be positioned in an up stance in the backfield ready for another opportunity to anchor his team to a better season.

If there’s one student-athlete who should be modeled after, it’s the soonto-be senior I-back. If there’s one person who’s shown hard work does pay off, it’s the Homewood, Ala., native. If there’s one player who can be trusted to aid Pelini to his first ever conference championship, Ameer Abdullah is the man.

Nedu Izu is a senior broadcasting major. You can reach him at sports@ dailynebraskan.com

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monday, january 13, 2014 dailynebraskan.com @dnsports

sports File Photo by Jake Crandall | dn

Senior forward Jordan Hooper led the Huskers in scoring with 22 points on the road against Illinois on Sunday. Hooper also went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line against the Fighting Illini.

NU rebounds with road win against Illinois

File photo by Andrew Barry | dn

Sophomore forward Terran Petteway drives toward the basket in a 71-70 loss to Michigan on Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Petteway led the Huskers with 16 points against the Wolverines and with 19 points in the loss to Purdue on Sunday.

Predictions come true Huskers continue slump during the break with losses to Michigan, Purdue

Nedu Izu DN Heading into Nebraska’s next five games, after its eighth win of the year against The Citadel on Dec. 21, Tim Miles knew the road ahead would be far from buoyant.

The coach didn’t hold anything back when he said, “There are a billion people who are going to pick us going 0-5,” after the last

home non-conference matchup.

Miles and his squad were looking to prove the skeptics’ predictions inaccurate. However, the Huskers did just the opposite, dropping all five games during break with their latest being a 7064 loss to Purdue (11-5, 1-2 Big Ten).

Miles said the eight men who played in Sunday’s loss against the Boilermakers didn’t play Ne-

braska basketball.

“We played good high school basketball,” Miles said during his post-game radio interview.

The five-game losing skid against Cincinnati (74-59), No. 20 Iowa (67-57), No. 3 Ohio State (8453), Michigan (71-70) and Purdue marks the Huskers’ longest winless drought of the season, and included a first loss at home when Michigan defeated Nebraska by

one Thursday night.

The nail-biter that went the Wolverine’s way was tough to swallow for sophomore guard Terran Petteway, who was given the ball with one second left in the game.

“I made that layup five times before that and missed the game one,” he said after the heartbreaking loss to Michigan. “It kind of hurt. It’s the worst feeling letting

men’s bball: see page 8

These back-and-forth plays on the court kept the scoring low in the No. 16 Huskers suffer first 20 minutes of the game. the first half, loss against Michigan bothThroughout teams scored below their State, bounce back averages. Nebraska made 8 out of 23 shots from the field total, with 19-point victory while Illinois made 9 out of 30. In against Illini 3-pointers, the Huskers took 1 for 6, while the Fighting Illini took 0 for 14.

Nebraska maintained its lead Natasha Rausch throughout the first half, which DN ended with a score of 26-22. The Huskers held Illinois to its lowest After losing to unranked Michifirst-half score this season. gan State last Thursday in an To start the second half, Laudaway game, the 11-3 Nebraska ermill missed her 3-point attempt, women’s basketball team traveled followed by a missed 3-pointer to the State Farm Center in Chamfrom Moore. Cady made the first paign, Ill., to compete against the points of the half after sophomore 7-8 Fighting Illini on Sunday. The point guard Rachel Theriot stole game ended with a 75-56 win for the ball from junior guard Ivory the No. 16 Huskers.

Crawford.

“Coming off of the loss helped Both teams continued to rack us fuel our fire, so up turnovers. Newe just executed,” braska totaled 18 Overall, our by the end of the senior forward Jordan Hooper half, while poise in the second said. “We’ve been Illinois had 15. practicing against second half was “Overall, our this buzz defense poise in the secbetter against for a while so that ond half was better helped us.” their trapping against their trapImmediately ping zone,” coach zone.” starting the game, Connie Yori said.

Illinois freshman “I thought we exconnie yori forward Jacqui women’s basketball coach ecuted really well Grant missed a against their man, 3-pointer, which but we struggled was rebounded by Hooper, who against their zone. So second half, had 5 rebounds in the first half.

I just thought we needed to settle Hooper got the ball to junior down and handle it better than guard Tear ’a Laudermill, who the first half.” made a 3-pointer to put the HuskAfter Moore fouled Cady on ers on the board. a jump shot, Nebraska was put After missing three 3-pointers in the bonus with 13:09 left in the and two jump shots, the Fightgame. ing Illini finally put themselves A few possessions later, Lauon the board with a jump shot by dermill made a 3-pointer, one of Grant, putting the score at 7-2 in three the Huskers made in the the first five minutes of the game. second half.

Once the Huskers got the ball The Huskers took a 52-37 lead back, junior forward Emily Cady when Cady got an offensive returned it over to the Illini. Illi- bound and made a jump shot with nois junior guard Alexis Smith 10:40 left in the game. After those followed with another turnover. two points, Cady was second on After the Huskers stole the ball, the Huskers with 19 points and Cady again turned over the ball, leading to a jump shot for the Illini by senior guard Amber Moore.

Women’s bball: see page 8

NU snags runner-up finish in opening meet In last season’s Rocky Mountain Open, the outcome was simiNo. 10 Huskers start lar with the Sooners taking first, the Huskers second and Air Force season at Rocky third. But the gap separating the Mountain Open, lose Huskers and Sooners was fewer than five points. by 19. 45 points to Coach Chuck Chmelka said No. 2 Oklahoma the improvement stems from the senior leadership on the team and the quality of the routines.

Despite the five-point imEric Bertrand provement, it was not enough for DN the Huskers to earn the title this time around.

The No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners The No. 10 Husker group rebested the competition in the turns three 2013 All-Americans to Rocky Mountain Open gymnasthe roster; junior Grant Perdue in tics meet on Saturday with a score vault, sophomore Sam Chamberof 443.15. With a score of 423.7, lain in parallel bars and senior the Nebraska squad claimed sec- Wyatt Aycock in all-around. ond place just ahead of Air Force, Junior Robbie Kocks said the who posted a final score of 423.1. first-time competitors for the Arizona State and Washington Huskers showed a lot of promise. rounded off the competition.

Freshman Antonio Castro With this vicposted a 12.05 in tory, the Sooners the high bar event, There’s have won 15 conwhile freshman secutive Rocky Travis Gollott put nothing Mountain Opens. up scores of 13.10 As the national else to do except in floor, 13.15 in runner-ups last throw them in and horse and 13.75 in year, Oklahoma vault. has seven All- compete them.”

The Huskers Americans back also had redshirt Chuck Chmelka in the rotation for freshman Austin men’s gymnastics coach this season, and the Epperson score Sooners are early 13.35 in floor, 14.35 favorites in the in rings, 13.90 in coaches poll to head back to the parallel bars and 13.60 in high bar. national championship.

Another redshirt freshman, ColeFor the home team, No. 11 Air man Tokar, earned a 13.50 in the Force, this marks the second confloor exercise, 14.35 in vault and secutive season with a preseason 12.05 in high bar. rank of No. 11.

“All of the new guys did pret-

ty well,” Kocks said. “They all have plenty of time to improve on basic stuff.”

The new experience of competing for a college team, rather than just focusing on individual performance, and handling prematch and match-time nerves are some areas the new athletes can refine during the season, Kocks said.

Chmelka said there is only one way for new gymnasts to learn what it takes to compete at the college level.

“They have got to learn,” Chmelka said. “There’s nothing else to do except throw them in and compete them.”

The highest score in any event for Nebraska came from Kocks on the rings, as he posted 15.40. With a total score of 74.05, the rings event was the strongest showing for the Huskers.

Kocks’ score was one-tenth off the school record said Kocks, who also said one of his goals this season was to break the school record in the event.

But coming close to the record in the first meet of the season, Kocks said he could achieve his aspiration this season.

Senior CJ Schaaf recorded an 82.1 all-around score, with a 14.60 on the rings as his best event.

For the winner, Oklahoma, two all-arounders – junior Danny Berardini and freshman Allan Bower – put up scores of 86.95 and 86, respectively. Both of the athletes’ best event was the high bar, where they both earned scores of more than 15.

file photo by morgan spiehs | dn

Junior Robbie Kocks led the Huskers on the rings with a 15.40 and just missed setting a new school record for the event by one-tenth of a point. Kocks’ effort on the rings helped surge a Nebraska comeback into placing second over Air Force by .6 points on Saturday.

The Sooners also received big scores of 15.6 in the floor exercise and parallel bars from juniors Alec Robin and Sergey Resnick,

respectively.

The Huskers have two weeks to prepare for a head-to-head competition before the squad

goes up against Air Force at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. sports@ dailynebraskan.com