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Reflector

131st YEAR ISSUE 26

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

SA bills Packing to alleviate world hunger on the agenda

by Emmalyne Kwasny News Editor

There are 795 million people around the world who are undernourished according to the World Food Programme.

Students at Mississippi State University are decreasing these numbers package by package.

Emily Morgan, president of Feed the Hunger at MSU, believes feeding the hungry is vitally important.

“I think it’s important to fight world hunger because it exists everywhere in the world,” Morgan said.

“This problem doesn’t just affect one nation or country but instead it is seen throughout the world.”

Morgan, sophomore political science and criminology major, said it only takes about $60 to feed a child for a year.

On Feb. 10-11, students have the opportunity to package food for hungry people locally, nationally and internationally. At the “Packathon” volunteers will be asked to give two hours to pack boxes filled with a nutritious meal including rice, pinto beans, a vitamin mix and dehydrated vegetables.

This meal gives the hungry the correct amount of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables and vitamins.

Feed the Hunger is a national, evangelical organization that focuses on spiritual need simultaneously with physical need. The organization Feed the Hunger, based out of North Carolina, will provide the food for

people to package at the Packathon and all money raised by MSU’s chapter will be given to the national organization

“I feel as if it [Feed the Hunger] shows college students that they can make a difference and be apart of changing someone’s

in the name of making a difference.”

Cobb, junior accounting major, said Feed the Hunger is a

795 million starving...

Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector

to distribute the food to those in need.

Feed the Hunger at MSU was approved as an organization by the Student Association in April of 2016 and currently has about 130 members.

For their Packathon, Feed the Hunger’s goal is to raise $20,000 which would package roughly 171,000 meals.

Marion Richmond, vice president of Feed the Hunger and sophomore early childhood elementary education major, said she loves being able to help those who are truly hungry everywhere.

life,” Richmond said. “The people receiving the food will be overjoyed because they have nutritious food to eat and they do not have to go hungry.”

Nicholas Cobb, outreach coordinator for MSU’s chapter of Feed the Hunger, said he loves what Feed the Hunger offers those who get involved.

“My favorite thing about Feed the Hunger is that it allows us as a community to serve those in need in a tangible way, right from our own backyard,” Cobb said.

“It unites people from different walks of life

way for students to serve people all over the world while being unable to travel due to busy schedules. He said he believes volunteering with Feed the Hunger will be very beneficial to students.

“Seeing our work influence the lives of those who are really in need will push students toward giving more time to service organizations,” Cobb said. “As far as the the recipients of the food, it goes without saying how that blessing will help their situations, whatever they may be.

But more than that, those

people will hopefully get to experience God’s grace and love through that blessing, and that’s what’s most important.”

Morgan, who was raised in Oxford, said she attended the University of Mississippi’s Feed the Hunger Packathon for four years in high school.

“I immediately fell in love with the scene, the vibe and the good the event was doing itself,” Morgan said.

Morgan said this was when she decided she wanted to bring Feed the Hunger to MSU. As a junior in high school, she started preparing and planning what she needed to do to bring Feed the Hunger to MSU. “It’s been a long process in the making,” Morgan said. “It’s a little piece of my heart.”

Every fall, the organization will have an interest meeting and committee applications available. The committee positions include fundraising, outreach and treasurer.

Feed the Hunger at MSU will host its Packathon on Feb. 10-11 at First United Methodist Church in Starkville.

There will be a link in the future on their Instagram account, feedhunger_ msu, for people to volunteer at the event.

Volunteers will sign up for two hour shifts and will receive community service hours.

“One person alone cannot solve world hunger and malnutrition,” Morgan said, “but instead people can come together and in efforts as a group make a huge impact on this issue.”

by Laken Vickers Staff Writer

Among many bills and resolutions put to a vote at the Student Association’s last Senate meeting of the fall semester, Resolution 29 may have the most impact on the Mississippi State student body and possibly the state of Mississippi as a whole.

The SA Senate supported the motion to take down the state flag of Mississippi last spring which was quickly supported by the University and followed by many others throughout the state.

Resolution 29 states that the SA Senate wants to fly the bicentennial banner instead of the State Flag.

Senator Taylor Thomas, senior industrial engineering major, who brought this resolution before the Senate, reasoned this would show pride in the rich history of Mississippi while showing respect for all who have been part of it.

With little dispute, the resolution was passed and will be brought to encourage President Mark Keenum and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, as well as Governor Bryant and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves to take action in this movement and to support of the MSU’s student body in its desire to fly the bicentennial banner.

Hunt Walne, vice president of SA and senior agronomy major, said he was proud of student senators for caring about the issue of the state flag.

SA, 2

Day of service honors Martin Luther King Jr.

by Kristina Norman Staff Writer

STILL BUILDING YOUR CLASS SCHEDULE? Last day to drop a class without a grade is TODAY by 5:00 pm

Last day to add a class is January 17th by 8:00 am

Jennifer McFadden, The Reflector

Weather

Reflections

Jessica Faith, Campus Connect Forecast (Department of Geosciences)

Mississippi State University will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with its 23rd Annual Unity Breakfast and Day of Service, beginning on Monday at 8 a.m. at the Mill Conference Center.

The event is sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Office of Institutional Diversity and

FRIDAY

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Inclusion and the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.

Following the breakfast, attendees will hear opening remarks by the university’s chief executive, keynote speaker Larnzy L. Carpenter and performances by MSU’s Black Voices Choir and the First Baptist Church of Longview’s New Horizon Praise Team.

Meggan Franks, assistant director of Student Leadership & Community Engagement for the MSU Volunteer Center, said one of the biggest changes to this year’s event includes

FORECAST: Steady winds out of the South will bring in enough moisture for brief showers over the weekend. Temps remaining mild. Have a great weekend Bulldogs!

OPA | Courtesy Photo

An attendee views the pamphlet which acknowledges the writing competition winners and sponsors of the 2014 Martin Luther King Jr.’s Unity Breakfast and Day of Service.

the addition of sidewalks and crosswalks, enabling students traveling from campus to safely cross to the Mill.

Buses will transport volunteers from the Mill to

sites across Starkville and Oktibbeha County. “[There] are a lot of students that don’t have a car,” Franks said, “and [who] want to volunteer and they can.”

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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2017

SA “As someone with deep family history rooted in Mississippi, I am proud of our senators passing a resolution declaring that the student body would like to see the bicentennial banner flown,” Walne said.

“Mississippi’s bicentennial is a great opportunity to take pride in our state, to be respectful of our rich history, and be optimistic about the future of our great state. The year 2017 truly is the greatest time to be a Mississippian.”

Other noteworthy resolutions and bills include Bill 18 and Resolution 35.

Bill 18 was drawn up with the intention to give those currently serving in SA the right to vote in the upcoming SA election.

Senator Stephanie Durr, sophomore political science and sociology double major, after speaking with various students, took a stand against this bill, stating that a majority of those she discussed this bill with met it with negativity with concerns of the abuse of power and exclusivity of SA. Senator Logan Reeves, senior industrial engineering major, argued it was important for members of SA to experience campaigning and to have a voice in an organization they are invested in.

Roxanne Raven, SA president and senior political science major disagreed.

“I think executive members endorsing

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CONTINUED FROM 1

MLK

CONTINUED FROM 1 takes place before Senate meetings.

Thomas was for the In addition, volunteers resolution. unfamiliar with the volunteer “When there is sites who prefer traveling by bus instead can.

When volunteers arrive “A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE they will check-in to receive UNIVERSITY FLY THE MISSISSIPPI a wristband indicating which site they will go to.

BICENTENNIAL BANNER THROUGH THE A wide-range of BICENTENNIAL YEAR volunteering opportunities WHEREAS, the year 2017 represents 200 years are available for those who participate. The organizations since Mississippi became a state, participating include the WHERAS, Mississippi State University no longer Palmer Home for Children, flies a state flag on our campus causing some to Habitat for Humanity’s Resale Store, Camp Seminole, question our state pride Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee WHERAS, the Bicentennial Banner National Wildlife Refuge, Ms. commemorates Mississippi’s 200th birthday and Smith’s Tutoring, Christian World Mission, Oktibbeha displays pride in the history and progress of our County Heritage Museum state, and Starkville Boys and Girls BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Mississippi State Club.

Student Association Senate supports flying the Franks said around 400 volunteers participated in last Mississippi Bicentennial Banner from January year’s day of service but she 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2017 expects more volunteers for BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, a copy this year.

Franks said with the of this Resolution be sent to Mississippi State possibility of rain in the President Mark Keenum, Mississippi Governor forecast volunteers should Phil Bryant, Mississippi Lt. Governor Tate Reeves, bring their rain jacket or poncho along with a pair of and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn.” rain boots and gloves. Those volunteering are asked not to Resolution 29 wear sandals.

Franks said although weather conditions for didn’t know the current someone on Senate or in an volunteer work are not president, it would be hard organization that doesn’t always be favorable it should to get an endorsement from feel represented by this, it not be the foremost thing on them and makes it that loses its purpose,” Thomas a volunteer’s mind. much harder for people to said.

“If you think about it, get involved. This doesn’t However, it was argued you’re doing service to the fall in line with my platform that taking away this right community,” Franks said. of making the SA more could put the Senate in “The last thing you should inclusive.” danger of going against the worry about is whether Bill 18, however, was First Amendment and that you’re comfortable.” ultimately passed. any type of prayer should Rain has occurred before, Resolution 35 sought be welcomed. In the end, but it has not stopped to abolish the prayer that this resolution was failed. volunteers. No outdoor events will be cancelled unless the weather poses dangers such as thunder and lightning.

De Schmidt, AmeriCorps VISTA for the MSU Food Security Network, who serves as a coordinator for the event, works with logistics to get people where they need to go.

Schmidt said once the unity breakfast concludes,

candidates creates another barrier for students to break into the SA,” Raven said.

“If someone wanted to run for president, but they

Friday January 6, 2017 2:48 p.m. A non-resident/visitor was arrested on Blackjack Road for reckless driving, failure to yield, improper passing, expired tags, and driving under the influence.

Saturday January 7, 2017 10:21 a.m. A resident reported a damaged parking meter in the Burger King parking lot.

Tuesday January 10, 2017 3:30 p.m. A student reported his bike missing from a bike rack at the Sanderson Center.

5:00 p.m. An employee reported being harassed by his child’s mother via telephone.

8:22 p.m. The stop sign at Bost Extension Center was damaged.

Wednesday January 11, 2017 12:24 a.m. A student was arrested at Cresswell Hall for public intoxication. A student referral was issued.

10:53 a.m. A student reported her bike stolen from a Griffis Hall bike rack.

2:35 p.m. An employee reported missing inventory at Swalm Chemical Engineering.

4:41 p.m. A student reported being fearful of an assault by another student in the Junction.

8:34 p.m. A student reported her cell phone stolen from Mitchell Memorial Library.

volunteers will work from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at their designated work sites.

Following their service, volunteers who need transportation will be shuttled back to the Mill.

“You come out, you can have breakfast and hear a great speaker,” Schmidt said.

Then, you get on a bus, go volunteer or walk to your service site, [and] do some community service. You’re home before two.”

Hannah Holetz, a junior psychology major and receptionist at the Maroon Volunteer Center, said she is looking forward to the warm weather forecasted for Monday.

Alicia Hu, office associate for the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, said she expects a bigger turnout this year than last year because the event’s keynote speaker, Larnzy L. Carpenter, is from Starkville.

Last year, Hu said, the event drew so many that the overflow room in the Colvard Student Union had to be opened. Even with the overflow room, there was still not enough room for everyone. This year, Hu said, they have almost the entire Mill rented out for the event.

Bria Henderson, a communication student and student worker with the Office of Institutional Diversity, said what she likes most about the event, is seeing so many people come out and support the message the breakfast tries to convey.

“It’s really nice to see people from the community come out on a Monday morning and support something that represent unity,” Henderson said.

Anyone planning on attending the event, may visit www.mlkdaystarkville.com to register. Registration by Friday is encouraged.

Advertising Representative Interest Meeting Wednesday, January 18th 5:30 pm Henry F. Meyer Student Media Center (Next to Subway)

Set your own hours!

Learn new networking skills!

Build relationships with local bussinesses!

GREAT PAY! Please bring your class schedule with you.

Contact hjc36@msstate.edu for more information.

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BULLETIN BOARD

CLASSIFIEDS POLICY The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.

FOR RENT 3 bedroom/1 bath house in Crawford available for $500 a month. Located 20 minutes from MSU campus.

Call 662-386-3086 for more information.

FOR SALE LIKE NEW women’s Nishiki tubular 7-speed bicycle for sale. Call 662-323-3095.

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Private collectibles for sale: Thousands of WWII military items. (no guns) Pez candy dispensers, Elvis Presley collectibles and much more. Cash only. By appoinment only. Call 901-626-2763 for details.

CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. MSU

An In-Class Distraction

MENS CLUB SOCCER Celebrate being #BetterTogether with open-minded students having educational discussion on various religious and cultural events in the Union, room 330, on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

FREETHINEKRS, ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS OF MSU

FAAMSU invites all free thinkers to come join our

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weekly discussions on life without religion. Meetings will be held every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Union room 330.

MSU GAMERS GUILD Join MSU Gamers Guild during their weekly meetings in McCool 130. Meetings include multiple videogame setups. Meetings are on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Celebrate being #BetterTogether with openminded students having education discussions on various religious and cultural current events.

Meetings will be held in Union 330.

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OPINION

THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2016

Social media sharing negates personal privacy

Syrian Refugees deserve political and humanitarian consideration from U.S.

by Laura Herring Contributing Writer

Chris Lowe

is a sophomore majoring in business information systems. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.

Social media cannot be brought up in any fashion without immediately mentioning Facebook. For almost a decade now, Facebook has been the proverbial poster child for social media, and the two are almost interchangeable words to a large population of people.

In the developed world, it is a safe bet to assume any person one meets in a given day has a Facebook account.

That means only a friend request stands in the way of quite a lot of personal information, which can be collected by anyone with a motive. This could, and in many documented cases has, create issues in parts of someone’s business life that should never be affected by their personal one.

Employers now browse their employees’ Facebook accounts to determine their character and professionalism, and they do so by judging individuals on the content they post. If one posts a picture of themselves at a party with a beer in hand, they run the risk of being fired, as they are not an adequate “ambassador” to their employer.

Additionally, all information posted on Facebook is mined to generate tailored advertisements, gather statistics on political affiliations, and even create a purchase history. This allows all kinds of corporate entities to manipulate the public using data that should be private.

We sacrifice this privacy, all for the sake of figuring out which Nintendo character you are most like.

The other giant of the platform is Twitter, and it comes with its own set of problems.

Since Twitter is a much more public platform, those with a large amount of followers set themselves up to be scrutinized for each tweet.Every time something is posted, it has the potential to be used as blackmail in the future, or a devastating blow to social status today.

While social media is indeed a tool that can be used to create widespread good, it is also one that should be taken seriously and used with caution. This is the only way to ensure that our entire lives are not recorded on an Excel spreadsheet in Silicon Valley, and that is something that everyone should strive to prevent. We deserve to be treated as people, not treated as data.

The recent events in Aleppo have garnered international news and media attention concerning the emergency in Syria, and many people are being made aware of the refugee crisis for the first time.

According to the UN News Center, an estimated 35,000 civilians struggled to evacuate from Eastern Aleppo in the midst of a breakdown in evacuation efforts and the collapse of a pre-negotiated ceasefire.

However, this conflict is not new and war in Syria has been ongoing for over five years— long enough to produce almost five million registered refugees fleeing violence, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to Amnesty International, the majority of Syrian refugees are being hosted by just five countries— Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, while a paltry 4.7 percent of these refugees have been pledged international resettlement.

While President Obama increased numbers in the United States pledge to resettle refugees, his commitment to the issue was met with strong opposition from lawmakers, state governors and the American public.

The opposition toward Syrian refugees is often born of entrenched habits of mind, media driven fear, and misinformation. Syrian refugees are frequently seen as having relations with terrorist

organizations such as ISIS, but refugees cannot be denied, confined by the walls of the instead, refugees are fleeing the and, when it is examined and camp and the sounds of shellviolence perpetuated by these understood, it is clear to see ing and bombing on the other extremist groups. that it provides a secure route to side of the Jordanian-Syrian They have suffered human resettlement for those fleeing border. rights abuses so severe they left war torn conflict zones.

It is unrealistic to assume behind community, family and Despite the capability of that camps like Za’atari can business in order to seek some- the United States resettlement offer long term solutions to the thing we all deserve— safety. process, many citizens and crisis. People have an innate While legitimate refugees government officials, such need to establish communiare victims of the Syrian con- as Mississippi Governor Phil ties and societies, and there is a flict, it is still of utmost impor- Bryant, proclaim that leaving limit to the prosperity that can tance to protect U.S. national the displaced people of Syria be achieved within a temporary security and ensure that all in Middle Eastern refugee camp establishment. persons admitted to the U.S’s camps for the duration of the Failing to alleviate the burresettlement process do not conflict is in the best interest den of top refugee-hosting pose a security threat. of both the American and the countries such as Lebanon, For this reason, refugees are Syrian people, according to a where the Human Rights the most heavily vetted catego- 2015 Fox Business interview Watch finds that “almost one ry of people admitin four people ted to the United today is a refuStates, undergo- “If we continue to turn our backs on the gee,” will only ing a seven step largest migration crisis since World War u n d e r m i n e admissions proU.S. nationcess that can take II, we will only become accomplices in these al security by anywhere from allowing the 18 to 24 months, crimes. ” instability of according to the the region to U.S. Department further grow of State. with Bryant. This proposition under the pressure of rampantFurthermore, Syrian refu- is dangerous because it not only ly increasing populations with a gees undergo additional secu- places the refugees of Syria in lack of resources. rity checks implemented by jeopardy, but it also threatens Furthermore, the negative the Department of Homeland U.S. security. rhetoric toward refugees and Security, known as the Syrian According to the UNHCR, the increasing movements to Review, to ensure that all infor- Za’atari Camp in Jordan, the shut the door on Syrians is in mation for Syrian cases has largest Syrian refugee camp, is opposition to American values been synthesized and reviewed home to 79,597 refugees. Due and does not support our intercorrectly. to the magnitude and dura- national allies.

It is important to understand tion of the conflict in Syria, the The most concerning aspect that refugees cannot request camp has developed into a per- of the violence in Syria and the to be resettled in any specific manent community, despite resulting long term population country. Instead, the United Za’atari lacking the resourc- of refugee camps is the impact Nations High Commission for es needed for a long term it has on the children of Syria.

Refugees reviews refugee cases settlement.

A 2014 UNICEF report found and then, based on the profile The people living in the that 48.4 percent of school aged of the applicant, suggests a ref- camp are resilient and hard- children in the Za’atari camp ugee-hosting country for the working, and they have devel- alone are not receiving formal applicant. oped an economy and a way of education.

The strength of the United life within the camp. However, The problem does not end States vetting process for their growing society is with refugee camps—even

by Holly Travis Staff Writer

A vacancy has remained on the Supreme Court since Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died on Feb. 13, 2016.Republicans in Congress have commited the egregious act of denying a hearing for a president’s Supreme Court justice nominee. I will examine both what this looked like under President Obama and what nomination-denial would mean under President-elect Trump.

Although I do worry which individual will soon fill this seat, that is a story for another day— I want to instead focus primarily on the egregious act of denying a hearing for a president’s Supreme Court justice nominee.

When questioned on MSNBC about how Democrats will handle Trump’s future Supreme Court nominations, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon responded, “We need to do everything we possibly can to block it.”

Senate Minority Leader

Chuck Schumer echoed this President Obama’s nom- during election years since stance by contending that ination has gone without 1912, when President Taft Democrats will “absolutely” a hearing, surpassing the successfully nominated do their best to hold the seat previous record for longest Mahlon Pitney. This proves open. Although I am frank- time between a president’s this claim to be imprecise ly terrified of who Trump nomination and the Senate’s when viewed through a hiswill nominate, I find this review of that nominee, torical context. approach to be both unset- which was 125 days.

The importance of the tling and dangerous.

The refusal to consider Supreme Court cannot be According to Article II the president’s nomination overstated. The impact of Section II Clause II of the is greatly out of step with the Supreme Court decisions U.S. Constitution, establish precthe president “shall edents for a have the power, by “Democrats must move forward in de- range of issues. and with the advice Just a few and consent of the manding that no future Congress display of these are Senate” to nomisame-sex marnate judges of the such egregious disregard for our democra- riage, and limSupreme Court. its on freedom A d d it i o n a l l y, cy as the Republican party did in 2016.” of speech.

The Constitution A Supreme Center states that Court with once a Supreme only eight jusCourt nomination is made, manner in which Congress tices hinders the court’s abilthe nominee must then be has historically conducted ity to rule efficiently, because considered by the Judiciary itself. the justices remains at risk of Committee before continuTo justify this, many a 4-4 ruling, effectively causing through investigations Republicans have claimed ing the same legal implicaand a hearing. that the president should not tion as that of a denied case.

On March 16, 2016, be able to nominate a justice Harvard Constitutional Law President Obama nominated during an election year, con- professor, Laurence Tribe, Judge Merrick Garland to fill tending that this authority warned that as an effort to the vacancy on the Supreme belongs to whomever is next avoid wasting time on cases Court. elected to hold office. likely to end in a deadlock, According to the We Need However, the SCOTUS the court is likely to avoid Nine campaign, it has been blog points out that six jus- hearing controversial cases, 301 days as of Jan. 11 since tices have been confirmed which are often the most

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the Syrian refugee children who have settled into cities and communities outside of camps struggle with discrimination, overpopulation of schools, and other barriers to education.

World Vision 2016 states that refugee children stand at a higher risk for child labor, sexual abuse, child marriage, malnourishment, and recruitment by extremist organizations.

The high percentages of children not enrolled in formal education only magnifies these impacts of war, and a lack of education mixed with the traumatizing effects of violence only stands to foster increases in terrorism and instability.

The conflict in Syria has already claimed thousands of innocent lives, and it is reprehensible that is has taken crimes against humanity in Aleppo to gain the American people’s attention.

There is not a quick solution to the conflict in Syria, but if we continue to turn our backs on the largest migration crisis since World War II, we will only become accomplices in these crimes.

The varying political opinions concerning refugee resettlement and immigration must be placed aside in order to recognize not only the human component at the genesis of the refugee crisis, but also the implication it has for the future stability of the Middle East, which affects the future security of the United States.

I encourage us all to find ways to become advocates and agents for the safety and education of the children of Syria— the future leaders and peacemakers for the region.

Congress must accept Supreme Court nominees

CONTACT INFORMATION

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu.

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crucially important.

Due to the court’s significance in upholding our democracy, we must set aside partisan political strife and honor the President’s authority as declared in Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

This should have occurred months ago under president Obama and it must occur as we carry into 2017 under the leadership of Trump.

As tempting as it may be to play the game of adolescents and do something obstinate back just because someone else did it first, this should not be how our nation’s democracy functions.

Democrats must do what Republicans failed to have the decency to do. In the coming months, they must grant a hearing for the individual nominated by President-elect Trump, and must absolutely must work to ensure that this individual will dutifully serve in the position.

Democrats must move forward in demanding that no future Congress display such egregious disregard for our democracy as the Republican party did in 2016.

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Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

CORRECTIONS

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

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SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2017

New line-up leads to big changes

by Taylor Rayburn Staff Writer

Olivia Zeringue | The Reflector

Since promoting Lamar Peters to the starting line-up, the Bulldogs are 2-0 in SEC play. Peters is averaging 12.7 points in SEC play.

2016-2017 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCORES 11-4 (2-1 SEC) MSU vs Norfolk State: Win 78-74 MSU vs. UCF: Loss 61-86 MSU vs. BSU: Win 80-68 MSU vs. UTEP: Win 61-54 MSU vs. LeHigh: Loss 73-87 MSU vs. NSU: Win 65-59 MSU vs. OSU: Win 74-57 MSU vs. GSU: Win 82-60

MSU vs. ETSU: Loss 65-67 MSU vs. Southern Miss: Win 86-44 MSU vs. Morehead State: Win 85-67 MSU vs. UMKC: Win 77-54 MSU vs Alabama: Loss 58-68 MSU vs LSU: Win 95-78 MSU vs Arkansas: Win 84-78

Mississippi State Men’s basketball won back-to-back road SEC games for the first time in six years, which was unexpected after they fell to Alabama at home on Jan. 3.

The change MSU made happened between their loss against Alabama and their first road victory at LSU. Head Coach Ben Howland took senior point guard I.J. Ready, the most experienced player on MSU’s roster, out of the starting line-up and inserted true freshman Lamar Peters in his place.

They also replaced Xavian Stapleton with Aric Holman.

At a press conference on Monday Coach Howland explained how he wanted to get Holman in to put more players back in their natural positions.

“I just think in terms of our size, it is hopefully a better start on the back boards,” Coach Howland said. “It helps to play Aric, Mario (Kegler) and Q (Weatherspoon) all at their natural positions which is the two, three and four, but they can all play different spots and that is the sign of a really good player.”

The changes worked as MSU scored 95 points in Baton Rouge against LSU after scoring just 58 in the loss to Alabama during the previous game.

The 95 points are the most MSU has scored in an SEC road game since 1963.

They shot 54 percent from the floor and 50 percent from behind the three-point arc. The team followed up that performance with an 84-78 victory on Tuesday in Fayetteville against Arkansas. This time, the Bulldogs shot 46 percent from the floor and 68 percent from the three-point arc.

With the insertion of Lamar Peters in the starting lineup, I.J. Ready, the veteran of the team, is now coming off of the bench. With MSU being the second-youngest team in the country, behind the University of Illinois in Chicago, Ready had to lead by example. He said on Monday he did not care whether he started or came off the bench, he just wanted to do what was necessary to win.

“At this point, if it takes for whoever Coach Howland wants to start and we are winning, I am with it,” Ready said. “I just want to come in and win games and I am going to come in and play like I have all season. I will score

when I need to, but most importantly, make plays and defend.”

Another place the lineup change helped MSU was on the boards. Entering their game Tuesday night against Arkansas, MSU ranked last in the SEC in rebounds a game. The changes were quick and noticeable. Against Alabama, MSU pulled in just 26 rebounds, however, against LSU, they pulled in 40 and then 41 against Arkansas.

Holman said the lineup helped rebounding by putting their best rebounders in the game.

“It was easier to rebound because I felt as if we had our best rebounders on the floor, so I felt more comfortable in that area,” Holman said.

The MSU Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday against Texas A&M. The game will be at home in the Hump and will tip at noon.

Bulldogs hire new defensive coordinator MSU ranked 110th last season in total defense, giving up 459.1 yards a game.

They also ranked 93rd in scoring defense, giving up 31.8 points a game.

Grantham, who is from Pulaski, Virginia, has 10 years of defensive coordinator experience under his belt, including three years at the Cleveland Browns

either scoring or total defense in five of his seven

by Taylor Rayburn years.

Staff Writer Grantham has an impressive resume, having coached under legendary This fall, Mississippi coaches Nick Saban and State’s defense will have a Frank Beamer, and the great new defensive coordinator defensive mind of Wade for the fourth time in four Phillips. years.

Grantham said he is excitIt was announced ed to work for Mullen and Wed nesday MSU. morning that “When the MSU is replaco p port u n it y “Along with our staff, I look forward ing now, former to be part of defensive coorto re-establishing the Bulldog defense Dan Mullen’s dinator Peter staff presentas one of the top defenses in the country ed itself, it was Sirmon with Todd Grantham, something my and making the fans of Mississippi family and I who has held the same title at became very State proud.”

-Todd Grantham Louisville since excited about,” 2014.

Grantham said.

Head foot“Coach Mullen ball coach Dan Mullen (2005-2007). has built a winning prospoke highly of Grantham However, this will not gram in the most challengWednesday afternoon. be his first time in the SEC. ing conference in the coun“Todd has proven to be Grantham held the defen- try. Along with our staff, I one of the best defensive sive coordinator title at look forward to re-estabcoordinators in the coun- Georgia (2010-2013) for lishing the Bulldog defense try this decade,” Mullen four years before going to as one of the top defenses said. “He understands Louisville in 2014, where he in the country and making what it takes to build a coached from 2014 to 2016. the fans of Mississippi State physical and aggressive Last year at Louisville, proud.” defense at the highest of Grantham led the Cardinals Come this fall, Mullen levels. We are excited to to the 12th ranked run will be coaching his ninth welcome he and his family defense in the country, season and this will be the to Starkville.” giving up just 115.2 yards seventh time Mullen hired a It was also announced a game. They also ranked new defensive coordinator Wednesday morning that 14th in total defense last in the offseason. The last Sirmon would be replacing season, giving up just 322.2 time MSU had a defensive Grantham at Louisville. yards a game. coordinator for consecutive The change was made At the college level, seasons being the 2013-14 after MSU’s defense had an Grantham’s defenses have season, when Geoff Collins abysmal season. finished in the top 20 in had the job.

EXPIRES 05/31/2017

EXPIRES 05/31/2017

EXPIRES 05/31/2017

EXPIRES 05/31/2017