September 5, 2013
W W W. V S U S P e C TAT O r . C O M
VOLUMe 85 iSSUe 3
On the Web
Inside This Issue
w w w. v s u s p e c ta t o r. c o m - OPiNiONS: “Weapons don’t discriminate” - FeATUreS: “first play to ‘see the light’”
“Lonely, I’m Not”
VSU Theatre performs new show, page 5.
Today at VSU Parking Permits exPire Last year’s parking permits from the 2012-2013 academic school year expire today. All permit renewals can be processed online through the parking web portal at www.vsuparking.com or at the parking & transportation department.
lonely, i’m not - the VSU theatre department will perform the comedy “Lonely, i’m Not” at 7:30 p.m. in the Lab theatre. BoarD game night Natural High hosts a board Game Night in odum Library, room 1480, at 8 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Come play games provided by Natural High or bring your own!.
Weather Today
Read Alex Tostado’s women’s soccer preview! The team will play Florida Southern and Florida Tech.
Court date pending for Benjamin case Suspect in 2012 VSu murder may go to trial in early 2014 Alexis Waters S tA f f W r i t e r avhamlet@valdosta.edu
An ex-VSU student charged with murder may get his day in court. darien Meheux, indicted by a Lowndes County grand
jury for the murder of VSU freshman Jasmine benjamin on June 3, may face trial in January or february. the body of benjamin, 17, was discovered in a study room in Georgia Hall late in the fall semester of 2012. A former VSU student and exboyfriend of benjamin,
Meheux, was arrested in January and brought to Lowndes County Jail, where he remains on a $200,000 bond. Autopsy reports indicated that benjamin died due to asphyxiation. Meheux’s attorney, tracy Chatman, has several motions pending regarding the case,
including a motion to move the trial out of Lowndes County. district Attorney david Miller, of the Georgia Southern Judicial Circuit, said pretrial motions will be scheduled for around the third week in december. "i can't discuss the matter
because it is still an open case," Scott doner, VSUpd director, said. thressea boyd, VSU director of Communications, also said she couldn't comment at press time.
Blazers defend national title in Macon Saturday Chris Kessler S p o rt S W r i t e r ckessler@valdosta.edu
PM T-Storms 93 H 72 L
Friday Scattered T-Storms 91 H 69 L
Saturday
Scattered T-Storms 89 H 68 L
This Day in History Sam Houston elected as president of Texas September 5, 1836 Sam Houston is elected as president of the republic of texas. the republic of texas rebelled against Mexico and earned its independence. Houston practiced law in Nashville and served as a U.S. congressman and tennessee governor.
VSU's quest for a consecutive National Championship starts Saturday at fort Valley State in the “Macon Heritage Classic.” despite a decisive 62-14 victory over the Wildcats a year ago, VSU is not taking its season opener lightly. “We're in a situation that we can't take anyone lightly, and we're going to get everyone's best and if we want to get where we want to be we have to take every game seriously, especially (fort Valley State),” david dean, head coach, said. “they're very, very athletic. towards the end of the year they played very, very well.” VSU comes into the game as the No. 1 team in the nation, and will carry a big target. Coach dean expects the Wildcats' best shot. “they're going to be fired up, and they're going to remember last year's score, they're going to remember we're number one and defending national champs,” dean said.
ritsuki Miyazaki / The SPecTaTor
Blazers practiced hard this week for Saturday’s game. Head Coach David Dean knows the game against Fort Valley State could be a challenge for the team this season.
fort Valley State will be led defensively by Leron furr, a pre-season All-American linebacker, who finished last season with 110 tackles
The Happening!
and 6.5 sacks. “He's an absolute animal in there at that linebacker position,” dean said. “they bring him on blitzes a lot and he
Web editor jhpreer@valdosta.edu
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Check out photos and video from the Happening online!
we'll face this year.” on offense, the Wildcats have yet to name a starting See MACON, Page 6
Second autopsy reveals foul play in Johnson case John Preer
Source: History.com
causes a lot of havoc; he's very, very difficult to block. He's a pre-season All-American, that's all you need to see about him. He's as good as
Last January, teen Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a gym mat at Lowndes High School. the initial autopsy report ruled the teen’s death an accident as a result of positional asphyxiation. the report also stated that there were no indications of foul play. on June 15, the Johnson family received a judge’s permission to exhume the body of Kendrick Johnson for a private autopsy. the autopsy revealed new findings that contradict the initial report. dr. William Anderson performed the second autopsy, and upon further examination of the body, identified blunt force trauma to the right jaw and neck. these markings were said to be “consistent with inflicted injury”.
dr. Anderson also reof Johnson’s lungs. marked that the amount of “the findings suggesting a fluid found in Kendrick John- homicide would clearly indison’s lungs was not consiscate that further investigation tent with the is necessary to accidental answer the death theory. questions that The findings the Gbi have been suggesting a hypothesizes raised,” dr. Anthat Johnson derson said. homicide would climbed into When quesclearly indicate that tioned the gym mat about further investigation the recent reto retrieve a lost shoe, and is necessary to lease of a secsuffocated unond autopsy reanswer the der his own port, a Lownweight. Had questions that have des County ofJohnson asficial stated been raised. phyxiated that Sheriff’s - Dr. william anDerson department himself as a result of re“stands by the trieving his Georgia bureau shoe, the amount of fluid that of investigation with their auentered his lungs, posttopsy results.” mortem, would have been rethe Lowndes County Sherflected in an abnormal lung iff’s department did not want weight of about 800 grams. to comment on the new findHowever the second autopsy ings or possible reopening of revealed that there were no the case. abnormalities with the weight
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PagE 2 | vSuSPEcTaToR.coM
SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
Upcoming Events Sep. 5 Come see the VSU theatre program perform “Lonely, I’m Not� in the Whitehead Auditorium. Showings will run at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday to Tuesday, with a matinee showing on Sunday at 3 p.m. Sep. 6 The VSU Anime Club will be holding its holding its opening event at 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall room 138. The club will screen various anime shows. Students are invited to make their own dry-erase board from 4-8 p.m. in the Union Ballroom A CAB will screen “Temptation� at 8 p.m. All students are invited to come to this FREE screening in the Union theater. Sep. 7 The “Groove Video Dance Party will be held in the Student Union Ballrooms from 7-11 p.m.
Sep. 10 “On Tap� VSU’s student magazine will begin holding weekly meetings starting this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in West Hall rm 204.
HAPPY ‘TATOR DAY!
Heart of Faith Ministries will hold a fellowship at 7 p.m. in Jennett Lecture Hall in rm. 1111. VSU weight watchers will begin a 12-week series starting at noon. Meetings will happen at the University Center Dogwood room. Sep. 11 Palms Dining will be hosting “80’s Night at Palms� from 4:30-8 p.m. A costume contest for the best 80’s style costume at 6 p.m. 1st Place winner receives $40 in Blazer Bucks, 2nd Place will receive $25 in Blazer Bucks and 3rd Place will receive $15 in Blazer Bucks.
Police Briefs
More everything @
Sept. 4 A female student reported that her green Next Mountain bike was stolen. The bike has been missing since Sept. 2nd
www.vsuspectator.com
Sept. 3 A light green Avigo bike was stolen during the weekend from the Sustella Deck bike rack. Sept. 2 A student reports that the front tire to his bike was stolen while locked in the Centennial Hall Courtyard. Aug. 31 Navy Blue Schwinn bike has been reported stolen from the Hopper Hall bike rack. Aug. 29 A maroon Jeep Wranger was broken into at Oak Street parking lot section G. Aug. 28 A Wallet has been reported stolen from Jennett Lecture Hall. A dark beige Beach Cruiser bike has been stolen from Georgia Hall. Red Schwinn Sprint bike has been stolen from bike rack between Reade Hall and Bailey Science Center. A car was broken into at on the 4th floor of Sustella Parking Deck.
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septemBer 5, 2013
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PagE 4 | vSuSPEcTaTOR.cOM
OpiniOns
SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
Our point of view...
Weapons don't discriminate What were you doing tuesday evening, Aug. 20? Across Valdosta and on campus many people were settling down for dinner. As some students scooped their evening meal onto a plate in Palms Dining Hall, more than 426 children shook and then died. Damascus, a city immortalized by the biblical story of a Pharisee named Saul, became the site of a chemical weapons attack that left over 1,400 dead in its wake, a small number when compared to the approximately 100,000 lives claimed in the civil war that’s lasted the past two years. the attack echoed back to the 1988 Halabja massacre, when Saddam Hussein used sarin gas to slaughter between 3,000 and 5,000 Kurds in Northern Iraq. What made the attack in Damascus ring so loud in comparison to Halabja is the advent of Social Media. Youtube caused the tragedy in the small eastern suburb of Zamalka to imme-
diately surface on computer monitors around the world. Videos showing the dingy innards of busy hospitals and cloudy streets began to flash across the shocked faces of those that were tuning in. the international community chose this moment to react, and we think that action is necessary. We just have to choose the right action. Bashar al-Asad, the president of Syria, was immediately blamed for the attack, and his administration has not stopped shirking responsibility since. On tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with the House Foreign Affairs Committee to weigh the possibility of a military strike against Asad. A “Joint resolution” was drafted that would allow for a 90-day operation against the Syrian regime. Saul was sent to Damascus to persecute Christians in the city. Acts says that Saul was struck down by a bright light. the bright light left
him blinded, and it wasn’t until he had travelled to Damascus that he was healed and his sight was returned to him. the problem with a military intervention is that while it may lack “boots on the ground,” a point Kerry never seems to tire of repeating, it will not lack bombs. An unfortunate side-effect of employing explosives in urban areas is that it can harm more than it helps. Perhaps it is time for the scales to fall from our eyes. If Zamalka should teach us anything, it is that weapons don’t discriminate against rebel or soldier, child or adult. the people of Syria would be better served through a different sort of intervention, an influx of humanitarian supplies and possibly personnel. America has a messy history with military interventions, often leaving situations worse than they initiated. Syria also maintains a fragile balance with ideologies in
the rebel factions. Groups such as Al-Qaeda vie for power, and more deaths could trigger a shift in opinion, targeting the U.S. with hostility. Local sentiment is not the only risk factor to consider. relations with russia began to cool as Obama set his gaze on Asad. recently three russian warships were stationed in the east Mediter-
ranean Sea, accompanied by rhetoric similar to what was heard during the Cold War, moves that firmly stated Vladimir Putin’s opinion on Syria. With russia comes China. In July the two nations held their largest joint-naval exercise in the Sea of Japan, and in March russia held an exercise in the Black Sea that involved 36 warships and al-
MCT most 7,000 personnel. Making the already strained relationship between the U.S. and russia even more tense. Another meeting with the House is scheduled and a decision could pass as soon as next week. tweet your thoughts to @vsuspectator on the issue. We will take your voice and broadcast it, and then watch this historic situation unfurl.
This editorial was written by Will Lewis (walewis@valdosta.edu) and it expresses the general opinion of the editorial staff.
Christians face persecution in Egypt Taylor Stone S tA F F W r I t E r tnstone@valdosta.edu
Following the 2011 uprisings throughout the Middle East, commonly referred to as "the Arab Spring”, the Obama administration and the mainstream media quickly set out to dismiss valid concerns that the Muslim Brotherhood would take power if various regimes were overthrown. Administration officials as well as the President repeatedly stated that the Islamic organization was ab-
sent from violence, had no interest in taking over, and most ironically, that they were a “mostly secular” group. President Obama led the rhetoric, assuring the American people that the Muslim Brotherhood would not become a threat. “Egyptians have inspired us, and they have done so by putting lie to the idea that justice must be gained through violence,” Obama said. “For in Egypt, it was the
moral force of non-violence." White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, followed in the chorus of praise for the Muslim Brotherhood. “We will judge Egypt’s po-
assurance from the administration to say otherwise has proven to be in direct conflict of reality. Additionally, the virtual silence in media coverage surrounding the perse-
litical actors by how they act,” he said. the reality of the situation is horrifying, and continued
cution of hundreds of Coptic Christians in Egypt by – yes, you guessed it – the Muslim Brotherhood, is particularly
disturbing. the administration and the media continue their silence amidst the throes of chaos as Egypt becomes unhinged by the mass slaughtering of Coptic Christians, which happen to be the original inhabitants of the region. Innocent Christians are being murdered and raped without mercy while their churches continue to be burned to the ground. Crosses are being toppled from steeples as genocide, compa-
rable to the execution of Jews in Germany during the 1930’s, continues to flourish. the continued support of the Muslim Brotherhood by the United States has been called a “suicidal road of delusion,” ending in a destabilization of the entire Middle East. the silence from the media and administration is deafening, and speaks volumes about the shameful attempt to shift focus away from the devastating outcomes that have resulted from a dangerously misguided policy.
Preserving diversity takes effort Isaiah Smart S tA F F W r I t E r itsmart@valdosta.edu
What a year 2013 has turned out to be. Here we are, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a pivotal speech in the spirit of equality for jobs and freedoms among all people. that was Aug. 28, 1963; a few weeks later another crucial moment would take place. On Sept. 18, 1963, Drewnell thomas and robert Pierce were the first two African-American students accepted into Valdosta State College, integrating the cam-
pus. Our most ambiguous social construction is also one of our biggest divisions among students and citizens. It seems as though the only time we talk about race is when it comes up as an issue (e.g., the Kendrick Johnson case and the trayvon Martin case). I recently encouraged each of you to join on-campus organizations, now I’m asking you to diversify yourself. It seems to get harder and harder for organizations to attain diverse memberships. Contrary to popular belief—or membership—organizations drastically request diversity. As adults, young and old, we
should be reaching out to the variety of people that we have here as a resource. that includes faculty and staff. there are so many people to create a network with, and we seem to fret away from the comfortable, matriarchal confines of our comfort zones. Organizations, be acceptable of new collaborations, it’s a good look and a good point for a positive reputation. No one wants to be a part of something where others say, “Yeah, they don’t work with (insert particular group).” We learn best from those who aren’t like us— those from different places. there’s more work to be done and more weight to dis-
tribute. to my peers, the responsibility is ours to push
Our most ambiguous social construction is also one of our biggest divisions among students and citizens. the envelope off the edge and make sure it sails into unknown lands. We are the catalyst to change. We can’t just say we want something; we have to act like we want it. I
would love to see more participation and promotion of the International Dinner and the many programs the International Department puts on. It would be nice to see more CPC and IFC collaborations with organizations. I would also love to see more of these predominately African-American organizations have members of European, Hispanic or Asian descent. It would even be nice to see more minorities in upper-level administrative positions. We preach, scream and yell “diversity” from the rooftops while everyone is looking and go back to our segregated huts when the crowd leaves. the great thing about college is
Letter to the Editor
People Poll
Keep bees buzzing Enjoyed Point of View of Aug 29. I have a business using and depending on our local apiaries for there honey. I am also employed full time
with Graco Fertilizer Co. In Cairo Ga. I would like to be more active for the awareness of certain chemicals and their effect on our honey bees. Let
Are the costs of college too high?
me know when the Honey Bee Festival is scheduled. Mark Bradley
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the networking opportunities you have while you’re here. Why would you cheat yourself out of an opportunity to have a broad scope of opportunity that can in turn help others? I intend to make you uncomfortable enough to stir up the pot of positive action and progressive conversation. If I have, then this is just the beginning. I welcome conversation and I wish to enforce the idea that nothing will change until we do it. What are your thoughts on race? Is it a major factor in our lives? Why or why not? tell us your thoughts at @vsuspectator on twitter or on our Facebook page, the Spectator.
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features
sePtemBer 5, 2013
First play to ‘see the light’ Jordan Barela s ta f f w r i t e r
jlbarela@valdosta.edu
Alexis Waters/THE SPECTATOR Director Duke Guthrie speaks to the audience at Wednesday night’s dress rehersal in front of the stage of “Lonely, I’m Not.”
the VsU theatre and Dance group will kick off the school year with their production of “Lonely, i’m Not” today at 7:30 p.m. “Lonely, i’m Not” is a dark comedy written by Paul weitz, also known for being the director of “american Pie.” the play, which premiered in May 2012, is weitz’s most recent offBroadway show. the play will be shown every day in the Lab theatre in the fine arts Building at 7:30 p.m. until wednesday, except for the sunday show ing which will be at 3:30 p.m.
“Lonely, i’m Not” tells the story of Porter, a former corporate businessman-turnedcynic, who strays away from life after having a nervous breakdown. Porter decides to give life another chance and meets Heather, an ambitious businesswoman with her own obstacles. “the play has a dark atmosphere, but as the play progresses the main character, Porter, starts to see the light,” Patrica angier, stage manager, said. the play features a total of only six cast members. each actor, aside from the main characters, will portray at least two or three different roles within the play. students are admitted free of charge.
Page 5 | vsusPectator.com
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Sudoku
A N S W E R S
Country and Rap unite Isaiah Smart s ta f f w r i t e r
itsmart@valdosta.edu
what would a clash between eric Church and t.i. sound like? ask the LaCs and listen to their new album, “Keep it redneck.” the LaCs, consisting of Clay “Uncle snap” sharpe and Brian “rooster” King, recently released the album as a follow-up effort to “190 Proof” that held the group on Billboard’s top country albums chart for 70 consecutive weeks. the album takes listeners through modern country life with traditional guitars fused with stories presented in rap form. there is also a feature from sarah ross, an “american idol” season 12 contestant.
One of the more popular tracks on the album is “Kick Dust.” with light drums, a variety of guitars, a fiddle and keys, the song puts its listeners on a porch at sunset, after a long week of work. “Kick Dust” is what comes off as the most successful blend of rapping and looming guitars on the album. Noah Gordon is featured on the song’s chorus and sings, “Kick dust just to get up on out of this rush,” about the desire to wind down from the busy life. another fan favorite from the album is “Make things right.” Carried by a guitar, the LaCs reach into their memories of failed relationships. the chorus weaves through verses of lost love and detrimental mistakes. Hearing the song might even make listeners feel nostalgic
about their own failed relationships. On the downside, some of the album doesn’t work so well. “Kickin up Mud” is a bonus track that provides the country-rap hybrid but also has pop-like elements with powerful guitar riffs and hihats that make the song stand out like a sore thumb. “tylenol,” on the other hand, is a bit repetitive in its chorus as Clay and sharpe recall nights of drinking too much. also, it seems to be reminiscent of classic country with the vocal approach and instrumentation. Overall, i would give the album a 4/5. it is an easy listen and transitions well from one song to another. for more information, visit www.thelacsmusic.com.
Even
Odd
PagE 6 | vSuSPEcTaToR.coM MACON Continued from Page 1 quarterback. Dean and his defense are aware and will look to exploit it. “Anytime you go against somebody that doesn't have a lot of experience, you hopefully can get in their head,” Dean said. Despite high expectations this season, VSU has some concerns about offense. The Blazers’ lossed their
leading receiver and will start with a brand new offensive line. “I think our consistency has gotten better,” Dean said. “We're obviously not where I'm comfortable enough to say 'boy we're ready to go.’ Hopefully we can put it all together Saturday.” Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisLKessler
Ritsuki Miyazaki/ THE SPECTATOR VSU’s football team huddles together following an end of practice speech (above). Quarterback Bo Schlechter stands alongside offensive linemen during practice Wednesday night. (below).
Ritsuki Miyazaki/ THE SPECTATOR
SportS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
Check out the rest of this week’s sports stories here: Follow @BlazerSports on Twitter Football beat writer - Chris Kessler
(ckessler@valdosta.edu)
Volleyball beat writer - Neil Frawley
(ndfrawley@valdosta.edu)
Women’s soccer beat writer - Alex Tostado
(ajtostado@valdosta.edu)
Want to be a sports writer? Email: epjackson@valdosta.edu