October 12, 2009

I SSU E

15

The Independent Student Voice of Boise State Since 1933

Volume 22

First Issue

F R E E OCTOBER 12, 2009

ARBITERONLINE.COM

UNEMPLOYMENT WOES

Meeting brings big names to campus

BUDGET 2

POLICE

HOLDBACKS

3

SWARM

6

3

Check inside to find out who is coming and why

5

A breakout Vandals football team The Vandals are having a strong season, but just how good are they?

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JEREMY OLIVER/THE ARBITER

Healthcare reform bill put to vote Tuesday; BSU reacts JENNIFER SPENCER Journalist

6

Police swarmed the engineering building What happened?

Check inside for The Arbiter’s coverage

The Senate Finance Committee’s vote on the newest healthcare reform bill Tuesday could drastically transform the current healthcare system. In response to Obama’s proposed healthcare reform bill in the House, HR 3200, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Democrat from Montana, introduced his own version, also called America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. If passed, it will become meshed with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee bill before moving to the Senate floor.

Sen. Baucus’s bill would cover an estimated 94 percent of Americans and require

every citizen to obtain healthcare by Jan. 1 2013 or pay an annual penalty, depending on income. Costing $829 billion over the next decade, money for the new plan will come from more than $500 billion in governmental spending reductions, including Medicare, beginning in 2011. Insurers and medical equipment manufacturers will be hit with $10 billion in new taxes to help pay for the plan.

The main difference between Obama’s plan and Sen. Baucus’s bill is the elimination of the public option. The public option, led by a governmental advisory committee, would provide mandatory insurance to those who cannot afford their own coverage.

Instead, the America’s Healthy Future Act

provides the option of maintaining coverage with private insurers or enrolling in a nonprofit health care cooperative. Cooperatives are non-profit organizations which ensure profits go back into patient care.

The plan offers four income contingent levels of coverage which all provide basic benefits, including primary care, prescription drugs, and hospitalization. Notably, individuals with preexisting conditions will no longer be barred from coverage and Medicaid eligibility standards will change, increasing the amount of people that enroll.

In contrast to Obama’s plan, Sen. Baucus's bill does not require employers to pay for their employee’s health coverage. Coverage will be denied to Health Care [ page 6 ]

House passes Student Aid, Fiscal Responsibility Act BENJAMIN MACK Journalist

More federal aid is on the way for students struggling to pay for college, thanks to new legislation passed by Congress Sept. 17.

Called the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, the legislation knocks private lenders from the student lending market while beefing up funding for Pell Grants and, the Congressional Budget Office reports, save taxpayers an estimated $13.3 billion between 2009 and 2014.

The bill, passed largely along party lines, sets a deadline of July 1, 2010 for all American higher education institutions to switch their loan systems to the federal direct loan plan, creating savings by eliminating the Federal Family Education Loan program, which allows private banks to originate loans for students at subsidized rates.

According to the bill, the Secretary of Education will be able to “implement activities and services that increase students’ persistence in and completion of postsecondary school,” and develop a database to track students’ success in schools and in the work-

force. It also permits states to make grants to nonprofit organizations “including student loan guaranty agencies to implement the program.”

“This is (the) right thing financially,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said of the bill. “This is the right thing economically.

This is the right thing educationally.”

Duncan added that the bill will be a good long-term investment for students as well as for the overall health of the economy.

“The Student Aid Fiscal Responsibility Act will allow us to invest $87 billion in savings,” Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said, who wrote the bill. “That will help us make college more affordable, to build a world class community college system, to improve opportunities to help our younger students succeed and pay down the deficit.”

Seen as a victory for Democrats and President Obama, Republican leaders derided the act as a federal takeover of the student loan industry and complained that despite the act’s title, little about the bill reflects fiscal responsibility.

“Today’s vote was about expanding the size and scope of the federal government through tens of billions of dollars in new House Passes [ page 6 ]

The Arbiter ! arbiteronline.com

2

OCTOBER 12, 2009

Professor Gregory Raymond named Frank and Bethine Church Chair of Public Affairs MIKE JOHNSON Journalist

Boise State political science professor Gregory Raymond has been named the first occupant of the Frank and Bethine Church Chair of Public Affairs. The chair is housed in the College of Social Science and Public Affairs and is funded by the Frank Church Institute at Boise State. The institute was established in 1982 to honor the late U.S. Senator of Idaho, Frank Church.

According to Boise State’s endowed chair policy, an endowed chair is one of the highest achievements for a faculty member and “confers its holder with additional funds for research, teaching, graduate student support, and provides

some flexibility to the chair holder to advance his or her work in other ways, such as travel, conferences, and equipment.”

A New Jersey native, Raymond received his Ph.D. in International Studies at the University of South Carolina before doing post doctorate work at Harvard. Raymond is the author of 15 books. The themes of the books relate to world politics and political science. Raymond has spoken at universities and research institutes in 22 different countries. In 1994, he was named Idaho Professor of the Year and received Boise State’s Outstanding Researcher Award. Raymond has earned a slew of awards for teaching excellence throughout his career.

“Greg Raymond is one of Boise State’s finest and most prodigious scholars,” said Melissa Lavitt, dean of the College of

Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State.

Lavitt insists Raymond’s selection for the chair position is a “fitting tribute to the legacy of Frank Church.”

Currently, Raymond is working on the 4th edition of his book, "The Global Future: A Brief Introduction to World Politics," as well as a new book about recent foreign policy. This book, not yet titled, will be “assessing how successful American foreign policy has been,” according to Raymond.

Raymond also stays busy teaching a plethora of political science courses at Boise State, including Introduction to International Relations and Politics in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Raymond has described his appointment to the chair position as “the highest honor in my academic life.”

Unemployment remains near record levels BENJAMIN MACK Journalist

September marked the first recorded decline in Idaho’s unemployment rate since November 2006, according to new data released by the Idaho Department of Labor.

According to the Department of Labor’s statistics, statewide unemployment stood at 8.8 percent last month, down from a high of 8.9 percent in July. That rate was the highest since July 1983.

Locally, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, unemployment in the Boise area, which boasted nearly 40 percent of Idaho’s workforce, was 9.8 percent in August, the latest month for which figures were available.

While this data may seem slightly positive for many, the economic climate remains dire for many Boise State students.

“It’s a rough market, and it’s going to be rough unless some money is injected into the local economy,” said junior Jerome Edwards, a construction management major. “I have friends that can’t get a job at McDonald’s.”

Sophomore Brock Bridges agrees with Edwards.

“It’s pretty hard to find a job and go to school at the same time,” Bridges said. “The hours just don’t mix. There’s no time.” Bridges said he’s been actively searching for a job for over a month.

Debbie Kaylor, director of the Career Center at BSU, said she’s seen an increase in the number of students utilizing the Career Center’s services in trying to find a job.

“We are working with a lot more students trying to find jobs,” Kaylor said. “It’s a far more competitive market than it used to be.”

High general unemployment rates especially affected college students, Kaylor said, because it means highly experienced, older workers who have been laid-off from other jobs were also searching for the exact same jobs as students.

“Everybody’s looking for an advantage,” Kaylor said. “The days of just submitting ten or so applications and expecting to get a job are over."

Yhindi Struthers, a sophomore majoring in sociology, is another student looking for a job. Struthers said she’s looking “for something extra,” to do in addition to her job as a Resident Advisor (RA) with University Housing, but hasn’t really found anything so far.

One of the keys for finding a job, according to Kaylor, is networking.

“It really helps to know someone when you’re looking for a job,” Kaylor said.

One networking tool Kaylor advocates is linkedin.com, a website which allows users to connect with others in different career fields.

GLENN LANDBERG/THE ARBITER

Starbucks, Subway and Burger King are all out of job applications. The pull tab machine at Burger King ran out of tabs that you take to log into their website to apply.

“When it comes to online networking, linkedin’s really the best,” Kaylor said.

Based out of San Francisco, linkedin has increased its staff by almost 50 percent this past year and is nearing its 50-millionth member, according to Reuters.

According to cnn.com, the short-term job market still appears bleak, but Kaylor believes students should remain positive.

“Don’t get down and keep your attitude up,” Kaylor said.

“Don’t do the same thing (when applying for a job) over and over and expect a different result (each time). You have to network.”

Plus, Kaylor said, students can still get lucky sometimes.

“Employers are always looking for a good find,” Kaylor said.

But, Kaylor does conced that it’s still tough to get a job.

“Its tough out there right now,” Kaylor said. “Nobody’s trying to sugarcoat anything.”

Struthers thinks persistence is key when trying to get a job in the current economic climate, and is also a way to help end the recession.

“If we keep working at it, it might get better,” Struthers said.

Despite this, Struthers said she doesn’t have a lot of hope for getting another job in the near future.

Kaylor advocated that students looking for a job should visit the Career Center for help and resources.

“Students whould take advantage of the resources we have,” Kaylor said.

Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Career Center offers students help in finding jobs, writing resumes, making cover letters, practicing interviewing skills and networking with others.

The Career Center is located at 1173 University Drive inside the Alumni Center, across the street from Bronco Stadium.

While the number of jobs in the Idaho economy was essentially unchanged in September, employers have cut over 48,000 jobs in the last year, driving the number of Idahoans with jobs to only 685,000, the lowest since January 2005.

Manufacturing jobs have fallen back to 1992 levels, while construction was at the lowest job total since 1998. Since May 2007, when unemployment was at a record-low 2.8 percent, the number of people filing for unemployment claims has risen steadily.

It’s a rough market, and it’s going to be rough unless some money is injected into the local economy Jerome Edwards The Arbiter ! arbiteronline.com

3

OCTOBER 12, 2009

ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES to highlight Frank Church conference EVAN WESTERFIELD Jornalist

The 26th annual Frank Church conference will will feature and analyze current environmental and political challenges to pending negotiations on international climate change Oct 20.

Since its establishment in 1982, the Frank Church Institute has created the Frank Church Chair of Public Affairs at Boise State University to continue the principles of Frank Church, who represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate from 1957-1981.

The Frank Church institute’s goal is to build the endowment to fully fund the Frank Church Chair of Public Affair, fund the annual Frank Church conferences, and fund the proposed scholarship at BSU. The subheading for this year’s conference is: “The Global Environment: From Kyoto to Copenhagen.”

The conference will feature policy experts from a wide variety of institutions giving their thoughts on the possible outcomes of the international summit held in Copenhagen, Denmark last December.

The keynote speaker for the event is William Davis, Director of the United Nations Center in Washington D.C. He will give the keynote speech on: “The Political Climate for Climate Change Negotiations.”

Davis will speak at 7:30 p.m. in Jordan Ballroom in the SUB. Davis is the UN’s senior representative in Washington, serving as a spokesman for the UN and working with officials in the executive and legislative branches, the media, the public and business community. Before joining the UN, Davis worked for global and functional affairs in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Legislative

affairs, where he oversaw departmental interactions with the U.S. Congress on global priorities. Davis also worked as the department’s senior legislative adviser on relations with Congress in regards to the Secretary of State’s Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization.

Other speakers participating in the conference are: William Meadows (president, The Wilderness Society), Matthew McHugh (former Democratic representative from New York), Dan Miller (former Republican representative of Florida), Michael Buck (National Association of State Foresters), John Gardner (Vice President for energy research, policy and campus sustainability for BSU), and Don Reading (Vice President of Ben Johnson Associates).

The conference runs from 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

IMAGES MCT CAMPUS, PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LINDSEY WARD/THE ARBITER

Budget holdbacks, creating problems MATTHEW DELEONGUERRERO Journalist

Governor Butch Otter’s plan to holdback 6 percent of funding for Idaho colleges and universities is impacting BSU’s financial appropriations with a projected total cut of approximately $4.7 million. While much of this cut will be absorbed by BSU’s financial reserves, the possibility of repercussions toward employees and students is still on the table.

President Bob Kustra Commented on these budget cuts by reassuring his Boise State Community that, “At this time, the university will be able to avoid furloughs and layoffs of its employees.” However, if the economic stability of the state doesn’t improve by next year’s budget, President Kustra predicts, “we will likely continue to look at expenditure reductions and student tuition and fee increases to help us maintain our operations.”

The cost of tuition has risen from about $3,872 a year for a full time, in state student in 2005-2006 to $4,864 a year for

2009-2010 according to the BSU admissions website. This school year marked the lowest tuition increase for Boise State Students in the last 14 years. In terms of the future for student tuition BSU Provost Sona Andrews stressed that a tuition increase would be a “last resort” and also pointed out that BSU had the smallest tuition increase this past year than all other Idaho higher education institutions.

According to the Boise State office of Finance and Administration, in May 2009 BSU was looking at receiving an allocation of $132,720,200 for fiscal year 2010. The total budget, estimated at the time was approximately $138,373,800 which included more than five and a half million coming from student tuitions and fees.

In the information provided by the Office of Finance and Administration, the college with the largest allocation of the FY2010 budget was the College of Arts and Sciences with $749 million. The lowest funded was the college of Social Sciences and Public Affairs (SSPA) with $195 mil-

lion slated for FY2010. The affects of the budget holdbacks for these projected figures are likely to remain the same according to Dr. Andrews.

“BSU will not be asking for budget decreases among Colleges and Departments,” Andrews said. [poll id=”136”] Dean of the college of Health Sciences James Girvan stated, “the most recent state budget holdbacks required of Boise State are being met centrally through one time fund reserves so no monies are being required from any Colleges or non-academic units at this time.”

This year BSU received $4.8 million in Federal Stimulus, a non permanent figure aimed toward combating the economic downturn. The future funding and economic livelihood of BSU comes in relation to a litany of external factors, Provost Andrews wanted to indicate to lawmakers that maintaining higher education funding is “more important now than at any other time” claiming that graduating students will help get us out of this economic slump by attracting and creating businesses.

Letter to the editor:

Pedestrian’s need to be more attentive Dear letter to the Editor, I am a senior about to graduate with a degree in anthropology/archaeology. In all my time that I have invested with BSU, I have seen a lot of change on campus. One of which is traffic. Traffic has always been a problem, along with speeders because people are always in a hurry to get to where they are going, etc. Since the university is growing and improving, parking is becoming less and less and therefore people are having to park farther and farther away.

Here is where we start, the majority of the student body probably has some idea of right from wrong when using the cross walks to get to the other side, but I’ve been noticing a lot more students jay walking and automatically thinking that since they are in the middle of the road, they have the right of way! There is some truth to this statement but it is also false and is dangerous.

I’ve also been seeing a lot of this with bicyclists, thinking that just because there on a bike, they have the same rights as pedestrians, which is totally false. What I am trying to propose is that there needs to be more said on the rules of the road in relation to bike and pedestrian safety before something bad happens, to ensure the safety of the student body and faculty.

Rachel Wong is senior studying anthropology.

4

OCTOBER 12, 2009

BSU swimmers hope for big splash KIRK BELL Editor

Boise State swimming and diving has slowly climbed the Western Athletic Conference ladder since their inaugural 200607 season. That year they placed last in the conference. By the 2008-09 the Broncos had produced their first conference champion in then freshman Stephanie North in the 100 free.

Last year the team finished sixth at the WAC Championships meet and hope to carry that momentum through to this year’s competition.

“Last year was just amazing what happened,” North said. “So coming off of that, just knowing that I can do better than that and still get faster…I’ve worked more this summer than I did last.”

Youth is what carries much of this season. Head swim and dive coach Kristin Hill sees some of her incoming freshmen and established, improving swimmers as a cornerstone for yet another leap in talent.

“I like the fact that we have strong incoming freshmen,” Hill said. “The girls who are freshmen on the team have definitely added depth and strength and work ethic…The work that they put in last year and through the summer to prepare for this season is undeniably something that they did well.

But I really focus on the returners when I look a the team and what the accomplish-

ments are going to be this season.” the NCAA Championships this year on the Hill believes that Canadian native Chris- individual qualifying process…We know tine Raininger is a talented piece to that that it’s a definite reality.” progressive puzzle the Broncos are trying That type of optimism drove sophomore to put together in both the butterfly and in- Amber Boucher over the summer to condividual medley events. tinue pushing herself to the edge, hoping to Hill also sees sophomore Emily Ir- make that leap into championship status. vin making a splash for the team as this Boucher rallied to set records with North in season goes on in both the breaststroke the 100 fly and 50 free last year, emerging as and individual medley. one of the Broncos trendsetters.

“Quite hon“That really estly, I feel that motivated me I could put to do a lot of Emily in some training over the So coming off of that, just other events summer so that knowing that I can do that she could when I came probably go up back this year better than that and still get against anythat I could hit body in our the weights hard faster…I’ve worked more this conference and from the beginsummer than I did last. win,” Hill said. ning,” Boucher The desire to North said. “I wouldn’t take the next have to start over step as one of with not so much BSU’s premier athletic programs has mold- muscle…I’ve been able to hit swimming so ed the young women into what could be a much harder.” championship team very soon. It is a leap Both North and Boucher have set a benchthat they think they could make as early as mark for the Broncos to achieve. Each has a this season. new swagger that comes with experience “Our goal has always been to win our and success. They have shown the desire conference championship,” Hill said. “To and determination to make those strides to take people to the NCAA Championships. become better than the year before.

We’re getting very close to those things. We “I think for both of them the big separator think that we can take a couple of people to this year is going to be just that they have a

lot more confidence than they’ve had before,” Hill said. “And that’s something that I can see just from them talking…I think confidence level for these two has much changed and that’s going to be a huge factor as a team.”

The Broncos ran away with WAC Shootout honors in San Jose, Calif. this weekend including a convincing victory over threetime defending champion University of Nevada by the score of 150-54.

They walked away with an overall 5-0-1 record following the two day meet.

The Broncos brought home the top spot in the 200 medley relay during their first day of competition, followed by day two triumph in the 400 medley relay. They placed second in the 400 free relay during day two respectively.

Boucher recorded a third place finish in the 200 free during day one competition and a first place spot in the 50 free during day two of competition.

Stephanie North placed first in both the 50 and 100 free during day one. Day two repeated the 100 free first place performance accompanied by a third place spot in the 200 free.Irvin placed first in the 200 IM and second in the 100 breast during day one followed by a first place finish during day two in the 200 breast.

Freshman Jenn Cahill saw success during her collegiate debut in the 1000 and 500 free..

THE ARBITER FILE PHOTO

Broncos’ dive into the water against competitors during their 2008-09 season. They finished sixth at last season’s conference championships.

Wildcat shows its face at BSU TRENT LOOTENS Producer

The wildcat has become a new commodity for college football teams across the nation. It’s highly developed offensive schemes have allowed teams to utilize the wildcat to benefit its players’ strengths.

Made famous by the Florida Gators’ Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin during their time together in college, the wildcat now is used in some shape or form by nearly every team in college football.

Recently, Boise State began experimenting with the wildcat and decided it was going to start playing a larger role in the offense.

During the Bowling Green game, BSU unveiled it’s new addition when its running backs took direct snaps. Adding Titus Young’s speed on fly sweeps could potentially make BSU’s offense more potent than it is already.

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen likes the different options the wildcat gives his team and plans on using it more as the season continues.

“I would love to be able

to run the option. I think it’s very dangerous and potent especially in college football, but you’ve got to play to your guys’ strengths,” the coach said. “There’s a lot of good football plays out there that we’d like to get into our game plan.”

BSU wants to leave all possible options open for the offense, but finding time to practice new plays and perfecting them is easier said than done.

“It’s interesting when you move parts around just a little bit how much it can change things. You really have to spend time working on it,” Petersen said.

NFL teams, including most notably fellow-Floridians the Miami Dolphins, have joined the bandwagon too.

The Dolphins have made a killing from the wildcat offense allowing running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to take direct snaps.

With the addition of former West Virginia star Pat White, Miami has turned their offense into a wildcat-first system that will allow White’s skills to shine on a higher level.

White made a living with Steve Slaton in the backfield at WVU and was

Boise State players go through their energizing and flamboyant pre-game ritual before the UC Davis game.

drafted by Miami specifically for wildcat purposes.

It seems, though, that the coveted offense has slowly moved its way west and found another team willing to try its luck with the wild offense in Boise.

“If you get the right guys back there it’s not one-dimensional. You see Pat White being able to make that offense work at Miami and we’ve got guys that can make plays like that too,” sophomore wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker said.

Defensively, trying to stop the wildcat has proven to be quite the task for many college and NFL teams. Having a dual-threat athlete line-up to take snaps forces defensive coordinators to pull out their hair. BSU has played teams who run the wildcat and have learned how to effectively defend against the offensive subterfuge.

“It keeps defenses on their toes and it’s hard to defend,” junior nickel back Winston Venable said. “You have to think run first when defending it and that can throw a defense off dramatically when they throw.”

Running backs Doug Martin and Jeremy Avery are prime candidates to run a wildcat offense along with wide receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis. Young can also run end around sweeps with his speed to get to the outside like everyone saw against Bowling Green.

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER

The Arbiter ! arbiteronline.com

5

OCTOBER 12, 2009

Golf, Cross Country update BRENDAN SHERRY Journalist

The Bronco men’s golf team tied for 10th place at the Wolf Pack Classic in Reno, Nev. Tuesday. The Broncos shot even par on the final day of the tournament to tie Gonzaga University.

Sophomore Blake Brown led the way for the Broncos with a three round score of 218. The score was good enough to earn him a tie for 21st place. Wichita State University won the team competition with a 17-under 847. The Shocker’s senior, Dustin Garza, took individual honors with an 11-under 205.

Although the Broncos finished in 10th place with a 15-over

879, they were able to improve their team score each round.

After beginning the tournament with a score of 300, the Broncos shed a few strokes each round finishing with scores of 291 and 288.

Seniors John Baranco and Robbie Richards finshed with 222 (+6) and 223 (+7) respectively. Baranco and Richards were followed by freshman teammates Taeksoo Kim and Clayton Kosanovich. Kim fished with a 10-over 226 and Kosanovich recorded an 18-over 234 in his first tournament of the Fall.

Following the tournament, the Men’s Golf team will rest until Oct. 26, when it heads to Las Crucas, N.M. for the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate which is hosted by New Mexico

State University The Boise State Cross Country teams competed well at the Willamette Charles Bowles Invitational in Salem, Oregon last week. The men’s team was runner up to Chico State and the women’s team fished seventh overall. Boise State junior, Sawyer Bosch, led the way for the men’s team and Shannon Porter led for the women with a 5k time of 17:53.68. The mark was good enough for a sixth place finish.

Bosch was named the Western Athletic Conference Cross Country Athlete of the week last week for the second week in a row. Bosch’s 8k time of 24:13.72 was good enough to earn him thirdplace overall at the event. Bosch’s Athlete of the Week award is the Cross Country team’s third this year.

Idaho’s Deonte Jackson scores a touchdown for the Vandals against Boise State on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

MCT CAMPUS

U OF I SURGING, beat s S an J o s e Sta te

MATT BEDINGER Journalist

The University of Idaho Vandals are in uncharted waters.

At 5-1, their only loss coming from Pac-10 opponent Washington, the Vandals have enjoyed their best start since they became a Division-I program and have already eclipsed their win total from the last two seasons combined.

U of I holds tight to the second place spot in the Western Athletic Conference with a 2-0 league record.

The Vandals faced the San Jose Spartans Saturday with a 29-25 victory, improving to their best start since joining the Football Championship Subdivision.

Junior quarterback Nathan Enderle threw for 216 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns against SJSU. Backup sophomore quarterback Brian Reader led the final attack that would put the Vandals ahead during the final minutes of the game. Reader threw just one pass to junior wide receiver Eric Greenwood for 11 yards during the game winning drive.

Running backs Princeton McCarty, Deonte Jackson and DeMaundray Woolridge combined for 278 yards rushing.

McCarty scored one touchdown and Woolridge put up two scores. [poll id=”145”] Last Saturday, U of I faced Mountain West Conference

opponent Colorado State. After a back and forth battle, Colorado State had a chance to tie the game with a 2-point conversion with 1:41 to go. The Rams’ try was stopped short of the goal line by a black and gold curtain of jerseys, including junior safety Shiloh Keo, who then recovered the ensuing onside kick from CSU. Unable to bleed the clock, Idaho gave the ball back to the Rams with just over a minute to play. On the first play of CSU’s potential game-winning drive, Keo intercepted Colorado State senior quarterback Grant Stucker to seal a 31-29 win for Idaho and give the Vandals their best start in their Division-I history.

Idaho hosts Hawai’i Oct. 17 in Moscow, Idaho.

6

OCTOBER 12, 2009

Fashion according to

ME!

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER

An officer with the Boise City Police Department ducks behind a truck in the parking lot adjacent to BSU’s Engineering building, Saturday afternoon, after receiving a report of a man inside with a gun.

APRIL WISNIEWSKI

Engineering building surrounded during gun scare

Columnist

It’s always a sad day to me when I have to say goodbye to my flip flops for another 3 seasons. I get rebellious and wear them again and again until I just can’t deny the fact that my toes are blue and I am miserable all day. That said, Fall is my favorite time of the year to get up and get dressed in the morning. Why? Layers! I love layers and boots. Tights and sweaters. Hats, scarves, arm warmers and scoopies.

According to all of the major magazines the staples for this fall are trench coats, leopard print shoes and accessories as well as faux fur. (Faux pronounced “pho” and not fox…fox is not green!) And these days it is very is very important to be environmentally conscious. The downfall to all of these gorgeous items in Vogue or Marie Claire is that they all cost a fortune and we are in a recession, especially college students. This said, most of these items are timeless and a lot of us already own a few pieces. If you want to be trendy this fall and do not own these staples, I am here to help!

There are many stores in the greater Boise area where you can hit awesome sales and there are great finds at second hand stores. One of my favorites is the Lux Fashion Lounge on Idaho and 8th.You can shop for new and slightly used fashionable clothes.

Everything from vintage to designer jeans. I once found an awesome pair of cowboy boots for 15 bucks! Score, if I do say so myself.

Repeat Boutique on Vista is awesome for designer jeans. Just ask the sales associate for your brand and what they have in the back. You usually walk out with what you went in there looking for. The Idaho Youth Ranch {any location} sometimes houses rare pieces that you may only find if you take time to search.

As far as retail goes, Urban Outfitters in the BODO has the best sales.

I would like to give you more insight to when they are but it seems every time I go I find some little treasure I NEED to have for 5 to 10 bucks. Anthropology also has kick ass sales, just a little less frequent so keep your eyes peeled. If you are an online shopper, try Overstock.com or Zappos.com, they have excellent shipping prices and a great return policy.

Another great way to get clothing that is “new to you” is to have a clothes swap. Get a bunch of your girlfriends or guy friends together, bring all of the items you don’t wear, don’t want or don’t fit you, put them in a pile and go for broke! The best thing is that you actually won’t go broke but will have the satisfaction of feeling like you went shopping all day. {Clothes Swap etiquette: DON’T leave with more than you came with}.

Happy Fall Shopping everyone!

Stay warm!

JOSH RASMUSSEN Media Manager

Dozens of Boise City Police vehicles blocked off streets around BSU’s Engineering building this afternoon in response to an armed persons call.

According to people on the scene, two students used a gutted gun, which was ultimately mistaken for an intact gun, for a school project.

“A student observed a male walking up the staircase with a long gun,” according to Officer Nesbitt of the Boise Police Department.

“I was walking by the Engineering building, past the (Recreation Center) to my car, and heard some commotion,” said Boise State graduate student Ryan Cooper, “and then I drove off and that’s when I saw the cop cars.”

Healthcare to illegal immigrants and the proposed plan does not allow abortions to be covered by federal tax dollars.

The impact of Sen. Baucus’s bill on Boise State students will be minimal, according to Ferdinand J. Schlapper, executive director of Health, Wellness and Counseling.

“If they mandate insurance enrollment coverage for everyone it wouldn’t impact students who already have a mandatory insurance requirement,” Schlapper said.

BSU requires every full-time student to have health insurance.

The Maskin Group, based in New Jersey, administers the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

According to Schlapper, it remains uncertain if SHIP will be affected by the proposed plan or not.

However, since part-time students require no coverage, the proposed plan could impact them the most.

Not everyone approves of Sen. Baucus’s bill on-campus. Opposition comes from some who claim it is too expensive, could reduce

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief

Shannon Morgan editor@arbiteronline.com

Media Manager

Josh Rasmussen Online Editor

Jenn Kniss

Managing Editor

Bob Beers

Multimedia Editor

Joey McCullough Photo Editor

Nik Bjurstrom Editors:

Kirk Bell Sonia Trevizo Andrew Ford Editorial Advisors:

Steve Lyon Dan Morris

(continued from page 1)

quality care and gives the government too much control over individuals’ healthcare.

“Developing a system with more federal oversight is not something I favor,” said Dr. Pamela J. Springer, Nursing Chair and Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences.

Springer recommends trying to positively change the current healthcare system.

“We have some health care systems that are already providing high-quality care at reasonable costs. Let’s start there,” she said.

Vincent Serio, Director of Medical Services at BSU, thinks Baucus’s bill does not go far enough in altering the existing system.

“It’s kind of like a Band-Aid, rather than major surgery,” he said.

He recommends more stringent oversight on the current single payer structure. This, he says, would give the chance for insurance companies to alter their practices. The leap to a universal healthcare system may be too soon.

House passes entitlement spending and the elimination of choice, competition, and the innovation of the private sector,” Rep. John Kline, RMinn., said. “This job killing legislation is rife with hidden costs that will be passed on to future generations.”

Under the current program, the government pays subsidies to lenders and guarantees the loans.

The student loan legislation will

Journalists:

Ben Mack Andrew Johnson Josh Gamble Margaret Reimer Ryan Johnson Steven Mercado Tony Rogers Matt Guerrero Chris Bodovinitz Mike Johnson Nikki Houston Jennifer Spencer Andrew Stevens Mitch Esplin Bryce Getusky Kim King

Cooper described commotion as a bunch of pops and loud noises. He said the speed of the cop cars “burning down University Street” alerted him to the fact that something big was happening.

The call which BPD received at 1:46 Saturday afternoon “was relayed through a professor.”

He said the gun “ended up being a shotgun.”

“We set up a perimeter,” Nesbitt said, “and as soon as we could we made entry into the building and evacuated some people and other people we asked to lock themselves in rooms until we could make sure it was safe.”

He said the situation is “still being investigated.”

Police cleared the building to ensure there was no real danger.

The Arbiter will follow this story and publish updates as they are made available.

“Americans don’t like to change things really drastically,” he said.

In his State of the University address on Aug. 19, BSU President Bob Kustra expressed concern about insurance companies’ role in healthcare.

“When we hear the ‘public option,’ and we hear the president thinking about dropping it from the plan, it worries me greatly that we would leave healthcare to the profit motive in America,” Kustra said.

Students at BSU remain mixed on the proposed plan.

“Funding is my only concern about the bill, but if the reform really would not cause extra spending, I’m all for it,” said Laura Rogers, ASBSU Senator for the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs.

Along with the added expense, senior communication major Catherine Atchison worries how the plan could cause reduced quality of medical care.

A mother of a special needs child, Atchison depends on proper healthcare.

(continued from page 1)

provide $40 billion to increase the maximum annual Pell grant scholarship to $5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019, from $5,350 today.

Starting in 2011, the amount of the scholarship will link to the cost of living, rising along with the Consumer Price Index, plus one percent.

The bill also includes about $10 billion for community colleges

and increased investment in twoyear community colleges that enroll about six million students nationwide a year. It also provides about $8 billion for early-childhood programs and $2.55 billion for historically black colleges and universities.

As of press time, university officials were unclear exactly how much the bill will benefit Boise State specifically.

PRODUCTION

BUSINESS

Production Manager

General Manager

Jeremy A. Oliver Production Coordinators

Lindsey Ward Eli Meuler

Lead Graphic Designer

Brad Arendt

Business/Ad Manager

Dwight Murphy

business@stumedia.boisestate.edu ads@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Marketing Director

Graphic Designers

marketing@arbiteronline.com

Producers

Zach Ganschow Glenn Landberg Trent Lootens

Jennifer Orr Bookkeeper

Shae Hanah Account Executives

James Orr Jennifer Orr Jessica Holmquist

Video Editor

Gray Battson Community Managers:

Iko Vannoy Brittney Johnson Jen Merrill

Locally, Idaho’s representatives were split on the issue. Democrat Walt Minnick voted for it, while Republican Mike Simpson was in the opposition.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where it must await approval by a majority before making its way to President Obama’s desk.

Obama has said that he will sign the bill if it arrives at the White House.

barendt@boisestate.edu

Brendan Healy Bree Jones Audrey Swift

“I work for the insurance, not the pay,” she said.

Micah Young, a senior communication major, is covered by government healthcare. He believes everyone should have a choice if they want to receive health care or not.

He agrees with Atchison about the reduction in quality of care in the proposed plan.

“It’s the DMV version of healthcare,” he said.

Freshman chemical engineering major David Martin thinks the plan could lead to socializing medicine as whole.

“I think it’s (the plan) a beautiful idea, but I think it’s a pipe dream at the same time,” he said.

Since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 15, parttime graphic designer Kyle Miller depends on twice daily shots of insulin. At $100 a vial, Miller’s medical expenses exceed $200 a month.

“Everyone should have the opportunity for healthcare and not be broke because of it,” Miller said.

1910 University Dr, Boise, ID 83725 P 426-6300 F 888-388-7554 www.arbiteronline.com Distributed Mondays & Thursdays during the academic school year. The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University and a designated public forum, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 apiece at The Arbiter offices.

G

uest opinions of no more than 500 words may be submitted for publication on any topic.

Letters to the Editor must not exceed 300 words and must include the writer’s full name, city, state and major (if applicable). All submissions are subject to, but will not necessarily be edited. Both guest opinions and Letters to the Editor may be sent via e-mail to managingeditor@arbiteronline.com. The Arbiter cannot verify the accuracy of statements made in guest submissions. Opinions expressed by guest and staff columnists reflect the diversity of opinion in the academic community and often will be controversial, but they do not represent the institutional opinion of The Arbiter or any organization the author may be affiliated with unless it is labeled as such.

7

Classifieds OCTOBER 12, 2009

Crossword

&( %! #

( "$ ( "#, '&((+&' )--#

).8*) '= .(- 366.7 &2) 3=(* *;.7 %' $ " ' !# ' !", &%''+%& )--"

CHERRY SLEIGH BED Solid wood. Brand new w/ matress set. Sacrifice $299.

Call 888-1464.

KING SIZE PILLOWTOP MATTRESS set brand new

in bag, list $750. Must sell, $199. Can Deliver.

921-6643.

FULL SIZE ORTHOPEDIC MATTRESS Brand new in pack-

7-PIECE CHERRY Bedroom

age, warranty Sacrifice $99. Call 921-6643.

set. Brand-new in box.

Retail $2250, sacrifice $450. Call 888-1464

D E N N BA vage

el Sa

icha

by M d an

eneva

G 0 6 5 1 ndle

by Ty

tain

in Bri

r

Orde

day! py to Books o c r you tone

ers oise Corn ont B Belm 1025

BED-QUEEN PILLOW TOP

mattress set. Brand new, still in plastic, warranty.

Retail $599. Must sell $109. Can deliver. 9216643.

9 PIECE KING SLEIGH BED SET. All wood- dovetail

drawers. List $3500. Sacrifice $850. 888-1464 BRAND NEW MICROFIBER COUCH & loveseat. Stain

Resistant. Lifetime warranty. Still in boxes. Retail $1395. Must sell! $450.

888-1464.

LEATHER SOFA PLUS LOVESEAT. Brand new in crate

with lifetime warranty. List $2450. Sacrifice $699.

888-1464.

Movies, Commercials, TV, Modeling work. Pay up to $150 hourly. No exp.

208-433-9511 ENTREPRENEURS Earn a very substantial income working your own business in Personal Development. Product driven direct sales marketing commission based. call KIM (888) 318-3585 www. the-top-10-home-basedbusinesses.com

BOWLINGFORCASH. COM

Survey Site - Fun way to make extra money!

Completely FREE! STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM

Paid Survey Takers Needed In Boise. 100% FREE To Join! Click On Surveys.

SALE AND MARKETING ASSISTANT Work-study

required, $7.50 -$8.00 per hour dependent on experience. 15- 20 hours a week. Preferably a freshman or sophomore.

Must be a student at BSU taking 6 or more credits.

QUEEN TEMPURPEDIC

style visco memory foam mattress. Brand new in plastic. Must sell. $225.

921-6643 ACTORS, EXTRAS, MODELS!

[this space is available. but it doesn’t have to be. go ahead, place an ad in the classifieds]

So you wanna place a classified ad?

It’s easy!

There are four ways to do it: 1. Go to www.arbiteronline.com and click on the link to the classifieds section and place your ad online, 24-7.

2. E-mail ad requests to classifieds@arbiteronline.com.

Include your name, phone number and ad text.

3. Stop by our office across the street from the SUB (the one with the big ramp in the front).

Classified Line Ads (per character)* 1 Issue..................................................$0.06 2-4 Issues ............................................$0.05 5+ Issues..............................................$0.04 *75 Character Minimum For classified display rates, contact an Arbiter ad rep at ads@ arbiteronline.com.

Sudoku

The Arbiter takes no responsibility if you get scammed out of your beer money. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

BY MICHAEL MEPHAM

2 3 4

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit

www.sudoku.org.uk

, % " &$)% '(& )( + & )# &* ' !! & (' & ' &*

Level: 1

Please check your ad the fi rst day it runs, and notify The Arbiter of any errors. We will only be responsible for fi rst insertion.

-

4. Yell really loud.

Someone from our office may or may not hear you.

Rates:

*/:+* (? /). 588/9 '4* 5?)+ +=/9

8-*2.&2 ;.8 -&67- 0&;7 @ 2/::2+ ('::?

8&6 #&67A

/229 )5362+:+2?

46.2(*77 !1/69 '9 '*9 54 .4 -34 13,90 ' :'6+* 9.5= ;-3 1&66.*) A '8,/+2*B *5 *=32(?

%.': '4 ;36C9 6&4*:.2* 685:+):58 86&:*0*6 685:+):9

6685>/3':+2?

67 B 03''=.2, ,4 @ .*7 %%A -=12

583+8 :'2/'4

*8 -.8(-*) 59.(/ )5/49 &1 32 8-* '/4 (255* 2/4+ '6&/*7 5). =/:. ' 8.(/ 32 )*7.,2 2+-+4* 3 &786&= 58658':+ 6*77 (32+ +361&8 9654958+* 3+8 (3968 7863/* <')':/54 ;.8 <'22+? )/:?

#&003;.2, 40&(* '8-+9: )54:/4+4: &7896*

!/)/2/'4 <52)'45

3036+900= +*/:+88'4+'4 4&88*62*) +&'6.( /92'4* 8+6;(2/) 32,786*77 2')+ :5 8+:/8+ )&17 :5 ".(836 433( "5;84'3+4:

08&6 (327*28 3':).+9 (+,58+ 1&00 +&1.0= ,/4'29 (8/+,2? , &%% *"%

'97.2*77*7

, *! &%# &

':'*58C9 ,5+ 6.:*6B7 0.( *8 &0 )1.8 32*B7 ,9.08

% ( ,.( )--# &#*

+:/8+3+4: Previous Puzzle Solved '= ()& ,.' )--" %"* *2) & -&2) 83 7*6:* 0*77 '))5;4: )58658':/549 &78 8.1* 8.1* :8'49'):/54 :.': + - &2)*6

!-6*&8 *2).2, 3'? /4);8 ' 54/)'2 '(5*+ 1'&66&77*) ;36)7 6+4'2:?

" 685)+*;8+ #360) 3)*3 634* A 2/'*B*6.*7 13 9+::/4 8++:/4- ': 9+'

/- 4'3+ /4 8.6 +6.*) ).7 #*.6) 0

&& )5::'

*,*2) $&2/3:.( 4&63)= :8'):589 5258'*5C9 && &9831&/*6 3+ & .(-&*0 && 35 8+62'?

'81

6377 7-&4* &(/732 -.8

.'22+4-+ ' #4='4:+* 8'*/5

$*003;.7- *&68 8B7 4914*) .2 <+8*/): /4 ' 45/9+ 832* ./-.+8 )5;8: ,=17 5 ,2? &&

97- -97 54+? ?5; 5=+ 463,6&1 5)'2+ &(8.:.8.*7 '6.*+0=

5225= '9 ' 30= ;&67 !/(/2'4: '::+4:/54 &2) & -.28 83 8-* 9;96+): 0:.7 %% 6*70*= -+::+8 -.))*2 8-*1* .2

5<+ 65+:8?

8/225 8/<'2 ;.2, 7*8 7.8* ;9+ &2) 47.032 +3003;*6 #4'(2+ :5 9/: 9:/22

5)'2 '/82/4+ :8/6 #&8*6 ,92 (6377 '3/+ 5>> A -;? ='219 /4:5 &,.(.&2 (/56/) '(5;: 786*&1 ' ('8 B 3'? *22.2, *8 &0 9/4-+8 .'82+9 *7/ 4-32* 92.8 9:'8: 54+ 8+</5;92? *,.32

&! )$ ! &*! ' $

6(-*786& 0*&)*6 '" )% " '*" ( %

;49++4

.8/9:+4+8 -37-32*&27

!-.6)

)+* :+' ,2'<58

!;,,/> =/:.

5 && 93'22

4 :.+ :./)1 5,

6&.2 ).7*&7*

%% ).<.8 &77*68.32 %% 8-* 7.)* 3+ &+8*68-39,-8

%/*+ 56+4 3+:+58 8')+8 !).552 58-

./* 731* ;.8-398 4633+ (&98.32 .2 & 086

85=* 7;5:' "552 .5;9+

+:9 /: =854 /4+9 5, 9+':9 7.140* 59*78.327 9&9 +&6*

300*,* 3++.(.&0 0) 8&0.&2 132*=

2'?,;2 8/<+8 ';9:/) 65:'9.

522? :.+ 9.++6

/<+8 :.85;-.

#*78 3.28 * , 46.28 94 36, ./* 70&7-*6 &6&).7* )8/::+8 8 5, 8'6 ,58 54+ 95;:.+84 ;99/' 8 1&= 8&/* =*&67 ''6 13:.*7 )).* 3+ 8-*

2'4+:'8? )+4:+8 49;88+):/54/9: +4)/4- (2'*+ #4'))536'4/+*

440* (*28*6 83 7*880* 32*

B 7 B 7 '0;4 .8 )'9.

+8('2 (8+=9 6+8,583'4)+

=* 4&68

*390 1&2 )*+*27* ,4 *2&8367 <+-+:'(2+ */96+49+8

!.'86+4+* 26.' && (328&.2.2, 8-*

=6.( 43*17 *61&2 &68.78 83? 3+'2 '6+ '4'<+8'2

8?9:'2 -'@+8 -'33' .6.7 0&=+90 46&2/

30)* ):8+99 ;995 +<+4: %?':: 5, :.+ 2*

* '.8 .77

6&>*2 1.2< @ 9),* %%A .1;.8

'84+?C9

"5:9C 8/*+9 %+9: 90(- .2 & 8&6 !6*/A 8&0032* +.01 @%% <(.8*)A A ' && $/:'B +*85)1 6'2

A 55:B )5;4:8?

/: 5, 3+*/)/4+ @ +.01 (31192.(&8.327 A ':+8 '3/-5B (-330 8330 3.28*6 .78*67 A ;3(5B ,2/+8 ,58 :.+ +?+ 58 +'8 68+,/> ., 2&1* .2 ,&7 900 -&6) -.8 3++.(*6

The Future

BY LINDA C. BLACK Tribune Media Services

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday (10/12/09) Today you know for sure that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on the right track. You have all the supplies, energy and ideas you need. Instead of making hay while the sun shines, how about making some money?

To get the advantage, check the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19 Today is a 7 - So you think you want to be king (or queen) of the hill?

Put on that crown only after you do the work.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 - You get a chance to wrap up a project thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been nagging you. Do it completely. Start something new tomorrow.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 7 - Change is in the air, and long-distance communication confirms your intuition. Travel is possible. Take the train.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 6 - Friction today keeps you from peak performance. An older person shows you something you werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t taught in school.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 6 - Starting today, be responsible for your self-image. Talk to yourself if you have to.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8 - Your personal needs take priority. Tell others exactly what you want and accept whatever they offer.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7 - It seems like everything changes today. What you thought was firmly in place gives way to something even more magical.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7 - Everything seems to be pretty well balanced today. This is good, as tomorrow youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start in a whole new direction.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Today is a 6 - The sands shift under your feet. Be ready to move in a new direction, knowing that good fortune awaits you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Today is a 7 - Take advantage of every opportunity to tell others you love them. Wisdom grows as you show your feelings.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Today is a 7 - Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been dragging your feet on a project. Now is the time to move ahead. Anything you do will have good results.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20 Today is a 7 - By the end of the day youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be on a roll. In the morning you need to get the engines started.

Find the right key. ___ (c) 2009, Tribune Media Services Inc.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

8

OCTOBER 12, 2009

to you: No pointing fingers!

JOEY MCCULLOUGH Journalist

On Friday night, some might say the Yankees might have got away with a win. I say no way!

Third base line umpire, Phil Cuzzi, miss-called a “foul” ball in the top of 11th inning in the Yankees and Twins game. The ball hit by the Twins catcher, Joe Mauer, landed fair (clearly) after left fielder, Melky Cabrera, barely missed catching it. The ball bounced into the stands in foul territory. Normally, that would be two bases awarded to the runner but Cuzzi must have been thinking about where he was going to dinner after the game insted of paying attention.

He ruled the ball foul but from the plethora of camera angles that captured where the ball landed, all came to the same conclusion - the ball was fair.

The Yankees sort of got a break. Instead of hitting a double, Mauer later reached first base on a single. It is logical to propose the Twins would have taken a 4-3 lead and possilby won the game if they could have strung together hits to score

Mauer. However they didn’t and here are some reasons why I don’t think you can blame the umpire’s blown call for the Twins losing Friday’s playoff game.

- If the right call was made and Mauer was awarded second base, it will would have been up to his teammates to bring him in to score. Mauer is not what you would call a quick runner. Either an extra base hit or a couple of hits would have been needed to score Mauer.

- After Mauer’s single, Minnesota’s Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer hit singles to load the bases with nobody out. The next three batters lined out, softly grounded out and flied out. The Twins failed to score with the bases loaded and nobody out.

-In the 4th inning, what looked like a golden opportunity for the Twins to score was quickly cut down when Minnesota’s Carlos Gomez slipped off second base after hitting a double.

He was tagged out before the runner trying to score, Delmon Young, could reach home. Young was strides away from scoring. If Gomez had just stayed on second base, the Twins would have

had another run to their total.

-The Twins inability to score with the bases loaded in the 11th inning is just the tip of the iceberg for them in game two. They left 17 men on base the entire game. The Twins had too many chances to score runs through out the game.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of possiblities that could have changed the direction of Saturday’s game. Things like what pitches were thrown and whether or not the batter decided to swing are just two factors. The blown call by Cuzzi was pretty bad.

There is no excuse for that, especially in the playoffs where everyone, umps included, are expected to be at their best. The Yankees won the game on Mark Teixeira’s home run that barely made it out in the bottom half of that gutwrenching 11th inning. To blame the umpire’s bad call is such an easy go-to for when a team loses a game.

Baseball along with all other sports are about responding to adversity and big plays. When something doesn’t go your way don’t whine and complain, rise to the occasion and deal with it.

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER