TOUGH TACKLES
Question of the Week Log on to lsureveille.com to see what alcoholic beverages students enjoy most.
Junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard records 39 tackles in last three games, page 7.
THE DAILY REVEILLE Volume 114, Issue 49
WWW.LSUREVEILLE.COM
DEEP ROOTS Company uses seeds from University’s historical trees to grow and sell oaks
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
ALEX BOND / The Daily Reveille
By Ryan Buxton Staff Writer
They shade inspiring halls, populate the Quad and have become as much of a University hallmark as Mike the Tiger — and soon LSU’s famed stately oaks will be found in people’s backyards. Using Seeds of Life — a business endeavor by Florida-based gift enterprise The Magnolia Company
— anyone can own an LSU oak grown from acorns collected from on-campus trees. Small LSU oaks could be available for sale as early as 2010, said Matt Roth, president of The Magnolia Company, and plans are in development to sell the seeds themselves. “When I talk with people at LSU, I see how much pride they have in the campus there and the history of the campus, and I feel
honored that we can serve people in this way,” Roth said. HISTORICAL ROOTS The stately oaks originated with Steele Burden, a landscape architect who came to campus in the late 1920s and began planting the trees in the early ’30s. Most of the original campus ROOTS, see page 15
UREC
Gym reopens after more than SG Elections today 14 months of renovations Referendum for VP salary on ballot By Xerxes A. Wilson Staff Writer
The Student Government fall elections begin today, and voting on PAWS ends at 9:59 p.m. Included on the ballot are candidates vying for open SG Senate and University Court positions and a referendum to make the SG vice president a salaried position. The only referendum on the ballot prohibits the vice president position from accepting paid
employment outside the University during the fall and spring semesters or outside Baton Rouge during any other time and making it eligible to become a paid position. The only other paid position is SG president. Sen. Chris Sellers, College of Arts and Sciences and co-author of the resolution that put the referendum on the ballot, said SG included a $2,500 salary reserve for the vice president when formatting a budget at the beginning of the semester. If passed, the Senate would have to approve using the funds to pay current SG Vice President Martina Scheuermann. Sellers said VP, see page 15
By Steven Powell Contributing Writer
Students finally have access to the University Student Recreation Complex gymnasium, which has been closed for more than a year. Michael Giles, UREC operations and project manager, said the gym renovations ran smoothly despite a few minor issues. “We had a few problems, which is normal for a project such as this,” he said. “But we stayed on schedule and opened up when we said we would, so I’d say it all went according to plan.” GYM, see page 15
JASON BORDELON / The Daily Reveille
Students utilize the newly reopened basketball courts Monday at the University Student Recreation Complex gym. The courts have been closed since Hurricane Gustav.
THE DAILY REVEILLE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009
Nation & World
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL
North Korea threatens to expand nuclear arsenal
Inquiry of bodies found in rapist’s home focuses on 8-9 missing women
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea issued a veiled threat to increase its nuclear arsenal if U.S. officials do not quickly agree to the one-on-one talks that the communist regime is demanding. The regime’s impatience came days after its No. 2 nuclear negotiator Ri Gun came away from meetings with Washington envoy Sung Kim without an agreement to hold bilateral talks.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Investigators trying to identify the bodies of six women found in the home of a convicted rapist are focusing the inquiry on eight or nine missing women, the coroner said Monday. It could take days or weeks to identify the bodies using dental records or DNA mouth-swab samples from relatives. Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller said his office has begun the “arduous” process of collecting materials from dentists and relatives.
Climate delegates call on US for robust policy at UN climate talks BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — As China’s actions to curb gas emissions garnered praise at U.N. climate talks, the United States came under renewed pressure to come up with a plan to cut pollution blamed for hastening global warming. Delegates at the weeklong talks in Barcelona pressed Monday for Washington to make specific commitments on reducing carbon emissions.
EBay removes items posted for sale by anti-abortion activists WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Online auction house eBay has removed items that were posted for sale by anti-abortion activists trying to raise money for defense of a man accused of killing a Kansas abortion provider, the company said
Monday. Supporters of Scott Roeder — one in Kansas City, Mo. and the other in Des Moines, Iowa — posted various items late Sunday in separate eBay auctions including an Army of God manual, an underground publication for antiabortion militants that describes ways to shut down clinics. 82 healthy green sea turtles hatch at SeaWorld in San Diego SAN DIEGO (AP) — The population of endangered green sea turtles at SeaWorld in San Diego grew by 82 in October when a group of eggs hatched on the park’s Shipwreck Beach without human help. The park announced the news Monday. Assistant curator of fishes Tim Downing says they haven’t had such happy turtle news at SeaWorld since 2003, when 21 sea turtles were born with the help of park staff.
STATE/LOCAL
Medicaid program deficit pegged at $308M by state health department
Gov. Bobby Jindal proclaims Pneumonia Awareness Week in La.
(AP) — The state health department Monday pegged a midyear deficit in Louisiana’s Medicaid program at $308 million, giving formal notification of the problem to lawmakers. The shortfall for the $6.5 billion program that cares for the poor, elderly and disabled will have to be closed before the 200910 fiscal year ends on June 30. Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine said the department will shift dollars from public health and mental health programs, along with tapping some federal stimulus funds and using other one-time dollars to help fill the gap. “We are working hard to find new ways to operate more effectively and efficiently during these challenging budget times,” Levine wrote in his letter to the chairman of the House and Senate budget committees.
(AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal has proclaimed this week Pneumonia Awareness Week in Louisiana, to encourage people to ask their doctors whether they should get the pneumonia vaccine. State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says pneumonia is a common cause of death even though it can be prevented by vaccine, and is a common complication of both seasonal and swine flu.
TODAY ON
lsureveille com
GET YOUR GAME FACE ON! Madden 2010 campus-wide challenge 6:00-9:00p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2009 Live Oak Lounge, LSU Student Union The winner gets a copy of the game and more!
ONGOING IN SEPTEMBER DO YOU HAVE AN OCCURRENCE? Call Andrew at the Student Media Office 578-6090, 9AM- 5PM or
Audit: Louisiana government vehicles not properly monitored (AP) — The agency that manages Louisiana’s vehicles doesn’t ensure the state only buys cars it needs and doesn’t properly monitor the ones the state does own, according to an audit released Monday. The review of the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency shows many of the 13,200 vehicles aren’t needed.
Find The Daily Reveille on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lsureveille. Follow The Daily Reveille on @TDR_news, @TDR_sports and @lsureveille.
Weather 76 51
TODAY
VOTE JOSHUA G. HOLLINS University Court Justice TODAY ON PAWS!!! “Judicially Guaranteeing Honesty”
PAGE 2
Log on to read the football and sports blog.
THE SAINTS ARE COMING
Sunny
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
75 52
73 46
FRIDAY 69 48
SATURDAY 71 54
BENJAMIN OLIVER HICKS / The Daily Reveille
Log on to see students sporting Saints apparel and a recap of last night’s game.
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
In the Nov. 2 article “The Power of Voodoo,” the Voodoo Festival area for indie bands was incorrectly identified. The area was Le Carnival. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or e-mail editor@lsureveille. com.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies for 25 cents, please contact the Office of Student Media in B-34 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published daily during the fall and spring semesters and semi-weekly during the summer semester, except during holidays and final exams. Secondclass copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, La., 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, La.,70803.
THE DAILY REVEILLE B-16 Hodges Hall • Baton Rouge, La. 70803
NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER GERRI SAX ELLEN ZIELINSKI J.J ALCANTARA KATIE KENNEDY LESLIE PRESNALL ROBERT STEWART CASEY GISCLAIR MATTHEW ALBRIGHT MEGAN WILLIAMS JAMES HARALSON LAUREN ROBERTS
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, External Media Managing Editor, Production Production Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Sports Editor Deputy Sports Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Reveille Radio Director Advertising Sales Manager
Newsroom (225)578-4810 • Advertising (225)578-6090
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 3
ECONOMY
Holiday sales predicted to slow, retailers using bargains Students say they expect to spend less By Steven Powell Contributing Writer
Derek Arbour, general studies senior, and his friends plan on making gifts, such as paintings and customized T-shirts, for each other this holiday season to save money in the shaky economy. Although the infamous Black Friday and the holiday shopping season are weeks away, many retailers are already rolling out the bargains. Retailers waited until the end of November in years past to break out the deals, said James Richardson, Public Administration Institute director and economist. But retailers already started major sales efforts and marketing techniques this year, which include price cuts and bargains. Some surveys show spending will be down this season, but Rich-
ardson said no one — including retailers — knows what to expect. “Some people may wait and see if prices get even lower closer to shopping season — others will buy now before its ‘too late,’” he said. “It’s a game we’re playing with each other.” Richardson said the local market — though still flat — is better than other cities, but it’s doubtful it will see a growth during the holiday season. The holiday season marks the busiest time for retailers, which means companies will be fighting to find a way to boost sales, Richardson said. Many businesses start their holiday promotions early — some as early as late October — but Dan Rice, marketing professor, said it’s all part of the strategy. “The reason you see it starting earlier is because of the traditional Black Friday sales,” he said. “Black Friday puts people into the shopping mentality and gets the season started. After finding deals early on, people
are ready to shop to find more, which works in the retailer’s favor.” Corey Dorsa, accounting junior, said he plans to spend less on holiday shopping than in previous years because his budget has gotten tighter. He said he is forced to work fewer hours at his job compared to last year. “It’s a direct effect of the economy,” he said. “Less people are willing to buy our product, meaning there is less work available for us to do.” Rice said this year’s shopping season will consist of value-based sales with retailers like Walmart and Target being the go-to outlets. Some stores — like higher-end retailers — will still have higher prices than others, but Rice said he predicts most retailers across the board will cut prices to increase sales. “If you look at companies that have done proportionately better this year, Walmart gained share because of lower prices,” he said. On Oct. 21, Walmart announced the start of its holiday marketing strategy, which involves weekly price
MEGAN J. WILLIAMS / The Daily Reveille
Kim and Frank Truesdale, Baton Rouge residents, shop in Perkins Rowe on Monday night. Holiday sales are predicted to slow down this season.
cuts through the holiday season. “We will be announcing weekly price cuts on thousands of items, starting with groceries and moving on to larger purchases, that will last through the shopping season,” said Ashley Hardie, Walmart spokesperson. Rice said Walmart’s strategy is aiming to bring customers in and get
them to spend more because of lower prices. But he said Walmart is always associated with lower prices, which questions whether the strategy will work exactly as planned.
Contact Steven Powell at spowell@lsureveille.com
HEALTH
Student Health Center to receive H1N1 vaccines Inoculations may arrive next week By Adam Duvernay Senior Staff Writer
The trend for cases of the H1N1 virus is declining nationally, but many health care providers still have not received inoculation shipments a full month after a vaccine was created. The Student Health Center is developing a vaccination distribution proposal for the Department of Health and Hospitals, the last step to receiving those vaccinations. Julie Hupperich, associate director of the Health Center, said she expects the vaccinations soon. “Basically, we’re under the impression we’re closer to getting it if they are asking us about our distribution plan,” Hupperich said. Frank Welch, medical director for pandemic preparedness in Louisiana, said state college students can expect to see deliveries as early as next week. Hupperich said the DHH hasn’t told her how many doses the Health Center will receive or when. She said the plan she will present to the DHH within the next few days will be based in part on the number of students and faculty who requested seasonal flu vaccines.
The Health Center distributed about 2,000 seasonal flu shots to students during October’s Flu Week, Hupperich said. More shots were also distributed to Veterinary School students, and 25 percent of the shots went to faculty. She said she expects the Health Center will request about 3,000 H1N1 vaccines. Hupperich said the initial allotment may call for an alphabetical distribution method for the vaccines. She said inoculations would be opened to whoever wants them if the demand is not overwhelming. Welch said Louisiana has been distributing its limited number of vaccinations mostly to pediatric care givers during the last three weeks because children are a high risk group. He said the national shipping de-
sprays, a form of lay is mostly because the vaccine recomof the slow producmended for healthy tion of the vaccine. people between the “They say it’s a slow grower, or that’s Log on to see updates ages of 2 and 49. The Health the reason they’ve to the H1N1 page. Center will receive been giving us,” between 300 and Welch said. 400 doses over a Welch said flu vaccines are “basically cooked like three- to five-week period, Welch soup” in industrial vats and are dis- said. Welch and Hupperich said there tributed over the course of months. There is also no single H1N1 has been a cyclical pattern for the vivaccine because it comes in at least rus since its emergence, but recently four different varieties for different the number of cases has dropped. Because there is always a chance groups of people, he said. Louisiana is expected to receive of re-emergence with pandemic disthe full allotment of inoculations, eases, Welch recommended people about 2.3 million doses in various get both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines before the seasons overlap and make forms, by the end of January. Welch said University students diagnosing the virus more difficult. “If we increase the number of will most likely be given intra-nasal
lsureveille.com
people who can’t get it and can’t spread it, the virus will have a harder time going around,” Welch said. Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@lsureveille.com
PAGE 4
THE DAILY REVEILLE
STATE
New tax could affect La. oil industry Gas prices expected to rise again By Nate Monroe Contributing Writer
The Louisiana Economic Outlook predicts a sunnier job forecast for 2010 and 2011, though the good news didn’t come without caveats. Among the most discussed findings in the report are the “oil patch” areas of Louisiana. Areas where the energy extraction industry, like oil drilling, plays a large role in local economies will continue to suffer setbacks because of proposed energy tax plans by President Barack Obama. “All they had to do is propose [another tax],” Loren Scott, professor emeritus of economics and one author of the report, said of Obama’s proposed $33 billion tax plan on the oil industry. “As long as that’s hanging out there over the industry, you’re not going to have growth in the oil patch of the state.” The Louisiana Environmental Action Network said negative reaction to environmental regulation is nothing new. “Scott can declare gloom and doom, but I haven’t seen that in the last 20 years,” said Kathy Wascom, legislative liaison for LEAN. “I’ve seen a lot of innovation.” Scott said oil companies are fearful of the government repealing tax exemptions and adding any additional taxes. These potential added costs have “chilled” growth in Lafayette and Houma — two energy industry-dependent areas. Additionally, oil companies will pass these extra costs onto consumers in the form of higher gas prices at the pumps, he said. The proof is already in the pudding, Scott said, pointing out “normally Lafayette and Houma would be rocking and rolling” with the current high oil prices. Instead, Lafayette and Houma are expected to add jobs at less than 1 percent through 2010 and 2011 if Obama’s tax plans pass Congress, though Houma is expected to fare better because of recent job additions at Edison Chouest shipyards, according to the LEO. Wascom countered Scott’s expectations and said new energy regulations, like a carbon tax or capand-trade system, could create a favorable business environment. She said Louisiana first needs to break its over-dependence on just one industry — an industry she said hasn’t yielded the positive benefits some claim it has for the Louisiana economy. “We have oil. We have gas. We have huge natural resources,” she said. “And yet our state still seems to be of poor state quality, and we still seem to have terrible health and economic problems.” Wascom said new regulations could spurn a wave of innovation in the energy industry, as regulations will force companies to look for more efficient ways to produce energy. “It’s underestimating Louisiana businesses and the people of
Louisiana to say they can’t innovate and create,” she said. “There’s a lot of potential here.” Wascom added that the cost of doing nothing could be much worse than anything — calling for Scott to draft an analysis of the cost of pollution rather than the cost of solutions to try and solve it. “We don’t really have any economists looking at the cost of pollution on a community,” Wascom said. The findings in the LEO are based on the assumption the price of oil will increase to at least $85 a barrel during the next two years, a substantial increase over the current price of oil, which is around $70 a barrel — something particularly salient to consumers, who generally bear some of the burden of increased oil prices. Retail gas prices are nowhere near the peak reached in mid-2008, but the price of gas at the pump has
increased steadily from around $1.70 per gallon to its current average of $2.70 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration. Rya Butterfield, communication studies doctoral student, said she found a place to study within walking distance of campus when she was moving to Louisiana in anticipation of high gas prices and her “limited funds” among other expenses. “I only use my car three times a week or so,” she said, Taylor Brantley, biology freshman, said he expects the price of gas to increase again, and he is ready to adjust like he did in 2008. “I definitely didn’t drive a lot or drive very fast — to save gas,” Brantley said.
Contact Nate Monroe at nmonroe@lsureveille.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
PAGE 5
HEALTH
Patrons of 13th Gate donate blood for entry discount Cardiologist: Combo could be risky By Sarah Lawson Contributing Writer
Baton Rouge residents and visitors who didn’t get a chance to give their blood this weekend in exchange for entry into the 13th Gate haunted house still have time to get their thrills for a discount. The Gate will continue to run through Nov. 13, or Friday the 13th, and The Blood Center will be on site on weekend nights. Donating blood at a blood bank parked outside the attraction takes $5 off the $20 general admission and allows the donor and three friends to skip the line, which often stretches along the building to the end of the block. But losing a pint of blood is not an activity usually associated with a haunted house experience. Dwayne Sanburn, owner of Midnight Productions and the 13th
Gate, said his partnership with the Blood Center stems from his experience as a registered nurse. He said he has paired blood drives with his haunted houses since 1995 as a way of giving back to the community. There are more than 2,000 for-profit haunted attractions in the U.S., and haunted attractions average about 8,000 guests per fright season, according to estimates by the Haunted House Association. Cammie Proctor, account representative for The Blood Center, said the weekend of Oct. 23 was one of the busiest she’s seen at the 13th Gate this year with nearly 100 donors. But Darren Breaux, Baton Rouge cardiologist, said extreme fright may not be the safest emotion to endure after giving blood. He said the adrenal glands release adrenaline to create the “flight or fight” reaction when the body is scared or surprised. “Your heart begins to beat stronger, faster, and your blood pressure goes up,” Breaux said. He said the reaction to surprise
Mellow Mushroom Pint Night...Free Glass with Draft. 10 Till. $2 Jager. $2 SoCo. $4 Bombs Open Mic Night...Interested Players Call Brian (803-3190) Plucker’s Wing Bar Monday: $14.99 All you can eat wings and $3 Plucker’s Lemonades Tuesday: $2.50 Mexican Beers and Margaritas Wednesday: Trivia at 8PM. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs Thursday: $15.99 All you can eat wings. $4 Mother Plucker Mugs. $3 Margaritas and Plucker’s Lemonades
9-10:30 AM Van Helsing 12-1:30PM The Forsaken 3:00-3:30PM Newsbeat Live 4:30-5:00PM Sports Showtime Live
7:00-8:30PM 10:00-10:30PM 10:30-11:00PM 11:00-12:30PM
Blade Newsbeat Repeat Sports Showtime Underworld
is similar to the bodily conditions during heavy exercise but isn’t as good for the body. Blood pressure increases in both cases, but he said blood vessels dilate during exercise, and frightened responses causes vascular resistance. He said blood pressure becomes low after blood donations, when the body loses up to a pint of blood. The body’s natural compensatory response is to release more adrenaline, dilate the vascular system and sometimes increase blood pressure, he said. He said combining the effects of high blood pressure and
vascular resistance associated with the body’s surprise mechanisms during a haunted house experience puts the body at risk for fainting. “You’d probably have more than normal amounts of people passing out,” Breaux said. Sanburn said no one has ever fainted in his haunted houses from giving blood. “Some people get a little sick from donating blood,” Sanburn said. “But it’s been about one in a thousand.” He said the probability of passing out depends on the person — size, gender, existing medical problems and whether a person has
eaten all factor into the chance. Breaux said general recommendations after a blood donation include lying down, eating and drinking and refraining from exercise, and effects can be felt for up to a few days afterward. “I would strongly discourage [visiting a haunted house after blood donation] — it’s taking a risk,” he said. “But I think most people would be OK.”
Contact Sarah Lawson at slawson@lsureveille.com
PAGE 6
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Sports
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009
PAGE 7
FOOTBALL
Tigers’ attention focused on Alabama
By Rachel Whittaker Chief Sports Writer
SHEPPARD, see page 11
ALABAMA, see page 10
WRAPPING IT UP
MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (11) takes down Florida running back Jeffery Demps (2) Oct. 10 in LSU’s 13-3 loss against Florida in Tiger Stadium.
Junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard credits teammates for recent success When LSU junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and senior defensive tackle Al Woods visited Baton Rouge as recruits to a 2005 LSU game against Tennessee in Tiger Stadium, Woods made Sheppard a promise. “On his official visit, I came to watch the game because I had already committed, and I told him, ‘If you come here, I won’t ever let anyone touch you,’” Woods said. “That’s a promise that I’m living up to four years later. If I can take two hats for him to make the tackle, then that’s fine with
me.” done, despite 15 of those tackles Woods and the rest of the being solo. LSU defense haven’t let ShepThe Stone Mountain, Ga., napard down, especially in the last tive instead credits his defensive three games in which the junior line for never letting Tulane’s oflinebacker has fensive line block amassed a teamhim Saturday By Andy Schwehm high 39 tackles. night. Sports Writer The 13 tackles in “It’s amazing each of those games made Shep- that I can just sit back and play pard the first Tiger to amass three football and run sideline-to-sideconsecutive double-digit tackle line and have guys cheer for me games since Bradie James in in the meeting when they told me 2002. I got 13 tackles,” Sheppard said. Yet Sheppard refuses to take “[Junior defensive tackle] Drake credit for any of what he has Nevis looked at me and said,
lsureveille.com
‘Man, it’s like me having 13 tackles,’ and that’s a great thing.” That unselfish attitude of his fellow defensive players has allowed Sheppard to rack up a team-high 70 total tackles this season (32 solo and 38 assisted) and team-high 7.5 tackles for loss. Woods said Sheppard’s play has been helping the defense gain a swagger. “What can’t you say about Kelvin,” Woods said. “He’s a
One of LSU’s goals all season has been to establish a running game to bolster its offense. That objective will become even more paramount this weekend, as No. 9 LSU prepares to face No. 3 Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. LSU coach Les Miles said with the Tulane game complete, the Tigers have devoted their attention to Alabama, including the Crimson Tide’s No. 2 rushing defense and No. 4 total defense in the country. “We recognize the success that Alabama has had defending thus far, and Log on to we are going to see Les attack them with Miles smartness and discuss how it factors this week’s into our pergame sonnel,” Miles against said. “We look Alabama. forward to that challenge.” A particularly formidable force in size and skill is Alabama senior defensive lineman Terrance Cody. Cody blocked two field goals in Alabama’s latest victory against Tennessee, including a potential 44-yard game-winner. “We’ll put two guys over the nose tackle and that nose tackle
NFL
Saints hold on to late lead, beat Falcons 35-27 New Orleans one of two undefeated teams in NFL By Staff Reports The Atlanta Falcons kept the New Orleans Saints on their heels until the final seconds of the teams’ divisional matchup Monday night. But when Saints safety Darren Sharper pulled down an interception near his own goal line with three seconds left, the Saints walked off the Superdome field victorious and still undefeated. New Orleans’ 35-27 victory extends the team’s record to 7-0, tying the franchise’s best start and making the Saints one of two remaining undefeated teams along with the Indianapolis Colts. The win also
extends the Saints’ division lead to three games against Atlanta. The Saints seemed to have the game locked up with 1:42 remaining when they forced an incomplete pass from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on fourth down. But Falcons backup safety Coy Wire stripped the ball from Saints running back Mike Bell 19 seconds later, and Atlanta was back in business. Ryan led Atlanta down field for a 40yard Jason Elam field goal with 28 seconds remaining to cut the Saint lead to 35-27. Wire recovered the ensuing onside kick for Atlanta, and advanced to ball to the New Orleans 49-yard line with 11 seconds remaining for one more Ryan hail mary attempt. But the attempt landed squarely in SAINTS, see page 10
BILL FEIG / The Associated Press
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) points the ball to Atlanta Falcons cornerback Tye Hill (24) as he scores a touchdown in the Superdome on Nov. 2.
PAGE 8
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Green, Harris hope to quash lingering questions Players improve physically, mentally By Chris Branch Sports Contributor
Most collegiate athletic teams face several questions heading into their seasons. Injuries, departures and new arrivals always fill the minds of story-seeking journalists in the weeks leading up to kickoff, tip-off or first pitch. The LSU men’s basketball team has certainly fielded its fair share of questions. Coach Trent Johnson refers to some of his questionable players as “The Unknowns.” More specifically, Johnson talks about these unknowns at the power forward position, where the Tigers appear to be dreadfully thin with senior Tasmin Mitchell playing more small forward this season. “Then you have the unknowns, outside of Chris Bass,” Johnson said. “I’m talking about up front on our front line.” Two guys who will be counted upon to fill minimal, yet vital roles are sophomore Garrett Green and redshirt freshman Dennis Harris. Green missed all of last season with an injury after playing 25 games his freshman season under former LSU coach John Brady. Harris, on the other hand, missed his freshman season after being redshirted. Harris has not seen action in a regular season game as a Tiger. GREEN TRYING TO STAY HEALTHY Most college basketball players endure countless hours of practices and workouts during their respective collegiate careers. It’s usually nothing special. For Green, getting through one workout has been epic progress. Green, the talented but oft-injured sophomore, missed the entire 2008-2009 season with a myriad of back injuries. “Garrett Green was able to get through a 45-minute, three-quarterspeed individual workout, which is monumental for him,” Johnson said with a chuckle. The 6-foot-11 inch, 230-pound forward said he is still not at full
health and continues a vigorous rehab schedule to mend his ailing back. “I’m not really having pain in my spine where I had surgery, but I am having pain in lower parts with muscles that haven’t been built,” Green said. “They’re just started to get worked out, and they’re sore.” Johnson declined to assess what Green’s role will be this upcoming season. For any role to be acquired, Green must actually be able to play. “Well, first of all from Garrett’s standpoint, he’s got to get healthy,” Johnson said. “He’s got to prove he can be out there without having any setbacks. Physically, he’s got to be out there.” HARRIS WORKING ON MENTAL SIDE OF GAME Harris has all the physical tools. At 6 feet 10 inches and 190 pounds, the Jonesboro, Ga., native has a skill set Johnson said is similar to former Tiger Chris Johnson’s. Harris starred at Mundy’s Mill High School in Jonesboro, averaging 21.5 points, 12 rebounds and
four blocks per game for the Tigers his senior season. Johnson decided to redshirt Harris last season to save his eligibility for a future that would see Chris Johnson and Quintin Thornton vacant from the roster. Trent Johnson’s main concern for Harris, besides a skinny frame, is his mental fortitude and memory of the plays. “For Dennis, he needs to understand what we’re doing offensively and defensively,” Johnson said. “There’s a word we use in athletics called trust. It has nothing to do with a guy’s ability to make plays or a guy’s skill set. It has something to do with when we’re running a play, you won’t break down and you’ll know exactly what we’re doing. It’s simple: It’s called trust, and it’s called execution.” Harris is certainly aware of Johnson’s criticisms. “My role is going to be getting trust from coach Johnson,” Harris said. “I think I have to show Coach that I am a versatile player. I have no doubt in my mind that I can make an impact on this team.”
GRANT GUTIERREZ / The Daily Reveille
LSU freshman forward Dennis Harris (purple) defends as sophomore forward Garrett Green (gold) goes for a shot Wednesday night in the PMAC.
Harris’ high school coach at Mundy’s Mill, Tu Willingham, dismissed Johnson’s comments as a strategy to keep Harris’ ego in check. Willingham said he talks to Harris every Sunday night and labeled him “a student of the game.” “You can go to Kansas, you can go to North Carolina and the coaches are going to be critical of all their players,” Willingham said. “I would just say that was an average, par-for-the-course comment.”
Willingham went further and said Johnson’s assessment of Harris couldn’t have been further from the truth. “That is totally uncharacteristic of him [Harris],” Willingham said. “He is one of the most focused and dedicated players I’ve ever coached.” Contact Chris Branch at cbranch@lsureveille.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 9
BABBLING BROOKS
Baseball should consider a better instant replay system Baseball is one of our oldest traditions, but perhaps it’s time for “America’s pastime” to fully embrace the 21st century. Baseball has implemented a form of replay that has helped alleviate some of the errors made by umpires, but for the game to truly be as mistake-free as possible, it’s time for them to adopt a more modern replay policy. The current policy, adopted in 2007, only allows for replays in very specific instances. If an umpire has a question of whether a potential home run ball landed in fair or foul territory, an instant replay could be used to determine a correct ruling. It can also be used to ensure a ball actually left the playing field and did not just hit the top of the outfield wall. The final instance in which instant replay could be used is to determine if a fan or spectator interfered with a ball. We’ve seen instances when replay was necessary just in these playoffs alone. Saturday night in Game 3 of the World Series, we saw a ball hit by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit a camera in the outfield
stands and get ruled a double. Luckily for the Bronx Bombers, this was a case where replay could be used, and the call was eventually overturned and correctly ruled a home run. Teams are not always forJohanathan tunate, as both the Yankees Brooks Sports Columnist and the Angels had close plays called inaccurately against them. In Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, third base umpire Tim McClelland made two truly horrible calls that could have been overturned if more types of plays were reviewable. The poorer of the two calls happened at the top of the fifth inning when McClelland missed an obvious double play. Angels catcher Mike Napoli caught Yankees catcher Jorge Posada in a run down between home plate and third base and chased Posada back to the bag where Yankees second baseman Robinson Canó had already advanced. Napoli tagged Canó first and
JAE C. HONG / The Associated Press
The Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Napoli tags the New York Yankees’ Robinson Canó on Oct. 20 during an American League Championship game in Anaheim, Calif.
then Posada in what should have been a simple call resulting in two outs for the Yankees. McClelland missed Canó’s foot not being on the bag when he was tagged and ruled him safe anyway. The other play involved New York outfielder Nick Swisher who attempted to tag up on a fly ball out and advance for a run. McClelland ruled Swisher had left third base too early and called him out — another call television replay showed McClelland got wrong. “I’m just out there trying to do my job and do it the best I can,” McClelland said in a postgame press conference. Sorry, Tim, but your best wasn’t good enough. But a new instant replay with the power to overturn calls would have been good enough. Baseball needs to adopt a more comprehensive replay policy to cover things like this. It’s working out well for other sports. I’ve seen plenty of instances in football when calls are confirmed or overturned that sway the momentum of a game. Tennis has a replay system that judges whether balls are in or out of bounds. Hockey and basketball have forms of a replay, and even the Professional Bull Riders Association has replay rules. Many of the arguments against replay are foolish at best. Some argue human error is a part of baseball and has always been a part of baseball, so the system should remain the same. This argument makes no sense. Tradition for the sake of tradition is asinine. If something can be improved, there’s no reason not to make improvements. Those, including Commissioner Bud Selig, who argue pace may be affected and games will run long are just as bad. Sure, it’ll take a little longer for games to play out if replay is implemented, but games are already two and a half to three hours, so what’s another 10 minutes to make sure the umpires are getting it right. Baseball needs to change the system. Things like fair and foul balls and outs on the base paths should
be included under the replay rules. They shouldn’t have to be subject to human error. They’re too important. It won’t tarnish the game in any way to have a system of checks and balances to make sure nothing goes wrong in a big way.
Johanathan Brooks is a 21-yearold mass communication senior from Powder Springs, Ga. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_jbrooks. Contact Johanathan Brooks at jbrooks@lsureveille.com
PAGE 10
THE DAILY REVEILLE
FOOTBALL
Florida’s Spikes suspended for attempting to gouge player’s eyes By Mark Long The Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Topranked Florida will be without star linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes on Monday, two days after the defensive captain apparently attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory. “I don’t condone that,” Meyer said. “I understand what goes on on the football [field], but there’s no place for that. We’re going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. I spoke with him. That’s not who he is. That’s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion.”
ALABAMA, from page 7
area,” Miles said. “If the center goes to the right, he takes that guy, and if he goes to the left, he takes the other guy. [Cody] is just a good player and a very good competitor.” LSU sophomore center T-Bob Hebert will be going against Cody on Saturday, and Miles said the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Hebert will be up to the task despite his size difference against the 6-foot-5, 365-pound Cody. “It’s like any opponent that challenges you to bring out your best,” Miles said. “T-Bob will be inspired to play well along with our whole offensive line.” Senior running back Charles Scott put up 112 yards rushing and two touchdowns against the Green Wave, his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Miles said keeping up that momentum on the ground is very important for a victory against Alabama. “In terms of establishing the run, it’s always important in every game with significance,” Miles said. “If you don’t, you become a one-dimensional team, and that’s an issue and certainly will be for me.” Sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson went 11-for-16 for 163 yards Saturday. Miles said his effort was impressive because the sophomore had an illness earlier that week. “It was not a physical ailment,” Miles said. “He was sick with a disease or some kind of virus or something — a fever and his lungs were congested.” Junior Josh Jasper and redshirt freshman Drew Alleman handled the punting duties against Tulane, but Miles said there is no indication junior Derek Helton will be unable to play against Alabama. “One thing that Derek Helton gives you is great hang time,” Miles said. “We expect he would be that guy taking those punts. There would be no reason for me to expect any differently this week.” Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker@lsureveille.com
Spikes issued a statement apologizing for what he did. “I accept responsibility for my actions, and I accept the consequences of my actions,” he said. “I would like to apologize to my team and the coaching staff and Washaun Ealey. Football is a very physical and emotional game, but there is no excuse for my actions.” Meyer’s wife mentioned Spikes’ actions to him Sunday night, then defensive coordinator Charlie Strong did the same Monday morning. Meyer said his first reaction was to move on. Then he saw a replay of the incident, which shows Spikes shoving his glovecovered right hand into Ealey’s facemask and moving it back and forth. Meyer then spoke to Spikes and determined he was retaliating
after getting his helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game. Meyer also talked to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, but Florida officials said it was Meyer’s decision to suspend Spikes. “We understand the game of football,” Meyer said. “Some of us have played it. Very emotional things happened in that game in particular that were not good for either side, but the bottom line is we’re Florida and he’s Brandon Spikes and we expect certain things. He understands.” The SEC issued a statement saying it reviewed and accepted the discipline handed down by Florida. Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com
SAINTS, from page
Sharper’s hands, and the party was on in New Orleans. The New Orleans defense harassed Ryan all night. The former Boston College standout finished the night 19-for-42 for 289 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Ryan was also sacked three times. Saints quarterback Drew Brees countered with a 25-for-33, 308-yard performance of his own. Brees threw two touchdowns to one interception in the victory. Brees spread the ball around to several receivers. Marques Colston led the way with six receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown, and tight end Jeremy Shockey added five catches for 72 yards. Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson tallied 47 and 46 receiving yards, respectively. Falcons running back Michael Turner led all rushers with 151 yards on 20 carries for one touchdown. But the Saints’ running back by committee matched the Fal-
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 cons’ standout nearly yard for yard. Pierre Thomas finished with 91 yards and a touchdown, Mike Bell finished with 49 yards and Reggie Bush added a touchdown on just three yards of his own. The Saints stay at home and await division foe Carolina for a 3:05 showdown Sunday. The Falcons return to Atlanta for a noon matchup Sunday against the Washington Redskins. The primetime matchup was the first Monday Night Football appearance for both the Saints and the Falcons this season. The Saints will appear on Monday night again later this month for a Nov. 30 matchup against New England in the Superdome.
Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at sports@lsureveille.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
SHEPPARD, from page 7
great player, and he always comes to work with bumps and bruises and doesn’t complain. He gets better at something every week, and it shows on the field because he’s a guy you can count on.” Sheppard also recorded his first solo sack of his career Saturday night in LSU’s 42-0 victory against Tulane while adding two additional tackles for loss. With 13 tackles against Tulane, Sheppard — once known by Tiger fans as “the other Ryan Perrilloux” because he shared the same jersey number (No. 11) as the former Tiger quarterback during his freshman season — has begun to make a name for himself in the ‘He always Southeastern Conference, comes to ranking No. 4 work with in tackles. “He’s albumps and ways seen himbruises and self as a leader somebody doesn’t and that is integral complain.’ to this team,” said LSU coach Al Woods Les Miles. senior defensive tackle “He’s taken it upon himself to improve his play ... Not only is he a very good player, but he’s a leader of our football team.” The second-leading tackler on the team is Sheppard’s high school teammate senior linebacker Perry Riley with 55 tackles. Riley said Sheppard’s recent
JASON BORDELON / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (11) tackles a Tulane player during one of his 13 tackles against the Green Wave on Oct. 31 in Tiger Stadium.
play reminds him of their days back in high school. “He’s doing everything you can ask of in a linebacker,” Riley said. “It’s just as it was back in high school, so it’s no shock to me that he’s having so much success.” Sheppard was instrumental in leading his team to a 12-2 record with 102 tackles, 10 sacks, an interception for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as a high school senior. He had 106 tackles in his junior season in high school, a number which he may surpass this season in his junior year as a Tiger. In his first two non-redshirt-
ed seasons at LSU, Sheppard recorded 85 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, as a part-time starter and special teams player for the Tigers. But one thing the fourth-year linebacker has not gotten since his senior season at Stephenson High School is an interception, a word that makes his eyes light up. “I’m looking forward to that first one,” Sheppard said. “I should have had two this year, but I let them slip away.” Contact Andy Schwehm at aschwehm@lsureveille.com
PAGE 11
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Opinion
PAGE 12
FREEMAN OF SPEECH
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Favre’s return to Lambeau matches Saban’s betrayal
As Chuck Norris might have put it, betrayal is a dish best served with a swift roundhouse kick to the face. Such was the case Sunday when Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre’s every move was filmed, processed and broadcast on a live webcast during his return to Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers. The NFL took it to a whole new level, offering a “FavreCam” for supporters and opponents alike to capture Favre’s every step in the “Frozen Tundra.” The media knew all about it, as did his teammates and former teammates across the sidelines. Even Favre himself knew. Most of the sideline footage featured Favre looking stoic, occasionally talking to one of his running backs, wide receivers or coaches, but for the most part reserved. But most of the time he looked like he knew he was on camera.
Any veteran of pregame and postgame interviews knows he would publicly support his team and teammates, preaching old clichés like “It’s a team effort” or “I’m only where I am because of incredible support from my teammates and some of the best fans Eric Freeman Jr. Columnist in football.” But any sane interpretation of the FavreCam involves a microcosm of how Brett Favre views the league and his career. In four words: It’s all about him. Other than the sheer dominance of the Saints — Who Dat? — the biggest story this NFL season centers around Favre’s outright betrayal after his fourth or fifth retirement — I lost count
three retirements ago — and his dismantling of any good will afforded to him by his former Cheesehead faithful. After a lackluster stint with the New York Jets, Favre’s re-return to the NFL with the Vikings left me with the same feeling after Nick Saban did the unthinkable and became head coach at Alabama. The pair both moved to different venues, with Saban accepting the head coaching position for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The Tiger faithful were happy for him, to a degree. After all, he delivered a national championship to LSU, and we were eager to see him succeed on the professional level. After two disastrous seasons, Saban called it quits in the NFL and took a sledgehammer to the hearts of Tiger Nation by signing a $28 million contract with the Crimson Tide, with the gall
to proclaim “It wasn’t about the money.” To be fair, it wasn’t about the money. Again, it’s all about him. Saban saw the NFL for what it was: not for him. He couldn’t wrangle the egos associated with his players’ multi-million dollar contracts and endorsement deals. Instead, his ego got the best of him, and he destroyed any good will he left in Baton Rouge. Both Favre and Saban were successful in their first games where they made their names, with Favre throwing four touchdown passes in a 38-26 victory and Saban vanquishing the Tigers, 27-21, in overtime in his Death Valley return last year. Only Saban didn’t have the “benefit” of having millions of eyes glued to his every move online. Both Packer fans and Tiger fans can take solace in the fact both teams have moved on
relatively well. Aaron Rodgers looks promising at best as the new Packers quarterback, while Les Miles has already delivered a national championship of his own to LSU. But the pain remains. No one can undo the hurt Packer fans suffered after the loss of arguably their greatest player ever, while nothing can salvage the outright disloyalty Nick Saban showed by joining one of LSU’s biggest rivals. Well, maybe not nothing. Delivering a swift roundhouse kick to Alabama this Saturday would do it.
Eric Freeman Jr. is a 22-year-old political science senior from New Orleans. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_efreeman. Contact Eric Freeman Jr. at efreeman@lsureveille.com
VIEW FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL
Swine flu, graduation causing OCD symptoms
By Jessie Borkan Tufts University
MEDFORD, Mass. (U-WIRE) — This weekend I found myself celebrating the last Halloween of my college career, and I don’t know what was scarier: swine flu or the prospect of not finding a job. I receive e-mails nearly every day
concerning both of them: from the university, from my mom, from my friends — all admonishing me to wash my hands, buy a suit, avoid sharing drinks and network. My everyday conversations are suddenly peppered with news of which fortunate souls have been recruited and which unfortunate ones have come down with the in-
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
THE DAILY REVEILLE Editorial Board NICHOLAS PERSAC JERIT ROSER ELLEN ZIELINSKI MATTHEW ALBRIGHT
Editor Managing Editor, Content Managing Editor, Production Opinion Editor
ERIC FREEMAN JR.
Columnist
MARK MACMURDO
Columnist
famous H1N1, as well as who took the LSATs out of sheer desperation and who has the vague and mysterious “ILI.” It seems no one is safe. Why? Unemployment might not be as contagious as the dreaded swine, but sensationalism definitely is, and I see it infecting the university. I work at an OCD clinic, where people with obsessions — and subsequently, compulsive behavior (rituals) — go to regain control, escape constant fear and recover their peace of mind. I spend my days convincing people that touching doorknobs and then not washing their hands before lunch will not, in fact, kill them. Try telling this to my roommates — who, thanks to the university’s helpful reminders that they have zero new information for us but want to let us know that it is still possible we will all get the swine flu and die — have succumbed to the very OCD symptoms I try to eliminate in patients: excessive hand washing, undue fear of sniffly people, and the superfluous rule of 12. This rule consists of the dubious conviction that contamination can be transferred up to 12 times and still be dangerous, and I have seen it in action: shoes touch the floor and then a chair which touches pants which touch the couch
which touches a face and BAM. That’s only five — you’re definitely done for. The terrifying notions of “our future” and “next year” are little different. We obsess over jobs and applications and networking sites. (Hello? Just last semester you were using those to post black-out pictures of your friends with Sharpie on their faces.) We ritualize our quest for a livelihood after college, checking and rechecking, displaying shocking levels of perfectionism, scrupulosity and self-doubt. We spend hours a day on these things in an attempt to extinguish our perpetual anxiety over the possibility of joblessness, but the fear remains. We just can’t handle the uncertainty. This is textbook OCD. I’m not saying our entire campus has a clinical psychiatric diagnosis — this campus is home to approximately 36,829,457 active student organizations. I’m pretty sure most of us are more than functional. We study, we leave the house, we have friends, we feed ourselves. We’ll be OK. This notion, however, is actually what I think we need to internalize even more as a campus — We. Will. Be. OK. The terrain of our future, and apparently, our health, looks pretty rugged from
here; we have suddenly found ourselves without the vaccines and foresight that have always served us so well. Finding a job might be hard. So might be finding a passion or a place to live (especially if you have swine flu). But we chose a major, chose a college, figured out how to pay for it and how to survive it — we will do this, and something tells me we will do it well. In the meantime, I think the present state of everyone’s lives might be improved if we just relax. Read the e-mails if you must; explore your options for next year and perhaps stick to your own Solo cup for the rest of the semester. Wash your hands and clean up your résumé. Do what you have to do, but don’t fret! This is not scary. “Paranormal Activity” was scary. This is exciting! Things have a way of working out, and if they don’t, then you were probably just destined for failure. Kidding! But seriously, take my word on this one: Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end. Contact The Daily Reveille’s opinion staff at opinion@lsureveille.com
EDITORIAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES
QUOTE OF THE DAY
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.
“Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.”
Hyman G. Rickover American Navy Admiral Jan. 27, 1900 - July 8, 1986
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
ANALOG AVENGER
Opinion
PAGE 13
Hate crime act divisive, should be reconsidered We call hate crimes unnecessary, but the term “hate crime” may not be necessary, either. On Oct. 28, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard Act, extending federal hate crime laws to protect a wider range of sexual orientations and genders. The bill appears to bend toward justice and come down harder on malevolence. What could possibly be wrong with this? Nothing – if you’re comfortable cherry-picking your definition of “hate.” People who impulsively applaud this noble umbrella term are ignoring the semantic thicket into which it thrusts us. Even more appalling is how it was passed – attached to a pricey Department of Defense bill. Pairing hate crime legislature with military expenditures is not only an irrelevant undertaking, it’s unthinkably tactless. And this
comes from someone wholly opposed to the military-industrial complex. It begs the question, “What is a hate crime?” Our government surely doesn’t know. On one side of the Atlantic, this bill sponsors Joe Soldier’s 105 mm armor-piercing round as it bores through Jack Johnson the skull of the Columnist enemy he has been trained to engage – conditioned to, dare I say – hate now, and ask questions later. Stateside, the same funds may sponsor a trial prosecuting the offender of our new and improved “hate crime” laws. The slope is getting slippery. And what about Joe Soldier,
anyway? No matter which tango he downs, armed or unarmed (they all dress the same, right Joe?) it’s all for love of his country – an intense, unbridled, shellshocked love. Need we venture further into the shroud? What about when a husband kills his wife in the heat of passion upon catching her in bed with another man? Because when O.J. pretty much admitted to murder, he said, “Assume that I killed her. It was only because I loved her so much.” Matthew Shepard was tragically tortured to a slow, painful death because he was gay — the details of which are well documented. Calling it a hate crime is redundant. The conditions surrounding his death speak for themselves. His killers too will end their lives slowly, in the confines of a prison cell.
But for all his martyrdom toward gay rights, Shepard is no deader than another victim of premeditated murder who died peacefully in his sleep, single gunshot wound to the head. And so, calling one act a “hate crime” does not make it unequivocally more evil than the other. Similarly, since hate crimes have nothing protecting the genetically-predisposed morbidly obese, am I somehow “less hateful” for running over the next Walmart shopper who needs the motorized cart just to get around? Because I’ve heard plenty of people express their “hate for fat people.” Having specific “hate crimes” only does two things at present: First, it patronizes families into thinking their son or daughter is more special than just the “regular” murder victim. Shepard was
plenty special, but his sexual preferences don’t make torturing “more wrong” than it already is. Second, it further compartmentalizes a judicial system already mired in bureaucracy, wasting precious dollars trying to make a black and white picture from gray paint. It is good that the government honors people like Shepard – he did not die in vain. But the government should also check its fog lights every so often, even if it hates to. Jack Johnson is a 23-year-old mass communication junior from Fort Worth, Texas. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_jjohnson.
Contact Jack Johnson at jjohnson@lsureveille.com
JUXTAPOSED NOTIONS
‘Book banning’ gives concerned parents bad name Book banning isn’t always a terrible idea. Granted, I agree with the main premise of The Intellectual Freedom Exhibition held by the LSU Libraries, just not its broad generalizations. Found on the second floor of Middleton Library, the exhibition showcases many challenged and banned books for the purpose of “ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.” This is done in defense of an individual’s inherent right to hear a plethora of viewpoints and thereby form their own opinion, as per the First Amendment and the tradition of the marketplace of ideas. However, with the rallying cry issued by the exhibition comes a smidgen of oversight. What free speech proponents often forget is an important distinction: in some situations, it’s perfectly acceptable to ban books, particularly when they’re foisted on young students as “required school readings.” Unfortunately, this distinction isn’t often made because of the negative connotations associated with the phrase “book banning.” Most find the idea too offensive to entertain a scenario in which it might actually be beneficial. My issue with the Middleton exhibition is the grouping of banned or challenged “required school readings” with other literature. Though the exhibition indicates they were banned for different reasons, it does nothing to suggest one might be acceptable. Actually, it does the opposite by grouping all categories under a tagline that bids observers to “come
in and unlock” their minds. The result is a negative impression, one which suggests concerned parents are closed-minded for disliking that their children are being forced to read inappropriate literature. What it amounts to is a school forcing children to be open-minded Linnie Leavines whether they Columnist like it or not. Such a compelled attitude goes completely against what a free society should stand for. Essentially, it accomplishes the same thing book burning does but in a different way. Instead of telling them what to think by limiting their number of ideas, it forces them to think a certain way by insisting upon questionable material, all in the name of open-mindedness. By this logic, forcing objectionable literature on children is actually worse than book banning. I believe this particular controversy has next to nothing to do with the First Amendment doctrine. Truthfully, it is an argument about who is more qualified to raise the child, though it is disguised with inflammatory rhetoric about freedom of speech. A self-respecting educator should not assume they know what is best for children who aren’t their own. Some may disagree with this sentiment and argue it “takes a village to raise a child.” Unfortunately, these individuals often forget about the proverbial “village idiot” and a parents’ intellectual right to shield the minds of
their children from the accompanying literature, should they find it objectionable. This argument shouldn’t be dismissed as irrelevant prattling about a fringe issue, considering the statistics show otherwise. Parents account for 56 percent of those who either challenge or succeed in banning books. And given that schools and school libraries together account for 68 percent of the targeted institutions for banning, it’s reasonable to infer my gripes actually target the
predominant focal point of this controversy, rather than a fringe issue as most would think. Contrary to popular belief, religious devotees who seek to uniformly ban, burn or otherwise censor literature are only 1 percent of those who seek to ban at all – though media overexposure and their bizarre antics make their numbers appear larger. As such, a parent’s right to ban literature is too important to be overlooked, mislabeled or overshadowed and stigmatized by a
relatively small, albeit loud, minority. Discussion of the issue should be kept in the forefront when engaging in dialogue about book banning, foregoing the tendency to capitalize on free speech rhetoric. Linnie Leavines is a 19-yearold mass communication sophomore. Follow her on Twitter @TDR_lleavines. Contact Linnie Leavines at lleavines@lsureveille.com
BEST AND WITTIEST
cartoon courtesy of KING FEATURES SYNDICATE
THE DAILY REVEILLE
Classifieds
PAGE 14
Help Wanted STUDENTPAYOUTS. COM Paid Survey Takers Needed In Baton Rogue. 100% Free To Join! Click On Surveys. Parkview Baptist Preschool Preschool Teachers needed flex days no degree required 293-9447 Part-Time Marketing Position Local commercial real estate firm seeking P/T marketing assistant to assist in daily website upkeep including updating listings, preparing flyers, etc. Submit resume to pam@kurzhebert.com Learning Express Toy Store on Corporate Blvd. is looking for an Artistic and Energetic person to work PT, retail environment. Please call 225-231-1220 or come in to apply. 2561 Citiplace Court Suite 700. Earn Extra Money Students needed ASAP. Earn up to $150 per day being a mystery shopper. No Experience Required Call 1-800-722-4791 Welsh’s Cleaners part-time counter help needed at CCL location at 17732 Highland Rd. at I-10 next to Blue Bayou, flexible hours, great for students. For more information apply in person or call 225-756-0470 Part Time Sales Person wanted for womens boutique in Mall of Louisiana. FUN ENVIORNMENT and GREAT PAY. Call Lacey @ 225 907 2883 Don’t Miss This Opportunity! Now hiring for all positions at the following locations: JEFFERSON 7615 Jefferson Hwy Baton Rouge 70809 PERKINS ROWE 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge 70810 “Flexible schedules & Benefits for Full Time Associates” Please apply in person during regular restaurant hours. Equal Opportunity Employer www.louiescafe.com ISDS Graduates We are searching for a HelpDesk Analyst to fill a full-time, permanent position. Great opportunity in the Baton Rouge area for December Graduates. Geaux Tigers! Email resumes to hr@bankers-bank.com Students needed to work with children/adults with disabilities. Several
positions, various hours. Apply: St. John the Baptist Human Services. 622 Shadows Ln. Suite A 225.216.1199 Basketball Fan? Sales skils? Make commission selling LSU Basketball tickets. For more information email promotions@lsu.edu 225.578.6884 BARTENDING UP TO NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. TRAINING PROVIDED. AGE 18+ OK 1-800-965-6520 ext127 HOLIDAY HELP NOW! ** $15 BASE/appt ** Flex-day/wknd schedule Part-time and can be permanent. Customer sales/svc-conditions apply All ages 17+ 225-279-1691 new & trendy coffee shop “THE BARE BEAN” (LOCATED IN THE CATERIE PARKING LOT) ** TAKING APPLICATIONS FROM 1PM-3PM MON - FRI** 225.936.5682
For Sale 2002 Toyota Camry LE Good cond. Tan, Alpine stereo with Siruis and iPod hookup, 4 cylinder (Great gas mileage), 128,000 miles. $5,000. (225) 387-5578 Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING 2009!! Reserve now! Brand new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units for sale starting at $124,900. Ask about our Guaranteed Buy-Back Program!! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055 www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living.
For Rent 3BD/2BA HOME OFF BRIGHTSIDE @ 5037 AMBERALYNN DR $1750.00/ MONTH 5 MIN TO CAMPUS 225.276.0393 3/1 house for rent. Very cute, great condition, beautiful hardwood floors, new tile and fixtures, 5 min walk to LSU, fridge, stove, washer, dryer. 806 W Roosevelt. $800/mo, $800 deposit. Call 225.892.6491 1-2 bed APTs, near LSU, $450-$550 per month, Call Wang at 225-278-6621 or 225.278.6622
Tiger Manor Condominiums. UNITS READY FOR SPRING 2009! Reserve Now! Brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedrooms available. Reserve your unit today! Walk to class! 3000 July St. 225-346-5055. www.tigermanor.com Location. Location. Location... Start Living. Spacious 2 BR/2BA $945 MOST UTILITIES FREE www.tigerplazaliving.com 225.709.7000 3BR/2BA, 2BR/2BA, & 1BR/1BA apt. minutes from campus, AvailableDec. 1. for more information 225.939.6766 WalK To Campus 1Br, 2Br, and Townhomes. Starting as low as $400.00. www.lsuwestchimesplace.com 225.346.4789 LSU, TIGER PARK APT, 1&2BR Townhouse & flat, woodfloor, pool, busline, move-in special, $450-625/mo., 225.615.8521
Roommate Wanted ROOMMATE NEEDED FOR NICE HOUSE Room for rent in very nice house on lake in Nicholson Lakes Subdivision. 3br/2ba, $575/mo - lakehouse378@ yahoo.com 225.663.2664
Personals
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
contact fgarrett@gmail.com OBAMA... Attractive red headed nonfreckled conservative sophomore male, looking for an equally attractive, preferably non-obese conservative female to get drunk and talk politics with...and nothing else Mr. Smoochie@yahoo.com CHALLENGE: l’m looking for an attractive GENTLEMAN (20-24) to sweep my cousin off her feet from her “tool” of a boyfriend. She is a hottie with a body. So guys if your up for the challenge, please contact: cousin_in_need@yahoo. com Not Your Average Gay: Tall, strong, goal driven guy, seeks intelligent, creative, athletic man for a school year fling. Ages 21-29 All bets are off after May 21. (texts only:) 757.581.4777 A young girl student needed! A honest nice mature man at LSU is looking for a pretty, smart, lovely, nice and intelligent girl student over coffee, dinner or dance or more! Reach me at robertwillaims2008@yahoo.ca. TEST SUBJECT NEEDED!!! Tall, dark, chiseled male looking for a same-sex playmate to help discover my new lifestyle. Needs to be open for experimentation, physically and emotionally.
8 pack preferred but 6 pack acceptable. Come let me make your dreams come true. sjdude112189@yahoo.com looking for my match to fill the little opening in the jumbeled sock drawer of my heart. White female who is into snake charming, chainsaws & sealing envelopes with hot wax. Seeking male companion with high ACT score, high cheekbones and high self esteem. No Weirdos PLEASE! allthegoodonesweretaken666@yahoo. com SEARCHING 4 SOULMATE 20yo Asian guy seeking masculine guy 18-23 to date. Races open. I’m a sweetheart! tigerboy1988@gmail.com
Miscellaneous Blastoff Homepage (Free) consolidate internet media and social networks into ONE Cool, Free Homepage. Earn Cashback for shopping through your Blastoff site at over 400 participating retailers www. LABLASTOFF.com Don’t Settle For B’sGrad Schools & Employers Look at Transcripts. Visit www.mmwritingconsultants.com.
ATTENTION FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES Math, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Majors
GEAUX TEACH
A No Brainer For A Student With A Big Brain Contact us: geauxteach@lsu.edu
19 yr. old male teddy bear looking for a female to relax with. Must love movies. No weirdo’s need respond. bemyteddybear2009@gmail.com Big Country here looking for a southern belle to keep me company fishing in the dark. I like 4 wheeling, horseback riding and horseplayin. Give me a holler down on the farm. (225) 235-8926 FEMALE Searching for a gentleman to sweep my BFF off her feet! She’s a 5.7 newly single white 20 yr. old cutie looking for bigger and better things. Must be a hopeless romantic and enjoy movie dates. Email:gazin4devotion@ gmail.com or forever hold your peace. MUST MEET GOOGLY EYE PERSON If you are the person putting up the googly eyes around LSU, I must meet you!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009 VP, from page 1
Scheuermann would not be paid for past work but would begin logging hours once the money is allocated. “If the referendum gets approved, it doesn’t particularly mean she is going to be receiving a salary,” Sellers said. “The Senate still has to decide that when considering the budget.” Sellers said Scheuermann
GYM, from page 1
Giles said workers are still finishing a few punch-list items, but the gym is fully functional and usable. Renovations on the gym began during the summer with the start of roof repairs. The gym has been closed since Sept. 1, 2008, when Hurricane Gustav caused extensive damaged to
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 15
would have to quit her current parttime job at the Tiger Card office “in a timely manner” before receiving payment from SG. “This doesn’t have an impact on my willingness to serve,” Scheuermann said. “But it would allow me to have more time to go to meetings and work for the student body.” Gunduz Yavuzer, physics sophomore, said neither the presi-
dent nor vice president position should be paid. “It seems like they shouldn’t be doing it just for their résumé or for pay,” Yavuzer said. “It should be because they want to do it.” Along with the referendum, 37 candidates are vying for open senate seats, and five candidates are competing for a spot on the University Court. Only seats for University
Center for Freshman Year, College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences and University Court have competition, said SG Election Commissioner Alexis Sarver. The rest of the candidates are running unopposed. Former SG President Colorado Robertson said students should be concerned about who is representing them because SG has the power to shape the University.
“If you want changes made on campus instead of just complaining, your senator is someone you can complain to,” Robertson said. “The Senate really is the voice of the student body when it involves making or changing University policy.”
the facility. The storm ripped parts off the roof, causing rain damage to the gym floor, Giles said. UREC officials converted three of the tennis courts to temporary outdoor basketball courts during the renovation period. Giles said basketball players have adjusted to the move, and UREC officials are discussing making the outdoor courts
permanent. Giles said the next stage is renovating the locker rooms — which will start Nov. 23 and finish by Jan. 2. The locker rooms were also damaged by Gustav when high humidity levels caused the lockers to rust. David Simon, construction management sophomore, said he’s glad to finally have access to the gym, after the construction forced him to use the outdoor courts. “When you’re outdoors, you
have to battle the elements, which causes problems,” he said. “The gym’s finally back — I love it.” Kyle Meche, sport administration junior, said he used the outdoor courts once a week, though he prefers indoor. “The wind messes up shots,” he said. “It’s nice to have the gym back. The wood floors feel so much better than concrete.” The re-opening of the gym means the return of the indoor track
and badminton, volleyball and indoor basketball courts, Giles said. The UREC also rents out the gym for events, like graduations and fraternity and sorority events, he said. “We’re exited to be back up and running as normal,” he said. “We hope the completion of the gym will draw in even more users.”
growth is beautiful, their complex root systems underground can invade pavements and asphalt streets. Cox said the key to preventing problems is not allowing roots and concrete to compete, though sometimes sidewalks do have to be replaced. “In the long run, the value of these live oaks is so much greater than the value of these sidewalks,” Cox said. Roots also cause concern during construction, said Richard Humphreys, Facility Ser- Log on to see vices arborist man- photos of oaks ager. around campus. “We do a lot to restrict construction on the root zone of the trees,” he said. “We have a tool that allows us to blow soil away from the roots so we can expose them and figure out how to go around them.” Most of Facility Services’ work with the trees deals with safety, like clearing dead wood so it doesn’t fall on anything and cutting branches that could be obstructions, Humphreys said. Cox said the oaks are beautiful, but they were not the best choice for a roadside tree. “The use of the live oak as a street tree is not a good idea,” he
said. “They branch so low, and their limbs are so heavy — that’s why it’s hard for trucks to drive around campus right now.”
ROOTS, from page 1
landscaping was done by another firm, but the oaks were Burden’s work, said Van Cox, landscape architecture professor. “[Burden] thought [the oak] was the most beautiful tree on Earth,” Cox said. “He came to campus, and the president at the time liked what he was doing and hired him to handle the landscape of the campus. Burden pretty much had free reign, and his love for live oaks shows.” Burden planted a special oak near the Bernie Moore track stadium that has been named the Steele Burden Oak. The tree is unique because it was allowed to grow naturally, Cox said. “All the rest were generally pruned up,” he said. “The natural habit of oaks is to droop downward and [the Burden Oak] is the only one on campus that has the true form of a live oak.” Burden planted about 1,000 southern live oaks during his time on campus, one of the most durable types of trees, Cox said. “They live hundreds of years and tend to look even better as they get older,” Cox said. ROOT OF THE PROBLEM Though the oaks’ above-ground
Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at xwilson@lsureveille.com
Contact Steven Powell at spowell@lsureveille.com
THE GREEN The oaks pose technical challenges, but the leafy green icons help the University financially. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, Humphreys said they save the University $1 million per year in utilities. “They keep the sun off surfaces and reduce the atmospheric temperature, which reduces the amount of cooling we have to do on the buildings,” he said. The trees were last appraised in 1998, when they were valued at about $15 million, Humphreys said. The oaks are not insured because of the changing nature of trees, he said. “The value [of trees] can become diminished even though aesthetically it looks to have value,” Humphreys said. The trees are also financially self-sustaining through the LSU Foundation’s Endow an Oak program, which allows people to donate to the upkeep of trees and dedicate a tree to someone. Donors can endow an oak in the Quad for $50,000, one on the Parade Ground for $10,000 or any other oncampus oak for $4,000. About 250 oaks have been endowed since the 1990s, and 1,200 more are currently available. Money donated to the program is evenly divided between the immediate care of the trees and an endowment providing perpetual funding for trees, said Scott Madere, LSU Foundation public relations director. Madere declined to reveal how much the program has received to date. The program appeals to many donors because people identify the oaks as part of their memories at the University, Madere said. “Our urban forest is something everyone at LSU gets a chance to experience,” he said. “You can’t say everyone gets to experience a certain class, or even a football or baseball game. But one common experience is they all enjoy campus.”
lsureveille.com
Contact Ryan Buxton at rbuxton@lsureveille.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
THE DAILY REVEILLE
PAGE 16