The Battalion: December 6, 2010

coming tuesday

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Dark energy The universe is getting bigger, but what is causing it to expand? The mysterious astronomical force of dark energy.

â—? monday,

news for you

december 6, 2010

â—? serving

texas a&m since 1893

� first paper free – additional copies $1 � Š 2010 student media

Photo illustration by Doug Klembara — THE BATTALION

Following the

Star

texas Hearing begins on death penalty This week, a Democratic judge will have a lengthy hearing on the constitutionality of the death penalty in Texas.

State District Judge Kevin Fine surprised many when he ruled the death penalty unconstitutional.

Following criticism from Republican Gov. Rick Perry and other Texans, Fine said state procedures are unconstitutional. A hearing on the issue starts today.

nation &world Few options for Assange Supporters say WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is considering seeking asylum in Switzerland. He told a Spanish newspaper he faced “hundreds of death threats,� aside from the pressure he is getting from prosecutors in the U.S. and other countries.

Assange lost a source of revenue when PayPal cut off his account. U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called him “a high-tech terrorist� and said he hopes Assange will be prosecuted.

Professor: Star of Bethlehem a historical event Luz Moreno-Lozano The Battalion “The Star of Bethlehem: a myth or a real astronomical event?� is a presentation is given by Rick Larson, a former law professor at A&M. This project began when he was putting up Christmas decorations with his daughter and they decided to display the Magi in his front yard. His daugh-

ter wanted a star but he didn’t know much about what it was or what it looked like.

After further research he said he discovered the star was real. According to Larson, there are nine characteristics of the star that correlate perfectly with the birth of Jesus.

Larson’s presentation goes through each clue that leads to his conclusions. “It’s a very stimulating presentation,�

Larson said. “There is lots of excitement and [it’s] very emotionally moving. The reactions are always strong.�

Larson has made presentations over the world. The three-year old DVD The Star of Bethlehem is the best selling documentary in the world. Larson will give his presentation at 7 p.m. Tuesday and again on Dec. 23 in Rudder Auditorium.

More info Larson’s website, http:// bethlehemstar. net, has more information on the DVD and presentation.

Associated Press

Jimmy Needham plays guitar and sings at a benefit concert on Dec. 2. The concert raised funds for B-CS and international charities which help the impoverished.

Bowl tickets on sale Student tickets for the 75th AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic will go on sale for Texas A&M students beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday at the 12th Man Foundation Ticket Center windows located at the north end of Kyle Field.

Students may begin camping for the sale at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The policy at Texas A&M states that 10 percent of the tickets allotted to the University will be set aside for students. With 12,500 tickets allotted, only 1,250 are available for Texas A&m students. The Cotton Bowl also announced that they will allow for 2,000 standing-room-only tickets for Texas A&M students giving a student body of more than 40,000 people, 3,250 tickets to pull from. “Our ticket allotment is 12,500, which is less than half of what we sold in 2005 ...

We expect many more Aggies to find tickets to the game directly from the AT&T Cotton Bowl or the secondary market,� Byrne said.

The 2,000 standing room only tickets, or Spirit Passes, will be sold for $50 and the 1,250 regularly allotted student tickets will be sold at the regular price of $125. Current Texas A&M students may purchase two tickets each by presenting a current Texas A&M student ID and a valid sports pass for each ticket being purchased.

Sean Lester, staff writer

Marching to Christmas

J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION

Concert to end poverty 1.4 billion people in the world live on less than $1.25 per day. Along with poverty, these people are subjected to harsh realities such as malnutrition and disease, because they lack the means for a better life.

Musician Jimmy Needham, a graduate of Texas A&M, performed a benefit concert Dec. 2 presented by Part of the Solution, which aims to raise funds for organizations combating poverty. “I’m most excited for a chance to share the gospel in the community and to bring awareness to these organiza-

tions,� said project coordinator Ashley Brusenhan. “I’m excited to help provide an opportunity for the BryanCollege Station community to make an impact globally and locally on the poor and needy.�

In 2005, Needham independently released his first album For Freedom.

In 2006, he signed with Inpop, an independent contemporary Christian record label. His most recent album, Nightlights, debuted May 18.

Stephanie Leichtle— THE BATTALION

The Bryan-College Station Christmas Parade was at 2 p.m. Sunday from the A&M Campus to Villa Maria and Texas Ave. The theme was “Rockin’ Around Christmas.�

See story on www.thebatt.com

Sarah Smith, staff writer

Community event raises funds for rehabilitation center Joanna Raines

Paul Mezier — THE BATTALION

“Wish Upon A Star� attendees listen to a performance. The event raised money for St. Joseph Rehabilitation Services, which provides health care to patients across the Brazos Valley.

The Battalion It was no ordinary night at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Instead of church clothes, there were formal gowns, and instead of hymns there was swing music and dancing.

The Bryan-College Station community joined together Friday at the church’s “Wish Upon a Star� benefit dinner, with dinner and dancing to celebrate the successes of St. Joseph Rehabilitation Services. The benefit also raised money for the organization so the celebrations can continue. “Tonight we are celebrating rehabilitation. We built a rehabilitation hospital after we went through it four or five times, and they said, ‘You’re not going to make it financially.’ But finally, the report came up looking pretty good. So we built it, and we do it, and we’re getting better at it,� said Sister Gretchen Kunz, who has been a part of St. Francis Rehabilitation Center for almost 30 years.

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The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio founded the St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center in 1936. “For over 70 years, the Sister’s vision to have a healing presence, caring for the sick, the aging, and the disadvantaged in the Brazos Valley, has been embraced and continues to grow,� said Tami Oberby, director of annual giving at St. Joseph Foundation. “St. Joseph Hospital has expanded from a downtown hospital with 25 beds to a health care system.�

Today, the rehabilitation center has grown into an organization with rural health care delivery spanning seven counties, a regional cancer center and rehabilitation center, two long-term care facilities, two urgent care facilities, an outpatient diagnostic and imaging center, and College Station’s first free-standing emergency department.

Funds raised from last year’s “Wish Upon a Star� benefit were used to purchase new bicycles, beds, therapy tables, software and more. All of these improve-

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Dozens of websites have been secretly harvesting lists of places that their users previously visited online, everything from news articles to bank sites to pornography, a team of computer scientists found. The technique the University of California, San Diego researchers investigated is called “history sniffing” and is a result of the way browsers interact with websites and record where they’ve been.

Current versions of the Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers still allow this, as do older versions of Chrome and Safari, the researchers said.

NZ seals found clubbed in park New Zealand police and conservation officials are hunting offenders who clubbed to death 23 protected fur seals, including newborn pups.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said Monday some of the eight bludgeoned pups were just days old when they were killed. She’s “beyond appalled” over the deliberate and abhorrent attacks. The attacks involved the Ohau Point seal colony on northern South Island and is north of the town of Kaikoura — an international whale-watching center.

Today is a redefined day.

Students should attend Friday classes. Visit http:// registrar.tamu.edu for final exam schedules.

The Wind Symphony will preview a concert before performing at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. today in Rudder Theatre.

3

Silver Taps

Silver Taps will be held 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at Academic Plaza.

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

Senator seeks bill against image misuse A New York senator wants to make it illegal for anyone to distribute or record images produced by full-body scanners at airports. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer introduced a bill Sunday that calls for punishing anyone who misuses full-body scan images by up to a year in prison. They could also face fines of up to $100,000. Privacy advocates say there are insufficient safeguards to ensure that the revealing images produced by the machines remain private.

The X-ray scans from the machines can see through people’s clothing.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Transportation Security Administration employee Anthony Brock, left, demonstrates a new full-body scanner at San Diego’s Lindbergh Field.

The Transportation Security Administration says the images cannot be stored, transmitted or printed and they are deleted after use.

Passengers can opt instead

for a pat-down that includes the crotch and chest. The American Civil Liberties Union has denounced the machines as a “virtual strip search.”

Iran says it’s mining own uranium ore

Foreign insurgents slip back into Iraq

Iran delivered a resolute message Sunday on the eve of talks with six world powers: We’re mining our own uranium now, so forget about stopping our nuclear ambitions. The Islamic Republic said it has produced its first batch of uranium ore for enrichment, making it independent of foreign countries for a process the West fears is geared toward producing nuclear arms. No matter the U.N. sanctions, “our nuclear activities will proceed and they will witness greater achievements in the future,” Iranian nuclear chief Ali Salehi said.

Intelligence officials say foreign fighters have been slipping back into Iraq in larger numbers recently and may have been behind some of the most devastating attacks this year, reviving a threat the U.S. military believed had been almost entirely eradicated.It is impossible to verify the actual numbers of foreign insurgents entering the country. But one intelligence official estimated 250 came in October alone.

U.S. officials say the figure is far lower, but have acknowledged an increase.

Associated Press

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THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111.

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12/5/10 8:12 PM

things you should know

5 before you go 1

Essential films

The Department of Visualization Essential Film Series presents Airplane!, the 1980 spoof of the disaster film genre starring Leslie Nielson.

The film begins at 7 p.m.

Tuesday in Langford Building C Room 105.

2

Film screening

The International Film Series will show the final film of the Millennium Series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Koldus Room 227.

3

Holiday dinner

University Dining Services will have a holiday dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sbisa Dining Center.

Patrons can use their meal plan, Dining Dollars, or pay with cash or credit.

4

Cupcake party

University Dining Services will have a cupcake party from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sbisa Dining Center.

Students are invited to decorate their own cupcake.

5

Late night breakfast

In preparation for finals week, there will be a late night breakfast from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m Thursday at Sbisa Dining Center.

b! thebattalion 12.6.2010 page3

‘Tis the season

scene

not always. n case you haven’t noticed, the holiMariah Carey’s hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” is day season is upon us, and that can one such exception. Released in 1994, the song has since become a stand-by of Christmas playlists on the radio, only mean one thing: Christmas and it has been covered by artists ranging from Miley music. Every December, malls, ofCyrus to My Chemical Romance. Carey included a rerecorded version on her second Christmas album, Merry fices, coffee shops and soft-rock radio Christmas II You, which was released in October of this stations across America do their best to year.

Alec Goetz, “But wait!,” cry those of you whose tastes in music make sure you remember the lyrics to sophomore English run towards the less-mainstream, “Surely there’s some major “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” holiday music I can listen to without compromising my sense of elitism.” (as if you could ever forget them), and And of course there is, more than you might think, this year is no different. “Rudolph” in fact. The holy grail of seasonal indie-rock is Sufjan Stevens’ and similar tunes are nearly inescapable at Songs for Christmas, a massive 42-song collection of Christmasthemed material recorded by the singer-songwriter between 2001 this time of year, but they are only one small and 2006. The covers on the album steer clear of less religious part of the music written in the spirit of pop songs in favor of traditional carols arranged in the lush, folky style Stevens specialized in until recently, and original composithe season.

I

Pg. 3-12.06.10.idml 1

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Christmas songs have been a seasonal staple of pop music since the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until 1945, when Bing Crosby introduced the world to “White Christmas,” that the genre really took off. Written by Irving Berlin and released as part of Crosby’s album Merry Christmas, the song would go on to become the best-selling single of all time, with more than 50 million copies sold around the world.

Pop stars today might not be smashing records with their holiday music, but the practice of recording lightly religious Christmas tunes and releasing them at the end of the year is still alive and strong. Recent artists to get in on the act include Josh Groban, whose album Noel became the best-selling record of 2007, and Taylor Swift, who released her first EP of seasonal songs last year.

Many Christmas albums released by today’s chart-toppers are a mix of covers of classic songs from the Irving Berlin era of songwriting, traditional carols, and original material. As a general rule, the new songs included on Christmas albums typically never come close to being as memorable as the traditional tunes, but

tions like “Hey guys! It’s Christmas Time!” and “Did I Make You Cry on Christmas? (Well, You Deserved It!)” give the album’s five discs a personal touch.

Arcade Fire made a significantly stranger entry into the world of holiday music with their Christmas Album EP, which was re-

Josh Groban’s Christmas album Noel was the bestselling record of the year in 2007.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

This year offers a wealth of alternatives to traditional holiday music

Country star Taylor Swift released her first Christmas EP in 2009. corded at a Christmas party in 2001 and features the band playing classic carols out of time and singing out of tune. The album was never released for a reason, but the so-bad-it’s-good songs, still available on YouTube if you know where to look, are great for a laugh when holiday blues get you down.

Full albums of holiday songs are fairly hard to come by in the world of indie music, but that doesn’t mean bands won’t dedicate a song or two to the season. Some notable singles include Death Cab for Cutie’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and Julian Casablancas’ “I Wish it Was Christmas Today,” a cover of a song first sung by Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live.

Target also released a compilation of original Christmas songs by up-and-coming artists like Best Coast and Crystal Antlers. The album can be streamed for free on the Target website.

Of course, Christmas isn’t the only holiday being celebrated this winter, and the season’s other holidays have gotten a little love from artists over the years as well. Those who celebrate Hanukkah have Adam Sandler’s classic “The Chanukah Song,” in which the actor/comedian attempts to put together a list of Jewish celebrities, singing about how Jewish children feel during a season overwhelmingly dominated by Christmas.

The holidays can be a stressful time, and constant repetition of the same old songs doesn’t help anyone maintain their sanity.

You’ve already heard “Frosty the Snowman” 50 billion times – do yourself a favor and check out some new tunes.

12/5/10 8:07 PM

news

page 4

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House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, swap positions at the microphones during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Republicans in Congress are fighting to extend tax cuts slated to expire in January.

After tax cut fight, parties move to compromise WASHINGTON — Their political options limited, Democrats and Republicans appeared to unite Sunday behind the outlines of an economic package that would temporarily extend expiring tax rates to all taxpayers as well as jobless benefits for millions of Americans.

Differences remained over details, and some Democrats continued to object to any plan that would continue Bush-era tax rates at the highest income levels.

Without action, however, Congress faced the prospect of letting the tax rates revert to higher pre-2001 and 2003 levels, and delivering a tax hike to all taxpayers. Negotiations between the Obama administration and a bipartisan group of lawmakers centered on a two-year extension of current rates.

At the same time, Friday’s jump in the unemployment rate to 9.8 percent added pressure on Republicans to accede to President Barack Obama’s demand that Congress extend unemployment insurance for a year. A deal could be reached this week. “I think most folks believe the recipe would include at least an extension of unemployment benefits for those who are unemployed and an extension of all of the tax rates for all Americans for some period of time,� said Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Senate’s Republican negotiator in tax talks between lawmakers and the Obama administration. “Without unemployment benefits being extended, personally, this is a nonstarter,� said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking member of the Senate Democratic leadership.

Republicans have insisted that any extension of jobless aid be paid for with cuts elsewhere in the federal budget. The White House opposes that, saying such cuts are economically damaging during a weak recovery. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Sunday said that “all of those discussions are still under way.�

But Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Republicans would likely cede it to the Democrats. “Let’s take care of the unemployment com-

pensation even if it isn’t ... backed up by real finances,� Hatch said. “We’ve got to do it. So let’s do it. But that ought to be it.�

About 2 million unemployed workers will run out of benefits this month if they are not renewed, and the administration estimates 7 million will be affected if they are not extended for a year.

The White House, however, also wants to include renewal of several other tax provisions that are expiring. They include a tax credit for lowerand middle-class wage earners, even if they don’t make enough to pay the government, and breaks to offset college tuition and breaks for companies that hire the unemployed.

Any deal would require the approval of the House and Senate, and the president’s signature.

Obama told Democratic congressional leaders Saturday that he would oppose any extension of tax rates that did not include jobless benefits and other assistance his administration was seeking. The short-term spending debate is unfolding even as Congress and the Obama administration confront growing anxieties over the federal government’s growing deficits.

A presidential commission studying the deficit identified austere measures last week to cut $4 trillion from the federal budget over the next decade. Eleven of the 18 commission members backed the package but voiced misgivings about specific measures, underscoring the political difficulties of tackling the nation’s fiscal problems.

Some economists suggest that short-term deficit spending is appropriate to boost the economy as long as lawmakers plan to address increasing deficits in the immediate years ahead. Mark Zandi, an economist who has advised Democrats and Republicans, said the cost of unemployment insurance in 2011, for instance, could be paid for over the following three years. “You’re then providing the stimulus in 2011 and you don’t have the downside on the deficit in the long run, which is what matters for economic growth,� Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said in an interview.

Associated Press

Rehab

testimonies at the event.

Glenn Highfill, class of 19’79, was in a motorcycle accident in 2007. He lost his left leg and was cared for at the St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center. “It was a godsend,� Highfill said. “They are the best. They care about their patients, and they are professional. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today, and I wouldn’t have gotten out of there as fast as I got out without their help.�

Continued from page 1

ments have benefitted both the patients and the staff.

Physicians, therapists, nurses and patients of St. Joseph all attended “Wish Upon a Star.� Four patients, including a former student, gave their

12/5/10 7:56 PM

sports

page 5 monday 12.6.2010

thebattalion

Bowl matchups set The Cotton Bowl announced Sunday night that Texas A&M will play LSU in the 75th edition of the game at Cowboys Stadium on Jan. 7. Other notable games include Oklahoma against Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State will play Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, Virginia Tech against Stanford in the Orange Bowl and Auburn against Oregon in the BCS National Championship game.

A Winning Weekend Aggie men and women hoops sweep weekend home series Michael Teague

Paul Mezier — THE BATTALION

Junior forward David Loubeau slams home a monster dunk to the delight of the crowd in the wake of four Pacific defenders. Loubeau finished the game with 12 points and three rebounds in 24 minutes. strength of Lewis’ first basket, a three-pointBeau Holder er from the wing. From that point, a 14-8 The Battalion run carried the Aggies into the break with a The 6,683 fans in attendance Saturday 38-22 advantage.

“What we can do is be ready to play every night at the 12,500-seat Reed Arena bore witness to the Aggie men’s basketball team’s day,” senior guard Derrek Lewis said. “Go out and give your best and contribute to the most complete game of the season.

Perhaps most notably, Head Coach team as best you can. I’d like to think we Mark Turgeon’s team flashed its uncom- [Lewis and senior guard Andrew Darko] did mon depth. Six players scored nine or more that today.”

A&M jumped ahead by 15 early in the points for A&M, 10 played 11 or more minutes and the Aggies (7-1) never trailed and second half and maintained a comfortable finished with a 79-59 victory against the Pa- lead thereafter. The Tigers rallied after their deficit reached 19, using a 7-0 run to pull cific Tigers.

“Much better [than against Stephen F. the score back to 54-42 at the 11:16 mark.

Austin on Thursday night], obviously,” A thunderous dunk from Loubeau sent the Turgeon said. “We had much more energy, tame crowd into a mild uproar and the Timuch more effort. I told guys yesterday that gers got within less than 10 on only one we defended well against Stephen F. but other occasion.

“I think our defensive energy tonight we didn’t have the energy or toughness we helped our offense,” Turgeon said. “When we needed.”

The A&M lead reached 24-14 with nine share the ball we’re really good. Sometimes we minutes left to play in the first half on the get a bit selfish but that was a great win.”

The Battalion Maintaining their undefeated record heading into a Monday night showdown with No. 5 Duke, Texas A&M’s No. 7 women’s basketball team picked up another win Saturday after defeating California 74-58 at Reed Arena.

Texas A&M (6-0) saw the return of senior guard Sydney Colson to the starting lineup. Colson played a season-high 33 minutes recovering from a foot injury and dished out a game-high 10 assists.

The guard played pesky defense all afternoon gaining five steals.

“I thought it was great,” A&M Head Coach Gary Blair said about Colson’s performance. “I’m glad I held her off in the second half and rested her to finish the game.

Colson is one of the best in the country when she’s healthy.

Sometimes she just needs to recognize what the defense will give us, but she is a leader.”

Senior center Danielle Adams and junior guard Tyra White once again led the Aggies in scoring with 19 and 17 points, respectively. It was senior guard Maryann Baker, however, who put on a career performance. The Dallas native knocked down 7-of-10 from the field for a career-high 14 points, including 10 in the first half.

“I hit a few layups, got out on the break in the transition game and was on the good end of the passes,” Baker said. “I just felt comfortable out there. I can see what my team needs when I play off of the bench. Usually, I’m not the offensive spark, but today I was able to provide.”

Despite taking a 38-29 lead heading into the locker room at halftime, the Aggies suffered from a sloppy start in the second period that brought the Golden Bears back into the ballgame.

With 16:14 remaining, California

Stephanie Leitchtle— THE BATTALION

Junior guard Tyra White goes in for a layup against California this past weekend. White finished the game with 17 points. claimed the lead after an 11-0 run.

In a quick turnaround, A&M will head to Durham, NC Monday for a non-conference showdown with No. 5 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Blair expects the “Cameron Crazies” to be out in full force for the Top 10 matchup on national television.

The Blue Devils will be looking to avenge their loss to A&M at Reed Arena in 2009.

“They’re going to have a huge

crowd because they know that our crowd affected their play against us last year,” Blair said. “Last year was probably one of the best games we played all year. Monday is a win-win opportunity, because it’s good for our kids to play at that level.”

Tip-off for the No. 7 Aggies and No. 5 Duke is set for 6:00 p.m. CST Monday night on ESPN2.

STRESSED about the end of the semester??

Don’t forget the Aggie Honor Code!

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

As you prepare for the end of the semester and finals, the Aggie Honor System Office reminds you to value Academic Integrity.

Remember: Manage and budget your time wisely Do your own work and make sure you confirm with your professor if collaboration is allowed.

Do not give into the temptation of looking at another Aggie’s exam Talk with your professor if you have questions about class expectations

Good Luck from the Aggie Honor System Office www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor

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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

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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

Fast food fight O

This “healthy meal ordinance” might be intended to battle childhood obesity by taking the happy out of the meal, but San Francisco’s City Council overstepped their authority in this legislation by restricting the rights of parents and unnecessarily regulating commerce.

Despite a veto by Mayor Gavin Newsome, San Francisco’s City Council was able to override common sense and the rest of the country by a vote of 8 out of 11. Backed by pediatricians, educators, and parents who have problems controlling their kids without help from the government, the ban forces fast food restaurants to alter their menu in order to exclude promotional toys.

To include a toy, meals in San Francisco must contain fewer than 600 Ian McPhail calories, less than 35 percent fat, half a cup of fruit and senior history three-fourths of a cup of major, voices editor vegetables, less than 640 milligrams of sodium and less than .5 milligrams of trans fats.

Looking over the McDonald’s nutritional facts, these restrictions seem petty considering the effort the company has already made to counteract the Morgan Spurlock documentary Super-Size Me. The most fattening Happy Meal (cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate milk) contains 700 calories. Other than mandating fruits and vegetables (since when does the potato stop being a vegetable because it’s deep fried?), these nutrition requirements are met in many Happy Meal combinations.

Fortunately for San Francisco’s misguided agenda, facts do not get in the way of legislation.

A Kansas State Study conducted this fall by Dr. Mark Haub, proved exercise and calorie counting are more important to a healthy lifestyle than vague definition of acceptable food. The professor lost 27 pounds in two months eating nothing but Twinkies and other vending machine products.

It’s quantity not quality of calories that counts.

McDonald’s is a convenient scapegoat for obesity; somehow Americans can’t be trusted to have selfcontrol when it comes to what we eat.

thebattalion

12.6.2010

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Osa Okundaye — THE BATTALION

n Dec. 1st, a new law went into effect in San Francisco, taking toys out of children’s meals at fast food restaurants.

voices

Unfortunately proponents would prefer the city council play parent for them, turning the expression “it takes a village to raise a kid to an unhealthy extreme. Parents who choose to let their children enjoy fast food are now viewed as

EDITORIALCARTOON

pushovers, unable to say no to their children’s love of toys. Ultimately, parents have the right to feed their children whatever food they think is best. Until children start driving and buying fast food themselves, there’s no need for San

Francisco to treat parents like kids, incapable of making decisions in their family’s best interest.

Americans need to start accepting more personal responsibility for the weight, instead of blaming companies that sell us what we want.

Who you gonna call?

A

s criticism mounts over legislative gridlock, it appears the Senate is poised to filibuster legislation that would end filibustering.

Fillibusters!

tooth and nail to pass partisan legislation the majority of Americans didn’t want. We aren’t in the business of making it easier for Republicans to repeal it all. We may have lost seats in the midterm elections but our big government agenda is funding a whole new generation of poor, In the most impressive display of bipartisandependent, Democratic voters. We’ll be back before ship since the opposition to health care, Senate you know it.”

Republicans and Democrats are teaming up in an Cynical Americans are left clinging to their guns effort to stop the legislation dead in its tracks. and religion while wondering if anyone in the Republican senators complained, “We need Senate actually cares about our flagging economy, the filibuster if we are to continuing campaigncrushing unemployment numbers, record deficits, Taylor ing as the party for smaller government and fiscal bloated entitlements, conflicts abroad, immigration Wolken responsibility. Without the filibuster, who will we woes, social ills, poverty, or obesity. Is there anysophomore general one in Washington willing to fight for the Ameriblame when we expand government and increase studies major deficits? The filibuster also provides valuable face can people? Are there any new ideas left to be had? time for us to perform or get our message out to “I Report, I Decide,” and my answer is no. the voters. Without the free press time we wouldn’t have the The Senate doesn’t care. No one has new ideas, and funds to travel to exotic junkets and pamper ourselves. Then Americans don’t want Washington doing anything fast what would we do? Craft legislation?” anyway. They don’t even read the legislation they pass as it Senate Democrats toed the party line, saying, “We fought is. To mediocrity and beyond!

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