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Photos by Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
The Battalion city editor Meagan O’Toole-Pitts participates in a burn Thursday alongside 16 firefighting students and instructors at Brayton Fire Training Field. The Chemical Complex, a prop at the field, simulates liquefied petroleum gas fires.
Firsthand inferno City editor feels the heat of firefighting By Meagan O’Toole-Pitts | The Battalion Editor’s note: Meagan O’Toole-Pitts was invited to participate in a burn at the Brayton Fire Training Field because she is a member of the media.
I
never felt more alive: not while protesting outside the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, not while hiking the Grand Canyon, not while leading a convoy of semitrailers across Texas. My heartbeat began to accelerate before the fire was even lit. I tucked my jeans into the firefighter boots, pulled the bunker pants up, and swung the red suspenders over each shoulder and thought, “I have no idea what I’m doing.” I was going to fight a staged fire Thursday with 16 firefighting students and instructors at the Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station. After much snapping and clipping, and
Faculty member receives award ■ Walter Peacock’s book explores the effects of disasters Alex Worsham The Battalion Director of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas A&M, Walter Gillis Peacock, was awarded the 2009 E.L. Quarantelli Award for Social Science Disaster Theory July 18 by the International Committee for Disaster Research. “The award is named after E.L. Quarantelli and he has been, for 40 or 50 years, a well-known researcher who has written a lot for the field,” Peacock said. For the past 15 years, Peacock has been studying the effects of natural disasters on different ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic statuses and how they recover. “One of the central issues [of the award] was my second book [“Hurricane Andrew: Ethnicity, Gender, and the Sociology of Disasters”] and related publication over Hurricane Andrew in 1992, in ongoing changes and how households recovered in Miami,” Peacock said. Peacock found that in Miami, minorities were disproportionately impacted and received less aid for recovery. He continued to observe this during See Disaster on page 4
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much assistance, I finished suiting up in 50-pound bunker gear, and stood anxiously in 100-degree heat across from the chemical complex that would soon explosively ignite. I anticipated that I’d be hot fighting a fire mid-day in July. What I hadn’t anticipated was the nervousness. Thanks to my heartpounding excitement, I hardly felt the heat. The mock petrochemical plant distillation unit had two levels, two staircases and tanks that stood several stories tall. Before I was directed to my place as third in line on one of the bottom-level hose teams, an instructor flipped up my neon yellow visor and a warned me that the propane gas would get caught under it and get in my eyes. The student in front of me on the line told me to get close, closer, closer. “I need to feel your arm on my back,” he said. Then
the instructor grabbed my arm and put my elbow against his back as if I were holding up a shield. When the complex was lit, it didn’t catch, so a student walked to the center to relight it. The fire flared out and encompassed him, and he walked out through the flames as if walking through beaded curtains. The explosion was numbingly loud and I could immediately feel the heat make my cheeks, which billowed from the constraint of the flash hood, rosy. The stench of propane aggressively invaded my nostrils. The fire swirled up like a tornado near me and shot up into the pale blue sky. Black smoke pushed out from the fire clouds. “Move in!” shouted an instructor. We took small, precise steps, bracing the See Fire on page 2
Freshmen help construct habitat house Laura Sanchez
Courtesy Photo
Texas A&M freshmen from Learning to Excel in Engineering through Preparation work with Habitat for Humanity on July 11 to raise a wall on site.
The Battalion Members of Texas A&M’s freshman engineering program, Learning to Excel in Engineering through Preparation, LEEP, helped build a house on July 11. The group collaborated with Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity in the construction process, to build a home for a family in need. “We constructed a house that day and they were on the job site. They helped with the wall raising and putting on the trusses, the most critical part of the house,” said Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity construction director Robert Cooks. The construction process also included a wall-raising ceremony in which LEEP and the
donating family were present, along with the rest of the construction crew. “We did it on July 11, and collectively we volunteered very close to 240 hours,” LEEP project manager Jacqueline Hodge said. “We contributed to completely installing all the walls and rafters for the home.” LEEP dedicated one Saturday to the project, and dozens of students participated. “I want to say there was about 35 volunteers total for the day. We had two shifts because there were so many people that would be there,” Cooks said. “So we broke it up into one in the morning, and one in the afternoon for that Saturday.” The program has been helping Habitat for
Protesting for peace
See Build on page 4
BASEBALL: Bombers had a tough weekend stretch against East Texas and McKinney. sports | 3
Karen Cruickshanks — THE BATTALION
Meagan O’Toole-Pitts — THE BATTALION
For the Global Day of Action, 750 people marched over the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, Saturday, chanting “Justice for Iran.” The protesters gathered afterward in Auditorium Shores Park to listen to speeches and music objecting to the violence in Iran, sparked after the June 12 presidential election. “The thing that pleased me most was the support of non-Iranians,” said Texas A&M electrical engineering graduate student Mehran Mirjafari, organizer of the A&M protest on June 16.
COMMENTS: The return of comments to The Battalion’s Web site ushers in a new era of discussion. voices | 5
7/26/09 10:38 PM
‘G-Force’ tops box office
pagetwo
Today Mostly cloudy High: 93 Low: 76
LOS ANGELES — An elite squad of guinea pigs has worked its own brand of magic at the box office, taking the No. 1 spot from boy wizard Harry Potter. The 3-D “G-Force” was the top movie at the box office this weekend, opening with $32.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
40% chance of t-storms
thebattalion 7.27.2009 corrections
The man with a plan
In Wednesday’s article, “Former students show gratitude,” the Ann and S. Ray Huffines ‘74 Military Appreciation Scholarship may be awarded to children of veterans disabled or killed in the line of duty, or veterans disabled in the line of duty.
NASA breathes easy CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A space station air purifier was working again Sunday after it shut down at the worst possible time, when company was still visiting and had swollen the on-board crowd to a record 13. The repair by flight controllers, albeit temporary, came as a great relief to NASA. Even if the carbon dioxideremoval system had remained broken, shuttle Endeavour would not have had to undock early from the international space station, said flight director Brian Smith.
Palin to continue in politics FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin steps down Sunday, giving few clues about her political future, which has been clouded by ethics probes, mounting legal bills and dwindling popularity. A few things are known: She is scheduled to speak Aug. 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, and has said she plans to write a book, campaign for political candidates from coast to coast and build a rightof-center coalition. She also plans to continue speaking her mind on the social networking site Twitter. Friend and foe alike have speculated that Palin may host a radio or TV show, or launch a lucrative speaking career. Her political action committee, SarahPAC, has raised more than $1 million. Associated Press
Ray Huffines is a member of the Class of 1974. Ann Huffines is not a graduate of Texas A&M University.
Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Interim President R. Bowen Loftin speaks in an open forum Friday morning in Rudder Theater. Bowen discussed the University budget and answered questions from the audience.
Contador wins Tour de France PARIS — Lance Armstrong’s children were dressed in yellow at the Tour de France awards ceremony. He was not. When the seven-time Tour de France champion returned to the Tour podium Sunday, his family was there. His fans were there. And so was rival and teammate Alberto Contador — wearing the coveted and hardwon yellow jersey. Four years after his seventh Tour win, Armstrong capped his return with an impressive thirdplace finish. A massive crowd poured out onto Paris’ most famous avenue for the finish — Norwegians in Viking helmets, flag-waving Britons and an American in a starsand-stripes top hat among them.
Contador cruised down the Champs-Elysees to win the Tour for a second time Sunday after 2,141 miles over three weeks of racing. He repelled challenges in the mountains, excelled in the two time-trials — winning a pivotal race against the clock in the 18th stage — and won the first Alpine stage. Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, Contador’s toughest rival in the mountains, was second overall. Contador said his biggest battle, however, was against his own Astana team. “It has been an especially difficult Tour for me, but I savor it and it is more special because of it,” he said after the prize ceremony. Only 26 years old, Contador already is one of cycling’s greats,
having won all three Grand Tours of France, Italy and Spain. Armstrong’s comeback after 3½ years of retirement raised questions about who would lead Astana during cycling’s most prestigious race. Those questions remained through much of the Tour as tensions mounted over who was the No. 1 rider. “I’m realistic, I did everything I could,” Armstrong said before the final stage. “For me, and even more for my kids, it’s probably a healthy thing for them to see, because they saw their dad that never lost, and the kids in their class (say) ‘your dad never loses,’ so it’s good for them to see dad get third and still be cool with that and still be happy.” Associated Press
Fire
me and thrust it forward. I repeated three times, quicker each time, and jerked on the hose to help angle it. We turned our faces toward the hose, to shield from the blinding heat. My visor fell, but it took minutes for me to realize it. Only when my eyes began to sting did I snap it back up. As I stood holding the hose to my chest, I looked forward and saw the determined face of the students in front of me on the line. Water droplets gathered at the rim of their visors and dripped down, and plunged from the tips of their noses. The metal ID rings on the back of their helmets shined and swung with the wind and water. As a blur of orange glowed beside the black iron grated stairs, they were calm; they were steadfast, like American bald eagles. I hope the memory of that image never fades. When I was offered the opportunity to help fight a fire I
was excited. The excitement kept growing, and I thought it would climax at the experience, but surprisingly it continues to grow as I revisit the snap shots in my mind. I knew it would add to my life experience, but I didn’t realize how much it could alert my perspective. I could not have anticipated how I would feel afterward. After we backed out, instructor Robert Noah and others stopped to talk to me. “I looked down and suddenly I was fire,” one student said. “And I was scared you were going to start running.” “I thought you would be,” I said. “But we’re all on fire together.” Noah, who is the assistant chief of the Rolling Oaks Volunteer Fire Department, thanked me. “It’s incredible for an outsider to come in and have that attitude. Great job. We’re proud of you.” I shook his hand and walked away, enthralled and dehydrated.
Continued from page 1
hose on our right. The hose opened up and the power of 125 gallons of water per minute got blood flowing to my biceps. With much effort I looked down and saw fire unexpectedly racing along the concrete past my feet. “Don’t run!” shouted the student in front of me. We slowly backed out. “Yeah, small steps!” he said approvingly. We extinguished the floor fire and went back in. The fire floated along the ceiling, looking like ocean waves from underwater. “To your left, guys!” screamed one of the instructors. To our left we saw the fire raging toward us, flames whipping at our helmets. “More slack!” the front student shouted. I pulled the hose from behind
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‘Twilight’ dominates Comic Con SAN DIEGO — Most camped out overnight. Some spent two nights outside the San Diego Convention Center. They wore homemade T-shirts, made friends with fellow fans and talked about their allegiance to Team Edward or Team Jacob. They are the “Twilight” fangirls, and they came to Comic Con by the thousands to see the movie’s stars in person at a panel Thursday for the film’s sequel. Director Chris Weitz was joined by Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Ashley Greene. So many women and girls relate to the “Twilight” series because they identify with Bella, Stewart said. The annual fan convention lasted from Thursday to Sunday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tour winner Alberto Contador of Spain, left, and third-place Lance Armstrong, on the podium after the race Sunday.
To say I was pumped would be an understatement. There are no words for the experience, and no way to truly communicate what it was like. But there are some words for how it’s made me feel. Grateful. Happy. Hopeful. Spellbound. Humble. I know how it feels to fight fire. I was there. I felt the heat, the fear, the confusion and the unity. I know what it is they feel every time they’re dispatched, every time they depend on one another to stay alive, every time they brave their fears. I was appreciative of firefighters before, but now I am in awe of them. Every fire is different, and every day they face uncertainty. And, volunteer firefighters do it for free. This experience has changed me and I now know was pivotal in shaping the person I will be. We fought a 1,700-degree liquefied petroleum gas fire and we came out alive.
Associated Press
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7/26/09 10:18 PM
Punish Stallworth
sports thebattalion 7.27.2009 page3
Ian McPhail
Fishing for champions
Donte Stallworth’s incident demands further action from the NFL.
E
arly in July, Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth finished his 24-day jail sentence for DUI manslaughter. Though the circumstances involved with the tragic accident arouse sympathy for Stallworth, the NFL needs to take a strong stand on disciplining a player who should not be above the law. After the Browns’ disastrous 2008 season, in which they failed to make the playoffs after being highly rated, it is understandable why Stallworth would spend a night out drinking. But while driving home a little after 7 a.m., the receiver’s car hit crane operator Mario Reeves. Stallworth had the decency to stop and assist the 59-year-old man by phoning an ambulance and waiting for the authorities. Police laboratory tests showed that Stallworth had a blood alcohol level of .126, well above Florida’s legal limit. It is easy to feel sorry for Stallworth; his statements as well as an unreleased video tape seem to confirm that Reeves darted out in front of the car. While this is relevant to the plea bargain Stallworth accepted, which included less than a month in jail, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell need to make sure that Stallworth is properly punished for his responsibility in a DUI manslaughter. Stallworth has too much money and fame to excuse driving so quickly after a night of drinking. Given the millions he earned throughout his career, asking the star athlete to call a cab or a representative of the team for a ride home doesn’t seem unreasonable. Stallworth might not have been responsible for the accident, but he had no excuse to be driving. Goodell has acted appropriately by suspending Stallworth indefinitely. Fans should not question the influence an undisclosed financial settlement with Reeves family had in disciplining a multimillionaire athlete. Goodell needs to continue his stance on the NFL’s conduct policy, and show America that he does not run the National Felon’s League. Ultimately, Stallworth’s intoxication might not have caused Reeves’ death, but it may have impaired the receiver’s ability to react quickly enough to save a man’s life. As Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress faces a three and a half year minimum sentence for shooting himself in the leg with an illegal gun, a month in county for intoxicated manslaughter is a pitiful slap on the wrist. Stallworth is not a bad man, nor are the events that placed him behind the wheel uncommon. He should be given a second chance, but only after the NFL makes it clear that the law needs to be taken seriously. Star players need to be as accountable to the law as the average person. Stallworth deserves to spend a season or two on the bench for his part in Reeves’ death. Ian McPhail is a sophomore history major.
■ Aggie Anglers Paul Manley and Andy Shafer competed in the Under Armour Bass Nations. Morgan Pindel Special to The Battalion This year the Texas A&M Aggie Anglers qualified for the Under Armour College Bass National Championship was held in Little Rock, Ark., on the Arkansas River, July 9-12. They did this by fishing in four tournaments. Senior wildlife and fisheries sciences major Paul Manley is the vice president of the Aggie Anglers. It is his job is to assist the president, senior wildlife and fisheries sciences major Andy Shafer, in whatever he needs. “I also help acquire sponsors,” Manley said. “I also determine our schedule for the year.” Manley likes the competition of fishing with his friends. By fishing together, he said they gain a lot of knowledge. He also enjoys the barbecues they have quite often. Shafer and Manley had the two highest scores during the qualifying tournaments so they were partners in the national championship. This was Manley’s second national championship to participate in. “I have been fishing since I was 2 years old,” Manley said. “I have been around the water and boats, though, since I was born.” The national championship was on river pools five, six and seven this year. Manley had fished in previous ponds in Hot Springs but never on the Arkansas River. The Arkansas River is divided into pools that are 20 miles long, and are “lock and dam.” The lock and dam is used to control barge traffic and help with the elevation difference of the river. “The Arkansas River was different than anything I have fished,” Manley said. “They were all so different. Pool five and seven were more natural, but pool six was in the middle of down-
Courtesy Photo
The top five teams at the national championships, Northwestern State University, University of Montevallo, North texas University, Louisiana-Lafayette University, and North Carolina State University. town Little Rock.” with 12 other schools for last place. conditions,” Manley said. “We were The lock and dams controlled the North Carolina State won the tourna- not prepared for tournament condicurrent, and switched up the days there ment with a day three total of 14.43 tions since we have not had any exwould be a current and the days there pounds. North Texas finished second. perience dealing with current-flowing would not. Northwestern State finished third, but rivers.” “That had an effect on the behavior had the highest total weight of the first There were other factors that made patterns of the bass,” Manley said. and second rounds with 20.2 pounds. the fishing difficult; on the first day The tournament took place over Montevallo (AL) and Louisiana-Lafay- they were only able to fish for three three days. Every school participated ette rounded out the top five; neither hours because of heavy barge traffic. on the first and second days in an at- school had a catch on the third day. “If I could go back now with the tempt to accumulate the most weight. Reflecting on the experience there knowledge I know, I would try to The teams with the five highest cumu- are some things that Manley knows to find fish under all possible conditions,” lative weights over the two days quali- do different next time. Manley said. fied for the third day. The team with During the week of practice there The Aggie Anglers will be at MSCC the most weight caught on the third were no dams changing the current. Open House when school starts. They day won the championship. During the actual tournament how- encourage anyone with an interest in There were 49 universities at the ever, the current was flowing, which fishing to come out and join. Their national championship, and nine Tex- moved the position of the fish. first tournament will be near the first as universities. The Aggie Anglers tied “We found fish under the practice of September.
Bombers get routed at home games out of first place. Thursday’s game against McKinney saw five lead changes, 22 runs, 25 hits and 23 runners left on base. The Bombers took an 8-7 lead in the sixth inning, but Aggie sophomore Aaron Daab and Texarkana College’s Joaquin Hinojosa gave up six runs to give the Marshals the 13-8 lead. The Bombers managed to add one more run, but failed to overtake McKinney, ending the game 13-9. On Friday, Bombers pitcher Travis Smith pitched four innings of a no-hitter, before McKinney put up four runs in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Jesse Payne and Marc Damon scored two runs in the sixth to secure the come-from-
Brett Sebastian
Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Catcher Casey Dykes watches the pitch while batting against McKinney. The Bombers won 6-4.
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QUALITY COUNTS
The Battalion The Brazos Valley Bombers’ tough July failed to get any better over the weekend home stand, with series against McKinney and East Texas. The Bombers produced only one victory, a 6-4 win over McKinney. Thursday, McKinney outlasted the Bombers 13-9, while East Texas added its own blowout on Saturday 12-4. The poor stretch puts the Bombers at 6-12-1 in the month of July, and one game above McKinney for third in the Texas Collegiate League standings. All in all, the Bombers are 17-18, falling below .500 this weekend, and are five
behind win, 6-4, for Brazos Valley to even their record at 17-17. Saturday the East Texas Pumpjacks shelled the Bombers early and often. The Pumpjacks took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Cliff Vaughn answered with a three-run homer in the second inning to even the game briefly, but afterwards East Texas turned up the heat. Every player but one in the East Texas lineup scored a run, while Brazos Valley could only muster one more run in a 12-4 blowout loss. The loss puts the Bombers at 17-18 on the season. Brazos Valley rounds out the month with a series against last place Coppell on Monday and Tuesday.
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FOR RENT $295, 1-room in shared, furnished apartment. All bills paid. Short term leases o.k. Call agent Ardi 979-422-5660. $375, AVAILABLE NOW and pre-lease. 1/1, 2/1. Free Wi-Fi, On Northgate, on Shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent, Ardi. 979-422-5660. $800, PRE-LEASE, 2, 3, and 4 bdrm. houses near TAMU, pets ok. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660. 1-3/bedroom apartments. Some with w/d, some near campus. $175-$600/mo. 979-696-2038. 1-acre, 5 minutes to campus, 1998 5bd/3ba, 1850sq.ft. double wide, fenced yard, large deck, W/D, $1100/mo. Owner/broker 979-219-0405. 1-Roommate needed. 4bd/4bth $325/mo., washer/dryer. University Place on Southwest Parkway. 281-844-2090. 2,3&4 bedroom houses w/yards. Great locations for students. Pets welcome. 979-492-3990. 2/1 duplex in Bryan. Very nice, close to campus, ceramic tile and carpet, nice appliances. No-smoking. Available August, $675/mo. 979-220-7041.
3bd/2ba C.S. Huge duplex, fenced, shuttle route, w/d connection. Treehouse Trail, $995/mo. www.c4properties.net 979-268-1074. 3bd/2ba house on 3 acres, pets okay, 901 Krenek Tap Road, $1250/mo. 979-693-1448 3bd/2ba, 3703 Marielene, Rock Prairie, available August, $1200/mo., includes W/D, refrigerator and lawn service. 979-450-5666. 3bd/2ba, utility room with W/D, off Texas Avenue across from campus, $1,000/mo. 210-696-2841 3bdrm/3ba duplexes. Great floorplans, fenced yards, w/d, tile floors, icemakers, alarm systems. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com 4/2 house, fall 09 sem only, available immed. close to campus, on bus route, W/D, wood/tile floors, internet, cable, yard and cleaning service incl in rent. Huge yard, great deck, $400/mo per room plus 1/4 electric. NS NP 713-304-3433 or amberpropmgmt@comcast.net 4/2/2 House, close to campus, available July or August. $1295/mo . aggieLandRentals.com 979-776-8984.
3/2 Townhouses &Apartments, 1250sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, washer/dryer, walk-in pantry &closets, extra storage, great amenities, on bus route, excellent specials. 979-694-0320, office@luxormanagement.com 3/2/2, 2700 Normand Circle, College Station. $1250/mo. 979-822-1616. Cottage Holik C.S. 2bd/1ba W/D $600/month . 979-777-2472.
Quiet country atmosphere, fireplace, very large 1bdrm brick duplex. +bills. No pets. $415/mo. 979-693-8534. Room in nice mobile home. Internet, cable, central-air/heat. $300/mo. everything included. Natalia 210-364-7006.
4bd/2ba. 6 MIN WALK TO TAMU, IN VIEW OF KYLE FIELD! Large fenced yard, new carpet. Appliances provided. $1200/mo. Available August, 804 Welsh. Call 832-215-1801 or 832-338-5397. 4bd/2ba., 307 Timber Street, 3-blocks from TAMU, located in historic district, available for August, 979-450-5666. 4bdrm/2ba house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com 5-bedroom house for lease. For more information 979-966-3913 or www.tricaprealty.com All bills paid, $285/mo., share house, immediate lease, 979-779-1424.
Beautiful house 3bd/2bth plus automatic car garage. Includes hardwood floors, AC plus many ceiling fans. Oriental rugs if wanted. Many windows. 1wk free, call for special. 832-646-2329. Many designer extras. Close to campus. Callaway Villas, furnished room, 2-month free, 4/2.5, $575/mo. 936-348-1561. College Station: 4003 So. Trace, 4/3 $1475. 4130 McFarland, 4/4, $1700. 2901 McLaren, 4/4.5, $1700. 1101 Haines, 3/2, $1100. 4033 Southern Trace, 4/4, $1600. 4064 Southern Trace, 4/4, $1600. Alpha-Omega/Broker, 979-774-7820, alphaomegaproperties.com For lease: 3bdrm/3bath duplex. 3733 Oldenburg, $1000/mo. 979-324-9666. Room for lease under Helen Kline, Callaway House, available 6.23.09, call 979-260-7700 or 817-991-6803
STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys. The Steamery Carpet Cleaning now hiring temporary helpers for the month of July and August. Call 979-693-6969.
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
FOR SALE
PETS
Scooter/ Moped, $675. Great for campus!! Call 469-363-7524.
Teacup puppies: Maltese, Shorkies, Maltipoos, Yorkies &Poodles. $500 &up. 979-324-2866, linda_d_54@yahoo.com
HELP WANTED
Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296, photoguy@io.com
Available 8/09. Bryan historic district, large 5-2 on large 1.3 acre lot, secluded, includes 2 bay metal garage with workshop, ideal for students with projects, pet friendly, handicap accessible, W/D connections, energy efficient. 806 E.29th $1700/mo. 979-255-5461. www.picketfenceproperties.net
2bd/2ba condo, in DoubleTree, large walk-in closets, fireplace, water paid. 1901 W.Hollemon $700/mo. 979-693-1448.
Oak Creek Condos high-speed internet and basic cable. 2bdrm/1.5ba. $515/mo Water, sewer, trash paid. Fireplace, icemaker, pool, hot-tub. 822-1616.
4bd/2ba house, 2,200sq./ft. All appliances included. Backs up to park w/b-ball court &track. On sorority row w/bus-route. 1-mile from campus. Two spots available. Call 713-443-2055. 4bd/2ba house, w/fenced backyard, pets okay, all new on inside. 3104 Longleaf. $1300/mo. 979-693-1448.
2/1 fourplex available now, w/d, bus route, 1537 Pineridge, $510/mo. plus $350 deposit, 979-450-0609.
2bd/2ba 4-plex. Spacious floorplan, W/D connections, close to campus. $550/mo. www.aggielandleasing.com, 979-776-6079.
Newly remodeled 4/2 house. Walking distance to campus, tile &wood floors, great location, nice big deck &yard. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com
Assistant teachers part-time. Working with children 18-mo. through 6-yrs, great learning opportunity for education majors or anyone wanting experience working with children. Please apply at swlccs@gmail.com or 979-693-6556.
Apartment for lease, 2-bedroom, includes covered parking, $557.06/mo. Jefferson at the Zone, contact Barbara 713-550-6560.
2bd/1ba duplex on Holik. Garage, fenced in backyard, W/D. $750/month. August- August lease preferred. Contact 903-388-3588 or 903-388-6098.
Large 2bdrm/2bs, 3204-Cougar Trail, Bryan. Water, sewer, &trash paid. Everything’s new inside. $675/mo. 979-822-1616.
4bd/2.5ba. Walk to Campus & Kyle Field! Huge, (1,770sq./ft/) newly remodeled house with 2 master bedrooms. Must See! New woodfloors, paint, bathrooms, ceilingfans, large fenced yard w/big deck. Available now! 1013 Welsh. $1500/mo. Call 972-313-5834 or 512-944-5264.
2bd/1ba duplex in Wellborn area. Best suited for individual or couple. Rural setting, pets ok. 979-690-6161.
2b/1b fourplex. 2000 Longmire in College Station. $475/month. Call 979-822-1616.
JUST REMODELED! 4br/2ba 1115 Merry Oaks. Available Now. Big Yard, Big House w/ Detached Garage. $1500/mo. Call 214-704-3503.
REAL ESTATE 1999 16x76, 3bd/2ba in Rolling Ridge Trailer Park. 1178sq.ft., corner lot with front and back fenced yards, decks, new wood flooring and carpet, island in kitchen, all appliances, W/D hookups, close to TAMU, $28,000. 972-679-6891.
ROOMMATES
Child Care- FT & PT shifts available. Some nights & Saturdays required. Apply in person at 3609 E. 29th St., Bryan.
$1,000 incentive. Need female, 1bd/1ba, $4,584/semester. Serious inquiries. Callaway Villas or call Debra 325-277-9828 dgarcia@suddenlinkmail.com
Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.
$475/mo. +bills, for 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, pets okay on approval. Call 925-998-6108.
Cook, cashier and runner, 7-day a week position. Background check Evening employment. 979-776-8135, call for an appointment.
1 roommate needed. Spacious 2 story townhouse in Canyon Creek. Fully furnished. 4/2.5 $400/mo. +1/4 utilities. 713-823-9341.
Doctor’s assistant, will train. Apply in person 3733 East 29th. Street Bryan or fax resume to 979-260-0610.
1-female roommate needed for 2009-2010 school year. 3bd/2ba townhouse. $425/mo. +utilities. 979-574-4582.
Leasing agent needed, license required. Contact BrazosLand Properties 979-846-0606. Looking for a great job? Starting Pay $10.02 hourly. Are you mature and responsible, reliable, able to make good decisions and available evenings and weekends? Do you enjoy working with the public and need to work 12 to 20 hours per week? Applications are now being accepted at the Brazos County Administrative Office for a Building Attendant position at the Brazos Center. Position is responsible for setting-up tables and chairs for events, assisting customers, performing janitorial duties such as cleaning restrooms, mopping/vacuuming floors and emptying trash. Hours and days can be arranged around reasonable requests. Download an application at www.co.brazos.tx.us or call Brazos Center for more info. 776-8338. EOE Needed, data entry person with excellent computer skills and typing speed. Temporary position. 979-690-6766. Office assistan/ secretary needed for small local business, part-time, flexible hours, for information call 979-492-6077. Work Mornings, Own Your Nights! Great hours, great food, and great people here at Kolache Rolf’s. If you’re friendly, energetic and dependable then we’ve got a job for you! Apply at 3525 F Longmire.
puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com
1Female roommate 3/2 duplex, W/D and furnishings. $250 month, +1/3 bills, non-smoker, no pets prefered. Rock Hollow Loop & 2818. Call 979-229-0778. 3 roommates wanted. 4bd/2ba house, bike/walk to TAMU, $500/mo., utilities included, large yard, easy access to Blinn, 832-492-8447. Engineering student needs 2 roommates: furnished townhouse at River Oaks 305 E. Holleman. $500/mo. +1/3utilities -On bus route -Large rooms and private baths. email Nick: nroma23@gmail.com Male roommates wanted in 4bd house. $300/mo. +1/4 bills. 979-777-4379. New house, fenced yard, 1 pet okay, close to campus, $550/mo. private bedroom, shared bathroom, all utilities included, 817-9172347. One roommate needed, 4/4/2, clean, good condition, on-shuttle. $375/mo. 512-248-9330. Roommate needed. 4/4 University Place condo, W/D, private bath, pool, volleyball court, on shuttle. Prelease for summer or fall. $300/mo., call 979-690-8213 or 979-422-9849. Sub-leasing one bedroom in 2bd/2.5ba Cottage at the Woodlands of College Station. $700/mo. For information call 817-271-2939 or e-mail thebangor@yahoo.com
TUTORS ESL tutoring and editing, masters level teacher, $15/hour. cmizc@aol.com
monday 7.27.2009
thebattalion
Texas man wins Hemingway contest KEY WEST, Fla. — A 55-year-old Texan wearing the requisite white beard and sporting a sweater won an Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest — one of the highlights of a six-day annual festival honoring the late Nobel prize-winning author. Dressed in a wool fisherman’s turtleneck sweater despite 90-degree temperatures, David Douglas of Cypress bested 139 other contenders at the “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, staged Saturday night at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, the author’s favorite watering hole. Douglas’ attire emulated Hemingway’s appearance in a famous 1957 photograph by Yousuf Karsh. “It’s very possible the sweater did it,” said a perspiring Douglas of his victory. “It’s about 120 [degrees] inside the sweater, but
it’s worth it.” Douglas won the competition on his eighth attempt after originally entering on a dare. The mechanical contractor said he shares Hemingway’s fondness for fishing, but has no literary aspirations. Other Hemingway Days events included literary and theatrical presentations, a marlin tournament and a short story competition coordinated by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway. The festival ends Sunday. July 21 was the 110th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth. While living in Key West during the 1930s, Hemingway wrote some of his most famous works, including “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” ‘’To Have and Have Not” and “Death in the Afternoon.” Associated Press
Build
services and housing, and act as ambassadors to peers who do not participate in the program,” Hodge said. Parents are given an orientation before the program begins to familiarize them with the University. “We are thoroughly impressed with the quality of the organization and implementation of this program,” said Cheri Oehler, parent of an LEEP member. “It provided us great insight into the engineering program, as well as into college life at Texas A&M.” The students have the opportunity to participate in a community service project that allows them to see how engineers contribute to society. “I think it’s great they chose to start their journey at Texas A&M by getting to know and help the community,” Cooks said. “I hope they continue to support our mission to end poverty housing in Bryan-College Station, and we look forward to working with them again.” Students who participated in the project were able to contribute to the home that was given to the Amos family, and sponsored by the Charles W. and Margaret A. Zipp Charitable Fund. “They were excited, they enjoyed doing it and they were glad to help out on that type of project that is designed to help those in need,” Hodge said.
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Humanity every year with A&M freshmen since its beginning in 2007, Hodge said. “It’s been for the last three or four years that the freshmen come out and we do different things with them. They’ve been out several times, involved in all aspects of the construction process with Habitat for Humanity,” said Cooks. LEEP is a five-week summer bridge program that allows incoming freshmen an opportunity to prepare for academic studies in the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M. “It’s designed to increase the academic success of students,” Hodge said. “What we do is we bring incoming freshmen to campus during the second summer session, prior to the fall semester, and help them become better prepared for an education in the College of Engineering.” Along with preparing for the upcoming semester, students take classes to get a jumpstart on credit hours. “Participants will have the opportunity to fulfill three hours of course credit towards a degree program, understand the importance of the engineering profession to society, build relationships with peers, become familiar with University facilities,
Disaster Continued from page 1
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike, as well as other disasters, such as earthquakes and the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia in 2005. “It’s really an award given to a team of researchers I’ve been working with,” Peacock said. “It’s a group effort.” Peacock worked with researchers in the department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning: associate professor Sam Brody, professor Michael Lindell, research scientist and lecturer Carla Prater, and graduate students Yang Chang, Jin Chen Lu, Wes Highfield, Himanschu Grover, Joseph Mayunga and Jung Eun Kang. “The project we worked on was trying to apply some of the ideas that [Peacock] developed and some of the data he collected after Hurricane Andrew,” Lindell said. The team collected data through a series of surveys and interviews. “One of the interesting things
is there were ethnic differences in the recovery,” Lindell said. “Whites recovered faster, Hispanics had intermediate recovery, and blacks had the slowest recovery. Blacks tended to not have insurance, and if they did it was with a small company that went bankrupt.” Peacock’s research also covers what homes can do in preparation for disaster. “The first thing we advise [people to] do is mitigate for disasters,” Prater said. “They need to analyze their hazards and mitigate what they can.” Peacock came to Texas A&M in 2002. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving,” Prater said. “He’s very passionate about his work and the students, and we’re very lucky to have him.” Texas A&M had the first center in the country that looked at what happens before and after disasters hit, Peacock said. “I’m happy to be associated with the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center,” Peacock said. “When they asked me about coming here, I jumped at the chance.”
STUDIES IN PROGRESS RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA)
Volunteers ages 18 and older needed to participate in a 6-week clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for atopic dermatitis (RED, DRY, SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN). Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related ointment for 4 weeks • Physical Examination • Dermatological Assessments • Compensation up to $300 for time and effort For more information please contact:
J&S Studies, Inc. 979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845
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voices
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.
thebattalion 7.27.2009 page5
Calling all comments
Gail Hernandez— THE BATTALION
Allowing users to contribute helps discussion
R
ecently, many of you have noticed the return of comments to The Battalion’s Web site. The Internet is rapidly becoming more involved in newspapers’ production in general and The Battalion can turn it into a platform to discuss any issue. The comments posting gives readers the opportunity to challenge, amend and change not only the opinion of the author of every article, but of many other readers as well. As the Internet continues to add facets to its vital role in countless newspapers, debate and availability of statistics can continue to flourish with the help of readers who also want to have their voices heard.
Ian McPhail The Internet’s increased involvement in media does not have to be the end of the newspaper. Instead, it allows papers to involve readers in every article. With the availability of information online, even someone with minimal knowledge of computer usage can contribute facts and statistics to a comments section. The Battalion’s comments
page can be used to air differing opinions, supported by everything from Evans Library research to personal experiences. All of our writers are students with access to the same information as the average person — readers can now easily spread their views to each other immediately after finishing the article. It can sometimes be difficult for readers to express their honest opinion to strangers. However, the Internet provides everyone who has access to it with a less personal forum in which to discuss events. Everyone’s particular views on most any serious topic run the risk of offending another, if either person believes passion-
ately and differently enough about the topic. Similarly, when someone is confronted about their core beliefs, it can leave most anyone feeling judged or insulted. Though these reactions are understandable, college needs to be a time to listen to new ideas. Our thoughts and beliefs are constantly in flux throughout our lives. Through challenging each other and expressing the ideas most important to us, we are given an opportunity to better ourselves, even if the debate only strengthens our resolve. The comments section on The Battalion’s Web site gives readers the chance to discuss their feelings with a degree of
anonymity, allowing people to voice thoughts and feelings they may not be comfortable communicating in person. The comments section may not change the world, but what you write online may change another person’s opinion. At the very least, it provides a place for people to practice writing their opinions, and perhaps it will be helpful to each of us becoming a little more open minded. Comments are often a direct pipeline to the author. I am honest enough to admit to closely following comments on my columns, and most writers will admit to caring about the readers’ opinions. But the comments I read the
most have been from the readers willing to take the time to correct or challenge something I have said. The Internet has provided The Battalion and its readers with a chance to better engage each other. More people than you think are willing to read your comments online, and any post will contribute, so don’t worry about writing anything other than what you want, regardless of the time it takes to type it. Share your comments when it’s possible, and you, The Battalion and its readers will all be better for it.
Ian McPhail is a sophomore history major.
GUESTCOLUMN
Insecurity leads to aggression and ignorance
I
n India, we had lots of geckos at our home. Surprisingly, we became quite comfortable with their presence over time. They would crawl all over the walls, the ceiling and would disappear occasionally under the books. We were comfortable until they came closer than our comfort levels allowed them to. Every once in a while, as one of them chased an insect, it would land up on my study table, or go past our feet on the floor and we would make a jarring sound and drive it off. Why did we do that? Perhaps because we had grown up despising and fearing these creatures and we had become accustomed to feeling safe in the knowledge that they would run away if we made a noise. So, when they were far enough, we did not bother; when they came closer, we felt the urge to make sure that the trick still worked. It was a manifestation of our insecurity. Insecurity leads to aggression; whether it is geckos we are dealing with, or humans. The recent spate of attacks on Indian students in Australia is probably a result of insecurity and helplessness. Indian students have always formed a major cohort of the international student community in certain nations. Barring a few exceptions, almost all of them belong to the middle or upper-middle class segment of India and have been raised in an environment that inculcates them with certain attributes; and the answer to this
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Parijat Sinha
Immigrants contribute to the dynamism of Western economies today, just as in the past. issue lies in these attributes. First, most Indian students studying abroad have a certain yearning for academic excellence and professional success. It is the typical middle class mindset, which tells us to “study hard, find a good job and live ‘happily ever after.’” Thus, it’s not the least bit surprising that most Indian students studying abroad perform fairly well academically, find a decent job and manage to live a fairly decent and peaceful life. Furthermore, the system in place in the countries to which these students immigrate promotes talent; in effect, the system encourages merit over mediocrity. The fact is that a large proportion of Indian students end up taking jobs that would have otherwise gone to comparatively less-qualified citizens. Over the years, this has led to discontent among the ranks of people who were
accustomed to the myriad opportunities that this well-established system can offer. Their concern: it’s their country and it’s their job; they need to be given priority. Point taken, but capitalism doesn’t say that. Secondly, there is something in our upbringing that makes us highly adaptable to the environment we inhabit. This attribute reminds me of a quip from a Bollywood movie that says that we are taught to adjust and compromise because that’s how we can survive. Thus, either by choice or by compulsion, an average Indian who is used to eating home-cooked food, sipping tea at the local tea shop and is unaccustomed to doing the dishes or, for that matter, using vending machines, adapts and comes to appreciate the Subway-Starbucks-DIY habits. Sooner or later, you find us mixing freely with locals at the pubs and nightclubs and sporting a mixed foreign accent — which, I will admit, sounds funny at times, no disrespect intended. This effort on the part of Indians to mingle, adapt and finally transform, causes discomfort to those residents who might be of a more cautious mindset — after all, it’s their domain in which we are trespassing. While it might not be of immediate concern, these feelings do linger on and escalate with the passage time. Racial violence is certainly not a new phenomenon, and isolated
incidences do arise once in a while, whether it’s from the United Kingdom, the U.S. or Australia. However, the scale of recent violent acts in Australia is unprecedented there and a matter of great concern. So what is it that has sparked this reaction? The alarmingly high unemployment due to the global recession and the resulting desperation of the newly unemployed are possibly factors that have muddled up the minds of a few locals to such an extent that they have resorted to violence. Ironically, the existence of Australia (or for that matter, the U.S.) can be attributed to immigrants. Most likely, one reason for the immense progress of these nations is the resilience of the immigrants who have had to adapt and work hard for independence, sustenance and progress. While some people have expressed concern that Australia will lose out on tourism because of these incidents, they should be more concerned that they will lose a pool of highly qualified, hard working individuals, who in their effort to lead a good life are contributing to the vitality of Australia’s economy. It’s the symbiotic relationship between residents and immigrants that has been and will continue to be the driver of economic development in many of these nations. Parijat Sinha is a graduate student in industrial engineering.
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
7/26/09 8:57 PM
news
page 6 monday 7.27.2009
thebattalion
Where on campus?
French president collapses
Comics
PARIS — French President Nicolas Sarkozy collapsed while jogging Sunday at the Chateau of Versailles and will stay at a hospital overnight even though tests so far have found nothing wrong. Military doctors quickly performed tests on the 54-year-old president, who is known for his hyperactivity. Sarkozy’s test results were normal, but doctors plan to keep him under cardiological observation until Monday.
Photos by Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Think you know every nook and cranny of Texas A&M? Test your campus know-how by e-mailing The Battalion and telling us where you think this photo was taken. The first people to get the answers correct will have their names published in The Battalion. Send your response with your name, class and major to photo@thebatt.com.
Iran resembles military state CAIRO — The Revolutionary Guard tightened its already powerful hold over Iran during the post-election turmoil, raising alarm among some Iranians that it is transforming the Islamic Republic into a military state. The elite force and an affiliated volunteer militia, the Basij, led the crackdown against street protesters who claim mass fraud in the June 12 election after
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner in a landslide. At least 20 protesters have been killed in clashes and hundreds detained. The Revolutionary Guard weighed in at key moments of the crisis. Two days before the election, with the reformists’ Westernstyle campaign at its zenith, the Guard warned it would crush
any attempt at a popular “revolution.” A few days after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei admonished demonstrators in a prayer to stop protests or face the consequences, the Guard followed up with its sternest warning to prepare for a “revolutionary confrontation” if protesters take to the streets again. A harsh crackdown followed. Associated Press
Castro implores Cubans to work farm land Thursday’s answer Moore Communications Building
Correct responses Stephanie Hinds, junior political science major Matthew Wey, senior accounting major Paul Segars Jr., Thermographer, Physical Plant Department Nick Heil, senior geography major
HOLGUIN, Cuba — Raul Castro said Sunday that the global economic crisis means tougher times ahead for Cuba, but the country has no one to blame but itself for poor farm production that leads to frequent shortages of fruits, vegetables and other basics. In a speech marking Revolution Day, Cuba’s president said the island can’t pin all its problems on Washington’s 47-yearold trade embargo. He implored
Cubans to take better advantage of a government program begun last year to turn unused state land over to farmers. Castro “The land is there, here are the Cubans,” he said. “Let’s see if we get to work or not, if we produce or not, if we keep our word.” The line did not get much of a response from a crowd not
thrilled about working under the island’s scorching tropical sun, but the 78-year-old Castro called agricultural production Cuba’s top priority and a matter of national security. “It is not a question of yelling ‘Fatherland or death! Down with imperialism! The blockade hurts us,’” he said, referring to U.S. sanctions begun in 1962. “The land is there waiting for our efforts.” Associated Press
Car kills 2-time Idol star SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — Authorities say a 25-year-old former two-time “American Idol” contestant has been struck and killed by a car in a New Jersey shore town. The Asbury Park Press reports that Alexis Cohen, of Allentown, Pa., was killed Saturday in Seaside Heights. Cohen auditioned in Philadelphia for the popular Fox singing competition in August 2007, and the episode was aired in January 2008. She tried out again during the show’s eighth season. Associated Press
4LTVYPLZ MHKL @LHYIVVRZ SHZ[ H 3PML[PTL Order your 2010 Aggieland yearbook (chronicling the 2009-2010 school year) by choosing the Yearbook fee option when you register for fall classes. For info, call 979.845.2613.
(NNPLSHUK Texas A&M University Yearbook
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