The Oklahoma Daily by OU Daily

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2010 201

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

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Neew student New st organization helps organiz at the Ronald McDonald McDo D n House. Seee page See pa 3.

Read The Daily’s take on some new music releases. See page 5.

The Sooners ers face Texas Tech tonight ght at the Lloyd Noble ble Center. See page 7.

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OU HOOPS PLAYERS CITED FOR SHOPLIFTING Pledger, Fitzgerald ticketed for petty larceny hours after the Sooners’ upset win over Texas AARON COLEN Sports Editor

Two OU men’s basketball players were cited and released Saturday night in connection with a shoplifting incident at Sooner Fashion Mall in Norman. Police spokeswoman Jennifer Newell said freshman guard Steven Pledger and freshman forward Andrew Fitzgerald were ticketed for petty larceny by Dillard’s security. Newell said the players were caught

by a Dillard’s employee. No arrests were made. Team spokesman Mike Houck said the situation was a team matter and discipline would be handled internally. Pledger and Fitzgerald both played in the 80-71 win against Texas earlier in the night before the incident. Fitzgerald started the game and scored three points, while Pledger scored nine points in 24 minutes of action. Both were seen at practice Monday.

Matt Hecox attributes decision to ‘personal reasons’ CHARLES WARD Daily Staff Writer

ANDREW FITZGERALD

STEVEN PLEDGER

Boren answers student questions

DANIELA MCCORMICK Daily Staff Writer

President David Boren addressed student concerns in a question and answer session Monday evening in Cate Center. Students asked a variety of questions, ranging from topics about gender-blind housing to using Sooner meal points for laundry service. On gender-blind housing, Boren said it would be difficult to try to implement this style of student housing right now. “To be honest with you we live in the state of Oklahoma,” Boren said. “Our values are not necessarily the same elsewhere.” He assured students it didn’t mean the issue wouldn’t be addressed in

the future; it just wasn’t possible to be addressed now. Boren said possible budget cuts for next year possibly wouldn’t allow for the change. Boren spoke of OU’s budget for this year and about how students shouldn’t worry about tuition increases for the current school year. “We don’t anticipate tuition adjustments in the middle of the year,” Boren said. “We’ll be able to get through June 30 with tuition fees. Next year, it depends on what legislation does.” Boren said OU is really well-positioned and there is no reason to panic. He said the donations in private scholarships have gone up and that’s a good thing for students. When another student asked about using meal plans instead of Sooner Sense for laundry and other services

that require the use of Sooner Sense, David L. Annis, director of Housing and Food Services, said meal points are meant to stay on campus. “We try to keep meal points on campus,” Annis said. “When we let it go to the bookstore and laundry service it leaves our budget.” Boren wants students to feel like they can come to him with any questions no matter how simple or controversial. “If there’s something you’re worried about, drop me a note. I’ll read it,” Boren said. Visual communications sophomore Carli Lewis said Boren does a great job connecting with students and staying involved with the student body. “He has personally helped me. We’re lucky to have him,” Lewis said. NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY

Winter weather costs state $9 million Department of Transportation official predicts spending will increase CASEY WILSON Daily Staff Writer

State and local authorities continue to work on road conditions despite budget concerns and continuing winter precipitation. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation already has spent $9 million this winter removing snow and ice from roads, said David Meuser, ODOT spokesman. “That covers costs directly associated with the storms over the entire state,” Meuser said. ODOT spent only $7.7 million last winter

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Student drops out of House race

on snow and ice removal, he said. “I would expect that chances are good that we’ll spend even more money than we’ve already spent,” he said. ODOT has an overall budget of $140 million. The normal cost for keeping roads safe each winter is $7 to 8 million, he said. “We plan to absorb whatever the snow and ice removal costs into our overall maintenance budget,” Meuser said. To recoup extra costs, he said, ODOT may have to cut back on services such as litter pick-up or mowing. “Snow and ice removal is very much considered a safety issue,” he said. “We’re not going to skimp out on snow and ice removal just because we have already spent as much

as we did last year.” ODOT will fix roads during the next few weeks that have been damaged by the storms, Meuser said. “We don’t know how many potholes we’ll have; but we know low temperatures and precipitation are the enemies of pavement,” he said. Meuser said ODOT has salt stockpiled for any more possible storms. “We have already spent a lot of man-hours and money in fighting snow and ice, but we are ready for the next storm as well,” he said. The Physical Plant is one department at OU that makes the university safe when winter precipitation occurs, said Amanda Hearn, Physical Plant spokeswoman. STORM CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

An OU student withdrew his name from the race for District 44’s seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday. Matt Hecox, history senior, is leaving the race for “personal reasons,” he said by e-mail. When reached by phone Monday, Hecox said his reasons were “just personal. I don’t want to get into specifics with it.” Hecox was charged with driving under the influence Dec. 31, according to documents available on the Oklahoma State Courts Network. He is scheduled to appear for a hearing as part of a misdemeanor call docket at 9 a.m. today in Cleveland County District Court. Hecox announced his intention to run in the Democratic primary for the House seat being vacated by Bill Nations, D-Norman, on Jan. 12. Nations cannot run again because of term limits. Two OU students, public policy junior Isaiah McCaslin and firstyear law student Emily Virgin, remain in the race, both on the Democratic side. “I’m not familiar with his circumstances, but each person must make his or her own decision about these things,” Virgin said by e-mail. “I wish him all the best.” In an e-mail, McCaslin said, “I’m sure he has the support of his family and his community during this time, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.” No other candidates have filed for the race, according to the Oklahoma State Ethics Commission’s Web site.

AFRICAN DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN BLACK African Student Association differs from Black Student Association; focuses on promoting African culture NICOLE HILL Daily Staff Writer

The African Student Association will highlight its distinction from the Black Student Association during its week-long activities celebrating Africa Week. “It’s a chance for everyone to just kind of experience Africa,” said Karen Matambo, African Student Association president and biomedical engineering junior. “We’re trying to bring it to life. You’ll feel like you’re actually in Africa.” The group also is trying to promote awareness for itself. African Student Association differs from the Black Student Association because it is geared toward addressing the needs of African-born OU students and informing other students about them as well. “It’s for everyone not just African students,” said Matambo, who is originally from Zimbabwe. “It’s for anyone who’s interested in African students at OU or promoting African culture on campus and in the Norman community.” For 13 years, the group has helped African students with the AFRICA CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

VOL. 95, NO. 93

2 Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

OUDAILY.COM » GO ONLINE TO CATCH A VIDEO OF A SLAM POETRY SESSION AT DREAMER CONCEPTS STUDIO.

OU weather experts discuss climate

Storm

Information compiled from symposium to be given to research scientists

Continues from page 1

KATHLEEN EVANS Daily Staff Writer

“Because the OU-Norman campus has seen more snow this year than those in recent memory our dedicated crew has spent more days responding to the ice and snow on campus than previous years,” she said. Hearn said though the cost may be high, it is important to keep OU safe and secure during ice or snow storms. The freeze-thaw cycle, ice, snow and plowing damage roads and create potholes. As the weather permits, the Physical Plant will begin to address those problems, she said. Clearing roads this winter has been more difficult than in the past, said Shawn O’Leary, Norman director of public works. “It’s been a rough year as compared with the typical year,” he said. The city of Norman bases its budget for overtime and purchasing salt and sand on past years. But the city already has overspent the amount budgeted for overtime and is beginning to overspend its budget for salt and sand, O’Leary said. NEIL MCGLOHON / THE DAILY “It’s definitely challenged our A Lindsey street crosswalk activation button is under a layer people and our budget and our of ice during last week’s ice storm. The state of Oklahoma resources,” he said. funded $9 million to clear the roads and to remove debris.

OU National Weather Center members asked the community about climate change concerns at a public discussion Monday night. The discussion was part of the center’s twoday symposium: “Regional Climate Change – Monitoring, Modeling, Predicting and Impacts.” To start the discussion, Mark Shafer, Oklahoma Climatological Survey climate information director, gave an overview of how Oklahoma’s weather patterns are changing. Oklahoma is currently ranked No. 1 in number of declared disasters this decade, ranging from droughts to tornadoes to ice storms, Shafer said. He explained projections and predictions about future temperature and rainfall changes are still uncertain, but there is an increase in global average temperatures. The main reason predictions are uncertain is because they depend on how society will act, he said. For example, Oklahoma will probably have a temperature rise of 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit by the 2020s, Shafer said. However, by the 2090s there could be an increase of either 10 to12 degrees or 4 to 7, depending on society. “The gases that come out from our fossil fuels stay in the atmosphere for a very long time,” Shafer said. “We have already committed ourselves to a certain amount of warming.” Rainfall also is affected by climate change,

Shafer said. The amount of rainfall each season is shifting, affecting crop cycles and harvests. It could continue to a point where there is more runoff and flooding but actually less water. Carter and Shafer handed out questionnaires to ask what participants thought was valuable in life and how climate change could effect that. “I joked that the questions were really deep, but actually I haven’t really thought about those questions in a broad way,” said Alex Schenkman, second-year Ph. D. student in meteorology. “I know more than most people do [about climate change], so I am kind of isolated from thinking about how it might affect me personally.” Afterward, volunteers discussed their chief concerns on topics like water conservation and making the public more knowledgeable about climate change, something four or five participants expressed as a major problem. “Predictions are too uncertain,” said Matt Kumjian, second-year Ph.D. student in meteorology. “If you could tell people, ‘Hey, in 30 years, it’s going to be like this,’ it might have more weight. You have to put things into perspective.” Despite the bad weather, the discussion had a turnout of about 30 to 40 people, ranging in ages, professions and interests. James Hockner, Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program program manager, said he thought they benefited from what everyone had to say, and it would help them in their research. The symposium will continue today with sessions about recent research results in climate change.

Africa Continues from page 1 struggles of being an international student including everything from renewing Visas to finding a ride to the grocery store, Matambo said. “It’s a chance to interact with people from back home,” Matambo said. “It’s the connection between you being in a foreign country and not being with your family, so it’s like a family away from home. We’re there for them.” Meetings stress the cultural aspects of African life. Each meeting includes serving a dish from a different African country. Many members of African Student Association and Black Student Association are active in both organizations, said Lauren McMillan, Black Student Association president and English writing senior. Founded in 1968, the OU chapter of Black Student Association is a resource for all black students, McMillan said. The organization helps direct members on how to get tutoring and financial aid among other things. “It’s really a compilation of everything OU has to offer you, but we’re telling you about it instead of you having to go out and find it,” McMillan said. “We also aim to make sure that the university as a whole recognizes African-American culture.” Matambo said she has been involved in the Black Student Association in the past and said that the organization actually convinced her to pursue a minor in African-

American studies. “Even though they’re two different organizations it’s really worth getting to know both,” Matambo said. “There’s so much culture and history to gain from both.” Black Student Association adviser Cordell Cunningham said both organizations have similar goals: to promote academic achievement, cultural awareness and community building among their memberships and throughout the university. The two organizations have worked together in the past holding joint meetings, having a Thanksgiving dinner and co-hosting various activities. Both McMillan and Matambo said they hope to continue that relationship in the future. “When I go to [African Student Association] stuff I learn something every time,” McMillan said. “But somebody from Nigeria might be reminded of home when they go and it’s something to keep them from getting homesick.” McMillan said African students, black students and anyone interested in black culture should get involved with both groups. “You get to see two different dynamics of what black culture is,” McMillan said. “You get to see what it means to be black in America and what it means to be African in America. You wouldn’t lose anything from being a part of one, but you get so much more from being a part of both.”

OUR COMMITTMENT TO ACCURACY The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis. Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation.

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OU Number Nyne Crisis Line 8 p.m.-4 a.m. every day except OU holidays and breaks

In Monday’s edition of The Daily, the J.D. McCarty Center was misspelled in a page 1 story about Africa Week.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Student group sends volunteers to Ronald McDonald House Volunteers strive to give ill children ‘positive experiences’ CASSI TONEY Daily Staff Writer

A new student organization plans to give hope to extremely ill children in Oklahoma by volunteering. The OU L oves the Ronald McDonald House group organizes OU students to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Oklahoma City. The group was founded at the beginning of the spring semester. The Ronald McDonald House is a place for families with critically ill children to stay when they travel for medical treatments. “Basically [the Ronald McDonald House] is cheaper than a hotel, and if they can’t pay anything at all they don’t have to [pay] because it is run off donations,” said Chloe Williams, a linguistics junior and the group’s founder. When Williams was younger, she experienced a serious illness and stayed in Ronald McDonald Houses while undergoing treatments. “The volunteers there had a big impact on me during that time,” Williams said. Williams’ friend, Heather Ping, sociology and criminology senior, said she joined the group because

she saw the impact the organization made in Williams’ life. “Now that this group has been founded and Chloe is working with them so we can do work for them, I plan on helping as much as possible,” Ping said. Other members of the group want to volunteer because of similar personal experiences with Ronald McDonald Houses. “I joined the organization because one of my friends had an adopted younger sister who had a serious medical condition that she needed surgery for and the Ronald JEREMY DICKIE/THE DAILY McDonald House really helped support their fam- Art sophomore Elizabeth Craig, linguistics sophomore Melinda Fuson, and linguistics junior Chloe Williams discuss volunteer ily,” said Melinda Fuson, plans outside of Meacham Auditorium on Monday afternoon. The students are members of OU Loves the Ronald McDonald linguistics and Latin House, which spends time helping ill children at the Ronald McDonald House in Oklahoma City. sophomore. “So I knew that this was CHARITY STATISTICS a worthwhile cause to support.” perform small but important tasks Williams said she thought stu• 10,000 families helped each day Among its 52 houses around such as cooking, cleaning and talk- dents interested in working with the world, the Ronald McDonald ing with the children. • Save families $226 million in hotel kids or entering the medical field House Charities help more than Ping and Williams said they would enjoy volunteering at the costs 10,000 families daily, and in 2007, wanted to make the children’s stays House. Williams said interested • 291 Ronald McDonald Houses the organizations helped save in the house positive experiences. students may join the Facebook • Open in 30 countries and regions more than $226 million in hotel “I have hopes that our work will group to stay informed about fu• 83 percent of donated money directly costs, according to its official Web encourage others to help with the ture events. fund programs site. house or even with another orgaThe OU group’s first event is Williams said the volunteers nization,” Ping said. scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27. Source: http://rmhc.org/

CAMPUS EVENTS

DATE AUCTION FRIDAY

TODAY WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER Tickets for the Pink and Black Ball will be sold by the Women’s Outreach Center at 11 a.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

TOMORROW WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER Tickets for the Pink and Black Ball will be sold by the Women’s Outreach Center at 11 a.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

The Women’s Outreach Center will be tabling at 11 a.m. in the union to show support The Women’s Outreach Center will be tabling at 11 a.m. in the union to show support for and promote members of the Sooner Ally program. for and promote members of the Sooner Ally program. CAREER SERVICES CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Career Services will host an interviewing workshop at noon in the Crimson Room of Christians on Campus will host a Bible study at noon in the Sooner Room of the the union. union. CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS MULTICULTURAL CAREER FAIR Christians on Campus will host a Bible study at noon in the Traditions Room of the Multiple Student Life organizations in association with Career Services will host a union. multicultural career fair at 12:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the union. HOW TO WORK THE OU MULTICULTURAL CAREER FAIR CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST “How to Work the OU Multicultural Career Fair” will take place at 4 p.m. in the Frontier Campus Crusade for Christ will meet at 9 p.m. in the Santee Lounge in the Oklahoma Room of the union. Memorial Stadium. OU ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY The OU Zoological Society will host a meeting at 6 p.m. in Sutton Hall, room 312.

WANT TO HAVE YOUR EVENT PUBLISHED? Go to OUDaily.com and scroll down to the event calendar. Click on the ‘Submit Event’ tab underneath the calendar.

ALPHA SIGMA KAPPA - WOMEN IN TECHNICAL STUDIES Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies will host Rubber Ducky Races at 8 p.m. in the social lounge of Cate Center. All event submissions are pending approval by The Daily Editorial Board.

POLICE REPORTS The following is a list of arrests and citations, not convictions. The information given is compiled from the Norman and OU Police Departments. At times, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department and the Oklahoma City FBI will contribute to these reports. All those listed are innocent until proven guilty. POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL Brandon Wayne Ballard, 18, 930 Ed Noble Pkwy., Saturday Blake Edward Nunez, 18, 930 Ed Noble Pkwy., Saturday Joe Douglas Smith, 18, 930 Ed Noble Pkwy., Saturday ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON A POLICE OFFICER Jeremy Lynn Peterson, 31, 300 Hal Muldrow Dr., Saturday, also obstructing an officer

OU College Republicans will host a date auction fundraiser at 8 p.m. Friday in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Molly Shi Boren Ballroom. The auction will feature prominent OU students including Bethany Gerber, Miss Kansas USA; Bailey Robinson, Miss OU; and Kelsie Guthrie, Miss Oklahoma USA. The organization hopes to increase its name recognition and satisfy financial needs through the event, said Daniel Swanson, College Republicans chairman. Cash and checks will be accepted at the event. For more information and a full list of participants, search for the OU College Republicans Date Auction e vent on Facebook. —Daily Staff Reports

SENATE HONORS BIGGEST LOSER James Lee Johnson, 26, Oakhurst Avenue, also public Steven Lemont Pledger, 19, drunkenness 3499 W. Main St., Saturday HOSTING OR PERMITTING A Aaron Jay Sullivan, 20, 3499 W. LOUD PARTY Main St., Saturday Michael Anthony Brown, 19, 1315 Ann Arbor Dr., Sunday Shana Nichole White, 19, 3499 W. Main St., Saturday David Anthony Huggar, 20, 1315 Ann Arbor Dr., Sunday COUNTY WARRANT Anissa Gale Williams, 38, 1109 Susan Reed Pierce, 53, 930 Ed Golden Eagle, Sunday Noble Pkwy., Saturday MUNICIPAL WARRANT FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE Matthew Ian Williams, 30, 1205 James Woodford Toms, 20, Oklahoma Ave., Sunday 1315 Ann Arbor Dr., Sunday ASSAULT AND BATTERY PUBLIC INTOXICATION Chinita Catherine Garcia, 22, Edward James George Shalda, 1834 E. Lindsey St., Saturday 19, Classen Blvd., also interference with an official process D R I V I N G U N D E R T H E and possession of alcohol INFLUENCE Cassidy Renee Adamcik, 20, Justin Leigh Summers, 34, 705 Boyd Street and Asp Avenue, N. Porter Ave., Sunday Thursday

OUTRAGING PUBLIC DECENCY Joe D. Sutherland, 47, 435 James Garrett Blosel, 22, 747 Buchanan Ave., Saturday Asp Ave., Sunday PETTY LARCENY POSSESSION OF BURGLAR Andrew Gregory Fitzgerald, 19, IMPLEMENTS 3499 W. Main St., Saturday

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Taylor Phillip Corbett, 18, 348 First St., Friday, also possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of controlled dangerous substances

The state Senate will honor NBC’s Biggest Loser winner Tuesday. Danny Cahill will be honored with a resolution at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber. Cahill is a resident of Broken Arrow and lost 239 pounds in seven months during season 8 of the show. The resolution was authorized by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, Sen. Bill Brown, R-Tulsa, and Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow. The legislature approved SCR 38 recognizing Cahill’s accomplishments last week.

Oklahoma resident and TV show participant Danny Cahill dons his Biggest Loser gear.

—Daily Staff Reports PHOTO PROVIDED

Tuesday, January 9, 2010

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

Max Avery, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

In response to Monday’s Our View on good weather breaks. YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

I don’t think it’s about not wanting to be outside. I saw plenty of people outside playing and enjoying the snow. It’s that we, as Oklahomans, are too reliant on cars to get us places. When it snows and ices over, it’s simply not safe for everyone to be on the road. -Paige

STAFF COLUMN

OUR VIEW

We should use what we have Truth won’t set you free It’s difficult not to notice it. OU is going green, eco-friendly, sustainable, whatever. We see signs and recycling bins all over the place, but there are important problems lost in the mix. We are spending thousands of dollars on fancy new bike racks, but the only space officially for bikers is a small piece of the sidewalk on the south oval. These are bike racks that weren’t built here, weren’t designed here and have no connection to OU, other than future concrete. We’re going out of our way to build these foreign bike racks, spending too much money and materials during these days of recession and fee hikes. Yet we have bike racks all over campus we aren’t allowed to use. We have trees, bushes and railings to which

students aren’t supposed to be locking their bikes. We should be able to put them to use. Locking bikes to something other than bike racks will not make OU unattractive; it will show we do in fact use our space for something other than aesthetics. It’s terribly ironic, those who protect the environment by biking aren’t allowed to use nature for any practical purposes. Instead, there are buildings like Gaylord where the bike racks are behind the building, possibly giving the impression OU is ashamed of its cyclists. Cyclists should have the right to chain their bikes where they wish. We are very happy about all the green measures around campus, but we can’t help but think there are better solutions that don’t include spending thousands of dollars.

STAFF COLUMN

THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABORS Congratulations humanity, you have done it. You’ve accomplished the impossible. Conquered nature in ways your ancestors could have only dreamed of. The Mayans and Egyptians may have put together a few rocks. The Chinese constructed a little line in the sand. But you, modern man, have done it. You have opened up the seas, creating a route through the oceans that explorers have spent centuries searching for. You have united the nations in a way the United Nations never could. The Northwest Passage, the legendary arctic shortcut, has fi- JOHN nally been opened. Once a mul- BEST tiyear journey only able to be explored by the most daring of explorers, this route is now open to cargo and military ships galore! No one person can claim to have accomplished this task alone. It has required centuries of effort by each and every nation on this wonderful planet. Think the Large Hadron Collider is the pinnacle of international cooperation? Pish posh. The LHC is like Lincoln Logs when compared to the amount of effort and cooperation that went into the opening of the Northwest Passage. Ice hundreds of feet thick used to cover most of the Arctic Circle, blocking essential international transit. Shippers once had to cross the vast Pacific and Atlantic oceans to bring the essential Reeboks, crude oil and Tickle-MeElmos to their desperate and deprived customers. With the Industrial Revolution, mankind had finally developed the technology to break through that ice. Not only that, but we have been improving our ice thinning technology each and every year, at an exponential rate. And you — yes you — have played an essential role in this global struggle. Every time you ride in an airplane or go for a leisurely drive, you have been helping with the task of opening the Northwest Passage.

I’m proud of each and every one of you for turning your heat up a few degrees more than necessary and leaving those lights on. Do you desire a mango in January? Well there’s got to be somewhere in the world where someone is growing them. Without behavior like that, none of this would have been possible. Congratulations to each and every nation for their behavior at the most recent United Nations Climate Change Conference. It was quite a sight, with developed and developing nations competing to see which group would play a larger role in this international struggle. It was such an improvement upon the blundered efforts at the Kyoto Conference. The work on the passage is near completion, and with documents like the Copenhagen Accord ensure we will see fruit of our labors sooner rather than later. I do have one criticism. The U.S. has been slipping in its role of the construction of the Northwest Passage. No longer the leader in carbon dioxide emissions, our efforts have been put to shame by the surge of Chinese greenhouse gas emissions. Why have we been slipping? Why have we allowed our nation’s youth to sacrifice their safety on the road by driving small deathtraps on wheels also known as compact cars? For what reasons have we let the green “fad” infect the minds of millions of Americans? What kind of destructive intentions do the leaders of these movements have in mind? I just want to tell each and every one of you to keep up the good work. Keep fighting to exterminate those polar bear pests. Remember how much easier it will be to bring to America all that wonderful stuff lucky children across the world are making just for you. Don’t let the Al Gores and John Muirs of the world tell you what you are doing is wrong. Look outside right now; it’s not even 40 degrees. The sky is not falling. So tell all the Chicken Littles of this world to shove it.

“To carefully observe, think freely, rediscover forgotten facts and oppose theoretical dogmatic assumptions. To help establish the United States ... of the world on this flat earth. Replace the science religion ... with SANITY.” This is the creed of the Flat Earth Society, an international organization whose entire ideology revolves around the idea that the Earth is, well, flat. They believe we live on a circular disk, that the North Pole is the magnetic center and that we are walled in by Antarctic ice. Don’t laugh; this theory actually exists. Sure, it’s silly, even downright stupid. How can anyone, in this day and age, deny MICHAEL that the earth is round? PILCHER But maybe they have a point. Before you write me off as an idiot, let me finish. I’m not saying they’re right, at least not about the specifics. All I’m saying is maybe they’re on to something. What I’m trying to say is sometimes ignoring the truth might be our best option. It may sound silly, but if you really think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Just think how much easier your life would be if you didn’t have to accept the validity of fact. Have you ever wished things weren’t the way they were, that bad things didn’t happen, that the stories in the news weren’t so depressing? The brutal truth is just that: brutal. So just ignore it! Make something up for yourself. Sometimes it’s easier to turn a blind eye than to accept the reality of things. After all, the reality we create for ourselves is easier to swallow. Let’s face it. Here at OU, in our safe little college bubble, there’s nothing we could do about it if we wanted to. We have to worry about exams and homework and doing our laundry and getting ready for the weekend. We have our own problems to worry about. We don’t have time to worry about the problems

of others. There’s just too much going on around us to make sense of it all. Human trafficking, the war in Darfur, conflict in the Middle East, the one billion children who go to bed hungry every night, the earthquake in Haiti — These problems don’t concern us. We’re not hungry. We’re not oppressed. There is no humanitarian crisis in the great state of Oklahoma. As far as we’re concerned, these problems don’t exist. So why worry about them? Wouldn’t we all be happier if instead of looking at facts and truth we just believed whatever we wanted? Surely any world we create for ourselves is better than reality. Wouldn’t you rather there not be any crises, any earthquakes, any conflict or poverty? Don’t you hate that guy on TV who is constantly asking you to sponsor a child? Man, that’s annoying. So let’s just stop listening and tune out. The only thing the truth is good for is stressing us out and making us cry. Why worry about it when you can just ignore it? Yes, knowledge is power, but ignorance is bliss. I can assure you the good folks in the Flat Earth Society aren’t worried about these problems. They probably don’t even know they exist and look how much simpler their lives are. These people have it right. They choose to ignore the brutal, painful truth and they sleep better at night as a result. These people should be our model for our own piece of mind, lest we succumb to the stress of actually caring about our fellow human beings. So fuck it, the Earth is flat. Things are going great. Pain, poverty, violence, inequity and human suffering don’t exist. The Haitians don’t need any help. I can smoke all I want. The Jets don’t suck. Horizontal stripes are slimming. Wow. I’m feeling better already. Michael Pilcher is a University College freshman.

STAFF CARTOON

John Best is a biochemistry and Asian studies senior. Mark Potts is a broadcast graduate student.

STAFF COLUMN

A problem we can fix by throwing money at it An unusual amount of wrath seems to have been directed government for a redress of grievances.” toward the Supreme Court in the last few weeks, following The common arguments will now come up: the Founders its decision to let companies spend as much as they want on did not mean for this to happen; these are activist judges overpolitical ads. Groans and furious shouts are piling up every- turning precedent; the First Amendment does not even apply where, as gloomy-faced thinkers in somber suits predict, as a to corporations, or at least in the same way as to individuals. result of this ruling, the Mayans will be proven wrong; First, it is exceedingly difficult to determine origithe world will not end in 2012, but in 2010. nal intent, and even when we can know what the Now, it is true a vast number of reasons may be Founders wanted we frequently ignore it. Do you found which vociferously forbid letting companies think they were aiming for an interventionist narun these commercials. Just think of all those bland tion with federally-funded schools, farm subsidies, McStatesmen covering the nation, who all make the and NASA? At least this time we actually pretended same promises and wear the same brightly-colored to look at the text of the Constitution, instead of just clothes, and whose main policy goal is clean restmaking a new Department of Waste. rooms. Or maybe we could have Chinese companies As for the business of rejecting precedent, you open divisions here, and then buy politicians until a GERARD really can’t complain too much. The Supreme president disbands the army and sends Fort Knox to KEISER Court has had a long and glorious history of this, Beijing. and some of its most popular decisions have been But before condemning the five guilty judges too the result of contradicting everything its predecesmuch, one must consider that, although no one actually fol- sors said. If the justices of the 20-year-old Austin v. Michigan lows this rule, the courts are supposed to think less about the State of Commerce decision were wrong, why should we go practical effects of its interpretations than about what the law by them? actually says. And the law says “Congress shall make no law Finally, one must remember the First Amendment itself … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the does not make the nifty distinction between corporations right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the and individuals; that requires some sophisticated (and some

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Caitlin Harrison Ricky Maranon Lisa Phan Max Avery Michelle Gray Marcin Rutkowski

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would say sophistical) arguing. Without that distinction, it does make sense to say if one person can say something, maybe a bunch of people together can say something. This is also not the first time corporations have had these rights applied to them. Anyone who bothers to look at what the justices said will learn that First Nat Bank of Boston v. Bellotti did this in 1978, although to a limited extent. And if we do deny the First Amendment to corporations, what about our news media? The New York Times and FOX are corporations; why can they say whatever they want but not Halliburton and Walmart? Perhaps this page of the newspaper should just shut down 30 days before a primary. Or for that matter, the whole paper; it’s not like this is the only opinion page. Of course, maybe the judges were wrong; I am by no means an expert in this matter. But one must at least admit they had some justification for their decision. And companies were already finding all kinds of ways to get around the existing rules, so this might not even have a major impact. Maybe the midterms won’t be a bigger disaster than they usually are. Maybe, if we’re really lucky, we still have two more years before the world ends. Gerard Keiser is a classical languages sophomore.

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice. Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Authors submitting letters in person must present photo identification. Submit letters Sunday through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ ou.edu.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Joshua Boydston, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

« ONLINE

Go to OUDaily.com to listen to audio samples of the albums reviewed, including Yeasayer, and watch an exclusive performance by local act Brother Gruesome at Undercover.

» SPOON

“Transference” Key Tracks: “Got Nuffin’,” “Written In Reverse” Score: 8.3 Deconstructed, but still as good as “evah.” “I wanna show you how I love you, but there’s nothin’ there,” Britt Daniel informs an assumedly fictional woman on the fifth track of the band’s seventh studio album, “Transference.” The song is “Written in Reverse” and within, Daniel observes a relationship destined for trainwreck in his signature “coolest-friend-you-have” voice that’s helped build Spoon’s reputation as the most reliable act in indie rock. For younger fans (like myself) first drawn into the fold by “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” and “The Underdog” with their pop-tastic flourishes of trumpets

This week in New Music Tuesday, The Daily looks at two indie heavyweights’ recent release. One band takes its signature sound and minimalizes it, while the other looks to add every bell and whistle imaginable.

on 2008’s “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga,” “Transference” may initially sound less catchy and accessible. Largely, this is because of their tendency to intermittently (and very intentionally) drop instruments from the mix without hesitation or warning for most of the album. It doesn’t create the same minimalist effect the band nailed with the drumstick-tapping “Paper Tiger” on their 2002 opus “Kill the Moonlight,” but it does well to keep the listener off-kilter, scrambling to guess what may pop in next while they just roll right along. T h e o p e n e r, “ B e f o r e Destruction,” is a prime example: Eric Harvey’s creepy keys buzz in and out, indecisively haunting the track until it’s abruptly replaced by the much more Spoon-y “Is Love Forever?”. “Got Nuffin” is already a live staple, driven by unflashy guitar and punctuated by a quality hook that sets the stage for Daniel to go into cool voice-mode and kill it with a disheveled solo and fadeout. If ever there were a template for a quality Spoon song, “Got Nuffin” is it. Spoon never clamors for attention; it doesn’t

need to. Britt Daniel’s collected coolness is the expression of Spoon’s confidence in the long haul. Matt Carney is a professional writing junior.

YEASAYER

“Odd Blood” Key Tracks: “Ambling Alp,” “Rome” Score: 7.8 Sometimes album titles say it best. Seeing the recent implosion of fellow afro-beat experimenters Dirty Projectors and Animal Collective, Yeasayer — the baby of the group — seems primed for a similar take-off with their equally trippy (and enjoyable) “Odd Blood.” For those unfamiliar with the sound, it’s a very zealous one, full of sights, sounds and textures. Listening to “Odd Blood” is like walking into a tribal art exhibit, spotting the most bewildering piece of them all, only to have a sudden cascade of colored sludge come gushing from the air ducts above you. Admittedly, it’s a bit overwhelming, though

perhaps dizzying is more appropriate. It’s tough to finger point at an individual track (though closest in “Madder Red”); the feeling mostly comes from the unrelenting flood of clatters throughout the album. It’s almost enough to make you curse under your breath, “Why can’t Yeasayer be a just bit poppier?” But then charmingly bizarre moments make you realize any restraint would result in a lot less fun. Quirky moments pop up intermittently, but the most enthralling comes in “Rome” with a beat I can only describe as the music that plays in old Nintendo video games when menacing, but mostly fun, supervillians popped onto the screen. But the piéce de résistance comes with “Ambling Alp.” That poppy sound you wanted? It’s right here. Delightfully peculiar, there’s a certain aloofness that works surprinsingly well. Despite some overstimulating tendencies, “Odd Blood” is fun, fresh and just enough of a loose cannon to promise a lofty — and squirrelly — trajectory. Joshua Boydston is a psychology sophomore.

LOVE SONG PLAYLISTS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY From sappy to sweet, the songs that should be dominating your iPod this week. 1. Al Green- “Let’s Stay Together” rl” 2. Big Star- “I’m In Love With A Girl” lse But 3. The Moldy Peaches- “Anyone Else You” 4. Marvin Gaye- “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” 5. Iron & Wine- “Such Great Heights” ts”

UNDER THE RADAR:

1. Lykke Li- “Little Bit” 2. Mirah- “Words Cannot Describe” e” 3. Born Ruffians- “Foxes Mate For Life 4. Miracle Fortress- “This Thing About bout You” 5. Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsineltsin- “Some Constellation”

UGLY:

1. James Blunt- “You’re Beautiful” 2. Celine Dion- “My Heart Will Go On” 3. Uncle Kracke Kracker- “Follow Me” 4. John Mayer- “Your Body Is A Wonderland” 5. Black Eyed P Peas- “Don’t Phunk With My Heart”

2010

AWESOMELY CHEESY:

1. Meat Loaf- “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” 2. Hootie & The Blowfish- “Only Wanna Be With You” 3. Billy Ocean- “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” 4. Michael Bolton- “When A Man Loves A Woman” 5. Goo Goo Dolls- “Iris”

PHOTO PROVIDED

Annika Larson is a professional writing sophomore.

day

1. PoisonP “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” Thor 2. 2 Boyz II Men- “I’ll Make Love To You” 3. Britney Spears- “Baby One More Time” 4. Backstreet Boys- “I Want It That Way” 5. Spice Girls- “Wannabe”

1. Kings of Leon- “Knocked Up” 2. Hanson- “Love Song” 3. Wanda Jackson- “You Can’t Have ve My Love” 4. All American Rejects- “Swing Swing” wing” 5. Woody Guthrie- “My Sweet and Bitter Bowl”

So I’ll get this out of the way: SEX. S-E-X. This is a column about sex. Because for most of us, we’re having it, we like it and we like to talk about it. We should talk about it — all of it. This is why: Our generation knows what it’s like to grow up in a sexually confusing social climate. Sexual images are all around us in pop culture, yet our society fetishizes virginity. Most of us had abstinence-only sex education in high school, so we learned plenty about why we shouldn’t be having sex, but not much about what to do if we decided ANNIKA to do it anyway. This is why I, along with so LARSON many members of our generation, am writing about sex. USA Today reported in 2002 that “sex columns in college newspapers ... have been multiplying like jack rabbits.” In 2009, The Nation featured an article on what it called “the student sex column movement.” Dan Reimold, an expert on the student sex column, said he estimates “during any given semester, more than 200 sex and dating columns are being published in U.S. student newspapers, magazines, and online outlets.” So this spring in “Between the Sheets,” I would like to open up a discourse for honest and frank communication about sex, because it is part of a majority of our lives as college students. This is not “Cosmo” sex tips; I’ll never tell you to use your thong as a hair-tie or suggest the reverse cowgirl position is “kinky.” I am not pursuing shock value, nor will I make any blanket statements about how sexuality should or shouldn’t be. I hope that we can all learn a few things together. Next time I will be discussing contraception, so share your thoughts on the matter at OUDaily.com or through an e-mail to the editor.

ntine’s e l a

GUILTY PLEASURES

OKLAHOMA BALLADS:

A three-letter word that can no longer be ignored

CLASSICS:

Joshua Boydston is a psychology sophomore. Alex Ewald is a University College freshman.

EDAN, EVANGELICALS ADDED TO NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP

Two more acts have been added to the Norman Music Festival lineup. Edan, a hip-hop artist out of Maryland, will be performing on the main stage, festival organizers announced Monday on Oklahoma City radio station 105.3 The Spy. Edan is an emcee, DJ and record producer whose most recent release was 2009s “Echo Party.” He has worked with many national acts including Cut Chemist and Mr. Lif. Also announced were Norman’s own Evangelicals. The band — whose latest album, “The Evening Descends,” scored an 8.3 on Pitchfork.com — will perform on the Sooner Theatre stage Saturday night. The two bands join previously announced acts, Dirty Projectors, Grupo Fantasma and Electric Six. Norman Music Festival is free to the public and will take place April 24 and 25 in downtown Norman. -Daily Staff Reports

PHOTO PROVIDED

Norman band Evangelicals have been added to the Norman Music Festival lineup along with hip-hop act Edan. Norman Music Festival will be April 24 and 25.

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University College is seeking current students to work with the Summer Enrollment Program for entering freshmen. Positions are FT temporary May 18 - July 30. Pay is $8/hour with weekends/holidays off. Application at uc.ou.edu. For questions, contact Brian Nossaman at bnoss@ou. edu or 325-3521.

SITUATIONS WANTED Research volunteers needed! Researchers at OU Health Sciences Center need healthy volunteers ages 18 to 30 who have a parent with or without a history of an alcohol or drug problem. Qualified participants will be compensated for their time. Call 456-4303 to learn more about the study and to see if you qualify. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

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2 4

1 1

4 9

2 5

6 5

2 4

3 6

9 2

4 7

Previous Solution 4 6 1 8 3 9 5 2 7

3 8 9 2 7 5 1 4 6

5 2 7 6 4 1 9 8 3

2 5 8 1 6 7 3 9 4

6 7 3 9 8 4 2 5 1

9 1 4 5 2 3 6 7 8

7 4 5 3 9 6 8 1 2

8 9 6 4 1 2 7 3 5

1 3 2 7 5 8 4 6 9

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 19) -- Involvements with friends will be rather pleasant -- with one exception that you need to handle diplomatically. If you find your share is more than it should be, speak up -- but do it nicely.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)

-- Positive developments will transpire in spite of a negative attitude early in the day. A potentially boring involvement will turn out to be tons of fun.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

-- In your involvements with both friends and business associates, if you focus on their good character qualities rather than on their flaws, getting along will be a breeze.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

-- It’s useless to discuss career matters with those who have no knowledge about how to assist you, but someone with experience could be an immense help. Talk to the right person.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

-- You’re a good arbitrator by nature, and your talents may be needed to assist two companions unable to find a compatible middle ground. Don’t hesitate to help.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Previous Answers

-- Those assignments or chores won’t be as difficult to handle as you think. Go in with an open mind, and then do less pondering and more performing.

www.smallstep.gov

Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.

TAKE A SMALL STEP TO GET HEALTHY

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) --

Someone aligned with a group that you would like to join might make some introductions and fulfill your desire. Don’t be shy about socializing when invited.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

-- A seemingly no-win situation could take a favorable twist that will enable you to rectify the condition. Make the most of it when the chance presents itself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

-- One of your best assets is the ability to see things from different perspectives. You’ll use this valuable talent to keep a small mishap from being blown out of proportion.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.

22) -- Your probabilities for personal gain look exceptionally encouraging even though the pickings may be slim, all because you make the most of what is at hand.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Even though you are usually reluctant to interfere in another’s affairs, you might find it necessary to step in and offer some important advice that has been elusive to this person CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.

19) -- If you find yourself involved in a situation where you’re not getting a fair share, don’t be reluctant to speak up and point out the discrepancies.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 09, 2010

ACROSS 1 Sodas 5 Counts’ equivalents 10 Palm used for thatching 14 Have an edge against 15 Lie in store for 16 Degree candidate’s exam 17 Serious 19 Bulb rating 20 Formal order 21 Country encircled by South Africa 23 “My Name is ___ Lev” (Potok novel) 24 Sentry’s attribute 26 Italian white wine 28 Grass square 29 Bond creator Fleming 32 Pasture 33 Chaotic brawl 37 Movement leaders 42 “Same here” 43 Corn holder 44 “___ Back” (Beatles hit) 45 Cow’s mouthful 47 Gloomy anxiety 50 Abs descriptor

54 Big name in watches 58 Unstable 59 In a macabre manner 60 Bank concern 61 “Read my lips” declaration 64 Not of the clergy 65 Burial plot 66 Depression in a surface 67 Diarist Frank 68 Disparaging look 69 Historic chapters DOWN 1 Zoo favorite 2 Certain woodwind 3 Half of a famous puppet team 4 Reserves for future use 5 With the greatest of ___ 6 Reaction to a masterwork 7 Bled 8 Twisted thread 9 Ranch animals 10 “I’m not surprised!” 11 More than annoyed 12 Primrose and bridle 13 Low

women? 18 Infamous emperor 22 Leaf aperture 24 Affirm positively 25 Pacer, in racing 27 Chicken ___ king 29 Darwin follower? 30 Noshed 31 Cole who was King 34 Chicken part 35 Obsolete preposition 36 Planner’s fig. 38 “Impossible!” 39 Be skeptical 40 Halftime marchers 41 Chang’s bosom buddy?

46 Events 48 Nullify an edit 49 Violent denunciation 50 Washington town, when repeated 51 Type of flu 52 Toklas’ partner 53 It has a cupule 55 Social event 56 Likhovtseva of women’s tennis 57 Covered porticos, in Greek architecture 59 Pitcher by the sink 62 Scotsman’s “no” 63 Preholiday night

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

NO WAY! by Kay Daniels

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 7

« MEN’S BASKETBALL SSee how the SSooners perform aagainst Texas Tech tomorrow at T

Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

OOUDAILY.COM

MEN’S GOLF

he OU men’s golf team is scheduled to begin its spring season this weekend in San Antonio, Texas in the Oak Hills Invitational. The Daily’s Ricky Ly caught up with head coach Ryan Hybl to talk about movies, music and a little bit of golf. Hybl is in his first season as coach of the Sooners. Before this season, he was an assistant coach at Georgia beginning in 2005 while competing pro- RYAN fessionally as well. HYBL He played college golf at Georgia as well, where he was a two-time All-American and All-SEC player. Hybl is the brother of former OU quarterback Nate Hybl.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA? MICHELLE GRAY/THE DAILY

Guard Willie Warren passes the ball during the game against Texas in Norman on Saturday. The Sooners won 80-71.

Warren to play against Red Raiders Sooners hope Warren’s presence will aid team that lost without him earlier in the season. CLARK FOY Daily Staff Writer

Following their weekend win over the No. 9-ranked Texas Longhorns, the Sooners look to extend their win streak as they host the Texas Tech Red Raiders. OU (13-9, 4-4) lost its first matchup against the Red Raiders (15-7, 3-5) in Lubbock, Texas a contest where the Sooners lost the game in the second half after commanding a first half lead. The Sooners held the Red Raiders to just 23 points in the first half last game but gave up 52 points in the second. While senior forward Tony Crocker and freshman guard Tommy Mason-Griffin had great days, sophomore guard Willie Warren missed the game with the same ankle injury that bothered him against the Longhorns. Oklahoma fell to Texas Tech 75-65 after two very different halves of play. However, with the recent play of Mason-Griffin, things may be different this time around. The talented guard has played 276 out of 285 possible minutes during the last seven games and is averaging

20 points, 3.9 boards and 4 assists. He is shooting 52.1 percent from the three-point arc over the same period of time. Warren said he will play against the Red Raiders, although he will not be 100 percent. “Tomorrow will be pushing it,” Warren said. “But we are looking forward to try and be 100 percent on Saturday [against Oklahoma State)]” The Sooners are 17-5 against the Red Raiders in Norman and 29-17 all-time. The second matchup against Texas Tech is a crucial gain if the Sooners still want to make a tournament run. Former OU great Blake Griffin will be in attendance as OU will honor him with the first “Blake Griffin Night” at Lloyd Noble Center. Griffin, the first overall pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in last summer’s NBA draft, is returning to see the Sooners play for the first time since his last game against Oklahoma State at the end of last season. Texas Tech continues to be led by senior forward Mike Singletary, who averages 15.7 points per game and Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at Lloyd Noble and will be the last home game before the Sooners travel Saturday to Stillwater to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday.

$5off Order yours between Feb. 8 and 19 and receive a special $5 discount

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Online, at www. studentmedia.ou.edu. Type “$5 off” in the comments box.

By phone, call (405) 325-3668.

In the office, Copeland Hall Room 122.

OU Student is a publication of fairs. Sooner yearbook nt ision of Stude Af Media in the div Oklahoma is an The University of y institution. equal opportunit

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“Sports Business.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND? “Bon Jovi.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? “A Few Good Men.”

DO YOU KNOW ALL THE WORDS TO THE OU FIGHT SONG? “I don’t, unfortunately. I’m trying to get there though.”

WHAT WOULD STUDENTS BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? “Probably that I can beat everyone on our golf team.”

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR TEAM TO ACHIEVE THIS SEASON? “I want us to win a Big 12 Championship this year.”

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

MASON-GRIFFIN NAMED BIG 12 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK ONCE AGAIN Freshman standout Tommy Mason-Griffin won his second consecutive Phillips 66 Big 12 Rookie of the Week award Monday after his stellar performance Saturday afternoon against the Longhorns. In an 80-71 win over ninth-ranked Texas, MasonGriffin stepped up in the place of injured sophomore Willie Warren and had a game-high 24 points, five rebounds and four assists. He was 6-12 from the field, including 5-7 from three-point range and saw 39 minutes of action. For the season, the Houston-native is averaging 13.2 points, 3 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting a league-best 46.3 percent from three-point range. Since Big 12 play has began, the rising star is averaging a team-best 18.3 points per game (most among all league newcomers), is shooting a conference-best 51.9 percent from three and ranks second with 3.4 treys per game. Mason-Griffin also has led the Sooner in scoring four of their last five games and already ranks fourth on OU’s freshman list in 3-point makes (50) and sixth in assists (101). Mason-Griffin will be the most efficient freshman three-point shooter in history if he can maintain his current 46.3 percent from behind the arc.

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SPORTS BRIEFS WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS RANKED NO. 1 The OU women’s gymnastics team is now ranked No. 1 in the nation after overtaking previously top-ranked Alabama in the latest Troester rankings. The team is the first women’s sport to be ranked No. 1 during the regular season. The Sooners are also the first squad from the Big 12 to be ranked No. 1 since Nebraska held the spot in 2005. OU’s first competition at No. 1 is scheduled for Friday against Iowa State during the Sooners annual “Beauty and the Beast” night, during which they will compete side-by-side with the wrestling team at McCasland Fieldhouse. -Aaron Colen/The Daily

OU CELEBRATES BLAKE GRIFFIN NIGHT The Sooner Nation welcomes back former OU star Blake Griffin to Lloyd Noble Center tonight when the Sooners host the Texas Tech Red Raiders at 7 p.m. Griffin, this summer’s first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Clippers, will make his first appearance at Lloyd Noble Center since the season finale against Oklahoma State last year. He is returning to celebrate “Blake Griffin Night”, presented by Academy Sports and Outdoors, at Lloyd Noble Center. The first 4,000 fans in the door will receive a free special edition Griffin poster, courtesy of Academy Sports and Outdoors. The first 2,000 will receive a scratch card, 100 of which will include Griffin’s logo. The 100 fans receiving Griffin’s logo will be admitted, with one guest, to a private, postgame VIP meet-and-greet with Griffin. Each fan at the VIP event will score a photo with Griffin, one of his new “WORK” New Era limited edition caps and an autograph. “I’m very excited,” Griffin said in a teleconference. “I’m just happy to comeback and see people and coming back to the place where I had two great years and I had a lot of fun, I wouldn’t trade those years for anything.” -Clark Foy/The Daily

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