The Oklahoma Daily by OU Daily

FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2009

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S INDEPENDENTT STUDENT STTUDENT VOICE

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F Football finishes the summer th with numerous w ppraises and high eexpectations. FFind out the ddetails. PAGE 5 P

Check out the events scheduled for students considering to rush a fraternity. PAGE 2

El Paso Hot Button will celebrate its album release Friday night. Find out the details inside. PAGE 7

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DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR STATE HEALTHCARE REFORM Professionals explain reform to ease Oklahomans’ worries CAITLIN HARRISON The Oklahoma Daily

Oklahoma County Democrats urged passage of healthcare reform legislation Thursday at the Capitol, stating healthcare should be available and affordable for every citizen. Top quality hospitals, doctors and health professionals already exist in Oklahoma, but the goal of legislation is to make that care available to everyone, said Katherine Scheirman, American College of Physicians fellow and regional director of Doctors for America. She said 20 percent of Oklahoma’s 5th District citizens are without health coverage. “The proposals on the table for healthcare reform are common sense, mainstream ideas for making healthcare more affordable

and available,” Scheirman said. “You rarely hear these proposals actually talked about, because they are so reasonable that it is hard to argue with them.” According to a Committee on Energy and Commerce analysis, Oklahoma saw 1,300 healthcare-related bankruptcies in 2008, caused primarily by healthcare costs not covered by insurance. It states the bill caps out-of-pocket expenses at $10,000 per year, providing health insurance for almost every American. The legislation will control healthcare inflation to solve long-term deficit problems, Tom Guild, party secretary, said. “We think that we will get a good public option out of this,” Guild said. “We think we will have a good bill that will allow their health to be covered.” Scheirman said in addition to bringing health care to the uninsured, the proposal would not affect those already covered under a government health insurance program,

and would add new consumer protections, such as eliminating coverage denial for preexisting conditions, for those currently covered under employer insurance. “If you don’t have insurance through your job, or if you lose your insurance because your change or lose a job, you will be able to have a choice through an exchange where you can choose a health plan from a range of private insurers, but can’t be excluded for trivial reasons, and can’t be denied healthcare after years of paying premiums,” Scheirman said. Party Chairman Al Lindley said most people who have health insurance are likely pleased with it until they face an unforeseen situation in which their coverage is changed or eliminated. “I felt the same way about my health insurance until a series of unfortunate circumstances lead me to know that even the best of health insurance policy can disappear like ice in the hot Oklahoma sun,” Lindley said.

“It is time, as a nation, we value families and provide preventative and restorative health care to all at an affordable price.” Healthcare inequality is one of the most inhumane forms of injustice, Rev. Loyce Newton Edwards, Church of the Open Arms United Church of Christ retired pastor, said of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous words. “Forty-three years after these prophetic words were spoken by Dr. King, we acknowledge the fierce urgency of now for comprehensive healthcare reform, and lament the reality of inequality in healthcare provisions,” he said. Healthcare can often mandate the difference between life or death, Edwards said. “So it’s not a matter of whether we think people are worthy,” Edwards said. “It is a moral imperative that we have healthcare reform. And when do we want it? Now.”

View video of the meeting online

Dorms filled with freshmen on moving day Research grant and

budding opportunity

Incoming residents share moving experiences for better or worse

Scientists honored by President Barack Obama with grant money from the PECASE Award

KATHARINE WILLIAMS The Oklahoma Daily

With carts crammed into elevators, parents helped haul box after box up flights of stairs, and students waved goodbye to worried parents as the dorms opened to freshman on Thursday. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., incoming residents arrived in waves, not allowing one quiet moment in the residence halls. Other students had already moved in early for ROTC and other groups. Despite early morning rain, outdoor check-in went smoothly. Alysia Brooks, University College freshman, described the event as “organized chaos.” For some, checking in for the first time wasn’t as smooth as expected. Maggie Böer, an incoming freshman who moved into Walker Tower early on Monday, said, “It was really confusing checking in. First I was in a line and realized no one around me spoke English. Then I went into another and it was just a bunch of guys so I wasn’t sure if I was where I needed to be.” Open parking up and down Asp Avenue was scarce as students were seen struggling with large plastic tubs, dropping boxes of dollies, and calling frantically with cell phones across the parking lot to locate their parents. For others, the move to their dorms couldn’t have been smoother. “The whole check-in was pretty smooth, and all the advisors made it efficient,” said Siavash Monfared, petroleum engineering sophomore. “Traffic wasn’t really as bad as I’d heard it’d be. I really like all stuff in the tent, [like] the free Red Bulls.” The energy drinks weren’t the only free commodity provided by the checkin tent in the Walker-Adams Mall. Nexus Productions provided a DJ to play popular and uplifting songs including “Macarena” and “Jump On It” to keep up the energy during the move. Water was provided, as were smiles and information at dozens of booths. “It was less congested than I thought it would be,” said Sean Cox, University College freshman and Adams Tower resident. “I really appreciated how the elevators were set up.” His floormate Matthew Kessler agreed, and added that, “There

JARED RADER The Oklahoma Daily

HOUA YANG/THE DAILY

Brandon Marriott, construction science senior, hauls his belongings to his new dorm room in the Adams Tower Thursday afternoon. were a lot of upperclassmen there that were very helpful.” Lauren Royston, Housing and Food Services spokeswoman, said more than 4,000 students are expected to live in the residence halls this semester. Around 450 are returning upperclassmen, while the rest are freshmen. Upperclassmen are encouraged to stay in the dorms because they “add a dynamics to the residence

community, know the show, and are eager to offer assistance to the incoming freshmen.” Royston said the freshmen will have many perks this semester, including renovated eating establishments and residence halls. “These freshman are the first group to see Couch Restaurants completely renovated,” Royston said.

Fall fraternity rush built for everyone Fraternity rush week encourages friendship, loyalty and support KATIE ROSENTHAL The Oklahoma Daily

As students settle in and attend the many events being held around the campus, there are some students that are preparing for something along with classes. For some men, fraternity rush week is about preparing to figure out which house they wish to join. The activities begin today, with a barbecue hosted by IFC on the north side of Couch Restaurants. Members of all 18 of IFC’s fraternities will be at the cookout. Events continue through Wednesday, with a mandatory meeting 9 a.m. Saturday

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at Catlett Music Center. House tours will follow that meeting and will continue 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Monday and Tuesday, rushees and members of IFC will gather at the basketball court at 6:30 p.m. on Walker-Adams Mall to learn which houses have invited them back for parties. Wednesday is bid day, when rushees and pledges make mutual decisions on best fits. Rush comes a bit earlier this year than it has in recent years, when it ran through the second week of school. “[Another] difference is that instead of Monday through Friday [rush] will be Saturday through Wednesday,” said Michael Nash, IFC vice president for recruitment. “That way we don’t have to worry about class conflicts on Saturday

and Sunday.” Nash said that 605 men had signed up for rush as of Thursday, and that sign-up will continue through Saturday on the IFC web site. Jeremy Clardy, University College freshman, said fraternities offer an opportunity to find a group of people who will be there to give him a helping hand as he takes a big step to independence. Others look to join fraternities not just for a new group of friends, but as a way to improve their academic performance. “I didn’t have the guys I hung out with in high school to hang out with, and the guys in fraternity are my best friends,” said Colin Crain, IFC vice president for programming. SEE INFO BOX ON RUSH EVENTS ON PAGE 2

Research scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) were among 100 beginning researchers honored by President Barack Obama with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) earlier this summer. The award is the highest honor given by the United States government to outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. An award ceremony will be held at the White House this fall. R e s e a rc h m e t e o ro l o g i s t Michael C. Coniglio, a research scientist, and adjunct OU professor Pamela Heinselman received the award for their contributions to research improving tornado MICHAEL forecasting and radar systems. Coniglio and Heinselman CONIGLIO were both involved in VORTEX2, the largest in-field tornado experiment in history that took place during the spring across the Central United States. Coniglio helped set up the VORTEX2 Operations Center and collected data with other scientists on the ground. Heinselman was in charge of coordinating radar data collections with the mobile radars on the ground. “It is amazing to have two researchers from NSSL win [the award],” said David J. Stensrud, Chief of the Forecast Research and Development center at the NSSL and 1996 PECASE recipient. “I think this award really emphasizes how important our work is to the nation.” The award not only recognizes significant achievements but both recipients said grant money is associated, and together NOAA and the NSSL will provide $20,000 for each scientist to further their research over the next five years. “I can use the money for my research, and that’s a big deal,” Heinselman said. “I didn’t have to write an National Science Foundation grant for this, and I get to go to the White House PAMELA ceremony.” Coniglio plays a major role HEINSELMAN at NOAA’s Hazardous Weather Testbed, assessing numerical weather models for forecasters in order to improve forecasts. “This award means a great deal to me,” Coniglio said. “I could say that this is somewhere I’ve wanted to work since I was very young, and the people I work with now have received similar awards.” Heinselman’s research centers on the use of Phased Array Radar technology to improve tornado warning lead times. She also serves as an adjunct faculty appointment in the OU School of Meteorology, advising and co-advising undergraduate and graduate students. “I’m very excited and honored to receive this award,” said Heinselman. “When you look at others who receive it, you feel you’re amongst some of the most successful people in the nation.” Though Coniglio and Heinselman said they are looking forward to their continued research, both scientists recognize their responsibility to help students become future meteorologists. “I’ve been fascinated with severe weather ever since I was young,” Coniglio said. “Students just need to stay passionate and excited about the opportunities available.”

VOL. 95, NO. 3

Friday, August 21, 2009

Campus cleaner and greener for new year Introduction of dual-purpose blue lids increases recycling BRANDON MIKAEL The Oklahoma Daily

Students pouring back onto campus this week can expect a greener OU after the efforts of students, faculty, and staff last year. Last January’s introduction of dual-purpose blue lids on many trash receptacles throughout campus is one such effort. Joseph Ahrabizad, political science senior, said he tries to recycle when he can but in the past found his on-campus options limited. However, with the convenience of the combined receptacles, particularly on the South Oval, he said he finds himself recycling more rather than just tossing his water bottle into a trash can or having to walk out of his way to the nearest recycle bin. “The infrastructure is already in place,” said Undergraduate Student Congress chairman John Jennings about the dual-purpose lids. “It’s just a matter of using it.” Student Congress will be donating money to the Physical Plant in order to purchase more of the dualpurpose blue lids, Jennings said.

Amanda Hearn, spokesperson for the OU Physical Plant, said that the Physical Plant’s Refuse and Recycling team recycled more than 930 tons of paper, aluminum and plastic during OU’s most recent fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2008 through June 30. President of OUr Earth Chris Applegate said the increase in recycling was phenomenal but said that there is more to OU becoming a sustainable campus than just recycling. He said he would like to see OU make an effort to obtain Leadership in Energy and Evironmental Design certification for more of its buildings, as well as increase the number of blue lids on trash cans. According to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Web site, LEED certification requires verification from a third party that building construction used design strategies that reduce the building’s effect on the environment. Hearn said OU retro-fitted many of its buildings this summer to be more energy-efficient and lessresource intensive. The changes include installing sensors in rooms that will turn off the lights when someone leaves the room, adding sensors to vending

ELI HULL/THE DAILY

Aaron Ogg, who has been an employee at OU Recycling for a little over a year, dumps bottles and cans from a recycling bin to be sorted Thursday afternoon. machines that turn off the machine’s lights if no one is around, efficient outdoor lights and well

as replacing battery-powered exit signs with glow in the dark ones. Hearn said OU is expected to

China censors social networking sites to Chinese students Facebook, Twitter and Google some of the sites blocked in response to summer’s Xinjiang riots NATASHA GOODELL The Oklahoma Daily

Facebook has become one of the most popular social networking sites, ranked fourth in the world by a popular technology Web site, but as of this summer most Chinese students living in China cannot access the site. “I could use it on July 9 [when the site was supposed to be blocked] but when I flew from Beijing to here, I couldn’t log on,” said Le Xue, graduate assistant for U.S.-China Issues.

Graduate assistants for U.S.-China Issues Xue and Weihao Zhang said they were both in China this summer when these sites were blocked. Both students said they believe the Chinese government is doing what is necessary because the rioters are using foreign networks to stimulate their cause. “I think it’s necessary for the government to do something,” said Zhang, a social work graduate student. Zhang and Xue explained the rioters are killing strangers in the street. “The violence is really scary there,” said Xue, an instructional psychology and technology graduate student. Zhang and Xue both expressed con-

ideas that the Chinese government is being oppressive to its people, when this just isn’t the case, Zhang said. “All of these technologies of information affect the ways in which politics operate,” Gries said. However, Gries said there is no way for China to close off Internet communication completely because they would upset 100 million netizens (citizens participating in politics through the Internet). “If the government cracks down on the Internet too much they can endanger their foreign business as well,” Gries said. Facebook shouldn’t be blocked forever, Xue and Zhang said.

save the equivalent energy use of 415 single-family homes a year after the retro-fitting.

OHH, WHAT A RUSH! Here’s a quick look at IFC rush week - Today: Barbecue with members of all 18 of OU’s IFC fraternities, 5:30 p.m., north of Couch Restaurants - Saturday: Mandatory rush meeting, followed by house tours, 9 a.m., Catlett Music Center - Sunday: House tours continue, 11:30 a.m., meet at the basketball court on Walker-Adams Mall - Monday: Parties by invitation, 6:30 p.m., meet at the basketball court on Walker-Adams Mall - Tuesday: Parties by invitation, 6:30 p.m., meet at the basketball court on Walker-Adams Mall - Wednesday: Bid day, rushees will sign bid cards, 7 p.m., at a location to be determined For more information on the IFC rush process, or to sign up for rush, visit ifc.ou.edu. Source: IFC Rush Manual

POLICE REPORTS The following is a list of arrests and citations, not convictions. The information is compiled from the Norman Police Department and OUPD. All people listed are innocent until proven guilty. MUNICIPAL WARRANT Richard Codey Denney, 23, 911 W. Main St. Amber Dashawn Dragoo, 29, 201B W. Gray St. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE James Patrick Jennings, 21, 747 Asp Ave. Adam Joseph McKean, 25, Trout Avenue Patrick Uchenna Ndubuisi, 52, 616 E. Main St. POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE Anthony Bernard Johnson, 19, E. Louisiana St. INTERFERING WITH OFFICIAL PROCESS Monica Rose Males, 20, 303 W. Boyd St. POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Griffin Dean Parks, 18, 809 Ash Court UNLAWFUL USE OF A DRIVER’S LICENSE Marisa Kristina Schnitz, 20, 303 W. Boyd St. PUBLIC INTOXICATION Thomas Vincent Vennochi, 19, Morren Drive Lorenzo Walker, 45, Classen Boulevard

LAUREN HARNED/THE DAILY

Le Xue, graduate assistant for U.S.-China Issues, sits in her office in Hester Hall Thursday. The Chinese government removed access to Facebook, Twitter and many Google services after violence in the Xinjiang Province this summer, according to a recent report by TechCrunch. Rioters involved in this incident are responsible for more than 140 people killed and about 816 wounded, according to the Independent World, a news organization in the UK. “These new social networks are becoming an important dissemination of information,” said Peter Gries, Director of the OU Institute for U.S.China Issues.

cern with the way western media conveys these events. Zhang said they notice the western media misinterpreting events happening in China, further justifying the Chinese government’s attempts to censor some of the foreign sites online. Gries said the censorship of Web sites is not a phenomenon unique to China by any means. “It’s really important to keep the stability,” Zhang said. The Chinese government has a hard time keeping stability when other news organizations overseas are creating

“The reality is that the government does sometimes censor things but that does not mean your friends [Chinese students] have lost their freedom,” Gries said. “For Americans, we see a lack of freedom in the political realm and it creates other fears about other kinds of freedoms.” Gries explains the situation as a difference in perspectives between Americans and the Chinese. “It’s kind of inconvenient, but there are still a lot of other ways to communicate,” Zhang said.

my friend’s got mental illness

To a friend with mental illness, your caring and understanding greatly increases their chance of recovery. Visit whatadifference.samhsa.gov for more information. Mental Illness – What a difference a friend makes.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Convocation welcomes a unique freshman class President Boren’s address optimistic and inspiring TROY WEATHERFORD The Oklahoma Daily

Freshmen and their relatives poured into the Lloyd Noble Center Thursday afternoon to hear OU President David Boren’s address and become part of the Sooner family. A major theme of Boren’s speech was the strength of community at OU. “If we are to prevail, we must prevail together,” Boren said. “And how we treat each other ... will have a lot to say about the kind of future that you and I have together.” The sense of community Boren stressed extended beyond OU. “If we can be a model, this university, for creating a true sense of family ... then we will have made a major contribution, not only to our state, but we will have made a major contribution to our country and indeed to the world beyond the borders of this country,” he said. Boren had three pieces of advice to help students meet their challenges. First, he said students should be open-mined, take classes outside their major and wait to specialize. “You’re not preparing to earn a living, you’re preparing to live life,” Boren said. Secondly, Boren said students shouldn’t be afraid to grow and meet people. He said they should avoid being passive in learning and life. Finally, he urged students to hang onto their dreams. Students shouldn’t wait until they’re 65 years-old to realize they haven’t been living the life they want, he said. “I thought [the speech] was really inspiring, especially the part where he said to leave your dreams open,” Monica Barton, University College FRESHMEN BREAKDOWN freshman, said. Boren also spoke about 3,720 — number of students in the many obstacles facthe freshmen class ing our country. Instead 463 — number of freshmen with of tiptoeing around the a 4.0 high school grade-point economic problems facaverage ing the United States, he 25.97 — freshman class’s averaddressed some issues age ACT score and talked about his 3.59 — freshman class’s average “summer stay-cation” high school grade-point average and the daunting growth of China’s economy. But Boren was not pessimistic. He orated his belief that OU’s students would help revive the can-do spirit of America. “When you look back at our history, we have faced challenges,” he said. “Challenges even greater than the challenges we are facing today and yet we have always found something within ourselves ... we have reached down and found the strength and made things better.” Boren recognized the class of 2013 for its record number of National Merit Scholars. With 196 scholars, it’s the greatest

CAMPUS NOTES TODAY CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will host a welcome dinner at their campus house located at 704 W. Lindsey St. at 6:30 p.m. SOONER ORIENTATION WEEKEND OU will host Sooner Orientation Weekend on the Walker-Adams Mall. Visit www.ou.edu/sow for a full list of events. ENROLLMENT SERVICES Enrollment Services has set its deadline for full enrollment cancellation at 5 p.m. Those cancelling enrollment after the deadline will receive a grade of W (withdraw) for the classes after the deadline. SATURDAY CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS Christians on Campus will host a welcome dinner at their campus house located at 704 W. Lindsey St. at 6:30 p.m. SOONER ORIENTATION WEEKEND OU will host Sooner Orientation Weekend on the Walker-Adams Mall. Visit www.ou.edu/sow for a full list of events. SUNDAY SUMMER BREEZE CONCERT SERIES The Summer Breeze Concert Series will host a free concert by Darrell Scott at Lions Park at 7:30 p.m. SOONER ORIENTATION WEEKEND OU will host Sooner Orientation Weekend on the Walker-Adams Mall. Visit www.ou.edu/sow for a full list of events. MONDAY FIRST DAY OF CLASSES The first classes of the semester will begin on Monday at 6 a.m. Check your schedule’s specific times.

ELIZABETH NALEWAJK/THE DAILY

OU President David L. Boren encourages freshmen to be role models to other students across the nation and to have mutual respect for each other during Freshman Convocation Thursday evening at the Lloyd Noble Center. number of National Merit Scholars in a freshman class ever to attend OU. The David L. Boren Scholarship and the Alpha Lambda Delta Trow Scholarship were also awarded during the ceremony. The scholarships were awarded based on academic achievements.

CAMPUS BRIEFS OU MUSLIMS PREPARE TO CELEBRATE RAMADAN Muslims will begin observing Ramadan Saturday morning at sunrise. They will fast from sunrise to sunset, while praying five times a day. The Muslim Student Association plans to host events throughout the month of Ramadan and will hold their annual Think Fast event Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in the OMU Ballroom. Khadeeja Elyazgi, professional writing junior and MSA public relations chair, said, “[Ramadan] sets you up for the rest of the year in the sense that it makes you more grateful for what you have and brings you closer to God.” -Daily Staff

FIRST SOONERS HOME FOOTBALL GAME KICKOFF SET Kickoff for the first home football game of the season has been set for 6 p.m. Sept. 12 against Idaho State. The game will be televised as pay-per-view and will be the first match between the two schools. The Sooners open the season Sept. 5 against BYU at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. -Daily Staff

TARGET AFTER-HOURS SHOPPING PARTY Target will host an after-hours shopping event for college freshmen from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Saturday with free food, prizes and games. OU was one of 36 universities selected to take part in the private shopping event and busses will run every 20 minutes to

the Target at 1400 24th Ave. from the WalkerAdams Mall beginning at 10:30 p.m. Students will be greeted with door prizes, gift bags, and a live DJ. The private shopping party is part of Sooner Orientation Weekend and will allow students to shop while avoiding crowds. -Jackie Lustig/The Daily

OU IPHONE APPLICATION RELEASED OU’s official iPhone application, OU2GO, launched Wednesday. The free application, which features a campus map, weather, news feeds and traditional OU spirit songs, was developed by 11 student interns from the Center for Creation of Economic Wealth. Some of the students will continue working on the project and hope to add more features, project manager Kim Saylor said. To download the application, visit www. itunes.com/app/ou2go. For more information visit www.ou.edu/iphone or contact iphone@ou.edu. -Daily Staff

FALL FOOTBALL TICKETS TO GO ON SALE OU students with football season tickets will be able to purchase tickets for the Sooners away games this fall beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday. The Sooners away games this year include Brigham Young at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Miami, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas Tech. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, firstserve basis while supplies last. The cost of the tickets will be charged to students’ bursar accounts.

Students wishing to purchase tickets can do so by logging onto soonersports.com. -Daily Staff

CAMPUS SECURITY MEETING FOR GRANT FUNDING The Oklahoma State Regents Campus Life and Safety and Security Task Force met Thursday to discuss funding for projects concerning campus security. The group planned possible ways to fund the Oklahoma School Security Grant, which can help institutions finance improvements to security measures at their schools. The task force hoped to receive $16 million for the grant, but due to budget cuts received no funding. Possibilities for funding included future additional security fees for students, grants from the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security and federal stimulus funds. The group voted to create the funding proposals by Oct. 14. The group also voted to have Oklahoma campuses comply with the National Incident Management System. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the system will provide college campuses procedures to follow in case of emergency. The group voted to make Dec. 1, 2010, the date for compliance with the safety package. The task force was created by Gov. Brad Henry in April 2007 to review and evaluate current safety and security plans and student counseling services already in place for higher education and career technology institutions after the Virginia Tech tragedy of 2007. -Luke Atkinson/The Daily

Friday, August 21, 2009

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

COMMENT OF THE DAY » In response to Ian Wright’s Thursday column on political discourse

OUR VIEW

“A great resource for monitoring the health of our public discourse is provided by FactCheck.org - http://www. factcheck.org/ - which is a truly non-partisan effort to document misinformation in the mass media, and to

provide more reliable information instead.” - LauraGibbs

YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

STAFF COLUMN

NCAA rules miss mark in Balogun case OU linebacker Mike Balogun recently filed a lawsuit against the NCAA to fight allegations that he broke one of the association’s rules, a bylaw that restricts the eligibility of NCAA football players who play in an amateur football league after they turn 21. Balogun claims he did not break the rule, but to us, it doesn’t matter whether he did or didn’t because the rule is illogical, especially in Balogun’s case. He played for a semipro team before he came to OU, and says he didn’t play for the team after he turned 21. It shouldn’t matter though, because he didn’t get paid to play. Here’s why that fact matters: The NCAA also has a rule against athletes entering professional leagues, like the NFL, and then returning to the college ranks. This rule makes sense. If a player plays in the NFL, obviously he should not be allowed to go back to college to play because he would have the unfair advantage of experience playing against and alongside other professionals. And because

the player got paid to play in the NFL, he would have to be classified as a professional. Balogun, however, did not play in the NFL. He played for a semipro team and did not get paid for it. So he is still an amateur. And what makes Balogun’s case worse is that it probably won’t matter whether he wins his case or not because of another unfair NCAA bylaw. That one states that even if Balogun initially wins, the NCAA can appeal the ruling, and if it is overturned upon appeal, victories can be taken from OU and records from Balogun. Therefore, it would not be surprising to see OU bench the linebacker for the season, even if he wins his case. Why risk losing victories for one player? It wouldn’t make sense for Bob Stoops and his crew. Unfortunately for OU, both of these bylaws come into play in one case, but OU is not the only university susceptible to these unfair rules, as the NCAA governs many colleges big and small around the country.

STAFF COLUMN

One columnist’s proof for the existence of God You know how you can think really hard about an answer and then have the answer pop into your head, so that you love life? Yeah, I don’t either. But I’ll tell you something I do love: proving God’s existence. Unfor tunately, I’ve only come up with one way to do so, but I think it’s more creative than Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument JOSHUA for God. Take that, HUFF supreme Catholic philosopher! Unfortunately, my e v e r-s o - c re a t i v e a r g u ment doesn’t prove anything. Nonetheless, I thought it would be quite fun and intellectually-stimulating for you to read. So, here is how the argument goes. When I look around, I see an interesting phenomenon. In psychology, I see how determinism is able to answer a good many things (environment, genetics, feelings, etc). In sociology, I see how people act eerily similar in a large-scale group. In physics, I see how the laws that govern macro-bodies are quite consistent and pervasive. In chemistry and biology, I see how the classifications and the understandings of chemical reactions work in most cases most of the time. In philosophy, I see how arguments have grown stale and we can easily knock out many views and perspectives as being outdated or ludicrous (like Kant’s entire ontology, for example). However, I also see amazing complexity. Even though psychology’s determinism answers an amazing percentage of our behavior (like criminal behavior, for instance), there remains so much unexplained and left up to either our environment, our experiences or our free will (if you believe in that). In sociology, I see how the principles that govern people’s behavior on a large-scale break down and utterly fail on a specific person’s reaction to a stimulus. In physics, the entire field seemed to have been torn apart and rebuilt thanks to the complexity and accuracy of quantum mechanics. In chemistry and biology, I have been amazed at how scarce our knowledge actually is in the fields of medicine and curable diseases. Quite simply, we have very little knowledge of why things work, even though we can often manipulate things out and get lucky. And in philosophy, new arguments and new perspectives are always coming around, even using old, outdated arguments that seemed, before, to have no relevance.

You see, the world is unbelievably complex. This is why I have given up on Ockham’s Razor. Ockham’s Razor says that if one is torn between two ideas, a simple idea and a more complicated idea, one should believe and assume as true the simple idea. Quite simply, I believe that if an idea is really simple, it’s probably NOT true (unlike poor Ockham who just didn’t know how complicated the world was). If a deterministic Newtonian physics framework seems too simple, it’s probably wrong. In fact, science has shown its error. Now, let’s think about atheism. Atheism is majestic, awe-inspiring, and, to be blunt, simply too good to be true. Do humans have free will? Obviously not, according to Nietzsche and Stirner, but that never stopped them from extending their will to power, and that shouldn’t stop you either. Our world is simply one big, cosmic accident, and we got the lucky planet that could support life. There is no higher goal we should orient ourselves towards, nor is there any stupid God to hold us accountable. To be honest, it’s just creepy. Every question is easily-answered by atheists with a natural answer. Their answers aren’t exactly inspiring, but who can fault them? Every atheist is just a grand, unbelievablyunlikely accident. And that’s what I love about theism: it’s just way too complicated. Theism has more problems than I could ever comprehend in my whole life, and Christianity, in my experience, has more problems than any other religion. Theism is simply crazy complicated. Faith is paradoxical; if you can’t understand it, then you SHOULD believe in it. Or so says Kierkegaard. Barth says God is so far above us, we can only know what He’s NOT, and Hegel says atheism is just another aspect of God. In fact, theism is so complicated and so fraught with problems, that it’s probably true. Atheism just makes too much sense for me. But that’s just theoretical support for theism. Now, let’s address practical issues. Interestingly enough, atheism says faith does not protect you: science and enlightenment protect you. “Put your faith in something with tangible results,” says the killer in Dan Brown’s book Angels and Demons. Science, not God, has provided gadgets and technology. Yet, while we become more connected to the globe, we merely feel more alone. Science holds nothing sacred, for nothing remains out-ofreach, even unborn children. The

god, science, gives its people power but somehow missed the memo about throwing in a moral framework or even an instruction manual (kind of a big oversight, don’t you think?). Have we gotten to the point that we would rather assume a mathematical impossibility than believe in a power greater than us? Have we become so spiritually-bankrupt? Would we rather have a trite, scientific answer with no deeper explanation and simply appeal to our selfish desires for power or selfish desires for pleasure than believe in a God who will make all things right and just? But skepticism has become a virtue. That’s not a bad thing, per se. Yet, there is a point at which faith is blind: both for theism and for atheism. Atheism demands proof of God, but theism is amazed that the question could even be asked. Perhaps I’m just obtuse for being dissatisfied with the simple answers given to me. Or perhaps I’m a misguided complexiton who just gravitates toward things he can’t understand. It’s just that, in my experience, simple people like simple answers. And in my experience, atheism is the simplest answer of them all. Joshua Huff is a philosophy and economics senior.

LeighAnne Manwarren Jacqueline Clews Annelise Russell Cassie Rhea Little Judy Gibbs Robinson Thad Baker

160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270

phone: 405-325-3666

Look around you. We are suffering from a disease that is causing premature death and happens to be a prerequisite for other diseases. It’s not swine flu, and it’s not a sexually transmitted disease; it’s obesity. Oklahoma CHRIS is one of six GIBBONS states that have a prevalence - about 30 percent - of obese citizens. That is one out of every three people. One of every three people has a body mass index of 30 percent or higher, which puts them at a greater risk for life threatening diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, respiratory problems and gynecological problems. And I am just touching the tip of the iceberg here. Not only are we at a heightened risk for health problems, we are putting ourselves at risk financially too. And this financial risk is not only burdening the patient, but the health care system as a whole. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.1 percent of all medical expenses in the United States were associated with obesity, and half of these expenses were covered by Medicare or Medicaid, costing taxpayers almost $37 billion. This is a horrific problem, but it’s getting worse because obesity is becoming more prevalent, and almost at an exponential rate. We are losing the fight against obesity due to our terrible eating habits, our individualistic, North American culture and our ignorance of what is in processed food. So how do we combat this

terrible plague? First, we need to stop consuming so much food. The more is better mentality does not work here. We eat a lot more calories a day than our body can process, so we store those extra calories as fat. Do you remember walking away from the table feeling “comfortably full?” Second, we need to eat more fresh foods, which often don’t contain copious amounts of saturated fats or high fructose corn syrup. Remember a large corporation produces high fructose corn syrup, so it is not something natural. Third, we need to incorporate exercise into our daily lives. I know it’s hard because we are so dependent on our gas guzzling cars and our want-it-now mentality. But if we take a few more minutes to walk, or even to ride a bike, not only would our waistlines see a difference, but maybe our stress levels would as well. Now, I do understand that some people have genetic factors increasing their potential to become obese. But you have to remember: in order for these genetic factors to take place, they are instigated by outside factors, such as poor eating habits, high stress levels and a minimal amount of exercise. Obviously these outside factors can be controlled. How do we seem to be so concerned with health, yet we are the unhealthiest country on the planet? How do we spend twice as much per person on health care than other countries, yet we still don’t have proper and full coverage for all of our citizens? Obesity plays a large role, and it can be managed. Just take a look around your environment, analyze the problems and create solutions. Chris Gibbons is a botany and chemistry junior.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

AID ISSUES FRUSTRATE STUDENTS Dear Editor, I am writing to you today to vent some frustration that exists with the university’s Financial Aid System. I, like many students, have been adversely impacted by the University’s decision to switch to an alternate service provider for its financial aid and accounting software. We all have seen this new system with the introduction of Ozone to our daily lives. As it has been explained to me by numerous people within the financial aid department, this software has taken previously automated

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Editor-in-Chief Meredith Moriak Managing Editor Charles Ward Assistant Managing Editor Ricky Ly Night Editor Will Holland Opinion Editor Michelle Gray, Merrill Jones Photo Editors

Simple steps needed to beat obesity

Senior Online Editor Multimedia Editor Sports Editor Life & Arts Editor Editorial Adviser Advertising Manager

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

tasks and forced them to be done by hand. Consequently, hundreds if not thousands of students who met deadlines for early disbursement are being forced to wait while thousands of dollars sit unclaimed in the Bursar’s Office. While trying to get answers I’m encountering enormous roadblocks and the answer, “oh well, you’ll have to wait.” Calls to the Bursar’s Office go unanswered because of constantly busy phone lines. I’ve made 314 call attempts since Monday. Hold times at the financial aid office exceed 45 minutes long and answers via e-mail are ever shrouded in secrecy. Thus far, I have been given five different dates at which point my aid would be available to me, and university has managed to miss every single one. Administrators are careful to point out that

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.

everything is estimated! My concern is at what point does the university step up and demonstrate clear accountability for the financial aid fiasco? I know it wasn’t deliberate, and I’ve never accused anyone of stonewalling me; however, true leadership thrives on transparency, and I want to know when they will fix the mess and who is going to apologize for it. Also, getting my refund so I can buy books would be nice too! Regards, Nathan Cockrum College of Liberal Studies Graduate Student

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 in 160 Copeland Hall. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

5 Friday, August

«SOCCER Go online this weekend for game updates on OU soccer. OUDAILY.COM

21, 2009

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

FOOTBALL SHINES OVER BREAK JONO GRECO The Oklahoma Daily

Sooners Ranked No. 3 in the Coaches’ Preseason Poll After falling to the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship in Miami last January, college football head coaches voted OU the No. 3 team in the nation on Aug. 7 behind the top-ranked Gators and No. 2 Texas Longhorns. The Sooners received one first place vote, which was three less than the Longhorns and 52 less than Florida. The top-25 includes two other Big 12 schools, Oklahoma State at No. 11 and Nebraska at No. 22. The only ranked non-Big 12 school on OU’s schedule is No. 24 Brigham Young University. The two schools meet Sept. 5 in Arlington, Texas. The University of Southern California and Alabama round out the coaches’ poll’s top-five.

Multiple Sooners Make National Preseason Watch List for Various Awards Maxwell Award: Junior quarterback Sam Bradford, senior running back Chris Brown, senior tight end Jermaine Gresham and junior running back DeMarco Murray Davey O’Brien Award: Bradford Bednarik Award: Junior defensive end Jeremy Beal, sophomore linebacker Travis Lewis and junior defensive tackle Gerald McCoy John Mackey Award: Senior tight end Jermaine Gresham Outland Trophy: McCoy and senior offensive tackle Trent Williams Ted Hendricks Award: Beal and senior defensive end Auston English Walter Camp Award: Bradford Jim Thorpe Award: Junior cornerback Dominique Franks Lott Trophy: McCoy Doak Walker Award: Brown and Murray Lou Groza Award: Sophomore kicker Jimmy Stevens Nagurski Award: Beal and McCoy

ZACH BUTLER/THE DAILY

Sam Bradford celebrates as DeMarco Murray walks into the endzone untouched. Williams, Murray, McCoy, Beal, Lewis and Franks. Bradford Named Big 12 Preseason Offensive To add to the hype of this year’s Red River Shootout Player of the Year, Sooners and Longhorns to rivalry is the fact that not even the Big 12 media could Lead Big 12 South predict a clear winner. Both teams received 174 points to create the paperHeisman Trophy winner Bradford was one of eight Sooners to snag spots on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, tie, but the Longhorns did receive 17 first place votes and was named as the Preseason Offensive Player of the over the Sooners’ 15. No other team in the Big 12 South received any first Year while OU and Texas tied for Big 12 supremacy as place votes, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers received 172 voted by the Big 12 media. Other Sooners to be honored include Gresham, points and 17 first place votes to lead the Big 12 North.

OU Soccer opens tonight

MICHELLE GRAY/THE DAILY

Junior midfielder Sage Coralli (10) prepares to kick the ball to another teammate, in a women’s soccer game against Iowa State University on Oct. 26, 2008, at John Crain Field in Norman. TOBY NEIDY The Oklahoma Daily

The OU soccer team will host its opening game of the regular season today against the Lady Bears of Missouri State at 7 p.m. tonight at John Crain Field in Norman. Today’s game is the first in the two part series for the weekend. The Sooners will also host Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. Sunday. The Sooners are coming off an exciting exhibition win over Arkansas Aug.14. Junior Sage Coralli sealed the win for OU by scoring the game winning goal in double overtime. The Sooners are now 1-0-0 in exhibition play. OU hopes to improve after coming off a disappointing season finishing 3-15-1 overall with new coach Nicole Nelson.

Immediately after the fall season, the Sooners announced eight new recruits for the next year, so with these new faces and more experience under their belt the Sooners have put themselves in a better situation. The Lady Bears are coming off wins over Drury and Missouri Southern State. They also tied with the University of Central Missouri to go 2-0-1 in exhibition play. Friday’s game will be the first game of the regular season for both teams. Another highlight of the night is the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free 2009 OU soccer schedule poster and players will be on hand after the game to sign autographs. Sunday’s game against Sam Houston State will also feature free posters and an autograph session, as well as free admission for all fans.

Michael Vick: Give the guy a break A little over two years ago, Michael Vick was on top of the world. He was the number one overall pick off the 2001 draft and had since taken his Falcons to the playoffs twice, including winning the NFC South in 2004. He played in three Pro Bowls and, in 2006, was the first quarterback to ever rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. To d a y , i t w o u l d b e hard to find a more hated player in all of sports. And as I’m sure everyone already knows the story, I’m going to spare you the recap. The Vick story had CLARK been exhausted after FOY months of coverage when he was finally sentenced to two years in prison. And now, two years later, it has been reopened with the Philadelphia Eagles signing Vick to a two-year $7 million contract. And now without sounding too much like Chris Crocker, I’m here to stand up for the guy. Leave the guy alone and let him get back to playing football. Disclaimer: I am not defending what Vick has done. Trust me on this one, I have three dogs at home in Dallas and do not support cruelty to animals, despite what some are going to say after reading this. All I’m saying is give the guy a break. He has served his debt to society; a long trial in which he pleaded guilty, a twoyear sentence, bankruptcy and, upon getting out of prison, worked a 40-houra-week construction job which was reported to pay $10 an hour, a considerable salary cut from his previous NFL recordbreaking contract of $130 million. In his first interview since going to

prison on CBS’s “60 Minutes”, Vick had the following to say about his sentence: “The first day I walked into prison, and he slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decision that I made, and the poor judgment, and what I allowed to happen to the animals. And, you know, it’s no way of explaining the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights. And that put it all into perspective.” He later explained how he felt the pain of letting everyone down, including his family, friends, team and fans, and upon CBS’s anchor James Brown asking who he had to blame for the past two years, he had three words to say: “I blame me.” Vick told Brown he understands how people hate him and even went on to say he does not blame them. I’m not saying you have to like the guy, just allow him the chance to play football again. It might just be one of the biggest cliché’s ever, but everyone deserves a second chance. We should give him a fair shot at getting his life back together and returning to his job, on the field. I am all for allowing the guy to prove himself to the American public as he has said he already plans on doing by being involved in his community, volunteering for the Humane Society and understands his role as being a mentor to American’s youth. Now let’s be done with this issue for good. He’s back, there is no changing it. If he messes up one more time, I will be the first one on the bandwagon of running him out of the NFL. But until then, good luck Michael. Clark Foy is a journalism junior.

6 Friday, August 21, 2009

PLACE AN AD Phone: 325-2521 E-Mail: classifieds@ou.edu Fax: 405-325-7517

LOST & FOUND Found! Small, young F cat in east Norman. Please email aussiegirl1584@gmail. com with decription of your lost cat.

Campus Address: COH 149A

DEADLINES Line Ad ..................2 days prior Place your line ad no later than 9:00 a.m. 2 days prior to publication date. Display Ad ............2 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad Place your display, classified display or classified card ads no later than 5:00 p.m. 2 days prior to publication date.

PAYMENT s r

Lost & Found

For Sale FLEA MARKETS Norman Flea Market & Garage Sale Lots of furniture, books & jewelry, antiques, collectibles. Lots of everything! Cleveland Co. Fairgrounds 615 E Robinson Fri & Sat, Aug 21-22, 8a-5p

MISC. FOR SALE FALL OPENING, Aug 20, 9-4, the place to shop every Thursday, 9-4, First Presbyterian Thrift Shop, 404 Toberman, end of Park St, in First Presbyterian parking lot, 1 blk N of Boyd. Low cost clothing for everyone, OU items, kitchen items, books, and more!

Services TUTOR

Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted. Businesses may be eligible to apply for credit in a limited, local billing area. Please inquire with Business Office at 325-2521.

RATES Line Ads There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 45 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

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 Ads or Game Sponsorship Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

2 col (3.792 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ...........$760/month Boggle ............$760/month Horoscope .....$760/month 1 col (1.833 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword .....$515/month (located just below the puzzle)

POLICY The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incorrect advertising. If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 325-2521, 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 reevaluated at any time.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies: if you are a senior or ďŹ nished this program, contact Danny 371-5823 or dannykhuong@ymail. com - you must have GPA > 3.7 Education Major wanted as 9th grade tutor, $12 per hour, call Linda at 640-2768

Employment HELP WANTED Outgoing, dynamic students needed to distribute ďŹ&#x201A;yers on 8/31 & 9/1. Flexible hours. Preferably before 2pm. $10.00/Hr. 1-800-927-9194 The Community After School Program is seeking 15 off-campus Work Study staff to work in its elementary after school programs. CASP needs staff members who: - ARE RELIABLE - Enjoy working with children - Can work 2:20pm - 6:00pm - Have high energy and a good work ethic - Have a positive attitude and a sense of humor - Would like to be involved with a respected, non-proďŹ t agency

J Housing Rentals APTS. UNFURNISHED UNIV GREENS APT RENT 449/mo 918.832.7717 Summer Special! 1 BLK FROM OU, very nice 4 room apt, 800 sf, wood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, 1012 S College, Apt 4, $300/mo. Call 360-2873 or 306-1970. $99 1st Month / $99 Deposit $25 Off Monthly/6 mo Free gym *some restrictions may apply. Pets Welcome! Large Floor Plans! Models open 8a-8p Everyday! Elite Properties - 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com Apt for lease, Cottages of Norman - new apt, 1 bd, 1 ba, security, close to campus, bills paid, $565/mo. Call 580-239-1675, please leave message. Hunters Run / $99 Deposit $25 off / was $780 now $755 2 Bed Townhouse, 2.5 Bath Small Fenced Yd, Full sz W/D 6 Mo Free Gym, 2 Car Garage Elite Properties 360-6624 www.elite2900.com Rent Now! $99 Dep/ 1/2 off 1st mo/ free gym *some restrictions apply Models open 8a-8p Everyday! Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com 2bd Townhouses / $99 Deposit! 1/2 off 1st mo rent! 6 mo free gym Greentree 1100 sqft.-$580/mo. Willowbrook 1200 sqft.-$589/mo. Hunters Run 1400 sqft.-$779/mo. Elite Properties 360-6624 www.elite2900.com

CONDOS UNFURNISHED THE EDGE! MOVE IN SPECIAL: 1/2 off your 1st mo rent til 8/21 on 3BR/3BA 1250sf. ALSO, 4BR/4BA 1478 SF. Handicap access, ďŹ tness ctr, pool, etc! 405231-2119 *Roommate Needed ASAP for Condo* $400 all utilities included + WiFi, close to campus. The room for rent is large with a private bathroom. Contact anne.j.burke1@ou.edu or (316)304-5909 The Edge Condos Very close to Campus and featuring Walk-in closets, ďŹ tness, pool, v-ball All utilities, Cable, Internet Paid $425 per bedroom, DMG 364-4114

J Housing Rentals CONDOS UNFURNISHED NOTTINGHAM 2 bd, 2 bath, w/d, ďŹ replace, cfans, lg closets, no pets, covered parking, $650/mo. 360-4107.

Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu â&#x20AC;˘ phone: 325-2521 â&#x20AC;˘ fax: 325-7517

2 BR, 2 BA, gated, for lease or rent, updated, $750/mo, dep $750, no smoking or pets, 354-9289 or 850-2774, leave message. 1 bd/1ba $500 mo. Includes all kitchen appliances. No pets. Longburk Real Estate 732-7474. 1 bedroom Nottingham Condo for rent, avail now. 417-861-9439 or 308-8470.

HOUSES UNFURNISHED 1 bdrm, $350 + bills 1 bdrm, $400 + bills 1 bdrm, $395 + bills Smoke-free, no pets, 360-3850 Near OU, lg 3/4 bd, $875-$975/mo, 826 Jona Kay, 1711 Lancaster, 2326 Lindenwood. Call 360-0351, 517-2018. 1109 E LIndsey - 2bd, 1ba, CH/A, dishwasher, stove, refrig, no pets, dep $500, rent $750 914 Drake - 1 bd duplex, water & gas paid, no pets, ref req, dep $400, rent $475 127 W Hayes - 3 bd, 1 ba, completely remodeled, no pets, dep $500, rent $725 329-1933

TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED 307 POTOMAC - Lg townhouse NW Norman. Minutes from I-35 & mall. 2200 sqft, all appliances, smoke-free, 1 year lease, $1050/mo, $1050 dep. www.gorentking.com, 801-2293

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ROOMS UNFURNISHED 3 Rooms for rent, Moore - Each $250/mo, $100 dep. 735-5227, ask for Mrs. Rivers.

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ROOMS FURNISHED NEAR OU, privacy, $230, bills paid includes cable, neat, clean, parking. Prefer male student. Call 329-0143.

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THE EDGE - 2 rooms avail in 4 bd condo. Both w/ full ba & walk-in closet, appl & full kitchen. $425 incl utilities. 473-3957

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Please contact the Community After School Program at 366-5970 or email us at info@caspinc.org for more information.

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.

The Community After School Program is seeking staff to work in its elementary after school programs. CASP needs staff members who: - ARE RELIABLE - Enjoy working with children - Can work 2:20pm - 6:00pm - Have high energy and a good work ethic - Have a positive attitude and a sense of humor - Would like to be involved with a respected, non-proďŹ t agency

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker August 21, 2009

ACROSS 1 Tree trickle 4 Bat Masterson trademark 8 Braved the rapids 14 Palindromic preposition 15 Cambodian capital 16 Guinea pigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin 17 A compass can help you make one 18 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Measure twice, cut ___â&#x20AC;? 19 Bagpiperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear 20 Carrying only cash or checks? 23 Bird-related 24 Absorbed the cost of 25 â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ś or ___!â&#x20AC;? 28 Aching desires 29 Melee 32 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one until you cross it? 34 90-degree bends 35 Candy store buy 36 States categorically 40 Food preservers 42 Suit accessory 43 Applies frosting to 45 Do a greenskeeperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job 46 Like a bar ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treat 49 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bejabbers!â&#x20AC;? 53 Dinero of a sort

Please contact the Community After School Program at 366-5970 or email us at info@caspinc.org for more information. The Community After School Program is seeking 1 full-time, 2 half-time, and 5 minimum-time AmeriCorps Members to work in our school-age after school programs in Norman, OK. Members will recruit volunteers, coordinate a tutoring program, or lead a health & ďŹ tness program (CATCH). Members will have opportunities to build personal networks while adding marketable job skills to his/her personal resume in a supportive work environment. - Commitment: 4-12 months - 300 to 1700 hours (depends on position) - Positions: Volunteer Recruiter/Coordinator; Tutoring Program Coordinator; CATCH Team Leader - Salary: $1800 - $22,800 Living Stipend (depends on position) - Award: $1000 - $4725 Educational Award upon successful completion of hours (depends on position) - Other: Student loan deferment/forbearance) - Hours: 2:30pm - 6:00pm. M-F program hours; ďŹ&#x201A;exible ofďŹ ce hours Please contact the Community After School Program at 366-5970 or email us at info@caspinc.org for more information.

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54 Altdorfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s canton 55 More dry and withered 56 Costless 60 Slangy ending for â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? 62 Pacific phenomenon, El ___ 63 It can cover a lot 64 Conceive a notion 65 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Little Acreâ&#x20AC;? co-star Ray 66 Widely televised judge of 1995 67 Twain adventurer 68 Anthropologist Margaret 69 Acrobat catcher DOWN 1 Ocean route 2 Come on the scene 3 It makes jelly jell 4 Sing like Sinatra 5 Indigenous inhabitants of Hokkaido 6 Ambrosia accompanier 7 Winning candidate 8 Pro ___ (proportionally) 9 John who was once married to Shirley Temple 10 Art faker 11 Guardianship 12 When a plane

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is expected, briefly Background noise â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ makes wasteâ&#x20AC;? Follows closely, as a dog Bit of slung mud â&#x20AC;&#x153;Desire Under the ___â&#x20AC;? Game played with Fido It burns at the Olympics Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main port â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ś 15 miles on the ___ Canalâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Runs like ___â&#x20AC;? (sales pitch for a used car) Kind of curve, in math Bit of securing hardware Capital on

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NOTHING DOING by Alex Vintner

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Friday, August 21, 2009

Cassie Rhea Little, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

LOCAL ONE-MAN-BAND TAKES STAGE I think Mickey Reece might be a genius. Reece, the mastermind behind El Paso Hot Button, had plenty to say about the advantages of playing as a one-man-band. “[There’s] nothing besides advantages,” Reece said. “If a chick digs your band, there’s only one guy she can sleep with. I get all the money and all the accolades.” It’s hard to argue with that logic. Reece’s El Paso Hot Button has been single-handedly laying waste to venues across the region with his snarling, nasty JOSHUA BOYDSTON rock music for over half a decade now. You’d think there was a perceivable limit to the amount of noise one man can make, but EPHB would make you rethink your position. Fans, and fellow musicians alike, have been blown away by his live shows. Kellen McGugan, of supporting act The Pretty Black Chains said, “There is such a powerful sound and feeling at those shows. It’s hard to believe it’s coming from such a minimal gear setup.” Don’t think for a second that the one-man arrangement has stifled his musical output though. Reece said, “Playing by yourself is cheating. I got better and better at cheating through the years.” Without having to bend his artistic vision, Reece has been a flurry of productivity since the band’s inception. His latest, “Keep Your Eyes Quiet,” will be his second fulllength release. Tonight, Reece gets to show off his newest release at an album release party at the Conservatory at 8911 N. Western in Oklahoma City. The lineup for the show is stacked. The newest brainchild of musical architect Sethy McCarroll, Gentle Ghost, is first on the bill. Its imaginative brand of accessible artrock can hit like lightning at any moment. Up next comes The Pretty Black Chains, a lively garage noise band that has quickly come to dominate the local scene with its outrageously fun live shows and catchy melodies. Then you have Colourmusic, arguably one of the more successful Oklahoma acts of the past few years, which just recently signed on to Memphis Industries, the same label that represents The Go! Team and Tokyo Police Club. Its bubbly rock hooks and infectious energy culminate in a spectacle that has to be seen live. We’ve been witnessing a sort of local revival of rock ’n’ roll music in the past year or so, and each of these four bands is partially to thank, I believe. It seems only fitting that they would join together for one hell of a concert in celebration of EPHB and Reece’s newest achievement. It’s this sort of support that musicians, like McGugan,

PHOTO PROVIDED

Mickey Reece performs as the one-man-band known as El Paso Hot Button. He will headline a concert with three other local bands to celebrate his album release at 9 p.m. at the Conservatory in Oklahoma City. believe has allowed the blooming opportunities for Oklahoma musicians. “I swear with every single band in the Oklahoma music scene can be connected to another,” McGugan said. “There is such a strong base of support from everyone around you that you have no trouble trying to branch out and play your music however you want to.” The bands on the bill seem to mirror this opinion, as they had nothing but great things to say about each other. “Gentle Ghost are my favorite new band,” Reece said. “We’ve been needing a different, artsy band like them around here for a long time.” You’ve already heard the amazement McGugan has for EPHB, and Reece feels the same about The Pretty Black Chains. “[PBC] is just super fun party music that anyone can enjoy,” Reece said. And don’t forget about Colourmusic. “They are constantly trying new things and reinventing

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TRAVIS LINVILLE, MIKE HOSTY AND OTHERS

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10 A.M. TO 2 A.M. SUNDAY JJ’S ALLEY 212 E. SHERIDAN OKLAHOMA CITY NO CHARGE

Chicago, one of the most successful US rock/pop acts of all time, will be blowing through Oklahoma this Saturday night. Earth, Wind & Fire will be heating things up with their funky dance grooves before Chicago cools the crowd down with their windy, irresistible melodies.

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Joshua Boydston is a psychology sophomore.

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Friday, Aug. 21, 2009

EAST BUFFET

-Joshua Boydston

themselves in so many ways, and that makes them a group of guys that I personally look up to even though I’m buddies with them,” McGugan said. So come celebrate the personal achievement of EPHB and the collective achievement of our local music scene blossoming into something bigger and better with every passing show. It only seems fitting it would coincide with the release of “Keep Your Eyes Quiet” from the man who might have gotten the ball rolling in the first place. “[Reece] is always trying to bring along his friends’ bands to share in his success. He’s been a big proponent of the local music movement for several years and very supportive of me in any artistic endeavors,” McCarroll said. So maybe just one person can make a difference? Come see for yourself tonight. El Paso Hot Button’s album release party starts at 9 p.m. tonight at the Conservatory in Oklahoma City.

4:00 pm -10 pm 11:00 am-4:00 pm Saturday Sunday & Holiday Whole Day (Dinner Buffet) Kid 4-10 Yrs Kid under 4 Yrs. Free

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- If overly protective of your selfinterests, you are likely to overreact and do things in a manner that might outsmart yourself. By doing so, the chances for happiness or gain are slim. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Unless you treat others in a respectful manner, you can expect to lose their support. As a result, in situations that require effective allies, you will come out on the short end of the stick. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- It’s good to think big, but if your expectations are unreasonably high, you might let an opportunity slip past, believing there are much larger gains to come. Assess situations realistically. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Watch your level of intensity, and be doubly tactful and diplomatic. Unfortunately, your temperament could allow even a small infraction to be seriously blown out of proportion

Norman United Church of Christ is a developing community planted in Norman by the Mayflower Congregational UCC of Oklahoma City. We are an open and affirming church who practices Christianity as a way of life, not just a set of beliefs demanding total conformity. Visit us each Sunday at the United Ministry Center - 1017 Elm (2 blocks south of Elm and Lindsey) for adult classes at 9:30 am (childcare provided), fellowship at 10:30 and worship at 11:15. AND - our new Christian Meditation group on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm! Beginners welcome!

www.normanucc.com www.ucc.org

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Even though your goal may be to make signiﬁcant achievements, nothing will be handed on a silver platter. In fact, you might have to struggle a bit harder than usual. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Just because some friends have a different philosophy of life than you do, it’s no reason to impose your opinions on them. It won’t bring them to your way of thinking, but it will create dissension.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- If you’re itching to take a gamble, take it on yourself and not on an untested entity. The likelihood of making a bad choice is far greater than usual, and it can do much harm. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -Be on guard because your loyalty toward a good friend could be put to the test. Stop and consider the consequences, and then do what’s right, regardless of the difﬁculties involved. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Don’t expect those in your charge to perform up to their fullest abilities, especially if you are far too critical of their efforts. Instead of encouraging them, it will merely deﬂate their energies. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Nobody is perfect, so until you can be so yourself, don’t expect perfection in anyone else, either. This not only involves how well someone does a job but how the individual behaves. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Wait until everyone has a chance to sleep on a family problem before trying to resolve it. Time not only gives everyone a chance to come up with a solution but tones down tempers as well. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Your sense of humor helps prevent you from taking life too seriously, yet this admirable quality might not be operating well at this time and you could respond in the opposite manner.

Friday, August 21, 2009

‘POST GRAD’ SPEAKS CAUTION TO STUDENTS With a simple read tagline of “Now what?” the movie industry has added its latest film, “Post Grad,” to the pantheon of “That is so true” flicks. After years of following her life plan of success, Ryden Malby (Alexis Bledel) graduates college with immediate plans to work as a publisher at her dream firm in Los Angeles, only to have her dreams quickly crushed when she is passed over for the position. With no options left (and a totaled car), she has no choice but to move back home with her zany family and suffer the agony of jobhunting as a college graduate with no job ALEX experience and a degree in English. EWALD She is also forced to take a taxi to and from her interviews, which often end in failure. Sound familiar? Since the current recession is limiting the job market for recent college graduates, many more students than expected are finding themselves without a job, money or a place to stay. It’s getting increasingly harder for college graduates to get their foot in the door and it’s about time the film industry brought this issue to the forefront. After all, Hollywood has the tendency to release movies that serve to speak to the general audience, as films we are meant to relate to. Their characters serve as caricatures for us to feel sympathy, as we pity them for the dramatic pitfalls we too have often found ourselves in. Situations often inspire a sincere “Oh my gosh, that is so true!” “Post Grad” has a high possibility of pushing former “Gilmore Girl” Bledel to full-blown movie stardom because of this relatability. Sure, there was “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” but “Post Grad” is much more memorable and grown-up. She delivers a self-conscious, yet subtly endearing performance as the lost college graduate — a more matured version of Rory Gilmore who has to learn that life isn’t always what you plan it to be. And it doesn’t hurt that she has a best friend who secretly loves her, played by Zach Gilford of NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” since that plot point ultimately becomes the movie’s conflict of interest of following your dreams or following your heart. But it’s the Malby family troubles that bring the movie full circle. Headed by Michael Keaton as a father who attempts to march to the beat of his own drum, to say the least, Ryden’s family acts as the support system while also suffering its own

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private dramas: Dad tries to support his family while trying to stay true to himself, Mom (Jane Lynch) is afraid her younger son is “weird” and Grandma (played by always sarcastically side-splitting Carol Burnett) is busy searching for her perfect coffin, banging her oxygen tank into people’s heads and eating Cheetos at her granddaughter’s graduation. Keaton and Burnett’s performances are so pitch-perfect that their side-plots grab more attention than the main storyline. What makes the movie work is that it never takes itself too seriously. It has off-the-wall antics, zingy one-liners and a talented cast of actors who play off one another for comic effect so one can just sit back and enjoy watching. The movie itself is more a study of family dynamics. As long

as they have one another, things couldn’t be better. Though one could easily predict the ending from just watching the trailer, predictability is not the point. In a world so unstable as ours, it’s not always bad to look on the bright side of things and have a little fun. And to say the least, “Post Grad” surely continues this trend of truth for the American (college) audience. It’s an eager little film that attempts to please, and it’s exactly the little things that serve to please, whether it be sock puppets, pink coffins, belt buckles, cats in pizza boxes or Eskimo pies. Alex Ewald is a University College freshman

Velvet Makes a Comeback Shhh ... Obama mum on

what’s in ‘book of secrets’ WASHINGTON — Yes, President Barack Obama has seen the fabled book of secrets from the “National Treasure” film sequel. And he’s staying zipped on what’s in it. “I would tell you but I’d have to kill you,” Obama joked in a White House interview with talk radio show host Michael Smerconish. Smerconish said his sons have seen “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” the Disney sequel to its 2004 hit, and know Obama has been provided the book of secrets that only Oval Office occupants are privy to. “I have,” Obama said, going along with the radio host’s reference to the fictional “book of secrets” from the movie. Smerconish said his sons wanted to know what secret impressed him from the book, but Obama stayed mum. In the movie, the book contains secrets on Area 51, a secretive site in the West popular in UFO folklore, and John F. Kennedy’s awssassination among others. “I get the impression you’ve seen the movie, too,” Smerconish said. “Absolutely,” Obama told him, smiling. “And I don’t want you messing with my Resolute desk, you know, with all the gizmos and gadgets,” the president said,

PHOTO PROVIDED

Although the economy is at an all time low, there is a simple way to indulge as summer is ending. Step into a new luxurious ‘09 fall season. Say hello to velvet. Looking polished and lady-like is in full-force this season according to the fashion bible, otherwise known as the British Vogue. What better way AMY to do this than with lusGRIMES trous velvet. Velvet dresses to velvet handbags are donning the runways from designers like Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren in colors of royalty such as navy, dark purple and deep gold. Whether it’s a shrunken jacket, wide legged trousers or a gorgeous belted velvet dress, every woman should own a piece of this fabric. It’s almost as if a chic, sexy, yet make a woman look alluring revolution has been born and this is where velvet comes into play.

When I think of velvet I think of gorgeous royalty, or southern belles in the Civil War wearing dark graceful dresses of alluring shades of velvet with curly updos and silky slippers. It’s an exciting change from the boho look that has been and is currently in effect. Velvet is more sophisticated and has a less frumpy look and feel. Just by adding a simple velvet clutch or handbag can give a fresh off the runway look. Fashion Stella McCartney kept velvet dark gray with belted dresses and shrunken jackets on the runway, while designers like Marc Jacobs took velvet to a daring new loftiness with how-lowcan-you-go V-necks and V-backs. Try piecing together a velvet blazer with a pretty camisole or a sheer blouse. Also, try the same jacket with dark jeans tucked into flat or stacked heel boots for a casual yet still sophisticated fall look. Most little girls dream of being a princess, well dreams can come true this fall season with the ever-elegant fabric, labeled velvet. Amy Grimes is a journalism senior.

referring to the historic desk in the Oval Office. The Philadelphia-based host and the president chatted before the start of Smerconish’s show, but their comments ahead of the program were televised. “It’s sort of a surreal environment for a guy like me to be seated here,” Smerconish said, noting the historical surroundings of the Diplomatic Reception Room. “Me, too,” Obama told him. Obama told the host to check out the West Wing and, in particular, a painting of Kennedy and a ramp built for Franklin D. Roosevelt. “It gives you a real sense of history,” Obama said. The president said his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters — Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, — were settling in sooner than he expected since taking office in January. “The staff here is wonderful,” he said. “And they made Michelle and the girls really feel at home. And the girls’ adjustment to school was better than I expected. So, they’re gone this week. But they seem to be doing great.”

Library Orientation Sessions Monday, August 24th Tours Begin @ 11:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 25th Tours Begin @ 11:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 26th Tours Begin @ 9:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27th Tours Begin @ 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Meet at the Bizzell Memorial Library Information Desk, west entrance. No registration required. For more information call (405) 325-4142 or email librarian@ou.edu. University of Oklahoma Libraries http://libraries.ou.edu

—AP