thebattalion
news for you texas Map shows need for Internet The Texas Department of Agriculture unveiled its first map detailing high-speed Internet access around the state Wednesday, hoping it will be a boost for unserved rural areas. Commissioner Todd Staples said 96 percent of Texas households have high-speed, or broadband, Internet access, but that doesn’t mean much to the roughly 250,000 homes without it.
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opinion
Sending off
soccer
Five reasons Americans are giving the World Cup a red card
A
s the World Cup wraps up its first week, more Americans have found themselves wondering about American football than watching the footIan McPhail, senior ball tournament that is curhistory major rently going on. Although this month is filled with the finest soccer seen in four years, fans of the game will constantly be explaining the rules to less than interested friends, who are only waiting for Sportscenter to recap Game 6 of the NBA finals. For soccer fans — myself included — inclined to drag dissenters kicking and screaming into the World Cup, there are five legitimate complaints our fellow Americans have about soccer.
Border agents arrest driver Border agents found 48 illegal immigrants in the back of a tractor trailer during a routine stop at a checkpoint in south Texas. The trailer was refrigerated, according to the driver’s attorney. The driver, Wayne West of Balch Springs, was charged with transporting illegal immigrants and is scheduled for a detention hearing Friday.
lowest gas price
Jorge Montalvo — THE BATTALION
see story on page 5
$2.52 H-E-B at 1900 Texas Ave. S. and Holleman Drive. www.texasgasprices.com
nation &world Apple hits glitches with new iPhone Apple and AT&T were hit with two major problems when they started taking orders for the coming iPhone model Tuesday: Buyers reported problems getting orders registered and an apparent glitch in AT&T’s Web site was depositing AT&T customers into strangers’ accounts.
South Africa observes Youth Day Amid World Cup fervor, South Africa observed a bittersweet holiday Wednesday, known as Youth Day, in rememberance of Soweto students whose 1976 protest ignited a bloody and pivotal phase of the anti-apartheid struggle. In Soweto, scores of people gathered at sunrise, in below-freezing temperatures, to commemorate those killed in the June 16 uprising 34 years earlier. Staff and wire reports
campus
careers
Professor receives educator award
Recent graduate participates in The One Week Job Project
philosophy, a description detailing the candidate’s creative Special to The Battalion Kathy Smith, professor of teaching methods and supportmarketing in Mays Business ing evidence of the candidate’s School, received the Out- stature as an outstanding teachstanding Educator Award giv- er, which can include faculty, en by the Academy of Educa- peer and teacher evaluations. “I have known Kathy for a tional Leadership. She learned long time. She is a very good she was the winner at the Inteacher,” Kratchman said. “In ternational Conference of the Allied Academies in April in my opinion, she is very knowledgeable. She knows what is New Orleans. “The conference includes going on in the world, and she a banquet at which the orga- is really good in the classroom nization hands out awards for and really easygoing and fun to talk to.” research and teaching,” Students who Smith said. “Mine have taken a marwas the last award keting class with given, and I was toSmith agree. tally surprised when “Dr. Smith has my name was called. been one of my faBy chance, I was sitting at a table with It is different when vorite professors at A&M,” said Samana marketing profes- you do a lot of tha Ringmacher, sor whom I’d had teamwork in class class of 2010. “It is as a student — he is nearing retirement. I versus just sitting. hard to find a profesKathy Smith, sor that cares more had the opportunity professor of about her students to thank him for bemarketing and is clearly excited ing an example of a to come to class evgood teacher.” ery day. Each day of Receiving the presentations the class votes on Outstanding Educator Award what group had the best prewas an unexpected surprise, thanks to a nomination by one sentation and the winner gets a of her colleagues and close wrist band saying, ‘Dr. Smith’s Presentation Day Winner.’ I friends. “I could not think of any- have two. She promotes crebody else more suited for it,” ativity while using business apsaid Stanley Kratchman, pro- plications. Every day we were fessor of accounting in May’s greeted with a big smile.” The professor said she tries Business School. “Murphy [Kathy’s husband] first made to engage students by giving me aware of the award, and we them team activities to keep talked about it. The first thing I them attentive while giving thought of was that it was per- them the opportunity exercise the material and getting to fectly well-suited for Kathy.” To be considered a candi- know one another. “I have a lot of participadate for the award, applicants tion,” Smith said. “I will give must submit a curriculum vitae, a two-page statement re- them a problem and they will garding his or her teaching
Gayle Gabriel
See Smith on page 6
pg. 1-06.17.10.indd 1
Caroline Ward Special to The Battalion Michelle Attah, class of 2010, has decided to try an unorthodox way of entering the work force after earning her degree in psychology. Attah said she is not sure how she wants to spend the rest of her life, which is why she has chosen to follow a program created by Sean Aiken, Capilano College graduate, called The One Week Job Project. “I don’t believe in the word ‘job,’” Attah said. “As long as it’s something that brings joy to myself and others. That’s all I care about.” Aiken found himself in the same situation, but instead of accepting the first job that was offered to him, this class valedictorian found 52 jobs. For one year (between February 2007 and March 2008), Sean worked one job per week, donating his earnings to charity and keeping expenses to a minimum. Aiken worked an entire spectrum of jobs, including tour guide for an aquarium, mayor, mascot, firefighter, preschool teacher, fashion trader, stock buyer, bungee operator and many more. He wrote a book called The One Week Job Project and started a program for college graduates who find themselves searching for a passion. Sean hopes to someday turn the program into a curriculum. From this program, Attah said she will one day find her passion.
Courtesy photo
Michelle Atta, class of 2010, will try out a different job each week. “I have a passion for passion,” Attah said. “You should be living not just to exist.” Casey Beck, friend of Attah, said Attah challenges her friends by learning their passions in life and holding them accountable to pursue them. See Attah on page 6
information technology
Business students win competition In May, CA Technologies, an information technology and solutions company, announced the winners of the second International Case Competition on the Strategic Value of Information Technology Management at their users’ conference. Bedanta Talukdar, Bethany Lipton and Ankit Jagwani, a team of Texas A&M graduate students, received second place. “We utilized personal experience and leveraged each team member’s skills to address the issues outline in the case,” said Lipton, a graduate student in management information systems. “We put in many long hours and even participated
in a practice competition just to integrate a new team member.” The team had extensive support from the Mays Business School, said Talukdar, who received his master’s in industrial engineering in May. The competition united students from business and information technology disciplines to demonstrate and evaluate the strategic value of IT management for an organization. There were 12 finalists who participated in the competition. The first place winners originated from the Copenhagen Business School. Patrique Ludan, staff writer
6/16/10 8:31 PM
Junteenth celebration
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Y L L U F PED P I U EQ
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The Lincoln Recreation Center will have its annual historic celebration of independence for African- Americans. The Freedom Walk begins at 9 a.m., the carnival from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and the Jam session from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Texas Reds Steak & Grape Festival
Spend the weekend walking through historic downtown Bryan, eating steak, and drinking wine. Numerous wine exhibitions will be available. Live music performances will feature Kevin Fowler. The festival will be from noon Friday to midnight Saturday in downtown Bryan.
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 at editor@thebatt.com.
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Today 20% chance of thunderstorms High: 95 | Low: 75 courtesy of NOAA
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how toapply
Japanese anime film screening
3
University Summer Performance Series
The Japanese Animation Appreciation Club (Aggime) will have an anime film screening from 7 to 10 p.m. every Friday in Room 414 of the Langford Architecture Center, Building C. Everyone is welcome.
The Texas Music Festival artist faculty dazzles with brilliant solo works. The University Summer Performance Series called Virtuoso Vehicles will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. Tickets can be purchased through the MSC box office.
Friday mostly sunny high: 95 low: 75 Saturday mostly sunny high: 96 low: 73 Sunday mostly sunny high: 96 low: 73
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news for you texas Fire spreads on Fort Bliss range
Biological Sciences Building
EL PASO, Texas — A fire that began during a training exercise at Fort Bliss has consumed 1,500 acres and will likely continue to grow as firefighters wait for it to move past areas of unexploded ordinance. The fire began on the northwest corner of the Dona Ana Range on Monday, and it continues to spread as firefighters attack the blaze with air tankers and helicopters. Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Loretta Benavidez said Wednesday that firefighters can’t fight the flames on the ground because of rugged
Correct responses: Phil Dorsett, class of 2004 Alex Coleman, senior environmental design major
terrain and the explosion risk.
40 immigrants found in Houston home
Kevin Bennett, senior economics major Krystyn Haecker, class of 2010 Matt Young — THE BATTALION
Bryan police’s 10 most wanted
Technology Nintendo introduces 3DS
Jose A. Aguillon, 29
Marco Agundiz, 26
He is wanted for aggravated assault with a weapon.
He is wanted for aggravated assault with a weapon.
Jose Vincent Castillo, 19 Diaz, 19 He is wanted for aggravated assault with a weapon; organized criminal activity.
He is wanted for burglary of a habitation; assault by contact
Luis Felipe Gutierrez, 30 He is wanted for sexual assault of a child.
4
LOS ANGELES — You won’t need special glasses to play games in 3-D on Nintendo’s newest handheld device, but don’t expect the technology to hit big-screen TVs anytime soon. The 3DS, as the Japanese video game maker’s upcoming gadget is called, uses a technology that’s specially suited to
a handheld device. It’s a “parallax barrier” LCD screen, whose pixels are aligned so your left and right eyes see different portions of the image. It’s as if two sets of thin blinds were laid over the screen so each eye sees its own version. Combined in the brain, the two versions become a 3-D image, explained Satoru Iwata, president and CEO of Nintendo Co.
HOUSTON — Forty people have been taken into custody after they were found in a small ranch-style Houston house. Officers are investigating whether they are illegal immigrants. Police raided the home Wednesday morning after getting a tip about gang-related violence, although officers discovered no violence. A spokesman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the people are from China, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. It is the second time this week that Houston officials are investigating an immigration-related case involving significant numbers.
nation&world
BP burns oil from leaking ruptured well Cesar Huerta, 19 He is wanted for burglary of habitation.
Broderick Arthur Lee Pedro Odell Mooring Pedraza, 24 Jackson, 20 Jr., 39 He is wanted for He is wanted He is wanted tampering with for burglary of for aggravated government a habitation assault with a documents and two times. weapon. has several aliases.
Christopher Ballard Wilson, 31 He is wanted for criminal trespass of habitation.
The general public should never attempt to capture, arrest or detain the wanted individual show above. As of 12:21 p.m June 1, the warrant status of the information shown above was verified but may no longer be current by the time it is read. Law enforcement officers must verify the status of each warrant prior to making an arrest. If you have information on the location of any of the wanted individuals shown above, contact the Bryan police department at 979-361-3888,or the Brazos County Crime Stoppers, 24 hours a day, by calling 979-775-TIPS (8477), sending a web tip at www.crime-net.org or sending a text to CRIMES(274637) (always start message with TIPBCS).
Limewire faces copyright suit against recording companies LOS ANGELES — On the heels of a major court win by the recording companies against file-sharing software company LimeWire, eight major music publishers said they filed their own suit on Wednesday. The publishers are seeking relief and damages from LimeWire for facilitating copyright infringement. Publishers are paid royalties for songwriters, while recording companies work with the artists who perform the songs. Several of the publishers, including EMI Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music Inc., are owned by the parents of the recording companies that won.
New Mac mini introduced
Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc.
NEW YORK — The smallest sibling of the Mac family just graduated. Little brother has some new smarts and a sharp new suit. Apple Inc. released a new mini on Tuesday, and it’s the biggest redesign of the product since it was launched in 2005. It adds some much-needed features and a less-than-necessary, but very appealing, design flouris
NEW ORLEANS — BP began burning oil siphoned from a ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday as part of its plans to more than triple the amount of crude it can stop from reaching the sea, the company said. BP said oil and gas siphoned from the well first reached a semisubmersible drilling rig on the surface of the Gulf around 1 a.m. Once that gas reaches the rig, it will be mixed with compressed air, shot down a specialized boom made by Schlumberger Ltd. and ignited at sea. It’s the first time this particular burner has been deployed in the Gulf of Mexico. BP officials previously said they believed the burner system could incinerate anywhere from 210,000 gallons of oil to 420,000 gallons of oil daily once it’s fully operational. Staff and wire reports
Associated Press
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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 offices 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 classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and office 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.
MARBLE SLAB C RE A M E RY ! ® pg. 2-06.17.10.indd 1
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b!
things you should know
5 before you go 1
Father’s Day
Don’t forget about your father on Sunday. Show him some appreciation. Give the ol’ man a call, a card or a gift. Heck, give the man all three. He deserves it.
2
Lake Bryan
Located off of 2818, Lake Bryan has multitudes of things for students to do. There are water activities, volleyball courts, grills and The Lakeside Icehouse and Grill featuring live music.
3
Deadline to drop
June 21 is the last day for students to drop courses without a penalty for the first term(Q-drop). It is also the last day to change your kinesiology grade type.
4
Brunch for Dads
There will be a special jazz brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Messina Hof Winery in honor of Father’s Day. Bring your parents out and celebrate the holiday.
5
Blue Bell
Located outside of College Station is Brenham, home of Blue Bell Creameries. They offer tours from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
thebattalion 06.17.2010 page3
A smashing good time
Texas Reds Festival in Downtown Bryan provides patrons with food, events and live music By Rebecca Bennett | The Battalion
I
t can be easy to dismiss Bryan-College Station as a typical college town, but the annual Texas Reds Steak and Wine Festival creates a weekend-long celebration of the area’s humble agricultural roots.
Courtesy photo
The grape stomp is one of many events that will be held at the Texas Reds Festival this weekend in Downtown Bryan.
‘The A-Team’ a perfect summer flick
I
f there was one lasting, poignant moment in “The A-Team” that might come close to conveying some underlying concept behind the over-the-top and immensely entertaining action running rampant throughout the movie, it might be, Liam Neeson, as Hannibal Smith, proclaiming “overkill is underrated.” You won’t find any Oscar nominations here — except maybe one for “Most Creative Jail Escape” —, but declaring “The A-Team” a bad movie isn’t really suitable. In fact, you’ll have a hard time finding a better mindless summer action flick. Do yourself a favor and walk into the cinema with very low expectations, just as I did. You’ll walk out smiling, feeling like you just discovered that the one dollar bill in your back pocket is actually a Benjamin, or that your blind date on Friday with “Jessica” just so happens to have the last name of “Biel.”
While I’m on the topic, one of Double agents, estranged soldiers the more impressing parts of this of fortune, secret government film was the casting. Neeson is conspiracies and a couple of the epitome of cool, a clone of obvious twists are the main Mr. T might have done a worse features in a plot that could job than Quentin “Rampage” have been written by a ten year Jackson filling in for the most old G.I. Joe enthusiast. But memorable character from the not an adolescent fan of the Grant television series, Sharlto Copley new movie; you won’t find Nunneley added the perfect amount of any of the cheesy CGI action senior english sequences that “The Rise of the comedic spice, Jessica Biel had major, special to Cobra” or any Michael Bay my undivided attention in evThe Battalion ery scene and Bradley Cooper productions seem to rely on in did a wonderful job of staying “The A-Team.” out of the way. It’s weird to claim, but In all seriousness, every actor was the action sequences in “The A-Team” convincing in his or her role. Apart from – keeping in style with the television a couple of poorly delivered cliché lines, series – are truly witty. Actually, they the acting is solid enough for even critical might even be smart. It’s easy to get lost movie-goers. Unlike the surprising casting in the ridiculousness of some of the more of “The A-Team,” nothing unpredictable See Action on page 4 arises during the unfolding of its plot.
This Friday and Saturday, visitors can eat and drink while experiencing a variety of live musical performances. “The city wanted to highlight the agriculture of the area in a special way,” said Gwynne Shillings, special events marketing coordinator for the City of Bryan Parks and Recreation. “With the bluebonnet trail building in popularity, Messina Hof in our backyard and the multitude of ranching in the area, we thought it would be a great fit.” The festival places emphasis on the cattle and wine industries of the Brazos Valley with special events such as a grape stomp and team steak cook-off. April Saginor, director of communications for the City of Bryan, said all wines to be sold by vendors are the product of Texas wineries. “We were trying to think of something unique,” she said. “Grapevine has a wine festival, and we looked at how they do theirs. We wanted something that would be popular for families and college students and even people from out of town.” In addition to wine samples and steak or hamburger plates, vendors will be selling other food, crafts, jewelry and art. Some of the downtown’s businesses will also have special events. Any younger siblings that have tagged along for Father’s Day weekend can enjoy games, storytelling and kid-friendly entertainment in the festival’s Kid Zone. “It’s just a great time,” Saginor said. “It has the feel of an old town square with everyone walking around in a good mood.” As for the four-barrel grape stomp in front of Main Street’s historic Carnegie Library, anyone can participate for a small fee with a partner and compete
against another duo. “I hear it gets pretty sticky,” Saginor said. However, it is stickiness with a good cause — all proceeds benefit the Texas Reds 4-H Scholarship program. Spectators who would prefer to keep their feet clean can play the role of supportive spectators at the Grand Champion Stomp-Off, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday. While the grape-stomp draws a large crowd each year, Saginor said she thinks Saturday night’s Kevin Fowler concert on the main stage is going to be the biggest draw. “Typically, you have the wine-mongers that walk around early in the day, but once it gets hot, they go back to their hotel room,” she said. “The college crowd comes out at night, and wine sales continue until 10:30 p.m.” Fowler, a Texas country singer whose recent single “Pound Sign (#?*!)” made a strong debut on the top country charts, said he performs a few times every year at Texas Hall of Fame, but that it would be his first appearance at the Reds Festival. “The fans in that area are rabid, diehard fans. Especially the Aggies love the Texas music,” Fowler said. “Coming to College Station, it is all about the fans. They’re so enthusiastic. They like to have a good time.” Shillings said when the event planners choose their headliner, they try to keep students in mind, and she hopes Fowler will entice college students to attend. “Everybody’s different in Texas country. Anything goes,” Fowler said. “My music is Texas country with a bad attitude. It’s all about having See Reds on page 4
w/ Emory Quinn ALL TICKETS $10 IN ADVANCE AT CAVENDER’S, THE HALL AND ONLINE, OR $12 AT THE DOOR
$5 MINIMUM DONATION AT THE DOOR ALL PROCEEDS GO TO NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE FOUNDATION Live Music by: Shawn Jennings & Southern Roots Band
pg. 3-06.17.10.indd 1
6/16/10 7:09 PM
news
page 4 thursday 6.17.2010
thebattalion
Reds Continued from page 3
a good time, drinking a cold beer and forgetting about all your worries.” The country artist is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. and said he will perform both old favorites and new songs from his upcoming record, due out on Oct. 5. Other musical acts at the festival include the Tejas Brothers, Texas Twisters and Rockafellas. Performances will be at the main stage and Palace Theatre stage; all have free admission. Regardless of whether people come to listen to music, sample a truly Texan meal or enjoy time with friends, Saginor said she hopes the event gives downtown Bryan a chance to show off of their great businesses and restaurants, enticing visitors to come back another time. “What I look forward to each year with the event is to see the large diversity of patrons enjoying themselves at an event,” Shilling said. “It is a year-long project with all city departments involved, and it makes us very proud and pleased to be able to give our citizens, as well as visitors, a festival they can enjoy and look forward to each year.”
Courtesy photo
Action Continued from page 3
Courtesy photo
Country music sensation Kevin Fowler will perform at the festival Saturday at 9 p.m.
involved action scenes, but if you remove yourself a bit from the movie itself, you’ll realize that “The A-Team” does have a few redeeming cinematic qualities. If you’re looking for a fun time at a summer movie, or if you thought “Iron
Man 2” didn’t really deliver, be sure to buy a ticket to “The A-Team”. The people behind the scenes of this movie set out with one thing in mind – to film a quality summer action flick. And they did exactly that. Even those waiting for more of an Oscar-worthy cinematic experience like “Inception” might find themselves impressed with this movie’s creative and complex action sequences. I guarantee you’ll have a good time.
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4/2 Country home, all appliances. $1500/mo. Available now, 979-229-6326. See photos and info at www.texagrentals.com 4/2/2 off Dominik. Updated house, tile, carpet, with W/D, pets allowed. $1600/mo. Tia 979-739-1160. Available August.
COLLEGE STATION: MANY HOMES TO CHOOSE FROM 2br, 3br, & 4br! Wolf Pen Area!! Pets welcome! 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com
FOR RENT 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
Household cleaning, ironing, organizing help needed. Minimum 6/week $10/hr. Heavy detailed cleaning inside and out, year-round commitment necessary, begin work immediately. Fax info to 979-690-8075.
4bd/2ba house, covered and garage parking, tile and hardwood floors, less than 1mile from campus, www.santinos.com
J. Cody’s Hiring kitchen and meat table help. Apply within, 3610 S. College. No experience necessary just common sense!
4bd/2ba. House! 2 open rooms for girl or guy. Fenced yard, W/D, $400/mo. +1/4bills. Available Summer and Fall. 361-463-6763 or 361-463-1726.
SUMMER WORK, Great Pay, immediate FT/PT openings, customer sales/svc, no experience necessary, conditions apply, all ages 17+, 979-260-4555.
4bdrm/2bth house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com
The Callaway House, a private student housing residence hall, is accepting applications for P/T Night Desk. Apply in person at: 301 George Bush Drive West. EOE.
Clean 3/2 available August. Rock Prairie area. 3703 Marielene, W/D, refrigerator, lawn-service provided. 979-450-5666.
Various duties from watering plants to driving tractor at our country home. Thursday or Friday and Saturday or Sunday. Minimum 4-6 hrs/wk, $8/hr. Respond to llgstar@aol.com put your name and number in subject line, include two references.
Cottage Holik C.S. 2bd/1ba, 1000 sqft., W/D, balcony, wooded. Private drive. Quiet. $650/month . 979-777-2472. CS 1.3 miles from campus. 4bd/3bth house, new tile and paint, fenced yard. $1600/mo. 1401 Lawyer. 979-219-6108. Duplex near campus. 2bd/2ba. W/D. No backyard. 307 Spruce. $695/month. Call 254-760-8242. Duplexes near campus. 2 and 3/bedrooms and 2bd/2ba. in country. 979-229-3420.
BRYAN: 3/3 AMAZING HOUSE! WOOD FLOORS, COMPLETE RENOVATION! NEW EVERYTHING! A MUST SEE! 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com
puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com
Great 3bed/2bath house in popular area- 2431 Pintail Loop. Comes w/W&D, refrigerator, pets OK w/deposit, 2-car garage. Available in August. Call Joey at 979-218-4091. House for lease. 3/2/2, large fenced backyard, off Rock Prairie. W/D, refrigerator, fire place. $1500/mo. Available 6/1/10. 281-342-6969, gary@garygillen.com Immaculate 3bd/2bth house. 812 Blanco, in Bryan off 2818. Updated. Fireplace, fenced. No pets. No HUD. $895/month. Available August. 254-289-0585 or 254-289-8200.
BRYAN: MIDTOWN TERRACE- 1710 Echols, AVAIL for Aug Pre-Lease!! 2/2 duplexes w/NEW EVERYTHING - new WOOD FLOORS, new CABINETS, awesome floor plan!! 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com
BRYAN: CHARMING 2/1 DUplexes, WOOD FLOORS, privacy fenced COMMON AREA. AVAIL JUNE. $525-$545/ mo. 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com
Master bedroom in nice mobile home with private bath and closet, $450, Central-air/ht, internet, cable, everything included. 210-364-7006. New construction. 4br homes, rent entire house or by the room, 1950SF, washer/dryer, individual leases, fenced, $425/room 979-776-5079. www.tricaprealty.com Walk to Kyle Field! 1-2bd house, pre-leasing for August 1st. $600/mo. 963-545-6044.
FOR SALE Ag Discount! 4bd/3ba brick 2100sqft house. New flooring, new applicances, on tree lot. $213,000. 979-595-5050, 979-690-1126. tlturner72@yahoo.com, nancy.turner@avon.com
HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.
Pg. 4-06-17-10.indd 1
HELP WANTED
MUSIC Party Block Mobile DJ- Peter Block, professional 22yrs experience. Specializing in Weddings, TAMU functions, lights/smoke. Mobile to anywhere. Book early!! 979-693-6294. http://www.partyblockdj.com
PETS Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org
ROOMMATES 1 roomate needed. Spacious 2 story townhouse in Canyon Creek. Fully furnished. 4/2.5 $400/mo. +1/4 utilities. 713-823-9340. 1-female roommate needed for fall 2010. Private bath, wi-fi, w/d, $500/mo. +utilities. For more info call 409-748-0400. FOR RENT: FEMALES ONLY- One bedroom available in three bedroom apartment at Woodlands of College Station. $615/month bills paid. Call 713-576-8220. One female roommate needed. 4bd/4ba townhome in Waterwood. $565/mo. Utilities included in rent. W/D, cable included. 214-263-2555. Roommate needed. 1-block from campus. All amenities. 979-846-3376. Roommate needed. 1-block from campus. All amenities. 979-846-3376. Roommates needed, 4bd/2bath house, available June 1st, clean, good condition, on-shuttle. Free cable/Wi-Fi. $350-400/mo. 512-203-5888. Roommates needed. 4bd/4bth $325/mo., washer/dryer. University Place on Southwest Parkway. 281-844-2090.
SERVICES A&M Alterations, professional clothes alteration same-day service, 30-years experience, guaranteed lowest prices, 3601 East 29th, #12, in Bryan, 979-260-2400.
6/16/10 7:07 PM
On thebatt.com Politics as usual: Episode II: Attack of the Podcast
‘ voices
Tune in to hear Richard Creecy, Ian McPhail and of course, James Cavin discuss current events.
thebattalion 06.17.2010
Caging criticism
page5
EDITORIALBOARD
The Battalion’s editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor in chief having final responsibility. Editor in Chief Vicky Flores editor@thebatt.com
Managing Editor Megan Ryan battcopy@thebatt.com Opinion Editor Ian McPhail opinion@thebatt.com
EDITORIAL
Deciding how to die
U
tah death row inmate, Ronnie Lee Gardner, is set to be executed Friday by firing squad. Gardner will be the third person in the last 33 years to be executed in the United States by this method of execution. Although lethal injection is now Utah’s default method of execution, inmates sentenced before 2004 have the choice between firing squad and lethal injection. Gardner made his decision when he said, “I would like the firing squad, please.” Upon hearing about this issue, I initially wondered if death row inmates should be allowed to choose how they will die. Setting aside the death penalty argument in itself, inmates should be given the choice. Not just those convicted before 2004, but all inmates. If we are to strip away every right from them, even the right to live, we should allow them to choose Death row how they will go. Not only is our inmates society deciding who should be should live or die, but allowed we also decide exactly to choose when and how they how their will die. I know that sentence is these felons come in the carried out. most horrific forms, but
Courtesy photo
Lucky, a 50-year-old female Asian elephant, enjoys a tasty treat at the San Antonio Zoo.
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ost of us grew up loving zoos. From monkeys to lions to snakes and bears, there are enough zoo animals to satisfy almost any child’s idea of the coolest animal. Going to the zoo today though comes with the chance of running into an animal rights protest from groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) or In Defense of Animals (IDA). It is somewhat frustrating and counterproductive that they have set their sights on zoos, when zoos provide excellent opportunities for education and conservation through their work.
PETA has a list of complaints about zoos Before the arrival of Boo, anranging from low investment in animal care, low other aging elephant, Lucky educational value and little investment in conserhad 8 keepers who went vation. With a very cursory glance, they seem to above and beyond in their raise some valid issues. The reality, however, is work, shattering claims of that their complaints are founded on incomplete psychological suffering. A and incorrect information. A document of their similar story occurred at Matthew stance on zoos is readily available at Peta.org. the Dallas Zoo recently. The latest fuss in the area has been about lonely PETA claims that zoos Poarch elephants. At the San Antonio Zoo, an elephant do not raise money for senior wildlife and named Lucky spent time alone in her enclosure conservation, but rather fisheries major, due to the death of the other elephant. This upset special to the for captive breeding prothe IDA, who responded by staging protests outBattalion grams. Association of Zoos side the park and harassing visitors inside. They and Aquariums (AZA)wanted Lucky to go free to a sanctuary. accredited parks spend “They mainly stayed outside,” said Dawn 90 million dollars annually on conservation Koehler of the San Antonio Zoo, “and left [the programs that extend beyond their fences. Four inside of the park] when we asked them thousand projects in over 100 countries to.” She declined further comment on have been funded by the AZA. As for Despite the protests. protests, zoos captive breeding, PETA neglects to What they overlooked was the mention some animals are almost exencourage fact that at 50-years-old, Lucky is tinct or gone in the wild, but are being conservation. well beyond her years of being able to restored in captivity. survive outside of a zoo environment. To claim that education in zoos is miss-
ing is absurd. Citing the observation of a curator at the National Zoo, PETA states that displays do not matter and that many are inadequate or do not contain useful information. Again, this is a broad, inaccurate statement. I have personally witnessed a very successful education program at the San Antonio Zoo, which has been enjoyed by park visitors and extends to local science teachers and schools. “I would say you learn a lot at zoo, if you read the signs,” said Jake Wimberley, senior wildlife and fisheries sciences major, “You aren’t going to get anything out of it if you don’t read the signs.” Even a senior in wildlife and fisheries, who has studied birds, fish, mammals, invertebrates, and evolution for the past three years still learns a lot by going to the zoo. For the majority of people who do not get to study animals for a living, a visit to the zoo may be their only opportunity to see exotic animals up close. When these once distant animals become tangible, interest and concern for the well-being of the creatures will grow. PETA’s list of complaints goes on, each with its own applicable rebuttal, but the case against zoos just does not stand up to scrutiny. The fact that these groups would have zoos shut down is entirely contradictory to what the organization should be standing for. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums (San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth and Cameron Park are all accredited) are outstanding entities for conservation and animal education. If you haven’t been to a zoo in a long time, I urge you to go again this summer. Time and money spent are both worthwhile investments in education and in conservation.
do we really need to strip every right that they have as fellow human beings? They are going to be executed one way or another; that choice should be left up to the individual prisoner, not suits in a courtroom. Tomorrow Gardner will have paid the ultimate price for his crimes; there’s no reason not to let him die in the way of his choice. Utah and other states with the death penalty shouldn’t care how the debt to society is settled, only that it is paid in full.
MAILCALL From Tiffany McElmurry Creecy, graduate human resource development student
Finding fault with football Legitimate complaint 1: That buzzing sound isn’t a plague of locusts descending on South Africa. In many ways that would be preferable to the incessant hum of thousands of soccer fans blowing these horns constantly for both teams. These quasi-instruments drown out players and announcers, who lobbied FIFA to ban the vuvuzela. Unfortunately, the note-less horns are here to stay, prompting many fans to hit the mute button. Legitimate complaint 2: It’s ironic the announcers complain about the vuvuzela volume, as they similarly waste the air in their lungs making useless noise. ESPN seems to have a rigorous selection process, where a commentator with only a vague understanding of vowels is chosen to explain that soccer is a game played with your feet, as the average American wonders what “offsides” means and why the game doesn’t end at 90 minutes. Legitimate complaint 3: If the announcers could stop being condescending to Ameri-
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cans, they might have explained how players are punished for their various soccer crimes. The yellow card (caution) and the red card (send-off) seem based on the elementary school model of discipline, especially as the referee only sees the player who cries loudest. Soccer actors regularly make a spectacle of themselves hoping to draw a penalty, and the slightest tap by even an air molecule around an opponent causes the player to react like a gunshot victim. Medical units have rushed onto the field ready with a defibrillator as the wounded player howls in pain, only to see the injured player resume playing like nothing happened when the referee doesn’t buy it. Legitimate complaint 4: The 90-minute length of the game can be brutal for those watching the clock. Unlike American football, where only 10 minutes is spent actually playing and the rest is used for close-ups on quarterbacks looking intense and the team planning their next play, there are no pauses in the soccer action. Other
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than halftime, there are no funny commercials to give viewers a chance to get another beer or relieve their bladders. Looking away even for a moment from the monotonous passing and midfield dribbling can mean missing the only goal scored the entire game. Legitimate complaint 5: We’ll end on the low scores. In the first 16 matches, 25 goals were scored, 22 by Germany against Australia. Players like “England” goalkeeper Robert Green, an agent planted to give the U.S. a chance, are quick to blame the ball for being too much of a sphere and ruining their game. But low scores are as much a part of soccer as they were in baseball, before Mark McGwire made steroid use the league’s unofficial policy. Soccer fans have three more weeks to convince their friends the sport is worth waking up at eight in the morning to watch. In doing so, it’s best to admit and apologize for these flaws, while chanting “U-S-A!”
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pg. 5-06.17.10.indd 1
I am astounded and disgusted by the utter disrespect that Aggies have displayed on Loftin’s Facebook fan page in response to the Big 12 announcement (and I’m sure this is not the only medium in which he has received such comments). I know it must not have been an easy decision for anyone to make. No matter what decision was made, there were going to be people upset. Aggies certainly have a right to be upset with this decision and to express their frustrations, but in a respectful and classy manner. The manner in which many of these Aggies have chosen to express themselves is neither respectful nor classy, and I am shocked at some of the language used. I can only hope that Aggies remember the qualities that MAKE them Aggies - respect being one of them - and use those qualities when expressing their opinions in the future.
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6/16/10 9:14 PM
Double Quick
news
page 6 thursday 6.17.2010
thebattalion
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Attah Continued from page 1
The applicants interested in the program were required to read the book, apply for the program and upload a personal video to the website. The public viewed the videos and voted on their favorite. The three candidates with the most votes were selected to participate. Attah received the most votes and was chosen for the program. “[The video] is very representative of myself and was thrown together in a good way,” Attah said. She said because of the support of the Aggies, she received the highest number of votes, which led to her selection into the program. “I don’t believe in the word ‘job.’ As long as it’s something that brings joy to myself and others. That’s all I care about.” Michelle Attah, class of 2010
Need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Don’t hope for hocus-pocus. We have a research study. Right now, PPD is looking for men and women for a post-surgical pain relief research study of an investigational medication. Surgery for qualified study participants will be performed by a board certified oral surgeon. Financial compensation is provided upon study completion and the surgery is performed at no cost.
For information, call 1-800-866-0492
pg. 6-06.17.10.indd 1
health
The program starts June 28 and lasts eight weeks; the contestants will work one job per week, attempting to find what they are passionate about. The program is independently run, in that the contestants are required to find their own jobs according to their interests. In addition to Attah, Amanda L. of Toronto, Ontario and Kieley Best of Cleveland, Tennessee will also be participating in the program. Michelle’s former philosophy professor, Scott Austin, said Attah is very bright, self-assured and has interesting qualities. “She has a good mind and a good power of self-expression. She is the type of person to have and deserve a good future,” Austin said.
Tips for Men’s Health Week Austin Meek The Battalion National Men’s Health Week occurs each year during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day. This year it is observed June 14-20, and the Texas A&M Health Science Center has a few tips for staying — or getting back — in shape this summer. Rhonda Rahn, class of 1987 and member of the Health Science Center, said that the best way to stay in shape is to not let the hotter months deter any workout program. “Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” Rahn said. “Try not to do any activities in the middle of the day. The best time to perform outdoor activities is early in the morning or late in the evening.” Rahn said running and biking are great cardio workouts; swimming requires nearly every muscle in the body and is a great way to stay cool. Thankfully, the Student Recreation Center offers an indoor track as well as pools, treadmills and stationary bikes for A&M students participating in summer school. “I always drink high
protein shakes after I work out,” said Graham Glosser, junior finance major. “It helps build muscle and replenishes my body with the vitamins and minerals it needs.” The final and most important facet of men’s health is making sure routine check-ups are happening. Many men shy away from doctor’s appointments and still hold the view that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but there are many ailments which plague college males that are difficult to detect without professional assistance. According to a 2001 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women were 100 percent more likely than men to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventative services. Research shows men have a higher rate for many of the leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. “When it comes to health, men have distinct conditions and needs from
Smith Continued from page 1
deal with something that is a current issue. We will look at the Super Bowl commercials, or we will look at what is going on with YouTube. Then I will give them a problem or scenario. In doing teamwork,
women,” said Scott Maier, senior communications specialist for the Texas A&M Health Science Center. “However, they also are less likely to act.”
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they get to know their classmates, and that makes it a lot more enjoyable to actually come to the class because they know someone.” Students are lucky to have her, Kratchman said. “It is different when you do a lot of teamwork in class versus just sitting down and listening and writing,” Smith said.
6/16/10 9:08 PM