SNAPSHOT
ENTERTAINMENT lsureveille com Comedians host open-mic Log on to see photos honoring MLK.
nights at local venues, page 11.
WEEKEND RECAP Temple should be fine after injury in 100th anniversary win, page 7.
THE DAILY REVEILLE
WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM LSU System budget cuts could force student-workers out of jobs Volume 113, Issue 82
Double Duty By Leslie Presnall Staff Writer
Some students boost their income in college by restacking books in Middleton Library, serving coffee at the Student Union’s coffee shop or researching for their favorite professor. But David Cradic, dairy science senior, stands next to the operating table at the School of Veterinary Medicine, learning from his mentors and earning some extra cash between classes. “We prep the animals for surgery, and we clean the site where the incision is going to be and get them ready,” he said. “I keep everything stocked in all the surgeries, and once everything is stocked, I open things steadily and hand them off to the doctors.” Cradic, who just applied for Vet School, landed a job working in surgery a year and half ago, making
MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille
WORKERS, see page 6
Recruiters feeling effects of economy Staff Writer
lsureveille.com
JARED P.L. NORMAND / The Daily Reveille
EMPLOYMENT
By Leslie Presnall
Log on to see reporter Leslie Presnall discuss on-campus jobs.
Brandon Snerling, accounting junior, pours chocolate chip ice cream into a box Friday morning at the Dairy Store.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Pre-Vet students and Animal Clinic workers assist in surgery at the LSU Animal Clinic on Friday afternoon.
Hundreds of job recruiters will gather in the PMAC on Tuesday in search of potential employees. But because of the bad economy, the number of potential em- ‘Our past ployers will be a two Expos little less. The Spring have been Career Expo has extremely 132 organizalarge.’ tions registered, which is down Sara Crow about 50 organiCareer Services zations from last assistant director of year. “Our past communications two spring Expos have been extremely large,” said Sara Crow, Career Services assistant director of communications. “Basically, the pendulum has swung. [There is] less demand from employers and, likely, more demand from students.” Many organizations nationwide are being forced to cut or eliminate recruiting budgets, and with a JOBS, see page 6
TRANSPORTATION
Proposal for new bus system nearing completion Contributing Writer
Index
The proposal for the University’s new transportation system — which includes adding buses and routes — is in its final stage. Mitch Skyer, transportation consultant from Solstice Transportation
Sports ...................... 7 Entertainment ........ 11 Opinion ................... 16 Classifieds .............. 18
7:20 a.m. 8:20 a.m. Noon 3:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m. 5:20 p.m.
call for one articulated bus plus 40foot transit buses,” Skyer said. Brandon Boyd, SG director of transportation, said the proposal will be open to bids when completed and will be given to the company with the best offer. Boyd said buses will be running this fall regardless of privatization, but if the University’s transportation system goes to a private company, a mixed fleet of buses would be used because of the short
Students exit the bus Friday afternoon in front of the Journalism Building. The current buses should be replaced by newer models by fall 2010.
PLAN, see page 6
Weather
By Brianna Paciorka
Consulting, said the proposal will be completed this month. Student Government hired Skyer last semester to evaluate the University’s transportation system. “We’re actually in the specification stages, which is the talk of the recommendations of what the University and SG want,” he said. More buses, higher capacity and adding routes to the Garden District and downtown are included in the recommendations, Skyer said. “Nothing is final, but the plans
Broadcasts
Consultant plans to finish this month
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THE DAILY REVEILLE
Nation & World
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on the web
LSUREVEILLE.COM
WORLD NEWS
Government allies see gains in Iraqi elections
TODAY’S QUESTION: Are you worried your on-campus job will be affected by the economy? The Daily Reveille’s administrative server was reset and is causing issues with poll results. We are working to resolve the problem, and we apologize for the inconvenience.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
Pope’s bishop pick criticized over his Katrina comment
VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to promote a pastor who called Hurricane Katrina divine punishment for sin in New Orleans was criticized by Austrian priests and church groups on Sunday. The Vatican announced Saturday that the Pope has tapped the Rev. Gerhard Maria Wagner, 54, to be auxiliary bishop in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria province. Wagner caused a stir in 2005 when he was quoted as saying that he was convinced that the death and destruction of Hurricane Katrina earlier that year was “divine retribution” for tolerance of homosexuals and laid-back sexual attitudes in New Orleans.
BAGHDAD (AP) — Allies of Iraq’s U.S.backed prime minister appeared Sunday to have made gains in the provincial elections, rewarding groups credited with reining in insurgents and militias, according to unofficial projections. Initial results from Saturday’s landmark voting are not expected for days. But reports by Iraqi media and interviews by The Associated Press suggest candidates backing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had strong showings in the crucial Shiite heartland in southern Iraq. If the indications prove true, it would strengthen al-Maliki’s hand ahead of national elections later this year and reflect a shift away from the more religious parties dominating the country.
NATION, STATE AND CITY BRIEFS
Dr. becomes first Hispanic to lead US system
TODAY
monday, february 2, 2009 alpha phi alpha informational 8:06pm, transcript required Business attire, 109 CEBA (P. Taylor) career services Career Expo Tomorrow! 10:30am-3:30 pm, PMAC Jobs, networking, exploration www.lsu.edu/career/expo extreme entrepreneurship tour The Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute brings the “Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour” to LSU. Mon., Feb. 2 1:00-5pm in the LSU Cotillion Ballroom. Free food, giveaways, and plenty of inspiration for entrepreneurial-minded students. RSVP at www.extremetour.org bcm dinner & tnt worship Every Thursday night. Dinner (free) at 7:15pm. TNT Worship Service at 8:00pm. The BCM is at the corner of Highland & Chimes. All LSU students invited! lsubcm.org
upcoming events
black history month Tribute program LSU Cotillion Ballroom Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6:00pm
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Mexican-American pediatric surgeon will become the nation’s first Hispanic to preside over a major university system when Dr. Francisco Cigarroa takes the helm at the University of Texas System, which faces financial woes and complaints about diversity. Cigarroa, a 51-year-old pediatric transplant surgeon from Laredo, looks at his new job as the system’s new chancellor starting Monday as an opportunity to exceed expectations. “Challenges really don’t dissuade me from pursuing important opportunities,” Cigarroa told The Associated Press. “If you’re an optimist, you see opportunities, and that’s the way I’ve been brought up.” Cigarroa will preside over 15 campuses with more than 194,000 students.
Dr. Francisco Cigarroa becomes the nation’s first Hispanic to lead a major university system at the University of Texas.
Phelps acknowledges photo using pot pipe
Louisiana farmers face tough times in new year
(AP) — Olympic great Michael Phelps acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in a British newspaper Sunday showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe. In a statement to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World. “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” Phelps said in the statement.
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) 5784811 or e-mail 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-16 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semiweekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual mail subscriptions are $115. 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-16 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.
RODOLFO GONZALES / The Associated Press
MONROE (AP) — Economists at the LSU AgCenter say falling future prices for farm commodities combined with the high cost of fuel and fertilizer and the leftover effects of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike will put Louisiana farmers in a bind this year. Kurt Guidry, an LSU AgCenter economist, says many producers are finding themselves in financially sensitive positions because the 2008 hurricanes caused lost revenue and the cost of fuel and nitrogen fertilizer remains high.
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monday, february 2, 2009
PAGE 3
EMPLOYMENT
US military enrollment has increased in past year All five branches exceed goals for ‘08 By Nichole Oden Staff Writer
As the national recession forces most employers to cut jobs and tighten budgets, one major employer still accepts applications — the U.S. Military. The military saw a drastic increase in military enrollment in 2008, and so far this year the trend has continued.
Every branch of the activeduty forces exceeded enrollment goals for 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Defense Web site. The Army topped their goal of 80,000 with 80,517 recruits. The Navy gained 38,485 recruits, narrowly exceeding their goal of 38,419, and the Marine Corps recruited 37,991 men surpassing their goal of 37,967. The Air Force recruited 48 more than their goal of 27,848. “The goal number of recruits we set each year is based on the man power we already have,” said Kenny Watts, Navy recruiter at the
Siegen Lane location. “We have to make sure we keep enough people in the military each year otherwise we won’t have one.” Watts said many people have come in recently to generally ask about the military, and he has noticed a larger variation in age groups. “We’ve always gotten the 17and 18-year-olds,” Watts said. “But now we’re seeing more people between ages 25-35 starting to inquire about the military.” But David Croft, Army recruiter at the Siegen Lane location, said he hasn’t noticed an increase.
“I know nationally the Army is doing very well but on a local scale there hasn’t been many more recruits than in the past,” Croft said. Ernest Lambert, Navy recruiter at the Siegan Lane location, said he has noticed more college graduates joining the Navy. He said traditionally most recruits come straight out of high school, leading the Army to offer college tuition. But tuition isn’t the only benefit the military offers. Watts said the Navy offers a steady job for at least four years and plenty of advancement opportunities. “It’s a secure job,” Lambert
said. “You know on the first and 15th every month you’ll receive a paycheck.” Croft said medical and dental benefits are appealing. Lambert said the benefits are one of the main reasons he thinks more people are joining the military while the economy is down. “Everyone is just trying to take care of themselves,” Lambert said.
Contact Nichole Oden at noden@lsureveille.com
PHILANTHROPY
EDUCATION
Thorough sex-ed classes unlikely in La. Bill, Melinda Gates
United States. Louisiana law dictates that sexual education classes must promote “abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the By Lindsey Meaux standard for all school-age chilStaff Writer dren,” according to the SIECUS Thao Nguyen learned about Web site. Julie Mickelberry, director of sex through television shows, movies and conversations with public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana and the Missisfriends. As a high school student, she sippi Delta, criticized the current was enrolled in a health class. And system and called for a comprein the class, commonly referred to hensive approach to sexual educaas “sex-ed” by sexually curious tion. “The abstiteens, Nguyen said nence until marthe topic of sex was riage program condensed into one is not working,” small lecture — de- Log on to see Mickelberry said. livered in the form students’ opinion “The abstinenceof a movie. on sex only until mar“We watched a education. riage approach movie about syphidoesn’t give teens lis,” the biology sophomore said. “They didn’t tools to make the decisions that talk about [sex]. I learned about it they’re going to need to make ... The current program really leaves mostly from TV and friends.” Louisiana receives $1.6 mil- teens in the dark about how to prelion annually in federal funding vent an unintended pregnancy or for the “multi-faceted approach an unintended [sexually transmitconsisting of an abstinence-only ted disease].” Loren Marks, human ecology curriculum for junior high, high school and college age students,” professor, said in an e-mail that according to the Louisiana Governor’s Program on Abstinence Web site. Robert Hogan, political science professor, said this approach is unlikely to shift despite a Democratic majority in the state Legislature. “We have a governor who is very supportive of social conservatives,” Hogan said. “The political environment is one where Republicans are trying to gain traction. Louisiana is [a state] where things are going pretty well for Republicans.” Hogan called the debate over sex in schools part of “what some people refer to as the culture war.” “This is one of those issues that is like prayer in school,” Hogan said. The Governor’s Program on Abstinence and similar Louisiana programs received more than $2 million in federal funds in the 2007 fiscal year, according to data from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the
Programs ‘wasting’ government money
lsureveille.com
STDs are a major consideration when encouraging abstinence. “The National Institutes of Heath reports that several STDs — including HPV — can be transmitted by skin to skin contact,” Marks wrote. “In other words, condoms are inadequate protection against these diseases ... Condoms are far better than nothing, but they are inadequate in some cases. To be direct, available research indicates that there is no ‘safe sex.’” Grant George, English junior, said STDs were the only aspect of sex his high school’s course discussed. While President Obama has not taken a definitive stance on sexual education, he is committed to “common-sense measures,” according to Mickelberry. “My hope is that the administration and Congress will not continue to fund the abstinence-only until marriage program,” Mickelberry said. “We’re wasting a lot of money on programming that leads teens into the dark.” Contact Lindsey Meaux at lmeaux@lsureveille.com
stay busy helping poor By Alexander G. Higgins The Associated Press
DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Since Bill Gates left his full-time job at Microsoft Corp., his wife sees much more of him during the day — but not because he’s at home. They work in adjoining offices running the world’s biggest philanthropic organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We have offices that are sideby-side now at the foundation,” Melinda French Gates said. “That’s really nice because we have a door that passes between them in the back. We can pop into each other’s office.” They share ideas about foundation projects for the health and development of the poorest people in the world and to improve education in the United States. And, put in Bill Gates, they travel — sometimes together and sometimes apart — as they look into the best ways to help the world’s poorest people in remote corners of the globe. They were together for a series
of appearances and meetings at the World Economic Forum. Melinda Gates has come from Tanzania, where she was looking into work against malaria, and Ethiopia, where she was seeing what the foundation can do to help make 3,000 new rural health centers more effective. He’s been in Belgium checking on progress toward a malaria vaccine. After Davos, he heads to Nigeria for a couple of days to encourage immunization against polio in one of the world’s most affected countries. He visited the other, India, several months ago. He’s convinced the world can wipe out the disease with a little more effort. The couple, sitting next to each other, looked relaxed during an interview Friday with The Associated Press at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos. They alternate in answering questions, picking up where the other leaves off. Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
PAGE 4
THE DAILY REVEILLE
monday, february 2, 2009
ORGANIZATIONS
Students explore sexuality, gender in French literature Grad Conference held this weekend By Kimberly Brown Contributing Writer
The Department of French Studies Graduate Student Association held its Third Annual Graduate Student Conference this weekend. The conference included students challenging and exploring the concepts of sexuality, eroticism and gender in French literature and linguistics. “These topics are endless, and they are always changing in French literature,” said Melanie Hackney, graduate student and DFSGA president. For the past two years, the DFSGA has held a conference including the topics “Stirring the Gumbo Pot” and “Questioning Authority”, which both related to French literature and
MAGGIE BOWLES/ The Daily Reveille
Panel member Rachel Williams-Mejri, from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette speaks with students in the Atchafalya ballroom in the Student Union.
linguistics. Hackney and Aaron Emmitte, graduate student and DFGSA member, said this year topics were chosen based on a collaborative effort within the graduate students in DFSGA.
“It is also an attention grabber,” Emmitte said. “Gender is influenced in linguistics, so you can study how men communicate differently than women.” Graduate students were given a
NATION
‘War on Terror’ phrase is fading Obama has only said term once By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The "War on Terror" is losing the war of words. The catchphrase burned into the American lexicon hours after the 9/11 attacks, is fading away, slowly if not deliberately being replaced by a new administration bent on repairing the U.S. image among Muslim nations. Since taking office less than two weeks ago, President Barack Obama has talked broadly of the "enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism." Another time it was an "ongoing struggle." He has pledged to "go after" extremists and "win this fight." There even was an oblique reference to a "twilight struggle" as the U.S. relentlessly pursues those who threaten the country. But only once since his Jan. 20 inauguration has Obama publicly strung those three words together into the explosive phrase that coalesced the country during its most terrifying time and eventually came to define the Bush administration. Speaking at the State Department on Jan. 22, Obama told his diplomatic corps, "We are confronted by extraordinary, complex and interconnected global challenges: war on terror, sectarian division and the spread of deadly technology. We did not ask for the burden that history has asked us to bear, but Americans will bear it. We must bear it." During the past seven years, the "War Against Terror" or "War on Terror" came to represent everything the U.S. military was doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the broader effort against extremists elsewhere or those seen as aiding militants aimed at
destroying the West. Ultimately and perhaps inadvertently, however, the phrase "became associated in the minds of many people outside the Unites States and particularly in places where the countries are largely Islamic and Arab, as being anti-Islam and anti-Arab," said Anthony Cordesman, a national security analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. Now, he said, there is a sense that the U.S. should be talking more about specific extremist groups — ones that are recognized as militants in the Arab world and that are viewed as threats not just to America or the West, but also within the countries they operate. The thinking has evolved, he said, to focus on avoiding the kind of rhetoric "which could imply that this was a struggle against a religion or a culture." Obama has made it clear in his first days in office that he is courting the Muslim community and making what is at least a symbolic shift away from the previous administration's often more combative tone. He chose an Arab network for his first televised interview, declaring that "Americans are not your enemy." Before his first full week in office ended, he named former Sen. George J. Mitchell as his special envoy for the Middle East and sent him to the region for talks with leaders. According to the White House, Obama is intent on repairing America's image in the eyes of the Islamic world and addressing issues such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, unrest in Pakistan and India, Arab-Israeli peace talks and tensions with Iran. Using language is one way to help effect that change, said Wayne Fields, professor of English and American culture studies at Washington University in St.
Louis. "One of the contrasts between the two administrations is the care with which Obama uses language. He thinks about the subtle implications," said Fields, an expert on presidential rhetoric. The Bush administration "didn't set out deliberately to do things that were offensive but they liked to do things that showed how strong they were, and to use language almost in an aggressive sense." Obama, he said, understands that language and conversation must be worked at and that it's "not just a series of sound bites." White House officials say there has been no deliberate ban on the war-on-terror phrase. And it hasn't completely disappeared. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs has used the wording in briefings, and it's still in vogue among some in the Pentagon and State Department. Asked about Obama's avoidance of the phrase, Gibbs said the president's language is "consistent with what he said in his inaugural address on the 20th. I'm not aware of any larger charges than that." Juan Zarate, who served as the deputy national security adviser for combating terrorism during the Bush administration, said he has seen signs that the new White House is trying to subtly retool the words, if not the war. "There's no question that they're looking very carefully at all issues related to how the war on terror is packaged, to include lexicon," said Zarate. "All of this is part of an attempt to see how they could at least frame a change in policy even if, at the end of the day, the actual war on terrorism doesn't change all that much."
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
November deadline to submit their paper proposal that challenged sexuality, eroticism and gender in French literature and linguistics for the conference. “We selected participants from at least 20 different colleges and universities across North America, such as Duquesne University, Brigham University and University of British Columbia,” Hackney said. The selected participants were given 15-20 minutes to present their paper proposals about sexuality, eroticism and gender in English or French at the two-day conference. The participants challenged topics, such as gender in society, misogyny and race, masculinity and androgyny in several French novels or plays, by referring to the concepts of sexuality, eroticism and gender. Gaetan Brulotte, a Distinguished University Professor of French and francophone literature at the University of South Florida, was the keynote
speaker at the conference. Brulotte is an award-winning creative writer who has authored dozens of books, including the Encyclopedia of Erotic Literature. The conference also included a closing banquet and a live Cajun band, which consisted of Louisianastyled foods like jambalaya and bread pudding. “The important thing for us was to bring prestige to our conference,” Hackney said. “Louisiana is a place to hold our French conference, since we have a French heritage here.” Greg Stone, director of the program in comparative literature, said there are plans to publish a selection of the graduate students’ paper proposals with a press [with a prestigious name] by May 1.
Contact Kimberly Brown at kbrown@lsureveille.com
HIGH FIVE
photo courtesy of SCOTT STERNBERG
LSU law student Beaux Jones gets a high five from 8-year-old Alex Klein Saturday at the fifth annual Barristers Bowl.
monday, february 2, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 5
ECONOMY
TRANSPORTATION
$825B stimulus approved by House
focus on rides to rigs
Obama maps bailout spending Recent crashes put By The Associated Press
By Philip Elliott The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Saturday promised to lower mortgage costs, offer job-creating loans for small businesses, get credit flowing and rein in free-spending executives as he readies a new road map for spending billions from the second installment of the financial rescue plan. The White House is deciding how to structure the remaining half of the $700 billion that Congress approved last year to save financial institutions and lenders. An announcement was possible as early as this coming week on an approach that would use a range of tools to unfreeze credit, helping families and businesses. At the end of a week that saw hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs, Obama also used his Saturday radio and Internet address to tell that nation that “no one bill, no matter how comprehensive, can cure what ails our economy.” During the final three months of 2008, the economy recorded its worst downhill slide in a quartercentury, stumbling backward at a 3.8 percent pace, the government reported Friday. It could get worse. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is trying to finish a plan to overhaul the bailout program begun in the Bush administration. Geithner has said the administration is considering using a governmentrun “bad bank” to buy up financial institutions’ bad assets. But some officials now say that option is gone because of potential costs. Many ideas under consideration could end up costing hundreds of billions beyond the original price tag. Aides would not rule out the possibility that the administration would seek more than the $350 billion already set aside. Obama said Geithner soon would announce a new strategy “for reviving our financial system that gets credit flowing to businesses and families. We’ll help lower mortgage costs and extend loans to small businesses so they can create jobs. We’ll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery.” He said his administration “will insist on unprecedented transparency, rigorous oversight and clear accountability so taxpayers know how their money is being spent and whether it is achieving results.” Obama’s message, largely repackaged from a week of White House statements, was as much for the country as it was for lawmakers: Pass the separate American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan or things are going to get worse. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., planned to discuss Obama’s legislative agenda during a White House visit Monday evening, an administration official said. “Rarely in history has our country faced economic problems
RON EDMONDS / The Associated Press
President Barack Obama speaks Friday prior to signing an executive order dealing with the Middle Class Working Families Taskforce in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C.
as devastating as this crisis,” the president said. “Now is the time for those of us in Washington to live up to our responsibilities.” Obama this past week won passage of a separate $825 billion economic stimulus plan in the House without a single Republican vote. It now heads to the Senate, where Vice President Joe Biden predicts the measure will fare better among GOP lawmakers. Republicans pledged to work with Obama. But they cautioned against treating government spending like a “trillion-dollar Christmas list” and renewed their opposition to much in the bill. “A problem that started on Wall Street is reaching deeper and deeper into Main Street. And the president is counting on members of Congress to come together in a spirit of bipartisanship to act,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in the GOP radio address. “Unfortunately, the plan that Democrats in Congress put forward this week falls far short of the president’s vision for a bill that creates jobs and puts us on a path to
long-term economic health.” Obama has signaled his willingness to compromise. His chief spokesman said the president hoped to “strengthen” the bill as it headed toward a Senate vote in the week ahead. Republicans said they hope the administration takes into account their wishes. “Every day brings more news of layoffs, home foreclosures and shuttered businesses,” McConnell said. “And across the country, employers are cutting to the bone even at businesses that most Americans never thought were vulnerable.” Republicans, however, kept putting forward their own plans. McConnell promoted a mortgage program for creditworthy borrowers, offering fixed-rate 4 percent loans designed to increase housing demands and lending.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
HOUSTON (AP) — Federal officials have pressed for more safety technology on helicopter flights that are the main form of transportation to more than 5,500 oil platforms located along Texas and Louisiana shores. While progress has been made on some recommendations, little action has been taken on others, the Houston Chronicle reported Sunday. A review of National Transportation Safety Board records by the newspaper shows helicopters shuttling oil platform workers have crashed 11 times in the past five years, killing 38 people. In one of these crashes, 10 people died off the coast of Galveston in March 2004. In the most recent crash, a Sikorsky helicopter carrying seven oil-rig workers went down on Jan. 4 into a southern Louisiana marsh. Both pilots and six of the workers, including one Texan, died. The causes for the crashes vary but include flying too low or running out of fuel. There are as many as 9,000 flights to oil rigs each day, according to NTSB estimates. But they are done beyond the reach of radar over the Gulf, forcing pilots to fly at low altitudes and with ample distance from other aircraft, whose exact locations are unknown. The Federal Aviation
Administration, as part of a plan to change air traffic control systems from radar to satellite, has started installing hardware needed to track flights in the Gulf. The satellitebased technology is expected to provide better information on their location and the weather conditions. “This is a really critical tool in trying to reduce accidents and improve communications,” said Martin Pociask, a spokesman for Helicopter Association International, a trade group that helped gain support for a satellite system in the Gulf of Mexico. Most helicopter and platform operators have agreed to participate in the transition, and air traffic controllers are expected to begin directing traffic with the equipment late this year. According to the FAA, parts of Alaska that are already using satellite tracking have reduced their accident rate by half. In 2006, NTSB officials asked the FAA to require the installation of warning systems that would alert pilots flying dangerously close to terrain and to implement other ways to track flights in areas without radar coverage.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at news@lsureveille.com
PAGE 6 WORKERS, from page 1
about $7 an hour. Now Cradic spends his days in the operating room with everything from dogs to horses. Like Cradic, thousands of students are employed on campus for convenience. But because of budget cuts, some departments may be forced to cut back student workers’ hours and positions. “Different departments have different ways to pay workers,” said Sara Crow, Career Services assistant director of communications. “Some do come out of budget, and there are budget cuts campus wide. We don’t know what student workers are getting cut.” Most campus jobs typically pay minimum wage with slight raises, but because students are limited to 20 hours a week with no extra shifts or tips, students mainly decide to obtain campus jobs to cut back on commuting time from campus to other community jobs, Crow said. “I live right off campus, so in the mornings, I walk to campus, go to class, and then I walk to the Vet School.” Cradic said “It’s just really convenient to be right there, and going between class and work isn’t a big deal.” Students with work-study funding or Chancellor’s Aide can work up 20 hours a week until they exhaust their funding, but Crow said this varies by the department and its budget. Students participating in the work-study program can earn up to $2,400 per year. Remy Leger, geology senior, spends his time between classes scooping ice cream and blending
JOBS, from page 1
smaller pool of resources for college recruiting, those organizations must use more discretion about where they choose to recruit, Crow said. “We need to have a good showing from students,” she said. “Employers have to slash recruiting, and we want them to feel like coming to LSU is valuable.” A strong student attendance at the Expo will help organizations feel like an investment in the University is a good one, Crow said. If attendance isn’t high, they may take their recruiting efforts — and their open positions — elsewhere, she said. “Opportunities for LSU students are still strong, and we need to keep them that way,” Crow said. This is the largest scale opportunity students will have to connect with employers this semester, she said. “We know that students may not be interested in every employer that’s interested in them, but with such a tight economy, it is more important than ever to know what you can do with a particular degree,” Crow said. Participating organizations in-
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shakes at the campus Dairy Store earning $7 an hour. “It’s easy to go from class to [work], and from your job back to class,” he said. “It’s also very flexible. They know you’re a student, so [employers] work with you and your schedule.” Crow said finding available jobs can be difficult. Departments generally look for students with workstudy funds or Chancellor’s Aide because it helps with already slim departmental budgets. For the 2008-09 school year, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Aid placed about 880 students in federal work-study jobs with 835 of those on-campus. There are 1,820 students placed in on-campus jobs with the Chancellor’s Student Aide program. “I think there’s a lot of confusion whether students have [Chancellor’s aide] or not,” Crow said. “If you have Chancellor’s Aide, typically you know. It’s usually not one of those hidden things you have and you don’t know you have it.” But for those students without work-study funds or Chancellor’s Aide, they may have better luck finding a job at one of the larger student employers on campus including dining services, the Union office, the Faculty Club, University Recreation or the Union Bookstore. Tricia Milford-Hoyt, University Recreation assistant director of marketing and membership, said multiple hiring opportunities arise during the years. “Over the last few years, the word has gotten out that UREC is a great place to work so, we have had
a lot of applications,” Milford-Hoyt said. “The main hiring pool will go on during April and May.” University Recreation employs more than 150 students each semester. Students start by making minimum wage but can work their way up to $20 an hour, Milford-Hoyt said. But because Union construction isn’t expected to be complete until 2012, fewer job opportunities are available for students, said Barbara Long, Union personal director. “We used to get a tremendous amount of applications,” Long said. “But a lot of the building is not even available for use, and that’s one thing that slows down the need for extra student workers.” Tiger Lair and the Union bookstore are privatized, so they take away once-available student jobs. Now, the Student Union typically offers jobs at the information desk or art gallery, Long said. Despite budget cuts, Crystal Oubre, assistant director of Undergraduate Admission and Student Aid, said some departments have requested more student positions on campus because students play “a vital role” at the University. “What’s ultimately important is for students to get work experience whether that’s on campus or outside,” Crow said. “We’re kind of lucky that although the economy is weak right now, Louisiana tends to be one of the better places to ride this out.”
clude those in the fields of business, engineering, government, multidisciplinary and science and technology. Students can also find job listings on Career Service’s Web site through Careers2Geaux. “It’s just like any other job board, but what’s unique is it’s from an employer who has specifically contacted us and said ‘I’m interested in LSU students,’” Crow said. It’s too early to determine how
the economy will affect the number of job postings online, she said. From July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, Career Services posted more than 20,000 full-time jobs, 4,633 internships and co-ops and 3,773 parttime jobs, compared to nearly 5,000 part-time jobs posted from July 2006 to July 2007.
Contact Leslie Presnall at lpresnall@lsureveille.com
Contact Leslie Presnall at lpresnall@lsureveille.com
PLAN, from page 1
timeline. “We would be running new buses by the spring semester,” Boyd said. Gary Graham, director of Parking, Traffic and Transportation, said he won’t know how much the transportation fee will increase until all interested companies have supplied bids. A SG campus transportation committee will be made to deal with any concerns to maintain a high standard, Boyd said. Skyer said his company made
monday, february 2, 2009 recommendations based on what students wanted, operation needs and budget numbers. “Ultimately, the University decides exactly how it’s going to be done,” Skyer said. “I don’t decide it.” The proposal, which will be put in place for fall 2010, is based off the information gathered from the survey.
Contact Brianna Paciorka at bpaciorka@lsureveille.com
THE DAILY REVEILLE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
RECRUITING
Rivals ranks ’09 LSU class No. 1 By Michael Lambert Sports Contributor
The future looks bright for LSU’s football team with the addition of the new Tigers in the 2009 recruiting class. Every team with the Rivals.com No. 1 recruiting class from 2002 until 2007 has won a national championship during that time, and LSU is ‘I think poised to win its we’ll first Rivals recruitfi nish up ing championship since it had the with the top Rivals class in No. 1 or 2003. No. 2 The Tigers’ 21-member class recruiting is ranked No. 1 by class.’ Rivals and ESPN Scouts Inc. and Russell Shepard No. 2 by Scout. LSU quarterback com rankings. Ohio State, USC, Texas and Alabama round out Rivals’ top-five. Eight of the top-25 recruiting classes hail from the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers have the consensus Rivals No. 1 class among SEC schools. Alabama is ranked No. 5, Georgia is No. 9 and Florida is No. 10. LSU has four Rivals five-star recruits — quarterback Russell Shepard, defensive tackle Chris Davenport, defensive back Janzen Jackson and safety Craig Loston. Shepard (6-foot-1, 179 pounds), Rivals.com’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, rushed for 1,946 yards and 28 touchdowns and passed for 1,843 yards, 20 touchdowns and four inter-
Sports
PAGE 7
Second-half Sorrows Auburn outscores LSU by 16 in final 20 minutes to capture 66-55 road victory
Following Auburn’s 67-58 ing-half turnovers and held Auburn loss Thursday at Georgia, LSU to just 33 percent shooting. women’s basketball coach Van But Auburn sophomore guard Chancellor said he knew his team Alli Smalley came out of halftime would be facing an angry opponent firing and had three 3-pointers in this weekend. the opening three By Casey Gisclair It turns out minutes of the half Chief Sports Writer Chancellor was to give Auburn a right. 32-30 lead. After a slow start in the first Smalley finished with a gamehalf, Auburn took out some of their high 21 points, including 5-of-5 anger on LSU on Sunday and out- shooting from the 3-point line. scored LSU, 43-27, in the second “She made two 3-balls that half to secure a 66-55 win in the were beyond the NBA line,” PMAC. Chancellor said. “That just ignited “We wanted to make sure that them.” [a loss] didn’t happen again,” said LSU had opportunities to cut Auburn women’s basketball coach into Auburn’s lead but missed 11 Nell Fortner. “We were a very hun- free throws in the second half and gry team.” shot just 9-of-22 for the game from LSU jumped out to a 28-23 the charity stripe. halftime lead thanks to a strong defensive effort that forced 10 openAUBURN, see page 15
ALEX BRANDON / The Associated Press
[Above] Auburn guard Alli Smalley shoots over LSU guard Allison Hightower and forward Courtney Jones. [Left] Auburn guard DeWanna Bonner, guard Sherell Hobbs and guard Whitney Boddie battle for the ball with Hightower.
RIVALS, see page 14
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Temple injures wrist in win against Arkansas Senior says he won’t miss Georgia game By David Helman Sports Writer
ERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille
Senior guard Garrett Temple [14] goes for a block in Satuday’s 79-69 win against Arkansas. Temple said he will “definitely” play Wednesday against Georgia.
LSU senior guard Garrett Temple landed awkwardly on his wrist during Saturday’s 79-69 win against Arkansas, but he said Sunday afternoon he “definitely” wouldn’t miss the Tigers’ midweek trip to Georgia. “I came down on my back and landed on it when I was going for a ball,” Temple said. As former players and coaches honored 100 years of LSU men’s basketball history
Saturday, Temple and his teammates’ roster almost forgot about the present. LSU (17-4, 5-1) ended the first half with a commanding 20-point lead against Arkansas (13-6, 1-5). But Log on to see a following a half- video of the Tigers’ time celebration 100th anniversary that featured for- celebration. mer LSU legends like Bob Pettit and Rudy Macklin, the Tigers let that advantage slip as low as five in a sloppy win. “With all the festivities going on this weekend, I thought we did a really good job of finding a
way to win the basketball game,” said LSU coach Trent Johnson. “I thought the guys got a little tight ... with all the former players and coaches that were here. It weighed on them heavily.” An outstanding team performance from the 3-point line proved to be the difference for LSU. The Tigers shot 50 percent from 3-point range, and sophomore point guard Bo Spencer tied his career high with 21 points behind a 5-of-6 performance from
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ARKANSAS, see page 15
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THE DAILY REVEILLE
monday, february 2, 2009
NFL
Holmes’ late TD rallies Steelers past Cardinals Pittsburgh wins record sixth Super Bowl By Barry Wilner The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Their Steel Curtain shredded, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense ended a Super Bowl of incredible swings with a final-minute touchdown for a historic victory. Santonio Holmes made a brilliant 6-yard catch deep in the right corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining Sunday night, lifting the Steelers to a record-setting sixth Super Bowl win, 27-23 over the Arizona Cardinals. It was one of the most thrilling finishes to the NFL title game, certainly equaling last year’s upset by the New York Giants that ended with Plaxico Burress’ TD catch — with 35 seconds left, too. But this one was even wilder. The Steelers (15-4), winning their second Super Bowl in four seasons, led 20-7 in the fourth quarter, only to see Kurt Warner and the Cardinals stage a remarkable rally to go in front, 23-20, with 2:37 remaining. Warner hit All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald in stride for a 64-yard touchdown with 2:37 left. Already owning a slew of post-
season receiving marks this year, Fitzgerald sped down the middle of the field, watching himself outrun the Steelers on the huge video screen. Fitzgerald could only watch from the sideline as Roethlisberger engineered a 78-yard drive to win it in what resembled Heinz Field South. With waves of twirling Terrible Towels turning Raymond James Stadium into a blackand-gold tableau — Steelers fans supporting their beloved team — Pittsburgh’s offense rescued the title. Holmes was selected the game’s MVP. “Great players step up in big-time games to make plays,” Holmes said. “I kind of lost a little composure, you know, but I knew our defense would give us a chance to make it back.” The stunning swings overshadowed James Harrison’s record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown to end the first half. That looked like the signature play until the final quarter, when both teams shook off apparent knockout punches to throw haymakers of their own. Big Ben and Holmes struck the last blow, and when Warner fumbled in the final seconds, the Cardinals’ dream of winning their first NFL crown since 1947 were gone.
“I said it’s now or never, I told the guys all the film study you put in doesn’t matter unless you do it now,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m really proud of the way they responded.” The Cardinals (12-8-1), playing in their first Super Bowl and first championship game of any kind since 1948, lost their composure after Harrison’s heroics. They had three penalties to keep Pittsburgh’s 79-yard drive going, a 16-play march that ended with Jeff Reed’s 21-yard field goal for a 20-7 lead. And they couldn’t get Fitzgerald free until very late. But boy did he get free. The All-Pro who already had set a postseason record for yards receiving and had five touchdowns in the playoffs was a nonentity until an 87-yard fourth-quarter drive he capped with a leaping 1-yard catch over Ike Taylor. He made four receptions on that series on which Warner hit all eight passes for all the yards. And then he struck swiftly for the 64-yarder that put Arizona within minutes of a remarkable victory.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com
GYMNASTICS
Tigers post SEC season low at Auburn Jackson takes bar title in the defeat By Andy Schwehm Sports Contributor
The No. 10 LSU gymnastics team posted a season Southeastern Conference low in its first road loss of the season, a 196.575-195.300 loss Friday against No. 6 Auburn (3-2, 1-2). “We lacked focus, and some people may have lost confidence,” said LSU senior Ashleigh ClareKearney. “We were fully prepared this week for the meet . . . and for some reason we crumbled.” Clare-Kearney and junior Susan Jackson tied for second in the all-around with a 39.500. LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux said the team’s performance was disappointing. “We are going to have to change what we do in practice,” Breaux said in a news release. “Our top two kids gave us everything they could, and we said going into this if our top two kids gave us their best we would have a great chance if the beginning of the lineup posted solid performances. Unfortunately that did not happen like we expected it to.” LSU (6-2, 1-2) started off the evening on a high note, posting a 49.025 on the uneven bars. Jackson posted a season-high 9.9 to win her first individual bar title of
Daily Reveille file photo
LSU’s Susan Jackson performs on the bars last season against Kentucky. She won the bar title at Auburn on Friday, but LSU lost the meet, 196.575-195.300.
the season. But it was all low notes from there. LSU posted a season-low 49.150 on the vault, statistically the team’s best category with a season average of 49.256. Freshman Ashley Lee made her debut in the event, posting a 9.625. LSU then posted a 48.225 – another season-low – on the floor. Clare-Kearney won the event with a 9.925, increasing her career total to 95 individual crowns as a Tiger. The team finished out the evening with a 48.900 on the beam. Jackson tied for the title in the event with a 9.875 with Auburn se-
nior Lindsey Puckett. The Tigers will be back at home Friday to face No. 5 Florida. “We talked a lot with the coaches, we talked a lot among ourselves and I think we have a different mentality going into this week of practice because we know we have Florida coming up,” Clare-Kearney said. “We’re going to be a lot harder on each other because we have to find out what the problem is here and why we are cracking under pressure.”
Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com
MATT SLOCUM / The Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) makes a touchdown reception Sunday against Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco (47) during the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Fla.
monday, february 2, 2009
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PAGE 9
TRACK AND FIELD
Henning, Holliday set NCAA-leading marks at Texas A&M Ole Miss, Florida also take place in meet By Rowan Kavner Sports Contributor
Sophomore weight thrower Walter Henning and junior sprinter Trindon Holliday both set NCAAleading marks Saturday at Texas A&M’s Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium during the Southeastern Conference/Big 12 Challenge. Henning, who already set an LSU indoor record throw at the Purple Tiger Invitational with an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 72 feet, 3 3/4 inches,
dominated the competition Saturday in the men’s weight throw with a personal best throw of 73 feet, 4 3/4 inches on his third toss of the day. Missouri All-American senior Chris Rohr, the Big 12’s leading weight thrower and Henning’s biggest competition at the meet, finished second with a throw of 69 feet, 7 1/2 inches. “Walter Henning continues to show the kind of consistency and competitive fire needed to win an NCAA championship,” said LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver in a news release. This won’t be the only time this season Henning will compete at Texas A&M — the NCAA In-
door Track and Field Championships are at Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in March. “This is definitely a step in the right direction,” Henning said in a news release. “I now have a great deal of confidence in knowing that I can throw in the same circle I’ll see at the NCAA meet.” Holliday, who went into the meet with the Tigers’ fastest 60-meter dash time (6.66 seconds), left with an NCAA-best time of 6.56 seconds to take the title. “Trindon Holliday is a guy who fights for everything he gets,” Shaver said. Holliday’s mark of 6.56 is only 0.02 seconds off his personal
best time and only .05 seconds off former Tiger and 2008 Olympian Richard Thompson’s school record (6.51), both set in the 2008 national finals. “It gave me a good confidence boost because this is the same track that I’ll be running on when we come back for the NCAA meet,” Holliday said in the release. “I think I left a good impression on that track.” Sophomore Kenyanna Wilson (7.42 seconds in the 60-meter dash), senior Kayann Thompson (2 minutes, 8.73 seconds in the 800-meter dash), sophomore Brittani Carter (5 feet, 10 inches in the high jump) and freshman Rachel Laurent (12 feet, 11
3/4 inches in the pole vault) all reached 2009 NCAA provisional qualifying performances for the Lady Tigers. LSU joined Ole Miss and Florida to represent the SEC against host Texas A&M, Texas and Missouri of the Big 12 in the challenge. Despite the standout individual performances by the Tigers and Lady Tigers, the Big 12 won the men’s title, 332-279, and the women’s title, 359-226.
Contact Rowan Kavner at rkavner@lsureveille.com
TENNIS
Nadal ousts shaken Federer in 5 sets in Australia Title match lasts 4 hours, 22 minutes
By John Pye The Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Roger Federer had nowhere to hide. Rod Laver was about to present the cup to Australian
Open champion Rafael Nadal. Federer stood on the court, having just missed his first chance to equal Pete Sampras’ record 14 Grand Slam singles titles. He was sobbing. He couldn’t speak. “In the first moment you’re disappointed, you’re shocked, you’re sad, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you,” Federer finally said, referring to his 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 loss to Nadal in
a momentum-swinging, 4-hour, 22-minute title match Sunday night. “The problem is you can’t go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You’re stuck out there. It’s the worst feeling. ... It’s rough.” Nadal, the first Spanish man to win the Australian Open, beat Federer in Grand Slam finals on clay and grass last year. He added the missing link Sunday with his
first major title on hard courts. The 22-year-old Spaniard is 5-2 against Federer in championship matches at the majors — 3-0 in the last three — and 13-6 in career meetings. The most riveting was Nadal’s five-set, 4-hour, 48-minute win over Federer at Wimbledon last year, ending the Swiss star’s five-year reign on grass. Now, 40 years after Rod Laver last won the Grand Slam
— all four majors in one season — Nadal is the only man who can emulate him in 2009. Federer had been the most likely of the recent contenders, missing by one in 2006 and 2007 — losing to Nadal at Roland Garros both years. Sampras’ career.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com
PAGE 10
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monday, february 2, 2009
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Monday, february 2, 2009
Entertainment
Laughing Machine
Locals attempt to jumpstart comedy By Jack LeBlanc Entertainment writer
Between tests and part-time jobs, Steve Mayeux and Ryan Sands are doing their best to create a comedy scene around the University. It’s not an easy task. Mayeux, University alumnus, and Sands, theatre senior, are stand-up comedians that have performed in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans for the past few years. They also run a Web site called salamivice.com, which has been known to feature plenty of satire and outrageous videos, stories and photos. The two have been doing their best to jumpstart a comedy scene in Baton Rouge that has
been non-existent for the past few years. The pair formed Salami Vice Productions in March 2006 when they ran a satirical campaign for Student Government at the University. Running without a serious platform, they spent only $60 on the campaign. Their main expenses were a carton of cigarettes and two sweatbands. They actually received 9 percent of the student vote. Mayeux and Sands have been honing their skills for the past few years at open-mic nights and stand-up nights around Baton Rouge. Now they are taking the fledgling Baton Rouge scene in their own hands. They have been hosting their own open-mic comedy night every other Monday at the Northgate Tavern on COMEDY, see page 13
Photo courtesy of Salami Vice
Photo courtesy of Salami Vice
Ryan Sands, theatre senior, performs stand-up comedy at Northgate Tavern. Sands is part of a comedy troupe called Salami Vice that performs in South Louisiana.
Steve Mayeux, University alumnus, performs at Northgate Tavern on Salami Vice’s open-mic night. The group acts as a local support group for local comedians.
PAGE 11
MY OPINION
Oscar nods show progress, snubs
When the 81st Oscar nominations came out Jan. 22, many critics praised the Academy for going outside the realm of their traditional choices, while others were left scratching their heads at some obvious omissions. David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” racked up an impressive 13 nominations including Best Picture, which shows the Academy is willing to include box offices smashes, but they’re not quite ready to accept the fullblown comic book action of a movie like Blake LeJeune “The Dark Entertainment Knight.” Writer The exclusion of “The Dark Knight” in the Best Picture category, despite being the second-highest grossing film of all time, behind “Titanic,” is not really a surprise, since the Academy voters tend to shy away from blockbuster action-driven films. “The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan wasn’t even given a Best Director nod for his commendable revival of the Batman franchise. The omission of Heath Ledger’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor in “The Dark Knight” probably would’ve started riots, considering petitions SNUB, see page 12
TELEVISION
Couric mixes music stars with inauguration events News anchor stays busy despite scrutiny By Daivd Bauder The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Imagine what might have happened to Katie Couric a couple of weeks ago if she hadn’t kept her briefing books straight. Tuesday she interviewed Lil Wayne, bowling with him and inviting the rap superstar to watch from the control room as she anchored the “CBS Evening News.” Wednesday she talked to President Obama. Thursday she did reported news outside on a frigid night
overlooking the Hudson River landing site of a damaged jet and anchored a report on former President Bush’s farewell to the nation. Then she flew overnight to Los Angeles, where she spent time hanging out with Justin Timberlake on Friday. The collision between music and politics came because of a preGrammy Awards special Couric is hosting on Wednesday. Besides Timberlake and Lil Wayne, featured artists are Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. The Grammys air Feb. 8 on CBS, directly after a “60 Minutes” edition where Couric has the first interview with Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who guided stricken U.S. Airways Flight 1549
to that safe Hudson River landing. Couric’s been on a nice run lately, at least in part because she and CBS seem to have recognized the futility of keeping her to 20 minutes of reading news each night. “When Katie is seen as having diverse talents, as she does, everybody wins,” says Susan Zirinsky, executive producer of the Grammys special. Zirinsky put Couric through the paces, sending Couric to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex in New York for a segment or two last Thursday, returning in time for the news. Versatility was not only a job COURIC, see page 13
JOHN P. FILO / The Associated Press
Musician Lil’ Wayne shows off his bowling skills Tuesday to CBS News anchor Katie Couric at Bowlmor bowling alley in New York.
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AWARDS
Boyle’s ‘Slumdog’ wins top DGA award
Film predicted to win big at Oscars By David Germain The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Slumdog Millionaire” continued its rags-to-riches march through Hollywood’s awards season as its filmmaker, Danny Boyle, won the top honor Saturday from the Directors Guild of America. The win puts Boyle on the inside track for the same prize at the Academy Awards on Feb. 22, since the guild recipient almost always goes on to win the directing Oscar. While “Slumdog Millionaire” started as an underdog that nearly went straight to DVD, it has emerged as a potential Oscar favorite. Audiences have embraced Boyle’s tale of a poor boy rising to fame and fortune from the streets of Mumbai, and the film triumphed at the Golden Globes and Producers Guild of America Awards, while taking the prize for best ensemble cast from the Screen Actors Guild. “The Office” won the top honor for television comedy, “The
Wire” took the award for TV drama and “Recount” won for TV movie. Paul Feig received the award for an installment of “The Office,” whose competition included two episodes of “30 Rock,” the series that has dominated at recent Hollywood honors. The drama series prize went to director Dan Attias for an episode from the final season of “The Wire.” Ari Forman’s “Waltz With Bashir” won the documentary award. The film, which is nominated for best foreign-language film at the Academy Awards, is director Forman’s animated study of a soldier struggling to recall suppressed memories of his involvement in the war with Lebanon. Among Hollywood’s many honors on the buildup to the Academy Awards, the Directors Guild prizes have one of the best track records for predicting eventual Oscar winners. Only six times in the guild awards’ 60-year history has the winner failed to take home the directing Oscar.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s entertainment staff at entertainment@lsureveille.com
SNUB, from page 11 started immediately after the film’s release for his nomination. Ledger’s posthumous Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe may be indicative of his chances on Feb. 22. He is up against tough competitors like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robert Downey, Jr. Mickey Rourke, who was once thought to be completely off the acting grid, has made a return in recent years, especially with “The Wrestler,” which garnered him a Best Actor nod. Rourke’s portrayal of an over-the-hill wrestler trying to make a comeback may be the role of his career. But he faces a powerful Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay public official, in “Milk,” along with Frank Langella as a post-Watergate Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon.” Bruce Springsteen’s beautiful theme “The Wrestler,” for the film of the same name wasn’t even considered for a Best Original Song nomination. The same thing happened last year to Eddie Vedder, whose soundtrack for “Into the Wild,” was deemed “too song-oriented.” Crowd favorite “Slumdog Millionaire” took two of the three slots for Best Original Song. The other being Phil Collins’ “Down to Earth” for the charming robot animated film “Wall-E.” “Slumdog Millionaire” accumulated 10 nominations including Best Picture and Best
monday, february 2, 2009
Director, though excellent newcomers Dev Patel and Freida Pinto were left off the ballots. Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino,” one of Eastwood’s best, got zero nominations, much to the frustration of many film critics. Eastwood’s tale of an old racist looking for friendship and redemption was easily one of the most powerful films of 2008. His haunting anti-hero Walt Kowalski can be included with his other iconic roles like Dirty Harry and the Man With No Name. Eastwood proves he only gets better with age, and makes the absence of “Gran Torino” all the more terrible. Eastwood might not go completely empty-handed though; he picked up a few nominations for “The Changeling.” The inclusion of “The Reader” in the Best Picture category left many people questioning the Academy’s decision. With so many high-quality films in 2008, the Academy opted for the safe pick, ignoring “The Dark Knight,” “Gran Torino” and “Revolutionary Road,” which snubbed Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, though she did get nominated for Best Actress for “The Reader.” Academy voters are very
fickle and generally vote on fall-back movies, while throwing the occasional bone to less traditional popular films like “Benjamin Button.” It’s impossible for the Academy to include everyone’s favorite movie in their nominations, though the voters sometimes have questionable decisions. I was personally disappointed in the oversight of “Gran Torino” and Bruce Springsteen’s “The Wrestler.” While many may disagree with this year’s picks, the Academy should be commended in recent years for considering and awarding controversial films like “Crash” and “Milk.” The Academy has come a long way in their choices for the best films of the year, as evidenced by last year’s violent Best Picture winner “No Country for Old Men.” But they still have a long way to go in terms of backing more eccentric films.
Contact Blake LeJeune at blejeune@lsureveille.com
Pluckers wing bar $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Lemonade. If you don’t like our wings, we’ll give you the bird. Mellow Mushroom pizza Bakers $5 Domestic Pitchers $6 Abita Pitchers
9:00-10:30pm Burn After Reading 12:00-1:30pm Pineapple Express 7-8:30pm Tropic Thunder
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009 COURIC, from page 11
requirement at the “Today” show, it was something Couric found necessary. She enjoys covering public policy and the Obama administration, but also loves following pop culture. She’s proud that she didn’t need a tutorial from her daughters to talk to the young music stars. “These multiple platforms provide me with an opportunity to satisfy all of my interests, and this was really just a fun outlet for me,” says Couric, who was impressed by how savvy and interesting the musicians were. “Sometimes people in show business get a bad name, that they are somehow shallow or vapid or not people of substance,” she says. “And, they all were (substantive) in their different ways. One thing they do have in common is they were all incredibly persistent and tenacious in a business where it’s easy to get eaten alive.” It’s the second straight week in prime-time for Couric. CBS aired a special edition of the evening news at 8 p.m. Wednesday and, up against “American Idol,” its audience of 6.5 million was actually less than she’s been getting in her regular slot. Yet if many of those viewers were not regulars of the “CBS Evening News,” than the network has achieved its goal of giving her more exposure. It’s beginning to appear that CBS’ evening newscast is becoming more like its morning show, perpetually fated to third place, as the cable news networks increase
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their influence each year. That said, Couric’s broadcast is showing modest signs of ratings growth over the past few months after two years of relentless bad news. “People who watch the ‘CBS Evening News’ don’t say, ‘I’m going to watch the third-rated newscast,’” she says. “They say, ‘We like this newscast, we think they’re doing really quality work.’ Of course, if more people are saying that and thinking that, it’s great news. But it’s not something that I think about every day.” While ratings obviously matter to the networks for advertising revenue, Couric’s interview with Sarah Palin last fall demonstrated that if important work is done, people will seek it out. Millions watched the interview online, probably Couric’s signature moment since she joined CBS. Couric plans to travel to Charlotte, N.C., on Monday to interview Sullenberger and his crew. That interview was a major “get” for her, and it came at the expense of her old “Today” show partner, Matt Lauer. NBC said the network thought it had a commitment from the pilot’s family for “Today.” Couric, for her part, says that winning the interview over “Today” gave it no special meaning.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s entertainment staff at entertainment@lsureveille.com
PAGE 13
nights allow him to practice his nights allow for the “rawness and material without worrying about unfiltered presentation of the purChimes Street for the past year the competition that comes with a est form of freedom of speech.” He said doand a half, and are starting anoth- paid gig. “People at ‘Open-mic is where I ing stand-ups has er open-mic in downtown Lafayopen mics are ammade him more ette at Sadie’s Bar. “After starting the Northgate ateurs, and people learn to improve my observant, more open-mic, we started noticing all understand that,” comedy and develop aware of current events and more of these LSU students coming to Ragusa said. “I’m comfortable talktry out,” Mayeux said. “We have at the point now my craft.’ ing in front of probably found five or six come- where I won’t do crowds. dians over the past year and a half a show just to get Steve Mayeux “Normally just because we are so close to stage time, but I’ll still do an open- comedian, University alumnus when I’m booked campus.” for paid shows, I The number of comedians mic because that’s carefully review at the Northgate open-mic varies my opportunity from week to week, but Mayeux to learn how to perform my new my set list to ensure my performance looks clean-cut and well said there are generally between material.” Open-mic is usually format- rehearsed,” Mayeux said. eight and 12 comedians. Mayeux said open-mic nights The only other open-mic ted where each comedian percomedy night in Baton Rouge forms for about five minutes. give him a chance to exercise his takes place on Tuesday nights Northgate gives each comedian at creative license. “But at open-mic venues, it’s at Phil Brady’s Bar and Grill on least 10 minutes. “Our whole mission is to get a playground of depravity where Government Street. Sands said the Funny Bone comics out there,” Sands said. I can experiment, improvise and “We know Baton rewrite jokes,” Mayeux said. on Bennington is not the “Open-mic is where I learn to Avenue also fea‘People at open Rouge biggest market for improve my comedy and develop tures stand-up comedy but rarely mics are amateurs, comedy, so we are my craft.” trying to get the Mayeux will perform at the books local talent or beginners and people under- best comedians 2009 New Orleans Comedy Arts we can and pack- Festival at the LaNuit Comedy because they use stand that.’ age them, so, if Theatre from Feb. 4-7. national booking they do move to Sands and Mayeux plan agents. Michael Ragusa a bigger market, on expanding comedy in Baton Michael Ragusa, junior at Southeastern University student they will have Rouge and delivering “high qualsomething to ity kosher content” to as many Southeastern Unipeople as they can. versity, is an aspiring comedian bring with them.” Salami Vice also hosts paid who has performed throughout Louisiana for the past four years. gigs every other Tuesday at the Ragusa performs at three or four Roux House in downtown Baton open-mic nights a week in Baton Rouge and is planning to perform Rouge, New Orleans and Ham- at VooDoo Music Experience in Contact Jack LeBlanc at New Orleans this October. mond. aleblanc@lsureveille.com Mayeux said the open-mic Ragusa said the open-mic
COMEDY, from page 11
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PAGE 14
THE DAILY REVEILLE
SWIMMING AND DIVING
RIVALS, from page 7
Tigers, Lady Tigers conclude regular season with sweeps at Natatorium Team evaluated for SEC Championships By Amos Morale Sports Contributor
LSU swimming coach Adam Schmitt knew he would have to make a tough decision when the LSU swimming and diving teams wrapped up the regular season with the LSU Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the LSU Natatorium. But he said that is a good thing. “Now I’ve got to sit down and see what events these people can go in — if they can score in events because ... our first priority is who can score,” Schmitt said. While the Lady Tigers (7-31) picked up victories against Rice, Houston and UNO, and the No. 17 Tigers (7-1) crushed a young UNO men’s program, Schmitt was evaluating his team to see who should make the trip to the Southeastern Conference Championships in February. “There are some people on the team that are going for some swims
to try and get on the SEC squad,” Schmitt said. “This is kind of like their tryout.” Behind that motivation, many Tigers and Lady Tigers swam season-best times. “We had to show him something special so we can try and make it on the team,” said sophomore Eric Zeller. The New Mexico native swam a career and team-best time Friday in the 50 freestyle, hitting the wall at 20.28 seconds. “I was a lot more focused and a lot more ready to swim fast,” Zeller said. Senior Lauren Simons swam a personal best 10:09.58 in the 1000yard freestyle. “The people that needed to have a good meet did what they had to do,” Schmitt said. The Lady Tigers also broke two pool records in the 400 freestyle relay and the 200 freestyle relay. “We shattered some pool records this weekend on the women’s side, and that’s certainly a good building
block going into the SEC Championships,” Schmitt said. Schmitt said the 400 free relay didn’t include the teams fastest freestylers. The 400 free relay was comprised of seniors Sabrina Messmer, Katie Gilmore, Katherine Noland and freshman Morgan McGee swam a 3:24.24 to earn a new LSU Natorium record. The 200 free relay featuring seniors Katherine Noland, Katie Gilmore, Monica McJunkin and sophomore Jane Trepp was a more normal lineup. “We tweaked the lineup a little bit, and they performed like I knew they would,” Schmitt said. Houston Anastasia Pozdniakova, who was a silver medalist at the 2008 Bejing Olympic games, captured a two pool records in the one meter and the three meter diving events. Contact Amos Morale at amorale@lsureveille.com
ceptions his senior season at Cypress Ridge High School. The Houston native will be one of five quarterbacks on LSU’s roster, along with rising sophomores Jordan Jefferson, Jarrett Lee, T.C. McCartney and rising freshman three-star recruit Chris Garrett. “I’m an LSU Tiger now,” Shepard said. “I am ready to go in, get my playbook, learn and get into the fight for the starting quarterback position.” Shepard is excited about the potential of the 2009 recruiting class. “It’s looking great. I think we’ll finish up with the No. 1 or No. 2 recruiting class,” Shepard said. “We are definitely finishing very, very strong.” Loston, Shepard’s cousin from Aldine, Texas, added his name to the 2009 class in early January. Loston (6-foot-2, 193 pounds) is rated as the nation’s top safety prospect by Rivals. Davenport is the Rivals’ No. 5 defensive tackle. The 6-foot-4-inch lineman had 18 sacks as a junior at Mansfield High School. Jackson (6-feet, 174 pounds) would add strength and quickness to the LSU defense. The Barbe High School product benches 270 pounds and runs a 4.43 40-yard dash. Defensive end/linebacker Jarvis
monday, february 2, 2009 Jones (Columbus, Ga.) is one of the remaining recruits LSU still hopes to sign. Jones, a four-star recruit, visited LSU this weekend, according to Ken Trahan, president and general manager of Neworleans.com Sports. Wide receiver Rueben Randle, the Rivals No. 2 player from Bastrop High School, could have an immediate impact at LSU. Randle (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) had 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver his junior season. He played quarterback his senior season and passed for 2,461 yards and 20 touchdowns. Trahan said LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma are Randle’s final choices. Randle plans to commit Wednesday on National Signing Day, when recruits can first sign their letters of intent. Wide receiver DeAngelo Benton committed to LSU in 2007 but played at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia after failing to be academically eligible. Benton is also considering Auburn, according to Trahan. Linebacker Barkevious Mingo visited Connecticut this weekend, but LSU still hopes to sign the West Monroe native.
Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009 AUBURN, from page 7
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Chancellor said he doesn’t have an answer for LSU’s free throw struggles. “That was really amazing,” Chancellor said. “We shot them good today at shoot-around ... I think we play on the road and we don’t have our friends and family here and we’re relaxing a little bit.” Auburn took advantage of LSU’s missed opportunities with a dominant offensive attack. Auburn began the second half hitting 11 of its first 15 shots to help take a 48-38 lead. Auburn guard DeWanna BonERIN ARLEDGE / The Daily Reveille ner recovered from a slow open- Senior forward Kristen Morris [44] shoots a free throw Sunday during the Lady ing half and scored 11 second-half points, including several baskets Tigers’ 66-55 loss to Auburn. Morris led LSU in scoring with 14 points. down the stretch to push Auburn’s 3-of-13 shooting through the first down four rebounds in the openlead out of reach. nine minutes of the game en route ing half to enable LSU to outscore But early on, to taking an early Auburn, 16-8, in the paint in the LSU had success opening half. 14-9 lead. containing AuMorris led LSU in scoring But Auburn burn’s offense. closed the gap and with 14 points and seven rebounds LSU steered answered with a while playing 32 minutes off the away from its usual 9-0 run over four bench. man-to-man deThe Lathrup Village, Mich., minutes capped fense and played a by a 3-pointer by native has seen more minutes in loose zone defense Smalley to take LSU’s past three games after playNell Fortner early on against Auburn women’s basketball coach an 18-14 lead ing a lesser role earlier in the seaAuburn — the with eight min- son. Southeastern Con“I’m just being myself,” Morutes to play in the ference’s best offensive team, av- opening half. ris said. “I’m bringing a lot of enereraging 79.5 points per game. LSU responded with a 14-5 gy to the floor, and I’m just playing The defense was designed run of its own over the final eight when my number is called.” to keep the basketball away from minutes of the half to take a 28-23 Bonner, who came into Sunday’s halftime lead. game averaging 21 points and LSU’s lone senior, forward nearly nine rebounds per game. Kristen Morris, helped spark the Contact Casey Gisclair at LSU had success on that end first half play for the Lady Tigers cgisclair@lsureveille.com of the floor, limiting Auburn to and scored eight points and pulled
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‘We wanted to make sure that [a loss] didn’t happen again.’
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reason. The Xavier game, I keep dwelling on that and how they were scoring at will. I’m taking the 3-point line. “They went into a zone and it personally and just trying to I had wide open shots, and I limit guys from what they want had confidence,” Spencer said. to do.” The win “Coach gave me capped off an the confidence, eventful birthday and I always work for LSU basketon my jumper. ball, as prominent I knew I could players flocked knock down the to the PMAC for jumper, and it just an alumni game, so happened that outdoor festivities they kept leaving Tasmin Mitchell and a postgame me open and I LSU junior forward party at Walkkept knocking it On’s. down.” But the Tigers may have reLSU’s shooting proficiency ended a dramatic Arkansas rally ceived the best birthday gift of all to seal the game despite eight Ti- from Ole Miss (12-9, 3-4). The Rebels defeated Missisger turnovers in the second half. The Razorbacks cut the lead to sippi State, 67-63, earlier in the seven points, but junior forward day, putting LSU alone atop the Tasmin Mitchell brought the Southeastern Conference West12,698 fans in attendance to their ern Division. The Tigers hold a tiebreaker feet with a timely 3-pointer with over Mississippi State (14-7, 4-2) just 2:37 remaining. “[Senior center] Chris [John- because of a head-to-head vicson] tapped it back to me,” Mitch- tory, meaning they have a twoell said. “I saw it was wide open, game lead in the division heading so I took the shot and it went in.” into Wednesday’s game against Chris Johnson used the oc- last place Georgia (9-12, 0-6). “It’s a great opportunity, casion to up his standing in LSU history with his second-consecu- but it’s not over,” Mitchell said. tive double-double, the eighth of “This is the SEC — anybody can his season. Johnson finished with get beat any given night ... It’s a privilege to be up right now.” 18 points and 11 rebounds. His seven blocks on the afternoon moved him to No. 2 alltime in LSU history with 135. “I didn’t even know that, but it’s an honor to be up there Contact David Helman at with Shaq,” Johnson said. “I had more confidence today for some dhelman@lsureveille.com
ARKANSAS, from page 7
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‘It’s not over. This is the SEC — anybody can get beat any given night.’
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Opinion
PAGE 16
OUR VIEW
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
Student job cuts a cheap shot by University officials “Although we are tightening the budget, we are working hard to ensure that budget cuts do not affect the quality of the university or its academic mission.” Astrid Merget, University executive vice chancellor and provost, sent this message in an e-mail about the University’s hiring of three new deans to oversee the Colleges of Engineering, Music & Dramatic Arts and the School of the Coast & En-
vironment. Someone didn’t send this message about “not affecting” the quality of the University. In a Jan. 22 e-mail to student workers on Chancellor’s Student Aide or Work Study in the Manship School of Mass Communication, Angela Fleming, assistant to the dean, inferred the possibility of reduced hours and even the possibility of job cuts for student workers.
“I am sure you’ve heard LSU has had severe budget cuts,” Fleming said. “We cannot support students after their Chancellor’s Student Aide or Work Study runs out. Please plan your hours accordingly for the rest of the semester. I will have to separate you once your funds run out. “Sorry.” Unfortunately, “sorry” just doesn’t cut it anymore. The state is eliminating $10.3
million from the University’s budget this fiscal year, ending June 30. In this economy, jobs are hard enough to find. The Career Expo at the PMAC on Tuesday will feature about 50 less companies than last year. We stress how important it is for the University not to impose the core of these budget cuts on the students. “Everything possible needs to
be done to ensure students don’t feel the brunt of these cuts,” we said Jan. 12. This is the students’ campus, too. Is an honest, open dialogue about our collective future too much to ask? Contact the Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com
NIETZCHE IS DEAD
Closing Guantanamo a necessary act of symbolism
President Barack Obama has already taken powerful steps to distance himself from some of the more unpopular policies of his predecessor. Obama made sweeping executive orders to close the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention facility within the year and also banned the use of torture in military interrogations. These actions are causing widespread criticism from groups across the spectrum of respectability. Some detractors claim closing the camp is a major security risk. They point to evidence that many prisoners released from Guantanamo Bay are often later captured or killed in combat by U.S. or allied forces. This argument has little to do with closing the camp. These prisoners were released before the order
was even on the table — many of them before Obama even took office — because there was insufficient evidence to convict them. These critics also tend to overlook the details of the order to close the facility. The order also establishes a review that will determine if there is sufficient evidence to bring the detainees to trial, or to determine if transferring them to another similar facility will constitute a national security risk. If there is not sufficient evidence to conduct a trial, we should not detain anyone. It’s one of the most fundamental tenets of our justice system. A more legitimate argument was made in an article posted on the Heritage Foundation Web Site: closing the camp will make little concrete difference. They correctly
argue that Obama is closing Gitmo solely to placate critics. However, there is much more to be said for the symbolic gesture this order represents than these critics allow. The move is not simply an attempt at achieving political capital, nor is it rooted solely in abstract ideals Matthew Albright at the expense Columnist of practicality. Obama made the decision after extended consultation with military leaders, and a host of former generals — all of whom support the decision. Colin Powell has also endorsed the order, who, besides being one of the most respected voices in politics
and military affairs, is a Republican. The reason these military leaders believe the measure is justified despite its lack of practical ramifications is simple. In the president’s words: “We think that it is precisely our ideals that give us the strength and the moral high ground to be able to effectively deal with the unthinking violence that we see emanating from terrorist organizations around the world.” The reason we are justified in fighting terrorists — indeed the reason we can even call them terrorists in the first place — is because we hold true to basic ideals of right and wrong. The good guys do not torture. The good guys do not hold prisoners without justifiable evidence.
These actions are employed by our enemies, and it is because of actions such as these that we call them terrorists. Like it or not, Guantanamo Bay is a symbol of an America that holds and tortures prisoners without evidence of wrongdoing. That is not the America we should be living in. That is not the America our men and women in uniform fight and die for. The symbol of that America must be destroyed. Sometimes practicality must be sacrificed for ideals, because — as it is in this case — the ideals are what make the practical concerns worth being pursued.
Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com
COMMON CENTS
Cultural perceptions can make your penis disappear Let’s take a break from biting geopolitical observations and balanced economic ruminations for something simpler: Foreign cultures are weird. Or, more accurately, weird cultures are foreign. Consider “Koro,” a belief that one’s genitals are retracting into one’s body or have been removed. Although the term originated in Asia — Koro is Malay for “head of the turtle” — recently, the most dramatic cases have taken place in Africa. Assisted by juju and witchcraft, “penis thieves” have used their dark powers to steal the manhood from unsuspecting Africans. Nervous victims have suddenly suspected their penises have disappeared or diminished and, in a moment of irrationality, blamed their
newfound femininity on an unfortunate bystander. Reports of penis thefts come in waves, like when angry mobs beat 12 suspected penis snatchers to death in Ghana’s Capital in 1997, or when 13 suspected sorcerers were arrested by Congolese police last year, according to an April Reuters article. Dr. Sunday Ilechukwu did some of the first reporting of African Koro in a letter to Transcultural Psychiatric Review. In 1975, a policeman escorted two men into Ilechukwus’ office in Northern Nigeria, one of which had accused the other of stealing his penis. After the doctor declared the alleged victim’s condition to be normal, he “looked down at his groin for the first time, suggesting that the genitals had just reappeared.” This is why journalists use the
THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board
KYLE WHITFIELD TYLER BATISTE GERRI SAX DANIEL LUMETTA MATTHEW ALBRIGHT TRAVIS ANDREWS ERIC FREEMAN JR.
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Opinion Editor Columnist Columnist Columnist
word “alleged.” What happened in Ilechukwus’ office is most likely a combination of the power of suggestion and basic anatomy. Penis thefts usually occur during a period of emotional excitement. The “fight or flight” impulse also results in decreased Daniel Morgan blood flow to the Columnist genitals. It could be called the “first thing’s first” response. When the “first thing’s first” response is combined with a firmly held belief that evil juju can steal ones’ mo-jo, it is easy to see how these things can happen. Or maybe this is just an
elaborate way to explain away a lesser endowment. “It’s real,” said one witness in the aforementioned Reuters article. “Just yesterday here, there was a man who was a victim. We saw. What was left was tiny.” Either way, the absurdity of the situation is matched by the credulity of the participants. Either way, foreign cultures are weird. Cultural perceptions can make your penis disappear. Sometimes cooler heads must point out that the Emperor is naked, or that the Emperor still has a penis. But from the proper frame of mind, our own culture can seem just as foreign. Americans have never believed in Juju, but we did suffer from a long spell of voodoo. As far as I know, no American has ever been lynched be-
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.
cause of accusations of penis thefts, but we did have a shameful history in Salem, Massachusetts. Come to think of it, there are still horoscopes in less-advanced newspapers. About three-fourths of Americans believe some cosmic Jewish Zombie makes you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree. We can generalize it: Cultures are weird.
Contact Daniel Morgan at dmorgan@lsureveille.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY “Drugs have taught an entire generation of American kids the metric system.”
P.J. O’Rourke American satirist, journalist Nov. 14, 1947 - Present
THE DAILY REVEILLE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Opinion
PAGE 17
Printing drug overdose on page one the right call Being The Daily Reveille’s editor is like sitting in a daily ethics class. Tough situtations pop up all the time, and the decisions made have real consequences. And one decision made in the last week of January is still sparring pleny of debate. Former University student Donald Chase Jarreau was found dead in his apartment Jan. 24 from “drug toxicity from cocaine,” according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. The story printed on the bottom rail on page one of the Jan. 27 edition. And I firmly stand by that decision for plenty of sound, ethical reasons.
The first — and most convincing reason — is the story’s impact on the University and its community. Drugs like cocaine are a very real problem here and around the country. The 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health said “35.3 million Americans aged 12 and older reported having used cocaine.” And the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported “adults 18 to 25 years old have a higher current cocaine use than those in any other age group.” Most bad situations present an opportunity for something good to happen. And I’m hopeful exposing Jarreau’s situation — and story — opened some people’s eyes. If that
story reached just one person using cocaine and sparked them to stop or get some form of help, then the story served one of its main purposes. Besides impact, Jarreau’s story was timely since he died Saturday and the story was printed Tuesday. In an ideal Kyle Whitfield world the story should have run Editor Monday. The story also had prominence. Jarreau was a former student, and the name itself rings a bell with Baton Rouge residents. It would’ve been wrong for us to ignore that the
victim’s father is Donnie Jarreau, a well-known Baton Rouge businessman. Proximity was also accounted for in the decision to print the story. The body was found at the Blox At Brightside, an apartment complex many students call home. The Blox is about a five-minute drive away from campus. I — and my editorial team — take decisions like these very seriously. We usually huddle in a room, breakdown the situation, give our opinions and decide what to do. These kinds of stories are printed around the country daily. Reporters and photographers at metro papers are always running out to death scenes and dealing
with grieving family and friends. It’s the not-so-glamorous side of journalism. But there’s always a point to it. The best kind of journalism brings light to problems. I understand the family in this situation is grieving. I’ve had a close family member die suddenly, and it’s nothing I ever want to experience again. But the decision our newspaper made was the right one. Just not the kind we like to make.
Contact Kyle Whitfield at kwhitfield@lsureveille.com
BURNS AFTER READING
American government losing the ‘War on Drugs’ With two major wars taking place overseas, many Americans ignore the war taking place within our borders. The phrase ‘War on Drugs’ was first coined by Richard Nixon in 1971. American’s ongoing battle with narcotics, however, can be traced back to congressional action taken nearly 100 years ago. Financial data shows we’ve spent more than $400 billion on the drug war since the 1970s. Even after spending $50 billion this past year, the struggle appears to be going nowhere. Draconian drug laws have helped America incarcerate a larger proportion of its citizens than any other nation in the world. While Americans only account for 5 percent of the world’s populace, they make up more than 25 percent of the world’s inmates. More than 160,000 drug users have been arrested this year, according to Drugsense.com. Those numbers are expected to excede 2 million arrests by next year. Racial discrimination and social oppression are two major conflicts critics observe. American surveys indicate blacks make up 14 percent of illegal drug users, yet 36 percent of those arrested are black and 63 percent of those imprisoned are black.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Story about former student cold, clinical I have attended LSU for six years. In those six years I have read The Daily Reveille almost everyday, and it took today’s edition for me to write a letter to the editor. I can’t find the words to describe how I felt when I read the article “Former student found dead in complex.” I don’t even know why the article was written
One of the key battlegrounds of the war takes place on college campuses. Nearly 20 percent of college students ages 18-22 have experimented with drugs, according to Reason. com. Though the proportion of students who drink remained constant from 1993 to 2005, daily marijuana use more than doubled, and use of other illegal drugs have skyrocketed 52 percent, according to a National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse study. Most universities have enforced stricter policy and increased their drug awareness programs to help allay these results. But many of these steps, according to one student group, have muddled the thin line between personal protection and civil rights. Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), a non profit organization founded in 1998 by students from George Washington University and Rochester Institute of Technology, intended to change the way the government views drugs as a criminal justice issue and a public health issue. Their mission statement reads: “[SSDP] is an international grassroots network of students who are
concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities, but who also know that the War on Drugs is failing our generation and our society.” Over the past decade, the organization has expanded its role, offering more than 150 chapters nationwide, and a chapter opened on the LSU campus last November. “The longterm objective for SSDP at LSU is to transform the way our university deals with drugs and drug use. We Scott Burns Columnist want the university to recognize that the worst thing it can do to someone with a drug problem is hampering their ability to get an education,” said local SSDP president Sam D’Arcangelo. Aside from impeding proper education, SSDP also believes the drug war is legally deranged. “The War on Drugs is unconstitutional. Our lawmakers 90 years ago knew it was unconstitutional to ban a substance outright, which is why alcohol prohibition required a constitutional amendment.”
in the first place. The article contained no information relevant to LSU or the students. We don’t need to know the specifics of how people passed away because it is none of our business and because it isn’t very considerate to the family and friends of the person they loved who they just lost. These people are already going through a tough time. I knew Chase. We went to elementary and middle school together. I haven’t seen him in 10 years, but when I heard he died this weekend I was saddened. I can’t imagine what his family and friends are going through right now.
I know as a newspaper you have to report stories like this one, but the way the article was written seemed very cold and clinical. After reading it, I felt that there wasn’t any point to the article except that the author of it wanted to report on how someone died and not the fact that someone died. By the way, Chase Jarreau still is Donnie Jarreau’s son. R.I.P. Chase, you will be missed. Russell Guercio general studies senior
“Forty-two percent of Americans admit to having tried marijuana at least once. Does this make 42 percent of our country criminals? More people die from aspirin overdoses everyday than have ever died from a marijuana overdose in the history of the world.” Besides explicit efforts to denigrate drug users, D’Arcangelo contends there are far greater reasons students should feel compelled to take action. “Drug policy reform is not a matter of allowing ‘potheads’ to smoke in peace, it is a matter of human rights. It’s also a matter of civil liberties. Right now they tell you what you can put in your body. Who knows what they’ll be telling you not to do next?” SSDP makes it clear they do not support eliminating drug regulations entirely. Instead, they suggest we distinguish between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ drugs, favoring decriminalization rather than asphyxiating addicts’ ability to receive help. They also contend school programs — like D.A.R.E — counterproductively spread fallacies about drugs, specifically marijuana, and inhibit kids’ ability to learn facts rather than fabrication. Many Americans have
Story about former student not ‘front page news’ I cannot believe the distasteful tone of the article that made the front page of the newspaper. “Former student found dead in complex” had nothing to do with what any normal editor would approve of “front page news.” The article was written about a FORMER student, it did not even happen on campus. Why is this news that should be broadcast across
expressed similar support. The most popular topic on President Obama’s campaign Web site dealt with ‘Ending Marijuana Prohibition”. There’s no doubt our government has been financing a war within our borders. A war, quite frankly, we’re losing. Prohibition didn’t work. And neither will despotic regulation of drugs. By trying to interfere, they’ve obfuscated civil liberties and the principles of freedom they’re supposed to defend. The truth is: the more authority Washington holds, the more freedoms are inevitably sacrificed. Thousands of complex ‘solutions’ have been offered to curtail drug related problems, but none offer the pragmatic simplicity of Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s proposal: “You want to get rid of drug crime in this country? Fine, let’s get rid of all the drug laws.”
Contact Scott Burns at sburns@lsureveille.com
campus? If it was used as a sympathetic letter to the ‘prominent businessman’s’ family, then you have no idea what sympathy is. I find it very odd that the Coroner’s office gave such information to be printed in your paper. Chase was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and oddly (or maybe conveniently) that was left out of the article. And FYI — Chase IS STILL the son of Donnie Jarreau, idiot. Monica McNemar English senior Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
HELP WANTED
PAGE 18
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C H I M E S R E S T AU R A N T 3357 Highland Road Accepting applications for all positions. Apply in person, only. 11AM5PM Monday-Frid
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NOW HIRING Rave Motion Pictures Now Hiring at Both Locations Hourly Managers General Staff Please inquire at the box office 225-769-5176 225-753-2710 PLUCKERS MAKE $12-15/HR PLUCKERS IS NOW HIRING DELIVERY DRIVERS APPLY AT 4225 NICHOLSON
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CLASSIFIEDS POLICY
PRE-DENTAL HYGIENE will train as a Hygiene assistant to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pleas call 225.296.5980 225.296.5980
!BAR TENDING! Up to $300/Day. No Experience Necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK 1-800-9656520 xt127
BES T WES TERN CHATEAU is now hiring Front Desk Reps for 10pm7am Night Audit shift. Lots of quiet study time! Very flexible with class schedules and exams!! Come apply in person at 710 N. Lobdell Ave, Baton Rouge
HELP WANTED PERSON A L S FOR S A L E FOR RENT T YPING R O O M M ATES SEEKING TICKET S LOS T A N D F O U N D T R AV E L M I S C E L L ANEOUS
needed. Some basic networking experience a plus. Great experience! info@cajunusa.com
NOW HIRING Servers, Bussers, Kitchen Help, Boilers. Apply Within.Wayne Stabiler City Cafe13434 Perkins Road SURVEY RESEARCHERS NEEDED! LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab is now hiring survey researchers for weekend and night work only. Must have a clear speaking voice, be friendly, willing to communicate with people over the phone, and to follow set procedures. Pay is competitive, $7-9/ hour. Flexible hours! Great place to work! Prior experience a plus but not required. Contact Kathryn Rountree, Operations Manager, krount1@lsu.edu to set up an interview. DON’T MISS THIS OPPOR T U N I T Y! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours. Equal Opportunity Employer COMPUTER WORKER Off campus IT assistant for Microsoft environment
COUNTRY CLUB OF L A PT job in tennis pro shop. T W TH 3-9, more hours available. Start ASAP! 504.439.3699 SMALL BR L AW office seeks runner part time will work around school schedule. Must have transportation and proof of insurance. 225.298.0770 SITTER NEEDED Tues/Thurs nights, every other Sunday. Must be JR, SR, or Grad student, non-smoker. Min. 3 references, reliable transportation. $10/hr plus food expenses. 601.807.3522 SMOOTHIE KING SHERWOOD FORES T Now Hiring Engertic Fun Work Environment Great Pay with Incentives Day and Evening Shifts Apply in Person or call 225 291 5464 SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make $5-$25 per survey. www. GetPaidToThink.com P E R F E C T PA R T T I M E P O S I T I O N Afternoon Preschool Teacher needed for child care center near LSU.2:30-5:30 M-F 225-766-1159 STUDENTPAY OUT S. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. GREAT HOURS! GREAT PAY! Texas Roadhouse is now hiring for servers and hosts. Please apply in person at 10360 N. Mall Dr. M-Th between the hours of 2 and 4 pm. 225.293.0144
S U B W AY 4 2 5 0 B U R B A N K Sandwich Artists Needed! No late nights. Flexible scheduling. Next to Izzos. S TUDENT WORK Local BR company expanding Fast! *$15.00 Base/appt* Flexible Schedules No experience nec Customer sales/ svc Conditions Apply Ages 17+ Apply NOW 225-927-3066 www.collegestudentwork.com N E E D E X T R A $CASH$? We are filling 8 positions ASAP-great starting pay, part-time/full-time available. We provide training, customer sales/service. Conditions apply-CALL NOW:225-927-7424 or
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009 apply at zf9.com EARN EXTR A MONEY Students needed ASAP Earn up to $150 per day being a mystery shopper No Experience Required Call 1-800-722-4791 SPOR T S AND S TUDY Sports and Study Buddy for our 7 yr old boy. 5 days/wk M-F, 3-5 PM. Must have transportation. Near LSU. 225.266.7924 or 225.343.7361 PARKVIEW BAPTIS T PRESCHOOL Preschool Teachers needed 3-6 p.m. flex days. no degree required 293-9447 WE PAY UP TO $75 per online survey. www. CashToSpend.com
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009 ENERGETIC PEOPLE NEEDED! Maggie’s Clean-It-All is looking for enthusiastic individuals to help clean homes and offices on weekday mornings/afternoons. Pay can be up to $11hr. Only those serious should apply! 225-803-1621 225-803-1651 SWIMMING LESSONS INS T R U C TORS NEEDED Great Part Time Afternoon Spring Semester Job-Full Time Summer Job- Great Pay! CRAWFISH AQUATICS, Louisiana’s Total Swim Program- If you are highly motivated, hard working, we can teach you the rest. Please fax resume to 225-706-1636 or e-mail to swimcraw@bellsouth.net
ROOMMATES FEMALE ROOMMATE For bottom bedroom and bath of 2br2ba townhouse in Sharlo. 4-6 months, Feb thru May, June or July. On LSU bus route. $475 plus 1/2 of utilities. Email mjlap04@cox.net F E M A L E R O O M ATE WANTED Beautiful house on lake shared with 2 other students close to LSU / security, cable, coverd parking etc.485./ mo 225-933-7124
FOR SALE
$400 ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED ROOMMATE-WANTED TO SHARE HUGE-3BR-3BATH-HOUSE WITH MALE. EXCLUSIVE AREA-CONGRESSPERKINS. HIGHSPEED-NET-CABLEALARM-WASHER-DRYER-LARGEYARD-GATED. GREAT FOR ENTERTAINMENT-LSU.225.772.2506
Q U E E N P I L L O W T O P M AT T R E S S Brand name queen pillowtop mattress set new in plastic $150. 225924-5336
AVAIL. FEB. 1. Room in house off Brightside. $400/month. alebl33@gmail.com or 225.571.4207
TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. U N I T S READY FOR SPRING & FA L L 2009!! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bed room units for sale star t i n g a t $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy -Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055 www.tigermanor.com C H E R R Y B E D W I T H M AT T RESS SET Both NEW in boxes with warranty $395 225.924.5336 FOR RENT DOWNTOWN RIVERVIEW CONDOS Renovated 2BR/2BA, granite counters, cypress cabinets. Fresh paint. $1,200/ mo. Plus deposit. Call Don 368-3240. DOWNTOWN RIVERVIEW CONDOS Renovated 2 BR/2BA, granite counters, cypress cabinets. Fresh paint. $1200/mo. Plus deposit. Call Don 368-3240 FOR RENT !!!! L A K E B E A U P R E LAKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOMES 2 BEDROOMS $1250.00 TO VIEW ALL RENTALS GO TO WWW. KEYFINDERSBR. COM 225.293.3000 TIGER MANOR CONDOMINIUMS. U N I T S READY FOR SPRING & FA L L 2009! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bed rooms available. Reserve your unit today! W a l k t o c l a s s ! 3 0 0 0 J u l y S t . 2 2 5 - 3 4 6 - 5 0 5 5 . www.tigermanor.com L SU: TIGERL AND 1 & 2 BR. FLAT & TH WOOD FLOORS, POOL, LAUNDRY, QUIET $525-$725 225.766.7224 1 & 2 BD RM CONDO FR REN JUST OUTSIDE THE SOUTH GATES OF LSU. FRIG, WSHR/ DRYR, MICRO, STOVE, 4264, 4278 oxford 1 & 2 bed rm., 595.00 695.00 & 995.00. 323.691.3129 3BR/2BA CONDO Like New. Free Cable. Community Pool. Extra Parking. Great Location at LSU. $1500/mo. 225.202.1148
PERSONALS FAL A POR TUGUES? 22 yr old gal looking to practice her portuguese. Everyone welcome! Fica bem contact:beethovensfeast@gmail.com I WANT TO BE YOUR DERIVATIVE so I can lie tangent to your curves. Nerdy ndn chick seeking an intelligent and attractive conversationalist. Ladies only, please—I’m tired of natural logs approaching the
asymptote. sheenyinabottle@hotmail.com LOOKING FOR MY SOULMATE I am a Business Major here at LSU. Looking for guys ages 45-60. If you are interested send me an email. c.mumford@yahoo.com SEARCHING 4 SOULMATE 20yo Asian guy seeking masculine guy 18-23 to date. Races open. I’m a sweetheart! tigerboy1988@gmail.com MISCELLANEOUS P RI VATE LESSONS: French, Japanese, Classical or Pop guitar, LSU area, aboutiyama@yahoo.com 225.456.6153
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monday, february 2, 2009