The Battalion: February 16, 2010

thebattalion

this day in

US

history

● tuesday,

Feb. 16, 1935 Entertainer and politician Sonny Bono (1935-1998) was born in Detroit, MI. Following a career as a popular singer, he became mayor of Palm Springs, CA, then became a Republican congressman, serving until his accidental death from a skiing mishap.

february 16, 2010

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media

Aggies camps out at Reed Record breaking crowd battles cold to receive tickets Travis Lawson The Battalion Despite temperatures in the low 40s and upper 30s, students were camped out in front of Reed Arena Sunday night and into Monday morning for Monday’s basketball game.

The Reed Rowdies brought their tents and lawn chairs to secure a seat for the matchup between the No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies and the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks that ended with the Jayhawks prevailing 59-54.

Students camped out between as many as 11 hours and as short as three hours. For fans who had been camped out overnight, Head Coach Mark Turgeon surprised them with pizza on Sunday.

“Turgeon came and handed out pizzas, which was really nice of him,” said Chris Cruz, a freshman business major. “It really shows his dedication to the fans.”

Turgeon is a Kansas native as well as a for-

mer player and assistant coach for the Jayhawks. The A&M head coach told the Houston Chronicle he expected a record crowd that would topple the 13,648 mark set two weeks ago against Texas Tech, and he wasn’t let down as 13,657 packed in to Reed to set a new mark.

The Aggies are now 0-5 all-time against No. 1 ranked teams, but prior to the contest, camped out fans seemed optimistic about the

■ Africana Studies Program teaches from human perspective

The third installment of the alcohol series focuses this week on substance abuse recovery.

Joaquin Villegas

inside

The Battalion Texas A&M offers students a wide range of opportunities to discover the cultures and perspectives cultures posess. One of these opportunities is the minor offered by the Africana Studies Program, which celebrates its fifth year anniversary this semester.

The minor has 18 hours in interdisciplinary classes that range from Introduction to Africana studies to race and politics in the United States and even Sociology of Sports.

“Africana Studies is a program which provides students with a unique opportunity to think critically about the cultural, historical and social contributions and experiences of people from Africa and of African descent,” Kimberly Brown, the director of the Africana studies program and associate professor of English, said.

With about 26 students

b! trends | 3

Social networks Travel lovers can sometimes find it difficult to locate other like minded travelers but certain social networks are out to change all that.

One popular way of connecting outside of the hostel?

Sailing.

See Africana on page 8

A&M develops mobile web site

sports | 5

59-54 J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION

Abby Johnson quit her job as Director at Planned Parenthood in order to speak out against that very job.

When pathos trumps logos

voices | 7

Body image blunders

Johnson chooses morals over money Reporter The Battalion Abby Johnson said she felt sick to her stomach.

She watched as a doctor at the Bryan Planned Parenthood clinic, where she was director, performed an ultrasound-guided abortion on a 13-week fetus.

“I could feel my neck tense. My heart was pounding. I was sweating. I felt the urge to just yell and sit this woman up and be like, ‘look what they’re doing. Look

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sports | 5

Classes create global citizens

Alcohol recovery

Pictures and displays of womanly body figures appear in everyday life and often lead to poor body images and eating disorders in real women.

The Aggies lose the game in the second half. Find out how it happened.

See Campout on page 8

coming wednesday

Aggies may have lost the game but was the battle completely forgone?

Close call

what’s happening.’”

Johnson walked out of the clinic that evening and told her husband what she had seen. They agreed she would resign as soon as it was financially possible.

“I was thinking so many things,” Johnson said. “I was thinking about all the women that I had lied to. Women have so many questions before having an abortion, like ‘am I going to hell?’, ‘is God going to forgive me?’ One thing they See Johnson on page 8

“I believed that abortion was something that was necessary. Now I don’t feel that way.

It’s an issue about human rights.”

Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director

TAMUmobile Web represents the newest use of technology that makes the life of a student easier. The division of marketing and communications collaborated with students and decided that posting the bus schedules is top priority. “This mobile Web site allows students access to bus schedules, campus news, the campus directory, calendar of events, a link to the library and the ability to search student organizations,” said Diane McDonald, the associate director of marketing and communications. The Web site, optimized for mobile users, is available to anyone with a mobile or handheld device with an Internet connection. The mobile Web site will continually be updated with information and services. The Texas A&M mobile applications available for iPhones and iPod touches were the first of a kind in the iTunes app store. The mobile Web site, provided by Texas A&M, can be accessed at http://m.tamu.edu Emily Peery, staff writer

2/16/10 12:22 AM

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Y L L U F PED P I U EQ

Corps of Cadets will be sponsoring the Combat 5K on Feb. 27 at Wolf Pen Creek Park. All proceeds will beneďŹ t Fisher House at Fort Hood. Register at http:// combat5k.com

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thebattalion 02.16.10

Historian to discuss Africana studies

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Rutgers historian Kim D. Butler will address importance of African Diaspora studies in the 21st century from 2 to 3 p.m. today at Cushing Memorial Library and 6:30 to 8 p.m. today in Evans Library.

Christopher S. Wood, professor of art history at Yale University will give a lecture titled, “The Plural Temporality of the Artwork,� at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Melbern G. Glasscock History Building.

Humanities book prize lecture Wednesday

Wednesday sunny high: 58 low: 33 Thursday mostly sunny high: 62 low: 49 Friday 40% chance of rain high: 62 low: 48

pagetwo

For daily updates go to thebatt.com â—? Facebook â—? Twitter@thebattonline

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Kenneth Starr named Baylor president WACO, Texas — Baylor University named former Clinton White House nemesis Kenneth Starr its new president on Monday, saying the one-time independent Starr prosecutor’s Christian ideals and experience heading a law school made him the ideal candidate to lead the world’s largest Baptist university. Starr, whose investigation of the Whitewater land deal and Monica Lewinsky scandal led to Clinton’s impeachment in the House of Representatives, has been dean of the law school at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., since 2004. He becomes the 14th president of Baylor and follows John M. Lilley, who was ďŹ red from the post in 2008.

Associated Press

Hello, Mr. Golden Sun

Sam Smith — THE BATTALION

The rainy days seem to be going away, and hopefully the sun is here to stay. As the days get brighter, Meagan Dunnam, junior communications major, and other students begin to be seen studying in the Academic Plaza.

Great Food • Security • Unlimited Pull & Event Tabs and Much More!

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howtoapply

If you are interested in writing or contributing content in The Battalion apply at thebatt.com, or call (979) 845-3313. The Battalion welcomes any Texas A&M student interested in writing for the arts, campus, metro or sports staffs to try out. We particularly encourage freshmen and sophomores to apply, but students may try out regardless of semester standing or major. No previous journalism experience is necessary.

corrections The Battalion welcomes readers’ comments about published information that may require correction.

We will pursue your concern to determine whether a correction needs to be published.

Please e-mail editor@thebatt.com.

Hillary Clinton: Power in Iran shifting to military dictatorship DOHA, Qatar — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that Iran is becoming a military dictatorship, a new U.S. accusation in the midst of rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear ambitions and crack down on anti-government protests.

Speaking to Arab students at Carnegie Mellon’s Doha campus, Clinton said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps appears to have gained so much power that it effectively is supplanting the government. “Iran is moving toward a military dictatorship,� she said. “That is our view.�

Last week the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it was freezing the assets in U.S. jurisdictions of a Revolutionary Guard general and four subsidiaries of a penalized construction company he runs because of their alleged involvement in producing and spreading weapons of mass destruction.

The Guard has long been a pillar of Iran’s

regime as a force separate from the ordinary armed forces. The Guard has a hand in missile development, oil resources, dam building, road construction, telecommunications and Clinton nuclear technology.

It has absorbed the paramilitary Basij as a full-fledged part of its command structure — giving the militia greater funding and a stronger presence in Iran’s internal politics.

Asked if the U.S. is planning a military attack on Iran, Clinton said “no.�

The U.S. is focused on gaining international support for sanctions “that will be particularly aimed at those enterprises controlled by the Revolutionary Guard, which we believe is in effect supplanting the government of Iran,� she said.

Associated Press

Help Haiti recover TODAY!

City of College Station’s Warrant Amnesty F e b r u a r y 1 5 t h - F e b r u a r y 2 6 th If you have a warrant out of College Station Municipal Court or think you have a warrant, come to the Court at 300 Krenek Tap Road or call 979-764-3683. If fines are paid in full, the warrant fee will be waived in each case starting Monday, Feb. 15 through Friday, Feb. 26. Those who do not come to Court during the Amnesty period and have a warrant outstanding for their arrest will pursued during the‌..

Tent Sale in Koldus Wristband Sale

in Blocker, Commons, Zachry visit msc.tamu.edu for more info

Statewide Warrant Round-up March 1 st - March 12th

thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893

Amanda Casanova, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111.

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News ofďŹ ces are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.

Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion.

For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classiďŹ ed advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising ofďŹ ces are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and ofďŹ ce hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678.

Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year.

To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979-845-2613.

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11:54

things you should know

5 before you go Wrist bands for Haiti

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The National Society of Black Engineers and the African Student Association will be selling wristbands to raise funds for the Haiti relief effort from 10 a.m-3 p.m.

Monday-Friday in the Commons, Zachary and Blocker lobbies.

Science Cafe

Dr. Bill Klemm will be lecturing on how the brain causes consciousness from 7-8 p.m. today at the Revolution Cafe and Bar in downtown Bryan in an effort to bring science back to the public.

Catwalk for HIV and AIDS

Dodging for Haiti

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Attend the Catwalk for HIV/AIDS Awareness fashion show from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Rudder Theater.

Students wear items from retailers while learning about HIV/ AIDS. Admission is free.

As part of 12 days for Haiti, the Asian Presidents Council will be putting on a dodgeball game at 5 p.m. Friday in G. Rollie White Coliseum. Teams will consist of six people with an entry fee of $5 per person which will go toward the earthquake relief efforts.

Vagabond Sailing

Eating disorder awareness

5

Jenni Schaefer, class of 1998, will be speaking on campus as a part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Recreational Center Archery Room.

b! thebattalion 02.16.2010 page3

scene

bonds travelers

Rebecca Bennett

The Web site also implements The Battalion several procedures to protect the safety of users before they agree Weary of the fast-paced world, the co-founders of to go on a trip abroad with Vagabond-Sailing.com Robert Patrick and Marco Grasso a group of strangers. are determined to slow things down. The social netNew Web site, working site aims to connect people from across the http://Vagabond- Aside from detailed profiles, aspiring sailors globe, allowing eager travelers to embark on sailing Sailing.com, can view uploaded adventures of their own. aims to connect videos from other users Although the site opened just this January, the travelers through Courtesy photo and gain access to adconcept found its beginnings several years ago, when sailing.

Co-creator Marco Grasso, pictured at the wheel of the boat, wanted to give travelers ditional third-party referPatrick met Grasso while visiting Rome. The pair the opportunity to make friendships and promote intercultural understanding. ences in order to evaluate connected through www.couchsurfing.com, a popuanother individual’s character. lar Web site which helps travelers find locals to temporarily Club and a sophomore ecological restoration major, said the Web “We’ve really thought through safety, and it’s a big concern of site was a cool concept because it used common interests in saillodge with. Marco introduced Robert to sailing, which Robert ours,” Patrick said. said made him reflect on his relatively negative experiences traving to bring people from around the world together.

After completing a voyage, some groups make further plans eling alone by train and plane throughout Europe.

“Sometimes people need to take their boat someplace and they for the time they are on solid land again. One such group is “I think it’s so novel to travelers that they can be bonded need a small crew to sail in shifts, other people are just looking even timing their Mediterranean trip so that they can attend the together by the shared experience of traveling,” Patrick said. for someone interesting to sail with. No matter what the reason, famous food fight festival, La Tomatina, in Buñol, Spain.

He said due to an increasingly consumerist culture, people sailing is a great way to make friends and see some interesting “Besides learning how to sail, I think people will learn a lot too often confuse tourism with actual traveling experiences, places, even if it is just in a small lake such as Lake Bryan or Lake from each other. Chatting, laughing, sharing their lives. Our planning their trips so that they can get to their final destinaSomerville,” Haley said. tions as cheaply and quickly as possible, with little effort to learn hope is that this sharing will promote a general intercultural Vagabond Sailing has attracted the interest of several interestunderstanding and increase connections between people, connec- ing people, including Kevin Rose, founder of Digg.com, and about the native culture. tions based on a real experiences,” said Grasso of the cofounders’ “When you understand someone’s culture, you’re looking Rolf Potts, the author of “Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide vision for the site. through their eyes at the world, so after doing that in enough to the Art of Long-Term Travel.” You can imagine where the According to Vagabond-Sailing.com, sailing provides a “return inspiration for Vagabond Sailing’s name is derived from. places, you can fairly improve your own world view. I think it to the romantic days of ‘slow travel,’ a lost art form that gives one helps to get to know yourself better. It’s really about teaching For Grasso, the benefits of communal sailing are found in a real appreciation for the true distance between places.” yourself and learning about yourself and how connected you are shared encounters with nature.

Longer traveling time provides greater opportunity for meanto the rest of the world,” Patrick said.

“It’s hard to discern what makes me love sailing. What I can ingful bonding, which Patrick said he believes can help tear The “sea trips” of Vagabond Sailing last from one to two say is that sailing is a combination of feelings and emotions. down the arbitrary differences people have put between themweeks and bring individuals of various backgrounds together to When I am sailing I feel the freedom and the connection with selves for centuries, and which can hinder humanity’s progress. participate in the sailing process. Each boat is decked out with nature in her pure form. I am part of it, not playing against sea or Patrick Haley, vice commodore of the Texas A&M Sailing regulation safety technology and is staffed by a licensed captain. wind, but instead playing with them,” he said.

Dear Fellow Aggies: I have filed for re-election to the Texas Senate, and I am asking for your vote in the Republican Primary on March 2, 2010.

Since 1997, I have had the privilege of serving as State Senator.

For the last six years, I have served as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. We have passed balanced and responsible budgets that have kept Texas’ tax burden low. Each of our budgets had significant challenges, but the will to resist spending every last dollar positioned our state in an enviable economic position.

Today, the recession combined with an unsustainable federal deficit and the cost of federal mandates will put significant pressure on our state’s finances. Producing another balanced and fiscally responsible budget for Texas will require skill, experience, and sound judgment. I believe I possess these qualities.

No area or district in Texas has a greater stake in state government than ours. This is our home. It is worth preserving, protecting, and defending. If you send me back to Austin, I will get the job done right.

Sincerely,

Stephen E. Ogden ‘87

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sports

Coming Wednesday: A look at Aggie women’s basketball assistant coach Vic Schaefer.

thebattalion 2.16.2010 page5

Rock Chalk rules at Reed

Photos by J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION

13,657 fans filled Reed Arena to watch the No. 1 Jayhawks defeat the No. 23 Aggies 59-54. It was the largest crowd in the history of Reed Arena surpassing the mark set in the Aggies’ win over Texas Tech on Jan. 30.

Senior guard Donald Sloan attempts to get to the rim in the Aggies’ 59-54 loss to No. 1 Kansas. Sloan played 38 minutes in the contest and finished the game with 15 points on 6 of 18 shooting.

Sophomore forward David Loubeau puts up a shot in the Aggies’ 59-54 loss to No. 1 Kansas. Loubeau finished the game with 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting to go along with nine rebounds.

No. 1 Kansas prevails over No. 23 Texas A&M 59-54 in front of record crowd T.D. Durham The Battalion After devoted students camped out for days to get good seats to the ESPN Big Monday matchup between the No. 23 Texas A&M men’s basketball team and No. 1 Kansas, the Aggies dropped a heartbreaker to the Jayhawks 59-54 in Reed Arena.

“I’m disappointed in the loss, but I’m not disappointed in our effort,” A&M Head Coach Mark Turgeon said. “I just can’t believe we lost the game. I thought we were in control until the very end.”

The Aggies, now 18-7 overall and 7-4 in Big 12 conference play, move to 0-5 against No. 1 ranked teams all-time.

In a jam-packed home court, the Aggies started off slowly, falling to an 8-2 deficit three minutes into the game. Senior forward Bryan Davis let loose two rare jump shots both ending in offensive put backs for the Aggies.

“We gave up 20 offensive rebounds, which is

unacceptable,” said Cole Aldrich, Kansas junior center. “That’s on our bigs. As bigs, we have to take care of that and make sure they don’t get those second chance points.”

A&M sophomore guard Dash Harris had a frightful fall with 9:28 remaining in the first half after he made contact with two Jayhawk players midair during a fast break attempt at the basket.

Harris was carried off of the court by teammates and coaches, but returned just a couple minutes later. X-rays showed a hip pointer injury and slight wrist problems, which Turgeon said would not be a big problem.

The Aggies fought back into the game and took the lead, 12-10, at 14:08 after senior guard Donald Sloan drained back-to-back 3-pointers.

Sloan had 10 points in the first seven minutes of the game, but only finished the game with 15.

Sloan said he thought he missed easy shots down the stretch and didn’t play up to his level.

“Including myself, we all had some easy looks

that we missed,” Sloan said. “We had a lot of opportunities for put backs or open shots; they just didn’t fall for us.”

In the first half, the lead changed a total of seven times, with eight ties in the process. After senior Jayhawk guard Sherron Collins missed a wide-open 3-pointer, the Aggies went into halftime leading 32-30.

The second half opened with the teams trading punches back and forth. Neither team led by more than four points in the second half until the Jayhawks extended its lead to five in the final moments of the game.

A&M sophomore forward David Loubeau finished with a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds. Loubeau scored many of his points against Aldrich, who is ranked No. 6 nationally in blocks per game.

“I was just trying to do what I do every game,” Loubeau said. “Cole is a pretty big guy, so I just listened to what coach [Scott] Spinelli told me

and brought him low and finished.”

Kansas Head Coach Bill Self said Loubeau and the Aggies overall worked hard against the big men on the Jayhawk squad.

“I thought Loubeau and Davis were better than our three big guys out there,” Self said.

“Their big guys controlled our big guys.”

A&M, who was supported by a Reed Arena record 13,567 fans, kept Collins, who averages over 15 points a game in the 2009-2010 season, to just seven points the entire game.

“I thought our defense was phenomenal, and the crowd had a lot to do with that,” Turgeon said. “I hate to leave them with this loss tonight.”

The Aggies kept the game close but were not able to score a single point in the final 4:08 of the game, and Kansas pulled away to win.

“We panicked a little offensively at the end of the game,” Turgeon said. “We couldn’t get the ball to Loubeau; we needed to execute better down the stretch.”

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thebattalion 2.16.2010 page6 PLACE

AN AD Phone 845-0569 or Fax 845-2678 The Grove, Bldg. #8901 Texas A&M University

ANNOUNCEMENTS Getting Married or Planning an Event? Make plans to attend the Spring Bridal Show and Benefit.

Sunday, February 21 from 11am-4pm at Brazos Valley Expo.

Over 100 booths! Grand prize: $1000 shopping spree. Proceeds benefit Brazos Valley Hospice. Tickets are $15 online at www.ido-ido.org or $20 at the door.

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BED AND BREAKFAST Bogart’s Casa Blanca B&B. Now booking rooms for all university events. Gated 4 acres, 12 elegant rooms with private bath and heated pool. Green Parrot Bar. Hearty southern breakfast. (Hollywood in Texas) www.bogarts.org 936-825-1969.

BUSINESS OPPS. For Lease: Long established 25-year and prominent small animal veterinary clinic. Inside Loop 410, San Antonio TX. Over 25 years of very profitable performance with excellent clientele. Owner will lease property and discount first month’s rent. Consideration available for new graduate. Perfect place to begin long and purposeful career.

Please contact 210-733-9516 or 210-843-3535. Serious inquiries only.

FOR RENT $375 available now. 1/1, 2/1, 2/2 Free Wi-Fi, On Northgate, on Shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent, Ardi. 979-422-5660. $730/m for 1/1 of a 2/2 unit now avaiable. Male roomate. The Traditions at Northgate. All inclusive meals, internet, cable, utilities, fitness center. Contact 281-240-3586 or pdaniel@swe.com Price negotiable. $900 Available Now or Pre-lease, 3 & 4 bdrm. houses near TAMU, pets ok. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660.

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FOR RENT 3/2 Townhouses &Apartments, 1250sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, walk-in pantry &closets, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2010, excellent specials. 979-694-0320, office@luxormanagement.com 3/2, 5/4 C.S. duplexes. Garage, on shuttle, very nice, tile, fireplace, W/D, fenced, lawn service, pets OK. Available August. 979-255-0424/ 979-255-1585.

3bd/3ba. Duplexes. Close to campus, Great backyards. Fairly New! 979-693-4900.

Brand new luxury condos, granite countertops, tile flooring, great location. 979-693-4900 4/2 New House Preleasing. On shuttle, walking distance to Blinn, rent $1600/month. Don’t miss!

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4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2010, excellent specials. 694-0320. office@luxormanagement.com 4/4.5 duplex. High ceilings, huge closets, large front porch, tile floors, all appliances, many extras. $400 each. Pre-leasing for August.

979-229-6326. See photos and info at www.texagrentals.com 4b/2b pre-leasing house.

Walking/biking distance to campus, on shuttle route, fenced-in yard.

Rent $1300/month. Don’t miss!

979-229-4222.

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4bd/4ba houses. Brand New, great size, great location, AAF 979-693-4900.

4bd/4ba. +study, New Home, Available June1, 2 blocks from TAMU, 1202 Milner, asking $2400/mo. includes W/D and lawn service. Call 979-450-5666.

1-3/bedroom apartments. Some with w/d, some near campus. $175-$600/mo. 979-696-2038.

4bed/4bath Waterwood Townhomes, 1001 Krenek Tap Road across from C/S’s Central Park.

Gated, security system, bus route, appliances+washer/dryer included.

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2/1 fourplex, newly remodeled, close to campus, on bus route for $650/mo. Call 979-966-3913. Licensed agent. Move in now and pre-lease for August 2010.

Act now! SPACIOUS 3&4 bedroom units available in a great location!

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New carpet, tile, wood floors; pool table; shady, fenced backyard, off street parking; dogs okay. Available Mid May. 281-435-3431.

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EDITOR’SNOTE The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.

MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail

call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters

‘

will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified.

Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com

voices

thebattalion 02.16.2010

page7

Blinded by beauty A t every social gathering I attend, there inevitably appears a “Barbie.” We’ve all seen her — tall, slender, mile-long legs, gorgeous blue eyes, sparkling white smile. You get the urge to drop your handful of snacks and retreat immediately to the back of the room. Most girls can relate to this situation, especially after spending most of their lives looking up to women with seemingly unattainable physiques.

With examples ranging from classical Disney characters such as Jasmine to models such as Kate Moss and movie stars such as Jessica Alba, it is no surprise many women feel self-conscious. The majority of our personal body image issues stem directly from what the media portrays as “normal” for the average woman today. A study Camaryn Bolton from the past decade found that just three minutes spent looking at models in a fashion such an ideal. The image models portray as magazine caused 70 percent of women to “normal” has become progressively thinner feel depressed, guilty and ashamed. over the years, stabilizing at more than 20 Our body image problems begin with percent below the average weight. With one of the most innocent childhood toys, this in mind, it comes as no surprise that a Barbie. As little girls, we adored our Barmajority of women are extremely unhappy bie, dressing her in only the most glamorwith the way they look, myself included. ous clothing, brushing her long, flowing In this day and age, women often resort blonde hair, and admiring her gorgeous to unhealthy means in order to attain our figure. However, according to the “get ideal body image. According to the NaReal Barbie” Fact Sheet, at 5 feet 9 inches tional Institute of Mental Health, 20 percent tall and 110 pounds, Barbie would have a of American women suffer from an eating BMI (body mass index) of 16.24, which is disorder. A similar study estimates that as considered severely underweight. Because many as 19 percent of college-aged women of her ridiculous proportions, 39 inch suffer from bulimia, anorexia or bust, 18 inch waist, 33 inch thighs both. The sad fact is that most and a size 3 shoes, if Barbie was The standard of those suffering from such a real woman, she wouldn’t be of beauty in eating disorders are already able to walk upright. Note that American underweight, some dangerthe target market for Barbie culture for is ously so. doll sales are girls ages three to While I advocate selfunrealistic and 12, and two dolls are sold every improvement, I believe that unattainable. second, somewhere in the world. it is more important to look However, Barbie isn’t the sole in the mirror and like what you culprit shaping our attitudes on the see. Although there is always room for perfect figure. The National Institute on improvements, strive to become healthier Media & the Family cites research supportinstead of trying to look like the toucheding “the schematic association of attractiveup, airbrushed images we see in magazines. ness and thinness with goodness was present I also encourage my female readers to in over 100 female characters appearing in not be intimidated by the Barbies we all 23 Walt Disney animated films produced encounter at parties and clubs because we over a 60-year period.” are all beautiful, in spite of what our culture At 5 feet 11 inches tall and 117 pounds, portrays. today’s American supermodel is the closest thing to a real-life Barbie. However, Camaryn Bolton is a sophomore performance at 5 feet 4 inches tall and 140 pounds, the studies major and is special to The Battalion. average American woman is nowhere near

Tomorrow: G.I. Joe and the average Joe While women’s body issues are often discussed, men tend to hide the pressure placed on them by American culture.

Osazuwa Okundaye — THE BATTALION

The end of a taco tradition

I

’m writing this today from the height of moral outrage. That’s right, one of our most hallowed Aggie traditions is being thrown away without any regard for the students and faculty that have grown to love it. I am speaking, of course, about the recent renovations at Taco Cabana.

Back in my day, there were only two reasons to go to Taco Cabana. Either you were drunk, but the bars had closed so you needed somewhere else to shout lewd comments at wait staff and drool on yourself, or you were a starving misanthropic insomniac like me and went to get seven pounds of food for 50 cents and remind yourself why you hated the human race. Ah the glory days, apparently that time has passed, as far as Taco Cabana is concerned.

I returned to Taco C for the first time this semester about two weeks ago. It was unrecognizable. There was fresh paint and new stainless steel light fixtures. There were polished wood tables and chairs with all four legs. It was so clean that when I dropped a piece of fajita meat, I actually picked it up off the table and ate it.

There was an incredibly intoxicated frat boy in the other corner, looking equally confused. He glanced around, at a loss for words. “[Area of the male anatomy],” he shouted

Pg 7-02.16.10.indd 1

James Cavin several times, trying to regain the atmosphere of last semester’s 2 a.m.

Taco Cabana. He seemed to sense his time was over. “[Area of the male anatomy]” he said mournfully and stumbled out the door.

I left in a daze and immediately phoned my former roommate and fellow Taco Cabana connoisseur Steven who lives in England.

“Steven,” I gasped. “I have something terrible to tell you about Taco Cabana.”

“Wow. I’ve been craving Taco Cabana food so much. Last night someone gave me an ‘omelet’ that was just burnt eggs and whole hotdogs!”

“No, it’s terrible! They’ve...remodeled. It’s all...clean. It’s like a nice restaurant!”

“What? No! Did you at least fill your water glass full of salsa from the salsa bar to take home like we always do?” he asked.

“I ... I forgot. I was just too shocked...”

“Give it two weeks ... the drunk people will have it back in shape in no time.”

Well I gave it two weeks. Not only had things not improved, they had gotten infinitely worse! I ordered my food, and they gave a little flag with a number. It said: “Host’s tip: Don’t leave a tip” (I remember when the host’s tip was “dance on the tables at your own risk.”) Within 30 seconds a

James Cavin — THE BATTALION

beaming staff member appeared with table is clean, it’s your job to enjoy the my Cabana bowl. “Howdy!” she said, food. fixing me with one of those blindingly Me: Will you marry me? cheery smiles that only the terminally Waitress: Sorry, what? happy can make “My name’s Beth, I’ll Me: I said, “I’ll have a beef burbe waiting your table.” What follows rito.” is, I swear by my own grave, a perfect I couldn’t go 30 seconds without transcript of what happened. one of the staff materializing at my Me: This isn’t how this works. See, elbow, asking if I needed anything. you’re supposed call out “numBefore I could even finish a ber mnfftyer” really irritably glass of water, staff would through a microphone. be there, pouring me a Taco Cabana And then I sneak up new drink, bringing me has done the and steal it while all the salsa refills, offering me unthinkable: drunks are busy trying desert. I didn’t want to remodeled to read their receipt get up and go to the standards. numbers upside down. restroom to wash my Waitress: I’m sorry, hands because I was afraid but I’m physically incasomeone would rush to my pable of being irritable. Oh, table with a portable sink and and don’t worry about cleaning up fresh hand-towels. the table. It’s my job to make sure the “Wow,” I whispered to myself

as Beth materialized with fresh limes from the salsa bar. “It’s like they can read my mind.”

“Yes, I have a boyfriend.”

“Gah!” It was, in all seriousness, the friendliest, most attentive service I’ve ever had at any restaurant ever. What the heck happened, Taco Cabana? Is this really the right direction? What about tradition? I remember when the slogan was Taco Cabana: not just a place to throw up. I remember a time when I could eat for free because I would just walk up and take orders that belonged to people who were too busy vomiting on the potted plants to notice.

I demand a return to the way things were! In the meantime, I may just have to start eating at Wal-mart.

James Cavin is a senior English major.

2/15/10 8:34 PM

news

page 8 tuesday 2.16.2010

thebattalion

Johnson Continued from page 1

I was, watching that baby fighting and moving away from that probe and watching the baby lose that fight.”

Johnson had planned to seek employment with a private physician in Bryan. However, after she resigned, Planned Parenthood requested a restraining order against her and the Coalition for Life, an anti-abortion group in Bryan that Johnson had become associated with.

“The purpose of the restraining order was to keep her from divulging patient information,” Rochelle Tafolla, regional Planned Parenthood spokeswoman, said ,”to keep her from putting our staff, clients and property at risk ... There had been discussions of Abby making claims that something big was going to happen at the end of 40 Days for Life, and we were worried for our staff and clients.”

The temporary restraining order was granted, and the clinic sent out a statement to local news outlets. After an interview on KBTX, the story quickly went national. Johnson appeared on Fox News and conservative talk radio shows and began speaking at anti-abortion events. Newspapers and magazines published articles about Johnson, and she received so many requests for interviews she couldn’t fulfill them all.

One request she did honor was that of Nate Blakeslee, a writer for Texas Monthly. The story he wrote raised questions about Johnson’s credibility.

“He didn’t believe my story from the moment he walked in,” Johnson said.

Blakeslee obtained a copy of a required state reporting form Planned Parenthood submitted on Sept. 26, the date Johnson said she saw the abortion.

According to that form, no ultrasound-guided abortions were performed that day.

Though she had filled out many state reporting forms in her tenure as director, Johnson said she had never seen a form like the one sent

by Blakeslee.

“If that form had been filled out on that date I would have filled it out,” Johnson said. “I had been the director there for two years. Don’t you think I would have known what that form was?”

Johnson said the form was a fake, a lastditch effort by Planned Parenthood to discredit her story.

“If they had this information, they would

Africana Continued from page 1

afford dable living ose to campus clo

enrolled, the program offers students an advantage in the workforce and when applying to graduate or professional schools, Brown said.

“By minoring in Africana Studies students learn new perspectives and a respect for differences that will enable them to develop the cultural competency needed to successfully compete in the workforce,” Brown said.

The Africana Studies Program uses various fields of education to promote what is referred to as the “African Diaspora.”

“First of all, the term African Diaspora refers to people of African descendents living outside the African continent,” Alain Lawo-Sukam, assistant professor of Africana and Hispanic studies, said . “People of African ancestry are found in almost every corner of the earth, and they take their cultures and ideas with them. In order to understand the full meaning of the African Diaspora, the program offer courses that are interdisciplinary. They encompass several differ-

have come out with it when they tried to take me to court,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the document in question was not the state-authorized form. However, the form Planned Parenthood uses is submitted electronically, Tafolla said, and so does not look like the typical state form.

“I think the whole idea that we would falsify the form that we would send to the state is outrageous,” Tafolla said.

Tafolla said the patient information in the document was coded such that patient privacy was protected.

“I can’t believe they’re sending patient information to a magazine,” Johnson said.

“That’s ridiculous.”

Despite the disagreements, certain aspects of the case remain undisputed. Johnson had been a model employee, and her resignation was unexpected.

“The resignation itself was surprising, and certainly her decision to begin working with the Coalition and saying some outrageous things about Planned Parenthood was extremely surprising,” Tafolla said.

In 2008, Johnson had been named Planned Parenthood’s Employee of the Year in the southeast Texas region. At the time, it was a crowning achievement for Johnson, who had begun volunteering at the organization while completing her undergraduate degree in psychology at Texas A&M University.

“I believed that abortion was something that was necessary. Now I don’t feel that way,” Johnson said. “It’s an issue about human rights.”

Her newfound conviction took a toll on her finances, she said.

“It was scary to leave that second income,” Johnson said. “We certainly didn’t leave for financial gain.”

Shawn Carney, outgoing executive director of the Coalition for Life, said Johnson is only a volunteer for the Coalition and has not received any money from the organization.

“If she’s doing this for money, it’s a very bad financial decision,” Carney said. “She had a change of heart on abortion, and so many people refuse to accept that. That’s the only thing that explains this situation.”

The change hasn’t been easy. Johnson said she still prays every day for the aborted fetus and for the woman whose abortion she witnessed.

Still, Johnson said the work she does makes her feel at peace.

“I know that I’m fighting for something that’s worthwhile,” she said. ent fields of study such as anthropology, sociology, philosophy, communication, literature, performance, history and political sciences.”

The African Studies Program has helped students to develop into global citizens with a positive outlook of the world, said Jonathan Luu, sophomore sociology major enrolled in the Africana studies minor.

“The program provided me with a different perspective of the world, the human perspective,” Luu said. “It really gave me understanding of social reality. It gives you the perspective of where the world needs to be and empowers you to do something. Once you leave the program, you won’t look at the world the same way.”

The success of the program has led the Africana Studies Program to develop a Study Abroad experience in the country of Ghana that will take place during the summer of 2010. Ghana is a country rich in the history and culture of the African Diaspora. The study will be led by Africana and performance studies professor David Donkor and history professor Larry Yarak.

Campout Continued from page 1

team’s chances and recognized the importance of the showdown.

“The Aggies are playing really well right now and so we actually have a chance to beat the number one team in the nation,” said Chris Shepperd, an agricultural communication and journalism graduate student. “We have never lost a game when there were 13,000 people in the stands at home.”

The Aggies were coming off a four-game winning streak and 16-game winning streak at Reed. The Jayhawks are now 11-0 in Big 12 Conference play and have not lost a game since Jan. 10.

“All the students are coming out to support a team doing really well right now,” said Cody Lillich, senior agricultural communication and journalism major. “It is nice to see everybody

all Live with it

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J.D. Swiger— THE BATTALION

In the last minutes of the game, the Aggies lose the lead and students dread the worst. come out and have the Aggie spirit.”

Matt Reynolds, freshman business major, said even though he thought the Aggies would start slow, they would pull it out in the end. Other fans had their own thoughts about the game.

“Aggies win,” Lillich said. “It will be a close win though; I say by three points.”

Unfortunately, it didn’t end that way.

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2/16/10 12:12 AM