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KENTUCKY KERNEL WWW.KYKERNEL.COM
CELEBRATING 38 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY TOP 20 UPDATE
“
The top-20 plan will be part of my legacy. One of the reasons I took the job is because I thought it was an ambitious goal. If you don’t have ambitious goals, and choose mediocre goals, you’ll be mediocre.” — Lee Todd, UK president
Todd states UK is on track to meet its deadline, with more than ten years left to improve By Brian Shlonsky
news@kykernel.com
Halfway into UK’s quest to climb the mountain of becoming a top20 public research university, the university finds itself slowly closing in on its goals. In 1997, UK made an agreement with the Kentucky General Assembly to become a top-20 public research university by 2020. The purpose of the agreement was to raise the standard of living for Kentuckians by raising education levels, improving health care, accelerating research and increasing engagement in communities state-wide. “It represents an understanding that a top-20 research university is an essential part of any serious effort to make every Kentucky community stronger and the life of every Kentuckian better,” said UK President Lee Todd in his Top 20 Business Plan. In 2005, Todd stated specific needs for more resources in financial terms in the business plan. Increasing enrollment, graduation rates, research expenditures and engagement in Kentucky schools, farms, businesses and communities were the main goals. The 2009-2014 Strategic Plan was introduced over the summer, which included the university’s five principal goals. The third outlined the need to develop resources to achieve UK’s top-20 goals. In the Kernel’s Sept. 23 interview with the president, Todd was optimistic the university would achieve the necessary goals. “Research is up substantially, student quality is going to go up even though we have a larger number of students and the quality of the faculty is continuing to improve,” Todd said. “A lot of it is attributed to the Top 20 Plan — it gives us a reason to be and some way to focus.”
Engineering research facility considered a step toward campus, city connection
GOALS 1. Increase current enrollment to 34,000. 23,200 24,061
96-97
By Tom Shearman news@kykernel.com
26,439
05-06 08-09
26,913
Current
27,102 34,000
2020 0
10,000
20,000
40,000
30,000
2. Increase graduation rate to 72 percent. 97-98
61.1 percent 61.4 percent
2001 2020 0
72 percent 20
40
60
80
3. Increase research expenditures to 768 million. 1998 161,346 million 306,653 million
2005 2007
331,606 million
2020 0
768 million 200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
4. Increase current faculty numbers to 2,500 96-97
1,832 1,942
05-06 08-09
2,096
2020 0
2,500 500
PHOTOS BY BRITNEY MCINTOSH| STAFF
Above: People watched on Tuesday as the first dirt was moved for the new engineering building that will be built in the E-lot on Rose Street. Below: Davis Marksbury pumps his fist after moving the first mound of dirt for the engineering research facility.
1,500
2,500
GRAPHS BY LAUREN FRAME | STAFF
UK’s new $18.6 million engineering research facility represents the start of a “high-tech business corridor between Lexington and the University of Kentucky,” said UK President Lee Todd. Todd made this comment during a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for the Davis Marksbury Building, which represents the second of four phases in developing UK’s ‘Digital Village.’ Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry said he was excited the new research facility is close to the downtown area. “(The building) is a step toward UK reaching its top-20 status as a research institution,” Newberry said. The new research facility will house the UK Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science. Funding for the building was announced last December with the Marksbury Family Foundation, created by civil engineering alumnus Davis Marksbury and wife, Beverly, providing $6 million. An additional $3.6 million came from private donors, while Kentucky’s Research Challenge Trust Fund provided the remaining $9.3 million, according to a UK news release. At the ceremony, Marksbury
Right hand blue, left hand syrup By Roy York ryork@kykernel.com
A game of Twister would not be complete without maple syrup, vegetable oil and 50 pounds of flour. At least that's what members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity think. In their annual fall philanthropy event to raise money for juvenile diabetes research, the women of Alpha Gamma Delta hosted “Twist Off” at Haggin Field Tuesday afternoon, and more than 20 teams from UK sororities and fraternities competed in a hot dog eating contest and Twister tournament — with a unique spin on the game. Three twister boards provided the battleground for the elimination rounds where three or
said innovation was doubling in speed and the future will be a blur of change. “Innovation is our only economically sustainable advantage,” Marksbury said. “I’m not sure what we’re going to invent in the new building, but I can’t wait to find out.” Computer science sophomore Tony Fisher said the new building will be “a place where all the heroes can go to hang out.” “I’m humbled,” Fisher said. “I wonder if I’ll ever achieve what a lot of these people have achieved.” The Digital Village development in the Maxwell and Rose street area will eventually consist of four high-tech buildings, which Todd believes “will see great ideas spawned” and “help Kentucky companies stay in Kentucky.” College of Engineering Dean Thomas Lester said the college is now looking for funding for the third and fourth phases of the Digital Village. These phases would see the development of labs that would “embrace oral and written communication and digital communication (and) benefit the entire university,” Lester said. The Davis Marksbury Building will also be the first on campus to receive certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. “This is a statement by the university that it takes sustainabil-
Lexington proposal may model Pa. city housing law By Katie Perkowski kperkowski@kykernel.com
PHOTO BY ZACH BRAKE | STAFF
Kinesiology junior Alex Anderson knocks over the competition during the first round of the "Twist Off" held at Haggin Field on Tuesday afternoon. four fraternities or sororities fielded their four-person Twister teams. Two rounds were played on each board, and the last person standing from each contest
First issue free. Subsequent issues 25 cents.
moved on to the championship match. As players battled, fans surrounded the boards in a cage of bodies and cheered for hard See Twister on page 3
ity seriously,” Lester said. Computer engineering freshman Fred Kantner said the LEED certification was significant. “It’s always important to be up to date with advancements,” Kantner said. “It proves that in Kentucky, we can keep up (with schools on the West Coast and in the Northeast).” Construction of the Davis Marksbury Building is expected to be completed by early 2011. “I feel very fortunate I’ll get to see it completed,” said computer science freshman Shaden Smith. “The building is a huge step towards becoming a top-20 research university, and to help the university in general, not just the engineering department.”
With a housing proposal still on the debate table, Lexington may soon vote on a plan built similarly around another university’s off-campus housing law. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Housing Planning Committee said housing off campus would be kept available for students, but if infractions by tenants occur, the landlord of that property could lose his or her license to lease that particular property. The UK proposal is similar to the current Penn State Plan, where certain zones near campus do not allow more than three unrelated people in a singlefamily home, and at least 225 feet must remain between lots of student houses. Herman Slaybaugh, zoning officer for State College, Pa., where Penn State is located, said the plan was put
in place to prevent other areas near the campus to be completely saturated with students. Slaybaugh said when the committee came up with the rule of no more than three students in 1979, they thought students would not be able to afford the house by dividing the mortgage by fewer people, causing the house to be picked up by a family. He said that did not work because factors were involved the board could not control, such as rental prices. The rule never stunted the growth, Slaybaugh said, but it did have the effect of lessening the stress on the houses and the stresses of crowded parking. Houses in areas already occupied by students were “grandfathered,” or allowed to abide by the original zoning rule, and landlords had to get a rentalhousing permit to continue to rent to See Housing on page 3
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PAGE 2 | Wednesday, October 7, 2009
SUBMARINE MAN One of the ways you can manipulate a photo in the darkroom is by "sandwiching" the negatives together in one carrier. This juxtaposes the images into one photo and can create a really cool effect. I took a photo of a friend's little brother and sandwiched it with a picture of an engine in order to create this picture. I love how the details in his face line up perfectly with the details in the engine to create the look of some kind of steampowered diving suit. — DJ WILLIAMS
4puz.com
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Hollywood for the record Newlyweds Claire Danes, 30, and her actor beau, Hugh Dancy, 34, were married in early September during a small, intimate ceremony held in France.
Ready to Wed Actor Andrew Shue, 42, got engaged to the Today show's Amy Robach, 36. It will be the second marriage for both.
Baby News Musician Ben Lee, 31, and his actress wife, Ione Skye, 39, welcomed daughter Goldie September 24. . . . CBS anchor Julie Chen, 39, had her first child, son Charlie, with her husband, CBS president Les Moonves, 60.
New Gig Heidi Pratt, 23, will co-host an episode of The View on October 1, filling in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who is out on maternity leave.
Bizkit Breakup Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, 39, announced to fans via Twitter that his marriage to Esther Nazarov is ending after two months.
It's a Wrap The Beautiful Life: TBL, starring Mischa Barton, was canceled after only two episodes. The CW drama,
produced by Ashton Kutcher, was axed after it got just 1.1 million viewers during its second week; the show's Wednesday night time slot will now feature reruns of the new Melrose Place.
Indebted Former Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson, 42, allegedly owes $1.1 million to several remodeling contractors and the state of California. According to L.A. County records, five construction companies filed liens against her for unpaid work on her Malibu home, guesthouse and swimming pool, and she owes more than $250,000 in 2007 back taxes.
Musical Milestones Nominations for new additions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced September 23. Voters will cast ballots to induct artists that include LL Cool J, Red Hot Chili Peppers and ABBA into the Hall of Fame in the March 15 ceremony.
Recovering The Tonight Show host -Conan O'Brien, 46, suffered a concussion after hitting his head while filming a sketch with Teri Hatcher. He was taken to a hospital for observation . . . . The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr., 29, who was engaged to model Agyness Deyn, has checked himself into rehab. COPYRIGHT 2008 US WEEKLY
online www.kykernel.com
Horoscope To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — You’re being drawn in seven different directions at once. Share your intuition with others, and go with it. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — The important thing is to think things through before starting. Let instinct point your feet in the right direction. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is an 8 — With all the activity around you today, be sure to take time for special moments with your partner. Cancer (June 22-July 22) —
Buy photos online. All photos that appear in the Kernel are available at ukcampusphotos.com.
Today is a 7 — You get 67 chances today to get your ideas out in the open. Please get the lid off that box! Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Fantasy is a medium you suddenly appreciate. This doesn’t mean you should go around telling lies. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Everything’s cooking on the right burner now! Just be sure to add the spices at the right time. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Balance work with pleasure. Ask an important question. Listen carefully to the answer. You may be surprised. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — If you remember a dream once you’re awake, share it with the first person you see. Or
record it in your journal.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
— Today is an 8 — As if you didn’t have enough to do on your own, others add to the pile. Sort the high-priority items. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Your list of things to accomplish is huge. By day’s end it will be short. More than one opportunity arises. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — You form or strengthen partnerships today through generous offers and practical means. The same goes for tomorrow. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — You have a lot of thread to weave into the fabric of your work today. You’re definitely up to the task. (C) 2009 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Making tee time
Golf expo hosts pros, contests
For more information
By Nick Rhodes news@kykernel.com
The middle of campus does not seem like the most logical place for a driving range, but on Tuesday, Stoll Field was just that. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Collegiate Golf Alliance and the Professional Golf Association worked with the UK Intramurals department to host a golf expo for students featuring professional instruction, a driving range, chipping contests, equipment samples and a putting area.
Visit www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Campus Rec/Intramurals “It’s pretty cool, I got to go to a mini driving range in between classes,” said Jason Turner, a mechanical engineering sophomore. Monique Fosado, a CGA event manager, said as of 1 p.m., about 60 students had stopped by Stoll Field to practice their golf skills and learn from PGA pro Tennye Ohr. “It started off slow, but once people
saw golf balls flying they stopped in,” Fosado said. Nick DeMarchi, a graduate assistant in UK Intramurals, was in charge of bringing the event to campus. “It is part of a program J.B. Holmes is sponsoring to grow golf with collegeaged students at UK, whether it’s business or recreational,” DeMarchi said. When Holmes, a Ky. native and former UK golfer, was on the Ryder Cup team, he donated $45,000 of his winnings to bring golf to UK, Ohr said. The CGA partners with schools to set up tournaments for alumni, students and general public. The proceeds from the tournaments are given back to the school to help fund scholarships, Fosado said.
New library combines best of math, science By Will Seiler news@kykernel.com
After a successful merger of libraries on campus, the Science Library will celebrate its one year anniversary Wednesday. The dedication will commemorate the merging of the chemical and physics, geology and math libraries into one building, located on the south side of the M.I. King Library. Janette Carver, head of the Science Library, said the combination of these three libraries is expected to benefit students by having more available resources. “This merger happened last fall for a number of rea-
sons,” Carver said. “So all of the faculty and staff members would be able to help students from one location, so that all of the resources and books would be in one location and finally it freed up space in other buildings.” Carver said the merger of the three libraries had been an ongoing process for a number of years. Having these resources available for students should have an impact on the overall math and science scores on campus, she said. Cristina Pinsker, a psychology junior, said the merger was a great idea. “It brings all the science resources into one building,”
HOUSING Continued from page 1 students, Slaybaugh said. The UK plan proposes students should make up no more than 50 percent of a residential street to reduce issues like noise, litter and crowded parking. It would also grandfather houses into the plan already rented by students. However, if a renter has an infraction like forgetting to mail in paperwork, the tenant could face the possibility of losing his or her ability to rent, said Student Government President Ryan Smith. Smith said there were no clear cut answers as to how many infractions or to what severity they would have to be committed in order to lose ability to rent. “It’s kind of a real slippery slope,” Smith said. Slaybaugh said since 1997, Penn State students’ parents began buying houses near campus for their children to live in with other student roommates. There have been about 50 houses owned by students and their parents, he said.
Pinsker said. The Science Library consists of chemistry and physics resources, astronomy resources and statistical resources, as well as the only map collection on campus. The map collection is considered to be one of the largest in Kentucky and is used by students for academic and recreational uses and historical references. Carver said the Science Library is for all students, not just students involved in the math and science departments. The Science Library has three floors of study space and eight private study rooms available to reserve.
Slaybaugh said to provide more housing options for students because of the plan, the university had a number of apartments built to accommodate growth in student population and built more campus housing. Slaybaugh said students have dominated downtown State College since the 1970s and no plan is in effect to get a zoning law there. “We want to keep student density the same there because that’s close to campus and it makes sense there,” he said. According to the plan submitted by the Student Housing Task Force on Sept. 8, the Lexington ordinance would apply to single and duplex homes but not apartment homes. The plan also states a goal of UK is to increase its undergraduate enrollment to almost 25,000 by 2020 but “is adding only 1,500 beds to campus housing stock.” The law works as a preventative measure, Slaybaugh said. “I think this law works in a limited way but … it preserves areas that haven’t already been lost in a sense,” he said. “That three unrelated rule in my judgment never stopped the growth.”
If you go What: Dedication of 1-yearold Science Library When: Wednesday at 11 a.m. Where: Third floor of the M.I. King Library Admission: Free The dedication ceremony will feature Carol Diedrichs, dean of libraries, Provost Kumble Subbaswamy and mathematics professor Peter Perry as speakers. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on the third floor of the M.I. King Library.
TWISTER Continued from page 1
falls and difficult stretches. The six winners from each elimination round met on a final board covered in syrup, oil and flour. When the contestants took their positions and the first “right foot blue” was called, white powder filled the air. Streams of syrup stuck to clothes. Feet slipped through oil. A thick batter caked the board and squished between toes. Cheers were met with more syrup, more flour and more mess. When the flour cleared and the game board had been peeled from contestants, Andrew Joyce, a political science sophomore and member of Lambda Chi Alpha, came out the ultimate winner of the
Twister competition for the second year in a row, but said he felt less than clean. “You know when you're making a cake?” Joyce said. “Absolutely disgusting.” Each fraternity or sorority entered one person in a hot dog eating contest where each contestant had one minute to scarf as many hot dogs as possible. For the women, a three-way tie for first place, with the top eaters shoving down one-anda-half hot dogs each, left no clear winner. For the men, Lambda Chi Alpha's Pete Ostling, a prepharmacy sophomore, crammed four hot dogs to take the win. “Slow and steady is the way to go,” Ostling said. Sarah Ausmus, a philosophy sophomore and Alpha Gamma Delta philanthropy coordinator, said each team donated $25 to compete.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 | PAGE 3
OPINIONS Wednesday, October 7, 2009
KERNEL EDITORIAL BOARD Kenny Colston, editor in chief Austin Schmitt, asst. opinions editor Melissa Vessels, managing editor Ben Jones, sports editor Allie Garza, managing editor Megan Hurt, features editor Wesley Robinson, opinions editor The opinions page provides a forum for the exchange of ideas. Unlike news stories, the Kernel’s unsigned editorials represent the views of a majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, columns, cartoons and other features on the opinions page reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of the Kernel.
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Campus moving toward eliminating violence ■ KERNEL EDITORIAL In 2007, a total of nine cases of domestic violence were reported on UK’s campus. There were seven reported cases of sexual abuse and three reported cases of non-forcible rape. In 2008, campus saw these numbers decrease. Domestic violence was reported five times. One case of sexual abuse and two reported cases of non-forcible rape were reported. But what do these numbers mean? The numbers are a direct reflection to an initiative on campus that has been covering students in Green Dots since they first arrived just more than four years ago. The Violence, Intervention and Prevention Center seeks to eliminate power-based personal violence, such as partner violence, sexual assault and stalking.
In a Sept. 29 Kernel article, UK Police reported the 2008 crime statistics, with Interim Police Chief Maj. Joe Monroe saying UK Police works closely with the VIP Center to decrease violence. “Some people go there for resources to make sure reports get filed … it seems to be successful,” he said. Sally Evans, educational program and volunteer coordinator, said the center’s work with UK Police has been a great partnership, calling the police incredible allies. While the numbers are decreasing, elimination should be the goal. The VIP Center’s use of resources and student outreach has made an impact on this campus. That impact needs to continue. Funding from the university needs to continue to go toward the VIP Center to ensure the elimination of
power-based personal violence. As a result of the funding from the university, support from Student Government and grants from the departments of Education and Justice, the VIP Center has been able to expand, allowing them to hire additional staff and employees. “Funding is essential,” Evans said. “UK has made (the VIP Center) a priority on campus.” The Sept. 29 Kernel article also stated UK Police reported an increase in traffic citations given out during 2008. While many students may find this number to be a sign of what some may consider a nuisance, the amount of traffic violations UK Police has cited and the number of potential accidents they’ve stopped can only be a benefit for this campus. In 2007, there were 1,412 traffic citations given out. In 2008,
that number rose to 2,352 — a difference of 940. The reason? Funding. Monroe said the increase in citations is directly related to the increased enforcement allowed by a grant UK Police received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This grant has enabled UK Police to have more officers focusing on traffic patrol, allowing UK Police to also focus on ticketing impaired drivers. The result? A nearly 100 percent increase in drunken driving arrests between 2007 and 2008, Monroe said. In 2007, UK Police arrested 119 individuals for driving under the influence. In 2008, they arrested 215 individuals. Working together, these two departments have created a significant impact on campus. It’s as simple as looking at the numbers to re-
alize that with the university’s support, these two services on campus will continue to make a difference. As the VIP Center continues to reach out to students, through its SEEDS program and the Green Dot strategy, more and more students will feel more comfortable reporting a crime. Yet just because the numbers are down does not mean every student who has had something happen to them is reporting their incident. Nor does it mean every student is taking charge as a bystander and stepping up to influence and prevent a situation. The numbers show change, but this change must continue. Funding must continue for both the VIP Center and UK Police so they can make a difference on our campus for current and future students each and every day.
Largest minority Media bias harms political debate group in nation highlighted by month Every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Americans observe and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month, America celebrates the culture JUAN and tradiESPINOSA Contributing tions of those who columnist trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. This observation began in 1968 when Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988 President Ronald Regan expanded the initiative to cover a 30 day period, and it was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, with the approval of Public Law 100-402. The period between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 is significant because many Latin American nations celebrate their independence within these dates. In addition, Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, which is Oct. 12, falls within this 30-day period. According to the U.S. Census, as of July 2008 there were about 46.9 million Hispanics in the U.S.—the largest ethnic minority. Millions of Hispanics own businesses and have been able to generate thousands of jobs for our economy. Hispanic small business owners have become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the U.S. economy. Hispanics are also doctors, lawyers, politicians and teachers. We have defended and served our nation in every conflict since the Revolutionary War. Throughout our history Hispanics have played and will continue to play a vital role in the economic, political and social fabric of the U.S. Various governmental and non-governmental institutions have co-organized events and exhibitions celebrating the month. If you visit Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks, you might want to visit one of the many exhibitions and events organized by the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. In Kentucky, Hispanics have been able to evidence the rapidly growing Hispanic population. According to the U.S. Cen-
sus Bureau, in 2008 Hispanics accounted for 2.4 percent of Kentucky’s population. Hispanic Heritage Month in the Bluegrass ranges from Cinco de Mayo celebrations to bilingual school programs. Our legacy has enriched our culture and diversity in the Commonwealth. We have also played a key role in several industries such as agriculture and equine, further contributing to the economic backbones of the Bluegrass. At UK we witnessed a growing number of Hispanic students, faculty and staff. As a freshman, I was one of very few Hispanic students. Now there has been a significant increase of Hispanics pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Even though Hispanics are still underrepresented in the student body, when compared to the national and state statistics, I am confident Hispanic and minority recruitment will continue to increase at UK. Hispanic enrollment and diversity will be essential in our efforts to make UK a top-20 institution.
If you go What: The PNC Festival Latino de Lexington When: Saturday at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Where: Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza Admission: Free For more information visit: http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page =239 As we are in the month of celebration, I would like to encourage you to attend events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the Lexington area. On Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Lexington Parks and Recreation, and many private business and organizations will host The PNC Festival Latino de Lexington at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza. This is a free event with various activities including live music, dance, art, exhibitions, presentations, food and much more. The Latin American Student Organization is also organizing its annual Latin American Week, which will include various activities and events to celebrate Hispanic heritage. For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month, visit http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/. Juan Espinosa is a political science senior. E-mail opinions@kykernel.com.
I can’t begin to tell you how happy I will be once a final decision is made on the president’s health care plan — even if it is a decision I don’t particularly like, just so long as some semblance of rational and respectful discourse is restored. I, like many other Americans, am sick of JUSTIN hearing both sides beLAMB having like children. Kernel One might think that columnist those tasked with the heavy job of fixing the nation’s health care system would be able to do so without claiming that the other side wants to kill people, but we would be wrong, I’m looking at you U.S. Reps. Michelle Bachman, R-Minn, and Alan Grayson, D-FL. Unfortunately, though, it seems this problem may be a little more systemic than just disagreements over health care. The downward slope of American discourse has been going on for quite some time now, but it’s difficult to pinpoint where exactly it began. It’s obviously not just those in Washington that been pulling this debate in the gutter, many in the media are just as responsible. I’ve gone after the media in past articles for devolving this debate, but I think in the past I’ve been too narrow. Yes, Fox News and Glenn Beck have affected this debate, but it is the whole of cable news that has fed into
misinformation. The networks, at some point, decided to stop reporting the news and start playing the ratings game. Fox News wants you to be foaming at the mouth, MSNBC wants you yelling at the television and CNN wants you to tweet them and download their new iPhone application. Unfortunately for the public, all of the methods these networks are using involve a bastardization of news and journalism. To those who think I unfairly attacked Glenn Beck a couple weeks ago, let me make it perfectly clear that I think Glenn Beck is a symptom of the overall problem that exists in news today. Another symptom of this problem is, Keith Olbermann. Even though I generally agree with Olbermann’s opinions on issues, it must be said that he is not a news man.
We can’t expect people to be adequately informed when so much of their news is tainted by bias ... Neither Olbermann, nor Beck, or the scores of others like them on TV, radio, or the internet, are responsible, thoughtful journalists, and don’t deserve to be on the same networks that purport themselves to be news focused. News and opinion are meant to be separate. That’s very clear in newspapers, where opinions and editorials are published in the back of a paper under a large banner proclaiming them opinions.
They are not held up to the same standards as front page news, and the readers know that. It’s very clear to those who read newspapers where news ends and opinion begins. On television however, there is no distinction. These networks operate under the banner of 24-hour-news. Their viewers are constantly told by the networks that it’s all news all the time, or that they are “fair and balanced” or America’s number one place for news, but it can hardly be said that the shows Mr. Beck and Mr. Olbermann do are news. When you lose the distinction between opinion and news it’s very clear the entire operation cheapens. All of the “news” on Fox and MSNBC has been tainted by opinion. Neither presents news as a statement of fact but rather as editorial masquerading as fact. I don’t know that the same can be said for CNN because they come off more as needy than as biased, but CNN is probably another column entirely. We can’t expect the people to be adequately informed when so much of their news is tainted by bias, and we definitely can’t expect politicians to act like adults when their ideologies are on display as fact 24 hours a day in millions of American homes. It’s my hope that at some point we can separate news and opinion in all media, but until then, here’s to seeing this opinion piece published where it belongs, in the back of the paper. Justin Lamb is a political science junior. E-mail opinions@kykernel.com.
Protest still best way to make change Last Tuesday I shared my impression of the protests in Pittsburgh surrounding the summit of the Group of 20. As I explained, the G20 is the group of world leaders that peRICHARD riodically BECKER meets in a Kernel member nacolumnist tion to establish the economic agenda for Earth’s nearly 6.8 billion people. In response to this column, I received more feedback than I have ever before received to a column in the Kernel. Much of it was positive, but the negative feedback centered on one theme, and it was a question: “Just what were you protesting, and why?” My impression was those joining me in protest were demonstrating against the very notion of a G20. It is a meeting which most of the Western world takes as granted without ever questioning its legitimacy. The fact that the leaders of the world’s richest nations meet periodically to chart the economic destiny of the world’s people is, to me and to my compatriots in the streets of Pittsburgh, a profoundly disturbing notion. But beyond that, the meeting of the G20 is an opportunity for those citizens whose most important grievances are international to voice their concerns to one of the few gatherings of the world’s leaders. During the G20, on an
otherwise lackluster afternoon downtown, my friends and I were greeted by a spontaneous cross-city march of over 100 Tibetans shouting pro-Tibet slogans at the top of their lungs, dragging a picture of Chinese President Hu Jintao on the ground behind them, galvanizing the attention of those around them. Was this an explicitly G20-related protest? No. But was it an astute political use of the opportunity afforded by the G20 meeting to address the world? Of course. Where else are exiled Tibetans going to have the opportunity to confront a Chinese leader in such close quarters?
Aside from the fact that that is one of the most fundamental problems of our political system, that is a patently empty critique. Despite the fact that the authorities kept all demonstrations far out of ear-shot of the gathered leaders, this was still a proud and admirable demonstration against the unjust Chinese occupation of Tibet. Yet the criticisms continue: “Why would you protest? That does no good. No one is going to listen to you.” Aside from the fact that that is one of the most fundamental problems of our political system, that is a patently empty critique. The fact that those in power don’t wish to
hear dissent is neither novel nor unexpected. It is unfortunately a fact, but not one which should preclude citizens raising their voices in the streets. We demonstrate in spite of our leaders’ indifference to our concerns. But there is more to it than that. To be sure, there were those who were present to protest in favor of against their own narrow, sectarian interests. There was one uniting theme to the complaints in Pittsburgh. Regardless of what specifically brought them there, I would argue that most of the demonstrators at the G20 held one belief in common: that global capitalism has failed the people of America, and failed the people of the world. As historian and activist Howard Zinn writes, “[c]capitalism has always been a failure for the lower classes. It is now beginning to fail for the middle classes.” And that is why we are living in such a critical moment in our nation’s politics. The middle class is finally realizing what the lower classes have always known: that our economic system is specifically geared toward the enrichment of the few at the expense of the many. I don’t mean to call for the abolition of capitalism. However, people the world over are sick and tired of being kicked around by a system that places profits over people. In America, we are witnessing as our tax dollars go to bail out poorly-run banks and poorly-run cor-
porations. At the same time as these bailouts are being distributed, the unemployment rate in the U.S. is reaching its highest point in 26 years with millions of Americans worrying about supporting their families. Furthermore, 47 million Americans live day-to-day without health insurance with few signs of hope on the horizon. These are the products of our economic system, a system staunchly defended by the G20 leaders, including President Obama. So, I ask the critics: why shouldn’t we raise our voices? Richard Becker is a history senior. E-mail opinions@kykernel.com.
The influential G20’s consists of nearly two-thirds of the worlds population. 2.32 billion people 4.38 billion outside of represented the G20
by the G20
Bodies of the G20 Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdon, United States, European Union MAP BY KELLY WILEY | STAFF
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 | PAGE 5
LARGE 2 OR 3BR APT. 2BA, c/air, w/d. 235 South Limestone. Great price. 281-1367 LARGE APTS. FOR RENT: 320 S. Broadway Park: This Nice Older Home has been divided into Two Large Apartments, both with Upper & Lower Floors, & Separate Entrances. Each Apartment has 3BR & 2BA. Hardwood Floors, High Ceilings; comes with a stackable W/D; Nice Cabinets & Countertops; located on a cul-de-sac street, convenient to UK; off-st. parking; Charming and Pet Friendly! $1,200/mo. + utilities; $900 deposit. Managed by Modern Property Management, Inc. Call Amber at 859-473-4460 or Paola (Se habla Español!) at 859-270-1558 or 859-388-2000 for more information or an appointment to see the property. Email: amber@mpmlex.com
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PAGE 6 | Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Basketball rankings, Hartline among bad column ideas As a columnist, people are always pitching me ideas to write about. Most of them aren’t great ideas. In fact, most are quite bad. Mostly, though, the ideas I hear are overplayed. I’m tired of hearing about them. Some of them have already been written about, and I have nothing new to add. Other ideas just don’t have legs. JAMES way, I hear about PENNINGTON theseEither topics a lot around Kernel campus. columnist I’ll unload some of them now: 1. UK’s No. 1: Since its release Monday, my inbox has been flooded with people asking for my opinion on Jeff Sagarin’s rankings, which place UK No. 1 in its alltime hoops poll. I’ve been referred to ESPN.com’s Pat Forde, who wrote UK’s ranking wasn’t near justified. He said UK’s run-ins with NCAA violations should offset some of its success,
and that UCLA’s 11 national championships should leapfrog UK’s seven, along with the Cats’ all-time win total of 1,988. Forde blamed the flawed computer system. He noted the computers don’t take national championships into account — just double points for NCAA tournament victories. I’m with him that the computer system could use some refining. Each program hangs its hat on national championships, so shouldn’t the computer rankings? If the computers took national championships into account, maybe the results would differ; maybe they’d remain the same. Either way, UK fans shouldn’t put too much stock into a ranking in which UK’s biggest claim to fame (seven titles) is not considered. 2. Mike Hartline: Every Saturday, readers remind me that quarterback Mike Hartline is the problem. He’s the reason UK loses to Florida (No. 1) and Alabama (No. 3), right? Hardly. Hartline didn’t turn in his best perform-
PHOTO BY BRITNEY MCINTOSH | STAFF
Freshman quarterback Ryan Mossakowski, left, will redshirt this season. Fellow freshman Morgan Newton’s status is still up in the air.
Freshman quarterbacks biding their time on the sidelines By Ben Jones bjones@kykernel.com
When star freshman quarterback Morgan Newton arrived on campus, there were plenty of questions about how UK would use him in his freshman season. Even after fall camp and four games, most of those same questions still linger. Newton may or may not redshirt this season. There is also a chance he could play this weekend against South Carolina. “There’s always a chance,” Newton said. “You never know what happens. You’re always a couple plays away, so you never know what can happen. You just have to try to be ready, prepare yourself as if it’s going to happen.” UK head coach Rich Brooks said on Monday it was unlikely Newton would play this season “unless something drastic happens,” even though he would not rule out the possibility. For now, he is sticking with junior Mike Hartline at quarterback. At this point in the season, Newton has not progressed as quickly as UK coaches would have hoped. Brooks still feels good about the future of the quarterback position, but is worried about throwing a freshman into the mix without a solid supporting cast. There has been no discussion among the coaches about replacing Hartline, Brooks said. That leaves Newton in the same limbo he has been in since he arrived. “They said there’s still a possibility that I could be redshirted depending on what happens,” Newton said. “You just got to expect the unexpected and take it how it comes.” One player who is sure of his role this season is freshman quarterback Ryan Mossakowski. Entering the season, it was widely assumed that Mossakowski would sit the season out and take a redshirt. Even
Brooks acknowledged that was the most likely scenario before the season. Mossakowski confirmed those rumors on Tuesday. “I found that out about a game in,” Mossakowski said. “So I’ve known for a little while, about a month. It’s not bad, not bad at all. I’m glad I’m getting redshirted.” Mossakowski will work to bulk up and rebuild his arm strength after shoulder surgery this past offseason. He said he thinks UK coaches decided to redshirt him immediately instead of Newton because they liked Newton’s athletic ability. Mossakowski will see most of his action as a quarterback for the scout team as it prepares the defense for upcoming opponents every week. By redshirting Mossakowski, the coaches feel they are giving him the best opportunity they can to help him succeed — the same reason why they will not throw Newton into games before he is ready. “We just need to make sure that they’re getting every opportunity to be successful when they go in there,” Brooks said. “And if it happens they have to go in, maybe before that time, so be it. But at this point it doesn’t make a lot of sense to do that.” For his part, Newton acknowledged he needed to work on almost “everything” about his game. He said he is trying to learn as much as he can in practice everyday while showing the coaches he can help the team. But for now, he’s not even sure if he has any control over whether he plays or redshirts. “To be honest, I don’t know if it has anything to do with me,” Newton said. “(The coaches are) just evaluating the things that happen on the field and they feel like Mike’s the best quarterback to help us win right now.”
UK fans shouldn’t put too much stock into a ranking in which UK’s biggest claim to fame (seven titles) is not considered. ances against Florida or Alabama, and he’d be the first to tell you. But what are fans expecting for any quarterback to do against either one of those teams? Florida returned two-deep at all 11 defensive positions from last year’s team which, by the way, easily won the national championship. Alabama’s D wasn’t far behind. What do fans legitimately expect Hartline to do against these defenses? Sure, he could have performed better in each game. I’m not saying he was perfect, but what options do the Cats have? Freshman Morgan Newton didn’t impress Rich Brooks in practice and fellow newcomer Ryan Mossakowski redshirted. Hartline has the talent to compete at a high
level, but his talent won’t carry him against Southeastern Conference defenses. What will carry him is experience, some of which he may gain through some painful outings. Still, he’s 8-5 as a starter. Not bad at all. We’ll learn more about Hartline against South Carolina and Auburn in the next two games. Until then, calling for his head won’t do much good. 3. UK volleyball: UK’s hottest team right now is Craig Skinner’s volleyball team. The Cats are No. 10 in the nation currently, their first top-10 ranking since 1993. They’re 15-1, with the only loss coming to Louisville. If UK had defeated its in-state rival, it would be in the top five. So why haven’t most students heard about it? Sadly, because it’s volleyball. When people tell me to write about volleyball, that’s all they say. “Write about how great the volleyball team is,” more or less. Well, I am now. And they are great. Can’t I just leave it at that? James Pennington is a journalism senior. E-mail jpennington@kykernel.com.