LSU basketball defeats Ole Miss Rebels 90-81, page 3 Columnists go head to head over DJ Khaled’s contributions to pop culture, page 8 lsureveille.com/daily
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016
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@lsureveille
Volume 121 · No. 2
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WALK THIS WAY Nicholas Martino / The Daily Reveille
Construction to improve pedestrian safety, bus congestion BY TRENT PARKER @trentparker_TDR The area between Lockett Hall and the Journalism Building often floods with both vehicles and pedestrians as students flock to bus stops — many without using crosswalks. “It’s a scary area. When the buses get out and the classes change there’s a lot of pedestrians [in the road],” Assistant Director of the Physical Plant and Facility Services Dennis Mitchell said.
A lack of clearly marked lanes for buses to queue upon often forced them to park in the nearby traffic circle, blocking other drivers. In response, LSU Parking and Transportation Services funded the remodeling of Fieldhouse Drive with Facility Services and J&W Contractors to increase pedestrian safety and ease the flow of the campus bus service. A landscaped median will separate lanes of traffic, a new crosswalk will be installed in front of Lockett Hall and a
dedicated bus lane will be marked with stripes of paint. “It’s about campus safety,” Mitchell said. “Our goal is to separate the buses from the pedestrians from the vehicles.” The median’s purpose is to create a traffic calming effect — as was observed after the construction of islands on Dalrymple Drive — and channel pedestrians toward using the designated crossings to protect them from passing vehicles. Louisiana has one of the
highest pedestrian fatality rates in the United States, with 2.56 deaths per 100,000 people compared to a national average of 1.51, according to the 2014 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Traffic Safety Fact Sheets. Sidewalks have also been broadened in key areas of heavy foot traffic at LSU to make walking safer for students. “Our goal is to have the students walk to the crosswalks,
see BUSSES, page 11
Democratic win boosts party morale
BY SAM KARLIN @samkarlin_TDR Wayne Parent, a political science professor who teaches courses on Louisiana politics, said over the 32 years he’s been teaching, his classes have become more liberal. “A lot, actually,” he said. “It’s not that they’re that liberal, it’s that they used to be incredibly conservative,” he added. Parent began teaching during the Reagan years. He attributes the change in students’ ideology mostly to technology changes, where students now can live in a deeply conservative area like Louisiana, but connect to like-minded people all over the country. But his class trends haven’t mirrored the political shifts in Louisiana, where the Republican “takeover,” seems complete. Staring across a partisan aisle that had grown wider, and shifted further to the right, during his time as a state
see EDWARDS, page 2
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SG president outlines ongoing, proposed student initiatives BY BETH CARTER @beth_carter97
Student Government president Andrew Mahtook wants to make sure his administration stays active proposing new legislation and building on last semester’s momentum in the upcoming SG election season. Spring plans for SG include finalizing the Student Bill of
Rights and putting ideas from last semester into action on campus. “All [students] see of Student Government this semester is spring elections, so we’re hoping to not slow down whatsoever and really make sure we’re making a positive change,” Mahtook said. The initiatives Mahtook hopes to implement this semester include making cell phone
chargers available to rent from the LSU Student Union and planting satsuma trees on campus, resolutions passed by the LSU Student Senate. He also hopes to start a program that will provide bus shuttles to and from commuter lots. SG plans to continue efforts with campus organizations to promote minority diversity at LSU, Mahtook said. Last semester, SG began efforts to make
campus more accommodating for minority students, including passing SG Resolution No. 15, which provided gender neutral bathrooms for transgender students. “The issues and needs of the community fluctuate so much,” Mahtook said. “The biggest thing that we’re focusing is the right to not have your standing in a class be influenced by who you are or what you look like.
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Students deserve to be protected.” He added SG will continue to team up with organizations such as LSU Campus Life and the Office of Diversity to address student concerns and promote initiatives started by other campus groups. The Student Bill of Rights, which will be finalized in the
see MAHTOOK, page 11
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The Daily Reveille
page 2 LOUISIANA
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Edwards’ transition team seeks economic policy changes BY CAITIE BURKES @caitie1221 Newly inaugurated Gov. John Bel Edwards’ economic development transition team set big plans for small business. The team of politcal advisors and appointees spent days working from LSU’s Kirby Smith Hall while students were on break. A team of 33 business owners, policy experts and union workers sought to implement three key initiatives during their meetings: financial assistance, the appointment of a Director of Diversity within Louisiana Economic Development and the rebuilding of some of the abandoned former business sites, according to the document. Michael Hecht, co-chair of the committee and President and CEO of GNO, Inc., said the initiatives range from tactical to capacity-based. He said one of the team’s tactical goals involves helping small businesses achieve bonding levels to qualify for large projects, while capacity incentives include having roundtable discussions where small businesses can seek legal and accounting advice. Though LED boasts big business attraction and deals, Hecht said the team recognized small businesses account for about 90 percent of the jobs in the state,
EDWARDS, from page 1 representative from small-town Amite, Gov. John Bel Edwards defied conventional wisdom when he won the governorship in November 2015. Now his party hopes to shift the balance to the left and capitalize on a major victory in a conservative state. The Democrat, who waltzed into a runoff after a mud-slinging primary campaign among the three major Republican candidates in October, trounced U.S. Sen. David Vitter on his way to the governor’s mansion. He was sworn in Monday during an inauguration ceremony at the Capitol, and Edwards hawked bipartisanship, while laying out liberal economic policy plans. “I think it’s really exciting,” said Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk. “There are a lot more people paying attention and getting involved.” Edwards’ win, in a race many thought was shored up by Vitter in the early going, soothed a Louisiana Democratic Party ailed by widespread losses in state elections and the “horrible” loss of Mary Landrieu in the 2014 U.S. Senate race, Handwerk said. Approaching Louisiana’s presidential primary election on March 5, the state finds itself more in the national spotlight. Texas Sen. and presidential candidate Ted Cruz rallied supporters in Baton Rouge on Monday and President Barack Obama is set to visit McKinley Senior
jobs where students might work after graduation. He said the goal of the meetings was to create an additional focus on small businesses rather than take away from larger organizations. “LED is known locally and nationally for doing an outstanding job with big business, and we’re saying to continue that, but to now enhance the focus on small business,” Hecht said. While the policy suggestions do not necessarily differ from former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s, Hecht said they add “a new layer of emphasis” to Louisiana’s economic culture of
not only small business, but rural business, business enterprises and entrepreneurship, as well. As a former founder and COO of a San Francisco restaurant, Hecht said his personal experience with small business management helped him facilitate group discussion. “What [the initiatives] should ultimately do is save small businesses their two most precious resources, which are time and money,” Hecht said. By providing better information, supporting bonding and cash flow, and streamlining the license
LSU associate professor of law stands outside his former campaign headquarters on Sept. 15 in downtown Baton Rouge.
and permit process, he said the state has an opportunity to help small businesses save both time and money — which makes the business more profitable. Chris Tyson, committee member and Paul M. Hebert Law Center associate professor, also derives personal experience from the realm of small business. He entered the new millennium by enduring a “harrowing 10-month rollercoaster ride” with an internet startup company. “It was an incredible experience for me,” Tyson said. He said his job responsibilities included marketing and business and strategic development for the company, skills he would later implement in his own entrepreneurial effort conducting youth and young adult-based marketing research for companies like CocaCola, Microsoft and Skechers. Despite his professional insight, Tyson said he did not believe one had to have small business experience to offer critical perspective on the transition committee. He said he was pleased with Edwards’ demographically and geographically diverse committee and that policy recommendations were a collaborative effort. “I think they were all equally credible perspectives and voices in a discussion about economic development,” Tyson said.
High School Thursday. Louisiana is a far cry from the swing state Bill Clinton carried in the ‘90s, Parent said, but the state’s red hue differs from other Deep South states like Mississippi and Alabama. The Pelican State was one of the last havens for Democrats holding out in the South, said Parent, who teaches courses on Louisiana politics. He posed an essay question to his political science students after the race was won: given similar circumstances, would a Democrat have won in Mississippi or Alabama? Maybe in Alabama, he suggested, but Republicans would probably have won in Mississippi. Edwards’ surprise victory means more opportunities for Democratic party fundraising, Parent said, which could open the door to a Senate victory— something Democrats couldn’t dream of six months ago. “I had the opportunity to invite [Edwards] to my Louisiana politics class and I thought he was going nowhere, why was I going to do that?” He laughed. “Not only did it surprise a lot of people, but his victory was so big. It was a resounding victory.” Republicans took over the South on the backs of social issues, and the only type of Democrat who can win in a state like Louisiana is a social conservative, Parent said. He said the last Democratic governor, Kathleen Blanco, was similar to Edwards on social issues. As Edwards, a gun-supporting, anti-abortion veteran,
immediately. Tuesday Edwards issued an executive order initiating the process of Medicaid expansion, making Louisiana the 31st state to do so. “For our party I certainly think the benefits are secondary,” Handwerk said. “Because the major benefits, I believe, are going to the people of Louisiana.” The Democratic Party, Handwerk added, is looking to the presidential candidates campaigning in Louisiana with excitement and hope. Candidates will have to pay attention to the needs of the state on March 5, he said, as Louisiana has the only primary election that day. “I’m not going to try to say that this has been some huge tidal shift and that all of the sudden Louisiana is a sea of blue and my job is done and I can go home,” he said. “But what I am saying is, this gives a lot of people a pause to say ‘wait a second, the south isn’t solidly red.’” Democratic Party staffers will work to shore up their support ahead of the presidential primary in March, and try to convey the needs of the state at their conventions. On inauguration day, Edwards was surrounded by Republican politicians, including Billy Nungesser, who defeated East Baton Rouge Parish MayorPresident Kip Holden, a Democrat, in the lieutenant governor’s race. “We are not here as Republicans and Democrats,” Nungesser said during his inauguration speech, “but as Louisianans.”
THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES
assumes office, he faces a litany of financial problems, including a nearly $2 billion shortfall. During his campaign, Edwards positioned himself on the side of the political spectrum opposite Bobby Jindal, to whom he attributed the state’s fiscal mess. During his speech Monday, he pointed to Medicaid expansion, pay equity for women and raising the minimum wage as key policies. He has also pushed for a “50-50” funding model for higher education, with half of the funding coming from the state, and half from tuition. His economic policies, especially equal pay for women, are the definition of “family values,” Edwards said Monday. The biggest reaction from the crowd during his inauguration speech came he said he would act to expand Medicaid
MELINDA DESLATTE / The Associated Press
Gov. John Bel Edwards signs an executive order on his first full day in office on Tuesday.
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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS On the front of issue of The Daily Reveille printed on Jan. 13 2016, The Daily Reveille erroneously printed that President Obama would be eating at Louie’s Cafe on Thursday Jan. 14. Obama will be eating food catered by the cafe, not at the cafe. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille.com.
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Sports
BOOST
page 3
FROM THE
BENCH
Blakeney leads Tigers to second-half comeback BY JAMES BEWERS @JamesBewers_TDR
GYMNASTICS
Tigers to face NC State in Vegas
BY CHRISTIAN BOUTWELL @CBoutwell_TDR
The first 15 games of LSU freshman guard Antonio Blakeney’s college career have been far from smooth sailing, but he led the Tigers to a 90-81 comeback win against Ole Miss on Wednesday night in the PMAC. Blakeney scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half to spark a stagnant Tiger offense, which trailed for the majority of the contest. Blakeney hadn’t scored more than seven points in the Tigers’ (10-6, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) last five games, shooting just 32.2 percent from the field in those games. But Wednesday, LSU coach Johnny Jones brought him off the bench for the first time this year, and the Sarasota, Florida native provided the needed boost when it mattered. “I definitely think I helped coming off the bench,” Blakeney said. “It definitely was different for me. I never came off the bench in high school or here, but I’m just glad I could help coming off the bench and get the win.” After recording just two points through the first 28 minutes of game time, Blakeney drained 2-of-3 three-point attempts and hit all five of his free throws in the final 7:57 of the game. The Tigers’ victory was also characterized by a balanced scoring effort. Five different players finished in double figures, including sophomore forward Craig Victor II’s team-high 18 points. Along with Blakeney, junior guard Tim Quarterman came off the bench for just the second time this season. The addition of senior guard Josh Gray and sophomore guard Jalyn Patterson marked
see BOOST, page 4
JAVIER FERNÁNDEZ / The Daily Reveille
LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons (25), junior guard Tim Quarterman (55) and freshman guard Antonio Blakeney (2) celebrate during the Tigers’ 90-81 victory against Ole Miss on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 in the PMAC.
After 38 seasons of coaching LSU gymnastics, D-D Breaux will spend her birthday weekend in her 39th season in Las Vegas. But she won’t be going for slot machines, poker chips and booze. Breaux will be joined by all 15 of her pupils and two associate head coaches. It’s a business trip, as the team calls it. The top-ranked Tigers are set to compete against No. 23 North Carolina State at 9 p.m. tonight in the Lady Luck Invitational in the South Point Hotel Arena and Exhibit Hall, 5.8 miles from the south end of the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip. “They are excited about the trip,” Breaux said. For Breaux, a second victory against a top-25 opponent could be cause for celebration. But, Thursday’s meet will also be a party for senior all-arounder Randii Wyrick. Wyrick, a Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas alumnus, boasts at the opportunity to finally compete in front of her friends from back home. Her family, friends and past teammates will gather to see how LSU has groomed one of its veteran gymnasts in the height of collegiate gymnastics competition. They’ll be lots of people there, she said. “My mom’s been making plenty of Facebook posts, so I’m sure it’ll be a good crowd,” Wyrick said. “We’ll have a bunch of people there.”
see VEGAS, page 4
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Jones confident in freshmen guards despite offensive slump BY JAMES BEWERS @JamesBewers_TDR Editor’s Note: Statistics used in this story are dated before LSU’s game against Ole Miss. With a single glance at his smooth stroke, leaping high above his defenders to create separation, most would recognize why LSU freshman guard Antonio Blakeney garnered praise as an elite scorer coming
out of Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida. But oftentimes, the former five-star prospect’s statistics don’t reflect his capability to score from the perimeter, something coach Johnny Jones has seen in a lot of highly touted freshmen. Blakeney, like fellow freshman guard Brandon Sampson, is still learning to find efficiency with a lower number of shot attempts, Jones said.
“A lot of times, these guys come into high school, and they’re volume guys,” Jones said. “They have an opportunity to take a lot of shots. Whether they can get on and start hitting [shots], that’s the big adjustment for most high-profile guys coming from high school. “It’s no different with Sampson and Blakeney. Both of those guys were able to have green lights [in high school]. We do as well, but it’s within our offense.
[They’re] probably not getting as many attempts as they’re used to.” For the season, Blakeney is shooting just 35.6 percent from field and 27.4 from beyond the arc. In the last five games, including the Tigers’ first three Southeastern Conference games, the Sarasota, Florida native is converting only 32.2 percent of his shots and is 2-for-15 clip from three-point territory. While Blakeney has started
in all 15 games thus far, Sampson has only started in five — four of which came in the first four games of the season. Obviously, the Baton Rouge native’s time on the bench has resulted in fewer minutes on the floor, recording fewer than nine minutes in each of the last three games. Since his 18-point performance against NC State in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 24,
see SLUMP, page 4
The Daily Reveille
page 4 SOCCER
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Major League Soccer makes gains in U.S. sports popularity OFF THE MARC MARC STEVENS Columnist For years, football, basketball, baseball and hockey have dominated the United States. But now “the beautiful game” is changing the status quo. Look at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup this past summer. FOX estimated the women’s tournament would earn around $17 million in ad revenue, but the final total was more than $40 million. Compared to the previous cup in 2011, from which ESPN tallied a $6 million profit, advertisers are clearly flocking to the sport. Those are just ads. What’s crucial is people actually watching, which will build any sports popularity. 25.4 million fans in the United States watched the U.S. women’s 5-2 win over Japan on FOX, according to FIFA.com. Those numbers translate to more viewers than the average of both the 2015 NBA Finals, 19.94 million
BOOST, from page 3 Jones’ eighth different starting five of the season. Jones said the lineup changes were more about Gray and Patterson’s performances in practice and less about recent outings from Blakeney or Quarterman, who finished with 14 points. “I’m a big stickler about – regardless of if we win a huge game against Kentucky or we have a setback – we have to make sure the intensity level is [there] in practice,” Jones said. “A couple guys had done a tremendous job in practice of maintaining that and playing at a certain pace. We don’t want to ever feel that we’re
VEGAS, from page 3 Wyrick, one of eldest members of the Tigers team, will be performing in her hometown beside one of her senior colleagues all-arounder Jessica Savona, so the Tigers hope. Savona — along with freshman all-arounder and the No. 1 overall recruit of the 2016 class, Lexie Priessman — was limited in Saturday’s opening meet due to a minor ankle injury, Breaux says. The LSU coaching staff is hopeful the pair will be ready to compete, but said they will monitor the respective injuries throughout the week. “We hope so,” Breaux said. “[Lexie Priessman] or Jessica Savona, we would like to get them in.” Both competed in Saturday’s season-opening meet, but not without full consent of all members of the coaching staff. Savona, a featured floor and bars specialist, completed a counted bars routine with a score of 9.775. Priessman
viewers, and Stanley Cup Finals, 5.5 million. I can hear the doubters now, saying the only reason those numbers are so high is because of American patriotism. Honestly, that was why some of my family watched with me, but that doesn’t change the fact the sport is growing, especially in younger demographics. A 2014 ESPN poll reported the MLS was the No. 2 sport watched by 12-17 year olds trailing only the NFL. Also, the survey showed the MLS has tied Major League Baseball with 18 percent of the same demographic claiming to be “avid” fans. “MLS is in their generational DNA,” Rich Luker, who has been with the poll since its inception, said in an ESPN article. “It is phenomenal that in just one generation it has gone from zero adherents to tying MLB, especially when you recognize this is the first generation to only know the United States with a professional soccer league.” Luker told ESPN just five years ago, the outcome would have been “crickets in response.”
However, it isn’t just children beginning to follow the sport. The MLS’ growth on television has been a huge part of the sport’s success. Just 98 MLS night-games were aired on TV in 2014, but this past season all 340 games were aired. Agreements with ESPN, FOX and Univision led to the increased broadcast numbers, which in turn led to larger fan bases for the league’s clubs. Per-game attendance for the 2015 MLS season grew 12.7 percent from last season to 21,574 according to MLSsoccer.com. Those numbers included 10 teams averaging over 20,000, including the Seattle Sounders averaging a MLS-record of 44,247 fans per game. The Sounders attendance puts them above Barclays Premier League giant, Liverpool Football Club, in global attendance rankings. But it isn’t just the MLS gaining popularity stateside. An important part of soccer’s growth in America is the rise of EA Sports, a wing of Electronic Arts
specializing in sports related video games, FIFA video game franchise. Playing the game gets more people involved in the sport helping less knowledgeable fans learn the terminology, intricacies and players from around the world. That’s how I began following professional soccer. I started the franchise with FIFA 2010 and was immediately hooked. The games were quicker than Madden games and more competitive, and little by little I started to develop a love for the sport. FIFA became EA Sports, the industry’s leader in sports gaming, best-selling product in 2014, making up nearly a quarter of revenue. The number of Americans that identify themselves as avid pro soccer fans has grown each year since 2009, according to ESPN. com. By no means am I saying soccer has come or will come anywhere near the level of the NFL, but what is undeniable are the strides soccer has taken. The growth is huge and the sport is breaking records
Carli Lloyd smiles during a practice session for the team’s international soccer friendly against China in New Orleans on Dec. 15, 2015.
comfortable with the lineup.” Quarterman, however, characterized as “a throwback” for him, having come off the bench for the first part of his LSU career. “It was fun,” Quarterman said. “It was kind of a throwback. But it’s not about who starts the game. It’s about who finishes. Coach left me in the end of the game to finish the game. We got the win and that’s all that counts.” Aided by Rebel senior guard Stefan Moody’s season-high 33 points and six made three-pointers, LSU trailed by as many six in the second half. But, as Blakeney and Quarterman came alive, so went the Tigers. LSU outscored the Rebels 14-5 in the final 4:22 of
the game. Ole Miss clung to small lead through the first six minutes of the second half, as the Tigers shrunk the deficit to one on three different occasions. But LSU couldn’t capitalize on a handful of opportunities, and Moody connected on another long triple with 13:51 left to give the Rebels a 5549 lead. Though it trailed by six with 10:41 left, LSU, again, rallied within one point of the Rebels after a 7-2 run. This time, though, the Tigers grabbed their first lead on three made free throws from Blakeney. Despite a layup from Moody to tie it up on the following
possession, Blakeney netted two more free throws and Patterson converted a fastbreak layup on LSU’s next offensive possession. But Moody would not be denied, scoring five straight points to take 71-70 lead with 6:09 left. Blakeney continued to be aggressive on the following possession, drilling a corner three. Quarterman followed up Blakeney’s trey with one of his own to give LSU its largest lead up to that point, 76-71. Moody then connected on his sixth three pointer on the next possession, and senior forward Anthony Perez knotted the score at 76 on the Rebel’s following attempt.
“[Moody] hit it from 40 feet with a hand in his face,” Quarterman said. “I don’t know what coach would’ve wanted us to do, actually. I guess you have got to let the ball do what it do.” Ole Miss got the score within two points, but the Tigers finished the game on a 7-0 run, hitting four of their last five field goals and 5-of-6 free throws to close the game. “We shared the ball a lot and played as a team in the second half,” Quarterman said. “People got their shots and made big shots on our team. It wasn’t just one person. It was a team effort. We went out there and won as a team.”
SLUMP, from page 3
his focus to other aspects of the game, heeding his coach’s advice. “We all have that freedom on offense,” Blakeney said. “[Jones] just really wants you to play hard on defense — take good shots, take smart shots. We don’t really talk about the slump because basketball is way more than just shooting the ball. “If I came to a team where it was still the same way as high school, my defense wouldn’t have grown.” In spite of their statistical struggles, Jones hasn’t wavered in his confidence in his two rookie guards’ scoring capabilities. The key for Blakeney and Sampson is patience, he said. “It will come around, and they’ll become very comfortable with that,” Jones said. “It’s just taken them some time. I think that night will come, where he and Blakeney are going to get on and get in rhythm, and we won’t look back. We’re looking forward to that.”
performed on beam, 9.725, and vault, 9.775, and exhibitioned on bars, 9.700. Priessman nearly completed the all-around with her floor routine, but Breaux removed Priessman after the ankle seemed to be an issue throughout the night. Although the Tigers were not at full force, the team defeated then-No. 1 Oklahoma 196.950196.725 on Saturday, bumping LSU to the nation’s top spot for the seventh time in program history. The team is currently tied with Michigan for No. 1 overall. Breaux said LSU is holding the placement in “reverence,” but the ranking only matters at the end of the season. “Being number one is great,” Breaux said. “We certainly appreciate it and hold it in high reverence. This is just a short, short piece of our marathon journey.” The “marathon journey” is Breaux’s resounded message to controlling the over-excitement and prevention of under-preparation as the Tigers move onto their second meet of the season.
EMILY BRAUNER / The Daily Reveille
Then-junior Randii Wyrick performs a handstand during her bar routine on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, during the Lady Tiger’s 197-193 victory against Iowa in the PMAC. “Stay hungry,” Breaux said of what her message was to the team after the season-opening victory. “This isn’t a sprint. What we saw on Saturday was just one leg, one chapter of the story that I think this team intends to write.”
Sampson hasn’t taken more than six shots in a game without hitting a field goal in the last three games. Conversely, the former four-star recruit from Madison Prep took as many as 12 shots in three of his first five games, averaging 11.8 points in those games. Likewise, Blakeney’s shot attempts have decreased since the start of the season, which is in part due to addition of senior guard Keith Hornsby and sophomore forward Craig Victor II to the starting lineup. Since his season-high 17 attempts against the Wolfpack, during which he hit just four shots, Blakeney hasn’t taken more than nine in any of the last 10 games. Despite fewer attempts, Blakeney still hasn’t found consistency, highlighted by four straight contests without making a three pointer. He did, however, knock down 2-of-6 treys in the 68-62 loss to Florida on Jan. 9. With less scoring opportunities, Blakeney has turned
each and every year. Consider this as a warning: Soccer has arrived. Marc is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Marc_TDR.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Entertainment
page 5
Monogram Mogul
Freshman fashion blogger creates brand
BY LAUREN HEFFKER @laurheffker
For Madison Church, combining her personal style flair with Louisiana is essential to marketing and developing her fashion brand as a multi-faceted media presence. The textile, apparel design and merchandising freshman is another fashion blogger on campus. To stand apart from the rest, Church adds business owner to
Nicholas Martino / The Daily Reveille
Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising freshman, Madison Church, runs her own website and monogram shop on Etsy.
her resume. She regularly updates her fashion and lifestyle blog, “Louisiana Girl in Pearls,” while running her own Etsy shop, “Brunette and Co.,” which features a variety of monogrammed items, including apparel, pillowcases, dishware and decals. Church keeps her hands tied. While being a business owner she is also involved with LSU Greek Life as a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, while being a full-time student. She said time management is the key to her being able to successfully manage
participating in several different outlets. Her approach to withstand procrastination when it comes to her Etsy shop is to immediately begin to gather whatever supplies she will need to complete the newly-received order. Church has run her blog since July 2015, and her push for more reader exposure keeps her going. “My motivation is just the end goal: that someday this will be something
see CHURCH, page 7
COMEDY
BR Comedy Presents: Stand-Up at Spanish Moon BY JOSHUA BARTHOLOMEW @JAB_reveille
Music venue Spanish Moon veers away from its usual musical acts to present a series of comedy sets, tonight. At 9 p.m., the venue hosts “Stand-Up Pop-Up with The Collective,” with local Baton Rouge comedians, including creative writing junior Chase Bates. Along with the university student, the lineup includes local funny men such Vince Gullino, Josh Watts, Howard Hall and Tim Smith. Additionally, Michael Kopynec, an aspiring Baton Rouge chef with experience working at Mexican restaurant Coyote Blues, will be cooking for
the upcoming event. The five are established in the local comedy scene, drawing from life experiences during their performances. While some of the comedians performing have only been performing for several months, comedian and promoter Jeff Buck has been in the scene for about 11 years and is helping nourish local talent. “What it is, is like a half stand up comedy show, half stand up kitchen,” Buck said. With Spanish Moon providing a venue for Stand-Up Pop-Up, Buck helps experienced comedians like Hall and Watts hone their skills and feed their energy into the younger crop of comedians.
While juggling student life, Bates performs at open-mic nights in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but hadn’t landed a true comedy gig until Buck began to notice him performing on Wednesday at The Station in Baton Rouge. Smith is also a newcomer coming to the stage. Beside the two younger performers, Buck said he knows most of the other comedians well and they’ve been performing stand-up for a while. Smith said it’s important for comedians to take emotional experiences and turn those moments into something funny. For him, receiving positive feedback and laughs is impor-
see STAND-UP, page 6
GRETA JINES / The Daily Reveille
Tim Smith (left) and LSU english junior Chase Bates (right) will perform stand-up comedy tonight at the Stand-Up Pop-Up event at Spanish Moon.
The Daily Reveille
page 6 FILM
Jewish Film Festival celebrates 10th event BY NATHAN VELASQUEZ @nathanv_tdr For the past nine years, the Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival has shed a light on Jewish culture through film. The 10th annual festival began this Wednesday at 7 p.m. Harvey and Paula Hoffman began the festival in 2007 with the hope of creating a place for the local Jewish community to gather together and embrace their heritage. “We aren’t like the other Jewish film festivals, and there are a ton in the country,” said BRJFF co-chair Ara Rubyan. When Harvey passed away in 2011, Paula took the reigns with the help of her daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Ara Rubyan. “It is kind of like a family business,” said Ara. He said when the festival began, it was made by a Jewish family for the Jewish people of Baton Rouge, but now, in 2016, it has taken on a new audience. “We have morphed from a festival that was primary for the Jewish community and, 10 years later we have broadened, bringing in an audience that is mainly non-Jewish,” he said. One of the films showing is “Above and Beyond,” produced by Nancy Spielberg, which tells the story of Israeli pilots that fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Roberta Grossman, “Above and Beyond” director, will
Jan. 14 Mr. Kaplan 7 p.m.
attend the festival to speak about her film. This is her third time at the festival. She said her directing career has grown along with the festival. “It is such an honor being asked to come back to the festival. I feel very grateful to them,” Grossman said. Grossman said it’s people like Ara and Julie making donations to help her fund various projects and festivals, like the BRJFF, that help Jewish films see the light of day. “Without the Jewish film festivals we wouldn’t be able to make these films,” she said. Among other Jewish festivals, Grossman said BRJFF stands out for its tremendous enthusiasm and spirit to spread awareness of Jewish culture throughout a community that has a very small Jewish population. The BRJFF has an important place in the community’s calendar, and it doesn’t have plans on slowing down anytime soon. Ara said, “Ten festivals from now we hope we still have a growing audience of people who still want to come to the festival and enjoy these kinds of films.” The Manship Theatre held the BRJFF with its first showing yesterday at 7 p.m. and is running until Sunday. Tickets are $8.50 and can be bought at the ticket counter in Manship Theatre or online at BRJFF’s website.
Jan. 16 Above and Beyond 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 Look at Us Now 3 p.m.
ANJANA NAIR / The Daily Reveille
Co-organizers Julie Rubyan, Paula Hoffman, and Ara Rubyan attend the 10th Annual Jewish Film Festival on Wednesday at the Manship Theater.
Thursday, January 14, 2016 STAND-UP, from page 5 tant, but he said some people just laugh here and there and it’s important not to take comedy too seriously. Each comedian performing at Spanish Moon uses a variety of methods and styles in their writing, ranging from easy going laughs, to harnessing the humor in everyday life, or re-telling interesting encounters for kicks. Buck said he spring boards comedians’ careers based on readiness and experience. This is The Collective’s first pop-up stand-up event. Buck is hosting and said the idea was inspired by his girlfriend who is also an avid cook. “I thought it would be a great idea to kinda combine not only doing a pop-up kitchen, but also add stand-up,” he said.
GRETA JINES / The Daily Reveille
Tim Smith and LSU English junior Chase Bates will perform stand-up comedy tonight at the Stand-Up Pop-Up event at Spanish Moon.
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, January 14, 2016 CHURCH, from page 5 that people want to read and want to know what I’m doing, what I’m wearing, that sort of thing,” Church said. Church’s inspiration behind running a full-time blog and business stems from her longtime love of fashion. The freshman said she had multiple reasons behind her blog, including having her own outlet and audience, being able to forecast trends, receiving feedback on her posts, looking for outfit inspiration and fashion industry communication. Church has retail experience as well, having worked at Old Navy and the O Spa Lifestyle Boutique at Franco’s Athletic Club, to build upon her style credibility. By having her own blog and constantly coming up with new, creative content, Church said she is already preparing herself for her upper-level major-specific courses. She integrates her merchandising and advertising skills when generating ideas and ways to produce appealing material. Church’s friend and fellow business owner of “Seaux Chic Monograms,” marketing freshman Madeline Dunbar said she’s enjoyed seeing Church grow. “It’s been really cool to kind of watch her take this process on and grow with it, because
it’s something she genuinely the clothes actually on you. It’s cares so much about. She is more personable and they can completely invested in it and it’s see how you’re styling it, as something she really wants to opposed to having separate pursue. When her heart is after pictures of items in a graphic,” something, she will absolutely go she said. and get it,” Dunbar said. Some of the blogs that The two will collaborate on Church gathers inspiration from posts and projects together, and are “Haute Off the Rack,” “A Dunbar has appeared in several Pinch of Lovely,” “The College posts on Church’s blog. Prepster” and “Southern Curls “It’s been real& Pearls.” Church ly fun to watch her said she gets ideas go all out and take for her posts from ‘My motivation is other blogs, her on all these new options and new and just the end goal’ surroundings, challenges, besocial media. cause it takes “I take ideas so much to do from that, put the blog,” Dunmy own spin on MADISON CHURCH bar said, “It’s it, maybe add my Freshman something we’ve own element,” been able to do she said. together, and that’s been really Church gains most of her folfun. We’re able to encourage each lowing through social meother and work alongside each dia and word-of-mouth, other.” she said. Church describes her Currently, the freshman runs personal style as classic with her business out of her dorm a trendy twist, consisting of a room, designing products with mixture of neutral and ba- her own embroidery and vinyl sic pieces while incorporating decal machines. Church said she occasional pops of color. Her plans on introducing a Greek line wardrobe is comprised of to her Etsy store, and adding alan assortment of authentic ternative products that would boutique-styled pieces as well differentiate her store from as clothing from more prevalent other Etsy shops. corporations. She places in“My eventual goal, as of this creased emphasis on her moment, is probably to own “Outfit of the Day” posts my own boutique. I would like because she said they usually to do monogramming and that warrant the most readership. sort of thing, as well as sell “I think people like to see clothing,” Church said.
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Nicholas Martino / The Daily Reveille
Textile, Apparel, and Merchandising freshman Madison Church runs a full-time blog inspired by her love of fashion.
MUSIC
Louisiana native folk artists to perform at The Varsity
BY DILLON LOWE @d_lowe96
Louisiana native singersongwriters Clay Parker and Jodi James have joined forces and released their first EP as a duo after years of performing as solo acts. Parker, originally from Thibodaux, can be characterized by his blues influence and finger-picked acoustic guitar. He met James, a Burnside native whose music blends folk, rock and soul, in 2009 when they were both performing as solo acts in Donaldsonville. In the past year, the pair has released its first EP and has completed four tours. Parker and James will be performing Thursday at 7 p.m. at Varsity Theatre. “We never had the intention of actually performing together,” Parker said. “But when we did get together to make demos it kind of clicked. We liked how we sounded together.” The first songs Parker and James wrote together were written long-distance over email while James was working in Nashville. Without ever intending on doing so, they had a handful of songs written in a matter of days. Parker said that the duo approaches songwriting a bit differently from the typical style. They don’t have a concrete topic for a song when they begin writing it. Instead, they begin
with a catchy phrase and flesh out the song around it. A handful of the duo’s songs started out as phrases that Parker would write on old receipts. “Clay has a lot of phrases scribbled on old pieces of paper that he keeps in his pocket,” James said. “One that’s on the record is the song ‘Meditation Blues.’ That started on a receipt.” Parker and James’ self-titled debut was released in December 2015. The pair said their choice to stay independent of record labels was a decision to avoid situ-
ations that would put somebody else in charge of their music. Instead, they focus all of their energy on booking shows and performing wherever they can. “Even in the social media age we still wholeheartedly believe in the timeless approach of traveling and playing your music for as many people as you can,” Parker said. Their first EP was made possible by the work of Baton Rouge songwriters and producers Denton Hatcher, Paul Buller and Zachary Graesser. Also performing Thurs-
day night are longtime friends Adam Dale and Sean Bruce Dale, who used to play in the rock band The American Tragedy has put down his electric guitar in recent years and has been working on solo acoustic work. Bruce, who has played a handful of shows with Parker in the past, stands out for his modern folk sound. “[Bruce] is a fantastic songwriter and a really dynamic performer,” Parker said. “I’d relate him to that new indie folk sound.” James released her third solo
album in April 2015 and Parker has plans to release a solo project later this year. They hope to release another project together in 2016, but their top priority at the moment is touring.
Clay Parker & Jodi James WHEN? Tonight 7 p.m.
WHERE?
The Varisty Theater 3353 Highland Rd.
TICKETS? $10
Ice Skate Rollerskate Hockey Parties Hot Chicks
Haskell Whittington / The Daily Reveille
Folk music artist Clay Parker & Jodi James at Highland Coffees before performing at The Varsity on Highland on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Baton Rouge.
Leo’s
ICELAND/ROLLERLAND LLC [ICE] 926-5448 [ROLLER] 925-9186 WWW.SK8LEOS.COM
Opinion
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Head to Head Should the DJ Khaled “era” end?
They don’t want you to be thoroughly entertained RANDALL RAMBLES KAYLA RANDALL Columnist DJ Khaled has found a way to bless up to social media popularity in a sea of dull, uneventful celebrity Snapchats. Remember that guy who didn’t rap, or do much of anything other than yell his name really loudly on tracks? Well that guy is now a Snapchat legend. DJ Khaled, producer of anthemic hits like “All I Do Is Win” and “I’m On One,” has become the ultimate social media personality in recent months. His Snapchat often features his daily life, from the meals his chef makes to him in the shower. DJ Khaled coaches his audience on what it means to have success, how to get it and how to not let detractors stop you. He’s never negative, instead choosing to focus on the more positive aspects of life, like flowers and jet skiing. He calls his plants his “angels” and waters them incessantly, while saying something to the effect of, “they don’t want you to water your plants, so you know what we gonna do? Water them some more.” Better than any reality TV show, DJ Khaled’s Snapchat is almost cinematic. Nothing will ever top the Khaled lost at sea adventure. In an amazing series of videos, DJ Khaled rides around on a jet ski at night in Miami after leaving Rick Ross’ home and winds up getting lost. Despite having no clue where he is, he manages to Snapchat every moment, including him freaking out in the pitch black darkness. He captions videos with prayer hands emojis and “If u know me call zay zee tell her we lost.” The adventure concluded with him realizing that jet skiing at night is not a good idea and is totally illegal. He returned home safely. Just as there are stages of grief, there are stages of the audience’s feelings toward DJ Khaled’s Snapchat. First, it’s jarring, wondering if he’s joking or not. Next, there’s laughter because what he says is so entertaining and utterly ridiculous that it’s impossible not to laugh. Then, it’s confusion, realizing he is dead serious and not putting on an act. Then there’s acceptance that this Snapchat is just irresistible, and finally, obsession. Try as you might to fight it, Khaledisms will ultimately get the best of you, and you will find yourself saying “bless up,” “another one” and “we the best” and overwatering your plants in search of the “major keys to success.” In a way, the producer is an inspiration, showing that it’s ok to be unapologetically yourself. After all, his “major keys” have turned him into a social
media darling in today’s meme culture, and he’s capitalizing on it and selling “We the Best” merchandise like crazy. His popularity has exploded, and it’s simply because he’s organic. There are no gimmicks. This is the real DJ Khaled, and it always has been. It just took seeing him in all his glory daily on Snapchat for us to realize it. To show its appreciation, Snapchat has even granted DJ Khaled his own filters. Everyone seems to be enjoying his hilarious lack of self awareness, including the celebrities he features in each snap. He’s featured Puff Daddy, Kim Kardashian, Dwyane Wade, a various assortment of other Miami Heat players and Drake just to name a few. In its Snapchat debut, the White House referenced Khaled with the caption “major key: get some rest before the big day” in reference to President Obama’s final State of the Union address. Even LSU is joining in on the DJ Khaled fun. Students are in the Quad saying “another one” or reciting the “major keys” to success as the semester starts up. Love him or hate him, you should definitely be following the adventures of DJ Khaled on Snapchat. They don’t want you to ride with him through the journey of more success, but you will anyway. Kayla Randall is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from New Orleans, Louisiana. You can reach her on Twitter @kay_ran21.
Khaled’s keys to success help no one MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL CLARKE PERKINS Columnist Hate to burst your bubble, but DJ Khaled does not, and never will, have the keys to success. DJ Khaled puts out some nice music — however, he’s no Dr. Phil. He’s not someone who should hand out life advice. There are several reasons why the DJ Khaled era he created needs to end. DJ Khaled knows how to make someone feel extremely uncomfortable. If he doesn’t make you uncomfortable then you’ve never watched the full Hold You Down video featuring Chris Brown, August Alsina, Jeremih and Future. The official music video has about 150 million views, and more than 7 billion people live in the world. After accounting for the fans of the four beautiful features that have watched it several times, there’s a large chance you may not have seen it. Those who haven’t seen the video may falsely assume DJ Khaled is your average millionaire trying to lead you to a successful life, but you’ll understand what I mean once you watch the video. He’s not the man you thought he was. He attempts to lead the video’s star vixen to a more successful life by giving her useless advice and bribing her with money — he tells her to “go buy your whole family houses” but only after forcing her to “say my name, baby.” He’s trying to do the same thing with his Snapchat followers. He’s leading everyone to believe he’ll help them achieve success
if they simply follow his Snapchats — this is coming from the same man who got lost in sea on his jet ski last week. And the man who, according to Hip Hop Overload, was senseless enough to “accidentally” post his credit card on Snapchat. He had $80,000 stolen from him in less than 30 seconds. In actuality, he’s leading his followers on a “downward” journey if they imitate him. We shouldn’t trust narcissistic people who are so self-absorbed that they disregard people’s feelings. People like that aren’t trustworthy. It’s the same reason we shouldn’t trust Donald Trump. You’re all out here screaming “lion” and “bless up,” but he’s a basic artist leading you to a rather basic life. Someone not encouraging originality can’t possibly want you to succeed — he’s turned people into little Khaled minions. I know DJ Khaled fans are probably categorizing me as part of the “they” that doesn’t want you to succeed. Who even is “they”? Everyone sounds like they’ve never taken a basic English class because of him. Who is the “they” he refers to in almost every snapchat post? “They don’t want you to win,” “they don’t want you to eat.” He never once specifies who “they” is — what an inappropriate use of a pronoun. The “they” can be him for all we know. It’s time to hop off of his fraudulent “journey of more success.” His snapchats are detrimental to mankind. If I hear “another one,” I’ll scream. Clarke Perkins is a 20-year-old political science sophomore from New Orleans, LA. You can reach her on Twitter @ClarkePerkins.
COURTESY OF DJ KHALED’S SNAPCHAT
DJ Khaled’s popularity is controversial due to his self-proclaimed “keys to success” and bawdy presentation.
The Daily Reveille
Thursday, January 14, 2016
page 9
Louisiana leaders are culpable for state gun violence crisis BEYER’S REMORSE MICHAEL BEYER Columnist Responsibility for gun violence in Louisiana is a bipartisan issue. According to a 2013 report by the Center for American Progress, Louisiana has the worst rate of gun violence of any state. The Kaiser Family Foundation used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data to find that Louisiana has the second worst death rate from firearm per capita in the United States, second only to Alaska. It is no coincidence Louisiana has some of the most lax gun laws in America, with the state earning an “F” in gun safety laws from the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The gun lobby, with the National Rifle Association at the helm, is willing to let Louisianans die to protect gun rights rather than confront our state’s gun violence crisis. NRA opposition to common sense gun measures can render a bill dead on arrival. Even common sense gun measures, such as banning a person convicted of domestic violence from owning
a firearm, faced the NRA’s ire in Louisiana. A 2015 bill by Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, addressing firearm ownership of those convicted of domestic violence, narrowly made it out of committee by a 7-6 vote in the House Administration of Criminal Justice committee. Once the bill made it to the House floor, Moreno watered down the bill to steer clear of the NRA’s opposition. The NRA considered the bill broad because it defined survivors of domestic violence as those who are dating partners — whereas the NRA only supported restricting the bill to legal family members. This definition would have excluded LGBT people and those who are dating from the definition of domestic violence. According to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, Kim Sport of the United Way said 50 percent of domestic violence victims are considered “dating partners” who do not live with and are not married to their abusers, especially among those who are 16 to 24 years old. Men who abuse their girlfriends found an ally in the NRA and Louisiana legislature.
Preventing domestic abusers from owning a gun should be a no-brainer. But in Louisiana, every candidate running for a statewide office must tout their “pro-Second Amendment” record. A Sept. 7 advertisement from then-gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards promoted his “proSecond Amendment” credentials. An August profile of Sen. David Vitter, R-La., in KNOE 8 News Monroe said he supports the Second Amendment and, “wants to see that everyone’s rights are fully protected.” Even modest attempts to prevent gun violence provoke the NRA. When then-Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., defied the NRA and voted for the Manchin-Toomey bill in 2013, allowing background checks for gun owners, the NRA gave her a present during her 2014 re-election bid. The NRA plastered an ad arguing Landrieu “voted to take away your gun rights” featuring a woman who had a burglar in her home. “Vote like your safety depends on it,” the ad said, implying Landrieu wants you and yours to be abducted by preventing those with a criminal record from the ability to buy a gun.
TOP FIVE FIREARMS DEATH RATES IN THE UNITED STATES* *per 100,000 people
1. Alaska ... 19.8 2. Louisiana ... 19.3 3. Mississippi ... 17.8 4. Alabama ... 17.6 5. Arkansas ... 16.8 US Average ... 10.4 Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/firearms-death-rate-per-100000
With our state having the highest rate of gun violence, the health and safety of Louisianians is at stake. Louisiana politicians should grow a spine and stand up to the NRA. Until then, the funerals
of gun victims will belong to Louisiana leaders of both parties. Michael Beyer is a 22-year-old Political Science major from New Orleans, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @michbeyer.
Potential no-fly zone could mean conflict with Russia LOGIC DICTATES CAPTAIN GARRETT MARCEL Columnist Terrorist attacks at home and abroad are shaping the foreign policy debate for the 2016 presidential election. Our next president could be the difference between peace and world-wide conflict. For you, it means the difference between being drafted or using your degree to be the burger flipper you always dreamed. The conflict starts in Syria. Certain candidates, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, want to create a no-fly zone over parts of Syria in order to protect the rebels. Basically, aircraft will be intercepted and shot down should they enter the restricted area. A no-fly zone will do one of two things: escalate regional conflict or put us at war with Russia. A no-fly zone would give
Syrian extremist groups, or rebels, a place to grow under the safety of United States aircraft by preventing Russian aircraft from bombing the rebels, further destabilizing the region. Some Syrian rebels are good, but no one knows how many rebel groups are ridden with extremists and sympathizers, so we should not trust them any more than you’d trust Clinton with your guns. Our government seems to think otherwise. The U.S. gave TOW anti-tank missiles to Syrian rebel group Harakat Hazzm. In March, The International Business Times reported the defectors took our weapons and joined more extremist groups. Our number one concern in the Middle East should be the Islamic State group. We need to only focus on defeating them and assisting regional countries with refugees. We could do that if we didn’t oppose Russia supporting Assad and remained neutral in the Assad vs. rebel conflict. Dictator Assad and his government are the only forces in
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Syria opposing the rebels and the Islamic State group simultaneously. Many countries oppose his regime and his assistance from Russia, but he is one of Russia’s allies in the region. Don’t get me wrong. The U.S. shouldn’t be sleeping with Assad like Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, but we shouldn’t threaten to take down Russian aircraft or supply weapons to the rebels either. As an idiom says, “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” A “devil” we didn’t know became the Islamic State group, but this is one of many evils that surfaced under President Barack Obama. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and militants in Libya are others. The solution to the entire conflict is simple. Create a no-fly zone over refugee camps in a neighboring country with extensive border checks and prevent anyone from returning to Syria until the conflict is over. By doing this, Assad and the rebels can wage conflict without U.S. intervention. America will
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Rafale fighter jet is catapulted for a mission, on France’s flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. have more time to focus on — with the help of Russia — bombing the Islamic State group into submission. As young and healthy ablebodied Americans, we should pay attention to foreign affairs. Who
Editorial Policies and Procedures
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Daily Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving 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 LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
really wants to be drafted? Garrett Marcel is a 21-year-old petroleum engineering major from Houma, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter at @Gret419.
Quote of the Day ‘I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.’
Mahatma Gandhi
Activist October 2, 1869 - January 30, 1948
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Announcements
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The Daily Reveille
Housing
Thursday, January 14, 2016
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For Rent LSU Library Apartments 1BR flat & townhouse $485 - $650 wood floor, central a/c, walk to LSU. Between LSU & Burbank Call: 225-615-8521 ______________________________ Townhouse on Alvin Dark on LSU bus route. $400mo plus 50%utilities and cable. Text 713-254-9034 ______________________________ Shadow Creek Apartments has 2 beds available now. 2/1 for $830 and 2/1.5 bath for $890. 10 minutes from campus! Call (866) 797-5446 or email allwar@ pm-br.com to set up tour! We allow co signers for students! ______________________________
3BR/2.5BA Townhome available for rent January 1, 2016. Essen Lane area. CPTownhome.com ______________________________ 1 ROOMMATE NEEDED: 4/2 House/Garage EXTREMELY NICE Nicholson Lakes $500 month/$200 Deposit. No pets, Utilities pd. Call 225-270-6034. ______________________________ FOR RENT:3/B/BA Luxury Condo, 900 Dean Lee Dr. Gated, Pool, Volleyball ct., On LSU Bus route, Ready For Move In Now!! Call/text Paul 2252669063, or email Talbots@ cox.net ______________________________ 2/1 Wyoming street, walk to LSU $595, 2/1 house w/d incl $775, 1/1 $425 McDaniel properties owner/agent 388-9858 Mcproperty.mgr@cox.net ______________________________
Services
Costs: $.40 per word per day. Minimum $5 per day. Deadline: 12 p.m., three school days prior to the print publication date
 Perfect for students who need their own home w/o all of the noise of multiunit apt. complexes. This 3bd/2ba townhouse has a large living room & a comfortable neat backyard.  BONUS:  Steps away from the LSU bus route.  Please call, serious students and/or young professionals desired.  225-715-6795 or 225-413-3579. ______________________________
Help Wanted Louie’s Cafe is hiring cook, server & dish staff. Apply in person, online or via email. louiescafe.com 3322 Lake Street ______________________________ Behavioral Intervention Group (BIG) is a team of dedicated therapists focused on providing the skills, teaching environments and learning opportunities necessary to improve the quality of life for children with autism and other developmental disorders. BIG provides children with a highly individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program that is continually modified to meet the child’s needs as they progress. As a BIG line therapist, you’ll have an opportunity to gain valuable experience providing ABA services. Our therapists receive intensive training and are taught to be scientists, decision-makers and leaders. This is a full time position starting with an hourly rate of $14.00 hour plus benefits. Although this is an entry level position there is room for advancement at BIG. Must have completed or be presently pursuing a degree in Psychology, Education, Special Education, or a related field (preferred but not required). Previous experience with autism/ABA is helpful but not necessary, No past criminal history,Reliable transportation, Strong interpersonal skills, and a genuine passion for working with children. Please send resume to admin@big-br.com. ______________________________
Open the world for a child with autism! Be an ABA line technician at Capital Area Human Services ASCEND program. Email Jim.LeVelle@LA.gov. ______________________________ Red Zeppelin Pizza now hiring pizza makers and waitresses . Apply at RZP. 225-302-7153 ______________________________
Math Experts needed for math learning center to work with students of all ages. Must have strong math and communication skills. After school and weekends, 6-20 hours per week, $12/hr after training, all centers hiring. Contact us at ascension@mathnasium.com or (225) 744-0005 ______________________________ Work Where You Love to Shop! The Royal Standard currently has PT openings for Sales Associates! Fun Environment, Friendly Team, and Great Employee Discounts! Apply in person at: 16016 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA or online at: resumes@theroyalstandard. com ______________________________ Bonefish Grill on Corporate Blvd is now hiring. Please call 225-216-1191. ______________________________
Boil&Roux is Now Hiring Bartenders. Looking for experienced Bartenders with a positive attitude, high energy level and a good work ethic to join an Awesome Team. Apply in person at 11777 Coursey Blvd. Monday-Friday from 2-4pm (located directly behind the CVS On Coursey) ______________________________
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Nursery Workers Needed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Goodwood Boulevard. Four hours on Sundays with the option to work other events throughout the year. Prior experience working with infants and toddlers preferred. Contact Fr. Watson Lamb at frlamb@stlukesbr.org or call the church office: 225-926-5343. ______________________________ Willies Restaurant on Coursey is now hiring hostesses, waitress, and buss boys for crawfish season. Apply with in at 11260 Coursey Blvd. ______________________________ KLSU Radio is looking for a new WEB DIRECTOR to join our executive staff for the spring semester. The Web Director will prepare posts for KLSU’s website, as well as providing their own content, and will maintain other aspects of our mobile and desktop site. Pay is $8.25/hr for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Responsible for maintaining office hours in addition to work conducted offsite. No prior experience or coding knowledge is necessary, but you must be computer literate. Applicants must be in good academic standing and enrolled full time at LSU. Contact Jolie Robichaux at stationmanager@lsu.edu for more information. ______________________________ Student Needed 12.50/hr Provide support for developmentally disabled young adult. Perfect for ComD, SpEd, Kinesiology majors.  non-smoker Tues, Wed, or Thurs. 9:30-4:30 email chzgil@cox.net or text 225-335-6219 ______________________________ Afternoon Teacher needed for small preschool located near LSU. M-F 2:30-5:30. Please call (225)767-5259 or email silverside@countrydayschoolbr.com
THE TEXAS CLUB IS CURRENTLY TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR QUALIFIED SECURITY GUARDS. THIS IS A PART TIME EVENING JOB. YOU MUST BE AVALIBLE THURSDAY-SATURDAY. TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW CALL JW AT 225.928.4655 TUESDAYFRIDAY 10AM-4PM. ______________________________ Math 1021/1022 Tutor $30/hour Certified Teacher Proficient in MyMathLab 225-421-9963 ______________________________ 838 Meadowbend Unit E; spacious, 2 Bedroom/2 bath, immaculate. Gated community close to Bluebonnet, Essen and LSU. $123,000.00  listed by Covington & Associates 225667-3711 or call Charmaine 225-328-7625. ______________________________
Misc.
Contact Companion Animal Alliance (EBR shelter). We love to reunite pets and families! lostpets@caabr.org, www. caabr.org ______________________________
Let your local animal shelter help. Email lostpets@caabr.org (www.caabr.org)
Thursday, January 14, 2016
The Daily Reveille
page 11
BUSSES, from page 1 which will improve the function of the area and make it safer,” Mitchell said. The marking of a bus-only lane in front of the Journalism Building is aimed at aiding the drivers in queueing up for passengers and preventing other vehicles from blocking space needed by the buses. Petroleum engineering sophomore Kayla Lehmann said she had not personally seen any dangerous situations at the site, but theorized that the ongoing construction could create safety issues for students. Once completed, she anticipated the changes would be beneficial for safety. “I think if it’s dedicated to [improving] the bus lane, it’ll help,” Lehmann said while waiting at the stop. Inclement weather has slightly delayed progress, but Mitchell estimates that the concrete-laying portion of the median’s construction will reach completion this week, followed by painting and landscaping at a later date.
Learn more about the Flores MBA Program by attending one of our upcoming info sessions!
January 21 February 18 March 17 April 11 May 5
NICHOLAS MARTINO / The Daily Reveille
Construction continues on the bus route with the addition of a median on Tuesday.
MAHTOOK, from page 1 upcoming days, is another important item SG will focus on this semester. When completed, it will create a system of appeals for students to follow if they believe their rights have been violated. Student protection is also a large part of SG’s policy initiatives this semester. Mahtook explained how his administration plans on rewriting PS-22, which deals with class absences and how teachers grade make-up assignments. “Currently, if you get excused for a university absence, your teacher doesn’t have to help you make up the test,” Mahtook said. “We’ve been getting a lot of complaints that students have a final that’s worth 50 percent of their grade.” SG will also work on changes concerning President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List. The current policy requires students to take at least 15 hours, not including lab hours, to qualify for the honors, but SG wants to change the policy to 12 hours. Mahtook said that administrators are eager to work with SG to take another look at the policy. “A lot of science and STEM majors might be taking 14 hours, but if you count the labs, it’s more like 17 or 18 hours,” Mahtook said. Mahtook said the plans his administration has for the spring semester will focus on so-called “legacy items” that will leave a lasting impression on the student body. With the spring election season right around the corner, Mahtook said he wants to make sure SG continues to have an active presence on campus. “Hopefully it helps with the view of spring elections ... if students see how much Student Government is doing,” Mahtook said.
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FOR RELEASE JANUARY 14, 2016
THE Daily Commuter Puzzle
WINGATE JONES / The Daily Reveille
LSU finance senior and Student Government president Andrew Mahtook hopes to continue making positive changes despite a busy spring semester.
ACROSS 1 Derek and Diddley 4 More than enough 9 Has __ in one’s pants; is jittery 13 Diving birds 15 TV’s Soupy __ 16 Indira’s dress 17 Tight hold 18 Exhausted 19 Wedding cake level 20 Theorize 22 Antlered animals 23 Give a hoot 24 Go astray 26 Have high hopes 29 Uniformity 34 Sandbank 35 Cried like a cat 36 Uncooked 37 Set __; leave shore 38 Short-__; brief 39 Hardy cabbage 40 Koch & Begley 41 Angered 42 Scenic view 43 Adolescent 45 Hate 46 Org. for doctors and others 47 Joke around 48 List of dishes 51 Abbey 56 Highest cards 57 Steer clear of 58 Wall recess 60 You, biblically 61 At no time 62 Miffed 63 Scotch and __; bar order 64 Lovers’ meeting 65 Fellows 1 2 3 4
DOWN Sleeping __; camper’s item Yours and mine Pass over Give confidence to
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
5 Syrup flavor 6 “Guilty” or “Not guilty” 7 Loaned 8 Thought highly of 9 Toward the rear of a ship 10 __-biter; very close race 11 Long journey 12 Gentlemen 14 Extraordinary 21 Rob Reiner’s dad 25 Blushing 26 Valuable thing 27 Window covering 28 Self-confidence 29 Cut off 30 Astounded 31 Clear the slate 32 Sprinkles at the table 33 Perspiration 35 5,280 feet 38 Tough fibrous band of tissue
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39 Baby cats 41 Male sheep 42 Upper-body garment 44 Seasickness 45 Sahara, for one 47 Green gems 48 Floor pads 49 Resound
50 “All You __ Is Love”; hit for the Beatles 52 Above 53 Shade of blue 54 Den or kitchen 55 Days of __; yesteryear 59 __ Griffey, Jr.
The Daily Reveille
page 12
POTUS’ POLICIES
Thursday, January 14, 2016
A reflection on President Obama’s two terms in office
Today is President Barack Obama’s first visit to Baton Rouge; The Daily Reveille looked back on some of the 44th commander-in-chief’s biggest and most recent policy strides.
Same-sex Marriage June 26, 2015 In a 5-4 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court established the legality of same-sex marriage across the United States. Obama, who first announced his support for same-sex marriage in 2012, called lead plaintiff Jim Obergefell to congratulate him moments after the ruling. “There’s so much more work to be done to extend the full promise of America to every American. But today, we can say in no uncertain terms that we’ve made our union a little more perfect.” Remarks by the President on the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality.
Trans-Pacific Partnership June 29, 2015 Obama signed legislation granting him “fast-track” negotiation authority to help firm up a trade deal among 12 Pacific Rim countries known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. photo courtesy of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Obama appealed to lawmakers to grant the TPP deal congressional approval. “With TPP, China doesn’t set the rules in that region, we do. You want to show our strength in this century? Approve this agreement. Give us the tools to enforce it.” State of the Union address.
Cuban Relations July 20, 2015 The United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations after more than 54 years of Cold War tensions and reopened embassies in each other’s countries. But Obama is still waiting for the Republican-dominated Congress to lift the trade embargo on Cuba, and he has yet to close the military base in Guantanamo Bay. “Our nations are separated by only 90 miles, and there are deep bonds of family and friendship between our people. But there have been very real, profound differences between our governments, and sometimes we allow ourselves to be trapped by a certain way of doing things.” Statement by the President on the Re-Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Cuba on July 7, 2015.
Paris Climate Agreement Dec. 12, 2015 World leaders, including Obama, reached a historic climate change agreement in Paris, France. Nearly 200 participating countries agreed to keep the increase in global average temperature below 2 degrees Celsius, aiming to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “Make no mistake, the Paris agreement establishes the enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis. It creates the mechanism, the architecture, for us to continually tackle this problem in an effective way.” Statement by the President on the Paris Climate Agreement.
Gun Reform Jan. 5, 2016 At an emotional press conference at the beginning of this year, Obama announced a set of executive actions to help curb gun violence. Obama’s actions seek to expand background checks for gun purchasers, and mandate all sellers of firearms register as licensed gun dealers, helping to close the “gun show loophole.” “The United States of America is not the only country on Earth with violent or dangerous people. We are not inherently more prone to violence. But we are the only advanced country on Earth that sees this kind of mass violence erupt with this kind of frequency.” Remarks by the President on Common-Sense Gun Safety Reform.
Of Barack Obama’s two terms in office, what will you most remember him for? The way he’s dealt with foreign policy ... Foreign policy and health care ... I don’t necessarily agree with all of that; I think there’s some good to it and some bad to it.
Adam Grote
He was just this great person. He tried to connect with everybody ... He’s just swaggy.
marketing sophomore
Being a black president ... that has been like a defining, I guess, moment of him in my life ... I remember I was in middle school when it happened, and it was such a big thing for, like, everyone in my family, anybody in my community ... It kind of reflects back to having a dream and accomplishing it.
Cydney Mitchell theatre sophomore
Whenever they killed Osama Bin Laden. That was a big thing, too. That’s something I remember. Kerilyn Morales biology sophomore
Caila Knighton biology sophomore
I would say first African American president. Just his mark on history. Kirk Selexman mechanical engineering sophomore