3-30-10 Edition

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Daily wins big at state competition NEWS: NT Page 2 Facility helps residents overcome addiction ARTS & LIFE: Page 3 Amendment trumped for Tarleton students VIEWS: First Page 7

In-line hockey team to face 31 other teams at national tournament.

Page 5

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

News 1,2 Arts & Life 3,4 Sports 5,6 Views 7 Classifieds 8 Games 8

Volume 95 | Issue 37

Sunny 80° / 58°

Students hunt for treasure on campus

ntdaily.com

The Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas

Shack-A-Thon builds support

BY A LEX CHEATHAM

Courtney Hall, a child and family studies junior, and UNT students will take part Courtney Birnberg, sociology in a weeklong treasure hunt on junior, said they’re excited for campus, which began Monday the treasure hunt and have and will run through Sunday. decided to team up. Others have Dallas Treasure Hunt is hosting a the same idea, they said.

“We’re teaming up to have a physical search to find a copper coin hidden somewhere in the better chance of winning, then we will split the prize money,” UNT vicinity.

“College students have the Hall said.

Birnberg agreed about the free time and the energy and are in need of money — $500 advantage to working with a is great money for them,” said partner.

“This gives students someEric Hassfurther, co-founder of thing to do besides schoolwork, Dallas Treasure Hunt.

For $7, students will have and it’s really cool that we can participate in access to the a rea l treaweek’s clues, su re hu nt,” released at 11 Birnberg a.m. each day. said. “Plus, as When the coin of now, there is found, the are only 150 w i n ner w i l l people signed receive a check up so far, and for $500. that gives us D a l l a s —Eric Hassfurther an even bigger Treasure Hunt Co-founder of Dallas advantage.” expects a few Treasure Hunt Hassfurther hundred particexplained ipants. t hat Da l la s Hassfurther and his co-founder, UNT Treasure Hunt prefers to keep alumnus Matthew Wakefield, the hunts to a manageable size began Dallas Treasure Hunt in so that participants will have October 2008, and the first trea- a fair chance at finding the coin. sure hunt was held in January.

“Some people think if they “UNT is a great place to hold a hunt. Because Matt is an alum, don’t sign up by Monday, they he knows the area well and where can’t win,” Hassfurther said. things are,” Hassfurther said. “But our last winner signed up “There are also many people in on a Thursday.”

T h o s e i nt e r e s t e d c a n a confined area who would be go to Dallas Treasure Hunt’s interested in [participating].”

Rob McClain, a finance soph- Web site at any point throughout omore, who received an invi- the week and pay $7 to receive tation to the treasure hunt on access to the week’s clues, Facebook, said he decided to all in the form of a riddle or participate in the hunt because rhyme, Hassfurther explained.

Toward the end of the week, of its originality. “[The treasure hunt] will get t he clue s be c ome more people involved,” he said. “It’s specific, and a winner is guarfun and original and not some- anteed.

“It’s a week’s worth of fun thing you see too often. If I win, I’ll either pay my rent or buy for the price of a burger,” Hassfurther said. something really sweet.”

Staff Writer

“It’s a week’s worth of fun for the price of a burger.”

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF DALLAS TREASURE HUNT

PHOTOS BY CLINTON LYNCH/VISUALS EDITOR

(Above) Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority sisters Alison Ortiz, a psychology senior, and Laura Bonilla, an entrepreneurship junior, paint their cardboard shack Monday afternoon on the campus green. (Below) Sigma Lambda Beta members Rhae Johnson and Tony Rivera, mechanical and energy engineering juniors, tape together their cardboard shack Monday afternoon on the campus green to help raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

BY K RYSTLE CANTU Staff Writer

The 10th annual UNT ShackA-Thon kicked off Monday morning in support of Habitat for Humanity.

The UNT Campus Green was filled with students building shacks out of self-obtained cardboard boxes. Students from different organizations were working, building, stacking and duct-taping boxes for their shack-like shelters.

The shacks resembled an assortment of structures, from castles to cubicles. “ E v e r y o n e’s w o r k i n g together to support Habitat for Humanity in Denton,” said Adrianne DeKrey, a general, chora l and instrumenta l music sophomore. “I know some places do it a lot less grand than we do it, with just someone sleeping in a cardboard box at night, but at UNT we like to do it big.”

Students will camp out in their cardboard constructed shelters for three days.

To raise money for their cause, the shacks will be judged and voted on. Students can vote by donating a dollar toward the shack they like best.

The shack with the most money or votes wins. All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for families. SGA is also helping to sponsor this event.

“SGA is dedicated to helping out Habitat for Humanity,” said Andrew Robertson, SGA senate speaker. “It’s something we do every year.”

Though the organizations competing in the Shack-AThon are mostly greek, SGA has a freshmen intern program that participates and competes every year as well.

“Usually they do very well.

It’s fun to watch them every year and help them in building their shacks,” Robertson said.

“It’s something we look forward to.”

All students can donate a dollar to vote for their favorite cardboard structure. Students have until 2 p.m. Wednesday to cast their vote. Voting will be temporarily stopped at 6 p.m. for security precautions, and resume the next day at 10 a.m.

Shack-A-Thon raises awareness for how some families have to live in the area and it also raises awareness about Habitat for Humanity and what it does, said Kristen Budd, a health promotion sophomore and a member of the Habitat for Humanity chapter at UNT. “It raises money to help build homes for families so they won’t have to live in shacks,” Budd said.

Budd also liked the idea of how this event unites different types of organizations to work for the same cause.

Denton community gives feedback

BY ERIC JOHNSON Senior Staff Writer

With the May 8 election fast approaching, candidates for the three open Denton City Council positions fielded a barrage of questions Friday evening from dozens of residents and members of the UNT community.

The topics ranged from what the candidates felt about gas drilling to ensuring the Council keeps its unfulfilled promise to eliminate closed-door meetings.

The Denton County chapter of the NAACP sponsored the forum.

At-Large Place 7, which is the mayor’s seat on the Council, will be a two-man race, with incumbent Mark Burroughs being challenged by candidate Bob Clifton.

“The citizens of Denton have been cut out of running their own

city,” Clifton said. “I want the people of Denton to pay attention to the message that this Council has given us, and that is that they only care about their own selfinterests. This city has a lot of problems, and I think I have some answers.”

Burroughs, who has served as Denton mayor since 2008 and was a councilman for six years before his term as mayor, spent most of the forum defending an onslaught of attacks on his current administration.

“Our job on the Council is to be policy makers, all we can do is give direction,” Burroughs said. “I am a known quantity and have been around for a long time.

Is every decision I make going to make everyone happy? No. Every decision we make is going to adversely affect someone.”

Clifton said he finds his support among the people he believes have been ignored by Burroughs and the current Council.

At-Large Place 5 will be contested by Pete Kamp, who was absent because of an illness, and Eli Gemini, whose given name is Eliborio Beltran. Gemini, a civil rights activist, broadcast journalist and investigative reporter, garnered 16 votes last year when he ran for Place 1. He is currently suing the city over an alleged violation of his civil liberties.

Gemini repeatedly went off topic to call the city corrupt, and threaten Burroughs with jail time if he did not change his ways.

At-Large Place 6 will be wideopen, with four candidates vying for the seat left vacant by incumbent Joe Mulroy.

Newcomers are James King,

who was a member of Burrough’s steering committee, Eric Mach, an army veteran and landowner in Denton, Phillip Kregel, a UNT alum and local realtor, and Hatice Salih, who is the owner of Dan’s Meats and Produce. Salih finished second in the race for the District 3 seat last year.

All seven candidates were asked what they felt about the UNT System’s shift to Dallas, and it was the only time all evening that everyone agreed.

“It sickens me,” Kregel said. “I have spoken to many alumni that are outraged. UNT is as much a part of Denton as Denton is a part of UNT.” April 8 will be the last day to register to vote for the May 8 election. Early in-person voting will begin April 26 and will end May 4.

“I think it’s a fun event where all the organizations kind of work together instead of separately to raise money for the same thing,” Budd said. “It’s very successful and raises a lot of money.”

Cristy Espinoza is the vice president of Sigma Lambda Gamma and an anthropology and Spanish sophomore. She values the experience of this event, she said.

See STUDENTS on Page 2

DREW ROBERTSON

CAMERON JEAN

FOR PRESIDENT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT

KEVIN SANDERS

MERCEDES FULBRIGHT

FOR PRESIDENT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT

Don’t Forget to Vote Voting starts Monday, March 29 and ends at 5 p.m. Friday, April 2. To vote, visit www.unt.edu/sga

News

Page 2

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

T.S. McBride, Rebecca Hoeffner & Melissa Boughton, News Editors

ntdailynews@gmail.com

UNT students protest in anti-war rally

BY A LEXIS A SHCRAFT Contributing Writer

A group of about 30 people met Sunday evening on the UNT Denton campus holding flags and signs for “Funk the War,” a peace march and fundraiser led by the UNT Campus Anti-War Network.

The march marked the seventh anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our goal out here today is to bring other people who want to actively resist this occupation together, because the only way we’re going to end these occupations is not to appeal to the power structure, not by appealing to the president, or Congress, or the Senators, or to the corporations who are profiting off this war,” said UNT senior Garrett Graham. “The only way we can stop these occupations now and in the future is to change our society fundamentally.”

The people who came to participate in the protest were diverse and included a large number of college students, bongo players, a 9-year-old boy, his 51-year-old mother, an Iraq War veteran and a man in a bunny suit.

Despite their many differences, they all had one thing in common: They want the U.S. troops back home and the conflicts to end.

The more-than-a-mile march officially started at 7 p.m. As the night went on, the crowd began to multiply and chant anti-war

our world back?” Whittenberg said, evoking loud cheers from the audience, which increased to about 50 people.

As the march continued, the number of people grew and the chanting became louder as the sun began to set and the weather turned colder.

Nobody seemed to notice.

The march ended at Hailey’s Bar, on Mulberry Street.

“For people to get into the streets and protest is extremely important because there’s many different facets to democracy and voting is only one of them,” said UNT alumnus Andrew Teeter, age 22. “I think that protesting is one of the most important ways to express democracy.”

The group made its way to PHOTO BY ALEXIS ASHCRAFT/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Hailey’s Bar in time for the first Andrew Teeter, an alumnus, speaks to participants of the peace rally. The march marked the seven-year anniversary of band, Shag, to begin playing at 8 the U.S. invasion and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan. p.m. Katsük, Grassfight and RTB2 also preformed at the benefit most high school students do Marine for three years and was concert. sayings.

Everyone paid at least $5 to On lookers hon ked a nd not remember a time when we in Iraq for a total of five-and-ahalf months before being sent enter, which went directly to cheered as the protesters were not in war.

“We need to be radical. We home because of a bullet wound. the three organizations that passed.

“I’m out here because I don’t need to be out in front. We He came to the protest wearing will benefit soldiers and help want to see another soldier need to be telling people what his Marine jacket with peace fund future events for the UNT Campus Anti-War Network. die,” Graham said. “I’m in soli- we believe in,” said Bobby patches sewn on.

“The reason that we’re out “When the people who decide darity with all the troops in Whittenberg, a 28-year-old Iraq Iraq, whether they agree with war veteran and a member of that we fight and die profit and here is because we have a fundamy position or not. I want to see Iraq Veterans Against the War gain power from us fighting mental value for human life and dying, they will continue above profit, and that includes using a megaphone. them come home safely.”

Iraq Veterans Against the War to decide that we will fight and the lives of soldiers,” Graham The march started at the corner of Hickory and Fry is one of the three organizations, die,” Whittenberg said. “So now said. “In fact, that especially streets. After a half-hour, the along with the Campus Anti-War the decision is upon us. Do we includes the lives of soldiers. group stopped in the middle of Network and Under the Hood fight and die for these people Half of what we’re doing today the Denton Square. There, they Café, that benefited from the while helping them get profit goes toward the soldiers.”

To check out future events, go and getting power for them, or caught the attention of many night’s fundraiser.

W hittenberg was a U.S. do we stand up, say ‘no,’ and take to untcan.blogspot.com. onlookers by announcing that

NT Daily brings home top awards, accolades

BY SHEA YARBOROUGH Senior Staff Writer

Multiple awards made their way into the hands of the NT

Daily staff last week in a college newspaper competition held in the central Texas town of Kerrville.

The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awarded the NT Daily first place in best in show, which was “a long time

coming,” Daily Editor-In-Chief Shaina Zucker said.

“It was a surreal feeling,” she said. “I half expected it because we have worked really hard to be where we are.”

More than 30 schools enter the annual competition, broken into divisions. UNT competed against institutions like Baylor University, Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington.

“The staff worked really hard to put all of this together, and I am very proud of them,” Zucker said.

The Daily received five on-site awards while in Kerrville, including an honorable mention to Clinton Lynch, visuals editor, for his work in on-site photography. The paper was also given other awards in recognition of its reporting throughout the

year.

Josh Pherigo, views editor, placed third in on-site editorial writing, David Lucio placed third in Web design, Zucker placed first in feature writing and Abigail Allen, copy chief, placed third for copy editing.

“I really wanted to place,” Allen said. “Then they called Abby Allen, University of North Texas, and my reaction was ‘Oh, good! Yay!’” Any time a group enters a statewide competition, it really doesn’t know what it will face, said Kathie Hinnen, adviser to the Daily and journalism faculty member.

It was interesting to see how the Daily measured against other Texas schools, she said.

“Naturally I was thrilled they stood up to them as well as they did,” Hinnen said.

NORTH TEXAS DAILY Editorial Office GAB Room 117 Phone: (940) 565-2353 Fax: (940) 565-3573 News Releases: news@ntdaily.com Columns & Letters: views@ntdaily.com Editor-in-Chief Shaina Zucker Managing Editor T.S. McBride Rebecca Hoeffner Assigning Editor Melissa Boughton SCENE Editor Kip Mooney Arts and Life Editor Amber Arnold Views Editor Josh Pherigo Sports Editor Justin Umberson Visuals Editor Clinton Lynch Copy Chief Abigail Allen Design Editor Sydnie Summers Brianne Tolj Webmaster David Williams Staff Writers Felicia Alba Ben Baby Alex Calams Krystle Cantu Alex Cheatham Stephanie Daniels Lisa Garza Sean Gorman Katie Grivna Eric Johnson Nicole Landry Lori Lee Christina Mlynski Jessica Paul Graciela Razo Shea Yarborough Laura Zamora Photographers Cristy Angulo Ryan Bibb Kayti Edwards Drew Gaines Rebekah Gomez Khai Ha Ingrid Laubach Augusta Liddic Kaitlyn Price Alex Scott Martina Treviño Maria Webster Agnes Wysowski Copy Editors Carolyn Brown Ashley-Crystal Firstley Corissa Jackson Grace Siddens Designers Nicole Beatty Lauren Blewett Stacy Powers Sophia Shah Web Interns Will Sheets Advertising Department GAB Room 115 Phone: (940) 565-2851 Fax: (940) 565-4659 Advertising Manager Valeria Sosa Ad Reps Kim Patel Billy Hofer Chela Piacentini Michael Lalley

Registration Dates PHOTO BY CLINTON LYNCH/VISUALS EDITOR

Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority member Peggy Ordonez, a political science sophomore, paints her cardboard shack during Shack-A-Thon, an event taking place on the campus green which will raise money for the charity Habitat for Humanity.

Students to spend the night in shacks Continued from Page 1 “It ’s t he a spect of a lso living in a house and seeing how some people actually live without one,” Espinoza said.

“It’s an overall fun adventure, and it’s a great cause. I really enjoy how everybody comes together.”

Espinoza reminisced about her ex per ienc e la st ye a r participating in the Shack-

A-Thon.

Last year it was below 30 degrees and the participants were absolutely freezing, she said.

“We were like, ‘How can people ac t ua l ly l ive t h i s way?’” Espinoza said. “This year the weather is going to be warmer. Hopefully we won’t freeze this time, and hopefully we’ll raise a lot of money, too.”

Graduate Students 7:00 a.m., March 29– midnight Aug. 2 for graduate courses 7:00 a.m., April 5– midnight Aug. 2 for undergraduate courses Honors College 7:00 a.m., March 29– midnight Aug. 2 Seniors 7:00 a.m., March 30– midnight Aug. 2 Juniors 7:00 a.m., April 5– midnight Aug. 2 Sophomores 7:00 a.m., April 9– midnight Aug. 2 Freshmen 7:00 a.m., April 15– midnight Aug. 2 Courtesy of www.unt.edu

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Amber Arnold, Arts & Life Editor

Arts & Life

Page 3 ntdailylife@gmail.com

Local organization helps struggling addicts

By Nicole L andry Staff Writer

Scott Wisenbaker has had the chilling breath of drug addict ion on h is neck for years. Not only has he dealt with the disease, but his wife lost her battle with it.

Wisenbaker said he has realized in his 15 years of sobriety that drug addicts can’t help themselves and can’t make it in society if they don’t know how to stand on their own.

It was this belief that led Wisenbaker to create Solutions of North Texas.

“It’s separate from treatment in that way,” Wisenbaker said. “They have to do [everything] above the letter of the law.”

Created as a sober living env ironment for men a nd women batt ling addiction, Solutions of North Texas is based on the 12-step program associated w it h A lcoholics Anonymous.

People in the sober living houses must have a job and be able to pay their bills.

There are three houses on

the Solutions of North Texas property — one for men, one for women, and one for both genders who have reached level four. “[Residents] can move up in levels and earn things like overnight passes or weekend pa sses, etc.,” W isenba ker said.

The facility houses 40 residents — 21 women and 19 men.

There are also 10 students who participate in the sober dorm program, which is identical to the rest of the sober living, except, rather than have a job, residents are required to attend school.

Wisenbaker said he tries to avoid the label of “halfway house” because the ones he has encountered are unsafe.

“You have to have money or the right insurance to go to those places, and lots of drugs are floating around them,” he said. “All the recovery places are in one area, and that’s where the drugs are.”

The reason that sober living facilities are set up the way they are, with residents being

“basic text from A lcoholics Anonymous.”

Dav id A r nold, hea lt h s er v ic e s c o or d i n at or f or t he St udent He a lt h a nd Wellness Center, discussed the on-campus options available to people struggling with addiction.

“T he Su b s t a nc e A bu s e Resource Center [on campus] offers individual and group counseling for students using drugs and alcohol, as well as students in recovery, meaning t he y h ave h ad problem s w ith use and are currently absta ining,” he sa id in a n e-mail.

The Spring into Recovery Photo by Kayti Edwards/Photographer group, which begins April 2, Scott Wisenbaker, founder of Solutions of North Texas, gives hope to recovering addicts in Denton by offering safe and helps students who are new to sober housing. recovery and guides them to make plans to avoid relapse. free to come and go as they and then they’ll be fine, but Solutions of North Texas has The only requirement is that please, is so that recovering a lcohol is ever y where and been in recovery three or four attending students have 30 addicts can learn to re-enter the idea of hiding from it is times — some as many as a days of sobriety under their belts. society with a better handle ridiculous,” Wisenbaker said. dozen times.

Students can also go to the Wisenbaker suggests that “If people don’t get a chance on their diseases, he said.

“A lot of folks feel that if we to do the right thing in action people who are considering Substa nce Abuse Resource teach addicts, they will learn then a lot of them return to recover y, or people w ho Center for a consu ltat ion just want to understand the about their options outside to stay away from the places old actions.”

T he aver age per son at process, shou ld read t he of campus. where they can get [drugs]

Alumni group to make indie Comedian’s show back on film, welcomes student help after snow day cancellation

By K atie Grivna Senior Staff Writer

A group of UNT alumni are using the filmmaking skills they learned at UNT to write and produce an independent film and are encouraging any interested students to get involved.

“We all got a great professional foundation and education from UNT,” said Michael Mullins, director of photography.

“We believe anybody coming out of there has that as well, and we’d love to be their introduction into a step into this world.”

The eight-man group is working on the film, “Technically Crazy,” the story of Jay, a 16-yearold somewhat bipolar runaway who breaks into a house that he believes is abandoned. In the house, Jay meets Bill, a former policeman with a rough past who is contemplating suicide.

The film follows their relationship from mistrust to understanding as the pair helps each other through issues.

Filmmakers Dan Riddle, Clark Erickson, Matt Walters, Austin Wright, Adam Knox, Cory Wimberly and Michael Mullins met through UNT’s radio, television and film program and are all UNT alumni. The group has

worked together on various projects throughout the years, eventually meeting Frankey Dey. Filming for the production will begin in May in Greenville.

Cory Wimberly, a technician for the film and 2009 UNT graduate, said it is especially important for students in the RTVF program to get real world film experience.

“I learned so much actually being there than I did in four years of school,” he said about his work as an intern for Mullins in the summer of 2009.

Wimberly said he hopes to learn more while working on the film and hopes the movie will be successful.

“It’s almost like it’s not work because it’s fun and we enjoy doing it and we still get the job done,” he said. “We are all passionate about it, we all enjoy what we do and we all enjoy the company of each other. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”

In the cinema industry, you always want to learn something new, Mullins said.

As a student, he said, he almost never said no to an opportunity to work on a project.

“You learn as much from the mistakes as you do from the

successes, even more so in some cases,” Mullins said. “Anytime anybody was shooting anything, it didn’t matter what job I had, if I could be there I would be there.”

Ruben Randall, an RTVF senior, said helping with the film is something he would do, because the hands-on side of film is one of the most important parts of getting a degree, he said.

“You can’t just wait for school to create your portfolio,” Randall said.

Students can learn from people with experience like the men in the group, he said.

“There is a lost art of the process of film-making, even radio production, that a lot of the newer students don’t get that information because it has become irrelevant to the way that everything is done … but it is still very vital to the craft itself,” he said.

Students studying theater or RTVF are encouraged to e-mail the producers at technicallycrazyfilm@yahoo.com if they are interested in assisting on the film.

For more information, visit www.technicallycrazy.com.

Want to be the EDITOR? The Student Publications Committee is hiring the Summer and Fall editor and you could be that person!

By Graciela R azo

Black is known for his commentary on VH1’s “I Love…”

Comedian Michael Ian Black shows where he provides opinwill return to UNT with spring ions on past decades’ entertainweather to greet him after his ment and trends.

The comedian started his Feb. 11 show was cancelled career at New York University because of snowy weather.

The Comedy Central and VH1 with a comedy troupe he began comedian will perform at 8 p.m. called The State.

“A lot of times, I think comedy Wednesday at rhw Winspear doesn’t suit me. I don’t Hall in the Murchison think comedy comes Performing Arts Center naturally to me,” Black as a part of the Fine Art said. “I couldn’t tell Series, a free event for people how to be funny UNT students. because I don’t really “We’re very excited know myself how to about Michael being be funny most of the on our campus,” said Mark Packer, chair- MICHAEL IAN time.”

With his straightperson of the Fine Art BLACK faced punch lines and Series. “I’m also very excited that the weather is so blunt humor, Black said he good for this week, so it should always tries to keep composure when delivering his jokes. be a great show.”

“For me personally, I guess I Tickets purchased for the Feb. 11 show will be honored for the just don’t like when comedians laugh at their own jokes, so it’s a rescheduled performance.

Senior Staff Writer

creative, aesthetic decision more than anything else,” Black said.

“I don’t find myself particularly amusing, so it’s not hard to keep a straight face.”

As of Friday, 300 of the 1,000 tickets are left for Black’s performance. However, Packer said, it should still be a crowded show Wednesday.

Performance information Rescheduled performance 8 p.m. March 31 at Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center Free with valid UNT student ID General Public: $20 Faculty/Staff/Senior: $10 Non-UNT Students: $10 Tickets available at the Murchison Box Office

volleyba ll b ba all a al llll

s a nd

Go online to ntdaily.com for the application and instructions. Applicant must be able to meet with the committee during the week of April 12.

FOR MORE INFORMATION STOP BY THE REC SPORTS OFFICE, CALL 940-565-2275 OR 940-369-8347, OR VISIT WWW.UNT.EDU/RECSPORTS THIS DEPARTMENT FOLLOWS THE GUIDELINES OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT, WE REQUEST PATRONS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT LEAST 72 WORKING HOURS IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE CAN MAKE APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.

Page 4 Amber Arnold, Arts & Life Editor

Arts & Life

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 ntdailylife@gmail.com

Competition to inspire student-entrepreneurs

By Jennifer Floyd Contributing Writer

UN T st udents w i l l let their inner Einstein emerge Wednesday during the IDEA competition at Discover y Park.

IDEA, or Ingenuity Drives Entrepreneur Acceleration, is a program geared to stimulate the minds of budding entrepreneurs and give them an outlet to express ideas for future career prospects.

Tony Mendes, director of the UNT Murphy Center of Entrepreneurship, is responsible for bringing the program to UNT after adopting it from the University of Illinois.

“This program allows students to express ideas for innovative ways to improve on society,” Mendes said. “I wanted to apply that attitude to the NT campus to encourage their futures.”

The center is hosting the competition at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Discovery Park B140.

To compete, students are

asked to construct a proposal or product that can either be a new or improved business or an invention or process that solves a social or global issue.

The number of applicants has doubled since last year when t he prog ra m bega n.

Mor e t h a n 5 0 s t u d e nt s applied for the competition this year.

T h i r teen f i na l ist s were chosen last week to present their ideas in a two-minute presentation to a panel of judges to try to become one of four winners of a $250 prize.

The panel of judges includes the faculty of the College of Engineering and local entrepreneurs, a ll of whom are familiar with starting compan ies a nd ha nd l i ng bu sinesses.

Mendes said being involved with the program is something that business-minded students should consider.

“There is the opportunity to

express ideas and concepts to form a new business as well as the great opportunity to win money,” Mendes said.

The winners are also given the chance to have dinner with the panel of judges.

“Sit t i ng dow n to have dinner with these judges has the students identify with that entrepreneur spirit,” Mendes said.

All students are welcome to enter the competition, and the types of ideas presented in the competition are endless, Mendes said.

Past w inners have presented ideas like biodegradable coffins and a special tech n ique of deep-f r y i ng Thanksgiving food such as Graphic Courtesy of MCT pumpk in pie for the Texas The IDEA competition will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 31 at Discovery Park. Students will have a chance to pitch State Fair.

Austin Maddox, a marketing their ideas to a panel of judges and have the opportunity to win prize money. senior, who won for his idea to improve electrical outlets, and affected his future career my résumé, and I do expect it to entrepreneurial ventures in the said the program gave him plans. draw some extra attention,” he future. I do hope to take my a boost in confidence, so he “I will certainly be adding the said. “It also helped me solidify ideas and turn them into profit could achieve more in school win of the IDEA competition to the lurking idea of pursing at some point in time.”

Gonzalez, a public services librarian.

Wr iters 8 yea rs old a nd older are eligible to participate in the contest and will compete in children, teen and adult categories. Submissions include nonfiction and fiction with participants sending in memoirs, poetr y and short stories.

Several workshops will also be available for writers to get extra help and critiques from other writers in the area.

“We wanted to give people

an opportunity to learn more about writing as an art form and a craft,” Gonzalez said.

A winner and an honorable mention will be chosen from each category, and winning pieces will be a published in a print volume available for check out at the library.

Gonzalez said many people do not realize how they are all poets in their own way, so the contest will give them a chance to show their work to other writers.

“Even if you don’t consider

Denton’s creative writers celebrate poetry month

By Graciela R azo Senior Staff Writer

UNT students interested in writing will have a chance to be published through the “Denton Writes 2010” competition in honor of National Poetry Month in April.

The Denton Public Library is sponsor i ng t he w r it i ng contest for the third year.

“There is a lot of interest in writing and a lot of creative people in Denton, so this is just a not her way t hey ca n express themselves,” said Juli

yourself a poet, writing your t houg hts dow n or w r it i ng a song ma kes you a poet,” Gonzalez said. “It’s just a way to express yourself through words.”

In the past two years, the library has received submission s ot her t ha n poet r y.

Writers have also submitted articles and essays.

The contest is meant to celebrate all types of writing, said Sian Brannon, UNT alumna and technical service manager for the library.

“We want to celebrate all things literary, but National Poet r y Mont h g ives u s a jumping-off point to look at all kinds of writing,” Brannon said.

T he mont h-long ac t iv ities also give young writers a cha nce to net work w it h other writers and publishers, Brannon said.

Corey Marks of the English fac u lt y sa id t hese event s would be especially helpful to students just starting out in the writing world.

“I t h i n k most st udentw riters are people who are beg i n n i ng to t h i n k about writing seriously,” Marks said.

“They’re interested in finding an audience, so this is one way

of finding an audience in a local way.”

The initiative of National Poetr y Mont h in April has t r ick led dow n to sma l ler c om mu n it ie s, r em i nd i ng writers and non-writers alike that poetry is still a relevant

and thriving art form, Marks said.

“It becomes this moment where poetry stands up and says ‘Pay attention to me,’” he said.

For more information, visit w w w.dentonlibrary.com.

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas colleges and universities are increasingly building environmental practices into curriculums, a move officials say is a combination of “good business” and idealism.

Susta i nabi l it y, a w ideranging field of study to prepare students for a more environmentally conscious world, is showing up in various forms in academia, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday.

The University of Houston has a class about carbon trading, a commodities market designed to protect the environment, while Rice University offers minors in energy and water sustainability.

Com mu n it y col leges, boosted by stimulus funding and federal grants, push green technology work force training, from installing solar panels to building wind turbines.

Architectural degrees have for

some time focused on sustainable designs.

Sunshine Mathon said his 2007 master’s degree in architecture from the University of Texas is essential in his job with a nonprofit housing group based in Austin.

“It’s not that hard, at least in Austin, to find a general contractor or architect who is aware that’s the coming trend and they need to get on the bandwagon to be competitive,” he said.

Pedro Alvarez, chairman of the civil and environmental engineering department at Rice, says green is “good business,” while a UT official says students are interested in environmental issues.

“It’s not only a prerequisite to get a job but also something that genuinely appeals to this generation, how they could contribute to a better world,” said Barbara Brown

Wilson, UT’s assistant director of the Center for Sustainable Development.

Rice began its program last year, based on the premise that business and technology leaders need more than technical training to achieve what Alvarez calls “a triple bottom line — to make sure that whatever they design is economically feasible, socially desirable and environmentally viable.”

Paul Rowland, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, said it’s not yet clear how the programs will shape graduates’ careers.

“They take positions that in some cases may not look all that different than if they didn’t have a degree with the sustainability stamp on it,” he said. “But what they’re bringing into those positions is a more systematic way of thinking about what they’re doing.”

Photo Courtesy of Juli Gonzalez

Juli Gonzalez, public services librarian at the North Branch of the Denton Public Library, initiated the library’s creative writing contest in April 2008.

Universities build green practices into curriculum

Sports

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Justin Umberson, Sports Editor

Page 5 ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

UNT in-line hockey team skates to nationals

BY SEAN GORMAN Senior Staff Writer

While most of Mean Green nation focused on the men’s basketball team advancing to the NCA A Tournament and the start of spring football, another UNT team advanced to a national tournament.

T he UN T i n l i ne hockey team (14-1-2) qua lif ied for the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association’s tournament last month and will compete with 31 other teams in San Jose from April 7 to 11.

“We’re all really excited to have this chance and feel like we can compete with anyone,” sophomore forward Addison Brad ley sa id. “We have a healthy team with a group of guys that have continued to improve as the season goes on.”

The Mean Green advanced to t he tou r n a ment a f ter defeating Southwest Collegiate Hockey L eag ue opponent Louisiana-Lafayette 10-5 in the Conference Tournament

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNT NEWS

The UNT in-line hockey team qualified for the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association’s national tournament last month and will compete with 31 other teams in San Jose from April 7 to 11.

Final.

“We def initely see t hem as our ma in r iva l at t his point,” Bradley said. “Texas and Louisiana are the main hockey states in the South,

and we’ve had a lot of close games against them over the last few years.”

The Tournament places the 32 teams into eight groups of four and has all the teams

in each pool play each other to decide the seeding for the tournament.

UNT was placed in a group with Florida Atlantic, Arizona State and Rhode Island.

BY BEN BABY Staff Writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/DETROIT FREE PRESS/MCT

Spartans advance to Final 4 ST. LOUIS (MCT) — It was simultaneously routine and unimaginable. If you’re a Michigan State fan, you may have found yourself nodding your head and shaking it at the same time, your head going in circles, trying to make sense of it all.

Guard Chris Allen called it “crazy” but also said, “I know everybody on our team knew what we could do.” The Spartans said they knew they could do this, but can’t believe they actually did. Where was this team all season? It was there, but not quite there.

“I don’t want to say the regular season don’t matter, ‘cause it do,” Allen said.

He busted out laughing.

“But it really don’t.”

Before the game, before the 70-69 victory Sunday, the last thing Tom Izzo wrote on his whiteboard was DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. He talked about Butler and West Virginia, which had earned Final Four berths the day before with defense. MSU coaches knew that Tennessee was more athletic than the Spartans. They knew the Volunteers were tall and long and would contest shots, and that they would pressure point guard Korie Lucious all game.

“He said, ‘I can’t promise you guys are going to make a lot of shots,’ “ said assistant Mark Montgomery, who wore the same suit, shirt and tie that he wore when the Spartans beat Louisville to earn a Final Four berth last March. (Montgomery hadn’t worn the suit in a year.)

So here was Lucious, the hero of the Maryland game, standing on the free-throw line with 28 seconds left. He’d had a tough day. Tennessee, as promised, had harassed him the whole game.

He’d missed seven of nine shots and committed five turnovers.

Now, in his 35th minute, he stood on the line, game tied, a chance to be a hero again.

He missed.

“I was real upset with myself,” he said.

He went back down the court, got into a defensive crouch and clapped his hands. The Volunteers looked lost offensively _ they settled for a jumper

by Scotty Hopson and got lucky when Draymond Green bailed them out with a foul. Hopson hit one free throw to tie it, and missed the go-ahead free throw.

Here went the Spartans again.

With 20 seconds left against New Mexico State, they led by one.

When the clock expired against Maryland, before Lucious’ game-winning shot found the net, they trailed by one. With a minute left against Northern Iowa, they led by four.

And now, in the final seconds against Tennessee, they were tied.

Green passed to Raymar Morgan, who was fouled, hit a free throw and won the game.

Durrell Summers, MSU’s most

frustrating player all season and best player in this tournament, cut off the first piece of net. He handed it to injured star Kalin Lucas. Lucas got the last piece sitting on a teammate’s shoulders.

Izzo hugged MSU trustee Joel Ferguson, then hugged school president Lou Anna Simon. (“I gotta hug all my bosses,” he said.) He now has taken MSU to six Final Fours in 12 years. Three coaches in history have done that. Their names are Wooden, Krzyzewski and Izzo.

This one was impossible to predict, yet just as they’d planned. It was left to Tennessee’s J.P. Prince to provide the perspective of the defeated: “There was a lot of rough playing, and a lot of bodies falling out there. But we knew that going in. That’s how Michigan State plays.

That’s how Tom Izzo teaches: hard-nosed basketball. And in the end, I guess they made the tough plays at the end.”

“I think we may have gotten bored after playing against some of the less competitive teams earlier on the season,” freshman forward Jonathan Ford said. “Competing against tea m s l i ke L a fayet te a nd Louisiana State allowed us to grow as a team and play more together as a unit.”

After competing in Chicago and defeating quality competition such as Texas A&M, Louisiana State and Texas, the players say they’re confident that the program will continue to improve in the future.

“In the last couple years, we’ve continued to get better a nd a re now com for table w ith play ing on a national level,” Ford said. “I hope we can continue to find people interested in the sport and talented enough to compete in the next few years.”

The Mean Green starts its journey to the national title at 9 p.m. April 7 against Florida Atlantic.

game with 40 points, and in the process he set the league record for 3-pointers made by a rookie.

He splashed in nine buckets, bringing the Mavericks bench to its feet while silencing the crowd.

Beaubois’ offensive showcase against a Golden State squad that shows little concern for defense continues the strong scoring output over the last five games, as the Mavs are averaging 100.2 points in that time.

Unfortunately, the defense has been unable to keep opponents from putting points on the scoreboard, as they have given up 100.8 points per game during that same stretch. In two of those three losses, they have lost by double digits.

The more pressing concern is the virtual absence of forward Dirk Nowitzki. The perennial All-Star has only averaged 15.5 points in his last four games had has not scored more than 18 points in that stretch. Against the

Warriors, Nowitzki failed to hit a free throw in the contest for only the third time this season.

Nowitzki has not been shooting well as of late, so it is remarkable that the team has not struggled more than it has. That can be attributed to the rise in performance from guard Jason Terry, along with the play of guard Caron Butler.

As much as I like Butler, I feel like he is taking too many shots. I would much rather ride Nowitzki until his age shows and his back can no longer support the weight of a team and an entire city.

With only eight games remaining in the season, the playoffs linger in the distance, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs as potential first-round matchups.

If the Mavs don’t find a way out of the slump they are in, a firstround exit from the playoffs may give them some unwanted time to think about it.

The Script: Slumping Mavericks need answer Opinion

Injured Michigan State players Kalin Lucas, left, acknowledges the fans after the Spartans defeated Tennessee, 70-69, during the men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament on Sunday in St. Louis, Missouri.

It can secure a bracket seed between 5-8 and already owns a bye into the second round of the tournament.

“Last season we weren’t nearly as talented as we are this year and lost our goalie right before Nationals started, so we’re a lot more confident now,” Bradley said. “We only had six guys and were basically a recreational team at that point.”

Br ad le y a nd tea m mate freshman Tim Duggan helped t he tea m’s cha nces at t he beginning of the school year, setting up information desks a nd orientation to recr uit freshman to join the team.

“It was a great opportunity for us to improve as a program, and we did a great job at bringing in some very important people,” Bradley said.

Play i ng aga i nst wea ker competition to start the year, UNT won its first 12 matchups before falling to the Ragin’ Cajuns 6-4.

With April quickly approaching, opening day arrives, giving hope to supporters who have been yearning for glory. Yes, soccer season is here, and I, along with not too many other people, will be patiently waiting for FC Dallas to take Major League Soccer by storm.

Although joy and excitement abound in Frisco, the Mavericks have been struggling in downtown Dallas, dropping three out of their last five games. The slump could not have come at a worse time, as they are fighting for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

On Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, another loss was almost certain, as Dallas was dormant in the early minutes of the game. Then entered rookie guard Rodrigue Beaubois, who provided a spark, dropping 26 points in the first half.

Beaubois would finish the

Ben Baby

Sports

Page 6 Justin Umberson, Sports Editor

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 ntdaily.sports@gmail.com

Mean Green suffers disappointing series loss

By Felicia A lba Staff Writer

T he U N T sof tba l l tea m (13-11, 3-3) couldn’t find a way to keep the Florida Atlantic Owls (18-17, 3-3) from stealing the teams’ weekend series.

The Mean Green came out strong during the first of three games against the Owls on Saturday but lost the series a f ter losi ng t he f i na l t wo games.

“We didn’t execute what we needed to execute,” Senior pitcher Ashley Lail said, “We were not hitt ing our spots and left too many people on base.”

“We didn’t execute what we needed to execute. We were not hitting our spots and left too many people on base.”

—Ashley Lail UNT senior pitcher

its lone run in t he bottom of t he t h i rd i n n i ng when Ma r t inez wa l ked w it h t he bases loaded.

Senior pitcher Kayla Lawson made her f irst appearance since the initial game of the season on Feb. 17, pitching the Saturday FAU scored two runs at the first two innings and picking top of t he f irst inning, but up the loss.

Ju n ior pitcher Jen n i fer UNT responded back w it h three runs of its own at the Smith relieved Lawson and d id n’t a l low a r u n dur ing bottom of the frame.

The Mean Green scored two t he ga me’s rema ining f ive more runs in the third inning, innings.

De spite Sm it h’s ef for t, expanding its lead to 5-2.

Junior center fielder Mariza t he of fense had less luck, Ma r t inez secu red t he w i n leav ing numerous r unners when she hit a double that stranded.

“We left runners who were scored t wo r unners in t he in scoring position,” Martinez sixth inning.

Lail led the UNT in the field said. a nd picked up her four t hst ra ight w in, a llow ing t wo Sunday earned runs off three hits.

T he ser ies cont i nued Freshman pitcher Brittany Sunday w ith the third and Simmons got the final two outs deciding game. of the game and picked up the UNT scored the first run first save of her career. of t he game at t he bottom In the second game of the of the first inning courtesy double header, the Owls came of Ma l lor y Ca nt ler ’s R BI out sw inging, scoring four double. runs off four hits in the first The Owls tied the game in inning. the third, but junior Courtney T he Mea n Green scored Bradshaw qu ick ly put t he

Mean Green back on top with a solo home run in the fourth inning.

The Mean Green racked up another run at the bottom of the fifth, extending its lead.

At the top of the sixth, FAU’s Taylor Fawbush hit a two-RBI double tying the game up and t hen Brittany Wa lker hit a three-run homer, giving the Owls a 6-3 lead.

The Mean Green was held scoreless for the rest of the way, while the Owls picked up another run, finishing the series with a 7-3 win.

Lail pitched a combined 6.2 innings with Smith doing relief work and pick ing up the loss.

“It was a d isappoi nt i ng loss,” Bradshaw said. “We had the lead and ended up losing.

We couldn’t string anything together.”

The Mean Green was out-hit in the third game and left 13 runners on base.

The total number of runners left on base by North Texas for the series was 31.

Head coach T.J. Hubbard declined to comment on any of the games.

Photo by Ryan Bibb/Photographer

Freshman pitcher Brittany Simmons throws to a UT-San Antonio batter during Thursday’s game. The Mean Green lost two out of its three weekend games against the Florida Atlantic Owls.

UNT women claim first at Arlington Invitational Juniors lead way at second outdoor meet

By Ben Baby Staff Writer

In its second outdoor meet of the season, the UNT track and field team blazed the track Saturday at the Bobby Lane Track and Field Invitational at U T-A rl i ng ton Maver ick Stadium in Arlington.

The Mean Green women h a d s ol i d p e r f or m a n c e s across the spectrum of events, earning them the top overall team ranking among 18 other schools. T he Mea n Green finished with 91 points, 3.5 points ahead of Stephen F. Austin.

“We competed hard, and that was good for us this time of yea r,” head coach R ick Wat k ins sa id. “I feel good about where we are long-term this year.”

Junior Missy Barnes took home f i r s t pl ac e i n t he 100-meter dash with a time of 11.77 seconds.

Juniors Brittany Blaylock and Brittani Simmons also finished in the top-four spots in the event.

Junior Alysha Adams earned 10 points for the Mean Green w it h her f irst-place f inish i n t he 100-meter hu rd les, finishing the event in 13.85 seconds, one of the top times in the nation.

Barnes, Blaylock, Simmons and Adams finished in front of t he rest in t he 4-by-100 relay, w ith Texas Christian

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and UT-Arlington following closely behind.

T he men’s tea m had to settle for a sixth place overall finishing with 54 points, nine behind fifth place Iowa State.

Oklahoma destroyed the rest of the competition, finishing 11 points ahead of UTA. I n h i s f i r s t i nd i v idu a l event of the outdoor season, sophomore spr i nter Key t h Talley finished fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.52 seconds.

Talley finished third among collegiate athletes, as Nike’s Doc Patton won the event with a time of 10.24 seconds.

I n t he 4 -b y-10 0 r e l a y, t he Mean Green struggled, completing the event in 42.48 seconds, w h ich wa s good enough for 16th place. UNT’s 4-by-400 team, made up of freshman Steven White, junior Montrell Pyron, junior Reggie Hayter, junior Darnell Greig and Talley, finished second with a time of 3:19.91 seconds, earning the Mean Green 16 points.

“I k now t hat we ca n do bet ter get t i ng t he [baton] around,” Hayter said. “As far as a lot of individual events, we stepped up and did really

Photo by Savannah Boyd/File

Senior distance runner Amanda Kean paces herself during the 1500-meter run at the 2009 Baylor’s Michael Johnson Classic. The UNT women’s team finished with a meet leading 91 points at the weekends Arlington Invitational. good. We look like we’re going to be good coming into Texas Relays.”

The Mean Green men and women will look to carry their momentum to the state capitol on Thursday when they travel to Austin to participate in the

Texas Relays.

Simmons, who has a history of nagg ing foot problems, performed well despite being bothered by her feet. She said she believes that a cooperative team ef fort w ill best benefit the team in Austin.

“It’s not just about one person. It’s about all of us,” Simmons said. “If one person is having a bad attitude and not doing good, then it’s going to ref lect on everybody. We just have to encourage each other.”

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Views

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Josh Pherigo, Views Editor

Page 7 ntdailyviews@gmail.com

No one wins after play is cancelled

Congress must end “don’t ask, don’t tell” Editorial Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced changes to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy Thursday, that will make it more difficult for gay and lesbian service members to be ‘outed’ and removed from the military.

The change comes amid growing national pressure for the policy to be repealed. The Editorial Board believes this policy revision represents a positive step toward accomplishing that goal.

Gates’ stated commitment to ending the ineffective and discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is now evidenced by these new measures. While not good enough — the revisions still force gays and lesbians wishing to serve in the armed forces to lie about their identity — the changes do represent a shift in the mindset of military leadership and constitute the inevitability of the repeal.

Gates said the changes to “don’t ask, don’t tell” were made to ensure the current policy is carried out in a “fairer and more appropriate manner.” It will be harder for the sexual orientation of gay and lesbian service members to be uncovered and used in their military dismissal.

Under the new guidelines, the standards will be raised for admissible evidence by forcing the third-party accuser to give testimony under oath. This will greatly reduce the maliciously based outings that occur when jilted partners or revenge-seeking colleagues come forward after personal disputes.

The revision will also require that only officers holding the rank of at least brigadier general or rear admiral may initiate fact-finding inquiries into the sexual orientation of a service member.

Since the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was initiated in 1993, more than 13,000 people have been honorably discharged for being gay or lesbian. Their removal has cost American taxpayers an estimated $1.3 billion.

The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is the result of a backroom political compromise that resulted from President Bill Clinton’s failed attempt to lift the military ban on homosexuality. It’s time to right that wrong and fix a cowardly policy that puts the U.S. at odds with the rest of the free world — Britain, Canada, Israel and Australia are just a few of the 25 countries that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly.

The U.S. military has a rich tradition of leading social change, yet the brunt of the opposition for the repeal is coming from retired or senior high-ranking officers.

They seem to have forgotten the groundbreaking role the Army played in using women pilots in World War II, or Harry Truman’s integration of the military in 1948 — well before the civil rights movement. However, this is an issue in which the military is hindering social progression rather than enabling it.

Gates’ revision sets us on the right path, but it doesn’t get us there. President Barack Obama must force Congress to repeal this archaic policy. America is ready, and so are the citizens who volunteer to defend a nation that allows them to openly love whomever they want.

Campus Chat

It looked li ke t he First Amendment was poised to win a major victory in small-town Texas this week.

But then Mark Holtorf, a professor at Tarleton State University, canceled his class’ production of “Corpus Christi” — a satirical 1998 play about a moder n-day gay Chr ist figure.

He c om m i s sione d h i s students to select, direct and fund a one-act production of their choosing.

One student, 26-year-old John Jordan Otte, chose the controversial, award-winning play.

There would only be one performance of the show and the professor said in an interview with the Texas Tribune that only relatives and close friends attend these performances. But because of the play’s content, t he school received threats of violence

and lots of angry e-mails.

A nd, much l i ke t he Homecoming vote on same-sex couples at UNT last semester, it became about money. Some big-time donors threatened to take away their precious dollars if the play went on as planned.

And then Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst got involved.

His of f ice issued press release after press release, paying lip service to our First A mend ment r ig ht s wh i le swiftly condemning the play as “morally reprehensible.”

But his rash judgment made a major critical error.

He sa id he wa s a ng r y because the school was using state funds to portray this, when Otte had to foot the bill for the royalties and other fees for putting on the production.

As a Christian, I can understand the offense many are

taking to this play.

But at the same time, it’s merely a work of fiction. While it’s true t hat words carr y power, the text of the play is only that.

Getting outraged about a one-off performance of a play that’s more than a decade old is hardly a productive use of time.

There are plenty of other things worth getting upset over like, say, genocide or the treatment of orphans and foster kids in America.

I n such a f r ag mented society, we all should deeply respect one another’s freedom of expression.

Even t houg h what one person says may be offensive, he still has a right to say it.

As it’s been emphasized over and over in my media law class: The government shouldn’t and doesn’t regulate taste.

B u t t h a t ’s w h y t h e

Founding Fat hers put t he First Amendment in the Bill of Rights — to protect that speech that not everyone will like.

Besides, if we start censoring now, what ’s to stop t he pendulum from swinging the other way and silencing the very people protesting this play? Freedom of expression has been what’s kept this country alive for so long. It’s one of the things that makes our country great.

But when people start caving to fear because some people are appalled, frightened or angry over a work of fiction, that’s a dangerous road to walk down.

That’s a road that slowly strips away liberty and justice for all.

After the recent health care reform was signed, arguments and debate began to intensify between political commentators, friends, families and also online. Although open and honest debate is one of the most fundamenta l components to a free society, the recent t hreats a nd acts of violence are not.

Since the bill passed, there have been numerous politically motivated threats made against public officials.

Norman Leboon, a 38-year old man from Philadelphia, wa s a r rested Monday for p o s t i n g out r a ge ou s a nd bizarre videos on YouTube.

The videos feature Leboon ma k i ng v iolent t h reat s against Eric Cantor, R-Va., the second-highest ranking Republican in the House.

Leboon prev iously made t h reat s aga i nst P resident Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Spea ker of t he House Nancy Pelosi, ot her Democratic leaders and the employees of YouTube for removing some of his videos.

Many of his videos are still available online.

A bullet was fired into one of Cantor’s offices, Thursday and although police suggested the bullet was merely a stray, the act should still be taken seriously.

The Democratic National Com m it tee a n nou nced Monday that any contributions received from Leboon to either the DNC or to the Obama campaign would be donated to charity groups. I commend the DNC for taking such action to disassociate it from these kinds of people.

L a s t w e ek , t he S e c r e t Service took action to investigate assassination threats made aga inst Oba ma by a m a n w ho c h a r a c t e r i z e d himself as a self-described “conservative blogger” on the popular socia l net work ing Web site, Twitter.

A group of more than 9,000 Tea Party protesters in the hometown of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had eggs thrown at their buses by Reid supporters Saturday, and

Andrew Breitbart, a manager of conservative Web sites, was also threatened to leave the event or face violence.

All of this is coming after recent accusations have been made about protesters outside the capitol. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus l i ke Rep. Ja mes C ly bu r n, (D-S.C.) t he t hird-highestra n k i ng Democrat i n t he House said protesters were using racial slurs at them and one may have even spit on Clyburn.

During this time of heated political debate, it is of the ut mo s t i mp or t a nc e t h at everyone strives for passionate but respect f u l debate. We should all be sure to remain civil and promote the ideas that we hold so strongly in a peaceful way.

No matter how outraged you may be over health care legislation, or any other issue, it is essential to fight with dedication through the legitimate means of the democratic process.

Calling the offices of your

representatives, taking part in peaceful protests, and getting more involved with your local parties and campaigns are all great ways to let your voice be heard.

T h e t h r e a t s , t h e f ou l language and violent actions need to stop. It does fa r more ha r m t ha n good for your cause when you resort to these vicious tactics, so stop the threats and fight for vigorous debate instead.

Kip Mooney is a journalism senior and the Daily’s SCENE editor. He can be reached at KipMooney@my.unt.edu.

Stop the threats, fight for debate

Trayton Oakes is a political science and economics junior. He can be reached at TraytonOakes@my.unt.edu.

What do you think about the Shack-a-thon on campus?

{ { {

“Shack-A-Thon is good. It helps raise awareness for the homeless, and it is just straight up fun building a shack and raising money.”

Stephen Trevino Accounting junior

“Not only do students get to have fun with building a shack but at the same time help raise money for Habitat For Humanity.”

Sydney Spradley

Undeclared freshman

“I like the idea of Shack-AThon. I think it’s great that we have the chance to raise money for Habitat For Humanity on campus.”

Eric Herrera

Mechanical engineering sophomore

NT Daily Editorial Board

The Editorial Board includes: Shaina Zucker, Josh Pherigo, Rebecca Hoeffner, T.S. McBride, Melissa Boughton, Amber Arnold, Kip Mooney, Abigail Allen, Sydnie Summers, Brianne Tolj, Clinton Lynch, Justin Umberson, and David Williams.

Want to be heard?

The NT Daily is proud to present a variety of ideas and opinions from readers in its Views section. As such, we would like to hear from as many NT readers as possible.

We invite readers of all creeds and backgrounds to write about whichever issue excites them, whether concerning politics, local issues,

ethical questions, philosophy, sports and, of course, anything exciting or controversial.

Take this opportunity to make your voice heard in a widely read publication.

To inquire about column ideas, submit columns or letters to the editor, send an e-mail to ntdailyviews@gmail.com

Note to Our Readers

The NT Daily does not necessarily endorse, promote or agree with the viewpoints of the columnists on this page.

The content of the columns is strictly the opinion of the writers and in no way reflects the belief of the NT Daily.

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The 8 5 2 objective of3 the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the 9 17 4correct 4 # 33 34three very 9 12 5 8 3 6numbers.

7 8 There#are 4 9 simple constraints to follow. In a 9 by 9 8 1 4 6 9 95 2 6 3 6 2 7 3square Sudoku game: 6 87 3 5 1row of 9 6 7 2 numbers must in7 2 9 • 8Every 44 2 clude all digits 1 through 9 in any order 1 8 6 3 9 7 4 2 5 8 5 5 6 • Every column of 9 numbers must 7 3 9 2 4 5 1 8 6 1 7 all digits 1 through 9 in any Sudoku requires no calculation or arithmetic 3 61 8include 8 9 5 64 2 1 7 9 3 6 4 order skills. It is essentially a game of placing numbers 3 6 21 4 84 2 • 5Every 7 7 93 by 3 subsection of the99 8 in squares, using very simple rules 2 of logic and by 9 square all digits 51 3 9 48 7 5 1 6 33 5 4 must include 1 8 through 9 deduction.

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