Nov. 1 issue

Prepare for Tuesday’s congressional election by checking out Broadside’s Election Guide, which provides a quick rundown of the candidates and issues on tomorrow’s ballot.

Pg. 5

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper www.broadsideonline.com

November 1, 2010

Volume 87 Issue 9

Timeliness of Mason Alert questioned Recent incidents raise concern that Mason Alert is too slow, unclear

Antonieta Rico Crime Beat Reporter The MasonAlert system has come under scrutiny by the Mason community after people received texts and emails regarding recent emergency situations on campus about an hour after the incidents were first reported.

When a gas leak occurred next to Lecture Hall on Oct. 6 police received the call for the gas main break at 11:09 a.m. but some people did not receive a MasonAlert until almost an hour later.

“I got the text at 12:02…” said Kim Largen, an assistant professor with the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at Mason.

Largen was lecturing at Krug Hall, near Lecture Hall, and said she was evacuated from the building at about 11:18 a.m. by a person she believes was a fireman.

The clarity of the MasonAlert messages has also come into question. When Student Union Building II was evacuated after a hazmat incident Oct. 19, an initial MasonAlert stated that there was a “police investigation at Student Union” and requested that people stay away from “Student Union.” There are two Student Union buildings at GMU, I and II, and about 20 minutes after the initial notice another MasonAlert clarified that there was a hazmat incident at Student Union II. Largen said that people were confused during the gas leak incident by the wording of the text message. According to Largen, the text listed buildings near the gas leak and said “evacuate the area,” but it was unclear what area was affected by the evacuation notice.

“That caused a lot of confusion here at Krug,” said Largen, “We

had a lot of students wonder ‘does that include Krug; what does that include?’”

Officials in charge of the MasonAlert system said they are aware of some of the problems with the system. David Farris, director of emergency preparedness and response at Mason, said that making notifications faster is an ongoing issue with emergency communications.

However, he said that people who are immediately in harm’s way will already have help before a notification goes out.

“As we identify those issues, we work to correct them,” said Farris.

“The priorities are…help those people who are in harm’s way, and then conduct a notification with the expectation that it is going to protect everybody else who is not immediately impacted by the emergency,” Farris said.

MasonAlert is intended for informational purposes, and those who would be affected by an immediate threat would have the benefit of first responders on the scene, such as the person who evacuated Largen from her building, to ensure their safety, Farris said.

At the same time, Farris said, people in the Mason community need to be educated on how to respond to an emergency situation.

“I would encourage everyone who is registered for the MasonAlert system to not only follow directions provided by MasonAlert, but more importantly be prepared to respond to an emergency if they experience that emergency,” he said.

MasonAlert is one method to stay informed, but Farris recommends that people also take charge of their own safety by reading the emergency preparedness plans on the Environmental Health and Safety Office website: http://ehs.gmu.edu/guides_EP.html.

“Communication by nature cannot occur simultaneously,” Farris said. “The time from the event occurring and having enough verified information to make a recommendation on what action can be taken, there is a lag there.”

Farris also added that police have administrator access to the MasonAlert system so that they may issue an alert in case of an immediate threat. However, he said the primary focus for police would be to respond to an emergency and that is why there are procedures in place to ensure that his office is notified of an emergency so that they may issue a MasonAlert.

There are also several other entities at Mason who have administrative access to the MasonAlert system, but it is primarily used by police and his office and some key officials of the university administration, Farris said.

“In an emergency we don’t have perfect information,” said Farris.

He said he has to make a determination to send out information as soon as possible, as an emergency develops, and tries to provide the simplest information without making it confusing. To that end, he said he is constantly trying to get feedback and improve the system.

He said that he also holds focus groups with students, the GMU administration, and Student Government with the intent to make the system better. Any other users who wish to provide feedback can email alert@gmu.edu.

“MasonAlert is really the backbone of our emergency notification system,” Farris said. He said people should “follow the guidance of the MasonAlert with the understanding that we are doing everything that we possibly can to make sure those alerts are timely, contain the right information, but knowing that they are not instantaneous and that we are first and foremost going to make sure we get the right people on scene to respond to an emergency.”

(Yasmin Tadjdeh, Senior News Editor for Student Life & Digest for Connect2Mason contributed to this report)

Mason community members remember Brian Picone

Three laptops stolen from dorm Attempted fourth theft thwarted Antonieta Rico Crime Beat Reporter Police are investigating a series of laptop thefts that occurred Oct. 18 in Presidents Park, the freshman housing area of George Mason University.

According to police reports, at least three laptops were reported stolen within an hour after an unknown person entered dorm rooms in Presidents Park.

A fourth report of a bulgary at Presidents Park involved a witness who confronted a person entering her room. The suspect tried to take a laptop but was unsuccessful. According to the police report, the suspect left the area on foot.

“We believe it’s the same suspect [in all four cases],” said George Ginovsky, public information officer at the George Mason University Police Department.

“Our possible suspect is not a student,” Ginovsky said. He said police suspect the person responsible for the thefts is someone “who tailgates into the dorms and crashes there overnight.” “‘Tailgating’ is a big problem,” said Master Police Officer Emily Ross in an e-mail. Ross is the housing liaison officer with Mason police.

See THEFT, Page 2

Mason Inn enjoys busy family weekend Hotel at 80 percent capacity for weekend; lounge serves 641 customers Casey Rives Broadside Correspondent The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel has provided conference space for a myriad of businesses, rooms for visiting parents and a space for campussponsored events since its opening on July 22.

“October has been one of our busiest months,” said Vicki Galindo, director of sales and marketing at the Mason Inn. Alumni Week and George Mason University’s Family Weekend spurred bookings to near-capacity.

“During Family Weekend, we had 100 rooms booked and were at 80 percent occupancy,” said Stephanie Morehead, sales manager at the Inn and a Mason alumna. “The Well, which is the Mason Inn’s lounge, served brunch for over 641 individuals during that weekend.”

The Mason Inn is set apart from other hotel facilities by its close connection to the university.

“Here at the Inn, we are a part of the International Association of Conference Centers, meaning we have to meet specific criteria,” Galindo said.

The IACC is a not-for-profit organization, the mission of which is to assist members with

providing exceptional services and meeting facilities. The conference rooms at the Inn serve as a meeting place for many local organizations and businesses, especially those on campus.

The Mason School of Management and School of Law are two organizations which regularly book conference rooms.

“And of course, we have smaller conference rooms which are booked by smaller businesses like the Office of Admissions at Mason,” Galindo said.

Different packages are offered at the Inn. Dinner, daily refreshments and tickets to Mason events are a few amenities that guests can add to their stay.

“Our most popular package is the Day Meeting Package, which includes a meeting room, refreshment breaks and complimentary parking among other things,” Galindo said.

The Mason Inn offers wedding packages as well. So far, more than five weddings have been held at the hotel, none of which have been student weddings.

Through June of 2011, the Mason Inn has already booked over 40 weddings.

See INN, Page 2

Mason Cares CAPS program designed to help prevent suicide through education Casey Rives Broadside Correspondent

Photo By Gregory Connolly

Two people write notes to Brian Picone, a George Mason alumnus who collapsed last year while giving a lecture to a queer theory class at Mason. He died shortly therea er. Many people gathered on the third floor of the Johnson Center Tuesday to remember Picone. Picone, a Falls Church na ve, helped to found one of Fairfax County’s first Gay-Straight Alliances and spoke at the first George Mason Lavender gradua on for gay, bisexual and transgender students. Marja Kudej, a senior majoring in English who helped coordinate the memorial event, said that the le ers wri en to Picone would be placed in a box that would be burned to disseminate the le ers.

Established three years ago

by George Mason University’s Counseling and Psychological Services as a community outreach program, Mason Cares offers gatekeeper training programs to help participants learn the warning signs for suicide and how to respond.

“Our psychological services help students in dealing with problems that get in the way of them being a satisfied student,” said Associate Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Adrienne Barna.

George Mason University’s Counseling and Psychological Services offers a variety of resources for students, including

Learning Services to improve academic skills and Multicultural Services to provide support for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“The program gives an understanding of suicide,” Barna said. “It is a two-hour training program on strategies of suicide, how to deal with suicide, why people attempt suicide and how to respond to a person in crisis.”

Workshops are run by one of CAPS’ 16 counselors. While Mason Cares offers workshops for individuals, they are usually scheduled for whole groups.

“We have a better outcome if we can schedule the workshops for an organization or group,” Barna said.

See CARES, Page 2

Broadside

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News Event Calendar Monday, Nov. 1 Yearbook and Senior Portraits Johnson Center, Room 116 7 a.m - 10 p.m.

Talk: Eric Yellin Johnson Center, Room A 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 Child Development Center White House Ornament Sale Johnson Center, Kiosk B or C 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Delta Sigma Pi Blood Drive Southside Plaza 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

15

The number of years Julie Thompson has worked for George Mason University.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Getting to know Julie Thompson Executive director of the Center for the Arts talks with Broadside Julie Thompson is the director for George Mason University’s various performing arts venues such as the Center for the Arts, Harris Theatre and the Black Box Theater. This week, Broadside sat down with Thompson and talked about the finer points of planning and running 450 events a year.

Q: How long have you been working at Mason?

A: I have been here 15 years, back when George Johnson was president. I came in as a basic wage worker and thought I would be here for a year.

Q: How would you describe your experiences here?

A: This has been a pretty exciting time for the college. A lot of venues have been opened and academic departments are expanding. It’s been busy but still very exciting.

Q: How did you get started in a career like this?

A: I worked professionally as a stage manager with regional opera companies,

“I love that it [my job] is never the same and is constantly changing. No year is ever the same. I also realize that we are building things from the ground up here.”

-Julie Thompson, executive director of George Mason University’s Center for the Arts

such as Minnesota Opera and Wolf Trap Opera. I came from a professional world where I worked 24/7. I thought the hours [at Mason] wouldn’t be so intense and I thought it was a good plan to work with students.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: I love that it is never the same and is

constantly changing. No year is ever the same. I also realize that we are building things from the ground up here.

Q: Of all the events you have scheduled, which one sticks out as one of the greatest successes?

A: We did the Obama visit right before the Inauguration. That was a lot of fun and very successful. It just shows that we can do so many different events.

Q: Where do you see the Center for the Arts and the other performing arts venues going in the next few years?

A: We are putting our focus on helping the performing arts departments continue to grow. The student work and the players have been getting stronger.

Q: How do you attempt to involve the student body?

A: We do offer 500 free student tickets for any given event we do have. We are also starting to work closely with the Office of Student Involvement. We have helped out with things like the stepping shows.

Farmers Market Southside Plaza 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Diwali Celebration Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall South 12 - 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 4 History in Movies Johnson Center, Cinema 3 - 5 p.m.

Visiting Writers: Suzanne Strempek Shea Research 1, Room 163 7 p.m.

For more events and activities, check out: today.gmu.edu

POLICE FILES Oct. 25

Grand Larceny Patriot Center Complainant reported the theft of a shoulder bag containing jewelry and other personal items. Loss estimated at $6,951. (29/Aman) Possession of Marijuana Hampton Roads Jessica Gaworecki, 19 (GMU student), of Balwinsville, NY was issued a summons for Possession of Marijuana.

(40/Ross)

Oct. 26

Seized/Recovered Property Dominion Hall Drug equipment was recovered by the GMUPD. This case is under investigation. (50/Issa)

Recovered Property Science & Technology I A bicycle was removed from a construction area. The bicycle is located at GMUPD property. (44/Rindell)

Oct. 27

Public Drunkenness University Drive Philip Baselice, 23 (GMU student), of Manassas, VA was arrested for being Drunk in Public. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held. (50/Issa) Two Vehicle Accident Roanoke River Road Vehicle #1 entered the intersection of Po River Road and Roanoke River Road when it failed to yield the right of way, striking Vehicle #2. Damage estimated at $4,000. (22/Barton) Vandalism/Destruction of Property HQ Complainant stated that their bicycle had been damaged by unknown person(s). Damage estimated at $300. (48/Surber) Traffic Accident Parking Lot K Subject was driving their vehicle through Parking Lot K and hit the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and struck a tree. (34/Ewald)

Police Files are taken verbatim from www.gmu.edu/police.

Broadside does not make any changes to public records.

All about Counseling and Psychological Services CARES, from front

and packets to help offer additional support for suicidal stu“The Peer Empowerment dents.

“I think the program is great,” Program, the Living Learning Communities and LEAD are a few Smith said. “It is very structured organizations which have partici- and each instructor has a binder pated in the workshop. Resident that they stick to because they advisors are required to go want to make sure that each group has the same information. This is through the workshop as well.”

Jasmine Smith, a senior com- important because as an RA, we munication major, became a resi- don’t want to have conflicting indent advisor in August of 2010 and formation.”

The Mason Cares workshops went through the program.

“Since the Mason Cares pro- are based on Campus Connect, an gram has been established it has experiential approach to suicide always been required for all training developed at Syracuse [RAs],” Smith said. “Each new RA University.

“We want all students to go goes through the program, and rethrough the fresher worktraining, because shops are put students go to into place for “We want all other students returning RAs.” students to go when feeling suiRAs particcidal,” Barna ipate in Behind through the said.

Closed Doors, a training, because CAPS prohousing prostudents go to vides services gram that preMonday through pares them for a other students Friday, and 24variety of scewhen feeling hour emergency narios involving suicidal.” numbers are campus housavailable to stuing and stu-Adrienne Barna, associate dents in crisis. dents, like party director of Counseling and Discussions at rooms and arPsychological Services CAPS will not guments. show up on aca“During demic records, Behind Closed nor can counDoors, I was approached by an RA acting as a sui- selors discuss the information cidal student,” Smith said. “I had with others. The only exception is to react and respond to this per- situations in which a student son in crisis. Without the Mason causes harm to oneself or others.

Students can make appointCares workshop, I would have had no idea how to respond. The ments at the CAPS office in Stuworkshop forces you to think dent Union Building I, Room 3129. about and acknowledge topics To learn more about Mason Cares that not everyone is comfortable or to schedule a program for a specific group or organization, conwith.”

Smith and other RAs are pro- tact Barna at 703-993-2380. vided with a number of brochures

Ginovsky: Avoid theft by keeping doors locked THEFT, from front “The swipe access into the residence halls is an excellent security feature, but students should not hold doors open for others coming in behind them,” Ross said. “A thief never looks like a thief and they get in easily this way.”

Ginovsky encourages students to call police if they see outsiders in their dorm. All three rooms that had laptops stolen were left unsecured, according to police reports.

“If you live in a room in one of the residence halls, lock it,” Ginovsky said. He said the thefts are preventable and stressed the

importance of securing dorm rooms.

“It is important [for students] to lock their doors, even if just leaving for a few minutes, and have a good understanding of this policy with their roommates,” Ross said.

Ross recommends students take the following safeguards to protect themselves in case their belongings are stolen: Keep product receipts, write down serial and model numbers for expensive electronics and engrave belongings with a unique number which can be given to police for identification.

Police said the incidents are still under investigation.

Brian Picone memorial

Photo By Gregory Connolly

Ric Chollar, the coordinator for Safe Zone — a program that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ques oning students iden fy allies — speaks to those who gathered for the ceremony.

Chollar worked with Picone in numerous se ngs. In addi on to the le er box, there was an art gallery by graduate student Marissa Mack and wallet photos of Picone for those who were interested.

Mason Inn employees discuss their jobs INN, from front The Inn seems to be exceeding expectations and although it has been open only for a few months, business is steady.

“In the future, we hope to get parents in here every time they are visiting,” Morehead said.

Morehead works closely with many organizations to inform the public of events occurring at the Mason Inn. “I work with the Information Network Committee and the Event Committee,” she said. “We keep people updated through Mason E-Files.”

The Mason Inn’s location has provided a great opportunity for student jobs. Fulltime employees receive both health and dental insurance. They also receive dis-

counts for other Aramark properties throughout the country. In addition, free lunch, dinner and parking are a few perks of being an Inn employee.

Carla Naejh was hired as a front desk supervisor in June.

“I enjoy working here because I don’t really spend a lot of time on campus so working here keeps me updated with what goes on,” Naejh said. “I meet a lot of people from different departments of the university and it’s so convenient for me since I can walk to class right after work.”

Because she mostly works mornings, Naejh gets a lot of feedback from guests.

“I think most of our guests enjoy their stay and we receive positive guest comment cards all the time.”

The Inn is a “green” hotel. Recycling

bins can be found throughout the building and employee uniforms are made from recycled material.

“Some guests have commented about the water pressure in the showers not being strong enough, but that’s because we have water-conserving showerheads,” Naejh said.

The hotel’s lobby features natural stone and cedar wood-paneled walls. Guests staying in one of the 148 rooms can relax in the lobby where classical music and a variety of reading material provide a spa-like atmosphere. In addition, a wall display of black and white photographs documents the developments on campus over the decades.

Individual room prices can be found online or by contacting the Mason Inn at 703-865-5705

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Broadside

Style

23.9

Dollars (in billions) that Americans spent on books in 2009, according to the Association of American Publishers.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Event encourages students to complete novels Dylan Hares Media Beat Writer For many George Mason University students, the prospect of writing a novel is alluring: the thrill of coming up with a story and the satisfaction of writing the final sentence.

Problem is, only a small fraction of students actually write their novel. That’s where November and National Novel Writing Month come in.

NaNoWriMo, as it is otherwise known, is a program helping prospective novel writers band together to accomplish this dream. The goal for each individual writer is a whopping 50,000 words over the course of the month.

If that seems like the sojourn of a lifetime, fear not. Participants

not only have the official site for the program, which is filled with helpful tips and a friendly support forum, but Mason is throwing their full support behind any students willing to accept the challenge.

“Novel writing is one of the most pleasurable activities you can do,” said English associate professor Laura Scott, who is leading the effort to help students complete the project. “There is nothing like being immersed in your own novel.”

The English department is sponsoring write-ins where prospective novelists can come work on their novels in a quiet environment.

Write-ins will take place Mondays all month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Fenwick Library and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Room 447 of Robinson

Hall A. Snacks will be provided and prizes will be awarded at the end of the month to successful participants.

The faculty says the point is not to strive for a perfect final draft over the course of the month. Instead, the idea is quantity over quality – much like a month-long free write. The goal should be to achieve the lofty 50,000 word count and then later to complete a final project from there.

Pacing can be key for those who get burned out easily, but many will find when the ideas start coming, the word count will pile up.

More information can be found at www.NaNoWriMo.org, the English department’s site at english.gmu.edu/novel or by contacting Laura Scott at lscott@gmu.edu.

Breasitval a success Games like ‘Tit-Tac-Toe’ keep students entertained

Photo by Peter Flint

Mason Jazz Ensemble collaborates with Fairfax Law Foundation for annual Jazz for Justice event World-renonwned keyboardist Bobby Floyd and 10-year-old trumpet prodigy among performers Ramy Zabarah Asst. Style Editor

Photo by Joseph M. Tessmer

The George Mason University Jazz Ensemble performs Friday during the ninth annual Jazz for Jus ce event at the Center for the Arts.

The Concert Hall lit up on Friday as the George Mason University Jazz Ensemble, accompanied by various special guests, took the stage for the ninth annual Jazz for Justice program.

The annual program, presented by the Mason Jazz Ensemble and the Fairfax Law Foundation, is a festive event whose proceeds go toward the Fairfax Law Foundation.

This year’s program, titled “We Be Jammin’,” included many special guest performers such as world-renowned keyboardist Bobby Floyd, jazz guitarist Rick Whitehead and a 10-year-old trumpet soloist.

The program title was inspired by the idea of a mostly improvised show. The Jazz Ensemble performed rhythm and melody for soloists, who im-

provised over various chords and key signatures.

The Jazz Ensemble, led by director Jim Carroll, performed two hours of energetic jazz charts ranging from standards like “Fever,” made famous by Peggy Lee in 1960, a couple original pieces composed by students and a mesmerizing rendition of “Amazing Grace” led by Bobby Floyd with Tracy Wright on vocals.

After introducing Floyd to the stage for his first feature, Carroll explained that his performance was enough to single-handedly define the term “swing” for anyone who was not familiar with it.

“Can you believe there are some people who haven’t discovered swing?” Carroll asked the crowd. Carroll’s witty remarks helped feed the cheerful vibe that filled the room throughout the evening.

One of the night’s favorites was a performance by a 10-yearold prodigy named Geoffrey Gallante. His trumpet solo left spectators in awe of his pure talent and garnered a generous applause.

Other solos included a baritone performance by Mason pep band director Michael Nickens, more commonly known as “Doc Nix,” and a riveting drum solo to close the show by Howard University alumnus Harold Summey.

Carroll said the Jazz Ensemble is very proud to collaborate with the Fairfax Law Foundation each year in efforts to support the Mason jazz program and the local community.

“The Fairfax Law Foundation provides a valuable contribution to the Fairfax community through its programs educating young people on the justice system and its pro bono work,” Carroll said.

The Beat Goes On Photo courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories

James Franco stars as Allen Ginsberg in the Oscilloscope Laboratories film “Howl.”

James Franco embodies poet Allen Ginsberg in ‘Howl’ Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief More than 50 years after Allen Ginsberg released his generation defining poem, “Howl,” James Franco has stepped up to define how Generation Y will remember the iconic Beat poet.

With “Howl,” Franco proves he has the chops to be a leading man, as he stars as the counterculture’s outspoken literary hero.

Without much material to work with—Franco simply rehashes interviews with Ginsberg and emulates Ginsberg’s own reading of “Howl”— Franco shows he has the art of imitation down to

a tee. In tonality, mannerism and appearance, Franco truly comes to life as Ginsberg.

The film is comprised of three interwoven scenes: Ginsberg’s first reading of “Howl” in 1955 at the Six Gallery in San Francisco, an interview with Ginsberg, recreated from various interviews with the poet, and the obscenity trial of the same year, where Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the publisher of “Howl and Other Poems,” is on trial for distributing obscene material.

Written and directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, the film chronicles the personal journeys that led Ginsberg to create

his seminal work, but skims over some important characters.

Presumably for the sake of time, the film unfairly assumes viewers have a fair knowledge of the Beat Generation and reduces some of its best minds—namely Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady— to background characters who are never fully developed. Peter Orlovsky (Aaron Tveit), Ginsberg’s longtime partner, also plays a miniscule role.

The film relies heavily on its courtroom scenes, which give the poem context and drive the movie’s plot forward.

Jon Hamm, who seems to be typecast as a handsome 1950’s

smooth operator, plays defense attorney Jake Ehrlich. Suffice it to say, his courtroom speeches and cross-examinations are dramatic and perfectly delivered.

Jeff Daniels and Mary-Louise Parker also appear in the courtroom, as defense witness professor David Kirk and prosecution witness Gail Potter, respectively.

Shots of Franco reading “Howl” are black and white and interspersed with unusual interpretive animations of the poem by Eric Drooker.

Drooker, who did illustrative work for Ginsberg on Ginsberg’s 1988 book “Illuminated Poems,” misses the mark with his anima-

tions of “Howl.”

The drawings sometimes too literally try to portray abstract lines in Ginsberg’s work and look like trippy graphic novel pages in motion.

But if viewers can overlook the film’s wacky animations, they will walk about with a better understanding of the poem — and the man — who helped define a generation.

“Howl” is currently playing at the West End Cinema in Washington, D.C. Showtimes and ticket information can be found at www.westendcinema.com.

Yasmin Tadjdeh C2M Senior News Editor Boobs, jugs, knockers or just plain breasts – whatever the name, they were in our face on Thursday.

George Mason University celebrated its annual Breastival at the Johnson Center’s North Plaza. The event, which took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., was created to help promote breast cancer awareness, and to teach students how to detect early warning signs of the deadly disease. “[Students] love it. They love the T-shirts, they love the information and they’re really playing the games and going to the vendors to get information [and] learning how to do self-exams,” said Danielle Lapierre, assistant director of the Office of Alcohol, Drug & Health Education, in regards to Breastival.

Students who stopped by the information booths and participated in games such as Tit-Tac-Toe and Pin the Nipple were able to receive free Breastival shirts that featured an owl saying “Save the hooters.” By 11 a.m. they had run out of shirts and were giving away black bags that said, “Check your bags to prevent breast cancer.”

Volunteers at the festival all had one common goal: promote healthy lifestyles and spread awareness.

"Since I’m part of the nursing program we always have to promote [the] wellbeing [of people] ... especially in public health,” said Erika Zeidler, a senior nursing major.

“The big thing [about catching cancer early on] is knowing you’re normal and seeing what has changed. The main thing we want people to do is actually go ahead and look at themselves and feel themselves to know what’s different,” said Zeidler.

Though Zeidler is aware that the topic is cliché to many people, she said once people break through that barrier she hopes they will began doing self-exams.

Also at the Breastival was the American Institute for Cancer Research.

“We are here at the Breastival to help promote breast [cancer] awareness ... and trying to spread the message about healthy lifestyle choices and the ways you can reduce your risk of cancer,” said Chelsea Rominiecki, a representative from the group.

Vendors at the event passed out pamphlets and brochures on proper ways to do self-exams, as well as literature on healthy lifestyles.

Story taken from Connect2Mason

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Broadside

Monday, November 1, 2010

Style

Michatalie

explains it all

Photo courtesy of Tell All Your Friends PR

Los Angeles-based Local Na ves performed at the 9:30 Club Thursday.

Natives bring local energy Indie quintet Local Natives perform at 9:30 Club Patrick Wall Style Editor Energy is perhaps the most overused word in concert reviewing. Bands have it, crowds have it, even the venues can have it. It is a rare occurrence when these three entities meet and create a truly memorable night of music, but Thursday’s performance by indie quintet Local Natives at the 9:30 Club did just that.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Local Natives are a band on the rise thanks to their critically-acclaimed debut album “Gorilla Manor.” The band has been gaining in recent months, performing at DC9 in May ,but selling out the 9:30 Club on Thursday.

Rooted in an indie-meets-afropop style, the band’s live performance is a unique experience. Each member contributes vocals to nearly every song, resulting in a sing-along feel. In addition to having a

full-time drummer, the other four members take turns playing additional percussion, creating a sort of tribal sound that pulses under the sparkling guitars and booming bass.

While “Gorilla Manor” might not sound like a dance record, the crowd was in the mood to dance, enthusiastically bouncing with the rhythmic pounding of the drums and singing along with the numerous choral breaks. The group played every song on their album, including their popular single “Airplanes,” prompting cheers from the crowd, and a cover of Talking Heads’ “Warning Sign.”

Although the band has been playing sold-out shows for the last few months, the group seemed taken aback by the crowd’s energy from the start.

They responded by giving an electric performance.

So while energy might be a tired adjective, it might also be the best way to describe the show.

Dear Michatalie, I’m a freshman and I ended up getting a random roommate. In the beginning, everything seemed fine. He was chill, kept to himself and we grabbed lunch every once in a while.

But I’ve been having issues with him since I started rushing my frat. He’s super awkward and always wants to hang out, even though all I want to do is chill with my boys. How do I get rid of him?

Sincerely, Taking Applications

Dear Taking Applications, You’re rushing a frat? No comment. Anyway, your roommate seems like a real loser. He might even have a man-crush on you. How come you didn’t bring him out to rush with you?

It could take the attention off of you and put it on another lucky guy. But since you asked for our help, we are overly excited to help get him packing.

Here are a few things you can do that will surely get him out of your way. Make sure your dorm room is so messy that he won’t want to be there and eventually, he won’t ever want to come back. First, visibly leave used condoms all throughout your room. Leave some sexy panties from your one-night stand hanging on the message board at your desk.

Another tip: The one-night stand needs to happen while your roommate is present. Your roommate doesn’t seem like the type who is exposed to such

naughty things, so it could potentially scare him off.

Make like a caveman and be as repulsive as you can. Most people have no idea they can use their bodily functions as weapons. Your three weapons of mass destruction are body odor, burping and farting.

B.O. is a fun weapon to use because you can watch your roommate squirm.

Burping could piss your roommate off, as well as distract him. If burping is difficult for you, eating Chipotle and drinking plenty of soda will create a volcanic eruption that even you will be surprised came out of your mouth. Lastly, you’re a guy – do we honestly have to give you tips on farting? Come on, now.

As a final piece of advice, bring your friends over and cause a ruckus. The last thing someone wants is to feel uncomfortable in their own living space. Make your room the pre-gaming spot and after, always bring the party back to your place. An added bonus would be to schmooze with the RA and get on his or her good side. This will benefit you in the long run.

If you complete these tasks, Michatalie will guarantee that your roommate will hate you and be so desperate to leave that he’ll move out through the window. (Warning: This pertains to first-floor residents only. Don’t be a dumbass and get yourself hurt.

Michatalie doesn’t want to be liable for any avoidable injuries.)

XOXO, Michatalie

Any issues and concerns about life, college, sex, money problems or food? Let Michatalie know on their fan page at www.facebook.com/MICHATALIE.

Broadside

|5

Election Guide Monday, November 1, 2010

The Battle for Congress Connolly vs.

Fimian

Five candidates vie to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which includes Mason Gregory Connolly News Editor Tuesday is the U.S. midterm election, which will bring to an end the deluge of roadside signs and campaign commercials.

Five candidates are running for the U.S. Congress seat for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, encompassing most of Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax and part of Prince William County.

In 2008, Democrat Gerry Connolly defeated Republican opponent Keith Fimian in an election to fill the seat vacated by longtime Virginia Congressman Tom Davis (R-11th). Fimian is run-

ning against Connolly again in the 2010 election.

Connolly currently serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Budget Committee.

Fimian is chairman and founder of U.S. Inspect, LLC, a company that conducts residential, commercial and relocation property inspections throughout the U.S. He is the president of the Youth Leadership Foundation, a District of Columbia group that helps inner-city youth with academics and character development.

Other candidates in the 11th Congressional District race include David William Gillis Jr., Christopher F. DeCarlo and David L. Dotson.

Gillis is a member of the Independent Greens of Virginia.

The party calls for balanced budgets at the local, state and federal levels and paying off the federal debt.

Dotson is a libertarian who works for a small research firm in McLean. He has been a Libertarian for over 30 years, according to his campaign’s website.

DeCarlo is an Independent candidate, who has taken classes at George Mason University, and

is the president of DeCarlo Enterprises Inc., a company that sells propane and other goods in Fairfax County.

In the 10th Congressional District, which includes much of the northern part of the state from McLean to Front Royal, incumbent Republican Frank R. Wolf is running against Democrat Jeff Barnett and Libertarian William Redpath.

Wolf is the longest-tenured Virginia congressman, having served since 1981. He is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and is the co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.

Barnett, an author and former Air Force pilot, has worked in government consulting in McLean and wants to focus on job creation among other issues, according to his website.

Redpath is a Libertarian who calls for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan in addition to reforming the U.S. tax code, according to his website.

In the 8th Congressional District, which includes Arlington County, Alexandria and Falls Church, incumbent Democrat Jim Moran is up against Republican Patrick Murray and Independent Green member Ron Fisher.

Moran, the former mayor of

Alexandria, has represented the 8th Congressional District since 1991. He is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Murray, a retired U.S. Army colonel, lives in Alexandria and wants to focus on economic recovery and debt reduction, according to his website.

Fisher, a retired Navy captain, has lived in Virginia for 34 years and has done consulting work for the Department of Defense. He is the president of Veterans Sales and Services Corporation, a small business that resells emergency equipment.

Where do I vote?

The different voting precincts within the city of Fairfax, for Congressional District 11

Precinct 5 Fairfax High School 3500 Old Lee Highway

Take a van to the polls

Precinct 6 Christ Lutheran Church 3810 Meredith Dr.

For those students without vehicles, Mason provides transportation options to make it easier to vote Precinct 3 Daniels Run School 3705 Old Lee Highway

Precinct 1 Fairfax Presbyterian Church 10723 Main St.

Precinct 2 Fairfax police e Station 3730 Old Lee Highway

Precinct 4 Fairfax City Hall 10455 Armstrong St.

map sourced from: http://www.fairfaxva.gov/Registrar/Mapprecincts.pdf

GMU

W. T. Woodson High School 9525 Main St.

GMU students who live on campus vote here

Aisha Jamil Writer Vote Vans, an initiative started by Zach Golden and Claire Forman in 2007, is coming back again this year to help students make voting easier. It will be shuttling students from Mason to W.T. Woodson High School where they will be able to vote.

Vote Vans will have a tent

set up in the grassy area between Enterprise Hall and Science and Tech II and also at the Sandy Creek Circle to educate students about the voting process as well as this year’s candidates running for office.

“Our main goal is to transport students who don’t have cars but are passionate about voting,” said Melissa Jackson, organizer for Vote Vans.

Vote Vans will also be handing out electronic surveys via iPod touches to students in hopes to raise awareness about higher education issues and budget cuts. This information will then be used to go to Richmond on Lobbying Day to lobby on the student’s behalf.

Come out and show your support, and vote for your favorite candidate!

6

Broadside

| Monday, November 1, 2010

Election Guide

The candidates at a glance District 8 Name: Jim Moran (Incumbent) Party: Democrat - Will work to reduce student tuition, create more scholarships and cut interest rates on student loans in half - Will work to make health insurance affordable so that people are not strapped to their job for fear of losing insurance - Wants to extend the Metro further out Interstate 66 - Will continue to invest in the school system - To repair economy: Invest in new, globally competitive jobs in clean energy and technology to create more opportunities for college graduates - Iraq and Afghanistan: Wants to keep America out of unnecessary wars, such as the Iraq War. Moran voted against the Iraq War and funding in Afghanistan until a viable plan is presented - Emphasizes the need for a tolerant community - From interview with Moran

photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: Patrick Murray Party: Republican - Committed to educational excellence - Will work to get the economy headed back in the right direction - Concerned with transportation - the rail to Dulles specifically. Concerned with ensuring the federal government pays its fair share for a project that will mainly benefit the federal workforce - To repair economy: Stop the Moran tax increase and create an environment where business owners can predict the future economic viability of their business and make appropriate investments to grow and create jobs - Iraq and Afghanistan: We must ensure we do not abandon a success story by leaving the domestic government to fend completely for itself against a possible resurgence of an insurgency force

Name: Ron Fisher Party: Independent Green (Information from Green’s website, www.ronfisherforcongress.com) - End U.S. wars and occupations, reduce annual Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) spending by 90 percent (about $900 billion) and have the MIC support a peaceful, Green economy with no layoffs - Phase out nuclear weapons worldwide and other offensive weapons - End the so called “war on terror” and treat terrorsit acts as criminal acts - Provide public and private sector employment opportunities for all at living wages in meaningful work, mainly providing the necessities of life. This will also provide customers for all businesses and will rapidly grow the economy.

- Build and operate a modern, comprehensive, nationwide, rail based transportation/transit system

photo courtesy of facebook.com

photo courtesy of facebook.com

- From interview with Murray

District 10 photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: Jeff Barnett Party: Democrat - To repair economy: Create more jobs by supporting small businesses, investing in new industries and focusing on education - Improve Northern Virginia transportation: add bridges, rails, expand roads and teleworking plans - Plans to extend the tuition tax credit Congress passed this year for all four years of college - From interview with Barnett

photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: Frank Wolf (Incumbent) Party: Republican - To repair economy: Provide incentives for job growth, stop job-killing tax increases and keep taxes low and give small businesses the assistance necessary to allow job creation - Has been involved in every major regional transportation improvement including building the original 103-mile Metro system, widening I-66, rebuilding the Wilson Bridge and tthe mass transit through Tysons to Dulles airport -From interview with Wolf

photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: William Redpath Party: Libertarian - Supports economic and personal freedom - Reduce government spending - End the governmen’ts War on Drugs - Supports eliminating the US Department of Education and the US Department of Housing & Urban Development, all corporate welfare and all farm subsidies -From interview with Redpath

District 11 Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: Keith Fimian Party: Republican (Information from Fimian’s website, www.kei-

thfimian.com) -An entrepreneur who started a nationwide company that has created hundreds of jobs -Pro-life -End dependence on foreign oil - proposes drilling for more oil and natural gas, expanding nuclear power and develop wind and solar alternative energy -Has taken the No New Tax Pledge -Immediately freeze government spending and return all unspent TARP funds to the Treasury -100 percent opposed to illegal immigration

Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: David Gillis Jr. Party: Independent Green (Information from Gillis’s website, www.votejoinrun.us) -Build

statewide high-speed rail now - Create jobs - Grow the economy - Make Virginia safer and more secure - Light rail on the beltway at one-tenth the cost of the $2 billion boondoogle toll roads - We call for $10 Billion High Speed Statewide Rail Bond in Virginia, like passed in California in November 2008

Name: Christopher DeCarlo Party: Independent (Information from DeCarlo’s website, www.honestyandethics.com) - Don't Ask, Don't Tell should not be repealed.

- We should not have invaded Afghanistan and we should withdraw our troops.

- Education is a priority, but its priorities have shifted towards Photo courtesy of facebook.com more administration and testing to the detriment of the students and their teachers. The teachers are being forced to execute formula teaching which diminishes the personal satisfaction they receive from the profession and too narrowly channels student education.

- I would not have supported TARP or the bank bailout. These programs were designed to redistribute wealth.

Photo courtesy of facebook.com

Name: Gerry Connolly (Incumbent) Party: Democrat (Information from Connolly’s website,

www.gerryconnolly.com) - Fight wasteful spending and budget deficits - Hold the line on taxes - Stand up to big bands and credit card companies - Invest in schools - Reform the health insurance system - Improve Northern Virginia’s transportation network

Name: David L. Dotson Party: Libertarian (Information from Dotson’s website, www.dotsonforcongress.com) -End the War on Drugs that destroys our inner cities, criminalizes the population and fills our prisons -Return to sound money, reestablish a monetary system based on the gold standard, and remove the federal government’s power to inPhoto courtesy of facebook.com flate our currency and debase the dollar -Abolish the income tax, repeal the 16th Amendment, which helped change the U.S. from a republic, where We the People are the masters of our government, to an empire, where government is the master of the people -Stop the War against Iran. The American people are being manipulated into supporting an attack on another Muslim nation that poses no threat to our safety, as the administration engages in economic warfare by imposing harsh sanctions on the people of Iran.

Jim Moran talks to Broadside Incumbent discusses personal and professional life as a Mason adjunct Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief Before he had considered politics, Jim Moran, the incumbent in tomorrow’s 8th Congressional District election, had his heart set on being a professional football player. As the son of professional football player James Moran, Sr., who played for the Boston Redskins in the 1930s, Moran had football in his blood. But unsure he had the discipline to play professional ball, Moran set his sights on politics, mostly he says because he “cared so much about the issues involved.”

But before Moran could jump start his political career, he had one setback to overcome: his absolute fear of public speaking.

“When I was afraid I was going to get called on, I would turn bright red,” said Moran, “I’d start perspiring and it went right through my shoes and the palms of my hands. It was so embarrassing.”

Moran can recall with clarity the first time he gave a campaign speech to an audience, which included his two young children.

“I’ll never forget my son putting his head between his legs and my daughter putting her hands on her ears, wishing this wasn’t happening to their father,” said Moran, “and then I fainted on stage.”

After a couple more fainting incidents, Moran overcame his fear, with “the knowledge that nothing could be worse than it already had been,” he says.

Moran has come a long way since his early struggles with public speaking. Moran is currently co-teaching a class at George Mason University with former 11th district House of Representatives member Tom Davis and has represented Virginia’s 8th Congressional District since 1991.

After Moran and Davis’ spring 2010 course entitled “Political Parties and Campaigns” got rave reviews from students, the pair was asked back to teach it again this semester. Although this semester Moran’s campaigning has kept him out of class some Mondays, he is there as often as possible.

According to Andrew Decelle, one of Moran’s students, Davis and Moran provide good insight on issues covered in class because of their political backgrounds.

“He’s very knowledgeable,” said Decelle of Moran. “He’s very good in that he will not just give you a bias of his party, but more of a centrist view.”

As for representing Virginia’s 8th District, Moran says that even after 20 years, he never gets bored.

“I represent the best congressional district in the entire country,” said Moran. “We have an unemployment rate that is half the national average, we have a more inclusive, embracing society, we have a community of interest where people help each other and are on the cutting edge of new technology and innovation. As long as I love it so much, I intend to continue running for office every two years.”

What else is on the ballot?

Be in the know about proposed constitutional amendments Christian Smith Mason Votes Director On Tuesday, Virginia voters will have the opportunity to vote on three constitutional amendments. Ballots will include three questions that specify which article of the Constitution is up for change and the change that is being considered. The questions are listed and explained below.

Question 1: Shall Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to authorize legislation that will permit localities to establish their own income or financial worth limitations for purposes of granting property tax relief for homeowners not less than 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled?

Explanation: Currently the law requires that there be “an extraordinary tax burden” on homeowners who are at least 65years-old or permanently and totally disabled. The change would take out the “extraordinary tax burden” requirement and allow localities to independently determine income or financial worth minimums for homeowners who are at least 65-years-old or permanently and totally disabled to be exempt from taxes.

Question 2: Shall the Constitution be amended to require the General Assembly to provide a real property tax exemption for the principal residence of a vet-

eran, or his or her surviving spouse, if the veteran has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent and total disability?

Explanation: If passed, the amendment will compel the Virginia General Assembly to exempt veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service related injury from paying local real estate taxes on their primary home.

This exemption would also apply to the surviving spouse as long as they keep the residence as their primary home and do not remarry.

Question 3: Shall Section 8 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to increase the permissible size of the Revenue Stabilization Fund (also known as the “rainy day fund”) from 10 percent to 15 percent of the Commonwealth’s average annual tax revenues derived from income and retail sales taxes for the preceding three fiscal years?

Explanation: The Commonwealth has a rainy day fund. It decides what the amount of that fund should be by averaging the previous three years’ income and retail sales taxes collected by the state. Currently, the fund is limited to 10 percent of that average, and the amendment would increase it to 15 percent.

Broadside

|

7

Opinion Monday, November 1, 2010

Broadside

The battle for control of Congress

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Gregory Connolly, News Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst. Opinion Editor Patrick Wall, Style Editor Ramy Zabarah, Asst. Style Editor John Powell, Sports Editor Cody Norman, Asst. Sports Editor Peter Flint, Photography Editor Christina Salek-Raham, Copy Editor Benjamin Shaffer, Copy Editor Marine Jaouen, Copy Editor Mayank Mehrishi, Copy Editor

Jared Barrale, Copy Editor Heather Hamilton, Copy Editor Liz Milligan, Designer Michelle Buser, Designer Randy Urick, Photographer Stephanie Knapp, Photographer Dylan Hares, Staff Reporter Scott Miller, Advertising Director Catherine Kutz, Advertising Representative Spencer Haag, Advertising Representative Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Adviser David Carroll, Tech Adviser

Editorial Policy The letters, columns and views expressed on this page are solely those of the writers. They do not reflect the views of Broadside or its staff, unless otherwise noted.

Broadside is a weekly publication printed each Monday for the George Mason University and surrounding Fairfax community. The editors at Broadside have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the editorin-chief should be notified at the information given above.

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Virginia’s simple election Don’t sweat the small stuff Midterm election will revolve around three key issues People need to be more considerate to others

Curtis kalin S o p h o m o r e

Opinion

Columnist

People say that politics is extremely complicated; there are so many complex issues to investigate.

Voters must account for the hundreds, possibly thousands, of votes that politicians will make before casting their own votes.

This election year, the midterm election will be dominated by just three votes on three key pieces of legislation.

The first legislation occurred in September 2008, when the financial crisis hit and the stock market plummeted over 700 points in one day.

Congress feared a 1929-style meltdown, and the Department of the Treasury convinced them that the only escape hatch was to bail out the firms that were in danger of failing.

The measure passed with bipartisan support, though a quarter of Congress felt bailing out firms was a bad decision that would go too far.

Congress allotted $700 billion

to this task. At that time it was the largest bill many of us had ever seen.

The second legislative point of inspection came in February 2009, when Congress passed the $800 billion-plus stimulus bill.

This was aimed at stemming America’s rising unemployment rate, however much of that bill contained public works projects that were otherwise known as pork barrel spending.

The final bill that will be judged is the health care overhaul bill.

This bill, which I wrote about in-depth in the past, puts new regulations on the health care market as well as on insurers.

In terms of page count, the latter two bills were the largest in American history.

The Wall Street bailout was seen in the moment as a necessary evil to prevent another Great Depression.

Now, it is being used by that quarter of the Congress who opposed it as a political football to attack those who voted for it as “bailing out irresponsible folks on Wall Street.”

Many credit the bailout for spawning the motivation for the Tea Party movement.

The stimulus didn’t stimulate very much. The president’s own economists promised that if the stimulus passed, the unemploy-

ment rate would not rise above 8 percent.

After it passed, the rate peaked at 10.2 percent and has been above 9.5 percent for almost two years.

A possible reason might be the absence of what the president called “shovel ready” projects.

In a recent interview however, President Obama admitted that the so-called “shovel ready” projects that formed the rationale for spending almost a trillion dollars didn’t exist.

It was also troubling when congressmen and women were questioned about the length of the bill and the large amount of money being spent.

Many admitted they didn’t even read the bills before they voted for them.

The opposition to the health care bill was two-fronted.

First, it was seen as out of place, when Americans were still trying to find a job.

Second, the monstrosity of the bill did little to actually reform the health care industry.

In reality, it dug deeper into an already failed system of employer-provided coverage.

Congress did more in the last two years than those three items, but rightly or wrongly, those laws will be the basis for whether they will keep their job or lose it tomorrow.

Kristin Steve Guest Correspondent I was standing in line at Subway a few weeks ago, starving and patiently waiting my turn to order.

The woman working behind the Subway counter was not American and spoke slightly broken English. Nevertheless she was very polite.

Just as I was about to tell the woman my order, the man in front of me began to knock on the glass that separated the customers from the workers and asked sarcastically, “Ummm hello! I said can I get that toasted?”

I was immediately repulsed at this grown man’s flippant attitude and undeniably rude behavior.

I could easily deduce from speaking to this woman that she struggles with English and must face challenges presented by this language barrier on a daily basis.

In addition, she must also learn to cope with cultural differences she has encountered while being away from her native country.

All I could think at the moment was, who did this man think he was?

How dare he speak to this

woman like that?

He seemed to be inadvertently implying that she was beneath him, and I found this to be disgusting.

He had no right to be speaking in the manner that he was.

I do not know if this man heard me, but under my breath I muttered, “Ummm wow. Can we be nice?”

After leaving class in Innovation Hall on Tuesday, I happened to be glancing down at my phone and walking at the same time.

I really should have been paying more attention, but I wasn’t.

As a result of my carelessness, I almost had a head-on collision with another student.

I freely admit that it is obnoxious when students do this, but it happens to most of us at one point or another.

After nearly running into my fellow student, I immediately apologized.

This student responded to my apology by rolling her eyes, tilting her head back as if she were disgusted and then glaring at me as if I was a creature from Mars.

Her response was rude and entirely unnecessary.

At times, people (including myself ) get upset and annoyed over extremely petty occurrences.

Frankly, it takes much more energy to be rude than it does to simply say that it’s no big deal, and go on with your business.

Individuals are often told to stand up for themselves and that it’s a dog-eat-dog world.

While it is true that no one should let anyone else walk all over them, the mentality stemming from this dog-eat-dog principle is not meant to be applied to petty, everyday situations.

When it comes to simple, unpredictable accidents such as accidentally bumping into someone in the hallway or forgetting to put a customer’s sub in the toaster, lashing out in anger with snide comments or non-verbal gestures seems ludicrous.

People are happier when they are nice to others and when those around them are kind in return.

This may seem like common sense, but at times people’s actions (again, myself included) can indicate otherwise.

Being rude is unnecessary and people need to learn to chill.

A mind isn’t such a terrible thing to waste Some students simply shouldn’t attend college because school’s not for everyone Brandon minster G R A D S T u d e n t

Opinion

Columnist

I suspect that most of us have heard that education is vital to success, be it from parents or former teachers.

“Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That's the opportunity an education can provide. ... And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it,” said President

Barack Obama to Arlington, Va. high school students in September 2009.

But it is not just individual success that requires an education.

According to the president, “This isn't just important for your own life and your own future.

What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country.”

It was at this point that the government-education complex messed their pants with joy.

Because when you are selling an overpriced and marginally useless product, you need as many strident endorsements from the president as you can get.

If education was truly important, then any increase in education would be rewarded.

A student one credit shy of graduating with a bachelor's de-

gree should be able to make al- paragraphs ago when you read his most as much money as the stu- statement that “the future of this dent who has finished all the country” depends on staying in school was because you've heard degree requirements.

Empirically, that is not what so many similar statements in the past. we find to Hyperbe true.

“Millions of American students bole is the Nearly new objectiveall the reare entering college for no reason ness. wards of edother than because they have Millions ucation are of American held for been told that they should; they students are those who are ill-prepared for what they entering colcomplete find there.” lege for no their dereason other grees. than because It is not -Minster on college students they have the educabeen told that tion, but the sheepskin, that is drawing the they should; they are ill-prepared for what they find there. higher salary.

They personify the old adage Yet the president continues about the pig in singing lessons: to shill for schools.

The only reason your hyper- They are merely wasting time and bole meter didn't explode a few becoming annoyed.

Want to share your opinion?

Submit your letter to the editor or artwork to: opinion@broadsideonline.com

Note: Letters to the editor are welcome and are printed on the basis of space, quality and timeliness. All submissions are the property of Broadside and may be edited for brevity, clarity and grammar. Material containing libel, racial slurs, personal attacks or obscenities may be edited or rejected. The author’s name, class year (and/or title where appropriate), major and daytime phone number must be included for verification of authenticity. The deadline for submission is Thursday by 10 p.m.

Editorial Board: Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst.Opinion Editor

American Institutes for Research recently attempted to find just how many resources are spent each year on college freshmen who do not return for further schooling.

Ignoring community colleges, which have higher attrition rates, they found that 30 percent of first-year college students don't come back. Those students use $9.1 billion in grants and appropriations.

These students are receiving very little benefit from all this educational spending.

Their salaries are virtually identical to those of workers who didn't attend any college at all.

In pure efficiency terms, everyone would be better off if we just divided the $9.1 billion among them and cut checks to keep them away from college.

At least then parking spaces

All unsigned staff editorials are written to represent the view of the Broadside staff, a diverse set of opinions determined by the members of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, columns, artwork and other commentaries strictly represent the opinions of the authors and do not represent the official opinion of the newspaper.

and computer lab spots would not be so scarce.

Like a good bureaucrat, the president wants to solve the problem of wasted money by wasting more.

His proposal to make federal education grants an entitlement program flies in the face of economic reasoning.

Further subsidizing education will result in more consumption, not less.

Government spending is projected to reach Greek-crisis levels in the next two years.

Throwing money at students, who use one year of college as the best party ever, should be curtailed, not increased.

That is something the future of America actually does depend on.

Contact us!

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Broadside

8 | Monday, November 1, 2010

Opinion

Man on the Street

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Rebuttal to “The right government for America” things?

Secondly, his straw man actually has a point.

Americans’ lack of civic knowledge and susceptibility to “unreasonable expectations and inherent bigotries” are not baseless assumptions; there is actual evidence that most Americans really are abysmally ignorant about political issues, economics and history.

Research, much of it done at this very school, has shown that a majority of voters consistently make irrational, biased and uninformed decisions.

This isn’t a liberal talking point.

Third is his attempt to refute the assumptions of his straw man's ideology by supplanting them with his own.

That’s not how it works.

This has been the major problem with the whole string of articles on this topic: they have yet to make a convincing argument as to why readers should care about their disputes with liberalism, other than that it runs counter to their own ideology.

What makes it stranger is the claim that our school has gone out of its way to fill politically relevant departments with conservative and libertarian faculty; our economics

A. Yes, I have researched the candidates and issues and I believe I know who is most fit to be elected.

B. Yes, but only because I feel obligated to support my opinions by voting.

if there were more sources of clean energy now.

The tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico reinforces the fact that Americans should reduce their dependence on costly, dirty oil.

The cost of clean energy is cheaper in many ways in the long run than the cost that we currently pay using these dirty sources of energy.

As a graduating student, I understand the costs of living and know that by not developing cleaner energy alternatives, there are reduced opportunities of new jobs available to me when I do graduate.

Building whole new industries for developing and manufacturing green technology will help to jump-start our economy and even create up to 50,000 new jobs here in Virginia.

Virginia has the ability to produce a wide variety of natural, renewable energy for use all over the state.

What is your opinion on girls wearing slutty Halloween costumes?

C. Yes, but I don’t care who wins the election.

D. No, I don’t care who wins the election.

E. No, I don’t believe my vote will make a difference.

What YOU said...

“I don’t particularly care for one candidate over the other. This will be the first election I won’t vote in.”

Josh Clark Graduate Student Sociology

a. It’s degrading and objectifies women.

21.05 percent

Photo By Peter Flint

Alec Stevenson Sophomore Economics

“Yes, it’ll be the first time that I’m able to vote.”

Fossil fuels: America’s dirty addiction Clean energy businesses and technologies continue to be a bright spot in the economy.

Since 2005, clean energy jobs in California have grown up to 10 times faster than the statewide average.

These facts alone should help to push people who are hurt by the economy to demand clean energy that will help not only them, but the environment as well.

There is an abundance of potential clean energy that can be used by everyone.

To help get this energy to the people requires the effort of both Virginia citizens and our leaders.

By demanding clean energy reform, we can create a cleaner future for everyone in Virginia.

Together, we can create jobs for the next generation of workers.

b. I don’t like it, but for Halloween it’s acceptable.

0 percent

Kendall Chapman Sophomore Information Technology Photo By Peter Flint

c. I don’t care either way.

5.26 percent

“I’ll try to. I didn’t really know about the elections.”

Brandon Powers Sophomore Business Management

d.Girls should take advantage of the chance.

36.84 percent

Photo By Peter Flint

Brennan Battle Senior Biology

e. It’s why I look forward to Oct. 31. The skimpier the better.

36.84 percent

I f yo u wo uld li ke to sub mi t yo ur op i ni o n o n th e p o ll, re sp o nd at w w w.b ro ad si d e o nli ne .co m

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Thumbs up to the directors of “Saw 3D. “ You’ve got to have balls to put out seven iterations of a movie that stopped being good after the second one. Take a hint from “Land Before Time.”

CLASSIFIED

Thumbs up to the Center for the Arts for their impressive productions of “Pericles” over the past two weeks. It was better than the movie.

Thumbs down to mother nature for being indecisive.

She’s hot and cold more often than Katy Perry.

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Thumbs down to the bookstore for charging $20 for umbrellas. I’d rather get soaked, and I did.

Childcare Assistant needed for afternoon weekdays. Please call St. Johns Preschool in Springfield at 703-256-7748

Miscellaneous Pregnant? Think about adoption as an option! Warm, loving nurse wishes to adopt a baby.

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Free Tickets for Mason Students!

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

Mason Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble

Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company

Fri., Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. ppd $44, $36, $22 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now!

Tues., Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. $15 adult, $10 student/senior CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now!

BBC Concert Orchestra

Mason Symphony Orchestra

Sat., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. ppd $46, $38, $23 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 2

Keith Lockhart, conductor; Ilya Yakushev, piano Sat., Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. ppd $60, $52, $30 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now!

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Robert Schumann: Fantasy – Forbidden and Fulfilled Sun., Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. $38, $30, $19 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Now!

The Vision Series Dirty Little Secrets of American Politics Bill Schneider, speaker Mon., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

Free/Ticketed CH ppd =Pre-performance Discussion

ff

=Family Friendly

Wed., Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. $15 adult, $10 student/senior CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 2

Mason Vocal Jazz

Mason Dance Company: Fall Concert

The Mason Players Studio Series Something to Hide

November 11-13 at 8 p.m.

November 12 at 2 p.m. $15 adult, $10 senior, $7 student HT Limited Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 2

Dailey & Vincent

CH=Concert Hall

November 18-20 at 8 p.m.

November 20-21 at 2 p.m. $12 adult, $8 Student/Senior BB Limited Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 9

Aquila Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Fri., Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. ppd $44, $36, $22 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 2 BB=Black Box

Sunday, November 14 at 7 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed HT

Fri., Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ppd $34, $26, $17 CH Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 9 HT=Harris Theater

Call 703-993-8888 or visit cfa.gmu.edu/students

OR TH E RF AR

TS

Center for the Arts

TS=TheaterSpace

E

As a senior at George Mason University, I understand the importance of ending our dependence on fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy.

It's wrong that over the summer our senators and leaders, in the wallets of dirty oil companies, have delayed our clean energy future.

Oil companies have a financial obligation to keep us dependent on these fuels.

Now, two big Texas oil companies are attempting to delay clean energy initiatives again with the push of Proposition 23.

These companies are spending millions of dollars to spread misinformation about clean energy alternatives in an effort to keep consumers dependent on fossil fuels.

This dependence not only puts our environment at risk but also our national security and economy.

I feel like the damage done by these fuels could easily be reversed

Results of last week’s poll:

Will you be voting in the upcoming congressional election on Nov. 2?

department, where I major, is one of the most decidedly free-market in the country.

The fact is that academics have political biases, regardless of what they are.

I've certainly had disagreements with professors in the past, yet I've never felt infringed upon by them.

So to say they are “imposing” their views on a “captive audience,” as Kalin does, merely seems like an insult to students’ abilities to think for themselves.

Disagreements are something to be accepted or debated, not complained about.

So I'd appreciate if opinion space wasn't taken up every week by some right-winger feigning indignation over a matter that has little impact on the political discourse.

I don't mind conservative opeds, in fact I welcome them. However, I’d rather their arguments have some meat and substance.

Christ, I’m not conservative but I think I could write them better.

CENT

Given the left-leaning political tendencies of college students and professors, this paper's courting of more conservative views might be refreshing if they weren't some of the whiniest, most argumentatively weak op-eds I've ever read.

“The right government for America” by Curtis Kalin in the Oct. 18 issue of Broadside seems to be the latest in a series of articles (the others by Moore and Minster) complaining about the liberal tendencies of academia. The articles lack any real point or purpose, other than for their authors to cry and grieve to each other over their perceived subjection to cognitive dissonance by people with whom they disagree.

I found three glaring problems with this particular creed.

First, his summation of liberal ideology is nothing but a straw man built from seriously dubious generalizations.

I haven't heard many liberals argue for a “small intellectual elite” to rule over the dumb masses (which seems more descriptive of classical conservatism, anyway), yet we're supposed to accept those points as the “pervasive assumptions among liberal academia” without even knowing which professors actually said any of those

20 YEARS 19

9 0 – 2 0 10

Broadside

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Sports

9

The number of years since Mason’s women’s soccer team has made it to the CAA playoffs

3

Monday, November 1, 2010

Back in the tournament

Sports in a Minute Mason’s weekly scoreboard

Women’s soccer team advances to CAA tournament for first time since ’07

John Powell Sports Editor

Photo By Peter Flint

Omolyn Davis scored both goals on Friday a ernoon’s game at Towson.

Pat Carroll Broadside Correspondent Coming off a season in which then junior midfielder Omolyn Davis was named All-CAA and NSCAA All-Region while helping the Mason Patriots to the nation’s top turnaround in wins, Davis spent the summer playing in the United Soccer Leagues W-League.

Helping to lead the Washington Freedom Futures, Davis capped off the summer season being named to the USL’s WLeague All-Star team.

Davis has carried such incredible success into the Patriots’ 2010 campaign, leading Mason with nine goals and nine assists.

Her contributions have stretched far beyond the stat sheet, however, as Davis has helped lead the Patriots to an 11-71 record this season.

Entering the last regular season game of her college career, Davis had a chance to lead her team to its first CAA Tournament

since 2007.

Coming off a thrilling two overtime win on Oct. 24 in which sophomore forward Tiana Kallenberger scored the game-winning goal on an assist from Davis.

On Friday afternoon, Davis and her teammates were in control of their own destiny. A win would mean a step closer to the tournament while a loss would require help from other conference opponents in order to get in.

Davis came up big again in Friday’s win against Towson as she scored both goals in a 2-0 victory.

The first goal came at the 29:06 mark in the first half as YEAR Mary Kate Lowry found Davis inside the box for a 25 yard score.

Junior goalkeeper Alex Bodenschatz kept the Tigers in check throughout the game and finished the half with a four save shutout.

Davis scored a second time at the 48:50 mark in the second half on an assist from YEAR Kelly Thomas.

Mason will be playing in the

CAA Tournament, which will be played at Hofstra University, for the first time since the 2007 season when the Patriots fell to the James Madison Dukes in the opening round. They will play in Friday’s semifinal match at 4:30 p.m. against the Dukes.

The last time the two teams met was back on Oct. 3 in Harrisonburg where the Dukes handed Mason its first Colonial Athletic Association loss of the season, 3-0. In that contest, Mason allowed one goal in the first five minutes and two goals in the final five minutes of the first half.

“It was not one of our better games,” Coach Diane Drake said.

“Our energy was good our attacking decisions were not.”

In 27 meetings since 1982, James Madison has been fairly dominant when they have played the Patriots, notching a record of 10-14-3. Mason is also 1-3-1 in the last five meetings with their rival foes.

However, when the two teams square off on Friday afternoon, the slate will be wiped clean.

Both teams will carry an even 0-0 record. And both teams will have to compete this weekend to earn the Colonial Athletic Association championship honors this season.

CAA Tournament Schedule (@ Hofstra University) Semifinals Friday, Nov. 5 vs. James Madison 4:30 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball: Oct. 29: Mason 3, Towson 2 After being down two sets, the Patriots came back to top Towson 3-2. Junior outside hitter Nicole Fanella had 13 kills, but was topped by freshman outside hitter Lana Zonjic, who finished with 14.

Senior Setter Fernanda Bartels finished strong with 28 assists.

Men’s Soccer: Oct. 27: Hofstra 2, Mason 1 OT Senior forward Victor Freeman came off the bench to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the first half, but the Patriots were unable to come away with a win as the Pride scored in the second half and overtime to come away with the win.

Oct. 30: Mason 2, Delaware 3 In a matchup of the top two teams in the conference, Mason to Delaware 3-2. Bartles had 42 assists and 23 digs on the match. Fanella had 19 kills and sophomore middle blocker Danielle Cook finished with 14.

After losing three of their first four matches, the women’s volleyball team, now 7-3, fell from first in the conference into a tie for second with VCU, leaving Delaware at the top with a 91 record.

Oct. 30: Mason 3, Georgia State 0 Senior defender/midfielder Fro Adu put the Patriots on top early by getting the score on a penalty kick in the 29th minute. Redshirt senior forward Ernesto Marquez and freshman forward Hugh Roberts added goals of their own.

The 4-4-2 Patriots are in a three-way tie for third in the conference, but VCU and James Madison are on their tail and could still make a playoff impact as the top four teams advance.

Peace Corps at GMU Would you like to use your degree and experience to assist global development, peace and understanding?

Life is calling.

How far will you go?

1.800.424.8580

Come learn about Peace Corps’ Master’s International program, which combines Peace Corps service and graduate school.

www.peacecorps.gov

Finals Sunday, Nov. 7 vs. Hofstra or Georgia State 1 p.m.

For more information contact Ben Burnes at bburnes@peacecorps.gov.

Tuesday, November 2 Information Session Truland Building, Room 555 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dip of the Month: LeBron James, Miami Heat Cody Norman Asst. Sports Editor

Calendar

I know what you’re going to say. I’m bitter because the self-proclaimed king, otherwise known as LeBron James, left my Cleveland Cavaliers in a rather disgusting fashion this offseason.

And it’s true. I am bitter. I went from collecting the Sports Illustrated covers that featured James to seriously considering a LeBon Fire.

I am now the proud owner of multiple anti-LeBron T-shirts; my favorite of which has the outline of James with his arms spread wide and the words “Luck FeBron” written across the top. Because that is how I feel.

But I wouldn’t choose the guy for

such a prestigious honor – October’s Dip of the Month – if he hadn’t done anything to deserve it. Lucky for me, he did.

I think we can all agree that the first few weeks of any season of professional sports are relatively meaningless. NBA basketball is the exact same way. Players spend the first several weeks trying to sell shoes instead of focusing their attention on winning basketball games.

Beginning the weekend before Halloween, James teamed up with Nike to produce what is quite possibly one of the worst commercials I have ever seen. In it, he addresses all the so-called haters and poses the question “What should I do?”

(Which, for the record, is a question that I have an answer to. It is just far too inappropriate to write down).

He makes satirical references to comments made by Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. And he comes across as an even bigger, more pompous scumbag than we could have ever imagined. He scoffs at the facts that his legacy has been forever tarnished.

He jokes that maybe he should have his “Chosen One” tattoo removed. And, worst of all, he actually thinks that an arrogant advertisement like that is going to sell his shoes.

Maybe in Miami. But certainly not in the rest of the U.S. Then, the new-look Miami Heat made their much anticipated debut against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, and James and company looked miserable. The team finished the first quarter

Wednesday, Nov. 3 Men’s Basketball vs. Bowie State (Exhibition) 7 P.M. Friday, Nov. 5 Women’s Volleyball @ UNC-Wilmington 7 P.M

with just nine points. Nine points. The franchise worst is seven and last season’s poorest performance resulted in eight points.

The Heat then continued their struggles, only notching 30 points in the first 24 minutes.

Just to put that into perspective, Miami didn’t score less than 32 points in a half last season – even when they played without Dwyane Wade.

Most teams in the league don’t score 30 points in a half, and they aren’t even equipped with three superstar caliber players. My hats off to the Heat for pulling that off.

And on top of all of that, James recorded eight turnovers in the game.

He winded up picking up nine more on

Friday, Nov. 5 Cross Country @ Cavalier Invitational 5 P.M. Saturday, Nov. 6 Women’s Rowing Head of the Occoquan All day

Wednesday, giving him 17 for the year. If the season ended today, James would have the highest turnover average in the NBA ever. Impressive.

Anyway, the trio went on to lose game number one to the Celtics. And, just for the record, my beloved Cavaliers turned around and put a whoopin’ on the Celtics just a night after all of this.

My roommate keeps telling me that, according to the transitive property: Heat < Celtics < Cavaliers. Most importantly, Cavs > Heat.

Just a little bit of food for thought.

Regardless, a combination of poor play and a distasteful commercial earns James this month’s Dip of the Month.

And I’m only calling him a dip for the sake of keeping this column PG.

Saturday, Nov. 6 Men’s Soccer vs. UNC-Wilmington 7 P.M. Sunday, Nov. 7 Women’s Volleyball @ Georgia State 1 P.M.

10

| Monday, November 1, 2010

Broadside

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