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WEDNESDAY | 9.12.2012 MaceandCROWN.COM | Vol. 55, Issue 2
INSIDETHEMACE
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PHC Recruitment is Back at ODU By: Jaylen Swint Staff Writer Mace & Crown
Fall Formal Recruitment, also known as FFR, is approaching for undergrad female students interested in joining a sorority on Sept. 27. FFR is a weekend set aside for women interested in meeting and learning about each sorority individually through a series of rounds. Continued on B1
sports
New Benefits of Monarch Maniacs By: Sarah Roby Staff Writer Mace & Crown
The Monarch Maniacs of Old Dominion University are now under the direction of the athletics department and the assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions, Jason Chandler, is overseeing the organization. A lot of students around campus are wondering what exactly are the Monarch Maniacs? “Monarch Maniacs are a student group that support Old Dominion athletics. Not just the major sports, but all of our sports. They are the leaders of the student section,” Chandler said. Continued on C1
opinions
Ace of the Mace
Obama Visits ODU, NSU Students By: Charles Ordoqui Contributing Writer Mace & Crown
Norfolk, Va. – President Barack Obama paid a special visit to both Old Dominion and Norfolk State University’s students Sept. 4 at Norfolk State’s campus. The visit was a planned stop on his 2012 election campaign schedule in order to thank his Grassroots Funding participants and volunteers, many of which were ODU and NSU students. The visit marks Obama’s fortyfirst trip to Virginia during his presidency and his stop was just one of many during his route to Charlotte, North Carolina for his speech Sept. 6 at the Democratic National Convention. Many of Old Dominion University’s students were in attendance and waited hours in line just to get a good “standing view” of the president. “It was a long wait in the blistering hot sun,” said Old Dominion University freshman Ryan Jones. “But it was well worth every minute of the wait to finally hear his speak and see him in person.” Obama began his speech with some opening jokes, but did not hesitate to move quickly into the real issues.
“Governor Romney wants to end the tax credit we created that’s saving families up to $10,000 on tuition over four.” The new college tax credits have benefited an estimated 231,000 Virginia students and their families. Obama’s administration moved to keep student loan companies from
not a luxury, it’s an economic necessity that every family should be able to afford. The president then moved onto the portion of his speech addressing health care reform and the “ObamaCare” implementation. “We believe in an America where getting decent health care
doubling student interest rates in the summer of 2012. “He’s one of the few presidents that follows through with what he says he’ll do in education,” said Old Dominion University Sophomore and Army Reserve Specialist Joshua Witcher, of the 497 Combat Sustainment Support Batallion. Obama said higher education is
doesn’t depend on how much money you’ve got,” said Obama. “They like to call it ObamaCare, and well, I do care. I care about all the young people who are now able to stay on their parents’ plans.” Among those in attendance was Old Dominion University junior, Jazmin Glass. “I look forward to the chang-
Pledge of Allegiance Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney asserts defense policies
By: Ben Decowski Sports Editor Mace & Crown
The New York Giants made somewhat of a surprising move during their 24-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on opening night of the National Football League. In the Giants’ second possession of the game with the ball at Dallas’ 29-yard-line, quarterback Eli Manning handed the ball off to rookie running back David Wilson. Wilson, the Giants’ first round pick this year, took the handoff left and was hit by linebacker Sean Lee. Lee jarred the ball loose and Dallas recovered the fumble marking the end of Wilson’s rookie debut. Continued on D1
By: Derek Page News Editor Mace & Crown Virginia Beach, Va. – Mitt Romney’s speech in Pungo, Saturday, demonstrated his knowledge of the Pledge of Allegiance, employing it to bolster his defense policies.
Taking the stage flanked between two antique fighter planes, Romney began by applying the appeal of nostalgia, reflecting on his days in grade school. “I remember as a boy, I was in the fourth grade, and somehow in my mind I remember being there… in front of the black board, we had
an American flag that was pinned above the blackboard, and everyday we stood lined up in front of the black board and we recited the pledge of allegiance,” Romney reminisced. “Do you remember it?” Romney asked the audience before he led them in reciting what begins most children’s days. “The promises that were made in that pledge are promises I plan on keeping if I’m president, and I’ve kept them so far in my life,” said Romney. “That pledge says ‘under God.’ I will not take God out of the name of our platform,” said Romney, scoffing at the Democratic National Convention. The DNC recently experienced much commotion over the party’s proposition to change its platform on God and Jerusalem. “I will not take God off our coins
es Obama is planning to make in women’s healthcare and in healthcare overall,” said Glass. “I feel obligated to get involved in the campaign, I’ve always wanted to hear him speak, and his speech was amazing!” When mentioning his Republican counterpart Mitt Romney, the large crowd of students loudly booed and Obama’s immediate response and challenge to the crowd was simply, “Don’t boo, Vote!” President Obama made stops in several Virginia cities during his days leading up to his visit to Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention. During his speeches he also highlighted what’s at stake for the middle class in this election, the choice between continuing to move forward to an economy built to last that’s grounded in a strong middle class, or going back to the same top-down economic policies of the last decade that crashed our economy and punished the middle class. Obama ended his visit simply with this last token of his appreciation for the overall voter effort, “Thanks for all you’re doing and for all you’ll do over the next 65 days to help win this election.”
and I will not take God out of my heart. We’re a nation bestowed by God,” said Romney, bringing the crowd to its feet. Continuing his structural analysis of the Pledge of Allegiance, Romney broke down the last 11 words of Francis Bellamy’s 1892 composition, last amended to include “under God” in 1954. “One nation, indivisible,” recited Romney. “I will not divide this nation. I will not apologize for America abroad and I will not apologize for Americans here at home.” “With liberty and justice for all,” Romney said, his voice growing with inflection, building up the audience before diving into his defense agenda and criticism of the incumbent administrations sequestration and defense cutting. “To preserve liberty, we must have a commitment not just to more ships and more aircraft, but also in my view to more members of our armed forces. I will not cut our military. I will maintain our military commitment.” This topic was exceptionally pertinent for Romney to address, speaking in one of the most populated military regions in the country. “I will not forget that for us to have liberty here, for us to be able Continued on A3