The Battalion: June 29, 2010

thebattalion

news for you b-cs area Cambell Soup Co., ConAgra recall products The Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that Cambell Soup Co. is recalling SpaghettiOs that were not heated properly during processing. Certain Marie Callender’s frozen dinners that are possibly linked to the outbreak of 30 salmonella illnesses in 15 states are being recalled by ConAgra. Updates can be found at www.fsis.usda. gov.

● tuesday,

june 29, 2010

● serving

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

college station

City seeks safety

service

Where green meets maroon

Plans include converting Northgate roads to pedestrian mall Sarah Ammerman

texas Schools oppose grading law Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott is being sued by 11 school districts over a law that requires teachers to assign a grade that reflects a student’s “mastery of an assignment.”

School officials opposed to the law said that if students are assigned a zero or other low grades, it would be impossible for them to pass even if they showed improvement.

lowest gas price

Aggie helps construct an environmentally friendly house for ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’

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nation &world Supreme Court protects gun rights The Supreme Court decided Monday that Americans have the right to own a gun for selfdefense anywhere they live, expanding the court’s embrace of gun rights. On its final day before a three-month recess, the court also ruled that a public school can legally deny recognition to a Christian student group that will not let gays join.

Vatican rebukes leading cardinal The Vatican issued a public rebuke Monday of a leading cardinal who questioned the church’s policy of celibacy and criticized the retired Vatican No. 2 for his handling of clerical sex abuse cases.

The Vatican said only the pope can make such accusations against a cardinal.

Staff and wire reports

Pg. 1-06.29.10.indd 1

Tim Isaac — THE BATTALION

The Battalion College Station City Council voted unanimously Thursday in favor of a $2 million pedestrian safety project proposed

by Texas A&M University, the Texas Department of Transportation and the city of College Station. In June 2011, Houston Street and College Main at University Drive will close, and the area will be turned into a pedestrian mall.

The council met to discuss the safety concern of pedestrians on Northgate.

“The amount of traffic has grown tremendously over the years,” Public Works Director Mark Smith said. “The safety of the students and other people enjoying the attractions of Northgate is a top priority of the city as well as a top priority of Texas A&M University.”

This project was proposed to the council in July 2009. Since then, more research has been done, feedback has been sought out, and adjustments have been made.

“We have met with stakeholders, Northgate merchants, the student senate and have held public meetings on campus to explore the numerous alternaSee Northgate on page 6

W

hen “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” selected the Beach family to receive a revamped abode, Allen Scarborough, class of 1989, stepped up to help EH Systems with the design process. In addition to supplying enough floor space to comfortably house the married couple and their 13 adopted and foster children, the company supplied energy-efficient materials to save the planet’s natural resources and the homeowners’ energy costs.

Gayle Gabriel | The Battalion

see story on page 2

entertainment

Concert presents summer musical fantasies Caroline Ward | The Battalion University Performance Series concluded four weeks of performances with Perspectives — Summer Fantasies, Monday at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. The performance organized

by University of Houston composer Rob Smith included music ranging in origin from the 19th through the 21st century.

“The point is that the whole series of concerts provide this variety of experiences and exposures to the people,” said Ward Wells, director of the Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts at Texas A&M. “There is something to be gained for everybody. The whole idea is exposure to new art forms and not being closed-minded. It really is about being exposed to a whole litany of music that crosses generations and historic notions about society.”

The performance featured faculty artists who performed music from works by Australian composers and contemporary American artists, such as Elvis.

“I’m more accustomed to the classic composers than I am to modern music; it takes me longer to get accustomed to it,” said Albert Schaffer, a professor of sociology at Texas A&M and regular concert attendee.

Two Expansion concerts are scheduled for July. Haochen Zhang, gold medalist from the 13th Van Cliburn International

Tyler Hosea — THE BATTALION

Rob Smith, associate professor of composition at the University of Houston, turns pages of sheet music for pianist Tali Morgulis as she accompanies oboist Anne Leek during a performance of Camille Saint-Saens’ “Oboe Sonata in D major, Op. 166.”

Piano Competition will play on July 12, followed by the final concert on July 19 featuring The Kildares performing Celtic pop-rock ‘n’ roll.

“I have to think a lot about the audience and the event,” said Smith. “It’s a summer concert, so I was looking for fun elements. It’s important for us to feature a

wide variety.”

Notable musicians included Anne Leek, associate principal oboist with the Houston Symphony, and Andrzej Grabiec, an internationally acclaimed violinist who has performed for former President George Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

science

Afghan soil may contain lithium Almost $1 trillion worth of minerals may be in Afghanistan, which would drastically change the country’s economy.

Metals, including copper and lithium, could put the country’s natural resources in high demand.

“Lithium has seen increased uses in batteries,” said Bruce Herbert, assistant head of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M. “Electronics use a lot of lithium. The real use of lithium is The U.S. has a projected small amounts use. If we move to [of lithium], but electric cars, Afghanistan the batter- would represent ies in the one of the cars are very largest sources large, and in the world. those batBruce Hebert, teries would assistant use a lot head of the of lithium.

Department of Geology and The need Geophysics for lithium is anticipated to be very large.”

There is little information about the amount of lithium See Lithium on page 6

6/28/10 10:20 PM

Stover Boys Welcome Back!

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Sanders Corps Center Exhibits

2

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

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

Wednesday 40% chance of thunderstorms high: 91 low: 76 Thursday 30% chance of thunderstorms high: 91 low:77 Friday 30% chance of showers high: 93 low:78

pagetwo

For daily updates go to thebatt.com

Facebook ● Twitter@thebattonline thebattalion 06.29.2010

whereoncampus 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.

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Matt Young — THE BATTALION

service

Aggie helps build a home with ‘Extreme Makeover’ Gayle Gabriel The Battalion ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” has made it to Texas and received help from Aggies. In an episode that aired in April, Allen Scarborough, class of 1989, and officials with EH Systems worked with the television show to build a home that could comfortably fit Larry and Melissa Beach and their 13 children.

“Out of the many applicants, this family in Kemah, Texas was selected, and they had been living in a couple of trailers for the past two years because Hurricane Ike destroyed their home,” said David Densford, sales and marketing coordinator for EH Systems. “They were a foster family and had fostered 85 children and most of them with medical handicaps. So they would keep the children for a while until someone adopted them, and if nobody did, then they would adopt them into their home. They had four children and nine foster children living in little trailers.”

EH Systems, and research and sales representative, Scarborough provided the Extreme Makeover team with custom-

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to make room,” Densford said.

“The next morning they started pouring concrete, and that afternoon we started standing up the house. So in five days, we built a 6,000-square-foot house.”

Building onsite, EH Systems worked closely with Blu Shields Construction, as well as the largest group of volunteers recorded in the show’s history.

The environmentally friendly materials used in the home can reduce the air conditioning load by up to 50 percent, saving the family of 15 a considerable amount of money. Structurally, these panels also can support a heavier load and are more resistant to mold, mildew and fire.

In learning that an Aggie helped “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” by donating materials, other Aggies have garnered pride for the University.

“I think it is amazing that Aggies are able to help and to give their time and effort and materials to helping others,” said CJ Sustrina, class of 2009. “To be able to help in the national spotlight is cool, but to help a family and reach out to another community definitely makes me proud to be an Aggie.”

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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Pg. 2-06.29.10.indd 1

made structurally insulated panels and assistance in planning the house framework.

Structural insulated Panels are made of expanded polystyrene sandwiched between oriented strand board and can be used in walls, roofs and even floors. “[Structural insulated panels] reduce about 40 to 50 percent of the lumber typically used in a conventionally framed house. That makes it a greener application, plus the materials that [structural insulated panels] are made from are green as well,” Scarborough said.

The panels installed in the 6,000-square-foot home were created at EH Systems in New Braunfels, Texas and then shipped to Kemah to help rebuild the Beach family home.

“Once we got the panels delivered, Ty [the show’s host] did the whole ‘Beach family come on out’ and the family comes screaming out of their trailers.

The next day we bulldozed down the old house, and they worked through the night tearing down the old foundation and clearing everything away

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

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.

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 979-8450569. 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 979845-2613.

6/28/10 4:17 PM

sports/b!

page 3 tuesday 6.29.2010

thebattalion

soccer

USA couldn’t capitalize on chances

I

am not quite sure what Bill Clinton was doing during his tenure as president, besides Monica, of course, but somewhere along the line he apparently became buddies with Rolling Stone’s frontman and Kesha’s way over-the-hill man-crush Mick Jagger.

The desperation was there, the vigor was there, the persistence was there, but for the first time in the tournament for the U.S., a miracle was nowhere to be found. Coaches will tell their players ‘till they’re blue in the face that the first 10 minutes of the half are the most critical. The pace hasn’t yet been set, the shape of the game hasn’t been established and the conflicting formations have yet to be adjusted. It Since the two were born about 16 World Cups ago, I became clear in the first half that with Alexandra can only cite possible hearing loss as the reason for their only one central striker, Ghana had chipper demeanor while those darn vuvuzelas droned Welch the advantage of extra pressure in the on in the background, the pair sitting nice and comfy in midfield and made it near impossible junior business their box taking in the United States vs. Ghana round of major for the U.S. to maintain possession.

16 match.

In only the fifth minute, U.S. Down on the pitch however, a chipper attitude doesn’t center-mid Ricardo Clark lost the ball even begin to describe U.S. goalie Tim Howard; vehement, to Ghana’s Asamoah who tapped it out to teammaybe. One of the first times he touched the ball in the match, mate, Kevin Prince. Prince streaked up the left he was fishing it out of the back of his own net. And his final side of the field and sent a low left-footed shot past touches came in a last ditch effort in extra time, when he pushed sliding defender Jay Dermit that beat Howard on up all the way into the Ghana defense, and at one point went up one-on-one for a header with Ghana goalie Richard Kingson.

See Soccer on page 4

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Members of the U.S. soccer team sit on the bench Saturday following the team’s 2-1 loss to Ghana in South Africa. The round of 16 match went into extra time but a goal by Asamoah Gyan sent the Black Stars into the World Cup quarterfinals.

movies

‘Toy Story’ series continues to teach lessons

T

Toy Story 3 captures the attention of the audience from the still be thoroughly entertained. start by showing a scene from Andy’s imagination. With the use It is relatable to all ages, since just about everyone has been of a home movie reel, viewers watch All-American Andy grow the child who wonders what toys do when they’re not being up to the age where he is headed for college. The movie played with. It wasn’t that long ago that we were leavincludes new adventures, new heroes and new villains, ing for college and leaving a few much-loved, favorite yet the same characters who have held our interest for toys behind. Some viewers have even been the parent the last 15 years captivate us with their story. urging their offspring to “clean up the clutter” and With Andy headed to college, he decides to part “throw this junk away.” with his toys, which are accidently donated to SunnyAndy’s family is one that America has grown up When I saw the first movie at age 6 I never would have side Day care. This seems ideal: the toys will be with. Andy and his family have aged, including the guessed that I would be seeing the third movie 15 played with, make many friends and the chilfamily dog, Buster, who has grown fat, old and slow, years later as a 21-year-old college junior. Many dren at the day care would have received Caroline but remains just as lovable.

Toy Story 3 movies have made attempts at sequels, and the vast new toys. The day care seems like a In the end, Andy does relinquish his toys, but not is thoroughly Ward majority of them have been disappointing. Toy utopia, but when Andy’s toys are placed before he plays with them for one last afternoon. entertaining junior Story is one notable exception. Woody, voiced in the dangerous room with terrifying The thought of a college-bound boy playing with yet still teaches communication

by Tom Hanks, Buzz, voiced by Tim Allen, toddlers, they discover a secret hierarhis toys one last time is a little farfetched, but then major the audience a chy. Trying to escape Sunnyside seems Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, and the rest of again it is a movie about toys that come to life when lesson. impossible, but nothing is impossible for the toys are back for round three, as the group nobody is around.

Andy’s toys. embarks on another entertaining adventure.

The film teaches the importance of leadership, teamwork, The most recent addition to the series has enough A classic Pixar short film about night and day using skills and resources and having a plan. The Toy Story series new material to keep the movie interesting, but plenty of entertains the audience before the feature begins. The has a message that stands the test of time and is relevant to people short film brings the message of accepting differences, as well inside jokes for diehard Toy Story fans. of all ages.

Anyone can take away a valuable lesson from this movie, yet as the unknown.

oy Story movies have become a sentimental favorite of the college generation. Toy Story hit the big screen in 1995, followed by Toy Story 2 in 1999, and finally Toy Story 3 in 2010.

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6/28/10 5:28 PM

sports

page 4 tuesday 6.29.2010

thebattalion

Soccer Continued from page 3

the near post.

The U.S. were down an early goal for the third time in the tournament, but the comeback kings seemed poised to even things out at the start of the second half. Substitute Benny Feilhaber added a spark to the offense, just as he did against Algeria, and with overlapping runs from the fullbacks, the U.S. were finally able to engineer some space and start creating opportunities.

In the 62nd minute, Clint Dempsey megged a Ghana defender at the edge of the box and blew past him to the right before placing one last touch on the ball, drawing the foul as Jonathan Mensah slid in from the left tackling Dempsey. Landon Donovan stepped up to take the penalty kick and nailed it off the right post and into the back of the net as Kingson dove the opposite way.

Finally tied up, the U.S. dominated possession in the rest of the half and created several more chances with great distribution by Michael Bradley and Feilhaber, but they were unable to capitalize before regulation ended. The game was sent into a 30-minute overtime, but it just took two for Ghana to take advantage. A quick flick from the defense to forward Gyan proved just how fast the Ghanaian counter-attack could be.

Gyan took the ball out of the air, split the chasing U.S. defenders Carlos Bocanegra and Demerit, and rocketed the ball over Howard to the far post. The dilapidated U.S. staggered onward for the next 28 minutes, but no perfectly scripted moment materialized and for the second World Cup in a row The Black Stars sent Donovan and company packing.

With no controversial goals disallowed, defensive discipline and lack of possession in the first half were the only things to blame in the loss. Four years ago, Donovan credited tentativeness to the team’s early exit, this time naivety.

“On the night I think that Ghana had three very good chances, and scored twice,” Head Coach Bob Bradley said. “Those chances came off of a turnover in the midfield, a goal kick and a ball that was cleared. They did very well to take advantage of those opportunities. For the four games, we were only ahead for two minutes.”

With Germany ousting England 4-1 on Sunday and the United States’ crushing defeat, the contenders from Group C can only watch as another country’s World Cup dreams come true.

The U.S. team for World Cup 2014 hosted by Brazil will likely be very different, with aging defensive veterans Steve Cherundolo, Bocanegra and Demerit probably not included on the roster.

Donovan, Dempsey, Oguchi Onyewu, Edson Buddle and DeMarcus Beasley also will be in question. And, as always a new cast of young players are waiting in the wings to be ushered on to the World Cup stage.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, left, and rock star Mick Jagger, right, watch the World Cup round of 16 soccer match Saturday between the U.S. and Ghana in South Africa.

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Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org

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.

Pg. 4-06-29-10.indd 1

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

Upstairs 2bd/1.5ba off Holleman.

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

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.

BRYAN: 1/1, 2/1, & 2/2 APTS! COVERED PARKING, laundry facility, in HISTORICAL DISTRICT! 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com

FOR RENT

3bdrm/3bth house. Great floor-plans, fenced yards, W/D, tile floors, icemakers, alarm systems.

979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.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.

2bd/2ba Duplex w/large backyard W/D, 3632 Holly Hock, $850/mo.

Available now. 281-291-9433.

BRYAN: PRELEASING!! 2br DUPLEXES & 4PLEXES, GREAT LOCATION, DIFF FLOORPLANS. 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com

2/1 duplex, fenced, pets ok, on shuttle, 1406 Bermuda, $600/mo, 693-1448.

FOR RENT

3bd/2ba C.S. Huge duplex, fenced, shuttle route, w/d connection. Treehouse Trail, $995/mo. www.c4properties.net 979-268-1074.

2bd/1ba duplex. $675/mo. 1601 Cloverdale, C.S. Newly remodeled.

Call 979-575-3553.

1-bdrm., plus office. Less than 1-mile from campus, 1-block from shuttle &park. NCS, close to shopping. www.hollemanbythepark.com

COLLEGE STATION: 4/2 AWESOME HOUSE, PRIME LOCATION!! ASF 1600, biking distance to TAMU, June move-in, open floor plan! 979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com

TO CALL 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day

FOR RENT

Equestrian Boarding Facility, Covered and Outdoor Jumping Arena. All day turnout. Lessons and training. 979-324-0654, www.sundownequine.com

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

WHEN

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see ads at thebatt.com

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.

6/28/10 5:24 PM

Politic as usual: Politics 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 06.29.2010

page5

Offering a second opinion on: underwear Briefs vs Boxers

E

S

Some of you may find this dilemma frivolous or stupid.

Those of you with a Y chromosome understand that the decision on how to gird one’s loins is a deathly serious affair.

Which is why I have no choice but to come down firmly on the side of briefs in this debacle. Of course, this wasn’t always the case.

There was a time when I was quite the boxers fan, making frequent, impassioned arguments in favor of the clothing, citing its freedom, increased airflow and resistance to wedgies (and alienating most of my friends). Well, you can talk until you’re blue in the face about boxers’ superior stride and comfort, or briefs’ similarity to shrink wrap, but as I have learned through bitter experience, briefs have one superior facet of design that more than outweighs all the other pros and cons combined: Weasel proof leg openings.

While this may not seem of great day-to-day importance, let me tell you, when it is needed, it’s very, very important.

Allow me to illustrate this point with an embarrassing piece of real-life experience. (I swear by my own grave that I am not making this up).

The place: my apartment.

The time: several years ago.

I had just gotten out of the shower and was clad in nothing but a pair of pale, blue boxers.

A pair of pale, blue boxers that will never be worn again. Unbeknownst to me, my younger brother, Vlad, thought that this

was a good time to go into my room, open up the cage of excitable baby ferrets (still not making this up) James Cavin and start senior political playing science major with them.

So I come into my bedroom in my undies and sit down on the floor to put on my socks. Well, this puts me (or at least important parts of me) on eye level with two very excited baby ferrets. Imagine my surprise when a baby ferret by the name of Grendel comes sprinting up the leg of my boxers.

Well, I followed standard protocol for finding a foreign body in one’s underpants, namely, jump up and down and scream like a 13-year-old girl at a

Twilight premiere. Well, Grendel followed standard protocol for when you suddenly find yourself being thrown into the air by someone 100 times your size jumping up and down and screaming like a 13-year-old girl at a Twilight premiere. That is, grab on for dear life.

The main problem is that ferrets, like most of the weasel family, are not graced with opposable thumbs. So when they want to grab onto something, they do it with their teeth. Which are very, very sharp, in case you were wondering.

Nobody wakes up in the morning and says “Boy, I better put on underwear that will prevent excited Mustelids from gaining access to my jangly bits.”

But you know what, you might want to start.

And that, my friend, is why briefs are, far and away, the best choice for girding one’s loins.

But underneath the clothing required for men to interact with the rest of the world is an under layer of protection, a last defense to keep an amusing pantsing from putting you on the sex offender registry.

Unlike women’s underwear, men’s underwear options are lacking in lace. Real women may have curves, but men tend to curve out in all the wrong places.

While women are encouraged to show off their thighs and other parts of their body, men’s fashion has decided even shorts should show no skin above the kneecap.

Victor’s Secret is more about hiding a few extra pounds and unsightly stretch marks than exciting a partner with a leopard skin banana hammock. A select few will undress to impress with manthongs, but the rest of us are concerned with camouflaging the pounds we put on by making pizza the foundation of every level in the food pyramid.

Chances are you plan on someone else eventually seeing your undergarments. Whether it’s a revealing romantic moment, or an awkward roommate encounter on the way to the bathroom in the morning, boxers leave a little more to the imagination than the thin piece of white fabric clinging

Osazuwa Okundaye — THE BATTALION

very morning, every man who has the need to go outside sometime during the day is forced to put on pants.

ince the dawn of time, there has been a question every man must ask himself at least once in his life: boxers or briefs.

to your business.

But your underwear selection can be more than physically revealing.

Masculine Ian McPhail men are only senior history allowed major, voices editor briefs in the colors white or used-to-be white and should have been thrown away. This is why men with briefs have to do laundry more often, as stains better left to the imagination are illuminated by a translucent background. This common male problem explains the heavy use of cartoon and film characters printed on briefs… along with the marketability of cartoons and films.

While those men who have no trouble attracting women will undress to impress with man-thongs or the uncomfortable commando, the rest of us are using underwear as a last defense. Of

course, boxers offer their own disadvantage, largely in a smallto-gaping hole that can, at the most inopportune moment, fail at the most fundamental purpose of clothing.

Although this design flaw can potentially turn the awkwardness of forgetting to zip your pants into an apology that will need to be sincere, boxer-makers had the average Joe in mind. The common man simply has no time to undo his belt that holds up his oversized pants, especially when forced or tempted to answer nature’s call in nature. This feature also allows those traveling on a long road trip to pretend they are discreetly relieving themselves in a bottle or other open container, even as friends beg you to pull over.

Ultimately boxers are the most comfortable cloaking device for your nether regions, and even girls are enjoying the fruits from this loom. When making this all-important decision, choose boxers, the underwear of the people.

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6/28/10 5:38 PM

news

page 6 tuesday 6.29.2010

thebattalion

nation&world

524 Guard soldiers head to Arizona-Mexico border

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.

Distribution will be during Fall 2011.

Cost is $64.90, including shipping and sales tax. Go to the optional services box in Howdy when you register for fall. For info, call 845-2613.

Pg. 6-06.29.10.indd 1

PHOENIX — The Texas and Arizona governors criticized the Obama administration’s border security plans Monday, saying not enough National Guard troops are being deployed to their states.

“What we heard wasn’t anything what we hoped to hear,” Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer told reporters after a 90-minue briefing by federal officials sent by President Barack Obama.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, class of 1972 a Republican like Brewer, said the deployment to his state was “insufficient to meet the needs of securing the Texas-Mexico border.”

A White House statement said plans to deploy 1,200 additional National Guard soldiers along the U.S.-Mexico border would “complement the unprecedented resources and additional efforts already devoted by this administration to securing the Southwest border.”

Arizona would get 524 National Guard troops, Texas would get 250, California 224 and New Mexico 72, officials said. Another 130 would be at a national liaison office.

Brewer has said the deployment should total 6,000, including 3,000 in Arizona, the state with the most illegal border crossings. Perry asked in January 2009 for 1,000 National Guard troops to help with border security in Texas alone.

The White House statement said the extra

Guard troops would be used to provide intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support as well as backup to counternarcotics enforcement until more civilian officers are trained and stationed at the border.

The federal officials briefed Brewer, her senior aides and several state agency heads after an hourslong meeting in Tucson earlier Monday with Attorney General Terry Goddard, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and dozens of local law enforcement officials. Goddard and Giffords are Democrats.

The federal team was led by John Brennan, a national security adviser whom Goddard said has the job of evaluating “the whole picture.”

“He never said this is all,” Goddard said. “He said this is what we’re going to do right now.”

The meeting with Brewer resulted from her June 3 visit to the White House, where she and Obama discussed border security and immigration. Brewer asked for specifics on plans for Arizona.

The president previously announced plans to send 1,200 troops to the border, and he asked Congress for $600 million to pay for 1,000 more Border Patrol agents, 160 new federal immigration officers and two unmanned aircraft.

Associated Press

Lithium

Northgate

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

in Afghanistan. “[Lithium] is not present in many places,” Herbert said.

“Much lithium gets washed off the land and into the ocean.”

Herbert said the metals identified represent a large resource if developed in a reasonable and environmentally conscious way. He said the minerals could be a terrific resource to rebuild the country.

“However, sometimes the resources can do nothing to help the country,” he said. “If it is not responsible, political corruption results, and poor people suffer worse.”

Megan Ryan, staff writer

tives available to us,” said Bob Appleton, director of transportation, planning and development for the Texas Department of Transportation.

The creation of the pedestrian malls will provide waiting space for pedestrians and bicyclists. College Main and Houston Street will be closed to public traffic, but an inbound access route will be constructed for access to the post office as well as for the A&M shuttle bus system.

Police Chief Jeff Capps said Northgate safety has been a growing problem.

“Since 2001 in the project area we’re looking at, there have been about 342 accidents with 12 of those involving pedestrians or bicyclists. Also, eight out of those 12 have been in the past two years.”

This project is merely the start of making the streets safer for pedestrians. Future phases of the project would extend all the way down to South College, and the intent over the next year is to implement phases to improve safety in that area, Smith said.

6/28/10 10:13 PM