11-06-2012

e pluribus unum

DECISION2012 VOLUME 99, ISSUE 41

vs. “the great new hope”

VOTE or die

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NEWS

Tuesday November 6, 2012 The Daily Aztec

Clinton endorses candidate Filner

local

Alicia Chavez Staff Writer

Former President Bill Clinton endorsed Democratic Rep. Bob Filner for the next Mayor of San Diego Mayor last Wednesday.

According to KPBS, Filner said he occasionally speaks with the former president, who is aware of several issues regarding the city. While Clinton was president, he visited San Diego often.

“As president, I worked with Bob to save San Diego taxpayers over $3 billion and secured funding for construction of the Veteran’s Home,” Clinton said in a recorded phone call released by Filner’s campaign. “Bob has the experience to move San Diego forward.”

Filner and Clinton have had a working relationship for many years.

They worked together to secure funding for a sewage treatment

plant in the Tijuana River Valley, as well as the Veterans Home of Chula Vista. They also worked together to hire more public safety workers at the local level by crafting legislation and using federal money, according to KPBS. In the recording, Clinton urged voters to support Filner’s mayoral candidacy.

“As a Freedom Rider in the 1960s, Bob showed he had the courage to do what’s right and that’s exactly what he’ll do as the mayor of San Diego,” Clinton said in the recording.

In return, Filner said he was proud to work with Clinton during his former term on strengthening relations with Mexico.

“He (Clinton) represents the kind of bipartisan cooperation that puts problem-solving ahead of politics, and that’s the kind of mayor I will be for San Diego,” Filner said.

Filner said he already has support

mct campus

Democratic Rep. Bob Filner received an endorsement from former President Bill Clinton last week. Filner is running to be the next San Diego mayor in today’s election.

from five San Diego City Council members and numerous other elected officials, including mayors and top officials.

“The mayor has to work with

SDSU offers new PT programs campus

David Hernandez Staff Writer

San Diego State now offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Already generating high hopes, the inaugural class began its studies this semester.

The California State University Chancellor’s Office appproved the DPT degree program at SDSU this fall. The approval was made partially because the desire for a physical therapy program was voiced by the clinical community.

“The clinical community has wanted this for 20 or 30 years,” DPT Program Director Mitchell Rauh said. “They’ve tried several times unsuccessfully.”

The first two years of the program includes didactic instruction, while the last year is spent gaining clinical experience.

The program also includes a comprehensive exam and a

these people,” Filner told KPBS. “They know me, they have confidence in me, and they support my candidacy.”

Along with other prominent state

DA imposter exposed editorial

J. Hutton Marshall summer clinical clerkship.

Rauh said having more physical therapists will help the community.

“In the next 10 to 30 years, we’re going to have an influx of baby boomers needing both orthopedic and neurologic care. Therefore, the demand for physical therapist will be high,” Rauh said.

The program will target the community and will be able to adjust to current needs, Rauh added.

The students in the inaugural DPT course are diverse, and come from various backgrounds including physical therapy, kinesiology and business Rauh said.

Rauh incorporated a position for student president in the program.

He noticed in his educational career the importance of having a leader in a program. In addition, he also wants the program to be

well represented at college student functions.

“I’m excited that I get to be part of the inaugural class,” President of the physical therapy class Brittany Pogue said.

“As the president, I think the biggest thing for me is to be a good leader and role model for the other students, and to bring about different things we can all do together to bond, whether it be study groups or fun things we can do to take our minds off school for a little bit,” she added.

Pogue said her class wants to influence and work together with the health care professional population on campus.

“We’ve done it with the Future Athletic Trainers Society,” Pogue said. “We got together with them and they taught us something in their field and we taught them something in our field.”

christopher b . keller , staff photographer

DPT Program Director Mitchell Rauh and President of physical therapy class Brittany Pogue forsee a bright future for the program.

Democrats, Gov. Jerry Brown and current mayor Jerry Sanders also endorsed Filner.

Managing Editor

Last August, a local law office hosted a news conference in which several big-name San Diego Democratic politicians attended. The event focused around Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer’s endorsement of congressional candidate Scott Peters.

While the press was invited, the event was fairly exclusive. Journalists were asked to RSVP in order to get past the event’s security.

No one from The Daily Aztec RSVP’d. However, one young man, allegedly San Diego State student Jonathan Staab, approached one of Peters’ campaign interns working at the event and claimed he was a reporter from The Daily Aztec. In reality, he was there as a tracker for the Republican Party. Staab’s job was to attend and video record Peters’ public appearances during his campaign.

Staab’s press credentials weren’t checked, and Communications Director of the Peters campaign and SDSU graduate MaryAnne Pintar let Staab in the event, despite his name not being on the guest list.

“I felt like I wanted to let him in because he’s my alma mater and a journalism student,” Pintar said.

“We let him come in, and I asked him again and he said he was a student who worked for The Daily Aztec.”

He was allowed into the law office to participate in the news conference, but it wasn’t long before his identity was revealed.

“A member of another Democratic campaign approached me and asked, ‘Why did you let the Republican party tracker in?’ They pointed (Staab) out to me,” Pintar said.

Pintar approached Staab and asked whether he was actually representing The Daily Aztec. For the third time, he asserted he was. She asked for a fourth time, and he finally came clean.

“He finally said ‘No, I work for the Republican Party,’” Pintar said.

“This really caught me by surprise, since we asked him once, twice, three times on a secure floor, at a law office, with security, and he flat-out lied to get in.”

He was asked to leave, but continues to attend all of Peters’ events open to the public. Pintar said the Peters campaign doesn’t hold anything against him.

“What’s troubling to me is that people who should know better asked a young man, presumably a student, to flat-out lie in order to get into an event that’s supposed to be a secure one,” Pintar said.

Todd Mitchel, the campaign manager for Peters’ incumbent opponent, Brian Bilbray, said there’s no connection between Staab and Bilbray’s campaign.

“He doesn’t represent us, and we don’t pay him,” Mitchel said.

Secretary of the Republican Party of San Diego County, Derrick Roach couldn’t pinpoint Staab’s employer either.

“If he was an employee of the (Republican Party of San Diego County), I would know,” Roach said.

“It’s possible he’s a volunteer and I just haven’t met him.”

On Staab’s Facebook page, it states he’s a student at SDSU. It also lists two employers, the Republican Party and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Trackers, according to Pintar, follow candidates of the opposition party simply in the hopes to capture that “gotcha” moment. Perhaps Staab was hoping to capture some behindclosed-doors comments detrimental to the Peters campaign that would parallel Gov. Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” comments at his thought-tobe private fundraiser.

“I know the Bilbray’s, and to me, I don’t think that’s something they would condone,” Roach said.

“They’ve been around too long to get involved in that stuff.”

Regardless of which office signs his paychecks, he was clearly there, under false pretenses, aiding the Republican Party and their interest in the congressional race between Peters and Bilbray. While it’s unclear whether Bilbray or his staff were aware of this, whose payroll Staab is on or if he was told to lie about his identity to get into the private event supporting a democratic candidate, it doesn’t bode well for those attempting to deny the rampant dishonesty that dominates modern-day elections.

NEWS

Tuesday November 6, 2012 the daily aztec

Tradition of Dia de los Muertos lives on at SDSU

campus

Antonio Zaragoza Editor in Chief

Faculty, staff and students celebrated Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, last week in the Arts and Letters building. The holiday, recognized in many parts of the world, is strictly observed in Mexico, where it is considered a national holiday. Banks and

businesses are closed and students do not attend school.

The traditionally catholic holiday, which coincides with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2 respectively, is a time for family members and friends to remember loved ones who have passed away. Scholars trace the Mexican holiday back to indigenous celebrations more than 2,500

years ago. Aspects of the modernday celebration are attributed to the Aztec festival honoring the goddess Mictecacihuatl, ruler of the afterlife and caretaker of the bones of the dead. Skeletal effigies are a prominent theme during the celebration, as are colorful displays and artwork. Throughout the celebration, large shrines of intricate artisan works—which contain skeletons in various forms—candles and photographs of lost loved ones are constructed.

The displays are bright and colorful, with some observers even painting their faces to resemble skeletons.

The Chicano and Chicana Studies Department Chair Norma Iglesias-Prieto hosted the event and discussed its importance with students and faculty in attendance.

“We are here to honor our lost loved ones, but we are also here to create this tradition and generate critical thinking with our students,” Iglesias-Prieto said.

“This year, we are dedicating the altar to critical reflections on what is going on with the educational system in California.”

Students and faculty were asked to construct the altar to reflect the current state of higher learning and create relevant artwork for universities and students across

antonio zaragoza , editor in chief

Cynthia Torres celebrates Dia de los Muertos in full traditional garb. Many students and staff painted their faces and wore extravagant clothing to embrace the tradition.

3

California.

Traditional sweet bread called Pan de Muertos (bread of the dead) and coffee were served, maintaining the celebratory tradition. Guests were entertained by the singing of Chicano and Chicana studies lecturer Coral MacFarland and renowned guitarist Jaime Valle.

Both performed traditional Mexican musical pieces to a large crowd that gathered for the festivities.

“It’s very exciting to be here, because the Chicano and Chicana studies department has made an incredible interactive display— which you can come, touch and explore,” MacFarland said.

The altar is displayed on the third floor of the Arts and Letters building and is open to all students and faculty.

antonio zaragoza , editor in chief

Chicano and Chicana studies lecturer, Coral MacFarland sings while guitarist Jaime Valle plays traditional Mexican songs. The Dia de los Muertos event was celebrated in Arts and Letters by students, faculty and staff.

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Tuesday November 6, 2012 The Daily Aztec

proposition 30

VOTER yes no

Jerry Brown’s Tax Increase The temporary tax increases created by Proposition 30 would go

The Daily Aztec endorses the following positions in California’s 11 propositions

a long way toward easing the fiscal pain in California. Public higher education, including San Diego State, faces devastating trigger cuts if this proposition fails. California voters must take on slightly higher taxes to preserve the future of education in the state.

proposition 31

yes no

proposition 36

yes no

Modification of the Three-Strikes Law The three-strikes law unnecessarily sentenced individuals from 25 years to life for nonviolent and nonserious felonies. This contributes

Two-Year State Budget Cycle

to massive overcrowding in California prisons and expensive housing

This proposition is a well-intentioned, but unnecessarily over=reaching,

of increasingly older inmates. Proposition 36 eliminates increased

attempt to reform the state government. While it does contain some

sentencing and allows for resentencing for felons accused of nonviolent

valuable ideas, the complexity of Proposition 31 makes it ripe for

and nonserious third strikes, saving at least $70 million a year.

unintended consequences, which could hobble the government’s ability to react during future fiscal crises.

proposition 32

yes no

proposition 37 Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food

Ban on Corporate and Union Contributions to State and Local Candidates

Consumers have a right to know what they are eating, which Proposition

This misleading proposition claims to stop special interests. In reality,

37 guarantees by requiring companies to label genetically modified

by banning money collected through automatic paycheck deductions

organisms. Massive food production companies, led by Monsanto Co.,

in elections, it cripples unions. Meanwhile, corporations are free to

are fighting fiercely against labeling. Whether GMOs are unhealthy

contribute unlimited amounts of money to political action committees

has yet to be resolutely proven, but consumers aren’t guinea pigs

without the counterbalance unions traditionally provide.

companies can use to find out.

proposition 33

yes no

yes no

proposition 38

Car Insurance Persistency Discount

Molly Munger’s State Income Tax Increase for Education

This proposition allows insurance companies to offer discounts to

Propositions 30 and 38 both seek to increase revenue for education

drivers who have had insurance continuously for at least five years.

in California. Proposition 38 does so by increasing the income tax for

It also allows them to charge higher prices to individuals who, for

most taxpayers in the state for 12 years. However, that money is set for

whatever reason, didn’t have continuous coverage. This would directly

early child care and schools K-12 leaving public four-year institutions

hurt students and people facing financial hardships who can’t always

still vulnerable to budget cuts.

yes no

afford insurance.

proposition 34

yes no

End the Death Penalty

proposition 39

yes no

Income Tax Increase for Multistate Businesses

California’s death penalty is a bloated mess, sucking up more than $180

Taxing multistate corporations on a percent of revenge from California

million per year without making taxpayers safer. Proposition 34 ends the

levels the playing field for local companies creating jobs. It also closes

death penalty in California and substitutes capital punishment with life

a massive loophole, which promotes incentives to companies that take

sentences without the possibility of parole. In addition, inmates are required

jobs out of California. A portion of new revenue will be redirected for

to work, paying restitution to victim’s families. Monies saved by banning the

five years to investment in clean energy for California.

death penalty will be recycled into law enforcement programs.

proposition 35 Increased Sentences on Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery While the goal of stopping human trafficking is an admirable one, Proposition 35 is badly written. It gives law enforcement excessively broad and poorly defined powers while placing individuals involved in completely legal sexrelated industries on sex offender registries alongside child molesters. content by leo castaneda , opinion editor

design by jenna clayton, assistant art director

yes no

proposition 40 Referendum on the State Senate Redistricting Plan The Republican Party sponsored this initiative and brought legislative action against the redrawn districts after the 2010 census, fearing the loss of a state Senate seat. A judge struck down the challenge and the party has since withdrawn support for the initiative. An affirming vote maintains the redrawn lines, while an opposing vote means a costly and unnecessary redrawing of new state Senate districts.

yes no

Tuesday November 6, 2012 the daily aztec

GUIDE The Daily Aztec endorses the following candidates for local, state and national elections

house of representatives 52nd district The race for the 52nd Congressional District is unique because of its

president

competitiveness despite a strong historical incumbent advantage.

Democratic port commissioner Scott Peters is challenging incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray in the newly redrawn district. With bipartisan

This election cycle is all about the economy, and while it’s debatable

credentials, Peters supports progressive ideas toward marriage

how much a president can directly influence gross domestic product

equality and immigration. While Bilbray is not the most radical

or unemployment, this will be the primary concern of voters as they

Republican in Congress, he has taken the far right pledge not to raise

head to the polls. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger

taxes regardless of economic reality and has recently headlined

Gov. Mitt Romney present stark ideological choices. Obama’s goals of

hyper-partisan tea party events. The Daily Aztec believes Peters is the

increasing financial regulation, investing in the government to spur

moderate candidate most suited to fix the nation’s problems.

the economy and implementing a mix of cuts and revenue increases to reign in the budget deficit present the best path to rebuild a sustainable economy. On a range of issues, including women’s rights and marriage

Scott Peters

equality, The Daily Aztec believes Obama is on the right side of history.

The president can rarely directly control U.S. policy, but he can set the tone for the nation leading to prosperity and fairness.

Barack Obama

senate

Mitt Romney

Brian Bilbray

state senate 39th district Democratic State Assemblyman Marty Block is running against Republican George Plescia for a crucial state Senate seat, which could

Long-time Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein is running a strong, if not

cast the deciding vote in major legislation for the coming years. Block

widely discussed race against Republican challenger Elizabeth Emken.

has a background in education placing him in an ideal position to protect

Feinstein is a veteran lawmaker with a proven record. She plans to

San Diego State students from future budget cuts. In fact, Block has

tackle the budget deficit with sensible cuts and revenue increases,

a direct connection to SDSU, where he served as dean, director and

though she continues to support tax cuts for those with incomes less

professor for 26 years. The Daily Aztec believes this, as well as his

than $250,000. Emken’s desire to dismantle Obamacare would hurt

experience in both state Legislature and as a member of the San Diego

college students because the Affordable Care Act allows students to

Community College Board of Trustees, make him the best candidate

remain in their parents’ health care plan until they are 25 years old.

for the state Senate.

Feinstein served California well for 20 years, and should continue for

Marty Block

six more.

Dianne Feinstein

George Plescia

San Diego city is experiencing an unusually partisan race for the

state assembly 79th district

mayor’s office between Democratic Congressman Bob Filner and

Democrat Shirley Weber is running against Republican City

Republican City Councilman Carl DeMaio. Filner presents a vision

Councilwoman Mary England for the 79th District’s State Assembly

Elizabeth Emken

mayor based on growth beyond downtown businesses, while DeMaio remains

seat. Weber is an ideal representative as the voice of San Diego State

fixated on dismantling public sector jobs. Both candidates have been

students in the state’s capital. She served for 39 years as a professor

accused of having overly aggressive attitudes toward their opponents,

and department chair at SDSU. The Daily Aztec believes Weber’s

which doesn’t bode well for the bipartisanship needed to run the city.

firsthand understanding of the California State University system will

However, Filner is more likely to make the long-term investments in

be valuable in helping higher education navigate through the next few

infrastructure the city needs. The Daily Aztec believes Filner is the

years of budget cuts and financial strains.

right choice to lead San Diego. For more on this race go to Page 7.

Bob Filner

Shirley Weber

Carl DeMaio

Mary England

5

6

OPINION

Tuesday November 6, 2012 The Daily Aztec

The Daily Aztec Opinion’s Guide to the Election

Voting Polls on Campus

ELECTIONS 1 U.S. Senate Election:

Dianne Feinstein (D)

vs Elizabeth Emken (R) 53 U.S. House of Representatives:

19 Republicans / 34 Democrats 20 State Senators:

9 Republicans / 11 Democrats 80 State Assembly:

27 Republicans / 52 Democrats 11 Ballot initiatives

CA graphics designed by kaiem majed, production designer

SAN DIEGO COUNTY 1 Mayoral Election:

Bob Filner (D)

vs Carl DeMaio (R) 5 U.S. House of Representatives:

3 Republicans / 2 Open Seats 8 State Assembly:

3 Democrats / 5 Open Seats 2 State Senate

For students, faculty and community members registered to vote on campus at San Diego State, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. Poll-site parking is available in Parking Structure 5. For those registered off campus, locate a local polling site by visiting sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/Epolling_query.asp.

To read more election news, “like” The Daily Aztec Facebook page. For instant updates on Twitter follow @thedailyaztec and Opinion Editor Leo Castaneda @leocmgp.

NATIONAL ELECTIONS Presidential election: Obama (D) vs Romney (R) 11 Governors 33 U.S. Senate seats: 22 Dem. / 2 Ind. / 10 Rep. 435 U.S. Representative: 240 Rep. / 193 Dem. The Electoral College: As anyone who voted in the 2000 elections can tell you, the winner of the popular vote doesn’t necessarily get to be the U.S. president.

To win, a candidate must accumulate 270 electoral votes, which makes the few swing states incredibly valuable. Keep an eye on the

following states and their electors to determine the election: Ohio (18) Virginia (13) Florida (29) Iowa (6) North Carolina (15) Colorado (9) Nevada (6) New Hampshire (4)

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OPINION

Tuesday November 6, 2012 the daily aztec

7

Mayoral race: Filner is the lesser of two evils election

Leonardo Castaneda

S

Opinion Editor

an Diego is a moderate city. Its moderate weather causes panic whenever it deviates from 72 degrees. It’s a moderately wealthy city, with a median income slightly higher and poverty rate slightly lower than the rest of California. It even has moderately successful sports teams—historically, not this year—that made appearances in the Super Bowl and World Series, despite losing both.

Few things have been more consistently moderate in San Diego than its mayor. However, this will change when voters choose between two unusually partisan candidates, either congressman Bob Filner or city council member Carl DeMaio, to become the mayor.

“DeMaio and Filner are much more partisan and extremist than any mayor that we’ve had in recent history,” San Diego State political science professor Brian Adams said. “Both (current Mayor) Sanders and (former mayor Dick) Murphy were moderate Republicans.

Even when Pete Wilson was mayor, he was a moderate.”

Filner, a Democrat, served as the 51st District’s congressman for almost two decades. Last year, the National Journal gave him a 93.3 percent liberal rating, placing him in a tie as

the most liberal member of the House of Representatives.

Voice of San Diego lists shifting redevelopment money from downtown to the surrounding neighborhoods among Filner’s top priorities. His economic strategy centers on expanding the Unified Port of San Diego.

This placed him at odds with downtown business interests, as well as U-T San Diego’s owner and land developer Doug Manchester, who spearheaded a downtown and waterfront expansion plan.

DeMaio, on the other hand, has been a city council member since 2008. He pushed

DeMaio and Filner are much more partisan ... than any mayor ... in recent history.

Brian Adams political science professor for pension reform through Proposition B, which replaced traditional pensions for new cityhires with 401(k) pension plans.

According to VOSD, DeMaio’s strategy focuses on financial reform. This includes continuing pension reform and benefit

reduction for city employees, as well as outsourcing public employee jobs to the private sector.

DeMaio might seem like the logical fit for existing conservative interests in the city, but it wasn’t always so.

“When (DeMaio) was on the council, he was a flamethrower—and not just against liberals but against the entire establishment,” Adams said. “He was yelling and screaming against downtown business elites. He really angered a lot of people, including many Republicans.”

Although both candidates started on the extremes of San Diego politics, DeMaio made a concerted effort to move to the middle.

“The last couple of months, he’s formed alliances with many of the people he was arguing against,” Adams said.

This political moderation garnered DeMaio several key supporters including Sanders, a Republican; and Democrat philanthropist Irwin Jacobs.

DeMaio’s campaign also managed to raise $3.4 million.

However, more than $775,000 came from the candidate himself, both in direct contributions and loans to the campaign. A few independent political action committees raised money in support of DeMaio, primarily Taxpayers for Carl DeMaio -

Mayor 2012, with slightly more than $207,000. The Republican Party (state and local branches combined) donated almost $800,000 to support DeMaio’s campaign.

Not all independent money has been favorable to DeMaio.

PACs opposing DeMaio collected almost $2.2 million.

The largest groups are San Diegans in Support of Bob Filner for Mayor - 2012 (more than $854,000), San Diego City Fire Fighters, Local 145 PAC (almost $710,000) and the union-backed Too Extreme for San Diego ($242,500), as well as several other public employee, police and teacher PACs. Filner has been less willing to moderate as the election draws to an end and has therefore netted fewer bigname local endorsements. He managed to draw the attention of influential state and national politicians, with endorsements from former President Bill Clinton and Gov. Jerry Brown.

Filner’s campaign was much less successful fundraising than DeMaio, with a total of slightly less than $1 million.

However, pro-Filner PACs raised twice as much money as pro-DeMaio PACs, led by San Diegans for Retirement Security - Oppose DeMaio for Mayor 2012, sponsored by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees with

almost $224,000. The San Diego County Democratic Party also spent nearly $630,000 supporting Filner. Virtually all anti-Filner activity has been led

by San Diegans for Reform in Opposition to Bob Filner with more than $1 million, financed by the pro-business Lincoln Club of San Diego County and the Infrastructure PAC of the Associated General Contractors.

In the end, Filner is far from an ideal candidate. Although DeMaio took great steps to imitate the moderate Republican mayors San Diegans are used to, he still has a lengthy history of extreme partisanship. Filner’s vision of reinvestment away from downtown to help develop all of San Diego makes sense.

DeMaio’s development plan seems to hinge on dismantling public employee unions, a move which would lower wages and could potentially harm the quality of services provided by the city.

It is fitting in this hyperpartisan election cycle for San Diego’s mayoral race to be so bitterly divided. Whomever voters choose will set a vision for city government, which will extend far beyond the next few years. Filner is best qualified to set a vision based on community investment, fair treatment for public sector employees and due attention to veterans, the elderly and those in need.

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Tuesday November 6, 2012 The Daily Aztec

Escaping the prison of my father Max Saucedo

fiction

Staff Writer

“Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.”

— George Eliot

T

he faded sign in front of the property read, “By order of the city of Plainview, this building is hereby condemned today, August 31, 1998,” almost a month after what happened. I was happy to move on the day they boarded it up and posted those signs. And yet, here I was again.

I opened the old rusty gate and stepped onto the grounds of the house. It was dilapidated, crumbling and ruined. A quick shove and the door gave way. I walked in and surveyed the ruins. I clutched the bottle of lighter fluid in my hand tightly. “Just one last look around,” I thought. Seeing the old piano, I placed my fingers on the keys, hitting a single, long note.

“I was wondering when you would arrive,” a voice behind me drawled. “Gets awful lonely waiting.”

From beyond the shadows, a figure appeared. Tall, gaunt and old, the man looked to be in his 60s. He wore a cowboy hat and sported a grizzled beard.

“You look good, Mr. Dreyfus,” he said. “Or should I call you Tim?” My fists clenched the stairwell at the sound of that name.

“Who are you and how do you know my name?”

“You can’t run from your past, Tim. It just follows you,” he said, surveying the house. “Nice place.

Shame it had to be condemned.”

He snorted and then spat.

“How do you know about that?”

I asked.

He looked up at me with a steely gaze. “Because I’m the man who ordered it.”

I took a step back and hit the wall.

“Who are you?” I asked wavering my voice.

“The name’s Clayton Creed. You can call me Creed. Least, that’s what people used to call me. I was once a judge, a convict, a sheriff. It’s all a memory now,” he said shrugging.

I sat down on the stairs. “Why are you here?”

“I’m here because I know how it feels to be thrown out of society, despised by the people you thought were friends. I was in that position too once. When your father was convicted and sentenced to death, I figured this property would eventually come into dispute. At the time, I was sheriff, but by the time it came into dispute I was a Plainview County judge. Then that book came out about your father, how he’d been cheated and wrongfully accused,” he reminisced. “A lotta people in the county wanted to torch the place, trash it or just pull it down plank by plank. As mad as they were, and since your mother by then had taken her own life and you couldn’t care less what happened to it, I couldn’t let them do it.”

My voice rang hollow as contempt seeped from its words, “Why do you give a damn, Creed? It’s not your house. You didn’t have to spend time here while the TV blared about how your dad was nothing but a racist; how he shot an innocent man at point-blank range ... all the arguments he had with people on the phone.”

I was walking around the house, Creed behind me. I stopped at the bedroom and opened the door, pointing to the dresser.

“That’s where I found her, unconscious and soon gone. I didn’t know why she left me,” I said, choking back tears.

“Dad was executed a few days later. I don’t think he ever knew. In this house, we were never happy, as long as the specter of people’s hate hung over us. It was inescapable.

They hated him—hated me—so much so, eventually I began to hate him. Mom would still be here today if he hadn’t done what he did.”

We walked outside, looking at the faded graffiti on the walls, with words ranging from “racist” and “pig” to even harsher words.

“Not all the things were bad though,” he said, gesturing to the back. I walked ahead of him unknowingly, to what appeared to be graves. Two headstones read: Jeremiah Dreyfus: “He was Loved,” and Martha Dreyfus: “She taught us how to love.”

“I pulled some strings and made sure this was the final resting place for a great man and his wife,” Creed spoke. “When your father was working corrections for the sheriff’s department before he took that city job, I knew the kind man he was. Your dad was never too harsh on people, but never too easy. My first month in, I got stabbed and carved up pretty bad. I was bleeding out in my cell. Most prison guards wouldn’t have looked twice. Your daddy came by, called the medics, kept me alive, telling me how his son had just done this and that, and how he was so proud. You’d think there was never a prouder man. He saved my life that day and then used his influence to get me that sheriff’s job. I owe him everything, Tim. He never quit on the people he loved. He loved you, Tim, even when he knew you didn’t care. He knew one day you would. And that’s all that mattered to him.”

He pulled out a faded photo of a younger version of himself and Dad smiling together and laid it at the foot of the stone.

“Never forget, Tim. But don’t forget to forgive,” he said before walking down the road, leaving me alone.

HOROSCOPE

by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services

Today’s Birthday (11/6/12) - Despite chaos from Mercury’s retrograde, you’re in the limelight this year. Use your influence wisely for the greatest impact. Income, status and audience grow steadily, shifting toward educational exploration after June. Stay grounded with exercise, healthy food and love.

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 a 9 - Kind words empower others. You can solve the puzzle. Rely on a wise partner. Watch out for fouled-up orders through the end of the month. Mercury goes retrograde today.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 9 - Consider an outrageous, but unprofitable, request. Hold out for the best deal. For about three weeks, fine-tune your routine at work, and apply creativity. Go with what works.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 - Private effort pays off, revealing a new view.

Your choice matters. Provide for others. Over the next month, revisit past creative ideas.

Your good luck holds. Proceed with caution.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 - Accept encouragement without letting a loud person hurt your feelings. Check out an interesting suggestion. Speak out and be counted. Stick to the basics.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 9 - Ask questions. Consider an outrageous possibility.

You can afford to fix things; make your home more comfortable. Reaffirm commitments, and balance work with pleasure.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 6 - You’re most successful over the next month, playing games you know well. Make sure you have all of the facts. Record your choice.

Postpone an outing or launch.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - Don’t bend the rules. If in doubt, ask an expert. A win-win outcome is possible. There’s less urgency and more repetition for the next few weeks. Stick up for your view.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - Your reputation is growing.

Discover forgotten treasures. It’s not a good time to travel, sign or sell. Watch out for misunderstandings for the next three weeks.

Revise and refine.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - Review your conclusions. Follow the advice of friends. Postpone negotiations. You already have what you need. Give a little to get a little.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Follow the money trail. Act on reliable information. Ask probing questions. You have valuable resources hidden. Listen carefully.

Choose to participate. You matter.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Take a break from routine. Review and resolve career issues; sort, file and organize. Pad your schedule and wallet for the unexpected.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 - Don’t gamble. Delegate to a perfectionist.

Your fans think you’re brilliant. It’s natural to renew old bonds. Postpone travel, and provide excellent service. Vote. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services

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Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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Across 1 Things to wear 5 Chemists’ rooms 9 One who asks too many questions 14 Campus sports gp.

15 Irish name for Ireland 16 Christina of “Speed Racer” 17 Dough dispensers 18 Real attitude underlying a facade 20 Letter to Santa, essentially 22 Pennsylvania in Washington, for one 23 Summer in Lyon 24 Sent a quick note online 25 The Hulk’s alter ego 30 Barnyard brayer 33 Woman in Poe’s “The Raven” 34 J. Paul Getty or J.R. Ewing 36 Dubai bigwig 37 “... to __ it mildly” 38 Piece of ice 39 Revolutionary toy of the ‘70s-’80s?

42 “Boyfriend” singer Justin 44 Fr. holy woman 45 Song covered by Michael Bublé, say 47 Glasgow vetoes 48 Toronto’s prov.

49 Dining room necessities 52 Photos at the precinct 57 Aunt Jemima competitor 59 Auth. unknown 60 Perfumer Lauder 61 “As I see it,” online 62 Maker of Duplo toy bricks 63 Just behind the runner-up 64 Overly compliant 65 Flier on a pole, and at the ends of 18-, 25-, 45- and 57-Across Down 1 Emulate a beaver 2 Play beginning 3 Farm butters 4 Big party

by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 5 Beatles tune that starts, “When I find myself in times of trouble” 6 Like some Navy rescues 7 Champagne designation 8 Set eyes on 9 “Ignorance is bliss,” e.g.

10 Upset 11 Clickable pic 12 Sandy-colored 13 Levitate 19 Humped beast 21 Sidelong look 24 Mid. name substitute 25 Anoint 26 Put the check in the mail 27 Bring together 28 Veggie on a cob 29 Pride and prejudice, e.g.

30 Caribbean resort 31 Like a teetotaler

32 Bergen’s dummy Mortimer 35 Scored 100 on 37 Domino dots 40 Practiced in the ring 41 Art of verse 42 Thailand’s capital 43 QB’s mistakes 46 “Well said” 47 African river 49 Atkins of country 50 Silence 51 Pro debater 52 Auntie of the stage 53 45 minutes, in soccer games 54 Scott Turow work 55 Roman robe 56 Smooch, in Staffordshire 58 __-dandy