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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2010

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An OU retiree gets a building get namesake after na 26 years of employment. em Learn more on Lea page 3. pa

T Sooners took The on the No.1 team in tthe nation last night. Recap on page 5.

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OU doctor performs first implant New treatment of cardiovascular disease reaches U.S. market MATTHEW MOZEK Daily Staff Writer

Sorin Group, a global leader in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, announced the first implant of a new, state-of-the-art battery technology, which was performed by a member of the OU Health Sciences Center medical team earlier this month. Dr. Dwight Reynolds, section chief of cardiology at the OU Health Sciences Center, performed the first implant of Paradym CRT, Sorin Group’s next generation of cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator. “The normal contractions of the heart chambers are precisely synchronized and follow a strictly defined sequence,” Reynolds said. “When this synchronization becomes disrupted, the amount of blood pumped with each beat is reduced, which is a cause of heart failure.” Reynolds said Paradym CRT is an important tool because it paces the heart’s right and left ventricles to resynchronize their contraction and attempt to increase the cardiac output. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Paradym CRT delivers 37 Joules, the highest energy of any implantable cardiac defibrillator currently available, he said. “I’m impressed with the Sorin technology,” Reynolds said. “They have managed to pack a lot of power into a small can without compromising on features, good charge times or longevity.” In addition, Paradym CRT offers consistent charge times throughout the life of the device, improved longevity and a six-month Elective Replacement Indicator to End of Service period, twice as long as any other implantable cardiac defibrillator, he said. Reynolds also said Paradym CRT features the PARAD+ detection algorithm, whose superior specificity in discriminating ventricular arrhythmias has been clinically proven.

House speaker pushes energy stabilization bill Fund would be set aside to use as a ‘mini-Rainy Day Fund,’ speaker says CHARLES WARD Daily Staff Writer

Oklahoma’s most famous roller coaster isn’t at Frontier City or the State Fairgrounds. Instead, it’s the sharp climbs and deep drops in energy prices, particularly the cost of a barrel of oil or a unit of natural gas. The speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives would like to have the Legislature spend some of its time this session discussing whether Oklahoma should keep buying tickets on the energy production thrill ride. HOUSE BILL 3032 House Bill 3032, introduced by Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, would create an energy stabilization fund. He said the goal of the fund would be to set aside some of the money the state collects from energy production during times when the costs of those commodities are high. That money would then go into what Benge called a “mini-Rainy Day Fund” that could be

tapped when revenue from Oklahoma’s gross production taxes on oil and natural gas decreases. Under Benge’s proposal, Oklahoma could have banked some of the windfall energy revenue it enjoyed when oil sold for more than $140 a barrel and natural gas prices went to nearly $11 per thousand cubic feet during the summer of 2008. When oil prices fell to less than $31 a barrel in December 2008 and natural gas sold for less than $3 per thousand cubic feet in September 2009, that reserve could have been used to offset the resulting revenue drops in Oklahoma’s production tax collections. Benge said although Oklahoma’s revenue comes from a “diversified” pool of sources, such as income, sales and motor vehicle taxes, the state’s economy continues to remain focused on energy prices. “I think that we’ve been reminded that we still are dependent on energy, and especially as we’ve seen the growth in natural gas, it has caused our economy to be even more energy-focused, oiland gas-focused,” he said. DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS A past governor (David Boren), the current

governor, and would-be governors Jari Askins, Randy Brogdon and Mary Fallin, all have said they support the theory of setting aside energy revenue in good times to help smooth out the bad. However, the support also was unanimously couched with reservations against endorsing a plan without seeing specifics. One example of such a reservation came in an e-mail from Boren. “While a careful study will have to be made into the legal and constitutional issues raised by this proposal, I feel that the speaker’s proposal definitely merits consideration,” Boren stated. Benge said he introduced his bill because the issue was timely and he wanted to have discussion on the issue. As of now, however, the bill is less than a page long, introduced in shell form to ensure its timeliness for the current legislative session. He also said he wasn’t aware of any legal or constitutional issues of his idea. The potential fund’s details and political viability is scheduled to be taken up at a 5:30 p.m. Wednesday meeting of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, according to the House’s Web site.

Senate keeps grocery stores from selling wine, strong beer Resolution to expand alcohol inventory in some stores rejected by Senate committee CASEY WILSON Daily Staff Writer

Wine and high-point beer will remain unavailable at grocery stores in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties after a measure by Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, was rejected by the Senate Committee on Business and Labor. Senate Joint Resolution 62 would have sought final approval from voters statewide before it became a state constitutional amendment. The issue in the proposed measure was one of economic development, Rice said by e-mail. “There are major grocery store chains such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods that are hesitant to put stores in Oklahoma given that they would not be able to sell wine,” Rice said. Wine accounts for a large portion of

these stores’ profits, Rice said. Rice said he intended for this measure to eventually include more than just Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. “I was and still am more than willing to add the other 75 counties to the bill,” he said. “But I just wanted to start with the state’s two largest and see what the reaction to the legislation would be.” Proposing the measure to only include those two counties was an effective way of “taking baby steps” on the issue, he said. Oklahomans for Alcohol Law Reform (OFALR) is a group that intends to change the current Oklahoma alcohol laws, according the group’s Web site. “We feel these laws impede upon our rights as consumers,” the Web site stated. “We seek to revise the current laws to make obtaining fresher and higher quality products easier.” Chris Herford, an official with OFALR, said his group was opposed to Rice’s measure because it only allowed grocery stores to sell cold high-point beer. The bill would have hurt the retail package stores and probably would have

caused half of them to shut down, Herford said. “The local Oklahoma-owned liquor stores cannot compete with Wal-Mart on price or convenience,” he said. “It would have been devastating to them.” Herford said his group supports Oklahoma small business owners. “While we didn’t agree with [Sen. Rice’s] approach to the problem, we are just thankful that there is a senator out there that is supportive of our cause,” the OFALR site stated. Aaron Petrone, owner of Campus Liquors in Norman, said he is opposed to wine and strong beer being sold in grocery stores. “I can’t sell anything other than beer, wine and liquor,” he said. “So if Wal-Mart can sell beer and wine and everything else, they’re at a much greater advantage.” If grocery stores could sell wine and strong beer, many small businesses that sell liquor would have to shut down, he said. Officials with Wal-Mart and Target declined to comment for this story.

IMPLANT CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

JEREMY DICKIE/THE DAILY

IFC CONCERNED WITH ALCOHOL POLICY ENFORCEMENT Ten-minute warnings before house checks no longer given, raises communication issues, IFC president says CAROLINE PERRYMAN Daily Staff Writer

OU Interfraternity Council is concerned with the new Student Conduct office, formally known as Judicial Affairs, and its policies enforcing OU’s Student Alcohol Policy, the IFC president said. The Student Conduct office now oversees every aspect of compliance checks, investigations and

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punitive judgments, said Daniel Jones, IFC president and communications junior. Until the beginning of the semester, fraternity chapter presidents would receive a call from Student Life 10 minutes before a compliance check was performed. IFC no longer receives the 10-minute warnings. “It’s definitely an issue of concern for my presidents and chapters,” Jones said. “Having a group of individuals brand new to the process perform checks that could potentially damage a house’s reputation is quite stressful, to say the least.”

The procedural changes were created and implemented at the beginning of the semester without notification from the university, Jones said. IFC met with university officials to discuss the changes and make their concerns known Friday. Jones said during this meeting, he was told 10-minute warnings would no longer be given. Though the 10-minute warnings were never officially part of the compliance check policy, the fraternities had grown accustomed to the warnings, Jones said. “The success of the transition process of moving compliance

check responsibilities from Student Life to Student Conduct will be key in determining how we as the IFC view these changes,” Jones said. “We’ve been assured by the university that there will be no changes in the ways these compliance checks are performed, even though it’s a new university entity’s responsibility. If that is in fact accurate, it will be an easier pill to swallow.” Changes to the alcohol policy have not been made or proposed, Andrea Kulsrud, Student Conduct director, said by e-mail. “The purpose of all aspects of policy is the safety and well-being

of our students,” Kulsrud said. “Our efforts are designed to reduce the illegal and overconsumption of alcohol. With these goals in mind, the compliance check teams will now call as they arrive at a chapter house and receive timely admittance into the house.” The Student Alcohol Policy states fraternities are dry and alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside the houses. Fraternity officers and members sign agreements to abide by this policy. Jones said the IFC is less concerned about the 10-minute warning change and more focused on

ALCOHOL CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

VOL. 95, NO. 103

2 Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

OUDAILY.COM » GO ONLINE TO SEE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS YEAR’S BANGLADESH NIGHT AT OU.

Sooner Sampler:

Daily reporter Kathleen Evans asked students if Oklahoma grocery stores should be allowed to sell wine and high-point beer.

“I don’t have an opinion because I don’t drink, but I don’t see the problem as long as the age limit is still enforced.” -Charlie Baum, management junior

“I would have no problem with it. If you’re going to buy alcohol, you’re going to buy it. Just having it in a liquor store won’t change that or stop someone from buying it.” -Daniel Bailey, computer science senior

“No. I don’t think it matters, and it wouldn’t make a difference.”

“No, unless they keep it separated from what they currently sell.”

-Ibk Segun, public relations senior

-William Green, University College freshman

“Yes, because we are all grown up and can take care of ourselves. We have the right to choose what we drink.”

“Yes. It wouldn’t be a threat to liquor stores and would make it more accessible.” -Jeremy Owens, international business and accounting junior

-Yiseul Kim, international business junior

MERRILL JONES/THE DAILY

Implant Continues from page 1 “I especially like the six months longevity post-ERI and the PARAD+ discrimination algorithm to minimize inappropriate shocks,” Reynolds said. “That is extremely important to both my patients and myself.” According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a number of studies have demonstrated the absolute risk of experiencing an inappropriate shock has been observed to be only

5 percent, the lowest percentage recorded thus far. Sorin Group is proud to announce the release of Paradym CRT into the U.S. market, Stefano Di Lullo, president of cardiac rhythm management, said in a statement. “This approval, combined with the first worldwide enrollment into our CLEPSYDRA clinical trial, also occurring in the U.S., demonstrates our commitment to the U.S. market and the strengthening of our innovative leadership in the hemodynamic management of heart failure,” Di Lullo said. According to the company’s Web

site, Sorin Group is a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The company develops, manufactures and markets medical technologies for cardiac surgery and for the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders. Sorin Group focuses on three major therapeutic areas that include cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac rhythm management and heart valve repair and replacement, the Web site stated. For more information, visit www. sorin.com.

Alcohol Continues from page 1 the lack of communication between the university and IFC. “Hopefully some avenues of communication are opened up,” Jones said. “We want more transparency from the university as far as the procedures for compliance checks, the investigation process and the process by which punitive judgments are issued. The university has definitely listened to us and will be working to provide us with that information. I’m sure there are many things the university would like us to do better, and I’m all ears.”

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

OU retiree honored with building, sandwich Transportation center renamed after Parking and Transit Services director retires RICKY MARANON

Assignment Editor

A current building on campus will receive a new name in honor of an old friend who is stepping down after 26 years of on-campus service. Theta Dempsey, OU Parking and Transit Services director, celebrated her career of more than a quarter of a century being employed at OU on Monday. “I am truly overwhelmed,” Dempsey said. “I have had the chance to work with some of the best people.” As a reward for her years of service

to OU transportation services, the OU good at this university.” Transportation Operations Center on Boren said though students may Monitor Avenue will be renamed the complain about parking on campus, Theta Dempsey OU Transportation Dempsey’s leadership has managed to Operations Center, OU keep complaints President David Boren anabout parking and nounced at the ceremony. lower than “You’ll never find anyone more transit “I was just flabbergastmany of the Big 12 ed,” Dempsey said when committed to the needs of the universities. He student body than Theta. She asked about the building. also said Dempsey B o r e n s a i d t h e O U is the example of everything is a leader when it Board of Regents is ex- that is good at this university.” comes to campus pected to make the name -OU PRESIDENT DAVID BOREN and mass transit vechange official at their hicles using alternaMarch meeting. tive fuels. “You’ll never find any“We are proud of one more committed to the needs of the you, and we at OU have three words for student body than Theta,” Boren said. you: ‘We love you’,” Boren said. “She is the example of everything that is In addition to her new building,

UOSA CANDIDATE APPLICATIONS DUE Filing deadlines for students wanting to run for positions in the UOSA Executive and Legislative branches are Friday. The numbers listed below are the applications filed as of Monday night. For information and applications to file as a candidate in the UOSA Spring 2010 General Election, visit the Conoco-Phillips Student Leadership Wing of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Applications filed for President and Vice President: UOSA President - 1 UOSA Vice President - 1 Student Bar Association President - 2

Dempsey received honors from Gov. Brad Henry, the OU Board of Regents and OU Housing and Food. “In honor of her love for Crossroads’ grilled cheese sandwiches, we are now putting her name on the menu,” Dave Annis, OU Housing and Food Services director said. Annis said Crossroads will now have the Theta Dempsey Grilled Cheese Sandwich on their menu as a permanent item. Dempsey spoke with The Daily after her ceremony and gave advice to students about life at OU. “If you’re going to park on campus, then just realize that there are more important things to worry about than parking and its problems,” Dempsey said.

RESEARCH PROGRAM EXPANDED (Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates run together on the spring general election ballot) Applications filed for the UOSA Undergraduate Student Congress: Social Science - 1 University College - 1 Life Science - 1 Humanities - 1 Business - 1 Source: Amanda Merrill, UOSA Election Board registration coordinator -Daily Staff Reports

CAMPUS EVENTS

The OU Cancer Institute recently partnered with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, expanding its access to clinical trials and research. The SCRI, located in Tennessee, is a research organization that studies therapies and develops prescription drugs. It is one of the largest research programs in the nation, said Diane Clay, OU Health Sciences Center spokeswoman. The partnership is the first of its kind for the SCRI. The OUCI currently has more than 200 clinical trials, Clay said. Through the partnership, OUCI will begin expanding the number of trials and wants to have 100 patients enrolled by the end of the year. SCRI will provide the research and clinical trials while the Cancer Institute will work with the

SCRI’s drug development and research teams, Clay said. The OU Cancer Institute is currently working to be recognized as Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center, according to its Web site. This means the institute will have the highest standard of care and research. The OUCI is also in the process of constructing a new facility on the Health Sciences Center campus, set to open in 2010. Construction reached a halfway point in October 2009. For more information on clinical trials, visit www.oucancer.org and search for clinical trials. -Kathleen Evans/Daily Staff Writer

POLICE REPORTS

TODAY OKC GREATER GRADS Oklahoma City Greater Grads will host a luncheon and lecture about working in Oklahoma at noon in the Heritage Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will hold its Bible study at noon in the Sooner Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. STUDENT SUCCESS SERIES Stephen Crynes will talk about test-taking strategies at 4 p.m. in Wagner Hall, room 245. COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES The College of Arts and Sciences will have books written by faculty to read and check out at 4:30 p.m. in Ellison Hall. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY The Zoological Society will present a lecture from Mark Walvoord, Action Center director, about academic success at 7 p.m. in Sutton Hall, room 312. STAND STAND, an anti-genocide group, will host a lecture by Dr. Thomas Van Dyke at 7 p.m. in Dale Hall, room 103.

WEDNESDAY

CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will have its Bible study at 12:30 p.m. in the Traditions Room of the union. STUDENT SUCCESS SERIES Professors Doug Gaffin and Marielle Hoefnagels will talk about studying for the sciences at 5 p.m. in Wagner Hall, room 245. FRED JONES JR. MUSEUM OF ART The museum will have a sneak peek of the film “1 in 3: It’s Closer Than You Think” at 6 p.m. in the Mary Eddy and Fred Jones Auditorium. The film is about domestic violence. WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER The Women’s Outreach Center will host a movie screening and panel discussion on body images and eating disorders in Devon Hall, room 130. GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDERED AND FRIENDS GLBTF will host its weekly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Traditions Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST Campus Crusade for Christ will meet at 9 p.m. in the Santee Lounge of the Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. WANT TO HAVE YOUR EVENT PUBLISHED?

CAREER SERVICES Career Services will have a summer camp career fair at 11 a.m. in the food court of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Go to OUDaily.com and scroll down to the event calendar. Click on the “Submit Event” tab underneath the calendar. All event submissions are pending approval by The Daily Editorial Board.

number

crisis line

[help is just a phone call away]

325-6963 (NYNE)

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

be good to your February is National Heart Health Month. Visit OU Health Services during the month of February to receive a $10 Cholesterol Screening.* For more information, please contact the OU Health Services Laboratory: 325-4611 Ext. 41142 *An 8-12 hour fast is recommended for accurate results. Limited to OU students, faculty, staff and dependents. Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For accommodations on the basis of disability, call 325-4611. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

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.

ing with a suspended license and failure to maintain security verification. MOLESTING PROPERTY Tommy Anthony Coleman, 59, 201 W. Gray St., Sunday ASSAULT AND BATTERY Darby Lee Harris, 18, 929 Barkley Circle, Saturday

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Darla Deann Rottschaefer, 49, 4500 Midway Drive, Sunday Megan Elizabeth Kays, 26, Boyd Street and Asp Avenue, Thursday

Devin Kyle Ramsey, 18, 211 S. Cockrell Ave., Saturday

COUNTY WARRANT Demetra Nicole Smith, 24, 1001 E. Robinson St., Sunday, also county warrants

MUNICIPAL WARRANT Crystal Dawn Bass, 22, 1400 24th Ave. S.W., Sunday

PUBLIC INTOXICATION Jerry Barnett Ridings, 56, 3205 W. Robinson St., Saturday, also possession of weapons

PETTY LARCENY Matthew Bennett Ruthart, 33, 1251 E. Alameda St., Saturday, also county warrant

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Cory Richard Caldwell, 20, West Main Street, Sunday

Aaron Ricardo Reed, 41, 640 Parrington Oval, Thursday, also municipal warrant

DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION Ismail Mikhail Maclin, 22, 400 W. Boyd St., Wednesday

Claud Chadell W ile y, 20, Oakcrest Avenue, Sunday

AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Tyler Wayne Sellers, 23, West Main Street, Sunday

LARCENY Michael Dylan Powell, 18, 1401 Asp Ave., Wednesday, also knowingly concealing stolen property

POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL Jose Dejesus Martinez Deloera, 20, 2400 W. Boyd St., Saturday

Joshua Eugene Lee, 23, West Main Street, Sunday, also driv-

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

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

You may vote for this semester’s big issue at:

OUDAILY.COM/OPINION

In response to Travis Grogan’s column on the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

“I can’t help but wonder how many black people would have avoided getting beat up or killed if we had only passed a law forcing them to wear white face makeup. What a ludicrous line of reasoning.” -dargus

OUR VIEW

ATTENDANCE POLICIES ARE NOT MOTIVATIONAL ENOUGH As further proof some college professors think of their students as infants, many classes have attendance policies. To the weathered student this is nothing new — many classes have had attendance policies for years — but that doesn’t mean it’s beyond critique. Rather than testing the knowledge students gain from the class, this tests their ability to come to a classroom and sign the roll. This policy is a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound; though you’re doing something, it doesn’t solve the real problem in the slightest. Taking attendance to increase classroom attendance is avoiding the real problem. If classes aren’t stimulating enough to get students who are paying for the classes to attend, shouldn’t the professor consider evaluating their curriculum and teaching methods rather than relegate students to the room with roll? Put simply, classroom attendance is often the teacher’s problem, not the students.’ Forcing students who aren’t prepared, missed the roll or aren’t quite ill enough to go to the doctor and get a note isn’t benefiting anyone other than an inept professor’s pride.

Students are in college for intellectual stimulation. They are paying hand-overfist demonstrating their burning desire for stimulation, yet many classes aren’t delivering. If students can pass without attending boring, waste-of-time lectures, they will, and they have a right to do so. If students have the cognitive ability to pass without attending, why are they punished for their superior intellect? Why not punish the professors who aren’t stimulating the minds of their students with low classroom attendance? Regular in-class assignments and quizzes solve the same problems as a roll sheet, while treating students as adults, but it still fails to solve the real problem. Make classes more difficult; have discussions rather than summaries of the readings; give students a real reason to attend class. Professors, don’t milk your egos with roll sheets to artificially boost classroom attendance. Your classroom participation may still be sub-par. You are professors; you’re supposed to be intelligent. We are students; we want to learn. Please teach us like adults. Stimulate our minds and give us the education we’re paying for. A.J. Stafford is a psychology Senior.

STAFF COLUMN

We have the right to be right, not wrong For quite some time now, it has been popular to have a profound jealousy of free speech; that is, we insist upon our right to say things, whether or not they are true. People justify this by talking about states of nature and the dignity of humanity and a certain 18th century philosopher who made a lot of stuff up. But there is reason to believe this is an improper attitude. For how can it be your innate right to say something wrong? Is there not something inherently wrong with what is wrong? Is not truth a good in itself and falsehood a most terrible evil? In which case, if you GERARD go spewing incorrect opinions all KEISER over other people, you are doing something quite wicked. Perhaps you don’t know any better? In that case, although you are excused, there is still something evil in the action itself. “But how can we be totally sure something is wrong?” Say that if you want, but even if nobody can have true certainty, and so nobody can be held personally responsible for his or her errors, it is still objectively bad to

make a speech promoting falsehood. And if you want to start clamoring about whether truth itself exists, then “I am right, and you are right and all is right — too-looral-lay!” Must we reject this line of thought as being contrary to the First Amendment? Not necessarily; you simply have to distinguish between natural and political rights. For one still has the natural right to speak the timely truth; namely, one may say true things, provided circumstances do not demand silence, as you must not go about saying obscene things to children, no matter how truthful you might be. And most modern governments have decided that the easiest way to make sure everyone can exercise the natural right to speak the timely truth is to give us the political right to say nearly anything, even if it is the most untimely lie. Some will protest that this idea still undermines free speech; governments could decide, and often do decide, that they are right about something and will not let anyone disagree. This may only be a problem, however, if the government in question is

overly oppressive or if it just happens to be some errors can lead to real harm. Finally, wrong. In the first case, people are punished the notion that trying to destroy an idea is inordinately; in the second, error is propa- counter-productive is highly debatable and gated while truth is suppressed, and people seems to vary with the circumstances. And are punished unjustly. remember this is something for an infallible Nevertheless, in the exceedingly improb- government; I am by no means advocating able situation of a government Congress start ripping things that only restricted incorrect out of the Constitution. and non-trivial ideas, and “You must not But regardless of hypothetipunished offenders in propor- go about saying cal politics, you ought to think tion to the crime, you could obscene things to about what is actually right and only with difficulty say that the not just about your political government was doing wrong; children, no matter rights, and what the Supreme it would be crushing falsehood how truthful you Court has ruled on the matter. and spreading fact, certainly a might be.” Otherwise, you will simply be noble thing for anyone to do. adding to the swollen flocks of Three major objections to incorrect opinions that keep this unlikely scenario will now come up. The slapping into people’s eyes and ears, and first says people do not deserves to be pun- thereby do something wrong. ished if they firmly believe in what they say, Of course, maybe I am mistaken about for they would be ignorant of their wrong- this; maybe this column is a heap of pernidoing; however, ignorance is not typically cious errors; maybe Truth herself screams regarded as an excuse under the law. and shudders to see such falsehood, horriNext, there is the question of wheth- fied at these deceitful words. If so, I still had er truth is more important than people, every right to say everything in this column. which is too difficult to be dealt with here; nevertheless, one must bear in mind that Gerard Keiser is a classical languages sophomore.

STAFF COLUMN

Religion is not the root of all evil; place blame where it’s due I overheard an Austrian atheist sharing his views on religion with a Catholic Peruvian. “In my country, they print warning labels on cigarettes that say ‘smoking kills,’” the atheist said. “They should say the same about religion.” This kind of irreverence may seem unimaginable in Oklahoma, but in Europe, this view is not out of the ordinary. In fact, it’s pretty typical. It is a secular continent. Religion has fallen out of style, replaced instead by something like cynical humanism, not quite despairing, but definitely not optimistic. But I believe Europeans have it wrong. Say what you want about religion, but it’s certainly not the MICHAEL root of our problems. PILCHER It’s easy to criticize religion: evolution deniers, door-to-door testifiers, jihadists and the otherwise fanatical. But saying religion is the root of all evil is too easy. It’s a cop out. Blaming religion is akin to treating the symptom and ignoring the disease. What it comes down to is a fundamental human flaw. People will always kill other people. People will always twist the truth and manipulate their fellow man to serve their own selfish interests. It’s human nature. Religion in and of itself is not a bad thing. Most religions, in fact, were founded on seeking the truth and living a moral life. Blame the people who pervert and radicalize it, the people

who misuse it in violence and in ignorance. Blame the people, not the religion. Opponents of religion often attribute wars, terrorism and other manifestations of violence directly to it, but they are mistaken. These conflicts that appear to arise from religion actually come from our inability to understand and tolerate our own human differences. People have historically harbored suspicions and even lashed out in violence against those who were different from themselves, whether because of skin color, nationality or religion. Another source of conflict arises from the fact that we live in a world of scarce resources unable to satisfy our vast human wants. It’s an economic reason. People struggle for control of food, water, land, etc. It’s human nature to covet our neighbor’s house, wife, donkey and ox. It is true that over the course of human history religion has been the cause of conflict. The Crusades, bombings at abortion clinics and the events of Sept. 11 are three humbling examples of the horrors religious extremism is capable of. But were not World War I, World War II, Vietnam and Korea all fought for political reasons? Hundreds of thousands more suffered and died in these bloody conflicts than in acts of religious fanaticism.

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Politics has killed more people than religion. Just think about Stalin and Mao. These two dictators, both avowed atheists, worked tirelessly to rid their respective lands of “the opium of the masses.” Each have death counts near 30 million souls. The human tragedy in Stalin’s Russia and Mao’s China were political massacres, not religious ones. Isn’t it more accurate to say that people are tragically predisposed to violence? The problem is we humans haven’t learned to coexist peacefully. The problem is we haven’t learned to tolerate each other’s differences, respects other points of view and resolve our disputes without resorting to violence. Instead of blaming religion, we need to work to find solutions to the problems that matter. In advocating a world without religion, we overlook the underlying problem. Rather than working to overcome the worst aspects of our nature, opponents of religion advocate a world without human differences. Personally, I would rather live in a world where we are all unique than in one where our individuality is suppressed. While these differences may cause tension and sometimes lead to conflict, they’re also essential to our humanity, a vital part of what makes life interesting and fulfilling. The idea that we should eliminate our differences is repugnant, and it sounds alarmingly like eugenics to me. Michael Pilcher is a University College freshman.

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.

Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion. ’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily. Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff. The board meets Sunday through Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in 160 Copeland Hall. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

« MEN’S BASKETBALL Listen to the men’s basketball podcast with The Daily’s Clark Foy and Aaron Colen at

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

OUDAILY.COM

SOONERS LOSE FIFTH STRAIGHT GAME OU loses again in conference, being defeated by double-digits for the third straight game

While the Sooners remained active throughout the game, KU never let the game back to a single-digit margin in the second half. The Jayhawks led by as much CLARK FOY as 23 at one point. Daily Staff Writer Freshman guard Tommy MasonGriffin led the Sooners The Sooners were in scor ing w ith 17 downed by the Kansas WHAT’S NEXT points, while Fitzgerald Jayhawks on Monday 81and junior guard Cade 68. The Sooners return home and Davis added 16 and 13 OU never led in the respectively. will look to end their fi ve-game crushing loss after the Oklahoma-nativelosing streak against Baylor. Jayhawks opened up with turned-Jayhawk Xavier OU’s winning percentage is now a 9-0 start. Freshman forHenry rained down 23 below .500. ward Andrew Fitzgerald points on the Sooners had the team’s first two and led all scorers as Who: OU v. Baylor field goals after the team the Jayhawks rolled. shot 0-11 from the field in The Sooners fall to When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday the first six minutes. 13-14 on the season, With just under seven 4-9 in the Big 12. The Where: Lloyd Noble Center minutes left in the first last time the Sooners half, the Sooners hacked finished the season a 17-point deficit down with a losing record to just a 26-19 lead for the Jayhawks. However, Kansas would run was in 1981 in Billy Tubbs’ first year as away again, ending the half with a com- head coach, finishing the season 9-18. OU returns to Norman to take on the fortable 44-29 lead. Baylor Bears at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. WESTON WHITE/THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN

Tony Crocker, senior guard, goes up for a shot against Kansas on Monday. The Sooners lost 81-68.

SOONER FOOTBALL PICKS UP JUNIOR COMMITS The OU football team hosted its first junior day at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday and received several commits for the class of 2011. Arlington wide receiver Kameel Jackson and Moore quarterback Kendal Thompson were among the high school juniors at the event. Both committed in the fall of 2009 to kick off the class with two highly touted verbal commitments. Jackson and Moore were soon joined by EulessTrinity tight end Chris Barnett. The 6-6 245 pound athlete was the first of three to give a verbal on Saturday and has been on many programs’ watch lists after recording running the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. The next two verbals came shortly after the day was over from two high school teammates. Stony Brook linebacker P.L. Lindley and defensive tackle Jordan Wade rounded out the day, leaving the Sooners with five total for the future Sooner class.

The class has 13 seniors on scholarship for the 2010-2011 season, which would guarantee 13 available scholarships for the class of 2011 (granted that none receive medical redshirts or are redshirted by the coaching staff). More scholarships could become available if players declare for the NFL draft before the completion of their senior season, or if a player’s scholarship is pulled due to any number of reasons from off-the-field to academic issues. A player transferring to another school also would give the Sooner coaching staff one more scholarship to work with. OU’s next junior day will take place March 7 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. While commitments are never a guarantee at these events, they could occur out of thin air like the Sooners saw this weekend.

MEN’S GOLF FINISHES SECOND ROUND The OU men’s golf team heads into the final round in 13th place after shooting a 5-over-par 293 Monday in the second round of the Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The Sooners finished the day in the same position as they started, but the same could not be said about the teams at the top of the leaderboard. No. 10 Texas charged to the front of the pack as the Longhorns carded a 19-under-par 269 to turn a two-stroke deficit into an eight-stroke lead over the No. 1-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. Leading OU was senior Ben Blundell, who fired a 71 for his second-straight, under-par round and stands in 20th with a two-round total of 141 (-3). Redshirt sophomore Riley Pumphrey (74-71) moved up the individual leaderboard with a 1-underpar 71 to grab a share of 36th place after two rounds. The duo of junior Liam Logan (75-75) and senior Tyler Rody (74-76) are now tied with two other players in 55th place. Sophomore Ben Klaus rounded out the rotation for the Sooners as he stands in a tie for 71st after rounds of 74 and 81. OU teed off for the final round of the Puerto Rico Classic at 5:30 a.m. today. -Ricky Ly/The Daily

-Clark Foy/The Daily

Attention, Candidates for May Graduation!

The deadline to apply for May graduation is

Monday, March 1 Turn yours in today! YOU MUST APPLY TO GRADUATE! Graduation Applications should be picked up at your degree-granting college and submitted to the Office of Academic Records, Room 330 Buchanan Hall. For more information, call (405)325-0841. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

6 Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

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PLACE AN AD Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu

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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. PT Optometric Asst, Fri-Sat, no experience needed, will train. Jones Eyecare, 3332 W. Main, 405-573-0073. Seeking person to assist quadriplegic w/daily living activities/light housekeeping. Position open immediately. Drivers license & own transportation. 205-5809. THE MONT Now accepting applications for the following positions: SERVER, must be available for day shifts beginning at 10:30, server experience preferred. BUSSER, must be available for lunch shifts and weekends. HOST, must be available for night shifts and weekends. Apply in person M-F 11am to noon, 1300 Classen Blvd.

Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521. 2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword ........$515/month

All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be re-evaluated at any time.

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

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- While some situations require taking a risk, others will need a more conservative approach. You need to have excellent judgment about when to do what. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Be careful what you promise, because if you fail to make good on it, a close friend’s feelings could easily be hurt. You had better have a good reason for going back on your word. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You might start out upbeat and positive, but as time ticks on, you could easily lose your momentum and let self-doubts begin to creep in, conjuring a negative frame of mind. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -The probabilities for acquisition look good in some instances, but your possibilities for loss are also strong in other cases. The trick is to be careful and understand the differences. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- It isn’t that you don’t have excellent leadership qualities -- you do. It’s more likely that you’ll use them only as a last resort instead of in a timely fashion. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- It’s important to be a good listener. If you hear only what you want to hear and little else, instead of avoiding trouble, your deafness could put you in a bind.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Treat everyone with your usual considerate manner, but don’t go overboard and allow someone to take advantage of your generous nature. Know when to stand up for your rights. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- All will go well when it comes to pursuing your objectives, but in order to reach a successful conclusion, you must remain focused right until the end. Don’t let down too early. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Even though your judgment is likely to be sounder than that of your colleagues, when push comes to shove, unfortunately, you could easily yield to theirs. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- You’re likely to do everything well at this time, yet this might not be enough. If you allow yourself to work in fits and starts, you will severely minimize productivity and effectiveness. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Be careful how you treat associates because if you show any partiality -- and you could if you think something is in it for you -- you might lose a valuable cohort. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Because you’re likely to do quite well at everything, you might not know when to call it quits. Once you tire, your productivity could easily collapse and begin to disrupt what you’ve already accomplished.

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POLICY

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not to separate as to gender. Advertisers may not discriminate in employment ads based on race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

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The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one day’s incorrect advertising. If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 3252521, before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. Refunds will not be issued for late cancellations. The Oklahoma Daily will not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religious preference, national origin or sexual orientation. Violations of this policy should be reported to The Oklahoma Daily Business Office at 325-2521.

Traditions Spirits has immediate job openings for Beverage Servers, Bartenders and Barbacks at Riverwind Casino; and Front Desk, Housekeeping and Bellhop at Riverwind Hotel. Please apply in person at Traditions Spirits Corporate Office. Directions: Follow Highway 9 West past Riverwind Casino, travel 2 miles, turn right on Pennsylvania, take an immediate left onto the service road 2813 SE 44th Norman, OK 405-392-4550, or online at www.traditionsspirits.com

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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 23, 2010

ACROSS 1 Flock youngster 5 “There ___ enough hours in the day” 10 Animal fat 14 “The African Queen” screenwriter James 15 Comaneci of Romania 16 Case for notions 17 007 film 19 Desert descriptor 20 According to 21 Take the initiative 22 Big rackets 23 Robust day-starter 27 Cage-wheel runner 28 ___ de Janeiro 29 Gibbon, e.g. 30 Reason to use a paper towel 33 Assume for argument’s sake 37 Indian princess 39 Poke around 41 Bring into harmony 42 Pitchers in antique stores 44 Bonaparte’s punishment 46 Director’s fear 47 Unlikely ballet dancer

49 Analyst’s chemical 51 Action taken to offset another 56 The Babe 57 Role for Keanu 58 An unfinished figure 8 59 Surrounded by water 60 Snake also known as the highland moccasin 65 Capital northwest of Rome 66 “Old MacDonald” letters 67 It may be jagged 68 Came in horizontally 69 ___ a fox 70 Walk woozily DOWN 1 Get a little behind 2 “Let’s try to make ___ of it” 3 Muse of tragedy 4 Moistens with droplets 5 “Shameless” singer DiFranco 6 Bled, like dye 7 First name of Tarzan’s creator 8 Nephew’s sister 9 Genghis Khan follower 10 Speeder’s

11 12 13 18 23 24 25 26 27 31 32 34 35 36 38 40

metaphorical feature Airy rooms Acropolis attractions Performed, per Shakespeare Acts nervous Melonlike tropical fruit (Var.) Account execs Pickle jar stuff Laotian monetary unit Aesop’s race loser Bagel accompaniment French river Supplant Absurd Boy Scout’s shelter Firm control, metaphorically “Put me in,

coach,” e.g. 43 Wasn’t off one’s rocker? 45 Alleviating agent 48 Good ones make good neighbors 50 Oilman’s boon 51 Alaska king and others 52 Black thrush (Var.) 53 Egg developers 54 Tend to a squeak again 55 Not a happy camper 61 Actress Zadora 62 Canon camera model 63 “The ___ of Reason” (Paine) 64 Wilmington’s st.

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

MINERAL DEPOSIT by Tenny Jacks

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

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

« ONLINE

Go watch the latest video countdown, featuring Lightspeed Champion, at Undercover at OUDaily.com

» LOCAL NATIVES

“Gorilla Manor” 9.0/10 Key Tracks: “Airplanes,” “Stranger Thread” Lush journey rides to beautiful places. With the band name Local Natives and an album titled “Gorilla Manor,” all indications point to a rather exotic, wild experience. That couldn’t be much further from the truth. The album is reserved and focused with a certain Northwestern charm (think Band of Horses). It’s a rather polite album really; very subtle, almost too subtle with first listen. I get the image of a firework display shooting above. How couldn’t I? “Gorilla Manor” is built around these distant shimmers (“Wide Eyes”) and chilling pops (“Airplanes”). But initially one gets the feeling of the show being hampered by a series of duds; a few of the early moments one expects to pop a bit more boisterously. But the brilliance lies in the fact that “Gorilla Manor” is not a traditional album, or at least the type we’ve grown accustomed to. It’s not front-loaded, tapering off at the end. It builds like a good firework display — and album — should. There’s no dominant moment, just a dozen or so damn good ones. The sky grows full with the chilly strings of “Camera Talk” empties with “Cards & Quarters” before blasting as heavily as ever on “Warning Sign.” Perhaps best of all, there is no questioning whether the display is over; the illuminating trio of “Cubism Dream,” “Strange Thread” and “Sticky Thread” make sure of that. Those longed-for pops constantly burst,

LISTEN TO SAMPLES OF ALL THE ALBUMS REVIEWED AT OUDAILY.COM

This week’s edition of New Music Tuesday looks at a wide array of recent releases. One newcomer makes a strong debut, while electronica veterans return with solid comeback album and Weezy does what Weezy does.

MASSIVE ATTACK

colors swell and flashes roll about. It ends not with a whimper, but a bang. “Gorilla Manor” is an album that can very easily get lost in the shuffle if listeners expects it to grab them immediately, or it can be the one you end and automatically start back up again, because let’s face it, everybody likes a good firework display.

“Heligoland” 7.2/10 Key Tracks: “Pray for Rain,” “Babel” Return from break doesn’t disappoint.

Joshua Boydston is a psychology sophomore.

LIL’ WAYNE

“Rebirth” 5.5/10 Key Tracks: “Knockout,” “Drop The World” Guitar + weed + dental surgeries = mixed result During his career, Lil’ Wayne has enlightened America on a plethora of stimulating subjects, ranging from birdmen to lollipops. And listeners have fed on Mr. Carter’s thought-provoking rap because he maintained the fundamentals of hiphop while adding his original grisly voice and smooth rhyme. His recent album “Rebirth” is an extension of Lil’ Wayne’s ability to test the boundaries of everyday celebrity rap. The work is genius in the sense that it innovatively combines the intensity behind both rock and hip-hop, but yields a bit of a confused compilation and half-baked finished product. “Knockout” is uncannily reminiscent of Blink-182 giddy electric guitar riffs. It seems shocking to hear Lil’ Wayne’s

unusual voice and hip-hop lyrics accompanying such a southern California skater beat. If you’re going to go with such a mix of beats on an album, you better back it up with some fresher lyrics. But for the final question: Is Lil’ Wayne actually an alien? In “Drop The World” — featuring Eminem — Weezy begins with a lingering techno beat that makes listeners feel like they have been zapped to a galaxy far, far away, resembling what Slim Shady and Pearl Jam might sound like on Mars. The album exhibits eccentric musical combinations and is recommended for brief examination. Tha’ Carter has made this one new and juicy for us. Georgia Basore is a communication junior.

After the long wait of seven years, Massive Attack is back with a record full of mind-fogging tracks and a handful of featured artists. “Heligoland” consists of songs about fear and violence while hitting hard with core emotion and graphic, underlying feelings. Some of the tracks focus heavily on progression of the tune, while others change completely two or three times before the song is even finished. “Pray for Rain” is mesmerizing as the steady build of the song begins to swell before hitting the peak, changing the dynamics completely to a more dreamy and hypnotic anthem effect. “Babel” features Martina Topley-Bird, who offers a soulfully sweet juxtaposition to the track, which seems to have an electronic and almost machinery sound. “Atlas Air” is a mischievously brilliant song with whispered lyrics and a steady build-up of backbeat that craves anticipation of something frightful. At times the record is intriguing, yet haunting and leaves a very ominous feeling. Between the balance of Martina Topley-Bird’s voice and Massive Attack’s mixing the end result is lovely and fulfilling. The other featured appearances on the album seem to make each song stand on its own without breaking the cohesiveness of the album as a whole. Massive Attack has quite a few inner thoughts to convey in this record and showcases various performers to make it happen. Cole Priddy is a University College freshman.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tulsan finds mainstream success with newest album Oklahoma native Ben Rector released his newest album, “Into the Morning,” Feb. 16. The album is a surprise success and is currently ranked among the likes of Adele, Beyonce and Kris Allen on the iTunes pop chart. I had a chance to talk to Ben last week about his music and career. Describe your new album in a few words. Meaningful pop. What would you say was your “big break?” I did a lot of music in college, and I toured nearly every weekend. By the end of college, I had played something like 200 shows. I didn’t have any monumental success, but I was OK with [music] being my full-time job. I released “Into the Morning” and for

COMIC BOOK SOLD FOR $1 MILLION NEW YORK – A rare copy of the first comic book featuring Superman sold Monday for $1 million, smashing the previous record price for a comic book. A 1938 edition of Action Comics No. 1, widely considered the Holy Grail of comic books, was sold from a private seller to a private buyer, neither of whom released their names. The issue features Superman lifting a car on its cover and originally cost 10 cents. “It’s considered by most people as the most important book,” said John Dolmayan, a comic book enthusiast and dealer best known as the drummer for System of a Down. “It kind of ushered in the age of the superheroes.” There are only about 100 copies of Action Comics No. 1 believed to be in existence, and only a handful have been rated so highly. It’s rarer still for those copies to be made available for sale. “It is still a little stunning to see ‘a comic book’ and ‘$1 million’ in the same sentence,” Fishler — conductor of the auction — said. “There’s only one time a collectible hits the $1 million threshold.” -AP

THIS WEEK’S NEW RELEASES MUSIC: Johnny Cash- “American VI: Ain’t No Grave” Joanna Newsom- “Have One on Me” Alkaline Trio- “This Addiction” Shout Out Louds- “Work” Andrew W.K.- “Close Calls With Brick Walls/Mother of Mankind” Quasi- “American Gong” Holly Miranda- “The Magician’s Private Library” MOVIES/TV: “Jersey Shore: Season 1” “Everybody’s Fine” starring Robert DeNiro, Sam Rockwell “The Informant!” starring Matt Damon, Joel McHale “The Box” starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden “Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” starring John C. Reilly, Selma Hayek The Daily’s Picks -AP

some reason it just really took off. First day, it went up to No. 10 overall and then hovered somewhere around No. 11. It was really cool to see everyone else in the top 10, like Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas who have huge promotional budgets and radio exposure. It’s just really insane that I didn’t have any budget at all, just me and my manager trying to spread the word, and people took ownership of it and it just spread. I feel a lot of gratitude because, for whatever reason, people that I don’t even know have sought out my music. What’s it like to be an actual professional musician as opposed to a student who also plays and records music? The real turning point for me to make it OK to call it a full-time job was that I was making what I felt like was enough money to support my wife and I. Being in college wasn’t a hindrance necessarily, because it

was a great time, but I had more demand than I could fill in college. My goal in college was not to lose my scholarship, and I had to maintain a 3.0 to keep it, and I did. I honestly don’t know how it happened, because I skipped an enormous amount of class. How has married life affected your songwriting? I guess I just write about things that are close to my heart. Getting married definitely changed my life a lot, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot and I’m sure I’ll continue to learn much much more. Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians? Practice writing songs, and write all the time. Nothing makes you better. People try to market their band or play in new cities, but if you don’t have songs that people need to hear, it’s hard to play shows and get

PHOTO PROVIDED

Tulsa-raised Ben Rector has landed on the pop charts with his latest album, “Into The Morning.”

people to want you to play. The only way to do that is to have songs that people want to hear. Annika Larson is a professional writing sophomore.