TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2010
THEE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S OKLAHOMA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT STUDE VOICE
ANYTIME AT
news
See how MGMT fared with its ts latest in the th New Music Tuesday. Seee page 4B.
WEDNESDAY’S
UOSA presidential candidates call for a revote. Learn more on page 3.
The OU baseballl team travels to Stillwater ater for a one-game Bedlam dlam set tonight. See page ge 1B.
Weather
75°
57°
owl.ou.edu
OUDAILY.COM » BECOME A FAN OF THE OKLAHOMA AHOMA DAILY/OUDAILY.COM ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES, SSTORIES, VIDEOS AND ALL YOUR DAILY FAVORITES.
Conference discusses state immigration policy Speakers discuss House Bill 1804, viable options to reduce illegality RICKY MARANON Assignment Editor
The effects of Oklahoma’s policy toward illegal immigration were examined by journalists from across the nation Monday at OU. “Immigration in the Heartland,” a conference hosting 15 journalists who cover events in immigrant communities, discussed the effects of Oklahoma’s laws on undocumented immigrants, the Obama Administration and Congress’ acts toward creating a reformed immigration policy and conservatives’ view of the immigration debate. The first debate focused on the effects of Oklahoma House Bill 1804, which is cited
as one of the strictest pieces of immigration legislation in the U.S. since it was signed into law in 2007. “This bill was designed to restore the rule of law and protect U.S. workers that have had their jobs taken from them by immigrant workers who work for less money and who don’t pay any taxes,” said Carol Helm, president of Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now. “These people pay little to no taxes on their incomes, and this is lost revenue for the state and the U.S.” House Bill 1804 requires all employees to verify their employees are citizens or registered in the state of Oklahoma to work. It also requires anyone requesting to participate in state programs to show proof of residency and directs state law enforcement officers to verify the status when making an arrest. However, other speakers were not in favor of the bill and wished Oklahoma would have
considered other options. Discussion focused on the negative effects the bill has on health care for undocumented immigrants and taxpayers. “Because of this bill, we have people with cancer who need dialysis but don’t go to get treatment until they feel extremely sick,” said Richard Klinge, Catholic Charities of Oklahoma associate director for outreach, advocacy and legal services. “And when they finally go to get treatment, they go to the emergency room, and no doctor is going to turn away someone because of their status, so the taxpayers are being stuck with the bill. And as we all know, emergency room care is far more expensive then regular care.” Oklahoma County has 21 free clinics that knowingly treat immigrant communities regardless of documentation, Klinge said. Klinge said Oklahoma is making grave mistakes when it comes to how the state
treats its immigrants. “If we profess to be a Christian nation, we should love our neighbor,” Klinge said. Klinge said he hopes Oklahoma voters have a change of heart before the November election in which voters will vote on a ballot question deciding if English should be the official language of the state of Oklahoma. State Rep. Shane Jett, a participant in the discussion and the only republican to vote “no” on 1804, cites personal reasons for disagreeing with the bill. “My wife is from Brazil, and I had to go through the entire immigration process with her,” Jett said. Jett said he believed politicians were doing what polled as popular policy in their districts as opposed to finding answers to the solution. “We should set up a system where these IMMIGRATION CONTINUES ON PAGE 2
City meets to discuss inclusion Isolation major concern for east Norman residents CASEY WILSON Daily Staff Writer
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN HARNED/THE DAILY
OU PLANS CALORIE COUNT DISPLAYS On-campus restaurants will begin educating patrons with calorie information posted on menus, official says JESSICA SHEETS Daily Staff Writer
For students counting their calories while also counting their pennies, the quest for healthy and cheap living is about to get easier. Campus restaurants are in the process of making their menus more user-friendly, said Lauren Royston, OU Housing and Food Services spokeswoman. “Customers of chain restaurants operated by OU Food Services will see the additional calorie information incorporated into menus on campus, just as those details will be incorporated nationally,” Royston said by e-mail. Recently passed federal health-care legislation requires restaurants with more than 20 locations to post the amount of calories in their menus’ items just as it would list the price of the meal. Chelsi Welch, Oklahoma City University nutrition professor and former OU basketball player, said she has mixed feelings about the
FREE — ADDITIONAL COPIES 25¢
law because of the potential harm in counting calories. “It’s not about the calories,” Welch said. “A calorie is a calorie; we don’t know if it’s a good calorie or a bad calorie or if it’s helping us or hurting us. We don’t know that by knowing how many calories we are putting in our body.” Welch said she thinks the law could help raise awareness and help people know a little more about what they are eating, but that most people don’t even know what a calorie is. However, Morgan Mayhall, elementary education sophomore, thinks the law is a good idea and that it will help her out. “I think it would be a wise idea to put the calorie information next to the food items on menus,” Mayhall said. “For me, it would help me make healthy decisions on what I choose to eat. I think it would be more convenient for the calorie information to be on the menu because I usually ask the waiter for the information anyway.” Kaitlin Bankston, English writing junior, said she will still eat the same things, regardless of the calorie information. “I will still go to McDonald’s and order a double cheeseburger and not a salad or parfait,” Bankston said. “People want what they want;
you can’t just change your taste buds. I go to places like McDonald’s or Taco Bell because I want the french fries and burritos not because I’m trying to diet.” Welch said the best way to become healthier is to focus more on your overall diet. I’m not talking about the on-and-off ‘I’m on a diet this weekend; I’m off a diet now.’ I’m just talking about what you eat and drink,” Welch said. “How do you feel when you eat? How do you feel after you drink too much alcohol? Heightening that focus on our diets is the best way to improve health.” Welch also suggests paying attention to the nutrients in your food rather than the amount of calories. Royston said Housing and Food is providing students with other ways to count their calories without just looking at a menu during meal time. “Customers may currently review menu information at booklets in each campus restaurant, or they may learn about ingredients and nutritional information for on-campus options online with the Nutrition Calculator,” Royston said. CALORIES CONTINUES ON PAGE 2
© 2010 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD
Residents of eastern Norman gathered Monday at Little Axe Elementary School to voice concerns about the effects of the area’s distance from the center of Norman. Mayor Cindy Rosenthal said she asked Norman’s Human Rights Commission a few years ago to take up the task of having the Inclusive Community Discussions. Rosenthal said the Inclusive Community Discussions remind city leaders that Norman has to reach out to different groups. Michael Ridgeway, of the Human Rights Commission, told those gathered that the discussion was their opportunity to voice their concerns, and was the city leaders’ opportunity to listen. “This is not an opportunity for the city to defend itself,” Ridgeway said. “This is an opportunity to speak.” George Childers, who operates a ballpark in the area, said he has asked the city to expand the ballpark. “And we’ve been told by the parks administration that we are land locked,” he said. Childers said parents in the area have been sending their children to baseball programs in other cities because of the deficiencies of the ballpark. “We are pushing people out instead of bringing them in,” he said. Bob Swisher said the area does not have an easily accessible place for residents to take recyclables. Swisher said he has to take his recyclables into the city, and that unlike residents in the city, they do not have weekly recycling pick-up. Murdock Miller, who operates a Sonic in the area, said the city of Norman will only pick up trash at his Sonic once per week, and that he needs trash picked up at least two times per week. Miller said the overflow of trash from the Dumpster is a health issue. The city promised to develop the area when Little Axe was incorporated into Norman, Miller said, but he wonders when those promises will be fulfilled. Among other things, Childers said the area needs an adequate library and improved roads, as opposed to temporary patches on the roads. “At what population do we have to be at before those benefits come in?” Childers said.
VOL. 95, NO. 133
2A Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051
OUDAILY.COM » GO ONLINE TO LEARN ABOUT A SELF-DEFENSE COURSE BEING OFFERED THROUGH OU TO HELP STUDENTS PROTECT THEMSELVES.
Sooner Sampler
Will posted calorie and nutritional charts at campus eating locations affect what you order?
Jenna Porter, University College freshman “For me, probably not because there’s a mini chart at Burger King, and I still eat there.”
WARREN’S WARRANTS FOR SPEEDING TICKET The municipal warrants for Willie Warren stemmed from a speeding ticket, according to Norman Municipal Court documents. Warren was pulled over in February for going 40 mph in a 25-mph zone, according to the court documents. Court documents stated after failing
to appear in court March 1 in regard to the ticket, the two warrants were issued for Warren. The OU men’s basketball team was in Austin, Texas, March 1 playing the Texas Longhorns in a game the Sooners lost. —Casey Wilson/Daily Staff Writer
Calories Continues from page 1
Colin Mullens, journalism sophomore “It absolutely would affect the way I chose to eat things. Pita Pit has a poster, and I choose the lowest calorie food there that is still relatively healthy.”
Victoria Mayer, University College freshman “Probably a little bit, but at the same time, I already have some idea so it wouldn’t change my perception that much.”
Lindsey Nadeau, University College freshman “Yeah, for sure, mainly because eating healthy is very important to me, especially because of the Freshman 15.”
Katherine Borgerding, journalism sophomore “Yes, absolutely. I would feel guilty if I eat things with more calories because I would know what makes me healthier.”
Stephanie Tison, microbiology sophomore “Yes, because it would make you more aware of the calorie content of what you’re eating. It will help you to make healthier choices. Sometimes what you think is healthy isn’t.” CASSI TONEY/Daily Staff Writer
You are cordially invited to the opening ceremony recognizing the participants of the Books That Inspire X Exhibit opening Wednesday, April 14, 2010. The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 14, on the Main Floor of the Bizzell Memorial Library. For more information, please visit http://libraries.ou.edu or call (405)325-2611.
This online nutrition tool, available at food.ou.edu, assists patrons in planning healthier meals, calculating calories and reviewing nutritional content of items they’ve already eaten, Royston said. She said Housing and Food updates the Nutrition Calculator as more items are added to on-campus dining menus. The Wendy’s in the Oklahoma Memorial Union lists the calories of its meals and has done so for a few years, Royston said. Students looking to make better choices can find a wide variety of free services on
Immigration Continues from page 1 people pay a fine and are put on the track to citizenship,” Jett said. “We are treating this like a border problem, and the last time I checked, Oklahoma doesn’t have any international borders. I don’t think we consider Texas a foreign country.” Jett said by trying to get rid of people the state sees as illegal, it is not taking care of the solution at hand. “The way that people treat other people reflects back on us,” Jett said. “The way this state treats people and the way the U.S. treats people all reflects back on us.” In the afternoon, Jason Riley, a columnist
campus, said Maggie Pool, health promotion coordinator for OU Health Services. “We have a dietician on staff (at Goddard Health Center), and really, if students just look, there are a lot of great free resources on campus,” Pool said. “Almost everywhere you look there’s something related to health, if it’s at a campus eatery, if it’s through the health center Goddard or through the Rec center, there’s a lot of services students can utilize if they want.” OU Health Services will host a nutrition seminar at noon Thursday in the Goddard Health Center. Lunch will be provided. To register, call 405-325-4611. Students may set up an appointment with dietician Dr. Patti Landers by calling Goddard Health Center at 405-325-4441.
for The Wall Street Journal, presented his arguments in support of opening the borders. His book, “Let Them In: The Case for Opening Borders,” argues that the free market, not the government, should determine the level of immigration in the U.S. Riley advocates viable guestworker programs that would help reduce the number of illegal immigrants. “Get more ways for people to come legally and fewer will come illegally,” Riley said. “Immigration in the Heartland” continues today with field reporting in Oklahoma City for the 15 journalists participating in the conference. —Reneé Selanders and Leighanne Manwarren contributed to portions of this article.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
3A
Candidates argue UOSA election results in Superior Court 457 votes were not counted toward final results so Ally Glavas did not receive majority, representative says TROY WEATHERFORD
Daily Staff Writer
At a UOSA Superior Court hearing, an argument was heard that the presidential elections should be invalidated or a run-off election should be held. Josh Edwards and Amber Siddiqui, associate general counsels, represented presidential candidates Jess Eddy and Franz Zenteno in the case to argue that the election was invalid. Mike Davis, general counselor,
and Jennifer Warren, associate general counsel, represented Ally Glavas and Zac McCullock, president-elect and vice presidentelect. The election used the Meeks voting system in which voters rank the candidates. The system eliminates the candidate who receives the least number of votes and then adds the voters’ second choice to the remaining candidates’ totals. Iterations of this system were used until only two candidates remained and Glavas received a majority vote. In the final iteration of the electronic run-off system, after a voter’s second or third choices were added to the remaining candidates’ totals, Glavas received 2,544 votes and Franz Zenteno
received 2,281 votes. A total of 5,282 students voted in the election, and only 4,825 ballots were used to tabulate the final election results. Not all candidates were ranked in 457 ballots and so those votes were not counted in later iterations of the electronic run off. Edwards argued because of this, Glavas did not receive a majority of the ballots. The UOSA constitution requires that “the student president and vice president shall be popularly elected together by majority vote of the ballots cast in an election for that purpose.” Warren said those voters did not cast ballots because each iteraton of an electronic run-off system was actually separate
elections. Davis said voters who did not rank candidates chose not to vote, and UOSA cannot force anyone to vote in the election. “The 457 were not counted because there were effectively no ballots cast in the election,” Davis said. Edwards argued that voters were not properly informed about how the rankings would be used, and were not informed that they would be taking part in multiple elections with their ranking. The defense, however, said the Web site told voters they could rank the candidates, and it was partly the responsibility of the candidates that voters understood the electronic run-off process. Davis said an electronic run-off
CAMPUS EVENTS
has been used since 2005, but this is the first time that there has been a question about a candidate receiving a majority vote. At a meeting March 5, the candidates agreed to use a ranking system instead of a run-off election, said Jeff Riles, election chairman. The petitioners also argued that the Glavas campaign violated election rules during campaigning. Davis said he was happy with the court proceedings. “We have a Superior Court for a reason and we’ll respect whatever ruling they come down with,” Davis said. Edwards declined to comment on how he thought the case went. Riles said the court would probably issue a ruling today.
POLICE REPORTS
TODAY
at 3 p.m. in Wagner Hall, room 245.
BIZZELL LIBRARY “JSTOR by the Numbers” will teach about the academic journal archives at 10 a.m. at Bizzell Memorial Library, room 149D. WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER Men’s Breast Health Awareness will have an informational table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the main lobby of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will host Bible study at noon in the Weitzenhoffer Room of the OMU. WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER The Women’s Outreach Center will host “Smart Start—Part II” career consultation about the gender and wage gap at noon in the President’s Room of the union.
S T U D E N T O K L A H O M A E D U C AT I O N ASSOCIATION The Student Oklahoma Education Association will host an administration panel and have the 2010-2011 SOEA officer election with free food at 7:30 p.m. at Sarkey’s Energy Center, room M207. FINE ARTS The ensemble Zolotoi Plios will present a free concert of Russian folk music at 8 p.m. in the Max Weitzenhoffer Theatre at the Fine Arts Center.
WEDNESDAY WOMEN’S OUTREACH CENTER Men’s Breast Health Awareness will have an informational table from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the main lobby of the union.
OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL UNION “How to Find a Job/Internship in a Tough Economy for Engineering Majors” will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the union.
CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will host Bible study at 12:30 p.m. in the Traditions Room of the union.
COUNSELING SERVICES Counseling Services will present the Student Success Series, “Gearing up for Final Exams,”
CAREER SERVICES “How to Find a Job/Internship in a Tough
Economy for Business Majors” will be at 12:30 p.m. in the Crimson Room of the union. BIZZELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY “Searching Factiva” will teach the basics of Factiva at 2 p.m. at the Bizzell Memorial Library, room 149D. COUNSELING SERVICES Counseling Services will present the Student Success Series, “Changing/Pick a Major/ Minor at 3 p.m. in Wagner Hall, room 245. OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL UNION “How to Find a Job/Internship in a Tough Economy for A&S Majors” will be at 4 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the union. MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION “Peace not Prejudice: Film Festival” will take place 7 to 9 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST Campus Crusade for Christ will meet at 9 p.m. in the Santee Lounge on the fifth floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. IMPACT MOVEMENT Impact Movement will host a Bible study at 9 p.m. in the Adams-Tarman Basement.
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. ASSAULT AND BATTERY David R. Bills, 22, 1357 12th Ave., Sunday Madison Lyndell Bryan, 20, 1357 12th Ave., Sunday DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Lonie G. Brewer, 50, North Flood Avenue, Sunday Anita Faye Hulsey, 53, West State Highway 9, Sunday Michelle Brittani Yarbrough, 21, 600 S. Chautauqua Ave., Friday Daphne Mitchiko Ponds, 20, 100 E. Boyd St., Saturday LOUD PARTY Abdul-Lateef Oluwasseun Ipaye, 21, 1111 Oak Tree Ave., Sunday Guillermo Valasco Morales, 21, 1111 Oak Tree Ave., Sunday POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Christopher Wayne Jennings, 30, 619 Welston Circle, Saturday PUBLIC INTOXICATION Micah J. Livingston, 26, 901 N. Porter Ave., Saturday Crystal D. Pledger, 24, 1100 Oak Tree Ave., Sunday Maria Augusta Wollmann, 61, 3501 W. Main St., Sunday Christian Peter Scherer, 24, 119 W. Constitution St., Thursday Saneia Nicole Goddard, 18, Lindsey Street, Thursday Arthur R. Bayley, 57, Lindsey Street, Thursday Austin W. Leippe, 24, 202 Asp Ave., Sunday
HPV Fact #10: The treatment for genital warts can be a painful process and can involve cutting, freezing, or burning the warts. HPV Fact #17: Even after treatment, genital warts can come back. In fact, 25% of cases come back within 3 months.
Why risk it Visit your campus health center. hpv.com Copyright © 2010 Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
21050004(41)-01/10-GRD
4A Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Max Avery, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051
COMMENT OF THE DAY »
In response to Matt Bruenig’s column Monday about possible UOSA election fraud.
“To fall back on the argument that a large majority of students don’t care that the election committee violated the Constitution (or failed to understand it) and certified a victory for the candidates that the committee personally favored is not just a weak position -- rather than challenge Breunig’s argument, it completely illustrates and confirms it. -impatient_with_ignorance
OUR VIEW
OU SHOULD JUST DO IT — DROP NIKE OU has close ties with Nike Inc. The company’s logo is on our sports jerseys and advertised just about everywhere OU athletics can be found. It promote itself as a symbol of athleticism and independence. However, Nike stands for much more than what its advertising company in Portland, Ore., would have you believe. It also stands for low wages and poor working conditions in its outsourced sweatshops. The University of Wisconsin at Madison announced Friday it will cut ties with Nike after Nike’s subcontractors — the people who actually make the company’s shoes and clothing
— closed two factories in Honduras without giving the workers notice or severance. But there are many stories like this in Nike’s history — stories of underpaid workers in developing nations being oppressed by their employers. Whether it’s a subcontract of Nike, the company is still party to unfair labor policies. And through OU’s contracts with Nike, our school also is party to these unethical business practices. Is that what this university should promote? No. OU should follow Wisconsin’s example. In fact, other universities should, too. If more universities would end their
GUEST CARTOON
agreements with Nike, the company will have strong financial incentives to change its policies. It may not have listened to ethical incentives, but we believe Nike will listen to financial incentives. OU should cut the contract now, while Wisconsin’s decision is still fresh in the minds of Nike’s top executives. This would send a message to Nike and other companies engaging in unfair trade policies: Colleges will not participate in unethical business practices. No, terminating our contract won’t end the world labor system of oppressing workers in
economically underprivileged countries, but it could definitely be a step forward to change it. This isn’t going to stop Apple Inc. from employing children to make iPads, iPods, iPhones or iMacs, or the hundreds of other businesses that use nefarious labor policies. But it will send the message that these policies are not in their best interest morally or financially. We have a chance to voice discontent with this problem in a manner that would make headlines. We should take advantage of it.
COMMENT ON THIS COLUMN AT OUDAILY.COM
STAFF COLUMN
Comfort, wealth blind us from actual hardships An International Monetary Fund report on 1,700 households lost their breadwinner from 2009 gross domestic product per capita (oth- death or injury, and over 15,000 homes were erwise known as Purchasing Power Parity) totally or partially destroyed. 100,000 people places the United States sixth relative to fled their homes and neighother nations. bourhoods due to the military As one measure of prosperity that is quite attacks, half of whom were good, although we should note it does not taken in by UNWRA-organized take into account any disparities in actual shelters.” average wealth resulting from other specific Tell me, would you rather social features as income inequality. live in, say, the United States, Disparities and other factors aside, we in where you have a several hunthe United States must admit we live quite dred times higher chance of well relative to inhabitants of other nations. JAMES dying in a car accident than Take for example the constant struggle GREEN a terrorist attack, or in Gaza? many engage in trying to find parking spots How about a nation such as on a daily basis here at OU, which is but Uganda in which roughly oneone obvious testament to our student body’s third of the population does not have daily overall fortune: Most of us have cars. access to clean drinking water and children Personally, my entire set of pots and other have been known to be abducted for military cooking implements are hand-me-downs, service in a guerrilla army? but hey, they are in very good condition and I Sadly, not many people are confronted with have more than I ever actually use. the inequity that exists around the world. Few Who really worries about not having what of those who have such experiences actually they want? Surely with all our cars, air con- come to understand or care just how difficult ditioning and pearly it is for those less fortunate. white teeth we are all in of us go on happily day “Thus we should be ashamed Most relative heaven? after day, complaining only Interestingly, having of doing something proudly, about trivialities such as the access to of wealth does vigorously, with some ecstasy guy in the library who had not necessarily mean even, ignoring the other side the audacity to take up an we are satisfied. Just entire group study room for look at the debate over of the world, the dark side of himself. executive compensa- our life.” Even if we don’t actively tion, or food consumpdevote our time to provid—Shunryu Suzuki tion and average obeing aid to the derelict and the sity rates. Obviously, destitute, we should at least there are people for whom a giant burrito try to do a better job of admitting we have it loaded with a half-pound of animal fat is not so good. The principle I follow, at least in theenough to sate the beast within. ory (hey, I’m normal. Like most people, I’m Access to wealth does seem to change also a hypocrite sometimes), is exemplified our perception of value, however. Giving up by what a Zen priest named Shunryu Suzuki something for Lent, comes to mind here. said more than 40 years ago. Complaints of: “I gave up caffeine! It’s sooo “Thus we should be ashamed of doing hard, YOUHAVENOIDEA!” and “Sheesh, something proudly, vigorously, with some not calling people hilariously awful names ecstasy even, ignoring the other side of the anymore is sure getting me down” come to world, the dark side of our life,” Suzuki said. mind. Though perhaps Suzuki meant this solely in Please. My face is bruised from all the terms of self-reflection, I find it is equally aptimes I’ve smacked it with my palm. Want plicable to our conception of all humanity. something hard? Try giving up texting for a If we wish to count ourselves as human we month — I’m sure it would be absolutely ex- must always seek the courage and respect to cruciating for some out there. face the reality that is the “dark side” of our Here’s a more worthy example of people existence. We should endeavor to distinguish who have endured actual hardship: A World proper needs from selfish desire, and to not Health Organization report dated May 2009 let ourselves become complacent by being concerning the situation in the Gaza strip de- too comfortable. tailed major loss from military attacks. “The consequences [of the December 2008 James Green is a computer science graduate student. attack] for many families were severe indeed: COMMENT ON THIS COLUMN AT OUDAILY.COM
Jeremy Fite is a University College freshman.
GUEST COLUMN
Polish tragedy hits home I never thought I could miss my and checked the Reuters coverage. All country so much. Although I have of this drilled in me, but the worst moread many poems and books describ- ment came when I finally put my noteing longing for the lost motherland book away and tried to fall asleep. throughout the span of my education I have been studying abroad for three in Poland, still, three days ago I years, yet the tragedy helped was not able to fully understand me realize how much I want — it is not comparable with anyto be home. Not particularly thing I experienced before. for sake of unifying with othAt 3 a.m. Friday night, I reers in mourning or for visitceived an e-mail from a friend ing my friends, I wanted to telling me to check the news. go home to be in the place While I was loading one of the where I belong. A number major Polish portals, I saw the of my Polish friends studytop banner had been changed MARCIN ing abroad feel the same to black and white and I already RUTKOWSKI way and have displayed it knew something bad had hapopenly. pened. When the first headline The reason the officials appeared, I did not believe what I saw: were traveling to Russia was to comThe president had died in a plane memorate the Soviet crimes in Katy — crash. where more than 20,000 Polish officers I felt really anxious opening the ar- being held as prisoners of war were exticle. I just glanced through the list of terminated by the Soviet Union. Now, victims: the president of the Polish more than 70 years later, the same Republic, the first lady, the former pres- place once again takes away the Polish ident who was in exile, three vice-mar- elite. Both losses are irreplaceable and shalls of the Sejm (Polish parliament), highly influential for Poland. chief of staff to the president, head of Consequently, the tragedy will shape the office of national security (equiva- history in many diverse ways. The lent to the U.S. National Security coun- most prominent loss is the president. cil), vice-chief of staff to the president, No matter whether people agreed with state secretary in the office of the presi- his politics or not, he was a respected dent, chief of the general staff of the and morally exemplary public figure. Polish army, president of the National Further issues involve the replacement Bank of Poland, operational head of the of the president of the National Bank Polish armed forces, head of the Polish of Poland, who had been opposing internal forces, head of the Polish land politicians and defending the indeforces, head of the Polish special forces, pendence of the National Bank. In adhead of the Polish navy and many more dition, the military has been hit enorimportant and influential parliamen- mously by losing so many of its head tary representatives. commanders. With each consecutive title, the All in all, we have to wait for a long anxiety kept growing in me. Every rec- time to understand the full effects of ognized name and every familiar face this disaster. Polish politics, military added further distress. I went through and economy will undergo a difficult the articles, I watched video clips on period for the time being. the largest news television Web site Rutkowski is an international student (tvn24.pl), browsed published pictures Marcin from Poland and a University College freshman.
Do you have something to say? The Oklahoma Daily is now hiring opinion columnists for the fall. To apply, e-mail Annelise Russell at
Annelise.Russell-1@ou.edu
Send a copy of your writing and a resume with contact information. For more information on The Oklahoma Daily or OU Student Media, go to OUDaily.com or www.studentmedia.ou.edu.
Please e-mail any Letters to the Editor to dailyopinion@ou.edu. Letters should be aproximately 250 words and may be on any topic. Please send us your phone number, year and major or affiliation with OU.
T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Caitlin Harrison Ricky Maranon Lisa Phan Max Avery Michelle Gray Marcin Rutkowski
contact us
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assignment Editor Presentation Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor
Renee Selanders, Amanda Turner News Editors James Lovett Online Editor Mark Potts Multimedia Editor Aaron Colen Sports Editor Joshua Boydston Life & Arts Editor Judy Gibbs Robinson Editorial Adviser Thad Baker Advertising Manager
160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270
phone: 405-325-3666
e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu
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, April 13, 2010
1B
Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051
« TENNIS Visit OUDAILY.COM for V rrecaps of the men’s aand women’s tennis m matches.
«
BASEBALL
Sooners look ahead to Bedlam matchup Sooners, Cowboys face off in first Bedlam matchup on campus since 1996 JONO GRECO Daily Staff Writer
The OU baseball team had a productive weekend at L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park, even though head coach Sunny Golloway left the diamond upset after the series finale Sunday. Now, the No. 11 baseball team will try to build off winning two of three against Missouri with a one-game set with the Oklahoma State Cowboys for a non-conference installment of the Bedlam game at 6:30 tonight in Stillwater, marking the first Bedlam game played on campus since 1996. The Sooners (25-7, 5-5) will continue with the somewhat new-look lineup Golloway has gone with since his team was swept and held to a .125 batting average against the Texas Longhorns two weekends ago. The biggest change Golloway has made in the lineup has been the introduction of freshman Max White, who has started in both the outfield and infield, as the leadoff hitter. White has started all four games OU has played since the Texas series at the top of the lineup, something White said he has not done since early in his high school career. In three of those games, all against Missouri, he led off the Sooners’ half of the first inning with doubles, giving OU some power at a leadoff position that was previously occupied by sophomore center fielder Chris Ellison. Ellison is primarily a singles hitter even though he has displayed some power at the plate, but Golloway wanted to try something new. Golloway said he wanted to have opposing pitchers fear the leadoff hitter and feel that they had just gone through a tough battle with the very first batter they faced. Golloway’s new experiment has worked out in more ways than just the fact White has reached scoring position to start three of the last four games in the first inning. White is hitting .500 with two home runs, three doubles and six RBIs out of the leadoff spot, and he has proven he can put fear into opposing pitchers. Missouri tested that fear in one at-bat Sunday, and failed. In the series finale against Missouri when the Tigers led 2-1 in the fourth inning, White had a double and single in his first two at-bats, and was coming to the plate for a third time. Two
!!!
NEIL MCGLOHON/THE DAILY
Freshman pitcher Ryan Gibson winds up for a pitch on the mound Feb. 10. The Sooners will face Oklahoma State at home for the first time since 1996. runners were on base, and Missouri’s pitching coach had just come out to talk to the pitcher to calm him down and decide how to handle the red-hot White. The visit to the mound did not faze White, who came out swinging on the first pitch. He missed, but on the next pitch he swung again and drove a no-doubter, three-run home run to left-center field.
If White keeps these numbers up, he will put together an impressive case for Big 12 Freshman of the Year, an honor sophomore third baseman Garrett Buechele earned a year ago. White will continue his campaign toward the honor as the leadoff hitter tonight in the Sooners’ second biggest rivalry game of the season.
YOU ARE INVITED!
GROUNDBREAKING Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall for the School of Social Work 11 a.m.
Monday, April 19 700 Elm Ave.
For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Office of Special Events at (405) 325-3784.
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 2B
Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517
For Sale
PLACE AN AD Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu
Fax: 405-325-7517 Campus Address: COH 149A
DEADLINES
HELP WANTED
PETS AKC Golden Retrievers, 6 wks old, 7 F / 4 M; big and beautiful, $300. 255-8777.
Line Ad ..................................................................................3 days prior Place your line ad no later than 9:00 a.m. 3 days prior to publication.
Display Ad ............................................................................3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad Place your display, classified display or classified card ads no later than 5:00 p.m. 3 days prior to publication.
PAYMENT s r
r
C Transportation
AUTO FOR SALE 1998 Ford Ranger XLT: 5-spd, pwr steer, A/C, AM/FM Stereo, 169K - $2300 OBO
AUTO INSURANCE
TM
Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted.
RATES Line Ad
There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 42 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation. (Cost = Days x # lines x $/line) 1 day ..................$4.25/line 2 days ................$2.50/line 3-4 days.............$2.00/line 5-9 days.............$1.50/line
10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line
Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship
Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521. 2 col (3.25 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ..............$760/month Boggle ...............$760/month Horoscope ........$760/month
2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword ........$515/month
J Housing Rentals
Employment
Auto Insurance Quotations anytime.
Foreign students welcomed JIM HOLMES INSURANCE, 321-4664
Employment HELP WANTED Position Opening Software Engineer Minimum qualifications: BS or MS in CS or EE Experience in software design and systems integration. C#, .NET ICx Technologies Attn: Recruiting Dept. 1024 S. Innovation Way Stillwater, OK 74074 careers@icxt.com MS-Word or text only formats. Include job title in subject line. For more information: www.icxt.com/careers
APTS. UNFURNISHED
Summer nanny needed M-F 8am-6pm, July 5 - Aug 18, 2010. Send resume & 3 refs to aknoedler1@gmail.com TUTORS WANTED!!! Available positions in the OU Athletics Department!!! Junior, Senior, Graduate, and Post-graduate applicants only!!! Italian (3000 and 4000 level)!!! Hiring for Spring 2010. Call 325-0117 for more infro!!! Ideal candidate will become personal assistant to sales manager and must have good daily organization, documentation and planning skills. Must portray friendly and professional phone skills. Good pay with benefits and possible flex hours. Please send resume with cover letter to: http://www.CommercialInsurance. NET, 730 Asp Ave, Suite 210, Norman, OK 73069 SeekingSitters Moore/Norman has immediate daytime openings available for well qualified applicants. Please apply at www.seekingsitters.com Hiring Leasing Agent Immediately Large apt complex seeking responsible student P/T & Sat, flexible schedule, F/T during breaks. $7.50 - $8.50 based on ability. 364-3603 Grounds & Pool Person needed part time. 2073 W Lindsey, call 364-3603. Bartending! Up to $300/day. No exp nec. Training provided. 1-800-965-6520 x133. Hiring Leasing Agent Immediately Large apt complex seeking responsible student P/T & Sat, flexible schedule, F/T during breaks. $7.50 - $8.50 based on ability. 613-5268 STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.
POLICY
Available in April 1 & 2 BED for $449 - $525 2 BED T/H for $780 $99 Deposit / 6 Month Free Fitness No App Fee! Pets Welcome! *Some Restrictions Apply Models open 8a-8p Everyday! 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com SPECIAL! NEAR OU, 1012 S College $295/mo. 360-2873 / 306-1970.
CONDOS UNFURNISHED EDGE CONDO - $425/mo includes all: private bath, W/D, full kitchen - share kitchen & living room. 473-3957
HOUSES UNFURNISHED 817 Birch, short walk to OU, 3/2/2, remodeled kitchen & master bath. W/D & lawn service. $1200/mo. Steve, 214-455-4508. Small brick houses available in May ALL w/ ref & range: 1 Bed on S Flood $500 1 eff. Garage Apt on Chautauqua: $470 water PAID 1 tiny eff. on S Flood with kitchen, bath & living area: $400 water PAID Bob, Mister Robert Furniture 321-1818 AVAILABLE IN MAY A short walk to OU, 1-5 blks west of OU, nice brick homes, wood floors, CH/A, W/D, disposal, good parking. 3 bdrm $990-$1,500 2 bdrm $700-$900 1 bdrm $420-$500 Bob, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE 321-1818
J Housing Rentals HOUSES UNFURNISHED 1 1/2 blocks from OU. Attractive, clean, 2/1/1, w/opener, W/D hookups. New higheff Carrier A/C. Yard maintained. 407 Page Circle $650/mo 3294321 FOR RENT - 2 BR / 1.5 BA Lots of space, garage, fenced back yard, new carpet and hardwired LAN. NO PETS. W/D hook-ups. Credit check required. $600/month. Please call 405-292-8271 Great 1 bdrm - 1.2 miles from Sarkeys. All electric... only 1 bill! 405.217.3353 Great 3bdrm house in a great neighborhood! Just over 1 mile from campus with easy access to I-35. Refrigerator & W/D included. Alarm system wired. 2-car garage. Great back yard. Pets allowed. $900/mo. Call 405-637-7427 for details.
TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED Taylor Ridge Townhomes 2 Bdrm, 2.5 Bath, Fully Renovated Townhomes near OU! Pets Welcome! • Call for current rates and Move-in Specials!!! Taylor Ridge Townhomes (405) 310-6599
J
Housing Sales
HOUSES EDMOND HOME FOR SALE BY OWNER 4 Bed 2.5 Bath 1.86 Acres OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4PM $387,500 PH: 405-314-3460 WEB: www.charettefsbo.com
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 13, 2010
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. 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. All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be re-evaluated at any time.
7
4 5
3
2
7 7 4
3
1 5 9 5 1 8 8 2 4 1 2 8 7 5 4 9 3 1 6 1 2 1 8
Previous Solution 8 5 6 7 2 4 9 3 1
NO MORE EXCUSES. NO MORE LUNG CANCER.
lungcanceralliance.org
9 4 2 8 1 3 6 5 7
3 2 7 5 8 9 4 1 6
4 6 1 2 3 7 5 8 9
5 8 9 1 4 6 2 7 3
2 3 5 4 6 1 7 9 8
7 1 8 9 5 2 3 6 4
6 9 4 3 7 8 1 2 5
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.
It’s the NUMBER ONE cancer killer.
1 7 3 6 9 5 8 4 2
ACROSS 1 It may be found in an ancient shipwreck 6 Bombards with junk e-mail 11 Miss partner 14 Kind of acid 15 They’re popular in Israeli circles? 16 Slalom path shape 17 “Wouldn’t it be great?” 19 Sturgeon’s eggs 20 Enjoying a hot streak 21 Shed some tears 22 Demented 25 Slender runner 26 Clodhoppers 28 “Dream on!” 30 Juvenile newts 33 Rocket used as a probe 34 Classic theater name 36 Less better-off 38 “Wow!” 43 Cavern, in poetry 44 Buffet table heat source 45 Muslim decree 48 Word after “glom” 50 Big birds of lore 51 Take a breath 53 Noshed on
55 It’ll shut you up 56 Australian parrot 57 Scotland’s national flower 61 Twist the truth 62 See 17Across or 38-Across 66 Election victors 67 Recoil from pain 68 Accustom 69 Highest degree 70 Quartet x two 71 No longer anonymous DOWN 1 British rule over India 2 Australian flightless bird 3 Easter fleur 4 “___ each life some rain ...” 5 Elements of change? 6 “Funny Girl” actor Omar 7 Possum of Okefenokee 8 Seed covering 9 Macho 10 Which way the wind blows, sometimes 11 Immediately afterward, in legalese 12 Crustacean with seven pairs of legs
13 Feared African insect 18 Distinguish 21 No one in particular 22 Antony or Chagall 23 Gobi’s continent 24 “Gorillas in the Mist” author Fossey 27 Good quality 29 Abandon the nest 31 A 10-, 11- or 12-year-old 32 Musical note 35 Of harmonic sounds 37 Italian dish cooked in broth 39 Sib for sis, perhaps 40 Winged Greek god 41 One twelfth of a foot
42 Dreadlocked Peter 45 Substitute 46 Consecrate using oil 47 Separate grains from hulls 49 Assigned work to 52 Set of moral principles 54 Like the North Pole crew 58 Indicate subtly 59 Cuzco resident, maybe 60 Italian volcano 62 Noah count? 63 Low, droning sound 64 “___ we having fun yet?” 65 Turner or Danson
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
© 2010 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com
A STUNNING PUZZLE by Mark Howard
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Joshua Boydston, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051
3B
« ONLINE
Check Undercover for the latest music video countdown, including The Black Keys’ newest single, “Tighten Up,” at OUDaily.com.
MUSICAL HIT RETURNS TO THE SMALL SCREEN Sweltering heat does not have After four agonizing months, I can be “Glee”-ful once again. I’ve kept myself busy with that darn old schoolwork, that darn new Pokemon game and that darn crazy Lady Gaga, but nothing is like hearing new “Glee” songs or watching the new “Glee” episode. In case you do not have a television set, a Facebook, a cool friend or none of the above, this underdog of a show returns to the homes of every Gleek at 8 tonight on the Fox Network. And it will be quite the homecoming with all the hype for its back nine, or the new nine epiALEX sodes of the originally 13-episode EWALD first season. Almost every “Glee” song has inexplicably made appearances on my iPod, but I’ve had this empty feeling knowing I can’t compulsively buy every $1.29 song to fill my musical needs. Fox was smart making songs available on iTunes — it certainly makes bank. It’s been killing me that I can’t hear Lea Michele’s built-in belting box of a voice or Cory Monteith’s attempt to have one. It’s all pretty much going uphill from here. Not to mention, but I should mention, every Broadway star under the marquis-sun will strangely show up in Lima, Ohio, until the season ends reportedly June 8: Idina Menzel (not as the mom of Michele’s Rachel, but the rival glee club coach), Jonathan Groff (Rachel’s future boyfriend/rival glee club lead), Neil Patrick Harris (our glee club adviser Will Schuester’s former classmate), Kristin Chenoweth (again!) and a cameo by Olivia NewtonJohn. Madonna-themed and Lady Gaga-themed episodes are in the works, with the former airing next week with an accompanying album, as well as an original-song episode with ballads written by legend Diane Warren. The premiere episode in September proved “Glee” wasn’t just a passing bedtime story, but an entire storybook of song, dance and romance, with a little spice thrown in several times an episode in the guise of the deadpan wickedness of Sue Sylvester (Jane
CHINESE RESTAURANT 364-2100• 722 Asp Ave.
Open Daily 11:30a.m.-10:00p.m.
Spring Special Lunch Buffet All You Can Eat
$4.88
11:30 am - 2 pm • Sunday - Friday
For delivery call Ah Wong’s Kitchen 321-2048
to inhibit outdoor exercise
PHOTO PROVIDED
The hit show “Glee” returns to TV screens across the country at 8 tonight on Fox.
Lynch). Did I mention I pulled a Faith Hill (as in, I yelled “What?” when she lost) when Lynch lost her well-deserved Supporting Actress Golden Globe? Well I did, and if anything, this proves creator Ryan Murphy and his team of epic writers had better upgrade their breakout Cheerios coach’s role in the highly anticipated “Finally!” to the dramedy. After all this I think it’s been easily established that yes, I am a Gleek (no shame in liking a great show, right?), and I still will be if this show stays awesome. That should be easy. Alex Ewald is a University College freshman.
Sure, we’re known for our legIt’s not all sunshine and smiles, endarily hot physiques, but the however, when it comes to blazing impending degrees of summer summer temperatures. Exercise may perplex even the most siz- in hot weather puts extra stress on zling human specimens. The your heart and lungs. Moreover, summer months can not here in Oklahoma, we only improve our natuhave extra humidity, ral tans, but can bolster which adds to over-heatour internal health as ing issues. More humidwell. Just as important, ity amplifies heat stress though, is our ability to because the sweat does tame this beast of heat not readily evaporate, and not find ourselves making your body tembaking in a fire of health perature higher. GEORGIA risk. Furthermore, our So, let’s start by get- BASORE natural “inner-fans” ting “fired up” about this may not cool our bodies fast-approaching sumas effectively if we stress mer heat. Exercise in the heat im- ourselves for too long. Our body’s proves your overall fitness level, ability to cool depends on hydradevelops your ability to exercise, tion. It is necessary to consider increases your tolerance to heat drinking a sports drink if engagand helps prevent the intoler- ing in heat-intense exercise for ance of heat that ocmore than an hour. curs with age. The American Overall, heat A c a d e m y needs to receive of Orthopaedic more recognition Surgeons explains for its redeeming that sports drinks qualities. replace the sodium, Specifically, Dr. chloride and potasJolie Bookspan, sium that the body M . D. , e x p l a i n s loses through sweatthat when humans ing. Plus, who would increase their body pass on the opportunity temperature, the body to experience Gatorade’s produces chemical groups delightful and new berry rain nicknamed “heat shock proteins.” flavor? These are groups of proteins that The Oklahoma heat is a finicky do many helpful chores around brute that must be handled with the body. They help protect other care. So pick up your refreshprotein from damaging infec- ments and start sweating like tions, ultra violet light, starvation Richard Simmons sweats to the and other harsh conditions, in- oldies. cluding cancer. Georgia Basore is a communications junior.
Need Money for school? Requirements:
1) Must be a first year student or have come directly from high school. 2) Not the recipient of a general university continuing scholarship. 3) Must have a OU retention combined GPA of 3.8 or higher.
What to do:
Apply for a Retention Scholarship from the OU Scholars Program online at http://www.ou.edu/honors/ouscholars/retention-scholarships.html.
9
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
Application Deadline: May 3, 2010
4B
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
» MGMT
“Congratulations” 9.1/10.0 Key Tracks: “Flash Delirium,” “Congratulations” In a reactionary effort to avoid a lifetime spent playing soldout stadiums to hundreds of thousands of adulating fans, MGMT recorded a doozie. “Congratulations” is a nine-track psychedelic mess complete with cryptic overtones that’s sparked debate amongst critics the world over. 2007’s “Oracular Spectacular” earned the duo hailing from Wesleyan University plenty of mass appeal, selling over a million copies thanks to hot singles “Kids,” “Time to Pretend” and “Electric Feel,” though that clearly wasn’t the artists’ aim. The guys of MGMT are tremendously MATT talented as songwriters, so much so that CARNEY they earned spots opening for Radiohead and Paul McCartney due to the enormous popularity of songs they never dreamed would crash the pop charts. “Congratulations” is a direct effort concentrated at alienating casual listeners, a tactic artists rarely employ because, well, casual listening tends to generate a lot of income. That said, few recordings in recent memory have generated as much anticipation as has “Congratulations,” largely thanks to an aggressive multimedia campaign directed by the band’s management (please forgive my punnery). Savvy commanders of the Internets knew about the album ever since the band started blogging about it shortly after the beginning of the new year. As far as this reviewer can tell, the entire thing lacks a chorus, and Wayne Coyne is likely at fault. When The Flaming Lips hooked up with MGMT in studio last year to record “Worm Mountain,” one of the former’s best tracks from “Embryonic,” one of last year’s best albums, the latter clearly gleaned a template upon which they went about recording. “Congratulations” and “Embryonic” both listen as morbid, cryptic and unrestrained, lacking traditional song structure and instrumental roles. But they also listen as complete records. From opening song “It’s Working” to the finishing title track, the band pushes through at a beautiful ebb and flow pace, altering vocal effects while spinning a revolving door of funk guitars, synthesizer melodies and acid-drip, muscular bass lines. Every here and there, it pauses a moment to exhibit a clarinet solo or build on a rhythm, as it does to breakneck pace at the end of “Flash Delirium,” the album’s most frenetic and terrifying moment, before being replaced by an organist’s take on the campfire song “I Found A Whistle,” where its imagery gets creepiest.
This week The Daily finds pop stars making the transition into album band status while an established album band releases yet another gem.
“Such conviction/to paint all the walls with the blood/of the young and the faithful and the good,” VanWyngarden offers over a serenading wall of sound. If you find yourself with a free 12 minutes sometime soon, give the album’s anchor, the lengthy “Siberian Breaks” a listen. It alternates in pace and style often enough that they could have probably broken it up into a handful of songs, and the lyrics are consistently difficult to understand. It’s further evidence of its wish to confuse casual listeners of the more straightforward tracks like the anthemic “Time to Pretend” and dancey “Electric Feel” from “Oracular Spectacular.” To cap it off, the electric tricksters save their least-elaborate track, “Congratulations” for the end of the album, just after the instrumental “Lady Dada’s Nightmare.” It’s a pleasantly morbid cap on a pleasantly morbid record, one that’s consistent from start to finish. True fans fascinated by its strangeness ought to find it massively enjoyable and also find encouragement in the band’s creative range. If Goldwasser and VanWyngarden figure out how to combine “Oracular Spectacular”’s pop sensibilities with their enormous free-form creativity on “Congratulations,” then their next album could well be labeled a modern classic.
DR. DOG
“Shame, Shame” 8.8/10.0 Key Tracks: “Shadow People,” “Shame, Shame” Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken have discovered some futuristic mechanism to distill and bottle pure charm. The alternating lead singers for Philadelphia-based indie pop band Dr. Dog have apparently been chugging away at its particular batch of brew for just over a decade now, and the result is “Shame, Shame,” its seventh studio album. Of 11 terrific tracks (13 if you buy it on vinyl!), “Shame, Shame” lacks something that constitutes the bulk of most records these days: filler. A rigorous listening reveals it’s without a throwaway or rushed track or maybe something that didn’t get developed in time for the release. The credit goes to their adherence to genre. American indie pop was born out of the catchiest and most creative Beach Boys songs, most notably from the album “Pet Sounds” which registers the longest track at a mere three minutes and six seconds. Why fix what’s not broken? But into an album lasting just under 40 minutes, Dr. Dog packs a lot. It ranges from lazy psychedelia (“I Only Wear Blue”) to straight-up cymbals-crashing rock and roll (“Where’d All The Time Go?”) and pure pop (“Jackie Wants a Black Eye”) before riding off into the sunset with the title track.
The band immediately endears itself to its listening audience with the happy horns, cooing and handclapping of “Strangers” and Leaman’s lyrical claim that there aren’t any more tricks up his sleeve, though that certainly can’t be said about the band’s songwriting prowess. Flip on “Station” to hear McMicken give a convincing audition to sing for The Band, somewhere between Levon Helm’s country swagger and Richard Manuel’s gentle falsetto. The album’s greatest strength is the bare-all attitude in Leaman and McMicken’s songwriting. “I used to suffer alone,” the former sings on “Shame, Shame”. “I used to write it all down, hoping someone would read it years from now/ I used to act like I was in a movie, so mysterious and misunderstood.” Even for happy pop, such darker experience is the best stuff for great songwriting (see the eternal example of this in “God Only Knows” from “Pet Sounds”). You can’t rise to the top without starting at the bottom. “Shadow People” tells a cute story about McMicken’s life in west Philadelphia with all the “crazy, flamboyant characters and a lot of porch life and coffee shops,” as he told Express Night Out in a recent interview. It’s his “Penny Lane,” and it’s absolutely gorgeous, an early highlight on a record packed full of them. Matt Carney is a professional writing junior.
!"#$%&'() *#+,-!#., '/-01)&(,)) BEFORE BREAK Fill a 4 Bed 2 Bath apartment, Get a Flat Screen TV Waive $150 in Move-in Fees Offer expires April 30, 2010 ACT FAST. SOME FLOORPLANS SOLD OUT!
LIVE LIKE A CHAMPION crimsonpark.com | 405.253.8000 | 2657 Classen Boulevard