Taking home the crown
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MONDAY
NOVEMBER 2, 2009
Online: Hollywood A-listers become their own Halloween ‘monster’ for famous roles WWW.KYKERNEL.COM
KENTUCKY KERNEL CELEBRATING 38 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Night of thrills All Hallo’s Eve. A night that historically brings out goblins and ghosts has expanded to more than just ghost hunting and trick-or -treating. Whether it was a tribute to a fallen pop star, a prelude to the greatest costume bash outside of Halloween or a “blackout” that was more trick than treat, UK and Lexington celebrated the Halloween weekend the only way it knows how: with lots of fun.
Business freshman Alex Sanders plays the role of Michael Jackson during the Thriller Parade in downtown on Lexington Friday night.
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Dixon, Bulldogs run over Cats for 31-24 victory By Ben Jones bjones@kykernel.com
Corey Peters was confused. The senior defensive tackle wasn’t sure about what had just happened. He couldn’t tell if Mississippi State senior tailback Anthony Dixon was as talented as he looked in the Cats’ 31-24 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night or if UK’s defense had helped make him look like the lovechild of a bulldozer and a ballerina. A reporter told him Dixon finished with a career-high 252 rushing yards on the night. “He’s not that good,” Peters quickly decided, shaking his head. “He’s a great back and we just didn’t play that well.” Dixon’s ground assault, punctuated by two touchdowns and no tackles for loss, propelled the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) past the Cats. Mississippi State outgained UK 493 yards to 308, including 348 total rushing yards. UK defenders bounced off Dixon on nearly every play as he rumbled to a 7.6 yards-per-carry average on 33 carries. First issue free. Subsequent issues 25 cents.
“They only ran three or four plays and we prepared for those plays, and they continuously ran it down our throat,” Peters said. “It’s sort of a helpless feeling … They just continuously, continuously, continued to pound it.” The loss spoiled what initially appeared to be a coming-out party for freshman quarterback Morgan Newton, who played the entire game at quarterback after shuffling back and forth with junior Will Fidler previous weeks. Newton completed 11-of-18 passes for 119 yards while also running for 49 yards and a touchdown, but he made what UK head coach Rich Brooks called “young” mistakes down the stretch. Newton threw an interception in the red zone on one possession and he was sacked three times on the night. “He did make some really good throws and did some good things as well as making some mistakes,” Brooks said. “Right now, it doesn’t seem like we have anyone who isn’t See Football on page 3
PHOTO BY ZACH BRAKE | STAFF
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Teaching new skills Successful music performer shows students the art of playing the fiddle By Tilly Finley news@kykernel.com
UK students who participate in the String Project, a 9-year-old music program for Fayette County school children and others, were not the only ones who taught something Saturday. Mark O’Connor, a prestigious American violinist and composer who has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, performed at the program and taught students of all ages how to play an old American fiddle tune while emphasizing the skill of improvisation. Kristen Kline, a music education graduate student who has worked with the program for about four years, said it meant a lot having O’Connor there. “He is very passionate about fiddle music which is a very different aspect from classical string,” Kline said. “Most students
go straight into classical training so other styles help them broaden abilities, especially improvisation.” O’Connor, who recently came out with a method for developing instrument skills focused toward younger children, spent part of his visit explaining the method in more detail with hopes of helping the String Project and music program. “It is important for me to be involved in education as a professional and composer of music,” O’Connor said. “A lot of things in the music profession, including my method, will resonate with the next generation. After waiting five to 20 years to take hold, it will be these young people playing the instruments and thinking about the concepts.” O’Connor also stressed the importance of American music as part of school curriculum. “I want to get it out as much as possible because unfortunately it’s not included in most places,” he said. The String Project takes place at universities nationwide as a way to provide low cost instruction for the violin, viola, cello See String Project on page 6 Newsroom: 257-1915; Advertising: 257-2872
PAGE 2 | Monday, November 2, 2009
CAUGHT IN A MOMENT
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During a shootout hunt during the Mountain Workshops a feature photo late Friday night, I stumbled upon a Halloween party in Murray, Ky. The party, lit by strobe and Christmas lights, was like a visual candy store for me. The theme of the shootout was "Friday Night Lights." I feel like I captured that in this tender moment between a couple at the party. — ALLIE GARZA
Taylor and Taylor It's On! All-day dates! Hand-holding and late night visits! Megastars Swift and Lautner take their burgeoning romance to the next level While Taylor Lautner is always a little reserved, the Twilight hunk clad in a hooded sweatshirt and leather jacket seemed especially shy when he arrived at the Beverly Wilshire hotel around 10:30 the night of October 25. "You could tell he was trying to hide under his hood," says an onlooker. "He did not want to be photographed." Why so coy? He was escorting his new paramour, country music sensation Taylor Swift. The late night hotel stop capped off an all-day outing for the pair, who dropped by a commercial shoot for music video game Band Hero in downtown L.A. before catching an L.A. Kings hockey game at the Staples Center. "They were signing autographs for all the fans who approached them," a witness says of Swift, 19, and Lautner, 17, whose sure-to-be blockbuster New Moon hits theaters November 20. And though their visit to the Beverly Hills landmark was more private, the pair still had an audience. "He walked her up to her room, which she was sharing with her mom," a source says. "He hung out for about an hour, then left." Despite the PG nature of the visit, friends note that the pair have become increasingly cozy since their stageside embrace at Swift's Chicago-area concert October 9 sparked relationship rumors. "They have gotten closer," says a friend of the triple-platinum singer-songwriter and the actor.
"They talk all the time." Seconds another pal: "They're having fun." (Lautner's rep had no comment; Swift's could not be reached.)
Heating Up The twosome, who first met when they locked lips in July on the set of the rom-com Valentine's Day (due out February 12), haven't been shy about showing affection. When Swift brought her squeeze for a surprise visit to the commercial set October 25, where Travis Barker and Pete Wentz were filming their spots (she wasn't scheduled to shoot until the next day), "they were definitely acting like a couple," a source says. "They were holding hands and talking into each other's ears." And, projects an insider, the Taylors' affection will grow: "It's very new. I wouldn't call it love yet." It's hardly surprising they clicked, though, say friends. Neither is a stranger to high-profile relationships she dated Joe Jonas, 20, for three months in 2008; he was briefly linked to Selena Gomez, 17, this spring and both share the same down-to-earth charm. "Taylor is an extremely sweet guy," says one Lautner source. "Super-close to his mom and just an all-around good person." As for the award-winning artist, "she is still the girl who will bake cookies for her friends."
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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 a 6 —Adapting to your partner's desires can be tricky. Listen carefully to the words, but also pay careful attention to your instincts. You get further that way. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 —Focus on the deeper meanings in your relationships. Imagine a world where you can say "I love you" every day. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is a 7 — Keep your eyes open. You're likely to discover new methods for getting things done. It's all about imagination now. Cancer (June 22-July 22) —
Buy photos online. All photos that appear in the Kernel are available at ukcampusphotos.com.
Today is a 7 — Adapt your desires to the needs of an associate. Use your imagination to figure out how to fix a communication problem. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Because you have to adapt to someone else's needs, shake off emotional tension and focus on compassion action. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Immerse yourself in feelings. You sense the wealth of love in your environment. Say "thank you." Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Be ready to change your tune. Your partner's playing a different instrument. You'll love the duets. Scorpio (Oct. 23--Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — A female acts like she's seen a ghost. Listen carefully to her story. There's a message in it for you.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
— Today is a 7 — Group effort works only if everyone participates. Listen to each person and weave a complete story. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Fresh concepts earn money and boost self-esteem. Add a feminine touch, even to products designed for men only. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 6 — Cash flows out now. You see that more income is possible, but it won't arrive today. Adjust your behavior accordingly. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Your imagination carries you away to a wonderful story land. This is Monday. Do you need to focus on work?
(C) 2009 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Monday, November 2, 2009 | PAGE 3
PHOTO BY SCOTT HANNIGAN | STAFF
Junior goalie Derek Steinbrecher makes a save against Kennesaw State. UK nearly posted a shutout over the Owls before giving up two late goals.
Cool Cats stonewall Kennesaw By Roy York ryork@kykernel.com
There's the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and somewhere in between there's the Cool Cats’ defense. For 52 minutes Saturday night, the UK club hockey team frustrated the Owls of Kennesaw State, holding them scoreless while the Cats racked up 10 goals until the Owls punched a hole in the UK defense late in the third period. “It was a tough break on the shots and the deflections (for Kennesaw State's goals),” junior goalie Derek Steinbrecher said. “But we held their top player, No. 23, scoreless for the whole weekend.” UK (14-1-0) has proven to be explosive on the offensive end of the ice, but Steinbrecher said the 10-2 win and weekend sweep of Kennesaw State proves the offense depends on the Cats' back line. “We make two passes and we're already at the blue line of the opposing team,” Steinbrecher said. “It starts with the defense.” UK head coach Rob Docherty said his team likes to push the puck down the ice and
get the defense in on the action. “When we get up nine or 10 goals in a game like this, everybody wants a piece,” Docherty said. “I'll wave them ahead if they've got room to go with the play, but they have to make sure they don't get caught (on transition).” Senior forward Tony Valerino said the Cats have been working on defense during practices and the team has been looking for a weekend to prove its potency on both sides of the puck. He said the Cats' explosive offense starts with forwards popping back onto defense, cutting off passing lanes and transitioning quickly to attack. The Cats used their defensive wall, anchored by the goal-keeping duo of Steinbrecher and junior Jim Borgaard, as a springboard for an early offensive attack. UK jumped ahead 5-0 on the Owls in the first period, but Kennesaw State didn't go quietly. The Owls took the ice in the second period in front of a new keeper. The Owls’ big hits and aggressive play slowed the UK offense to a crawl netting only one goal at the end of the See Hockey on page 6
Dixon’s career night leaves UK searching for answers After Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State, none of the players — none of the players available to the media, anyway — could figure out how the 31-24 loss went JAMES PENNINGTON down. Sure, Kernel Mississipcolumnist pi State’s Anthony Dixon ran 33 times for 252 yards, besting his previous career high by almost 80 yards. Yes, UK’s defense surrendered the big plays they had yet to surrender this year. Everybody noticed that. But how did it all happen Saturday, on such an emotion-driven Homecoming Halloween? “This was a big night with Halloween, so many alumni, we had a blackout going,” said Randall Cobb, referring to the fans’ directive to wear all-black in the stands. “Just so many things, and we didn’t play with any emotion.” Prior to Saturday, Dixon was the Southeastern Conference’s third-leading rusher. The two backs outranking him, Alabama’s Mark Ingram and Auburn’s Ben Tate, had played UK earlier in the season. Ingram and Tate ran for a combined 272 yards against the Cats, a number Dixon very well could have broken
with one more of those counter plays that spooked UK so badly, so many times. Having held those two backs to big-but-not-gigantic games, how did Dixon slip through the cracks? The players didn’t know. "I honestly don't have any idea," Corey Peters said. Defensive coordinator Steve Brown offered a bit of an idea, saying the schematics and the personnel within those schemes weren’t right. But Dixon kept abusing UK in the same way, busting plays up the middle and using that counter play to create a little misdirection. If he kept giving UK the same looks, why didn’t the failing schemes change during the game to try and make up a little ground? Turns out most of the time, Dixon — bigger than UK starting linebacker Danny Trevathan — didn’t confuse the defense as much as he just ran around it, through it or over it. “It was one of those deals where you think you’re in great shape and all of a sudden, bam, he pops out,” Brown said. “We’ll have to look at it very closely and see how it went wrong, why it went wrong.” Another reason it went wrong: big plays. For a defense that has been so good about bending but not breaking on big play situations, the Cats gave up several on Saturday. Dixon kept matriculating the ball up the field, but one particularly long run of 44
FOOTBALL Continued from page 1 going to make some mistakes.” Behind improved play from Newton, UK climbed out to a 14-3 lead before Dixon led the Bulldogs back. Newton even led UK down the field in the closing minutes with a chance at a touchdown to tie the game before he was tackled on fourth down, dashing UK’s hopes of another comeback. Despite Newton’s progress, he said he was going to have to win back some teammates after the loss and improve his play and his leadership ability. “We’ve got people who have been around this program a long time,” Newton said. “Obviously, I’m fresh here. I’m 18 years old. I just want to go out and play for them, I know there’s a lot of seniors that have four or five games left in their careers and you want to help them win games, and I wasn’t able to do
yards stood out. Then backup quarterback Chris Reif suddenly entered the game, reeled off a run of 53 yards, and just as quickly was back on the sideline for the rest of the night. And particularly painful was the play-action pass on the option from otherwise neutralized Tyson Lee to O’Neal Wilder, a 67-yard score. “That’s the thing that’s discouraging. They did a nice job of the one pass they had, but that’s the only one they had,” Brown said. “They go to the speed option. Your guy’s supposed to cover a guy, and bam, big play touchdown. That’s disheartening as heck but hopefully it’ll be a lesson for all of us to grow from.” Better grow from it quickly. If UK doesn’t beat Georgia on the road or Tennessee on Senior Day, UK’s ticket to its fourth-straight bowl, perhaps to Nashville’s Music City Bowl, has to be punched Nov. 14 in Nashville’s Vanderbilt Stadium. So how do the Cats learn from their Halloween scare? Hit the film room and figure out what happened, Peters said. “I don’t know what happened, but I’m intent on finding out,” he said. At least Anthony Dixon is behind them for the last time, like he was 33 times Saturday. James Pennington is a journalism senior. E-mail jpennington@kykernel.com.
it tonight.” Once again, Brooks took much of the loss personally. He said he was outcoached and didn’t impress upon his team the kind of physical play Mississippi State would bring. Sophomore wide receiver Randall Cobb said he wasn’t sure how the team could play so poorly on such a big night for the program. “For us to not come out and play with any emotion — this was a big night with Halloween, a lot of alumni, we had a blackout — just so many things and we didn’t play with any emotion,” Cobb said. “I don’t really know what to say right now.” The loss prevents UK from having the possibility of becoming bowl-eligible with a home win next week against Eastern Kentucky. Players said with the loss, the team is all but eliminated from contending for the bowls they wanted to contend for and they now have to fight just to reach a bowl. “The season isn’t lost,” Brooks said. “But it certainly isn’t going to be the type of season we thought it could be if we had won this football game.”
OPINIONS Monday, November 2, 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.
Page 4
Housing debate must be solved sooner, not later ■ KERNEL EDITORIAL
This semester seems to be the semester of drawn out, persistent issues. At the front of the pack is the Urban County Council Planning Committee’s Student Housing Plan. According to a Wednesday Oct. 28 Kernel article, as of now, the plan sits in limbo, as the definition of a student house has to be established. After weeks of debate, the committee is just now trying to define what a student house is, what fraternity or sorority houses are and which neighborhoods the plan will be implemented in. Shouldn’t that have been the first step? Areas like Big Bear Lane, where students migrate after their dorm years have ended, could be targeted and the committee could “informally label some streets as university housing, so those who don’t want to live that type of lifestyle know not to live there,” said Anthony Humphress, alumni adviser for Greek InterVarsity. No one is questioning that students need to clean up their act and be responsible adults, but there’s a difference between cracking down on areas that need fixing and “party houses,” and preserving neighborhoods as they are. It is true that composing a comprehensive plan to reform the Lexington residential areas, spanning multiple issues and affecting multiple groups, is not easy, however, each time the committee meets, we get a new detail about what the housing plan is looking at. Yes, it’s great the committee is hearing concerns from all sides and making changes, but the committee must be proactive and anticipatory of the problems that may or may not arise. Because of the way the situation has been handled there is a proverbial line in the sand between students and Lexington residents, and that may not even be the most important issue the SHAC is trying to fix. Interestingly enough, at the most recent meeting the task force was able to increase its budget 100 percent to $200,000 to enforce whatever policy they do come up with. That money also includes prospective revenue from enforcing this plan. The majority of the budget will go toward staffing that will increase enforcement and civil penalties, Jarvis said. The fines will help create the revenue. But how can you hire staff when you have yet to even tackle the fine details of the problem? Seems like a lot of that type of mentality is going around these days — attack the “problem” first, figure out where the problem occurs and how to define the problem areas later.
Trustees procedure disallowed fair debate Tuesday after the “Boardroom Bash,” UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr. told the Lexington Herald-Leader, “They said a lot…they were heard.” No, President Todd, we did not say a lot because KIMBERLY we were igHOFFMEISTER Contributing nored. And, no, President columnist Todd, we were not heard because, you and 11 other board members bolted from the room (all of whom voted for “Wildcat Coal Lodge”). How can you say we were heard under those conditions? Furthermore, time was not granted to the board members to read our printed student statement (which was copied for every member on the board) before voting. It is pure irony that a university, a system built for learning, involvement and expressing your voice, would not allow us to do so. Todd expressed to the Kernel, “They did not follow the formal process to be placed on the meeting agenda.” Is it not important to hear your tuition-paying students, staff and faculty when such controversial events arise? We are the foundation of the university— without us there is no university. Accountability does not loom over your heads, it was apparent in the days to come students were going to be present at the meeting. If Todd was concerned about our viewpoints, he would have been the responsible president and informed the student body of the “formal process.” Technically, as the Kernel reported, the Board of Trustees’ Web site does not provide the procedures or even state the existence of a “formal process” to speak at meetings. After a discussion with a relative who holds a position of board member of a college, they agreed, the students, staff and faculty should have been given time to speak, especially if all three votes against the renaming of the lodge were from the student, staff and faculty representative. For instance, in the case of Lexington’s City Council, every individual is allotted three minutes to speak. If time
runs out, the council schedules another meeting in order to hear those individuals. Yet Tuesday, students were prevented from even reading a few paragraphs. The paragraphs explicitly elucidate how “Wildcat Coal Lodge” is a violation according to UK's Administrative Regulations “Policy Statement and Advisory Committee on Naming University Property,” under Article III, General Guidelines, sections D, F and K. So, who are the 16 individuals who voted for the name change (one member was not present)? The group consists of attorneys, former teachers, doctors, CEOs, the CFO of Ball homes, a retired NFL player, the President of Miles Farm Supply & Marathon Fuels, a partner in lobbying firm, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves Judge Advocate General’s Corp., car dealership owners, a president of an allegedly going green university and our heroic faculty and staff representatives and SG President (Ernest Yanarella, Robynn Pease and Ryan Smith). Since 1992, Board of Trustees members have been selected by the governor. Sandy Burgie Patterson, the alumni representative, ought to take initiative before escaping to the backroom and listen to not only the students, but the alumni of UK. Currently, alums are receiving donation letters in the mail. If alums feel neglected, you can bet your $7 million Wildcat Coal Lodge donations will significantly decrease. Maybe board member Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton (yes the “Bill” Gatton) would disagree with the name change if his current on campus building became the “Joe Camel” building; or perhaps board member James W. Stuckert would have second thoughts if his building changed to the “Wal-mart” Career Center. “But in all fairness Mr. Stuckert, Wal-Mart donated $7 million dollars and demanded the name.” We, the students, want to be heard and we demand the vote be reconsidered. Naming a building after an industry or a lobbying group is selling out the university and President Todd, Big Blue can’t be bought. Kimberly Hoffmeister is an animal sciences senior. Email opinions@kykernel.com.
JESSICA HATTERMAN, Contributing cartoonist
Afghanistan conflict atypical situation A plethora of voices rise and fall, providing a crude orchestra its oomph. Voices mesh together into a conglomerate of tones; some loud, some soft, some commanding and some accepting, each contributing to the performance. Underneath the vocals is percussion, RYAN provided by a shodPITTS Contributing dy assembly of hammers and encolumnist gines. Listening closer, you hear strings, whose origin emanates from the desert wind whistling around bodies, vehicles and equipment. Symphonies like this are the ohso-beautiful sound of Afghani road construction. Hearing resonations such as this before Oct. 7, 2001 was a rare treat to Afghan ears. The Taliban put little emphasis on infrastructure. Their interests included, but were not limited to: poppy, an Islamic empire, restricting freedoms and, as of now, retaking Afghanistan. Upon the United States’ declaration of the “War on Terror” and subsequent invasion of Afghanistan, things began to change. We rolled into the area and easily ousted the Taliban. They ran, of course, straight into Pakistan. Now it seems we are fighting an uphill battle in the war. Guerrilla tactics are besting us, the Taliban are cutting off supply lines, detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs), threatening villagers, invading isolated military bases and employing infamous hit-and-run tactics on a 30 minute timer, to elude American air support. How have the Taliban managed this underdog comeback? Well, my friends, it’s mostly our blunder. Our strategy is flawed. Too many civilians have died, too little construction has occurred and not enough security has been provided. A guerrilla army can only be efficiently dismantled with the help of the state’s population. Right now, we don’t have that vital support. The key to gaining this support, I
believe, lies in realizing the Afghanis’ are people in the pursuit of happiness, just as we are. They will take whatever they feel is best for themselves and their country, regardless of the source. We must make Afghanis see the Taliban as the enemy, and us, at worst, the lesser of two evils. In a recent interview with Cmdr. Bill Serad of the Navy reserve who served a tour east of Kabul, Afghanistan from February through November 2008, he solidified this view and provided more valuable insights. He told of the blessings of paved roads and reduced IED risks that come with them. But his comments regarding the Afghan people were the most interesting. Serad told stories you don’t often hear on the news. He told of an Afghani grudge against Pakistan for harboring the Taliban, and that many villages say when the U.S. can promise them security from harassment and harm, they will cooperate. He brought a sense of humanity to these people. In particular, Serad told the story of his interpreter during his tour. One day the interpreter received a phone call in which a man simply said, “We know you work with the Americans, we know where you live.” His interpreter continued to work for him after the call, but at his first chance the man left Afghanistan with his family and now lives in the U.S. Clearly we need a different approach; a way to provide necessary security and create an image of genuine aide. The foremost threat to our troops are IEDs. They prevent a more expansive patrolling. In addition our current level of troops is not sufficient to secure the entire country. And like Serad informed me, “seven years ago they didn’t even have an army.” The Afghan government is not ready to fend for itself. Can you imagine pulling a heavy cart across rugged terrain? More importantly, how would you react to your new road being destroyed by a 50-pound fertilizer based IED. You would be infuriated, once again must pull your cart across rough ground. Would you align yourself with a group willing to blow apart your
cherished road? A strategy that involves assisting the Afghan government in creating a system of roads may prove most effective. Where there are paved roads in Afghanistan, the instances of successful IED detonations dramatically decline. Many bombs are reported, or not installed at all because of increased difficulty. With road construction we gain civilian support, instill a sense of accomplishment in Afghanis and most importantly reduce the risk of IED causalities. A domino effect is created; if our troops have less IEDs to worry about, they can focus on providing more security to villages; allowing Afghanis freedom from Taliban influence and a chance to establish the government they desire. Regardless of the strategy adopted, more troops will be needed to halt the Taliban offensive. Hopefully the Obama administration will deploy them sooner rather than later. Maybe these troops will facilitate an orchestra of construction in Afghanistan’s deserts. In time, perhaps the ragtag symphony will transform into the crescendo of city life. We can only hope for the best. Ryan Pitts is a journalism freshman.E-mail opinions@kykernel.com.
Taliban’s war tactics 1000
800
600
400
200
515 IED’s in 2006
705 IED’s in 2007
828 IED’s in 2008
925 IED’s in 2009
0
GRAPH BY KELLY WILEY | STAFF
■ IED’s have become highest risk for troops in Afghanistan. Information obtained from New York Times
Jackson’s legacy more than just controversy He was, is and always will be the “King of Pop.” With the No. 1 selling album of all times in “Thriller,” Michael Jackson is an icon within the music industry. CJ From CONKLIN his childKernel hood percolumnist formances of “ABC” with the Jackson Five, to his unforgettable “Thriller” video that millions still act out today, his musical capabilities were nothing short of spectacular. But with the release of his movie “This Is It” over the past weekend, I realized what the movie aimed for, as well as another, less pleasing, realization: what people actually remember about Michael Jackson. Don’t get me wrong, I laughed when I watched the South Park episode “The Jeffersons” as much as anybody else. The episode depicts some of the accusations Jackson faced later in life, as well
as the other negative aspects regarding him. In the episode, “Mr. Jefferson,” who is understood to be Michael Jackson, has an amusement park in his backyard, has a slumber party with children and has a deteriorating nose that eventually falls off at the end of the episode. As I watched it, I realized that this is what many people are going to remember about Michael Jackson: the landslide he took throughout the latter part of his life. That’s not the legendary musician I choose to remember, though. Jackson had 13 No. 1 hits, and was even given the title of “Entertainer of the Decade” in the Guinness Book of World Records (for the 1980s). He performed in front of millions all around the world and died on the brink of his first tour in over a decade. Those are facts that will fill record books for years to come, and thus will never be forgotten. But even that is not what I choose to remember him for. Jackson was more than a song, a stage or a record,
and he was definitely more than hundreds of bad, yet funny, jokes. In the simplest terms, Jackson was a symbol. He was a symbol of change and hope, which he demonstrated through his music and character. Jackson, in the song “Man in the Mirror,” says, “Take a look at yourself, and then make a change.” He seemed to believe that each individual is responsible for contributing to making the world a better place.
Jackson was more than a song, a stage or a record and he was definitely more than hundreds of bad, yet funny, jokes. The world is made up of all of us, and if each person does something then all of us can do anything. But even more important, perhaps, than the goal itself, was his genuine belief that we could accomplish it. How do we do it? “It’s all about the l-o-v-e,” Jackson says in his new
movie, over and over again. He believed that the simplest way to make a change was to show a little more love. Almost every time he talked he ended by saying, “I love you,” or “God bless.” Sure, it’s simple, but it made every person he worked with smile. We’re not on the horizon of world peace; not now and not ever. It is individuals like Jackson, though, that bring a different, more realistic concept to the forefront: world improvement. So after you tell a plastic surgery (“How many different noses did he have?) or child abuse (“You mean, his best friend wasn’t McCaully Caulkin?”) joke at the expense of Michael Jackson, take a second to remember him for something else, something better. Take a second to remember the man that thought we could each be the change the world needs, and that taught us,“It’s all about the love.” CJ Conklin is an accounting and finance junior. E-mail opinions@kykernel.com.
Monday, November 2, 2009 | PAGE 5
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1-5BR. 2-3 blocks to UK! Pets, a/c. Contact Kelley at
ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR disabled lady. Lots of study time. Mostly nights. $8/hr. 309-0081
4BR, 2BA NEW HOME! By campus! Huge rooms/deck. New heat/electric, parking, w/d, d/w. Avail. Dec./Jan. $310/mo. 859-229-4991 4BR, 2BA, WALLER AVE: All elec., off-st. parking, w/d, new carpet. $1000/mo. 859-288-5601 5BR, 2BA HOUSE AVAIL. NOW. Near Med Center. w/d furnished. $1500/mo. + util. Call 489-3371 6BR, W/D CONNECTIONS, c/air, covered porch, basement, off-st. parking. $1000/mo. + util. 859-3387005
Help Wanted
! BARTENDING! UP TO $250 a day. No exp. Necessary. Training provided. 800-965-6520 x-132 ALCOHOL RESEARCH at the University of Kentucky. Health social drinkers between 21 to 35 years of age
PT FRONT OFFICE ASST. for busy medical office. Must be avail. to work through Christmas break. Email resume to dhepp@waldmanpsc.com
STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM. Paid survey takers needed in Lexington. 100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.
I PAY CASH for gift cards! Call Jim Mischner 8061932
Lost & Found
FOUND: Orange & White male cat, perhaps a kitten or just small, no neutered/declawed. Collared, no tags. Found in Chevy Chase area. Call 270-312-9533 and describe collar to claim.
Travel
SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED. Make $5-25/survey. www.getpaidtothink.com THE CHOP HOUSE is currently accepting applications for servers, greeters and chefs. Great pay, flex. hrs. Please apply in person M-Th. b/w 2-4 at 2640 Richmond Rd. 859-268-9555
NOW LEASING FOR Aug. 2010. 2, 3 & 4BR custom town homes. Close to campus. All electric, w/d security systems, garages, hardwood flooring. $8001600/mo. 859-543-8931
W.R. YOUNG APTS. 1 & 2BR available. 807 Press Ave. Walking distance to UK. 859-233-1760
NEED PEOPLE TO post ads online. Social networking knowledge a plus. Paid Friday. See paycheckonfriday.com
RAMSEY’S DINER now hiring servers. Apply in person 496 East High St. M-F, 2-5pm.
NEW 4BR HOMES – Only 2 left, very nice. Close to campus. View at lexingtonhomeconsultants.com. Showing daily. Call James McKee 221-7082
PARKING SPACES: 1 block to campus. Assigned, safe. 368-9775, 253-2828 noon-midnight
Wanted
contact Lee Weber at: Email: lee@leewebergroup.com, Phone: 859- 296-1112.
PT MAIL SORTER NEEDED. M-F 12/1pm until 6:30pm. Ability to lift 30lbs. $8.50/hr. Will consider MWF or TR schedules. Please send resumes to jobs@bgmailing.com
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE: Lease now and pay no fees! Rent starting at $299/mo. Cable and internet included. The Courtyards * 859-258-2039 * www.thecourtyardsatuk.com. 2BR AVAIL. NOW. Close to campus and downtown with w/d. Dennis 983-0726 www.sillsbrothers.com
1 OR 2BR, 2BA: New home! By campus! Huge rooms/deck. Parking, w/d, d/w. $290/mo. 859-2294991
are needed for studies on the effects of alcohol on behavior. Participants will be financially compensated for their time. Movies, a hot meal, and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided after the study in a comfortable setting. Call 257-3137 for more information
HUGE 2/3BR, 2BA APT. W/D, d/w. 235 S. Limestone. $795/mo. 281-1367
! 3-9BR HOUSES: Walking distance to campus. Offst. parking, all appliances, w/d, d/w. Big rooms. Call 859-227-1302
! 3BR, 2BA. WALK TO campus. $850/mo. Large master with BA & walk-in closet, a/c, w/d, d/w. Low util. No smoking/pets. 510-608-7676, Greg 859-225-3334 x. 101
AWESOME LOFT APT. within converted horse barn on South Lexington horse farm. All bills pd. $795/mo. 967-6516, 494-5058
BODY STRUCTURE CLINIC is looking for multiple Physical Therapy Techs. Please e-mail or fax; cover letter, resume and hours of availability to bsidwell@bodystructure.com or 859-268-9823. KIDS PLACE in Lexington Athletic Club now hiring: * PT Front Desk Supervisor * PT Shift Manager * PT General Staff. Fast paced and fun environment. Must be able to work weekdays and weekends. FREE GYM MEMBERSHIP to LAC! Apply in person at Kids Place, 3882 Mall Rd., Lex. KY LEE WEBER GROUP, INC. Executive Healthcare Recruiting Firm. www.leewebergroup.com. Now hiring PT position: Sales Administrative Assistant: Preferred Master’s Prepared, must be proficient on MS Word/Excel, 15-20 hrs/wk. If interested please
VOLUNTEERS PAID TO participate in studies concerning the effects of alcohol on behavioral and mental performance. Looking for male & female social drinkers 21-35 years of age. Please call 2575794
BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK: $189 – 5 days or $239 – 7 days. All prices include round trip luxury cruise with food, accommodations on the island at your choice of thirteen resorts. Appalachia Travel 1-800867-5018, www.BahamaSun.com
Personals
LEARN TO SWING DANCE WITH THE HEPCATS! Great way to meet people, plus good exercise. Beginner Class starts November 2. Only $30 for the entire 6-week class. www.Luv2SwingDance.com; 859-420-2426; info@luv2swingdance.com.
The Kentucky Kernel is not responsible for information given to fraudulent parties. We encourage you not to participate in anything for which you have to pay an up-front fee or give out credit card or other personal information, and to report the company to us immediately. CONFIDENTIAL PREGNANCY ASSISTANCE
Birthright 2134 Nicholasville Rd. 277-2635 suite 6 24-HOUR HOTLINE 1-800-550-4900
PAGE 6 | Monday, November 2, 2009
Things get ‘creepy’ with Thriller Parade downtown By Megan Hurt
mhurt@kykernel.com
Parts of Limestone and Main streets were blocked off to traffic Friday night, but it wasn’t because of construction. Lexington police blocked off the streets so thousands of people could watch the 500 zombies dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The event is an annual Halloween parade organized by Mecca Dance Studio and Gallery where hundreds of people, including a Michael Jackson impersonator, re-enact the famous short film “Thriller,” performing the dance on the streets of downtown Lexington. This year, the event set a record in zombies performing the “Thriller” dance. At the first parade in 2001, 50 people participated in the dance. Last year almost 300 people came out to celebrate Halloween Michael Jacksonstyle.
On Friday, over 500 people dressed up like Zombies and performed the Thriller dance as they walked down Main Street and up Limestone towards the courthouse. Katie Powless, an elementary education senior and Kelly Morris, a UK graduate student, had watched from the sidewalks the year before, but decided they wanted to be zombies this year. Like other zombies, Powless and Morris played dead on the sidewalk before the event started, then “came alive” to swarm the Jackson impersonator, played by UK business freshman Alex Sanders, and start the dance. “While we were laying down very still, the side of my body fell asleep,” Morris said. “So, when I got up half my body was still asleep. It was easy to pretend to walk like a zombie with my body asleep.” Through the course of the parade, which started in
online www.kykernel.com See Thriller slideshow
front of The Kentucky Theater and ended at the courthouse, Powless and Morris said they performed the “Thriller” routine eight times. “It wasn’t tiring, the walking part was tiring, and standing still, but not the dancing part,” Powless said. Morris said entertaining the crowd was the best part of being a zombie. “Little kids were scared of us, which is unusual because we’re teachers,” she said. Thousands of people from Lexington and the surrounding communities came out to watch the performances, lining the streets and following the parade as it moved down Main Street. Morgan Jones, a Bryan Station High School senior,
Program allows recent graduates to donate to university at lower cost By Jenny Boylan news@kykernel.com
Starting out in the real world after college can be tough financially for recent graduates. The Young Fellows Society, a part of the Student Development Council, intended to recognize major donors to the university, makes it possible for current students and new graduates interested in making a pledge of at least $10,000 to do so without having to pay it off all at once, according to the Office of Development Web site. According to the Web site, Young Fellows receive the same benefits as other Fellows, but have five extra years to pay off their pledge. Members can pay off their pledge each month through an automatic debit charge, said Susan Harper, as-
sistant director for Fellows Society and Donor Relations. For the first five years the donation is only $20, followed by $75 a month for the next 10 years, she said. A husband and wife can become joint fellows and take advantage with no additional financial commitment, according to the Young Fellows Program information pamphlet. As a Fellow, you are able to choose the particular fund you wish your donation to go toward, be it a specific college, program or scholarship, Harper said. Katti Bowling, a 2006 business and marketing graduate and member of the UK Fellows Society, has taken advantage of the Young Fellows Program. She became a Fellow spring semester of her senior year and decided she wanted her donation to go toward a study abroad scholar-
ship in the College of Business and Economics. Bowling said her biggest hope was that someone else could have an experience as meaningful as hers. “Knowing that I have the opportunity to help others experience a study abroad program means so much,” Bowling said. “My study abroad program was one of the many highlights of my college career.” The Young Fellows program is one of many ways UK hopes to widen its donor base. “We want to show how individuals make a difference and develop a culture of philanthropy on campus,” said Paula Pope, director of Campaign Services and Donor Relations. “In a year of widespread economic hardship, people still want to be Fellows.”
PHOTO BY ZACH BRAKE | STAFF
Mark O'Connor plays "Boild that Cabbage Down" with the students of the UK String Project class in the Band Room of the Fine Arts Building Saturday morning. O'Connor composed a ten book series called "O'Connor Violin Method" to help students become well-rounded musicians.
STRING PROJECT Continued from page 1 and bass for children 8-years-old and above, according to the program Web site. The program began with the help of a $50,000 grant from the American String Teachers Association, said violin professor Dan Mason. “The program is more or less self-supporting, which is achieved by a balance of low cost for participants and a small stipend for
HOCKEY Continued from page 3 second period. “They got frustrated they weren't capitalizing on a lot of opportunities so of course they're going to get more physical,” Steinbrecher said. The Owls’ frustration came to a head early in the first period as a Kennesaw State forward checked UK's goalie, inciting a brawl involving every player on the ice.
UK student teachers,” Mason said. The String Project takes place every Saturday morning in room 105 of the Fine Arts Building. Beginner classes are from 9 to 10 a.m., and intermediate and advanced classes are from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes cost about $10 each, according to the program Web site. The fall program concludes on Nov. 21, when student participants will perform a concert at Memorial Hall to demonstrate acquired skills. The spring session begins Jan.16. Enrollment forms can be downloaded on UK’s School of Music Web site, (http://www.uky.edu/FineArts/Music/uksp/index.php).
But the Cats' wall stood strong well into the third period as UK netted an additional four goals before the Owls found the net twice in the final eight minutes during power plays. Docherty said the two goals were mental mistakes but praised the “solid” work done by his goalkeepers in front of the net. Steinbrecher and Borgaard tallied a combined 88 saves over the weekend. Confidence in front of the net led to aggression in the attacking third of the ice where the Cats had five different
scorers – just in the first period. “We've got four (scorers) in the top 25,” Docherty said. “We're getting production from all four lines, everybody's a part of the offense and the chemistry is great.” Riding a six-game winning streak, the Cats expect to be No. 1 in the first rankings, which will be released this week. “We have the credentials for (the No. 1 ranking), and we've just proven what we can do,” Steinbrecher said. “I'd be disappointed if we're not No. 1.”
heard about the event from her friends and decided to see what it was like. “I really like Michael Jackson and the Thriller music video,” she said. “So I thought (the parade) was really good.” Ben McCrady, also a Bryan Station High School senior, wanted to see the
Thriller Parade once before he went off to college next year. “I heard about it from friends and the newspaper, so I thought I would go while I had the chance,” he said. McCrady thought the event was entertaining and liked how the zombies inter-
acted with the crowd as they walked past the lines of people. “It was creepy to see everyone dressed up like zombies, and they were trying to scare you,” he said. “Everyone did a good job dancing and I thought the whole thing was really cool.”