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INSIDE: THE OKLAHOMA DAILY’S 2008 ELECTION GUIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S I NDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

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Boren changes political expression e-mail policy

WHAT’S INSIDE The Daily is extremely, ridiculously biased. On Page 4, anyway. Check the Our View for details. Turn to... Page 4.

• Boren: University should be ‘free marketplace of ideas’

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Daily reviews Wu-Tang Clan, Dennis Wilson, Dark Dark Dark and Tribe After Tribe in New Music Tuesday. It’s all in A&E. Page 8.

SPORTS Redshirt freshman linebacker Travis Lewis has been a pleasant surprise for the Sooners this season. He had his best game of the year Saturday with 15 tackles and two interceptions, and was rewarded with Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Page 5.

JAMES LOVETT Daily Staff Writer OU President David L. Boren sent a campus-wide e-mail Monday revoking an OU policy over political expression on the OU e-mail system. Boren’s decision to clarify the university’s position came after several OU students and a national individual rights group expressed concern with a Sept. 12 e-mail from Nick Hathaway, vice president for executive and administrative affairs. In the clarification e-mail sent Monday, Boren said he

admired those who questioned the original e-mail and thought a clarification to the OU community was appropriate. “I applaud those who asked the questions about this policy which was worded to make it appear overly restrictive,” Boren said in the e-mail. “I am encouraged by the vigilance of members of the OU family in defense of free expression.” In the Sept. 12 e-mail, Hathaway wrote that the university’s e-mail systems “may not be used to endorse or oppose a candidate, including the forwarding of political humor/commentary.” The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education or FIRE, a nonprofit civil liberties organization, informed Boren that the wording of the original e-mail sent by Hathaway seemed to violate basic rights guaranteed by the

Text of David L Boren’s Monday e-mail Dear OU Community, On Sept. 12, an e-mail was sent to the OU community regarding the use of our e-mail system for political purposes. Since that time, several people have inquired about the meaning of the e-mail. I applaud those who asked the questions about this policy which was worded to make it appear overly restrictive. I am encouraged by the

DAVID L. BOREN

TEXT Continues on page 2

POLICY Continues on page 2

WINDS OF CHANGE: PART 2 OF 3

TRAVIS LEWIS

Oklahoma crosswinds

CAMPUS BRIEFS International Affairs Society International students will discuss U.S. politics and its eﬀect on their home countries at 6:30 p.m in the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center.

Wind energy industry brings altered horizons to Oklahoma’s landscape

OUDAILY.COM • Log on to OUDaily.com to listen to The Fifth Quarter podcast, where The Daily’s Corey DeMoss and Steven Jones discuss the Sooners’ performance against Kansas State and preview OU’s next matchup with Nebraska. • Already lost The Daily’s election guide from today’s paper? Download a PDF online.

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WEATHER FORECAST

Jerry Wofford/The Daily

The Centennial Wind Farm in Fort Supply can produce 120 megawatts of power, which is enough to supply around 36,000 homes. Some residents, however, complain that the giant turbines are ruining Oklahoma’s natural landscape. JERRY WOFFORD Daily Staff Writer

TODAY LOW 34° HIGH 63°

WEDNESDAY LOW 41° HIGH 63° Source: Oklahoma Weather Lab

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of The Daily’s three-part series on wind energy in Oklahoma. Wednesday’s story focuses on the politics and government involvement in the wind power industry. WOODWARD — From more than 10 miles away, all 80 turbines at the Centennial Wind Farm are clearly visible. At more than 300 feet tall, these rural skyscrapers dominate the horizon.

Developers have used private lands, working out lease agreements with landowners, often to the landowners’ own financial benefit. “Here I don’t think it is too tough to convince people,” said Jerod Blocker, auxiliary operator at the Centennial Wind Farm in Fort Supply, north of Woodward. Woodward boomed in the 1950s when oil was found nearby. The town boomed in size until the oil markets fell in the 1980s. However, because of the recent spike in ‘Amazing for the town’ oil prices and the heavy investment in wind The wind industry is new around energy, the town is experiencing another Woodward. The first wind farm in the state boom, according to Ian Swart, curator of was completed in 2003. the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum Don Quixote would not like Woodward very much. While the literary character would charge with lance in hand, many Woodward residents welcome the wind farm and what it blows into town: jobs, money and a view. There are those, however, who dislike the wind industry’s invasion into this oil boom town because of its potential impact on Oklahoma’s pristine prairies.

in Woodward. The town’s population has grown an estimated 3 percent since 2000, according to U.S. Census data. “Woodward has built back up to the point where we can work on community projects,” Swart said. A large portion of the sustained income that directly benefits local residents is through the lease agreements between rural landowners and the wind farm developers. “If I owned ranch land, I would want windmills to be built on my property just because they get royalty,” Swart said. “That could help out ranchers.”

CROSSWINDS Continues on page 2

Professors create winning design for Oklahoma City bridge • Sundance Bridge to replace Harvey Avenue LEIGHANNE MANWARREN Daily Staff Writer

Emily Ganus/The Daily

Architecture professor Hans E. Butzer and civil engineering professor Chris Ramseyer look at a scale model of Skydance Bridge Monday morning at City Hall in Oklahoma City. Buzter and Ramseyer are working with Buzter Design Partnership on the bridge which will span Interstate 40 in Oklahoma City.

The scissor-tailed flycatcher, Oklahoma’s state bird, will have a permanent perch over Interstate 40 in a few years. The representation of the bird will hang over the SkyDance Bridge, the 30-foot wide, 185-foot-tall pedestrian bridge that will connect Oklahoma City’s central business district to the Oklahoma River, replacing Harvey Avenue over the new I-40. Hans Butzer, architecture professor and codesigner of the Oklahoma City Memorial, won the city-sponsored competition to design the bridge. Civil engineering professor Chris Ramseyer is also part of the Butzer Design Partnership team. “The scissor-tailed flycatcher seems to embody the most beautiful ideas that relate to engineering, the Oklahoma wind and our love for the Oklahoma landscape and wildlife,” Butzer said. Butzer said the idea to incorporate the scissor-tailed flycatcher into the design stemmed from a letter by

Photo Provided

The scissor-tailed flycatcher is Oklahoma’s state bird, and served as inspiration for a new Oklahoma City bridge. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett that was included in the packet of information about the competition. The letter encouraged contestants to use the bridge to convey the distinct qualities of Oklahoma’s people and landscape. “We are very excited about the bridge. I think it will capture a lot of attention because it is a huge work of art, not just a bridge. It is very special for the city,” said

BRIDGE Continues on page 2

News

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

Policy

Bridge

Continued from page 1

First Amendment. OU alumnus Jason Fager also e-mailed university officials to say they may face a lawsuit if they did not clarify OU’s position on political speech. Both FIRE and Fager said they were satisfied with the policy clarification they received privately from OU but said they thought the university had a responsibility to inform faculty and students. In the e-mail sent Monday, Boren said he admired those who questioned the original e-mail and thought a clarification to the university community was appropriate. “I applaud those who asked the questions about this policy which was worded to make it appear overly restrictive,” Boren said in the e-mail. “I am encouraged by the vigilance of members of the OU family in defense of free expression.”

Robbie Kienzel, head of urban redevelopment for city planning,. Butzer said the idea for the city bridge project began at OU in 2005 when architecture students were working with the city to determine the best location for a pedestrian connection between Oklahoma City’s central business district and the Oklahoma River. “This project started with the students with an idea, and that idea got adopted by the city,” Butzer said. Butzer said the team’s architects and engineers worked together in the design and construction process, an approach that is not typical for the U.S., but is popular in

vigilance of members of the OU family in defense of free expression. A university should always be a free marketplace of ideas. In addition, a university has a duty to vigorously protect and defend individual freedom including the first amendment right of free speech and the right of free inquiry. The policy has been clarified to those who have raised questions. I felt that in addition it should be clarified to the entire university community. The e-mail of September 12th is hereby rescinded and withdrawn. Individual free speech by all members of the university community is fully protected. The earlier e-mail was intended to remind all of us that no one should presume to speak on behalf of the university in a way that would imply that the university, as an institution, is supporting a political candidate, party or cause. This, however, does not limit the right of anyone to express individual views. In addition, taxpayer-funded public property should not be used to raise funds for a particular political candidate, party, or partisan cause. I hope this message will clarify any earlier misunderstanding and will underline our university’s commitment to individual freedoms. Sincerely, David L. Boren President

Europe. The team was approaching the designing process from a new perspective. Ramseyer said the team began meeting in the summer and would get into “heated debates” about which design would work. “It was my intention to put a team together of multiple engineers in the same room as several design talents to encourage them to disagree,” Butzer said. The competition began with 15 other competitors and was later narrowed down to four by a city panel. The final four competitors were given a stipend of $20,000 to complete a model and were rated on five criteria.

Kienzle said the panel judged the finalists’ models on the level of creativity and ingenuity, use of materials and compatibility to surrounding neighborhood and historical buildings. Kienzle said the panel also considered whether or not the design could be built within its $5 million budget. Butzer’s design was the only one of the top four that was able to be constructed within the $5 million budget and was given the highest score, Kienzle said. Construction for the SkyDance Bridge will begin in March 2011 and is scheduled to be completed by November 2011.

Crosswinds Continued from page 1

The typical lease agreement for the wind farms is $4,000 per 1.5 megawatt turbine per year, according to the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative, a joint effort between OU and Oklahoma State University to educate Oklahomans about wind’s potential in the state. Several Woodward residents love the idea of wind energy and what it can do for their community. “I think it’s amazing for the town,” said LaFonda Damron, an occupational therapist in Woodward. “The combination of oil and wind energy is our economy.” Others like the idea of more jobs being created in the town so that locals grow up and stay close to their roots. “It will hopefully create more jobs and more opportunities for the people here,” said Bobbi Dodge, a physical therapy assistant in Woodward. To help create those jobs, several area colleges and technical schools are beginning to offer programs in turbine maintenance and wind farm management. Because the industry is so young, especially in Oklahoma, it doesn’t take much to become a specialist on the wind farm. “You’re a seasoned wind turbine technician if you’ve been in three years,” Blocker said. Looking toward the horizon is a reminder to these residents of wind energy’s potential to change the economic outlook for the community. Dodge said having the towers on the horizon will remind high school students about the opportunities that exist in this town. “The kids will be able to go out, seeing those turbines, and know there are opportunities here,” she said. Damron said that having grown up in a rural area, there is a special beauty to the turbines. “It’s better than a skyscraper for me,” she said.

Altering the landscape With any new technology and develop-

ment, there are going to be those who oppose to the changes in the land and the western Oklahoma horizon. Sue Selman, owner of the Selman Guest Ranch outside Woodward, is opposed to the new industry. “[Wind] is not the answer to our energy needs,” Selman said. “These wind companies come in, they’ve got their foot in the door, convince people it’s going to solve all their problems, and that’s a lie.” Selman’s main concern is the environmental effects the turbines and the wind farms will have on the land. She says wind farms disrupt birds migrating patterns and damage ground nesting birds native to Oklahoma’s prairie lands. “They want us to ruin our wildlife and our scenery so they can have their energy,” Selman said. “As far as I am concerned the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to wind energy.” Another point of conflict in the area regards the transmission lines used to transport the energy to population centers. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates Oklahoma’s energy industry, approved this year a transmission line from Woodward to Oklahoma City. The lines have caused more conflict in the area than the wind farms, Selman said. “We have a huge issue with these transmission lines,” she said. A potential line from Woodward into Kansas would likely go through her ranch, which would affect visitors’ experiences at her guest ranch. “I’m beside myself of the thought of these transmission lines coming through my ranch,” Selman said. She said she has talked to tourists who stay at her ranch. Some are glad to see the development, while others think it alters the prairie’s natural beauty. “I assure you that tourists are not coming here to see thousands of turbines and miles of transmission lines,” Selman said.

Jerry Wofford/The Daily

An appendage to a wind turbine sits on a trailer Friday outside the Centennial Wind Farm in Fort Supply. The average turbine lasts 20 years. “They are coming here to experience pristine prairies, unique wildlife, wide open spaces, beautiful sunsets, peace and quiet and western lifestyles.” Blocker said the average lifespan for the turbines is 20 years. Many of the leases for the turbines also last 20 years. Selman’s concern is what happens to the turbines once they are unusable. Blocker said the farm owners would revitalize the land and restore it, but Selman is concerned with how much it can be restored. “There’s not enough salvageable material in those turbines,” Selman said. Selman said she was aware of what many people think about those who have concerns or are outright opposed to wind energy, but she said she will not stop until people are told “the other side” of the story. “There’s just a mountain of issues that

no one is talking about,” Selman said. “People who agree with us are afraid to say anything.” One solution to provide energy to the grid would be nuclear, Selman said. She added she would not be opposed to a nuclear plant in Oklahoma to provide a cleaner base load of power than coal. More regulation from legislators, she said, could help protect the Oklahoma landscape and wildlife. “There’s no one to call if you have a problem [with the corporations],” she said. She said everyone should live a more sustainable life and that she herself would like to go “off the grid,” to help protect the Oklahoma landscape. “This is a beautiful place that has been left to that natural state and we have so few places like this,” Selman said. “They are altering this land forever.”

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Campus News

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

Acclaimed author, former OU student dies at 83 AMANDA LEE MYERS Associated Press PHOENIX — Tony Hillerman, an Oklahoma native and author of the acclaimed Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels and creator of two of the unlikeliest of literary heroes — Navajo police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee — died Sunday of pulmonary failure. He was 83. Hillerman’s daughter, Anne Hillerman, said her father’s health had been declining in the last couple years and that he was at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque when he died at about 3 p.m. Hillerman lived through two heart attacks and surgeries for prostate and bladder cancer. He kept tapping at his keyboard even as his eyes began to dim, as his hearing faded, as rheumatoid arthritis turned his

hands into claws. “I’m getting old,” he declared in 2002, “but I still like to write.” Anne Hillerman said Sunday that her father was a born storyteller. “He had such a wonderful, wonderful curiosity about the world,” she said. “He could take little details and bring them to life, not just in his books, but in conversation, too.” Lt. Joe Leaphorn, introduced in “The Blessing Way” in 1970, was an experienced police officer who understood, but did not share, his people’s traditional belief in a rich spirit world. Officer Jim Chee, introduced in “People of Darkness” in 1978, was a younger officer studying to become a “hathaali” — Navajo for “shaman.” Together, they struggled daily to bridge the cultural divide between the dominant

Anglo society and the impoverished people who call themselves the Dineh. Hillerman’s commercial breakthrough was “Skinwalkers,” published in 1987 — the first time he put both characters and their divergent world Tony views in the same book. Hillerman It sold 430,000 hardcover copies, paving the way for “A Thief of Time,” which made several best seller lists. In all, he wrote 18 books in the Navajo series, the most recent titled “The Shape Shifter.” Each is characterized by an unadorned writing style, intricate plotting, memorable characterization and vivid descriptions of

Indian rituals and of the vast plateau of the Navajo reservation in the Four Corners region of the Southwest. The most acclaimed of them, including “Talking God” and “The Coyote Waits,” are subtle explorations of human nature and the conflict between cultural assimilation and the pull of the old ways. “I want Americans to stop thinking of Navajos as primitive persons, to understand that they are sophisticated and complicated,” Hillerman once said. Occasionally, he was accused of exploiting his knowledge of Navajo culture for personal gain, but in 1987, the Navajo Tribal Council honored him with its Special Friend of the Dineh award. He took greater pride in that, he often said, than in the many awards bestowed by his peers, including the Golden Spur Award

from Western Writers of America and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, which elected him its president. Although Hillerman was best-known for the Navajo series, he wrote more than 30 books, including a novel for young people; the memoir, “Seldom Disappointed”; and books on the history and natural beauty of his beloved Southwest. In 1943, he interrupted his education at the University of Oklahoma to join the Army. He lugged his mortar ashore at D-Day with the 103rd Infantry Division and was severely wounded in battle at Alsace, France. He returned from Europe a genuine war hero with a Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, temporary blindness and two shattered legs that never stopped causing him pain.

Students lead creation of OU’s newest commercial • Ad to focus more on academics than football CAITLIN HARRISON Daily Staff Writer A new OU televsion commercial will be, for the first time, produced by students instead of hired professionals. “It’s really a thrill to go out, running against deadline and having to juggle 10 different shoots plus classes,” said Aaron Canard, production crew member and broadcast and electronic media senior. “This is how the professional world is.” The student crew is shooting the 30-second commercial this week and it will air publicly Nov. 8 during the OU-Texas A&M University football game. Unlike past ads, it will focus on academics more than past ads. The new commercial will highlight OU’s National Merit Scholar and study abroad programs, and will include a few words from OU President David L. Boren, said Jordan Roby, producer and director of the commercial. “You always need to update your look,” said Scott Hodgson, the commercial’s director of photography and media arts professor. “It’ll be something a little different.” Boren wanted students to get involved in production, Hodgson said. The current OU commercial was shot four years ago by professionals. Hodgson is the

only faculty member on the production crew. “That’s part of our philosophy. We want to get the students involved,” he said. “My job is just to fill in the holes where students have never done this before.” Every university has a commercial, but few are student-produced like this one, said Jay Doyle, OU press secretary and special assistant to the president. “It’s a chance to highlight different aspects of the university,” he said. “It’s going to be top of the line.” Production has been going on for about two weeks, and shooting should be done by next week, Hodgson said. He said the crew will edit the footage the following week. Boren’s office wrote the commercial’s script, but Roby, broadcast and electronic media junior, said he made a few changes. “We tried to adapt it and make it more of a student-sounding script,” he said. “[Boren] has been real flexible as far as giving me a lot of room to be creative.” Roby said there are about 20 students on the production crew and a group of actors from the drama department. All students in the commercial are actors, except for a shot of a group of National Merit Scholars. Neha Satyanarayana, National Merit Scholar who was asked to speak in the commercial, said she enjoyed participating in the shoot Sunday, even though it was almost three hours long. “It was definitely a lot of fun even though it seems like we’re saying the same thing over and over again,” she said. “Nobody gets paid, but it’s really cool because it’s all done by students.” The commercial will include scenes shot at

Amy Frost/The Daily

Scott Hodgson directs the making of the new OU commercial inside Beaird Lounge Monday. The commercial will first be aired during the football game against Texas A&M Univeristy. the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Beaird Lounge, Holmberg Hall, Bizzell Memorial Library’s Great Reading room and the National Weather Center. Doyle said he hopes the ad will attract prospective students and contributions from alumni. “Our university is becoming more and more nationally well-known every single year,” he said. “It

also will hopefully have a lot of students that didn’t consider Oklahoma before to visit our Web site and see what we’re about.” Hodgson said he is excited for the final product. “There is some substance to this university, and we need to tell that story,” Hodgson said.

The College of Arts & Sciences

Congratulations to

Richard Henry David Ross Boyd Professor of

Astronomy

Recipient of the

2008 Kinney-Sugg Outstanding Professor Award This award was established by OU alumna Sandy Kinney, and her husband, Mike Sugg, to help the College of Arts and Sciences reward and retain outstanding professors.

Fro Dean Paul Bell, students, faculty and staff of the From College of Arts and Sciences. Co

Opinion

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 4 OUR VIEW

Hailey Branson, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

The place for opinions is, in fact, the opinion page We hate to call attention to one page of The Daily, but things work a little differently on page 4 every day. (See page 4 for details.) The opinion page is separate from the rest of the newspaper. It is crucial that our readers know why, especially in the days preceding elections. Unless they run columns, which are specifically marked as such, the news, sports and arts and entertainment sections report news in an unbiased way so that you, the reader, can make your own decisions about issues. There is a credo in journalism, taught from the very first journal-

ism classes, that reporting should be without bias. Reporters are even asked to not put OUR VIEW political is an editorial bumper stickers on selected and debated by the editorial board their cars, and written after a wear politimajority opinion is cal t-shirts formed and approved by the editor. Our View or do anyis The Daily’s oﬃcial thing that opinion. m a k e s t h e m appear to have bias on issues. For the opinion staff, though, that is not the case. There is bias on the opinion page. That is the point.

Opinion columns give readers an opportunity to make decisions based on the well-informed, but definitely biased, ideas presented by the opinion columnists. The opinion page is supposed to have one-sided columns, but we strive for a sense of balance overall with a large staff with diverse opinions. Opinion columnists are not allowed to write stories for other sections of the newspaper, just as reporters are not supposed to write for the opinion page. Each day’s Our View, like the one you are reading, is The Daily’s stance on an issue. The Our View is the viewpoint

of a group of students — The Daily’s section editors and editor-in-chief — who come to a majority consensus about the issues we think are the most important to students. That’s not to say there is not dissent — there usually is — but the Our View represents the majority view. Every day, we have a group discussion with eight to 12 people. Once everyone reaches a consensus, two or more people collaborate during the writing process. The Our View will be used in the coming days to endorse candidates running for offices.

Endorsements are not written to tell you who to vote for, but they are our way of giving back to our community by providing the best and most important perspective we can so potential voters can have it in mind when they go to the voting booth. Newspapers have a long history of endorsements, and we definitely are not alone in endorsing candidates. Newspapers from The Oklahoman — which supported Sen. John McCain for president — to The New York Times — which supported Sen. Barack Obama — all publish endorsements.

Derek Fox — advertising sophomore

STAFF CARTOON

STAFF COLUMN

We will have carefully considered all viewpoints before writing ours this week. We know not everyone will agree with what we put on this page, but that is a good thing. We only hope to inspire intelligent discussion and a forum in which readers can discuss a variety of issues and viewpoints. We encourage you to interact with our columns and editorials. Write letters to the editor. Comment on columns on www. OUDaily.com. Let us know what you think. But, please, do not say the columns are biased on this page. We know.

Election Day a favorite holiday

KAYLE B ARNES IS A PROFESSIONAL WRITING SENIOR. HER COLUMN APPEARS EVERY OTHER TUESDAY.

I N D E P E N D E N T

Shoot, I wouldn’t mind my tax dollars supporting that.

Electoral College system must go They say college is the best four years of a person’s life. I would agree. Daily nap-time, Pick-a-Prof and keg stands are all great things. But there’s one kind of college that’s a real fun-killer. In fact, it is a college so unbearably mundane it doesn’t even have to antagonize underage drinkers. It’s the Electoral College. In a country gone bonkers for the forceddemocratization of the entire world, this “college” is the epitome of undemocratic. Essentially, it takes the central idea of democracy (direct election), punts it out the back door and supplants it with a state by state, winnertake-all system based on population. California, with 55 electoral votes, matters, and Oklahoma, with seven votes, doesn’t when we’re talking presidential elections. If you live in Oklahoma and plan on voting for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for president, you might as well skip that part of the ballot. Because of the Electoral College, your vote won’t count. Call me cynical, but it’s true. The way the system works, your vote only counts if you pick the candidate who wins the popular vote in your particular state. Democrats and Independents who vote for Democrats need not bother around here. A presidential candidate could ostensibly win the popular vote in 39 states and still lose the election. Sure, that’s a highly theoretical and impractical situation, but I still don’t see how leaving open the possibility of disenfranchising that many of our “united” states is democratic by any means. We have a recent example of how the Electoral College hosed one candidate and eventually a nation in 2000. Al “The Inventor” Gore beat good ‘ol George W. Bush by 543,816 total votes in that election. With an electoral count of 271, George W. Bush was inaugurated as president on Jan. 20, 2001. Massive ignorance and misuse of the English language ensued. What many Americans may not realize is that the Electoral College was originally a plan to keep the election of our nation’s commander-inchief in the hands of Congress, which, ironically enough, was composed entirely of wealthy, educated, Caucasian land-owners.

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The original system called for such a runaround that no presidential candidate would have enough votes to be named president, and in turn candidates would be selected by Congress. A bunch of rich white guys trying to deny the rights of everyone else? No way that could’ve ever happened in the land of opportunity. That’s no more of a democracy than when Ardmore High School fixes the voting for homecoming queen. Legislation has been passed over the years to patch up holes created by the Electoral College, but this old relic has way too many leaks to be construed as fair and necessary. We’ve all heard the name-calling that’s been associated with the emergence of the “red state – blue state” battle over the past decade or so. The Electoral College has done nothing but fuel this nonsense. As each state recognizes only the electors from the two major parties, the relevance and impact of third parties diminishes. This gives strength to the idea that there are and should be two and only two major political parties. It also gives credence to the absurd notion that the two parties must be so diametrically

T H E The Fine Print:

T H E

one next Tuesday. Web sites like factchecker.org do a great job of deciding the truthfulness of what candidates have been saying for the last year or so. Don’t just listen to what pundits on Fox or MSNBC tell you they said or rely on YouTube videos; go find out what they actually said and whether what they said was true. Like our current commander in chief, I have no love for polls. You can find a poll to justify anything under the sun. One thing I hope polls do prove is the importance of the coveted “youth vote,” which will play a huge part in determining who takes up residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in January. For the first time in a long while, our generation seems excited about politics. But let’s not take this media burden lightly. I’ve talked to a few really intelligent friends of mine who just recently came to a conclusion about whom they are voting for. Some people are surprised that, in one of the seemingly longest campaigns in U.S. history, people can still be undecided. I think indecisiveness in this case is admirable. These people have taken the debates and speeches and analyzed them to determine the truth of the matter. They didn’t rely on soundbites or schemes to sway their decision. They did research and plan to come to a logical conclusion. What more can I say about Election Day? I could say that the fate of the entire free world hangs in the balance, but that might be a little over the top. I could say a number of things. In the end, I’m happy voting is a right, just like the right to remain silent. There are benefits if you choose to exercise that right and consequences if you don’t. If someone really doesn’t care because of apathy or the choice to stay ignorant, I don’t really want him or her voting. However, I believe that, after the past eight years, no one can afford to be apathetic or ignorant. In the 21st century, there is no reason for anyone to not be informed about the two candidates running for president. It comes down to whether you care and to what extent. If you care about the future, are informed and able, for the love of all things bright and beautiful, go vote next Tuesday. I can’t wait to.

One of my favorite holidays is coming up. OK, technically, it’s not a holiday, but it should be one. It’s November 4th, Election Day. When I was younger, I couldn’t participate in this great ritual my parents and their friends participated in, but I knew it was important. My father would go in late to work, my mother would take my siblings and me with her, and they would both come back home with “I Voted” stickers. This year will be my first time to go to the booth and decide who really represents my thoughts and feelings about a variety of issues. A week from today, citizens from across this KAYLE great nation will exercise BARNES their rights to voice their opinions about who should run the show for the next four years. Political commentators are expecting record turn-outs, especially among first-time voters, many in the 18-24 range. The OU Votes 2008 voter registration coalition did a phenomenal job of signing up a record number of first-time voters. This coalition of passionate students reached out to campus organizations for the important goal of getting people registered, but it can’t stop there. Come Tuesday, we have the responsibility to vote. Remember when Uncle Ben told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility?” As a citizen of a democratic republic, I feel like I owe it to those who came before me to rock the vote. As an African-American woman, I wouldn’t have been eligible to vote until 1920 when the 19th Amendment was ratified and women finally got to vote. Most didn’t get to until the 24th amendment was passed in 1964, making discriminatory poll taxes illegal. Before women and AfricanAmerican were fully franchised, only property-owning white males were eligible to vote. Taking out all the women, minorities and men without property wouldn’t leave a lot of college students voting. Because of those factors, voting is extremely personal for me. I owe too much to too many people not to vote. I am so excited about voting, but enthusiasm alone should not accompany someone in the voting booth. A healthy dose of education also should accompany every-

U N I V E R S I T Y

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

opposed in ideology that the word “moderate” now means “apathetic.” The fact is, most U.S. citizens are relatively moderate, middle-of-the-road types. The voices of those huddled masses are being drowned by a ridiculous election system. Get rid of it, and we might just find a cure for all that sissy political pillow fighting that’s going on in our legislatures right now. Another aspect to keep in mind in regards to the Electoral College is voter turnout. When states have roughly similar populations and one’s turnout towers over that of another state’s, why should those states be given equal weight in the electoral vote? Why take the time if your vote might not actually count? No matter how you look at it, the Electoral College is older than dirt and is a moldy leftover from a time when the denial of basic civil rights was considered necessary. We use a direct election to select our mayors, governors, senators, representatives and PTA presidents. We should do the same when we elect the leader of the free world. ERIC COMBS IS A JOURNALISM SENIOR. HIS COLUMN APPEARS EVERY OTHER TUESDAY.

O F

O K L A H O M A

through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ou.edu. Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion. ’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily. Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff. The board meets 1 p.m. Sundays in 160 Copeland Hall. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

Sports

Corey DeMoss, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

STAFF COLUMN

Lewis receives Player of the Week

Non-BCS waters murkier than usual

• Linebacker continues to lead team in tackles

he collective eyes of the sports nation now officially rest on the three teams sitting atop the BCS poll: Texas, Alabama and Penn State. There seems to be a somber mood circulating through Norman following a weekend that had potential for several BCS-shattering upsets, but in the end produced none. Well, at least none that OU fans cared much about. With Penn State clearing its last (and only) major hurdle of the season and Texas entering its final game of a brutal month-long test unscathed, OU’s hopes of making an appearance in the national championship game are fading. Right now it seems like the best chance the Sooners have of getting into the title game is for ERIC them to buy a ticket like everyone else. The three-horse race at the top will continue to DAMA garner much of the national spotlight until one of the teams loses. As the usual suspects scramble for a birth into the national championship game, several other teams have emerged to give chase in a little competition of their own. It’s not so little actually, being that the prize is a BCS bowl bid. It’s just a little less publicized because this race has been taking shape in the shadow of the national title hunt. Every year produces a new party-crasher — that team from a non-BCS conference that winds up on the BCS guest list come January. It’s as regular as the seasons. But usually, that team has established themselves by now. Last year it was Hawaii. The year before that it was those tricksters from Boise State. Currently, there are six teams not from a BCS conference ranked in the top 20 of the BCS poll. The top three are No. 10 Utah, No. 11 Boise State and No. 13 TCU. The other three teams throwing their hat into the ring are No. 16 Ball State, No. 18 Tulsa and No. 20 BYU. At this juncture of the season last year, only two non-BCS teams were ranked in the top 25. Given the teams’ remaining schedules, it’s a legitimate possibility that four of the teams will finish undefeated. TCU and BYU each have one loss, and both still have to play Utah. Other than that, none of these teams will play each other, and thus won’t knock one another out of contention, much like in the Big 12 and SEC. BCS executives would have a pretty big mess in front of them if just two of these teams finish with a perfect record. So if you’re tired of sitting around and waiting for Texas, Alabama or Penn State to lose, turn your attention to what’s going on outside the BCS landscape. In a couple of months, at least one of the party-crashers will have worked its way onto the national stage.

— ERIC DAMA IS A JOURNALISM SOPHOMORE.

JOEY HELMER Daily Staff Writer Redshirt freshman linebacker Travis Lewis was like a fly swarming around a summer cookout in last weekend’s contest against Kansas State. With the Wildcats driving downfield on the game’s first possession, quarterback Josh Freeman’s pass sailed into the hands of Lewis, who returned the ball 27 yards to put the Sooners in prime position to take an early 7-0 lead. But that wasn’t the only big play Lewis made in the contest. He intercepted another Freeman pass in the fourth quarter and brought it back 28 yards to the Wildcats’ 38-yard line to give him two interceptions for a total of 55 return yards in the game. He led the Sooners with 15 total tackles, nine of which were unassisted. Two of those tackles were for a loss. Lewis’ performance earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. “Travis has done a good job. It’s good to see him [succeed],” said head coach Bob Stoops. Lewis has racked up a teamhigh 84 tackles so far this season, which ranks second all-time for an OU freshman linebacker behind former Sooner star Brian Bosworth, who recorded 133 tackles in 1984. “Travis is playing great for us now,” said sophomore defensive end Jeremy Beal. “He stepped up real big for us [by] making a lot of plays out there. He’s doing a great job. Week in and week out, I’ve been real impressed with him.” Lewis has led the team in tackles four times in the Sooners’ first eight games, including doubledigit tackle performances against Kansas State, Cincinnati and Texas.

Zach Butler/The Daily

OU linebacker Travis Lewis (28) makes a tackle during OU’s Oct. 18 game against Kansas. Lewis currently leads the team in tackles with 84, and is second all-time behind only Brian Bosworth in tackles for a freshman linebacker. He recorded 12 tackles against Cincinnati and tied Bosworth’s single-game record for tackles when he tallied 19 against the Longhorns. Lewis also tied for the team lead with eight tackles in a home game against TCU. He has been a mainstay in the Sooners’ defense in their first eight games so far this season and has played an important role especially for a linebacker corps that lost its leader in junior Ryan Reynolds against Texas. “I thought [Lewis] played well,” said defensive coordinator Brent Venables. “He can still play better; he really can. I think he’ll be the first to admit that, but he is coming into his own and getting better and better.” Lewis graded out in the B range, or mid-80s, for his overall performance in the contest, Venables said Monday after practice. Stoops said he’s only bound to get better with more practice and game experience. “I think there’s so much more in him,” Stoops said. “He’s an awful

FOOTBALL STUDENT SEASON TICKET HOLDERS: DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR FOOTBALL TICKETS!

OU VS. NEBRASKA TICKET DISTRIBUTION MONDAY/TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY

8 A.M. - 5 P.M. STUDENTS WHO PURCHASED A FOOTBALL STUDENT SEASON TICKET MUST PICK UP THEIR TICKET TO EACH HOME GAME THE WEEK OF THE GAME. STUDENTS MUST PRESENT THEIR VALID OU STUDENT ID TO PICK UP TICKETS. A NEW OPTION THIS YEAR WILL BE THE PRINT-AT-HOME OPTION. INSTEAD OF HAVING TO COME TO THE ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE TO PICK UP TICKETS, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF LOGGING ON TO SOONERSPORTS.COM AND PRINTING YOUR TICKETS FROM ANY COMPUTER DURING THE PICKUP PERIOD. THE PRINT-AT-HOME OPTION WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM SUNDAY AT 5:00 P.M. THROUGH WEDNESDAY AT 3:00 P.M. TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE OU ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE. THE TICKET PICK UP DATES AND TIMES FOR EACH GAME ARE LISTED BELOW. GAME DATE

OPPONENT

DISTRIBUTION DATES

OFFICE HOURS

11/1

Nebraska

October 27-29

Mon.-Wed. 8am-5pm

11/22

Texas Tech

November 17-19

Mon.-Wed. 8am-5pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

talented guy that has the ability to just keep improving, and we expect him to. But for a freshman

to be doing what he’s doing consistently has been exciting really just for the future.”

OTHER FOOTBALL NOTES Bradford becomes O’Brien semifinalist Sophomore Sam Bradford is one of 13 semifinalists for the 2008 Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s best quarterback. Bradford is the only sophomore on the list and is one of six semifinalists from the Big 12. Bradford has thrown for 2,520 yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season and is ranked third in the nation in quarterback efficiency behind only Tulsa’s David Johnson and Texas’ Colt McCoy. “There’s a bunch of good quarterbacks,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “I know there are some really good ones that aren’t among those [nominated].”

Too early to tell Johnson’s status Senior wide receiver Manuel Johnson’s status for this week’s game against Nebraska is up in the air after suﬀering a dislocated elbow during the ﬁrst quarter against Kansas on Oct. 18. Stoops said it is still too early in the week to make a decision about playing time, but Johnson will receive more reps in Tuesday’s practice. — JONO GRECO/THE DAILY

Classifieds

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

PLACE AN AD Phone 405.325.2521

E-Mail classifieds@ou.edu

Fax 405.325.7517

Announcements ENTERTAINMENT

HELP WANTED

FEMALE SINGER NEEDED Local Recording/Publishing/Production Company seeking fresh, sound to develop into possible solo/collaborative projects. Song writing and live performance skills important. Please call 405945-1959 or e-mail us studio115norman@yahoo. com.

Office Copeland Hall 149A

Mail The Oklahoma Daily 860 Van Vleet Oval, 149A Norman OK 73019-2052

DEADLINES Line Ad. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 a.m. Place your classified line ad by 9 a.m., Monday-Friday to run in the next issue.

Display Ad. . . . .3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad are due 3 days prior to publication date.

PAYMENT s r

For Sale

Credit Accounts Businesses may be eligible for credit in a limited, local billing area. Please inquire with Business Office at 405.325.2521.

RATES Line Ads Rates are determined by the price per line, per day. There is a two line minimum charge; approximately 40 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

SOONERSNEEDJOBS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys. Make up to $75 per online survey www.cashtospend.com.

PAID. EGG DONORS for up to 9 donations, + Exps, non-smokers, Ages 19-29, SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.00 Contact: info@eggdonorcenter.com PT cook, must be over 21, exp req. Apply in person 2-4pm. Henry Hudsons, 3737 W Main.

C Transportation AUTO INSURANCE

Auto Insurance Quotations Anytime Foreign Students Welcomed Jim Holmes Insurance, 321-4664

Community After School Program is seeking staff to work at our school-age childcare programs. Apply now and interview to begin working immediately. Work schedule is M-F 2:20-6 p.m. Competitive wages, higher salaries for college students with education or related class work. Complete an application at 1023 N. Flood Ave. or online at www.caspinc.org and email to info@caspinc.org. Please submit your fall class schedule and current transcript when applying. We pay up to $75.00 per online survey! www.cashtospend.com.

Employment HELP WANTED

Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express; cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

NOW HIRING! Coach’s Brewhouse, 110 West Main for front of house positions, servers, bartenders. Call 321-BREW(2739) to set up an interview. Must be 21 to apply.

$5,000-$45,000

PETS Adorable French bull dogs, Yorkshire terriers, and English bulldogs, male and females available for sale, full breed, AKC reg. Health guarantee, 8 wks old, $700.00. Contact Jessica for more info at jessy_jefferson@hotmail.com.

Payment

Employment

America’s FAST LANE is now hiring lube techs, car wash attendants, service advisors, cashiers, and management trainees. Full and part-time positions are available with no experience necessary. Fast Lanes offers competitive pay, flexible schedules, and opportunity for advancement. Apply in person at 1235 West Main Street, Norman OK or call 321-5260. SeekingSitters is opening in the Moore/Norman area, and is looking for qualified, reliable sitters to work flexible hours. FT/PT, days, nights, and weekends available. If you are interested apply at seekingsitters.com. Bartending! Up to $250/day. No exp nec. Training provided. 1-800-965-6520, x133. TELLER - Financial institution has immediate openings for an experienced teller. Previous banking experience or experience in retail is preferred. Strong customer service skills req., earn monthly performance incentives in addition to salary. Full and part time positions available. Apply in person at First Bank & Trust Co., 923 W. Main, Duncan, or send resume to human resources, PO Box 580 Duncan,OK 73534. EOE, M/F/D/V. Traditions Spirits is hiring Cocktail Waitresses, Cooks, daytime Bartender & Host to work at Riverwind Casino & Autographs Sports Bar. Must be 21 & have open availability! Apply in person at 2815 SE 44th, Norman-3 miles west of Riverwind on Highway 9 service road. 405-392-4550.

LEGEND’S RESTAURANT is now accepting applications for daytime waitstaff, pastry chef, and catering staff. Apply M-F, 2-4 at 1313 W. Lindsey. Attention Student Work $15 Base/Appt Flex sched, scholarships possible, customer sales/service, no exp nec, all ages 17+, conditions apply. Norman/OKC/Moore Call Now, 405-307-0979

J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED $400, bills paid, efficiency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, fire sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store office.

APTS. UNFURNISHED PRE-LEASE FOR JANUARY $99 Deposit/ NO app fee! Pets welcome/ Large floor plans! 1&2 bedrooms Available! Models open 8a-8p Everyday! Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

J Housing Rentals

small step no. 34

APTS. UNFURNISHED Brookhollow & The Cedars, 1-2-3 bed apt homes, approx 1 mi from OU. Great prices & service. Your home away from home! 405-329-6652

DUPLEXES UNFURNISHED 1/2 Mo Free-Walk To OU

FETCH THIS PAPER YOURSELF

Save On Utilities w/Energy Efficient Windows Prefer quiet OU students, no pets, 2 bdrms, carpet, blinds, CH/A, appliances plus big w/d, $440/ mo. 203-3493 or 321-4404.

HOUSES UNFURNISHED

TAKE A SMALL STEP TO GET HEALTHY www.smallstep.gov

One bedroom brick house on Parsons st. Close to OU, wood floors, C/H&A, stove, refrigerator, garage, smoke free, no pets, $460/mo. Call Bob, Mister Robert furniture 321-1818. Now leasing for MAY 2009, 3 bdrm brick houses, 2-4 blocks from OU, Call Bob at Mister Robert’s furniture 321-1818. Near OU, 3 bed, 1.5 bth, ch/a, garage, no pets, 504 Inwood Dr, $750/mo., deposit required. Call 996-6592 or 329-1933

ROOMMATES WANTED 1 bdrm of 3 bdrm house for rent, female only to join other 2 female students. No pets/smokers, very close to OU, all bills paid, but elec has 1/3 cap., $325/mo. Call 909-238-2941.

Housing Sales

HOUSES Westside Norman home, 1525 sq ft., 3 bdrms, 2 full baths, carpeted bdrms, tile kitchen, Laminate wood floors in hall, and living/dining. $138,000. Go to: www.forsalebyowner.com, lising #21888775 or Call Vicki 405-414-2154.

oudaily.com

5 9 7 4

1 2

4 5 1 9

4 1 6 5 8

Sell your stuff. classifieds@ou.edu

VERY NICE!!!, 800 sf, 1 bdrm, living room, kitchen, bth, wood floors, 1 block OU, 1018 S College, $275/mo. Call 306-1970 or 360-2873.

5 7 9 3 2 1 3 9 6

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Previous Solution 4 7 1 5 2 6 8 9 3

3 9 2 1 8 4 5 6 7

8 5 6 9 3 7 1 2 4

2 8 9 4 6 3 7 1 5

6 4 7 8 1 5 9 3 2

5 1 3 7 9 2 4 8 6

7 3 8 2 5 1 6 4 9

1 2 5 6 4 9 3 7 8

9 6 4 3 7 8 2 5 1

Difficulty Schedule: Monday - Very Easy Tuesday - Easy Wednesday - Easy Thursday - Medium Friday - Hard

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

Winter Specials Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 28, 2008

Classified Display Ads

ACROSS 1 Cartel city of South America 5 Back biter? 10 Soon, to a poet 14 Laid up, so to speak 15 Gray-brown 16 Sheltered spot 17 87 octane 19 “Jurassic Park” terror 20 Act of Contrition reciter 21 Flat-bottomed boat 23 “I pity the fool” speaker 24 Request to a barkeep 26 “Any Woman’s Blues” author Jong 28 Noted shootout site 32 Fishes, in a way 35 Word heard in a herd 36 Vertical graph component 38 “Gulliver’s Travels” brute 39 Second Amendment concern 41 Seed covering 43 Lobster serving 44 Veronica of “Hill Street Blues” 46 Narrow furrow

Rates are $16.00 per column inch, per day with a minimum of 2 column inches.

Classified Card Ads Classified Card Ads are $170 per column inch with a minimum of 2 column inchs and run 20 consecutive issues. Ad copy may change every five issues.

Game Sponsorships Classified Display Ads located directly above the following games/puzzles. Limited spaces available – only one space per game. 2 col (3.792 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ...........$760/month Boggle............$760/month Jumble ...........$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 405.325.2521 before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Refunds will not be issued for early cancellation. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. 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. Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not classified as to gender. Advertisers understand that they may not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position. All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be re-evaluated at any time.

R.T. Conwell, advertising manager classiﬁeds@ou.edu phone: 325-2521, fax: 325-7517 For more, go to oudaily.com.

48 Bit of financial planning, for short 49 Cold-weather jacket 51 Wand waver 53 Water nymph 55 Collins of Genesis 56 Bowlike line 58 Was attractive? 60 Ultimate solution 64 Use one’s peepers 66 Man in the street 68 Chip’s partner 69 Ran out of steam 70 Stash some cash 71 Barney’s boss 72 Bob’s vehicles? 73 Kirk’s journey DOWN 1 Singer Irene 2 Incite criminal activity 3 Theme park company 4 “Beats me!” 5 Notable Biblical landfall 6 Blade for propulsion 7 Drags along 8 Swiftly, to Shakespeare 9 Saint-Tropez, e.g. 10 Fake it 11 Shampoo label designation 12 “Reply

13 18 22 25 27 28 29 30 31 33 34 37 40

completed,” to a ham operator On deck Apprehensive Strong and sinewy One of two certainties in life Where to find a collection of minks? Boys Town is a suburb of it Book with 114 chapters (Var.) There’s no cure for it What Santa’s mail consists of France’s longest river Astronomical kind of flare Razor sharpener They’re delivered in

shots 42 Space cadets 45 Placed (with “down”) 47 Getting 100 on 50 Gold measures 52 Firstborn sibling 54 Daniel Webster’s foe in a Benet tale 56 Sitcom legend Alan 57 Horse hue 59 Are in the past? 61 Shy of being shut 62 Serenader’s sentiment 63 Large, edible bulb 65 Very important 67 Fancy carpet color?

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

“IT’S NOT UNUSUAL” by Alice Walker

Millions of Americans expose themselves to noise levels above 85 decibels for hours at a time – the level audiologists identify as the danger zone. Lawn mowers, sporting events, live or recorded music, power tools, even traffic and crowded restaurants can sustain these levels. If you’re around noises like these for prolonged periods, you’re risking permanent hearing loss. For more on the 85 dB threshold, and ways to protect your hearing health, visit ASHA.org.

Previous Answers 1-800-638-8255

News & Details

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

US: Raid on Syria killed cell leader ZEINA KARAM Associated Press SUKKARIYEH, Syria — A cross-border raid by U.S. special forces killed the al-Qaidalinked head of a Syrian network that smuggled fighters, weapons and cash into Iraq, an American counterterrorism official said Monday. Blood stained the earth in this border village as anguished Syrians buried relatives they said were killed in the U.S. helicopter attack Sunday. Some shouted anti-American slogans and carried banners reading “Down with Bush and the American enemy.” The operation targeted the home of Abu Ghadiyah, the nickname for the leader of a key cell of foreign fighters in Iraq, the U.S. official told The Associated Press from Washington. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive intelligence. The U.S. Treasury Department has named Abu Ghadiyah as one of four major figures in al-Qaida’s Iraq wing who were living in Syria. U.S. authorities have said Abu Ghadiyah’s real name is Badran Turki al-Mazidih, an Iraqi in his early 30s who served as al-Qaida in Iraq’s head of logistics in Syria since 2004. His job included providing foreign fighters with passports, weapons, guides and safe houses as they slipped into Iraq and made their way to Baghdad and other major cities where the Sunni insurgency was raging. Sunday’s operation in Sukkariyeh, about five miles from the Iraqi border, came just days after the commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq called the Syrian border an “uncontrolled” gateway for fighters into Iraq and said efforts were being stepped up to secure it. The raid was another sign the United States is aggressively launching military raids across the borders of Afghanistan and Iraq to

CAMPUS NOTES The Daily draws all entries for Campus Notes from OUDaily.com’s comprehensive, campus-wide calendar. To get your event noticed, visit OUDaily.com.

AP Photo

Syrian villagers shout anti-U.S. slogans Monday as they gather near the coffins of relatives who died a day before when U.S. military helicopters launched an extremely rare attack in Syrian territory at the Sukkariyeh Farm near the town of Abu Kamal about five miles inside the Syria’s border with Iraq. U.S. Special forces commandoes raided the farm Sunday, killing eight people, the Syrian government said, condemning what it called “serious aggression.” destroy insurgent sanctuaries. In Pakistan, U.S. missile strikes have killed at least two senior al-Qaida operatives this year. The Syrian government said Sunday’s attack by four U.S. military helicopters targeted a civilian building under construction in Sukkariyeh shortly before sundown, and killed eight people, including four children. However, local officials said seven men were killed and two people were wounded, including a woman. An AP reporter saw the

GAYLORD COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION An exhibit of compelling news photos by photojournalist Dan Eldon will be on view at 4:15 p.m. in Gaylord Hall.

A workshop for interns will be at 5 p.m. in the Clary Lounge of Michael F. Price Hall.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC • OU Jazz Bands will perform at 8 p.m. in Sharp Concert Hall. • A concert by Rossitza Goza Violin Studio will be at noon in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

POLICE REPORTS Names are compiled from the Norman Police Department or the OU Department of Public Safety. The report serves as a public record of arrests or citations, not convictions. The people here are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

SOCIETY OF ASIAN PACIFIC ENGINEERS There will be a pumpkin carving competition at 7:30 p.m. in Willoughby Lounge, Felgar Hall.

Steven Ray Long, 31, 1100 block Canterbury Avenue, Saturday Joshua Dean Milligan, 31, 1100 block 12th Avenue, Sunday, also possession of marijuana Jonathan William Merkel, 21, 300 block West Brooks Street, Sunday

Justin David Arnold, 25, 3600 block East Indian Hills Road, Sunday Corbin Michael Bigheart, 20, White Street, Sunday Deante Darrel Harris, 18, 200 block Woodcrest Drive, Sunday, also disturbing the peace

bodies of seven men at the funerals Monday. Amateur video taken by a villager on a cell phone Sunday showed four helicopters flying overhead as villagers pointed to the skies in alarm. The grainy images, viewed Monday by the AP, did not show the helicopters landing. At the targeted building, the floor was bloodstained Monday, with abandoned tennis shoes scattered amid pieces of human flesh. A tent pitched near the site had bags of bread, pots and pans and wool blankets.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY There will be a meeting featuring a speaker from the Herpetology Society at 7 p.m. in Richards Hall, room 260.

WEDNESDAY CHRISTIANS ON CAMPUS

Christy Lynn Bennett, 29, 4600 block 60th Avenue Northeast, Saturday

Vanessa Renae Olguin, 26, 300 block North Interstate Drive East, Saturday Casey Lynn Walters, 22, 300 block North

HAIRCUT • $10.99

• A seminar titled “Healthy Habits: Mind – Mental Pitfalls of College Students” will be at 2 p.m. in Carnegie Building, room 200.

KAPPA SIGMA

SCHOOL OF MUSIC

A haunted carnival will be from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Kappa Sigma house.

The OU Chamber Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. in Sharp Concert Hall as part of the Sutton Faculty Concert Series.

Interstate Drive East, Saturday

DISTURBING THE PEACE Jordan Christopher Wright, 24, 100 block Kingsbury Drive, Sunday

MUNICIPAL WARRANT Patrick Nefflagr Patten, 36, 700 block Asp Avenue, Saturday

Shelly Jo Rodman, 32, 2700 block Deer Chase Circle, Friday

Tate Franklin Savage, 19, West Lindsey Street, Sunday

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA Keven Ray Mayfield, 46, Ryan Avenue, Friday

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES Matthew Scott Clifton, 19, 400 block West Lindsey Street, Sunday, also possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence

the SOONER the better.

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Stevens faces up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced, but under federal guidelines he is likely to receive much less time, if any. The judge did not immediately set a sentencing date. The monthlong trial revealed that employees for VECO Corp., an oil services company, transformed Stevens’ modest Alaska mountain cabin into a modern, two-story home with wraparound porches, a sauna and a wine cellar. Stevens said he had no idea he was getting freebies. He said his wife handled the business of the renovation. He said he paid $160,000 for the project and believed that covered everything. As his attorneys had during the trial, Stevens said in a statement issued afterward that prosecutors had improperly held back favorable evidence, had sent a crucial witness back to Alaska and “allowed evidence to be introduced that they knew was false.”

By Bernice Bede Osol

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Something originally structured in a manner that has inhibited your choices and performance can be corrected in ways that will put you back on track and in charge of your own affairs.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Improved conditions are indicated at this time; they will shore up a valued relationship that has been experiencing some rough going lately. Your counterpart may be the one who opens the door.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Obstructive conditions will be lifted, and you’ll finally be able to act out in the open. Just be careful as to what you do with your newfound freedom.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- A new endeavor started at this time has a better-than-average chance to succeed. However, this doesn’t mean it will happen automatically; you must still put forth the necessary effort and know-how.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- A fresh, favorable cycle that could establish new friendships is just beginning. Be open to meeting new people, because that’s where they’ll be found.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- You won’t find a better day to study new subjects and/or learn about advanced ways of doing things. By broadening your base, this new knowledge will open many fresh avenues for success. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Should an idea pop into your head about a way to open a new or additional source of income, don’t sit on it. It will be exactly what you are looking for.

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Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska arrives at Federal Court Monday in Washington. Stevens was convicted of lying about free home renovations and other gifts he received from a wealthy oil contractor.

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WASHINGTON — Ted Stevens, a pillar of the Senate for 40 years and the face of Alaska politics almost since statehood, was convicted of a seven-felony string of corruption charges Monday — found guilty of accepting a bonanza of home renovations and fancy trimmings from an oil executive and then lying about it. Unbowed, even defiant, Stevens accused prosecutors of blatant misconduct and said, “I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have.” The senator, 84 and already facing a challenging re-election contest next Tuesday, said he would stay in the race against Democrat Mark Begich. Though the convictions are a significant blow for the Senate’s longest-serving Republican, they do not disqualify him, and Stevens is still hugely popular in his home state. The jury — itself a daily drama, trying to expel one of its own members — convicted Stevens of all the felony charges he faced, accusations based heavily on the testimony of a wealthy oil contractor who for years had been a fishing and drinking buddy. Visibly shaken after the verdicts were read — the jury foreman declaring “guilty” seven times — Stevens tried to intertwine his fingers but quickly put his hands down to his side after noticing they were trembling. As he left the courtroom, he got a quick kiss on the cheek from his wife, Catherine, who testified on his behalf during the trial.

• A seminar on plagiarism will be at 3 p.m. in Carnegie Building, room 200. • A seminar titled “Healthy Habits: Body – Healthy Habits for the Busy College Student” will be at 4 p.m. in Carnegie Building, room 200.

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A bible study will be at 12:30 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Sooner Room.

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Stevens guilty on 7 counts, will not quit Senate race MATT APUZZO AND JESSE J. HOLLAND Associated Press

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TODAY

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Be open to meeting new people, because you’re more apt to be yourself, which is exactly what is needed to bond with someone with whom you could establish a lasting relationship. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You might be able to resolve an arrangement that has frustrated you lately, or you might just walk away from it. In either case, you’ll find an amicable solution to make you happy. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Plans you formulate and put into action will have a wonderful chance to succeed. The timing is perfect so don’t wait until for another day, thinking you’ll get past your cold feet. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- If your financial affairs need tending, you won’t find a better time than now to put things in good working order. You’ll make the right choices, which will put you on a good track.

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Arts & Entertainment

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

Adam Kohut, A&E editor dailyent@ou.edu phone: 325-5189, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

TOMS ‘Style Your Sole’ • New Music Tuesday ‘ain’t nothing to f@$k with.’ Check event walks on campus WU, WILSON AND DARK DARK DARK

out reviews of The Wu-Tang Clan’s greatest hits, the re-release of Dennis Wilson’s “Pacific Ocean Blue” and more. Just keep the volume down, will you?

DENNIS WILSON “Pacific Ocean Blue: 30th Anniversary Edition” Legacy Recordings The brief life of Dennis Wilson, drummer for the Beach Boys, was marred by tragedy, from his unwitting connection to Charles Manson to his alcohol-related drowning at age 39. Perpetually in the shadow of older brother Brian, Dennis didn’t get the kind of recognition he deserved during his lifetime. Now, 30 years after the release of his first and only solo album, “Pacific Ocean Blue” – the first solo attempt by any member of The Beach Boys – is getting the deluxe treatment It’s a potent reminder of the talent Wilson never fully capitalized on. The two-disc set contains

PAIGE LAWLER Daily Staff Writer

Photo provided

a remastered version of “Pacific Ocean Blue,” an album with impressive range. Wilson’s pop sensibility is undeniable on the infectious title track, but he’s clearly comfortable exploring the darker corners of his psyche and distilling those areas into song. The second disc contains tracks from Wilson’s planned follow-up, “Bambu.” The album was never released. The early death of Wilson was a tragedy – one listen to “Pacific Ocean Blue” and you can’t help but wonder what could’ve been. — D USTY S OMERS /THE DAILY

DARK DARK DARK “The Snow Magic” Supply and Demand Music For a band that consists only of an accordion, banjo, cello and double bass, Dark Dark Dark is just a tiny bit too ordinary. “The Snow Magic” is a darkly baroque chamber pop album on its good songs, and just mediocre indie quirk on its bad ones. Fortunately, the good outweigh the bad, making for a promising debut from this quartet with one foot in the past and one somewhere

• Shoe company donates to needy children with every pair purchased

Photo provided

THE WUTANG CLAN “Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan” Sony Legacy For those of you who know The Wu-Tang Clan only from the “Chappelle’s Show’s” infamous skit in which a group of old white people awkwardly chant “Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin’ to f@$k with!” this album is a great way to acquaint yourself to the most prolific, rawest and commercially successful hip-hop group of all time. You will also discover that The Wu-Tang Clan is indeed noth-

NEED MORE MUSIC? Photo provided

between the present and the future. The songwriting could carry a little more bite, but vocalists Nona Marie Invie and Marshall LaCount’s peculiar harmonies are nice. Even if it’s not quite as revolutionary as you might hope, “The Snow Magic” still delivers. — DUSTY SOMERS/THE DAILY

New Music Tuesday might have run out of room in the print edition, but check out the A&E section of oudaily.com for our review of Tribe After Tribe’s “M.O.A.B.: Stories from Deuteronomy.”

ing with which to f@$k. For die-hard fans, this album may seem redundant (it’s a greatest hits record), but if you lack one or more of Wu-Tang’s greatest hits, I highly recommend picking this up. Wu-Tang earned its place in the hip-hop canon by consistently releasing gritty, innovative albums. Every song on this album is a piece of that legacy. Each time you hear Old Dirty Bastard’s grizzly voice or the classic piano sample in the song “CREAM,” an angel gets its wings. “Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan” is scheduled for a Nov. 18 release in conjunction with a DVD documentary of the same name. — TYLER BRANSON/THE DAILY

the

When Blake Mycoskie visited Argentina for the first time, he fell in love with the country and the people, especially the children. But he noticed something was missing: No one had any shoes. Mycoskie started TOMS shoes to give back to children in Argentina and around the world. For every pair of shoes someone buys, Mycoskie gives another pair to a child in need. The company has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and over 68,000 pairs in South Africa. Now, Mycoskie is reaching out to OU and other college campuses to continue spreading his message. OU students hosted the TOMS Style Your Sole event Monday night at Seven-47, 727 Asp Ave., to get the word out about the shoes. Volunteers helped sell the shoes and students were encouraged to bring old pairs to paint. Aaron Conrado, microbiology junior, said shoes are a necessity and he is happy a company is filling that hole. “Most of us take advantage of the fact that we have shoes on our feet,” Conrado said. “[But there are] lots of kids out there [who] don’t have shoes.” Many students are looking for ways to get involved, and this is a premier opportunity to do so while helping out others as well, Kyle Reimer, visual communications sophomore, said. Reimer said everyone needs shoes, so they might as well buy a

pair to help a child in need. “The cause matches the mentality at OU,” Reimer said. Amy Henderson, marketing sophomore, said she found out about becoming a campus representative for TOMS at the end of the summer, and has devoted a great deal of time to spreading the word about Mycoskie’s cause. Henderson teamed up with Kojo Yebah, electrical engineering junior, and Jakeb Black, microbiology senior, to prepare for OU’s first event promoting TOMS shoes. This year, the company has a goal of giving 250,000 pairs of shoes, while simultaneously helping young people to be selfless, Black said. “We have no budget, no money,” Black said. “We just want to help.” He said campus representatives have a goal of selling as many shoes as possible to help the company reach its goal. Even if they only sell 40 pairs, it still makes a difference, Black said. Yebah said Style Your Sole is the first event on OU’s campus for TOMS shoes, but hardly thinks it will be the last. Every semester the campus representatives have a goal of increasing awareness about TOMS shoes, Yebah said. “To be a part of it is priceless. I wouldn’t do it any other way,” he said. As campus representatives, Black, Henderson and Yebah are required to host two campus events to promote the TOMS cause. Yebah said they are trying to exceed the minimum. Two representatives, called “vagavons,” from TOMS shoes travel around in a van to visit college campuses when the representatives hold events, Yebah said. The reps will be back in Norman on Saturday to help run a booth outside Lucca, 319 W. Boyd St., on Campus Corner. The booth will be set up outside the store from 11 a.m. until the 7 p.m. kickoff of the OU-Nebraska game.

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4 Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

ELECTION 2008

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S I NDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

OUDaily.com

Youth roll toward Tuesday’s polls NIJIM DABBOUR ASSISTANT NIGHT EDITOR

tant election we’ve seen in forty years.” Davidson represents a new wave of increasingly mobilized and engaged collegeage voters who are involved in all aspects of the political process.

s a political science junior, Kurt Davidson has been interested in the political process for years, but he became frustrated with the apathy he saw in his MORE YOUTH THAN EVER peers. The trend began in 2004, when youngAt the end of last semester, he decided voter turnout jumped 11 percent, nearly trito do something about it. He set out to ple the increase of other age groups and the organize student leaders across the political highest youth turnout in 32 years, according spectrum to start a new kind of voting drive to Student Public Interest Research Groups, that focused not only on registering students a student mobilization group. but also on educating them about political Sarah Dobjensky is the University of issues and spurring civic participation. California Los Angeles campus coordinator “In the past we’ve had registration drives for Student PIRGs. where people set up a table in the Union “In [the] 2008 primaries, youth numbers where no one pays any attention,” he said. doubled, tripled and even quadrupled in “We wanted to do more.” some areas,” she said. His idea paid off, and he became the Political forecasters are predicting record chairman of OU Votes, which teamed up youth turnout nationwide on Nov. 4. with 22 student groups this semester to reg“In general, the reason we are seeing ister at least 2,008 stuthis is not because dents and get them of any particular TOP 10 YOUTH POLITICAL ISSUES involved in camcandidate; there paigns at national, are a lot of issues 1. The economy (46 percent) state and local levyoung people care 2. The Iraq war (29 percent) els. about,” Dobjensky 3. Healthcare (16 percent) The group hosted said. “Global warm4. International issues (11 percent) debate watch parties ing and energy pol5. Energy/gas prices (9 percent) for hundreds of stuicy, access to college 6. Taxes (8 percent) dents, held a debate education, health7. Education (7 percent) between candidates care, the Iraq war 8. Abortion (7 percent) for the Oklahoma — a lot of the same 9. Defense (5 percent) corporation comissues adults care 10. Environment (5 percent) missioner, sponabout.” sored discussion While younger — Oct. 6 USA Today/Gallup poll forums on a variety voters are more likeof hot-button topics ly than older ones to including racism, cite education and sexism and religion the environment in politics and reached its registration goal as major concerns, they echo their elders more than a week ahead of schedule. when it comes to the top issue this year: the “[College students] are tuned in this year economy. because a lot of the issues affect their lives,” Three in 10 call it the single most imporDavidson said. “The pressure is on in this tant issue determining their vote, and unprecedented election. It’s the most impor- nearly half call it one of the most impor-

tant, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll released Oct. 6.

MORE POWERFUL THAN A VOTE Election day turnout is not the only way young people are making an impact this election season. Campaigners see the trend and have been targeting young voters with campus events and Web-based initiatives to get a piece of the demographic pie. Republicans Sen. Jim Inhofe and Rep. Tom Cole, both running for reelection, announced in August that they partnered with OU College Republicans and recruited 350 volunteers for their campaigns. “Young people are as involved as they’ve ever been,” Cole’s campaign manager Ryan Owens said. “In a state like Oklahoma, there is a lot of opportunity for young people.” With about 14 percent of eligible Oklahoman voters under 25, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, young people represent a large enough voting bloc to make an impact in any election. Cole’s Democratic rival this election, Blake Cummings, agrees. He expects young people’s influence to be seen nationwide. “The youth have been more active this campaign than I’ve ever seen,” he said. “As a Democrat, I hope more will lean to [Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack] Obama, and I think most certainly are.” Recent data support Cummings’ prediction. A national poll from the Harvard Institute of Politics released Thursday found 56 percent of college-age voters favor Obama over his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain. “We especially want [young people] regardless of registration — Democrat or Republican — to get out to the polls,” Cummings said. “There was a decent youth movement in 2004, but while we had good registration efforts, we didn’t see it reflected that much in voter turnout [in Oklahoma]. I can’t see that happening this time.”

YOUTH VOTE BY THE NUMBERS 79 percent of American young people are registered to vote. 74 percent say politics has become too partisan. 56 percent would vote for Barack Obama if the election were today. 39 percent of those registered identified themselves as independents. 36 percent identified theselves as Democrats. 30 percent say they would vote for John McCain if the election were today. 25 percent identified themselves as

AP Photos

2008: History in the making

Republicans.

19 percent have participated in a political organization or campaign. — Oct. 22 Harvard Institute of Politics poll

While OU Votes did not track information from students it registered, Davidson said they seemed to be divided about evenly among Democrats and Republicans, although many registered as independents. Groups like OU Votes and Student PIRGs are trying to capitalize on young voters’ new interest by transforming feelings into actions that will affect this election and students’ communities. “Every day you walk around and see groups talking about fundraising, getting petitions signed, or just service helping the community... In the last couple years, we’ve seen the civic engagement grow and turn into more political engagement,” Dobjensky said. “I’m really excited to see how things turn out. We are definitely going to see a youth voter surge and politicians will start to listen to what they care about.”

KATE CUNNINGHAM DAILY STAFF WRITER

or almost two years, Americans have heard about how significant the presidential election of 2008 will be. “No matter who wins this election, the direction of this country is going to change dramatically,” Arizona Sen. John McCain said at a rally in Louisiana. “The choice is between the right change and the wrong change; between going forward and going backward.” With the country’s first viable black candidate on one ticket and a woman on the other, a controversial war continuing in the Middle East and the world economy stumbling toward recession, it’s no wonder that Republicans and Democrats alike are asking for the same thing: change. But there are presidential elections every four years. Is this one really worth all the hype? Will Nov. 4 really mark a watershed moment in American history, or will history march on largely unruffled by the results of the most-blogged about election in American history? Some of OU’s experts in the fields of political science, economics and foreign policy answer this looming question with a resounding “yes.”

IMPACT AT HOME On the domestic front, there has been a great deal of discussion about the impact of the youth vote. According to the organization’s coordinator, political science senior

Kurt Davidson, OU Votes: 2008 in 2008 registered 2,350 students on this campus alone by the Oct. 10 registration deadline, and that figure doesn’t include students who registered through other avenues. But political science professor Keith Gaddie said while the younger generation is making political progress, the youth vote won’t be a deal-breaker this year. “The numbers are too few,” Gaddie said. “The surges of black voter participation are far more important in determining the eventual outcome of the election.” This fact may be disappointing to some college students, but it demonstrates progress in the nation’s acceptance of minorities. “There is no question that this election is a history-maker,” said economics professor Gregory S. Burge. “Every single U.S. president and vice president to date has been a white male. Regardless of the winning ticket, this will obviously have to change.”

NO QUICK FIXES While a demographic change in the White House or the Naval Observatory is inevitable, experts say changes on the economic front won’t follow very closely on the heels of Inauguration Day. “The U.S. economy… is going to be dealing over the next several years with the effects of serious problems that have been building over the last couple of decades,” Burge said. “There is no quick and easy solution at this point.” The Bush administration has been heavily criticized for creating large budget deficits. Burge cautions that Americans prob-

ably won’t find the significant change they’re looking for in this area in either McCain or Obama. “I think many smart voters should do the math for themselves,” he said. “Many wellrespected independent research bodies have projected that neither candidate can follow through on all their proposals without having to run larger budget deficits to finance spending or raise taxes in a way they have not currently endorsed.”

IMPACT ABROAD Although his influence on the nation’s economy may not be as immediate or as profound as many Americans hope, the next president will have a monumental impact on foreign policy, according to Zach Messitte, vice provost for international programs. “The opinion of America rises and falls with who is president,” he said. “People know the United States through the prism of its first citizen.” The international community views itself as having a large stake in America’s election results. An Oct. 23 Gallup poll indicated that 65 percent of Europeans believe the person “elected as president of the United States makes a difference in their country.” The Pew Global Attitudes Project reported as recently as last summer that 83 percent of Japanese people have “a high interest in the U.S. presidential race,” compared to only 80 percent of Americans during that same time period. With this in mind, the most major change as a result of Nov. 4’s decision may come on the international scene, where the next

“There is no question that this election is a history-maker. Every single U.S. president and vice president to date has been a white male. Regardless of the winning ticket, this will obviously have to change.” — Economics professor Gregory S. Burge president will be forced to deal with a rising China, a booming India, a belligerent Iran and a fractious Pakistan, not to mention Iraq and Afghanistan. “There’s this sense that American influence, politically, culturally and militarily extends around the world – people in other countries feel like they have a stake in this, so that’s why it’s so crucial,” Messitte said. Although there is significant political change on the horizon, Gaddie said that the concerns of students headed to the polls on Election Day haven’t changed that much over the years. “Students are scared about the economy, jobs, health care, the environment, war and peace,” he said. “And, as always, campus parking.

ELECTION 2008

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

OUDaily.com

OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN

OUDaily.com

ELECTION 2008

OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DISTRICT 46 (WEST NORMAN)

DISTRICT 45 (EAST NORMAN)

TOD BARRETT (R) V. BILL NATIONS (D)

MIRANDA NORMAN (D) V. SCOTT MARTIN (R)

WALLACE COLLINS (D) V. AARON STILES (R)

Although a Democrat has represented District 44 for all but four years of the district’s history, Republican hopeful Tod Barrett is taking on incumbent Bill Nations, who is running for his sixth and final term in the House. Barrett is an attorney who graduated from the University of Tulsa. His Web site lays out a detailed plan for discouraging frivolous lawsuits in TOD BARRETT Oklahoma. Nations has promised to continue working on lowering energy costs, reforming health care and bringing more job opportunities with benefits to Norman if he is reelected. According to his Web site, he has fought to insure uninsured Oklahoma children, raise the per-student spending in Oklahoma public schools and provide tuition relief for families that earn less than $50,000 a year. Barrett has attacked Nations’ record BILL NATIONS during his time in the House, challenging his ability to get things done efficiently. “We don’t disagree on issues, but we might disagree on how to accomplish them,” Barrett said. “The question is, ‘Who is going to be the most effective at this time?’”

Democrat Miranda Norman is challenging Republican incumbent Scott Martin for District 45’s seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which Martin has held for two years. Martin describes himself on his Web site as “pro-life,” “pro-gun,” “pro-family” legislator who is an advocate of tort reform, highway funding reform and SCOTT MARTIN property rights protection. He would like to see the legislature eliminate frivolous lawsuits and limit lawsuit awards, change the highway funding system so that toll money goes to the maintenance of bridges and roads, not into a general state fund and protect property owners from eminent domain abuses. Martin’s opponent is a 26-year-old OU student and Iraq war veteran who is described as driven and focused by friends and colleagues who were interviewed by The Daily in September. MIRANDA NORMAN Norman, a public administration junior, says her priorities are easing the tax burden on the middle class, investing in Oklahoma’s schools and protecting benefits for veterans.

Aaron Stiles, a 29-year-old graduate of the OU College of Law, is challenging Democrat Wallace Collins, who was born and raised in Norman. Stiles is critical of what he calls “good ole boy” Oklahoma politics and promised on his Web site that if he is elected, he will work to limit state-level spendWALLACE COLLINS ing on administrative costs including lavish offices and unnecessary bureaucracy. He has called for an increase in pay for state employees and a reorganization of the education system that would trim the number of school districts from 537 to 77 in an effort to eliminate red tape and bureaucratic expenses without closing schools. Collins is an advocate of raising the minimum wage and reducing taxes. He supported a $241 million reduction in income and inheritance taxes. He’s also a proponent of mental AARON STILES health care reform in Oklahoma. He said on his Web site that he’s tired of “patients sleeping on the floor for lack of beds” at Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, and was named an outstanding legislator by the National Association for the Mentally Ill.

DISTRICT 44 (CAMPUS AREA)

—MEREDITH SIMONS/THE DAILY

— MEREDITH SIMONS/THE DAILY

—MEREDITH MORIAK/THE DAILY

CORPORATION COMMISSIONER DANA MURPHY (R) V. JIM ROTH (D) JEFF CLOUD (R) V. CHARLES GRAY (D)

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission works to regulate intrastate transportation and energy issues. It regulates state oil and gas drilling and establishes the rates of public utilities. The commission oversees everything from trucking policy to energy bills, and it is responsible for determining how to best use Oklahoma’s energy resources without hurting the environment. There are two corporation commissioner seats up for grabs this year, one for a partial term of two years and one for a full C. GRAY term of six years. Republican Dana Murphy challenges Democratic incumbent Jim Roth for the partialterm seat. Murphy has said she wants to make power as affordable and reliable as possible to encourage business throughout the state. She believes that JEFF CLOUD all energy sources should be

explored, including nuclear power and clean coal technology. Roth’s campaign argues that clean coal isn’t viable in Oklahoma and would do unnecessary damage to the environment. Roth has said that if elected, he will focus on using wind energy in conjunction with existing energy plants and create an efficienDANA MURPHY cy program which could save Oklahomans up to 30 percent on their energy bills. Democrat Charles Gray challenges Republican incumbent Jeff Cloud for the fullterm commission seat. Gray has said taxpayer money is JIM ROTH being wasted by Cloud’s mismanagement and if elected, Gray will work to reduce business regulation. Cloud touts his experience on the commission and has vowed to protect consumers’ interests and work to make Oklahoma the nation’s leader in wind energy production. — RYAN BRYANT/THE DAILY

OKLAHOMA SENATE DISTRICT 15 (WEST NORMAN) DIANE M. DRUM (D) V. JONATHAN NICHOLS (R)

Republican Jonathan Nichols is seeking re-election to the state Senate. He faces Democrat Diane Drum, a math teacher at Norman High School. Nichols, a former attorney, has been a state senator since 2000. Drum has had no previous political experience. Nichols is a member of Appropriations, Education, Energy and Environment, and Finance committees in the Oklahoma Senate and is the co-chairman of the subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary. Nichols was recently in the news for his DIANE DRUM reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision forbidding the death penalty for child rapists. Nichols authored Oklahoma’s 2006 law that made the death penalty an option for repeat child molesters. Though Drum does not have a political background she does have very strong beliefs. “I believe: Education is our greatest hope. Faith is our most important value. Responsibility is the key to success,” states Drum’s Web site. J. NICHOLS According to the site, she plans to create an Oklahoma Economic Development Plan to help grow the state’s economy, make Oklahoma a leading center for energy research and make health insurance affordable for families. —WHITNEY ORTEGA/THE DAILY

LONGSHOT DEMOCRAT FIGHTING INCUMBENT FOR US SENATE NATASHA GOODELL DAILY STAFF WRITER

THE DAILY ROUNDS UP VITAL INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES IN STATE RACES

OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

AP Photos

Democratic Oklahoma state Sen. Andrew Rice, left, is challenging Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma’s senior senator, for a spot in the U.S. Senate.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 4TH DISTRICT TOM COLE (R) V. BLAKE CUMMINGS (D)

Tom Cole, the 6-year Republican incumbent for the 4th District’s House seat and chairman of the GOP house committee, is be challenged by Blake Cummings, the Pauls Valley Democrat whose slogan is “Send a working man to Washington.” The region has a long history of being conservative, but Cole is only leading Cummings by five points, according to the Associated Press. The economic crisis has put the differences between the two candidates in sharp relief. Cole voted in favor of the $700 billion bailout, but Cummings said he would have voted against if he’d been in office. Cole’s Web site says “The United States has the strongest most stable economy in the world, but there TOM COLE is still more work to be done,” while Cummings claims that “Oklahomans are facing a real-time crisis at the gas pump, in the housing market, and in the grocery store.” Independent David E. Joyce will also be on the ballot. Joyce, a truck driver and small business owner from Wynnewood, calls himself a voice for blue collar America. He wrote on his Myspace.com page that if he is elected, his first goal will be to “challenge big business and the oil companies by opposing their efforts to maintain control of our country and our economy system; by promoting and installing a solution to the BLAKE CUMMINGS fuel prices and cost of goods through installation of government regulations prohibiting the outrageous raises we have seen over the last couple of years.” According to federal campaign finance records, Cole had raised $1,010,103 and spent $706,064 on his campaign as of Oct. 15. Cummings had raised $7,563 and spent $7,642 on his campaign. Financial data was not available for Joyce. —AMY FROST/THE DAILY

emocrat Andrew Rice, a state senator from Oklahoma City, is challenging Republican Jim Inhofe for the U.S. Senate seat that Inhofe has held for 14 years, since OU President David L. Boren stepped down from the Senate in 1994. Inhofe, who was named “Most Outstanding Conservative U.S. Senator” by Human Events Newspaper and the American Conservative Union, is known for being one of the most conservative members of the Senate. Inhofe says Rice is too liberal for Oklahoma. However, Rice has said that his positions range across the political spectrum. “He is looking to put people before politics,” Tres Savage, Rice’s press secretary, said of Rice. Savage is a former editor-in-chief of The Daily. Savage said Rice holds true to the values that are important to him. As someone with a religious studies degree and experience with mission work, Rice believes social justice is of great importance. If elected, Rice will look out

for the middle-class citizens who he believes have been ignored by Washington, Savage said. During his time in the Senate, Inhofe has been a strong advocate for the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility, according to his Web site. He thinks the federal bureaucracy has over-regulated the business community and believes the government works best when it gives back “dollars, decisions and freedom” to local communities and families. Stephen Wallace, a Tulsa developer, is also on the senatorial ballot. According to his Web site, Wallace is running because he believes the government is corrupt and the American judicial branch is out of control. “I will cause the U.S. Congress and the President to reenact the Independent Counsel Act (ie Ken Star [sic] position) To immediately prosecute public corruption,” he wrote. According to federal campaign finance records, Inhofe had raised $5,093,862 for his campaign as of Oct. 15. Rice had raised $2,565,162. Wallace has neither raised nor spent any money.

BALLOT BOX

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTION DAY As Nov. 4 draws closer and the political environment becomes frenzied, some firsttime voters will have questions that need to be addressed before polls open.

REGISTERED IN CLEVELAND COUNTY For those who have registered in Cleveland County, finding a polling place is the next step in casting a vote. There is a polling place address printed on every voter registration card. You can also visit the Oklahoma State Election Board Web site at www.ok.gov/elections to locate your assigned polling place. Do not forget to bring a state- or federally-issued identification card, such as a driver’s license or a passport. Also bring the voter identification card that you received in the mail after registering to vote. If you lost your voter ID card or did not receive one in the mail, call the Cleveland County Election Board at 366-0210, and they will replace it. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

REGISTERED OUTSIDE OF CLEVELAND COUNTY For those not registered in Norman, you can send an absentee ballot to the county in which you are registered, or you can vote early. If you wish to vote via absentee ballot, you must have already requested an absentee ballot from your county election board. Voters have until 7 p.m. Nov. 4 to return their absentee ballots. You can also vote early if voting on Tuesday isn’t convenient. Friday and Monday you can vote at your county election board from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Polls will also be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

ON THE BALLOT Election day ballots contain more choices than presidential candidates. Not only do voters have the opportunity to vote for the President, but they can also cast their vote for state races and various referendums. However, Oklahoma county election boards do not require citizens to vote for everything on the ballot.