Optimist the
Vol. 98, No. 45
Taking It To The World
PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
acuoptimist.com
BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT SPECIAL REPORT
The
Health Care Crusade The bill President Obama signed Tuesday has Democrats rejoicing and Republicans up in arms. No one denies the weight of the 2,700-page colossus, but the consequences are still unclear.
What’s it going to cost? Who’s going to pay for it? The health care plan, which will take effect in 2013 at the earliest, is estimated to cost $940 billion during the next decade, according to MSNBC. This money will come from U.S. taxpayers. However, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill’s higher taxes will narrow the federal budget deficit by an estimated $138 billion. An excise tax will likely be placed on sugar-sweetened drinks, tobacco, beer and wine. Tanning salon users will also experience a 10-percent increase in services as part of the “sin taxes,” according to U.S. News and World Report. These excise taxes are intended to discourage the population’s use of the products or services and therefore increase national health standards as health care reform stabilizes. Opponents of a tax increase – the majority of the American public – argue a tax increase will lead to a deficit increase as more loans are taken out and payments are delayed.
Is any part of the bill not related to health care? An attachment to the health care bill that attempts to reform current student loan processes will change the way college students receive loans. The new bill eliminates a $60 billion government subsidy to private lenders, according to United Press. If the Senate passes the amendments, the bill will create a federal lending program that the Congressional Budget Office estimates could save $61 billion during the next decade.
What do doctors think of the plan?
Rep. Ted Poe (’72) speaks at a protest in Washington this weekend.
The public’s feelings toward the health care bill are mixed – and doctors are no exception. The Huffington Post reported the AARP and the American Medical Association have both publicly supported the bill, but when it comes to individual doctors, the results are about 50-50. Doctors who support the bill are focusing on better patient care. The Springfield News Sun reported Dr. Sally Abbott, president of Clark County Medical Society, as saying the new bill will encourage people to seek care as soon as they are feeling sick instead of waiting until it is too late to do anything. Doctors opposed to the bill are mainly concerned about the increase of insurance costs for patients. According to the www.
HEALTH CARE 101
Politicians and media are tossing around a lot of health care jargon, and it can get confusing. We’ve compiled a crash course to help students navigate this stormy but crucial issue.
The Democrats utilized a process called reconciliation to pass the health care bill. Reconciliation allowed the House to vote on a jointly amended Senate bill, and it requires only a simple majority, 51 votes, instead of the regular 60 votes in the Senate. House rules also require parameters to be set for each vote, including how much time will be allocated for debate and what amendments will be allowed. The House implemented what is called a “self-executing rule”; when the House passed the reconciliation rules, it deemed, or assumed, the Senate bill passed. This allowed President Obama to sign the bill into law without a recorded Senate vote on the original bill. The Senate will still debate and vote on the “fixes” to the bill, but the hardest part is over.
Forecast Wed
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JOZIE SANDS Contributing Photographer
statesman.com, the bill puts a cap on the total amount of money available for the Medicare program, and doctors already struggle with patient bills going partially or completely unpaid. Premiums are also predicted to go up because insurance companies will have to cover more people. However, some opponents argue that because the bill prevents private insurers from raising premiums too high, eventually they will be unable to compete with the government, which will leave the federal government in charge of all personal health care. see page 4
Elective abortion: Any abortion case not involving rape, low-income people, including children, elderly, disabled and those eligible to receive federally assisted incest or danger to the life of the mother. income, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), acExecutive order: An order issued by the president that cording to www.ssa.gov. instructs executive agencies or clarifies a law passed by Congress. Although constitutionally, executive orders carry Medicare: A health insurance program managed by the same weight as law, the Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government for people 65 or older, younger presidents cannot use executive orders to create new than 65 with certain disabilities and people of any age laws. Congress can overturn an executive order by passing with permanent kidney failure, according to www. contradictory legislation or by refusing to provide money to medicare.gov. Recipients must be U.S. residents for fund the order. at least five years. Excise tax: An indirect tax that sellers must pay to the Premium: The amount of money paid each month by an government. Sellers then roll the tax into the price of the individual or an employer for health insurance. product so buyers actually end up paying for it. Public Option: The term being used for the proposed Hyde Amendment: A provision, not a law, that can be government-run insurance system. Theoretically, a attached to a bill. The amendment bars federal money public option would be similar to the Medicare system from being spent on abortions, regardless of circum- already offered to older adults. Individuals would pay stance. It only applies to funds allocated to the Department directly into a national insurance system that would of Health and Human Services by the annual appropria- then provide coverage in the same way a private intions bill. The Stupak–Pitts Amendment is similar but only surance provider would. prohibits funding for elective abortions. Medicaid: Federal and state health insurance plan for
Inside Thu
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INSIDE: Key players in health care reform, page 4
Online
CELEBRITY SCANDALS abound and their seemingly luxurious lives make it difficult to empathize; but should we hold them to a higher moral standard? Page 6
THE ’CATS STRUGGLED through their Spring Break series, but finished strong at home, winning three of four games against the Eastern New Mexico greyhounds. Page 8
LOUDandCLEAR
VIDEO
Are you in favor of the health care bill? a. Yes, it’s what Americans want and need. b. No, it will only damage the country. c. I’m just trying to figure out what it means. Spring Training
Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.
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Campus Day
About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@jmcnetwork.com.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.
CALENDAR AND EVENTS
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WEDNESDAY
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Graduation Fair in the Hunter Welcome Center 6 p.m. Casanova Week activity at Brew.net
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THURSDAY
6 p.m. Casanova Week activity at Prime Time 9 p.m. Chai Cafe sponsored by the International Students Association
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The Upward Bound Program is in need of students to serve as summer advisers. The program is looking for encouraging, energetic and responsible students to assist in preparing high school students for college. For more information, call 674-2529 or 674-2514.
3 p.m. ACU Baseball v. Angelo State 8 p.m. Free Movie Night in Cullen Auditorium: The Blind Side
Registration for online summer classes is now open. For more information, contact your academic adviser.
the Beauchamp Amphitheater. Freshmen are invited for a time of worship for freshmen and by freshmen.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Chapel will meet the first Thursday of each month in Room 258 in the Foster Science Building. All ACU students who participate in BBBS are welcome to attend.
The Abilene Christian Opera Theater’s spring opera opens April 9-10 at 8 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. This semester’s show is Massenet’s Cendrillon, an interpretation of the classic Cinderella tale: a journey of enchantment, triumph and romance. General admission is $12 for adults and $5 for students.
The Meek Blood Center is sponsoring a blood drive April 16.
Beltway Park Church is sponsoring A Night of Worship with Leeland and Phil Wickham The Pete Brewer on April 9. Tickets are Quartet will perform at $15 in advance and $10 8 p.m. Thursday in the for students or groups Williams Performing of more than 10; they Arts Center as part of are available at Beltthe Guest Artist series. way Park, Mardel and Admission is free. Lifeway stores or online HIGHway Bible study will at www.itickets.com/ events/240228/Abilene_ meet at 9 p.m. WednesTX/Leeland.html. day in The Grove Clubhouse. All students are Michael Jacobs will be welcome to attend. performing a free concert The deadline to register at 8 p.m. April 5 in the Williams Performing Arts for ACU’s Springboard Center Recital Hall. Ideas Challenge is Wednesday. Registrants Re-Fresh, the Freshmust pay a $10 fee for man Devotional, is every each idea submitted. For Thursday at 10 p.m. in more information, go to
Chapel Checkup
Credited Chapels to date:
Credited Chapels remaining:
47 26
Volunteer Opportunities
www.springboardchallenge.com, or e-mail Ashley Martindale at springboardchallenge@ gmail.com.
The Bible Bowl will be April 10 on the ACU campus.
FRIDAY
10:30 a.m. ACU Softball at the LSC Crossover
Announcements Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is now available to staff, faculty and students through the Counseling Center. For more information, call 674-2626.
Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
The International Students’ Association will be sponsoring a food festival from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will be available in the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. All proceeds will go to Wishing Well to provide clean water for people in developing countries. For more information, e-mail Ken Lake at kxl05e@acu.edu. The ACU Career Center is sponsoring an information session about jobs with Hawkes Learning Systems, a company that develops educational programs for mathematics teachers at the high school and college levels. For more information, contact the Career Center at 325-674-2473, or email at careers@acu.edu. The Campus Activities Board is sponsoring Casanova Week through Friday. Male students can pick up two tickets for a free activity each day after Chapel in the McGlothlin Campus Center.
The Noah Project needs volunteers to cover the domestic violence crisis hotline between 6 and 10 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call Yvonne Myers at 676-7107. Love and Care Ministries needs help with its clothing ministry and street feeds at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. MondayFriday. To schedule a time to help, call Terry Davis at 670-0246. The City of Abilene’s Adaptive Recreation Services needs volunteers to help mentally and physically challenged adults with activities between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Activities can include arts and crafts, exercise, ceramics, bowling, field trips, etc. For more information, contact Barbara Liggett at 676-6575, or e-mail barbara.liggett@ abilenetx.com. Abilene Hope Haven needs volunteers to provide child care between 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact Kathy Reppart (before 3 p.m.) at 677-4673 or Christina Spillers (after 3 p.m.) at 437-0611. The Betty Hardwick Center needs volunteers from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on any weekday. For more information, contact Katie Fawcett at 325690-5128. Breakfast On Beech Street serves breakfast to Abilene’s homeless community and is in need of volunteers. Breakfast
is served from 6:30-7:15 a.m. at the First Christian Church at 3rd and Beech Street. Volunteers must arrive at 5:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 5 a.m. Tuesdays. For more information, visit the First Christian Church’s Web site at www.fccabilene.org/outreach.html. Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot meals each week to seniors and adults with disabilities. Volunteers may work once a week between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. MondayFriday. For more information, contact Elisabeth Rodgers at 672-5050. The Alzheimer’s Association needs volunteers any time 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Volunteers must be present for at least one hour and will perform various office duties. For more information, contact Libby Connally at 672-2907. The American Heart Association needs volunteers any time 8:30 a.m.5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers will help with general office tasks and assist with mailings. For more information, contact Kay Alexander at 627-0070. The Christian Service Center needs volunteers to fill requests for clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc., from the donation center. Volunteers may work from noon-4 p.m. Friday or Saturday. For more information, call Jim Clark at 673-7531. The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to sort and stock
food items between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information or to schedule a group of six or more volunteers, contact Janice Serrault at 695-6311, or email abfoodbk@ camalott.com. The Salvation Army needs volunteers Monday through Saturday. Volunteers may help sort and price items in the thrift store, help in the kitchen or do yard work. The International Rescue Committee needs volunteers to teach English and mentor refugees. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Daina Juryka-Owen at 675-5643, ext. 16. The West Texas Rehabilitation Center needs volunteers from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers will work two-hour shifts. For more information, contact Marjorie Cloud at 660-8338. St. John’s Episcopal School needs volunteers from 3:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Saturday to help with sports, arts, crafts and science. For more information, contact Ashley Puryear at 338-8400. Find more volunteer opportunities by visiting the Service-Learning and Volunteer Resources Web site at www.acu.edu/slvr and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities, or visit the Service-Learning and Volunteer Resources office located in the lower level of the McGlothlin Campus Center.
Campus News
March 24, 2010
Page 3
CULTURE
Native American artist to perform on campus Shea Rattan Contributing Reporter Michael Jacobs, a Christian musical artist and a Cherokee, will be performing on campus free of charge this spring, thanks to the Office of Multicultural Enrichment. The concert is one of the main events sponsored by the OME this year. It will be at 8 p.m. April 15 in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Jacobs has been in the music business for almost 10 years. He is known for writing and singing not just about issues facing Native Americans, but also about human issues such as peace, suffering, the environment and justice. Jacobs has performed at more than 150 col-
leges and universities in 25 states. He also has received many awards during his career. According to his Web site, www.sacrednation.com, his debut album received the 2003 Native American Music Award for the Best Independent Recording; his third album won the 2006 Indian Summer Music Award, and his latest album earned two 2008 Indian Summer Music Awards for Best Pop Recording and Best Rock Recording. Director of Multicultural Enrichment George Pendergrass commented on the novelty of Jacobs’ music. “It’s Native American music fused with contemporary music, and it fascinates me,” Pendergrass said.
Before his evening concert, Jacob will speak in a class and at Chapel that morning. He will also perform a concert later that afternoon, primarily for music majors and students interested in the music industry. Jacobs’ time at Chapel and his afternoon concert will include a question and answer period. “Several students on our campus are interested in music careers,” Pendergrass said. “A lot of our students want to know what that’s like; they want to see the good, the bad and the ugly.” Pendergrass said the OME is excited to have Jacobs come to campus, since Jacobs addresses many issues of social justice, and ACU works
ENVIRONMENT
hard to address many of the same topics. “Our school is trying desperately to get rid of the major polarization that exists and is trying to bring light to the plight of minorities,” Pendergrass said. During his concerts, Jacobs almost always leaves time to address the issues he writes and sings about. Pendergrass’s graduate assistant Laza Razafimanjato, a graduate student of higher education from Antananarivo, Madagascar, said Jacobs’ concerts do not have much structure. “When he performs, he performs based on how he feels at that time,” Razafimanjato said. Jacobs said he is looking forward to performing at ACU for the first time.
Photo courtesy of www.reverbnation.com
Michael Jacobs writes and performs contemporary Native American music that often deals with issues of social justice. “I’m excited to engage people in meaningful dialogue,” he said. Jacobs said he thinks many sensitive issues in our culture are the ones that need to be discussed the most and loves to do his part to make a difference.
“People don’t realize the wealth of different cultures,” Jacobs said. “I’m just trying to do my part in affecting social change.”
contact Rattan at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
TECHNOLOGY
ACU dining ‘To Go Green’ Mobile Computing class creates SA voting ‘apps’ Whitney Puckett
Contributing Reporter
ACU dining is going green, replacing more than 6,500 Styrofoam to-go cartons with 500 To Go Green plastic containers. The green initiative allows students, faculty and staff to enjoy take-out food while preserving the environment. After eating their meal and the extra food from the container, the participant must return it to one of the dropoff locations found in the
Bean or any campus café. The container is then exchanged for a To Go Green membership card that is required for the next purchase. “This is our first run,” said Daniela Smallwood, marketing coordinator of ACU Food Services. “At some point we would like to phase out Styrofoam completely.” ACU looks forward to adding this initiative to the other ways it has chosen to go green in the past, said Anthony
Williams, chief auxiliary services officer. “We’ve had this program in the making for some time now, and it’s great to see it come to fruition,” Williams said. “This is just the beginning; we want to continue to partner with the student body in regards to green and sustainable programs, which are an important part of supporting the 21st Century Vision.” contact Puckett at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Alan Cherry
Brian Burton, assistant professor of informaContributing Reporter tional technology and the A class of only five stu- class instructor, says he dents could have a big expects to receive word impact on campus in the from Apple later this coming months. The Mo- week telling him if the bile Computing class has app has been approved. “It’s amazing how much designed and submitted to Apple an iPhone ap- paperwork goes along with plication that will allow all this,” Burton said. The Mobile Computstudents to vote for the Students’ Association’s ing class is relatively proposed constitutional new to ACU’s myriad of class selections; it was amendments. The class had hoped first available for the to have an app ready that 2009 Maymester. Rich would allow students Tanner, senior inforto vote for SA and class mation technology and officers, but it won’t be computing major from finished in time for this West Plains, Mo., has year’s elections. How- been in the class every ever, several other apps semester it has been ofhave been completed, fered and is now helpincluding the one to vote ing to teach the class for the SA amendments. alongside Burton. “I found [application Students using the app will receive an e-mail development] to be a lot with a personal code to of fun,” Tanner said. “If ensure secure voting. Stu- ACU is going to be a leaddents who do not have an er in learning technology, iPhone or and iPod touch we need to have more can visit a student-devel- student-developed apps.” Since its inception, oped Web site to make the class has completed their voices heard.
four projects for release to students and several other projects for noncommercial use within various departments. Also in the works is a student-developed intramural app that will help students find information about upcoming games and team standings. The app is scheduled to be finished and submitted to Apple for review by the end of the month. Each student in the class brings something different to the application-creating process, Tanner said. “It was a team effort, but everyone played to their strengths,” Tanner said. The class consists of students from the School of Information Technology and Computing but is open to any student who has completed the Programming 1 and Database classes. contact Cherry at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Special Report
Page 4
March 24, 2010
Who’s who in health care A look at the key players in the reform process Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Bart Stupak
The 60th speaker of the House of Representatives and the first female to serve in that role. As the Democrats’ key spokeswoman in Congress, Pelosi was an important figure in the health care debate. Pelosi has represented the eighth congressional district of California since 1987.
One of several pro-life Democrats in Congress. Stupak nearly derailed the push for reform with his demand for stronger language on abortion. His efforts forced President Obama to promise an executive order banning federal funding for elective abortions. Stupak has represented the first congressional district of Michigan since 1993.
Rep. John Boehner
President Barack Obama
The House minority leader and the voice of the Republican opposition. Boehner addressed the House on Sunday before the vote and implored members to reject the bill, saying it did not represent the interests of the people. Boehner has represented the eighth congressional district of Ohio since 2007.
The 44th president of the U.S. made comprehensive health care reform a major part of his platform during his candidacy. Obama worked in conjunction with Speaker Pelosi, campaigning largely for a public option early on but eventually compromising with moderate Democrats and Republicans in an effort to push reform through Congress.
Sen. Scott Brown
U.S. Constitution
A Republican senator from Massachusetts. Brown was elected to the Massachusetts Senate in a special election to fill the seat of the late Ted Kennedy, a Democrat. Brown eliminated the Democrats’ filibuster-proof 60-40 supermajority in the Senate.
The ultimate law of the land, as interpreted by the Supreme Court. Bills passed through Congress cannot contradict constitutional law, and the constitutionality of any bill can be challenged. Ten state attorney generals, including Greg Abbott from Texas, are appealing the new health care bill, and some predict the vote may reach the Supreme Court.
Continued from page 1 Why the rush to pass a health care bill? Why does health care reform seem to be the most important issue to legislators and the administration? Until Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts, Democrats claimed a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. They still claim a supermajority in the House of Representatives, which means if every Democrat – or even a few less – votes in favor of a bill, Republicans don’t have enough votes to stop it. The president, the attorney general, the speaker of the House and dozens of others in high offices are all Democrats. Health care reform was a major platform issue during elections – one of several elements of “change” desired by the majority of voters. Eighteen months later, that change had not come. Discontent was growing among Democratic voters who believed the leadership was failing to follow through on its promises. To the Republicans’ advantage, Democrats
also had advertised bipartisanship as a priority during campaign season, but the debate at President Obama’s health care summit made it clear Republicans were not interested in what the Democrats had to offer. They would only vote for health care reform if Democrats trashed the bill and started again – from the beginning. The clock was ticking, and Democratic voters were growing increasingly impatient. They wanted more than health care reform, but at this rate, no time would be left for anything else. And a displeased constituent is likely to elect a new leader the next time around.
How polarizing of an issue is health care? The Democrats needed 216 votes to pass the health care bill, and they barely made it. The final vote was 219-212, a narrow margin of victory, and those seven votes weren’t clinched until Sunday afternoon, just hours before the vote. Seven pro-life Democrats, led by Rep. Bart Stupak from Michigan, had resolved to vote against the bill unless language
prohibiting federal funding for elective abortions was strengthened, according to www.washingtonpost.com. To win Stupak’s votes, President Obama signed an executive order reaffirming the government’s commitment to prevent federal funds being used for elective abortions, an issue covered by the Hyde Amendment and the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In addition to the 178 “no” votes from the Republicans, 34 Democrats jumped the fence to vote against the measure. Most of those, including Rep. Chet Edwards from Texas, are from conservative districts where the majority of their constituents opposed the bill. Several of them argued the executive order regarding elective abortions still was not strong enough. A majority of independent voters also opposed the bill – 54 percent according to a recent poll for CBS News – in part because of the cost of the bill. contact Staff at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Focus
March 24, 2010
Page 5
Springing Into Action Whether Spring Break Campaigns traveled near or far, they all made an impact through serving others. Four of the 19 groups are profiled here.
Manchester, Connecticut Population: 56,385
Hannah Barnes, Features Editor
Campaign Leaders: Laura Holt Tim Jones
Campaigners: 12 Worked with Manchester Area Conferences of Churches
Houston, Texas
Population: 2,144,491 Campaign Leaders: David McMichael Brit’ny Spain
Campaigners: 12 Worked with Impact Church of Christ, an innercity ministry
Trujillo, Honduras Population: 9,646 Huntington Beach, California Population: 189,594
Campaign Leaders: Daniel Burgner Mary Tomkins
Campaign Leaders:
Campaigners: 10
Kevin Riley Chelsea Johnson
Worked with Little Hands, Big Hearts, a community development organization
Campaigners: 20 Worked with Young Life and Habitat for Humanity
Honduras
Texas
California
Connecticut
Ten zealous Spring Break campaigners left a massive impact on the city of Trujillo, Honduras, this year. Throughout their stay, the group was involved mainly with Little Hands, Big Hearts, a community development organization. Little Hands, Big Hearts works to serve the people of Trujillo by providing them with necessities such as beans, rice and prenatal vitamins. When the group arrived, though, they were informed that due to a surplus of funds, their main project would be to build a house for a family with a special needs child. During the course of the week, the campaigners accomplished a great deal. They dug footings for the house and laid six layers of building blocks. Along with this, a group of girls taught Bible class to a group of 65 children. According to SBC leader Daniel Burgner, there were many other opportunities, such as passing out food to the community. Overall, it seems God worked in a big way through this campaign. “God used everybody’s gifts and talents,” Burgner said. “He showed me that you can serve God in any capacity.” Little Hands, Big Hearts was so pleased with the overall campaign they offered four campaigners jobs and internships with their organization.
Although they faced some deep issues, these 12 campaigners served wholeheartedly. The group worked with Impact Church of Christ, an inner-city ministry that focuses on helping those in need. Campaigners intended to work with the church’s Vacation Bible School but ended up serving in other areas. Painting an older woman’s house, spending time with the junior high school ministry and working alongside the homeless – who preferred to be called “outdoorsmen” – were just a few of the things students did. Through their experience, campaigners were exposed to the reality of inner-city life. Many of the people they came into contact with suffered in various ways: children who were physically abused and individuals who suffered from mental illnesses because of drug addiction. Campaign leader Brit’ny Spain said she believes Impact is an amazing ministry because “people dedicate their lives to working in a hard environment.” “Half of Impact is about serving others,” she said. “The other half is about becoming transformed.”
The 20 campaigners to Huntington Beach, Calif., affiliated themselves with Young Life and Habitat for Humanity, where they worked quite a bit with youth. They held a dodgeball tournament, which gave them an opportunity to interact with high school kids. Their interactions with the kids allowed the Young Life leaders to spend time with their groups. According to campaign leader Kevin Riley, one of the group’s richest experiences occurred in Watts, which is the poorest part of L.A. They worked with Powerhouse Church, going door to door sharing the Gospel with members of the community. Despite the bad reputation of the area, the group swallowed their fears and immersed themselves in the neighborhoods. Fortunately, the campaigners connected with the community. Riley said he found the experience to be extremely fulfilling. “It was a lot of fun, but we were still serving,” he said. “The group jumped in to serve.”
The Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC) in Connecticut provided the 12 campaigners with a variety of ways to serve. MACC serves the community by providing crisis assistance, food and clothing for the needy and a warm bed for those who have no home. Campaigners split up to do different jobs throughout the day; several campaigners worked in the kitchen, while a few others worked in the pantry. A typical day for the group began at 5:45 in the morning. During their stay, the group painted and thoroughly cleaned the facility’s kitchen. Along with all of this, the campaign met and interacted with the homeless and the needy. Campaign leader Laura Holt said the part of the trip that had the greatest impact on her was meeting a former student at MACC. Originally from Manchester, this student found himself without a home and was staying in MACC’s shelter. Holt said meeting him was a reality check; anyone can end up in that situation. “We were all impacted by this homeless guy that went to ACU for one year,” she said. “We were in disbelief and wanted to help.”
Opinion
Page 6
EDITORIAL
March 24, 2010
Fans hold athletes to impossible standard ers. The comments at the end of the story ranged from compassion and understanding to hate and anger. Others responded with racism and bigotry. Washington’s bad decision seven years ago was – and is – unfortunate. He broke the law in his teenage years, and he’s been paying for it since. Actions always have consequences, as they should. Washington will most likely lose his NFL draft position as a result of his actions. Our response as fans to situations like Washington’s is tricky to say the least. We should never condone illegal or immoral actions, but we are not in a position to condemn either. Chances are our inferences and conclusions about scandalous situations are glaringly
Not even “big-name” athletes are immune from scandal. Some of the world’s most popular and seemingly clean athletes have found themselves mired in scandals involving sex and narcotics. Michael Phelps was caught smoking marijuana, and Tiger Woods has gained attention for his infidelity. The scandals are captivating. They have hijacked the tabloids and dominated dinner conversations. The antics of these athletes have divided the fan base and American culture in general, and almost everyone has an opinion about the issue. When The Huffington Post posted a story online about Washington’s sex offender status, the story prompted quick and diverse reactions from read-
Somewhere between nonchalant indifference and judgmental superiority lies a position of understanding – neither condemning nor condoning. The last few months have created a link between athletes and scandal, and attention is increasingly directed off the field. Conversations about sports now revolve around sex and drugs instead of the game itself. The question now is how we respond as fans and fellow humans. Earlier this month, former ACU offensive lineman and current NFL prospect Tony Washington went public with his status as a registered sex offender. Washington committed the nonviolent offense as a 16-year-old student in New Orleans, but his mistake is still haunting him seven years later.
incomplete. We only hear part of the story. In Washington’s case, many will view him solely as a sex offender, but that is nowhere near the whole story. His actions were not violent, and he’s committed no crime since. Despite this, many will cast judgment on Washington as a deviant, which is not only uninformed, but unfair. Athletes’ positions in mainstream America makes their slip-ups more noticeable but no more offensive than any other individual’s. The idea that public figures should be held to a higher standard is absurd and an abdication of personal responsibility. This mindset is simply an easy way out of our own personal scandals, and the idea is illogical. Why should Tiger
Pears
By Lucas Wright
THE ISSUE
People tend to hold figures in the public eye to an impossibly high standard.
OUR TAKE
We shouldn’t hold public figures to a higher standard than we hold ourselves and we shouldn’t expect perfection. Woods be held to different standards than his fans? Disappointment is, however, a perfectly legitimate response. Athletes should not be held to higher moral standards, but they do face the increased pressure of serving as role models. When athletes do stumble, they at least owe their fans an apology. But that same standard should apply to everyone. Being in the public eye can most certainly be a burden, but higher moral standards should not be
among those burdens. Expectations of perfection are unreasonable when movie stars, athletes and politicians are just as human as we are. The proper response to athletes and scandals may vary from situation to situation, but at the very least, consistency is necessary. If we try to hold athletes to higher standards, it is only going to lead to disappointment. Email the Optimist at:
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
COLUMN
Christians should advocate justice LIttle Linda Linda Bailey
COLUMN
Crazy relatives keep things exciting Hacked Off Chelsea Hackney The phrase “all-American family” conjures images of grills and puppies, happy mothers and fathers and twoand-ahalf children in clothes f r o m B a b y Gap – all of the Hackney things my fiancé’s family is not. I’ll admit I have crazy relatives. Some of them have married into the family, and some of them are unfortunately and unavoidably related to me by blood completely against my will. I do my darndest to avoid these people at family reunions for fear they’ll tell some really em-
barrassing story about me – most likely at a volume more suitable for a cattle auctioneer. But even with years of experience, meeting someone else’s crazy relatives is intimidating. So it was with trepidation I went to meet my fiancé’s grandparents for the first weekend of what I had hoped would be a stress-free Spring Break. Grandpa Fred – or Grampuhfred, if said with a genuine East Texas accent – lives with his wife by common law and two dogs in a doublewide in Gun Barrel City. Whatever picture just popped into your head, that’s exactly what it looks like. We pulled into the driveway Friday night – a decision I’m now certain was a clever ploy to keep me from getting a good look at the place, which happens to
We all have a batty great-aunt who our families warn us about, and most of us, if we’re honest, kind of like her. be bedecked with antique knick knacks of all shapes and sizes. After introductions and hugs all around, the conversation turned to sleeping arrangements. My fiancé and I being pretty conservative, I foolishly assumed he’d make himself comfortable on the couch while I slept soundly on the absolute opposite end of the trailer – perhaps behind several doors. To my red-faced embarrassment, they had some misguided perceptions about our relationship. After a few awkward laughs, I asserted my good ol’ Church of Christ
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upbringing and set the record straight. That was in the first half hour. However, during the next two days I decided it didn’t matter if they were a little strange. Just because they weren’t like my family didn’t mean they weren’t worth getting to know. We all have a batty great-aunt who our families warn us about, and most of us, if we’re honest, kind of like her. At least she always makes holidays at Grandma’s a little more exciting. And that’s before the eggnog. contact Hackney at
ceh05c@acu.edu
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I hopped off the plane at Logan International Airport with a dream and my cardigan. After being in Boston for no m o r e than 30 minutes, all of my previous Bailey perceptions about the city had been washed away by Boston’s largest rainstorm in 50 years. After three days of constant rain and wet socks, the sky cleared, and I was finally able to see the beauty of the city. I basked in the sun and stared openmouthed at skyscrapers, Fenway Park and the numerous historic sites around the city. I was also able to see – and meet – many Bostonians devoting their lives to social justice in the city and the world. Our group of 14 students of many ages and majors filed into a building at the heart of Chinatown on the first day of sunlight. We toured the facilities and met Anthony Zuba, organizer for the Massachusetts Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, an organization devoted to standing up for the rights of all people being treated unfairly in the city. At the building, we listened to a woman tell her story of injustice. In August, the Hyatt Regency in Boston fired almost 100 housekeepers who had worked for the hotel for
more than 20 years. The workers who replaced the veteran employees were paid half as much for doing double the work. The Hyatt claims the cuts were necessary due to the economy; however, it found enough money to buy another multimillion-dollar building. Also, no other hotel in the area had to take such drastic measures to save money. Basically, the workers were treated unfairly, and they were unable to find jobs that would match their previous salary. Zuba and others are working to get their jobs back while also working with current hotel employees, teaching them English, showing them how to make a bed without hurting their backs and teaching them cooking skills if they wish to move up to a position as a cook. Zuba said faith can take you on an incredible journey if you let it. He chose a path devoted to social justice instead of a life devoted to a wife and two-and-a-half kids. During Justice Week, I heard a lot of speakers tell me what I should be doing or what they were doing, but nothing really sunk in until I met Zuba and saw what he was doing – devoting his whole life to justice. I’m not sure his path is one everyone should take, but I do know as Christians we have a responsibility to help the poor, oppressed and aliens throughout our cities, countries and world. contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
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From Sports
March 24, 2010
Page 7
BASEBALL
ENMU: Wildcats score 43 runs in four-game series Continued from page 8
game that started on Friday. The Wildcats began the game swinging, scoring eight runs in the second inning to take an early lead. Calhoun pitched a complete game, allowing only five runs, and the Wildcats won the game 15-5 via the run rule.
The second game Sunday began with a solo home run by Aaron Oliver in the first inning, putting the Wildcats in the lead. The Greyhounds scored two runs in the second and another run in the third to take away the Wildcats’ lead, but ACU got back on track after a three-run hit in the fourth. The Wildcats con-
tent scoring, and in the eighth, Calhoun hit a two-run home run to end the game 13-3 via BRITT BONNEAU Head Coach the run rule. “When you are playtinued scoring from then the bottom of the fifth in- ing a tripleheader and on and defeated the Grey- ning when Clint Bawker you get two 10-run rules, hit a two-run triple. Tra- you get two games that hounds 12-5. The last game of the vis Latz followed his lead, you shorten up because day and the series started with a two-run home run. you scored a bunch of The Wildcats con- runs, that is huge for slow. The Wildcats trailed their consis- our pitching staff,” Bonthe Greyhounds 3-1 until tinued
That just shows you that this is a league with a lot of good teams in it.
SOFTBALL
neau said. “It was a good day for us offensively and defensively.” The Wildcats will play another home series next weekend against the Angelo State Rams. The four-game series is scheduled to begin at 3:05 p.m. Friday. contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
TRACK AND FIELD
Sweep: ’Cats fall to TWU Sparks: Wildcats place third at indoor title meet Continued from page 8
of the first. They added a run in the third to make the score 4-1, a score they maintained for three innings. In the top of the fourth, though, the Pioneers got back two runs, cutting the deficit to 4-3. The Wildcats answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning and then another run in the fifth, bringing the score to 8-3. TWU retaliated with three runs in the sixth and then again in the seventh to come from behind and win 9-8. In the second game, the Pioneers leapt to a
2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Wildcats came back when Brianna Fowlkes hit a solo home run in the second inning. The Wildcats were able to tie the game when Stephanie Tingle hit an RBI single to score Shawna Barrow. The game remained tied until the seventh inning when Billie Callahan hit a triple-scoring run; Callahan was then bunted in on the next at-bat. The Pioneers held on at 4-2 to complete the sweep of ACU. The Wildcats will be back in action this weekend in the LSC Crossover
Tournament in Durant, Okla., where they will play Southeastern Oklahoma, Cameron, East Central, Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State and Midwestern State. The games will start at 10:30 a.m. Friday and continue throughout the weekend. “We haven’t been playing bad; we aren’t making errors,” Wilson said. “We just haven’t had our pitching and batting on at the same time. Hopefully with six games this weekend we can get them both going.” contact Cantrell at
jrc07f@acu.edu
INTRAMURALS
Volleyball: Champ League draws fierce competition Continued from page 8 ketball, the tournament is split into two leagues: Recreational and Championship. The majority of the teams are in the Championship League, although 20 teams are competing at the Rec level. The Champ League, as in the other sports, will be highly competitive and sure to attract many onlookers as the championship game approaches. Teams will play practice games for three to four weeks until the actual tournament – and elimination rounds – begins in mid-April. The Rec League is popular with many social clubs because of its laid-back atmosphere. Morgan Davis, junior information technology major from Frisco, plays for the Trojans Rec team. This is his first time playing with the Trojans, and he said he is looking forward to having a good time. He said he isn’t
counting on making it to the championship. “I don’t think it’s too likely that we are going to win much,” Davis said. “It’s just all of us going and being goofballs.” The turnout for intramural volleyball is typically lower than basketball because students want to enjoy the warm weather instead of sitting inside, said Kenli Edwards, director of intramurals. But Edwards said she doesn’t think that makes volleyball any less exciting. Although no faculty teams are registered for volleyball, almost all of the clubs have teams signed up. Even GATA, which hasn’t had a team in any sport this year, put together a team. The next games will be Thursday in Bennett Gym beginning at 7:30 p.m. April will be one of the busiest intramural months of the spring. volleyball wraps up midmonth, and is followed
by four new sports. Softball sign-ups begin April 5, and the first tournament is scheduled to begin April 19. The deadline for tennis signups is April 14, and the ACU Rodeo is scheduled for April 22. The intramural season ends April 29 with a softball tournament. For information on how to get involved in intramurals at ACU, visit their website www. acu.edu/campusoffices/ intramurals/index.html.
contact Goggans at
zdg08b@acu.edu
Continued from page 8 by about half a foot over Kiara Jones of Pittsburg State. “We really felt he could win the jump,” said Head Coach Roosevelt Lofton. “He was the guy to beat all along.” Defending indoor 60-meter hurdles champion Andrew McDowell missed a repeat title by two one-hundredths of a second when he was caught at the line by Jeremy Jackson of Pittsburg State. McDowell and Sparks had some help from sprinter Desmond Jackson on their way to third place. Jackson finished third in both the 50 and 200-meter sprints, earning ACU 6 points for each finish. Traditionally a longdistance powerhouse, Adams State took home the National Champi-
NUMBERS GAME
52-3 1/4
Ramon Sparks’ distance on the triple jump at the indoor national championship meet.
onship, despite scoring in only six of the 16 events. Adams had runners place in the top five positions in the mile, and in the 5,000-meters, they took first through seventh place with the exception of third – ACU’s Amos Sang stole that spot. Those two events earned Adams State enough points to grab at least second, and points in four other events secured the firstplace victory. The ACU women weren’t nearly as successful, with only three athletes earning points: Wanda Hutson finished fourth in the 60-meter dash, Jessica Withrow
finished sixth in the triple jump and Jessica Blair took home fourth in the pole vault. Lincoln won its second consecutive women’s indoor championship by edging Ashland and Grand Valley State in the last event to win the title. ACU track will have another shot at a national title when it competes in the NCAA Division II outdoor championships. “We are definitely going to have a better shot at winning outdoor,” Hardin said. “We are a whole different team when it comes to outdoor.” contact Gwin at
agg07a@acu.edu
Sports
Page 8
Standings SOFTBALL Ovrl. Div. Team Angelo St. TWU WTAMU TAMU-K Tarleton St. ACU ENMU
5-0 4-2 4-2 4-2 0-3 0-3 0-5
26-2 19-8 22-10 12-13 11-13 9-17 7-20
BASEBALL Ovrl. Team Div. 16-6 Cameron ACU 14-6 SE Okla. St. 15-7 Angelo St. 13-11 13-11 TAMU-K Southwestern 11-10 ENMU 12-12 Northeastern 11-13 Tarleton St. 10-14 Central Okla. 6-14 WTAMU 5-12 East Central 5-12
17-9 23-7 19-19 19-14 17-13 16-13 14-15 13-17 13-16 8-14 8-12 8-12
SOFTBALL
March 24, 2010
Pioneers sweep struggling Wildcats
Ryan Cantrell
“I think we got comfortable with the lead we had, Assistant Sports Editor and our bullpen struggled Texas Woman's Uni- late in the game,” said versity swept the Wild- Head Coach Chantiel cat softball team in Wilson. “We did not play its opening Lone Star through all seven innings, Conference series. The and we need to learn how sweep drops the Wild- to close out a game.” In Sunday's game, the cats to 0-3 in conferPioneers jumped ahead ence and 9-16 overall.
BASEBALL
in the fifth. A home run clinched the game for the We just haven’t had our pitching Pioneers as they cruised and batting on at the same time. to a 9-1 victory. CHANTIEL WILSON In the first game of Head Coach the doubleheader Monday, the Wildcats found of the Wildcats early, bottom of the inning to their bats early, scoring scoring three runs on five make the score 3-1, but three runs in the bottom hits in the first inning. TWU added three runs in ACU got one back in the the third and two more see SWEEP page 7
BACK ON TRACK
Scores TUESDAY Baseball ACU 11, Texas-Permian Basin 4
MONDAY Softball ACU 8, Texas Woman's 9 ACU 2, Texas Woman's 4
SUNDAY Baseball ACU 15, ENMU 5 ACU 12, ENMU 5 ACU 13, ENMU 3
Softball ACU 1, Texas Woman's 9
HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS
Upcoming WEDNESDAY Women's Tennis
KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer
Junior Brad Rutherford delivers a pitch during the Wildcats' 12-5 win against Eastern New Mexico on Sunday. Rutherford gave up two runs in two innings.
Rocky Spring Break ends with series win against ENMU
ACU vs. NW Mo. St., 3 p.m.
Linda Bailey Men's Tennis
Opinion Page Editor
ACU vs. NW Mo. St., 3 p.m.
FRIDAY Softball ACU vs. SE Okla. St., 10:30 a.m. ACU vs. Cameron, 12:30 p.m. Games played in Durant, Okla.
Baseball ACU vs. Angelo St., 3:05 p.m. ACU vs. Angelo St., 7 p.m.
Track and Field ACU at LSU Relays
Women's Tennis ACU vs. East Central, 6 p.m.
Men's Tennis ACU vs. East Central, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY Softball ACU vs. East Central, 10:30 a.m. ACU vs. Central Okla., 2:30 p.m. Games played in Durant, Okla.
Baseball ACU vs. Angelo St., 3:05 p.m. ACU vs. Angelo St., 7 p.m.
Women's Tennis ACU vs. Central Okla.,10 a.m..
Men's Tennis ACU vs. Baylor, 2 p.m.
HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS
Briefs n Former lineman Tony Washington was in Abilene on Monday, trying out for a Dallas Cowboys' scout.
The Wildcats began Spring Break in Durant, Okla., playing two doubleheaders against Southeastern Oklahoma. During the first doubleheader March 12, the Savage Storm narrowly swept ACU 1-0 and 1110. The next day, the Wildcats split the doubleheader, winning the first game 8-2 and losing another close game 10-9 Before returning home, the Wildcats traveled to Cleveland, Miss., for a midweek series against the Delta State Statesmen on March 1617. They split the twogame series, losing the
first 5-8 and winning the second 5-4. After the break, the Wildcats finally returned home for a weekend series against the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds, where they won three of four games. “We came out today just trying to get some wins,” said pitcher Will Calhoun. “We hit a little bit of a slump over the break, but it is good to get back home and have that home-field advantage. I think that was a big part of the day, just us being comfortable, being home and having fun.” On Friday, the Wildcats lost their first game to the Greyhounds 4-3. Game Two of the double-
header started but was postponed because of inclement weather conditions that lasted through Saturday, forcing the teams to complete the series in a tripleheader Sunday. But that didn’t stop the Wildcats from winning all three games on Sunday. “We had a real tough game Friday with a 4-3 loss,” said Head Coach Britt Bonneau. “That just shows you that this is a league with a lot of good teams in it, and we’ve just got to keep working hard.” During the first game on Sunday, the Wildcats finished the nine-inning see ENMU page 7
INTRAMURALS
KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer
Senior outfielder Travis Latz reaches up to make a catch during the Wildcats' 12-5 win against the ENMU Greyhounds.
TRACK AND FIELD
Volleyball matches begin ’Cats impress at championships Zane Goggans Sports Reporter
Intramural volleyball made its debut in Bennett Gymnasium on Monday on the heels of the Championship League basketball tournament – Kojies and AD sealed the victory in the women's and men's championship games. A total of 57 teams are playing in the volleyball tournament this year, and just like bassee VOLLEYBALL page 7
Austin Gwin Assistant Sports Editor
KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer
Kyle Yarbrough, freshman business finance major from San Antonio, jumps for the ball during a Welcome Week game.
Ramon Sparks triplejumped his way to victory and propelled the ACU men’s track team to a third-place finish at the NCAA Division II indoor championship meet. While the men enjoyed success in Albuquerque, the women came away disappointed with a 13th-place finish at the meet.
“Even though we wanted to come out with a victory, we are happy with a third-place finish,” said senior heptathlete James Hardin. “We only brought six guys, and they got all-American." Sparks’ first jump put him in the lead, where he stayed for the rest of the meet. His fifth jump of 52-3 1/4 was enough to win the triple jump see SPARKS page 7