The Battalion: June 24, 2010

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news for you texas Mayor criticizes Arizona’s new law San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro is pushing a resolution condemning Arizona’s immigration law.

The city council is expected to pass the resolution Thursday. It stops short of a boycott and aims to dissuade Texas lawmakers from approving a similar law when the Legislature meets next year.

South Texas dentists indicted State Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra is the fourth south Texas dentist indicted in a federal case for alleged Medicaid fraud and a referral kickback scheme.

Prosecutors said Dr. Gary Schwarz of McAllen billed Medicaid for services that were not done and for services performed by unlicensed employees.

The indictment also said Rios Ybarra received kickbacks for referring patients to Schwarz.

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june 24, 2010

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world cup

US advances to Round of 16 Aggies study I effects of spill consider myself somewhat of a distant sports fan. I have my moments of bias, as all fans do, but at the end of the day, I consider myself a rational individual who enjoys competition and wants the best game possible, whether my squads win or lose.

So who was the guy Kyle who, after watching Landon Cunningham Donovan score the game and senior sports group-winning goal against management major Algeria in the 91st minute, started clapping, banging against tables and tearing up? There’s no way that was me.

And yet, it was. Only one event in my sports

United States’ Landon Donovan, front left, celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup group C soccer match Wednesday between the U.S. and Algeria.

See World Cup on page 3

ASSOCIATED PRESS

austin

TasteofTexas Fran Fr nkl klin in Barb Ba becue ecu ec ue e in Austin n is known f r th fo thei e r cr cr creative ve tw twis wis istss on ffaavorite tes such h as th he resttau aurantt’ss tangyy e esssprressso barbec barb ba eccue sau auce au uce ce.

lowest gas price

$2.52 CITGO at 101 S.W. Pkwy. and Wellborn Road. www.texasgasprices.com

Meyers’ Elgin Smokehouse uses a special vaccuum tumbler to infuse flavor throughout the meat.

nation &world BP oil cap leaks, forces removal Tens of thousands of gallons more oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday after an undersea robot bumped a venting system, forcing BP to remove the cap that had been containing some of the crude. It came as thick pools of oil washed up on Pensacola Beach in Fla. and the Obama administration tried to figure out how to resurrect a sixmonth moratorium on deepwater drilling.

Romanian media poses threat The Supreme Defense Council of Romania is adding the media to its list of potential threats to national security. Romanian journalists are calling the council’s document a blow to press freedom in a democracy. The document, drawn up Tuesday, was sent for approval to parliament on Wednesday.

Staff and wire reports

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I

t might be weird, and it might be home to that other school, but Austin’s barbecue chefs deserve credit for serving delicious dishes of both Texan classics and innovative creations.

Although a major city, the capital remains true to its country roots.

For those seeking to beat the heat after sampling a mouth-watering meal and braving triple-digit temperatures, Barton Springs boasts cool waters as a retreat from the bustling city (and those t-sips).

Evan Andrews | The Battalion

engineering

214 miles Tank of gas ◗ This story is part of a series “There and back on a tank of gas.” A staff member will travel to a different city each week and document the trip. To suggest a great place visit, send ideas to metro@thebatt. com.

see story on page 2

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Highway 6 closes for demolition of bridge The Texas Department of Transportation’s contractor will close the existing State Highway 6 Old Reliance-Martin Luther King Bridge at 8 a.m. Friday. Demolition will begin later that day. State Highway 6 northbound and southbound main lanes between Farm to Market 158 and Texas 21 will be temporarily closed

for the demolition. State Highway 6 traffic will be detoured to the frontage roads to bypass the demolition area. The demolition work ends Sunday, and State Highway 6 will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday. The Old Reliance-Martin Luther King Bridge will open July 2.

Megan Ryan, staff writer

The Battalion John Kessler, professor of oceanography, shed new light on the effect of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and captured the attention of international news media with his research on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Kessler and a team of graduate students are studying the natural gas that is being released by the oil spill and its effects on the marine environment. Kessler returned John Kessler, from received professor of $160,000 from oceanography the National Science Foundation.

“The objective of our cruise is to study the natural gas component of the oil spill, predominantly methane, which is estimated by BP scientists to be about 40 percent of the material escaping the broken pipe,” Kessler said in a “Scientific American” blog about his research.

“Methane is potent greenhouse gas and a possible contributor to the loss of dissolved oxygen from the Gulf.”

Levels of methane were found to be approximately normal in the surface waters of the Gulf, but tests of deeper water told a different story.

“Below approximately 1,000 See Kessler on page 6

Google courtesy map, photos and graphic by Evan Andrews — THE BATTALION

State’s capital offers satisfying barbecue to hungry travelers.

Alec Goetz

More information ◗ To stay updated on the latest progress on the bridge demolition and other construction projects affecting traffic, visit www.dot.state.tx.us

Professor receives research award Caroline Ward The Battalion Juergen Hahn, professor of chemical engineering, received the Outstanding Young Researchers Award. Hahn said this is the most significant award anyone under the age of 40 can receive.

“I nominated Dr. Hahn because he is really at the top of his field in process systems engineering. He is also an outstanding colleague and teacher,” said Michael Pishko, department head of chemical engineering at Texas A&M. The award is based on research, produced and published results and letters of recommendation. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers, division of Computing Systems Technology, will present Hahn with the award this November in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hahn said he gives the majority of the credit to his students.

“I have been very lucky in the sense that several of the students I have were very bright, very hardworking and produced a lot of very good results,” Hahn said.

“I guess I have also done a little bit by mentoring them and making sure that they stay on topic, but in the end they are the ones See Hahn on page 6

6/23/10 6:29 PM

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Y L L U F PED P I U Q E

GRE prep seminar

Japanese anime film screening

Learn how to prepare effectively for the GRE in one weekend.

Early registration encouraged, class size is limited. The seminar is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday in the Donald L. Houston building.

Lee and Grant Exhibit opening

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The Japanese Animation Appreciation Club (Aggime) will have an anime film screening from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday in Room 414 of the Langford Architecture Center, Building C. Everyone is welcome.

The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History presents Charles Grear, Melissa WaddyThibodeauz and Maureen Broy Papovich on Saturday at the opening events of the Lee and Grant Exhibit. For more information visit the museum’s website at www. brazosvalleymuseum.org.

Read our blogs on thebatt.com ◗ Jill Beathard is “sub-editing” for RE&D in Dublin, Ireland.

Learn about life in Ireland and what Jill has noticed since being there. ◗ Jeffrey Frankens is in Amman, Jordan, producing a featurefilm documentary about Palestinian refugees there. Read his blog to find out more.

For daily updates go to thebatt.com ●

Today 40% chance of heavy rain High: 93 | Low: 74 courtesy of NOAA

Facebook ●

Sanders Corps Center Exhibits

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5

The displays at the Corps of Cadets Center offer an overview of Aggie traditions and the history of the Corps of Cadets.The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Sanders Corps of Cadets Center.

Exhibition will feature pieces from Cushing’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection, including manuscripts, first editions and pulp magazines that capture science fiction’s influence. The exhibit is open from 3 to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday at the Cushing Memorial Library.

Friday 20% chance of thunderstorms high: 96 low: 76 Saturday 20% chance of thunderstorms high: 97 low: 76 Sunday 20% chance of showers high: 96 ow: 75

pagetwo thebattalion 06.24.2010

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news for you

More than just t-sips

entertainment Twilight fans gather for premeire in LA

Trip to Austin offers barbeque, summer activities

W

hile there might not be house. The restaurant has something going on only been around since in College Station, 1998, but the Meyers there is always the option family has been in the of hopping in your car meat business since the and going somewhere. So 1940s. The inheritance if you feel the need to of experience becomes get away and explore Evan Andrews evident when you walk Texas, Austin is one city senior visual studies in and see a shelf with major a huge variety of sauces you should visit.

Despite the fact and a refrigerated glass that it is the home of the “other case filled with all different kinds school,” Austin is a great place of sausage that you can buy to take to visit friends, family or party home for later enjoyment. on Sixth Street. The route I took Gregg Meyers, owner of The from College Station is HighSmokehouse Restaurant, said way 47 to 21, then to 290. It is the barbecue is prepared using a around 100 miles, just under a vacuum tumbler, a machine that two-hour drive, depending on tumbles meat along with water and traffic. spices. As the air is pulled out of The road between Austin and the chamber, the water and spices College Station is not much for are pulled through the meat, givsightseeing, but there is an upside ing it an even flavor.

— barbecue. If you leave College “When you use a dry rub, Station before noon, you can get only the inside of the meat isn’t to the town of Elgin and chow seasoned,” Meyers said. With the down at Meyers’ Elgin Smokevacuum tumbler, the meat gets an

corrections

even season all the way through.”

Another option for appetizing barbecue is to wait until you get into Austin and take IH 35 south, which takes you to Franklin Barbeque in Austin. This place is one of the trailer-type restaurants that are taking major cities by storm.

Waiting in line in 100-plus degree heat is definitely worth some of the best barbecue I have tasted.

“A friend took me here a couple weeks back, and I just love it,” said Terry Cormin, a Franklin Barbeque customer.

The restaurant has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers such as Texas Monthly and the Austin Chronicle, an alternative newsweekly, and it lives up to the hype. The tangy espresso sauce is an innovative twist on traditional barbecue sauce that adds to the overall complexity of the tender meat.

After you have digested these carnivores’ delights, I suggest

cooling off in Barton Springs, a public pool located 10 minutes south of downtown. This threeacre pool is spring-fed and stays at a constant 68 degrees year-round.

Jumping into the icy water on a triple-digit day sends a chilly jolt though your spine.

“I have been coming here since I was a kid, and it’s a great place to swim,” said Jim Pearson, a resident of Austin. But, as a fair warning, Barton Springs is one of the most popular places in town, so it is not uncommon to see a few hundred other people enjoying the summer day as well.

If swimming doesn’t suit your fancy, Austin is a city that always has something going on. You can pick up the latest issue of the Austin Chronicle, which has a calendar of events for that week. From poetry slams to concerts, there’s never a reason to be bored.

Alexander Kemos was senior vice president for administration before he resigned Friday.

howtoapply If you are interested in writing or contributing content in The Battalion apply at thebatt.com, or call 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.

Jackson fans still out in force a year later

Vice president’s wife to guest on ‘Army Wives’ Matt Young — THE BATTALION

Overhang by Central Campus Parking Garage

Think you know every nook and cranny at Texas A&M? The first people to get the answer correct will have their names published. Send your response with your name, class and major to photo@thebatt.com.

Correct responses: Alex Coleman, senior environmental design major Erin Sweed, senior university studies major Kevin Andrews, senior agricultural leadership, education and communications major Rene Aguirre, senior biomedical sciences major Tyler Jones, senior mechanical and manufacturing engineering technologies

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NEW YORK — Lifetime network’s “Army Wives” is set to welcome the wife of Vice President Joe Biden in a future episode.

The network announced Wednesday that Jill Biden will make a guest appearance on the military drama to raise awareness of the contributions by U.S. men and women in uniform as well as their families.

She will appear as herself in the episode, titled “Mud, Sweat and Tears.” She visits the show’s Fort Marshall to kick off the annual Fun Run, and while there meets with military spouses. A number of real Army wives will be featured in the episode, which is scheduled to air Aug. 15. “Army Wives” stars Kim Delaney and Catherine Bell.

The Associated Press

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Vicky Flores, 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.

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Pg. 2-06.24.10.indd 1

LOS ANGELES — A mini-tent city has bloomed outside the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles to see an “Eclipse.” Hundreds of fans are awaiting Thursday night’s red-carpet premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” the third installment of the vampire movie series.

The movie opens in theaters June 30. Scripts are in the works for more “Twilight” movies.

About 9,000 wristbands Robert Pattinson are being handed out to fans, who began erecting tents Monday on concrete steps outside the theater.

Nokia officials, who have issued a list of camping rules, say the wristbands must be worn until the premiere is over.

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner play Bella, Edward and Jacob in “Eclipse,” which features Bella preparing for high school graduation and choosing a prom date — vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob.

LOS ANGELES — Erin Jacobs once traded her brand new bicycle for tickets to see Michael Jackson. Now, more than 25 years later, it’s her time, organizational skills and gas money that she’s giving to the King of Pop. As an organizer of two major fan groups, Jacobs is just one of thousands of supporters keeping Jackson’s legacy alive — along with the pursuit of justice for his untimely death a year ago this Friday. Since then, the singer’s notoriously loyal followers have traded vigils at the hospital and family home for pilgrimages to his tomb and protests at the courthouse where the doctor charged with killing Jackson will be tried. “It’s absolutely humbling that he has so much support from fans,” Jacobs said in a recent interview. A travel agent who lives in Yorba Linda, Calif., Jacobs made her first 50-mile trip to the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, Calif., shortly after Jackson was buried there last September.

The singer’s tomb inside the cemetery’s gothic Great Mausoleum remains closed to the public, and Friday’s memorial won’t change that.

whereoncampus

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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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.

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6/23/10 6:44 PM

sports thebattalion 06.24.2010 page3

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Landon Donovan scored a goal in the 91st minute of the USA’s 1-0 win over Algeria Wednesday at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

Soccer Continued from page 1

fan life has caused me to have a one-man Mardi Gras like I am now — Craig Biggio’s 3000th hit. And although I was at Minute Maid Park for that moment, and Biggio is my favorite professional athlete of all time, this moment blows by it like a Ferrari past a Pinto.

The tension was built up perfectly. The two ties before this match, plus England’s early lead on Slovenia, gave us a “win or go home” scenario. Clint Dempsey’s “offside” call built up anger in most fans, or at least my friends and me on Facebook. Add the plethora of misses and stellar saves by Algeria keeper Rais Bolhi, and the knots inside my stomach were the size of a soccer ball.

And then, in that one fluid moment, it happened. Tim Howard made a solid stop on a header, then threw the ball to Donovan’s feet. Donovan, seeing Jozy Altidore had room, led the 20-year-old, who put a shot right into Bolhi. Dempsey — who is a hero in an alternate universe where referees can call lines — stumbled over the Algerian keeper, and the ball trickled forward for what seemed like a lifetime with no one to claim it.

That second-and-a-half when the ball just rolled aimlessly was probably the closest I have ever been to a heart attack. The skeptic sports journalist in me expected an Algerian defender to be near and boot the ball away, stiff-arming our final chance to advance. But the fan in me, a part of me that had been dormant for a long period of time, had a small glimmer of hope that someone, ANYONE would find a way to

put the ball into the net.

A blink, a millisecond, an instant. That’s all it took for Landon Donovan, who had been off-screen just seconds before, to become a real life superhero. Was it a simple flick of the leg?

Probably. But no other simple moment could cause such a genuine outpouring of emotion from so many people.

The little moments after the goal are what completed my transformation from jaded writer to jovial fan —Donovan sliding to the corner with backup midfielder Stuart Holden there to meet him. Tim Howard looking like he was on the brink of tears and collapse while in a thankful crouch.

But the image that sticks with me and will continue to stick with me is defender Jay DeMerit, who did a somersault jump onto the top of the dog-pile, all while beaming like a five-

year-old on Christmas morning. DeMerit, who started a professional career in the ninth tier of English soccer and once worked as a bartender while trying to find a soccer team in America, played one of the better defensive games of his life and was rewarded for it.

“I’ve been through a lot in the last four years,” Donovan said, with cracked voice and fighting tears. “I’m so glad it culminated this way. When you try to do things the right way, it’s good to get rewarded.”

And this American team has done it the right way — there have been lucky breaks, but in all three matches, they have gritted their teeth and shown what the USA is made of when the moment calls for it.

And for that, whether we win, lose or draw in the Round of 16, we applaud you.

w/ Bo Cox ALL TICKETS $15 IN ADVANCE AT CAVENDER’S, THE HALL AND ONLINE, OR $15 AT THE DOOR

Pg. 3-06.24.10.indd 1

6/23/10 5:46 PM

sports

page 4 monday 6.24.2010

thebattalion

Mapping out the NBA Draft A

h, it’s NBA Draft season. The time of year when experts can use the phrase “he’s long” without being looked at as a sexual harassment case. So, in the spirit of the season, it’s my responsibility as a sports writer — and no I’m not an expert by any means — to map out the first 30 picks of the 2010 crapshoot…er draft.

1.)Wizards: John Wall (PG, Kentucky) — Again, a no-brainer at the top of the draft. The Wiz can rid themselves of team-assassin and potential-assassin Gilbert Arenas and replace him with a bonafide star at the point. Wall is going to be Derrick Rose-esque with his otherworldly athleticism. Mark it down.

2.)76ers: Evan Turner (SG, Ohio State) — He was college’s player of the year in 2009 and is a solid pick for the rebuilding Sixers at

the No. 2 slot. Some compare him to rick Favors but provides the team with a apparent maturity issues and some laziness issues.

Brandon Roy of the Blazers because Shawn Marion-like player at the three Regardless, Sacramento can pair him with 2009 of his length — there’s that word for the next ten years.

Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans for a again — and his all-around maturity 4.)Timberwolves: Dervery dangerous inside-outside combo.

If you want to as a player. He plays great defense, he rick Favors (PF, Georgia Cousins is the best post presence read about the scores and he rebounds. You can’t ask Tech) — The 6’10’’ in the draft — he averaged nearly first round of for much more than that. freshman may be the a double-double in his freshman 3.)Nets: Wesley Johnson (SF, season — and should have a prothe NBA Draft, David Harris most athletically gifted Syracuse) — New Jersey is coming player in the draft. ductive career if he can fend off log on to senior economics off one of the worst seasons in the The Wolves will take a his weight problems. thebatt.com major, sports history of the Association, hence the 6.)Warriors: Greg Monroe (PF, editor chance on a potential star importance of this pick. With Devin and in the process make eiGeorgetown) — He’s a 6’11’’ comboHarris and Brook Lopez, the team ther Kevin Love or Al Jefferson forward who can stretch the floor with his is trying to build some semblance of a young expendable for a swingman. It’ll take Favors a shooting and possesses great court-vision. He’s nucleus. And with new owner Mikhail Prokho- couple years to put it all together, but Minnevery much like Lamar Odom and should fit in rov being handed the reigns, the team has some sota isn’t exactly on the brink of contending. well in Don nelson’s system given his lack of deep pockets. They’ll take Johnson who may 5.)Kings: DeMarcus Cousins (C, Kentucky) defensive prowess. not be as talented as DeMarcus Cousins or Der- — Cousins has been criticized because of some

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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 4bd/2.5ba Spanish style duplex w/garage + off street parking. Security system. All appliances including w/d. $1500/mo. No pets allowed, Available mid July and August.

979-297-3720 or 979-292-6168.

4bd/2ba house, covered and garage parking, tile and hardwood floors, less than 1mile from campus, www.santinos.com 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.

COLLEGE STATION: MANY HOMES TO CHOOSE FROM 2br, 3br, & 4br! Wolf Pen Area!!

Pets welcome! 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com

4bd/3ba townhouse, 2 car garage, spacious, pool, landscape back yard, $1900/mo, 777-9933.

4bdrm/2bth house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards.

979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com Clean 3/2 available August. Rock Prairie area. 3703 Marielene, W/D, refrigerator, lawn-service provided.

979-450-5666.

COLLEGE STATION: NEAT 2/1 4-PLEX BIKING/WALKING distance to TAMU!! Up & Downstairs avail, JUNE or PRE-LEASE for AUGUST!! $495/mo. 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com

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

Cottage Holik C.S. 2bd/1ba, 1000 sqft., W/D, balcony, wooded.

Private drive. Quiet. $650/month .

979-777-2472.

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.

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.

Large 4bd/2ba house, 2 living room areas, fenced, pets ok, 1217 North Ridgefield, $1400/mo, 693-1448.

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 Upstairs 2bd/1.5ba off Holleman.

W/D included, new flooring throughout, non-smoking. $700/mo. 979-220-0468.

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 A local businessman seeks aggressive self-starting male students for late afternoons and Saturdays.

Flexible hours, no selling, top pay.

Call 979-696-0203, 8-10am only.

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.

COLLEGE STUDENTS! Make $500$2,000 Monthly. Work Your Own Hours. Build Monthly Residual Income! Call 24hr. rec. msg: 1-800-347-7655.

J. Cody’s Hiring kitchen and meat table help. Apply within, 3610 S. College. No experience necessary just common sense!

SUMMER WORK, Great Pay, immediate FT/PT openings, customer sales/svc, no experience necessary, conditions apply, all ages 17+, 979-260-4555.

Wanted: Part-time Administrative Assistant, M-Th, afternoons and evenings, immediate opening.

979-846-4988.

MUSIC Party Block Mobile DJ- Peter Block, professional 22yrs experience.

Specializing in Weddings, TAMU functions, lights/smoke. Mobile to anywhere. Book early!!

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PETS Designer breed tea cup puppies: Maltese, Maltipoos, Yorkies, Poodles &Shih Tzus. $325 &up.

979-324-2866, linda_d_54@yahoo.com 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.

Roommates needed. 4bd/4bth $325/mo., washer/dryer. University Place on Southwest Parkway.

281-844-2090.

If You Have Something To Sell, Remember Classifieds Can Do It! Call 845-0569

Walk to Kyle Field! 1-2bd house, pre-leasing for August 1st. $600/mo. 963-545-6044.

Pg. 4-06-24-10.indd 1

the battalion

6/23/10 6:23 PM

Politics as usu usual: Episode III: Revenge of the Potcast Tune in today to hear Rick Creecy, Ian McPhail and James Cavin devote an episode to marijuana reform. Special guest: Allen St. Pierre, the executive director for The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

On thebatt.com

‘ voices thebattalion 06.24.2010

Socializing game systems T

hough few students will remember, video games used to be played almost exclusively in arcades. As home consoles became popular and advanced, pong turned into “Grand Theft Auto,” and some of the social aspects of video games were replaced with hooker-murdering sprees.

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

As this generation of consoles focuses on including the Internet and making multi-player online, too many developers are ignoring the profit made from games which can be played in a single living room.

A growing trend has been for the popular PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 to sacrifice multiplayer and co-operative play for the online experience.

Online multiplayer does have its advantages, allowing up to 16 players in many games and giving old friends the chance to compete against one another from multiple colleges and states. However, students wanting only beat to the hell out of the friend sitting next to them are running low on options. Several titles have even eliminated singleplayer, moving the entire game online and cutting off the casual gamer.

“Games like Socom, Confrontation and MAG have completely cut off single player and the audience without Internet altogether, which is unfortunate,” said Christopher Santos, an employee at GameStop in College Station who voiced his opinion on the industry. “Sometimes people just don’t have the Internet, and it is regrettable many games have hurt their replay value by going that route.”

For those unwilling or unable to devote 40 hours a week to a game, playing online can quickly turn into a succession of rapid deaths, while enduring swarms of 15-year-olds screaming “noob” into their head-seats. Playing head-to-head offers an competitive game for less experienced gamers, but the industry has been tempted by online profits.

“Basically, the financial incentive for the gaming industry is selling downloadable content. Sixteen percent of all phone users have paid at least $41 on just downloaded media,” Santos said. “You’re

General disrespect shown to Obama

Jorge Montalvo — THE BATTALION

America’s executive vice president of sales and playing the game and getting bored with the maps, and five marketing. “When added to the 12.7 million Wii Remote controllers that have sold separately, this months later you see an ad reinforces the growing ‘social gaming’ trend we for five more maps for $20. have been seeing where friends and family use Game makers are actually losing money on consoles by their Wii games as a social hub - both in person competing with each other. and online.”

By making games anyone can play with each Ian McPhail Xbox 360 just dropped their other, Nintendo has consistently outprice $50.” senior history sold its competitors, selling nearly 20 Although Too many major, voices editor online stores are million consoles in the U.S. Mivideo games crosoft and Sony have responded the way of the are offering with motion-based technology, the future, the Nintendo Wii has shown multiplayer Kinect and Move, but the success games casual gamers can play together options only of Nintendo can be contributed to are just as profitable. Wii Play, a colonline. increasing social interaction. lection of nine mini-games packaged Video games may have the stigma of with a controller, has sold more than 10 being for loners, but more and more people million units in the U.S. alone. have grown up plugging in their consoles. While “Even if you believe people are buying Wii motion sensors are an exciting developing technolPlay solely for the controller, that indicates that ogy, a quality gaming experience does not rely on there are now more than 10 million people who gimmicks. Games can and should be a social activhave an extra Wii remote controller in their ity whenever possible, and sales will follow. homes,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of

I

n an article published by Rolling Stone magazine this week, Gen. Stanley McChrystal publicly criticized President Barrack Obama and other top U.S officials. Because of insubordination, Obama Gen. accepted McChrystal deserved McChrysto be tal’s resremoved for ignation disrespecting and has his replaced commander in him with chief.

Gen. David H. Petraeus.

McChrystal had direct influence and control of forces as Commander of forces in Afghanistan; it was the right move for our commander in chief to replace the general. Not only did McChrystal disrespect a superior officer, but he also made those comments during war.

While the U.S still has soldiers overseas fighting to protect our freedoms, no superior officer should degrade what our soldiers are working toward. Not only does it lower the morale of the men and women in uniform, his comments also divide the military at a time when it is vital for the country to stay unified.

Whether we agree or disagree with the president’s plan is not the issue; McChrystal owes the president his respect as the superior officer. We will never know why McChrystal made so many disrespectful comments in the presence of a journalist, however, McChrystal’s comments gave Obama no choice but to replace him. A cohesive and unified military leadership is best for the country and more importantly what is best for our soldiers.

Keeping America online

T

here is an old adage about a frog put in a pot of cold water. If heat is applied to the pot, the water will gradually warm and boil.

But that silly frog will not jump out of the pot because it does not realize that what it took for normal water will soon become the mechanism for the frog’s death.

America is that frog, and our elected officials are turning up the heat on the Internet.

Sen. Joe Lieberman has proposed a piece of legislation that would give the executive branch of the government unparalleled power over anyone relies on the Internet. The “Internet Kill Switch” Act, or Senate Bill 773 would transfer all power of the Internet, to shut down some or all of it, to the executive branch in the event of a national crisis. It also requires companies deemed “critical” for national security to limit cyber-security employees to those who have passed government standards and credentials. Those companies would be required to participate in “mapping” and filesharing conducted by the executive

COME

BY A N D

branch.

Among the mass criticism, legislation has drawn, a few points of contention Richard that stand out among the Creecy rest. For one, senior classics the trigger for major this legislation must be a national emergency, but what sort of emergency is not clearly defined. In theory, the executive branch could panic if an embarrassing presidential quote or video were leaked and temporarily shut down the Internet and Internet-based communication.

Another problem is legislation calls for the creation of yet another government agency, the National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications. This agency would have more access to your personal information than

TA KE

A

TO U R

TAKE ADVANTAGE

the Internal Revenue Service. Its These infringements on our main objective would be to filter rights are supposedly for our secuthrough all Internet service provid- rity, to protect us from what some ers to find where the information might call a “cyber 9/11.” But since can be contained, also known as security is giving the executive a “choke point.” Also the center branch the power to do what the would be given the authority to cyber terrorists will do, take away rifle through personal and our freedom, where is the logic in commercial accounts that? We fear other people that to see what sites might have the power while individuals are we directly give that same No government visiting. This power to the executive entity should is the most branch of our governhave to power blatant assault ment. Which is the to shut down on the freelesser evil? doms that the It would seem, the Internet.

Bill of Rights historically speaking, guarantees since the government is more the inception of the dangerous than these alleged Patriot Act in 2001. cyber criminals. Millions of Native Perhaps the most disturbing Americans as well as the Japanese aspect of this new legislation is it Americans forced into internment gives this power to one person in camps can attest to the governour government, the president, ment’s lack of fidelity with power. which defeats the purpose of havI will skip the usual Ben Franklin ing a three-part government with quote about security for liberty, but checks and balances. This new arm I will quote Princess Padme Amiof the government extends past the dala in reference to Sen. Palpatine’s normal surveillance and directly take over of the Republic through reaches to grasp at your computer, the passage of power expanding your phone and in reality, your legislature, “So this is how democvery life. racy dies, with applause?”

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6/23/10 6:37 PM

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TAKE A PIECE OF A&M HISTORY WITH YOU · Reserve your 2011 Aggieland The 109th edition of Texas A&M University’s official yearbook will chronicle traditions, academics, the other education, sports, the Corps, Greeks, campus organizations and seniors and graduate students.

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Pg. 6-06.24.10.indd 1

news

page 6 monday 6.24.2010

thebattalion

me why I love mathematics so much. My high opinion of Dr. Hahn is not alone — many othContinued from page 1 er students frequently mention who produced a lot of really Dr. Hahn when discussing their favorite professors and courses,” good results.” said Mark Deimund, class of Soon after he got the 2010 and former stuaward, he emailed all of dent of Hahn. his current and former Hahn said he alstudents thanking them ways knew he wantfor their work. ed to be an engineer, Aside from teaching, though the type of Hahn said his hobbies engineer and the diinclude photography, Juergen Hahn rection he wanted to running and physical fitprofessor go with his profesness. Hahn grew up in of chemical sion were unclear at Germany where he reengineering times. An internship ceived his undergraduwith Exxon pointed ate degree, and he spent one him in the direction of chemiyear of his undergraduate career cal engineering when he realat Texas A&M through a Ful- ized that he had an interest in bright Fellowship. He attended the fundamentals of this type of graduate school at the Univer- engineering.,Hahn said. sity of Texas in Austin and has He said people only become been teaching at Texas A&M for professors if they are truly pasthe past seven years. sionate about the subjects they In Germany, college classes teach. average about 800 students per “[Hahn] received $1.4 milclass. Contrastingly, Hahn said lion from [National Science he enjoys the small classes and Foundation] last year to supbelieves that they are advanta- port his outstanding research in geous for both teachers and stu- systems biology. He is an ideal dents. model as an advisor [and] is very “Dr. Hahn is very practical good at inspiring his students to in his teaching style and en- enjoy their research,” said Zuyi sures that students ‘take home’ (Jacky) Huang, a chemical engithe important material relating neering graduate student. “He to the course. His explanations always has a positive view on of difficult theoretical concepts life [and] is also open-minded gave me a new appreciation for and willing to accept different control systems and reminded opinions that are reasonable.”

Hahn

Kessler Continued from page 1

meters, the concentration of natural gas and methane in the ocean waters jumps by a factor of one million,” Kessler said.

“The ramifications of this are the topics of our current studies.”

Microorganisms that feed on methane and other natural gases have been known to cause annual “dead zones” in the Gulf, patches of oxygen-depleted water that can result in the death of all marine wildlife in the area. In addition to testing the distribution of natural gases in the waters of the Gulf, the research team

also investigated their effects on the reduction of oxygen and the bacteria that consume them.

Kessler and his team of graduate students sailed from Gulfport, Miss. on June 12 on the research vessel Cape Hatteras, which is operated by the oceanography departments of Duke University and the University of North Carolina. They were joined by David Valentine, a professor of geochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The team spent long hours sampling the waters of the Gulf, searching for clues that would indicate how much gas was being released by the broken pipe and what effects it was having on

texas Gang member arrested for killing teen resident U.S. marshals arrested Johnathan Matthew Orta of Bryan on June 22 for the murder of Christopher Hutchson.

Hutchson was found dead on May 9 in a residential home from a gun fight where the Bryan Police Department’s criminal investigation division and the crime scene unit conducted further investigation for homicide. Hutchson was a 17-year-old resident of Bryan. When the body was discovered, there was not a known suspect, and there has been an ongoing search. Weeks later, Orta, who is a gang member, was arrested for murder and engaging in organized criminal activity. He is now being held in the Nueces County Jail in Corpus Christi. Two other gang members have also been arrested.

Sarah Ammerman, staff writer

No regrets not arresting Dallas chief’s son DALLAS — A suburban Dallas police chief says he has no regrets about the decision not to arrest the son of Dallas police chief David Brown. David Brown Jr. shot and killed 23-year-old neighbor Jeremy McMillian, then Lancaster police officer Craig Shaw before police killed him.

Lancaster Police Chief Keith Humphrey said Wednesday there was nothing his officers could have done differently when they responded to a call from the younger Brown’s girlfriend Sunday. The call occurred seven hours before the fatal shots were fired. Although the girlfriend told police that the younger Brown was having a “psychotic breakdown,” Humphrey said no arrest could be made for what appeared to be a verbal disagreement.

Associated Press

the environment.

“After several days of waiting, we were given a period of 24 hours to sample the area around the broken pipe on June 16,” Valentine said. “We sampled for 24 hours straight that day, even though we had all been awake for almost 12 hours already.”

Kessler, Valentine and other members of the team chronicled their time in the Gulf with a blog on the website of Scientific American magazine. A Discovery Channel film crew was also on-site to shoot footage for a special about the team’s research, and Houston Chronicle columnist Rick Casey was onboard to document their work.

In addition, NBC Nightly News, the BBC and an Austrian television network have also scheduled interviews with Kessler and his team.

Kessler said his team is thankful for the once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity provided by the oil spill, but their excitement is tempered by the environmental effects of the disaster.

“It’s great to have this opportunity to study a unique geological phenomenon like this,” said Eric Chan, doctoral student in the oceanography department, “But seeing the water covered in oil like this truly is a disheartening scene.”

6/23/10 6:26 PM