The Daily Reveille - September 7, 2012

ANALYSIS: Mettenberger doesn’t need to live up to preseason hype, p. 7

ENVIRONMENT: Lovebugs plague campus, p. 3

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LSU SYSTEM

Legal Counsel Lamonica resigns

Friday, September 7, 2012 • Volume 117, Issue 11

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Staff Reports The LSU System Legal Counsel Ray Lamonica resigned from his position Thursday, according to the LSU System. His resignation comes a few months after former LSU System President John Lombardi was fired and former LSU Chancellor Michael Martin resigned.

Lamonica will retain his position as a professor in the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, but The Daily Reveille reported in March that Lamonica drew a six-figure salary from the Center despite not teaching for seven years. His resignation will go into effect Friday.

Last spring, Lamonica earned a $275,000 annual salary from the LSU System’s Office. Law Center officials confirmed to The Daily Reveille that $102,000 of his wages and more than $30,000 in his benefits were transferred from the Law Center’s budget to the System Office for his pay.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com

TRANSPORTATION

Traffic off campus blockades students Ben Wallace Senior Contributing Writer

Breaking Out

Landry named offensive captain for Washington game

Alex Cassara Sports Writer

From practice dummy to team leader, just like that.

As the LSU football team made its BCS push in 2011, then-true freshman receiver Jarvis Landry

toiled against the starting defense week after week. It’s not a glamorous job by any means, but the practice squad does have its benefits.

That’s not to say he was unknown coming into this season’s camp, though. Anyone who took in the Tigers’ matchup against Auburn

last season, when Landry waylaid a War Eagle kickoff returner, can attest to that.

He spent a year refining his work ethic, developing chemistry with junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger LANDRY, see page 15

Pictured: Sophomore receiver Jarvis Landry (80) leads the team Sept. 1 before the Tigers’ 41-14 victory against North Texas.

Three miles from campus doesn’t sound far.

But for residents of The Cottages and The Woodlands, the relatively new off-campus student housing developments sandwiched between Nicholson Drive and Burbank Drive along Ben Hur Road, traffic poses a threat to their attendance record on a daily basis.

Many school days, the cars stopped at Burbank back up past the caboose of the line of cars simultaneously backed up from Nicholson along the three-quarter mile road stretch, almost a half-mile in either direction from the respective stop signs.

The overlap sometimes traps residents in their neighborhoods because the jammed cars can block both lanes of traffic in front of the main gates for each neighborhood.

Coastal environmental science BEN HUR, see page 6

TAILGATING

University graduate helps create pouch cocktails Ferris McDaniel Staff Writer

Craig Cordes was home on holiday from his corporate finance job in 2007 when his high school friend Antonio LaMartina, presented him with a semi-outlandish proposal — Capri Sun-style alcoholic beverages.

The idea that started as a melted margarita puddle sloshing around inside of a plastic bowl is expected to generate $27 million in revenue this year.

“In a time where you have cell phones communicating instantaneously, everything is about now, now, now and our product is a now product,” said 28-year-old Craig Cordes, co-creator of the to-gopouch-packaged frozen cocktails named Cordina. Cordes is a 2006

University graduate and a Louisiana native LaMartina’s concept for the pouched pleasure spawned from a trip to a Gulf Coast beach. LaMartina had trekked to his hotel room to retrieve a margarita pitcher but was denied re-access to the beach due to glass restrictions. He ran upstairs to transfer the spirited slushy into a plastic bowl, but the beverage had melted upon his second return to the shore.

Facing a total buzz kill, LaMartina saw his nephew sipping on a Capri Sun and a light bulb switched on.

Cordes said when LaMartina first pitched the idea, he thought it was a failure waiting to happen, but after a night’s sleep, Cordes woke up ready to take on the task. He quit his job in New Jersey and moved

to Houston to work full-time so he could easily travel to Louisiana.

Cordes, LaMartina and his brother, Sal LaMartina, began attending trade shows and learned that flexible pouches for liquids could be equipped with a screw-on top — making them easily portable and resealable.

The entrepreneurs began working on their product alone during nights and weekends, dedicating money from each paycheck toward their product, and in 2009, after quitting their full-time jobs, the three friends opened Big Easy Blends — the manufacturer of Cordina drinks — in a 2,000-square-foot location.

“Now, four years into it, we have expanded into a CORDINA, see page 6

ALYSSA SIRISOPHON / The Daily Reveille

LSU alumnus Craig Cordes helped start Cordina daiq-GO-ris. The cocktails come in a variety of flavors and can be purchased at Walmart on Highland Road and Lee Drive.

The Daily Reveille

Nation & World

page 2

INTERNATIONAL Costa RIca escapes big damage from serious 7.6 magnitude quake CANGREJAL, Costa Rica (AP) — The bulletins were terrifying: a powerful earthquake had struck off the coast of this Central American country, spawning a tsunami warning and bringing fears of widespread catastrophe.

But Costa Rica suffered remarkably little damage from Wednesday’s magnitude-7.6 quake — a few blocked highways, some collapsed houses and one death, of a heart attack caused by fright. Officials credited the relatively deep location of the quake and strict building codes.

European Central Bank unveils aggressive bond plan to save euro FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank unveiled its most ambitious plan yet to ease Europe’s financial crisis with a plan to buy unlimited amounts of government bonds to help lower borrowing costs for countries struggling to manage their debts.

Large-scale purchases of short-term government bonds would drive up their price and push down their interest rate, or yield, taking some pressure off of financially stressed governments such as Spain and Italy.

Erwin Mascarinas / The Associated Press

Residents take shelter Aug. 31 at the lobby of the city hall in Tandag, Surigao Del Sur province in southern Philippines, following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Israeli model and actress rallies support for imprisoned Gadhafi son TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An imprisoned son of former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi is getting help from an unlikely source: an Israeli actress and model who says she had a romantic relationship with him.

Orly Weinerman is rallying support for a petition drive calling on Libyan authorities to release Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, saying he is a generous and caring person who has been abandoned by the international community and deserves a fair trial outside Libya.

. . . in

We dont look for people who

fit eople p who Stand out ALL

Friday, September 7, 2012

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

Jury convicts Drew Peterson of third wife Kathleen Savio’s death

Dead nutria and other creatures wash ashore in Hurricane Isaac’s wake

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Drew Peterson — the crass former Illinois police officer who gained notoriety after his much-younger wife vanished in 2007 — was convicted Thursday of murdering a previous wife in a potentially precedent-setting case centered on secondhand hearsay statements.

Peterson, 58, sat stoically looking straight ahead and did not react as the judge announced jurors had found him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Her relatives gasped.

Police in legal minefield take action on Arizona immigration law

MANDEVILLE (AP) — The Mississippi Gulf Coast isn’t the only place dead nutria washed ashore after Hurricane Isaac. Mandeville Mayor tells The Times-Picayune those included dead fish, a dead alligator and some feral hogs.

Villere says the city got state permission to dump the dead animals in a closed parish landfill. He says city crews dug a hole, dumped in the bodies, and filled the hole back in.

Thousands of dead nutria also washed up on the beaches in Mississippi’s Harrison and Hancock counties. Following the storm clean - up crews began picking up the dead nutria and debris.

PHOENIX (AP) — The most contentious part of Arizona’s immigration law has approval to move forward, surviving a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

But the practical effect of what critics call the “show me your papers” provision remains to be seen.

Immigrants are worried they’ll be harassed by officers because they look Hispanic.

Officers say they’ll be open to lawsuits if they’re accused of racially profiling, not adequately enforcing the law.

Regenerated remnant of Hurricane Isaac lurks in Gulf of Mexico NEW ORLEANS (AP) — If a well-traveled remnant of last week’s Hurricane Isaac becomes a tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico, it would be a rare but not unprecedented event, forecasters say.

In 2005, a remnant from a tropical depression that dissipated near Puerto Rico eventually became part of a new depression, which became the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina. This is the only example of this scenario.

Maybe?

US

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ADVERTISING

Ex-FEMA worker gets one year probation in contract probe fraud NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A former employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been sentenced to one year of probation for helping a government contractor prepare a FEMA contract proposal for maintaining government-issued shelters in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

Robert Blevins pleaded guilty in May to violating a federal conflict-of-interest law. The 75-yearold had faced a maximum sentence of one year when a federal magistrate sentenced him Wednesday.

Weather

PHOTO OF THE DAY

TODAY

Isolated T-storms

91 74 SATURDAY

We hire

If this is you, come fill out an application in B34 Hodges today or call...

AMANDA MCCOY / The Associated Press

A clean-up crew picks up dead nutria Sunday that had washed onto the beach in Bay St. Louis, Miss., following Hurricane Isaac.

90 66 MONDAY CONNOR TARTER / The Daily Reveille

A lamp begins to illuminate a walkway outside of Himes Hall on Thursday evening. Submit your photo of the day to photo@lsureveille.com.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes which may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsureveille.com.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-34 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semi-weekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.

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Andrea Gallo • Editor-in-Chief Emily Herrington • Managing Editor Bryan Stewart • Managing Editor, External Media Brian Sibille • News Editor Morgan Searles • Entertainment Editor Rachel Warren • News and Entertainment Deputy Editor Luke Johnson • Sports Editor Albert Burford • Deputy Sports Editor Kirsten Romaguera • Production Editor Clayton Crockett • Opinion Editor Catherine Threlkeld • Photo Editor Alix Landriault • Multimedia Editor Olivia Gordon • Radio Director Annabel Mellon • Advertising Sales Manager Newsroom (225)578-4810 • Advertising (225)578-6090

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012

ENVIRONMENT

page 3

Lovebugs adorn campus as hot weather continues Danielle Kelley Contributing Writer

Students have swatted, slapped and struck lovebugs for the past couple of weeks and will be forced to continue tolerating little black pests as the season nears its an end in September.

Plecia nearctica, more commonly known as lovebugs, descend upon the Gulf Coast twice a year, said Tim Schowalter, department head of Entomology.

Though some students think the bug has no other purpose than mating mid-flight, Schowalter said the larvae consume decaying material, notably grass roots, and help the natural decomposition process.

“Their natural role is to chew up dead stuff,” Schowalter said. “In chewing up dead stuff, they provide nutrients and space for new plant growth.”

Schowalter said the flies find shelter in the ground or in low shrubbery and are attracted to wetter areas, which explains why

Hurricane Isaac didn’t wipe out the population. If anything, he said, the rain would increase their longevity and repopulation as it did after storms such as Hurricane Rita. Male bugs normally live two or three days, females live up to a week, and the entire season can last more than a month, Schowalter said.

“In the city, it’s hotter and drier,” he said. “Lovebugs would probably prefer moister areas in the suburbs.”

Rasheda Gros, chemistry junior, said she finds lovebugs more annoying in her hometown of Edgard, La., than in Baton Rouge.

“There was really no way to deal with them. They’re everywhere,” Gros said. “I think it’s way better in Baton Rouge than at home.”

But Sarah Hetzel, political science freshman, said she finds lovebugs to be worse on campus than her home near the interstate.

“Bugs on campus in general are bad. They’re worse here than

home,” Hetzel said.

Aside from being a nuisance, the pests’ acidic bodily fluids can damage car paint if action is not taken, Schowalter said. Lovebugs are attracted to exhaust fumes and lighter surfaces.

Gros said from her experience, lovebugs can be found around white cars, like her aunt’s. She said it’s impossible to open the car door without letting a few pests in, and the bugs have also affected her clothing choice.

“You don’t want to wear white, because they’ll attack you,” Gros said.

Hetzel said lovebugs and ants found their way into her car when she left the University when campus was closed for Hurricane Isaac.

But the only way to deal with them, Hetzel said, is to “wait for them to go away.”

Logan Knight, electrical engineering junior, had similar advice.

“Treat them like flies. Ignore them,” he said.

Schowalter said pesticides are

AUSTIN BENNETT / The Daily Reveille

A pair of lovebugs lay dead on the front of a car Wednesday.

no use against the lovebugs and is even counterproductive since the bugs help plants.

“I just usually tell people that’s one of the things about living on the Gulf Coast,” he said. “Like

hurricanes, you need to be prepared for them.”

Contact Danielle Kelley at dkelley@lsureveille.com

BUSINESS

District distributes survey on potential grocery store

Respondents support new store Ferris McDaniel Staff Writer

The Downtown Development District is conducting a survey to gather information and opinions from Baton Rouge residents about a potential grocery store in the city’s downtown area.

The survey began two weeks ago after developers expressed interest in adding one there, said Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District.

The survey has been distributed to 5,000 residents so far and has received nearly 1,200 responses, Rhorer said.

The survey’s questions focus on supporting local business, residents’ ideal travel distance to a grocery store and the downtown area, residents’ preferred grocery store and the idea of a downtown grocery store, in addition to a number of other subjects.

Survey results show a positive response to the idea, of a downtown grocery store with 82 percent of respondents supporting a new store. Additionally, 76 percent of respondents are willing to travel zero to 10 miles to a grocery store — about the distance from the University to the downtown area.

Rhorer said the need for a store is glaring, as the nearest one

is Calandro’s Supermarket at the corner of Government and Edison streets.

“It’s one of those catalytic projects that stabilizes residential development downtown,” he said.

Rhorer said a few ideas about what type the downtown grocery store might be and where it will be located exist but can’t be revealed just yet. He said the next step is to forward the survey results to the appropriate people who have expressed interest in developing a store.

Residents can participate in the survey or view results by clicking a link to the downtown grocery store survey on the righthand side of the page at downtownbatonrouge.org.

Survey Response: · 55 percent say supporting a local business is very important · 82 percent of respondents would support a downtown grocery store · 76 percent are willing to travel zero to 10 miles to a grocery store · 82 percent live or work within their travel preference.

Contact Ferris McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com

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page 4

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012

PHOTO STORY

page 5

JOBS

Check out lsureveille.com to learn what happened at the Harambee

Survey shows increase in jobs for mass comm grads

Professors call students prepared Chet Hebert

Contributing Writer

College graduates who received bachelor degrees in journalism and mass communication in 2011 experienced a small improvement in the job market, according to the PEW Research Center.

In the University of Georgia’s Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communication Graduates, 62.2 percent of 2011 graduates with bachelor degrees in journalism or mass communication found full-time jobs within six to eight months of graduation.

In 2010, 58.2 percent of the mass communication graduates found full-time jobs within the same timespan and 55.5 percent of graduates in 2009.

According to the PEW Research Center website, the James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research at the University of Georgia conducted the survey.

“In a period of some economic recovery nationally, our field has shown that same general pattern,” Cox Center Director Lee Becker told PEW. But Becker said the study’s positive findings may not be as inspiring as they seem.

“It’s hard to be optimistic when you use as a reference point the pre-2008 data,” he said.

In 2007, before the national economic recession, results of the survey set the employment rate for new graduates at 70.2 percent.

Andrea Miller, associate dean for Undergraduate Studies at the Manship School of Mass Communication at LSU, said

MORGAN SEARLES / The Daily Reveille

[Top]: A band performs following the Harambee in the Student Union. [Upper Middle]: MLK Dance Ensemble performs Thursday. [Lower Middle]: Students congregate in the Union following the Harambee performance. [Bottom]: LSU NPHC Unity performing at Harambee.

the results show an improving “Students that don’t come job market but mainly for recent out of college with an internship graduates. or some kind of experience strug“We hear about many people gle with finding jobs,” Lundy with jobs in journalism are getting said. laid off, and those Miller said are the things that ‘ We hear about many students graduatparents of stuing in mass compeople with jobs in munication are dents read and worry about,” she journalism are getting often qualified for said. “But at the jobs outside of same time there laid off, and those are their concentraare many people the things that parents tions. hiring new gradu“The No. 1 of students read and thing that employates.”

Mass Comees are looking worry about.’ munication Profor are commufessor Craig nication skills,” Andrea Miller Freeman agreed associate dean for Undergraduate she said. “You that these survey Studies at the Manship School of may have the best results are good knowledge of any Mass Communication news for this genfield, but if you eration of college students but can’t communicate them, you bad news for older generations. have nothing.”

“Employers in journalism Manship School Dean Jerry want people with advanced, elec- Ceppos said he finds the national tronic media experience,” he numbers encouraging. said. “This crop of emerging stu“Mass communication is undents has these technical skills.” usual because students are trained According to Miller, experi- to write clearly and think analytience is key to job security as a cally,” Ceppos said. “So it’s not mass communication major. just journalism jobs but a wide “In our field, employers are array of jobs.” looking for practical experience,” Miller said.

Lisa Lundy, Associate Professor of Mass Communication, Contact Chet Hebert at said the market has always been chebert@lsureveille.com this way.

page 6 BEN HUR, from page 1

junior and Cottages resident Jonathan Lambert said he has to leave at least 30 minutes before class starts to make it on time to 8:30 or 9 a.m. classes.

“The worst part is getting past Brightside [Lane/Lee Drive], because it takes like 20 minutes just to get out of The Cottages,” Lambert said.

Lambert takes the bus twice a week, although those who ride the Ben Hur/Burbank bus in the mornings know they’re usually packed to capacity.

“There’s people standing everywhere,” Lambert said. “There’s barely room to move.”

Business junior and Woodlands resident Kelli Langley uses the Tiger Trails smart phone application to locate buses. But many times, she and other app users see one bus parked in front of the Journalism building, presumably waiting for the other bus to return to campus before it heads out again.

“Two buses is enough, but I think they just need to run both of them all the time,” Langley said.

Students sometimes have to slip off their backpacks just to fit, she said.

Each TigerTrails bus seats 45 riders, but another 35 or 40 people can fit if they stand, said Gary Graham, director of Parking, Traffic and Transportation.

“We add a second [Burbank/ Ben Hur] bus and everybody’s saying this isn’t enough,” Graham said, while stressing that the buses go where the demand lies. “If they want to put three buses on Ben Hur instead

CORDINA, from page 1 55,000-square-foot facility and have employed 144 people at the highest point,” Cordes said.

Cordina now offers five drink flavors — watermelon and lime mar-GO-ritas, strawberry daiq-GOris, pina-GO-lada and choc-GO-late mudslide — in stores, including Walmart and Walgreens, around the country.

But the drinks’ popularity didn’t always exist.

“The beginning was miserable because everybody that we talked to said they would never drink out of a pouch,” Cordes said.

After Cordina’s appearance, many pouched cocktails from brands including Smirnoff and Dailys surfaced. Cordes said the difference between Cordina and these products is that Cordina beverages are resealable and the others have “tear-off tops,” making them a one-time-use drink.

Cordes said there were a number of catalysts that “were the fuel to get the car started.”

In 2010, Cordina won a packaging award from Beverage World magazine for functionality. Around the same time, the company was admitted into Idea Village, a not-forprofit business incubator in New Orleans, where it won an entrepreneur challenge. Then, in 2011, Cordes and his comrades were offered a major business deal.

“Walgreens called us to do a nationwide deal in 2011 for 2012 programming,” he said. “We never looked back after that.”

Cordes said the company is

of two, then we’ve got to take one off [another route],” he said.

If Graham wants to present a valid argument for new buses to the Student Required Fee Committee, the group that regulates which fees pay for designated services, a traffic survey needs to be conducted to find where the highest demand exists, he said.

In addition to the survey, passenger count data captured by infrared beams on the steps of every bus will also factor into which buses end up on each route.

“It’s our job to make a decision that positively affects the greatest number of students,” said Taylor Cox, Student Government president and student chair of the Student Required Fee Committee.

The roughly $3.6 million cost of operating Tiger Trails is funded by the $66.20 mass transit system fee that appears on all full-time students’ fee bills under the lump sum University Required Activity fee.

But for new buses to be added to the 18-bus fleet, that fee will likely need to rise, Graham said.

This year, the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation pays a flat rate of about $90 per hour for each bus to First Transit, the contracted company who operates TigerTrails and Campus Transit, in addition to surcharges for part of the fuel costs.

Cox said he’s also trying to add a night bus to Ben Hur/Burbank bus route, so students who frequent the Tigerland area can have a safe ride home.

Contact Ben Wallace at bwallace@lsureveille.com quickly expanding and continuing to innovate its product. They recently released a football-shaped pouch — perfect for tailgating. He said the product’s growth has been from grassroots advertisements and wordof-mouth.

Though the company has a nationwide deal with Walgreens, Cordes said the product hasn’t fully penetrated the nation yet and is more

The Daily Reveille Reveille Radio

91.1 KLSU

Hear about LSUPD’s efforts to prepare for tailgating at 4:20 p.m.

Tune in at 5:20 p.m. to learn about The Oasis, a new form of tailgating.

Watch a video of female powerlifter Kiela Badeaux at lsureveille.com.

Check out today’s LMFAO entertainment blogs at lsureveille.com:

Entertainment writer Kaci Yoder washes the MTV Video Awards down with a stiff drink in ‘The Booze Tube.’

Read a review of ‘The Night Circus’ on ‘Bound for Books.’ popular on the East Coast. However, the $2 beverages can be found in every state except for Wyoming, Alaska, Utah, Pennsylvania and Montana.

“We haven’t really even scratched the surface of what we can do,” Cordes said.

Contact Ferris McDaniel at fmcdaniel@lsureveille.com

Friday, September 7, 2012

Sports Welcome to the Jungle

Friday, September 7, 2012

No. 3 LSU

VS.

page 7

Washington

Game Week Notebook LSU SCHEDULE Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 23

LSU 41, UNT 14 Washington Idaho @ Auburn Townson @ Florida South Carolina @ Texas A&M Alabama Mississippi St. Ole Miss @ Arkansas

TIGERS STATISTICS Against North Texas: · 508 total yards

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

Students roar on the Tigers on Sept. 1 during their first home game against North Texas. LSU and Washington, each coming off a season-opening win, meet on Saturday.

· Rushing: 46 attempts for 316 yards and three TD · Passing: 19/26 for 192 yards and one TD · One interception thrown · One fumble recovered · One interception caught · 26 first downs

HUSKIES STATISTICS Against San Diego State: · 428 total yards · Rushing: 31 attempts for 106 yards and one TD · Passing: 25/35 for 222 yards and one TD · One fumble lost · Two fumbles recovered · One interception caught · 22 first downs

LSU TOP PLAYERS RB Kenny Hilliard: 13 carries, 141 yards, 2 TD against UNT RB Alfred Blue: 16 carries, 123 yards against UNT WR Jarvis Landry: 8 catches, 82 yards against UNT S Eric Reid: 7 tackles, 1 INT against UNT LB Lamin Barrow: 8 tackles DE Barkevious Mingo: 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry ALBERT BURFORD / The Daily Reveille

Tyler Nunez

Washington Huskies, plagued by injuries, head to Tiger Stadium

Sports Contributor

The last time LSU lost a regular season, nonconference football game, gas cost an average of $1.45 per gallon, M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” was topping the box office and Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi were on their way to meeting each other for the last time in the U.S. Open final.

The No. 3 Tigers (1-0) will look to extend this streak to a record-tying 39 consecutive regularseason, non-conference victories Saturday when they play host to the Washington Huskies (1-0).

But mum’s the word with figures like this for LSU coach Les Miles, who would rather not

discuss the record until it is broken.

“This is a real quality Washington team,” Miles said. “We’re not going to talk about ‘ifs’ and ‘whens.’ We really need to focus on this team.”

If the last meeting between these two teams in 2009 is any indication, Miles has reason to be wary.

Then-No. 11 LSU went into Husky Stadium as the heavy favorite, but Washington almost gave the Tigers more than they could handle, significantly besting the Tigers in total offense, thirddown conversions and time of possession.

But turnovers and a slew of penalties proved too much for Washington, as LSU went on to win, 31-23.

Again, LSU is significantly favored to win this weekend’s matchup, but Washington is playing for more than just their own program this time.

The Huskies are representing their entire conference.

The game is the first of only two regular season matches this year that will pit the Southeastern Conference and the Pacific-12 Conference against each other.

A Washington upset victory against LSU in Death Valley would go a long way in proving that the Pac-12 is nearing the same level as the SEC. “The biggest way to change the perception HUSKIES, see page 11

LSU doesn’t need a ‘Mett-siah’ for success

people who set absurd standards for No. 8 in the first place.

Isn’t it terrible when an athlete doesn’t live up to the inflated expecALBERT BURFORD tations the media and fan base have Deputy Sports Editor created for him?

One week ago today, plenty of But we can’t have it both ways. people were discussing LSU junior We built him up and now we tear quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Can him down after one week and a perhe be the first LSU quarterback in formance with a couple of dark spots recent years to pose to go along with its a serious and conbright moments. ‘...We got the sistent threat with Welcome to the win, and if I keep his vertical passspotlight, Zach. ing attack? Is he a improving from here, With a 19-ofdark-horse Heisman 26 performance that we’ll be good.’ candidate? Is he the totaled 192 passing “Mett-siah”? Does yards, one touchZach Mettenberger he possess superdown and one innatural healing powterception, MettenLSU quarterback ers? berger got the job One week ago today, most of done handily against North Texas. those questions didn’t seem too ri- He was efficient, and LSU won 41diculous.

14. That’s what matters.

But Mettenberger started his The LSU offense even racked first game for LSU last Saturday and up 508 yards, its most since a 2007 his performance was immediately condemned by some of those same METT-SIAH, see page 11

THE BERT LOCKER

RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) throws for a completion Sept. 1 against North Texas. Mettenberger threw for 192 yards in the season opener.

page 8

VOLLEYBALL

SOCCER

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012

Tigers Defense-minded Tiger squad to host FIU travel to Carolina Classic Chris Abshire Sports Writer

Mike Gegenheimer Sports Contributor

The Carolina Classic will be the LSU volleyball team’s final chance to set things straight before the start of conference play next weekend.

The Tigers will face Middle Tennessee, Western Michigan and host North Carolina during the two-day tournament in Chapel Hill, NC. “All are quality programs coached by very good coaches,” said LSU coach Fran Flory in a news release. “[North Carolina] will be a tough match. It will be very competitive, very tight contest that will be determined by a couple of touches here or there …

Western Michigan is also a great team.”

Flory has challenged her team early in the season by scheduling four top 20 programs over the course of the past two weekends.

The Tigers did not fare well in those matches, however, going 2-4 with all four losses coming in straight sets.

“As a coach, you learn more when you lose than when you win,” Flory said. “We challenged this team, and this schedule was put together on purpose. I don’t think we are playing anybody in non-conference that has not been in the top 50 RPI for the past couple of years … Certainly, they are a little bit better than us at this point, but it has given us a nice mark to shoot for.”

LSU is struggling this season on the offensive side of the net, committing 124 hitting errors for a .155 team hitting clip.

“We have a few things we have to improve upon and hitting efficiency is one of them,” Flory said. “The timing of our offense is important. We run so fast, and it is pretty intricate that you have to be pretty connected.”

The Tigers’ opponents for this weekend have a combined record of 12-8, with North Carolina leading the way with a 5-1 record.

The Tarheels are coming off a tournament win at the Aggie Invitational and their only defeat came at the hands of No. 19 Kentucky in straight sets.

UNC is led by senior Cora Harms who is hitting a team-high .409 and sophomore Ece Taner who averages 4.77 digs per set.

Contact Mike Gegenheimer at mgegenheimer@lsureveille.com

The Tiger soccer squad continues its month-long homestand tonight, as Florida International (2-2) invades the LSU Soccer Stadium.

The Panthers return six starters from last year’s Sun Belt championship unit and are favored to return to the NCAA Tournament this fall.

“We know they’re a threat,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “They have a great chance to win an improving league, and they know how to play with bigger schools.”

For the Tigers, a stout defense has led to consecutive wins following an unexpected week off due to Hurricane Isaac.

LSU has allowed only four goals in six matches, but that hasn’t left the squad complacent.

Lee was upset with Stephen F. Austin’s lone goal in LSU’s 2-1 Tuesday night win, since the Tiger back line failed to challenge a soft free kick into the penalty box.

North Carolina State scored a similar goal during its 2-1 win against LSU last week.

“Whether it’s in the midfield or near the net, we need to win more balls in the air,” said freshman forward Fernanda Piña, who is tied for the team lead in points alongside sophomore striker Kaley Blades with four.

The duo was responsible for both of LSU’s goals against SFA,

RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille

LSU freshman forward Fernanda Piña (7) fights off Rice freshman forward Lauren Hughes (7) to keep possession in Friday’s game against Rice at the Soccer Complex.

but they’ll have to keep pace with a deep FIU offensive attack.

FIU sophomore Scarlett Montoya has already netted two goals and one assist, and Lee raved

about Panther junior forward Chelsea Leiva, who has one goal and one assist.

“The frontline is going to be a lot to handle for us,” Lee said. “It’s

all part of a flowing, passing style they have. Combine that with their experience, and it makes for a nice challenge.”

The Panthers opened the season with two wins by a combined tally of 6-1 but have since dropped two straight, including a 3-0 shellacking at No. 22 Florida last Sunday.

LSU hasn’t been quite as erratic, but the Tigers are nurturing four freshman starters.

According to Lee, midfielders Piña and Canadian newcomer Jade Kovacevic have added a freewheeling dimension to LSU’s offensive movement, preventing the Tigers from being shutout yet this fall.

But Lee said that inexperience — which also includes three new upperclassmen starters — has left LSU relatively disorganized, something he hopes will change with another match against an NCAA Tournament contender.

“Our team is still meshing together, figuring out what works,” Lee said. “There’s no doubt FIU is quality.

Especially early in the season, though, we’re still focusing on ourselves — how we communicate, how we pass, how we play.”

Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @AbshireTDR

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Friday, September 7, 2012

GOLF

FOOTBALL

The Daily Reveille

page 9

Men to tee Stats show backfield one of nation’s best Hilliard star off in Ga., Blue, in season opener women to go to S.C. Trey Labat

Sports Contributor

James Moran Sports Contributor

The LSU men’s golf team begins its season today by playing the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic at The Farm Golf Course in Rocky Face, Ga. This is the second straight fall season the Tigers will open at the Carpet Capital. Last season, the Tigers finished eighth out of 12 teams at the event, posting a three-round score of nine-over par.

LSU is part of a field that includes defending NCAA champion Texas, defending tournament champion Auburn Tigers and four other Southeastern Conference teams.

“It’s not like opening up with an easy one,” said LSU coach Chuck Winstead. “The course will test our guys but I think that is good because we need to know where we stand going forward.”

The Tigers are led by junior Andrew Presley, a preseason All-SEC selection who is coming off a strong sophomore campaign where he maintained a 72.5 scoring average.

With former LSU golfer Sang Yi graduated, Presley may be the team’s strongest golfer. Presley struggled in this tournament last season, finishing tied for 50th and posting a 12-over score of 228 for the tournament.

“The course is not that hard, but I didn’t play very well last year,” Presley said. “Hopefully, this time will be much better.”

The Tigers’ lineup after Presley includes sophomores Curtis Thompson and Stewart Jolly, junior Landon Lyons and freshman Zach Wright.

Thompson, Jolly and Lyons all played the majority of last season’s tournaments and Wright signed as one of the top junior golfers in the country.

“I think we’re going to do pretty good,” Thompson said. “We have a solid first three or four guys and hopefully that fifth guy will kick in when one of the others won’t.”

The women’s team will also start its season Sunday. The No. 10 Lady Tigers will defend their title in the Cougar Classic at Yeamans Hall Club in Charleston, S.C., in a tournament running through Tuesday.

LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen’s lineup will consist of senior Katrina Hegge, juniors Lindsay Gahm and Ali Lucas, sophomore Madelene Sagstrom and freshman Nadine Dreher. Only Sagstrom and Gahm played in the tournament last season.

“We’ve got a less experienced team this year,” Bahnsen said. “The tournament has a strong field, so realistically I would be happy with a top five finish.”

Contact James Moran at jmoran@lsureveille.com

Having a dominant rushing attack can go a long way in helping a team succeed in the Southeastern Conference.

The past five national champions, all hailing from the SEC, have averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game.

With this current crop of explosive runners, LSU has the potential to top a rushing attack that finished 22nd in the nation last year.

Junior running back Alfred Blue leads the group after wrestling the starting job away from junior Spencer Ware during an impressive fall camp.

During fall camp, Blue added an extra five pounds of muscle to his 215-pound frame, giving him extra protection against the pounding that comes with being a starting running back in the SEC. “I really focused myself to the weight room and the conditioning program to get my body ready to compete,” Blue said. “No speed loss from last year though.”

Though Blue averaged only six attempts per game in 2011, he made the most of his opportunities and averaged 6.9 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns despite only receiving 78 carries.

By ascending to the top of the depth chart, Blue’s anemic workload will see an uptick this year — which could curtail his effectiveness — but Blue remains confident of his abilities.

“I feel my high average was a product of me elevating myself to the situation,” Blue said. “It’s going to be hard keeping the average up

RICHARD REDMANN / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior running back Alfred Blue (4) claimed 123 yards for 16 carries against North Texas in the Sept. 1 opener in Tiger Stadium.

with the extra carries, but I feel like I can do it.”

Against North Texas, Blue backed up those claims rushing the ball 16 times for 123 yards, good for a robust 7.7 average.

Blue isn’t the only horse LSU brings to the race though, and his running mate, sophomore Kenny Hilliard, is coming off an impressive freshman campaign.

Hilliard is a bigger back — coming in at 6 feet and a stout 231 pounds — and excels in short-yardage situations.

Hilliard converted eight of his 18 red zone attempts into touchdowns last year.

The balance of carries between the two was shown in the North Texas game. Blue received 16 carries to Hilliard’s 13, while both hit the century mark and ripped off runs longer than 30 yards.

“It’ll be like last year, whoever

has the hot hand will get the ball and we have confidence in each other to do well.” Hilliard said.

The primary back-ups to Blue and Hilliard come in the form of last year’s starters, Ware and junior

Michael Ford.

Ford was mainly used as a change of pace in last year’s offense. Ford never received more than 15 carries in a single game.

His main trait is his speed — showcased by his 5.9 yards per carry average last year — good enough for second on the team.

Ford did the majority of his damage last year in the third quarter — after Ware had come in and wore down the defense — when he averaged 7.1 yards per carry and had three rushes of 20 or more yards.

Last season, Ware was named the starter going into the season opener versus Oregon. During the first four games of the season, Ware rushed well, averaging 4.1 yards per carry on 77 attempts, and also chipping in with three touchdowns.

Ware faded down the stretch, though, as the competition stiffened, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry versus ranked opponents and just 2.2 yards per carry in the SEC and BCS Championship Games.

Contact Trey Labat at tlabat@lsureveille.com

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page 10

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012 METT-SIAH, from page 7

matchup against Louisiana Tech.

That’s not to say there aren’t improvements to be made.

“No one can criticize me as hard as I criticize myself,” Mettenberger said. “Y’all have ripped me in the newspapers and stuff but that’s part of it. I feel I could have played better. I wanted to be 26 for 26 with 300 yards but that’s not how it goes. But we got the win, and if I keep improving from here, we’ll be good.”

Quarterbacks playing their first starts make mistakes. And if they’re going to screw up, it’s much better to do it against North Texas at home than at Jordan-Hare Stadium against Auburn in a few weeks.

Mettenberger did what he needed to do. He doesn’t need to light up defenses for 400 yards. He doesn’t need to toss the ball deep every series. He needs to manage the game. He needs to let LSU’s squadron of running backs continue to break down defenses like they did in the first game of the season.

While it’s easy to point a finger at Mettenberger, he’s not totally to blame for the game plan.

As fun as it is to watch a gunslinger, that’s not something the Tigers are going to have this season and it’s not something they need.

LSU offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa will continue to run the ball and exploit defenses with passes underneath — because it works.

It worked so well in 2003 that LSU won the BCS National Championship with Matt Mauck — a quarterback known more for his leadership skills than his ability to fire the ball downfield. Mauck relied on running backs Justin Vincent and Joseph Addai to rack up yards, and it got the job done.

There’s no shame in holding down the offense with consistent short-range passing while the Tigers’ bevy of running backs do the damage. Only one week into the season, we can all take a step back. We can relax and be happy with what Mettenberger is doing because for now, it’s enough.

Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @albertutz

HUSKIES, from page 7

[of SEC dominance] is to win the big games,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said at a news conference.

“That’s what the people see, and that’s what the pundits talk about and write about.”

The Tigers’ defense faces the task of slowing Washington’s passing game led by junior quarterback Keith Price.

“They like throwing the ball downfield,” said LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo. “Our safeties and corners are going to have to be disciplined this week.”

In 2011, Price completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

In the Huskies’ season-opening victory against San Diego State, he completed 25 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown. “[Price] is a guy that can make plays with his feet,” Mingo said.

“He’s got a strong arm, and he keeps his eyes down the field and makes plays.”

But Price won’t have it easy either. LSU held North Texas to an SEC-best 219 yards of total offense. North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson was only able to complete 38.1 percent of his passes against the Tigers.

LSU junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger said he trusts the defense will be able to contain the Huskies’ spread offense. If not, he plans on taking matters into his own hands.

“Our defense has done well in the past against teams who put up big numbers,” Mettenberger said.

“Hopefully they can do the same, but our offense is very capable of putting up 50 if we need to.”

Mettenberger earned solid numbers in his debut as starting quarterback, completing 73.1 percent of his

passes for 192 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

“I thought our quarterback played well,” Miles said. “…Minus a penalty, [he] could easily have had two touchdowns and another 40 to 45 yards passing.”

Washington’s saving grace last Saturday was its defense, which picked up four sacks and forced three turnovers, including a fumble returned for a touchdown.

“Their front four guys have some size, they have some speed,” said LSU senior guard Josh Dworaczyk. “As for linebackers, they have some young guys, some guys in there and playing some big roles.”

The Huskies go into this weekend undermanned after suffering several key injuries early this season.

Sarkisian announced this week that junior starting running back Jesse Callier and sophomore defensive end Hau’oli Jamora would both miss the rest of the season due to torn ACLs. The Huskies lost another key player in sophomore starting offensive tackle Ben Riva due to a fractured forearm. As a result, Washington’s already inexperienced offensive line became even more vulnerable.

But Washington’s recent misfortune could not discourage Sarkisian from doing everything possible to prepare the Huskies for their first road trip to an SEC venue in 29 years.

“There were some things that need to be fixed, and we’re going to have to do it quickly,” Sarkisian said.

“We’re heading down to LSU Saturday night, [a] great environment for college football. It should be a tremendous setting.”

Contact Tyler Nunez at tnunez@lsureveille.com

page 11

MLB

Wild card standings AMERICAN LEAGUE

W

L

PCT GB

Baltimore NY Yankees Oakland TTampa Bay LA Angels Detroit Seattle Boston Toronto Kansas City Cleveland Minnesota

77 77 76 75 74 73 67 63 61 61 58 56

60 60 60 62 63 63 71 75 75 76 79 81

.562 .562 .559 .547 .540 .537 .486 .457 .449 .445 .423 .409

NATIONAL LEAGUE

W

L

PCT GB

Atlanta St. Louis Pittsburgh LA Dodgers Arizona Milwaukee Philadelphia NY Mets San Diego Miami Colorado Chicago Cubs Houston

78 74 72 73 68 67 66 65 64 61 56 51 42

60 63 64 65 70 70 71 72 74 77 80 86 95

.565 .540 .529 .529 .493 .489 .482 .474 .464 .442 .412 .372 .307

.5 2 3 3.5 10.5 14.5 15.5 16 19 21

1.5 1.5 6.5 7 8 9 10.5 13.5 17.5 23 32

The Daily Reveille

Opinion

page 12

Friday, September 7, 2012

Sept. 11 memorial should have steel cross BLUE-EYED DEVIL NICHOLAS PIERCE Columnist The construction of shrines is an innately human endeavor.

The Pyramids, China’s Terracota Army, St. Peter’s Basilica — all grandiose monuments, all basically fancy tombstones.

So it made sense when a perfectly shaped cross, formed from fallen steel girders and pulled from the smoking ruin of the World Trade Center, became an icon.

And now the Foundation for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum has decided to include the steel girder cross in its exhibit at Ground Zero.

But AmericanAtheists, an organization with little use for iconography of any sort, has decided to take issue with the cross’s inclusion in what is meant to be a national place of unity and reflection.

The cross, which was taken from the rubble by Christian aid workers and erected near Ground Zero, became a meeting place and makeshift memorial spot.

The families of victims decorated its base with flowers, pictures and mementoes.

The cross became a place of gathering for hundreds of New Yorkers still in shock — a kind of safe zone and chapel in the heart of a veritable battlefield.

But American Atheists feels the cross’s inclusion is prejudicial and shows favoritism toward Christians.

They have sued the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the city of New York and demanded the cross be either removed, or an object of equal veneration be included to represent those without faith.

When asked by Fox News what object he would like to see erected to represent non-believers, American Atheists President David Silverman drew a blank — saying atheists didn’t really have a symbol.

After 9/11, as the search-andrescue became a cleanup-and-recover, the city of New York had the 17-foot-tall cross placed on a pedestal across the street from Ground Zero.

For the last 11 years, the cross has served as a sight of pilgrimage for thousands of Americans, and it should continue in

that capacity.

I will be the first to say that America is not a Christian nation.

It is, however, a nation full of Christians and their history.

This object, which so embodies their share of that great national trauma, must be given its rightful due.

And if atheism doesn’t have a symbol, then Silverman should find satisfaction in all of the empty spots between the many other items the Foundation for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum has chosen to include in its shrine.

Or perhaps American Atheists could adopt the memorial’s twin reflecting pools or massive man-made waterfalls as secular symbols of their contribution to our recovery.

Water’s pretty religiously neutral.

Including a place specifically for atheists is by no means beyond the pale.

What is beyond the pale is turning hallowed ground into a soap box — or using a lawsuit to leverage one group out simply because you find their faith silly or offensive, especially when that object and those people played a major part in the history of that terrible event.

We, as a species, have a driving need to remember our tragic places. Turning a place of horror into one of calm is a necessary part of finding closure.

The silent rows of decrepit block houses that mark the sight of Auschwitz-Birkenau come to mind.

That place, which was used for so much evil, has now become a place of remembrance.

It’s time Ground Zero is made to serve that purpose for us, and David Silverman and his band of pretentious jackasses need to shut up and let that happen.

Nicholas Pierce is a 22-year old history senior from Baton Rouge.

The Daily Reveille Editorial Board

Andrea Gallo Emily Herrington Bryan Stewart Brian Sibille Clayton Crockett

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor

The Daily Reveille wants to hear your reactions to our content. Go to lsureveille.com, our Facebook page and our Twitter account to let us know what you think. Check out what other readers had to say in our comments section: In response to Clayton Crockett’s head-to-head column on, “Should ‘Mark Owen’ be punished for book on bin Laden raid?” readers had this to say: “He turned from a patriot and esteemed member of an American elite fighting force into a traitor for money. The publishing company should also be blacklisted by all. May he get what he deserves.”

- Anonymous “What about leaks from the white house concerning this op?

Should they be punished? Was it political? Of course it is ok for him to defend your ‘free speech rights’ so you can denigrate his.

How pathetic!”

- Anonymous

MARK LENNIHAN / The Associated Press

Rev. Brian Jordan sprinkles water on the September 11 cross during a ceremony in New York on July 3, 2011.

The Daily Reveille’s Opinion section is hiring.

We’re in need of new voices.

If you are interested in expressing your opinion by writing columns for The Daily Reveille, contact Opinion Editor Clayton Crockett at opinion@lsureveille.com.

Contact Nicholas Pierce at npierce@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_nabdulpierc

WEB COMMENTS

The Daily Reveille does not discriminate based on race, gender, age, major, sexual orientation, religion or political views.

Editorial Policies & Procedures

The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University.

The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, paper or University. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-26 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must have a contact phone number so the opinion editor can verify the author. The phone number won’t be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration without changing the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief, hired every semester by the Louisiana State University Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

“Have you read the book? Does he actually give details that he was obligated not to in other missions? Was this mission included in any disclosure? What of President Obama and other figures in Washington releasing details?

Why are they not punished? Why do they have to lay low when everyone else was spouting off details of the mission? Some details of which were false. Has he been in fact prosecuted, convicted, and punished? Or are you jumping to a massive conclusion as some 20 year old kid who is ignoring a basic premise that Americans hold dear, ‘Innocent until proven guilty’? Grow up, Mr. Crockett.”

- Seal Team 3: Audobon Zoo “As a former SOF warrior who signed my own non-disclosure agreements, I hope Bissonnette does hard time in Leavenworth.

He is a partisan, back-stabbing attention-seeker who has endangered the lives of all SOF members.”

- Anonymous

Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_opinion

Quote of the Day

“Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.”

Mark Twain American author Nov. 30, 1835 — April 21, 1910

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012

Opinion

page 13

HEAD to HEAD

Do voter ID laws discriminate against minorities?

No. These laws help to ensure voter legitimacy. Yes. Supporters of these laws are pushing an agenda.

THE DAMN HAMM TAYLOR HAMMONS Columnist Laws do not discriminate – people do.

Discrimination is defined as any act against the favor of a person or group of persons, according to Dictionary.com.

Laws are essentially words on a page that are enforced by authority figures, not by actions.

If you’re driving and you come to a stop sign, by law, you are required to stop.

It does not matter the color of your skin, how much money you make, your political viewpoints or what your name is. If you get caught passing a stop sign without stopping, you get a ticket. It’s that simple.

However, Texas judges have delightfully complicated such a simple concept.

A federal panel of three Texas judges rejected the proposed voter ID law, saying it discriminated against low-income families and minorities.

Basically, they’re saying these groups throughout Texas would receive most of the burden when it comes to obtaining proper identification, that they are incapable of obtaining any form of photo identification.

Why are people not offended that it is easier to vote for the next president of the United States than it is to buy a pack of cigarettes? And how is it discriminating if everyone must show photo identification in order to vote?

It’s astonishing that so many people do not have a driver’s license. A simple to the DMV solves that problem. But if that’s too burdensome, they can sign an affidavit and get their picture taken at the polls.

If these tasks deter a person from voting, then it’s obvious this person cares little about voting and was probably among the percentage of non-voters in past elections.

Therefore, implementing this law would not affect whether such a person shows up at the polls or not, but whatever show is on TV at the time of elections might.

But that doesn’t mean we should cut all restrictions and let anyone vote just because we’d like to see an increase in the number of people voting.

This past Tuesday, New Hampshire’s voter ID law won approval by the Department of Justice. The reason New Hampshire is required to submit any election law changes to the Department of Justice is due to poor voter turnout in the 1968 presidential election, because the state still required voters to take a literacy test in order to cast their vote.

Requiring such a test was deemed discriminatory.

Nothing’s official, but it’s safe to say the Department of Justice meant the test discriminated against the dim-witted – and for good reason.

In 1968, a literacy test in the red South was different from a literacy test in a blue state up north. In the South, a literacy test was used to keep most African-Americans from voting, but New Hampshire used the test to determine if a person was

competent enough to vote.

In this day and age, an individual who cannot read or write is more than likely in elementary school. If not, and they are of legal age to vote but can’t pass a literacy test, they should not be able to vote.

Voter ID laws are meant to protect the integrity of our electoral process by keeping non-citizens and other ineligible voters away from the ballots. We need a stricter policy throughout all states to uphold the legitimacy of electing our country’s next leader.

Otherwise we’re making a mockery of the democratic process.

Taylor Hammons is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from Atlanta.

Contact Taylor Hammons at thammons@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_thammons

SHARE THE WEALTH JAY MEYERS Columnist Republicans have made it clear they will stop at nothing to keep President Obama from being re-elected to a second term — even if it means depriving certain minority groups of the right to vote.

Republican-controlled legislatures in more than a dozen states have passed laws requiring voters to show government-issued photo identification at the polls in November.

Similar efforts are going on in 33 states, including Louisiana.

Why are Republican-controlled legislatures passing these laws? Is there evidence of substantial voter fraud in U.S. elections?

Our Lone Star neighbor has been the center of the voter ID debate, as many prominent groups, including the United States Attorney General, declared that the state’s requirements were among the most oppressive, amounting to the equivalent of a poll tax.

And last week, a federal court unanimously agreed with Texas that “the laws will almost certainly have a retrogressive effect:

it imposes strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor, and racial minorities in Texas that are disproportionately likely to live in poverty.”

Proponents of voter ID laws argue that strict measures are necessary to prevent voter fraud. However, evidence shows voter impersonation is rare.

Each act of voter fraud risks five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while producing at most one incremental vote.

Because voter fraud is inherently irrational, it shouldn’t be surprising that there is no credible evidence of its existence in our country.

A nationwide analysis conducted by News21, a Carnegie-Knight investigative reporting project, discovered ten cases of voter impersonation out of the total 2,068 alleged election fraud cases have occurred since 2000.

National Weather Service data indicates that Americans are struck and killed by lightning as often as voter fraud occurred in the 2004 Ohio election.

The justification for states, such as Texas, to pursue strict voter ID laws can only mean they are motivated by a particular policy agenda: keeping Obama from being re-elected.

Approximately 25 percent of AfricanAmericans do not possess any form of government identification, according to several recent studies, including one by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Many Americans born outside the country also lack the papers, such as a birth certificate, required to obtain a driver’s license or state ID. In order for those lacking a governmentissued photo ID to vote, they would need to travel to a Department of Public Safety office to get an election ID card. This process requires that you verify your identity, which often means paying $22 for a certified copy of a birth certificate.

If passed, these restrictive voter ID policies would make voting a significantly harder task, primarily for certain demographics.

Given the meager evidence of voter fraud, these voter ID laws are not only a discriminatory attempt to keep minorities and low-income groups from voting, but a deliberate plan to disenfranchise a large population of the Democratic Party.

Jay Meyers is a 19-year-old economics sophomore from Shreveport.

photo courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A federal court rejected a Texas law Thursday that would require voters to present photo IDs to election officials before being allowed to cast ballots in November. Current states requiring photo IDs are Idaho, South Dakota, Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, New Hampshire, Kansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

Contact Jay Meyers at jmeyers@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @TDR_jmeyers

Which columnist echoes your beliefs? Vote at lsureveille.com/opinion.

The Daily Reveille

page 14

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The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012 LANDRY, from page 1

and flexing his muscles on special teams. Landry plugged away and it’s paid off.

LSU coach Les Miles named Landry the offensive captain for Saturday’s matchup with Washington, in only the second game of what’s supposed to be Landry’s breakout season.

“It’s interesting [with] young guys — leadership is something that has to be earned,” Miles said. “…

Everybody on our team has a real respect for Jarvis Landry.”

Landry said it was an honor to be appointed captain, especially when taking into account his relative lack of experience. In 14 games last year, he started once and caught just

four balls all season.

For Miles, practice mentality and production are the main criteria when considering the captain credential.

Miles said Landry “[has] a blast” on the practice field, and it seems to rub off on his teammates.

“It’s awesome to watch a guy who loves the game as much as he does,” Mettenberger said. “He goes out there every day to have fun.”

He’s also not one to back down from a challenge.

Landry was being recruited by LSU when he met fellow sophomore receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at a 7-on-7 tournament. They quickly hit it off, and when Beckham said they should attend the same school, Landry agreed.

“When we’re [at practice], it’s kind of competitive,” Landry said.

“He’s one of the reasons I came, just to compete with him.”

He fell behind from the start.

Landry broke his foot before the start of 2011’s fall practice, hampering him through camp.

Beckham pulled ahead and did it all for the Tigers as a freshman last season, catching 41 passes while returning punts and kicks. But Landry eventually found his niche.

En route to 11 special teams tackles, he became known for his jarring hits. On a third-quarter kickoff in the Auburn contest, Landry streaked between the hashes, deftly sidestepped Onterio McCalebb’s lead blocker and promptly flattened the planting returner.

page 15 It took many by surprise, but Landry said it’s a knack he’s been playing with his whole life.

“He has a defensive mindset in a receiver’s body … so he’s more aggressive with everything he does,” Beckham said.

With Mettenberger behind center, Landry doubled his 2011 offensive production in the team’s first game against North Texas, reeling in 8 catches. He led the team with 82 yards, 33 of them coming on a ball that Mettenberger beautifully placed over Landry’s left shoulder.

That chemistry they displayed was partly a product of their extended time together mimicking the offense du jour last season.

“That’s the kind of thing I liked about the situation,” Landry said.

“I had the opportunity to work with who would be the starting quarterback and I think that was a big deal coming into this fall.”

As the unit’s leader, Landry knows his offense’s first game was not perfect. He said the Tigers could tighten up on momentum-killing penalties.

“Things like that we can work on as we come into Washington week and that can help us and be successful and more positive on offense,” Landry said.

Contact Alex Cassara at acassara@lsureveille.com; Twitter: @cassaraTDR

page 16

The Daily Reveille

Friday, September 7, 2012