DC082412 by The DC

INSIDE

New restaurant makes waves

PAGE 2

Rangers in the heat of battle

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Think again on pricey clothing

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Don’t brake for Premium Rush PAGE 4

FRIDAY

AUGUST 24, 2012 FRIDAY High 91, Low 72 SATURDAY High 95, Low 70

VOLUME 98 ISSUE 6 FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES 50 CENTS

TE X TBOOKS

Website undercuts bookstore JULIE FANCHER Contributing Writer jfancher@smu.edu

SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH / The Daily Campus

Third generation athletic director Rick Hart will help lead the SMU’s athletic program in its move to the Big East.

Hart dreams big for SMU

KATY RODEN Sports Editor kroden@smu.edu In mid-July, SMU announced that it had hired new athletic director Rick Hart to lead SMU’s athletic programs. With a move to the Big East ahead, Hart’s decision will have long term impacts on SMU’s Second Century Campaign goals to be a perennial powerhouse. This announcement was only one of many recent changes occurring in the athletic department. Following the hire of legendary basketball coach Larry Brown, new women’s soccer coach Chris Petrucelli, the coming move to the Big East conference, the renovation of Moody Coliseum and the construction of a new tennis complex, Hart is welcomed to the Hilltop at a time of, in his own words, “palatable excitement.” Despite all the anticipation, Hart did not come to campus with complete confidence. “When you start there’s all that excitement, and obviously

you do your best to confirm that it’s a place where my family can be happy, where I can grow personally and professionally and help advance our department,” Hart said. “You confirm those things but you still don’t know beyond that if it’s going to meet your expectations. And so now that I’ve been here a week, I’ve found that it does. It meets and/or exceeds my expectations as it relates to getting exposed to more people, to the area, to the institution. It has confirmed and supported what I hoped it would be like.” The search process, which began after the firing of former AD Steve Orsini in May, was only a few weeks for Hart, during which time he was the AD at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Hart worked in Chattanooga administration since 2006 and was at Oklahoma for the seven years before. “We [Hart’s family] felt very fortunate that we really loved Chattanooga so there was no part of us that felt like we had to leave,” Hart said. “What really drove [the

move] was the unique opportunity to come to a campus that is going through some transformative change, that’s had some success and has some momentum and strong, respected leadership. It just seemed like the right time and the right opportunity.” With all the change occurring on campus, Hart is not yet sure what his contribution is going to be and says he doesn’t “pursue change for the sake of change.” “SMU athletics is a program that has a lot of great things already happening for it,” he said. “There’s a lot of momentum, good people and success. It’s not as though I’m coming into a situation where there’s a multitude of challenges. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.” One issue that Hart is inclined to address is student attendance to athletic events. “I think that [student attendance] is always a challenge today because of the demands on students’ time. What’s unique about SMU is I think our studentathlete population is about 7

STUDY ABROAD

percent, so it really is a pretty significant peer group. So at some point I think it has to be an effort by the student-athletes.” However, Hart believes all the changes in athletics will be the beginning of the solution to the problem. “Look at our home football schedule this year,” Hart said. “The quality of the opponents, the quality of the team, the product – as that improves I think more and more people will want to participate. All of the sudden being in the stands watching the game will become more important.” Hart’s move to SMU also made him the boss of big names Brown and June Jones. “Whether it’s a coach, staffperson or a student, it’s great to work with anyone who is accomplished, respected and has achieved success at the levels that those two individuals [Brown and Jones] have,” Hart said. “I look to learn from them, be around them and figure out how they became successful. And while they’re known for championships

that they’ve won and some of the athletic accolades, they’re just good people.” Hart is a third-generation sports administrator and was brought up around education and athletics – two things that collide in collegiate athletics. “I’m not really passionate about professional sports, I’m passionate about the amateurism,” Hart said. “I’m always in awe of our student-athletes. They inspire me with the way they balance their academic, athletic and social obligations at such a young age.” The SMU athletic department is welcoming one more exciting change as Hart becomes accustomed to campus, and, he says, lost in the construction. “You can sense that there’s a real eagerness about where we’re headed. To be able to be a part of that is certainly something that attracted me to the position and I look forward to helping it foster – keep doing the things that we’re doing well and find a way to do the other things better.”

TR ADITION

Adventure blogs connect continents ASHLEY STAINTON Assignments Desk Editor astainton@smu.edu Many students started off the new school year by paying a friendly visit to the SMU bookstore, visiting some of the local restaurants they’ve been missing all summer or possibly reestablishing their morning workout at Dedman Life Center. Others, however, spent their time prepping for school by ordering their passport, packing their bags and jetting across the globe. Those who choose to travel abroad this semester will leave the comfort of SMU and Dallas behind, in search of new and exciting places. This summer, students went

to locations ranging from the tea gardens of Bangladesh to the overcrowded hospitals of Vietnam to the slums of India. One outlet that is helping to keep track of their adventures is the SMU Adventures Blog. The SMU Adventure Blog features everything from a photo of the week sent in by traveling students, to personal blogs from students. “My experience on Semester at Sea was completely different than being here at SMU,” said Senior Sarah McCurdy who studied abroad in Fall 2011. “It is difficult to explain what your life is like there unless you keep track of it with pictures and

SeeTRAVEL page 6

Tired of paying bookstore prices for your textbooks every semester? Enter Books at SMU — a website that compares the SMU Barnes and Noble bookstore prices with the cheapest new and used book prices online. The idea for Books at SMU came from SMU junior Avery Stefan’s hometown friend Sean Haufler, who started the first textbook price comparison website at Yale. “Sean came up with the idea for a website where you could input your classes and the website would generate a book list for each class with the cheapest prices for those books available online,” Stefan said. After syncing up textbook and class information from Access, the Books at SMU site went live in December 2011. “We recently updated the site to make it easier to navigate. All you have to do is input your classes,” Stefan said. “The site updates along with Access to ensure that you have the most current textbook list.” While some students might hesitate to buy books from somewhere other than Barnes and Noble, Books at SMU is legitimate source. A bill passed by Congress in 2010 enables the site to legally compete directly with the campus bookstore. “Bookstores were getting upset about the websites, but they couldn’t do anything about it because of the Open Textbook Act. What we are doing is completely legal,” Stefan said. As the marketer and promoter of Books at SMU, Stefan wants to spread the word that there is a cheaper way to buy textbooks. “The site was made for students by students. It makes your life easier,” Stefan said. With the start of the fall semester, Books at SMU sales have significantly increased the past couple of weeks. Stefan expects even bigger sales in the future. “We are anticipating a big spring as more and more people learn about the site,” Stefan said.

SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH / The Daily Campus

Then Chi-O juniors Veronica Phillips (left) and Kelsey Knobloch (right) ‘boulevard’ in the fall of 2012.

‘Boulevarding’ up for tailgating award RACHEL SMITH Contributing Writer rsmith@smu.edu Tailgating is more than just a fun activity before

football games. It is a beloved pastime that students and alumni cherish. It is such a favorite tradition that past students have given it a special name — Boulevarding.

As colorful tents align the green median of Bishop Boulevard, smiling undergraduates and graduates alike prepare to cheer on their Mustangs in the football

game ahead. This tradition began in 2000 when Gerald J. Ford stadium opened for its first football season. President Turner, who worked as the chancellor at Ole Miss before moving to SMU in 1995, modeled the practice after the University of Mississippi’s famous tailgating at The Grove. “SMU’s version of tailgating is a time for all SMU students and faculty to come together and celebrate the university and have fun,” SMU sophomore Taylor Goerke said. The SMU Athletic Department begins making arrangements for the festivities on Thursday. These accommodations can include coordinating tent and parking spots for Mustang fans and even setting up for

See PRIZE page 6

FOOD

Restaurant

Recipe

SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH/The Daily

SMU students and surrounding Dallas community attended Torchy’s Tacos grand opening on Aug. 15.

Torchy’s Tacos heats up on SMU Boulevard ALEXANDRA SPITZER Food Editor aspitzer@smu.edu Torchy’s Tacos kicked off the school year with an exciting new addition: the grand opening of their new SMU location and the 12th Torchy’s in Texas. The original Torchy’s started in a mobile trailer in 2006 by Mike Rypka. Although it was a small start, Rypka’s flavorful ingredients and hopeful attitude managed to turn

the local eatery into an empire. And now SMU students and Dallas residents alike will be able to enjoy the popular hot spot. Torchy’s celebrated at the opening party last week by promising some “damn good tacos,” and delicious they are. The creative menu — which accommodates breakfast, lunch and dinner — includes a fried avocado taco, consisting of handbattered fresh avocados served with vegetarian refried beans and topped with pico, lettuce

and cheese. But if you’re looking to get a little more “trashy” with your choice, the “Trailer Park” is a must. The fried chicken, green chilies, pico de gallo, cheese and queso galore is a mouthwatering treat. The excitement didn’t stop short at the tacos. The tempting dessert list is a fantasy in itself, particularly the deep-fried bundle of chocolate chip cookie dough bliss — “Lil’ Nookies.”

Campus Events

To accompany the tasty grub, this location is the first Torchy’s to serve liquor, including specialty cocktails with infused tequilas as well as a selection of beers. “We’re excited to have our new location on SMU Boulevard up and running — especially with classes starting,” Mike Rypka, Chef and Owner of Torchy’s Tacos, said. “This is our first store to have a bar, which we think is a great addition for all the Mustangs. After all, nothing’s better than queso, tacos and margaritas after a long day of studying.” However, the festivities didn’t just end at the launch party. The following morning, Torchy’s showed their gratitude by offering complimentary breakfast tacos to the first 100 people to line up before the 7 a.m. opening. In addition, each customer was entered into a raffle to receive free Torchy’s Tacos for one year. The lucky winner? SMU’s own Matt Robinson, the Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services. With an award-winning menu, eager customers, and a whole lot of hot sauce, Torchy’s is adding spice to the SMU Boulevard. Get your after class Tex Mex fix and see what the commotion is all about.

August 24

Hot sauce proves to have health benefits ALEXANDRA SPITZER Food Editor aspitzer@smu.edu

Home-made hot sauce recipe Ingredients:

Did you know that not only does hot sauce taste good but it’s also good for you? Studies show that the condiment’s spicy components have valuable healthy benefits. Here are a few reasons for you to spice up your meals. Improves Digestion The spiciness in hot sauce stimulates blood flow to the stomach and increases mucous lining which can be helpful in healing ulcers. Battles Depression Eating hot foods releases endorphins, which relieve pain and promote a sense of well being and happy feelings. Cures Colds The hotness of the sauce helps to clear sinuses. Protection against Salmonella The main ingredients of hot sauce have proven to prevent bacteria growth. Weight Loss Hot sauce suppresses appetite and increases the number of calories your body burns. It also increases the metabolic rate and makes you feel more satisfied with less food.

4 cloves of minced garlic 1 cup of diced red onion 3 cups of diced tomatoes 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 2 medium chili peppers 4 habanero peppers, seeded 1 cup of distilled white vinegar 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons white sugar Directions: 1. Over medium heat in a large saucepan, heat oil and add the onion, chili peppers, habanero peppers and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onions begin to brown. Stir continuously. 2. Reduce heat. Add the vinegar, tomatoes, salt and sugar. Stir until the tomatoes break down. Roughly 6 minutes. 3. Place mixture in blender and blend until a puree is formed. 4. Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve. 5. Let mixture cool for an hour.

Police Reports August 19

FRIDAY

The Daily Campus

FRIDAY n AUGUST 24, 2012

SATURDAY August 25

Program Council presents Block Party at 9 p.m. by the flagpole.

IFC sponsored Rangers Game at 7 p.m.

Free Outdoor Screening of Star Wars Uncut at 8 p.m. in the Promenade by the east entrance of Fondren Library

Renaissance Technology in Print Exhibit all day in the Hawn Gallery of the Hamon Arts Library.

SUNDAY August 26

The “Imitation of Christ” Through Six Centuries all day in Bridwell Library.

8:30 a.m. Theft: Expressway Tower. A non-affiliated person reported the theft of their trailer and supplies from the parking lot of the Expressway Tower. Open. 9:55 p.m. Purchasing/Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor: Sigma Phi Epsilon. A student was referred to the Student Conduct Office for purchasing alcohol for a minor/furnishing alcohol to a minor. Closed.

11:19 p.m. Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor/Possession of Fictitious License or ID/Failure to Obey a University Police Officer: Off Campus. A student was referred tot the Student Conduct Office for failure to obey a university police officer, consumption of alcohol by a minor, and possession of fictitious license. Another student was referred for failure to obey a university police officer and consumption of alcohol by a minor. Another student was referred for consumption of alcohol by a minor. Three other students were also referred for failure to obey a university police officer. Closed.

August 20 3:22 a.m. Fire Alarm: Hamon Arts Library. Officers responded to a fire alarm, upon arrival the building was in full active alarm. The building was check and no sign of fire or smoke was found. University Park Fire Department responded and checked the building. The alarm was reset without any issues. Closed.

The Daily Campus

ARTS

FRIDAY n AUGUST 24, 2012 FILM

BRIEF

Courtesy of Mosark Productions

Henry Thomas as Hank Williams in ‘The Last Ride.’

Twang and talent combine for biopic, ‘The Last Ride’ CHASE WADE Arts & Entertainment Editor cdwade@smu.edu There’s always that one person who, when mentioning what music they like, says “anything but country.” Country music has a reputation for being simple, bland and for the masses. However, when it comes to films, country music makes the perfect story telling device, particularly in the case of The Last Ride.

Courtesy of Sony

Joseph Gordon-Levitt in “Premium Rush.” The film, released by Sony Pictures, follows a bike messenger through New York with a wanted package.

No rush necessary

Joseph Gordon Levitt’s “Premium Rush” falls flat CHASE WADE Arts & Entertainment Editor cdwade@smu.edu What happens when you combine one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars, a thin plot chock full of cliches and a sound editor who fell asleep on the ‘taxi horn’ button? Premium Rush, a fauxaction film so void of substance, you’ll be wanting one of the movie’s million taxi cabs to put you out of

your misery from minute one. The movie follows Wilee, a free spirit type who sticks it to the man by delivering packages on a bike with no brakes. He’s a walking, talking, constantly mugging metaphor. An annoying metaphor, at the most. Wilee finds himself in a bit of trouble after picking up a package that is being tracked by a crooked cop trying to mend a betting debt. From there, Premium Rush slips and slides between Manhattan’s five boroughs as Wilee avoids the crooked cop along with a host of other nuisances such as a overcompetitive package delivering foe and a pesky NYPD bike-bound officer.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has always been selective when picking his roles. He’s one of the few young stars that didn’t have to slog his way through slasher flicks to gain cinematic clout. Perhaps the script read better than Premium Rush’s final product, but in terms of Gordon-Levitt’s career, this is one role he’s probably going to regret. Joining Gordon-Levitt on screen is a plethora of no-namers that possess the same amount of acting chops as the cast of Jersey Shore. Seriously, no one can act in this movie. Taking home the gold for Premium Rush’s worst performance is Jamie

Chung. Chung plays Nima, a Chinese immigrant trying to get her family to America. Nima’s accent is so forced, a viewer of actual Chinese descent should be insulted. Premium Rush’s downfalls should not be placed on just the cast. The film’s editors, Jill Savitt and Dereck Ambrosi, must have watched too much television before editing Premium Rush, as much of the film resembled that of a cell phone commercial. With almost no redeemable features, Premium Rush is an action film in serious need of training wheels.

The Last Ride retells the final days of country music legend Hank Williams’ life as he ventures across the country to revamp his career at a pair of New Years shows. Henry Thomas delivers a career performance as Hank Williams. Thomas’ portrayal captures the vulnerability and star power that the country music legend possessed. As for the film’s score, plenty of the genre’s best tunes come to the screen. The Last Ride opens today at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas.

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OPINION

The Daily Campus

FRIDAY n AUGUST 24, 2012

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tashika Varma Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rahfin Faruk SMU-TV News Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kent Koons, Molly McKone Assignments Desk Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Stainton Online Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelby Foster Arts & Entertainment Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chase Wade Associate Arts & Entertainment Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parminder Deo Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katy Roden Associate Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelsey Charles Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sidney Hollingsworth Associate Photo Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathleen Strauss Style Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hillary Schmidt Health & Fitness Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne McCaslin Parker Food Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexandra Spitzer Opinion Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tucker Keene Chief Copy Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leila Mustafa Copy Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kian Hervey, Peggy Pruitt, Prithvi Rudrappa, Essete Workneh

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Column

SMU campus fashion worries new students Trevor Thrall contributor Okay SMU students, be honest. Is this campus fashion show a first week novelty that is understood to fizzle out early in the semester, or are the dress code standards always this high? Is there at least a sweat pants pass during finals week? Due to my anxiety about leaving home for the first time, my packing process was frighteningly meticulous. I viewed every suggestion online, pushed all my friends into sending me a list of their dorm room items, and spent a small fortune on things that I will probably never use. Despite my obsessive preparation, I was not briefed on the apparent need to spend just as much cash on my wardrobe as I did on my tuition, car and housing combined. I am no stranger to Dallas or the Highland Park area, but I am definitely experiencing a culture shock. You know those dreams where you show up to class naked? It’s the type of dream that makes a person very conscious of the next day’s morning routine. Anyway, my best attempt at describing how I felt in class on Monday is the same feeling that I am counting on my readers to have had in a bare-skinned nightmare. Another comparison could be sporting a denim skirt to prom, but I highly doubt any SMU student has made that mistake. In all seriousness, I have no huge objections to having the wardrobe of Kim Kardashian. Well, other than the thought of where that money could have been spent instead. Not that it’s any of my business. We are all entitled to spend our money however we choose. My real beef is with the environment that has been created by these unrealistic trends. It is no secret that SMU is a very wealthy school, in a very wealthy part of the country. That is a huge part of our university’s appeal, because of the business opportunities, vast resources and beautiful campus. Unfortunately, the wealth, style, and prominence of SMU places a tremendous amount of pressure on students from all different backgrounds to rise to a standard of living that is truly beyond their means. And because we are in a bubble where most are living large, it is easy to fall into the mindset that we should all be dressing to the nines if we are going to stand out. Or, as it may be, to fit in. Students should not feel inadequate to the point of “reinventing” themselves, which is honestly just a euphemism for being “fake.” You know what really looks good? What American universities typically pride themselves on doing? Transforming an ambitious young “nobody” into a successful rich “somebody.” People always root for the underdog. To sum it up, here is my advice to the SMU student body: take a hint from all the movies and books that capitalize on the American dream, and embrace the idea that our university is full of bright young talents who are working their way to the top. Or, we can all just keep pretending that we were born into this privileged world. That works too.

Associated Press

Todd Akin, Republican candidate for U.S. Senator from Missouri is taking questions after speaking at the Missouri Farm Bureau candidate interview and endorsement meeting in Jefferson City, Mo.

Akin reminds us what we hate most about politicians W. Tucker keene Opinion Editor tkeene@smu.edu Earlier this week, Todd Akin said something stupid, ignorant, insensitive, biologically incorrect and unhelpful to his cause. I’ve seen a lot of candidates for political office say and do some pretty stupid things. I’ve seen plenty of sitting politicians say and do stupid things and get re-elected anyway. But I’ve never seen so many public calls from members of that politician’s own party to step down from the nomination, so that someone who’s foot doesn’t take so many trips to their own mouth could be nominated in their place. I didn’t see these calls after a woman aspiring to be a U.S. Senator issued an ad proclaiming she wasn’t a witch. I didn’t see these calls after another candidate grabbed the neck of a man trying to take a video of him. So I was quite surprised when I started seeing calls for Akin to step aside. Sure what he said was stupid, but was it worse than choking a constituent trying to exercise his right to take a video of whatever he likes? Apparently it was, but what really struck me as terrible about the situation earlier this week was that Congressman Akin refused to step down when virtually every prominent group and

person within the Republican Party was asking him too. Admittedly, there were already tensions between the congressman and the state party establishment, as he managed to win the nomination despite being neither the choice of the establishment or of the Tea Party. Add to that that he is very much a social issues candidate in what everyone in the GOP would like to be an economic election, and that his campaign staff apparently consists of his wife and his son, and it is understandable why the state party would want him out. And finally don’t forget that he was clearly the preferred candidate of the Democratic Party in Missouri as well, who saw him as the least threatening candidate to go against the very vulnerable first term senator Claire McCaskill. So with his poll numbers tanking quickly, and funding from the NRSC and the giant GOP SuperPAC American Crossroads withdrawn, I thought he would put party above himself and get out while he still could. As everyone knows now, he did not. He cited very flawed polls that showed him tanking in support as a reason to stay in the race, and didn’t see the irony in thanking his opponent for being gracious when she said that he should stay in the race.

What kind of ego is necessary to be oblivious to all this information? What kind of ego is required for a candidate to think they can win in a relatively moderate state with a favorability rating 28 points underwater, and without any funding from SuperPACs and the national party? He said that God told him to get in the race. Being religious is fine, and I myself am quite religious, but as The Newsroom pointed out a few weeks ago it is absurdly arrogant to try to tell people that God spoke to you and endorsed your campaign. Needless to say, Akin will never receive another message from God saying that he should get out of the race, but he shouldn’t require one to realize that he should. A poll came out today showing him down 10 points against his opponent. That’s a drop of roughly 15 points since he started this mess. His favorable ratings are even worse, he’s 28 points underwater on that issue, and the arrogance he’s displaying won’t help that one bit. Further at issue here are the stakes of this particular election. Republicans have a real shot at taking back control of the Senate, and repealing Obama’s healthcare law requires control of the Senate. For Congressman Akin to stay in the race despite the need for Republicans to win every single seat they can to pass

an agenda that he certainly agrees with, shows that he is putting his own political career (which is over regardless of whether he drops out) above the interests of his party, and putting career over country and party is hardly the way to solve precisely the issues Akin would like to solve. Some politicians, notably former Governor and current talk radio host Mike Huckabee are saying that Akin is being crucified because of his position on abortion. That is hardly the issue here. Many people in the Republican Party agree with his position or are at the very least sympathetic towards it. They still want him out of the race, though, because he’s been a tremendous distraction from what the message this year should be. They want him out of the race because he gave opponents an opportunity to paint the entire pro-life movement with a broad brush of insensitivity and scientific ignorance. But mostly they want him to stay out of the race because we have enough politicians with ego problems, and elevating one more doesn’t do us a bit of good.

Tucker is a junior majoring in political science, economics, and public policy.

Cartoon

Trevor is a sophomore majoring in journalism. She can be reached for comment at tthrall@smu.edu.

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The Daily Campus

SPORTS

FRIDAY n AUGUST 24, 2012 MLB

NFL

Cowboys struggle with injuries, face Rams Saturday in preseason ALEX LOKKEN Contributing Writer alokken@smu.edu

STEVEN SENNE/Associated Press

Texas Rangers’ Adrián Beltré connects on a pitch in the ninth inning, allowing Elvis Andrus to score.

Rangers prepare to make final push in race for AL West Pennant DEMETRIO TENIENTE Contributing Writer dteniente@smu.edu September is one week away, which means regular season play is coming to an end for the Texas Rangers as they prepare to make the final push for the AL West Pennant for the third consecutive season. Sitting atop a five-game lead in the division with only 39 games left before playoffs, the Rangers are 21 games above .500 and are poised to make a strong showing this October. With the signing of first baseman Albert Pujols and pitchers C.J. Wilson and Zach Greinke, many believed that the Angels would be the biggest threat to the Rangers’ Pennant race. However, as the number of games whittles down, it is Oakland making the strongest bid for ending the defending Division Champ’s reign. That being said, in order for Oakland to overtake Texas they would need to make up one game every five games to erase the Rangers lead in the division. As bleak as that may seem, the A’s will play the Rangers seven more times this year, giving them ample opportunity to make up ground. Even if they don’t catch up to the Rangers, there would still be a chance that Texas would see Oakland in the playoffs, as this is the first year with two wildcards from each league in the postseason. This year, Oakland’s strength has been pitching. They are

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ranked second in the American league and fifth in MLB with a 3.48 ERA and 67-56 record. Time will tell if they can remain a threat to Texas after losing 39-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colon to a 50-game suspension after he testing positive for a performance enhancing drug. Colon was 10-9 in 24 starts with a 3.43 ERA. For the Rangers, things are looking up. The team is becoming healthier and the offense is begging to pick up steam. In Wednesday’s 12-3 win over the Orioles, the Rangers compiled a total of 14 hits—half of which were for extra bases. The Rangers also hit four homeruns, two coming in the monster fourth inning that put the Rangers in the lead for good. Third baseman Adrián Beltré accounted for three of the four home runs; he went 3-5 with five RBIs on the night. The Rangers are 13-8 so far in August. They have relied heavily on their role players during this stretch. Leftfielder David Murphy, who has been a pinch-hitter much of this year, has become an everyday starter in August with a batting average of .387 and 13 RBIs. First baseman Mitch Moreland is also having a successful August, after rejoining the team late in July because of a strained hamstring suffered back in June. He is batting .333 in August, also with 13 RBIs. Catcher Geovany Soto has batted .236 with 10 RBI’s

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while starting for injured Mike Napoli, who is out with a strained quadriceps. The Rangers’ pitching is 20th in MLB and 10th in the American League. The bright side is that the pitching staff is getting better as it gets healthier and is benefiting from an extra day of rest that it gained when pitcher Roy Oswalt spot-started for Ryan Dempster in Toronto last Saturday. In addition, an already deep bullpen is getting deeper. With reliever Mark Lowe back from his stint on the disabled list, manager Ron Washington chose to keep all his relievers and send a skill player down, shortening his bench to three; something that is rarely seen in baseball. His decision to go with a three-man bench makes the return of Koji Uhera even more interesting since now Washington will have no choice but to send a reliever down. The question is which one. Among those bench Players is 24-year-old third baseman Mike Olt, who has only played in nine games for the Rangers this year. This move is an indicator that Ron Washington is looking to give his young players experience. That way, when the active rosters expand in September from 25 to 40, he can include some young players with experience to give some of his everyday starters periodic rests going into the postseason. The Rangers head into matchups with the Twins, Rays and Indians as they head into September.

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the biggest moves of the offseason in signing former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, should be an improved team. The 2010 draft class No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford will test a Dallas secondary that Cowboy fans hope is also improved. With Dallas’s most expensive free agent acquisition, Brandon Carr, coming off a two-interception game, and Morris Claiborne, back and healthy for his 2nd preseason game, the Cowboys look solid. The Cowboys offensive line is still in flux, and many questions

should be answered by who starts the game Saturday. The real questions are still within the interior. It has looked like Nate Livings and Mackenzie Bernadeau will start at the guard spots with David Arkin still somewhat in the mix. Phil Costa also will likely get the start with Bill Nagy as competition. However the groups play in the game Saturday will be telling for the regular season opener against the New York Giants. Kickoff for the Cowboys and Rams is Saturday at 7 p.m.

CHRIS PARK/Associated Press

Cole Beasley is stripped of the ball in the Chargers game on Aug.

ACROSS 1 Where a canary sings 6 Loser’s catchphrase 11 Blackjack variable 14 Last Olds model 15 Living proof 16 Test to the max 17 Trendy ski slope? 19 Front-end protector 20 Assumed name 21 Diamond offense 23 Skelton’s Kadiddlehopper 25 Tried to hit 26 Monogrammed neckwear? 31 Levi’s alternative 32 Mini successors 33 Henhouse 37 Scout’s honor 39 Pub. with more than 100 Pulitzers 40 Serengeti heavyweight 41 Nonproductive 42 More than strange 44 Watch face display, briefly 45 Red, blue and green food colors? 49 Lesser partner 52 Southern cuisine staple 53 Trucker’s view 56 “Same old, same old” 60 Airport 100+ miles NW of PIT 61 Indicators of royal contentment? 63 Tease 64 GI’s home 65 Ready and then some 66 Mud bath site? 67 Itty-bitty 68 Impedes DOWN 1 Literary nickname 2 The Phoenix of the NCAA’s Southern Conference 3 Forfeited wheels

8/24/12

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Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

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NEWS

The Daily Campus

FRIDAY n AUGUST 24, 2012

PRIZE: SMU vies for reputed TRAVEL: Hilltop goes global Southern Living magazine honor continued from page 1

guest artists performing on the main quad. The Boulevard hosts many pre-game concerts throughout the season. Several local Mustang sponsors also gather around the flagpole to support their team. Eager fans pay $150 to $3000 for a tent or spot close to the action. “Boulevarding is one of my favorite things to do on campus. It brings students closer together and creates unity among classmates. I love the vibrant atmosphere and seeing Peruna,” Meredith Perkins said. What was once a non-existent practice has transformed into an essential part of the SMU football tradition. This adored ritual is now up for a Southern Living magazine award. Southern Living has chosen the top 20 schools with the greatest pregame parties. The schools were chosen based on these following criteria: most spirited meaning schools that turn “fans” into “fanatics;” traditionalists, which are schools renowned for gameday rituals; style setters, which are schools that showcase true splendor in the grass; and finally, powerhouses, which are the schools with a history of winning on and off the field (chosen based on the most bowl victories). SMU’s embellished

SIDNEY HOLLINGSWORTH / The Daily Campus

Then sophomore Kaleigh Schropp celebrates gameday with friends. game day décor, glamorous ensembles and noteworthy side dishes set it apart from the other competitors. The university is going head to head with Hampden-Sydney College, Howard University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Virginia. Go to southernliving.com and click on the link to vote for SMU as the best style setter in the south by 10:59 p.m. Oct. 1. One voter will also receive a $2,500 prize. “I love how school spirited everyone is,” Ryan Brooks said. “The camaraderie is great between alumni, faculty and students. I think SMU deserves to win the contest because we love our Mustangs and we love to tailgate.” There are two other ways to vote besides casting a ballot online. Use a smartphone to download the QR reader

application from iTunes or gettag.mobi. Open the app, hold the camera over SMU’s QR code in the September 2012 issue of Southern Living, and follow the on-screen instructions. A postcard can also be mailed. Send one, or as many as you would like, with your name and address to Southern Living “The South’s Best Tailgate Party” Sweepstakes, c/o The US Sweepstakes & Fulfillment Co., 625 Panorama Trail, Suite 2100, Rochester, NY 14625. Each entry counts twice for the voter and selected school on game days. Make sure to vote today. The winner will be crowned “The South’s Best Tailgate” at a home game by Nov. 10. The September issue of Southern Living will feature the schools in running for “The South’s Best Tailgate” title and it will hit the stands Friday.

Courtesy of Raamis Khwaja

Sophomore Raamis Khwaja researched urban policy and water quality in northern India this summer. continued from page 1

stories, this would be a great way to do that.” Students like McCurdy could share photos, experiences and inform everyone back in Dallas about their daily life in another country on the blog. The blog also features information from SMU’s school in Taos, as well as both summer, semester and yearlong programs. It follows students who have crossed state lines and are doing work or studying in different areas of the country, such as Washington D.C., and Little Rock, Arkansas. It also gives traveling students a chance to blog about issues facing the countries they are visiting and is an outlet for students to voice their passions about global problems: poverty, water security, a lack of access to financial capital, healthcare

deficits and famine. Sophomore Raamis Khwaja studied abroad in India and kept track of his experience studying child psychology and water contamination in his own blog. “I choose to blog because it’s personal and a good way to network with others,” Khwaja said. “I wrote about the dismal conditions of the water, which will result in the city becoming inhabitable eventually.” A pair of students, Fantine Giap and Janice Kim, traveled to Vietnam to study health literacy and efficacy as Richter Fellows. As SMU students followed their peers, they picked up on unique perspectives. “The most important thing that I took away is how another country’s healthcare runs outside of the United States,” Kim, a biological sciences major, said. “To see what a developing country is like and to see the technological levels in

another country, it was an eye opening experience” The blog also offered SMU students the opportunity to learn about different nations. “We went to many Buddhist temples, and it was amazing to see monumental statues. We were on a mountain — far away from a large statue — and could see it from a distance. It was beautiful,” Kim said. Whether blogging about critical issues such as sustainable energy or simply relaying the passing of one’s day in a foreign country, students and faculty alike who are part of the site blog from all around the world. While students back in Dallas get to be a part of their journey by reading along at http://blog.smu. edu/studentadventures. “It was great to follow the summer adventures of all my friends. It really encouraged me to study abroad for next summer,” sophomore Mehdi Hami, said.

SMU Students Travel the World Jaison Thomas and Mike Ren Denmark

Fantine Giap and Janice Kim Vietnam

Dennis Takeda China

Katherine Jones Ecuador

Yousef Saad Dubai

Marissa Ocampo Nicaragua

Lade Obamehinti Tanzania

Raamis Khwaja India