The Daily Reveille - November 30, 2009

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Volume 114, Issue 66

Monday, November 30, 2009

GOLDEN BOOT Kicker Jasper’s late field goals push LSU to 33-30 overtime victory against Arkansas

Brandon LaFell fell incomplete.

Miles called on Jasper again to put Sports Contributor LSU ahead. The Memphis, Tenn., naLSU junior kicker Josh Jasper tive drilled a 36 yarder to put the Tigers wanted an opportunity make a kick in front, 33-30, and eventually give with the game on the line.

LSU (9-3, 5-3) the win against ArkanJasper seized that chance with a sas (7-5, 3-5) after an Alex Tejada field 41-yard field goal that hooked inside goal went begging wide right. the uprights to tie the game at 30 with “It was very fitting that we get four seconds left in regulation. into the back half of this game, and Jasper had we have to play well watched from the sidein tight quarters, which line last week as his is what this team does chance to defeat Ole and how they operate,” Miss evaporated. But Log on to see Miles said. “For us to Saturday, LSU coach photos from come out with victory, Les Miles called on Saturday’s game.

I’m just happy for my Jasper to send the team.” game into overtime With the win, against Arkansas and eventually to LSU reclaimed the Golden Boot for take the final 33-30 lead. the first time since 2006 and solidified “I knew if I was going to get the its chance to play in a New Years Day chance, I wasn’t going to miss,” Jasper bowl game. The Tigers broke a sixsaid after the game. “I was excited for game losing streak against Southeastmy team mainly because they worked ern Conference foes in November. hard all week. For me to be able to help LSU improved to No. 14 in the out at the end, that’s just wonderful.”

USA Today Coaches’ Top 25 and No. The Tigers got the ball first in 15 in the Associated Press poll after overtime and gained 6 yards on consec- the win. The Tigers also moved up the utive runs by sophomore running back BCS standings to No. 13 after the ArStevan Ridley. The drive then stalled kansas win. after sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson’s pass to senior wide receiver OVERTIME, see page 15

By Jonathan Schexnayder

lsureveille.com

ALEX BOND / The Daily Reveille

LSU junior place kicker Josh Jasper kicks the game-tying 41-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. Jasper kicked a 36 yarder in overtime to beat Arkansas, 33-30, on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

‘Unfriend’ named Oxford’s Students prefer scheduling surgeries during holidays 2009 Word of the Year

By Ryan Buxton Staff Writer

Most Facebook users have logged on, ready for a daily dose of stalking bliss, only to find someone missing from his or her friends list. The occurrence is familiar — they’ve been unfriended.

Though “unfriend” was poor grammar a few years ago, the recent popularity of Facebook and other social networking sites has led to the word being chosen as the 2009 Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary on Nov. 16.

The Word of the Year selection, described by the Oxford University Press’s Web site as a “combination of solid lexicographic practice and a light-hearted look at the changing face of English,” chooses a word that acts as a cultural snapshot for the year.

To “unfriend” is “to remove someone as

a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as Facebook,” according to the Word of the Year announcement.

“Unfriend,” as well as other nouns turned into verbs, like “Google” and “text,” become more popular as the technology behind them becomes more common and the words’ use increases in everyday conversation, said Meg Smith, an English professor specializing in linguistics.

“We want to communicate as efficiently as possible, so we morph the language in such a way that it’s usable,” Smith said.

Smith said as people started talking about Facebook in person, a vernacular developed to make conversation easier.

“Saying ‘he submitted a friend request to me’ would be too formal,” Smith said. “Saying ‘he friended me’ is more casual and has a WORD, see page 15

She said wisdom teeth extraction, a common out-patient procedure scheduled during holidays, requires about three to five days of reMost students use holiday breaks to plan covery, and she said side effects are bleeding trips or visit home, but some use the breaks to and pain from overexertion.

“You can go to class, but schedule non-emergency suryou wouldn’t run around the geries. lakes,” Ruxlillo said of surBaton Rouge area spegeries performed during the cialists report increased sursemester. gical patient loads during She said sensitivity can Thanksgiving and Christmas last five days, and anesthesia’s breaks, and a September study effects dwindle after three from the American Journal hours. of Sports Medicine suggests Dr. Christian Hall Lauren Barthelemy, inscheduling surgeries during breaks reduces the amount of ear, nose and throat specialist dustrial engineering junior, said she will have her wisdom time missed from school and teeth pulled in January to avoid missing class. lessens academic interruption.

Leslie Bass, animal science senior, had Kimberly Ruxlillo, Baton Rouge oral surgical assistant, said an additional five patients a day visit her office during the holiday season.

SURGERY, see page 15

By Sarah Lawson Contributing Writer

‘‘

‘You can’t do anything for as long as you’re taking pain medication.’

THE DAILY REVEILLE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

Nation & World

INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

10,000 E. African albinos in hiding after killings

Mass. woman sees image of Jesus on her iron

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The mistaken belief that albino body parts have magical powers has driven thousands of Africa’s albinos into hiding, fearful of losing their lives and limbs to unscrupulous dealers who can make up to $75,000 selling a complete dismembered set.

Mary Owido, who lacks pigment that gives color to skin, eyes and hair, says she is only comfortable when at work or at home with her husband and children.

“Wherever I go people start talking about me, saying that my legs and hands can fetch a fortune in Tanzania,” said Owido, 36, a mother of six. “This kind of talk scares me. I am afraid of going out alone.”

At least 10,000 have been displaced or gone into hiding since the killings began, according to a report released this week by the International Federation for the Red Cross and Crescent societies.

METHUEN, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts woman who recently separated from her husband and had her hours cut at work says an image of Jesus Christ she sees on her iron has reassured her that “life is going to be good.”

Mary Jo Coady first noticed the image Sunday when she walked into her daughter’s room.

The brownish residue on the bottom of the iron looks like the face of a man with long hair.

Mass. cops: Dad doing errand locked kids in trunk FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts police say a man locked his two young sons in the trunk of his car while he ran an errand.

Fall River police say Michael Monahan put his kids, ages 3 and 6, in the trunk of his Pontiac Trans Am for several minutes Tuesday morning while he went inside a sailing shop.

According to court records, Monahan told investigators the boys like to play in the trunk.

76-year old accused of killing son on Thanksgiving COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

(AP) — A Thanksgiving dispute over chores turned deadly outside Colorado Springs, where police say a 76-year-old man shot and killed his son after the two argued for most of the day.

Ayalis Clay Oliver is being held without bond in the El Paso County jail. He’s accused of shooting his 49-year-old son, Keith Oliver of Denver.

The older Oliver told police that he and his son had been arguing for hours when the victim’s mother, 75-year-old Marjorie Oliver, asked her son to leave. When he refused, the arrest affidavit says the father went upstairs, retrieved a .357-calber revolver and shot his son once in the head.

STATE/LOCAL

Baton Rouge studio getting big-budget movies (AP) — The 15-ton door glides quietly, even gracefully, on its rails.

“This is the only elephant door in the state of Louisiana,” says Patrick Mulhearn, director of studio operations at Celtic Media Centre.

“Elephant door” is movie industry lingo for a door so thick and well-insulated that it keeps all outside sound out of the soundstage.

Open, it admits the whir of heating and cooling equipment.

It’s been a long four years since the late Brendan O’Connor bought an abandoned concrete shell that rap music recording star Master P had once envisioned as a gymnasium, music studio, party place and hangout for friends and family.

Thirty million dollars and 17 raccoons later, Hollywood has entered the house that Brendan built.

The raccoons had to be evicted from partly installed ductwork in the original shell.

In July, Mayor-President Kip

TODAY ON

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ONGOING IN NOVEMBER GET READY FOR FINALS WITH GENESIS TUTORING- FREE! Monday- Thursday, 5pm-9pm; 578-4339 Office of Multicultural Affairs 326 A Student Union DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Andrew at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: officemanager@lsureveille.com

Holden announced that “Battle: Los Angeles” was bringing the biggest movie budget in Baton Rouge history to the 23-acre center. ”Battle: Los Angeles” filmed freeway action scenes in Shreveport, then more pyrotechnics in Baton Rouge neighborhoods in October.

Analysis: Louisiana-based companies growing NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Despite the complexities of the nation’s worst economic downturn in decades, some Louisiana-based companies are showing surprising growth.

The state recently has seen its count of homegrown Fortune 500 companies sprout to three: power provider Entergy Corp., engineering-construction company The Shaw Group Inc. and CenturyLink, the former CenturyTel Inc. that joined the list last summer with a canary-swallowing-the cat buyout of Embarq Corp.

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Weather 65 47

TODAY

THE PRE-KWANZAA CELEBRATION Tuesday, December 1st, 2009, 6:00PM LSU Student Union Atchafalaya Room African or ALL Black Attire Encouraged

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SEEING RED

Partly Cloudy

TUESDAY 58 46 THURSDAY 59 35

WEDNESDAY 59 38 FRIDAY 62 43

MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille

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CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

FACULTY

PAGE 3

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Sheldon attempts to preserve, SG announces date of acquire knowledge as curator Mardi Gras Mambo court Director makes career from hobby

By Catie Vogels Entertainment Writer

Frederick Sheldon, the LSU Museum of Natural Science museum director, opened a drawer to find a black-hooded oriole among three rows of brightly colored birds whose feet were tagged with miniscule handwriting.

“We don’t have much space here at the museum for our collections,” said Sheldon, genetic resources and ornithology curator. “We make do with what we have. There is so much the visitors of this museum don’t see beyond the exhibits.”

Sheldon said most museum visitors are children on field trips or families on school vacations.

“While my favorite exhibit is the bird collection, most people come to see the original Mike the Tiger,” Sheldon said.

Located at 119 Foster Hall, the majority of the museum’s exhibits are dioramas created in the 1950s, Sheldon said.

The newest exhibit, “Experience Antarctica,” was the first new exhibit in 50 years and was begun by Sophie Warny, museum palynology and education curator.

Warny said she created the Antarctica exhibit from a research project funded by a National Science Foundation grant.

“You’d better love your job as a curator or you’d be miserable,” Warny said. “It’s a lot of hours and a lot of grant writing.”

Warny, no stranger to hard work, difficult research and grant writing, said her biggest accomplishment as a curator was discovering seven new species and a genus of dinoflagellates from sediment samples in Morocco.

“As a scientist, it is your dream to discover something,” Warny said. “Each time you look at a new project, it’s like a mystery.”

Curators of the LSU Museum of Natural Science train graduate students and conduct research on their areas of expertise as well as accumulate specimens for the museum’s vast collections.

As an ornithology curator, Sheldon is the overseer of the top bird collection in the nation and the head of the program that has discovered more new birds in the last 30 years than anyone else in the world.

“Stuff is happening here,” Sheldon said. “It’s an exciting adventure. Without it, I wouldn’t know what to do with my life.

While this is a museum, the most active part of my job is the same as the mission of the museum: to acquire, preserve and research the specimen in the collections to generate new knowledge.”

A large part of working as a

curator for the museum is train- It’s beautiful out there.” ing graduate students and some He didn’t know he wanted dedicated undergraduate students to be an ornithology curator his to be professors and to perform whole life, Sheldon said. He research, Sheldon said. never knew he could make a liv“We make ing out of his bird them go out in watching habit. the field and do “It just kind of a 19th century happened,” Shelexploratory addon said. “I’m not venture, usually like a lot of peoto the tropics of ple that grew up Borneo,” Sheldon collecting plants, said. “They colanimals and bugs.

Frederick Sheldon lect animals and I never knew I LSU Museum of Natural specimen in the could make a caScience director field, return to reer out of it.”

Louisiana State Sheldon University and perform 21st cen- said he took a class on birds as tury cutting-edge molecular ge- an undergraduate and got really netics. They do everything they interested in bird watching. He have to do for a museum, but they attempted to get a job after colknow everything to be an up-to- lege but couldn’t because of the date researcher.” recession, so he decided to go to Sheldon also manages the graduate school for ornithology. day-to-day operations of the mu“I live to be outside, so I’m seum, a component of the Louisi- glad I went back to school,” ana Museum of Natural History, Sheldon said. “I go at least twice but he said his favorite part of a year to the tropics, mostly in being a curator is getting to be Borneo, a southeastern island in outdoors on the expeditions for Asia, and to be outside. It’s not as species. effective in gathering fame in the “We’re exposed to tons of scientific world, but it sure is a lot diseases and dangers on our ad- more fun.” ventures,” Sheldon said. “We travel, but we don’t stay in the fancy hotels and stay on the Contact Catie Vogels at beach. It’s nice though. We get to see the sights, the natural sights. cvogels@lsureveille.com

‘‘

‘We’re exposed to tons of diseases and dangers on our adventures.’

BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille

Frederick Shelton, museum director for the LSU Museum of Natural Science, presents a bird specimen Nov. 20 in Foster Hall. Shelton is also a ornithology curator.

By Adam Duvernay Senior Staff Writer

Student Government announced Sunday the 2010 Mardi Gras Mambo Court will be held during the women’s basketball game against Kentucky on Jan. 28.

Students looking to apply for the 2010 Mardi Gras Mambo Court will be able to do so starting this week through an application on the SG Web Site.

“We didn’t want to stress students out about applying for the court with finals coming up, so we made it easy to apply online,” said Melissa Hart, SG director of athletics.

Applications for the court are due by Dec. 18, but Hart said the deadline may be extended into the Christmas holiday.

She said any student with a 2.5 GPA can apply for the court, though

in the past it has been dominated by juniors and seniors.

The court will be chosen by SG officials. Students will be able to vote through PAWS for the King and Queen for the three days before the game.

Kristin Davis and Tyler Abadie, the 2009 Mardi Gras Mambo Court Queen and King, will crown the students elected monarchs during a halftime ceremony.

Hart said the homecoming-like event will celebrate women’s basketball and the Mardi Gras season.

She said SG is still working on ideas for the ceremony.

Students with questions should contact Hart’s assistant Brandon Briggs at bbrig2@lsu.edu.

Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

FACULTY

Professors pen book on history of Old South BR Community altered by desegregation

By Lindsey Meaux Contributing Writer

After sorting through 230 interviews conducted during the course of five years as part of a service learning class, Petra Munro Hendry, education professor, said she began to realize there was a “story to tell” — the saga of the 1953 Baton Rouge bus boycott, desegregation and a once-thriving community.

Hendry’s story became “Old South Baton Rouge: Roots of Hope,” a 2009 book she coauthored with Jay Edwards, anthropology professor.

Hendry’s connection with OSBR began in 1994 as part of a project with McKinley High School students to understand the historical significance of their school. Built in 1927, it was one of the first public schools for

black people in the deep South.

“I wasn’t expecting how multi-ethnic the neighborhood was,” Hendry said. “Even though people couldn’t go to the same churches or schools, you had Italian Americans and German Americans living next to African Americans ... [it was] socially segregated, but geographically integrated.”

OSBR was the first expansion outside Beauregard Town and Spanish Town, and it was the first official suburb of Baton Rouge, Edwards said. The development began in the early 1900s after the mayor purchased Magnolia Mound Plantation, dividing the Plantation’s sugar cane fields into smaller lots and putting shotgun houses on them.

The area grew into a community of black people and immigrants when Standard Oil, present-day Exxon, opened a plant in Baton Rouge. Edwards said, Standard Oil had a “very liberal” policy of hiring skilled workers, regardless of their race.

Because of segregation, blacks and Italian Americans built nightclubs, stores and various businesses, Edwards said.

“Up until the 1950s and 1960s, the community was really a self-sustaining community,” Edwards said.

But with desegregation and the construction of an interstate, the community started to see problems, Hendry said. The interstate divided the community and desegregation caused residents to stop frequenting the often higherpriced businesses in OSBR. “Of course, as the result of the interstate and ironically, desegregation, a lot of well-established upper-middle-class blacks left the neighborhood,” Hendry said. “They could now shop in the other part of the city and live in other parts of the city. It became plagued with more problems of crime and poverty.”

The University began its relationship with OSBR in 1994 when then-Chancellor William Jenkins started a task force searching for

ways to tie the University to the neighboring community, said Brandon Smith, Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach coordinator. The task force, working with the School of Social Work, worked to identify opportunities for grants and funding.

In 1999, the group identified OSBR, Smith said.

In 2001, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave the University a grant of $400,000 to start a community development program, Smith said. The University received a subsequent grant of $200,000 in 2005.

The first grant-funded programs encouraged economic revitalization, neighborhood organizations and community development, while the second sustained them and began additional programs encouraging youth enrichment and home ownership.

The funding for OSBR outreach programs, part of the larger Community University Partnership, ended in 2008 at about the

same time as the University’s budget crisis began — but the University chose to continue funding the programs.

“Those grants phased out right around the time that this budget crisis hit,” Smith said.

“We fully appreciate that without the adequate resources, we are limited to what we can do, but we also understand that it takes more than money to build a community.”

When the grant expired, the University chose to pay Smith’s salary, the cost of renting the outreach office in OSBR and administrative costs.

“There are some funds that have been set aside,” Smith said.

“It’s not even close to what you would get through a federal grant ... [but] the University is doing what all other universities do across the country.”

Contact Lindsey Meaux at lmeaux@lsureveille.com

POLITICS

University students not likely to go ‘rogue’ with Palin Book could be sign of plans for 2012 run

By Kyle Bove Senior Staff Writer

She’s run for vice president, inspired Saturday Night Live skits and now she’s “Going Rogue.”

Former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican vice presiden-

tial candidate Sarah Palin’s highly anticipated book hit shelves Nov. 17, but University students aren’t exactly lining up to read the political memoir.

“She’s a politician trying to get votes,” Evan Hull, accounting senior, said of Palin’s motives for her book, “Going Rogue: An American Life” and her nationwide book tour.

Even before her abrupt resignation as governor in July, many

Mellow Mushroom $9.99 Large 1 Topping Pizza $6 Domestic Buckets Plucker’s Wing Bar Monday: $14.99 All you can eat wings and $3 Plucker’s Lemonades Tuesday: $2.50 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wednesday: Trivia at 8PM. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs Thursday: $15.99 All you can eat wings. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs. $3 Margaritas and Plucker’s Lemonades

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Van Helsing The Forsaken Underworld Blade

have speculated Palin could be sophomore Emilia Kipf, support eyeing a 2012 presidential run. the grassroots populist.

“In the [2008] presidential She said she decided to resign to protect her family members — election, I was voting for her more who faced harsh criticism during than anybody else,” she said.

Kipf said she likes Palin’s and after the 2008 election — and to escape unsubstantiated legal strong family values and no-nonprobes, which were draining her sense approach to politics.

“That’s what we need right family’s finances.

But Palin has kept relatively now,” she said.

Kipf said she quiet about her will read Palin’s political future. book if she finds According to the time. a Nov. 13 Gallup Palin used a Poll, a majority ghostwriter for of Republicans — her book like 76 percent — said other politicians, they would like to including Hillary see Palin as a maClinton, have in jor national pothe past. litical figure, but Johanna Dunaway “ G o i n g only 45 percent of political science professor Rogue” is alall Americans said ready a best-seller, and the media the same.

And “Going Rogue” — coverage — specifically about a which chronicles Palin’s journey 2012 presidential run for Palin — from Wasilla City Council mem- hasn’t stopped yet.

“I’d be surprised if she runs,” ber to GOP starlet — won’t likely change anybody’s mind, political Dunaway said. “I’d be even more science professor Johanna Du- surprised if she is taken seriously. naway said in an e-mail to The Even several conservative pundits refer to her as extreme or ‘a Daily Reveille.

“I doubt it will persuade peo- joke.’”

The Associated Press asple,” she said. “I think that people who read it that already like her signed 11 reporters to fact-check will find their position reinforced. the 432-page book.

According to those AP reI think people who hate her will read it through those biases and porters, Palin said she asked remain unconvinced.” “only” for reasonably priced hoRoben West, political science tel rooms when traveling on state freshman, said she has no plans business as Alaska governor and to read Palin’s book or to support not “often” going for the “highher in any future political endeav- end, robe-and-slippers” hotels.

Palin’s travel records showed ors.

“I don’t feel like she’s been her claim to be true, but the AP qualified for any of the positions found Palin and her daughter she’s held,” West said. “She real- Bristol stayed five days and four ly doesn’t have anything to write nights at the roughly $700-pernight Essex House hotel in New a book about.”

Other students, like Spanish York City for a five-hour wom-

‘‘

‘I’d be surprised if [Palin] runs. I’d be even more surprised if she is taken seriously.’

en’s leadership conference in October 2007.

The entire trip, including airfare, cost Alaska more than $3,000. The AP also reported Palin billed Alaska more than $20,000 for her children to travel with her — often to events to which they had not been invited.

But the AP didn’t report how these numbers compare to other governors’ and politicians’ travel expenses.

The AP did find that half of the $1.3 million Palin raised for her primary and general election campaigns for governor was from donors and political action committees giving at least $500. Palin claimed she ran her campaign for governor on small donations mostly from first-time donors, according to the AP. The maximum donation an individual could give was $1,000 and $2,000 for political action committees.

When talking about her resistance to federal stimulus money, Palin described the people of Alaska as independent, Libertarian-minded individuals who don’t want “help” from government.

The AP investigated the statement and found that Alaska is one of the states most dependent on government subsidies.

But Palin was referring specifically to federal stimulus dollars and political ideology. Large subsidies Alaska receives for things like natural resource development don’t necessarily apply to Palin’s claim, especially when considering her language.

Contact Kyle Bove at kbove@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Sports

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

FOOTBALL

PAGE 5

LSU RB Coach Porter leaves Tigers for Memphis Tigers No word on bowl game participation Staff Reports LSU running backs coach Larry Porter is headed back to his alma mater to try to resurrect the program where he starred years ago.

Porter was formally named Memphis’ head coach Sunday after reports surfaced Saturday that he had accepted the job.

Porter takes over for Tommy West, who was fired Nov. 9 but was

allowed to finish the season.

“The Memphis job is the perfect job in the perfect place for me,” Porter said at a press conference Sunday. “I understand the Memphis brand. I believe in it unconditionally. I have a conviction, a passion about it and a vision that allows me to walk into homes in this community, talk to the student body and faculty and get them to believe in that vision.”

Porter played running back at Memphis from 1990-93. He racked up 2,194 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career at Memphis.

Porter has been an assistant

coach at LSU since 2005 when Les Miles became head coach.

He came with LSU coach Les Miles from Oklahoma State.

Porter was promoted to assistant head coach in LARRY PORTER the spring of LSU running 2006 and has backs coach served as one of LSU’s primary recruiters for several seasons.

“I look back, and I

remember this young coach when we interviewed at Oklahoma State.

He payed attention to detail, had a presentation, understood exactly how to do it. I always interview four or five guys, and he was just a standout,” Miles said after LSU’s game against Arkansas. “When I met him, it was easy; it was a no-brainer. He’s done nothing but grow in experience and grow in capabilities. I’ve had some assistant head coaches, but none like Larry Porter.”

Porter has become known as a strong recruiter during his time in Baton Rouge.

IT’S MALLETT TIME

LSU shuts down Ark. star quarterback Saturday night

He has twice been named Rivals.com’s National Recruiter of the Year.

“I think he is going to be a great head coach,” LSU senior running back Trindon Holliday said Saturday. “He has all the tools to be a very successful head coach and win a lot of games.”

No announcement has been made as to whether or not Porter will coach with LSU in the Tigers’ potential bowl game.

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

VOLLEYBALL

Tigers to host two NCAA rounds

By Andy Schwehm

Sports Contributor

Sports Writer

Arkansas sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium.

Mallett flashed glimpses of his tremendous potential and showed signs he still needs to grow as a player in a 33-30 overtime loss to LSU on Saturday.

The LSU defense had a solid game plan for the quarterback who came into the game leading the Southeastern Conference’s toprated offense and is well on his way to smashing every single Arkansas passing record.

Mallett came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. He connected on four of his first six passes, two of which went for 27 yards.

Log on to But the Tigers pressured Malsee the lett heavily throughout the first Tigers’ half. After his strong start to the progress game, Mallett’s efficiency plumthis year on the meted in the face of a heavy pass Season Tracker. rush. Mallett completed just 3-of13 passes in the second quarter after his hot start.

“We started too slow on offense,” Mallett said.

“I take full responsibility for that. We can’t start like that against a decent team.”

The game plan was evident on Arkansas’ first possession of the game.

The Arkansas offense was moving the ball at will against the LSU defense, going 52 yards in the first three plays from scrimmage.

On first-and-10 from the LSU 28-yard line, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis dialed up a blitz that forced Mallett to leave the pocket before he was ready after a play-action fake.

Mallett was on the run and heaved a pass for his receiver downfield, but he overthrew him by a couple yards and was intercepted by junior safety Chad Jones at the LSU 5-yard line.

LSU’s volleyball team held a private watch party for the NCAA selection show at coach Fran Flory’s house last season, as they were unsure whether they would even make the field of 64.

On Sunday afternoon, the Tigers welcomed all media and family into the Lawton Room inside Tiger Stadium to have a viewing party for the announcing of the brackets for the 2009 NCAA Volleyball Tournament.

After waiting through one side of the bracket’s announcement and with the anxiety building, the Tigers found out they will host the first two rounds of the tournament for the first time since 1991.

What a difference a year makes.

“Last year, we were anxious to see if we would even get in, and this year it was a little different feel to see if we are hosting,” Flory said. “We are very thrilled to be able to play in the PMAC one more time, maybe two.”

No. 15 seeded LSU (24-6) will face Tulane (18-9) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. If they win, the Tigers will face the winner of Arizona (1910) versus Texas A&M (18-10).

“Being at home is less stressful,” said LSU senior setter Sam Dabbs. “Traveling always puts a lot more on you. So it’s nice to be able to relax and get through this week and focus and play in a facility that we are used to.”

The Tigers’ Friday night

lsureveille.com

By Luke Johnson

ALEX BOND / The Daily Reveille

RAZORBACK, see page 11

Arkansas sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett readies himself to throw the ball while LSU linebacker Harry Coleman (24) aims for a sack. “We started too slow on the offense,” Mallett said after the game.

V-BALL, see page 11

PAGE 6

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, November 30, 2009

BABBLING BROOKS

Dear senior Tigers: Thank you for the memories Graduating class boasts highlights

By Johanathan Brooks Sports Columnist

LSU football and I have been through a lot in my last five seasons in the student section, but it’s nothing compared to what the guys on the field go through.

On senior night — my last home game as an LSU student — the Tigers had to give me a scare and keep me on the edge of my seat until the end of the game.

In retrospect, I think I’ll be proud to say I stayed the entire game and was treated to what was arguably the best LSU game all season.

I couldn’t have thought of a better way to end my time in the student section than what happened Saturday night, and I’ve never even done anything for LSU football.

I imagine it was even better for the seniors on the team, as they’ve been working for four or five years and got to go out with a bang.

This senior class, like the one

before it, has pretty much seen it all as Tigers.

Some of them were here for two major hurricanes, two trips to the Southeastern Conference championship game, a national title season and even a five-loss season.

They are now on the cusp of their fourth 10-win season in five years for the guys who redshirted and their third in four for the guys who didn’t.

It would have been a shame for them to leave their final game in Death Valley as losers, and I’m glad they didn’t.

LSU blew an 11-point lead in the second half and was outrushed and out-passed Saturday night against Arkansas but still found a way to show up when it was most important and eke out an overtime win.

That’s true grit and swagger.

This season won’t go down as one of the most memorable in recent times — there were two national championship teams in the last seven seasons and two other 11-win squads in the past five — but it’s great to see the seniors leaving on a high note.

This was an all-time great LSU senior class.

Running backs Charles Scott and Keiland Williams, who were both sidelined toward the end of the season with injuries, will both go down as two of my favorite running backs this decade even though they didn’t have the great senior seasons they expected.

I’ll never forget WilJohanathan Brooks liams’ long Sports Columnist touchdown run against Virginia Tech in 2007 when he hurdled a fallen lineman and zigged and zagged down the field for a 67yard score.

It was a thing of beauty.

Nor will I ever forget Scott’s first-half performance on the road against Kentucky in 2007.

The then-sophomore had five carries for 90 yards and two scores before halftime.

I always wonder “what if” about that game. If Scott gets more carries in the second half, does LSU lose?

Another senior running back, Trindon Holliday, has had moments that stick out in memory,

as well.

Every time he’s back to receive a kickoff or a punt, it can turn into something special.

I remember being back home in Georgia for the 2006 Arkansas game when the then-freshman took a kickoff 92 yards to the house and put LSU up, 31-19, in a game the Tigers eventually won, 31-26.

Receiver Brandon LaFell doesn’t have one particular moment that sticks out for me aside from catching the game-winner against Auburn in 2008, but the Houston native’s maturation as a player is evident.

Once upon a time he was known as “Brandon LaDrop” for his inability to hold onto balls thrown his way, but in the last two seasons, he has amassed more than 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Tight end Richard Dickson will go down on a shortlist for great Tiger tight ends. He still remains one touchdown catch shy of setting the all-time LSU record for his position.

Let’s also not forget the big boys on the line who have stayed healthy and helped these playmakers have success in their time

here, Ciron Black and Lyle Hitt.

On the defensive side of the ball, guys like tackles Al Woods and Charles Alexander, defensive end Rahim Alem, linebackers Jacob Cutrera, Harry Coleman and Perry Riley and members of the secondary, Danny McCray and Chris Hawkins have all helped the LSU defense become the feared unit it is today, as it sits at No. 29 nationally in total defense and No. 12 in scoring D. There’s simply not enough time and space to say everything that needs to be said about this senior class, even the ones that didn’t get much playing time.

They’ve literally given their blood, sweat and tears to the LSU football program, and their contributions are as important as anyone else’s.

Thank you to all the seniors.

Johanathan Brooks is a 22-yearold mass communication senior from Powder Springs, Ga. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_jbrooks.

Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Hightower, Jones leave Tulane contest with injuries Lady Tigers remain unbeaten

By Rachel Whittaker Senior Sports Writer

The LSU women’s basketball team had to overcome some adversity to defeat Tulane for the eighth time this decade Wednesday.

In their 73-65 overtime victory, the No. 7 Lady Tigers lost senior guard Allison Hightower and sophomore forward Courtney Jones to injuries.

Hightower left the game with cramps with 2:44 to play in regulation, and Jones suffered an ankle injury. LSU coach Van Chancellor said after the game the Lady Tigers effectively picked up the slack without Hightower and Jones on the floor.

“Let’s also give the Lady Tigers credit for effort when it counted,” Chancellor said. “We had two starters not playing, but we found a way to keep [Tulane] from scoring at the end of regulation. We then found a

way to take it over in overtime.”

Team spokesman Bill Martin told The Daily Reveille on Sunday that Jones and Hightower have both been at practice since Wednesday’s game. Martin also said Jones and Hightower should be available Tuesday.

Hightower reached 1,000 career points on Nov. 22 at home against Nicholls State, joining 27 other Lady Tigers to achieve the mark, and scored 18 points against the Green Wave.

Cramps have forced Hightower to miss time on several occasions the last two seasons, including last year against Tennessee in the regular season and Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round of the NCAA tournament — both LSU wins. The Arlington, Texas, native also sat out the final three minutes in LSU’s 61-40 victory against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 18 this season.

“We just could not score at one time when we lost Allison Hightower,” Chancellor said. “So much of

what we run is off of her. We have to find a way to solve her problem.”

The 31st meeting between LSU and Tulane was LSU’s first overtime contest since Feb. 16, 2006, against Florida and the first in Chancellor’s career in Baton Rouge.

The Lady Tigers ran their record to 5-0 this season, the first time Chancellor has achieved the mark in his three-year career at LSU. Tulane (2-2) shot the ball more effectively than LSU — 43 percent to 34 percent from the field. After

the game, Chancellor praised Tulane’s ability to make shots down the stretch and force overtime.

LSU came into Wednesday shooting 45.6 percent from the field on the season, but the Lady Tigers converted just 5-of-23 shots in the second half, as Tulane limited them to their lowest shooting percentage of the season.

Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

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PAGE 8

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, November 30, 2009

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Replacement lineup falls short in two NIT losses Spencer misses time with ankle sprain

By David Helman Sports Writer

The LSU men’s basketball team came face-to-face with its long-suspected depth problems during the Thanksgiving holidays, as a makeshift lineup could not spark the Tigers (3-2) in a pair of NIT Season Tip-off losses.

“Like most good kids, most teams that are young, the next time out there is going to be better,” LSU coach Trent Johnson said in a news release. “I thought for the most part we were better.”

Junior point guard Bo Spencer suffered a sprained ankle Wednesday night in the team’s 81-55 semifinal loss to No. 13 Connecticut (4-1) and was unable to play in Friday’s third-place game, a 71-52 loss to Arizona State (5-1).

“First of all, I mean, we’re not going to make excuses for injuries or lack of experience from the point of basketball. Let’s get that clear right now. There’s no sympathy for us in this situation,” Johnson said. “Obviously against a team like this, if you don’t have Bo Spencer, who is our leading scorer coming into the game who runs our team, not to mention Alex

JULIE JACOBSON / The Associated Press

LSU senior forward Tasmin Mitchell tries to bat the ball from Arizona State junior guard Jerren Shipp [44] on Friday during the Tigers’ 71-52 loss to the Sun Devils in NYC.

Farrer, who is a guy who can shoot the ball, that’s a big loss.”

Johnson received key contributions from several members of the bench in Spencer’s absence.

Sophomore point guard Chris Bass played a combined 69 of a possible 80 minutes in the two games. He notched seven points

and three assists against the Huskies and added six assists against Arizona State, although he failed to score against the Sun Devils.

“You know, I think it took a little scoring drought from the point guard perspective,” senior forward Tasmin Mitchell said in a news release. “But I’m not going

to say Chris Bass didn’t do a bad job either, you know, but Bo Spencer, you can’t replace him.”

Walk-on sophomore guard Zach Kinsley provided a surprise spark against Arizona State as he notched 12 first-half points before cooling off after halftime.

Kinsley had 14 points for the game — a career-high for LSU’s second-year guard.

LSU only managed 18 points in the second half against Arizona State as the Tigers went 10 minutes without a field goal.

“You know, we stayed within our offense,” Mitchell said. “I felt like we got good shots towards the goal. They just didn’t fall. It happens to the best of us. But you know we have to convert baskets during that particular time. And we didn’t.”

Another big reason for LSU’s shortcomings was the disappearance of the Tigers’ productive post positions. Sophomore forwards Storm Warren and Garrett Green, along with freshman forward Dennis Harris, all found themselves in foul trouble early against UConn.

Harris and Green combined for just 13 minutes and no points against Arizona State.

“We’ve been waiting since the exhibition season for us to have a breakout a little bit,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun said in a news release.

“Quite frankly it was a different

kind of breakout. The breakout for us was playing with energy, going back to rebounding, which is something we really did well.”

Warren, who entered the week with three-straight double-doubles, managed 15 and 13 points, respectively, against the Huskies and Sun Devils, but he could not manage to stay out of foul trouble against two physical frontcourts.

“I started off kind of anxious, just coming up and playing. But I had to calm myself down and just slow down and just play my game,” Warren said in a news release.

Each opponent exposed different weaknesses in the Tigers’ lineup. Arizona State senior center Eric Boateng dominated the paint for 17 points and eight boards, while UConn’s nationally renowned guard duo of senior Jerome Dyson and sophomore Kemba Walker gashed LSU for 20 points each.

“I just thought the kids were embarrassed in terms of the way they competed versus a very, very good UConn team,” Johnson said.

“We didn’t do a very good job in transition D. We didn’t do a very good job of rebounding the ball.”

Contact David Helman at dhelman@lsureveille.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, November 30, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, November 30, 2009 RAZORBACK, from page 5

Mallett was scrambling for much of the first half while trying to hit his receivers downfield.

He completed just 7-of-20 passes in the first half which saw LSU head to the locker room with a 17-6 lead.

“We came out in the first half fired up,” said LSU senior linebacker Perry Riley. “We played a really good first ‘They came half, but in the half we out in the second kind of let it get second away from us.”

Arkansas half and countered the ran quick aggressive LSU draws.’ defense in the second half with plays dePerry Riley signed specifiLSU linebacker cally to take the bite out of the blitz.

“We certainly did a nice job making the adjustments at halftime, coming out and competing hard,” said Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino after the game. “We got in the position where we had the chance to win the game. “ The remedy for Arkansas’ stagnant offense was the successful incorporation of the running game.

On Arkansas’ first possession of the second half, the Razorbacks called three straight runs by freshman running back Ronnie Wingo.

Wingo had runs of 9 and 4 yards and capped off the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run.

The Razorbacks improved their running game significantly in the second half.

After averaging 2.7 yards on 19 carries in the first half, Arkansas hit several big plays in the second half and averaged 6.6 yards on 15 carries.

“They came out in the second half and ran quick draws, and they were running the ball more than we expected,” Riley said. “We were kind of expecting them to pass.”

The running plays didn’t allow the LSU defense to attack Mallett as they had in the first half.

The Tigers had three sacks in the first half but were not able to bring Mallett down in the second half.

Mallett started to show the crowd of 93,013 why Arkansas fans are salivating at the possibility of two more years with Mallett at the helm of the offense.

The Razorbacks scored on four consecutive drives to open up the second half.

Mallett came through in the clutch on several plays, especially on Arkansas’ final touchdown drive when he converted two third-and-long plays with comple-

PAGE 11

V-BALL, from page 5 tions of 18 and 23 yards.

Mallett’s only touchdown of the night was also a clutch play.

On fourth-and-9 from the LSU 16-yard line, Mallett found sophomore receiver Joe Adams in the end zone to put the Razorbacks ahead, 30-27 with 1:18 remaining in the game.

“That just shows how much character our team has,” Mallett said about the final drive after the game. “We battled back. We played our butts off. Everybody on the team did, but we didn’t pull it off tonight.”

LSU got the first possession of the overtime period and relied on the steady leg of junior kicker Josh Jasper to gain a three-point advantage against Arkansas.

But Mallett and the Razorbacks couldn’t get anything going in the extra period.

Mallett’s first pass sailed incomplete, and his pass on thirdand-12 went for 8 yards to set up the missed field goal that clinched the game in overtime for the Tigers.

Contact Luke Johnson at ljohnson@lsureveille.com

wasn’t as happy, as the team fell to a steaming hot Rice team which has now won nine straight matches and snapped LSU’s nine-match winning streak in the process.

LSU had won 17 of its last 18 matches with 12 of those victories coming as sweeps heading into Friday night’s match. But the Tigers were on the other end of a 3-0 final score, falling to the Owls (23-8) on the road, 3-0 (30-32, 20-25, 2025).

It was the first time since Sept.

20 LSU was swept.

“We were on Thanksgiving vacation Friday,” Flory said. “That is a little bit my fault. Our group was not ready for that team.”

Rice junior setter Meredith Schamun helped pace the Owls to a .338 team hitting percentage, the highest hitting percentage the Tigers have given up all season.

The Tigers hit at a .275 clip. It was the first time this season LSU lost when hitting more than .250 as a team (LSU was previously 18-0 in that statistic).

The Tigers’ defense suffered throughout the match, picking up only five blocks.

Flory said the team needs to use the loss as a building block heading into the NCAA

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Sophmore defensive specialist, Lauren Waclawczyk celebrates while watching ESPN Sunday afternoon as they announce the NCAA tournament standings.

tournament.

“The bottom line is we have to get back into the gym and get better,” Flory said. “This match could be a good thing for us in the long run. You never want to lose but we

have to understand that everyone is playing for their lives right now.”

Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Opinion

PAGE 12

Monday, November 30, 2009

OUR VIEW

Spring 2010 staff needed for The Daily Reveille The Daily Reveille is hiring students for the spring 2010 staff, and students from all colleges and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The testing and application session is Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Journalism Building’s Holliday Forum.

You must be a full-time student or a graduating senior to work for The Daily Reveille, and all

positions are paid.

Positions include writers — in news, sports, entertainment and opinion — photographers, videographers, radio reporters and announcers and online contributers.

Students are allowed to apply for more than one section.

More information, including job descriptions, may be found at lsureveille.com/misc/hiring. The application session will include a

test related to a specific section of the The Daily Reveille, and applicants should allow at least one hour per test.

We are looking for a diverse group of students who want handson experience at a newspaper and who are enthusiastic, outgoing and hardworking. We hire everyone from freshmen to graduate students and from mass communication to physics majors.

If you’re looking for practical experience in hopes of getting a job after graduation, The Daily Reveille is for you. If you’ve ever picked up The Daily Reveille and thought something could be better, now’s your chance. Or even if you just think you’d enjoy asking questions, holding officials accountable, pioneering new online media and bringing LSU news to student, you should apply.

If you have any questions, e-mail editor Nicholas Persac at npersac@lsureveille.com, call the newsroom at 225-578-4810 or visit B-16 Hodges Hall.

Contact The Daily Reveille’s Editorial Board at editor@lsureveille.com

NIETZSCHE IS DEAD

War on Christmas displays people’s intolerance, cowardice I’ve sometimes had to make tough calls as opinion editor.

Sometimes columnists want to say things that could put them, me and the paper at risk.

Sometimes it’s an entire column, based on a premise or solution that challenges too sacred a cow or would be too offensive to publish.

Usually, it’s a phrase — a particularly biting sentence or bit of obscenity that will attract more attention than the actual content.

Well, it’s our last week of publication. Students are cramming for exams, the Reveille is hiring again, and life is as crazy as it can get.

So, perhaps, I’m just under a lot of stress, but I’m pulling out the stops. I’m going to put two words in this column that some editors would call crazy, irresponsible and reckless. And I’m going to say them to every person who reads this paper.

Merry Christmas.

Some people who read that line are already howling in indignation. How could he say that?

He’s trying to prostelytize! He’s pushing Christianity on all of us!

He’s going to offend all the Jews and Muslims and atheists and agnostics and all the other people who don’t think like he does! What is he thinking?

While it may be an exaggeration to claim that such sentiments are the norm, it’s a sad, undeniable fact that the words “Merry Christmas” have become the no man’s land of a battle of political correctness. Businesses no longer put the words in their advertising. Bellringers outside of Wal-Mart seldom intone “God Bless, and have a merry Christmas.” It’s getting to the point where even Santa’s being censored, his traditional “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good

night,” fading into the blasé, neutered “Happy Holidays.”

The argument against Christmas? It’s those damn Christians trying to prostelytize again, of course.

The very idea that “Merry Christmas” is somehow a religious affront is mind-bogglingly oversensitive.

T h i n k about it. When you think of the Matthew word “ChristAlbright mas,” what do Opinion Editor you think of? If you’re thinking baby Jesus in a manger surrounded by shepherds, well, good for you, Linus. But odds are the vast majority of Americans think of Santa, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman — who’s obviously just a clever disguise for Jesus hunting for your soul, right?

The simple fact is an American Christmas has little to do with the birth of Jesus. There are two holidays: the high holy day of Christmas, where Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus, and the secular festival of lights, food and generosity.

So what if it’s got “Christ” in the name? We don’t even pronounce it the same way!

But even if, for some twisted reason, some zealously politically correct watchdog is unable to separate the holy from the secular, there’s still no reason the phrase should incite indignation.

When someone says “Merry Christmas,” they aren’t demanding you bow before the Overlord Baby Jesus. They aren’t passively agressively suggesting you go to church.

They aren’t trying to indoctrinate

THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER ELLEN ZIELINSKI MATTHEW ALBRIGHT

Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Opinion Editor

ERIC FREEMAN JR.

Columnist

MARK MACMURDO

Columnist

the guillible or brainwash little heathen children.

They are merely wishing you well during the universally accepted season of hope and peace.

But before you disimss this coulmn as another reactionary, good-old-fashioned rant, consider this: The greatest irony of this farce is the campaign against Christmas is waged in the name of religious tolerance. Religious tolerance isn’t about removing religious language from the public discourse. It isn’t about gradually excising all meaning until we are left with a bland, tepid rhetorical wasteland thatwhile it may not have any emotions or traditions, certainly won’t

offend anybody.

Tolerance about accepting a myriad of religious beliefs without offense.

If a Jewish person were to wish me a Happy Hannukah, I would consider it a tremendous honor. If a Muslim were to wish me well during Ramadan, I would thank him generously. And if an atheist wishes me a Happy Holidays, well, I’ll certainly take it as a compliment.

They aren’t trying to convert anyone. They are merely wishing people well.

This is true tolerance — to live with and encourage those with different beliefs. A blessing in any faith should be considered a high-

est compliment, and interpreting it any other way is baldly, blatantly intolerant.

So Merry Christmas, LSU. If you can’t handle that, well, keep it to your own intolerant self.

The rest of us will be drinking egg nog in peace and harmony.

Matthew Albright is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_malbright.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

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.

QUOTE OF THE DAY “Life is a long lesson in humility.”

James M. Barrie Scottish author and dramatist, author of Peter Pan May 9, 1860 — June 19, 1937

THE DAILY REVEILLE

Monday, November 30, 2009

THE GRUMBLING HIVE

Opinion

PAGE 13

Free market economics govern politics in our Capitol When Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., cast her vote last week in favor of opening debate in the Senate on the Health Care bill, conservatives dubbed it the “Louisiana Purchase.” Pundits such as Glenn Beck have happily described her vote in terms of her willingness to provide sexual favors for a fee.

Naturally, such rhetoric should lead to an article criticizing how such offensive comments would never have been uttered had she been a male. But because most would agree the analogy would not be relevant nor tolerated for a male, I am much more interested in discussing how the saga illustrates the deterioration of our great political system.

This is hardly the first time a politician has sold her vote to gain the funding for which her state is in desperate need. But we need to look closely at what our political system has become.

It is a disgrace that, to receive

the $100 million funding that our state requires to fill the gap in the Medicaid system, Sen. Landrieu felt compelled to vote for a bill for which she harbored serious reservations.

The shortfall in the Louisiana Medicaid results from a scheduled decrease in “the federal contribution to Louisiana’s Medicaid program ... from 72 percent to 64 percent next year” according to The Advocate. Per-capita income, which has been inflated because of recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are largely to blame for this decrease, which would increase the tax burden of Louisiana’s working population.

The $100 million — or $300 million, as Senator Landrieu claims it will truly be worth — has apparently persuaded her to overlook the public option for government healthcare coverage included in the bill. Critics such as Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.,

and Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., oppose this option, because of concerns about government control of the industry and the harm it would cause to private insurance companies.

“Such a deal shouldn’t be a surprise. Like it or not, it’s routine practice on Capitol Hill to trade your vote for something that helps your state.

That’s just the cost of doing business Nathan Shull in D.C.” writes Katie ConColumnist nolly, political correspondent for Newsweek.

But just because something is commonly accepted doesn’t make it right.

Our political system has become a marketplace, where votes are commodities to be traded and on which options can be purchased. These options reserve the

right to call in or reserve these votes at a future date.

That politicians need to use their votes as bargaining chips to secure the funding necessary for critical state programs is truly sad. We know this is occurring, but no one cares enough to stand up and point to the corruption so prevalent in national politics — an indication of the disease of apathy which has infected the population.

You may think that it is a disgrace that politicians no longer stand up for what they believe in, but the true blame does not lie with the politicians. The true blame lies with you and me.

We continue to vote for and tolerate the system which we have created. We now have a true free-market political system.

While big business buys the politicians — and they are certainly bought — the politicians buy each other’s support by wheeling and dealing in whatever

position of power they possess or are granted by their corporate masters.

It is time to reform legislation. It is time to hold politicians accountable for their choices and their votes.

I am thankful that Sen. Landrieu’s vote will benefit the state of Louisiana if the health care bill is passed in the Senate, but I find it a public tragedy that we accept and allow business in our nation’s capitol to be conducted in this manner.

Nathan Shull is a 35-year-old finance junior from Seattle. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_nshull

Contact Nathan Shull at nshull@lsureveille.com

FACTORYHAUS

Movies, reality remind students that life is “Precious”

This Thanksgiving, the majority of LSU students returned home to celebrate the classic American holiday with family and friends.

Over turkey and potatoes, we gave thanks for the people in our lives and the things we cherish.

The holiday is a testament to the U.S.’s constant struggle to balance our rugged individualism with our commitment to our fellow citizens.

In that regard, it was befitting that Lee Daniels’ “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” a stunning film that truly embodies both of these American values, was released just before Thanksgiving.

While watching the movie, the audience can’t help but feel a sense of relief that their own life isn’t as truly disheartening as the life of Claireece “Precious” Jones, an overweight 16-year-

old mother struggling to obtain a GED and avoid horrific abuse at the hands of her parents.

As I saw the film a second time, I paid attention to the reactions Stephen Schmitz of those around Columnist me.

Some cried after seeing Pre-

BEST AND WITTIEST

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

cious raped by both her parents.

Others seemed overcome with anger at the thought of the two people charged with causing Precious so much pain. Others sat quietly, thinking about their own lives, relating Precious’ friends and experiences to theirs own.

I know because I succumbed to all three.

This film truly captivates the audience. Gabourey Sidibe’s performance is a truly stunning interpretation of an already beautiful character.

The victim of rape and abuse by both of her parents, the mother of a child with special needs, and a person living with HIV, Precious never fails to continue on, motivated by her love for her two children.

Leaving the theatre, one can’t help but reflect upon the life of Precious Jones. How someone can overcome such torment and evil inspires all viewers.

While the novel and film are fiction, the story is based upon Sapphire’s work as a literacy teacher in New York City.

It’s the story of the Lost Generation, the story of millions of children who came of age — and who are still coming of age — in extreme poverty within our own borders.

As I write this column, the front page of The New York Times discusses the now widespread use of food stamps among all races and classes.

Not surprisingly, our state is among the highest users of food stamps. But perhaps the most disheartening information can be found in the chart ranking coun-

ties and parishes of the U.S. When ranked by percentage of children per capita enrolled in food stamps, East Carroll Parish in northern Louisiana ranks first, at an astounding 74 percent of children currently receiving food stamps.

That so many children survive off food stamps is one of the greatest American tragedies. This solemn fact shows just how real the life of Claireece “Precious” Jones is.

This story of survival is the American story. From the colonists who sailed across the ocean to the slaves forced to work the fields, from the American Indians who were forced off their ancestral homelands, to the pioneers who trekked across the Oregon Trail – America is a nation of survivors.

We have a love affair with an individualism and exceptionalism. Yet we often forget the times in which our American exceptionalism wasn’t enough to prevent destruction and sadness.

Thanksgiving is one of those few times in which we can celebrate our sense of community and common history. “Precious” is one of the few films that allows us to celebrate both contrasting qualities in harmony.

Stephen Schmitz is a 19-year-old mass communication sophomore from The Woodlands, Texas. Follow him on Twitter at TDR_schmitz.

Contact Stephen Schmitz at sschmitz@lsureveille.com

THE DAILY REVEILLE

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Help Wanted WINDOWS and LINUX Want to use your Windows and Linux skills? We’re looking for a Windows and/or Linux sysadmin intern or part-time employee. Send resume and hours available to jobs@puryear-it.com.

LSU bookstore now hiring We are hiring for immediate positions to help with textbook buyback during finals week. Call or come in to pick up an application. 225.578.5137 ►►BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 we want you! *Hard Workers* *Awesome People Skills* *Looking for “real world” business experience* Work on campus for LSU Student Media! Sales experience a plus but not required. Apply in B39 Hodges Hall or send resumes to salesmanager@ lsureveille.com Don’t Miss This Opportunity!

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 www.louiescafe.com RESEARCH ASSISTANT Research assistant/office help/errand person needed for Real Estate Appraisal Firm. Please email resume and hours available to work now and during spring semester to Robert at ragui72962@aol.com 225.769.6885 Help wanted - Dempsey’s PoBoys Now hiring at both Jefferson and Coursey locations. Wait and Kitchen staff positions available.

Flexible scheduling and friendly atmosphere!

Come in to apply M-F after 1pm at 7327 Jefferson Hwy. 225.229.8686 Now Hiring!!

Child Care Center near LSU hiring Afternoon Teachers for Spring Semester. 2:30-5:30 Mon.-Fri. 766-1159 Iccessorize Energetic and dependable workers needed to work at a kiosk in the Mall of Louisiana. Call Eddie for more details. 225.572.2127

STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue.

100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys.

Part Time Secretary/Reception. Law Office.

Part time (20-30 hrs). Afternoons preferred. Longterm position. Fax resume to 293-8954 or email greggouner@bellsouth.net. “shadow” needed 8 year old child with mild autism needs “shadow” during school hours. Please call (225) 892-5653.

The Country Club Of Louisiana P/T job available in Tennis Pro Shop W/Th 4-8; Sun 12-5. Call for more info. 504.439.3699

For Sale House 4 Sale $132,500 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, 7 min. from LSU located off Burbank on Pecan Tree Drive 225-803-537 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING 2009!! Reserve now! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900.

Ask about our Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!!

3000 July St. 225-346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.

Great Investment! For Sale, 2 BR 2 BA, house, 1,400 sf. 10 minutes from LSU. Nice yard, quiet neighborhood. Separate workshop. $124,900 225.302.5957

For Rent APT, near LSU, $500 per month, hot water included. Call Wang at 225-278-6621 225.278.6622 Upscale gated lakebeaupre Townhouse.

Workout Room. Pool. Roommate needed for Spring Semester 550.00/month plus utilities.

225.335.2181

WalK To Campus 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes.

Starting as low as $400.00. www.lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789 BRIGHTSIDE PARK TOWNHOMES 2 br 2.5 bath on S. Brightside View. $850-$900. $500 dep. All appliances plus w/d, pool. now/spring.southlandpropertiesinc.com. 225-955-6480 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING 2009! Reserve Now! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Reserve your unit today!

Walk to class! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055. www. tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.

GREAT 1 BR APT. WALK TO LSU! 6 MO. OR 1 YR 769-7757 / 266-8666 / 978-3123 3BD/2BA HOME OFF BRIGHTSIDE @ 5037 AMBERALYNN DR $1550.00/ MONTH 5 MIN TO CAMPUS 225.276.0393 3 BDR/2BA APT $895 BLOX@ Brghtside. Util incl water, sewer, internet. Dawn 225.753.3573 5252 Brightside View 3BR 2 BATH W/D $950 avail now/spring 955-6480southlandpropertiesinc.com

Roommate Wanted N Roommate Needed!!!

Female roommate needed. Partially furnished 2100 sq. ft. condo. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

504.722.1372 Roommate needed Need a female student roommate for Spring 2010. University Crescent by LSU campus. $430 a month. email if interested: mcacutie331@yahoo.com ROOMMATE NEEDED @ Campus Crossing- Brightside for Spring 2010! $424/mo. 4 BR/ 2 BA, email kjudd2@gmail.com or call 504.298.9494 Roomate Needed Partially furnished garden district house, biking distance to LSU, 3bed/2bath. $550/mo. everything included! akilpa1@lsu.edu 903.746.0393

1br/1ba sublease $595 1br/1ba in a 4br/4ba apt. Split utilities. Gated, furnished, w/d, pool, gym, and computer lab. Sterling at Northgate walking distance to LSU! for more details email me khudso5@lsu.edu

Roomate needed Arlington Plant $500/ mo plus utilities (usually $65) 3Bed/3Bath. Near Campus, Bus-Route, Preferably Male. Darren 504-382-5603

1BR apartment 175 Burgin Ave, $545$589rent/$400 deposit, located Highland and Lee. 225.252.3163

Survey Takers Needed: Make $5-25 per survey. www. GetPaidToThink.com

ROOMATE NEEDED LAKE BEAU PRE TOWNHOMES 550/mo + util. 3br/3ba. Close to campus. Trey 337.349.0376

parrain’s seafood restaurant Accepting applications for servers. Apply in person Mon-Fri between 2:00 and 5:00 225.381.9922

WALK TO CLASS 1BR at 3265 Carlotta $395/mth 379-8653

Garden District Bungalow Unique 2 bedroom, 1 bath garden district bungalow. Ideal for grad couple or faculty. $1000/month. Available Dec 1. 225.270.2825

If you love young children and like to sing and play musical instruments, we have the perfect pt job for you. Approx. 4 hrs per week 225.766.1159

Hospital Medicine Group in Baton Rouge, LA is seeking Internist to provide inpatient care including: rounding, evaluation and diagnosis and treatment. Fax resume to (225) 387-7700.

stove, fridge, cent A/ C Washateria $550 Les Petites Apts 3313 Iowa St 225-927-5495 AM or 225-766-0579 PM

1 male roommate needed in a 4 bdrm 4 bth apt. on Brightside. $505. monthly; share electric bill; sublease; 601.798.5005

Personals

Camelot Apts. Large 1BR water & sewer pd.

Swimming pool $465-$300 Deposit 766-3047 Walk to LSU Campus 2BR/1BA duplex $650725. Fenced yards, pets ok. Available now. Good condition. McDaniel Propeties 225.388.9858 WALK TO LSU 2BR UNF

Cute Fashion Major with an engineer’s mind looking for a nice, clean cut guy to hang out with. Let’s catch a movie or coffee sometime. fashionistadiaries61@yahoo. com

She’s a Keeper, are you? My lovely BFF needs a man that is sure to sweep her off her feet! If you possess one or more of the criteria below email gazin4devotion@gmail.com ASAP or FOREVER hold you peace.

A. Handsome/cute/Attractive/good looking B. Hopeless Romantic C. Funny What Are You Waiting For????????

Big fish nice frat guy looking for a sweet girl to hang out with. Must be into wearing oversized shirts with fish on the back, running shorts with tights, and not brushing your hair. If you’re out there come find me, i’ll be at the lakes with my dog on Friday afternoon. Look for my boat shoes and khakis! fratboyneedslovin@gmail.com WELL HEY!! I’m a government worker thats tight with Supriya. I like CMT, cardigans, texting, New Iberia, SVU, being the center of attention, and Sig Ep. I hate it when everybody’s tryna be me. So if you’re interested in a lil’ cajun cutie that looks good in camp counselor shorts email me your A/S/L at thelittlebread@gmail.com.

“Le petit pan!”

Try Band Kids, So Worth It Mildly attractive band geek looking for a special lady. Communication Studies major who loves music, books, people and humor. Wants a girl that must like Tiger Band, tubas, enjoys hearing funny accents, LOVES Disney and watching Disney movies, and will tolerate crude humor, highpitched giggles, and random bursts of off-pitch singing. contact: cougarboy15@gmail.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

SASSY (3rd cheerleader from the right/ your left) You are my favorite cheerleader. Your fantastic moves at the game this weekend and sassy attitude warm my heart. There’s room for 2 in my LSU snuggie ;) Email me: snuggiewithmelsu@ gmail.com Let’s Play! Fit/very active male, 22. Looking for a Female to run around with! (running the lakes, tennis, basketball, etc) No need to be a super athlete, willing to teach, but must have a positive attitude, good sense of humor, and be comfortable getting a little sweaty. Email: ilikerunaroundmuch@gmail.com when you’re ready to play Are you a redhead girl? A guy looking for a cute / sexy redhead to spend time with. Email NeedARedhead@live.com Freakishly Tall Guy wanted : Well endowed 20 yr old is tired of wearing flats. Facial hair is awesome but not necessary. Must like football.

Send a message to blueeyedsaintsfan@yahoo. com

Miscellaneous ADOPTION IS AN OPTION! Loving, secure family hoping to be blessed with a baby. Visit www.bradandjennaadoption.com OR call 225-305-5482 Don’t Settle For B’s Grad Schools & Employers Look at Transcripts. Visit www.mmwritingconsultants.com.

Monday, November 30, 2009 OVERTIME, from page 1

Before Jasper got his opportunity, the Razorbacks reclaimed their second lead of the game, 30-27, with 1:18 remaining. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett zipped a 14-yard pass to sophomore receiver Joe Adams in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown on fourthand-9 to seemingly doom the Tigers for the third consecutive year.

Arkansas converted two third downs on the go-ahead drive with an 18-yard hook up to sophomore running back Dennis Johnson and a 23-yard connection to sophomore wide receiver Greg Childs to extend the eventual 75-yard drive.

After holding Arkansas to 91 yards passing in the first half, the LSU defense was unable to pressure the strong-armed Mallett in the second half. Mallett finished the game 17-of-39 passing for 227 yards and one touchdown. “[Mallett] has one of the strongest arms we’ve faced all year,” said LSU senior linebacker Perry Riley, who had eight tackles. “He did a

THE DAILY REVEILLE

great job in the second half.”

The Tigers answered with a drive of their own down the field.

After Jefferson took a sack, he completed four of five passes for 37 yards. The last came on an 8-yard swing pass to Ridley, who scampered out of bounds at the Arkansas 23-yard line to stop the clock with nine seconds remaining, giving Jasper the opportunity to tie the game.

“We practiced this type of scenario in practice throughout the whole week,” said Jefferson, who finished 17-of-25 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns. “We made sure if that scenario came again, we’d be prepared for it.”

Jasper went 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, including two 47yarders.

“He’s been doing great for us all year,” Riley said of Jasper.

“We’ve counted on him plenty times this year, and he’s gotten it done for us.”

Contact Jonathan Schexnayder at jschexnayder@lsureveille.com

WORD, from page 1

better function.”

Because Facebook shows no signs of losing popularity, the word has the potential to remain in use for a while, said Christine Lindberg, senior lexicographer for Oxford’s U.S. dictionary program, in a blog post on the OUP Web site.

“It has both currency and potential longevity,” Lindberg wrote. “In the online social networking context, its meaning is understood, so its adoption as a modern verb form makes this an interesting choice for Word of the Year.”

Oxford also released a list of the other finalists not selected this year, including “netbook,” a small, portable laptop computer with limited memory, “death panel,” a theoretical body that determines which patients deserve to live when care is rationed and “deleb,” a dead celebrity.

Scott Szymanski, philosophy graduate student, said “unfriend” is more appealing than some of the other words because it’s less

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gimmicky than hybrid words like “deleb.” “‘Unfriend’ is not a conglomerate,” Szymanski said. “It’s just used in place of another phrase.”

Smith said words like “deleb” are called “blends,” which are words formed by combining the meaning and sounds of two or more words.

Buzzwords like the ones nominated for Word of the Year typically gain popularity quickly because they catch on with young people and adults, and the media follow, Smith said. But as the years go by, the words become dated and mark certain time periods.

“You could look at it in terms of decades,” Smith said. “That is not to say a word will last 10 years, but we can look back and say ‘that’s 80s’ or ‘that’s 90s.’”

Smith said the Word of the Year is exciting because it chronicles the unexpected paths taken by language.

Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com

SURGERY, from page 1

her wisdom teeth pulled just before the New Year and said it didn’t interfere with her return to school later in January.

Indya Lane, biology junior, had knee surgery during the 2008 Christmas break. She said she enjoyed her break despite her six-week recovery period.

“It was hard getting around,” Lane said.

Dr. Christian Hall, a local ear, nose and throat specialist, said he performs many more sinus surgeries and tonsillectomies during the holiday breaks.

“November’s typically our biggest month — November and Christmas,” he said.

During the holidays, Hall said his patient load increases by about 10 to 15 percent. Though he treats children, Hall said about 10 percent of his patients are college-aged.

Hall said his most commonly performed procedures include implanting ear tubes, adenoidectomies, tonsillectomies and sinus surgeries.

Kayla Nolan, biology junior, had both her tonsils and adenoids removed on Nov. 23 just in time for the Thanksgiving break because she didn’t want to be inhibited for Christmas. She said her recovery time is anticipated to be about seven to 10 days, and she ate her first solid food on Thanksgiving.

“I’ve been eating a lot of ice cream and smoothies and trying not to talk too much,” she said. “My throat has been really sore.”

Hall said vacation time is a large factor prompting students to schedule surgeries, but some simply get sick more often during the winter months.

“Even though [sinus surgery] is an elective surgery, it’s on people’s minds,” he said. “And they’re sick of being sick.”

Hall said another factor is that most insurance deductibles renew on Jan. 1, and many patients schedule surgeries before deductibles expire.

“The surgery’s appropriate.

They need the surgery,” he said. “It’s simply a matter of timing.”

For sinus surgery, normally a mildly intrusive endoscopic procedure, Hall recommends patients stay at home for a week but said some people return to work after three days.

“Certainly you can’t do anything for as long as you’re taking pain medication,” Hall said.

For tonsillectomies, he said patients must stay home for a week, but the older the patient, the longer the recovery time. Ear tube procedures are one-day, out-patient procedures, Hall said.

Maura, an Aesthetic Surgery Center patient consultant who would not give her last name because of company policy, said her practice serves some college-aged patients, and common procedures include tummy tucks, breast augmentations and rhinoplasties. She said tummy tucks and rhinoplasties need 10-12 days recovery, and breast augmentations need four to five days.

But she said there is no real influx during the holidays — the summer months see the most collegeaged patients.

Contact Sarah Lawson at slawson@lsureveille.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

THE DAILY REVEILLE

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