11-26-2012

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THE NEWSPAPER OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1913 VOLUME 99, ISSUE 48

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Aztecs beat Cowboys for MW title

football

Holidays may spur criminal activities

Hilal Haider Staff Writer

On Saturday, San Diego State claimed the Mountain West championship for the 19th time in school history, parading to a 42-28 victory.

The Aztecs entered Saturday’s action on a red-hot six-game winning streak in hopes of capturing the Mountain West Conference championship. The Aztecs took their talents to Wyoming to square off on arguably one of the most important games in school history.

The Wyoming Cowboys entered Saturday’s game with a 3-4 record, sixth in the MWC. The Cowboys made for an interesting battle against the Aztecs, but SDSU proved to be too much.

The game got off to a very sloppy start, as both teams combined for a total of three turnovers in the first quarter alone. On the first play of the game Aztec junior wide receiver Colin Lockett coughed up the football and created an opportunity for the SDSU defense to make a play.

Fortunately for the Aztecs, stud linebacker sophomore Derek Largent forced a fumble on the Cowboys, giving the ball right back to the Aztecs.

In the middle of the first quarter, sophomore running back Adam Muema punched the ball into the end zone from six yards out to break the 0-0 seal and gave the Aztecs a

Same-sex marriage in the U.S. military results in denial of ... health care.

campus

Declan Desmond Staff Writer

antonio zaragoza , editor in chief

Sophomore running back Adam Muema makes his way down the field and into the endzone with a sideline of SDSU coaches and teammates cheering him on. Against Wyoming, Muema rushed for a career-high 255 yards and scored four touchdowns for the Aztecs.

7-0 lead. This was SDSU’s 20th straight game with a rushing touchdown, a new school record.

Later in the quarter, Muema fumbled the football. This resulted in points for Wyoming, as Cowboy

sophomore quarterback Brett Smith scampered into the end zone on a fourth down to tie the game at seven a piece at the end of the first quarter.

During the first half, SDSU’s sloppy play continued as the Aztecs

accounted for five penalty flags. Early in the second quarter, Wyoming took advantage of SDSU mistakes as Smith scored his second rushing FOOTBALL continued on page 5

Event raises awareness of suicide rates

campus

Stacey Oparnica Staff Writer

paige nelson , photo editor

(Bottom left) Her Crimson Love featuring vocalist Jennifer Juliano, lead guitarist Jamie Manalili, drummer Phonesevanth Navasaki and bassist Meleny Buhay. (Bottom right) Event organizer Erika Kelsey speaking of her cousin who committed suicide.

Every 15 minutes, someone in the U.S. commits suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This statistic was the underlying theme of, A Night to Write Love on Her Arms, a benefit show held Nov. 15 in Nasatir Hall.

Six San Diego State students organized the event for a business management class project which was meant to raise awareness of suicide, self-injury, depression and addiction, in addition to promoting open discussion of such issues.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students. Taking a wider age bracket into account, 2010 data from the CDC reveals suicide is the thirdleading cause of death among 15-24-year-olds.

Alpha Phi Gamma, Nika Water, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Start Fresh Clothing and Young Life sponsored the show, feauturing rock band Her Crimson Love, a poetry reading, a spoken word piece and a rap segment

by Brother Nature. The show’s proceeds totaled $250, all of which benefitted the nonprofit organization To Write Love On Her Arms.

Throughout the two-hour WRITE LOVE continued on page 2

With the end of the semester looming ahead, students who are preoccupied with finals and holiday plans can easily forget to protect themselves against criminal activity on and around campus.

By raising awareness of theft and other crimes during this time of year, the San Diego State Police Department is working to reduce student victimization.

SDSUPD Capt. Lamine Secka said a rise in petty thefts in Love Library is likely to occur.

“Because (students) are so wrapped up in studying and going to the bathroom or going to have lunch,” he said they often leave their belongings unattended and vulnerable to theft. Secka added laptops and other electronic devices are frequently targeted.

Another issue is textbook buybacks, a frenzied end-of-semester activity known to create more opportunities for potential thieves.

Because receipts are not required to exchange books for cash, bookstore staff has no way of knowing if returned items are stolen.

“As a preventative measure, we will likely be sending out information on our website, our Facebook page, Twitter, as well as email notifications which report on crimes and safety issues,” Secka said.

Bicycle theft has also been a problem this semester, with a spike in incidents throughout the last few weeks. To combat this trend, SDSUPD has partnered with Associated Students to initate a bike lock giveaway for those who registered their bikes. The free bicycle registration service, enables law enforcement officers to identify a stolen bike by its serial number.

While many students enjoy celebrating after completing their final exams, safety remains a top concern for campus police.

Large parties, “create potential safety hazards from the standpoint of alcohol intoxication, sexual assault, and potentially robbery,” and often involve the victimization of someone who can’t make the right decisions at the time, Secka said.

He stressed how awareness of one’s surroundings is key in preventing assault and theft.

Although criminals from surrounding areas continue to target SDSU students, a recent spate of strong arm robberies—in which cell phones were forcibly taken from unsuspecting victims around campus—has declined after the arrest of seven of the nine suspects involved in those incidents.

2

news

Monday November 26, 2012 The Daily Aztec

Foster youth Aztecs give thanks

from WRITE LOVE page 1

campus

k atie foster , staff photgrapher

Performers of the night spoke of personal stories of how suicide, depression and selfinjury has personally affected them and/or their loved ones.

event, audience members and event participants applauded, laughed and cried as individuals stood before the crowd to share their stories.

Hope was one reoccurring theme of the evening but the criticality of talking openly about depression, suicide and self-injury played an equally sizeable role.

“I have one person that will be anonymous that I have watched attempt to commit suicide,” business management senior and event organizer Justin Wilson said. “It was really hard on me, just because I was talking to him in that moment and I was telling him how much he meant to me and I was telling him how much I wanted him to be around and he looked at me and said, ‘Your life would be better without me in it.’”

Journalism senior and event

organizer Erika Kelsey, whose cousin was diagnosed with major depression, said when talking to someone in such a situation, it’s important to emphasize the significance of that person’s life and the impact they have on your own.

“That’s what I shared with my cousin and she didn’t realize that until I told her, ‘You are very important to me. I love you.

Without you in this world, many people would be hurt,’” Kelsey said.

During the event, theater sophomore Becca Burrola read a poem she wrote for her friend Mark, who committed suicide last year.

“No matter how tragedies beyond my control take place,” Burrola read aloud. “I vow to live and stay my course within this race.”

hannah beausang , staff writer

SDSU Guardian Scholars joined together to celebrate a Thanksgiving dinner at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. The dinner brought together foster youth attending SDSU to create a warm, family environment.

Hannah Beausang Staff Writer

Since 2009, the Guardian Scholars Thanksgiving dinner has connected foster youth by giving students a sense of family and community.

Students and faculty joined together the Thursday before the break to celebrate Thanksgiving. Smiles filled the room as a full thanksgiving dinner was served, complete with pumpkin pie.

The SDSU Guardian Scholars Program, created in 2007, helps youth who are from the

foster care system, wards of the court, under legal guardianship or unaccompanied and homeless.

The program is meant to make the transition from high school or community college to SDSU easier.

Students are provided with financial resources, aid, academic, emotional support and with living accommodations.

Continuing students in the program have the opportunity to become mentors for new members.

SDSU President Elliot Hirshman spoke at the dinner, highlighting the success of the program and the accomplishments of the students.

Guardian Scholar Ora Cooley was the master of ceremonies for the event. Other students spoke throughout the course of the night.

In their speeches, the students honored faculty members, shared stories of their achievements at SDSU and discussed what they were thankful for.

Assistant Vice President and Director of the Educational

Opportunity Program Dr. Reginald Blaylock, embraced the opportunity to bring students together.

“Many of our students here tonight haven’t had a Thanksgiving dinner,” Blaylock said. “We’re going to celebrate and honor all our students and we want them to feel valued and appreciated.”

During the ceremony, awards are given to recognize those who help support the program. This year, Teresa and Darren Greenhalgh received awards for their contributions to the program.

The Guardian Scholars thanksgiving dinner has been held since 2009.

Sociology junior Ashley Melendez and psychology sophomore Tiffany Vargas are appreciative of the opportunity to celebrate with their fellow Guardian Scholars.

“The best part is that it brings everyone together,” Vargas said.

“We reunite and get the chance to be thankful for each other and the support system we have.”

Students accept challenge to do random acts of kindness

campus

Stacey Oparnica Staff Writer

Sing to a group of people at the bus or trolley station. Remind custodians how much you appreciate their work.

High-five bicyclists and thank them for reducing carbon emissions.

These are just a few items on SOLO Eyewear’s Acts of Kindness list, which community-based coed fraternity Alpha Phi Omega tweaked for San Diego State students during an event Nov. 16. The mission?

Complete a list of 21 tasks in two hours and take a photo or video of your group completing each item.

From thanking a professor to buying someone a Scantron or a blue book, each act promotes the same concept: Do something kind for a stranger and impact his or her life in a positive way. The group that completed all 21 items in the shortest amount of time won a prize.

“It does become competitive,” SOLO Eyewear marketing associate and business management and psychology senior Alex Quen said.

Quen said the competition did not weaken the sincerity of the event.

“I think it helps. It helps push them into actually making a contact with a stranger,” Quen said. “Because it’s really hard just to walk up to

somebody and say, ‘Oh, yeah, can I sing to you?’ With that competitive aspect, it kind of already pushes them out of their comfort zone and they’re more willing to do something crazy.”

SDSU business management senior and SOLO Eyewear brand ambassador Kimberly Uy said the event helps create a sense of unity among students.

“We’re in college and people feel like they should do things for themselves and people should be independent,” Uy said. “Then all of a sudden, you see this group of people trying to help you out and it stutters you out of your mentality.”

Biology sophomore and Alpha Phi Omega member Trung Phan, just completed his acts, said singing the SDSU fight song to people at the trolley station and carrying someone’s lunch to his/her table were the most memorable tasks he completed. He said another Alpha Phi Omega member noticed a sullen-looking woman in line to buy coffee and decided to purchase her beverage.

“Ideally, you do one random act of kindness for somebody and they do one act and then it just continues and continues and continues,” Quen said.

“I want to see this in every city.”

opinion

Monday November 26, 2012 the daily aztec

3

Take government Unions benefit San Diego out of marriage to I ensure equality labor

marriage

T

he Washington Post’s Nov. 22 issue includes an article about Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan of the New Hampshire Army National Guard. Morgan has terminal cancer. Unfortunately, Morgan’s wife, Karen, will be denied survivor benefits almost every spouse is entitled to when their military spouse dies. This is because the U.S. doesn’t recognize Charlie and Karen’s union even though New Hampshire does. You see, Charlie and Karen are lesbians.

Federal benefits, such as the survivor benefit plan, are granted only to marriages deemed legal by the Defense of Marriage Act, which narrowly defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman. Therefore, Charlie’s wife and their 5-year-old daughter will be denied monthly financial compensation when she dies.

Sadly, same-sex marriages are denied more than just survivors’ insurance. Because of the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, DOMA supersedes any state laws legalizing same-sex marriage.

This means federal law trumps state law whenever they conflict.

Therefore, same-sex marriages in the U.S. military result in denial of government-sponsored health care. Additionally, military heroes can’t obtain identification cards for their same-sex spouses. This prevents civilians from using military shopping privileges whenever their military spouses aren’t present.

It’s a tragedy when individuals such as Charlie face their final days without the peace of mind from knowing their loved ones’ futures are secure. It’s a travesty knowing Karen and her daughter will not be able to reap the benefits of Charlie’s service because of capriciousness backed by the weight of law. Ending the process of arbitrarily awarding benefits starts with rescinding DOMA and ends with cessation of government-sanctioned marriage.

Opponents of governmentsanctioned marriage allege it’s a violation of church and state for the U.S. to sanction a quasireligious institution. They’re mistaken on two counts. First, marriage’s origins are muddled enough to make it impossible to determine whether marriage or modern religions came first.

Second, the U.S. has been in lockstep with religion since the first rhetorical embers sparked the American Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence invokes a higher power at least three times, our money is imprinted with, “In God We Trust” and Christmas— a Christian observance—is a federal holiday. Eliminating marriage solely based on the possibility that it’s a religious tradition is moot.

Marriage, though, has become a word too emotionally

Mike Heral Staff Columnist

charged. Its mere mention causes otherwise-sane people to behave irrationally. Case in point is the recently concluded Illinois state representative contest between Democratic incumbent Rita Mayfield and Republican challenger Jackie Burleson. The Daily Herald reported Burleson said his heterosexual marriage “actually means something,” indirectly implying same-sex unions aren’t worthy of the same honor. Mayfield similarly belittled same-sex marriages saying, “I’m still not clear on why they feel the need for marriage when you’ve got civil unions. One of the answers I was told is that civil unions didn’t give them enough. How much more do you want?”

The two politicians’ bias toward “marriage” provides compelling reasoning for striking the word from federal law.

Ideally, it shouldn’t matter if the U.S. moved to grant marriages to all who apply, but proponents of DOMA are too entrenched.

The struggle would be too protracted, forcing innocents such as Karen to live without essential benefits. Therefore, the better move is to take the easier path: make domestic partnerships the sole gateway for accessing benefits. With one stroke of a pen, President Barack Obama can remove the government from the marriage business. Domestic partnerships would serve as the conduit for accessing family benefits.

Marriage still can exist with such a law, but only as a private religious practice. In doing so, our government would provide the only acceptable answer to Mayfield’s question: Americans, regardless of sexual persuasion, deserve equal benefits.

Discrimination is defined as unjust treatment of different categories of people.

Denying same-sex partners the right to the same benefits straight partners receive is discrimination. The 2 nd U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agrees, issuing a ruling in October stating DOMA violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.

Unfortunately, the ruling doesn’t stop DOMA. Unless our legislative branch invalidates DOMA, its ultimate legality will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. No one knows when those hearings will begin.

A free society must refrain from all forms of discrimination, otherwise it is a free society in name only. Today, 10 states plus the District of Columbia at least partially recognize samesex unions. This still leaves 40 states practicing discrimination.

We should not wait for those 40 states to evolve. We should force the issue at the federal level right now.

don’t always support labor unions. Some union policies, such as the anti-Wal-Mart campaign, come off as trying to bully the easiest target. Some unions have even become profitearning businesses. However, I respect labor unions for all the good things they have done for workers, such as advocating for minimum wage laws, child labor laws, limiting the weekly workload and fighting for employee benefits. Today, labor unions continue to be the strongest voice for workers’ rights.

Unfortunately, anti-labor union activists trying to silence the labor union’s voice are threatening legal action because of a recent project labor agreement between contractors and unions concerning the San Diego Convention Center expansion project. The PLA secured common sense protections, such as addressing environmental and workers’ safety concerns, giving nonunion workers equal benefits to union workers and assuring the construction companies hire as many local workers as possible. In turn, unions dropped their opposition to the project regarding concerns about the environmental impact and financing the project via a tax passed by hotel corporations.

This agreement is important to ensure contractors don’t take advantage of cheap labor at the expense of local workers who badly need the jobs. It also benefits the contractors involved by preventing work stoppage during the project’s construction.

Similar agreements were made between contractors and unions for the construction of Petco Park as well as construction projects by the San Diego Unified School District.

Matthew Smith Staff Columnist

The PLA’s opposition is led by the interest group the Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction, which represents non-union contractors. It argues the agreement violates the spirit of the anti-union measure Proposition A, which passed with 58 percent of the vote in June’s primary election. This kind of logic is bogus. Proposition A only bans the city government from requiring contractors to make project labor agreements with unions. It does not ban the agreements themselves.

Furthermore, the results from the June election are misleading. The measure passed with favorable

For such an antiunion capitalist, Christen seems to miss the main point of capitalism: choice. conditions in the primary election in which less than 230,000 residents voted, roughly half of the number of voters in November’s general election for the mayor’s office.

CEEC Executive Director Eric Christen argues the agreement shuts out non-union contractors who object to paying union health and retirement benefits and want the right to choose whom to hire. Christen’s argument amounts to allowing companies to get away with anything, such as hiring cheap labor from elsewhere. It’s nothing more than an excuse to let construction companies maximize profits without restrictions.

For such an anti-union capitalist, Christen seems to miss the main point of capitalism: choice. The Clark and Hunt construction groups working on the project were chosen by the city’s contractor to lead the project. If the city wanted non-union contractors, they had the choice to hire them.

Furthermore, if non-union contractors really wanted to be part of the construction project, they didn’t have to choose to be non-union.

Christen also claims the Convention Center PLA is extortion, which is ridiculous.

A PLA is a part of the business process. It’s a business deal no different than the city hiring the construction companies to build the project. By Christen’s extreme definition, trying to bargain for the best deal you can get on a PlayStation 3 would be extortion.

Anti-union activists shouldn’t try to stall the Convention Center expansion project just because it has a PLA. This project will help San Diego’s economy by creating an estimated 4,000 jobs for union and non-union workers.

It will help increase revenue from tourism as well as provide the city with much-needed tax revenue. Attempting to stall the project with pithy anti-union activism will only hurt the city’s economy.

It’s important to preserve the right for unions to make PLA’s with businesses. Unions help level the playing field with big businesses, such as Clark and Hunt construction groups.

Without these PLAs, big business would have too much power and would hire only according to their best interests and not the interests of workers and local residents.

4

OPINION

Monday November 26, 2012 The Daily Aztec

Don’t sell out the holidays for a bargain

holidays

mct campus

O

nce a year in the U.S., civilization as we know it ceases to exist. People who are otherwise perfectly normal, upstanding citizens transform into caffeine-driven hunters on the prowl for the best prey. Crazed mobs incite fear in the hearts of innocent bystanders while stampeding foward in an animalistic fight to the finish.

No matter the obstacles or the lengths they must go, they persevere to reach the ultimate goal: Black Friday bargains.

This past Friday—or should I say this past Thursday night—was no exception.

The madness of Black Friday shopping has steadily encroached deeper into Thanksgiving night, subsequently rendering the actual holiday as nothing more than Black Friday’s Eve. Once upon a time, the holiday season was a time for families to celebrate together and enjoy each other’s company. Now, it seems we have replaced its true meaning with mass consumerism at insane levels. Believe it or not, the pilgrims didn’t rush out after a Thanksgiving feast for a super sale on bonnets and long johns.

Such a level of superficiality is reserved for modern generations.

Although I understand the allure of spending less to buy more,

Madison Hopkins Staff Columnist

there is no reason these sales couldn’t be pushed back a few hours to spare what’s left of our nation’s dwindling traditions.

At least for shoppers, leaving the comfort of home to wait outside in the cold for a discounted flat–screen TV is a choice. The employees of these early opening stores don’t have this luxury. Every year, thousands of employees from big-name department stores are scheduled to work hours before opening to set up for the waiting mobs. Wal-Mart opened its doors at 8 p.m. this year, followed closely by Target at 9 p.m. In my house, this is prime time to eat pumpkin pie and digest the huge meal we just consumed, not go to work.

Apparently, quite a few employees feel the same way.

One Target employee started a petition on Change.org, which now has more than 200,000 signatures. The purpose is to stop forcing retail workers to come in on Thanksgiving night for Black Friday preparations.

Unfortunately, the petition was unsuccessful and business proceeded as usual Thursday night.

In addition to the terrible hours, workers are subjected to vicious consumers. As a former Black Friday worker myself, I can attest it is a horrific experience. For some reason, many people see their desire to reach the last pair of stiletto boots as a reason to forget any type of common courtesy. Regardless of our good intentions to help shoppers, we are often rewarded with violent shoves or the destruction of display items. Yes, it is a golden rule of sales that the customer is always right. But, in the case of super sale shopping, the

people in her shopping pursuits without anyone stopping her.

In 2008, an even more serious and tragic event occurred when a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by a stampede of early morning shoppers.

The situation has become so bad, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released emergency preparation guidelines specifically to aid stores in their Black Friday events. Our shopping habits are so ridiculous, they require government intervention. If we are willing to literally let people die for the sake of good deals,

Our shopping habits are so ridiculous, they require government intervention. If we are willing to literally let people die for the sake of good deals, it’s time to seriously reconsider our holiday priorities. customer is just crazy.

To make matters worse, shopping on Black Friday is a surprisingly dangerous activity.

Pushing and shoving is not uncommon, but sometimes the shopping frenzy results in serious injuries. Last year, one woman pepper-sprayed more than 20

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it’s time to seriously reconsider our holiday priorities.

On the sales end of the spectrum, it’s easy to understand why retailers are unwilling to let go of this newfound Black Friday tradition. According to the National Retail Federation, more than 226 million shoppers

each spent an average of almost $400 during last year’s Black Friday weekend, accounting for more than $52 billion.

These incredible profits are obviously imperative to retailers’ success, but does it really need to be done so early? If stores that participate in Black Friday collectively agreed on a reasonable hour to open their doors, the same profits could be made without sacrificing Thanksgiving night. Similarly, if customers made the decision to behave like adults and retain some sliver of shopping dignity, we could avoid absurd fears of a stampede reminiscent of “The Lion King.”

Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season is a special time of year to appreciate what you have and those who are close to you. Searching for the perfect holiday gifts at low prices is nothing to be ashamed of, as long as it doesn’t take away the meaning of Thanksgiving. We need to see the holiday for the tradition it is and shopping as only a portion of that. Black Friday may have become a new American tradition, but it doesn’t need to replace those which have been cherished for hundreds of years.

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SPORTS from FOOTBALL page 1

touchdown of the day, giving the Cowboys a 14-7 lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Aztecs marched down the field and went for it on fourth down.

Sophomore quarterback Adam Dingwell faked the play action and found his primary target junior tight end Gavin Escobar with an 11-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 14.

I was just trying my hardest to get into the zone.

The line did what they had to do and I did what I had to do.

Adam Muema Sophomore running back

Immediately after, the Cowboys answered back with a long score of their own to take the 21-14 lead in the second quarter.

As a shootout began to brew in Wyoming, SDSU turned to its primary offensive weapons.

Dingwell connected with Escobar and senior wide receiver Brice Butler numerous times on the following possession. This drive was capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by Muema to tie the game at 21 late in the second quarter.

“I was just trying my hardest to get into the zone,” Muema said to The Associated Press. “The line did what they had to do and I did what I had to do.”

As scoring in the first half was not enough, the Cowboys stunned the Aztec defense on a last second score to go into the half leading 28-21.

Monday November 25, 2012 the daily aztec

The Aztec defense came out strong against the Cowboys in the second half. After a stop on defense, the Aztec offense received the ball again with a chance to tie the game. With their backs against the wall, who other than Muema to tie the game for the Aztecs with a 34-yard touchdown run? Early in the third quarter the game was tied again at 28.

Soon after, Dingwell led his team down the field and targeted sophomore tight end Adam Roberts, who caught the six-yard touchdown pass that put the Aztecs up seven points late in the third quarter.

The SDSU defense remained solid throughout the second half, as it blanketed the Wyoming’s offense.

Muema sealed the deal with an 82-yard touchdown run, giving him his fourth touchdown of the day.

He finished with a whopping 255 yards on the ground and four scores.

The Aztecs paraded to a 4228 victory and returned home with a MW title. It has been an outstanding season for the SDSU football team and things are only looking brighter for the future. However, business is not yet finished, as the team looks on toward its bowl game opponent.

“Anytime you win a conference championship, especially when it’s been so long since San Diego State has won one, and they’ve never won a Mountain West Conference one and been in the league a long time, that makes it pretty sweet,” SDSU head coach Rocky Long said to the AP.

SDSU slays Golden Lions

5

men’s basketball

Ryan Schuler Sports Editor

It was as if the ball did not want to go into the basket. Much like their games against Syracuse, San Diego Christian and Missouri State, the No. 25 Aztecs struggled to make outside jumpers.

But unlike those previous games, San Diego State eventually found its shooting stroke. After starting 3 of 17 from the floor, including 0 of 6 from three-point land and scoring six points in the first 11 minutes of the game, the Aztecs made nine of their next 13 shots, including six of their next seven three-point attempts to jump out to a 36-14 halftime lead. The 14 points allowed in the first half were the least since SDSU allowed 13 points to the University of Wyoming on Jan. 19, 2008.

The Aztecs continued to dominate in the second half, leading by as many 36 points at one point. Junior guard Jamaal Franklin and senior guard Chase Tapley led the Aztecs with 15 points apiece. Franklin also pulled down 12 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double and the 16th of his career.

The schedule became more difficult for SDSU as the Aztecs traveled to the Galen Center at the University of Southern California to battle the Trojans last night. Last season, SDSU defeated USC 56-54 thanks to a gamewinning layup by junior guard Xavier Thames. Six days after taking on USC, the Aztecs head to Anaheim to participate in the 19th annual John R. Wooden Classic against No. 11 University of California, Los Angeles.

Turning point With 11:23 left in the first half, Tapley hit a three-pointer to give the Aztecs a 9-6 lead. From that point on, SDSU hit five of its next six 3-pointers courtesy of Jamaal Franklin, junior guard LaBradford Franklin, sophomore forward Dwayne Polee and Tapley to go on a 30-8 run and to put the Aztecs in complete control of the game.

It was finished when…

Freshman forward Skylar Spencer dunked the ball with 37 seconds left in the first half to make it 3612 in favor of the Aztecs. As a result, “The Show,” SDSU’s student section, began to chant, “Triple your score.”

Play of the game With 4:30 left in the first half and SDSU leading 29-10, senior forward DeShawn Stephens blocked a shot

by Arkansas-Pine Bluff and came down with the rebound. He then made the outlet pass in transition to Jamaal Franklin, who passed the ball back to Stephens for the alleyoop to make it 31-10.

Statistic of the game After starting the game 3 of 17 shooting, the Aztecs made nine of 13 shots, including 6 of 7 from 3-point range. SDSU finished the first half shooting 36.1 percent (13 of 36) and improved in the second half, shooting 48.3 percent (14 of 29).

Quotebook It feels good. Finally, after so many games getting nine rebounds, I think, but it felt good. I

“

should be doing it all the time. I just have to keep working hard.”

– senior forward DeShawn Stephens on recording his first doubledouble

“

We all have the confidenc and Coach has the confidence in all of us to keep working on our jump shots in practice and really doing game shots when we are shooting from the perimeter. Coach Steve Fisher has been very vocal about that. When you have your teammates and Coach’s confidence in you, you shouldn’t be scared to shoot. Today, we were just knocking down shots.”

– senior guard Chase Tapley on the team’s shooting performance

“

I liked the way we appeared to be more under control with our early offense and fast break rather than just running at the fastest pace we could run. We looked to have a measured pace where we knew what we wanted to do, rather than just running and saying, ‘What am I going to do when I get closer to the basket.’” – SDSU head coach Steve Fisher Notebook - APB did not score until the 14minute mark in the first half.

- SDSU had four players (Franklin, Stephens, Tapley and Spencer) scored in double figures this game.

-Spencer reached double figures in scoring for the first time in his career (12) and had a career-high in points (12), blocks (2), steals (1), free throws made (4) and rebounds (5).

-Stephens set a career-high in rebounds (10) and season-high in points (11).

SDSU claims first MW Championship

volleyball

Courtney Muller Staff Writer

The San Diego State women’s volleyball team had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as it made history by winning the program’s first Mountain West Championship.

The team defeated the University of Nevada, Reno in three sets (25-13, 2511, 25-17) at Aztec Court last Tuesday evening. The defeat of the Wolf Pack marks the Aztecs’ 12th consecutive victory as they improved their record to 23-7 overall and 13-3 in conference play. SDSU went undefeated on the home court, ending with a perfect 140 record.

Junior setter Johnna Fouch had a well-rounded stat line as she led the team with 34 assists, eight digs, two kills, two blocks and a service ace. So far this season, Fouch accumulated a jaw-dropping 1,017 assists. Junior outside hitter Raegan Shelton led the team with 12 kills, while chipping in two blocks and three digs in the win. Senior middle blocker Andrea Hannasch had a solid impact on the court, recording seven kills, a block and six digs. Hannasch leads the red and black in the kills column this season with 343 kills in 118 sets played. Hannasch was almost speechless postgame.

“Honestly, words can’t describe it.

It has been a long time coming. Every year we feel like we have gotten close and this year we knew it was coming,” Hannasch said. “We peaked at the

end of season and that is where it mattered. It’s great, so exciting.”

The Aztecs outperformed the Wolf Pack in every statistical category and by almost double in the kills’ column, recording 45 kills compared to Nevada’s 22. SDSU finished the game with a .327 team attack percentage.

Head coach Deitre Collins-Parker was proud of her team, especially the seniors.

“It was four years coming together.

I’m really excited for the seniors to have started with me and to believe in what we were doing. Getting to this point was our goal all along and hopefully keep going and continuing playing,” Collins-Parker said. “We aren’t ready for this to be over yet.”

SDSU shares the overall Mountain West title with Colorado State. The Rams defeated New Mexico Friday evening 3-1, putting their MW record at 13-3. The Rams earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament since winning the tiebreaker against the Aztecs’ earlier this season.

Sunday afternoon, the Aztecs came together and after waiting anxiously they received an atlarge invitation to the 2012 NCAA Volleyball Tournament. SDSU will face off against Saint Mary’s College of California in the first round of the tournament on Thursday at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center in Los Angeles, The last time SDSU made it into the tournament was in 2001, where it lost in the opening round to Long Beach State.

antonio zaragoza , editor in chief

Senior middle blocker Andrea Hannasch prepares to block the ball and stop a potential score on SDSU. On Tuesday, Hannasch had seven kills, a block and six digs against Nevada.

6

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Monday November 26, 2012 The Daily Aztec

Love Guru solves relationship conundrums

love & relationships

Friend Zone in Zura: I have liked my best guy friend for a long time. We have known each other for years and I definitely think it’s time for me to tell him how I feel. I just don’t know how to go about it. It sounds cliché, but I don’t want my feelings to get in the way of our friendship. What if he doesn’t feel the same way and can’t be friends with me anymore at the risk of it being too awkward? What should I do?

The Love Guru Staff Columnist

Love Guru: Here’s another cliché that might just solve your dilemma: Honesty is the best policy. Seriously girl, you’ve got to spill the beans! While this may not seem like the best advice, there really are no magic words to say which will guarantee he will respond the way you want him to. All you can do is say what’s on your mind. Do it in a setting where both of you are comfortable and make sure the two of you are alone. Don’t drive yourself crazy thinking of exactly how you want to express your affection—a simple “I like you” will suffice. As for how it will affect your friendship? Face it, one person having feelings for the other will naturally change the dynamic two people have. The difference will be how he treats the situation.

If he doesn’t feel the same way, a true friend won’t let such a thing ruin the years you have spent together. In either case, you owe it to yourself to take a chance on love.

The way I look at it, you don’t want to look back on your friendship and wonder, “What if?”

Labels in Lipinski: I’ve been seeing this girl, and it’s been going pretty well. We’ve gone out several times, and talked about seeing each other more in the future. Problem is, I don’t know how to define what we are. Are we dating? Or are we in a relationship? Love Guru, what’s the difference?

Love Guru: Let me break down the terminology of the dating world for you. Think about the words themselves. If you are “dating” someone, you are doing just that— you’re going out on dates with this person, getting to know them.

This being said, you can be simultaneously dating multiple people.

Now, before you start playing the field, Casanova, consider that, as a young person, you are in the stage of dating. It’s a time in your life when you get to know people, singling out traits of what you like and don’t like. This term can be used more loosely. As for a “rela-

tionship,” that’s an entirely different ball game. This implies more commitment, with the labels of “girlfriend” and “boyfriend” usually being attached to the dynamics of your pairing. You’re typically in a relationship if you have discussed both of you being exclusive with your significant other—to not date anyone else. To make it even simpler, try this rule of thumb for those tech-savvy daters out there: if you are serious enough with this person to be Facebook official, then you are in a relationship. Otherwise, you’re dating. Got it?

The flame is gone: I’ve been with my girlfriend for almost two years now and she is really amazing.

Lately though, things have slowed down. The things that we usually like to do have become boring and I feel like I’m struggling to keep her interest. What should I do?

Love Guru: It sounds like spice is the missing ingredient here. Surprise her more often: Take her to a new restaurant or plan an adventure to a place you’ve never been before. You obviously know this girl well, so build upon her interests in new and exciting ways to regain spontaneity in your relationship. Have a bouquet of flowers sent to her work with a cute message attached and back it up with some good old-fashioned romance when she gets home. Some newfound zest will definitely turn her on and you’ll be back to your happy ways in no time flat.

Switching Gears: Recently, my boyfriend came to me and he wants to set a day aside for himself to go mountain biking with a group of friends. There are other girls in the group which makes me feel uncomfortable and honestly, a tad insecure. What should I do?

Love Guru: Let him take the day.

Breathing room is important in any relationship and if he is allowed to take a personal day every once in a while, your relationship will be healthier for it. As for the other girls, you just have to trust him. Trust is a cornerstone in all relationships and if you can’t trust him, your courtship won’t last.

Bending and twisting is the name of the game; it is all part of the sacrifice, which make relationships work. He is guaranteed to respect the fact you are willing to let him have personal freedoms and you might just see the outcome of a happier and better partner.

Cyber Stalker: I broke up with my girlfriend about three weeks ago and she is having a really hard time accepting it. She continues to blow up my phone, Facebook and email with sob stories and apologies. I don’t want to be the guy who has to resort to blocking people on Facebook, but this is getting ridiculous. Help!

Love Guru: The most effective way to handle this situation is to—like it or not—talk it out.

You need to call her and put it all on the table. Be honest, even if it means using tough love. Your relationship is finished, so there’s no good reason she should be calling you all the time. If she still can’t take the hint, then your only choice is to drop the hammer and block her.

If being “that guy” is your only way out, then do it.

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Monday November 26, 2012 the daily aztec

7

Bridges brings Bay Area flavor to San Diego

food

& drink

Terence Chin Staff Writer

“Bar, grill, bay.” That’s the slogan for Bridges, a Bay Areathemed sports bar and grill in San Diego’s College Area. If you’re a San Diego sports fan and native, you may wonder why there would be such a place for a Bay Area sports fan base in Southern California.

But that isn’t the case at all.

Not only does Bridges feature Bay Area sports games—it also shows the remaining local and nationally televised games on the 22 high-definition TV’s located throughout the restaurant.

Operations consultant Heather Thomaselli said, Bridges shows all of San Diego’s games too.

“We also cater to the local,

Ford also mentioned what differentiates Bridges from other San Diego sports bars.

“There are other bars in San Diego that feature specific Bay Area sports teams such as the 49ers, Raiders or Giants games, but we’re the only bar that has committed to showing all of the Bay Area sports games from hockey, basketball to football,” Ford said.

Whether you are a Bay Area sports fan or not, Bridges may be worth a try for its food menu, which incorporates some of the sights, sounds and taste of the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of the burgers on Bridges menu include Fisherman’s Wharf crab slider, The Haight/Ashbury burger and the mission burger, all named after neighborhoods in San Francisco.

We also cater to the local ... If you come in here, you’re not going to not be able to wear a Chargers jersey or SDSU ... this place is for everyone.

Heather Thomaselli Bridges Operation Consultant being next to San Diego State and the Chargers being so close to us down the road,” Thomaselli said.

“If you come in here, you’re not going to not be able to wear a Chargers jersey or SDSU … this place is for everyone.”

On Oct. 6, Bridges opened up as a new hangout spot for sports fans to mingle, primarily focused on showing all Bay Area sports games. Located approximately one mile south of SDSU, Bridges sits on the corner of Art Street and El Cajon Boulevard. Bridges coowner and Monterey native Nate Ford explained why he felt a venue for Northern California fans was necessary in San Diego.

“We loved the location … my co-owner and I had a vision for it of turning it into a neighborhood bar and grill that had an undertone of Bay Area professional sports,” Ford said. “There are such a large number of people from Northern California down here.”

Bridges features more than 3,000 square feet of seating inside with a 40-foot bar and 1,500 square feet of outdoor patio seating along with a 10-foot bar.

At night, patio heat lamps are turned on to cater to those who choose to hang out, eat, drink or enjoy a game on Bridges four outdoor TVs. Thursday through Saturday nights, an age restriction kicks in along with a live DJ and music, only allowing people 21 and older in after 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Bridges’ daily specials are another feature. On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $8 can get you a fulfilling lunch of a sandwich along with fries, soda and one side order. Wings are available for 50 cents from 5 – 10 p.m. on Mondays and for $5, two tacos and a Mexican beer can be ordered for dinner on Wednesdays.

Wearing a San Francisco 49ers jersey, SDSU kinesiology alum and

terence chin , staff writer

Bay Area fans gather for food and drinks at Bridges during last Monday night’s NFL game between the San Francisco 49ners and the Chicago Bears.

Palo Alto native Jordan Mojica loves Bridges so much he decided to return to watch “Monday Night Football” for the food and atmosphere.

“This is my second time here, I

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actually came here yesterday for a couple games, got a burger which had nice soft grilled buns, and I came back today for the wings which were also on point,” Mojica said.

Mojica emphasized how much he feels at home at Bridges.

“A Bay Area-themed bar in San Diego, you can’t get much better than that,” Mojica said.

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Monday November 26, 2012 The Daily Aztec

‘Mommy Bloggers’ takeover

humor

Hayley Rafner

T

here have been many writings on the advances and upsides of how easily accessible technologies are to the changing environment (a lot of them by me, in this publication.

But hey, at least I’m consistent).

Everybody talks about how cool changing technology is and how awesome it is that, because of the Internet, everyone has a voice that gets to be heard regardless of who that audience actually is. That’s all right and true, but that brings me to a tune I’ve been humming since I saw DogLover199709 dance around her room in her Tasmanian Devil T-shirt to Rihanna’s “Disturbia” four years ago. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Something else I’ve said since I saw that video is YouTube is a privilege, not a right (that’s a whole other diatribe I can go off on later).

As I was sitting in the office at my internship the other day, I received an email asking me to research different “mommy groups” and “mommy bloggers” in San Diego County. At first, I thought this would be an impossible task. The age of Internet blogging has got to be on the down slope at this point.

Currently, the mom trend now is getting huge tattoos of your kid in hipster glasses somewhere on your body, right? Young moms are everywhere. I know six people from high school who have had babies just this year. Isn’t being a young mom the trend in itself? I pondered these questions as Google took 0.28 seconds to give me 83,000 results when I typed in “San Diego Mommy Bloggers” into

meme monday

O_

Senior Staff Writer

the search bar. Cut to me— flabbergasted.

As I began to peruse the first page of search results—because we all know, if there’s one rule of Google, it’s that anything past the first page is a sick, sick joke when it comes to reliability in accordance to your search terms—I couldn’t believe the amount of actual mommy bloggers there were just in San Diego alone. Admittedly, I was kind of impressed. Not only did I find a ton of mom blogs so quickly, but I found my way onto a mommy meet-up site that boasted mommy meet-ups not only for moms looking for other stay-at-home moms, but moms looking for moms looking for play dates for their newborn babies.

Then I started reading the blogs. Cut to me—face-palming.

Mom blog after mom blog, I found myself with a growing hatred for moms everywhere.

There’s something about newwave mothers with Internet access and a quirky head shot that makes me want to deliver multiple swift punches to their throats.

This unique look into the world of mommy bloggers was jarring. To believe that the world of hipsters and Instagram filters was unique to only kids of our generation was naïve because, now, kids of our generation are the moms making these blogs.

These women—who I can only assume are stay at home moms because who has time to sit and make blogs about baby wipes all day—sit in front of their flip

cameras and tell readers about all the things moms everywhere are dying to hear. What kind of diapers are the most stylish?

How can you bedazzle your baby? How can you get your husband to love carrying around a Baby Bjorn? All of the blogs I came across were mommycentric, but a few took a turn at multitasking. I came across one that boasted the author was a freelance writer, a mom and an urban chicken farmer. One mom has her own webseries dedicated to fictional “momma dramas.”

The icing on top of my Internetsearching cake was when I found a blog dedicated to lactating actually written by a black woman called “blacktating.” I couldn’t have made that up on my most creative day.

Let me be my own devil’s advocate (I’m good at that) and say that it’s not just mommy bloggers that are self-righteous and self-aggrandizing. It’s all bloggers. I’m even guilty of this (although I get a pass because I know I’m hilarious and everyone always wants to read my writing). Anyone that thinks every thought they have in their head deserves to be immortalized on the Internet forever is sorely mistaken. It’s like people that tweet pictures of their food: no one cares.

Let’s change the future. Let’s stop this generation of video blogs, blogs and self-righteous spew about the best brand of baby powder to match your newborn’s clammy complexion and remind ourselves the only time our opinion really matters is never. Unless you’re me. Then it always matters.

HOROSCOPE

by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services

Today’s Birthday (11/26/12) - Pluto enters Capricorn (until 2023) today, bringing foundational transformation. Focus on personal goals this year, especially around family fun, work and self-renewal. Romance spices up the holidays. Balance work with exercise, as career kicks into overdrive.

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 7 - Work and moneymaking have your focus.

Meet a new friend through an old one. Love’s easier to express for the next few weeks.

Listen to your feelings.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 9 - Take advantage of the creative bursts of energy all throughout the day. Circumstances put you in the right place. Focus on team projects. Just do it.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 5 - Avoid gossip at all costs. Now it’s time to stick together and pull through. There’s a lesson here somewhere, and you’re getting better at learning. Follow the rules.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 8 - Compromise builds a strong foundation.

Make positive changes after considering the consequences. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll also make money. It’s easier to take charge for a few weeks.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Get your papers in order, and benefit financially.

Something doesn’t pencil out at first. Taking action is the best solution. You can find the money.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 8

- Someone needs to put some order into the chaos. Help them play by the rules. Make up a plan for an imaginative but rather spacey friend. For the next three weeks, it’s easier to concentrate.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 6 Don’t go public yet. Now is time to replenish depleted reserves. Creative accounting may not work out well. For the next ten days or so, it’s easier to make romantic plans.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 8 - Pay close attention to a master, and accept their challenge. Concentrate in the message you want to deliver. Take a friend along to assist you during challenging times.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - You’re an inspiration to the world, if you really think about it. Concentrate on the projects you’re most proud of. Find people with similar goals. Together, you’re all stronger.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Encourage criticism so that you can clean up an old mess the best way possible.

A relationship undergoes abrupt change, but the perfect solution appears. Think about the future.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - Creative work pays well. Pay close attention to your target market. Don’t forget about the older folks. Accept a challenge and get a boost. The two of you enjoy the moment.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 It’s easy to get distracted with your own goals and projects now, but don’t overlook a loved one’s needs. You’ll spend more for the next few weeks. Stick to your priorities. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

SUDOKU

by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services

Difficulty Level: 1 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

o

©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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Across 1 Ed of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” 6 “Mystery solved!”

9 Spear 13 Picked 14 Artist’s studio site 16 “Arsenic and Old __” 17 Mischievous girl in classic comics 19 Fairy tale menace 20 Display for the first time, as a product 21 Rajah’s spouse 23 Until this time 24 Grilled fish in Japanese unadon 26 “Exodus” actor Sal 28 Florida NBA team, on scoreboards 31 Jack LaLanne, for one 35 Tries to make it alone 37 Funereal stacks 38 Unaccompanied 39 Baggage handler, e.g.

42 Actress Amanda 43 Put the kibosh on 45 Idle 47 1984 South African Peace Nobelist 50 Williams with a .344 lifetime batting average 51 High-altitude nest 52 Lavish bash 54 Slap-on-the-forehead cry 56 The “height” part of a height phobia 58 Dress to the nines 62 __ hygiene 64 “Star Trek” role for George Takei 66 Late-night Jay 67 Genesis garden site 68 Scrabble pieces 69 Bustle 70 Big name in ice cream 71 Monica of tennis Down 1 Rights protection gp.

2 Knee-to-ankle bone 3 Misbehaving child’s punishment

by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 4 Makeup maven Lauder 5 Raised sculptures 6 Musketeer motto word 7 Time of day 8 On fire 9 __-mo replay 10 Cry that starts a kid’s game 11 Ranch division 12 Borscht ingredient 15 North African capital for which its country is named 18 Mama Cass’s surname 22 Clouseau’s title: Abbr.

25 D-Day city 27 Nile Valley country 28 Eyed lewdly 29 TV sports pioneer Arledge 30 Pitches in 32 Cry that conflicts with 10-Down

33 Christopher of “Superman” 34 “¿Cómo está __?”

36 Boss’s “We need to talk” 40 Sufficient, in slang 41 Too violent for a PG-13 44 Nickelodeon explorer 46 Figures made with scissors 48 Ornamental wall recess 49 Put down 53 Cow on a carton 54 Birdbrain 55 After-school cookie 57 Gave the green light 59 Quiet spell 60 Beekeeper played by Peter Fonda 61 Kisser 63 Lav of London 65 “__ questions?”