INSIDE
5 health tips for the New Year Who is Jason Phillips? PAGE 5 Wikipedia’s Black Out PAGE 4
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A Sundance favorite comes to Dallas PAGE 3
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 24, 2011 VOLUME 96 ISSUE 48
Wednesday High 55, Low 38 Thursday High 71, Low 50
FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS
POLICY
SMU professor advocates for immigrant acceptance RAHFIN FARUK News Editor rfaruk@smu.edu The United States has always been a nation of immigrants — from nonconformist Puritan settlers in the 15th century to Indian economic migrants in the 1990s. SMU anthropology professor Caroline Brettell has been researching migration in different contexts for her entire academic career. Brettell started her research with the study of migrants from Goa, a small state in India. Eventually, her interests evolved into issues affecting the United States. Her new book “Civic Engagements: The Citizenship Practices of Indian and Vietnamese Immigrants,” which she co-authored with University of Buffalo professor Deborah Reed-Danahay, discusses how new immigrant communities fit into the national landscape. Recent issues like the DREAM Act and fiscal insecurity have made immigration a hot topic once again in American politics. A 2010 Gallup poll revealed that a majority of
HILLSMAN S. JACKSON/SMU
Dr. Caroline Brettell speaks at the Centennial Academic Symposium in the Collins Executive Center Nov. 11, 2011.
Americans want comprehensive immigration reform. Brettell encourages that people keep an open mind about migrants. “We cannot deport 10 million
people,” Brettell said. “But both sides have drawn their lines in the sand and have been unwilling to move since 1986, the last time we had true reform.”
The children of immigrants are often the ones most affected by inaction. “Why shouldn’t smart immigrants, who might have come
BIG IDEAS
to the United States at six months, be able to go on to higher education? It would be economically productive and morally right,” Brettell said. From her office desk, surrounded by bookshelves and newspaper clippings, Brettell delivered an impassioned argument for migrant rights. “If we are a nation of immigrants, we should be more accepting of people,” Brettell said. “People should be talking a lot more about what immigrants do for the community.” Brettell’s most recent research focused on the Dallas area. “Texas is always a top six state for immigrants,” Brettell said. “Dallas deserves more attention.” Dallas is an emerging case study for sociologists and anthropologists because of the rich immigrant base in the city. Indians, Mexicans, Nigerians and Hondurans make up a sizable portion of the city’s population. Brettell believes that the study of key immigrant groups can help increase tolerance across the nation. However, she also believes that recent studies have not asked the right questions of immigrants.
“A National Science Foundation study I did work on wanted to assess the agency. They asked about the economic and social climate,” Brettell said. “But questions like how many immigrants send letters to their congressmen and put up campaign yard signs are too formal.” Immigrants, Brettell says, give the United States a reasonable advantage in comparison to Europe and Japan, which both have aging populations and large entitlement programs that need to be supported by shrinking government revenues. “We are lucky to have an immigrant community that wants to work and is young,” she said. “They contribute to social programs and our tax base.” Brettell has a simple message for all that will listen. “This country has always had to balance the economy, immigration and that indefinable word, assimilation,” Brettell said. “American culture is always changing. Citizenship, in the eyes of the Indian immigrants I interviewed, is simply giving back. That is something we can all agree with.”
TECH
New Facebook app allows for life after death STEPHANIE BROWN News Director stephanieb@smu.edu
SPENCER J EGGERS / The Daily Campus
Matt Gayer sits in his office in Hughes-Trigg, where he works as executive director of Health Literacy Dallas.
Senior promotes health literacy RAHFIN FARUK News Editor rfaruk@smu.edu More than 90 million Americans are affected by health illiteracy annually. Health Literacy Dallas (HLD), an organization originally started through SMU Big iDeas funding, strives to help locals with issues of health communication. “I was surprised to see that Dallas was not doing much about health literacy, and that’s why I initially wanted to do research on the issue,” Matthew Gayer, the organization’s executive director and founder, said. However, Gayer quickly realized that one case study could not address all the problems in the Dallas area, especially in historically underrepresented West and South Dallas. “The number one thing I tell all non-profit startups is to ask themselves if there is a true need for their products and services,” Gayer said. “Too many nonprofits are redundant.” Health Literacy Dallas works with both healthcare professionals and patients to improve communication between providers and recipients of healthcare. “We are doing a training session at Parkland Dallas for residents there,” Gayer said. “We have also hosted community
healthcare fairs in South Dallas before.” But training sessions and community fairs are only a fraction of what the organization does. HLD also helps patients answer important medical questions and learn through issue-specific educational material. “The fear of asking questions because of reading problems or some other issue is a huge obstacle,” Gayer said. The organization often has to serve as a medium between less approachable doctors and apprehensive patients. Health Literacy Dallas has been so successful that Gayer has started Health Literacy Texas, which seeks to connect other major cities with the health literacy network. “We are trying to work with cities like Houston, Austin and San Antonio to reach out to a larger geographical area and share ideas,” Gayer said. Health Literacy Dallas’ geographical expansion is proof that a large portion of the population is affected by health illiteracy. “It’s not just poor neighborhoods. It’s also minorities and the elderly,” Gayer said. No one is free from health inefficacy, as it targets people of all income brackets and educational backgrounds.
“An engineer might be very smart, but he might know very little about healthcare and that could create complications in his future,” Gayer said. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that limited health literacy can affect one’s ability to fill out complex forms, locate providers and services, share personal information such as medical history and understand how to take periodic medicine. For a college senior, Gayer has achieved a great deal. A recipient of the prestigious Truman Scholarship — often referred to as the American version of the Rhodes — Gayer believes that his real-world experience set him apart in the scholarship competition. “The Truman Scholarship is for what you will do, for what you have already committed to doing and for what you have done,” Gayer said. Gayer realizes that starting a non-profit or any other large organization can be a daunting task. “But never be afraid to find a niche for your organization and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities at SMU,” Gayer said.
From allowing users to post photos, share links, browse interests and, more recently, track news, Facebook pretty much has it all when it comes to being the tiptop contender for social media. However, how would you like to preserve your life … on Facebook? A new Facebook application called “If I Die” allows you to continue your presence on the social media site even after you die. The app, developed in Israel, requires you to choose three “friends” to confirm your death, and from there, you can continue to preserve your life
on Facebook. According to the technology website Mashable.com, cofounder of the application Eran Alfonta said, “We all have things to say and don’t necessarily have the audience with the patience to hear us. Actually we all want to leave something behind, we all want to leave a stamp behind us.” “If I Die” allows users to do just that. Users are able to create any number of Facebook posts and messages and can even poke their friends on a schedule that will be published posthumously. After a person’s three “friends” confirm that he or she has died, the app begins to disperse the actions specified by the
initial user. This guarantees that loved ones receive the messages left behind by the deceased. “I think it’s a great way to say goodbye to people, especially since life can be so unexpected. This is a sure way to know that you can tell certain people the things you maybe never get the chance to say before you die,” junior Ally Saltz said. Alfonta anticipates that the application will have over 100,000 users within the next couple of months. Even he has started to create a timeline to send messages to his loved ones after he passes. Perhaps it will become the new way many record their farewells before they pass.
FEATURE
Trigg performs in Vegas CASSANDRA ROBINSON A&E Editor cassandrar@smu.edu Trigg Watson Burrage has more on his resume than just incredible balance. The SMU senior and legendary unicyclist, performed in his first professional magic gig on Thursday, Jan. 12. Known by his stage name, Trigg Watson, he performed four times over the past weekend in a city famous for the magic business, Las Vegas. “I’ve been to Vegas about seven or eight times, but I was excited to come here for my first show that I was professionally booked on,” Watson said. Watson performed for Vegas Magic Theatre at Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. The show featured one main magician, Ben Stone, and four supporting magicians, which
See TRIGG page 3
Photo Courtesy of Trigg Watson Burrage
Trigg Watson Burrage recently traveled to Nevada to perform his magic gig.
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HEALTH
The Daily Campus
WEDNESDAY n JANUARY 18, 2012
Health Tips
Get fit, feel good in the new year
ANNE MCCASLIN PARKER Health &Fitness Editor annep@smu.edu
While it may be a little cliché to do yet another article on how to start 2012 on a healthy foot, it is time to jump on the bandwagon For some, this January is more than just sticking to your New Years resolution — it is the first stepping stone to beginning a life-long healthy lifestyle. However, if you are like most people, by the end of this month you will be back to your old junk food eating habits and will quit hitting the gym. What many people fail to understand is that being healthy does not mean that you can never eat a piece of cake or go a day without exercising. While the cabbage soup diet may work and produce short-term results, who honestly wants to eat cabbage for the rest of their life? Fad diets like this do not work. It is all about balance and figuring out what works for you. Instead of focusing so much on diet food and working out for your physical appearance, focus on your actual health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 5 few tips for a “healthy you” in 2012
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SPENCER J EGGERS/The Daily Campus
Exercising is one of the simplest ways to improve your health, and SMU’s pristine campus is a perfect setting to burn calories. Coupled with eating well and getting proper rest, you can get fit and stay fit in 2012.
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Eat clean, eat clean, eat clean. This does not mean to only eat celery and carrots. It is trying your best to eat natural foods. People tend to make the
mistake of focusing solely on counting calories. However, a piece of grilled chicken or a few whole wheat crackers with hummus is going to be more filling than a 100
Campus Events THURSDAY
SMU Buildings: A discussion about university building names in Fondren Library at 9 a.m.
January 20 SMU’s Women Center presents “Standing on my Sister’s Shoulders” in Hughes-Trigg Forum at 7:30 p.m. Charles Dickens: The First Two Hundred Years, An Exhibition from the collection of Stephen Weeks in DeGolyer Library at 6 p.m.
calorie pack that contains added ingredients. Do not starve yourself. Hungry people are not fun to be around. Hunger is your body telling you it
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meal or dessert is not going to make you gain five pounds. Strive to eat clean 80 percent of the time and enjoy yourself the other 20 percent. Chances are, you will begin to crave your new healthy food because you will realize how much better you feel. If you are craving a greasy cheeseburger or ice cream, eat it, enjoy it, savor every last bite and then get right back on track with your next meal. Sleep. As college students, it is hard to find time to sleep but it is vital to get at least six hours each night. Our bodies crave sleep in order to be able to function throughout the day. The more you sleep, the better you feel mentally and physically. Remember, health is more than just your physical appearance. It is about taking care of yourself so that you are able to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. If you have to skip a workout to comfort a friend, skip it. If your family is going out for pizza, don’t skip out for fear of eating a couple of slices. Get fit while feeling good this year.
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Police Reports FRIDAY
January 19
Wilson Lecture: Dr. Dan Hodge presents on hip hop and theology in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center at 10 a.m.
needs fuel. Eat when you are hungry to keep your metabolism on track and avoid binge eating later. Try to eat until you are satisfied, not until you feel like an overstuffed sausage. A lot of people’s bodies get used to not being fed and extra fat is stored. If your body does not know when you will eat again, it will hang onto every last piece of food. It is essential to eat in order to lose or maintain your weight. Find time to exercise. This does not mean you have to work out 24/7, just try to do something active everyday. If you run 10 miles, good for you. But, going on a 45 minute walk with a friend or a relaxing bike ride is just as good. If you only have 20 minutes a day to do some type of exercise, that is better than nothing at. Try out different types of exercise and find out what you like. If you hate to run but love yoga, take a yoga class or pop in a yoga DVD. If you are enjoying yourself, chances are you will stick to it. Treat yourself. Have a cheat day. One cheat
Health Screenings: Awareness and disease prevention clinic in the HughesTriggs Student Center at 7 a.m.
JANUARY 15 12:12 a.m. Off campus/3421 Normandy Street: University Park Police issued a student a citation for violation of City Ordinance and was referred to the Student Conduct Office. Closed.
JANUARY 16 5:46 p.m. 3128 Dyer Street: A student was referred to the Student Conduct Office for possessing fake IDs. Closed.
JANUARY 17 2:43 a.m. Boaz Hall/3200 Binkley Avenue: A student was referred to the Student Conduct Officer for underage drinking. Closed.
9:27 p.m. Off Campus/3800 University Blvd: Police arrested a student for a simple assault. Closed.
Need Funds for the Summer? Passionate About Public Service? $2,000 for Undergrads or $2,400 for Grad Students! Application Deadline Friday, January 27, 2012 Apply at www.smu.edu/ethicscenter (214)768-4255
The Daily Campus
WEDNESDAY n JANUARY 18, 2012 Performance
TRIGG: Student magician travels to Vegas Continued from page 1
Watson had a 10-minute act that included illusion tricks with some comedy, as well. Watson is a Presidential Scholar at SMU, providing him a full scholarship for his four undergraduate years. Majoring in the Cox School of Business and theatre in the Meadows School of the Arts, Watson has found a way to incorporate his two passions, business and performing, into his life. Watson has accepted a consulting job at Deloitte Consulting in Dallas starting in the fall of 2012. However, Watson doesn’t plan on retiring his magic career anytime soon. “I always want to perform in some capacity. Thankfully, a job in consulting requires me to travel quite a bit, so I hope to coordinate the two,” Watson said. Watson’s balancing gift isn’t only applicable to his unicycle. He balances a consistent magic job and private bookings, even with his strenuous academic schedule. He performs close-up magic at the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dallas every Saturday night from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. As the restaurant’s resident magician, he travels from table to table, performing tricks.
Watson has grown to love the intimacy of his acts there. “Magic seems stronger right in my hands,” Watson said. Creating a name for himself in the magic community has led Watson to impressive performance opportunities such as the Gold Coast Casino, and his one-man show in Indianapolis, “Tricks of the Trade.” As a part of the Fringe Festival, Watson was invited back from his last year’s show, to perform “Tricks of the Trade” on Jan. 20. Watson has landed gigs nation wide because of his past awards and recognition. “I’ve had some amazing exposure and even had the chance to meet David Copperfield because of my competitions,” Watson said. Watson won second place in the National Champion World Magic Seminar in 2008, and was awarded first place in the Texas Magicians Stage Contest in 2009. However, Watson believes one of his biggest accomplishments has been on SMU grounds. Watson is president of T.R.E.A.T or Talent Recruitment Entertainment Agency Team. The organization explores talent acts ranging from magic to comedy, and holds open mic nights with SMU Program Council in the M Lounge located within SMU’s Hughes-Trigg
Photo courtesy of Trigg Burrage
Senior Trigg Watson performs a juggling routine during a performance.
Student Center. “I’ve really enjoyed an opportunity to help foster new student talents,” Watson said. Originally from Townsville, Australia, Watson moved to Louisiana at the age of 11 with a burning desire for magic.
“Growing up infatuated with the circus and entertaining, my passion has always been to be on stage,” Watson said. With perseverance, magic has given Watson fulfillment that couldn’t be replaced.
FILM
‘Pariah’ tells powerful story CHASE WADE Managing Editor cdwade@smu.edu Director of ‘Pariah’ Dee Rees didn’t take the typical route that most in her field followed. The suburban Tennessee native went to college to study business and had a steady job working for Procter and Gamble. However, Rees took a gamble and went back to school, this time to study film at New York University. At NYU, Rees wrote the short film “Pariah,” a coming of age story about a lesbian teen growing up in Brooklyn. The short received a lot of attention and eventually was expanded into a feature length film. After five years in the making Ree’s “Pariah” has finally made it ways to the big screen. “Pariah” revolves around Alike, a Brooklyn native struggling with her sexuality. By day, Alike is a textbook tomboy clad in baggy jeans, fitted caps and oversized shirts. By night, Alike tones down her wardrobe and transforms into the feminine daughter her rigged conservative mother expects. Playing Alike is this year’s biggest breakout star, Adepero Oduye. Oduye was on her way to Cornell’s pre-med program before being cast in the movie shines in her first film role. Alike’s mother is played Kim Wayans. Wayans, a mainstay in the comic genre breaks away from her comedic roots as the actress takes a refreshing turn for the dramatic. Together, Oduye and Wayans are a heavy hitting acting duo. The bulk of “Pariah” takes the audience through Alike’s struggle to find who she really is. Gifted with the talent of writing, Alike expresses herself through her poetry (written beautifully by Rees herself). A surprisingly stellar performance is delivered by Pernell Walker, who plays Laura, Alike’s more masculine friend. In a way, Laura is Alike’s teacher, guiding her friend through the ups and downs of being a gay teen. Not many films today feel nearly as human as “Pariah.” Rees crafts a masterful
story that is as honest as it is heartwarming. Perhaps the story feels so genuine because it is loosely based on the struggle Rees went through when she came out to her parents.
Not only is “Pariah” easy to watch, but thanks to cinematographer Bradford Young, it’s beautiful to look at as well. Young uses the motifs of lights and shadows to paint a world beyond the film itself.
Considering the pressing subject of “Pariah,” Dee Ree’s passion project is one of the year’s best films. With phenomenal acting, good camera work and a compelling story line, “Pariah” should not be missed.
Stressing out over your classes is great for your grades, but not your skin.
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All SMU students presenting their student ID will receive a 20% discount off all services and products. Call for details. Make your appointment today and have one less thing to stress over this semester. Same day appointments available!
D r. John L. Proffitt
BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST & AGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
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ARTS
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OPINION
The Daily Campus
WEDNESDAY n JANUARY 18, 2012
Instead of hating religion, try to fix it MICHAEL GRAVES
Editorial Staff
mwgraves@smu.edu
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A video went viral on Facebook last week posted by a man who explained why he loves Jesus but hates religion. I’m sure most of you know exactly what video I’m talking about, and if you do not it should not be hard to find. The video brings up some valid points about the flaws with organized religion in the world. However, the poster’s main message seems to revolve around the notion that Jesus came into the world to abolish religion. Of course, I think it is great that this man wants to express his concern with the practices of many people in organized religion. It’s bold. People reposted. His message spread. But I do not think people thought much before they reposted the video. I think there are great things that come from religion.
Column
Tennessee Bill says bullying is A-OK Spencer J Eggers seggers@smu.edu
In the wake of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the ongoing celebrations at SMU this week, many of us are taking the time to reflect on how the American Civil Rights Movement and the continuing struggle for racial equality in the United States closely mirror the ever-present fight for acceptance and full legal equality that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are still battling in America’s court houses, its homes, and its schools. The civil rights movement is far from over. For many, it has just begun. While the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community has made great strides in the fight for marriage equality in certain states, others have opted to turn the clock back to the dark ages, erasing years of advancements in human rights. Tennessee bill HB 1153, introduced last year, is an example of such efforts and would effectively enable bullies to harass other students based on their perceived sexual orientation. Similar to another bill proposed in Michigan, the fact that such legislation exists without being immediately struck down is a complete embarrassment. What is more disturbing is the fact that this bill is promoted by the Family Action Council (FAC) of Tennessee, a conservative Christian organization formed in an effort to preserve the old-fashioned protestant morals that they’d like to think put this country on the map. What Jesus would say about all of this, I haven’t the faintest, although even the shallowest reading of the Bible might indicate his utter disapproval. Originally designed to protect LGBT students, FAC president David Fowler has stated that the “license to bully” bill was created with the purpose of stopping bullying. In order to do so, Fowler proposes that laws protecting LGBT students actually raise them up above their hetero-normative peers, making them seem more important. The Tennessee bill would reverse this trend, instead protecting the Christian students who would otherwise be legally forced to hide their religious beliefs. But if your religious beliefs lead you to make fun of another child to the point that that student decides to put a gun to their head and end it all, perhaps your religious beliefs are not deserving of legal protection. And in the end, this is exactly what HB 1153 will serve to protect. Bullies will be able to humiliate their peers (be they gay or not) with verbal assaults and then hide behind their religious beliefs as if they somehow entitled them to go out of their way to tease, ridicule, and harass. Today, we would never allow a child to mock another student because his skin was black, especially under the pretext that their religious beliefs obligated them to do so. We look at the civil rights movement and we think, “how could people tolerate such open acts of aggression, hatred, and discrimination?” Yet this is the dilemma we face today. Instead of creating separate but equal bathrooms, we create separate but equal marriage. Instead of quoting scripture to defend Jim Crow, we quote it to defend anti-gay hate speech. Rather than saying, “you’re black, you can’t go to this school,” we say, “you’re gay, you can’t adopt this child.” At some point, we decided that conservative Christian morals were not an excuse to discriminate based on race. How long will it take before we realize the same is true of discrimination based on sexual orientation?
these people may want to work together to influence the world in positive ways. The man who posted the video does not think that religious institutions are influencing the world in positive ways. Sure, this gives reason to “hate” religion, or in his case mainstream Christianity I assume. However, I do not think this gives grounds to want to abolish religion as a whole. Religious institutions provide aid after natural disasters, provide places for group therapy sessions like Alcoholics Anonymous, and give individuals a place to make friends and discuss their faith in a safe environment (well, most of the time). I also think that the video’s creator fails to realize that if everyone professed to his beliefs and began to “follow Christ,” then we would see a “new” religion form, at least in the eyes of anthropologists. Of course, I
don’t know what these new Christ followers would call themselves, seeing as the Christians have already monopolized that niche for almost 2000 years now. Maybe a better way to approach the situation would be to post a video about how Jesus may not approve of the way the Christian church is being used today to promote hatred and inequality. Maybe he should remind us Christians that we should be feeding the poor, providing shelter, healing the spiritually broken. Maybe we should be using our skills and resources in a different way. But abolishing religion? I think Martin Luther had the same ideas before he began the Protestant Reformation, and look where we are now. Michael is a sophomore majoring in communications studies and religious studies.
Awareness and action: don’t mix them up BRANDON BUB
dc@smu.edu • http://www.smudailycampus.com SMU Box 456, Dallas, TX 75275 214-768-4555 • Fax: 214-768-8787
Let’s look at a few critiques and then see how religion can do good, and then look at possible ways to reform. First, the man seems to limit his definition of religion to be Christianity, and I support my friends who claim other faiths. I guess this video wasn’t for them. No matter, I will continue. Even without quoting biblical passages, one can see that Jesus formed a small church that followed him around everywhere. I am sure that almost everyone has heard about the disciples. They formed a community of people who shared similar (however, not identical) beliefs about a higher being. To me, this seems like the formation of a religion. Many people believe that religion is a socially constructed institution, formed by people with similar beliefs, who want to establish a community together. With an ideal mindset,
Opinion Editor bbub@smu.edu
Procrastinators beware: you might find your school assignments particularly difficult to complete today. That’s because Wikipedia has gone dark Wednesday in protest of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) currently being considered in Congress. And, the popular encyclopedia website is not alone. News and aggregator sites like Reddit and Boing Boing are joining in on the protest, shutting off access to their websites for the better part of the day. Last semester I wrote about my own thoughts on SOPA and PIPA, expressing my concerns about the sweeping power that the proposed legislation would give to the government to enforce and take down questionable content on the internet. A multitude of internet giants have also expressed their
discontent, like Tumblr, Facebook, Verizon and Twitter. Google is also adding a message on its home page that says this: “Like many businesses, entrepreneurs and web users, we oppose these bills because there are smart, targeted ways to shut down foreign rogue websites without asking American companies to censor the internet.” Recently, these websites have been doing a laudable job of informing the public about the ramifications of Congress passing either of these acts. However, a full website blackout is certainly unprecedented. Millions of people use sites like Wikipedia and Reddit each day, so if the goal is to get people to notice their message, then these websites are certainly doing something right. However, it’s also important to remember that awareness campaigns like this are not the same thing as activism. There’s a distinct difference between information and action. Informing the public about the
dangers of SOPA and PIPA is only the first step. Ultimately the people who use these websites are not the ones who determine whether or not these laws actually get passed. It’s our elected representatives who will finally decide whether or not SOPA or PIPA will become law. That’s not to say that ordinary citizens are powerless. Yes, Congress has an 11 percent approval rating right now (the lowest it’s ever been on record, mind you) and yes, our elected officials have a habit of passing misguided (and arguably boneheaded) laws that don’t adequately address the issue they were originally targeting. Most of us are not lawmakers, for better or worse. However, as voters we do and should significantly influence our representatives. Every elected member of our government, both nationally and locally, can be contacted easily. By simply visiting www.usa. gov/Contact/Elected.shtml, you can find a way to call or write a letter to your representative.
They even have an option to let you tweet them now (I’m not sure whether I consider that progress or a symptom of the decay of our society, but I’ll try to be optimistic in this context). If we don’t contact the members of the government and let them know exactly why a piece of legislation they’re considering upsets us, they won’t have any reason to vote against the passage of such a bill. If you are truly passionate about the fate of a proposed piece of legislation, let your senator or congressman know how upset you as a voter will be if they don’t consider your perspective. We as voters are supposed to be the ones to whom our representatives are accountable. Though we might not have the most direct influence when it comes to legislative matters, we do have the ability to exercise an important democratic power that we ought to embrace if we truly want to see change take place. Brandon is a sophomore majoring in English.
A Mustang legacy: like father, like son
Spencer is a senior majoring in accounting and Spanish.
STEWART HENDREX Opinions expressed in each unsigned editorial represent a consensus decision of the editorial board.All other columns on this page reflect the views of individual authors and not necessarily those of the editorial staff.
EDITORIAL BOARD Sarah Kramer Brandon Bub
Chase Wade Rahfin Faruk Meredith Carlton
Tashika Varma Spencer Eggers
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As an SMU alumnus, I have always hoped that one of my children would one day attend SMU. About a month ago, good news came in the mail. In a big, red envelope, my oldest son received the information that he will be SMU bound this fall. I began to shed tears of joy at the news. I would like to share the story of my son’s journey to SMU. When my son, Gerry, was born in 1993, I began my master propaganda plan immediately. That fall my wife and I took Gerry to SMU football games in a snuglie. Gerry began coming that
winter with us to SMU basketball games. I had begun my campaign to win my son’s heart for SMU as early as I could. Through the years, I have told stories of my days on the Hilltop in the early 1970s to my son. I have recounted classes with my favorite professors. I have told him about the great music that the Mustang Band has always played. I have told him about the Pigskin Revue in my senior year when Mr. Bob Hope came to Moody Coliseum to perform at that wonderful homecoming show. I was trying to show him how great the college experience would be for him if he attended SMU someday. My son was gifted with a
good mind and an excellent work ethic. He has made A’s almost all through his school years. He has worked very hard to do his best in his 13 years of school thus far. He has excelled on AP courses and on College Board exams. He initially was going to apply to several schools just to give him options for his college future. However, when it came to actually apply, he applied only to SMU and to Clemson University (his mother’s alma mater). As it turns out, both schools have accepted him and offered him equal amounts of scholarships. He knew that I would support him no matter where he decided to go. But to my joy, he told me that he was sold on SMU,
while appreciating the offer from Clemson. So my work was done. My first born will be attending SMU this coming fall. He hopes to study on a pre-med track and possibly head to medical school after SMU. He hopes to continue also to study music and to play his beloved tuba. He has told me that he is going to audition for my beloved Mustang Band. Everything that I had hoped for him is coming to fruition after all. My oldest son is going to be an SMU Mustang just like his dad. Stewart is a 1975 graduate of SMU.
The Daily Campus
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY n JANUARY 18, 2012
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PROFILE
Basketball
Jason Phillips joins SMU football BROOKE WILLIAMSON Sports Editor Kbwilliamson@smu.edu Former University of Houston offensive coordinator Jason Phillips will join the SMU staff replacing Adrian Klemm as an assistant coach. Phillips served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach during Houston’s 13-1 season in 2011 ending with a win over Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl. “His receivers and the offenses that he has been a part of his coaching career have been some of the best in the country and I’m excited to have him join our staff,” said Head Coach June Jones in a press release.
This will not be the first time Phillips and Jones have worked together on the football field. In 1989 the Detroit Lions drafted Phillips when Jones was serving as an assistant coach. His tenure in the NFL lasted six seasons, including time with Jones and the Atlanta Falcons. “He knows our offense from having played in it and I look forward to his input into what we do, along with what he brings to us from the offenses that has been associated with in his coaching career,” Jones said. Last year Houston led the nation averaging 599 yards per game, the second highest in Division I football history, with Phillips as the offensive coordinator. Along with the Cougar
coaching staff, Phillips also helped former quarterback Case Keenum to become the NCAA career leader in passing yards, completions and touchdowns. In addition to guiding a powerful offense at Houston during the 2011 season as well as being familiar with Jones’ run and shoot offense, Phillips has experience recruiting in Texas. He served as recruiting coordinator at Houston and Baylor in 2007. “He has recruited Texas for close to 10 years, so he will have an impact there as well,” Jones added in the statement. The hire coincides with SMU athletics entering a new chapter as they join the Big East Conference in all sports.
opinion
Baseball, the missing sport RAHFIN FARUK News Editor Rfaruk@smu.edu Associated Prress
SMU’s Jeremiah Samarrippas (12) keeps control of the ball as Mississippi’s Jarvis Summers defends during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 3 in Oxford, Miss. The University of Mississippi won 50-48.
Mustangs host Houston for home game Wednesday KATY RODEN Associate Sports Editor Kroden@smu.edu SMU hosts Conference USA rival Houston Wednesday in Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs, 1-2 in conference play, have won two of the last three games against the Cougars. Both teams enter the game after losses last week. The Mustangs fell to the UTEP Miners in an overtime battle in El Paso Saturday. Despite senior forward Robert Nyakundi’s best effort to win the game in regulation play, officials ruled out his near buzzer-beating shot from 3-point range. UTEP ran away with the win, 70-64. Freshman Jalen Jones led the Mustangs with 12 points. UH lost to conference leader Memphis Saturday, 89-55. The loss established Houston’s
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EMPLOYMENT
1-3 conference record. The Mustangs and Cougars also both hold 9-8 overall records. SMU offense leads C-USA in 3-pointers made per game (7.9). The scoring defense, which has held 15 of 17 opponents to 65 points or less, is ranked second in the conference. Nyakundi tops C-USA’s 3-point percentage at 44.4 percent. London Giles averages 11.1 points and is ranked sixth in 3-point shooting (38.7 percent). Sophomore guard Jeremiah Samarrippas has 38 assists against 11 turnovers in the last eight games, averaging four assists per game. Houston’s junior guard Jonathon Simmons will compete with Samarrippas. Simmons leads the Cougars and ranks among the C-USA individual leaders in scoring and field goal percentage.
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In last year’s game the Mustangs beat the Cougars for the first time in over a decade. SMU never trailed in the game with Papa Dia scoring 27 points and Nyakundi adding 16. The final score was 65-51, splitting last season’s series with each team winning at the other’s home. Wednesday’s match-up is the 68th time SMU and Houston are meeting, with the Cougars holding a 43-24 lead in the series. SMU stands right in front of Houston at eighth place in league standings. After facing Houston in Wednesday night’s game, the Mustangs will hit the road for two games. The first opponent will be the C-USA top-ranked Memphis Tigers on Saturday followed by Tulane on Jan. 25 The Mustangs will return home to face Tulsa on Jan. 28.
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There is nothing more American than spring baseball — dollar hot dogs, homeruns and bleacher seats. Baseball fans are willing to keep up with 162 games a season and purchase pricey tickets. Baseball has a wide appeal. It is the only sport in the United States that can make grown men tune into the Little League World Series, a sporting event for early teenagers. As SMU moves to the Big East, it is time to start our baseball program back up. Title IX programs and resulting budget shortfalls caused the team to become defunct in 1980 and with it, the history of a storied program has been lost to most SMU students. SMU shared the Southwest Conference championship with the Texas Longhorns in 1953. The team won 25 games in 1978. Jerry Kovar, Fla Strawn and members of the Pony Express including Craig James played baseball. Even in its prime, the team was under funded. The team’s last coach, Steve
By Michael Mepham
01/18/12
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This is a chance for SMU to expand athletic recruitment and increase enrollment competition. Butler University, after its miraculous March Madness run, saw a rise in applications. But, even more importantly, it saw increased national visibility — something necessary for a university wanted to expand its brand into the domestic and foreign arena. It will not be easy to start a team back up. Financial costs and athletic bureaucracy will be tough to overcome. But, if SMU athletics in recent years provide any indication on how the baseball team will do in the next decade, the Mustangs will be just fine.
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Sudoku
Adair, only made $15,000. The university only gave him money for six scholarships a year. During the same time period, schools like the University of Texas for giving out as many as thirteen scholarships a year. And yet, the team stayed competitive. SMU still has a successful club team and for years, boosters and alumni alike have wanted the return of a Division I program. No offense to spring sports like track and field but baseball sells tickets and brings students to the stands. The Big East is set to expand in the next few years with big additions to the conference.
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For solutions to our Sodoku puzzles, checkout our website at www.smudailycampus.com/puzzles. © 2012 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
ACROSS 1 Summoned, with “for” 5 Skedaddle 9 Travolta facial feature 14 Symphony member 15 Okla., from 1890 to 1907 16 Pick up 17 Carnival sight 18 Slight advantage 19 Plus 20 Redundant position? 23 “The Time Machine” people 24 Low in a lea 25 Redundant alert? 32 Traffic stopper 33 Beauties 34 South American vacation spot 35 IRS employee 36 Pay 38 Pizzeria fixture 39 Poetic time of day 40 View from Toledo 41 Sitcom set at Mel’s Diner 42 Redundant habit? 46 Nothing but __: perfect hoops shot 47 Kiss and cuddle, British-style 48 Redundant guesses? 55 Trunks 56 Prefix with stat 57 All-night party 58 Oscar night VIP 59 Detective Peter of old TV 60 Canadian tribe 61 Hamlet in “Hamlet” and others 62 Auto pioneer 63 Driven drove DOWN 1 VMI program 2 Victim in Genesis
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3 Taboo 4 Settles a score 5 Apply, as a brake 6 Comedian __ the Entertainer 7 Golden Fleece vessel 8 “Jurassic Park” menace, briefly 9 Dins 10 Tissue abnormality 11 Houston-toTampa direction 12 Glenn of The Eagles 13 Explosive letters 21 Stylish vigor 22 Mosque officials 25 Anouk of “La Dolce Vita” 26 Sturm und __ 27 Halloween vandal, perhaps 28 Teeny 29 “The Empire Strikes Back” director Kershner 30 Reunion attendee 31 Departed
1/18/12
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32 Silver fineness meas. 36 Ire 37 __ Jordan: Nike brand 38 Member of a small ruling class 40 Poetic laments 41 Speck 43 New 44 Belgian seaport 45 Marriages
48 1960 Olympics city 49 Sea predator 50 Consequently 51 Rabbi’s house of worship 52 Container weight 53 Penultimate fairy tale word 54 Future flower 55 Address bk. entry
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