The Battalion: July 13, 2010

thebattalion

news for you texas Colleges struggle with budgets Public colleges and universities in Texas face the cost of making more detailed class descriptions available online so students and parents can get a better idea of what they’re getting for their money.

Administrators are scrambling to find the money to institute the law, which takes effect this fall, as schools face potential funding cuts.

State Medicaid faces first of cuts The health care and insurance industries fear that a one percent cut in Medicaid fees scheduled to take effect Sept. 1 will be the first in a series of cuts as state agencies are asked to trim their two-year budgets by 10 percent to help cover an expected $18 billion revenue shortfall.

About 3.3 million poor and disabled Texans depend on Medicaid for health care.

● tuesday,

july 13, 2010

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

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

fashion

From class project to Italian fashion show, one Aggie’s shoes really do take him to new places

Walk

on F

or most students, class projects are a good excuse to groan and complain. For Zach Weldy, class of 2010, one assignment for an environmental design course was the perfect reason to master the nontraditional art of making custom-fit, unique shoes from duct tape and packing peanuts. Then, the project turned into an invitation to Milan, teaching others how to replicate the footwear. He waits to see where the shoes will take him next on his journey.

lowest gas price

Megan Ryan | The Battalion

see story on page 2

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nation &world Police arrest ‘Barefoot Bandit’ For two years Colton HarrisMoore infamously stayed a step ahead of the law — stealing cars, powerboats and airplanes. But his celebrity became his downfall when witnesses on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera recognized the 19-year-old, dubbed the “Barefoot Bandit,” and called police, who captured him Sunday.

Iraq struggles to build parliament Hope that Iraq’s parliament could convene this week fell apart Monday as the country stumbled into month five with no new government and the prime minister hitting a brick wall with his nominal Shiite allies. With no resolution on filling top posts in sight, the heads of the main political blocs decided to delay the next session for two weeks.

Staff and wire reports

Pg. 1-07.13.10.indd 1

Courtesy photos, photo illustration by Megan Ryan — THE BATTALION

fish camp

community

Namesakes prepare for Class of 2014

Shipwreck launches video contest

Sarah Ammerman

to be a part of the Aggie family — especially the support, The Battalion Although Fish Camp will camaraderie and the life-long not begin welcoming incom- friendships,” Kracht said.

Counselors work for at least ing freshmen until August, six months to prepare for several of this year’s 42 camp. With the help of namesakes said they are the namesakes, a spealready excited. cial message is tailorAmong the sevmade for each camp. eral hundred names Kracht, Kemp and submitted for nomiBlomstedt will all nation, three repreattend the camp sentatives from the College of EducaJames Kracht, they are representtion and Human executive associate ing, and each have dean of the messages they hope Development, Janie Department of to relay to the inKemp, James Kracht and Steve Blomstedt, Teaching, Learning coming students. and Culture “I hope to help were selected. the freshmen get “I am so happy to be getting to know the Session a glimpse of what it means to F Blue co-chairs and counsel- be an Aggie, and how this is ors,” Kemp said. “This is an the time in their lives to deoutstanding group of students velop their strengths academiwho have developed a bond cally, socially and spiritually,” among themselves that will Kemp said.

Fish Camp has developed undoubtedly touch the lives of over the years into a time for the incoming freshmen.”

The purpose of Fish Camp freshmen to come together to is to welcome freshmen to learn what being a part of the Aggieland and give them the Aggie family means. chance to have fun, make “It’s been a great opportufriends and learn traditions of nity to be involved with the Texas A&M. students and be reminded again “I hope to convey my un- why Texas A&M is such a spederstanding of what it means cial place,” Blomstedt said.

Shipwreck Grill, an Aggie-owned restaurant in Bryan, launched a YouTube video parody of the Saturday Night Live skit “I’m on a Boat” this past spring to advertise the business. The video had many hits and inspired a video contest.

“The idea for a video contest was inspired from hearing other businesses and organizations comment on how much fun they thought we had in our videos and how much they would like to put a video together themselves,” said Wade Beckman, owner of Shipwreck Grill and class of 1990. “I figured if we put a contest out there, it would help inspire folks to really follow through and actually make a video.”

The first place winner of the contest will receive a catered private party or event from Shipwreck Grill and Shipwreck T-shirts. The top

File Photo — THE BATTALION

three videos will be played at the “End of Summer” party at Shipwreck Grill on Aug. 28. The winning video will be played at Ziegfest, and all See Shipwreck on page 6

finance

A&M tops return on investment list Texas A&M University ranks first in return on investment when compared to other public institutions in Texas, according to PayScale.

Return on investment is what a graduate earns compared to typical college costs incurred. PayScale researches and compares average salaries and publishes the lists. The most important component in PayScale’s numerical rankings is the total cumulative estimated net salary for 30 years, totaling $816,000 for A&M. The report calculates the net return on investment by taking in consideration how much more a graduate would make than a high school graduate more than 30 years and subtracting the

“sticker price” of the college. For A&M, the instate costs of $88,540 for an undergraduate degree were used. The resulting figure is multiplied by the college’s graduation rate. Texas A&M has a 12.7 percent return on investment.

Texas A&M ranks 71 nationally out of 842 colleges and universities and is ranked higher than many top-rated schools, including MIT and Cal Tech. PayScale put out a survey in 2009 that showed Texas A&M graduates earn higher salaries midway through their careers, earning $95,000 annually.

Sarah Ammerman, staff writer

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The Mays Business School will have the MBA 101 program for students who are interested in a graduate business degree.

The program is from 3 to 5 p.m.

Friday in the Wehner building.

Registration is required. Visit http://ftmba.tamu.edu for more information.

Today mostly sunny High: 96 Low: 76

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thebattalion 07.13.2010 For daily updates go to thebatt.com ● Facebook ● Twitter@thebattonline

fashion

Aggie creates shoes to show in Milan Megan Ryan The Battalion Duct tape, packing peanuts, socks, high school Latin classes and a creative mind gave Zach Weldy, class of 2010, the chance to go to Italy to present his safety shoe product design.

In spring 2010, Peter Lang, associate professor in the architecture department assigned Weldy’s class a project to build something necessary for survival.

“We were developing survival objects designed for extreme conditions that could be vital in earthquake disaster zones — it was just after Haiti,” Lang said. “The architecture studio I conducted was mainly focused on border issues, specifically the Texas-Mexican border.”

Weldy said he wanted to make something simple, safe and practical.

“I came up with packing materials,” he said. “I thought, those are materials that everyone has. So when I looked at it I thought, what can I make? And

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I started using packing foam, duct tape and old socks to assemble a shoe.”

The shoes are made with a sock and packing peanuts wrapped in duct tape around the foot. After playing around with wrapping techniques and lots of colorful duct tape, Weldy designed a product to fit all types of feet.

“It’s an opportunity for people to be themselves,” he said.

“Generally speaking, it’s really difficult to have something truly custom in your life. Nobody’s foot is designed for shoes you can buy in the store.”

It wasn’t long before Weldy’s product caught the attention of an Italian designer, who was a friend of his professor. The designer asked Weldy to fly to Milan for a fashion show to teach a workshop explaining the process of making the shoe.

“The [Salone De Mobile] attracts 250,000 people or more, and I’m supposed to just hop a plane the week before and find a place to stay, but they were all really helpful and I ended up staying with different students and professors each night,” he said. “The Italian spirit is really quite fun.”

Weldy said he was thankful he took Latin in high school, because it helped him learn Italian quickly. “[In Milan] they would only speak a little English for my benefit, and when they didn’t know how to finish what they were saying in English, my limited Italian would take over,” he said. “I am probably one of the few people in Texas who speaks enough Italian to get by.”

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it. It would be really great if it were possible for me to do some nonprofit organizational thing where we print our pamphlets and ship materials out to foreign countries and they make their own shoes. Or it could be some fancy thing where the fancy people in New York buy them for like $200 and then we use $100 of that to buy shoes for people in foreign countries.”

Lang said there is an up-andcoming need for more ideas like Weldy’s.

“As people increasingly become more sensitive to the depletion of resources, consumption waste and natural disasters, they will inevitably begin to change fundamental living habits,” Lang said. “The University should become not just a place to learn about these changes but a model for how these changes might look.”

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.

Fountain by Zachary

Correct responses Phil Dorsett, class of 2004 Elizabeth Welch, junior chemical engineering major Dilim Nwobu, junior computer engineering major Alex Coleman, senior environmental design major Chris Martin, class of 2010

April Baltensperger — THE BATTALION

Would you like to suggest a Where on Campus for the staff photographers to consider? Send your suggestion with your name, contact information, class and major to photo@ thebatt.com.

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Teaching the workshops wasn’t a difficult thing for Weldy to do.

“I’m a natural teacher,” he said. “My personality works that way, so I went with my instinct. Italians are very receptive to new ideas.”

Kayla Weldy, Zach’s wife and class of 2010, is excited about the opportunities the project has provided.

“We’re hoping that it can get picked up by someone important and maybe produce them for real,” she said. “Zach is thinking that he might like to do product design instead of architecture, and we are playing with that idea.”

When the materials are tallied up, Weldy said the shoes cost about $4 to make. He has several ideas for his inexpensive product.

“There are multiple angles I could take,” he said. “I could try to get someone to produce

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While at a fashion show in Italy, Zach Weldy shows one of his shoes to Martino Gamper, an Italian designer.

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, Tyler Hosea — THE BATTALION College Station, TX 77843-1111.

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

7/12/10 5:57 PM

Former Aggie guard Donald Sloan signed a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings. Sloan went undrafted in June’s NBA Draft.

sports

Sloan

thebattalion 07.13.2010 page3

big 12

Non revenue sports in favor of Big 12 decision Corbelli, Blair, Byrne say staying in current conference right move

By Mike Teague | The Battalion

B

ehind all of the blogs, ESPN updates, newspaper stories, press releases and media uproar surrounding the conference realignment debate, rested the student-athletes, coaches, fans and families.

File photo — THE BATTALION

Women’s basketball Head Coach Gary Blair (above) and volleyball Head Coach Laurie Corbelli (right) are coaches of non revenue sports. They support the decision to remain in the Big 12 rather than moving to the Pac-10 or SEC.

Behind all of the television contracts, multi-million dollar packages and colossal football revenues, rested the nonrevenue sports with little to no say in the future. Despite dreams and desires to join the SEC or Pac-10, staying in the Big 12 was the best-case scenario for Texas A&M athletes who don’t wear football helmets.

“From day one, we have said that our first choice was to stay in the Big 12 conference,” Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne said. “We talked with our athletes and coaches and that was their preference as well. I can’t say that one sport had a preference over another.”

Although the limitless revenues that the SEC and Pac-10 projected were enticing, the added expenses were going to be tough to overcome. Non-revenue sports already spend a majority of their budgets on travel. A conference spanning half the country would only make things worse.

“In the big picture, for a lot of these non revenue sports travel is where a lot of the expense is,” volleyball Head Coach Laurie Corbelli said. “Soccer takes 35 people on the road. Can you imagine sending 35 players to Wash-

File photo — THE BATTALION

ington, Oregon, Northern California?

That’s expensive. I’m just really pleased that we are staying. I think the Pac-10 would have been interesting but a lot of headaches with the travel.”

Not only would the cost of travel be felt by the finance department, but the Aggie student-athletes would find themselves flying to the Pacific or Atlantic coasts in the middle of academic semesters.

“When there were initial talks of expansion, I was very concerned about all of our sports,” Byrne said. “Somebody needed to stand up for the studentathlete. We just can’t do this to our student-athletes and expect them to go to class.”

A common sentiment among the A&M coaching staffs was the fact that the Big 12 is already one of the top athletic conferences in the country.

“The super-conference was the Big

12 already,” women’s basketball Head Coach Gary Blair said. “Why did we need to make another? We’ve had the best women’s basketball conference for the last four or five years. I think our men’s basketball was ranked No. 2. Football was No. 2. Volleyball was No. 2 or 3. Track has been No. 1. I thought we were the super-conference, so I didn’t see a need for us to change.”

Perhaps the most important factor to A&M coaches, however, was maintaining the importance of the intrastate rivalries with Baylor, Texas Tech and Texas.

“This conference is built on rivalries,” Blair said. “You shouldn’t split up any of those. Why should we? You’re not going to split up Auburn-Alabama, UCLA-USC, Stanford-Cal,or even Harvard-Yale. So, why should we be thinking that far out of the box? That’s See Conference on page 4

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sports

page 4 tuesday 7.13.2010

thebattalion

Conference Continued from page 3

why we have non conference play.”

Conference realignment would have also added challenges for A&M teams in recruiting.

“There’s no way that if this would have happened two years ago, that I would have probably three Kansas City kids,” Blair said. “Those kids want to play within a corridor which is going South and North where their parents can see them on TV and go to their home games and away games. We need to stay in this part of the country. Do you want to open up the doors for the West Coast teams to come into Texas more

than they already are to recruit?”

A&M will continue to maintain most of its recruiting pipelines, but the departure of Nebraska in 2011 and Colorado in 2012 will change the Aggies’ target landscape. Several A&M programs have recruiting bases in Colorado including soccer and volleyball which feature a combined six players from the Centennial State.

“We have a huge recruiting base in Colorado, but it will be a lot of fun playing the final original Big 12 regular season this year,” Corbelli said.

“At the same time, we’re looking at moving on to the new Big 12 or 10.”

With the Cornhuskers leaving for the Big Ten, several A&M sports might take advantage of the absence of the perennial powerhouse. In 14 years with the Big 12 conference, Nebraska

has taken home 68 conference championships and three national championships including two in volleyball. “[Nebraska] is one of the most amazing places to play,” Corbelli said. “The way they treat you there, the crowd is very knowledgeable. It’s a unique experience when you play there. I wish them the best in the Big Ten, but I don’t think we’ll skip a beat honestly. I think we have enough strength in our conference to have as high quality of matches.”

Despite the program’s success, many Aggies will miss playing one of the country’s most historic and spirited universities. Among them is Byrne who served as Nebraska’s athletic director from 1992-2002.

“I’ll miss them personally,” Byrne said. “I

loved going up there and competing. I loved beating them. I have some great friends there.

I have strong personal relationships with many of their administrators, and I hired many of the coaches that are still there.”

Now the Big 12, despite having 10 teams, looks toward the future without Colorado or Nebraska. However, the general consensus among A&M coaches is satisfaction with the way things turned out.

“It just was too much greed and ego at the top,” Blair said. “Everybody was trying to decide about this mega-conference. The calmer heads prevailed and the right decisions were made.

Change is not always good all of the time.”

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3bd/2ba house, large fenced back yard, tile floors, less than 1-mile from campus. www.aggielandleasing.com

3/3 newer duplex includes all appliances, tile floors, backyard, pets allowed. Available August. Call Tia 979-739-1160.

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

979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com

3bd/1.5ba, carport, on shuttle, pets ok, fenced, $750/month. aggieLandRentals.com 979-739-4455.

4/2/2 off Dominik. Updated house, tile, carpet, with W/D, pets allowed. $1600/mo. Tia 979-739-1160. Available August.

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

3bd/2ba C.S. Historic District. Walk to campus. $1200/mo. W/D, ref. and lawn service included. Pets O.K. 902 Welsh. 979-450-5666.

NOW LEASING 4 BEDROOM HOMES!!

Call for Move-in specials!!

Rent from $1300 - $1700 3909 Aspen, Bryan 2310 Avon, Bryan 905 Bougainvillea, CS 4140 McFarland, CS 1220 Ridge¿eld, CS 600 Thompson, CS 3512 Vienna, CS www.AtHomePM.com 979-696-5357

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

BRYAN: CHARMING 2/1 Duplexes, WOOD FLOORS, privacy fenced COMMON AREA. $525-$545/mo.

979.775.2291 www.twincityproperties.com

puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com

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.

4bd/3ba townhouse, 2 car garage, spacious, pool, landscape back yard, $1850/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 BRYAN: 1/1, 2/1, & 2/2 APTS! COVERED PARKING, laundry facility, in HISTORICAL DISTRICT! PAID W/S, INTERNET, CABLE & GAS! 979-775-2291 www.twincityproperties.com BRYAN: MIDTOWN VILLAS 1601 S COLLEGE, COMPLETE RENOVATION!!

2/2 DUPLEXES w/PAID W/S, INTERNET, CABLE! WOOD FLOORS! 979-775-2291 www.twincityproperties.com Clean 3/2 available August. Rock Prairie area. 3703 Marielene, W/D, refrigerator, lawn-service provided.

979-450-5666.

COLLEGE STATION: 1/1, 800 sqft, shuttle, all appl, W/D, lawn/pest/maint incl, 906 Spring loop (off University), $575. KAZ Realty 979-324-9666.

COLLEGE STATION: 2/2, 1000 sqft, shuttle, all appl, W/D, lawn/pest/maint incl, 906 Spring loop (off University), $675. KAZ Realty 979-324-9666.

COLLEGE STATION: 3/2, 1240 sqft, shuttle, all appl, W/D, lawn/pest/maint incl, 905 Balcones (off Welch), $850. KAZ Realty 979-324-9666.

COLLEGE STATION: 3/3, 1450 sqft, all appl, W/D, lawn/pest/maint incl, 3745 Oldenburg (off Graham), $1100. KAZ Realty 979-324-9666.

Duplex near campus. 2bd/2ba.

W/D. No backyard. 307 Spruce. $695/month. Call 254-760-8242.

Great 3bd/2ba 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.

SALES CONSULTANTS

Due to tremendous increase in our business, we are seeking 2 to 3 additional sales consultants. We offer a great working environment for motivated individuals including medical insurance, retirement plan, 5 day work week, a world class Honda Product, and hands on training from our experienced management staff. Please contact Chris Collins at 979-696-2424 or come by in person for an application.

ALLEN’S GOT YOUR HONDA! 2450 Earl Rudder Fwy S., C. S.

Pg. 4-07-13-10.indd 1

FOR RENT 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/2ba 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 Roommate needed. 1-block from campus. All amenities.

979-846-3376.

Sub-lease 2 bdrm at The Lofts Apartments. Roommate matching provided (for female). 950 sq ft. $679/permonth + utilities.

936-321-3646.

HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day.

No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com Cedar Lane hiring for asst. manager/ bartender (exp. pref.) and waitress/ shot-girl. Send contact info to cedarlanepa@gmail.com.

Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.

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

Hiring full-time and part-time temporary help for August, carpet cleaning technician, 979-693-6969.

Housekeeper for C.S. home. P/T, M-F, daytime only. $10/hr. Call 979-450-4363, laladypoet@yahoo.com

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

REAL ESTATE 2bd/2ba mobile home for sale, nice park in C.S., excellent investment, all appliances included, call 979-204-7702.

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-Male Roommate needed 2/2 condo at Fox-Run. $400/mo. +1/2bills, on bus route. Call 936-581-4504.

2-female roommates needed. 104 Ridgecove, off Rock Prairie. Furnished, nice, $350/mo.

361-798-6657.

2-female roommates needed.

3bd/3ba/2car NEW furnished townhome off Harvey Road. $600/mo., $100/mo. garage. Call 281-468-3516.

Grad or upper-class roommate wanted for 4bd/3ba house near Graham Road. Rent $375/mo. =utilities. Call 979-661-0848.

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

281-844-2090.

7/12/10 5:22 PM

Politics as usual: Episode V: The Podcast Strikes Back Hear Richard Creecy and Ian McPhail interview Texas A&M’s president, Bowen Loftin about the Big 12 and the budget situation. James checks in on the Hell’s Angels in his segment, Cavin Fever.

On thebatt.com

‘ voices thebattalion 07.13.2010

Taking Haiti by the hand I

t is incredibly difficult to find a single word to describe the joy of nearly 400 Haitian children.The hope they have in the midst of a life marred by death and poverty is beautiful, hopeful, inspiring, gripping and heartbreaking.

It has been a week since the Living Hope and New Life churches returned from helping children in Haiti, but every bit of the overwhelming power of children is still freshly burned into the minds of the 23 people who served in Haiti.

This team was blessed to serve an orphanage and other children from the area surrounding Gressier, Haiti. The town is 15 miles west of the capitol of Port-au-Prince and 1 mile from the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake, which left hundreds of thousands dead or injured and destroyed the homes of one million more.

Yet in spite of those staggering numbers, malnutrition, bare feet, unthinkable living conditions and intense emotional scarring from the earthquake, not to mention the loss of parents and friends, these children

Courtesy Photo

Children from a devastated village near Gressier, Haiti smile and sing among the remnants of the earthquake

Courtesy Photo

Kristen Danklefs and Nick Glassey lead groups of Haitian children to pick up crackers and juice at the JoyHouse.

were happy. have the same result.

For these beautiful “I think that the real driving force behind children, it was enough this problem is that our kids have too many just to hold a hand, play diversions,” said Howard Tipton, the chila little game or listen to dren’s minister at Living Hope. “When somea language they didn’t thing important comes along, they couldn’t even understand. pay attention if they wanted.”

They would run up to That observation is applicable to the rest of Matt Poarch members of the team us as well. There are so many distractions in and hold on to any College Station that are not in Gressier. The senior wildlife and fisheries major finger they could find, difference was immediately observable both and the quickest were in the children and in the way the team interable to get piggyback acted with one another. What can rides. That was enough to make a difference happen without the distractions in their day. of modern American life is The people “In America, we have everything,” amazing and precious. of Haiti said Travis Rutledge, senior business When the only activity still need management major. “Yet we always a child has is to love and our help to complain about having nothing.” be loved, he or she will rebuild.

Many children had literally nothing cling to the opportunity. For but the clothes on their backs. Many lost many of those children, the their parents in the earthquake or were sent to only time they would be held that an orphanage by parents who could not raise day was during the three hours every day they them. Many would not eat except for the one were with us. Sadly, we may have been the time each day we fed them. only ones to tell them, “mwen renmen ou,” I Then they would sing, “mwen genyen jwa, love you, that day. jwa, jwa, andedan kè mwen.” I’ve got joy, joy, It is impossible to spend time with Haitian joy, down in my heart. How often we lose children and not be forever changed. As the sight of the fact that it takes more than matesaying goes, children everywhere spell love rial possessions for that kind of joy. the same: “T-I-M-E.” My plea is for Aggies We couldn’t help but compare this attitude to reach out to orphans in whatever way they to that of most of the children we intercan. Go outside your comfort zone and love act with today. The children in Haiti were on the future generation of children already thrilled just to be spoken to, no matter what cast aside. Take the time and see a life bigger language. Sitting down to talk with most than ourselves.

8-year-olds in College Station would rarely

Moving on up

A

ll right children, oday’s topic is today’s oing to be movgoing ut what, you ing. But ask, is “moving”?

Well, I’m glad you asked.

Moving, according to the Oxford English lish Dictionary of Stuff I Just Madee Up, is the act of transferring one’s ne’s person and belongings gs from one domicile micile to a new place ace of residence. e.

But what motivation on is there too perform such an irritating ing and difficult endeavor?

Well, barring rring angry creditors and arrest warrants, the biggest reason on to move is becausee your house is too small all to hold all of your junk. k.

Imagine ne that you had a toilet, and instead of flushing it, you just carefully transferred everything into a new larger toilet every time you ran out of space. Except that, of course, not everything is going to survive the move, so you’ll probably have to add some new crap to the new toilet and what-do-youknow, it looks like we’re running out of space again. This is the essence of moving. Except instead of a shovel, you have to rent a truck. Also, you have to carefully package each individual piece of crap so that it does not become damaged on the way over.

That sounds like fun! I’m sure you’re saying, “how do I go

Pg. 5-07.13.10.indd 1

about moving?”

Well, the first rule of moving is to have a bunch of crap in your old house. I don’t just mean things that you use, like furniture or LEGO pirate ship collections.

No, I mean absolutely useless stuff, like boxes of every single report card you got in grade school and broken appliances that you keep around just in case they suddenly start working again.

So how do I go about collecting enough useless crap to justify a move? Well, it’s all about the mentality. Let’s say you’re driving down the street, when you see a large pile of broken gardening tools.

What would you do?

A) Continue driving.

B) Take the tools because I have an immediate need for gardening tools, such as working on a farm, or murdering foolish sexcrazed teenagers during romantic log-cabin weekend getaways.

C) Take the tools because while I have no use for broken gardening tools at the moment and in fact am violently allergic to all known gardening plants as well as dirt, I will take them with me on the chance that I may at some point in the future, possibly decades from now, find a use for it, such as a wedding present for the child that I do not currently

outer space). ground or oute If, you, like me, answered C, then you are w well on your way to preparedness. It’s time to moving prepar throw away th that old house like Cabana napkin and a used Taco C fresh. This brings us start over fresh to our next se section on moving: moving. actually mov Once you have accumulated crap levels throughsufficient cra house, it’s time to out your hou start packin packing. Packing is the fine art of playing Doom II for seve seven hours a day night before you until the nig are evicted, aand then hastily throwing ever every possession into cardboard boxes in random large cardboar order. we’re packed up Now that w and moved oout, the next step in order is to find fin a place to move are lots of ways to into. There ar find a new plac place to live, such as purchasing iit or massacring inhabitants. When the previous in looking for a nnew home, there things to look for. are a couple th James Cavin — THE BATTALION A h ffour walls? Does it Are there have a roof? Is it located have, but will hopefully on a haunted ancient be interested in some Moving burial ground? Are gardening toolmeans taking the neighbors all sinrelated field, such as every useless gle attractive bikinifoolish-sex-crazeditem along clad 20-somethings? teenager-murderer. to your new More importantly, are If you answered home. they female?

A or B, you are most As you can see, most of likely not ready to move any time soon (unless the remains this is about location. This is why we packed stuff in boxes. Just of the log-cabin party have been find a nice spot, empty a box and discovered, in which case you you’re all set. should probably back up the old hockey mask and pickaxe and start ominously shambling towards a new B-movie domicile, such as an ancient cursed burial

page5

EDITORIAL

Halting handgun restrictions

In response to the Supreme Court decision overturning bans on handguns, the city of Chicago has passed a new ordinance with updated restrictions. The Supreme Court interpreted the right to bear arms and defend themselves equally across the states, declaring gun control laws unconstitutional in cities plagued with gun violence like Chicago.

Chicago’s city government drafted a new ordinance to restrict handgun rights, Chicago’s city which goes too far in government preventing citizens from has gone too exercising their Secfar in restricting ond Amendment right handgun rights. that has been granted by the judicial system setting precedent. While mandating training programs sounds reasonable, and prohibiting handgun sales within the city limits is petty but arguably within a city’s right to control commerce, other aspects of the ordinance are too extreme and challenge the Supreme Court ruling.

Law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to own more than one assembled gun and hold their firearms outdoors on their property, restrictions Chicago has no right to enforce with this ordinance.

Gun owners who have met proper safety and legal requirements should be allowed to own firearms for protection, as ruled by the Supreme Court. The guarantees of American liberty laid down by the founders in the Bill of Rights should not be changed, and Chicago needs to honor that decision instead of subverting it.

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

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

MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified.

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

7/12/10 6:08 PM

news

page 6 tuesday 7.13.2010

thebattalion

oil spill

Baby animals face uncertain future FORT JACKSON, La. — The smallest victims are the biggest challenge for crews rescuing birds fouled with oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill.

There’s no way to know how many chicks have been killed by the oil, or starved because their parents were rescued or died struggling in a slick.

“There are plenty of oiled babies out there,” said Rebecca Dmytryk of the International Bird Rescue Research Center, one of the groups working to clean oiled animals.

The lucky ones end up in a cleaning center at Fort Jackson, a pre-Civil War historic site on the Mississippi River delta south of New Orleans.

Pelican chicks often come in cold because oil has matted down the fluffy down that’s meant to keep them warm.

Shipwreck Continued from page 1

proceeds from the contest will be used to support the Brazos Valley Counsel on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

More information ◗ Visit www.shipwreckbcs. com for rules, deadlines and complete list of prizes.

“We are simply looking for uniqueness, creativity, originality, humor and overall entertainment value,” Beckman said. “The options are limitless; however, we hope to see some completely original stuff and some spoofs to songs, shows, commercials or movies. The videos do not need to be professionally shot or professionally edited. It is all about fun, entertaining content.”

Megan Ryan, staff writer

Pg. 6-07.13.10.indd 1

They must be warmed quickly just to survive long enough to be cleaned. And the youngest must be taught to eat.

“They only know their parents regurgitating food into their mouths. They don’t know how to pick stuff up,” said Dmytryk, whose organization is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue, a company hired by BP to coordinate animal rescue and cleaning in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

That means tube feeding three times a day. Others, a bit older and accustomed to taking fish from a parent’s throat, must be hand-fed until they can eat fish from a bowl.

Adults can be checked a few times a day, but babies needed two staffers’ full-time attention to be sure they are eating and are warm.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A baby Ridley’s Kemp turtle, an endangered species, is seen receiving care from veterinary technicians after being rescued from the oil.

Many adults and juvenile pelicans get coated with heavy oil diving for fish. That doesn’t happen with the chicks.

Associated Press

Competitor points to BPdriller relationship NEW ORLEANS — The first public hearing by a presidential oil spill panel Monday zeroed in on the relationship between BP and the company it hired to drill the now exploded rig.In an effort to fight a new drilling moratorium, a rival drilling executive and a Louisiana congressman said other oil operators shouldn’t be tarred because of one bad apple: BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig.Larry Dickerson, president of a rival drilling company, told commissioners that the April 20 explosion and resulting oil spill were “the result of reckless operating mistakes.”He said errors were likely made in monitoring drilling mud, in decisions on when to use the blowout preventer and about whether BP PLC or its contractor, Transocean Ltd., was in charge of safety.BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells testified at the start of the twoday hearing about what BP was doing to try to stop the leak. None of the seven commissioners asked him about the causes of the rig explosion, and Wells did not discuss the question of blame. ”It appears that somebody may not have adequately monitored what’s coming out of the hole,” Dickerson said.

Associated Press

7/12/10 6:04 PM