11.5.08

GAMEDAY INSIDE

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Serving the University of Alabama since 1894

Vol. 115, Issue 52

UA reacts to Young voters hit polls age 18-29 make up 18% of the election Voters electorate, support Obama 2 to 1

By Amanda Peterson Scripps Howard Foundation Wire

By Danielle Drago Senior Staff Reporter

It seemed as if the election was the only thing most people could talk about Tuesday night and Wednesday.

As Sen. Barack Obama was elected as our new president, emotions ran high and the state of the University reflected that.

Facebook statuses were updated bi-hourly, either

declaring change in America had finally come or considering a long move to Canada.

However, most students could agree on the historical implications of Obama’s victory.

“Many students are saying that it’s Martin Luther King’s dream come to life. Think of the mere improbability of having an African-American

See CAMPUS, page 2

Alabama voters break record turnout

By Lindsey Holland Contributing Writer

is the office where all questions and concerns regarding the election were delivered.

Viselli said everyone in Kathie Viselli, chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Board the office had hundreds of of Registrars, said she has been calls Tuesday as well as all working nights and weekends day Monday leading up to for the past six weeks prepar- Election Day. Viselli said ing for the elecone of the tion. Viselli said reasons a they registered ALA. POLL NUMBERS person may more than call would 8,000 voters in 2,091,143 votes were be because two and a half cast this year a voter may weeks. have gotten “We have married and been extreme74 percent registered had a name ly busy and voters cast ballots change and worked extra did not notihours,” Viselli fy anyone. said.

The records in 1992 Another reaSecretary were about 200,000 son would of State Beth be because a Chapman said fewer votes and at voter moved We d n e s d a y 76% registered and did not that a record update their number of voters cast ballots record.

Alabamians “Sometimes turned out for we just had the general election. Chapman said a total to identify voters and other of at least 2,091,143 votes were times it was as simple as a miscast, which surpassed 1992’s spelling of a name,” Viselli said. previous record turn out by “Most calls that came were just voters that haven’t voted for a about 200,000 ballots.

74 percent of registered long time and more were just voters cast ballots in the elec- ones that haven’t updated.”

She said the most common tion, which was shy of the 1992 question was where the voter’s record of a 76 percent turnout.

Viselli began working at the polling place was.

Viselli said most who called board of registrars right before the 2004 election. There are four to ask where their polling people who work in the board place was didn’t have access to of registrars’ office altogether, computers and were unable to plus one full-time secretary.

The board of registrars’ office See OFFICE, page 5

UA weather

TODAY

INSIDE Today’s paper

A Peace Corps recruiter comes to UA ............3

Partly cloudy

79º/56º

Friday

68º/45º

Scattered thunderstorms

Saturday

Partly cloudy

65º/40º

Tuscaloosa hosts a diaper drive .......................3 Opinions: Proposition 8 is discrimination...........4 Sports: Terrence Cody is back to play LSU .....6 Lifestyles: ʻZack and Miriʼ movie review ...........8 The Scene: UA Opera Theatre .................. 10

P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 | Fax: 348-4116 | Advertising: 348-7845 | Classifieds: 348-7355 Letters, op-eds: letters@cw.ua.edu Press releases, announcements: news@cw.ua.edu

WASHINGTON | Roughly 24 million voters ages 18 to 29 who cast a ballot on Tuesday supported Sen. Barack Obama at a rate of two to one, according to exit polls.

Of 44 million eligible voters 18 to 29 years of age, more than 50 percent voted, and two-thirds of them chose Obama. About 20 million of 40 million eligible voters voted in 2004.

Young voters made up 18 percent of the electorate, 1 percent higher than in 2004.

Obama lost the majority of voters over 45, and younger voters made the difference in the election, said Peter Levine, director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

“If you subtracted their turnCW | Matt Abbey out, I think it’s a much closer Andy Caldwell votes at the Tuscaloosa Courthouse Annex on election or maybe he loses,” Tuesday evening. Students voted throughout the day with Levine said. relatively short lines.

One of the question marks, he said, was how many young conservative voters sat out the election.

Ben Foster, chairman of UA Students for McCain, said he disagreed. Leading up to the election, he said he heard from hundreds of students who planned to vote for Sen. John McCain.

“I think the McCain supporters here chose to show up and vote,” Foster said.

A few weeks ago, he said the group’s poll of UA students showed that 52 percent supported McCain. It is a conservative campus, and Foster said young Republicans did not take a back seat to Obama supporters on campus.

This generation also had the largest split with their parents, Levine said. Half of voters ages 45 to 64 and 45 percent of voters over 65 voted for Obama.

Obama won the largest share of the youth vote since former

See POLLS, page 2

BASKETBALL PREVIEW INSIDE

After missing an entire year, Ronald Steele returns to the hardwood for his senior season.

CW | Drew Hoover

SGA revises FAC process Housing

By Dave Folk News Editor One of the major benefits of student governments at schools around the country is that they can give money to student organizations for their needs. At the Capstone, nearly $100,000 a year is given out from the Financial Affairs Committee.

In the past, that money was at the hands of the members of the FAC, normally consisting of three to four senators, but a recent amendment will allow the Senate as a whole to help provide oversight into that process.

Organizations would submit a FAC packet containing all the financial information and the purpose of their request. Afterwards, it would go to the FAC committee to make their recommendation to the Senate.

Then, at the Senate, the recommendations were typically quickly passed without much look into the numbers.

Last week, however, nine members of the SGA sponsored a bill that would place an explanation next to the organization’s name, amount requested and amount received.

“What it will do is provide a one-sentence

explanation for what that money is for,” said Allen Ross, SGA executive vice president.

Gregory Poole, a junior majoring in metallurgical engineering and an SGA senator, authored the bill and said it would add accountability to the student organizations and FAC. Under the new system, after the FAC has made its recommendations and the resolution is brought to senate, the senators will be able to see in front of them a brief explanation of what the money would be used for and they can decide whether they agree or not.

Poole said this gives the process oversight.

“I want to make sure my money, and my constituent’s money goes out properly,” Poole said.

Ross stress that this bill would help educate people on the resolutions that senators are passing.

“It is important that the entire Senate be informed on which organizations are receiving funding from the FAC and the reasons for the allocation,” Ross said.

Poole said this is a step in the right direction.

“We have to take this one step at a time and hopefully get to the point where we get the desired amount of oversight,” Poole said.

reports released

By Drew Taylor Senior Staff Reporter

With the housing market on shaky financial grounds and the risk of millions of foreclosures all over the country, the Alabama Center for Real Estate recently released its annual housing report for the state of Alabama, which shows the statistics for the state housing market up to September.

This year, the report showed state home sales down 6.4 percent from August and 12.2 percent from August 2007.

For Tuscaloosa County, sales were down 10.2 percent from

See REPORTS, page 3

2

PAGE Thursday

TODAY • Friends of History talk with Dr. James C. Cobb on the Roots of Southern History: 7 to 8 p.m, 205 Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library • Women’s Basketball Crimson & White game: 7 p.m, Coleman Coliseum

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

• UA Opera Theatre: “Suns, Moons and Stars: Celestial Music for the Stage”: 7:30 p.m., Moody Music Building choral/opera room

• Show and Tell presented by the Children’s Hands-On Museum: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Children’s Hands-On Museum

• UP presents Drive-In Movie; “Swing Vote”; 6:30 p.m., Softball Stadium parking lot

• Women’s Basketball vs. West Alabama: 6 p.m., Coleman Coliseum

November 6, 2008

CORRECTION

The Nov. 5 edition of The Crimson White incorrectly indicated that Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh won the election for president of the Alabama Public Service Commission. In actuality, Lucy Baxley won the election and has been sworn in. The CW regrets the error and is happy to set the record straight.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “Many students are saying that ‘It’s Martin Luther King’s dream come to life.’ Think of the mere improbability of having an African-American president 45 years ago, and now having one … it’s just surreal. I think it’s still settling in.”

— Jason Black, assistant professor of communication studies and affiliate professor of African-American studies.

BIRTHDAYS Chloe Spencer, senior, geological sciences, mathematics

We want to list your birthday here. Send your name, birthdate, year and major to cwnews@sa.ua.edu. Put “birthday” in the subject line. And look for birthday greetings from us on your special day.

THIS DAY IN U.S. HISTORY 1861: Jefferson Davis, who had been elected president of the Provisional Government on Feb. 9, 1861 as a compromise between moderates and radicals was confirmed by the voters for a full six-year term. By the time of his inauguration as full president on February 22, 1862, the Confederate capital, which had originally been in Montgomery had been moved to Richmond, Va. in part to defend the strategically important Tredegar Ironworks.

Source: The Library of Congress Online

THE CRIMSON WHITE

POLLS

Continued from page 1 President Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980. Levine said he thinks many Obama voters will stay Democrats, just as many of Reagan’s young supporters remained Republicans.

“It raises the question of if this generation will see a progressive alternative to the Reagan era,” he said.

The next step will be for Obama to use the huge number of young voters who have mobilized to support his campaign as the core for pushing his legislative agenda, Levine said.

Trent Thompson, president of UA College Democrats, said more students joined the organization to help campaign this semester, and many were drawn to the group because of Obama’s candidacy.

His campaign message appealed to college students because of the change people hope he can create, he said.

Now that the election is over, College Democrats needs to hold onto those volunteers, Thompson said.

“We’ve just got to make the point that we need to be a part of the change that Barack Obama talked about in his speech that is just beginning,” he said.

But Curtis Gans, director of the Committee for the Study of the American Electorate at American University, said he expects the rate of young voters to be higher.

While the Democrats engaged more supporters during the campaign, he said young Republicans did not turn out because they were not enthusiastic about McCain’s campaign.

“We’re not into a millennial generation of activism,” Gans said. “It was a very Obamaspecific response.”

EDITORIAL • Corey Craft, editor-in-chief, craft@cw.ua.edu, 348-8049 • Phil Owen, managing editor, owen@cw.ua.edu, 348-6146 • James Jaillet, production editor • Megan Honeycutt, outreach manager • Breckan Duckworth, design editor • Robert Bozeman, assistant design editor • Marion Walding, photo editor • RF Rains, assistant photo editor • Matt Ferguson, chief copy editor • Paul Thompson, opinions editor • Dave Folk, news editor • Brett Bralley, news editor • Ryan Mazer, lifestyles editor • CJ McCormick, assistant lifestyles editor • Ryan Wright, sports editor • Greg Ostendorf, assistant sports editor • Eric McHargue, graphics editor • Andrew Richardson, Web editor

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• Football vs. LSU: 2:30 p.m., Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., TV: CBS Sports

• UA School of Music presents: Celebrity Series featuring Jeffrey Siegel, piano; 2 p.m., Moody Music Building Concert Hall

UA technologies help students in class

By Amethyst Holmes Contributing Writer The University uses some technologies on campus designed to help students with disabilities.

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandating universities meet federal state standards to make technology accessible to students with disabilities with Section 508.

Section 508 requires all public institutions to make technology accessible to students with disabilities. Several law schools, business schools and universities have implemented the online system Echo 360 in response.

Judy Thorpe, director of Disability Services, said new technologies have enabled students with and without disabilities to learn even more effectively.

“Technology has enabled people with disabilities to gain independence in ways they were never able to before,” Thorpe said.

CAMPUS Continued from page 1

president 45 years ago, and now having one … it’s just surreal. I think it’s still settling in,” said Jason Black, assistant professor of communication studies and affiliate professor of African-American studies.

Obama supporters were reveling in the victory of their candidate.

“Republican faces resemble the faces of Georgia fans when we beat them,” said Kimberly Jackson, a junior in New College.

“I’m really excited; we needed a change. [The election of Obama] shows how far America has come. America is really pulling itself up from its bootstraps,” said Vikki Chavis, a junior majoring in nursing.

McCain supporters who were willing to talk about the election commended the Arizonian senator’s run for president, and looked forward to a bi-partisan cooperation between McCain and Obama.

“John McCain put up a tough fight and I am very proud to have voted for him and I know he will maintain the class and

Rebecca Brooks, coordinator of Audiological Services at the Speech and Hearing Center, said Tegrity, along with eLearning, are the online systems used on campus to aid students in their classes at the University.

Tegrity is an Internet-based system that automatically captures lectures and any digital output given by a computer or projector, records them and divides the recordings into chapters for students.

“It has decreased the need for note takers in the classroom,” Thorpe said.

Julia Hartman, coordinator of instructional development in the College of Arts and Sciences, said the only reason the Echo 360 system was not used on campus was because it did not have a Web interface that was compatible with the existing computers on campus like Tegrity did.

Tegrity isn’t just for students with disabilities, but can be used by any student who chooses to use the systems’ services.

“It’s really been helpful for students,” Thorpe said.

The University used Tegrity as a pilot program in spring 2007, then adopted it once it gained popularity, according to a press release from the College of Arts and Sciences released in January.

The release also reported that “Tegrity was used by 27 faculty members in 58 course selections and made 868 recordings of class content.”

“I think Tegrity has been very successful. We have polled students on campus and they seem to like it,” Hartman said.

Along with Tegrity, there are different sound delivery systems offered to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“Some of our students benefit from the F.M. system we have,” Brooks said.

“The F.M. system can replace hearing aids or can be used with hearing aids and allows students to hear their instructor as if they were standing right next to them.”

To get this kind of service, students would have to register with the Office of Disability Services.

dignity he has had throughout his life as he works with President-elect Obama to get bills passed through the Senate and signed into law,” said Austin Bonds, president of the Facebook group University of Alabama students for John McCain.

Important discourses that took place on Tuesday night were also a topic of conversation. Obama’s speech was quoted throughout campus on Wednesday, and many compared it Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream Speech.” “[Obama] did a really good job of doing what an acceptance speech is supposed to do. When it comes to discourse, especially presidential discourse, there is a particular genre that is fulfilled during such a speech. The first two thirds followed that model, it was kind of typical and kind of expected,” Black said.

However, the last part of Obama’s speech was different, Black said.

“When Obama started talking about the 106-year old woman who had seen all of those changes and related in length the present situation and the idea of this change …

He linked up these great peaks of change that were successful that the current American public remembers and knows.

It made it hard for people who are detractors from the Obama campaign to deny that there’s an enormous amount of change taking place,” Black said.

McCain’s speech was also commended.

“McCain seemed sincere,

classy and professional,” said Trey Stafford, a freshman majoring in pre-medical studies. “[McCain’s speech] was a striking example of his respectability,” Black said.

The tension between the two parties was a cause of concern to some students.

“The backlash is what bothers me,” said Ashley Blalock, a freshman majoring in international studies.

“Most of all, I’m worried about violence on campus,” said Chavis, citing juicycampus.com as a place where students were organizing violent protests on campus.

After the dust settles on this election, a consensus among students and faculty members is that the only way to achieve our problems is to work together.

“You’ve got two groups of people, and there’s no meshing going on at all. They have no common ground. That’s where I think we will get into trouble. We have to remember that we are one country,” Stafford said.

“Overall, I’m hoping that McCain supporters will stand behind Obama and support the president, regardless of their politics,” Black said.

“McCain supporters should follow suit to be classy, like McCain was. It takes a decent guy to want to run for president. I’m not going to say that I agree with his position, but he’s trying to make the world a better place,” said Eric Dunkerly, a senior majoring in biology.

“I also hope that Obama supporters are gracious enough to accept McCain supporters as well, because it’s a twoway street. We need to open our arms and willingly accept those who are on the other side of the fence, because the idea of unity is that both sides come together on equal grounds,” Black said.

When he came to campus on Monday, Congressman Artur Davis said the election of Obama is not something only people of African-American heritage can celebrate. “[The election of Obama] means that we are closer than we have ever been to being a country who can look itself in the mirror and say that we are who we say we are,” Davis said.

The only challenge facing Obama now, some students said, is implementing the change that he promises.

“But, I think Obama can make a change,” Chavis said.

“Obama needs to take the change and make it a reality. Instead of ‘yes we can,’ he should make it ‘yes we did,’” Black said.

The Crimson White

NEWS

Thursday, November 6, 2008

3

Peace Corps Tuscaloosa donates diapers recruiter on campus today

By Karissa Bursch Staff Reporter

By Jessie Gable Staff Reporter

Students who watch the news every day may be worried about the state the economy is in and how it could affect their chances of having a job out of college. Kyle Jessop, regional recruiter for the Southeast for the Peace Corps, will be on campus today to present an alternative to rushing to the work force — entering the Peace Corps.

Jessop will speak once from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in 258 Nott Hall, and a second time from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Carmichael Hall. Fran Oneal, director of the International Honors Program, said Jessop usually comes to the University twice a year to tell students about the possibility of joining the Peace Corps after they graduate. “It’s a great career builder for our recent graduates and our graduate students,�

Oneal said. “The Peace Corps offers travel experience, language skills and job opportunities.�

Jessop served two tours in the Peace Corps, one in Lesotho, a small kingdom in South Africa, from 2002 to 2004, and another in Zambia from 2004 to 2006.

He will be showing photos from his trips and answering questions from interested students.

Students who cannot come at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. are still encouraged to drop by during the event if they are interested in the program. Students of all

NEWS in brief

Stocks plunge as investors ponder impact of Obama NEW YORK | A case of postelection nerves sent Wall Street plunging Wednesday as investors, looking past Barack Obama’s presidential victory, returned to their fears of a deep and protracted recession. Volatility swept over the market again, with the Dow Jones industrials falling nearly 500 points and all the major indexes tumbling more than 5 percent.

The market was widely expected to give back some gains after a runup that lifted the Standard & Poor’s 500 index more than 18 percent and that gave the Dow its best weekly advance in 34 years; moreover, many analysts had warned that Wall Street faced more turbulence after two months of devastating losses.

But investors lost their recent confidence about the economy and began dumping stocks again. “The market has really gotten ahead of itself, and falsely priced in that this recession wasn’t going to be as prolonged as thought,� said Ryan Larson, head of equity trading at Voyageur Asset Management, a subsidiary of RBC Dain Rauscher. “Regardless of who won the White House, these problems are not going away.� “We’re in a really bad recession, period,� he said. “People are locking in profits and realizing we’re not out of the woods.�

majors are invited.

UA graduate and former Peace Corps volunteer Trey Roden spoke on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 about his time spent training teachers in Nepal.

Roden earned an undergraduate degree in healthcare as part of New College. Oneal said students studying social sciences and foreign languages would be good candidates for the Peace Corps.

Other benefits of the Peace Corps include paid travel expenses, in addition to a living wage, career training and the opportunity to live in a different country, Oneal said.

The organization also offers student loan deferment or forgiveness, depending on the type of loan, and an entry to some graduate school programs, according to the Peace Corps Web site.

Jessop will be discussing what makes a competitive candidate for the Peace Corps, who is qualified to apply for the program and what attributes make a good potential Peace Corps volunteer, Oneal said.

Peace Corps volunteers are expected to work in underdeveloped countries teaching in schools, helping with agricultural and environmental problems or providing AIDS relief work when needed, among other things. Currently, there are volunteers in the Caribbean Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern and Central Europe and Asia.

ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee.

That will put the four-term Arizona senator in a position to influence Democrat Barack Obama’s plan to set a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from combat in Iraq.

During the campaign, McCain staunchly opposed setting such a time frame, even as the Iraqi government began working with the Bush administration to do so.

But in conceding the presidency to Obama Tuesday night at a Phoenix hotel, McCain pledged “to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.�

He allowed that defeat was disappointing but said that starting Wednesday “we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again.�

Aides said they believed McCain would work well with Obama as president because much of his best work in the Senate had been done with Democrats.

A dirty diaper is not many people’s favorite thing, but what happens when a family is not able to purchase a clean one? Diapers are a necessity some families in Tuscaloosa cannot take for granted.

The Tuscaloosa County Health Department realized many low-income mothers were in need of simple necessities such as diapers. Patient First Supervisor Krystal Hasselvander and Claudia McLawhorn, a health department student intern from

REPORTS Continued from page 1

August and 26.7 percent from September 2007. In the report, the average selling price for a house in the county had gone up from $157,843 in September 2007 to $168,258 this September.

The market crisis has been widespread throughout the country, with poor lending practices and subprime loans letting people with insufficient funds pay for houses they may not have been able to afford otherwise. However, with an economic recession underway, house values increased as people were unable to pay off their loans. This has caused many to foreclose on their homes around the country.

Grayson Glaze, executive director for the ACRE, said despite the financial difficulty the state housing market has experienced this year, there is no housing crisis in Alabama and Tuscaloosa is one of only six local markets which have experienced a decline in inventory over the past year.

There are 23 local markets across the state. “Greater demand for housing will only begin to improve as consumer uncertainty is gradually replaced with higher levels of confidence, as credit becomes more accessible, and the economy that is

the University of Montevallo majoring in social work, began the program to distribute diapers to needy families after contacting many women in that situation. “We saw a need in the community for low-income mothers,� McLawhorn said.

The University is also getting involved with helping the cause. Fifteen Sociology 101 classes are contributing to the drive as part of extra credit.

Since the Sociology 101 curriculum is currently covering social class and poverty, the sociology professor thought it would be fitting to get involved,

McLawhorn said. “The sociology professor saw it as a good opportunity to teach students about families in need,� McLawhorn said.

McLawhorn said it is a good chance for UA students to get involved with helping the community. “It’s a great opportunity to help people in the community,� McLawhorn said. “It’s an excellent idea to teach the value of community service to students.�

On a voluntary basis, the Sociology 101 students bring one or two packs of diapers to class during a one-week period

in order to receive extra credit.

The diapers will be handed out to families in need who utilize the services provided by the Tuscaloosa County Health Department.

The University has also been contacted about getting permission to put collection boxes in buildings on campus.

The diaper drive ran from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4. However, diaper donations will still be accepted. “The Tuscaloosa County Health Department greatly appreciates the University of Alabama,� McLawhorn said.

now in a recession begins to gradually recover,� Glaze said in an e-mail.

Glaze said the real estate market for Tuscaloosa could experience a transition of improved stability by 2009, assuming the elevated local housing supply continues to decline.

Additionally, Glaze said Alabama and its local real estate markets have historically done better than many areas around the country during a market correction. “Real estate cycles will always exist,� Glaze said. “The market itself will be the judge as to how much adjustment is experienced during the current cycle.�

Carol Johnson, president of the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors, said she was surprised about the drop in sales for the area since last year’s statistics.

Johnson said the drop in sales can be attributed to people being hesitant to buy a house because of the way the media has portrayed the market situation in states such like California and Florida, saying it is near impossible to get a mortgage. Johnson said a good mortgage has still stayed around the 6 percent

mark for the state. “If someone has the proper income and debt ratio, they can get a mortgage even if their credit scores in the low 600s,� Johnson said.

Johnson said because of the media’s portrayal of the housing market, people are afraid to invest in something that they may not be able to afford.

In many cases, Johnson said, people are not knowledgeable in the local market. However, various programs that evaluate a person’s financial standing as well as various ways to pay off a mortgage should take all of the fear and anxiety that people may have toward buying a house.

Johnson said Tuscaloosa County has always been a good place to live because of the thriving businesses that

surround the county. Because of this, there is little worry of people losing their homes due to a company going under, like the crisis in Flint, Mich., in the 1980s when General Motors closed down its factory there, putting thousands out of work.

With this and the presence of the University, high property values make living in the county a good investment. In her experience, Johnson said, people are generally not hesitant about moving to the area because of its location, not to mention appreciation rates of 3 to 5 percent and a foreclosure rate of less than 1 percent. “Our area is a little more insulated than other areas that have experienced this,�

Johnson said.

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McCain considers his new role in the Senate

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PHOENIX | Before resting from the grueling presidential race, John McCain began discussing with senior aides what role he will play in the Senate now that he has promised to work with the man who defeated him for president.

One obvious focus will be the war in Iraq. After two years spent more on the campaign than in the Senate, McCain will return as the

OPINIONS

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Paul Thompson • Editor

4

paul.thompson@cw.ua.edu

OUR VIEW

Prop. 8 is discrimination

MCT Campus

‘Wasteophobia’ causes woes of waste

By Emily Roberson

Granted, Halloween was last week, and a confession of my greatest fear would have been more appropriate days ago, but I shall make the holiday’s essence linger.

I would like to share a phobia of mine — a fear of waste.

I tried to find the Greek word for waste, but I couldn’t quite decipher the classical letter system. Until I can translate, I’ll dub my disease “wasteophobia.”

Symptoms include chronic conservation (i.e., limiting myself to two squares of toilet tissue and refusing to use plastic bags in grocery stores even if it means pulling a GusGus with arms full of grub) and compulsive shuddering at overflowing trashcans.

I can’t stand seeing people throw away half-eaten meals and recyclable containers

because I know it all goes straight to a landfill where it will either decompose or stick around for a few hundred or thousand years while its chemical residue slowly seeps into the ground.

My wasteophobia has even gotten to the point that it’s unnerving to see a discarded banana peel (possible uses: composting or tripping up your opponent in “Mario Kart”).

As an environmental ambassador at home football games, I have the luxury

of standing around BryantDenny Stadium to tell people not to throw the remains of their nachos into receptacles designated for recyclable materials. Some football fans are unreceptive to my demands, so I end up scooping cheese-covered chips out of a 96-gallon bin.

If I’m feeling particularly ambitious and unabashed, I’ll root through the trashcans outside of the stadium to meet my recyclable material collection quota. I’ve found treasures such as six-packs of canned beverages, unopened bags of chips and entire dishes of barbecue in the bottom of these waste barrels.

The fear part comes in when I start thinking about all the factors of production (consult a microeconomics textbook for more on this topic) that went into making these tossed items and the

resources used and pollution that occurred as a result. In the back of my mind, global warming is preparing a vicious attack.

I understand the “no outside food or beverages allowed inside the stadium” rule — how else can stadium food vendors achieve a 714 percent markup on soda?

One would think, though, that there’s something that can be done with the nontrash gathered at the gates of Bryant-Denny Stadium, aside from feeding a small army and nourishing a community in a third world country.

Here’s an (albeit unfeasible) idea that’s been tossed around: CrimsonRide buses which turn food waste into fuel.

This Column is 100% Recyclable runs bi weekly on Thursdays.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR In defense of the ʻGay Gestapoʼ

By Josh Veazey Tuesday was historical, and not just in presidential terms.

In California, Proposition 8 did something that hasn’t been accomplished in recent history.

It didn’t simply deny someone their civil rights — it actually took civil rights away from people retroactively.

Here’s a small sample of the gentle, eloquent, scholarly rhetoric that allowed that to happen: “There was another time in history when the bell tolled … The time was during Nazi Germany with Adolf Hitler. He brought crowds of clergy together to assure them that he was going to look out for the church.” That’s from Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute.

Yes, he went for the Hitler analogy.

That’s right. In case you didn’t catch C-SPAN these last few days, gay people have invaded Poland. They’ve already annexed Canada.

They’ve “blitzkrieged” New England, leaving it in a smoldering pile of godlessness and tasteful color coordination.

And they’re coming to round up all evangelicals and replace Bibles from coast to coast with Kylie Minogue albums.

There are many threats to our country right now. Terrorism.

AIDS. Not being able to get a loan. Childhood diabetes.

Heart disease. Obesity. I’m not sure where “two guys in a disco grinding against each other to the beat of imported techno” falls on that list, but it’s not near the top. No reported deaths or injuries so far.

Gay marriage has never really been a debate in the sense that Barack Obama’s tax plan or our dealing with Pakistan is a debate. Nothing is ever cited — there are never any graphs or figures. It has one primary opponent: organized religion— at least those who take it upon themselves to speak on behalf of organized religion.

Their plan is so simple, I wish Democrats had thought of it — scaffold yourself to the divine, then scaffold an issue to you. The devotion to and reluctance to question God will then be transferred directly into reluctance to think about the issue at hand. It works so well, it even supersedes that loud, ever-present voice of nuisance we call “science.”

Look up what the American Medical Association says about being gay. Then look up the American Psychological Association. Then Google “every respectable and peerreviewed medical institution in North America.” The consensus is it’s not a disease, it’s not a choice and it’s dangerous to try and change people.

Next time you think about disenfranchising people and going

against your state’s supreme court, do some research first.

And if your interpretation of a sacred text doesn’t match up with the research, you need to change your interpretation, because “reality” is not up for discussion.

What, you don’t make a habit of researching issues?

You know else didn’t do that?

Hitler.

Josh Veazey is a junior majoring in telecommunication and film.

We have overcome

By Ashley Nicole Williams

in many instances. Even on campus, as I look around, I notice that the majority of blacks mingle with other blacks and most whites mingle with each other.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Crimson Tide, but I wish there was more unity aboard.

President-elect Barack Obama has made me a proud young black woman who is even more proud of my country, proud of where I came from and proud of how we have grown as a country.

He has given me hope for my future and for my daughter’s future. If my life shall end tomorrow, I shall not have any regrets because I have seen change. I have seen my country transform from what it has perpetrated to be, to what it really should be.

I think back centuries and I think about our ancestors who fought hard and who shed blood and many tears for this day.

I know former President Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and many more are smiling down on our country. I think it is now time that we put hatred and cruelty aside and began to love each other and help one another. Blacks, whites, Asians, Hispanics — we are all Americans. Let’s start living out the true meaning of its creed.

Words cannot explain the joy that I feel within. As I tuned in to MSNBC to watch the last moments of the 2008 presidential election, tears filled my eyes and joy filled my heart. I sincerely believe there is hope for our country to truly live up to the meaning of its creed as one nation under God. Growing up in Tuscaloosa, I have encountered much racism and I have always struggled to fit in with my advanced classmates, who happened to be mostly white. Some befriended me, and some preferred not to because of the color of my skin.

Even the ones who became my friends always seemed to have a mentality that told them no matter what, they were supeAshley Nicole Williams is a rior.

I have witnessed segregation junior majoring in geology.

Yesterday, voters in California, Florida and Arizona passed laws defining marriage as between a man and a woman, thus prohibiting gay marriage. Arkansas passed a similar measure preventing gay couples from adopting children.

Simply put, this is a travesty. On a day that marked an enormous step forward for civil rights with the election of Barack Obama to the presidency, we find it reprehensible that these ballot measures passed.

The Crimson White’s editorial board recognizes that these states were well within their rights to pass such laws; we simply find their passage morally deficient.

Americans who voted for these measures cast a vote for legal discrimination. Not to put to fine a point on it, but we consider these measures little more than constitutional, state-sanctioned discrimination targeting the only demographic Americans still feel comfortable ritualistically discriminating against.

The ban on adoption is — if possible — worse than the bans on marriages. Why deprive needy children of what could easily be a loving home? That discriminates against children in the foster care system just as much as it does against homosexuals.

It cannot be construed — in any light — that these measures were passed to do anything but discriminate against a group of people. Gay people are just as much Americans as the rest of us, and deserve the fundamental respect granted to heterosexuals.

We cannot say that we have progressed at all as a nation if we continue to pass laws like these that limit the rights of one group of people simply for being who they are.

Anyway, voters need to realize that if they do not want a gay marriage, they do not have to have one.

CW Opinions Editor Paul Thompson excused himself from this editorial.

Our View is the consensus of the CW editorial board.

The truth behind fake labels

By Liz Lane

or wrapped in fake finishes that are easily removable.

Each time the bag is shipped, the price doubles. Finally, the finished product is sold, usually around 20 times the price, on the streets or at the very illegal “purse party.”

“Purse Parties,” the new Tupperware parties updated with illegal contraband, have become a new highlight.

Dealers, offering free bags and money as an incentive, get moms, well to-do businesswomen and anyone interested to sell these bags out of their homes to their friends. Buying these bags is not illegal, but selling them is.

Think you won’t get caught?

The government is beginning to crack down on counterfeit sales just as hard as they would any other crime. Drug dealing and purse dealing have similar consequences. Federal prosecutors said fines range from $2 million to 10 years in prison.

The International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition said around 18 percent of counterfeit products found by U.S. Customs in 2002 were fashionrelated items.

When a bag costs only two dollars to make, where does the extra money go?

The money from this 18 percent is then sent to make other counterfeit products, such as counterfeit medicine. The money also goes to the dealers and even terrorists.

The FDA also reports 2 percent of all replacement parts on commercial airliners are fake.

You wouldn’t want your fake Louis Vuitton to get ruined when the plane crashes, right?

What can you do? Stop buying counterfeits. While buying is not illegal, when there is demand, there will be supply.

However, many buy without knowing because products, well, look the same.

The best way to avoid counterfeit products is to buy directly from the company.

Want to stop terrorism, secure jobs, cut into counterfeit drug trafficking and end child labor?

Stop buying counterfeit bags.

You would never want to be linked with terrorism, right?

How about al-Qaida, Hezbollah, the IRA, ETA, the Mafia, Chinese Triad gangs, the Japanese Yakuza, the Russian Mafia or drug cartels?

Unfortunately, the link between you and all these criminal organizations may be right around your arm.

Counterfeit designer bags may be cheap and stylish, but they carry a lot of baggage worldwide.

For example, The FBI’s joint terrorism task force found evidence that the sale of counterfeit goods financed the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Still think your fake Chanel is worth it? Seventy members of New York’s Genovese crime family were indicted for trafficking hundreds of counterfeit purses.

If that’s not enough, counterfeiting is believed to cost American businesses up to $250 billion annually and is responsible for over 750,000 jobs lost in the United States.

Where are these jobs going?

Around the world in the industrial town of Guangzhou, China, children make Dunhill and Versace replicas in a shady and hazardous setting.

Designer companies, in particular Kate Spade, as well as government organizations have conducted recent raids on these labor houses. According to Harper’s Bazaar magazine, most who attend the raids “swore to never buy a fake again,” after seeing the horrid conditions these children work in.

Still proud to dote on your tote? You’re not alone.

According to a study conducted by a British law firm, Davenport Lyons, “two thirds of consumers are proud to tell family and friends they bought fake luxury items.”

Most consumers simply don’t know what is going on.

However, the suppliers know.

Getting a bag to the consumer is a difficult and tedious process, requiring a great depth of knowledge. The bag begins its life in Guangzhou.

From there, the two-dollar Liz Lane is the CW fashion bag travels from place to place, columnist. Her column runs hidden with other products biweekly on Thursdays.

WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS Editorial Board

Corey Craft Editor Phil Owen Managing Editor Matt Ferguson Chief Copy Editor

James Jaillet Production Editor Breckan Duckworth Design Editor Paul Thompson Opinions Editor

Letters to the editor must be less than 200 words and guest columns less than 500. Send submissions to cwopinions@gmail.com. Submissions must include the author’s name, year, major and daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for verification and will not be published. Students should also include their year in school and major. For more information, call 348-6144. The CW reserves the right to edit all submissions.

The Crimson White

NEWS

Thursday, November 6, 2008

5

Health literacy raises concern

By Kellie Munts Contributing Writer On Nov. 4, Dr. Barry D. Weiss, professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, brought the issue of health literacy to the attention of students on campus.

As a visiting professor in health literacy and clear health communications, Weiss lectured on the risks that poor health literacy pose to the American public. Citizens are considered literate after they have completed an early elementary school education, according to the standard set by the government.

While Weiss emphasized the fact that most Americans are literate, he was also sure to consider the fact that

literacy does not necessarily equate to comprehension.

This is a concern for Americans, especially in relation to health. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy surveyed 19,000 Americans in 2003 and focused specifically on health literacy.

By assessing clinical care issues, prevention and navigation, those conducting the survey discovered that a large part of the population was not able to perform the most basic and necessary tasks in navigating through the world of medical care. Weiss sees the importance of the issue and has therefore spent much of the last 15 years studying and raising awareness about the importance of health literacy.

“I’ve been interested in patient education since I was a resident,” Weiss said. “But at first I was so excited

about the stuff that I learned in medical school that I wanted to share it with everyone.”

In the early 1990s, when former First Lady Barbara Bush was raising public awareness about literacy, Weiss began to discover the importance of literacy in his own field. After spending a sabbatical year learning about health literacy in Tucson, Ariz., Weiss continued his research into the issue.

During his lecture, Weiss presented slides of information and factual evidence to support his claim that health literacy should be of great concern to the American people. Low literacy is often overlooked, both by patients and physicians.

“There’s an inaccurate stereotype of what an illiterate person looks like,” Weiss said.

Weiss pointed out that because those that struggle with health illiteracy specifically are generally embarrassed by their challenge, they find ways to hide the fact that they cannot fully comprehend what they read.

“By saying that they’ve forgotten their glasses, they’ve found a socially acceptable way of saying that they can’t read,” Weiss said.

However, Weiss also finds fault in the way that physicians communicate with their patients. By using words that are largely only understood by those in the medical community, those that are seeking medical assistance are often left in a state of confusion. Weiss recognizes the fact that most patients cannot recognize words that are not necessary in their daily lives and claims physicians do not

know how to respond to an illiterate patient.

“There’s a big problem in the way that we communicate and what we expect people to understand,” Weiss said.

While Weiss is working to raise awareness about health literacy, he said he realizes it is not something individual physicians can effectively eliminate. He stresses the importance of effective communication between physicians and patients through both printed and spoken mediums.

“There are a lot of components to this — its not just vocabulary,” Weiss said. According to Weiss, through a cooperative effort on the part of all of those in the medical field, there can be effective changes made to improve health literacy in the nation.

Obama picks Clinton alum as chief of WH staff

By David Espo and Nedra Pickler The Associated Press

WASHINGTON | President-elect Barack Obama pivoted quickly to begin filling out his new administration on Wednesday, selecting hard-charging Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel as White House chief of staff while aides stepped up the pace of transition work that had been cloaked in pre-election secrecy.

Several Democrats confirmed that Emanuel had been offered the job. While it was not clear he had accepted, a rejection would amount to an unlikely public snub of the new president-elect within hours of an electoral college landslide.

With hundreds of jobs to fill and only 10 weeks until Inauguration Day, Obama and his transition team confronted a formidable task complicated by his anti-lobbyist campaign rhetoric.

The official campaign Web Site said no political appointees would be permitted to work on “regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.”

But almost exactly one year ago, on Nov. 3, 2007, candidate Obama went considerably further than that while campaigning in South Carolina. “I don’t take a dime of their money, and when I am president, they won’t find a job in my White House,” he said of lobbyists at the time.

Because they often have prior experience in government or politics, lobbyists figure as potential appointees for presidents of both parties.

On the morning after making history, the man elected the first black president had breakfast with his wife and two daughters at their Chicago home, went to a nearby gym and visited his downtown offices.

Aides said he planned no public appearances until later in the week, when he has promised to hold a news conference.

As president-elect, he begins receiving highly classified briefings from top intelligence officials Thursday.

In offering the post of White House chief of staff to Emanuel, Obama turned to a fellow Chicago politician with a far different style from his own, a man known for his bluntness as well as his single-minded determination.

Emanuel was a political and policy aide in Bill Clinton’s White House. Leaving

AP Photo Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill huddles with then-Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. President-elect Barack Obama chose Emanual to be his White House chief of staff, his first selection for the new administration. that, he turned to investment banking, then won a Chicago-area House seat six years ago. In Congress, he moved quickly into the leadership. As chairman of the Democratic campaign committee in 2006, he played an instrumental role in restoring his party to power after 12 years in the minority.

Emanuel maintained neutrality during the long primary battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, not surprising given his long-standing ties to the former first lady and his Illinois connections with Obama.

The day after the election there already was jockeying for Cabinet appointments.

Several Democrats said Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who won a new six-year term on Tuesday, was angling for secretary of state. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss any private conversations.

Kerry’s spokeswoman, Brigid O’Rourke, disputed the reports. “It’s not

true. It’s ridiculous,” she said in an interview.

The group is headed by John Podesta, who served as chief of staff under former President Clinton; Pete Rouse, who has been Obama’s chief of staff in the Senate, and Valerie Jarrett, a friend of the president-elect and campaign adviser.

Several Democrats described a sprawling operation well under way.

Officials had kept deliberations under wraps to avoid the appearance of overconfidence in the weeks leading to Tuesday’s election.

They said the group was stocked with longtime associates of Obama, as well as veterans of Clinton’s White House.

Quite apart from transition issues, Obama’s status as an incumbent member of Congress presents issues unseen since 1960, when John F. Kennedy moved from the Senate to the White House.

The Senate is scheduled to hold a postelection session in two weeks, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a news

conference Wednesday to reinforce her call for quick action on a bill to stimulate the economy.

That places Obama in uncharted territory — a president-elect, presumably first among equals among congressional Democrats. Yet his and their ability to enact legislation depends almost entirely until Inauguration Day on President Bush’s willingness to sign it.

Obama’s running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, was elected to a new six-year term from Delaware on Tuesday and he must resign before he can be sworn in as vice president. Democrats are certain to hold his seat, following Jack Markell’s election as governor.

There has been intense speculation that Biden’s son, Beau Biden, is interested in ascending to the seat. But he is serving a one-year stint in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. In the interim, outgoing Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is seen among many Democrats as a likely appointee to hold the office until an election in 2010.

OFFICE Continued from page 1

Viselli said she was sure she had a lot of messages left on her phone that she didn’t have time to check. When all four lines were in use at the same time, the caller would be forwarded to voicemail.

With the phone constantly ringing, Viselli said they didn’t have time to check messages or to get back with people.

Viselli said Election Day was an exhausting time.

One election official said all ballots are kept for at least 23 months. Spoiled ballots are also kept in case there is a court challenge.

If a court challenge were to occur, the court order would allow the board of registrars to retrieve the stored ballots.

“We can’t get rid of anything,” Viselli said.

The board of registrars opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

They stayed open until all the precincts turned their votes in that night.

There are 54 polling places located with Tuscaloosa County in which all ballots must be accounted for. Viselli said they have been preparing for this election for more than a year.

The absentee ballots go to the circuit clerk office, where they have a separate office set up for those ballots.

Viselli said it would be distracting if the absentee ballots were taken care of at the registrar’s office. However, if the absentee ballot voter has no current address, the ballot then has to be sent to the registrar’s office to be updated and then sent back to the circuit clerk office.

Viselli said she didn’t notice a difference between the numbers of calls from this election in comparison with the last election.

However, she did say there was a significant difference between the number of people who actually came in to the office with a problem or question.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

6 Thursday, November 6, 2008

SPORTS

The Crimson White

FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Cody to play vs. LSU

Alabama runs new up-tempo style

By Spencer White Contributing Writer

Head coach Nick Saban confirmed Wednesday what many Alabama fans had hoped ever since the end of the second quarter of the Ole Miss game: Terrence Cody will take the field against LSU. “Terrence has been able to practice; [he] hasn’t had any issues,” Saban said.

Saban was quick to note that Cody, a fan favorite, may be somewhat limited in his time.

“I think he’ll be able to play to some degree. How much he’s able to play, what situations in the game [he’ll play], I think that’s what we have to deter-

mine,” Saban said. “Part of it is how much can he sustain after a few weeks. We plan on having some role for him.”

In other injury news, Saban mentioned that true freshmen Barrett Jones and Tyler Love continued to practice in black jerseys, a symbol that they are not cleared for contact.

The Crimson Tide has stayed relatively injury-free, a remarkable achievement this late in the season. Saban gave credit for this to the effectiveness of his Fourth Quarter strength and conditioning program, which he said the players have been “very committed” to.

“I think it’s been a positive so far, in terms of our ability to

sustain over the course of the season,” Saban said. “Hopefully the strength and conditioning has helped a little bit in terms of injury prevention.”

Saban’s return to LSU Saban was quick to put down any talk of the Alabama-LSU rivalry being furthered by his history in Baton Rouge, La. “This is strictly you guys [the media] trying to make this something, which creates interest for the fans, which is great,” Saban said. “But it has nothing to do with the game, it has nothing to do with the players and it really has nothing to do with the competition.”

Saban said he knows the Alabama offense will have its hands full Saturday with a tough LSU defense, noting that it will be important for the Tide to attack the middle of the field.

“They’re very difficult to run on. They play a lot of man-toman … they keep you off-balance a little bit,” Saban said.

“It’s going to be very important that we create balance on offense.”

Playoff system

CW | Matt Abbey Nose tackle Terrence Cody practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to play this weekend in Baton Rouge.

A day after the election, Saban seemed indifferent, admitting that his focus was not on politics this week.

“I didn’t even really know who won the election until this morning,” Saban said.

Even with that said, Presidentelect Barack Obama and Saban share the same view on the college football post-season, agreeing that a playoff system would be the best option.

“I’ve always wanted four teams … especially in the short term, until we figure something better out,” Saban said.

“Because I think that keeps the integrity of the bowl system the way it is, which offers a lot of positive self-gratification for a lot of players in college.”

By Jason Galloway Sports Reporter The Alabama women’s basketball team showcased its new up-tempo style in its annual Crimson and White scrimmage at Coleman Coliseum Wednesday night, with the Crimson team pulling away in the second half for a 57-48 win.

New head coach Wendell Hudson implemented a fastbreak system with a team that struggled in recent years trying to run the complicated triangle offense, and said he was pleased with what he saw.

“We work on [the transition game] every day,” Hudson said. “That’s the way we want to play. I feel real good about this team and the effort that the team is giving.”

An up-tempo style of play usually forces a team into making mistakes, and turning the ball over was one of the main problems for an 8-22 Tide team last year.

Alabama averaged 25.9 turnovers per game last season, and with the Crimson and White teams only committing 15 and 17 turnovers respectively, Hudson said he was pleased.

“At the tempo we’re trying to play, trying to push the ball up and down the court, I can live with that [number of turnovers],” he said.

Both teams pushed the tempo out of the gate and the Crimson team started to pull away midway through the first half, capturing a nine-point advantage after point guard Dedrea Magee nailed a threepoint basket with 7:29 to go until halftime.

“I think Dedrea has been really consistent for us at the point guard,” Hudson said. “When we line up to play Friday [in our first scrimmage], I would expect Dedrea to be in there [starting] for us.”

CW | Drew Hoover Sophomore Tierney Jenkins scored a game-high 20 points for Alabama in the Crimson and White game Wednesday. Jenkins returns this season as the Tideʼs leading scorer from last year.

The White team ended the half on a 16-6 run to take a onepoint lead at the break.

Led by sophomore forward Tierney Jenkins’ 11 points and seven rebounds in the second half, the Crimson team pulled away down the stretch to seal the 57-48 win.

“The up-tempo style was fun,” Jenkins said. “At first I was like, ‘I’m going to be so tired,’ but it wasn’t that bad.

I like everything about the new style.”

Jenkins was the game’s high scorer, finishing with 20 points on seven-of-14 shooting and totaling 11 rebounds.

She also turned the ball over four times.

“We just have to get [Jenkins] to be more consistent on both ends of the court all the time,” Hudson said. “That’s just a learning process.”

As a freshman last season,

Jenkins led the Tide in points with 11.8 per game and was second in rebounds.

In a losing effort, 6-foot4 freshman center Carmen McCoy was very impressive on the glass all night, grabbing a game-high 19 rebounds, 15 of them in the first half. She also added a team-high 13 points for the White.

“Carmen is a freaking beast,” Jenkins said. “In practice, I try to get rebounds, and it is impossible. She’s just so strong and she just does her job.”

Since McCoy is only a freshman, Hudson said he will try to work her in slowly once the season starts.

Alabama will test its new style of play against another opponent for the first time on Friday, as the Tide takes on West Alabama in a scrimmage game in Coleman Coliseum at 6 p.m.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Tide hosts 2008 Fall Classic

By Laura Owens Contributing Writer The Alabama women’s tennis team will host the SEC Fall Coaches Classic to close out the 2008 fall season.

All the SEC teams will arrive in Tuscaloosa today, with the matches beginning at 4 p.m.

The tournament will take four days, with the final match taking place on Sunday.

The matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will all begin at 9 a.m. and end after the last match of the day has been played. There are six brackets in the tournament, four of which are doubles and two singles.

Because this tournament is a preview for the spring season, competition will be intense.

“It’ll be very competitive,” said head coach Jenny Mainz.

“It plants a seed. I really stress to the team that the way we compete, the way we play, the energy we demonstrate will plant a seed. If you beat someone convincingly, they remember that.

You leave a lasting impression.”

The Fall Classic is the last match of the fall season, which will provide the team a good opportunity to end the season on a strong note.

“I think the significance of this weekend is a positive opportunity to finish the fall season at

home, to gain more match play, momentum, energy, confidence, all those things,” Mainz said.

“Any time you’re competing against conference opponents there’s significance attached to it.”

As for the results of the tournament, senior Shelley Godwin isn’t too interested in the winloss column.

“I wouldn’t say we’re looking so much at wins and losses results as much as making a statement,” Godwin said. “It’s the first chance for coaches to see our new team, and for us to send a message that we’re ready to compete, so that moreso than wins and losses.”

In the off-season, the team will have to work and train hard to come back in the spring season and compete.

“We’ll try working on being consistent but still being aggressive at the same time to put pressure on our opponents,” said sophomore Tiffany Welcher.

Mainz also commented on what she thought her team needed to do in the off-season in order to stay sharp for the spring.

“I think it’s very important that they play a lot and compete a lot,” Mainz said. “They’ll come out and hit around, but that’s not a pressure situation. I think it’s vital that we place ourselves in pressure situations and environments in the off-season.”

Reflecting back over the fall season, the players have seen their team making great progress.

“I think we’ve definitely taken steps forward this season,” Godwin said. “Everyone’s been committed. It’s been a really good fall season. And it’s still early. But we’re further along that we were last year, so I consider that good progress.”

Welcher furthered Godwin’s comment and agreed the team had been making progress and working hard during the fall season for the spring.

“From August, we’ve improved,” she said. “You can tell that each and every day.”

The Crimson White

LIFESTYLES

Thursday, November 6, 2008

7

COLUMN | UNDERGROUND CINEMA

MOVIE REVIEW | ZACK AND MIRI

Film’s genre and style produce unlikely success

Smith delivers flat comedy

By Matthew H Glasscock Typically, I am not one for a musical. I can literally count on one hand the number of musicals I would ever consider sitting through again. Like many heterosexual men my age, one mention of the word and I run screaming. And more times than not, the only reason we would ever entertain the notion of subjecting ourselves to watching a musical film is because a woman is involved — a woman that we secretly hope will find herself in a more amorous mood once we have conceded to sit through the abomination.

The first time I was exposed to “Dancer in the Dark” was back in 2001 and, yes, it was because of a woman. I was browsing the aisles of Blockbuster with an exgirlfriend, and much to my chagrin, she zeroed in on this film and then very strategically presented it to me at the checkout counter. She knew there would be little time to protest, especially once in front of the clerk.

I rolled my eyes and unenthusiastically agreed to rent the film.

I knew she had an affinity for the eccentric Icelandic pixie Bjork, so I figured that if I gave in, she might be willing to reciprocate, if you catch my drift.

Once we got back to our apartment and popped the tape into the VCR (remember those?) all of my prejudices towards musicals were quickly shattered — well, as far as this one is concerned anyway.

I was immediately impressed by director Lars von Trier’s creative choices and the bleak, melancholy undertone of the film.

Lars von Trier is a founding member of the experimental and avant-garde filmmaking movement known as Dogma 95.

According to the group’s manifesto, written appropriately in 1995, filmmakers who belong to this group must adhere to

a strict regimen of minimalist filmmaking parameters, such as avoiding non-diegetic music, artificial lighting or lens filters, constructed sets or use of outside props, post-production polishing, period pieces or genre films of any kind, using handheld cameras only, etc.

While this is an ambitious and artsy approach to filmmaking, I have to disagree with setting such stifling restrictions to a creative medium. By limiting yourself to this extreme degree before the first roll of film is even in the can, this must only add further frustration to the already formidable task of filmmaking. But even more importantly, these constraints limit the director creatively from delivering his fully developed artistic vision. As you can imagine, most if not all members of Dogma 95 have since seen the error of their ways and lifted the ban of the aforementioned filmmaking devices.

“Dancer in the Dark” does follow some of the guidelines set forth by the group’s manifesto, but thankfully von Trier has allowed a few concessions for the film. It’s shot for the most part on a hand-held DV camera and forgoes the use of any imaginative angles, which does add a certain documentary feel. The camera work is very shaky, zoom-lens happy and the colors in the film seem almost completely washedout. However, during the musical scenes, von Trier employs a stationary camera, uses stylistic angles and allows the colors to be much more vibrant. This is a brilliant contrast because the musical numbers are only actually happening inside the mind of his protagonist.

Bjork makes both her acting debut and swansong with this film. According to the rumors

See FILM, page 8

By Ryan Mazer Lifestyles Editor If the critical response to Kevin Smith’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” is any indicator, professional critics share a common trait with bees: they die after one sting.

Obviously, critics don’t sting per se, but inflict much deeper pain through the writing of reviews. For this reason, it may seem a pleasant prospect that they get only one shot at this before reaching their demise. But it would do you well to not go around making assumptions all the time, for it will only lead to disappointment, like when I tell you that critics also happen to share a common trait with terrorists: when one dies, more emerge in his place.

Such claims are clearly evidenced by their reactions to new Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow films, when a growing number of critics relay their “surprise” at finding a sweet core beneath the raunchiness with each release.

While I recognize that Smith and Apatow do “sweet” with more sincerity than usual, which is admirable, I don’t see how so many critics can continue to be caught off guard by it, save, of course, for the possibility of an ever-replenishing critical community comprised of people who are born, write one review and then die.

As mentioned, the reviews of Kevin Smith’s latest film perpetuate this trend, which is why I feel no guilt in wasting the opening of my review pleading against it.

The film’s plot follows longtime friends and housemates Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) as they decide to shoot a porn film to improve their financial situation — a process that stirs repressed feelings the two have harbored for one another.

Beginning around the time of his 1999 release, “Dogma,” I was an unabashed Kevin Smith fanatic. This lasted

until 2003, a few months after the release of “Jersey Girl,” when I was adopted by my current cinematic father figure, Woody Allen, though he himself had no idea. I know what you’re thinking, and I’m proud to report that no, to this day, he hasn’t tried anything.

Anyway, that period of Kevin Smith worship was a strange one in my life, occupied by hourly checks to his News Askew Web site. I bought just about everything he sold and read every article he wrote. He served as the gateway towards my obsession with film, as he made movies that were both insightful about life and appealing to my teenage sensibility.

So, it is from the perspective of an embittered former fan that I express my mixed feelings about “Zack and Miri.”

In previous films, Smith’s low-brow humor was diluted by long-winded dialogue, stemming surely from his attempts to seem both refreshingly irreverent and intellectually impressive. With “Zack and Miri,” he has found a crafty way of blending the two goals, replacing his verbose language with enough colloquialisms to still exhibit an attention to words.

His problem, though, is that he has been trying to treat his symptoms instead of cure the disease, and as a result, his latest treatment suffers from the same flaws as the others: it’s overbearing and desperate. One can only hear so many slang terms for sex — no matter how precious they may be — before wanting to nap. While he used a fair amount of this language in “Clerks 2,” here he goes too far, showing a shift in style from overwritten to witless.

He resorts to an unexpected number of cheap laughs, which seem almost confrontationally self-satisfied, as though Smith is rebelling from his own intellectual inhibitions and relegating any detractors to the role of the pretentious prude.

Fortunately, however, the film delivers on several other counts. The characters of Zack and Miri are especially

www.Rottentomatoes.com Zack and Miri, played by Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, direct the cast and crew of their porn film. compelling, as is their relationship, which Smith artfully builds to the movie’s climax and best scene — when Zack and Miri shoot their porn scene. Here, the conceit of the porn production perfectly dovetails with the relationship between Zack and Miri. We can see the thousands of confused emotions shared by the two as they awkwardly prance around the room to stall the deed they have committed to doing. In a rare moment for Smith, he trusts himself and the audience enough to let the circumstances unfold, rather than beating them over our heads.

The characters of Zack and Miri spring from the most grounded environment Smith has created in a long time.

Their financial woes provide a relevant common ground for many in the country, allowing us to experience a good level of empathy for the characters.

The shooting of the porn film also works as a metaphor for the production of Smith’s first movie, “Clerks.” Just as Zack and Miri endeavor to shoot an “erotic reimagining” of “Star Wars,” Smith offers an erotic reimagining of his experiences on the “Clerks” set with “Zack and Miri.”

The cast turns in great performances, as well. Succumbing to all the Judd Apatow comparisons, Smith hired Apatow

regulars Rogen and Banks for the title roles, and neither disappoint here. But as has been noted elsewhere, Craig Robinson (“The Office’s” Darryl) delivers the funniest performance of the film, stealing every scene he’s in as Delaney, the eager producer of the porn shoot.

Needless to say, the film grew on me as it progressed, a feeling solidified by its sweet ending — one that in no way came as a surprise.

‘Zack and Miri’ Directed by: Kevin Smith Starring: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks Run time: 101 minutes MPAA Rating: R CW critic’s rating:

Bottom line:Flat humor and round characters cohabit Smith’s latest comedy as it builds to its inevitably sweet ending.

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8 Thursday, November 6, 2008

LIFESTYLES

The Crimson White

Music series to Artrageous tour starts today rock Lakeside

By Tyler Deierhoi Contributing Writer

By Caleb Johnson Senior Lifestyles Reporter

What: Creative Campus

Students can help themselves to all five food groups and a side of music Thursday night at Lakeside Dining Hall.

Lee Bains and Kate Taylor will play acoustic sets tonight at 6 p.m. as part of a new series sponsored by the Creative Campus Initiative.

Creative Campus intern Paul Hanninen said this series will give students exposure to independent music they might not otherwise hear. He also said he is proud to bring two talented artists to the Univeristy.

“I wanted to go ahead right off the bat [and] establish this as a legitimate concert series,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to bring good music to the Alabama campus that otherwise might not ever come here.”

Birmingham musicians Bains and Taylor certainly fit the bill.

Bains is the lead singer of rock and roll band Arkadelphia.

He is fresh off a tour to the CMJ Music Festival in New York City and is in the process of releasing his band’s debut album.

Taylor comes from a musical family. Her sister Maria is on Conor Oberst’s label and her brother Macey tours with Bright Eyes. You can find songs from her recently recorded record on her myspace.com page.

“If they’re … a freshman or sophomore living in the dorms, maybe they don’t get out to hear music much,” Hanninen said.

“So this will be an opportunity.”

The idea is a spin-off from last year’s Fountain Music Series, which was presented by 90.7 WVUA-FM. Wanting to continue the success of the Fountain Music Series, Hanninen, a for-

sponsors performances from Bains and Taylor

When: Tonight at 6 p.m.

Where: Lakeside Dining Hall mer employee of the radio station, pitched the idea to his coworkers at Creative Campus.

After speaking with Bama Dining Marketing Manager Matt Mackey, Lakeside Dining Hall became the host site of the new music series.

“For people living in the dorms, we’ll have it right there for them,” Hanninen said.

Hanninen said he is excited about the series’ potential. If all goes well, there will be two more shows this semester, one on Nov. 20 and another on Dec. 1. Beginning in the spring semester, Hanninen said he wants to make the series a biweekly event.

Hanninen is not the only person who’s excited. Bains said he is thrilled to play his music for a segment of the UA population that may have never heard it.

“I think a lot of folks coming out of high school into college don’t have too much knowledge with music,” Bains said.

“For one thing, they can’t go to bars. So this will get them started young.”

Bains was also quick to praise Taylor. He said her songs are beautiful, honest and reminiscent of a young Emmylou Harris at times.

“You might hear some country gold,” he said.

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The art community of Tuscaloosa County will be presenting the monthly Artrageous Riverfront Arts Tour today from 5 to 9 p.m.

The event bands Tuscaloosa and Northport art galleries together to provide a tour for the community. The free tour takes attendees through 10 separate galleries in downtown Tuscaloosa and Northport. A shuttle, beginning at Harrison Galleries and traveling to all the galleries on the tour, will run from 6 to 9 p.m.

The galleries involved this month are Harrison Galleries, Capture Studio, One Night Only Artique, River Oaks Antiques, Eve r yd ay Indulgence, Northport Gazette Gallery, Riverport Gallery, Herz Gallery, Renaissance Gallery and Kentuck Art Center.

Each gallery will be showing the works of various artists and some of the galleries will feature new works as well.

Harrison Galleries, located at 2315 University Blvd., will display the works of Basil Ede as well as oil and print works and photography by local artists.

Capture Studio, also located on University Boulevard, will exhibit a diverse selection of works from local artists. The art involved will be presented in different mediums.

One Night Only Artique, located at 2119 University Blvd., will show different works as well as clothing, jewelry and gift items produced by Tuscaloosa area craftsmen.

River Oaks Antiques, located at 2107 University Blvd., will boast the works of Wayne Spyres such as paintings in oils, watercolors and acrylics that feature local architecture and landmarks.

Everyday Indulgence, located at 519 Queen City, will feature handmade jewelry from incredibly skilled and talented artists.

There are three galleries located on Artist’s Row at 401 20th Ave. in Northport. The Northport Gazette Gallery is showing graphite and

colored pencil works by Bethany Windham Engle.

Riverport Gallery will feature mixed media and works from Jean Ignatz. Herz Gallery will exhibit works from numerous artists including Janelle Avery, Jo Chism, Bethany Windham Engle, Barbara Penington and Beth and Al Page.

Renaissance Gallery, located at 431 Main Ave., will display the works of Kathryn White, who has created numerous works in the form of small people made of wooden boards, stones and other assorted materials. The gallery is also host to the works of Kay Basiago, who produces flame-worked glass and jewelry.

The final gallery is the Kentuck Art Center. Located at 503 Main Ave., the gallery will continue its two-month highlight of the works of Laura Lockhart. Lockhart’s work involves the visualization of novel quotations with her own original photography and painting.

The family-friendly event encourages the Tuscaloosa c o m m u n i ty to come

together for a night of socialization. Sara Anne Gibson, the Executive Director of the Kentuck Art Center, sees the monthly event as a way for people to get involved in the art community.

“We like to engage the community and it gives them the opportunity to see artistic works by local artists.

Art is a major component of Tuscaloosa and we try to make opportunities for the community to see it,” she said.

Kathy Groshong, co-owner of the Renaissance Gallery, said she hopes the event will bring together art enthusiasts.

“It’s a way for art lovers to meet and come together,” she said.

What: Artrageous Riverfront Art Tour

When: Today from 5 to 9 p.m.

Where: Shuttle route begins at Harrison Galleries

Twice As Nice features local art Josh Hedrick Contributing Writer Fashion-savvy UA students are likely familiar with the fashionable wares of downtown consignment store Twice As Nice, but shoppers may not know that store owner Rhonda Mock Tew has recently ventured into the realm of local artwork.

The downtown mainstay is quickly becoming a prominent venue for local artists to display and sell their original works to the public.

“It all started with one painting that was brought in and sold immediately,” Tew said. “From there, I got the idea to encourage local artists to bring in their works and so far we have been very successful.”

Tew, who has owned the store for the last 14 of the shop’s 29-year presence in downtown Tuscaloosa, began to expand into the world of art two months ago.

“I am an avid art aficionado myself, and I thought that if I offered a place for talented local artists to display their works, then others would see it and bring in their own stuff,” Tew said. “There are a lot of gifted artists in the community and around the campus, and I want them all to know that I am always looking to add quality pieces.”

Robin Miceli, a UA graduate student, is one artist featured at Twice As Nice. All nine paintings she brought to

the store to be displayed were quickly sold.

Dozens of photographs, sculptures, collages and other expressions of art are prominently displayed in the windowed storefront. Paintings of proud moments in Crimson Tide football history, Paul “Bear” Bryant and gorgeous landscapes are all to be found among the original works by local folk artists.

Undiscovered and up-andcoming artists are welcome to display the fruits of their labors and find their own pieces of art among some famous works from internationally known painters.

An original painting by Jimmie Lee Sudduth can be seen hanging on the wall of the shop. Sudduth, who passed away last September at the age of 97, was an Alabama native who made a big splash in the art world, or at least a resounding “squish.”

Sudduth’s unique method of creating mud paintings on plywood gained him international fame, including a permanent collection held in the Smithsonian Institution.

His paintings also benefited from the colorations of other natural ingredients including burnt match sticks, tobacco and egg yolks, and regularly sell for several hundred to more than a thousand dollars.

Also featured among the student and local artist submitted pieces are the works of renowned folk artist Mose

CW | Matt Abbey Twice as Nice Consignment Shop sells art by local Tuscaloosa artists Mose T. (right), and Robin Miceli (left).

Tolliver. Though he also often painted on plywood, Tolliver used the more conventional house paint to create his paintings.

Window-shopping is one of the main means of attracting interested customers and curious artists, Tew said.

People who might not regularly shop in the downtown area can not help but notice the dazzling display of artwork in the store’s windows while driving by or dining downtown.

“People have responded very well, and will see something in the window they like one night, and call me the very next morning to ask me to hold it for them,” Tew said.

“After all, original pieces are unique, and so much more exciting that the mass print paintings you find in department stores.”

Twice As Nice has participated in the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s free monthly “Artrageous Riverfront Arts Tour.” The tour offers transportation provided by Tuscaloosa Trolley from downtown Northport to downtown Tuscaloosa featuring stops at various art shops and fine local restaurants, according to the Chamber’s Web site. Tours are scheduled for the first Thursday of each month, and Twice As Nice will return as a tour stop in December.

FILM

tragic Czechoslovakian immigrant Selma Jezkova, but she has such a signature perforContinued from page 7 mance style that in any other that surround the film, she film, it would seem way out of and von Trier were equally place. Bjork also composed, difficult to work with and arranged and performed most they clashed so strongly that of the film’s soundtrack, and she allegedly swore that she the music is absolutely beauwould never act in another tiful. In fact, after seeing this film. I think this is probably a film, I was prompted to reexwise move on her part. Don’t amine her discography with a get me wrong, she does a new perspective and appreciafantastic job portraying the tion.

While my relationship did not end well with the girl that originally introduced me to Bjork and “Dancer in the Dark,” I am thankful that she forced me to sit through the film. She may have been an evil, deceitful succubus, but at least she had good taste.

‘Dancer in the Dark’ Directed by: Lars von Trier

Starring: Björk, Catherine Deneuve

Run time: 140 minutes MPAA Rating: R Release Year: 2000

The Crimson White

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the

Scene

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Flicks to catch UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS’ DRIVE-IN MOVIE

Ryan Mazer • Editor

10

ryan.mazer@cw.ua.edu

Rising ‘suns, moons and stars’

• “Swing Vote” (PG-13)

COBB HOLLYWOOD 16 • “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” (PG) • “Changeling” (R) • “Eagle Eye” (PG-13) • “Fireproof” (PG) • “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” (PG-13) • “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” (G) • “House” (R) • “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (PG) • “Max Payne” (PG-13) • “Pride and Glory” (R) • “Quarantine” (R) • “Role Models” (R) • “Saw V” (R) • “The Secret Life of Bees” (PG-13) • “Soul Men” (R) • “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” (R)

Night life THURSDAY • The Legacy — Tom Risher • Egan’s Bar — Tumbleweeds • Jupiter Bar & Grill — The Last Waltz Ensemble • Little Willie’s — Joel Harris Jazz Band

FRIDAY • Egan’s Bar — The Recognition • Jupiter Bar & Grill — All American Tragedy • Mellow Mushroom Upstairs Bar — Bobby Lee Rodgers and The Codetalkers • The Red Shed — The Hypsys

SATURDAY • Egan’s Bar — The Headtones • Little Willie’s — Leaderdog

The UA Opera Theatre presents its fall scenes program this weekend

By Jessica Cheek Contributing Writer

T

he Tuscaloosa community will be able to experience a wide range of vocal performances Friday and Saturday when the University of Alabama Opera Theatre presents two shows in the Moody Music Building choral/opera room.

“Suns, Moons, and Stars: Celestial Music for the Stage,” the first of three Opera Theatre shows this year, will begin at 7:30 both nights and includes music from operas, operettas and musical theater productions tied together by a celestial theme. Tickets are $10 and $15.

The opera program has been in existence for many years but is experiencing a recent revival with Paul Houghtaling, who is in his second year as director of the program.

“We’re in the midst of a very exciting resurgence,” he said. “In many ways, I’ve made the program more traditional and focused more on training as well as performing. I wasn’t interested in just simply putting people on a stage, but I want to put young artists on stage who have some skills and who are learning some skills.”

Many hours of work go into preparing for a show like “Suns, Moons, and Stars.” The performers rehearse from two to 12 hours each week, refine their skills in classes and practice extensively on their own for months before a performance. Houghtaling said performances are a reward for the audience as well as the participants, a view Laura Ashley Missildine, a sophomore majoring in vocal performance, said she shares.

“The rush you feel cannot be explained, but after all of the work and preparation involved, nothing can be more rewarding than the audience’s applause after a really wonderful performance,” she said.

“Suns, Moons, and Stars” is a scene performance, meaning that instead of a full opera with one story line, the performers will present brief selections from a variety of productions.

“I would like for University students to know that there is a wide variety of scenes in our show and a variety of musical styles. Every type of audience member will find something that he or she enjoys,” said Lauren Smith, a second-year master’s student in vocal performance.

Houghtaling said this variety includes dramatic scenes, comic scenes, romantic scenes and selections from high, grand opera like Verdi’s “Otello” and Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.”

Both shows will present more than 20 scenes, including pieces from “West Side Story,” “Les contes d’Hoffmann” and a combat ballet scene from “Star Wars.” On Friday, a work from “Cats” will be added to the program, and on Saturday the audience will be treated to scenes from “Songs for a New World” and “The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.”

Some of the pieces performed are in foreign languages, but translations and narrations will be provided to help the audience understand the material. Guest artists and child performers will be featured on both nights of the show.

“There are so many interesting scenes on both nights,” said Smith,

“Opera is visual, opera is theater, opera is simply singing and acting, and it shouldn’t be foreboding. [Students] should shed their preconceptions and come to experience this as a rich theatrical experience. Opera is music theater in its truest sense.”

— Paul Houghtaling, director of the University of Alabama Opera Theatre

who will be performing scenes from “Hansel and Gretel” and “Falstaff.”

“There are definitely lots of surprises in the show.”

Houghtaling hopes that students will come to the performances with an open mind.

“Opera is visual, opera is theater, opera is simply singing and acting, and it shouldn’t be foreboding. [Students] should shed their preconceptions and come to experience this as a rich theatrical experience,” Houghtaling said.

“Opera is music theater in its truest sense.”

All the student performers are music majors and most are voice majors, but admission to the opera program is open by audition to any student on campus.

“It’s a very rigorous program designed for the budding young professional,” Houghtaling said.

“It is not at all an extracurricular

activity because the participant has to be involved in the complete program — all the training, all the rehearsals — but it is certainly open to anybody who can sing, by audition.”

Many Opera Theatre participants become professional performers. The focus of the program, Houghtaling said, is to prepare students for auditions.

Last year, opera students were accepted to summer apprenticeships and entry-level opera positions, and many have already made their professional debuts.

“Our opera department is different from any other that I have encountered,” Missildine said. “The diversity in our program is so rewarding and gives us the opportunity to try new things and put ourselves in situations that, without the guidance of Professor Houghtaling, we probably never would have entered.”

CW | Marion Walding Members of the University of Alabama Opera Theatre rehearse on Wednesday night for “Suns, Moons, and Stars.”