Oct 14 2009 The Battalion Print by The Battalion

thebattalion ● wednesday,

october 14, 2009

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids A&M graduate finalist in CNN Heroes program Joaquin Villegas | The Battalion

Courtesy Photos

How to vote ■ Vote for Brad Blauser at: http://www.cnn.com/ SPECIALS/cnn.heroes ■ Voting closes Nov. 19 ■ CNN Heroes winner to be chosen at 8 p.m. Nov. 26

Texas A&M is being represented in the CNN Heroes program by Brad Blauser, Class of 1992. Blauser is the founder of Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides free wheelchairs to disabled Iraqi children. Blauser, a Dallas native, now lives in Baghdad in order to dedicate himself to his philanthropy, while receiving no compensation. Blauser moved to Iraq in 2004 as a civilian contractor, but quit to give his time to help disabled children. “Disabled children [are] really the forgotten ones in this war,” Blauser said.

Allies and Advocates Students, faculty and staff provide equality support Melissa Appel The Battalion With the goal of uniting the Aggie family, Aggie Allies provide an open door and a listening ear to students who wish to speak about gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender issues. “Allies is a safe-zone program,” said Brad Dressler, chairman of Aggie Allies Executive Committee. “We’re dedicated to providing visible support for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of Texas A&M and beyond.” Allies can be recognized by the “Aggie Ally” placard outside of an office or dorm room. Students can also search for an Ally by visiting the Aggie Allies Web site at allies.tamu.edu. “The majority of feedback we get from the GLBT community is that seeing the Aggie Allies placards all over campus and knowing that a support network exists helps to put their minds at

Courtesy Photo

GLBT buttons are handed out for Ally Appreciation Day to raise community awareness. ease,” Dressler said. “Students often tell us that they feel comforted knowing that when they see an Aggie Ally placard, they can let their guard down and not have to worry about prejudice or being judged by that individual. The placard signifies that person is an Aggie Ally and will be supportive.” “I wanted to know how I could be a better advisor and a better resource for my students,” said Rebecca Taylor, an adviser in Student Activities and member of the Aggie Allies Executive

Allies meeting Allies will gather for the Allies Across Campus Meet and Greet from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Everyone is invited to attend the event, where Allies will provide a presentation, recognize a few speciﬁc Allies, and discuss future plans and events. Light refreshments will be provided.

He realized the gravity of the situation when talking with Maj. David Brown, a friend serving as a battalion surgeon. Brown told stories of children dragging themselves along the roads or lying motionless in a room because they had grown too large for their parents to carry them everywhere. “There are no pediatric wheelchairs available for purchase or offered by the government,” Blauser said. “Iraqi children desperately need long term solutions to their healthcare needs, and it starts with getting them See Wheelchairs on page 4

Bush addresses A&M community To my Fellow Members of the Texas A&M Family: Howdy! As you have probably heard, I have invited the 44th president of the United States of America to come visit the George Bush Presidential Library and Texas A&M, and President Obama has graciously accepted. Along with the administration, faculty, and so many of you, I am honored that the president, our president, is taking the time and making the effort to come to College Station on Oct. 16 to talk about an issue that unites all Americans — namely, community service and its vast importance to our continued well-being as a nation. Our country still faces many tough challenges, and the message that will come out of our Presidential Forum on Service, I hope, is that every American regardless of age has an important part to play in helping us overcome the obstacles to our common progress. This is not about politics. This is about the importance of service to our communities and our country. It would be hard to imagine a more deserving college campus to host a Presidential Forum on volunteerism and community service than Texas A&M — which is, after all, a school steeped in a rich tradition of service. That’s why I am so proud to have our Bush Library and Museum and Bush School of Government and Public Service here, and I cannot wait for Obama to experience the open, decent and welcoming Aggie Spirit for himself. This will be an important national moment, and a moment for Texas A&M to shine in the global spotlight as it always does. I sincerely hope and believe it will serve as a point of Aggie pride for many years to come.

Gig‘em! George Bush #41

See Aggie Allies on page 4 File Photo — THE BATTALION

Restaurants reopen after roaches were found Last week two restaurants, Applebee’s on Texas Avenue and El Coco Loco in Bryan, were closed for 24 hours by the Brazos Health Department due to an infestation of roaches. “In Applebee’s there was a lot of evidence of roach droppings in the bar area so we went through the kitchen and we found live roaches on the walls and equipment,” said Anthony Zuniga, environmental health specialist. The day after health inspectors found roaches in Applebee’s, they also found roaches in El Coco Loco. “We found roaches by the dishwasher and on clean equipment, and [El Coco Loco] was also closed down for 24 hours,” Zuniga said. Both restaurants have successfully reopened after taking care of the roach problem. Vicky Flores, staff writer

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Brazos County officials offer amnesty period Katy Ralston The Battalion Brazos County is offering warrant amnesty from Monday to Oct. 23. Citizens with outstanding warrants can avoid paying the $50 warrant fee if the warrant is paid in full. No partial payment schedules will be allowed for citizens avoiding the fee. The amnesty period has been offered in an attempt to clear thousands of collectively outstanding warrants totaling millions of dollars from the City of College Station, the City of Bryan and the

offices of the Brazos County justices of the peace. During the amnesty citizens can pay their warrants no questions asked and with no additional fees. The type of the warrant can vary including tickets for speeding, absence of driver’s license or insurance, failure to appear in court and disobeying red lights. Payment methods include cash, cashier’s check, credit cards, money orders and personal checks. Outstanding warrants cannot be paid via College Station’s online citation payment system.

The county’s previous warrant amnesty period in February cleared 324 warrants bringing in a total of $110,479. “[The warrant amnesties are] an attempt to clear active warrants and get people to come in and comply with their cases. It’s a nice incentive, I would say,” Arnold said. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 6 law enforcement officials will launch a “warrant roundup,” arresting those who failed to pay their ticket during the amnesty period.

Warrants A list of all outstanding warrants can be found at www.cstx.gov/ warrants. Citizens who are uncertain whether outstanding warrants exist in their name may contact: City of College Station Municipal Court at 979.764.3683.

10/13/09 9:47 PM

Today chance of storms High: 89 Low: 75

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Yell practice Thursday

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Thursday 30% chance of storms high: 88 low: 55 Friday sunny high: 74 low: 55 Saturday sunny high: 75 low: 47

pagetwo thebattalion 10.14.2009

Taking the volunteer oath

An on-campus yell practice for the Kansas State football game is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at the arches of the Corps of Cadets area. Midnight Yell Practice will take place Friday night in Kansas City at the fountain across the street from PF Chang, 102 West 47th St. in the Country Club Plaza area.

Alumni Center welcomes faculty The Association of Former Students will have an open house for A&M faculty from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. The event is intended to give faculty a preview of the historical and interactive exhibits in the Williams Alumni Center and to thank them for the vital role within the Aggie Network. A preview for university staff was Sept. 25.

corrections The Battalion welcomes readers’ comments about published information that may require correction. We will pursue your concern to determine whether a correction needs to be published. Please e-mail at editor@thebatt. com.

Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION

ormer Ross Volunteer Dennis Kaspar, Class of 1985, speaks at the Ross Volunteer Co. Induction Banquet Monday at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. Seventy-nine junior cadets were inducted into the organization, taking an oath to be a “solider, statesman and knightly gentleman.”

Nobel jury defends Obama choice OSLO — One judge noted with surprise that President Barack Obama “didn’t look particularly happy” at being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Another marveled at how critics could be so patronizing. In a rare public defense of a process normally shrouded in secrecy, four of the Nobel jury’s five judges spoke out Tuesday about a selection they said was both merited and unanimous. To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama’s young presidency, “We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done,” committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe. Jagland singled out Obama’s efforts to heal the divide between the West and the Muslim world and scale down a Bush-era proposal for an anti-missile shield in Europe. “All these things have contributed to — I wouldn’t say a safer world — but a world with less tension,” he said. For nine-year Nobel committee veteran Inger-

Marie Ytterhorn, Obama’s demeanor spoke volumes when he first acknowledged the award during a news conference Friday on the lawn of the White House Rose Garden. “I looked at his face when he was on TV and confirmed that he would Obama receive the prize and would come to Norway, and he didn’t look particularly happy,” she told the AP by telephone. “Obama has a lot of problems internally in the United States and they seem to be increasing. Unemployment, health care reform: They are a problem for him,” she said. She acknowledged there was a risk the prize might backfire on Obama by raising expectations even higher and giving ammunition to his critics. “It might hamper him,” Ytterhorn said, because it could distract from domestic issues. Still, she added: “Whenever we award the peace prize, there is normally a big debate about it” so the Obama controversy was not unexpected. Associated Press

Slain Yale student memorialized by university NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale University graduate student who was found murdered a month ago on what was to be her wedding day was remember Monday as a “model student” at a memorial service for the university community. About 150 classmates, professors and others gathered at Yale’s historic Battell Chapel for a private memorial service for Annie Le, the 24-year-old found strangled behind a wall in a school laboratory. Yale President Richard Levin called Le “a model student for the Yale of the 21st century — a child of immigrants, raised in America, bright, accomplished, ambitious and disciplined, yet caring, loving and spontaneous.” Le was a doctoral pharmacology student from Placerville, Calif., who worked on a team that experimented on mice as part of research into enzymes that could have implications for treatment of cancer, diabetes and muscular dystrophy. Associated Press

WARRANT AMNESTY OCT. 12 - OCT. 23 COLLEGE STATION MUNICIPAL COURT If you have a warrant out of College Station Municipal Court or think you have a warrant, come to Court at 300 Krenek Tap Road or call 764-3683. If ¿nes are paid in full, the warrant fee will be waived from Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 23. The Court will be open Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. the remainder of the week during the Warrant Amnesty Period. The Court accepts cash, checks, or credit card payment. Those who do not come to Court during the Amnesty period and have a warrant outstanding for their arrest will be pursued during the

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Anthony’s blog

For more information about games and to keep up to date on gaming news, visit gamesatthebatt.blogspot.com.

thebattalion 10.14.2009 page3 Holiday exclusives Xbox 360: Left 4 Dead 2 PlayStation 3: Uncharted 2 Wii: New Super Mario Bros. Wii

New prices Xbox 360: $299 PlayStation 3: $299 Wii: $199

this holiday season.

Two deals in one

Anthony Gerhart

Just in time for holidays, producers offer price cuts, new games for this generation of consoles

e’re more than halfway through the lifespan of the current home gaming consoles on the market. At this time for a generation of systems, console producers will drop prices to boost unit sales for consumers who are still hesitant, and game developers typically will have tapped into nearly the full power of a system’s hardware for games. This means both savings for the consumer as well as the promise of competent games from developers who have had plenty of time to work with a specific console.

Price drops If you decide to take advantage of one of the recent price drops in home gaming consoles, you can send your “thank you” card to Sony. After leading hardware sales in the previous generation of consoles, Sony found the PS3 trailing behind Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Sony is hoping to turn this around and make a stretch for first place with the release of a sleeker, slimmer new version of the PS3, as well as a price cut to an affordable $299. In order to stay competitive, Microsoft acted almost immediately following Sony’s announcement and dropped the cost of the higher end console, the Xbox 360 Elite, to the same $299 price point. Nintendo announced their own price cut to the Wii console Sept. 23 at the Tokyo Game Show in Japan. The Wii now costs $199 and still includes the system-selling “Wii Sports” software. The new, lower prices, indicative of the “recession-proof” video game industry, offer only a taste of what each console has in store for

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Included in Sony’s new advertising campaign is the claim that the PlayStation 3 “does everything.” While most consumers prefer to purchase their console by comparing hardware specs and the software library, you will find a great deal of shoppers buy the PS3 not for the gaming appeal, but for the promise of an inexpensive but high quality Blu-Ray player. It was and still is one of the biggest reasons to buy Sony’s console, and the new $299 price point makes the deal even more tempting. Microsoft’s media guns are attributed to its partnership with Netflix. The New Xbox Experience (NXE) that released November 2008 included a feature that streamed Netflix movies and television shows in up to 720p — 1080p for some premium shows — for those who had subscriptions to both Xbox Live Gold and “Netflix Unlimited.” Such a subscription service is ideal for college students interested in the convenience of avoiding both the pricing and location of video stores and Redbox kiosks. Not to mention, with a “Netflix Unlimited” subscription, your streamed rentals are exactly that — unlimited. Since the service was released in 2008, the sheer amount of available titles to stream has grown considerably. Chances are if you want to watch a movie, Netflix via Xbox Live will have it.

Holiday exclusives Microsoft has the rights to Valve’s teamworkfocused zombie shooter “Left 4 Dead 2.””. Valve’s action-packed sequel will deliver on four different game modes: co-op, versus, survival, and a fourth unannounced mode. The game will feature four new characters and new weapons, including melee weapons such as an axe, a chainsaw or even a frying pan. The ammunition weapons include a new shotgun, a new scoped- semiautomatic similar to Halo’s Battle Rifle, and a new sniper rifle. Valve’s shooter also includes an artificial intelligence mechanism named “The Director” that changes the layout of the campaign based upon how you play. “Left 4 Dead 2” is set for release on Nov 17.

Sony’s key exclusive stars Nathan Drake in his second adventure in Naughty Dog’s “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves”.” The game will expand on the original game’s concepts of platforming combined with gunfighting and will introduce stealth elements, as well as competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes. However, offline multiplayer will not be supported; if you want to play, you’ll have to play online. “Uncharted 2” has been well received by critics and shipped Tuesday for retail sale.

Nintendo’s big title this holiday season stars perhaps the most recognizable character in games — the big man Mario himself. “New Super Mario Bros. Wii” features the side-scrolling style reminiscent of the classic Mario games in the late 80s and early 90s, and borrows from the style of “New Super Mario Bros.” released for the DS in May 2006. The primary pull of this installment is the inclusion of four player cooperative play is spiritually akin to the GameCube’s “The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures” in the sense that the players must cooperate to complete the level, but they’re competing in order to obtain the highest score. Just don’t get too upset when your partner jumps on your head in the middle of traversing a gap and you happen to lose a few points because of it. “New Super Mario Bros. Wii” is set to end friendships Nov. 13. Two important non-exclusives are hitting the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this winter, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” and “Assassin’s Creed II.” “Modern Warfare 2” is delivering a vastly improved multiplayer mode with a multitude of new perks and rewards given for the amount of games played and for playing well. “Assassin’s Creed II,” on the other hand, is strictly singleplayer and features enhanced parkour mechanics and a non-linear sandbox world akin to “Grand Theft Auto.” “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” and “Assassin’s Creed II” will be released on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17, respectively. The recent price drops will likely pull in consumers that have since held off from one of the three consoles, and the anticipated titles being released this winter are sure to please many people during the holidays. Anthony Gerhart is a computer science major and special to Evan Andrews — THE BATTALION The Battalion.

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page 4 wednesday 10.14.2009

Wheelchairs Continued from page 1

up off the ground and into pediatric wheelchairs.â&#x20AC;? A recent United Nations Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund (UNICEF) survey of Iraqi families shows that one in seven Iraqi children is disabled. The war and diseases such as poliomyelitis, a viral disease, which can lead to paralysis and spina bifida, a developmental birth defect that leaves vertebrae over the spinal cord open, are among the main reasons for disabilities. Some estimates calculate up to 1.5 million children are affected. Blauser and Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids have donated more than 650 wheelchairs and helped hundreds of families to lead better lives. One of those families is that of 3-year-old Ali Khaled Ibrahim. He was struck with a fever that left him paralyzed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I heard the news of the distribution of these advanced wheelchairs, I was very happy deep down,â&#x20AC;? Aliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought maybe that will ease my work as a mother

Aggie Allies Continued from page 1

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Aggie Allies

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October 15-16 Find an Ally or learn more information at:

allies.tamu.edu

Committee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I became an Ally because I believe that there needs to be visible support for the GLBT community on this campus,â&#x20AC;? Associate Director of Student Life Studies Darby Roberts said. Roberts serves on the Aggie Allies Executive Committee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I started, which was shortly after it began, it was particularly important to provide that support because there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really that effort across campus.â&#x20AC;? By becoming an Aggie Ally, individuals are not signing up to be activists or counselors. Instead, the primary focus of an Ally is simply to show acceptance to those with whom they speak. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are committing to be someone who is willing to provide a safe space,â&#x20AC;? Taylor said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ask that our Allies are role models about being open and accepting and someone who challenges homophobia when appropriate.â&#x20AC;? Aggie Allies is an organization started in 1993 through the Department of Student Life and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Resource

thebattalion

in the way I deal with my son.â&#x20AC;? Blauser has enlisted help with both American and Iraqi organizations to help him further his goals. Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids has partnered with a nonprofit group called Reach Out and Care Wheels, which sells him wheelchairs at manufacturing prices. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donates free shipping for all the wheelchairs transported. Blauser is assisted by the civil affairs division of the U.S. military, who aid in transportation of the chairs and families. Also, Iraqi military and police force help with the distribution of wheelchairs. The good deeds not only aid the families in Iraq, but also serve as morale boosters to the armed forces in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Watching my soldiers fit these children into their chairs was one of the most fulfilling and moving experiences of my life,â&#x20AC;? said Capt. John Turner, Commander for the 2/8 Field Artillery Regiment of the 1/25 SBCT in Northern Iraqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diyala province. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a commander I

have striven to ensure that, in all ways, my soldiers are ambassadors of the true America.â&#x20AC;? Blauser has seen children with diseases that no longer pose a threat in developed countries to children whose limbs have been blown off by improvised explosive devices. But within him, one thing remains constant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never underestimate the abilities of the disabled,â&#x20AC;? Blauser said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many times they are more capable than one might realize.â&#x20AC;?

Center. The group consists of faculty, staff and students who have volunteered time and services to support Aggies in the GLBT community. Aggie Allies has 768 members, which represent a mix of faculty, staff and students. More than half of the Allies identify themselves as heterosexual. People interested in becoming Allies are first asked to attend an Advance, the threehour workshop covers topics such as terminology, situations members of the GLBT community encounter, coming out and discrimination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea is that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re advancing your knowledge about the GLBT community,â&#x20AC;? Dressler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve yet to know anyone who has gone through it that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t learned quite a few things.â&#x20AC;? Allies express a variety of personal reasons for becoming a member, all with the goal of serving others. With almost 800 members, Aggie Allies are a strong network of individuals with little turnover beyond graduation and job changes. Nonetheless, Allies are always looking for more individuals to get involved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really doing a big push on outreach,â&#x20AC;? Taylor

said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to assess our strongest population of Allies and where we can do more outreachâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whether in certain departments or places on campus.â&#x20AC;? In all of their actions, the primary purpose of uniting Aggies remains the goal of all Allies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re basically saying if you need someone to talk to, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here,â&#x20AC;? Dressler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aggie Allies is about being nonjudgmental and supportive.â&#x20AC;?

The CNN Heroes program honors the accomplishments of people trying to make a difference. The Top 10 finalists receive a $25,000 prize with the winner winning a bonus $100,000 for their charity. The winner is chosen by voting online and can be done repeatedly. Voting for the CNN Heroes award closes on Nov. 19 and can be done at www. cnn.com/SPECIALS/ cnn.heroes. The winner will be chosen in the Kodiak Theatre in Hollywood on Nov. 26.

In recognition of the actions of Allies and in an effort to increase community awareness, the GLBT Resource Center and Aggie Allies are hosting Ally Appreciation Days this week. Thursday there will be a GLBT Aggies Resource Fair from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Koldus Plaza. Sixteen GLBTfriendly organizations will be showing the variety of resources and support available in the A&M and Bryan-College Station community. Organizations include churches, on-campus organizations and the Brazos Valley Community Health Center, which will be offering free, confidential HIV testing.

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10/13/09 9:46 PM

voices Once in a Lifetime 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 10.14.2009 page5

James Cavin

Lifetime original movies forces viewers to ask themselves the hard questions, why am I watching ‘The Wrong Girl’ and what else is on?

“Men are idiots, but I like looking at them shirtless.” This is, presumably, the motto of the Lifetime Movie Network. For those of you unfamiliar with this degradation of Western Civilization, the LMN is a cable channel specializing in made-for-television movies catering to a female audience. And I don’t mean the movies targeting girls in their early 20s, that feature chic yuppie protagonists played by androgynous Orlando Bloom clones and a title made up of some combination chocolate and flowers. No, this is television for a more mature audience. And by “mature” I mean your idea of a horror movie is your son dating the wrong girl. Which is exactly what “The Wrong Girl” is about. The main character’s son hooks up with “the wrong girl,” who proceeds to break every known feminine social convention, including, but not limited to: getting your son to drink, smoking and staying out late, trying on your jewelry, criticizing your career choices, moving into your house, taking your daughter out shopping on your credit card, tasting stuff in the kitchen before you’re done cooking it, dissing other people’s makeup, breaking your food processor and less importantly; being a psychotic, jealous (biscuit-eater). Truly, the stuff of nightmares. Move over Steven King. For the record, she was a very attractive psychotic (biscuit-eater), but a psychotic (biscuit-eater) nonetheless. Of course, idiot son is completely incapable of noticing any of these warning signs, because I mean, he’s male. What can you expect? Anyhow, this all happens within the first 10 minutes of the movie, leaving the rest of the film for stuff like plot and character development. Unfortunately, “The Wrong Girl” could never really decide whether it wanted to be a horror movie for desperate 50-year-old housewives, or a porno for desperate 50-year-old housewives. So for every terrifying your-son-is-dating-a-psycho moment, there’s an equal amount of time spent showing the son in varying degrees of sweaty shirtlessness. (Well, I just thought I’d play some basketball, and then this bottle of

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James Cavin — THE BATTALION

baby oil fell on me and I had to take my shirt off and then I realized that this basketball is super heavy so I had to start flexing all my muscles to pick it up.) Well, the movie takes a turn for the dramatic when the idiot son turns up dead, and it was obviously Kelly the psycho (biscuiteater) because, come on, she broke your food processor. The wench is capable of anything. All I have to say is Kelly could whack me over the head with an oar and dump my body in a lake anytime. Anyway, I couldn’t really empathize that much because as soon as the son character had come on screen I had wanted to kill him and dump his body in a lake. So I thought the movie was shaping up pretty nicely: there was already a kill-count and Kelly the attractive psychopath could appear minus all the sweaty male shirtlessness that had dominated the first part of the film. Unfortunately, mom isn’t about to let things slide like that and sets out on an estrogen-fueled crusade to convict Kelly the attractive psychopath and alienate whatever shreds of a male audience were left. The secondary characters do a good job of letting mom do all the work. The husband/ father character was apparently lobotomized shortly before filming began and spends the entire time drooling on himself and making comments like “Well, I know she acts like a psychotic, murderous (biscuit-eater), but I really can’t imagine Kelly being a psychotic,

murderous (biscuit-eater).” About two-thirds of the way through he has a sudden epiphany and says (word for word) “Oh my goodness, I’ve been so blind. You were right” and spends the rest of the movie drooling on himself in a more supportive manner. In the Lifetime Movie Network universe, you can have either a Y chromosome or a brain, but not both. This rule also applies to members of the police force, who are so inconceivably clueless that mom has to do her own investigation. Eventually her estrogenfueled crusade uncovers enough evidence for a good old fashioned confrontation. All the male characters sense that this is a real girl-talk moment and stay home, drooling on themselves and watching “Cops” reruns (which is what I should have been doing). So mom, wearing a wire, lures Kelly the attractive psychopath out to the scene of the crime, and there confronts her with a gigantic body of evidence that had never been mentioned before, like “police found a broken oar covered in idiot son’s blood floating in the lake.” At this point, Kelly the attractive psychopath screams “you’ll never take me alive.” She and mom then break into a acrobatic, slow-motion oar fight across the dock as the lake slowly fills with sharks. Lightening flashes and a squadron of F-16’s strafes the— Well that’s what happened in my head,

because all that happened on screen is that Kelly the attractive psychopath blubbered some confession about how she accidentally killed idiot son for dumping her and then tries to run, at which point the male police officers wipe the drool off and jump out from their hiding place (where they’ve probably been watching “Cops” reruns on a portable TV) and grab her. Kelly the attractive psychopath gets drug kicking and screaming in an unladylike but still rather attractive manner into a police car, from whence she is presumably whisked off to the place for naughty attractive psychopaths. The movie ends with a few pointless minutes of everyone reflecting on what they learned, namely that men are dumber than dirt. So I for one, demand an apology from Lifetime Movie Network for this terrible negative portrayal of the male gender as a bunch of blindly moronic couch potatoes with nothing better to do than spend their lives watching terrible television. Pass me something to wipe off this drool, will you? James Cavin is a senior English major.

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HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com Child Care- FT & PT shifts available. Some nights & Saturdays required. Apply in person at 3609 E. 29th St., Bryan. Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment. Energetic students needed to distribute fkyers on 10/19 and 10/20. $10/hr, Call 1-800-927-9194. Experienced wait staff for new wine bar. Must be 21 w/wine knowledge or willing to learn. 979-204-6030. Golf course maintenance position: Local country club seeks individual for general golf course maintenance. Duties include but are not limited to mowing, trimming, and raking sand traps. Work with a modern line of well-maintained equipment. Fill out application at Miramont maintenance facility, 4133 Boonville Rd. Bryan, TX 77802; or contact Riley Maxey at 979-412-1047 maxey@miramont.cc Healthcare technology firm MEMdata now hiring. Local, just minutes from campus. Part-time openings (20 hrs/wk minimum), M-F 8 to 5. Flexible Hours. Good Verbal Communication and Computer Skills a Must. $8/hr plus bonus. E-mail resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to 979-695-1954. Healthcare technology firm MEMdata now hiring part time IT Systems Analyst. Local, just minutes from campus. Flexible hours. Pay based on qualifications. Email resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to 979.695.1954. Help Wanted! Cashiers, delievery, evenings and weekends. Burger Boy 311 Church. Local Medical Technology Firm MEMdata is seeking part time/full time graphic designers/web designers/video blog editors for our growing business. Local, just minutes from campus. Flexible hours. Paid internship available if preferred. Email resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to (979)695-1954. Looking for part-time receptionist. Phone skills, some computer entry and knowledge recommended. 979-778-9990. Motivated manager wanted. Learn management skills, flexible hours. Apply in person 2-4pm MWF. Experience a plus but not necessary. 400 Harvey Road. Notes & Note Takers wanted immediately. Freshmen & Sophomores in demand. We pay top dollar for notes & note takers. e-mail: tamunotes@gmail.com Part time temporary accounts recievable data entry, account reconciliation and some filing. Excel knowledge required. Accounting/ business knowledge helpful. Call Katie, 979-260-3835ext.11. Part-time job helping handicapped. Male student preferred. $330/mo. 30-hours/mo. 846-3376.

SPRING SUB-LEASE! 3/2 condo Frat-Row one room. Female only. $350/mo. plus1/3 bills 817-253-5211.

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys. The Tradition at Northgate is seeking a TAMU graduate student preferably, although seniors will be considered, who have a firm background in math and/or sciences to provide up to 20hrs/p/wk as tutoring coordinator of the Academic Success Center (ASC) for 775 undergrads (75% are 1st yr). Compensation includes free room & board (a private room, in a 2 rm suite, cable, Ethernet & wireless in common areas (the ASC, dining cafe, pool area, lobbies), all utilities & unlimited meals in on-site cafe/restaurant. Flexible schedule, mostly Sunday-Thursday evenings (when new students seek out tutoring). Drug/background check required. Please apply at The Tradition at Northgate, 301 Church Ave., College Station, Texas 77840 in care of Dr. Joseph C. McGill, Director of the ASC, 979-268-9000 or DrJMMcGill@gmail.com or visit our website www.LiveTheTradition.com

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Close to campus 2bd/2bth. Washer and dryer. Fenced yard. www.aggielandleasing.com Efficiencies and 2 bedrooms. 1mo. free rent. 979-693-1906. Oak Creek Condos high-speed internet and basic cable. 2bdrm/1.5ba. $515/mo. Water, sewer, trash paid. Fireplace, icemaker, pool, hot-tub. 979-822-1616. Save $1000 on Spring lease at Callaway Villas. 2/2.5 with meal plan. (325)-656-9713. Spacious 2bd/2ba, washer and dryer provided, shuttle route, curbside parking. www.aggielandleasing.com Spacious 3bd/3ba. Close to campus. Washer and dryer provided. www.aggielandleasing.com

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Weekend and holiday work in Houston installing holiday decorations, work is physically demanding. Pay starts at $10/hr, Email tdmi1@verizon.net Weekend merchandisers. Budweiser has immediate opening for part-time positions. Great pay! Pre-employment drug screen. Apply at Jack Hilliard Dist., 1000 Independence, Bryan, TX.

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Aggies looking for fourth straight win No. 22 volleyball team travels to Ames to face off with No. 13 Iowa State Courtney Nelson The Battalion After beating the No. 17 Baylor Bears Saturday in Waco, the Texas A&M Aggies will have to beat a ranked team on the road again as they head to Ames, Iowa, to take on the Iowa State Cyclones. The Aggies (12-3, 5-2 in Big 12) have just emerged into the AVCA Top 25 poll, coming in at No. 22. The last time they were in the Top 25 was September 2007, when they made a one-week appearance at No. 25. It is also the program’s highest ranking since their No. 20 spot in September 2005. Head Coach Laurie Corbelli is proud of her team and what they have accomplished so far, but she knows there is only more improvement to come. “If anything they’re proud of it, because they have beaten some ranked teams, and they’ve earned it,” Corbelli said. “We have great opportunities in the Big 12 and have really taken advantage of them.” The team is not letting their rising success go to their heads; however, they are using it as a confidence boost going into the rest of the season. “We try to not make it as big of a deal because it can be very overwhelming. We keep a level head about it,” said senior setter Kristen Schevikhoven. Iowa State (14-3, 6-2 Big 12) is undefeated at home this

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“They run really quick to their middles all the time and they have a really big block,” Schevikhoven said. “It’s their kill spot and where we’re going to have to be the strongest with our defense.” “They may be the quickest transition team we play,” Corbelli said. “They have an all-conference setter who loves to dish out to the quick middle attack all the time. It puts a lot of pressure on our defense.” Although the Cyclones boast a huge front line, the Aggies have other strengths. Sarah Ammerman is third in the conference with 4.09 kills per set, Jennifer Banse is sixth with 3.34 kills per set and Mary Batis averages 3.20 kills and 3.48 digs per set. “Our blocking doesn’t show up in numbers, but we slow the ball down and turn it into a slower transitional style of play,” Corbelli said. “Our hitters are going to have to be smart and respect their block, but we have other weapons we can use to win.” The Aggies will return home to play the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday. The Buffaloes will come to Reed Arena with a record of 5-11, 0-7 in Big 12 play. This game is marked the “Dig Pink” game to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer awareness month.

Senior setter Kristen Schevikhoven leads the Aggies with 11.75 assists per game as the No. 22 Aggies play No. 13 Iowa State at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

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season, but is 0-3 against any ranked opponents. A&M is confident despite the intimidating atmosphere at Hilton Coliseum. “We’re used to playing on the road now; so even though it could be really difficult to win in their gym, I think we can,” freshman middle Lindsey Miller said. “We just have to play our game.” Although the Aggies are confident going into the game against the Cyclones, Corbelli said it will still be a great challenge to defeat this ranked team on their home court. “It is very difficult to win on the road in the Big 12,” Corbelli said. “We haven’t won at Iowa State in a few years, and it is such a large facility that it almost feels like you are playing outside. Its one of the biggest challenges we will have this season. If there’s ever a time to play them, now is it. We’re in a really good place right now.” As the Aggies travel to Ames, they are riding on a three-game win streak since their last Big 12 losses against Missouri and No. 2 Texas. A&M leads the conference in kills (15.06), assists (14.25) and service aces (1.47). The other main category, blocks, is dominated by Iowa State, with a 2.98 average per set. The Aggies average 1.6 blocks per set, so they will need to be ready defensively.

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Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION

Reed Rowdies first meeting The Reed Rowdies will be holding their first meeting of 2009 at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cox-McFerrin practice facilities. Plans for the upcoming season will be discussed, players will sign autographs, road game tickets will be sold and the 2009-2010 T-shirts will go on sale for the first time.

Skelton is newcomer of the week www.AggieNetwork.com

Freshman midﬁelder Nora Skelton was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after scoring two goals in the Aggies two wins last weekend.

STUDIES IN PROGRESS RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA)

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sports

page 7 wednesday 10.14.2009

thebattalion

Aggies sit at a familiar crossroads David Harris

The future of the football program could be decided in the next seven games.

wo roads diverged and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Why am I quoting Robert Frost in a column about Texas A&M football? Simply put, because these 2009 Aggies sit at a crossroads. And, which way they travel could quite possibly decide the direction of an entire program for the next 10 years. The predicament coach Sherman and company find themselves in is eerily similar to one this same school faced a good 26 years ago. In 1982, Jackie Sherrill took over as head coach after the forgettable era of Tom Wilson came to an end. Wilson, in his three years as coach, finished no higher than fifth in the Southwest Conference. And when Sherrill arrived, it was evident Wilson hadn’t left him much in terms of talent. In Sherrill’s first season at the helm, the Aggies went 5-6. They got blown out by Texas and finished tied for sixth in the conference. It suffices to say, all was not well in Aggieland. Going into his second season, the pressure was on to win football games. And after a 1-3 start in 1983, Sherrill and his

“

young team rolled off four of six to salvage a season and finish third in the conference. That 1983 season was the start of a run of unprecedented success. From 1985-1987, Sherrill won three conference championships and finished ranked no lower than 12th in the country. Those little tidbits bring us to this 2009 squad. Sherman, like Sherrill in 1983, is in his second season. Sherman also had a very disappointing first year as head coach (cue the bad memories of 4-8). And finally, Sherman followed a coach Fran, who for all intents and purposes, left the cupboard bare. Now following the Aggies’ 36-31 loss to No. 15 Oklahoma State at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sherman’s fate and the fate of this program may be decided in the next seven games. There are plenty of students and former students that seem content with putting up a fight against a ranked squad such as Oklahoma State. Well, to the sunshine pumpers, I have some news. The Cowboys are not a good football team. At least, the team that played on Saturday is not a good football team. Mark my words, they will not be ranked at season’s end. They were without their two best players, receiver Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter. They committed 11 penalties for more than 100 yards. They gave A&M every chance in the world to walk out of Kyle Field with a victory, and the Aggies did not take it. The Aggies couldn’t protect Jerrod Johnson again. The secondary got eaten alive again. The pass rush was non-existent

again. And the team missed opportunity after opportunity, again. After 17 games in the Mike Sherman era, it is high time to demand better. I know this team is relying on unholy amounts of youth. But I also know that with each and every loss, the bandwagon is losing passengers. Did you check out the half empty Zone on Saturday morning? There were only 76,000 in attendance for a battle with a ranked squad. Does anybody else see a problem there? Look, I know they are improving. And, I know that it is not an overnight process. However, in these next seven games the Aggies need to go out and show improvement in the areas that are crippling them every single Saturday. And they need to beat the teams that they are better than (Kansas State, Iowa State, Colorado and Baylor). A 7-5 record at season’s end could become a stepping stone for this program’s rise back to prominence. Anything less could result in players losing faith in the coaching staff, fans giving up hope and recruits shying away from College Station. Two roads. One leads to years of mediocrity and the black hole that is a fade into college football obscurity. The other leads to future conference championships, national rankings and a reappearance into the forefront of the college football landscape. Texas A&M football sits at a crossroads. Which road will this program follow? These next seven games could decide.

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7-Day Banking. To the student on-the-go that means convenience. And that’s important when you’ve got things to do, places to be and exams to cram for. That’s why we offer full-service banking every day of the week. And for a little extra convenience, we’re happy to throw in:

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