January 11, 2012 by The California Aggie

serving the uc davis campus and community since 1915

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volume 131, number 3

wednesday, january 11, 2012

Downtown Davis Post Office on brink of closure Decision will not be official until mid-May By CLAIRE TAN Aggie Staff Writer

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is considering closing the Downtown Davis Post Office along with approximately 3,600 other post offices across the nation. To compensate their struggles with decreasing revenue, the USPS also decided to increase postage stamp fees from 44 to 45 cents beginning Jan. 22. A public meeting was held on Dec. 6, 2011 to inform the Davis community of the possible closure of the downtown post office. “In the Sacramento District, which Davis is part of, there are 34 post offices on that list,” said USPS media contact for California Augustine Ruiz in an e-mail. “It is undetermined how many will actually be closed nationally, or in [the] Sacramento District.” The Downtown Davis Post Office could not be reached for comment. According to Ruiz, there are multiple factors that are taken into account when studying the potential closing of a post office. “First and foremost, the commu-

nity impact — how will we continue to provide valuable postal services to the general community if a post office is closed, what alternatives can we provide?” Ruiz said. “Employee impacts are another consideration — where do we move the affected employees; economic factors are a consideration. However, we are prohibited from closing a post office for purely economic reasons.” Ruiz said despite the prohibition, majority of the post offices on the list don’t make enough revenue to cover their costs so economic issues are still factored in. “America’s mailing habits have changed,” said U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in an interview with the Public Broadcasting Service. “In the year 2000, 5 percent of people paid bills online. Today, 60 percent pay bills online. And when you combine that with the loss that we have seen in advertising mail as part of the recession, we have lost about 23 percent of our total volume, 27 percent of first-class mail.” Kristina Geddert / Aggie

See POST, page 2 The decision on closing the Downtown Davis Post Office will be made this May.

Many Asian students choose to UC Davis receives not check ‘Asian’ on college apps $10 million donation toward art museum

Applicants feel they are held to different standards

The Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow Museum to be completed in 2015

By EINAT GILBOA Aggie News Writer

Many Asian American students are not identifying themselves as such on their college applications, believing that doing so would hurt their chances of being accepted to top universities, according to recent studies including one at Princeton University. According to these studies, Asian students believe themselves to be evaluated at a higher standard than students of other races. Kara Miller, who worked as an application reader at Yale, said, “Asians were evaluated more toughly.” Miller called around to Ivy League universities and discovered them all to have a similar percentage of Asian students, leading her to believe the schools had some sort of quota in mind. “They don’t feel comfortable going over that percentage,” Miller said. The Princeton study conducted by sociologist Thomas Epenshade found that, “When comparing applicants with similar grades, scores, athletic qualifications and family history from seven elite private colleges and universities: Whites were three times as likely to get fat envelopes as Asians. Hispanics were twice as likely to win admission as whites. African Americans were at least five times as likely to be accepted as whites.” “When you’re part of a high achieving group, there is some effort to try to make sure that group isn’t out of proportion in the university. This is understandable,” Miller said. “There are more women applying to college, too, but you don’t want a school that is 70 percent

News iN Brief

Law school holds talk about internet freedom The UC Davis School of Law is hosting speaker Rebecca MacKinnon today. MacKinnon, who is a TED Talks speaker and an expert on Chinese internet censorship, will be talking about internet freedom and censorship. The talk takes place at King Hall from 4 to 5 p.m. and is free to the public. — Hannah Strumwasser

Today’s weather Sunny High 61 Low 32

By STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN Aggie News Writer

Irisa Tam / Aggie

women, even if they are your best applicants.” Steven Hsu, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oregon, believes the effect of ethnicity in the admissions process should be minimized as much as possible. “There are many forms of diversity,” said Hsu in an e-mail. “Intellectual diversity is as important as ethnic diversity.” Admitting students on a quotalike basis may be a possibility for private schools, but what about public institutions such as the University of California? “Prop 209 eliminated much of this discrimination. Simply compare the ethnic makeup of admits pre- and post-209,” Hsu said in an e-mail. “The Asian population fraction went up considerably. What does that tell you about the pre-209

process, or the process still in place at other universities?” “UC schools used to have a much smaller percentage of Asians, and now it is over 40 percent at many schools,” Miller said. The National Association of Scholars website stated that Prop 209, which was approved in 1996, prohibited all state agencies from using race, gender, or ethnicity to discriminate against or give preference to people in public employment, competition for a state contract and university admissions. “Our admissions policies have complied and will continue to comply with the California Constitution, which prohibits granting preferential treatment on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin or gender, in accord with Proposition

See ASIAN, page 2

UC Davis recently received a donation of $10 million to go toward the construction of a new art museum. Named after donors Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow, the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow Museum of Art is slated for completion in 2015. The museum is part of the plan for the university’s new south entrance, with construction planned for a 1.6 acre site adjacent to the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, the UC Davis Conference Center and Maurice J. Gallagher Jr. Hall. Shrem and Manetti Farrow’s donation contributes to the $30 million the university plans to raise through endowments and interest earnings for the construction project, and allows for the design phase of the project to be launched. Including Shrem and Manetti Farrow’s gift, $12.1 million has been raised to date. “The museum will be a unique and vital contribution both to the university and the region,” said Jessie Ann Owens, dean of the Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies. “It

will support joint programming, exhibitions and other opportunities to foster engagement with neighboring collections, artists and art organizations.” The 40,000 square foot space will house the university’s fine arts collection, which contains more than 4,000 works of art. Visitors will have access to collections that are currently unavailable due to lack of space. In addition to art galleries, the museum will provide space for seminars, public gatherings and research. Shrem is the proprietor of Clos Pegase winery in Napa Valley and a member of the Director’s Circle for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. His friend Manetti Farrow grows and collects fine wines and produces premium vinegar and olive oil. Both are recognized for their philanthropic efforts. “We believe that education and the arts should be accessible to all people,” Shrem said in a press release. “And we believe that a curious and open mind should be nurtured and supported. Fortunately, the project at UC Davis has introduced us to people who profoundly share this philosophy. It is with deepest pleasure that we are able to help

See MUSEUM, page 2

UC abroad program increases scholarship funding Scholarships targeted at non-represented students within the program By MAX GARRITY RUSSER Aggie News Writer

The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) recently announced a $1.5 million scholarship initiative that will affect all participating campuses, as the program enters its 50 year anniversary. Funds for scholarships dedi-

cated to the UCEAP will increase from $300,000 to $500,000 a year consecutively for the next three years. An intense growth in student enrollment within recent years has prompted the influx of funding to the program. “As we enter our 50 year anniversary, there is no better way

See ABROAD, page 2

Forecast I apologize to those who have 7:30 AM class this quarter ... you may need to scrape the ice off your bike seat before making the miserable trek to campus this week. Expect frigid temperatures to stick around for at least the next few days. Kenneth Doss, atmospheric science major Aggie Forecasting Team

Irisa Tam / Aggie

Thursday

Friday

Sunny

Mostly sunny

High 61 Low 34

High 62 Low 35

Did you know that Waldo has an arch-nemisis? Me neither. MGM recently picked up the feature film rights to Where’s Waldo?, so, soon enough, you’ll be able to watch Waldo and Odlaw (clever name!) in action when they hit the big screen. Amanda Nguyen

page two

2 Wednesday, January 11, 2012

daily calendar dailycal@theaggie.org

TODAY

dues. Please visit iccweb.ucdavis.edu/ aes/vetaides/Internships.htm for more details on how to apply.

Walk With Warren Noon UC Davis Arboretum Gazebo, Garrod Drive Join Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts for a lunchtime stroll in the UC Davis Arboretum. Enjoy the crisp weather, explore the pleasures of the winter garden and get a little exercise.

Orientation and First-Year Experience Info Session 4 to 4:45 p.m. 1130 Hart Learn more about how to become an Orientation Leader for Summer 2012 and a First-Year Experience peer advisor for the 2012-13 school year.

Rebecca MacKinnon: Internet Freedom and Censorship 4 to 5 p.m. King Hall, Kalmanovitz Appellate Courtroom, Room 1001 UC Davis School of Law and the California International Law Center present TED Global Talks 2011 Speaker Rebecca MacKinnon, former CNN Beijing Bureau Chief, expert on Chinese internet censorship, and Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation. MacKinnon will discuss her new book, Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle for Internet Freedom. This presentation is free and open to the public.

Circle K International Meeting 6 p.m. 6 Olson Join Circle K to make friends and do community service.

Vet Aide Club General Meeting and Internship Sign-Up 7 p.m. 176 Everson Apply for pre-veterinary and animal science internships at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and more. Be sure to bring completed membership and internship applications and $5 quarter

museum

THURSDAY Biomedical Engineering Seminar: Dr. Jennifer West 4:10 p.m. Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility Auditorium Dr. Jennifer West, Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University, will discuss biomimetic materials in tissue engineering.

American Red Cross Club Meeting 7:15 p.m. 230 Wellman For more information, check out the ARCC’s Facebook page: American Red Cross Club at UC Davis.

FRIDAY Master Class with Faith Prince and Natasha Burr 1 to 4 p.m. Wright Hall, Lab A Tony Award-winning actress Faith Prince has appeared in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls and in television shows including “Drop Dead Diva”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “House”. Prince, along with theater teacher, director and acting coach Natasha Burr, will instruct students in their audition pieces, monologues and songs, and will hold a Q&A about the business. The class will be $35 for each student and limited to 50 participants. Register at minimoonproductions.com. To receive placement in the AGGIE DAILY CALENDAR, e-mail dailycal@theaggie. org or stop by 25 Lower Freeborn by noon the day prior to your event. Due to space constraints, all event descriptions are subject to editing, and priority will be given to events that are free of charge and geared toward the campus community.

aside from simply becoming a teaching and cultural resource, the museum will be a catalyst for new programs, including museum studies, curatorial studies and art preservation. “The location of the museum at the university’s ‘front door’ places it in a neighborhood of other signature university facilities that offer unparalleled advantages for the museum to become a hub for collaborative programs, cultural understanding and learning,” Owens said.

Cont. from front page bring this new museum to life.” Manetti Farrow agreed. “Everything that is being planned for the new museum of art suggests it will become an integral part of the university, the curriculum and the community,” Manetti Farrow said in a press release. “We also believe it will become the heart of the campus, a place where people can come to study, to learn, to look and to be moved by the beauty and strength of the arts.” STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN can be reached Dean Owens hopes that at campus@theaggie.org.

provide two and three day delivery service,” said Chairman of the PRC Ruth Goldway in a statement. “The intent of these changes is to capture significant cost savings from the consolidation of the Postal Service’s mail processing and transportation networks.” On Dec. 13, 2011, USPS agreed to the requests of multiple U.S. Senators to delay the closure or consolidation of post offices and mail processing facilities until May 15. The USPS said in a statement that in the meantime, it will comprehensively review the list and hold public input meetings. “It is the things we do not control that bring us to this predicament,” Ruiz said. “And those things out of our control are within the control of Congress.”

post

Cont. from front page Donahoe said first-class mail pays for the USPS’s bills. The USPS also does not take taxpayer money, so to recoup losses they are forced to take action. “We have got to do other things, like consolidating facilities, reducing the number of routes we have out there, in order to close that gap,” Donahoe said. Likewise, Ruiz said the severe decline in volume — thus, loss in revenue — has resulted in the USPS taking cost-cutting measures in order to remain stable. On Dec. 5, 2011, the USPS proposed ending overnight delivery service for First-Class mail and periodicals. The U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is currently reviewing the proposal. CLAIRE TAN can be reached at city@ “[This] would instead theaggie.org.

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way. I think it’s helpful to know that folks can not only have different positions from yours, but that they also may think about the relationship Rajiv between issues differently. Narayan I also want to note that this is not new. The German social thinker Max Weber approached issues much the same way in his 1904 sociological classic, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. His spiel was that the development of capitalism he David and in northern Europe Goliath story of last was largely influenced week’s Iowa Caucus by Protestant (and in continues to frazzle particular, Calvinist) political analysts, most religious ideology. of whom wrote off Rick Weber’s work solved Santorum’s chances early an early problem in the in his running. That he application of economic could come within eight theory. The theory tells us votes of the Mitt Romney election-industrial complex that people paid higher wages will work harder is, in reflection of his core because constituency they have among Issues are not discrete, but greater social conincentive. servatives, continuous like a row of In practice, nothing dominoes this didn’t short of a work too miracle. well. Instead, people paid One puzzle piece to higher wages worked less this effect is a curious because they found it easier statement caught by Slate Magazine’s John Dickerson. to satisfy their wants with fewer hours. As a result, He quoted one Santorum supporter, a self-identifying capitalism couldn’t develop simply because they were evangelical voter, saying able to earn more. They this: “Everyone talks about the economy, but Santorum needed a different reason to comes at it from a different labor in the face of higher earnings. way. If we take care of the According to Weber, the social issues and the family, Reformation framed the the economy will come way people approached around.” work. All jobs, even To those who believe the less glamorous of his campaign crested for professions, elicited its focus on social issues, religious devotion in the this is a rare insight into the mind of the evangelical form of a “calling.” It was this work ethic, which voter. favored saving income in The first time I read that the practice of piety, that I thought it weird. When I initially made capitalism weigh candidates, I think possible. As the Santorum about their platforms as a portfolio of separate issues. supporter might say, they let religion arrange their There are some issues social relationships first, I care more about than and then economic growth others. In this view, issues followed. are separate. They may Whether Santorum intersect in various ways, but they are mostly discrete really understands this nuance is debatable — entities. If the voter quoted above maybe he simply picked the right issues to organize is at all representative of a campaign around. But other social conservatives, he would be served well they’re not like me. Rather to study his success. than a portfolio, candidate Understanding the way platforms are like stories. people think about the In this alternative view, relationship between the issues are arranged issues changes how you in a narrative order, one engage their support. issue leading to another. Instead of pitching to Issues are not discrete, but social conservatives the continuous like a row of dominoes. If we can get our promise to prioritize policies on social issues like social issues, the domino theory of issues will likely marriage, contraceptives hold more resonance. and evolution right, only Whichever candidate then will our approaches gets this point will have to budget deficits, foreign policy and education work. an edge in the general election. I don’t highlight this difference to belittle social conservatives, as if it’s silly You can tell RAJIV NARAYAN whether to think issues necessarily writing is his calling at rrnarayan@ucdavis. edu. build on one another that

Sanctum Santorum

abroad Cont. from front page to translate our commitment to a vision of ‘study abroad for all’ than to provide scholarship opportunities that help as many UC students go abroad as possible,” said Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of UCEAP Jean-Xavier Guinard. “We recognize the financial obstacles brought about by the current state of the economy and the rising cost of higher education, and we remain dedicated to providing funding to UC students who face this new financial reality.” UCEAP has been active since 1962 offering a summer or semester abroad option that includes 250 diverse programs taking place in 36 countries around the globe. So far the UC system has sent 76,000 students to foreign universities and in

ASIAN

copper and calcium. These vitamins and minerals will help boost your mood and immune system. Despite these benefits, there are a few things to Theresa watch out for, whether Richardson or not you drink coffee regularly. Coffee can greatly raise blood pressure from the moment you drink it. As we all know, consistent high blood pressure can be dangerous, leading s a student suffering to vision loss, stroke, the quarter system, kidney failure and erectile it is likely you or a dysfunction. Most of friend has turned into a the time though, coffee pot-hugging coffee addict. will only increase blood You are not alone. Among coffee consumers — myself pressure for a few hours after drinking it — even included — the average regular coffee drinkers don’t American has 3.1 cups per typically see a permanent day. But before you decide rise in blood pressure. That to cut back or drink more, read on. You may finish this being said, non-habitual drinkers are more sensitive article with reason to have to the effects of coffee and less. On the other hand, I may introduce a statistic or are likely to experience higher two that will blood leave you Personally, I take coffee pressure, enjoying your cup without sugar. You know, just even with decaf. of Joe even cream However, more. decaf is a In the words of the Dutch proverb, must if you do have high blood pressure or a vascular coffee has two virtues: it disease. is wet and warm. This is Coffee addicts (you know true, but I have a rebuttal. According to studies, coffee who you are) also need to beware of withdrawal has a dark side, no pun symptoms that can result intended, but it might not from over-consumption. be all that bad — perhaps, Susceptibility varies among even beneficial. individuals, but not getting Coffee contains potent your coffee fix within 12 to antioxidant activity 24 hours can leave some that may help ward off with headaches, fatigue, cancer. In fact, chronic depression, irritability, consumption is correlated vomiting and muscle with the lowest risk for pain, lasting up to nine several cancers. For example, long-term studies days. Even decaf has a small amount of caffeine have shown that drinking — roughly one-tenth the three to six cups per day amount of caffeinated of either caffeinated or coffee — and can result decaffeinated coffee is associated with a lower risk in dependence among sensitive drinkers. It took for uterine and prostate me an entire year to wean cancer compared to those myself from three cups a who drink none. The day, down to just one. On chemicals kahweol and the upside, withdrawals cafestol have also been don’t mean you have a linked to a decreased risk problem with caffeine; just for digestive cancers by that you have a problem improving cellular defense without it. and inhibiting carcinogen Like every food, activity. coffee has its pros and Not only that, but consuming about two cups cons depending on the individual. There is no set of coffee has been shown to burn more calories by as limit to how much coffee is much as 3 to 23 percent for too much — it all depends on the person and how up to three hours. Decaf, his or her body responds. unfortunately, does not Students can choose what show the same effects. Yet, amount of coffee will best for both types alike, there give them the right balance are very few calories in of its benefits. If you decide coffee: only seven per cup. That is, of course, sans milk you are a person who and sugar. Personally, I take should lay off the beans but needs alternative pick-mecoffee without sugar. You ups, next week’s column will know, just cream. cover brain foods that help You still won’t want to keep you alert and focused skip your daily vitamin, through Winter quarter. but coffee also has its vitamins and minerals. One cup yields a decent THERESA RICHARDSON is bringing you amount of niacin, the latest research to keep your college magnesium, potassium and waistline and health in check. For questions phosphorous, in addition to or comments contact her at terichardson@ ucdavis.edu. small amounts of choline,

Bean me up

turn 24,000 international students have completed a non-degree study at a UC campus. “Financial aid automatically carries over during your stay abroad and summer aid applies as well,” said senior wildlife, fish & conservation biology major and UC Davis Education Abroad Center student advisor Claire Woolf. “Obviously you need to budget for personal travel but it’s very doable.” According to Associate Director of the UC Davis Education Abroad Center Zachary Freiders, it has not been announced how the scholarship funds will be distributed. “The funds are focused on students who wouldn’t normally do a study abroad program such as unrepresented majors and students with disabilities,” Freiders said. UC Davis also offers unique study abroad opportunities to students within its community which in-

“It’s mainly based only on casual observation, but I don’t think it really matters whether an Asian student checks the Asian box,” Groseclose said in an e-mail. And, as Miller points out, there are ways of getting around knowing things even if the box is left unchecked. “If your last name is Wang, you can mark whatever you want, but admissions can still figure it out,” Miller said. Miller does not see a clear solution to problem within the admission system. She does, however, think campus diversity is important. “You have to balance the needs of individuals with the macro need of creating a student body.”

Cont. from front page 209,” said Dianne Klein, media specialist at the UC Office of the President. Timothy Groseclose, professor of political science at UCLA, has had a somewhat different experience with the effects of Prop 209. Groseclose resigned from the UCLA admissions committee in 2008 in protest of unwillingness on the behalf of the school to submit to him admissions data that would aid him in his investigation of preferential admissions practices. Groseclose found that there was pressure on UC admissions committees to admit more African American EINAT GILBOA can be reached city@theaggie. org. and Latino students.

clude faculty-taught summer and quarter programs. Scholarships for these UC Davis specific programs range from $250 to $1,000. UC Davis has 40 programs and the largest amount of international study opportunities and is the only UC with a quarter abroad option. Around 800 UC Davis students participate in the UC Davis faculty-led summer abroad program each year. “It’s really challenging but it’s extremely rewarding because you experience things that you never would have experienced here culturally, academically and personally,” Woolf said , “It’s more than just moving to a new town, it’s moving to a new culture.” For more information on UCEAP scholarships and opportunities visit their website at eap.ucop.edu. MAX GARRITY RUSSER can be reached at campus@ theaggie.org.

RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE THE AGGIE RECYCLE

SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES DO NOT WORK

wednesday, january 11, 2012 3

The california aggie

Katehi’s “walk of shame” escort speaks on her experience at Surge II Minister suggests ways for Davis community to heal By LANI CHAN

Aggie Features Writer

Following the Nov. 19, 2011 press conference held in response to UC Davis police officers’ pepper spraying of students, Reverend Kristin Stoneking was called to mediate between protesters and UC Davis administration. Stoneking is a United Methodist minister who has served as director of the Cal Aggie Christian Association (CA House) for 13 years. Her leadership has produced the Multi-Faith Living Community (MLC), a residence area created in response to religious misunderstandings that resulted from 9/11 and to stand as a symbol of CA House’s values of compassion, empathy and tolerance. Prior to the pepper-spray incident, Stoneking had been involved with the students who were occupying, helping to shuttle food and other resources to students on the Quad. Although not an employee of the university, she has formed deep relationships with students, giving her a broad perspective on issues and events at UC Davis, Stoneking said. Which was why, on that evening in November, she was called to mediate a tense situation between some of UC Davis’ highest paid officials and hordes of students enraged over the use of pepper spray on the Quad just the day before. “I think the administrator who called me knew I could do and say some things that someone who worked for the university couldn’t, and had credibility that someone who worked for the university didn’t have,” Stoneking said. Ari Polsky, senior studio art major and resident of the MLC, agreed that Stoneking was the appropriate person to help find a solution to the problem that night. “She is a leader that the administration was familiar with and trusted, and helped ease their fears about the outside student body,” Polsky said. “She is a respected leader also on the side of the stu-

Jasna Hodzic / Aggie

Reverend Kristin Stoneking helped mediate Katehi’s exit from the Nov. 19 press conference at Surge II. dents and shared many of their concerns. She was able to speak to both sides, and help center both sides of the conversations.” The press conference, which was scheduled to include Chancellor Linda Katehi, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Fred Wood and UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza, was promptly cut short when protesters entered the building and demanded that their concerns be addressed. Enosh Baker, a UC Davis alumnus who was present at the press conference that night, said that the secrecy of the conference was what drew protesters in such large numbers.

“After receiving a leak that it was taking place, the word got put out right away,” Baker said. “And there was already a lot of momentum from the events of the 18th. Folks who had never been a part of the movement up until then joined folks who had been involved since its inception. Since it was supposed to be a press conference, the people wanted to be heard.” But because of such high tensions at that time, Stoneking acknowledged that any constructive exchange of dialogue would not have been possible. After entering the building with a student representative, she focused

on finding a solution over two hours of discussion with multiple groups of administrators. “I said that it was important that [Katehi] understand that the students wanted to see her, and to see her seeing them. We came up with a scenario where she would leave, be seen, and get the faceto-face contact [with the students] that was necessary. It had to be silent and respectful, not a shouting match. It was the best we could hope for.” Video footage of Stoneking escorting Katehi’s silent ‘walk of shame’ has, like the footage of the initial pepper-spray incident, gone viral. The UC Davis commu-

nity is currently waiting for the findings of the task force called to investigate the incident. “We’re probably going to find out what we already know, that responsibility in an institution as large as the university is diffused,” Stoneking said. “What I’m afraid is that the investigations will allow us to skip over the real work, which is to decide what healing is and how to use this experience to become the kind of community we can be.” Rather, Stoneking expressed a heightened need for compassion, as understanding and empathy are critical steps for promoting positive change. Instead of waiting on results of the investigation as an excuse to get back to business as usual, empathic listening would be the key to getting everybody on the same side and on the same agenda, she said. “Our best hope is to get everybody in a conversation to understand how everyone feels,” Stoneking said. “Students need to understand what it’s like to be a chancellor of a university — that’s a life sacrifice. Meanwhile, [Katehi] needs to understand what it’s like to be a student who has to live out of their car for a quarter because they can’t pay rent. And all of us need to understand what it’s like to be a cop.” Just as she noted that the students’ commitment to peaceful silence channeled their power in a positive way, Stoneking believed that peaceful communication would help ensure that the collective power of the Occupy movement be used constructively. “That night at Surge II, this great space was opened for compassion,” Stoneking said. “What can happen if we adhere to a means that [reflect] the ends that we want? Respecting each other means honoring each other to do good.” LANI CHAN can be reached at features@theaggie. org.

Recycling iPhones: Student-entrepeneur Brennan Zelener develops new outlets for old phones By Jason Pohl

Rocky Mountain Collegian (Colorado State University)

Everybody has one. It may be in the kitchen or buried in the closet, but chances are that you probably have one, too. Yesterday’s junk drawer filled with potato chip clips and dead batteries has been replaced by high-tech gadgets and outdated toys that constitute our connected lives. But as annual technology releases like Apple’s iPhone create tremendous hype, they also create an incredible amount of electronic waste –– something Brennan Zelener saw as an opportunity to truly make a difference in sustainable technology. “I want to change the world,” said Zelener, a Colorado State U. junior. “In developing countries, these phones are incredible. In a year or two, it’s going to be kind of obsolete by American standards, but in Africa, this is an incredible piece of technology.” Just last year, Zelener launched his own business venture, Green iPhone, while managing a full course load at CSU. He ultimately fulfills the front-end duties of phone recycling by personally communicating with and paying people to hand over their old iPhones –– in any condition. Then, he goes into the phone to unlock and wipe it, essentially giving the phone new life with no remaining personal information. “The privacy and security of the people who sell me phones is a top priority for everything,” he said, adding that many businesses pay to have their phones destroyed. “If we

could even just provide our erasing service for free, that’s gonna be huge for them.” After working for several months reselling the wiped phones on websites, such as eBay and Craigslist, Zelener has partnered with a larger phone buyer and refurbishing company that purchases used phones in bulk as businesses upgrade their employees to the latest model. Ultimately, his service allows for people to get rid of their old iPhones, which often still have years of life remaining, in an easy way. He said average buy-back rates are “around $100,” but are changing weekly based on demand. “It’s just an easier process,” he said, while explaining the other options people often use, including individual sale online. Green iPhone allows people to easily get their phones somewhere that can use them. To help the business take off in a market where so many others fail, Zelener has worked closely with the Rocky Mountain Innosphere, a local nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs further specify their goals while critiquing the viability of the new idea. “It’s exciting, but you never know whether you’re making the right decisions or not when you’re starting,” Zelener said. To help navigate the business world, the 20-year-old entrepreneur has taken it upon himself to make as many connections in the community as possible, including those in the business world and in the realm of academia. Yolanda Sarason, associate professor of business management and strategic marketing, first met Zelener in her class during

the spring semester, and immediately saw something unique in him. “It was really obvious from the get-go that he just stood out,” she said. “He’s a natural entrepreneur, and that’s very unusual for our undergraduates.” Since that time, the two have worked closely and are currently preparing for a pitch on Wednesday to the Social Advisory Group for Entrepreneurs –– a group of business leaders who critique new entrepreneurial pitches to assist in fine-tuning each resource, including funding, while building connections. “He’s a natural networker,” Sarason said. “He already knows the entrepreneurial community pretty well. If I were betting, I would definitely bet on Brennan.” Zelener, like many college students, has faced tough times early on in his college career. Initially, he questioned moving away from his home state of Alaska, but after realizing that a lot of what he wanted to do was business-related, he changed his major from engineering. “It’s really important to get out of your comfort zone,” he said. “I think when you’re passionate enough about something, you end up learning it.” That passion of his is nothing new. Andy Holleman is a long-time family friend who has known Zelener since he was born. Holleman has worked as the technology coordinator for Zelener’s high school in Alaska for several years and served as a mentor to him. He said that, when he wasn’t skiing off of his roof or jumping off other high places, Zelener often created small business ideas

that would typically see little success before failing. What made him different was that, when one idea fell through, he always had another plan, Hollman said. “I would put a lot of it on his own initiative,” he added. “At some point while in high school, he grasped the idea that he really could shape the way things could be.” As a mentor during high school and through their occasional conversations since, Holleman said one thing that has always stuck out is the drive to never work for anyone else –– to always be steering his own business. “There’s a switch somewhere that gets flipped, and that life just ceases to be an option,” Holleman said. Zelener, like everyone else, is looking forward to winter break and a chance to catch up on things that have long been forgotten during the time-crunch of school and his business work. And though he doubts he will be able to hit the ski slopes or bike as much as he wishes, he said that he will be busy preparing for the next step for his business, which he hopes takes off even further next semester. He added that his favorite part of the business world he has seen so far is the potential to actually make a difference –– something he hopes to do in the form of revolutionizing the way in which the recycling process operates. “It’s like realizing that the world is a place that you can change,” he said. “It’s not that far out, and it’s not that far fetched. As long as we can teach passion and motivation, those two factors persist through all things.”

4 wednesday, january 11, 2012

The california Aggie

Grooveshark joins opposition of anti-piracy legislation By Clare Lennon

Independent Florida Alligator (University of Florida)

Suppose a student were to post a clip from a popular TV show on YouTube. Say the student filmed the show with a video camera while watching it, which is illegal. If a proposed law is passed in its current state, that decision could be considered a felony and shut down all of YouTube. Grooveshark and other Internet companies are uniting to make sure the proposed law, the Stop Online Piracy Act, is changed or halted. The act, better known as SOPA, is a national bill that could change the regulations for piracy on the Web. The bill is being

First Amendment and other laws, said Gerald Haskins, UF senior lecturer and Internet law expert. “This is a really poorly written bill, and it could be used to prosecute uploaders, downloaders, and anyone like that,” he said. Geller and Haskins each pointed out that the bill also carries potential security issues. Computer users who don’t want to be limited by SOPA could change their Domain Name Server settings to be outside of American jurisdiction. This means their computers could be susceptible to scam websites that are blocked by the U.S. server. “It could bring the Internet to a halt,” Haskins said. Geller said Grooveshark is supporting Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden’s alternative bill,

reviewed in the House of Representatives. Grooveshark, a Gainesville, Fla.-based music streaming website, has been protesting SOPA alongside Internet companies like Google, Wikipedia and Facebook, according to a list on TechCrunch.com. Grooveshark has a “small presence” in Washington, D.C., said Paul Geller, Senior Vice President of External Affairs. This allows staff to stay informed of legislation like SOPA and the U.S. Senate’s version, the Protect IP Act, better known as PIPA. He said SOPA is being pushed “at a pace that is just unjustifiable” and could have detrimental effects on Internet users. Geller said the bill infringes on freedom of speech. Because of that, the bill could be blocked by Internet companies citing the

the Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act. The bill is available at keepthewebopen.com, and visitors can suggest changes or alternatives. In a statement to The Independent Florida Alligator, local Rep. Cliff Stearns said he will not take a position on SOPA until he sees the final proposal from the House Judiciary Committee. In the meantime, Geller said the company is trying to educate lawmakers on the bill. Keivan Zolfaghari, 20-year-old psychology and food resource economics junior at U. Florida, said he learned about SOPA from Tumblr and is planning to write to his congressman about the legislation. “I think it hurts where we are today,” he said.

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Science&Technology

wednesday, january 11, 2012 5

Nature’s secret codes

Bacteria communicate with secret messages when attacking an organism By HUDSON LOFCHIE Aggie Science Writer

Too many of us are under the comforting illusion that we, humans, are the be-all-end-all of nature’s evolutionary process. We are the smartest, we build the biggest, we fly the highest and are the most creative of anything else out there. Among the numerous fields of study we seem to have mastered, cryptography (code making and breaking) appears no different. However, according to a new study by UC Davis researchers, bacteria and certain plants have left us embarrassingly outperformed. “Like the German military scientists [in World War 2], single-celled bacteria communicate with each other using coded messages to coordinate attacks on their targets,” said Pamela Ronald, a professor of plant pathology at UC Davis and the lead researcher on the study. Bacteria perform this cryptographic feat using a tiny protein called Ax21. Ax21 is made inside the bacteria and then released outside the cell. When other bacteria of the same kind perceive this secreted protein, they conglomerate into protective structures called biofilms. “Biofilms render the bacteria resistant to dessication and antibiotic treatment,” Ronald said. “[Through] communication and communal living, bacteria increase their chances for survival and proliferation.” But staying true to the World War 2 cryptographic plot, the plants targeted by these cooperative bacteria have figured out a way to intercept these coded

Pizza: not a veggie

courtesy

messages, decipher them and turn them against their bacterial attackers. “[Some] plants have developed a code-breaking system called the XA21 receptor that allows them to intercept the bacterial coded messages and trigger a strong immune response,” Ronald said. The XA21 receptor can recognize distinguishing characteristics of invading bacteria and can also recognize the coded proteins that these bacteria use to communicate. This early interception of the bacterial messages gives the plant time to enact its immune response. “Plants and bacteria are in an evolutionary arms-race,” said Richard Bostock, a professor of plant pathology at UC Davis. “The plant evolves to resist the bacteria, and the bacteria evolve to subvert the plant’s defenses.” The two organisms have to continually evolve just

to maintain the ecological status quo. “Resistance to bacteria often comes naturally through evolution, but with most agricultural crops, resistance is achieved through selective breeding,” Bostock said. Selective breeding has created an agricultural policy of using genetically identical clones for use in farming. Since all the plants are identical, it leaves the whole field open to mass infections. By understanding how these bacteria communicate and attack, immunologists can begin to develop ways to fight back against many bacterial diseases for which there are no known treatments. A recent paper published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America claims that there is a quickly growing number of bacterial infections that are resistant to all current antibacterials.

Bacteria only start to form their tough biofilm shells once the population has reached a certain size. The population determines its size through a process called quorum sensing. The research underway to treat bacterial infections focuses on disrupting quorum sensing, which will render the bacteria unable to detect population size and therefore unable to form protective biofilms. By stopping biofilm formation, we can dramatically reduce the infection rate of diseases like tuberculosis, staphylococcus and streptococcus, as well as prevent large-scale bacterial infections of important crops. Breaking and learning these bacterial codes could give us another layer of protection against bacterial invaders. HUDSON LOFCHIE can be reached at science@theaggie.org.

Pill to cure hangovers hits stores By Emily Morrow

Indepedent Florida Alligator (University of Florida)

When Christina Ertel has a hangover, she cures it with food. The 22-year-old U. Florida senior said after a long night, she turns to either greasy food or Krishna Lunch, accompanied by lots of water and Advil. But now, Ertel may have another option: Blowfish, a new over-the-counter hangover cure that has recently hit the market. A combination of 1,000 milligrams of aspirin and 120 milligrams of caffeine, the dissolvable tablets are recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

something that everyone already believes, so we can all feel smart. It’s called confirmation bias, a psychological phenomenon that means we Amy are more likely to believe Stewart something if we think it confirms something we already believe, e.g. that Congress and politicians are stupid and/or overly swayed by corporate lobbyists. It’s a strong feeling, one that can be hard to resist, even for people who are supposed to remain objective. I almost fell for it f you’ve been reading political news headlines too; the original subject of this column was going to from websites as diverse as Fox News, MSNBC be explaining nutritionally what exactly is in pizand the Huffington Post, you are probably under the za, and therefore why the Congress menu proposal impression that the U.S. Congress has recently reaf- was misguided. The obvious problem firmed that pizza is indeed with confirmation bias is a vegetable. Skimming those headlines, it’s easy to that people will believe that something is true scoff at such a ridiculous when it isn’t, and strengthnotion, and easier still to believe that Congress could en convictions that should be, if not challenged, at be that stupid. least exam There’s ined critione probIt’s tempting to put something cally. This lem, though. spectacular and weird in big, example is rather They nevbold font above the story mundane er actualbut does illy said that lustrate pizza is a vegetable. Pizza is not even what can go wrong when mentioned, except by news both the general pubsources and commentators lic and journalists fall for confirmation bias. after the fact. There is another problem The truth, as usual, is a with confirmation bias, at little more complex and illeast in this case. The actulustrates the difficulty of al proposal isn’t that great, matching policy to nutrieither. First of all, there’s tion science. a reason salt is in a lot of The goal of the House of foods — it can add flaRepresentatives was to give vor to an otherwise flavorpublic school children a less dish. When you have more nutritious breakfast and lunch. This is a laudable a good chef in the kitchen, salt can be reduced begoal, together with the fact cause with a decent recithat they used information pe, a chef can make a deand research from both the United States Department of licious meal without salt. Public school cooks, while Agriculture (USDA) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM). I’m sure they do their best with the very limited funds First, a quick overview of what the proposed that they have, don’t always have this skill. menu regulations actual Having attended various ly say. The key points are: public schools from kinder1) reduce the number of starchy vegetables like po- garten to 12th grade, I can tatoes in favor of more var- say that the food would either be fairly good but unied fruits and vegetables; healthy, or supposedly 2) reduce the salt in food by 25 percent in breakfasts healthy but almost inedible. Healthy alternatives and 54 percent in lunches are expensive, an expense and 3) the servings of vegthat public schools can’t aletables credited to tomato paste will be determined ways afford. Trying to make the school food nutritionon a per-volume basis. ally perfect could be at the This third point is what expense of children actubecame distorted as news ally eating the food, unless sources reported that this would make pizza a vegeta- more money is allocated to afford healthy food that ble. This is somewhat true but misleading, as a slice of tastes OK. pizza could contain enough As for the tomato paste, the new regulations would tomato paste to have one require that the serving serving of vegetable but also contains too much salt of paste would go from a and fat to be allowed on the quarter of a cup to three quarters of a cup. The proposed menu. Congress, however, was for However, like a game of getting that tomato paste Telephone, the headlines went from, “Pizza could be is concentrated; a quarter of a cup is equivalent to considered to have a vegetable serving,” to “Congress about three tomatoes, making three quarters of a cup says pizza is a vegetable!” of tomato paste equal to I know that writing acabout nine tomatoes. That’s curate but eye-catching a bit excessive to be going headlines can be hard. It’s tempting to put something on a serving of spaghetti. Or pizza. spectacular and weird in big, bold font above the story. It’s especially temptAMY STEWART can be reached at science@ theaggie.org. ing to do so if it reaffirms

as a safe, effective method for treating hangovers. Developed in New York City, Blowfish was just placed in New York drug stores and will be expanding across the country soon, according to its website. It is currently available online in a 12-tablet box for $11.99 or a 50-tablet box for $49.99. The recommended treatment is to dissolve two Blowfish tablets in a cup of water when you wake up with a hangover. It supposedly works in 15 to 30 minutes. Ertel said at that price, essentially $2 per cure, she would definitely try it. “I spend more than that on food the next day,” she

said. But William Chen, a professor in UF’s health education and behavior department, said he doesn’t know that Blowfish is the best idea for students to use. The compounds in Blowfish only treat some of the symptoms of hangovers, he said, like headaches and fatigue. It doesn’t actually cure the hangover. Hangovers are caused when a person’s body fails to metabolize all the alcohol in his or her system, Chen said, calling it a “toxic reaction.” Each person’s response to alcohol depends on his or her genetic makeup.

Blowfish is more similar to a cold medicine, he said, in that it will help you feel more alert and take away aches and pains, but it is not a unique formula. Chen said he’s concerned that products like Blowfish will encourage binge drinking – a common problem on college campuses. By giving students a treatment that’s advertised as a guaranteed cure, he said he worries they will feel invincible, like they can go out and drink anything without consequences. “A hangover means you drank too much,” he said. “Go out and enjoy drinking, but do it responsibly.”

Sugary drinks may hurt women By Kathleen Evans

Oklahoma Daily (University of Oklahoma)

Popular sugary drinks could have harmful long-term implications for women, including heart disease and a high risk for diabetes, according to a study by a U. Oklahoma Health Sciences Center professor. OU public health professor Christina Shay was the lead author on a study presented to the American Heart Association conference in November. In the study, she found that women who drink more than two sugary drinks a day have more health complications. “There were two things we saw: an increased risk of high triglycerides in the blood and a high risk of pre-diabetes, which is one step before diabetes,” Shay said. “This was only in the women and only in those that drank two or more sugary drinks a day.” About 25 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and about two million more are diagnosed every year, according to the National Diabetes

Association. Oklahoma ranks in the top 20 states for diabetes-related deaths. This study was part of the MultiEthnic Study of Atherosclerosis and surveyed more than 4,000 men and women and asked if they consumed more than two sugary drinks, classified as soda, sweetened-mineral water and non-alcoholic beer, Shay said. Though not listed, other sugary drinks include sports and energy drinks and sweetened tea. The group tracked the people over time and looked at their health problems, she said. Another interesting part of the study was that the women getting these complications were not necessarily obese to begin with, meaning obesity was not the reason behind the diseases, she said. “I am an observational researcher, so I look at studies that collect information to see how things naturally occur,” Shay said. “I only look observationally at causes and associations.” Women could be more at risk be-

cause of their typically smaller sizes, Shay said. A sugary beverage can contain as many as 150 calories, a larger part of a woman’s daily calorie consumption. “That 150 calories may be worth more in form of risk because of the smaller daily energy needs,” Shay said. “You get a bigger bang for your buck.” Sugary drinks and sugary foods can have negative effects in the short-term as well, such as fatigue and losing concentration, said Patti Landers, dietician for OU Health Services. Students should try to balance their diet with proteins and fibers, especially while studying for finals. Good snacks include nuts, dried fruit, whole wheat bread with cream cheese and high-fiber cereal, Landers said. Shay said she is in the process of having her study published and is interested in further studying the implications of sugary drinks and encouraging other researchers to look into whether cutting back on drinks makes people healthier.

6 wednesday, january 11, 2012

The california Aggie

campus

CHIC.

By STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN Aggie News Writer

Vivian Zhao, second year graduate student in linguistics. The Aggie: What are you wearing? Zhao: “My pants are Urban Outfitters. Actually everything I’m wearing is from Urban Outfitters. My boots are Nine West and my bag is from Bakers.” Where find “Online,

do you inspiration? mostly. I like

Stockholm Street Style.” How did you decide what to wear today? “I just threw on a jacket. I like to wear blazers; I have a bunch of them in different colors. I try to go for comfortable everyday.” What is your favorite winter accessory? “I’d have to say scarves. They not only keep you warm, you can accessorize them too. They’re versatile.” STEPHANIE B. NGUYEN can be reached at campus@theaggie.org.

Vivian Zhao

Stephanie Nguyen / Aggie

Women’s gymnastics season preview By KAITLYN ZUFALL Aggie Sports Writer

Momentum shouldn’t be a problem for the UC Davis gymnastics program in 2012. The Aggies are entering the season coming off of two consecutive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation titles, and a successful 2012 season could result in their fourth championship in five years. “We really hope to maintain our position in the conference and win the championship again,” Head Coach John Lavallee confirmed. “The team has done a great job through the preseason to prepare.”

The biggest challenge facing Lavallee could be the youth of his squad. Of the team’s 15 athletes, only four competed for the Aggies in the 2010 season and freshmen make up one third of the roster. However, the young squad has already drawn comparisons to UC Davis’ 2008 team that won the program’s first MPSF title with a roster containing just two upperclassmen. The young Aggies hope to duplicate this success in 2012. “Every year is a challenge,” Lavallee said. “It’s just a different set of variables to deal with.” Though the squad is young overall, Lavallee has a solid group of veterans that are ready to lead

the team. Senior co-captain Erica score tied the school record of Van Dyke is expected to overcome 9.900. The team opened its season an ankle injury sustained in on Friday in Tempe, Ariz. December to finish a against Arizona State. The successful four-year Aggies came out strong career with the Aggies. against the Pacific-12 Last season she earned team, but were narrowly All-MPSF honors defeated 190.500 to on balance beam, 190.850. posting a conferenceYamamura was the best 9.735 regional stand-out performer for qualifying score. the Aggies, scoring a 9.800 Junior Michelle Ho on both uneven bars and was also All-MPSF balance beam, taking first on both bars (9.685) Katie Yamamura in beam and all-around. and floor (9.825) Junior The scores were career in 2011 and led the highs for the junior. conference on floor. Junior Taryn West placed Junior Katie Yamamura was the MPSF Champion on vault. Her second in floor with a score of

9.650 and sophomore Anna Shumaker and Yamamura both earned 9.625 on the vault to tie for third. “It was a tremendous day for us,” Lavallee said . “For us to go into their gym … [and stay] close the whole way … it’s a good sign.” The match was the first of a season that will be marked by the frequent presence of Pac-12 conference schools in addition to conference rivals Air Force, Alaska Anchorage and Seattle Pacific. The Aggies will return to action Sunday at Stanford. KAITLYN ZUFALL can be reached at sports@theaggie. org.

Study: one in three people will be arrested before age 23 By Jessica Tully

Daily Collegian (Penn State University)

A simple phone call to parents is no longer a common punishment for young troublemakers when police catch them in the act, experts said. Nearly one in three people will be arrested by the age of 23, according to a study published in the January 2012 edition of Pediatrics, a peer-reviewed national journal. When the study was published in 1967, researchers found 22 percent of young adults would be arrested by age 23. In the latest study, researchers concluded 30.2 percent of people will be arrested by age 23, said prin-

cipal author of the study Robert Brame. But Penn State U. professor of sociology and crime, law and justice John Kramer said the increase in arrests isn’t due to an increase in crime. In fact, the crime rate has substantially decreased in the last 15 years, Kramer said. Rather, Kramer attributes the increase of youth arrests to a more formal legal system in the United States. “Fifty percent of the time, we expected delinquent activity to just be reported to our parents,” Kramer said, referring to his generation’s interaction with police several decades ago. Over the past 40 years, laws have also expanded,

Kramer said, which contributes to the increased number of arrests. For example, motor vehicle laws and underage drinking laws are stricter now than ever before, Kramer said. Brame, also a professor at U. North CarolinaCharlotte, echoed Kramer’s reasoning. He added that many more incidents will trigger law enforcement involvement today than in the past. Strict “no tolerance” policies in schools also did not exist when the study was conducted more than 40 years ago, Brame said, which may have contributed to the increased number of arrests. Because of the changing times, Brame said an up-

dated study “needed to be done.” Using data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics between 1997 and 2008, researchers analyzed individuals who were between the ages of 12 and 16 at the end of 1996, Brame said. The same group was asked a variety of questions over the 11-year time period. One of the questions was if the individual has been arrested or taken into custody for something other than major traffic violations, Brame said. To experts like Kramer and Brame, the results were not surprising. Kramer said during criminology classes he instructs,

he teaches his students the recent “broken window” movement of police — another reason why it may be more common for youth to be arrested. The police mentality, he said, is that small things can become big things. More serious crimes can occur if police are lenient and do not report less serious offenses, he said. Forty years ago, a crime such as vandalism may have resulted in just a phone call home. Police must now file the crime in the legal system to deter more serious crimes committed by the same person, Kramer said. Through his more than 20 years experience as a Pittsburgh magisteri-

al district judge and private attorney, Lou Coles said he has seen firsthand that low-level offenses are treated differently now than they were in the past. Coles said on Friday and Saturday nights, it is very common for police to arrest people who drink alcohol on the streets or urinate in public. But decades ago, police would have just issued a citation, instead of making an arrest, Coles said. One possible reason, Coles said, is the money each arrest brings the municipality. “Crime is a gross business,” Coles said. “It keeps lawyers, judges and police in business.”