9 6 2012

VOICE the georgetown

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COMPOSTING CATCHES ON AT GEORGETOWN PAGE 5

FOOTBALL ROLLS OVER DAVIDSON IN SEASON OPENER PAGE 6

SLEEPWALK WITH ME IS NO SNOOZE PAGE 10

Georgetown University’s Weekly Newsmagazine Since 1969 w September 6, 2012 w Volume 47, Issue 4 w georgetownvoice.com

G.I. Jane Hoya

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september 6, 2012

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MEET YOUR ANC CANDIDATE: THE BASKET BALLIN’ CRAIG CASSEY JR. LINDA GREENAN, VP FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS, TO RETIRE IN SEPTEMBER.

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Voice Crossword “Salad Bar Options” by Tyler Pierce 29. Show souvenir 31. Produce 35. Hello or goodbye, in Maui 38. Mutation 39. Dirty mutt 41. Belief 42. Prog rock, for example 43. 2011 Disney flop 45. Hodgepodge 46. Kill, as a dragon 48. Baby hooter 50. Wait on the runway 54. Auto 55. Wheel of Fortune guess 56. Spread 57. Certain simian 58. Salad bar option, or a clue to 17, 21, and 42 Across 62. Neckwear, in Maui 63. Shaped like a pine needle 64. West Point drop outturned-horror poet 65. Every 66. Children’s word game 67. The Closer network ACROSS 1. Cooking meas 4. 2008 Will Ferrell movie 11. Relaxation destination 14. “I got it!”

15. Ad before a movie 16. Sn 17. You might test for it for a series

19. UN agency which “promotes jobs and protects people” 20. Bestow 21. Half a score 22. Scottish boy 23. Aquamarine 24. Wooden joineries 27. Depressed 28. Continental currency

DOWN 1. Be silent, in music 2. Excelled 3. Asian bear 4. Spit out 5. “To ___ is human ...”

6. One of the White Stripes 7. “___ Just Seen A Face” (1964 Beatles hit)

puzzle answers at georgetownvoice.com 8. Chipotle bean 9. Show with Spinelli and TJ 10. Wilson of Marley and Me 11. Pregnancy tragedy 12. Another name for pilaf 13. Cathode partner 18. LxWxH 24. Twofold 25. Creative 26. A deer, a female deer 27. Banana hammock accentuation 28. Muse of poetry 30. It takes two to do it 31. Gangster’s gun 32. Memphis-to-Nashville dir.

33. One of a kind 34. Manicurist’s board 36. That girl 37. Tombs beverage 39. Ass 40. Passing mention?

42. Costa del ___ 44. Friends girl 46. La ___, Milan opera house 47. Place for a boutonniere 49. Floss adjective

50. Windsor, for one 51. Skilled 52. Inert gas 53. Atlas enlargement 55. Nanjing nanny 56. Wee warbler 59. Rowing machine 60. Suffix with free 61. LGBT org.

ARE YOU A LOGOPHILE? Share your love of words and help us write crosswords.

E-mail crossword@georgetownvoice.com.

editorial

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VOICE the georgetown

Volume 47.4 September 6, 2012 Editor-in-Chief: Leigh Finnegan Managing Editor: Keaton Hoffman Blog Editor: Vanya Mehta News Editor: Gavin Bade Sports Editor: Kevin Joseph Feature Editor: Connor Jones Cover Editor: Neha Ghanshamdas Leisure Editor: Mary Borowiec Voices Editor: Claire McDaniel Photo Editor: Lucia He Design Editors: Amanda Dominguez, Madhuri Vairapandi Projects Editors: Christie Geaney, Cannon Warren Puzzles Editor: Tyler Pierce Assistant Blog Editors: Morgan Manger, Jamie Niu Assistant News Editors: Julia Jester, Matt Weinmann Assistant Sports Editor: Steven Criss Assistant Leisure Editors: Will Collins, Julia Lloyd-George, Kirill Makarenko Assistant Photo Editors: Julian de la Paz, Matt Thees Assistant Design Editors: Lauren Ashley Panawa

Staff Writers:

Jane Conroy, Shom Mazumder, Paul Quincy, Heather Regen, Melissa Sullivan, Fatima Taskomur, Ambika Tripathi

Staff Photographers:

Max Blodgett, Kirill Makarenko, Tim Markatos

Copy Chief: Tori Jovanovski Copy Editors:

Patricia Cipollitti, Kim Tay

Editorial Board Chair: Rachel Calvert Editorial Board:

Aisha Babalakin, Gavin Bade, Patricia Cipollitti, Nico Dona Dalle Rose, Keaton Hoffman, Julia Jester, Linnea Pittman, Cole Stangler

Head of Business: Aarohi Vora Business Staff: Sara Ainsworth, Zoe Disselkoen, Meghan Fitzpatrick, Charmaine Ng

The Georgetown Voice

The Georgetown Voice is published every Thursday.

This newspaper was made possible in part with the support of Campus Progress, a project of the Center for American Progress,

online at CampusProgress.org. Campus Progress works to help young people — advocates, activists, journalists, artists — make their voices heard on issues that matter. Learn more at CampusProgress.org.

Mailing Address: Georgetown University The Georgetown Voice Box 571066 Washington, D.C. 20057

Office: Leavey Center Room 424 Georgetown University Washington, D.C. 20057

Email: editor@georgetownvoice.com Advertising: business@georgetownvoice.com Web Site: georgetownvoice.com The opinions expressed in the Georgetown Voice do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University, unless specifically stated. Unsigned editorials represent the views of the Editorial Board. Columns, advertisements, cartoons and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or the General Board of the Georgetown Voice.

The University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression of its student editors. The Georgetown Voice is produced in the Georgetown Voice office and composed on Macintosh computers using the Adobe InDesign publishing system and is printed

by Silver Communications. All materials copyright the Georgetown Voice. All rights reserved.

On this week’s cover: “Women in ROTC” Cover Design: Neha Ghanshamdas (SFS ‘14)

the georgetown voice 3

HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS

Leo’s should bring composting on campus At Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall, signs advertising the cafeteria composting program have been hanging next to the trashcans for years. Although students’ eyes are at times bigger than their stomachs, the environmentally conscientious can take comfort from the idea that, as far as they know, their half-eaten chicken fingers are going to eventually wind up as compost. In reality, though, the Leo’s composting process is far less efficient or comprehensive than the advertising suggests. Students should pressure Aramark to compost a greater portion of Leo’s waste—and bring the process on campus so students can benefit from the final product.

According to the GU Dining Services website, “approximately 90 percent of all waste from Leo’s Dining Hall is composted.” However, Georgetown’s Recycling and Waste Disposal Manager Bill Del Vecchio attests that this figure is grossly

inflated. Leo’s diverts 90 percent of its overall waste to a facility that incinerates the trash and converts it to energy. “Composting, on the other hand...is something different,” Del Vecchio said.

According to Del Vecchio, Georgetown used to work with a Maryland-based composting company Recycled Green, but now the food waste is sent to the Waste Management Annapolis Junction, which ships it to be composted in Delaware.

Sending our waste so far afield, rather than composting locally or on campus, expends unnecessary amounts of fossil fuel.

Composting scraps keeps food waste out of landfills, where the mixture of organic and inorganic material can produce huge amounts of greenhouse gases. But with our food waste travelling all the way to Delaware for processing, the benefits of composting are somewhat negated by pollution from the fossil fuels that are burned in transit.

D.C. has services to distribute any compost not used on campus. Compost Cab, a D.C.-based service that provides compost to local urban farms, already offers compost pick-up for commercial customers as well as schools. They also offer waste audits so that customers understand the greenest way to do away with their trash.

Keeping composting local is the best way to reduce our carbon footprint while giving a boost to farming initiatives on campus and in the D.C. area.

In farming circles, compost is often referred to as black gold. The potting soil and potting mix used in indoor and outdoor gardens is usually made up of a mixture of composts. Studies show that compost application in farming can greatly increase the amount of carbon sequestered in the soil. The Leo’s compost should be put to use in the community garden, as well as student gardens in offcampus backyards.

CURA PER$ONALI$

Trebizond should teach social responsibility After the independent student group Trebizond Investment’s nowinfamous “Become the 1%” recruiting slogan appeared in Red Square last week, GUOccupy posted their reply: “And this is why we #occupy.” The exchange encapsulates a national discussion about the responsibilities inherent in investment.

In a recent interview with the Voice, Trebizond president Caspian Tavallali (SFS ‘13) stressed the group’s instructive goals “That’s why people are losing money,” he said. “That’s why we’re in a recession, because the average investor was giving their money away and didn’t really understand the investments they were investing in.” His primary concern is making sure future investors are well-versed in sound investment policy to avoid suffering losses at the hands of the market. However, if Trebizond is

“educating Wall Street,” it is essential that they begin to train people in socially responsible investment.

Trebizond promotes itself through slogans like “Don’t occupy, profit.”

Their aim is not to correct social ills by targeted investment. Rather, the central goal is, as their satirical banner phrased it, “Become the 1%.” In Tavallali’s view, the group is not involved in political society at all. “We don’t talk politics...we’re not a political group,” he said. “That’s for the Republicans and Democrats to debate about.” However, Trebizond should recognize that its investments exert far-reaching political influence.

Investors wield an incredible amount of influence. Their capital empowers companies to carry out their business and labor practices across the world—be they ethical or not.

Trebizond should recognize that its investments have wider implications than monetary returns. For example, casual, uninformed investment in Apple supports the questionable labor standards of FoxConn, a subcontractor that has factories in China.

Trebizond’s activities are far from apolitical. The reality of a globalised, capitalist society implicates first-world stockholders in the fates of developing countries. Investment, if conducted responsibly, can empower communities.

If aimed solely at “Becoming the 1%,” investment can easily exacerbate global and domestic inequality. Tavallali is correct in that educating the future Wall Street executives should begin on college campuses. In the spirit of cura personalis, Trebizond should rethink the primary purposes of its group, and make education in social responsibility its priority.

TOO LEGIT TO QUIT

Sexual assault rhetoric should be revisited

Last week, a man allegedly committing serial sexual assault in Dupont Circle was charged with a misdemeanor, specifically, “misdemeanor sexual abuse (with aggravating circumstances).” According to D.C. Official Code, his crime is punishable by jail time of “not more than 180 days,” and, in addition, a possible fine of not more than $1000. His repeated strategy was to ride his bike past women walking on the street, forcibly shoving them to the ground before groping them.

Police caught him assaulting four women, but he confessed to harassing eight more women they didn’t know about. The media has dubbed the perpetrator “the Bicycle Groper.”

This incident has revealed several flaws in the way we approach sexual assault.

Rather than thinking in terms of fines, we should incorporate rehabilitation services for convicted sexual assailants to deter them from committing the same crimes again. According to The Washington Post, the prescribed sentence for his crimes is less than that for robbing a vending machine. Chai Shenoy, a

lawyer specializing in sexual assault who also runs a sexual assault awareness group called Collective Action for Safe Spaces, highlighted the key issues to the Post, “The problem is, it’s a misdemeanor. And that doesn’t take into account how incredibly traumatizing this is for the victim,” she said. “It’s not like having your wallet stolen—this stays with the victim the rest of her life.”

The most productive form of punishment would include some sort of behavioral rehabilitation. Sentences for serial sexual assault should include mandatory psychological evaluations and therapy to address the assaulter’s motivations.

The media’s nickname for this assaulter also ignores the gravity of this type of crime.

“Bicycle Groper” is reminiscent of the “Georgetown Cuddler,” the nickname given to the criminal infamous for sneaking into Georgetown students’ rooms and sexually assaulting them. Both diminish the victim’s trauma.

The discourse surrounding sexual assault became a focal point of this election

cycle after politicians on the Left and the Right disavowed Todd Akin’s remarks about “legitimate rape.” Aside from Akin’s absurd pseudo-science—he said women’s bodies could prevent a pregnancy in instances of legitimate rape—what appalled feminists was the implication that some forms of sexual assault are, by comparison, illegitimate.

Akin was met with a surge of national outrage. When Akin and Paul Ryan sponsored H.R.3, which stipulates that no public money be used to pay for abortions, feminists lampooned the bill’s attempt to redefine rape as “forcible rape.”

Attempts to diminish the impact of other, “non-forcible” rapes demeans victims’ experiences. Despite broad consensus to this effect, media coverage of serial sexual assault is often characterized by catchy phrases that make light of the trauma associated with assault.

We should take advantage of this moment when national attention is focused on sexual assault to reconsider the way we discuss these crimes.

news

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september 6, 2012

Trebizond Investments sparks campus controversy

dents to enjoy profit regardless of the effects of their actions on the majority of people,” she said. “Not to mention that the slogan is essentially and inherently elitist in its glorification of occupying some upper echelon of society.”

The Georgetown University Student Investment Fund (GUSIF) echoed Occupy’s antipathy towards the provocative catchphrase.

In an email statement, the club wrote, “We think that the actions/ promotions [of Trebizond] are immature and do not stand for the beliefs of the investment community.”

Tavallali shot back, saying, “Obviously our competitors are jealous … A lot of GUSIF members are joining Trebizond; whether or not the management of GUSIF likes our advertisement campaign, it works.”

As for Occupy, the Trebizond founder says their accusations are mere misunderstanding. “[Oc-

cupy] shouldn’t be fighting us.

We’re certainly not fighting them in any way,” he said.

Even so, GU Occupy is more disturbed by the ethical standards of the investment group than the slogan itself. Unlike GUSIF, which only invests domestically, Trebizond invests globally to increase the risk and reward of investment.

“We do look at all the aspects of the investment,” said Tavallali, “including, I guess, the ‘ethical’ aspects of the business. We haven’t invested in that many controversial industries.”

With America’s economy remaining sluggish, Trebizond looks elsewhere in for profit.

“We have invested in China,” Tavallali admits, “because it’s just a booming place, and when it comes to it … always the market decides.”

He commented on Nike and the famous case a few years ago

that caused its stock prices to plummet. “You do need to look at all sorts of risks,” Tavallali said.

“Especially these days where you know people are especially sensitive about these subjects.”

While the awareness of the financial effects of ethical misconduct of investments is standard business procedure, it does not necessarily display a concern for social or ethical issues.

“After pulling out of a company that has fishy practices, that seems to me like just one example of caring about the social and ethical implications of your investments. I don’t see any sort of systematic statement about their socio-ethical framework,” Collins said.

Tavallali responded to Occupy’s criticism with defiance. “Since when did capitalism become evil? Capitalism built this country, we’re just continuing that American tradition. We don’t do anything illegal, we’re very to the book, we have very good operating agreements that we all agree on.” Within the group members vote on which companies to invest in, including not just Chinese, but Vietnamese companies as well.

Trebizond’s decision to invest in the Vietnam Exchange Traded Fund, which includes various Vietnamese public companies, is another controversial point. “That’s a very highrisk area,” Tavallali said. “The communist government recently threw

seph Vandegriff (COL ‘14), each student paid $1000 for the trip, which included “credentials, some meals, transportation to and from the event, and housing.” The SCS could not pay the cost for students “because they can’t contribute to any partisan political activity, even if it’s balanced,” said Vandegriff.

Vandegriff attended the College Democrats National Convention, held before the DNC, but he recognized the special significance of attending the larger party-wide convention in Charlotte, N.C. “The great thing about Georgetown is that you can meet people from all over, but definitely at the DNC you can meet fellow Democrats who are as passionate as you are ... It’s just a cool opportunity to be part of history.”

Therese Kilbane Myers (COL ‘15), also expressed excitement in being part of this historic moment in American politics. “For me, I was elected as a delegate from the 10th

congressional district so I’m going to represent Ohio,” Myers said. “I’m really excited because I’m 19 so this is my first presidential election [to vote in], and I was lucky enough to have been at the 1996 convention and the 2008 convention.”

Myers is also participating in several caucuses at the DNC. “The Ethnic Council is one of the ones that I have participated in previously,” she said. “I’m also in the Women’s Caucus and the Young Democrats Caucus.”

Although he was not part of the SCS group attending the convention, Jonathan Hopkins (MSFS ‘12), a student in the Masters School of Foreign Service and first in his class at West Point, is working at the DNC as a tracker for Tammy Duckworth, a speaker at the DNC and the Democratic nominee for Illinois’s Eighth Congressional District.

For Hopkins, working at the DNC and for Duckworth takes a personal tone because he worked for the repeal

of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” through his connections to the military. “If you have to deploy somewhere or change duty stations and you’re married to somebody but it doesn’t count for the federal government so it won’t pay for it.” Hopkins said, “That’s not what our country is about.”

Students attending the RNC also had the chance to participate in a historic moment in American politics.

“It was phenomenal,” said Maggie Cleary (COL ’14), President of the Georgetown College Republicans, who attended the RNC. “I thought that the entire thing was very moving and inspirational, but it also got everyone inspired for the upcoming election, and I think it got everyone ready and pumped.”

Most Americans are familiar with the glitz of the televised speeches each evening, but Cleary says the real policy work happens during the day.

“There are Bloomberg and Politico and other nonpartisan groups

by Julia Jester Trebizond Investments has sparked controversy ever since it arrived on campus last semester with the slogan, “Become the 1%.” But as founder Caspian Tavallali (SFS ‘13) put it, “any press is good press, especially when you’re a small company.”

This has proven true for the upstart student investment group. Perhaps more alarming than the premise of the slogan itself is how rapidly the group has grown because of it.

When GU Occupy “occupied” one of the group’s meetings last semester, there were only an estimated 30 members. Now, the so-called “future one percent” has grown to include 150 members who currently manage $65,000. GU Occupy member Madeline Collins (COL ‘13) sees this as a troubling sign.

“I think it suggests that there really are a lot of people who just want to make money for themselves and profit at the expense of others, and who don’t really care about the social implications of what they do,” she said. “There are aspects of this university that encourage that, which is an entirely different conversation.”

Speaking on behalf of her fellow Occupiers, Collins expressed disdain for the slogan.

“We saw the slogan as shameful and disturbing, because it suggests students, even invites stu-

Lucia He

GU Occupy responds to Trebizond’s advertising campaign with their own posters.

some capitalists in jail and the market fell five percent in one day. So, it does fluctuate, but obviously there’s huge growth potential.”

Risky as their decisions may be, Trebizond educates its members and employs democratic processes to make decisions, a system Tavallali describes as “progressive.” Unlike GUSIF, where “the old management, basically picks their friends to become the new management,” Trebizond votes for all board members and investment decisions. However, that is where the politics ends.

“We’re just about making investments,” Tavallali said. “Our top priority is profit, that’s business. But second, secondary priority is education.” Trebizond does not require a minimum investment from its members, although most students invest a few hundred dollars on average.

As for the slogan, Tavallali wanted to make it clear it was not intended to be offensive, but rather, “tongue-in-cheek.” He said the meaning behind the slogan was, “Aim high and maybe our members will become wealthy and build business and be successful.”

But that justification did not sit well with Collins.

“To me, it doesn’t seem to matter whether the slogan is tongue-incheek or not,” she said. “Because it’s usually offensive either way, maybe even more so if it’s tongue-in-cheek because it suggests that it’s making

that sponsor the events so a lot of the big name speakers will be sitting on panels about policy early that day,” Cleary said. “During the day, it’s all policy and where the Republican Party is going and how the policy is going to change, and at night it’s a lot of rhetoric.”

Although the rhetoric between the two parties has been heated throughout the election, students from both parties recognized the unique feeling of being in that convention stadium with thousands of other people.

“The whole point was being in the room and feeling the vibe and hearing them speak live and especially seeing the reaction of the crowd,” said Cleary.

“When you’re sitting in a crowd that huge and it just completely erupts when someone like Marco Rubio or Paul Ryan says one of their key lines about the American Dream or opportunity, you just get goosebumps.”

Students experience history at RNC and DNC

by Jeffrey Lin This year 40 Hoyas attended the national political conventions — 20 attending the Republican showcase, and 20 the Democrats’. Whether participating as volunteers, spectators, or delegates, these students were given a chance to become a part of history.

Organized by the School of Continuing Studies, the trips to the RNC and the DNC give students the unique opportunity to experience the glamour and excitement of a national political convention.

Attending the conventions transcended partisan lines for the Georgetown students who attended. “This experience helped them better understand what they’re studying and learning about in the program and also follow what interests them,” said Associate Dean James Parenti.

According to the Georgetown College Democrats President, Jo-

news

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the georgetown voice 5

Students, but not Leo’s, embrace composting food waste

by Juliana De Souza and Gavin Bade For a time, tired students trudging into Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall could at least take solace in their sustainable eating habits. Their napkin dispensers reminded them each day. “Did you know Leo’s composts?”

Ever since the program’s start four years ago, Georgetown University Dining Services claims to have composted over 130 tons of food waste per year, which puts them “well ahead” of other local academic institutions, according to William Del Vecchio, the University’s Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Manager.

Even so, Del Vecchio says the claim on Georgetown Dining Services website that “90 percent of all waste from Leo’s Dining Hall is composted” is false.

“Ninety percent of waste is diverted,” he said. ‘The plan for diversion is that it’s just not going to the landfill. We made a commitment at Georgetown not to take any of our waste [to] landfills.” Instead, food waste that is not composted is sent to a certified energy- from-waste facility in Alexandria, Vir. where it is incinerated to generate electricity.

Lucia He

Mark Waterman tends to the Georgetown community garden near Kehoe field.

“By substituting an energy plan, we are actually in fact recycling 90 percent [of food waste],” said Del Vecchio. “Composting, on the other hand ... is something different.”

What food waste is composted at Leo’s is transported to the Waste Management transfer station at Annapolis Junction, Md., and then on to a compost facility in Delaware, where it is sold to farmers and gardeners. Mark Waterman (SFS ‘13), who runs

Chicago teachers strike back

On Sept. 10, roughly 26,000 Chicago public school teachers could walk off their jobs in the city’s first teachers strike in 25 years. The union has already issued a 10-day strike notice, so if ongoing negotiations don’t result in a fair contract, a strike is likely.

While many hope a fair contract can be reached soon, a strike on the part of the teachers would be more than justified.

The Chicago Teachers’ Union strike is, first and foremost, a direct result of Chicago Public Schools’ failure to compromise on basic issues related to wages, class size, and job security. Both sides have been at the bargaining table since November 2011, and CPS— emboldened by the arrival of the staunchly anti-union Mayor Rahm Emanuel—has ignored teachers’ demands and sought to undermine the power of the union.

It is the reluctance of CPS to budge on those three core issues that has led to the current situation. Strikes of this magnitude are rare in the contemporary Ameri-

can political landscape, and the teachers’ willingness to contemplate such bold action speaks to the urgency of the situation.

The impending strike in Chicago could have ramifications that extend beyond the nation’s thirdlargest school district.

First off, it is significant that a teachers’ union is going on the offensive. Public-sector unions have been attacked by state governments across the country and incessantly demonized by the media.

Even among those unfairly battered union members, school teachers are perhaps the most vilified.

From New Orleans to Washington, D.C., elected officials and allies of the corporatebacked and “education reform” movement have pointed their fingers at teachers unions for the nation’s poorly performing education system. Members are lazy and greedy, we’re told, concerned only with guarding their “fat cat” salaries and operating without regard for the interests of students or parents.

the student community garden at Georgetown, says the waste could be put to better use.

“Since there are closer options of gardens that would readily accept more of this material, it doesn’t really make sense making weekly heavy load trips to Delaware,” Waterman said. “I think there are plenty of positive uses for compost in and around the Georgetown campus and in and around the D.C. area, and to drive comBut the Chicago Teachers’ Union emphatically betrays all the tired stereotypes about unionized public school teachers. In this case, it’s plainly the union—not the school board—that has the most progressive and equitable vision of education for the city.

The CTU wants a more diverse curriculum, a decrease in class sizes (already among

union Jack

by Cole Stangler

A bi-weekly column about national politics and policy the highest in the state), and a system of pay not based solely on test scores. The alternative vision, endorsed by the “education reformers,” would have teachers working in overcrowded classrooms and teaching fewer subjects for less pay.

In lashing out against the corporate education interests, Chicago teachers are putting their reputations and livelihoods on the line, trying to win a contract that parents, teachers, and students all deserve.

post to Delaware seems rather nonsensical to me because the fossil fuels burnt in transit are a negative effect on the environment when our end goal is to be accomplishing something positive in the environment.”

Waterman went on to say that the garden’s self-made compost of weeds, leaves, and scraps can take up to six months to become a usable soil for gardening. Leo’s food scraps, on the other hand, are already partially broken down and are richer in nutrients than the plant-only compost.

Any potential collaboration between the dining hall and the garden has yet to be explored.

One reason could be the dining hall management’s tight-lipped policy about composting practices. The Voice was repeatedly rebuked by contacts at Georgetown Dining when reporters asked for elaboration on composting practices, and was not given permission to enter the kitchen to observe the composting process.

But even if Waterman’s garden cannot count on nourishment from the dining hall’s food waste, there is another composting program up and running on the Hilltop with the express purpose of helping the

If the teachers win a fair contract before the strike notice expires or achieve one after resorting to a strike, that would represent a major blow to the “education reform” movement. It could give anti-union reformers in urban areas pause before taking action.

What’s more likely, though, is that it would embolden teachers’ unions to take the offensive and fight back against the advocates of corporatized schooling. Two radically different visions of the future of American education are facing off in Chicago, and for the first time in a long while the teachers seem to be in control.

It is also significant that this labor showdown comes against a Democratic mayor. The once cozy relationship between organized labor and the Democratic Party has soured in recent years, with the Party typically paying little beyond lip service to unions, and much of the leadership throwing its weight behind the “education reform” movement and its big money backers. This tension was brilliantly captured at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC—a

community garden. Over 25 Magis Row townhouses and apartments compost their scraps for use in the garden, and a few RAs have even taken the project on in their dorms. Colin Doyle (COL ‘13), who founded the program, says it is successful and growing.

“The garden club and I built a large wooden compost bin up on Kehoe Field,” Doyle wrote in an email. “And much of what we composted [last year] was used already this summer in the community garden beds up there on Kehoe.”

He believes the initiative is wholly positive for the community.

“This project demonstrates how we really can make a difference by doing small things like composting on a day-to-day basis,” Doyle wrote. “And we get to see the results of our efforts by actually using the compost ourselves here on campus to grow vegetables.”

But as hopeful as he is, Doyle realizes his program is still in its infancy, and it will take more than a few townhouses to make a large impact.

“The hard part now,” he wrote, “will be to make composting available campus-wide and commonplace in Georgetown life.”

right-to-work state, no less—in which the DNC organized a screening of a film that seemed to endorse the charter school movement. Even more tellingly, union-busting Mayor Emanuel himself was given a primetime speaking slot.

Emanuel is the corporate Democratic hack par excellence, the kind of guy who can open up the city coffers to host a costly NATO summit, and at the same time, close mental health clinics in poor neighborhoods and refuse to grant public school teachers a modest pay increase.

Like a large chunk of the Democratic Party, Emanuel is no ally of working people. If the CTU were to successfully take him on, it could send a resounding message: corporate Democrats don’t have a monopoly on the support of organized labor. It might even remind us of a once commonly accepted political reality—that unions can harness political power themselves.

Cole’s a teacher, a preacher, and a crazy, funky creature. Reach him at cstangler@georgetownvoice.com.

sports

6 the georgetown voice

september 6, 2012

Football rides momentum into home opener

by Keith Levinsky Never underestimate the power of team camaraderie. After starting senior quarterback Isaiah Kempf went down with a concussion on Saturday, Georgetown’s football team (1-0) rallied behind its fallen captain to win the season opener at Davidson 35-14.

The Hoyas were led by junior Nick Campanella, who posted career highs of 127 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Junior quarterback Aaron Aiken, who stepped in for Kempf, ran for 109 yards and completed 8-of-21 passes, good for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Early in the first quarter, Kempf was taken out by the Davidson defense with a vicious blow to the head. He is officially listed as “week-to-week,” but is out for this Saturday’s home opener against Wagner. The injury motivated the Hoyas, particularly Campanella.

“It put a little fire in me,” the running back said. “It’s never nice when you see someone go down.

That put a little spark in me and everyone on our team.”

Despite the final score, the results were not immediate. On Georgetown’s next drive, Aiken threw an interception. The Wildcats passed for a touchdown on their ensuing drive, to take a 7-0 lead.

“It was a little nerve-wracking.

It wasn’t a good way to start,” Aiken said of his inauspicious first drive. “But I think that as a player, one of the things I have learned is that you have to let things go.”

Aiken responded by rushing for 32 yards and hurling a 48-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Kevin Macari on the following drive. After junior kicker Matt MacZura’s extra point, the score was 7-7 with five minutes left in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Campanella grabbed the lead for the Hoyas on the first of his three touchdown runs. He bounced to the right side and sprinted for a career-best 53 yards.

That touchdown gave Georgetown a 14-7 lead, one they would never relinquish. On Georgetown’s second drive of the second half, Aiken completed passes of 18 and 37 yards to get the Hoyas inside the 10yard line. Campanella would then push the ball into the end zone from two yards out to extend the lead to 14 points.

The Hoyas continued rolling as a blocked punt by freshman linebacker Tyler Parsons gave them superb field position at the Davidson 32-yard line. Nine plays later, Aiken flicked a short pass to Campanella, who beat a defender to score his third touchdown of the day.

Late in the fourth quarter, Davidson put together a long drive that ended in a 15-yard touchdown pass. Georgetown gained the ball at the Davidson 47-yard line after the Wildcats’ ensuing onside kick failed. Campanella would then explode for another long touchdown run, this time a 45-yarder. Campanella’s fourth touchdown ended any Davidson threat as the game finished 35-14.

Davidson’s running attack was virtually non-existent as Georgetown’s defense forced Davidson to negative 18 yards. The Hoyas also held Wildcats’ eighth-ranked passing offense to only 226 yards.

Senior linebacker Robert McCabe led Georgetown with 17 tackles, including three for a loss.

Campanella echoed that the team’s stellar performance and his career day were partially due to the inspiration from Kempf’s injury.

“We all rallied behind Isaiah,” he said. “I think we all felt like it was for him.”

GEORGETOWN SPORTS INFORMATION

Aaron Aiken has been thrust into the spotlight for the Hoyas.

Still, the junior was humble about his monstrous line in the box score, one that earned him the title of Offensive Player of the Week.

“The injury sparked the linemen more than anything,” he said.

“The line opened up the holes and made it easier for me to find them.”

The Hoyas host Wagner (0-1) in their home opener this Saturday at 1 p.m. on Multi-Sport Field.

Georgetown’s potent rushing attack of Campanella and Aiken will certainly be tested this Saturday.

Wagner only allowed 164 rushing yards and one passing touchdown

against FBS opponent Florida Atlantic in its 7-3 loss last Friday.

“Wagner is going to be a very tough opponent,” Aiken said.

“They are very athletic, but I feel like we definitely can go out there, handle our business, and get the ‘W.’”

The Sports Sermon “You’re an idiot! Stay in school, kids, or you’ll end up being an umpire.” - Andy Roddick ripping a chair umpire to shreds in 2008

ideal role model for aspiring tennis players. Now, though, American tennis finds its roughest peI grew up with Pete Sampras riod, as it relies on an unproven and Andre Agassi, as did the rest generation to capture that magic of my generation. They peaked that’s been lost since 2003. during my childhood rather It is still a realistic proposithan during my teenage years, tion, of course. Roddick’s emosimilar to Michael Jordan and tional swan song through the Cal Ripken Jr. But for that same U.S. Open this season showed reason, I never embraced any of just how much the New York these legends, who are outside crowd embraced him over the of my generation, as my own. years and, perhaps more imAndy Roddick was supportantly, is hungry for another posed to be that player for me. success story. His career ended He was the best of that new unceremoniously at the hands wave of American tennis playof Argentine Juan Martin del ers, there to usher in another era Potro in four sets yesterday, of dominance and allow Sambut not without a pras and Agassi to needed adrenaline ride off gracefully Pete Rose Central shot by his fans to into the sunset.

Da bettin’ line get him that far in His smash Margin Dookies Hoyas the first place. mouth game (duh!) (underdogs) The match was seemed perfectly (favorites) marked by a rain suited to the role, Yankees Chokage Orioles delay Tuesday but over time, it beReal Madrid Cash Ronaldo night, a torrential came his greatest Federer Roddick Brooklyn downpour that deflaw. Sure, Roddick layed the fourth was gifted with a round until yesterday afternoon. unstoppable force) everything monstrous serve, but when it Frankly, if I had stopped watchhe could handle before succame down to it, the rest of his ing there, it may have been a cumbing in five sets to the Swiss game just lacked the purity of more fitting ending to my affecArmy Knife. a Sampras or Agassi. It doesn’t tion for Andy Roddick.

Shortly after his resurgence, help that he ran into a one-man For all he’s done on the though, Roddick reverted back to tennis machine named Roger court, Roddick has always left his passionless play, setting up a Federer on countless occasions me wanting more. For every sorry couple of seasons that saw during his prime.

50-ace dominating match, there his world ranking dip into 20s Still, that all changed in was one where he simply could and 30s. Players like Mardy Fish 2003. Roddick was at the top not return the ball to save his and James Blake jumped ahead of his game, and it seemed not life. For every passionate service of him on the American depth even Federer could stop him. game he won, there was the set chart and performed ably—they His victory in that year’s U.S. he simply mailed in. just never had that boundless talOpen captivated America in I truly enjoyed watchent and potential Roddick so ofa way few individual athletes ing Roddick play tennis—his ten failed to harness. have in the past. From his lateuniqueness drew me to him.

At the very least, with Rodnight birthday victory to the But, as with halting my fandom dick’s presence, American tennis triumphant finals over Juan with a rain delay, I can’t shake had something of a face for their Carlos Ferrero, the tournament the feeling that his career ended sport. He may not have taken the was supposed to be the turning too soon and, honestly, with a world by storm the way Agassi point for Roddick and a revival bit of a whimper. His career, one or Sampras before him did, but for American tennis. ultimately marred by unfulfilled his flash and power (though not If only it had turned out that potential, just feels incomplete. his quick temper) made him an way. While Roddick played with

by Kevin Joseph

a fire unseen from a player since Agassi’s prime, he just could not overcome that figurative hump the way he did in 2003. He lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final in both 2004 and 2005 before a series of injuries took his career into a downward spiral. The biggest news concerning Andy Roddick became his marriage to swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker—not a bad consolation prize.

Roddick flopped in a tennissense. But, he didn’t just fall over and die; in 2009 he experienced a renaissance of sorts. He made the Wimbledon final and gave Federer (by this time, an

sports

georgetownvoice.com

the georgetown voice 7

Hoyas hope to continue torrid start behind Allen, Nealis

by Steven Criss The Georgetown men’s soccer team won its fourth consecutive regular season game last Sunday in a home game versus Penn State, good to keep them undefeated for the season.

Georgetown held possession of the ball for most of the first half, leading with 12 total shots on goal to Penn State’s zero at one point. The payoff finally came when senior midfielder Jimmy Nealis struck the ball off the right post in the 24th minute, causing it to hit an opposing defender and bounce into the net for the game’s first goal.

Early in the second half, the Nittany Lions mounted their counterattack in what Head Coach Brian Wiese described as seemingly “their only chance of the game left at that point,” when they sent a ball into the top left to tie. Although the official score sheet reads that it was 52 seconds later, Wiese assures it was only 12 seconds after the game was restarted that freshman Brandon Allen put the Hoyas ahead once more with his third straight game-winning goal.

“It was literally, three players touch it and Brandon Allen scores,” Weise said of the sequence. “There’s a mental toughness and a resiliency with

MATTHEW THEES

Tyler Rudy is expected to play more of a leadership role as a sophomore.

Honey Badger back at school

As of this past Tuesday, last year’s National Defensive Player of the Year, LSU star cornerback Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, returned to the school to enroll in classes for this fall. Back in early August, Mathieu had been dismissed from the team

by Head Coach Les Miles for repeatedly testing positive for marijuana. Mathieu had been at a Houston drug rehabilitation center since Aug. 14, and has received guidance from former NBA player John Lucas, who himself had a long history with drug use. At one point, it was rumored that Mathieu would possibly transfer to a school in the FCS, such as McNeese State or Nicholls State, both of which he visited and at which he would have been immediately eligible to play. Instead, the former Heisman Trophy candidate decided to wait the year out at

LSU, in hopes that he would be reinstated and allowed to play football next season.

The obvious short-term move for Mathieu would have been to go to the school where he could play football immediately, without waiting for his suspension to end, and prepare for the 2013 NFL Draft. The only way Mathieu could have accomplished both of those goals was by transferring to an FCS school. Instead, Mathieu chose to stay at LSU. This is surprising for two reasons. First, most college athletes have short time horizons. College students tend to mostly worry about the here-and-now instead of the effects their decisions will have on their future careers. We’re the leaders of the procrastination world, worrying more about having fun now than about the consequences of that fun further down the road (like going out

this group that is able to handle the situations that you know a team without this kind of experience I don’t think would handle as well.”

After dropping the season finale last year to Providence University, the Hoyas have come back this year to start this season undefeated. They have trained to a point where they know they can go out on any given day and compete with even their most skilled opponents, especially with the freshmen on their roster.

“Our freshman class is as good as any freshman class in the country,” he said. “So you get that blend of discipline and experience and mixing in with some guys that are excited... and talented...We’ve had a few different scenarios where we’ve had to come through and each one of them we’ve come through successfully,” Coach Wiese knows their competition will be a challenge as the season progresses, but has no doubts that they can continue winning. He has very strong hopes for this group and how the players work together.

“I think the composition of their group is a pretty unique one and a good one, because you know we have an incredibly strong senior class,” he said.

“And we have juniors and sophomores that are contributing and pushing and some impact players in those classes as well.”

One major component of that, at least to Wiese, has been the emergence of the newest Hoyas to mix things up for this iteration.

“Our freshman class is as good as any freshman class in the country,” he declared. “So you get that blend of discipline and experience and mixing in with some guys that are excited...and talented.”

“We’ve had a few different scenarios where we’ve had to come through and each one of them we’ve come through successfully,” he said of the youngest team members.

Another major asset to the team’s success thus far in the season has been the aggressive and versatile play of Jimmy Nealis.

After his performance against Penn State, Nealis was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week. The Hoya defense only allowed one goal in the team’s three games last week with Nealis heading the back line.

“Jimmy is an attacking minded defender… so we want him to be getting goals and assists,” Wiese said. “While I think the first goal against Penn State was an own goal, really it was a bul-

for a night at the Tombs instead of starting on that 15-page paper due in two days that you haven’t touched yet). Mathieu is making a big sacrifice in passing up the opportunity to enter next year’s NFL Draft, and will most likely have to wait until at least two years from now until he can start making the big bucks.

his game in anticipation for an eventual NFL career.

On a moral front, however, the benefits of Mathieu’s decision are clear. By owning up to his mistakes, and sticking with the program that first scouted him, Mathieu is demonstrating his maturity, loyalty, and humility--qualities that any prospective NFL team will respect.

However, Mathieu may not be able to maintain his level of play in his prolonged time off.

If he returns to LSU and has an unproductive year, it could be tough for him to get picked early in the Draft. It is important to keep in mind that Mathieu, historically, is a player who goes with his instincts. He has a nose for the ball and a penchant for the big play--elements a player never loses, even if he hasn’t played competitively in over a year. Mathieu also has two years of eligibility left, and would likely be able to learn and improve a lot more on a top

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

by Alex Lau

a rotating column on sports The move is also surprising because, as a competitive athlete, Mathieu would prefer not to go an entire year without playing football. Superstar athletes tend to be programmed to do one thing, and that’s to play their sport. With regards to his physical development as an athlete, it’s hard to say whether Mathieu is making the right decision in trying to improve

let from Jimmy that hit the post and ricocheted off a defender and went in. It was just as much a goal as anything else. [He] got the assist on the game winner in the second half. His job is to be into the attack.”

Allen has also been crucial, earning Big East Rookie of the Week honors after leading the Hoyas on offense. As one of the top recruits in the nation last year, Allen has delivered exactly what the Georgetown coaches were looking for.

Many incoming freshman recruits are not able to keep up with the quicker rate of play, but with junior Steve Neumann joining him up top, Allen has adjusted well.

The Hoyas play for the first time on the road this Friday with a game in Chicago against University of Illinois. This team has played tough their last few games, with two one-goal losses to Big East teams and a 2-0 win over Ohio State. Coach Wiese estimates the energy will be at its peak intensity at game time and there will be no lack of competition.

“They’re not going to be intimidated by us,” he said. “I think we’re probably going to get their best punch at this stage in the season. We’re going to have to be sharp to get a result.”

team like LSU as opposed to a second-tier FCS team.

Premier college athletes tend to think in terms of “What’s the fastest way I can get to the pros?”, and that, at times, can lead them to put their own interests in front of the interests of their schools. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. College athletes are unpaid, and, at least in football, generate massive revenue for their institutions.

Therefore, it’s not unreasonable for athletes to do what’s best for their own career prospects.

In Mathieu’s case, his decision to stay with LSU is not sure to benefit his career in the long run. Still, one thing is for certain: It’s refreshing to see a college athlete realize all of the love that his university has given him, despite his sometimes poor decision-making, and decide to repay that community by staying.

Go back to school with Alex at alau@georgetownvoice.com.

feature

8 the georgetown voice

september 6, 2012

army strong the lives of georgetown's female cadets

by Nicolo Dona dalle Rose “Sometimes I feel like it is a love-hate relationship,” said Chloé Nalbantian (COL ‘15), a cadet in Georgetown’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program. To her, even though the camaraderie and team spirit of the squad is rewarding, the ROTC program is a huge physical and psychological commitment. Cadets need to wake up early in the morning for physical training three times a week while still fulfilling the rigorous academic requirements of both the ROTC program and Georgetown University.

Georgetown students are enrolled in various ROTC programs around the city.

While the majority of them are enrolled in the Army program based on campus, some take on other branches of the military at George Washington, American, and Catholic Universities. The first Georgetown Corps of Cadets was formed in 1791, and following the long tradition, the Hoya Battalion has consistently placed in the top 100 programs offered in the country. Since 1918, over 4,000 men and women from

ROTC students learn the realities of the life of an enlisted solider.

JUE CHEN

the Georgetown ROTC program have been commissioned into the military. The ROTC program has given these students an opportunity to study at a prestigious institution while following their desire to serve their country.

At the same time, ROTC programs across the U.S. have not always lived up to their mission of training young scholars, athletes, and soldiers. One year ago, the Stanford Women’s Coalition rejected the ROTC program offered there because, as reported in The Stanford Review, it failed to “adequately address the sexual violence, rape, and sexual assault of women serving in the military,” igniting a nationwide debate on the role that women and sexual minorities play in the military.

At the national level, sexism and the marginalization of homosexuals have historically been suppressed and covered up to avoid scandals, and women enrolled in those programs during recent decades did not always enjoy the proper degree of comfort they deserved. Although programs in other parts of the country continue to experience trouble integrating women and sexual minorities, Georgetown has been a leader in welcoming these underrepresented groups.

While talking about the issues facing women in ROTC at Georgetown, Nalbantian recognized that the high percentage of men in Georgetown Army ROTC led to a disproportionate level of machismo in the program. Yet she did not regard it as a major issue, considering the mild chauvinism as a characteristic, but not necessarily a detractor, of the program.

That is not to say that Nalbantian’s perspective is universally shared. A different woman in the program had in fact voiced concern with some sexually insensitive jokes on the part of some male cadets in the program. “I would understand if the girl thought it was offensive,” Nalbantian said. “But it was never malicious.” She noted that even though, at times, women in the program overheard sexist jokes, the men in question “didn’t want to do it intentionally. It is just what happens.”

Nalbantian still has a distinctly positive view of the program, saying the camaraderie helps the cadets face everyday challenges.

“Once, a cadet got punched in the face and went to the hospital,” she recalled.

“Everyone visited him.”

The sense of collectivity and solidarity goes beyond any passing joke, making the ill-advised humor ultimately little more than a nuisance for female cadets.

According to Nalbantian, the battalion’s sense of camaraderie vastly outweighs

any differences between cadets. “People are just there to help you,” she said.

Female students enrolled in ROTC at Georgetown ultimately emphasize the strength and commitment of their peers and themselves above any distinctions about their sex.

“My name is Smith, and I am a cadet participating in the Hoya Battalion Army ROTC Program. You may have seen me around campus… [r]unning U-Boats on the Exorcist Stairs at 6:30 in the morning, hollering cadence to try to get my fellow cadets to march in step, taking a physical fitness test at Ellington Field, lining up in full cadet battle-rattle to head to a field training exercise at Fort A.P. Hill, or laughing outside of the Car Barn after sitting through a three-hour Military Science class,” Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Margaret Smith (GPPI ’13) wrote in an email. “I am a future leader and I take my role seriously.”

As the commander of Hoya Battalion, Smith is in charge of about 120 ROTC students from four schools in the D.C. ROTC consortium. She is an active-duty Sergeant in the Army studying at Georgetown for graduate school as a Green to Gold cadet in the ROTC. As part of the program, Smith will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army this May. “Now, if I were to ask you if I were male or female based upon the information given above, you’d have no clue.

In fact, the only thing you can really tell about my physical appearance is that I am green—army green,” Smith wrote in an email to the Voice.

This sentiment is shared by Cadet Valerie Palermo (COL ’15), a cadet hoping to be contracted starting next semester. “I see myself as a cadet, not a female, while in ROTC,” she said. “We use last names when we speak to one another—Palermo, or Cadet Palermo. We wear the same uniforms, and we do the same exercises.”

When asked whether she has experienced any discomfort in the ROTC program due to her gender, or whether she had an opinion on previous cases of marginalization of women in other ROTC programs around the country, Palermo did not offer a response.

“I have not heard about these issues, and will not comment on them. ROTC demands a lot of hard work from all of us, because those who rise to the challenge will become qualified leaders,” she said.

While problems may have existed in the past or in other parts of the country, Palermo says she has never experienced sexism at Georgetown Army ROTC. “I have always felt accepted by my comrades and superiors. Georgetown ROTC cadets share a close bond, and, in my opinion, the

georgetownvoice.com program does a good job of fostering camaraderie.”

Palermo, like Smith, did not criticize any aspect of female life in the Georgetown Army ROTC program. And while Palermo seemed reticent to speak candidly, Smith was confident in her response: The ROTC program does not regard female cadets differently in any way than male cadets, and the fellowship of the group overcomes any possible division.

Major Karen Saravia, Recruiting Operations Officer of the Hoya Battalion, reaffirmed these sentiments. Last year the Battalion instituted a new program to help integrate female cadets into the ROTC. “We actually began a ladies’ mentorship group last semester to give the cadets an opportunity to gather outside of regular training in a more relaxed environment,” Saravia wrote in an email to the Voice. “It gives us a nice opportunity to get together and discuss their level of readiness or what will be expected of them as military officers.

This type of program offers female ROTC students and more senior officers the opportunity to discuss their experiences in the military outside the rigor of day-to-day training and practice.

“It is nice for the cadre members to be able to share our experiences of our time in ROTC, deployments, and time on Active Duty as a female officer,” Saravia wrote.

While female cadets report that the ROTC community wholly accepts them, some women recognize the value in enrolling more women into the program.

“I wish there were more girls on it,” Nalbantian said. “It would be good for the guys if there were more girls around so they wouldn’t get totally absorbed in the male mindset.”

Nalbantian does not see the distorted gender ratio as the men’s or the program’s fault, but as a systemic imbalance that could be fixed by raising awareness of ROTC at Georgetown and by recruiting more heavily for women. “I am really grateful I did it,” Nalbantian said.

While she feels the ROTC program has room for improvement, Nalbantian is proud of her work. To any women who

feature might be considering applying to Army ROTC programs, she says, “Don’t hold back. Go for it.”

Not all Georgetown students in ROTC follow the Army program offered at Georgetown. A smaller number of mostly female students are enrolled in the George Washington Navy ROTC program while remaining full-time Georgetown students. Nicholas Tsusaki (SFS ’15) is the squad leader of the Navy program, while majoring in Regional and Comparative Studies with a focus on Latin America and the Middle East.

Even though he is one of the youngest members of the squad, he has risen to a leadership position in his second year.

Tsusaki, like the other students who participate in ROTC programs at George Washington University, admits that the format of the program is a major commitment. “It involves getting up early a lot,” Tsusaki said. He explained how the cadets in the Navy ROTC program commute independently to Foggy Bottom every day.

Tsusaki admits, “You have to make sacrifices when it comes to your social life.”

When talking about women in the program, Tsusaki said that there have not been any incidents of discomfort of sexism since his arrival. There are more women than men in the program, many of whom are enrolled in the ROTC’s nursing track. Tsusaki highlighted how five of the seven in the Georgetown Navy group are female, and that four out of five of the highest-ranking individuals in the Georgetown Navy chain of command are women. He also noted that all cadets are regarded equally in both academics and physical training. “The workout serves for unit cohesion,” Tsusaki said.

By all accounts, any instances of sexism or marginalization are minimal or too far in the past for any current students to remember. But while women have been able to serve in the military for decades, gays have only been able to serve openly for a period of months. The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on Sept.

20, 2011 fundamentally altered how the military regards homosexuals, ending institutionalized, regulatory discrimination of gays in the military. Attitudes

Brigadier General Joseph DiBartolomeo addresses Georgetown ROTC on Nov. 11, 2010.

the georgetown voice 9

The Hoya Battalion goes on an early-morning run at the monuments. change more slowly than de facto policy.

When asked about how gays are treated in the Navy ROTC program, Tsukasi said that, in accordance with Navy policy, the program not only enforced the repeal of DADT, but also instituted a new program for teaching diversity standards on issues of sexual orientation.

“The Navy has trained all personnel on the repeal of DADT,” Tsukasi said.

“We also receive other diversity training to make midshipmen aware of the Navy policies regarding these issues.”

Faced with differences in gender and sex, the shared commitment and understanding of the students in Georgetown ROTC overrides any obstacles to unity.

“Midshipmen have a great sense of camaraderie, especially at Georgetown, because there are so few of us,” Tsukasi explained.

He also attested that Georgetown ROTC has not experienced any problems accepting students of other sexual orientations.“Based on my experience, the support system from the other midshipmen and our advisors typically prevents midshipmen from feeling disenfranchised. We all want to commission together as a class.”

While these Hoyas’ strong commitment to ROTC could imply that it detracts from the traditional Georgetown experience, cadets vehemently reject the notion. “ROTC didn’t take away anything from the Georgetown experience,” Nalbantian said. “It just added to it.”

Others agreed that even though it can be a monopolizing time commitment, a cadet can organize his or her time in an efficient way. “ROTC is comparable to a varsity sport to many, in terms of time commitment,” Tsukasi explained.

“Not to me though—you can decide how involved you want to be.”

ROTC at Georgetown encourages involvement in activities beyond the military, to better develop the individual in Georgetown’s tradition of cura personalis. “Many of our cadets spend summers and holidays doing cultural enrichment programs which will help them better understand the variety of cultures that they will MAX BLODGETT be exposed to as military officers,” Saravia wrote. “We also

Courtesy major saravia

encourage volunteerism both on campus and in the community as an opportunity to share with others.” Except for the inevitable frustration with the early morning practices, satisfaction with ROTC runs high. “I’m actually going back to SAC fair to sign up for a bunch of stuff!”

Tsukasi said.

Some cadets, however, suggested improvements in how the cross-university programs treat academics. For example, Georgetown students enrolled in the Navy ROTC programs at GW do not receive credits for classes they are required to take there, which do not factor into their GPAs. Navy scholarship awards are divided into three tiers: engineering majors are preferred over math and science majors, who are themselves placed above all other majors, including international affairs or foreign language. Tsukasi complained about this policy. The priority list does not reflect the pragmatic contemporary necessities of modern deployment.

Contemporary conflict “requires soft power and smart power in addition to technical ability, which is still extremely important,” Tsukasi remarked. “There should be more for ‘non-technical’ majors.” In certain situations a soldier who is conscious about the culture and population he or she is interacting with might be more useful than a mechanical engineer. “Having a junior officer speak the native language is a great resource,” Tsukasi said. “There is a greater need to be able to work with the local population as well as foreign militaries.”

While women and sexual minorities face additional challenges across the country because of who they are, Georgetown fulfills ROTC’s ideal training and service as one unit—united despite its members’ diversity. “Joseph S. Nye, former dean of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University once wrote that the U.S. Army is ‘a place where Americans can be what we all have promise to be,’” Smith wrote. “He’s right: I am a cadet and soon I will commission as an officer. That is my goal and that is what I want out of this program.”

“The best thing about the ROTC program is that we learn to work as a team,” she continued. “One where gender, race, ethnicity, and age do not matter. My experience is not different from what the other cadets in the Hoya Battalion experience. I just happen to be a female on an all-Army team.”

leisure

10 the georgetown voice

september 6, 2012

Georgetown alum’s Sundance breakout is no snooze

by Julia Lloyd-George “Remember: you’re on my side.”

In his closely autobiographical film, Sleepwalk with Me, Mike Birbiglia (COL ‘00) plays a struggling comic who seems to realize that he’s not always very likable. A pizza addict and sleepwalker with dangerous tendencies, who makes countless slip-ups while questioning an idyllic relationship, Matt Pandamiglio (Birbiglia) can seem quite a pathetic specimen of humanity.

Yet when he directly faces the camera with a jarring frankness as he confesses his most painful mistakes, the audience can’t help but be on his side. Mike’s is a selfeffacing breed of charisma that has the power to have you roaring with laughter in his most lighthearted moments and quietly rooting for him in his darkest.

The film, which is based on the Georgetown alumnus’s memoir of the same name, is the outcome of a filmmaking ambition he’s had since his college days. Having studied with screenwriting professor John Glavin (COL ‘64) for three years, Birbiglia said in an interview with

the Voice that he “always wanted to make a film” but couldn’t fulfill his dream until he succeeded with his one-man comedy show. Though he made several short films at Georgetown, he went broke doing so, and subsequently turned to stand-up comedy as a more viable alternative.

ing on his time at the comedy club, he noted that working there was “like going to comedy college,” because he could see great comedians “go on stage with their own material and actually make a living doing that.” Birbiglia’s own path to greatness, fraught with heartbreak

“I’m as hot as Ryan Loche, but I’m fully capable of giving an interview.”

IMDB

After winning the “Funniest Person on Campus” competition at Georgetown, Birbiglia nabbed a job working the door at DC Improv as he tried to get time onstage. Reflect-

and several bizarre nocturnal experiences, was the inspiration for the Sundance Film Festival breakout and hilariously candid story that is Sleepwalk with Me.

adds to that overly-attentive feeling by pushing appetizer and wine options from the moment they pass out the menus.

And while the servers’ attention to detail in refilling the water glasses is impeccable, a lack of subtlety in ensuring that all aspects of the meal pleases borders on burdensome.

This excessive enthusiasm further manifested itself in the restaurant’s aesthetic. Puns and proverbs abound on wall hangings, which include phrases like “Do Right & Feed Every Man.” Set as the sole decorations, these sayings would not be completely out of place with Del Frisco’s attention to organic and fresh offerings, like freerange chickens from Bell & Evans All Natural Farms.

However, these adages hang alongside kooky art, including a framed painting of a leopard print high-heel, making Del Frisco’s feel as if the restaurant went through an identity crisis in transit from its home location in Dallas. Del Frisco’s seems unfortunately caught between trying to appeal to D.C.’s crowd of glitzy young professionals

while subscribing to a brand of consumer-consciousness that seems artificially manufactured by the restaurant’s décor.

The menu’s titles, which are alternatively clever and cheesy, complete the gimmicky feeling.

Small starter plates to share are “food to fight over.” And salads aren’t just lettuce, but “ruffage.” Sides bring a southern flair to the menu as a “lil’ somethin’ somethin’” to further confuse Del Frisco’s culinary steakhouse identity.

Service, décor, and the arbitrariness of the menu aside, Del Frisco’s is delicious, if a little overpriced. Signature steaks do not dip below $30, but “twofisted eats,” including burgers and grilled cheese, are flavorful and more reasonable at about $15 each. The farmhousegrilled cheese sandwich artfully combines aged cheddar, Gruyere, and Mornay sauce on perfectly toasted bread, and is complimented by a roasted tomato bisque, classing up this traditional combination.

The lamb burger is another delectable alternative, served with roasted tomatoes and a

Chronicling the progress of his comedy career along with the downward spiral of his sleepwalking condition, the film begins with main character Matt’s own college days and early romantic experiences.

Since Birbiglia had his own first date with his college girlfriend at Mass in Dahlgren Chapel--“the most romantic spot on campus, obviously”—fictional Matt opts for the same tactic as he involves himself in an increasingly serious relationship with Abby (Lauren Ambrose).

In the meantime, he has his first issues with sleepwalking as he begins to mistake laundry baskets for jackals. The existence of this parallel world in sleep makes for a seductive subject for cinematographer Adam Beckman, who captures Matt’s increasingly elaborate dream sequences, which are inevitably interrupted by his confused girlfriend tugging him back to reality.

After college, he stays with Abby while working a job as a bartender with apparently hopeless comic ambitions. Eventually succeeding in finding his own small niche in the industry, however, Matt begins to book shows at college campuses

across the country in the midst of an increasingly strained relationship with his marriage-oriented girlfriend. Excessive comfort eating and anxiety exacerbate his sleepwalking to the point that he jumps out of a hotel window. This defenestration serves as an extreme wake-up call for Matt, who then tries to get his life in order.

Co-produced by Ira Glass of This American Life fame and co-directed

by Birbiglia, the film is much more than the sum of its parts. Unique as a documentation of a stand-up comic’s rather unglamorous life, Sleepwalk with Me is characterized by a breed of honesty that is rare in the contemporary movie scene. Similar to HBO’s Girls in its unwavering willingness to show its characters’ every foible and vulnerable moment, it is a comedy that breaks the fourth wall even in its own invitational title.

At one point, Matt addresses the audience as he says, “I’m going to tell you a story and it’s true…I always have to tell people that.”

It’s easy to imagine everyone leaning forward in their chairs at this point, because he unfailingly makes you want to listen.

fresh Tzatziki sauce. However, the burger’s side of sweet potato fries, accompanied by a cutesy miniature bottle of ketchup, outshined this entrée. The subtly spicy farmer’s market veggie burger also stood out, but unmentioned pickles on this dish could be a deal-breaker for some.

With an almost overwhelming number of options with enormous proportions—the menu

does begin, “Hungry for Dinner”—Del Frisco’s food options overall are mostly hit or miss.

If nothing else, Del Frisco’s Grille offers generally pleasing cuisine in a convenient location. But if this imported Dallas steakhouse is going to survive in the nation’s capital, it needs to give us something worth returning to, even if it means putting up with helicopter waiters.

Del Frisco’s Grille overdoes its NY strips and its service

by Mary Borowiec Adjacent to the Mall, the White House, and Pennsylvania Avenue’s countless whitemarble federal edifices, Del Frisco’s Grille is everything you would expect of a corporate-esque steakhouse that lives by the maxim “Meat Up. Drink Up.” From the Grille’s entrance, where patrons are met with a wall of wine behind a welldressed team of hostesses, to the restaurant’s main room, where high ceilings are countered with an array of stylishly designed booths, Del Frisco’s Grille tries to bring a sleeker edge to a classic American menu. But while its menu succeeds in offering a creative collection of alternatives on traditional American dishes, Del Frisco’s disappoints in an overall gimmicky vibe that comes across as trying too hard.

From the first interactions with Del Frisco’s staff, over-eagerness sets the establishment’s tone. Not only was there an abundance of hostesses behind the front desk, but the waitstaff

Del frisco’s grille

Give it a few weeks; it is bound to look like this during peak hours.

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“Mrs. robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?” — The graduate

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lez’hur ledger

Steinmetz soars in NatGeo Exhibit Reviews, Haiku’d

by Amy Reavis

George Steinmetz may reside in the uninspiring state of New Jersey, but he overcomes his underwhelming surroundings with entertaining and adventurous photography. In Desert Air: Photographs by George Steinmetz, his new exhibit in the National Geographic Museum, Steinmetz captures the world, from bathers in the Dead Sea to flamingos in Iran, from his own special vantage point—strapped to a 30 mile-perhour motorized paraglider.

Although he goes to such unconventional heights to take his pictures, Steinmetz assures the audience in one of the exhibit’s audio clips that he is a photographer before an aviator: “Not a pilot that takes pictures, but rather a photographer that flies.”

His specialty is deserts. Concerning his style, he states in another sound bite that, “Usually when you’re taking pictures of something, you want to get as close as possible, but that’s not always the best solution for deserts.” He has photographed bird’s-eye views of Antarctic ice towers, Namibian zebra herds, Mauritanian camels, Saudi Arabian oilfields, and Algerian rooftops. In his relatively unobtrusive flying machine—he claims it has the noise level of a moped—Steinmetz is able to capture raw scenes that make his audience rethink the idea that deserts are “wastelands” and realize their dynamic, living presence.

For Steinmetz, the barchan sand dunes are the “largest life form in the desert.” These funky, fortune cookie-shaped dunes that exist in Baja California and Peru

NATioNAl geogrAPHic

How can anyone say the desert is lifeless with all these rock-hard formations?

Fall into Georgetown fashion

This year’s fall collections showcased everything from quintessentially British garb to traditional American heritage looks. Although some high fashion is a little too avant-garde for school, there are some looks that will keep you looking fit for the runway, and for class.

Top designers including Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta gave a whole new meaning to granny chic.

Oversized coats and knits were layered with tweeds and shawls, finished with knee-high black boots and making for ladylike perfection.

Alexander Wang and Calvin Klein dressed their women in strong black leathers, while Derek Lam and Peter Som sent snow queens down the runway. Designers have embraced the natural, monochromatic look for fall, and dared to use shades of both ebony and ivory.

To protect us from the foreboding brisk weather, we thankfully have some good old plaids

and wools to fall back on. Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren have preserved these classic American styles with earthy hues and comfy fabrics, creating timeless, cozy wilderness looks.

To bring these trends to the Hilltop sans the designer price tags, let’s keep things collegiate and recycle what we’ve got. Create an easy and sophisticated ensemble by layering old or vintage knits, mixing textures and prints, and pairing them with dark slacks or even jeans. Tie it all together with a pair of sexy knee-high boots in classic black, and don’t be afraid to swap premium leather for something more eco-friendly, such as faux suede.

Monochromatic looks are perfect for those lazy fall days, and can be pulled together in a hurry if you’re running late to class. Simply assemble a couple of basic black pieces and again, don’t be afraid to mix and match textures.

not only span great distances, but also spawn baby barchans. And Steinmetz’s genius eye captures the whole process. Descriptions of the barchan dunes, alongside Fogaras Irrigation Systems, are narrated by Steinmetz’s NPR-worthy voice in video clips located inside the exhibit. The audio replays throughout the gallery on headphones, allowing the visitors to enjoy the photographs in an awe-filled silence.

Perhaps one of the exhibit’s most attractive qualities is the visible passion Steinmetz has for his work. When he was 21 years old, Steinmetz dropped out of college and spent more than two years hitchhiking the Sahara desert and exploring other parts of Africa, after which he returned and earned a degree in geophysics at Stanford.

His photos represent both his love of adventure and his love of extreme geology. The decision to take photos while paragliding is central to his unique style, which he explains in his biographical video clip as “not the easiest way to take pictures, but the best.”

This free exhibit runs from now until Jan. 27, 2013 and is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. It’s not a huge exhibit, probably a half-hour commitment in all, but the topdown vistas are breathtaking, even if you are experiencing them from solid ground.

Lastly, keep the prep school character alive with American plaids and cables, typical of Hoya style. This year, choose earthy shades such as deep red and burnt orange, and pair them with military greens and navies for a rich autumn flair.

Guys, don’t shy away from these feminine rules--there are some pieces that Hoya men can

Haute Mess

by Julian de la Paz & Neha Ghanshamdas a bi-weekly fashion column easily assimilate into their closets.

For men’s fall fashion, the three essential accessories that will allow you to pop, lock, and work it are the leather messenger bag, the knit tie, and the knotted scarf.

This fall, leather will dominate the fashion arena for both men and women, so don’t shy away from embracing one of the most popular runway trends.

If you are debating the look,

Stolen Nick Cage once again Disappoints his loyal fans By still not quitting.

Trouble with the Curve Clint Eastwood will have Trouble surpassing his act At the RNC.

House at the End of the Street Hey Hunger Games chick Don’t die in this horror film Katniss has sequels.

Finding Nemo 3D See him touch the butt In full Dolby Digital.

3D, you bitches.

For a Good Time, Call Hey, I just met you But I have a phone sex line So call me, maybe?

Sleepwalk with Me Mike Birbiglia Now not sound asleep in Lau But on the big screen.

remember this cardinal rule: in cold weather, turn to leather.

If you are looking to make a statement, try experimenting with the leather messenger bag, an allpurpose accessory for any college student. Gone are the days of old when bags were used chiefly by women; as any true fashionisto knows, bags are iconic pieces of style and chic for both sexes. The messenger’s laid-back look will provide a hint of casual flair with a nice touch of Georgetown sophistication. Take a trip down on M Street to Diesel or J. Crew if you are looking for a quality messenger bag that will add the style and grace of a runway look.

In line with the shades of British fall fashion trends, the knit tie is possibly the most versatile accessory any man could have in his wardrobe. Invest in a knit tie; it means you have places to go, things to do, and people to see. Try pairing it with an oxford button down to dress up the look à la Ralph Lauren or with a pinstripe suit for a more casual, yet fabulous Jack Wills look.

Finally, add some pizzazz to your day with a knotted scarf, the key accessory that will bring attention to your handsome face.

Feel free to break away from the basic black, grey, and brown colors and mix in a deep purple or Olympian blue to show your edgy side. Try a Hèrmes-inspired silk or cotton patterned scarf through Columbus Day, a Dolce & Gabbana cashmere scarf for Thanksgiving, and a Louis Vuitton chunky knit scarf as soon as you see snow. For the more collegiate look, try your preppy university scarf with a casual over the shoulder throw.

While there is no shortage of inspiration to draw from the fall runway shows, Lauren Hutton summed it up best at the Calvin Klein Spring 2007 show: “Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.”

Send your selfies to Julian at rdelapax@georgetownvoice.com & Neha at nghanshamdas@georgetownvoice.com

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12 the georgetown voice

september 6, 2012

C r i t i c a l V o i ces

Imagine Dragons, Night Visions, Interscope Records Imagine Dragons is one of those bands that you find filling in the spaces on the radio, garnering DJs’ marginal interest but constantly outplayed by the Katy Perrys of the world. Obviously, airtime does not equate to musical quality, but Imagine Dragons deserves to get some commercial success.

With MTV nods, trailer soundtracks, and one song even rumored to appear on Glee, hints of their mainstream recognition have finally culminated on their premiere album, Night Visions. And yet, while the new release is bound to be an iTunes hit for a few weeks, probably earning a Top 40 single or

two, the album as a whole doesn’t hold together.

The first single, “It’s Time,” is a fun, anthem-rock track that sounds like a pleasant Daughtry. The track serves as a nice introduction to Imagine Dragons, fully encapsulating their sound and the aesthetic of the album; if you’re not a fan of it, you likely won’t care much for the band either.

From there, the bulk of the album continues in that vein, with some notable exceptions. The album opens with a techno vibe contrasted by the band’s characteristic choral singing in the heavily synthesized “Radioactive.” Showcasing a completely different sound is the hyperupbeat “On Top of the World,” three minutes and 12 seconds of foot-stomping, head-bobbing audio sunshine. These three are certainly worth a listen, and make for a smileinducing mini-playlist.

Beyond these standouts, though, the rest of the album falls short. That is not to say that the remaining tracks cannot be enjoyable, but are carbon copies of “It’s Time,” adding new words to an exhausted melody. With a lot to learn in spite of the band’s budding success, this rookie album

Television’s Breaking Point

In 2008, television audiences met the world’s most pitiful man: an overqualified and underpaid high school chemistry teacher, 50 years old and the breadwinner for his pregnant wife and disabled son. And to complicate matters, he’s just been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. In his quest to secure enough money for his family to survive—about $700,000—Walter White pairs up with a junkie-cum-former student to cook crystal meth.

When it premiered, most thought Breaking Bad unsustainable, that its plot was too constraining to survive for more than a season or two. But in 2012, five seasons in and with one to go, the show is top-rated, award showsweeping, critically worshipped, and, if I may be so bold, more compelling than anything on TV since season four of The Wire. It achieved this status largely by tricking its audience.

When we first tuned in, we thought we were watching a devoted father and his comically un-

likely partner in a struggle to save an innocent family. What we witnessed was the birth of a monster.

That plot arc, which defies TV’s conventions, was the intent of creator Vince Gilligan from the beginning. He wanted a show based on change, whose characters grew and morphed the way those in movies and novels do.

Gilligan’s aspirations to go beyond the boundaries of the television genre, which is largely considered a low form of art, are obvious in every perfectly executed episode of Breaking Bad— numerous shots that are abstract and visually striking, upbeat music accompanying sinister action (this week’s finale featured a graphic montage of 10 men getting brutally murdered, set to a catchy, doo-wop-y tune), and symbolism at every turn render the show the quintessential “visual novel.” It attacks your moral center, throws off your sense of good and bad, and shows the human capacity for corruption like you’ve never seen on the small screen.

shows us just a taste of Imagine Dragon’s potential. For now, stick to downloading the “best of” section and give Night Visions a pass.

Voice’s Choice: “It’s Time” —Paul Quincy

Stars, The North, ATO Records “Well, the only way I see this happening is in an extended ride North.” This spoken-word introduction, borrowed from Canadian pianist Glenn Gould’s 1967 documentary The Idea of North, begins The North, the sixth studio album from Toronto indie outfit Stars. The intro hearkens back to the group’s origins and the success of 2004’s Set Yourself on Fire, and indeed could The challenge of creating a visual novel—and Breaking Bad’s impressive success at the task—is the number of components at play: not only writers and cinematographers, but also actors with the talent for manipulating a dedicated audience. Bryan Cranston portrays man’s slow consumption by power and greed in a way that’s on par with history’s best Macbeths. At first we rooted for Walt; we cheered when his cancer went

idiot Box

by Leigh Finnegan a bi-weekly column about television into remission, his meek stance became a swagger, he outsmarted his über-macho brother-in-law, Drug Enforcement Agent Hank. Walt was our anti-hero, a family man cooking meth and finding himself along the way.

It is a testament to Gilligan’s and Cranston’s talent that we can’t pinpoint when exactly Walt switched from the show’s hero to its villain. He has become the same breed of ruthless, mega-rich drug lord that threatened him and his

not be more appropriate—a return to the basics results in an album that, while somewhat formulaic, is emblematic of a sound best described as uniquely Stars.

The opener, “Theory of Relativity,” begins with pounding drum pad beats and a catchy synthesized rhythm, setting a light and upbeat tone for the album. Airy keyboard runs lead into Torquil Campbell’s smooth vocals, which sprinkle a touch of Stars’ classic romanticism on the track. Amy Millan soon joins Campbell, initiating the iconic interplay between the two singers’ soothing voices.

The duo’s call-and-response style unfortunately makes few appearances on The North, but each instance it does makes for a noteworthy track. “The Loose Ends Will Make Knots,” for example, features Campbell and Millan’s alternating lines amid a series of claps and subdued synth melodies that all converge at the chorus: “You’re all I’ve got / I just want your past / I just want you now.”

Though Stars has been known for such cheap lyrics, the vocals have heretofore been well-executed and, for the most part, possess a certain family in seasons past. Watching him play with his infant daughter is sickening, knowing how many murders those hands have orchestrated. He’s poisoned a child, he’s shot a coworker, he’s indirectly caused Hank to be near-fatally injured, and after all of this, he continues to produce massive quantities of a life-destroying drug for reasons completely beyond those that originally motivated him; his cancer is a non-issue, and he has more money than he could have dreamed of in season one. He admitted in season five that he’s not after survival, but an empire, and he’s willing to kill every Banquo who stands between him and kingship.

So our beloved hero has become an unforgivable tyrant.

The audience is now faced with a choice: We can root for Hank, the veritable Macduff of this tragedy, whom we hated in the beginning for emasculating poor Walt. We can root for Skyler, Walt’s wife, even though we loathed her when she cheated a few seasons back.

And almost all of us root for Jesse, the former addict who has been

naïve charm. With “Do You Want To Die Together,” however, The North reveals its only weak point: the cheesy and all-too-repetitive lines of, “Do you want to die together / Yes I do, yes I do,” combined with mundane alternating guitar chords make the song entirely unbearable.

In spite of this unfortunate lapse in judgment and a dearth of vocal exchanges between Campbell and Millan, The North stands out as one of Stars’ best. Amy Millan carries the album with tracks like “Lights Changing Colour,” which showcases her voice against reverberating drumbeats and background keyboard and synthesized melodies. “Backlines,” a crunchy, guitar-driven song punctuated by occasional string interludes, also allows Millan to shine.

“The world won’t listen to this song, and the radio won’t play it,” sings Campbell on “Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It.” “But if you like it, sing along.” On this track, as well as most of The North, few listeners will be able to ignore this instruction.

Voice’s Choice: “Backlines” —Kirill Makarenko through so much hell since partnering up with Walt that he might have been better off dying in the pilot episode, like the writers had originally planned.

But as much as Walt and Breaking Bad’s incredibly talented cast and crew have played with our loyalties, and as much as we’ve watched our protagonist turn into a cold-hearted meth kingpin, many of us just can’t bring ourselves to root for the DEA. The takedown of Walt’s empire would destroy too many innocent or likable (read: Saul Goodman, the duo’s hilariously dirty lawyer) characters. If the foreshadowing and plot twist that we witnessed in the last few episodes are any indication, the final season will be a race for Walt’s demise by factors external and internal, including the one that set the whole story into motion in the first place.

And, in a final twist to the knife in our moral centers, Gilligan and company have many of us rooting for the cancer.

Send your meth recipes to Leigh at lfinnegan@georgetownvoice.com

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september 6, 2012

It’s never NSOver: The life and times of a freshman

by Caitríona Pagni According to the Oxford English dictionary, the word “orientation” is derived from the French, and originally denoted the placing or position of a church, house, tomb, or other structure relative to the points of the compass or other specified points. According to E.B Taylor, orientation is “a series of practices concerning the posture of the dead in their graves and the living in their temples which may be classed under the general heading of Orientation.”

Well, unless you’re studying urban planning, or making preparations for a zombie uprising in the campus graveyard, those definitions aren’t very enlightening for a new Hoya.

About two weeks ago, over 1,500 bright-eyed students, myself included, made their highly anticipated leap from high school to Hoya-dom. During the last two weeks, nebulous concepts like roommates, communal bathrooms, GOCards, R.A.s, and Jesuits have ceased to be the stuff of mere myth and have become concrete realities of our lives on the Hilltop.

Over the years, NSO has helped countless Hoyas become acquainted with the campus and grapple with daunting questions such as “What is a Hoya?” and “What will college mean to me?” As the class of 2016 flew through orientation at lightning speed, being thrown from one disconcerting social situation to the next, the answers to these questions were slowly materializing, and are even now becoming clearer with each passing day.

Orientation weekend went by in a blur. Activities ranging from convocation to workshops to carnivals left the class of 2016 feeling, honestly, a little disoriented. But through the plethora of events competing for my attention, only one event left a lasting impression on my transition into the Georgetown community: “Pluralism in Action.”

“Pluralism in Action,” the NSO tradition when excerpts from students’ applications are compiled and performed by upperclassmen, spoke to the capacious diversity that defines the Class of 2016, as well as the uniqueness of each member of the class as an individual. The stories shared during

the performance were stories of hardship and blessing, of trial and triumph, of unfathomable cruelty and unconditional love, and they were united in the common theme of anonymity.

By keeping the stories anonymous, my classmates and I could, if only for that hour we spent in the over-chilled McDonough Gymnasium, adopt the stories of our peers as our own. We became one Georgetown, one student body united by the extraordinary circumstances of our pasts that have brought us all together on the Hilltop. In that shared experience, we took our first steps towards becoming a community, united by both our similarities and our differences.

Just as every member of the Class of 2016 celebrates their own extraordinary past, each will undoubtedly forge an extraordinary future. Orientation is a unique time in the life of a Hoya; it is perhaps the one time when our lives will intersect in a single time and place.

In the days and weeks following the weekend of NSO, the currents of classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities will cause once tight-knit O.A.

groups to drift apart across campus, across D.C., and, eventually, across the globe.

To say that each member of the Georgetown community will embark on his or her own journey through life is not to say they will travel alone. As our years at Georgetown progress, we will find that we have drifted not into open ocean, but merely to new shores. The possibilities are endless and unpredictable. Some of us will pick up a new sport, others will continue their life long passion for Model UN, and a lucky few will find they have a knack for journalism.

My time at Georgetown is not only about drifting; it is about defining. So far, my life in college has been earth-shattering. In my first week on the Hilltop I have been to my first party, stayed up later than I ever have in my life, and, most importantly, had my first cup of coffee. I have had experiences I could not have possibly imagined back home in Chicago, and although change is undoubtedly essential to the “college experience,” I remain torn between uniting my conservative past with the new uncertainties of college life.

thing from studying, to eating, to spending time with friends and family, to the way you treat yourself, but it also applies to politics.

It is here, in the political arena, where a lack of balance seems to surface most viciously these days, be it between Georgetown students or nationally, where a struggle for power has begun to show us how off-balance we might just be. We live in a highly political city, and our politics have grown decidedly polarized.

America is increasingly a country where the Grover Norquists carry too much sway and moderation, that elusive

trait, gets slung in the mud.

Compromise becomes a dirty word and absolutes, on both sides, hand more power to fringe groups who turn up their noses when asked to scoot a bit to the center. I’ve had too many conversations with people I enjoy, who become stymied by an unwillingness to say “maybe.” Maybe we don’t see eye to eye, but maybe there is room to consider a different opinion.

I’m not quite sure why “moderate” has become such a maligned little word, except that there’s less glory and more work in achieving it. It’s quite a feat, really. Maybe that’s why mediators enjoy such a lucrative profession. Making two sides sit down and truly consider what one another have to say is a challenge.

The foreign sense one gets from someone on the other side of a table, sometimes quite literally, makes one naturally disinclined to concede or seriously consider what another has to say.

And isn’t that what it’s about, after all? Not limiting yourself to a set of beliefs, rules, and people that check every box on your long list of demands, but rather learning to live with a little bit less than what you may want so that everyone can move forward?

And without this “maybe,” the

system grinds to a halt. Eliminating even the possibility for something, as Grover Norquist demands, leaves behind that small minority that’s actually trying to make changes.

Although we see vitriolic views highlighted over and over again on media outlets throughout the country, I would wager that most Americans don’t feel quite as tied to one extreme or the other as it would seem. I meet few people who drip with the misogyny we have heard emanating from some vocal individuals around the country.

And on the other side, rarely do I meet someone eager to throw away the entire free-market economy on which the country was founded. I think you’ll find that there is an expansive middle ground between two extremes, which rarely has its moment in the spotlight.

A lack of extremity does not equate to a lack of conviction or desire for good or for change. I believe strongly in the need for a great many social, political, and economic changes in this country, but I feel they should be achievable through the system of government laid down at the Philadelphia Convention during that steamy summer of 1787.

Our system, while often infuriat-

This discord between old and new has morphed me into a social chameleon. Any label I once gave myself is now null and void, and I find myself deciding just how it is I want to stand out. I need to survey the scene, and decide for myself how I will define my college experience. My definition of college will most certainly be different than those of my classmates, my floormates, or even my roommate: it will be entirely unique to me. Like every other member of the Class of 2016, I bring something to the mix that is entirely my own, and as my classmates and I adjust life on the Hilltop, we will undoubtedly undergo remarkable change as individuals and as a community.

In four years time I have no idea just how I will answer the question: “What is a Hoya?”

The answer could be anything.

All I can say now is I can’t wait to discover it.

Caitríona Pagni is a freshman in the SFS. After trying coffee and going to a party, she can’t wait to try her first line of coke.

Everything in moderation, except maybe moderation

by Linnea Pittman Over the last year, I’ve gotten a lot of flak for being too moderate. Why don’t I take a stronger stand? Why am I afraid of pissing people off and being more “radical?” This has led me to reflect on one of my quietest strengths: moderation.

I believe moderation is one of those qualities that must permeate the whole person. Like the Jesuit ideal of educating and caring for the whole person, one of the tenets of our University, moderation involves practicing balance in daily life. This can mean any-

Grover’s ugly mug should be enough to keep moderation on the table.

FLICKR

ingly slow, was made to facilitate compromise. The Founding Fathers understood both the beauty and the danger in factions, and stressed balancing the interests of our diverse groups so that we are able to coexist.

As we begin the new school year, I hope we all take a little time to reflect on how we might make space for moderation and balance in our own lives, especially as election season unfolds and we are asked to consider the course we want our country to take. The ability to find common ground with those you may disagree with, to express opinions that enlighten rather than alienate, and to see the good in people outside of their political assertions should not be dismissed lightly.

I don’t fear pissing people off or making a radical way through life. Instead, I practice working with them, and that is difficult. It is a valuable tool to be able to find a sustainable, middle ground. It’s neither fun nor glamorous, but it is a way forward.

Linnea Pittman is a junior in the College. She’s a big fan of moderation, except for coffee.

No such thing as too much coffee.

voices

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Dirt-y politics expose the House’s eco-irresponsibility

by Elijah Jatovsky It was my first day on the job and as I entered the cafeteria for my lunch break, I froze in horror at what I saw—Styrofoam everywhere. It was July 2011 and earlier that year I had been nominated by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (DCa.) to serve as a page in the House of Representatives for the summer. I had recently developed an interest in politics, so I was thrilled to be given this opportunity to see first-hand how one of the most powerful institutions in our country functioned.

Having grown up in San Francisco, where composting is a common practice and often enforced

by law, I was disappointed when working in the House to discover that its cafeterias had Styrofoam plates and cups and plastic utensils, all of which are non-compostable.

Back home, where practically every family I know composts, the use of Styrofoam is widely accepted as an out dated concept. Without trying to sound pretentious, my high school’s cafeteria composted 100 percent of products used in the lunch line, including plates and utensils.

So, from first hand experience, I can vouch that there are environmentally friendly alternatives when consuming food on a mass scale in cafeterias. However, considering the dismal state of our current

The only things being put out to compost on Capitol Hill are morals.

FLICKR

Believing in disbelief

Last semester, I found myself surrounded by waves of nonbelievers at the Reason Rally, a forum for secular thought held at the National Mall. As the virulent freethinkers indulged themselves with their “superior” mental adroitness, I felt torn; the bashing of the Catholic church, an activity I now frequently engage in, hit a sensitive chord when it came out of the mouths of lifelong atheists.

You see, I was a believer until the spring semester of my freshman year. The polemicists were probably irritating the final remnants of my Catholic identity—an identity now almost entirely dismissed, save the sense of pride attached to the Jesuit institution indirectly responsible for grooming my nascent sense of doubt into full-fledged atheism.

My stint as a serious believer began in early elementary school.

The Catholic schools instilled a basic sense of dogma into my developing brain, and before I knew it, I was altar serving, praying nightly, and running for my elementary school’s office of Commissioner of Religious Affairs for three consecutive years (and losing all three times, thank God).

I remember confessing to a priest that I “thought dirty thoughts” out of fear that I would go to Hell if I intentionally omitted the sin of thinking dirty thoughts.

Puberty brought an onslaught of progressively worse confessions, but let’s not get caught up in minutia. A sense of guilt bound me to Catholicism’s promise of vicarious redemption through Christ, and I, the obsequious zealot I was, even considered priesthood.

High school marked a time of religious stagnation. My mind was concerned with other things, name-

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Congress, I suppose it was too optimistic of me to expect any better.

That said, I don’t see any reason to brush this issue under the table, and I think it’s important for Georgetown students to understand how truly ludicrous it is that this is a policy of our national government.

When Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House in 2007, she began a “Green the Capitol” initiative, which centered on the effort to turn the House cafeteria into a healthier place for both the people who ate in it and the environment.

This included the removal of greasy French fries from the menu and the replacement of plastic and Styrofoam utensils and plates with recyclable alternatives. However, after the Republican take-over of the House in 2010, the House leadership reverted to pre-Pelosi practices, claiming the $475,000 per year cost of the initiative was too expensive. $475,000 is chump change for the federal government--it ]makes up roughly 0.0001 percent of the annual budget. The outdated policy of using Styrofoam is bad both for the environment and the people who inhabit it, but these deleterious effects have been deemed acceptable by the current House leadership.

When Styrofoam products end up in landfills, they have two potential paths: they either sit

there forever, or they are burned, producing greenhouse gases that deteriorate the ozone layer.

Styrofoam’s toxicity stems from a chemical component called styrene, which, if consumed by humans, can cause serious damage.

Exposures to small amounts can cause minor health issues ranging from respiratory to gastrointestinal problems. Exposure to high doses of styrene can damage the central nervous system, causing a slew of symptoms including slower reaction timing, loss of hearing and memory, and numbness. An estimated 90,000 people a year who work with styrene, suffer such problems from exposure to high doses of the chemical.

Basic contact with Styrofoam can cause styrene to leak into one’s food. When Styrofoam is heated in a microwave, the effects are even more pronounced.

Styrofoam’s harm is sadly one small brick in a growing incinerator which we humans are building and is destroying the earth’s climate as we know it. We Americans have a proclivity for producing an alarming amount of Styrofoam waste. Although we comprise only five percent of the world’s population, we create 40 percent of the world’s trash. To make matters worse, every American generates on average five pounds of trash

ly my GPA, extracurriculars, and an entirely new social life. With less time to think about the deep questions, I led myself through repetitive spiritual meditations that only reinforced what I believed. To combat whatever doubts I felt, I fell back on the ambiguities surrounding the Big Bang. “Only God could make something emerge from nothing” was a perfunctory solution to a richly intricate question, but for the time being, it performed its duty.

Freshman year at Georgetown

a big question mark begging me to honestly confront my religious identity.

The end of my faith began with YouTube. Christopher Hitchens popped up in the related videos sidebar, and I, with nothing better to do, clicked on it. His authoritative voice (figuratively and literally) instantly caught my attention; so did what he had to say about the wickedness the late “religious entrepreneur” Jerry Falwell brought into the world.

Soon I found myself watching him take down rabbis, priests, scientists, and Fox News hosts in debates concerning the existence of God. My picture of the whiny, aimlessly rebellious atheist was shattered—in Christopher Hitchens, I saw an intelligent atheist whose speaking and writing abilities were unparalleled in their mix of rigid hostility and rationality. We’re talking about a guy who wrote a takedown of Mother Teresa entitled The Missionary Position. Yes, the Mother Teresa. That took some chutzpah.

Rather than impetuously converting to atheism after repeatedly watching a few Christopher Hitchens videos, I decided to inform myself with the best of the “atheist” literature. After reading polemics

by Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and Bertrand Russell, as well as a

Carrying On

by John Sapunor A rotating column by Voice senior staffers

freed up my time. Without the tremendous pressure of applying for college, I reevaluated the importance of my grades. B’s looked like A’s, and A’s looked like—well, if I got any A’s that first semester, I could tell you what they looked like. Problem of God shook me up a bit, and as I began to ask myself different questions, the stability of my faith was faced with a perilous test. While I remained a Catholic and wrote a final paper for Problem of God defending the virtue of faith, my first semester ended with

per day, which amounts to about a ton of trash per person every year.

As our planet’s environment continues to deteriorate, we will begin feeling the direct impacts of our harmful actions. And while there are many to whom such disasters are simply headlines in the newspaper, if we continue to accept the current environmental status quo, it won’t be long until those headlines become more and more relevant. What we need is an across-the-board realization that the environment is in great peril, and a bipartisan adoption of a new set of environmental values.

Serving as a page during the debt ceiling debate fiasco of August 2011 coupled with the House’s cafeteria policies enabled me to see the House of Representatives at a serious low.

However, as one of the leading institutions in our country, the House has the potential to change how U.S. citizens perceive the environment. It should have policies which act as a model for the rest of the country, not a catalysis of environmental damage—even if it means taking freedom fries off the menu.

Elijah Jatovsky is a freshman in the College. He might be way into composting, but his dorm room is still an absolute dump. steady amount of online content, I felt ready to finally say the words “there is no God.” I remember the first time I actually said it out loud, which occurred as I walked across the bridge on the east side of the Leavey Center. It left a strange feeling in my stomach, one both invigorating and disorienting. There was now a huge void left in my life, but nonetheless, I had few doubts about the rationale behind my decision. I’ve been an atheist ever since that cathartic stroll to Vittles.

College is a time for introspection. You’ve earned your place at Georgetown, so treat yourself to some cosmological inquiries when you have the time. On my quest for disbelief, I even made a new best friend—Lau. The conceit of this brief narrative was not to engage in the ongoing debates about the existence of God, but rather, to illustrate a college student’s first taste of intellectual independence, a step that required that student to challenge a lifetime of catechisms and guilt-drenched insomnia. In short, we’re more complex beings than we think—if we think.

John Sapunor is a junior in the MSB. The only God he’ll believe in is the higher power that is Ryan Gosling’s beautiful face.

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