The Daily Reveille - Nov. 9, 2011

UREC: Proposed facility expansion could increase student fees, p. 3

Football: Punt coverage team puts up impressive numbers, p. 7

Reveille The Daily

Opinion: Penn. State scandal mars college football, p. 8

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 • Volume 116, Issue 55

www.lsureveille.com

How safe is LSU?

ADMINISTRATION

Program merger may create new college

Other SEC schools report similar patrol sizes but more violations

Brian Sibille Staff Writer

The LSU Police Department’s patrol division is comparable in number to most similar-sized Southeastern Conference institutions, but the number of violations vary at different schools — and LSUPD’s reported numbers were among the lowest.

Daily LSUPD designates about 30 of its 70 Reveille officers as patrol officers, said Capt. Cory Special Lalonde, LSUPD spokesman. Around six Report to 10 officers are on patrol at any time, and the same number of LSUPD’s 24 police cruisers are in use.

Lalonde said LSUPD’s jurisdiction includes the general campus as well as any property owned by the University and any street that borders University property. LSUPD has statewide jurisdiction over any investigation that begins on campus.

Number of reported incidents at SEC schools in 2010

including arrests and non-arrests

CRIME, see page 6

Patrol sizes

64

for schools comparable to LSU in size 45 35

30

33

30

Liquor

Drug

LSU:

102

54

Ole Miss:

10

68

Tennessee:

530

83

Georgia:

220

92

Florida:

364

59

Alabama:

533

217

Liquor violations do not include DWIs or public drunkenness.

LSU

Ole Miss Tennessee

Georgia

Florida

Alabama

graphic by STEPHANIE GIGLIO / The Daily Reveille

Source: SEC schools’ police dept. reports CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille

Proposal submitted to Board of Sups Andrea Gallo Staff Writer

Students will be part of a new College of Human Sciences and Education next year if the LSU Board of Supervisors approves a proposal finalized Tuesday to merge six schools.

The merger among six programs was announced by the administration in September as a way to group schools and colleges currently rocky from budget cuts into one college. The University’s budget committee recommended the merger of the programs that will, if approved by the board, be called the College of Human Sciences and Education.

“The possibility of elimination of realignment of the Schools of Social Work and Library and Information Science has been on the table for more than a decade,” the proposal MERGER, see page 6

POLITICS

Miss. voters reject amendment stating life begins at conception More than 55 percent vote no

The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi voters defeated a ballot initiative Tuesday that would have declared life begins at conception, a proposal that supporters sought in the Bible Belt state as a way to prompt a legal challenge to abortion rights nationwide.

The so-called “personhood” initiative was rejected by more than 55 percent of voters, falling far short of the threshold needed for it to be enacted. If it had passed, it was virtually assured of drawing legal challenges because it conflicts with the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade

decision that established a legal right to abortion. Supporters of the initiative wanted to provoke a lawsuit to challenge the landmark ruling.

The measure divided the medical and religious communities and caused some of the most ardent abortion opponents, including Republican Gov. Haley Barbour, to waver with their support.

Opponents said the measure would have made birth control, such as the morning-after pill or the intrauterine device, illegal — and that it would have deterred physicians from performing in vitro fertilization because they would fear criminal charges if an embryo doesn’t survive.

Supporters were trying to impose their religious beliefs on others VOTE, see page 6

photos by BRUCE NEWMAN / The Associated Press

[Left] Amendment 26 supporter Sandy Comer puts out a sign Tuesday in Oxford, Miss. [Right] Ann Fisher-Wirth, Carley Dunavet and Jill Stevens protest Amendment 26, which would declare life begins at fertilization. The amendment failed in Tuesday’s vote.

The Daily Reveille

page 2

INTERNATIONAL

Nation & World

NATIONAL

Russia launches unmanned probe to sample soil on Mars moon MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has launched an unmanned probe on a daring mission to reach Phobos, a moon of Mars, and to fly samples of its soil back to Earth.

The Phobos-Grunt (Phobos-Soil) craft was successfully launched by a Zenit-2 booster rocket at 12:16 a.m. Moscow time Wednesday (20:16 GMT Tuesday) from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

British stunt pilot dies after being ejected from grounded plane LONDON (AP) — A stunt pilot with the British military’s Red Arrows aerobatic display team died Tuesday after being ejected from his aircraft while it was on the ground.

The Royal Air Force released few other details, saying an investigation had been opened.

The aviator’s name was not released, although Group Cpt. Simon Blake said family members had been informed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot’s family and friends at this difficult time,” he said in a brief statement.

The pilot is the second from the nine-member stunt team to die within three months.

computer-generated 3-D images that will “put guests under water with the animals into an amazing journey into their lives,” park president Terry Prather said.

Detroit 9-year-old testifies to being drunk dad’s designated driver

JOHN RAOUX / The Associated Press

SeaWorld Orlando executives talk about a new attraction: Antarctica, Empire of the Penguin. The exhibit will be added to the Orlando, Fla. theme park in spring 2013.

SeaWorld Orlando announces new penguin and sea turtle attractions ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — SeaWorld Orlando announced Tuesday the most ambitious expansion in the nearly 40-year history of the theme park, including a sea turtle exhibit with a domed 3-D theater and an immersive penguin experience that promises to drop guests down in the middle of frigid Antarctica.

“TurtleTrek,” with huge tanks of live sea turtles and manatees, will feature a firstof-its-kind domed theater with

WOODHAVEN, Mich. (AP) — A 9-year-old girl cried Tuesday as she explained how she drove a fullsize van in suburban Detroit while her father sat in the passenger seat after a night of drinking whiskey.

The girl said her dad, Shawn Weimer, asked her if she wanted to drive in the wee hours of Oct. 8.

Weimer, 39, was charged with child abuse after police in Brownstown Township stopped the van and found the girl behind the wheel. A judge will decide Nov. 15 whether he will stand trial. His daughter testified that he drank half of a bottle of whiskey and threw the rest away earlier that night.

“Was your dad drunk?” assistant prosecutor Keisha Glenn asked.

“He told me he was,” the girl replied.

The judge listened to a 911 call and also watched a portion of a surveillance video from a gas station where Weimer bragged about his daughter’s driving skills while she munched on a candy apple.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

STATE/LOCAL

Alabama senators lose bet, wear purple and gold ties in chamber BIRMINGHAM (AP) — Alabama’s two U.S. senators kept their bet with Louisiana’s senators and wore purple ties in the U.S. Senate chamber.

The senators had a bet on Saturday’s LSU-Alabama football game, with the losers having to wear the other team’s colors on the Senate floor.

Sen. Richard Shelby, who lives in Tuscaloosa, says he’d never worn a purple tie before.

13 suspects charged with plotting to distribute heroin in N.O., Houston NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Thirteen men have been indicted on federal drug charges for their roles in an alleged plot to distribute heroin in the New Orleans and Houston areas.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten in New Orleans said 10 of the suspects charged in a 27-count indictment were arrested Tuesday, while the other three remained at large.

Letten says federal, state and local authorities seized more than one kilogram of heroin during an undercover probe that included wiretaps of the suspects’ telephones.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today on lsureveille.com Upload your pictures from homecoming, Can-a-palooza, Splatterbeat and other LSU events with Tiger Eyes at photos.lsureveille.com.

Read a recap of this week’s episode of Glee on the LMFAO Entertainment Blog.

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Weather TODAY Warm & Rainy

81 59 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

79 49

61 39

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

62 41

65 50

BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille

Crops planted by Organic Gardening students at the beginning of the semester are almost ready to be harvested by the class.

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

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

UREC

page 3

Potential UREC expansion could raise fees to $200 per semester

While the cost of the expanThe current UREC Student Recreation Complex was designed sion has not been completely dein the ’80s and was completed in termined, Braden said current esti1992. The indoor recreation space mates reach as far as $81.5 million.

The time of completion for is about 120,000 square feet, which equals 4 square feet per student at such a project is also difficult to Kate Mabry determine, she said. the University.

Staff Writer “As a very rough estimated The average amount of space time table, it After recent discussions be- at other narecretween LSU University Recreation tional How does this affect you? could be 12 to 18 months before a and Student Government, students ation centers • Current UREC fee: $65 per project is started, could see a fee increase if a resolu- equal about 9 semester and then if phastion to expand the UREC facilities square feet per student, and is created and passed.

• Recommended fee increase: $45 ing were utilized, UREC Director Laurie Braden regional peers fee increase each year for the next each phase could take between to said she is interested in hearing measure three years, finally capping at 12 to 36 months feedback from students on the idea about 10 square $200 per semester. depending on to expand the UREC facilities, feet. Within the the scope of the which continue to experience high state, the averstudent demand, for an additional age facility offers 8 square feet per phase,” Braden said.

But while the center itself is student, nearly double the Univerfee. outdated, Braden said the equipThe current UREC fee for a sity’s allotment.

The University of South Car- ment and programs within the full-time student is $65 each semester. If the expansion were ap- olina leads the race in serious fa- UREC are up to speed.

“Through operational savings proved, Braden said one possible cilities with almost 14 square feet scenario would include a $45 fee per student, while Auburn, which in the last year we have added or increase each year for the next is undergoing renovations, will replaced $100,000 worth of cardio three years, which would eventu- follow closely behind with 13.5 bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, rowers and step machines,” Braden ally add up to and cap at a $200 fee square feet by 2013.

“Data shows that we are not said. “In December of this year, we per semester, Braden said.

According to Braden, the fee where our peers are,” Braden said. are looking to replace the outdated should not exceed $200 each se- “The question we should be asking weight equipment and entry floormester. At Auburn University, the is, ‘Do you think LSU students in ing in the fitness and weight room at UREC.” recreation center fee is $150 this the future deserve more?’”

If the project were approved, semester but will increase to $200 Braden estimates the improvein the fall of 2012.

Contact Kate Mabry at Braden sent out a broadcast ments would place the University e-mail Tuesday with a link to a next to Auburn’s and South Carokmabry@lsureveille.com survey asking students about their lina’s centers. In addition, student thoughts on the project. The survey jobs on campus would double.

If permitted, Braden said the will close on Nov. 14, and on Nov. 16, SG will consider the results expansion plan would contain three phases. of the survey The first phase at its weekly Potential new features in includes the addition meeting, as the survey relates UREC’s proposed expansion: of more fields and the construction of a leito resolutions • Gym space expanded from sure pool and an outfor moving fordoor adventure cenward with the 31,605 to 78,167 square ft. ter. The second phase expansion proj- • Multipurpose rooms for group exercise expanded from 6,850 to includes the expanect. sion of the main recSG Senate 20,350 square ft. reation center, and the Speaker Aaron • 250 additional X-lot parking third phase includes Caffarel said spaces improving the locker the Senate will rooms and restroom discuss the recommended student fee approved facilities as well as adding “green”

by Braden if students are in favor features throughout the center, she of the idea of expansion. If stu- said. dents are not in favor, the Senate will weigh three less costly design options and see what can be done.

SG President Cody Wells said the UREC has been asking for a similar student fee since 2002 to improve the facilities. Wells said he hopes the project will be approved this year in order to allow construction to begin as soon as possible.

Braden said there is no official starting date scheduled for design decisions or construction since the project is still in the idea phase.

“This project is up to students,” she said. “When students are ready to do this, it will begin.

Students will drive and decide the level and scope of the project.”

Braden also said students who pay the proposed fee to expand the center will be able to use the facilities as alumni for as many semesters as they paid for it.

SG to consider results of student survey

ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille

The entrance to the UREC Student Recreation Complex was under construction Aug. 18. The facility may expand, which could possibly increase student fees.

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The Daily Reveille

HEALTH

SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Pharmacies, students Law schools trending toward affected by national checking applicants on Internet LSU denies using Adderall shortage No predicted end, prices go up

Morgan Searles Staff Writer

A nationwide shortage of Adderall, a drug commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has left local pharmacies with few options to fill customer orders.

Cheryl Bourg, a pharmacist with the University Student Health Center, said Adderall’s raw ingredients are currently unavailable and are restricted by the federal government.

“For each narcotic, only a certain quantity can be produced in a year,” Bourg said. “That’s why toward the end of the year there are these shortages.”

Bourg said many students who normally get medication elsewhere have been calling the Health Center to find availability for the drug.

“I’m surprised personally how many students use Adderall,” she said. “It’s a lot more than I had anticipated.”

Bourg declined to comment as to whether the Health Center currently has Adderall tablets in stock.

Mike Anding, a pharmacist with Central Drug Store on Hooper Road, said they have been experiencing effects of the shortage like everybody else.

Anding said ADHD medication in the tablet form is depleted, and more expensive capsules are still available to consumers but in low supply.

“Manufacturers tell you what they want to tell you,” he said.

“Any ideas I have are pure conjecture. There was a big price increase before it went short, and we can probably look for another increase when or if they come back out.”

Bourg said the Health Center does not ever carry Adderall capsules, which last longer than tablets.

A global specialty biopharmaceutical company called Shire manufactures Adderall, among other medications.

Shire cites the shortage to active pharmaceutical ingredient supply issues and uneven product distribution patterns as the reason for the shortage, according to the Food and Drug Administration website.

Teva Pharmaceuticals and Global Pharmaceuticals — companies that manufacture other brands of amphetamine mixed salts — list “[active pharmaceutical ingredient] supply issues” and “inadequate finished product supply to support current market demand,” respectively, as reasons

for the current drug shortage.

Benjamin Cornwell, assistant dean of students and director of Disability Services, said the shortage has been affecting students for a couple of months, but many students who require services already have accommodations in place.

“It’s a little bit scary for a student who can’t get medication,” he said. “They can go through withdrawal or have to ration the dosage. It can throw mood and attitude out of whack and sleeping and eating patterns out of whack.”

Cornwell said accommodations vary on a case-by-case basis, but commonly include extended time on tests, a stress-reducing environment for taking tests and assistance with class notes.

“I’ve had a couple students comment to me about having problems getting meds,” he said.

“Many already have accommodations in place, but if they’re not registered they have to start the process. But so far we have not had anybody make special requests.”

Margeaux Marks, computer science freshman, said she had heard about the shortage and was worried she wouldn’t be able to get her prescription filled.

“If I couldn’t get it, I would be screwed,” she said. “I definitely would not have been able to function at school or even wake up for classes.”

Marks said she called a Walgreens pharmacy and didn’t have any problem getting medicine because she takes the capsules, not the tablets.

Anding said he is recommending customers convert to the capsules form of Adderall even though they are more expensive.

“It’s price prohibitive for some people,” he said. “Capsules are hundreds of dollars and tablets are far less than that. Some people have to rearrange incomes because these medications have gone up and a lot of them need it to function at their jobs.”

Contact Morgan Searles at msearles@lsureveille.com

Google searches Andrea Gallo Staff Writer

Kaplan Test Prep recently released a survey that reported 41 percent of law admissions officers run Google searches on their applicants and 37 percent of law admissions officers check applicants’ Facebook pages or social media sites.

The Paul M. Hebert Law Center is not included in those results, according to Jake Henry, director of admissions.

Henry, who came to the Law Center in January, said the admissions officers do not search for extra information on applicants, but if a red flag were to arise, they would consider using Google. He said in his time at the Law Center, they have not searched for applicants.

Henry said he’s unsure if the Law Center would switch to a policy where admissions officers would use the Internet for resources on applicants, but that policy change would have to be set by the Faculty Admissions Committee and approved by the chancellor.

The Law Center’s application asks prospective students about

their backgrounds and requests up applicants is because most they explain past behaviors as part admissions officers do not interof their application. That informa- view their applicants, but because tion, though, may not always be of the competitive nature of law intact or complete, Henry said, school, there is a need for more inwhich is where an admissions of- formation than applicants provide ficer would turn in their files. toward searching “There is ofan applicant. ten a need to try “The apto get information plicants to law about those last school are trying few candidates to to enter a professee who earns the sion where honseats,” he said. esty and integrity Both Henare the pillars of ry and Thomas the profession,” urged students to Henry said. “We be vigilant about Jake Henry would expect that director of admissions at LSU anything they post all of our applionline, not only Law School cants understand for law school adthe magnitude of the profession missions but also for future jobs. that they’re entering. And there“[Your online footprint] goes fore, we’re expecting them to be past applying to law school,” honest and upfront about every- Henry said. “A lot of young stuthing they disclose in their appli- dents don’t realize that once you cation.” place something on the Internet, Jeff Thomas, director of pre- it’s there forever.” law programs at Kaplan, said Thomas said Google-searchhigher ethical standard is one of ing applicants and checking Facethe reasons more admissions of- book profiles are an “emerging ficers are turning to Google and wildcard in the admissions proFacebook searches. cess,” and he anticipates this trend “We want to make sure that to become the norm, much like the people who are going to be the checking a credit score. stewards of the law moving forward ... are folks that are respectful of the law,” he said.

Contact Andrea Gallo at Thomas said another reason admissions officers are looking agallo@lsureveille.com

‘‘

‘We’re expecting them to be honest and upfront about everything they disclose in their application.’

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

ACADEMICS

Students challenge Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering merger Andrea Gallo Staff Writer

Students are challenging the merits of the University’s anticipated merger between the departments of Computer Science, under the College of Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering, under the College of Engineering.

The proposed merger, announced in September, would consolidate Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering into one not-yet-named program under the College of Engineering.

The University chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery surveyed more than 45 students in the Computer Science Department about the merger.

Thirty-four of those students said they were against realigning the programs, and 11 students said they were in favor of consolidating. That means 75 percent of students voted against consolidating and 25 percent of students voted for it.

The results of the survey state the main reason most students voted against the merger is because while there is overlap between the departments, they are two distinct subject areas.

“There’s overlap between library science and computer science, math and computer science — that’s not a reason to [merge the programs],” said McKendon Lafleur, computer science senior.

Computer science students are also worried about the Department of Computer Science losing

its ranking as one of the country’s top 30 programs if it’s merged with another program, the survey said.

Andre Wiggins, computer science junior and vice president of the Association of Computing Machinery, said a merged department could turn away prospective students who do not recognize the prestige of the program, especially because the University of Louisiana at Lafayette also has a top computer science program only one hour away.

“In all these merger talks, there really hasn’t been much student voice,” Wiggins said.

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton said the purpose of the merger is to bring stability to these two departments, but Wiggins and Lafleur said the merger will miss the mark.

“If this merger were formed, there’d probably be a lot of disgruntled faculty, which doesn’t provide stability,” Wiggins said.

Lafleur said he disagrees with the merger being pushed on faculty and students from the top-down, instead of it being student- or faculty-driven.

“I worry that because this was forced upon them, we’ll lose faculty,” he said.

Wiggins and Lafleur also said they do not want overlapping classes in separate departments to be combined into one.

“Just because they talk about the same topic isn’t a reason to smash them together,” Wiggins said.

Group members sent their findings to the chancellor, the

provost, the department heads and the deans of both colleges. Chancellor Michael Martin responded to the findings by giving examples of successful joint departments at universities throughout the country, like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University and the University of California at Berkeley, among others.

These merged departments have prominent computer science programs, Martin wrote, which means students should not think their ranking will be “adversely affected” by the merger.

“A strong computer science program will be well ranked no matter the name or configuration of the unit in which it resides,” Martin wrote. “Sometimes, however, we must make change as part of our University-wide commitment to excellence despite the objections or concerns of a single unit.”

While proposals have been finalized for another larger University merger between several schools and programs, Hamilton said he, the deans and the faculty involved in this merger are still trying to craft a plan. Hamilton said there have been various drafts, but there now needs to be a single draft.

Once a plan for this merger is finalized, Hamilton said it will go to the LSU System Board of Supervisors for approval.

Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com

Time for us to stop monkeying around

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page 5

The Daily Reveille

page 6 MERGER, from page 1

states. “Placement in a larger structure will stabilize these units and give their faculty access to resources and services not currently available to them without substantial investment of funds.”

After meetings among deans, department chairs, faculty members and administrators to determine the college’s makeup, the College of Human Sciences and Education will use teaching, research and service to promote development in cognitive, social, emotional, communicative and physical circles, according to its mission statement.

Students were not included in the discussions that led to this proposal but may have been contacted by individual professors, faculty members and deans, Vice Provost for Human Resources and Facilities Management Jane Cassidy said.

Stephanie Burden, graduate student in the School of Social Work, said she has only heard positive outlooks on the merger, and as long as the School of Social Work still offers an accredited Masters of Social Work, the merger does not worry her.

Robert Bostick, human resource education senior, College said he was always if Human names, if unsure Resource Education approved: should fit under the College of Agricul• The School of ture, so realigning Education the program makes • The School sense even though of Human the College of Agriculture is a helpful Resource senior college.

Education “It’s kind of and Workforce mixed feelings,” Development Bostick said. “I • The School of think the College of Kinesiology Agriculture is great • The School for helping students of Library and out. ... From everyInformation thing I’ve heard, I wouldn’t necesScience sarily say there’s • University a worse part. EvLaboratory erything profesSchool sors have told us is that we won’t even know anything has changed.”

Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton said the School of Social Work will become stronger because it will now offer a bachelor’s degree in child and family studies. “[The college will] be able to make a strong case that it helps the people in the state every day because it deals with issues that relate to the daily lives of people,” Hamilton said.

The joint budget for the merged colleges, excluding the University Laboratory School, is $11,463,392, according to the proposal. The proposal states the University anticipates spending $25,000 for new printed materials and updated websites, but those costs can be covered through “coordinating requests and existing budget allocations.”

Hamilton said if the Board of Supervisors approves these merger plans, the University will start a search for a dean.

“One of the advantages of sending it in now is the sooner we get it approved, the sooner we can search for a dean,” Hamilton said.

Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com

CRIME, from page 1

Patrol sizes at the University of Mississippi and the University of Georgia are similar to LSUPD. Ole Miss has an average of six of its 35 patrol officers overseeing campus at any given time, said Capt. Michael Harman of the Ole Miss University Police Department. Georgia typically has six to eight officers on patrol at one time, but the number can increase to 18 on weekends, according to UGA Police Lt. Eric Dellinger.

But at the University of Tennessee, only three officers are required to be on patrol at any given time, though the number can reach six or seven, said Lt. Emily Simerly with UT Police.

The University of Florida patrol officers number about 12 at a time, said UF police officer Gregory Castronover. UF has the highest number of employed patrol officers at 64.

The University of Alabama employs 30 patrol officers but could not say how many officers monitor the campus on average because of safety reasons, said Cathy Andreen, director of media relations at Alabama.

The public has a way of evaluating these patrol departments through the Clery Act, a national requirement for all university police forces to report annual crime statistics. The Clery Act requires the reporting of campus crimes in different categories, including liquor- and drug-related incidents.

These incidents include reported instances involving both arrests and non-arrests.

Liquor law violations, not including DWIs and public intoxication, vary drastically at different universities.

LSUPD reported more than 100 liquor-related violations in 2010, but schools like UT and Alabama reported higher violation numbers at 530 and 533, respectively.

Other schools that reported higher numbers of liquor law violations than LSU include Florida and Georgia. Ole Miss only reported 10 violations in 2010.

UT, Alabama and Georgia also reported significantly more drug violations than LSU at 83, 217 and 92, respectively. LSUPD only reported 54 incidents.

These differences in numbers of incidents handled by police may not be a reflection of the efficiency of patrol departments, Lalonde said. He said Clery Act statistics do provide a glimpse into the state of crime on campus, but it does not cover everything.

When looking at the difference in violation numbers, Lalonde said it’s important to consider the variance of laws in different states.

“The Clery Act definitions and criteria are based on a national standard,” Lalonde said. “But states have different laws.”

He said Tennessee and Alabama may have higher numbers of violations not because their patrolling officers are more proactive than LSUPD officers but because the states’ liquor laws differ from Louisiana’s.

He said other university police departments have different priorities for crime enforcement.

For instance, the number of

DWIs sometimes decreases in the fall semester because officers are handling home football games and other events that cause a rise in public need, and they do not have time set aside to solely pursue DWIs, Lalonde said.

Most metro and state police forces have officers whose job is to actively pursue drunk drivers, but the University does not.

Lalonde said LSUPD officers are always proactive in stopping drunk drivers, but they are able to be more proactive when school is out and football season has ended.

“We’re focusing on trends,” Lalonde said. “Trends are different at every school.”

Contact Brian Sibille at bsibille@lsureveille.com

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 VOTE, from page 1 by forcing women to carry unwanted pregnancies, including those caused by rape or incest, opponents said.

Amy Brunson voted against the measure, in part because she has been raped. She also has friends and family that had children through in vitro fertilization, and she worried the initiative would end that process.

“There are circumstances beyond everybody’s control that can’t be regulated through an amendment,” said Brunson.

Hubert Hoover, a cabinet maker and construction worker, voted for the amendment.

“I figure you can’t be half for something, so if you’re against abortion you should be for this. You’ve either got to be wholly for something or wholly against it,” said Hoover.

Specifically, the proposed state constitutional amendment defined a person “to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.”

Mississippi already has tough abortion regulations and only one clinic where the procedures are performed, making it a fitting venue for a national movement to work abortion bans into state constitutions.

The state also already requires parental or judicial consent for any minor to get an abortion, mandatory in-person counseling and a 24-hour wait before any woman can terminate a pregnancy.

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

Sports

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

page 5

FOOTBALL

Reid named nat’l player of the week Staff Reports

GOT IT

COVERED

ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille

LSU freshman punter Brad Wing kicks the ball Oct. 8 during the Tigers’ 41-11 win against Florida. Wing and the punt coverage team have allowed only 11 returns this season.

Coverage team allows only .69 average yards per return on punts this season

Albert Burford

Sports Contributor

It’s no secret that redshirt freshman Brad Wing is talented. The amiable punter is often the subject of praise and receives more press as a punter than some quarterbacks.

But Wing, who launched a 73-yard punt against Alabama, can’t do his job alone.

Although they rarely see the spotlight for their efforts, Wing’s punt coverage teammates sprint downfield and down the football dangerously close to their opponents’ end zone

with astounding consistency.

LSU adversaries have only had the guts to return 11 punts against the brutal LSU coverage team. On those 11 returns, opponents have totaled seven return yards, for an average of .69 yards per return.

“We talk about it as a coverage unit,” said senior cornerback Ron Brooks, a member of the punt team. “That’s unheard of. That just goes to show how good of a job Brad does punting and how fast our gunners are able to get down there and down the ball.”

The combination of the speed of the punt

coverage unit, which includes Brooks, sophomore safety Craig Loston and sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, with a Southeastern Conference-leading 40.7 net yards per punt average creates a scary situation for any opponent.

Against Alabama, the Tigers’ coverage team brought their ‘A’ game.

“The teams were evenly matched, and everyone knew special teams would play a big role in this game,” Wing said.

COVERAGE, see page 10

Sophomore safety Eric Reid was named the Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday for his performance in Saturday’s 9-6 LSU win at Alabama.

Reid, who was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter, snagging the ball away from junior tight end Michael Williams at LSU’s Reid 1-yard line on a trick pass from Crimson Tide senior wide receiver Marquis Maze.

The sophomore safety also added six tackles, one for a loss, and forced a fumble.

The six points scored Saturday

by Alabama were the lowest total for the Crimson Tide under coach Nick Saban.

Reid is second on the Tigers in total tackles with 49, behind fellow safety, sophomore Brandon Taylor, who has 53 total tackles. Reid, who has started all nine games, leads the Tigers with 34 solo tackles.

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

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Tigers ready for on-campus doubleheader Saturday

Chris Abshire Sports Writer

When the LSU basketball team takes the floor Saturday for its first game of the year, the Tigers won’t just be opening their season — they’ll be the opening act for an LSU sports doubleheader.

LSU’s noon tipoff against Nicholls State will be followed by the Tiger football team’s homecoming tilt with Western Kentucky at 6 p.m.

It’s just the second time in the history of the programs the basketball and football teams will play at home on the same day, and it’s the first premeditated doubleheader.

In 2008, LSU played its season opener against Jackson State on the same day the football team narrowly defeated Troy.

But Hurricane Gustav wreaked havoc on LSU’s football schedule that season, and the

doubleheader was an accidental consequence of the changes, as the Jackson State game was originally slated on football’s open date.

According to Kent Lowe, LSU’s senior associate sports information director, the twin bill was more of a necessity than a conscious effort, but he said the extra fans on campus could only be an added benefit to the home crowd.

“With [home] volleyball matches on Friday and Sunday and the fact we need to play this game before we head out on the road Tuesday, we almost had no choice but to play it [Saturday],” Lowe said. “Certainly, if the fans like what they see, it could boost attendance down the road.”

Admission to the game is free.

According to the LSU Athletic Department, the 2008 double feature drew about 5,000 fans, but admission to the game wasn’t

free, and the Troy game kicked off an hour later than the Western Kentucky game will.

With notoriously low attendance for LSU basketball in recent seasons, junior center Justin Hamilton said he hopes the team can perform well enough to keep fans excited for this season.

“We really want to show people how we’ve progressed,” Hamilton said. “The atmosphere on this campus for football is legendary. I think we all are excited and hoping that carries over.”

Sophomore guard Ralston Turner, LSU’s leading scorer last season, said he expects a boost from the usually-subdued PMAC crowd.

“We’re all excited. It should be an eventful day,” Turner said.

“I think there’ll be some rowdy fans ready for us. Either way, it’ll be a plus having that atmosphere around the campus all weekend.”

OPENER, see page 10

BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille

LSU sophomore guard Ralston Turner (22) evades a defender Nov. 12, 2010, during the Tigers’ 87-78 home victory against Northwestern State in the 2010 season opener.

page 8

BODY SHOTS

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Penn State scandal shakes college football to the core BODY SHOTS ROB LANDRY Sports columnist College football is a sport marred by cheating, scandal and egregious improprieties.

Recruiting scandals, improper benefits, free cars, free tattoos and anything under the sun have become a staple of the college game.

It’s so accepted that fans and, in some cases, administrators turn a blind eye to missteps if it will give their program a leg up between the white lines.

The smudge left on a program’s reputation for cheating is nothing more than a black eye. It looks ugly for a short period of time, but soon the damage will heal and there will be no visible mark of the transgression.

But the allegations of sexual misconduct with minors by former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky cross into new territory.

Currently, nine victims have claimed he inappropriately touched or had sexual relations with them as young boys. The charges against Sandusky are twisted and perverted.

But most of all, they’re damning.

They’re damning for Sandusky’s life. He hasn’t been convicted, but his name has been permanently and irrevocably tarnished.

Child molesters don’t get a second chance in the court of public opinion. He will forever be a pedophile and a sick man.

If he is convicted, all of those descriptions of him will be appropriate and warranted. He will deserve all the ridicule he’ll receive.

There is no place for sympathy for someone who knowingly took advantage of underprivileged children for their own disgusting sexual urges.

But either way, Sandusky’s name will always be associated with this horrific scandal.

This incident is also damning for the Penn State football program.

How can any parent trust a Penn State coach that comes into their living room and says they will take care of their son for the next four years of his life?

In fact, those dominoes are already starting to fall.

Noah Spence, the No. 1 rated defensive end recruit in the nation and Pennsylvania native tweeted yesterday, “Um PSU might be a no no for me ewwww.”

Rival coaches will have a field day using this against Penn State when they’re going head-to-head for a top-notch recruit.

Once the best talent begins going elsewhere, the Nittany Lion faithful won’t want to support a lower-tier football program with the stain of indignity plastered at every corner.

Penn State is a prideful program with a great history, but this could set it back indefinitely.

And, most upsetting of all, this disgrace will be damning for the career and legacy of Penn State coach Joe Paterno.

Paterno, who has been the head man in Happy Valley for 46 seasons, has always been the symbol

MATT ROURKE / The Associated Press

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno’s support among the Penn State board of trustees was described as “eroding” Tuesday, threatening to end his career.

on campus, and the campus library of all that was right with sport.

When college football seemed was named in their honor after they to be corrupt at every corner, Pater- helped raise $13.5 million for exno was the beacon of light that still pansions – he will not be able to stood for all that was good about the survive this bombshell.

Paterno reported Sandusky’s game.

People hinted for years the abominable acts, but the grand game had passed him by and he jury testimony paints a picture that should retire. They said he was shows Paterno as a conscientious objector to the ennothing more than tire ordeal. He did a figurehead for the JOE PATERNO: the bare minimum program and did lit- - 84 years old to appease the legal tle, if any, real coach- - Years at Penn State: 62 aspect, but he iging.

- Years as head coach: 44 nored every moral Paterno never fiber in his body by flinched at the nay- - Winning seasons: 39 not doing more. sayers and continued - Bowl record: 24-12-1 This is a man his historic journey, - Coaching record: 409-136-3 who has preached which included two - 5-time Coach of the Year for decades how national championships and three Big 10 titles, the last helping kids is his life and how coming in 2005. He passed legend- much each kid means to him. But ary Grambling State coach Eddie when helping children in need had Robinson for the lead in all-time dire consequences for a colleague wins by any Division I head coach and friend of his, Paterno passed the buck. just two weeks ago.

There are few things more upDespite the laundry list of accomplishments and philanthropic setting than seeing a legend of the deeds done by Paterno – he and game hang on past his prime and his family have donated more than whittle away in mediocrity.

This is one of those moments. $4 million to different departments

Expires 12/1/11.

PLU # 000

Paterno has been in the game more than half a century, without a sniff of an NCAA violation.

He wasn’t one of the cheaters. He was a good guy. He was the good guy.

But the ripple effect of one man’s actions damned not only himself, but a football program and the legacy of the game’s most

revered legend.

Rob Landry is a 23-year old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.

Contact Rob Landry at rlandry@lsureveille.com

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

page 9

Lady Tigers expect to be quick, versatile, fast-paced team Players happy with coach’s approach Mark Clements Sports Writer

After the first official LSU women’s basketball practice under new coach Nikki Caldwell, one word was continuously used to describe the young coach’s style — fast.

Like a broken record, the players spoke of Caldwell’s uptempo, speedy and aggressive approach to the game with smiles of anticipation glued to their faces.

After several eager weeks

of practice and preparation, the No. 21 Lady Tigers finally got to put that speed on display last Wednesday in their 102-42 rout of Xavier University of Louisiana in a season-opening exhibition match.

It didn’t disappoint.

All 11 Lady Tigers scored in the game, and four broke the double-digit mark — a feat senior forward LaSondra Barrett credited to the new quicker pace.

“The tempo is a lot faster,” Barrett said. “When you work on [the tempo] and how transitioning and spacing is a lot better, you get better shots and you get better ball movement. I think that’s the key to getting easy baskets.”

Barrett led all scorers with 22 points, but a slightly surprising name followed hers in the stat sheet — sophomore forward Theresa Plaisance, who dropped 20 points.

Plaisance played in 21 games last season — without a start — and scored just 44 points.

At 6-foot-5, Plaisance is the tallest girl on a team of nine six-footers, and one of the many weapons Caldwell has at her disposal this season.

“We’ll run multiple looks,” Caldwell said. “We’ll run big lineups, quick lineups and we’ll definitely change up the look of our press. I told them, ‘It doesn’t matter who starts, it’s all about

what we do in between that 40 minutes.’”

The aggression doesn’t end with the offense.

LSU’s defense also racked up 13 steals in the exhibition — more than double its 6.1 average last season ­— in large part due to the Lady Tigers’ new, strong fullcourt defense.

“This team has shown that they can disrupt and delay people with their presses,” Caldwell said. “I like the aggressiveness starting out that way instead of being passive. We want to make sure we set the tone through our defensive pressure.”

The new wave of energy, coupled with three highly-touted

freshmen joining the squad of five seniors, had Barrett glowing about the potential of this year’s team.

“I’m able to do a lot more and have a lot more freedom on the perimeter,” said Barrett, who is featured on both the John Wooden Award and State Farm Wade Trophy watch list. “That doesn’t do anything but enhance my game and makes me a lot more available for my teammates and help them out. We’re a very versatile team, and that’s going to make us very dangerous.”

Contact Mark Clements at mclements@lsureveille.com

MEN’S TENNIS

Tigers find fall success in doubles draws on the court

Alex Cassara

Sports Contributor

Strength in numbers.

For LSU’s men’s tennis players, the saying rings true while on the court.

Doubles teams involving LSU players posted a .625 winning percentage this fall, claiming the Costa Mesa Classic and Rice Invitational doubles draws and runner-up in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southern Regional doubles draw.

LSU singles players posted a .554 mark. Percentages exclude qualifying matches and matches in which LSU players played against each other.

“It’s one of the things we really stress since [LSU coach] Jeff [Brown]’s been here,” said assistant coach Danny Bryan. “He’s a really good doubles coach. It’s something we take pride in. We happen to have some really good

doubles players as well.”

Brown became head coach in 1998 and brought with him extensive doubles experience. He was a doubles All-American at LSU and peaked at No. 47 in doubles international ranking as a professional.

He also defeated a team of Pete Sampras and Jim Courier in the 1990 U.S. Open.

LSU senior Neal Skupski, whom Bryan said stepped up as a captain this fall, is a two time ITA Doubles All-American and won the Costa Mesa Classic doubles title with English partner Chris Eaton in September.

Skupski’s brother, Ken, who graduated in 2007, was also an ITA Doubles All-American and is the most decorated tennis player in LSU history. He holds the highest international doubles ranking for a former LSU player at No. 45.

“LSU is always renowned for having good doubles teams,

especially in the past,” Skupski said. “I just think doubles is really key to our game.”

In spring play, two teams compete against each other. Three separate pairs play three doubles matches for each team, with the team winning two of the matches gaining a point. Six singles matches are then played, with each match winning the team a point. This scoring structure often makes the doubles matches pivotal.

“Most matches in the SEC end up going 4-3,” Bryan said. “It’s normally an important point, and it gives you a lot of momentum going into singles … A lot of times it is [the deciding factor].”

Doubles matches consist of one set, with the match going to the first team to win eight games.

The first team to seven must win by two, and a tie breaker is played at eight-all.

Junior Olivier Borsos took runner-up in doubles at ITA Southern Regional with freshman Chris Simpson. Borsos said doubles plays at a much quicker pace than singles.

“It’s like a sprint, more than singles when you can maybe lose a set and come back,” Borsos said.

“From the first point to the last point, it’s really intense.”

Bryan said the standout teams are Skupski and junior Roger An-

derson, Borsos and Simpson and junior Stefan Szacinski and senior Mark Bowtell.

Szacinski also proved himself as a captain this fall, taking the Rice Invitational doubles title with Anderson. He said he sees potential after the fall’s strong doubles campaign.

“We just have so much talent in our lineup now,” Szacinski said.

“We have some good depth, and it’s going to be interesting to see which combinations are going to work this season.”

Contact Alex Cassara at acassara@lsureveille.com

page 10 OPENER, from page 7

Both the basketball and football squads will wear purple in honor of the weekend’s homecoming festivities. It will be the first time the LSU basketball team has worn purple at home since former LSU coach Dale Brown was roaming the Assembly Center sidelines.

The Tigers’ win against Jackson State in the doubleheader in

2008 was coach Trent Johnson’s first game at LSU, and ultimately a springboard toward a Southeastern Conference regular season title and NCAA Tournament appearance in his debut campaign.

LSU has struggled to consecutive 11-win seasons and five total SEC wins in the last two years.

Johnson has expressed anticipation for Saturday’s double dip, but he said his team will need to be more concerned with its own

The Daily Reveille play than the festivities around the game.

“Whoever we’re playing, whenever we’re playing, we need to be prepared regardless,” Johnson said. “If you’re not playing with maximum focus, maximum intensity — all those cliches — then it’s not going to matter.”

Contact Chris Abshire at cabshire@lsureveille.com

COVERAGE, from page 7

LSU’s coverage team downed four punts inside Alabama’s 20yard line, with zero touchbacks.

During the West Virginia game, the Tigers downed six punts inside the Mountaineers’ 20-yard line, again with no touchbacks.

While fans may usually pay more attention to defense or offense than they do to special teams, it’s all the same to Brooks.

“Whether it’s special teams or defense, it doesn’t matter,” Brooks said. “I’m excited the whole way through.”

Wing and the coverage team have pinned every opponent this season inside their own 20-yard line at least once, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the defense.

Sophomore defensive tackle Michael Brockers said good field position can change the mindset of the defense.

“When they’re starting at the 5, that’s attack mode,” Brockers said. “You want to get a safety.

You want to get some points out there.”

Brockers said he’s gotten used to seeing consistent booming punts from Wing get downed deep in opponents’ territory.

Wing said his rapport with the punt coverage team has been enhanced by the team’s play this season.

“We had a pretty good relationship before the season, but it just continues to grow.” Wing said. “With the plays they make for me, we’re constantly growing with our friendship and relationship.”

While the coverage team is essential to the special teams, Wing does his part to use his experience playing Australian rules football to avoid the pressure when punting in order to give the coverage team more time to race downfield.

“When you see me standing there holding the ball a little bit, I’m trying to see what the defense does,” he said. “That gives our guys a bit of extra time for them to get downfield and make a play.”

Brooks said the coverage team feeds off Wing and viceversa.

“Brad is just a great kicker and he’s able to make us better when he punts it so well.” Brooks said. “Just by him being so good at punting and our gunners being so fast and able to get down there so quickly it all works out.”

Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com

ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille

LSU sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu goes for a tackle Oct. 8 during the Tigers’ win over Florida. Mathieu is part of this season’s impressive punt coverage team.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Page 11

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The Daily Reveille

Opinion

The

page 12

Peanut

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Gallery

How safe do you feel on LSU’s campus?

Compiled by MEREDITH WILL

Constitution requires strict adherence

Zachary Davis may be a history junior, but I think he missed a few classes, so I’d like to clear a few things up.

First, Timothy McVeigh’s bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City had little to do with a fear that the Second Amendment

was in danger. The bombing was in response to the federal government’s overreaction and mishandling of the incident at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and the siege of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. In fact, the bombing in Oklahoma City was exactly two years to the day after the fiery end of David Koresh and his followers.

McVeigh felt his actions were justified because of the abuses — perceived or real — of the federal government.

Secondly, regarding the Constitution, the anti-Federalists originally wanted 12 items included

in the Constitution that gave more rights to the people. The Federalists resisted because they didn’t want to make statements about the role of government and individual rights.

Lastly — and the part that is personally insulting — is Davis’ comment that “any ideas about defending the Constitution as it is simply don’t seem very reasonable.”

This is an insult to every person who has ever worn a uniform or been elected to public office.

We all take an oath to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.”

We don’t feel we are unreasonable.

And yes, I do believe we have to strictly follow the Constitution for the rest of our existence.

Raymond Andrews Retired U.S. Army veteran, 2009 Thomas Edison State College history graduate, current LSU conservative biology major

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

FAILURE OF DIPLOMACY

‘Knowing there’s a police force helps.’

Kelsey Norgard biology freshman

‘There are so many people around here that I don’t think anything’s going to happen.’

Chelsea Bonner biology junior

Kayla Mumphery computer engineering freshman

‘If I walk at night, sometimes it’s kind of scary. I wouldn’t walk down Nicholson at night.’

‘It’s a nice environment. I don’t feel threatened.’

Eric Howard

psychology freshman

‘I don’t have a reason to not feel safe.’

Ben Taylor

accounting senior

Failure of Greek socialism not surprising As many have probably guessed — though it hasn’t exactly been hidden — I classify myself in the far, far left of the political spectrum. Based on Marxist ideals, I find many of the goals of communism and socialism to be something we should strive for internationally.

I had no problem declaring myself as such when I registered to vote, either.

Thus, I always have mixed feelings about the failings of attempted socialist governments. This may range from my hatred toward the bastardized version Lenin, and later Stalin, forced upon the backwards and agrarian Russia, to the quiet disappointment of misguided attempts by countries like Venezuela.

It seems Greece is another country I can add to this list of disappointments.

The president of Socialist International and the soon-to-be former prime minister of Greece, George Papandreou, came into power in 2009. With him came a number of other socialist politicians who shared Papandreou’s goal of helping the poor and working classes.

Given the number of impoverished citizens following the economic boom in Greece that resulted in the country’s transition from the drachma to the euro, it’s not surprising it was able to gain such support.

However, if you’ve paid any attention to the news in the past few years, then you would know Greece’s economic boom did not last. After a decade of relying on taking on debts, the Greek economy came to a crash.

And with it died any hope to fulfill the promises and goals Papandreou may have had.

The largest target to help alleviate the recession in Greece was to enact things that mostly harmed the poor, which is unfortunately the most common practice. Thanks to

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

cutting both spending and welfare, it soon became obvious they couldn’t follow their political ideals.

Although this may have been partially the product of poor timing and the inheritance of an already faulty economy, it was ZACHARY DAVIS simply too idealistic an endeavor for Columnist Greece.

Like with many other countries that have made an attempt at these Marxist ideas, Greece simply wasn’t prepared. While Greece’s economy may have indeed been more industrialized and healthy than Russia’s was — though it’s not saying much — it looks like it’ll take much more before any country is truly ready to make such a transition.

Unfortunately, while it seems these politicians and countries may have a great goal in mind, they

simply don’t have the means to get there. It’s the same thing that occurred in the Soviet Union, Cambodia, North Korea, Vietnam and really any other place that has made an attempt so far.

The worst outcome of this is that the very people this is done for — the poor — are the ones who suffer the most under these failed attempts.

Just as we’re seeing in Greece right now.

Had the economy not been so against Papandreou and his fellow socialists as they came in, then maybe things might not have been the same. Unfortunately in politics, even if you have the greatest ideals and goals in mind, the actions of other people simply cannot be ignored.

We even saw this in our own country recently: economic practices and the relaxing of regulations causing the economy to be in tatters before Barack Obama could even take office. While his actions and

policies dealing with it since then may not have been the best, it’s easy to see how things might have been different had he not inherited such a problematic system.

For Greece, only time will show what happens once its newly agreedupon unity government takes office.

With Papandreou gone, only to be replaced by former central bank chief Lucas Papademos, a regime change may be just what the economy needs.

I can agree with such a move, seeing how easily Papandreou betrayed those he was elected to protect. While his motives may have been more pure than Lenin’s, I find his failure just as disappointing.

Zachary Davis is a 20-year-old history junior from Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_zdavis.

Contact Zachary Davis at zdavis@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 “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.”

Vladimir Lenin Russian politician, revolutionary April 22, 1870 — Jan. 21 1924

The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BERXERXES

Opinion

page 13

Cody Wells’ decision silly and spineless; explanations worse Student Government President Cody Wells’ decision not to sign legislation creating a month to commemorate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history sparked a reasonable amount of hubbub last week.

Though the legislation urging University administration to create such a month will pass without Wells’ signature, members of the LGBT community and SG saw his decision not to sign the legislation as a slap in the face.

My first impression is that the non-signing means little to nothing and the ensuing bickering and back-stepping has created cycles of silliness. A superficial judgement of the situation begs the question: What does one do differently during a month of recognition?

Perhaps we are exposed to a slight increase in news stories and other media entries regarding the

month, but do your day-to-day activities differ at all?

Will you wake up every morning raging at the oppression of gays and lesbians in our state?

Will you take any more interest in the history of homosexuality?

Unfortunately, I doubt many will.

Further, SG is a toothless orXerxes A. ganization with Wilson its stars carrying Columnist less name recognition with the student body than the custodians who clean our bathrooms.

Aside from free Scantrons — which you compensate for via a $10 annual fee to SG — what do you know about SG? It’s hard to understand the angst of those assailing Wells

because he didn’t veto it. But looking at Wells’ winding explanations reveals greater absurdity.

Wells chose not to veto the bill, thus electing to take the noncommittal approach to a potentially polarizing situation. His reasoning was that he wanted to respect the voice of the Student Government Senate as representative of the student body.

So if he chooses to always quell his own voice in respect of the Senate, why ever sign a bill?

If he wasn’t elected to represent the student body, what is he doing as president?

As an aside: It wouldn’t be the first time SG tried to accomplish something without the backing of the student body — see the class gift project from 2010.

So what does he fear here?

Misrepresenting those who wouldn’t back an agenda that includes LBGT support? Did he

make his decision in deference to those in the student body who would not support the agenda or greater recognition of the LBGT plight?

While bigotry may be the norm in Louisiana and may permeate our own student body, it was spineless to sidestep supporting such a measure, whatever the motivation.

Wells further danced around the situation, offering the rationale that he didn’t want to give preference to one group lest others pop up and start wanting recognition.

So we shouldn’t recognize and raise awareness for one oppressed group because other groups might start feeling like they rightfully deserve recognition?

This isn’t sound judgement.

I’m not accusing Wells of bigotry — just poor decisions and subsequent explanations.

It’s here I can sympathize

with LGBT complaints. Homosexuals live in a state rife with thinly veiled bigotry and can’t even enjoy the basic right to marry like everyone else. So Wells’ explanation is probably fairly irritating.

Not only campus, but Louisiana in general, could benefit from a month recognizing gay history.

Perhaps then some of the more extreme members of society and state government will realize gay people are exactly like the rest of the population aside from one aspect of their private life.

Xerxes A. Wilson is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Lucedale, Miss. Follow him on Twitter @Ber_Xerxes.

Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com

SCUM OF THE GIRTH

Louisiana pot laws should mirror Mississippi statutes

I never thought I would be calling Mississippi progressive.

The state currently buried in the controversial Amendment 26 vote, which, if passed, would define life from the moment of conception, ironically has some of the most lax marijuana laws in the country.

Marijuana is decriminalized in MissisUnder Parker Cramer sippi. the state’s law, Columnist an individual can be in possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana with the only criminal consequence being a misdemeanor summons and a potential fine of $100 to $250.

In a nutshell, possession of up to 30 grams of pot in Mississippi can be equated to a traffic ticket. No arrest, minimal fine and the individual in question goes about his or her day virtually uninterrupted.

But what happens if you take that same 30 grams and cross the border into Louisiana, the drinking capital of America? You will be arrested.

Possession of any amount of marijuana in Louisiana is a crime. Although first-time offenders will be charged with a misdemeanor, they can still face a jail sentence of up to six months and a $500 fine.

Second offense for possession of any amount of marijuana in the state of Louisiana is a felony. Offenders can face up to five years in prison. Louisiana legislators, in an attempt to further punish drug possessors, have developed a crafty little clause into

the penalties for possession. If an individual is in possession of any amount of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, church or public housing, it’s automatically a felony and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of half the maximum penalty.

Hypothetically, if an individual with no prior arrest record is apprehended in possession of even the smallest measurable amount of marijuana and happens to be within 1,000 feet of a school, church or public housing, it is an automatic felony with a minimum sentence of three months’ incarceration.

If this seems fair to you, we probably would not get along very well.

In the South, trying to escape being within 1,000 feet of a school, church or public building is about as difficult as electing a Democrat as governor. Virtually everyone caught in possession of marijuana is within these limitations and will face a felony charge.

I never thought I would say this, but why can’t we be more like Mississippi?

Currently, 50.7 percent of the federal prison population is being held on drug charges, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

This leads to massive overpopulation of prisons and the need for more. Demand for new prisons has led many states to build private prisons owned by corporations.

We’ve established a system in this country where CEOs and corporations literally profit from fellow citizens being incarcerated. Crime has become good for the economy. Imprisoning

non-violent drug offenders is the new housing bubble.

Our prisons are overpopulated. Private citizens profit from crime. The war on drugs has cost law enforcement billions in wasted resources.

The prohibition of pot has created a black market of bud supplied by violent Mexican cartels. Cartels do not want marijuana legalized, taxed, regulated and quality-controlled by the federal government. If that happens, nobody would buy black-market weed anymore. The financial

backing of the cartels would diminish, and they would fade into oblivion.

With 40,000 Mexicans left dead since 2006 due to drugrelated violence, God forbid we establish sensible legislation to prevent future violence.

I leave you with this — you are mentally deficient if you are against the legalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana.

Prohibition is irrational, and drug problems should be treated as public health concerns and not with steep jail sentences that only

further perpetuate a life of crime.

So before you hit “send” on that hate-mail message, remember that it’s just a plant.

Parker Cramer is a 20-yearold political science junior from Houston. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_pcramer.

Contact Parker Cramer at pcramer@lsureveille.com

BEST AND WITTIEST

cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE

The Daily Reveille

page 14

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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The Daily Reveille

Wednesday, November 9, 2011