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129 th YEAR | ISSUE 28
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Romney speaks on global issues in lecture series by D.J. Wormley Staff Writer
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney visited Mississippi State University Wednesday for a Global Lecture Series event. Gov. Romney spoke about his views on foreign policy, terrorism and poverty. Romney discussd many principles of the United States economy and said he believes the U.S. should work closely with Israel and treat Israel as an ally. “Israel is our friend, and we should treat our friends better than we treat the people who are not our friends. We should stand with Israel in every way possible,” Romney said. Romney also said he believes the U.S. should realize it still faces threats with ISIS and should do what needs to be done to eradicate the terrorist group. “We should recognize what we face. The administration is not willing to recognize the threats. ISIS is a new category with resources and poses a substantial threat. We need to do
whatever it takes to defeat them,” Romney said. Romney also said he believes there are key ways to bring Americans out of poverty. “I believe if we get people through safe schools with the best and brightest teachers and make people go out in the workplace and get jobs, we can help people get out of poverty,” he said. “I want more jobs for low and middle income families. I want to help the poor and the middle class. We should use our resources to help people out of poverty and put people to work.” Romney said students may not remember everything they learned in college, but they will always remember the friends they made while they were there. “The friends you make here, these you will remember for a lifetime. The real currency in life is the friendships you keep and the people you love. Hold on to your college friends; they last far longer than what you learn in class,” Romney said. After Romney’s speech Rhonda Keenum, wife of MSU president Dr. Mark Keenum, presented Romney with an honorary cowbell.
Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector
Starkville welcomes Romney: Former Massachussetts Governor Mitt Romney had dinner at local eatery The Little Dooey on
Wednesday evening. The political figure provided Mississippi State University students with a lecture on global issues, foreign policy, poverty and terrorism. Romney also spoke highly of the Bulldog football team and Dak Prescott’s return.
ROMNEY, 2
Kardos to release new book, hold official launch next week in Rogers by Eshan Newaz Staff Writer
Public Affairs | Courtesy Photo
Michael Kardos will launch his new book, “Before He Finds Her,” on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Rogers Auditorium on Mississippi State University’s campus. The book will be officially released on Feb. 3.
Michael Kardos, co-director of creative writing and associate professor in the department of English at Mississippi State University, will hold his second book release on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Rogers Auditorium for his new novel, “Before He Finds Her.” Kardos said there will be a reading, a question and answer session and a book signing during the event. “The book officially comes out on Feb. 3, but bookstores in town already have it,” Kardos said. According to Kardos, the book is about a pregnant 17-year-old girl who sets out to find the murderer of her mother, her own father, to save her unborn baby from living in fear.
“I hope it will find some new readers,” Kardos said. “It’s funny, you don’t know who’s reading it until months after.” Kardos said this is his second novel and third book of fiction. His previous novel is titled “The Three Day Affair.” “I just wanted to write a novel I would love to read,” Kardos said. “In terms of writing the book, I wasn’t thinking about who was going to read it. I was trying to tell the story right, trying to work on the sentences right, that granular level of getting the right word.” Kardos said the antagonist of the book was on his mind for a number of years until he was finally able to use him appropriately in this book. “Everything you write and read sits there unfiltered,” Kardos said. “When you are writing, your imagination grabs the right pieces.”
Spruill to file ethics complaint against BOA by Lacretia Wimbley News Editor
In January 2014, Starkville’s Board of Aldermen (BOA) became the first city in Mississippi to pass an equality resolution, which was repealed in private session by the board on Jan. 6, 2015. In light of the board’s actions and alleged violation of the Ethics Commission’s “Open Meetings Act,” Lynn Spruill confirms she will soon file a complaint against the board with the Ethics Commission. Spruill, co-manager of Spruill Property Management and Starkville’s former Chief Administrative Officer, said her actions will consist of filing a complaint against the city’s board, not a lawsuit. “It’s saying that the board is not following the require-
ments of the Open Meeting Act,” Spruill said. “It’s filing a complaint against the mayor Spruill and the Board of Aldermen, and I hate to bring the mayor into it because I know he was not parcel of making those votes, but that’s kind of how you style it. It’s being styled against the Board of Aldermen and how they are doing business.” According to the Ethics Commission Open Meetings Act, “It being essential to the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government and to the maintenance of a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner...” COMPLAINT, 3
BOOK, 2
Flex dollars to be used in Dudy Noble, Hump, Davis Wade by Katrina Smith Staff Writer
Mississippi State University’s Dining Services will extend the use of flex dollars to be used at Davis Wade Stadium, Humphrey Coliseum and Dudy Noble
Field beginning in the fall of 2015. Stemming from student concerns, former Student Association President Rhett Hobart first went to Jason Nall, Executive director and senior resident district manager, in 2010 to explore ways to make this a reality for students. Continuing to get this suggestion from
students, SA President Brett Harris decided last fall to go ahead with plans. Taking five years to implement after its initial request, MSU dining services and campus concessions worked out the logistics and the point of sale technology to implement the new system. The meal plan flex dollar redemption will happen in
three phases. In 2015, flex dollars can be used at the north and south end zone concession stands. Later in the fall they can be used in designated stands at the Hump, and lastly, in spring 2016 flex dollars can be used at the main concession stand at Dudy Noble Field. Jason Nall said the idea was to increase dining
services’ usability. “We look at this as another way to make MSU Dining’s meal plan program user friendly,” Nall said. “Our goal is to provide the most flexible, value-driven and cutting edge meal plan program as possible. As our meal plan members evolve, our meal plan program must also evolve. I believe this
shows how much the SA values student feedback and the real changes that can be made.” MSU Dining Services believes this will potentially increase the enrollment and satisfaction with meal plan flex dollars. With 6,000 students enrolled in the plan, it gives flexibility in what students can eat on campus. FLEX, 2
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
ROMNEY
CONTINUED FROM 1
Caleb Marshall, student at the Mississippi School for Math and Science, said he enjoyed Romney’s speech and would love for him to run for office. “I enjoyed hearing him speak. I thought there would be a lot of cat fighting but there wasn’t. I like the fact that he wants us to come together to end poverty and pave our own way. He wants to make a difference. I would love to see him run for president,” Marshall said. Romney stated during his speech he would be attending various colleges in order to receive student feedback and student perspectives on global issues. He provided MSU students with insight into actions he feels the Republican party should exemplify in the next presidential election. Thus far, it has not been reported that Romney has confirmed a presidential election run in 2016.
Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector
Mitt Romney took pictures with students and residents of Starkville Wednesday evening during dinner at The Little Dooey.
Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector
BOOK
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Kardos said the novel began as a three-page story for an anthology of short stories. The story centered on crime but was not strictly aimed at any specific genre. “When I read it, it read more like an outline to something bigger,” Kardos said. Kardos said he will visit New York, New Jersey, Arkansas, Arizona and cities including Birmingham and Minneapolis for other book launch events. Catherine Pierce, Kardos’ wife who co-directs the creative writing program, said
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she has written in the same house with Kardos for over a decade. “Seeing the novel grow out of the very short story that started it was a thrill,” Pierce said. “The biggest change was how he took this kernel of narrative from a haunting short story to a sweeping emotionally resonant novel about love and fear and trust– all these big, complex themes.” Pierce said the novel presents a compelling plot for readers to enjoy. “I think anyone who reads this novel is going to
FLEX
CORNER OF OLD WEST POINT ROAD AND HWY 182
Bill Broyles, vice president of student affairs, said SA approached him with the request to extend flex dollar usage. Dining services will add $25 dollars extra to
be sucked in quickly and then, sorry to say, will probably have to stay up all night reading, because it’s really tough to put down,” Pierce said. Kelsie Penny, senior animal and dairy science major, said she likes the summary of the book especially because she enjoys crime fiction and TV shows if she can identify with the characters personally. “If the character is someone I can feel really involved with on a mental level, I would love to read it,” Penny said. CONTINUED FROM 1
the meal plan to take care of the cost of this added service. According to Broyles, the impact of the flex dollar extension will create a convenience for students
The
while in football stands. “It takes a lot of people to work together to make this happen,” he said. “And it is just proof of how administration does listen to the concerns of the students.”
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REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
ESL unites languages on campus by Katrina Smith Staff Writer
Mississippi State University’s English as a Second Language Center is looking for native Englishspeaking students to volunteer with the Conversation Connections program this spring. Conversation Connections began over 10 years ago, and it specializes in group-based discussions with a focus on current topics, activities,
American Holidays and customs. Yasma Jacobs, instructor and coordinator of international education, said the program offers international students and volunteers experience with diverse cultures. “Conversat ion Connections not only gives ESL students Englishspeaking practice, but also offers native English speakers, especially MSU students, the opportunity to participate in cultural exchange,” she said. The program does not
have any requirements, and it is open to the students, faculty and staff of MSU, as well as residents. Alison Stamps, director of the ESL Center, said Conversation Connections developed when the department saw a need for an informal gathering time for international students. “I remember that we wanted to create a comfortable and nonthreatening environment for cultural exchange,” she said. The center has also helped develop a pumpkin carving
COMPLAINT “...and citizens be advised part what this is about from Spruill said the recent of and be aware of the per- my perspective–account- and private repealing of the formance of public officials ability.” equality resolution was not and the deliberations and According to Spruill, it is merely just a technical viodecisions that go into the the citizen’s responsibility lation, it was intentional. making of public policy...,” to hold the board account“It was a ‘we’re going to the act read. able for all violations. She hide it from everyone and After confi rming her said Chris Latimer, the good luck if you can fi nd complaint to be fi led out what we did,’” sometime in late she said. “So I think February or early there is an intention March, Spruill said “I could file now, but and different violathe wait is due to her there. But the I’m not going to. When I tion thorough preparareality is, because tion of information submit whatever I submit of the way the law to present with the is written, the fact to the Ethics Commission that they had viocomplaint. “I could fi le now, it before and that oversees this issue, I lated but I’m not going had been found for to,” she said. “When want to make sure I’ve got violation, puts them I submit whatever I on notice. Anything submit to the Ethics every piece of information subsequent to that Commission that what they do available that is relevant makes oversees this issue, that much worse in I want to make sure to the complaint included in terms of the potenI’ve got every piece tial punishment to of information avail- that submission.” be doled out.” able that is relevant Potential reperto the complaint cussions for the included in that - Lynn Spruill, board, if the Ethics submission.” Commission Minutes from the Co-manager of Spruill Properties decides, will include Jan. 6 BOA meeta civil fi ne of $500 ing have yet to be for a fi rst offense approved and could pos- BOA’s city attorney, will and $1,000 for a secsibly be up for approval be prepared to defend the ond offense. Spruill said during the Feb. 3 meeting. board’s actions. she hopes her complaint As follows, the minutes of “Now how they per- will convince the Ethics the meeting from Jan. 20 sonally perceive that what Commission the BOA will be ready at a later date. they’re doing is okay, I don’t deserve to be held accountAccording to Spruill, her know that they do,” she able to the highest extent. complaint document will said. “I think they think “If we can make them include minutes from rel- they are getting away with behave and not do it again, evant meetings, minutes something.” then the rest will take care from other meetings, agenAccording to Spruill, the of itself at some point,” she das from those meetings board has a history of violat- said. “The point is to keep and information relevant to ing public trust and she said them from repeating this the sequence of events lead- their actions will continue if terrible behavior they’ve ing up to the board’s most not held accountable. got set up. Then maybe we recent alleged violation. “It was in 2010 that a par“Holding them account- ticular open meetings vioable is what I’m doing,” lation was due to technicalSpruill said. “You can do it ities,” she said. “It was not by fi ling a suit against them posted in the proper place in the Chancery Court, and minutes were not taken. or you can do it by fi ling a It was an open meeting, and complaint with the Ethics the mayor had announced Commission saying they that it was an open meetviolated an open meetings ing to take place, and where act. So that’s holding them it was going to be. It was a accountable. That is in large technical violation.”
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event in the fall, a tailgate on a football weekend and an MSU-themed party. This helps the students to get adapted to different organizations on campus. “One of the most rewarding aspects of working at the ESL Center is seeing how students adapt to the campus and community,” Stamps said. Anyone who would like to join and or volunteer for Conversation Connections are encouraged to attend the program’s weekly meetings. The program meets Tuesdays at 3:15 p.m.
CONTINUED FROM 1
can go back to having an open government.” After highlighting gray areas of the Starkville city government, Spruill said citizen and specifically, student involvement is very necessary. “What I want is for people to be involved,” she said. “Because if we had all stayed home and not paid attention to what is going on, then we do deserve the government that we get. But if you get out there and pay attention, vote and do your best to get involved, and let your aldermen know what’s going on, I think that’s part of being a good citizen and part of making a difference. If this can come across to students, because they are here in Starkville, and Starkville does impact them, I would love to see them get registered to vote and participate.”
Monday, Jan. 26, 2015 12:57 p.m. A student was issued a Justice Court citation and student referral for possession of two fake I.D. cards. 8:35 p.m. A student reported $80.00 missing from his wallet at the Sanderson Center. 8:52 p.m. A student reported $85.00 missing from his wallet at the Sanderson Center. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 10:18 a.m. An employee’s vehicle was damaged by a landscape worker week eating in Herzer Parking Lot. 10:32 a.m. A student reported his sunglasses stolen from the Sanderson Center. 10:45 a.m. A student reported his watch stolen from the Sanderson Center. 12:18 p.m. A student reported his MSU Bully Bike stolen from the bike rack at Magnolia Hall. 1:44 p.m. An employee reported damages to her vehicle while parked at Memorial Hall parking lot. 3:29 p.m. A visitor was arrested off campus on a warrant for Armed Robbery. 3:45 p.m. An RA reported an unwanted visitor at Rice Hall. 3:40 p.m. A student reported his $43.00 lab voucher stolen from Hand Chemical Lab. 3:54 p.m. A student reported money stolen from his room in Hurst Hall. 5:02 p.m. A student reported her wallet missing from Colvard Student Union. 5:56 p.m. A student was transported to OCH from Critz Hall for medical assistance. 7:24 p.m. A student reported water damages to Sigma Chi Fraternity House caused by student throwing a Frisbee breaking a sprinkler head. 10:30 p.m. A student was having chest pains in Hurst Hall. The subject was transported to OCH. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015 12:41 a.m. A visitor was arrested on Hardy Road for speeding 34/20 and driving with a suspended driver’s license. 3:35 a.m. A visitor was inside McCool Hall after hours. The subject was asked to leave the building. 7:22 p.m. A student reported damages to his vehicle while parked in Herbert Hall parking lot. 3:59 p.m. A student reported losing her remote that unlocks her vehicle at an unknown location. 6:22 p.m. An Aramark employee reported receiving unwanted text messages from a former employee.
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Editorial
Public should hold city accountable
P
ublic officials are both leaders and servants for their community. Thomas Jefferson once said, “The care of human life and happiness is the first and only legitimate objective of good government.” To work in city government is to love the city and its people and to serve the people according to their needs. The citizens of a city, then, are responsible for caring for themselves in addition to their neighbors. We, the editorial staff of The Reflector, do not believe our city government has acted with this overarching principle in mind over the past few months. Members of the Starkville Board of Aldermen displayed a pattern of making decisions out of the oublic’s view, and we do not condone this kind of decision-making. The recent repealing of the equality resolution passed in January of last year was a decision made by the board behind closed doors. The public was not aware of the meeting until after the fact. We believe the offending members of the Board of Aldermen are thus guilty of violating the Open Meetings Act. This decision, which affected the public, was made by officials who have not sufficiently explained their actions. It doesn’t make sense to citizens of Starkville that the same board which passed the equality resolution for the non-discrimination of “We have a voice, the LGBT commu n ity would find the need to so let us no longer secretly undo its work. Some aldermen claim be silent.” they met in closed session because the matter could result in litigation. While this may be a legitimate reason to repeal the resolution in closed session, it does not excuse the board from making this decision without the public’s knowledge. We find it frustrating that we are left to hypothesize the real reasons for the board’s actions. There have been incidents in the past that may indicate this behavior is a pattern of our city officials. In 2010, a complaint was filed about technicalities of the board not properly recording public meetings. The Columbus Dispatch reported a complaint that “claimed some or all of the seven-person board made decisions outside of the public purview in regard to a February 2014 school board appointment.” The actions of the board imply a refusal to deliberate with a public audience, leave the public to speculate about the board’s decisions and reflect poorly on the city of Starkville and Mississippi State University. How can any citizen be expected to trust an official who makes a decision without giving any explanation? The Board of Aldermen are elected officials chosen by the people in the community. Because these officials were given their positions by the people, it is the responsibility of the people to hold all officials accountable. We recognize the board has been operating on closed-door meetings on a regular basis; therefore, we also accept the responsibility that we have not held our officials to the highest standards of ethical behavior. We are the public. We have a voice, so let us no longer be silent.
The Refl ector editorial board consists of opinion editor Michael Lamb, news editor Lacretia Wimbley, life editor Noor Mujahid, sports editor Blake Morgan, multimedia editor Kelsee McKim, graphic designer Austin Grove, managing editor Catie Marie Martin, copy editor John Galatas, photography editor Emma Katherine Hutto and editor-in-chief Emma Crawford.
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Where the Wild Thoughts Are
Lower taxes, better regulations may help tax issues Taxes are one of the topics at the front of the populist American agenda. They seem to be an issue of partisanship, with one side decrying the other as elitist, reciprocated by allegations of socialism. The issue is one which is starkly divisive, and since taxes affect everyone and everything, it is important we get it right. This fact in mind, let me first address what I am not saying: I am not saying corporations who pay their fair share of taxes should be taxed more. America has one of the highest corporate tax rates on the planet. According to the international auditing service provider KPMG, the United States has a corporate tax rate of 40 percent, and it has been at this level since 2006 at the latest. Domestic corporations who pay this 40 percent rate on an ethical basis are not the corporations in question. In fact, I will even concede a conversation about lowering the highest corporate tax rate in the world should be had. Although given our current situation inside the Beltway, it does not look as though such an oh, so necessary conversation will take place any time soon. The issue from where I stand is not that the rate should be heightened, but rather restrictions should be
tightened. For all the corporations with holdings in overseas markets simply for the sake of circumventing taxes, corporate tax rates and practices should be reformed. My concern is about these corporations who do not deal in good faith. Of course — this statement presupposes ethical and moral dealings — those in good faith are ones that obey the spirit of tax law. In a capitalist society, this presupposition may be debated. It may be argued, albeit in my opinion poorly so, right
Cox makes an interesting point: “The White House and Republicans agree that revenue gained by limiting corporate tax breaks should be used to lower corporate tax rates.” Perhaps this is the foundation of bipartisan corporate tax reform? Yet another foundational point in the case for reform is the necessity of domestic holdings. Cox notes bringing this money home has two benefits: getting some cash domestically that could help catalyze the economy and
“Closing these tax loopholes for multinational corporations is critical for the success of our nation’s economy.” dealings in good faith are those that will maximize the financial bottom line. This is disagreeable in every way. Jeff Cox of CNBC estimates the amount of money sheltered offshore is at least $2 trillion. Just to put this incredibly vast amount in perspective, the United States as a nation spent just under $4 trillion in fiscal year 2014, according to The Washington Post. Over half of a year’s worth of spending was, or is, held in various tax shelters around the world.
“ending the rash of so-called inversions in which companies do deals that allow them to establish domiciles in lower-tax countries.” Closing these tax loopholes for multinational corporations is critical for the success of our nation’s economy. Stricter tax regulations are also necessary for deficit reduction, an issue many of us are all too familiar with. Robert Bixby, executive director of The Concord Coalition, wrote in a December article
Tucker Fleming is a senior majoring in sociology. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.
about lawmakers who were “focusing on renewing several expired tax provisions, mainly benefiting businesses, without offsetting the lost revenue.” Bixby goes on to note the blow that such legislation would deliver to deficit reduction efforts. “If [lawmakers] truly believe that the tax provisions are important enough to pass, they should consider them important enough to pay for as well,” Bixby said. The case for corporate tax reform is strong. It is needed both desperately and quickly. Tighter restrictions on overseas holdings will ideally produce both economic vibrancy and deficit reduction.
A Worthy Cause
Corporate tax reform begins with simpler tax laws Should corporations be taxed more heavily than they presently are? In short, no, they should not. In fact, corporate taxes should be lowered from their current level, which is 39 percent and the highest among developed nations, according to the 2014 Organization for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Taxation of Corporate and Capital Income report. The nature of incentives suggest the corporations headquartered in the United States are at a competitive disadvantage to other developed nations when it comes to taxation. Last year, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew urged corporations to practice “economic patriotism” in response to several companies moving their headquarters to more tax friendly nations around the globe. In answer to these calls, Ron Cohen, founder and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics, stressed the administration focuses on the symptoms of the issue, not the disease. Our current tax system is unbelievably arduous and complex. Instead of parading under the guise of economic populism where it may seem politically prudent to paint corporations as obscene profit seekers, we need to
reform and simplify the tax code. As previously mentioned, the U.S. has the highest corporate tax rate of any
countries with favorable tax markets as being unpatriotic may be politically expedient, but it ignores reality. As Bethany McLean, a CNBC
“...casting companies who relocate to other countries with favorable tax markets as being unpatriotic may be politically expedient, but it ignores reality.” nation in the OECD. Large companies are moving their charters overseas to seek out relief from this tax burden. At this point, one might jump to the conclusion these corporations are seeking out cheap labor in Indonesia or Malaysia, but this is not the case. Walgreens, an Illinois based company, feels the pressure from its investors to move operations to Switzerland. Investors are pushing Walgreens to merge with Alliance Boots, a Swiss company. The Swiss corporate tax rate is 21 percent. According to analysts at investment banking firm UBS, Walgreens’ tax rate would to be 37.5 percent, while Alliance Boots is expected to be 20 percent. Sure, casting companies who relocate to other
and “Vanity Fair” contributor said about the situation, “we live in a world of global markets and very active investors.” These investors have a right to pressure management for profits. Not only would a more welcoming tax environment encourage and invite new jobs to the U.S., a paper that appeared in Applied Economics and authored by Kevin Hassett and Aparna Mathur suggests “wages are significantly responsive to corporate taxation. Higher corporate tax rates depress wages.” Workers stand to benefit from lower corporate taxation. As Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute points out, the issue should not be centralized solely on
Walton Chaney is a senior majoring in history. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.
stopping these tax inversions. Lowering the corporate tax rate would allow the U.S. to become more competitive in global markets and work to bring in businesses to the U.S. while creating jobs and increasing tax revenue. Patch jobs for the current system may halt tax inversions, but they will not lower the tax rate to increase competitiveness on a global scale. We do not need temporary solutions to fundamental problems. We need to address the situation head on. We need policy that creates more opportunity, and that will happen when we create a more businessfriendly environment.
My Two Cents
Patriots ‘Deflate-gate’ scandal calls for discipline Those New England Patriots just cannot seem to stay out of trouble. This week, while the team celebrates its win over the Indianapolis Colts and subsequent advancement into the Super Bowl, the rest of the world wonders whether the team’s 2014 record is actually legitimate. NFL officials said 11 of the Patriots’ 12 footballs measured two pounds under the required range of 12.5-13.5 PSI (pounds per square inch) at halftime last Sunday night. This would put their footballs at around 10.5 PSI. Even to a person off the streets, this difference is quite obvious. A football at such a low level is easy to squeeze and hold. Tom Brady has spoken up and claimed he knew nothing about the deflation. While possibly someone else tampered with the footballs without directly telling him, I do not believe for a split second that the malleability of those footballs escaped his notice. As for Belichick, we know
his track record. Perhaps he did not know it’s possible those cheating did not tell him in order for his innocence to be genuine. However, his past actions lead me to the reasonable conclusion that he would not oppose a player sneaking around the rules in a shady fashion. Statistically, there’s no way it could have happened by accident. One or two footballs, sure. But 11 in the second biggest game of the year? Not a chance. Some claim the weather in New England could have affected the footballs, but this would have resulted in at least some of the Colts’ footballs deflating too; they did not. The footballs also would have had to undergo a significant degree temperature change. The balmy climate on Sunday night — especially compared to New England — refutes this theory. In the last couple of days information has leaked a locker room attendant was possibly seen on a surveillance video taking the
footballs (after testing) into a separate room before they made it to the field. While this could become a big clue in solving the case of the flat footballs, we should not jump to any conclusions. If the Patriots are proven guilty, the matter of a punishment will become a concern. I do not believe it’s a big enough issue to kick them out of the Super Bowl, as some have called for, but I do think serious repercussions should come down. An obligatory fine should be imposed — though honestly, I don’t think those really hurt teams — and their first round draft pick should be taken away. If Brady himself is found responsible, some personal form of punishment should take place. Instead of or in addition to a fine, I think suspension from the first two games next year would sufficiently drive the point home. With eight appearances and three Super Bowl wins, the Patriots are certainly a dynasty. Interestingly, all of
Mamie Carlstrom is a junior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
the victories took place in the last 10 years under Belichick. Though this kind of success should definitely be applauded, the Patriots can afford a few questions about their team integrity. If the NFL wants to hold to a standard of truth, honesty and legitimacy, then they shouldn’t fear checking in on all of the teams and holding them accountable when something smells fishy in order to remain aboveboard in every area.
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
An In-Class Distraction
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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Feminist pedagogy panel enlightens MSU by ShaCamree Gowdy Staff Writer
A feminist pedagogy panel was held in the John Grisham building on the third floor of the library Thursday. The panel consisted of open discussion with Ashley Baker, Kay Brocato and Emily Ryalls. The panel brought awareness to some of the staff members at Mississippi State University, and it was a wonderful way for people to voice their different opinions and gain a better
understanding of the term “feminism.” Ashley Baker, introduction to gender studies professor, was one of three speakers at the panel. Each faculty member enjoyed hearing what she had to say regarding feminism and the way she catches the attention of her students. “I think the panel went great,” she said. “There was a nice turn-out, and both the panel and the audience had wonderful ideas on being great educators.” Baker said her personal defi nition of feminism means to recognize the power in our society and
fighting for equality for both men and women, and she considers herself
communication professor, was the mastermind behind the panel.
“I enjoy being in a room full of smart people and hearing what they have to say and how they teach their students, and yes, I do consider myself a feminist.” –Emily Ryalls, gender studies and communication professor to be a feminist. Emily Ryalls, gender studies
dual and
She said she very much enjoyed speaking with the public and hearing
what everyone has to say about modern society and the way people view feminism. “I enjoy being in a room full of smart people and hearing what they have to say and how they teach their students, and yes, I do consider myself a feminist,” she said. According to both Baker and Ryalls, feminist pedagogy enables students to see how larger social problems relate to their everyday life. Kay Brocato, who teaches a course titled, ‘Planning for the Diversity of Learners,’ said she was honored to speak with
both Ryalls and Baker during the panel. “By attending this discussion, I gained a real validation that so many people across this campus are interested in challenging injustice and challenging things that can be oppressive without even realizing,” she said. Brocato said she never considered herself a feminist until she came in contact with Baker. Baker made her realize she was a feminist who enjoyed bringing equality to all people. As a mother of two, Brocato says she does not take the term lightly.
Students rave about Jack White concert by Noor Mujahid Life Editor
Blue lights and Grammy award winning rock star Jack White dominated the Humphrey Coliseum stage Tuesday night. White opened with “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” and drove the entire audience wild. Emily Damm, sophomore communication major, raved about the concert and said the fans’ excitement was undeniable. “He brought a ton of energy while playing a diverse set. I was megahappy when he played ‘We are Gonna be Friends,’ she said. “I loved how during the show everyone was up clapping, cheering and singing along. Hopefully his appearance at MSU will encourage more incredible musicians to come to our campus.” Brandon McAninch, senior communication major, said White put on a stellar performance, and McAninch would
defi nitely attend another White concert. “It was absolutely fantastic, starting with his pompadour all the way till house lights came back up at the end. His positivity and rock’n’roll attitude meshed seamlessly, and I never once caught a vibe of anything other that he was up on stage doing what he loved,” he said. Adam Niolet, senior biochemistry major, said he felt the show was incredible. “It was great to see such an amazing talent play on Mississippi State’s campus,” he said. “It was also awesome to see how he adapted to the audience by playing songs that were recognizable and covering a Hank Williams song.” White made sure to acknowledge that he was in Bulldog territory, and urged the audience to attend MSU baseball games. Niolet said White’s interest in our school was something that linked him to fans and showcased a genuine character. “He even took the time to make sure everyone knew
how much he appreciated the state of Mississippi,” he said. “He recognized what he needed to do to connect with the student body, and I think that is the sign of a true artist.” As fans were chanting
“Seven Nation Army” and urging White to return to the stage after a ten-minute intermission, White reappeared at full force. Brandon said White commanded the stage
without effort and was personable with the crowd. “He’s a god on six strings. The music was a welcome mix of Jack White, The White Stripes and The Raconteurs,” he
said. “The highlight of the evening was at the very end when he sang the third Verse of ‘Seven Nation Army’ to just drums and and let the crowd offer their voices as the bass line.”
Courtesy Photograph|JWIII
Grammy-award-winning musician Jack White took the Humphrey Coliseum stage Tuesday night. Whiteʼs set consisted of a variety of music from his new album ʻLazarettoʼ as well as from his days as a part of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs.
Thriller ‘The Boy Next Door’ receives mixed reviews by Samantha Jones Staff Writer
“The Boy Next Door” is this year’s newest psychological thriller
starring Jennifer Lopez (Claire) and Ryan Guzman (Noah.) It tells the story of a newly divorced high school teacher that engages in one night of risky behavior with her new next door neighbor, who she later discovers is a high school student. After Claire tries to dismiss the student’s advances he becomes obsessed with her and consequently, she begins to live in terror, terrified of losing her job and peace of mind. “Entertainment Weekly’s” box office reports “The Boy Next
Door” is predicted to make $15 million in its fi rst week making it No. 2 on the best new release list. According to “Vanity Fair,” “The Boy Next Door” is one silly, psycho thriller you should not miss, and the magazine goes as far as listing 20 reasons why. “The movie isn’t afraid of a little shock value, giving us one or two moments of startling gross-out violence and the aforementioned boob grabbing. Good for them,” Vanity Fair posted.
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“The Boy Next Door,” produced by Lopez and directed by Rob Cohen, seems to resonate with fans and other celebrities as well. After seeing the fi lm, singer Brittney
at best. ABC News reported “The Boy Next Door” was predictable and poorly portrayed. “The Boy Next Door” comes off more as an inadvertent comedy than
“‘ The Boy Next Door’ comes off more as an inadvertent comedy than the thriller it’s supposed to be.” –ABC News Spears tweeted at Jennifer Lopez, thanking her for motivating her to get back out there. “It’s easy for us moms to feel dull and invisible at times, but this put some pep in my step. Thank you, Jennifer, for being you,” Spears tweeted. Even though the majority seemed to love this new fi lm, there were a select few who rated this fi lm as adequate
the thriller it’s supposed to be,” ABC reported. Metacritic.com allows fi lm critics to rate the newest releases. From all the ratings, a metascore is derived. “The Boy Next Door” earned a metascore of 31 with only two positive ratings out of 29 overall ratings. Critic James Berardinelli from Reel View rated the fi lm
negatively. “It’s badly directed, poorly edited and features some of the most unconvincing acting,” Berardinelli said. Although predictions state “The Boy Next Door” will be a flop, the box office numbers tell a different story. Topping its budget, “The Boy Next Door” made $5.7 million on the fi rst night of its release. On Mississippi State University’s campus “The Boy Next Door” has proven to be unpopular amongst the student body. One out of ten students that were asked about the fi lm showed interest in spending money to see it in theaters. Be it positive or negative, the obvious mixed reviews about “The Boy Next Door” and revenue generated proves that if the fi lm is worth talking about, it must be worth seeing.
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Sports
7 THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Vivians comes into her own on court by Zach Wagner Staff Writer
On the shoulders of freshman Victoria Vivians’ 19 points and 10 rebounds, the Mississippi State University women’s basketball team got a 59-48 win over the Auburn Tigers Monday. The team currently finds itself No. 18 best team in the country. Just like in the last couple of games for the Bulldogs, a second-half surge ended up tipping the scales in the favor of Head Coach Vic Schaefer’s young team. This particular stretch at the beginning of the second half saw the Bulldogs string together a 10-0 run and put any prospects of a Tiger comeback to rest. Senior preseason All-SEC First Team center Martha Alwal, who struggled at the beginning of the season due to injuries, dominated in the paint during the second half. Alwal scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the half. Alwal’s emergence in the second half helped the Bulldogs gain the advantage on the boards 38-30 and establish their hold in the paint. After the game, Schaefer pointed to both Alwal and Vivians as major reasons why the Bulldogs were able to get the tough road victory. “Really pleased with Martha’s performance on the boards,” Schaefer said. “Victoria got a double-double, and that is really big for a freshman.” For Vivians, Monday’s game served as a step in the right direction after she had been unable to find any consistency with her shooting stroke. In her previous four games, she went 10-39 from the field (25 percent) and finished with no points in the double overtime game against LSU. During this
Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector
Victoria Vivians goes up to score a layup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Vivians has averaged 12.3 points per game over the last three games in SEC play.
time, her minutes were also reduced, which served as a wake-up call for the freshman. Vivians’ finds her roots in Carthage, Mississippi, where a little less than a year ago she was considered one of the most sought after women’s high school athletes in the entire country. She averaged a hefty 33.4 points per game during her high school career. She would soon choose to call MSU home, to the delight of Schaefer and any Bulldog
fan who follows the program closely. She headlines a highly coveted freshman class that includes the likes of Morgan William, Kayla Nevitt, Blair Schaefer and LaKaris Salter, who all should play a prominent part in keeping MSU’s women’s basketball at a competitive level for many seasons to come. If MSU wants to compete for the SEC title and make some noise in the NCAA Tournament come March, Vivians will need to
continue establishing herself as a double-double type of player. Vivians’ ability to rebound is an important part of the reason Schaefer has shown faith to keep her in the starting lineup. Even when the shot is not finding its way through the net, Vivians’ still finds other ways to impact the game on both ends of the court. While the Bulldogs picked up the win on the court, the same offensive issues still linger. Monday’s game saw Schaefer’s squad only shoot
(Left) Bulldogs fall to Rebels:
left in the game, the Rebels tied the game at 60-60, and MSU would never take the lead again. MSU will return home to face the LSU Tigers. The Bulldogs are on a two-game losing streak. Possibly the biggest difference between the two teams is in the assist numbers. LSU has lost only two SEC games so far this season. The Tigers assist on 58 percent of their made baskets, third best in the SEC, while the Bulldogs come in at a 39.5 percent clip, last in the SEC. The lack of ball movement has stymied the Bulldogs offense through out the season. MSU has also had issues holding onto the basketball. Twenty two percent of MSUʼs possessions end with a turnover, twelfth in the SEC, has also resulted in problems keeping up with opposing problems. The Bulldogs do, however, control the offensive glass very well, while LSU does a poor job keeping other teams from the offensive board. Though, MSU pulled down only eight offensive boards against the Rebels. The Bulldogs will play at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum.
Mississippi State University fell to the Ole Miss Rebels Wednesday 79-73. The Bulldogs took an early lead to start the game. MSU held a 16-4 lead six minutes into the game. Ole Miss then began to run a full-court press against the Bulldogs and tried to force the ball out of I.J. Readyʼs hands. The press sped up the game, and MSU made only one basket in nine minutes. The stalling offense allowed the Rebels to take the lead for the first time in the game. The Bulldogs did enough, however, to claw back into the lead before halftime. MSU did a good job of keeping Rebel senior guard Jarvis Summers out of the stat sheet in the first half. Summers did not record a point in the first half. However, he would not stay so silent in the second half. Summers finished the game with 22 points, all in the second half, and made 12 of his 15 free throw attempts. The Bulldogs held a double digit lead in both halves, but that was not enough to push MSU to victory. With a little less than six minutes
Noah Siano | The Reflector
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36.7 percent from the field and only a very low 17.6 percent from three-point range. Luckily, its defensive prowess allowed it to hold Auburn to 40 percent shooting from the field, which covered up the play of the Tiger’s inconsistent offense. Turnovers are another factor Schaefer hopes to see less of in the upcoming weeks. He hinted at how signigicantly turnovers alter the flow of the team’s game. “I am pleased with how we responded to end the
first half (with a 15-2 run) after we were down seven,” Schaefer said. “We are on the road with a young team. You don’t know how they will respond. We just had to stop turning it over. We could defend them on the half court.” That being said, one player in particular, Isabelle Harrison, has played very well as of late. She was named last week’s SEC player of the week for the second time this season, as she managed to average 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in the three games played last week. During those three games, the center owned the paint, grabbing 24 total rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the field. Her play has been a large part of why the Volunteers have remained undefeated in conference play, and if the Bulldogs wish to leave Knoxville as the victors on Sunday, Martha Alwal will need to do her best to contain the streaking Volunteer center. Tennessee comes into the game playing defense on a level close to the Bulldogs, as it only allows teams to shoot 36 percent from the field, which is only one percent higher than Mississippi State’s 35 percent. The surprise, however, comes on the offensive end where Tennessee has shot a very similar 41 percent for the entire season, only one percent better than the Bulldogs on the year. If this is any indication of how Sunday’s game might play out on the court, one might expect a low scoring, highly defensive affair in which every possession could be drastic to the overall outcome of the game. Sunday’s game begins at 2:00 p.m. in Knoxville, where both teams will be looking to pick up a very big conference win. The game can be seen on the SEC Network.
WHAT IS
HAPPENING Track & Field After breaking two women’s school records last week in the Vanderbilt Invitational, the track & field squad will return to action in the New Balance Invitational this weekend in New York City, New York. Football Three former MSU linebackers will play in the Super Bowl Sunday. K.J. Wright plays for the Seattle Seahawks, and Chris White and Deontae Skinner play for the New England Patriots. Men’s & Women’s Tennis The MSU men’s team returns home this weekend for three matches. The
Bulldogs face Rice at 1 p.m. and Alcorn State at 6 p.m. on Friday. On Sunday, MSU will face Texas Tech at 11 a.m. The women’s squad will face the UAB Blazers at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the A.J Pitts Tennis Centre.
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