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CAMPUs NEWs DNA testing bill named after slain OU student Juli busken A new bill in Arkansas would require collecting DNA from anyone arrested for a variety of felonies including murder, kidnapping, manslaughter, sexual assault, battery and rape.

It’s called “Juli’s Law,” in honor of Juli Busken, a 21-year-old OU student from Benton, Ark., who was killed in 1996.

In 2006, Anthony Castillo Sanchez was taken into custody on a burglary charge and was linked by DNA to Busken’s death. He was sentenced to death in 2006, and an appeal in the case was heard last week on OU’s campus.

The parents of the victim, Bud and Mary Jean Busken, attended a news conference announcing the bill filing and urged lawmakers to support the measure.

LIFE & ARTs Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman has a new issue out. Check out ‘This Week In Comics’ on page 12.

The Sooner Theatre is turning 80 years old and is still going strong. Check it out on page 9.

Not sure when to call that cute girl you met last week? The answers to this and more on page 9.

sPORTs The women’s basketball team faced Texas Tech last night in Lubbock and squeaked out a 80-72 victory to stay perfect in the Big 12. Go to page 7 for details.

Amy Frost/The Daily

The softball team already has one tournament victory under its belt. The Sooners’ first games in Norman will be today against Stephen F. Austin. Page 8.

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TODAY’s INDEX Campus Notes 11 Classifieds 10 10 Crossword Horoscope 11 L&A 9,12

News 3,5,6,11 Opinion 4 Police Reports 11 Sports 7,8 Sudoku 10

WEATHER FORECAsT

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Family and friends offer support for new mother, newborn • Student gave birth to baby boy in Walker Tower reneÉ SeLanderS The Oklahoma Daily

photo provided

Newborn son of freshman mother

He’s less than a week old, but in two days he’s become one of the most talked about boys on campus.

The son of the University College freshman who gave birth in her Walker Tower bathroom is at home with his mother and grandparents.

The mother said she did not drink or smoke during her eight-month pregnancy, even though she wasn’t aware she was pregnant.

She said she and the boy’s father will raise the baby, which was born healthy.

The mother said the blue-eyed baby boy, who weighed seven pounds when he was born, has a full head of light brown hair. She said he is already developing a personality and makes a lot of interesting, funny faces.

“He likes to blow bubbles at the ceiling,” she said. “It’s adorable.”

Since she gave birth on Thursday, the mother said she has received lots of support from friends and family.

“Everybody’s been great,” she

said. “We’ve got tons of stuff for him.

Everybody wants to see him.”

University College freshman Kelsey Craig, a friend of the mother, said she received a phone call from the mother a couple of days after the baby’s birth.

“It’s all good news,” Craig said. “The baby is doing well.”

Craig said she understands why some may have a hard time believing the pregnancy was undetected. She said she saw the mother at least every other day during the fall semester and there weren’t any signs that the mother was pregnant.

“I didn’t notice any visual difference in her appearance,” Craig said.

Campus assault fuels concealed carry debate • Boren opposed to weapons on campus wiLL HoLLand The Oklahoma Daily The debate over the legalization of concealed weapons on Oklahoma college campuses is heating up after Friday afternoon, when an OU professor was attacked in Kaufman Hall by an armed former student.

Advocates for both sides of the argument say the attack represents why their point of view is correct.

Last spring the debate temporarily was silenced when Sens. Johnny Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, and Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, decided not to put a bill that would allow concealed carry on campus on the agenda of a state Senate committee, effectively killing it.

But the author of that bill, Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, has proposed a similar bill this session. He said Friday’s attack is a prime example of why people with specific training should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.

“It’s a case in point,” he said.

Murphey’s proposal, House Bill 1083, would allow college professors with concealed carry licenses to have concealed weapons on campus. It also has a provision that would allow those who have been throuh the Council on Law Enforcement and Education Training certification process, largely current and former law enforcement and military personnel, to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.

Before Murphey’s proposal was killed last year, several state higher education officials, including OU President David Boren, publicly denounced the bill, saying it would be unsafe to allow weapons on campuses.

Murphey said that higher education officials used propaganda to “demonize” members of the military last spring, but he doesn’t think they will be able to do the same to professors this year.

“It’s hard for higher ed. [officials] to demonize teachers,” he said.

Boren, however, said he still believes guns should not be allowed on OU’s campuses. He also said Friday’s incident is an example of why guns should be banned on campus, unless they are in the hands of professional law enforcement officers.

Boren said the attacker did not fire his gun in the incident, but if other people in the area also had weapons, the outcome could have been different.

“I think [it is] just another example of why this [concealed carry] isn’t a good idea,” he said. “In this situation it sure wouldn’t have helped things.”

Murphey said this year’s proposal might suffer the same fate as last year’s — if it is not heard by a House committee it will not make it to the House floor.

Even if the bill does pass through the House, the Senate may refuse to hear it based on the fact that a similar bill already has been killed in committee.

That bill was proposed by Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, and would have allowed law enforcement officials who have been through training with the Council on Law

James Cornwell/The Daily

House Bill 1083 would allow Council on Law Enforcement and Education Training (CLEET)-certified persons and professors with concealed carry licenses to carry concealed firearms on campus.

Enforcement Education and Training to have concealed weapons on campuses.

Bass’ bill might not have affected OU much, though, because members of the OUPD already are allowed to carry weapons on campus. Current Oklahoma laws allow

college presidents to give permission to individuals to carry concealed weapons.

Bass said he is not in favor of allowing anybody but trained law enforcement officials to carry weapons on college campuses.

childerS retUrnS to normAn Michael Joseph Childers sits in the back seat of a police cruiser as Noble police officers escort him to the Cleveland County Detention Center Tuesday evening.

Childers, 27, allegedly attacked Japanese language professor Mano Yasuda on the second floor of Kaufman Hall Friday. Witnesses said they saw Yasuda and Childers struggling and that Childers had a gun.

Childers was dismissed from OU after he hacked into Yasuda’s OU 4x4 account in 2007.

Childers allegedly fled campus after the incident, which occurred about 3 p.m. Friday. He was arrested about five hours later, 135 miles away in Broken Arrow, where his family lives. He was held in the Tulsa County Detention Center without bond over the President’s Day weekend and was transferred to Norman Tuesday.

Childers was charged with a criminal felony Tuesday, and Yasuda filed a protective order against him.

Liz Brooks/The Daily

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

Accreditation renewal helps maintain high standards t 4PNF EFHSFFT SFRVJSF BDDSFEJUBUJPO GPS FNQMPZNFOU

Applications for UOSA elections due Thursday Applications to run in the spring election for UOSA president, vice president, CAC chair and president of the Center for Housing Student Association are due Thursday. Applications can be picked up in the Conoco Student Leadership Wing in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, room 181.

JAMIE BIRDWELL T�� O������� D���� The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications is up for re-accreditation this week by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

The process is extensive and the faculty and staff have been preparing since the fall, said Celia Perkins, director of communications for Gaylord College. Part of the preparations include writing a review of all the activities that go on in the college, which must get re-accredited every six years.

An accreditation committee comes to campus to evaluate the curriculum and instruction, the number of full and part time faculty, advisement, building and research, Perkins said.

The accreditation committee also seeks student opinions of their college, Perkins said. Once they hear from the faculty, students are given a chance to say what they think needs to be improved and what they like about their program.

Accreditation, though a long and tedious process, is essential to maintaining the campus-wide standard and reputation, Perkins said. “It makes [degrees] more valuable because the accreditation certifies that we are keeping pace with technology and the industry,� he said. “We have to prove that once you get out and graduate that you’ll be able to get into the work place.�

All colleges on campus are academically accredited as part of the campus-wide program, said Nancy Mergler, provost and senior vice president. Representatives of

UOSA UPDATE

Green Week to push campus recyling UOSA will sponsor Green Week April 6-10. The event focuses on fundraising to promote recycling on campus. Claire Peterson, UOSA Green Week chairwoman, said the project’s “biggest push� is to get more recycling bins on campus.

Photo illustration by Eli Hull/The Daily

College accredidation boards have several criteria that must be met before they give their stamp of approval. the North Central Association for Higher Learning Commission visit campus every 10 years to review studies and renew university-wide accreditation, she said.

In addition to the academic accreditation, many colleges have disciplinespecific accreditation, she said. The additional accreditation is very important for some colleges because students will not be certified or licensed to do certain jobs without it, such as architecture or teaching. Some graduate programs will not accept students without a properly accredited program.

The architecture program, which has five separately accredited disciplines, must be accredited or the students will not be able to take licensing exams, said James Patterson, associate dean for the College of Architecture.

Unlike Gaylord College, which has all disciplines accredited at the same time, the architecture program is visited by five different accreditation groups, Patterson said. The architecture discipline will be re-accredited on March 9 by the National Architecture Accrediting Board, he said.

Accrediting boards or committees con-

sist of deans, professors and professionals in the field from across the U.S., according to Perkins. Their visits typically last three to five days, during which time they meet with an assortment of faculty, staff, students, alumni and sometimes the public at large, Mergler said. “It’s basically a kind of internal audit of the academic processes,� Mergler said. “Do we know what we’re about? Are we doing it well?�

The number of discipline-specific accreditations at OU is standard for a public university, Mergler said.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis. Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation.

ERROR SUBMISSIONS e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu phone: 325-3666

Model UN challenges students with crisis simulation, teaches diplomacy t )JHI TDIPPM TUVEFOUT CFDPNF NPDL EJQMPNBUT

dents the chance to experience how diplomats and world leaders function in various situations. “Everyone working together is better at solving a problem,� said Steven Sherber, a former OU student who participated in the Model U.N. in the late 1960s.

LAUREN STALFORD Sherber said Model U.N. taught him how to T�� O������� D���� solve problems through teamwork. Sherber is now a clinical social worker and said the skills he OU will host more than 300 regional high learned through Model U.N. have been valuable school students today for the 50th Model United in his every day life.

Nation’s Southwest Conference.

The Model U.N. process begins when high Model U.N. gives college and high school stu- schools send in applications for countries they dents a chance to understand foreign diplomacy want to represent. The countries that are part by placing students in mock U.N. councils. of the UN “big fiveâ€? are the “You learn a great deal most popular, Holliman said. about how diplomacy works After OU students assign Model U.N. Details and how people interact each high school group a with each other,“ said Keith t )JHI TDIPPM TUVEFOUT GSPN 0LMBIPNB nation, students have until Brecheen, political science Texas, Louisiana and Kansas will be at OU the conference to learn about and history senior. for today’s conference. their country and submit resSara King, international olutions that will be debated t 6 / iCJH ĂśWFw JODMVEFT UIF 6 4 'SBODF area studies sophomore and in committees during the China, Russia and United Kingdom.

Model U.N. of the Southwest conference. t -JLF UIF 6 / UIF .PEFM 6 / IBT ĂśWF member, said she has built Students can choose topcommittees: special political, disarmafriendships from her expeics like war crimes, illegal ment and international security, human rience and learned not just arms trade, women’s rights rights, trade and development, and about global politics, but how and debt relief to discuss and security council. students interact with each debate within their commitother. tees, said Amy Logan, Model “I’m hoping they will enjoy U.N. of the Southwest advistheir experience on campus,â€? King said. “ I also er. want them to learn about the world around Model U.N. committees follow the real U.N. them.â€?Stephanie Holliman, international area process; students are placed on committees studies and economics senior and Model U.N. of according to where their nations serve in the the Southwest secretary general, has participated U.N., Logan said. in the conference for nine years. The program Students will debate the submitted resolutions helped her develop a passion for international within their committees today and Thursday, and relations, she said. the committees will combine Friday. The comHolliman also said Model U.N. helped her bined counsels will take resolutions passed in develop speaking skills and learn to work with each committee and debate them further. others in a fast paced environment.

Brecheen runs the crises portion of the conKing said Model U.N. gives high school stu- ference, which uses simulated events meant to

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Q&A: STEPHANIE HOLLIMAN, MODEL U.N SOUTHWEST SECRETARY GENERAL What was your favorite resolution at the meeting?

I would have to say there was a really interesting resolution that had to do with refugees who originally lived in Nepal. The refugees were going from Nepal to Bhutan because of a Communist uprising. The resolution was trying to get the refuges in Bhutan back to Nepal.

What was your favorite committee and why?

My senior year, the crisis staff had decided Russia was trying to corner the oil market. What I found fascinating was trying to work around that and keep Russia from having control of the oil market.

What was the strangest resolution proposed?

It would have to be a human rights resolution trying to distribute condoms in Africa. It allowed a set number of three condoms per male in Africa, which was a little unfeasible.

Definitely special political, because you get to see a variety of resolutions. I always found something new to talk about and something interesting to think about.

Which country did you like representing the best?

What was the most interesting crisis situation?

India, because it afforded me the opportunity to research an area of the world I knew very little about. India had a very different view of international priorities.

mirror real-life situations the U.N. might have to solve, like pirates off the Horn of Africa or diplomats smuggling weapons in unsearchable diplomatic bags. There are typically seven to 10 crises in a conference week.

These problems exist in the world, Brecheen said. He said the students in the conference need to come together and figure out how to solve them. “There are peaceful solutions to everything,�

Brecheen said.

Holliman said although the Model U.N. of the Southwest Conference’s is marking its 50th anniversary, changes could be on the horizon for the program.

“One thing that we are seeing is a different type of person joining the Model U.N.,“ she said.

The Model U.N. at OU used to be made up mostly of the students who participated in the conference during high school, but now more OU students are getting involved, Holliman said. “We are seeing more people interested in international issues and who have a diverse perspective on these issues,� she said.

Holliman said she expects the change in participants to bring diversity and new ideas of how to run the conference.

The Model U.N. at OU also is trying to expand its program to include college students in the competitions, she said.

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Call (405) 325-3668 Spring sessions begin Feb. 23 Sooner yearbook is a publication of OU Student Media in the division of Student Affairs.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

Nijim Dabbour, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu phone: 325-3666 fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Campus News

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

3

Sooner goes from pro ball to pro brisket from 1976 to 1979. Ray set records and even made the All Decade Team. He went on to play five seasons with the New York Jets.

Ray came back to Oklahoma after parting ways with the Jets.

“The Jets said, ‘See ya, get out. We don’t care where you go, but you gotta ALEX LYNN leave our complex.”

The Oklahoma Daily Ray was inspired by his former teammate, Phil Tabor, who had turned down a Former OU football player Darrol Ray contract with the New York Giants a year used to slice up opposing offenses on before to open a restaurant in Ardmore Owen Field in the mid-’70s. Now he to open his own restaurant in 1987.

“But when our lease was up, we decidslices up brisket and “ribs so tender you ed we’d try something difdon’t need teeth.” ferent,” Ray said.

“That’s our motto,” So Ray opened T.D. Ray said.

Rays, though he admits it Ray and his wife, may not have been a good Diane, own Ray’s business plan. Ray said the Smokehouse BBQ on restaurant was too ambiLindsey Street. tious and grandiose.

For Ray, OU football “We had breakfast, was a high-level sport, The Daily profiles unique lunch and dinner. We also but it was mostly for fun, members of the Sooner had pizza. We did a little and at the end of the day community. barbecue on the side. We it was just a game. opened at 6 and closed “But this right here,” at 10.”

Ray said as he looked Ray said within a few years, the operaaround his restaurant, “has a lot of reward and gratification. It’s not ‘fun’ tion was streamlined to focus more on fun. It’s not like running down the ramp barbecue and efficient service. Ray said at Texas, having 30,000 people cheering the business improved, but he still wanttheir heads off and another 37,000 people ed to open a different place.

Five months ago, Ray’s Smokehouse booing you.”

Born in San Francisco, Ray played BBQ opened its doors in Norman.

“This place just kind of fell into our high school football in Killeen, Texas.

He was a member of OU’s signing class laps,” Ray said.

Ray said three different locations of 1975, arguably one of its best. Head coach Barry Switzer personally recruited slipped through his fingers for various him, bringing Ray to OU on an athletic reasons before his real estate agent scholarship, where he played free safety showed him the former Pizza Hut build-

• Former OU safety cooks up barbecue on Lindsey Street

James Cornwell/The Daily

Former OU and New York Jets football player Darrol Ray poses in front of the menu at Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ, which opened its doors last fall on 1514 W. Lindsey Street. ing on Lindsey Street.

“We had this place locked down before they even moved out,” Ray said.

Ray liked the place because of its prominent location on Lindsey Street.

The building still has its oddly shaped windows, and until recently, the signature roof, but inside it’s a different place.

Rustic farm and gardening tools hang from the rafters. Old ads and black and white photos adorn the walls. Sooner memorabilia is everywhere, some signed by former Heisman Trophy winners. He even has a photo of Switzer and himself at the Orange Bowl. Near the door, almost tucked away, is a framed collection of his trading cards from his time with Jets.

DARROL RAY Darrol Ray played defensive tackle, cornerback and free safety for the Sooners from 1976-1979.

He played in the Hula, Orange, Senior and Fiesta Bowls. He was also a punter and handled kickoffs, althought originally he was recruited to play quarterback.

Ray was selected 40th in the 1980 NFL draft, and played with the New York Jets from 1980-1984 as a free safety.

A fierce competitor and a selfdescribed “horrible loser,” Ray said he brings the competitive drive he garnered playing football at such a high level to his business — only this time with a little more affection.

“I love all my competitors,” he said. “I know what it takes to run a restaurant.

Everyone in the food business knows.

This is what you do to feed your family and to pay the bills.”

Ray also has some advice for current OU student athletes, considering his subsequent success after football.

“Stay in your books,” he said. “If you have even a glimmer of a dream of what you want to do later in life, don’t be afraid ... if you want to do X, don’t let

somebody tell you you should do A, B and C,” Ray said.

Although he set records, lost only six games and met his wife while at OU, Ray said he does have some regrets.

“I could have done a lot more if I’d pushed myself [in school],” Ray said. “It would have made for a much more interesting academic experience. I don’t have many regrets, but that is one of them.”

Ray is happy, though. After all, he runs a successful business with his wife, has raised three daughters and makes some pretty good barbecue.

“The name you see on that pole out there, that’s the person you’re going to find in here. We’re proud of our barbecue.”

LETTER TO THE OU FAMILY Dear Members of the OU Community: In light of the recent incident on campus Friday, I thought that it was appropriate for me to contact you with a reminder about emergency procedures.

As you know, we periodically review our emergency response plans to ensure that our system is current and effective. Knowing about potentially dangerous behavior is critical to our being able to assess if a threat may be present.

As a student, faculty or staff member on campus you are in a unique position to notice any unusual or concerning behavior that may pose a threat. Certainly, if you observe any behavior that may constitute a current or imminent threat, immediately contact the University of Oklahoma Police Department by calling 911.

If you observe unusual behavior that concerns you, but does not rise to the level of contacting the police, please discuss your concerns at the earliest possible time with the Vice President for Student Affairs, Clarke Stroud, or the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Susan Sasso. Both can be reached by calling 325-3161. Any information provided will be appropriately reviewed and a report and recommendation on the matter will be made to me. Please be assured that all information will be handled with the utmost sensitivity and discretion and with all due regard for constitutional and legal safeguards.

I also want to remind you that in the event of an emergency situation, OU’s emergency communication system allows the university to contact students, faculty and staff within minutes by telephone, e-mail and text messaging. For the system to function fully, it is important for the university to have your updated contact information. Please update your emergency contact information online at http://account.ou.edu/. In reviewing the recent use of our system to provide information to assist law enforcement, we noted that some members of the community had not updated their contact information.

We appreciate your continued help and support.

Sincerely,

David L. Boren President

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

4

Opinion

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

OUR VIEW

STAFF CARTOON

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

Matt Reed - broadcast and electronic media senior

Guns on campus bill still too risky State lawmakers again have filed fail to recognize why professors carrylegislation that would allow concealed ing on campus are less of a threat than carry of firearms on campus. students. Concealed carry licenses are House Bill 1083, which was authored much too easy to obtain to allow proby Rep. Jason Murphey, fessors to carry.

R-Guthrie, could be heard in Concealed carry licenses OUR VIEW require very minimal traincommittee meetings by the is an editorial end of the week. See Page 1 ing and actual knowledge of selected and debated for details. how to use a gun. by the editorial board We oppose HB 1083. It A Daily staff member and written after a majority opinion is would allow both faculty earned a license last year formed and approved members who are “primarand proved just how easy it by the editor. Our View ily charged with classroom is. She had no trouble comis The Daily’s official opinion. teaching responsibilities” pleting the eight-hour trainand persons who are certiing session, during which fied by the Council on Law the instructor all but told the Enforcement Education and Training students answers to questions on the to carry guns. We oppose the bill spe- written exam. If faculty members are cifically because of the former provi- to carry guns on campus, they should sion. go through a training process that is We think professors, like students, much more rigorous. should be prohibited from carrying Though not all faculty members weapons on campus. While the provi- would acquire a license to carry, we sion for CLEET-certified individuals think the number of people on campus could increase campus security and who are allowed to carry should be safety, the bill as a whole has potential minimal. And everyone who carries a to make campus more dangerous. We weapon should be well trained.

STAFF COLUMN

Proposition 8 debate legal, not religious We have inaugurated the first black president in U.S. history. So that must mean minorities have finally attained their rightful place in our society, right?

Not exactly.

There is still an ongoing battle over the passing of Proposition 8 in California, which “provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Those opposed to the bill have been challenging its validity on various grounds, including the TRAVIS claim that it constitutes a revision of, rather GROGAN than an amendment to, the California state constitution, and thus must receive a twothirds vote of support from the state legislature. Even the California attorney general, Jerry Brown, told the state Supreme Court that the proposition violates the constitutional right to liberty.

The California Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against the prop-

osition on March 5. Proponents of Prop 8 continue to contend that the bill “protects our children” [protectmarrige.com] and that homosexuality is immoral. Why do so many insist it’s immoral? Because, they say, the Bible says so.

This is problematic.

It is true that the Bible does seem to condemn homosexuality as “an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). The problem is that Leviticus also condemns tattoos, trimming your beard, planting two crops on the same field and wearing clothing with two different materials, while declaring a man who has sex with another man’s slave can be forgiven because the slave does not posses freedom.

It also declares that adulterers, mediums and homosexuals should be put to death. And somehow most people who contend gay marriage is immoral because of biblical reasons aren’t ready to condone stoning to death those who claim to be able to talk to your dead grandmother.

Leaving the issue of morality aside, there is a much bigger question at hand.

Should minority rights be put to a majority

Tony Avelar/AP

Stuart Gaffney, left, and partner John Lewis walk with other same-sex couples toward the County Clerks office at City Hall on Feb. 12 in San Francisco. vote? Doesn’t that sound much more like a populist regime rather than a democracy that values protecting minority rights?

Would it be permissible for the slight female majority of this country to strip

rights from the male population? Would it be acceptable for the white majority to define marriage strictly as between a white man and a white woman?

I understand the argument that the

STAFF COLUMN

Americans need common ethos to ensure prosperity

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editor Night Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor

Dane Beavers Whitney Bryen Steven Jones Luke Atkinson Judy Gibbs Robinson R.T. Conwell

Neal Sharma is a University College freshman.

V O I C E

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

There are those who believe in a right to affordable education and healthcare and those who don’t. And there are those who believe in secure retirement benefits and those who don’t.

If we continue to prioritize arrogance over modesty, greed over generosity and decadence over integrity, children will not be the only ones left behind: everyone will.

In the 21st century, American leadership cannot rely on carrying a big stick and feeding carrots to allied yet subordinate nations.

A new ethic of responsibility understands globalization has rendered every country mutually dependent.

In moving forward, the quintessential question we face is whether our nation wishes to lead in the same hypocritical fashion of the past eight years or truly turn the page on history.

Enter the age of holding the government accountable — a time when an informed citizenry is paramount.

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

O F

160 Copeland Hall 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270 phone: (405) 325-3666 e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

T H E The Fine Print

T H E

on a gunshot victim, the caring eighthgrade teacher who arrives at school early and leaves late to ensure her children can read at grade-level, the loving highschool student who works two jobs to support his family because his mother has breast cancer and his father abandoned them.

Before the U.S. can criticize other nations for human rights abuses, it should focus on its own NEAL credibility.

Home foreclosure may SHARMA not be a crime against humanity in the conventional sense, but it deserves our attention.

It’s not necessary to travel to SubSaharan Africa to see the plight of poverty. We simply have to look around and understand the unemployment rate is near double digits.

There are fundamentally two types of people: those who believe everyone is born equal and those who don’t.

There are those who believe in gay and women’s rights and those who don’t.

Contact Us

We voted for change, but how do we sustain it?

Global recession and plunging oil prices have weakened the U.S.-unfriendly regimes of Iran, Venezuela and Russia. Now is the critical opportunity for the U.S. to reclaim leadership in a world that no longer has to be “post-American.”

The solution is not simply military strikes to externalize our insecurities. The solution begins on the home front.

Americans need a national mythology to rally around — a common ethos. The first step to future prosperity is to give people a sense of purpose.

Paths must be made available in our rigorous science fields to pursue stem cell research and alternative energies, and also in the low-tech yet dignified public works initiatives.

The latest stimulus bill is a start, but we must make sure to not merely dig holes and fill them up.

Furthermore, we should no longer glorify the Pussycat Dolls among us.

We should sing for the unsung heroes in our midst: the noble physician who answers the 3 a.m. phone call to operate

term “marriage” is a religious term, and therefore religious institutions should have the right to define what it means.

But marriage is also a legal term that can be used to define a union between a Jew and an atheist who had their ceremony performed by an Elvis impersonator. As soon as “marriage” became a legal term, Christians lost the right to define it for everyone. We do not live in a theocracy.

I do think Christians should be allowed to define their own term for themselves.

Instead of trying to explicitly define a legal term in a way that conflicts with its religious etymological roots, let’s just rid the legal system of the religious term.

Let both heterosexuals and homosexuals be joined, by anyone who possesses a state license and is willing to perform the ceremony, in a civil union rather than a marriage.

This way, we can adequately accord any couple the rights and privileges they deserve under the equal protection clause, and reduce this conflict to what it should truly be: a semantic debate.

Travis Grogan is a political science junior.

COMMENTS OF THE DAY In response to Carson Painter’s Tuesday column about the stimulus package If Painter is confidently predicting only 25 percent of this bill will be any good, doesn’t he have any lottery numbers for me. Since the economy is so bad, i thought I’d stimulate my own economy by winning the lottery.

Can you help me?

POSTED BY KDBP1213 AT OUDAILY.COM

In reponse to Max Avery’s Feb. 17 column about the media’s portrayal of Nkunda Very interesting column about a region most people know little or nothing about. Thanks for adding a voice to the discussion.

POSTED BY SOONERCUB AT OUDILY. COM

In response to a letter to the editor about contraceptive advertisement in The Daily.

don’t want it, then don’t use it. No one’s twisting your arm. But for those of us who do use condoms, a coupon is really appreciated.

POSTED BY JFREEZY AT OUDAILY. COM

I am a Christian as well, and it is my hope that there are people out there who are choosing to not have sex before marriage.

However, I am going to ask you to be realistic for a second and see that there are tons of people out there having sex. So condoms are a wonderful thing because they accomplish a couple of great things.

If you believe in and support traditional religious and family values you should definitely believe in and support condoms.

If you don’t need them because you are abstinent, great! But don’t deny the people that do need them their right to health.

POSTED BY PEACELOVE77 AT OUDAILY.COM

This is the 21st century. If you

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News

5

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

Obama signs stimulus, readies foreclosure aid

STATE BRIEFS Committee approves anti-abortion bill OKLAHOMA CITY — A state House committee Tuesday approved legislation that would prohibit physicians from performing abortions solely on account of the gender of a woman’s fetus, even though the measure’s author said there is no evidence the practice has ever occurred in the state.

The legislation, passed 20-2 by the House Public Health Committee, also creates the Statistical Reporting of Abortion Act, which requires physicians who perform abortions to report certain information to the state Department of Health.

The measure is the last in a long list of anti-abortion bills that have been considered by the Oklahoma Legislature in recent years that restrict a woman’s legal right to terminate a pregnancy that was affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

State revenue shortfall $612 million OKLAHOMA CITY — A state board headed by Gov. Brad Henry approved a new revenue estimate on Tuesday that shrinks the state budget for next year by $612 million.

“It’s not good news. We were already facing a very challenging budget situation,” Henry said.

The governor’s executive budget, outlined on Feb. 2, reduced spending for several agencies, but spared education, public safety and transportation from cuts for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Henry said the situation is not so dire that it should produce worker layoffs or furloughs and his goal is still to save education and other critical services from cuts.

“But I cannot say that with certainty right now” whether that will be possible, he said.

He said he remains opposed to tapping the $600 million constitutional Rainy Day Fund because the state could face worse economic problems a year from now.

Bill tightens rules on sports agents OKLAHOMA CITY — Student-athletes who are underclassmen would be off-limits to professional sports agents under legislation adopted by a state House committee Tuesday that mimics rules already required by the NFL. The House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee voted 12-0 for the measure after Jason Leonard, executive director of the athletic compliance office at the University of Oklahoma, said the school has experienced problems with agents interacting with underclassmen.

“We have athletes who are pressured by these agents,” said the bill’s author, Rep. Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, a former punter and kicker for OU. The measure would bar sports agents from having any communication with student-athletes who are ineligible to be drafted, with the exception of distributing general promotional brochures.

—AP

DENVER — Racing to reverse the country’s economic spiral, President Barack Obama signed the mammoth stimulus package into law Tuesday and readied a new $50 billion foreclosure rescue for legions of Americans who are in danger of losing their homes.

There was no recovery yet for beleaguered automakers, who were back in Washington for more bailout billions. General Motors Corp. said it was closing plants, Chrysler LLC said it was cutting vehicle models and both said they were getting rid of thousands more jobs as they made their restructuring cases for $5 billion more for Chrysler and as much as $16.6 billion more for GM. The United Auto Workers union said it had agreed to tentative concessions that could help Detroit’s struggling Big Three.

Anything but reassured, Wall Street dove ever lower. The Dow Jones industrials fell 297.81 points, closing less than a point above their lowest level in five and a half years.

Obama focused on the $787 billion stimulus plan, an ambitious package of federal spending and tax cuts designed to revive the economy and save millions of jobs. Most wage-earners will soon see the first paycheck evidence of tax breaks that will total $400 for individuals and $800 for couples.

The stimulus package was a huge victory for Obama less than one month into his presidency.

But he struck a sober tone and lowered expectations for an immediate turnaround in the severe recession that is well into its second year.

“None of this will be easy,” he said. “The road to recovery will not be straight. We will make progress, and there may be some slippage along the way.”

Still, he declared, “We have begun the essential work of keeping the American dream alive in our time.”

Underscoring energy-related investments in the new law, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden flew separately to Denver where the president signed it at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science before roughly 250 people including alternative energy business leaders. Earlier, the pair examined solar panels on the museum’s roof.

On Wednesday, Obama will outline another big piece of his recovery effort — a $50 billion plan to help stem foreclosures — in Arizona, one of the states hits the hardest by the mortgage defaults that are at the center of the nation’s economic woes.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner mentioned the housing program last week as he rolled out a wide-ranging financial-sector rescue plan that could send $2 trillion coursing through the financial system. Obama is expected to detail how the administration plans to prod the mortgage industry to do more in modifying the terms of home loans so borrowers have lower monthly payments.

More than 2.3 million homeowners coast-tocoast faced foreclosure proceedings last year, an 81 percent increase from 2007. Analysts say that number could soar as high as 10 million in the coming years, depending on the severity of the recession.

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In Denver, Obama said the stimulus package had received broad support in Washington and elsewhere, though Democrats pushed it to passage with only three Republican votes in the Senate and none in the House.

One of the biggest public spending programs since World War II, the new law is designed to create jobs in the short term and to boost consumer confidence to battle the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. It also makes down payments on Obama’s health care, energy and education goals.

Taking the long view, Obama cast the law as just “the beginnings of the first steps” to jerk the country out of a crisis he inherited from GOP President George W. Bush.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, asked by reporters, would not rule out another stimulus in the future, though he said a sequel was not in the works “at this point.” He added, “The president is going to do whatever he thinks is necessary to get our economy moving again.”

The nation’s distressed economy has dominated Obama’s first weeks in office.

While laying the groundwork to address woes in the auto, financial and housing sectors, Obama spent some of his political capital lobbying hard for the stimulus package that the Democraticcontrolled Congress approved last week. Obama has essentially pinned his political future on his prescriptions for the ailing economy, going so far as to raise the possibility of a one-term presidency if he fails.

A&S

WEEK

THURSDAY, FEB. 19

Come by Ellison Hall for refreshments from 9 p.m. to 4 p.m.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURES A&S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE

“Are We Living in the Age of Obama?” with W. DeVier Pierson

1 p.m. Regents Room, OMU

There’s no guarantee that Obama’s enormous marshaling of resources and multi-pronged approach will stunt the economic freefall, much less produce jobs or bring prosperity. The only thing certain is that Obama is on track to boost a federal debt that stands at $10.7 trillion.

Clearly mindful of that, Obama said: “We will need to do everything in the short term to get our economy moving again” as well as “begin restoring fiscal discipline and taming our exploding deficits over the long term.”

As he spoke in Denver, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC were racing to complete plans detailing how they would repay government loans and restructure their operations to remain viable.

Detroit’s third major automaker, Ford Motor Co., has not requested government help.

GM submitted a dire plan to the Treasury Department, saying it would try to borrow up to $16.6 billion more from the government on top of the $13.4 billion it has received. The plan includes cutting 47,000 more jobs and closing five more U.S. factories.

Chrysler said it needed $5 billion more to survive on top of the $4 billion in government loans it received in December. It said it would cut 3,000 jobs and three vehicle models as part of its restructuring plan.

The United Auto Workers union said it reached a tentative deal with Chrysler, GM and Ford to modify its contracts with the automakers to help them endure.

—AP

OU POOL 2009 AMERICAN RED CROSS WATER SAFETY CERTIFICATION CLASS

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Darin McGregor Pool/AP Photo

President Barack Obama, right, and Vice President Joe Biden tour the roof of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with Blake Jones, left, CEO and President of Namaste Solar, to view the solar panel installation in Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 before the signing of a $787 billion economic stimulus bill.

Lifeguard Certification Class February 20 - March 1 (Class meets two consecutive weekends)

Friday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

A&S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE

“Air Force Priorities and Thoughts on Leadership” with Chief Master Sergeant Rodney McKinley

1:30 p.m., Scholars Room, OMU

A&S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE

“Myopic Wisdom”

by Jack Catlin

3 p.m., Regents Room, OMU

$150 which includes all materials Registration can be made at the OU Pool 1701 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK 73019. Payment must accompany registration.

A&S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI LECTURE

“Physics in Unexpected Places”

with Janet S Fender, Chief Scientist, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA; Chief Master Sergeant Rodney McKinley, 2009 A&S Distinguished Alumnus, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; James M Larsen, Senior Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson AFB, OH; and Grizelda Loy-Kraft, Chief Engineer, Aircraft Sustainment, Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, OK

3 p.m., 170 Nielsen Hall

FRIDAY, FEB. 20

For more information regarding class please contact Stephanie Putman at (405) 325-4837 or by email at sputman@ou.edu.

FOCAS* WEEK PRESENTATION

“Constitution and the Emerging God”

by Robert Thompson, assistant professor of philosophy, School of Theology and Christian Ministry, Point Loma University

4 p.m., Dale Hall Tower 607

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6

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

News

US, N. Korea trade barbs as Clinton visits Asia TOKYO — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton talked tough on her first overseas trip as America’s top diplomat, delivering a sharp warning to North Korea on Tuesday over its threat to conduct a missile test.

As she wound down a long day of official events in Tokyo before preparing for the next leg of her Asia tour in Indonesia, Clinton said North Korea’s threatened missile test would harm its prospects for improved relations with the United States and other neighbors.

“The possible missile launch that North Korea is talking about would be very unhelpful in moving our relationship forward,” she said, adding that if Pyongyang wants to end its isolation, it would have to act on pledges made to previous Bush administration negotiators to scale back its nuclear weapons efforts.

“The decision as to whether North Korea will cooperate in

the six-party talks, end provocative language and actions is up to them and we are watching very closely,” Clinton said, referring to North Korea’s continuing talks with the U.S. and four other major nations over efforts to nudge the North to abandon nuclear weapons.

Clinton’s first day of talks with Japanese officials to reaffirm the U.S.-Japan alliance was overshadowed by North Korea’s rhetoric.

Japan, too, is concerned about North Korean intentions, and its diplomats, along with envoys from the U.S., China, Russia and South Korea, have been involved in the six-nation talks that were to resume later this week in Moscow.

“If North Korea abides by the obligations it has already entered into and verifiably and completely eliminates its nuclear program, then there will be a reciprocal response certainly from the United States,” Clinton said in

Tokyo. “It is truly up to the North Koreans.”

The U.S. response would include a chance to normalize relations with North Korea, formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War with a peace treaty to replace the current armistice, as well as energy, financial and humanitarian assistance, she said.

But on Monday, three days after Clinton first floated the incentives, North Korea used the 67th birthday of its leader Kim Jong Il to claim it has the right to “space development” — a term it has used in the past to disguise a long-range missile test as a satellite launch.

Then Tuesday, after Clinton’s warning, North Korea repeated accusations that Washington intends to attack it and warned the U.S. of “destruction” if it does so.

Successive U.S. administrations have said they have no intention of attacking the North.

—AP

Tomohiro Ohsumi/AP Photo

Hillary Clinton, U.S. secretary of state, left, signs an agreement with Hirofumi Nakasone, Japan’s foreign minister, at the Iikura Guesthouse in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. Clinton and Nakasone signed an agreement in Tokyo finalizing the transfer of 8,000 U.S. Marines from the southern island of Okinawa to Guam by 2014.

Drug gangs drive off police, terrorize Mexican town VILLA AHUMADA, Mexico — For people caught inside Mexico’s drug corridors, life is about keeping your head down and watching your back, especially when the sun dips behind the cactus-studded horizon.

No town knows this better than Villa Ahumada, where the entire police force quit after 70 cartel hit men roared through last spring, killing the police chief, two officers and three townspeople.

Residents were left defenseless again last week when gunmen returned and kidnapped nine people, despite the soldiers manning town.

“This was a mellow town where we would walk along main street at night. But now we’re too scared to even go out,” said Zaida de Santiago.

For this lanky 14-year-old, everything changed last May 17. She was dancing at a neighbor’s ranch when gunfire shattered the night.

The party’s hosts turned off the lights and silenced the music. The guests stood frozen, ears trained to the sound of automatic weapons as the gunmen raced down gravel

streets in their SUVs. When the sun rose hours later, the party guests learned that armed cartel commandos had killed the police chief and five others. Soon after, the rest of the 20-member force quit in fear.

“That day will always remain burned in my mind,” Santiago said.

Federal investigators say Villa Ahumada is a key stop along one of Mexico’s busiest drug smuggling routes, where the Sinaloa cartel has been challenging the Juarez gang for control. The military staffs checkpoints miles outside town, and soldiers and federal police roll through each day, but residents are largely left on their own.

Sliced by a railroad and the PanAmerican Highway heading straight to the U.S. border, the town is one of many outposts across Mexico — many of them too small to appear on maps — that cartels need to dominate in order to ensure passage of their U.S.-bound loads of marijuana and cocaine. The town of 15,000 is about 80 miles south of El Paso, Texas.

“In the small towns, the narcos want to have an open sesame,” said George Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. “They want to be able to pass through as they see fit, and they’ve got the muscle to

“In land occupied by organized crime, society’s rules are completely altered,” said Clark, a lecturer at San Diego State University who has studied one such town in the Mexican state of Baja California.

“This is their territory, and you pay

“This was a mellow town where we would walk along main street at night. But now we’re too scared to even go out.”

Zaida de Santiago, resident enforce that, but it’s unfortunate for the residents. This is where you’ve got enclaves of failure.”

Cartels treat these towns as fiefdoms — in some communities, everyone from the furniture owner to the barman to local officials pay a kind of tax to the gunslingers, border expert Victor Clark said.

The extortion not only gives gangs an extra income, it also makes clear who’s boss.

them for protection, or they will kill you.”

Villa Ahumada has been without a city police force since May, unable to find anyone brave enough to take the job. Even Mayor Fidel Chavez fled for a time to the state capital, Chihuahua City, last year. After the army and state police pledged to

have more of a presence in town, he returned and put 10 residents in charge of reporting suspicious activities to the authorities.

But there was little these unarmed citizen patrols could do when heavily armed assailants in black ski masks drove SUVs into town last week, kicking in doors and carting off nine residents in blindfolds.

They called state authorities, closed their office and fled.

The gunmen had already executed six of the hostages near a desolate ranch called El Vergel, about 30 minutes north of town, by the time soldiers swooped in.

The other three kidnapped men were rescued as soldiers rappelled into the desert from helicopters to chase those fleeing on foot.

By the time the shooting stopped, 14 suspected pistoleros and one soldier were dead, and townspeople felt more desperate than ever.

“We want some authority here.

They kill here and no one does any-

thing,” complained a frail 67-yearold woman, gripping a cane as she walked past crumbling adobe homes.

Her daughter stopped her from giving her name, warning: “They might kill our entire family if you do.”

Villa Ahumada is a town where scruffy dogs amble down gravel streets alongside slow-moving pickups. The economy depends on highway travelers stopping to eat at countless wooden burrito stands, but business has dropped by 50 percent since last week’s violence, and the mayor has criticized the media for harming tourism. He declined repeated requests by The Associated Press for an interview.

Many townspeople have turned to God for answers, said the Rev. Fernando Nava, who presides over the Roman Catholic church.

“Fathers have lost sons, sons have lost fathers,” he said. “This is affecting families, which is what the church is concerned about.”

—AP

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Women’s Basketball

Sooners squeak by Tech, 80-72 • OU makes late run, leaves Lubbock still perfect in conference ANNELISE RUSSELL The Oklahoma Daily The Sooners almost gave away their unbeaten Big 12 record Tuesday night when they narrowly beat Texas Tech 80-72.

The Lady Raiders came out firing and took a quick six-point advantage over a surprised OU team.

The Sooners went to the bench early, bringing in sophomore guard Carlee Roethlisburger for senior forward Ashley Paris and OU’s offense finally found rhythm.

Despite getting higher-quality shots, the Sooners still left Texas Tech wide open outside and under the basket.

The Sooners shot 52 percent in the first half but did not do themselves any favors by committing careless turnovers and giving Tech multiple opportunities to build a lead.

Senior center Courtney Paris found success under the basket with 8 points on 4-5 shooting early on.

The Sooners grabbed the lead midway through the first half when they went up 23-21, but Texas Tech regained the lead soon after.

Tech dictated the tempo throughout the rest of the first half and Minutes: 37 took the Sooners into the Field goals: 8-19 locker room with a 37-33 Free throws: 7-13 lead.

Points: 23 The deficit didn’t appear to inspire the Rebounds: 20 Sooners as they came out Blocks: 3 of the locker room doing much of what they did in the first half.

The Lady Raiders pushed their lead even further in the second half to 47-39.

The Sooners still had nobody step up as a leader at this point of the game. Shots that normally went down were not falling and OU could not play catch up on the defensive end,

Zach Long/ AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Junior forward Amanda Thompson (21) tries to grab the ball from Texas Tech’s Ashlee Roberson during the first half of OU’s game against Texas Tech on Tuesday night in Lubbock, Texas. OU won, 80-72. either.

Crisp and efficient passing has typically been a staple of the OU offense, but against Texas Tech the Sooners fell apart.

Lady Raider junior guard Jordan Murphree rained down jump shots, scoring 25 points and stalling any comeback OU tried to put together.

The Sooners finally got their feet underneath them and OU’s luck began to change.

With around five minCOURTNEY utes left, the Sooners put PARIS a run together and slowly got back into the game.

OU eventually took the lead from Texas Tech and continued fighting back. The Lady Raiders failed to score on their final few possessions of the game.

The Sooners managed to hold off Texas Tech and steal the game on the road.

STAR WATCH

The Lady Raiders played the better game for the majority of the contest but let the Sooners get the best of them in the end.

Courtney put up some familiar statistics, finishing the game with 23 points and 19 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Danielle Robinson and Ashley both finished the game in double figures with 16 and 13 points respectively.

The Sooners will look to rebound from Tuesday’s close call and get ready to host Baylor Saturday at 2 p.m.

WHAT’S NEXT? The No. 2 Sooners’ next game will be against No. 5 Baylor. The Sooners beat the Bears 56-51 when they played on Jan. 28.

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Where: Lloyd Noble Center Contact the OU Athletics office for ticket information.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

7

STAFF COLUMN Fantasy baseball drafting tips The baseball season is just around the corner.

Therefore, fantasy baseball is too. In my case, the league’s draft is today, so it’s never too early for you to start preparing.

Here is a rundown of one player at each position that will have lower value, but high rewards: Ryan Doumit: C/OF, Pittsburgh - He solidified himself as the starter for the Pirates last year. The soonMJ to-be 28-year-old is one of the few catchers that can CASIANO hit for average — .318 last year — and still give you some power. He won’t be drafted until about round five, so waiting for a catcher like him could have a good turnout.

Chris Davis: 1B, Texas- The Rangers have options everywhere except pitching, plus they play in a hitters’ ballpark. Davis hit 10 home runs in his first 25 games last season and will continue the brutal power again. He could be drafted anywhere from round four to six, based on your league’s knowledge of this quick riser. Snatch him as soon as possible. Seriously.

Clint Barmes: 2B, Colorado- Barmes is going to play more full-time this year and did a fine job last season. In just more than 100 games, Barmes hit .290 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI and 13 stolen bases. Not bad for a part-time player. He will be a solid number-two fantasy second baseman.

Cristian Guzmán: SS, Washington- It’s difficult to find someone who will be surprisingly good here. Guzmán will be a late-round shortstop, and will be well worth it. He was a .316 hitter last year and has above average numbers.

Jorge Cantú: 3B/1B, Florida- At 27, Cantú is becoming the player the Marlins thought he would be. In his first full-time role he hit .277 with 29 home runs and 95 RBI. He should put up bigger numbers next season now that he’s comfortable in his everyday position.

Matt Kemp: OF, Los Angeles - Kemp will be more of a middle round guy, but let me tell you, he’ll excel as an everyday center fielder. Expect him to hit around .300 with 25 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Snatch him if you can.

Nate McLouth: OF, Pittsburgh - He doesn’t get much recognition being in Pittsburgh, but was named to the All-Star game last season. He was among the league’s best in runs scored with 113 last year. McLouth also brings around 25-30 home runs and stolen bases.

Nelson Cruz: OF, Texas - Again, the hitters’ ballpark comes into effect.

Plus he’s been named a starter now, so he’ll see more at-bats. Last year in 31 games he finished hitting .330, with seven home runs and 31 RBI. He also has the speed to steal bases, so it’s reasonable expect a 30-30 season from Cruz.

Rich Harden: SP, Chicago Cubs- Again, another middle-round player; however, he has the value of a second-rounder. He was 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA and 181K’s last season. He’ll be one of the premier starting pitchers for a talented Cubs team and should win about 15 games.

Brian Wilson: RP, San Francisco - Although Wilson finished sixth in the league with 41 saves and went to the All-Star game, he is still under the radar among closers. I’d be more than happy to take this guy in the middle rounds because he could be a top-three closer this season.

To win a league, you have to draft well.

If you look into these players, it’ll be hard to fail.

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Sports

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

Softball

Sooners to open up 2009 home slate this afternoon • OU (6-2) faces Ladyjacks (3-7) in double-header today in Norman AARON COLEN The Oklahoma Daily The softball team came into the 2009 season with a top-10 ranking and high expectations. After strong performances in the first two tournaments of the year, the team is showing glimpses of what it can accomplish.

“This team has great potential,” head coach Patty Gasso said.

Other coaches in the conference seem to agree, as the Sooners were voted the unanimous preseason favorite to win the Big 12.

Gasso said the team will be counting on freshmen contributions this season, especially in its pitching rotation, where the Sooners look to strengthen the pitching behind All-American senior pitcher D.J. Mathis.

“D.J will be ready,” Gasso said. “It’s just going to be up to the freshmen to step it up.”

Those freshmen who will be asked to step up in the pitching rotation are Kirsten Allen and Allee Allen, two hard throwers who have a chance to elevate the team this season.

“I think we definitely have a one-two-three punch going on right now with our pitchers,” Gasso said.

Junior catcher Lindsey Vandever will be seeing most, if not all, of the pitches thrown by the staff this year, so she has a close view of how good the newcomers are.

“We’re strong,” Vandever said. “Allee Allen is good, she has a lot of movement on the ball, and Kirsten Allen is coming in strong and very hard to hit.”

Amy Frost/The Daily The Sooners are not afraid to put their high national ranking at The softball team celebrates in the dugout last season during a game against Missouri in April 2008. The Sooners swept their two games against the Tigers 8-0 and risk, playing a tough schedule that has already matched them up 4-3. The Sooners’ 2009 home schedule kicks off today at 2 p.m. at the OU Softball Complex against Stephen F. Austin. against several ranked opponents in the team’s first two tournaments of the year.

Potential became reality in Hawaii, when OU went 4-1 and out- Arana who is hitting .304, well above the team average of .234.

“My philosophy since I’ve been here has been to load up the Three Ladyjacks are tied for the team lead with one home run. scored opponents 58-9 to win the Hawaii Paradise Classic. schedule, play the best and beat the best,” Gasso said. “You’re Leading in ERA is Lauren Luetge who has a 2.90 ERA in 29 The team followed that performance to go 2-1 in the Houston going to get some losses along the way, but that’s what you learn innings. She also has 19 strikeouts. Pitcher Monika Covington has Marriott Classic, beating the 14th-ranked Houston Cougars during from.” that weekend to bring their record to 6-2 on the a 3.09 ERA and has 29 strikeouts in her 31.2 innings this season.

The team also has plenty of established talThe first game between the Sooners and the Ladyjacks is schedyear. ent, returning seven starters from last season uled for a 2 p.m. start. The second is set to begin at 4 p.m.

The No. 8 Sooners are scheduled to make including two players on the Player of the Year their home debut with a double-header against preseason watch list, Mathis and senior first Stephen F. Austin today. baseman Samantha Ricketts.

The Ladyjacks got their season off to a slow The two senior leaders are motivated to take What: No. 8 OU vs. Stephen F. Austin start, going 0-5 and being out-scored 26-9 in their their team to success in their last year at OU. Where: OU Softball Complex season-opening tournament against Texas, Iowa “Me and D.J. being seniors, this is our When: Today at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Florida State, the Time Warner Cable Texas chance,” Ricketts said. “We have most of our Promotions: Softball schedule cards Invitational. defense returning, and the players we are addand posters will be available.

SFA followed that performance by going 3-2 in ing in are really good.”

For ticket information, contact the OU its subsequent tournament, the Baylor Getterman Mathis stressed how important it is that the Ticket Office.

Classic in Waco, Texas last week. SFA got wins in team steps up to a higher level than previous that tournament against Ole Miss, Northwestern seasons.

State, and New Mexico.

“We’ve come so close the last two years, and The Ladyjacks picked up losses against Baylor and Texas-San we’ve watched two senior classes end their seasons on a loss one game away from the World Series,” Mathis said. “We don’t want Antonio.

— Senior pitcher D.J. Mathis that to happen again, seniors or not.”

Offensively, the Ladyjacks are led in batting average by Jessica

BE THERE

“We’ve come so close the last two years, and we’ve watched two senior classes end their seasons on a loss one game away from the World Series. We don’t want that to happen again.”

caymans ‘

SPORTS BRIEFS Men’s golf finishes fourth, women take ninth in respective tournaments

The men’s golf team took home fourth place at the UTSA Intercollegiate Tuesday after a final round of + 18, giving them a tournament score of +14. There were 15 teams competing in the event.

No. 15 Texas Tech ran away with the title, finishing at -28 and taking the tournament by 20 shots. Second place was taken by University of Texas- Arlington at -8, with Texas State finishing third, shooting +8.

OU was paced by redshirt freshman Riley Pumphrey who shot a final-round four-under-par and finished the tournament in third place.

Junior Ben Blundell finished four shots behind Pumphrey at +1.

The men won’t return to the course until March when they head to Fresno, Calif. on March 9 to play in the Fresno State Lexus Golf Classic.

The women pulled out a ninth place finish in Parrish, Fla. on Tuesday as well. There were 15 teams competing in the Central District Invitational.

The Sooners finished ahead of three ranked teams, including No. 41 Texas.

Senior Kendall Dye finished the tournament by shooting a 73 on the final day, giving her a 15th place finish, her 17th career top-20 finish.

— DAILY STAFF

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Luke Atkinson, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu phone: 325-5189, fax: 325-6051 For more, go to oudaily.com.

Life & Arts

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

9

BOOK REVIEW

A sex whisperer’s plight: Seven pillars to master

his is a gauntlet, according to Thomas Paine, M.D. A sexual gauntlet.

Dr. Paine’s book, “How to Treat a Woman: The Art and Science of Sex Whispering: A Manual for Young Men” will put me through seven trials — pillars, as he calls them.

After I have mastered these ADAM pillars, I will be KOHUT a sex whisperer.

The word “whisperer” can be used interchangeably with “god.”

In a sense, I am a modern-day Hercules, minus the strength, the looks (debatable) and the ability to slay the Hydra. I will not hold the world on my shoulders in Atlas’ absence, although I will learn how to connect emotionally in the bedroom. I will not retrieve the girdle of Hippolyte of the Amazons; instead I will take an in-depth look at women’s lady parts.

But if I squander my time — if I do not take Dr. Paine seriously — I will be doomed to a life of unsatisfactory experiences; a dull, miserable existence. Women will spurn me. They will reel back in disgust.

I will be a sexual pariah, doomed to wander the barren outskirts of carnal pleasure.

Running this gauntlet is a daunting task, but I am up to the challenge.

But I have a few questions before I begin. First, what will my girlfriend think when she sees me reading this book? Will my mother see this column? My aunt? My grandmother?

Dr. Paine is a pen name, according to a small blurb about the author on the back cover of the book. Is this a vague metaphor for my not having the “Common Sense” to know this stuff on my own? Is this Thomas Paine, M.D.’s way of subtly mocking me?

Will there be actual whispering involved?

If so, will it be anything like that in Robert Redford’s 1998 film, “The Horse Whisperer?” Will there be horses involved? I hope not.

But I better get started. My time to become a sex whisperer is limited. After all, this is “a manual for young men.”

Anyone over the age of 30 need not apply.

T

Pillar I: Time and Place Dr Paine wastes no time. The first sentence of the book tells me: “the mission of a sex whisperer is to give a woman the gift of an orgasm.”

This is my objective. I have accepted my mission. Destroy all evidence after reading.

The first pillar is simple enough.

Dr. Paine explains to me that time and place are very important for a woman’s sex drive. This does not apply to men, as they will have

sex any time and (just about) any place.

But women are different.

Women want to have sex only at certain times. It depends on their “sex tides.” Sometimes that tide is in and sometimes that tide is out.

“A sex whisperer must learn to read the tides of a woman’s sex drive,” Dr. Paine says.

When the tide is in, women want to have sex. When the tide is out, they do not. But if a sex whisperer is skilled enough, he can sometimes turn the tide.

Not always, however. Sometimes, the tide is out to stay. No matter what. At times like these, a sex whisperer should “postpone his mission.” In this case, do not destroy all evidence after reading.

Save it for a later date.

Women also care about the place in which they have sex much more than men, according to Dr. Paine. Place refers to “the sights and sounds and smells, the privacy, the comfort” of a sex location.

This means you probably shouldn’t try to have sex in a zoo.

Pillar II: Emotional Connection “Before doing anything to stimulate a woman physically,” Dr. Paine says, “a sex whisperer should attend to the emotional side of her sexuality.”

There is no set method for going about this, but when it happens in the correct time and place, “a charge will be set off that reverberates throughout [the woman’s] sexual nervous system.”

I wonder if this charge’s detonation will be audible. Probably. I think it will closely resemble the sound of a shofar.

Pillar III: Arousing a Woman Before Intercourse Foreplay is important. The goal of foreplay is to get a woman “within striking distance” of an orgasm.

The goal of a ninja is to get within striking distance of an enemy before attacking.

Thus, ninjas and foreplay are closely related. Additionally, ninjas are most likely foreplay experts.

During foreplay, Dr. Paine tells me to make sure I pay close attention to the woman’s breasts as “a rich supply of nerve fibers runs through the nipples.”

The inner thigh is also a “potential erogenous zone.”

But wait, Dr. Paine says (sternly). There are three common errors that men should avoid at all costs: A) “The first is to equate the erection of a woman’s nipples with heightened arousal.”

B) “The second error is to equate rapid breathing with conscious arousal.” She could just be having an asthma attack.

C) “The third error involves the phenomenon of vaginal wetness. If vaginal wetness were an indicator of a woman’s level of conscious

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arousal, the task of a sex whisperer would be greatly simplified.”

Nothing’s ever easy.

Pillar IV: The ClitorisUrethra-Vagina Tissue Complex The clitoris-urethra-vagina tissue complex is not a scientific research facility in the Midwest. It is, however, the fourth pillar, which is fundamentally an anatomy course of the female’s sexual organs. The chapter contains 16 full-color illustrations, one of which depicts an enormous purple clitoris, its external and internal parts clearly labeled (the corpora cavernosum, the glans, the crura and the bulbs).

This illustration also shows a clitoris bears a striking resemblance to an Imperial Shuttle from the “Star Wars” movies.

I learn that a woman’s urethra is approximately one-and-a-half inches long. This is “much shorter than the male urethra.” But size doesn’t matter, Dr. Paine. It’s all how you use it.

Pillar V: Intercourse and Female Orgasm It is difficult for a woman to reach orgasm, explains Dr. Paine.

This means that a man must pace himself.

Dr. Paine then shows me the median time from “penetration to ejaculation” for several countries.

The United Kingdom ranks first (or last, depending how you look at it) with a time of seven minutes and 36 seconds. Men from Turkey last the least amount of time, clocking in at three minutes, 42 seconds. The United States has a time of seven minutes flat. I am not sure what this point is supposed to illustrate, but I am glad I am not a Turk.

There are other ways to help a woman have an orgasm, Dr. Paine tells me. There is, for example, the coital alignment technique, or CAT, which is a reimagining of the missionary position. Dr. Paine tells an anecdote at this point. It concerns sex researchers who personally tried the CAT. This anecdote makes a sex researcher’s job seem a lot less mundane.

Dr. Paine warns men against the dangers of drug use: “You can disrupt and degrade your brain’s arousal and orgasm circuitry by using addictive drugs like amphetamines, cocaine and heroin … You risk grievous consequences if you use addictive drugs. Not the least involves your ability to perform sexually.”

This goes to show that rock stars who snort cocaine off strippers’ backs before proceeding to have sex with them are most likely leaving the dancers unsatisfied.

Pillar VI: Female Sexual Variability and Sexual Communication

I feel slightly uncomfortable.

Pillar VII: Sexual Empathy I have reached the final pillar. I have almost done it. The title of sex whisperer is so close.

Dr. Paine tells me that women’s orgasms have “profound physiologic effects … that go beyond purely physical joy and rapture.”

The orgasm is “uplifting,” and there are negative consequences should a woman not have one.

I start to panic. The pressure is almost unbearable. What if I fail?

Could I turn a woman into a raving lunatic? Could I get into legal trouble should this happen? With what would I be charged? Sexual manslaughter, perhaps. Would I be jailed? Quarantined? Castrated?

Dr. Paine tells me to calm down.

“The question for sex whisperers is not whether failure to orgasm causes women to become neurotic or suffer nervous breakdowns,” he says in (I assume) a placid voice.

He continues, telling me that no, a woman will not go insane if she is not sexually fulfilled. I take a few

“The skill of a sex whisperer depends upon effective communication with a woman,” Dr. Paine says.

Men and women should tell each other what does and does not feel good, despite the fact that this can be embarrassing. But men must “earn [a woman’s] sexual trust.”

Dr. Paine examines pet names some people use for body parts.

These include: “Little Willy for the penis” (cliché), “Myra and Myrtle for the breasts” (as long as the woman is 90 years old), “Sweet Pea for the clitoris” (which could also be the name of a baby doll manufactured by Mattel) and “Omar the Tentmaker” (which is kind of terrifying).

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deep breaths. Dr. Paine is right, of course. To think my sexual ability holds so much power would be sexist and arrogant.

The good doctor gladly explains, good-natured, ever patient and willing to inform: “The lesson from all of this is simply that orgasms are good for the mind, body and spirit of a woman just as they are for a man — and failure to reach orgasm is just as distressing for a woman as it is for a man,” he tells me.

It looks like I am in the clear, just as long as I attempt to give “as good or better” than I get.

And with that, I have passed the final pillar.

And thus, my sexual odyssey ends. I have read the seven pillars. I have learned from Thomas Paine M.D. He has guided me on my treacherous journey, and I have returned, alive and better off (I think). I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I am exhausted, but exhilarated.

I am a sex whisperer.

ADAM KOHUT IS A PROFESSIONAL WRITING SENIOR.

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

r

C Transportation AUTO INSURANCE

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

BICYCLES & MOTORCYCLES ‘08 Honda Shadow Spirit motorcycle, VT750C2, 400 miles, metallic silver, $5900. Call 312-4227.

Services MISC. SERVICES FREE DIVORCE RECOVERY SEMINAR at Alameda Church of Christ, classes begin Feb 18, 6:15 pm, led by Arlene McGlone, LCSW. Free childcare. To register call Arlene, 231-8738.

Employment HELP WANTED

$5,000-$45,000 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

TM

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STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

St. Mark’s Mother’s Day Out hiring P/T teachers.

Early childhood experience preferred. Apply in person M-Th 8:30 am-2 pm. 3939 W. Tecumseh Rd. 366-8102.

Norman Zoo Tour Guides, ex hours, enthusiastic students with good people skills. 366-7229.

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

Survey Takers Needed Make $5-$25 per survey GetPaidToThink.com Now hiring lifeguard, swim instructors, and AM pool managers. Apply at the Cleveland County Family YMCA, 1350 Lexington Ave. EOE. HeyDay Entertainment Center DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks Now Hiring Enthusiastic Employees www.heydayfamilyfun.com and download application. Bring in person to 3201 Market Place, Norman (I-35 and Indian Hills Rd) MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO Now accepting applications for waitstaff.

Apply in person at 580 Ed Noble Parkway, across from Barnes & Noble, 579-5600.

Employment

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

University College is seeking current students to work with the Summer Enrollment Program for entering freshman. Positions are FT temporary, May 18-July 31, $8/hr with weekends and holidays off. Apply online at uc.ou.edu, for questions contact Brian Nossaman at bnoss@ou.edu or 325-3521.

J Housing Rentals APTS. FURNISHED 1 bedroom near campus, $340/mo plus all utilities, $200/dep, no pets, Call 886-6709. $400, bills paid, efďŹ ciency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, ďŹ re sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store ofďŹ ce.

Studying Abroad Fall semester? Come live in a 4 bd, 4 bth condo at The Edge Condominiums just 1 mile from campus, $1200/mo, available January 1, 2010. Another 4 bd, 4 bth unit is available May 15, 2009 for $1400/mo. Call 480-225-9779.

APTS. UNFURNISHED

J Housing Rentals

ROOMMATES WANTED Male student, $350/mo, all bills paid, hi-speed wireless, 12th & Rock Creek area. 918-3973081

ROOMS FURNISHED

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Housing Sales

CONDOS

www.3MonthsFreeRent.info Brand New Apartments. Limited Availability.

1/2 OFF 1st MONTHS RENT* Immediate Move-Ins Only / Prices Reduced! $99 DEPOSIT! PETS WELCOME! Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

1 & 2 Bedrooms Available!

Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com 1 BLK FROM OU, very nice 4 room apt, 800 sf, wood oors, 1016 S College, Apt 1, $295/mo.

Call 360-2873 or 306-1970.

CONDOS UNFURNISHED Summer Rent Slashed in 1/2!

Leasing 1-4 bdrms, amenities galore, The Edge Call Iris, 303-550-5554

HOUSES UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE IN MAY A short walk to OU, 1-5 blks west of OU, nice brick homes, wood oors, CH/A, w/d, disposal, good parking.

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5 4 7

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3 5 8

5

1 5

6 2 2

7 3

1 8 6

8

5 2 6 3

9 1 4

3 2 1 6 8 5 9 7 4

7 6 5 4 9 2 3 8 1

4 9 8 7 1 3 2 5 6

6 5 4 3 2 1 8 9 7

8 7 3 9 6 4 1 2 5

2 1 9 8 5 7 4 6 3

5 3 6 2 4 8 7 1 9

1 8 7 5 3 9 6 4 2

9 4 2 1 7 6 5 3 8

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.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 18, 2009

ACROSS 1 Run playfully 5 Insensible condition 9 Davidic verse 14 Gray matter matter?

15 In a crowd of 16 Not just a franchisee 17 Catchall category, briefly 18 Indian rhythmic pattern 19 Home pages, e.g.

20 Sideshow attraction 23 Comparative conjunction 24 Early spring flowers 28 Christmas carol start 32 Soap unit 33 “So ___ me!�

34 Hard-shelled critter 37 Feeds, in a sty 39 It’s fit to be tied 40 Flies upward 42 Got off a horse, e.g.

43 Proficient 45 Pool stroke 47 Rather dedicated to news 48 Classic Paul Newman film 50 Firstborn 51 Small whirlpools 53 Support for the elderly?

55 Old chap’s diner order?

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Game Sponsorships Classified Display Ads located directly above the following games/puzzles. Limited spaces available – only one space per game.

(located just below the puzzle)

1 9 8

,

- .$ /

0

Previous Solution

6 2 8

3

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

1 col (1.833 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword .....$515/month

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

Mental Illness – What a difference a friend makes.

The Edge Condo, 2 bdrm, 2 full bath, new fully furnished with everything, new appliances, 2200 Classen Blvd. Sale $115,000, without furniture $110,000. Call 626-826-9262 or christina_ 91773@yahoo.com.

Classified Display Ads

2 col (3.792 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ...........$760/month Boggle............$760/month Jumble ...........$760/month Horoscope .....$760/month

my friend’s got mental illness

NEAR OU, privacy, $260, bills paid includes cable, neat, clean, parking. Prefer male student.

Call 329-0143.

10

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

The onset of eye disease may not be as visible as the appearance of new wrinkles. An eye doctor can spot the early warning signs of vision problems like glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as other serious health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Early detection is key.

POLICY

For men and women over 40, it might

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.

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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.

information, visit checkyearly.com.

be wise to look into your eyes. For more A public service message from Vision Council of America and AARP.

61 Double agents 64 Try to persuade 65 Prepare for publication 66 It may hang on your conscience 67 Aspersion 68 Memorization method 69 Rumor sources?

70 One of the Cartwrights 71 Close forcefully DOWN 1 Optician’s display 2 Wednesday was named after him 3 Southwestern plateau 4 Lies together?

5 They have a plate in front of them 6 It’s on the Missouri 7 Stop on a European tour, often 8 Purim month 9 They’re not who they pretend to be 10 Ice cream effect 11 Small colonist 12 Wranglers alternative 13 Post-wedding title, often 21 Ides utterance 22 Where

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 35 36 38 41 44 46

Charlie may ride forever, in song Tristan’s love Class members Certain musical group Irritate by rubbing Whatchamacallit Use, as energy Way up or down Titanic’s undoing Mrs. Lincoln’s maiden name Chinese philosopher ___ tzu Cheryl of “Charlie’s Angels�

Skinflints’ opposites Believers Knighted

49 52 53 54 56 57

58 59 60 61 62 63

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Š 2009 Universal Press Syndicate www.upuzzles.com

“ANIMAL MAGNETISM� by Jade Macklin

Previous Answers

actor Guinness Start of some aircraft carriers “If ___�

(Beatles song) Movie producer Ponti Breed of cattle “Shhhh!�

Vanity plate in a two-car household, maybe Object of pagan worship Bread for a gyro Word root “Ben-Hur� studio Overseas accord Abner’s size?

Details

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009

11

CAMPUS NOTES

CHILD STARS STILL IN SLUMS

CAREER SERVICES

TODAY CAREER SERVICES Career Services will host a workshop about professional dress for men and women at 10:30 a.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Career Services will host a workshop about how to succeed in an interview for College of Arts and Sciences majors at noon and for business students at 1 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

CAREER SERVICES

SCHOOL OF MUSIC The OU School of Music will host a trombone choir concert at 8 p.m. in Catlett Music Center.

Career Services will host a Construction Science career fair at 4 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

MUSEUM OF ART

THURSDAY MEWBOURNE SCHOOL OF PETROLEUM AND GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES The new drilling fluids laboratory will be officially dedicated at 10:30 a.m. in the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Sciences.

POLICE REPORTS Names are compiled from the Norman Police Department and OUPD. The reports serve as a record of arrests, not convictions.

Those listed are innocent until proven guilty.

Donald J. Hagerty will speak about Maynard Dixon’s response to the fading memory of the Old West and the Emergence of the New West at 7 p.m. in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. PROFESSIONAL WRITING STUDENTS OF AMERICA The Professional Writing Students of America will hold its first meeting at 9 p.m. in Copeland Hall.

Joy Denice Frances Holt, 40, 2805 Shoreridge Ave., Monday

PUBLIC INTOXICATION Michael Knight Lierman, 41, 301 W Boyd St., Monday

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA AP Photo/Gautam Singh

Rubina Ali Qureshi, 9, third left, interacts with her friends as she holds her friend’s sister Chandini, 2, while standing in the doorway of her one-room tin-roofed house on Sunday in a slum in Bandra, suburban Mumbai, India. Rubina played the youngest version of the leading lady Latika, in the Oscarnominated film “Slumdog Millionaire.” Slumdog’s child actors Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail still live in the Bandra slums.

Jason Allan Srejma, 28, 731 W Main St., Monday

AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Alberto Minjarez, 19, 3400 W Main St., Monday

MUNICIPAL WARRANT

ACKYWAY EWSNAY Wedgie as good as handcuffs in suspect detention SALT LAKE CITY — It took a wedgie and a headlock to pin down a man suspected of breaking into a car.

Yvonne Morris, a technician at the Brickyard Animal Hospital, says she chased a man who broke into a co-worker’s car, but he kept squirming away from her.

Morris eventually grabbed the man’s boxer shorts and pulled. Salt Lake City police say she then she put a headlock on the man until help could arrive.

The man was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property and outstanding warrant.

Colorado official denies staff quit answering phones COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A Colorado county clerk is denying claims that his staff stopped answering phones because of budget cuts.

Some El Paso County officials had complained that the staff of the county Clerk and Recorder’s office stopped answering calls and that theyrecorded messages referring all callers to their offices.

However, County Clerk Bob Balink told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the accusations were not true. He said no one has been told to stop answering calls.

Balink said budget problems forced him to cut 26 positions late last year, leaving all his offices scrambling to keep up with calls. But he said everyone is still expected to answer phones.

325-5000

to report illegal or unsafe drinking.

All calls are anonymous.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

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Call the Hotline at

9jYf\ÛE]oÛ8hYjle]flk

Drink Responsibly.

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SOONERS

Balink says many callers reach his office by mistake while trying to reach another department.

NY man with anti-DWI device in car crashes rental NEW YORK — Police on Long Island say a convicted drunken driver whose car was equipped with anti-drunken driving technology has crashed a rented vehicle while intoxicated.

Suffolk County police say Marvin Rice Jr. lost control of his rental car and hit a utility pole Sunday morning in Brentwood.

Police say the 27-year-old driver agreed after a previous DWI conviction to have his car equipped with a device that tests for alcohol in a driver’s breath before starting the car.

It was unclear when he rented another car that had no such device.

Police say Rice is being treated for multiple injuries. He is expected to be arraigned on a DWI charge.

A telephone number for Rice could not be found, and it was not immediately known whether he had a lawyer.

— AP

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -If you’ve been having problems starting an important endeavor, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate what is blocking your forward motion. Chances are it’s something you refuse to see.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- All big spenders usually have to face a day of reckoning, so don’t be surprised if your past extravagances catch up with you.

Sadly, there will be nothing you can do but pay the price.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Favors might be hard to come by, especially from those you’ve ignored previously. Let this be a lesson to you. Only those you have indulged will indulge you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- If you are aware that some of your relatives, in-laws or family members could be operating in dangerous territory at this time, take care and don’t do anything to aggravate the situation further.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- If you haven’t learned your lesson from a past experience, you could be destined to repeat the mistake. Instead of duplicating an unpleasant ending, figure out what you can do to change the outcome.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Be careful that someone who is a taker doesn’t get you to fork over your time or money once again. Remember: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Don’t expect any cooperation from others unless you have already set a good example of cooperation with them. Life has a way of proving to be a quid-pro-quo arrangement.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Unfortunately, several more duties and responsibilities than usual are likely to be dropped in your lap. One of the tougher jobs could be the very one you previously tried to palm off onto others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- You’re not one for breaking a confidence, but you could thoughtlessly let something slip out that would be an embarrassment for another.

Make sure this doesn’t happen.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Under normal conditions, you tend to be on your toes, working hard to be a frontrunner with a successful career trajectory. If you get lazy, however, you’ll end up a follower who falls prey to wastefulness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Your biggest stumbling block could be adopting a melancholy attitude. The only way you can achieve anything worthwhile in life is to first divest yourself from a gloomy outlook.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Upon a rare occasion, you can be a rather dour person who thinks negatively about everyone and everything. Take extra care not to antagonize yourself with such unproductive conjecture.

12

Life & Arts

Wednesday, Feb. 18 2009

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every week, the Life & Arts writers will answer questions requested from the readers. To submit your questions, email them to dailyent@ou.edu or join the Facebook group, OU Daily Advice.

Q: I just met this girl at the bar. When is the best time to call her back? – txtman28 Brittany:

First, let’s consider how much you like the girl. Are you stalking her Facebook profile, flipping through her photos and learning her musical interests by heart? Then go with your gut and when you get the nerve call her as soon as you are ready. Don’t rush it however, she may find you too desperate. Girls aren’t stupid, they know that if a guy waits two weeks to call her back, he wasn’t really feeling much chemistry for her to begin with.

Tyler:

Don’t call her back at all. It’s best to text—especially when it’s 2 a.m. on a Wednesday after karaoke. Nothing says I love you like “hye you shoulscd comea ovaaaa!!”

AMAZING SPIDERMAN #587

GREAT UNKNOWN #1

MARVEL COMICS

IMAGE COMICS

There are several complaints about this series. Marvel's decision to break up Spider-Man and Mary Jane angered many readers. The entire premise of the character “reboot” seems to be based on Marvel's interest in appealing to new readers at the expense of character continuity and narrative coherency.

Well, put these complaints aside because this is the best “Amazing Spider-Man” in a decade. The rotating cast of writers have done an excellent job introducing secondary characters to fill out Spider-Man's life. This issue is third in the “Character Assassination” storyline, which has continued the work of setting up Spider-Man's new world by introducing new friends and villains. It also answers a few questions.

This series is definitely worth grabbing.

In this first of five issues, writer and artist Duncan Rouleau tells the story of Zach Feld, a man who is able to convince only himself that his thoughts are being stolen from his mind and sold to others. Rouleau’s thoughtful use of different colors and styles makes his art easily stand out from the crowd and his writing is funny and entirely engrossing.

If the character depth and witty philosophical interjections in the released preview pages are consistent throughout the rest of the series, this could be a defining moment in Rouleau’s already impressive career – hopefully signaling more writing ventures from him in the future.

–TIM BENNETT/THE DAILY

NEED MORE L&A? CHECK OUT THE BLOGS AT OUDAILY.COM

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Q: I forgot my wallet before dinner. Is it OK if my date pays for this one? – forgetfulfredd Brittany: Yes and no. Don’t ask a person out to dinner unless you intend to be financially prepared for it. On the other hand, asking your partner to pay for the both of you is perfectly acceptable, if you really did forget your wallet. We live in a modern age, it’s time for things between romantic partners to be more equally shared.

Tyler:

Forgetting your wallet early on in a relationship is a great way to get her used to the idea of paying for you. If you do it correctly, and often enough to make it seem less deliberate, you can eventually get to the point in your relationship where it’s just assumed that she’s going to pay for whatever activity the two of you are doing together. Only the best can achieve this normalized status of a relationship. If successful, however, you must never let go of this woman. You must eat her food and watch her cable—but always drive her car. You can’t look like a scrub.

–TYLER BRANSON AND BRITTANY BURDEN ARE ENGLISH SENIORS.