The Battalion: June 22, 2009

thebattalion ● mo monday, m on nd day ay,

jjune ju ne 22, 2009

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media

Citie of Bryan, Cities Col College Station begin co construction projects Julie Rambin Ju

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Construction sites Overpass at the intersection of Wellborn Road and FM 2818.

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Interchange of State Highway 6 and Rock Prairie Road.

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Widening of State Highway 6 from Peach Creek Road to the Navasota River.

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Widening of Wellborn Road from 0.4 miles south of FM 2818 to 0.6 miles south of State Highway 40.

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The Battalion T Roadway construction is underway in Aggieland.

In College Station, Barron Road from State Highway 6 to Decatur Drive will be under construction until Fall 2009, and the intersections of Barron Road and Longmire Drive and Barron Road and Decatur Drive will be closed. William D. Fitch Parkway from Pebble Creek Parkway to Rock Prairie Road will be under construction until February 2010, and the intersection of William D. Fitch Parkway and Rock Prairie Road will be closed temporarily.

“The timing of those closures is dependent on the pace and progress of the contractor,” said Charles Gilman, City of College Station capital projects director. “It’s just not feasible to identify a closure today that will be needed three months from now.”

A prominent project in College Station is the College Parks Breezy Heights Neighborhood Rehabilitation project, near the south side of the Texas A&M campus. The project will include pavement replacement, Gilman said.

“The construction activities in this neighborhood could impact some of the on-street parking used by citizens and visitors attending football games at Kyle [Field],” Gilman said.

In Bryan, Beck Street and Old Reliance Road are under construction. Beck Street is being extended from Palasota Drive to FM 2818. Old Reliance Road will be widened, and the intersection of Austin’s Colony Parkway and Old Reliance Road will be closed beginning Wednesday.

“The first part of construction will include replacement of the existing utility lines,” said City of Bryan civil engineer Susan Monnat.

“Once all utilities are in place, the pavement reconstruction will occur.”

The Texas Department of Transportation See Construction on page 2

Ramya Prakash — THE BATTALION

System adds universities San Antonio, Killeen campuses join A&M System campuses Texas A&M University Prairie View A&M Texas A&M-Commerce Tarleton State University West Texas A&M Texas A&M-Kingsville Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Texas A&M International Texas A&M-Texarkana Texas A&M Health Science Center Texas A&M-Central Texas Texas A&M-San Antonio Source: Texas A&M System

Patrique Ludan The Battalion Two universities have joined the Texas A&M System: Texas A&M-Central Texas, in Killeen, and Texas A&M-San Antonio.

Gov. Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 629 last month, putting the number of independent universities within the system at 11 and the total number of students at 109,000.

“Texas is a state on the upswing,” Perry said. “As our population continues to grow and we work to remain competitive in the global market place, we need to make sure we have the higher education opportunities in place to groom the workforce for the next 50 years.”

The project was conceived See System on page 2

Meagan O’Toole-Pitts — THE BATTALION

Steak, wine and music: The Texas Reds festival drew crowds of all ages Friday and Saturday in downtown Bryan. lifestyles | 3

Pg. 1-06.22.09.indd 1

BMO’s, the newest bar on Northgate, is between Loupot’s and Texas Aggieland Bookstore. BMO’s replaced The Library, which closed due to a drop in sales.

Natasha Sankovich — THE BATTALION

New bar on the block BMO’s opens on Northgate; offers rap music, dancing Angel Hadnott The Battalion BMO’s bar has replaced The Library, between Loupot’s and Texas Aggieland Bookstore, on Northgate.

The primarily rap-oriented two-story bar, has two plasma televisions and a 96inch projection screen.

“When there isn’t a game on, we always play music,” said bartender Monisha Parikh. “The upstairs is open depending on the crowd, and there is a large dance floor and bar with a couple of televisions as well.”

BMO’s stands out among other establishments on Northgate because of its structure, Parikh said.

“Unlike other places on Northgate, BMO’s is open every day from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.,” said Parikh. “There has also been discussion of planning western and karaoke nights.”

BMO’s owner Barry Ivans is also the owner of The Corner bar and grill, on the corner of College Main Street and University Avenue.

“Ivans has owned and run The Corner for many years now,” Parikh said.

“He knows how to run a reputable bar.”

BMO’s is still new to Northgate, but is becoming more popular every weekend, Parikha said.

“BMO’s is just starting to get the name out,” Parikh said. “Up until recently it has been known as a chill bar where you probably would know someone, but that is changing and that is our goal to get the name out.”

The bar also serves as a venue for student organizations; Beta Tau Omega, a social and service Asian-interest fraternity, used the facility to host a rush party.

The service at BMO’s is great, and the management is professional, said senior biomedical science major and Beta Tau Omega member James Sun. BMO’s predecessor, The Library, faced criticism in 2005 because of allegations of discrimination.

However, the allegations were not a factor in the establishment’s closing, said Costa Dallis, owner of The Library.

Sales had slowed down, and the time of the trendy lounge and dance club had passed, Dallis said.

“Forecasting sales in College Station is like predicting election results,” Dallis said. “Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes not.”

The closure of The Library was in preparation to sell the building, Dallis said.

“I had long term plans for other locations in Northgate,” Dallis said. “I had several parties interested in the building as well.”

The Library was originally named the Crooked Path Ale House. It opened in 2000 as the first lounge and dance venue on Northgate.

“The business was very good and it was the beginning of development of the east side of bars on Northgate,” said Dallis.

The structure of The Library initially resembled a lounge, and was later conSee BMO’s on page 2

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Construction Continued from page 1

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(TxDOT) is currently working on the widening of Wellborn Road from Southwest Parkway to Capstone Drive. Other TxDOT projects slated to begin this summer include the construction of a new freeway overpass on State Highway 6 at Barron Road and the resurfacing of parts of State Highway 21, FM 60 and FM 1179.

On campus, Ross Street will be closed for continuing repair, and Joe Routt Boulevard. and Clark Street will close before the start of the fall semester for the MSC renovation project, said June Broughton, Texas A&M University Transportation Services communications manager.

“There are fewer students and employees on campus during the summer,” Broughton said. “We try to schedule these projects during times when our customers are least impacted.”

In Bryan and College Station, however, construction schedules are not entirely dependent upon the season, Monnat said.

“The summer time release for this project is not significant,” Monnat said. “Summer does typically have dryer weather, which

System Continued from page 1

more than 20 years ago, with the bill being introduced to the Texas Legislature 10 years ago, according to District 54 State House Representative and author and co-sponsor of the house bill Jimmie Don Aycock.

“Upper-level education has been a priority at Tarleton State University-Central Texas for many years,” Aycock said.

“It’s a huge addition to our community.”

In addition to providing

Summer Performance UNIVERSITY

I Hear Voices

SERIES 2009

Texas Music Festival - Monday, June 22, 7:30 p.m.

Moores School Concert Chorale Betsy Cook Weber, conductor Melanie Sonnenberg, mezzo-soprano Timothy Jones, baritone Timothy Hester, piano Wayne Brooks and Rita Porfiris, viola Vagram Saradjian, cello • • • •

Vaughan Williams Songs for Baritone, Viola and Piano Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole for Cello and Piano David Ashley White Homages for Mezzo-Soprano, Viola and Piano Choral works by Allaway, Barnum, Gjeilo, Jansson, Palestrina, White

All performances will take place at the Presidential Conference Center, Texas A&M University.

For more information, please visit academyarts.tamu.edu. Tickets may be purchased through the MSC Box Office at (979) 845-1234.

This program is made possible in part through Hotel Tax Revenue funded from the City of College Station.

Pg. 2-06.22.09.indd 1

Continued from page 1

the east side of bars on Northgate,” said Dallis.

The structure of The Library initially resembled a lounge, and was later converted into a dance club.

Dallis owns Café Eccell, La Bodega, Eccell Steakhouse, Daisy Dukes, Martini Street and the V Bar. He has a 250 employees; the majority of which are students.

“Staffing is always a challenge,” Dallis said. “Finding students that are serious about their future gets a little more challenging with each passing year. Summers, spring break and Christmas in College Station are so ridiculously slow; I never get used to them.”

Dallis has been a part of Aggieland business since 1990.

“I am invested in College Station and more specifically Northgate in a very profound way,” Dallis said. “It’s not only how I make my living, it’s been my entire adult life. I have seen it evolve immensely and would like to think that my businesses have a small part to do with that evolution.”

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helps because construction is less likely to be rained out each day.”

The dearth of students in town did not affect the timing of construction, said Wayne Larson, City of College Station public communications director.

“There’s a lot of factors that go along with designing and building roads other than the time of the year,” Larson said. “We simply can’t say, ‘OK, we’re going to do this road during the summer because the students aren’t here.’”

In construction zones, students should remember to watch out for slow-moving construction vehicles, said sergeant Todd Van Dresar of the College Station Police Department.

“I know they’ve pulled out in front of me,” Dresar said. “You kind of have to be on the defensive there.”

Students should also be careful to obey the speed limit to avoid a citation, Dresar said.

“The construction zones usually have a speed limit posted,” Dresar said. “That speed limit is in effect whether it’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon or 2 o’clock in the morning.”

For construction updates visit these websites: cstx.gov, bryantx.gov, and transport. tamu.edu.

upper-level education, the universities are predicted to have an economic impact on both communities.

“Texas A&M UniversityCentral Texas represents the most important economic and community development initiative since the establishment of Fort Hood in 1942,” saidmembers of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce.

For an enrollment of 6,000 students, approximately 2,000 jobs are expected to be created in Killeen.

There will be a profound effect in San Antonio with the passing of this bill, student regent Hunter Bollman said.

“Texas A&M-San Antonio will be situated on the city’s historically under-served South Side and is projected to have some of the most extensive growth in the A&M System,” Bollman said. “We are expecting A&M-San Antonio to grow at a tremendous rate and believe it will probably become the second largest campus outside College Station in the next two decades.”

Recently, ground was broken for a shopping center and many other developments are in the works near the location in south San Antonio, said Tom Rohde, vice president of Rohde, Ottmers, and Seigel Realty.

“That college is going to grow fast. I think it will be a magnet for future businesses,” Rohde said. “In our particular situation we’ve got enough land that we could almost [build] anything. I think [the

economy] will be tremendous once it gets cranking.”

Six hundred sixty two acres of land from Fort Hood was transferred to the A&M System April 30 for the construction of the Texas A&M-Central Texas campus after an agreement was signed by Army Secretary Pete Geren and Texas A&M System Chancellor Mike McKinney.

“Military personnel and their families from Fort Hood make up a significant portion of the A&M-Central Texas student body and I believe this will be one of the fastest-growing campuses in the System,” Bollman said.

In payment for the land, Texas A&M-Central Texas will provide classroom space for the Army for the next 16 years.

Approximately 700 acres of land for the San Antonio campus was donated by the Verano Land Group.

The addition of these two universities will not affect tuition and fees for students at the College Station campus, Bollman said.

“The only extent that I can see these two new universities affecting life for students at College Station will be providing another opportunity for the students who are not admitted to the flagship [campus] to attend another A&M System institution,” Bollman said.

Community members of Killeen and San Antonio advocated the establishment of the two universities, Bollman said.

“In San Antonio, one of the 10 largest cities in the U.S., there was only one public four-

Mexico deploys troops CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Mexico has deployed 1,500 more troops to the northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where homicides related to the drug trade have surged in recent weeks. The resurgent bloodshed raises doubts about the government’s goal of returning law enforcement and security duties to a reconstituted Ciudad Juarez police force later this year.

The extra soldiers will begin patrolling the city Monday, said Enrique Torres Valadez, the spokesman for the joint security operation of soldiers and state police in Ciudad Juarez. A total of 2,500 troops arrived Saturday night in the city across the border from El Paso, Texas, Torres said, though about 1,000 of them are relieving soldiers already on duty.

Associated Press

We are expecting A&MSan Antonio to grow at a tremendous rate and believe it will probably become the second largest campus outside College Station in the next two decades.

—Hunter Bollman student regent

year institution of higher education,” Bollman said. “In Central Texas, if students wanted to get a four-year degree from a public institution, they had to travel close to 120 miles.”

The A&M System was created by the Texas Legislature in 1948 and has been expanding since, Bollman said.

“Because of our land-grant universities, including A&M and Prairie View A&M, the system is obligated to do all it can to extend opportunities for higher education to as many Texans as possible,” Bollman said. “You can find a presence in all 254 counties in Texas, so we really are about as Texan as you can get.”

With the passage of Senate Bill 629, the University of North Texas-Dallas was also created.

“To the best of my knowledge it is the first time in Texas history that a single bill in the Texas Legislature created three schools,” Aycock said.

6/21/09 11:21 PM

scene

Summer Performance Series: The Moores School Concert Chorale will hold their “I Hear Voices” performance 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Presidential Conference Center. The concert is part of the annual University Summer Performance Series held by the Department of Performance Studies.

Tickets are available at the MSC Box Office.

thebattalion 6.22.2009 page3

Hear Ye: |hello again| |each week i will bestow upon you 10 songs| |the theme for this week will be| |Places| |any Place at all| |new mexico?| |old mexico?| |middle-aged mexico?| |how about shiner, texas?| how about it?

1. Ray Charles “Georgia” |ray was the absolute man| 2. Loretta Lynn feat.

Jack White “Portland, Oregon” |a cunning, canny collaboration| 3. James Taylor “Carolina In My Mind” |almost didn’t include this one| what was i thinking?

4. David Bowie “Life on Mars?” |branching out a bit| 5. Iron and Wine with Calexico “Prison on Route 41” |someone’s getting clever with the places…| 6. Yellowcard “Rock Star Land” |cleverer still?!| 7. Detroit Cobras “Right Around the Corner” |and boom goes the dynamite| face 8. Harry McClintock “Big Rock Candy Mountain” |i could spend some time here…| 9. Guster “Amsterdam” |…and here| 10. U2 “Where the Streets Have No Name” |the place of all places| Buy them. |which place am i in?| |you know…| |first place| charley

Pg. 3-06.22.09.indd 1

RED, WHITE & MEDIUM WELL Bryan holds third annual steak and grape festival Friday and Saturday Lorelei Willet Special to The Battalion Steaks, grapes and fun, oh my!

The third annual Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival kicked off Friday evening and continued Saturday in downtown Bryan. Over 40 wineries and steak cook-off teams, along with other vendors, crowded the streets while people poured in from around the state.

“I heard about [the festival] on the radio and then looked it up online and it sounded like a fun thing to do with my mom,” said Stephanie Hornby, senior education major.

Some of the wineries represented at the event included Messina Hof, Llano Estacado from Lubbock, the Landon Winery from McKinney, the Bernard Winery from Plantersville and Bruno and George from Sour Lake. All offered a glass of wine for $4 and sold it by the bottle to willing customers.

“I can’t choose between the steak and the wine,” Hornby said. “They were both excellent.”

The steak cook-off winner was Team Farmers from Bryan, headed by Cory Shaffer. The Triple B Cookers of Missouri City, headed by Jim Follett, won Best in Show.

Besides the wine tasting and steak plates, people came to enjoy the many bands entertaining at the festival. “[I came for] the wine and Robert Earl Keen, but Midnight Express was awesome,” said Patrick Truitt, senior general studies major. “I love classic rock and even better, I love covers of classic rock.”

Keen, lead singer of his country band, is an A&M graduate, Class of 1978. Other bands and singers included the Big Otis Show Band, Earl Thomas Conley, Kathy Ross, Grupo Laredo, Texas Twisters and Leannasauras Rex. “The bands brought a nice variety of music to the event,” Hornby said. “A little bit of something for people of all ages to enjoy.”

Though some of the bands were interrupted by an occasional train, most of the vendors appreciated the music and the crowds the bands attracted to their tents.

“We just came out so people know we exist,” said Michele Hasten, Class of 1992 from the 12th Man Kick-Off Team Foundation.

The Foundation was created by coach Jackie Sherrill and the men he brought onto the team in the 1980s. Hasten was selling the book “No Experience Required” and 12th Man T-shirts.

“All of the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for future students but we are trying to cater more to younger kids with the book so they know the tradition of Aggie football,” Hasten said.

One of the more popular vendors was the candy company Brewster’s Sweets from Corpus Christi that offered homemade Photos by Meagan O’Toole-Pitts — THE BATTALION chocolate and dipped nuts.

The Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival, held in downtown Bryan, features a steak “The festival is great, we cook-off, wine tastings and entertainment. were here last year,” said owner Jamie Gamez. “There’s fashion across from the main stage on pair of young men with the team name nothing much anyone can do about 28th Street and Main Street.

“Wu-Tang Texans.” the heat, but we come out here more Although Texas Reds seems more “It was really funny watching the for the community than business. It’s like an adult activity, the festival was little kids slip around,” said David always a good time.” well-equipped for a family affair with Casper, senior music major.

For those with less of a sweet tooth, the Kids’ Zone, which offered a variety The Texas Reds Festival has been fair favorites such as fried pickles, hot of activities from a climbing wall and growing in size each year. dogs and corn dogs were available. mechanical bull to a moon walk and “Our goal is to make the Texas Reds “I got the spiral fries because they’re train rides. a must-see event for the whole state,” my favorite carnival food,” Truitt said.

“I like that they offered a Kids’ Zone said an announcer on the main stage The festival took up almost four because it gave parents a chance to get Saturday night. blocks of downtown Bryan, stretching out and also spend the day with their The festival was seen as a unique from William J. Bryan Parkway to 28th kids,” Hornby said. opportunity for students providing a Street. Shuttles provided a park-and-ride Another family favorite was the cultural experience and a “safe summer service that bussed festival-goers from Grape Stomp, sponsored by the 4-H activity,” Truitt said.

Blinn College to the corner of 26th and Lion’s Club of Bryan and judged “It offers students a chance to broadStreet and Main. The steak cook-off

by Candy 95. Contestants would squish en their horizons if they don’t normally teams spanned the entire length of Bryan grapes with their feet for a minute, wash go to things like this,” Hornby said.

Avenue with grills and carts, making it off, and then squish again while their So, save the date for 2010’s 4th the smokiest section of the event while partners pulled out the juice from the Annual Texas Reds Steak and Grape the wineries were set up in a rectangular barrel. This year’s winning team was a Festival on June 18-19.

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page 4

Available 8/09. Bryan historic district, large 5-2 on large 1.3 acre lot, secluded, includes 2 bay metal garage with workshop, ideal for students with projects, pet friendly, handicap accessible, W/D connections, energy efficient. 806 E.29th $1900/mo. 979-255-5461. www.picketfenceproperties.net Big 3/2 duplex with all appliances, lawncare, tile and carpet, fenced yard. $900 979-324-5835.

Bike to campus, available August 1st. 2/1 C.S. duplex, fenced backyard, w/d connections, pets allowed. E-walk shuttle route. $575.

979-218-2995.

Bryan huge 4-2 clean and quiet, historic area, large trees, w/d connections, fenced yard, students welcome. 701 Banks. $1300.

979-255-5461. www.picketfenceproperties.net Callaway Villas. Need to sublease.

Fall-2009. 4/2.5, W/D. $615/mo.

936-348-1561.

Duplex near campus.

2bed/2bath. W/D. No backyard.

307 Spruce. $650/month.

Call 254-760-8242.

Fully Furnished 3 Bed 3.5 Bath Townhome. No more hassles with trying to find a hotel. This townhome has eveything you need furniture, dishes, linens, appliances, cale and internet, televicion, washer and dryer and fenced bak yard. Great for Parents for game season!!!!! You can rent by the month or long term.

Just need it for the weekend?

Call for rate. $1800.00 per month $1000.00 deposit. Call for Tour 979-485-0300 or 979-255-3280.

Email: manager.brenda@gmail.com Web: www.bigdogmanagement.info Great 4bd/2ba house in popular area400 Pronghorn Loop. Comes w/ W/D, refregirator, large fenced bkyrd, pets o.k. w/ deposit, 2-car garage. Available in July or August, $1475/mo. Call Joey at 979-218-4091.

House for rent, 2/1 on small cattle ranch, 10-15 minutes from campus, partially furnished, W/D, fridge and stove. $500/mo. 979-690-6192. http://sites.google.com/site/aaarentalcs/ Duplex for rent, 2/1. No deposit. $675/ month rent.

Large 2bdrm/2bth, 3204-Cougar Trail, Bryan. Water, sewer, &trash paid.

Everything’s new inside. $675/mo.

822-1616.

Limited time only $999.00!

3bd/2.5ba in College Station, Built in 2000, serene country setting, minutes from campus, fully loaded, Full size W/D and kitchen appl., Free lawn care, fenced backyards.

Pets (including large dogs) welcome. Must see! Call for tour.

979-485-0300 or 979-255-3280.

Web: www.topdogmanagement.info Need 2-people to take over 12-month lease August 2009.

2bd/bth at Woodlands. E-mail if interested whitneyjt8@hotmail.com Newly remodeled 4/2 house. Walking distance to campus, tile &wood floors, great location, nice big deck &yard.

776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com Nice 2/2 Duplex- On TAMU bus route! All appliances, NO PETS. $800/mo. Call 832-215-1801 or 832-338-5397.

Oak Creek Condos high-speed internet and basic cable. 2bdrm/1.5ba. $515/mo Water, sewer, trash paid.

Fireplace, icemaker, pool, hot-tub.

822-1616.

One room available in 3/2 on 3-acres, just four miles from campus. Horse property. $470/mo.

Cable/Internet provided.

858-442-4918.

Pre-leasing for August. 3b/1.5b, carport, on shuttle, pets ok, fenced, $750/month. aggieLandRentals.com 979-776-8984.

Upstairs 2/1.5 off Holleman. W/D included, new flooring throughout, non-smoking. $675/mo.

979-220-0468.

HELP WANTED A student worker is needed to assist in a variety of research activities in USDA Cotton Genomics Laboratory on campus. Training and/or experience in molecular genetics, biochemistry, and/or bioinformatics is preferred. Applicants should email resume, transcript, and references to john.yu@ars.usda.gov and call 260-9237 for information.

Assistant teachers part-time. Working with children 18-mo. through 6-yrs, great learning opportunity for education majors or anyone wanting experience woring with children.

Please apply at swlccs@gmail.com or 979-693-6556.

Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day.

No experience. 512-684-8296, photoguy@io.com Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.

Cook, cashier and runner, 7-day a week position. Background check Evening employment.

979-776-8135, call for an appointment.

Part-time housekeeping Mon-Fri only, no weekends, general home cleaning and housekeeping, 10-15 hours per week, apply in person at 3131 Briarcrest Dr. Bryan, TX, Suite 112, Mon-Wed 1:30-2:30 PM. STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys.

MUSIC Party Block Mobile DJ- Peter Block, professional 22yrs experience. Specializing in Weddings, TAMU functions, lights/smoke. Mobile to anywhere. Book early!! 979-693-6294. http://www.partyblockdj.com

PETS Teacup puppies: Maltese, Shorkies, Maltipoos, Yorkies &Poodles. $500 &up. 979-324-2866, linda_d_54@yahoo.com

ROOMMATES 1-roommate needed Fall, & Spring.

4/2 house.

2505 Antietam. $400/mo +1/4 utilities.

Clara, 361-463-1727.

2-male, non-smoking roommates needed. 4bdrm/2.5bath at Longmire and Baron, C.S. $488-$538/month.

Call Jessica 979-220-3454.

2-Roomates needed for 09-10 year, 3/2 house on bus route with backyard, $400/mo +1/3 utilities, Lindsey 512-557-5592.

Male roommate wanted for the 09-10 schoolyear. 4bd/2ba house at 3203 Callie Circle, in nice neighborhood near shuttle stop. $400/month +1/4bills.

Move-in August, 12-month lease, email Greg. gdundas28@yahoo.com Male roommates wanted in 4bd house. $300/mo. +1/4 bills.

979-777-4379.

Roommate needed. 2bd/2ba on shuttle route, $500/mo., includes all bills. 936-591-1053.

Roommate needed, female non-smoker. Fully furnished, all bills paid. $550/mo, C.S. 979-690-7394.

Roommates needed. Two male roommates needed for 3/2 duplex off of University Drive in College Station. On TAMU and Blinn bus route. Great Location. Small deck and fenced yard. Small pets allowed w/deposit. Partially furnished, W/D included. Lease $350 per month and 1/3 of utilities. Call 361-230-9119 or 210-845-6474.

Available 8-15-09.

puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com

Soprano, pianist take top honors

TOUCHSTONE PICTURES

Ryan Reynolds, left, and Sandra Bullock’s “The Proposal” took in $34.1 million to open as the weekend’s No. 1 movie.

Bullock’s ‘Proposal’ woos date crowds Top 10 1. “The Proposal,” $34.1 million 2. “The Hangover,” $26.9 million 3. “Up,” $21.3 million 3. “Year One,” $20.2 million.

5. “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” $11.3 million 6. “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” $7.3 million 7. “Star Trek,” $4.7 million 8. “Land of the Lost,” $4 million.

9. “Imagine That,” $3.1 million 10. “Terminator Salvation,” $3.07 million Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood. com. Final figures will be released Monday.

LOS ANGELES — Movie audiences accepted a proposal from Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, who scored the summer’s first big romantic comedy hit.

Bullock and Reynolds’ “The Proposal” took in $34.1 million to open as the weekend’s No. 1 movie, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Disney flick delivered the biggest opening ever for Bullock, nearly double that of her previous best of $17.6 million for the 2007 paranormal thriller “Premonition.”

Bullock stars as a ruthless publishing executive who coerces her put-upon assistant (Reynolds) into a fake marriage so she can avoid deportation back to her native Canada.

“I think the market was ready for a really fun, broad romantic comedy,” said Mark Zoradi, president of Disney’s motion-picture group.

“The Proposal” took over the top spot from the Warner Bros. bachelor-party comedy “The Hangover,” which slipped to second place with $26.9 million. A surprise smash hit, “The Hangover” raised its total to $152.9 million.

Revenues this weekend were up slightly compared to the same period a year ago, but that followed three straight weekends of declining box-office receipts.

For the year, revenue remains up a solid 10 percent, though summer ticket sales are dead even with last year’s, said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com.

That should turn around this weekend with the debut of the sequel “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” which industry analysts say could deliver the year’s first $100 million opening.

‘Original’ best picture in Shanghai SHANGHAI — “Original” won best picture at the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival Sunday, with its male lead Sverrir Gudnason named best actor.

LOS ANGELES — An American soprano singer and a Ukrainian pianist have won top honors at a competition that combines elements of “American Idol” and classical music.

Leah Crocetto, a 29-year-old first-year fellow with the San Francisco opera, won the $50,000 first prize in the vocal portion of the third annual Jose Iturbi International Music Competition at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dmitri Levkovich, a 29-year-old pianist from Ukraine, won the $50,000 first prize in the piano competition.

Redbox takes on Netflix BELLEVUE, Wash.

— Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has something to worry about: cheaper DVD rental service run by one of his former lieutenants.

Once just an incongruous experiment amid the burgers and fries at McDonald’s restaurants, Redbox has emerged as the largest operator of DVD-rental kiosks, with more than 15,400 vending machines set up to dispense $1-per-day discs in supermarkets and discount stores.

Associated Press

STUDIES IN PROGRESS ATHLETE’S FOOT STUDY Volunteers ages 12 and older are needed to participate in a clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for the treatment of Athlete’s foot. Study participation will be a maximum of 8 weeks. Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related medication • Medical examinations relating to their athlete’s foot • Compensation of $50 per visit for maximum of $250 For more information please contact:

RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA) Volunteers ages 18 and older needed to participate in a 6-week clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for atopic dermatitis (RED, DRY, SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN). Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related ointment for 4 weeks • Physical Examination • Dermatological Assessments • Compensation up to $300 for time and effort For more information please contact:

J&S Studies, Inc. 979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845

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voices

EDITOR’SNOTE The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.

thebattalion 6.22.2009 page5

A puppet by any other name Steve Humeniuk

There is a candidate ready, willing and able to serve this University as the most unlikely president ever.

H

ere and now I’d like to throw my name in the hat to be the next president of Texas A&M University.

Sure, I can hear all the criticisms now. They’ll say, “But you haven’t even earned a college degree yet,”

or “you’re not qualified,” or “you’re not a diverse enough candidate,” or “you’re too much of a good ol’ boy.”

Well, whatever. I’m here to tell you that none of that even matters. In this political climate, it’s all about the friends you make and the hands you shake, and I once had a friend play Aggie football who knows Chancellor Mike McKinney’s son, so I’m as good as gold. Plus, my dad claims to have met Gov. Rick Perry once.

If chosen, I would make an awesome president. I would give big cheesy smiles at every photo opportunity, and pose with former president George H.W. Bush every chance I get.

My public image would be immaculate, as I would never, ever speak to the press and always refer all meaningful questions to my spokesmen who would be some of

the best at talking a lot without ever saying anything.

Students would love me because I wouldn’t change a thing. Change is far too tricky to implement around this place, and no one really wants to navigate those muddy waters, so I would simply piggyback on former Texas A&M President Robert Gate’s Vision 2020.

No one would criticize me, because I would blame him for any potential problems, and everyone in Aggieland still loves our secretary of defense, right?

I would be adorned by faculty for promising them carte blanche on conducting their precious research. If problems in our relationship arise, I’ll diffuse the situation by blaming state legislators for a lack of funding.

This response will keep all the negative attention on others, and

Whose tube?

they’ll remain happy with me and my empty promises.

The esteemed upper management of the Texas A&M System will surely embrace me, because I will only say “yes” to everything they ask me. No conflicts means no problems.

If people ask me why I’m such a push-over, I’ll tell them that I’m doing what I personally think is best for this University, through a spokesman of course. People will buy that, and the chancellor’s office will wisely reward my loyalty to the Texas A&M University System.

Former students will think I’m a great president because I will name every square inch of this campus after anyone who donates a significant amount of money to this institution.

And I know the Board of Regents will hire me because of my pledge to do all of these aforementioned

things. I will be exactly what they are looking for — a puppet who will smile and play nice. I will do exactly as they say, and I will accept and direct blame when applicable.

I really won’t do any real work for the betterment of this University, because clearly that’s no longer the responsibility of the president. The chancellor’s office will steer the ship as they wish, and I’ll just be the front man for the operation.

It will be perfect, and everyone will be happy, because this is how they all want the leader of Texas A&M to be. Even if they don’t choose me, don’t worry, the person they pick will be able to do all these things with ease.

Steve Humeniuk is a senior political science major.

Our tube!

Jordan Bryan — THE BATTALION

Ian McPhail

Entertainment companies should realize the potential in free advertising.

R

ecently, you may have noticed that some of your favorite YouTube videos have gone silent, stripped of their audio tracks due to copyright violation. This is part of an ongoing and sad trend. Since YouTube was purchased for $1.65 billion in late 2006, the Web site has had

a steady decline in the quality of its content. The enforcement of copyright infringement on the site does not just hurt the entertainment value of one of the Internet’s most popular sites; ironically, it also denies music, television and movie companies free advertisement of the product.

YouTube has the potential to increase the sales of entertainment products, which would be realized if copyright laws were enforced by entertainment companies in a reasonable fashion. The lack of quality videos on YouTube is why online video competitors with real entertainment to offer will eventually destroy the YouTube world as we know it.

NBC, Fox and many other television networks have already realized that free online media is a profitable way to sell entertainment. Using Web sites such as Hulu.com, networks

have profited by offering full episodes of their show online for a limited time. Disney places so much confidence in the success of Hulu that it recently bought a 30 percent stake in the Web site.

Soon, Disney will make several original programs, like Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives available through Hulu.

In addition to the revenue created by brief commercials, networks are advertising profitable DVD seasons of the show. If the program is successful enough, people will still purchase box sets in order to watch the show in its entirety. If someone enjoys a program enough, they will be more than willing to pay even for the convenience of enjoying it on an actual television, with neither commercials nor censors to detract from the entertainment.

Music and film companies should

learn their lesson about the American consumer through Hulu’s success.

Through YouTube and similar Web sites, music singles could be broadcast cheaply and efficiently. Already, fans of musicians upload songs with videos of them doing their own pitiful music video in the background, advertising CD and MP3 downloads at no cost to the company.

If the music offered is good enough, people will pay for the ability to listen to the music without seeing three teenage girls lip-syncing into a microphone. Allowing viewers access to poor quality content encourages viewers who are entertained to purchase the original film, show or song.

Companies using Hulu have already shown that the way forward for media is through free entertainment.

It would be in the best interests of

everyone for the companies to extend the same copyright liberties granted to Hulu to YouTube.

Rather than maximizing media outlets, music and film companies have let greed prevent earning more money. Instead of denouncing the Internet as a venue for the theft of their products, companies need to relax the enforcement of copyrights to advertise to a wider audience.

There is always profit to be had in movies, music and television. The Internet can and should be used as a tool to increase that revenue, if only the entertainment industry would set aside their short-term gains for longterm profits.

Ian McPhail is a sophomore history major.

MAILCALL From Brian Young, graduate aerospace engineering student

From Dan

While I am in no position to argue Chairman Morris Foster’s statement that the Board of Regents was only given one viable candidate, the circumstances of former President Murano’s selection and subsequent removal are not any less questionable.

Consider that Murano was recommended by the chancellor, a political appointee with little academic experience, and approved by the board without consulting the faculty senate.

Also consider that one candidate was said to not fulfill the selection requirements; Murano did not, either, having never served as a university president, yet she was deemed acceptable by the board. Finally, consider that the events leading to Murano’s resignation were centered on a poor performance review by the chancellor which claimed that she “refused to acknowledge her commitment to [the Board of Regents] or chancellor.” This all suggests

In regard to Wednesday’s article “Top 10 percent rule amended,” it is not money, but availability of space that makes enrollment low. We could have 100,000 or more students in College Station if anyone thought that was a good idea. Surely there are people who cannot afford to pay for education at Texas A&M in College Station. What other university could they afford other than a community college? Financial aid ensures that all economic classes are represented at the University — which is appropriate. But a significant fraction of the students attending A&M work while they go to school anyway. Let’s face it, Texas A&M has a very inexpensive cost. Sixty thousand dollars over four years (or less) is a

Pg. 5-06.22.09.indd 1

that she was not selected for her qualifications, but to be a mouthpiece for the chancellor. When she refused to serve this role, she was forced to resign. Further proposals of combining the presidency and the chancellorship only reinforce this view. While it is true that ultimate authority lies with the Board of Regents, if their goal is to improve education and research then they must involve the educators and researchers. If the board was unhappy with the selection committee’s candidates, they should have engaged the faculty, explaining their objections and asking for new candidates. The presidency of a world-class university is not something to assign based on the pettiness of minor political appointments, for which there is little accountability. While I do not know the intentions of the board, their actions have not been in the best interest of the University in this matter.

lot of money, but the increase in lifetime earning potential dwarfs this cost. Are students really happy to know that Texas A&M faculty are among the lowest paid in the Big 12?

Now, students who just take a slot, and party — instead of appreciating every bit of knowledge they can attain — really are spitting in the face of those who would like to attend A&M but can’t. We need to do a better job of throwing students out if they are not performing, in order to make room for others who appreciate an education. I call on all faculty to grade much tougher and don’t be afraid to give F grades. We need to get rid of the academic twopercenters and make room for those who will make Aggieland proud.

TOSUBMIT

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 has been verified.

6/21/09 9:36 PM

news

page 6 monday 6.22.2009

thebattalion

US swine flu cases exceed 21,000

Where on campus?

Patrick Clayton — THE BATTALION

Think you know every nook and cranny of Texas A&M? Test your campus know-how by e-mailing The Battalion and telling us where you think this photo was taken. The first people to get the answers correct will have their names published in The Battalion.

Send your response with your name, class and major to photo@thebatt.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A group protests Sunday in front of the White House in support of protesters in Iran and to condemn Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s decision to suppress the protests, in Washington, D.C.

Iran arrests, releases family of an ayatollah Police, militia crack down on protestors Obama responds to Iran “The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States,” Obama said in an interview released Sunday.

“We shouldn’t be playing into that.”

The president spoke Friday during an interview with CBS News’ Harry Smith. It will be broadcast Monday on “The Early Show.”

Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION

Correct response to Thursday’s where on campus: entrance to Zachry Engineering Center Wesley Deason, junior nuclear engineering major Jerry Tice, junior electrical engineering major Justin Thompson, junior aerospace engineering major Michael Gruver, senior petroleum engineering major Chris Prigmore, junior electrical engineering major Brittany Sanchez, junior biomedical engineering major

TEHRAN, Iran – A backstage struggle among Iran’s ruling clerics burst into the open Sunday when the government said it had arrested the daughter and relatives of an ayatollah who is one of the country’s most powerful men.

State media said the daughter and four other relatives of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani were later released but their arrests appeared to be a clear warning from the hardline establishment to a cleric who may be aligning himself with the opposition.

Tehran’s streets fell mostly quiet for the first time since a bitterly disputed June 12 presidential election, but cries of “God is great!” echoed again from rooftops after dark, a sign of seething anger at a government crackdown that peaked with at least 10 protesters’ deaths Saturday.

The killings drove the official death toll to at least 17 after a week of massive street demonstrations by protesters who say hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole his re-election win. But searing images posted online —

ASSOCIATED PRESS

including gruesome video purporting to show the fatal shooting of a teenage girl — hinted the toll might be higher.

Police and the feared Basij militia swarmed the streets to prevent more protests and the government intensified a crackdown on independent media — expelling a BBC correspondent, suspending the Dubai-based network AlArabiya and detaining at least two journalists for U.S. magazines.

In the clearest sign yet of a splintering among the ayatollahs, state media announced the arrests of Rafsanjani’s relatives including

Officials are inside the mausoleum of Islamic Revolution founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, damaged by a blast on Saturday.

his daughter Faezeh, 46, a reformist politician vilified by hard-liners for her open support of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

State media said Rafsanjani’s relatives had been held for their own protection.

Rafsanjani heads the cleric-run Assembly of Experts, which can remove the supreme leader, the country’s most powerful figure.

He also chairs the Expediency Council, a body that arbitrates disputes between parliament and the unelected Guardian Council.

Associated Press

Afghan firefight challenges US troops NOW ZAD, Afghanistan — Missiles, machine guns and strafing runs from fighter jets destroyed much of a Taliban compound, but the insurgents had a surprise for a pair of U.S. Marines who pushed into the building just before nightfall.

As the two men walked up an alley, the Taliban opened fire from less than 15 yards, sending bullets and tracer fire crackling inches past them. They fled under covering fire from their comrades, who hurled grenades at the enemy position be-

fore sprinting to armored vehicles.

The assault capped a day of fighting Saturday in the poppy fields, orchards and compounds of southern Afghanistan between U.S. Marines and Taliban fighters. It was a foretaste of what will likely be a bloody summer as the U.S. tries to turn around a bogged-down, eight-year-old war with a surge of 21,000 troops.

“This was the first time we pushed this far. I guess they don’t like us coming into their back door,” said Staff Sgt. Luke Medlin, who was

sweeping the alley for booby traps as Marine Gunner John Daly covered him from behind when the Taliban struck. “And now they know we will be back,” said Medlin.

The fighting was on the outskirts of Now Zad, a town that in many ways symbolizes what went wrong in Afghanistan and the enormous challenges facing the United States.

It is in Helmand province, a center of the insurgency and the opium poppy trade that helps fund it.

Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. Marines from the 2nd MEB, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines dismount from their vehicles during a battle against Taliban fighters near Now Zad in Afghanistan’s Helmand province Saturday.

ATLANTA — The national count of swine flu cases has risen to 21,449 cases and the number of deaths have nearly doubled to 87. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the number of confirmed and probable cases Friday morning.

The tally is up from last week’s count of 18,000 cases and 44 deaths.

Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas have had the most reported illnesses, and the Illinois count rose more than 500 since the last report.

But CDC officials say much of the most recent flu activity has been in the Northeast. A quarter of the new deaths were in New York.

US sends dogs to find victims BAGHDAD — The U.S. military sent search dogs Sunday to help find more than a dozen people still missing and feared dead after the country’s worst bombing this year devastated a northern Iraqi town just over a week before U.S. troops are due to leave Iraq’s cities.

The truck bombing Saturday near the ethnically tense city of Kirkuk flattened a Shiite mosque and dozens of mud-brick houses around it, killing at least 75 people.

Iraqi police blamed al-Qaida in Iraq, saying it was part of an insurgent campaign to destabilize the country and undermine confidence in the government. The timetable set in a security pact calls for U.S. combat troops to withdraw from cities by June 30 — the first stage of a full withdrawal by the end of 2011.

Associated Press

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Pg. 6-06.22.09.indd 1

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