The Daily Aztec - Vol. 95, Issue 95

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Vol. 95, Issue 95

THE

DAILY

w w w. T h e D a i l y A z t e c . c o m

AZTEC

Tw i t t e r : T h e D a i l y A z t e c

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1913

I N S I D E T O D AY SPORTS

SDSU

TEXAS

74

63

21 STRIKEOUTS SDSU softball pitcher Samantha Beasley struck out 21 batters, setting an MWC record. page 2

One step closer to Sweet 16

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

SPRING BREAK Check out the best local and cross-border excursions for Spring Break. page 4

OPINION

HEALTH CARE Weigh the pros and cons of President Barack Obama’s health care reform bill. page 5

TODAY @ SDSU Lecture 3:30 p.m., Room LL430 In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death, author Shelley Fisher Fishkin will speak about the writer.

For more of today’s headlines, visit:

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EDITOR

IN CHIEF, FARYAR BORHANI 619.594.4190 EDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM

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see WOMEN’S BASKETBALL on page 2

Film festival selects student R E E M NO U R S E N I O R S TA F F W R I T E R

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INDEX SPORTS.............................................................................2 TRAVEL & ADVENTURE...............................................4 OPINION.........................................................................5 CLASSIFIEDS....................................................................7 THE BACK PAGE............................................................8

Courtesy of Patrick Meredith

The San Diego State women’s basketball team upset Texas, 74-63, in Austin, Texas on Sunday night. SDSU will take on West Virginia tonight for a chance at the Sweet 16.

A San Diego State future filmmaker is attempting to create social change with her work. Television, film and new media production senior Sara Hopman has been selected as a finalist by the 10th annual Media That Matters Film Festival for her short documentary “Day Job. Hopman said it was a shock when she found out her documentary was chosen from a field of more than 500 films.

“It’s the only film festival that I’ve submitted my film to and I literally submitted it a day before the deadline,” she said.

She was even more excited when her name was among the final 12 winners.

“It totally blew my mind,” she said.

SDSU TFM Professor Greg Durbin said it’s very competitive to get selected into film festivals now.

“The fact that (Hopman) has been selected is very impressive,” Durbin said. “She’s one of our more thoughtful and intelligent filmmakers.”

The Media That Matters Film Festival is the premiere showcase for short films, all 12 minutes or less, about the most important topics of the day, according to the festival’s We b s i t e , w w w. m e d i a t h a t m a ttersfest.org.

The film festival “engages diverse audiences and inspires them to take action,” the Web site states.

Hopman’s six-minute document ar y, “Day Job,” revolves around eight day laborers and their experiences and struggles in the current economy.

“Everyone knows who day laborers are and we always see them on the street, but we don’t know what it has been like for them,” Hopman said. “We just showed up at Home Depots around San Diego and talked to about 30 laborers in a month. I heard a lot of great things; found out a lot about these people’s struggles and their issues.”

Two of Hopman’s colleagues, Magdalena Ramirez and Andrea Durazo, worked with her and helped produce her documentary.

“Day Job” was first screened at the

SDSU Student Film Festival at the beginning of this semester.

“I’m really excited because SDSU doesn’t have too much of a reputation out there in the film industry,” Hopman said. “I’m pretty proud to represent SDSU at the film festival because no one knows about the SDSU (School of Theatre, Television, and Film).”

Each of the 12 finalists, including Hopman, was awarded a $1,000 prize. In June, Hopman’s film will be premiered in the IFC Center in New York. An awards ceremony will follow at HBO, where each filmmaker will be honored.

The festival will also provide multi-platform Internet streaming, worldwide DVD distribution, public, theater and festival screening and a worldwide multi-platform broadcast of all 12 films.

Hopman said she thinks that her selection for the festival will open venues for her.

“Definitely this is the first big thing I could put on my resume,” she said. “People take you more

seriously when your work is chosen for a festival.”

Hopman has been busy working on other documentaries and class projects this semester. She was in San Francisco last weekend working on a documentary about the Bay Area Parkour California Jam and the parkour community.

Hopman has also been selected this semester to choose and direct the crew for the SDSU “Jury Project,” where the TFM department chooses a play and students adapt it into a short film. A jury consisting of international professionals, such as playwright Edward Albee, will judge the project. “It’s quite an honor; I’m really excited,” Hopman said. “It’s the biggest production that I’ve ever worked on.”

After her graduation in May, Hopman wants to move to Chicago to work in the film industry. But, if she happens to find an employment opportunity while she’s in New York, she’ll stay there.

“I’m kind of staying open to any opportunities that come my way,” she said.

2

The Daily Aztec

SPORTS

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

SDSU upsets Texas, will take on WVU next D AV I D P OPE A S S I S TA N T S P O R T S E D I T O R

Courtesy of Patrick Meredith

Senior guard Jené Morris scored 32 points and led the Aztecs to a 74-63 victo ry against the Longhorns.

Almost exactly one year ago, the San Diego State women’s basketball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, thanks in large part to a stellar 35-point perfo rmance from then-junior Jené Morris.

Sunday, against Texas, the senior guard once again lit up the score b o a rd with 32 points and led her 11-seed team to a 74-63 upset victo ry against the 6-seed Longhorns.

SDSU surre n d e red a 4-0 deficit to start the game but th e n exploded on a 12-0 run SDSU 74 and didn’t look back.

TEXAS 63 The Aztecs, whose season ave r a ge from 3point range is in the low 30s, hit 9-of-17 from behind the arc and never let Texas back into the ga m e .

Un l i ke last year, when SDSU played the to u rnament’s opening game on its home court, the Aztecs had to make the trip to Austin, Texas to play in front of th e Longhorns’ home crowd.

SDSU was not intimidated.

“I think we came in confi d e n t ,” Morris said to the media after the game. “When you play a pro gram as great as Texas, that’s what you have to do. Com e in and play confident.

The key was finding an open man as we l l .

We saw an open man (and) would give them the ball. So confidence and working to gether was the key to that.”

While Morris’ performance stole the s h ow, the Aztecs maintained a balanced o f fe n s i ve attack with each sta rter netting at least fi ve points. Junior forw a rd Allison Duffy had a bre a kout perfo rmance of her own with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.

Still, much like in the game against D e Paul last March, Morris’ ability to dominate all facets of the game is the re a s o n SDSU’s season will continue.

“People think (Morris is) a great defender,” head coach Beth Burns said. “Which she is. She has great speed, which she does. But she’s the best offe n s i ve player — midrange , rim, 3-point line — that I’ve ever coached and that many of us have ever seen. (She) might be the best that’s ever been in the Mountain West Confe re n c e . ” The Aztecs will now face off against 3seed West Virginia at 6:40 p.m. PT tonight in Austin. Although SDSU has never made it to the Sweet 16 in pro gram histo ry, any thing less than that would be a disappointment to this year’s team.

“This is the first step,” Morris said.

“We ’ ve made two to u rnaments in a row.

We ’ ve won two first round games in a row.

Now we ’ re hoping to win the second one and move on to the Sweet 16. That’s the point of being a good pro gram — consistency over the ye a r s . ”

AT A GLANCE WHEN: 6:40 p.m. PT WHERE: Austin,Texas

VS.

WHY TO WATCH: The Aztecs have a chance to make it to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

SPORTS

The Daily Aztec

3

SOFTBALL

Beasley’s 21 strikeouts not enough for win D AN P E R E Z S E N I O R S TA F F W R I T E R

In the last two years, San Diego State has seen two pitchers throw 20-plus strikeouts in a game.

The first came on an April day in 2008, when former SDSU baseball pitcher Stephen Strasburg set an Aztec and Mountain West Conference record with 23 strikeouts in a single game.

On Sunday, junior SDSU softball pitcher Samantha Beasley battled through nine AGGIES 4 innings, putting on a performance worthy of AZTECS 0 Strasburg’s, and tallied 21 strikeouts, an Aztec, MWC and SDSU Softball Stadium record.

Both SDSU pitchers went nine innings in their performances. They both threw more than 125 pitches (Strasburg 128, Beasley 137) and both set multiple records. Where their performances differ is in the outcome.

Strasburg recorded a win with his effort, while Beasley was forced to settle for an extrainnings loss.

“Sam (Beasley) was simply amazing beyond words today,” head coach Kathy Van Wyk said. “The only way to believe that kind of performance can happen is if you actually see it first hand. There is no way anyone could have pitched a better game.”

No. 22 / 20 Texas A&M pitcher Rebecca Arbino, who received the win, was almost as impressive as Beasley, giving up only five hits and one walk through nine innings.

“It was an intense pitchers duel, classic softball showdown,” Van Wyk said. “Neither girl was going to give up anything easy and they left every ounce of effort on the mound.

But with any game as close as this, someone has to lose. This time it was us.”

The Aztecs’ offense struggled to come through when it needed it most. In two instances, SDSU (18-9) had two runners on base and could not convert on the opportunities. The first opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth as the Aztecs had runners on first and second with only one out but could not advance the runners any farther. The next best chance SDSU had to score was in the bottom of the eighth with runners on first and second, but the Aggies’ second baseman reached out and barely caught senior captain first baseman Monica Alnes’ blooper.

“It’s unbelievably disappointing to have Sam (Beasley) throw such an amazing game and not be able to give her a single run for support,” Van Wyk said. “She could only dominate so long until they got to her. We can’t let efforts like that end up not meaning anything.”

The loss ended the Aztec’s 10-game winning streak and Beasley’s eight-game winning streak.

“One loss in extra innings in the midst of how well we have been playing isn’t going to kill our momentum or our confidence,” Van Wyk said. “We were right there in that game against a great team for nine innings.

We’ve grown a lot and with Sam (Beasley) pitching outstandingly, I have no doubt we’ll bounce back.”

Maura Ochoa / Staff Photographer

Junior pitcher Samantha Beasley set a school and MWC record when she struck out 21 Texas A&M batters.

BASEBALL

Freshman throws a two-hitter against Santa Clara F E L I N A T A M BA KO S S TA F F W R I T E R

It’s rare that a freshman pitcher throws a complete game, and even more rare that it’s a two-hit shutout.

But Bryan Crabb did just that on Sunday afternoon when he shut out Santa Clara 7-0 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

“Crabb was outstanding; he pounded SDSU 7 the strike zone,” head SCU 0 coach Tony Gwynn said.

“All the things we ask pitchers to do, he did today.”

He pitched all nine innings for the San Diego State baseball team, allowing only two

hits and two walks. His confidence never dropped, even with runners on base.

“I just hope to make the next pitch, get a ground ball and get out of there,” Crabb said.

“Luckily we were able to do that, make good plays, and get out of innings.”

His first full-game performance for SDSU started with two consecutive strikeouts, and he totaled eight in the game. Crabb has earned an impressive ratio of 29 strikeouts throughout his 30.2 inning career.

“He didn’t labor through any innings, and all day today, when he needed to make a pitch, he did it,” Gwynn said. “Crabby wasn’t afraid to throw any of his pitches. For me, he just solidified his spot in the rotation.”

Crabb’s win was not a solo effort. The Aztecs showed up ready to play and scored in four separate innings.

In the third, sophomore right fielder Brandon Meredith pulled in the first runs of the game with a two-RBI double. Meredith also found his way home thanks to a passed ball and an RBI sacrifice fly into center by junior outfielder Cory Vaughn.

Vaughn tallied more in the seventh with a two-run single, ending the afternoon with three RBI total.

Another solid freshman performance Sunday was from the team’s No. 5 hitter, freshman second baseman Jordan Van Hoosier. With four singles and one RBI, Van Hoosier had his best game since joining SDSU in the fall.

“Our offense really noticed how hard (Crabb) was working out there and tried to step up for him,” Van Hoosier said. “When it comes down to it, all I’m looking for is a

pitch to hit. If it’s around the plate, I’m doing what I can with it.”

Van Hoosier never made it home himself, but the Aztecs still found the dish seven times. SDSU lit up the scoreboard three times in the third, once in the fifth, twice in the seventh and lastly with senior Brandon Decker’s slide into home on a wild pitch in the eighth.

“We put some guys in scoring position and had much better at bats. The three, four, five spots did all the damage and drove in all the runs,” Gwynn said. “It’ll be easier for me to sleep tonight because of the consistent effort these guys had today.”

SDSU faces Santa Clara in two more games before beginning conference play in New Mexico later this week.

4

The Daily Aztec

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

Mexico warnings disrupt travel plans

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

TOP FIVE Spring Break Locations

M AG G I E P E H A N I C K S TA F F W R I T E R

Spring Break is quickly approaching. While San Diego provides sun and fun to many tourists, students will soon be migrating to different settings to decompress after midterms. With many traditional Spring Break destinations to Mexico deemed as unsafe by the U.S. Department of State, The Daily Aztec has compiled a list of great alternative vacations spots.

1. Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Located on the western border of Arizona, Lake Havasu is a mere five and a half hour drive from San Diego. Lake Havasu is an infamous mecca of hard-partying college escapees. In fact, much of Havasu’s economy relies on students who visit during breaks. While summer weather may be too intense, spring is perfect. So find a friend with a boat, grab some sun block and head down to the lake.

2. South Beach, Fla. Those born anytime before yesterday may recall a classic Will Smith tune praising the assets of a certain Florida beach town. If there’s anything to learn from ‘90s hip-hop, it’s definitely that Miami is indeed a magical land of no work and all play, where every day is like Mardi Gras. One of the nation’s hottest spots for nightlife, South Beach attracts students from both coasts.

3. South Padre Island, Texas Those who haven’t heard of South Padre Island are in good company. This beach community borders Mexico and is a favorite among many Texan students.

South Padre welcomes students with discounts and travel packages. Boasting activities from horseback riding to skydiving, South Padre Island is an excellent option for students looking to try something new.

Of course, this destination also boasts bars and nightlife to compete with some of the craziest Spring Break spots.

4. Lake Tahoe For those who prefer pine to palm, Lake Tahoe is a picturesque escape. The winter offers skiing and snowboarding at world renowned resorts such as Heavenly and Northstar while the summer brings loads of tourists to enjoy water sports and boating.

Spring Break might be an in between season for vacationers but Tahoe still offers casinos, nightlife and a variety of outdoors activities.

Best of all, it’s within roadtrip distance.

5. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Located east of Haiti, Puerto Plata was not affected by the earthquake and remains one of the top spots to vacation this year.

The resort town is hoping for revenue in the upcoming weeks. Puerto Plata offers scuba diving, shopping and a wide variety of tourist locations such as water parks and island tours.

Be one of the first 10 new Twitter followers of @TheDailyAztec and win! Prizes include tickets for Ben Stiller's new movie “Greenberg” or tickets to Firehouse with Bastard Saints at 4th & B on April 9.

MCT Campus

The U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning just in time for San Diego State student’s Spring Break trips. Taking the necessary precautions is important if traveling to this Spring Break hot spot.

E R I K A C U E VA CONTRIBUTOR

The weather is warming in time for a muchanticipated respite from the semester. For students looking forward to going out of town for Spring Break, Mexico is always an option. Its proximity to San Diego, drinking age of 18 years old and relative inexpensiveness of its pleasures may make the trek sound appealing.

However, in light of a recent travel warning issued by the U.S. Department of State, it is important that students looking for a good time keep some precautions in mind to help have the best experience possible.

The Department of State’s article, “ Spring Break in Mexico — Know Before You Go!” gives important insight into what travelers should be aware of before they head south of the border.

While in Mexico, American citizens must follow Mexican laws. What may result in a minor violation in the U.S. can result in a major international penalty.

Mexican authorities consider small offenses such as disturbing the peace, indecent behavior and littering a serious felony.

According to the U.S. Department of State, drinking on a public street is also prohibited, which many travelers tend to do when venturing to Mexico.

Offering a bribe to a public official to avoid a ticket is also a crime. However, if harassed by Mexican authorities, be sure to get the officer’s name, badge number and patrol car number to make an effective complaint.

If a U.S. citizen gets into legal trouble, the U.S. Consulate in Mexico may be able to offer assistance. Consular officials in Tijuana, Mexico may be reached at 011-52664-622-7400. Visitors may also want to register with the consulate while in Mexico.

Registration makes travelers’ whereabouts

known and also provides a way for the consulate to contact those who are registered in case of an emergency. To register, go to the U.S. Department of State’s Web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui.

The U.S. Department of State recommends the use of “sitio” taxis while in Mexico, which are licensed and regulated.

According to the Department of State, some illegitimate taxi drivers may be criminals searching for victims, usually unaware and inexperienced Mexico travelers. A “sitio” taxi can be summoned on request by a hotel concierge, club or restaurant.

Some additional precautions not to be overlooked include visiting legitimate business and tourist areas only during daylight hours. Carrying only the needed amount of cash for each outing is also advised.

Avoid taking valuable or irreplaceable objects, or at least lock them in a hotel safe.

Officials advise not to wear flashy jewelry or designer clothing because incidents of pickpocketing and purse snatching occur often. Also, leaving copies of an itinerary with family or friends is a great option in case the traveler needs to be contacted in case of an emergency.

When re-entering the U.S., citizens will need to present one of several acceptable documents including a U.S. passport or a passport card. Some states, California not included, issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, which denote identity and citizenship.

While the rules of Spring Break in Mexico have changed, Mexico is not all unsafe. Some areas are considered safe if travelers do their research prior to venturing across the border. Spring Break revelers should keep one thing in mind — have a fun and memorable time, but have these safety measures well-versed to ensure a safe trip.

Winners will be notified via Twitter on Friday.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

OPINION

The Daily Aztec

5

Question: Is passage of the health care reform bill beneficial to Americans?

MCT Campus

FREEDOM HAWK

FLAMING LIBERAL

Health care reform is New health care bill the change we need neglects Americans

F

ew times in history do we have the privilege to be part of something bigger than our individual selves.

Glued to www.cspan.org Sunday, history was made before my eyes.

A historic piece of legislation passed the House of Representatives on Sunday night.

After a century of discussion and more than a year of live debate on this issue, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) was passed and sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Health care reform became a reality for 31 million uninsured Americans. This reality comes through a series of cost controls, subsidies and expansion of eligibility. This bill provides coverage for an estimated 94 percent of Americans, close to universal health care.

Reform has been brought to a much broken system. Now Americans will have better preventative care and will also not have to pay co-pays or deductibles for recommended preventative care. It makes sense for America to invest the time to educate our citizens about disease prevention and how to make healthier decisions.

This reform will also provide for greater transparency and consumer protection.

Consumers will be better informed about physician ownership of anything from hospitals, medical equipment patents and medicine.

This will make sure that consumers are able to make informed decisions about their health care and not fall victim to waste or fraud.

One of the most important provisions in the reform bill is barring insurance companies from denying coverage to people based on pre-existing conditions. This includes their current health status and their gender.

Yes, because some insurance companies have disproportionately charged women more for health care than men. This discrimination ends now.

College students and youth should be especially grateful for this reform. You will now be eligible to stay on your parents’ health coverage until your 27th birthday.

This gives students out of college more time to find stable jobs or go to graduate school before beginning to worry about their health coverage options.

This expansive bill has been estimated to cost $848 billion throughout the next decade, but it is also expected to be fully offset by new taxes and revenues. The Congressional Budget Office has even determined that it would reduce the deficit by $131 billion within the same period.

We should give praise where it is owed.

Not only does this mark a new era of protection and reform for Americans, it also shows the strength and conviction of the Democratic Party and its leaders. Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have done more for Americans than the Republicans have been able to do during the administrations of both former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

After hours of stalling strategies and using hateful fear mongering and scare tactics, the Democratic majority saw through all the rhetoric and did the right thing.

A L L A N AC E V E D O OPINION EDITOR

House Minority Leader John Boehner showed the anger and fear of the GOP with his disrespectful tirade on the House floor and his repeated use of the expression “Hell no.”

However, abstractionism did not prevail this weekend and history will remember who stood on the right side of the people, just like when the Democrats passed Social Security and Medicaid.

This was our opportunity for change and we took it. Obama’s inspiring words last night resonated with the reality of what we were able to accomplish: “We did not fear our future, we shaped it.” That is exactly what Democratic leaders did.

While this reform bill will have lasting ramifications for the rest of our lives, politically, this will send a progressive ripple effect throughout America and also embolden Democrats to live up to other campaign promises made.

This is a great step in the right direction but more needs to be done. A public option is still needed to keep greedy corporate interests out of the important work of keeping our Americans healthy. Also, the dream of singlepayer health care is still alive in millions.

Health care is not the only issue at hand.

We must focus our remaining time on the next round of elections in November to show our strength.

Republicans have promised to seek retribution by winning back swing-districts for Democrats who voted for the health care bill, but if the Democrats show their strength of conviction, this will not be possible.

Good policy making is good politics. The Democrats are making the right choices, even if they are hard ones. Next, we must focus our energy on repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prevents gay and lesbian service members from openly serving in the military, providing more support and subsidies for women seeking abortions and finding alternatives to balancing a budget on the backs of college students.

This is a lofty list, but there are necessary changes that Democrats must champion.

Finally the “Party of No” (the GOP) is not defining the “Party of Getting Things Done” (the Democrats). Pelosi and Reid are finally acting like the majority they really are in both houses with a Democrat in the White House.

It may have taken a year, but it was an important year and one that Americans will remember for the better. What defines the rest of this year is not how Democrats campaign on this legislative victory, but how they move forward to address other critical issues affecting the lives of many other Americans.

—Allan Acevedo is a political science and comparative literature junior.

—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to opinion@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Include your full name, major and year in school.

A

s I anticipated, “Obamacare” narrowly passed Sunday night in the House of Representatives. After a year of debating and countless speeches by the president about his health care plan, the American people have rejected it.

Only 40 percent of Americans support this health care bill. The neo-monarchs in Washington, D.C. who are supposed to represent the opinions of their constituents, have turned their backs on the very people who elected them. For this betrayal, the Democrats will pay in the upcoming November midterm elections.

This bill has never been about insuring Americans who are seeking health insurance but cannot afford it — a relatively small federal medical plan for those not on Medicare or state programs could have covered them.

Nor was it ever about stopping trial lawyers from draining the medical industry of billions of dollars in frivolous lawsuits.

This bill was about government seizing one-sixth of the private sector of the economy, which is what health care constitutes.

New, sluggish departments and tens of thousands of knuckle-dragging government bureaucratic employees will follow this.

This bill was about another civil rights victory and a way to level the playing field for all. It is another liberal stride in ensuring that not only are we all born equal, but we will all die equal as well.

This legislation will not only bring an increase for state taxes, but a return to the Bill Clinton-era tax rate, new health care charges and the proposed lifting of limits on income exposed to Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes. But don’t worry, we should trust current President Barack Obama’s far-left government; it knows what is best for us. Just like when Obama asked us to trust him to pass his $787 billion stimulus package. Obama said unemployment would not rise more than 8 percent. Not only that, he stated if we didn’t approve it now, unemployment would reach levels of more than 10 percent. After the passage of the bill, unemployment soared to more than 10 percent and the only thing we have to show for it is leaving our generation in a lifetime of debt.

The government can’t run anything in an effective manner. Think of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Or compare it to your experience with the U.S. Postal Service — which is in massive debt and continually increases fees while reducing services — and UPS or FedEx. Our government courts and prisons systems are a mess as well. There is no competition in government; it is wasteful, ineffective and ultimately costly. Ask the people of the former Soviet Union, communist China or current North Korea. Big governments consistently promise too much and provide too little.

But don’t worry; disregard your opposition. Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid know what’s best for you. Trust them.

Let’s review the cost of this new legislation. This bill will increase government

P AT R I C K W A L S H S E N I O R S TA F F C O L U M N I S T

spending by roughly $1 trillion throughout the next 10 years. It is also noteworthy that much of the bill doesn’t take effect until 2014, four years outside the 10-year window. Estimates of the bill’s real cost outside the 10-year window have come out to as much as $3.5 trillion. Because government is unlikely to cut Medicare or other entitlements already given to U.S. citizens, the bill will run a terrible toll on our already unprecedented national debt.

Obama has imposed $600 billion in new taxes, including taxes on investment income to fund health care. These are jobkilling taxes at a time of dangerously increased levels of unemployment.

The Congressional Budget Office has stated this bill will do nothing to lower insurance premiums, which is what all of this is supposed to be about. They are expected to double in the next few years.

This bill will force most Americans to purchase health care, and interfere with how doctors practice medicine. The big state government has already messed up the school systems in California. Big federal government’s undercutting of research and development efforts in the medical field will be disastrous. America has the greatest health care system in the world. There is a reason why Canadians and Brits abandon the months-long waiting lists of their government health care systems to get a tumor removed in the U.S. We have the greatest health care quality.

The real problem lies in the times we are currently in. Outside of the fact that the farleft feels now is the best opportunity to place America politically left of France and Denmark, there is no reason to pass this reform now. Americans are far more concerned about the economy and national defense, and yet the current government is hell-bent on transforming America on the basis of government health care and global warming. Both are issues Americans care little about currently.

Our economy can’t handle this. I am convinced that because we have yet to face our economic challenges head-on, the worst is yet to come. The baby boomers cannot continue to shackle their debt onto our generation as they live beyond their means. With the passage of this bill, this fiscal crisis will come much sooner, and much harsher. The American people understand this; that’s why they have turned on a once very popular president so abruptly.

I hope the liberal Democrats enjoy their martyrdom. Is it November yet?

—Patrick Walsh is a political science junior.

—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to opinion@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Include your full name, major and year in school.

6

OPINION

The Daily Aztec

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

MASS MEDIUM

National broadband requisite for America’s future

O

ur digital lives are centered around one thing: the Internet.

It’s unimaginable to think of life without this revolutionary mode of communication and networking. After all, we use it in almost every aspect of life. We use it to log on to Blackboard to submit assignments, update Facebook statuses on the go, book plane tickets for Spring Break and even map out the route to the airport. It’s an absolute necessity in the 21st century. Now, the Federal Communications Commission, with the direction of President Barack Obama’s administration, has released a comprehensive national broadband plan to ensure a bright future for our country.

The FCC announced its National Broadband Plan on March 16 to both applause and skepticism. The 10-year plan calls for six main goals ensuring access to high-speed broadband for all Americans. Most significant is the central goal of at least 100 million homes with affordable access to download speeds of 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 50 megabits per second. The current at-home connection average is only three to four megabits per second. The additional goals include a mandate that every community have access to one gigabyte per second broadband service, that the U.S. lead the world in mobile innovation with a comprehensive wireless network, that every American be able to use broadband to manage energy consumption, that every first responder have access to a nationwide public safety wireless network and that every American have affordable access to broadband.

This ambitious plan is necessary for the economic security and success of our nation. The Internet has permanently changed the paradigm of communication. It is our generation’s telegraph, radio and telephone and has become a vital tool in all aspects of life. Personal communication, education, business, health care and government all rely on connected networks to get things done. All Americans and

A N DY L E WA N D OW S K I S TA F F C O L U M N I S T

their communities must have access to broadband.

It’s obvious by the large scope of goals outlined that this plan will touch every aspect of life in America. Our public safety officials will finally have a dedicated network to instantly respond to emergencies. Communities fostering schools, hospitals and government buildings will have guaranteed access to broadband as a tool for learning, healing and governing. Even the still-fledgling green economy will shine as Americans can track their energy consumption in real-time. The superficiality of these intentions should not be dismissed as bureaucratic fodder. They are all attainable goals that will reverberate throughout society for years.

What remains the most controversial aspect is the forward-thinking move toward wireless networks and mobile computing. The FCC plans to reallocate wireless spectrum in an auction, taking it away from television broadcasters, in a move that will open it up for wireless Internet access. For once, this is a preventative move by government to plan for the future, rather than scramble with reactionary stunts when crises hits. This progressive step is recognition that our digital lives are becoming more mobile. The stationary TV in the living room with fixed programming is on the decline.

Detractors of the plan are calling it too ambitious and pegging it as another sign of increased government control. The reality is, the FCC has limited legal authority to enforce its own rules beyond issuing inconsequential fines. They will be implementing the plan by offering incentives to telecommunications companies and through Congressional action — how we always get things done.

We are the nation that said we would put a man on the moon in 10 years, and did it. We are the nation that gave the world Microsoft, Apple and Google. We

MCT Campus

The FCC’s National Broadband Plan will pave the way to a brighter future by providing all Americans with high-speed internet access.

are the nation that has been at the forefront of technological innovation for more than a century. Now, we are supposedly the nation where some would dismiss ambitious goals and progressive policies because they’re afraid of failure. We will never live up to our own self-proclaimed greatness if this pessimistic attitude continues to prevail.

We need to celebrate and embrace this national broadband plan. We must maintain our technological lead to stay competitive while providing broadband access to all Americans. During its implementation throughout the next 10 years, it should serve as a reminder that nothing is too great for America to accomplish — and nothing is out of reach for our citizens.

—Andy Lewandowski is a media studies senior —This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to opinion@thedailyaztec .com.

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Contributing Cartoonist/ Erick Escobales

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DAILY HOROSCOPE

HUMOR: TOADSTOOL CHRONICLES

Tony Hawk dreams dashed by a gang of kids

A

gang of thugged-out foreigners stole my skateboard when I was 12 years old. It was Halloween and I wanted to be Tony Hawk or something; I don’t remember too well. But there I was, surrounded by a bunch of kids who looked like they were in their 20s, but in retrospect, were probably only teenagers.

“Hey, you say something to my homie?” one of them snarled.

“N-no, I didn’t,” I said.

My friends had abandoned me and ran up the road. We were just a few timid mountain kids enjoying a trick or treat session in the ghettos of San Jose. Bad decision.

“Yeah, you did,” another insisted.

I stood there frantic, unsure what to do. My eyes twitched back and forth trying to pick up cues to find out who would strike first and when. Supposedly, I insulted one of their friends, but I had no recollection of it.

Whatever it was, I was probably just teasing.

“No I swear! I didn’t,” I said.

That’s when they started speaking in their native language to each other and I knew I was f***ed.

I tried to find a gap in the gang circle, like a running back finding a break in the line. And as I sped through the wall, a few legs tried to trip me. But I made it through.

I ran like hell down the street back to my cowardly friends as one of the gang members on a

N O A H H E N RY S TA F F C O L U M N I S T

Schwinn bicycle trailed me. But all of a sudden, he stopped and turned back to the rest of the kids.

“It’s OK homie, we got his skateboard,” I heard.

I knew I’d be damned if I went back to those ruthless urbanites to try to recover my skateboard, so I just let them have it.

Later that night when I went home, I had to tell my dad the whole story.

“Dad, some guys stole my skateboard tonight. There was nothing I could do; I’m sorry.”

“Well gosh darn it, son!” He was furious. “We’re just going to have to go back down to San Jose and get it!”

I was speechless. I didn’t know how to hold him back because he was determined; but all I could think about was how much of an epitomical white man my father was. And he was going to try to recover my skateboard from a group of wild, ghetto fabulous gangsters.

I knew this wouldn’t end well.

He drove the streets of San Jose in a fury, with me in the passenger seat. I still had on my rad gear. It was a long shot that we’d find the same kids who stole my skateboard, but we went through the same neighborhood where the incident occurred. Decrepit apartment buildings and intimidating graffiti adorned the walls of questionable businesses we drove by.

The more we drove, the more

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

nervous I got. I didn’t know how my dad would handle this.

Soon we came upon a group of vagrant children. I didn’t know if they were the same ones who stole my skateboard.

“Is that them?” my dad asked.

“I don’t know, maybe.”

The group was hanging out at this apartment complex smoking cigarettes in their wifebeaters and Dickies. My heart was basically fibrillating as my dad rolled down his window.

“Hey, gang,” he said.

I threw my palm to my forehead.

“Did y’all steal my boy’s skateboard?”

The gangsters rose in uniformed fashion — probably questioning in their minds who this crazy guy was interrupting their fun.

“No, man, we didn’t steal no skateboard. But we’ll let you know.”

“Whoa whoa whoa. Let me know? Now how are you going to let me know anything?”

I was basically convulsing with shame in the front seat. There my dad was — a corn-fed white nerd from the Midwest conversing with the boys in the ‘hood.

Needless to say, we didn’t get the skateboard.

BY LINDA C. BLACK, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (3/23/10) Invest your emotional power in relationships and independent work this year.You can handle both because you have the will to manage your resources skillfully. Spring into action with the season and never hesitate.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 6 Don't try to think outside the box today.

Just get the work done. Don't expect it to be fun.Your partner applauds your diplomacy.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 6 - Whatever balls you have in the air, keep them in motion.The flow of communication at work needs to continue. Increase intensity later in the day.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 6 You feel boxed in when friends and neighbors make emotional demands.You'd rather stick to the practical cash decisions.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 Hard work today pays off. Don't avoid responsibilities. Smile even if you're not having fun.You can get through it.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Get in gear early in the day. Review your schedule and contact a professional who has the advice you need. Full speed ahead until quitting time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 What starts out gloomy can turn to sunshine if you ride the horse in the direction

it's going. Let someone else assert pressure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 6 - If you want to get anything done today, establish structure early. Consider all the angles before you reach the completion phase.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 - Perhaps the biggest challenge today is to bring imaginative ideas into the workplace and make them solid. Bring the new kid up to speed.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 5 - Assert your love in definite terms.

State your feelings loudly and often.

Others may take time to return the favor, and they may be hard of hearing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - One of your favorite people tells you how to run your life. Put them in charge of your appointment calendar only if you want changes.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - You get a lot more work accomplished when you dip just below the surface of consciousness to grasp creative images and language.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Get in the mood to break the ice at a social gathering. Others may mask feelings, so prime the pump by engaging them with questions about themselves. © 2010,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

SUDOKU

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP

Level:

—Noah Henry is an English senior.

1 2

3 4

Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.

—This column does not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Daily Aztec.

Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com

LOOKING THROUGH OUR LENS

© 2010 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

CROSSWORD

SMOKEY DAYDREAM DRIVING Staff Photographer Jeff Lewis captured this moment of a man daydreaming in a purple car while a motorcycle takes off quick enough to make the tires smoke.

ACROSS 1 “The __ Kid”: early TV Western 6 Suit parts 11 “__ the season ...”

14 Choir members 15 Even if, for short 16 Cal. neighbor 17 *Sam in “Casablanca,” e.g.

19 Spinner 20 Squealed, so to speak 21 Be under the weather 22 Formally unsay 24 Cutlass or 88 26 She plays Julia in “Julie & Julia” 27 Tack on 30 Standards of excellence 32 CEO’s degree 34 Dirty 36 *Fast-paced 39 “Wake Up With Al” weatherman 40 China’s Mao __tung 41 Studio stand 42 *Collapsible headgear 44 “Honor Thy Father” author Gay 45 Sun, to Esteban 46 Outcome 48 Canonized 26Down 49 Festival showings, perhaps 51 Quartz variety 53 Began the betting 55 UN anti-childlabor agcy.

56 Old oath 60 Menu phrase 61 Big finish, and what the first words of the answers to starred clues can

EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS

Solution available online at www.TheDailyAztec.com be 64 Roofing material 65 Part of a pound 66 Best-seller list entry 67 NBC fixture for nearly 35 yrs.

68 Dirty campaign tactic 69 Show reverence, in a way DOWN Limits Hip bones Ollie’s partner Zaire, today Disney toon panda, “Special Agent __” 6 Travel bag 7 Airline to Tel Aviv 8 Farm home 1 2 3 4 5

9 “Spider-Man 3” actress Russell 10 More ticked off 11 *Hank Aaron’s 6,856 is the career record 12 Heavy metal 13 Back-to-school mo.

18 Rice source 23 One of a drum set pair 25 Scales of the zodiac 26 Swiss miss, maybe: Abbr.

27 Soil-related prefix 28 Fails to grasp 29 *1962 Gene Chandler hit 31 Helpers: Abbr.

33 “__ of robins ...”: Kilmer

35 Capital east of the Elbe River 37 Substantial 38 Elation 40 Base melody 43 Boring 44 Like a __ bricks 47 Obama attorney general Eric 50 Tyke’s blocks 52 Arc lamp gas 53 Granola ingredient 54 Word after flight or floor 55 Ancient Peruvian 57 Contributed 58 Away from the wind 59 Farmer’s place, in song 62 “Wheel of Fortune” buy 63 Printer need