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Students work with volunteers to aid starving children in Haiti Food packages being sent to combat child hunger JAMIE BIRDWELL The Oklahoma Daily

Volunteer students, Girl Scouts and Norman residents packaged food to send to hungry children in Haiti Wednesday night. Kids Against Hunger, a national organization that sends meals to children around the world, organized the event, which took place in Hester Hall, Tulsa co-director Shelly Horn said. 40,000 children die every day from malnutrition, starvation and hunger related diseases, according to the Kids Against Hunger Web site. The organization delivers food to 70 countries and has given about 100 million meals

to starving children around the world, she said. “The goal is to largely reduce hunger,” Horn said. “We call it a miracle package.” Haiti, which had four hurricanes last September, is wracked with political riots and starvation, Horn said. The hurricanes killed 900 people and destroyed many crops, she said. According to the group, the mortality rate for children under 5 years old in Haiti is 120 per 1,000 births. “It’s a very, very poor country,” volunteer Monica Gries said. “They’re in great need.” The food packaged for Haitain children is a combination developed by nutritionists at major food companies like General Mills and Pillsbury, Horn said. The packages are a mixture of white long grain rice, soy, dehydrated veg-

etables and vitamin supplement powder. The packages, although small, will hold six meals. “It’s very healthy,” Horn said. “We should all be eating this.” Girl Scout Ainslee Gabriel, a second grader, volunteered to help package food making sure the packages of food were in rows of 12 and ready to store in boxes. “I think it’s a good idea because you’re helping kids that are not full,” she said. Nicole Egli, University College freshman, said she has raised money for Haiti before at a motorcycle rally at her church in Tulsa. “It’s such an impoverished country,” she said. “The cause is close to my heart.” Gries said she was happy with the turnout. “I’m the mother of a 3 year old,” she said. “I just couldn’t imagine having a starving child.”

LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

Volunteers fill bags with dehydrated food for Kids Against Hunger, a campaign that sends food to impoverished children in Haiti. The food is full of nutrients and is prepared by adding it to boiling water.

Students argue against tuition increase

TAKING ON HEAVY WATER

State regents say they must maintain quality education RICKY MARANON The Oklahoma Daily

LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

Billy Batchlear, management information systems junior, skimboards in a flooded area between Cate Center and Walker Tower. Batchlear said he enjoys skimboarding and wants others to try it too, whether it’s at the beach or in flood water. See more photos from Wednesday’s weather on Page 8A.

Students representing public Oklahoma universities assembled in Oklahoma City Wednesday to express concerns about possible tuition increases. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education heard arguments from students advocating against a raise in the tuition cap. “We don’t want to keep things low so we can buy iPods and Xboxes, but we’re not asking for handouts either,” said Daniel McClure, University of Central Oklahoma student and president of the Oklahoma Student Government Association. McClure said he knows students who work to pay tuition in the fall and spring and work during the summer to pay fees and textbook costs. Nicholas Harrison, OU business graduate and law student, said students already are facing great amounts of debt, and the regents are looking at the data the wrong way. “We need to look at the reasons and impact of a tuition increase from an economic standpoint and other economic impacts on education,” he said. “What we use right now is not really a good assessment of the need to raise tuition.” Harrison was the only representative from OU at the meeting. But there was one advocate for a tuition increase. UCO professor David Hartmann said he suggests a “modest increase” in tuition. “When the budget has short falls, the INCREASE CONTINUES ON PAGE 2A

Professor documents ’70s feminist movement with new research video project Video collection will shed light on obscure Oklahoma history JAMIE BIRDWELL The Oklahoma Daily

The women’s rights movement in Oklahoma of the ’70s and ’80s is relatively unknown, but the work women put in decades ago remains relevant in history and feminist movements today. The feminist movement in Oklahoma began in 1972 after Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment, to give equal legal rights to women under the Constitution, women studies professor Martha Skeeters said. But amendments to the Constitution first must be ratified by three-quarters of the

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states’ legislatures before being adopted, so Oklahoma feminists set to work to push the measure through, she said. A deadline for the ratification was set for 1979. Today, the work of these activists is being documented by researchers at OU. Skeeters is heading the effort to create a video history collection of this little-known period of Oklahoma history. Skeeters said she hopes the project will be incorporated into the OU Women’s Studies library after it is completed. Skeeters will interview women who participated in the movement and document it on video. The goal is to get 50 interviews, graduate assistant Julie Stidolph said.

HARD FOUGHT, HARD LOST Oklahoma presented the first stumbling block in the process of ratification, Stidolph

said. Many states passed the amendment quickly, but when the Oklahoma House of Representatives took it up, members said more research was needed, she said. By 1979, with the deadline rapidly approaching, Oklahoma feminists were more determined and better organized, Skeeters said. “The thing that’s really interesting is that there was such a grassroots movement. There was a determined group of women working really hard to educate the public,” Skeeters said. Congress extended the deadline to 1981 because the debate still was going on in many states, she said. The number of citizens who were for the equal rights amendment and those who were opposed were relatively even in the state, Stidolph said.

Opposition came for a number of reasons. Some claimed the amendment gave way for unisex bathrooms or that women were going to be drafted, Skeeters said. Others thought the amendment would prevent companies from refusing to hire women for night shifts, which was considered unsafe, she said. “There’s a very fine line between protection and control,” Skeeters said. Ultimately these voices won out, and by the final deadline only 35 states had passed it and the amendment died.

IN HER WORDS Becky Patten is participating in Skeeters’ research project for her time in the women’s movement in Oklahoma in the ’70s. When she was a sophomore at OU in MOVEMENT CONTINUES ON PAGE 2A

VOL. 94, NO. 144

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Movement Continues from page 1A 1971, Patten started going to the Oklahoma Women’s Political Caucus meetings with a friend, she said. The two women were the youngest attendees and wore blue jeans and no shoes while listening to the activists who were dressed in suits and dresses, she said. “A lot of the women there were younger than I am now,” she said. “I thought they were very old.” She then became involved in the Norman Women’s Political Caucus where she fought for equal funding for education for boys and girls, she said. At the time in Norman, there were no women’s sports programs. Patten petitioned the superintendent to change that, she said. The superintendent agreed to implement girls sports programs, but had no coaches to run the teams, Patten said. Patten then became a girls basketball coach, despite having no experience with the game. She checked out books from the library on how to coach a youth basketball team to get by. “I knew nothing about basketball,” she said.

In 1974, Patten went to law school at the University of Chicago, but came back to Oklahoma three years later and again became active in politics. Patten became involved in political campaigns for candidates in Oklahoma who supported the Equal Rights Amendment, she said. In part of her campaign work, she and a few friends researched some incumbent legislators’ voting patterns to find things their constituents wouldn’t like, she said. Patten said she also went door to door, hung door hangers and helped out with the campaigns all over Oklahoma, all while practicing law in Norman. “We got lost in Southern Oklahoma, looking for a politician in Hugo,” she said. “We got lost a lot.” Patten said she found the experience valuable even though the amendment failed. “It was a time I made friends with political associations that stayed with me for over 30 years,” Patten said. Patten continues to work with feminist projects, although not as much as she used to. She said that the key for a women’s movement is to have both political and social goals. “I hope that young women can learn that you can have a political objection bigger than yourself,” she said.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Former Equal Rights Amendment activist Becky Patten speaks during the kick-off party in support of women’s studies professor Martha Skeeters’ research project about the ERA movement during the 1970s. Stidolph said the problems of that era still exist for today’s women, such as inequality in pay. “I think we’ve made enormous progress, but I think we need to go a lot further than

Increase

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FORMER CIA EXPERT VISIT RESCHEDULED

quality of academia suffers,” he said. “We want our students to achieve their maximum potential.” The decision to increase tuition is not solely in the hands of the regents. The regents are waiting to see how much money the state will allocate to higher education and will make their decision based on that amount, said Ben Hardcastle, communications director for the regents. He said if the state appropriates more money to education, tuition costs would stay the same and if the state appropriates less, tuition would most likely increase. The regents said they understand students’ concerns, but also have to maintain a high educational standard. “We understand your struggle, and we’ve all been in your shoes,” said Bill Burgess, a member of the regents. “But we want to find a way that keeps costs low while offering a quality education.”

A long-time CIA counterterrorism expert and former chief of the Bin Laden tracking center is back on schedule to speak at OU on Saturday. “Due to scheduling difficulties we thought we had to cancel the event; it was basically miscommunication,” Madison Blocker, CAC Speakers Bureau executive said. Michael Scheuer will be at OU for a live talk, taking students’ questions and signing his bestselling books “Through Our Enemies’ Eyes: Osama Bin Laden, Radical Islam and the Future of America” and “Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror.” The event, hosted by the CAC Speakers Bureau Executive Committee, will take place in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center and is free to the public. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and Scheuer will begin speaking at 5 p.m. — Elise Smith/The Daily

SWINE FLU EPIDEMIC DISRUPTS STUDY ABROAD Students might have to think twice about studying abroad this summer. The swine flu epidemic, which is sweeping through Mexico and now moving into the United States, is altering OU students’ plans to study abroad. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 93 swineflu cases in the U.S., although no cases have yet been reported in Oklahoma. “We are and will continue to monitor the situation in Mexico and how that will affect our students studying abroad,” said Jay Doyle, OU press secretary

people realize,” Skeeters said. She said she hopes that young women would get involved in feminist projects. “It’s so satisfying working for something that’s bigger than yourself,” Patten said.

and assistant to President David Boren. Doyle also said students should stay informed about the illness. “We are advising those students to continue to check the education abroad Web site and State Department and CDC guidelines in respect to travel and swine flu,” Doyle said. For more information about swine flu, students can visit www.cdc.gov/ swineflu. — Griffin Shaffer/The Daily

UNION PROGRAMMING BOARD NAMES NEW PRESIDENT Business junior George Gust, former vice president of the Union Programming Board, now has taken over the head position. Outgoing UPB President Steven Lee, new student adviser to the board, said he thinks the board is in a good place. “Gust is a great guy for the job. He was my vice president and he did an excellent job. He’s really passionate about UPB and I know he’ll do a lot of great things,” Lee said. Lee also said most of the executive positions have changed, not just the president. “We’ve got a great new girl for vice president. Whitney Richardson is really involved and excited to work for us,” Lee said. — Chad Taylor/The Daily

DID YOU KNOW? 59 Collegiate Awards OU Student Media is among the nation’s best.

Gold Crown

Sooner 2008/Crimson Traditions 2007 and OUDaily.com

Pacemaker Sooner 2007/ Crimson Traditions 2006

Pacemaker finalist OUDaily.com and Sooner 2008/ Crimson Traditions 2007

Honor Roll Yearbook Adviser Lori Brooks, associate director

Designer of the Year John Salvie, Advertising design manager

Admiral William J. Crowe Award

3 7 4 2 1 42

Meredith Simons, The Oklahoma Daily editor

Best in Show Best of Collegiate Design SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards Hearst Awards CNBAM Award Gold Circles

27 13 2

Sooner and Crimson Traditions Oklahoma Daily

21Professional Awards Sower Magazine

STUDENT

Visit www.studentmedia.ou.edu for more information on all the awards listed above.

M E D I A

THE OKLAHOMA DAILY

SOONER YEARBOOK

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. Student Media is a department within OU’s division of Student Aﬀairs.

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Nijim Dabbour, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

PEACE ADVOCATE: PALESTINIANS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD Speaker shares first-hand experience in Middle East JARED RADER The Oklahoma Daily

Peace in Israel and Palestine will depend on the efforts of current college students, according to an interfaith peace advocate who spoke Wednesday in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Nancy Humphrey, a volunteer for Interfaith Peace-Builders, told an audience of students and faculty that the Mid-East conflict is often misunderstood because U.S. media outlets don’t report both sides of the story. “It’s my mission to educate as many people as I can,” said Humphrey, a resident of Okmulgee. Last November, Humphrey traveled to Israel and Palestine for three weeks with Interfaith Peace-Builders, an independent organization that brings individuals to the countries to educate people about the U.S. role in the conflict. The group supports grassroots activists and promotes Israelis and Palestinians who are working to resolve the conflict peacefully, according to the organization’s Web site. Hu m p h re y s a i d u p t o 1 4 , 0 0 0

Palestinian homes were demolished in Gaza and 100,000 Palestinians became homeless in December and January, during Israel’s offensive against Hamas, the ruling party of Gaza. She said those who were made homeless still are being denied the supplies needed to rebuild. Humphrey said Americans are largely unaware of the plight of the Palestinian people because the U.S. supports Israel, and the mainstream media is pressured to describe Hamas as a terrorist group. Charles Kimball, director of the Religious Studies Program, described Hamas as a resistance movement established against Israel’s actions. Kimball said the media has largely ignored any injustices Israel has committed against Palestinians in Gaza. Kimball said it is Americans’ responsibility to bring one-sided reporting to the attention of media outlets. Though past administrations have largely ignored the rights of Palestinians, Humphrey said she was hopeful about the Obama administration’s willingness to pay attention to human rights issues, but she said nothing will be done if people don’t bring the conflict to light. “It’s the responsibility of our citizens to put pressure on our politicians to do

the right thing,” she said. Humphrey took part of the responsibility on herself when she became involved in the interfaith organization. After retiring early, she began to go on mission trips around the world, and the group’s efforts caught her attention. “There’s just something about the Palestinian people that’s woven its way into my heart, and I’ve just come back with a passion I’ve never had before, wanting to tell people about it,” Humphrey said. She said the idea that all Palestinians are terrorists is unfair. “They’re mothers and fathers and children who just want to have a family and a safe home,” Humphrey said. Humphrey encouraged students to visit Israel and Palestine to get a clearer view of the situation. “Going there and meeting real people is the best thing you can do,” she said. Though the past and present of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been bleak, Humphrey is looking to the future for peace. CASSIE LITTLE/THE DAILY “I feel like my generation has kind of blown it,” she said. “I am so full of hope Okmulgee resident Nancy Humphrey speaks Wednesday in the your generation will figure out a solu- Oklahoma Memorial Union about her experiences in Israel and Palestine. tion to this.”

Festival showcases OU students’ filmmaking talent Industry expanding outside traditional movie hubs of LA, NY LESLIE METZGER The Oklahoma Daily

A group dedicated to showcasing the artistic talent of OU students in film production will host its spring film festival Friday. The Student Film Production Club’s second annual RedBud Film Festival is set to run from 7

to 10 p.m. Friday at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Jack Patchell, Student Film Production Club president, said the event gives students a broad outlet to showcase their work, whether it was done for a class or independently. Robert Flippo, a University College freshman member who helped select movies to screen for the festival, said the films range from three to eight minutes and cover a variety of subjects and

genres. The diversity of the films mirrors that of the filmmakers, but no matter their backgrounds, Flippo said the talent pool is big. “We have some really talented filmmakers that are on campus and not everybody knows about it,” Flippo said. “They don’t think of OU as being some place for you to have talented people in this area, but [it] actually is.” Patchell said there will be awards for the different categories in the film production process. Judging will be divided among

four groups: a selection committee decided in advance which films would be showcased at the event; faculty, which noted in advance the best films in categories such as acting, cinematography and writing; a local production company, which will award a grand prize of a free three-day rental of a highdefinition digital camera; and the audience, which will vote for its favorite film. Patchell said he enjoys being able to see new films and meet the people behind them.

“There are new films that just surprise me,” he said. “Sometimes, I just see a movie and I’m like wow, I need to meet that person.” Patchell also said he likes to talk to the people about the future of filmmaking in Oklahoma. He said the major industries have always been in Los Angeles or New York, and now they are growing in places like Oregon, Texas and Louisiana. “It really is possible, I think, in the near future to be able to work in the film industry and not leave the state,” Patchell said.

THIS WEEKEND AT YOUR UNIVERSITY T hursday, Apr. 30

Student Success Series: Overcoming Procrastination | 4 p.m. in Wagner Hall, Room 245. Presented by University College. OU Cousins BBQ | 5:30 p.m. at the Whinery Ranch. President David L. Boren & First Lady Molly Shi Boren & Professor and Mrs. Leo Whinery cordially invite you to the annual OU Cousins BBQ at Whinery Ranch. There will be free food, a live country band and line dancing. Transportation will be provided with buses leaving at 5:15 p.m. from the Northeast corner of the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call (405) 325-3163. Sutton Concert Series: OU Percussion Orchestra | 8 p.m. in the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center. Adult admission $8, student, faculty/staff and senior admission $5. Please call F.A.C.T.S. Fine Arts Tickets Service at (405) 325-4101 for more information. Interfaith Memorial for the Victims of Middle East conflict | 10 p.m. at OU Hillel. Co-hosted by Sooners for Peace in Palestine. Gathering Fragments: Edward S. Curtis in Oklahoma | In summer 1926, toward the end of a long and distinguished career, photographer Edward S. Curtis and an assistant traveled to Oklahoma to conduct fieldwork for Curtis’ multivolume masterwork, The North American Indian. Curtis included more than 100 images of Oklahoma tribes in a subsequent volume and portfolio published in 1930. These fragmentary and often romantic images are the focus of this exhibition. Exhibit will be on display at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of art through May 17, 2009.

Friday., May 1 One Hundred Summers: A Kiowa Calendar Record | A special exhibition featuring the art of renowned Kiowa artist Silver Horn on display now through August 23, 2009 at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. This exhibit is made possible by the Kirkpatrick Foundation and the Merkel Family Foundation. Free Film: “He’s Just Not That Into You” | 4, 7 10 p.m. & 12:30 a.m. in Meacham Auditorium, Oklahoma Memorial Union. Presented by the Union Programming Board and the Campus Activities Council Film Series. OU Baseball vs. Kansas | 6:30 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Visit SoonerSports.com for ticket information.

Israeli Cultural Night: Israel Cafe | 7:30 p.m. at OU Hillel, corner of Elm and Boyd across from Catlett Music Center. A Night of Israeli food and music, performed by students and OU faculty.

University Theatre Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 p.m. in the Rupel Jones Theatre. Guest Director Joel Ferrell adapts Shakespeare’s fantasy to New York City, in an edgy, exotic fantasy romp. It’s a modern twist of magical mishaps, strange dreams and the foolish path of romance (Rated PG-13). For tickets call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101. Late Night Snacks | 9:30 p.m. in Meacham Auditorium Lobby, Oklahoma Memorial Union. Get some FREE snacks courtesy of the Union Programming Board before the 10 p.m. showing of “He’s Just Not That Into You.” Who Loves You, OU? Visit www.ou.edu/upb for more information and events.

Saturday, May 2 OU Baseball vs. Kansas | 2 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Visit SoonerSports.com for ticket information. CIA Counterterrorism expert and bin Laden taskforce chief Michael Scheuer LIVE | 5 p.m. in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center. Presented by the Campus Activities Council Speakers Bureau. Free Film: “He’s Just Not That Into You” | 6 & 8:30 p.m. in Meacham Auditorium, Oklahoma Memorial Union. Presented by the Union Programming Board and the Campus Activities Council Film Series. University Theatre Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 8 p.m. in the Rupel Jones Theatre. Guest Director Joel Ferrell adapts Shakespeare’s fantasy to New York City, in an edgy, exotic fantasy romp. It’s a modern twist of magical mishaps, strange dreams and the foolish path of romance (Rated PG-13). For tickets call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.

Sunday, May 3 University Theatre Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 3 p.m. in the Rupel Jones Theatre. Guest Director Joel Ferrell adapts Shakespeare’s fantasy to New York City, in an edgy, exotic fantasy romp. It’s a modern twist of magical mishaps, strange dreams and the foolish path of romance (Rated PG-13). For tickets call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.

This University in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please contact the sponsoring department of any program or event.

COMMENTS OF THE DAY »

Thursday, April 30, 2009

In response to a Tuesday news story about a panel on the Middle East.

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

YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

OUR VIEW

“I think these panels are great, but more could be done to spur change. How about students sit down and talk with each other with professors moderating rather than the other way around. In the Middle East, both sides rarely sit down with each other and discuss their differences of opinion, and

that is why peace has not yet occurred. I think these differences exist on this campus as well. I hope one day one of these student organizations organizes such an event. - JSSOONER4

STAFF CARTOON Matt Reed - broadcast and electronic media senior

Give your feedback on drainage system Have any trouble getting to your car or walking across the street on Wednesday? So did we. After only a few hours of rain, pools of water remained on the streets and elsewhere Wednesday. If a mere few hours of rain causes water to rise to one’s ankles, then we would hate to see how quickly Norman could flood in a sustained downpour. But the City of Norman seems to be doing something about it. And we commend city officials and others for at least proposing some kind of change. Officials have proposed plans to improve drainage and control flooding, a plan available on the city’s Web site, www.ci.norman.ok.us. We think you should read the proposed plan and give your feedback on the potential drainage enhancements. The new plans include new flood plain mapping, capital improvement projects, proposed water quality improvements and drainage easement issues. It also includes financing options. The plans are the result of a study that began in 2007. Regardless of your opinions of the details of the study, we think the City of Norman should be commended for initiating change in regards to the drainage problem. So if you have trouble getting to class in the rain, or you can’t keep your feet dry after a light rain like Wednesday’s, go tell the City of Norman if the plan to make it better is worth implementing.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

More Jesus talk? DOCUMENT READ Zac Smith’s response to Kyle Williams’ column rebuttal online.

OUDAILY.COM

STAFF COLUMN

Recent events display duty Sometimes students just want to crash. They pull late nights and all-nighters throughout the week to meet due dates and deadlines. When the weekend finally arrives, it’s time to sleep. This past weekend, a group of students chose to forego those opportunities to rest and pursued a calling they viewed as higher. Hundreds of students from OU “kidnapped” themselves in mimicry of the real kidnappings of children in Uganda who are then forced to fight in Joseph Kony’s army (Google “invisible children” to understand how terrible that is.) The rally was an attempt TREVOR to draw attention to the CLARK atrocities being committed in Uganda and to place that reality where lawmakers could not look away. I want to praise these students for caring about the downtrodden thousands of miles away and acting on that compassion. In addition to that, I think the OU community should face two crucial truths this event reveals. First, students have an obligation to help others. Second, students have the ability to help others. That doesn’t mean students have failed if they did not attend the rally Saturday (I didn’t go), but I think students are failing when they make a habit of neglecting the needs of others. In America, altruism and charity are generally viewed as noble things, so I do not expect the majority of people to object to the two aforementioned truths. Most may recognize that these are good and that “yeah, I need to do more than I’m doing now for my fellow humans…” That being said, I want to encourage students to remember the poor and broken. If

Meredith Simons Nijim Dabbour Jamie Hughes Mack Burke Ray Martin Zach Butler

you think you have something valuable – a talent, a skill, a message, a material – think about how that can be dispensed to impact others’ lives. Two warnings concerning humanitarian projects: First, beware of loveless philanthropy. As a Christian, I adhere to the Paul’s charge that even if one gives up his or her own body, if it is done without love the action is committed in vain. Readers may hold contention with this worldview, but I believe it is commonly understood that boastful givers are not as respectable as quiet ones and that people would rather take aid from a face without a scowl. Real giving and loving entail each other and include sacrifice. So I think Paul’s standard holds credence in the realm of charity. I also think serving others presents an opportunity to speculate on what some would call ‘capital T’ truths. These deal with questions like “Why serve?” “What importance does it have?” “Who deserves what?” And more. Whether giving of one’s self, time and resources is an act of generosity that reflects a divine grace, or whether human charity is a subversion of filial and communal instincts wired into us by nature, this “big truth” discussion remains on the table. That’s why the second area I want to wrap CAUTION tape around is the area where people callously turn from big questions like these. Students do not have to be philosophers or biologists to speculate on these topics. So maybe these would be good things to think about while you serve. The semester is winding down. As it does, don’t forget those people thousands of miles away or your neighbors a few yards away who need encouragement. Trevor Clark is a University College freshman.

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COLUMN WAS ERRONEOUS

columns.

In his Tuesday column, Zac Smith made some errors on his interpretation of Christian ideas. The first regards the immaculate conception, which is not the conception of Jesus inside of Mary. It is about the sinless nature of Mary, who “in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.” –Pope Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus. Also, the given references, Luke 1:31-35 and Acts 13:23, are not related to the Immaculate Conception, nor are they contradictory. Luke 1:31-35 states that Mary would give birth to a son who will be called the Son of the Most High, and given the Throne of his father David; Acts 13:23 says God has brought forth a savior for Israel from the line of David. Jesus, by way of his foster-father, Joseph, is the descendent of David, and by his divine nature, God. It’s a theme that is repeated and corroborated throughout scripture, not contradicted. The understanding of salvation also is flawed. We are presented with Revelation 21:27, which states no sinner may enter Heaven, theoretically putting us in an awkward position, since we are all sinners according to Romans 3:23. These statements are both very true. Jesus then is offered as an illogical loophole to the predicament. This oversimplification misrepresents the truth. The comparisons to mythology are simply too broad to be thoroughly considered in the scope of this writing. There are some generalities that can be made though. Namely, the pagan stories you see related to Jesus often are very warped from their original form to make them appear similar to the story of Jesus, even to the extent of imposing Christian terminology onto the myths. If you were to read the mythologies outside of the context of comparison to Jesus, you will find similarities much less apparent or meaningful. The column was, for the most part, a series of disconnected one-liners. A general lack of understanding is displayed by the doctrines discussed. Accusations are dropped without any follow up, and in some cases the Bible verses given do not correspond to the statement at hand. A fuller understanding of the topics at hand should be expected in

Colin Osborne, architectural engineering sophomore

CRITICIZE OTHER RELIGIONS Regardless of how offensive Zac’s Staff Column entitled ‘Story of Jesus a ‘pervasive nonsensicality’ might be to some Christians, I do support his right to publish his views. Freedom of speech is a keystone of the university experience. Unfortunately for OU, the only religion that is fair game for such an aggressive and noxious diatribe is Christianity. I would challenge Zac to write a series of columns dissecting Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, Catholics, Native American Church, VooDoo, Scientology or whatever. However, I am not going to hold my breath because I know anything negative can not be published in The Daily about any religion except Christianity. Arthur Allen, liberal studies graduate student

COLUMN LACKED ARGUMENT In response to Zac Smith’s Tuesday column, I would contest the column’s argument itself, but I couldn’t find it. Well, actually, I found a whole slew of incoherent thoughts that I thought might be trying to pass for arguments, but most of them could be summed up with the phrase, “The Bible is stupid.” I find it difficult to believe that he could find no works of literature more insightful than a children’s series and a comic book. If the article erroneously used the phrase “extra-Biblical” to mean “not in a religious text,” the statement is wrong. The Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus specifically mentions Christ’s crucifixion in his Annals of Tacitus. If he’s going to completely dismiss one of the oldest and most profound works of literature that the human race has ever created, I recommend Smith replaces it with something more mature. Before he does, I suggest he apologize to us, his readers, for wasting our time. Maybe the next time he sets out to insult someone else’s beliefs, he will do so in a way that isn’t an embarrassment to his newspaper and his college. Becca Skupin, University College freshman

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice. The opinion page is produced by a staff of columnists and cartoonists who are independent of The Daily’s news staff. Letters to the editor are welcomed. Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed and signed. Letters may 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. Submit letters to dailyopinion@ou.edu or in person Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall.

Guest columns are encouraged. They can be submitted to the opinion editor via e-mail at dailyopinion@ou.edu. Comments left on OUDaily.com may be reprinted on the opinion page. ’Our View’ is the opinion of majority of the members of The Oklahoma Daily’s editorial board. Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff. The board meets Sunday through Thursday in 160 Copeland Hall. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ work is representative of their own opinions, not those of the members of The Daily’s Editorial Board.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

STAFF CARTOON

OUR VIEW

Don’t take drugs you don’t need The swine flu doesn’t need any help causing hysteria among Americans. But it seems that some are trying to help it anyway by asking their doctors to prescribe drugs in case they get the virus. For their own sake, and for the good of people who actually get swine flu in the future, these people must show restraint and refuse to request the medication unless they actually need it. Oklahoma has already started to receive its supply of Tamiflu and Relenza. And according to Oklahoma Department of Health officials, many are trying to get their hands on the drugs before they even have symptoms of the flu. This is problematic for several reasons. First, it’s both selfish and shortsighted for people to take the medication before they have even been exposed to the flu. If the drug supply is wasted on people who don’t need it, the medication could run out and leave

Ian Jehn - civil engineering junior

those who might really need it facing bare pharmacy shelves. The Oklahoma Department of Health has issued warnings and guidelines to physicians, encouraging them to prescribe the drugs only to those who show symptoms of the flu. Doctors across the state should listen to those warnings and follow those guidelines when patients ask for the drugs. Preemptive use of Tamiflu is dangerous for the people who take it, too. Department of Health officials said taking Tamiflu when one doesn’t need to can cause people to develop immunity to the virus. That means if they ever do get swine flu, the drug won’t work, and they will be in serious trouble. We know swine flu is a serious virus. But we think Oklahomans should do their best to remain calm and use discernment when reacting to something they haven’t been exposed to.

STAFF COLUMN

The case for liberty, not big government Patrick Henry’s famous words “Give me liberty, or give me death!” embodied the spirit of America’s founding. Notice he did not say give me a nanny state, healthcare, a comfortable wage and a paid retirement – or give me death. The concept was much simplerliberty or death. Liberty entails the ability to do as you choose provided you don’t infringe upon the rights of others. Liberty does not include receiving things from the government but rather the freedom to choose. Liberty should be our American political philosophy. It’s the way we can bridge the political divide. At least at one point in TARRANT history, Americans beCARTER lieved in individual liberty and freedom so much they revolted against a tyrannical regime. They understood life was not worth living unless they had liberty. Their grievances were more on moral grounds than practical ones because, at that time, a government based on liberty was a relatively new idea. In fact, some could reasonably argue that a system with so much individual autonomy would be much less

efficient than a monarchy or a dictatorship. However, these pragmatic concerns did not prevent the founders of our country from appealing to the morality of freedom and liberty as the only necessary justification for our form of government. There are two major tenets that lovers of liberty maintain: First, they believe in the non-aggression axiom that states the use of physical force to reach your desires is not legitimate. This encompasses all human activity, including government. One only can use physical force in retaliation to violations of the non-aggression axiom. Therefore, American involvement in Europe during World War II, Vietnam War, the conflict in Kosovo and both Iraq wars are unjustified according to the non-aggression axiom. The second moral reason for liberty is private property rights. In fact, the Revolutionary War was fought in large part as a result of the abuses by England against the property rights of Americans. They believed property made a person and their subsequent decisions independent of others. However, when you are dependent on others, your ability to make decisions is limited. Owning property gives you a stake in your country. You want your property and property

rights protected, which leads to greater concern about the direction of the country than if you were not a property owner. Therefore, asset forfeiture and imminent domain laws that take away property are immoral because they take away a person’s autonomy. A more tangible argument is the practical advantages of liberty. We all see every day the inefficiencies of centralized government action. One example is the failure of public education. Many people object to private education because some children might fall through the cracks. As a result of government education, millions of children are falling through the cracks, but it’s acceptable because the government provides the education. Ironically, the government uses its failures to increase its power and control over the educational system. Because the educational system is so bad, the government enacts legislation such as No Child Left Behind, which increases the role of centralized government. A solution founded on liberty would better serve the educational interests of our children. Can you imagine if schools actually competed against each other to offer the best education to children? Market forces would replace schools that

performed poorly by schools that produced both challenging and successful curriculum. Imagine an educational arms race to provide the best education possible to our children. The free market is another example of the practical effects of liberty. No other economic model has brought as much prosperity to a country than capitalism, which is a necessary result of liberty. History has shown that the anti-liberty political philosophy, communism, fails. Even staunchly communist China has adopted some free market measures for practical reasons. Capitalism works because people have a direct stake in trade and business. In communism and socialism, that stake is reduced and responsibility is diffused. As a result, an individual becomes dependent on the government. When thinking about future political policy discussions, consider how the issue affects personal liberty. Think about the morality and practical advantages of liberty. Neither political party is a bastion of liberty. Both parties have their own unique ways of depriving you of your personal liberty. The trick is to realize what makes our country great is liberty and not government. Tarrant Carter is a philosophy and psychology senior.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

WHO says swine flu pandemic is imminent Some countries discourage travel to U.S., Canada MEXICO CITY — Global health authorities warned Wednesday that swine flu was threatening to bloom into a pandemic, and the virus spread farther in Europe even as the outbreak appeared to stabilize at its epicenter. A toddler who succumbed in Texas became the first death outside Mexico. New cases and deaths finally seemed to be leveling off in Mexico, where 160 people have been killed, after an aggressive public health campaign. But the World Health Organization said the global threat is nevertheless serious enough to ramp up efforts to produce a vaccine against the virus. “It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic,” WHO Director General Margaret Chan said in Geneva. “We do not have all the answers right now, but we will get them.” It was the first time the WHO had declared a Phase 5 outbreak, the second-highest on its threat scale, indicating a pandemic could be imminent. The first U.S. death from the outbreak was a Mexico City toddler who traveled to Texas with family and died Monday night at a Houston hospital. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius predicted the child would not be the last U.S. death from swine flu. The virus, a mix of pig, bird and human genes to which people have limited natural immunity, had spread to at least nine countries. In the United States, nearly 100 have been sickened in 11 states. Eight states closed schools Wednesday, affecting 53,000 students in Texas alone, and President Barack Obama said wider school closings might be necessary to keep crowds from spreading the flu. Mexico already has closed schools nationwide until at least May 6. “Every American should know that the federal government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to control the impact of this virus,” Obama said, highlighting his request for $1.5 billion in emergency funding for vaccines.

VICTOR R. CAIVANO/AP PHOTO

Passengers, who did not give their names, arrive from Mexico City Wednesday wearing face masks at Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain. Many deaths are acknowledged due to Swine flu, which is understood to have originated from Mexico and is now confirmed to have spread to many countries across the world. Just north of the Mexican border, 39 Marines were being confined to their California base after one contracted what may be swine flu. Senators questioned Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about her decision not to close the border, action she said “has not been merited by the facts.” Ecuador joined Cuba and Argentina in banning travel either to or from Mexico, and other nations considered similar bans. In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy met with cabinet ministers to discuss swine flu, and the health minister said France would ask the European Union to suspend flights to

Administration seeks change in crack sentencing Citing racial disparity in sentencing, Obama hopes to change crack sentencing laws WASHINGTON — The Obama administration joined a federal judge Wednesday in urging Congress to end a racial disparity by equalizing prison sentences for dealing and using crack versus powdered cocaine. “Jails are loaded with people who look like me,” U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, an African-American, told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing. Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said the administration believes Congress’ goal “should be to completely eliminate the disparity” between the two forms of cocaine. “A growing number of citizens view it as fundamentally unfair,” Breuer testified. It takes 100 times more powdered cocaine than crack cocaine to trigger the same harsh mandatory minimum sentences. Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat who chairs the subcommittee, said, “Under current law, mere possession of five grams of crack — the weight of five packets of sweetener — carries the same sentence as distribution of half a kilogram of powder or 500 packets of sweetener.” Durbin said more than 81 percent of those convicted for crack offenses in 2007 were African-American, although only about 25 percent of crack cocaine users are African Americans. Congress enacted the disparity during an epidemic of crack cocaine in the 1980s, but the senator said lawmakers erred in assuming that violence would be greater among those using crack. —AP

Mexico. The U.S., the European Union and other countries have discouraged nonessential travel to Mexico. Some countries have urged their citizens to avoid the United States and Canada as well. Health officials said such bans would do little to stop the virus. Germany and Austria became the latest countries to report swine flu infections Wednesday, with cases already confirmed in Canada, Britain, Israel, New Zealand and Spain. In addition to the 160 deaths, the virus is believed to have sickened 2,498 people across Mexico. But only 1,311 suspected

swine flu patients remained hospitalized, and a closer look at daily admissions and deaths at Mexico’s public hospitals suggests the outbreak may have peaked during three grim days last week when thousands of people complained of flu symptoms. Scientists believe that somewhere in the world, months or even a year ago, a pig virus jumped to a human and mutated, and has been spreading between humans ever since. Unlike with bird flu, doctors have no evidence suggesting a direct pig-to-human infection from this strain, which is why they haven’t recommended killing pigs. —AP

Will GM become ‘Government Motors’? Automaker risks ownership due to bankruptcy WASHINGTON — If the government takes a majority stake in General Motors, will it end up taking the wheel, too? Under a restructuring plan put forth this week by GM, the ailing automaker would give majority ownership to the federal government to stave off bankruptcy. That handoff would amount to an extraordinary partial nationalization of the maker of Buicks, Cadillacs and Chevys that has been an independent company since 1908. The Obama administration has said it isn’t interested in running an auto company, but with that big of a stake, some analysts say the government would probably be tempted to push its own policies on such issues as alternative fuel vehicles and unions. And that could affect the types of cars that roll off GM’s assembly lines. “The fear here is that a company owned by the government would move toward the do-good results, not the bottom line,” said Gerald Meyers, a University of Michigan business professor and former CEO of American Motors Corp. GM’s proposal would give the government more than 50 percent of

PAUL SANCYA/AP PHOTO

Taken Monday, this photo shows Pontiac G6 and Chevrolet Malibu automobiles at the Orion Assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich. Under a restructuring plan put forth this week by GM, the ailing automaker would give majority ownership to the federal government to stave off bankruptcy. the automaker’s stock in exchange for forgiving $10 billion in government loans. The United Auto Workers union would end up with a 39 percent stake. The plan is far from a sure thing. Holders of GM’s $27 billion in unsecured debt have dismissed it as unfair because they would lose most of their investment. And the White House repeated this week that it doesn’t want to own GM or any other auto company.

But through its broad efforts to rescue the auto industry, the White House is already deeply involved in the operations of GM and Chrysler. It has sunk nearly $25 billion into the two companies and their financial arms, and is ready to give them even more if their restructuring plans are deemed workable. The Obama administration has already flexed its muscle by forcing out Rick Wagoner as GM’s CEO. —AP

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

High court attacks voting rights measure MARK SHERMAN Associated Press Contentious initiatives come to forefront presidential

WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Supreme Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conservative justices led a sustained attack Wednesday on a key element of the Voting Rights Act, questioning whether onetime bastions of segregation still should be held to account for past discrimination. The justices who were skeptical of that part of the voting rights law included Justice Anthony Kennedy, whose views are likely to prevail on the closely divided court. He tends to side with his more conservative colleagues on matters of race. On the other side, the liberal justices defended Congressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; decision to keep the law in place to prevent ongoing discrimination. The tenor of the quick-paced argument suggested that there could be a court majority to strike down the provision of the voting rights law that has been the Justice Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main enforcement tool against discriminatory changes in voting since the law was enacted in 1965. It opened elections to millions of blacks and other minorities. The law requires all or parts of 16 states, mainly in the South, with a history of discrimination in voting to get approval in advance of making

ALEX BRANDON/AP PHOTO

People rally for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Wednesday in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. changes in the way elections are conducted. The idea behind it is to prevent discriminatory measures from being put in place. The court is being asked by a small Texas utility district to strike down the extension as an unconstitutional intrusion into the domain of state

and local governments that have made substantial progress since the era of Jim Crow and governmentsponsored discrimination. Kennedy acknowledged that the provision has been successful in rooting out discrimination in voting over the past 44 years. But times

have changed, he said, questioning Congressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; judgment in 2006 that it was needed for another 25 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Democracy was a shambles,â&#x20AC;? Kennedy said of the era when the law first was enacted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not true anymore.â&#x20AC;? When Justice Department lawyer

Neal Katyal pointed out that the high court has upheld previous extensions of the law, Justice Antonin Scalia dismissively replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A long time ago.â&#x20AC;? At another point, Chief Justice John Roberts asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;At what point does that history ... stop justifying action with respect to some jurisdictions?â&#x20AC;? Katyal did not specifically answer that question. But he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;After 16,000 pages of testimony, 21 different hearings over months, Congress looked at the evidence and determined that their work was not done.â&#x20AC;? Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito also noted that by some measures of racial disparity, states not required to submit election changes fare worse than those with a history of discrimination. The courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liberal justices said Congress pointed out that instances of voting discrimination occur more often in the states covered by the portion of the voting rights law that is under challenge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand with a record like that how you can maintain ... that things have radically changed,â&#x20AC;? Justice David Souter said, acknowledging that there has been progress. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg referred to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;second-generation discriminationâ&#x20AC;? that Congress was

Consumer spending gain provides hope for economic rebound JEANNINE AVERSA Associated Press

WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Consumers snapped back to life at the start of the year, renewing hopes the recession is losing steam. Even though the economy shrank again in the first three months â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and by a lot â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Americans stepped up purchases of cars, furniture and appliances. The surge in consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy, could set the stage for a rebound later this year. Many consumers have been fortified by fatter paychecks from tax cuts and smaller

mortgage bills from refinancings. If they keep spending, their dollars could deliver a powerful punch: Businesses will need to replenish their shrunken inventories, leading factories to boost production and nourishing economic activity. Against that backdrop, many analysts think the economy is sinking less this quarter than it did from January through March. Most believe the economy could start growing again by summer, or more likely, by the final quarter of this year. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues, in opting against further action to shore up the economy at this point, detected glimmers that the recession might

WORLD NEWS BRIEFS NKOREA THREATENS NUCLEAR, MISSILE TESTS SEOUL, South Korea â&#x20AC;&#x201D; North Korea threatened Wednesday to conduct nuclear and missile tests unless the U.N. apologizes for criticizing its April 5 rocket launch, dramatically raising its stake in the worsening standoff over its atomic programs. Pyongyangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foreign Ministry said in a statement the country â&#x20AC;&#x153;will be compelled to take additional self-defensive measuresâ&#x20AC;? unless the U.N. Security Council apologizes immediately. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The measures will include nuclear tests and test-firings of intercontinental ballistic missiles,â&#x20AC;? the minister said. The Northâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ministry also said the country would build a lightwater nuclear reactor and start developing technologies to produce nuclear fuel, a threat that experts said indicated the country would start enriching uranium â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which can be used in the production of a nuclear bomb. The current nuclear standoff flared in late 2002 after Washington raised allegations that Pyongyang had a clandestine nuclear program based on enriched uranium in addition to a separate one based on plutonium. The North has strongly denied the allegations. North Korea is known for brinksmanship and harsh rhetoric, but it is unusual for it to threaten a nuclear test. Pyongyang conducted its first-ever atomic test blast in 2006 and is thought to have enough plutonium to make at least half a dozen nuclear bombs. But experts have said the country is not believed to have mastered the technology to make a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a missile.

TALIBAN VOW ATTACKS AGAINST US SURGE KABUL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Taliban vowed Wednesday to launch a wave of attacks in a spring offensive as a surge of American troops arrives in Afghanistan, a threat delivered on the same day that 42 militants were reported killed in clashes. Taliban leaders regularly boast of impending attacks that never materialize â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as proclaiming that hundreds or thousands of suicide bombers were waiting to attack around the country â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but the new threat from a top-tier commander could signal a more aggressive stance. A U.S. military spokesman said the Talibanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warning showed the militants are worried by the rising number of international troops. Mullah Berader, a top deputy to Taliban commander Mullah Omar, said the Taliban would unleash ambushes, roadside bombings and suicide attacks Thursday against foreign and Afghan troops, government officials and â&#x20AC;&#x153;whoever is supporting invaders in our country.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As American and NATO countries plan to send more troops to Afghanistan, it is necessary for the Afghans and Afghan mujahedeen to defend their country,â&#x20AC;? militant spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press in a statement that he attributed to Berader. Taliban fighters have increased attacks the last three years in a resurgence following the toppling of their radical Islamist regime by a U.S.-led invasion in late 2001. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;AP

be easing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The economy has continued to contract, though the pace of contraction appears to be somewhat slower,â&#x20AC;? Fed policymakers said in a statement Wednesday, hours after the government released its report on the economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-quarter performance. On Wall Street, stocks jumped higher. The Dow Jones industrial gained nearly 170 points. To be sure, consumers are a wild card in any recovery scenario. Though Fed policymakers noted that consumer spending â&#x20AC;&#x153;has shown signs of stabilizing,â&#x20AC;? they said spending still remains â&#x20AC;&#x153;constrainedâ&#x20AC;? by rising unemployment, falling

home values and hard-to-get credit. Those negative forces â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or the emergence of new ones, like the swine flu outbreak â&#x20AC;&#x201D; could cause consumers to do an about-face and ratchet back spending, throwing the economy into another tailspin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The recession is definitely not out of the woods yet,â&#x20AC;? said Brian Bethune, economist at IHS Global Insight. But, he added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The good news ... is that the most severe phase of the recession is behind us.â&#x20AC;? The economy logged a worse-than-expected 6.1 percent annualized drop in the first three months of this year despite the rebound by consumers, the Commerce Department reported.

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Thursday, April 30, 2009

WET AND WILD ON NORMAN STREETS N

orman received about 2 inches of rain Wednesday, while parts of Oklahoma received nearly a foot. The sudden rain caused a few road closures throughout Norman and forced drivers to use caution. Others used the rain as an opportunity to play outside.

LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

Some drivers tested their luck and made their way through high water after Wednesday’s rain.

LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

Xcetra employee and OU alumnus Jared Leal skimboards in a flooded area between Cate Center and Walker Tower. Leal said he enjoys skimboarding but doesn’t go to the beach often, so he took advantage of the rain Wednesday.

LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

Some cars chose to ignore the “road closed” sign on McGee Drive Wednesday morning in Norman. The closure was caused by high waters. McGee Drive regularly is covered by high waters during moderate rain. LILLY CHAPA/THE DAILY

Billy Batchlear, management information systems junior, leaps onto his skimboard in a flooded area by First Street.

SOFTBALL »

OUDAILY.COM

Steven Jones, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051 MERRILL JONES/THE DAILY

OU’s Wednesday night game is rescheduled for tonight. See the story tonight online.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

SOFTBALL

STAFF COLUMN

Softball bedlam matchup rescheduled for 7 tonight

Athletes’ salaries in professional sports ruining the games

AARON COLEN The Oklahoma Daily

The OU softball team’s final regular season game against Oklahoma State was postponed due to heavy rains in

Stillwater. The game was scheduled to start at 7 Wednesday night, and it has now been moved to 7 p.m. Thursday. The Sooners already have the Big 12 regular season title wrapped up, will

face OSU in Stillwater. The game will be broadcast on KOKC AM 1520. The Sooners have a slight lead over the Cowgirls in the overall bedlam series, with a 67-64 record. However, OSU claims the lead in the games played in Stillwater, at 29-24.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Flores is hitting .419 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs, and leads OU in all three categories. Flores had a huge game the last time the Sooners faced the Cowgirls, going 2-4 with a AMBER grand slam in OU’s FLORES 8-1 victory.

MERRILL JONES/THE DAILY

Junior second baseman Amber Flores bats against Texas A&M April 19 at the OU Softball Complex. Flores had one hit and one run in the Sooner’s 3-1 win.

Hamilton is the OSU’s offensive leader, hitting .338 with four home runs and 42 RBIs. The next person on the list has 30 RBIs, so Hamilton has been carrying a heavy part of the ALYSIA scoring load all HAMILTON season.

SPORTS BRIEFS MEN’S GOLF FINISHES 10TH AT BIG 12 TOURNEY

LINEBACKER CLAYTON ARRESTED ON WARRANTS

Men’s golf used a solid outing in the final round of the Big 12 Championships to avoid last place, recording a 10th-place finish in the tournament. OU’s final round 288 (+8) Wednesday was the lowest team score for OU in the tournament, and the fifth best on the day among the 12 teams. The Sooners’ final 72-hole team score of 1205 (+85) was one stroke better than Nebraska, and five better than 12th-place Iowa State. Leading the way for OU was junior Tyler Rody, who carded a 299 (+19). Rody finished in a tie for 23rd place overall. Sophomore Liam Logan (+24), junior TYLER Eric Durbin (+26), redshirt freshman Riley RODY Pumphrey(+27) and sophomore Ryan Sirman (+29) rounded out the scoring for the Sooners. Oklahoma State claimed the title in the tournament, finishing at 1,149 (+ 29). The Cowboys blew away the competition, defeating second place Colorado by 14 strokes. OSU’s Morgan Hoffman won the individual crown, after firing a final-round 66 to overtake Baylor’s Bill Allcorn. The NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Committee will announce Monday which teams and individuals will compete in the NCAA Championships.

Senior linebacker Keenan Clayton was arrested Tuesday morning after municipal warrants were issued for his arrest. The Associated Press reported that Clayton was arrested for failing to pay a Feb. 21 citation for driving without proof of insurance. The warrant was issued in March, and Clayton was issued a surety bond Tuesday to guarantee he will appear in court June 10. Last season, Clayton started at outside linebacker for the Sooners and recorded 82 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

— Jarrod Yost/The Daily

— Daily Staff

CHAISSON PLEADS NO CONTEST TO CHARGES An Oklahoma football recruit from Las Vegas pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges as part of a plea deal that will result in prosecutors dropping felony counts against him. Las Vegas Clark County Courts spokesman Michael Sommermeyer says Justin Chaisson was sentenced to a year of domestic violence counseling after pleading no contest Wednesday to coercion and domestic battery. Sommermeyer says felony counts against Chaisson will be dropped if he pleads no contest to four other gross misdemeanor charges next week. A prominent Oklahoma recruit also had a run-in with the law last year. Receiver Josh Jarboe had felony gun charges reduced to misdemeanors before coming to Oklahoma last year. He was later dismissed for posting a profanity-laced video on the Internet. — AP

t strikes me as absolute insanity. Why are professional athletes, many whom are my age, racking in millions of dollars in this economy? Baseball is what really hacks me off more than anything; no salary cap apparently means no problems. The New York Yankees haven’t had any problems acquiring anybody they want. Ever. The Steinbrenners just reach into their bottomless bag of money and throw cash at whomever they can, whenever they can. Why is there no salary cap? I’m not sure. Let’s ask the AL East Allstars, I mean the New York Yankees. The Yankees have had a crazy last few seasons. They have spent more money than DANIEL any team in baseball, moving players MARTIN around and building a new stadium. In 2008, the Yankees had a strong team and a chance of making it deep into the playoffs, but the Tampa Bay Devil Rays had something else to say about it. The Devil Rays total team pay roll for 2008 was just over $43 million. That’s nearly $7 million less than the combined 2008 salaries of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez alone. Oh, and the Devil Rays beat the Yankees in the playoffs. Surprise, surprise. The over paid, self-centered Yankees turned out to be just a bunch of pampered losers. This season was supposed to be a different era for Yankee baseball though. They landed all-star first basemen Mark Teixeira, former Indian’s and Brewer’s ace C.C. Sabathia, and pitcher A.J. Burnett, and at the low cost of only $50 million a year for the three of them. That’s $50 million more than any other team in the league spent for the 2009 season. Despite all their off season acquisitions, the Yanks are in third place in the AL East and currently are four games back from their rival Boston Red Sox. An injured Rodriguez leaves $30 million on the sidelines, Teixeira owns the second worst batting average on the team at .206, and Sabathia has pitched five games, only has one win and currently has the team’s seventh best ERA at It’s a shame that 4.73 runs per game. people like steroid It looks like the Yankees are in for another disappointing user Rodriguez are bringing in post season. Baseball is an American multi-million past time, but last time I dollar contracts, checked so was working hard while everyday for your money. It’s a shame that people like citizens ... are steroid user Rodriguez are making miniscule bringing in multi-million dollar contracts, while everyday amounts of money citizens like my parents and comparatively. yours, who I’m convinced work twice as hard, are making miniscule amounts of money comparatively. The players don’t deserve that much money, the Yankees don’t deserve their pin stripes and the Steinbrenners doesn’t deserve a baseball team. Where in the heck is the salary cap? All the good players end up on the same teams. Every year it’s the same teams missing the playoffs as the year before. Every year the Yankees spend more money, and every year it seems to backfire. When is this going to end?

Daniel Martin is a journalism junior.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

KENTUCKY DERBY

SPORTS BRIEFS

HARRY CABLUCK/AP

University Interscholastic League Executive Director Charles Breithaupt pauses Wednesday in Austin, Texas, where Gov. Rick Perry announced that he has issued a disaster declaration for the entire state.

MAY 11 ATHLETIC, ACADEMIC EVENTS POSTPONED DUE TO SWINE FLU AUSTIN, Texas — Texas officials on Wednesday postponed all public high school athletic and academic competitions until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak. The move suspends the baseball and softball seasons and eliminates the regional track championships that were to start Friday, said Charles Breithaupt, executive director of the University Interscholastic League. He said league officials acted on the recommendation of public health officials. “The health and safety of our student activity participants is of the utmost importance,” Breithaupt said. “Taking every possible precaution to prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of our great state, and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants safe.” School officials say 53,000 students are out of school due to concern, and dozens of schools were closed to be sanitized. The state golf and tennis championships are scheduled to begin May 11. The state track meet, one of the largest high school track and field competitions in the country, has been extended from its normal two days to three and is scheduled for May 14-16. All UIL academic competitions, including a state meet that was to begin May 7, also were postponed and will be rescheduled. With 16 confirmed cases of swine flue in Texas, Gov. Rick Perry announced a disaster declaration Wednesday for the entire state. The declaration will allow officials to begin emergency protective measures and seek reimbursement from the federal government. — AP

GARRY JONES/AP

Owner/trainer/groomer Tom McCarthy, washes Kentucky Derby hopeful General Quarters Sunday outside Barn 37 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. At right, holding the horse, is Tom McCarthy Jr.

A story to rival Seabiscuit General Quarters aims for fairy tale ending at Kentucky Derby Saturday JIM LITKE Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If you thought Seabiscuit was a tearjerker, load up on tissues and check out a horse named General Quarters. The big gray colt with the distinctive white diamond splashed on his forehead cost $20,000. He was claimed after his first race last May by a 75-year-old retired local high school principal who dabbled in the thoroughbred business for more than a half-century without ever turning up even one very good horse. Better still, General Quarters is not just the star of Tom McCarthy’s stable; at the moment, he’s the only one in it. Then again, McCarthy could never afford more than four. “When you get up to a certain age and things haven’t gone your way for a while, it seems pretty far-fetched, “ he said Wednesday. According to the morning line, 20-1 is how far-fetched. But why start calculating the odds now, considering how long they were that McCarthy would be here on the first Saturday in May without buying a ticket. The horse and his owner-trainer are already the sentimental favorites among the sheiks and sharpies bankrolling his competition, and even the cold-eyed trainers who will send 19 opponents to the post are having a hard time rooting against him. “Here we all thought it was just some principal who hit the lottery and it turns out he was training quarterhorses with an uncle at Rillito Park in Tucson before I was even born,” Hall of Fame trainer and three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert said. “How cool would it be if he won?” Every once in a while, the Derby showcases a horse inspiring enough to gallop into America’s heart. We’ve been spoiled in recent years by the everyman appeal of Funny Cide and Smarty Jones, and Barbaro’s poignant struggle to survive. But when it comes to a real “people’s horse,” you need to go all the way back to the rags-to-riches saga of Seabiscuit, who regaled an audience suffering through the cruelest years of the Great Depression, to come up with a contender this strong. McCarthy always loved the racket, even if it rarely loved him back. His career started slow and never really picked up speed. Two days after he got married, his bride, Patricia, was not amused to find out their honeymoon consisted of hitching a trailer to the back of the car and pulling into the parking lot at Arlington Park in Chicago.

“I had a lot of explaining to do,” McCarthy recalled. Apparently, not enough. McCarthy took a job in the Louisville school system as a biology teacher soon after, eventually working his way up to principal. Meantime, he bought a farm and raised a family, making each of his kids learn how to do everything around the barn from foaling horses to riding them. “How long have I been doing this? Let’s see: I’m 41” said son Tom, who took a week off from his job at a downtown law firm. “So basically, 40 years.” McCarthy’s influence and love of horses extended well beyond his own family. His groom, Jerry Hills, is a former student and jockey agent Steve Bass is another. Bass felt their bond was still strong enough to call McCarthy in the middle of a news conference after General Quarters won the Blue Grass three weeks ago — paving his path to the Derby — and offer client Julian Leporaux for the ride. Strict as he was during his tenure as principal, McCarthy had the same lasting effect on a lot of kids. “He pretty much turned me around,” said Sharon Kaelin, Seneca High Class of ‘76. “I got into a lot of things back then — detention, suspension. I always thought I was so cool. Then I got caught trying to sneak out in my boyfriend’s car, and he decided to make me sweep the cafeteria floor in the middle of lunch — in a dress. “It was the most embarrassed I’ve ever been,” she added. “And I’ve never been in trouble since. ... So many of us have been talking about what a neat thing it would be for a regular guy to beat all the millionaires, and the whole community is rooting for Mr. McCarthy now. “But I’ve had to remind a few of them, ‘Hey, you hated his guts back then.’” As far as discouraging words, though, that’s it. Rival trainers with dozens of horses to keep track of walk by his barn and see a horseman who lavishes attention on his lone colt the way they wish they still could. After the post-position draw, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who’s won more races at Churchill Downs than anyone else, introduced himself to McCarthy, looked him in the eye and said, “You’re a natural. Good luck.” McCarthy stood there for a moment and took in the scene. Around him, the rich and the powerful milled about in suits and expensive cowboy boots, swapping stories about the vagaries of running operations he could only dream about. McCarthy was still wearing the while polo shirt he had on early in the morning, spotted with flecks of blood and mud as he massaged his horse, filled his own feed buckets and even raked the gravel outside a rented stall. “I’ve seen this race come and I’ve seen it go,” he said finally, a note of wonderment softening the usual gruff tone. “But I’ve never been a part of it before.”

Thursday, April 30, 2009

After 100 days Obama shifts focus JENNIFER LOVEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Obama administration to renew push for health care reform, platform issues WASHINGTON — His first 100 days behind him, President Barack Obama expressed confidence about the next hundred and accelerated his drive toward contentious goals — sweeping health care overhaul, new rules to curb global warming and financial sector reform — even while working to end a recession and two wars. “I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made, but I’m not satisfied,” Obama said Wednesday in Arnold, Mo., the battleground state he chose to mark the milestone. By evening, he was to hold a news conference from the White House, the third of his presidency aired on prime-time television. Obama’s intensive schedule for the day demonstrated the degree to which the administration sees both possibility and peril in the symbolic 100-day marker. Presidential aides have derided it as a media-created “Hallmark

CHARLES DHARAPAK/AP PHOTO

President Barack Obama walks in a light drizzle Wednesday on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington as he returns from a trip to Missouri. holiday” in which the White House participates reluctantly. But they also recognize it is a time frame by which all modern presidents are judged, at least initially, and which can produce negative narratives that dog administrations for years.

So the White House has jumped into the celebration with both feet, making high-level Obama advisers available anywhere they were needed over the last week and crafting the president’s day to maximum advantage.

The opening act of the Obama presidency has been head-turning, not only for the dire times in which he took office but his flurry of activity. Determined to revive the dismal economy, his signature challenge,

Obama has overseen a trillion-dollar infusion of federal spending and major interventions by Washington into the private sector, from directing executive pay to seizing huge governmental ownership shares in financial institutions and possibly General Motors. He put the country on track to end the Iraq war, while escalating the one in Afghanistan and revamping the strategy there. Nearly every day since Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration has brought a sweeping new promise to upend business as usual, veering from big issues to small and back. The reward: strong public backing despite a still-staggering economy. An Associated Press-GfK poll shows that 48 percent of Americans believe the United States is headed in the right direction — the first time in years that more people than not expressed optimism for a brighter future. But most of what Obama has done so far, as would be expected for little more than three months, amounts to no more than a down payment. The president stressed this theme during his speech and short question-and-answer session in a St. Louis suburb.

Attack on Shiites kills 41 in Baghdad’s Sadr City KIM GAMEL Associated Press

Two bombs shake city, disrupt peace with violence

KARIM KADIM/ AP PHOTO

People gather around the wreckage of cars destroyed in a car bomb explosion in Baghdad’s Shiite enclave of Sadr City, Iraq. Two car bombs exploded near a restaurant in Baghdad’s main Shiite district on Wednesday, killing at least 41 people, and wounding scores, Iraqi police said.

BAGHDAD — Twin car bombs ravaged a popular shopping area in Baghdad’s biggest Shiite district Wednesday, killing at least 41 people in another powerful strike by suspected Sunni insurgents seeking a return to sectarian chaos. In less than a week, blasts have struck the heart of Shiite traditions and unity: hitting Shiite pilgrims, a revered shrine and now teeming Sadr City in attacks that have claimed nearly 200 lives.

The once-powerful Shiite militias have so far largely held back from retaliations — and reopening memories of the back-and-forth bloodshed from Iraq’s 2006-7 sectarian slaughters. But anger was seething in the Sadr City slums. Scowling young men — joined by women shrouded in black — gathered around the bloodstained pavement and the twisted hulks of the cars, which had been parked about 100 yards apart near a restaurant and an ice cream stand. Protesters later threw stones and empty soda cans at a vehicle carrying Iraqi soldiers, who they claim failed to protect them despite a security cordon around the district. Soldiers shot into

the air to disperse the crowd. It was the deadliest bombing attack inside sprawling Sadr City since U.S.backed Iraqi forces seized control of the area in late May. The offensive broke the hold of the feared Mahdi Army, a network of Shiite militiamen loyal to antiU.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. “Sadr City should be secure. We are a poor people and we want to live safely,” complained 47-year-old laborer Mohammed Abbas. “How could these bombers have entered Sadr City?” The explosions went off in quick succession, tearing through a crowded outdoor market where vendors peddle everything from bicycles and motorcycle parts to birds and small pets.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

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

« WEEKEND UPDATE OUDAILY.COM

Check out page 7B for a list of events happening around the state.

FEATURE | TRAVEL

MeersBurger will put you in your place

ELI HULL / THE DAILY

Located in what used to be a bustling mining town, Meers Store & Restaurant now resides in a town with a population of six people. Meers was founded in 1901 and continues to bring in substantial business.

Finding fun in strange places Oklahoma town provides historical fun, food With summer around the corner, it’s almost time to unwind and relax. If you are looking for somewhere close and cheap after finals week, check out the Wichita Mountains. The Wichitas are located just northwest of Lawton on State Highway 49, about 10 miles west of Interstate 44 and 75 miles southwest of Norman, a little more than an hour drive. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a great place to connect with nature, and good food and scenic areas can be found in the areas surrounding the refuge. The refuge contains several lakes for fishing and swimming, many hiking trails of varying difficulty and length, various rock climbing routes, several campsites and large free range herds of bison and longhorn cattle. Here, you can catch a chance to see prairie dogs and other flora and fauna. The Visitor Center gives some background on the refuge and other features of the area. Mt. Scott, the second highest peak in the range, can be climbed up by hand or driven up by car. The refuge also contains the Holy City of the Wichitas, where a play based on Jesus Christ’s life is held every Easter weekend. Near the refuge are two small

towns of interest at two of the entrances to the refuge: Medicine Park at the east entrance and Meers at the north entrance. Medicine Park was built in the early 1900s and is unique because since its founding, much of the town has been built primarily out of cobblestone. Medicine Creek, flowing from Lake Lawtonka, runs through the town and is a prominent swimming spot in the summer. Overlooking Medicine Creek is Riverside Café, one of the two good restaurants worth dining at in the Wichitas, along with the Meers Store in Meers. Diners can eat out on the deck over the creek and throw bread out the window, where ducks below will scramble to get it. Also, Riverside Café makes a good steak. Meers is one of the smallest towns in the United States, boasting a residential population of three, but their claim to fame is the Meers Store. Built in 1901 in Meers’s heyday as a mining town, the Meers Store has become renowned for its MeersBurger, a 7 inch diameter burger made from Longhorn beef. The MeersBurger is widely considered one of the best burgers in the United States, having won critical acclaim from Food Network and Travelocity. I like the burger, although my server jokes I don’t order a real MeersBurger (I generally only prefer cheese and ketchup on my burgers.)

When they brought my burger out, it looked more like a personal pan pizza due to its size. The aesthetics of the Meers Store were even more appealing, still possessing much of the original building with some additions. There is a working seismograph inside, which has monitored seismic activity in the area and beyond since 1985. The building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the lodging in the area is down in Lawton itself, although I believe there are houses available for rent in Medicine Park on a weekly basis. Other sites in the area pertain more to the history of the area, notably clashes between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes in the late 19th century. Geronimo’s grave is located at the Fort Sill National Cemetery just outside of Elgin, northeast of Fort Sill and Lawton. Various museums exist in the area for anyone who would be interested in the history and culture of the area, but the main appeals of the area are the various photo opportunities on the refuge. Miles and miles of the area can be seen from the mountains, and you can photograph animals in their natural habitats. If you do come to the area, bring a camera. You’d make good use of it. A.J. Lansdale is a professional writing sophomore.

ucked in the hills o f s o u t hw e s t e r n Oklahoma, behind Mt. Scott, at the end of a dead-end road lined with cattle and knocked-over telephone polls lies one of Oklahoma’s, indeed, the nation’s, best kept secrets: the MeersBurger. If you’re from Oklahoma, and you haven’t been living inside one of those Wichita Mountain caves, then you’ve likely heard of it. Meers RAY has received national attention MARTIN from the likes of the Food Network and Travelocity, the latter of which deemed the restaurant one of the top-five American restaurants in the nation. Rightfully so. I first heard about Meers from a former sports editor at The Claremore Daily Progress. As a reporter for the Tulsa World, he once took a week-long tour of Oklahoma, ranking the state’s best hamburgers. Meers topped the list. I had been putting off my destination to Meers for quite some time. But as our farewell trip before three of us graduate, get married and head to different states to start our respective careers, my roommates and I decided to take the plunge. We drove for just less than an hour and a half, and were pretty confident we were lost before we arrived suddenly at the unmistakable Meers building, in front of which is a herd of Meers Longhorns waiting to become the next tourist’s lunch. We walked in, admiring the license plates from all 50 states (yes, even Hawaii) that decorated the walls. We saw a sign with a picture of a gun that read “We don’t call 911,” and were immediately reminded we were in the heart of the Sooner State. The entrance was packed with people. But we waited in line only for a short time. The Meers workers were used to the crowds.

Immediately after we sat down, the quality of the food was obvious. “This is the best dang burger I’ve ever had in my life,” a man behind us said as he dove in for another bite with his wife watching in disgust. “I don’t know why I ordered this pie. I already hate myself,” said another man, who seemed on the verge of a heart attack. A group of people sitting at a table to our right offered us some of their peach cobbler and homemade ice cream, insisting we try one of the best desserts they’d ever tasted. When our food arrived, we couldn’t help but marvel at the size and stature of the burger. Three of us ordered re g u l a r Me e r s Bu r g e r s with bacon. One roommate ordered a Seismic MeersBurger, which includes 16 oz. of meat and about every fixing known to man. All four burgers came in pie dishes, and were cut into fours, since few of the OU linemen could hold the whole thing. We all ordered fries and our soda came in Mason jars. And we finished every bit of it. We were miserable. But we knew we weren’t finished. I had strict orders from a friend to eat the cherry cobbler. And I’m glad I obeyed. A bowl full of homemade cobbler that was topped with a mountain of ice cream left us all looking for a cot on the way out. Instead, I paid the $70 tab (a small price to pay for one of the world’s best meals) and bolted for the car. On the way home, few words were spoken. Groans dominated our would-be conversation. They were groans of miser y, and groans of joy – we had just consumed the state’s best burger. Ray Martin is a journalism senior and opinion editor at The Daily.

your health

is in your hands

NEED MORE L&A? CHECK OUT OUDAILY. COM

Your best defense against contagious illnesses, including colds and ﬂu

More than 80% of germs are spread by the hands. Wash your hands to stop the transmission and kill the most common germs that may make you sick.

Other ways to prevent the spread of common germs: • Do not share cups, plates, utensils,

• Cover coughs and sneezes

make-up.

• Eat a healthy diet

• Avoid close personal contact with

• Exercise regularly

an infected person

• Get enough sleep • Frequently disinfect shared objects

• Stay home when sick

• Avoid touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth until hands are washed The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Toby Keith admits he can hold a grudge CAITLIN KING The Associated Press

AP PHOTO

In this film publicity image released by the Tribeca Film Festival, a still from the mortgage documentary "American Casino" is shown.

Films put economy in frame at Tribeca Festival JAKE COYLE The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Movies generally take a long time to make, but thanks to foresight and quick work, several films at the Tribeca Film Festival constitute the first wave of what's sure to be a glut of recession-themed films. "What's happened changes everything," says Leslie Cockburn, who co-directed the documentary "American Casino" with husband Andrew. "You'll see it in large numbers of films." "American Casino" is an in-depth examination of the subprime mortgage crisis and the dubious derivatives market that inflated real estate. It's ultracurrent because the filmmakers began making it in January 2008 — long before their subject became big news. Leslie Cockburn, a veteran investigative journalist formerly of CBS and PBS, said they decided "to just take the plunge because it seemed like this could be a huge story." The film ultimately explains the origins of the financial crisis. More so than most media coverage of the crisis, the film points out the racial side of subprime mortgages, noting that blacks were four times as likely to be put into subprime mortgages. "American Casino" is current enough that before it is released theatrically this fall, Cockburn says she'll need to update several figures in the film — which have grown even more dismal since they finished editing. Steven Soderbergh's film "The Girlfriend Experience" uses the financial crisis as a backdrop. The famously fast-working

Soderbergh ("Ocean's Eleven," ''Out of Sight") made the film in New York during an October week last fall. In "The Girlfriend Experience," adult film star Sasha Grey plays a high-class escort who services mostly Wall Street brokers stressed by their steep losses. One remarks: "Everybody's hurting right now." "That will be relevant for a while," says Soderbergh, who made the film with mostly nonprofessional actors and encouraged them to improvise. "We cast people who are in the same situations as the characters," says Soderbergh. "I would encourage these people just to talk about what was on their minds. Invariably, it was money. The same conversations were going on around the crew, as well." Soderbergh considers the film a "fictionalized documentary," a snapshot of a "very thin slice of culture in Manhattan." The director laments that more filmmakers don't take advantage of newer technologies to work quicker, both in production and in distribution. "The Girlfriend Experience" will be released in late May both in limited theaters and on the cable station HDNet — his second in a deal for six films to be released in such a way. (His first was 2005's "Bubble.") Soderbergh explains the appeal of ripped-from-the-headlines movies: "I feel like art should either have total perspective, meaning you're portraying something so far in the past that you really can see all of the moving parts of it. Or it should have no perspective at all, where it's so in the middle of what's going on and there's no attempt to contextualize it."

WASHINGTON — Toby Keith acknowledges that he's the type to hold a grudge. The 47-year-old country singer says certain things can be forgiven, "but if you're gonna tell a lie about me, and then back it up like it's the truth to try to make your star brighter ... yeah, I've got a problem with that." Keith has been in a number of public feuds over the years, including spats with Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines and actor Ethan Hawke. He says he deals with "haters" every day and usually doesn't listen to them twice. "If you can't do as well as I'm doing, then the only thing you can do is take shots at me, but that's expected," he says. And Keith is doing well. Forbes magazine recently named him No. 3 on the annual list of country music's top moneymakers, with $52 million. He's got a new clothing line, restaurant franchise and endorsement deals, and a successful touring schedule. He makes no apologies for being outspoken — especially when it comes to the military. "Anytime people are gonna put their life in jeopardy to make my world advance forward, I'm gonna pat 'em on the back," he says. "And if somebody wants to find something political out of it, then fine. But my dad taught us that those people ought to be respected." Keith, whose hits include "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue," is on his eighth USO tour, performing 17 shows in 11 days for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Instead of staying inside the heavily protected "green zone" the entire time, he travels to two forward operating bases a day, sometimes taking a two-hour helicopter ride to perform for only 25 to 30 troops. Keith says the appearances make his wife and three children nervous. "We've been shot at a few times," he says. "I've literally been in a foot race with other Marines and soldiers to the bunkers, with the sirens going off and mortars hitting."

AP PHOTO

In this April 21 file photo, country singer Toby Keith speaks at the National Press Club in Washington.

huge graduation sale

FRIDAY MAY 1, 2009

leave with more than a DIPLOMA. APPLE COMPUTERS MacBook

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PRINTERS Dell 1110 Laser Printer up to 17 ppm 2 b&w $65

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SOFTWARE & ACCESSORIES Apple Software: 10% OFF Wireless Mighty Mouse: $50 Apple Wireless Keyboard: $60 AppleCare: 15% OFF AppleTV: 20% OFF Airport Extreme: 15% OFF MacTrak Software: $40 Apple Cables: 33% OFF Apple Cinema Displays: 15% OFF Apple Time Capsules: 15% OFF Adobe Software: 10% OFF All Cases: 33% OFF Microsoft Software: 10% OFF OU Brand Bags: Buy one, get one free LaCie 1TB Hard Drive: $135 Iomega 250GB Hard Drive: $100 iPod Speaker Systems: 15% OFF Microsoft Mice: 33% OFF iKlear: 33% OFF Headphones: 33% OFF

Open 9 am to 5 pm FOOTBALL STADIUM

The OU IT Store is located on the southeast corner of Lindsey and Jenkins. JENKINS

LINDSEY OU IT STORE

All items are brand new, unopened, and not refurbished!

Limited quantities of all items!

Limit 2 per item per person. Quantity limited to stock on hand. Prices valid in-store only, and while supplies last. Buy one get one free items must be of equal or lesser value. Sale ends 5/1/09 at 5 pm.

6B Thursday, April 30, 2009 R.T. Conwell, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

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

LOST & FOUND REWARD Lost necklace on campus. Sentimental value. Silver chain w/ Peace sign & gold ring. 820-6269

C Transportation AUTO INSURANCE

AUTO INSURANCE Quotations Anytime

Foreign Students Welcomed Jim Holmes Insurance, 321-4664

Employment HELP WANTED MetroShoe Warehouse now hiring energetic persons for FT/PT sales and mgmt trainees. Hrly + comm. Apply at 1732 24th Ave NW, Norman. P/T ofﬁce assistant/receptionist for OKC advertising agency. Answering phones, ﬁling, errands, etc. Email resume to ideas@insightokc.com - $8/hr, 20 hrs per week.

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 day’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.

Looking for leasing agent at Bishop’s Landing Apts. Call 360-7744 for application. $7.50-8.00 / hr, ﬂexible hours. F/T during breaks. Looking for a Great Job? Sitel in Norman is Now Hiring! Inbound Customer Service Agents * Great Bonus Opportunity * Advancement Opportunities * Paid Training High School Diploma or GED req. Apply today at www.sitel.com or at 2701 Technology Place, Norman

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805C Cardinal Creek Condo’s, 2 bdrm, 2 bth gated community, pool, weight room, on-site washer/dryer, close to campus, nice enviroment to study, overlooks OU golf course $585/mo. Call (580) 7634278

HOUSES UNFURNISHED JUNE RENTAL 850 S Flood - $475+bills. 212 S Flood $600+bills. Smoke-free, no pets, 1 year lease, security dep. 360-3850

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CONDOS 3 bd/2 ba condo approx 1200 sq feet. Close to campus, recently updated & has a ﬁreplace. Appliances may stay. $62,000 - call Bill Prust 921-4877

Mon-Sat, 321-1818

3/4 bed, 2 ba, W/D, yard maintained. Adjacent to S Greek area. $1000/mo. 918-271-3336 405 E Acres, 3 bd, 1 bth, fenced back yard, hardwood ﬂoors. $600/month. 714-726-1204 NEAR OU, 1415 McKinley - 2 bd, 1 ba, garage, W/D, stove, ref, CH/A, $675. 911 Nebraska - 2 bd, CH/A, W/D, ref, garage, stove, $650 NEAR OU, 717 Wilson - 2 bd, 1 ba, carport, CH/A, $675 NO PETS, References Required. Contact: 329-1933 or 550-7069 Summer Special! NICE 3-4 bd, 2.25 ba. 929 Branchwood, $700. 1621 Chaucer, $800. 2326 Lindenwood, $1000. Call 3602873 or 306-1970

CONDOS FURNISHED 4 Bed/4 Bath Condo for Rent Norman - The Edge Less than 1 mile from Campus. Furnished Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, W/D, Hi-speed internet. $350/Mo + utilities - pdawson.pd@ verizon.net

AVAILABLE IN AUG Short walk to OU, 4-6 blks west of OU, nice brick homes, wood ﬂoors, CH/A, w/d, disposal, good parking. 4 Bdrm $1,600 3 Bdrm $1,500 Bob, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE Mon-Sat, 321-1818

7 1 3 2 1 9 6 4 5

$5,000- $45,000

PAID EGG DONORS up to 9 donations, + Exps, non-smokers, Ages 19-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.00 Contact: info@eggdonorcenter.com STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

9 7

5 1 6 3 8 1 1 9 7 6 8

5 3

Previous Solution 5 3 7 4 9 6 1 2 8

6 4 1 5 2 8 7 3 9

9 8 2 3 7 1 4 5 6

4 6 5 1 3 9 2 8 7

8 1 3 7 5 2 6 9 4

7 2 9 6 8 4 3 1 5

1 7 8 2 6 5 9 4 3

3 5 4 9 1 7 8 6 2

2 9 6 8 4 3 5 7 1

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

SUMMER LIFEGUARDS & SWIM INSTRUCTORS. Aquatic staff and competitive swimmers. Apply at the Cleveland County Family YMCA, 1350 Lexington Ave. EOE.

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.

PT LEASING AGENT 12:45pm-6pm M-F, Rotating Sats Pay based on experience. Must be friendly & detail oriented. Apply at 2900 Chautauqua Or call 360-6624 for more info MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO Now accepting applications for waitstaff. Apply in person at 580 Ed Noble Parkway, across from Barnes & Noble, 579-5600.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 30, 2009

Downtown OKC law ﬁrm seeks F/T paralegal with great communication/writing skills. Need a self-starter. Email/fax resume to haley@cunninghamandmears. com, or call 232-1675

HIGHLIGHTING OR COLOR

WITH HAIRCUT • $49.99 WEAVE OR FOIL ADD $10.00

Fantasy Sports Company seeks talented, aggressive people to promote products this summer. Earn generous commissions while having fun! 423-667-5718 or bruce@paythefan.com

Make up to $75 per online survey, student opinions needed www.cashtospend.com.

Grifﬁn Park Townhouse, 2 bd, 1.5 bth, combined living & dining room, all appl, unfurn, neutral colors, 329-2310.

Bob, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE

Bartending! Up to $250/day. No exp nec. Training provided. 1-800-965-6520, x133.

Attention College Graduates! If you are looking for a career in the Criminal Justice Field, please call Avalon Correctional Services, Inc. 405-752-8802 or 800-919-9113 Ask for Human Resources!

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

1-5 blks west, nice brick homes, wood

1 Bdrm $420-$460 4 bdrm, 4 bath, 2 living, 2 dining, most bills paid. Call 329-2310.

TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHED

HAIRCUT • $10.99 Non-Requested Stylist Only

Open 7 Days A Week!

The Works $15.99 Shampoo/ Cut/Blowdry

116 S. Main, Noble 127 N. Porter 872-1661 360-4247

Must present this coupon

129 N.W. Ave. 1215 W. Lindsey 360-4422 364-1325

J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED Room for rent $314/month. Most bills paid, fully furnished. Call 321-8877 $400, bills paid, efficiency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, fire sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store office. Furnished 1 bdrm studio, utilities pd, corner of Flood & Boyd, bills paid, 329-2310.

Save a Life.

ACROSS 1 A way off and on 5 Bee formation 10 Extremely desirable 14 Braving the waves 15 Case for a dermatologist 16 Autumn implement 17 Monetary unit of Ethiopia 18 Architectural addition 19 Admitting all contestants 20 Physically difficult, as labor 23 Doctor’s directive 24 It sometimes needs boosting 28 Free-bird link 29 Extinct bird of New Zealand 32 Overhauled 33 Go down on strikes 35 Scary 38 “Shall we?” 40 Sinuous 41 Cornell’s ___ Hall 42 Persuasion 45 H.S.T. running mate 46 It’s fit for a queen 47 Boy toy 48 Dubya classmate 50 Card combo

in bridge 52 Brain protectors 55 Rhythmically lively 59 “Star Wars” knight 62 Rises dramatically 63 Thames town 64 Last word of the Bible 65 Gold unit 66 Debussy’s “Clair de ___” 67 Step on a ladder 68 Hasn’t, but should have 69 Fish-eating duck DOWN 1 Character in many a joke 2 From Dhaka or Osaka 3 Cargo ship 4 Arctic coats 5 Fixed expression 6 Cheese companion 7 “Black Beauty” author Sewell 8 Be hard on the nose 9 Proverbial truth 10 Get somewhere 11 Child support? 12 “A Song of Old Hawaii” accompaniment

13 “All ___ are created equal” 21 Ho-hum 22 “Me neither” 25 Without limit 26 Like a musical staff 27 Tool put away for the winter 29 Capital of Belarus 30 Wax eloquent 31 Actors Alan or Adam 33 Scruggs’ bluegrass partner 34 Cliff dwelling 36 “___ told you before …” 37 Writer Rand 39 Raking with gunfire 43 Texas city south of Dallas 44 Microbe

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

“BRAIN BUSTING” by Kay Daniels

Call the Hotline at

325-5000

to report hazing, illegal or unsafe drinking. All calls are anonymous. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Previous Answers

49 Jacket flaps 51 Rose-red dye 52 Goes for 53 Words with “two” or “hole” 54 Discredited veep 56 Manner of speaking 57 Wise guy 58 Marched along 59 Broadmouthed container 60 It’ll never get off the ground 61 Domestic retreat

Thursday, April 30, 2009

WEEKEND UPDATE

What’s happening in your neck of the woods? The Daily’s Life & Arts staff highlighted some of this weekend’s events.

GO YOUR OWN WAY

▲

Classic rock band Fleetwood Mac will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Tickets are $50 - $150.

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FREE FLICK

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Free showings of “He’s Just Not That Into You” will begin at 4, 7 and 10 p.m. Friday and 12:30 a.m. Saturday in Meacham Auditorium. The film is presented by the Union Programming Board and the Campus Activities Council.

JEFF-FUH-FAH

FREE FOOD

Free Silver Dollar Sandwiches will be served at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the first floor lobby of the Union.

Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham will perform his “Spark of Insanity” routine at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City. For ticket information, call Ticketmaster at 405235-8288.

ALSO SHOWING University Theatre presents “A Midsummer N i g h t ’s D r e a m ” a t Rupel J. Jones Theatre. Performances are 8 p.m. May 2, and 7 - 9, and 3 p.m. May 3. Tickets are $17 with an OU ID.

L&A BRIEFS DISNEY WILL PLANT 2.7 MILLION TREES FOR ‘EARTH’ LOS ANGELES — Walt Disney Studios is turning box-office cash from its nature documentary “Earth” into seed money to plant trees in the rain forest. Disney had announced it would plant one tree in Brazil’s endangered Atlantic rain forest for every viewer who saw the movie during its first week. According to Disney, the boxoffice tally hit $16.1 million, which translates to 2.7 million trees. The trees are being planted by the Nature Conservancy, which is trying to reforest 2.5 million acres in the rain forest. “Earth” is narrated by James Earl Jones and follows a year in the lives of three families of polar bears, elephants and humpback whales.

APPLEGATE ON PEOPLE’S ‘MOST BEAUTIFUL’ COVER NEW YORK (AP) — A smiling Christina Applegate graces the cover of People magazine’s “Most Beautiful” issue. The 37-year-old actress, who recently battled breast cancer, certainly has much to celebrate: She says she’s finally found her “perfect type” in her new beau, Dutch musician Martyn Lenoble. Applegate had a double mastectomy last July and reconstructive surgery months later. The star of ABC’s “Samantha Who?” calls Lenoble an “angel” who loves her “from head to toe.” According to Applegate, Lenoble has been her “rock” and gave her reason to live — and smile. The annual “Most Beautiful” issue features 100 famous faces, including Michelle Obama, Zac Efron and Cindy Crawford. –AP

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Thursday, April 30, 2009 TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -If there is anyone who can draw blood from a stone, it is likely you. However, you will do it the old-fashioned way, cutting all the waste and then finding ways to stretch your dollar.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Being privy to confidential information provides an edge over your competitors, but precise timing ensures success. Take care not to expose what you know prematurely.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Your disposition will be the same, and it won’t matter if you’re involved with others for enjoyable purposes or a serious pursuit. Your wit and humor will make all pursuits delightful and gratifying.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- One of the things you’ve discovered is that listening to individuals from all walks of life provides a clearer understanding of people’s needs. It’s what you’ll use to ensure success.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Because you’re more perceptive than usual at this time, no one will have to ask you for help. You’ll recognize when someone’s in need and assist those who are struggling.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Having the ability to get to the heart of critical matters without wasting a lot of time on inconsequential details is what makes you so effective. Use this principle, and you will have a productive day.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- It’s generally the little things we do for people that can mean so much. This simple act will be in full force for you, so you won’t be surprised to leave many admirers in your wake. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You won’t go wrong if you act as your common sense dictates with regard to commercial dealings. Turn to yourself for advice, not to others, if you want to enhance your profit picture. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -Owing to your marvelous ability to express yourself in clear, precise terms, associates will take heed when you speak. Clarity of thought is the tool that will put you over the top.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- It will be a waste of time listening to people who only complain, but you can acquire valuable knowledge from persons who are upbeat and have ideas that are harmonious and productive. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Once you pick up a scent, others will have difficulty hiding anything from you. If you have any investigative work to do, this might be the day to take on that task. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- There is always strength in numbers, so partner with others on projects you can’t accomplish alone. With the right allies, you’ll achieve your objectives.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

ODD NEWS SWISS TOWN BANS NUDE HIKING Appenzell, Switzerland — Voters in the heart of the Swiss Alps on Sunday passed legislation banning naked hiking after dozens of mostly German nudists started rambling through their picturesque region. By a show of hands citizens of the tiny canton (state) of Appenzell Inner Rhodes voted overwhelmingly at their traditional open-air annual assembly to impose a 200 Swiss franc ($176) fine on violators. Only a scattering of people on Sunday opposed the ban on the back-to-nature activity that took off last autumn when naked hikers — primarily Germans — started showing up in eastern Switzerland. The cantonal government recommended the ban after citizens objected to encountering walkers wearing nothing but hiking boots and socks. “The reactions of the population have shown that such appearances over a large area are perceived as thoroughly disturbing and irritating,” the government said in a statement. German Web sites promoting the activity describe it as “a special experience of nature, free and healthy” and said nude walking in the Alps has roots in antiquity. The verdant Appenzell region has been regarded as a favorite, with trails the nudists regarded as off the beaten path.

COUPLE MARRIES AT HOMELESS SHELTER SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Two central Illinois volunteers have tied the knot in the place they first met: a homeless shelter. Joyce and Joe Reynolds were married Saturday at the Washington Street Mission in Springfield. On the first day they met at the mission, Joyce Reynolds says she mistook her future husband for a homeless man seeking shelter. But Joe Reynolds, who is a longtime volunteer and leads Bible studies at the shelter, says he set her straight. The Reynolds went on their first date a month after that first meeting. About 100 people, including the homeless who rely on the shelter, attended Saturday’s wedding. The Reynolds say they plan to continue volunteering.

BUZZING THE BEACH Israelis watch an air force flyover as part of Independence Day celebrations in Tel Aviv, Wednesday. Israelis are celebrating Independence Day, marking the 61st anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel. Israelis put aside their many divisions Tuesday to remember more than 22,000 fallen soldiers and terror victims, mournfully aware that the strife that led to those deaths is far from over. In an annual ritual marking Memorial Day, air-raid sirens sounded, traffic halted and people stood silently at attention for two minutes at midmorning. Israeli leaders gathered with bereaved families at Mount Herzl, Israel’s national cemetery, for a memorial service for fallen soldiers.

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HIPPOS IN LOVE? WASHINGTON — Happy the hippo could soon be a lot happier. The National Zoo’s solitary male Nile hippopotamus is heading to the Milwaukee County Zoo, where his new home will include a pool, a sandy beach and two potential girlfriends, Puddles and Patty. Zoo officials say they’re sad to see Happy go, but that Milwaukee will offer him a great life. Happy is 28 and weighs about 5,500 pounds. He has to leave the National Zoo because his home is being eliminated for the expansion of the zoo’s elephant exhibit. The Milwaukee zoo, meanwhile, is beginning a roughly $10 million expansion of its hippopotamus exhibit, part of which will allow visitors to watch hippos swimming underwater. Happy is expected to move to Milwaukee this summer. — AP