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Flash dance at Kyle Field involves hundreds The echo of music had the fans at Kyle Field confused when a youth group of about 100 students started dancing two hours before the football game against Baylor University Saturday. Decked out in blue Carolina T-shirts, their 2-minute routine consisted of “You Make Me Wanna Shout,” “The Cupid Shuffle,” “Thriller,” “Single Ladies,” “The Casper Slide,” “YMCA” and “Bye Bye Bye.” “It was just a fun thing to do,” said Holly Nelson, Class of 2005 and original coordinator. “It was the biggest in front of Kyle Field.” The idea originated from YouTube videos and the T-Mobile commercial where everyone in a train station breaks out spontaneously into dance. This event was planned in the past couple of months. There were two tutorial sessions prior to the performance. “We have a youth group event every year,” said Kayla Allen, a senior accounting major. “It was just about [having] fun.” Luz MorenoLozano, staff writer
Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
A&M 38, Baylor 3
Bowling over Baylor Michael’s magic Texas A&M freshman running back
Third time’s a charm It took the Aggies three
What’s next
Christine Michael scores a touchdown in the Aggies’ 38-3 win against Baylor.
weeks to get over the bowl eligibility hump, earning the needed sixth victory with a 38-3 win against Baylor Saturday. Check out the game story at
Texas A&M vs. University of Texas 7:00 p.m. Thursday
Relying on the run Thanks to its running game, A&M is bowl eligible with just one game remaining in the season.
sports | 5
thebatt.com
Student meets first lady Obama Freshman Corps cadet receives award for art, service in D.C. ■
Samantha Johnson The Battalion
Courtesy Photo
This year marks the second donation of $10,000 from the Pepsi Bottling Group to The Big Event.
Pepsi CEO donates $10,000 to Big Event Meagan O’Toole-Pitts The Battalion Pepsi Bottling Group CEO Eric Foss visited the Mays Business School Friday to talk with MBA students about business in today’s market and donate $10,000 to The Big Event for the second time. “We want to create a better place to live,” Foss said, who made his first $10,000 donation to The Big Event in 2007. “That community approach varies by market, but the reality is we take sustainability very seriously.” The donation will help The Big Event, the nation’s top student-run service project led by Texas A&M students,
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have an even bigger impact, Foss said. “The things we spend our time and efforts on are really three things in terms of environment: water conservation, which we’ve pushed forward very aggressively in the last 12 months; energy, we’re one of the largest buyers of renewable energy credits in the world and are testing some alternative energy vehicles now; and from a packaging standpoint, we focus on recycling and light-weighting our bottles so that we have a better impact on the environment,” Foss said. Big Event Director Mallory Myers See Pepsi on page 4
A Texas A&M student traveled to the White House Nov. 4 to accept the Coming Up Taller Award from first lady Michelle Obama on behalf of the after school art program she participated in while in high school. Jessica Flores, a freshman biomedical science major and Corps of Cadets member, took part in the Young Artist Apprenticeship Program, an art program organized by the Blaffer Gallery at the University of Houston her senior year of high school. “I really enjoyed the program; we got to do a lot of projects and work with different mediums,” Flores said. “It was great to work with other people and see how they interpret the art.” During Flores’ time in the program, Hurricane Ike hit Houston and the students were able to turn debris from the hurricane into an inspiring project. “We were doing molds of our hands, and we decided to use branches that had been broken during the hurricane as arms, and we each designed a section,” Flores said.
The Blaffer Gallery’s Curator of Education, Katherine Veneman, described the concept of the project. “It’s what’s known as an ‘exquisite corpse.’ Each of the students design individual segments that all work together,” Veneman said. “It was set up with a seat in the middle and radiating from the seat were the ‘arms.’ They made casts of their hands and then used tree branches for arms, the concept is ‘helping hands.’” The completed project is on display at the University of Houston. Veneman said Flores took a leadership role in the project, which is one of the reasons she was awarded the $1,000 Martha Meier Scholarship. When the Young Artist Apprenticeship Program was chosen as one of the 15 after-school arts programs to receive the Coming Up Taller Award, they asked Flores and Veneman to accept the award. “They asked me this summer if I would be willing to accept the award on behalf of the program, and I was shocked and excited,” Flores said. “At first, they weren’t be able to tell me where the ceremony was. We didn’t know See Art award on page 4
On TV: ESPN2
Watch the videos at thebatt. W Winter wonde wonderland Historic ddowntown Bryan was w filled with holiday hol cheer after Thursday’s Lights L On! celebration. Watch the tree lighting ceremony at thebatt.com.
Bust a move Fade to Black took the stage Saturday to showcase the dance ensemble’s best moves. Check out their contemporary, Latin, lyrical and hip hop dances at thebatt.com
Remember Parents remember their sons and daughters lost on the morning of Nov. 18, 1999, in the collapse of Aggie Bonfire as students honor their lives at the Candlelight Vigil.
11/22/09 9:05 PM
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Kent State student beaten to death KENT, Ohio — A Kent State University student has died from injuries sustained during a brutal unprovoked beating off campus. Christopher Kernich, 23, was assaulted around 2 a.m. Nov. 15 and died at Akron General Hospital Saturday. Two men are in custody for the student’s beating death. Adrian A. Barker, 20, and Ronald G. Kelly, 21, remain in the Portage County jail on $75,000 cash bond each.
Michigan football player arrested A University of Michigan football player was arrested Sunday after a female student reported he sexually assaulted her. The man has been questioned and is scheduled to be released shortly as detectives continue to investigate the 2 a.m. incident in the 600 block of South State Street, Ann Arbor police Det. Dave Monroe said. Police would not release the name of the player Sunday. Both the man and accuser are 18, Monroe said. So far, no charges have been filed. No other information was released. Associated Press
Returning to the brotherhood
Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
Former members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets march in to Kyle Field before Saturday’s football game against Baylor. All former Corps members were invited to march in, several hundred dressed in matching polos and khakis participated. Also more than 200 soldiers and civilians from Fort Hood were invited as guests of the Texas A&M Athletic Department.
Demonstration at UC Santa Cruz ends peacefully Student protests spread this weekend at California state universities over a 32 percent tuition hike. Officials at the University of California, Santa Cruz, say dozens of protesters who were occupying the university’s main administrative building since Thursday have ended the protest. About 200 students seized an administration building late Thursday. Campus spokesman Jim Burns says about 70 protesters who had occupied the university’s Kerr Hall walked out of the building around 8 a.m. Sunday. No arrests were made, but Burns says the students who took part in the protest are facing criminal charges or student judicial sanctions. During the demonstration, protesters knocked over furniture, scattered refuse about and damaged some electronic conferencing equipment. Burns could not provide an estimate on the amount of damage,
but says it would take at least a day to clear most of the damage. Students barricaded a building at the University of California, Berkeley. Several students, their mouths covered with bandanas, used a bullhorn to rally hundreds of protesters standing in rain outside an English department building at Berkeley, a flashpoint for student protests in the 1960s. Police made three arrests and closed off the area, while university officials canceled classes in the building for the day. The takeover of the buildings were the latest reaction to a vote Thursday by University of California regents to raise tuition by 32 percent. Regents said the move was unavoidable because of deep cuts in state aid to education, but it sparked angry protests at several campuses across the state. In Los Angeles, where regents met to vote for the tuition increase, 2,000 students protested
on Thursday, and police arrested more than 50 students and at least one professor Thursday night at the university campus in Davis. The campus in Berkeley, located across the bay from San Francisco, is rated as one of the top research universities in the world. The tuition increases, to begin in January, will raise the basic annual fees for most undergraduate students at California’s state universities from $7,788 to $10,302. The move comes as the state is facing massive budget deficits caused in large part by the recession — which also has led to 12.5 percent unemployment in California and high home foreclosures throughout the state. State officials said California faces a projected budget deficit of nearly $21 billion, four months after legislators approved a fiscal plan to close a similar shortfall.
corrections
Former first lady to speak at Elephant Walk
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.
Former first lady Barbara Bush will be in Aggieland Tuesday for this year’s Elephant Walk and Junior E-Walk, presented by the classes of 2010 and 2011. Junior biomedical science major Alex Cumption believed it is fitting to have Mrs. Bush. “It is a tradition that the Bush’s come and talk just like it is a tradition to hold E-Walk,” Cumption said. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Spence Park, where pictures may be taken with live elephants as well as the Twelfth Man Bus. Event shirt sales and free food will also be on site. Each class will “step off” from the park about 2 p.m. to walk around campus — the Class of 2010 to reminisce and reflect over their time spent at the Texas A&M and the Class of 2011 to accept their newfound rank at the University.
Associated Press
“It’s handing the torch off to juniors,” said Andrew Vitek, a junior education major. “Now the juniors are responsible for exemplifying what an Aggie is and for handing that down to future juniors.” Each route will include stops at Kyle Field, where each class will take their class picture, discuss the class gift, and hear the former first lady give a keynote address at about 3 p.m. Chris Atnip, a senior Environmental Design major said he is “excited about experiencing the tradition with friends.” The tradition began in 1926. The event is open to all members of the Aggie family. For additional information, contact the Class Center at (979) 845-3534. Robert Carpenter, special to the Battalion
Be your own drummer Or guitarist, cellist or saxophonist. Deloitte’s Dietrich Schmidt certainly is. He’s a business analyst by day and a rock star by night, playing across Texas with his band, The Ars Supernova. You won’t find a more innovative approach to career-life fit. Dietrich’s or ours. Meet Dietrich at www.deloitte.com/yourfuture. It’s your future. How far will you take it? As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Copyright © 2009 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
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scene
A history of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving began in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared a feast together. It is now held on the fourth Thursday of November.
thebattalion 11.23.2009 page3
Look who’s turning Wii New Releases: Nov. 24 Anthony Gerhart
‘Worldwide phenomenon’ Nintendo Wii celebrates three years of success
A
h, Nintendo. The very name is synonymous with video games. Synonymous with the cheery “Wah! Hoo! Yippee!” of Charles Martinet’s Super Mario. Synonymous with the infamous nine-note jingle that plays when you solve a puzzle in “The Legend of Zelda.” Nintendo is considered by many to be synonymous with “innovation.” Since the inception of the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Nintendo has provided the video game industry with new features such as the control stick and rumble features, both of which have been further integrated by their competitors into the current home consoles. Even so, it was up for debate whether motion control could sell Nintendo’s new underpowered Wii console in an industry that puts heavy emphasis on the latest in hardware technology. Three years later, such a debate is seen as laughable. Nintendo’s Wii has become a worldwide phenomenon with 56 million units sold since its launch in November 2006. One can look at the overall disappointing sales of Wii’s predecessor, the GameCube, to infer that this success cannot be solely attributed to releases of quality games from beloved franchises. Nintendo took a direction that opened up the video game industry to people who may have previously been completely uninterested with games as a whole. With their release of “Wii Sports,” Nintendo effectively created a group of consumers (not to mention an unending source of revenue) known as the “casual” crowd who eat up titles such as “Wario Ware: Smooth Moves” and “Mario Kart Wii.” Sony and Microsoft have seen
“Petz Hamsterz Superstarz” “Foro Frenzy: Spot the Difference” “Vegas Party” mming from a simple the success stemming ller and now have motion controller ed schemes of their motion-oriented ased next year. own to be released wer to Nintendo’s Wii Sony’s answer Remote is a wand-shaped controller vely as the PlayStaknown tentatively tion Motion Controller. Despite its ppearance, Sony’s wand questionable appearance, offers accurate 1:1 tracking using the he PlayStation Eye teamwork of the camera and thee wand’s lit orb, as well ion detection via accelas precise motion erometers and sensors in the controller. It will also have standard buttons, ger and vibration funcan analog trigger tionality. All inn all, the PlayStation oller is very similar to Motion Controller Nintendo’s Wiiii Remote. Anything he Wii Remote can you do with the plicated by Sony’s probably be replicated fortunately, no separate controller. Unfortunately, peripheral has been announced at this time that attachh an analog stick to the wand like the Wii Reuk; games mote’s Nunchuk; nal using directional movement willl be controlled by holdndard ing Sony’s standard troller SIXAXIS controller nd the in one hand and otion PlayStation Motion he Controller in the other. Such a setup ortable or seems uncomfortable ding and forced, leading me to believe that y’s the fun in Sony’s motion plans will be found in the 133 plus hat launch titles that ne only require one ny’s controller. Sony’s PlayStation Motion Controller is set for release in spring 2010. Microsoft’s ion control answer to motion
rests in Project Natal, a nine-inch long horizontal camera placed under your TV that is capable of 3-D motion capture, facial recognition and voice recognition, all for more than one person at a time. Unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June, Natal is dedicated to the idea of removing absolutely everything that comes in between the player and the game — namely, the controller. Players will use their bodies alone to drive cars, kick balls and interact with on-screen
characters. Real-life objects such as a skateboard can be scanned in to Natal and used in-game, ironically making “Tony Hawk: Ride” and its cuttingedge skateboard controller obsolete before it’s even released. Other notable features include navigation through menus by motioning your hands in directions in front of you, similar to that in Minority Report, and headset-less party chat in Xbox Live. Those of you worried that your tried-and-true dual
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analog scheme in first person shooters will be trashed have no cause for concern. Fortunately, Natal will not replace the standard Xbox controller but will merely be an alternative control choice for developers in the future, which, like Sony’s controller, will hopefully encourage high-profile developers to stay aaway from motion options in places w where they would detract from the ga gameplay. Pick-upand-play titles such as quiz games or racers aimed at ccasual gamers will likely be the focus of most developers working with Nata Natal. Project Natal is slated for a Novem November 2010 release at a price under $8 $80 alongside 14 launch titles. Nintendo’s simp simple innovation three years ago has spawned limitless opportunity fo for developers to experiment with th this new style of control, which inv involves players even more directly into specific games and opens up the iindustry for people who turned their nnose at it a few years back. Grante Granted, many people might be upset wit with the less conventional direction video games are taking, but their ap apprehension is unwarranted. Despite the introduction of new tec chnology traditional games technology, such as “Call of D Duty” will still be developed withou without the extravagant implementati implementation of motion control. A And for those of you hav have been enjoying games like “Boom Blox: Bash P Party,” developers will ccontinue to support you too. The industry is growing and is now accessible to more people than ever before. Even iif you prefer to go online aagainst some buddies in “Modern Warfare 2,” it’ it’s possible to share this hobby with friends who may have once been scared off by the “big, bbad” dual-analog contro controller thanks to the implem implementation of motion control. Anthony Gerhart is a sophomore computer science major.
Evan Andrews — THE BATTALION
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news
page 4 monday 11.23.2009
thebattalion
Christian group sends holiday tidings For the hundreds of thousands of men and women serving overseas in the Wyoming State National Guard, Texas A&M University’s Christian Business Leaders will be making their Christmas a little merrier. “I currently have two cousins serving in Iraq right now and I was talking to them before they shipped out and I said, ‘When Christmas time comes around, what do y’all like?’� said special
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We deliver results for our students!
How to donate thru Dec. 3 They will be accepting cash and checks made out to Christian Business Leaders. Contact Bryce Dickens at bryce_dickens@hotmail.com or Jennifer Hayes at jenhayes2011@neo.tamu.edu. Donations can also be taken to the organization’s ofďŹ ce in room 135 of Wehner. ev events committee chairperson of Christian Business Leader ers Bryce Dickens, a junior management information systems m major. “They said, ‘We really miss candy canes.’ When school sta started up this year, I talked about this at CBL and the idea ca came up that we could do Christmas care packages for them.â€? The Leaders will be making 300 care packages for the soldiers in the 115th Fires Brigade 2- 300th Battalion, Companies B and C C. Each package will include a handwritten letter, Bible, gum, SSlim Jim beef jerky, moist wipes, sunflower seeds, toothbrush and toothpaste, powdered electrolyte drinks, candy canes and a deck of cards. The cost of each care package is $20; therefore, the organization is trying to raise $6,000 in total. “This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, w we are able to do so in the comfort of our warm homes surro rounded by family and friends,â€? a fundraising letter from the Le Leaders said. “It is at this time that we must not forget the in individuals that are protecting us day and night to ensure these fre freedoms are not threatened.â€? “We wish to provide some form of hope, love and comfort to those protecting our freedom at home and abroad this Christmas season,â€? the letter said. Rebekah Skelton, staff writer
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The Battalion For a multicultural blend of food, music and dancing, Aggies need look no further than their own backyards. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Zone Plaza, three organizations under the Department of Multicultural Services will be presenting Fusion Fiesta. The organizations represented will be the Asian Presidents Council, Black Student Alliance Council and the Hispanic Presidents’ Council. “Fusion Fiesta is what it is — it is a fusion of different cultures,� said Nick Rodriguez, Hispanic Presidents’ Council executive director and junior communication major. At the event, there will be a variety of performances, games, dances, music, food and educational literature from the different cultures. The Disney-themed event declares to “take you around the world in one night with Fusion Fiesta.� Attendees can watch Fade to Black while eating a taco and reading about the countries in Asia. As a come-and-go event, the three councils encourage any member of the Bryan-College Station community to experience what they have to offer. The event is free. “We are all busy college students, so it’s hard to take the time to reach out and get to know other cultures. so if someone makes it readily available to experience a different culture, I believe that they would be all for it,� said Black Student Alliance Council president LaPorcha Carter, a senior nutrition science major. “Fusion Fiesta allows others to get a taste of different cultures.� The purpose of Fusion Fiesta is more than just a spectator event, said the Asian Presidents Council president Michelle Wong. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity.�
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Art award Continued from page 1
Week 3
Week of November 22 - November 26
Part 1 of 4 Wed Nov 18 9pm-12am
Part 2 of 4 Thu Nov 19 9pm-12am
Part 3 of 4 Sun Nov 22 9pm-12am
Pt 4 & Tst Rvw Mon Nov 23 6pm-10pm
Ch 3&24 Thu Nov 19 7pm-9pm Ch 3&24 Thu Nov 19 7pm-9pm Ch 5 Thu Nov 19 9pm-11pm Test Review Thu Nov 19 4pm-7pm Part 1 of 3 Tue Nov 17 7pm-9pm
Ch 24&25 Fri Nov 20 6pm-8pm Ch 24&25 Fri Nov 20 6pm-8pm Ch 3 Fri Nov 20 4pm-6pm Test Review Mon Nov 23 3pm-6pm Part 2 of 3 Wed Nov 18 9pm-12am
Ch 12 Mon Nov 30 3pm-5pm Ch 8-10 Sat Nov 21 11am-1pm Ch 4 Sat Nov 21 10am-12pm
Test Review Tue Dec 1 4pm-7pm Test Review Sun Nov 22 2pm-4pm Test Review Sun Nov 22 12pm-2pm
Part 3 of 3 Thu Nov 19 9pm-12am
Test Review Sun Nov 22 6pm-9pm
Math 151
Part 1 of 4 Sun Nov 22 9pm-11pm
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Part 3 of 4 Tue Nov 24 6pm-9pm
Pt 4 & Tst Rvw Sun Nov 29 7pm-10pm
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until just a few weeks before it happened that it would be at the White House with Michelle Obama. The ceremony was scheduled to coincide with President Barack Obama’s naming of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. “It was really cool, [that] they were using our event as a catalyst for the committee getting named,� Venerman said. While spending time in Washington, D.C., Flores had the opportunity to meet and take pictures with people like the director of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for Humanities, as well as a few celebrities. Flores said she was very excited to meet “Fight Club� actor Edward Norton.
Pepsi Continued from page 1
said the money will be spent on tools, efforts in recruiting students and go directly toward service projects in the Bryan-College Station area. “It will definitely help the function in 2010,� Myers said. “We only found out we were getting it on Monday, so we don’t know exactly how we’re going to use it yet, but it will definitely let us stretch our wings and do things we won’t have been able to without it.� Mays Business School students were able to ask ques-
Osa Okundaye— THE BATTALION
“The purpose of Fusion Fiesta is to unite people from other backgrounds, to get to know other people and to embrace what they have to offer,� the senior international business major said. Wong is hoping Fusion Fiesta can accomplish this by encouraging people to come with open minds and an attitude to have fun and experience new things. Each of the councils will also have informational tables for students to find out how to get involved or just learn more about their organization and respective country. Last year, the event drew more than 400 people. Organizers are expecting the same this year. Rodriguez said success isn’t defined as just a large number, but by the degree of change that can happen. “If we could just let that one person who doesn’t know that much about other cultures show up and say, ‘You know what? That is awesome, I enjoyed that food, I enjoyed the music,’ that would be
success,� Rodriguez said. Wong said the Fusion Fiesta is unlike most culture displays throughout the year where the objective is only to talk to people about their culture. “We are more interactive and through that, you get to meet a lot of cool people,� Wong said. “The people might be different from you, but you are actually real similar.� The Department of Multicultural Services said Fusion Fiesta is an opportunity to unite the Aggie community while promoting diversity. Sometimes diversity can be hard to find, which is one of the main reasons why Fusion Fiesta exists, Rodriguez said. “The purpose is to promote awareness, to show that we are here on campus, to show the diverse community that doesn’t always get shown on campus,� Rodriguez said. “We just want to shed some light on our organizations.�
“I saw him and thought I recognized him, and finally some of the other students and I went up and talked to him,� Flores said. “He was really nice and we made sure to get a picture with him.� Flores said her trip to Washington, D.C., had many exciting aspects, but her favorite part was meeting Michelle and getting to see the inside of the White House. “Getting to meet Michelle Obama was, of course, the highlight,� Flores said. “She’s such a great speaker and has such an amazing presence, and it was wonderful to go to the White House. I had been to D.C. before but had never been able to see the inside of the White House.� As a biomedical science major, Flores isn’t making art her main career path, but she said the experiences she had while participating in the program are valuable to her and have helped her in college. “I am truly grateful for the invaluable
experience I acquired from taking part in the Young Artist Apprenticeship Program,� she said. “In addition to expanding my artistic creativity, I honed my leadership abilities and learned the value of collaboration in the face of misfortune — all skills that will serve me well during college and beyond.� Claudia Schmuckli, the Blaffer Gallery’s director and chief curator, said the beauty of the Apprenticeship Program and other art programs is that students can take the skills and thought processes and apply them to other areas of their lives. “Whether or not the teenagers choose art as their ultimate career path, the Young Artist Apprenticeship Program exposes students to the intense level of dedication required of higher education and encourages them to contemplate their educational destinies,� she said.
tions and engage with Foss one-on-one. “We bring over 200 businesspeople to Mays each year,� said Mays Business School Dean Jerry Strawser. “We feel that the combination of an education provided by high quality faculty, along with the perspectives of business leaders such as Mr. Foss, is important in our students’ personal and professional development.� When asked about Pepsi’s role in the obesity epidemic in America, Foss said there was no correlation between the two. “Something that’s misinterpreted by a lot of folks,
including the government, is that it’s about balance. It’s about choice. Nobody wants to have what they consume from a food or beverage standpoint legislated. They just don’t. People don’t want to be told what to drink,� Foss said. “The reality is regular soft drinks have declined nine percent since the year 2000. Meanwhile, obesity’s gone up. The reality is they’re not bad for you. It’s all about moderation.� Foss was asked why Pepsi distributes in developing and impoverished countries. “We are providing an invaluable service to the community by making sure people
have beverages that they can consume in an environment where many people don’t have access to it,� Foss said. Pepsi Bottling Group operates in seven countries and accounts for about 40 percent of Pepsi-Cola beverages sold worldwide. “There are three things I think Pepsi Bottling Group and Texas A&M have in common. One is values, it’s really our cultures; the second is, we both are focused on unquenchable results; and the third is an unquenchable spirit to do the right thing for the individual or the community,� Foss said.
11/22/09 9:17 PM
sports
Aggies maul Bears The Texas A&M football team defeated the Baylor Bears 38-3 Saturday at Kyle Field. Running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray combined for 223 rushing yards in the game as the Aggie offense racked up a total of 528 yards of offense. Read the full story online at
thebatt.com
thebattalion 11.23.2009 page5
Run game scores big against BU David Harris
Thanks to a big showing from the A&M running game, the Aggies are now bowl eligible.
W
hen freshman phenom Christine Michael burst through the line en route to the longest run in Texas A&M history, “it” became a certainty. “It” being revenge against Baylor. It being the all-important sixth win. It being bowl eligibility. “I would have to say that [Michael’s 97-yard run] was certainly a dagger,” said Head Coach Mike Sherman. On Saturday, the Aggies pounded the rock all day long and in the process, stepped on the throat of an inferior team. (Allow me an aside, here. Baylor’s ineptitude on all sides of the ball was baffling. Dare I say, it was embarrassing. Even for Baylor.) With 375 yards rushing on Saturday, A&M made a statement of sorts. Behind an improving offensive line, the Ags are finally able to ride their horses, sophomore tailback Cyrus Gray and the aforementioned Michael. The two comprise one of the most dangerous running back tandems in the entire country. It’s been that way all season. The question mark has always been the embattled offensive line. And on Saturday, the big nasties up front answered those questions. Emphatically. The offensive line’s ongoing development and the awakening of an anemic running game may not be the most talked-about aspect of Aggie football, but let’s not diminish how important it is. The Aggies have rushed for more than 200 yards in six games this season. Their record in those games: 6-0. Being able to pound the rock opens up more holes for Jerrod Johnson and the passing game. But more importantly, it controls the clock and keeps the defense off the field. And with the rival Longhorns coming to visit on Turkey Day, it couldn’t be arriving at a better time. For our Aggies to have any chance of upending UT and pulling the biggest upset in the 2009 college football season, they must, must, must run the ball effectively. They have to keep Colt McCoy and the explosive Longhorn offense off the field. They must control the clock and time of possession. It is beyond imperative. It will, however, not be easy. No. 3 Texas will be arriving in College Station with the No. 1 rushing defense in the country. They are giving up only 50 yards a game on the ground. Opposing teams are averaging less than two yards a carry. It is, in fact, very similar to the situation a mere three years ago. The underdog Aggies traveled to Austin to face the highly ranked Horns. Texas led the country in rushing defense that year as well. And what did the Ags do on that late November afternoon?
Sam Smith — THE BATTALION
Left: Texas A&M freshman libero Tori Mellinger bumps the ball in the Aggies’ 3-0 win against Texas Tech Sunday in Reed Arena. Right: A&M senior outside hitter Sarah Ammerman hits the ball in the win. Ammerman had 13 kills in the match.
Volleyball tackles Tech Courtney Nelson The Battalion The Texas A&M volleyball team has now won two in a row, including last Wednesday’s win over Oklahoma and Sunday’s victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech (2-23, 0-17 Big 12), coming off a loss to Missouri, was looking for its first conference win as they came to College Station. They could not make that happen, as the Aggies defeated them in three sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-17. A&M Head Coach Laurie Corbelli said she is proud of her team and the way they have come together for the last two matches. “Our goal this match was to establish our offense early,” Corbelli said. “I thought today was a very good demonstration of these fresh-
men’s talent. We were excited that we could carry our momentum from Oklahoma to this match and hopefully carry it into Colorado.” A&M (15-10, 9-9 Big 12) started off strong as Sarah Ammerman swung for a kill on the first play of the game, and would get two more to follow. Freshman middle blocker Lindsey Miller added four kills as the Aggies, who hit .423 in the game, took the first set 25-17. Miller said the team was ready and knew what they had to do in order to win the game, despite the fact that Texas Tech is the least winningest team in the Big 12. “We definitely went into it just like any other game,” Miller said. “We know not to take any team too lightly at this point and prepare for all of them equally.” After opening the second set
10-3, the Aggies put in senior setter Jola Kelner, senior setter Dylan Faulkner and sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Black to switch up the lineup. The set would be dominated by the Aggies, who hit .393 compared to the Raiders’ .160. Sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Ringel also saw the court as A&M won 25-16. The Red Raiders could not get it together, as they continued to make mistakes throughout the match. The bright spot of the Raiders offense was Barbara Conceicao, who hit .588 and had 10 kills. For the Aggies, Ammerman and Miller each finished with nine kills in the match. A&M combined for a hitting percentage of .306 in the match, as they defeated the Raiders 25-17 in the third and final set. Coach Corbelli said she was
satisfied with her team’s effort in the game and said this is the team she is used to seeing. “I’m not seeing the hesitation nearly as much as mid-season when we struggled with it,” Corbelli said. “This team is still improving and it shows on our defense. We know we are capable, and we are holding that as our standard.” The Aggies have two games left, as they head to Colorado to play the Buffaloes on Wednesday and finish the regular season on Saturday at home against the Missouri Tigers. The Aggies must win both games to improve their chances of advancing to the tournament. “Our main goal with only two games left is mostly winning,” Miller said. “But we want to just stay sharp out on the court and play as good as we know we can.”
Women’s basketball stays perfect Michael Teague The Battalion The No. 8 Texas A&M women’s basketball team was victorious in its first road test of 2009-10, with a 79-59 beating of Auburn Sunday at Beard-EavesMemorial Coliseum. “The road is a hard place to play, and I think we passed the test,”
said sophomore forward Adaora Elonu. “We played against a very good Auburn squad. We just got out there and did what we normally do in practice. Our balanced scoring today was key for us. Our opponents can’t target just one person on our team this season.” The story of the game was the Aggies’ tenacious defense. Auburn
shot only 38 percent from the field and was forced into 23 turnovers. “Texas A&M is an excellent team, and I thought they exploited us,” said Auburn Head Coach Nell Fortner. “They turned our turnovers into points for them. We have a lot of work to do, and it is disappointing to lose, but we are not discouraged. We just have
to get better.” Offensively, the Aggies were also in fine tune. Three players finished in double-figures, and the team combined for 17 assists. “We were rotating eight to nine players,” said A&M Head Coach Gary Blair. “When you See Basketball on page 6
See Football on page 6
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The Association of Former Students encourages you to take a walk with your class!
November 24, 2009
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Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
Texas A&M sophomore defensive back Terrence Frederick makes an interception in the Aggies’ 38-3 win against Baylor Saturday at Kyle Field.
Football Continued from page 5
They gashed them for 244 yards rushing and pulled the 12-7 upset. OK. Sorry, sorry, I’ll stop. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s focus on the present. “We should never not be in a bowl game here, at this school,” quarterback Jerrod Johnson said. “Last year was real tough for us. To know you’re going to be playing someone in the postseason; it’s a great feeling to have.” I couldn’t have said it better
Basketball Continued from page 5
can shoot 53 percent on the road, 7 out of 13 from the three, 10 out of 12 from the line and only get outrebounded by two, you’ve had a pretty good game. Give credit to my staff. They did a great job of preparation.” Blair also credited his team’s success to their ability to beat the Auburn zone defense. “We had a great game plan,” Blair said. “We made some adjustments. We knew they would play zone with KeKe Carrier in there. When they went small, we made some great passes. When we looked at their size, we still thought we could score on them. You do that through penetration with your guards.” A&M (3-0) was once again led by center Danielle Adams who has finished in double-figures in every game this season. The junior recorded a game-high 22 points and five rebounds. “We tried our best to get upand-down the floor,” Adams said. “I did what I had to do out there. I thought we did perfect as a team [in the rebounding
myself, Jerrod. After a miserable 2008 season, this team and this coaching staff had to get six wins. Let’s not discount its significance. A bowl game allows the young squad three extra weeks of practice along with some national notoriety. Dominating Baylor isn’t going to stop the presses, but if this same Aggie team comes out on Thursday and sticks to its guns, most notably running the football, then the college football world may be paying much closer attention to Aggieland. David Harris is a junior economics major
department]. I can’t be happier than what we did today.” Sophomore Sydney Carter put up six points for the Aggies and spread the ball around adding a team-high five assists. Auburn junior Alli Smalley scored a team-high 18 points and added three assists. Senior KeKe Carrier dominated the boards bringing down a gamehigh eight rebounds A defensive struggle ensued in the early going Sunday. Auburn kept up with the Aggies until a timeout was called with the score knotted up at 19-19. A&M would buckle down in the final seven minutes of the first half to take a 34-26 lead into the break. In the second half, the Tigers fought but failed to cut into the A&M advantage. The Aggies’ offensive attack put up 43 second-half points to seal the win. Texas A&M will have a nine day break before returning to action Wednesday, Dec. 2. Stephen F. Austin will come into town to face the Aggies at Reed Arena. Blair coached the Lumberjacks from 1985-1993 and was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
STUDIES IN PROGRESS DO YOU HAVE FACIAL ACNE? We are looking for volunteers to participate in a twelve-week research study of an investigational topical medication for acne. Those who qualify will receive at no cost: • Study related medical evaluations by a dermatologist • Study related medication • Reimbursement for time and travel, up to $250. Participants must be 12-45 years of age. For more information please contact:
RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA) Volunteers ages 18 - 64 needed to participate up to a 12 week long 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 medication • Physical Examination • Dermatological Assessments • Compensation up to $675.00 for time and travel For more information please contact:
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pg 6-11-23-09.indd 1
11/22/09 9:14 PM
EDITOR’SNOTE
voices
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 11.23.2009 page7
Evolving our
education system Shawn Hanrahan
Public schools across the nation are failing to educate the country’s youth about evolution, hindering scientific understanding and progress.
T
his month marks the 150-year anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “Origin of Species.” The main premises of Darwin’s theory have been repeatedly reinforced and modified to form the modern understanding of evolutionary theory. It is largely accepted scientific fact that the natural history of the Earth has undergone evolutionary changes for the past 3 billion years. But students who attended Texas public education system might have difficulty understanding the theory. Many schools in this state inadequately educate students on the theory. The result of this lack of education will affect the next generation of Texans. Given the speed of genetics and biomedical research, knowledge of the theory will dictate the public’s understanding of discoveries and potential finds in the field. This understanding will impact current and future laws in the coming golden age of genetics. Gallup’s polls show 44 percent of the country accepts no part of evolutionary theory, with only 50 percent accepting some or all of it. These percentages have stayed essentially stagnant for more than 15 years. This sadly reflects a lack of education on the subject despite the abundance of additional evidence and resources on evolution. If half the country did not understand or
disbelieved a different scientific theory, it would be very disconcerting to the general public. Imagine half the country not accepting the basic components of the atom, or having difficulty understanding why water readily dissolves salt but not oil. Basic concepts of evolution are poorly understood at best by a large percentage of the adult population of this country. Even with the advances in understanding, there has been a good deal of pushback on simply mentioning evolution in the classroom. Four years ago next month, the first court case on teaching intelligent design in the public classroom came from a school district in Dover, Pa. The decision unambiguously stated that Intelligent Design was a form of creationism, and therefore couldn’t be taught alongside evolution in a science class. In March, the Texas Board of Education voted narrowly to prevent politically motivated language describing the “weaknesses” of evolution to be presented to the state’s high school biology students. Despite this victory, many districts simply avoid teaching much about evolution due to the political climate surrounding it. The end result of the absence of evolution in public education is the continued degradation of the country’s collective understanding of the basics behind modern advances in science. Genetically modified crops, stem cell research and cures for cancer, HIV and other infections are all deeply rooted in the application of evolutionary theory. Now is a perfect time to take some time out and be educated on what the state of Texas has failed to properly teach. The anniversary of the discovery of evolution is a wonderful excuse to catch up on the basics of the underlying theme of all of biology. The biology department is having the “Darwin 150” lecture series in coordination with other universities around the globe. The final lecture is Tuesday with additional information found on their website. There is also the new Richard Dawkins book “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which is presented as a defense of evolution and introductory
explanation of the theory. Both of these are excellent sources of information for those who may have missed out previously in their high school years. Additionally, there are several classes offered at A&M in the biology and genetics departments that could fill up a class slot for next semester. The current status of evolution in our public education is appalling. The U.S. ranks No. 17 out of the world’s richest countries in science education. The end result is the next generation of Americans will not be as equipped with the same knowledge and understanding as the rest of the modern world. With much of the planet becoming interconnected, surrendering the leading edge of education will have disastrous effects on the U.S.’s role in the next century of scientific progress. Science is propelling us into the age of genetic engineering, gene therapy and evolutionary research. But without a proper education on evolution, many of us will be unable to understand even what the next century’s discoveries mean. Shawn Hanrahan is an entomology graduate student.
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Members of the track and field and cross country teams celebrate receiving their rings Saturday during the Aggie football game Saturday. Cross country won the regional championship and the track and field teams won the National Championship.
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e all say things when in love that we can’t always guarantee. Everyone breaks promises or their word, but what if the love of your life, who has always promised to protect you, leaves you vulnerable to the one most likely to hurt you? In the second movie of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, that is exactly what happens. Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart (“Adventureland,” “Jumper”), is not one to desire attention for herself, but after a vampire attack nearly cost her life, maybe that is just what she needs. Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson (“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”), and his family can’t let Bella’s wish for no attention on her birthday get in the way of a small party. But while opening a present, Bella receives a paper cut and Jasper, played by Jackson Rathbone (“Criminal Minds,” “Beautiful People”) is unable to control himself and lunges for Bella. Despite the fact that Edward saves Bella from Jasper, he and his family leave Forks in order to remove Bella from the world that seems to constantly put her in danger. However,
they cannot fix what has already been done. Bella finds that she can see Edward’s face when she is in danger so she seeks out negative situations. She finds a friend in Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner, (“The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl”) and they refurbish a pair of motorcycles to feed Bella’s need for danger. When Edward thinks Bella has killed herself, he feels he must die as well. He decides to provoke the Italian vampires to pursue his own death and is only saved by Bella’s revealing of herself so he might know she is alive. This complicated story is full of twists and turns and unexpected moments. “New Moon” is sure to please any die-hard “Twilight” fan. The movie adheres to the books plot and elaborates well upon the images readers everywhere have imagined for “New Moon.” All female fans have long waited for the revealing of the newly buff and strikingly handsome Lautner and his shirtless scenes as the movie’s newest “monster.” The larger budget for this movie provided great and pleasing effects. This movie was entertaining and suspenseful. There is rarely a dull moment, and the audience can truly connect with the characters emotions. Readers are not disappointed, and first time viewers are surprised with the quality of the movie and story line. Overall, the movie is intense and dramatic. I doubt that one could call it a disappointment or a waste. If you don’t want to miss out on many future conversations to come, go see “New Moon.” Megan Clark is a junior English major.
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Co-host Matt Lauer talks with actor Robert Pattinson about “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” on NBC’s “Today” show, in New York, on Thursday.
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LOS ANGELES — The vampire romance “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” sucked up $140.7 million in its first three days and pulled in a total of $258.8 million worldwide, according to studio estimates Sunday. The No. 1 domestic debut for Summit Entertainment’s “New Moon” was more than twice the $69.6 million haul over the same weekend last year for “Twilight,” the first in the franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s novels. “Obviously, with the success of ‘Twilight’ itself, sequels being what they are will generate X-number of dollars more, particularly if it’s a satisfying sequel,” said Richie Fay, head of distribution for Summit. “New Moon” placed third on the all-time domestic chart
behind last year’s $158.4 million opening weekend for the Batman blockbuster “The Dark Knight” and 2007’s $151.1 million haul for “Spider-Man 3.” Among the top-10 all-time openings, “New Moon” is the only one that came outside of Hollywood’s busiest time, the summer season. The movie adaptation of Meyer’s next “Twilight” chapter, “Eclipse,” arrives in the heart of summer, next June 30. On Friday, “New Moon” set an all-time domestic high for opening day with $72.7 million, topping the previous record of $67.2 million by last year’s “The Dark Knight. Overall, Hollywood had its second-biggest non-holiday weekend ever, with final numbers expected to come in slightly
behind the $260 million the industry rang up over the weekend of July 18, 2008, when “The Dark Knight” opened. Compared to the same weekend last year, business was up 59 percent. Overseas, “New Moon” debuted in 25 countries and took in $118.1 million. “New Moon” continues the story of teen romance between a school girl and a vampire (Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson), with the sequel adding a love triangle with a werewolf (Taylor Lautner). Meyer’s books have been a phenomenon among women and girls. Females made up 80 percent of the audience for “New Moon.” Associated Press
11/22/09 8:20 PM