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Ariana Triggs
Financial Aid offers tools Christie Carral
The Southern Digest
and system working together,” Mason said. Mason agreed that the bottom line in student experience and the value of the degree after graduation. “Our success will be measured by the retention and graduation rates. Along with the goodwill towards the institution,” Mason said. SU Board of Supervisors Chairman Darren Mire anticipates a concentration from the Board of Regents on bringing together a stronger, re-branded, and new Southern
Wednesday marked the beginning of Financial Aid Awareness month for all students receiving federal aid for school funding. All students are being strongly advised to complete their online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications so that the processing of information is done before the fall semester arrives. Ursula Shorty, director of Financial Aid, and Raymond Clarke, assistant director of Financial Aid, are collectively sponsoring and participating in various activities during the months of February and March. “We don’t like to see that,” Shorty said, discussing the long lines formed each fall semester in Felton G. Clark Activity Center. There will be various activities, on and off campus, to make students aware of the Financial Aid opportunities available, assist parents and students in the application process, discuss changes to the 2012-2013 FASFA application process and inform students of the upcoming changes to financial aid and student eligibility for the 2012-2013 award year. “We hate the lines just as well as the students do,” exclaimed Shorty, discussing the hassles students and the Financial Aid department undergoes with late processing. Because of a recent statutory change, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, related to minimum awards, the maximum Pell Grant eligible Expected Family Contributions (EFC) for 20122013 is 4,995, less than the 5,273 EFC maximum for the 2011-2012 Award Year. Therefore, the result is that a small number of applicants who would have been Pell Grant eligible for the 20112012 Award Year will not be eligible for the 2012-2013 Award Year. Starting this month of February, the department
See Resolutions page 3
See Finance Tools page 3
photo by ariana triggs/digest
Southern University Marching Band Drum Major Tevin Coleman bows his head in prayer during the memorial service for Carnell Knighten in F.G. Clark Activity Center yesterday.
criminal justice major and band member from Nashville, Tenn., Knighten’s death came as a complete shock. “I was shocked by the death of Mr. Knighten. As a director, he always strived for perfection. He was the greatest person I’ve met,” Brooks said. He was loved by everyone who crossed his path and known for his wit, knowledge, greatness, and also for his love and passion for the art of music. Nakia Peck, a senior music education and band member from New Orleans, reflects back on his time spent with Knighten. “We lost a great man. Once you understood Mr. Knighten, you understood something fine,”
said Peck.” My only regret is that I didn’t take full advantage of what he had to offer.” Marching band drum major Tevin Coleman, a sophomore history major from Alexandria, La., said that he was really inspired by Knighten. “Mr. Knighten was a very honest, straightforward man. He would tell you nothing but the truth and had a great standard of excellence,” Coleman said. “Mr. Knighten handled business extraordinarily well and was just an inspiring man to be around. As a director, he was by far one of the best I’ve met throughout my entire life.” His presence influenced all who knew him and had the chance
to learn from him. Assistant Director of Bands Nathan Haymer said, “Mr. Knighten was a great mentor and teacher—my teacher. I am very sad to see him go. I will uphold his legacy by making sure the Southern University Marching Band is always looking and sounding good, strict and on time.” Known around the music community as an outstanding musician, composer, music arranger, classical conductor and individual with great work ethics, Mr. Knighten’s death is not only a loss to SUBR and SCSU, but to the entire HBCU community, being dubbed by all who knew of him and his music as a “legendary music arranger and musician.”
Resolutions within reach for SUS Resolutions proposed to improve student services, university effectiveness, enrollment and recruitment, and promote financial growth are achievable and measurable. James Llorens, SUBR Chancellor understands the challenges and is willing to get the ball rolling to address them. “We know the challenges we have faced for many years. Information technology structure, customer friendly experiences, financial aid, and registration,” Llorens said. We
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Volume 58, Issue 3
La. starts new Medicaid program
Current and former Southern University music students and band members, along with many from the university community, paid their respects to Carnell Knighten Wednesday at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Knighten, 60, was the School of Music’s technology director and director of the university’s woodwind symphony. Knighten became ill on Jan. 20 in Tourgee A. Debose Music Hall and died last Wednesday. Knighten began his career at Southern University earning a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in journalism. In his freshman year, he wrote his first composition that the band played in concert the same year. Beginning in 1988, under former Southern University Director of Bands Isaac Greggs, Knighten served as an arranger and composer for the Human Jukebox, and later became Director of Technology and Director of the SU Woodwind Symphony. According to Chancellor James Llorens, Knighten was very instrumental in the grant-writing process and was very avid about bringing music technology to Southern University. As of 2010, Knighten was also the chief music arranger at South Carolina State University. Many of his music students traveled from Orangeburg, S.C., to play at his funeral, which was held yesterday in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. To Justin Brooks, a senior
Friday
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Thursday, February 2, 2012 see State & Nation, Page 4
Today
are making significant progress, as we have implemented we have identified new problem areas and are moving to correct them.” After the Board of Supervisors declaration of Financial Exigency, this year will be significant to the recovery and growth process. “I look forward to the next academic year coming out of exigency. Our progress will be measured through heightened enrollment rates, measures of efficiency including the smoothness of the registration process. Placement rates and retention rates will be important as well,” Llorens
said. Llorens placed and emphasis on student educational attainment and satisfaction. “The bottom line will be a student’s ability to enjoy their experience, realize their learning and education, and graduates who are satisfied with the education they have received,” Llorens said. Southern University System President Ronald Mason hoped to see a stronger and closer Jaguar Nation. “We are seeing signs of it now. Good working relationships between the system and at the campus levels. The campus chancellors
the official student newspaper of southern university and A&m college, baton rouge, louisiana
Campus Life southerndigest.com
Page 2 - Thursday, February 2, 2012
Campus Briefs
offers Sunday mass service at 11 am and daily mass at 12:10 Monday-Friday. Confessions are by appointment.
today SU Construction
Construction is still underway at SU. Check the Digest and www.southerndigest.com for more information. If you have any safety questions or concerns contact Chris Spurlock at 225.771.7286 or Robert Nissen at 225.771.3101.
Southern University Wesley Foundation
The Southern University Wesley Foundation is accepting donations of non-perishable and canned foods for their food drive. They will be accepting donations until April. Worship services are on Wednesdays at noon.
Campus Access
Access to and from the campus is currently restricted to the Harding Boulevard entrance between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on a daily basis. Effective, Monday January 30, 2012 these hours will change and Harding Boulevard will be the sole entrance/exit between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. Vehicles entering the campus during those hours must stop at the Checkpoint prior to entering the campus. On weekends the Mills Avenue entrance will remain closed from 6 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. the following Monday morning. Please contact Lt. Floyd Williams at 771.2770 for more details.
Union Fun Fridays
LaCumba’s playpen, Union Bowling Alley and Burger King will be open Fridays. LaCumba’s playpen and the bowling alley will offer half price Fridays. Graduate School Critical Dates
The deadline to receive applications for summer 2012 graduation is February 7. A list of critical dates is in the graduate school office. Center for Student Success
The SU CSS offers a free paper service. You can have your paper reviewed for clarity, grammatical errors, sentence structure, etc. CSS will also be offering English workshops every Friday at 10 am. CSS will be offering seminars to assist students with topics such as discovering their learning styles, study skills, to stress management. Contact CSS for more information on any of these programs and for tutoring questions at 225.771.4312 or stop by 107 in Stewart Hall.
Live Text codes for first time freshmen and first time transfers
LiveText Subscription Codes for First-Time Freshmen and First-Time Transfer Students are available. January 30-March 1 from 10am-12noon and 2-4p.m. Monday-Thursday in Room 155 of W.W. Stewart Hall. Intramural Basketball League
Union Activity Board
Registration for Intramural Basketball league for men and women is underway in F.G. Clark weight room and in Smith Brown Memorial Union. SU men, women, and faculty are encouraged to join. League play starts on February 3. All games will be played on Fridays in Seymour Gym. Contact Coach Robinson at 225.771.3212.
The Union Activity Board presents Mid Day movies in February at noon. Movies will be shown February 15 and 28. Upcoming Market Days in the union will be today, February 14, 15, 28, and 29. There will be a Super Bowl Party from 5-10pm on February 5 and Apollo Night/Year of Lovers will be on Feb. 13 from 6-9 pm.
MLK Catholic Student Center
Mary Frances Berry at SULC
The St. Joseph Chapel/ MLK Catholic Student Center
Mary Frances Berry will be
speaking in the Law Center Speaker Series about making a difference where you are the value and challenges of local change agents. The lecture is today at 6pm in Room 130 A.A. Lenoir Hall. february 3 Pre-Law Day
Southern University Law Center will host their annual pre-law day on February 3 from 9 am- 2pm. Contact Andrea Love, Director of Recruitment via e-mail at Alove@sulc.edu. Pinkie Gordon Lane Poetry Contest
Pinkie Gordon Lane Poetry Contest submissions are due February 3. february 6 Serenity Room
The SU Counseling Center will open it’s UCC Serenity room on February 6. If you are feeling stressed, bogged down by exams, assignments, relationships, or life challenges? Stop by or call in for 15 minutes in Serenity. Enjoy relaxing sounds, a soothing waterfall, and variety of massage options. Contact the UCC for more info at 225.771.2480.
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Who’s Speaking Out? Who are you expecting to win Super Bowl XLVI?
Andrew George
Antonya Kelley
Beaumont, Tx. senior child development
Gary, Ind. junior nursing
“The Giants because Brandon Jacobs is a monster runnng the ball.”
George
“The Giants because the 49ers lost.”
Kalan Broussard
Alesha Williams
New york city junior biology premed/rehab
minneapolis sophomore business management
“N.E. Patriots. They were previous S uper Bowl champs.”
“The Patriots because Tom Brady will not lose twice to Eli Manning.”
Broussard
Kelley
Williams
Presidential Candidate Program
The Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta will host “Guess who? Do you know your presidential candidates? February 6 at 6:13p.m. in T.T. Allain Room 313. february 7 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Students can get free condoms, door prizes, and hear great speakers and get tested. Take advantage of the opportunity to know your status February 7 from 10am – 2pm in the Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union. For more information contact Darnell Pledger in Center for Social Research at 225.771.3010.
ISSN: 1540-7276. Copyright 2008 by The Southern University Office of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Southern University and A&M College. All articles, photographs and graphics are property of The Southern DIGEST and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the Editor in Chief and Director of Student Media Services. The Southern DIGEST is published twice-weekly (Tuesday & Friday) with a run count of 5,000 copies per issue during the Southern University - Baton Rouge campus fall, spring semesters. The paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every Tuesday & Friday morning on the SUBR campus. The Southern DIGEST student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The offices are located on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall, Suite 1064. The Southern DIGEST is the official student newspaper of Southern University and A&M College located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. Signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body. Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Southern University and A&M College, an Historically Black, 1890 landgrant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that Southern University graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens. Website: www.subr.edu.
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PAGE 2 / CAMPUS BRIEFS All submissions must be received by 3 p.m. each Friday prior to Tuesday’s Issue and by 3 p.m. each Wednesday prior to Friday’s Issue. PAGE 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, Southern University Departments. All briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number. Submit announcements to: The Southern DIGEST - Suite 1064 Harris Hall, Attn: PAGE 2 CORRECTIONS Fact and accuracy is our goal and our job. As the voice of the Southern University student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. In the event of an error we will make all corrections on Page 2. Bring corrections to The Southern DIGEST office located in Suite 1064, Harris Hall.
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Thursday, February 2, 2012 - Page 3
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Feral animals: harmless or hazardous Tyrone Carter II
The Southern Digest
From the beginning of every semester, everyone’s main focus is registration, making sure everything is in place for the start of classes. So much effort and attention on one’s own needs and purpose with little or no time to notice something simply right in front of them. Southern University students, faculty, staff, and visitors are just starting to notice cats living under buildings from the beginning of the Fall 2011 semester and dating back further than that. Sightings continued into the first week this spring semester. They have been moving silently among the SU community, prowling around during the day and night, wondering in search of food and shelter. The question on how long they been living on campus and the number of them living in the darkness under the buildings are still a mystery. Many students believed that the cats were deserted by owners or maybe wandered away from home and were unable to find their way back.“They are coming from surrounding neighborhoods, ”said Kiamethia Woods,
a social work major from Baton Rouge. According to the Humane Society of the United States “These cats are known as feral cats. Feral cats typically live in a colony—a group of related cats. The colony occupies and defends a specific territory where food (a dumpster, a person who feeds them) and shelter (an abandoned building) are available.” The Humane Society website mentions, feral cats typically fear strangers and are rarely seen. Some wonder about the cat’s quality of life and how they survive everyday. “Feral cats live a grim life. Females are often exhausted and gaunt from the effort of bearing and feeding kittens as well as themselves,” according to CARA (Companion Animal Rescue Alliance). Many kittens die due to accidents and illnesses. Males fight and injure one another, while illnesses such as feline leukemia and distemper, and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) spreads through colonies quickly. CARA mentions, “The cats are attacked by other animals, by uncaring people, or are hit by cars. The lifespan of these cats is often just a year or two.” However, the biggest decision is what the university should do about them or whether they should do anything at all.
“I think Southern University should do something about this because there is a lot of construction and repairs going on around campus,” said Chaunceyeta Knowsravian, a history major from Baton Rouge. “I would rather see them placed in a shelter so that they can find a nice loving home and get out of harms way.” Joshua Jones, a Civil Engineering major from Baton Rouge commented the cats were harmless and didn’t require any action from the university. “I don’t think that they are bothering anybody,” said Jones. In the event of transporting cats to shelters, the Humane Society of the United States said, “Feral cats brought to the shelter, especially those who cannot be identified as members of a known TNRed (Trap-Neuter-Return) colony, are likely to be put down right away or after a mandatory holding period.” It is difficult to accurately identify a feral cat without a holding period. In addition, if space is limited at the shelter, an adoptable cat may be put down to make room to hold a feral cat. So far the cats are not an issue or problem to anyone, most agree they seem to be harmless to campus safety but, campus is more hazardous to them than they are to it.
“Normally, it’s something completely out of our control.” Temorror Thomas, a political science graduate student from Prairieville, La., said, “By March or April, all students should be able to finish all of their applications.” Thomas stated that by it being so close to tax season, all applications should be finished by then. Although some students say that they get all of their information in on time, Financial Aid’s lines are still unavoidable. Shondrica Valentine, a junior family consumer science major from Newellton,
La., stated that she fills out all her information early each year and her she still had to stand in the long lines. “Submitting information to Financial Aid has yet to be efficient,” said Valentine. Another student, Doneillia Johnson, a senior family consumer science major from Bernice, La., “I filled out my information and I still had to wait in line.” Johnson said SU does not process the forms quick enough. Many students have yet to receive their 1098 forms, which is making the process to file taxes and fill out their FAFSA online applications.
Finance Tools from page 1 of Financial Aid is planning to host “Financial Aid Nights,” with Residential Life, “College Goal Sunday,” “Hands on Help Sessions” and high school visits in conjunction with the office of Admissions and Upward Bound. With these programs and events being held, Shorty said this will help give Financial Aid enough time to process information. “We’re trying to be more visible on campus,” said Shorty. “We hope they take the initiative to get more done more than later.” According to Shorty the long lines in F.G. Clark, are out of their control.
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Resolutions from page 1 after exigency. “With our business model we hope to slowly but, surely make plans to centralize what we can and pull those burdens off of individual campuses. With financial exigency we an opportunity to re-brand and transform our school,” Mire said. Mire hopes for the system to be transformed into a more unique and comprehensive system leading with best practices in the state and eventually the country. “It will happen over time. I think we have the right leadership in place. This is the first time the five chancellors, System President, and Board of Supervisors have similar vision,” Mire said. The issue and dilemma of communication plays a part in accomplishing these resolutions. “Enrollment is key engine in getting our financial issues cleared up. We need to do a better job of getting our message out and communicating with students, faculty and staff and alumni,” Mire said. Mire agreed with Mason on the need to work together including keeping the dialogue open for new perspectives from all levels. At the end of January and beginning of February financial exigency is still a concern of students, faculty and staff, and alumni. “The faculty can make a valued judgment concerning where the consolidations and movements of departments in colleges will take place. Enrollment is the life-line of the university,” faculty senate president Sudhir Trivedi said. With the concerns aired from administrative figures and a faculty representative, the last story in this series will investigate the relevancy of resolutions and the possibilities available in the new Southern. In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.”
BLACK HISTORY MONTH Today in History
1839: Inventor Edmond Berger patented the spark plug. The spark plug creates the electrical spark that ignites the gasoline/air mixture in the combustion chamber of an automobile. 1897: Alfred Cralle invented the ice cream scoop. Can you imagine school cafeterias and ice cream shops without ice cream scoopers? 1915: The NAACP awards its first-ever Springarn Medal to 32-yearold zoologist Ernest E. Just for his pioneering research in fertilization and cell division. Later Springarn winners included such people as W.E.B. DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, Thurgood Marshall, Leontyne Price, Bill Cosby, Gen. Colin Powell and Oprah Winfrey. 1995: Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. became the first African American to walk in space.
State & Nation southerndigest.com
Page 4 - Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
La. starts new Medicaid managed care program Melinda Deslatte The Associated Press
PHOTO BY charles dharapak/ap photo
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, stands with his wife Ann as he celebrates his Florida primary election win at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday.
Romney says GOP fight strengthens him for fall Kasie Hunt
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — Barreling out of Florida with money and momentum on his side, Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney said Wednesday that the bare-knuckled nomination fight thus far has toughened him up for contests to come. Chief rival Newt Gingrich is regrouping after a significant loss and faces serious disadvantages in the next states to vote. Romney, who won big in Florida with a barrage of negative ads, predicted the tone of the GOP campaign was “just a precursor to what you’ll see” from President Barack Obama in the general election. And he said voters paid more attention to what they heard in the campaign debates than whatever ads were flooding the airwaves. “Perhaps what we’re getting now inoculates us, or at least prepares us, for what will come down the road,” Romney said as he made the rounds of morning television shows. House Speaker John Boehner dismissed any notion that the bitter tone of the GOP race and the prospect of a drawn-out battle for the nomination is worrisome for Republicans. “I understand that people are concerned about how long the primary process is dragging out,” Boehner said. “I would remind people that President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a fight that went through June of 2008. I think everybody just needs to realize that this will resolve itself.” Looking ahead, Romney said his campaign is focused squarely on middleincome Americans — to the exclusion of others at either end of the spectrum. “I’m not concerned about the very poor,” Romney said on CNN. “We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich. They’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95 percent of Americans who are struggling.” Questioned about his comment on the poor, Romney reiterated that they have “a very ample safety net” but that “we
can talk about whether it needs to be strengthened.” It didn’t take the Obama campaign long to pounce on Romney’s comments: “So much for ‘we’re all in this together,’” tweeted Obama campaign manager Jim Messina. The president’s re-election operation also was looking to make money off the squabbling for the GOP nomination. It issued a fundraising appeal Wednesday focused on the millions that Romney and his supporters had poured into negative ads. “That’s ugly, and it tells us a lot about what to expect from Romney if he wins the Republican nomination,” Messina wrote. “They’re going to try to spend and smear their way to the White House.” Romney said his path ahead “is looking very good” as he heads to Minnesota and Nevada for campaign stops Wednesday. Gingrich, meanwhile, worked to convince supporters that the primary is a twoperson race. Vowing to stay the course, Gingrich said Tuesday, “We are going to contest everyplace.” He planned one appearance in Reno, Nev., on Wednesday. Nevada and Maine have caucuses on Saturday. Minnesota and Colorado hold contests on Tuesday. Michigan and Arizona hold primaries on Feb. 28. Romney begins February with formidable advantages in fundraising and organization. His campaign raised $24 million in the final months of 2011, dwarfing his competitors and leaving him with $20 million to fight a primary battle that’s increasingly spread across many states. The former Massachusetts governor has had staff and volunteers on the ground in upcoming states for months as he’s prepared for a drawn-out fight for delegates to the Republican National Convention in August. Gingrich, meanwhile, doesn’t have a strong ground game as he looks to contests in states that could prove problematic for him. And in a nomination fight so far defined by debates — typically a strong point for the former House speaker — he faces a threeweek stretch without one. The candidates will next debate in Arizona on Feb. 22.
Louisiana’s Medicaid program on Wednesday started providing health care through private managed care networks in nine parishes around New Orleans, the first step in a sweeping revamp of the program that provides care to the poor. Nearly 246,000 Medicaid recipients, mostly children, across southeast Louisiana were switched to the managed care networks in this first phase of the insurance-based model, called Bayou Health. The roll-out hasn’t been without problems, including an overloaded call center and low participation from enrollees in choosing their own health plans. Only about a quarter of those shifted to the new insurance model chose how they will get that care. The state health department had to assign 73 percent to their new health plans because they didn’t select their own among the five options offered. Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein said the self-chosen enrollment was higher than figures seen in other states. New Orleans pediatrician Rachel Dawkins said the start of the Medicaid
changes was marked with confusion about how to get patients registered, how to ensure they were seeing a primary care doctor within their networks and how to refer them to specialists. “It’s been a bit stressful,” said Dawkins, whose practice is primarily Medicaid patients. “The patients don’t understand the changes, the physicians don’t understand the changes, the office staff doesn’t understand the changes. It is a lot of growing pains and a fast learning curve. Hopefully, all the kinks will be worked out.” Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration says the overhaul will better track government-funded patient care and improve the quality of preventive and primary care services in the program paid for with state and federal dollars. “Medicaid will look more like a private health insurance plan from an employer,” Greenstein said. He added, “What we’re giving them is more organization, more choices, more coaching and more assistance with their whole health.” The change shifts at least partly away from a fee-for-service system in which the state reimburses doctors, hospitals and other providers in the Medicaid program directly, giving a flat fee for each service rendered.
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the sentinel OF an enlightened student bOdy sinCe 1926
Jaguars acquire new talent aristiDe PhilliPs
The Southern Digest
Southern University football program celebrated yesterday welcoming 15 new Jaguars to the Bluff in its annual National Signing Day Recruitment Bash. The event was held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom among members of the SU quarterback Club, the Blue and Gold Century Club and SU athletics. “It’s our third class its the most important class, our second class was better than our first, and our third is definitely better than our first two,” said head coach Stump Mitchell, who is entering into his third year as head coach of the Jaguars. The Jaguars addressed needs defensively mainly to a lack in defensive linemen reeling in six recruits. “We wanted to get some guys who had some girth inside, we did not have much of that last year”. Said Stump addressing the media during the bash. The Jaguars also addressed the issue at the kicking position signing Greg Pittman a 5-10 170 pound kicker/punter from New Orleans. We all
remember the fourth quarter meltdowns were games ended with the Jags loosing games with to five teams by five points or less. Also Southern branched out of the state of Louisiana going all the way to the “Sunshine state” getting six players to sign letters of intent. “Alonzo Phillips, a Southern alum who was in the Miami area contacted us he was at several games he saw the depletion we had at that position and asked us to come down to Miami and we were fortunate enough to get a few of them guys to become Jaguars,” Mitchell said. One of the six players from Miami the Jaguars signed was running back David Chin a 6-0, 230-pound running back out of Norland High School. SU also have signed players Donald Phillips, a defensive end/ linebacker Archbishop Shaw in New Orleans; Matthew Moody, a 6-3, 240-pound offensive lineman from Orlando, Fla., who attended Winter Park High School; and Christopher Scruggs a 6-0, 240-pound defensive end from Jacksonville, Fla., who attended Jean Ribault High School. All three players were
thursday, February 2, 2012 - Page 5
2012 SOUTHERN FOOTBALL SIGNEES (A W ) S OF
Name David Chin Eric Eason Gabe Echols Ernest Felton Gerard Levier Justin Morgan Anthony Mosely Willie Paisley Greg Pittman Terrell Lee Willie Quinn Sony Sanon
Pos. RB DT DT DB DT QB DE DT K/P OL WR DB
Ht. 6-0 6-2 6-1 5-9 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-8 5-9
Donald Phillips Matthew Moody Christopher Scruggs
DE/LB OL DE
6-0 6-3 6-0
grayshirted, which means they will be able to participate in spring football drills. After the Mitchell showed video highlights of the new signees to the members of the Jaguar Nation, Mitchell looked towards Christopher Jones, assistant athletic director for media relations, who unveiled the new football helmets to the public for the first time. The new helmet is white with a gold, royal blue, and Columbia blue strip going down the middle of the helmet, along with royal blue facemask with a pretty cool SU logo. The new helmets are supposed to complement the new uniforms that were worn last season. Also unveiled was a tentative football schedule, where the Jaguars first game will be a trip to Albuquerque, N.M., to face the University of New Mexico.
EDNESDAY
Wt. 230 350 305 175 275 155 260 330 170 280 170 170
Hometown Miami Memphis, Tenn. Decatur, Ga. Miami Port Barre, La. Pell City, Ala. Cairo, Ga. Miramar, Fla. New Orleans Memphis, Tenn. Miami Miami
High School Norland HS Whitehaven HS Southwest DeKalb HS Jackson HS Port Barre HS Pell City HS Cairo HS Miramar HS Helen Cox HS Whitehaven HS Jackson HS Hialeah HS
ALREADY ENROLLED 240 New Orleans 240 Orlando, Fla. 240 Jacksonville, Fla.
Archbishop Shaw HS Winter Park HS Jean Ribault HS
PHOTO By keldric nasH/digesT
Southern head football coach Stump Mitchell addresses fans during Wednesday’s recruiting bash. Southern picked up letters of intent from 12 high school players on National Signing Day.
Valley improves to 9-0 in SWAC MVSU women move into Digest News Service
ITTA BENA, Miss. — Paul Crosby scored 19 points and Kevin Burwell added 16 to keep Mississippi Valley State unbeaten in Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a 77-59 victory over Grambling State on Monday night. The Delta Devils (10-11, 9-0) also got double-doubles from Cor-J Cox and Terrence Joyner, who each scored 11 points, with Cox adding 10 rebounds and Joyner 10 assists. Amos Sturdivant grabbed 12 rebounds for the Delta Devils. MVSU built a 35-24 halftime lead, shooting 48.3 percent (14 of 29) in the first half, including 7 of 11 on 3-pointers, to 29.2 percent (7 of 24) for the Tigers (3-16, 3-6). Burwell was 4 of 5 on 3-pointers for the game. Brandon Dorsett scored 17 points and Quincy Roberts 16 for Grambling State, and Peter Roberson added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Alabama St. 66, Tex. Southern 59 (OT)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Ivory White scored 21 points and Phillip Crawford added 17 as Alabama State rallied to beat Texas Southern in overtime on Monday night, snapping a three-game losing streak. Texas Southern entered halftime leading 32-18 and pushed that lead to 48-30 behind five straight points from Fred Sturdivant. However, Alabama State (8-13, 5-4) used a 22-6 run over the final 9 minutes to cut the deficit to 54-52. White’s layup with 3 seconds left sent the game into overtime. Crawford had 11 during the run and White had eight as the Hornets outscored Texas Southern 36-22 in the second half. Alabama State controlled overtime, making the first three baskets and sinking four free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the victory. Texas Southern (7-14, 6-3) took seven 3-pointers in overtime, connecting on just one. Sturdivant led the Tigers with 16 points and seven rebounds. Ark.-PB 73, Jackson St. 69 PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Mitchell Anderson scored 25 points and Savalace Townsend added 16 as Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Jackson State 73-69 on Monday night.
Anderson came off the bench to shoot 10-of-16 from the floor with six rebounds and six blocks for the Golden Lions (3-19, 2-7). Christian Williams scored 18 points, Willie Readus 14 and Keeslee Stewart 11 for the Tigers (5-16, 3-6). ArkansasPine Bluff overcame a late seven-point deficit to tie the score at 62-all with 2:39 remaining. Daniel Broughton and Townsend combined for six straight points to give the Golden Lions a 68-62 cushion with 44 seconds left. Williams hit a 3-pointer for Jackson State, but with the Tigers forced to foul, ArkansasPine Bluff protected the lead with five free throws in the last 20 seconds. The Golden Lions shot 52.2 percent (24 of 46) from the floor. Alabama A&M 64, Prairie View 54 HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama A&M rallied to erase a 13-point halftime deficit by holding Prairie View to just 16 second half points and posting a 64-54 win over the Panthers.. Jeremy Ingram scored 16 points off the bench to lead the Bulldogs, and Demarquelle Tabb finished with a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. A&M outrebounded PV 47-34 on the night.
1st place tie with Jaguars Digest News Service
The SWAC standings continued to be cluttered as the second half of the conference schedule got underway on Monday. Mississippi Valley moved into a first place tie with idle Southern, while Alcorn State, who was also idle, is lurking a game back. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M, Alabama State and Jackson State are in a threeway tie for fourth, followed by Grambling and Prairie View in a deadlock for eighth. MVSU 63, Grambling St. 55 ITTA BENA, Miss. — De’Kisha Fondon led MVSU with 14 points and nine rebounds. Tonieshwa Mack pace Grambling with 13 points and six rebounds, while Markisha Patterson chipped in 11 points. MVSU led 38-27 at halftime. Alabama St. 68, Tex. Southern 47 MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Danielle Gazaway scored a career-high 17 points to lead Alabama State to a win over Texas Southern Monday evening at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Kierra Paige recorded 13 points for the Lady Hornets, while Ashley Jones ended the game with a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Texas Southern had two players in double figures. Gianna Fleming and Janelle McQueen each added 12 for TSU. Alabama A&M 55, Prairie View 53 HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Late freethrows were just enough for Alabama A&M to slip past Prairie View at Elmore Gym on Monday night. Whiquitta Tobar led the Lady Bulldogs with 20 points, while Jasmine Sanders tallied 14 points and nine rebounds. Latia Williams paced PVAM with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Kiara Etienne chipped in 13 points. Jackson St. 59, Ark.-PB 51 PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A rally by Arkansas-Pine Bluff fell short as Jackson State kept the Lady Lions winless despite a game effort. Tiffany Kellum had 12 points and six rebounds to lead JSU. Beatrice Banks added 11 points and five rebounds, while Daria Hester contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Culture southerndigest.com
Page 6 - Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
‘Soul Train’ creator commits suicide Jeff Wilson & Nekesa Mumbi Moody The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Don Cornelius, who with the creation of “Soul Train” helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of black culture with funky music, groovy dance steps and cutting edge style, died early Wednesday of an apparent suicide. He was 75. Los Angeles Police Department officers responding to a report of a shooting found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 a.m. He was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound about an hour later at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter. A police cruiser sat parked in the entryway of Cornelius’ home on a two-lane stretch of Mulholland Drive in the hills above Los Angeles. News cameras camped outside as drivers on their morning commute drove by. “He was a transformer,” the Rev. Jesse Jackson told KNX-Los Angeles. “`Soul Train’ became the outlet for AfricanAmericans.” Jackson said he talked to Cornelius a few days ago and there were no signs Cornelius was upset. Others also expressed their grief. “I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,” said Quincy Jones. “Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was ‘Soul Train,’ that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My heart goes out to Don’s family and loved ones.” “I have known him since I was 19-years-
PHOTO By chris pizzelo/ap file photo
Don Cornelius is seen at the 9th Annual BET Awards, in Los Angeles. Cornelius, creator of the long-running TV dance show “Soul Train,” shot himself to death Wednesday morning at his home in Los Angeles, police said. He was 75.
old and James Brown had me speak on Soul Train,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement from New York. “He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level.” “Don Cornelius’ legacy to music, especially black music, will be forever cemented in history,” said Clarence Avant, former chairman of Motown Records. “`Soul Train’ was the first and only
television show to showcase and put a spotlight on black artists at a time when there were few African-Americans on television at all, and that was the great vision of Don.” “Soul Train” began in 1970 in Chicago on WCIU-TV as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006. It showcased such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White and brought the best R&B, soul and
later hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to them. It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, although the dance group was racially mixed. Cornelius was the first host and executive producer. “There was not programming that targeted any particular ethnicity,” he said in 2006, then added: “I’m trying to use euphemisms here, trying to avoid saying there was no television for black folks, which they knew was for them.” “Soul Train,” with its trademark opening of an animated chugging train, was not, however, an immediate success for Cornelius, an ex-disc jockey with a baritone rumble and cool manner. Only a handful of stations initially were receptive. “When we rolled it out, there were only eight takers,” he recalled in a 2006 interview with The Associated Press. “Which was somewhere between a little disappointing and a whole lot disappointing.” The reasons he heard? “There was just, `We don’t want it. We pass,’” he said, with race going unmentioned. “No one was blatant enough to say that.” “Soul Train” had arrived on the scene at a time when the country was still reeling from the civil rights movement, political upheaval and cultural swings. It also arrived when black faces on TV were an event, not a regular occurrence. “Soul Train” was seen by some at first as the black “American Bandstand,” the mainstay TV music show hosted by Dick Clark. While “American Bandstand” featured black artists, it was more of a showcase for white artists and very mainstream black performers. “Soul Train” followed some of the “Bandstand” format, as it had an audience and young dancers, and Cornelius was its host.
Twin Peaks does not ‘peak’ reviewer’s excitement Billy Washington & Norman J. Dotson Jr. The Southern Digest
Ever wanted to dine out and enjoy a good meal but wasn’t in the mood to dress to impress? With the recent opening of Twin Peaks, located on Siegen Lane near I-10, you can do just that. The atmosphere of Twin Peaks is very simple and reminds you of a cabin house story, similar to Paul Bunyan. The walls are draped with water canisters, camping backpacks, and mounted deer heads. There is also a hanging antler chandelier in the foyer. As we were being lead to our seat we also noticed a stuffed raccoon and of course we seated next to the furry creature. The waitresses, who are very nice and “clueless”, are very similar to the waiters from Hooters, which explained the name and motto, Twin Peaks: Eats. Drinks. Scenic Views. The waiters were very appealing to the eye, making the experience worthwhile but for as far as the food and atmosphere goes, well let’s say (in the
beginning) it wasn’t so appealing to the taste buds, the eyes, or the pockets. For starters, the waiter recommended the BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos. The nachos presentation was awful due to the pulled pork and other ingredients being piled high on top. When a person thinks of nachos, they think of chips and dip, preferably cheese, salsa, and occasionally beef. We found out the hard way, pork does not belong on tortilla chips. We eventually decided to swap out for the Chipotle Queso and Chips, which turned out to taste better but slacked in presentation. The dip bowl and plates looked very similar to the cafeteria plates in Mayberry, but who can complain with the price of five shams. Due to the bad first half of the dining experience, we decided to stay on the safe side by ordering a shrimp and chicken basket, a Philly cheese steak sandwich, and the surf and turf skewer, which was stuffed with shrimp and cheap steak pieces. You can never go wrong with a fried dish, a sandwich, and a
skewer with shrimp right? The skewers consisted of chopped steak and grilled shrimp, which was appetizing at first but failed to keep it interesting with the flavor becoming boring half way through the meal. Surf and Turf also featured mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes, both lacking proper seasoning but with a dash of salt were just right. The fried shrimp and chicken basket was on point with taste but the quantity of the shrimp and the quality of the chicken was questionable. There were only four fried and lightly battered jumbo shrimp and the chicken was over cooked. Philadelphia would be insulted by the imitation cheese steak that was placed before us by being packed with dry steak meat and very little of the trimmings the traditional steak has; such as, onions, bell peppers and bland seasoning. Adding fries to the dried out sandwich we could almost certainly tell from the texture of the fries, they had been sitting under a restaurant heating light for an extended period of time.
PHOTO By arielle n. burks/digest
The barbecue pulled pork nachos were part of an unappealing and lacking menu at Twin Peaks. The reviewer felt the atmosphere was unappealing and the prices were unreasonable.
Overall, the menu was not appealing or exciting, the price wasn’t reasonable, and the atmosphere was awkward. Did we mention the ceiling was not covered? Meaning the filth that looked like asbestos was exposed. Not only was the ceiling exposed but the glass garage doors that made the front end wall leading outside were open, letting in the bitter cold from the winter and
rainy weather cooling our food in seconds taking away any chance of enjoying a hot meal. With the distance, plus appearance, plus prices we just don’t think that students would enjoy themselves there. For the final grade, we give Twin Peaks a four out of 10. ——— Trevor James contributed to this review.
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The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Thursday, February 2, 2012 - Page 7
The Exigency Quiz Bowl SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SUITE 1064 T.H. HARRIS HALL POST OFFICE BOX 10180 BATON ROUGE, LA 70813 PHONE: 225.771.2231 FAX: 225.771.5840 ONLINE @ www.southerndigest.com
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Welcome to The Exigency Quiz Bowl. Where key figures from colleges and universities dealing with financial emergency or exigency answer questions to earn their colleges what they are lacking, money. The questions are concerning the tough decisions and sacrifices they face to grow stronger beyond financial crisis. This is Southern University’s 2nd appearance but, past participants have included Morris Brown College, Florida State University, and Clark Atlanta University. Every university is different and is faced with different missions, student clientele, financial aid prevalence, employee base, faculty, academic program offerings, funding, and administration hierarchy. The way the quiz bowl works is similar to Jeopardy but, the categories are selected based on the decisions made and to be made before, during and after declaring financial exigency. Southern University at Baton Rouge is under scrutiny but, being a part of the Southern University System, leaves the name Southern University at risk. SU administrators and Faculty/Staff have agreed to participate. Our categories are doing more with less, Policy and Procedure, Roles in Exigency process, restructuring and reorganizing and The New Southern. There are 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 level questions for each category. Let’s introduce our teams… For the SU administration we are joined by SUBR Chancellor James Llorens, SU System President Ronald Mason and SU Board of Supervisors Chairman Darren Mire; welcome administrators. From the SU Faculty and Staff we are joined by Faculty Senate President Sudhir Trivedi, SUBR Physics Chairperson Diola Bagayoko, and SUBR Education Professor Jacqueline Jacobs; welcome faculty members. We’re going to start with doing more with less for 100. SU Faculty have agreed to answer this, What is the key to creating a following and combating financial crisis? Strong leadership. Good faculty and students that can work together –Sudhir Trivedi. Correct. Leadership is everything. “We would like to choose Policy and Procedure for 500 please,” Diola Bagayoko. Ok. What is the policy and procedure for the Board of Supervisors to define a financial exigency? “A bonafide financial exigency is an imminent financial crisis
Evan Taylor which threatens the survival of the institution as a whole and which can only be alleviated by adopting drastic means,” Trivedi. Do you believe that the exigency at Southern was bona fide? “No I along with the Faculty Senate do not feel a bona fide financial exigency was present and that is why we are filing a lawsuit for injunctive relief against the Board of Supervisors,” Trivedi. Ok, SU administrators which category would you like to take on? “The New Southern for 500, please” James Llorens. Where do you imagine the new Southern University? “The 21st century model institution. Top notch in technology, effective processes, high recruitment, retention, and graduation rates, and prepared graduates to be competent citizens.” Llorens. How do you propose Southern gets there? “Through the restructuring and reorganization of Southern will leave a stronger institution.” Llorens. Ok administrators… The Faculty has 600 while you have 500. After this question we will go into the last question so make your choices wisely. “Roles in the exigency process for 500 please”-Ronald Mason What role does the faculty play in the exigency process? “Well they have a role in participating in committees to generate ideas for college and department consolidation and they contribute knowledge on academic matters that the administration may not be aware of.” Llorens. Chancellor Llorens that question must be answered by Mason. What role does the faculty play in the exigency process? “I work on the system level and have no interest in managing campuses. I support the Chancellor in his decision of the role of the faculty while his campus deals with financial exigency. The system should play a background and supportive role to campus chancellors.” Mason. Ok. The committee has agreed to
grant 150 for that answer considering the chancellor’s answer. With the Administrators at 650 and The Faculty at 600 we are down to the last question… This question comes from the students and the students will vote to choose the winner. As a student who has done everything they were advised, urged, and encouraged to do and approached cautiously things that they were told not to pursue, Why are students still treated poorly, dealing with issues beyond their control, and the university doesn’t consider their circumstances? Before you answer this question consider that more than half of your students are on financial aid yet it is understaffed, The registration and refund processes are improving but, still have inconsistencies between paper and electronic systems, and your mission as a university is to serve the underserved which means you will not make bank off of your students. Faculty… your answer. “Well in line with our mission we must serve the underserved and as long as that is our mission profitability is less important than the ability to educate those in the community. Yes we need money to survive but, that is not the only thing we need; we require a strong faculty, student base, technology, and support system.” Jacobs. Administrators… “Students understand that we have to give them a better product. We need to work together on every level of leadership. Student, staff, faculty, alumni, and system leadership to make the product, brand, and system stronger and better.” Mire. We will now rate answers and take a poll of general approval ratings from SU students. Students please pick up your voting devices and cast your votes. (jeopardy music) The results show that SU students have rated the administration with a dismal 15 percent rating while the faculty is rated at little higher with a 25 percent approval rating. Looks like the faculty comes out on top while the administration hangs it’s head. Back to work on Monday, we recommend that you pay attention to those who provide you with a job and your real bosses: the students of Southern University. That’s all the time we have for the Exigency Quiz Bowl, if you didn’t know where your administrators and faculty stood before now you know. Thank you and good night.
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The Sentinel Of An Enlightened Student Body since 1926
Panetta lays out Afghanistan plans Robert Burns
The Associated Press
BRUSSELS—Defense Secretary Leon Panetta laid out the administration’s most explicit portrayal of the U.S. drawdown in Afghanistan, saying Wednesday that U.S. and other international forces in Afghanistan expect to end their combat role in 2013 and continue a training and advisory role with Afghan forces through 2014. Panetta’s remarks to reporters traveling with him to a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels showed how the foreign military role in Afghanistan is expected to evolve from the current high-intensity fight against the Taliban to a support role with Afghans fully in the lead. The timeline fits neatly into the U.S. political calendar, enabling President Barack Obama to declare on the campaign trail this year that in addition to bringing all U.S. troops home from Iraq and beginning a troop drawdown in Afghanistan, he also has a target period for ending the U.S. combat role there. It also serves to possibly bridge an apparent gap between France and the rest of the NATO partners of the U.S. on defining
the end game in Afghanistan. All NATO members in November 2010 endorsed a plan to keep forces in Afghanistan until the end of 2014. But France this week appeared to throw that plan into doubt when President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed, with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at his side and seemingly in agreement, that NATO end its mission in 2013 — one year earlier than planned. Sarkozy also said, however, that France would provide support for the training of Afghan forces beyond 2013, so his approach might not be entirely different from the one Panetta outlined in which allied troops shed their combat role in the second half of 2013 but remain through 2014 to train, advise and assist. Panetta said he hoped to hear more from the French delegation at the NATO talks Thursday and Friday. Panetta called 2013 a critical year for the Afghanistan mission that has dragged on for more than a decade with little sign that the Taliban will be decisively defeated. He noted that NATO and the Afghan government intend to begin a final phase of handing off sections of the country to Afghan security
PHOTO By jacquelyn martin/ap photo
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta answers questions from the media on board the his plane en route to a NATO conference in Brussels, Belgium, Wednesday.
control in mid-2013. “Hopefully by the mid to latter part of 2013 we’ll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a training, advise and assist role,” he said. He added that this “doesn’t mean we’re not going to be combat-ready,” but rather that the U.S. and other international forces will no longer be in “the formal combat role we’re in now.” Panetta said the administration wants to make sure that the Afghan forces, after foreign troops depart, are “sufficient
and sustainable,” but noted that will require continuing financial support not only from the United States but also from allies and many other countries. “One of the things we’ll be discussing (in Brussels) is what the size of that (Afghan) force should be, but a lot of that will be dependent on the funds that are going to be put on the table in order to sustain that force,” he said. “That’s one of the things, frankly, I’m going to be pushing at this (meeting).” A senior defense official
Nigeria secret police arrest sect spokesman Jon Gambrell & Njadvara Musa
The Associated Press
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria —The purported spokesman for a radical Islamist sect responsible for hundreds of killings in recent weeks in Nigeria has been arrested, an official with the country’s secret police said Wednesday. The official with Nigeria’s State Security Service declined to give many details about the man known by the nom de guerre Abul-Qaqa, simply saying that officers are questioning him. If it is him, the spokesman’s arrest could prove to be a boon for Nigeria’s weak central government, which has remained unable to stop attacks by the sect known as Boko Haram. However, the same agency paraded a supposed spokesman only weeks earlier who apparently had only a loose affiliation with a group that has splintered and become even more dangerous. And a national spokeswoman tried to deny the reported arrest without being able to explain the apparent confusion gripping an agency charged with protecting the nation.
Ahmed Abdullahi, the Borno state director for the secret police agency, told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that officers tracked down the man through signals sent out by his mobile phone. The agency later flew him to Nigeria’s capital Abuja for further questioning. Abul-Qaqa served as the spokesman for the radical wing of the sect, often as a go-between between its leaders and trusted members of north Nigeria’s media. He issued claims of responsibility typically the same day as attacks to journalists working for either the BBC’s Hausa language service or The Daily Trust newspaper, the two most trusted sources of news in Nigeria’s Muslim north. Abdullahi declined to give the man’s name, and it wasn’t clear whether he faced criminal charges or had legal representation. Reached Wednesday night, national secret police spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar denied the agency had arrested Abul-Qaqa, but was unable to explain why a top official with the agency would say otherwise. “We don’t have him — at least I do not have information that
traveling with Panetta said the U.S. believes Afghanistan will not need as big a force as is now being built. NATO has set a target of 352,000 Afghan soldiers and police. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the Pentagon, said the U.S. thinks a smaller force would be adequate, but he would not be more specific He likened this approach to the way Obama managed the final two years of U.S. military involvement in Iraq.
Lawyer seeks to question Yemen leader The Associated Press
PHOTO By sunday aghaeze/ap photo
Mourners and priests gather in a back lot of a Catholic church now turned into a mass grave site in Madalla, Nigeria, on Wednesday. Mourners wept as they carried out the mass burial Wednesday at the church near Nigeria’s capital where dozens died in a Christmas Day bombing by a radical Islamist sect.
we have him,” Ogar said. The State Security Service, which has plainclothes investigators across Nigeria, is charged with securing the nation, However, it is an agency long associated with suppressing political dissent, rather than putting down the
sectarian violence now being carried out by Boko Haram. In November, the secret police claimed it made a major breakthrough in stopping the sect by arresting Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, a supposed Boko Haram spokesman who used the name al-Zawahiri.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A lawyer for a Guantanamo prisoner charged in the attack on the USS Cole has asked a judge to let him question the president of Yemen while he is in the U.S. for medical treatment. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Reyes, the Pentagon-appointed lawyer for Guantanamo prisoner Abd al-Nashiri, said Wednesday that he believes President Ali Abdullah Saleh may have information about the 2000 Cole attack that he needs for his client’s upcoming war crimes trial at the U.S. Navy base in Cuba. Saleh, who was president at the time of the attack in the Yemeni port of Aden that killed 17 sailors, arrived in the U.S. on Saturday for treatment of burns suffered in an assassination attempt in June. Officials have not disclosed his whereabouts, but Human Rights Watch says he is in New York. “Once he’s in the jurisdiction of the U.S. presumably he can be subpoenaed,” Reyes said. “By coming here, it presented an opportunity.”