The Minaret 9/13/2012

MINARET UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933

THE

Volume 79 Number 3

•

September 13, 2012

•

ut.minaret@gmail.com

•

theminaretonline.com

•

blog.theminaretonline.com

Students Split on Cafeteria Revamp

Positive Reviews Focus on Modern Design, Additional Options

By Caroline Metell

News Writer

With a new school year comes new renovations to the University of Tampa campus. One is the new allyou-can-eat Ultimate Dining cafeteria in Vaughn Center.

Equipped with not only new tables, chairs, plates and utensils; Ultimate Dining now has 10 stations that guests can choose from when deciding what to eat. Some were kept the same such as Classics and International, but a few new stations are PastAmore and Balanced Way. PastAmore has self-serve and cooked-to-order pasta, with multiple sauces to choose from. Balanced Way has healthy alternatives to the Classics menu, with dairy-free foods and meals fit for a vegetarian. The Deluxe Grill now serves steak daily as well as grilled chicken, the usual burgers, grilled cheese and fries.

Senior psychology major Krista Harty enjoys the upgraded menu. “I think it’s a lot better than it was. I like the salad bar, it has more options than before.”

The staff can now cook for more students at a time at International, with round, hot stone blocks that can fit four to five pans each. Food can also be cooked directly on them.

Junior accounting major Nikki Mandl says the new look of the cafeteria is a

Lauren McKeown said. “The beams are right where you’re supposed to be walking. We have too many people for such a small area.”

Maybe it’s just because students are still becoming accustomed to the new space. “I think everyone isn’t used to it, you don’t know where everything is,” Mandl said. Walmsley added, “It’s kind of crowded and there aren’t enough drink machines. But I like the booth seating.”

The new booths can be found spread out among the cafeteria in the back corner near Vaughn courtyard, along the wall by PastAmore and also next to the dish carousel. Mandl says it provides a more intimate dining experience. “It’s a good place for a cheap date, or business transactions.”

With the new setup is another change that may please or disappoint students: the dessert area, Sweet Shop, over by the cereal section.

“I like how the dessert isn’t right Samantha Battersby/ The Minaret by the exit so it can’t tease me on my Students are conflicted with the cafeteria renovations. Some enjoy the many options, while others feel crowded. way out,” Walmsley said.

Though the new renovations to the UT cafeteria are either pleasing or positive change. “I think it’s very more seating for students.” disappointing, they’re changes that we’ll picturesque and modern-looking. It’s hip But with that seating seems to come all have to get used to. in the architecture and styles.” less room, since the cafeteria is still the Junior exercise science major Matt Walmsley agrees. “It’s a nice upgrade.

It suits the Tampa Metro style, and it has

same size as it was before.

“It’s not the most functional setup,” junior mathematics/education major

Caroline Metell can be reached at caroline.metell@spartans.ut.edu

WUTT Switches from Class to Club, Expands Weekly Lineup

By MIA GLATTER News Editor

It appears that due to the new age of instantaneous communication, radio will soon be a lost art. At The University of Tampa however, radio is still alive and well.

Jan-Michael Archer the general manager of WUTT is optimistic about what the station has to offer UT students this year.

“With the diversity of shows any student on campus can find something that appeals to them,” he said. “If not, they can come in and be a DJ and the payout for being a DJ is phenomenal, especially if you’re in the com and broadcasting field.”

This year, the participants of WUTT are a club instead of a class, which Archer says offers them more freedom in regards to programming. Their lineup includes such shows as “Sex in the Dark” and “The Hump-Day Heroes” which is hosted by Alvaro Gabaldon on Wednesdays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“I would describe my show as being a

very eclectic mix of music and talk radio,” Gabaldon said. “Most of the stuff I play tends to be indie rock/alternative, but every now and then we’ll play techno, chiptune, rap, 80’s disco, 50’s doo wop and live acoustic covers ourselves.”

Archer attributes the variety of programming they are able to broadcast to the size of UT. “We’re such a small school and that gives us the freedom to do pretty much whatever we want as far as programming.

We’ve got tons of sports talk shows and [strictly] music shows and ranting shows,” he said.

The WUTT radio station has been on the air since 1946 and lost its FM status in the 60s.

Originally called UBS (United Broadcast system), the station was founded by Professor Ray A. McGillivray to integrate the study of radio into the broadcast curriculum. In 1962, the station moved to 580 AM because they were unable to raise enough money to keep their FM status. The station went down in

Jessica Keesee/ The Minaret

UT’s radio station WUTT revamped programming after switching from a class to a club.

1965 but was reopened in 1988. Adjunct Professor Valerie Ingram Hinkley changed the name to WUTT in 2005.

The WUTT radio station can be heard

See WUTT, page 4

In Other News...

2 UT Student Reflects Back on Colorado Shooting

7 Fashion Makes a Statement During Recruitment

10 De la Renta Condemns Michelle Obama as Fashion Icon

11 Stingray Device Invades American Privacy

12 Romney’s Tax Returns are None of Our Business 17 Cross Country Men, Women Impress in Opening Races

News..................................2 Diversions.........................6 A+E....................................7 Opinion............................ 11

Sports..............................17

M

NEWS + FEATURES

SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

MINARET

2

‘I’m Not Ashamed to Say Aurora is my Hometown’

UT Student Reflects Back on Colorado Theater Shooting

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joshua Napier

joshua.napier@theminaretonline.com

MANAGING EDITOR Chelsea Daubar

chelsea.daubar@theminaretonline.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Keesee

jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com

NEWS + FEATURES Mia Glatter, Editor

mia.glatter@theminaretonline.com

Yasaman Sherbaf, Asst. Editor

yasaman.sherbaf@theminaretonline.com

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Natalie Hicks, Editor

natalie.hicks@theminaretonline.com

Kelly St. Onge, Asst. Editor

kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.com

OPINION

Paola Crespo, Editor

Leah Beilhart/ The Minaret

jessica.keesee@theminaretonline.com

Ardisia Knowles stood outside the Century 16 movie theater the night of the Aurora, Colo. massacre, a night that changed her life.

annabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com

By ARDISIA KNOWLES

Annabella Palopoli, Asst. Editor

SPORTS

John Hilsenroth, Editor

john.hilsenroth@theminaretonline.com

Miles Parks, Asst. Editor

miles.parks@theminaretonline.com

ONLINE

Jennifer Bedell, Social Media Director jennifer.bedell@theminaretonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Samantha Battersby, Head Photographer

samantha.battersby@theminaretonline.com

ADVERTISING

Shivani Kanji, Ad & PR Coordinator minaret.ads@gmail.com

ADVISER

Daniel Reimold, Ph.D. dreimold@ut.edu

COPY EDITORS

Nikita Hernandez, Head Copy Editor nikita.hernandez@theminaretonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Leah Beilhart Imani Cruz Victoria DeLone Jake Patterson Taylor Sanger

STAFF WRITERS David Adams Stef Crocco Katelyn Edwards Daniel Feingold Xelmarie Medina Michael Paonessa Laurel Sanchez

COLUMNISTS

Alex Caraballo Amanda Sieradzki Hannah Webster

MORE INFORMATION THE MINARET is a weekly student-run publication at the University of Tampa.

Letters to the Editor may be sent to editor@theminaretonline.com.

To reach THE MINARET call 813.257.3636.

Your first two copies of THE MINARET are free. Each additional copy is $1.00

Contributor

When life is threatened, your entire outlook of it changes. You never really know when or where your time on this earth will end. The delicate nature of life should make you appreciate it more, as well as the little things and people you love most.

It was a cool Thursday night on July 20 with the moon high in the sky. My friend Susan and I were dropped off at the Century 16 theater in Aurora by her older brother. Tonight was the premiere of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, but we decided to save that for next weekend. Instead, we bought tickets for Magic Mike. The aroma of buttered popcorn filled the buzzing lobby as friends and families prepared for the night which would invoke stories, debates and conversations that would last for the coming weeks.

Our movie ended and as we were leaving, both of us saw more friends just arriving for the premiere of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises. I saw Richard, my boyfriend, still working and getting ready to get off of his shift in twenty minutes. I said good bye to him as Susan and I waited right outside of the theater for our ride.

At 12:20 a.m. Susan and I were standing outside the theater entrance doors. In the midst of casual conversation, a crowd of people started storming out of the movie theater. We stood there confused, and as more ran out looking terrified, we started to believe something was wrong and began running with them.

Once we got far enough away we stopped and asked a man what was happening.

The man warned us, “Someone let off tear gas in there. I used to be in the military, so trust me, do NOT get in your cars.”

At the same time Susan and I were running from the theater, the Batman movie had started in theater number nine. Suddenly a man in a black trench coat walked to the front of the theater and left through the exit door. A few audience members noticed this strange act, but dismissed it and continued watching the movie.

[

happenings next door.

Bullets started flying through the walls. People then realized they needed to escape danger and struggled to find a safe exit.

At the theater entrance doors, two brave employees stayed behind to coordinate safe exits from the building for the customers. The gas had spread to the lobby and caused everyone to cough profusely.

One of the helpful employees was my boyfriend Richard.

Police officers began

]

“In the midst of casual conversation, a crowd of people started storming out of the movie theater.”

-Ardisia Knowles

A smoke bomb was detonated minutes later, and shots were fired seconds after. The man in the trench coat who left the room came back wearing a gas mask and holding a gun. He

showing up just before 12:30 a.m. There was confusion as to what exactly was happening inside the theater. Susan and I were a safe distance away resting by a stop sign. A man

thingsandwhatnot/ photobucket.com

James Holmes, the alleged shooter, sits with lawyer in courtroom.

fired randomly into the crowd and ascended the stairs, firing into each individual row.

The audience inside theater number eight was initially unaware of the

stepped out of his car and asked if we needed a ride. “What’s going on?” he asked, with worry on his face. “My children are in there.” The fear in the man’s eyes made me realize

this was not a joke. Studying the mayhem at the theater, my eyes began to water and my heart raced. I worried about my friends and Richard, but Susan assured me they were fine. She took my hand and we started running again. Soon after her brother picked us up nearly a quarter of a mile away from the theater and took us home.

The shooter ultimately did not resist arrest. My boyfriend’s manager congratulated him for his unbelievable bravery. All my friends that were present that night were thankfully not among the victims or injured individuals. But my heart aches for those who lost loved ones that night.

One man was able to strike fear into a crowd of people on July 20 and essentially an entire nation. People are now afraid to go to a movie theater.

The affected victims are afraid to go anywhere. I was afraid to smile for the longest time. Smiling would mean everything was alright, but it wasn’t. I still have a ways to go to repair myself emotionally.

This experience taught me how truly precious life is. It can be taken away in an instant. Caught in the middle of that night has taught me to live as if I’d die tomorrow. I’m not ashamed to say Aurora, Colo. is my hometown. I am more proud of my town than ever before because we came together as a community and celebrated life. We mourned for the 12 lost lives and prayed for those still in the hospitals.

Above all, we appreciated life, as you should do with your own lives every day.

Ardisia Knowles can be reached at Ardisia.Knowles@ spartans.ut.edu

NEWS + FEATURES

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

Spartan of the Week: Jessica Forte

3

Published Author Joins UT Community

By MARK SUGDEN Contributor

The students here at The University of Tampa can all agree on one thing.

We all have a specific goal in mind we want to accomplish, such as becoming a marine biologist, a lawyer, a broadcaster or a writer, like student Jessica Forte.

Forte is an 18 year old freshman born in Albany, New York who has been living in Tampa for two years now. She said she came to UT because she passed by it many times and decided to check out the website.

“It’s just so beautiful here,” Forte said.

Forte also came here because she heard about the writing program,

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Jessica Forte’s book, Hype, on Amazon.com.

which is her major.

“I’ve always loved it [writing] from a young age,” Forte said. “I started in the eighth grade.”

In addition to her love of writing, Forte is also a self-published author.

Her book, Hype, is currently available for sale on Amazon. She has also been published in the Chicken Soup for The Soul series.

“Hype is sort of a parody on Christian schools, like private schools.

It’s about a girl who goes from a private school to a public school in the middle of her senior year,” Forte said. “The Chicken Soup story is nonfiction. It’s about an event that happened in eighth grade, and it’s a motivational story.”

Forte says although she published Hype, the event did not get her as much recognition as she had hoped.

“I haven’t had much luck on Amazon. I’ve only sold one copy actually,” Forte said.

To get more recognition, Forte has been telling friends and family on Facebook and Twitter to go check out her publishing. She also uses a site called Wattpad, where users can create an account and read other users stories.

On her Wattpad, she has also written other short stories that are published on the website for anyone to read.

From the Sept. 3 to Sept. 9 reports

Bye Bye, Benjamin!

On September 3 at 4:15 p.m., a student reported 2 wallets stolen from inside her room at the Howard Johnson.

They Were Making Jungle Juice On September 3 at 10:30 p.m., an RA requested a room search for alcohol in Austin Hall. The student was referred to conduct for alcohol possession (underage) and drug possession.

Gym, Tan, Fail On September 4 at 10:10 p.m., a student reported injuring her ankle on an exercise machine.

Reports compiled by Chelsea Daubar

Flase Alarm...Again On September 4 at 12:53 p.m., the fire alarm was activated in Plant Hall.

At Least You Didn’t Put It In Drive On September 4 at 2:00 p.m., a student reported the damage to his car while backing out of a parking space.

This Week on Spartan’s Anatomy On September 4 at 4:34 p.m., a student was transported to the Health Center for an illness.

That Makes Things Awkward On September 4 at 6:20 p.m., a student entered the office and reported the theft of her bicycle seat.

Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret

Jessica Forte is the published author of Hype, a novel available on Amazon.com.

If writing somehow does not work out for Forte, she stated she would either go into acting, or possibly become a commercial pilot.

Currently, Forte is in the process of writing more stories, with hopes of those getting published as well. Like most of the students here, Forte also has her goals.

“I’d love to be a famous author and move to Davis Islands because it’s just so beautiful there.

I’m planning on using my funds from a book to build a children’s hospital, should I get lucky enough to

make enough money to do that,” Forte said. “I see myself graduated from college hopefully on my own, some type of job finishing more books, maybe having a little more recognition and a few more sales on Amazon.”

Follow Forte on her Wattpad by searching her username: dreamsmadereal. You can also order and read more about Hype on Amazon by looking up Hype by J Forte.

Mark Sugden can be reached at mark.sugden@spartans.ut.edu

On Tuesday Sept. 11th, Student Government met in Reeves Theater This week began the committees meetings for organizations on campus.

If more than 2 meetings are missed by organization representatives, there will be consequences.

The P.E.A.C.E. Volunteer Center is in want of volunteers for this Saturday, Sept. 15th from 1-4 p.m. with Feed America.

Voting for student government will begin on Tuesday Sept. 18th.

Candidates speeches for student government will be held on Tuesday Sept. 18th.

Andrew Sheen will be talking at the student government meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd about DUIS and other alcohol/drug related accidents.

The Fall Leadership Retreat will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 in the Fletcher Lounge of Plant Hall.

“Student Government applauds Sodexo’s efforts to make campus dining more accommodating to our student body. With contemporary designs and additional seating, they have strived to provide students with a greater dining experience. The new and improved Caf offers a self-serve pasta station, an expanded salad bar, additional healthy choices along with an allergy and gluten-free alternatives. As Sodexo works to improve their quality of service and food options to benefit the student body, Student Government will remain to support their efforts.”

-Matt Rutkovitz

4 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

NEWS + FEATURES

Women’s Rights Protesters Take Stand During RNC

By Yasaman Sherbaf Asst. News Editor

Along with many other groups jockeying for attention in support of their cause, a trio of women’s rights protesters took a stand at the recent Republican National Convention in downtown Tampa.

The women, speaking passionately, stood out from the male-heavy crowd, in part due to the provocative signs they carried.

They were all from Florida, including Hyde Park and Orlando.

They protested throughout the convention.

According to the women, they

had a great response from many passersby, but there were also moments of controversy. The women did not garner a huge response from the Republicans attending the convention.

“They’re busy behind the barricades and then they’re at private parties funded by corporations, rich people and lobbyists,” said Carol RoshtoSmith, the main voice of the group.

The women appeared on the evening news on Wednesday, Aug. 29. On Bay News 9, Roshto-Smith stated, “Republicans need to admit that there is global warming before the planet is destroyed.”

Samantha Battersby/The Minaret

Women gathered during the Republican National Convention to promote women’s rights.

According to a March 2012 Gallup Politics report, “Since 2009, two thirds of Republicans have continued to say global warming news is exaggerated, while Independents’ skepticism has eased slightly, as has Democrats.’”

In addition to fighting for women’s rights and raising global warming awareness, the trio promoted Christians for Obama.

According to Roshto-Smith, “A man walked by saying that he didn’t know there were any Christians for Obama.”

After talking to these pro-choice women, a number of passersby seemed surprised and were quickly convinced by the Christian support for Obama.

In fact, support for Obama from the Christian community is quite strong.

According to The Blaze, a conservative news and opinion site, Messiah College professor John Fea believes “Obama may be the most explicitly Christian president in American history.”

In the Blaze report, Fea argues Obama “may still have something to offer those individuals who embrace religion.” In addition, part of Fea’s argument is Obama covers Christian themes in his speeches.

The discussion outside the convention occasionally switched from discussing President Obama to discussing women’s rights in general.

At one point, a passerby and the trio of women became entangled in an especially heated argument.

Samantha Battersby/The Minaret

Protesters switched from discussing President Obama to women’s rights in general.

The argument focused on whether a woman should have her baby if it is conceived through a forced sexual assault.

The argument included phrases such as, “Get out of my face”; “I’m not in your face”; “Are you mental or something?”; and “What about the choice of the baby?”

Ultimately, no one was hurt during that particular debate and the women believed they made a strong stand at the Republican National Convention.

Yasaman Sherbaf can be reached at yasaman.sherbaf@ theminaretonline.com.

WUTT Revitalizes Broadcast From WUTT, Page 1

by students from three avenues: 1080 am on the radio, cable channel 98 on campus and it can be streamed through the website WUTT.ut.edu.

Gabaldon says that being a DJ can offer more to students than just another hobby.

“It’s a really fun way to blow off steam, to de-stress...being on air allows you a certain amount of anonymity,” he said. “A lot of people are more confident and this confidence carries over to when you’re not on air too.”

WUTT plans to offer students more ways to get involved with their organization this year.

“We’re also planning a lot more events this year. We’ve got stuff lined up with the Straz hall council and we’re going to have some local radio personalities come and everyone on campus can come and ask questions and talk about the field,” Archer said.

Another aspect of the organization that WUTT plans to expand, is their participation with other student events on campus.

“We’re going to start broadcasting live from the games so you can still listen if you have homework or something,” Archer said. “This year we’re all about promotion. If you want us to promote something we will be out there with our microphones and our PA system. Also we want people to send us stuff that they want be on the radio.”

Gabaldon says that the best part of being a DJ is the freedom he gets to have while on the air.

Photo courtesy of wutt.ut.edu

WUTT wants to attract listeners and participants with more events.

“The thing that makes WUTT so great is it lets DJs be who they want to be, play the music they want to play. Aside from formalities like being courteous about your subject matter and keeping the language PG, your show is whatever you want it to be,” Gabaldon enthused. “I love listening to music and sharing it with other people, showing them a whole new way to enjoy listening. There’s a whole world of music outside of MTV and Top 40 and my hope is that I’m helping people find it.”

Mia Glatter can be reached at mia. glatter@theminaretonline.com

NEWS + FEATURES

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

5

Students Leave Without Swiping for Meals

By Mia Glatter News Editor

A sophomore student walks into the Stadium Grocery at the University of Tampa for a snack before heading off to the library to study for a biology test. After walking around the grocery for a few minutes, she determines that the cashier is not looking and calmly drops three packages of Twizzlers into her purse. She then uses a meal exchange for a sandwich and a bottle of water and walks out the door worry free and heads to the library. “I pay a whole lot of money to go to this school and have a meal plan,� the sophomore student, who wishes to remain anonymous, said “I run out of Spartan bucks really quickly and I’m not going to pay $3 for a pack of Twizzlers.�

Young adults stealing things from shopping malls and convenience stores isn’t a new concept.

According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention website, one in 11 people in the United States are shoplifters and approximately 25 percent of shoplifters are kids and 75 percent are adults. 55 percent of adult shoplifters say they started shoplifting in their teens.

The economy is tough right now, and students are finding that they cannot find or handle a part time job with the amount of schoolwork

they have to do. “Jobs at this school are hard to get because you have to have work study and a lot of people don’t have cars to get to an off campus job,� the sophomore said. “If your parents have too much on their plate to provide you with funds here it gets real hard to ever get things if you need them. You

[

problematic issue. We simply address what happens when it happens,� she said. “In most cases, the student conduct processes will be invoked. If the property involved has significant value, the matter can result in criminal charges.�

Bruce Friesen, associate professor of sociology at UT, said that stealing violates unwritten societal

]

“If the person who is supposed to swipe your cards doesn’t feel like doing their job and being at the cash register, many people are just going to leave.�

-Kathy GĂźvercin

will risk a good bit to get what you need.�

Stealing from off campus businesses could mean a large fine or possibly jail time, but what are the consequences of stealing if you get caught on campus? Security said that they could not comment on the security measures taken at the bookstore or the grocery, but Linda W. Devine, the vice president for Operations and Planning at UT, said that it all depends on the circumstances. “We have thefts on occasion but I would not characterize it as a

codes that can lead to more dangerous consequences. “Like lying, stealing is a mechanism for a party to acquire scarce resources from another party. Trust is an essential ingredient of social solidarity in a free society. We have many freedoms in the U.S. because we trust others not to violate our rights. Stealing violates that trust and can lead to other anti-social behaviors like violence, withdrawal, and the decline of an open and civil society,� he said.

Freshman Erica Hobar believes that changing the meal plans could

lessen the likelihood that students would steal instead of swiping for food.

“More things should be considered under the meal plan, or be made cheaper because everyone runs out of Spartan bucks and things are expensive here,� she said. “But that still doesn’t seem like a valid reason to steal.�

Freshman Kathy GĂźvercin addressed another card swiping related issue seen more commonly on campus and in her opinion, less incriminating. “A lot of times people will get food from Einsteins or Spartan Club and there will be nobody there to swipe your card at the register,â€? she said. “If the person who is supposed to swipe cards doesn’t feel like doing their job and being at the cash register, many people are just going to leave.â€?

On the same subject, many feel that this is justified because, whether or not a student swipes their card for a meal, they are still paying the set meal plan balance.

There are a few swiping related issues currently surrounding the eating areas of UT and while students do pay the school much in tuition and fees, opinions are split on whether that justifies taking items without swiping or paying for them.

Mia Glatter can be reached at Mia.Glatter@theminaretonline.com

TAKE THE NEXT STEP Advance your career credentials with a graduate business degree from UT! MASTER THE POSSIBILITIES s -"! SEVEN CONCENTRATIONS s - 3 IN !CCOUNTING s - 3 IN &INANCE

s - 3 IN -ARKETING s #ERTIl CATES IN .ONPROl T -ANAGEMENT

!CCOUNTING AND "USINESS !DMINISTRATION

All programs accepting applications now.

Apply online at www.ut.edu/apply or call (813) 258-7409.

6 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

Diversions

Crossword

A. J. Santora / Will Shortz ©New York Times

Across

1

1. Legs, slangily

13

14

15

16

17

18

5. Urban renewal targets 10. Chi's follower

2

3

4

5

13. Spoon-administered

19

20

14. Digital watch maker

22

23

15. Work force

26

17. In other words

36

18. Medal recipient 19. Have an initial success

32

37

45

53

23. Be less than candid 24. On the road 28. Jamaican music 30. Place for barrels 31. Plating metal

11

25

34 39

46

Elton John Concert

40

Sept. 14

43 47

48 55

54 59

Last Day to Change Meal Plan Sept. 14

35

49

50

56

51

52

57 60

USF Sun Dome 8 p.m. $40-$220

Art on the Water

61

62

63

64

65

66

Sept. 15

67

68

69

Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi 11 a.m.

33. Sculptor Jean 35. Prefix with -gon

The Weekend Update

12

30

33

58

26. Edited out

10

29

42

44

9

38

41

22. WSW's opposite

8

24 28

31

7

21

27

16. Arm bone

6

Free

36. Classic Ernest L. Thayer poem

66. Graven image

11. Most peaceful

40. Limbo requisite

67. Majors in acting?

12. ___ Jima

41. Good times

41. Samovar

68. Necessities

15. One-named singer

45. From head ___

42. One: Prefix

69. What the fourth little piggy had

20. Nostalgia-evoking song

46. MacGraw of "Love Story"

21. Plant sticker

48. Kind of titmouse

25. Sticky stuff

50. Work too hard

27. Visitors to Earth, for short

51. Keep adding 52. Rider's seat

Women’s Soccer vs. Eckerd

54. One conquered by Pizarro

Pepin Stadium

43. Kind of testing 44. Prefix with -gon 47. Offensive time?

49. Visine units

Down 1. Overcharged

53. Tell-all type

2. Old "What's My Line?" name

55. "For the Boys" grp.

3. Trophy shelf

57. By way of

29. Matt's "Today" cohost

4. Blind piece

58. Completely off-track

32. Manhattan sch.

5. L. Ron Hubbard genre

61. ___ Domini

34. Acad. honor

6. Rest room designation

62. Terra ___

36. Drapery fabric

7. Tech support caller

63. 1960's TV horse

37. Make public

8. Bad beginning

64. As soon as

38. Pronghorn

9. ___ voce

65. More suitable

10. Soviet committees

39. "___ Days" (Schwarzenegger film)

Sept. 15

Pepin Stadium

5:30 p.m. $5 adults, $3 students, Free with UT I.D.

Sept. 15

56. Generals' insignia

8 p.m.

59. Suffix with novel

$5 adults, $3 students, Free with UT I.D.

60. "Sounds good to me" 61. Popular I.S.P.

Picture

WEEK

Men’s Soccer vs. Eckerd

of the

Photo by Leah Beilhart/The Minaret The Women’s Soccer team celebrates after a victory this past weekend.

$5 Day at the Zoo Sept. 16

Lowry Park Zoo 9:30 a.m. $5

Toby Keith Concert Sept. 16

1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre 7 p.m. $20-$115

Guest Artist Recital Sept. 18

Sykes Chapel 7:30 p.m.

Free

Honors Symposium: Revolutions in Understanding Pain-- It Really Is All in Your Head Sept. 19

Macdonald-Kelce Library AV 2 5 p.m.

Free

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Arts + Entertainment

7

Fashion Makes a Statement During Recruitment

Photos clockwise from top left: Facebook; Taylor Sanger; Facebook; Taylor Sanger; Taylor Sanger; Taylor Sanger; Facebook; Facebook

Sorority members and potential members debut their best outfits during the weekend of Sorority Recruitment.

By KATELYN EDWARDS Arts + Entertainment Writer

Fall sorority recruitment was on the minds of many ladies this past weekend, be it wide-eyed freshmen or seasoned upperclassmen. The chance at being a part of an exclusive organization and a sisterhood is a unique experience indigenous only to the college campus.

“It’s unlike anything else leading up to the collegiate level. It’s more than a student organization, it’s being in a community of 100 other women who share the similar morals, sense of service, focus on scholarship and personal growth,” said sophomore Kristen Anderson, Chief Recruitment Officer of Kappa Alpha Theta.

It’s an opportunity to make new friends, network and establish a support system away from home.

With five sororities to choose from this fall, the choice can be difficult. Potential members consider a sorority’s service initiatives, campus involvement and also their physical image. Particularly during recruitment, sororities go to great lengths to distinguish themselves aesthetically.

“For rush, sorority members wear the same uniform so that the focus is on our personalities rather than our appearance,” said Delta Zeta sophomore Emily Anderson.

“This makes it easier for potential members to remember our sorority, as it is clearly marked on our t-shirts.”

Delta Zeta, for instance, is clearly noted for their bright green and pink attire. Their sense of sisterhood is underscored by their physical uniformity.

“For chapter, we typically wear

business attire. The goal is to look put together and presentable,” Chief Executive Officer of Kappa Alpha Theta, Ashley Khawam, said.

“It’s a habit to continue throughout college and into the business world. It is a form of respect toward the legacy of your organization.”

Moreover, Anderson insists that, “It’s a confidence thing. When you are put together, you simply tend to perform better.”

For sorority events, sisters are often encouraged to conform to the same dress, color and style. This particularity

]

image varies between every sorority and undoubtedly has an influence on a potential member’s perception of a sisterhood.

In choosing a sorority, it is hard not to be swayed by looks. One rush participant, who requests to remain nameless, said that she can categorize a majority of sororities by level of physical attractiveness.

“Specific sororities have a certain look about them, and if you don’t look physically like they do or dress as they do, your chances of getting in are slim. It’s as simple as looking at the sisters.”

Some sororities are iconic for their hair

]

“It’s a confidence thing. When you are put together, you simply tend to perform better.”

- Kristen Anderson, Kappa Alpha Theta

of dress can be minute, as some sisters are asked to buy similar skinny black belts or the same patterned tote bag. A sense of community can quickly turn to conformity. However, Anderson contends that this is not the case.

“The style of dress varies between every sister, even if we’re wearing the same dress. People wear different jeans, for instance, or accessories, to distinguish themselves. Our sorority is a very diverse set of girls.”

The diversity of dress among sorority sisters stresses the individual characteristics that compose the sisterhood. This aesthetic

color or their meticulousness of dress.

“It can be intimidating,” the potential member said. “We are all influenced by the image that the sororities present. They can project a confidence that can leave you in awe.”

This emphasis on image influences how some potential members approach the recruitment process. Another potential member says that “we are hyper-aware of how we dress during recruitment. I haven’t straightened my hair in over a year-- today I did. Also, I’ve been thinking about what to wear for the past 72 hours. This is coming from a girl who lives in sweat pants.”

For the first day of recruitment, however, all potential members were given the same t-shirt, in hopes of dispelling such worries. Regardless of such efforts, this emphasis on aesthetics leads to the debate of superficiality and the recruitment process.

“Is recruitment superficial?” poses one rush participant. “Probably. Looks influence judgment. We turn to looks, to an extent, to speak on our behalf.”

Aesthetics only speak so loudly, Kappa Alpha Theta’s sophomore member Sarah Burke insists. “Honestly, we do not remember girls for their cute dress or their accessories. Sure, looking presentable will improve your prospects-- it’s respectful and professional-- but it is not what we focus on,” says the Chief PanHellenic Officer.

“Having women in uniform clothing isn’t intended to be intimidating,” said Kappa Alpha Theta Educational Leadership Consultant Alyssa Trumbull.

“It’s intended to show that we are all a part of a greater whole.”

A sense of community is a keystone of sorority ethics, but recruitment is “not about who dresses like you,” Khawan insists. “It’s about who you connect with in a conversation and where you feel you can best develop.” For both parties, sorority participants and potential members, it is difficult not to be influenced by aesthetics.

But “choosing a sorority is a personal choice,” said Anderson.

“You don’t want to base your decision upon a superficial estimate of what a sorority stands for. You need to choose a sorority based on moral reasons, not fashion taste.”

Katelyn Edwards can be reached at katelyn.edwards@spartans.ut.edu.

8 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

The xx’s Coexist Album Stifles Natural Musical Progression

By AMANDA SIERADZKI Arts + Entertainment Writer

British indie band The xx have come out of hibernation. They released their self-titled album in August 2009 which ranked numerous “best” lists from Rolling Stone to NME. Their music has been featured on television commercials and shows, movie soundtracks and more notably the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The band toured but were relatively quiet in terms of new music.

After a three year wait, their second album, Coexist, dropped on Sept. 11 with more of a hushed awe than a bang. The xx’s second album tickles your inner ear with wispy lines like “I will give you me and we’ll be us” from “Our Song.”

While named Coexist, a new xx dynamic is explored. The album showcases Romy Croft’s and Oliver Sim’s voices separately for the first time. They are brought together for the rest of the album, however, and they bridge an audio chasm with longing in their voices.

“Angels” opens Coexist with sweet nothings voiced by Croft: “You moved through the room like breathing was easy” and “They would be as in love with you as I am.” Heartbeats of a drumline pulse under Croft’s quavering voice which is lonely without her vocal counterpart.

Back and forth duets return as Sim’s husky musings in “Chained” bring a peppier yet still subdued vibe. “Fiction” lets Sim go solo, but the duo return and stay together in “Try” and throughout the rest of the album’s tracks.

The album in its entirety laments on a love lost or pulled apart by some unfortunate event, as demonstrated in this punchy line in “Sunset”: “I feel like you knew me/now it feels like you see through me.”

The xx becomes more infamous for their repetition in a way that doesn’t tease the mind like a Top 40 artist does, but lulls

you into a dreamlike state, pushing and pulling at your senses.

On Coexist this repetition seems to hold back xx at points when they could go in different directions. This album has similar elements that the first one did, aside from

is the most intricate track on the album in both lyricism and composition, taking a pause in the middle to become a club remix of itself. “Swept Away” similarly remixes itself halfway through, becoming a little more upbeat than the usual xx fare

ever being shocking, which may delight fans who feared this album would leave behind The xx they know and love. While some subtle musicalities distinguish Coexist as new, it just doesn’t make jaws drop. To be fair, The xx isn’t something you listen to for shock factor. Instead, you turn them on when in need of zen or thoughtful meditation.

However, despite giving the people what they want, I think the group could have pushed a little harder to make the music more exciting. They do go for riskier beats, but, for the most part, you could play their first album and Coexist back to back and never notice the progression.

Since their first album was so successful, true fans have been holding out for three years with high anticipation.

Instead, their sound remained fairly stagnant which made the long wait somewhat of a disappointment.

“Our Song” sweetly ties Coexist up in a rose-colored bow. The chorus bites with alternately bitter and sugary overtones: “Well I know all the words to take you apart/you know I know your heart/I want to mend your heart.”

The xx played their hand well, knowing the hearts of their fans, but perhaps lost a chance to take themselves apart and see what’s new and vibrant inside.

Amanda Sieradzki can be reached at asieradzki@spartans.ut.edu.

Graphic by Natalie Hicks/The Minaret

The xx released their new album, Coexist, on Sept. 11. While the songs were consistent to their style, the band failed to mature their sound.

moments where something more raw breaks through. Only bits and pieces managed to resonate as interesting.

These very instances occur with Croft’s solo track “Angels,” Sim’s “Fiction” and the duo’s “Reunion,” “Missing” and “Our Song.”

“Reunion” uses steel drums to create a more complex sound for the group. It

but not really pushing the envelope in terms of lyrics. It’s playing it safe and not trying to shock listeners.

“Missing” is experimental for xx in its own right with several drops coming back with a new energy. Sim and Croft take turns as ghost voices moaning in the background while the other contemplates the chorus.

The album passes by, however, without

Critic’s Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Techies Find SongPop as Addicting as Words With Friends

By JORDAN WALSH

Arts + Entertainment Writer

As Americans plunge deeper into a “digital age” in which smart phones are becoming the new necessity and Facebook runs much of the social world, we are once again introduced to another new digital

trend that has started to rear its head around the Internet world.

Much like the rise of other popular applications such as Words With Friends and Instagram, the quiz game SongPop is quickly starting to light up screens. Launched just three months ago by social application company

Freshplanet, the addicting app has exploded into prominence, boasting 25 million users.

Just what is it about SongPop that has made it grow so quickly? It could easily be the fact that it is available on both the Apple App Store and on the Android Market, eliminating the frustrating gap that has been such a pitfall for so many less successful apps.

It could also be the fact that it is available on Facebook, which is especially endearing for people who do not subscribe to the growing smartphone trend, sticking to what history professor Dr. Littell-Lamb calls a “dumb phone.”

Perhaps SongPop’s most attractive feature is that it’s just so addicting by nature, not unlike fellow application Words With Friends. The game itself works like this: the player is given a short clip of a song and is posed with the task of choosing either the name of said song or the artist who performed it.

Meanwhile, a timer is ticking on them, and the earlier that the user chooses the correct answer, the more points they are awarded. At the same time, a different user, whether it is a friend or a completely random player, is going through the same quiz and competing for the overall win.

The game is also very appealing to a

wide audience because it gives the user a choice as to what genre of music it will be quizzing them on for each round. So, if you are not a fan of Top 40 radio these days, there is still an available punk or 90s alternative option. This allows each player to utilize their strengths when it is their turn to choose the genre.

The app is also starting to make its rounds through campus.

Freshman nursing major Kyle Ewing said that he “likes SongPop even more than Words With Friends.”

“It’s just so much fun,” said freshman business major Megan Curran. “There’s a little something for everybody, and I think that’s why it’s so popular.”

What’s important to remember though, is how new this app really is. Launched only in May of this year, it still has the potential to grow even more. SongPop is a game that is easy to pick up and play, which is a trait that will definitely set it apart from its contemporaries.

Applications like SongPop continue to turn leisure time into a social affair, feeding the “digital age” and making the nation more connected in multiple facets of life.

Jordan Walsh can be reached at jordan. walsh@spartans.ut.edu.

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

9

‘So Far So Good’ for Rapper Alex Granata NATALIE HICKS

Arts + Entertainment Editor

Senior Alex Granata hasn’t always been serious about rapping. He has been freestyling and breaking out rhymes since elementary school, but actually began to write down his verses only about a year and a half ago.

Originally from Darien, Conn., the communications major has always loved the intricacy and art behind rapping. Close family and friends immediately encouraged Granata to pursue his passion as a career. From there, it was only a matter of ambition.

“I was so bad when I started, but now I’m starting to use the imagination side of things.

Whatever you can think of, I try to capture it and write it down, almost like a painting,” Granata said.

He tries his best to make sure that his songs depict no one but himself.

The chorus in “Childish Musician” off his sophomore mixtape So Far So Good chants, “I’m a child/I rip it hard/I’m loud/I’m livin’ large.”

Granata and his friends are a laid back group of guys that like to rap, skateboard and have a good time, and this song certainly portrays that. Many college students could relate to these party anthem lyrics, which is part of the appeal.

SFSG also features songs like: “Coolin Out,” “Summer Wine” and “I Want It All,” which all have

been influenced by some of his favorite rappers.

“I grew up on the 90s hip-hop. I don’t want to mimic other rappers, although some of them motivate me to do what I want to do,” Granata said. He describes his music as a throwback to old school hip-hop but with a modern twist.

“Childish Musician” has received nearly 5,000 views on Youtube thus far, and the numbers are still growing. Sophomore film major Miles Cable and his indie film company Fresh View Films directed the music video. Their collaboration mutually benefitted both of them, but also created a strong friendship.

“Music videos generate a whole new audience in the sense that people love visuals. His music videos boosted his fan base,” Cable said.

Granata claims that his music is so much more than frat rap, though. In “So Far So Good” off the SFSG mix tape, he raps about the insecurities and frustration that comes along with chasing a dream.

“F--- it, though/this music is all I f---ing care about/24-7 starting to pull my f---ing hair out/no life/I’m scared/what if this plan never pans out/I won’t give in and never accept a f---ing handout” he spits fiercely.

Granata is currently working on his new mixtape titled Thrift Shops and Hip Hop, which is set to come out soon. He feels that it

Photo courtesy of Alex Granata/Facebook

Senior Alex Granata takes a break from skateboarding. When he skates, he often comes up with a lot of his rhymes and song ideas. He also uses skating as a method to escape writer’s block.

expresses his growth as a person and as an artist. He also explained that the songs will “play through like a movie,” which he hopes will resonate with his listeners.

Instead of putting out an album with just a string of catchy songs,

Granata would rather spend quality time making quality music that will make people feel something. This focus toward the recording process is also why he is taking a brief hiatus from performing.

“I want my whole style to be

really natural [for Thrift Shops and Hip Hop]. I always thought there was a beauty in that,” Granata said.

Natalie Hicks can be reached at natalie.hicks@theminaretonline. com.

10 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

By ERIC DUFFERT

Arts + Entertainment Writer Photo courtesy of Facebook

De la Renta Condemns Michelle Obama as Fashion Icon

By ARIEL ANDREW AND KELLY ST. ONGE

There are a lot of talented people here, too.”

Later, after realizing his comments came off as rude to the media, de la Renta included to The Washington Throughout her role as the First Lady of the United Post, “…she has such great looks that if she put on a States of America, Michelle Obama has also become a potato sack, she would look great.” notable fashion icon. Many designers flock at the chance When Michelle visited the U.K. Queen at the to have her wear one of their designs.

Buckingham Palace, de la Renta said, “You don’t go to Michelle’s style could be defined as timeless yet Buckingham Palace in a sweater.” trendy. According to NBC News’ The Grio, she wears “I think she would have been criticized no matter name brands such as J. Crew, Jimmy Choo, Jason Wu, what she wore,” senior history major Heather Stepro Ann Taylor and Sonia Rykiel. said. “She is very supportive of the president and their She showcased one of her most prominent fashion kids, and she is still her own person.” moments last Tuesday, Sept.

Ann Romney wore one of 4, 2012 during her speech his gowns, a red, silk kneeat the Democratic National length dress, during the RNC. Convention in Charlotte, North After all the harsh comments de Carolina.

African-American la Renta has declared about the designer, Tracy Reese, created First Lady, he went on The View the stunning gown. Reese and apologized for his choice of

complemented the First Lady’s words against her.

-Oscarde la Renta silhouette with a red silk dress He said that “to dress the that slowly faded into baby blue First Lady of the United States at the bottom. It was a sleeveless, is an enormous privilege.”

A-line dress, showing off her Although, Michelle has yet to toned arms. Reese was proud wear his designs. that the First Lady wore her Freshman marketing major dress during such an iconic Erika Sira thinks that Michelle’s event in history. decision to support African“Thanks everyone for sharing American designers is a smart this amazing moment! We are move, since they are less common all so grateful and honored to in the fashion industry. have dressed Mrs. Obama for “I believe it was a great such a momentous speech!!” decision and a remarkable Reese Tweeted. contribution to the fashion world She paired the handcrafted for the First Lady to showcase dress with some J.Crew Everly an African-American designer’s suede pumps in pink, a stark talents,” she said. contrast to Ann Romney’s fireAs Election Day draws closer engine red Oscar de la Renta and closer, Michelle Obama dress. The Financial Times continues to support her husband editor, Vanessa Friedman, put throughout his campaign while the price range for Ann’s dress in managing to stay stylish at the the $2,090-$2,490 price range. same time.

Similar designs to Michelle’s Stepro said the way the First dress run under $500.

Lady, or prospective First Lady, “What I like about her is she presents herself to the public is appears to be a very approachable just as important as what she says person and has appeared this onstage. She said what she wears way for the last four years. She and the image she embodies is looks the same whether she just as strong of a message as the wears flip-flops in the garden or political ones puts out by word. a ball gown,” said sophomore “I also liked that she coordinated writing and psychology major the nail polish. That tells me she’s Rosario Then. not stuck up. She’s a real person...

However, Michelle’s wardrobe relatable,” Stepro said. choices are not always favored by Ariel Andrew can be reached every designer. Oscar de la Renta, at ariel.andrew@spartans.ut.edu.

Photo courtesy of kk+/Flickr.com a Dominican fashion designer Kelly St. Onge can be reached American clothing designer Oscar de la Renta poses with a model. De la Renta has bashed First Lady Michelle based in the U.S., has slammed at kelly.st.onge@theminaretonline.

Obama multiple times to the media over the year. He most recently made negative comments toward her decision Michelle’s wardrobe choices in to wear a dress by African-American designer Tracy Reese. com.

Arts + Entertainment Writer and Arts + Entertainment Asst. Editor

]

the past. He has criticized her for not supporting American designers. She chose to wear a gown by Alexander McQueen, who happens to be British, to a foreign affairs event between the U.S. and China.

When the Obama family traveled to Europe, Michelle wore attire made by European designers.

She wore designs made by Azzedine Alaia, Moschino and Etro. De la Renta saw this as an insult, yet again, to American designers.

The Washington Post reported him saying, “Our industry is having a very difficult time. I think it would be great if the First Lady dressed in American styles.

“You don’t go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.”

]

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

OPINION

Opinion

11

Democratic National Convention Speeches Lacked Luster

By LAUREN RICHEY Opinion Writer

The Democratic National Convention took place in Charlotte, North Carolina from Sept. 4 to 6, and the differences between our hopeful president Obama and our conservative Mitt Romney have never been so apparent. A painfully long speech from our former president Bill Clinton led to a stumbling attempt at speaking from our current vice president Joe Biden. Yet both of these speeches topped that of President Obama.

Clinton’s speech was just too long.

The crowd’s exuberant cheers toward the beginning slowly declined to obligatory yells as his speech dragged on. Although Clinton did make a few important points about the economy, his only argument for Obama’s reelection was that “America just doesn’t feel it yet,” referring of course to the many policies he instated these past four years. He also made the bold statement that “No president could’ve fully repaired the damage Obama inherited” and that he just ran out of time. How is this supposed to make voters feel better? He couldn’t do it, so no one can? If anything, this proves a level of incompetence and a lack of accomplishment.

Biden surprisingly kept the ramblings

to a minimum. The Democratic Party is full of good public speakers, but Biden is not one of them. The second half of his speech included misleading statements he probably won’t be able to back up, such as Romney and Ryan “betting against the American people.” Besides this, there really isn’t much I can say about Biden’s speech.

He stood up there for almost an hour and didn’t say anything, which is all I can really expect from our current vice president.

Finally there was President Obama’s address, filled with promising goals and hypocritical statements. In past conventions from either party, there is usually a strong argument entailing everything the current president has accomplished during his term; something that was absent in Obama’s speech. He clearly couldn’t talk about the economy or how the unemployment rate is incredibly high, which left him with only the unnecessary auto industry bailout to discuss. For which he took full credit for. All of the money spent on these companies was a complete waste in the first place because it did exactly what bankruptcy was going to do anyway.

There was reinforcement of the saying “We didn’t have enough time,” becoming quite repetitive as the speaking came to an end. Obama called out Romney for not giving the people a concrete plan on how

he was going to fix our country and stated that because of this, his claims were empty.

However, throughout Obama’s entire speech there were quite a few goals with no clear statement of what their plan was going to be either.

Essentially the message I got from this convention is that if you’re rich, you’re evil. In his speech, Biden claimed that Romney’s plan is to have a “tax cut for the very wealthy” because he believes it’s “OK to raise taxes on the middle class.”

According to a fact-check by USA Today, Romney actually promises to lower middleclass taxes and also cut income tax rates by 20 percent. There was also a shrewd focus by both Biden and Obama on the military and how Romney didn’t mention the troops in Afghanistan in his speech, even though it was mentioned by countless other speakers.

Overall, this greatly anticipated address was hollow and disappointing, lacking the stuff to make America believe that we are actually going to achieve anything. It seems the president’s supporters, like Clinton, care more about this election than the president does. I give Obama an ‘A’ for showing up, even though it didn’t seem like his heart was really in it. Yet, as to the content of his speeches, he failed to reach me personally as to why he should be reelected. There was

DonkeyHotey/ Flickr.com

Obama’ address was hollow and disappointing

no assurance that the promises he made at this convention are to be any different than those unfulfilled promises from 2008. Our country needs someone reliable rather than someone who just ran out of time. These are the things voters today should be thinking about before they go to the election booths.

Lauren Richey can be reached at lauren. richey@spartans.ut.edu

‘Stingray’ Device Invades American Privacy

By ELAINA ZINTL Opinion Writer

A survey study by World Vision found that only nine percent of teenagers are willing to sacrifice their cell phones for a day. I couldn’t go without mine for more than a week. My smartphone recently became my fastest way of getting information: calling, texting, emailing and using the internet. What most people don’t know about their phones is that it is essentially a tracking device.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) confirms it can be used to track your position, as well as everything you do on it. There is even a device, called Stingray, made by Harris Wireless Products Group of Melbourne, Fla. which is a fake cell phone tower that tricks all wireless devices nearby to connect to it. As stated by the Red Tape Chronicles, the gadget is able to collect information such as the cell phone’s unique identifier, phone numbers of dialed calls and location data. It’s a frightening thought that they have access to all of our information. I have the right to my privacy.

As detailed in the “Physics of Cell Phones” through the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, the information that we send via our cell phones never goes directly to the person we intend to send it to. It first goes through our service provider. There is software that records everything that you do using your smartphone, and the carrier has all of that information. PRC states that carriers hold on to large portions of that information, including texts, call-location data and PINs. They do not disclose what data is stored, or how long it is held for.

This alone makes me nervous, but the idea that even more people can pick up my personal data is alarming.

Brickhouse Security states that all of the information that the providers record can be accessed by a third party, and that government agencies have been successful in obtaining the user data from the service carriers. It appears that agencies such as police departments and the FBI can request historical data from providers without a

warrant. Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research at Indiana University graduate fellow Chris Soghoian said that some phone companies even allow police officers to download a customer’s GPS location data through a website, in some cases charging as little as five dollars. I don’t know about you, but I think that my personal cell phone history is worth a lot more than five dollars.

Now, the government can intercept my data as they wish by employing a fake cell phone tower. As stated by Wired, Stingray tricks cellular phones into connecting to

and Supreme Court ruled that it was indeed not a violation. The Fourth Amendment is the part of the Bill of Rights that states people have the right to secure their persons, houses, papers and effects from searches and seizures that occur without a probable-cause warrant. Cell phones should be added to this list.

This gathering of information is an intrusion of privacy and government agencies should not be given full access to what goes through my service provider. I acknowledge that in using my phone my information goes through a carrier before

Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret

How much is your cell phone history worth? To some companies, it’s worth $5

it by mimicking real towers. It picks up the signal before rerouting them back to the true towers. This also allows for more precise location tracking. The frightening fact of the matter is that government agencies do not need a warrant to do it.

The case of United States v. Jones, where Antoine Jones and an associate were tried for narcotics violations, debated whether or not the use of a tracking device on an automobile is a violation of Fourth Amendment rights. Federal officers stated that these surveillance operations do not violate the rights of citizens because there should be no real expectation of privacy for any data that is sent to a cellphone tower,

reaching the person I intended it to, but I want as few people to see it as possible.

Government agencies and officials should need a warrant to access my historical data, or to set up these fake towers.

Matt Blaze, a computer science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, informed the Red Tape Chronicles that gadgets like Stingray “are powerful surveillance tools that, if misused, have the potential to be quite invasive against the privacy of innocent people. But, then again, so do many other law enforcement investigative methods -- physical searches, hidden microphones, informants and so on. The question is how they are used,

how often they are used and the oversight mechanisms in place to prevent and detect misuse.” Blaze believes that because of the limited scope of the devices, they are less worrisome than the “large-scale surveillance capabilities being included in our communications infrastructure.”

Soghoian told the Red Tape Chronicles that Stingray is unnecessary because of how easy and inexpensive it is to access phone company records. He said, “The real issue is that this device is about allowing police to perform surveillance when the phone company would say no.” In other words, who is watching the watchmen?

Soghoian is worried that when Stingray is being used there is no one to insist that the law be followed.

As detailed on Wired, it was ruled in federal court during the Jones case that the government can obtain records from a service provider because no physical intrusion occurs. They also state that this access is permitted without a warrant because the information is considered third-party records and customers have no right to keep it private. By this logic, no rights are being violated. However, it also assumes that every cell phone user knows how their phone works and actively assumes the risk of the provider keeping records of it. Even if people were aware of records being kept, that doesn’t mean they are consenting for anyone other than the service provider to have or use that data.

Until recently, I didn’t even consider the fact that a wealth of my personal information was available to others because of my phone. It is an invasion of privacy. Not only should a probablecause warrant be required for access to that documentation but I should be informed when that information has been given to another agency. It is my right as an American citizen, and as a human being, to keep my personal life and information private.

Elaina Zintl can be reached at elaina. zintl@spartans.ut.edu

12 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

OPINION

Romney’s Tax Returns Are None of Our Business

By RICHARD J WHITAKER Opinion Writer

Samantha Battersby/ The Minaret

Releasing tax returns is not a requirement

Mitt Romney, ever-under-attack from various people or groups, is facing yet another issue that could hamper his bid to become the president of the United States. According to www.examiner.com, an unidentified group apparently illegally entered PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Tennessee office and hacked into their computer mainframe, accessing all of Romney’s 1040 tax return forms. This criminal group has publicly announced that it is holding Governor Romney’s private tax documents hostage and are demanding $1 million in Bitcoins (an extremely difficult currency to track) or else they will release the information in these documents to the public.

Even if Governor Romney chose to pay the ransom, his payment would not guarantee the return of his personal tax records. According to www. venturebeat.com, the group claims that it will also be accepting offers from other people or groups that may wish to obtain these records. If someone else offers a higher ransom than Romney, the hacker group claims it will turn

the records over to the highest offer.

Obviously, the group has committed several felonies and is much less than honorable, so there is no reason that Romney should take them at their word. He might well pay the money and the hacker group might still turn the documents over to those who would act less than honorably and release the private records to the public, or they might release it themselves.

As a citizen of the United States, I condemn the foregoing criminal acts. I specifically renounce any effort to gain unjust enrichment from the theft and misappropriation of a another citizen’s private tax records.

This is simply wrong on the most basic level. Sure, Romney may not have chosen to release as many of his tax records as past presidents and candidates have, but he shouldn’t have to; these are private records. The election laws require that a number of personal documents be released when running for the presidency.

Governor Romney dutifully complied with these requirements, which included a significant number of his previous year’s tax returns. Some past presidents may have released more or less.

The important point is that he complied with the rules, which balance the right of privacy with the needs of the public to know about the people running for the highest office in the land. Again, the essential thing to consider is that he made the necessary returns public and complied with the time-honored rules.

It seems that groups close to the Obama campaign have chosen to hound Romney for the release of much more than he is required by law or past practice to produce. Why? Is it because his tax records might reveal that he is the epitome of the success America offers all of its citizens? Yes, Romney is extremely wealthy. His family represents the classic “rags to riches” American success story, and some groups and individuals are attempting

to portray the hard work that produced his success as some form of obvious evil. I suppose the tax returns are supposed to represent some form of undeniable proof that he made money, perhaps a lot of money, while many Americans made either less money or perhaps no money. A question that also may rise to mind is, “So what?” If true, is this not a good reason to either vote or not vote for him? He found success where others could not. Is this the kind of guy we want looking for success on our behalf, as our seniormost national leader? I am just a college student, but it seems pretty obvious that it would be wise to select a successful man to lead America into what we hope to be a successful future.

Honestly, as an American citizen I am more inclined to wonder about the transparency offered by our current president. Within days of entering office, he signed several executive orders which directed those in government to make their work product and records transparent to the American people. However, as to his own records, his own past, his own education and his own records of public office... well, they have not been so transparent. He makes quite a bit of himself regarding his Ivy League education, but refuses to release his education records. Do these old records not reveal as much about the man as the old tax records of Governor Romney? Why the doublestandard? Fair questions, I think!

However, in abundant fairness, let’s put these questions aside for a moment and ask why does President Obama refuse to release his academic records?

I believe it is because they don’t exist or because he was at the bottom of his class. These are questions that are not crucial when discussing the job he has done as president, but focus more on his integrity. He has held himself out as a powerful intellect. If his academic records indicate otherwise, it is a matter of integrity or in this case, lack thereof.

We as Americans ask much of our leaders. This should motivate them in turn to work harder in order to accomplish what “We the People” wish to be done. Right now, it appears we are diving deeper and deeper into our leaders’ private lives.

The question, I believe, becomes: Do we have the right to seek so much information about what the typical American would never wish released to his brother citizens, even if he was running for high public office? In my opinion, I believe Governor Romney should not have to release these records. It is not a requirement, thus we cannot demand this of him.

On the one hand, we might think it reasonable to probe into every aspect of our political leaders’ lives. Of course, it is vital to know as much as possible about the people making the decisions for us because these decisions will undoubtedly affect our lives as American citizens.

On the other hand, we as citizens cannot be so hypocritical as to condemn a man based on his refusal to release information that we ourselves would never release. Christian Sprinkle, a sophomore majoring in international and cultural studies at UT believes, “A man should never judge another man on a choice that he himself would also make.”

Whether the information sought is held by the incumbent or those who challenge Romney, the question is the same. I used the issues regarding the president’s academic records to frame the issue, and not to be disrespectful to the high office that he holds. I respect him because he is my president, fairly elected within the rubric of our constitutional framework.

Moreover, I pray for his success on a frequent basis E Pluribus Unum, “out of many, one.” However, I submit that there may be a bit of hypocrisy at play here if we do not apply the rules evenly to those on both sides of the line.

Richard J. Whitaker can be reached at richard.whitaker@ spartans.ut.edu

Clay Aiken’s Racist Tweet Finally Makes Him Relevant

By SAMANTHA BLOOM Opinion Columnist

Twitter is a place for people to share their lives, as they’re happening, 140 characters at a time. Normally, the Twitter-verse is peaceful and full of non-threatening tweets about making macaroni and cheese and watching old 90s reruns— but sometimes a celebrity tweets something that sparks scandal and controversy across the Internet. On Aug. 29, during the RNC, drama in the Twitter world struck again thanks to American Idol alum Clay Aiken and country singer John Rich.

It all started with a tweet from Aiken: “Playing drinking game with my brother now. We drink every time we see a black person on screen at the RNC. #soberasamormon,” to which John Rich, half of country’s popular duo Big & Rich, took offense. Rich tweeted, “@clayaiken…

CLAY! You should be ashamed for racist comments like THAT! WOW,” followed by, “I wonder how long it will be till @ clayaiken takes that idiotic post down. Clay, you’re better than that…I hope. Sincerely, JR,” and finally, “And to finish it off, @ clayaiken hashtags soberasamormon? I thought your charity was for inclusion, not

EXCLUSION. What happened?” This last tweet was in reference to Aiken’s Celebrity Apprentice run, on which he was competing for his charity, the National Inclusion Project. According to The Huffington Post, Aiken and Rich were

Wait,

acquainted during production of the show, where Rich, the 2011 winner, interviewed the final few contestants of this season.

The game of “negrospotting”—trying to find black people in the audience at the RNC –had been a phrase trending on Twitter before Clay Aiken’s comment. The game was spawned by black comedian and author Baratunde Thurston, who began using this term in his Tweets at the start of the convention. Rich did not directly attack Thurston for his “racist” comments, but shortly after attacking the former American Idol star, he Tweeted, “Between the hashtag “negrospotting” and what I’ve read ever

since, I’ve just had enough of this racist nonsense. It’s sick. PLS STOP.” “Negrospotting” gained popularity from a simple, demographical fact: According to the Frederick Douglass Foundation, only 2 percent of the RNC’s delegates for 2012

are the Democratic Party’s strongest voting bloc and have been for 50 years. With the Democrats holding a historical record of clinching almost 90 percent of the black population’s vote over multiple elections, the Republicans have a hard time finding any black delegates—it’s statistically improbable.

The “negrospotting” Twitter trend and Clay Aiken’s Tweet are relatively goodnatured jabs at the Republican Party for being at a mathematical disadvantage in regards to diversity. According to The Washington Post, white people account clayaiken/Twitter.com someone actually reads Clay Aiken ‘s Tweets? for about 92 percent of Republicans.

Numbers like that are the kinds of thing were black. From there, the game became John Stewart and Stephen Colbert often about math, since the ratio of black people poke fun at; it’s not new information. Aiken, to white people on the convention floor was Thurston, and the other participants in the roughly one in 50. Simply stated, finding a “negrospotting” Twitter game weren’t black person in the crowd of Republicans being racist—they were using statistics to during the RNC was like finding a needle point out how white-washed the 2012 RNC in a very white haystack. floor was.

The “race card” should be pulled on the In response to Rich’s dig on Aiken failing GOP for having a low percentage of black to be congruent with his inclusion policy, delegates instead of on the liberals who had Aiken replied, “My charity is. Why isn’t your a good laugh playing not-really-drinking party? ;-)” That is a very good question. John games at the party’s expense. According to Rich doesn’t seem to have the answer, but I’m nationalreview.com, It is statistically less betting it’s somewhere in the numbers. likely for an African-American to identify Samantha Bloom can be reached at with the Republican Party. Black voters samantha.bloom@spartans.ut.edu

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

OPINION

13

Eight-Year-Old Boy Hits Jackpot: Whale Vomit

By JOHN KONISZEWSKI Opinion Writer

Eight-year-old Charlie Naysmith found a 600 gram hardened chunk of sperm whale vomit on the beach at Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth, Great Britain. If that was the end of the story, I would say, “gross” and move on, but there was something special about that throw-up. There is a substance in the puke called ambergris which is used in perfumes to prolong their scent. According to Jane Reader of the Daily Echo, “[Charlie] and his family discovered it is worth between 10,000 and 40,000 British pounds.”

That is $51, 259.05.

Let me put that into perspective.

According to the University of Tampa’s Tuition and Costs page on UT’s website, the average cost for the 2012-2013 academic year for an undergraduate taking 12-18 credits is $34,338. You could pay off a year of college and have plenty left over to pimp out your dorm room, throw a wild party and then repair the damages to your room that occurred during that party. All that from the result of a whale with an upset tummy.

In a way, it is kind of depressing to know that some jobs will pay you less than what you can get from a whale’s stomach. Families drowning in debt will eventually realize this and quit their jobs.

They will use whatever money they have left to purchase a ship and try their luck in the sea. Desperate for the precious vomit, ship after ship will stalk whales through every nook and cranny of the ocean, hoping the whale will surface long enough to shoot a load of ipecac into their mouth. Then all they will

have to do is wait and collect the profit.

I think I have just stumbled upon the Discovery Channel’s newest hit show: Puke Pursuers.

Of course, if this becomes profitable, pirates and gangs will want in on this too. The pirates will seek out ships rife with ambergrisfilled puke and plunder to their hearts’ content. Even if the ships make it past

companies can cut out the middleman and take all the profit? I smell an Emmy-winning drama. Someone get me the number for HBO. If you get seasick easily and want to avoid the ocean, but still want make a profit, there are other animals you can call upon. According to William F. Wood, a member of Humboldt State University’s chemistry department,

Justine Parks / The Minaret

Sperm whale vomit can pay for your college tuition for a year or buy you two new cars.

the pirates, they will have to make it past the criminals hired by perfume companies. Why buy the ambergris from someone when the perfume

skunk musk, with the odor removed, also makes perfume scents stick. You can aid the perfume industry and not vomit from being seasick. You’ll just

vomit from the noxious odor of skunk musk. According to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, skunk musk was also used to cure “asthma, whooping cough, and similar respiratory illnesses.” Yes, because nothing helps you breath more easily than inhaling skunk fumes.

If perfume is not your thing, you can try to make a profit from Kopi Luwak. It is a type of coffee that goes from anywhere between $100 and $600 a pound. Preparing the coffee bean is not too hard. All you have to do is fly to Southeast Asia, find an animal called the civet, have it eat some coffee cherries, wait for the civet to poop out the partially digested coffee beans that were in the cherry and collect your profit. According to Norimitsu Onishi’s article in The New York Times, the coffee made by these beans is “smooth, chocolaty and devoid of any bitter aftertaste.” It is like cleaning up after your dog, but more rewarding. How long do you think it will take until we have this at Einstein’s, Jazzman’s and the cafeteria?

The story of the whale vomit teaches us that you can stumble upon wealth and success as long as you remain curious, examine your surroundings and are very lucky. Also, human beings are willing to put up with some pretty disgusting animal substances in order to make a profit. I hope that I am never so strapped for cash that I spend my days handling a sperm whale’s regurgitated dinner.

John Koniszewski can be reached at john.koniszewski@spartans.ut.edu

14 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

OPINION

The Rule of Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad Must End

By DAVID ADAMS Opinion Writer

Since the death of his father Hafez alAssad, Bashar al-Assad has followed in his footsteps, ruling over the Syrian people with violence and intimidation as his primary instruments. Al-Assad has been accused of ordering several acts of violence against his own people, and has followed the example his father set by rounding up and imprisoning any political activists who seek a reformation of Syria’s long standing authoritarian rule.

Despite the monumental changes occurring in the Middle East on almost a daily basis, national media outlets only cover the events that have enough “conflict content” to boost ratings.

Several Middle Eastern nations have experienced major political changes over the last two years in a movement that has been dubbed the “Arab Spring.” The Arab Spring has led to regime changes in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya between 2011 and 2012, and at the start garnered heavy attention from the global media. Much of the media focused on Egypt and Libya, where the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) played a major role in governmental shifts.

After the bombs stopped exploding and ratings dropped, so did the coverage.

Like all things media, attention quickly went elsewhere. Such as headlines like Ann Romney’s “humanizing” of her husband and Prince Harry’s nude pictures that were so much more important than governmental changes that will lead to massive global economic and power shifts. With the death toll in Syria skyrocketing, the media has once again started drooling over the ratings hike that will surely follow such carnage, and news coverage is at an all-time high. Viewers drive ratings, which in turn drives coverage, so it is up to us to prioritize the news correctly. Massive regime changes, high.

Prince Harry’s wang, low. Al-Assad ordering his soldiers to bombard his own cities and fire on citizens is something that our media needs to cover.

Syria demands the focus of our collective attention, with Agence France-Presse reporting that Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN-

Arab League envoy, said the death toll was “staggering” when he spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept.

4.

Syria has been a nation embroiled in combat and conflict for centuries, and the

massacre that took place in 1982. Middle Eastern correspondent for The Independent, Robert Fisk, estimated that 20,000 civilians were slaughtered, and the Syrian Human Rights Committee puts the number upwards of 30,000. Apparently the old adage, “the

Panarmenian/flickr.com Bashar Al-Assad has killed thousands of innocent civilians in Syria. country itself has known independence for a relatively short amount of time. While Syria is an independent nation, the people who call it home are far from free, and with tensions coming to an all-time high, the country is desperately in need of a regime change.

From 1970 to 2000, during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, several internal uprisings were put down with the use of military power. The most notable of these was in the city of Hama, where military forces ruthlessly attacked civilians during an uprising instigated by the Muslim Brotherhood.

According to Holly Yeager in a Washington Post article published in March 2012, “At least 10,000 people were killed in February 1982 during the three-week pounding of the city by government artillery and tanks ordered by Hafez al-Assad, the father of the current president.”

These staggering estimates are low compared to other numbers compiled from outside sources during the nearly month-long

apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” isn’t too far from the truth in the case of Hafez’s dear son, Bashar.

Since March 2011, the violence in Syria has reached obscene levels, and thousands of innocent civilians have been caught in the crossfire occurring between rebel forces and security forces loyal to al-Assad. According to an Associated Press article on Sept. 3

by Bassem Mroue and Jamal Halaby, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) put the death toll from the previous week of military and civilian clashes at 1,600. This pales in comparison to the total death toll estimation in Syria since the start of uprisings

by UNICEF, which puts the number of dead Syrians at anywhere from 23,000 to 26,000.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that in August 5,440 people were killed, of which 4,114 were civilians.

Although the 1982 three-week massacre in Hama resulted in more deaths, Bashar alAssad is proving that he intends to follow

in his father’s footsteps when it comes to quelling rebellions.

Al-Assad is a disgusting pig and the only Syrian who deserves to be slaughtered. His overuse of military authority on civilians is despicable, and the rest of the world should set aside their differences, if only for a moment, and bring this little piggy to justice.

While I don’t believe that the U.S. military should directly be involved, I strongly believe that the United Nations, and the League of Arab States should act quickly to put an end to al-Assad’s brutal campaign.

Syria may be half a world away from the University of Tampa, but for the innocent people caught in the middle of a tyrant’s wrath, the bloodshed and death is very real.

Regardless of our proximity to the violence, the atrocities in Syria warrant our attention.

Al-Assad is committing terrible crimes against humanity. Not only is Syria involved in a catastrophic civil war, the entire middle eastern region has been going through serious power shifts for the last two years, and as a world superpower, it is crucial that we as a nation remain informed on the global power structure.

The Middle East has deserved attention since December 2010. When Mohammed Bouazizi self-immolated in protest to Tunisia’s oppressive ruling government, attention should have remained on the entire region. I mean, if setting yourself on fire isn’t enough to turn heads, I really have no idea what is.

Since Bouazizi, middle eastern governments have toppled, and ruling authorities have begun to bend to the will of their people. Several countries have made major law changes, granting their citizens new rights and freedoms. AlAssad has displayed his opposition to change and shows his resolve. It’s time that those of us lucky enough to live in a free country speak out against Al-Assad and tell him, like the first democraticallyelected Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, “Your time won’t be long.”

David Adams can be reached at dadams@spartans.ut.edu

$60 Million Fine Affects Penn State Campus Wide

By VANESSA RIGHEIMER Opinion Writer

The day before Penn State’s season opener against Ohio, a vigil was held. The morning of the game, you would not hear the crowd sing in joy to “Sweet Caroline” as part of the game day ritual. Instead, a moment of silence was held for the victims of Jerry Sandusky before kickoff.

Throughout the field you could see fans holding signs saying, “You Stayed With Us...We Stand With You” in support of the players who returned to Penn State when given the option to transfer out and play for other teams.

As united as the Penn State community stands, you still have to shake your head to the ones who let them down. Of course, the

[

But that’s not even the worst of it, as the school will be facing many lawsuits from the sexually abused victims. Though the football program did not receive the “death penalty” in which they would have to sit out for a year, they will still be facing severe punishment that will greatly hinder the program. NCAA slapped on a $60 million fine to the football program, reduced the amount of football scholarships and put the team on a four year probation from the Big Ten Championship. Since investigators found evidence that head football coach Joe Paterno persuaded university officials not to report any of the rapes to outside law enforcement, he was fired. His statue in front of the football stadium was torn down this summer and according to ESPN

As united as the Penn State community stands, you still have to shake your head to the ones who let them down.

one who deserves the most blame would be Sandusky, but as revealed in the media last spring, many people in authority at Penn State were responsible in attempting to cover up the scandal. Because of this, Penn State will be paying for this for many years.

According to CBS Sports, the school has already paid $16.8 million for legal fees which included lawyers and consultants.

]

his wins from 1998 to 2011 were vacated, resulting in his 409 wins dropping to 298.

This whole scandal has turned Penn State upside down, but who is Penn State?

It’s easy to think of the menacing face of Sandusky and not feel bad one bit. It’s even easy to think of Paterno and the greed that clouded his moral responsibilities. But

Penn State is not just comprised of Sandusky, Paterno and other school officials who made a huge mistake.

Penn State is the sophomore studying premed in the library until two in the morning.

Penn State is the basketball player from New Jersey pennstatelive/Flickr.com whose athletic full The statue of Joe Paterno was taken down after Sandusky scandal ride is what made college possible. the metal plate in my neck to prove it did… I Penn State is the kid from Bellefonte who almost died playing 4 PSU…punishment or attended every Penn State football game healing?!? #WeAre.” There will be hundreds with his dad growing up. Penn State is the of other players whose history of Penn painting and drawing professor who never State football will have vanished. Sandusky attended a football game in her life. will rot in prison for what he did. The late It makes you wonder if the right people Paterno will have his reputation tarnished. are being punished. Not only were the 1998 Some school officials will struggle to find to 2011 wins taken away from Paterno, new jobs after being fired for the part they but also from over two decades of Penn played in trying to cover this up. But the State football players. Their hard work and small people, like the students, professors, dedication to the team has been erased by the staff and outside community are left to pick NCAA. Adam Taliaferro, a former Nittany up the pieces and keep hope afloat at Penn Lion, suffered a spinal cord injury during State University. a game in 2000. After hearing about the Vanessa Righeimer can be reached at vacated wins, he expressed his dismay in a vanessa.righeimer@spartans.ut.edu tweet, “NCAA says games didn’t exist. I got

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

OPINION

15

Eastwood’s Speech Inspires New Trend: #eastwooding

By SARAH GARRITY Opinion Writer

With the closing of the Republican National Convention, it would be predicted that Mitt Romney’s speech would be on the minds of the viewers, but a different speech seemed to stand out much more: Clint Eastwood’s.

Clint Eastwood, who has won multiple awards for his acting and directing, was the surprise speaker at the RNC, and he made one of the most bizarre speeches of the entire convention. I always enjoy a slice of satire, but the word satire flew right over Eastwood’s head.

The 82-year-old rambled for 12 minutes while chatting with an apparently very sassy “Invisible Obama,” who was in the chair to which he was talking. Eastwood would be constantly interrupted by the invisible figure, and after a while I couldn’t tell if Eastwood was being humorous or if he actually thought Obama was sitting in the chair. Sure,

the Republicans laughed and got a kick out of the ordeal, but I was laughing for different reasons.

Eastwood commented, “I haven’t cried that hard since I found out that there are 23 million unemployed people in this country.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this past August there were 12.5 million people unemployed and the rate dropped from 8.3 to 8.1 percent.

Eastwood either made a huge mistake (which happens in politics more than it should) or simply got his facts wrong. I’m thinking he just didn’t know his facts.

This of course, isn’t the first time that Clint Eastwood has been involved with politics. In fact, in 1986 he was elected to be mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, a wealthy community on the Monterey Peninsula. He also endorsed Eisenhower and Nixon, pre-Watergate, so politics isn’t a new area for him.

Though, during an interview with

Victoria DeLone/The Minaret

UT student #eastwooding, a trend that has become popular online in response to Eastwood’s speech

The Guardian in 2008, he stated that during his time as mayor, he never had to make speeches. It really showed.

It didn’t take long before Eastwood’s speech was mocked on the Internet.

According to topsy. com, mentions of Eastwood on Twitter spiked to over 233,000 Tweets on Aug. 30, causing him to become a worldwide trending topic.

From this, #eastwooding merged. “Eastwooding” is the act of taking a picture of yourself pointing and scolding an empty chair.

Soon there were thousands of images floating around of people doing this, and eventually an account for the chair was made, @ InvisibleObama, which has over 69,000 followers. mariopiperni/Flickr.com On Aug. 31, the “This seat’s taken,” Obama responds to Eastwood’s speech with humor official Barack Obama Twitter account Tweeted because their faces were seen in a a picture of Obama in the movie before a debate does not mean president’s chair with the caption, that politics is an out-of-bounds “This seat’s taken.” Maybe we do zone. Ronald Reagan, before his have a sassy president after all.

According to the Huffington Post, presidency, was an actor. What I take issue with is when a celebrity Obama was not offended in any way

by Eastwood’s speech, and actually is is making a speech that was clearly not given much thought, just as a huge fan of him. Obama stated, “If Eastwood did. you’re easily offended, you should Eastwood, make my day in probably choose another profession,” movies, not politics. referring to the presidency.

Actors have the right, just like Sarah Garrity can be reached at any other American citizen, to voice sarah.garrity@spartans.ut.edu their opinion on political issues. Eva Longoria and Scarlett Johansson spoke at the Democratic National Convention this past week. Simply

START THINKING AHEAD.

START ON THE CUTTING EDGE.

START BECOMING A LEADER.

START AHEAD OF THE CURVE. START ACCOMPLISHING MORE.

START READY FOR THE FUTURE.

START STRONG. SM

There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. By enrolling in Army ROTC as a nursing student at the University of Tampa, you will receive advanced training from experienced Army Nurses working with state-of-the-art equipment on real patients. After graduation, you will care for Soldiers as an Army Nurse. And lead others as an Army Officer.

To get started, contact (855) 276-9542 today.

Ask about our summer leadership programs and scholarship opportunities. Earn your Bachelors, Masters, or Nursing degree while pursuing a Commission as an Officer in the U.S. Army.

Active duty, Army Reserve and National Guard opportunities are available. Contact the Army ROTC department at (813) 258-7200 or (855) 276-9542 or visit us on the web at www.ut.edu/rotc/army. ©2008. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.

16 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

OPINION

UT’s Attempt to Go Green Falls Through the Cracks

By STEPHANIE WILL

recycling rate from 34 to 50 percent by the year of 2018. According to www. smartplanet.com, less than a third of plastic On Earth Day April 2008, a paper collection, shredding and recycling program beverage containers are recycled each year.

Students are supposed to be able to walk began at the University of Tampa. Since by it on campus and conveniently deposit then, our campus their empty bottles has made several without hassle. But minor changes that’s not all the to attempt to Dream Machine is improve the good for: If a student sustainability registers with his/ on campus. her name and e-mail For example, address online at the university’s www.greenopolis. stationary is com, he/she can printed on earn points that are recycled stock, the redeemable with photocopier paper certain businesses is made from for rewards such partially recycled as movie tickets, paper and items sporting goods, like batteries, old electronics, gift appliances, old cards, music or air conditioners books. When and old computers entering your are recycled. It zip code online, sounds like our greenopolis.com campus has been will provide a list of headed in the right direction. But,

Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret businesses in the area usually, the first Dream Machine: good concept but only when it works. that will allow an exchange of points thing I see when for prizes. Every I walk into any bottle or can recycled dorm room is a pile of water bottles sitting will earn a student anywhere from 1-5 on the floor and a wad of paper in the trash points. Even if you don’t pre-register online, can. Recycling is one of the best and easiest all you have to do is touch the screen on the practices students can participate in, but, Dream Machine, scan the bottle or can’s bar unfortunately, I don’t think recycling bottles code, then print the receipt that will allow and cans on our campus has been made as you to log in online and claim your points. convenient as it should be.

According to greenopolis.com, recycling In April 2012, the Dream Machine, also one can saves the equivalent amount of known as the reverse vending machine, was energy as running a light bulb for six hours. installed on campus in hopes to encourage Our Dream Machine holds about 300 cans more frequent recycling on campus. The or bottles, which means that it can hold up Dream Machine was created by PepsiCo to 1,800 hours’ worth of energy. Recycling in partnership with Waste Management in lessens our dependency on foreign oil order to increase the beverage container Opinion Writer

because plastic bottles are made using oil. considered convenient. Part of the reason That all sounds pretty cool, but after talking students do not want to recycle is because to students on campus, I received some it requires an extra five or ten minute walk negative feedback. Freshman art therapy around campus to do it. It is even harder at major Lexy Castriotta said, “I don’t think the Howard Johnson where everything is a the machine works, and I heard a girl in the shuttle ride away. The University of Tampa cafeteria complain that it was full when she is partnered with Secure On-site Shredding, went to drop off her bottles.” This means and the company picks up the contents of that some students are obviously willing to 19 recycling collection bins biweekly. Many participate, but might eventually give up if students would say they only know where it isn’t emptied and made available for use one or two of these bins are even located. I quickly enough. The machine might also be think the campus should properly advertise more beneficial if it were moved to a more recycling in order to encourage more central location on campus instead of by the students to participate. If I knew where the pool. If the machine were moved over by nearest recycling bin was, I would be a lot Vaughn, everyone entering the bookstore, more likely to go to it. cafeteria or dorm and students getting The point is that our campus has made onto the Howard Johnson shuttle would commendable strides to begin a great constantly see it. This would regularly recycling trend, but it is not quite developed remind them of the program and cause for yet. With the help of our faculty and recycling.

Another idea is to purchase more than one machine. The more students that see it, the more they would become familiar with it and comfortable with using it.

If our school had one water fountain, no Taylor Sanger/ The Minaret one would take Recycling dumpster in Rescom is out of the way for many students. the time out of their day to seek it out.

Fortunately, we have them all over campus, students, our minor problems would be very and often see students stopping for a drink easy to fix, allowing convenient and even of water. The same concept might be applied rewarding recycling on our already beautiful to the Dream Machine. campus.

Even without the Dream Machine, I have not seen nearly enough recycling Stephanie Will can be reached at bins around our campus for recycling to be stephanie.will@spartans.ut.edu

Sexual Assault Awareness Test is a Step in the Right Direction

By MADISON IRWIN Opinion Writer

As the years go by, more and more students are being raped or sexually assaulted on campus, according to kgw.com. In the last few years, it seems to have been especially bad.

At the University of Montana (UM), students are now required to watch an online video on sexual assault awareness and score a 100 percent on a quiz about the video that will be given to them afterwards. If a student doesn’t get all seven of the questions correct, he/she cannot register for the next semester’s classes. However, students who don’t pass at first can immediately retake the quiz. The purpose of this test is to help students become more aware of what is going on at the university and to minimize the occurrence of sexual assaults.

According to cnn.com, Missoula (the county in which UM is located) is known as “America’s Rape Capital.” UM has been especially at risk for sexual assaults compared to other universities. In fact, there have been 11 alleged sexual assaults involving UM students over the last 18 months alone, according to insiderhighered.com First of all, it is amazing that colleges are finally doing something about this worldwide problem. It took them long enough to come to their senses. The thing is, people don’t realize just how scary, frustrating and overwhelming the aftermath is for a rape victim. They will nev-

er fully understand unless they have been through it or they know someone personally who has been through it. Although I have never been sexually assaulted in any way, shape or form, I know people who have, and I sympathize with them. Sure, they try to depict rape scenes in some television shows, such as Degrassi, but in reality, it’s much more violent than what is shown.

This test will benefit the students at UM, especially those who go out often.

Many of the questions on the test website, Personal Empowerment Through Self Awareness (PETSA), will help students know what to do in these types of situations, so that, hopefully, a sexual assault won’t occur. An example question is: “If you see two drunk friends leaving a party together, what should you do?”

Thankfully, so far, the test has improved the way that students see things regarding the dangers of sexual assault. According to insiderhighered.com, Danielle F. Wozniak (an Associate Professor of Social Work and co-chair of Montana’s University Council on Student Assault who recommended and helped develop the student test) says, “Student feedback has been really, really positive; especially from women who have lived with this issue all their lives…. They are just all saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this out in the open, thank you for being able to talk about it, thank you for doing this.’ ” Zachary Brown, a senior and President of the Associated Students at UM, says, “I think it’ll make a lot of

people question different sexual interactions they’ve had in their lives. The videos are very provocative. I think they’re going to spur a lot of emotions and reactions from people, positive and negative, and I think they’ll make people uncomfortable in many situations, which ultimately is probably a good thing, from my perspective.” By the looks of it, it seems that UM’s idea is going as planned.

Although there are a lot of students who believe that taking this test is helpful, there are certainly those who aren’t thrilled at all with the idea and who complain. So, let me get this straight then. You can’t dedicate an hour of your time to educate yourself on something that might possibly save yourself or someone a lot of hurt? I’ll try to put it simpler…suck it up!

If you want to stay in school that badly, you would pay close attention to the video, that way you would get all the answers right. It’s not as if it were a difficult exam that consists of 50 questions anyway.

Just because other schools aren’t as susceptible to cases of rape, doesn’t mean that only The University of Montana should implement this test. The more people are aware, the less people fall victim to sexual assaults. The University of Tampa could use that sort of approach, considering that we have had our share of a few rapes on campus. I had the chance to interview a UT student who was raped in the Brevard dorm building last year.

What’s even more shocking is that the rapist was actually one of the RAs. “I was definitely in shock. I know it might sound

a little far-fetched, but I was just hoping the whole time that he wasn’t going to kill me afterwards, because he was being pretty violent. Afterwards, I walked back to my dorm soaking wet (he had taken me into the shower at one point) and shaking.

I immediately went to my RA and broke down crying in his room and told him everything,” the girl explained.

Just from listening to the rape victim, I could tell how horrific the event was for her. It just goes to show how serious this type of crime is and knowing how bad it is makes it more necessary to try to prevent it. However, you can see through her bright face that she has grown from the experience. “Now, when I’m going out, I’m extra careful about staying with friends. I think a lot of girls don’t see it as a possibility and think, ‘That could never happen to me’-- but it does happen”, she says. When asked what her thoughts were about the UM test, she said, “I like that the University of Montana started that test. I know UT has a test sort of like this, but it’s not sufficient. I took the test before my freshman year and I don’t remember any of it. It needs to be more extensive. This is coming from someone who was raped.”

Well, there you have it: the world is a cruel place. Ultimately, we need to educate ourselves on rape instead of remaining naïve until something serious really does come our way.

Madison Irwin can be reached at madison.irwin@spartans.ut.edu

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

Sports

17

Cross Country Men Finish 4th, 5th to Open

By CONNOR ANTHONY Sports Writer

The start of the school year means one thing; sports are back.

One sport everyone should keep an eye on is the men’s cross country team as they are coming off of a conference championship in 2011 and looking to repeat. Leading the charge is Junior Mike Zwijacz, who is coming off a year in which he was named to the All-South region team.

“He’s a hard working individual and a good leader; he’s everything you want a leader to be,” said five-time coach of the year, Jarrett Slaven. The Spartans men’s cross country team finished fourth overall at the Early Bird Classic on August 31st with Zwijacz finishing sixth overall out of 107 competitors.

“I felt very good about it” Zwijacz responded when asked how he felt about his performance.

“I had a big summer, put in a lot more miles and gave extra effort between running and doing everything my coaches wanted me to do.”

Zwijacz’s hard work has paid off already with the sixth place finish at the Early Bird Special. When asked what he did differently this year to place him in the top 10 versus his 30th and 32nd place finishes respectively in 2010 and 2011 he had a few pointers.

“Eating healthy and getting eight hours

of sleep is definitely important, but also drinking tons of water is vital,” Zwijacz said.

The team’s summer workouts consisted of one long run, coupled with shorter runs, and concluded with a few higher intensity but shorter volume workouts.

The offseason hasn’t been all positive though. After losing a few seniors to graduation from last year’s conference championship team, a few runners returned to campus out of shape and caused Coach Slaven to give the team a talk.

“If the team works hard, the goal is to repeat as conference champions and hopefully to make nationals,” Slaven said. “We have a great group of guys and I’m excited for this season.”

Zwijacz led all Spartans this past weekend at the USF Open for a 12th place finish. The UT men finished the tournament in fifth place.

The Spartans will travel to Lakeland on Friday for the Florida Southern Invite.

“We’re going to use each event as a stepping stone and hopefully the momentum will build up with our guys,” Slaven stated.

Last year the Spartan men’s cross country team was able to bring home the first ever conference title, and with a veteran team, there is no reason that Mike Zwijacz and the men can’t bring a second trophy to Tampa.

Andy Meng/Tampaspartans.com Connor Anthony can be reached at Junior Michael Zwijacz led the men in both events to begin the season. connor.anthony@spartans.ut.edu.

Women Win First Two Races

Andy Meng/Tampaspartans.com

Sophomore Rose Bishop leads a pack during last season’s NCAA Championships in Spokane, Wash. Bishop was named to the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll as a freshman,

By PAIGE SHALLCROSS Sports Writer

After coming off last season’s high, this year’s women’s cross-country team is looking to push forward and continue improving.

This year’s season started out with a title win for the Spartan team at the Early Bird Classic hosted by Tampa and held at Brandon Trails.

Returning Spartan athlete, Kelly Hagan, took a fifth place finish to help her team secure the winning title.

“I was very happy with my personal score,” Hagan said. “I was hoping and wanted to do better than my previous

races. I know some girls struggled with the heat, and the course is difficult so I was happy with my performance.”

When asked about how the team performed as a whole, Hagan had nothing but positive thoughts on the finishing results. “The team all ended pretty close together which is great because we get to push each other and help each other as we run,” Hagan noted.

As one of 10 returning members on the women’s cross-country team, Hagan has embraced her position and leadership when preparing for this year’s season.

“Over the summer, Coach Slaven gave us calendars with our workouts and it was nice because I was taking summer classes

here in Tampa so Kaia Hampton (senior women’s cross country athlete) and I got to run and do the workouts together.”

When preparing for an upcoming meet, Hagan makes sure she is well rested and hydrates as much as possible.

“Before a race, I usually get a couple nights of really good sleep and I stay very hydrated,” said Hagan. “The night before, I eat pasta and make sure to have a good breakfast the next morning. I used to be superstitious in high school but then I realized if you do the training and work hard it doesn’t matter. I do wear a certain pair of dinosaur earrings at every race though.”

“I’m really excited for the upcoming race, but we still don’t know what time we are racing at so we might be later, like around five, which means it’ll be hotter out so I’m going to have to stay hydrated,” Hagan said about this past weekend’s’ meet at the USF Open. “Other than that, I’m looking forward to the meet this weekend.”

After a very intense meet, the women’s cross country team ended up clenching the first place spot in the USF Open, adding to their great start to this year’s season.

Hagan had a 10th place finish following close behind her teammate Kaia Hampton who ended the race in ninth.

With a second successful top finish in hand, the Spartan women’s cross-country team is hopeful that their early victories will give way to a winning season.

They race next on Sept. 14 when they travel to Lakeland, Fla. for the Florida Southern Invite.

Paige Shallcross can be reached at paige.shallcross@spartans.ut.edu.

Cross Country Fast Facts Race Results UT Early Bird Classic Men: 4th Women: 1st

USF Open Men: 5th Women: 1st

Top Performers Laura Yarrow Early Bird: 6th out of 133 USF Open: 6th out of 120

Peter Licari Early Bird: 19th out of 107 USF Open: 14th out of 71

Kaia Hampton Early Bird: 7th out of 133 USF Open: 9th out of 120

Michael Zwijacz Early Bird: 6th out of 107 USF Open: 12th out of 71

In The Distance September 14 Florida Southern Invite Lakeland, Fla.

September 15 UF Mountain Dew Invite Gainesville, Fla.

September 29 Saint Leo Invite Saint Leo, Fla.

October 5 Florida State Invite Tallahassee, Fla.

18 SEPTEMBER 13 2012 | THE MINARET

SPORTS

Moore Dominates as Spartans Roll

Leah Bilhart/The Minaret

Leah Bilhart/The Minaret

Lauren Moore fires off one of her eight shots during Tampa’s 14-1 romp over Warner University.

With five goals and 10 points, Moore set school records in UT’s win over Florida Memorial.

By MILES PARKS

of Warner University 14-1, resetting the school’s record for most goals (14), points (43), and assists (15) again.

Gabby Russo was the star this time, tying the record for most assists in a game with four. She also added a pair of goals.

UT held Warner to just one shot in the game, which resulted in their lone goal.

The Spartans also set the team record with 29 shots on target.

After the blowouts, UT faced Mercy College on Sunday in a game that was delayed due to lightning.

The teams agreed to shortened halves since the match began two and a half hours later than originally slated.

Asst. Sports Editor

After an opening-week loss to a ranked team, the University of Tampa women’s soccer squad demolished some lesser opponents at home this weekend. In the three games played from Sept. 4-9, Tampa won by a combined score of 30-2.

“The players felt they had a point to prove after a tough loss on Sunday,” said UT Head Coach Gerry Lucey after the team’s win over Florida Memorial.

“Their reaction was excellent and I’m delighted with their attitude and application.”

In the 13-0 win over Florida Memorial, UT set quite a few individual and team records. The 13 goals were the most goals ever scored by a UT women’s team, breaking the 2011 record of 11. The Spartans also broke the team record for most assists in the game with 13, and the record for most shots attempted with 47.

Most impressively though, may have the been the performance of sophomore midfielder Lauren Moore. Moore scored five goals in the span of 15 minutes in the first half on her way to setting individual records for most goals and most points in a game with five and 10, respectively.

On Friday night, the Spartans took care

Moore continued to dominate offensively, scoring two goals within the first 15 minutes of the match. UT went on to win the game 3-1.

Sitting at four wins and just one loss is nice but the Spartans failed in their only real test this season when they lost to No. 22 Columbus State. Though recordsetting blowouts are pleasant, UT’s 0-21 opening to Sunshine State Conference play last season is an indicator that tougher matchups are still to come.

They begin SSC play on Sept. 15 when they host Eckerd.

Miles Parks can be reached at Minaret.

Sports@gmail.com.

SPORTS

THE MINARET | SEPTEMBER 13 2012

19

Arkansas, Wisconsin Disappoint in Upsets

By JORDAN LLANES Sports Writer

Fall has returned once again, and it has brought back a familiar friend: college football. If these first two weeks have taught us anything, it’s that first impressions will likely ring true for a team’s season.

The season’s first week featured most of the nation’s top 25 teams going against Division I-AA squads in what are called “tune-up” games. The only matchup of week one that looked good on paper was No. 2 Alabama, which is paced by a

Neon Tommy/Flickr.com

Matt Barkley leads a No. 2 ranked USC team.

dominant defense, versus No. 8 Michigan, which is lead by the electrifying Denard Robinson at quarterback.

However, Alabama routed the Wolverines 41-14, causing Michigan to tumble down to the No. 19 spot in the Top 25, while the Crimson Tide rose to the No. 1 ranking in the land thanks to USC’s 4910 rout of lowly Hawaii.

Meanwhile, No. 24 Florida, No. 25 Stanford and No. 12 Wisconsin suffered scares before narrowly getting by Bowling Green, San Jose State and Northern Iowa, respectively. On the flip side, No. 3 LSU pummeled North Texas 41-14, No. 14 Ohio State routed Miami of Ohio 56-10, No. 6 Florida State dominated Murray State 69-3 and No. 4 Oregon crushed Arkansas State 57-34.

Week two, however, brought the season’s first upsets. No. 13 Wisconsin went into Oregon State’s Reiser Stadium and were promptly upended by the Beavers in a low scoring, physical game with a final score of 10-7. Wisconsin running back and Heisman hopeful Montee Ball was held to just 61 yards on 15 carries, while the Badger defense held highly touted transfer quarterback Danny O’Brien to just 172 yards passing and one touchdown pass.

The weekend’s second upset was done by the tiny University of LouisianaMonroe, which took down the No. 8

Arkansas Razorbacks in overtime, 3431. Once Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson, another Heisman hopeful, did not return in the second half after a first half “above the shoulder” injury, the Warhawks took advantage.

UL-Monroe stayed with the Hogs drive for drive before scoring three unanswered late touchdowns to tie the game and then intercepted Arkansas’ backup quarterback Brandon Allen to seal the game in overtime.

Saturday’s third major upset featured UCLA shocking No. 16 Nebraska in the Rose Bowl with a final score of 3630. UCLA freshman quarterback Brett Hundley thoroughly dominated his first BCS opponent, throwing for 357 yards and four touchdowns against the once-vaunted Cornhusker defense, while tailback Jonathan Franklin ran for 162 yards, added another 113 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.

Nebraska duel-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez once again put on a show, but it was his deflected pass with 9:09 left in the fourth quarter that lead to a go-ahead safety for UCLA. Meanwhile, No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 USC, No. 3 LSU, No. 4 Oregon and No. 5 Oklahoma continued their dominance over lesser teams, the closest score being USC’s 42-29 triumph over Syracuse at the

Meadowlands.

No. 24 Florida and No. 7 Georgia each welcomed new members Texas A&M and Missouri respectively to the SEC, winning by the scores of 20-17 and 41-20 over the newest foes. Florida rose to No. 18 in the rankings, while Georgia stayed at No. 7.

Week three definitely has its share of intriguing matchups. The Crimson Tide open up their SEC slate with a matchup against rival Arkansas, which hopes to come off last week’s upset with one of its own. Meanwhile, the Gators will continue the SEC schedule at Tennessee, which hopes to end it’s losing streak to Florida while Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel looks to improve even more.

USC will continue its quest for a 12th national championship against Stanford, which is USC’s toughest opponent yet.

Look for Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley to continue his march towards a Heisman by throwing early and often to star receivers Marqise Lee and Robert Woods.

A fourth and final matchup to watch will be No. 22 Notre Dame versus No. 11 Michigan State in East Lansing. Spartans running back Le’Von Bell looks to continue his hard running ways against a stout Irish defense lead by stud middle lineback Manti Te’o.

Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan. llanes@spartans.ut.edu.

NFC North Matchups Stand Out in Week Two

By JOHN HILSENROTH JR. Sports Editor

The NFL’s first week was filled with surprises. In fact, the winners of the last seven Super Bowls all lost their first game.

That’s right, the Giants, (who won twice in that span) Packers, Saints, Steelers (also twice) and Colts all lost in week one.

Does that mean anything? Probably not, but still. Here are my predictions for a couple of the biggest matchups in week two.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers: Brandon Marshall is reunited with Jay Cutler, and boy, was that good news for the Bears in week one. Chicago torched the Colts for a 41-21 win in its opener. The Bears ran the ball at will, and Cutler threw for 333 yards.

Things didn’t quite go the same way for the Packers. Coming off of a heartbreaking NFC Divisional Series playoff loss to the New York Giants, the Packers earned the honor of hosting the league’s nastiest defense in week one. The San Francisco 49ers were in control most of the game, and the Packers mustered just two offensive touchdowns. Alex Smith outplayed Aaron Rodgers and the 49ers won 30-22.

The Packers swept this series last season, but I think the Bears have the edge in this Thursday’s showdown.

Clay Matthews claimed the Giants didn’t beat the Packers after their playoff defeat last January. This week, cornerback Jarrett Bush claimed the same thing in respects to the 49ers game. Whether the Bears beat

Talk of the Town Professional Sporting News in the Region

them, or the Packers beat themselves, I think Chicago will come out victorious on Thursday. 34-24 Bears Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers: Both of these teams had successful seasons a year ago, and both head into their matchup 1-0. However, the way each team got to 1-0 differs.

San Francisco maintained control of its game against the best team of the regular season last year. Detroit, however, played shaky all the way through, and didn’t go ahead for good until just 11 seconds remained in the game.

After a mammoth 5,000+ yard passing season for young quarterback Matthew Stafford, he began the 2012 season struggling.

Stafford threw three interceptions in the game against a weak Rams defense, and didn’t get his first and only touchdown pass until he dumped a pass off to Kevin Smith in the game’s final minute.

Granted, Stafford did lead an impressive final drive to win the game for the Lions, but frankly the game shouldn’t have been that close. Stafford will need to limit his turnovers moving forward, and the Lions defense will need to force some turnovers.

I like the 49ers to stay true to themselves and run the ball effectively, work the short passes and protect the ball.

I think Stafford may throw another interception or two against a much better defense. I like the 49ers all the way in this one. 27-13 49ers John Hilsenroth Jr. can be reached at Minaret.Sports@gmail.com.

@

After a crucial series in Baltimore, the Rays will stay in the A.L. East and take on the Yankees. Tampa Bay is sending big guns David Price and James Shields to the mound Friday and Saturday.

TAKE YOUR SHOT

Week 2: Gronk Attempts to Spike. Again.

Standings

@

John [0-0] Miles [0-0] Shawn [0-0] J.P. [0-0] Nathan [0-0] Connor [0-0] Jordan [0-0] Paige [0-0]

@ Eagles

John Miles Jordan J.P. Shawn Connor Nathan

Paige

Titans

Kyle Davis John Mike M. Shawn Jordan

@ 49ers John Shawn J.P. Nathan Connor Jordan Paige

Miles

Chargers

Miles Paige

@ Lions

Miles Shawn Jordan Nathan

John Paige Connor J.P.

@ Ravens

Packers

Bears

Broncos

Falcons

John Paige J.P.

Miles Jordan Nathan Shawn Connor

@

The 1-0 Bucs will take on the 0-1 Giants this Sunday at 1 p.m. New acquisition Vincent Jackson and the rest of the Bucs’ offense should plan on attacking the Giants’ depleted secondary.

After a disappointing tie against the bottom-dwelling Atlanta Silverbacks, the Rowdies will take on FC Edmonton.

After that, Tampa Bay plays a home-and home against the Carolina RailHawks.

MINARET

NFL Pick ‘Em [19]

UT’S SOURCE SINCE 1933

SPORTS

Cross Country [17]

Cutrofello Key to Soccer’s Hot Start

By NATHAN KROHN Sports Writer

The thermometer read 90 degrees as the intense Florida sun beat down on Pepin Stadium. Practice didn’t officially start for another 45 minutes, but nearly the entire team arrived and began training.

“Our strength and conditioning has

been a huge point of emphasis this season,” Head Coach Adrian Bush said as he watched his team practice.

“We came into the season in great shape.

Our strength coach Jeff Foxenberger did a great job training the boys during spring workouts.”

The team ran through drill after drill preparing for their next opponent with

Samantha Battersby/ The Minaret Senior Midfielder Dominic Cutrofello fights for possesion during Tampa’s overtime victory against the University of Montevallo. Cutrofello is second on the team in scoring, with five points.

complete disregard for the smoldering summer heat.

As of now, the extra work has paid off.

The Spartans began the season with four consecutive wins, including an exhibition win over the University of South Florida, which is ranked No. 2 in the nation amongst Division I schools.

Despite the quick start, Coach Bush says the team’s expectations for the season have remained constant.

“We have had the same expectations every year since 1978 and that is to win a championship.”

A nasty taste was left in the team’s mouth after finishing last season with a record of 3-10-2.

Fan attendance declined after being one of the highest in the country between 2007 and 2010 according to Coach Bush. He added that he understands fans want to see a winning product and believes that is what they will see this season.

Both players and coaches notice a visible difference in this year’s team over last year’s.

“We were a very young team last year and lost a lot of close games we could have won,” said Bush. “We have more discipline and commitment and we know how to win.

You have guys who play soccer, then you have soccer players. Right now we have soccer players.”

Even with a more focused and disciplined team, there is still work to be done.

“The rank means nothing to us,” Bush said. “We want to be ranked at the end of the season, not the beginning. We’ve only played a couple of games and we still have a long way to go.”

Team captain Dominic Cutrofello also recognizes the positive changes from last season. “We are a much closer group of

guys this season,” Cutrofello said. “We have great team chemistry and everyone has matured overall.”

“

We have had the same expectation since 1978 and that is to win a championship.

-Coach Adrian Bush

”

Cutrofello, a senior transfer student from Florida Atlantic, playing in his second season with UT, has had a stellar start to the season. In the 52nd minute against the University of Montevallo, Cutrofello booted a penalty kick past the goalie and into the left corner of the goal. Then in overtime, Cutrofello headed in a chip shot from Dominic Goncalves, securing the win for UT. While Cutrofello is set to graduate this year with a major in marketing, his dream is to play for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“I love soccer,” he said. “I’ve been playing it forever and I’m not ready to stop. Playing for the Rowdies would be a dream come true for me.”

While maturity and extra training have been important factors in the early season turnaround, Coach Bush still feels the key to a successful team is great character. “We don’t just want the right soccer player on our team, we want the right student.”

Cutrofello and the rest of the UT men’s soccer team will begin SSC play against Eckerd College at Pepin Stadium on Sept.

15 at 5:30 p.m.

Nathan Krohn can be reached at nathan. krohn@spartans.ut.edu.

Pressure Mounts as Volleyball Drops a Pair

By J.P. HANEY Sports Writer

One of the most difficult tasks in all of sports is for a sports team to establish itself as dominant. While many only look at box scores and win-loss records to label a team as “dominant,” there are many factors that attribute to a team’s success.

For The University of Tampa Women’s Volleyball Team, dominance is as much of a tradition to the UT players as pregame warm-ups. With a staggering 27 SSC championships, 27 national tournament appearances, and countless other accolades to the volleyball program’s name, the women’s volleyball team is much more than dominant. They are a dynasty.

Coming into the 2012 season, the volleyball team was ranked No. 2 in Division II volleyball.

The team returns two All-Americans from the previous season, senior Danielle Selkridge (1st team) and sophomore Kahley Patrick (Honorable Mention).

Being ranked as the second best team in the country before the first game ever happens puts a considerable amount of pressure on any team, especially a team with the winning tradition of the Spartans.

Thus, for the first six games of the 2012 season, the volleyball team has played with a proverbial target on their backs.

All-American Danielle Selkridge says the pressure does not affect the team.

“We are Tampa, and we are a good team,” said Selkridge.

“I try to get my teammates to concentrate on that.”

As with any season, it takes time for a team to reach its true potential and develop into a cohesive unit.

The 2012 team has experienced this first hand with their first loss to No. 10 Indianapolis at the West Florida Invitational over Labor Day Weekend.

The team was up 2-0 before Indianapolis came from behind and pulled the upset victory. Danielle Selkridge remained focused after the loss and was optimistic.

“The loss early on will show us that we still have a lot to work on and that we have to refocus as a team,” Selkridge said.

The volleyball team relies on its upperclassmen to set the standards for some of the team’s younger players.

“My players are self-motivated,” said Coach Catanach.

“We have a good group of kids and the seniors establish tradition as well as

juniors. It is so much easier for players to pass on that tradition of working hard.”

Since the loss to Indianapolis, the team started to pick up steam, sweeping multiple opponents, until UT got swept by West Texas A & M at the Colorado Premier Tournament. One thing that is taught to the players during their time at UT is the importance of dedication and teamwork.

What is also important to all of the players is that their fellow Spartans support them by attending home games.

If students need a reason to attend the games, Danielle Selkridge and Coach Catanach both described the games as “exciting and competitive.”

As the volleyball team heads into the crux of its season within the next few weeks, the players will do so with the focus and the dedication needed to keep the program’s dynasty intact, hopefully with their fellow Spartans cheering them on, one game at a time.

The Spartans play next in St. Augustine when they travel to take on Flagler College on Sept. 18. Their next home match-up is Sept. 28 when they host Florida Southern at 7 p.m.

Jake Patterson/ The Minaret J.P. Haney can be reached at Danielle Selkridge has been honored with Firstjohnpatrick.haney@spartans.ut.edu.

Team All-SSC Honors twice in her UT career.