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TUESDAY TV SEASON FINALES ON PG. 4
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013
WWW.DAILYAZTEC.COM
VOLUME 99, ISSUE 97
$100 mil invested in BRAIN Initiative
national Tara Kistler
KEEP BARS OPEN LATER ON PG. 7
Staff Writer
Researchers have recently moved one step closer to understanding the intricacies of the human body. Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies, also referred to as the Brain Activity Map, is sponsored by the Obama administration for $100 million. BRAIN will provide scientists a better idea of how to create new treatments for diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s, epilepsy and autism to traumatic brain injury. The 2014 project will be based off the framework of the Human Genome Project. According to a White House press release, the National Institutes of Health, the Defense Research Projects Agency and the National Science Foundation will provide funding. The New York Times explains this project will develop technologies to document the interactions between nerve cells and the complex network of circuits at the root of human thought, behavior and function. In an interview with NPR, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said the new research agenda will ensure “that we have clearly laid out a plan that puts things in the right order, and to speed up the process of actually getting insights that are going to change our understanding of autism, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and so on.”
Burger Lounge is a fresh alternative to fast food tasty tuesday Ethan Bailey Assistant Features Editor President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the announcement of the administration’s BRAIN Intiative in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
Collins also said the $100 million allocated for this project next year only accounts for a mere 1 percent of all neuroscience research. This first year will consist of laying the groundwork and observing how interacting neurons and brain cells affect behavior—first on static models and then tackling the human brain. This initiative has shown implications for San Diego County. According to KPBS, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies is investing $28 million to help start the initiative. Althoughneuroscienceisarelatively
new field, Salk neuroscientist Terry Sejnowski said this is the time for a project like this. “The technology is much better,” Sejnowski told KPBS. “There are resources we didn’t have before.” University of California, San Diego’s very own Ralph Greenspan, who currently serves as one of the initiative’s leaders was also in attendance at the White House announcement regarding the BRAIN Initiative last Tuesday. UCSD scientists and researchers will also help advance the efforts of this vast project.
molly riley/polaris via abaca press /mct
U-T San Diego reported the BRAIN Initiative, which is estimated to cost more than $1 billion throughout the next decade, requires new mapping tools created by neuroscientists and nano-engineers. These scientists supported by research centers such as The Mesa Biotech along North Torrey Pines Road, including the Salk Institute and UCSD. This project will create a relationship between the government and the private sector that will enable the discovery of the interworking of the brain and serve as a starting point for finding new treatments.
Seleka rebels seize towns in CAR international Christopher B. Keller Contributor
The Central African Republic’s government has been overthrown by a coalition of armed rebels As of March 24, the Central African Republic has been overthrown by rebels. The invasion of the country’s capital of Bangui came two months after a peace agreement signed by the Seleka rebel coalition, which allowed President Francois Bozize to finish his term until 2016. The Associated Press reported after seizing the presidential palace, the rebels declared the country has just “opened a new page in its history.” In December, rebels from several armed groups integrated to create the Seleka coalition and took towns by force across northern CAR. At first, the groups threatened to march on Bangui, but later agreed to engage in peace talks and made an agreement on Jan. 11. The agreement fell apart in recent weeks when rebels
Steve K’amba, an aide to the MP representing Obo, Central African Republic, stands next to a tree he says was cut down by Uganda troops to ship back to Uganda.
accused the president of failing to keep the promises he made, which prompted the advance of rebels into Bangui and Bozize’s departure. BBC reported Bozize said “Chadian special forces” helped
the Seleka rebel movement lead the final operation of the rebellion from March 23 to 24. The conflict between the Seleka coalition and the CAR government has led to 37,000 people becoming refugees and
alan boswell /mct
173,000 people were displaced during the last four months. “Many left their homes in a hurry and were unable to bring personal belongings with them. CAR REBELS continued on pg. 2
There’s something about a hamburger that latches onto our inner American. For some, savory grilled patties highlight the dish. Others might say cool, crisp vegetables make burgers more delectable. But one thing is for sure—not all burgers are created equal. Enter Burger Lounge, home of “the original grass-fed burger.” This restaurant chain features grass-fed beef and free-range chicken and turkey as well as organic cheese and produce. Hostess and San Diego State alumna Kasey Hamilton said Burger Lounge prides itself on such practices. According to Burger Lounge’s website, other green practices employed by the restaurant include the use of locally sourced, organic, farmraised, regional and seasonal ingredients, as well as using reclaimed cooking oil to power its fleet of vehicles. “People should come to Burger Lounge because it’s a healthier place to eat burgers and it’s delicious,” Hamilton said. The difference in philosophy at Burger Lounge certainly shows in the quality of its food. I stayed true to its roots and ordered the standard Lounge Burger, a beef patty topped with patrons’ choice of organic American or white cheddar cheese, fresh or grilled onions, romaine lettuce, tomato and house-made Thousand Island dressing. I chose white cheddar and grilled onions for my burger. Of course, no burger is complete without its trusty companions french fries and onion rings, so I ordered a 1/2 and 1/2, which includes both. It’s large enough to serve two people, so I split my order with a friend. Burger Lounge offers local craft beers, wine, bottled beverages, milkshakes and also features a variety of Maine Root sodas. These beverages by Maine Root are organic, sweetened with real cane sugar and comply with fair trade regulations. I ordered the lemon-lime flavor. BURGER LOUNGE continued on pg. 5
2 | news
Volume 99, issue 97 | Tuesday , April 9, 2013
from CAR REBELS pg. 1
People are either without places to live or being accommodated by local families—who themselves live in extreme poverty,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees spokesman Adrian Edwards told journalist in Geneva. Reuters reported Seleka leaders have threatened to expel foreign forces, but Uganda will maintain its troops stationed in CAR. South African troops, on the other hand, will withdraw its forces because of the agreement with which they were deployed became void as a result of the
coup, Al Jazeera reported. During the March insurgency, soldiers among South Africa’s force defending the now— ousted regime spoke about their trauma after realizing they were shooting at children among the approximately 3,000 rebels, The Guardian reported. “It was only after the firing had stopped that we saw we had killed kids,” a soldier was quoted by South Africa’s Sunday Times. “We did not come here for this… to kill kids. It makes you sick. They were crying calling for help…calling for (their) mums.” Another soldier told the
2013 STAFF MEMBERS
paper, “We killed little boys… teenagers who should have been in school.” Xinhua reported an 18-month proposed transition period for the CAR by the Economic Community of Central African States. Leaders in the organization proposed the formation of a council to assume an executive role and of a constituent assembly for the transitional period. Without ECCAS’s recogniztion, Seleka leader, Michel Djotodia announced last Monday he would serve as both president and defense minister while rebels would fill other top posts.
The Daily Aztec is an independent, student-run newspaper published regularly Monday through Thursday, when classes are in session, and distributed on the campus of San Diego State.
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Art Director
World Beat Cathedral confrontation leaves one dead, many wounded One person was killed and 89 were reportedly injured on Sunday in a confrontation between Christians and Muslims at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in central Cairo, according to BBC News. After a funeral service for four Egyptian Christians killed in a religious altercation days prior, Christians reportedly began to chant anti-government slogans. Church worker Remon Wageh told Reuters he blamed radical Muslims for the violence because they stood behind policemen throwing rocks at the mourners. It’s believed that the Christians elevated the violence, smashing and setting private cars on fire, which prompted the Muslims living in the area to become angry. Firebombs and rocks were reportedly thrown at mourners. Muslim Ahmed Mahmoud told Reuters Christians shot at them with cartridge guns. BBC News reported the man killed was Christian. Police later arrived and fired tear gas into the cathedral compound. State news agency Middle East News Agency said two apartments and a café were set on fire by the firebombs. Social media news outlet for drugrelated violence to shut down after threats The Facebook page, “Valor por Tamaulipas” (Courage for Tamaulipas), which contains information about drug-related violence across the northwestern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, will be shut down by its anonymous creator. A paragraph informing of the site’s closure was posted on Sunday afternoon; it ceased to directly cite reasoning for the closure, but assumed the readers were aware of the cause. BBC Mundo reported that last February thousands of
fliers appeared throughout the state’s capital offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who could reveal the identity of the site’s creator or of his or her immediate family. The state of Tamaulipas is known as a “zone of silence” where news organizations have stopped covering drug-related violence and social media has become the sole outlet for this type of information. Topless Tunisian prompts feminist protests after receiving stoning menace Amina Tyler, a 19-year-old Tunisian activist who identified herself by her first name only, posted a topless photo of herself— with the words “F**k your morals” written on her chest—on the Ukrainebased Facebook page of the feminist group Femen. She has since been threatened with death by stoning. Last Thursday, International Topless Jihad Day had thousands of women across the world protesting outside Tunisian embassies and mosques in support of Amina, according to The Huffington Post; some women protested topless and wore fake beards and towels wrapped around their hair. The stoning threat came in Tunisian newspaper Kapitalis from Almi Adel, head of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. According to The Huffington Post, if Tyler committed the offense in Tunisia, she could be punished with up to two years in prison and fined up to 1,000 dinars. After Thursday’s protest, a group of Muslim women dismissed Femen as being “white colonial feminists,” and launched Muslim Women Against Femen, claiming the feminist group is Islamophobic. The group advised Femen to “take aim at male supremacy, not Islam.” –– Compiled by Staff Writer Arturo Garcia
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entertainment | 3
Tuesday, april 9, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 97
Henrick Ibsen’s classic play is thought-provoking
all the world’s a stage
David Dixon Assistant Entertainment Editor
Fans of theatre may know of the naturalistic drama, “A Doll’s House,” because of its famous ending, which was considered controversial in the 1800s. This knowledge doesn’t ruin the impact of The Old Globe’s production of Henrik Ibsen’s popular play. Set in the Helmer family parlor, Nora Helmer (Gretchen Hall) is in a seemingly happy marriage with a loving, but controlling husband, Torvald Helmer (Fred Arsenault). What Torvald doesn’t know is Nora is hiding a financial secret that could jeopardize their marriage. Ibsen’s script, which was translated and adapted by former San Diego State professor Anne-Charlotte Hanes Harvey, and also adapted and directed by Kirsten Brandt, opens with ironic humor. Similar to another Ibsen classic, “Hedda Gabler,” there are a lot of warped laughs at the expense of the female protagonists. This is because Nora starts out as a naive childlike adult and doesn’t realize her husband is keeping her from growing up. Once the information Nora is hiding from Torvald is revealed, morally ambiguous questions are presented—many of which are never completely answered, but are left up to interpretation. This is evident in the acclaimed final scene, which at first seems like the story is tied in a neat bow. However, it soon becomes clear that the conclusion is open-ended, with
many situations left unresolved. Sean Fanning’s scenery in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre is extremely detailed and serves a metaphorical purpose. The set symbolizes Nora’s materialistic world and, while the parlor looks nice, there’s something cold and artificial about it. Paul Peterson’s sound design adds symbolism with the audio footage of waves crashing. The purpose behind this is revealed in a monologue Nora gives near the unforgettable finale. Hall captures Nora’s naive innocence, as well as her neurosis about maintaining the appearance that everything in life is fine. Hall’s powerfully implosive performance is especially effective because of her subtle nuances. Arsenault, who’s married to Hall in real life, starts out as a man who seems generally calm and relaxed. In Act 2, Arsenault has to emote intense rage and fury, which was the darkest and most unnerving part of
the show. Of the supporting players, I was most impressed with Richard Baird, who plays Nils Krogstad, the man who knows about Nora’s indiscretion. Instead of portraying him as a heartless villain, Baird’s intensity allows spectators to understand why he would put Nora in jeopardy. Nisi Sturgis also stands out as Kristine Linde, a friend of Nora’s. Sturgis’ depiction of Kristine is sad but hopeful, for life was not as kind to her. Despite her harsh reality, Kristine acts as a moral compass for her childhood companion. With thought-provoking direction from Brandt, “A Doll’s House” packs a punch. What could have been a dry and dated period piece instead continues to make an emotional connection with the audience. Tickets and information about “A Doll’s House” can be found at theoldglobe.org.
courtesy of henry dirocco
courtesy of henry dirocco
4 | entertainment
Volume 99, issue 97 | Tuesday, april 9, 2013
‘Justified’ delivers, but ‘The Walking Dead’ dissapoints
nothing on Kevin Smead Entertainment Editor
Spring break is a transitional period. For some, it’s a transition from saying, “I’ll do it after spring break,” to simply, “F---.” For others, it’s a transition from having some dignity to having none at all thanks to poor decisions and too many shots of the cheapest, yet most plentiful alcohol at a party. Spring break is also a transitional period for many of our favorite TV shows. Many end, many more start. Oh, and something springy about flowers blooming and whatever. We all know what’s important, though: TV. Here’s a quick look back at some of the best shows that just ended. Read The Daily Aztec tomorrow for a preview of shows just getting started. Be forewarned. There are spoilers below. Looking Back “Justified,” Season 4 (FX) “Justified” is like the secret handshake of awesome TV. Not a whole lot of people know about it, but there’s always an instant connection among those who do. Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) is one of the most challenging, badass characters on TV today and Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) is so lovably complicated that it’s hard to look away. For those who’ve
unforgettable characters make “justified” one of the more entertaining series currrently on television .
never seen the show, “Justified” is set in rural Kentucky and follows the story of U.S. Marshal Raylan, as well as charming criminal Boyd. The fourth season of the show took viewers down a rabbit hole while chasing the fugitive Drew Thompson (Jim Beaver), hiding out as Shelby Parlow, who holds mob secrets that could potentially bring down the Detroit mafia, which is represented in the show by a host of exceptional characters. Overall, the plot was a bit complicated and sometimes convoluted. The writers clearly had interesting ideas they wanted to toy with and never did, as evidenced by the Preacher Billy (Joseph Mazello) side story, which appeared
as though it would become a main focus but petered out by the third episode. However, the season’s arc paid off in a number of ways. First, there were great character moments throughout the season and if there’s one thing “Justified” does better than any other show on TV, it’s weaving characters in and out seamlessly. The always sly and cutting Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns aka Jesse’s group leader on “Breaking Bad”) had some killer moments of dialogue with Boyd and his cousin Johnny. U.S. Marshal Tim Gutterson (Jacob Pitts, aka Cooper from “EuroTrip”) develops as a character through his conflict with another war vet, Colt, and got to show off his skills in “Decoy.”
even after three seasons , andrea (dallas roberts) is not as strong of a character on the tv series as she is in the comic book series .
courtesy of gene page , amc
chandler riggs portrays carl with dark intensity. he stands out, even in the underwhelming season finale .
courtesy of gene page , amc
courtesy of fx
Really, I could go on forever about these moments, but it really came down to the finale. The return of an angry Raylan was worth every episode leading up to the season’s payoff, which was phenomenal. Boyd has a new enemy, Raylan is in a dark place and while some resolution was offered with the Detroit mob, there’s still trouble in Harlan County and I can’t wait to go back. “The Walking Dead” should take a few notes on how to end a season from “Justified.” This brings me to my next show… “The Walking Dead,” Season 3 (AMC) Yikes. Where to begin? Mixed emotions can’t even begin to describe how I felt about the third season of this once beloved show. While I could expound on all the issues this show faced, it really all boils down to one: Andrea (Dallas Roberts). Andrea, Andrea, Andrea. She’s the character viewers love to hate because she’s just so poorly written. She can’t make a decision to save her life (literally) and essentially comes across as overly emotional and totally useless. This is just baffling because her comic book counterpart is such a strong, well-written female character who transforms into a sharpshooting zombie hunter. Why the show runners decided to go in this awful direction, I’ll never know. In the finale, we got a redemption for Michonne (Danai Gurira)—another character who initially suffered the same problem as Andrea—with an outright, “Sorry for sucking so much” apology to Rick that sort of
felt like the producers were speaking to the audience directly. However, to be fair, most of the season and the adaptations from the graphic novel weren’t awful, per se. I actually loved David Morrissey’s portrayal of The Governor. He was far more sympathetic and interesting than his comic book counterpart. That is up until he massacred his whole crew. Still. Morrissey’s acting was top-notch and the writing for his character made sense. The same goes for Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Easily the best addition to the show, Daryl proves week in and week out that he’s an incredible asset to the team, and his relationship with his brother was one of the best storylines this season. Rewatch Merle Dixon’s death scene and tell me you didn’t cry when Daryl cried. Brilliant stuff. I just wish this show wasn’t so frustratingly confusing in the adaptation department. These characters are written so well, it doesn’t make sense to throw major changes at the audience when they’re clearly for the worse. The strongest parts of the show are those adapted directly from the comics, such as Carl’s descent into a dark, survivalist mindset. Chandler Riggs nails this extremely difficult role and I’m intrigued to see what he will do next season. As for now, having the finale hinge on Andrea’s death was weak and letting The Governor get away sets up some interesting scenarios, but this show has yet to prove it’s willing to capitalize on these big openings. I hope the producers don’t choose the path of trying to change things for the worse.
the governor (david morrissey ) is a memorably unsympathetic villain .
courtesy of gene page , amc
features | 5
Tuesday, april 9, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 97 from BURGER LOUNGE page 1
It may seem fairly ridiculous to talk up something as simple as soda, but seriously—this is some good soda. The bright, citrusy lemon and lime flavors really pop, giving it much more flavor than Sprite or Sierra Mist. It was quite refreshing on a hot Saturday afternoon. Ultimately, however, I wasn’t there for organic soda. The real mettle of Burger Lounge would have to be shown through, well, its burgers. Mine didn’t disappoint. My plate was brought in a timely manner, with the burger accompanied by a heap of onion rings and french fries. Simply put, the burger was delicious. Every ingredient was extremely fresh and tasty. The patty was juicy, flavorful and just the right shade of pink inside. The organic white cheddar cheese blanketed the patty, covering nearly all of it. The romaine lettuce and tomato were both cold and crisp, contrasting nicely with the hot patty and grilled onions. The house-made Thousand Island dressing put a great finishing touch on the burger, bringing all the ingredients together with its subtle yet robust flavors. The buns, though not toasted, were fresh, light and spongy and the decently sized burger was thick and heavy. The overall quality of the Lounge Burger was satisfying, to say the least. The onion rings and fries were worthy complements to the burger. The rings were fresh and crispy, and didn’t fall apart upon first bite. They were golden brown, perfectly toasted,
sprinkled with parsley flakes and absolutely delicious. Likewise, the fries were also sprinkled with parsley flakes and were tasty. However, there wasn’t anything special about them, and the onion rings were far superior in both freshness and overall taste. The menu at Burger Lounge sticks to the minimalist decor and theme of the restaurant, but has enough options to keep everyone satisfied. Among the choices are a free-range turkey burger and an organic quinoa veggie burger for health-conscious customers. Adventurous burger enthusiasts can try a grass-fed elk burger. Salads are also an option. Aztecs may have seen multiple Burger Lounges throughout San Diego County. Locations include Coronado, Gaslamp, Hillcrest, Kensington, La Jolla and Little Italy, with a Del Mar branch coming soon, according to the restaurant’s website. Although Burger Lounge is a chain, the quality, freshness and atmosphere put it a step above typical fastfood burger joints. The Hillcrest location was clean and modern, and the corner location on University and 4th avenues makes it feel like an exclusive neighborhood burger restaurant. There is a relatively small amount of seating indoors with windows facing the street, although more seating is available outside on the patio area. The prices are a bit more expensive than the usual burger place, but for all of the aforementioned reasons, Burger Lounge is worth spending the extra money on.
caitlin johnson , staff writer
caitlin johnson , staff writer
Urban Plate offers healthy food at an affordable price
tasty tuesday Sheena Jafari Contributor
sheena jafari , contributor
When I go to a restaurant, I always leave in an infamous food coma. Restaurants are constantly being associated with fatty foods, and it’s time San Diegans see a fresh restaurant leaning toward a healthy lifestyle. Nestled inside the newly renovated and luxurious Del Mar Highlands Town Center located in Carmel Valley, Urban Plates is definitely on the list of new restaurants to try. With indoor and outdoor seating, UP shows off its vibrant and colorful ambiance in a unique and old-fashioned way. UP gives a variety of healthy options along with great
sheena jafari , contributor
quality food for an afordable price and serves its customers with healthy and contemporary food choices. With its motto “Farm to plate and won’t break the bank,” UP is a place to get fresh produce from local farms straight to the plate. I entered the clear double doors and immediately noticed the furniture. The chairs were pieces of old metal along square wooden tables, giving it a rustic feel. Inside UP, one immediately notices wide-open spaces along with an open kitchen and a front-row view of the tasty fresh products to select from. I ordered my meal and it reminded me of an upscale cafeteria. UP has no waiters and the self-serving layout is just one way customers don’t have to spend those few extra bucks on tips. “Who wouldn’t want to go to a place where you eat a healthy meal and pay no more than $12” local customer Nahid Fakhri said. With $10 sandwiches and chicken or steak entrees to $5 organic soups and pizzettes, nothing should prevent customers from enjoying a hearty meal. My romaine lettuce salad was topped with organic baby spinach, cucumbers, mint and candied walnuts drizzled with white balsamic vinaigrette. During my visit, local customers constantly came in to get a bite to eat. Most were students just getting out of school and others were health conscious men and women in gym attire waiting to eat something healthy. Locals Poupak and Fardin Eshraghi are regular UP customers who brought their three children to the eatery. “I always come here after a long workout at the gym,” Poupak Eshraghi said. Her husband elaborated, “What mainly intrigued me about UP is the
freshness and great quality food for a price that I couldn’t resist,” Fardin Eshraghi said. Not only does UP have a wide variety of organic products, it also has an array of mouth watering desserts in its bakery. The bakery consists of treats ranging from cakes and juicy lemon bars to soft chocolate chip cookies. All are butter-free or organic. I have a big sweet tooth and couldn’t resist getting a butter-free, chocolate chip cookie. The cookie was the size of two hands with chocolate chunks the size of quarters. When biting into the cookie, it felt as though I was biting into a savory cloud of chocolate goodness. The best part about this restaurant is even the desserts are healthy. If that isn’t enough, the beverages are organic: sodas, coffees, teas and lemonades. UP is known for its local craft beers and wines along with its specialty organic lemonades. Its tasty organic antioxidant ginseng mint green tea is a favorite among customers. With such an array of choices from entrees to the bakery in addition to the beverages, UP is giving locals a choice to take a healthy route. UP is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends. During lunch, the restaurant gets a little hectic and seating becomes scarce. UP has also given children the option to eat healthy. The kids’ menu includes grilled cheese with organic wheat bread and organic pepperoni or cheese pizzettes. Parents shouldn’t hesitate to bring their children to enjoy food at UP. Eating at a restaurant is one thing, but feeling full and knowing you ate something healthy is another, and that makes UP unlike its competitors.
6 | opinion
Volume 99, issue 97 | Tuesday, april 9, 2013
SDSU replacing party reputation with academic rank
campus
S
an Diego State tends to be the butt of jokes at other local universities. I’m sure most students and faculty have heard the negative stereotypes of the school, such as the nickname “STDSU.” In fact, the definition of STDSU on urbandictionary. com is listed as SDSU. The stereotype regarding sexually transmitted diseases comes from a 2007 syphilis outbreak on campus. The STD rate at SDSU has been rumored to be one out of four but there is no valid survey or data to prove it. It gets blown out of proportion at times on the “SDSU Confessions” Facebook page and by stereotypes about sororities and fraternities. The urbandictionary.com definition also blows two other SDSU stereotypes out of proportion: It’s a wild party school and
a fourth-tier academic school. The school earned its reputation as a party school—ranked No. 26 nationally by Fiesta Frog for top party schools—but there’s more to SDSU than a bunch of parties on weekends. What’s lost in this stereotype is that partying is a part of college life in virtually any public university. Schools praised for academics, such as University of California Santa Barbara, rank higher than SDSU among party schools on the same list. Such stereotypes cast a misleading light about what SDSU really stands for. While there certainly isn’t a shortage of parties here, judging the school based on how many keggers its student body has is not a valid way to determine the quality of education a student receives here. While many students do party, they are also finishing their schoolwork. In fact, statistics show SDSU is a
surprisingly successful academic school. Among first-time freshmen, the school has a 66 percent bachelor’s degree graduation rate for students who finish within six years, the second highest in the California State University system next to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. SDSU is also tied for the third highest retention rate at 89 percent. Furthermore, the graduation rate nationally for public institutions is 55 percent, which SDSU easily surpasses. Some people might dismiss this statistic by arguing the school offers easy classes. However, a deeper look reveals SDSU is a tough school to get into, with impacted majors ensuring students are already successful once admitted. SDSU has the third lowest freshmen acceptance rate in the CSU system and incoming freshmen had an
average 3.6 high school GPA. While these numbers aren’t as high as UC San Diego, comparing the two schools is like comparing apples and oranges. UCSD, similar to all schools in the UC system, is meant to be a top-tier academic school and is challenging for many lower-income students to afford. SDSU has many nationally top-ranked programs, such as business administration and research. US News and World Report ranked the campus’ undergraduate and graduate business programs among the nation’s best for 2012 and 2013. The school has also been designated as a “research university with high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Testing and received more than $1.5 billion in grants and contracts for research since 2000. The school also ranks high in
programs such as education, psychology and public affairs, as well as being highly ranked in ethnic diversity. Not every school has to be a first-tier academic school to be a good school. Those schools would be nice to attend if they were affordable. However, just because there are higher tier universities does not make SDSU bad. The fact is, SDSU is one of many good universities in San Diego, and one of the highest-ranked schools in the CSU system. Stereotypes tend to distort the images of the school and should not be taken seriously. Don’t buy into them or perpetuate them more than they already are. SDSU is more than just a party scene; it’s an academic institution no different, if not better, than most universities of its kind.
—Staff columnist Matthew Smith is a single subject teaching graduate
antonio zaragoza , editor in chief
Beware uranium leaking into SD’s drinking water environment
I
n the 1940s and 1950s, Arizona was the site of a major mining boom. The miners were looking for uranium, a precious ore that would change the course of world history. Radioactive uranium was one of the most coveted substances during the beginning of the Cold War. Now, however, this radioactive rock is leaking into and tainting the water supply of 30 million people. Radioactivity in our water simply isn’t acceptable. San Diego receives approximately 50 percent of its water supply from the Colorado River. The water travels through pipelines and aqueducts across the
300 miles of desert landscape before it is pumped into one of three San Diego water treatment plants. However, before it gets to San Diego, the water comes from the region near the Colorado River. The largest tributary of the Colorado River is Kanab Creek. Within the creek’s tributary area are multiple abandoned uranium mines, among them is one in the Kanab North. “Total breccia-pipe uranium production as of Dec. 31, 2010 has been more than 10,700 metric tons (23.5 million pounds) from ore … derived from nine underground mines, eight of which are north of Grand Canyon near Kanab Creek,”
geologists Jon Spencer and Karen Wenrich, who studied the impact of uranium on the Colorado River for the Arizona Geological Survey, said. The Kanab North mine is ripe for uranium leaks. It was mined for two years and then abandoned for maintenance, according to a 2010 field study by the U.S. Geological Survey. Within the mine’s complex, the research team found the waste pond’s sludge to have more than 1,800 parts per million of radioactive uranium. To put this into perspective, the Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level for uranium in drinking water is 30 parts per billion. Across this mine complex
runs a small drainage that flows toward the cliff 150 feet away and down into Kanab Creek. Just like that, the water supply is tainted. This is just one of several abandoned mines leaking contaminants into our water supply. Yet, the water we consume here in San Diego is considered safe. “All treated water served in San Diego County meets or exceeds rigorous state and federal water quality regulations,” according to the San Diego County Water Authority’s website. The radioactive uranium concentration in the water from the three San Diego water treatment plants averages 1.6 to 2.1 picocuries per liter, the measure of radioactivity in water. The EPA
allows up to 20 pCi/L. However, I’m not going to trust so much as a single picocurie of radioactivity in my water. Consumption of radioactive uranium exceeding EPA standards can lead to increased risk of internal radiation, liver damage and cancer, according to the EPA. A small amount of uranium ingested can stay in the consumer’s bones for years. So, until drinking radioactive water is proven to result in super powers, such as shooting spiderwebs out of one’s wrists or telepathy, I prefer to guzzle my water out of a bottle.
—Staff columnist Kiersten Ridgel is a journalism junior
opinion | 7
Tuesday, april 9, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 97
Later last call keeps money tap open for local bars
local
F
or many years now, major cities, including New York, Chicago and Las Vegas, have allowed alcohol to be readily purchased at bars throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning. However, this isn’t the case in San Diego…yet. Current California law prohibits late-night service past 2 a.m., but San Francisco Democratic Sen. Mark Leno is hoping to break these boundaries. He is the author of Senate Bill 635, which would allow local establishments to expand their alcohol services until 4 a.m. “This legislation would allow destination cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego to start local conversations about the possibility of expanding nightlife and the benefits it could provide the community by boosting jobs, tourism and local tax revenue,” Leno said in a statement. At this point in the global economy, the U.S. has moved from manufacturing to the service industry; tourism and nightlife are now a huge part of the revenue for large cities. Leno said the bill is largely economically based and would allow these cities to compete with other major metropolises for the large tourism market. Take a trip to the Gaslamp Quarter or Pacific Beach and you’ll see they’re popular bar and club scenes. More often than not, people are jam-packed to the walls, drinking and dancing away into the night. When you consider that current California law prohibits establishments from serving alcohol past 2 a.m.,
this means bar goers are leaving at around the same time. This general closing time puts unnecessary stress on numerous parts of the San Diego infrastructure, including transportation and police resources. With all the bars’ clientele leaving at the same time to drive or hail a taxi the city is forced to invest a significant amount of time and resources into mass DUI checkpoints and responding to traffic accidents as a result of the large rush of people. Allowing bars to stay open later would effectively deter some of these problems.
If bars are granted later hours, people would trickle out, rather than leave in a mass exodus. It would put significantly less strain on the police force. Some argue putting potentially drunk drivers on the road at 4 a.m. rather than 2 a.m. is a terrible idea because these drivers would be a risk to early morning work commuters. In response, I suggest some sort of Breathalyzer test for the patrons leaving the bar after a certain time, and any that don’t pass get a taxi called. It would be a minor inconvenience for
the patrons, who would know ahead of time. It would be somewhat obnoxious, but it’s a middle ground I think could help promote safety. Besides these possible benefits, there’s also employment. Bars or clubs that are allowed or choose to extend their service hours are going to need additional employees. This could mean either more hours for current employees or, if that becomes too much, new hires. This bill not only helps the thirsty patrons, but helps employees too. More employees or hours worked
means less unemployment and money that will go right back into our local economy. Even though this bill is new to California, it’s not a new concept in itself. We have seen it successfully enacted in other cities, to the cities’ benefit. California is generally considered to be an innovative state, always pushing the limits or trying the newest things first, and it’s about time California caught up.
—Contributor Sheridan Reed is a sociology junior
dustin michelson , senior staff photographer
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8 | BACKPAGE
Volume 99, issue 97 | TUESday, APRIL 9, 2013
The burden of arrogance fiction Lauren Yap
Features Editor
Joseph was the fastest, strongest and handsomest boy in his entire village—and he knew it. His egotistical banter flowed as a steady stream of boastfulness. His accomplishments were more than modest, but Joseph only found fulfillment with constant validation. However, he soon realized people grew weary of his tales, so he began to embellish the details. His overstatements soon turned to exaggerations and, eventually became complete fabrications. He bragged of wrestling sea monsters although he’d never seen one. He told of scaling mountains although he’d never been outside of the town. One foggy day, Joseph was bragging to some locals about his latest conquest when an old woman frantically ran toward him. She breathlessly explained her granddaughter Emily was stuck in a tree on a nearby island. The log bridge had been swept away with the tide and Emily had climbed the tree to escape the rising water and she knew Joseph was the only person in town who could swim. “Please, will you help my Emily,” she pleaded. Joseph, confident of his abilities, agreed to rescue the child. “Bring me to her. Surely I can save her,” he bellowed. Joseph, along with a gaggle of curious onlookers, ventured to the shore at the edge of town. The tree was one he’d never seen before and stood alone on a small island, separated from the town by a wide, rapid river. The tree leaves extended above the clouds into daunting obscurity. This was no ordinary plant, but an enchanted one, that much was sure. Joseph made every effort to conceal his fear and carefully swam to the island with encouragement from the cheering crowd and began ascending the trunk. The trek was difficult and seemed to stretch for miles, surely a much easier climb for a girl with tiny feet and small stature. “Help!” a distant whisper called down to Joseph. “Please!” Emily’s whimpering cries and Joseph’s heartbeat grew louder and louder. Joseph spotted her clinging
to a narrow tree branch. He was too bulky to scale the branch, so he reached out to the girl. “Give me your hand!” Joseph yelled. But Emily just shook her head and covered her eyes. A rare thought occurred to Joseph: He needed help. A boost, or a rope would be just enough to reach Emily. He could find a boat and bring over some other men to help. “No,” he thought, “I have to do this myself or everyone will think me a coward.” Rather than risk his reputation, Joseph climbed onto the branch. His weight was too much—the branch snapped. Joseph quickly grasped an adjacent branch, but it was too late for Emily. He watched in horror as she fell from the treetop and was swept under by the waters below. He dived into the water to save her, but Emily was nowhere to be found. The foliage and fog had obscured what had happened from the onlooking villagers. Joseph knew he couldn’t admit the truth. “Those people believed I’ve slain dragons, how will they understand what has happened?” he thought aloud. Humiliated and prideful, Joseph climbed up the tree again until he reached its peak. He stayed there until nightfall, once the last of the confused villagers had returned home. In the distance, he saw Emily’s grandmother crying. He could not face the shame that night and decided to remain in the forest to concoct a compelling story. Joseph pitched a hammock, but found no rest. He tossed and turned until he eventually fell into a sleeplike state. In a vision, he saw Emily. Her eyes were no longer fearful, but calm and purposeful. “I forgive you, Joseph,” she whispered. “I can see goodness in your heart, but it is hidden under arrogance that I will help you escape.” A startling sunrise awakened Joseph from his dream, although he felt he hadn’t slept a wink. The next morning, he climbed down the tree and made his way back into town. The villagers rushed toward him, eager to learn of Emily’s whereabouts. Joseph began to explain his ruse. “I had rescued Emily from the tree
when a sea monster snatched us and took us to its underwater lair. I was able to escape, but not after the beast killed the poor girl.” The naive and sympathetic townspeople believed the tale, but as soon as the words left Joseph’s mouth, something felt different. He had projected the story with fortitude, yet the words came out at a weak volume. Later, Joseph went to the tavern and insisted on telling a story about how he had once outran a pack of wolves. However, once again, his words were faint. This continued throughout the day until Joseph has a painful realization: Every time he lied his voice became fainter. He was simultaneously baffled and infuriated. “How could this be?” he wondered. “What’s happening to me?” It was then he realized his dream was not a dream at all. Emily had cursed him somehow. Any sympathy he felt for her evaporated and was replaced by uncontrollable rage. From that point on, he tried to be truthful, but the lies seemed to escape his lips before he had time to stop them. Eventually, his voice became so soft that his audience could barely understand him. He felt his lies forming a prison he couldn’t escape, so he decided to retreat to the forest and live the rest of his days in quiet solitude. Decades later, he returned to the village as an old, transformed man. He had learned the value of honesty and simplicity and was no longer resentful, but immensely grateful for his curse. It had been nearly 50 years since that fateful day and now he was dying. Joseph made his way to the enchanted tree where Emily had died years ago and laid a bouquet of roses at the roots. He closed his eyes and whispered, “I have no greater accomplishment than the humility you taught me.” And with his final breath, Joseph smiled peacefully, knowing he would see Emily again soon and have the opportunity to thank her.
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HOROSCOPE
by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services
Today’s Birthday (4/9/13) - Look within this year to unlock potential. Swap new practices for outdated ones. Communications seem turbo-charged until summer, when focus shifts from outward to home-based. Pay debt, and review insurance and investments. Tame excess energy with exercise. Contributing with family, community and friends enlivens. Add laughter as a practice. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 - Listen carefully to songs that show you the way. Ultimately, you choose your direction. Your obsession with details comes in handy. Hidden treasures get revealed. Your subconscious mind is a great problem-solver. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Wait until later to discuss an upcoming purchase. A benefactor appears. Listen to all the concerns. Watch out for hidden expenses. Anticipate surprises ... fireworks, even. Get everyone on the same page. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - Discover a big question. Think about it a while longer. Notice changes before being told. Your reputation precedes you. Conditions are unsettled. Settle in for some cozy nesting and ponder. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 - Paint a stroke of genius without skipping a beat. Blend optimism into the syncopation. The result isn’t as imagined. Keep practicing. Enjoy the day. Adventure beckons. Go ahead and get loud! Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - It’s not a good time to gamble, especially not with savings. Curl up somewhere cozy with your homework. There’s more time for fun later. Fix up your place after. Celebrate finishing with something delicious. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an
8 - Invest in home, and improve your living conditions. Take care of a water problem. Consider options, and ask probing questions. Call for a vote. Encourage a genius. Tempers could flare. Results surprise. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - Collect on invoices, and encourage others to focus. Appeal to their intellects. Persuade with charm; bullying and nagging won’t work. The possibility of error is high, so take it slow. A new idea improves your confidence. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 9 - Look for ways to make more money. Schedule private time, too. Walk around the neighborhood. Break out of your shell! Sell at a profit. Follow your intuition. Change direction intuitively. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Modifications are required after you discover a mess. You’re very persuasive now, though conditions are unstable. Show your calm under pressure. Use humor. Make an amazing discovery, as the truth comes out. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is an 8 - There’s a startling development. Keep digging to get to the bottom of it. Offer encouragement and an inviting proposition. Release an old assumption for a new perspective. Travel another day. Switch up your routine. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - Your determination pays off, and there’s a sudden shift in your material position. Join a good team. Expand your portfolio with color. Defer gratification, and avoid reckless spending. Hang with friends later. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 9 - More work now leads to more comfort later. You’re good at solving puzzles. Ask informational questions. Charge forward and surprise everyone. Disrupt the status quo. Continue to produce results. The impact stuns. Proceed with caution. ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
SUDOKU
by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services
Difficulty Level: 2 out of 4 Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
FREAKIN’ TWEET! CROSSWORD Across 1 Send payment 6 Utter angrily, as insults 10 Cameron of “Knight and Day” 14 Compensate (for) 15 On the briny 16 Dope from a booth? 17 Grocery bag option 18 Narrow inlets 19 1944 invasion city 20 Patient’s therapeutic shriek 23 For free 26 Groundbreaking old Fords 27 Multivolume ref. 28 It’s right on a map 31 Mentalist’s alleged ability, briefly 32 Tiny data storage device 35 Old-timey word of woe 39 Cowgirl Dale 40 Forest feller 41 Garlicky spread 42 Thinker Descartes 43 Uprising at Leavenworth, e.g. 45 Old name for Tokyo 47 Sports pg. number 48 St. Louis-to-Chicago dir. 49 Open courtyards 53 Warnings from a tickedoff tabby 55 Comical sort, like the last word of 20-, 32- or 43-Across 58 New Age pianist John 59 Tavern flier 60 “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” for one 64 Aid in a caper 65 Trees with split-resistant wood 66 Himalayan land 67 Optimistic 68 Bacon buy 69 ‘50s-’60s TV beatnik Maynard G. __ Down 1 Jay-Z’s genre 2 LAX listing
/ THEDailyAztec by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 3 Swiffer product 4 All thumbs 5 Scotty and Jack Russell 6 Do damage to 7 Old Voice of America org. 8 Kingdom 9 Caught at a rodeo 10 Tumbledown condition 11 What spies gather, for short 12 G sharp equivalent 13 Close-up lenses 21 Words to an old chap 22 Music store buys 23 Mayberry’s Pyle 24 Christopher who played Superman 25 Slogan writer 29 Melee memento 30 Urban cruisers 33 U-turn
34 Sit for a spell 36 Pork cuts 37 How most writers work 38 Webmaster’s creations 41 Designed to defeat a Panzer, say 43 Scented hair ointments 44 Waikiki’s island 46 “Like, no-brainer!” 49 Hitching post? 50 Martial arts-based workout 51 Slick tricks 52 Sweater size 54 Passover feast 56 “__ la Douce” 57 Govt. crash investigator 61 “Great” simian 62 Chatter 63 Golfer Ernie