Football: Jefferson speaks for the first time since the altercation, p. 5
Fashion: Kanye West debuts clothing line at Paris Fashion Week, p. 10
Reveille The Daily
www.lsureveille.com
paint the town PINK University, Baton Rouge communities support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Catherine Parsiola Contributing Writer
Eli Joseph Abad didn’t know much about cancer in ninth grade. When he found out his mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, he was in disbelief because he thought his mother was invincible. Almost 10 years later, Abad decided his third year of law school was the perfect time to honor his mother’s survival and support breast cancer research by walking 20 miles a day Sept. 23 through 25 at the Susan G. Komen “3-Day for the Cure” race in Washington, D.C. Abad, a 25-year-old LSU law student, said he easily surpassed the $2,300 fundraising requirement for the race when the law school community held an auction at the Roux House. He said 10 male law students auctioned themselves for dates. The event raised about $2,500, and Roux House donated the $800 in cover charges from the night. He said his total is now around $4,150. “The most important thing is finding a cure,” Abad said. He said the six to seven hours spent walking each day were ideal times to reflect and meet other motivated walkers and hear their stories. “It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had,” Abad said. “I hope a lot of people would consider
day increases risk by 7 percent.
2. Have clinical breast exams every three years starting at
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 • Volume 116, Issue 31
OCTOBER EVENTS
All month: Reginelli’s Pizzeria will donate 10 percent of avocado and asparagus salad sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
doing this.” The American Cancer Society estimates that about one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Janet Dewey-Kollen, executive director of the Baton Rouge affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said women with an average risk rate should start having mammograms at age 40, but women with a genetic link to the disease may need earlier testing. Dewey-Kollen said women should begin having clinical breast exams every three years and should start monthly self-exams at age 20. “Knowing you’re normal” through monthly self-exams can help lead to early detection and a better survival rate, Dewey-Kollen said. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure website also states that the risk of breast cancer increases by about 7 percent per alcoholic drink consumed per day. University students and Baton Rouge community members and businesses are pitching in to support “pink” causes during October, national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Student Government sponsored the first-ever “pink game” during Saturday’s football game against the University of Kentucky. Players sported pink ribbons on their helmets to support the cause, and
Ambrosia Bakery, Oscar’s Ice Cream and Pizza Joint and Sweet Wishes Cupcakes will donate to breast cancer awareness based on sales of ‘pink’ items.
PINK, see page 15
Oct. 19: Reginelli’s will donate 10 percent of all sales to breast cancer awareness for any customer who says to “give it to the girls.”
Breast Cancer Prevention Tips 1. Curb alcohol intake. Each alcoholic drink consumed per
Entertainment: A day in the life of a 13th Gate employee, p. 9
4. Avoid radiation. Exposure to large amounts of radiation at an early age has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer.
age 20. Also, have mammograms and clinical breast exams every year starting at age 40. Early detection greatly increases five-year survival rates.
5. Work day shifts. Working night shifts has been tied to a
3. Stay active. Gaining weight as an adult increases your risk.
higher risk of developing breast cancer.
small increased risk of breast cancer over many years.
6. Have children. Women who never have children are at Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Papa Murphy’s will donate 25 cents to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for every pizza sold in October. Barnes & Noble College will donate $1 to the Young Survival Coalition for every person who uses their breast cancer ribbon as a Facebook profile picture. Receive text message reminders about monthly self-exams and annual clinical exams from www.brgtagyoureit.org. Donate $5 by texting ‘cure5’ or $10 by texting ‘cure10’ to 20222. Oct 9: Zeta Tau Alpha’s ‘Zeta Royale’ casino night fundraiser. 2 p.m. at the ZTA house. Oct. 14: Louisiana Women’s Summit at the Lod Cook Alumni Center features a workshop on breast cancer awareness and early detection. LSU volleyball’s pink match against Georgia. 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 Oscar’s Pink Pancake Fest at Oscar’s Ice Cream and Pizza Joint from 7 to 10 a.m. Proceeds go to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
ADMINISTRATION
Faculty pay raises are top priority Andrea Gallo Staff Writer
University faculty have pushed through four years without pay raises, and now administrators and policy-makers are discussing ways to increase faculty compensation. Both Chancellor Michael Martin and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton called faculty pay raises in the next fiscal year a top priority, but the ability to grant salary increases is embargoed by the state government. The Louisiana legislature and Gov. Bobby Jindal said they will not increase pay for state employees amid a declining economy, which obstructs University faculty from pay raises, said Jason Droddy, University director of External Affairs. “LSU could find within its means the ability to give a pay raise if the state would permit us to give a pay raise,” Droddy said. “We would like for them not to block our ability to give a pay raise if we can find the money.” That money, Droddy said, may come internally depending on what decisions the University is willing to weigh. But in the meantime, the University is faced with hardships as faculty members leave for higher salary-boasting universities when LSU may have the capabilities to give them a pay raise but isn’t allowed to do so. Martin said while a base salary increase may be unfeasible, he would like to award “financial recognition.” He said he would “like to do something like a one-time payment” at the midyear mark. But the possibility of doling out that money is mostly contingent on a midyear cut, tuition revenues and the implementation of LA GRAD Act 2.0, Martin said. “If we don’t get a midyear cut, we want compensation recognition,” FACULTY, see page 15
The Daily Reveille
page 2
INTERNATIONAL
Nation & World
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
NATIONAL
STATE/LOCAL
Italy appeals court clears Knox of the murder of her British roommate
Chemical mixing sparks massive Texas plant fire south of Dallas
Louisiana woman dies from listeria after eating cantaloupe
PERUGIA, Italy (AP) — Amanda Knox left prison Monday, a free woman for the first time in four years, after an Italian appeals court threw out the young American’s murder conviction in the sexual assault and stabbing death of her British roommate. Knox, 24, collapsed in tears after the verdict was read, her lawyers draping their arms around her in support. Her co-defendant and former boyfriend, Italian Raffaele Sollecito, also was cleared. Palestinians say freeze in US aid taking effect on development
WAXAHACHIE, Texas (AP) — A fire official says a massive blaze at a plant south of Dallas is nearly contained and about 1,000 residents who had been forced to evacuate are being allowed to return to their homes. The fire broke out before 11 a.m. Monday at a Magnablend Inc. facility in Waxahachie. No serious injuries were reported. Waxahachie Fire Department spokeswoman Amy Hollywood said the blaze was 95 percent under control 30 miles south of Dallas.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — An 87-year-old Baton Rouge woman who had eaten cantaloupe in recent weeks died of listeria over the weekend, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals said Monday. Bacteria samples will be studied to determine whether the fruit and disease were linked, but tests may be inconclusive, said Louisiana’s state epidemiologist, Dr. Raoult Ratard. He declined to further identify the woman, describing her only as elderly. A Baton Rouge man and his brother said their mother, Elaine F. Babcock, 87, of Baton Rouge, died of complications from listeria on Saturday, six days after falling ill. Superdome gets new name after deal with Mercedes-Benz
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian officials said Monday that the U.S. has suspended West Bank development projects worth tens of millions of dollars after Congress froze funding to dissuade the Palestinians from seeking U.N. recognition of an independent state. It’s the first concrete sign of repercussions for the Palestinians’ decision to defy Washington on the issue. Hassan Abu Libdeh said he was informed by the USAID, that two projects — worth $55 million and $26 million — were being put on hold for lack of funding.
LAPRESSE / The Associated Press
Amanda Knox cries following the Oct. 3 verdict that overturns her conviction and acquits her murdering her British roommate Meredith Kercher.
Brazil revises upward Amazon rainforest destruction last year BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — The Brazilian government has revised upward the amount of Amazon rain forest destroyed last year. But it’s still the lowest figure since tracking began two decades ago. The Environment Ministry now says 2,703 square miles (7,000 square kilometers) were destroyed between August 2009 and July 2010. That’s the period the government uses to find annual deforestation figures.
More aides leave Bachmann presidential campaign ST. PAUL Minn. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is losing her pollster and senior adviser in a staff exodus that raises questions about the viability of her White House bid and her campaign finances. Pollster Ed Goeas plans to leave the campaign after upcoming debates in New Hampshire and Nevada, and senior adviser Andy Parrish is returning to the Minnesota congresswoman’s office where he served as chief of staff.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The home of the New Orleans Saints is getting a new name. Greg Bensel, a spokesman for the team, confirmed Monday that the Louisiana Superdome soon will be known as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Bensel says the automaker is signing on for a 10-year naming rights deal that the team was allowed to pursue under the terms of its current lease that runs through 2025.
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The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
page 3
IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN
AMY BROUSSARD / The Daily Reveille
Scarecrows can be spotted throughout the corn maze at the LSU Rural Life Museum every Saturday in October.
TECHNOLOGY
Committee approves computer replacement in testing center
Joshua Bergeron Contributing Writer
The Student Technology Fee Oversight Committee approved a $138,400 proposal Monday to replace 112 computers in the Himes Hall Computer Testing Center. This proposal is the second step in a project that aims to eventually replace all computers in the testing center. There are currently 450 computers, said Bobby Matthews, director of the Office of Testing and Evaluation. Computers will be replaced every four years if everything goes according to plan. “Maintaining the Computer Testing Center is important,” said William Grimes, professor of music. “It doesn’t take up class time, and it allows students to take tests when it suits them best.” The Computer Testing Center conducted a survey in the spring that asked students about their testing experiences. “Some of the problems students have reported relate to computers being unresponsive or slow,” Matthews said. According to the survey, 52 percent of students reported a slow or unresponsive computer. Other problems reported include not being able to use the backspace button and audio not playing properly. There is about $4.47 million in allocated Student Tech Fee funds, and $424,246 remains in the Student Tech Fee account to be allocated. “If money isn’t used, it is carried forward to the next semester to be allocated at a later date,” said Bob Kuhn, associate vice chancellor for the Office of Budget and Planning. Eric Monday, vice chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services and CFO, said the money should be completely allocated. “Having this money carry forward isn’t optimizing the Student Tech Fee,” Monday said. Aside from the testing center changes, Student Government President Cody Wells
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proposed creating a computer lab Committee would update some of that would be the old language open around the in the Student clock. Tech Fee Over“Not all stusight Committee’s dents can make bylaws,” Wells it to the publicsaid. access computer Wells said labs during reguthe revisions lar hours,” Wells committee might said. “Students change the memEric Monday need a safe, quiet bership of the place to work be- vice chancellor and CFO for Finance Oversight Comand Administrative Services tween the hours mittee to include of 2 and 4 a.m.” more students. An Wells also made official proposal will be presented at a motion to establish a the next meeting Nov. 7. Bylaw Revisions Committee within the Student Tech Fee Contact Joshua Bergeron at Oversight Committee. jbergeron@lsureveille.com “The Bylaw Revisions
Plucker’s Wing Bar Mon: $14.99 All You Can Eat Wings and $3 Pluckers Specialty Drinks Tues: Kids Eat Free, $3 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wed: Live Trivia at 8 pm, $4.50 34oz Mugs Thurs: $12.99 All You Can Eat Boneless Wings, $4.50 34oz Mugs $5.50 Patron Margaritas Sun: $3 Pluckers Specialty Shots EVERYDAY BEER SPECIAL: $6.50 34oz Mugs--Blue Moon, Dos Equis, Abitas DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Becky at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or E-mail: oncampus@lsureveille.com
‘Having this money carry forward isn’t optimizing the Student Tech Fee.’
Newsbeat LIVE 3PM (Campus Channel 75) Sports Showtime 4:30 PM (Campus Channel 75) Tuesday Newsbeat 5PM (Cox Cable Channel 4) Tuesday Newsbeat 5PM (Campus Channel 75) Newsbeat 7:30PM (WBTR Cable Channel 19) Tuesday Newsbeat 9PM (Campus Channel 75) Sports Showtime 9:30PM (Campus Channel 75) zTuesday Newsbeat 11:30 PM (Cox Cable Channel 4)
page 4
FACULTY SENATE
CAMPUS LIFE
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Holiday University Knights of Columbus wins award extension Group helps family with eight children ‘This is a chance for vote people to help the community in any way delayed they could Morgan Searles Staff Writer
Josh Naquin Staff Writer
The LSU Faculty Senate passed two resolutions and elected a new member to its Executive Committee at its monthly meeting Monday, while the resolution concerning the extension of Thanksgiving Break saw further delay. Faculty Senate Resolution 11-03, “The Thanksgiving Break Schedule,” was delayed for the second meeting in a row. The resolution was originally intended to face a vote at the Faculty Senate’s September meeting and has been designated to be discussed and voted on in November. The resolution, sponsored by Joshua Detre, agricultural economics and agribusiness assistant professor, seeks to make the Thanksgiving holiday a week long. Fall semester would start on a Thursday, several days earlier than the current Monday start date, to compensate for instruction days lost to the extended break. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope attributed the delay to several reasons. “The resolution sponsor was not here to provide expertise on the matter and there has been a delay from food services, residence halls, and other factions involved in the start date of the semester,” Cope said. Faculty Senate Resolution 11-16, “Advertising within Academic Buildings,” sponsored by communications studies assistant professor Graham Bodie, was unanimously approved at the meeting. According to the resolution, it will “purge academic buildings of vending machines whose special effects, messages or media devices permeate the student environment with distracting or assertively non-academic content.” A resolution rewording bylaws for membership criteria in the Faculty Senate’s General Education Committee was also passed. Kenny Fasching-Varner, assistant professor of elementary education, was elected to the Faculty Senate’s Executive Committee. Fasching-Varner, who recently came from Wisconsin to join the University, will fill the spot on the committee reserved for newly-elected senators. In other action, a resolution was introduced to make start times for classes precisely on the hour and half hour by moving up start times by 10 minutes. Contact Josh Naquin at jnaquin@lsureveille.com
With only a little more than a year of membership behind them, the University council of the Knights of Columbus recently won a national award for community service at the annual Knights of Columbus College Council Conference. Christ the King Council 15064 was named the 2010-11 Community Activity Award winner for service to a refugee family. Mark Ebarb, the chancellor of the University’s Knights of Columbus council, attended the national college convention in New Haven, Conn., from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. “Our work with a displaced Burmese family won for community efforts,” Ebarb said. “We formed a committee and decided we could host a dinner party to raise money and gave the proceeds toward renovation.” The University’s council raised funds to renovate the apartment of the local family, who escaped from a refugee camp in Thailand. The family, originally from Myanmar, emigrated to Baton Rouge with eight children and was living in a complex in need of repair. The Knights organized a dinner and dance event to raise awareness about the Burmese culture and human rights abuse in Myanmar. The event raised about $800. Members used the money to install a new sink and counter in the apartment’s kitchen, repair damaged electrical outlets, build shelving units, repair holes in the walls, arrange for pest control and buy new window treatments for the living room. Remaining funds were donated to Catholic Charities to help provide English-language programs for the parents of the family. Ebarb said the local council attended the conference
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with about 60 other universities commitment to the Catholic faith nationwide. and a desire to share that devotion “This is reand dedication ally cool for with their classus,” Ebarb said. mates and the “A lot of these community at councils have large, according been around, to the Knights of some for 50 or Columbus web60 years. This site. was our first Ebarb said year, and we left the UniverMark Ebarb an impression on sity council is chancellor of the University Knights not the first in them.” of Columbus council the state, but The winner in the Community Service it is the newest in the counprogram category must display a try, becoming active in the
possibly imagine.’
community in the summer of 2010. The council currently has about 50 members and hopes to grow every year. “It was really cool to represent LSU in that capacity at the conference,” he said. “This is a chance for people to help the community in any way they could possibly imagine. Anyone can help us because this is a service organization for us to help people.” Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com
Sports
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
page 5
FOOTBALL
QB speaks for first time since altercation
For divers, fear factor is worth the thrill
Jefferson: ‘I don’t regret anything’ Mark Clements
Scott Branson
Sports Writer
Sports Contributor
After an offseason full of hype and promise was shattered by a latenight bar brawl, senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson’s return to the football team was one of mixed emotions when he rejoined the Tigers last week. When asked if he was innocent in the scuffle, Jefferson gave a curt JEFFERSON response. “I’m not obligated to talk about that,” he said. Despite losing his starting job to fellow senior Jarrett Lee, Jefferson returned to a 4-0 LSU squad ranked No. 1 in the nation, and has already added a rushing touchdown to his stat line in his first game back Saturday against Kentucky. But the Destrehan native said the long road back hasn’t been an easy one. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be back,” Jefferson said. “It was a tough situation for me and definitely a learning experience. I can’t imagine anybody else in the country has gone through
Jumping off a platform more than three stories tall is understandably unnerving, even for those who choose to do it on a regular basis. For competitive divers at LSU and around the world, jumping from a 10-meter-tall platform is part of the sport. Even though the 10-meter dive is the highest competitive dive, it’s no more important than other dive heights in terms of scoring. The 10-meter dive likely isn’t the first jump a potential diver attempts, but it’s eventually part of the job. Freshman diver Alex Bettridge vaulted herself into the LSU record books in her first collegiate meet with a 318.0-point performance on the 1-meter dive — 13.15 points off the LSU women’s record and good enough for sixth alltime. Bettridge, who started diving when she was 7 years old, said she still thinks about the height. “You know you’re not going to die or anything, but at the same time you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I could hurt myself,’” Bettridge said. “Compared to swimming where it’s, ‘I hope I go fast,’ diving is like, ‘I hope I don’t die today.’” While the height can be daunting, sophomore Jesse Lyman, who turned to diving during high school when an injury kept him from competing in wrestling, said overcoming the fear is worth it. “Everyone looks at [the 10-meter], and they judge the height and it can lead them away from DIVERS, see page 7
photos by BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Diving freshman Alex Bettridge practices last week. She vaulted herself into the LSU record books in her first collegiate meet with a 318.0-point performance on the 1-meter dive.
JEFFERSON, see page 7
FOOTBALL
Blue, Magee seize new opportunity ‘Stable’ of runners provide versatility Chris Abshire Sports Writer
While LSU sophomore running back Alfred Blue may not have been running on Kentucky’s blue turf, he spent much of Saturday running over the blue-clad Kentucky defenders. Blue produced his career-best performance in LSU’s 35-7 defeat of the Wildcats. His 16 carries for 72 yards and a score was part of a balanced LSU ground game that wore the Wildcats down despite losing sophomore running back Spencer Ware to
an apparent hamstring injury early in the game. The carry and yardage totals were both career highs for Blue, who played sparingly as a freshman. “I anticipated playing a lot [Saturday], so I just knew I had to seize the moment,” Blue said. Blue has now scored a touchdown in the last three games he has received carries. The Boutte native was part of a touted three-horse stable of backs coming into the season, but he spent much of the first four games in limited action behind fellow sophomores Ware and Michael Ford, tallying just 18 rushes. But that could change — at least in the immediate future — as Ware’s status remains uncertain
and Blue is a physical runner, similar to Ware. “I do feel like the coaches are starting to like me out there a little bit more,” Blue said. “I think I am versatile because I have a little speed and a lot of power.” Joining Blue to fill Ware’s punishing shoes was freshman Terrence Magee, who burned his redshirt with his first career appearance in a Tiger uniform. The Franklinton native and former high school quarterback spent much of the offseason in coach Les Miles’ high esteem. Magee backed up some of the hype, charging his way up the middle throughout Saturday’s contest to finish with 12 carries and 38 yards and his first RUNNING BACKS, see page 7
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
LSU sophomore running back Alfred Blue escapes University of Kentucky defenders Saturday during the Tigers’ 35-7 victory over the Wildcats in Tiger Stadium.
The Daily Reveille
page 6
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
History may repeat itself with Brantley out Ware plans to practice
FOOTBALL
BODY SHOTS
Rob Landry Sports columnist
Hunter Paniagua Sports Writer
LSU coach Les Miles said he expects sophomore running back Spencer Ware to participate fully in practice this week. Ware left LSU’s game against Kentucky in the first quarter after suffering an injury, and Miles said sophomore running back Alfred Blue — who rushed for 72 yards in Ware’s stead — had the best game of his season. “If you take a guy like Ware out of the game and hold him even though he could play, you rely on the ability to bring that young guy in,” Miles said. “To be a tailback at LSU, you have to be a great player.” FLORIDA QB RULED OUT Florida coach Will Muschamp said Monday quarterback John Brantley will miss the game against LSU after suffering a leg injury last week against Alabama. Miles credited Brantley’s backup — freshman Jeff Driskel — despite his performance against the Crimson Tide in which he threw two interceptions. “Jeff Driskel is a very talented freshman,” Miles said. “He will give them every opportunity to compete.” Driskel also suffered a sprained ankle against Alabama, leaving the possibility that a different quarterback could see action against LSU. Miles said the wide variety of offenses his team has faced this season will help adjusting to another quarterback. “If a quarterback were to take the field that we did not anticipate, we would be comfortable in making our strong sideline adjustments that would allow us to defend them,” Miles said. MILES ADDRESSES NFL RUMORS An article on CBSsports.com appeared last week that said Miles’ stock as a potential NFL coach could be rising. “Any time someone says nice things about you, that is very kind and you recognize that,” Miles said. “It certainly is a compliment, but I am happy where I am at.” NIGHT GAME MARKS 80TH ANNIVERSARY Monday was the 80th anniversary of the first night game played in Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Spring Hill, 35-0, on Oct. 3, 1931. The Tigers played all four home games that season at night and finished the year with a 5-4 record. MONTGOMERY SEC DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK Sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week on Monday. Montgomery six tackles, two for a loss, and 1.5 sacks against Kentucky. Contact Hunter Paniagua at hpaniagua@lsureveille.com
Be careful what you wish for. When Florida coach Will Muschamp announced Tuesday that senior quarterback John Brantley would miss the LSU game due to injury, there was a collective sigh of relief from the Tiger faithful. The Gators would now, in all likelihood, be forced to start true freshman Jeff Driskel in their match up with No. 1 LSU on Saturday in Death Valley. Muschamp’s other options are redshirt freshman Tyler Murphy or true freshman Jacoby Brissett. This appears to be akin to throwing a wounded lamb into a pack of wolves, considering LSU’s suffocating defense. The Tigers have allowed an average of 12.8 points and 262 yards per game. But the number that opens the most eyes is 60.4 — the number of rushing yards per game the Tigers allow. With a freshman quarterback under center, Muschamp will want to rely on his running game, but that will be next to impossible. LSU will make Driskel throw the football to beat them. That request is a difficult one, but the last time Florida marched a true freshman out on the field in Tiger Stadium, it worked to perfection for then Florida coach Ron Zook. Zook let true freshman Chris Leak start his first game in the fifth game of the 2003 season at Kentucky. After a home game versus Ole Miss, Leak started in Death Valley against then-No. 6 LSU. Leak helped lead the Gators to a 19-7 upset win against the eventual national champions. He was 18-of-30 for 229 yards and had two touchdowns in the game. The Gators gained a total of 310 yards that day — the third most the defense would surrender during the 14 game season. The season ended with topof-the-mountain success for the Tigers, but it wasn’t an unblemished year. The 1958 Tigers still hold the distinction as the last team in school history to go undefeated. When Leak pulled the sheets off the bed of LSU fans’ dreams of an undefeated season, it was reminiscent of the Tiger Stadium coming-out party for Georgia freshman quarterback Quincy Carter in 1998. LSU was again ranked No.
6 nationally and looking to make the leap into national contenders after a 10-win 1997 campaign. The Tigers were 3-0 when Carter — who played a season of minor league baseball before coming back to play college football — marched in and imposed his will on defensive coordinator Lou Tepper’s defense. Carter completed 27-of-34 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. He also scrambled for 41 yards in the Bulldogs’ 28 to 27 upset of LSU. Looking at Driskel’s performance in the second half against Alabama last weekend — 2-of-6 passing for 14 yards and six carries for 18 yards — LSU’s defense should be salivating at the opportunity to tee off on him. But don’t assume Driskel will be as antsy as a whore in church. Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will have a full week to draw up a game plan for his new quarterback. Weis had made great strides with Brantley this season — before the injury, he had thrown for 942 yards and five touchdowns. This will be a much steeper hill to climb, though. But it’s been done before, and it can definitely be done again. Rob Landry is a 23-year old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.
Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com
JOHN RAOUX / The Associated Press
Florida quarterback John Brantley (12) is helped off the field Oct. 1 after he was injured late in the second quarter of an NCAA football game against Alabama.
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
FOOTBALL
page 7
Florida speedsters pose dangerous threat to Tiger defense Gators throttled last week by ‘Bama
Scott Branson Sports Contributor
Alabama’s defensive performance Saturday against Florida displayed that the Gators’ two most dangerous playmakers are, at the least, containable. Florida senior running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps enter Tiger Stadium on Saturday after rushing for a total of eight yards on 14 carries between them against Alabama.
DIVERS, from page 5
it, but it’s awesome to brag to people that you do the 10-meter,” Lyman said. Bettridge attributed her beginnings in diving to the fact that she started swimming lessons at a pool that also had a diving well. “During our free time we would go play in the diving well,” Bettridge said. “It was a lot more fun and not as boring as swimming.” Junior Elle Schmidt said she got into diving at a young age because her dad was a diver at Tennessee during college and coached her summer league team. “When I was 12 or 13, I started diving more seriously with a club team,” Schmidt said. “I swam when I was really little, but I think I was pretty bad.” Schmidt said the most challenging aspect of diving is being prepared each time she hits the board. “Being a diver is really mentally challenging, whereas swimming is more physically
JEFFERSON, from page 5
what I went through, but everything happens for a reason.” After being indefinitely suspended from the team in August, rumors regarding redshirts or transfers surfaced around Jefferson. “[Redshirting] was a thought at first, but once I was getting further and further throughout the legal process, I didn’t feel the need that redshirting was important,” Jefferson said. “If I would have got seven or eight games deep into the season and I hadn’t played yet, that would have been a consideration.” Some thought he may never throw another pass for LSU, but Jefferson said he was “positive” he would play again this season, and said the unfavorable experience has made him a better person. “I don’t regret anything,” Jefferson said. “God puts people in certain situations for certain reasons. I thank him for putting me in that situation because I learned a lot from that situation. I’m a lot more wiser and a lot more smarter than I was back in August.” Jefferson kept in touch with the team throughout the entire investigation but said he has not yet
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LSU coach Les Miles said Rainey,” Mathieu said. “I think the he doesn’t “put too much stock in game is going to pretty much retheir game against a volve around those strong and talented guys.” Alabama team.” Mathieu said This season, it’s important that Demps has an 84LSU stays focused yard touchdown run against a reeling against Kentucky Florida team beand Rainey has an cause the Gators will Tharold Simon 83-yard catch-and- sophomore defensive back certainly not want to run for a touchdown drop two games in a against Tennessee. row after falling to Sophomore defensive back the Crimson Tide 38-10. Tyrann Mathieu said the Florida “Those guys had a tough duo will be the focus of the Tigers’ one this past week, to get a vicgame plan for Saturday’s matchup. tory against us would definitely get “They’ve got two of the most those guys back rolling,” Mathieu explosive guys back in Demps and said. “It’s about us making sure
tackles and playing assignment football.” Sophomore defensive back Tharold Simon said that he’s confident the Tigers can limit Demps’ and Rainey’s impact on the game. “We’re just as fast [as them],” Simon said. “As a team, we’ll get to them.” Simon said he thinks the Tigers’ strength and power will be too much for Florida to match up against. “I saw against Alabama, they had all that speed. But Alabama really destroyed them,” Simon said. “I think the whole team is responsible for containing those guys.” The Tigers will be lining up
against Demps and Rainey for the first time since 2009, after both speedsters missed last season’s game, a 33-29 Tiger victory in Gainesville, Fla. Demps missed the game with a sprained foot and Rainey was suspended for an off-field incident. Demps had success against LSU in 2008 and 2009. He ran for 86 yards in 2009 and 129 yards, including a touchdown, in 2008. Florida won both contests.
challenging,” Schmidt said. Sophomore Sean McKinney agreed, saying that diving is “90 percent mental and 10 percent physical.” McKinney said he started diving when he was about 8 years old but didn’t get serious about it until he was 15. “When I was really little, I did swimming and diving, but one day I was tired of waking up for swim practices, and I decided I just wanted to dive,” McKinney said. “I started training with a year-round coach and got a lot more aggressive.” McKinney said he learned to be accustomed to the height and put it out of his mind. “The fear factor of jumping off from 33 feet, doing two and a half flips and a twist is just nuts,” McKinney said. “You have to trust the coach, tell yourself you can do it and then sell yourself on it.”
With the LSU passing game working only sporadically against the Wildcats, Blue and Magee, along with returning senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson, were charged with carrying an erratic Tiger attack in the second half. The trio spurred LSU to 102 second-half yards on the ground, and accounted for three of the Tigers’ four offensive touchdowns in the contest. Junior offensive lineman P.J. Lonergan said the offensive linemen don’t block differently for specific running backs. “There’s not one particular thing that you can point out as a specialty with those guys,” the center said. “Our blocking style doesn’t change, because we feel they can do it all.” Senior tight end Deangelo Peterson said Blue and Magee’s
ability to pick up the slack for an injured Ware makes the offense proud. “We recruit the best players who are always ready,” he said. “One goes down, we expect the next guy to pick it up. And I think you saw that on Saturday.” While players stopped short of calling it “running back by committee,” Shepard said the Tigers often can’t tell the backs apart. “Half the time, we really don’t know who’s in because we call them ‘the stable,’” Shepard said. “They’ll all run with that LSU mentality that’s hard-nosed and unselfish.”
‘As a team, we’ll get to them.’
Contact Scott Branson at sbranson@lsureveille.com apologized to the team as a whole. “I didn’t have to apologize because we all were there,” he said. “At the time, I was just being a college student. I wasn’t trying to get myself into trouble, I was just enjoying myself with my teammates. The toughest thing that I learned was that you never know how popular you are until a certain situation like that.” In his first game back, Jefferson took the field to a mix of boos and cheers. Jefferson said he “definitely” heard the boos, but shrugged it off, chalking it up to the emotional fans, which have also given him support in his return. “A lot of my fans that are really my true fans are happy that I’m back, and I received a lot of encouragement,” Jefferson said. “I was standing right next to Miles, and I told him I was going to score the touchdown for the team. Once he gave me the opportunity ... I had to do whatever it takes to get into the end zone, and that’s what I did.”
Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com
RUNNING BACKS, from page 5
collegiate touchdown. “We think Magee is going to be a heck of a player and we wanted to get his career started,” Miles said. “We’ve been talking about it for the past couple of weeks, to be honest with you. With Ware going down, it just seemed like the right time.” Junior wide receiver Russell Shepard said he has seen a rare versatility from Magee as a young player. “He’s a patient runner with good hands out of the backfield,” said Shepard, who spent time at running back during his freshman season. “Usually, with a lot of fresh backs, they’re not too good with the stuff outside of running. But [Magee] can block, knows the calls pretty well. He’s got a complete game.”
Contact Scott Branson at sbranson@lsureveille.com
Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com
page 8
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Entertainment
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
! o o B
page 9
Bluths’ return a second coming
Students frighten patrons at 13th Gate haunted house Joey Groner Entertainment Writer
As Stephanie Cronan quickly makes her way through the backstage area of one of the most wellknown haunted houses in the country, only one thing is on her mind. “I really want to know who I’m playing tonight,” Cronan says. “I really want to play the vine creature, but I’ll have to check with my boss.” For Cronan, a French sophomore, every week in October is “dead week.” Cronan is one of the many University students who works at The 13th Gate downtown. Cronan maneuvers through the crowded backstage area to reach a line where the actors are informed of their parts for the night. She tries to get her stage manager to agree with her on the vine creature idea, but it’s not meant to be. Cronan will instead play the role of the “zombie girlfriend” in Necropolis, the new add-on to The 13th Gate. She explains some cast members complain about having to play certain parts, but she doesn’t care. As long as she’s working at the haunted house, she’s happy. “This is my 13th Gate family,” she explains. “This is my second year, and I love it. Halloween wouldn’t be the same without it.” Troy Brouillette, international studies junior, is experiencing his first year of working at The 13th Gate. So far, he’s liked his role as a vampire. “I really enjoy it,” Brouillette said. “I get a pretty good kick out of scaring people.”
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
13TH GATE, see page 11
Stephanie Cronan, French sophomore, transforms into a zombie Saturday night at The 13th Gate haunted house downtown, which has recently expanded and is in its 10th season of scaring Baton Rouge.
Praise be to Gob, “Arrested Development” is coming back for a fourth season and a movie. Yes, diehard fans, I realize Gob is pronounced “jobe” — it was just too good a joke to pass up for all the newbies. After its cancellation in 2006, fans and KEVIN critics mourn- THIBODEAUX ed the end of Entertainment one of the most Writer clever and downright hilarious comedies in TV history. During its run, the show intricately blended outlandish physical comedy, incredibly subtle inside jokes and ridiculous pop-culture references including everything from “Mrs. Doubtfire” to “Happy Days.” To this day, “Arrested Development” rivals shows like “The Wire” in nuance and dialogue complexity. For some people, this news is the equivalent of the second coming. To say the show has a cult following is an understatement. Still don’t get it? I don’t think I’ve seen anything funnier on television than BLUTHS, see page 11
THEATER
‘The American Dream’ satirizes stereotypical family life
Play opens tonight, runs through Oct. 9 Joey Groner
Entertainment Writer
The Music and Dramatic Arts Building’s Studio Theatre will be in a dream-like state for the next week. The LSU Theatre Lab’s latest production, “The American Dream,” will open tonight at 7:30 at the building. The one-act play was written by Edward Albee in 1960 and features five characters: a married couple, the elderly mother who lives with them and two guests who visit over the course of one day. Director Michael Martin, theatre senior, said the play is a satire, focusing on the falsity of the
“American Dream” moniker and a crew he’s already familiar with. acting as a criticism of typical “I’ve gotten to work with a American family life. But Martin dream team, people that I’ve been said the play’s message is ultimate- studying with for the past two ly open to interyears,” Martin said. pretation. “It’s great to finally “There’s a work on a project tolot of material gether with them.” in it. There are a Actors Akeem lot of issues that Muhammad and Andifferent audidrea Morgenlander ence members have also enjoyed the will see in it,” experience and the Martin said. “It quirks of their respecMichael Martin was really the tive characters. theatre senior, diversity and Muhammad, a “American Dream” director the broad exsophomore political panse of what science and English was covered that appealed to me.” major, plays a character named The production, like all Theatre Daddy and has enjoyed the progresLab presentations, is entirely stu- sion his character makes throughout dent-produced. Martin said he ap- the play. preciates this aspect of the play, as he finds it much easier to work with ‘DREAM,’ see page 11
‘‘
‘It was really the diversity and the broad expanse of what was covered that appealed to me.’
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
Theatre freshman Andrea Morgenlander, left, and theatre junior Mercedes Wilson rehearse “The American Dream” on Sunday in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building.
The Daily Reveille
page 10
FASHION
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Kanye West launches spring, summer 2012 collection in Paris
Tell us what you think about Kayne West’s collection at lsureveille.com.
photos by Francois Mori / The Associated Press
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Chain statuses increase on Facebook, validity questioned Professor credits ease of reposting
What do you think about chain statuses on Facebook?
“I feel like some of them aren’t real.”
Kevin Thibodeaux Entertainment Writer
What clogs up your Facebook newsfeed, is annoying and seems to be growing exponentially? No, it’s not your friend’s ego. It’s the latest bullet point on a growing list of grievances Facebook users have. Chain statuses, previously limited to e-mails, text messages and Myspace, have recently been popping up on Facebook walls and news feeds. Chain statuses are reposted numerous times within the Facebook community and say things like, “Hi my name is Amy Bruce, I am 7 yrs old and I have a large tumor on my brain and severe lung cancer. The doctors say I will die soon if this isn’t fixed, and my family can’t pay the bill’s. The Make A Wish Foundation has agreed to donate $7 for everytime this message is sent on. For those of you who send this along, I Thank You so much. But for those who don’t send it, I will pray for you. Please put this as your status for an hour.” Pavica Sheldon, a 2010 University communication studies Ph.D. graduate and current professor of communication arts at the University of Alabama at Hunstville, said she is unsure of the origin of these Internet fads, but they probably stem from boredom. Sheldon said people often see chain statuses on Facebook and will repost them, even if they are uncertain of the legitimacy of the claims. She said unlike face-to-face interaction, reposting a Facebook status only takes a matter of seconds and users are less likely to be confronted for substantiating the rumor. University students have taken notice of the statuses and have their own opinions. Marketing junior Melissa Meadows said she thinks people like
Adele Krieger psychology freshman
the feel-good stories that many of the chain statuses contain and like to think they are doing something good, but she’s still skeptical. “I kind of question the validity [of the statuses] because how will the people see them?” Meadows said. Kelsey Sulik, interior design freshman, said she found the statuses
Ann Marie Fugarino
“I just don’t know if it’s real, so I don’t repost it.”
animal science sophomore
are similar to chain text messages. She said the posts are a waste of time and take up too much space in her news feed. Sulik said she never reposts the statuses because her friends get annoyed by them, and she often questions the legitimacy of the statuses. She thinks the messages spread
Amir Hussain accounting sophomore
“I usually don’t even pay attention to them. They’re frivolous.”
because the statuses correspond with issues that people care about and are often passionate about. “If you really felt strongly and didn’t care what other people thought, then I guess repost it,” she said. Biochemistry senior Caleb Abshire said he’s never seen a chain
Jasmine Cudji
“They make you feel bad if you don’t repost them.”
English freshman
status that he thinks is real. Abshire said he thought if a status were credible, it would have a link to the organization’s website or to the actual fundraiser. Contact Kevin Thibodeaux at kthibodeaux@lsureveille.com
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
page 11
BLUTHS, from page 9
the chicken dance (YouTube it) or laughed harder than when I first learned what a “never nude” was (exactly what it sounds like). And thanks to “Development,” I’ve found my calling in life — I want to be an analrapist. That’s a combination analyst and therapist. Sorry. Maybe the joke was in poor taste. Just keep me off of any and all watch lists. I know these jokes are either obscure references or pure surface-level sexual puns, but believe me, the show is so much more. The humor of “Development” is almost interactive. There are running jokes sprinkled throughout the series that recall previous episodes or reference a broader plot theme. The beauty of “Development” is that I can watch my favorite episodes over and over and catch a joke I missed the first couple of times around. The show crosses lines it shouldn’t cross (a lawyer who pretends to be blind to gain a jury’s sympathy) and touches subjects that shouldn’t be touched (cousin-on-cousin incest). What other show of the early 2000s had the audacity to cast Saddam Hussein’s body doubles in comedic roles? While I remain optimistic that the reincarnated show will be everything I loved when I first watched, there is the feeling that what was once beloved about the show will be lost. Remember when “The Hangover” was legitimately hilarious? The movie felt inventive and exciting – a breath of fresh air in the comedy world. And then “The Hangover Part II” was made, and everything about the first movie was seemingly just reenacted in Thailand. How about the “Die Hard” franchise? Everything everyone loves about the first couple of movies – Bruce Willis in badass mode taking out some European terrorists in an awesome rampage of violence – was watered down and revamped in an attempt to make the franchise seem relevant in the digital age. After all the years away from television, “Arrested Development” could very well have lost its edge. The writing may not be as clever or the Bluths may not be able to handle a crumbling U.S. economy. I’m not really worried any of those problems will actually surface, but I guess I’ll just have to bide my time. If worse comes to worst, we can just call J. Walter Weatherman to teach the show a lesson. That’s a guy George Bluth Sr. hired to — oh, just forget it. Do yourself a favor and watch “Development” on Netflix. Kevin Thibodeaux is a 19-yearold mass communication sophomore from Lafayette. Contact Kevin Thibodeaux at kthibodeaux@lsureveille.com
‘DREAM,’ from page 9
its 10th year. It’s open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night until the week preceding Halloween, when it is open every night. Tickets for each attraction are $20 separately. A combined ticket costs $35.
“What I like most is that he starts off as a punk, but towards the end he’s much more masculine,” Muhammad said. “That’s how I originally envisioned him to be before we started putting all the work into developing our characters.” Morgenlander, theatre freshman, said she enjoys playing the brash Mrs. Barker. “She’s tough. She has no shame,” Morgenlander said. “I like that she walks around just being herself, not caring what any of the other characters think about her.” “The American Dream” is Martin’s first directing effort. He said he’s proud of the end result. “It’s been a blast,” Martin said. “Going back, I think every firsttime director will say they realize how they might have done things a little more efficiently, but it’s been a great process. It’s gone really well.” The play will run until Oct. 9. Shows are every night at 7:30, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased at the door.
Contact Joey Groner at jgroner@lsureveille.com
Contact Joey Groner at jgroner@lsureveille.com
BLAIR LOCKHART / The Daily Reveille
The Grim Reaper lurks over The 13th Gate on Saturday night as patrons line up outside, waiting to be spooked by monsters and more.
13TH GATE, from page 9 Students like Cronan and Brouillette make up a large chunk of the cast, according to stage manager Jamie Schexnayder, who estimates that 25 to 35 percent of The 13th Gate’s cast is University students. After getting her assignment, Cronan must now wait to get her hair and makeup done. As The 13th Gate takes precedence to Necropolis in the makeup room, the wait can be a long one. During this time, Cronan runs around the backstage area, talking and joking with the cast and crew. She’s not exaggerating when she refers to them as “family.” She seems to know everyone, and everyone knows her. The cast and crew are an extremely close-knit group, Cronan explains. It certainly looks that way, as no one — no matter how outlandishly dressed or gratuitously bloodied — feels uncomfortable or looks out of place. After waiting for nearly an hour, the makeup and hair crew is finally ready to transform Cronan from her normal self into the “zombie girlfriend.” For such a dramatic change, the process is relatively
short, requiring some well-placed fake blood and powder to make Cronan appear deathly pale. Cronan is finally ready to cross the street and make her way to the Necropolis set, but there’s one problem – the line across the street is filled with waiting visitors. Cronan knows she can’t walk by normally, as this would ruin the whole show for everyone waiting in line. She decides to limp across the street, stepping with her left foot and dragging her right. To sell it even further, she gets dangerously close to a group of young girls waiting in the line. The ploy works, and the girls collectively let out a huge scream, realizing they are completely unprepared for what’s waiting on the other side of the door. When Cronan is a safe distance from them, she laughs and says, “That was fun,” sounding quite satisfied with herself. Once she’s safely in the backstage area of Necropolis, Cronan checks her makeup one last time and gets ready to take her place. As the sun is setting, she goes through the door, ready to spend the night terrifying visitors. The 13th Gate is currently in
The Daily Reveille
Opinion
page 12
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Ron Paul supports individual decision making policy After reading Chris Seemann’s column entitled “Ron Paul has devoted supporters, troubling policy,” I was troubled not by the policy, but by the gross misunderstanding of the policy that Seemann purported to detail. The problem with the Federal Food and Drug Administration is not the fact that it tests the quality of the food, drinks and other substances that we put into our bodies. The problem is that not only is it the
only agency given authority to do this — amounting to a monopoly — but also that it has the ability to forcibly impose its findings upon the public. The implication that without such agencies death and diseases would run rampant is a fallacy. Dr. Paul promotes the liberty of the people to find an agency, in a market of agencies, that serves them best and the freedom of the people to ignore the findings of such agencies if they choose to do so. This returns the ever feared monster of personal responsibility to the people. While this does require people to pay more attention to what they buy, it does not require each person to hire their own personal chemical testing lab.
The most recent example of this conflict is Dr. Paul’s support of those hoping to be able to buy and drink raw milk. These people are able to get an inexpensive — as opposed to cheap — product that they believe provides more nutrition than processed milk, which comes from the big, bad corporate world and its vast lobbying capability. While the FDA opposes this practice because of the increased risk of diseases present in the milk, and they used the congressional power of regulating interstate commerce to curtail the industry, this is not a decision for the agency to make. It is the prerogative of individuals to decide what to put in their bodies. Does it seem so farfetched that if people
did die so often from the rampant diseases apparently present in this allegedly dangerous product, the people would stop drinking it? Or, God forbid, develop a way of providing the desired nutrition with reduced chances of disease? It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, but the stifling regulations, standards and other impositions of the federal government take away the ability to take risks. They make it a crime to make an informed decision because you could possibly be wrong. Why should we accept the tyranny that we threw off simply because it waves Old Glory? There was a time before everyone blamed others for their poor habits and before everyone depended on
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
the government to tell them what to eat, do, say or think. That is the policy that Ron Paul supports, a policy of allowing people to make their own decisions and take responsibility for those decisions. He doesn’t want to return us to the industrial revolution’s abuses, he wants to return to the mentality of “I can” over “we can.” He wants to “Restore America Now.” Ron Paul for President 2012.
Alex Braud History and political science junior
Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
A BETTER PILL TO SWALLOW
Bike laws inadequate, don’t protect cyclists and motorists Few experiences are so terrifying and surreal — yet so absolutely ordinary — as riding a bicycle down Highland Road to campus. Perhaps I never got desensitized to the idea of cars zipping by, inches away from my body. Or maybe I wasn’t fond of the pocket of fast air such motion creates, that momentary pressure drop that always seemed intent on playfully whisking me into the adjacent vehicle. Turn the tables, and the situation does not grow any brighter. I’ve been on packed Tiger Trails buses as they’ve veered into oncoming lanes, intent on bypassing cyclists or traffic obstacles — only to see every car behind us risking the same maneuver. And when all is done, when everyone has reached his or her respective destination, you step back to realize that when such chaos occurs, no one wins. Everyone loses. But this is nothing you haven’t heard. It’s the same old show starring the same old actors — the frightened, agitated cyclists and the furious motorists — that has been playing out on the streets of Baton Rouge for years. Spearheaded by the deaths of dozens of cyclists over the past decade, the biking culture in Baton Rouge has taken the form of a grassroots revolution. Biking organizations such as Critical Mass and the Tiger Cycling Foundation have been successful in increasing the visibility of bikers in the Baton Rouge area, but the impetus for new legislation came after a tragic incident in 2008
that saw the death of Dr. Colin Goodier, a New Orleans surgical resident. “Louisiana 3 Feet,” signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal in 2009, was designed to give cyclists a three-foot zone of protection along Louisiana’s road systems. Motorists who violate this statute are subject to the same due process as any other traffic violator. For the majority of Baton Rouge’s roads, Chris Freyder streets and highways, this may Columnist be effective enough to prevent most collisions between cyclists and motorists, but for some parts of Baton Rouge, this is nothing more than a thin blanket of protection. I became privy to this revelation summer 2010, when I decided to use a bicycle as my main mode of transportation to campus. With no car at my disposal and only one active bus on my route, I viewed the one-mile expanse between my Highland Plantation Apartment and the South Gates as a trivial journey. How wrong I was. Too green and inexperienced to take to the streets, I settled for the side of the road. Unbeknownst to me at the time, that one-mile street is none other than a gauntlet of overgrown vegetation and steep gullies, literally carved out by previously passing cyclists.
The Daily Reveille Editorial Board
Matthew Jacobs Chris Branch Ryan Buxton Marissa Barrow Sydni Dunn Devin Graham
Editor-in-Chief Associate Managing Editor Associate Managing Editor Managing Editor, External Media News Editor Opinion Editor
Even worse, I later discovered taking to the sidewalk was an illegal action, according to Baton Rouge ordinances. So what choice was left? I could have endured the hazards of the road, pretending to be a car as instructed by state law, or I could be flying face-first into a drainage canal. Do you want the frying pan or the fryer — and fries with that? Needless to say, my bike has been chained up on the second floor banister of my apartment
complex, rotting away from disuse. It has been two years since Louisiana 3 Feet was passed, and Highland Road is a major thruway that needs updating. As the current laws stand, neither party is protected, as there are pockets in this city that are essentially death traps for cyclists and collision magnets for drivers. Paint a three-foot bike lane, expand the sidewalks to bikes, build a Jetson-esque hollow tube for speedy transit — I’m not partial to any particular solution.
But do what you have to do, Baton Rouge, because at the moment, our transportation infrastructure is looking rather ragged. Chris Freyder is a 21-year-old biological sciences senior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Cfreyder.
Contact Chris Freyder at cfreyder@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
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.
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
Quote of the Day “All I’m gonna do is just go on and do what I feel.”
Jimi Hendrix American musician Nov. 27, 1942 - Sept. 18, 1970
The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
SCUM OF THE GIRTH
Opinion
page 13
Chris Christie, Sarah Palin not fit for president Chris Christie is too fat, and effort to boost beach economy Sarah Palin is too dumb. during Labor Day weekend, he In case you were wondering, told the public to “get the hell on that’s why neither of them will be the beach.” He’s blunt and tells the Republican nominee for presi- people what they need to hear. dent this year. Having said that, Christie Recently, major news outdoes not stand a lets have been tossing around the chance. It’s too question of whether New Jersey late in the game, Gov. Chris Christie and former he doesn’t have Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will anenough money nounce their candidacies in the and he’s overcoming weeks. weight. By overChristie already announced weight, I mean repeatedly that he will not run for Parker Cramer he makes Rosie president until he is ready, while O’Donnell look Columnist Palin strings along the mass meanorexic. dia by neither affirming nor denyAmericans are shallow. ing her intention to run. Don’t argue. If you don’t believe If the Republicans want to me, ask the guys at the gym how win, these two should stay out of much money they spend on crethe way. atine and testosterone boosters. I rather like Christie. I know While you’re at it, ask them how he’s a Republican, but nobody is many hours they spend in front of perfect. When Hurricane Irene a mirror flexing their pharmaceuloomed over New Jersey, Chris- tically-enhanced masculinity. tie told people to “get the hell off The president is not only the the beach.” After the storm, in an leader of the American people, but
also a symbol of the United States seen by the rest of the world. A slim, fit politician is much more marketable than John Goodman’s long-lost twin. We are an image-obsessed country, and we won’t elect an overweight president any sooner than we would elect an ugly president. Christie could be the most successful governor in the history of New Jersey, but his size disqualifies him — it’s a shame, but it’s true. He has to meet Jenny Craig before he is ready to meet the nation’s voters. While Palin may not be overweight, she is neurologically bulimic. Imagine you got a job. You held that job for two years, during which you rarely showed up for work because you were incessantly seeking a better job. Time passes, you don’t get the better job, you quit your first job and somehow people still throw money at you.
This is the story of Sarah Palin. Elected mayor of a small town in Alaska, she went on to become governor in December 2006. When the GOP was searching for a vice presidential candidate to make them look as progressive as the Democrats who were running a black male for President, they found her — somehow. She spent a substantial amount of time as governor either pregnant and nursing her fifth child Trig or campaigning for vice president. After Obama won, it only took Palin a few months to resign her governorship, never having served a full term in office. She is clearly a mediocre employee at best. Yet, miraculously, she became a political authority overnight. This begs the question: How the hell — as Christie might put it — did you people almost elect this woman?
Palin’s rise to success is certain proof that life is not fair. Listen up, kids — you don’t have to be intelligent, you don’t have to work hard and you can quit on the people who elected you into office. As long as you are loud and crazy enough, John McCain will find you. When he does, he will make you so famous that your daughter will have a ghostwritten New York Times bestseller on being a teenage mother. Despite Palin’s popularity among a specific demographic and Christie’s political tact, both of them ought to stick to endorsing other candidates. Parker Cramer is a 20-yearold political science junior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_pcramer.
Contact Parker Cramer at pcramer@lsureveille.com
FAILURE OF DIPLOMACY
Occupy N.O. General Assembly shows promise but reveals flaws
Sunday, October 2. The sun rose high in the noon sky above Washington Square in New Orleans as a crowd started to gather. A diverse group, with men and women ranging from their early 20s to their 60s and from a handful of different political backgrounds, had soon asZachary Davis sembled in front of a small whiteColumnist board. While the nearly 100 members of the crowd may have each had their goals and agendas in mind, the movement, like the popular “Occupy Wall Street,” aimed to fight back against the flawed banking system. This is what I saw when I first arrived at the Occupy New Orleans General Assembly, and my expectations definitely soared. Having clamored for change for several years myself, it looked like this could be a legitimate chance to participate in an attempt at revolution. Perhaps my revolutionary daydreaming spoiled me. By the end of the meeting, my expectations weren’t quite met. Now, let me say I completely support the members of Occupy New Orleans and find their goals much in line with my own. Whatever my own personal disagreements with their methods may be, this is not meant to deter anyone from contributing to their cause, and I encourage everyone to join them in their struggle. For me, the two hours I spent
with them showed me how some of the greatest ideals simply don’t make for the most organized and effective cause. Not surprising, just like myself, many of these people were idealistic and outspoken — traits most would agree are perfect for helping to fight to change the system. Additionally, in an attempt to help get away from the few ruling over the many mentality the group itself intends to get rid of, there was no true leader to the assembly. While there may have been those helping to guide the protest, the event was organized with the idea of the majority being the deciding factor. The protesters’ aim was to make a true democracy, with no one person having the ability to do something “against the spirit of the movement.” Yet, as is often the case with many great ideals, actually implementing it was problematic. The assembly was constantly sidetracked from its discussion of the agenda, with people going off on tangents to discuss their own personal goals or what they believed to be the best way to go about something. While both of these topics are important, it ended up taking two hours to decide where the protest was going to start. Now, this is a movement in its infancy. Baby steps must be made before we can start making leaps and bounds. However, even after this becomes much more organized, the lack of a central leader or group seems problematic. While there may be problems
with having a designated leader in political movements — look at Lenin, Castro or countless others — it does help to focus the group. Ultimately, the differences between my own ideals and those of Occupy New Orleans are not too significant, and I’m sure more of my grievances will continue to disappear as the days go by. To the rest of you who feel like the system is in need of
change and want to try to make a difference, Occupy New Orleans has its first protest Thursday. With an estimated turnout of more than 2,500, the group plans to march from the intersection of Tulane and Broad to Lafayette Square before ultimately setting up base in Duncan Square. The country is certainly in need of a change, and while this may or may not be successful,
soon the voices will be too many to be ignored. Zachary Davis is a 20-yearold history junior from Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_zdavis.
Contact Zachary Davis at zdavis@lsureveille.com
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 PINK, from page 1
University Colorguard members twirled pink flags at halftime. University students also collected spare change at the student entrance to the game to support Quarters 4 Change, which donates its funds to Foundation 56. The foundation provides access to diagnostic testing, mammograms and social therapy programs, among other services. Emily Anthony, founder of Quarters 4 Change and elementary education senior, said she was pleased with the turnout of pink-clad fans and the $2,603.89 raised. Nikki Caldwell, women’s basketball head coach, is co-founder of the non-profit foundation Champions for a Cause, through which she and other motorcycle riders take an annual cross-country ride to raise funds for organizations that support the fight against breast
FACULTY, from page 1
Martin said. The University is also awaiting the governor’s Preliminary Executive Budget, which will be submitted 45 days before the legislative session — sometime during February — to see if the state is in the position for a pay raise, Droddy said. In terms of pay raises, the state refers to plumbers, electricians and administrative assistants who work on campus as “classified civil servants,” Droddy said. Classified employees haven’t received pay raises in two years, he added. University faculty are deemed unclassified employees, as are political employees who work in
cancer. Caldwell said “family, friends and former teammates affected” by breast cancer are her motivation. Caldwell said a “pink zone” women’s basketball game is in the works for February. The Delta Kappa chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha on campus supports breast cancer awareness and education as its national philanthropy each year. The group has a national partnership with Yoplait yogurt, which donates 10 cents per yogurt lid turned in up to $2 million. ZTA President Gina Mancuso said breast cancer is important to her chapter because “it’s something that affects all of us.” The chapter held its annual yogurt-eating contest, Pinktoberfest, on Sept. 28. The chapter’s second annual “casino night” fundraiser, Zeta Royale, is Sunday at the ZTA house. Mancuso said the chapter’s goal for the event is to meet or government bureaus, Droddy said. Thus, when the governor considers salary increases, University faculty members and professional staff are not considered because it appears that an “agency” can take care of them. It’s been four years since unclassified employees received a raise. Depending on the state’s budget shortfall, rumored to be near $1 billion, the feasibility of a pay raise will change, Droddy said. “It’s premature at this moment to say we’re going to give a pay raise,” he said. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said part of the reason why fewer people are entering academic careers is because while faculty
The Daily Reveille exceed last year’s earnings of $17,000. The Baton Rouge affiliate of Susan G. Komen is sponsoring a “Text for the Cure” campaign encouraging annual screenings, fundraising for local programs and support for survivors. Supporters can text codes to donate $5 or $10 to the Baton Rouge affiliate. Dewey-Kollen said the texting campaign is designed to show that “everyone can and needs to be a part of the search for the cure.” She said a $10 donation can pay for one-tenth of a mammogram for an uninsured or underinsured patient. The local chapter also encourages businesses to donate $250 to become an official “Pinkout” location and decorate their facades and windows in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. DeweyKollen said more than 100 locations are already participating, and workloads are increasing, pay is not, and society does not seem willing to reward educators. Cope said one step the University can take is to amplify its academic presence at the legislature and talk to legislators about the work happening at the University. Faculty fair pay, benefit protection and shared governance are three of the pillars of LSUnited, the University’s faculty union. Michael Russo, LSUnited spokesman, said part of its goal is to make faculty voices heard from the state Capitol, where the authority on such matters lies. Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com
page 15 sign-ups continue throughout October. Baton Rouge General’s Pennington Cancer Center and WAFB are joining forces to sponsor an awareness campaign called “Tag! You’re It!,” which sends participants text-message reminders about annual evaluations and monthly self-exams. Participants are also asked to pass the opportunity along to friends, family and neighbors, similar to a game of tag. Barnes and Noble College has pledged $1 to Young Survival Coalition up to $10,000 for each person who uses its pink ribbon as his or her Facebook profile picture and comments on its wall during the month of October. Young Survival Coalition is
an organization that works to provide support, research and information to young women with breast cancer. Reginelli’s Pizzeria has offered to donate 10 percent of sales Oct. 19 to breast cancer awareness efforts if customers say, “Give it to the girls.” Ten Papa Murphy’s locations will donate 25 cents per pizza sold in October to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Ambrosia Bakery, Oscar’s Ice Cream and Pizza Joint and Sweet Wishes Cupcakes also feature special “pink” menu items and will donate to the battle against cancer. Contact Catherine Parsiola at cparsiola@lsureveille.com
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The Daily Reveille
Tuesday, October 4, 2011