life/arts
Class is out, but basketball is still at it
Reporter back from Mecca
sports
t h e o f f i c i a l s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f h o u s to n s i n c e 1 9 3 4
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newsline Find more news items at newsline.thedailycougar.com
M.D. Anderson Memorial Library offers extended hours for exams As the end of the semester approaches, the University’s M.D. Anderson Library will extend its hours for the final examination period beginning Tuesday and concluding Dec. 16. Starting Tuesday, the library will be open 24 hours a day until Dec. 10, when it will close at 11:45 p.m. On Dec. 12, the 24-hour schedule will resume at noon and end at 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 16. Students will be required to show a UH identification card to gain entrance to the library after midnight during the 24-hour period. For more information about the schedule, visit http://weblogs.lib.uh.edu/ — Sara Nichols/The Daily Cougar
College of Technology to host children’s robotics tournament The UH College of Technology’s robotics outreach center, CORE, will host its daylong First Lego League robotics tournament at 8:45 a.m. on Dec. 1 at the UH Recreation and Wellness Center. The FLL tournament is an educational event for children ages 6-9 that encourages participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. According to CORE website, “FLL is a handson program designed to capture young children’s inherent curiosity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them.” — Sara Nichols/The Daily Cougar
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Issue 071, Volume 76
Friday ®
December 3, 2010
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UH predicts tight budget Officials to avoid layoffs during state mandated 10 percent budget cut Sara Nichols
THE DAILY COUGAR As the new year approaches, UH is preparing to address the state-mandated budget cuts for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which will be discussed in greater detail when the Texas Legislature meets in January. UH has been told to expect a 10 percent budget cut, but also that it could rise to as much as 20 percent. However, UH officials said the University is committed to ensuring economic efficiency, attaining flagship and
keeping its place as one of the top researchoriented universities in Texas. “The University is working hard to identify areas that reflect a duplication of services or programs,” Director of Media Relations Richard Bonnin said in an e-mail interview. “Strategic cuts in those situations will not adversely affect UH’s drive to flagship. It also will take the efforts of everyone to help us cope with these difficult economic times.” President Renu Khator started a website to generate cost-saving ideas from students, staff and faculty. Provost John Antel said the University is looking for fresh, new suggestions on how to deal in a time of economic stress. “Part of the review process involves
identifying actions with proven, quantifiable results that do not violate state rules or compromise the mission of UH,” Antel said. Antel also addressed the current lack of funding to the University from the state, and the increase in private funding makes the University function like a private university. “Over the past 30 years, our state funding has dropped from about 60 percent to only 26 percent, and we know that further reductions are coming,” Antel said. “With state funding at 60 percent, we looked and operated like a state agency. The reality is that if we are funded at 80 percent or BUDGET continues on page 8
Student repairs computers for needy Non-profit organization encourages help from community volunteers Danielle Upshaw
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ON CAMPUS The Invincible Czars Austin rock band The Invincible Czars will be performing on campus this evening at the Blaffer Art Museum courtyard at 6 p.m. The band will present their version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. The show is free!
AROUND TOWN H-Town Get Down In collaboration with Dance Houston, Warehouse Live will feature H-Town Get Town tonight at 8 p.m. This event will bring out Houston’s best dance crews and hip hop artists. Find more campus and local events or add your own at thedailycougar.com/calendar
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A few months ago, Chris Peterson was working as a computer repair technician when he decided to utilize his skills to help out a local nonprofit. His decision has helped place over 1,000 computers in the hands of well-deserving children and adults in communities across Houston. Comp-U-Dopt is a non-profit organization that offers donated computers and technology education to children in underserved communities. “When people who can perform particular tasks are willing to give a few hours a week, it makes a great deal of difference,” Peterson said. “With so many students at UH studying to get out in the world, why not find a non-profit that matches your goals and give them a hand.” Peterson, an industrial design major, is working towards a second UH degree and volunteers for CompU-Dopt, that was founded in 2007 by international technology lawyer John Osha of Houston. “So far, simply being there to help with the problems they could not solve (has been the most rewarding part),” Peterson said. “There were, and are, many computers that are COMPUTERS continues on page 8
The Mock Trial Team displayed its winning plaques won on Oct. 21 at the UT-Dallas Invitational while showing off their UH pride. | Courtesy of Joe L. Mendoza
Debate team soars to Regionals Travis Masterson
THE DAILY COUGAR At its second competition this season, the UH Mock Trial Team beat more than 16 teams from across Texas, including three other teams from the Houston area, at the UT-Dallas Invitational. The team finished in sixth place at the Oct. 21 event with one lawyer a point shy of an Outstanding Attorney Award, and two witnesses each one point shy of an Outstanding Witness Award. Juan Villagomez, received eight out of eight points to win the team’s first Outstanding Witness Award of the season. “The entire team is ecstatic about our performance,” College of Technology junior and team captain Joe Mendoza said. “We spent several weeks preparing ahead of time and we were determined to place at this competition, especially since it represents a precursor to the regional competition; and these two awards make that hard work worth it.” The team celebrated Villagomez’s award,
and he said he credits his achievement to the teams overall effort. “It feels great to have won the award,” Villagomez said. “I wouldn’t have been able to win without the overall strong performance of the entire group.” A witness’s job in the competition is to produce strong testimony, while maintaining credibility. “The objective of a witness is to give testimony based on their affidavit,” Villagomez said. “It sounds easy enough, but the affidavits are written in a way that mixes the testimony with questionable facts and bad character evidence.” The team will compete at regionals sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association in February. “Based on our last two competitions, and having won three awards so far this season, the team is very dedicated and determined to bringing back a trophy from regionals,” Mendoza said. news@thedailycougar.com
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Friday, December 3, 2010
NEWS 101
The Daily Cougar
news 101
Headlines from around the world, so you can sound like an informed person.
WASHINGTON D.C.
House green lights Bush-era tax cuts The US House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday which would extend tax cuts only for households with an income of $250,000 and individuals making $200,000 or less per year, CNN and BBC News reported. The bill was voted 234-188 and supported primarily by Democrats but opposed by Republicans. The policy was signed in 2001 and 2003 under the Bush administration. Yet, some are anticipating obstruction in its path in the Senate as Republicans are strongly in favor of tax cuts for all income levels. Tax rates are expected to increase at the end of the year when current tax cuts expire, but the bill will allow the eligible to continue to see consistent cut rates. Extending tax cuts for incomes at all levels may cost the government $700 billion, an amount that Democrats have argued is not a financially sound decision. President Barack Obama echoed the sentiments and believed that the middle-class can benefit heavily from the bill.
Suspect in murder of publicist kills self
Non–Voting Student Representative Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Section 61.0225 of the Texas Education Code authorizes the Governor to appoint a non-voting student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) for a term not to exceed one year beginning this year on June 1, 2011 and ending on May 31, 2012. Applications should be received by the Student Government Association (SGA) by Wednesday, December 15, 2010 for full consideration. The SGA will make recommendations with regard to those applications that should be forwarded to a committee chaired by the Vice President for Student Affairs. This Committee will make recommendations to the Chancellor by January 1, 2011, who will nominate to the Governor no less than two applicants for appointment to the Coordinating Board. This deadline includes the submission to the Governor’s Appointments Division the following documents:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Application for student representative on the THECB Governor’s appointment application Resume Unofficial transcript
Qualifications: (1) Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in a public institution of higher education; (2) Be in good academic standing; (3) Commit to fulfill all board related responsibilities during their term of service including attendance at no less than 3 of the 4 quarterly board meetings scheduled in January, April, July and October; and (4) Have a strong drive and self-motivation to contribute to the progress of higher education in Texas. If appointed: The student representative must continue to maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; maintain enrollment at a public institution of higher education for the duration of the term; and maintain a state-wide perspective on higher education (as opposed to representing any single college or university). The student representative shall enjoy the same rights as a regularly appointed board member, except the right to vote or be counted towards a quorum for official board business. The student representative serves without compensation, however shall be reimbursed by the Coordinating Board for expenses incurred during official board business.
June 1, 2011 is the deadline for the Governor to appoint the non-voting student representative to the Coordinating Board for the one-year term expiring on May 31, 2012. Background information and applications for this position can be found on the Student Affairs website at http://www.uh.edu/dsa/. Hard copies of this information can be obtained from the Student Government Office (UC Underground Rm 57A), the Dean of Students Office (UC Room 252) and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (E. Cullen Room 114). All completed applications must be submitted to one of these offices by noon, Wednesday, December 15, 2010. Applicants selected for nomination should be prepared to complete a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Application for Student Representative Position on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
CALIFORNIA
Lake in California may harbor alien life An arsenic-based bacteria has been discovered in a lake in California, BBC News reported. The significance of this comes as arsenic is a poisonous element and that the bacteria reveals no trace of phosphorus, an element crucial to all life forms known on earth. The finding also supports the belief that life forms foreign to the planet may operate on a completely different chemical makeup. If not that, the least the discovery can yield is a further understanding of beginning life on earth. Until now, all life on the planet is understood to be composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus at the minimum.
SPORTS
LOS ANGELES
Student Involvement at the State Level
himself in the head inside the lobby of an apartment complex. Meanwhile, investigators have not released any further information, but a motive to Chasen’s slaying has still not been identified.
The suspected killer who was believed to be responsible for the death of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen committed suicide Wednesday evening, the Associated Press reported. Chasen was shot while driving her Mercedes home from a movie premiere. The death of the suspect now creates even more questions in the unsolved case of Chasen’s murder. Witness reports say that the man shot
US loses bid to host 2022 World Cup No one believed Qatar would host the World Cup as their summers easily exceed 100 degrees, but the country has won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup. Russia joined in the victory by winning the privilege to host the event in 2018. President Barack Obama stated that FIFA made “the wrong decision.” Qatar won against the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea. Compiled by Newton Liu
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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Daily Cougar is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer, at the University of Houston Printing Plant and online at http://www. thedailycougar.com. The University seeks to provide equal educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status, or sexual orientation. The Daily Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees. The first copy of the Cougar is free; each additional copy is 25 cents. SUBSCRIPTIONS Rates are $70 per year or $40 per semester. Mail subscription requests to: Mail Subscriptions, The Daily Cougar, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-4015. NEWS TIPS Direct news tips and story ideas to the News Desk. Call (713) 743-5314, e-mail news@thedailycougar. com or fax (713) 743-5384. A “Submit news item” form is also available online at thedailycougar.com. COPYRIGHT No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the written consent of the director of the Student Publications Department.
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LIFE&ARTS
The Daily Cougar
Friday, December 3, 2010
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RELIGION
Reporter gives personal account of her pilgrimage to Mecca Anam Ghias
THE DAILY COUGAR Stranded on a road in a foreign country, clutching my stomach, I looked around at the busy street. My vision was blurry, the tears wouldn’t stop, but I could make out the people as they rushed past. It was 3 a.m. and the city of Mecca was as alive as ever. In the distance, I could hear my husband speaking in broken Arabic, trying to convince a taxi driver to help us. Sick to my stomach, I was doubled over, holding myself back from throwing up yet again. With my eyes shut tight I tried to take a deep breath through clenched teeth. “This is it,” I thought. “I’m going to die and nothing can help me.” I opened my eyes as I suddenly realized the irony of my situation. It is an obligation for every Muslim to make pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia at least once in their life as long as they are physically and financially able. It is the fifth pillar of Islam, and Muslims from all around the globe fulfill this religious duty every year. Hajj is commemorated for many reasons and one of the reasons is to honor Prophet Abraham and his family for their absolute submission to God. Muslims believe that Abraham was ordered by God to leave his infant son Ishmael and his wife Hagar in a desolate desert, which is now the city of Mecca. As Abraham was leaving, Hagar questioned him, wanting to know the reason for being left alone. When he did not reply she understood that he was simply following orders from God and felt reassured that God would not abandon them. As the story goes, Hagar was right in her convictions. When the thirst of her child became unbearable, a water spring miraculously burst and flowed especially for Hagar and her thirsty son, Ishmael. This spring today is called Zamzam and is an important part of Hajj. I was traveling overseas for the first time in 16 years. I was seven when my family migrated to the US, and now at 23 I couldn’t wait to see more of the world. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to go to a land more different than the US, but my excitement exceeded all fears. I contacted my professors before the fall semester, letting them know I would need two weeks off from school, for I was going on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca. I worked hard to get ahead in all my classes and turned in all assignments before I left. My stay in Saudi Arabia started off well. I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the city, the shops on the streets, the food, the interactions, the smiles of the old and the young and the constant honking of cars. It was completely different than what I was used to. However, with millions of pilgrims from around the world congregating in the same place the risk of catching a disease was high. I soon had a severe sore throat that led me to take antibiotics. The medication cured my throat but caused an imbalance in my stomach. For whatever reason, the medicine did not suit me and caused me to feel intense pain and incessant vomiting. Our Hajj group’s bus, unable to take us to a hospital due to the heavy traffic, left us to fend for
ourselves on the side of the road. As thoughts of my death filled my head and tears rolled down my face, I remembered the story of Hagar and realized how similar our stories were. We were both left stranded in Mecca, a city unknown to us. The difference was that she had unflinching faith in God and I had not had faith in God until I was truly tested. I was so ashamed that I cried even more. I prayed to God asking Him to cure me and to not let me die just yet. I came all the way from the US to make Hajj; I at least wanted to complete it. Needless to say, I survived, making it to a hospital despite the traffic and getting free treatment to boot. Upon reflecting on my ordeal, I recognize the importance of having faith through the test of life. Many rituals of Hajj serve as symbolic reminders of the importance of trusting God as we patiently endure the trials He puts us through. It seems I needed more than just a symbolic reminder and I got it. In retrospect, I am thankful for the lesson. arts@thedailycougar.com
In the fifth pillar of Islam, Muslims from all around the world fulfill their religious duty by going to Mecca every year. | Anam Ghias/ The Daily Cougar
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Friday, December 3, 2010
The Daily Cougar
opinion THE DAILY COUGAR
EDITOR Andrew Taylor E-MAIL opinion@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/opinion
OBAMA’S VACATION Courtesy USBICEF Stranahan Program
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITORS SPORTS EDITORS LIFE
& ARTS EDITOR
OPINION EDITOR
Matthew Keever Newton Liu Hiba Adi, Jose Aguilar John Brannen, Christopher Losee Travis Hensley Andrew Taylor
STAFF EDITORIAL
Carpenter union uses unsual protesters
P
rotesters in Dallas are upset about the wages for carpenters and are making their voices heard via protesting. But KHOUDallas reports that many of the picketers standing outside the offices of contractors who pay less than the union sanctioned wage for carpenters are, in fact, homeless and are being paid to protest with union funds. Business owners have been subjected to watching and hearing people with picket signs scream and chant outside their offices. While Americans are allowed to protest, and justly so, how far does that right go before it infringes on the rights of others? “We tend to hire a lot of people that have lived in the shelters down here,” Texas Carpenters Regional Council member Craig Wright told KHOU. “It doesn’t matter if they’re homeless or not homeless; anybody can come down and work for me, if they’d like.” The homeless employees are paid about $8 an hour and work 20 hours a week, and some of the homeless say that the union has given them some income during dire straights. “People support AIDS research, they support cancer research, yet you don’t have to have AIDS or cancer to support those things, and these guys don’t have to be carpenters to support a good cause.” This isn’t a long-term solution for the homeless, though; the union is taking advantage of people in a time of need, and ironically, as the homeless chant and cry for higher wages, health care and pensions, the union does not provide its temporary workers with any of these benefits. The carpenters union in Dallas has reported that about 33 percent of its picketers are homeless and that at least three of them have become apprentices to carpenters, gotten full-time jobs soon after and managed to better their living situations. But this isn’t enough to justify exploitation. The money used to pay these homeless protesters comes from the union itself, which seems to detract from its mission of securing more money for carpenters. It’s a counterproductive cycle, and the carpenters union could learn a thing or two from common sense — or perhaps a restructuring of the union.
Fox News isn’t fair or balanced W
ould someone please sit Rupert Murdoch and his cronies at Fox News down and give them a lesson on what Nazism really is? It seems as though every day there is another claim launched by Fox affiliates that some left-leaning John person or group is comGervais munist, socialist, elitist, terrorist-linked or most frequently a Nazi. This idea is not meant to be taken literally; for them, referring to someone as a Nazi is just another way of saying “of a different opinion than our own.” It seems that until recently we reserved the moniker for only the cruelest of cruel, the most sinful corrupt tyrants and murderous hooligans around. So what gives? The most recent example of this blatant mischaracterization was leveled against NPR by Fox news chief Roger Ailes when he said, “They are, of course, Nazis. They have a kind of Nazi attitude. They are the left wing of Nazism. These guys don’t
want any other point of view.” This attack was in response to NPR’s recent firing of anchor Juan Williams for his paranoid ramblings about Muslims. NPR’s reason for firing Williams was that, “His remarks on The O’Reilly Factor ... were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.” I suppose there are two ways to look at this. One, Williams was fired because his statements were borderline discriminative against a major religion and, being a news organization that is supposed to be fair and balanced, NPR didn’t want comments tarnishing their reputation. Or there is the opinion of the selfprescribed fair and balanced folks at Fox who feel like by firing Williams, NPR was abusively exercising censorship. Ailes retracted his previous statements last Thursday after receiving negative feedback from the Anti-Defamation League: “my now considered opinion
nasty, inflexible bigot, would have worked better.” Frankly, this assertion by folks at Fox News seems like a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black, or even the right-wing, corporate funded, aggressive, bully-like news channel calling anyone that questions their opinion a Nazi. As for the claim that NPR bigwigs are censoring their output, perhaps they should take a better look at themselves. The GOP’s ties to Fox news is not merely a rumor; during the first house debate since the mid-term elections, the GOP proposed to cease federal funding of National Public Radio. This attempt to defund NPR was supported and lobbied by House Minority Leader and Republican all-star Eric Cantor, who also spoke out in the debate against NPR’s firing of Juan Williams. Some other examples of news media’s GERVAIS continues on page 5
GUEST COMMENTARY E D I TO R I A L P O L I C I E S STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Daily Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Daily Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing. ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements published in The Daily Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole. GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be kept to less than 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies to material already printed in the Cougar, but rather should present independent points of view. Rebuttals should be sent as letters. Deliver submissions to Room 7, University Center Satellite; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.
CPS workers have tough jobs Every day, hundreds of reports of child maltreatment are brought to the attention of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Nicole How these reports are Elders handled is most often placed in the hands of the Child Protective Service agency and its workers. The amount of work and pressure that is put on these workers is endless. State policy dictates how each individual case should be handled, often putting much public scrutiny on the agency and its workers. CPS workers have been referred to as “baby snatchers” or “kid stealers”, when in reality a CPS worker’s ultimate goal is to keep the keep children with their parents whenever possible.
CPS intervenes on a child’s behalf in order to ensure that the child is raised in the safest environment possible. CPS provides many programs to parents in order to assist them in resolving issues that may have lead to the abuse. The department also provides a variety of services to children and families alike, including parenting classes where parents are informed about child development, appropriate disciplinary techniques and resources within the community. In extreme cases, where children are in imminent danger, CPS workers can file for an emergency removal from the home. Many professionalsn including social workers, school personnel, childcare workers, and medical and mental health professionals are mandated to report
suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Reports may be made by calling 1-800252-5400 or by logging on to https:// www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default. aspx. Information about the reporter will remain confidential. Remember, CPS is a government agency established to act in the best interest of the child. CPS workers are under an extreme amount of pressure to keep children safe, and the work they do should be commended. As professionals and future professionals, it is our responsibility to understand CPS and its policies so that we can make a better and safer future for our children.
Submit your guest commentary at letters@thedailycougar.com.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Daily Cougar
sports
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EDITORS John Brannen, Chris Losee E-MAIL sports@thedailycougar.com ONLINE www.thedailycougar.com/sports
UH NOTEBOOK
overtime
Seasons continue during holidays Cougar Sports Services
Even though the football team was unable to make it to a bowl game, there are plenty of reasons to stick around campus during your time off. Both men and women’s basketball teams will begin conference play. There are several other events around town that fans may find entertaining. BRIANNA LEIGH MORRISON/ THE DAILY COUGAR
SWIMMING & DIVING
UH adds talented swimmers It was announced Thursday that the Cougars added some skilled recruits to the program. Heather Coutts from Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Fl. is a prized landing. Coutts has won four state championships and excels in the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard butterfly. “We are thrilled and excited to have signed such an outstanding swimmer,” head coach Mark Taylor said in a release. “She’s a Florida state champion in the 100-backstroke and was the runner-up this season in the 100-yard butterfly. She will definitely come in as one of our top swimmers.” Maddie Clark from Badger High School in Bristol, Wisc. will also be valuable to the team. She has qualified for the Wisconsin state championship in all four years of her high school career. — Cougar Sports Services
Men’s basketball to host five games During the break, the Cougars (4-3) will play five games at Hofheinz Pavilion giving students plenty of reason to root them on. On Monday, the Cougars play Nevada at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on Comcast Sports Southwest. On Dec. 11 the UTSA Roadrunners will come to town. The game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m and will be on CSS. Sam Houston State comes to visit on Dec. 21. On the 30th, the Cougars will play Rogers State at 6 p.m and UCF at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8. The team opens conference play against Southern Miss. in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Jan. 5. The game can be seen on CSS. Four home contests for women’s team After competing at the Duel in the Desert in Las Vegas from Dec. 18-20th, the Cougars will play at the Hofheinz Pavillion four times. The Cougars will duel Georgetown
FIGHTIN’ WORDS
Even though classes are out of session, there is still plenty of action going on at UH. The men and women’s basketball team will have nine combined games at Hofheinz. | File Photo/The Daily Cougar Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. The next home game is Jan. 6 against Tulsa to open Conference USA play, also at 7 p.m. The last is Jan. 13 when Southern Miss. comes to play at 7 p.m. Golden Bears scheduled to play Illinois Baylor will be making a postseason appearance close to home when the Bears
face off against Illinois at Reliant Stadium in the Texas Bowl. Baylor is returning to the postseason after losing three consecutive games to finish the season. The kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN. sports@thedailycougar.com.
Talking smack and sports
With TCU bolting for a better conference Big East, why should or shouldn’t UH be considered? Johnny ‘the Hulk’ Brannen: Not ready yet
Josh Bowie Siegel: Fans should get rowdy
TCU justifiably took a leap from the Mountain West to the Big East. Their football team can now qualify for the NCAA championship, and will be in the most competitive basketball conference in the country. Their TV coverage will expand, and more dollars will pour into the TCU athletics. There is a reason UH was passed over.
I agree with Johnny on many of his points, and as a student and fan, I would love for UH to be admitted to a major conference. But I do not think that we have earned it at this point.
TCU is perennially dominant in football, and that served well for the university.
This football season was a real opportunity for our school to dominate and get its foot in the door, but circumstances conspired against that. I have faith in Coach Dickey and Sumlin to lead our programs to bigger things. I actually have larger issues with the fan base.
Given the landscape of college sports, there is a chance UH will be considered to move to a conference with an automatic qualifying bid to a BCS game. But a lot has to change for that to occur.
I need to see that UH students actually care. I went to a basketball game recently and the turnout was pathetic. Hofheinz is not an enormous venue — we need to start filling that place up.
The football and men’s basketball teams must become a force in Conference USA – something that hasn’t been done before. Other teams becoming nationally competitive would also be a plus.
If students want our athletics program to be taken more seriously, then they should take it more seriously. Honestly, why can’t we just give away alcohol to get students to show up? We would have a raucous and enthusiastic crowd and the turnout would be amazing! Imagine one enormous drunk sea of red hurling profanity at the opposition. The city of Houston is ripe with top athletic talent. We need to create an environment that those athletes will want to be a part of.
An upgrade in facilities will help. Fans did their part showing up to football games, but attendance to basketball games at Hofheinz so far has been a joke. The basketball team will have to improve to make a push in the NCAA Tournament, but a solid showing in the NIT would show progress.
TALK BACK
Jack ‘Almost Boss’ Wehman: Vacant positions need filling OK, while Josh talks about fans and John thinks we suck, I’ll talk about why we deserve something better. It really just comes down to two words: Nebraska and Colorado. Both teams left the Big 12 for the Big Ten. That makes the Big 12 lose a conference championship — a lot of revenue and prestige. They’re looking for two new teams if they want to regain that sweet, sweet conference money. True, adding UH wouldn’t make the most financial sense in terms of new fanbase — but neither did adding Baylor in the first place. UH can make a strong argument for bringing back the old Southwest Conference rivalries. Can you imagine playing a season opener against Texas in the new Robertson Stadium? If Texas keeps playing the way they did, we have a good chance to beat them — we had the same record this season, for crying out loud. We’d have to have a good presentation, but we have people like Kevin Sumlin on our side. With a new, more prestigious conference, recruits would flock to us left and right. There’s no reason that a blossoming University on the edge of flagship status with a new stadium on the way shouldn’t be seriously looked at.
What do you think? Post comments at thedailycougar.com/sports
Judge Avatar Losee: I am not a human being If it’s not UH, then it should be TCU taking the next step in Texas collegiate athletics. Being that I am an actual “Avatar,” I find myself divided between John and Jack’s argument. Josh needs to work a little bit on the hair, but eventually that tight leather will let him breathe in hard enough so that he can get some oxygen flowing to his brain. UH has proved itself over the last few years, but has not remained a dominant contender like TCU, or even Texas A&M. Plans for better facilities will help in the future, but it won’t do anything now. UH had its chance to prove to a national audience that the Cougars are talented enough to compete with Big 12 universities. TCU has won division title year after year, but what has UH done? Hopefully, I will fly in on UH campus next year and the basketball team will make another NCAA appearance. Until then, I will spend my time watching over my people. John gets the win for his honesty. He also gets the win because I feel that he is from another planet. Facetime I didn’t know Jeremy Piven from Entourage is working with us.
OPINION
The Daily Cougar
Friday, December 3, 2010
GERVAIS continued from page 4
finest publicly calling for the defunding of NPR are Juan Williams (go figure), Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. All of them are affiliated with Fox News, all admittedly conservative and all (some might speculate) a little bit crazy. In what has been called “a new low in American television�, Fox News pundit Beck launched a two-day long tirade on billionaire holocaust survivor and NPR financial contributor George
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Soros. It almost seems futile to discuss the fanatical opinions of Beck, but the fact remains — he still has an audience. In his ramblings, Beck tried to paint Soros as an anti-Semite and insisted that Soros is on a mission to overthrow our country, a claim that has the ADL and the Jewish community riled up. So congratulations, Mr. Beck, you have retained your title as world’s biggest idiot. John Gervais is a Psychology senior and may be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.
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Rapscallions by Pablo Relampagos
ACROSS 1 Put out bait 6 Hi or bye 10 Former JFK arrivals 14 Sharp, as hearing 15 B.C. or Que. 16 Not mention 17 Meadow sound 18 Seldom seen 19 Old ruler of Venice 20 Got fresh with 22 Honest 24 Mountain pass 26 Regulate 27 Enchant 31 NFL player 32 Says for sure 33 Ice-fishing tool 36 Water-power org. 39 Disclosure of secret information 40 Humbug! 41 Whacks weeds 42 Make mistake 43 Beadwork, e.g. 44 After-dinner candies 45 Workout facility 46 Applause 48 Christmas decor 51 Type of doll 52 Small heavy object 54 Price tag 59 Nudge forward 60 Roast pig repast 62 View from Giza 63 Phaser setting 64 Cable channel 65 Map collection 66 “How do I love —?” 67 Library slogan 68 Plunders
The Fishbowl by Thomas Hernandez
sudoku How to play
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3-by-3 boxes must also contain the numbers 1 to 9.
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DOWN 1 Chocolatecolored dogs 2 Bruins 3 Is sorry about 4 Depot info 5 Discovers the existence of 6 EMT technique 7 Retirees’ kitties
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8 Major artery 9 Went in the hole 10 Element in salt 11 Hazy conditions 12 Stingy 13 Dele canceler 21 Elmer, to Bugs 23 Nearly shut 25 Tibet’s capital 27 Bundle of hay 28 Unceasingly 29 Get threadbare 30 Peeve 34 Antenna type 35 U of F athlete 36 Pop’s — Tennille 37 Nullify 38 Part of NBA 40 Chatterbox 41 Punch or jab 43 IRS employees 44 Beatles’ “— Mystery Tour” 45 Extremely
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peaceful Winery feature Usefulness Scoundrel Split-level Do a cleaning chore 53 Storybook bear 55 Roman moralist 56 About 2.2 lbs. 57 Latin 101 word 58 Prepare the salad 61 And, for Wolfgang 47 48 49 50 52
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NEWS
Friday, December 3, 2010
COMPUTERS continued from page 1
awaiting some repair. Without the ability to fix these units, they simply wait.” Erin Powers, a member of the Comp-U-Dopt Board of Directors, said the organization encourages the development of technology skills for children, promotes computer reuse and better stewardship of the environment. “The organization has extraordinary momentum,” Powers said.
“Hundreds more children are on the waiting list. Corporate and individual donations of computers, financial support and time can make an immediate difference in a child’s life.” While assisting the organization in repairing and refurbishing computers, Peterson realized that many families cannot afford computers, which is something he said he believes students take for granted. “They seem to be all around us and it’s quite odd to think some people don’t have at least one in the home,” Peterson said. “Sadly, even
resale non-profits such as Goodwill sell old computers at a cost too high for some.” Once a computer is adopted, Comp-U-Dopt also provides support to its recipients. If a computer stops functioning properly, they can bring it in to be checked out. The organization relies on the time and talent of its supporters. “Volunteers like Chris help foster educational inspiration in local children,” Powers said. “Like many in the UH community, Chris has a full schedule with school and work, but makes time for community service.
The Daily Cougar
His work refurbishing donated computers reflects his dedication to helping children acquire increasingly necessary technology skills. Everyone at Comp-U-Dopt is grateful for his service.” The organization works with retired and professional volunteers statewide and also students from UH, Rice, Texas A&M and Texas State universities. Peterson encourages UH students to find a place where they can give back to the community. “For all the computer science students, Comp-U-Dopt would make
a great place to utilize computer knowledge for a good cause,” Peterson said. Comp-U-Dopt continues to strive to help the community one refurbished computer at a time, and to constantly keep growing and helping others as an organization. “As of this week, more than 1,900 children and adults are using refurbished computers donated by companies and individuals,” Powers said. “We hope to provide computers to 3,000 children and adults in 2011.” news@thedailycougar.com
BUDGET
$5 Friday
continued from page 1
more from non-state funds, we will look and operate more like a private university, while maintaining our commitment to educational opportunity.” As of now, Bonnin said UH does not plan to implement additional layoffs as a result of the budget deficit, but the “really hard discussions” will begin in January when the Texas Legislature meets and discusses specific components of the University that will be affected by worst-case scenarios. “To comply with the new statemandated budget cuts for this fiscal year, we are going to be looking for cash to return to the state, fund balances and reserves,” Bonnin said. “We will have conversations about furloughs and other actions that will produce cash, but we will not be looking for program or personnel reductions as part of this cut.” To contribute a cost-saving or money-generating idea to the University, students faculty or staff can visit the UH website and search for Khator’s budget discussion.
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