voices | 7 The Battalion discusses the importance of the youth vote, as well as the consequences of neglecting to do so, and addresses the balancing act of religion and politics with “separation of church and state.”
thebattalion Time for a ● monday,
Mike Sherman doesn’t have ‘it’
S
o, that looked oddly familiar. That performance Saturday — a 30-9 humiliation in front of more than 83,000 Aggie fans — can simply be explained with one, single word: pathetic.
october 18, 2010
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“We just came home,” Head Coach Mike Sherman said, “and laid an egg.” With the way the season was shaping up, the Missouri game was the make-or-break game of 2010. And in one of the most uninspired, lackadaisical David Harris efforts put forth senior economics on the hallowed major, sports ground of Kyle editor Field in quite some time, Sherman’s squad again showed just how far this program — under his tutelage — has fallen. How far? Get ready for it, Aggies. This program is a perennial doormat of the Big 12. This program is irrelevant. And under Sherman, this program has gone absolutely nowhere. Don’t throw out excuses. Do not talk about progress. Do not argue that Sherman is a good guy or that he See Sherman on page 3 J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION
Brockovich to share power tips One of today’s most iconic activists is coming to Texas A&M Tuesday. Erin Brockovich is famous for her unconventional way of fighting injustices and is coming to show students the power to change. “Erin was chosen to speak for the Leadership Speaker Series because of her audacity, life accomplishments, ability to empower and inspire others, and her unique perspectives of leadership,” Katherine Sturtevant, student development specialist at student activities said. “It is beneficial for students to attend because they will be introduced to a new perspective of leadership and will hopefully walk away feeling empowered to create change in their own communities,” Sturtevant said. Students attending the lecture will learn more about her work concerning the environment, health, and pharmaceuticals. The lecture will be at 7 p.m. in the Rudder Theatre Complex. Joanna Raines, special to The Battalion
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Tailgating dear to Aggies’ hearts Fans share food, spirit and company
of learning communication
Wesner
Ty Petty
Thomas Levitt The Battalion Tailgating has been a college tradition since the first collegiate football game between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869. Rumor has it that the fans rode horse-drawn carriages and grilled sausage at the tail end of the horse, giving birth to the term tailgating. Modern day tailgaters have since moved to more elaborate carriages. Texas A&M has taken the tradition of tailgating in stride. “Aggies are the people that make tailgating the best,” said John Sleeper, class of 1968. “We have been tailgating for the last 19 years and have at least 40 people attend every weekend.” Sleeper’s well-established tailgate has planted its roots on the south side of Olsen Field and has a sign identifying it as the “Sleeper Tailgate.” Sleeper is the descendent of William Sleeper, class of 1878, the first president of the Former Student Association — first known as the Former Cadet Association — and a member of the first graduating class of A&M. Many different aspects make up a tailgate. Food, beverages, friends and games are just a few elements. The Aggie spirit also contributes to the tailgate experience. “A good group of friends, good area to barbecue, good eats and the environment of other fans [make a good tailgate],” said Keith McBride, class of 2004. Some tailgates on campus are purely for the fans. Stan Volelker provides food for Aggie fans passing by. “All of the people who come around are the only reason we do this,” Volelker said. “We feed anybody that comes by and we
Q&A Importance The Battalion Brad Wesner is a fourth-year doctorate candidate in organizational communication. His principal research area concerns increasing efficiency in group and team processes. He is a winner of the Student Led Award for Teacher Excellence and was a Fish Camp namesake this summer. Wesner discusses why communication is an important part of every student’s skill set whether it is in the job market, public speaking or in social situations. Q: How do you define the field of communication? A: The process of creating and sharing information among individuals in a social structure. Q: Why should students consider the field of communication? A: Within a tight job market, the real issue isn’t if you’re smart. You need to be able to share See Q&A on page 6
Missouri 30, A&M 9
Michelle Myers — THE BATTALION
Tailgating tents as seen from a rear-view mirror. Aggies start tailgating at 5 p.m. the Friday before a home football game. cook all three meals.” His tailgate was named the best home game tailgate by the HEB Beef Council this year. Volelker’s tailgate will be present at every home game located north of Reed Arena. Next door to Volelker’s tailgate, ‘Visor Guy’ sets up camp to cheer on the Aggies. Visor Guy is a fan favorite and is known for his visor and always attending home
games and yelling his mind. Kathy Holley, Visor Guy’s mom, makes a snack she calls “Nibbles and Bitts,” Italian sausage balls unique to their tailgate. What makes a good tailgate is simple, class of 1989 Bryan Stamford said. “Hanging out with friends, drinking beer and watching other football games after an Aggie win.”
Paul Mezier - THE BATTALION
Runaway offense A Missouri player outruns the A&M secondary. The Tigers ran up 417 total yards in beating the Aggies in all phases of the game. More coverage on thebatt.com
What’s next Texas A&M (3-3) vs. Kansas (2-4) 6 p.m. Saturday at Lawrence, Kansas
10/17/10 11:15 PM
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President Barack Obama’s winning coalition from 2008 has crumbled and his core backers are dispirited. It’s now Republicans who stand to beneďŹ t from an electorate that’s again craving change. One-quarter of those who voted for Obama are defecting to the GOP or considering voting against the Democrats this fall according to an Associated Press poll released this week.
Jeremy Northum— THE BATTALION
Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff, director of the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student and Community Center www.villagefoods .com leads a procession down Texas Avenue Sunday as part of a ceremony to welcome the center’s new Torah.
Merkel: Multicultural society has ‘utterly failed’ Chancellor Angela Merkel’s declaration that Germany’s attempts to build a multicultural society had “utterly failed� is feeding a growing debate over how to deal with the millions of foreigners who call the country home. Merkel told a meeting of young members of her conservative Christian Democratic Union that while immigrants are welcome in Germany, they
must learn the language and accept the country’s cultural norms — sounding a note heard increasingly across Europe as it worries about homegrown terrorism. “This multicultural approach, saying that we simply live side by side and live happily with each other has failed. Utterly failed,� Merkel said. Associated Press
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2010 Aggieland yearbooks are here. IF YOU did not order the 2010 Texas A&M University yearbook (the 2009-2010 school year), a limited number are available at the Student Media office, Bldg. #8901 in The Grove (between Albritton Bell Tower and Cain Hall). Hours: 8:30 A.M.–4:30 P.M. Monday–Friday. $59.95 plus tax. Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. IF YOU pre-ordered a 2010 Aggieland, it has been mailed to your billing address.
Want to try Creatine and Beta-Alanine? Participants Needed for a Supplement Study Researchers in the Exercise & Sport Nutrition Laboratory at Texas A&M University are recruiting 60 recreationally active females between the ages of 18 and 35 to participate in a study to test the effects of supplementation on exercise performance. Participants will be randomized into one of four groups and complete exercise tests on a cycle at three time points. Total study time is 28 days. Study involves muscle biopsies. Eligible participants will receive $75, plus health and fitness related information. For more information contact Julie Kresta at: Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Dept. of HLKN Research Park, Building #2, Suite # 2500 979-458-1743
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sports thebattalion 10.18.2010 page3
Junior wide receiver Jeff Fuller drops a pass, while being covered by a Missouri player.
Sherman Continued from page 1
The Missouri defensive line comes up with one of its seven sacks. Junior guard Evan Eike (right) sprained his ankle and is expected to miss Saturday’s game.
Sherman’s teams have lost 12 consecutive games on television. And, with the rough part of the schedule still to come, Sherman is on the verge of his third consecutive losing season. Fun fact: the last Aggie coach to have three consecutive losing seasons and keep his job was Jim Meyers in 1960. The resources at Texas A&M’s disposal are ubiquitous. This program has no excuse not to finish every season in the top 25. A&M has some of the greatest, most loyal fans in the country. Its gameday atmosphere is second to none. The traditions speak for themselves. It is situated in between two of the biggest recruiting hotbeds in the entire country. It has facilities to match up with any college anywhere.
Yet, the last time the Aggies finished ranked was 1999. In a season that was to be the apparent next step for Aggie football, the hinges have fallen off and the ship is sinking. Utter futility marred all aspects of the game Saturday. And there was seemingly no sense of urgency from a team that instead played with an air of misguided entitlement. It was an unacceptable performance from an unprepared team. The time has come for Aggies everywhere to demand more from this University’s hierarchy. More than two years ago, Athletic Director Bill Byrne conducted a nationwide search for the next head coach. The search led him to interview one person and offer an unproven college-coaching commodity a seven-year guaranteed deal.
Looking back, it may go down as one of the worst contracts in the history of college football. Because in the college game, a coach either has it or he doesn’t. That “it” factor so prevalent in the most successful college coaches: that charm, that want-to, that fire, that winning mentality, that sense of urgency. Each game it becomes increasingly apparent that Sherman simply doesn’t have it. Each game, that questionable hire looks more and more like a program-hampering mistake. Sherman said, following the embarrassment, “We could have fired everybody today.” If this program is ever to take any step toward reclaiming prominence, it should take him up on that.
Volleyball falls to Iowa State The Aggie volleyball team dropped its fifth straight match Saturday in Ames, Iowa, losing to the No. 13 Iowa State Cyclones in four games 22-25, 25-21, 11-25, 24-26. Junior Kelsey Black again led the Aggies with 15 kills out of 50 swings for a .120 hitting average. Junior Arizona transfer Elise Hendrickson added 12 kills and hit a game-high .422 percent. “It feels like sometimes our team is all or nothing, where everybody is either hot and we are passing and blocking and we are playing some great volleyball, or nothing goes right,” A&M Head Coach Laurie Corbelli said. The Aggies will head to Norman, Okla. on Wednesday to face the Oklahoma Sooners before returning home Saturday to host Colorado. Courtney Nelson, staff writer
Photos by Joan Marcus
Photo by Lindsay Hebberd
“gets” A&M. Because the only thing A&M “gets” is winning and right now, the man in charge has shown he is incapable of doing so. In over two years, Sherman is 13-18 — the worst start to a coaching career since A&M began allowing women into the University. Sherman is now 3-15 against teams with winning records. Those wins? Texas Tech, Iowa State and Louisiana Tech. Sherman’s biggest home win was over an eventual 7-6 Iowa State team on a forgettable Halloween afternoon. Sherman is 5-13 in conference play.
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Paul Mezier — THE BATTALION
photos by Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
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REGISTER TO WIN Come visit our table and find out about FREE bike registration. Registrants will be entered into a drawing for one of two baskets of bike goodies!
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page 4
election
monday 10.18.2010
thebattalion
Edwards meets with students Ty Petty The Battalion Student leaders delayed the start of their weekend festivities Friday to meet Rep. Chet Edwards and discuss issues affecting A&M students in the coming election. Students waited for Edwards and his staff in the lobby of the Koldus building. The importance of a visit from a congressional representative locked in a heated reelection battle was not lost on students in attendance. “I think it’s really important because by coming and meeting with students he is able to demonstrate he’s invested in us,” said Sarah Hall, a junior English major. “We are a potentially very strong voter population.” Josh Garcia, a sophomore communication major, was interested in Edwards’ leadership development. “One of my questions is how his experiences in college and the Memorial Student Center really developed him,” Garcia said. Edwards discussed issues such as the future of A&M research funding and his concern about the affordability of higher education. He also took questions from students about concerns including the rising costs of textbooks and changes in financial aid administration. Edwards said he helped secure more than $130 million for research projects at A&M in the 2009 Stimulus Act. He also took the opportunity to praise
Ty Petty — THE BATTALION
Rep. Chet Edwards is running for reelection this fall. Friday, Edwards met with A&M student leaders to discuss issues surrounding the election and what they mean for Aggies. the University and students for conducting valuable research in the areas of national defense and green energy. Edwards discussed many aspects of funding and costs associated with higher education. He praised Congress for increasing the monetary amount of Pell Grants, the restructuring of Federal student loans and a $700 increase in the Hope tax credit. He said the cost of education is rising at high rates and that finding a long-term solution to the problem must occur. “Raising tuition – I call it an education tax,” Edwards said.
After the event, students in attendance gave positive feedback. “I thought it was good, he hit a lot of issues on education,” said Drew Ambrose, class of 2010 and graduate student in human resource management. “I think he has genuine concern, we [students] have a low voter turnout so this is to help get that up. He really does want to know what he can be doing.” Edwards is running for the 17th district U.S. House seat against business executive Bill Flores. Election day is Nov. 2 and early voting begins today.
White courts minority voters as election approaches Former Houston Mayor Bill White, who has distanced himself from President Barack Obama throughout his run for Texas governor, worked Sunday to increase black turnout and motivate rank-and-file Democrats just hours before Texans were to go to the polls. Monday marks the start of early voting in Texas, and White began his day Sunday by hitting four
predominantly African American churches in North Texas. White criticized Perry’s repeated focus on “state’s rights,” a phrase that southern governors once used to defend segregation and that remains unpopular with many AfricanAmerican voters. Perry has repeatedly sought to tie White to Obama. Associated Press
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things you should know
5 before you go 1
1Love Palooza
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday the 1Love Palooza will be held in front of Sbisa Dining Hall. The event will feature ethically made t-shirts, music and art in appreciation of global awareness.
2
Anarbor Concert
The alternative-rock band Anarbor will be performing a free concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in front of Sbisa Dining Hall. The concert is being presented by MSC Town Hall. Anarbor’s music has been featured on Jersey Shore, The Hills, and Sports Center.
“Entre Thriller Nos” film dance screening workshop
3
A screening and discussion with filmmaker Gloria Le Morte will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Langford Architecture Center in Building C. The film follows a Colombian woman who is abandoned with her children in New York City.
Life after the oil spill
4
5
A workshop to learn the Thriller dance in preparation for the global dance event on October 23rd will be held from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the G. Rollie White Coliseum.
Oceanography Department chair Piers Chapman will give a brief lecture as part of the Community Conversations about the long term consequences of the BP spill and the possible future of the Gulf of Mexico at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Rudder Tower.
b! thebattalion 10.18.2010 page5
religion
Men with a purpose Latter Day Saints missionaries at A&M If you have strolled around campus within the previous months, chances are that you’ve stumbled across — or at least seen — Elder Batt and Elder Simons. This might have been a result of them sticking out from the crowd like a sore thumb: no matter the weather, Batt and Simons can always be found wearing black slacks, button-up white shirts and ties. But truth be told, you are seeing only the tip of the iceberg. Their presence in Aggieland is a story of commitment to a message they reverently believe. Batt and Simons are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith and has its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. “The [LDS] church is much more centralized than most religions,” said Tom McMullin, director of the LDS Institute of Religion in College Station and campus minister. Joe Terrell Branching out from headquarters sophomore in Utah, the LDS church is organized telecommunications geographically. The church records a major worldwide membership of 13 million, with 6.7 million members currently residing in the U.S. The congregations are led by bishops who, with no paid ministry structure, support themselves. “As a campus minister, it is my goal to support the students on campus and do the best to benefit the students of all faiths,” McMullin said. “It is not my motive to proselytize.” As for the LDS Institute of Religion, McMullin said he wants to stress that it is not just a home away from home for Mormon missionaries. “We are also here to answer questions. Students come in here all the time asking questions about things they were told and want clarification,” he said. As for Elders Batt and Simons, both natives of Utah, the journey to Texas began quite some time ago. Beginning in the ninth grade, Mormon students are expected to attend religious classes every weekday before school. By the time many Mormon students graduate from high school, they will also have completed a four-year curriculum in LDS scripture studies. These classes continue into college, if the student decides to attend a university. So how did Batt and Simons choose Texas A&M as a mission field? Actually, they didn’t. The LDS church has more than 55,000 college-age missionaries on the field at any given time. As part of their doctrine, they are expected, but not required, to be on mission for two full years. They pay their way out of pocket for the
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Texas A&M University was chosen as the mission field for Elders Batt and Simons by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquarters in Utah. extent of the mission. Most decide to interrupt their studies, so many of them — like Batt and Simons — are not actually college students. If a Mormon decides to go on mission, he must first be deemed worthy by the LDS bishop of the area, who holds him accountable to the tenets of the LDS faith. If they are approved, they will receive a personal letter from the president of the church in Salt Lake City, and be assigned to any of the 350 LDS mission fields around the globe. They are then given the title of “Elder,” which isn’t an indication of age, but title of position within the Church. The missionaries themselves do not choose where they are to serve, however. “It was very exciting for me,” Batt, 21, said about receiving his letter. “We had the whole family there and a camera rolling when I opened it.” Simons, 19, said he expressed relief when he learned of his Texas assignment. “They could have sent me anywhere. I could have been
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sleeping on a dirt floor in some foreign country. I’m glad I was sent somewhere not far from home.” During their mission, LDS missionaries maintain a strict dress and moral code. They aren’t allowed to date, and they can only call home on Christmas and Mother’s Day. Concerning the conservative religious atmosphere of College Station, Batt — who has been here for six months — said, “It makes it a lot easier to bring up the topic and discuss the issues. But I love College Station. The people are nice and the area is beautiful.” Ultimately, if you see them on campus, Batt and Simons said they encourage students to approach them if they have questions and engage in conversation. “We aren’t trying to bash anyone’s faith,” Batt said. “We are just trying to spread the news and then letting the people make their own decisions about what to believe.”
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Law School Lowdown!
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With statehood, Palestinians ready to end historic claims
Q&A Continued from page 1
Join us for a panel discussion featuring: three Aggie Princeton Review LSAT teachers currently in law school or applying to law school! Amazing perspective and insight into law school!! Do NOT miss!! Hosted by The Princeton Review and The Pre-Law Society of Texas A&M University! Date: 10/21/2010 Time: 7 to 8:30pm Location: Kleberg 115 Free Prizes! Scholarship giveaway for an LSAT class! PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE FOR THIS EVENT AT www.princetonreview.com/events
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information. If you can’t do that, you’re done. The difference is how well you communicate, help share and create information within structure. We need more people to buy into that. Q: What is the number one communication error a student can make? A: Being indiscriminate with e-mail construction. It’s very lean when dealing with a professional level. Students need to go back over them, especially when dealing with emotional issues. Students need to grasp this at the university level. Be careful how you construct so the professor understands you. The same applies to office visits. Off-the-cuff isn’t always interpreted right. Q: What is the number one communication error a professor can make? A: We assume everyone is academic. We assume everyone is as well read as we are. Professors, myself included, need to make sure students understand. Q: What is some good communication advice you would give to students looking to make a connection with that special someone on Northgate? A: The number one piece of advice I can give is honest selfdisclosure. It doesn’t matter what sex you are, people like honest disclosure of who you are. Q: What is your advice to seniors? A: Spend some serious time with your résumé and interviewing skills. Spend a lot of time meeting with professors and advisors. These are key. Most students feel interviewing is only about answering questions. It’s really about presenting yourself professionally.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinians are ready to end all historic claims against Israel once they establish their state in the lands Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast War, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday, addressing a long-standing Israeli demand. Abbas also said negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain his preferred choice, but that he will consider other options if talks break down over Israel’s continued settlement expansion. Negotiations were relaunched by the Obama administration last month, but quickly faltered over Israel’s refusal to
extend a curb on Jewish settlement construction. The Palestinians want to establish a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967. Israel has withdrawn from Gaza. Netanyahu wants the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and said earlier this week he might extend a curb on settlement construction in exchange for such recognition. However, he said that once the Palestinians have established their state in the 1967 borders, “there is another important thing to end, the conflict, and we are ready for that, to end the historic demands.” Associated Press
classifieds
PLACE
AN AD Phone 845-0569 or Fax 845-2678 The Grove, Bldg. #8901 Texas A&M University
ANNOUNCEMENTS Absolutely 1-Fun Defensive Driving! Ticket dismissal/ insurance discount. W&Th (6pm-9pm) or Sat (8am-2:30pm). Denny’s (near TAMU). $45 cash, $25 Special (w/purchase 2-food items). Restrictions apply. 979-694-8888. FOR A GOOD TIME . . . CLICK HERE www.lonestarcalendar.com Get your copy of the building of the 1969 Aggie Bonfire at aggiebonfireflick.com
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Will Pay 2 Months Rent+ Sublet Fee. 1/1 downstairs apt with W/D, approx lease 8 months. University Square Apartments on TAMU/Blinn bus route. Pet deposit negotiable. 512-694-6925 leave message or 979-693-2720, mention Unit#55
P/T Evening Security/ Custodian 20hrs/wk, $8.50/hr. Bilingual a plus www.fumcbryan.org/jobs to apply.
3/2/2, fenced yard, appliances, pets OK with refundable deposit. $1050/mo. 1001 San-Benito. 979-690-0786. 3bd/3ba duplexes. Great floorplans, fenced yards, W/D, tile floors, icemakers, alarm systems. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com
$295 Pre-lease. 1-room in shared, furnished apartment. All bills paid. Short term leases ok. Call agent Ardi 979-422-5660.
4bd/2ba house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com
$375 Pre-lease. 1/1, 2/1. Free Wi-Fi, on Northgate, on shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent Ardi 979-422-5660.
4bd/3ba townhouse, 2 car garage, spacious, pool, landscape backyard, $1350/mo. 4310 Spring Hill. 979-777-9933.
1-acre, close to campus, 4bd/2ba +study, 2000sq./ft., nice double wide, fenced yard, large covered deck, W/D included, $1100/mo. Owner/Realtor 979-219-0405.
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$10 for 20 words running 5 days, if your merchandise is priced $1,000 or less (price must appear in ad). This rate applies only to non-commercial advertisers offering personal possessions for sale. Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5 days at no charge. If item doesn’t sell, advertiser must call before 1 p.m. on the day the ad is scheduled to end to qualify for the 5 additional insertions at no charge. No refunds will be made if your ad is cancelled early.
Sublease available for Spring 2011 (2nd Semester). 2bd/1ba., at Callaway House! Call now because this is the only available spot! 214-732-4700.
$1200 Prelease, short-term leases ok. 3bdrm/2ba. W/D, pets ok, near TAMU. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660.
2bd/2ba 4-plex. Spacious floorplan, W/D connections, close to campus. $550/mo. www.aggielandleasing.com 979-776-6079.
PRIVATE PARTY WANT ADS
3/2 fourplexes, close to campus, on bus route, W/D, newly renovated, very nice, must see. southwoodplace.com 979-822-3520.
4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Houses, Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing, excellent specials. 694-0320. office@luxormanagement.com
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Deer lease in Madisonville Texas, 300 acres, cabin available, call Cynthia 936-348-0556. Reduced! $895/mo, 3bd.2ba C.S.. Huge duplex, fenced, shuttle route, w/d connection, lawn services included. Treehouse trail. www.c4properties.net 979-268-1074.
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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. Help needed to assist lake management company in field and store work. Full days only. 979-703-7990. PT openings, customer sales/svc, no experience necessary, conditions apply, all ages 17+, internships available, 979-260-4555.
LUNCH SPECIAL SMALL 1-TOPPING $4.99 PIZZA
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Beagles, puppies and adults, AKC. Shots, wormed. $100-$400, can email pictures. 979-884-0017. kubena@verizon.net
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Designer breed tea cup puppies: Maltese, Maltipoos, Yorkies, Poodles &Shih Tzus. $325 &up. 979-324-2866, linda_d_54@yahoo.com
Tutors wanted for all subjects currently taught at TAMU/ Blinn and Sam Houston State starting at $8.00/hour. Apply on-line @ www.99Tutors.com, 979-255-3655.
MUSIC
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ROOMMATES Male roommate needed for 4/2 house, S.Texas. Private bath, big backyard, on bus-route, $425/mo. call/text 210-316-2570. 1-Roommate needed. 4/4 University Place condo, W/D, private bath, pool, volleyball court, on shuttle. $300/mo., call 979-690-8213 or 979-422-9849.
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puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com
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the battalion Classified Advertising COLLEGE STATION: 3br/1ba w/GARAGE & 4br/2ba w/ STUDY HOMES in Wolf Pen Area!! Central A/H, W/D CONN, FENCED YARDS/PATIOS. $825/MO. Pets welcome! 979-775-2291. www.twincityproperties.com
• Easy • Affordable • Effective For information, call 845-0569
Word Square Create a word square by forming four-letter words from the word below. (hint: a letter can be repeated multiple times in the same word.) STARVE
Last Friday’s solution:
I O T A
O P A L
T A R P
A L P S
Siddharth Kumar — THE BATTALION
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EDITOR’SNOTE The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.
MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail
call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters
‘
will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified. Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com
voices thebattalion 10.18.2010
Priestly politics
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Jorge Montalvo — THE BATTALION
Voting’s importance
P
eople try to put us down, just because we get around. I’m talkin bout my g-g-generation. The Who said it best by giving us a fantastic song inducing a sense of pride to each listener, regardless of generational identity. Everyone has the right to vote, but not everyone does. Many of the Millennial Generation, or 18 to 24 year olds, stay away from the polls. Our generation is not voting, so our age group is not represented, our needs are not met, and our voices are not heard. We can solve the problem by taking it one person at a time. The election Nov. 2 could change the political tide in our country for the next two years – possibly much longer. To have a say in the decisions made over the next few years, it is your responsibility to vote in this election. According to a NewsHour special with Jim Lehrer, “18-year-olds were granted the right to vote by President Richard Nixon who signed a law that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 [in the 1972 election].” Take advantage of an opportunity some of your parents didn’t have when they were attending college. Many people do not care about politics and do not feel the issues apply to them; therefore voting is an afterthought for some. One contributor to this apathy is lack of knowledge about candidates and the issues they represent.
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Some are simply intimidated by the voting process. How do I vote? Where do I vote? When do I vote? Why should I vote? Shortage of time and the inconvenience of the voting process are common excuses I’ve heard, but we all make time for things that are important to us. Your vote can make a difference. History shows how a few votes have changed the results of important elections. Thomas Jefferson was elected by a single vote in the House of Representatives after a tie in the Electoral College in 1800. The U.S. Senate annexed Texas thanks to two votes in 1845. The Alaska purchase was ratified by one vote, allowing future statehood in 1867. As recently as the year 2000, nearly 6 million votes were cast in the state of Florida where only 537 votes determined that George W. Bush was the winner of the Presidential election, proving that every vote counts. Marc Perkel, a political blogger, said even though your vote probably won’t be the deciding vote, politicians will realize the youth vote is important and will pay more attention to us if we turn
up to vote. Even registering to vote makes a statement, he said. We can go online to join groups like Rock the Vote, one of the most informaCaroline tive and comprehensive websites Ward geared toward young Junior people. The website communication allows new voters to major register online, answer questions about the voting process, inform voters about the issues, provide information on how to vote absentee, and even provide opportunities to volunteer. Rock the Vote takes advantage of popular culture, music and modern technologies to draw young people into the political process. This problem can be solved. Even one simple step can increase the youth vote, as well as increase interest in the issues we face when we head to the polls. Candidates need to know that we want to hear directly from them. Young people can do their part by convincing their friends to register and taking them to the polls on election day. If our generation wants to be heard, we have to get out and vote. Together we can make a difference.
The beginning of the First Amendment is a familiar passage, especially with the rise in secular thought in our society. Almost as often as it is mentioned, however, it is also misused. It is important to recognize what this means and does not mean. First and foremost, this means that the U.S. may not declare an official religion. Despite the seemingly common view in this part of the country, we are not a ChrisMatt Poarch tian nation, and to suggest Senior wildlife and otherwise is to disregard the fisheries sciences Constitution. It is clear from major history that state-sponsored religion does not work. As Matt Chandler, pastor at The Village Church in Dallas, said in a sermon on Oct. 10, “you cannot legislate a changed heart.” This statement, though spoken from a Christian perspective, is applicable to any government that mandates a faith. Part of what makes America such a great nation is this freedom to believe whatever you want. What the amendment also says is that Americans are free to practice their religion until it infringes on the rights of others. For many, a major part of exercising religious beliefs is to sharing their faith with others. That said, sharing faith and forcing it upon others are two entirely different things. A common misuse of this fact is to make the assertion that all forms of sharing your faith are forcible acts of self-righteous chauvinism. If an Aggie hears a bit of good news about the football team, he will most likely go and tell his friends. It would be unreasonable to expect that same person not to talk to their friends about other things that are important to them, like religion. In no way does the first amendment imply that simply sharing faith is a crime. When the cries of “separation of church and state” rise, it is important to realize this phrase is not seen in the First Amendment. Those in power have faiths of their own. It should be expected of a Christian president to operate in a manner consistent with their religious doctrine. This does not in any way create a Christian theocracy, nor should it. As elections come around, it is important to realize that people will vote according to their own values. For many, these are a direct result of their religious beliefs. Unless their faith calls them to infringe on another human’s rights, it is unreasonable to ask them to compromise. If voters elect someone with a strong religious background, those who did not support the candidate must remember that he or she was elected fairly. If you don’t like the way things are run, vote.
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Early voting
Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 - Oct. 29 Sites: Brazos County Administration Building, 200 S. Texas Ave, Bryan
Arena Hall Tabor Road and N. Earl Rudder Freeway, Bryan Galilee Baptist Church, 804 N. Logan, Bryan
Memorial Student Center (area remaining open), Texas A&M, Room 146, College Station
For more information on early voting, go to http:// www.sos.state. tx.us/elections/ pamphlets/ earlyvote.shtml
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entertainment
page 8 monday 10.18.2010
thebattalion
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Adrian Calcaneo — THE BATTALION
Filming to start on ‘Hobbit’ Peter Jackson is set to direct “The Hobbit,” the two-part prequel to the popular “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and start shooting in February, Warner Bros. said in a release on Friday. The movies, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, had been delayed by union issues.
Mom sues Tyra Banks for show A Georgia woman is suing Tyra Banks for $3 million after she said her 15-year-old daughter appeared without her permission on an episode of Banks’ talk show about teen sex addicts. In a lawsuit filed Oct. 8 in federal court, Beverly McClendon claims the show contacted the teen after she responded to a request on the show’s website. The girl was then picked up from her home and flown to New York, where she was put up in a hotel, all without her mother’s knowledge, the lawsuit says.
Sarah Silverman is seen on stage at the Scream Awards Oct. 16 in Los Angeles.
Horror galore at Scream Awards There were superheroes and vampires, Ghostbusters, rockers and zombies — and that was just in the audience. Even more outrageous characters graced the Greek Theater stage at Spike TV’s annual Scream Awards on Saturday night — a tribute to horror, sci-fi, comics and fantasy. The fan-fueled awards show/TV special welcomed scores of stars and hundreds of costumed
fans. On a spectacular stage that looked like a warped Metropolis flanked by two gargoyle-rimmed platforms, Halle Berry, Megan Fox, Don Cheadle, Sarah Silverman, Mickey Rourke and dozens of other famous faces from some of TV and film’s most popular properties treated the crowd to hours of popculture indulgence. Associated Press
Cirrus Logic Day at A&M Zachry Engineering Center Tuesday, October 19 WE’RE HIRING! Analog Design Engineers Digital Design Engineers Product Test Engineers Technical Marketers Validation Engineers BRING YOUR RESUMES! 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Meet Cirrus Logic engineers Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks Sign up to win an iPod nano®!
We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. © 2010 Cirrus Logic, Inc. All rights reserved. Cirrus Logic, Cirrus, and the Cirrus Logic logo designs are trademarks of Cirrus Logic, Inc.
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www.cirrus.com/jobs
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