2007 10 10

SPORTS

PAGE 6

Baseball team likely to continue success

Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 24

OPINION: Greek life comes at a monetary and emotional cost, page 4 NEWS: Campus club offers diversity and gives comfort to its members, page 2

Daily Titan

Wednesday October 10, 2007

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

New Rec Center design stands out ASI – The $40.6 million Student Recreation Center at Cal State Fullerton was recently awarded “Best Overall Sustainable Design” as part of the 2007 Best Practice Awards for the University of California/California State University Energy Efficiency Partnership Program.

The two-story 95,000-squarefeet Rec Center will feature a rock wall; 22,000-square-feet multi-court gymnasium; and a multi-media cardio room, a signature feature of the center.

$1 million idea lands man in jail PITTSBURGH (AP) – Change for a million?

That’s what a man was seeking Saturday when he handed a $1 million bill to a cashier at a Pittsburgh supermarket. But when the Giant Eagle employee refused and a manager confiscated the bogus bill, the man flew into a rage, police said.

The man slammed an electronic funds-transfer machine into the counter and reached for a scanner gun, police said.

Police arrested the man, who was not carrying identification and has refused to give his name to authorities. He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

Since 1969, the $100 bill is the largest note in circulation.

Police believe the $1 million note seized at the supermarket may have originated at a Dallas-based ministry. Last year, the ministry distributed thousands of religious pamphlets with a picture of President Grover Cleveland on a $1 million bill.

YOUTUBE: DUI’S AND ELECTIONS

Scary sailors haunt the Queen Mary The annual Halloween Terror Fest features sailor spirits, a web of mazes and an “Everyday Tragedy.”

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Photos By Aline Lessner/For the Daily Titan

Study links crimes occuring within racial lines Giuliani,

By Rob Weaver

Due to a mistake made during the printing process, pages 7 and 8, Classified and Sports, did not appear in the Tuesday, Oct. 8 edition of the Daily Titan.

news@dailytitan.com

Bass player Anthony Leone of “Everyday Tragedy” playing Blink 182’s “ Dammit” during their first set at the Queen Mary Shipwreck.

Daily Titan Staff Writer

Printing error

By Laura Burrows

Daily Titan Staff Writer

loating on the water of the Long Beach harbor is an ocean liner with a sordid past. Every October for the past 13 years that past gets a little more colorful and melds with the present. Skeletons, cobwebs and dead nurses take over the deck and hull, becoming lost in the twisting and turning mazes that have been built into the infrastructure. Eerie music completes the atmosphere, seemingly coming not just from the ship, but also from a ghoulish band in a nearby park.

The Queen Mary, usually a crown jewel on Long Beach’s coastline, has been tarnished for its annual Shipwreck and this year is an important anniversary for any celebration of horror. Like in previous Halloween Terror Fests, there are mazes, music and mayhem, but this year that will be accompanied by something that might be scarier: strict apparel rules and limited admission. For those curious to see what the ship has in store, prepare yourself by turning to page 3.

UC Irvine professors believe the trend extends through Orange County Gabriel Iglesias delivers his comedic insight on what to do during DUI stops and presidential elections. The little brother of crooner Enrique provides useful tips on how to treat cops when getting pulled over, claiming that if you can make a cop laugh you’ll get out of trouble. Iglesias also suggests changing the format of presidential elections to a call-in style, like American Idol.

Duration: 5:17

Long Beach City College morticianary science major Amanda Chavarrie as an undead nurse aboard the Queen Mary Shipwreck inside of the “Hull of Horror.”

news@dailytitan.com

Minority violence tends to remain within the same race, contradicting media portrayals of rampant cases of interracial violence in mixed ethnic areas, according to a study by three UC Irvine professors.

Despite the study’s focus on Watts and neighborhoods in South Los Angeles, UCI Professor George Tita believes his study is significant to Orange County and other areas as well.

“It extends beyond Los Angeles because many places will experience some kind of group change,” Tita said. “It provides a general framework.”

Tita said Orange County is already facing an influx of Latinos and already has mixed neighborhoods that could potentially cause tension.

But some scholars feel that the study holds little weight when ap-

plied to Orange County.

Professor John Hipp, who led the Cal State Fullerton sociology UCI study, said it came as no surProfessor Alondo Campbell said he prise to the Los Angeles Police Deagrees that the media overexagger- partment. ates racial tensions and the study “If you listen to the media,” Hipp itself is harmful. said, “you would think it would be “It perpetuates stereotypes, these cross-group crime. If you listen to things are perceived as negative,” the LAPD you would think it was Campbell crime within said. “Look at the group.” the minority Hipp said groups in Orthere is a “coange County. n u n d r u m” They’re peacewithin social ful.

They theory and should do a statistics. study on how Although – George Tita, crime rates peaceful these UC Irvine professor groups are.” are higher in Tita said mixed eththe study has nicity areas “nothing to like Watts, do with stereotypes,” and focuses on violent crime remains largely within fact. racial groups.

“The sad truth,” Tita said, “is that “That’s an interesting twist, isn’t African Americans have higher rates it?” Hipp said. “A fair amount of my of violence than Latinos, and Latinos work has been debunked.” have higher rates than Caucasians.”

Tita began studying homicides in Campbell said he thinks less focus Watts, and said he became interested should be brought upon “racial and in looking to see if there is any relaethnic groups that don’t have mis- tionship between violent crime and siles.” race.

“

It extends beyond Los Angeles because many places will experience some kind of group change.

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DTSHORTHAND

When a neighborhood is mixed, Tita said, theory suggests it will increase crime. Hipp said poverty may also factor into minority violence.

CSUF Afro-ethnic studies Professor Jesse Owens Smith said there is a reason why violence remains within racial groups in urban ghettos.

“The violence is about drugs,” Smith said. “Blacks have a territory. Latinos have a territory. They’re forced into a natural state of war.”

Drugs account for much of the gang activity among minorities in urban areas, Smith said.

But he believes the problem is shared with the upper and middle classes.

“People high up are pushing drugs,” Smith said. “It’s an obscene amount of money.”

Smith said that rather than go after the affluent who are involved in the drug trade, the police focus on the impoverished minority groups of the inner city.

Hipp and Tita focused their study on police cases in four police bureaus of South Los Angeles, but Hipp said he would like to expand the study to the rest of Los Angeles to get a larger picture.

Proactive measures key in abduction prevention New technologies and awareness are only part of the preventive actions

By Jennifer Church

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Cal State Fullerton students commuting to school are able to gauge traffic congestion with the help of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) electronic signs lining the freeway.

However, once in a while, traffic information is replaced by Amber Alerts: real-time information about a child abduction often including the child’s name, age and the make and license plate number of the abductor’s car.

In her lecture last Tuesday, “The Plight of Missing and Exploited Children in America,” sociology Professor Susan M. Larsen talked about progress as a result of Amber Alerts and other actions by cause-related organizations, and how to prevent child abduction.

“It is an unfortunate, important issue that needs to be addressed,” Larsen said.

In a one-year period of study, the U.S. Department of Justice said 797,500 children (under the age of 18) were reported missing, she said.

The largest number of missing children are runaways, Larsen told the crowd of students in University Hall room 205.

“I will probably be dealing with this issue when I get into social work,” said Santa Ana College student, Sarah Houghton. “I want to

work with adolescents with chemical dependency.”

The number of family abduction cases is followed by lost, injured or otherwise missing children.

“I thought it would be interesting because she has someone coming in who’s had experience with family abduction,” said Spanish major Emmanuel Zamora, 18.

Marion Ordonez came to talk about her personal experience when her ex-husband abducted her two See MISSING CHILDREN, Page 2

Romney clash on issues Associated Press

Republican presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani quarreled over tax and spending cuts Tuesday, each claiming greater commitment than the other in a debate in the nation’s struggling manufacturing heartland.

The government “is spending money of future generations and those yet to be born,” added Fred Thompson, making his debut on a debate stage after a late entry into the race. He said future retirees should receive smaller Social Security benefits than they have been promised.

After months of polite debate sparring, Giuliani and Romney squared off without hesitation, a reflection of their struggle for primacy in the race for their party’s presidential nomination.

Romney initially conceded that, but quickly criticized his rival for once filing a court challenge to a law that gave President Clinton the right to veto spending items line by line.

“I’m in favor of the line-item veto,” he said, adding he exercised it 844 times while governor of Massachusetts.

Romney also said that while mayor, Giuliani “fought to keep the commuter tax, which is a very substantial tax ... on consumers coming into New York.”

The former governor leads his rivals in the polls in Iowa, where caucuses will be the first contest of the campaign, and he and Giuliani are in a close race in surveys in New Hampshire, the leadoff primary state.

Page Two

Two Iraqi women killed by private security guards BAGHDAD (AP) – Guards in a security convoy opened fire on a car at an intersection in central Baghdad on Tuesday, killing two Christian women before speeding away, police said. The Iraqi government said a Dubaibased private security company was behind the shootings. Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said the Unity Resources Group had apologized after guards in four SUVs fired on a car carrying the two women, killing them instantly. Khalaf said the government and the company have both begun investigations and that initial findings showed the guards fired 19 bullets. Unity Resources Group, which has operated in Iraq since 2004, employs security professionals from the U.S., Britain, Australia and New Zealand. A company spokesperson said there was a shooting involving one of its security teams and was working with authorities.

NATIONAL NEWS Pentagon panel wants nuclear security tightened WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. government should replace more than 1,000 irradiation machines used in hospitals and research facilities because terrorists could use the radioactive materials inside to make a “dirty” bomb, a government advisory panel has concluded. The machines are in relatively unprotected locations such as hospitals and research facilities all over the country, and may be a tempting source of radioactive materials for terrorists who want bombs that explode and disperse radioactive debris over a large area, rendering it uninhabitable, the board found. The irradiators contain Cesium-137, one of the most dangerous and long-lasting radioactive materials. They are used for radiation therapy and to sterilize blood and food.

Swapping the Cesium irradiators for X-ray machines or irradiators that use other materials would cost about $200 million over five years, but it would take the most accessible source of dangerous radioactive material inside the United States “off the table” for terrorists, the panel said. The recommendation is part of an as-yet-unreleased report that describes how unfriendly nations or terrorist groups could undermine the computers and satellites the U.S. military relies on and attack the United States with radiological or biological weapons or blackmail the U.S. government with a threat of a nuclear detonation, all while manipulating world opinion against the United States.

STATE NEWS Water wholesaler to cut ag flow, sees rates increasing LOS ANGELES (AP) – Officials of Southern California’s major water wholesaler said Monday that deliveries to the region’s agricultural customers will be cut by nearly a third next year and residents are likely to face rate increases in 2009 because of a statewide shortage. Utilities that serve residential customers and are supplied by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California can expect price increases between 5 percent and 10 percent in 2009, said MWD spokesman Bob Muir. The rate increases would be needed to pay for additional water supplies from other sellers in the state and further investment in the water grid, he said. Muir said he did not know how much of the increases the utilities would pass on to customers. The MWD provides water to nearly 18 million people in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. The district sells water at wholesale rates to local utilities, providing Southern California with half its supply. The rest comes from underground sources and other local supplies.

The MWD is also reducing deliveries to 12 agencies that buy water at discount pricing for agricultural customers by 30 percent, Muir said.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan.

Please contact managing editor Julianna Crisalli at (714) 278-5693 or at jcrisalli@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

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The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Monday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSUF System. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free.

Copyright ©2006 Daily Titan

Hermanas Unidas blooms at CSUF Club emphasizes an open door policy among other perks for its members

By Heather perry

For the Daily Titan news@dailytitan.com

Offering a diverse sisterhood experience, Hermanas Unidas brings culture and unity to a Cal State Fullerton campus where the Hispanic population is 26 percent.

At 7 p.m., the smell of churros wafts throughout the Titan Student Union where the organization meets every Wednesday. Anyone can join and not feel the strain of an obligation like those belonging to other school organizations.

“Hermanas has an open door policy, and you’re not obligated to come every semester,” Franchesca Gonzalez, 18, said. “There have been girls who skip a semester but return for the next.”

Gonzalez had attended several meetings of other organizations, but decided Hermanas Unidas was the one for her after feeling the warmth of the sisters.

“I had wanted to join a social group, so I tried out many clubs. But this was the organization that I liked the best,” Gonzalez said. “The people

here were already so close, like when Although some clubs may seem apyou walk in people will kiss you on pealing, others may seem intimidatthe cheek ‘hello,’ like in many Latin ing. cultures, and everyone was just like “Hermanas means ‘sisters’ in Spanfamily.” ish, and I get along with them as if Flexibility is key for the members they were my sisters. I just met most of Hermanas Unidas, helping stu- of them a couple of days ago and I dents benefit from the social and aca- already feel like they are my sisters,” demic experience.

Miranda said.

“That’s the One of the apmajor way that pealing aspects we are differof the club, as ent,” Gonzalez co-chair Jessica Hermanas has an open said. “There is a Gonzalez, 20, a door policy, and you’re human services requirement of time that you and Spanish manot obligated to come commit to Herjor put it, is the every semester. manas but we comfort zone work around Hermanas Unidas – Franchesca Gonzalez your schedule.” provides for new Hermanas Unidas member New members members. like Veronica “We’re here to Miranda, 18, a help. You obtain social science good friendships major, can also and we build a squeeze in time to bond with her sis- comfort zone, especially for incoming ters. freshman,” Gonzalez said. “I know “We provide unity – it’s not just that when I first came here I didn’t one culture, we are all women, so we have a comfort zone or always know bond together already on that factor. I where to go until I joined Hermahave two jobs but I still make time to nas.” go out with my hermanas,” Miranda The organization holds events that said. even branch out to the border lines.

When students arrive on a new “We went to a community service campus, they may feel as if they have event called ‘Corazon de Vida’ where no direction. we spend a day in Tijuana with kids.

“

We play, read to them and eat lunch,” said Jacqueline Garcia, 20, a radioTV-film major and co-chairperson, said.

Not only does the organization help its members with networking, get involved in the community and brush up on Hispanic culture, it is also affordable for students.

“If you want to join us, you can and it’s just $35 a semester, whereas other sororities can cost from $90 to $300 a month,” Gonzalez said.

The differences between the organization and other clubs outline a contrast that highlights reasons for foreign exchange students to join.

“There was an Australian girl named Christiana who joined in spring 2006. She came to a conference and loved it. It was great to have someone in the group that was from a different culture,” Garcia said.

Upcoming events for the organization include a blood drive and other events that are yet to be determined.

“We are just starting out for the year, so we are building little by little, but we are going to have an AIDS walk on Oct. 22 in Los Angeles,” Miranda said.

Students who would like some information can contact Hermanas Unidas at www.myspace.com/haucsuf or the organization’s e-mail, hau. csuf@yahoo.com.

Missing Children: Finding solutions (from Page 1)

sons in 1977.

“My life was in shambles,” Ordonez said. “I didn’t know when I was going to see my sons again.”

It took her over a year to recover her sons who were taken from California to Texas. Ordonez said there was no outward animosity between her and her ex-husband before the kidnapping.

However, she said she now realizes she missed important signs that could have given her a clue about the impending abduction. Ordonez said her ex-husband had suggested taking the children away for a while numerous times. She stressed how important it was for parents to look out for messages their ex-partners may be trying to tell them.

“I am trying to help send a mes-

sage about how important it is for and Exploited Children has recovparents to communicate,” Ordonez ered more than 115,700 children said. “To not allow bitterness and since 1984 through mailers, Larsen anger to desaid. stroy their One in six lives,” Orchildren feadonez said. tured on the I am trying to help Larsen said cards are recovsend a message about non-family ered as a direct abductions result of the how important it is for are the smallpictures. parents to communicate est category, The Amber – Marion Ordonez but have the Alert is credited Parent and speaker greatest risk with the recovof injury or ery of over 328 death. children since Seventyits inception in four percent 1997, Larsen of abducted children who are mur- said. The program was inspired by dered are dead within three hours of the 1996 abduction and murder their abduction, Larsen said. of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in The National Center for Missing Dallas.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

October 10, 2007

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2

A neighbor saw Hagerman being thrown into a pickup truck after hearing her scream. Her body was found four days later and a concerned citizen suggested that Dallas radio stations alert listeners about abducted children, just as they do with severe weather warnings.

In Missouri, two boys were abducted and tortured. Captor Michael Devlin offered no apologies but shed light on why one of his victims stayed with him more than four years: The terrorized boy cut a deal just as Devlin was beginning to strangle him. Devlin abducted the second boy early this year, days before both victims were discovered alive in his apartment in a St. Louis suburb.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Associated Press sues for improper use Associated Press The Associated Press sued a company Tuesday that aggregates and redistributes news online, claiming it is making improper use of AP’s copyright-protected headlines, stories and photos.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in New York, seeks unspecified damages from Moreover Technologies Inc. and its parent company, VeriSign Inc. It also seeks an end to the practices.

AP claims Moreover improperly displays AP’s headlines and portions of stories as part of its free, ad-supported services. Moreover also is reproducing full articles and photos

through subscription services, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit points out that Moreover’s own promotional materials claim to “harvest” news from the AP and thousands of other sources in “as fast as two minutes.”

Tom Curley, AP’s president and chief executive, said in a statement that the news organization spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to provide “original coverage of vital breaking news that cannot be obtained anywhere else.”

“When someone uses our content without our permission, they are free riding on our newsgathering and our reporting of news from around the world,” he said.

VeriSign said it does not comment

on pending lawsuits.

VeriSign, which bought Moreover in 2005, also provides Internet security and traffic-management services, running some of the key directories computers need to find Web sites and route e-mail. The AP is a 161-

year-old cooperative owned by news organizations.

According to the lawsuit, the AP discovered the extent of Moreover’s practices while negotiating with it to provide content management services to the AP’s members.

October 10, 2007

Features

3

Shipwrecked luxury liner conjures up delightful nights

By Laura Burrows

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Dressed in ghoulish costuming and drenched in fake blood, the members of the band “Everyday Tragedy” looked like they had survived a tragedy out of the ordinary, but they were hardly out of place.

The local band played the grass section of “Purgatory Park” at the preview event of the 13th annual Queen Mary Shipwreck Halloween Horror Fest in Long Beach last weekend.

“Shipwreck” is the culmination of all things sinister and macabre.

The ship itself is allegedly haunted by the spirits of those wayward sailors who lost their lives while aboard the vessel. The surrounding park area is covered with poorly lit manmade mazes that are rife with oozing monsters and shrieking demons.

The band’s stage was the only well lit area throughout the park.

The bright lights and pop music made the grassy knoll outside of the ship standout among the otherwise dark and monster filled mazes.

This was the band’s second year playing at Shipwreck. They played three original songs and covered others such as Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself ” and Blink 182’s “Dammit.”

Lead singer Greg Cucchisi takes his time offstage to indulge in the three mazes located on the ship and four additional mazes in the surrounding park.

“The mazes are pretty cool. We went through them both years and it’s cool to see what’s new,” Cucchisi said. “There are tons of people working, hundreds of monsters around every corner.”

Lovetta Kramer and Jenny Moore, marketing and special events coordinators, spent two days hiring 450 monsters and 70 attendants to fill the park.

The attendants are placed sporadically throughout the seven mazes to ensure that guest safety and park “Everyday Tragedy” is one band featured in the month-long celebration of ghosts and ghouls both onboard the Queen Mary as well as ashore at nearby “Purgatory Park.” The event starts at 7 p.m. most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Halloween, usually ending at midnight. Tickets are $35 a person, as well as an additional $15 for parking. The number of guests admitted each night is limited, so those interested are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.

Students needed for article on the cost of tuition The Daily Titan is interested in writing about the real impact increasing tuition fees have on students who are responsible for their finances.

To do this we need students willing to be part of an in-depth article on the expense of attending Cal State Fullerton.

We would like to feature students having a difficult time affording school now, and will face more difficulty in the future as tuition increases.

If you feel you would make a strong subject for this article and would be willing to submit financial information (including bills, pay stubs, etc.), please contact Erin Tobin.

She can be reached either via e-mail at dtprojectsdesk@gmail.com or on the phone at 714278-5027.

Thank you for helping to address this issue that affects so many students at CSUF.

Photos By Aline Lessner For the Daily Titan

rules are upheld. They are dressed in orange coats and carry flashlights in order to illuminate the otherwise dim hallways and corridors.

Each of the seven mazes, creatively christened with alliteration such as the “House of Hallucinations” and the “Manor of Mayhem,” feature its own menacing themes and monsters.

The monsters are not permitted to touch guests but don’t shy away from stalking them and popping up in dark corners. The three mazes aboard the ship, the “Haunted Hull of Horrors, “Corridors of Carnage” and the “Decks of the Doomed,” are particularly perilous as they span many levels of the ship ranging from the engine room to the pool deck.

Monsters aboard the ship stalk their prey as they make their way from one ice-cold metallic room to another. The mazes in the park are less chilling as they are crafted from wood, but the creative team made up for this by covering the wooden walls with blood and gore.

Monster employees Jazz Winston and Rin Adams said working at the park is a fun way to spend the Halloween season. The average monster is paid $9 an hour and only works on the weekends.

“It’s a free-for-all to sign up to get the job,” Adams said. “We have done this before so we knew when and where to sign up. It’s cool to get paid to have professionals make us up with blood and stuff and scare the locals.”

Fellow Long Beach City College student and morticianary science major Amanda Chavarrie said this job is perfectly suited for her interests. Chavarrie’s character is a dead nurse perched on a chain-link fence inside the “Docks of Doom” maze aboard the ship.

“The best part of my job is when I get the really big guys to scream louder than the girls,” Chaverrie said. “I am next to a morgue-looking exhibit so it’s kind of like what I will be doing in the future. It’s a great place to be.”

OPINION

4

Titan Editorial Providing insight, analysis and perspective since 1960

Coalition. What coalition?

The joke of an alliance that entered Iraq is officially beginning to fall apart.

Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Monday that he will reduce the number of troops in Iraq by half from around 5,000 to 2,500 by next spring. Officially, Gordon remains interested in Iraq’s future, but decided to withdraw troops because of the supposed success of the American troop surge.

This political jargon is very likely the type of speech that will be heard when the United States begins to leave Iraq. Pay close attention to Brown as the de facto pull-out by British forces begins, because when a new president takes office in a little over a year, it will look and sound exactly like what he is doing right now.

In reality though, it will be abandonment. Unfortunate but necessary. It seems like we’re constantly playing a game at recess and changing the rules after the bell rings. The rest of the kids are slowly heading back to class while we refuse to face the facts that we need to end it.

This war in Iraq was Bush’s pet project, and his time to wrap it up is quickly coming to a close.

It’s like two neighbors who were

Letters to the Editor:

building a fence together down their property line when one neighbor moves away. Is the new resident expected to continue building the fence just because the last guy did? No, of course not. But if this war doesn’t end, we’re going to be left with an unfinished fence come November 2008.

Tony Blair loved being Bush’s lapdog, but it turns out that Britain hates lapdogs. Blair put up with years of Bush’s condescending tone of Britain. It was a “new empire mocking old empire” kind of deal. But Brown isn’t having it. Brown doesn’t seem to hint at even wanting to be chums with Bush. There’s a difference between friendly and buddy-buddy. Buddy Blair got booted and bold Brown doesn’t belong to Bush.

Unfortunately, we stand alone once again. The responsibility falls on the shoulders of America.

Who are we to blame? America.

We can’t call Britain on leaving a failed mission that we misled them into, no matter how loyal its lapdog once was.

Our partner in Britain has figured out its exit strategy – leave us with the bill. So what’s our strategy?

Any feedback, positive or negative, is encouraged, as we strive to keep an open dialogue with our readership. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Direct all comments, questions or concerns along with your full name and major to Executive Editor Ian Hamilton at ihamilton@dailytitan.com

October 10, 2007

The plight of immigration requires sacrifice

The Higher Ground

Aleksandra Wojtalewicz For decades, the Statue of Liberty has been calling to the world for “your poor, your tired, your huddled masses.” The United States was created on immigration, yet immigration continues to be a hot government debate.

That is because no matter what measures are going to be taken, immigration will continue. I don’t think it is a negative thing, as long as the immigrants come to this country legally and contribute to the American society.

I, myself, am an immigrant.

My mother and I came here legally to join my father 15 years ago when I was 6 years old. In order to come to this country legally, my family had to be separated for a number of years in order for my father to gain U.S. citizenship and for my mother and I to gain legal U.S. status to enter the country.

The communist government that governed Poland at the time posed obstacles for us. Yet we endured the sacrifices and obstacles that were thrown before us and came to the United States with a legal status, which granted us the opportunities this country has to offer so we can contribute to this society.

Therefore, I support some of the immigration policies Bush has proposed to help reduce immigration. The Bush administration is currently strengthening border security and plans on implementing 18,300 Border Patrol agents, 370 miles of fencing, 300 miles of vehicle barriers and 105 camera and radar towers by December 2008, according to the White House Web site. I think heightened and stricter enforcement levels are key to prevent new illegal aliens from coming into the country.

Yet I disagree with one of the few proposals in regards to immigration – Bush’s plan of a 700-

mile fence along the border. That is because I think it is a waste of money.

The majority of immigrants who come here are from countries where food is scarce and the standard of living is far from the acceptable conditions in which humans should endure.

So when hunger grips your stomach daily, when political persecution is at your heel, when there are no jobs to earn a living to support your family, a 700mile fence is but a minor obstacle in your life.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Those situations create such a drive in humans that they become almost superhuman in their quest to come to the states, able to survive days in the desert, wading and crawling through atrocious canals.

I can’t speak on behalf of all immigrants to this country, but the ones who I have met – Poles, Mexicans, Russians, Argentinians, Serbs and Costa Ricans – didn’t want to leave their homeland to become a stranger in a foreign land in the first place.

The pain in their stomachs and the fear of authoritarian governments all drove them to the United States for better opportunities for themselves and, especially, their children.

So unless situations in their countries can improve, immigrants will continue to come, even though the United States can’t better the situations of worldwide countries itself.

I agree with Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel in his belief that in terms of illegal immigration from Mexico, the North American Free Trade Agreement worsened the problem. Therefore, better trade policies that would offer Mexico better benefits would help reduce

illegal immigration.

Although preventive measures, such as stricter security and enforcement, can be taken, what should be done about the illegal immigrants already in the country?

Should they be given a chance at citizenship? Sure, but don’t cry out for the rights of this country while you are still illegal. Unless you pay taxes to support this country and what it has to offer, you do not get to enjoy its perks.

And while you wait for the green light for naturalization, please wait patiently at the yellow line, within the borders of your home country.

Another aspect of immigration deals with so-called Anchor Babies, children born in the United States to illegal parents.

The biggest debate in this issue is that when they are of age, they can sponsor their illegal family members to become American citizens. The 14th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

Although the baby is a U.S. citizen, the parents are not, therefore, they should not be allowed to stay in the United States.

Using your baby’s citizenship as a reason to stay here is not an excuse.

Either leave the baby in the United States, or take it with you back to your home country.

When the baby becomes of age and wants to return to the United States, which as a legal citizen it is entitled to, he or she can then file the paperwork to try to get his or her parents to come to the United States legally. Until then, make a choice.

Currently, the Bush administration is loosening visa regula-

tions to allow more immigrant laborers into the United States because the country is experiencing a labor shortage on farms.

The current farm work program is used by less than 2 percent of American farms. And about three-quarters of farm workers are thought to be illegal, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The changes in this program will include lengthening the time workers can stay, expanding the types of work they can perform and simplifying the application process.

This, especially the simplifying of the application process, is a scary scenario.

That is because it will allow many guest workers to jump through the loopholes of the reforms and stay here illegally.

When it comes to the border, putting up fences will not help reduce illegal immigration. Yet stricter border enforcements will help prevent illegal crossings.

Internally, the government needs to enforce its already existing laws more strictly to eliminate the chance for illegal immigrants to stay in this country. And the farm worker reforms will give illegal workers that chance.

Although the decision to be separated was a harsh choice to make, sacrifices are a part of the immigrant’s plight. My family made a tough decision.

When I was finally reunited with my father after a long absence, it was like getting to know him again as I went off blurry memories from my earlier childhood.

In the end it was worth it.

The high cost of greek life

By Urmi Rahman

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

Those who join sororities during freshman year are usually the popularity-obsessed, just out of high school-teens who must buy their way into established social circles to sustain their carefully crafted image.

Do not get me wrong, a group of women empowering and supporting each other while achieving academic excellence and community service is an amazing cause.

But the face of the sorority of recent times has changed.

These organizations seem to appreciate the individual over the community, the fabricated over the authentic and elitism over all else.

Numerous nonpledging college students think this way. It hits on five crucial issues that garner opposition to joining sororities.

1. Conformity: Sorority sisters, frat brothers and high school teens alike know what it takes to adapt to prevailing behaviors, attitudes or practices of an idolized social community.

Personal thoughts, beliefs and style are easily sacrificed to conform to the social standards of the party’s elite. What else is lost? Personality and identity in order to form a new sorority-like one.

The motivation: Initiation, acceptance and eventually demanding the conformity of others.

2. Friendship: Among other things, sororities preach sisterhood as if they have it down to a tee. And they do. Members are brainwashed to think they are all sisters to the core and can never do a thing to break their bond. How genuine is that bond when what they are doing is paying big bucks to join these circles?

And I wonder how many friendships outside of the sorority get sacrificed in order to experience a deeper bond with the sisters? It’s a once you are in, there’s no turning back idea (so liking the sisters is an advantage).

New members also kiss up to their “big sisters” to work their way into the inner groups. While I am in college and classified as an adult, I do not find kissing the ass of another student appetizing.

3. Competitive initiation: The recruitment process is a competitive one for potential new members and for rival sororities. Initiation activities present the novel female’s ability to conform to the standards held high by her favorite sorority sisters.

It is a mutual act of preferred sister behavior, appearance and style of dress.

You and I have both witnessed the polished (usually blonde) sorority girls clad in Tiffany’s bracelets and matching Greek lettered sweaters with French manicured nails.

Rival sororities also promote a sense of brutal competition through self promotion, preserva-

tion and identity. They compete for attention and new membership all while presenting themselves in an unrealistic yet perfected image of untainted sisterhood.

Get just 10 women together in one house continuously and tell me there is no drama, backstabbing or even fowl play.

4. Bruised reputation: Say the words sorority or fraternity to a nonmember and what words come to mind? Partying. Drinking. Hazing.

OK, Cal State Fullerton bans all forms of hazing and strict sanctions could be placed on anyone practicing it. But there are countless parties almost every weekend at the beginning of rush (recruitment weeks) or the semester and trust me, drinking is a regular activity. But who doesn’t drink, right?

The point is, even if it does not happen and it probably does to some degree, sororities have a bruised reputation.

5. Time and money: And the last reason as to why nonrecruits intend to stay that way is that there is not enough time or money. Being a full-time student with a full or part-time job, a family, a significant other and maybe even kids provides a slim chance of pledging life to a sorority.

The costs of joining a sorority are significantly high and although there are scholarships to aid financially, I am not only talking about the dollar.

Letter Policy for the Daily Titan Letters to the Editor should be brief and are subject to editing.

They should also include a signature and telephone number.

Editorials are the opinion of the editorial board, comprised of the Executive Editor, Managing Editor, Opinion Editor and Section Editors.

Columns are the personal opinion of the writer. They do not reflect those of the university, the faculty, or the student body.

CLASSIFIEDS

October 10, 2007

Index Announcements 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100

Campus Events/Services Campus Organizations Greeks Legal Notices Lost and Found Miscellaneous Personals Pregnancy Research Subjects Sperm/ Egg Donors Tickets Offered / wanted

Merchandise 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500

Appliances Art/Painting/Collectibles Books Computers/Software Electronics Furniture Garage/Yard Sales Health Products Miscellaneous Musical Instruments Office Equipment Pets Rentals Sports Equipment

Transportation 3600 3700 3800 3900

Auto Accessories/Repair Auto Insurance Miscellaneous Vehicles For sale/Rent

Travel 4000 4100 4200 4300

Resorts/Hotels Rides Offered/Wanted Travel Tickets Vacation Packages

Services 4400 4500 4600 4700 4800 4900 5000 5100 5200 5300 5400 5500 5600 5700 5800 5900 6000

1-900 Numbers Financial Aid Insurance Computer/Internet Foreign Languages Health/Beauty Services Acting/Modeling Classes Legal Advice/Attorneys Movers/Storage Music Lessons Personal Services Professional Services Resumes Telecommunications Tutoring Offered/Wanted Typing Writing Help

Employment 6100 6200 6300 6400 6500 6600 6700 6800 6900 7000 7100

Business Opportunities Career Opportunities P/T Career Opportunities F/T Child Care Offered/Wanted Help Wanted Actors/Extras Wanted Housesitting Internship Personal Assistance Temporary Employment Volunteer

Housing 7200 7300 7400 7500 7600 7700 7800 7900

Apartments for Rent Apartments to Share Houses for Rent/Sale Guest House for Rent Room for Rent Roommates - Private Room Roommates - Shared Room Vacation Rentals

Advertising Information 714.278.4453

By Fax: 714.278.2702

By Email: classified@dailytitan.com

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• For classified display ads, please see our rate card for rate information.

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Cellular Phones & Accessories All CSUF students receive 30% off all cellular and ipod accessories and 50% off if you upgrade or activate a new cellphone line. We carry charms, cases, ipod accessories, Bluetooth, Chargers. If we don’t have it we’ll give you an addition 5% off. Next to Fullerton AMC Theaters 446-6341

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In Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, and Breakdancing are available from Ryan Webb aka Future, winner of Juste Debout, the 2007 World Championships of Popping!

Call (703) 606-5248 Fiscal audits of the Associated Students and Titan Students Union for the year ending 6/30/07 may be reviewed in TSU-218 during business hours.

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PR Job For Artist/Designer Caly Design Research, a toyota company, is seeking PR/ Media Relations Coordinator at our Newport Beach Design Studio.

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Ride needed to & from Irvine campus for wednesday 7pm and thursday 4pm class. Will compensate for gas call (714)278-3351 Are you depressed for more than two weeks?

The University of California, Irvine and the University of California, San Diego Psychiatry Departments are recruiting patients for a study of sleep deprivation as a potential treatment for depression. We will also study how other changes of the sleeping time might affect depressed mood.

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Humorscopes brought to you by humorscope.com

Aries (March 21 - April 19) You are about to invent a night light in the shape of a chess piece, which you will name the “Nighty Knight.” You should be ashamed of yourself.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

You will be walking along today when you over hear someone making a snide remark about you, drawing an unflattering comparison between your personality, and landfill. A snappy reply will occur to you, sometime late next week.

SUDOKU

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) You will decide that you like the name “Sven” better than your own, and you begin encourag ing people to call you that. Eventually, you will have your name legally changed.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

You are being followed by fierce warriers of the Nez Perce tribe. You know - those guys with the little frameless glasses on the chains around their necks? Not surprisingly, many of the Nez Perce became fierce librarians.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) You will mosey, this week. There’s nothing that wrong with moseying, after all, and it’s occasionally just what is needed. In fact, you’ll soon begin work on “Mosey Your Way To Fitness”, a best-selling self-help book on the topic.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) It’s ok to whistle while you work. Your co-work ers will draw the line at yodelling while you work, however. They’re probably just jealous.

Libra (September 22 - October 22) Good week to greet everyone with great enthu siasm. For example, “Bob! You’re still alive!”

(Everyone likes to feel appreciated.)

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Excellent day, today. Unless today is your 15th birthday, of course, in which case you’re des tined to have a particularly embarassing epi sode involving a cat and an argyle sock.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) Try to work the words “happenstance” and “ineffable” into your conversation today. It turns out that most people believe any sentence that has the word “ineffable” in it. Such as that one.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20) Beware of giant squids today. Other than that, a good day for a nice walk along the beach.

Previous Puzzle How to Play:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9, each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 18)

You might have that mole on your back checked out. It may actually be a gopher.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) .syas enoyna gniht elgnis a dnatsrednu ot elba eb t’now uoy yadot, ylddO

Sudoku is made possible by the people at www.dailysudoku.com

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Attn: Fine Art Grad Students CSUF Grand Central Art Center located in downtown Santa Anna’s Artist Village has one studio apartments for rent ($700.00 per month) that will be available the second week of october. Included in the rent are all the utilities (excluding phone), monthly parking pass, internet access, and a studio space. Please contact Tracey Gayer at (714) 567-7238.

SPORTS

6

October 10, 2007

Recruiting class ranked sixth in the nation

David CarRillo

New baseball coaches inherit a crop of young talent for the 2008 season

Rally Monday disappoints fans

by Celia Castanon

Daily Titan Staff Writer sports@dailytitan.com

Cal State Fullerton’s baseball team took home a victory when both Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America announced the program’s recruit class in the top 10 in the nation.

Baseball America ranked the team at eight, and Collegiate Baseball ranked them at six.

Collegiate Baseball says that this year’s class has arguably the best incoming talent the Titans have seen since 2003 when Head Coach Dave Serrano was in his first year as the recruiting coordinator.

“We are always going to strive to bring the best into the university,” Serrano said. “It is very intriguing and we target our needs that are needed to succeed.”

Since 1983, CSUF has appeared 10 times in Collegiate Baseball’s Top 10 recruitment ranking and were No. 1 in 2000.

LSU took the number one spot this year followed by Florida State, Oregon State, Notre Dame and UCLA. The Titans have 17 new players joining the program this season.

Included are nine junior college transfers, one Division I transfer and seven freshmen.

Among the incoming freshmen is 18-year-old right-handed pitcher Daniel Renken, from Orange Lutheran High School in Cypress.

“It’s pretty cool and very humbling ... and the adjustment was not that bad,” Renken said. “I have been ready for this for a while and I hope we get to Omaha again.”

As a freshman, Renken knew he would have to work hard for a spot on the team.

“We are all equal,” he said.

During the coaching change, Serrano said he commended the players as they stuck together. A new system is now in place for CSUF baseball and he said he hopes the program

Sports Opinion

By karl thunman/daily titan photo editor Corey Jones (1) was one impact freshman of the ‘07 baseball class. CSUF coaches are anxious to see what this year’s class can do.

will bring many victories to the university.

“Recruiting classes are judged by people ... and we are very proud of the previous coaching staff,” Serrano said. “The proof will show at the end of the season.”

Freshmen Christian Colon and Gary Brown headline this year’s class. They both turned down professional contracts in the major leagues to join the Titans. Colon, from Canyon High School, was a 10th-round

draft pick for the San Diego Padres and Brown, from Diamond Bar High School, was taken in the 12th round by the Oakland A’s.

“Gary is a very exciting player ... his ability is going to bring a lot to this team,” Serrano said. “He is very energetic and I’m very anxious to see this team grow.”

Nineteen-year-old Brown said he felt the same way.

“I’m looking forward to a good year,” Brown said. “There is high

A-Rod’s future with Yankees in limbo Rodriguez must weigh that offer against what he could get as a free Alex Rodriguez is ready to cash in. agent, keeping in mind that the marAgain. ket for a player in the $30 million-aAgent Scott Boras hinted Tuesday year-range is limited. that A-Rod will opt out of the final “He could opt out tomorrow if three seasons of his contract with the he wanted to, but I haven’t discussed New York Yankees and seek a new that with him,” Boras said. “All those deal in the free-agent market that decisions will be made when we sit will lock him up through his pursuit down and talk.” of Barry Bonds’ home-run record.

The Chicago Cubs and Los AngeBoras negotiated Rodriguez’s re- les Angels are viewed as possible descord $252 million, tinations, although 10-year agreement their payrolls are with the Texas dwarfed by that of Rangers before the the Yankees.

2001 season, a conRodriguez is tract the Yankees guaranteed $24 took over when million annually by they acquired ANew York in each – Scott Boras, of the next three Rod. His next deal Alex Rodriguez’s agent seasons. But part of could last for more than a decade. that would be off“Alex wants to be set by $21,304,500 in one uniform for the Rangers still a long, long time, if not to the end of owe New York as part of the trade. his career,” Boras said of the 32-year- In addition, Rodriguez is due $3 old two-time AL MVP. million each year by the Rangers, “I think Alex could play very money that is deferred a 2 percent reasonably until he’s 45. So you’re annual interest rate and scheduled to talking about a situation where we be paid from 2016-25. want this guy to be identified with Yankees general manager Brian one franchise and one uniform for a Cashman said that if Rodriguez opts very, very long time.” out — and the Yankees lose that $21 Rodriguez enters next year 17th million subsidy — the team would on the career home-run list with cut off negotiations.

518 and is 242 behind Bonds, who “That would be my position, yes, also hopes to play next season. The that would be my very strong recexpected chase will be factored into the negotiation.

“That team is going to be associated with having a player in its organization that has this history, this value,” Boras said, “and they’re going to be able to market that and go through the varying chases and levels of passing players in his home run pursuits.”

In describing how Rodriguez would benefit from free agency, Boras cited the increase in baseball revenue from $3 billion in 2000 to nearly $6 billion this year.

“The marketplace for negotiating contracts has changed so dramatically from when we negotiated in 2000 to where we negotiate in 2007,” Boras said.

New York likely will approach Boras with an extension offer in the next few weeks — Rodriguez must make his decision whether to opt out by the 10th day after the World Series ends.

The Associated Press

“

... we want this guy to be identified with one franchise and one uniform ...

ommendation,” he said. “There is a date and if you can make a deal before that date, fine. After that date, it becomes a much different economic animal. It makes less sense.”

When Rodriguez arrived at spring training, he was coy when asked about his contract.

“I understand I have an option, but I also understand that I want to be a New York Yankee,” he said, going on to add: “My goal is to go in with Derek and Mo and open the new stadium.”

Closer Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada can become free agents after the World Series. Pitcher Andy Pettitte has a $16 million option.

Rodriguez had a regular season that likely will earn him a third AL MVP award, leading the major leagues with 54 homers and 156 RBIs. But he went 4-for-15 (.267) with one RBI against Cleveland and is in an 8-for-59 (.136) postseason funk dating to 2004. He is hitless in his past 18 playoff at-bats with runners in scoring position.

New York would have to replace A-Rod’s regular-season offense if he leaves.

“A lot of it depends on whether he comes back here,” said first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, A-Rod’s former high school teammate and offseason workout partner. “That’s like a domino effect. It’s a big piece of the puzzle.”

expectations, especially for the freshman class. Everyone is nice and we’re all getting along while learning discipline.”

Official practice is already under way, with scrimmages on select days this week and next week.

CSUF finished last season in the top 10 in nearly ever poll with a record of 38-25. UC Irvine, Serrano’s team last season, is in the top five in most polls and finished with a record of 47-17.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had a spectacular season, winning 94 games on their way to winning the American League West. Each home game, fans poured into the stadium and supported their team with passion, vigor and dedication.

So when fans showed up Monday to attend a playoff rally for the team they proudly supported all year, it is only natural they expected to be treated with some appreciation for their year-long commitment.

That’s why I wasn’t surprised by the outpour of boos when it was announced that zero players on the current roster were in attendance and that they left only a short video clip thanking fans for showing up.

Is that what a year’s worth of attending games, watching them on TV and buying memorabilia gets fans these days? A lousy video thank you and a rally that failed to impress?

The rally was free for fans, but not really. Not when you consider that fans have paid countless dollars all season supporting the team that they love. When it comes down to it, I was disappointed by the lack of appreciation by Angel management to Angel fans.

And that’s coming from someone who bleeds Dodger blue, not Angel red.

The stadium gates opened at 5 p.m., but fans adorned in Angel red were outside the stadium soaking in the pre-playoff excitement much earlier. The parking lot was filled with people sitting outside their cars drinking beers, anticipating the excitement ahead.

Rally monkeys hung abundantly from many peoples shoulders.

Fans young and old had their face painted to show their dedication.

Angel fans were ready for an Angel rally and a successful Angel playoff. They won it all in 2002

and were optimistic about their chances here in 2007.

Sadly for the fans, this prerally excitement would be more entertaining than most of what happened during the actual rally.

The English Beat performed several songs, but nobody seemed to know who they were or why they were chosen.

Concession stands were open, but as you would imagine there wasn’t any discount in prices to thank fans for their loyalty. Five dollars for a bag of peanuts is just ridiculous for a fan that dropped hundreds of dollars in concessions all year. Imagine what it cost for a frosty, thirst-quenching beer.

One highlight of the event was the Army Parachute Team parachuting onto the field. Although it had the feeling of an Army recruiting commercial, seeing soldiers jump from a plane and land onto the field waving California and American flags was exciting to see.

The whole event was hosted by Angels broadcasters Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc, who did their best to pump up fans. They even tried to make up for the lack of current roster players by bringing in Angel alumni and fan favorites Tim Salmon, Chuck Finley, Jim Abbott and Bobby Grich.

Fans wanted to see their 2007 favorites, but getting to see the former players was a bit of a consolation. They didn’t really say anything of value or provide any additional entertainment, but the fact that they showed up at all was a nice gesture.

The night ended with fireworks and as I watched them blow up in the night sky, I couldn’t help but see it as foreshadowing the upcoming playoffs. The Angels rose, they’ll explode and then they’ll disappear until next year.

Then again I bleed Dodger blue, not Angel red.

“